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

bendertherobot

Nope. Sounds like the L is spot on.

luv2ride

bendertherobot wrote:

Anyway, OT, kind of, Deda have brought this out and I am SO on it.

https://www.merlincycles.com/deda-super ... 94403.html

That's going on the Six with my existing superzero stem.

Those bars do look good, would like them on my Scott. Let us know if they have any flare (I seem to get on well with my FSA K-wing pros due to the modest flare, and think now all my bikes have bars with at least some, right up to 12 degrees on the Salsa Cowbells on my singlespeed). Also, look like they may be challenging to fit lights and computer mounts to ( I have Exposure lights with the metal QR hrackets)? Otherwise they look "the dogs"

bendertherobot

It's for the good bike so the attachments aren't an issue. Does require internal cables though so that will make fitting harder initially.

bendertherobot

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/castelli-perfet ... -2-jersey/

Perfetto now called Perfetto light to distinguish itself from a Perfetto short sleeve that does not exist.

I might get one actually, simply because I did really like it but thought the fit was weird. So if I get a few sizes from Wiggle I might be able to get one that fits properly or has been made properly.

bendertherobot

http://www.wigglestatic.com/product-med ... 850092.jpg

I like that colour. Would be just the thing for CX etc.

super_davo

I keep on looking at that Potenza jersey and thinking it looks eerily like the Sportful Force jersey I got in the Evans sale for £22.50. The Potenza looks a thicker fleece but very similar fleece backed waffle fabric.

That jersey is lovely; really soft, beautiful Sportful fit and works superbly under a light gilet under 8 degrees and on its own above that. But I would never have paid £100 for it!

bendertherobot

Hard to tell from the photos but the Sportful looks like a standard roubaix to me, with a bit more "construction" in the outer layer.

To be fair to Castelli this is Polartec Power Stretch whose details are here (plus the Potenza is nominally water resistant):


http://polartec.com/product/polartec-power-stretch

Quins

bendertherobot wrote:

Nope. Sounds like the L is spot on.

Wore them this morning, loved them, 4-10°, pad great. Just getting some miles in on a 50 slow. Well pleased. Thanks for the tip off and general advice.

bendertherobot

Wore mine today at 10 degrees or so. They are so good. I'm tempted to get the thermosuit........

luv2ride

bendertherobot wrote:

Wore mine today at 10 degrees or so. They are so good. I'm tempted to get the thermosuit........

I'd highly recommend the Thermosuit, though think I'm wired slightly differently to you. 8-10 degrees this afternoon, chilly wind. Decided to wear the new Alpha jersey with a Craft Active Extreme ls base and wasn't really that warm. Kind of wished I'd worn the Sportful Alpha jersey (definitely more insulating), or my Thermosuit which just seems to work for me in those conditions. Front of the Alpha (prosecco gilet bit) was soaked with sweat after 30 miles, though the base was pretty dry having done its thing.

Perhaps I should have tried the Potenza but when I pulled it on top of the base layer, the inner fleece doesn't seem to easily go over the other layer, meaning the arms stretch. The arms on the Potenza seem long already so that didn't help. Also quite baggy under the armpit. Might work better with a base layer with a more sheer finish, and am sure it would have been good on today's ride if it wasn't for the looser fit, which I'm struggling to get used too. Wish Merlin had the small in stock!

super_davo

I've got a Thermosuit, nice bit of kit, but don't really find the conditions to wear it much. Problem is I don't find the Gabba/Perfetto top very warm or good in the rain (can't believe how much hype it got for that!). But the Sorpasso bottoms are toasty, so that kind of limits the upper and lower ranges you can use it in.
But when it's between 7 and 10 degrees and dry, wow it's comfortable....

luv2ride

super_davo wrote:

I've got a Thermosuit, nice bit of kit, but don't really find the conditions to wear it much. Problem is I don't find the Gabba/Perfetto top very warm or good in the rain (can't believe how much hype it got for that!). But the Sorpasso bottoms are toasty, so that kind of limits the upper and lower ranges you can use it in.
But when it's between 7 and 10 degrees and dry, wow it's comfortable....

That's the thing, the Thermosuit keeps my arms warmer than the Alpha jersey seems to, as well as my core. As you say, the sorpasso bottoms are ace, and the lack of bib straps are a step up in comfort.

the_cyclist_of_catan

4-8 here this morning. I went out in my new Stolen Goat Everyday, but wished I had worn my Alpha jacket.

But then, that was the point of buying the SG - to have something that worked in warmer temperatures than the Alpha. Shame I found out it's going to work out fine by being a bit on the chilly side.

bendertherobot

Bagged some mint Giro Factor ACC on eBay for 85 quid

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

Bagged some mint Giro Factor ACC on eBay for 85 quid

Not in white, shirley?

scott_w1987

First time in the Alpha jersey this morning. Short sleeve merino summer base layer, around 8-10 degrees with a strong south westerly, full on race speed chaingang. Very warm but modulated well with the zip when needed. Fantastic jersey, I'm 6'1 and around 77kg and the medium fits so much better than my medium Mossa. Might have even squeezed into a small if I didn't have such broad shoulders. Pockets could be a touch bigger, but minor negative. It will be my go to jersey for most late winter/early spring rides that are dry. Not really sure I need my pro team softshell that I just bought...

Also just got an Endura fs260 pro sl shell, in small. I will give it a test when we get some rain. Looks really well made and fits a treat. Rolls up just as well as my rapha rain jacket, although not as small as a lightweight wind/race cape.

bendertherobot

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Bagged some mint Giro Factor ACC on eBay for 85 quid

Not in white, shirley?

Yep

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Bagged some mint Giro Factor ACC on eBay for 85 quid

Not in white, shirley?

Yep

:roll:

Speaking of shoes, I bought a pair of Sidi's in 97 and decided last year that it was time to get a new pair and I got a pair of Sidi Genius 5's. Now the old Sidi's are my winter trainers and the overshoes keeps the dodgy velcro in place
Now, what I have found is a hot spot, especially on my left foot after 3 hours +. What I also discovered that I am not alone. I do have a high arch and I think (though it's difficult to tell) the arch in the newer Sidi's aren't as proounced. Do you or anyone on here use inserts with an arch? Or can suggest a reason for the 'hot spot'.

webboo

Mines in my right foot and probably due to forty plus years of ramming my feet in to climbing shoes two sizes too small.

pinno

Webboo wrote:

Mines in my right foot and probably due to forty plus years of ramming my feet in to climbing shoes two sizes too small.

Not a lot of help:

http://www.active.com/cycling/articles/ ... n-cyclists

letap73

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Bagged some mint Giro Factor ACC on eBay for 85 quid

Not in white, shirley?

Yep

:roll:

Speaking of shoes, I bought a pair of Sidi's in 97 and decided last year that it was time to get a new pair and I got a pair of Sidi Genius 5's. Now the old Sidi's are my winter trainers and the overshoes keeps the dodgy velcro in place
Now, what I have found is a hot spot, especially on my left foot after 3 hours +. What I also discovered that I am not alone. I do have a high arch and I think (though it's difficult to tell) the arch in the newer Sidi's aren't as proounced. Do you or anyone on here use inserts with an arch? Or can suggest a reason for the 'hot spot'.

I had this issue with my Sidi Drakos last year - discovered that the Sidi insole is actually quite mediocre in terms of support - I replaced them with the Specialized insoles from a 10 year old pair of Specialized shoes and I haven't had any problems. Specialized insoles are very good.

pinno

letap73 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Pinno wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

Bagged some mint Giro Factor ACC on eBay for 85 quid

Not in white, shirley?

Yep

:roll:

Speaking...pot'.

I had this issue with my Sidi Drakos last year - discovered that the Sidi insole is actually quite mediocre in terms of support - I replaced them with the Specialized insoles from a 10 year old pair of Specialized shoes and I haven't had any problems. Specialized insoles are very good.

I see they come in Blue, green or red. I went on the Spesh web site to get some more info but there isn't much. I guess the colours are height of arch. What's smallest > biggest?

letap73

The body geometry concept uses a three colour system to help you fine tune your sole in direct relation to the composition of your foot. + Red: Minimal contours, this is Specialized's stock body geometry footbed with longitudinal arch & metatarsal button support and is ideal for people with a reasonably flat foot. ++ Blue: Moderate contours, slightly higher longitudinal arch and metatarsal button and is ideal for people with a flat to standard arch. +++ Green: Significant support and is ideal for people with standard or high arches.

pinno

letap73 wrote:

The body geometry concept uses a three colour system to help you fine tune your sole in direct relation to the composition of your foot. + Red: Minimal contours, this is Specialized's stock body geometry footbed with longitudinal arch & metatarsal button support and is ideal for people with a reasonably flat foot. ++ Blue: Moderate contours, slightly higher longitudinal arch and metatarsal button and is ideal for people with a flat to standard arch. +++ Green: Significant support and is ideal for people with standard or high arches.

I see, thanks for that. I'm going green.

BTW - I looked up 'Scat' in the urban dictionary :shock:

apreading

Spesh insoles are great. Superfeet ones are even better: http://www.wiggle.com/superfeet/?sr=superfeet

I have the green Superfeet with the highest arch in every shoe now.

bendertherobot

The Giro come with the supernatural fit system

http://www.giro.com/eu_en/sn-footbed.html/

(well, the expensive ones do)

pinno

apreading wrote:

Spesh insoles are great. Superfeet ones are even better: http://www.wiggle.com/superfeet/?sr=superfeet

I have the green Superfeet with the highest arch in every shoe now.

That's exactly what I ordered but not from Wiggle, 'cos they are out of stick

letap73

Pinno wrote:

apreading wrote:

Spesh insoles are great. Superfeet ones are even better: http://www.wiggle.com/superfeet/?sr=superfeet

I have the green Superfeet with the highest arch in every shoe now.

That's exactly what I ordered but not from Wiggle, 'cos they are out of stick

The superfeet green are designed for flat feet?

bendertherobot

You can buy the supernatural kit separately
https://www.evanscycles.com/giro-x-stat ... oCLu_w_wcB

pinno

letap73 wrote:

Pinno wrote:

apreading wrote:

Spesh insoles are great. Superfeet ones are even better: http://www.wiggle.com/superfeet/?sr=superfeet

I have the green Superfeet with the highest arch in every shoe now.

That's exactly what I ordered but not from Wiggle, 'cos they are out of stick

The superfeet green are designed for flat feet?

Hang on...

No, I got the SPECIALIZED BG SL FOOTBED "Green = significant support = for people with standard or high arches."