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A few weeks ago I was contacted by CLIX Wheel Release Systems about doing a write up about their new quick release system.  I asked them to send me a demo and they actually sent me an entire RST fork and Shimano hub with the CLIX quick release already installed.  That was very unexpected.

So what is CLIX?

CLIX is a new twist on the tried and true quick release found holding the wheels on most bicycles these days.  In the end it accomplishes the same task but it does it in a slightly different way than you are probably used to.

What makes CLIX different?

The main difference is that it only takes one hand to use the CLIX system and you don’t have to spin the nut down on the other side.

Another advantage is that the quick release lever cannot be used as a giant wing nut.  Some inexperienced riders have been known to simply spin the lever around until the adjuster nut is tightened all the way in.  This totally defeats the purpose of the quickrealse.  This is also totally impossible with the CLIX system.

How does CLIX do it?

Basically the quick release lever has a larger throw.  This means that it pulls a lot farther than a standard quick release.  The CLIX system also only used single spring on the lever side and a spring cup that you squeeze with your fingers to release the wheel.  The adjuster nut is tightened one time when it is originally installed and then it never has to be adjusted again.

Does it really work?

I’ve messed around with it on the fork and hub they sent me but I haven’t mounted it on my mountain bike yet.  My initial impression is that it does work and it works very well.  I am looking forward to getting it installed on my bike.

They sent the fork because it takes a specific fork design that allows enough space for the cups.  This is a bit of a down side to the product.  If it simply worked with any standard fork on the market they could be selling these to any cyclist.  Right now they are only available as a factory installed component from specific bicycle manufacturers such as Cannondale, Trek, Koga Miyata, and Montague USA.

So stay tuned for follow up posts as I mount the fork and try it out on the trails.

Henry Swankette is the winner of the CAGEPACK.  Send me your shipping info via the contact page and I’ll get you your swag.

### I messed up the date so this didn’t get posted on Wednesday like I had promised…Sorry if this caused any confusion or discomfort. ###

Glenn Rice is the creator of the CAGEPACK, which is similar to a seat bag or frame bag but it is designed to mount onto the outside of a water bottle cage. 

Glenn developed them specifically to mount to a behind the seat bottle carrier as you can see in the pictures but Glenn also noted that it would still mount on a regular bottle cage if your frame had the room.

Initial Thoughts

My first thoughts after opening the package and reading Glenn’s letter was that this seemed like a pretty good idea and I knew just the person to try this out for me and that was my riding buddy Matt mostly because I knew he had a behind the seat water bottle cage on his commuter bike.

I also thought that it seemed like a very practical design but its not very visually appealing.

The back of the pack has a stiff plastic panel sewn into the pack to provide support so the pack holds its shape. 

Matt’s Review

I spoke with Matt on Thursday about the CAGEPACK I gave him and what follows is a summary of his thoughts of the CAGEPACK.

BF:  What do you think of the CAGEPACK?

M:  Its pretty good

BF:  Did it work ok?

M:  Its pretty easy to get to when your on your bike.  It moves around on the cage a bit  and I could tell it was shifting but not a big deal.

BF:  Did you have any other problems?

M:  Since its supposed to go behind the seat it would be good to have a place to clip a blinky light.  I tried to clip a light on the strap but it just pulled the strap down so it wasn’t securing the pack anymore. 

BF:  So the strap needs a belt loop?

M:  That could work and a reflective logo or stripe would help too. 

BF:  Would you buy it?

M:  If it doesn’t cost too much.

Matt didn’t know how much it cost during his review so it would be a more fare review.  The CAGEPACK is selling for $13.50 for one or $22.00 for two over at CAGEPACK.com

Buy or Not to Buy That is The Question

In my opinion, and I think Matt would agree, that its not bad.  If you use a behind the seat bottle cage or just need some additional storage on a bike tour or something then it might be for you.

Win Your Own CAGEPACK!

Glenn sent me a couple of CAGEPACKs and I’m going to give one to someone that leaves a comment on this post. So if you want the other CAGEPACK you have to do two things.

1. Go visit CAGEPACK.com
2. Leave a comment on this post

I’ll announce a winner next Wednesday.

So do you have some cool swag to send my way so your product, blog, race team, or club can get a little extra attention? If you do visit my original Free Stuff Friday post for details.

I’m starting a new thing here at BicycleFrenzy.com 

If you send me some swag with your logo on it like T-Shirts, bikes, back packs, jersey, socks, ect.,  I’ll take a picture of it and write a post about your product or site with links back to your site on the next Friday after I get your stuff.

The plan is to make this an every Friday or at least a very frequent regular Friday post.  You’ll get some easy publicity for your product or blog and some traffic out of the deal. 

So to get in on the action and get a Free Write Up and Picture send the gear to:

ATTN:  Bradly Fletchall
BicycleFrenzy.com
2540 Hwy M.
Sedalia, MO 65301

My shirt size is Large in case you were wondering and please make sure to include a note with your contact info and web site URL on it.

Rochester Flyers has  an article that lists various different online contests to win all sorts of cool bicycling prizes.

The contests are hosted by blogs like RideStrong.com to magazines like Men’s Health and Bicycling. 

The prizes range from full suspension mountain bikes to new Trek road bikes and $10,000.00 cash to a Garmin 305 GPS cycle computer.

So go check out the article and then follow the links to enter the contests.  Hopefully this will become a regular round up over at Rochester Flyers.

Happy Cycling