The gear you can't live without...

rob_spedding
rob_spedding Posts: 442
edited February 2012 in Road buying advice
Is there any cycling gear that you simply can't live without? I'm after your top three bits of gear, componentry, clothing, gadgetry...

Rob
Cycling Plus
Rob Spedding, Editor, Cycling Plus
«134

Comments

  • Wooliferkins
    Wooliferkins Posts: 2,060
    Windproof longs. Currently Campag
    Neil
    Help I'm Being Oppressed
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    It was very tempting to put frame, wheels, handlebars and saddle, but...

    At this time of year:

    Overshoes

    At all times of the year:

    Gloves (currenly running some slightly disappointing Sealskinz for winter, and some Spesh items for summer)
    Puncture kit (pump, spare tubes, patches + glue etc)
    Saddlebag to keep the above in
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Fizik Aliante Saddle. Keep trying others but I now have these on both road bikes and my MTB.
  • graham_g
    graham_g Posts: 652
    SKS Mudguards
    Howies merino base layers
    Good old fashioned cotton cap
  • Gazzaputt
    Gazzaputt Posts: 3,227
    Garmin 705, records every bit of data of every mile I pedal.

    Sealskinz thermal inner gloves, great keeping fingers toast under full finger gloves of mitts.

    Craft extreme base layer, superb for keeping warm on cold mornings under allsorts of clothing.
  • Eddy S
    Eddy S Posts: 1,013
    1. My Inside Ride E-Motion rollers
    2. Hirame Pump Head
    3. Easton EC90 Track sprint bars.

    I wanted to put my track bike in the list but to keep in the spirit of things.... :)
    I’m a sprinter – I warmed up yesterday.
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    I have a three things on my tourer that I'd like never to have to live without:

    1.) T.A. Zephyr crank - elegance, efficiency and reliability in one neat package

    2.) T.A. touring pedals - I never liked clipless and these flats are the finest ever made.

    3.) Rohloff chain - beautifully crafted 9-speed bicycle chain that last, and last, and last...

    But alas I will have to live without them if/when they eventually wear out (as undoubtedly the chain will sooner or later) as none of these truly excellent bits of componentry are made any longer; it's all disposable and 'upgradeable' now.
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • Geoffroid
    Geoffroid Posts: 11
    1. Halvarssons Jox Snowmobile Gloves. Magnificent for cycling in current weather.
    2. Sidi Dominator shoes 43.5. Great shoe, perfect fit for me.
    3. Halvarssons Jox Snowmobile Gloves
  • lancejambo
    lancejambo Posts: 147
    1. SPEEDPLAY ZERO PEDALS

    2. GARMIN 500 + ALL THE BITS (NO POWER TAP)

    3. DA 7850 CL WHEELS
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lancejambo/7872222626/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lancejambo/7872231406/
  • Rodrego Hernandez
    Rodrego Hernandez Posts: 1,436
    Oakley glasses, the one item that has been consistently good for my entire cycling career.
  • Supergoose
    Supergoose Posts: 1,089
    Rodrego Hernandez wrote:
    Oakley glasses, the one item that has consistently made me look good, for my entire cycling career.

    Fixed that for you :wink:
    Rock 'n' Roule
  • Rodrego Hernandez
    Rodrego Hernandez Posts: 1,436
    Exactly, function and form. Not too many bits of bike kit have both.
  • Wheelspinner
    Wheelspinner Posts: 6,655
    1. Good bib shorts. (Assos Mille or Santini Genesis for me). Doesn't matter how nice the weather is or how good the bike is, if your bits are chafed and your ar$e is sore, you won't enjoy the ride.

    2. Work stand/tools/chain lube. Almost ANY bike can be fun to ride if it is at least set up properly and well maintained! Those people grinding along on squeaky drivetrain bikes give me the heebie jeebies...

    3. Yep, glasses. Rudy Project Rydons current favourite, with photochromic lenses. All day any weather protection. Look good too! 8)
    Open One+ BMC TE29 Seven 622SL On One Scandal Cervelo RS
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Oakleys- keep the sun,rain and stones out of your eyes
    Bandanas - great for summer and winter
    Conti GP4000s - no more P******** stops !
  • GyatsoLa
    GyatsoLa Posts: 667
    Rapha socks (sorry to introduce the 'R' word). Long lasting enough for long distance touring, whiff resistant, comfortable for all day cycling, and look good enough for wearing with a suit in the office. Well worth the money for how long they last.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    I'll have to say this, as to my amazement no-one else has so far:

    The gear I can't do without: the granny gear :oops:
  • Chris McG
    Chris McG Posts: 189
    1) The Bike

    2) My Club Kit

    3) My Mavic Neptune Jacket and Razor Shoes
    "Orbea, Bianchi, Ridley, Van Nicholas, Planet X, Niner. My Euro-bike menagerie was going well up to the last 2..."
  • Gypsum_Fantastic
    Gypsum_Fantastic Posts: 172
    1) Quality bib shorts / knickers - Comfort is key to my enjoyment bib shorts are really comfy

    2) A saddle that suits my backside - This is a personal thing you're just going to have to find one that suits you

    3) Decent tyres - the tyres that came with my bikes were pretty rubbish so I wore them out and got something with a bit of p*****re protection and a bit more zip. Currently running 23m conti GP4000's on one bike and 25mm WTB solano fuerte on the other
  • lemoncurd
    lemoncurd Posts: 1,428
    1. Glasses
    2. Shorts
    3. Shoes

    Best you can afford for all three.
  • Squillinossett
    Squillinossett Posts: 1,678
    Quality shorts
    Quality Saddle
    MDNA

    Not in that order
  • ex-pat scot
    ex-pat scot Posts: 939
    Oakley M frame glasses
    Decent bib shorts
    Flite saddle.
    Commute: Langster -Singlecross - Brompton S2-LX

    Road: 95 Trek 5500 -Look 695 Aerolight eTap - Boardman TTe eTap

    Offroad: Pace RC200 - Dawes Kickback 2 tandem - Tricross - Boardman CXR9.8 - Ridley x-fire
  • onthefells
    onthefells Posts: 157
    showers pass softshell training jacket...the dogs #######, got and had loads of jackets but this is the best bar none.

    swerve merino wool long sleeve base layer, great value and been washed loads and still going strong

    fizik arione saddle,,,simply the best
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    Bolle contour safety specs
    Assos
    craft baselayers
  • gwillis
    gwillis Posts: 998
    Oakley radars

    Fizik aliante saddle (on my Scott ive got a arione and every time I ride I think I need to change it to then same as my binachi)

    Cliff bars ! Bloody love em
  • fleshtuxedo
    fleshtuxedo Posts: 1,857
    In no particular order:

    Ritchey Torqkey
    Michelin Pro Race tyres
    Spesh Toupe saddles
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    Bolle glasses - I've got sensitive eyes to wind and dirt :cry:
    Padded shorts - for rides over 40 miles.
    Saddle bag - saves me carry in my pockets
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • glasgowbhoy
    glasgowbhoy Posts: 1,341
    For the last month - My Turbo.
  • aberdeen_lune
    aberdeen_lune Posts: 547
    got to agree with Glasgowbhoy here. Without my turbo I would have been demented this last month.
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    The gear I can't live without?



    36x28 8)
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    50x17.

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