I’m DC RAINMAKER…
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you're trying to decide which unit to buy - check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
2Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here's my most recent gadget recommendations guide (Winter 2018-2019 edition) and trainers here (2018 edition) - covering almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day to day? I also just put together my complete 'Gear I Use' equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here's The Girl's (my wife's) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
3Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
4My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the "what's the best GPS watch for me" variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I've complied this "My Photography Gear" post for your curious minds! It's a nice break from the day to day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
5The 2018 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering "What does Ray use when not testing new products?". So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2018 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that's the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren't good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies "picks", check out The Girl's 2018 Gear Guide too.
Trainers
InsideRide’s New Wahoo KICKR E-Flex Motion Accessory: Hands-On
Let’s just get this out of the way up front: I’m officially proposing that InsideRide call this the product the FLOATR. The Wahoo-specific accessory enables you to essentially float your KICKR and ultimately your entire bike on two small platforms … Read More Here
Elite’s New Tuo Smart Trainer: First Look and Specs
You know, for a toaster, it rides pretty well. I’m serious – Elite’s newly announced Tuo smart trainer actually feels way better than I expected it would. Which isn’t a knock on Elite, but a compliment. The reality is that … Read More Here
First Look: The 4iiii Fliiiight Smart Trainer
Remember back in May when 4iiii announced the acquisition of STAC the company (which made trainers and aero/fit stuff)? And remember when they hinted that they’d have a new trainer product in time to show at Eurobike? No? Ok, well, … Read More Here
Zwift Demonstrates Mountain Biking & Steering at Eurobike
As the flurry of announcements at Eurobike get under way, Zwift themselves has two items on the docket. The first is availability of the new Yorkshire course later today, a shorter looped replica of the real world UCI World Championship … Read More Here
Wahoo’s KICKR Bike with Built-In CLIMB: Everything you ever wanted to know
In a move that probably shouldn’t surprise anyone– Wahoo has joined the indoor smart bike fray, with their new KICKR Bike. This unit is far more than just a KICKR and a CLIMB squished together on an L-shaped chunk of … Read More Here
Wattbike Announces US Availability for ATOM Smart Bike
Almost exactly two years after announcing the Wattbike Atom, the hard to get indoor smart bike is finally going to be available to purchase in the US. The company has made significant tweaks to the bike in the last two … Read More Here
Stages Announces New Smart Bike: Hands-on Details
Stages is the first company at Eurobike 2019 to bring a new smart bike to market, though, it’s hardly the first smart-ish bike they’ve made. In fact, it’s likely nobody in the world is more familiar with connected bikes than … Read More Here
Hands-On: Tacx’s NEO 2T Smart Trainer With Increased Power
At Eurobike this year Tacx has announced their latest update to the Tacx Neo Series, with the new 2T trainer. For those not familiar with the Tacx lineup, the Neo series is their top of the line trainer. It’s virtually … Read More Here
Elite Direto X Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
While Eurobike doesn’t officially start for another 15 hours, Elite is joining Saris in getting a jumpstart on things, this time on Eurobike Eve. Elite has just announced three new products – the Elite Direto X (this post), the Elite … Read More Here
Saris H3 Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
CycleOps…err…now Saris is getting a bit ahead of the Eurobike show announcement flood by starting early. Today they’ve announced three new products. First, is this post – the Saris H3 (Hammer 3) trainer. This trainer gets a bit quieter while … Read More Here
InsideRide E-Motion SmartPower Rollers with Floating Fork: In-Depth Review
In the indoor training world there are roller people, and there are trainer people. It’s sorta like politics or religion. Fighting with one camp over the benefits is mostly futile. The only people who benefit from such discussions are the … Read More Here
Hands-On: Elite’s New $799 Suito Smart Trainer (with cassette)
From the first ride to the initial power accuracy, plus sound levels and more - I dig into what may be the best value trainer of 2019. Read More Here
How To (Sorta) Make Your CompuTrainer Wireless: PerfPro’s CT Smart Wireless Bridge
While the company is no longer in business (and still, nobody seems to know who purchased the CompuTrainer assets specifically from RacerMate), there are undoubtedly many CompuTrainers left in service out there. And aside from a handful connected with the … Read More Here
CycleOps H2 (Hammer 2) Trainer In-Depth Review
This past summer at Eurobike, CycleOps somewhat quietly announced their new Hammer 2 trainer, more officially known as the H2. This trainer would take the existing Hammer 1 that the company released a few years back, apply a new coat … Read More Here
Tacx NEO 2 Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
While the Tacx NEO 2 was the last product of the year that Tacx announced – a mere 45 days ago – it’s actually shipping already, unlike its bigger brother the long-awaited Neo Smart Bike. Part of that reason, as … Read More Here
The Smart Trainer Annual Recommendations Guide–2018 Edition
It’s that time of year again: Indoor trainer season. Though in reality, that’s actually not terribly true these days. With indoor training apps and the entire experience becoming more and more immersive, more and more people are using them all … Read More Here
Hands-on: Tacx NEO 2 Smart Trainer
Squeaking in just under the wire for the 2018 Trainer Guide is the just announced Tacx NEO 2 Smart Trainer, the successor to the top of the line and now three-year-old Tacx NEO Trainer. This new model brings a handful … Read More Here
Tacx Flux S Trainer In-Depth Review
It’s been a bit over a month since Tacx first announced the Flux S, which despite looking similar at a distance to the also newly announced Flux 2, is indeed different. Aside from price (the Flux S is $749USD and … Read More Here
First Look: The $749 Tacx Flux S Smart Trainer (Direct Drive)
Last week at Interbike, Tacx announced the Flux S, making it the second Flux trainer announced in almost as many months. The first Flux trainer was announced this past summer at Eurobike, the Flux 2. The Flux 2 was designed … Read More Here
First Look: Kinetic R1 Direct Drive Trainer
And just like that, Kinetic has joined the direct drive trainer flotilla. But unlike everyone else, their trainer actually rolls. Or tilts I suppose. I guess it could roll if you fall off it. Kinetic has taken their popular Rock … Read More Here
Wahoo KICKR CORE Trainer In-Depth Review
Can the KICKR CORE save you $300 over the regular KICKR? I dig in for all the pros and cons, from accuracy to road feel, apps and more. Read More Here
Magene Gravat2 Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
There’s a pretty good chance you’ve never heard of Magene, nor Gravat (or the Gravat2). But that’s OK, now you have. There’s also a pretty good chance you’re not going to buy this product. Not because it’s got any issues, … Read More Here
Wahoo KICKR 2018 Trainer In-Depth Review
It's Wahoo's first totally silent trainer - but is it worth an upgrade? Plus - how well does it work with Zwift, TrainerRoad and other apps? Read More Here
Wahoo Headwind Fan In-Depth Review
I’ve written many in-depth reviews over the years. Trainers, GPS watches, action cams, drones…and yes, even a blender once (I still have the blender, it’s awesome). But, never a fan. But there’s a first time for everything, and today is … Read More Here
First Look: Tacx Announces New Flux 2 Smart Trainer
[Update - June 2019: At this point I do not recommend this trainer. While the feel is good and mostly it's fine, it is inaccurate in ERG mode (structured workout mode). It is fine in simulation mode, which is what … Read More Here
