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

matt_n-2

MrB123 wrote:

Matt_N wrote:

BTR, I know you reviewed the Rapha Brevet Windblock and felt a bit at odds with its purpose, I am currently considering the SS as a commuting jersey on the basis that in spring / autumn I normally commute in a SS jersey with arm warmers and gilet. I also ride with a back pack which means my back is well covered and the addition of the gilet just adds layers where I probably don't need it.

The SS Windblock should give me the flexibility of using arm warmers in the morning then ditching in the avo if it's warm enough whilst providing the wind protection to my chest without overheating my back.

It seems quite specific to single it out for commuting use by to my mind it makes sense, are there any other jerseys that you know of that are similar and does my thinking make sense to anyone else?!

What about trying the Craft baselayer with the windproof front panel? I've found it greatly extends the lower temperature range achievable with a standard SS jersey plus armwarmers.
https://www.merlincycles.com/craft-be-a ... gKosPD_BwE

Cheers, not thought about the problem that way around, seems good value at 50% off too!

matt_n-2

Ordered the Craft baselayer.

kingstongraham

Me too - sounds like a good idea. Thanks for recommending.

the_rover

Ive got the craft wind stopper and it's very good, not quite as breathable as the non wind proof craft tops I've got which I totally get but its still very good.

pinno

Pinno's world famous snack bar review No.#2

Gorgeous bike ride today BTW. It was followed by the post ride hunger pangs. I soon satisfied them but they returned.
Now this post has come about because of the cat, so you can blame him. His name is Jack BTW.
He didn't like the Coshida dry cat food and protested quite a bit in only a way a cat can protest. I bought it in haste as I hadn't planned to go to Morrison's about a week ago and though I survived, lived to regret it.
So I decided to got to Morissons and get some IAMS and have a look at the snack selection. The usual; Nature Valley, Kellogg's, Eden Valley. Tried most of them an may get back to them sometime.
But... saw the Gluten free product sign and came across this:

It's a Trek, Cocoa Oat, Protein Flapjack.



According to the label, it contains 954kj's/kcal's and 9.2gms of protein per 50g bar. From what I can gather from the label is that the protein is Soya. Which may or may not be to some people's liking:

"If you’re a soy fan, the bad news is that soy protein has been shown to have less effect on muscles compared to dairy."

Now the benefits of taking protein post ride in endurance athletes is not as clear or as well understood:

"Although the benefits of post-training protein for cyclists isn’t yet clear, there’s nothing to suggest it’s detrimental to performance. So I would suggest that taking protein after training is probably worth doing after long or intense training sessions, unless you have a specific reason not to."

Source: Cycling Tips. Article by Alan McCubbin, Next Level Nutrition.

If something tastes good, then you tend to go for it so the bottom line of this particular snack/energy bar is that whilst it is not the tastiest that I have ever tried, it's palatable and filling. I ate 2 bars in quick succession. I can presume that this is a post ride snack rather than a during a ride snack due to it's protein content but the benefits of riding and eating something that contains protein is down to the individual and would be happy to consider any research that people have come across regarding protein intake during a ride.
Very handy of you are a few miles form home post ride and need to get something in you quick.

Furthermore, the daily recommended protein intake for a cyclist is somewhere in the region of 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kg of bodyweight (without going too far into the complexities and sources of proteins).

bendertherobot

Matt_N wrote:

BTR, I know you reviewed the Rapha Brevet Windblock and felt a bit at odds with its purpose, I am currently considering the SS as a commuting jersey on the basis that in spring / autumn I normally commute in a SS jersey with arm warmers and gilet. I also ride with a back pack which means my back is well covered and the addition of the gilet just adds layers where I probably don't need it.

The SS Windblock should give me the flexibility of using arm warmers in the morning then ditching in the avo if it's warm enough whilst providing the wind protection to my chest without overheating my back.

It seems quite specific to single it out for commuting use by to my mind it makes sense, are there any other jerseys that you know of that are similar and does my thinking make sense to anyone else?!

Sorry I missed this but I can see others have answered! I do think that the Craft base layer offers a better all round option.

bendertherobot

robbo2011 wrote:

GrenW wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

old Tiburu 3/4 v new Mille Tiburu 3/4,

What's the difference? Difficult to tell from their website as the descriptions don't really compare well.

They are cheaper for a start.

Educated guesses here, but the most likely differences are a looser fit and simpler construction, with no windproofing in the groin area and mille pad instead of the Equipe pad.

I would rather the older version, personally.

Yep. Pretty much, I'll finish the review later. However, the RX is heavier, so slightly warmer, and they appear slightly more water resistant. Certainly slightly looser but construction same, just from less high tech material. Groinal attachment gone, as you say. Pads, I like the Mille pad a lot.

bendertherobot

Pinno, top spot, they look great.

Found this collection on Amazon,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Protein-Flapja ... +cocoa+oat

pinno

Cheers Bender.

Re.: Craft base layer. I find it doesn't breathe as well as the HH. Got a bit damp in it. I have worn it underneath my DHB softshell twice now. Today was arguably warmer and the HH freeze under my DHB that I wore was probably overkill but despite that, the HH left me pretty dry. The HH for me is the better base layer.
I think the Craft base layer may be better deployed under a long sleeve jersey.

rick_chasey

Pinno wrote:

Cheers Bender.

Re.: Craft base layer. I find it doesn't breathe as well as the HH. Got a bit damp in it. I have worn it underneath my DHB softshell twice now. Today was arguably warmer and the HH freeze under my DHB that I wore was probably overkill but despite that, the HH left me pretty dry. The HH for me is the better base layer.
I think the Craft base layer may be better deployed under a long sleeve jersey.

This is probably fair.

FWIW, I find the HH lets just too much of a draft in; sure, it dries quicker, but I get that sharp chill when it's cold that I don't get with the craft.

pinno

Well, as it has been quite mild, I have yet to wear the Craft under my Espresso. I think whatever you wear on top of the base layer is critical to how it performs.
Under the DHB, I don't feel any draught regardless of the base layer. It may be that the softshell material is less permeable from the inside out (which doesn't explain why the HH freeze seems to breathe better, I know).

My go to base layer in less cold conditions is the DHB Merino. It would have been my primary choice today but experimentation has it's merits.

bendertherobot

Pinno wrote:

Cheers Bender.

Re.: Craft base layer. I find it doesn't breathe as well as the HH. Got a bit damp in it. I have worn it underneath my DHB softshell twice now. Today was arguably warmer and the HH freeze under my DHB that I wore was probably overkill but despite that, the HH left me pretty dry. The HH for me is the better base layer.
I think the Craft base layer may be better deployed under a long sleeve jersey.

Yeah, I think that's fair too. I tend to wear mine either when it's really really cold or, conversely, under say a SS when it's simply a bit cold. So I create a kind of SS windstopper with 'arm warmer's if you follow. But it's that added protection on the chest that I really use it for, even if that area can be slightly damper.

mrb123

https://www.merlincycles.com/spatz-pro- ... fa509e0f61

Cycling wellies. I've seen it all now...

webboo

Many years ago we used to use neoprene bootees that oil rig divers wore. Just cut out a hole for your then shoe plate.
They didn't work that well as your feet got wet with condensation.

pinno

MrB123 wrote:

https://www.merlincycles.com/spatz-pro-cycling-overshoes-104357.html?utm_source=Merlin+Cycles&utm_campaign=ced49bff16-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_27&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_efec82f678-ced49bff16-260955877&mc_cid=ced49bff16&mc_eid=fa509e0f61

Cycling wellies. I've seen it all now...

Saw that in my inbox. Perhaps Noah has been employed in the design department and given the amount of rain we've had...

drhaggis

Sorry for the hijack but I'm seriously considering the Endura Pro-SL Classic w/ arm warmers. Does anybody here have any experience with that? On one hand, I like the jersey's idea for autumn and early spring, and leaving money in Scotland. On the other, the jersey seems to be a bit baggy from pictures. For extra annoyance, that castelli perfetto light is unlikely to be baggy, and can be had for >£80 atm..

chippyk

MrB123 wrote:

Matt_N wrote:

BTR, I know you reviewed the Rapha Brevet Windblock and felt a bit at odds with its purpose, I am currently considering the SS as a commuting jersey on the basis that in spring / autumn I normally commute in a SS jersey with arm warmers and gilet. I also ride with a back pack which means my back is well covered and the addition of the gilet just adds layers where I probably don't need it.

The SS Windblock should give me the flexibility of using arm warmers in the morning then ditching in the avo if it's warm enough whilst providing the wind protection to my chest without overheating my back.

It seems quite specific to single it out for commuting use by to my mind it makes sense, are there any other jerseys that you know of that are similar and does my thinking make sense to anyone else?!

What about trying the Craft baselayer with the windproof front panel? I've found it greatly extends the lower temperature range achievable with a standard SS jersey plus armwarmers.
https://www.merlincycles.com/craft-be-a ... gKosPD_BwE

I’ve had what is presumably an earlier model of the LS Craft top with wind proof front panel for years. It’s brilliant.

bendertherobot

DrHaggis wrote:

Sorry for the hijack but I'm seriously considering the Endura Pro-SL Classic w/ arm warmers. Does anybody here have any experience with that? On one hand, I like the jersey's idea for autumn and early spring, and leaving money in Scotland. On the other, the jersey seems to be a bit baggy from pictures. For extra annoyance, that castelli perfetto light is unlikely to be baggy, and can be had for >£80 atm..

For Scotland, for that time of year, I'd be looking at the Gabba with arms or the Aeron Rain Defence and arms. Perfetto probably a bit cold. Endura looks nice mind, if you can get it to form fit.

bendertherobot

Ignore!

matt_n-2

2c here at 6.30am for the commute so what better time to test the Craft windstopper base, have to say it's perfect for what I wanted.

I wore it under a LS Altura Peloton, so a kind of autumn / spring Roubaix jersey, that combo worked well on the 9 mile ride in.

bendertherobot

Ditto here for temps.

Today I rode Craft LS windstopper base, Assos LS Mille jersey, Falkenzahn gilet, new Habu Mille (light?) tights.

And the new DHB merino socks, Chapeau winter gloves.

Lovely.

bendertherobot

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-winte ... rino-sock/

Those were the socks, recommended. Not going to write 500 words about them though.

kingstongraham

That Craft windstopper base layer worked for me today too - weather was pretty cold but dry. Under a summer jersey, with arm warmers, with Castelli LW longs. Pretty much spot on for the ride in. Thanks for the recommendations.

grenw

bendertherobot wrote:

robbo2011 wrote:

GrenW wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

old Tiburu 3/4 v new Mille Tiburu 3/4,

What's the difference? Difficult to tell from their website as the descriptions don't really compare well.

They are cheaper for a start.

Educated guesses here, but the most likely differences are a looser fit and simpler construction, with no windproofing in the groin area and mille pad instead of the Equipe pad.

I would rather the older version, personally.

Yep. Pretty much, I'll finish the review later. However, the RX is heavier, so slightly warmer, and they appear slightly more water resistant. Certainly slightly looser but construction same, just from less high tech material. Groinal attachment gone, as you say. Pads, I like the Mille pad a lot.

Thanks both. Looks like I have the ones I need the fit of the pad and the bibs themselves is spot on for me. Looking forward to the review!

superlightweight

bendertherobot wrote:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-winter-weight-merino-sock/

Those were the socks, recommended. Not going to write 500 words about them though.

Hope you have better luck than me, I've got a few pairs of DHB merino socks and without fail they have all shrunk to an unusable size! I've got lots of other merino kit (including several pairs of defeet wooleators and woolie boolies) and its only the dhb socks that have done this so I'm fairly confident its not my washing methods.....

matt_n-2

bendertherobot wrote:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-winter-weight-merino-sock/

Those were the socks, recommended. Not going to write 500 words about them though.

I need some new winter socks too, currently got Woolie Boolies but they're too short and Rapha winters which are well used.

I bought some Galibier Fire Feet but the material is really loose and the heel cup is massive, I'm right in the middle of the medium size, I'm a 43 and they are 42-44 so they should be good but I'm sending them back.

Those dhb look good value too.

daniel_b

Matt_N wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-winter-weight-merino-sock/

Those were the socks, recommended. Not going to write 500 words about them though.

I need some new winter socks too, currently got Woolie Boolies but they're too short and Rapha winters which are well used.

I bought some Galibier Fire Feet but the material is really loose and the heel cup is massive, I'm right in the middle of the medium size, I'm a 43 and they are 42-44 so they should be good but I'm sending them back.

Those dhb look good value too.

I can heartily recommend these: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLPXMERS1P/planet-x-thicky-merino-socks

I am usually a size 44\45, and the large fit me spot on - and they wash really well, and come out like new.

mrb123

Matt_N wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-winter-weight-merino-sock/

Those were the socks, recommended. Not going to write 500 words about them though.

I need some new winter socks too, currently got Woolie Boolies but they're too short and Rapha winters which are well used.

I bought some Galibier Fire Feet but the material is really loose and the heel cup is massive, I'm right in the middle of the medium size, I'm a 43 and they are 42-44 so they should be good but I'm sending them back.

Those dhb look good value too.

I've just got some of the Prendas ones which seem pretty decent. Not as warm as Woolie Boolies but still nice.

Do you know that the Woolie Boolies come in two lengths? The longer ones are fairly long.

bendertherobot

My Boolies and my Rapha Winter ones are probably 4-5 years old now. A bit stiffer than when they started but still very very good. Prendas ones are great.

I have my eye on some of the This is Cambridge Ones.

pinno

bendertherobot wrote:

Ignore!

How can I when there's an automatic link in my inbox?