XXX and couple of questions

I am on the B side now... (by Fityisz). I turned to be 30 last Saturday. I had an awesome day. I didn't expected anything, but I had a day with full of surprises!

Bday messages from unexpected people, phone call from my family, little surprise cake at work and decorated house and lovely dinner at home. Adel and Martin decorated the whole house up. Martin made some amazing veggie roast for dinner and I got cake and a healthy option dessert as well! The evening was fun and I didn't notice any difference next morning...I didn't get any older, no stiff back( ok, no stiffer than usual one..) and no grey hair?! So, it wasn't a terrible experience to pass the third X!

During the last 10 days I had and I still have) a lots of question in my head. I started to rethink about my stuff, like grips,tires, saddle and pedals. I was more then happy with the actual stuff in the last few years, but lots of new shiny bits out there now. I love to try out new parts before the season is kicking of, to make sure, I am using the most beneficial gears!

My three biggest questions are the three contact points on the bike!

Question 1:

Grips! Ergon GX1 vs. ESI Chunky!

I use Ergon grips ages and I very like them. GX1 (my recently used one) is going to be discontinued this year and it gets replaced by GS1. GS1 is going to have a bit stronger structure and it will be available in two different sizes. 

ESI is a well known American company. ESI's grips made from silicone. They has legendary good shock absorption and last very long. I am quite fancy to try a pair of ESI Chunky one. This is the thicker and comfier edition. The ESI grip's weight half of the Ergon one. If you checking endurance forums, lots of people recommend them!

Question 2:

Pedals! Candy vs. Quartz!

A pair of Candy 2Ti was my choice in the last few years. I use Crank Brothers pedals since beginning, I changed to TIME only for one season, but after a few months of use I returned back to the Candy. I had several issues with Ti axles and bearings are piss poor quality, but still one of the lightest and best working pedals on the market. Last year CB changed the Candy range and I am not sure about the new ones. Possible I am going to give a try for it, but first I wanna see how is the big rival, the Look Quartz system works. 

Look Quartz got realised couple of years ago. The system had lots of issues at the beginning, but seems like Look sorted out the problems. This pedal system is not only pretty, but very light as well! For try them, I ordered a pair of the cheapest one. The basic one is identical with the two more expensive brothers, just the used materials are heavier and cheaper. I just fitted the Quartz's cleats on my shoes today. I am going to give a go for them tomorrow!

Question 3:

Saddles! Aliante vs. Gobi

Aliante was my best ever saddle choice in my life! Originally it is designed for road use, but more and more endurance athletes started to use it for MTB racing during the last couple of years. Saddle is a hard nut! It is personal preference. You can get guidelines and advise, but you have to find out for yourself what is exactly fits for your bottom! I am still happy with the Aliante, but after loosing a few kilos over the last year (muy bottom shrinked as well...lol), I feel it a bit bulky now......

I seen lots of comments and reviews about Gobi XM. It has quite similar shape to the Aliante, but looks a bit slimmer. We have a demo one on site and I am going to try it out in the next few weeks. If I decided about saddle, I am going to order a custom colour one to match the bike.... or in case I will choose the Gobi, I will order the Gobi 00... (I have to buy a lottery!). Gobi 00 is the lightest version of Gobi. It is 149 grams and RRP is £269! Wow! The Aliante Carbon braided and Gobi XM braided are around 199 grams.

Well, that's it now! Testing time!