November 19th, 2008
Good stuff: My top 5 picks
I’ve used a lot cycling stuff over the decades. Here are my all-time favorites, just in time for the holidays. Give the link to your friends and drop hints about how you need this stuff to keep the pedals turning in 2009. ;-)
1. Shimano bar end shifters. Love these! Some people like to use them with the Pauls thumbies. That’s a nice combo but I like them as bar ends because ironically, thumbies hurt my thumbs. The shifting of the bar ends is flawless and the ergonomics are great. Couldn’t ask for anything better.
2. Nashbar Highlander pedals. Do you like a big old platform pedal with pins? How about a nice practical SPD peal with really smooth bearings? How about both for about 40 bucks? (Look for regular sales.) This pedal has a wide platform with pins for extra gripping power. The bearings are smooth, smooth, smooth. They don’t cost a whole lot of money. That’s my definition of good stuff!
3. Carradice bags. They look retro and cool and hold lots of stuff. If you get the longflap model (such as the Nelson longflap), you can cram even more stuff in your bag and strap it down so it stays put. Even if you don’t have the longflap, creative use of bungees will get you home with your excess cargo still attached to your bike. I like the two pouches on either side of the bag. I use one for flat tire fixins and the other for a cable lock (to slow the thieves down).
4. Planet Bike Superflash blinky. Cheap and good. Bike Planet gives 25% of thier profits to grassroots organizations that facilitate the use of bicycles. They deserve our support. Even if you like something high end like a Dinotte, get a Superflash as a spare or get a few to give out to anyone you know who rides without lights. I have 2 on my bike so that if I get lazy with the batteries, one is still likely to be charged up and ready to go.
5. Topeak Morph pump. I have the Road Morph. Great pump. Has a little gauge built in which proves I need bifocals. It works like a floor pump so you are less likely to rip the the valve off the tube from vigorous pumping. Next best thing is to carry your floor pump with you. If my bike gets any more weighed down with stuff, it may make sense to do just that! ;-)
OK, now use the comments to discuss and add your own favorites.
33 Responses to “Good stuff: My top 5 picks”
I love the Planet Bike lights, and use them myself, but just a word of warning that their bike locks get really bad reviews. I own one of their heavy cable locks and like it just fine, but am starting to experience the main complaint with PB locks: they tend to jam. I’m finding it harder and harder to get the key in there, despite occasional spraying with graphite; apparently internal corrosion is the problem.
My favorite floor pump is the Beto Cycling Floor Pump, an incredible deal for $22 Canadian. It has a wooden handle, is remarkably sturdy (I’ve been using mine for five or six years now), and has a handy pressure-setting indicator so you can set the arrow where you want it and then pump until the dial reaches the arrow — no need to squint at the numbers while you’re standing at the pump.
I love my Paul’s brakes; I use the touring models and they have no trouble stopping my bike at the bottom of a steep hill when I’m carrying 30 pounds of groceries in my bags.
I’m not a fan of flashing lights (i.e. Superflash), but I do love my Schmidt Dynohub/B&M IQ Fly combo. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s soooo bright and soooo easy. Just lots of light when you need it, and none when you don’t, and no thoughts of changing or recharging batteries, turning on the light, etc. I just works.
I also heart internal hubs, Tubus racks, Avid mechanical disk brakes, Brooks saddles and handlebar tape, and Phil grease.
Another vote for the Superflash and Road Morph pump. Also from Topeak, the Tool Bar has proved its worth to me several times as a very portable yet USABLE bit driver (self-contained too).
Honorable mention goes to the Axiom Streamliner Road rack for letting bikes without rack eyelets get in on the “usefulness” game.
@Dolan: The Superflash has a steady mode (in addition to the flashing mode) but I dig what you are saying about dynohubs.
I’ve become a fan of canvas bags and Carradice bags are great. I mount a Carradice Shopper as my commuter’s stay-on-the-bike-carry-everything bag along with a Barley saddlebag for rain jacket, tools, straps etc. Inside my Barley is a little tag that says “Handcrafted by Priscilla”.
Another favorite of mine is Acorn 2 Strap Roll bag, hand made by Ron.
I keep re-reading your list trying to find where you listed Brooks Saddles…
@LJ: +1 on the Acorn bags. Ron is a great guy and it’s a great product.
I might as well jump in. In no particular order:
Schwalbe Tubes - This one sounds weird, but with Schwalbe tubes I only have to top off every 3-4 weeks, compared to standard cheap tubes which require weekly topping off.
Any tire from Schwalbe.
Brooks B67 Saddle - ‘Nuff said
Planet Bike SuperFlash - An amazing little tail light.
Silca Super Pista - Old school floor pump that will last a lifetime with a little maintenance (yes, they sell parts).
MKS Touring Pedal - A simple, double-sided pedal reminiscent of those I had on my old touring bikes.
Japanese Brass Bell - Just a beautiful little thing.
Cork Grips - Look good, feel great.
And… Shimano Bar-End shifters.
Argh, forgot two! Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires, and Ibex clothing (yeah, pretty much everything they make).
@Alan: Our mutual friend Tom R. is a big fan of Schwalbe tubes and tires as well. I have no experience with them but will put them on my list for the next time I am in the market. I may try a Schwalbe 406 tire when I need a new front for the Tour Easy but I have been so gosh darned pleased with the Primo Comet it will be hard to switch.
I loved my Shimano barend shifters and still have them but took them off to replace with a set of Rivendell Silver friction shifters. I miss the indexing a little but like the control I have with the friction and the levers are sleek beautiful and long for a better in the palm.
Planet Bike Blinky Superflash 1/2 watt rear and 1 watt Blaze on two of my bikes and love these products. Awesome lighting and perfect for here in the PNW.
The Topeak Morph pump has been on my wish list for several months now but I don’t know which size to get for my 56cm LHT and I’m not sure whether I want to put it along the inside of the top tube, the inside of the seat tube (giving up a H20 cage), or the chain stay side of the seat tube (close to the wheel). Any suggestions???
@tdp: I’m not sure if the Morph comes in different sizes. I didn’t think it did but I could be wrong. I have it attached to a recumbent but if I was riding an upright, I’d probably put it on the down tube, but on the other side (facing the front tire). IIRC, the plastic mounting bracket that comes with the pump will hold it there just fine and it’s out of the way of everything and won’t take up your bottle space. The mounting clamp can be mounted to water bottle bosses or secured via heavy duty zip ties (supplied). It’s not a very long pump but it is kind of chunky.
@tdp
I mounted my Road Morph on the seat stay, facing front (down). That was about the only place I could mount it without giving up a bottle cage. Works well there. Morphs come in Road and Mountain but I think they are the same length (my Mountain morph doesn’t have a gauge).
Thanks! everyone! Made up my mind real fast and just now ordered the Morph road edition and an extra rear Bike Planet blinky (all for under $40 w/free ship) from Amazon.
Cheers!
tdp
I want to love Acorn bags, but I can never get on fast enough to order one :( Anyone got any idea how I can get one sometime in this lifetime?
Adrienne,
I fot the two strap Acorn back and love it. I ordered it and only waited a couple of months until they made enough to ship. I suggest you email them, it was worth the wait (I think). That said, I don’t have one but, I would love a Carradice bag.
Sorry typo, I “got” the two strap Acorn bag…
To get an Acorn bag you have to go to their Web site basically every single day and check. As soon as the Paypal button appears on their site, jump all over it. Be persistent if that’s what you really want.
OR get a Carradice bag. There are stockists on both US coasts (check Carradice’s Web site for the list) and all of them have saddlebags in stock right now. My Nelson is six years old, my Lowsaddle is over a decade old; and both are going strong. They aren’t quite as artsy-gorgeous as the Acorns (I have a set of those for my brevet/longer rides bike and love them) but the Carradice bags are tough.
Note: The black fabric from Carradice feels stiffer and thicker than the olive green. Not sure why, but there it is.
I have sat on the Acorn site with great attention, but somehow, never get the 30 seconds there is a PayPal button. It is a shame, because it is one of the few bags out there that isn’t covered with someone else’s name (the #1 reason I will not use a Carradice bag) and I try to buy local merchandise whenever I can.
Oh well. One day, I suppose.
Thanks for the list (and the commenters lists as well)! Definitely a few items I will be adding to the wish list this year.
Amen to the superflash. Add another vote for the tubus tacks. Other favorites are Salsa Gel Cork tape, On-one Midge bar, and Shimano M324 (Platform/Clipless) pedals.
No mention of clothing yet, but this time of year, the only item that is a must have for any ride is a pair of Pearl Izumi Cyclone Gloves.
Andy, try the Shimano A-530s — they’re fantastic and light. For me, the jury is still out on the Cyclones, but my vote for clothing was anything Ibex.
Also, want to add one more entry (if I can): The Park 3-way allen wrench. I think mine is 15 years old and still going strong…
My top five-
A steel frame road/cyclocross bike (CrossCheck or Crosshairs are good examples); with bar end shifter (singular as a 1×8/9 set up is most pragmatic), a Brooks saddle (B-17), Carradice seat bag (a regular Nelson) and platform pedals (Shimano M-30 is great).
An xtracycle! :)
@Adrienne
Go to the AcornBags.com website on the morning of the 1st day of any month. You can order until they reach their production limit for the month and then the PayPal button is turned off. I ordered a bag that way for the past two months and in each case received it around the 14th. It will take longer if you order later in the day (west coast time).
@Dolan
+1 for the Shimano A530, although I can’t say much about the non-SPD side since I only use that when I need to unclip for tight maneuvering situations.
The Brookes B17 or indeed any Brookes saddle is for me one of the great icons of cycling. Another vote also for Shimano barend shifters. Also the RANS recumbent seat. And the Stratus/SXP boingy frame. Pure genius, all of the above, and I love them like I love my brother (but don’t tell my brother that).
Never quite finished my list:
+1 for Shimano A530 Out of the few I’ve tried these are the best combo pedals
+1 for Brooks B17, I have the ti version on my tour/commuter and the sprung (Champ Fly Spec) version on my Ute bike. I also have a pro on my fixie.
I have more but could just about list everything on my tour bike as I built it up using a combination of everything I’d tried so far and loved and top favourite lists like these. Spent a bit-o-money on my bike but LOVE it.
I’ve never owned a Brooks saddle like many here, but every WTB saddle I’ve owned has treated me right.
Multiple super flashes, my night riding friends, tell me, is the way to go. They create a sort of flashing event on the side of the road, and drivers tend to slow down just to figure out what you might be.
@Gordon: after following someone with a Superflash (on flash mode) part of the way home, it started to put me into somewhat of a dizzy trance, and I found it highly distracting. I have to wonder if drivers feel the same way.
A trance…Oh dear!
I’m at a loss. I keep thinking about the cyclists I can barely see at night on the shoulder of the Freeways near here. Maybe one dimly illuminated tail light…
Any suggestions on how we can stay alive after dark, if we don’t use flashers?
@Dolan: Were you following on a bike? If so, I agree it’s too much to stare at and very distracting. But a car is not likely to stay behind you long enough for the driver to suffer. When riding with buddies, it’s probably best to have a weaker alternative. I have another BIke Planet light on my bike for such occasions.
There is a lot of opinion about flashing lights. Some of it may even be fact. I don’t know because I have not investigated it. Some say that impaired drivers are more likely to drive TOWARD a flashing light and so such lights are dangerous. I believe they are illegal in Germany and possibly other parts of Europe.
My thoughts are as follows: I live in the US. I trust drivers here as far as I can throw them. They are not situationally aware. They are highly, highly distracted. I am absolutely convinced that many are over-medicated. Some are downright belligerent. To make things worse, they can run cyclists and peds over and will likely not be charged with anything unless they are under the influence of alcohol. Every collision involving an auto and cyclist or ped here in the US is, it seems, is “an accident.â€
As such, I want to be noticed at any cost and flashing lights will do that,. So I will use them. I will use them even if they are illegal. I will use them even if they annoy drivers (I really don’t think they do in most cases). I will use them to stay alive. I seriously doubt many drivers notice a steady bike light when it’s competing with the high-powered taillights and headlights of other autos.
@Perry
Yes, following on a bike.
I’m in the US as well - Portland, OR. Here there’s a solid mix of cyclist and auto traffic. Admittedly it’s not the norm for this country. I run a steady-on, rather bright taillight (D-Toplight XS) and a fairly bright cycling jacket. Visibility hasn’t seemed to be an issue (as far as people seeing me). That said, I’m the odd one out to not have flashing lights.
At this point I think I’m one of those people who believes that the intense flashing adds to general distraction of drivers, and distraction isn’t necessarily a good thing, but I see both sides of it. Staying alive is definitely the goal, so if it really achieves those aims I’m OK with it. I just need convincing that that is indeed the case.
What I’d really love to see is a *pulsing* light, where it isn’t the seizure-inducing, hypnotic strobe effect of full black, then full bright (and the Superflash, being so so bright, and the flash pattern asymmetric, does this better than almost anything), but something more like Apple’s rhythmic sleep light. It might be slightly more expensive to manufacture, and battery life might suffer, but would be much friendlier on the eyes and brain of both other cyclists and drivers, and still get the message across loud and clear.
FWIW, I apologize for my inadvertent thread hijacking. No more on flashing lights — back to the top five (unless, of course, one of those things is a flashing light)!
@ Dolan: You make excellent points and I will definitely take them into consideration and keep an open mind. I am not sure how much the Portland factor comes in. Probably quite a bit. If drivers in my town expected to see cyclists everywhere, I might change my tune on the hypnotic strobe blinky. For all I know, I might be sending the over-medicated ones into some sort of 60s flashback. ;-)
PS. Not a hijack at all. I find your comments most useful so thanks for taking the time to post them.
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