Strengths: Same platform as those higher up the Shimano SPD pedal series; easy to clip in/out, good mud-shedding capabilites; reasonably light
Weaknesses: The axle assembly/bearings are the same as those I have on a set of 2000 XT SPDs...comparing them to those higher up the range they aren't as good - not as smooth spinning, but at this price you can't complain too much
Overall: Quite happy with these pedals, they sit on my CX bike and they do the job...they don't look much different to the higher end pedals and they seem to work the same way in terms of clipping in/out and turning the cranks.
'VERY RELIABLE AFTER 3 YEARS CONTINOUS YUSE AND 2 GREASINGS!'
Strengths: Reliability - these pedals have worked for me in all conditions - dry, dusty, wet, grimey, muddy, clay, ice, snow, water...I think I've only twice had to clean my shoe to clip in, but otherwise they have worked first time, everytime. Weight - not the heaviest (certainly not the lightest), but they seem to be very strong for the weight. So I guess I should also add strength to the list - they have been bashed off rocks, roots and trees and ok, they are scuffed, but there are no dings or dents in them.
Weaknesses: Perhaps a slightly small footprint? Certainly nowadays there are smaller pedals out there, but when I'm wearing 2 pairs of socks, the pedals feel very small and not giving as much support as they should.
Overall: Since buying these pedals in February 2000, I have removed the axles twice and greased them, nothing else...they get hosed down along with the rest of the bike after a cycle, then they get a quick spray with GT85 just to ensure the cleat area doesn't rust. Very good pedals for the money.
Strengths: Very light - 135gms...it's scary light for a perch intended for all kinds of MTB riding. It has no sides to speak of, so is very easy to move around on. It looks incredibly pimpy and makes the rider look much harder than they are.
Weaknesses: HAven't found any yet as such, but whilst fitting the saddle to my seatpost, I found that the rails weren't a perfect fit to the grooves on my post...about 3mm too narrow for a perfect fit - but it's not posed any problems so far. Looks - it does resemble a wafer thing razor. It also looks as though it's going to chop a leg off in a crash!
Overall: Incredibly comfy, I'd say even comfier than my Flite it's replaced. The Ti rails do a very good job of absorbing trail chatter - but then with this saddle only weighing 135gms, it could well be the whole thing flexing...no matter, it's incredibly comfy and I found I was moving around the saddle more often than usual and in turn I was climbing steeper stuff (that flatter nose does seem much comfier) and I was descending faster (as 3 trees will testify!). Very comfy and so far worth the cash...like it a lot!
Strengths: Large carrying capacity - I got a 3ltr bladder, weekends clothing plus riding gear in it with some room to spare. Well made bag with hard wearing seams. top compartment has plenty of space for trail tools/tube/food or showerproof. hydration compartment can take anything up to about 5 litre bladder (are they available?). When fully laden and carrying 3 ltr of water the bag is heavy but comfortable as the straps are well padded and adjustable. No discomfort from carrying the weight. Waterproof cover stowed at the bottom of the bag and easy to remove and cover - in bright green/yellow so it will stand out. Air channels on the back of the bag do allow air to move between your back and bag.
Weaknesses: Bag is very long and narrow so when fully laden the top of the bag does hit off the rear of your head/helmet and can be off-putting. Air channels not as good as I thought they would be - there is plenty of padding there so the bag is very comfortable, just not enough to get full air travel...not a real issue though.
Overall: I used this as my bag of choice for Fort Bill last year - 3 days clothes, riding kit and water - no probs...still had space for the freebies. Bag has lasted well but I find it better for 2+ day trips rather than just one - it holds plenty of spare kit but that's the trouble on a day ride - everyone wants you to carry their spare kit! Excellent bag but you have to buy a bladder as it doesn't come as standard.
Strengths: Incredibly easy to use, comes with all necessary kit i.e. fluid, house with adapter, bottle and pipes/hoses. Makes bleeding a brake a 5 minute job instead of a 10 minute job. Now available for Mini's...
Weaknesses: The top cap connection does appear to be fragile when you release the lever, you see some fluid escaping and dribbling down the top cap...releasing some pressure would stop this, but then you loose the advantage of a pressurised system. When you lock the nipple you seem to loose fluid back into the bottle...not a huge problem but one to be aware of. Price? £25 for a bottle, some pipes and some brake fluid does seem high...but it does make the job easier!
Overall: This piece of kit is superb. It is incredibly easy to use and makes bleeding the brakes a very easy job indeed. I have to say though, bleeding a brake is not rocket science, but this just makes the whole process much smoother. This piece of kit will not turn you into an expert brake bleeder - practice does that, but this piece of kit basically turns an easy job into an incredibly easy job. You can get the feeling you want from the levers and everything just fits into place. I had bought this system whilst I was running DH4s...but shortly after I upgraded to Mini's...so the bleed kit was useless...I called Hope and they sent me out the replacement piece next day Free of Charge. Superb service backup as well.
Strengths: Comfortable to wear - doesn't feel too uneasy with a full pack. Seems to be well manufactured. Omega resevoir - great for filling and cleaning. Loads of extra loops and bits for other kit. Was bought in a bike shop sale so only paid 20 quid for it! Loads of straps for a secure fit to the body.
Weaknesses: Did it rain when this piece of kit was being tested? It's not waterproof by any stretch of the imagination. Loads of straps for a secure fit to the body (I never use them as the bag never seems to move around on by back anyway!). Hose for teh resevoir is about 2 inches too short for me, but I think I may be built wrongly!!!
Overall: The pack is superb apart from the waterproofness of it - I reckon a teabag is more waterproof! There is plenty of room for food, clothing and a 1.5ltr thermos, plus bike tools, spare tube, keys and a light rainproof. The Omega bladder has it's own compartment and this seems very comfortable to wear. The straps aren't thick but they don't cut into the body and the pack in general is very comfortable and easy to use. Double zips on each pocket means you can access the pack from either side. Glad I bought it, just wish it was a bit more waterproof!
Strengths: These babies are very wayerproof and very windproof. They keep the legs and lower back warm no matter what the weather. Zipped ankles and adjustable straps.
Weaknesses: I found the thighs too tight and the calves too baggy. Also after 1.5 year's use they have shrunk to the point where it pains me to wear them. I had the XL size and it was still slightly small for me.
Overall: I went from the Thermastat Cli Bib-Longs to these about 2 years ago...these are very comfortable to wear but do make you very hot indeed.
I found them to be excellent in the winter where my lower half was very warm even in soaking wet conditions. The downside with these tights is that once they do get wet they go kind of heavy.
The material isn't as stretchy as the Thermastat's and I found this a bit weird as the thighs were incredibly tight on while the calves were incredibly baggy.
These have lasted me just over 2 years and for the last 2 months have now gotten too small for me (due to being washed about 2-4 times a week). They are now so small that I get incredible discomfort whilst riding in them so they have been sidelined and a new pair of Thermastats have been urchased to replace them.
Strengths: Breathability, pit zips, breathable holes in the back, range of sizes, colours (Blue or Slime yellow!), fleece-lined neck collar, adjustable neck collar and waist, velcro wrist adjusters, semi waterproof i.e. stand a reasonable shower but no good for scuba diving in!
Weaknesses: colours, drop-down flap can't be folded away, lack of pockets.
Overall: Bought this jacket at the weekend and tested it last night. I wore a thermal and lycra top under it and was kept warm all evening. The jacket fits very well and only had very slight bumfling* whilst riding.
There was a very small shower and it kept the rain away from my body.
I did notice that if I over tightened the waist cords i.e. got a nice flush fit, that the bottom zipper started working its way up. Not a huge problem, just undo the pressure on the drawcords.
Overall I'm impressed with this jacket, I'm sorry to say that my 8-year old Pace ultrafleece has now been relegated to extreme winter condition when another fleece top will have to be worn.
The only thing this jacket is missing for the price is some sort of adjustability in the chest/stomach area - I've only seen this on an Endura jacket but think it's a cracking idea as it would prevent bumfling*.
*bumfling - my term for the front of the jacket riding up and making you look like you have a huge beer belly.
'DO THE JOB FOR A COUPLE OF QUID LESS THAN THE OTHERS'
Strengths: They stop you, don't seem to squeal
Weaknesses: There is a noticable bit of difference between wet and dry stopping
Overall: These pads do an admirable job of stopping you. I would say they work as well as EBC pads in the dry and only fractionally less in the wet. They are a couple of quid cheaper than the EBC pads and fit Hope DH4s so they are worth buying just for the savings. They seem to last a long time as well which is a good thing.
Strengths: Keeps your feet warm without getting them sweaty. Subtle colours. Left and Right foot indicators. Loads of fancy marketing bits and bobs which appear to work. Anti-bacterial bits in the socks.
Weaknesses: None yet and they have been tried for the last few weeks on and off the bike.
Overall: The socks are amazingly comfortable to wear. My feet feel very warm but not sweaty - I suffer from really sweaty feet and these actually keep my feet dry (but they feel sweaty). They have kept my feet dry throughout some really bad wet weather riding and the only time they have let the water in was when I had to wade through a river! Incredibly comfy and I have no problems with blisters any more. Absolutely brilliant, I'm going to buy another couple of pairs this pay day.
