Bargain Alert Thread

[sean_iow]

I've been impressed with the Vittoria Mezcal

https://www.vittoria.com/ww/en/tyres/mtb-xc/mezcal

I've got the version with the anthracite side-walls. The tan side-wall is the lighter version but I think the weight saving makes them more vulnerable to damage.

Allegedly available with the supplier

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Vittoria-Mezca ... 214402.htm

[faustus]

I'll second the Mezcal, have the grey sidewalls in 29x2.6 and really like the mix of fast rolling but good enough all round traction. But as with many things, out of stock for now Keep an eye on Banana Industries site, they have good prices on Vittoria tyres, when in stock. Got mine for £17 last year!

[yourguitarhero]

Yes, Vittoria XC tyres from Banana Industries are a right bargain!

[fatbikephil]

Alpkit have started their Black Friday sale - https://alpkit.com/collections/black-friday. The tarps (on the second page) are good value, I think they are down to the price we paid for them five years ago.

I don't need a tarp.
I don't need a tarp.
I don't need a tarp.


Anyone any experience of the MTB trousers? https://alpkit.com/products/floe-trouser-mens-1 I've been looking at some others recently from Nukeproof and Leatt.

You do need a Tarp Dave!
Tredz have the Endura humvee trousers for £45 which are pretty good. https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Endura-Hummvee ... 113416.htm

I have (had) a tiny tarp but somehow I've managed to lose it so...

Cheers for that. Like my Humvee shorts, and they're pretty cheap. But I do like that the Alpkit ones come in separate widths/lengths for the long and thin (me)

I'm also long and thin and the leg length is spot on

[PaulB2]

My bivvy bag is a lightweight summer one (ti goat kestrel) so not sure if the r.i.g. 3.5 will provide enough coverage but still tempted.

[ScotRoutes]

My bivvy bag is a lightweight summer one (ti goat kestrel) so not sure if the r.i.g. 3.5 will provide enough coverage but still tempted.

I also have a Kestrel and do find the 3.5 sized tarps tend to leave the bag a bit exposed as soon as it's windy (or the wind changes direction). It can result in wind-driven rain getting onto the bag. The 7 is obviously fine.
I actually got an in-between sized (DCF) tarp made up by Marc at Trekkertents.

[Bearbonesnorm]

My bivvy bag is a lightweight summer one (ti goat kestrel) so not sure if the r.i.g. 3.5 will provide enough coverage but still tempted.[/quote
I find that it will largely depend on how you pitch it.

[thenorthwind]

Alpkit have started their Black Friday sale - https://alpkit.com/collections/black-friday. The tarps (on the second page) are good value, I think they are down to the price we paid for them five years ago.

I don't need a tarp.
I don't need a tarp.
I don't need a tarp.


Anyone any experience of the MTB trousers? https://alpkit.com/products/floe-trouser-mens-1 I've been looking at some others recently from Nukeproof and Leatt.

You do need a Tarp Dave!
Tredz have the Endura humvee trousers for £45 which are pretty good. https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Endura-Hummvee ... 113416.htm

I have (had) a tiny tarp but somehow I've managed to lose it so...

Cheers for that. Like my Humvee shorts, and they're pretty cheap. But I do like that the Alpkit ones come in separate widths/lengths for the long and thin (me)

I'm also long and thin and the leg length is spot on

Good to know, ta.

[flyingpig]

I'll second the Mezcal, have the grey sidewalls in 29x2.6 and really like the mix of fast rolling but good enough all round traction. But as with many things, out of stock for now Keep an eye on Banana Industries site, they have good prices on Vittoria tyres, when in stock. Got mine for £17 last year!

Thank you both those look perfect, very similar pattern to my Clement pdx cx tyres which is exactly what I'm after. Will keep eye out for stock

[ledburner]

Narrow for the 29 rims, not used that size before, I'd say 2.1 to 2.4? Max clearance is 2.6 i believe

[Edit: finished off incomplete message]
I've been impressed with wtb ranger if they are still available in. 2.1or 2.25 flavour (high grip light).
Running as tubeless about 30psi. they roll well and quietly on tarmac, grippy on most surfaces with lots of little 'studs' they are consistent and just gradially loose traction in extreme mud or clay. As tubeless they hold air well better than the Vittoria Barzo and Saguaro I have also tried., in 2.0 and 2.1 sizes..

[yourguitarhero]

Good PSA on the alpkit tarps.
A while back I bought the bivvy and tarp in red as it matched all the other bikepacking stuff I had form them (tailbag, harness, drybags etc). Didn't really think it through - a bright red bivvy and tarp isn't too stealthy.
So got a green tarp coming and should be able to shift my red one for the same-ish money making it free to change. Green bivvy bags out of stock through

[ledburner]

Good PSA on the alpkit tarps.
A while back I bought the bivvy and tarp in red as it matched all the other bikepacking stuff I had form them (tailbag, harness, drybags etc). Didn't really think it through - a bright red bivvy and tarp isn't too stealthy.
So got a green tarp coming and should be able to shift my red one for the same-ish money making it free to change. Green bivvy bags out of stock through

Get a camo net instead.. or go commando,
errm, I met bivvigbag-less

(.. he goes off to hide in the cellar...)

[thenorthwind]

You do need a Tarp Dave!

Turns out I did

Um'd and ah'd about, decided to wait till today when I could pop into the shop in Gateshead and look at the trews, even though they didn't have any tarps in stock there, or trousers in my size, just to avoid ordering twice. Saw that they were sold out online this morning Tried on some trousers, and asked about tarps - they didn't have any, but they have a couple on the way, one of which now has my name on it They even said they'd post it out for me if I can't pick it up.

I make my life way more difficult than it needs to be with indecision

[boxelder]

Various useful tyres on Wiggle - Ardents, High Rollers etc, plus 3" WTB Bridgers for a tenner (listed elsewhere on the site as OEM) https://www.wiggle.co.uk/wtb-bridger-tc ... lling-tyre

EDIT _ Ikons too and 700c WTB Resolutes.

[johnnystorm]

Magicshine Monteer 3500 badged up as Olights for £99 but you'll have to wait a bit...

https://www.olightstore.uk/olight-rn-35 ... yUrjHofG2c

[Cheeky Monkey]

Various useful tyres on Wiggle - Ardents, High Rollers etc, plus 3" WTB Bridgers for a tenner (listed elsewhere on the site as OEM) https://www.wiggle.co.uk/wtb-bridger-tc ... lling-tyre

EDIT _ Ikons too and 700c WTB Resolutes.

Cheers. Been wanting to try some Resolutes and they're much more affordable that usual.

[Dyffers]

Various useful tyres on Wiggle - Ardents, High Rollers etc, plus 3" WTB Bridgers for a tenner (listed elsewhere on the site as OEM) https://www.wiggle.co.uk/wtb-bridger-tc ... lling-tyre

EDIT _ Ikons too and 700c WTB Resolutes.

Looks like black only? If anyone wants a 650b / 27.5 skinwall Ikon, mine is still available.

[fatbikephil]

Various useful tyres on Wiggle - Ardents, High Rollers etc, plus 3" WTB Bridgers for a tenner (listed elsewhere on the site as OEM) https://www.wiggle.co.uk/wtb-bridger-tc ... lling-tyre

EDIT _ Ikons too and 700c WTB Resolutes.

Also 29+ Rangers for £42

[Bearbonesnorm]

Perhaps the wrong time of year but anyone looking for an uninsulated summer mat - Exped airmat lite for half price (£35)

https://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/PBSC ... D=36512478

[Shewie]

40% off at muc off

https://muc-off.com/collections/all-bic ... cts?page=1

[slarge]

Aldi have a Ferrex bandsaw in at £149.99 - cuts up to 120mm thick timber. No idea if it's any good but for occasional use it's probably a bargain

[ledburner]

Aldi have a Ferrex bandsaw in at £149.99 - cuts up to 120mm thick timber. No idea if it's any good but for occasional use it's probably a bargain

hope it works out for you.
10 years ago Lidl (and I suppose Aldi as well), power tools were made in Germany, by the 'as was' GDR companies catering for a lower price point so still good (not top) quality at reasonable prices. now they seam to be the usual Chinesium build quality .

[slarge]

Aldi have a Ferrex bandsaw in at £149.99 - cuts up to 120mm thick timber. No idea if it's any good but for occasional use it's probably a bargain

hope it works out for you.
10 years ago Lidl (and I suppose Aldi as well), power tools were made in Germany, by the 'as was' GDR companies catering for a lower price point so still good (not top) quality at reasonable prices. now they seam to be the usual Chinesium build quality .

I haven't bought one - I'd like a bandsaw but not yet ready to spend money on one. Just posted as an info for others. I'm not surprised that it is possibly cheap n nasty - it seems the only way to get really cheap stuff is via the less good factories in China....

[Bearbonesnorm]

I bought a Lidl bandsaw a couple of years ago (albeit named differently) and it was rubbish - in fact bits snapped / fell off as I was putting it together. I then bought a small Scheppach and while I'm under no illusions that it too is likely made in China, it's very good (especially once you replace the blade with something better) ... quality of the saw is far better than the first one for not much more money.

[boxelder]

£85 chainsaw from Lidl is working nicely - Oregon blade etc.