Need help on Pedals,shoes,helmets,sunglasses etc.

[wcngu1]

Hi its me again haha. I've decided to buy the Giant TCR composite 2 2006 bike but once again have no idea what are actually good pedals,shoes helmets,sunglasses etc. I have been looking around but I am unaware of what is good bang for my buck. I've learnt from the past that a good brand in bikes "shimano" doesn't necessarily mean they make the best value pedals or shoes.

I"ve heard of specialized,shimano,look etc to be the better brands.

If there are any tried and true equipments and clothing that are known to be bloody good please let me know =) I dont' mind shelling out the extra dough if I know its well worth it.

thanks in advance

 

[SpiderJ]

Hi its me again haha. I've decided to buy the Giant TCR composite 2 2006 bike but once again have no idea what are actually good pedals,shoes helmets,sunglasses etc. I have been looking around but I am unaware of what is good bang for my buck. I've learnt from the past that a good brand in bikes "shimano" doesn't necessarily mean they make the best value pedals or shoes.

I"ve heard of specialized,shimano,look etc to be the better brands.

If there are any tried and true equipments and clothing that are known to be bloody good please let me know =) I dont' mind shelling out the extra dough if I know its well worth it.

thanks in advance

It's all personal preference really, but here's what I use:

Pedals: Look Keo's (have two pairs and a third ready to go on the "to be purchased once permission is granted" TT rig) they don't squeak like the old looks seemed too.
Shoes: I swear by my specialised ones, the body geometry footbed suits me to a tee and I will look to some carbon ones when funds allow, but might not be everyones cup of tea, sidi are supposedly the pup's nuts.
Helmets: Again it depends on the shape of your bonce - you need to go and try them, good makes are Giro, MET, Specialised, Limar and Catlike
Sunnies: I have a pair of specialised ones that are photosensitive and adjust to the light - they are excellent, I still have yellow and clear Oakley M-frame lenses too, but bought the specialised glasses for nearly the same prices as a replacement oakley lens when I dropped them and smashed the tinted lens - b@gger!

 

[wcngu1]

It's all personal preference really, but here's what I use:

Pedals: Look Keo's (have two pairs and a third ready to go on the "to be purchased once permission is granted" TT rig) they don't squeak like the old looks seemed too.
Shoes: I swear by my specialised ones, the body geometry footbed suits me to a tee and I will look to some carbon ones when funds allow, but might not be everyones cup of tea, sidi are supposedly the pup's nuts.
Helmets: Again it depends on the shape of your bonce - you need to go and try them, good makes are Giro, MET, Specialised, Limar and Catlike
Sunnies: I have a pair of specialised ones that are photosensitive and adjust to the light - they are excellent, I still have yellow and clear Oakley M-frame lenses too, but bought the specialised glasses for nearly the same prices as a replacement oakley lens when I dropped them and smashed the tinted lens - b@gger!

Hmm they sound good...I"ll go check em out! so far I have compiled a few potentials! tell me what you think =D


EDIT:

i am currently steering towards the following

RoadHelmet-07 : Specialized DecibelAn absolutely outstanding helmet packed with features.

Specifications:

Construction: Top to Bottom In-Molding
Retention: PRO Fit 2 retention system
Vents: 4th Dimension Cooling System
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Standard: Australian Standards Approved

Price$224.95 (incl. $20.45 GST)

Shimano PD-R540 SPD-SL Road Pedals



PRICE:
document.write(getProductPrice("$","\,",2,".",false, true, 1022,"inc No Tax within Australia","inc No Tax within Australia","International Orders",0,true));$89.00

Shimano SH-RO98-A Road Shoes





PRICE:
document.write(getProductPrice("$","\,",2,".",false, true, 1381,"inc No Tax within Australia","inc No Tax within Australia","International Orders",0,true));$149.00

BBB BSG-23 Winner Sunglasses



PRICE:
$55.00

Lock-10 : Kryptonite New YorkThe ultimate D-Lock, the lock by which all others are measured. If you want ultimate security, this is the lock for you...

Price$149.95 (incl. $13.63 GST)

 

[kleng]

Pedals - I'd have a look at the Shimano SPD-SL range many different models but same fundamental design. More expensive as they get lighter.


Shoes - Shimano R151 and 215B both have carbon fibre soles. These are 215B model.

Helmets - Met have a good range topping out to the Stradivarius II for road riders. For me they sit a bit lower on the head than the decibel, giving better protection to the ears.

Sunnies - As you have identified would go for the BBB BSG-23 winner frames, very reasonably priced with 2 additional lenses for different conditions, orange for overcast and clear for nightime.

Clothing - Jaggad (australian brand currently on sale at 30% off till the end of August) - the Intercooler bib knicks are excellent.

http://www.jaggad.com/au/index.php

The reason I have recommend these models is that they are very easy to find in Melbourne. If you tell us where your located we can recommend some stores to visit.

 

[artemidorus]

Don't get the R-540 pedals - they seem not to last very long (ie 9,000km). Go the next model up (Ultegra).
I'll put in my vote for Specialized BG shoes - they are excellent.

 

[wcngu1]

Pedals - I'd have a look at the Shimano SPD-SL range many different models but same fundamental design. More expensive as they get lighter.


Shoes - Shimano R151 and 215B both have carbon fibre soles. These are 215B model.



Helmets - Met have a good range topping out to the Stradivarius II for road riders. For me they sit a bit lower on the head than the decibel, giving better protection to the ears.
Sunnies - As you have identified would go for the BBB BSG-23 winner frames, very reasonably priced with 2 additional lenses for different conditions, orange for overcast and clear for nightime.

Clothing - Jaggad (australian brand currently on sale at 30% off till the end of August) - the Intercooler bib knicks are excellent.

http://www.jaggad.com/au/index.php

The reason I have recommend these models is that they are very easy to find in Melbourne. If you tell us where your located we can recommend some stores to visit.

Wow thanks for so much advice.
So I should go for the shimano 151 shoes instead? Yeah I was looking at the Stradivarius II and wasn't sure whether it was better overall against the specialized decibel. I"m still in limbo over that one. Hmm now I"m indecisive again haha


@artemidorus
hmm how much are the specialized BG shoes? i'll go have a look. thanks for warning me about the R-540 pedals. Once again it comes down to experience which I DO NOT HAVE at the moment. Thanks

oh btw I live in melbourne on the eastern side. I live at camberwell and springvale and work in the city.

 

[artemidorus]

hmm how much are the specialized BG shoes? i'll go have a look. thanks for warning me about the R-540 pedals.

A word of caution about my advice - it is based on a sample size of 1! I have not tried the Ultegra pedals myself, but they seem well regarded. I went to the Dura Ace pedals after my R540s clapped out, but I've not used them very long.
The Specialized BG Comp Road (non-carbon) should be somewhere ~$200; the CF version is more.

 

[mysrh]

I have been using the same shoes and sunnie like what you're looking at now. The sunnies are good as they come with 4 pair of lenses. The shoes were what my LBS recommended me for a starter.

But I remember my sunnies costed me $90 at my LBS instead of $149.

My pedal is standard with OCR Comp, but it tends to point upward whenever I clip off my shoes. Does this always happen to any other pedals? It makes me difficult to clip my shoes back on.

 

[wcngu1]

Ok after assessing everyone advice I"ve made a second draft of :


RPS-004 : Shimano Ultegra R-6610
First of the all new SPD-SL pedals from Shimano. Apart from being incredibly light its features include:
Cartridge bearings
Large and low profile platform
Open design facilitates easy cleat adjustment

Price$179.95 (incl. $16.36 GST)

Shimano SH-R151-L Road Shoes





PRICE:
$199.00

OR
SSPR06-01 : Specialized Comp Road 06Enough features to satisfy a pro, yet still very affordable.

It combines the exceptional fit of the M-lock buckle with the performance-enhancing Body Geometry technology...

Price$189.95 (incl. $17.27 GST)


RoadHelmet-04 : Met Stradivarius IIAn ultra light road helmet that looks unbelievable. The Stradivarius is Met's finest instrument. It has fantastic ventilation, great fit and is ultra lightweight...

Price$279.00 (incl. $25.36 GST)

OR

RoadHelmet-07 : Specialized DecibelAn absolutely outstanding helmet packed with features.

Specifications:

Construction: Top to Bottom In-Molding
Retention: PRO Fit 2 retention system
Vents: 4th Dimension Cooling System
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Standard: Australian Standards Approved

Price$224.95 (incl. $20.45 GST)
PRICE:

BBB BSG-23 Winner Sunglasses



PRICE:
$55.00

Lock-10 : Kryptonite New YorkThe ultimate D-Lock, the lock by which all others are measured. If you want ultimate security, this is the lock for you...

Price$149.95 (incl. $13.63 GST)



Fizik Arione Titanium Road Saddle

</B>

PRICE:
$139.00


Just found a new helmet. It seems to be the one up from the
STRADIVARIUS II. 20 bucks more but any better?

MET 5th Element
PRICE:
$289.00



Got a choice between two shoes and 3 helmets maybe so far? Is the fizik saddle really worth getting? Hows this look to you guys? Lovin the advice =) thanks again

 

[Skull]

Wow thanks for so much advice.
So I should go for the shimano 151 shoes instead? Yeah I was looking at the Stradivarius II and wasn't sure whether it was better overall against the specialized decibel. I"m still in limbo over that one. Hmm now I"m indecisive again haha


@artemidorus
hmm how much are the specialized BG shoes? i'll go have a look. thanks for warning me about the R-540 pedals. Once again it comes down to experience which I DO NOT HAVE at the moment. Thanks

oh btw I live in melbourne on the eastern side. I live at camberwell and springvale and work in the city.

Oh to be cashed up....anyway my thoughts are not dissimilar to some of the other posts.

Shoes: I have tried specialized, shimano and vittoria. My latest purchase, after sizing up at a LBS, is the Sidi Hi tech shoes for $307 AUD including postage and got them 6 days later(was going to cost me $435 at LBS). They are without doubt the best I have had yet and will NEVER buy anything else in the future. Pedals, I have never had any dramas with Shimana SPD-SL range. The shoes and pedals were both purchased from www.probikekit.com and saved a heap of money.

Saddle: a personal thing, I tried 6 different types over the 6 year journey thus far, with the best being the Specialized TOUPE. But thats what suits my rear and may not suit yours. The Arione did not suit me although I persisted for about 4 months. Gave the boys numbness no matter where I positioned the saddle.

Have fun shopping.

 

[wcngu1]

Oh to be cashed up....anyway my thoughts are not dissimilar to some of the other posts.

Shoes: I have tried specialized, shimano and vittoria. My latest purchase, after sizing up at a LBS, is the Sidi Hi tech shoes for $307 AUD including postage and got them 6 days later(was going to cost me $435 at LBS). They are without doubt the best I have had yet and will NEVER buy anything else in the future. Pedals, I have never had any dramas with Shimana SPD-SL range. The shoes and pedals were both purchased from www.probikekit.com and saved a heap of money.

Saddle: a personal thing, I tried 6 different types over the 6 year journey thus far, with the best being the Specialized TOUPE. But thats what suits my rear and may not suit yours. The Arione did not suit me although I persisted for about 4 months. Gave the boys numbness no matter where I positioned the saddle.

Have fun shopping.

haha thanks Skull. That is the first time I have heard of Sidi. Is there a place in melbourne you know I can check it out? I looked at the website and is this the one you mentioned?


Supersize Image

Pricing
(Including VAT)

Buy It Now For
Only £159.98

hmmm your saddle is about 100 bucks more than the arione. I"ll give the arione a try first haha

 

[fauxpas]

I bought the '07 model of the 105 pedal (R540) that supposedly does not last long...

I weigh 105kg, so if its gunna not last long, it won't last long with me...

I hope the '07 model has been improved... either way, its cheap compared to what people want for the Ultegra... Would rather buy 2 sets of these than 1 set of Ultegras as you end up with 2 x sets of cleats...

 

[SpiderJ]

Oh, a word of warning, if you plan to race, don't buy a helmet from an overseas supplier (e.g. probikekit). A lot of the time these may not meet aussie standards and will not have the Aussie standards sticker in them, whilst you may be able to get paperwork detailing it's compliance it is so much easier to just take your helmet off and show the sticker to the official!

They don't often check, but if you do have a crash whilst racing and you're discovered, it's likely to void your insurance through cycling australia, which was enough to make me buy a new helmet (I had one from the UK from before I moved over here). My understanding is the Triathlete officials are even more zealous on this front...

 

[wcngu1]

I bought the '07 model of the 105 pedal (R540) that supposedly does not last long...

I weigh 105kg, so if its gunna not last long, it won't last long with me...

I hope the '07 model has been improved... either way, its cheap compared to what people want for the Ultegra... Would rather buy 2 sets of these than 1 set of Ultegras as you end up with 2 x sets of cleats...

eah I"m juggling between ultegras and LOOK KEO'S but I don't know which ones to go for . there seem to be quite a few keo's

 

[SpiderJ]

hmmm your saddle is about 100 bucks more than the arione. I"ll give the arione a try first haha

Saddles are another "different folks, different srokes" area, I too tried loads and eventually settled on the Arione after going through about 4 or 5 others! I now have one on both my commuter and the racing steed, I love 'em! The amount of different positions you can take up on them is pretty good.

 

[wcngu1]

Oh, a word of warning, if you plan to race, don't buy a helmet from an overseas supplier (e.g. probikekit). A lot of the time these may not meet aussie standards and will not have the Aussie standards sticker in them, whilst you may be able to get paperwork detailing it's compliance it is so much easier to just take your helmet off and show the sticker to the official!

They don't often check, but if you do have a crash whilst racing and you're discovered, it's likely to void your insurance through cycling australia, which was enough to make me buy a new helmet (I had one from the UK from before I moved over here). My understanding is the Triathlete officials are even more zealous on this front...

nice advice. I"m just getting back to riding at this point. Racing will be for fun and not too serious in the future. I mainly like touring along the beach and yarra river and AROUND THE BAY =)

 

[SpiderJ]

nice advice. I"m just getting back to riding at this point. Racing will be for fun and not too serious in the future. I mainly like touring along the beach and yarra river and AROUND THE BAY =)

Another note - I looked at the 5th element - it's an MTB helmet, so will probably have more side protection than a road helmet, I have the Strad II though and it's great - Tour riders can't be too far wrong either!

 

[wcngu1]

Ok this is my third draft haha

RPS-004 : Shimano Ultegra R-6610
First of the all new SPD-SL pedals from Shimano. Apart from being incredibly light its features include:
Cartridge bearings
Large and low profile platform
Open design facilitates easy cleat adjustment

Price$179.95 (incl. $16.36 GST)

OR LOOK KEO'S?



Look KEO Carbon CroMo Pedal


Supersize Image

Sidi Energy Hi-Tech carbon Fibre Blue/Blue
(GODDAMN THESE WILL KILL MY BUDGET)

RoadHelmet-04 : Met Stradivarius IIAn ultra light road helmet that looks unbelievable. The Stradivarius is Met's finest instrument. It has fantastic ventilation, great fit and is ultra lightweight...

Price$279.00 (incl. $25.36 GST)

OR

PRICE:

BBB BSG-23 Winner Sunglasses



PRICE:
$55.00

Lock-10 : Kryptonite New YorkThe ultimate D-Lock, the lock by which all others are measured. If you want ultimate security, this is the lock for you...

Price$149.95 (incl. $13.63 GST)



Fizik Arione Titanium Road Saddle

</B>

PRICE:
$139.00


anyone found a cheaper price on a STRAVIDIUS II or the LOCK? it seems a bit much for a helmet haha made of $1 foam!

I've decided to buy all my gear from www.probikekit.com but they dont' stock the helmet. they have a list of helmets in their website but I dont' recognize any of them... if anyone knows of a good one from that website that tops the stravidius II in terms of price and value let me know.
they also have these sunnies at great prices but not sure if they are good. e.g



Supersize Image

A$49.82
Kuota Black Five Lens System Glasses

or



Supersize Image

Quick Step BBB Sunglasses Silver



are these good sunnies?

Would the above shoes clip into both the pedals as mentioned above?
Thanks alot guys this is going great!

 

[SpiderJ]

Ok this is my third draft haha



I've decided to buy all my gear from www.probikekit.com but they dont' stock the helmet. they have a list of helmets in their website but I dont' recognize any of them... if anyone knows of a good one from that website that tops the stravidius II in terms of price and value let me know.

If you buy your stuff from Probikekit keep the order under $1000 otherwise customs will hold it up and charge you GST.

Tom Boonen wears BBB sunnies, so they can't be bad!

 

[geoffs]

haha thanks Skull. That is the first time I have heard of Sidi. Is there a place in melbourne you know I can check it out? I looked at the website and is this the one you mentioned?


Supersize Image

Pricing
(Including VAT)

Buy It Now For
Only £159.98

hmmm your saddle is about 100 bucks more than the arione. I"ll give the arione a try first haha

Pedals - Speedplay Zero's get the thumbs up from me. I've been using Looks for the last 20years and I'm liking the Speedplays more.
Shoes - Sidi. They are the just the best
Helmet - Met's 5th Element fits my head the best. I used to use Giro but the new shape doesn't agree with me. I take the visor off for on the track.
I only use a krytonite cable lock when we are on the tandem and even then I hate not being able to see it. I don't use a lock on the single because it's never out of my sight. If a cafe doesn't like my bike within sight I'll eat somewhere else.

Avoid Sugoi clothing. I used to use nothing but but the new stuff doesn't even last 12 months.
Descente and Pearl Izumi bibs are the most comfortable and appear the best made although I have only had them for a few months so far.

Cheers

Geoff