Gear Guy

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What mountain bike can I get for under $1,000?

I am looking to buy my first mountain bike and the more I look, the more frustrated I get. I've read some reviews in biking magazines, as well as Outside's...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What mountain bike can I get for under $1,000?

I am looking to buy my first mountain bike and the more I look, the more frustrated I get. I've read some reviews in biking magazines, as well as Outside's...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Is it overkill to use two trekking poles?

Thanks to a little bicycling accident last fall—which resulted in four brain surgeries—I've decided to take up hiking. I'm considering a staff or...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Is it still possible to find components for a 1960s road bike?

I use a 1968 Pinarello road bike. So, I was on a nice ride when I heard this "boing" noise; before I knew it, the derailleur (I think it was the original) had...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Is an inflatable sleeping pad more comfortable than fo?

Can you help me pick out the best-value sleeping pad? I'm new to backpacking and need my comfort while sleeping. Heck, I'd take my electric blanket along if I...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

How can I insulate my crotch when cycling in cold weather?

OK, this is a serious question. You seem like the kind of guy who does a fair amount of biking in cold, windy places. I've recently started to use my bike to...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Do sleeping bag "add-ons" really improve the bag rating?

I'm planning a trip to Tibet, and I'm looking for a bag in the zero to ten degrees Fahrenheit range. In addition to struggling with the age-old down versus...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Do they sell white gas for stoves in Europe?

I am moving to Switzerland for two years, and I want to buy a stove. I've heard that white gas cannot be found in Europe. Then again, if I buy a canister stove,...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Do they sell white gas for stoves in Europe?

I am moving to Switzerland for two years, and I want to buy a stove. I've heard that white gas cannot be found in Europe. Then again, if I buy a canister stove,...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Is a cyclocross bike a reliable, all-around compromise?

I've read that good husbands buy gifts for their wives after the birth of a child. So, being a good husband, I'm thinking of getting a cyclocross bike—for...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Is it sensible to filter water after using iodine to purify it?

Will boiling or adding chlorine dioxide to water neutralize all organic chemicals (i.e., industrial waste)? Also, should you filter water after using iodine or...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's a sure-fire way of securing a tent in gale-force winds?

Is there a proper way to save your tent, short of taking it down, in winds over 50 mph? I had one fail, and I wonder if it was because I kept tightening the...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What should I do if my stove fails in the backcountry?

On a recent winter excursion in the Adirondacks, my Whisperlite stove failed. The fuel was pressurizing, but it wasn't reaching the ignition wick due to a...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's the cheapest sleeping bag for summer camping?

What is the absolute cheapest sleeping bag that the Gear Guy would recommend for summer backpacking? Some of us have several thousand dollars to spend on our...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Any ideas for a tent to sleep the whole family?

I need a big family tent that's not too expensive but rugged enough to last many camping trips. I've compared Cabela's, Eureka, Coleman, and Wenzel. What is the...