What kit are you impressed by

If you can still find them. Rapha 3/4 lengths. Say what you like about Rapha stuff, it performs well. Very well indeed.


Save chewing up your carbon and breaking your hanger through chain suck with one of these:
(token chain catcher)

Bont cycling shoes, more comfortable that my SIDIs, heat moulded and light:

Bont dominate speed skating circles, this is proof enough they build shoes that fit properly.

Garmin forward mounts - keeps your head more upright (a good thing when riding in a group!). www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?...GepbYCFePHtAodR1YAtQ

And given Geoff has said his piece ... Speedplay pedals, much comfier to ride with than Shimanos, also (allegedly) slightly better ergonomically/biomechanically

Specialized Armadillo tyres, had the same set on my bike for over 3 years and never punctured (thats probably screwed that up now!) And still plenty of tread, by no means am I eating big miles but laws of probablity suggest they shouldnt have lasted this long.

Being a tight arse who isnt drawn to overpriced branded products I bought my helmet, trackpump, two bottle cages, two 800ml bottles and multitool from Tesco's ViaVelo range for less than £40 and it all does what it says on the tin, no gimmicks.

Topeak Joe Blow Track pump. Quality pump with gauge that works equally well with bike and car tyres.

Dave wrote:

Being a tight arse who isnt drawn to overpriced branded products I bought my helmet, trackpump, two bottle cages, two 800ml bottles and multitool from Tesco's ViaVelo range for less than £40 and it all does what it says on the tin, no gimmicks.

Each to his own, but my helmet isn't some thing i'd scrimp on!

In that regard I guess I have to add a posthumous mention to my Specialised lid which has some large splits in it from last year's off, but better that than my head!

Di2vid wrote:

If you can still find them. Rapha 3/4 lengths. Say what you like about Rapha stuff, it performs well. Very well indeed.

Hi D at £195.99p should be good. ah ah Geoff.. ..

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That is very true. My advice, only buy Rapha gear in the sale.

Interested in the winter boots. I have yet to find a pair of overshoes durable enough for commuting. Walking along a train platform and the toes are ragged within a week. Another week and they just fall apart.

Anyway, if you want an entry level group set or just something solid for winter riding, then I don't think you can go wrong with Campag Veloce. I'm still using bits of the Veloce groupset I got 18 years ago. Similar spec'd shimano (Sora/Tiagra) hasn't lasted more than a couple of winters.

And Campag looks better.

mr_leemur wrote:

Dave wrote:

Being a tight arse who isnt drawn to overpriced branded products I bought my helmet, trackpump, two bottle cages, two 800ml bottles and multitool from Tesco's ViaVelo range for less than £40 and it all does what it says on the tin, no gimmicks.

Each to his own, but my helmet isn't some thing i'd scrimp on!

Still meets the same safety standards, call me fickle but in my opiinion the more expensive a helmet gets the lighter and more flimsy it feels and the more vents (holes) it has. Now that dont seem right, if you have the cash then go for it but you can usually get the same thing for a tenth of the price.

On a lighter note I love my Buffs, mainly cos they were freebies from magazines

Perhaps not kit but I have been very impressed with Sufferfest, particularly the TT version "the long scream".

Best 30 mins training you can do indoors for the TT racing that is just around the corner!

www.thesufferfest.com/video-sufferfests/...hot-the-long-scream/

Just had a look at the trailer....is the sound track that bad all they way through ?