White Brothers’ new Magic
forks
|
White Brothers Magic 80 suspension fork
White Brothers finally steps up to the platform suspension plate
with the introduction of the Magic line of suspension forks featuring
WB's new IMV (Intelligent Magnetic Valve) technology. The engineers
at White Brothers say the unique characteristics of their magnetic
platform valve (as opposed to the typical spring-loaded or pneumatic
platform valve) allow for better oil flow when the valve is open,
and better suspension performance as a result. This IMV technology
is housed in White Brothers' familiar oversized chassis complete
with 32mm stanchions. We've actually got two 80mm travel forks in
for testing: our 26in Magic 80 weighs in at 3.71 lbs (1.69 kg),
and the 29er Magic 80 tips the scales at a slighter heavier 3.98
lbs (1.80kg), both with uncut steerer tubes./JH
More info: www.whitebrotherscycling.com
MSRP: US$679
Bontrager’s XXX Lite Carbon
VR handlebar
|
Bontrager Race XXX Lite Carbon VR handlebar
Bontrager adds boron fibers to its proprietary OCLV 55 and OCLV
110 carbon fiber mix to produce the ultralight Race XXX Lite Carbon
VR oversize handlebar. The boron fibers are said to dramatically
improve compressive strength in high stress areas such as the stem
clamp region, and also increase the bar's overall rigidity and responsiveness.
The Variable Radius bend reduces the reach to the brake levers and
provide more flexible hand positioning when in the drops. Our 42cm
wide test bar (c-c) weighs just 168g./JH
More info: www.bontrager.com
MSRP: US$399.99
The SH-R215B is Shimano's
top road shoe
|
Shimano SH-R215B road shoes
Shimano has revamped its top-end road shoes with a new dual channel
carbon sole that is both lighter and stiffer than its previous offerings.
A moulded toecap and heel cup provide support and incorporate purposeful
vents to prevent overheating. The uppers are made of nylon mesh
plus synthetic leather construction paired with a single wide ratcheting
buckle plus two forefoot straps. Weight on our size 44 test set
was a very competitive 646g without cleats./JH
The Shimano SH-215B road shoes are available in sizes 36, 37-46
(half sizes), 47, and 48, and are also available in E widths.
More info: www.shimano.com
MSRP: US$240
Lake MXZ301 is Lake’s premier
winter-specific MTB shoe
|
Lake MXZ301 winter MTB shoes
Lake's new MXZ301 winter MTB cycling shoes use water-resistant
Pittards leather uppers topped off with a weatherproof neoprene
cuff. The entire shoe is lined with temperature regulating Outlast
material and combines with 3M Thinsulate lining in the toe box and
a Thermosol insulating insole for keep your feet toasty down to
10°F. A convenient BOA lacing system keeps everything under wraps.
The heavily-lugged outsole sports standard two-bolt SPD cleat compatibility.
Our size 44 test pair weighs 1090g without cleats.
The Lake MXZ301 MTB shoes are available in sizes 36-50 in whole
sizes only./JH
More info: www.lakecycling.com
MSRP: US$249.99
fi'zi:k Pave HP
|
fi'zi:k Pave HP Wing Flex
One of several new saddles from fi'zi:k (we'll take a look at some
more in the next New Arrivals), the Pave HP is built for strength
and comfort on rough roads, as its name suggests. Its carbon-reinforced
hull features fi'zi:k's patent-pending Wing Flex design that improves
comfort by allowing the sides to flex slightly as you pedal while
the hull center is strengthened with reinforcing ribs.
An update of the previous Pave CP seat, the Pave HP has bolt-on
bumpers for protection against crash damage and there's plenty of
dense foam under the perforated Microtex cover - and unlike the
original Pave, the top is one piece rather than being festooned
with seams.
Despite being built for comfort rather than gram-reduction, the
Pave HP still comes in at a perfectly acceptable 280g, thanks in
part to titanium rails. A welcome practical touch is a mount for
fi'zi:k's Integrated Clip System seat pack, which lets you put on
a small seat bag without fussing with straps./JS
MSRP: €119; US$99
More info: www.fizik.com
Uvex Sport Boss
|
Uvex Sport Boss
Uvex's new Sport Boss helmet is surprisingly packed with features
for its asking price. It features double in-mould construction,
which means the outer shell wraps round the bottom of the helmet
as well at the top, and has a ratcheting dial for easy adjustment
of the occipital cradle.
A particularly nifty idea is the chin strap fastening, which uses
a toothed clip for on-the-fly adjustment. Other features include
mesh across the front vents to keep out insects, a total of 19 vents
and reflective stickers to improve night-time visibility. The Sport
Boss is so new it's not even on Uvex' website yet, but when it is
- and it hits the shops - it'll sell for a very reasonable US$69.
/JS
MSRP: US$69
More info: www.uvexsports.com
Selle Italia SLR Flow
|
Selle Italia SLR Flow
Selle Italia's latest salvo in the featherweight seat wars comes
in at a claimed 120g (125g on our scale, an acceptable margin for
a part that has variable amounts of leather and foam). Like other
SLR-series saddles, the Flow has a very minimal, flat top section
with a cut-out to relieve pressure on the peritoneal area, but saves
weight over other SLR models (some of which are not exactly heavy
to start with) by using carbon fiber rails.
Selle Italia claims the rails are the strongest carbon rails ever
produced, thanks to a new moulding process that allows "reinforced
long fiber carbon" to be injected into them. They have sustained
crash test loads of 250kg and are even suitable for mountain bike
use, Selle Italia says.
Other features include a Lorica synthetic leather cover over the
lightweight EVA closed-cell foam padding and a Rylsan nylon shell
reinforced with carbon fiber.
The SLR shape seems to be a love-it-or-hate-it design, but if it
suits you, then the Flow gives you yet another gram-trimming option./JS
MSRP: $215
More info: www.selleitalia.com
SQ Lab 735s
|
SQ Lab 735 grips
These unusually-shaped grips are the result of some smart thinking
from up-and-coming German company SQ Lab. Your hands don't form
a tubular shape when you make a fist, so surely your grips shouldn't
be round? The 735 grips remind the tech desk of the Tange Supple
Grips of the early years of mountain biking (and that's one of us
showing our age...) but the shape is more rounded than those grips,
which suffered from the problem that they were comfortable if your
hands were in exactly the right place, but not otherwise. The 735
grips' rounder shape should make for a wider range of comfortable
positions./JS
More info: www.sq-lab.com
|
