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

bendertherobot

Some Assos Mille bibtights arrived today. I like Assos tights but only ever had the (old) Habu (superb but so much ££££) and the old Uno ones. The latter were ok, but quite insubstantial, for Assos.

The Mille however, gosh. I mean, they are twice as much as everything else, but still, £140 isn't awful, (with discount).

From the knee up they're effectively double layer and water resistant, can't wait to see how they perform. And they are as soft as kittens.

Better than others? We will see.

mamil314

I am still using 600 series bib tights for autumn and 700 series for colder riding from years ago - never needed anything else, they are amazing. Durable, comfortable, functional. Not sure if they are still made though

the_rover

bendertherobot wrote:

It is. The best.

Re the see.sense icon - they replied to my message advising that the bag or pannier should be fastened securely so that it didn't move that much and activate the light. They offered to send me another/different mount as a goodwill gesture if I have any issues. Can't say fairer than that. I've not actually collected it yet and I'm impressed.

bendertherobot

The Rover wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

It is. The best.

Re the see.sense icon - they replied to my message advising that the bag or pannier should be fastened securely so that it didn't move that much and activate the light. They offered to send me another/different mount as a goodwill gesture if I have any issues. Can't say fairer than that. I've not actually collected it yet and I'm impressed.

They're lovely. You only need to worry about that movement if you have it on sleep/activate. I just turn mine on and off.

daniel_b

See Sense Ace coming to kickstarter soon - cheaper apparently, not sure if that means the end of the Icon or not.

pinno

mamil314 wrote:

Not sure if they are still made though

...and that's the problem. I bought a pair of deep pile Endura Roubaix tights for the really cold weather some 7 years ago.
1 zip is slightly dodgy, there's no pad in them (never was), I had toi hand stitch where I cut the buckles off - they were tearing the straps and were bulky. Aside from that, they have stood me well and have taken a lot of abuse.

So the DHB windslam Roubaix tights were a replacement.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-winds ... 5022&pauid

I wore them today in temperatures of between 8 and 10 degrees with a chilly wind. They are very good and probably good for down to 4 to 5 degrees if you run cold like me and DanielB.
The fit is slightly on the tight side for a M (I am 5'9") but I presume they will stretch just a tad enough to be super comfy. The wind resistance was such that my usually cold shins felt great. I didn't sweat in them. The pad is okay, could be better but good for up to 60 miles I think but pads are a little idiosyncratic. It breathed very well..
It has a very convenient front zip for obvious use and I really didn't feel that they were there for most of my 35 mile ride such was the comfort. The wide straps with mesh helped. I wouldn't say they were 'super warm' but for those who run hot, I think they would be ideal for really cold weather.

I still fancy getting the DHB deep winter tights for sub 5 degree weather but that's just me. I also hope that they are warmer than the Windslam tights. If they don't come back in stock, I don't know what other options beside some expensive Rapha or Assos job. I cannot seem to emphasise that I run cold and in sub 5 degree (wind is a factor), cycling is painful and difficult for me.

bendertherobot

I can activate a Sungod 20% code this week. Stay tuned.

bendertherobot

Pinno wrote:

mamil314 wrote:

Not sure if they are still made though

...and that's the problem. I bought a pair of deep pile Endura Roubaix tights for the really cold weather some 7 years ago.
1 zip is slightly dodgy, there's no pad in them (never was), I had toi hand stitch where I cut the buckles off - they were tearing the straps and were bulky. Aside from that, they have stood me well and have taken a lot of abuse.

So the DHB windslam Roubaix tights were a replacement.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-winds ... 5022&pauid

I wore them today in temperatures of between 8 and 10 degrees with a chilly wind. They are very good and probably good for down to 4 to 5 degrees if you run cold like me and DanielB.
The fit is slightly on the tight side for a M (I am 5'9") but I presume they will stretch just a tad enough to be super comfy. The wind resistance was such that my usually cold shins felt great. I didn't sweat in them. The pad is okay, could be better but good for up to 60 miles I think but pads are a little idiosyncratic. It breathed very well..
It has a very convenient front zip for obvious use and I really didn't feel that they were there for most of my 35 mile ride such was the comfort. The wide straps with mesh helped. I wouldn't say they were 'super warm' but for those who run hot, I think they would be ideal for really cold weather.

I still fancy getting the DHB deep winter tights for sub 5 degree weather but that's just me. I also hope that they are warmer than the Windslam tights. If they don't come back in stock, I don't know what other options beside some expensive Rapha or Assos job. I cannot seem to emphasise that I run cold and in sub 5 degree (wind is a factor), cycling is painful and difficult for me.

Wow, you run really really cold! I find that, as I get older, I run colder. So I cycled home last week with only a long sleeve Assos windstopper top and shorts. Felt it, which is weird for me. But in terms of legs I've always been ok if my upper core is ok. But, as I recall, you're layering up quite a lot on top too?

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

Wow, you run really really cold! I find that, as I get older, I run colder. So I cycled home last week with only a long sleeve Assos windstopper top and shorts. Felt it, which is weird for me. But in terms of legs I've always been ok if my upper core is ok. But, as I recall, you're layering up quite a lot on top too?

Well, I had a vest and a light Merino base layer underneath my DHB softshell.
It was okay, slightly cold shoulders but my core was good throughout and my feet and shins were fine despite no overshoes/socks which is testament to the DHB windslam tights..

My next step up in terms of warmth is my Helly Hansen Freeze as opposed to the light Merino base.
Then the one after that is the Espresso on top of the HH. So I have a few combinations to up the insulation but 3 layers all told isn't that layered up is it? There's definitely more room under the Espresso than the Alpha which gives me layering options.

The HELLY HANSEN Mens Dry Perfomance Crew Top is only £17 odd at Sports Pursuit if anyone is interested.

Anybody had experience of the Rivelo or Haster base layers?

pinno

As this is a review thread, I am going to hijack it momentarily and go on a slight, not unrelated tangent.

The crux of this particular matter is snacks. No, not nibbles out of the cupboard but the stuff you put in your back pocket for rides. I have struggled to find anything bar my own home made flapjacks that I like. I have tried all manner of supermarket cereal bars and eventually just get bored. Now this rural area is not replete with Cafe's, so taking food with me is a frequent thing. With 2 kids and a busy life, I rarely have time to cook my own flapjacks.

However, I have found hope. Hope in a snack bar I stumbled on in Lidl. I bought two packs:

The Deluxe Dark Chocolate with Cranberries and Brazils and the Brazil & Sultana with peanuts and Almonds. Not cheap @ £1.79 per pack of 3 but... bloody good, in fact, they are sumptuous. The only down side is that they are Gluten free, made up with Rice instead of the usual oats. I don't have a Gluten intolerance but that doesn't matter.

They are packed with calories. Each of the 45 gm Dark Chocolate variety bar contains 869kjJ's/208kcal's.
The Brazil and Sultana one's contain 910kJ's/218kcal's.

So if you are ever in Lidl, buy a pack and try them.

apreading

Sounds like usual ALDI ripoff of a premium brand

http://www.eatnatural.co.uk/bars/dark-c ... macadamias

Will be much cheaper than the original though! And the Eat Natural bars are V tasty. I love the yoghurt coated almond and apricot - I wonder if ALDI do a version of that too...?

Must avoid though - am on a diet at the moment.

My favourite on the bike is liquorice mulebars, followed by oatmeal and raisin clif bars and most of the other clif bars really.

Decathlon to some mini bars which are basically slabs of mazipan which are great and another which is a slab of nougat. They are good value too.

webboo

I think you will find Pinno bought them in Lidl so not an Aldi rip off.

ayjaycee

I'll go along with those Eat Natural bars as recommended by apreading. I also quite like some others called 'Naked' which have banana and dark chocolate/orange in the range and IIRC are not supposed to contain any added sugars or artificial stuff. I buy Eat Natural and and Naked bars in Waitrose - I can't remember how much they are but doubt they are more than the Lidl bars that Pinno mentioned. As an aside, I also buy bags of Rowntrees Fruit Gums, Fruit Pastilles and Haribos Tangtastic that I mix up in a big bag and then transfer a few to a smaller zip sandwich bag for the back pocket and quite like the odd nibble on those when out on a ride. Not sure how healthy that is but I console myself with the fact that the pastilles and gums have fruit in the title and that there might be a parallel universe out there where they are part of your recommended five a day.

bendertherobot

SunGod code is live for 48 hours only! It's ROUBAIXCYCLING20

20% off.

ayjaycee

bendertherobot wrote:

SunGod code is live for 48 hours only! It's ROUBAIXCYCLING20

20% off.

Bender - Thanks for that. I've taken the opportunity to order a pair with blue polarised lenses plus an extra pair of hi vis blue lenses - seemed a shame not to!

bendertherobot

And a case?

sinbad_ni

Don't suppose anyone would have a Rapha discount code going free at the minute?

ayjaycee

Sinbad - Not a discount code as such but I had an email earlier today advising that the Rapha website was giving 20% off selected jackets, jerseys and gilets at the moment. Also if you have not already signed up to the site, do so and get 15% off your first order.

ayjaycee

Bender - Yes, and also a pair of blue ear tips that I can swap out for the original grey ones as the fancy takes. That said, apart from the logo, the case looks very similar to ones that I have bought off eBay in the past for a couple of squids.

pinno

Bought a Craft base layer off Wiggle. My god it's thin. It's classed for very cold temperatures but unless it has some magic material, I dunno how it will keep me warmer than my standard stock of Merino base layers. It just might go back.

sinbad_ni

Mighty... cheers ayjaycee.

apreading

BTR - you need to try out the new Castelli LW bib tights. Just got a pair while they are 17% off at Wiggle, and they are REALLY comfy. Top half is like a Sorpasso but seems a bit more stretchy and luxurious, cavles are a thin lycra material. So the warm bit is a bit like 3/4 bib knickers but without a tight elastic band below the knee which I always find uncomfortable and with some slight protection on the lower leg. Felt REALLY good. I think I might prefer them to Sorpassos...

bendertherobot

I am going to order them shortly!

ayjaycee

ayjaycee wrote:

Bender - Thanks for that. I've taken the opportunity to order a pair with blue polarised lenses plus an extra pair of hi vis blue lenses - seemed a shame not to!

The Pacebreakers arrived yesterday and I have to say that I am mightily impressed thus far. Optically, they are as good as my usual Rudy Projects and the Oakley Prism things that I also own but don't use and, even if I say so myself, they look pretty cool as well. Also, they are not Oakley so, all in all, what's not to like?

ayjaycee

PS.
Bender - I was right about the case. Apart from the logo, it's the same as some £2 eBay jobs that I already have!

bendertherobot

That's a bit of a shame about the case! I'm making do at the moment with just the bags. I think you can buy 2 for £15 reducing them a bit but a slight bad mark! I won't ever go back to Oakley now. Just get loads more of these. Their casual stuff is brilliant too.

rick_chasey

Pinno wrote:

Bought a Craft base layer off Wiggle. My god it's thin. It's classed for very cold temperatures but unless it has some magic material, I dunno how it will keep me warmer than my standard stock of Merino base layers. It just might go back.

They're great, especially if the kit it goes under is rather skin-tight as it is.

bendertherobot

Yeah, sometimes you have to abandon what feels 'right' and trust in the inherent magic of the thing.

kingstongraham

Rick Chasey wrote:

Pinno wrote:

Bought a Craft base layer off Wiggle. My god it's thin. It's classed for very cold temperatures but unless it has some magic material, I dunno how it will keep me warmer than my standard stock of Merino base layers. It just might go back.

They're great, especially if the kit it goes under is rather skin-tight as it is.

Agreed - I really like them, for riding and running when it's cold.

bendertherobot

https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/winter- ... ct/WJY10XX

This is pretty much what I asked that the Brevet windproof jersey be.