Just got a very reasonably priced $25 (includes shipping) set of three microfiber cloths from NeatItems.com. Consists of a huge 16x16 washcloth, 14x24 hand towel, and a 26x48 bath towel. Together they pack down to the size of an average hard cover book. I ordered them Sunday online, and they arrived yesterday. Not at all bad for free shipping. I dried off with the bath towel this morning after my monthly shower and that sucker was thirsty! Plenty of drying capacity left. And best of all, they come in yellow!!! Just wanted you all to know about these folks. I have no connection with this company apart from this excellent purchase experience. I spent a bit of time online and couldn't find a better value. This is much better pricing than you'll get from Aerostich and REI. Douglas Adams would have loved these.
I too can vouch for the microfiber towels after having used them for camping for a number of years. The will such up a lot of liquid and then dry in a realatively short period of time. I've had them for well over 10 years now. No reduction in absorption ability, they just get a little softer and a bit fluffier with time. One caution though, don't put them into the dryer on high heat. I had one large towel (purchased thru Campmor IIRC) which ended up almost the size of a hand towel after an unfortunate incounter with a dryer set to high
they are awesome, should be in every tankbag. they make a good make-shift cooling vest. Put it under your mesh jacket and spray it down w/ your camelback as you ride.
I buy them by the bag at Sam's Club for about $10.00 for 30 of them. About 1 foot square and great for cleaning dare I say "Bikes":eek1
I like the microfiber towels. A couple of years ago at a local retail outlet I came across: Pocket Towel It doesn't soak up as quite as much as a similarly sized (in sq inches) microfiber and aren't quite as soft, but the packed size is way smaller and they dry much more quickly. One stays in my "ditty bag" all the time at the ready. For me the microfiber towels pack a little too large to carry in the "ditty bag" at all times.
I have an Aquis microfiber towel - 29x55. These things are not only thirsty, but very thirsty! I bought a smaller one for LR and he popped his in the washer/dryer and it didn't shrink. It's a great addition to any traveler and I'd replace mine if it was ever lost. Nice find, Kev - thanks for sharing your experience. VR
I want to be like BILL, I want to be like Bill,........ Just ordered me a set of these also. Pretty Good Deal! Now, I'll have no excuse when I stink on the road. Boojum!
You can get the same micro fiber towels at Costco (30 for 10.00) I too ordered some, then the wife roped me in to going to Costco and I could not belive the price. It is the exact same towels. These towels are the best for your bike from cleaning rims to getting the water off after a wash.
Cascade designs, MSR Pack Towel Extra Large. $24 Works great, doesn't like campfires. Bill in Tomahawk, WI.
Oops, forgot to subscribe to this thread, so replies WAY out of date. Boojum: kewl. Hope you got yellow, the most absorbant color. Velvt: Preachin' to the choir, eh? RE Costco rags: Note the towel sizes. I'm using the large one for a bath towel or caught-in-the-rain-dry-off-before-rainsuit. It's big enough to wrap around my waist. The medium one will be used as a camp towel. The small one will be used for sunglasses and visor cleaning. 'Sides, I try to do business with the small businesses over mega town-killing chains. RE $25 single towel: for the same $ I got 3. Worship my mad towel shopping skilz!
Costco sell microfiber towels in the automotive section, its like a pack of 10 and it doesn't cost to much, might be worth a look.
I have the towels from Costco, and they are inexpensive and super absorbant. The first post tho is about using for showers etc, not cleaning a bike. Have used the little cleaning towels in the shower and they work but it would be nice to have something more normal size. Have seen some bigger ones in camping sections at Dick's but I like the "bath set" mentioned. Thx.
It's all about the Absorber (technically a sponge!) available at Pep Boys. I rarely use my microtowel anymore. http://cleantools.net/website/inner.aspx?pg=productsPage.aspx -Eff
