{"id":57822,"date":"2024-01-02T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/8a4e491c-9565-458c-9917-3286517cd431"},"modified":"2024-01-02T12:42:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T11:42:14","slug":"ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Ashley Quinlan\u2019s Gear of the Year 2023 | A year of stalwarts and sensibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Ashley Quinlan\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 09:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

I\u2019m not an easy man to impress.<\/p>

The fact is, it\u2019s becoming harder and harder for brands to make poor products. Even kit that isn\u2019t outstanding versus competitors will probably do the job it\u2019s designed to do pretty well.\u00a0<\/p>

It\u2019s a mark of the maturity of the industry \u2013 the existing knowledge that goes into making a product (be it a bike light, bib short, wheelset or something else) usually turns around a decent item.\u00a0<\/p>

It shows in the scores we\u2019ve given the vast majority of products this year, even after we\u2019ve tested and critically analysed them for their strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>

So, it\u2019s entirely possible for a very good product to not live long in the memory banks. Likewise, a product that suits me specifically, or carries some kind of extra significance, is more likely to make my gear of the year list.<\/p>

The products that follow hit those marks.<\/p>

Specialized ADV Shorts<\/h2>
<\/div>
The fabric is breathable and light. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The Specialized ADV Shorts have revolutionised my outlook on gravel attire this year.\u00a0<\/p>
Gestated in the conservative world of road cycling \u2013 a Lycra-clad rider through and through \u2013 I\u2019m ashamed to admit I\u2019ve looked down my nose at those riding baggies on road and gravel bikes in the past. Not any more.<\/p>
$\"Picture$
The waist buckle is supported by a popper behind it. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The ADV Shorts feature a breathable woven fabric, have useful pockets for day-to-day use and are suitably cut for an on-the-bike posture without riding up the leg.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Picture$
The added practicality of a zipped pocket makes the ADV shorts useful off the bike. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Paired with a padded inner liner (or just a regular pair of bib shorts<\/a>), or worn on their own for shorter about-town rides, I\u2019ve found the sense of sartorial freedom liberating.<\/p>
$\"Picture$
Clean and clear branding \u2013 it’s a ‘yes’ from me. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
No longer do I feel as self-conscious when queuing for a coffee in the middle of a gravel ride, while I can ride to the supermarket, do a shop without attracting query-some gazes, then pedal home again.\u00a0<\/p>
Of course, the onset of winter has prompted me to find a warmer solution to the problem at hand, but I\u2019m looking forward to donning these shorts again when spring rolls around.<\/p>
<\/div>
Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS TR tyre<\/h2>
<\/div>
$\"Picture$
The Continental GP5000 AS TR is the all-season variant of the German brand’s performance tubeless tyre line. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Last year, I heaped praise on the Pirelli P Zero Race 4S clincher tyre<\/a> as being my all-round performance tyre of choice.\u00a0<\/p>
Of course, things change. I\u2019m now far more happy than I was to run a tubeless setup on my own bike, and almost every tyre brand worth mentioning seems to have launched new rubber in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>
The Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS TR<\/a> has emerged as my favourite of the bunch.<\/p>
Don\u2019t get me wrong, I would certainly prefer to fit a lighter, faster tyre for summer riding, such as a Grand Prix 5000 S TR<\/a>, Schwalbe Pro One TLE<\/a>, Goodyear Eagle F1 R<\/a> or Pirelli P Zero Race TLR<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>
However, for the other, say, 75 per cent of the time, I think the AS TR hits a blend of performance and protection others have yet to match.\u00a0<\/p>
When I ride it on my Fairlight Strael 3.0<\/a> with any given wheelset, I can hardly feel the difference compared to an S TR (of course, weight is hardly the priority for my steel bike\u2019s general application), and it gives me nigh-on the same confidence as the S TR when cornering.<\/p>
$\"Picture$
The compound is said to be grippier and the tread more pronounced compared to a GP5000 S TR. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Continental didn\u2019t rip up the S TR\u2019s construction blueprint when it designed the AS TR \u2013 all it did was add an extra ply to the casing for increased puncture protection, modify the compound to work better in the wet and make the tread slightly deeper (also for increased grip).\u00a0<\/p>
None of these things are bad for the general road cycling enthusiast \u2013 in fact, I\u2019d argue they\u2019re fundamentally good.\u00a0<\/p>
Tyre choice, as we repeat often, is very subjective, and the development race moves inexorably on for what is a very consumable item.<\/p>
But this, for me, is the current performance all-season standard setter.<\/p>
<\/div>
Mavic X-Tend prototype ebike motor system<\/h2>
$\"Mavic$
We were first shown the Mavic X-Tend motor system in early 2023. – Ashley Quinlan \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
It isn\u2019t often we\u2019ll travel to ride a product you won\u2019t be able to buy for a couple of years. Even rarer is the time we\u2019ll go to see a prototype that, by definition, is still in development.<\/p>
However, when Mavic invited us to its new headquarters near Annecy in France, we accepted because intrigue was sky-high.<\/p>
$\"Mavic$
The Mavic X-Tend motor fits inside a lightly modified frame. – Ashley Quinlan \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Here was a brand steeped in cycling history, most famous for providing neutral service at the Tour de France, with a reputation for creating performance bike wheels, about to announce a completely new line of business: an ebike motor<\/a>.<\/p>
I choose that word \u2013 business \u2013 carefully, because, of course, this was set against the context of Mavic\u2019s re-emergence following serious business turmoil and its eventual buy-out.<\/p>
$\"Mavic$
The electric motor felt very natural, if in need of some further finessing. – G Chenard<\/figcaption><\/figure>
What I saw and rode was the X-Tend<\/a>, a bottom bracket-housed motor system that’s intended to change the way bike brands create their ebike frames around the electronic gubbins.<\/p>
Instead of the frame featuring a cut-out, into which the motor is inserted, Mavic worked with Swiss brand BMC to create special Teammachine SLR bikes with minimal tweaks to the frame layup.<\/p>
$\"Mavic$
The motor system should enable ebikes to be made ever lighter. – Ashley Quinlan \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
While some finessing remained to be done, the overall riding experience felt remarkably polished<\/a>. Mavic estimated we could see the system on production ebikes as soon as 2025-2026. That felt realistic to me.<\/p>
That said, while the X-Tend motor is an impressive technical achievement, it\u2019s what it could represent for one of the more storied brands in cycling, and its future, that earns it a spot here.<\/p>
Oakley Jawbreaker sunglasses\u00a0<\/h2>
<\/div>
$\"A$
An oldie but a goldie. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Ahh, the Oakley Jawbreaker<\/a>.<\/p>
I\u2019ve tried many sunglasses over the years. Oakley seems to come to the table with a new model every year, while over the years I\u2019ve dabbled with alternatives from \u2013 off the top of my head \u2013 Scott, Rudy Project, Koo, Smith Optics, Lazer, Bolle, Panda Optics and Ekoi.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"A$
I’m also missing an arm sock, although that doesn’t make any difference to how comfortable the Jawbreaker is to wear. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
None I\u2019ve tried fit my face better, are as comfortable to wear, or look as good as the Oakley Jawbreaker.<\/p>
Certainly, I still reach for my own Jawbreaker whenever I\u2019m not testing others.<\/p>
$\"A$
The Ruby Prizm lens is excellent in bright sunlight. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
My own \u2018Pop Fade\u2019 edition frame might be beginning to pale, the lenses micro-scratched with age, one of the ear socks missing and the central pillar corroded with salty sweat, but I’ll stick fervently to them until they literally fall off my face. Then I\u2019ll probably buy another set.<\/p>
$\"A$
It’s starting to show its age. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
I can\u2019t think of an Oakley-sponsored rider or team that still uses it \u2013 but all the key design boxes remain ticked, arguably more so than with the brand’s more recent models.\u00a0<\/p>
The lens clarity is excellent and it can be replaced.\u00a0<\/p>
The full frame protects the face but doesn\u2019t intrude on peripheral vision.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"A$
The central pillar has eroded away through repeated exposure to sunlight, sweat and suncream. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The frame and lens shape bring good ventilation, avoiding steam-ups.<\/p>
The arms hold fast to the side of my head and fit over helmet straps well.\u00a0<\/p>
The top of the frame doesn\u2019t rattle against prominent helmet brows.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Scott$
Matchy matchy \u2013 honestly, it’s not on purpose. – Markus Greber<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Mine even matches my BikeRadar kit (by happy accident, admittedly).\u00a0<\/p>
Irrespective of what I think, though, perhaps it\u2019s testament to the enduring popularity of the design that Oakley continues to sell the Jawbreaker today, nearly nine years after its initial release.<\/p>
<\/div> <\/body><\/html>\n
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By Ashley Quinlan Published: Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 09:00 AM I\u2019m not an easy man to impress. The fact is, it\u2019s becoming harder and harder for brands to make poor products. Even kit that isn\u2019t outstanding versus competitors will probably do the job it\u2019s designed to do pretty well.\u00a0 It\u2019s a mark of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":57823,"template":"","categories":[1,36],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"8"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/01\/ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/01\/ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/01\/ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/01\/ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/01\/ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/01\/ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/01\/ashley-quinlans-gear-of-the-year-2023-a-year-of-stalwarts-and-sensibilities-2048x1366.jpg",2048,1366,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Ashley Quinlan Published: Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 09:00 AM I\u2019m not an easy man to impress. The fact is, it\u2019s becoming harder and harder for brands to make poor products. Even kit that isn\u2019t outstanding versus competitors will probably do the job it\u2019s designed to do pretty well.\u00a0 It\u2019s a mark of the…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/57822"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}