11spd: This week’s best new bike gear
New road and mountain gear from GoPro, Acre, Race Face, Maxxis and more
Friday is finally here! We hope that means you’re gearing up for a weekend full of riding. But until you’re able to sneak away from work, take a look at some of the latest products to land in the BikeRadar offices for test.
- Sweet Protection Bushwhacker MIPS helmet review
- Shimano STEPS E8000 first ride review
- Smith Optics PivLock Arena Max sunglasses review
New mountain bike gear
Acre Traverse XC shorts
The Traverse XC is a slimmed down variant of Acre’s Traverse All Mountain shorts.
The XC is cut to fall just above the knee with a more tailored fit. Like the original Traverse, the XC version has a contoured waist belt with a single-sided pull to keep the shorts in place. There are also zippered cargo pockets strategically placed on each leg to keep items from jostling around while you pedal.
The four-way stretch Nylon fabric is water-repellent and comes in charcoal as well as this limited edition camo print.
Acre offers the American-made shorts in sizes 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 36.
£135 / US$165 / AU$220
Maxxis Aggressor
The Maxxis Aggressor is designed for loose and loose over hardpacked terrain. It has ample side knobs for cornering traction and mid-height center knobs that look to balance rolling resistance with all-around braking and climbing traction.
The Aggressor with the lighter EXO casing in a 29×2.3 size weighs in right at 900g. Maxxis also offers the Aggressor in a Double Down version with a 120tpi, dual-ply casing that is suited to sharp, rocky terrain.
This looks like a stellar rear tire that we’ve matched with a Maxxis DHF upfront. Stay tuned for a full review.
£55 / US$80 / AU$85
Northwave Enduro Mid shoes
Northwave collaborated with gravity and enduro racer Cedric Gracia to develop this enduro-ready pair of kicks.
At first glace, it might appear that this shoe uses the Boa system to adjust tension, but it’s actually Northwave’s own SLW2 lacing system. This system dials in tension and uses a lever to release the cable. There’s also a removable cover to keep the reel mechanism clean.
The Enduro Mid has plenty of off-the-bike traction thanks to grippy Michelin rubber.
£135 / US$158 / AU$230
Ortlieb Saddle Bag Micro
For minimalists who only plan to take a tube, a CO2 and a multi-tool, German pack specialist Ortlieb offers the Saddle Bag Micro.
The slide and click system makes it simple to install and remove the bag from the saddle rails. The Saddle Bag Micro is constructed from waterproof PU-coated nylon and features a roll-top closure.
£TBC / $26 / AU$TBC
Race Face Next SL G4 crankset
Race Face’s premier ultra light crankset is now even lighter and stronger. The Next SL G4 weighs in at a paltry 440g with a 32t chainring installed. In addition to the alloy ring we have mounted, the company also has a chaining with a carbon direct-mount spider in development that will make it even lighter.
The Next SL G4 uses Race Face’s modular Cinch System, which allows for a variety of chainring mounting options, including the direct mount system we’re testing.
£330 / $480 / AU$595
New road bike gear
iZip Dash e-bike
Electric-assist bikes comes in three categories, the first two of which have a maximum speed of 20mph. The third class is the fastest, with a top assisted speed of 28mph / 45kph. This iZip Dash is a Class 3 e-bike, with 73 NM of torque and a 350w Currie motor that can catch you off guard if you aren’t prepared for the serious oomph.
The Dash has four levels of assist, which are activated by pedaling.
The Dash has integrated front and rear lights that come on automatically at night, and can also be switched on with the left-thumb controls.
Shimano M355 hydraulic brakes handle stopping, which you’ll need with a bike this heavy and this fast.
$2,999 / £N/A / AU$N/A
Hincapie Edge kit
The Hincapie Edge kit has a few talking points — cooling sensations from Xylitol, reflective logos for safety, lightweight grippers — but the cool thing is the water-resistant fourth pocket with a zipper that can fit smartphones as large as an iPhone 6 Plus.
The kit comes in four styles, each with mesh side panels on the jersey and Schoeller coldblack treatment on the bib shorts.
US$130 jersey / US$140 bibs
Sapo Bjro Mini Pump
Coming in seven color options, this tiny 69g mini pump can get road tires to a claimed 100psi / 7-bar despite the fact that it’s the height (12cm) of an energy bar.
The screw-on attachment works for Presta and Schrader valves.
The pump comes with attachment clips, but can easily tuck into a jersey pocket.
US$29 / £N/A / AU$N/A
Topeak Ninja C
Topeak’s Ninja series tucks tools inside the bike. The Ninja C is a chain tool that doubles as handlebar plugs.
The 11-speed chain tool weighs 77g and uses the included 4mm Allen key to operate.
It works with SRAM, Shimano and Campagnolo chains, but requires a minimum 70mm of straight bar at the drops to fit.
$TBC / £TBC / AU$TBC
Sugoi RSE kit
Sugoi’s top-end RSE jersey and bib shorts are lightweight pieces with flush hems.
The RSE jersey features long sleeves and four pockets, with wide mesh side panels for hot-weather riding.
The RSE bibs use a chamois with an antimicrobial surface layer and gel inserts plus a perforated front section for ventilation. The shorts have seamless grippers for a svelte look and feel.
Jersey: £129 / US$220 / AU$TBC; Bibs £129 / US$240 / AU$TBC
GoPro Hero Session
This one-button GoPro can easily tuck under a saddle or a handlebar for wide-frame action video.
The Session is GoPro’s first waterproof camera (without the need for housing) that can also adapt to being mounted upside down without the need for manual adjustment.
With resolution options of 1440p30, 1080p60 and 720p100, the Session can also record at 60 or 100 fps for slo-mo playback.
£159 / US$199 / AU$TBC
