More Overrated Bike Stuff...

[@BarePotato]

Here is a list of ideas for future overrated or underrated. A lot came up with my mind: - smart phone during a bike ride - inward shifters - semi-slick gravel tire - slick tire for gravel bike - gravel groupset - 3D printed saddle - zero setback seatpost or setback seatpost - carbon saddle rail - 1-1/4 oversized steer column - non round steer column - chain catcher - 10T cog of SRAM - carbon crank - speedplay pedal - silca bottle cage - insulated bottle - jet valve equipped bottle - name stickers on bike - aero handlebar - gel backing of bartape - front derailluer - Thru-axle with levers - aero bladed spoke - carbon spoke - rim with wide internal width - straight pull spoke or J bent spoke - internal nipple - tire insert - leather shoe such as Lake - expensive insole - cleat or shoe wedges - cleat float - gravel specific rim - handlebar end cap - aero headunit mount - Ti bolts on bike parts - bottle cage extender (such as wolftooth's to put 2 bottle cages on 1 cage mount) - downtube bottle cage mount - toptube bag - handlebar bag - saddle bag with BOA - voile strap - short nose saddle - specific shaped stem cap for integrated handlebar - bone conduction headphone - front light on gopro mount - short front fender - carb gel

[@heinz_fiction]

- cycling

[@nathanielcronin3732]

I’m pretty sure they’ve talked about most of this stuff, idk if they’ve done overrated or underrated but I know I’ve heard it a few times

[@KoenMiseur]

3D saddles have been better for me than normal saddles (and yes I've test the same saddle but not 3D).

[@DavidStacey-tx7on]

Never use the 10t on 1x mtb setup, feels like rear tyre is flat.

[@risaac09]

This is such an epic list

[@head2tomek]

Velosamba are definitely underrated. I find the stiffness very well balanced between being stiff enough for cycling and flexibile enough for limited walking. Any platform clipping in spd is rubbish, since the weight of the platform makes it always facing down when stopping

[@WRBL69]

I have to disagree on the velosamba thing. For me these are really great to commute to work, walk in work and just for casual strolls. Not so stiff as Jimmy said, at least for me, comparing it to some jordans or older shoes.

[@FabioFerraro76]

I agree. I wear them to commute to the office.

[@robertralston1702]

agree - you’d never wear them for proper rides but they’re ideal for commuting and walking about in. by far the best solution for people who like cycling with spd clips but don’t want to always wear cycling shoes

[@Gaskellorama]

But the creak they make is almost unbearable underload

[@robertralston1702]

@@Gaskellorama I don't get a creak but they do squeak a little - think you have to accept that they're a compromise and not going to perform as well as a proper cycling shoe. or be as comfy as a regular trainer. To criticise them on this basis misses their function as a really functional commuter shoe that you can wear to the pub or the shops etc

[@Gaskellorama]

@@robertralston1702 neither Crank Bros Stamps nor Giro Rumbles creaked like these do. Each to their own though, hope your Adidas dividends pay out soon.

[@lietzium]

I like the Velosamba very much. I have Garmin SPD powermeter pedals on my gravel bike, but can use those for casual bike rides and office commutes without having to wear uncomfortable to walk in and odd looking "real" bike shoes.

[@ScottVanHorne]

Bad take on the Velosambas imo, they're actually great shoes and go on sale very frequently along with being stackable with coupons, meaning they can be found for less than $100cad easily. They're definitely not as stiff as a carbon soled shoes but they're plenty stiff enough and still walkable (I've done long rides with them and walked 10km+ at once with zero issues.) They're quite literally the most complimented piece of bike apparel/equipment I've owned too which led to quite a few others buying them to use as more casual SPD shoes. The fact people can't tell they're cycling shoes is good too, you blend in better if you commute or run errands in them.

[@TheKlaftboy89]

Velosamba's are great for couriers. You ride a lot, but you also need to walk a lot. You can get them in many colours to match your kit as well!

[@we1rd92]

Velosambas are great for chill tshirt rides

[@mg6263]

Thermal bib shorts are good for me. Commuting in winter means sometimes the mornings are at 2° and the afternoons are 12°. I'll wear thermal bibs and leg warmers in the morning and just the shorts in the afternoon. They add function and versatility for me.

[@xtoddscottx]

It is not winter if the temperature outside is only 2 C!!! Have you ever seen real winter? With snow, ice, and temperatures around -20 degrees Celcium?

[@Acguy55]

Nature Valley is definitely in North America here, at least in the states, and can confirm they are like chomping on dry bricks.

[@highmountaineer]

Canada too! (I have been using them on some rides and hopefully didn’t die 😂)

[@t.c.9838]

Eating Nature Valley Granola bars is like chomping sun dried bricks which been sitting in the hot desert sun during a long drought.

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

I was going to say something along those lines. Clif bars can be really dry as well. I eat date "balls" and they need something to wash them down as well.

[@pinkertonpunk]

Yes. Had one once early on in my cycling life and was clearly dehydrated on top of it. Horrible experience.

[@robertlight2370]

We have them in Australia too. Very common in our supermarkets.

[@Nerzyster]

Thermal bib shorts for me are underrated. I live in Croatia, over here the winters are mild and i use thermals thru winter. In temperatures between 8-14°C without warmers, when temperatures are below 8°C i just put warmers. No need to use winter bibtights because I'm cooking in them.

[@DanTuber]

Thermal bib shorts are great. When it's too cold for regular bibs, but not cold enough for tights. These are the perfect mix.

[@christianb.1028]

Thermal bibs for the win combined with leg warmers!

[@joelAntonioCastillo]

Yer wrong! Velosamba are great!

[@carlosflanders518]

The velosambas are fine for cycling. Took me 8-10 rides to break in/get my feet adapted but now I can do 3-4 hour rides without discomfort. Fine for casual wear in pub or supermarket, but not great for walking in or wearing around office - bit too rigid and heel slips up and down when walking. At least they don't proclaim "I'm a cyclist" everywhere I go.

[@chrischmura5268]

Nature Valley granola bars are also good at deterring kids from returning next year on Halloween.

[@joowwwllllll666]

Steel frame bike with silver finishing kits= chefs kiss 😚

[@hananas2]

That's my bike! Metallic blue steel frame, all silvery bits (except brake levers and part of the rear derailleur cuz it's Rival)

[@shhhdontshout]

Polished components are the bomb! I polished my 105, my shimano hub, crank all those blacked anodized components. Now using sram red 10s, all polished from factory. Luv it!

[@JanGoh-jb5ge]

Blacked out bikes in general are overrated. Black bar tape, black frames, etc. All overrated. I miss the bright colours and shiny bits.

[@johndef5075]

Matte black looks especially cheap.

[@xtoddscottx]

​@@johndef5075 But usually matte finishing is more expensive than a glance one!

[@JOPAGalvin]

Love my Velosambas for commuting./urban riding. They are OK for walking. They look great. They are not meant to take the place of serious road bike shoes. Beats having to bring an extra pair of shoes. Did you actually try them out?

[@ebmike8]

@6:25 I agree with the Nature Valley bar statement. I love these bars and eat them often. Ideally when I have proper hydration within arms reach 🤣

[@billkallas1762]

It's hard to beat Shimano Dura Ace 7800, for silver, along with a silver American Classic seatpost. (A Dura Ace Seatpost is even better, but few people have one) I have some thermal Knee Warmers, for cold rides, and thermal Bibs for sub-freezing days.

[@robertdavenport6705]

Sportful Flandre Norain bibs ( shorts ) are slightly thermal , windproof and rain resistant. Combined with knee warmers they really work for that 10-12C temp range and by themselves , really up to about 16-17C. And they are very nice on a windy overcast cool somewhat rainy day.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Emily , Francis , and Jimmi...I use thermal bibs with warmers at the start of cold rides , then remove the warmers ? Lots of variations and options ....Ciao' Bella

[@martincburns]

A more accurate description of Nature Valley has never been made 😂

[@razorree]

thermal shorts - the best if it's cold + knee warmers. (works well on not very intense rides) because you live in UK and doesn't understand, doesn't mean they are bad :)

[@Twitttt]

I've hunted Shinano R7000 105 parts in silver. Found the rear mech and brake handles and happy I took the time searching for it. They look pretty.

[@iamalexfranz]

I feel you - getting that set in silver is next to impossible, a shame really...

[@bonbonflippers4298]

Oh what! I had the full set. I parted out the brakes but still have the crankset and shifters

[@gelogelo2165]

i switched to a silver finishing kit on my gravel bike recently and imo it looks sick as. parts i used are as follows: Handlebars: Nitto M106-SSB 400mm (349g) Stem: Cane Creek eeSilk suspension stem 80mm in silver (206g) Seatpost: Deda RS 01 350mm (330g) total mass ended up at around 9.1kg with pedals, and for me that's plenty light enough!

[@hananas2]

One of the things I really like about parts with a silver finish is that they can get scratched or worn and you'll barely see it! My road bike is a 1988 Columbus SLX frame with SRAM rival and Ritchey classic zeta wheels, every metal part on the bike is silver except of course painted frame in metallic blue, the derailleur is part black and the brake levers are black. I looove how it looks!

[@Alby26Isaac]

So many things to say... Universally acknowledged as the prettiest of groupsets Shimano Dura Ace FC9000. Managed the transition between shiny silver and black perfectly. Personally, that was peak chainset design and colourway. Thermal shorts. Bagged a set of Rapha from a well known auction site and possibly the best shorts ever. Windproof, better than rain proof (ie. not waterproof), and warmth provided means I don't need leg warmers. Also, bagged them before coloured bib shorts was a thing so win win.

[@timyaiser]

In the states we call those dry Nature Valley treats granola bars. I agree with Francis. They suck every drop of moisture right out of you. Clif Bars or Bloks for the win!

[@liamblood5239]

Hey Francis, you want to get your little pot of coffee out while on a ride? Get a bripe. It looks like a smoking pipe, but you take a little butane torch and a drop of water with your ground coffee and boil it and suck it through the bripes filtered straw. It is incredible. James Hoffman the daddy of coffee on KZbin does a wonderful video on it.

[@nuttycommuter3718]

When I got a new groupset for my Mercian, it was in silver (although it’s not really silver, more grey) 105. It’s a dark blue bike so black would have been ok, but the silver looks so much better

[@NeverTooTiredToRideTwoTyres]

On black components, I ride an 8 year old road bike that had silver spoked wheels, I upgraded the wheels, new ones happened to be black and EVERY time I look at my bike I think it looks better / more modern + sleek with black spokes and i appreciate my decision to upgrade. Not gonna upgrade my silver 105 groupset just for the looks though.

[@paulmurden7621]

So carbon spokes, brooks saddles, Oakley glasses, gravel specific shoes (they're just xc mtb shoes surely). Liner gloves, waterproof gilet (I love these FYI). Go!.

[@mountainsofthemind]

Thermal shorts are amazing. Pair with warmers for deep winter. On their own for the colder ends of spring and autumn. Unlike standard shorts plus warmers, gives you thermal insulation for some of your back & core as well as your legs. I would be lost without mine, especially living somewhere it's rarely cold enough for full thermal tights.

[@adamanderson1212]

I have been using Cliff Bars for over a decade both on the bike and off. I LOVE them and they really work for me.

[@M4TTCR4V3N]

Yep disagree with the velosamba :) I ride a mix of gravel bike in and out the city, I use these with DMR verso pedals and it’s the perfect combo, clip in for speed and flats for the sketchy off road or fast stop starts 🤙❤️

[@jasonlassen7599]

Campagnolo Centaur comes in silver. Just bought it and a set of Zondas for a modernized vintage steel Battaglin. Cant wait!

[@HanOfGod13]

I don't like thermal long sleeve jerseys or bib tights, they are more difficult to ventilate to help modulate your temperature. When its over 5°C, it's just bib shorts, short sleeve jersey, gilet and spring arm warmers and wind proof gloves with silk liners. Anything 2-5°C I'd add thermal arm warmers and waterproof gloves with silk liners. But I do get a cold bottom and thighs when wearing normal bib shorts which is where the thermal bib shorts help. But you can still have your legs out so you're not over heating. It gives you options in a layering system which will keep you warmer. 1°C or colder I'd add thermal leg warmers and a buff to help cover my face which does hurt from the wind chill in below freezing temperatures. If they had bib tights with removable legs, like they do in hiking trousers, that would be the best of both worlds and allow versatility in changing weather and temperatures.

[@miguelsalgado2733]

I would like to add that Velosambas are also very uncomfortable (at least on my feet). But the concept of a good looking casual clip-in shoe is nice and useful, and I'm always on the look-out for those models. A friend of mine as pair of clip-in Vans. They look even cooler then my Velosambas and he wears them on all rides, so they can't be uncomfortable. I don't know where or when he got them. As for the clipping plataforms, the classic plastic Shimano that come free with some pedals are terrible for people with big feet, because they're too flexible and small. They also require you to use a tool to get them out of your pedals. I've seen larger aluminium plataforms that perhaps are good, but I haven't tried them. What I use on my commuter bike, are mixed pedals with a big platform: Shimano T-120, but there are other options. Those are great for comuting and maybe for bikepacking too. Ok, bye for now. Got to go burn my Sambas and Velosambas, now that I saw that picture of your ex-PM...

[@matteostroili6032]

I have to disagree on the thermal bibs - in Irish/UK weather there is a space for them. I have a pair of Assos that can be used for during fall and early spring, and combined with leg warmers they turn into a perfect pair of winter thighs. 2 in 1.

[@jonathangapay1724]

I had the Velosambas before. I found it a bit awkward to walk in, and it was a bit tight around the toes. Sold them and bought a pair of Chrome Industries Kursk AW 2.0 Pro Sneakers. They're much more comfortable and felt better to walk in due to the slight curve in the front. Only gripe was that the cleats would stick out a bit further than the rubber, and would slip and slide on really smooth surfaces.

[@Niknamew]

Velosambas are great! I've ridden probably over 2,000 miles in my pair and they've been great. I've taken them on a bunch of gravel, tons of paved roads, and even some mtb trails

[@Frostywood123]

I have an old specialized allez, 1980s ish, carbon tubes with aluminium lugs, so it only suits chrome bits and I wanted to change my chainset to something smaller, what a challenge it was to find anything that wasn’t absolute rubbish in a chrome or silvery colour

[@MrQuestful]

3:12 agreed. My favorite ride is a dawn patrol of Mt. Tam run by my friend Jeff, who has been going up for sunrise for decades, and brings a coffee kit for folks to enjoy a cup with the view.

[@mipko]

I love the thermal bib shorts. My bum gets cold way sooner than my knees and legs. I often use them without warmers

[@regancraig2418]

I use the SPD with a flat pedal on the opposite side on my mtb, which is my knock around bike. I find it a great way to add some versatility.

[@RichardMigneron]

Shimano 105 11-speed is available in silver. I eat Nature Valley bars on ride all the time (here in Canada).

[@wigglyfruitcup]

As for the silver grx, yes, it's for custom frame builders only. But I work in a shop where if you call shimano/ shimano rep. You can get them either by parts or whole groupset

[@hambo76]

I can buy the GRX Limited Edition (silver) for AUD$2,299! Bargain lol..

[@G_Dawg]

I have a pair of Black Sheep Thermal Bibs and they are fantastic, great for British Spring/Autumn when its a touch too warm for full legs. On another note, Woods Cyclery is great.

[@thelonesculler]

All I will say on the black groupset convo is that Dura Ace 7800 is the best looking groupset ever made

[@Unktiontofunktion726]

We have Nature Valley granola bars here in the US and I agree… just crumbs. A while back you mentioned the tube on a camelback gets the water cooler… well here in TX, I have to blow the water back into the bladder or my next drink is basically boiled hot water!😂

[@robertshunter]

LOL! Nature Valley is an American brand, so we definitely know what you mean. That desert-like dryness seems to be popular with some, as they've been selling them for nearly fifty years.

[@evanwhitty4178]

Nature Valley bar hit me hard. Haven’t seen them since my primary school lunchbox. A great snack, but not at home on a bike

[@edgerat]

Limited GRX was available at a couple shops in Portland, OR. Wasn't as limited here as stated.

[@JamesMkII]

They actually have a silver GRX groupset in the Woods Cyclery little cabinet of shiny dreams. Sounds like you need to come down and do another shop ride!

[@jeremyemilio9378]

I used to use nature valley bars for nutrition and after discovering Carman's, I WILL NEVER go back to that dry crumbly thing

[@maxdekker2409]

You can de anodize components with with sodium hydroxide and polish them. Bring that silver bling back on modern bikes!

[@MacMasore]

8:27 they are firm enough to cycle in

[@brockjennings]

One of most beautiful cycling component made was the polished Campagnolo Delta center-pull brake. IMHO

[@dr.brockhaus5548]

Ritchey has a Classic Line in polished silver. I have it on my metallic green Kinesis GX Race, looks really really cool. The Problem is, when i ever decide to go for an carbon seatpost for comfort, i have also to change stem and handlebar, because i want it all in the same colour. I know i know, buhhuhu wat a „problem“ but it is wat it is. And on the right frame polished silver can look absolutly perfekt. Would love to have the limited grx group in silver, but much much to expensive. Do i go for some Silver parts from Garbarauk when my parts are ready to replace.

[@johndef5075]

The best looking groupset is the Shimano 600 8-Speed. Light gray color with cool Shimano tricolor graphics.

[@MaceWanted]

Personally i dont like the Velosambas for how it holds my back of my foot. But the idea to have a regular cool looking shoe that you can ride better than with flat pedal shoes is nice. Of course its not a performance shoe but if you like riding around clipped in and than walk through the city, or to friends, it looks and wears way better than doing it like a penguin with normal roadbike / mtb/ gravel shoes. Thats also the reason why i like the Specialized 2FO shoe, as its great for accelerating through the city but also nice for walking stairs to customers etc. There should be much more cool skate/sneaker like shoes for cycling!

[@benwilson7335]

Hey! If you liked the Woods Cyclery ride... Come down all of you for Field Trippers rides out of Saffron Walden! Chill pace, wonderful people, cracking pub at the end 🤘🏼

[@joekawasaki]

I really wish(too late to tell you guys) more brands would do summer weight bib tights with uv protection. We have nature valley in the US. Sambas were a soccer shoe.

[@mowbow]

Adidas now also has the velostan smith 😉

[@kevjmu]

From what I can tell not a single person talking about Velosamba have actually used them. The shoe soles are plenty firm not the same as my crankbros shoes but perfect compromise for walking into work office which I do on the daily. I don’t bike to work wearing a kit just casual clothes the Velo Samba actually work well 👍

[@questgivercyradis8462]

US based - I know nature valley bars! I like them, but wouldn't eat them while on the bike. Too crumbly. But the benefit is that they aren't gooey and messy in that respect. I can't deal with energy bars involving dates, because they're too prone to being stuck in my teeth. And my homemade delicious energy bars are no good in warm weather because they get too soft and mushy.

[@ICYMIKE]

Nature Valley Granola Bars are a crunchy desert in a foil. Clif Bars, also, peanut butter packets, payday candy bars.

[@philipaddyman7402]

How do I post you the pic of my custom built Giant Revolt by a shop local to you - Prudhoe Giant. Silver 2 x 11 GRX and silver spokes and Pro5 hubs etc.

[@tornagawn]

Overnight 2 day MTB orienteering in the 90’s (Polaris Challenge) a few super lightweights took Power Bars. Not an appealing or easy breakfast after sub zero temperatures overnight,

[@TurrentWolf]

I'll stand by thermal shorts only for being a heavier rider. To fit my waist size 115 kg and 180 cm tall everything seems sized to long so I need to stick to shorts and leg warmers

[@jmac74]

well, I don`t like tights. Thermal bib shorts are great for me. I have two pairs. They help keep my core warm and that, along with your hands and feet and the back of my head and ears (I´m weird maybe), are all that is really necessary. Tights are horrible with rain and mud. Before I had thermal bibs I actually cut the legs off a pair of tights.

[@adamgriss2025]

Cliff bars are amazing, even on the bike, and I agree with Francis that Nature Valley granola bars are adjacent to doing the cinnamon challenge.

[@Hill_Walker]

I love Bella's outrage at the suggestion of more groupset colours!

[@yru6053]

Velosambas are the number one shoes for messengers. If you want to ride with clippless pedals but dont want to walk like a drunk penguin on your cycling shoes then Sambas are the joice. So i agree wont want to use them just for walking or just go cycling. But for the messengers best you can do in my opinion ;)

[@haqitman]

Would totally like to see the return of silver finish group sets.

[@steffentheis9824]

When the Podcast Episode will be Out?

[@tomlolly1]

The driest thing inside a wrapper ever. I'm in tears 😂

[@danielbum912]

I like silver just as much as black but I don't like it mixed. So as soon as there's Carbon in the mix it's gotta be all black. But all silver Looks absolutely dope.

[@JSC131]

Me and my wife hired bikes from Woods cyclery in Lyndhurst gave us a good 3 hour forest ride absolutely amazing going there next week what a shop.

[@nerigarcia7116]

There's a shop near me in California that sells the silver GRX group. I think it's out there.

[@turboplopp]

I completely disagree on the thermal shorts an here is why: when I use my bike for commuting (30Km) the temperature difference between rides sometimes is as much as 20°C. Combined with thick leg warmers a thermal short allows me to be comfortable on both rides without packing another short/tights.

[@BARTHEZ42]

II was thinking about getting pair of Velo Sambas but they were hard to get in good price. So I don't know how comfortable they are but I don't think they could be not firm enought to cycling. They are just not for fast road cycling. More like cruising in the city. And I think they are quite popular in fixed gear bike community.

[@fredfirth3834]

Oh, no! We have the nature valley bars here in the US. And yes, they are dry and hard to eat!

[@OpusXtr]

Uggg…. I despise the whole tactical black look. It took me a yr of stalking eBay to find the shiney Record 10 speed mechs for my old Colnago Master frame. Nobody has made polished stuff in about 15 yrs.

[@petetrundell5454]

Nature Valley bars might be the worst now but the all-time worst were Powerbar. They were moist enough to be bendy but you needed to down each one with more water than you found in the average Scottish loch.

[@oheso]

I'm remembering all the lime iMacs that were left sitting on the shelves ...

[@jarekb-a7530]

Woods Cyclery brilliant shop and cafe. Mandatory stop when I do my gravel ride round the New Forest.

[@woduk]

lol I’ve purple chainring oil slick cassette on my mtb but boring black on my other bike 😂 might stand out a bit much on road or gravel

[@PortlyPedal]

Half the nature valley bar also ends up crumbling in your hands. Great as a snack, can't imagine it's a good idea for on the bike though.

[@SARGEinc]

Francis is 100% right about those Nature Valley bars. Those things are dryer than the desert.

[@louisgregoire9138]

We have Nature Valley in France as well and they do suck while riding

[@feliksisaksen]

Velosambas are great, nobody is going to take them on proper serious exercises or rides. But on my commute they are flipping amazing. Makes my commute feel great, and I can look like a normal person.

[@Aidan-tu4un]

Have pedals with flat one side and spd on other

[@benspeller8635]

Sportful fiandre shorts are great for spring and autumn, so I say not overrated

[@BostilCensurado]

i wonder if the coat of black paint makes stuff like cassettes last longer

[@GeraldMueller-ro5di]

You still can get silver Campagnolo Centaur 11sp groupsets.

[@Raykazen]

Velosamba are greatly under-rated!! They are great, i walked kms in them without issue, and on the bike they are great as well!

[@metalsnakezero]

Been happy with my Velosambas but their not perfect for walking and decent for casual rides.