Biking - Brain Dump

So I haven't posted in awhile. Here's a brain dump of my biking hobby. Enjoy. 


My bikes:
Trek Madone 3.1 
Rocky Mountain CX 

The Madone

Madone - Drive Side

Madone - Drive Train

The CX

The CX - Drive Side

The CX - Drive Train

My Babies! 

My Babies!
 (Zoomed out)

My approximate daily route: 
http://g.co/maps/3ht6y 
(Note this will be changing to something completely different (more distance) starting January)

Things I've learned: 


Equipment:
(Note: you don't need the best equipment or anything very special at all to bike. Simply jump on and start pedaling)


Clothing:

• more padding on shorts does not mean more comfort. The most comfortable pair of bike shorts/tights I own have the least amount of padding 
• Bike jerseys are nice but more of a luxury than anything 
•  I find I have to keep my neck covered or I end up getting a sore throat/sick

Lights (Information and Review):

• I'm a bit crazy for lights so I'll just go through the ones I have: 
• Deal extreme setup (I needed a bright light but didn't want to spend much)
• light  - $30.50USD
• mount  - $2.39USD
• batteries  - $9.90USD
• battery case - $2.10USD 
• battery charger - $10.90USD 
• Total: $55.80 (Includes shipping)

• If you are on a budget and need a light to do some night riding, this is definately worth it. 
•  Not 900 lumens, more like 400 
• Having spare batteries you can swap out is a huge plus 
• No strobe mode. 
• VERDICT: Worth it

• PDW Danger zone - $37USD 
• this is my main tail light.
• unique strobe mode
• It's pretty big for a tail light
• MEC has this light for $19.75CAD 
• VERDICT: Worth it

• Turbo superflash - $33.99USD
• This light keeps turning off (due to road vibration), I emailed planet bike and I've apparently been put on the waiting list for a new version of the light (this is a known issue)
• It's bright and visible, I have a friend that uses this (his isn't defective) and he loves it
• Same size/weight as the superflash (light/smallish)
• MEC has this light for $18.75CAD
• VERDICT: Reserving my judgement till the replacement comes 

• Planet Bike blaze 2W - $59.99USD 
• It's bright, but not as bright as I want it to be 
• MEC has this light for $34.00CAD 
• Love the way this looks on my bike 
• VERDICT: Nice light, would rather get something else. 

• Light & Motion urban 300 - $130.00USD 
• this light is bright, light and awesome 
• Charging port is sometimes a bit hard to access
• No replaceable battery 
• No way to see battery indicator without turning on the light
• The mount is nice (also comes with an included helmet mount) but the light cannot be detached from the mount
• VERDICT: LOVE!

• Bike Glow Safety light - $25USD 
• cool concept
• not particularly bright (will stand out at night)
• emits a 'whining sound' when turned on (You ignore it after awhile/the wind is waaay louder)
• makes people look twice (or so I've been told)
• VERDICT: Not a necessity but totally worth it 

• Nite Ize SpokeLit LED wheel light - $8USD
• looks cool 
• uses weird batteries (harder to find replacements)
• not sure if this is particularly good for my wheel/spokes 
• VERDICT: meh

Other lights (I don't own these...yet):

• radbot 1000 - $32USD
•  Saw this in store, it's bright
• Ordered, currently being shipped :D 
• MEC has this for $16USD 

• Cosmic Dreadnought - $65USD 
• MEC has this light for $35CAD 
• My friend has this light, if you're on a budget get this. 

Tools:  

• Filzer Mini‑Zee Pump w/pressure gauge ()
• MEC sells this for $27CAD 
• Easier to pump to high PSI then most hand pumps (although it's slightly larger than most hand pumps too)
• Pressure gauge is a bit awkward to read 
• VERDICT: Worth it 

• Filzer I‑Tool Grande 
• MEC sells this for $15.75CAD 
• The seperate piece (I think this is the chain tool) slides off if you're not careful
• The allen keys/screwdrivers twist out of the way when one tries to use them 
• VERDICT: good for emergencies/occasional tightening 

• Filzer chain cleaner 
• Seems flimsy
• Cleans waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than a rag (what I was prev using)
• Replacement parts are available 
• VERDICT: not bad, I really don't have anything to compare it to. 

Other:

• rack + panniers make commuting so much better, that said backpacks are usable.

• Rack - Axiom Phoenix Rear  - $69.99CAD
• looks nice, heavy
• blocks dirt/mud (like a fender)
• pain to get mounted on bike (rubbed wheel), fell off once because screws were not tightened (my fault)
• Nasbar sells this rack for $19.99USD 
• Verdict: Worth it for 20 bucks not 70 

• Panniers - Axiom Typhoon LX - $140CAD
• Waterproof (I've never gotten anything wet)
• wish they fit more (but this is something I wish for every bag I own, even the bigger ones)
• the bungee cord used for mounting unknots and is a @#@#$@ to get back in (If you buy these make sure the knots are not gonna come apart/use tape)
• There are screws on the inside covered with rubber caps, the caps fall off and the screws scratch your stuff
• The axiom logo is reflective (and functions very well as a reflector)
• Verdict: Functional, I'm sure there is better out there 

• fenders are nice, but I detest them on my 'nice' bike. My 'winter' bike currently has no fenders. I find that the rack I have blocks almost all the crap from the back wheel. 

• Crud Roadracers 
• I had these on my nice bike for a bit, they look good but are finicky
• great if you don't have fender mounts 
• take forever to install (properly) 

• Zefal Swan road fender 
• got this for 30 bucks at LBS 
• worth it although I had to tighten the screw to keep the fender from lowering itself from road vibrations/bumps 

•  I have a contour HD helmet cam. Love this thing, although for most people completely unnessary. 
• Clipless pedal/shoes are awesome, but not necessary. 
• airzound horn - some people claim this is overkill, its prevented 2 serious accidents to date (So totally worth it)

• Louis Garneau Slick shoe cover 
• these are lightweight and do what they are supposed to do
• in hindsight I wish I'd gotten something that was more insulated

• Wool socks - must have 
• Cycling computers - I wish I got one with a backlight 

Lessons learned/Regrets:

• Probably shouldn't have bought the Madone as my first bike. I went in for a trek 1.1 and ended up more than doubling my budget to get the bike. Ended up having to get the cheapest shoes possible and used pedals (that squeak if not lubed often). Also initially skimped on things like lights (bad idea). 
• Bike accessories are expensive, make sure you factor this into the purchase of your bike