Overall: I work as a cycling instructor so I needed a jacket that could survive full days of weather. I don't want a bloody iPod pocket or features all over the place, I just want a breathable, durable, comfortable jacket that preferably has a bit of style. Not a lot to ask. That's why I'm pleased with the 3x3. (I wore it today, in the sleet.) Pace's support have been brilliant with my silly questions, too.
Strengths: very stiff, light for a hardcore crankset, bashguard is chunky, looks ace.
Weaknesses: poor documentation on fitting, but it's pretty easy to work out. I didn't quite get it right first time and had a 5 minute roadside 'tightening things up properly' event
Overall: I really like the look of the hone groupset, but this is the first bit I've bought to replace the truvativ chainset on my '06 Specialized Enduro expert. Looks really good, and feels amazing - I never really believed you could feel any difference between cranks and bottom brackets, but you can! There's a definite feel of unflexiness about the crank area and a smoothness in the bearings. Sorry ISIS BB you've lost my loyalty.
Strengths: Comfortable, like a big friendly muppet monster cuddling your feet. Even though they have rigid soles they let you feel every detail of what you stand on (I noticed this while pushing my bike up a rocky slope - I could feel every individual pebble) Grip to your pedals like spds for flatties. I thought the reviews were talking pants, but you really can't move your feet without lifting off the pedals. Assymetric tongue is well cosy. Grip on the pedals madly well. loads of padding and protection for the feet, but still let your ankles move.
Weaknesses: none yet. I'll let you know when they wear out. If everyone knows there won't be any left to buy. The sheer 'stuck to the pedalness' may not be to everyone's taste
Overall: grippy, comfy, look good shoes. You really do stick to the pedals.
Strengths: Very bright focussed light. Doesn't seem to do that wierd LED light 'no depth perception' thing. No maddening cables drooping around your neck. long run-time. Good positive clip onto helmet. easypeasy plug in for charging, Li-ion battery is conveniently relaxed about sketchy charging. Fantastically well made, beautifully machined, anodised metal casing. Comes in a cool metal box, with foam compartments to keep it all safe.
[Update 18/11/06] 'long run time' should actually say 'very long run time'
Weaknesses: slightly fiddly switch. The light flashes when it's charging and catches your eye - hypnotic. If you want a bar-clip it's extra bims. You need a wider spread of light on your bars to work with it. Quality is expensive.
Overall: Very cool indeed, does the job well. what more could you ask?
[Update 18/11/06] After 2 months use I have to say this light is the absolute b0ll0cks. Brilliant in every sense. I'm upping the value to top marks because I love it.
Strengths: Horst link gives incredible bump swallowing stable suspension along with the DHX shock's sensible adjustability. The Fox 36 TalasR fork is great, rigid and ridiculously plush, making steering precise and predictable. juicy7s! brilliant feel, easy adjustment and set-up. You get a pair of 'shuttles' so you can adjust for high/low BB height and fast/mellow head angle, and a third chainring for XC use. Sram mech and shifters are superb. Nuff said. L size fits me perfectly (6'2") nice wide bars, and (cool graphics) stem just right.
Weaknesses: Not what you'd call a gazelle on the uphills, although the propedal makes big climbs do-able. Front mech is a b4stard to get to.
Overall: this bike just makes you feel confident and competant, and ready to take on anything! I've found my speed increasing and my braking getting later and I'm attacking where I used to be hesitating.
It's my first long-travel full susser, so I'm impressed by the way you can climb on it; traction is NOT a problem, it hust grips down onto the centre of earth. My previous bike was a single pivot and I was sceptical about all the extra links, but they really do change the whole suspension experience. The way the back wheel seems to lift over logs and rocks is phenomenal, as if it is automatically hopping up for me.
On the windy singletracks it goes where you point it, the forks and wide bars do that for you, but somehow it stays planted when you need it. A brilliant confidence inspiring ride - makes for BIG FUN
Strengths: great well-padded liner-short is well anchored to outer. enough pockets with decent zippage. look cool:- you can wear these in non-cycling company without people laughing at you. good belt, and positive popper at waist. they dry out fast if you ride through the mud and puddles...
Weaknesses: not certain whether I'd trust myself not to fall on my mobile if it was in the pocket. mud down the old builder's cleft, always happens :-( getting them over my knee pads is a tight fit (661 'wicket keeper' guards)
Overall: I'm very happy with these shorts, they seem well made and the designers have obvious experience of what cyclists need.
I've only ranked the reliability as 4 because I haven't had them long enough to say more.
Strengths: contrast enhanced while wearing them. looks. comfy. close fit around face. difficult to fog up, fog clears well when they do.
Weaknesses: pricy.
Overall: well pleased, I wear them for riding my motorbike as well as my pushbike, they work brilliantly at keeping the breeze of my eyes at up to *ahem* 70mph *ahem*. I had an insect strike at 50ish and it just left a smear on my lens ;-)
Strengths: So far no punctures! I ripped my tyre open on a large flint outcrop and I could see the tube through the hole, but it got me home no worries. Leopard skin undercrackers!
Weaknesses: The reinforcement makes the tubes feel 'stiff' and wierdly inflexible, so they are a bit hard to get into the tyre. (No-one can see the animal print)
Overall: You get what you pay for, and these are a bit pricy, but they do the job. Bontrager can really do quality when they want to.
Strengths: tasty and refreshing. keeps you going. keeps you moist. you can't mix too much in so you don't need the own-brand bottles to make it up, I experimented with various amounts and now I just spoon in the right sort of amount into my camelbak and pour the water in.
Strengths: bite valve doesn't drip like my cheapy camelcopy did. comfortable straps hold it secure on my back. large bladder. build quality is good.
Weaknesses: lid difficult to undo (as mr Combat Wombat said) I can _not_ get the last bit of water out when I'm cleaning it. pockets a bit fiddly and take some organisation to get the best from them.
Overall: basically very pleased with it, it cost more than a copy but the quality is great. I especially like the 'mouth feel' of the bite valve and the not-so-sweaty back in comparison with my previous backpack.
