TOTW: Good to ridiculous bike equipment

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2008-10-14 9:56 AM

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Pro
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Vestavia Hills
Subject: TOTW: Good to ridiculous bike equipment

Okay, so we all fiddle with our bikes seeking ways to improve this, change that and tinker with "upgrades" that will somehow make our times faster - or at the very least more comfortable when in the saddle.

Here is an opportunity to list some of the best upgrade ... as well as the most ridiculous.  The ridiculous one would commonly range from something that either looks cool but has little effect to something that cost a kabillion but produced negligible results.

For me, a recent upgrade that proved worthwhile was switching from the carbon Hydrotail to the Cervelo specific Hydrotail.  The former had difficulties staying put on the back due to what I think was ill-conceived engineering of the seat rail clamps.

Ridiculous?  Just saw that Shimano came out with electronic bar-end shifters that will wirelessly shift both the front and rear derailleur's (see: http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2008/features/dura_ace_di2_aug08).  The cost for the groupset? ~$2813.93

 

2008-10-14 12:14 PM
in reply to: #1741114

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Master
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Subject: RE: TOTW: Good to ridiculous bike equipment

Worthwhile (and cheap):

  1. profile aero-drink bottle
  2. gu flask
  3. bike fit 

Both the bottle and flask were helpful to make my fueling easier and less risky (no hands-free riding).  The bike fit helped me harness more power but more importantly eliminated some knee pain.

Worthwhile (not so cheap):  race wheels.  These really are faster and lighter.

I've not spent a lot on the bike so I don't have anything that is ridiculous yet.  : )

2008-10-14 12:30 PM
in reply to: #1741114

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Master
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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: TOTW: Good to ridiculous bike equipment
A ridiculous upgrade.....

Carbon water cages vs. those thin steel ones.

Cost difference: $49.99 vs $1.59
Weight difference: @5g
How cool you look with full carbon.........PRICELESS


Actually, I think the steel cages hold the water bottle better, but who cares? I look cool in my own mind.

(I am talking about how well they hold on a hydro-tail)

Edited by Coldfire 2008-10-14 12:31 PM
2008-10-14 1:15 PM
in reply to: #1741114

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Pro
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20001000500100100
Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: TOTW: Good to ridiculous bike equipment
The carbon water cages can get absolutely ridiculous.  That said, I got a pair of cages for >$20.00 delivered via ordering off of Ebay ... here is an example of a pair you can get for >$10.00: http://cgi.ebay.com/D3-New-Full-Carbon-Fiber-Bicycle-Water-Cage-2-cages_W0QQitemZ260297307825QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260297307825&_trkparms=72%3A570%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
2008-10-15 7:14 AM
in reply to: #1741114

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Master
2021
2000
Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: TOTW: Good to ridiculous bike equipment
You are a good shopper. I went with the Xlab Gorilla Carbon Cages from A3S. The price must have dropped, because they are now $41.95. I paid $49.95 (3x)

Edited by Coldfire 2008-10-15 7:15 AM
2008-10-15 8:23 AM
in reply to: #1743480

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Master
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Subject: RE: TOTW: Good to ridiculous bike equipment

One nice upgrade that actually worked well for me this season was a disc wheel cover- under a hundred bucks and the next best thing to dropping serious coin on race wheels.

Aerohelmet was the next best investment I can think of to buy speed cheap (relatively).

I can't think of any bigger waste of money that a carbon bottle cage (although I am going to buy some via Brians link )

 

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