Gear that over performs despite poor expectations/ratings

letap73
letap73 Posts: 1,608
edited September 2011 in Road beginners
Whilst salivating on the potential upgrades to my summer bike, my eyes caught upon the humble Bontrager tyres on my winter bike, the supposed piece of rubbish that should of lasted 6 months, rather than 6000+ miles without any punctures on some very crap roads. I patted the tyres and whispered "that 'll do tyres". In a world where upgrading to the latest and the best is derigeur, is there any kit/gear you have which should have been upgraded/replaced but is still been used?

Comments

  • rothers_bikeo
    rothers_bikeo Posts: 225
    letap73 wrote:
    is there any kit/gear you have which should have been upgraded/replaced but is still been used?
    Yes, my legs.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Nope, but then again I specced every component on the bike and I've been very happy with my choices.

    Actually I've had 15 years serivce out of my Endura Jaffa jacket and my Cratoni MTB helmet, so that's not bad.
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    rothers_bikeo wrote:
    letap73 wrote:
    is there any kit/gear you have which should have been upgraded/replaced but is still been used?
    Yes, my legs.

    :D:D
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Shimano R500 wheels
    I like bikes...

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  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Shimano Sora - runs perfectly on my commutter for 5 years without a hitch
  • MattMTB
    MattMTB Posts: 95
    My Bell cycling mitts which were £4.99 from ASDA- nout wrong with them after a couple of years use

    Sugoi cycling shorts- £7.99 from TK Maxx. Ditto the above.
  • Nairnster
    Nairnster Posts: 602
    kingrollo wrote:
    Shimano Sora - runs perfectly on my commutter for 5 years without a hitch

    Another surprise vote for Sora perhaps. Just got my Defy 2 today and was not expecting much from the Sora Group as it is at the budget end obviously. It's a complete revelation though, it shifts smoothly and quietly, and is much better than the last time I used a Shimano road group (2005 Tiagra). It will certainly do until the spring when I may upgrade the frame to 105 for the summer. And as I primarily ride the hoods at the moment until I improve my flexibility, I quite like the shifters too.
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    I bought two pairs of Nalini bib shorts off ebay for 20 quid each about 4 years ago and they are still going strong insert is just as soft as the day i bought them.Also my Kellys hybrid bike bought for €227 around 7 years ago. It;s on it,s last legs now but has served me well in all weathers.
    Ademort
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    A Shimano 105 groupset on a Raleigh Dyna Tech purchased sometime around 93/94, i ended up using it as a commuter in the early naughties and then it got passed on to a mate.
    The bike was put to rest last year(corrosion) after covering thirty odd thousand miles but it still had the same 105 chainset, chain and cassette on, plus the sti levers and brakes still worked a treat.
  • GG53
    GG53 Posts: 20
    It has to be LEGS.

    When I began cycling about eighteen months ago I never dreamed three figure distances were on the horizon... I was shattered in single figures. Now, neither distance, terrain nor climate hinder my enjoyment and progress as I am confident my legs will always carry me home.

    Free your mind and your legs will follow.

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