Weaknesses: They puncture very, very easily - 2 punctures in a fortnight, compared to one every two years on my old Vredesteins. Not much grip from the rubber compound on wet roads.
Strengths: Good looks with big logo and complete absence of tread. Inexpensive.
Weaknesses: Just like the original Fat Boy a decade ago, it's very prone to glass punctures, despite the "Flak Jacket", so not really suitable for commuting; I've had about half the punctures in my adult life from Fat Boys in only about 1% of the mileage. Doesn't roll all that well, and the compound doesn't inspire huge confidence in corners.
Overall: Still trying to find a decent 26" slick since Vredestein discontinued the S-Lick. This isn't it.
Strengths: Well made and the polished silver one is well finished. Available with quite a high rise if that's what you need. Removable front cap. Inexpensive.
Weaknesses: Not the nicest looking stem, and only two bolts for the front cap.
Strengths: Very high coefficient of friction compared to Shimano M-System pads. Supposed to be rim-friendly too. The one True Brake Block according to those who know.
Weaknesses: Can squeal like pigs if not (and sometimes if!) toed-in properly. Seven quid per wheel for a bit of rubber is taking the michael, but compares OK to Shimano pads.
Overall: They really do make a huge difference, but only worth it if you need the extra power like me (it's hard stopping a loaded touring bike on hills with weedy cantilevers) or have to change pads anyway.
Strengths: Narrow enough for a good choice of road tyres - I use these on a touring bike. Lightweight. Wide brake track. They really do (as claimed) take a very high spoke tension without complaining. The best bit - extremely easy to mount tyres, even the normally recalcitrant S-Licks.
Weaknesses: Expensive. Eyelets not as strong as sockets (but that's probably what keeps the weight down) and I hope they don't crack around the spoke holes. Hard anodizing is pointless and may promote cracking. having said that, MA2 rims used to crack around the spoke holes and they had no anodising and proper sockets.
Overall: Anodising and lack of sockets are a concern, but let's hope the spoke experts DT have done their homework. It's hard to properly rate a rim for reliability until it fails from the brake pads wearing through (in which case it was a good one) so I've gone for an average 3.
Strengths: They just work and you can forget about them. Quite good sealing.
Weaknesses: Rubber axle seal perishes and is irreplaceable. NEVER take the (tiny, tiny) bearings apart as a special tool (costing as much as a new pair of SPDs) is required to readjust them. The M323 and M324 have the same problem.
Overall: Buy the SPDs with a removable "cartridge" axle unit instead. It will be easier to service.
Strengths: Polyurea-based grease designed for ball bearings, unlike your average tub of Castrol axle grease. Tube helps prevent contamination. Interesting turquoise colour!
Weaknesses: Smells like coal tar.
Overall: Cheaper and better than fancy greases with teflon (which is probably useless in ball bearings anyway).
Strengths: Very bright. BS compliant (this doesn't necessarily mean they're *legal*, but it's close). Front light is whiter than, say, a Cateye EL200 and much brighter - at least as good as a 2.4W halogen lamp and YES! It throws a proper beam! Rear light is very compact but extremely bright. Rather good value for money compared to the Cateye equivalents.
Weaknesses: Rear reflector isn't much cop although it meets the standards. Weatherproofing isn't great.
Overall: LEDs are getting better all the time but this is the first front one I've tried that has been adequate for unlit lanes. The small size of the rear one, and the reflector, make it better value than the Cateye LD-260. You save £5 by buying them in the twin pack.
Strengths: Easy to set up because they use V-brake pads (not those horrible plain post pads that require 5 hands). Cheap but well finished. They work without squealing.
Weaknesses: They seem a bit loose on the braze-ons due to wide tolerances, but as they don't squeal this shouldn't be a problem.
Overall: Good brakes for a touring bike with drop bars (I've given up trying to get V brakes to work with drop bar levers).
