The gear you can't live without...

leejdavies

1. Speedplay Zero's (and S-works shoes)

2. Conti GP4000s About 6000miles with 1 (unavoidable) puncture.

3. Windproof gloves (and merino basselayers for extra cold days)

mz__jo

1. My Ideale saddle

2. Carradice Camper Longflap saddlebag

3. 44x18

That will take me anywhere I want!!

unixnerd

Shimano Flightdeck computer (and I've never met anyone else who has one)

Planet X overshoes for the winter

Pro-Lite Bracciano wheels on my road bike.

SPDs

StanwaySteve62

Chamois cream
Brooks saddle
Padded mitts
Overshoes when cold (obvious)
Prescription sports specs
Garmin forerunner 305 (charged )

jomoj

Good saddle - currently Charge Spoon
Park Mini Tool - for 90% of all bike maintenance jobs
Conti Gatorskins 700x28 - fast but pothole proof
Altura Night Vision jacket - for autumn to spring commuting
Ultegra Triple Chainset & STIs - close ratios, slick change and wide range, you can keep your compacts.
Cake

ThatBikeGuy

My drop bars for those windy days

derbygrimpeur

Garmin Edge 800
Mulebars
Rudy Project glasses with ImpactX clear/grey photocromic lenses

themightyw

A tolerant wife. Price and quality vary though, so shop around.

defy3man

Would not go on my bike without my Cateye Micro, Altura Attack trousers & Altura Nevis jacket.

Man on a Wilier

Campag Groupo

Gilet

Armwarmers

RowCycle

Helmet

daviesee

themightyw wrote:

A tolerant wife. Price and quality vary though, so shop around.

:P :P :P :P to infinity +1. Much more important than other gear.
The alternatives are:-
1. Don't marry. Nights out on the pull are just as expensive as a reasonable wife and hang-overs keep you off the bike.
2. Divorce. Much more expensive.
3. Don't go out on the bike. Not to be considered under any circumstances.

racingcondor

I've only got two things that I've used consistantly for several years now without change.

1) Oakley Flak Jackets - narrow enough for my head (most aren't) and while they're no longer pretty as the surface has been eaten away by the acid in my sweat they've survived crashes, holidays, being sat on...

2) Rapha Winter Hat (http://www.rapha.cc/winter-hat) - I only own one thing from Rapha (and don't expect that to change) but this has lasted 3 winters now and is a fantastic, functional hat. Manages to be warm without roasting you alive if the temperature rises, covers your ears completely and it's peaked.

Ratan

Rudi Project Rydon glasses with photochromo lenses for all day and year round use (had mine for three years now)
Arm warmers
Overshoes/oversocks

Keep me warm!!!

markdavidhill

Brooks Swallow Titanium.

jejv

22-30

purplehaze

Assos Mille bib shorts - a must for long hours in the saddle
Conti 4 season tyres - extra weight but fewer punctures
and - Showerspass softshell training jacket for winter rides..

In_the_big_ring

1) Sunglasses (Oakley Flak Jackets)
2) Helmet
3) Comfortable saddle (Specialized Romin)

dabeamer

1. Helmet
2. Road ID (also cell phone)
3. Good insurance

The guy that hit me last June had no car insurance. My Property owners policy replaced my 9 month old Madone, my Auto Uninsured Motorist (or idiot) coverage paid all my medical bills (close to $250k).

Three fractures in left leg, broken neck, broken rib, no head injuries. I was darn lucky - and very glad to be alive. I'm back riding that new bike.....!

joelsim

Squillinossett wrote:

Quality shorts
Quality Saddle
MDNA

Not in that order

+1 on the MDMA. Fall in love with all your bike gear.

But seriously, I'm a noob and would like some advice on winter gear if possible based on all your experience rather than me just buying a load of rubbish. See separate thread.

alexjones5

EPO
Growth Hormone
testosterone

velowheelo

1.) My Primeval Sports 'Carrot & Stick' Jersey - Such a talking point, comfort and durability
http://www.primevalsports.co.uk/CarrotStick1.aspx
2.) MY Terry Fly GTS Saddle - Avoids the tears and pained expression
3.) CatEye Micro, Now how far I have cycled and worse still have far I still have to go.

flynnpa

1. Oakley glasses
2. Assos de Mille Shorts
3. X series speedplay pedals

gmacz

My Aldi spd shoes.
Never looked at the shimano shoes since and nicked the cleats of them as well.
Cheap and nasty-comfortable and exceeded all expectations.
Goretex socks as well-keep feet dry and warm.

ddraver

SIDI shoes with spesh insoles
3/4 length waterproof shorts
Ay-up light set

mouth

My London Pride water bottle - makes me feel like I'm havin' the beer I earned in the last 30 miles.

Glasses - Don't care which. Got Bloc Stealths, Ray Bans, my prescription Osiris and some nasties I bought in Tenerife for 4Euro. Depends where/when/what bike I'm riding mostly.

My Campag cap, keeps sweat and rain from my eyes, as well as preventing my helmet from being a stencil to my chrome dome.

Rest of stuff such as pump, helmet, toolkit etc I consider essential and therefore part of the bike.

scruffyduncan

San Marco Rolls saddle
Defeet Woolie Boolie socks
merino wool baselayer

Dian432

Garmin 305 Forerunner for data colecting, basic routing and HR monitoring
CamelBak for water
IPod to play music to keep me in a mood for pushing harder

Anonymous

For summer cycling? A smile, a puncture repair kit and a pump. If you're going a long way, padded (bib)shorts really make a world of difference on your comfort.

Revive this thread post winter, and then i'll get back to you when I know whats its like to cycle into a 1deg 40mph rainstorm on a dark winters night after 14 hours in the office.

RoadyForever

Craft toe covers, brilliant at keeping your feet warm but none of the problems from wearing overshoes!