all purpose gear thread

But first ride is going to be over this blue bridge, which opened today - http://www.exetersciencepark.co.uk/latest_news.php

yfrog.com/kltthquj

Bike!

great!

sts homey

What's sts?!

slam that stem!

(j/k, you shouldn't do that)

Hahaha

Did 23 miles in 90 minutes on it last night along a not particularly quick route, didn't feel like I was pushing it too hard, stopped a couple of times to talk to people, and still did a quicker average mph than I would have when pushing it really hard on the hybrid. And that's without even having put slicks on, which I intend to do. Pleased!

http://i54.tinypic.com/15r1sli.jpg

$20 oval chainrings not sure if they will work with other bits.

I fitted new pedals to my roadie yesterday, a pair of Crank Bros Candy SL in delightful green (they were 80% off or something). Haven't ridden with them yet but the hot spot on my right foot was getting worse and worse so I hope they're a good investment.

That said, I also moved the cleat about 1.5mm when I replaced my old ones, which might help - and, annoyingly, found a small crack in the sole of my shoes, so the hunt for bargain replacements is underway (though tbh I just want Spesh BG MTB shoes again as I've never owned something that fits so well - but they're £100 these days and never discounted, grr).

Finally, I cleaned my drivetrain for the first time, quite possibly, since I replaced my old one, about 2,000 miles ago. Oops.

Are there any decent aggregators which would tell you the price for (say) the shoes I want across many online retailers?

garmin announces platform for its pedal powermeter- keo compatible built by exustar, ~$1500. really was hoping they'd retain the original speedplay design.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/08/bikes-and-tech/quick-look-garmin-vector-power-meter_188454

i saw those today at the bike show!! product debut in australia, who'd have thunk it

the pedal could do with a metal scuff plate imo

so look has two power platforms- polar and garmin. i really don't like them, but that seems like good news for them. if you have those on your road bike, you'll get reg looks for your rainbike and tt bike right?

i figure that garmin's choice was in part based on exustar's willingness to manufacture to price point and look is a license they have. from my interactions and reading on speedplay, they don't seem like the kind of company that would do anything like that at all.

these are supposed to be out next year

http://www.brimbrothers.com/2011/06/announcing-zone/

whoa

One of these companies news to come out with the $750 power meter, they will own the market.

news = needs

Polar/Look pedal is only compatible with Polar heads which is understandable but very dumb.

these look great: http://gizmodo.com/5831624/light-your-bike-at-night-with-revolights

What's a good book on bicycle maintenance / building a bicycle?

zinn

Duly ordered.

Would totally buy those revolights, too.

Anyone got any advice re: prescription sports glasses?

I wear Oakley flak Jackets (have sunglasses and plain) and they are awesome, apart from the fogging when stopped at lights etc. Good for peripheral vision.

I have Adidas elevation clima cool, they are convertible between sunglasses and ski goggles, a little big for the former and small for the latter but pretty good for both. They take a prescription insert, have changeable front lenses etc.

Cannondale is offering team pricing to our club. Super tempted to pick up super six with rival for $2000

One of your ex-teammates is joining my team btw. Super rad guy, his dad was my math prof yearssssssssssssssssssss ago funnily enough.

Wait a sec, are you racing for Sw@mi's? I think I always assumed that...

(cuz they race cannondales as well...?)

Nah sw@mis is out eternal rival. I race with the (SoCal cup winning) SDBC. Its a super exclusive club, you have to have $45 to join! The team deal is through the same shop (Nytr0) as theirs.

ah okay, well we poached a rival of your guys, then. :D

What do we think, guys? For my fixie-about-town? Is it worth adding 690g to a lightweight bike for style and, I hope, comfort? Is the suspension completely unnecessary and I'd be better off with a suspension-free Brooks and/or something else entirely?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11673

Sprung saddle is very nice but I think it works best with an more upright riding position.

It's 90 quid for a saddle though! Seriously toying with a 12-28 cassette for the kaffenback instead of the 11-25 I've got on there at the moment cOnsidering my hill-aversion.

how much movement does the suspension offer? i reckon too much bounce could be a bit annoying.

i won a saddle last month from local brand 'thrones' - bright yellow w/ flanders lion on it - for getting third in a 'guess the bike weight' contest. it doesn't really match any of my bikes!

Ed'll make you an offer.

Fair dos re saddle. The point is it's not supposed to make you bounce around but then I've never tried one. Tbh even skinny racing saddles are fine with me so I can probably be fairly unpicky.

Chris, I know, but it'd be a Christmas present so it's all good :)

I am, right now looking for shocking pink components to match my winter trainer

http://dappered.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ShannonWeek7Header.jpg

how about a brown cord suit with a stylish shirt and tie

(and pocket square)

I could rock that, would need a better tie, though, maybe a Pucci one.

Putting a leisure saddle on a track bike is like putting a sofa in a ferrari.

I like sofas and I like Ferraris, so...

rules about "track" bikes is pretty old school ever since lol hipsters, but keep the flag flyin old man

**flies flag high**

http://road.cc/content/news/46989-video-eurobike-faves-pinion-bb-system