Trying to get back to serious cycling - especially time trials and criteriums and such. I’ve only been away for 4 years but everything about gear is so incredibly different already.
Got me wondering, what is something you wish would have been easier about cycling/tri gear, when you first started getting into serious cycling? Was there a certain piece of kit which had you scratching your head? Was there something which you couldn’t justify by price?
SO in general, what was something complicated, which you wish was easier about cycling gear, when you first started getting into serious cycling/tri?
1 Like
That reviews and brand marketing is 90% BS, and/or is otherwise indiscernible to 90% of riders or riding situations.
And, that more expensive does not always mean better!
5 Likes
That weight is almost always secondary to aerodynamics.
2 Likes
How much of a difference a good set of tires/tubes makes in both ride quality and watts saved.
How much of a difference clothing can make. A good race skinsuit and aero road helmet (evade…cough cough) get you more speed than spending an extra $5k on a bike.
I’m not sure if “fuel” counts as gear.
But when I think about how much money I spent on expensive fuel mixes I get angry. It’s all expensive sugar and salt. I can get granulated sugar and salt/electrolytes anywhere.
3 Likes
That kit sizing is incredibly inconsistent - both from one brand to another and within brands. It’s taken a lot of trial and error to figure out what sizes work for different pieces of kit from various manufacturers.
1 Like
You, the cyclist is by far the most important variable in any circumstances!
1 Like
Fit. That height is not a good indicator for frame size.
Beyond that, that endless MB of text is written about imperceptible differences between components.
1 Like
Most saddlE sore issues can be resolved by first lowering the seat a fair amount and then gradually raising it back up. New saddles aren’t often required if you do this. If the seat is too high no amount of cushioning or geometry will save you.
1 Like
Tri bike saddles/positions work way better with minimally padded shorts, vs road bike that have the contact furth back allow slightly more padded shorts.
I’m unfortunately the bane of your comments existance, as a marketer - but, expensive doesnt mean better I wholeheartedly agree with. There’s so many bits and bobs which are devastatingly expensive. That’s why lately I’ve been venturing into the land of aliexpress and there’s some great stuff there!
Absolutely. I mentioned here at an earlier point, that I’m a marketer, which has me even more confused as to why every cycling brand seems to be essentially lying in their sales texts. The math doesn’t math, if one company has a longer top tube and the other one has a smaller and both are supposedly the best 
For the longest of time I’ve been wondering why time trial skin suits seem to have so much padding, when almost all of it is supposed to be flapping in the wind with only the couple centimeters in the front touching the saddle. Tri suits are mighty comfy in very aggressive positions indeed!
100%. It’s also reassuring to read this, when you’re an Evade user. Recently I’ve been trying to figure out what a “race bike” for the average consumer really needs and the cap comes way sooner, then what’d you’d think.
Riding upgrades is more beneficial to better fitness than upgrades. Know it now. My goals in life are now to ride and that’s it.
In terms of cycling bibs and shoes - buy nice, or buy twice.
Hah - I’ve always bought the less expensive <$120 cycling shoes in the past (might be a little higher now, inflation) never had a problem with them. If they fit, they’re probably fine for cycling. You can spend $400+ on cycling shoes but if they’re not the right fit, your $120 shoe will outperform it.
Even for bibs, I disagree that more expensive = better. I’ve used several Assos bibs and they def have superior materials and stitching, but at the end of my 50-100 mile rides, there’s no functional difference between them any of my $50-$120 bibs. The small caveat I’d make to this is for winter riding thermal gear, probably should spend north of $120 for these, as the cheaper you go, the bulkier they get, so the more advanced thermal materials can be worth a small premium here. (Cheap thermal cycling pants/bibs on Amazon are usually ineffective for real cold temps, or get really thick and stiff, which isn’t great for cycling.)
Yeah my comment was more about the durability and how many rides/races/seasons you get out of them. Your comment for the cheap thermal piece about them being thick and stiff is what my experience has been around cheap bib/cycling shorts.
Cycling shoes - def agree on the fit, but that is really anything you buy when it comes down to it. I have a pair of Shimano S-Phyre shoes that I have had since 2018 with zero issues other than scuff marks. And I use those suckers a lot!
My cheapest pair of shorts and even bibs are indestructible. 7 years of regular use and still totally fine. No need to spend for super expensive Italian poly fibers.