Equipment.. What have you got

gs3

1 Lights? Blackburn X6

2 Pump? Specialized Air Tool Road

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Cooltool (remember them?) + Park Tool levers

4 Lock? Not required

5 Helmet? MET Parachute (with the chin guard removed)

6 Jacket? Altura Kinetic Windproof

7 Shorts/Trousers? Protective Dragons over Protective Endurance lycras. When really cold and/or wet - Endura Thermolite bib-longs

8 Waterproof clothing? Montane Featherlight Velo Jacket. Altura Dryline Trousers. Endura MT500 overshoes

9 Gloves? Summer - Spesh BG Ridge. Winter - Spesh Radiant

10 Shoes? Spesh BG MTB Expert or Shimano MP66

11 Pedals? Crank Bros Smarty's with reflectors fitted

All this for a 50 mile round-trip commute!!

.

always_tyred

Jen, I use the X series. They are what people who use Zeros graduate to once they have fully overcome their fear of free-float. 8)

They are (a) expensive and (b) a bit fragile but (c) fantastic.

On first use, they can feel odd, but once you get used to the free float, all other "float" just feels restrictive.

Dead easy to get in and out of (although there is a mite more angle required than other systems I've used, there's no resistance).

Almost impossible to walk in the cleats - you need to carry covers around with you if you plan on walking more than about 5 feet. The Frogs that were mentioned kind of give the same effect, I believe, but the cleats are recessed and suitable for Mtb shoes.

Jen J

Always Tyred wrote:

Jen, I use the X series. They are what people who use Zeros graduate to once they have fully overcome their fear of free-float. 8)

They are (a) expensive and (b) a bit fragile but (c) fantastic.

On first use, they can feel odd, but once you get used to the free float, all other "float" just feels restrictive.

Dead easy to get in and out of (although there is a mite more angle required than other systems I've used, there's no resistance).

Almost impossible to walk in the cleats - you need to carry covers around with you if you plan on walking more than about 5 feet. The Frogs that were mentioned kind of give the same effect, I believe, but the cleats are recessed and suitable for Mtb shoes.

Thanks - it's about time I paced a new order from wiggle - it's been at least 4 days since my last one.

Bit concerned about the 'fragile' comment though - I'm very clumsy and accident prone, so fragile is not very safe around me...

always_tyred

Oh, by fragile I mean the bearings. In fairness, my commuter takes a lot of abuse, but I find that they need re-greasing quite often (its easy to tell when - rotate them an if there isn't a tiny bit of striction, its time) and I have had bearings go completely on me and not all of the bearings are serviceable.

Jen J

Always Tyred wrote:

Oh, by fragile I mean the bearings. In fairness, my commuter takes a lot of abuse, but I find that they need re-greasing quite often (its easy to tell when - rotate them an if there isn't a tiny bit of striction, its time) and I have had bearings go completely on me and not all of the bearings are serviceable.

Just bought these (and coffee cup covers????)

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Speed ... 360012276/

always_tyred

Yeah, they should be called "Coffee SHOP Covers"!! i.e. Starbucks is so expensive, that to slip and spill a venti americano with a twist of lemming, as you totter around on metal cleats, would be a financial disaster.

dal105

1 Lights? Cateye EL510 front, Smart 1/2 watt rear, both fine for town/city

2 Pump? Crank brothers Power pump, fits in my small saddle bag but not yet had a p***ture so don't know if its any good.

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Park tools multitool, halfords tyre levers

4 Lock? Can't remember

5 Helmet? Giro Monza , well vented

6 Jacket? None

7 Shorts/Trousers? DHB shorts

8 Waterproof clothing? None

9 Gloves? DHB fingerless in summer, Altura long fingered thermal in winter

10 Shoes? Specialized Sport road shoes - basic but ok

11 Pedals? Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL

_____________________________________________________

Clever Pun

1 Lights? Cateye single shot plus & LD600

2 Pump? toppeak vari blow (small pump & canister)

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? those little blue ones no multi tool

4 Lock? Abus

5 Helmet? giro

6 Jacket? rapha gilet

7 Shorts/Trousers? Pearl Izumi, Campag

8 Waterproof clothing? Gore paclite

9 Gloves? Specialized, Campag, Assos, Pearl Izumi

10 Shoes? Sidi Dominator

11 Pedals? Time Atac

Gilbie

1 Lights? Maxx Exposure2 Front Topeak backup and rear.
2 Pump? Crank Bros mini pump
3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? A cheap Argus one / plastic levers.
4 Lock? Coiled steel cable + D lock (unbranded)
5 Helmet? Giro Hex
6 Jacket? Unbranded
7 Shorts/Trousers? Endura Humvee 3/4 with dhb warmers.
8 Waterproof clothing? Endura Luminite Jacket - very pleased with it. Unbranded trousers
9 Gloves? Summer - Endura, Winter - need some.
10 Shoes? Shimano MT51
11 Pedals? Shimano M520

il_principe

Always Tyred wrote:

How come you don't like Castelli?

Eh?

always_tyred

jashburnham wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

How come you don't like Castelli?

Eh?

Irony.

il_principe

Always Tyred wrote:

Jen, I use the X series. They are what people who use Zeros graduate to once they have fully overcome their fear of free-float. 8)

.

Not exactly - well to my mind anyway. X's have totally free float. Zero's are adjustable so you can have free float or you can limit the float by means of 2 small screws in the cleat itself. I prefer the Zeros as I have large feet and odd knees - the ability to slightly limit the float range is helpful as a result.

always_tyred

jashburnham wrote:

Always Tyred wrote:

Jen, I use the X series. They are what people who use Zeros graduate to once they have fully overcome their fear of free-float. 8)

.

Not exactly - well to my mind anyway. X's have totally free float. Zero's are adjustable so you can have free float or you can limit the float by means of 2 small screws in the cleat itself. I prefer the Zeros as I have large feet and odd knees - the ability to slightly limit the float range is helpful as a result.

Also irony.

Non ironically, how to the plasic bits in the cleats last? One good thing about the X's is that the cleats will work okay pretty much until the springs wear through entirely. I'm a tad uncertain about the Zeroes because of that.

And.... if you limit the float, does this also limit the angle require to clip out?

il_principe

I think your understanding of irony and mine may differ somewhat!
Tone and internet forums - what a wonderful combination.

The cleats seem very hard wearing IME. Certainly last much longer than SPD-L's although I have managed to loose my cleat covers, must bag another pair of those!

I hardly limit the float at all, not really thought about the angle but I never struggle to clip out.

always_tyred

In fairness, it might merely be low grade sarcasm.

fairweatherbiker

Lights: Cheapest possible 3.99 from ebay uselessly dim - now ride with those flashing front and rear, And Raleigh RSP set 5 LED front & rear very bright. - You need to see the towpath as its pitch black in the cuttings and under the bridges before dawn

Pump: don't carry one - have never needed one -

Lock: massive thick chain with expensive brass padlock - but I don't carry it I leave it chained to the cycle sheds at work. for trips to the shop I use a impressive looking, but lightweight chain that wraps around the rear wheell/frame a few times (but has no lock attached - oops gave my secret away - however my best defence is the rusty old-fashioned frame that even grannies wouldn't be seen dead on)

Helmet: Don't wear one, don't have one - I probably should, but I can't overcome the twit factor of wearing one.

Jacket: Big Dayglow yellow thing - cost me 50 quid fully weatherproof and lightweight

Trousers: nothing special - just dark, looseish with thin material, and brush off the mud slpatters when I get to work.

Waterproofs: Carry a baseball cap in case its raining when I come home - helps keep the rain off my face - but have lost 2 in the wind

Gloves - great thick brown ones - wore them all summer - my fingers just dont work when cold

Shoes - fairly solid trainers - with rubber soles - stick well to pedals in the wet

Bag - large backpack

Bell - to avoid collisions under canal bridges - you'd be surprised at how often it nearly happens -

Eyewear - very light shades - or nothing - tried dark shades - but in bright sun going into shade you become effectively blind.

Pedals: my bike did have these big heavy rubber pedals - so I switched them for lightweight plastic ones -

er... thats it no gadgets oh - nearly forgot - mini toolkit for putting the chain back on when it mgically twists itself out of the deraileur jockys :x

marchant

1 Lights? Front = Topeak 3 LED thingy, back = anonymous 5 LED (bright though)

2 Pump? Generic car foot pump, kept at home

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Cool Tool/15 year old Park hex wrench thing, tyre levers free with magazine

4 Lock? Oxford heavy duty chain, Halfords U-lock

5 Helmet? Nope

6 Jacket? Whatever the weather demands

7 Shorts/Trousers? Work clothes, or maybe something by Fox

8 Waterproof clothing? Hi Viz bomber style jacket

9 Gloves? Ringers Extrication gloves, but only when it's cold

10 Shoes? Hi-Tec Magnums, but I want my Nike Super Poobahs back

11 Pedals? The ones that came with the bike

mattpig

Hi

1 Lights? Hope Vision 1, knog frog, knog gekko on rear, Wiggle and brian roukes

2 Pump? crank bros with gauge on bike joe blow track at home

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? top peak hexus hummer and gerber clutch, wiggle

4 Lock? bike cage at work

5 Helmet? protec ace dig, wiggle

6 Jacket? Gil yellow waterproof, wiggle

7 Shorts/Trousers? jeans and endura overtrouser

8 Waterproof clothing? see above

9 Gloves? I have loads mace cryogen and endura for winter, specilzed fortess for summer

10 Shoes? zamberlan gore tex xcr for winter merrel moab for summer, blacks

11 Pedals? wellgo b47 and dmr v8's wiggle

Matt

2tired2ride

1 Lights? Topeek 3 LED Front and Bikehut 5 LED Front and Rear.

2 Pump?Some track pump and a crank brothers aluminum gauged mini pump.

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Topeek Alien RX and some "Hans tool" thing.

4 Lock? Kyptonite (The grey long D-lock one.)

5 Helmet? Giro Monza.

6 Jacket? Aldi and Gore (It was in the sale).

7 Shorts/Trousers? Aldi and Kona (that was in the sale as well).

8 Waterproof clothing? Aldi and Fox.

9 Gloves? Aldi .

10 Shoes? Aldi mountain bike shoes and Lake carbon soled road shoes.

11 Pedals? Shimano one sided SPD and other flat.

ansbaradigeidfran

2tired2ride wrote:

6 Jacket? Aldi and Gore (It was in the sale).

Didn't he run for President of the US?

2tired2ride

I think that was Al Gore....

Wikipedia says:

Albert Arnold Gore, Jr.
45th Vice President of the United States
In office
January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001

Jen J

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

2tired2ride wrote:

6 Jacket? Aldi and Gore (It was in the sale).

Didn't he run for President of the US?

toshmund

4dam wrote:

Hi all,

Can you tell me what of the following equipment you have, What you think off it, And where you got it(ie online, halfords....)

1 Lights? From a nice man in Hong Kong, 2 on the handlebars/headtorch on the helmet

2 Pump? Mini pump from Decathlon

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Yes, Wilko's do a decent multi tool for £2.99 which you would not lose too much sleep over if it went walking.

4 Lock? From Decathlon for the bike shed at work, use a more substantial one for the supermarket trips.

5 Helmet? A old Metz

6 Jacket? Altura Night Vision

7 Shorts/Trousers? Speg, or Decathlon shorts/Kalenji running tights

8 Waterproof clothing? Apart from the Night Vision, No.

9 Gloves? Aldi winter gloves, or general Mitts. Sometimes with running silk gloves underneath, if it is getting a bit "parky".

10 Shoes? Adidas - but I still use the toe-clips, can walkaround easier without the cleats

11 Pedals? Rat-traps with toe-clips. I do have Look Keo (Grey type)/Adidas Girano roadshoes, on another bike which is a decent combination

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Lights: Electron 5+10W halogen up front (Ribble, not bad but wish I had waited a few weeks and got a Fenix or two); Smart 0.5W (seat post, CRC, brilliant) plus old Cateye (helmet) rear

Pump: Cyclair (Ribble?, nice idea but bit of a faff)

Tools: Basic old tyre lever; spare tube; few allen keys

Lock: Basic Halfords lock kept at work (bike never stays outside without me)

Helmet: Giro Pneumo '07 (DHcyclesport, good venting)

Jacket: Endura Convert (original, Wiggle)

Shorts/trousers: Nothing bike specific yet; Snickers shorts or combats (i.e. work gear)

Waterproofs: Convert plus old waterproof trousers (which always make me think do they actually make me arrive at destination drier, as they get my legs hot 'n' bothered)

Gloves: Addidas mitts (dog-eared, about to bin soon, DHcyclesport); Specialized BG Gel full finger (Evans bargain recently); Endura Strike (BGs can fit inside for nasty cold days, Wiggle)

Shoes: Shimano SH-M121G (DHcyclesport, lasting well)

Pedals: Time Atac XS Carbon (DHcyclesport, lasting well, easy to use, good on knees)

Cunobelin

1 Lights?

Use Enduro MAxx, backed up by Hope HID or Dinotte on front - two cateye TL1100 and a Dinotte on the rear, all bikes also have a chep RVLR front and back Cateye

2 Pump?

Topeak road Morph

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers?

Alien Mulititool, SpedLever, Leatherman

4 Lock?

Abus Granit X54 backed by StreetCudffs and a Kryptonite Cable with quality disc lock

5 Helmet?

Not always - either Decibel or 2D (both are Snell rated)

6 Jacket?

t - otherwis Foska Bones or Crash Test

7 Shorts/Trousers?

Lusso Bib shorts and fro cold / Wet Assos bib tights


8 Waterproof clothing?

Goretex XCR jacket (or NIke Goretex commuting Jacket)


9 Gloves?

Windtex

10 Shoes?
Shimano MT 90 boots in winter of MT80s in medium North Wave Shark in summer


11 Pedals?

Range - Usually A520 0r similar

gtvlusso

1 Lights? Cateye front and rear

2 Pump? Mini BBB

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Small pack of tools, home made as such - Folding tyre, 2 x tubes, tyre levers, Spoke wrench, Allen keys, adjustable spanner - pozi and flat screwdriver and a knife.

4 Lock? D lock and combination lock -unknown makes.

5 Helmet? Bell Slant (Black)

6 Jacket? Usuaully just a tee shirt - but have an Altura high vis thing.

7 Shorts/Trousers? Various shorts non specific, undershorts (Bikehut - £6 a pair padded!) DHB Earnley 3/4 tights, PBK full length tights and Green and White rugby socks!

8 Waterproof clothing? Sombrio

9 Gloves? Knitted ones for winter (Thinsulate) and various mitts PBK/Sidi

10 Shoes? Sidi (SPD-SL), Diadora (SPD)

11 Pedals? SPD-SL (Shimano Ultegra), SPD (Shimanp XT and Ritchey Pro)

scoobers

1 Lights? Cateye LD135 x 2 on the front - very bright and small / light. Okay for lit areas but probably not good enough for dark lanes. Cateye TDL1100 on the rear, very, very bright but too many flashing modes and 2 on/off buttons make it a PITA to turn off.

2 Pump? Innovations CO2 for bike, small light and inflates in the blink of an eye. Joe Blow track pump for home, works well but pressure gauge inaccurate.

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Crank Bros tool, make sure the multitool has everything you need for your bike. Tyre levers - Halfords, do the job

4 Lock? Magnum (?) Don't use it very often; I try not to leave my bike unattended.

5 Helmet? Giro Monza, comfortable, well ventilated but makes me look like a mushroom head!

6 Jacket? Montane Velo, windproof, folds into tennis ball size. Great to keep in the backpack for emergencies.

7 Shorts/Trousers? DHB Finchdean bib shorts, great fit and good quality. Ron Hill bikester / Outeredge bib tights both without pad so I can wear them over the bib shorts. Very warm.

8 Waterproof clothing? Endura Waterproof (boil in the bag), but does the job of keeping the water out.

9 Gloves? DHB for the real cold stuff - very good but haven't used them in the wet yet. Gore Alpine (I think), very comfortable and good to temps down to freezing.

10 Shoes? Specialized BG Comp Pro. Brilliant shoes, lightweight with stiff carbon sole and ratchet fastening. RRP £130 but paid only £70 at Leisure Lakes.

11 Pedals? Look Keo & Keo Carbon. Great once you get the hang of clipping in and out.

Most of the stuff is available from Wiggle

Matt-B

1 Lights? Cateye El530 front light and TL LD610 rear light. Plenty bright for me in London, and I think other people can see me. The 530 is a little bulky, but doesn't slip, so all good.

2 Pump? Specialized airtool double headed thing - I used to have different valves on my MTB and Road bike. They're both Presta now though, so I only use one side. It has been good though, I used to have a blackburn MTNStick, which was awful and gave up the ghost very quickly, the spesh is much better.

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Lifeline levers and tools, lifted from tool kit bought from Wiggle. Has probably been one of my best purchases -much cheaper (and more satisfying) doing maintenance at home.

4 Lock? Kryptonite New York U-lock and Kryptoflex cable. I got these recently because they were a condition of my insurance, they seem solid enough, if a little heavy!

5 Helmet? Giro Animas - didn't wear one previously but the other half made me get one and now I wouldn't ride without it.

6 Jacket? Knackered old Trek fleece - does the job (but now has a hole in it!) Normally coupled with a Howies NBL underneath.

7 Shorts/Trousers? Fox Mid-Ranger shorts - I have two pairs, they are comfortable and good for MTBing and road cycling. Have some Endura tights for the cold days as well.

8 Waterproof clothing? Endura Overshoes for the very wet days.

9 Gloves? TLD XC gloves - full finger. These are nice, but I haven't tried anything else, so I can't really compare!

10 Shoes? Old Shimano ones... don't know which model! Bought for cheap off the internerd, very lucky as they fit perfectly!

11 Pedals? Trusty PD-M540's on the MTB, and some inherited road SPD pedals on my road bike, got from my Dad when he upgraded his kit. Can't complain about either set, although one-sided took a while to get used to.

BoardinBob

1 Lights? Front - 3 x Tesco 3w Cree Torch Rear - Cateye

2 Pump? Blackburn Mountain Air

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Specialized Multi Tool and Generic puncture kit with levers

4 Lock? Two cable locks

5 Helmet? Mace pisspot style

6 Jacket? Altura

7 Shorts/Trousers? Endura bib

8 Waterproof clothing? Altura jacket & Altura Boulder trousers

9 Gloves? Trek Team

10 Shoes? DC Skate shoes

11 Pedals? DMR V8

fonty1978

Here's mine

1 Lights? Front = Cateye 5 led , back = 1 x smart superflash [in flash mode] 1 x smart b-spoke attached to pannier rack on steady.

2 Pump? mini pump attached to bike [not sure on make bought from lbs]

3 Multi tool & Tyre levers? Topeak multitool with built in chain tool and tyre levers

4 Lock? cheapo tesco lock, i know i need to invest in a better one..

5 Helmet? Giro indicator

6 Jacket? My beloved spesh eureka brill in all but the heaviest downpours [for that i have a altura nevis jacket]

7 Shorts/Trousers? altura winter cycling pants or if its milder Brooks running pants

8 Waterproof clothing? Always let my legs get wet. Jacket Altura Nevis waterproof

9 Gloves? Sealskinz winter tech glove [£30 well spent IMHO]

10 Shoes? Shimano spd shoes not sure of the model [usually wear with Endura overshoes, keep your feet warm and dry]

11 Pedals? Cheapest chain reaction Shimano spd's clip both sides