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.
