Your Most Recent Cycling-related Purchase
03-18-20, 07:09 AM
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Stages L/R Ultegra 8000 power meter
For literally several years I've wanted to get a power meter. For the last couple of years I had my eye on the Quarq DFour crank-based power meter, as it uses Shimano chainrings and blends in with the Shimano crank look, and the Quarq power meters have a sterling reputation. The only issue for me was the cost. Looking recently again it would have cost me over a grand for the DFour DUB version, and that still wouldn't have included me buying a DUB BSA/68 bottom bracket, not to mention the chainrings. I'd be looking at a good $1200-1300 all up.
I had a look at the Stages L/R power meter, which is dual-sided strain-gauge power meters built onto a standard Ultegra 8000 crankset. It would blend right in on my bike, which currently has an Ultegra 6870 Di2 power train. I read reviews on this Stages Gen 3 L/R setup, and could find nothing bad about it. People seem to think it works well, is reliable, etc.
Anyhow, it was listed at $729 everywhere. Exactly the same pricing, down to the penny. Then I discovered that JensonUSA offered a 20% discount on one full-price item, and when I put the Stages Gen 3 L/R crank/powermeter into the shopping cart and applied the code, it worked!
So, for $583 shipped (next-day to my state) I'll be getting a 172.5mm 50/34 compact Ultegra 8000 crankset with Stages Gen 3 L/R dual-sided power meter built onto it.
I'm pretty stoked. I just ordered it, so haven't got a shipping tracker yet, but it should be here sometime this week, hopefully tomorrow (the site said free next-day to my state, so hopefully it really does arrive tomorrow). Installation should take me literally 5-10 minutes tops, since it's just a drop-in Hollowtech II crank for an existing Hollowtech II crank.
For literally several years I've wanted to get a power meter. For the last couple of years I had my eye on the Quarq DFour crank-based power meter, as it uses Shimano chainrings and blends in with the Shimano crank look, and the Quarq power meters have a sterling reputation. The only issue for me was the cost. Looking recently again it would have cost me over a grand for the DFour DUB version, and that still wouldn't have included me buying a DUB BSA/68 bottom bracket, not to mention the chainrings. I'd be looking at a good $1200-1300 all up.
I had a look at the Stages L/R power meter, which is dual-sided strain-gauge power meters built onto a standard Ultegra 8000 crankset. It would blend right in on my bike, which currently has an Ultegra 6870 Di2 power train. I read reviews on this Stages Gen 3 L/R setup, and could find nothing bad about it. People seem to think it works well, is reliable, etc.
Anyhow, it was listed at $729 everywhere. Exactly the same pricing, down to the penny. Then I discovered that JensonUSA offered a 20% discount on one full-price item, and when I put the Stages Gen 3 L/R crank/powermeter into the shopping cart and applied the code, it worked!
So, for $583 shipped (next-day to my state) I'll be getting a 172.5mm 50/34 compact Ultegra 8000 crankset with Stages Gen 3 L/R dual-sided power meter built onto it.
I'm pretty stoked. I just ordered it, so haven't got a shipping tracker yet, but it should be here sometime this week, hopefully tomorrow (the site said free next-day to my state, so hopefully it really does arrive tomorrow). Installation should take me literally 5-10 minutes tops, since it's just a drop-in Hollowtech II crank for an existing Hollowtech II crank.
03-18-20, 09:45 AM
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03-18-20, 09:52 AM
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bike bell
PMLAND Classic Copper Alloy Brass Bicycle Bell I decided to try this to see if it will alert folks on the trails.
03-18-20, 03:57 PM
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PMLAND Classic Copper Alloy Brass Bicycle Bell I decided to try this to see if it will alert folks on the trails.
03-18-20, 04:09 PM
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I hear ya. It's why I've kept going back and looking at them for several years now, trying to keep tabs on the state of the tech, pricing, and work up the justification to pull the trigger. At the time I first decided I really liked the Quarq system it was just massively expensive, and there were problems with the earlier-gen Stages one-sided products with dropouts, water sealing around the batteries, and other things, and I had similar misgivings about other brands. It seems they've worked these problems out and the gen 3 dual-sided L/R system seems to have a solid reputation. With that 20% discount bringing the Stages system down to under 1/2 the cost of the system I'd been eyeing till now it became much easier for me to pull the trigger.
03-18-20, 04:40 PM
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03-18-20, 04:42 PM
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Stages L/R Ultegra 8000 power meter
So, for $583 shipped (next-day to my state) I'll be getting a 172.5mm 50/34 compact Ultegra 8000 crankset with Stages Gen 3 L/R dual-sided power meter built onto it.
I'm pretty stoked. I just ordered it, so haven't got a shipping tracker yet, but it should be here sometime this week, hopefully tomorrow (the site said free next-day to my state, so hopefully it really does arrive tomorrow). Installation should take me literally 5-10 minutes tops, since it's just a drop-in Hollowtech II crank for an existing Hollowtech II crank.
So, for $583 shipped (next-day to my state) I'll be getting a 172.5mm 50/34 compact Ultegra 8000 crankset with Stages Gen 3 L/R dual-sided power meter built onto it.
I'm pretty stoked. I just ordered it, so haven't got a shipping tracker yet, but it should be here sometime this week, hopefully tomorrow (the site said free next-day to my state, so hopefully it really does arrive tomorrow). Installation should take me literally 5-10 minutes tops, since it's just a drop-in Hollowtech II crank for an existing Hollowtech II crank.
03-18-20, 04:43 PM
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I have yet to mount this on the bike, but am optimistic for comfort. Seems really nice. A few reviews that these have broken after minimal use - I really hope that doesn't happen as I like the idea of these (independent left/right suspension and with a decent sized cutout) - Selle Italia SP-01 Superflow
03-18-20, 05:00 PM
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No doubt. I was leaning away from Quarq toward the Stages due to the massive price difference, but $729 was still making me hesitate. When I dropped it into the cart at JensonUSA and applied the 20% off sale code and it worked, I blinked a couple times in disbelief, then immediately pulled the trigger on it. It's already been shipped, but whether I get it tomorrow or not I guess I'll find out.
When this coronavirus thing is over we're all going to see that (aside from the healthcare workers) the true folks that kept things together were the FedEx, UPS, OnTrac, etc. drivers. It's bizarre how everything's shutting down completely, yet we still expect that we're gonna get our crap in a day or two.
When this coronavirus thing is over we're all going to see that (aside from the healthcare workers) the true folks that kept things together were the FedEx, UPS, OnTrac, etc. drivers. It's bizarre how everything's shutting down completely, yet we still expect that we're gonna get our crap in a day or two.
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03-18-20, 09:50 PM
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As part of a bike overhaul for Spring, I had my '99 Chorus 10 shifters rebuilt by Branford Bike in Seattle. The shifters had last been overhauled in 2004, ~50,000 miles ago. The left shifter was rebuilt, but they used a "pro pack" - basically a complete shifter body minus the brake lever, the handlebar clamp and the hood cover - on the right, as it was cheaper than replacing parts piecemeal and rebuilding. I was floored by how crisp and precise the new shifting was (the corollary being how much the shifting had gradually deteriorated over the years without me noticing). Add in a full new Jagwire cable set, brakes and derailleurs cleaned and lubed, new bar tape and a new model year-appropriate decal set, and my 2000 Litespeed feels and looks like a new bike.
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03-18-20, 10:30 PM
Destroyer of Worlds
I just bought some Sponeed and Przewalski kit, as well as some Camelbak Podium Chill water bottles for those longer rides. See how this "cheapo"/off-brand stuff works out. My last order of kit from wish.com was pleasantly quite comfortable and well made despite all being off-brand. No issues at all so far, so I figured I'd give it a round two.
03-19-20, 02:04 PM
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5 kg of Strong. Eat your hearts out.
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03-19-20, 02:24 PM
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03-19-20, 02:42 PM
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03-19-20, 02:57 PM
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Mixed with water to a sort-of milkshake consistency and taken immediately after any non-trivial ride or resistance workout and also as a general supplement for a skinny old man who doesn’t eat enough to keep up with demand. Will not work as hydration.
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03-19-20, 04:12 PM
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Ordered during their recent big sale.
03-19-20, 11:46 PM
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Well, the Stages Gen 3 L/R power meter showed up today. I pulled the old Ultegra crank that came with my Di2 powertrain on my bike, and mounted the Ultegra 8000 Stages crank.
I paired it with both my Garmin Fenix 5 watch and my Garmin Edge 500 bike gps, just to compare the output from the two reading from the same power meter. I'm glad I did. First ride was an hour, did 18.6 miles.
Now here's where I'm glad I recorded on both Garmins. The Edge 500 said my average power was 200 W, with something like 496 W max (must have been for a split second during an acceleration, I'm not a beast). The Fenix 5 said 185 W average, with some slightly lower max.
I think the difference is because my Edge 500 is set to auto-detect when I stop and automatically pause recording until I start moving again, and the Fenix 5 isn't. Which means the Fenix 5 recorded low/zero power output for brief periods at several intersections over the hour, lowering the average, while the Edge 500 skipped those stops. I'm going to have to figure out how to set the Fenix 5 to auto-pause on stops as well, because I don't like short stops at intersections and the like skewing my stats. I want to see what I was doing when I was actually riding. Same with cadence. I have the Edge 500 set to only include cadence in the average when I'm actually pedaling, not including the times I'm freewheeling.
Anyhow, here's the obligatory "look what I got" photo. The old crank is on the left, the new crank with the built-in Stages power meter is on the right. If I'm honest, I think I like the older Ultegra style better, both the shape and the color.
Anyhow I'm stoked to finally have actual power measured, not estimated, for my rides. This means accurate calorie burn, not estimated, as well. This ride was my first one ever where I have a pretty darn good idea of what I actually did, rather than Strava's or Garmin's guesstimates. I went back and compared this ride today with a couple previous times I rode the same exact route and distance recently. Their calorie estimates were both probably 15-20% higher than what the power meter actually measured today.
I paired it with both my Garmin Fenix 5 watch and my Garmin Edge 500 bike gps, just to compare the output from the two reading from the same power meter. I'm glad I did. First ride was an hour, did 18.6 miles.
Now here's where I'm glad I recorded on both Garmins. The Edge 500 said my average power was 200 W, with something like 496 W max (must have been for a split second during an acceleration, I'm not a beast). The Fenix 5 said 185 W average, with some slightly lower max.
I think the difference is because my Edge 500 is set to auto-detect when I stop and automatically pause recording until I start moving again, and the Fenix 5 isn't. Which means the Fenix 5 recorded low/zero power output for brief periods at several intersections over the hour, lowering the average, while the Edge 500 skipped those stops. I'm going to have to figure out how to set the Fenix 5 to auto-pause on stops as well, because I don't like short stops at intersections and the like skewing my stats. I want to see what I was doing when I was actually riding. Same with cadence. I have the Edge 500 set to only include cadence in the average when I'm actually pedaling, not including the times I'm freewheeling.
Anyhow, here's the obligatory "look what I got" photo. The old crank is on the left, the new crank with the built-in Stages power meter is on the right. If I'm honest, I think I like the older Ultegra style better, both the shape and the color.
Anyhow I'm stoked to finally have actual power measured, not estimated, for my rides. This means accurate calorie burn, not estimated, as well. This ride was my first one ever where I have a pretty darn good idea of what I actually did, rather than Strava's or Garmin's guesstimates. I went back and compared this ride today with a couple previous times I rode the same exact route and distance recently. Their calorie estimates were both probably 15-20% higher than what the power meter actually measured today.
Last edited by SethAZ; 03-19-20 at 11:49 PM.
03-23-20, 11:15 AM
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Silca "Hiro" side locking presta chuck forLezyne digital floor pump..
Silca T-Ratchet + Ti Torque Wrench.
Silca T-Ratchet + Ti Torque Wrench.
Last edited by tabl10s; 04-03-20 at 04:09 PM.
03-23-20, 02:13 PM
just having fun
Picked up a new helmet and matching sun glasses. Thanks work-based benefits spending program!
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03-27-20, 11:14 AM
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The Rapha sale (25% off on-bike wear) got me -
03-27-20, 05:45 PM
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Garmin Edge 530
It has the small size that I really liked about my Edge 500, with all the connectivity and features that I've liked in my Fenix 5 watch.
Also got a new Ultegra 11-speed 12-25t cassette. My current cassette is still in good shape, but the guy at the online place I bought from gave me 15% off the Garmin 530 that he technically wasn't supposed to give me, so I added the cassette to the order. I'll need it sooner or later.
03-29-20, 07:50 PM
Senior Member
Got one Conti GP5000 clincher 700x28 and one 700x32 from CRC ($37.50 each) to see if I can fit on my bike - if it doesn't 
, it will fit on my commuter that has a 700x28 GP4 currently.
, it will fit on my commuter that has a 700x28 GP4 currently.
Last edited by phtomita; 03-29-20 at 10:38 PM.
03-30-20, 08:31 AM
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Since I'm doing my riding indoors on the trainer these day.. thought I'd go more minimalist for a saddle bag, really no need to carry 2 tubes any more, 1 is enough. 
Arundel Pico
Arundel Pico
03-30-20, 10:18 AM
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Just ordered a Di2 wireless unit and the 150mm cable. Looking forward to that integration with my Edge 520.
03-30-20, 09:42 PM
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Where did you order the Di2 unit from? Was it on sale/did you get a good deal? I've been thinking about adding this functionality to my Di2 setup as well. Thank you.
