Happy Friday, everyone. It's time to take a look at the best new road and mountain bike gear that showed up at BikeRadar this week. Today's edition comes to you from Colorado, where the weather is alternating between full-on winter and what feels like spring.
New road bike gear
Jet Roll saddle bag
If the Velcro straps on standard saddle bags snag your shorts – or if you just like the new-school handmade meets old-school toe-strap aesthetic – then you might want to take a look at the Jet Roll.
Handmade in a variety of different styles, the Jet Roll is a three-pouch roll that you can fasten to your saddle with the included toe strap, or just tuck into your jersey pocket.
US$30 / £20 / AU$TBC
Pearl Izumi PRO neck gaiter
Using Pearl's Thermal Dry fabric for breathable, wicking warmth, the PRO neck gaiter fits loosely around your throat. Pull it up over your chin for the descents, or just synch the rear pull tab to snug up the fit and keep the wind out.
Want to wear it a third way? Pull the drawstring down all the way and use it as a hat.
US$25 / £20
Easton EC90 SL road stem
Easton's TaperWall carbon construction plus titanium hardware means a big, beefy stem that weighs as little as 110g.
That figure varies by length, of course. The EC90 SL is available in two angles – 0-degree and 10-degree – with six length options in each, ranging from 70mm to 130mm. Our 110mm 0-degree sample weighed in at 133g.
US$250 / €230
POC Octal AVIP MIPS helmet
Swedish company POC debuted its MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology in 2010, with a ski helmet, before bringing it over to mountain bike headgear. MIPS helmets have a slender sheath inside the foam shell that moves slightly with the head in the event of a crash; the Octal AVIP MIPS is the company's new top-end road helmet with MIPS.
Besides the MIPS, the POC helmet offers more extended coverage at the temples and back of the head than many ultralight helmets do.
Decked out in POC's signature in-your-face livery, the helmet comes in three sizes with claimed weights of between 210g and 225g. Our pre-production M/L sample weighed in at 275g.
US$320 / £N/A
Giordana FR-C jersey and bib shorts
With light, silky fabric used on most of the jersey body, the FR-C jersey has an 'I' panel yoke over the shoulders and around the pockets and waist to secure pocket contents and keep everything in place without constriction. The longer, aero sleeves similarly stay in place without riding up, thanks to the high-end fabric plus heat-welded arm hems.
The FR-C bib shorts are thin and compressive but not constricting. Power Lycra is used on the front and side, while anti-abrasion fabric is employed on the inner leg areas. Wide elastic bib straps lay flat against the skin without binding, and the Cirro OmniForm chamois is comfortable and perfectly placed.
The kit comes in the red shown, plus blue, black, white and yellow options.
Jersey – US$200 / £N/A / AU$250
Bib shorts – US$250 / £N/A / AU$250
New mountain bike gear
Kali Protectives Maya helmet
Kali’s newly released Maya helmet is designed for trail riders and enduro racers. This refreshingly affordable lid is packed full of thoughtful features. In terms of safety, the Maya incorporates Kali’s cone-shaped multi-density EPS foam intended to improve impact dissipation. The Maya uses the tried and true dual ratcheting strap closure system at the rear of the helmet to adjust fit.
Creature comforts include 12 vents and an antimicrobial liner with mesh over the forward-facing intakes to keep bugs out. Last but certainly not least, Kali saw fit to include an integrated mount on the adjustable visor, which can fit a GoPro light for nightriding.
US$99 / £TBC / AU$TBC
Easton Haven 35 stem, 32mm length
We’ve covered Easton’s 35mm diameter Haven handlebars and stem before, but the wheel and component maker has just added an extra stubby 32mm-long version to its line.
The 35mm version tips the scale at 170g.
The Haven 35 stem line now includes 90, 70, 50 and 40mm stems along with this new 32mm-long option, which will be available in late spring.
In the market for a stubby stem? Check out our round-up here.
US$100 / £80 / AU$160
Lake MXZ303 winter riding boots
We haven’t had much cause to wear Lake’s winter riding boots this month, with daytime temperatures well above freezing around our Fort Collins, Colorado, testing grounds, but the mercury is sure to drop soon. When it does, we’ll resume testing Lake’s MXZ303, which features water resistant, full-grain Pittards leather uppers and Vibram rubber soles.
The MXZ303s use the Boa closure system to dial in fit along with buckle at the top of the boots to keep snow out and warmth in.
US$300 / £200 / AU$TBC
Gore Alp-X 2.0 Windstopper Soft Shell pants
Not only does Gore have a full line of riding pants for inclement weather, it also has options for riders who prefer baggy to slim-fitting cycling apparel. The Alp-X 2.0 Windstopper Soft Shell Pants fall into the former category.
As the name implies, they're made from Gore’s stretchy Windstopper material. Zippered vents along the sides of the thighs enable the wearer to regulate temperature while an adjustable waistband and zippered cuffs fine tune fit.
There’s reflective piping for increased visibility and reinforced panels on the inside of the lower legs to guard against chain and crankarm scuffing.
US$190 / £140 / AU$TBC
WTB Scraper rims
WTB is spearheading the development of the 27.5+ platform. We first caught a glimpse of these rims last spring at Sea Otter and they’re finally ready to ride. These plus-sized hoops are now available, with WTB’s made-to-match 27.5x2.8in Trailblazer tires soon to follow.
Each Scraper comes in a 32-hole drilling with an internal width of 45mm. This double-walled alloy rim uses WTB tubeless-ready TCS technology. Our test hoops weighed in at 660g per rim.
In addition to the 27.5in version we’ve got in for test, WTB also offers the Scraper in a 29in version for 29+ riders.
We’re looking forward to lacing these up and hitting the trail soon, so stay tuned.
US$150 / £ TBC / AUS TBC
