Cycling gear: Price/utility

[Sheltowee]

I work with brain injury victims and, trust me, if wearing a helmet might keep you from suffering the way some of these patients do then you should do so. And it's not only the suffering to take into account, but also the costs: these extradionary costs are unrelenting. I wouldn't ride to the mailbox without a helmet. Seeing is believing.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I was shopping for cycling gear today and especially for something I've been wanting to buy for a long time but have always found too expensive: long cycling pants. They cost around 150€ and for my student budget that's stretching it a bit.

So here's my question:

Is cycling gear really worth the price? Of course a good helmet is absolutely necessary and I'm willing to pay a higher price for that ... but except for that, does all this gear really have a point for us free-time-riders or do we only buy it to look cool?

Go to an outdoor clothing company and look at tights..like running tights. No need to have them 150 Euros. Wear cycling shorts underneath.

More for a helmet? More money means lighter, not necessarily better protection.

 

[BroDeal]

I work with brain injury victims and, trust me, if wearing a helmet might keep you from suffering the way some of these patients do then you should do so. And it's not only the suffering to take into account, but also the costs: these extradionary costs are unrelenting. I wouldn't ride to the mailbox without a helmet.

That is exactly the type of over the top scare mongering that makes helmet use lose credibility.

I suppose you wear a helmet when you drive as well...and walk around the block...and shower..and...and...and...

 

[Night Rider]

I am going to buck the trend here a little. I much prefer Giordana and Assos bibs because of their superior comfort to cheaper bibs. I am not too concerned about paying for performance, but I will pay extra for comfort because that makes riding a happier experience for me.

I'm the same. Most of the Assos gear IMO is just pure poser value and I wouldn't consider buying a jersey, socks or any of that sort of stuff, but I love the bibs. The comfort is well worth the money.

 

[elapid]

I don't post in any Australian forums. All the evidence I've posted on this site has been peer-reviewed or summarizes peer reviewed work. The medical studies say one thing and are open to other interpretations, every other measure says something else.

For those interested, here is the thread philcrisp is referring to: http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=2832&highlight=helmet

I think you'll find that our discussions, and evidence, in the above thread are a little less one sided than is being made out here.

 

[biker jk]

I don't post in any Australian forums. All the evidence I've posted on this site has been peer-reviewed or summarizes peer reviewed work. The medical studies say one thing and are open to other interpretations, every other measure says something else.

Are you sure? You sound suspiciously similar to Outback rider who posted against compulsory helmet laws on Australian Cycling Forums. Should I dig deeper?

 

[Wallace]

In terms of spending money on a helmet, it all depends on how much you think your brain is worth. More money=lighter and more ventilated helmet, and so less noticeable when it's on your head. So you'll wear it more and think about it less. But if you think your head isn't worth the price of a decent helmet, then don't wear one.

 

[Anonymous]

Exactly

In terms of spending money on a helmet, it all depends on how much you think your brain is worth. More money=lighter and more ventilated helmet, and so less noticeable when it's on your head. So you'll wear it more and think about it less. But if you think your head isn't worth the price of a decent helmet, then don't wear one.

Nobody locks up an empty shed....

The flip side is don't think that you are invincible just because there there is a helmet on your head. While I know of several people who are now alive without brain injury because of the helmet, I know of 2 deaths in my area of people who were wearing them. Going too fast down hill, car pulls out, no place to go, no time to stop, 40 mph head impact, all that's left are a lot of grieving friends and family.

Back on thread: Lazer make great fitting helmets which I think are a bargain, considering the very high value of my brain. Also some Euro-Cool value.

 

[philcrisp]

Are you sure? You sound suspiciously similar to Outback rider who posted against compulsory helmet laws on Australian Cycling Forums. Should I dig deeper?

About me or helmets?

 

[Christian]

Here's another question:

Do you guys buy team-kits from your favorite teams or just regular brands?

I have to say I never buy team kits because I think it looks a little pretentious (no offense to anyone who buys it though!). Although sometimes I'm really tempted to buy the kits from the season before, which are on sale.

I have 1 shirt from Craft and one that says Mont Ventoux, I bought it somewhere around there.

 

[ihavenolimbs]

Here's another question:

Do you guys buy team-kits from your favorite teams or just regular brands?

I don't like pro-team kits as I'm not in a pro-team, and I don't like kits with a lot of branding either. They can pay me if they want me to be their billboard.

So I try and mostly wear subtly-branded clothing. I wouldn't pass the European cycling fashion test though.

 

[philcrisp]

Here's another question:

Do you guys buy team-kits from your favorite teams or just regular brands?

I have to say I never buy team kits because I think it looks a little pretentious (no offense to anyone who buys it though!). Although sometimes I'm really tempted to buy the kits from the season before, which are on sale.

I have 1 shirt from Craft and one that says Mont Ventoux, I bought it somewhere around there.

If it's cheap enough I'll buy it. Festina jersey for £8, get in!