Bicycle Bits! - What’s your latest acquisition?
Posted by: naim_nymph on 01 November 2013
With so many forum folk with an interest in cycling it would be fun and informative if we shared our thoughts of cycling products recently purchased, frames, wheels, bike parts, accessories, clothing, shoes, helmets, puncture outfits - anything you like to do with your bicycle and bicycling.
To start the show… i’ve just changed my pair of 700x23mm tyres from Continental 4 season which have lasted three times longer than the recommended 3 years and not once ever punctured. Considering my usual ride is country lanes with farm yards and bits of countryside ever-present on the bumpy [Paris-Roubaix?] type tarmac it is a good test for any tyre.
The new tyres i just fitted are brand new Continental 4 season of the same size again - Why change when you have a good thing?
The 4 season is a very light weight folding tyre, puncture resistance built in, and fantastic road grip in the wet. They are expensive but they do last longer and imo are safer than most cheaper types so perhaps the value for money is actually very good in the long run.
I can’t recommend them highly enough!
Bought a pair of NOS Kyokuto Pro Ace pedals to replace my existing Pro Ace pedals. A Japanese copy of campy record, and supposedly of the same quality. Nothing wrong with my existing pedals, they work perfectly, even though they're over 40 years old. I thought a nice pair of shiny new pedals will look nice, trouble is I don't want to put them on my bike, as I don't want them to get damaged and become an unshiny pair of pedals.
Although, if I ever get round to getting my frame re enameled I might be tempted.
Speaking of pedals. I started using Shimano SPD when I cycled regularly 20 years ago and never looked back. Not too long ago before I bought my new mtn bike, I replaced my aging SPDs with a new set of Shimano XT PS-M785 pedals, seen here.
They transferred to my new bike first thing (which has Shimano XT gruppo).
Speaking of pedals. I started using Shimano SPD when I cycled regularly 20 years ago and never looked back. Not too long ago before I bought my new mtn bike, I replaced my aging SPDs with a new set of Shimano XT PS-M785 pedals, seen here.
They transferred to my new bike first thing (which has Shimano XT gruppo).
I'm a big fan of SPDs, too. I always ride in cycling shoes, so don't use the platform versions like you show here, though.
Speaking of pedals. I started using Shimano SPD when I cycled regularly 20 years ago and never looked back. Not too long ago before I bought my new mtn bike, I replaced my aging SPDs with a new set of Shimano XT PS-M785 pedals, seen here.
They transferred to my new bike first thing (which has Shimano XT gruppo).
I'm a big fan of SPDs, too. I always ride in cycling shoes, so don't use the platform versions like you show here, though.
Sorry, but you are mistaken. These are full SPDs and clip on both sides. They do not have a platform. They just have an integrated cage for more contact area. I like the additional contact with my shoes, even though they add a little bit of weight. I think on the XTR the cages are carbon.
You are thinking of the PD-A530 with a platform on one side, and SPD clips on the other. That is not what I have.
Speaking of pedals. I started using Shimano SPD when I cycled regularly 20 years ago and never looked back. Not too long ago before I bought my new mtn bike, I replaced my aging SPDs with a new set of Shimano XT PS-M785 pedals, seen here.
They transferred to my new bike first thing (which has Shimano XT gruppo).
I'm a big fan of SPDs, too. I always ride in cycling shoes, so don't use the platform versions like you show here, though.
Sorry, but you are mistaken. These are full SPDs and clip on both sides. They do not have a platform. They just have an integrated cage for more contact area. I like the additional contact with my shoes, even though they add a little bit of weight. I think on the XTR the cages are carbon.
You are thinking of the PD-A530 with a platform on one side, and SPD clips on the other. That is not what I have.
This is what I have. That's what I mean by "no platform".
...... when I cycled regularly 20 years ago and never looked back.
A poor example to our younger readers -
"
When should you look behind?
Use judgement in deciding when to look behind. Obviously when you are looking behind you are not looking ahead. This could be hazardous if, for example, you are close to the vehicle in front or if you are overtaking at speed. Equally there are situations when it is dangerous not to look behind, such as a right turn into a minor road.
Take rear observation when you about to change position or speed as you approach and negotiate a hazard. This might be before
* | Moving off |
* | Turning left or right |
* | Overtaking |
* | Changing lanes |
* | Slowing or stopping |
WARNING - Looking over your shoulder too often or at the wrong moment can be hazardous. In the time it takes to do it you will
* | Lose touch with what's going on in front |
* | Run the risk of veering off course |
At high speed or in congested moving traffic yout attention needs to be focused ahead. In these situations time your rearward checks carefully. Combine
* | Regular and sensible use of the mirrors |
* | The 'lifesaver' glance into the blind area before altering course |
The 'lifesaver' check
The lifesaver is a last check over the shoulder into the blind spot to make sure nothing unexpected is happening before committing yourself to a manoeuvre. If you are turning, use it to check the blind spot on the side to which you intend to turn. Use your judgement about when to use it. In congested urban situations a lifesaver check is normally essential, especially when turning right into a minor road, but during high speed overtaking, when you are certain what is happening behind, it is often safer to keep your eyes on what is happening ahead."
Hi
recently purchased to keep the ears and head warm in the coming winter mornings...
- looks even better on me (:-)
ameden, that will definitely come in very handy in the cold.
I could do with something like that myself!
Although it looks like the sort of headwear that may not fit under a helmet (?) …which is the problem with all the ’air-cooling’ slots in helmets that are not designed to keep one warm in the bitter cold. I often wear a thin thermal skull cap that just fits under my helmet which helps but does nothing to keep the ears warm.
I find very cold weather bicycling calls for ingenious dress sense - lots a thin layers, the need to keep extremities protected - feet, hands, and ears
How cold can the temperature be on your cycle rides?
Debs
Hi Debs
it is a tighter fit than a regular thermal skull cap, I have adjusted a helmet to suit, so should be able to keep the ears warm this year..
usually end Nov to end March we have snow, dependant upon what altitude you live at or cycle at, so during the day it can in Dec/Jan be near zero......nice for ski-ing...
I try to cycle all year round (sportive bike), at least once per week, which can be challenging in the winter months...I use Conti GP4000S, width 25, in autumn/winter, which for the last 3 yrs have been great - no issues or punctures...
have a good Sunday
Bought a pair of NOS Kyokuto Pro Ace pedals to replace my existing Pro Ace pedals. A Japanese copy of campy record, and supposedly of the same quality. Nothing wrong with my existing pedals, they work perfectly, even though they're over 40 years old. I thought a nice pair of shiny new pedals will look nice, trouble is I don't want to put them on my bike, as I don't want them to get damaged and become an unshiny pair of pedals.
Although, if I ever get round to getting my frame re enameled I might be tempted.
fatcat,
in the early 80s i bought 2 pairs of pedals like that - but made by Campag, one pair 'Record' and the other 'Super Record' which had a black painted [aluminium?] lighter weight fraim around the chrome spindle part.
Very expensive in their day, and I can’t remember what became of them over the years.
One day i may take a week over clearing out my shed to see what’s in there, hope the spiders won’t mind.
I have to say though, i've never liked this old fashioned sort of pedal in operation and hate the way they flip upsidedown making it difficult to get ones foot on correctly and with the need to tighten the pull-strap on the 'clip-ons' which means your foot is stuck in unless you put hand to pull-strap again and loosen. A reflector weight will probably make the gravity thing flip over even worse too, never used mine cos they suck to look at.
Another SPD fan here i particulary like the way the cleat can be so recessed within the shoe tread you can walk like a human and not a penguin.
Although having said that, I’m using Look type pedals and cleats and present, which are fab on the bike-ride ...but still walking like a penguin when not on it
Debs
...... when I cycled regularly 20 years ago and never looked back.
A poor example to our younger readers -
"
When should you look behind?
Use judgement in deciding when to look behind. Obviously when you are looking behind you are not looking ahead. This could be hazardous if, for example, you are close to the vehicle in front or if you are overtaking at speed. Equally there are situations when it is dangerous not to look behind, such as a right turn into a minor road.
Take rear observation when you about to change position or speed as you approach and negotiate a hazard. This might be before...
Hah ha. Misunderstood. I was not speaking about literally looking back while riding.
I was talking about "never looking back" in time to return to pedals with toe clips.
fatcat,
in the early 80s i bought 2 pairs of pedals like that - but made by Campag, one pair 'Record' and the other 'Super Record' which had a black painted [aluminium?] lighter weight fraim around the chrome spindle part.
Very expensive in their day, and I can’t remember what became of them over the years.
One day i may take a week over clearing out my shed to see what’s in there, hope the spiders won’t mind.
Even more expensive now.
...... when I cycled regularly 20 years ago and never looked back.
A poor example to our younger readers -
"
When should you look behind?
Use judgement in deciding when to look behind. Obviously when you are looking behind you are not looking ahead. This could be hazardous if, for example, you are close to the vehicle in front or if you are overtaking at speed. Equally there are situations when it is dangerous not to look behind, such as a right turn into a minor road.
Take rear observation when you about to change position or speed as you approach and negotiate a hazard. This might be before."
A lot of this advice applies more to road riding than trail riding. Looking behind you when riding singletracks is dangerous and unnecessary. If you come up behind someone on a trail it's to you to make them understand you want to pass (on the left in the U.S.); otherwise, they own the trail moving ahead, and can be expected to make abrupt changes to their line without warning. If two ridiers are approaching each other, the descender yields to the climber. There are other things that come into play with trail etiquette that don't apply to road.
But on trails I don't look behind me, unless I feel like crashing into a tree.
fatcat,
in the early 80s i bought 2 pairs of pedals like that - but made by Campag, one pair 'Record' and the other 'Super Record' which had a black painted [aluminium?] lighter weight fraim around the chrome spindle part.
Very expensive in their day, and I can’t remember what became of them over the years.
One day i may take a week over clearing out my shed to see what’s in there, hope the spiders won’t mind.
Even more expensive now.
I know... i’ve seen what people pay on evilbay, that’s why I want to clear out the shed!
Old campag stuff these days is referred to as ‘Vintage’ and sought after in any condition but if it’s still unused in the box it’s quite valuable.
Trouble is most of my old campag bits are rather more 2nd hand looking or broken [if I can find ‘em] but would be good to let them go to prospectors - so I can spend the money on decent bicycle equipment instead
And vice versa.
And vice versa.
Understood, but I was really speaking specifically to the idea of looking behind you. You really cannot generalize a guideline for that to all types of riding.
Basically, if you are behind someone on a trail, it's not up to them to know you are there. That falls to you. Any move they make is fair game, because the riding line can shift very abruptly.
And vice versa.
Understood, but I was really speaking specifically to the idea of looking behind you. You really cannot generalize a guideline for that to all types of riding.
Basically, if you are behind someone on a trail, it's not up to them to know you are there. That falls to you. Any move they make is fair game, because the riding line can shift very abruptly.
Completely agree. Few things annoy me more than be barked at to "hold my line". If someone is behind me, it is ENTIRLEY up to them to overtake safely. I need do nothing; not hold my line, not be "predictable", not pull over, not slow, not accelerate, not keep right. Nothing. I am entitled to ride as if they're not there. Of course in reality, I'll pull over when appropriate and perhaps slow to let them pass - that's just courtesy. But if someone yells "Strava" at the same time, I'll just run them into a tree as they push past.
I have to say though, i've never liked this old fashioned sort of pedal in operation and hate the way they flip upsidedown making it difficult to get ones foot on correctly and with the need to tighten the pull-strap on the 'clip-ons' which means your foot is stuck in unless you put hand to pull-strap again and loosen. A reflector weight will probably make the gravity thing flip over even worse too, never used mine cos they suck to look at.
Debs.
The reflectors actually improves thing. The weight provided by the reflectors ensured the pedals consistently come to rest in the same position. It's a simple matter of placing your toes under the back of the pedal, flipping it up and placing foot on pedal. I do it without thinking.
Using straps would make things very difficult, luckily I don't take my cycling serious enough to use them.
Bought a new bottom bracket last year. My existing Sugino BB developed an annoying ticking sound. By the time I got round to fitting the new BB, the Sugino stopped ticking.
Still, just like the pedals, nice to own and look at. Even the box is shiny.
Two items before the weekend.
Gonna be fun...
And a Surly rear rack for my fat bike.
I'm in Peebles at the moment having a week on the trails. Rare for me to MTB these days but the weather today was fabulous and a good time is being had.
My investment this winter has been a decent turbo-trainer. Sadly my days off and weekends latterly are being seriously eroded by work and it will not be getting better any time soon. This is not a happy state of affairs-not getting time to keep fit just makes me more cross so the trainer allows me an hour of exertion when all else fails.
Bruce
My investment this winter has been a decent turbo-trainer.
I will not ride a turbo-trainer. I once stupidly bought one. After two attempts to use it, I realised that the sheer boredom was sapping my will to live. I just didn't need to be in shape that badly. I lent it to a friend and forgot to ever get it back.
Bruce, at least on a turbo-trainer one can listen to music while spinning, or watch telly, and don't need your lights on if it's dark outside : )
My turbo-trainer is stored away in the garage covered in cobwebs, haven't used it in years, one of my things to do list projects is to build a dedicated turbo-train bike up from an old frame that one of my neighbours put out for the dustman. May come in very handy during the worst of winter but it's not the same buzz as getting out and about...
Debs
Looks like the über classic Oury grips.
My investment this winter has been a decent turbo-trainer.
I will not ride a turbo-trainer. I once stupidly bought one. After two attempts to use it, I realised that the sheer boredom was sapping my will to live. I just didn't need to be in shape that badly. I lent it to a friend and forgot to ever get it back.
Rollers, on the other hand, are a revelation. A fuller workout, more realistic and engaging. Don't have the skill to ride up, bunny hop onto them and keep pedalling though. Beats a track stand as long as shades remain propped up on head throughout and all gear used is immaculate.