Quick-release skewers that don't suck, a cavernous saddlebag, a super-comfortable saddle and a new lightweight tyre insert
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Quick-release skewers that don't suck, a cavernous saddlebag, a super-comfortable saddle and a new lightweight tyre insert

Welcome to First Look Friday – your weekly round-up of the best cycling swag to land at BikeRadar HQ

Published: July 28, 2023 at 6:00 am

We’ve jumped from the end of the men’s Tour straight into the second edition of the Tour de France Femmes – the biggest race on the Women’s WorldTour calendar.

BikeRadar had a team on the ground to bring you a round-up of the most exciting tech from the opening stages of this year’s race. We also took a close look at some of Trek-Lidl’s amazing custom paintjobs, with more pro bike checks to come.

Back on the men’s race, we examined how bikes have changed since Chris Froome’s victory in 2013, comparing his Pinarello Dogma to Jonas Vingegaard’s Cervélo S5 – oh how times change…

We also heard Oscar Huckle’s thoughts on why Microshift Sword – a new affordable 10-speed gravel bike groupset – could upset the mid-range bike market.

In a slightly less balanced analysis, Tom Marvin launched into an entertaining polemic against the state of gravel bike tech today from the perspective of a dyed-in-the-wool mountain biker. The accompanying podcast is also a fun listen – I promise you’ll enjoy ol’ Marv turning red over topics as trivial as gravel suspension and electronic drivetrains.

That’s only a small slither of the titillating tech tidings published on BikeRadar this week. Subscribe to our twice-weekly newsletter for regular updates on our very best news, reviews and features.

For now, we dive into First Look Friday – our weekly round-up of the very best new kit to land at BikeRadar HQ.

DT Swiss RWS quick releases

DT Swiss RWS QR
Will DT Swiss' RWS quick-release skewers solve my creaking woes? I truly hope so. - Jack Luke / Our Media

I believe all external cam quick-release (QR) skewers are rubbish.

They are typically lighter and cheaper than Campagnolo/Shimano-style internal cam skewers, but they’re also universally fiddly and feel horrible unless spotlessly clean and well-greased.

Even then, their clamping power is puny compared to internal cam skewers and, urgh – they just suck.

Lightweight external cam skewer
I will not be sorry to see the back of these stupid skewers. - Jack Luke / Our Media

Well, I am here to admit that when building my noodly road bike, I strayed from the light and used a pair of daft super-light titanium/carbon external cam QRs. They were chosen because they were free and, more importantly, matching.

To cut a (very!) long story short, my ears paid dearly for my sins.

After months of trying to track down a mystery creak – which included a whole ride convinced the frame had cracked – I finally realised it was coming from the rear QR.

When pedalling hard, the titanium shaft would flex. The cammed head of the lever would then move and creak inside the cup of the QR. Infuriating.

DT Swiss RWS skewer
I appreciate the 'honkability' of this solid lever – that is to say its ability to withstand a serious tightening. - Jack Luke / Our Media

Swapping to a bog standard Shimano QR from my parts bin immediately solved the problem. This also significantly reduced brake rub from the bike's rear end – an unexpected bonus.

Unable to ride the bike with mismatched skewers (I’m not an animal), I have decided to replace both with a pair of DT Swiss’ RWS QRs.

DT Swiss RWS skewer
This matching combo soothes me. - Jack Luke / Our Media

These QRs work more like a typical thru-axle, with an adjustable handle that really enables you to crank things down. Because my road bike had old-school semi-sloping dropouts, I hope this will prevent the wheel from ever slipping forward.

They also match the bike’s DT Swiss hubs, which soothes my weary, creaky mind.

  • £29.99 each, international pricing TBC

Carradice Odyssey XL saddle bag

Carradice Odyssey XL saddlebag
The Odyssey is Carradice's largest saddle bag. - Jack Luke / Our Media

The new Odyssey XL is Carradice’s largest saddle bag, with a capacity of 21 litres.

This can be expanded to 26 litres by unclipping the folding expander lid. Two large pockets sit on either side of the bag for easy access.

D-rings sewn into the straps enable you to fasten additional luggage – or, if you’re feeling old-school, a rain cape – to the top of the bag.

Carradice Odyssey XL saddlebag
The bag is made from tough Cordura. - Jack Luke / Our Media

Unlike Carradice’s traditional bags, which are manufactured from waxed cotton duck (a heavy tightly woven canvas), the Odyssey XL is manufactured using synthetic 1,000 denier Cordura.

The bag can be mounted in the traditional manner direct to saddle loops but, speaking from experience, I recommend pairing this with a Carradice Bagman support if you plan on riding off-road or carrying a heavy load.

Carradice Odyssey XL saddlebag
The roll-top closer can be left open to expand the storage capacity of the bag. - Jack Luke / Our Media

The Bagman is a small rack that clamps onto your saddle rails. It can be paired with additional struts to provide support and stability for heavier loads.

Alternatively, the base of the bag can be draped over a rear pannier rack, provided your saddle is not too high from the top of the rack.

Carradice Odyssey XL saddlebag
This plastic stiffener should prevent saggy bag syndrome – a common curse of the Carradice owner. - Jack Luke / Our Media

Unless packed well, traditional Carradice bags typically sag when mounted to a Bagman support or pannier rack. A corrugated plastic stiffener that slides into a pocket in the base of the Odyssey XL should prevent this.

The Odyssey XL is available in black, camo or high-vis yellow.

  • £100, international shipping available

Ergon SMC Core Men saddle

Ergon SMC Core Men saddle (1 of 6)
Like my ever-faithful stoker, the Ergon SMC Core Men saddle has proven to be a very reliable cycle touring companion. - Jack Luke / Our Media

The Ergon SMC Core Men saddle is designed specifically for an upright riding position, with a layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam (Core 3D, in Ergon parlance) sitting between the upper and base of the saddle, providing heaps of squishy support.

I fitted this saddle to my (our?) tandem ahead of a two-week tour earlier in the summer. The tandem is built specifically for touring, where a comfortable upright position is desirable.

Ergon SMC Core Men saddle (1 of 6)
The upper portion of the saddle floats upon a layer of TPU foam. - Jack Luke / Our Media

My early impressions here were very good. Seated pedalling on rough terrain is far more comfortable than with my old saddle (which wasn’t really designed for this type of riding), with reduced saddle soreness to boot.

I suspect a lot of this is thanks to the saddle’s ability to pivot and wiggle while pedalling.

Ergon SMC Core Men saddle (1 of 6)
Wide wings provide ample support when riding in an upright position. - Jack Luke / Our Media

My partner – who spends a lot of time looking at my perky peach when we’re on the tandem – can confirm the upper ‘shell’ of the saddle noticeably moves around on top of the TPU Core 3D layer while pedalling.

In addition to touring and commuting saddles, Ergon also produces gravel bike saddles equipped with Core 3D technology.

  • £144.99/€159.95

Vittoria Air-Liner Light tyre insert

Vittoria Air Liner XC tyre insert
The Vittoria Air-Liner Light is one of the lightest tyre inserts on the market. - Jack Luke / Our Media

From one squishy foam to another, we now turn to the Vittoria Air-Liner Light – a lightweight tyre insert designed specifically for cross-country mountain bikes.

The Vittoria Air-Liner Light weighs 50g per insert. That’s significantly lighter than its closest competitor, the CushCore XC, which weighs a claimed 150g per insert. The Tubolight EVO SL is closer at 58g (claimed weight).

In addition to offering rim and tyre protection, Vittoria claims the permeable foam will expand in the event of a puncture.

Vittoria says this enables the tyre to be run when flat, at the very least enabling racers to get back to the pits for a tyre swap. The brand makes similar claims about its road tyre insert.

Vittoria Air Liner XC tyre insert
The liner is coated to prevent sealant absorption. - Jack Luke / Our Media

A plasticky coating on the outside of the insert is claimed to prevent the permeable insert from soaking up tubeless sealant. It feels a bit like a packing peanut in the hand.

The insert is designed to be used with tyres from 2.1 to 2.4in wide on rims from 25 to 30mm wide (internal).

Vittoria Air Liner XC tyre insert
A light bite? No – something to prevent snakebites. - Jack Luke / Our Media

Unlike that weird kid from school who’d take a big munch out of the pool floats during swimming lessons, I've resisted the urge to have even a tiny nibble on this tempting toroid. It's so satisfying and squishy!

Instead, our testing will be limited to rattling through rock gardens with reckless abandon. Stay tuned for a full review in the coming months.

  • €59.95, international pricing TBC