Best value item you've bought?

pjh

I'm curious here as to what folks reckon in the best value for money item for cycling they've ever bought.

For me it's my little 1/2 watt Smart tail light ... what a bit of kit ... brighter than Rudoplh's nose and hopefully (fingers crossed) helps me to be seen at night time (And it only cost £12 :oops:)

After that it's a close call ... maybe my Assos Airblock Jacket which although it was £150 ish is absolutely excellent this time of year.

ademort

My best buy is undoubtedly my 4us full carbon frame road bike with campag groupset a steal off ebay for 1100euros, £800. Ferrarired/Carbon Black finish. My LBS cannot believe how good it is for the price.Greetings Ademort

John C.

recently my Altura Night Vision windstopper jacket I paid 25 quid for it from cycle promotions. I love it.
Next although I paid full price, my Specialised BG saddles, I am comfortable on these for 150 mile+ rides. So for 25 pounds they have both done 6000 + miles I think that makes them a good bargain.

I'm ready for those who will hate both the above items

mr-ed

Probally my Assos winter kit I would freeze without. Defiantly pricey but worth it. Other than that although I don't own one the £1300 Ribble with DA looks like a steal for the money.

andyp

My best buy is also one of the cheapest things I've bought - a pair of Assos merino wool winter socks. I don't get cold feet anymore.

vermooten

+1 for the Smart taillight.

a_n_t

my specialized toupe saddle, brand new £44, sooooooo comfy!

Tom Butcher

Bought a 2nd hand Litespeed Ultimate for £950ish and sold it for £800 or so 3 years later. Ignoring 2nd hand stuff I bought some half price Rudy Projects in a sale and they lasted 3 years wearing them just about every time I was on the bike until they fell out of mypocket the other week.

elaine dey

My Lupine Passubio front light not cheap at £250 but great for commuting - cars actually wait at junctions when they see it. Just rode home through the countryside from our club Christmas dinner and it lights up the road like an airport runway.

giant_man

For me it's the Polaris skull cap i have had for the past 4 years. Just six or seven quid then and so much better than others tried since including Assos and De Marchi.

Lagavulin

Velox rimtape.

After getting nearly a dozen rim-side puncture with the plastic tape on my DT 1850s the Velox has been my saviour. I've since replaced the plastic tape on my other wheelsets and touch wood, other than a puncture on my turbo (I can live with that walk home ), I've not yet had one out on the road.

Possibly the best £18 I've spent.

I'm well chuffed with my current saddle too. It wasn't particularly cheap (£72) but my ar$e is very grateful.
I had some Spesh BG model that came with the bike but either the design or the discrete adjustments resulting from fitting the Toupe Gel has brought new levels of comfort.

bikeit65

Giant carbon seat post, brand new £25.00 a gift.

milese

My bike! £489 down from £850, Giant SCR 1.

One the smaller side, the light that I originally got for my MTB, but now has a dual purpose! Its a Fenix L2D Q5 torch with mount, cost about £43 with the mount, but is unbeatable for the cost and is amazingly practical as it takes 2 x AA batteries. Big thread on it in the MTB General Forum. Makes my Cateye EL530 look like a, erm, dim thing.

sloxam

santini twist gel bibs, £35, my ass feels like its been kissed (ooer!)

robbarker

A Terry Liberator saddle for audax rides. Your arse is in good shape, even after 600 Km.

Rich Hcp

My Spez Allez Sport at a knock down price because the new one came out!

munster

My "Caygill" steel bike with Dura ace 10, look HSC4 forks and a full carbon rear end!
Got it for £530!!! Which was a bargain in itself but I sold the wheels, pedals and saddle, so it actually cost £250.
The replacement bits I had anyway so it's probably been my best ever buy!

pcd993

I agree on the Assos Airblock jacket - see the "good kit" thread (or lack of it).

Others:
Biemme windstopper gilet
De feet Woolie Boolie socks
Santini and Endura bibtights (Santini have a nicer fit, Endura ones are good if you get caught in a shower
Nike winter cap (amazing, I know - but there is a decent bit of kit that Nike produce. The rest of their range is rubbish)
Nalini arm warmers (Rapha ones are truly useless)
Biemme knee and leg warners

turkeytickler

Decathlon B-Twin racing winter gear. £50 for a waterproof / highly breathable winter jacket. £40 for a pair of fleece backed bibtights with windproof panelling and comfy padded insert.

Bargain even at full price..

HungryCol

My Aldi bike gloves. Look naaf but kep the wind and cold out brillantly.

oldwelshman

A few, all from ebay :-) :
full carbon bike 105 gset £535
853 with 105 £350
two assos air block winter jackets, one £60, one £40 ( better to look on ebay in summer!!)
assos winstopper jacket, probably the best at £15
two assos gillets, £40 each.

best item sold?
Two old sleepers I found being skipped, I sanded them down waxed them, one was oak, sold for £125 the other was pine sold for £75, came in handy to fund bike clothes

ermintrude

i've just lashed out on an Endura Stealth jacket as it got such good reviews and I have to say it is fantastic ! Expensive but so far well worth it.

feel

A velo pronto z1 saddle that i got recommended by my LBS only £20 and amazingly comfortable.here

Also winter cycling trousers/tights from Aldi (when used with braces to keep them snug ) only £10 and they are super warm and comfortable.

Also agree the smart rear light is a very good piece of kit.

rdaviesb

My Langster.

Pullman1937

Williams C34 chainset with Williams Norman Cycles chainring. Chainring is a rare as hobby horse s***e. Bought on ebay for £1 plus postage of £2. Bargain of the year for me!

red dragon

For me after reading reviews bought an Endura Stealth Jacket. It does what it says on the tin. Very pleased with Aeron frame as well. :P