Ask my stuff! In these clips I share prompt desk reviews of cycling stuff I use and then
answer your questions on this stuff in comments. More details in the description. Part 3 today.
LifeLine Bike Wheel Dishing Gauge.
Topeak RaceRocket MT pump.
AfterShokz Trekz Air headphones.
Evoc small seat bag.
A dishing gauge is a much simpler tool than a truing stand.
But you need it even more to build a solid centered wheel!
A thing I like most about this LifeLine gauge is the price. It’s cheap! But this doesn’t stop
me from spotting a thing to improve either. Would be nice to have a wider gauge tip.
The current one easily slips into the groove of 15mm thru axle hub, hampering your dishing
measurements. As a result, you need to go a bit off-center deliberately on such a hub.
Price to value – 5/5. Actually, you could even make a DIY version of such a tool!
The only question is if it’s worth the effort.
Much in need – 3/5. I much enjoy wheel building,
but still, it’s not something I need every month.
Whether you opt for tubes or tubeless, a light pump is essential while riding away from home!
Aluminium Topeak RaceRocket MT is exactly light! A thing I like most about this pump
– the sealing. I keep it mounted to the frame all the time, meaning sometimes it just
soaks in mud all over. Then gets a nice shower from a pressure washer, and not a tiny piece
of mud sneaks inside! A thing I’d like to see improved. Screw-on type valve heads are
always fiddly, but for now it’s usual on all MTB pumps.
Price to value – 5/5. Once you are ok with the fiddly head, everything else works just perfect!
Much in need – 4/5. I’m quite lucky to find most of my punctures already at home. So I carry this pump for
peace of mind, but cannot say I use it a lot.
Listening to music on a ride without plugging ears? Bone conduction AfterShokz got you covered!
To be honest, I had been quite pessimistic before I tried them on a couple of years ago. Now a big fan!
Unless it’s super-windy or you go super-fast, they sound great for what they are!
And your ears stay fully alert. Definitely, a thing I like most.
But there’s a thing to improve! The rubbery main button.
Once you wear gloves in cold, double and triple taps for navigating between songs can be excessively challenging and messy.
Price to value – 5/5. I thank the headphones for hundreds of music
hours they gave me. Even under a winter balaclava they still work fine.
Much in need – 5/5. I always ride with them, must be a special reason for me not to take them on a ride.
Evoc small seat bag couldn’t be any simpler. Just a zipped pouch with a strap. But this
keeps it lightweight! And this simple feature I like the most.
Normally, I’d squeeze inside:
a spare tube,
a pair of levers,
a CO2 cartridge,
a multitool,
and an inflator head.
What could be improved on such a simple piece? Not much!
Maybe, just this little strap which tends to dangle out and around when the bag is full.
Price to value – 5/5. Evoc produces this bag in several sizes, but the small one grabs all my stuff.
Even when I need to take a much wider tube for an MTB ride.
Much in need – 4/5. Frankly, jersey pockets will easily carry everything from this bag as well.
But you would need to fill and empty the pockets for every ride,
while the bag – just once!
That’s all for today! More stuff is coming next time.
Should you have any questions on the stuff just seen, feel free to ask them in comments.