I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
In 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.
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover 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!
Have 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.
My 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!
The 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 2023 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 Gear Guide too.
Wahoo Fitness
Wahoo’s New ‘Stealth’-Black BOLT, Price Drop, Plus Adds E-Bike Support, ANGi GPS connectivity
Wahoo just released the latest BOLT variant – ‘Stealth’, and with it, all Wahoo ELEMNT/BOLT/ROAM computers get an update that adds e-bike support and more. Read More Here
Wahoo KICKR Bike In-Depth Review
The KICKR Bike is the most advanced indoor smart bike out there. But is it worth $3,500? After a ton of miles on it, I detail everything you ever wanted to know. Read More Here
Wahoo Adds Cadence Support & Multichannel Bluetooth to KICKR/CORE Trainers via Firmware Update
I think this post should be a quick one. As of today, Wahoo is rolling out a firmware update to existing Wahoo KICKR18 & KICKR CORE trainers that will now calculate and broadcast your cadence over ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart. … Read More Here
Wahoo’s KICKR Bike with Built-In CLIMB: Everything you ever wanted to know
*** Check out the Wahoo KICKR Bike In-Depth Review Here*** 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 … Read More Here
Hands-on: Wahoo Adds Radar Support for ELEMNT/BOLT/ROAM, confirms TrainerRoad Connectivity
Today Wahoo has rolled out support for ANT+ radar units to their entire lineup of GPS bike computers, including the original Wahoo ELEMNT, the BOLT, and the new ROAM. For the 7 people still rockin’ the old school RFLKT, you’re … Read More Here
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM Cycling GPS In-Depth Review
Sometimes, I don’t quite know how to start a product review. And unfortunately, today is one of those days. See, the thing is, when I review products – price is an important piece of the equation. Just as it is … Read More Here
Optical HR Armband Shootout: Polar OH1+, Scosche Rhythm24, Wahoo TICKR FIT
The last few weeks, well…months really, I’ve been spending an excessive amount of time wearing optical HR sensor straps. It mostly started back in January as I was preparing my Polar Vantage M and COROS APEX reviews, with the optical … 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
Wahoo KICKR CLIMB In-Depth Review
Everything you ever wanted to know about Wahoo’s curious up and down machine. What’s the best apps for it? And what are the gotchyas? I dig into all the details. 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
Wahoo TICKR FIT Optical HR Sensor In-Depth Review
Today Wahoo announced their latest device – the Wahoo TICKR FIT. The TICKR FIT is simply an optical heart rate sensor that transmits ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart. Basically, it’s like a Scosche Rhythm+ or to a slightly lesser extent like a … Read More Here
Hands-on: Wahoo’s new KICKR CLIMB Incline Simulator
(Update: The Wahoo KICKR CLIMB has since been released, and you can find all the details from months of testing and use, here in the Wahoo KICKR CLIMB In-Depth Review) While this Eurobike is a bit quieter when it comes … Read More Here
Hands-on: Wahoo’s New KICKR 2017 Edition
It’s that time of year again – new trainer season. Or more precisely, just about the end of new trainer announcement. Wahoo’s been busy this summer between the new KICKR SNAP announced last month, as well as the new Wahoo … Read More Here
Wahoo ELEMNT MINI In-Depth Review
Can this $99 bike computer do everything the larger Wahoo BOLT & ELEMNT can? I dive straight into testing and all the details you need to know. Read More Here
Best Bike Computer 2017: Garmin Edge 520 vs Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT
Looking to find the best GPS bike computer? Time to dive into who does Strava best, which has best sensor support, and of course navigation! Read More Here
Wahoo’s New 2017 KICKR SNAP Trainer: Hands-on
This week Wahoo quietly launched an updated version of the KICKR SNAP trainer. That’s Wahoo’s lower-end trainer that sits at $599USD. Of course, Wahoo only makes two trainers – the full KICKR (direct-drive), and the KICKR SNAP (wheel-on). The full … Read More Here
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT In-Depth Review
Just about one year after Wahoo started shipping the Wahoo ELEMNT, they’re back at it again with a new and smaller variant – the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT. Now like their competitors, this unit isn’t designed as a successor, but rather … Read More Here
Wahoo announces KICKR Studio platform for local bike shops/studios
Today at Interbike, Wahoo is taking the next logical step in the indoor training realm: Offering a cycling studio package. This offering, aimed initially at the North American market, is targeted at bike shops and indoor trainer studios that want … Read More Here
Wahoo Fitness ‘KICKR2’ Trainer In-Depth Review
How does Wahoo’s second-generation KICKR compare against the original, and against its rivals? Read More Here
Wahoo ELEMNT GPS Bike Computer In-Depth Review
It’s been exactly 30 days since Wahoo started shipping their first GPS bike computer, the Wahoo ELEMNT. The unit was announced last year at Interbike in September, and while they had planned to have it in your hands by Christmas, … Read More Here
Wahoo Fitness Announces GymConnect: Treadmill integration & control
One tiny step at a time Wahoo is slowly increasing their fitness related turf. This week at CES, they announced the GymConnect System, which allows you to control your treadmill and get it talking over ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart to … Read More Here
The Wahoo KICKR Desk In-Depth Review
It’s been over 5 years since Wahoo’s first product, the Wahoo Fisica ANT+ adapter for the iPhone. That was later renamed to the Wahoo Fitness Key. Then came the BlueHR, a Bluetooth Smart heart rate strap. But their ‘breakout’ product … Read More Here
Wahoo’s new GPS bike computer–ELEMNT: Hands-on first look
Heads up April 2016 – Update! My Wahoo ELEMNT In-Depth review post is now available and published over here. Definitely swing over for all the details! Wahoo has made their first entrant into the GPS bike computer world, with ELEMNT … Read More Here
Hands-on with new Wahoo Fitness KICKR SNAP
Heads up: This post is about an older KICKR SNAP edition, check out my latest post about the most current KICKR SNAP trainer here. Today Wahoo has launched their latest trainer, the Wahoo KICKR SNAP. The KICKR SNAP is essentially … Read More Here