[guero]

Okay so for some reason road parts in particular seem to be SUPER expensive for relatively small gains in performance.

In my 2 years of riding road I have come across only 1 part that I wouldn't ride without despite the steep price - my Arione saddle. Relatively light, not overly padded and but more comfortable than ANY other saddle made! Leaves my ass feeling great even after 4 hour rides over pave!

What parts would you stand behind even at full cost having used them yourself?

GO!

 

[splat]

My Rhode gear Leather Handlebar hide ( wrap that is sewn on ) . I would Pay twice the price for it if I could still find it .

 

[JRogers]

As much as some people might disagree with this....the Shimano drivetrain on my road/cx bike. It's 9sp Ultegra from a couple years ago- maybe '98 or 99. I have ridden it everywhere- snow, rain, mud, trails, rocks, roots, road, on the trainer... and I haven't had to replace any major parts yet. I don't ride it as much as my mtb, but I find it amazing that the parts have held up this well for this long. I rarely if ever clean them- just ride and repeat.

Shimano stuff on my mtbs has been decent, but nothing has lasted close to as long as this stuff.

 

[LordOpie]

Brooks saddle...

and...

I know, that's two.

 

[EricMcFlow]

As much as I want to say anything on my bike that says "Record" on it, its has to be my Polar CS200cad. I cant ride road without it now, makes for a much better workout. My Specalized Alias saddle is up there too.

 

[rooftest]

The Giro Atmos helmet. I switched from a cheapie to this one, and with all the vents in it, my head barely sweats anymore. That and the Nike carbon shoes.

 

[guero]

I suppose we can open this up to apparel too:

I'd have to go with my Assos Windstopper vest. Expensive as hell, but unbelievably versatile and keeps me from getting cold without overheating. I haven't tried any other windbreaking vests, but I can defnately recommend the Assos.

 

[peter6061]

I could pick a few different things, but they all have counterparts in the industry that probably work equally well. So, the one part that changed my riding experience is my pair of Speedplay X2 pedals. I tried every major brand of pedal and had multiple people look at my fit and nothing could correct my knee problems. Once I tried the Speedplay pedals, the problems went away.

Now, If I could only find something that would do that for my back,... besides a fountain of youth.

 

[LordOpie]

I suppose we can open this up to apparel too:

I'd have to go with my Assos Windstopper vest. Expensive as hell, but unbelievably versatile and keeps me from getting cold without overheating. I haven't tried any other windbreaking vests, but I can defnately recommend the Assos.

good idea.

While I love my vest/jacket combo, my most important apparel would be my Descente Aero-X bibs. Happy Ass.

 

[Wumpus]

That is my most important piece of gear. I don't think I would have ridden half as much this summer without it.

 

[stoney]

sora plastic coated metal tire levers.

 

[GravityFreakTJ]

my Power Tap. If you are goin to train might as well do it right

 

[bac]

What parts would you stand behind even at full cost having used them yourself?
GO!

Ritchey Biomax bars - they are really made for cyclocross, but I use them on my road bike, and cyclocross machine. They just fit my hands well!

... Brad

 

[robdamanii]

Greyhound anti-friction cream. It's an ass saver!