Bike Forums - The Review Thread

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http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/tacx-ulight-cage-med.jpg

I've had 2 pairs of some 10 grm carbon cages in my bikes for >3 years now, but since the bottom tab recently broke in 2 of them, I decided to get some other cages to try. I couldn't find any carbon ones under 15 grm in a design I liked that were under $60 each, so I figured I would try these Tacx ones. They are the most commonly used in pro bikes, so they have to be a least very functional.

First of, the name of "Ultralight" is a misnomer as I guess it would depend what you consider ultralight for cages. In my mind, that is <15 grm, but these weighted in at 40 grm each with no screws, which means I just added 60 grm to the bike altogether!!! That brings me to my second point, the screws and holes. The holes in these are such that I went through 4 different types of cage screws I had here ranging from carbon fiber screws to your simple steel screws and the heads in all would not fit their holes. They did not come with screws (do they normally???). Finally, I had to take a dremmel and bore the holes out. Had to use 2 different screws still to make it work. Also, one of the cages is so deformed that in order to make it align the holes with the bike's cage holes I had to pull it apart considerably. It is plastic and rubber, so that should not be a big deal I guess. I also had to dremmel the inside lip of the cage so their own tacx bottles could fit through it without having to wrestle considerably with it.

Positive so far is that they were very cheap, and now also accommodate many different bottle types and brands. That was something I never liked about my light carbon cages in that it considerably limited me to which bottles I could use. Given the weight weenie I am, I know this is going to bother me to no end until I replace them for something more permanent and in the 10-15 grm range. They'll do in the meantime though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgasmd (Post 13224850)

http://s3.amazonaws.com/contour.prod...inal/1(12).jpg

Finally broke down and bought this to mount it on my helmet. I was using another mount in my Atmos, but it was not optimal as the camera would sit on the side of the helmet. The weight would make the helmet tilt to the left some over time making the picture/video crooked. This sits easily on the top of the helmet and it is so much easier to adjust the camera. Have not done any videos with it yet, but mounting it was as easy as it gets.

Finally got to use the mount last weekend. It was extremely easy to put the camera in, it tilts to adjust the angle of the lens up and down, and was easy to reach. Also, because it sits right in the top of the helmet, one does not feel the added weight of the camera as much as when I had it in my previous helmet/mount. Certainly a winner!!!

If I remember correctly my Tacx aluminum bottle cages came with screws, but perhaps the screws were already in my frame. In any event the heads did not fit into the holes. I forced them into one cage but left the heads protruding on the other. After several thousand miles I realized the the protruding screw heads keep the bottle in that cage from rattling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgasmd (Post 13307788)

http://s.wiggle.co.uk/images/tacx-ulight-cage-med.jpg

I've had 2 pairs of some 10 grm carbon cages in my bikes for >3 years now, but since the bottom tab recently broke in 2 of them, I decided to get some other cages to try. I couldn't find any carbon ones under 15 grm in a design I liked that were under $60 each, so I figured I would try these Tacx ones. They are the most commonly used in pro bikes, so they have to be a least very functional.

First of, the name of "Ultralight" is a misnomer as I guess it would depend what you consider ultralight for cages. In my mind, that is >15 grm, but these weighted in at 40 grm each with no screws, which means I just added 60 grm to the bike altogether!!! That brings me to my second point, the screws and holes. The holes in these are such that I went through 4 different types of cage screws I had here ranging from carbon fiber screws to your simple steel screws and the heads in all would not fit their holes. They did not come with screws (do they normally do???). Finally, I had to take a dremmel and bore the holes out. Had to use 2 different screws still to make it work. Also, one of the cages is so deformed that in order to make it align the holes with the bike's cage holes I had to pull it apart considerably. It is plastic and rubber, so that should not be a big deal I guess. I also had to dremmel the inside lip of the cage so their own tacx bottles could fit through it without having to wrestle considerably with it.

Positive so far is that they were very cheap, and now also accommodate many different bottle types and brands. That was something I never liked about my light carbon cages in that it considerably limited me to which bottles I could use. Given the weight weenie I am, I know this is going to bother me to no end until I replace them for something more permanent and in the 10-15 grm range. They'll do in the meantime though.

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/img/p...ssxhnmk120.jpg

Bought 2 of these, one red and one black. The fit is very good and much fitter than the Mille jerseys. It is more like the Assos Swiss federation jersey I also own. I like the different panels and their materials a lot. The arm pits have a mess material, which is very nice for ventilation. The hats are like any other cycling hat really. Nothing special about them other than the size is a tiny bit more generous, which is something I noticed quickly as I have a big head. Very happy I got them, and hopefully I'll be soaking them in endless amount of sweat soon enough!!

ASSOS MILLE AND UNO BIB SHORTS

Disappointed in the long term. I bought one of each a while back. I've sent them in to get the pad re-sewn as they were coming apart. They are coming apart again after a few short months. Also, the black section just above the pads is getting very thin very soon. This is not the quality I am used to with this brand in just about everything they make. Love the fit though, although both of these are considerably looser than the top of the range bibs. I have other Assos bibs that are 3-4 years old and are holding just fine with frequent use. Comparatively speaking, these are going out way to early.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgasmd (Post 13931446)

Timely post. A month ago I was told my Assos FI.Mille S5 black section above the pad in the back was getting thin. That sucks because I've been a vocal proponent of their comfort. But, if I can't wear it without flashing the rider behind me, they're useless for all but the most remote rides. Assos's policy is to not repair this problem which unfortunately has soured me on the S5. I'm not buying another one, I'm just getting club kits for awhile. Cheers

Arundell Mandible Bottle cages

My old super lightweight bottle cages had broken the bottom tab one by one over the last 4 years, so eventually I needed to get a new pair. Bought the Tacx a few posts above, and to say I hated the hell out of them is an understatement. I can't possibly see how they are so popular in the PRO peloton as they are a huge PITA to get a bottle in and out. Anyway, you can read about it in the above post.

I wanted to replace all my cages with new ones <15 grm each, but I wanted something that would last more than a couple of years and that wouldn't spit the bottle going over railroad tracks. I also did not want to pay >$50 each if I could help it. On recommendation from Fairwheel Bikes, I ended up getting 4 of these. I did pay a bit more in the end, but they made sense when they told me these will last forever or at least as close to that as possible. From the looks and feel of it, I am confident they are correct.

They weight 27 grm each. I used another set of much lighter bolts (1 grm for 2 of them) instead of the 6 gym per pair they come with. I just came back from a ride and all I can say is that I am sure these will not spit a bottle as I can now tell why they are called "mandibles". It is like the grip of death, yet you are easily able to slip the bottle in and out. So far, despite them costing a bit more than what I wanted to pay and being much heavier than what I wanted, I am pretty satisfied.