Say you’ve just sat back on your sofa and your hand slips in-between the cushions. You pull out a £100 note! Huh? How did that get there?
Naturally you begin dreaming about all the things you could spend it on. Being an avid cyclist you decide it is something bike related you want to see that money go towards.
After all you spend all that time on your bike everyday why not get something new.
Perhaps you consider upgrading your bike components. It would be nice to have a smoother, faster ride. Perhaps you could have an extra couple of minutes in bed! It is generally accepted that one of the best component upgrades is a new set of wheels. So perhaps that is what you fancy?
Maybe you’re all about the fancy accessories? New bike computer? New cycling jacket? New cycling shoes?
How about time for a new saddle? You’ve heard that the thin ones are particularly good and comfy.
Or perhaps you want to start doing more work on your bike. So maybe a new bike stand is for you?
Or perhaps you want to get really technical. How about a helmet camera or a high-powered bike light?
A pair of outlier trousers
Helmet camera: £100 would only pay for half of it, but would really be a great thing for me!
I would buy a Brooks saddle and a bike computer! (The computer can be bought with whatever’s left from the saddle… it doesn’t have to be a hugely fancy thing)
A simple cycle computer and some more locking stuff for my bike…still need more to lock my bike up with.
Recent bicycle purchases: Knog small messenger bag-come bicycle pannier…love this item and looks good.
Also got Kryptonite mini D lock…a bit small…but very hefty and strong.
Definitely put it towards one of those GoPro HD helmet cameras. Saw them first (the SD version) on the http://www.nycbikemaps.com site, great watching the bike routes of NYC on video
Another Brooks saddle for my second bike – woops, I meant my girlfriends bike :0-)
I’d get a pair of Gore Paclite waterproof pants for rainy days.
@s
I’d love some Gore Paclite stuff…but I don’t think £100 would cover it!
I would buy some clipless pedals and shoes. They are still on my list, I cycle 24 miles a day and think that they would /probably/ be sensible, but there is a lot of stops on the way, so maybe not.
I wonder if I could combine my £100 with other people’s and erect some sort of ski lift up Archway Hill?
Food
@Amey
Surly bicycle stuff is more improtant than food…Like when you are down to your last ten pounds and are hungry…but then you see a nice top on sale…
I would buy two Kevlar coated tyres. I’ve been hit by a spate of punctures lately and it’s really annoying when you’ve just got a nice speed up, and you’re settled for a long run when you get the wheel wobble indicating a flat.
I’m looking around for some really good tyres, robust without compromising on performance. I reckon a hundred quid would get me two.
Paul, have you tried armadillos? I find them a good compromise
Go on a 3 hour to Brazil
New cycling jacket as my current Berghaus one has a zip that’s on the way out.
I’ve tried Altura, but they are too short for me (longer than standard back length), so if anyone knows of a waterproof jacket which is long length, be pleased to know (Large size seems to mean just baggy these days!)
Cheers
Adam
£100 to spend? Want to improve your commute? Then spend it on a one to one advanced cycle class, will make much more of a difference than lighter wheels or a titanium bottle cage
I have to carry my world with me so a couple of Bike Bins from http://www.bikebins.com, really big totally waterproof lockable panniers. Reckon I could do the Tesco shop with those.
Good to see a lot of love for the Outlier stuff. Very expensive unfortunately!
@George like the suggestion on the ski-lift! Maybe that could be done on more of London’s hills to give cyclists an easy ride?
@Tim, panniers are a good suggestion. I’m going to invest in a new pair soon for shopping etc
Well, ideally, new GPS tracking computer-ish device…but realistically, I need a new rear rim. I’ve been banging dents out the current one for weeks and it’s just not coming out…But, considering I’m building a new commuter bike, I scour the flea markets, Craigslist ads, ebay, etc., for as many components as I could get…yeah, the last one is totally what I would do right now. Screw the dent in my rear wheel.
Ali’s point about a cycle class is a good one. For me, somewhere in London there’s an Alexander Technique therapist who specialises in working with cyclists to improve their posture, stop the sprains etc. I have a recurring tendonitis in my right ankle which I know is down to me keeping my ankle too high. Self-support (ie: trying to re-habitualise myself in to pulling my ankle down) can only do so much!
If I couldn’t find the Alex teacher’s phone number, I’d get myself a really decent bottom bracket that wasn’t one of these enclosed ones, so I could take it apart, regrease it properly and avoid the inevitable point where it begins clunking as you ride. It would help me to learn more about my bike mechanics too. The last time mine was replaced I am absolutely certain that the bike shop involved fitted a replacement that was substandard. It’s already feeling a bit dodgy, less than a year later.
That or a proper mechanic course so I could mend my old girl at home and not have to fork out, though I suspect that would cost alot more than £100!
I would buy the rear cluster and mech I need to convert my single speed back to gears, so I can cycle 1 1/2 miles uphill to work on a bike which weighs less than half the 60lb+load of my Yuba Mundo.
amknhmjpmddoepkrarmjlosfarajhdrsa
how about shoes. I would buy heels , conferses , high tops , pumps,
Or a brand new bike soz forgot it was only big stuff