This rather cheap-looking thing is a new bike light I've just received from Amazon. I have a lot of bike lights I must admit. They're one of my go-to options for retail therapy.
So why did I buy this one? Well - my mum has gone into a nursing home now and for some reason, she had a very large number of AA batteries in her house, most which I've now inherited. This rear light is unusual in taking AAs rather than AAAs. Just a way of using them up.
The light with batteries is substantially heavier than a AAA-equipped light would be, but - I did have an idea that on a very long ride, I could leave it empty all day then swap the AAs from my DAB personal into it. Then I could use my phone to listen to the radio for the last 30 or 40 miles.
So in that circumstance, it would actually save a bit of weight.
It seems to work well. My only question mark would be the water resistance.
(http://truth.justdied.com/images/220228bikelight.jpg)
I bought myself some usb re-chargeable front and back lights
I have some USB ones as well, these ones are really good -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Defurhome-Rechargeable-Battery-Bicycle-Waterproof/dp/B07Y36TGRS/
I mostly use rechargeable ones as spares though - they're much more likely to run out of juice on a ride. I nearly always use an LED torch as a front light - they tend to be brighter. But actually the front light from the Amazon set above is just about bright enough to light up the road ahead.
I use a small front light in flashing mode for dusk, when it's still light enough to see the road, or when going through decently lit areas. The little silicon strappy ones that take a coin cell are ideal for that.
This was my last amazon rear light purchase. Lots of pretty patterns but doesn't seem that powerful and I'm not sure about battery life. Jury's out...
Deal: DONPEREGRINO M2 - Compact LED Bike Rear Light up to 90 Hours Battery Life, USB Rechargeable Bicycle Tail Light with 5 Steady Flash Modes https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KXWCTJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_dl_KAEFKQA3B3H88DB8ZC31?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
90 hours, wow. Even if it's half that, pretty phenomenal.
Anybody using any dash cams?..had a look at GoPros which seem very expensive..any cheaper decent alternatives
I did buy a handlebar cam years ago. In itself it worked OK but the results were very wobbly. Can't remember if I ever tried mounting it on a helmet, it did come with a mount for that (or I might have bought one).
What I did in the end was to buy a regular camera mount and mount it on the seat post. The footage you get that way is more stable although of course it's a rear view. But for me it was just a novelty and I only tried it once or twice.
Always fancied a drone to follow me as I cycled.
I had that same idea after I bought one a couple of years ago, never tried it though.
Actually I'm currently not able to fly it legally, bought it when you didn't need a licence but that's changed.
Cycling specs/ goggles..any recommendations?
Do you need prescription glasses?
These are the ones I got. Took them to the optician once I arrived to fit the prescription lenses that sit behind the photochromatic lenses. Only had them since Jan so only used them for 200kms and only once in bright sunshine but early impressions are good...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075R7HNG4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Quote from: Nick on March 01, 2022, 07:44:34 PMDo you need prescription glasses?
No just something to stop all the crap getting into my eyes
I have a pair of Oakley cycling glasses (actually generic "sports glasses" possibly) like these ones, except mine are grey and light blue:
(http://truth.justdied.com/images/oakleysportsg.webp)
I had them fitted with my varifocal prescription. Very light and comfy, though to be honest more often than not I just put on an old pair of varifocals, the same ones I use for driving or Tesco.
Varifocals have been brilliant for cycling, for me. They allow me to focus on a watch or a bike computer, and also to have a clear view of the road into the distance.
I also have some cycling sunglasses similar to Dom's, with a prescription insert that goes behind the main lenses. They came with a number of interchangeable front lenses including clear ones but I only use the highly reflective dark filter ones. They look ridiculous with the clear lenses because you can see the insert behind.
These look like they'd do what you want:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Polarized-Cycling-Sunglasses-Interchangeable-Protection/dp/B08976MR2V/
My enforced step back from outdoor cycling has saved me a fortune
Love the fact that the Fish has now entered the world where suddenly your wallet gets a hammering:
Sunglasses: Just make sure they are properly UV, they fit, and are shatter proof, as sooner or later they will fall off. And a clear pair for when its dark or not sunny/rainy
Lights: UV ones for me, but I rarely ride at night now, roads too bad round here
Shorts: Dont go cheap, the padding is everything. And ideally bib shorts (straps over the shoulders)
Decent Helmet: Dont go cheap, could save your life
One of the best purchases I ever made, other than good tyres, was a gas pump rather than a hand pump
Quote from: Jonners on March 02, 2022, 03:02:29 PMMy enforced step back from outdoor cycling has saved me a fortune
Love the fact that the Fish has now entered the world where suddenly your wallet gets a hammering:
Sunglasses: Just make sure they are properly UV, they fit, and are shatter proof, as sooner or later they will fall off. And a clear pair for when its dark or not sunny/rainy
Lights: UV ones for me, but I rarely ride at night now, roads too bad round here
Shorts: Dont go cheap, the padding is everything. And ideally bib shorts (straps over the shoulders)
Decent Helmet: Dont go cheap, could save your life
One of the best purchases I ever made, other than good tyres, was a gas pump rather than a hand pump
Always had some bits n pieces but getting some proper stuff now...
Getting more into it now that I've stopped Squash due to persistant muscle tears etc etc...
I have a different point of view than Jonners in some respects. Firstly - inexpensive stuff from Amazon can be thoroughly adequate. My favourite cycling shorts cost £13.99, I have two pairs of them but they've lasted for ages. I did a 200 mile bike ride in them in 2020 and they were fine. I also have a couple of pairs that I've had a bit longer than those ones, and they are still fine as well.
I would agree that bib shorts stay in place better but they are very awkward if you want to stop for a discreet wee behind a bush so I never wear them.
My helmet cost £8 or something from Tesco and it's thoroughly robust. In all honesty I don't wear one that often. When it's cold I wear a woolly hat and when it's warm and the sun is a bit dazzling I wear a cap. I'm not recommending this approach, but - I have done 32,000 miles on a bike without my head colliding with anything more substantial than a wasp or a twig, so statistically I believe it to be a reasonable policy.
I always wear a helmet - mainly to placate Mrs S - as if you're in a bad high speed accident a helmet is neither use nor ornament. 25% of car driver road deaths are from Head injury and nobody clamours for drivers to be wearing helmets.
I wear a cheap pair of cycling glasses from Wilko. Mrs S bought them for me and they have lasted much longer than any supposed "quality" pair.
As a general rule, the more you shell out on bib shorts the better it is for your comfort. My Rapha ones are far and away the best I've had, but Wiggle's dhb aren't bad.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 02, 2022, 05:12:34 PMAs a general rule, the more you shell out on bib shorts the better it is for your comfort. My Rapha ones are far and away the best I've had, but Wiggle's dhb aren't bad.
Just ordered a pair of dhb shorts from Wiggle. Perhaps I'll wear them for longer rides. Haven't had a new pair for a couple of years.
Quote from: dom on March 01, 2022, 08:27:52 PMThese are the ones I got. Took them to the optician once I arrived to fit the prescription lenses that sit behind the photochromatic lenses. Only had them since Jan so only used them for 200kms and only once in bright sunshine but early impressions are good...
htQuote from: Slim on March 01, 2022, 12:02:21 AM90 hours, wow. Even if it's half that, pretty phenomenal.
Not sure they're capable of anything like that!
Saw this and thought of you guys...not sure its in the right place though. Nick would troll the trolls!
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2022/mar/03/anti-cycling-trolls-andrew-tierney-online-abuse
Noticed that Boardman II has a flat rear tyre when I visited the garage yesterday. I think I'll take an opportunity to change the tyres, as well as the rear inner. The yellow ones are a nice match for the colour scheme of the frame but they look tarty. Plain ones, I think.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/210422bike04.jpg)
I do like the coloured tyres very much.
The helmet debate will always rage on, I know if I get hit by a car the helmet will probably be irrelevant. But the 3 crashes I have had my head hit the road each time, and I have zero doubt that I would have been very badly hurt If I had not been wearing one. Very badly
For the sake of simply clipping it on, I dont even notice I am wearing one these days when I am out
Im not going to be swayed by the cheap/expensive argument on shorts though. Its the one thing I really dont compromise on when it comes to my clobber.
How much mileage you getting out yer chain... my bike was in for a few checkups.. was told the chain was on the cusp of being done..500 miles.. was expecting it to last a few more miles...
Quote from: Fishy on March 30, 2022, 10:49:57 PMHow much mileage you getting out yer chain... my bike was in for a few checkups.. was told the chain was on the cusp of being done..500 miles.. was expecting it to last a few more miles...
That's poor. Cheap chain?
More than 500.. I'd be swapping a chain ten times a year at that rate.
I changed the chain on my Planet X for the first time this month, just checked and it had done 5818 miles. And I'm not super-meticulous about keeping them clean, I usually just hose them out with GT85 and lube them again. The last one probably got cleaned properly with degreaser and a brush twice, if that.
I probably should have changed the chain sooner, but I'd say you should get at least 3000 miles out of a road bike chain.
I get about 2,500 - 3,000 miles out of my chains. Winter weather wears them out more quickly if you don't keep cleaning them.
Not got a 12 speed bike yet, but word is 12 speed chains wear out more quickly.
New cycling shorts arrived from Amazon yesterday
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0928W1JX2/
Robustly padded, comfortable, seem well made. Only £8.99. Will try them out tomorrow I hope.
I am after a decent heart monitor -strap and watch. Any suggestions?
Thinking of a Polar ft7 or a Garmin 410 any thoughts.
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 04, 2022, 10:01:38 AMI am after a descent heart monitor -strap and watch. Any surjections?
Thinking of a Polar ft7 or a Garmin 410 any thoughts.
Any reason for getting the strap? Is it more accurate than just leaving it to the watch?
Quote from: dom on April 04, 2022, 02:33:42 PMQuote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 04, 2022, 10:01:38 AMI am after a descent heart monitor -strap and watch. Any surjections?
Thinking of a Polar ft7 or a Garmin 410 any thoughts.
Any reason for getting the strap? Is it more accurate than just leaving it to the watch?
They all should be taken with a pinch of salt, but watches most definitely should not be trusted
Really, I know that whenever my heart rate was taken in hospital it pretty much matches the reading on my watch. I wouldn't want to rely on it if my life was dependent on it but it is a reasonable indicator that confirms whether you've been pushing it or taking it easier.
Yep, but I wouldnt use a watch for anything more than a general overview of whether you have been active or not, and I certainly wouldnt trust the numbers empirically
Noticed that the saddle on Boardman II was tilted slightly; the seat post is a similar design (albeit with two bolts) to the one on the Planet X which I replaced and it's the same problem; the saddle mount is curved and it's shifted back a bit.
Probably just needs to be adjusted and have the bolts tightened, but I've bought a new carbon seat post anyway. Not expensive, less than £20 (a bit cheaper than the last one).
I may put it on the Cannondale though and migrate the Cannondale one down to the Boardman.
New seat post arrived. Feels a bit more rigid and heavier than the first one but on close inspection it's definitely carbon fibre. Might be that the bracket that the saddle fits to is steel, rather than alloy.
Anyway it's fine but I might put this one on the X and the X one on the Cannondale.
So I weighed them, out of curiosity and yep the cheaper seat post is heavier (244g) than the one I fitted to the X (195g). I didn't actually remove the X one to weigh it, I bought an identical one for the Cannondale and will fit the heavier one to Boardman II. Probably. Curious about the weight of a typical alloy seat post.
Quote from: Slim on April 11, 2022, 03:26:54 PMSo I weighed them, out of curiosity and yep the cheaper seat post is heavier (244g) than the one I fitted to the X (195g). I didn't actually remove the X one to weigh it, I bought an identical one for the Cannondale and will fit the heavier one to Boardman II. Probably. Curious about the weight of a typical alloy seat post.
Bi(cycle)-curious
Well the original alloy Cannondale seat post weighs 246g with the grease removed. So I'd have saved 2g with the cheaper carbon post. And 51g with the other one, which I regard as significant. Good times!
I only really care about the weight of the Cannondale and the Roubaix, as I probably wouldn't do a really long ride on one of the other bikes. But a carbon post should intercept and diffuse a bit of road buzz before it has a chance to interfere with my bottom.
Well bum. Turns out the Cannondale takes a 27.2mm seat post. Looking closely, it looks like the Roubaix does as well. The two new ones are 31.6, but at least they'll fit the Boardmen.
The S Works already has a carbon seat post so there's not much else I can do with them. Except send them back of course, but I almost never do that. Mrs S reckons it's a male thing.
At least they weren't expensive.
New 27.2mm seat post, fitted to my Cannondale. It was already my lightest bike (surprisingly, slightly lighter than the S Works). Now it's about 50g lighter! But more noticeably, it definitely improves the ride.
(http://truth.justdied.com/images/cann_sp.jpg)
Nice! I switched to a carbon seatpost last year and it improves the ride defo
Wife's bike stand sheared off as well yesterday.. it's all going wrong.... Any way going in today for a health check so hopefully it's fixable...
Do you have a link for that pls Slim?
Quote from: Nick on April 22, 2022, 12:15:57 PMDo you have a link for that pls Slim?
yep sure :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09N7796YY/
I bought the 350mm / 27.2 mm version for the Cannondale.
I also have this cheaper one in the Boardman:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09535J6PN/
Slightly heavier (lighter than the alloy one it replaced though) but made a similar difference to ride comfort, definite improvement.
Quote from: Slim on April 22, 2022, 12:55:02 PMQuote from: Nick on April 22, 2022, 12:15:57 PMDo you have a link for that pls Slim?
yep sure :
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09N7796YY/
I bought the 350mm / 27.2 mm version for the Cannondale.
I also have this cheaper one in the Boardman:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09535J6PN/
Slightly heavier (lighter than the alloy one it replaced though) but made a similar difference to ride comfort, definite improvement.
Might have a measure-up and get my two bikes upgraded
Anyone use and/or recommend a mirror to keep an eye on what's going on behind....
Yes - I've used quite a few of them and this one has easily been the best, rock solid, nice clear view and the mirror surface resists marks and scratches.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CatEye-BM-45-Bike-Mirrors-Black/dp/B011DLUBIK
These ones are OK as well - they just strap on so they're easy to swap between bikes. Very lightweight. But the mirror tends to scratch up a bit. Also I find that I keep adjusting them ad nauseam while I'm riding, they shift around a little. Adequate though.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zefal-95293-Double-Adjustment-Mirror/dp/B000FY05PG
This one is very good - very light, adequately stable but the mirror surface is a bit narrow:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZEFAL-Spin-Adjustable-Cycling-Mirror/dp/B01LWOGWTX
The important thing is to get one that doesn't vibrate or shake and here's an example of one to avoid, for that very reason. It works well enough but the image can be shaky on a rough surface:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08P2PW7PG
Cheers Slim.. Cateye now purchased...
Any recommendations for clear eye protection/ glasses.. my shades are making it too dark now that the daylight is getting less... thanks
I have a pair of Bloc glasses with interchangeable lenses (including clear). Something like these:
https://www.thegorgeoutdoors.co.uk/Bloc-Titan-X630-Multi?language=en¤cy=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5s2QjrX2-gIVlu3tCh2pzAPHEAQYDCABEgL3Y_D_BwE
Maybe not £54 lol
That's interesting, I'd never really thought about the need to protect your eyes but I guess it is a good idea. I wear my own cycling specs because I need varifocals to look at my watch and my surroundings without swapping glasses.
There are some very cheap options, eg on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/DEWALT-DPG54-1D-Performance-Lightweight-Protective/dp/B000FPANVG/
You'd want decent quality lenses for a long ride though, might be that those ones are intended to be worn for five minutes while you're drilling holes or operating a lathe. Or something.
These ones (£9.99) are described as being suitable for bike riding:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NoCry-Lightweight-Protective-Resistant-Suitable/dp/B08GKPC599
Anyone using a bike stand for maintenance / cleaning etc ..again any recommendations??saw a couple on Amazon for about £40 which get good reviews
Thanks again...
I do have one, it's been very useful. Just checked through my Amazon orders and I seem to have bought it somewhere else. I can't remember what it cost but I think it's the same as this one (£40):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jobsworth-Bicycle-Repair-Workstand-Maintenance/dp/B08W4ZVH27/
Does the job nicely. Very useful for swapping new chains in, fine-tuning gear changes etc as well as bike washing.
Quote from: Slim on October 24, 2022, 12:26:37 PMI do have one, it's been very useful. Just checked through my Amazon orders and I seem to have bought it somewhere else. I can't remember what it cost but I think it's the same as this one (£40):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jobsworth-Bicycle-Repair-Workstand-Maintenance/dp/B08W4ZVH27/
Does the job nicely. Very useful for swapping new chains in, fine-tuning gear changes etc as well as bike washing.
Yep that's one of the ones I was checking out.. thanks👍
I got a bike stand from Lidl for about £25, it's worthwhile keeping an eye on Lidl and Aldi for when they have cycling deals on.
Apparently Aldi's waterproof cycling socks are very good.
This pic of Boardman II from a year ago today came up in my Facebook memories and reminded me that I've been intending to write about frame packs.
(https://i.ibb.co/mRkRDs4/framepack.jpg)
On longer rides I used to use a "pod" intended to fit a rear bottle cage, but nowadays I prefer to use a frame pack, like the one pictured here and I've removed all my rear bottle cages. The trouble with bottle cage pods, or dummy bottles as they're also known is that some things can't be inserted into them - whereas a frame pack will happily take a cheese & onion pasty or a bag of quavers.
The one in the photo was about £11 from Amazon I think. But there are cheaper ones that do the job, as well. I have a couple of these ones:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07RM8QPPJ/
They're really very cheap in appearance but they work nicely. Very light as well. The velcro straps were too long, but I shortened them.
Any best practice on how many punctures on an inner tube before you should replace with new..??
I've always been a 0 kinda guy. Just out of idleness I suppose.
Thinking about it, if you're confident that you've fixed a puncture then I suppose it's better to reuse the existing one - not only because you're saving money, but also because you can be confident that the valve works and the tube is basically sound. But I've never had the patience to do a repair.
In over 36,000 miles of cycling though I've only had to replace an inner tube 8 or 9 times.
Currently on a tube with 2 repairs..both after passing farmers cutting hedges and picked up those razor sharp thin little bastard needles
The last repair I did was using self-adhesive patches like these:
https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/park/p02c-glueless-patch-kit-969770?utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Octer&utm_content=10&utm_term=3055711&ranMID=45658&ranEAID=AqjbTxMPHY4&ranSiteID=AqjbTxMPHY4-TL4T9a7oDiNWvbe3PIhAcg
Saves messing around with rubber solution. Quick and easy
I'm using rema repair kit patches and solution.. very easy and quick
I always put in a new tube after puncturing. Didn't used too, but get fed up with getting gluey fingers.
Someone posted about these super-compact, super-light inner tubes on another forum I visit occasionally.
(https://i.ibb.co/bFSSWZG/tubolito-scale.jpg)
33g compared to 177g for his usual brand of inner tube.
Expensive at £27 a go and I wouldn't use them to roll around on all the time, but nice to have as a spare for a long ride, I thought. I've just ordered one. They're supposedly not more difficult to fit but there's a question mark over durability. You can only inflate them so many times (it's alleged), because the thread in the valve wears out the plastic valve shaft.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075V35C7K/
140g weight saving? Just don't fill your Bidon as much.
But you can do both!
Bottle cages.. recommendations... bontrager ones seem decent with good reviews
Quote from: Fishy on January 17, 2023, 11:59:35 AMBottle cages.. recommendations... bontrager ones seem decent with good reviews
I've bought quite a few in my time and there's not much to recommend one over the other really. I've only been a bit disappointed with two of the ones that I've bought. One was an adjustable one that I bought so it would also accommodate slimmer bottles - it was cheap plastic and broke. The other is this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0030O907C/
It's a super-lightweight metal one and it tends to scuff bottles. Also the bottles sit slightly awkwardly in it. Amazing that they cost more than £20 now, just checked my orders and I paid £6.19 four years ago.
I have one of these on one of my bikes, can't remember which one and it works great. Holds bottles securely, easy to slip them in and out while riding, possibly not the very lightest but no more than a few grams in it and only costs £4.99:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005HOAVYO
If I was going to buy another one I'd get another one of those.
My S Works came with some fancy super-lightweight bottle cages and they work fine but they're a bit too tight, for my bidons anyway.
Most of mine are Elite bottle cages in various colours. Never had any bidons come out of them - unlike a metal cage I had.
Wiggle only appear to have Black ones though now.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-custom-race-resin-stealth-bike-bottle-cage
Went with the Bontrager elite .. only a fiver and arriving today...
Wiggle do an 18g bottle cage. That would save me 24g on the Cannondale. But I suppose being careful with the amount of liquids you take on a long ride is more important. 24g is only 24ml of water.
Quote from: Slim on January 18, 2023, 10:10:58 AMWiggle do an 18g bottle cage. That would save me 24g on the Cannondale. But I suppose being careful with the amount of liquids you take on a long ride is more important. 24g is only 24ml of water.
Wonder what the ratio of expired moisture vs ingested water on a ride is. I always think that if I've drank half a bison I must have sweated or panted it out at some point.
I suspect you'd end up weeing most of it unless you were dehydrated first, or unless it's very hot and you're straining yourself.
Quote from: Slim on April 15, 2022, 12:07:12 PMNew 27.2mm seat post, fitted to my Cannondale. It was already my lightest bike (surprisingly, slightly lighter than the S Works). Now it's about 50g lighter! But more noticeably, it definitely improves the ride.
(http://truth.justdied.com/images/cann_sp.jpg)
I bought another one of these. Essentially the same model (and roughly the same price I think) but has a grippy section to allow a more secure fit to the seat tube. And more colourful branding.
I thought I was replacing an alloy seat post on the Roubaix, but nope - when I removed the old one I realised it was carbon! You can't tell because the whole thing is finished with a shiny outer layer. Until you look down the end.
I put the new one on anyway, mostly out of bloody-mindedness. I'd already weighed it (200g exactly). So it was with a degree of trepidation that I weighed the old one, after removing it. 244g. So in the end it was worth doing.
I suppose I'll migrate the old one to the Tricross, which takes the same diameter and definitely has an alloy one fitted currently.
Just had a s**tload of work done on my GT Avalanche mtb. It's about 23 years old and needed some tlc. The most pressing issue was the wear on the rim braking surfaces.
It's a bit of a 'classic' and I wanted to keep the appearance consistent when replacing bits. This can be a challenge! I couldn't find any suitable wheels so decided to get new rims for the existing hubs built using stainless spokes (most are black nowadays). The workshop managed to get this right...in the end!
Along with the rebuilt wheels, she's had the 12-30 cassette upgraded to a 12-32, new top tube bearings, new chainrings and chain, lower fork-leg service and new brake cables. Cost was £432, which came in below what I was quoted. The oustanding item is a new bottom bracket bearing which they did not have in stock (only a little play so not so important for a while).
I promised myself a new seatpost and saddle a while back but never got around to sorting it. The original saddle is now quite tatty and the top of the seat post has developed a bit of sideways movement that cannot be addressed. So, I've just ordered a new Ritchey Comp alu seatpost (£44 delivered) and a Selle Royale Flite Titanium saddle (£76).
The old girl is beginning to resemble 'Trigger's broom' ;D
New seat post and saddle fitted, ready for the Peak District at the weekend!
(https://i.imgur.com/VGveWLS.jpg)
After using SPD-SL pedals for a few years, I've fitted the new Gravel bike with a pair of SPD pedals, on the assumption that when I do some off road "adventuring" I may need to do some walking. So I've also got a pair of fi'zi:k Terra Atlas off road shoes.
(https://www.wigglestatic.com/product-media/109878817/Fizik-Terra-Atlas-Off-Road-Shoes-Cycling-Shoes-Grey-Black-2022-TEX5BPR1K701048-5.jpg?w=430&h=430&a=7)
Spent the afternoon on the Turbo practising clipping and unclipping with them and making sure the cleats are positioned correctly. I'm sure I'll find they're completely misaligned when I take them out on the (off)road.
I bought a CO2 inflator.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017KU1DIK
I tested it - it works well. The nice thing is that after you close the valve off, there's still enough gas in the canister a few hours later for another go. But - I did partly inflate with a mini-pump first. And that's a good idea because CO2 molecules escape quicker than air.
I bought a 10-pack of 16g canisters as well.
My Garmin Edge 130 bike computer has died (effectively - the internal battery gives up after a few miles, so I binned it). I've replaced it with one of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C2PHG3MM
(http://bikediary.uk/images/xoss_g_gen2.jpg)
For £35, I think it's brilliant. I already had the Xoss Gen 1 which is also thoroughly adequate. This one is slightly smaller without compromising screen size. The LCD display is much better - higher contrast and clear, though not as good as the MIPS display on a modern Garmin. And it has a super battery life of 20+ hours. I haven't tested that on this one (only done less than 4 hrs) but the first gen model has a similar battery life spec and lived up to its promise.
It doesn't have mapping or segment recognition or any of that but I never use that on a basic bike computer anyway.
The one thing I don't like about it is that you have to use the Xoss app to get a track off. You can't just plug it in and read your track files off it like an external disk, like you can with a Garmin. But the Xoss app has improved hugely over the last year; it connects very reliably and has an auto-sync feature now. It will upload to Strava automatically.
The first gen model is still available and even cheaper, but the LCD display lets it down a bit. In practice it's fine but it's low contrast and cheap-looking.
I bought these cycling mitts in 1989, not long after I bought my Raleigh Routier.
For many years - about 25 years - I believed that I'd lost one of them. I hung onto the other one because of its sentimental value.
Then a few weeks ago I realised that it was simultaneously in two places at the same time; namely a cardboard box in the garage and a crate in the loft.
Quantum superposition notwithstanding, this isn't possible of course. So I reasoned that I must still have two of them.
I put them through the washing machine and they've come out OK.
(https://i.ibb.co/Twv5zmC/old-cycling-mitts.jpg)
Saddle bag recommendations.. anyone Thanks.. got a Blackburn one at the mo.. it's pretty small.. got a spare inner tube and some small tools and that's it.. could do with something just a little bigger
Quote from: Fishy on September 04, 2023, 03:22:01 PMSaddle bag recommendations.. anyone Thanks.. got a Blackburn one at the mo.. it's pretty small.. got a spare inner tube and some small tools and that's it.. could do with something just a little bigger
My wife has this one. It's expandable to a decent size. It has served her well - still going strong.
It's a bit neater than the one I have on my mtb and the fizïk one on my road bike is small and for limited essentials only
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-Aero-Wedge-Saddle-Bag-With-Straps-Medium_1113.htm?sku=11993&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Accessories%20%3E%20Bags%20%3E%20Saddle%20bags&utm_content=Topeak&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlsmMtpuRgQMV4Z9oCR1g5gtCEAQYASABEgIsu_D_BwE
I've had a couple of the Topeak ones - seem fine, adequately water resistant and resist wear.
Available from Amazon here in a variety of sizes.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Topeak-Unisexs-Wedge-Strap-Saddle/dp/B000FIE454/
I use a frame pack for anything more than an inner tube & tyre levers, and maybe an Allen key. These ones are great:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07FQRT8PB/
.. as pictured in my most recent photo in the other thread.
Bought a new pair of winter wheels for the Bianchi. Ordered them yesterday and they came today, glad I didn't pay for next day delivery :)
The Bianchi came with a pair of bog standard Shimano aluminium wheels which I soon replaced with a more fitting Carbon wheelset. However I kept the Shimano wheels as they would do as a set for winter roads, but after having three spokes snap in the rear wheel - which led me to using the Carbon rear all last winter - I thought I should at least get a new rear wheel.
Me being me I kept putting it off but when searching in the week for a new rear wheel I found a Black Friday deal (ugh!!) at Merlin cycles for a pair of Fulcrum Racing DB6 wheels down to £160 from £340, that'll do nicely. As I say, ordered yesterday arrived today. Swapped over rear cassette and disc rotor, just need Mrs S to put the tyre on now...
And new wheels now fitted. :)
But why are some tyres such a bugger to fit? Got the old rear tyre transferred over in five minutes. Front tyre from my old wheel took about three hours! Made worse by the fact that I managed to get a pinch puncture in the inner tube when I got the tyre on first time >:(
Then I noticed the directional arrow was pointing the wrong way >:(>:(>:( However according to Schwalbe tyres:
QuoteIn the case of a road tyre the rolling direction is mainly important for aesthetic considerations. Tires marked with arrows simply look more dynamic.
I put a tyre on the wrong way round on the Boardman years ago, and certainly didn't notice a difference. I think the directional tread is just for show. Road tyres are virtually slicks anyway.
These are very good - mini strap-on bike lights.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/rearlights.jpg)
Presently £6.99 on Amazon with one-day delivery if you have Prime. That includes 5 spare CR2032 batteries (they take two each so that's a bit odd, pun not intended). And I got a free USB-powered light as well. Bit random and gratuitous. But nice.
The lights come with two batteries each pre-installed so that's 9 CR2032s, two lights and a gratuitous USB light for a smidge less than £7.
I already had a couple but I thought at that price, including the batteries (probably cheap and low quality but will last a long time in these), rude not to get a couple more.
I use them as spares but they're just about good enough to use all the time. However, AAA battery-powered units are cheaper to run in the long run.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CD5NW3GF
Quick version: it's not a good idea
One of my pairs of cycling tights wore out - I noticed a hole just above the knee - so since I was down to one pair after chucking them, I replaced them with these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DWW6CJQ
They're very nice for £7.13 (as I type) but a bit heavier than the ones I've replaced, which are very simple, thin material tights with an elasticated waist. These ones are more substantial with ankle zips and a tie waist.
I suppose though that they'll be a bit warmer, so I could save weight on overtrousers in less adverse conditions.
Well, I've just got some new cycling kit. Well, I haven't because Mrs S will be giving it to me for my birthday.
I like to be well dressed and it's a nice looking bit of Le Col kit, white top with a Cobalt Blue band and black bib shorts.
Le Col are the DFS of cycling kit, should have been £250 but they had 25% off and I'd earned a £50 voucher from some Strava challenge so it came in at £137.50. Still not cheap, but on the verge of being semi good value.