SaiKaiTai

They've come in a bit at a time but they're all here and they've all been tried.
Last week I picked a replacement for my Giro Stylus.
Nice helmet but hard to adjust and, well, it just didn't hold up too well.
So, I got a Giro Saros -the next step up- and it's a *really* nice helmet; comfortable, easy to adjust, and it has great airflow. Amazing airflow... almost too cold sometimes (no such thing )
It almost matches the livery of my Giant. A little too much so, really. Hm. I am marked.
Got some new PI gloves, too. A pair of blue (again, a little too close a match for my bike...) and a pair of grey.
I also ended up trading in my dead Garmin 305 for a live 705. Yes, I have more money than brains. So what? This is a SWEET computer. I liked my 305. I *love* my 705.
And, of course, I had my DZ Nuts sample.
So, off the helmet, the glove (blue), the Garmin and, yes, the DZ Nuts headed down to the Montara Beach parking lot to start a nice 35-40 mile ride down the coast and back. I didn't want to ride in the car with a lathered up... well, lathered up, OK? I figured I'd just use one of the porta-potties they have in the lot. Well, of course, one them was in use and the other had a busted latch. Oh great, the first instruction is "drop your shorts" and the "door doesn't latch" isn't exactly what you're after. Oh well... I couldn't lock it but I got it to stay closed. I squeezed out the contents of the tube and a few seconds later -if you catch what I'm leaving out- WHOA! This stuff is interesting but not entirely unpleasant.
35 miles later I was back, everything worked, I got a nice ride, stopped at the local Music Hut on the way back and finally picked up the new Chickenfoot. I am happy.

Then the rest of my stuff came. My Camelback Polar bottle. Nice (in a limited test). My new seatpost for my Jamis. Same as the one it came with but now one carries my B-67; the other, the Selle San Marco that came with the Jamis. Now I can swap them out, depending on the ride. I tried the San Marco today. very different from the Brooks. Very. And maybe, also, very noticeable going uphill. And... I got some Performance Ultra Bibs to try. These just might change everything.

Ain't toys grand?

Maybe next: some 28c Vittoria Randonoers to replace the 32c's my Jamis came with.
If it's anything like the switch from 28c to 25c's on my Giant (and why wouldn't it be?), these would be very, very nice.

maddmaxx 

Toys are nice!

kr32

Would really like to hear about the Polor bottle and real time cooling. How long, or how much longer, does it keep stuff cool? Is it really worth it for the amount of time it keeps stuiff cool? Stuff like that.

Also the helmet is something I am intrested in as well. I may have to go check them out this weekend.

Okay one more thing....are the PI gloves padded? I am not too keen on padded gloves in fact I do not even were gloves but if I could find a non padded one I might.

jppe

Polar bottles = great marketing -at least in the humid Southeast US. It might get you another 10 mins

I'd like to hear how the DZ nuts goes........for me I rode a lot faster just trying to get the breeze to cool things off a bit.

overthehillmedi

every time i read DZNuts the mental picture..............










i wish that poster hadn't changed the zed to a gee!

bikegeek57

giving thanks that he did not post pictures....

as for Japan and new toys... must be an early christmas over there?

The Smokester

Good luck with the new toys.

It is true that all helmets in the US must protect to safety standards, but the more expensive ones come in more sizes...The less expensive ones come in one size fits all. For me--living in a helmet for many hours a year--paying more for a helmet that fits well translates into a lot more comfort for not too many more cents per hour.

kr32

Kind of what I was thinking, thanks.

stapfam

Funny how upgrading on parts- like helmets- seems to give a better feel to the bike.

I am getting worried- Blue bike- Blue Gloves- Blue helmet- --- You'r not getting the OCP syndrome- are you?

Buts pics are now necessary- we'll pass on the DZ nuts and its effects- but haven't had a pic of you for years- Have you aged much?

CB HI

I freeze 3/4 full bottles and get at 30-60 minutes extra cold from my Polar bottle.

CB HI

Especially if you get the "Live Strong" special edition.

SaiKaiTai

OCP? I am having my fears, yes... I don't know what's wrong with me
And, now, on top of that, I am a bib-liever

Well, no question, I guess, that a Selle San Marco -which weighs less than nothing- would give a better feel than a fully sprung, boat-anchor B-67

But the helmet, yeah.

To the other posters: the gloves are padded. Sorry, no help there.
I don't think anyone could call the Giro Stylus a "cheap helmet" but it's just awkward to use.
Much more so than the more expensive Saros which is a dream and REALLY well ventilated to boot.

stapfam

Missed the BIB bit so well done on finally maturing enough to realise what works. Bought my first bibs many years ago and only have one pair of ordinary shorts now.

And on saddles- When iIgot Boreas and the TCR- I went for FIZIC saddles. I had heard a lot about them and they were marvellous- for 6 months. Then they just went off- or my butt changed. I use two saddles now -A Flite gel-Max and a San Marco Aero. Both similar shapes and they both work.

SaiKaiTai

My OCR C2 came equipped with a Fizik and it certainly was an improvement over the stock Bontrager which came with my Lemond. Still -heresy, I know- my B-17 went over to the Giant toot sweet.
No regrets.

By the way, let's not forget what started all this: going from 28c Conti Sport Contacts to 25c Conti 4000's. There's now no question in my mind that the bike is faster, quicker, and more responsive with the 4000's. A fantastic tire.

billydonn

So many toys.... so lttle time!

I changed fom MTB helmet to cheapish Bell road model several months ago and the cooling difference is really amazing.