Strengths: Very Light, stiff, good grip, groovy design.
Weaknesses: useless in rain and winter, Nike sizing policy, garish depending on your point of view.
Overall: I liked these shoes although i'm pretty certain they're not to everyones taste. That said they are pretty distinct, and the 2005 Alpin looked completely different, like a touring shoe, not a carbon soled competition sho.
The carbon sole means these are pretty stiff shoes meaning good power transfer. but as with most sycling shoes these days, they are designed for lightweight summer competition use so the meerest bit of rain and your foot is drenched.
My biggest gripe is Nikes sizing policy. For some reason they size their shoes differently, not only to the rest of the cycling world but to the rest of their own ranges. so in the normal world where uk 8 = euro 42, 9 = 43, 10 = 44 etc, nikes cycling shoes are now listed as follows:
43 = 8.5 43.5 = 9 44 = 9
That doesn't make much sense to me, so be careful when you're ordering.
Overall: Have just replaced a Animas with this helmet as i could never get on with the Giro. When the 5th arrived and I placed it next to the Animas i knew what a great decision I'd made as this wipes the floor with the Giro in the looks department. When i picked the two up then that compounded my viewpoint as the Giro is 70g heavier which counts on long rides. I managed to get this helmet off ebay for 60 quid which was as cheap as I could find it on the net, but at the moment i thnk it's worth it. Also, the Titanium colour looks absolutely top notch.
Overall: i bought this after using Met for many years and to sum up my view of this helmet, i just flogged it on ebay after 3 months and bought a 5th element. This helmet is very very heavy, around 70g more than my new Met and when you put them side by side, the Giro looks incredibly out dated. Helmet choice is a pretty personal thing and i'm certain you'll speak to people who swear by Giro but i know i'll never buy another one.
Strengths: light, grippy, look good, can protect your hands on crashes.
Weaknesses: Two piece construction means one stack and they bar ends move about.
Overall: I was really pleased with these when I first got them, I was glad to have them back on my bike after a few years away (damn you fashionistas!) and they certainly add a dimension to XC. However, after going arse over tit on the road, the bar ends took the brunt (protecting my knuckles it must be said) and now the two piece construction is loose so i'll have to replace. don't fancy shelling out a score every time i stack it (as if its not painful enough).
Strengths: Very warm, good grip, not bad looking, don't stink after 2 wears.
Weaknesses: The palm bunches up and can be uncomfortable on long rides (despite the finger fitting perfectly)
Overall: This is a very good glove, I've had issues with the palm bunching up (but that seems to happen on most of the gloves i buy - perhaps I have wierd shaped hands) but apart from that they've kept me warm on 2 hour long night rides in january.
Strengths: it looks trick, is strong as an ox, responsive in handling and comes with a 'knock rating' (basically a life time replacement guarantee if you crack it).
Weaknesses: none that i can think of.
Overall: for £19.99 this stem is outstanding. apart from Thompson and possibly Ritchey I don't think there's a better looking stem out there, its functionally flawless and will be replaced if i crack it. Pound for Pound (or ounce for ounce)the best stem on the market today.
