As a fellow bike tech nerd, one of my top cycling products has to be on bike radar. Given me far more confidence riding the "quieter" semi country roads around here. Even use it on my MTB paired to Garmin watch for the road sections connecting trails, so when vehicle is approaching it vibrates. Ever used one?
I will absolutely not ride without mine now (paired with a helmet mirror). I feel so much safer, and drivers immediately seemed to use more caution as soon as I got it. And it works even in blizzard conditions, where it isn't uncommon for drivers to be driving a white car without headlights -_-
Thanks Chris and the other people who’ve commented on the Aqua Zero Jersey, I’ve been wrestling with whether I can justify the outlay and whether one would be better enough than the kit I already have. I’m happy now that it is worth taking the plunge. Thanks again. Right, where’s that Strava challenge code
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your top products. I was encouraged to hear that you use lights in the day as well. I don't see many people using lights in the day and all my friends don't, they think it slows them down and don't look cool . I'd rather be seen on my own or even in a group. Safe riding.
With so many shaded roads and junctions where we live it seems crazy not to use them. I rarely used to until about 5 years ago. There was a video we made at GCN that included some genuine data around the statistics of being seen on a bike and I don't ride without them since then 😅
My fave purchase this year is a spare inner tube. Not had reason to use it yet but so annoying to get a puncture on the way to work, and a spare tube makes it a little less annoying.
Getting a decent Garmin (also a Fenix 6) has been one of the best investments in my health I've made. I've learned--via quantifiable numbers--how to keep my stress and HR lower and improve my sleep and therefore recovery drastically. The biggest surprise was /how/ much digesting will raise your stress levels if you have a big meal. And yes; reducing alcohol and late night snacks--avoid both within a few hours of bedtime--has had the biggest effect on my sleep quality. I have a session (or two) of gong fu tea instead now...I have enough flavour options to keep from getting bored, it helps with my hydration, and I generally find it quite relaxing. No more post-work cheese platters for me, sadly. I thoroughly enjoy geeking out on my Connect app, too.
Absolutely agree with how the watch has informed the decisions I've made with certain aspects of life. I always find it helps reaffirm how I was already feeling but is very useful in providing numbers to back up those feelings. Definitely something I wouldn't want to be without.
Good to have a genuine opinion. Tried the Wahoo bike in a shop and thought it was awesome ... but pricey and I already had a kickr. If I didn't have the kickr I'd go for the Wahoo bike. Agree on the watch: stops you obsessing about the screen.
This is a good point, I think if I had a kickr I wouldn't feel the need for the bike. Whilst the bike is great for set up, your own bike on a kickr does feel better to ride as it is the position you're used to.
Also believe that flashing day time lights have the best chance of getting a drivers attention even when the driver is not particularly observant\distracted or the road conditions make observability harder.
Better than expected as they are very thin hooks around the ear. They don't flare your ears. I also am not a fan of anything bulky in that area, and I was surprised how they felt with glasses on over the top.
@@chrisopie87 great to know! Have you done any recommendations on shades? I've tried and rejected so many that have thick/wide arms that flare your ears. I look like Dumbo!
I'm currently using a pair of Rudy Project Spinshields, which are from work at Le Col. I'm not a fan of glasses normally and use these more than I wear any others which is as good as I can do for a review 😅
@@chrisopie87 one brand I've not tried so will check them out. I like shades because they make me look fast and divert attention away from my 45 yr old legs grinding away 😂
How do the Shokz handle wind noise when riding at speed? I tried all types of earbuds and for endurance rides or climbing they are fine. But going faster the wind overwhelms the music. The worst are Sony WF-1000XM4. They have 'wind noise reduction' mode but their shape is extremely non-aerodynamic and they create lots of wind noise.
They were better than I expected. Up to around 55-60 kph on fast tailwind or descents, then the wind will overpower them. In reality when I'm going that fast I've almost certainly tuned out of what I was listening to and those moments are increasingly short lived. In 85% of riding they were more than good enough for me. But I should point out I'm not someone that necessarily notices the difference between all audio devices as clearly as others might.
@@chrisopie87 Thank you for the suggestion - I bought the Shokz and they are the best headphones I own now! Of course after 50kph the buffeting of the helmet straps overwhelm any headphones, and these do add extra wind noise. But it is nothing compared to the Sony WF-1000XM4s that even if 'active noise cancelling' and having 'reduce wind noise' mode were so loud at any speeds that made them unusable while riding. The Shokz are powerful enough to use at normal speeds while clocking the endurance miles. And they last forever - I had a race yesterday with them, and when I got back home they said 100%. Today I went for an endurance ride and they say 80%. The normal earbuds would've died a couple of times already. But the shokz are also good for 'daily drivers', they make me feel least dizzy, they don't make my ears ring after using them for a long time. The best thing for them is that they for all of the meetings I have to attend daily, they make the voices sound better than the audiophile open over-the-ear headphones I usually use. I like that they don't block my ear at all. I have the Sony Earbuds Live with a hole in the middle that allows for external sound to get in - but these are even better. And the earbuds are too quiet for outdoor use and last less than an hour. The shokz are also relatively comfortable. After a long time using them, the top of my ear where they sit starts to ache. But they stay on my head no matter what I do - ride my bike (the back sits below my helmet), run, sweat in the gym or just sit around. I can also use them while laying though they are not comfortable (no headphone is). The button on the left is very easy to use. The buttons on the right - not so. But they are rarely used anyway. The only negative I found so far is that they don't automatically shut down but drain the battery until they die. And the case does not charge them as the earbuds' case. Thanks again.
