What gadgets/products are underrated/overrated?

purpletrilady wrote (see)

I love my new bike. I'm a slow rider and it cost a rediculous amount of money (well for me anyway), but it is a delight to ride.

I think we were all slightly jealous of the whizzo gear changing.

Under rated.
Swim coaching 1-2-1 or group.
Competition or rivalry.
Sunny weather.
Comfy kit: shoes, shorts, tops, you name it. If you're comfy then let them laugh.
Cheap safety glasses. Clear wrap arounds, no distortion, cost £3, or free as PPE.

Take it or leave it.
Garmin 305 with HRM. I now use it all the time, but happily ran many marathons without.

Over rated.
Run coaching. JFDI, there's enough inspiration here.
Expensive sunglasses.
Energy drinks. How Much?

Blisters wrote (see)

Under rated.
Competition or rivalry.

Agree! But I think it's very much present (in a good way) for me in my running club. So I can live without it on here.

under rated -

a partner that lets you train xx hours a week and dont moan (too often)
knowing how to use HR training properly
having a brain the size of a walnut with the inability to recognise that you should really stop/slow the pace down
yellow and black lycra
people that inspire and get you motivated
kebab as a main source of protein and "essential" fats 

over rated -

crap magazines that recirculate the same old shite or publish the breakthrough "scientific facts" which will be overturned in next months articles
bikes that you cant afford - its always nice to blitz someone riding something worth more than your car
obstacle races
bieng able to spell on internet formus 

under-rated

Perforamce Doping - all the cool cats are doing it

over-rated

Taking what M..eface says seriously

Underrated

Talcum powder, clear transition boxes (I like them), neoprene hats, speedo cheapo goggles, DA C24 wheels, OMM 10L ruckies, Nuun, little gel bottles, ceramic bearings, specialized cycle shoes, leather gloves/saddles, Richmond Park once you "get" it.

Overrated

the posh foods, Frostie bars and Asda own are just as good, gels not in little bottles, Aero bottles, full mask "tri" goggles, Schwalbe Ultremo tyres, great but they rot in 6 months, shit track pumps, specialized saddles (ouch), up their own arse LBS's

Dustboy wrote (see)

Overrated

Schwalbe Ultremo tyres, great but they rot in 6 months,

Over-rated;
Dusty's opinion on tyres.
Schwalbe Ultremos rock. After nicking a pair from Muffin Top's bike, they did a horrible winter of hill training in north wales and were still fine for the race season. They are without doubt the easiest to change if you get a p*nct*re. Even survived t-boning a traffic cone at 28mph in IM Wales.

Hmm STIL. Wonder if I have a bad batch then? They have perished all round the edges after being put on new in March (still on the bike as I am lazy) and I got a pinch flat going over a pebble (though to be fair, it did dent the rim as well). I wonder if the fact that they had been left in the garage over winter from October before fitting made them rot so easily?

Maybe worth contacting Schwalbe? They did a recall a year or so ago for this kind of issue.

Where I had an overnight flat the rear tyre perished at the bottom. Other than that they seem ok.

under rated

turbo

treadmill

gumption

over rated

magazines

manuals

mates/friends/family/unfamiliar comments 'you cant do that - its impossible' ( yeah. watch me )

under appreciated

a partner that understands why the holiday is cancelled but the shiney bike and wetsuit are a necessity along with 15hrs of me time every week

unknown

power meters - seriously, for amatuers and plodders ?

gps/watch/computer - i want one BUT i cant explain why

EPO - even if I could afford Ferrari, would lance mind paying ?

Thanks for the top tip on Secialized saddles. If that's Body Geometry, my @rse is a funny shape. I think I really will invest in avoiding purple bum boils.