Seven days have passed and Friday is here again – that means it's time for the latest edition of Friday Five-a-side.
As usual, we're rounding up of the most interesting bits and pieces of road cycling and mountain biking gear that have recently landed on our doorstep – and this time, the doorstep in question is that of our BikeRadar Australia offices.
New road bike gear
BH G6 Pro Dura-Ace Di2
Following our recent first look, we now have our hands on BH’s flagship aero road bike – the G6 Pro.
The 2015 G6 Pro builds on the previous G6 with an improved carbon layup and manufacturing techniques that BH claims reduces weight by approximately 80g and increases lateral frame stiffness. Additional improvements include refined cable routing, internal battery placement for Di2 and direct-mount brakes, with the rear tucked beneath the chainstay.
Those last two improvements should also help the G6 Pro in a race against the wind, although exact aerodynamic improvements are unavailable at this time.
Our Australian spec tester comes stock with Shimano Dura-ace Di2 and Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40 C wheels with Yksion Pro tires. Its complete weight is 6.72kg (14.78lb), excluding pedals.
US$3299 (Frameset)
Speedplay Pavè Stainless pedals
Originally designed for sponsored teams racing the cobbled classis, the Zero Pavè pedals have shaved all non-essential material in the hope of more reliable entry and release in wet and dirty conditions.
The pedals retain the same cartridge-and-needle bearing setup and four-bolt mounting system as the Zero.
The V.2. cleats receive updated shims to improve shoe compatibility, and updated hardware too. Speedplay cleats can mount to three or four hole shoes with a claimed 8.5mm of stack for 4-hole and 11.5mm of stack for 3-hole. The V.2. cleats also come in a new special edition color.
The Zero Pavè pedals are available in both stainless steel and titanium models, weighing a claimed 230g and 188g per pair respectively.
- Stainless: US$339
- Titanium: US$499
LiteSpeed Ci2
Tennessee-based Litespeed is best known for its titanium bikes, but also has a full range of carbon race machines. The C-Series frames are the result of three years of development and wind tunnel research.
The Ci2 is a full-blown aero road racer with a shrouded water bottle mount, aero seat post, and aero-tuned tube cross-sections. Litespeed claims its C-series frames offer a 20.4 watt advantage over a non-aero bike.
The Ci2 gets its name from the Di2-specific cable routing. It features an enormous BB30 bottom bracket and tapered steerer tube, which should help with frame stiffness.
The frame is made with 30T carbon, and Litespeed uses ‘reactive pressure moulding’ to create a more consistent internal structure. This enables a reduction in excess materials.
Our Ci2 sample came supplied with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 11-speed groupset, FSA SL-K Light cranks and Reynolds Assault carbon clincher wheels.
US$5,000
Specialized Avatar Expert saddle
It may not have the looks or low weight of racier models, but the well-padded Avatar Expert saddle is suitable for both road and mountain biking. Like other Specialized saddles, it features Body Geometry design and comes in a choice of widths.
The thick EVA padding should suit those who don’t get along with minimalist saddles. Our sample is 155mm wide and weighs 255g. It features a tough Micromatrix water-resistance cover, carbon-reinforced shell and hollow titanium rails.
Pricing TBA
Oorr ‘The Ooriginal’ jersey
Oorr (Out Of the Rat Race) is a new Sydney-based start-up that aims to combine safe cycling with recycled materials. The brand’s first product is ‘The Ooriginal’ jersey (excuse the pun). This medium-weight performance jersey is nearly entirely made from recycled materials – the torso/arm elastics and reflective piping are the only exceptions.
The first production run is small, but Oorr plans to expand the range to include a summer jersey and, potentially, bibs.
US$TBA
New mountain bike gear
SpeedSleev
SpeedSleev products are designed to help you carry and access trail essentials more easily. They are easy to attach just about anywhere on your bike, and you can use them to store things that would normally go in a saddle bag, jersey pocket, bidon storage or backpack.
It's lighter than many other attachment methods, and SpeedSleev claims the convenient access its products offer will save you time when you need to access the items.
We have the small and large Elastic Pro saddle packs for review. The smaller pack weighs 24g, and is designed to hold a road tube, CO2 and inflator, multi-tool, tyre levers and patch kit. The large pack weighs 54g and is designed to carry two road tubes or one 29er tube, two 16g Co2 cartridges and inflator, two tyre levers and a patch kit.
There are many other options in the range including one that's capable of carrying a fat bike tube!
US$20
Shimano Unzen 6 hydration pack
We recently reviewed Shimano’s Unzen 10 hydration pack and found it to be a top choice. We now have the smaller, 6-litre version in for review. Perhaps best for the marathon racer or general light packer, the Unzen 6 offers detailed storage organisation along with a 2-litre Hydrapak hydration bladder.
Shimano employs a Rider Fit Cross Harness in place of a more traditional sternum and waist strap. This effectively combines the shoulder straps and sternum strap into one strap that sits across the rider's chest.
US$113
Cycology Ultralight backpack
Best known for its hand-drawn design tees, Cycology is expanding into technical cycling gear and bags too. The Ultralight Backpack and Ultralight Duffel are a nice things to have when travelling and you’re in need of a place for wet riding gear or for all the race swag you picked up on your way to the podium.
The Ultralight backpack offers 15L storage capacity, weights a measly 101g and compacts down so small you could fit two of them in a single bidon.
While the pack doesn't look like it offers much support or many features for riding, it does have a Velcro loop on the slip pocket that allows you to attach it to a saddle or handlebar.
US$35.16
PRO Top Cap Camera mount
Designed to replace a standard 1 1/8in headset top cap, the PRO camera mount was originally thought up for use with Shimano’s Sport Camera, which shares the industry standard GoPro-type mount. The camera mount is a simple solution to a secure on-bike mount and is made from a single piece of CNC machined aluminium. It weighs just 24g, including the bolt.
In addition to the Top Cap mount, PRO also offers handlebar and saddle rail camera mounts.
US$30
Race Face Turbine Cinch crankset
Looking for a new set of cranks for your cross-country or trail bike? The Turbine Clinch cranks are well worth a look, particularly if you’re after a 1x setup - that’s because this direct mount version of the Clinch arrives with Race Face’s excellent narrow/wide ring as standard.
They’re light too. We measured ours at 628g, without a bottom bracket. A removable spider is also available, which gives the flexibility of adding one or two more rings without having to buy different arms.
They’re a really nicely finished alternative to some of the more popular options out there.
US$269.99