Greetings, dear readers. It’s been another exciting week at BikeRadar's Colorado offices.
We’ve raved about the new Specialized S-Works Tarmac S-Works Disc and ranted about the cycling industry’s obsession with making products lighter (sometimes at the expense of durability).
We also asked SRAM some questions about products we would like to see and were met with the sound of crickets chirping. Does this mean they're on their way? Your guess is as good as ours.
In addition to these happenings, we have a host of new bikes and accessories to check out.
Douchebags Carryall Duffel 65L
Other than being known for its interesting name, this luggage brand is gaining a following for its stylish and durable luggage.
The 65L Douchebags Carryall Duffel is large enough to carry all your ride gear. The massive hatch for the main compartment makes it easy to find the gear you need. There’s a side compartment large enough to store cycling shoes and a second, smaller side compartment to hold your phone, wallet and other essentials.
The EVA foam top doubles as a back panel when worn as a backpack. When not in use, the shoulder straps can be tucked neatly underneath.
- £145 / $199 / €165 / AU$250
Feedback Sports Ride Prep Tool Kit
Feedback Sports designed this tool kit to keep your bike running smoothly by staying on top of simple fixes. The Ride Prep Tool Kit is a handy item to keep in your car for last minute adjustments at the trailhead or as a first tool kit for budding home mechanics.
This compact kit includes a chain tool, #0 Philips screwdriver, three 3-way wrenches with 2/2.5/3mm, 4/5/6mm, and 25/27/30 Torx combos, a spoke wrench, a pair of steel core tire levers, an 8mm pedal wrench, 15mm pedal wrench, rotor truing tool and a valve core tool that works with Presta and Schrader vales.
- £150 / $100 / €73 / AU$200
POC Tectal Race SPIN helmet
POC has a new version of the Tectal Race helmet that incorporates the company’s SPIN system. SPIN is POC’s take on a technology designed to mitigate the force of oblique impacts.
Unlike the widely-used MIPS system, which relies on an inner layer to dissipate energy in the event of an impact, SPIN seeks to achieve similar results through the use of pads designed to shear during an impact, allowing the helmet to move more than the wearer’s head.
In addition to this new safety system, the Trabec Race has an integrated goggle strap, adjustable visor and 15 vents to keep you cool.
- £250 / $219.95 / €230 / AU$280
Fox box
In the words of Brad Pit in Seven “What’s in the box?”
Thankfully, it’s not Gwyneth Paltrow’s head. Inside is a new suspension offering from Fox that we’re not free to divulge yet. Actually, that’s not true, there’s actually nothing in this box, as we’ve already started testing what was inside. Check back in a few weeks for more details.
No pricing yet, but as you probably guessed, it will be expensive.
Rapha Cargo Bibs
Rapha is the latest brand to test the waters of kit designed for the gravel/adventure scene.
The new Cargo Bibs are based on Rapha’s Brevet model with the addition of deep mesh pockets on the thighs along with pockets on the rear of the bibs large enough to hold a smartphone and wallet.
- £195 / $270 / €230 / AU$340
Wilier Cento 10 NDR
The key feature here is a small, elastomer damped pivot that Wilier calls ActiFlex. While the front triangle remains static, the rear triangle can compress laterally ever so slightly, using one of three densities of elastomer.
Although total movement is 7mm, Wilier says most movement is in the 2–3mm. You know, just enough to take the edge off.
Like most bikes these days, the Cento 10 NDR comes in a variety of builds — this one being the top end with Shimano Dura-Ace 9170 and DT Swiss ERC 1400 Spline 47 Carbon wheels.
Unlike most bikes, the Cento 10 NDR frameset can adapt between rim- and disc-brake configuration. Whether that is a handy thing or an eyesore depends on you.
With rim brakes, the bike can take up to 28mm tires; with discs, up to 30mm fit.
This XL frame (57.4cm effective top tube) has a 389mm reach and 604mm stack, putting the rider in a sportive position.
- £9,300 / €10,300
- More info at wilier.com
GU Recovery Drink Mix, Stroopwafels and Gels
A tasty chocolate protein mix that actually mixes easily, instead of sticking in stubborn chunks? Sign us up. Besides a chocolaty flavor, the Recovery Drink Mix has carbs, amino acids, sodium and, of course, protein.
GU Energy Gels are 100-calorie packets of maltodextrin and fructose that also have sodium and branched-chain amino acids. They also come in all manner of crazy flavors.
The GU Energy Stroopwafel packs carbs, amino acids and electrolytes into a waffle-like snack in a few flavors.
GU Energy Chews offer carbs, sodium and branched-chain amino acids (seeing a pattern here?) is an easy to carry pack. Each eight-piece pack has a total of 160 calories.
- Recovery Drink Mix: $36, 15 serving
- Gels: $12, box of 8
- Stroopwafel: $22.50, box of 16
- Chews: $36, box of 18
- Buy now at shop.guenergy.com
Shimano S-Phyre X1
Following its S-Phyre shoes and clothing, Shimano now has sunglasses. These wide-lense shades have anti-scratch coatings and UV400 protection in addition to the cool-looking tint.
The 28.6g glasses are available in two lenses. A Photochromic (PH) style Dark Grey-Red lens changes tint in a claimed eight seconds to adapt to varying conditions. And an Optimal PL Red MLC lens is for bright daylight.
Shimano claims the polarization reduces glare and reflections, and provides better visibility of LCD screens and puddles on the road. (In brief testing, the numbers on our Garmin Edge screen did appear crisper.)
All the lenses are made from Japanese Teijin Policarbonate. Hydrophobic coatings on both sides of the lens increase the water repellency (many glasses, such as Oakley, only use this coating on the outside), and help keep the lens clean.
- £N/A / $159
- More info at Shimano.com
Velocio Men’s Ultralight Link Jersey and Wind Vest
How light? Depends on your size, but this new jersey is made from 105gsm perforated polyester, and a medium (shown here on a 6ft/183cm rider) is well under 100g. The long sleeves stay in place without constricting or bunching, and the whole jersey feels like a thin, easily stretchable baselayer. Reflective logos and trim details add visibility.
The new Men’s Wind Vest has a close cut that doesn’t feel constrictive thanks to a stretchy mesh back panel. The front and sides are windproof, the tall, soft collar has a light fleece lining, and the three back pockets store your stuff.
If you have stuff stored in your jersey, the double zipper lets you access those pockets without unzipping the whole vest. Also available in celeste, navy and gray.
- Men’s Ultralight Link Jersey: £N/A /$149 / €134
- Men’s Wind Vest: £N/A /$159 / €146
- But now at velocio.cc
JET Roll III Super Sabre 2.0
Three pockets roll up into a pouch that buttons closed, and a toe strap secures it to your saddle.
The soft material stretches a bit, and comes in silver or blue.
- £N/A /$60
- Buy now at justenoughtools.com
100% Speedtrap
Want the Peter Sagan look? The Speedtrap has the brand’s signature tall-frame-center lens, which is treated with scratch-resistant and hydrophobic coatings.
Three-way adjustable temple tips provide a secure fit. The glasses come in a variety of frame and lens colors, and come with a hard case, microfiber cleaning bag and a clear replacement lens.
- £185 / $205 / € 210 / AU$325
- Buy now at ride100percent.com
