Post some links to the stuff in the description - because I can't quite hear the brands etc? Love the content as always - your reviews really are bloody excellent.
Every time I think of trading my old Frankensteined dropbar mountain bike for a new carbon high end gravel bike I watch one of your videos , I keep my bike and everything is all right in the world.
Ortlieb sells the “Quick Rack Seat Stay Adapter” - an adapter set for attaching the rack to bicycles without eyelets. It works via metal band clamps and remains rock solid. Only downside: doesn't work with a carbon frames
you should make a video on how all of these vintage bike to "gravel" conversions are really just modern day klunkin'. Also recently bought some "save the front deraileur" stickers to ironically stick on my 1x. Keep up the good work.
Always love your year end reviews. This year, I 100% agree with your pick for shorts. I got my first pair of MUSA shorts second hand off the RBW owners mailing list and immediately fell in love. I’ve since purchased another pair in black as well as a pair of the pants. They get more wear than any other clothing I own. The material, while maybe a little noisy (like nylon) is light weight, quick drying and comfortable (elastic waist with a built in elastic belt!? Yes please!). I can’t wait for RBW to do another run in another color. I will pick another pair up in a heart beat!
I really like those Giro shoes as well. I have been using them for about 6 months now. I also installed the Uno shifter a couple of weeks ago. I’m still getting used to it, but it works as advertised-so far my only worry is stabbing my thigh with the lever, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Been using those shoes for like 6 months, wore them for thousands of cycling miles, PBP, and also near-daily for work and errands. Pretty good! The “speed laces ” broke in about 2 weeks though! They are getting close to worn out. 6 months of moderate use is unfortunately par for the course for cheap sneaker lifespan, but hey, they’re pretty cheap (I got mine for $40 on sale)
campagnolo bar end shifters have an interesting back to zero feature, where the lever goes back flat after shifting. Quite cool. Obviously campagnolo only as it is indexed.
I've heard the ESI bar tape tears quite easily and then the tension that its under causes the tear to spread. Would love to see a long-term review once you've had time to test the durability - because it looks amazingly comfy and practical otherwise!
If you're looking for that same style of bar tape, the Wolf Tooth bar tape is good in my experience. Been using it for a couple years without issue. Did take some spills lol
I have been using the Ortlieb quick rack system and agree, it is good gear. The system makes short work when needing to remove the bags or the rack from the bike. I second that it needs work when fitting certain bikes. It sat low on my Lemond Wayzata and my heel would clip my pannier ever so slightly. When I moved it to a Bianchi with eyelets above the dropout, I didn't have that problem but had to get a new strut to angle it to the seat post/seat tube.
Thank you for all these reviews. I'll see if any LBS around here carries those Giro Tracker shoes, which sound great. Also glad to hear about another option for reusable bar tape.
I have switched out laces on all my cycling shoes(one each from Leatt, DC and Adidas 5One)to Salomon Quick Lace. Same principle as with the Giro system, and all of them fit now even better than they used to. I even used that system on my Mammut trail shoes, even though those came with a similar system on them already, but it just didnt retain the laces like the Salomon system does.
Have you tested your “Uno” shifter w/ a Box 3 derailer? It needs about a mile (1.62 km) of cable pulled. I’m using a Dia-compe ENE 12-speed shifter. And a DIY thumbie mount. Thanks to you, I felt ok trying a Surly Sunrise bar on my 64cm Straggler. Love it. 82 cm wide. You da man there. Keep up the good work. And thanks.
It should work. Used a box derailleur with a Microsoft 12 and the UNO pulls at least as much. Not a fan of the overly stiff clutches on the Box mechs tho.
Need a list in the description as can’t really tell what products you are talking about…particularly like the look of the shoes but didn’t catch the name?
Was wondering if you know of a website that shows which airports have bicycle stations to dis/assemble your bike before/after a flight? I know Seattle, portland and SFO have those stands but would be great to know what other airports have these to aid in travel plans for touring.
Thanks for the recommendations. I have gotten a few things based on your prior reviews and been very happy with them. I am In the market for shoes, so will check the Giro’s out.
Will be interesting to see how your buying choices change now you're in Europe and imports from north american manufacturers will be subject to both transatlantic shipping costs and import duties.
I know it has changed my habits a lot. I still mostly buy what I want, but wait a lot longer and only get things from eBay or super sales. Luckily makers like Silca have EU sales portals to make it easier, if still not cheap.
I have those Giro shoes on your recommendation and they are awesome. The speed lace works great and just the right amount of stiffness so they work for walking. I noticed excellent grip on my pedals [Raceface Chester’s)
Do these shoes offer any wind protection? I am finding my MTB shoes let too much cold air through when riding on the rd/gravel, and I am also running Chesters on my gravel bike(I put shorter pins in).
@@andrew_gardner I wouldn’t say they are ventilated the upper is thinish but solid/rigid. I like how much grip I have on the pedals more than I have had before but that may be the pedals which were new to me, the semi rigid sole and the rubber in the sole for grip for power transfer and the lacing system works. I’ve had several pairs of bike shoes that don’t clip in and these are the best.
Would've been a lot easier to find these products had you included a link or at least their names in the description, rather than having to skip back to the start of each section to hear you say the model name again.
Just a bit of advice for the this type of video: try to be a bit more objective when it comes to criticism and leave out more personal jabs like "I like these shoes because they don't have Boa". It'll make you otherwise good reviews a lot more professional. Keep it up!
I don’t like BOA. It’s not a jab. They loosen over the period of a ride and replacing/fixing them is a PITA all of which I stated in the review of the BOA version of the shoe.
Russ, you don't live in America now so it's okay to mention that Giro's parent company, Vista Outdoors make AR's, ammunition and provide direct financial support to the NRA. Sustainability/environmental impact of materials, ethics in the supply chain; people will make their own decisions about their purchases, but it's important you help us do this from an informed position! A 'narrow toe box' and being 'light weight' is only part of the picture for these shoes, I'd say when all is considered they're far from perfect. ✌🏼
Lol just realized they also own Fox Racing clothing and Bell. This is kinda like one of those conglomerates that can't be easily avoided because they own many brands. What's wild is that they stem from Alliant TEKsystems, an aerospace company that's deep in military industrial complex (and space rockets). I personally use old Adidas 5-10, tennis shoes or converse/vans shoes with flat, hard soles. Unless it is one of those cleat shoes, I find flat pedal cycling shoes unnecessary.
@@drill_fiend1097 You are right, add Blackburn and Camelback to the list too! It's pretty wild and quite upsetting when you think about it and I agree, these brands are almost hard to avoid, good to at least have the debate though - knowledge is power. ✌🏼
The best stocking filler I have come a cross this year is the TyreGlider. I have arthritis in my fingers and without it, I can't fix a puncture on the road, I just have to sit on the road side and wait for some kind soul to come a long to help me. Yes it may look like a gimmick and it does take a bit of time to learn to use it. But once I did I can now take off or put on a tyre in about 5 seconds. The difference is and the trick to learn is that you you use the strength in your arm and shoulder not your fingers and to do this you need to stand correctly over the wheel push downwards.
Agree with the Alex Cycles short crank props. Nice video on that. Considering the price of some other super-small size cranks-well deserved. I now have the 145mm. Makes my hips feel 15 years younger when I pedal. I especially recommend it if you have any arthritis in your hips.
I have both the Gravelero and Tattico on different bikes. Wish the Gravelero build quality was as good as the Tattico. The dust cap fell off within a few days and got lost, the pumping action has got noticeably rougher after a few months. Hopefully it just needs a bit of cleaning.
I'm a fan of alt cycling clothes because i dont like to look like a power ranger but usually i wear vans for cycling as i have mtb pedals. I might check those Giros out they are the same price here as the vans 😬 what happened to your fly fishing shirts ?
I recently upgraded from some origin8 brake levers to the TRP ones and they're way better. I got them for the more modern ergo hoods while still maintaining a classic look for my downtube shifted gravel surly
I'm also curious about these levers. Looks like Dia Compe evolved both a regular and v-brake compatible model forward into a better design. Just haven't seen them in the wild yet.
