The Two Bicycles of Varonha.

Carraducci still churning out the waxed-cotton classic. Brooks tried to bring them back too, but weren't that successful.

I have a The People's poncho and used it for commuting a fair bit. Combined with mudguards I stayed pretty dry - headwinds were a royal pain though.

Had a look at the people's poncho, let's be honest though, I'm never gonna wear one.
In other news shipping confirmation emails have arrived.

For leisurely riding I'd get something tighter fitting - but for commuting I found it really great, as I could just wear my regular clothes underneath instead for wearing 2 or more pieces of water resistant outerwear, shoe covers etc.

I think I'll just stick with the "I'm not wearing a poncho" line. (Famous last words).

I reckon you'd got the build nailed previously... DT shifters, chunky tyres, guards, and finishing kit to preference. But of course that's how I'd do it, and it's not mine!

I thought I'd nailed it too, but using the 105 on the Genesis made me realise I like flappy paddle shifting more, tyre wise I'll still be on a fairly chunksome 38mm.
As long as the Ultegra stuff arrives in time I'll build it up fully Friday night, go for a ride on Saturday, then go from there.
Still got the guards in the shed, just need a stem (probably pinch the Pro one off the genesis to start with. Then next purchase will have to be a wheelset, so I don't have to swap tyres over depending which bike I choose to ride (thinking another set of velocity/hope wheels, but maybe 24/28 rather than 28/28).

Any advice from the hive mind on GPS navigation computers? I don't need to know calories or watts, just which way to turn and distance travelled. I don't have a smart phone, so would be uploading routes prior to riding from my tablet, simple is best for me, bit of a technophobe.

Why? What you gonna gain by losing 4 spokes other than some reliability? 20 grams max?!

Re Nav, I don't think you can go wrong with a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt. Super straight forward. You'll be able to plan routes in RideWithGPS and sync them across using the Wahoo companion app on an iPad.

True - I was looking at them for my Winston because I was obsessed with the idea of using TA chainrings and I wanted a low Q factor.
If you're not fussy about all that then there's really not a huge amount of point getting them.

In fact, I am fussy about all that and still didn't bother getting them!

Middleburn are cooler anyway : )

Garmin Explore is the only one I could find that would let me search for addresses on the fly and give turn-by-turn directions. You can upload routes beforehand as well, which is a good idea given some of the routing it has suggested.... It has it's quirks but it's always got me where i wanted to go.

Marginal gains, but I hear you @JB. Bolt seems to be at the upper limit of my fundage, but will investigate, don't know if you have experience with Garmin, but looked at the edge explore. I read reviews, don't understand/comprehend a lot of what's said, so don't get any further than looking.
Are Wahoo and Garmin the ones to only really consider? Lezyene/Bryton not to be bothered with.

So that's one explore and one bolt, should start a poll!
Yep, Middleburn are just down the road from me, so will probably keep it local (not that I want any association at all with the Potteries).

@atk, what computer were you using, was that a Wahoo?
Not getting a poncho, but definitely flask n Carradice on longer rides.

That's fair. I have not used any modern Garmin's so cannot give any real feedback tbh. A Garmin might be better for you given you don't have a smartphone. A Wahoo Bolt has fixed maps that you can't move around on - they're locked in place depending on where you are and you can only zoom in and out on that location, so probably not the best for you. The other Wahoo models might be better but they're more expensive.

Ah, ok, so Wahoo relies on you having yer sp in a pocket, while Garmin has a bit more freedom to look around the maps.
See, this is where I get discombobulated and give in.
Think I'll just rely on Mattnav.

Been lurking in your thread for a while but thought I'd chip in: I'm also a bit of a luddite but love my Garmin Etrex 20. Background Open Cycle Map from OSM that you can move around/zoom with a joystick, no stats per se other than speed and distance, can do rudimentary routing, and runs off AAs so you can pack some spare for multiday trips (IKEA own brand rechargeable are best). No WiFi or phone needed at any stage. £100 secondhand? Only catches are it's massive and I don't know if you'll be able to load maps off a tablet.

To add: your builds are lovely and convinced me to go square taper again

Just had a look-see at Etrex, it's vast, think maybe more geared towards hiking than biking, thanks for the heads up though, always good to view many options before shaking in the foetal position in the corner of the room.
And welcome to my thread, should probably be retitled " An indecisive idiot buys lots of bikes then sells them".

Etrex is really the only reasonably choice for a GPS unit. Works with AAs so won't be useless in five years just because the non replaceable battery is done, insanely durable, usable with gloves, doesn't really sync to Strava and can be seamlessly used for other outdoor pursuits (hiking, etc)

You can load tracks from a tablet if the tablet has a card reader.

Right, ok, so batteries can't be changed on Garmins, so once it starts to die it's buy a new unit time. Hmmmm, may just buy a phone and use google maps.

I know the conversation has moved on, but no, you don't need a smart phone - I was merely saying if you want to investigate the roads in the area and really zoom in on the maps, the Wahoo doesn't really let you do that. I don't ever look at maps when I'm riding - generally - so it's a non-issue for me. I just follow the route because I will have planned it anyway so have a decent idea of where I am most of the time.

Got ya, so the night before I upload my route and Bolt will guide me, does it do course correction?

You should!

If you have any questions about about the Garmin Explore just ask... like you, I am a total luddite so know the feeling of confusion when you're trying to understand wtf these things actually DO. I feel like I'm more or less qualified to answer questions about it now.

This sounds like a forum t-shirt if ever I've heard one!

Yep I believe so, but I think it requires a smart phone to press "go". Maybe one of the others ^^^ can confirm.