Best & Worst Buys Of 2018

[Slick]

I'll nominate my Mk2 Raleigh Chopper (20Kg of Nottingham's Finest) and Gipiemme L Cranks both in both categories!

Best: fabulous time machines that can take me back to my misspent youth and always conversation-starters
Worst: absolute form-over-function triumphs of marketing, where looks > all else

Bloody love 'em though

View attachment 442412 View attachment 442411

Something very sexy about those mud guards.

 

[classic33]

Something very sexy about those mud guards.

Down boy!

 

[Nigeyy]

I would so love one of those. Can't get them in the USA though

Oh, just realised this one was this year.

View attachment 442396

This is the best thing.

 

[ianrauk]

Worst buy?
A Brompton.
I sold it.. They are over rated and over priced.

Best buy?
Every year I buy by new pair of cheap woollen gloves for the winter commute. They beat any cycling specific gloves hands down for warmth on a cold commute.

 

[biggs682]

Another good buy was a pr of 2nd hand Northwave boots that keep my feet toasty warm & so far dry

 

[Threevok]

Worst Buy - Lifeline clip on rear light
I've been through two in a year and the clip has broken on both of them.

Best Buy - Knog Plus+ front and rear lights
USB re-chargable with a magnetic bracket - plus they can clip on to just about anything

 

[derrick]

Best buy Cervelo aero bars, sooooooo comfatable.
Worst buy a Lezyne rear light. Was forever charging it up, Have binned it now.

 

[beepbeep]

best buy ?

Pair of SIDI carbon shoes - half price in Wiggle sale.

 

[Archie_tect]

View attachment 442352 My Best Buy was a Specialized Tricross Comp from eBay at the end of April for £127, it has now covered 1900 miles and it has been a joy to ride. No bad buys this year.

£127? Wow!

 

[Spiderweb]

£127? Wow!

The strangest thing was when I saw the Tricross on eBay there was a photo of the Specialized folder and paperwork etc. I recognised the original hand written price display card, it was my handwriting from when I worked for specialized in Harrogate. I'd originally sold the bike to the father of the chap that was selling it. Sadly the original owner had died but I remember him well.

 

[Soltydog]

Best buy has got to be my early 50th present, my Enigma Etape, never thought I'd spend so much on a bike, but still love it 2500 miles since August.

Worst buy is a 'titanium' bottle cage off the bay, bought to match one I already had, but the ebay one started to rust after just a week

 

[MichaelW2]

Best buy was a rear Shimano sprocket for my Alfine + chain and chainring, which solved by skipping chain without having to fix any internals.
Worst buy? Getting a lovely used Trek mixte bike for my wife, that she hardly ever uses. I feel and electric conversion kit approaching.

 

[NorthernDave]

Best buy was the Giant Contend SL1 Disc - technically bought in 2017, but it's within the last year (just) so I'm having it. Bought as a winter bike but it's simply lovely to ride and gets used far more than intended.

Worst? A pair of Grib Grab overshoes from Amazon that have all the thermal properties of a paper bag. Or a pair of Polaris bib shorts that fitted perfectly everywhere except around my lower thighs, where they flapped about in the breeze.

 

[steven1988]

I have also bought myself a new bike this year however my Best buy is a pair of Carbon Tubs for my lads bike, 500 grams lighter than his old wheels and wow what a difference

 

[cosmicbike]

Or a pair of Polaris bib shorts that fitted perfectly everywhere except around my lower thighs, where they flapped about in the breeze.

I've got a pair of those too....