Your worst cycling related purchase

[itsnotarace]

I have just wasted £23 on Lizard Skins DSP bar tape Wasn't sure but went ahead and ordered anyway trusting the reviews of others. Unwrapped the packet when it arrived and thought hmm that's a bit weird texture but what the hell, will go ahead and wrap it anyway as it might feel better once on.

Wrapped one side and it's like the worst substance I've ever touched so it came straight back off and the whole lot went in the bin. You also can't stretch the tape when wrapping and the sticky strip is like 1mm wide so how it was supposed to stick on I'll never know. Should have stuck with my usual cheap Fizik Microtex. Oh well, lesson learnt.

So what's your worst cycling related purchase?

[paranoid airbag]

muc-off dry lube. 30 bone-dry miles after applying a generous amount, and letting it settle in, squeak squeak squeak. Repeat process. 30 bone-dry miles, squeak squeak squeak. I really like the idea of dry lube (I'm trying finish line ceramic atm), but seriously, what use is a lube that won't last a single decent ride? I was probably being a div and somehow applying it wrong though.

[SkinnyBoy]

Finish Line Ceramic or nothing else IMHO.

As for worst purchases... I bought a Giant OCRA roadbike, hated it on the first ride, couldn't wait to punt it on.

[TheFungle]

paranoid airbag said:

muc-off dry lube. 30 bone-dry miles after applying a generous amount, and letting it settle in, squeak squeak squeak. Repeat process. 30 bone-dry miles, squeak squeak squeak. I really like the idea of dry lube (I'm trying finish line ceramic atm), but seriously, what use is a lube that won't last a single decent ride? I was probably being a div and somehow applying it wrong though.

Strange, I really liked it although one wet ride and it was rendered useless.

Moved to their wet lube an I've found it fantastic so far and it smells nice as a bonus!

Worst purchase was an Aldi computer/hr monitor, according to it I'm the fastest cyclist on earth, even faster than OKGO and a HR that should render my clinically dead...

[CoolC]

paranoid airbag said:

muc-off dry lube. 30 bone-dry miles after applying a generous amount, and letting it settle in, squeak squeak squeak. Repeat process. 30 bone-dry miles, squeak squeak squeak. I really like the idea of dry lube (I'm trying finish line ceramic atm), but seriously, what use is a lube that won't last a single decent ride? I was probably being a div and somehow applying it wrong though.

I bought some of the Fenwicks All Condition Lube going off the reviews.

Well it's pants, on a dry ride the chain is black with crap within minutes, and on a wet ride squeaks like hell.

[P-Jay]

Fox unabomber gloves.

I mean look at them!



Lovely - shame they're complete st, started falling apart after one summer ride, after about 10 they were spliting at the seems, the armor bits were lifting and the strap coming off.

I also bought a pair of fox freeride shorts once, they were seriously discounted which should have been my first warning - actually when I say "a pair" they were so cheap I actually bought 3 pairs. Unlike any other MTB short I've owned they didn't have a proper fly / botton, just elasticated waist band and drawstring, but the waitband only flex a tiny amount so they sat quite nicely on my waist, but were a total pain to get on - add a couple of hours of riding, wet conditions and pumped up thighs and they were impossible to get off. One time it was so bad after an uplift day I had to cut myself out of them.

[TKF]

A Karrimor waterproof jacket.

I suppose they were correct in the description. It doesn't let any water out.

[itsnotarace]

TKF said:

A Karrimor waterproof jacket.

I suppose they were correct in the description. It doesn't let any water out.

Yes I had the displeasure of owning one of those. Bought in haste from a sports shop in town after being caught in a sudden downpour whilst out on the bike. Glad it was only a tenner, because it went in the bin as soon as I got home.

[markoc]

Three from me:

Back in the day - Onza Ules/Porkipaws - lasted all of about three grotty rides before disintegrating.

Fenwicks spray on chain degreaser - which sprays as a foam jet uncontrollable, and then foams up like expanding cavity filler. Plus is about as good as cold water at shifting a weeks worth of commuting crap.

My retro singlespeed project. Was to be a £100 budget build on an old P7 frame frame. Now spent over £400 on all the parts and pending a costly respray because it needs to be "just right"... oops

[MadDad]

Decathalon lube - like pouring runny vegetable oil onto your chain.

Karrimore padded shorts - it would be more comfortable to line your saddle with shards of broken glass and razor wire.

[SkinnyBoy]

a massive plus 1 on the Onzas, their purpley goodness was good for about one ride, after that the ace little porcupines would all wear off and they had the consistency of a strip of bazooka joes wrapped round the bar.

[Bacon Is Proof]

18mm tyres.
I was a child, and knew no better. Completely unrideable on most roads.
They simultaneously blew out their sidewalls when I leaned the bike against a radiator, and the bike shop kindly gave me some replacements in a more suitable size.

[crisisjez]

A pair of Conti 4000s. No use at all on the back lanes round by us. Back on the Zaphs now and no puncture problems at all.

[anonymous-user]

itsnotarace said:

I have just wasted £23 on Lizard Skins DSP bar tape Wasn't sure but went ahead and ordered anyway trusting the reviews of others. Unwrapped the packet when it arrived and thought hmm that's a bit weird texture but what the hell, will go ahead and wrap it anyway as it might feel better once on.

Wrapped one side and it's like the worst substance I've ever touched so it came straight back off and the whole lot went in the bin. You also can't stretch the tape when wrapping and the sticky strip is like 1mm wide so how it was supposed to stick on I'll never know. Should have stuck with my usual cheap Fizik Microtex. Oh well, lesson learnt.

So what's your worst cycling related purchase?

+1

I like the feel of it but either I didnt put it on properly or its a bit naff. Have the same issues with it coming loose and peeling, will try something else next time, shame becuase I liked the feel of it and in the wet it was very good.

[a11y_m]

My worst purchase was 2008 Marzocchi 55 forks. Yes, the year their reliability went down the pan...

Great when they worked, but utterly hopeless reliability. I sold them promptly at a big loss after their second warranty repair. Replaced with 2006 66SL's and never looked back.

[scrwright]

Dirty confession time, I bought an Emmelle MTB in the mid 80's, st it was heavy & broke alot. Took it back after a few months & bought a Marin

[paranoid airbag]

CoolC said:

I bought some of the Fenwicks All Condition Lube going off the reviews.

Well it's pants, on a dry ride the chain is black with crap within minutes, and on a wet ride squeaks like hell.

funny, I quite liked Fenwicks all conditions, though I'd prefer something a bit thicker that gets inside the links and replicates the lovely, greasy feeling of a new chain.

Since someone else mentioned bike computers, I had one once (a gift so not a purchase of mine) that took several weeks of alignment before it registered any speed over 12mph. Bit embarrassing that.

[Sambafi]

I too bought Fenwicks foaming degreaser, looked spectacular but didn't achieve very much. However, my worst purchase has been an Apollo Slamshot mtb. It weighed more than I do, bits fell off and the tyres had no grip.

Edited by Sambafi on Monday 13th August 22:01

[Gooby]

Nobby nics.
2 x £55 UST lightweights. Rubbish in the corners and the most delicate sidewalls. Unpredictable washouts for very little reason squirmy and jumpy on the back. Sidewall tore so badly could not repair it trailside and led to a long walk home.

£110 quid for 5-6 weeks use.

[Jimbo.]

Schwalbe Ultremo DD tyres: breaking up/fraying/delaminating on the sidewalls for no apparent reason. Utter tripe.