This week we've been over in Taiwan at the Taipei Cycle Show and brought you a mega gallery of the good, the bad and the ugly, mused over what could be the greatest bike ever made, probably, and looked at Relic MTB's 40t cassette extender for the road.
But hopefully, like us, you're winding down your work week and looking forward to logging plenty of quality time with your bike this weekend. In the meantime, here's a look at some of the latest bikes and gear that we're preparing to test at our BikeRadar offices in Colorado.
New road bike gear
Campagnolo Shamal Mille wheels
The Shamal Mille clinchers are one of the best metal wheelsets we have ridden in some time. They're light, comfortable, easy to accelerate, easy to slow and, seemingly, very well built overall.
For 2017, the rim has gone to a 17mm internal width. You don't need rims strips because the rim is smooth and unbroken thanks to a magnetic building process.
A grooved brake track, ceramic bearings, carbon hubs, an anti-rotation spoke system and more round-out the black wheels.
We weighed the set at 1,490g.
- $1,699 / £TBC / AU$TBC
IRC Formula Pro Tubeless Light 28mm
The Japanese tire company has three tubeless road models. The X-Guard is the durable model, the RMCC is for best grip, and this Light is for, you guessed it, low weight and minimal rolling resistance.
Also coming in 23 and 25mm widths, the Pro Light has an interesting casing design that features tread from bead to bead. You're probably not going to be leaning your bike over so far as to use the tread near the bead, but IRC uses it there to protect the sidewalls from cuts.
- £59 / $99 / AU$TBC
Lezyne Zecto Drive lights
Lezyne has a deep range of lights and the Zecto Drive front and rear can either clip on to bags or pockets, or wrap around bars or seatposts.
Run time ranges from a claimed three to 10 hours, depending on the setting.
Small side colored indicators show charge amount and offer some side visibility, too.
- Pair $65 / £TBC / AU$TBC
Topical Edge
Topical Edge is a lotion with sodium bicarbonate, which the company claims can reduce lactic build up in the muscles, effectively reducing fatigue and increasing performance.
The company details the study findings of two Phd students on the product on its website, and says another test at San Diego State University is ongoing.
The company suggests applying one packet per leg 15 minutes before a hard workout.
- $20 for 10 packets / £N/A
Velo Year of the Rooster Angel saddle
2017 is the Year of the Rooster and Velo is celebrating with a special edition Angel saddle.
Who is Velo, you ask? Only the biggest high-end saddle supplier to the bike industry. The 37-year-old company supplies a claimed 15 million saddles per year to various brands.
The Angel saddle uses Velo’s AirForm padding, which dissipates heat faster than normal high-density foam.
- $149 / £TBC / AU$TBC
LillyLube
LillyLube is similar to ProGold Prolink in that it's a lube that also cleans your chain. You apply it generously, then wipe the chain clean and let it set for a few hours.
LillyLube is a mix of lubricants, solvents and a few 'proprietary' additives.
We bought this after seeing it in use on the workbench of Vecchio's Bicicletteria owner Jim Potter.
- $15 / £N/A / AU$N/A
New mountain bike gear
Adidas Zonyk Aero Pro sunglasses
These new shades from Adidas use Vario lenses to adjust to changing light conditions. The Zonyk Aero Pro also has a detachable sweatband to keep perspiration out of your eyes and off the replaceable lenses.
Adidas offers the Zonyk in small and large sizes to fit most faces, the adjustable nosepiece should take care of the rest.
- £TBC / $195 / AU$TBC
Bontrager Rhythm gloves
If you’re a fan of minimalist gloves Bontrager’s Rhythm mitts are worth a look. They sport synthetic leather palms, a lightweight woven panel on the top of the hands and a nose wipe on the thumb.
The thumb, index and middle finger have silicone grippers to help you shift and brake.
It’s worth noting that there’s no silver stitching on the fingertips to help you get your ‘Gram on while you ride, so you’ll have to leave your hashtags at home.
- £25 / $30 / AU$55
Pearl Izumi X-Project PRO shoes
The X-Project Pro is Pearl Izumi’s top-end mountain bike shoe. It has a stiff carbon sole and TPU plastic lugs co-molded with rubber on the ends to provide extra traction off the bike.
Unlike many other high-end race shoes there’s also a layer of EVA foam in the heel to make them a bit more forgiving when walking or running in them, which should make them popular with cyclocross racers.
A pair of IP1 BOA dials allow the rider to reel in cable tension at 1mm increments to precisely adjust fit. The dials pop up to release cable tension for an easy post-ride exit.
The claimed weight for a size 43 is 370g.
- £TBC / $350 / AU$TBC
Dainese Trail Skin 2 kneepads
The Italian armor specialists at Dainese has updated its Trail Skin line of lightweight knee and elbow protection.
The Trail Skin 2 kneepads use wider straps than the original version for better pad retention. The company claims the geometrically inspired Pro Armor padding is 15 percent better ventilated than the original version, which was already pretty airy.
In addition to the rubberized kneecup, there are foam pads to safeguard the sides of your knees.
- £70 / $85 / AU$112
Pearly’s Possum Socks — Road Pearly
Another pair of Pearly’s Possum Socks has arrived at BikeRadar’s doorsteps.
Like the originals, these socks are made from a blend of possum fur and merino wool that does a great job of insulating and wicking away moisture.
Unlike the original version, which is a great winter sock, but can be too thick for four-season riding, the Road Pearly is designed as a slimmer-fitting option with a stylishly high 7in cuff.
Despite the pavement-centric name, we’ve found these are excellent socks for mountain biking and bikepacking adventures.
- £35 / $44 / AU$58
