Top Shelf Product Reviews
Posted by Fitzy on December 26th, 2007 |
Ian Tuttle (2007 Top Shelf Fitzgerald’s Racer) just submitted some year end reviews I thought you might like to read. Pretty interesting stuff from someone who has logged enough miles to know what he’s talking about! So here he is…
The Ergomo Power Meter: sucks. Mine crapped out about two months ago. It turned out
to NOT be water tight and the seals leaked. Also, I was getting extremely
variable power readings. To top it all, the US rep company has just severed
their contract with the german manufacturer, mainly b/c the germans weren’t
sending replacement parts and customer relations were going down the tubes.
This is in line with my own experience, as the US rep could not get me a
replacement. I just got an SRM and it is dynamite. Spendy, yes, but
accurate and reliable, with a decade of experience.
Fizik Arione: Awesome saddle. But I finally wore mine out. This was after
about 6,000 miles, and the top foam has compressed and created a dip that is
uncomfortable for my parts! Bottom line, great saddle, but expect it to
break down after a serious season. I switched to the San Marco ASPide,
which is VERY firm, and probably not to most riders’ liking, but after about
two weeks it my hind end has adapted to it nicely and it offers better
support. Still, the Arione is a favorite of mine, and I would recommend it.
Compact Cranks: I LOVE THEM! I just put some on with the new SRM. Holy
crap, I was worried that I’d spin them out, but that is not the case. It’s
true that the longest gear is not quite as big as a traditional 53 front
ring, but the difference is minor, and the benefits while climbing far
outweigh that drawback. Not only is climbing more efficient (with a higher
cadence), but rolling and flats are better with a tighter cluster of gears
to choose from. I would recommend a compact to ANYONE.
Chorus chains: I always thought Record was the only way to go. I’ve
started using chorus chains and saving $25 every month, with no noticeable
difference. The only change is weight, but it’s negligable, and its grimy
training season anyway.
Icebreaker wool long johns: you already know the benefits of wool, but this
piece is phenomenal. A base layer that is good in wind, rain, chill,
whatever. It is soft and WAY better than synthetics for warmth, esp when
wet. I use it as an undershirt on many many rides.
What’s your favorite piece of gear?
Your review begs the question? A chain a month? Man, Fitzy scared you with the new cassette and chainrings thing, huh?! As for the compact crank….for serious racing….well, all I can say is- I expect my apologies and “you were so far ahead of the trend” comments in my inbox any time now fellas.
Great stuff Ian. A few things to add-
1. Craft wind brief. Brilliant. A must have. Ask Jay P…or better yet, ask Tracy.
2. newspaper bags over your socks, shoved into your winter riding shoes (or lack of winter riding shoes). Make sure to tuck in the plastic before it gets caught in the chain.
3. The Buff. Odd head tube, ideal for the doubling with a hat under helmet to get the pesky earlobes.
4. Winter Riding. JayP, Dave B, C.E., YOU were ahead of the trend…I was grinning ear to ear on the way to work today- 8″ of packed pow has never been so fun. (but I’m on 32mm cross tires as aposed to your training wheel Phatties Pugslys.)
5. Tuttle….in your write up, you failed to review- Quitting work and Living with Mom - in effort to go pro. Lunner needs to hear this key part to the system.
You’re the man Ian! Keep it up.
Tk - sounds like you are itchin’ to write more than can be held in the a little comment field. Where’s your year end review? I want to hear what the CO state champ used in his bid for the title!
TK of course, you were right all along about the compacts. As always, ahead of the curve!
Here’s another little secret: Baby Oil on your legs when it’s raining but not too cold… helps keep your skin warm by beading the water!
As for the living with mom thing… yes. It is the single most effective way to maximize training focus. AND ensure that the laundry gets done.
TK, you’ve got one weapon over me though… and that’s a wife who can kick your ass in the TT… Talk about motivation!!
Nice writeup Ian and sorry to hear about your Ergomo. But dude, you live in sunny CA…do you really ever need long johns?
Dave,
Yeah, it can get “cold” here… like 40’s. The only real hurdle is the RAIN! Maybe you heard on the news, we just got slammed… flooding, no power for a few days, mayhem and chaos, and STILL lots of riders out! Long live sport!
Ian, Chellie’s 8 second win (following my 11 second win the week before) followed Fitzy/Murph Wedding. Bergy can attest to the MIT study showing her TT bike, Zipp Disk, pointy helmet, etc. clearly helped more than 8 seconds worth. Plus, I get to spoon with her after the loss…along with get laundry and dinners provided, which is more than living with mom can offer….. yet I may trade it all for your situation…now that rumors of a new Cooper Mini in your life were heard on the wire…