The working week is finally coming to a close, a relief that's bettered only by that January pay packet finally appearing and putting (a possibly insufficient quantity of) filler in the gaping financial dent that was Christmas. Depending on what you're viewing this on, it's now time to click or flick away below as we present as many new bikes and bits as there are cogs on one of today's newfangled cassettes.
New road bike gear
Vitus Vitesse Evo
We were very impressed by the value on offer from Vitus when we tried the Vitesse Evo out in Spain last week, but we did wonder how it would fare on the UK’s less-forgiving roads. Well, now we’re going to find out. The Evo VRI comes with full Shimano Ultegra Di2 and Mavic Ksyrium 25 wheels (formerly called Equipes). Retail on this bike is just £2499.99, already impressive for the spec, but in standard CRC fashion it’s discounted through to the end of the model year.
£2199.99 / $2,969 / AU$3,982
Trek Emonda SL8
Trek’s Emonda grabbed a lot of headlines at its launch almost two years ago thanks to the halo model’s jaw-droppingly low weight of 10lb (4.5kg) all-in. We’ve reviewed a few different versions of the bike since then and it’s proven to be a good ‘un. For this year’s Bike of the Year, currently being deliberated over by our sister mag Cycling Plus, we’ve got a rather tasty build with full Shimano Dura-Ace, and as it’s the second-tier SL frame rather than the range-topping SLR, it’s actually quite keenly priced. We can’t wait to have a go on this one..
£2750 / $4729.99 / AU$5499
Spin Industries Chain Genie tool
Nope, that's not a door stop we've stuck behind the bottom bracket of this frame. It's actually the Chain Genie, a simple and cunning way for singlespeeders who don't run a tensioner to take the slack out of their chains. Most of us have probably been there; trying to remedy an overly slack chain on a singlespeed frame and having to pull back firmly and evenly while at the same time tightening both wheel nuts – it's a frustrating process at best.
The Chain Genie takes the worst out of this job: its wedge-like shape makes achieving the correct chain tension a doddle with just your hands, then, once the correct tension is found, it's just a case of tightening your nuts and pulling the Genie out via its string handle.
It's one of those clever little ideas that you kick yourself for not thinking of in the first place.
www.spinkingclothing.bigcartel.com
Women’s Porteur cycling jeans by Osloh
From Brooklyn, New York, Osloh is a company with a laser-focused remit – producing jeans for cyclists – and the Porteur Jeans are part of its first women’s collection. Available in Dark Indigo denim or Navy Cavalry Twill (pictured), they come with a slim, fitted shape.
The detailing on these jeans is impressive: reinforced stitching and binding on all the seams; beautiful buttons and fasteners embossed with the Osloh logo; subtle decorative embroidery. A high degree of workmanship has gone into these jeans, and it shows.
They’re not short on features either. The Porteur Jeans have an integrated quilted and padded chamois, a second quilted and reinforced area on the inside right leg to protect against chain rub, the usual hip and rear pockets plus a phone pocket.
There are two women’s jeans in the line, seven men’s jeans and two pairs of shorts.
$198 / £138 / AU$TBC
Brightside bike light
You may have a bright light front and back on your bike, but what about from the side? That’s the thinking behind the Brightside bike light, which sits centrally on your bike and shines an amber light out on each side as you ride.
The small, tubular light comes with a bracket and USB charging cable, and has a selection of flashing and steady run modes.
£34.99 / The company ships internationally
Adidas Adistar Belgements jacket
Another week, another winter jacket – but before you slope off, all bored-like, this one has PrimaLoft. Adidas says it’s built for all-day rides in cold, dry winter weather, and features a DWR coating to protect you from water spray and snow. It’s claimed to be quick-drying and packable, with a body-hugging fit. There are front zips for ventilation, reflective dots and logos across the sleeves, and a zipped rear pocket on the lower back.
£95 / $200 / AU$285
www.adidasspecialtysports.co.uk/cycling-gear
New mountain biking gear
Giro Montara MIPS Helmet
The Giro Montara MIPS helmet is designed for all-mountain and enduro use, is worn by Enduro World Series riders like Anka Martin, and is the sister lid to (you guessed it, damn) the Giro Montaro.
It’s designed with an adjustable visor, deep coverage around the head, integrated goggle grippers at the back – and for those of you who love to film your riding action, breakaway camera mount integration.
The helmet comes equipped with MIPS – that's Multi-directional Impact Protection System – which helps protect the head from torsional forces during crashes.
Available in matt turquoise (pictured), matt white/geo and black/galaxy, and in sizes medium and small.
£129.99 / $150 / AU$TBC
Boardman FS Team
Announced at the beginning of this week, this is the new Boardman FS Pro, and right now we think it has to be one of the best value full-suspension bikes out there.
Considering its modest price tag, Boardman has done particularly well with the spec of this model. At the front there's a Rockshox Pike, that's matched by a Monarch shock at the rear, then there's SRAM's GX 1x11 transmission and you even get Guide four-pot disc brakes. The frame may look similar to the old model but it hasn't gone without change – it's longer in the top tube, slacker in the head tube and steeper in the seat tube than the bike it replaces. Find out more about this model in our first ride review, here. We'll be hanging onto one so stay tuned for further updates.
£1,500/ $NA / AU$NA
Giro LA DND women’s MTB gloves
These LA DND gloves are (what, you got it again, you say?) the women’s version of the Giro DND mountain biking gloves. Continuing with cycling's long history of daft acronyms, DND stands for down 'n' dirty. Okay, we admit this is at least appropriately descriptive given their intended use.
If you like your gloves with minimal padding, then these are worth a look. A simple, slip-on glove, the upper is made from a super-stretchy four-way stretch fabric, with reinforced fingertips, and the palm is constructed from Clarino synthetic leather.
If you don’t fancy the grey with white polka dot look (Dark Shadow/White Dots), there are a six other designs to choose from, including White Geo, Bright Lime and Coral Titanium.
$26 / £26.99 / AU$TBC
Ohlins RXF 34 fork
This is the Ohlins RXF 34, and it's the most eagerly anticipated suspension component that we've had in for quite a while. When it comes to taking the rough with the smooth, there probably isn't a brand out there that can equal the heritage of Ohlins, and the RXF marks the first production mountain bike fork from the firm.
Made in collaboration with Specialized, the RXF 34 fork is designed for use on the big S's Camber, Stumpjumper and Enduro models, and will be available in 120mm, 140mm and 160mm versions. Rather than the usual two air chambers inside, the 34mm chassis of the RXF gets an additional positive air spring – this third chamber allows a rider to tune the spring rate, so you can balance a super supple initial stroke with a resistance to bottoming out. For a more detailed look at this fork visit our earlier news piece on the RXF 34; in the meantime we'll be finding out if it's as good as we are expecting.
£850 / US$1,150 / AU$TBC
Howies Broad Haven rucksack
Welsh company Howies has produced an 18l rucksack with more pockets than you can shake a stick at. There's a place for everything within the Broad Haven's 18l interior; a padded pocket for laptops up to 15in, various interior slip pockets and an outer lined pocket for glasses. The lower section can be separated from the main compartment if you want to keep things like smelly kit away from your notebooks and other bits and pieces. External synch straps and elasticated pockets give you the option of carrying even more stuff if you need too.
Visibility is clearly a priority here, so Howies has included reflective details: piping, the Howies logo and the light hanger tab. The bag also comes with a packable blue rain cover with a reflective 'keep right' sign to encourage motorists to leave you enough space. Howies also does a 'keep left' version for EU and US riders.
$79.00 / £29.50 / Howies will ship to Australia, based on the UK price plus P&P
