Topeak Aero Wedge (Buckle) Small Saddle Bag Review

5 out of 5 stars

Retailer; Cycle Heaven - York

There are those that snigger at a saddle bag, often rubbished by 'purists' for making your bike look ugly, and the rider unprofessional - these are just some of the things I've heard. But let's face it people, if you're out on a road bike and you're not going to wear a rucksack or a bag of some sort, you are going to need a saddle bag. Remember, they don't always look cool, but you probably aren't 'pro' and don't have a team car following you around to change your wheel if you get a puncture. And then also envision the walk back home, depending on how from home you are, it's probably going to be a tough walk wheeling your bike with a flat tyre to your home, and you're probably going to be wearing cleats!

So it was time to buy one. After doing a spot of research, I was on the look out for the Topeak Aero Wedge, as the name suggests, it's an aerodynamic saddle bag that also fits nice and snugly to the saddle post via a buckle and tie option. I went for the small size as all I was intending on carrying was a spare inner tube and a tyre lever. It has been a great little purchase to be honest, nice deep little bag that I have managed to get an inner tube and tyre lever into as well as other items if I wish. It was nice and easy to install and doesn't look half bad at all, looking tough, modern, and I like the reflective strip too!

Overall I would thoroughly recommend this saddle bag to anyone who is looking for an easy to install bag with plenty of room that looks the business.

Muc-Off dry lube Review

4 out of 5 stars.
Retailer: Tesco

After purchasing my second hand road bike, and going to town with cleaning it thoroughly to the point it looked as new as it could, it was time to lube the chain set! Now, there is a massive range of lubricants out there to choose from. I was browsing my local Tesco's one day and noticed in their cycle accessories range 'Muc-Off dry lube'. I have to admit to not hearing of dry lubes before, but the general idea is to protect your chain, and in turn your gear cassette etc from picking up general muck and grime during your ride, which apparently 'wet' sprays and lubes do. And dry lubes also seem to be used by the professional racing teams too.

Okay, so how has it performed? Well in all it's been a good find, it does seem to do what it says it does. Compared with what I use on my MTB, of which has mainly been GT85, the dry lube is like a creamy oil that coats the chain and soaks in slowly, it says to leave it to soak into your chain for 4 hours before you ride your bike - which I did. The ride quality has certainly improved, I'm not sure if the quality of the ride would have been any different with GT85 or something similar, I doubt it to be honest, however after a couple of rides of 1-2 hours at a time the chain had picked up very little grime and gunk, excellent indeed.

So in all honestly, this item gets a thumbs up and a small cheer from here at Road and Trail Rider.

New Blog - Newbie Road Cyclist!

As a rider of MTB's for years I have recently taken purchase of a second hand road bike. After browsing various websites and shops of bikes that seemed incredibly expensive for fairly average low-tech machines, I was lucky enough to be told about a Giant TCR Composite road bike with a Campagnolo group set and wheels that was available, albeit a second hand bike. Well I was particularly impressed with the machine, being easily the lightest weighing bike I'd ever picked up and a good looking ride too, so I happily handed over my hard earned dosh. My other bike is a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, a well built machine from Trek. But after picking up the Giant TCR, the MTB now feels an incredibly heavy and cumbersome beast. But, I still love it all the same, an ideal machine for trail riding.
So now I have a road bike! This is a completely different game, feeling quite different to riding a MTB and it has taken some getting used to. I have done just under 120 miles on it so far since buying it in July - not the greatest athletic achievement known to mankind I'll admit, but this has engaged me to buy various products for my machine, I've also found myself constantly adjusting the saddle position and height and of course taking the time to clean and lubricate the bike too! But one thing I have found that is probably the most important element of my experience so far, I've really enjoyed it.
Well enough of this jibber jabber. I spend most of my spare time hiking the hills and fells of the UK, so going back to riding bikes regularly has been an interesting experience - take a look at my other blog some time - Fell Finder. So now  I have decided to do a blog for cycling, this will consist of unbiased gear reviews, general chitter chatter about bikes, and perhaps the occasional cycling route too.
Cheers.

My Giant TCR Composite...