B E N D E R's non sweary review site, roubaixcycling.cc (and general kit discussion)

pinno

Just a quick update on my dhb aeron softshell which got it's first proper testing today. I was in two minds - the dhb or the Alpha?
Went out into a cold wind with HH freeze base layer, SS jersey and my dhb (amongst other apparel - cycling semi nude tends to get you arrested and my tackle wouldn't thank me for it). Day started at about 4 deg c and the wind picked up but the temp rose to about 9 deg c.
I am quietly surprised at just how good this garment is. I wasn't too damp underneath considering I hammered it home in a quickening tail wind.
More testing needed...

bendertherobot

All hail the prophecies of Bender the Great.........

pinno

I am not worthy, I am not worthy...

bendertherobot

You knows it

letap73

Have gore designed the ultimate winter jacket?

It appears they have done so twice:

http://www.goreapparel.co.uk/gore-bike- ... color=9900

http://www.goreapparel.co.uk/gore-bike- ... color=9900

pblakeney

letap73 wrote:

Have gore designed the ultimate winter jacket?

It appears they have done so twice:

http://www.goreapparel.co.uk/gore-bike- ... color=9900

http://www.goreapparel.co.uk/gore-bike- ... color=9900

Neither of which seem appropriate for cycling.
Do go on though.....

bendertherobot

They're cycling jackets I guess, perhaps more suited to commuting or MTB'ing. Frighteningly expensive and, hey, let's make them in black only (apparently Gore one can't yet be made in other colours).

Garry H

Pinno wrote:

Just a quick update on my dhb aeron softshell which got it's first proper testing today. I was in two minds - the dhb or the Alpha?
Went out into a cold wind with HH freeze base layer, SS jersey and my dhb (amongst other apparel - cycling semi nude tends to get you arrested and my tackle wouldn't thank me for it). Day started at about 4 deg c and the wind picked up but the temp rose to about 9 deg c.
I am quietly surprised at just how good this garment is. I wasn't too damp underneath considering I hammered it home in a quickening tail wind.
More testing needed...

4 deg c!! That's summer over on this side

pinno

Garry H wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Just a quick update on my dhb aeron softshell which got it's first proper testing today. I was in two minds - the dhb or the Alpha?
Went out into a cold wind with HH freeze base layer, SS jersey and my dhb (amongst other apparel - cycling semi nude tends to get you arrested and my tackle wouldn't thank me for it). Day started at about 4 deg c and the wind picked up but the temp rose to about 9 deg c.
I am quietly surprised at just how good this garment is. I wasn't too damp underneath considering I hammered it home in a quickening tail wind.
More testing needed...

4 deg c!! That's summer over on this side

Well, you see, the dhb aeron pockets are bigger than the Alpha one's. If you invested in a dhb aeron softshell, you could fit 3 (live) Stoats in your back pockets and they would keep your kidney's warm. I would recommend duct taping them up as all that wriggling and writhing might get annoying on a long ride.

Garry H

Pinno wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Just a quick update on my dhb aeron softshell which got it's first proper testing today. I was in two minds - the dhb or the Alpha?
Went out into a cold wind with HH freeze base layer, SS jersey and my dhb (amongst other apparel - cycling semi nude tends to get you arrested and my tackle wouldn't thank me for it). Day started at about 4 deg c and the wind picked up but the temp rose to about 9 deg c.
I am quietly surprised at just how good this garment is. I wasn't too damp underneath considering I hammered it home in a quickening tail wind.
More testing needed...

4 deg c!! That's summer over on this side

Well, you see, the dhb aeron pockets are bigger than the Alpha one's. If you invested in a dhb aeron softshell, you could fit 3 (live) Stoats in your back pockets and they would keep your kidney's warm. I would recommend duct taping them up as all that wriggling and writhing might get annoying on a long ride.

I've already adapted all mt cycling jackets by putting velcro on the pockets. Stoats can't work velcro, it's well known.

pinno

Garry H wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Just...needed...

4...side

Well...ride.

I've already adapted all mt cycling jackets by putting velcro on the pockets. Stoats can't work velcro, it's well known.

That's because you have thick Stoats in your part of the world. Our Stoats are so clever, they receive Job Stoaters allowance, hutch benefit and they all have SKY subscriptions. Some of them wear football shirts, they smoke, drink Concorde and hang around the town centre dressed in trackies.
If it weren't for their size, I would find it difficult to distinguish between them and the locals.

Garry H

Pinno wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Garry H wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Just...needed...

4...side

Well...ride.

I've already adapted all mt cycling jackets by putting velcro on the pockets. Stoats can't work velcro, it's well known.

That's because you have thick Stoats in your part of the world. Our Stoats are so clever, they receive Job Stoaters allowance, hutch benefit and they all have SKY subscriptions. Some of them wear football shirts, they smoke, drink Concorde and hang around the town centre dressed in trackies.
If it weren't for their size, I would find it difficult to distinguish between them and the locals.

I think that some of them were in the pub I was in last night, watching the footy. One of them was singing "You can shove your royal wedding up your 4rse!!". I kid you not.

My stoats have hooves, which is why they can't work velcro. They are otherwise of above average intelligence.

mrfpb

Without stoat I found I was too hot in my Aeron softshell at 4-5 deg C on Wed evening. I just had a merino base layer under it. But it was great for the rain at 3 deg C in the morning though.

pinno

mrfpb wrote:

Without stoat I found I was too hot in my Aeron softshell at 4-5 deg C on Wed evening. I just had a merino base layer under it. But it was great for the rain at 3 deg C in the morning though.

We're all different.

I run cold. In fact, I come alive at 25 deg c. I have been struggling to stay warm on rides in winter and made myself sick in Feb when I went out in minus 2 and gave myself a chest infection despite being wrapped up like Michelin man at a snow man's ball.
So, as the dhb is slightly more roomy than the Alpha, I can wear it on top of it. With Stoat.

Garry H

Pinno wrote:

mrfpb wrote:

Without stoat I found I was too hot in my Aeron softshell at 4-5 deg C on Wed evening. I just had a merino base layer under it. But it was great for the rain at 3 deg C in the morning though.

We're all different.

I run cold. In fact, I come alive at 25 deg c. I have been struggling to stay warm on rides in winter and made myself sick in Feb when I went out in minus 2 and gave myself a chest infection despite being wrapped up like Michelin man at a snow man's ball.
So, as the dhb is slightly more roomy than the Alpha, I can wear it on top of it. With Stoat.

You need this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/25261421 ... 095&crdt=0

pinno

Garry H wrote:

Pinno wrote:

mrfpb wrote:

Without stoat I found I was too hot in my Aeron softshell at 4-5 deg C on Wed evening. I just had a merino base layer under it. But it was great for the rain at 3 deg C in the morning though.

We're all different.

I run cold. In fact, I come alive at 25 deg c. I have been struggling to stay warm on rides in winter and made myself sick in Feb when I went out in minus 2 and gave myself a chest infection despite being wrapped up like Michelin man at a snow man's ball.
So, as the dhb is slightly more roomy than the Alpha, I can wear it on top of it. With Stoat.

You need this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/25261421 ... 095&crdt=0

How many bleached Stoats did it take to make that?
It would get filthier than Bender in a Welsh field if I rode with it on around here.

Garry H

Buy (or steal) a cat to lick it clean. It's a new concept i'm trying to get off the ground "NatureTeCH". I'll send a few to Bender for review.

pinno

Garry H wrote:

Buy (or steal) a cat to lick it clean.

Then spray it in Duck oil. For obvious benefits.
Cat's for cleaning, Stoats for warmth and Ducks for waterproofing. I think you're on to something.

Has Bender the Great been extracted from a field in Wales yet? Or do we have to send out the Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch rescue squad?

bendertherobot

No fields today. Just roads.

Note to self, check the PSI in tyres with pump. I just did 20 miles on 20 psi.

Mind Schwalbe S-One can take it.

redvee

Recently wore one of the latest orange Aldi/Lidl jersies and the wrists don't seem as tight as previous jersies. Wore it with a gillet and I had to tuck the sleeves into my gloves to stop the wind getting up the arms. Will use this one under a jacket now instead.

bendertherobot

I should pass 100k visits to the site in under a year, tomorrow.

comsense

bendertherobot wrote:

I should pass 100k visits to the site in under a year, tomorrow.

In fairness, it is worth visiting..........

bendertherobot

Ta! It does get very tiring sometimes thinking about what to do next....

superlightweight

bendertherobot wrote:

Ta! It does get very tiring sometimes thinking about what to do next....

Have you thought about opening up your site to having "guest" reviews by other people? I'm sure the majority of cyclists are like me, I research everything I'm going to buy and enjoy reading reviews which form a big part of my decision making. Your site could be the go-to place for kit reviews but you'd need a few more people on board to review different bits of kit and get new content on there regularly....

bendertherobot

superlightweight wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Ta! It does get very tiring sometimes thinking about what to do next....

Have you thought about opening up your site to having "guest" reviews by other people? I'm sure the majority of cyclists are like me, I research everything I'm going to buy and enjoy reading reviews which form a big part of my decision making. Your site could be the go-to place for kit reviews but you'd need a few more people on board to review different bits of kit and get new content on there regularly....

Yes, and a few already have, see the Rapha Core one, the Cols cups and the Majorca one.

Absolutely happy to have contributions from anyone, even Pinno! :twisted:

Hanners

Got the Rapha hard shell last week, worn twice now once in the cold and dry and the other time for 5 hours Saturday in 9 degrees and heavy rain all day, first thoughts are its the best bit of Rapha kit I've had it copes well as a cold dry jacket but excels in the cold and wet amazed they are no longer making it although it's a bargain in the archive store now.

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

superlightweight wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Ta! It does get very tiring sometimes thinking about what to do next....

Have you thought about opening up your site to having "guest" reviews by other people? I'm sure the majority of cyclists are like me, I research everything I'm going to buy and enjoy reading reviews which form a big part of my decision making. Your site could be the go-to place for kit reviews but you'd need a few more people on board to review different bits of kit and get new content on there regularly....

Yes, and a few already have, see the Rapha Core one, the Cols cups and the Majorca one.

Absolutely happy to have contributions from anyone, even Pinno! :twisted:

Really?!

Garry H

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

superlightweight wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Ta! It does get very tiring sometimes thinking about what to do next....

Have you thought about opening up your site to having "guest" reviews by other people? I'm sure the majority of cyclists are like me, I research everything I'm going to buy and enjoy reading reviews which form a big part of my decision making. Your site could be the go-to place for kit reviews but you'd need a few more people on board to review different bits of kit and get new content on there regularly....

Yes, and a few already have, see the Rapha Core one, the Cols cups and the Majorca one.

Absolutely happy to have contributions from anyone, even Pinno! :twisted:

Really?!

You could start off with a review of those apple turnovers!

bendertherobot

Hmm, recipes, that might just work..................

pinno

The Lidl Apple Turnover is currently 3 for £1. Normally 45p ea.

The optimum time to collect these delectable turnovers is at approx. 8.15am (unless Molly is running late due to her ongoing and seemingly interminable 'seepage' problem.) when she empty's the ovens. There's a crisp flackyness to them that exceeds anything Rapha has produced for less than the value of a re-mortgage and they do have a hint of yellow. This of course, will undoubtedly appeal to the discerning Daniels of the world.
The contents are comprised of 20% apple, 20% something that's greenish in colour and 60% air but that's okay because the final package is most satisfying and 3 of them will carry you though the worst West coast weather can throw at you and providing that you aren't mugged by the seagulls when exiting Lidl. It is advisable to have the fast summer bike at the ready in anticipation of this.
The aisles are wide enough to cycle through the store and checkout so you don't have to lock your precious shiny thing up outside. Lean on the pillar between the Croissant and the Danish crowns to avoid having to unclip and pedal slowly, counting to 5 as you approach the automatic doors as they tend to be a little slow or you'll be forced into a brief track stand on exit.
I did enquire about if they were going to release a line of turnovers in Black and the very helpful shop assistant with a stud in each sticky out bit (that you could see without being arrested) and a central, quite conservative mullet in a shade of ginger purple; (shaved at either side) advised me to put them in the oven at 220 deg c for a few hours to achieve the shade of black required. I presume that that black would be in the Assos shade of black.
Despite looking like a metal scrap yard, I can only say that her recommendation was first class.

Yesterday, I left Lidl with a big question in mind. It wasn't the quality of the turnovers that was turning over in my head but this conundrum: Exactly how many turnovers (at the knock down multi buy price) would she accept to allow a private viewing of her other studded departments
...and in the event of a knock down, not related to price: where I could acquire a suitably strong magnet to provide some clues.