Your Most Recent Cycling-related Purchase
Senior Member
Robert Axle Project Lightning Bolt-On front thru axle for my S3. I did a separate thread and review here but I thought they performed so well they deserved a mention in this thread as well. I was so happy that I bought 3 more directly from them (the rear on the S3 and two for my TCR) just to show the company my support.
It's amazing that their product is both lighter and stronger than the stock TAs Cervelo includes.
Robert Axle Project TA
Stock Cervelo TA
It's amazing that their product is both lighter and stronger than the stock TAs Cervelo includes.
Robert Axle Project TA
Stock Cervelo TA
Senior Member
Also my most practical purchase just arrived...
Decided to ride in every day vs. walking (yes I'm fortunate enough to live within walking distance of work)
Decided to ride in every day vs. walking (yes I'm fortunate enough to live within walking distance of work)
Destroyer of Worlds
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Memphis 10
Posts: 193
Bikes: 2021 Canyon Endurace SL8, 2019 Cannondale Topstone Sora, 2002 Giant Yukon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 148 Times
in
57 Posts
China's finest via Amazon
- Strgao Men's Windproof Long Sleeves Jersey Winter Fleece Thermal Cycling Coat Bicycle Bike Jacket
- sponeed Bike Long Pants Men Padded Cycling Tights Road Bike Leggings Biking
Likes For taco2ewsday:
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,115
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 451 Post(s)
Liked 364 Times
in
227 Posts
Awesome. As I've briefly mentioned before, I have found Sponeed to be every bit as good as, and in some cases better than, the expensive named brands. I won't name names, as I am not into public bashing. I also have one full winter fleece kit from Strgao that is as good as new after 2 years of steady us in cold Portland. It looks brand new. The fact is, as I have learned, there is some very high-quality apparel available from China from certain companies. You can save a ton if you know what to buy.
Likes For bpcyclist:
Full Member
Not the sexiest wheels on the market, but a step up from the stock Fulcrum Racing 5's... ceramic bearings, carbon fiber front hub, bladed spokes, and about a half pound weight savings. Looking forward to putting these on the road ;-)
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,635
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4733 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times
in
1,003 Posts
Nice.. I woulda thought a tough call going with these or the Campy Shamal equivalents when deciding -- go "Italian" with the Pinarello bike, or avoiding the clash of Shimano/Campy.
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Memphis 10
Posts: 193
Bikes: 2021 Canyon Endurace SL8, 2019 Cannondale Topstone Sora, 2002 Giant Yukon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 148 Times
in
57 Posts
Totally agree, that's my second product from Sponeed, I have a pair of shorts that are my favorite as opposed to another Amazon brand starts with a B******* that's also my second Strago product. I find the Strago jersey to be better than other Amazon products even better than the local club jersey I bought for a fund raiser ride.
Awesome. As I've briefly mentioned before, I have found Sponeed to be every bit as good as, and in some cases better than, the expensive named brands. I won't name names, as I am not into public bashing. I also have one full winter fleece kit from Strgao that is as good as new after 2 years of steady us in cold Portland. It looks brand new. The fact is, as I have learned, there is some very high-quality apparel available from China from certain companies. You can save a ton if you know what to buy.
Likes For taco2ewsday:
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
The Chinese are so ... inventive at coining names.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,115
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 451 Post(s)
Liked 364 Times
in
227 Posts
I like Bpbtti.
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,115
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 451 Post(s)
Liked 364 Times
in
227 Posts
Thirty-dollar bv pump that so far, is working quite well with what appears to be an accurate, or pretty accurate, I should say, gauge. I've been a skier and a guitarist and a headphone fan at different times in my life, but I think cycling is as expensive as any of those (if you include travel for some skiing). I'm retired now, so I save where I can. We'll see about this pump. I've checked enough tire pressures with my thumb that I'm pretty sure I'll be able to tell if there is something amiss when it says pressure is 115 but it's really 85. Won't be able to give you a number, but I should know if it's way off. Hopefully. I guess we're going to find out how good I really am at that... Maybe I should just finally go tubeless.
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,922
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4717 Post(s)
Liked 1,882 Times
in
998 Posts
$90.41 at Merlin Cycles
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 422
Bikes: 1964 Schwinn Varsity, 1985 Trek 410, 1985 Peugeot P 8, 2021 Pinarello Dogma F12, 2022 Cannondale Topstone Alloy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 1,102 Times
in
327 Posts
I have purchased several jerseys, both long sleeved and short sleeved through Online Cycling Gear. So far I have been very happy with the quality of them. I too have purchased the Santic Cycling Shorts and found them to be equivalent to what I've purchased from the LBS. I purchased a winter pair off Amazon of the Baleaf Thermal Cycling Tights, in the same size as the Santic and found they were much smaller in size than the Santic.
velo-dilettante
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: insane diego, california
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: 85 pinarello treviso steel, 88 nishiki olympic steel. 95 look kg 131 carbon, 11 trek madone 5.2 carbon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1628 Post(s)
Liked 3,114 Times
in
1,683 Posts
already had two of these lights. will likely add another two. can't be lit up enough these days...
https://www.knog.com.au/bike-lights/plus-twinpack.html
https://www.knog.com.au/bike-lights/plus-twinpack.html
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,115
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 451 Post(s)
Liked 364 Times
in
227 Posts
I have purchased several jerseys, both long sleeved and short sleeved through Online Cycling Gear. So far I have been very happy with the quality of them. I too have purchased the Santic Cycling Shorts and found them to be equivalent to what I've purchased from the LBS. I purchased a winter pair off Amazon of the Baleaf Thermal Cycling Tights, in the same size as the Santic and found they were much smaller in size than the Santic.
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 322
Bikes: 2014 Focus Mares AX 2.0, 2019 Cube Litening C:62 Race Disc Teamline
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 140 Times
in
68 Posts
Waiting on a few things....
Specialized Power Comp 155mm
Effetto Caffelatex Tubeless Valve Kit
Hutchinson Rep'Air Tubeless Repair Kit
Effetto Caffelatex ZOT! Nano
Lezyne Classic Tubeless Kit
Effetto Caffelatex Tubeless Fluid 250ml
Vittoria Rubino Pro TLR Graphene 2.0 Folding Clincher Tyre - Black 700 x 28mm x2
Beto Jet Air Tubeless Tank AH Smart Head
OCG The Cannibal MAMIL Apparel Cycling Cap
OCG Retro Black Renault Elf Cycling Kit
Specialized Power Comp 155mm
Effetto Caffelatex Tubeless Valve Kit
Hutchinson Rep'Air Tubeless Repair Kit
Effetto Caffelatex ZOT! Nano
Lezyne Classic Tubeless Kit
Effetto Caffelatex Tubeless Fluid 250ml
Vittoria Rubino Pro TLR Graphene 2.0 Folding Clincher Tyre - Black 700 x 28mm x2
Beto Jet Air Tubeless Tank AH Smart Head
OCG The Cannibal MAMIL Apparel Cycling Cap
OCG Retro Black Renault Elf Cycling Kit
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
Waiting on a few things....
Specialized Power Comp 155mm
Effetto Caffelatex Tubeless Valve Kit
Hutchinson Rep'Air Tubeless Repair Kit
Effetto Caffelatex ZOT! Nano
Lezyne Classic Tubeless Kit
Effetto Caffelatex Tubeless Fluid 250ml
Vittoria Rubino Pro TLR Graphene 2.0 Folding Clincher Tyre - Black 700 x 28mm x2
Beto Jet Air Tubeless Tank AH Smart Head
OCG The Cannibal MAMIL Apparel Cycling Cap
OCG Retro Black Renault Elf Cycling Kit
Specialized Power Comp 155mm
Effetto Caffelatex Tubeless Valve Kit
Hutchinson Rep'Air Tubeless Repair Kit
Effetto Caffelatex ZOT! Nano
Lezyne Classic Tubeless Kit
Effetto Caffelatex Tubeless Fluid 250ml
Vittoria Rubino Pro TLR Graphene 2.0 Folding Clincher Tyre - Black 700 x 28mm x2
Beto Jet Air Tubeless Tank AH Smart Head
OCG The Cannibal MAMIL Apparel Cycling Cap
OCG Retro Black Renault Elf Cycling Kit
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 322
Bikes: 2014 Focus Mares AX 2.0, 2019 Cube Litening C:62 Race Disc Teamline
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 140 Times
in
68 Posts
My giant came with PR-2 wheels and tubeless gavia ac1 tyres. I only ran them for a couple hundred KMs and aside from being garbage wheels and tyres, they were reliable enough.
After 3 tiny punctures in 6 weeks on the tubed Schwalbe Ones currently on the ER1600 wheels I have now, I decided to give it a proper go
Asleep at the bars
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA and Treasure Island, FL
Posts: 1,743
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 234 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times
in
135 Posts
Bought a simple SKS front wheel spray guard, SKS-Germany 11317 S-Board Bicycle Front Fender, because winter is coming. It will keep my feet dry, but won't prevent forward spray. If there's a cyclist in front of me they'll just have to ride faster.
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,233
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10167 Post(s)
Liked 5,860 Times
in
3,154 Posts
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Update 12/10/19: The Pearl Izumi Select Pursuit long sleeve jersey performed as expected. No surprises for a snug fitting conventional wicking fabric jersey. Good down into the 60s with a short sleeve or sleeveless baselayer.
The Pro Pursuit wind jersey was more interesting. It combines on the wind/rain-exposed areas the plasticky material often touted as "breathable" hardshell by many makers but never really is; with more conventional softshell fabric that really is breathable. The combination works very well down to the 50s with a baselayer, even when wet. I've ridden it several times on dry and damp days down into the 50s. No complaints. I get wet from sweat inside the jersey but am still comfortable because the hardshell fabric is wind resistant even when wet from rain. Great alternative to the usual windbreaker/rain jackets that are a bit flappy and rarely breathe as well as claimed.
Best bizarre brand name in Amazon cycling apparel. I'm guessing that's what happens when the data entry clerk sneezes while typing "Spotti". It's pronounced by blowing a raspberry.
This week I got a couple of Pearl Izumi long sleeve sorta-aero jerseys for our frequent in-between lukewarm/sorta-cool days. I had summer and winter gear but not much that was quite right for days when the temp varies between the high 50s-low 70s in the same ride. What I did have was either loose and flappy or sweaty when zipped up and chilly when unzipped.
I had put these PI jerseys in the Amazon cart awhile back and waited for notifications of price drops. Occasionally something will drop drastically but usually only for one day, or a few hours. I missed a shot at a $100+ short sleeve aero jersey that dropped to $18 for a few hours, then back up to $70.
These are minimalist jerseys intended for wear with bibs rather than shorts -- short fronts, tails just barely long enough. Three slip pockets in the rear, no security pockets, and the slip pockets feel like a cell phone could easily bounce out. I wrapped rubber bands around my phone and wallet. So far, so good. They're basically snug fitting but not custom tailored TT/tri jerseys with pockets tacked on as a sort of afterthought. But I could tell that from the photos and customer descriptions. I figured I'd wear 'em on windy and cool days when I wanted to tackle some tailwind PRs while minimizing my profile into headwinds. For longer casual rides I'd choose another jersey with better integrated, more secure pockets since I tend to carry way too much stuff -- asthma inhaler, lotsa snacks, Kool Stop bead jack, maybe a compact camera, etc.
The PI Select Pursuit long sleeve jersey was available in blue for $35 so I got that color. It's very sheer and stretchy, more of a warm weather jersey but was comfortable down to the high 60s with a base layer. Doesn't fit me quite as snugly as the model, but I'm thinner. It would take a clothing wrangler and tailor to dart the slightly loose arm fit for me. Definitely a bibs jersey -- with shorts your navel will get some air.
I was mostly interested in this PI Pro Pursuit wind resistant jersey, $45 for the hi-vis yellow with black sleeves and yoke. As I expected it's similar to the material Pearl Izumi uses on their looser fitting windbreakers -- a sort of ultra-thin plasticky material, not at all stretchy. It combines this material on the front facing exterior with a second layer of a mesh fabric. The parts of the sleeve and yoke that aren't facing the wind are black sheer, stretchy fabric. It was comfortable with a base layer down to the high 50s-low 60s Tuesday night. I was a bit sweaty under the material but not chilled or clammy feeling. Same as the PI Select Barrier windbreaker -- I get sweaty under that windbreaker but still warm because it's wind resistant even when the fabric is soaked from mist or moderate rain. Also bibs only.
I suspect the Amazon reviewers complaining these "run small" don't understand the differences in jerseys cut for bibs vs shorts. I'm 5'11", 150 lbs, and the medium fit me properly with both jerseys. If I was picky about aero fit I could tailor the sleeves but it's not that important. Or I could just spend more for a proper custom fitting skin suit, if it was that important. Which it's not, at least for me.
Pearl Izumi Pro Pursuit wind jersey. Medium fit is okay on me. I'm 5'11", 150 lbs.
Short front, definitely cut for bibs.
Navel warfare ensues with shorts. Looks like I could stand to lose about 5 lbs, if I gave up pizza, or sugar in my coffee. Which I won't do.
The Pro Pursuit wind jersey was more interesting. It combines on the wind/rain-exposed areas the plasticky material often touted as "breathable" hardshell by many makers but never really is; with more conventional softshell fabric that really is breathable. The combination works very well down to the 50s with a baselayer, even when wet. I've ridden it several times on dry and damp days down into the 50s. No complaints. I get wet from sweat inside the jersey but am still comfortable because the hardshell fabric is wind resistant even when wet from rain. Great alternative to the usual windbreaker/rain jackets that are a bit flappy and rarely breathe as well as claimed.
Best bizarre brand name in Amazon cycling apparel. I'm guessing that's what happens when the data entry clerk sneezes while typing "Spotti". It's pronounced by blowing a raspberry.
This week I got a couple of Pearl Izumi long sleeve sorta-aero jerseys for our frequent in-between lukewarm/sorta-cool days. I had summer and winter gear but not much that was quite right for days when the temp varies between the high 50s-low 70s in the same ride. What I did have was either loose and flappy or sweaty when zipped up and chilly when unzipped.
I had put these PI jerseys in the Amazon cart awhile back and waited for notifications of price drops. Occasionally something will drop drastically but usually only for one day, or a few hours. I missed a shot at a $100+ short sleeve aero jersey that dropped to $18 for a few hours, then back up to $70.
These are minimalist jerseys intended for wear with bibs rather than shorts -- short fronts, tails just barely long enough. Three slip pockets in the rear, no security pockets, and the slip pockets feel like a cell phone could easily bounce out. I wrapped rubber bands around my phone and wallet. So far, so good. They're basically snug fitting but not custom tailored TT/tri jerseys with pockets tacked on as a sort of afterthought. But I could tell that from the photos and customer descriptions. I figured I'd wear 'em on windy and cool days when I wanted to tackle some tailwind PRs while minimizing my profile into headwinds. For longer casual rides I'd choose another jersey with better integrated, more secure pockets since I tend to carry way too much stuff -- asthma inhaler, lotsa snacks, Kool Stop bead jack, maybe a compact camera, etc.
The PI Select Pursuit long sleeve jersey was available in blue for $35 so I got that color. It's very sheer and stretchy, more of a warm weather jersey but was comfortable down to the high 60s with a base layer. Doesn't fit me quite as snugly as the model, but I'm thinner. It would take a clothing wrangler and tailor to dart the slightly loose arm fit for me. Definitely a bibs jersey -- with shorts your navel will get some air.
I was mostly interested in this PI Pro Pursuit wind resistant jersey, $45 for the hi-vis yellow with black sleeves and yoke. As I expected it's similar to the material Pearl Izumi uses on their looser fitting windbreakers -- a sort of ultra-thin plasticky material, not at all stretchy. It combines this material on the front facing exterior with a second layer of a mesh fabric. The parts of the sleeve and yoke that aren't facing the wind are black sheer, stretchy fabric. It was comfortable with a base layer down to the high 50s-low 60s Tuesday night. I was a bit sweaty under the material but not chilled or clammy feeling. Same as the PI Select Barrier windbreaker -- I get sweaty under that windbreaker but still warm because it's wind resistant even when the fabric is soaked from mist or moderate rain. Also bibs only.
I suspect the Amazon reviewers complaining these "run small" don't understand the differences in jerseys cut for bibs vs shorts. I'm 5'11", 150 lbs, and the medium fit me properly with both jerseys. If I was picky about aero fit I could tailor the sleeves but it's not that important. Or I could just spend more for a proper custom fitting skin suit, if it was that important. Which it's not, at least for me.
Pearl Izumi Pro Pursuit wind jersey. Medium fit is okay on me. I'm 5'11", 150 lbs.
Short front, definitely cut for bibs.
Navel warfare ensues with shorts. Looks like I could stand to lose about 5 lbs, if I gave up pizza, or sugar in my coffee. Which I won't do.
Last edited by canklecat; 12-10-19 at 05:04 PM. Reason: add update
Likes For canklecat:
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 422
Bikes: 1964 Schwinn Varsity, 1985 Trek 410, 1985 Peugeot P 8, 2021 Pinarello Dogma F12, 2022 Cannondale Topstone Alloy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 1,102 Times
in
327 Posts
Garage Gator Motorized Bike Lift GG8220 Motorized lift. Works very well!
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,614
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 7,489 Times
in
4,189 Posts
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 422
Bikes: 1964 Schwinn Varsity, 1985 Trek 410, 1985 Peugeot P 8, 2021 Pinarello Dogma F12, 2022 Cannondale Topstone Alloy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 1,102 Times
in
327 Posts
I did it because the Bianchi has a carbon fiber seat post, and wasn't sure about the finish on the Cannondale. The wife's old Schwinn has a steel post, unpainted, so I didn't bother with that one.