GearFlogger

Flying down a mountain... literally

 

Adamo Peak mountain bike saddle

I thought I was happy. I tooled around technical mountain bike trails in perfect contentment, nary a thought given to my saddle. Then I rode the Adamo Peak saddle, and now my happiness overfloweth.

Adamo got its start with big, super-comfy toilet seat style saddles, designed for modern day cowboys, people like bike cops who work all week on their rides. But check it out, Adamo makes a full line of road performance saddles, and because I don't suffer from that particular sickness it took me a while to discover they make a mountain bike model as well: the Peak.

Riding the Peak after a stock saddle is like going from a Camaro to a Ferrari. You thought you were happy with the Camaro, but OMG the Ferrari! I've always been a bit slow to get behind the saddle on tricky descents, but the rounded back on the Peak made it thoughtless. Bam, it just happens, and once you're riding your rear fender your stomach is resting comfortably against the broad back of the saddle. Going forward to climb or side to side on tight singletrack, the Peak feels effortless and very quick.

Like any performance biking gear, comfort is secondary. The Peak does its best by incorporating gel and foam padding, but like a Ferrari the Peak is all about performance, and you'll like it best on varied terrain where you're moving around a lot. If you're looking to upgrade your mountain saddle, the Peak should be at the top of your list. UPDATE: check out the demo program at TriSports.com!

$111.99 (on sale from $149.99) at Amazon

Think you can outrun an avalanche?

 

Brooks-Range Finger Pulse Oximeter

So you want to get high. Join the club. If you're one of those who thinks life only really starts to get interesting above 12,000 feet, you've probably read up on acclimatization strategies to prevent and treat AMS, HAPE and HACE.

A pulse oximeter is a handy companion to measure oxygen saturation as an indicator of acclimatization. In Altitude Illness: Prevention and Treatment from Mountaineers Books, author Dr. Stephen Bezruchka states (p. 130): "At sea level the normal reading is 96 percent or above, while at 15,000 feet (4570 meters) it is around 86 percent, dropping to about 76 percent around 20,000 feet (6100 meters). At the summit of Everest 29,029 feet (8850 meters) it drops to approximately 58 percent."

The good doctor points out that you don't want to rely solely on a pulse oximeter for prevention, because you should be following a predetermined strategy (e.g. scheduled climb high/sleep low plan) and some things, like cold fingers or high levels of exercise, can prompt inaccurate readings. He does admit the device is useful for monitoring recovery after the onset of altitude illness, for example while descending, after administering oxygen or drugs such as nifedipine, or while in a hyperbaric (a.k.a. Gamov) bag. Likewise it's useful if you've got a pre-existing lung condition such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

The Brooks-Range Finger Pulse Oximeter is a nifty little one ounce design that operates on two AAA batteries. It displays SpO2, and also heart rate both numerically and with a little real-time meter, and readings compared to other methods seemed quite accurate. There is a low battery indicator, and the unit shuts off automatically after 8 seconds of non-use. The unit also has a secondary display mode that kicks in if you press the power button after you're already using it. Unfortunately the documentation doesn't explain what the display actually shows. The stats indicate you can adjust the brightness, and that there are audible and visible alarms, but again the documentation is missing any information on these functions. If you can deal with the scant instructions the unit is a handy addition to your medical kit.

$90.00 at Brooks-Range

Arc'Teryx Alpha SV bib

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who divide people into two kinds and those who don't. Also, those who wear pants and those who wear bibs. Who wears bibs? Drooling infants, for one. Mountaineers, for... oops, redundant. 'Scuse.

The Arc'Teryx Alpha SV bib is simply the best bib ever. The weatherproof Gore-Tex 3L Pro Shell construction is bomber, breathes like a teenage boy watching Megan Fox, and effortlessly sheds the elements. At a mere 22 ounces it won't weigh you down, and the fit is exquisite: trim, a high cut with a Schoeller vest, inner waist drawcord, removable foam kneepads (so nice when putting a knee down to rest), zippers that don't ride under pack belts/straps, adjustable cuffs with lace hooks, instep patches, easily adjustable shoulder straps, we're talking the whole enchilada. The leg zippers don't fully separate, but that's OK, 'cause you'll be wearing these dawn-to-dusk and probably 24 hours a day on expedition.

The design and placement of everything is perfect. A three-way through the crotch zip allows you to do your duty without excessive exposure (make sure it matches your inner suit if you're wearing one; rainbow zips and through-the-crotch don't play well together). The best part? The pockets. Two small inner pockets and two medium outer pockets all zip up to close, and - hallelujah! - they're Napoleon-style. It's hard to stress how convenient this pocket design is. It doesn't interfere with pack straps, it's easier to reach across than back, and you can sleep with all kinds of crap (not literally crap - that would be gross - but small bits of gear) and not worry about breaking stuff, unless you're a stomach sleeper. They're beautiful, man. Save your pennies.

$498.95 at Backcountry