Disappointed

I guess this shows how new to riding I am. I got my pink bar tape last night, it is plastic!!! I couldn't really tell from the pic but I should have knew something was up when the description said 80's style :o

I have gel pads on the bars, I wonder if I should try to use it?? I did another search on ebay but no cork pink wrap.

And a VENT here :mad: : I was looking at my favorite catalog for bike clothes- won't mention the name- but I can't believe the prices, I want a pink long sleeve jersey, $90!!! that is just ridiculous, I am paycheck challenged ;) I would have to go w/o groceries for weeks! I hate that just because they are made for a specific sport prices are soooo high! it's like trying to buy the healthy foods, they are much higher priced than junk it's no wonder the obesity rate is so high!

ok, off my soap box.

I know how you feel...I've bought a couple hundred things from e-Bay (including my bike!) and have only really had problems with a couple things, but when you _really_ are looking forward to something, it sucks when it isn't as expected.

I know how you feel about the price of clothing, too. There are so many cool things out there, but I mostly have to find them on clearance, and then it seems like everything left is XS. I had my hopes set on a pair of those Sidi Doms, red, and even had the money saved up, but my truck chose this week to have a ball joint replacement and new tires...

Nanci

Speaking of high jersey prices _and_ e-Bay, I just found a jersey BF wanted, that I've _never_ been able to find for less than $70, for $44.

Have just seen the nice bright yellow jacket that I really wanted for riding in the rain but couldn't afford is on sale with 35% off. Still can't afford it... :rolleyes:

The money thing stinks. I haven't even been able to afford the little dog tag for ID - I'm thinking of just writing all my info on my leg with a sharpie. Maybe I'll start a new fad. On the other hand, we can't use it as an excuse not to ride! I figure, finally when I can affort the cute stuff, I'm going to look damn good in it!

So trigurl, do those gel pads work? I've been thinking about trying them. And you guys know about Froogle, right? http://www.froogle.com That's the best way to find deals on things, sometimes.

Nanci

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Originally Posted by Nanci

So trigurl, do those gel pads work?

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My hands prefer the Specialized Bar Phat over Fizik's pads. Bar Phat comes in 2 thicknesses - 2.5 mm and 4 mm. I like the thinner version since my hands are small and is the same as the padding on stock Specialized WSD women's bikes.

The padding definitely makes a difference for me.

Can you put them up by the hoods? That's what hurts me, right in the corner between my thumb and forefinger on my left hand. My right hand is perfectly comfortable, but my left is always fidgetting around. It was like that on my MTB, too. And I'm wearing gel gloves, only they are years old and wearing out.

Nanci

http://kozy.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=3805 It looks cool! The tape is boring, though...

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Originally Posted by Nanci

http://kozy.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=3805 It looks cool! The tape is boring, though...

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Yeah! I agree! I just emailed Specialized about ordering only the pad. I like colored tape.

No, the pad doesn't go on top of the hood, only on the bars. I have found that I need to replace gloves pretty frequently and I don't like gel pads in the gloves themselves. The ridge of the pad in PI Gel Lites makes my hands go numb. However, yellow loves them so I donated all of my PI gloves to her (but then she wears her helmet crooked, too).

SK

My handlebars are Specialized and the gel came on them, I recently had a new set of bars put on and they were able to get the gel off and on the new bars!

It is nice but doesn't help the area between you thumb and forefinger :(
Mine still hurts some.

I will ahve to check that website! I have 2 jerseys I bought for cheap, one was $27 and one was 25, I usually just wear my running shirts - they work and I don't really care what the other bikers think! AND the biggest no-no I wear on my road bike MTN BIKE shoes :eek: I liked the way they looked better than road shoes :p plus they have pink stitching on them :D

I don't have an ID tag either, but my helmet has my info in it if anyone thinks to look there.

I live in such a small town that the pay is not great anywhere and I work for an attorney, hopefully not for much longer tho.

have the thicker bar phat and love it! I haven't found any gloves that fit well, so it's really saving my hands. Do wish there was a way to pad those hoods!

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

Yeah! I agree! I just emailed Specialized about ordering only the pad. I like colored tape.

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Just received a response from Specialized:

Thanks for the email. Your dealer should be able to order just the Bar Phat without the tape. Have them call their sales rep or warranty department for more information. Cheers.

Ashley

Specialized Customer Service/Online Store
1137 South 3800 West
Salt Lake City UT 84104
877-808-8154

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Originally Posted by trigurl

And a VENT here :mad: : I was looking at my favorite catalog for bike clothes- won't mention the name- but I can't believe the prices, I want a pink long sleeve jersey, $90!!! that is just ridiculous, I am paycheck challenged ;) I would have to go w/o groceries for weeks! I hate that just because they are made for a specific sport prices are soooo high! it's like trying to buy the healthy foods, they are much higher priced than junk it's no wonder the obesity rate is so high!

ok, off my soap box.

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I think I know what catalog you're mentioning here and the particular jersey. I am shocked by how much they charge for stuff, but the pink jersey is nice (I broke down and bought it). Another bummer was that their other long-sleeve jerseys have the dreaded elastic at the bottom. I try to wait until they have sales but by then, my size is sold out or all that's left are the icky colors.

Hey SadieKate. Just noticed you had added Everest to your sig. :D

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Originally Posted by tlkiwi

Hey SadieKate. Just noticed you had added Everest to your sig. :D

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But of course!

Because of you I started researching mountain peaks. I actually had this whole scheme going of topping 4.6 Chamlangs on my 46th B-day until yellow pointed out a discrepancy in a ride we did a while back.

Chamlang is the 46th highest peak in the world and translates as "Great Flapping Bird." All that trivial brain work down the drain. I think 4.6 Everests is a tad too big a goal with only 3 weekends left.

OH! small world, sadie kate! i called specialized a while back... and talked to ashley... and she emailed me all kinds of info! lol!

they are very helpful at specialized CS!

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Originally Posted by caligurl

... and talked to ashley... and she emailed me all kinds of info! lol!

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I was pretty impressed with the speed of her response. Sometimes email to a company goes into a Black Hole.

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Originally Posted by Nanci

Can you put them up by the hoods? That's what hurts me, right in the corner between my thumb and forefinger on my left hand. My right hand is perfectly comfortable, but my left is always fidgetting around. It was like that on my MTB, too. And I'm wearing gel gloves, only they are years old and wearing out.

Nanci

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Nanci,

I know how you feel. If my hands get tired, it's always right in the corner between thumb and forefinger. I ride on the brake hoods prob'ly 90% of the time. I make it a point to shake my hands out occasionally, and change positions, but I always end up back on the hoods. Mostly, I'm okay unless it's a ride over 75 miles or a ride of many days in a row. I don't wear any gloves at all. I know, I know, most people do, and I wore them for many years! Always trying different brands and styles to find one that worked. Never found any. Either the padding was too thin, too hard, too thick.......... always something. So one day I quit wearing them. My hands are happier than they've ever been. Okay, so I can't wipe my tires off while riding. (I'm not much good at that anyway! :eek: ) And I am well aware, in the event of a crash, I stand to lose more skin w/out gloves than w/ gloves. I've just chosen to go with comfort over the long haul instead of worrying about what might happen. Simply a personal choice. Something to maybe try and see if you like it. Sure takes care of those funny tan lines! ;) Tho' that is NOT why I don't wear them. I'm not quite that vain. :rolleyes:

Once it gets cold, I wear gloves out of necessity, to keep my hands warm. I don't like it, but I do it. I try and find gloves that are as unoticeable as possible!

annie

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

However, yellow loves them so I donated all of my PI gloves to her (but then she wears her helmet crooked, too).

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Ummmm...I thought we decided that my HEAD was crooked!

I did notice, however, that you slipped a pair of non-gel PI gloves in the last batch...and I got me a blister! So I think that means I'm a freak that does better with the gel than without. :p

Not that I'm not grateful for the donation. :D I'll keep the non-gels in the car for emergencies!

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Originally Posted by yellow

I did notice, however, that you slipped a pair of non-gel PI gloves in the last batch...and I got me a blister! So I think that means I'm a freak that does better with the gel than without. :p

Not that I'm not grateful for the donation. :D I'll keep the non-gels in the car for emergencies!

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:( Sorry! I probably grabbed all the PI gloves which had that ridge at the base of the thumb. Owee. Feel free to recycle them however you care to. Didn't mean to sabotage you.

SK

Sure, it's her head that's crooked. ;)