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.
First ride with the Pinnd 155mm cranks yesterday and I'm super chuffed with them. I did a few tech climbs that are usually really bad for pedal strikes and didn't so much as scuff a single rock. Feels easier to keep the motor spinning in the cadence sweet spot too.
Got some new 'pub' Freeriders - as my previous (green/black) pub Freeriders got worn on what I thought would be a dry MTB ride, that wasn't dry.
And I like Freeriders
A 5 litre container of Fenwick's cleaner at a good price, having just discovered it's good for the grubby bits on the car too.
My current favourite bike purchase arrived by SMS as I was out with the dog. It looks like the workshop has managed to find the parts to keep my "vintage" Malt-R going, so I will be going to collect it (and pay the cheaper than expected but more than hoped for bill) this afternoon after work. I will now have a road bike to take with me when I am away at the weekends, which is awesome!
Bought a pair of Hope Pro5 wheels from these very classifieds. It was last year, but I'm still enjoying the quieter buzz rather than the clackety clack.
Benji recommended in a STW article Decathlon braces for holding up cycle shorts so thought I'd take a punt as only a tenner...they have been brilliant particularly with shorts that don't come with belt loops. Now used for when doing DIY too
Bought one these on a whim: Tru-tension Tyre Monkey
Thought it might be a bit shit, but made short work of fitting two DH casing tyres.
A tenner well spent.
Bought one these on a whim:
I've been extolling the virtues of these for a while - literally the only thing that would get DH Kryptotals onto my Roval carbon rims
I finally took my ebike out last night for its first ride since fitting a 45mm Caracal Race (~47mm on 21mm internal rim width wheel) and Vittoria latex 29x1.7-2.3" tube to the rear last week.
I was only in old baggy Endura 3/4 shorts rather than my usual Castelli bibs, hard to tell if I could notice the lowered rolling resistance because I'd also lowered the custom assist levels 5-10% too and there was an unusual NE breeze for this time of year, but it certainly wasn't slow and it was very comfy even at ~45PSI (max 48) compared to the 40mm Marathon Supreme @58PSI with butyl tube it replaced.
Currently pondering whether to get another Caracal Race and if so another 45mm or the super quick 40mm for the front, plus a latex tube.
As per getting knocked off, up the page ^^ I asked ChatGPT which bars to get to replace the Thomson's that are no longer made. It suggested Pro Discover and they are fab. Much more comfortable on the commute with a nice flat section behind the hoods. £170 is a lot for bars (well, not in the general scheme of carbon road bars) but the insurance paid for em.
A set of barely used Hed Jet6 Black wheels. These are £1600 a pair new, and came set up with GP5000S TR tubeless in 28/25c, so £125 in tyres and valves. The ride is sublime, the noise is awesome and the weight not bad. Because they are alloy rims with a carbon fairing, they ride so much better than full carbon rims. And unlike my older Jet6/9 wheels they are UCI/BC race legal and they are black! I paid £480 on Ebay.
One up droppers
I found an old v1 one up dropper for £12.50 on facebook marketplace a while back which was sold as spares/repairs. I was just after a cheap dropper for the SS as the one on there was too long. It turns out all it needed was cleaning and greasing and a top up of air pressure.
It is so smooth that I then had to get a v3 one up to replace the notchy in house brand dropper on my Mondraker Raze that needed constant attention.
It's surprised me how much difference it makes on the trail too. There's some undulating rooty singletrack trails I ride to get to the good stuff with the old POS dropper I'd just have to set it in one position before heading into the trail as there's no chance of adjusting it quickly so it's never really where you need it be.
Got my bike back from the workshop. GODDAM they have done a good job! It looks like a new bike and I can't wait to take it out. Just a shame it is blowing a gale and raining som fan right now.
I've been dithering for a while on this one, but finally pulled the trigger on a new Solaris frame 😍
Supernova M99 headlight for the eeb.
was a bit of a faff sorting out the wiring etc, but F me, it’s the absolute mutts nutts.
I've been dithering for a while on this one, but finally pulled the trigger on a new Solaris frame 😍
I'm waiting for my full build to arrive at the moment, ordered just over a week ago and my anticipation levels are already off the charts.
I've been dithering for a while on this one, but finally pulled the trigger on a new Solaris frame
Lovely! I'd have been tempted to go for a boutique colour though
Got some new cranks for the Eeb.
Just put the same on mine. Used them for the first time on Sunday and they're much better than the stock Shimano 165mm cranks they replaced. Enjoy!
Reserve Valves. They just look and feel so much nicer than anything else out there.
One up clipless (clip?) pedals - didn't think Shimano could be bettered but by jove I think they have done it!
On the subject of grips I love my Peatys Monarch grips
Oh and XT di2 getting a lot of love at the moment
Lovely! I'd have been tempted to go for a boutique colour though
I've lusted after this gloss sandstone colour since it came out, which is lucky as it's saved me the money of going a la carte! I do think I'll end up caving and getting some red/blue SIDs instead of the black lowers I have currently though..
I've been dithering for a while on this one, but finally pulled the trigger on a new Solaris frame 😍
I'm waiting for my full build to arrive at the moment, ordered just over a week ago and my anticipation levels are already off the charts.
Excellent, what build did you go for?
All built up other than shortening the comedically long rear brake hose which I'll do once I'm happy these are the bars I'll be sticking with. I'm enjoying the look of the slack angles/beefy tyres combined with the skinny tubes and short travel fork, maybe I'll do a NBD post once it's made it out the kitchen bike build studio!
Some big MKS FD7 Wide pedals for my Brompton. Much better to ride in all sorts of shoes.
Also, unlocked full power on my Orbea Rise (needed Shimano PC kit, free software and added a screen so can easily switch between profiles) My Rise has a 630 battery and is still lower power than Bosch and specialized but now I've got two modes - the Orbea RS tune which I know I can get 1500m vertical out of in Trail (250W/42nm) and a full-gaz mode (600W) which means I can keep up with full power bikes with 750+ batteries and still get about the same range as them (tbc)
Excellent, what build did you go for?
I went pretty much all the way tbh, navy gloss with magenta words/decals, Di2 trail build with Fox 36 SLs and various Hope bits and pieces. I've been jonesing for a Cotic for a long while, and it's a (very) late 40th birthday present to myself which is how I'm justifying the whole thing.
Gonna be used for surviving the mud during the winter, and heading out to fun times trails I can't take the gravel bike down all year round.
I recently bought a Peaty's pubwear hoodie - discounted as it's last years range. It's now my favourite hoodie
Double post
Reserve Valves. They just look and feel so much nicer than anything else out there.
Hard to get excited about valves, but yeah, they are really good. I'm glad I picked mine up for £15 in Stif's closing down sale. £45 rrp is a bit mad.
Excellent, what build did you go for?
I went pretty much all the way tbh, navy gloss with magenta words/decals, Di2 trail build with Fox 36 SLs and various Hope bits and pieces. I've been jonesing for a Cotic for a long while, and it's a (very) late 40th birthday present to myself which is how I'm justifying the whole thing.
Gonna be used for surviving the mud during the winter, and heading out to fun times trails I can't take the gravel bike down all year round.
Lovely stuff! Mine is for similar, anything that's too much for the gravel bike (or if I just fancy a change).
I've just gone with a SID, XT Brakes and a bit of a mixed XT/Deore 1x12 Groupset. I do have a 34 and 36 Factory in the shed but both 140mm, I might reduce the travel on one of them and swap it in but the promo shots with the red SID Ultimate keep catching my eye!
A piston push back tool off eBay - so easy it feels like cheating. Combined with the single piston tool I made (designed and 3D printed) it means I now have brakes that actually return and don't drag.
Ooh and some Peaty's valves because I've got properly fed up with Presta but want to keep the smaller dia so I can use the lovely pressure gauge my wife bought me or I'd have switched to Schraeder. The Peatys seem like a good design considering the limitations and work as advertised. 👍
Only thing I would say is that they do dump an awful lot of air when you just want to blip a couple of psi out. First world problems and all that.
Not so much bought as was gifted.
A mate bought me a varia radar rear light for my 40th as he knew I wouldn't spend my cash on one.
Used it for the first time up on Lewis as the drivers are somewhat impatient up here and I must say it's reliably informed me of every car coming and even those approaching with speed so I can adjust my position accordingly without constantly craning my neck.
Impressed. Would probably replace if lost now.
All the Gore stuff I've bought in the sales. Two older style Lupra jackets, breathable, perfect cut for me and waterproof enough for me. KPR ¼ zip fleece thing, really good mid/outer warm layer for winter MTB rides. Passion pants, just don't notice them when I'm riding, great fit, not flappy, bit of stretch, good 3 season trousers, simples.
For me, it’s either my new Rad8 photo-chromatic sunglasses or my Park Tool maintenance stand.
I’ll report back on the sunglasses when it’s sunny…,
