A while back I posted about Outlier and our plans to check them out. We got our hands on some a while back and have been putting them through the paces. In the photos above, Jedd took his 4Season OG’s to Belize and snapped a few action shots. As suspected they are perfect travel pants, easy to wear day/night, dry super quick, resist dirt – transitioning from boat, to beach, to hike, to chilling on a dock w/ a beer is a lot of work for a pair of pants!
For me, I gravitated to the Keirin’s, I have a hard time getting a way from the 5 pocket pant so these were an easy transition for me. They were the only pants I took to SXSW this year so they endured 4 days of show after show, beer spilled – in some cases poured – on them, the OFWGKTA pit, the nightly 4 mile walk back to the airstream we were staying in, all in all pretty much the most brutal test possible. And this was after a straight 15 days of wear in Denver biking all over town.

Long story short, for my upcoming trip to Sayulita Mexico, the only pants I’m taking? The Outlier Keirin.

Oh – and those wondering about how they compare to Nonetheless from my first post, more on that soon – short answer is they aren’t similar things at all – and that’s not a bad thing.

Norse Projects Sweatshirt
RVCA Swim trunks
Baron Wells Chino
Left Field NYC Shrink to fits
Corter Japan relief bracelet
Surly Big Dummy

2011 Fly Fishing Film Tour coming to town this weekend with pre-game at St. Pete’s.

Jacket
Pack
Pants
Tee
Shoes
Belt
Light
Gloves (via James)
MB-0

My daily bike has been lying dormant due to some really minor maintenance issues so I’ve been using my girl’s Langster. It got me thinking it might be time for a new bike (isn’t it always?). A buddy suggested I look into a belt drive bike – clearly in part as a jab at my maintenance “issues” but it’s an interesting idea right? Quiet, no grease, simple. Any opinions?

Above:
Spot
Globe
Independent
Tout Terrain
Co-Motion
Trek District and District Carbon

Outlier (on the left) and Nonetheless (right) are clearly doing something similar in their two fair cities and that something is right down my alley. The question is, who’s doing it better? Now I’m all for keeping everyone friends but a healthy debate can be fun sometimes? Right?
My initial take is that I like the Outlier shirt better – I think partially because the extra buttons on the Trench shirt had me, well, a bit confused. Or feeling French. Something. But when it comes to the pants, the look of the fabric on the Dispatch Rider looks a lot better to me for some reason. The OG’s make me think of some travel pants I have from REI that, while great in theory, never really seem to “work”. But then again, is that a flair on the Dispatches? See? I get confused. Maybe I just need both companies to send me something so I can compare? (too overt?)

Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.

Art In The Age Presents… Bilenky Bicycle Works from Art In The Age on Vimeo.

Art In The Age Presents… Fillet-Brazing with Steve Bilenky from Art In The Age on Vimeo.

New Belgium Cup this weekend in Fort Collins, check out the messy madness at The Coloradoan.

With a focus on titanium framesets, simple drivetrains, unique frame geometry and some insanely large weelset options, Black Sheep Custom Bikes is a high end bike nut’s dream come true. Based in Fort Collins, the shop offers quite a few frame models as well as custom build options and help with build kits. Prices are definitely not for the timid, but if it’s literally time to trade in the car for a bike, it might be the right choice (even if you need to throw in the extra cash).