We'll omit actual bikes.
For me it's 100% Airmatic MTB trousers. Bought them as I couldn't find Nukeproof strides in my size and they're absolutely brilliant, especially since they were only 44 quid.
Close second would be PNW Loam XL grips. I thought it would be hard to beat Peaty's Monarchs, but much prefer the Loams.
Some new Formula Cura brakes! They're due to replace some 18(?) year old Formula Oros which expired; and were a bargain at €80 all in. Just need to get the hoses cut down to fit and I should, finally, be back on the trails again, just in time for spring. Hurrah!
I have just about a little chain keeper 3d printed wheel thing off ebay to help clean the bikes - it's great.
Oury single collar lock-on grips. Got them across 3 or 4 bikes now. Best grips available.
Also my "not quite winter/not quite summer" 661 gloves. Used them all through winter on all but the coldest rides and they're superb.
Hmmmm. I know you said to omit bikes.....but.....I got my daughter a second hand Orbea MX24 just before Christmas which I have spent a bit of time fixing up; new rear shifter, new cables, brakes disassembled & re-built, new grips, saddle swapped from her MX20.....only cost me £65 and then the shifter was about £15 and grips were a fiver.
Only been out on it once, but now the warmer weather is on the way I'm hoping we get some opportunities to get out together.
I got a Tairin Shogun Silent rear hub recently and the sound of nothing is amazing!
Some new Formula Cura brakes! They're due to replace some 18(?) year old Formula Oros which expired; and were a bargain at €80 all in. Just need to get the hoses cut down to fit and I should, finally, be back on the trails again, just in time for spring. Hurrah!
I remember your thread. Hope they work out well for you!
I have just about a little chain keeper 3d printed wheel thing off ebay to help clean the bikes - it's great.
Nice! I could have done with one of those earlier when was cleaning my chain and sorting a wobbly rear hub. I think I'll go order one.
I got a Tairin Shogun Silent rear hub recently and the sound of nothing is amazing!
Are they the ones that have the adjustable slack like the eThirteen Sidekick?
The new XT 4 pots are ace
And only had one ride, but Schwalbe radial tyres seem worth the hype
Hmmmm. I know you said to omit bikes.....but.....I got my daughter a second hand Orbea MX24 just before Christmas which I have spent a bit of time fixing up; new rear shifter, new cables, brakes disassembled & re-built, new grips, saddle swapped from her MX20.....only cost me £65 and then the shifter was about £15 and grips were a fiver.
Only been out on it once, but now the warmer weather is on the way I'm hoping we get some opportunities to get out together.
Kids bikes we can allow, and that sounds like a bargain!
I'm actually looking forward to taking my youngest out in the trailer now the weather is improving. Just hoping she hasn't outgrown it!
Got some 150 Praxis cranks on the Turbo Levo as I kept catching the 160s on rocky ups
The new XT 4 pots are ace
And only had one ride, but Schwalbe radial tyres seem worth the hype
I do love Shimano brakes.
Which radials did you go for? I bumped into two guys on the trails the other day who were both running Shredda raidials and signing their praises.
Got some 150 Praxis cranks on the Turbo Levo as I kept catching the 160s on rocky ups
Awesome! Should be a good upgrade. Stock eBike cranks are definitely too long!
New build in progress and gone for a Bentley Components top cap;
I won a pair of Burgtec The Bartender Pro Josh Bryceland Signature Grips in a comp, very comfy so bought a pair for the Eeb. Single collar, comfy, grippy for bare hands.
Also Catcrap, foggy goggles are always a pain when Gnarpooning at Dyfi in the winter, this stuff has been bloody brilliant, clear goggles all weekend in the rain.
Just bought a Rapha (in a sale) Trail Windblock Jersey. It fits perfectly and is just right for these warm days / cooler evenings-mornings.
I won a pair of Burgtec The Bartender Pro Josh Bryceland Signature Grips in a comp, very comfy so bought a pair for the Eeb. Single collar, comfy, grippy for bare hands.
Yup - I bought some of these @BPW - they may have converted me to lockon grips...
Not a whole bike, but been assembling bits for the current project.
Upside down suspension
Carbon, different sized, rims
Ti Bars
A really short stem
A posh mech
Weird pedals
Shiny cassette.
A UK made steel frame
Watch this space 🙂
actually, one that I’ve actually used (in the 3 days between my foot being fine and then not fine again) Lake SPDs, MX238s, wide comfy, and not the reason my foot is fked again…
I do love Shimano brakes.
Which radials did you go for? I bumped into two guys on the trails the other day who were both running Shredda raidials and signing their praises.
I've got the outgoing XTR's on my Stanton and was really impressed - until they developed a squeal and lack of bite from just sitting in the shed. A good downhill dragging session seemed to sort them but guessing they need a decontamination - not sure what from.
The new XT's I've fitted to my 28kg Kenevo with a kitted 90kg me sat on top of it and they are like boat anchors
Tyres are on the HT, so didn't want anything too draggy - 2.5 Trail casing, soft Albert rear, super soft Mary up front - running a few psi more than I normally would.
The rad kids we know are running Shreddas on their eebs and sing their praises
I just bought a T5 Transporter to replace my battered old Caddy if that counts 🙂
Already have half a dozen trips planned and many weekends of tinkering with bike mount/kit storage ideas up ahead.
A cheapo external BB tool off Amazon that seemingly fits all the BB cups I have
Thermal longs and jersey from Darevie have been so nice in the cold for very little money. The other favourite is a 360 Camera but I didn't actually pay for that.
bought a few bits after recommendations on here.
a £40 sq taper crankset by montgomery.
some conti urban contact tyres by mattoutandabout
and some £40 a set shimano brakes by someone i cant remember.
all perfect no fuss stuff that just works fine.
I had my first ride of the year on my good road bike today. 42 hilly miles on back roads in glorious sunshine. While I was riding I was thinking just how brilliant a thing the Garmin Varia is. Not the new model, the previous one. I only got it last autumn and it picks up vehicles way before my 60yr old ears hear them.
Hmmmm. I know you said to omit bikes.....but.....I got my daughter a second hand Orbea MX24 just before Christmas which I have spent a bit of time fixing up; new rear shifter, new cables, brakes disassembled & re-built, new grips, saddle swapped from her MX20.....only cost me £65 and then the shifter was about £15 and grips were a fiver.
Only been out on it once, but now the warmer weather is on the way I'm hoping we get some opportunities to get out together.
Kids bikes we can allow, and that sounds like a bargain!
I'm actually looking forward to taking my youngest out in the trailer now the weather is improving. Just hoping she hasn't outgrown it!
Bought my daughter a new bike recently which I've not handed over yet, I'll post into the old kids on bikes thread when the time comes.
Other purchases to make me happy are some marble pink dmr deathgrips to go on my otherwise black bike, SLX 4-pot brakes which are massively better than the Clarks ones that were on there and some Madison dwr 4 season riding troo's. Got them because I already have the dungarees which I was surprised to find were long enough for my legs, so figured the trousers might be as well and bongo, 30L is indeed long enough for my long legs!
Madison Dungaree Trousers - have been really good for me over the last few months, so nice not having my lower back plastered in crud!
Monserat Tech Hoody with Windbreaker - Great hoody for when it was cold, looks good too and bonus that via email the CS was amazing helping get the right size (also just noticed the hoody is now on sale!)
Ass Saver Win Wing - Picked up for the XC bike when lane bashing over the winter but worked so well, generally tempted to pick up another for the enduro bike and accept being bullied...
I bought a pair of the Airmatic trousers, half way through the first ride in them, ordered another pair before they sold out.
Though my favourite recent purchase are my Dorrado Carbon Pro’s for £900 instead of the £2300 official rrp.
I'm currently building a DH bike for my son and there's lots of parts from that I could choose, but if I had to choose one it would be the frame (Saracen Myst X) - the first carbon frame I've worked with, and it's a thing of beauty! If I had to pick two, the second would be the chain guide (Funn Zippa AM) because it's the first chain guide I've ever installed and it's been interesting to work with (including getting the chain length right etc), plus I picked it up as new for a great price on Ebay (<£15 - I love a bargain!).
Inner bar ends. £4.80 off Amazon.
Actually feels like riding on the hoods even though I'm on a flat barred MTB!! Awesome.
Madison Dungaree Trousers - have been really good for me over the last few months, so nice not having my lower back plastered in crud!
Monserat Tech Hoody with Windbreaker - Great hoody for when it was cold, looks good too and bonus that via email the CS was amazing helping get the right size (also just noticed the hoody is now on sale!)
Ass Saver Win Wing - Picked up for the XC bike when lane bashing over the winter but worked so well, generally tempted to pick up another for the enduro bike and accept being bullied...
I also have the dungarees. Great bit of kit.
I've had my eye in one of those hoodies. Worth the cash?
actually, one that I’ve actually used (in the 3 days between my foot being fine and then not fine again) Lake SPDs, MX238s, wide comfy, and not the reason my foot is fked again…
I was so impressed with MX238s that there is a new pair in the loft bought at half price for when/if the current ones die.
Bought a while ago but only fitted in the past few weeks, Rimpact chain damper. Does what’s claimed and will be staying on that bike. I kept delaying fitting it because I expected a load of PITA clearance problems but it was a totally painless swap on a SRAM 8 bolt crank with only a tiny adjust of the MRP guide. Only took a short time to get used to pedalling and I haven’t even tried the softer trail springs bought after seeing the Pinkbike review but before even trying the damper 🤦♂️
Inner bar ends. £4.80 off Amazon.
Actually feels like riding on the hoods even though I'm on a flat barred MTB!! Awesome.
Assume these are similar to the ones I bought a couple of years ago off eBay, they've been an absolute game changer for comfort on long rides for me. I set off on a ride without them the other day because they were still on another bike, and turned back to get them - the idea of several hours with only flat bars as a hand position made my shoulders ache.
I bought a Patagonia Houdini. Which seems to be the best ever windproof layer - absolutely tiny, so really easy to carry on any ride. Seems to be perfect for cooler spring mornings.
Monserat Tech Hoody with Windbreaker - Great hoody for when it was cold, looks good too and bonus that via email the CS was amazing helping get the right size (also just noticed the hoody is now on sale!)
Like the look of those, just wish it had zipped pockets. Kangaroo pockets are a bit pointless without them on a technical hoody.
7mesh goretex trousers bought from the stif sale. Absolutely worth the money with all the rain we've had.
Exposure tracer rear light. Just keeps on going. Most other rear lights I've had don't usually last too long in the wet weather.
I bought a double espresso and cake at the little coffee van on the beach today, that was pretty good and I was on a bike ride. Excellent value.
Other than that I got one of those really well priced Madison Roam PrimaLoft gilets a few weeks back. Very impressive for the price as was the Galibier winter kit but I think the Roam edges it.
Either the braces that my wife bought me (finally, an end to winter trousers falling down) or the Marmot Novus primaloft jacket I bought from Sportpursuit. Both amazing at their job and insanely comfortable
The daft “burner” that Albion make. A godsend extra “half“ layer this winter.
The daft “burner” that Albion make. A godsend extra “half“ layer this winter.
I got one last year and it's had so much use. Lots of chilly starts up here even in the 'Summer' so it's great to have to keep the cold at bay for the first part of a ride. Much easier to take off while riding than a gilet.
Everything I've bought in the Gore sales. Original Lupra jacket, Very breathable windproof but also pleasantly waterproof for a windproof. So good I bought a second one. Trail KPR jersey is lovely and warm and keeps just enough wind out, might be just for winter use I think but feels well made so should have it for a very long time. Last up some passion pants, light and stretchy, simple, understated.
Inner bar ends. £4.80 off Amazon.
Actually feels like riding on the hoods even though I'm on a flat barred MTB!! Awesome.
Assume these are similar to the ones I bought a couple of years ago off eBay, they've been an absolute game changer for comfort on long rides for me. I set off on a ride without them the other day because they were still on another bike, and turned back to get them - the idea of several hours with only flat bars as a hand position made my shoulders ache.
They're basically rip offs of the SQ Labs ones, which I was going to get until I saw the cheapo ones on Amazon. I might stump up the cash for the SQ Labs of these ones fail in some way.
Saddles, lots of them.
After years of trial and error I'd just gotten used to a certain degree of discomfort and thought it was normal. But then as my position on the bike started getting more aggressive and I started trying to go further and/or faster, I just got more uncomfortable again.
I've probably spent £300 on a mix of new and second hand saddles and have nailed my fit on the gravel bike (Trek Aeolus) and am getting very close on the road bike (Selle Italia SLR or Prologo Dimension).
It has made the difference between trying to sell the winter road bike because I assumed it would just never be comfortable, to suddenly wanting to extend rides 'just up another hill' as I'm no longer anxious to step off the bike.
Hoping I can recoup some of the money selling the saddles that didn't make the cut but even if I don't I think it will have been worth it.
i have recently upgraded my chisel fs bike with a full xt groupset, sid ultimate 12omm forks and a pair of roval carbon wheels. also just fitted a pair of ergon bar end grips (but not tried them on a ride yet) as i get numb hands and i miss bar ends, they do feel very nice. so i would recommend all of the above 🙂
Race Face Chester Grips. Finally a set of thin lock on grips that are also comfy.
Rockbros Road to Sky flip open top tube bag. I've no doubt it's a ripoff of something or other but the BOA is rock solid and it made consulting the phone when the garmin was being unclear this weekend a breeze.
I'm going to add Burgtec Penthouse MK4 pedals to my list. Fitted them on Friday before Saturday's ride and I'm genuinely impressed. My feet felt much more secure than with the eThirteen Base pedals I was using previously, yet I could still reposition if needed. Scored them for £22 on eBay, sold as "used once" but they looked brand new.
A recent favourite? Deity Megattack grips. All the girth, 36mm of it. I inherited a prototype set on a secondhand bike nearly 18 months ago - mine lack the innermost ribbed section that was added to the production version. Lasting incredibly well too. My previous favourite grip was Specialized Sip XLs but these are even nicer.
Either...
Endura Pro SL 3-season jacket (cheap via Sport Pursuit) - I'd struggled (and spent a fortune on about 10 other jackets) trying to find one that worked well down to about freezing but didn't cause me to melt on climbs or have to ride with the front zip undone most of the way. The Endura jacket has chest and arm zips which helps dump heat when needed in a much more controlled way. I wish they hadn't discontinued the MTB version (Freezing Point 2) otherwise I'd buy one of those to (any old stock I've found isn't in my size)
or...
Lezyne Radar Drive - not specifically that model (although it works well, the mount is crap and the turning on/off process is garbage). But I was skeptical about radars as figured I could hear cars well and wasn't planning to jump into a ditch any time a radar pinged. But I bought one anyway and it was a revelation how much it reduces stress I didn't even know I had on rides. I didn't realise how much I was checking behind all the time, especially before moving out into road to avoid a pot hole (which is often in this country and you don't get much warning). Even though I didn't think a car was approaching I was never certain. Not long into my first ride with the radar I trusted it completely and stopped checking all the time (apart from turning right at junctions), I was noticeably more relaxed as a result. I've since also started using air pods on long solo rides which helps my motivation (at least over winter), wouldn't have risked it without a radar.
I thought it was my AliExpress fully reflective jacket for all of £15. I glow! in daylight! Ha! Then on the way to work in it, some woman didn't see me and knocked me off me bike 🙁
2026 Giant Revolt advanced 2 for the price of a much reduced 2025 Giant Revolt advanced 3...all thanks to a faulty frame on the one I put a deposit so so got a new bike and and a bonus upgrade.thank Banjo Cycles Newbury
Got a nice barely used secondhand TRP TR12 mech and shifter to replace the dodgy AXS on Reeksy1’s bike. It’s got a really nice feel to it and doesn’t just randomly stop working like the AXS… which I’ll try and solder new pins into and run on my commuter.
Madison Dungaree Trousers - have been really good for me over the last few months, so nice not having my lower back plastered in crud!
Monserat Tech Hoody with Windbreaker - Great hoody for when it was cold, looks good too and bonus that via email the CS was amazing helping get the right size (also just noticed the hoody is now on sale!)
Ass Saver Win Wing - Picked up for the XC bike when lane bashing over the winter but worked so well, generally tempted to pick up another for the enduro bike and accept being bullied...
I also have the dungarees. Great bit of kit.
I've had my eye in one of those hoodies. Worth the cash?
Yes, mine was really good during the colder winter months, I have the wind version, it is a bit thick for spring though and is now in the wardrobe till its next needed.