Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => Audax => Topic started by: S2L on 11 August, 2019, 02:30:06 pm
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I took advice from somewhere on this forum and bought a 1.2 Lt saddlebag for (not too long) Audax. I paid 12 pounds + delivery, which seemed a bargain
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/BAPODSBCS/podsacs-daytripper-lite-waterproof-saddle-bag
It is shit, like pretty much everything else I bought from Planet X over the years (merino socks aside).
My legs rub against it and the fasteners come loose while I cycle, because they only have one retaining mechanism (the usual double loop thing), but nothing to lock them in place like more upmarket bags
So,if you want something decent, pay your money and buy something decent, don't waste your time with these
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Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel! ;D
I've bought a few things from PX over the years, but seeing the Podsacs label on their luggage makes me a bit depressed - back in my climbing days Podsacs rucksacks were still handmade in Sheffield by the original owner and were bombproof bits of gear. I still have one of their daypacks which is coming up on 20 years old and still looks perfect. I very much doubt the bikepacking bags will last as well...
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So,if you want something decent, pay your money and buy something decent, don't waste your time with these
Indeed. I buy less stuff these days but am willing to spend more on an item that I reckon will be of higher quality & last longer.
PlanetX is a good example of a company who's stuff I no longer buy. I must have a drawer full of their stuff that was "cheap" but never gets used and a lot has already gone to charity shops.
They did me a favour when they increased their postage costs a few years ago. That put me off buying anything else from them for good ;D
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That's interesting. I'd never heard the Podsacs name before, so just assumed it was a name Planet X had invented. But it turns out it's like Karrimor, with Planet X in the role of Sports Direct. Which means Chris Potter (https://www.planetx.co.uk/news/planet-x-news/q/date/2015/02/26/introducing-chris-potter-new-ceo-at-planet-x) must be David Ashley looking for the cycling equivalent of Newcastle United and, erm, House of Fraser.
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I've been using my PX giant saddlebag for about 18 months now. It hasn't been without its problems and I have had to reinforce the stitching of the load bearing straps myself using a leatherworking tool kit. But to be fair I was probably overloading it with a steel u lock and a bunch of other heavy bits and bobs instead of the intended cargo.
I have had some Planet X turkeys in the past but they've refunded me a broken mini pump when I provided photo evidence that it had failed. On the other hand I've had some genuine gems like my podsacs frame bag, the mile muncher tyres, and the super roubaix bib tights which would together probably have cost me hundreds if I'd bought 'big brands'. And their £0.99 inner tubes and £1.50 tins of GT85 have been absolutely fine if nothing else...
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my overall impression of stuff from Planet-X is that if you get a cheap thing from them it will be rubbish and not worth the small amount of money it cost
For example, I got a few rear lights from them and they all broke quickly with the vibration of normal use. All of them, not one or two but all of them
Usually, anything more expensive and interesting is out of stock at Planet-X. Oh no, hang on. About 2006 I bought an early high powered Dinotte LED front light from them. It was quite expensive (£150) but it was a good product and lasted years. After about 10 years of use and replacing the battery clip a couple of times it has now given up.
So yes, once in the past I have got a thing from them that was reasonably priced for what it was and had a positive experience
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One of the many attractions in Millennium Square in Bristol (fountains, giant outdoor screen, statues of Cary Grant and other famous Bristolians, giant shiny sphere, etc etc) is a display tracking the position and distance to the hypothetical Planet X on the edge of the solar system. It worked for several years, entertaining tourists and locals, but is now broken. However, my merino arm warmers and alloy seat post, both firmly terrestrial, are still going strong. None of them named after other brands though.
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I've got a few of the Pod Sacs drybags, they are fine. Seem fairly tough material, waterproof enough. Much the same as most other drybags, including some fancier brands I've used.
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my overall impression of stuff from Planet-X is that if you get a cheap thing from them it will be rubbish and not worth the small amount of money it cost
The things I've had from PlanetX that have been good value are basically:
Merino socks, which are excellent
Merino baselayers with a mesh back (ideal for recumbents) that they no longer do
Disposably cheap battery lights (for emergency backup purposes and giving to people in need of lights)
Occasional deals on unpopular tyres (studs in summer, for example)
Occasional deals on chains
Particularly disappointing have been:
Merino arm warmers (weird size, crap elastic)
Overshoes (eaten in a single ride)
Somewhere in the middle:
Smart-clone lights (obviously low build quality, but work fine for about-town use and I don't have to worry about them breaking or getting nicked)
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My overshoes were a bit mangled after some riding but tbh I found that also to be the case with some Sealskinz ones I got off Chain Reaction. I keep meaning to sew some bits onto the bottoms of them but never get round to it...
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My overshoes were a bit mangled after some riding but tbh I found that also to be the case with some Sealskinz ones I got off Chain Reaction. I keep meaning to sew some bits onto the bottoms of them but never get round to it...
Yeah, I'm firmly of the opinion that overshoes - however well made - are inherently crap, and are very rarely[1] the best solution to the problem.
[1] They're okay if it's too cool for sandals and you only expect it to rain for the first hour or so of the ride.
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Particularly disappointing have been:
Merino arm warmers (weird size, crap elastic)
I really like my merino arm warmers from PX. But I don't think they have any elastic in, so it sounds like a case of different spec, same name (as well as different arms, of course).
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This thread has reminded me to get some proper winter MTB shoes while we're out of season. Sigma are doing this set for £117 https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Specialized/Defroster-Trail-Winter-MTB-Shoes/KDQF
I usually wear 45 but am very tempted to ride to Esher to try the 46 on with thick merino socks, and try my luck...
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This thread has reminded me to get some proper winter MTB shoes while we're out of season. Sigma are doing this set for £117 https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Specialized/Defroster-Trail-Winter-MTB-Shoes/KDQF
I usually wear 45 but am very tempted to ride to Esher to try the 46 on with thick merino socks, and try my luck...
Specialized Defroster - at least the ones I had a couple of years ago - were useless. They didn't breathe at all. They were cold, no fluffiness. Difficult to see what they were supposed to do. They were vaguely water proof I guess
Northwave are ok winter shoes, see if anyone is doing them
Currently have Sidi - which I got second hand on here - they are phenomenally expensive new but have lasted longer and are a better shoe than the other winter stuff
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Cheers will give it a look in. I know I have a tendency to go for bargains and this can be a bit counter productive where shoes are concerned.
In the olden days I used to cycle around wearing muckboots which were nice and warm and waterproof, though did get a bit 'turkish bath' on the inside...