And the week’s top news, reviews and cycling advice
A week on from Black Friday, congratulations if you and your bank account made it through without rashly purchasing a massage gun and budget-hotel-standard shower gel.
Before I reveal what’s behind the first door of our tech advent calendar, let’s recap the past week at BikeRadar.com.
First up, we explained how to get your gravel bike ready for winter and reviewed the SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth 4-piston brakes.
Then AG2R Citroën went shopping at Decathlon and emerged with a new name and new bikes (the Van Rysel RCR Pro), leaving their divisive brown shorts on the shelf. Do you agree with Stan Portus that the French team’s old kit was the best in the peloton?
We also covered the release of the 3T Extrema Italia, a genre-defying adventure gravel bike.
The new Look 795 Blade RS was Bike of the Week. Both the Van Rysel RoadR 900 Full Carbon Road Cycling Shoe and the Manitou Mattoc Pro suspension fork scored highly in their individual reviews.
The Canyon Ultimate CFR and Specialized Tarmac SL8 went head to head on the website and YouTube channel. Find out which superbike came out on top and let us know what you think in the comments.
Ceramic Speed unveiled a new Oversized Pulley Wheel System for SRAM Eagle AXS Transmission with an ‘Active Debris Remover’. Yours for €579 / $669.
Now it’s time to check out the tech and kit that’s arrived early under the BikeRadar Christmas tree.
Pearl Izumi winter cycling gear
Pearl Izumi Attack Barrier Jacket
The Attack Barrier is a new wind jacket from Pearl Izumi, constructed from the brand’s Ultralight Barrier Ripstop fabric, weighing just 43g in a size medium.
It’s designed as a ‘just-in-case’ jacket for gusty days and can be stowed in your jersey pocket.
The Attack Barrier even has a PFC-free, DWR treatment to fend off light showers. The jacket costs £81 / $90 / €90 and is available in Black or Sunfire (pictured) in sizes S to XXL.
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Pearl Izumi Men’s Expedition Thermal Cycling Bib Tights
The Men’s Expedition Thermal Cycling Bib Tights are made from a thermal fleece fabric and a water-repellent PI Dry coating, and have two thigh cargo pockets.
Pearl Izumi says the stretchiness of the 86-per-cent-recycled construction means fewer panels and stitches are required, improving comfort.
The Expedition Thermal Cycling Bib Tights cost £166.50 / $185 / €185. They come in Urban Sage (pictured) and black, and sizes S to XXL.
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Pearl Izumi Men’s Expedition Alpha Jacket
The Men’s Expedition Alpha Jacket has quilted panels that provide insulation on your shoulders, chest and upper arms, where you’re most likely to feel the chill.
But there is no insulation on the back and sides to let heat escape. The lightweight shell fabric outer is windproof and water-repellent, according to Pearl Izumi.
The relaxed fit and pair of zipped, side pockets, which double as vents, lend the jacket a more casual look than some of the best winter cycling jackets.
The Men’s Expedition Alpha Jacket costs £169 / $175 / €195. It comes in one black, green and orange colour scheme and in sizes S to XXL.
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Cadex Amp saddle
The Amp is Cadex’s premium, short-nose saddle ridden in the women’s and men’s WorldTour by Team Jayco-Alula.
It won over long-time, short-saddle sceptic Michael Mathews, according to Jeff Schneider, head of product and marketing at Cadex.
Like many short saddles, the Amp is designed for aggressive riding. The raised rear supports your sit bones to help you adopt a fixed, aerodynamic position, according to Giant’s in-house brand.
Cadex claims the Amp’s “unique” two-piece carbon frame, consisting of the base and rails without a joint, improves compliance and reduces weight to 129g.
The high-density EVA foam damps vibrations, while the cut-out relieves soft-tissue pressure, according to the brand.
I’ll soon fit the Amp to my long-term test bike to find out if it’s one of the best road bike saddles.
The Cadex Amp measures 245mm long, 145mm wide and retails for £259.99 / $350 / €295.95 / AU$429.95.
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POC helmet and overshoes
POC Thermal Booties
The POC Thermal Booties are road cycling overshoes made from a water-repellent stretch fabric and insulated interior to keep your feet dry and warm.
An elasticated collar covers the zip closure towards the back of your ankle. This helps them fit more snugly than the gaiters recently modelled by Jack Luke.
The underside of the Thermal Bootie is reinforced for durability, according to the brand.
Both my hi-vis orange sample and the black option have reflective detailing to enhance your visibility, claims POC.
The POC Thermal Booties come in small, medium and large, and cost £65 / $95 / €70.
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POC Omne Air MIPS
The POC Omne Air MIPS is a medium-weight, MIPS-equipped road bike helmet.
Although it’s not an aero helmet, the Omne Air MIPS is less heavily ventilated than both Poc’s Ventral and Octal designs.
For instance, the Omne Air’s front and top vents are smaller and it has no holes in the middle of the sides.
However, the helmet’s narrow shape minimises weight to 371g in my large sample (small and medium are also available).
An EPS liner and PC shell reduce the risk of head injury from a cycling crash, according to POC, helping meet European, American, and Australian and New Zealand helmet safety standards.
Colour-wise, you can choose from white and orange (pictured), black, blue, white, gold and red.
The POC Omne Air MIPS is priced at £150 / $170 / €170 / AU$230.
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Stubble and Co Roll Top 20L Backpack
The Stubble and Co Roll Top 20L Backpack has lots of cycling-friendly features but can double as a bag for everyday use.
Its 16-inch laptop sleeve, elasticated side pockets for a water bottle or a lock and bike light loop are priorities for cycling commuters.
Stubble and Co says the main body of the Roll Top and the seams are waterproof, while the zips are water-resistant.
The breathable back padding is claimed to mitigate one of the drawbacks of using a cycling backpack compared to a rack and pannier bags – a sweaty and uncomfortable back.
Available in nine colours, including my Ember Orange sample, and a smaller 14-litre size, the Stubble and Co Roll Top Backpack retails for £105.
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Ned Boulting, 1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession
1923 is the story of Ned Boulting’s infatuation with an enigmatic, two-and-a-half-minute Pathé clip of a dim and distant Tour de France.
An impulse decision to purchase the film reel at auction spurs a mission to discover the what, when, where and, crucially, who of the grainy footage.
Part-cycling book, travelogue (virtually, due to the Covid pandemic) and investigation that often verges on chasse patate, 1923 will engross and entertain (not only) cycling fans.
As the title suggests, the book is also the ITV cycling commentator’s passionate paean to France and its grand tour.
Consider 1923 if you’re requesting or purchasing cycling gifts this Christmas.
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