Northwave Essential 3

Advantages: Control, power transfer, efficiency etc
Disadvantages: You might fall off once or twice....

...cheaper though! A lot of people worry that they won't be able to release from spds's; yes that can be a problem initially but I recently saw someone who's used to spd's fall off a bike equipped with toe clips!! It's all about what you're used to! I think I fell of mine about 3 or 4 times max due to not being able to release a pedal! Time atacs generally have more float than spd's (5 degrees) which can help if you've got dodgy knees although some say they don't feel positive enough! They also clear better in muddy conditions making it easier to "find" the pedal. Prices generally start at £15 -£20 for a basic set of spd copy pedals & go up to about £80 for top of the range shimano's & carbon Atacs. Shoes can be picked up from £20 to £120 depending on spec but things to look for are warmth, sole stiffness (depending on how much... Read review

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Advantages: Almost "full sized bike" rideability. Less likely to get stolen if stored indoors instead of in shed!
Disadvantages: Small wheels go down holes further = harder ride. Expensive unless you MUST have a folder.

...with the Brompton are sourced from a German firm called Sachs, the old faithful Sturmey-Archer company having gone west a while ago. 3 speeds are all very well, and to their credit, Brompton will tailor the final ratios to your individual needs if you make a specific order. However, if this still doesn't meet your needs, some way of increasing the number of ratios available to the rider is wanted. This is where the L6, or in my case, an L3 with the conversion kit come into their own. The kit costs £65 from Brompton stockists, and is designed to be fitted by the owner. Essentially, it is a two-speed derailleur set up, featuring two new rear cogs to replace the factory-fitted single gear, and a derailleur mechanism to shift the chain from one cog to another. Very comprehensive instructions are easy enough to follow and there are none of those unpleasant... Read review

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Advantages: very strong yet light with good feel
Disadvantages: Can be a handful in tight swims

...I always considered 3lb TC carp rods to be too heavy duty for 'normal' carp fishing situations. Sure they could bang out a large method feeder 90 odd yards but surely the feeling would be lost when playing the fish? I originally stumbled across a pair of the Fox Extreme rods whilst looking for a pair of rods for an up and coming trip to France. I went to a local dealer to ask for something heavy duty that wasn't a fortune. The intention was to use these rods purely for my trips abroad and nothing else. I was showed the Extremes and was instantly amazed at how slim and light they were. They also felt very well balanced. In addition they were a nice matt grey finish and looked quite stylish - I thought how good they would look on my pod. The dealer offered me the pair for £150 since he had vast numbers that were not shifting... Read review

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