List of Gear that Sucks
164
Member
151 days
GGehrke posted 11 weeks ago.
Nobody wrote:
Performance Carbon Bike Cages - Don't use if you don't like your water bottles flying off your bike. I even sprayed the inside with spray on rubber and that didn't do the trick, either. I lost ALL my waterbottles at the same time at Vineman last year.
I don't know if this is the same as what I use - I have the Forté "Alpha" cage - but I love mine. I mean, as much as you can love a bottle cage. Which just means that it works as expected and looks better than the $2 bent wire gadget on most bikes.
3476
Member
1446 days
kylie posted 11 weeks ago.
Yeah I have a bunch of the carbon Forte cages and like them as well. However, if using a behind the seat bottle carrier I use metal cages there so that I can squeeze them down and get a good hold on the bottles to avoid launching.
13
Member
145 days
emtridoc posted 11 weeks ago.
yeah, i've had good luck with the carbon cage from performance as well. pretty sure they're the forte (whichever one's were the cheapest).
have to agree on the VDO cyclometer, though. I have the wireless version with wireless cadence (CS3, i think), and i'm lucky if it works half the time. i'm in the process of returning it, but still want a wireless cyclometer with wireless cadence. finding one with a nice readout seems hard but now i see a new cateye "double wireless" with HR and cadence. i've had good luck with the rear mount cateye in the past ('astrale') so i'm hopeful this will be worth the extra $80 over the VDO. in fact i just ordered it!
439
Member
685 days
tsilcyc posted 11 weeks ago.
Gear that does NOT suck:
- Michelin Pro II Race
- Cateye Cyclometers
- Performance metal cages
- Licking your goggles instead of anti-fog
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71
Member
242 days
blavelle posted 11 weeks ago.
profile aerodrink. used one for a 45 mile ride and ended up a sticky dehydrated man.
"now I only have good days and great days."
339
Member
149 days
TriSooner posted 11 weeks ago.
Vision Tech aero bars - The bolts and bolt holes on the arms rests (on the aluminum version) were so shallow that they were stipped in a matter of days. POS.
Polar water bottles (the first generation) - The screw top was made of really hard plastic, and if you froze the bottle (AS ADVERTISED) the screw top would crack if you dropped it, thus ruining the functionality of the pull-top opening.
Ironman Germany, July 6, 2008
116
Member
801 days
fpugsley posted 11 weeks ago.
Shimano Road wheels should be on the list of things that suck. At least for a guy who weighs 215, popping spokes left and right. Love my Mavic wheels and my Bontrager wheels
33
Member
821 days
csaf31 posted 11 weeks ago.
the profile aerodrink system only works well if you buy and use their contraption that holds the bottle in place. otherwise, you end up wearing more Gatorade than drinking it.
i am starting to not like my Timex hr monitor. i replace the battery way too often.
1003
Member
786 days
UFTriGator posted 11 weeks ago.
This is a fun game....
-FSA RD-400 wheels (drive-side spokes break)
-Profile Aero Drink (even with the stupid contraption that holds the bottle in place)
-Polar HR straps (can't replace the battery)
-First-gen Armadillos (no grip at all)....the Armadillos Elites aren't bad, though
-Cinelli cork tape (breaks too easily)
-Hammer HEED (I've bonked using it and so has one of my teammates)
______________________________________________
-Matt
Not fast enough.
8
Member
93 days
leschrotz posted 11 weeks ago.
For the Profile aerodrink system, cut up an old tube and use it like a large rubber band to hold it in place. No bouncing. Also, zip ties work well!
Lick your goggles...all that anti fog stuff is crap.
845
Member
1005 days
PJT posted 11 weeks ago.
The tires that come stock on many Cervelos--Vittoria Diamante Pro Lights. Absolutely zero durability.
439
Member
685 days
tsilcyc posted 11 weeks ago.
Most stock tires aren't worth a damn... but that's what trainers are for. :)
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453
Member
337 days
theShiba posted 11 weeks ago.
If anyone wants to get rid of this "stuff that sucks" I'll give you $5 for it. ;)
"Every journey has a secret destination of which the traveler is unaware." —Martin Buber
96
Member
255 days
Captain Mal posted 11 weeks ago.
The 20 pound weight belt that I train with...and sleep with, and eat with, and shower with. Been trying to take it back for months, but the return policy really sucks.
"Faster would be better!" -Captain Mal, Serenity-
548
Member
214 days
548
Member
214 days
ChunkyB posted 11 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
Most stock tires aren't worth a damn... but that's what trainers are for. :)
Yeah, I got a flat on my rollers last night. I didn't think it was possible either, but the tires were 3 years old. My blog has some pics of the experience. Honestly, it kind of scared the crap out of me.
I'll tell you at the end of the season if my Hutchinson tires from Nashbar suck. Let's hope not.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
439
Member
685 days
tsilcyc posted 11 weeks ago.
They make tires specifically for trainers and rollers. If you're logging serious mileage, it might be worth the investment.
Continental Ultra Sport Tire for Trainers and Rollers: "The Continental Ultra Sport Tire is designed for trainer and roller use only. Its special cold-running orange compound prevents it from experiencing the heat buildup of a road tire. It will not suffer the tread separation that the road tire will while under the loads occurring when in cycling and on the trainer. Plus this tire is a quieter sounding tire which will make your family or neighbors happy. The best trainer tire available! Not suitable for on-road use."
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845
Member
1005 days
PJT posted 11 weeks ago.
tsilcyc wrote:
They make tires specifically for trainers and rollers. If you're logging serious mileage, it might be worth the investment.Continental Ultra Sport Tire for Trainers and Rollers: "The Continental Ultra Sport Tire is designed for trainer and roller use only. Its special cold-running orange compound prevents it from experiencing the heat buildup of a road tire. It will not suffer the tread separation that the road tire will while under the loads occurring when in cycling and on the trainer. Plus this tire is a quieter sounding tire which will make your family or neighbors happy. The best trainer tire available! Not suitable for on-road use."
Yeah, I've used one of those for something like 3 years now. It is finally starting to show some real wear. Great trainer tire, but an absolute bear to mount on most rims. It definitely does not suck.
845
Member
1005 days
PJT posted 11 weeks ago.
As far as stock tires sucking--it's definitely some more than others. I had an OK run on the bontragers that came w/ my trek equinox.
Oh if someone only could have warned me....
Hutchinson Carbon Comp Tires - The tire is so soft even the dullest rocks were embedded in the casing--and more than one had punctured through the casing. One of the least puncture resistant tires I've ever spooned on my bike. Absolute crap.
VDO MC 1.0 Bike Computer - The numbers matching the tire's circumference could NOT be entered into the bike computer. Had to contact tech support (no luck) and then finally found the right settings on a pdf buried on their website. Now the sensor isn't picking up the magnet about 1 out of ever 20 revolutions even though they're as close as they can get to each other without tapping into each other. New batteries maybe after 4 months? I'll try that, but my Cateye worked for 3 years....
Performance Carbon Bike Cages - Don't use if you don't like your water bottles flying off your bike. I even sprayed the inside with spray on rubber and that didn't do the trick, either. I lost ALL my waterbottles at the same time at Vineman last year.
Any Anti-Fog. It works once. The second time you apply it it turns what's left of the first application into some kind of glue like smear substance that is the equivalent of crazy glue. Not an amusing experience.
Greatness is only achieved by those who perpetually raise the expectations of themselves to the point where it ruins their life.