Strengths: Light, well-vented, aerodynamic, good fit.
Weaknesses: Would be good with a forehead vent like the Specialized helmets.
Overall: These helmets are great - I've kept my old one from exclusively road-biking days to use off-road as there's more risk of it getting trashed. Wicking pads eventually get saturated if you ride hard for over an hour in the summer. My red one (01/02? model) is rather fetching too.
Strengths: Good styling, ingenious pockets and venting. Came through recent biblical flooding bone dry. Great value.
Weaknesses: Could have slightly more reflective piping front AND back without looking too dorky.
Overall: Wondered if I was making a mistake not getting Goretex... nope! Totally waterproof and easily breathable enough from October to February. Haven't washed mine very much so don't know about waterproofing fading, but hey, there's always Nikwax. No regrets, I'd get one again.
Strengths: Small size reduces risk of leverage attacks, and helps fit on small frame with limited space.
Weaknesses: Their own bracket is not too good - narrows the 'gap' of the U.
Overall: I've been really happy with this diminutive lock. You can't get it round the frame AND back wheel, so I just put it round the back wheel INSIDE THE REAR TRIANGLE, coupled with a cable lock for the front wheel. Small size reduces weight (though it's still not exactly light).
Weaknesses: Don't know how it would fair in a crash... don't want to find out either!
Overall: As a London pedestrian watching the bikes go by, this light was far and away the most visible thing out there. It's not cheap, but it will pay for itself in battery savings very quickly (over 100hours in flashing mode).
Strengths: Roll quickly, grip in the wet, puncture resistance is good if you keep them above 100psi.
Weaknesses: None.
Overall: Mine have only punctured twice in 5000miles, and there's still plenty of tread left. I'm only 140lbs, but I ride them around London a lot ie. potholes and broken glass is de rigeur. I have the 25mm version and ride them at 110psi rear and 105psi front (sometimes 5psi less if I'm feeling fragile!). Only £13 each from settlecycles.co.uk - bargain.
Strengths: Double eyelets, strong enough to tour on, fast enough to train/race.
Weaknesses: As mentioned above, some material can work loose and rattle inside the rim. This has happened on my front wheel, but is only noticable when indoors servicing.
Overall: For the money, they're a pretty fast and lightweight wheel, that's easier to maintain than more esoteric designs. Nice big braking surface too!
Overall: Needed 57mm reach calipers for my Audax bike (mudguards!). Campag don't do deep-drop brakes anymore. These Shimanos have a good reputation amongst the Audax fraternity, and it's well deserved.
Strengths: I think the term is 'pimp'. It's strong too.
Weaknesses: Heavyish, but then I've got no mech, so it's quite a bit shorter.
Overall: Use it on my singlespeed/fixed with not-too-bad chainline. Corrosion proof and very strong, though I don't bother with the masterlink. I can take the chain off in one piece anyway.
Overall: Very happy with these. As I ride rigid, I may switch the front for a 2.1 one of these days, but I can always run it at the minimum pressure without too much risk of snakebites (I'm only 140lbs).
Strengths: Light, strong, no problem for self-build.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Overall: Both mine are zero dish (singlespeed/fixed rear) built with 14/15 double butted spokes (32h). I'm 10stone and ride rigid. No problems so far. I've put quite a bit of tension on them - I reckon the ones that fail are strung too lose or with irregular tension. I'm not heavy, or planning to ride extreme downhill, so I reckon their built to last!
