Your Most Recent Cycling-related Purchase
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,724
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
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I recently bought a pair of Empire ACC's (a lot of clearance deals out there) to replace an aging fleet of Shimano 320's. Always wanted to try them out but shoe changes are usually a traumatic experience for me. Not this time, I was good from day 1! A few rides in picked up a second color option ![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
I did go a half size up from 44.0 to 44.5
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
I did go a half size up from 44.0 to 44.5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
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REI is doubling dividends this weekend (payable by a store credit, essentially), so I picked up a Garmin Varia 150. Looking forward to riding with it, though tomorrow might just be rained out.
![](https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1100x575/garmin_varia_rtl510_radar_combined_rear_facing_rearview_radar_and_taillight_details_1de2b0da80a3c094b897540eb12d74ed69d672f5.jpg)
Blast from the Past
that's a beauty.
If that was mine, I'd search the ends of the earth for 11 speed Campagnolo silver components.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/campa...uble-groupset/
I know these aren't easy to find now, but I'm sure you could piece it together.
If that was mine, I'd search the ends of the earth for 11 speed Campagnolo silver components.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/campa...uble-groupset/
I know these aren't easy to find now, but I'm sure you could piece it together.
Obsessed with Eddington
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brussels (BE) 🇧🇪
Posts: 1,330
Bikes: '16 Spesh Diverge, '14 Spesh Fatboy, '18 Spesh Epic, '18 Spesh SL6, '21 Spesh SL7, '21 Spesh Diverge...and maybe n+1?
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Probably the single best piece of safety kit I own...paried with a Garmin or Wahoo, the situational awareness it gives is certainly nice to have, add in a tail light that is unmistakable to approaching cars. It works great in the rain too!
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
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Also, I've paired it up with the head units of a couple of the guys on group rides - they've really liked it, too, and at least one of them will be purchasing a unit of their own, shortly.
Full Member
@crazyravr let us know how you like the shoes and the tires. I am looking for some casual riding shoes for when touring and riding around with my 9yo son.
Tires.
- very smooth rolling
- very quite
- go over bumps and road imperfections with ease and comfort
- pick up any and all small gravel / stones along the way and you hear them hitting fenders, no big deal but never had this happen before
- no idea about puncture resistance, my Schwalbe Marathons took me over 5K km without a puncture
Shoes.
Got a full size larger than my Shimano road shoes and they will good.
Lots of room in the toe area and are very walkable.
If I swap laces for black they will look like any other shoe.
Hardly any clicking from cleats.
I will try and wear them in the gym see how that goes for my final test.
Let's Ride!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Triad, NC USA
Posts: 2,569
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
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bought a second WTB Byway tire so now i have a complete new set to put on my commuter eventually. I have 4,719 miles so far 80-90% (maybe more than that) commuting on the road.
Asleep at the bars
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA and Treasure Island, FL
Posts: 1,743
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Time to recable my bastard Pinarello F4:13 with 7800. So got a set of Shimano Optislick shift cables, a Jagwire brake cable kit, and Fizik Classic bar tape...
Senior Member
Somehow I feel the 145mm doesn't help me much with my knee discomfort. Well never knows.
Probably will play with it next year and maybe will get a 160mm Hollowtech with my next year's budget
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
Senior Member
First Rapha kit (bought it in black), really, really hope it fits (looking to wear off the bike and replace a lightweight Banana Republic vest I've worn for 5+ years nearly every day fall through spring):
![](https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/1320x980/vest2_446391c919fefa4e489660410571961dc3223c31.jpg)
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,163
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
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![](https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/180x320/img_4887_9273e4330c12e848e734ef6de676e9edf9eb80f0.jpg)
Lumberjack style long sleeve bicycle jersey - perfect for Fall & matches my recently purchased black & red bike.
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,652
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
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Where'd you get that, @eduskator?
__________________
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: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,163
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
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Where'd you get that, @eduskator?
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
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Haven't had a torque wrench in years, since I last worked on old cars and motorcycles. Didn't see any need for one with my steel bikes.
But a friend gave me a Diamondback Podium 5 frame to build up from whatever bits and pieces I have in the spares bin. First encounter with carbon fiber steerer, thought I'd better do it right so it doesn't asplode.
I was about to order one of those preset clicky 3-5nm wrenches but another BFer posted about this teensy Venzo beam torque wrench. Sooooo... why not. My first bike tool starter kit was from Venzo a few years ago and everything has been good, especially the shop grade chain tool.
It's so cute. And it works.
Also, turns out I'm way too gentle. My guesstimate for 5nm was way below spec, closer to 3nm.![](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_20190924_163952564_25555f9d157678c5ae2d9d9c229f94404e75957d.jpg)
Venzo VZ-F33-054 torque wrench. It's tiny. And functional.
But a friend gave me a Diamondback Podium 5 frame to build up from whatever bits and pieces I have in the spares bin. First encounter with carbon fiber steerer, thought I'd better do it right so it doesn't asplode.
I was about to order one of those preset clicky 3-5nm wrenches but another BFer posted about this teensy Venzo beam torque wrench. Sooooo... why not. My first bike tool starter kit was from Venzo a few years ago and everything has been good, especially the shop grade chain tool.
It's so cute. And it works.
Also, turns out I'm way too gentle. My guesstimate for 5nm was way below spec, closer to 3nm.
![](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_20190924_163952564_25555f9d157678c5ae2d9d9c229f94404e75957d.jpg)
Venzo VZ-F33-054 torque wrench. It's tiny. And functional.
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,163
Bikes: SL8 Pro, TCR beater
Liked 596 Times
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• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,337
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You may be right, over some time scale and level of use, and I'm sure one of the materials science experts, mechanics, (or BSers) here will straighten us out on that. Allz I know is beam torque wrenches require calibration a lot less often than clickers, which require it on a regular basis.
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
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Haven't had a torque wrench in years, since I last worked on old cars and motorcycles. Didn't see any need for one with my steel bikes.
But a friend gave me a Diamondback Podium 5 frame to build up from whatever bits and pieces I have in the spares bin. First encounter with carbon fiber steerer, thought I'd better do it right so it doesn't asplode.
I was about to order one of those preset clicky 3-5nm wrenches but another BFer posted about this teensy Venzo beam torque wrench. Sooooo... why not. My first bike tool starter kit was from Venzo a few years ago and everything has been good, especially the shop grade chain tool.
It's so cute. And it works.
Also, turns out I'm way too gentle. My guesstimate for 5nm was way below spec, closer to 3nm.![](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_20190924_163952564_25555f9d157678c5ae2d9d9c229f94404e75957d.jpg)
Venzo VZ-F33-054 torque wrench. It's tiny. And functional.
But a friend gave me a Diamondback Podium 5 frame to build up from whatever bits and pieces I have in the spares bin. First encounter with carbon fiber steerer, thought I'd better do it right so it doesn't asplode.
I was about to order one of those preset clicky 3-5nm wrenches but another BFer posted about this teensy Venzo beam torque wrench. Sooooo... why not. My first bike tool starter kit was from Venzo a few years ago and everything has been good, especially the shop grade chain tool.
It's so cute. And it works.
Also, turns out I'm way too gentle. My guesstimate for 5nm was way below spec, closer to 3nm.
![](https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikeforums.net-vbulletin/2000x1504/img_20190924_163952564_25555f9d157678c5ae2d9d9c229f94404e75957d.jpg)
Venzo VZ-F33-054 torque wrench. It's tiny. And functional.
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
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@canklecat where did you purchase the torque wrench from?
I was reading old BF threads on torque wrenches and another fellow earlier this year suggested the Venzo. I couldn't find anything locally that was suitable for wrenching carbon fiber bit on bikes so I gave this a try.
And after watching this I've sworn off guesstimating wrenching anything on carbon fiber. Yikes. Bad enough seeing the damage caused by careless tightening but it's a puckering experience to see how many imperfections there are in a simple cylinder right out of the factory.
I know it's kinda trendy among makers of inexpensive bikes to tart up a steel or aluminum bike with a carbon fork. Now I'm wondering whether it ought to be the other way around: safe-n up a carbon bike with a steel fork.
![EEK!](images/smilies/eek.gif)
I was in the process of building up a Diamondback Podium 5 frame I got from a friend, but now I'm gonna completely disassemble it and inspect everything first, especially the fork and steerer.