Gear
-
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Review: Bone Conduction for Bike Commuting
A 40-something bike commuter's honest take on the orange Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: open-ear safety, lightweight neckband comfort, USB-C charging, waterproofing, and the sound-quality trade-off.
-
Goodbye Apple Watch Ultra, Hello Garmin Enduro 3: A Month on One Charge
After 8 months of daily charging fatigue with the Apple Watch Ultra, I switched to the Garmin Enduro 3 — readable MIP display, solar charging, and weeks of battery life.
-
Brompton P Line Pedal Swap: A DIY Story After 2 Years
My 2022 Brompton P Line's stock pedals failed after two years. Here's my DIY pedal swap — the thin spanner trick and where to borrow the tool for free.
-
MKS Sylvan Stream Pedal Upgrade for the Brompton P-line
Swapping a Brompton P-line's worn click-clacking pedals for Japan-made MKS Sylvan Stream Next pedals — fully detachable, buttery roll, and a real-world speed bump for casual riders.
-
2022 Brompton P Line: Carbon-Rail Saddle Swap Success
Fitting a carbon-rail saddle on a Brompton P Line meant ordering the right carbon-compatible clamp. A light aftermarket part, torqued to 10nm, finally dialed it in.
-
Brompton T Line Tuning: Dropping Weight and Wind Drag for a Faster Ride
How stripping mudguards, lights, and extras off a stock 8.8kg Brompton T Line cut wind resistance and boosted my Han River cruising speed to 30km/h.
-
Brompton P Line Carbon Saddle Swap: A Clamp Snag
Swapping a carbon saddle onto a Brompton P Line hit a snag—the oval carbon rails don't fit the stock round-rail clamp. Here's what I found.
-
Brompton T Line 3D Saddle Swap: AliExpress Find vs. the Original
Swapping the Brompton T Line's stock saddle for a light, breathable 3D AliExpress saddle at one-tenth the price of the Specialized original. First impressions before the ride review.
-
Brompton T Line Garmin Mount Install: Clean Cockpit Setup
Installing a Garmin mount on the Brompton T Line's new 4-point handlebar system using an H&H universal mount—clean, no folding interference, torque-checked carbon bars.
-
Garmin Enduro 2 Review: Body Battery, Energy & Battery Life
How the Garmin Enduro 2 tracks energy, sleep recovery, and fitness with Body Battery — plus 24-day battery life and why drinking slows recovery.
-
Brompton T Line First Ride: Setup, Torque & Han River Break-In
Setting up the new Brompton T Line — careful 3nm/1.5nm torque, P Line grips, and a Garmin Varia 715 — then a Han River break-in ride past Yanghwa Bridge.
-
Gym Beginner Confessions: 4 Months In, Just Push or Pull
A mid-40s lifting newbie shares 4 months of gym lessons: forget fancy gear and heavy weights — just show up, push or pull, and your body starts to change.
-
Garmin Enduro 2 Watch Bands: Titanium, Silicone & Nylon
My months with the Garmin Enduro 2 and the bands I rotate—titanium for the office, silicone for all-weather use, and lightweight nylon for daily wear and running.
-
Versa Gripps Pro Review: Why I Upsized from S to L
Two weeks into weight training, I swapped my too-short Versa Gripps Pro for the larger 2023 model with a wider velcro strap — here's why thicker wrists need it.
-
Nike Metcon 8 Review: Why I Switched From Soft Running Shoes for Lifting
After turning 40 and overhauling my health, my PT said my shoes were too soft. Here's my honest take on the Nike Metcon 8 for CrossFit, weights, and treadmill cardio.
-
Garmin Varia 715 Radar Dash Cam: First Look Before My Cross-Country Ride
Unboxing the Garmin Varia 715 radar dash cam for safety on cross-country cycling. First impressions on size, pairing, battery life, and charging tips.
-
Garmin Edge 840 Solar Review: A Bike Computer on a Brompton P Line
Why I chose the Garmin Edge 840 Solar for my Brompton minivelo—solar charging, USB-C, sensors, and why tracking ride data is worth it even on a folding bike.
-
Brompton Grip Swap: Installing Ergon GS2 Grips in a Parking Lot
Swapping a Brompton's stock grips for Ergon GS2 grips using only the built-in Brompton Toolkit, plus tips on S-bar fit, torque, and a relaxed Han River ride.
-
HJC Atara Aero Helmet Review: Lightweight, Cool Pick for Brompton Riders
My honest take on the HJC Atara aero helmet — at ~200g it's far lighter, cooler, and better vented than my urban helmet, and ideal for summer Brompton rides.
-
Five Ten Freerider Review: Flat Pedal Shoes for My Brompton
After swapping in MKS pedals, I needed proper flat-pedal shoes for my Brompton. Here's my take on the Five Ten Freerider after 30 km of riding.
-
Brompton Grip Upgrade: Installing Ergon GS2 Grips for Long Rides
Swapped my Brompton's stock rubber grips for Ergon GS2 grips. Here's how they ease palm and wrist fatigue with three hand positions on rides over an hour.
-
Brompton P Line in Emerald Green: My Fitness & Touring Setup
A hands-on look at my Brompton P Line in Emerald Green — 21T gear swap, low S bar, Specialized saddle, front bag, and a 10.4kg build for cross-country touring.
-
Garmin Forerunner 955 Review: Best-Value Sports Watch for Everyday Athletes
A hands-on gift review of the Garmin Forerunner 955: up to 15-day battery, solid water resistance, reliable notifications, and top Forerunner features at under half the price of Fenix.
-
Resizing a Used Titanium Garmin Watch Band with the Right Tool
I grabbed a used titanium Garmin band on Karrot, but it was too small. Here's how I resized the tube-link band myself with a cheap kit for a perfect fit.
-
Why I Left the Apple Watch Ultra and Went Back to Garmin
After 4 years on Apple Watch, battery anxiety, weak pace display, and paid apps drove me back to Garmin. My honest take on sports watch vs smartwatch.
-
Jetboil Stash Review: A 200g Ultralight Cookset for Backpacking
My hands-on take on the Jetboil Stash: a 200g titanium-and-aluminum cookset that runs on a 110g iso canister, with a built-in silicone handle and nesting design for ultralight trips.
-
Hilleberg Enan: My Sub-1kg One-Person Tent for a Backpacking Return
After an ankle injury, I'm restarting backpacking with the Hilleberg Enan — a lightweight one-person tent under 1kg with a roomy vestibule and all-weather build.
-
Apple Watch Ultra Review: Battery, GPS & Hiking for iPhone Users
Hands-on Apple Watch Ultra review covering its big battery boost, dual-band GPS accuracy, rugged design, fast charging, and whether it works for hiking, trekking, and outdoor sports.
-
Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar Bands: AliExpress vs Genuine
Comparing Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar watch bands — genuine leather and silicone vs cheap 26mm QuickFit AliExpress straps, including an Alpine Loop copy.
-
Pairing a Garmin Fenix 7X With a New iPhone: What Finally Worked
After two days of failed syncs, here's the step-by-step fix to properly pair a Garmin Fenix 7X with a new iPhone 14 Pro and restore full Garmin Connect data.
-
Suunto 9 Peak vs Garmin Fenix 7X: Sports Watch Comparison
A hands-on comparison of the Suunto 9 Peak and Garmin Fenix 7X — design, build, battery, GPS performance, and how a dedicated sports watch differs from a smartwatch.
-
Sobaeksan Jukgu Traverse: A Brutal Autumn Day Hike from Jungnyeong to Guinsa
Hiking the 20km+ Sobaeksan Jukgu Traverse from Jungnyeong Pass to Guinsa Temple—brutal Baekdudaegan winds, freezing autumn cold, and breathtaking ridgeline views worth the climb.
-
Nike Alphafly 1 Review: A 40s Beginner's First Running Shoes
A paunchy 40-something's honest take on the Nike Alphafly 1 — design, carbon plate, ZoomX foam, training, and finishing a rainy 10K in his first marathon shoes.
-
서울근교산행 북한산 — Bukhansan National Park Hiking Guide
Bukhansan, Seoul's closest national park, offers 14+ rocky trails. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a charged phone—it's close, but never an easy climb.
-
Garmin Smartwatch Battery Life and Charging Tips
Garmin smartwatches last about two weeks per charge. Here's my real-world charging routine, plus a USB-C adapter trick for the non-standard 4-pin cable.
-
Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin Fenix 7X: Hands-On Comparison
A real-world comparison of the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 7X—battery life, sports tracking, screen readability, and which smartwatch fits you best.
-
Brompton Roll-Top Bag Review: 28L Laptop Bag for Commuting
A hands-on look at Brompton's large roll-top bag — fits a 16-inch MacBook Pro, loads of external pockets, included rain cover, and YKK zippers for bike commuting.
-
Garmin Fenix 7X vs Apple Watch Ultra: The Sports Watch Battle
Comparing two flagship sports watches — Garmin Fenix 7X and Apple Watch Ultra — on battery life, GPS accuracy, build quality, and real-world outdoor use.
-
Why I Ditched My Fizik Saddle for a Specialized One
My Fizik saddle put all the pressure in the wrong place. Here's why I swapped to a comfortable Specialized saddle that works for both me and my wife.
-
80km on the Brompton: New Gearing and a Lost Pair of Goggles
An 80km Brompton ride through Yeouido to Ilsan — adding a 21T cog, thoughts on professionalism, riding home after a downpour, and losing my 10-year-old goggles.
-
Finding a Sold-Out Billingham Game Bag in Olive for My Brompton
My taste runs classic and long-lasting. After years with a Billingham Hadley Pro, I tracked down a rare unused olive Brompton game bag — now I just need a frame.
-
Garmin Fenix 7X vs Apple Watch: Why Battery Life Won
After years on an Apple Watch, I switched to the Garmin Fenix 7X for running and long hikes. Here's how the data and 21-day battery changed my training.
-
Thousand Helmet Review: The Perfect Match for Your Brompton
A hands-on review of the new Thousand helmet with MIPS, magnetic buckle, signature lock hole, and a free tail light — and why it pairs perfectly with a Brompton.
-
Kovea Alpine Master: A Korean Reactor That Rivals MSR
After 10+ years with the MSR Reactor, the Korean-made Kovea Alpine Master stacks cookset, burner, and gas into one neat package — boils two packs of ramen with ease.