Thread to tell everyone what bike gear you've just bought !

drwae

New front derailleur going from 105 5800 to Ultegra 6800 I don't even know why, it was one of those ebay auctions where you regret bidding and hope someone else is going to outbid you (they don't)

luv2ride

bendertherobot wrote:

I do think Castelli are very variable even between the same garment. Do you have an Evans close by to try a small?

I'm going to the Bristol store tomorrow or Wednesday to return the Fiandre Extreme. The medium Alpha jersey fits like this on me:

....but was expecting/wanting a tighter fit than that. For instance, the arms aren't super tight. Decided I don't mind the colour ....and might have cut the tags off and ridden in it now :oops: Seems some of the hype is true.

bendertherobot

That fit looks right, IMO.

indyp

I concur, fit looks spot on to me.

The arms aren't skin tight on the Alpha jersey, so I'd think even going with a smaller size won't make a huge difference.

luv2ride

Thanks chaps. Input much appreciated. I have to admit it was good out in that wind this afternoon....

itboffin

mines tighter than that in a large I had a medium but couldnt lift my arms up without risking damaging it, its by far the most unflattering bit of cycling kit I own but it does do what it says on the tin

luv2ride

Looking at it again this morning and laying other tops under it, the cut is ever so slightly larger than my ls Gabba, but quite surprisingly similar to my ss Perfetto (that has very tight arms and different hem design so probably contributes to the feeling that the Alpha feels much "roomier") The Alpha jersey arrived scrunched up in the bag (an obvious return and not particularly well re-packaged, though no trace of any damage or marks). However, it is VERY creased and contributes to the fact it doesn't look super tight when worn. Also looks to me like the full length zip flap has been cut slightly too long, so won't sit flush and bunches ever so slightly just above the waistband. Annoying, but as it wouldn't affect performance unsure whether I can be bothered to return given I got it for a significant discount.

mrb123

Luv2ride wrote:

Looking at it again this morning and laying other tops under it, the cut is ever so slightly larger than my ls Gabba, but quite surprisingly similar to my ss Perfetto (that has very tight arms and different hem design so probably contributes to the feeling that the Alpha feels much "roomier") The Alpha jersey arrived scrunched up in the bag (an obvious return and not particularly well re-packaged, though no trace of any damage or marks). However, it is VERY creased and contributes to the fact it doesn't look super tight when worn. Also looks to me like the full length zip flap has been cut slightly too long, so won't sit flush and bunches ever so slightly just above the waistband. Annoying, but as it wouldn't affect performance unsure whether I can be bothered to return given I got it for a significant discount.

I had to return the first Alpha jersey that I got recently from Wiggle. There was a small rough area of plastic on the inside at the bottom of the zip. It looked like the thin plastic there had split slightly over the stitching. On my first ride this rubbed on the front of my bib tights causing some damage which I'm sure would have caused a hole if I'd kept using it. The problem was obviously exacerbated by the fact that the waistband is so tight by nature of the design.

This and your experience does suggest there may be some quality control issues with these.

That said, I've now got a replacement from Wiggle and I'm very happy with it. The warmth and protection provided by something so light and thin is really exceptional. My ride last night had an average temperature of 1 degree and it was windy. The Alpha was perfect over a long sleeved Helly Hansen base layer.

drwae

Isn't the Alpha meant to be wrinkly? mine is like this: http://i.imgur.com/6BCphJg.jpg and other people I've seen wearing it have it looking similar..

luv2ride

Think you might be right. Having taken a photo wearing it, reckon it looks ok after all :oops:

Think I'll be testing it's water resistant properties in a minute, looking decidely grey outside....

luv2ride

Castelli Potenza jersey, as posted on the "bargains spotted" thread by Daniel B, and reviewed well by BTR. Really need to cut up the credit card!

Mirage with flouro zip!

drwae

Just bought Ultegra 6800 shifters, front and rear mech so I can put my 105 stuff onto my winter bike and upgrade it to 11 speed. now I still have to buy a cassette, chain , new wheels, cables, bar tape ..

Luv2ride wrote:

Really need to cut up the credit card!

I know what you mean there :x I justify it by spending on a cashback card!! The more I spend the more I earn!

msmancunia

A Cube cross bike, so I can ride to work on the canal during the summer :-)

tgotb

msmancunia wrote:

A Cube cross bike, so I can ride to work on the canal during the summer :-)

Like this?

msmancunia

That has made me laugh - don't know how I'd get over all the locks on the Rochdale canal though...

OK - re-edit - I've just bought a Cube cross race to ride along the canal to work :-)

imatfaal

msmancunia wrote:

That has made me laugh - don't know how I'd get over all the locks on the Rochdale canal though...

OK - re-edit - I've just bought a Cube cross race to ride along the canal to work :-)

Quick work! Canal commute is excellent - just wish my canal/river path was a large percentage of my total. Cube in Black and White with Blue tape? Looks very nice - love the white line running along toptube and down seatstays

msmancunia

Yeah that's the one. Just took it for a spin around the carpark - it rides really nice. Got it partly for a summer canal commute, and partly because I live beside a country park with lots of trails. I thought I'd done them to death and gave my old MTB to a mate, but when I was training for Nepal I found a load more and regretted it!

I can get on the bank about five mins from me, and get off about 5 mins from the velodrome, so it's nearly a full off-road commute :-)

daniel_b

msmancunia wrote:

I can get on the bank about five mins from me, and get off about 5 mins from the velodrome, so it's nearly a full off-road commute :-)

You live near the Velodrome :shock:

I'm VERY jealous!

Quins

A pair of Castelli Sorpasso bib tights, courtesy of the BTR tip off that Merlin had them at £79.99, price matched by Wiggle. Ordered L and XL, the weight loss means I'm keeping the L....woohoo. Wore them today, loved them.

msmancunia

Daniel B wrote:

msmancunia wrote:

I can get on the bank about five mins from me, and get off about 5 mins from the velodrome, so it's nearly a full off-road commute :-)

You live near the Velodrome :shock:

I'm VERY jealous!

No, I live six miles away. I do work there though

drwae

Any recommendations for a lighter jersey/jacket than the Castelli Alpha Jacket? It's getting really warm now here in Scotland and I'm overheating. I was looking at the Gabba perhaps, not sure what the difference is between the Gabba 2 at £85 or the Gabba 3 at £130 though

bendertherobot

Alpha jersey!

drwae

bendertherobot wrote:

Alpha jersey!

I was looking for something short sleeve maybe so I don't have to keep buying new things then I can just have one winter one and one spring/summer one

apreading

drwae wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Alpha jersey!

I was looking for something short sleeve maybe so I don't have to keep buying new things then I can just have one winter one and one spring/summer one

Ha - good luck with that!

If you want short sleeve, there is the Perfetto.

I would rather have an Alpha Jersey and a Fawesome gilet though - you could get away with those plus the Alpha Jacket you have.

If you buy a short sleeve Gabba, despite the short sleeves, you wont be able to wear it in as warm temperatures as the Alpha Jersey because you will sweat alot more in it.

drwae

apreading wrote:

drwae wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Alpha jersey!

I was looking for something short sleeve maybe so I don't have to keep buying new things then I can just have one winter one and one spring/summer one

Ha - good luck with that!

If you want short sleeve, there is the Perfetto.

I would rather have an Alpha Jersey and a Fawesome gilet though - you could get away with those plus the Alpha Jacket you have.

If you buy a short sleeve Gabba, despite the short sleeves, you wont be able to wear it in as warm temperatures as the Alpha Jersey because you will sweat alot more in it.

I like the look of the Perfetto jersey! If the weather keeps warm for another week I'll probably get one of those, unfortunately the WIGGLELOVE code doesn't seem to be working any more :x and I only just used it 2 days ago to get a £50 set of wheels for my winter bike

bendertherobot

drwae wrote:

apreading wrote:

drwae wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Alpha jersey!

I was looking for something short sleeve maybe so I don't have to keep buying new things then I can just have one winter one and one spring/summer one

Ha - good luck with that!

If you want short sleeve, there is the Perfetto.

I would rather have an Alpha Jersey and a Fawesome gilet though - you could get away with those plus the Alpha Jacket you have.

If you buy a short sleeve Gabba, despite the short sleeves, you wont be able to wear it in as warm temperatures as the Alpha Jersey because you will sweat alot more in it.

I like the look of the Perfetto jersey! If the weather keeps warm for another week I'll probably get one of those, unfortunately the WIGGLELOVE code doesn't seem to be working any more :x and I only just used it 2 days ago to get a £50 set of wheels for my winter bike

Which Perfetto? Short or long sleeve? The short is the true Perfetto (or was). There's now a Perfetto 2 light, same thing. Both short sleeve, both spring weight. The Perfetto long sleeve is a Gabba

drwae

bendertherobot wrote:

drwae wrote:

apreading wrote:

drwae wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Alpha jersey!

I was looking for something short sleeve maybe so I don't have to keep buying new things then I can just have one winter one and one spring/summer one

Ha - good luck with that!

If you want short sleeve, there is the Perfetto.

I would rather have an Alpha Jersey and a Fawesome gilet though - you could get away with those plus the Alpha Jacket you have.

If you buy a short sleeve Gabba, despite the short sleeves, you wont be able to wear it in as warm temperatures as the Alpha Jersey because you will sweat alot more in it.

I like the look of the Perfetto jersey! If the weather keeps warm for another week I'll probably get one of those, unfortunately the WIGGLELOVE code doesn't seem to be working any more :x and I only just used it 2 days ago to get a £50 set of wheels for my winter bike

Which Perfetto? Short or long sleeve? The short is the true Perfetto (or was). There's now a Perfetto 2 light, same thing. Both short sleeve, both spring weight. The Perfetto long sleeve is a Gabba

Yeah it's this one http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-perfet ... -2-jersey/

bendertherobot

That's the new version. A good jersey with size issues. Order the one you think you fit. And the one above. It's not for winter though.

bendertherobot

Giro Factor AAC in White off ebay. £80. Slightly used but still a considerable saving (thought they are £125 many places now).

Found some Assos Tiburu shorts on the floor in a local Snow and Rock/Cycle Surgery. Boxed, mint, £90.

gabriel959

PRO Falcon Carbon saddle - 155g apparently - around £55 from CRC with the CLEAR2017 voucher

A Lezyne KTV Pro Front Light for my eldest daughters bike - for a £5
Some concentrate Muc-off plus a bike matt - for around a £5!