At the end of a year it’s often a good time to reflect on performances, victories or achievements of the year gone by. Certainly 2009 has been a year of many firsts and a great year for the cycling fraternity at home and abroad. It was a year that stated in the baking hot hills of Adelaide and finished with the jubilation of Mendrisio - a year to remember.

In between these events in the world of professional cycling there have been many products we at RIDE have been sent and have found useful, well designed or just plain desirable. With this in mind I thought I would start a little discussion on our favourite products of 2009 and hopefully get your feedback on some of the little (or big things) that have made you ride better, feel more motivated or just kept your credit card working overtime.

This year has seen some 500 new products come through the doors of the RIDE office, all of which have featured in the magazine at some point in the last twelve months. From carbon wheel sets that weigh less than a kilo, to practical chain catchers that save your pride and joy from damage.

We have seen all manner of coloured accessories, bolts and tape; and of course enough clothing to outfit the entire peloton a few times over. There have been a few items that have lingered in the hands of our production team for longer than the required period and others that we have forked out our hard earned cash to use on a daily basis. As is the case with many things in life, some exceed all expectations, a few disappoint but most just fade into the background and become part of our regular routine on the bike.  Lights that can survive an unwelcome drenching, helmets that don’t leave you with a post-ride headache or lube that keeps your chain shifting week after week.  It’s often the simplest products that make the biggest difference so without further introduction…

My favourite three products of 2009.

3) Assos summer gloves: Finding a glove that  fits perfectly sometimes makes me feel a little like cinderella. I try on lots but nothing fits like a… well you know the rest.

I wear gloves on every ride because I have seen the results if you don’t. These Assos summer gloves were white when I bought them but now they are grey (maybe I should listen to my mum and seperate my colours?). It bothers me that I chose such an impractical colour, but it’s ok as they fit me perfectly in everyway possible.  No binding around the cuff as it is elasticated, not too much padding and real quality that has made them last all the kilometres we have travelled together this year. RRP $69

2) ACECO K-Edge chain catcher: I bought a new bike this year and I’ve seen what damage a rogue chain can do to a carbon frame. It’s not uncommon to see a $10,000 dollar frame rendered worthless from a chain that has fallen off on the inside of the chain ring and damaged the seat stays. It’s a horrifying thought.

Many seat tubes change profile or are a non-standard diameter, making it difficult to install a keeper or catcher. In previous years we have seen mechanics fashion their own catchers from bits of metal or wire.  No longer.  Along comes ACECO and saves the tears… RRP $65

1) PRO Team floor pump: Ok so I cheated. This product will be available to the public in January, but since I’m writing this and we are finishing Issue 47 (out in January) I thought it should count. When you work at a bike magazine you can ride a different bike home everyday of the week. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. When you ride as much as we do here at RIDE you spend a lot of time doing one of three things. Changing over your pedals, installing your bottle cages or pumping up tires. Pumping up tires should be a simple task, but so often it’s not. The head unit can fly off before you reach optimum pressure or not attach at all for some reason. Often you have to pump for what seems like an eternity before you reach 100psi or higher if you are lucky enough to ride singles.

Not with the PRO Team floor pump. It attaches without a drama, everytime, and the high pressure design means you reach your desired level of firmness with plenty of time to get out the door, homeward bound or to meet the bunch. After all, more time on the bike is what really is important to me. RRP $125

So there you have it.  My three favourite things of 2009.  Now over to you… I’m going to leave this post open for comments.  If you have something to contribute let us all know.

Here’s to 2010 and thanks 2009 for giving me so many great memories on and off the bike.

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