Aldi-LIDL Specials - Megathread!

magicbastarder · 22-09-2020 07:54AM

i bought a front and rear lozenge style light from them a couple of years ago. the rear stopped holding a charge about a year after i bought it.

loyatemu · 22-09-2020 08:02AM

last set of Aldi lights I bought, the front light while super bright, runs down very quickly, and loses charge even when turned off. They're hit and miss in terms of quality but they're cheap enough to take a chance on.

Thargor · 22-09-2020 08:09AM

Why don't people buy AAA or AA lights and fit them with Eneloop rechargeable batteries (or IKEA rechargeables which are apparently the same thing)? The Eneloops will last for years and are easily replaced and recycled and give massive power and battery life (Tesla pack them into bricks in their cars). The light will last pretty much forever that way instead of just going to landfill after a year or 2 like what happens with these rechargeable lithium lights.

JMcL · 22-09-2020 11:22AM

Thargor wrote: »

Why don't people buy AAA or AA lights and fit them with Eneloop rechargeable batteries (or IKEA rechargeables which are apparently the same thing)? The Eneloops will last for years and are easily replaced and recycled and give massive power and battery life (Tesla pack them into bricks in their cars). The light will last pretty much forever that way instead of just going to landfill after a year or 2 like what happens with these rechargeable lithium lights.

Not the worst advice in the world. I've dug out my front light - a decent Lezyne I bought at the start of last year - in the last week or two. I hadn't used it since the start of lockdown at the end of March and after about 5 months in storage (fully charged before going on the shelf) now won't charge properly. It's improved a bit with a few charge/discharge cycles but still won't get to a complete charge. Battery not serviceable of course

JMcL · 22-09-2020 11:27AM

What's the thoughts on the merino base layers? How do they stand up against pricier brands? Searching back over the thread there seems to be split opinion on them with some claiming that they're itchy (I suspect a wash would help there).

magicbastarder · 22-09-2020 11:30AM

i have BBB branded lights in which i use rechargeable AAAs from aldi; i took one out last week, which had been sitting unused since january and the batteries still had a decent charge in them, which i was a little (pleasantly) surprised by.

MrSkinny · 22-09-2020 11:34AM

JMcL wrote: »

What's the thoughts on the merino base layers? How do they stand up against pricier brands? Searching back over the thread there seems to be split opinion on them with some claiming that they're itchy (I suspect a wash would help there).

It may be a personal thing. I don't find them itchy at all but my OH does.

IMO they are excellent: 100% merino at a very good price, nice and warm, keep their shape after a wash and don't stink like some synthetic materials do even after the merest hint of sweat.

22-09-2020 12:24PM

JMcL wrote: »

What's the thoughts on the merino base layers? How do they stand up against pricier brands? Searching back over the thread there seems to be split opinion on them with some claiming that they're itchy (I suspect a wash would help there).

Definitely, I find a wash is a must before wearing. The last base layers I got in Aldi (not merino) I made the mistake of wearing out of the box and they felt horrible on me during the spin. Were grand after a wash.

One of the marnio tops I have is aldi and thats about 2 years old and is still good , though I'd have only worn it once a week for 3-4 months of the year at most.

I find them to both to be decent length too.

Muahahaha · 22-09-2020 10:41PM

murphyebass wrote: »

Was looking at this one myself.

Would it be any use for Zwift?

Just on the turbo trainer, it is branded Bikemate and theres a video review of it here from some American former Olympic cyclist last year who rates it for the price, which was only $28 in Aldi in the US.

https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a26988598/aldi-trainer-review/

Its just under 50 euro here but from that review it sounds good for the price. In the video it is not as noisy as I thought it would be despite being magnetic rather than fluid filled. Reckon I might give it a punt, anyone know do they tend to get snapped up fast or was that just a few years ago when they were new?

JMcL · 23-09-2020 10:34AM

Muahahaha wrote: »

anyone know do they tend to get snapped up fast or was that just a few years ago when they were new?

Hard to say. There was mayhem in the local Aldi when the wetsuits went on sale about a month back - long queues from about 8:30. There wasn't a huge amount of bike gear locally in the last round, but not sure whether this was due to it lying off the shelves, or them just not getting much in

Muahahaha · 23-09-2020 12:53PM

Cheers yeah its hard to know. Id hope most people who wanted turbo trainers already have one but with Aldi/Lidl you never know, plus sometimes they only get a 3 or 4 of the bigger items. Heading out on Saturday night so I'll be in no mood for 9am down Aldi on Sunday morning, will give it a try in the early afternoon and hopefully that works.

murphyebass · 23-09-2020 01:04PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

Just on the turbo trainer, it is branded Bikemate and theres a video review of it here from some American former Olympic cyclist last year who rates it for the price, which was only $28 in Aldi in the US.

https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a26988598/aldi-trainer-review/

Its just under 50 euro here but from that review it sounds good for the price. In the video it is not as noisy as I thought it would be despite being magnetic rather than fluid filled. Reckon I might give it a punt, anyone know do they tend to get snapped up fast or was that just a few years ago when they were new?

Thanks for that. I’m going to see can I pick one up for the winter months. Seems like a decent bit of kit when paired with a speed sensor.

You can get a Garmin speed sensor for less than €50 on Amazon so all in all under €100 to get a set up for Zwift sounds good to me.

redlead · 23-09-2020 01:28PM

Do people that use turbo's here use a fan too ? I don't have a garage so need to use it in my house but always got so hot inside I just didn't enjoy it. I haven't used it in years as a result but wouldn't mind giving it another go this winter.

keane2097 · 23-09-2020 01:48PM

Two fans

murphyebass · 23-09-2020 06:54PM

redlead wrote: »

Do people that use turbo's here use a fan too ? I don't have a garage so need to use it in my house but always got so hot inside I just didn't enjoy it. I haven't used it in years as a result but wouldn't mind giving it another go this winter.

I’ll be setting up in my kitchen which can be very cool if the door is left open

dinneenp · 24-09-2020 09:23AM

I'm going to buy the Turbo Trainer & try to upgrade it so I can use it with Zwift/Peleton app. I'm going to phone my 2 closest stores & ask if they know how many units they'll be getting in.
These steps are from an American site but should be quiet simple to source the required items here. If anyone has done so, please let me know how much it cost & how you find it.

I'd also probably buy a new back wheel, I've heard they get worn quick enough.

Inquitus · 24-09-2020 10:11AM

dinneenp wrote: »

I'd also probably buy a new back wheel, I've heard they get worn quick enough.

A Turbo Tyre is probably sufficient.

towger · 24-09-2020 10:14AM

CramCycle wrote: »

Aldi, gave one to a new co worker must be 3 years ago(after I had used it for awhile) and still in use, the other is now on my partners bike and even after being ignored for a year, charged up and worked perfectly the other day. I'd highly recommend them.

I got the Aldi ones too and they are great ..... except the stap on the front one broke, cannot seem to source a replacement strap.

Thargor · 24-09-2020 10:18AM

Are either of the sets of gloves in the upcoming Aldi special waterproof do you think?

https://leaflets.aldi.ie/view/628538/27/

dinneenp · 24-09-2020 10:40AM

Inquitus wrote: »

A Turbo Tyre is probably sufficient.

Cheers, never heard of these before. I presume that the tyre replaces your road tyre so I'd still need another back wheel- correct?

If you're using your main bike for this I presume it's extremely quick to set up. I
How would a road bike with turbo trainer compare to an indoor exercise bike, like this JLL IC200 PRO Indoor Cycling Exercise Bike

Cheers,
Pa.

Inquitus · 24-09-2020 10:56AM

dinneenp wrote: »

Cheers, never heard of these before. I presume that the tyre replaces your road tyre so I'd still need another back wheel- correct?
.

Well you can either change the tyre when using Turbo or going out on the road, or get a cheap rear wheel. Whatever is less hassle for you.

Tony04 · 24-09-2020 10:58AM

If you dont want to have to swap tyre every time you ride then yeah. New Wheel+tyre + cassette or used even.

Bikes would be more modular than gym bikes and also fit like a real bike so gets you used to sitting in your on bike positon. Personally id rather spend the 200 on a new tyre cassette wheel etc than on a fitness bike

JMcL · 24-09-2020 11:08AM

redlead wrote: »

Do people that use turbo's here use a fan too ? I don't have a garage so need to use it in my house but always got so hot inside I just didn't enjoy it. I haven't used it in years as a result but wouldn't mind giving it another go this winter.

Plonked mine outside during lockdown. It's a dumb one similar to the Aldi, so easy enough to lug in and out. We were blessed with good weather for that period though

dinneenp · 24-09-2020 12:57PM

Thargor wrote: »

Are either of the sets of gloves in the upcoming Aldi special waterproof do you think?

https://leaflets.aldi.ie/view/628538/27/

Hi,

It mentions 'Wind resistant', if there were water resistant I'm presuming it'd mention it.

Tony04 · 24-09-2020 01:30PM

You can spray it with some dwr treatment to make it somewhat waterproof

Thargor · 24-09-2020 02:02PM

But it's neoprene, is that not waterproof?

MangleBadger · 24-09-2020 02:16PM

Thargor wrote: »

But it's neoprene, is that not waterproof?

Neoprene is definitely not waterproof. But it will hold water which will warmup and keep you warm that way. Same as a wetsuit.

byrnem31 · 24-09-2020 02:21PM

Amazon will have waterproof cycling gloves for similar prices.

secman · 24-09-2020 03:29PM

Thargor wrote: »

But it's neoprene, is that not waterproof?

I find with some waterproof gloves they keep the sweat in so my hands are soaking anyway

Luckycharms_74 · 24-09-2020 03:38PM

i assume turbo trainers work with a hybrid ??

Aldi-LIDL Specials - Megathread!

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