SRAM RED XPLR Gravel Groupset & Power Meter In-Depth Review (2024)

 SRAM has just released its latest version of its top-end gravel groupset, SRAM RED XPLR. This group is unquestionably the biggest shift in the SRAM gravel realm since its inception, in that it moves from what has effectively been … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 months ago

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra In-Depth Review: Finally Accurate?

 In the year of our Lord 2024, it appears Samsung has finally delivered a mostly accurate smartwatch. Sure, it took a decade, but the eagle has probably landed. Mostly. The catch on ‘mostly’ is of course where I’ll spend … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 months ago

Technical Tidbits: Zwift User Breakouts, and Peloton Virtual Running Track Mode

As I wrap-up my Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review, and a few other review things in the hopper for this week, here’s two quick technical tidbits I thought were interesting. Some geekery here, but, such is this site. Stats on … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 months ago

FIT File: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra – Apple Watch Ultra Copycat?

 For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we chat about the new Galaxy … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 3 months ago

Quick Tips: Tiny Garmin Watch $8 Keyring USB Charger

There comes a time in every watch users life where you get to the hotel in a far flung city, only to realize your watch battery shows 7%. Of course, the problem isn’t that it shows 7%, the problem is … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Tour de France Bike Computers & Team Zone Behind The Scenes!

 It's time to look at bike computers of the Tour de France. I finished up the video first, above, but haven't quite had a moment to write up all the details yet. Though, in short it's very similar to … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Testing Out Samsung’s New 4-Minute Cycling FTP Magician

 Last week Samsung touted a pretty bold claim in the middle of their keynote for their newest smartwatch: They could determine your cycling FTP (functional threshold power, the max power you can maintain for roughly an hour). To do … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Huge Amazon Prime Day 2024 Sports Tech Deals Tracker!

It’s back again – Amazon Prime Day…err…Days. That means that most (all?) Amazon country/regional properties are doing pretty substantial deals across the board on all sorts of products for today and tomorrow (July 16th and July 17th). In some ways, … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Apple’s New Training Load & Vitals App: After 30 Days of Usage

 A bit over a month ago at Apple’s WWDC event, the company announced their newest versions of WatchOS, the software platform that the Apple Watch uses. It also announced new versions of iOS and various other operating systems. All … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Eurobike Sports Tech Roundup…and COROS Dura Delay

 For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, Ray and Des talk about the … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

COROS Sorta Delays Dura Cycling GPS Till September

 COROS has announced they’re delaying new shipments of the previously announced COROS Dura cycling GPS. The unit was set to start shipments next week, on July 15th, but due to a potential mounting tab breakage issue, customers can choose … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Tour de France Behind The Scenes & Sports Tech!

The Tour de France is in full swing, and with it, a few days ago, the time trial stage. That’s always an interesting opportunity to check out which sports tech riders are using, such as bike computers, trainers, as well … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Ring: Everything you need to know!

 Samsung has announced the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, and finally - all of the price and specifications of the Galaxy Ring they announced last summer. There are some substantially big ticket items here in terms … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

FIT File: Zwift CEO Eric Min // Zwift Ride, Zwift Tron Bike, Price Increases, and the Future of Zwift

 For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we sit down with Zwift CEO … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Eurobike Sports Tech Roundup: Cool & Quirky

 Above I've got a bit of a round-up video of sorts diving into a few different things I found floating around the Eurobike show floor. Some of it's cool, some of it's quirky, and some of it might well … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Zwift CEO Interview: What worked, what didn’t, and what’s coming?

 I recently sat down with Eric Min, one of the co-founders and current CEO at Zwift, to dive into a whole slate of topics. This is actually a bit of a two-part interview set. This interview is heavily focused … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

JetBlack Victory: New $399 Direct Drive Smart Trainer Hands-On

 The JetBlack Victory is a product announcement that needs more room in a post title. If I could have used all the words in the title, it’d probably say say: "First Look at JetBlack Victory, the $399 Direct Drive … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Elite’s New Square Smart Frame, Avanti & Justo 2 Smart Trainers First Look!

 Elite has just announced a new smart-bike setup of sorts, as well as two new trainers. The new smart bike is effectively an upscale take on the also recently announced Zwift Ride, seemingly addressing the three most common complaints … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

FIT File: Summer Sports Tech Season is Heating Up! Zwift Ride, Edge 1050, Suunto Race S, and More!

 For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we chat about the new Zwift … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Garmin Edge 1050 Features Now Available in 540/840/1040 Public Beta

 Garmin has released its public beta of the Edge 1050 features, for the Edge 540/840/1040 units. This allows those that are eager to start reporting that angry dog down the street as a 'road hazard' (or Dairy Queen as … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 4 months ago

Garmin Edge 1050 In-Depth Review: Brilliance or Battery?

 As has been the trend for the last 2 years at Garmin, they’ve apparently grown tired of people complaining about their display tech looking like it’s from 1987. Following various Garmin watches getting brilliant and responsive AMOLED displays, it’s … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

Suunto Race S In-Depth Review: Smaller, cheaper, yet better?

 Suunto has just announced the Suunto Race S, a smaller and lighter version of the Suunto Race they announced last fall. Except, it’s got more features, better accuracy, is substantially cheaper, and is even manufactured in Finland. Unlike some … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

FIT File: Apple WWDC WatchOS 11 New Features Deep Dive & Discussion

 For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we talk about everything WWDC 2024 … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

COROS Dura Hands-On: I Have Some Thoughts

 COROS has just announced (or rather, the second announcement) of the COROS Dura cycling GPS computer. This computer aims to take their existing watch software, and port it into a GPS bike computer format. Which, as you’ll see, is … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

YouTube Music now on Garmin Watches: Quick How-To Guide

 Garmin has rolled out support for offline YouTube Music on their watches. This allows you to download music and podcasts from YouTube Music in exactly the same way you would for Spotify, Amazon Music, and others. Like those, this … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

Zwift Ride Indoor Bike In-Depth Review: The Future of Smart Bikes?

 After years of rumors, pivots, and do-overs, Zwift has finally announced their much-discussed indoor bike. At least, depending on how precisely you define an indoor bike. But no matter which definition you use, this is going to significantly shape … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

Apple’s New WatchOS 11: Trainining Load, Turn-by-Turn Trail Routes, and More!

It’s that time of year where Apple announces the majority of new software features for their various platform operating systems, such as iOS, WatchOS, and more. These are announced at Apple’s WWDC (World Wide Developer Conference). While this event is … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

FIT File: Apple WWDC Predictions, Wahoo GoPro Integration, Polar’s Whoop Competitor, and More!

 For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we talk about Polar's Whoop-like band, … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

DCR Cave Summer Open House Registration Is Now Open! July 13th, 2024

Yup, you read the title right! It’s back! The DCR Cave SUMMER Open House! With the event right around the corner, we have lots to do, but first, we need to know how many beers to buy! So don't wait … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

Samsung Sues Oura: A Closer Look at The Preemptive Smackdown

(Above: Samsung Galaxy Ring) Oura might have rattled their saber a bit too vibrantly, and a bit too pre-maturely, at the wrong entity. In doing so they’ve upset a company not afraid to wield its massive army of lawyers, causing … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

Wahoo KICKR BIKE SHIFT In-Depth Review (Long Term)

I didn’t exactly intend this review to end up as a long-term review, yet, here we are. After some 9 or so months, this is my complete Wahoo KICKR BIKE SHIFT In-Depth Review. The SHIFT is effectively a pared-down version … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

COROS Teases New ‘Dura’ Bike Computer: Some Quick Thoughts

COROS has begun a social media teaser campaign for what they’re calling “a different kind of bike computer”. The teaser doesn’t say much, but obviously, I’ve got some thoughts. COROS e-mailed existing customers with a simple one-image graphic that says … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

Fitbit Ace LTE Kids Activity Tracker Announced: Initial Thoughts

Google/Fitbit has just announced the new Fitbit Ace LTE kids activity tracker. This new model takes their existing inexpensive $79 Fitbit Ace 3 activity tracker, up to a full-blown smartwatch level device, based entirely on the Google Pixel Watch 2. … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

Best Bike GPS 2024 In-Depth: Garmin Edge 840 vs Hammerhead Karoo 3 vs Wahoo ROAM V2

 It’s time for another bike computer comparison, this time comparing the best bike computers at the sub-$500 level. The price range is somewhat arbitrary - as really my goal was to compare the three most popular options from the … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

FIT File: Zwift Price Hike, New Strava Features, and Des Goes to Band Camp

 For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we talk about the Zwift price … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 5 months ago

Week in Review – May 26th, 2024

The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Hammerhead Sends Out 7-Year ‘Old Karoo’ instead of ‘New Karoo’

In one of those moments that one can only laugh at, Hammerhead has seemingly accidentally shipped out units of the 7-year old original Karoo, to some eager buyers of the just announced ‘new Karoo’. Admittedly, someone at Hammerhead is probably … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

How My Garmin Endurance Score Skyrocketed In One Boring Ride

This is a technical rabbit hole post, which ultimately ends up blaming not one, but all three of my young daughters for my Garmin watch woes. Hope you enjoy! Next week will mark a year since Garmin introduced Endurance Score … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Week in Review – May 19h, 2024

The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Big Garmin Edge, Fenix, and Epix Sale (US): Quick Thoughts

It’s May, which means it’s Garmin’s annual sales for their mostly outdoor focused products ahead of the summer season. Each year the company tends to put this set of products on sale, roughly 3-4 weeks ahead of Father’s Day in … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Strava Announces Family Plan, Dark Mode, AI Cheat Finder

 Strava has just announced a slate of updates at their annual Camp Strava event, where they show off a bunch of newness. This years event is the first time new CEO, Michael Martin, is at the helm, after starting … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

SRAM RED AXS & Power Meter (2024) In-Depth Review

SRAM has announced their new SRAM RED AXS system, complete with a Quarq-based power meter. Depending on your perspective, you’ll either be focusing on the weight savings, or the tech integration. Around these parts, it’s gonna be the tech integration … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Hammerhead Karoo 3 In-Depth Review: Worth the Upgrade?

SRAM & Hammerhead have just released the latest version of their GPS cycling computer, the “new Karoo”. This unit combines much asked for hardware updates, with a smattering of software updates, to provide a natural evolution over the existing Karoo … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Polar Grit X2 Pro In-Depth Review: A Flagship Watch?

 The Polar Grit X2 Pro is positioned as Polar’s flagship adventure and multisport watch, both from a features standpoint, but also its high-end hardware. Given the flagship nature of the watch, I’ve been putting it through its paces across … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Week in Review – May 12th, 2024

The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Zwift Increases Prices (App & Hardware): What you need to know!

Zwift has announced that they are increases prices effective June 6th, 2024, the first price increase in more than 7 years for the company. The last increase was in November 2017, from $9.99 to $14.99. In doing so, they’ve essentially … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

Polar (Sorta) Launches Whoop-like Competitor: The Polar 360

 Polar has quietly rolled out a new website that showcases at the Polar 360, which is a Whoop-like tracking band, including 5-day battery life, always-on optical HR sensor, Polar algorithms, and plenty more. It’ll even leverage Polar Flow as one … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago

FIT File: Garmin Connect 5.0, Stages, and More: The Internet on Fire

 For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we talk about Garmin Connect's controversial update, … Read More Here → | Continue reading


@dcrainmaker.com | 6 months ago