General

General Wish List Spring/Summer 2024 (was Birthday 2023)

This list has modified heavily since it was the birthday list, it’s become more fitness based. Though my birthday is in May, and another May is coming…

Before buying things here myself, money would be used to be ready for any potential financial emergencies, such as car repairs, and especially for paying things off, etc., basically savings, then the items below. But if one wants, money can be given via PayPal and credit card donations can be made here, though there is a fee (not sure the percentage), (also generally 10% of all donations I get there I give to The Trevor Project (suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQIA+ youth). While cash may be more appreciated than the stuff below, I know people think cash is impersonal, so that’s what the list below is for.

Also, as this is mostly health related, I’ve got My Potential Supplements page where I talk about what I might take to make up for a poor diet.

Primary Wants

These items are mostly for my bike, a bike computer (moved up from secondary wants in June 2023), a new watch (mine is fairly old, and the battery is draining somewhat fast), and a smart bike trainer (also moved up in June 2023). I’ve also added some stuff to help keep me warm outside when it’s as cold as it gets here in winter.

The smart bike trainer would be first, but space issues is what pushes that down. Ideally, I’d use it on my computer, to use it outside the main living space, I’d need to have a new iPad, or gaming level laptop, to really be able to use Zwift, Trainer Road, which also complicates things and moves it from a solid first spot. Like I’d probably use it near daily if I could use it on the computer, with Zwift becoming my most “played game” or used app, however one would want to call it. Trying to use it on an iPad or laptop outside the house’s Wi-Fi makes things complicated. Because of the likelihood of needing to use it away from the computer, the iPad section has been moved up to Primary wants.

A New Smart Watch

My watch is getting out of date in terms of fitness tracking. It can’t track lots of activities that the newer watches can, like climbing, and doesn’t track running dynamics. Also it’s GPS is nowhere near as good as the ones here. It’s an older Garmin Venu, and the Venu 2 came out in 2021, with then on the Venu 3 out now, so an idea of how out of date it is. The Venu is more an semi entry level fitness watch than a sports watch. So the idea is to upgrade to a proper sports watch. Plus my Venu is starting to drain a bit too fast. It is still better than say an Apple Watch, but bad for a Garmin.

The “cheaper” of the new watches I want is a Garmin Forerunner 965 ($599.99). Black band or yellow band… though really, the yellow band really kicks it up.

While that is the more “reasonably priced” option. Going up to $899 (for the regular Gorilla glass), or $999 (for Sapphire crystal and Titanium case), one gets the brand new Garmin Epix Pro (gen2). The Epix Pro (gen2) has far more features, far more accuracy (both GPS, and fitness), and has ECG ability, though that’s more for detecting heart attacks, which while helpful, isn’t a mandatory feature yet. Like this watch is beyond amazing, and I want it as my main watch choice, but is it really $300 better than the Forerunner 965?

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 ($800) would be also okay… I’m assuming an Alpine loop. But The Garmin is better for what I do. Also, battery life on Apple Watches sucks…

Bike Computer for Bike

Okay, as of 11 June 2023, I moved the bike computer way up, as it would help a lot navigating routes when not with a group. Also I need a way of seeing my heart rate, cadence, speed, incline, and the like. For the moment, I have an app on my phone that can show most of these metrics, I just have to keep waking the phone up and unlocking it to see them. Also even though I’ve got a new phone, the battery wouldn’t last as long as a dedicated bike computer below.

The Garmin Edge 840 ($449.99) is the main choice. There is a Garmin Edge 840 Solar ($549.99) that does extend the battery some, but probably not $100 more battery for my area. Like for the price of the solar 840, I could get the 1040. Like the Garmin Edge 1040 ($599.99 or $749.99 for the solar version) would be better, especially the solar version, but again, at what I’ll be doing and using it for, the 840 is the sweet spot… The Garmin Edge 540 ($349.99), which lacks a touch screen, has half the memory than the 840, and you can’t put in an address to route yourself somewhere, would be a distant choice. So the choice order basically is, 1040 Solar, 1040, 840 Solar (though again, for that much may as well get the 1040 non-solar), 840 (the sweet spot in price/performance), 540 (where the solar version isn’t worth it, but the 840 is much preferred).

Smart Trainer for Bike

So one of the main wants of a bike period is to use Zwift, TrainerRoad, or other similar apps (more on those later). And this technically is right after a bike computer on this list, perhaps even above it, but space to use it is why it’s down here instead of number one or two. Plus to use it anywhere I can’t see the computer, means an iPad, gaming level laptop, or something along those lines.

The main advantage of a smart trainer is being able to do actual training, at set power levels, and set heart rate zones, etc. Which one can’t do realistically on the road, at least without power meter pedals (and a bike computer to read the power on), which are further down the list. And power meters are far more expensive, though become required in addition to a trainer if one is serious about racing on Zwift and other platforms for cash or other prizes, but those type things are far off for me. Even with all that, the terrain, temperature and wind, other people on the road or trail, all effect what one is doing, making it near impossible to keep at a certain heart rate or power zone. Indoor training fixes that. Plus you can do it every day, all year, where going out in the snow or rain…

Also, programs like Zwift help gamify the fitness, and keep you riding, chasing kits (clothing items, such as socks, gloves, glasses, shirts, bibs, bike shorts, shoes, etc.), bikes, wheels, badges, achievements, and more. Like it’d probably be my most played “game” while also helping me get more fit. The main goal being to be able to keep up on group rides in the real world, which presently is a problem as there’s only one group ride I can keep up with, which is a great group ride one Friday a month, but it’d be nice to get out on more. Anyhow, like I said, it’d probably be my main “game”, even over my Steam games and the like, because there’s just more I could in theory do, and goals to chase. New routs to take. There’s so much that one could take advantage of with it. Seriously, it’d be used a lot if I could use of Zwift and others like it.

The doctor also recently recommended I put the bike on a trainer to help with things like a overly tight calf, overall fitness, and the like. I was like, “Doc, you are my favorite new person, now can you give me your Doc money to get one, and a space to use it?” Okay, I obviously didn’t say any of that, but it’s what I thought.

The big problem with the smart trainer, is space is tight. They aren’t big by themselves, they can be put aside and aren’t overly heavy. It’s the space for the bike. Like the footprint of a Wahoo Kickr Core below is 20″x23″ while the legs are open, and closes to 20″x9″ when the legs are closed for storage. It’s small enough to fit in a corner or storage space while not in use. It’s the bike on it that adds to the space. The bike itself is about 5.5′ long counting the tires, so about the size of me. The back wheel comes off so the bike can drive the trainer, so the whole setup would take up less than 6′ of space while in use, and folds down to a fairly small footprint when the bike is away. Still, that’s a bit of room to use up in the unit itself while in use.

To use it on the porch, I’d need a new tablet (my current tablet isn’t powerful enough to run it), so that would mean one of the iPad’s below. Or a gaming level laptop (specs down in the iPad section below), which in many ways would be far better, but I’m not going over that in detail on this list, but any time I mention iPad here about the trainer, same would go for a gaming laptop. Also note, as of February 2024, MacRumors Buyer’s Guide has the iPad Pros on Don’t Buy, because they are at the end of their cycle, with new models expected in May 2024, which might mean the M2 versions might go “cheap” to clear inventory.

I can in theory use it anywhere I’d have WiFi and a way to plug the trainer in, and somewhere to hold the iPad… I could perhaps take the bike and trainer to work, if they’d let me (and I don’t think they’d object), then after I’m done for work for the day, just set up there, do my rides, workouts, etc. then when I’m done, come home. I’d probably have to take a way to do a recovery drink or something with me there on harder workout days, and FTP test days, etc. Weekends I would have to figure out. Another pricier option is to have the iPad on it’s own cell line, which increases the cost of not only the iPad, it’d mean having to get another cell line. iPad details are down on the Quinary wants end of the list. The iPad does add a lot to the below costs.

The most affordable option (aside from using the existing computer which would be ideal, but as I noted room is the problem) would be an Apple TV 4K ($149 for the version with 128 GB of storage and the ability to use Ethernet, not just WiFi). Though that also requires either using the existing TV (again the problem is room), or a semi-cheap TV (32″, with 1080p ($140-230) or 4k ($399.9) if possible), and that isn’t exactly as portable as an iPad/Laptop. Or a 32″ monitor (so long as it was at least 1080p or 1440p), as one wouldn’t need the TV tuner built in. Still, not exactly portable, but still cheaper than an iPad or Laptop would be.

Smart trainers are quieter than a stationary bike that people might be used to, it’s even quieter than a bike on the road, so noise isn’t a concern. Like people in the units below and to the sides wouldn’t hear it. Even people in the same unit in different rooms would have to really listen for it to hear it, and would likely hear me breathing heavy than the bike and trainer itself.

Also, regardless of which of the trainers I got… The new Zwift Play controllers ($149, though on sale for $99 during the beta software period, which is still the price as of February 2024) would be a great bonus, as they help navigate the menus and other stuff without the need to have a keyboard/mouse. They also add steering to Zwift, and can be used for virtual shifting on trainers that allow for that, more on that in a bit. This is most certainly optional, but helpful in Zwift.

And while Zwift is one of the main aims here, especially as some of the main choices include a year of it free, there are other similar apps like Rouvy where one rides on real video on real courses around the world (over 1000 courses), Rolla which is currently free, My Woosh, which also free, and which is what the UCI is using for official esports cycling, and indieVelo, another free option while it is in it’s current beta form (though PC and Mac only), to name a few . Then there’s TrainerRoad eventually when I’m ready for more serious training, as it’s got lots of features that make for serious training. As noted though, most of the trainers below come with a year of Zwift with them, that’s a $150 value right there (or one can go monthly for $15 a month).

  • Anyhow, here are the trainers, it’d be only one of these. The first two are the more “affordable” ones, then going up in price with the last two.
    • Zwift Hub One ($479.20 discounted from $599.99). This was Zwift’s main hardware option they sold directly before making a deal with Wahoo. It’s not as accurate as the Kickr Core Zwift One below, but it is more than good enough to be what I’d use it for. It also comes with a year of Zwift at that price. Zwift has discontinued it, and are clearing their inventory, which is why it’s discounted. They are keeping the 2 year warranty, and will continue to offer firmware updates for it. I know there have been some issues with it though, which is part of why they discontinued it, along with likely a lawsuit settlement with Wahoo. Still for the price, it is hard to beat, as the Kickr Core up next is $120 more. EDIT March 2024, seems it is sold out.
    • Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One ($599.99). This is accurate enough for my current, and likely ever, fitness level, and for what I’d be using it for. So it gets top billing. The negative is that for right now, aside from Trainer Road, you are stuck to using Zwift for virtual rides. One can’t use apps like Rolla yet. This is because this uses virtual shifting, so there are no real gears for the bike to shift using, making things even quieter than a direct drive trainer already is. Zwift has said for nearly a year, they will open up their virtual shifter to other apps, and now that the are partnered with Wahoo, that might happen sooner than later, but as of 7 February 2024, it is Zwift only. Trainer Road uses the trainer in what is called Erg mode, which you can use Rolla on for their training as well, and Zwift has some workouts that use Erg mode, and that doesn’t use shifting, in fact, the way this Zwift One cog works, might make it harder to cheat while in Erg mode. Not available in stores, this is only on the Zwift and Wahoo stores. The being stuck to using Zwift only is limited to just the Zwift Cog thing and virtual shifting, I could easily add a compatible cassette (microSHIFT | Advent X Cassette | 10-Speed | 11-48t | Black | Alloy Spider ($50.81)) and use any of the other programs. Footprint is 20″x23″, legs open, 20″x9″ legs closed.
    • Garmin Tacx NEO 2T ($1399.99). Price includes a cassette of choice (although the price changes depending on what cassette is chosen, and I’m not sure the cassettes are compatible with the above bikes, so might need to swap the cassette, see Kickr for more). The main advantage of the Garmin over all the others is its downhill simulation, and road feel is better than the others in the apps that support that (mostly Zwift at the moment). It’s technically the number one, but the Wahoo Kicr Core Zwift One price is hard to beat. This one does NOT include any Zwift or other memberships, and if one wants to use WiFi or a local network, you need another accessory, so another negative. Still, it’s Garmin, and keeping with the gear I’m otherwise using… Footprint is 22.6″ x 29.5″, I don’t know what the size is folded, as nobody seems to mention the size folded. I’d guess it is close to the Wahoo units, but it is taller as it does use a different technology.
    • Wahoo Kickr ($1,399.99). Comes with an 11 speed cassette, so I’d have to change it to one that matches my 10 speed. It does have a year of Zwift membership. It is more accurate and all that than the Kickr Core, but the Core is probably all the more that I’d ever use. Footprint is 20″x28″ legs open, 20″x9″ legs closed. It includes a handle to make it easier to move once folded.
    • There are moving versions of the Neo and Kickr, that move back and forth, but I don’t think they are worth the extra money as my level. By the time I was at that level, I’d probably be able to upgrade on my own.
  • Not a trainer, but the Zwift Cycling Training Mat ($80), while advertised to help reduce sound, is more to keep the sweat off the carpet or floor, though vibrations may be the main thing it dampens. This mat is 36″ x 80″ and 6 mm (nearly a 1/4″) thick. A larger yoga mat probably is about the same thing, and cheaper, so long as it is the same size or larger. One could also use puzzle exercise mats if one can find some that are wide enough.
  • A place to put the iPad or Laptop would be needed too… There’s a Wahoo Indoor Cycling Desk ($299.99) though I’m sure any adjustable small table would be fine, and I can probably find those at Target, Home Goods, or something for far less. Or perhaps even better, would be a floor tablet stand, such as this ASWINN Tablet Floor Stand ($25.88)
  • Potentially, if I could, a vertical bike stand ($39.99), to hold the bike on the porch if I’m going to use it all again so soon that taking it back down to the storage locker would be a waste.

A New iPad

My current iPad is so old, it can’t run the YouTube app on the device, and can’t update to a newer version of the YouTube app… hell, the Netflix version on it is super old… Choices here go iPad Air ($749 for 256GB Wi-Fi Only) or iPad Pro ($899 for the 11″ 256GB, though going with the Pro, probably should go $1099 for the 512GB version… or the 12.9″ version, at which point the 512GB is the more minimum spec for $1399). I do have a cheap tablet for the YouTube and other video watching, but for Zwift and the like, it isn’t powerful enough, so I need an iPad. One could also upgrade to one that could get a SIM card to use over the cell plan… which would help if I don’t have WiFi.

And as noted in the bike trainer section above, a gaming laptop would probably be better, though much more expensive option. A few key goals is a 4060 or better GPU, 16 GB, preferably 32 GB of RAM, and at least 1 TB of storage on an SSD or M2 drive. Probably a 15″ or larger screen, no less than a 13″. The CPU on any laptop having those other specs would be good enough. It is perhaps overkill for Zwift and the like, but there’s more to it than just Zwift in this case. Here is a Best Buy filtered list of laptops ($1250-3899) that would work. An M3 MacBook Air 15″with at least 512GB SSD ($1499-1699) would be a bit less ideal, as it wouldn’t be too useful for gaming, but it perfectly usable for other stuff.

Warmer gear

I need warmer base layers for going out in the cold. I don’t have what size I am in these yet. The idea is to have some of the ECWCS Gen III layers. These are mostly for outdoors in the winter, or cold spring/fall days, and some could be called for work and the like. But these are last on the “primary wants” list for a reason.

The one that seems most recommended is Brynje Wool Thermo Mesh, at least for just going outside period, not necessarily cycling. Then one wears a regular Merino Wool Base Layer with a zipper part way down, then one can do other layers over that. The Brynje can also be wore by itself in summer to keep cool. Again, that might not be best for cycling, not sure. This would be more for work, walking, range days, hiking, anything that isn’t super aerobic I guess.

The best cycling specific base layer seems to be Spatwear Basez 2 ($89.99) which would be a bit better if it had a zipper to the sternum or so.

Those two items, or the regular Merino Wool Base Layer would be the Level 1 on the ECWCS list. Level 2 would be used mostly for at home, or standing type situations.

Winter level bibs might be a bit of a more tricky find. Assos Mille GT Winter Bibs ($175), Gorewear Distance Winter Bib Tights ($200), or local Aero Tech has some Fleece tights ($199), not sure of sizes on those.

Cycling jacket would be the Castelli Men’s Alpha RoS 2 ($299.99), which has layers built in, so you can open each layer itself. This is basically a Level 3.

For regular days, not exercise the Level 3 would be done with either a warm fleece or sherpa. Though sherpa is more used as a lining and is harder to keep clean, which is probably why ECWCS specifies fleece.

I’m less sure about the soft shell jacket, more a wind breaker, water coat thing, Level 4 on the ECWCS scale. Near the end I do talk about one waterproof option.

For socks, there are these Keecow Merino Wool Ski Socks ($15.99). Other Merino Wool would likely be fine too, such as the lightweight and heavyweight ones from Aero Tech Designs (more on them later).

Overshoes, which would go over the bike shoes noted below… Spatz ‘Roadman 3’ Super-Thermo Hi-Viz Reflective Overshoes with Kevlar ($76.99).

In the unlikely event I wanted to go out in the rain and cold… then there are waterproof wind breakers to consider. At the high end there’s a C5 Gore-Tex Shakedry 1985 Jacket ($300). Though I’m sure there are far more affordable options…

A Merino Wool hat to wear under the cycling helmet.

Cleaning Supplies and Chain Wax

So there’s a power washer down in the Secondary Wishes, which would probably help here, but this is more about keeping the chain and stuff clean…

Cleaning the bike. One needs a disc brake cover ($29.67), because the degreaser can mess up the disc brakes. There’s a few degreasers, Muc Off Bio Drivetrain Cleaner ($20), or Silca’s Bio Degreaser ($25), a good chain cleaner like Pedro’s Chainpig ($28.79), which is more if one is not going to wax. The other stuff is somewhat required anyhow. That doesn’t include good quality micro fiber towels and the like.

Before waxing, one can use this Silca Chain Stripper ($36), put it in a Mason Jar, and deep clean the chain. One can also use mineral spirits in one jar, acetone in another, then rinse in another… a bit messier, and a bit more costly at least initially.

For the Waxing of the chain, there’s the Silca Chain Waxing System ($99.99), which is probably the best way to wax the chain easily. To use that, one needs Hot Melt Wax ($40.00). To maintain the wax one uses the Super Secret Chain Lube ($16-$45 depending on size), which tops of the wax and maintains it every few rides.

Secondary Wishes

We now get into more specialized items. Here we go with a multi tool for bike maintenance (I’ll probably get on my own anyhow), proper bike shoes/peddles, a bike radar (for greatly enhanced safety on the road), a battery operated portable power washer, and new headphones.

Bike Radar/Light

I’ve got a basic set of lights, but they aren’t as bright as the ones wanted below, and they die after a couple of hours, which might be fine in the summer, but like in February, when it gets dark at 6, and your ride isn’t done until 8:30, you have a long chuck of the ride with no light. Now the taillight here isn’t as effective as a bike radar light noted next, but still a combo set like Bontrager Ion 200 RT/Flare RT Light Set ($119.99, but on sale for $109.99 at time of writing) is effective ahead of time… though really, probably just the Ion 200 RT, if I was getting the radar… As of February 2024, this light set has been discontinued. I’m not sure what the newest version is yet.

A possible headlight is the Garmin Varia UT800 Smart Headlight which has an adjustable range of lumens for a light… like my current main headlight is 190 lumens for about 1.5 hours. This can do 800 lumens for 1.5, 400 lumens for 3 hours, and 200 lumens for 6 hours, in addition to flashing modes. And 200 seems bright enough for most situations. 1.5 hours is a bit short, which is why one generally has a backup light anyhow.

The Varia RTL515 ($199.99) is a bike radar that helps alert you to cars approaching from behind on your bike computer. The light flash pattern adjusts as cars approach to make sure they see you. It is far more helpful if one has a bike computer as above. A next step up from a radar/light combo is one that also includes a camera, to record any accidents… it’s like a dash cam for bikes, but I won’t list any here, as the Varia is plenty.

Proper Bike Shoes / Peddles

So regular flat shoes are okay for the most part, but proper clipless cycling shoes with the proper peddles would go here. These are a couple hundred to a few hundred for a pair, plus the peddles, which itself is going to be $150 to a couple hundred. The main aim here is Shimano SPD (gravel and mountain bike) compatible system. The advantage to these is that you can be far more efficient, with far more power getting delivered to the peddle stroke, and a bit of lift on the back side. I’d probably want more mountain bike shoe, as you can get commuter, road, and other style shoes with Shimano SPD. I’m a size 8 on shoes normally, but one really needs to try shoes on, and not just go on size.

However, that all said, there are good flat pedal shoes, like the Giro Tracker (I in theory should be a size 41? I’m a shoe size 8). Or something like these Five Ten Freerider… Again, these are things that should be got locally to try on, rather than trust online fit. So these would require an REI gift card, or Pro Bike Run Gift Card.

Multi Tool for Bike Maintenance

So I lack the tools for a lot of the bike maintenance, so there’s Crankbrothers Multi-Tool ($33). The big problem with proper maintenance, is I still don’t have the room here, and even if I had the tool, I don’t have a proper bike stand like the Park Tool PCS-9.3 Home Mechanic Repair Stand ($219.95) to help hold the bike… that’s back to needing a proper space issue… but the multi-tool there still would help, one can put the bike upside down on the seat and handle bars for some things… or just other less convenient ways.

Power Washer

This is not only to help clean the bike, but the car and more. I’m thinking of the Ryobi One+ EZ Clean. Preferably the 40V 600 PSI version, but the 18V 320 PSI probably would be okay too, or midway between them the 18V 600 PSI. NOTE: Only the 40V version linked there includes the charger, AND perhaps more importantly, the battery. the 18V versions would need the 18V charger with battery, so really, by the time you add the charger, you really are near the cost of the 40V version. EDIT: Here’s an 18V version that includes a battery and charger.

Better Open Ear Headphones

So I have a good set of Skokz Open Move, wireless headphones that are bone conducting. These are good. But as this is a wish list, I’d upgrade to open ear air conducting headphones. At the high end there’s the Bose Ultra Open ($299), though the “budget” version Shokz OpenFit ($179.95) are still good, though not as comfortable all day it seems. Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation with USB C ($249) is somewhat an option if one uses them in Transparency Mode so you can hear the environment around you, and these would be far more preferred at low speeds, training, or indoor rides, etc. They become a bit of a problem at speeds above 13 or so MPH, where the wind noise starts being piped in.

Tertiary Wishes

Now we’re getting to true wishes. Most of the above can be a bit more justified, but these still have their place. The video card might be first here, but it is far more expensive. The power meter peddles for the bike are actually secondary (nearly primary), but they are sort of expensive to justify putting them up there.

A New Video Card

Technically this would be a secondary wish list item, but the issues I was having with the current card seem to have been fixed a bit, plus it’s expensive. The card here is a GeForce RTX 4080 (aprox $1200 – $1400+). There are better graphics cards out now, but the price/value sort of drops off, at least without going for 4k gaming… and really, the 5070, 5080, and 5090 likely will be out by Q3 2024, which will have a far greater improvement over the current 4000 series… and that’s not counting AMD’s offerings… but the 4080 sort of hits what I need and want from a video card, and unless it’s near the Q3 2024 launch of the 5000 series cards, it’s likely to be the main choice until then.

A New Monitor

The above graphics card would be far overkill for my current monitor. ASUS TUF Gaming 27″ – VG27AQL1A ($410 last check) is the monitor of choice… problem is as I run a dual monitor setup, I’d need another1440 monitor for the second one, though wouldn’t have to be as high end. That is about the best I can do on my current graphics card (I’d probably have to turn some things down), and near the top end of what the graphics card I want above can do without turning graphic options down. Sure, I’d prefer a 4k monitor, but that does require a much higher end graphics card than I have, and even the one above would be hard pressed to do 4K properly.

Power Meter Pedals for the Bike

So this first needs a bike computer further up the list, and proper bike shoes, then this comes into play. Really would prefer dual sensing, so each side registers power, but that does nearly double the cost. And single sided is more than fine at my level.

EDIT February 2024: Favero Assioma Pro MX ($811.46 for dual sensing, and $486.40 for single) is the new and by far best choice. For now, check out DC Rainmaker’s review of the Favero Assioma Pro MX. Single would be fine, but one can get dual for near the price of the Garmin Rally single. Also, if I were to get serious about racing on Zwift and other platforms, I would still need power meter pedals as a secondary power source as one has to upload their results as well, to prove that the trainer wasn’t cheated somehow.

The Garmin Rally series ($649.99 for single, $1099.99 for dual… both assuming SPD compatible cleats on the shoes) is another option.

New Wheels and Group Sets for the Bike

So one of the main problems with a Gravel Bike is that the tires are a bit too big and knobbly for efficient road use. The wheel set that comes with the bikes are a general middle of the road between road and gravel (gravel being part way to a proper mountain bike). The first wheel set I’d want would be more specific to road, then after having those, then if I was serious about gravel racing, then perhaps gravel specific, but that would be way down the line. Road set would be high on the list… now a wheel set includes the wheels, tires, and in the case of the rear wheel, a cassette that would work with whatever bike I have (technically road cassettes and gravel cassettes are a bit different, so long as the derailleur could handle it… and that’s where I’d have to see the bike dealer, otherwise just get a matching cassette) . So obviously this all depends on what bike I had.

As far as the groupset, I’m currently thinking upgrade to SRAM Force AXS (preferably with the dual-sided Quarq power meter crankset), then an SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS rear derailer, and a SRAM X01 Eagle, 10-52t cassette, and SRAM Force AXS brakes).

Quaternary Wishes

The fourth, but not last section of this wish list probably should have the cash and games near the top. The AirPods are more the luxury item…. Well, so is the Headwind… The hitch and rack being the most sensible item after the cash. The SUP is sort of like a… would be nice, but don’t know if I’d use it enough to justify…

Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

The SUP section of the Fitness Wish List is still mostly accurate. With the SereneLife Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board ($389.99, though on sale 44% off while typing this 27 May, for $219.99) still being plenty for my use, though I’d need a PFD and electric pump still, as noted on the aforementioned Fitness Wish List. This is here more for giggles than being serious… but still would be somewhat fun to have, though wouldn’t be used as much as much of the stuff even below it…

Go Pro Hero 11

To record rides, a Go Pro Hero 11 ($399.99 @ Amazon)… more coming later… Also, this Hover Camera X1 ($329 or $469 when it goes retail), is a pocket sized drone that would help make sweet videos of rides. Or more likely for the action cam, an Insta360 ONE X2, which I’d need to add mounting stuff, but probably the better camera for what I’d be doing. As of February 2024, I’m less sure about a camera, like cool, but I might move this down the list.

Hitch for the Car and Tray Bike Hauler

So right now the only way I have of moving a bike around is a removable thing that mounts to the trunk of my car. That isn’t very secure, and is easy to steal a bike off of. A hitch mount is far more secure, safe… and well secure in lowering theft as well. If I were to go to U-Haul and have them install a trailer hitch, that would be $288.75 to $308.75 (depending on which hitch). Then one needs a rack to install in said hitch, here there’s a few choices, but the best long term investment there is a tray mount as it’s best not to hold a bike by the frame, and if you have a carbon frame, you have to use a tray mount. At the pricier end is the Thule T2 Pro XTR ($639.96), down to the RockyMounts MonoRail ($499.99). You can go much more expensive, but not much cheaper, and those are about the best two of the bunch. Of course who knows how long my current car is good for (it’s costing about $1k in repairs each inspection), so while the tray mount could be moved once a new car had a hitch, the money spent on the hitch itself might be wasted. Might be best to wait on this until a new car…

Wahoo Headwind

So this assumes that I have a smart bike trainer from above as there’s zero point prior to that. The Wahoo Headwind ($299.99), is a fan that adjusts speed based on heart rate, or if you have a Wahoo smart trainer then it can also go by bike speed. Obviously, I’d be using a regular fan until then, ideally a directional fan.

More Bike Stuff…

I also own a basic pair of bibs shorts with a cheaper chamois, and it functions okay. I might pickup a basic bike shirt if I get a bike again, the local Pro Bike Run has a good sale on their named gear… Ideally, down the line I’d get better bibs and shirts from Aero Tech Designs, a local place, known nationally, that actually designs, and sews their cycling apparel here in Pittsburgh, and was part of the original fitness wish list way back in July 2020. They also do custom designs for clubs, and others, like if someone wanted to sponsor me… lol… Seriously though, my basic bib shorts are okay for now, I’d just buy on of the sale shirts and should be good to go for a while, then upgrade to the better gear.

And one last also, apparently helmets are really only good for 5 years. Then the foam like material in them starts to degrade. Mine is about 3 years old (as of 2023), so it’s got a couple to a few more years. I might get another year or so out of it past the 5, but something to think about down the line. The important thing is it is MIPS, and is highly visible. Bonus points for having a retention system (a knob on the back), and extra points for that retention system having height adjustability.

Cash and Games

Keeping some of this section from the original birthday list… Just moved way down…

Cold hard cash (PayPal and credit card donations can be made here, though add a note it’s for Birthday, as 10% of all donations I get there otherwise go to The Trevor Project).

Steam gift cards. Or direct off my Steam Wishlist. Also number one on that list is expensive enough ($649), that it is actually much further down the list, but it comes in 3 versions, the cheapest isn’t worth it at all, the midrange version comes close, but the lack of storage space and how slow it is makes the premium version worth the extra money… Unfortunately one can’t specify in the Steam wish list which one wants… But as I said that’s actually further down this list than the first 30 or 40 or so games on that list, and most things on this list.

Proper VO2 Max and Heart Rate Zone Testing

So next on the list. Going to get my VO2 Max tested. While the watch is likely accurate for this, what’s more important is that while testing that and metabolic rate, they can find my actual heart rate zones.

There are times that according to my watch I’m past zone 5 and I feel I’m still well in max. In fact, I think that all my zones are off a tad. Likely because I used an age based calculator to find my heart rate zones.

My VO2 Max on my current watch, has me at a fitness age of 33, so nearly 20 years younger than I am… Now fitness age I wouldn’t put much stock in. It says my VO2 Max is in the top 15% of people my age and gender, and that might be more accurate.

The heart rate zones though, need a little more accuracy than a simple age based one.

Insurance likely doesn’t cover the costs of this. Though it’s normally around $100 or so anyhow.

Proper coaching

Not sure the costs to get a coach to help get my cycling better…

Quinary Wishes

Now we’re getting near to the end.

A New Car

So my car is getting older, nearly 10 years as I write this, and has nearly 190k miles. As of February 2024, this list may be out of date.

Gas in Pennsylvania is expensive, so the first choice would be a hybrid… well electric would be first, then plug-in hybrid, but I’ve go no way of recharging at home or work, so those are sort of out of the way options. Then regular cars… No big SUV or full size pickups (though I quite like the small Ford Maverick Hybrid, which is more crossover sized). Station wagons like the Subaru Outback or crossovers like the Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Kona/Kia Seltos, and the like are about at big as I’d want to go… or perhaps more like up to Hyundai Tuscon/Kia Sportage…

For non-plugin hybrids, the 2024 Toyota Prius (LE or LXE trim) is pretty nice… but the Ford Maverick Hybrid (XLT or Lariat trims) is probably the go to choice for me. The versatility of it, even though the bed is super small…

The main choices for regular cars would be Hyundai Kona 2024, Mazada CX-30 (Select trim), Kia Soul (GT-Line trim, and probably the most affordable of all them), Kia Niro (EX Touring trim), then the Crosstrek and Outback…

If I had a new house, and a way to plug in, then the electric car choices are Hyundai Ioniq 5 (SEL trim) / Kia EV 6 (Wind AWD, or GT-Line AWD trim)… I’m not sure between those two. I like different things about both… I mean there’s also the Genesis version of them, but I sort of like the basic ones. Next would be the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (SE Long Range trim). Plug-in hybrids would mostly be the 2024 Prius Prime… though the Kia Sportage might have a plug in version, I can’t remember…

Steam Deck

Remember what I said about it in the first section of this list about Steam wish list? This is where it’d go on this list.

Senary Wishes

We end things with the expense bikes… Though at this point I’d need a storage unit, and/or a new home. Lol.

Road, Mountain and Gravel Bikes

The road bikes here get into stuff that could be used far better on group road rides, and to get into crit racing, and other racing that was once part of the original goal. None of these are the true dream carbon stuff.

As of February 2024, this list is out of date…

On the entry level Road Bike side…

  • Trek Domane AL 5 Disk ($2099.99). This is probably my favorite entry level road bike by far.
  • Specialized Allez Sport ($1800). Mentioned in the gravel bike section, this is near an ideal entry level road bike.

On the not entry level road bike side…. These are carbon, and higher end group sets.

On the Mountain Bike side… These are expensive, but these are also carbon (with one exception), and full suspension…

  • Specialized Status 140 ($3,000 but on sale for $2,249.99 at time of writing). Currently this is the only non-carbon bike on the mountain bike side… I’ll probably add more. It’s a good mid-range choice, not fully entry level, but not high end either.
  • Trek Fuel EX ($4299 for entry level Trek Fuel EX 9 Gen 6, or $6749.99 for a couple steps up to the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 XT Gen 6… and yes, goes far more expensive… like near $11k! ). Probably the mountain bike I’d most want to have overall… the 9.8 that is…
  • Specialized Stuntjumper EVO ($5,400, but on sale at time of typing for $3749.99). Super classic…

I’d probably would go for a Gravel Bike to have the a better experience on the road, and allowing some gravel. It’s probably the better deal for what kind of riding I’d be doing most of the time.

So to that end here are the main entry level bike choices that I’m looking at in order of want, though the Cannondale Topstone 4 is really the one I want in terms of value:

  • Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 ($2,499.99, though on sale for $2,249.99). I’m a Trek fan, but this is by far the most expensive of the bunch. It is a really nice bike though, and has the best group set of any bike I’ve got on this list. This is the bike I’d get if money was no object…. actually, I’d prefer the carbon versions, but those add a lot, and carbon comes with lots of other complications.
  • Specialized Diverge Elite E5 ($2,000). Specialized is my second favorite mainstream brand, and here we start to get into more friendly price point. Just not as good a group set as the Checkpoint, and not sure the price drop is worth it, may as well go for the Checkpoint and be much happier without having to buy costly upgrades.
  • Canyon Grail 6 ($1699). Main problem with Canyon, you can’t buy in store, so you have to build yourself, or pay somebody to build for you. I could easily build myself, but I don’t really have the tools to properly build one.
  • Specialized Allez Sport ($1800). Not a gravel bike, but a road bike. This new 2023 model however has the tire clearance that one could put gravel bike tires on it. This model is so new, last I checked, it wasn’t in the local Pro Bike Run yet… This probably would be my first choice if I could add a gravel wheel set, as this is probably my first choice in the entry level road bike range. That all said, it’s slightly less than ideal group set, especially for gravel use.

Treadmill

This section will be revised soon, as of February 2024 it is out of date.

So this gets into the, we’d need a new house with a proper space for my exorcise stuff, as there 100% is no room at all in our current place for a treadmill. Now I sort of prefer a non-powered, curved treadmill. Even if it isn’t a smart treadmill, if one has the heart rate monitor or something else above that communicates running data to Zwift, you can still use Zwift with it… just a smart one would do a bit better. The high end on smart curved treadmills is the AssaultRunner Pro ($2999)… I mean there’s much higher end than that, but that’s the high end one on my list.

The main advantage to a curved treadmill is you control the pace. It does take a moment to get used to it, but once you get the hang of speeding up and slowing down, it’s so much better than having to keep pace with the treadmill itself and reaching out to adjust it.

The main use of a treadmill is to use Zwift, and Zwift has a somewhat likely out of date list of Zwift Compatible Running Hardware. Again though, any basic treadmill can do if your watch, running pods, or heart rate monitor can send that data to Zwift.

Again, this would basically require a new house, with a fitness area (read “dry basement”), as I can’t put one at my current location. I mean, unless I could have internet and electricity at a storage unit and did the stuff there…

EDIT: February 2024, the no questions asked treadmill of choice would be the Wahoo Kickr Run, which runs about $5000, which seems insane, but given the level it is competing at, it actually apparently is a bargain.

Back to the Fitness Wish List

Then maybe move to the fitness wish list… which is no longer in order…

Telescope

Celestron C9.25 ($1899.95) with either a CGEM II EQ Mount and Tripod ($1699) or CGX EQ Mount and Tripod ($2399). Near as I can tell, the CGX is smoother on tracking, and quieter. Not sure that unless one was getting super serious for astro-photography if it is worth the extra money, but it does sort of future proof that way…