{"id":57779,"date":"2023-12-19T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/1834e213-bbe8-4b35-bf7f-761f457fce7d"},"modified":"2023-12-19T11:46:11","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T10:46:11","slug":"simon-von-bromleys-gear-of-the-year-2023-aeroweenie-picks-and-a-great-first-bike","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/simon-von-bromleys-gear-of-the-year-2023-aeroweenie-picks-and-a-great-first-bike\/","title":{"rendered":"Simon von Bromley\u2019s Gear of the Year 2023 | Aeroweenie picks and a great first bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 19 December 2023 at 09:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

With less than 5,000km of riding under my belt, it\u2019s fair to say 2023 wasn’t a vintage year for me on the bike.<\/p>

Nevertheless, quality is always more important than quantity, and I\u2019ve had plenty of memorable rides with lovely people in amazing places, so I have no complaints.<\/p>

If you know my cycling tastes, it won\u2019t surprise you to learn that nearly all of my Gear of the Year choices are roadie-focused.<\/p>

I\u2019m finally getting round to building up a gravel bike<\/a> for 2024, though, so perhaps next year will bring more variety.<\/p>

As with last year<\/a>, I\u2019ve thrown in a curve ball for my final pick \u2013 can you guess what it is?<\/p>

Giant Propel Advanced Pro<\/h2>
<\/div>
Giant’s Propel Advanced Pro is the mid-tier model in the range – Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a36,399 \/ $8,000 \/ \u20ac6,900<\/li><\/ul>
Of all the bikes I rode this year, the Giant Propel Advanced Pro<\/a> (BikeRadar\u2019s 2023 Aero Road Bike of the Year<\/a>) is the one I\u2019d be most tempted to buy.<\/p>
This latest iteration is less focused than a full-on aero bike such as the Ribble Ultra SL R<\/a> (which I also loved testing), meaning it doesn\u2019t feel as wildly fast in a straight line. However, it\u2019s also far more versatile.<\/p>
It could happily race a pan-flat road bike time trial<\/a> one week, then tackle long mountain climbs the next.<\/p>
It has aero bike speed, excellent handling and competitively low weight. As usual for Giant, it\u2019s decent value, too. In short, it\u2019s fantastic.<\/p>
$\"Giant$
Despite being substantially cheaper, the Propel Advanced Pro gives up little in performance compared to the flagship Propel. – Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
While I reviewed a SRAM Force eTap AXS<\/a>-equipped model earlier this year, if it were my money I\u2019d plump for the build with Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170<\/a> (because I simply prefer Shimano\u2019s ergonomics and gear ratios).<\/p>
Otherwise, though, the build is near-flawless. The only changes I\u2019d make are to swap in a longer stem, a narrower handlebar and a set of tanwall Continental GP5000 S TR<\/a> tyres (my colleague, Oscar Huckle, might think tanwall tyres are a waste of time<\/a>, but I love them).<\/p>
<\/div>
Specialized S-Works Evade 3 helmet<\/h2>
<\/div>
$\"Simon$
Specialized’s S-Works Evade 3 is my favourite aero road helmet. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a3275 \/ $300 \/ \u20ac330<\/li><\/ul>
Having used a number of the latest aero road helmets<\/a> this year, my favourite has undoubtedly been the Specialized S-Works Evade 3<\/a>.<\/p>
It strikes a great balance between aerodynamic efficiency, comfort, low weight and ventilation, making it an aero lid I\u2019m happy to use all-year round.<\/p>
I also like that it\u2019s relatively \u2018normal\u2019 looking for an aero helmet. While I\u2019ve no qualms wearing an aero baselayer<\/a> and a pointy helmet equipped with Kask\u2019s barge-board style Aero Pro Visor<\/a> while racing my time trial bike<\/a>, I still treat road cycling as something of a civilised sport.<\/p>
$\"Man$
The Evade 3 is comfy, looks good and is ventilated enough to use all-year round. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
At \u00a3275, the Evade 3 is expensive, and might be too pricey for habitual racers to justify (given the \u201conly race what you can afford to replace\u201d mantra remains sage advice). If money was no object, though, this is the road helmet I\u2019d buy.<\/p>
Wondering whether an aero helmet is worth it, though? Well, according to the wind tunnel test we did earlier this year, it could be one of the best value aero upgrades<\/a> you can get.<\/p>
<\/div>
Prime Primavera Shorty saddle<\/h2>
<\/div>
$\"Prime$
Prime’s Primavera Shorty saddle delivers top-of-the-range performance at an incredible price. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\u00a3119.99<\/li><\/ul>
While much of the focus for saddle development is now on 3D-printed versions, my favourite saddle from this year has undoubtedly been Prime\u2019s Primavera Shorty. It simply ticks all the right boxes.<\/p>
As the name suggests, it\u2019s a short-nose saddle<\/a>, designed primarily for use on road and gravel bikes<\/a>.<\/p>
Most importantly, it\u2019s very comfortable. It’s more generously padded than a Bontrager Aeolus saddle<\/a> or the Giant Fleet SL that came with my Giant TCR Advanced Pro Disc<\/a>, but firm enough that it never feels like you\u2019re sinking into it.<\/p>
A generously sized central channel means perineal pressure is never an issue, either.<\/p>
$\"Prime$
The Prime Primavera Shorty saddle ticks all the right boxes. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
At 165g, it\u2019s impressively light too, thanks to its carbon fibre base and rails.<\/p>
Lastly, it\u2019s great value. At an RRP of \u00a3119.99, it undercuts big-name rivals significantly.<\/p>
What\u2019s more, if you can live with an extra 10g of weight and the swap from a carbon to polycarbonate (i.e. plastic) base, Prime has also released an even cheaper version called the Prime Doyenne Shorty Carbon saddle (\u00a389.99).<\/p>
<\/div>
BSC Tools Press-fit bottom bracket remover<\/h2>
<\/div>
$\"BSC$
The BSC Tools Press-fit bottom bracket remover does its job with grace rather than brute force. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Even though I believe press-fit bottom brackets are better than threaded<\/a> ones, needing to use a hammer or mallet to bash the bearings out (when you come to change them) is clearly less than ideal.<\/p>
In contrast, on the admittedly rare occasion I need it (such as when switching out the bottom bracket to mount a different power meter<\/a> crankset to my bike), BSC Tools’ Press-fit bottom bracket remover always impresses with the elegance with which it gently pulls a BB from a frame.<\/p>
It\u2019s so blissfully easy to use, it makes a mockery of the oft-touted claim, \u201cthreaded bottom brackets are easier to live with\u201d.<\/p>
$\"BSC$
The set is fairly expensive, but will cover a number of different bikes and press-fit BB types. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Of course, at \u00a3119.16, this specific tool set isn\u2019t cheap. It\u2019s worth remembering BSC Tools is a small company without the economies of scale of larger brands such as Park Tool<\/a>, though.<\/p>
The tool itself is beautifully made and comes with adaptors for practically any type of press-fit BB you can think of. To me, it feels like a shrewd investment that should last a lifetime.<\/p>
If the price is a dealbreaker, cheaper versions are available elsewhere online. Alternatively, you may even be able to construct your own using parts from a DIY store, if you\u2019re creative \u2013 there\u2019s nothing overly complex here.<\/p>
<\/div>
Vitus Nippy Superlight balance bike<\/h2>
<\/div>
$\"Vitus$
My other favourite bike of 2023 belongs to my son. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
My final pick is the Vitus Nippy Superlight balance bike I bought for my son, Freddie, last Christmas.<\/p>
The joy it has brought Freddie and I this year qualifies it for this list alone, but I\u2019ve also been impressed by its particular qualities.<\/p>
As promised, it\u2019s very light. This is useful because bike weight is critical for little people with limited strength and dexterity.<\/p>
While many balance bikes<\/a> weigh around 3-5kg, the Vitus Nippy Superlight weighs just 1.94kg (with a bell from Decathlon).<\/p>
That\u2019s lighter than the (frankly ridiculous) Specialized Hotwalk Carbon<\/a>, which costs \u00a3999 \/ $999 and is claimed to weigh 2.1kg.<\/p>
$\"Vitus$
Its impressively low weight makes a big difference to how easy the Vitus Nippy Superlight is for a little person to handle. – Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Of course, the Vitus frame is aluminium, not carbon fibre, and it has plastic instead of carbon wheels, etc. But it also costs just \u00a344.99 and is available in a wider range of bright colours.<\/p>
It has clearly been designed to appeal to kids, and not to adults with too much money and an obsession with industrial design.<\/p>
It could undoubtedly be improved with pneumatic tyres, spoked wheels, bearings instead of bushings in the headset and so on.<\/p>
But it would cost a lot more if it had those things, and, ultimately, it only needs to do a basic job before we pass it onto the next kid to enjoy.<\/p>
Hopefully, the skills Freddie has learned pay dividends on a proper kids\u2019 bike<\/a> when the time comes.<\/p>
<\/div> <\/body><\/html>\n
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