We have had a huge response to the Garmin Review Competition where we have collaborated with the generous guys at Garmin to give away 5x Garmin GPS products to our favourite reviews created during November & December 2009!

Now the competition is closed and we’d like to thank all of those who submitted their reviews. Check out the winning reviews and their responses below.

The prizes

Jonathan Cant

Peter Goodfellow

Mary Hardwick

Andrew Gore

David Lewis Smith

Garmin Review Competition Winners Feedback

Click here to read Peter’s winning triathlon review on the 2XU Mens Elite Compression Tights.

I never win anything, well at least not competitions to win useful things, (I even struggle to win a goldfish at the fair – not technically useful for me, but keeps the children happy!)….. so what a great surprise to get the email from Jason at Wiggle saying I’d won a prize for a review.

Dead chuffed. To be honest, I saw the prizes, and have used garmin kit before – and liked it, and thought it would be great to have a go, so pulled up my recent orders and did a few reviews – then thought a video review would be the best way of getting noticed……so I’ve got these new 2XU tights which are pretty good, and I ask the children if they think they’re any good, and to encourage them video me dancing like a loony and getting their comments…… and thus the video. Making the video with the children was great fun, and I didn’t really consider winning anything after that, but its a fantastic surprise.

Well, a fancy GPS watch will keep me on the straight and narrow – I’m sure we all like to think we’ve run/cycled further than we might actually have managed, and this gadget will bring the harsh reality of winter training speeds to life. Cant wait to use it and get fitter and faster for next years season….. (Hey I can even be one of those chaps who runs a 10k race and then tells the organiser the actual course measurement ….. how popular can a guy get???) Thanks to Jason and all at Wiggle!!

Pete

(more…)

No doubt you’re sick of turkey, Twiglets are no longer the treat they once were and if you see another sausage roll this side of 2012 it’ll be too soon. Yep, Christmas is over and it’s time to start working off that excess blubber. What better way to do it than by getting out on your bike in all the lovely new kit your family bought you for Christmas. What’s that? They didn’t?! Fear not, spend some of your Christmas wonga on our latest and greatest new jacket. It’s the dhb Southsea cycling jacket and it’s on test in our final dhb Tuesday review…

dhb Southsea Jacket

Here at Wiggle, we like to move with the times. We know that cycling is no longer the enclave of Lycra clad roadies or muddy off-road types, so we’ve created a jacket to reflect this. Recreational cycling has never been so popular – be it biking into town on an uber-cool fixie, commuting on a hybrid or just cruising the streets. The only problem was (in pre-Southsea times) too many cycling jackets tend to make you look anything other than cool: they’re usually big, bulky and a bright orange neon colour, which just ain’t a good look off the bike. That’s when our dhb wizards came up with the Southsea. It’s a jacket which looks as good off the bike as it does on it.

The Southsea has all the features you’d expect to find in a top-end bike jacket: it’s 100 per cent waterproof with fully taped seams and a waterproof zipper; two roomy rear pockets; Velcro adjustable cuffs and drop-tail hem plus subtle reflective branding. Available in brown or grey, it moves away from cycling jacket territory and picks up style points with its flattering cut, sleek design and high slimline collar. It can be worn off the bike as easily and comfortably as it’s worn on the bike and is sure to be a real winner in 2010.

View the dhb Southsea Jacket

With Christmas only 10 days away, this week’s dhb Tuesday takes on a special festive theme. Here at Wiggle Towers, the elves are working overtime to make sure everyone’s stockings are packed with Wiggle goodies come Christmas morning. We have a great working relationship with the big man himself and just last week were privileged to meet up with Santa. Over a glass of sherry and a mince pie, he even let us into a few secrets, including the most sought after dhb gear on your Christmas lists. Here it is…

1. Everyone seems to be going mad for the ever-popular dhb Merston Padded Bib Tights 2010 The award-winning bestsellers were a real hit in 2009 and it seems the 2010 version are going down a storm too. At £39.99, it’s not hard to see why!

2. The dhb Amberley Waterproof Cycling Jacket always scores big in product tests – and it’s doing the same on your Christmas lists. Popular with competitive cyclists and commuters alike, for £54.99 it’s an absolute bargain. It was featured in The Independent’s “10 best bike buys” last week.

3. Also from the Amberley range, the waterproof overshoes are must-have items in this wet, wintry weather and you’re all after them this Christmas to stop Jack Frost nipping at your toes.

4. The dhb Ladies Rogate Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey is a smart and stylish top which plenty of you ladies are hoping Santa will bring you on his sleigh.

5. The dhb Finchdean Windproof Jersey is flying out of our warehouse at an astonishing rate. Santa’s Little Helpers are having to take on more SiS Smart Gels just to keep up!

So that’s the top five, but don’t forget our two new 2010 jackets which have just come into stock: the dhb Droxford Waterproof Jacket

And the ultra trendy dhb Southsea Jacket

Happy Christmas and happy shopping!

The Wiggle Team

The rain has hardly stopped here @ Wiggle Towers so we’re continuing with our waterproof-themed dhb Tuesdays. This week, it’s time to delve into the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Trousers…

dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Trousers

If you’re keen to finish your ride in the same dry-as-a-bone condition in which you started it, you’d best be pulling on a pair of these hardy trousers. They fit superbly and are 100 per cent waterproof with fully taped seams which work brilliantly at keeping the rain out. Because they’re made from the highly breathable eVent fabric, you won’t sweat yourself silly while wearing them either.

All gear in the Wickham range is unashamedly performance-orientated, so it’s no surprise to see these trousers are designed for optimum comfort when riding. They’re toughened in the seat area and have a stretch fabric in the knee, thigh and rear panels as well as a higher back panel to help protect your liver and kidneys from the elements.

Intelligently designed features such as reversed zippers on the ankles and storm flap protection panels allow you to make adjustments to find the optimum fit – and this is something which proves popular with commuters and product testers time and again.

At £89.99, they’re definitely a worthy investment for anyone who regularly faces riding in the rain. Try ‘em – we guarantee you’ll be neither disappointed nor soggy.

View the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Trousers

Just a quick update from Wiggle HQ. The Garmin goodies have arrived! So get your product reviews in before the 20th Dec 2009 and you could be in for a nice Christmas treat.

The prizes

Our 5 favourite individual reviews for each sporting category will win the following:

For the best chance of winning add video’s and photo’s but all types of review have the chance to win!

How to enter

Simply review any product from the Wiggle site before December 20th 2009 for a chance to win!

View the Terms & Conditions

Reviewed: 27 November 2009 by David Arthur RCUK

+ Comfortable, great fit, knee panel, chamois.
- Ankle zipper perhaps unnecessary.

Wiggle’s in-house clothing brand dhb has earned a reputation for being well priced over the years. For 2010 its new Finchdean bib tights aim to take things upmarket a little, with a higher price tag allowing for some fancier materials and a posher pad to be used.

They’re made from a Thermo-stretch wind resistant fabric which is soft as you like next to your skin, with a double layer Windtex panel over the front off the knees to keep the joints further protected from the cold. The bib straps and back are lined with a fleecy type material too, and it all goes to making them incredibly comfortable and warm on even the coldest days. They’re rated for temperatures between -2°C and +10°C, a fact which seems about right in testing, though I can’t vouch for their sub zero performance, yet…

Fit around the legs and torso is good, with multiple panels around the legs and the large panel over the knees giving enough freedom when pedaling and avoiding any bunching or pulling of the material. Ankle zippers help pulling them on, though I found I could slip my legs through without having to unzip them first. But some may need to open the zips first so they are a nice addition to have. Above the waist there’s a short zipper which makes getting into and out of the tights a cinch (and also helps with toilet stops as well!) with a large flap of material behind the zipper and a protective flap for the puller.

It’s easy to see where some of that extra money has gone when you look inside. A dazzlingly bright yellow Cytec Endurance 2 X-Tract anti-bacterial pad is an immediate improvement over the regular dhb Merston chamois, with a comfort level more suitable for long distance rides.
Verdict

Are they worth the extra £35 over the Merston bib tights? Yes, they’re just that little bit nicer and more comfortable

www.wiggle.co.uk/m/cycle/7/dhb

Score breakdown

Performance 5/5
Reliability 5/5
Value 5/5

Continuing our waterproof theme from last week, today’s dhb Tuesday looks at the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Shorts.

dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Shorts

If you’re after a sturdy, versatile pair of shorts which can be used in the saddle as well as off it, then these Wickham eVent shorts are just the job. Made from the popular eVent fabric, which as well as being 100 per cent waterproof is also extremely lightweight and breathable, these shorts have a robust, durable look and feel.

Although waterproof shorts might seem like a strange concept to some, commuters, mountain bikers and recreational riders alike all tell us they love these shorts. They are usually worn with Lycra bike shorts or tights underneath and do a superb job of keeping your butt dry.

The toughened panel in the seat area means you can spend hours in the saddle without the material so much as flinching. They have been designed to fit perfectly on the bike with a stretch fabric in the back of the leg and on the upper rear panel to allow unrestricted movement while riding. Be warned: sizes come up quite small.

For £69.99, these shorts offer top performance and value and are a great investment if you’re planning on spending plenty of time in the saddle this winter.

View the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Shorts

Fed up of arriving at work with a soggy backside after yet another wet and windy commute? Get yourself a pair of dhb Amberley Waterproof Trousers then. They’re on show in today’s dhb Tuesday review…

dhb Amberley Waterproof Trousers

Commuting through the autumn and winter can be a grim task, which is where the dhb Amberley Waterproof Trousers step in to help make life a little easier. Made from Nylon ripstop fabric with fully taped seams, they can be worn over bike shorts or tights to protect you from the worst weather imaginable.

The ripstop fabric has a tough, durable feel and works wonders at keeping the rain and wind out. However, it’s not the most breathable fabric, so if you like to up the pace on your daily commute, things could get a little sweaty. That said, plenty of thought has gone into these commuter-friendly trousers. They’re extremely lightweight and can be folded up into panniers with minimum fuss. The toughened seat panel and drawstring waist offer top comfort and the Velcro adjustable ankles are an excellent feature, ensuring material isn’t left to flap in your chain. This also means you’re spared the embarrassment of wearing those ridiculous neon bicycle clips around your ankles which so many commuters still insist on wearing – or worse still, pulling your socks up over your trousers. Please – just don’t!

Before ordering, bear in mind that these trousers tend to come up small on sizing so if in doubt be generous, especially as you’ll be wearing over shorts or trousers. For £39.99, the Amberley Waterproof Trousers are a commuter’s must-have and will enable you to arrive at your destination warm, dry and ready to work. Well, we can’t guarantee the latter – but two out of three ain’t bad…

View the dhb Amberley Waterproof Trousers

If the weather where you are is anything like it is here @ Wiggle HQ, you’re going to need a good waterproof out on the bike this week. Lucky for you, then, that this week’s dhb Tuesday review takes a closer look at the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Jacket.

dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Jacket

There’s only one way to test a waterproof jacket (and no, it’s not to wear it in the shower) – you’ve gotta get out there in the worst storm imaginable, ride for miles and miles, suffer and see just how much of a huge puddle you leave in your porch when you finally return home, fall through the front door and de-robe. Yes, the life of a dhb Tuesday reviewer is a hard one, but every cloud has a silver lining: at least recently we’ve been having some great weather for test riding waterproof jackets.

Any jacket with eVent in its title is off to a flying start. The fabric is renowned for being brilliantly waterproof as well as breathable. Far too many jackets will keep the water out, but you’ll feel like you’re boiling alive in the process which isn’t much fun. Rest assured, while wearing this superlight supershell, you’ll feel extremely dry and comfortable. Its fully taped seams and waterproof zipper ensure you return home dry, whatever the weather throws at you.

There are single-handed adjustable waist pullers which are relatively easy to adjust on the fly and the drop tail hem helps keep the water off your backside. The Velcro adjustable cuffs are great and the high slim-line collar design creates a stylish, sleek look. Reflective piping throughout the jacket helps keep you safely seen too.

The Wickham range is all about performance-orientated gear – and this jacket certainly fits that bill. Its only downfall is its lack of pockets, but then it has been designed as a shell, so in theory you’ll have a jersey underneath to store belongings.

For £119.99, it’s almost unheard of to get your hands on a top jacket made from eVent fabric, so it scores huge brownie points on value. It also scored top marks when it came to the Puddle Test in the front porch. Result? A bone-dry body very much looking forward to a hot shower, chocolate milk and a toasted sarnie – preferably all at once.

View the dhb Wickham eVent Waterproof Jacket

This month we have collaborated with the generous guys at Garmin and we are giving away 5x Garmin GPS products to our favourite reviews created during November & December 2009! So it’s time to get creative as every review you leave us is your chance to win!

Good, bad or indifferent… for every review you leave us you have a chance to win! Simply click on the ‘write a review’ link on the product page. It’s your chance to have your say so please be creative, be eloquent, be passionate, focus on the product and the Heart Rate Monitor could be yours! Remember to add some video for your best chance to be noticed and win!

Garmin manufactures and markets navigation and communications equipment for the aviation and consumer markets such as the popular Garmin Edge mountain bike and road bike GPS range. Specifically Garmin aim to enrich the lives of customers, suppliers, distributors, and employees by providing the very best products that offer superior quality, safety, and operational features at affordable prices. What started out in 1989 with a handful of dedicated engineers and a great idea for a product has grown into the Global Positioning System (GPS) leader–both in sales and critical acclaim. Garmin has helped to take GPS to new heights by going beyond the ordinary features and performance found in typical GPS receivers.

Today, Garmin has a diverse product line and distributors in virtually every part of the world. While Garmin’s immediate success has resulted from developing innovative products for a variety of markets, their long-term success is based on commitment to support customers after the sale. They are winning over new customers with quality products, tremendous value, and superior service, and are working to turn them into loyal Garmin supporters for many years to come.

The prizes

Our 5 favourite individual reviews for each sporting category will win the following:

For the best chance of winning add video’s and photo’s but all types of review have the chance to win!

How to enter

Simply review any product from the Wiggle site before December 20th 2009 for a chance to win!

View the Terms & Conditions