Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Non-Thorn Related => Topic started by: stutho on December 19, 2008, 02:09:24 PM

Title: Best buys of 2008
Post by: stutho on December 19, 2008, 02:09:24 PM
What has been you best cycle related buy of 2008? (Excluding bikes)

I have bought very little this year.  My most used bit of kit is a pair of sealskin gloves (~£20)   
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: freddered on December 19, 2008, 03:00:23 PM
My red Aldi Winter Jacket.  £14.99.  Ridiculously good value.
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: stutho on December 19, 2008, 03:27:08 PM
My red Aldi Winter Jacket.  £14.99.  Ridiculously good value.

I am still using the one I bought 2 years ago! Bargain agreed!
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: geocycle on December 19, 2008, 03:46:22 PM
Schmidt dynohub and IQ fly.  After what seems like months of commuting in the dark both ways they have already paid off the cost in terms of performance.
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: freddered on December 19, 2008, 05:21:50 PM
Schmidt dynohub and IQ fly.  After what seems like months of commuting in the dark both ways they have already paid off the cost in terms of performance.

I'm sure my B&M Cyo will be on my 2009 shortlist but I haven't used it enough yet.

Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: geocycle on December 19, 2008, 05:41:37 PM
I'm sure my B&M Cyo will be on my 2009 shortlist but I haven't used it enough yet.



Yep, the cyo came out a month or so after I bought the fly -typical.  Still very pleased with the fly for my current usage. Light tech is changing very quickly at the moment so it's hard to know when to buy or what's round the corner.
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: jawj on December 19, 2008, 08:34:39 PM
Easily these Endura overshoes: http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=107&prod_id=26 (http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=107&prod_id=26)

Ooh, and another vote for the IQ FLy please: It's really astonishingly bright and I'm not jealous of you Cyo owners at all, oh no. Are incandescent bike lights a horrible distant memory yet...?

Also the HEL braided hoses recently installed on one set of disc brakes have proven to actually make a difference to the feel of the brakes (and I thought they just looked snazzy...)

(You can tell it's December just by people's suggestions so far: waterproofs and lights!)
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: brummie on December 19, 2008, 08:35:39 PM
In no particular order:
(i) Schmidt Edlux as far as lights go is  v e r y impressive ... ( STILL got an E6 secondary & B&M round light available for sale if anyone interested - see classifieds )
(ii) RST frameset
(iii) Stans -no- tubes system on my mtb.

Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: pastafarian on December 19, 2008, 09:45:58 PM
- Ground effect Two Timer convertible jacket/vest
- Optimus nova multifuel stove
- a small rubber band (cost me nothing and was used as a parking brake on tour)
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: avdave on December 27, 2008, 08:30:26 PM
Shimano MW80's, used today for the first time but I'm pretty sure they'll top my list. So nice to go out on a cold day with a biting north wind and have warm feet.
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: jimmer on January 01, 2009, 03:21:59 PM
Dear All,

Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes and braided hoses, helped me to put to bed envy at mates' disk brakes.

Pitlock skewers, what price piece of mind when locking up in central Brum?

Thudbuster LT, made Glentress and Cannock a butt friendly breeze.

Finally succumbed to the pleasure of leather and got a Brooks B17. Defo top buy.

Yours, James


Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: beatsboy59 on January 02, 2009, 09:56:45 PM
Has to be the awesome Fenix TK11 bar mounted torch,closely followed by my Aldi winter jacket.
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: Cake on January 03, 2009, 08:15:26 AM
For me, it is the Aldi winter cycling gloves i use - £3.99 (if i remember correctly).  I bought these in January and they are still going strong.  I bought a spare pair when they came on sale again in Oct-Nov.  Good value for money.

The other item i was pleased with was the Smart 0.5 watt rear light (£9).  It gives me great confidence that i am doing all that i can to be as visible as possible.
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: Fred A-M on January 03, 2009, 11:32:33 AM
E3 Supernova front & rear light & Schmidt Hub (late 2007 strictly speaking but benefits in 2008).

Gore Bodywarmer/Windstopper (yellow/black) with detachable sleeves - by far the best item of cycle clothing I've ever bought.
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: PH on January 03, 2009, 01:28:18 PM
Carbide rims and Tektro cantis.
These for my non Thorn touring bike, the Raven already had a Carbide rim.  better wet weather braking, no more black gunk and should last years.  I notice the price has shot up, glad I got in there before it did.
That's it really, I bought very little bike stuff last year.  When I ran out of bits I wanted I had to buy a new bike ;D
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: jags on January 03, 2009, 05:39:07 PM
i bought load's of new gear last year some brilliant some crap, my favourate  is the optimus crux stove,excellent  stove i cant cook it mainly for boiling water and that it does perfectly.(quickl)
ortlieb bikepacker pannies are great ,the carradice camper saddlebag emm jury still out on this one ,mainly because it's a pain in the ass getting it on and off,akto tent havent used it yet but pretty sure it's a good one. brooks b17 champion excellent saddle, blackburn cycle computer crap ,to hard to read .tubus logo rack solid as a rock,fizik bartape good only if used with another (gel) under it.
well that's me im buying no more gear this year (he said with a smerk on his face) im happy with all the gear i have most of it is top of the range  the rest aint all that bad either.
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: freddered on January 03, 2009, 08:45:24 PM
Shimano MW80's, used today for the first time but I'm pretty sure they'll top my list. So nice to go out on a cold day with a biting north wind and have warm feet.

They were among my 2007 best buys.

I wore them for about 8 months of 2008 because they are by far the most comfy shoes I ever owned and I don't mind hot feet.

On long Audaxes in winter I use an overshoe with them to keep the wind-chill factor down but they are fine in any temperature for a couple of hours.

They are a pain when water seeps in though as they take an age to dry.  Best to wear waterproof overshoes with a high ankle if you plan to go out for more than 2 hours in heavy rain. 

Having said that, you will have warm and wet feet rather than cold wet feet (using mesh shoes)
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: pdamm on January 03, 2009, 10:48:44 PM
I didn't buy much stuff but I really like the click-stand I bought.  It solves the problem of a reliable robust stand when the bike is fully loaded.

Peter
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: ians on January 10, 2009, 10:29:59 AM
Shimano A520 pedals - a simple and stylish (IMO) introduction to clipless.

ians
Title: Re: Best buys of 2008
Post by: spoon boy on January 10, 2009, 10:45:51 PM
my hilleberg nallo 2gt tent

advertised on field and trek for £464

Bought through amazon...supplied from field and trek for £360!!!  :D