As the leaves fall and temperatures drop, the minds of our testers are turning to trends of the season, such as seeking out the best cyclocross bikes and planning for winter by thinking about which indoor training solution is best for you.
Indoor, outdoor, road, cyclocross, mountain or gravel. Here’s a look at the latest gear to land at BikeRadar’s Colorado offices.
- Why I've changed my mind in the Bluetooth vs ANT+ debate
- Beginner’s guide to indoor training: all you need to get started
Gravel Cycling: The Complete Guide to Gravel Racing and Adventure Bikepacking
Packed with inspiration and information on both gravel racing events and the huge variety of bikes and gear involved, Nick Legan’s debut book will get you fired up about adventure riding.
Legan is a friend of BikeRadar, so you can call us biased, but the guy is a bona fide expert on the subject. He was doing Dirty Kanza back before anyone had heard of it, and has since tackled monster events such as the 2,745-mile Tour Divide.
In terms of tech, Nick was a professional mechanic for years, working everything from the Olympics to the Tour de France. Plus, the dude has a sense of humor!
Legan details 18 one-day gravel events from America and Europe and eight multiday bikepacking adventure routes.
Even if you never do one of these events, you’ll likely enjoy the 320 photos in the 304-page book.
- $24.95, international pricing unavailable
- Buy Gravel Cycling from Rambleur
SakO7 Spitfire kit and new socks
SakO7 began with socks. Now the South African has a small range of jerseys, bibs, T-shirts and water bottles, all heavy on his stylish design.
The SakO7 Spitfire jersey comes in regular or race fit, each with longer, svelte sleeves and mesh side-panels.
Check out all Sean Sakinofsky’s latest designs on his site.
You can also find some older SakO7 designs at a discount on sites like Nashbar.
- $206 bibs, $136 jersey, $20 socks, international pricing unavailable
- Buy Spitfire kit and socks from SakO7
Priority Continuum Onyx
Priority makes excellent city bikes. We gave the Priority Eight 4.5 stars: “This is what a city bike should be, and what it should cost”.
The Continuum Onyx is a step up from the Eight, replacing the Shimano Nexus 8-speed with a NuVinci internal hub and twist shifter, but keeping the Gates Carbon belt drive, Tektro hydraulic brakes, and sturdy Continental tires with reflective band on the sidewall, plus user-friendly features such as full fenders and a kickstand.
The Continuum Onyx comes with a front dynamo hub so you always have a front light, without the worry of recharging a battery. (You will have to recharge the rear light, though.)
The 17- and 19-inch sizes are available now, and the 21-inch model will be available at Christmas.
Priority’s consumer-direct model means you get way more bike than you can with bike-shop brands, but you’ll have to build it up from the box yourself.
- $999, international pricing unavailable
- Buy the Continuum Onyx from Priority Bicycles
Pactimo Storm+ Hybrid Jacket and Arm Warmers
The Storm+ Hybrid Jacket is a short-sleeve jersey/jacket with a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment and a soft, fleecy inside.
It looks and largely feels like a thicker jersey, but with protection against the elements.
Pactimo has a set of corresponding Storm+ arm warmers to keep the rain and snow sliding off you.
The three rear pockets are covered with a flap to help protect the contents.
- $165 / £140 jacket; $35 / £30 arm warmers, Australian pricing unavailable
- Buy the Hybrid Jacket and Arm Warmers from Pactimo
Clif Bar Nut Butter Filled bars
Clif Bar has added three new flavors to its Nut Butter Filled bar line: Blueberry Almond Butter, Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter and Caramel Chocolate Peanut Butter.
For kids — or adults who just want a smaller, 140-calorie snack — Clif also now has ZBar Filled options: Apple Almond Butter, Double Peanut Butter and Chocolate Peanut Butter.
- $1.79 Nut Butter Filled; $1.20 ZBar Filled, international pricing unavailable
- Buy individually or in 12- or 144-packs from Clif Bar
Infinity saddle
While virtually all saddles on the market focus on supporting the rider’s weight at their sitbones, Infinity goes completely in the other direction, eliminating the area of the saddle that would be underneath the lower protrusions of the pelvis.
- $295, international pricing unavailable
- Buy the Infinity saddle from Infinity Bike Seat
Osprey TrailKit
Osprey's sports-specific bags should appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who like to stay organized. The TrailKit has 40 liters of storage capacity, which is enough to hold a day’s worth of cycling gear.
Tuck-away shoulder straps allow the TrailKit to be worn as a backpack. There are also three handles to carry it as a duffel. Seven zippered compartments carry clothing, shoes, eyewear, a water bottle and whatever else you need for a day on the bike. In addition to these pockets, there’s a helmet carrier that can be deployed from the top of the bag.
- $120 / £95 / AU$150
- Buy the TrailKit from Osprey Packs
Kicker EB300 Bluetooth earbuds
Kicker’s EB300 Bluetooth earbuds are designed for folks on the go. Three sizes of silicone covers are included to fine-tune the fit.
These wireless earbuds charge via a micro USB cable and have a claimed run-time of eight hours. A hard-sided carrying case is included for storage and transport.
- $80 / £60 / AU$105
- Buy the EB300 Bluetooth earbuds from Kicker
Club Ride Gravity Flannel
Fall isn’t just the season for pumpkin-spiced everything. It’s also time to let your flannel fly.
Club Ride’s new Gravity is a heavyweight polyester flannel top that will keep you warm on your commute or trip to the pub.
It has a fitted cut with cycling-specific features such as venting under the arms and a stealthy zippered media pocket. The Gravity is available in rust (shown here) as well as olive in sizes small through to XL.
- $100 / £70 / AU$120
- Buy the Gravity Flannel from Club Ride
Adidas Wayfinder
In keeping with the casual theme, Adidas has launched a new pair of shades that work on the bike without looking too techy. The Wayfinders have a slim profile and lightweight frames.
The Wayfinders are available in seven frame colors and five scratch-resistant lens options, as well as prescription versions.
- $99 / £75 / AU$120
- Buy Wayfinder glasses from Adidas
Vee Rail Tracker
Not to be left at the back of the skinwall trend, Vee has rolled out the Rail Tracker with an ultra-high TPI Synthesis Nano casing.
The 29x2.20 Rail Tracker features a supple, 185tpi casing that’s also tubeless-ready. Actual weight is 680g.
The semi-slick tread pattern consists of a small row of center blocks with diamond-shaped lugs that increase in width from the intermediate to side knob to improve corning performance.
- $55 / £40 / AU$70
- Buy the Vee Rail Tracker from Vee Tire Co
