It’s not often these days that you can safely say a bike product has changed everything for you- but there are a handful of products I simply couldn’t live without- starting with the lock-on grip.
For years I endured XC races in the wet, where it was only a matter of time before the dreaded throttle grip took hold, exactly halving the control you had on your bike with a 150mm stem, tiny bars and terrible geometry. No wonder I’m not easily fazed by off road trails, growing up riding out of control most the time…
Going along with the theme of control, I’ve got to say disc brakes.
As good as cantilever brakes were in the dry, and how much of an improvement V-brakes were, I still remember that feeling of bombing down a wet hill only to realise with wet rims there was no braking what-so-ever. That cold, panicked feeling only lasted a second until you realised, and after a while you’d pre-empt you poor brakes and start braking way before. But I’d never go back now I’ve got used to powerful, reliable and predictable disc brakes.
Toe clips were another thing you just adapted to- but were actually horrifically dangerous- especially if like me you used to do them up super tight for extra power! If you crashed, typically you were stuffed though and the bike was coming with you…
SPD pedals are an incredible invention by Shimano, and despite being mimicked by many other manufacturers, are still the best and come at all price brackets.
Finally, and what led me on to talking about this stuff I can’t live without is waterproof shorts. Like many, I don’t mind getting out and getting wet and muddy, but sometimes- like commuting, getting soaked just isn’t fun. Instead of having shorts caked in mud and soaked through weighing several pounds, and both trying to grip my saddle and pull them selves down- I can ride in the foulest conditions in water proof shorts that keep my backside dry.
And that single product alone is enough to completely change wet weather riding for me. Largely in the monsoons that we’ve been having, I’ve relished riding to work in the rain- it’s fun! Cocooned in my waterproof jacket, shorts and shoes bubble it becomes a great laugh. Buy some today- I promise it will change your riding…
