BiknBen
Well-Known Member
Name your favorite piece of bike related gear; Component, clothing, accessory, etc. Go ahead name a few if you can't decide which is best.
Here's mine:
Chris King Headset. Truly an "install and forget about" bike component. The first one I bought is currently on its fourth bike. That's right. It has outlived three other bikes. I now own just three bikes and CKs are on two of them. The third uses a hidden HS and CK doesn't do hidden headsets.
Sidi Shoes. Way back in the early '90s I was going through a pair of MTB shoes each season. Specialized and Shimano shoes would just fall apart on me. I bought a pair of Sidi Dominators in '96. Holy sh!t they have taken a beating. I retired them two years ago for a newer pair of Dominators. A few weeks ago, I installed a pair of cleats and was rocking the old pair at the Mercer CX Race. The Velcro is nearly useless but the ratcheting buckle keeps them on my feet. At one point I think I had 5 or 6 pairs of Sidi shoes.
Sealed Cartridge Bottom Bracket. I remember the days when a bottom bracket was made up of multiple cups, bearings, a spindle, etc. You needed multiple tools and three hands to get it tuned just right. Too tight it would bind. Too loose and you'd feel it in the cranks. Two rides later you'd have to tear it down and repack everything. Nightmare. Then came the sealed BB. Everyone cried because you couldn't rebuild and service it. Have you ever needed to? Spins silky-smooth for years.
Clip-less pedals. That's right...I used to rock the toe-clips. I had the first generation SPDs in '91 (535s maybe). Then I had the 7 series before moving onto Time pedals.
Oakley eye-wear. I was just talking about my first Oakleys during a ride last night. Frogskins in '89ish. Clear frame with Blue/green lenses. Then I went to Razor Blades. Although I had a short stint with Bosch&Loam Killer Loops, I currently have more Oakley eye wear than I can keep track of. Three sets of Mumbo frames, two E-wires, Half-Jackets, lenses galore... These days my disease is in remission and you will find me using a clear lens in all conditions.
Base Layers. I love base layers. I can no longer ride without at least a tank top under my jersey. I sleep in Craft LS base layers in the winter.
Here's mine:
Chris King Headset. Truly an "install and forget about" bike component. The first one I bought is currently on its fourth bike. That's right. It has outlived three other bikes. I now own just three bikes and CKs are on two of them. The third uses a hidden HS and CK doesn't do hidden headsets.
Sidi Shoes. Way back in the early '90s I was going through a pair of MTB shoes each season. Specialized and Shimano shoes would just fall apart on me. I bought a pair of Sidi Dominators in '96. Holy sh!t they have taken a beating. I retired them two years ago for a newer pair of Dominators. A few weeks ago, I installed a pair of cleats and was rocking the old pair at the Mercer CX Race. The Velcro is nearly useless but the ratcheting buckle keeps them on my feet. At one point I think I had 5 or 6 pairs of Sidi shoes.
Sealed Cartridge Bottom Bracket. I remember the days when a bottom bracket was made up of multiple cups, bearings, a spindle, etc. You needed multiple tools and three hands to get it tuned just right. Too tight it would bind. Too loose and you'd feel it in the cranks. Two rides later you'd have to tear it down and repack everything. Nightmare. Then came the sealed BB. Everyone cried because you couldn't rebuild and service it. Have you ever needed to? Spins silky-smooth for years.
Clip-less pedals. That's right...I used to rock the toe-clips. I had the first generation SPDs in '91 (535s maybe). Then I had the 7 series before moving onto Time pedals.
Oakley eye-wear. I was just talking about my first Oakleys during a ride last night. Frogskins in '89ish. Clear frame with Blue/green lenses. Then I went to Razor Blades. Although I had a short stint with Bosch&Loam Killer Loops, I currently have more Oakley eye wear than I can keep track of. Three sets of Mumbo frames, two E-wires, Half-Jackets, lenses galore... These days my disease is in remission and you will find me using a clear lens in all conditions.
Base Layers. I love base layers. I can no longer ride without at least a tank top under my jersey. I sleep in Craft LS base layers in the winter.