The "what bike bits have you just bought" thread Vol 2
Discussion
snobetter said:
Not bought, as I have some, but if you're planning for winter boots, £210 down to £84
https://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/north...
Bargain!https://www.probikekit.co.uk/sports-footwear/north...
loudlashadjuster said:
Must be wheel time of year. The wear indicators on the mediocre Fulcrums my bike came with are just about invisible and there is a noticeable dish on the front wheel braking surface so I figure I can justify some new hoops.
Cue a few weeks of scouting and a few missed auction bargains and I've gone for Wheelsmith Race 30s and some fancy new GP 5000 TLs to replace the Duranos I've been using for a while, but which aren't really needed now I've moved away from the flinty and gorse-ridden roads of Buckinghamshire.
According to bicyclerollingresistance.com, the GP 5000s should liberate (a scarcely believable) 20+ Watts over the Schwalbes, and I'm hoping the wheels' 350-ish gram weight saving and extra stiffness will be noticeable too.
We shall see!
Arrived and fitted with a new 12-30t Ultegra cassette that I've had lying around for ages (had 12-28t but with semi-compact chainset it was always a grind on really steep hills, hope this helps a bit)Cue a few weeks of scouting and a few missed auction bargains and I've gone for Wheelsmith Race 30s and some fancy new GP 5000 TLs to replace the Duranos I've been using for a while, but which aren't really needed now I've moved away from the flinty and gorse-ridden roads of Buckinghamshire.
According to bicyclerollingresistance.com, the GP 5000s should liberate (a scarcely believable) 20+ Watts over the Schwalbes, and I'm hoping the wheels' 350-ish gram weight saving and extra stiffness will be noticeable too.
We shall see!
Tubeless tyres were, as predicted, an absolute b
h to get on with the modest levers I have, hence the misaligned logo on the front. I may have a crack at rotating it once my wounds have healed 
First rain in over a week this morning so no ride (typical!) but a few km last night confirm they roll much better than the Fulcrums and the extra two teeth at the back are noticeable, even on a short 7% climb. Happy days.
Edit: Not inconsiderable 410g saving over previous setup, inc. skewers and sealant
Edited by loudlashadjuster on Tuesday 6th August 10:24
loudlashadjuster said:
Arrived and fitted with a new 12-30t Ultegra cassette that I've had lying around for ages (had 12-28t but with semi-compact chainset it was always a grind on really steep hills, hope this helps a bit)
Tubeless tyres were, as predicted, an absolute bh to get on with the modest levers I have, hence the misaligned logo on the front. I may have a crack at rotating it once my wounds have healed
First rain in over a week this morning so no ride (typical!) but a few km last night confirm they roll much better than the Fulcrums and the extra two teeth at the back are noticeable, even on a short 7% climb. Happy days.
That's looking good!Tubeless tyres were, as predicted, an absolute b
h to get on with the modest levers I have, hence the misaligned logo on the front. I may have a crack at rotating it once my wounds have healed First rain in over a week this morning so no ride (typical!) but a few km last night confirm they roll much better than the Fulcrums and the extra two teeth at the back are noticeable, even on a short 7% climb. Happy days.
A pair of these:
Just for an experiment really, to see if I like riding flats and if they improve my technique.
I haven't ridden flats since I was a kid, my teenage years were the toe-clip era and I've been on SPDs for the last dozen or so years (albeit not riding much for a lot of that time). But I'd like to (re)learn those skills, and my cleats and pedals keep getting clogged with mud on my local trails at this time of year so it seems a good time to give flats a shot.
Just for an experiment really, to see if I like riding flats and if they improve my technique.
I haven't ridden flats since I was a kid, my teenage years were the toe-clip era and I've been on SPDs for the last dozen or so years (albeit not riding much for a lot of that time). But I'd like to (re)learn those skills, and my cleats and pedals keep getting clogged with mud on my local trails at this time of year so it seems a good time to give flats a shot.
https://www.evanscycles.com/fwe-split-cleat-shiman...
Evans cycles "own brand" cleats - bought last minute at the Cycle Show in the ExCel centre next to the sign-on for the RideLondon. I'd fitted a new chain, cassette, and tyres for the ride, and the old cleats looked very sorry for themselves when I had a close look at them. Not wanting to have such a humble part of my bike/kit be the reason for a DNF on my first RideLondon-Surrey 100, I parted with £11.49 and fitted them less than 6 hours before my event start time...
GravelBen said:
A pair of these:
Just for an experiment really, to see if I like riding flats and if they improve my technique.
I haven't ridden flats since I was a kid, my teenage years were the toe-clip era and I've been on SPDs for the last dozen or so years (albeit not riding much for a lot of that time). But I'd like to (re)learn those skills, and my cleats and pedals keep getting clogged with mud on my local trails at this time of year so it seems a good time to give flats a shot.
I tried out flats when I got my new FS bike last year but couldn't get on with them plus they gave me a nasty gash down my leg when I had a minor "off" so I decided to go back to the tried and trusted SPD where I have recently upgraded to the larger XT pedal and it's great... be interested in your experience... Flats are easier for wheelies I guess Just for an experiment really, to see if I like riding flats and if they improve my technique.
I haven't ridden flats since I was a kid, my teenage years were the toe-clip era and I've been on SPDs for the last dozen or so years (albeit not riding much for a lot of that time). But I'd like to (re)learn those skills, and my cleats and pedals keep getting clogged with mud on my local trails at this time of year so it seems a good time to give flats a shot.
An FJM bike stand for my Levo. Much better than trying to hump a 20kg+ bike on to a traditional stand.
Photo knicked from their Instagram.....
And a pair of Adidas Terrex Cross Trail Protect shoes. Hands down the most comfortable cycling shoes that I've owned.
Photo knicked from their Instagram.....
And a pair of Adidas Terrex Cross Trail Protect shoes. Hands down the most comfortable cycling shoes that I've owned.
Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 6th August 13:21
towser44 said:
Just got these for £99 from Cycle Surgery. Been wanting these for ages, but cheapest I've seen in the sales is £140+ at several places so snapped these up ASAP when I saw them. Read some decent reviews on RoadCC and Bike Radar so hopefully they are good!
Those look great. I’m quite tempted to bag a pair myself. towser44 said:
Just got these for £99 from Cycle Surgery. Been wanting these for ages, but cheapest I've seen in the sales is £140+ at several places so snapped these up ASAP when I saw them. Read some decent reviews on RoadCC and Bike Radar so hopefully they are good!
I couldn’t resist these! Damn you!!maccas99 said:
GravelBen said:
A pair of these:
Just for an experiment really, to see if I like riding flats and if they improve my technique.
I haven't ridden flats since I was a kid, my teenage years were the toe-clip era and I've been on SPDs for the last dozen or so years (albeit not riding much for a lot of that time). But I'd like to (re)learn those skills, and my cleats and pedals keep getting clogged with mud on my local trails at this time of year so it seems a good time to give flats a shot.
I tried out flats when I got my new FS bike last year but couldn't get on with them plus they gave me a nasty gash down my leg when I had a minor "off" so I decided to go back to the tried and trusted SPD where I have recently upgraded to the larger XT pedal and it's great... be interested in your experience... Flats are easier for wheelies I guess Just for an experiment really, to see if I like riding flats and if they improve my technique.
I haven't ridden flats since I was a kid, my teenage years were the toe-clip era and I've been on SPDs for the last dozen or so years (albeit not riding much for a lot of that time). But I'd like to (re)learn those skills, and my cleats and pedals keep getting clogged with mud on my local trails at this time of year so it seems a good time to give flats a shot.
I too have just gone tubeless using Stans fluid and valves.
Whilst I was at it I stripped the wheels back to bare metal and sprayed them up in satin black with a matte lacquer. Got some yellow wheel decals in the post, however I am now unsure I want them having seen how it looks without.
Plan on replacing the pedals with yellow ones and also the red Hope brakes with a black Tech Evo 3 V4 setup.
Whilst I was at it I stripped the wheels back to bare metal and sprayed them up in satin black with a matte lacquer. Got some yellow wheel decals in the post, however I am now unsure I want them having seen how it looks without.
Plan on replacing the pedals with yellow ones and also the red Hope brakes with a black Tech Evo 3 V4 setup.
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