BikeRadar's US team has been in Las Vegas this week for Interbike's final year in Sin City. While wandering the aisles of North America's tradeshow, we have been dreaming about getting out and riding bikes instead of just looking at them. We hope this weekend holds some great riding for you!
This week we posted a round-up of the best bib shorts for road cycling, 'Cyclists - more deadly than trucks?' and 6 of the best track pumps. Oh, and American mountain bikers, here are 7 things you should know about Mondraker.
Without further ado, here is this week's best new gear we have in for test at our BikeRadar US offices.
Silca Tattico Bluetooth mini-pump
Silca has developed a Bluetooth-enabled version of its Tattico mini-pump. When used in conjunction with the iGauge app, the Tattico Bluetooth sends air pressure data to your smartphone while you fix your flat (iPhone or Andriod.)
The Tattico Bluetooth has a max pressure of 120psi. Silca claims the accuracy of the pump is within /-2%.
Stay tuned for a full review.
- $120 / £95 / AU$155
- Buy now from 700 (UK)
- More info: https://silca.cc
Bern FL-1 XC
Bern is best known for its line of urban cycling helmets, though the company also makes lids for those who venture beyond the pavement.
The FL-1 XC is Bern’s trail helmet. This in-mold helmet uses the MIPS rotational impact system. It features 18 vents and uses a Boa dial to fine tune fit.
- $129/£TBC/AU$TBC
- Buy now from Bern (US)
- More info: www.bernunlimited.com
Panaracer PanDura tires
The new PanDura is Panaracer’s take on a reinforced tire suitable for enduro racing.
This new tire is tubeless compatible and uses a 60 tpi casing and a triple compound for improved grip. Flat protection comes in the form of Panaracer’s Anti-Flat Plus casing, which uses extra material under the tread and along the bead to prevent punctures and pinch flats.
The weight for the 27.5x2.4in PanDura is 1,180g.
- $60/£45/AU$75
- More info: www.panaracer.com
Shimano XC5 shoes
These kicks can be a lot of things for a lot of different riders. The new XC5 could be a stylish commuter shoe, a hike-a-bike friendly mountain bike shoe, or pair of bikepacking companions.
Unlike some lace-up race slippers on the market, these kicks have a carbon-reinforced midsole for pedaling stiffness with a flexible forefoot that make them easy to walk in.
The synthetic leather uppers are perforated for improved ventilation. Traction is provided by a Michelin rubber outsole.
Shimano offers the XC5 in black or gray versions.
- $150/£110/AU$188
- Buy now from REI (US)
- More info: www.shimano-lifestylegear.com
PNW Rainier dropper seatpost
Why should mountain bikers have all the fun?
That’s the question PNW Components is hoping to answer with the Rainier dropper seatpost. This 27.2mm diameter dropper is designed to add some rad to your cyclocross or gravel bike.
This drop bar dropper offers 80mm of travel and comes with a lever designed with a 31.8mm clamp.
PNW offers the Rainier in internal and externally-routed versions.
- $280/£210/AU$350
- Buy from PNW (US)
- More info: www.pnwcomponents.com
LifeProof AQ9 waterproof speaker
Do you like to sing in the shower after a long ride? Or maybe you want the ability to bring the party with you on your next bikepacking trip. Either way, the LifeProof AQ9 portable speaker is up to the task.
This rugged Bluetooth speaker is sealed against dirt, dust and snow and can be submerged down to one meter for up to 30 minutes.
The AQ9 has a built-in carabineer to allow you to strap it to anything and a 16-hour run time for endurance partying.
- $100/£75/AU$125
- Buy from Best Buy (US)
- Buy from Deals4Geeks (UK)
- More info: www.lifeproof.com
Mavic Ksyrium Pro UST tubeless wheels
Mavic turned up late to the road tubeless party, but the French brand showed up with some seemingly impressive tech. By producing both the wheels and the tires (okay, Hutchinson actually makes the tires, but Mavic controls the details), the brand is able to completely control the rim/tire interface and thereby remove much of the typical hassle and frustration of road tubeless.
Consider: we were able to mount and install the tire with our hands — without a tire lever — and inflate with a Lezyne mini pump. Seriously.
Mavic makes a variety of wheels with this technology. This set of centerlock Ksyrium Pro Disc wheels weighs 1,620g.
Stay tuned for a review.
- $1,099 / €999
- Buy from Mavic
- More info: mavic.com
Rapha Pro Team Flyweight sunglasses
At 25g, these barely-there glasses are easy to wear.
The absence of a frame makes for obstruction-free vision, and you have a wide selection of color choices for both the arms/nosepiece and the Carl Zeiss lens.
The real question of course is, do you like the Rapha look (and price)?
- $220 / £140 / AU$250
- Buy from Rapha
- www.rapha.cc
Syncros Matchbox Coupe Cage HP2.0 Integrated Bottle Cage
Scott's house brand Syncros has a variety of bottle cages with integrated mini pumps and/or multi tools. The Matchbox Coupe Cage is designed for roadies, with a high-pressure mini pump that has a extendable hose to prevent stressing the valve stem.
The included multi tool sits hidden behind the water bottle and has 10 common tools.
Total weight is 202g.
- $64 / £N/A / AU$N/A
- More info: www.syncros.com
ENVE SES Aero Road handlebar
You know what's substantially faster than aero bars? An aero rider.
ENVE's aero bar features a 2.5cm sweep out on the drops, making the hoods' width and thus a rider's arms substantially narrower.
The aero road bar also has a flattened top profile like other aero bars, plus internal cable routing.
What is new is the facilitation of Shimano's DI2 routing, so not only can all wires and brake cables tuck neatly inside the bar, but the Di2 junction box can be positioned at the end of either side of the bar, for easy charging and adjustment of the system.
The bars are also compatible with clip-on extensions, should you want to use the setup for time trials or triathlons.
The bar comes in 40-46cm widths, measured center to center at the drops.
The reach is 77mm and the drop is 127mm on the compact bar.
Our size 42cm sample weighs 264g.
- $400 / £400 / AU$N/A
- Buy from ENVE (US)
- Buy from Evans (UK)
- More info: enve.com
Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Leader v4 road shoes
Pearl's latest version of the top-end P.R.O. Leader features electroplating on the sole. While the reflective flash is just for fun, the design does highlight Pearl's unique construction method that eliminates the lasting board and instead wraps the upper directly down around the carbon sole.
Dual Boa IP1 reels have been slightly repositioned just off center, and the shoes comes with tunable insoles with shims for both arch and varus canting.
It also comes in all black (save the electroplated finishing piece).
One size 45 weighs 301g.
- $350 / £N/A / AU$N/A
- Buy from Competitive Cyclist (US)
- More info: www.pearlizumi.com
