UK distributor Moore-Large showed off a huge range of new products at their annual expo. Here are some of our favourites:
Lake Shoes
The classic, but discontinued Lake MX140 winter cycling shoe from has a replacement, named the MX145, due in shops from September 2013.
Both road and mountain bike versions will be available, with a projected price of £170. The wax cotton and rubber build should keep water out and feet warm. Lake are using a twin BOA lacing system on the shoe to ensure good fit.
Lake are also bringing out a super warm MXZ 303 shoe (£199.99/$299.99) for races such as the Iditabike (and people who get really cold feet!). Once again they are using two BOA laces and also an air filled insole – essentially a bubble-wrap layer sandwiched between two fabric layers for insulation.
The MX175 is an entry level BOA-laced race shoe with leather upper and a durable rubber sole. Both road and mountain bike versions will be available for around £115.99/$160 and they come in a rather dashing Repsol colourway.
Sitting atop the road range, the heat-mouldable, kangaroo leather CX401 shoe now offers fully customisable uppers, allowing customers to specify colours, and add logos or names, as well as chooing a three bolt or Speedplay-specific sole. Prices will start from £319.99/$529.00.
Look out for a cyclocross specific shoe coming from Lake for the forthcoming season too.
Limar Helmets
Low profile rear on the Limar X-MTB
Limar helmets are packed full of nice features and are priced at a very reasonable level. Their new three-point ratchet and retention system is super sturdy and is included on all of their new performance helmets.
The X-MTB is an all-rounder helmet priced at £60. Well vented, and incredibly light for the weight (210g for a medium), the helmet has a slimmer profile at the back to avoid interference from your pack.
The 875 helmet (£80) is a 240g (M) XC race helmet with some of the biggest rear vents we’ve seen to help keep your head cool. Mesh covered front vents, as per a number of other Limar helmets, are there to keep the bugs out.
Other new helmets include the 885 (£90) , aimed at enduro riders and the 757 (£70/$95) which comes with several graphics options.
Finally the Velov helmet (£70) is aimed at commuters. This helmet features removable vent covers for poor/cold weather and a range of colours are available, including the day-glo yellow.
Jagwire Cables
If keeping your bike looking great is important, check out Jagwire’s range of cable and hydraulic hose options. Gear and brake outers, and hydraulic lines can all be matched together with a huge range of different colours. Full sets of road cables cost £32.99/$35.99, MTB gear cable sets are £28.99/$38.49, and hydraulic lines are £39.99/$49.50 (fixings £16.50/$20.49).
Knog lights and locks
The ever colourful Knog were showing off their range of lights, locks and accessories.
The main news was the new Road Blinder light set, which is about to hit stores worldwide. This 200 lumen light has been designed specifically for road riders and commuters who ride on unlit roads. With both a helmet and bar mounting options the two CREE LEDs and dual beam lenses give a good even spread of light and several output options to ensure you can see what’s coming.
The lights are charged via USB, and give a runtime of 1 hour at full brightness, 2 hours at 170 lumens, and then an emergency 40 minute eco flash mode to get you home safely.
Knog Blinder Road front light
The Blinder Rear Road gives out 65 lumens of light in a range of modes, including constant and various flashing modes. Knog have also included a ‘peloton’ setting, which limits output for when riding in a group.
Both lights come in a range of colours and are claimed to be fully waterproof, with the twin pack costing £95.99. Front only is available for £59.99/$85.00 and rear for £39.99/$60.00. A 300 lumen offering is also in development.
Other new products include more trail orientated lights, cute city lights and updated locking mechanisms for their range of funky locks.
4ZA Wheels
On the colour coding front, the Cirrus Pro wheelset from 4ZA has customisable graphics, allowing you to specify national flags and frame-matching colours on the wheels. (£1030/$1800/pair).
4ZA (Forza) allow you to customise the stickers on your Cirrus Pro wheels
Kenda Tyres
The biggest news from Kenda, which should appeal to UK mountain bike riders, is the new Honey Badger Pro tyre (£36.99/$59.95 in 29x2.2), available in all three wheel sizes. It’s been designed as a true all-rounder, to be used on a whole range of surfaces from hardpack to mud.
It has a dual compound construction (60a centre, 50 sides), and utilises what Kenda call ‘Tribite’ knobs. These supposedly work better on the diagonal forces found when cornering and braking. The lower profile knobs afforded by this mean there is less squirm and lower rolling resistance. We hear that a cyclocross version is in the works too.
Kenda’s other new MTB tyre is the 24 Seven, billed as a marathon race tyre, developed with Tinker Juarez. The tyre features a low profile tread pattern with a near continual centre tread and grippy shoulder lugs. (£32.99 for 26in, £39.99/$63 for 29in).
Kenda also had their Kriterium road tyre (£27.99/$49.95) at the show, ideal they say for people who train and race on the same tyre. With bead to bead flat protection the tyre has a tall profile, minimising rolling resistance.
