jtomassetti
Posts:109
Super User
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| 01/09/2010 12:29:39 |
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This discussion is about bicycle gadgets. Let us know about cycling accessories that you really love  or that you really hate  .
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jtomassetti
Posts:109
Super User
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| 01/09/2010 12:31:31 |
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Good Stuff: Reynolds Seal Tight Plastic Wrap
This plastic wrap stretches like elastic. It is great for wrapping around spare tubes. It compacts the tube into a small tight waterproof package. It works much better than a rubber band & zip lock bag. (Good stuff does not need to be expensive)
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jtomassetti
Posts:109
Super User
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| 01/10/2010 06:41:39 |
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Good stuff: Planet Bike Super Flash rear blinking light.
The strobe-like blinking is very bright. I have had mine for about 2 years and I have not had to change any batteries yet. However, I don't ride much from dusk to dawn so I only use it on rainy or foggy days. It clips on and off easily so I can use the same light on both of my bikes. It is very reasonable priced and 25% of the Planet Bike profit goes toward bike advocacy "to improve conditions for bicycling".
I haven't found a really great but inexpensive front light yet.
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jtomassetti
Posts:109
Super User
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| 02/18/2010 16:35:20 |
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Good stuff: Florida Racing Magazine
It is a bicycle magazine about cycling in Florida. Best of all it is free. This is not a printed magazine. It is an electronic magazine but it is crafted to look like a regular magazine when it is up on your computer screen. You can find it at:
http://www.floridaracingmagazine.com/ |
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Jeff Hohlstein
Posts:21
Active User
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| 03/04/2010 10:09:34 |
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I HATE to clean my bicycle chain!
About a year ago, Dave VanDerZee introduced me to Rock "N" Roll (RnR) Absolute Dry chain lubricant. The first time it's used, the chain should first be cleaned the conventional way. I did this with both Jodi's and my chains and then lubed them with RnR. I wiped them dry following the instructions. I have never conventionally cleaned a chain since. After each ride I hang the bike on the car rack and backpedal wipe the chain clean. When I notice it becoming too dry, I add some more RnR at home and wipe it dry again. The post-ride cleaning takes about two minutes. The purists may argue that you can milk more life out of a chain using wax. Maybe you can, but I haven't noticed a wear difference and the convenience certainly makes up for it.
The application process can be a bit messy so put down plenty of newspaper and be careful how fast you spin the chain.
It can be ordered on the internet and some of the local bicycle shops have it. |
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Depot
Posts:117
Super User
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| 03/04/2010 17:47:01 |
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Hate It: waste of money: CamelBak Podium Chill Water Bottle - http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recreation/bottles/podium-chilljacket.aspx
Capacity is only 21oz., it does a poor job of keeping the contents chilled, the Jet-Valve drinking system is a gimmick and nothing more, and they're very over-priced. |
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Larry Clark, Ride Leader of Record
NFBC Ride Director for 2009
2009 1st Place Male/Overall Mileage Winner: 11,605 miles |
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roadrunner
Posts:18
Active User
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| 03/10/2010 08:13:48 |
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Posted By Depot on 03/04/2010 17:47:01
Hate It: waste of money: CamelBak Podium Chill Water Bottle - http://www.camelbak.com/sports-recreation/bottles/podium-chilljacket.aspx
Capacity is only 21oz., it does a poor job of keeping the contents chilled, the Jet-Valve drinking system is a gimmick and nothing more, and they're very over-priced.
Is there any coldwater bottle system that works?
I use a used sports drink bottle filled with frozen water and it only takes about 1/2-hour to melt and then it starts getting really warm soon after. Granted my bottle is not insulated; it's been years since I've tried one. |
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"The aim of science is to make difficult things understandable in a simpler way; the aim of poetry is to state simple things in an incomprehensible way. The two are incompatible."
-- Paul Dirac
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devious
Posts:43
Active User
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| 03/13/2010 15:09:01 |
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I personally like the Camelbac Insulated Podium Bottle, and think it keep my drinks cool longer than the Polar bottles. As far as the nozzle, I like that also, as I can get three good swallows from one squeeze, and it will squirt a stream for about 6 or 8 feet, if that is what you like to do.
Best thing since sliced bread.
David Von Stein  |
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How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? |
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devious
Posts:43
Active User
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| 03/13/2010 15:16:41 |
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I recently got a new taillight, actually I bought a combo pack with a headlight and taillight. As much as I liked the Planet Bike Super Flash, my favorite was the Serfas TL-1000 which is no longer available. Part of this combo pack included the TL-200 tail light which has two of the 1 watt LED's that the Super Flash has. My big concern now is that who ever is riding behind me will complain that it is too bright.
David Von Stein |
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How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? |
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jtomassetti
Posts:109
Super User
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| 04/04/2010 14:24:19 |
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I use a metalic silver sharpie to write the ICE (in case of emergency) phone number on the outside of my bicycling helmet. What emergency ID works best for you?
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dennis
Posts:77
Super User
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| 04/05/2010 13:13:56 |
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I've got three ICE numbers on my cell phone. I'm told that the emergency responders will look for that info on your cell phone.
dennis |
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I used to skinny dip, now I chunky dunk! |
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jtomassetti
Posts:109
Super User
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| 04/07/2010 04:41:13 |
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My cell requires a pass word to do anything but make an emergency phone 911 call. So for me the cell phone option does not work.  |
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Depot
Posts:117
Super User
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| 04/08/2010 05:47:33 |
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Cateye Double Wireless Cadence and Speed CC-CD300DW: A great unit with a lot of features but with one major drawback: my Polar HRM interferes with it when I get down in the drops.
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Larry Clark, Ride Leader of Record
NFBC Ride Director for 2009
2009 1st Place Male/Overall Mileage Winner: 11,605 miles |
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Depot
Posts:117
Super User
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| 04/08/2010 05:48:47 |
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Posted By devious on 03/13/2010 15:09:01 <img src='http://www.nfbc.us/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/biggrin.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Big Grin' align='absmiddle'> I personally like the Camelbac Insulated Podium Bottle, and think it keep my drinks cool longer than the Polar bottles. As far as the nozzle, I like that also, as I can get three good swallows from one squeeze, and it will squirt a stream for about 6 or 8 feet, if that is what you like to do. Best thing since sliced bread. David Von Stein <img src='http://www.nfbc.us/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/whistling.gif' height='20' width='20' title='Whistling' align='absmiddle'>
Have you taken a good close look, inside and out, of the nozzle? How long do you suppose you've been drinking that mold that's inside there?
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Larry Clark, Ride Leader of Record
NFBC Ride Director for 2009
2009 1st Place Male/Overall Mileage Winner: 11,605 miles |
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Depot
Posts:117
Super User
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| 04/08/2010 05:50:51 |
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Not a gadget BUT certainly worth mentioning: Continental Ultra Gatorskin tyres. I got 9,000 miles out of my rear one and I am HARD on tyres. This with only one flat.
Contact me if you're interested in getting these tyres CHEAP. |
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Larry Clark, Ride Leader of Record
NFBC Ride Director for 2009
2009 1st Place Male/Overall Mileage Winner: 11,605 miles |
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jtomassetti
Posts:109
Super User
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| 04/09/2010 04:29:36 |
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Bad Stuff: Rumble strips in Georgia.
I have taken a few rides up into Georgia recently. There must be some rule in Georgia that new pavement on roads must include rumble strips along the edge of the road for the entire length of the road. Just north of Florida on 17 these are just small rumble strips that make a slight sounds when crossing on the bicycle. However, on other roads they are deep and often fill up the entire shoulder. These deep ones were on roads that are designated bicyle routes.
On the other hand Georrgia seems to be doing well at training drivers to look out for bicyles. Drivers in Georgia seem more polite and make efforts to give lots of room when passing. |
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jtomassetti
Posts:109
Super User
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| 05/24/2010 08:26:59 |
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Has anyone tried a water bottle called Clean Bottle™? Both the top and bottom screw-off which is supposed to make cleaning and drying easy. I wonder if it will start leaking after a few months.
http://www.cleanbottle.com/index.html
They cost about $10 each so they are more expensive than regular bottles. What do you think?
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Depot
Posts:117
Super User
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| 05/24/2010 20:09:23 |
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| A waste of money Jon. If you want to 'deep-clean' your water bottles, fill them with water and drop in a Polident tablet, and let it do its thing. |
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Larry Clark, Ride Leader of Record
NFBC Ride Director for 2009
2009 1st Place Male/Overall Mileage Winner: 11,605 miles |
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devious
Posts:43
Active User
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| 05/31/2010 16:47:24 |
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Posted By Depot on 04/08/2010 05:48:47 Posted By devious on 03/13/2010 15:09:01 <img src='http://www.nfbc.us/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/biggrin.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Big Grin' align='absmiddle'> I personally like the Camelbac Insulated Podium Bottle, and think it keep my drinks cool longer than the Polar bottles. As far as the nozzle, I like that also, as I can get three good swallows from one squeeze, and it will squirt a stream for about 6 or 8 feet, if that is what you like to do. Best thing since sliced bread. David Von Stein <img src='http://www.nfbc.us/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/whistling.gif' height='20' width='20' title='Whistling' align='absmiddle'> Have you taken a good close look, inside and out, of the nozzle? How long do you suppose you've been drinking that mold that's inside there?
No mold in my bottles, a little soap and water after a ride does wonders. How did you learn of moldy water bottles? 
David |
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How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? |
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roadrunner
Posts:18
Active User
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| 06/01/2010 07:45:17 |
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Moldy bottles are good for training your immune system. Whatever that moldy stuff is, it has nothing on a slimy mudhole I had to drink from on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire -- that was real immune system training |
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"The aim of science is to make difficult things understandable in a simpler way; the aim of poetry is to state simple things in an incomprehensible way. The two are incompatible."
-- Paul Dirac
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