Aldi Bits

Stuww

I noticed that Aldi has a few bike bits in this Thursday.

Anyone tried one of these before?

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2827_10463.htm?WT.mc_id=2009-07-13-17-27

Stu

bigmat

Yep, had one that looked the same from Lidl, was very good, sadly the mountain bracket got wrecked in a crash a few months ago. I will probably buy myself a new one on Thursday.

scooper

thanks for the heads up , might treat myself

TopSpin

I got one of these last year. Works well I think, and pretty good price for a wireless/heart rate monitor, have never had one of those bizarre maximum speed readings I've gotten from other cheap bike computers. I've got a wired one from Aldi too which also does the job.

snig

I tried the track pump at £5,never could get it to work but to be fair i didnt try very hard.

UndercoverElephant

I got the track pump too, first one died the first time I used it, and died even worse when I used it again. Took it back, and the second one has been spotty dog ever since.

benno68

For £15 with a 3yr warranty, you can't really go wrong. Just make sure you keep the receipt in case it gives up the ghost!

I got a track pump from Lidl's, works a treat!

Also got their wired computer for £2.99, but it stuck at 15mph. Good job I also had my Cateye on as it would have been painful trying to get to 16mph

Agent57

UndercoverElephant wrote:

has been spotty dog ever since.

Is that good? Never heard the phrase before (in that context, rather than "I have a spotty dog"), so I assume it's some colloquialism. I like it though; I might start using it myself.

Jehannum

These are made by a swiss company IIRC, and sold with the name BikeMate. I've been using one for about 12 months with no problems.

Heart rate monitor was reading high till i changed the battery [192 beats per minute peak - almost scared the life out of me.]

The only bad point with mine is the fiddliness of changing the battery on the wheel sender unit: 4 very small screws.

HTH,

J.

attica

The shades are worth a punt if you're as careless with sunnys as me, quite comfortable too

Roougers

Yeah, think I will take a pootle over there on Thursday.

1 Wireless Cycle computer, and 1 CASE of reggae reggae sauce please!

Stuww

Just gone for a spin with the aldi speedo fitted.

Nice bit of kit, loads of modes, should only take me a year to suss out how to use it...

Need to work out my upper and lower pulse for the heart rate side of things and I should then see if my commute burns any calories!

Stu

gb155

Stuww wrote:

Just gone for a spin with the aldi speedo fitted.

Nice bit of kit, loads of modes, should only take me a year to suss out how to use it...

Need to work out my upper and lower pulse for the heart rate side of things and I should then see if my commute burns any calories!

Stu

Agreed, I understand about 90% of it, I got mine for £12.99 as the woman didnt know the price and "check in the back" I will shop there more at 9am on a Thursday

UndercoverElephant

Next stop Lidl on Thursday chaps:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages ... index.ar11

CiB

That's a relief - Lidl's Cycling essentials includes a bonsai tree in a pot, and an assortment of climbing plants & ferns. The bike's been looking a bit bare since the plum tree died on the way to Wales in May but these should be just the job to perk it up a bit, as long as the plant pot is made of carbon. Thank heavens for Lidl's Cycling Essentials.

Cartesian Centaur

Hmm, wonder what the shoes are like - can't afford clipless pedals yet but maybe they'd be OK in baskets sans cleats...

richk

Cartesian Centaur wrote:

Hmm, wonder what the shoes are like - can't afford clipless pedals yet but maybe they'd be OK in baskets sans cleats...

I got a pair last time round. For the money they're OK. A bit on heavy side & the laces are too long & stretchy (but that's easily fixed). Use mine daily for the commute to work & to keep my other pair of shoes in better nick. I'd buy another pair at that price if I needed to. No idea on longevity though.

Specialized Needs

RichK wrote:

Cartesian Centaur wrote:

Hmm, wonder what the shoes are like - can't afford clipless pedals yet but maybe they'd be OK in baskets sans cleats...

I got a pair last time round. For the money they're OK. A bit on heavy side & the laces are too long & stretchy (but that's easily fixed). Use mine daily for the commute to work & to keep my other pair of shoes in better nick. I'd buy another pair at that price if I needed to. No idea on longevity though.

I must declare no specialist knowledge at all, but I do cycle in toeclips (as opposed to cleats) with Lidl SPD compatible shoes.

They seem to change the design of the shoes slightly on each iteration, but the last 3 sets have all been durable (my wife bought the first 2 times and we both bought the last time in March/April). I found out how much of a difference it has been making when I cycled in normal shoes last night - what a difference, so much more effort and felt less secure, just because the sole was more flexible!

With Lidl you can always get them, try them on for snugness, try them round the house with the labels on, and take them back if they are not comfortable i]hint: with Lidl, take stuff back in less than £20 batches - sometimes the cashier says they have to phone up the regional head if it is over £20 - don't know if this is just a line or not[/i

One last point - make sure the bolts are screwed in tightly if using toeclips, or the blanking plate can end up sliding and getting caught in the toeclip - which, for example. might mean it gets jammed so you can't get your foot loose and you have a 'toeclip moment' - or two (a totally hypothetical example, of course :oops: )

Stuart

Biscuiteer

Cartesian Centaur wrote:

Hmm, wonder what the shoes are like - can't afford clipless pedals yet but maybe they'd be OK in baskets sans cleats...

The shoes are very good for the money. I got a pair a year or so ago and along with a pair of new Shimano M520 pedals from ebay they gave me a very good introduction to clipless pedals for around £40 total. Not the lightest combo in the world but for starters they're very good.

P.S. I have seen the very same Aldi/Lidl bike hoist (£5ish) on sale for £15 in Lakeland.

Cartesian Centaur

Thanks guys, might have to toddle along to Lidl on Thursday then...

fungus_the_muffin_man

Got the bike computer just need my swine flu to go then I'll be able to go try it out :roll:

-spider-

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Next stop Lidl on Thursday chaps:

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages ... index.ar11

Good stuff UE - but what do I use the hydrangea for?

mitchell_inman

I've got a 2 of the Lidl cycling tops from a couple of years ago.

Not exactly the heights of fashion or fabric technology, but ideal for the commute (ie worn and washed lots).

They also come in normal human sizes - the XL actually fits my 15st plus of solid flab without making me look like a jelly wrapped in clingfilm...

Craig

FeynmanC

Anyone tried their cycling tights? I'm after some lightweight ones for the colder rainy summer commute's and most "branded" ones seem to be more for spring / autumn wear.

alfablue

I tried the bib tights, the bib part was way too long for the size, and the pad was very poor.

Stone Glider

I have a pair of tights which have a poor pad, I just wear a pair of cheap (hence poor pad) shorts underneath. The combined effect is comfortable and you only need to wash the shorts :oops:

benno68

Yes the pads aren't great in either Lidl or Aldi shorts, fine for commuting/low mileage which is why I bought them.

FeynmanC

I'm looking at 50 miles round trip, a few times a week...would you suggest I spend £20 on a couple of pairs of the Lidl ones, or about £80-£100 for a couple of pairs of better quality, like DHB spring/winter ones? Are there any good summerweight ones I should consider out there? I've not spotted any yet.

benno68

FeynmanC wrote:

I'm looking at 50 miles round trip, a few times a week...would you suggest I spend £20 on a couple of pairs of the Lidl ones, or about £80-£100 for a couple of pairs of better quality, like DHB spring/winter ones? Are there any good summerweight ones I should consider out there? I've not spotted any yet.

I reckon getting a decent pair of bib shorts is one of the top clothing priorities, you can make do with cheaper jerseys without a problem, but wearing an inferior pair of shorts could be a painful mistake.

I have a few pairs of Lidl/Aldi shorts which are fine for short distances, I use them for commuting (up to 15 miles).

I've got some "Altura Airstream Bib Shorts" which are entry level and good value for money, they're online for £30 or so at the moment, if you can't find them on Google send me a PM and I'll send you the link.

The Lidl's jersey's look like great value and I'll be getting a couple and their track mits too.

wantaway

thanks for the tip.I popped there at lunch but no computers.

benno68

wantaway wrote:

thanks for the tip.I popped there at lunch but no computers.

The Cycling special offers start on Thursday.