Favorite underrated or obscure components in 2017?
10-24-17, 11:20 AM
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Favorite underrated or obscure components in 2017?
What are your favorite lightweight, stiff, aesthetically pleasing, well-priced, or otherwise great components that aren't surrounded by hype? Looking to get some new handlebars, stem, wheels, heck even skewers that might not be on the radar but offer an awesome value. Curious what people have discovered this year.
For example: This year I tried about a dozen stems and among the popular choices such as FSA, Zipp, and Ritchey I found the proprietary Orbea OCII stem weighed less, had a smaller profile, and worked just as well for about a ninth of the price.
For example: This year I tried about a dozen stems and among the popular choices such as FSA, Zipp, and Ritchey I found the proprietary Orbea OCII stem weighed less, had a smaller profile, and worked just as well for about a ninth of the price.
10-24-17, 11:49 AM
#2
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Pro Vibe 7s stem, bars and seatpost. Pro recently released revised versions of this stuff, this is the late 2016 stuff I'm talking about.
- Great engineering. The seatpost is easy to micro adjust, clamps tightly and never creaks. The stem is very stiff, uses an ingenious two bolt design and never creaks. The bars (I got the traditional rounded bend) have a fantastic shape, are very stiff and have effective cable management.
- reasonably light. Lighter than many carbon options.
- reasonably priced. Not cheap, not expensive.
- very durable finishes.
- all stainless hardware. Rusty bolts are annoying.
- nice looking
Overall, these are top quality install and forget items. That's what you want from stems, bars and seatposts. No one thinks about Pro stuff, but it's really good.
- Great engineering. The seatpost is easy to micro adjust, clamps tightly and never creaks. The stem is very stiff, uses an ingenious two bolt design and never creaks. The bars (I got the traditional rounded bend) have a fantastic shape, are very stiff and have effective cable management.
- reasonably light. Lighter than many carbon options.
- reasonably priced. Not cheap, not expensive.
- very durable finishes.
- all stainless hardware. Rusty bolts are annoying.
- nice looking
Overall, these are top quality install and forget items. That's what you want from stems, bars and seatposts. No one thinks about Pro stuff, but it's really good.
10-24-17, 04:06 PM
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Kalloy Uno stems (w/graphics removed): perfect weight, price, stiffness, selection, ...
DT Swiss RR21 DiCut wheels (may or may not be hyped; aren't around here): quality justifies price.
DT Swiss RWS road skewers: nothing moves anywhere, ever.
LifeLine Titanium skewers: lightweight with solid construction at awesome price.
Syntace Cork tape: simply in a class of its own, but may be difficult to source.
Deda bar tape: close to Syntace and lighter, cheaper, readily available.
FormMount computer mount: the last out-front mount your bike will ever wear.
Lake CX301: the last riding shoes my feet will ever wear.
DT Swiss RR21 DiCut wheels (may or may not be hyped; aren't around here): quality justifies price.
DT Swiss RWS road skewers: nothing moves anywhere, ever.
LifeLine Titanium skewers: lightweight with solid construction at awesome price.
Syntace Cork tape: simply in a class of its own, but may be difficult to source.
Deda bar tape: close to Syntace and lighter, cheaper, readily available.
FormMount computer mount: the last out-front mount your bike will ever wear.
Lake CX301: the last riding shoes my feet will ever wear.
10-24-17, 04:59 PM
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Erik the Inveigler
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Kalloy Uno stems (w/graphics removed): perfect weight, price, stiffness, selection, ...
DT Swiss RR21 DiCut wheels (may or may not be hyped; aren't around here): quality justifies price.
DT Swiss RWS road skewers: nothing moves anywhere, ever.
LifeLine Titanium skewers: lightweight with solid construction at awesome price.
Syntace Cork tape: simply in a class of its own, but may be difficult to source.
Deda bar tape: close to Syntace and lighter, cheaper, readily available.
FormMount computer mount: the last out-front mount your bike will ever wear.
Lake CX301: the last riding shoes my feet will ever wear.
DT Swiss RR21 DiCut wheels (may or may not be hyped; aren't around here): quality justifies price.
DT Swiss RWS road skewers: nothing moves anywhere, ever.
LifeLine Titanium skewers: lightweight with solid construction at awesome price.
Syntace Cork tape: simply in a class of its own, but may be difficult to source.
Deda bar tape: close to Syntace and lighter, cheaper, readily available.
FormMount computer mount: the last out-front mount your bike will ever wear.
Lake CX301: the last riding shoes my feet will ever wear.
Last edited by Scarbo; 10-24-17 at 05:28 PM.
10-24-17, 05:25 PM
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For me at least, they're a perfect fit. It feels like I'm wearing nothing, partly because of their weight, I would imagine. I have never at any point experienced any form of discomfort with them (multi-hundred kms, Everesting, daily, ...). My other substantial experiences are with Fi'zi:k and Northwave. I have nothing bad to say about either of them. Indeed, I use a pair of Northwave Extreme Aero for bad weather because the Lakes offer little protection. But, in and of themselves, the Lakes are the most comfortable of any shoes I've ever tried.
10-24-17, 05:28 PM
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For me at least, they're a perfect fit. It feels like I'm wearing nothing, partly because of their weight, I would imagine. I have never at any point experienced any form of discomfort with them (multi-hundred kms, Everesting, daily, ...). My other substantial experiences are with Fi'zi:k and Northwave. I have nothing bad to say about either of them. Indeed, I use a pair of Northwave Extreme Aero for bad weather because the Lakes offer little protection. But, in and of themselves, the Lakes are the most comfortable of any shoes I've ever tried.
10-24-17, 05:37 PM
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In a word, perfect. But, it's not an area I've ever thought about specifically. Both my big-toe nails are black and blue, of course, but 1) I take that to be part and parcel of most sports and 2) it's only been associated with discomfort when the nails have been coming off (meaning not when it's been happening).
10-24-17, 05:43 PM
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In a word, perfect. But, it's not an area I've ever thought about specifically. Both my big-toe nails are black and blue, of course, but 1) I take that to be part and parcel of most sports and 2) it's only been associated with discomfort when the nails have been coming off (meaning not when it's been happening).
Thank you. I might check em out.
10-24-17, 05:59 PM
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10-25-17, 04:27 AM
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Black toenails means your shoes are too small.....
Not sure if it would count, but I got a 4iiii single sided power meter installed on my hollowgram crank. Very happy with it sofar
Not sure if it would count, but I got a 4iiii single sided power meter installed on my hollowgram crank. Very happy with it sofar
10-25-17, 05:28 AM
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Bike Hand bicycle stand. Tired of leaning the bike against walls and cars. Heavy enough to hold it securely but portable. Much better than light plastic stands I have tried.
10-25-17, 05:51 AM
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Fabric saddles.
Zipp CX Course bar tape
Zipp CX Course bar tape
10-25-17, 01:34 PM
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Redshift Shock stop stem. Got tired of the crappy pavement in NYC. Made beautifully, designed beautifully and works beautifully. I'm totally happy. 10/10.
10-25-17, 03:04 PM
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Yeah, no, that's not it. I played rugby at a high level till my mid-30ies and I probably ride `vigorously', too, now in my 40ies. I've gotten it from most if not all sports shoes, across all brands and relative sizes. It was certainly common in rugby and I get the impression it's not uncommon in cycling. Anyway, as I said above, there's no discomfort!
10-25-17, 04:16 PM
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Deda bars, stems, and seatposts are rarely the popular brand at the party, but they offer a high QPR (quality to price ratio) and recently, better, more subdued styling.
In particular, their Trentacinque (35) line, the large diameter bars and matching stems, seem not to have caught on (yet) so there is some attractive online pricing on the stuff, particularly from EU retailers. I love the feel of those things!
Another Italian brand, Miche, has revamped their wheel line for this year, and if mid-depth carbon is your thing, there is very competitive pricing (I mean, by other-than-Chinese-brand standards!) on their SWR line. And like Deda, the Miche styling is more refined now than it has been in awhile, and they're really handsome looking. They're hard to find stateside, so no hype here, but they seem like nice pieces of kit.
The ultimate in under-the-radar wheels, though, is American Classic. Their aluminum Argent is, in my eyes, the best alu wheelset available anywhere. They're light (sub 1400gm), aero (30mm), wide (19.4mm internal), high-tech (lacing, hubs, nipples), tubeless, and $900. If they had an "oxic" like ceramic coating on the brake tracks, that'd be it, it'd be the ultimate wheel! Even the lower line 420 Aero 3 at $700 smokes most of the alu competition, and gives up only .4mm in width and ~150gm (for the pair) to Argent.
AC's skewers are sharp AF, too.
But, if you gotta have ceramic brake tracks, the Boyd Altamonts arrived without much fanfare and look snazzy, though you can find some sub $1k Campagnolo Shamal Mille right now, too. DT Swiss Dicut 1400 Oxic may be worth a look, too, in that field.
In particular, their Trentacinque (35) line, the large diameter bars and matching stems, seem not to have caught on (yet) so there is some attractive online pricing on the stuff, particularly from EU retailers. I love the feel of those things!
Another Italian brand, Miche, has revamped their wheel line for this year, and if mid-depth carbon is your thing, there is very competitive pricing (I mean, by other-than-Chinese-brand standards!) on their SWR line. And like Deda, the Miche styling is more refined now than it has been in awhile, and they're really handsome looking. They're hard to find stateside, so no hype here, but they seem like nice pieces of kit.
The ultimate in under-the-radar wheels, though, is American Classic. Their aluminum Argent is, in my eyes, the best alu wheelset available anywhere. They're light (sub 1400gm), aero (30mm), wide (19.4mm internal), high-tech (lacing, hubs, nipples), tubeless, and $900. If they had an "oxic" like ceramic coating on the brake tracks, that'd be it, it'd be the ultimate wheel! Even the lower line 420 Aero 3 at $700 smokes most of the alu competition, and gives up only .4mm in width and ~150gm (for the pair) to Argent.
AC's skewers are sharp AF, too.
But, if you gotta have ceramic brake tracks, the Boyd Altamonts arrived without much fanfare and look snazzy, though you can find some sub $1k Campagnolo Shamal Mille right now, too. DT Swiss Dicut 1400 Oxic may be worth a look, too, in that field.
10-25-17, 05:20 PM
#17
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Deda bars, stems, and seatposts are rarely the popular brand at the party, but they offer a high QPR (quality to price ratio) and recently, better, more subdued styling.
In particular, their Trentacinque (35) line, the large diameter bars and matching stems, seem not to have caught on (yet) so there is some attractive online pricing on the stuff, particularly from EU retailers. I love the feel of those things!
Another Italian brand, Miche, has revamped their wheel line for this year, and if mid-depth carbon is your thing, there is very competitive pricing (I mean, by other-than-Chinese-brand standards!) on their SWR line. And like Deda, the Miche styling is more refined now than it has been in awhile, and they're really handsome looking. They're hard to find stateside, so no hype here, but they seem like nice pieces of kit.
The ultimate in under-the-radar wheels, though, is American Classic. Their aluminum Argent is, in my eyes, the best alu wheelset available anywhere. They're light (sub 1400gm), aero (30mm), wide (19.4mm internal), high-tech (lacing, hubs, nipples), tubeless, and $900. If they had an "oxic" like ceramic coating on the brake tracks, that'd be it, it'd be the ultimate wheel! Even the lower line 420 Aero 3 at $700 smokes most of the alu competition, and gives up only .4mm in width and ~150gm (for the pair) to Argent.
AC's skewers are sharp AF, too.
But, if you gotta have ceramic brake tracks, the Boyd Altamonts arrived without much fanfare and look snazzy, though you can find some sub $1k Campagnolo Shamal Mille right now, too. DT Swiss Dicut 1400 Oxic may be worth a look, too, in that field.
In particular, their Trentacinque (35) line, the large diameter bars and matching stems, seem not to have caught on (yet) so there is some attractive online pricing on the stuff, particularly from EU retailers. I love the feel of those things!
Another Italian brand, Miche, has revamped their wheel line for this year, and if mid-depth carbon is your thing, there is very competitive pricing (I mean, by other-than-Chinese-brand standards!) on their SWR line. And like Deda, the Miche styling is more refined now than it has been in awhile, and they're really handsome looking. They're hard to find stateside, so no hype here, but they seem like nice pieces of kit.
The ultimate in under-the-radar wheels, though, is American Classic. Their aluminum Argent is, in my eyes, the best alu wheelset available anywhere. They're light (sub 1400gm), aero (30mm), wide (19.4mm internal), high-tech (lacing, hubs, nipples), tubeless, and $900. If they had an "oxic" like ceramic coating on the brake tracks, that'd be it, it'd be the ultimate wheel! Even the lower line 420 Aero 3 at $700 smokes most of the alu competition, and gives up only .4mm in width and ~150gm (for the pair) to Argent.
AC's skewers are sharp AF, too.
But, if you gotta have ceramic brake tracks, the Boyd Altamonts arrived without much fanfare and look snazzy, though you can find some sub $1k Campagnolo Shamal Mille right now, too. DT Swiss Dicut 1400 Oxic may be worth a look, too, in that field.
Dan
Last edited by danimal92sport; 10-25-17 at 05:27 PM.
10-25-17, 07:20 PM
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Miche is a new one to me, thanks for the tip. I browsed their website and it looks like their tubular wheels are light and appealing, but the clinchers range from real heavy to unbelievably heavy. WOW - a 2400g "carbon" rim wheelset? They're listed as "track" wheels, not sure if that drives additional weight?
Dan
Dan
10-25-17, 11:20 PM
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Thanks for the recommendation.
10-25-17, 11:38 PM
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For us tall guys: IRD 200mm cranks for $150. The alternative is something from Zinn for like $650.
10-26-17, 06:14 AM
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10-26-17, 06:59 AM
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I've actually got some Supacaz bar tape waiting to go, and while I haven't used it yet, I do like the way it feels, though it has a lighter texture to it and is not as rich looking as the Lizardskins. Supacaz is also priced about the same as LS, at $40 a set.
So yeah, I'd like to know about the qualities of the Zipp Course tape.
Thanks.
10-26-17, 10:32 AM
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Okay, so what's the deal with this Zipp tape? What's it like and why is it nicer? I'm a Lizardskins user (both 3.2 and 2.5) and really like it, but hey, I'm not wed to it and better is better, so...
I've actually got some Supacaz bar tape waiting to go, and while I haven't used it yet, I do like the way it feels, though it has a lighter texture to it and is not as rich looking as the Lizardskins. Supacaz is also priced about the same as LS, at $40 a set.
So yeah, I'd like to know about the qualities of the Zipp Course tape.
Thanks.
I've actually got some Supacaz bar tape waiting to go, and while I haven't used it yet, I do like the way it feels, though it has a lighter texture to it and is not as rich looking as the Lizardskins. Supacaz is also priced about the same as LS, at $40 a set.
So yeah, I'd like to know about the qualities of the Zipp Course tape.
Thanks.
10-26-17, 10:53 AM
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Lots of cool stuff here!
The Deda Trentacinque (35) caught my eye. New alloy bars are under $23 and carbon for $90 on Ribble, pretty cheap. Looks like a cheap stem is a little more difficult to track down.
Looks like this concept was first released in 2011 or so. Seems like it never caught on big time but there are still some new and reasonably cheap options available.
The Redshift Shock stem looks really interesting, I wonder how well it holds up through a season of heavy use?
The Deda Trentacinque (35) caught my eye. New alloy bars are under $23 and carbon for $90 on Ribble, pretty cheap. Looks like a cheap stem is a little more difficult to track down.
Looks like this concept was first released in 2011 or so. Seems like it never caught on big time but there are still some new and reasonably cheap options available.
The Redshift Shock stem looks really interesting, I wonder how well it holds up through a season of heavy use?