BikeRadar Magazines » Kit

Details of SRAM RED 2013 released

sdansie — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:06:45 +0000

SRAM, which provides brakes and gears for a large portion of the professional peloton have released details of what their top of the range RED groupset will look like. So far there’s just this video to give a sneak preview of the 2013 model, which will be released in February 2012. BikeRadar, has learned however, that major sections of the gruppo have been re-engineered and that a weight saving of between 250-280g has been made. If the shifting is as good as it has been in the past that should keep the pros happy.

Specialized Venge versus Scott Foil, Felt AR and Cervelo S3

sdansie — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:07:53 +0000

Procycling’s ops ed, Jamie, rides the new aero bike from Specialized, compares it to its aero rivals and wonders whether the bike can live up to the hype

High rolling tubular tyres

sdansie — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:42:10 +0000

This month, our operations editor Jamie Wilkins has been putting the new Schwalbe Ultremo tubular tyres through their paces – and through some potholes by the looks of things. Here’s what he thought.

Schwalbe Ultremo HT tubs, £71.99
Expensive but brilliant tubular tyres

In the last issue of Procycling (150, April) we tested a set of Swift Carbon R50 Radium wheels. We needed some tubs to go on them that would be sufficiently fast and tough to test Swift’s claims for the wheels. With uncanny timing, Schwalbe were launching their new Ultremo HT tyres at the same time. The final prototypes of these and the related Ultremo TT tyres were used by Ivan Basso and his Liquigas team-mates to win the 2010 Giro.

They’re handmade with Latex tubes and RaceStar Triple Compound tread, a 40mm valve and RaceGuard puncture protection. Two sizes are available: the 22mm weighs 260g and can be inflated to 8-14 bar (115-205psi), the 25mm weighs 290g and should be run at 6-10 bar (90-145psi).

We found them to be fast, smooth, easy to mount and really confidence inspiring for hard cornering. They aren’t as light as some but the Race Guard puncture protection is worth the weight. During testing we hit a couple of shocking potholes, one of which scattered our bottles and almost threw us off, but the Ultremo HTs saw us through. For even more protection, the valve core is removable so you can add tyre slime.

They’re at the upper end of the price range for tubs but with such a strong combination of attributes we think they’re worth it.
www.schwalbe.com

Rapha Pro Team Kit – pricey, but justified by supreme comfort

sdansie — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:15:11 +0000

By Cam Winstanley

Rapha have only been around since 2004 but through shrewd marketing and an adoration of cycling’s past glories, it seems a lot longer. While the look and feel of the company is vintage, the look, cut and performance of their Pro Team kit is decidedly 21st century.

Muc-Off cleaning kit tested

sdansie — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:41:44 +0000

WINTER hates your bike, which is why it’s common to have a hack machine dedicated to sacrificing itself in the rain, the grit and the salt so that your best bike can be saved for the best days. But there’s another way. If you look after your bike carefully the effects of winter are minimal. After all, carbon doesn’t rust. We’d rather be riding, and enjoying, our best bikes more of the time.

Two standout models from the new Boardman range

sdansie — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:56:59 +0000

We’ve been treated to a sneak peak of the new Boardman bike range for 2011-2012. And we liked what we saw.

New mitts from Giro

sdansie — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:46:18 +0000

2011 Giro glove range has landed
Giro’s range of gloves for 2011 on sale now – but it might be a bit chilly for them at the moment

Skins RY400 compression gear test

sdansie — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 14:39:49 +0000

The pro peloton has fully adopted compression wear over the last couple of seasons, from long socks to sleep suits, so we thought we should give it a try too. The benefit is said to be much improved recovery achieved by stimulating blood flow to the muscles.

Campag kit to keep out the cold

sdansie — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 09:44:20 +0000

That’ll be winter here then.

So we thought we’d have a look at Campagnolo’s winter booties and gloves that caught our interest this week