Every week here at BikeRadar we receive a barrage of droolworthy kit and, once Friday comes around, we round up the finest items and introduce them.
Here are the best road cycling and mountain biking bits and pieces we've been landed with this week.
New road bike gear
Pashley Speed 5
Inspired by path racer bicycles of the 1930s, the Pashley Speed 5 is offered as a tribute to what the UK firm calls the "heyday of gentlemanly British cycle racing". It's about as tasteful as anything like this could be and features a quintessentially British spec sheet. There are drum brakes front and rear plus a five-speed hub gear from Sturmey Archer but the little details are what really set it off. Brooks leather bar tape, the forged quill stem, not to mention the deep British racing green paintwork and that frame mounted number plate, you even get a brass bell. The frame is crafted from Renyold's 531 tubing with super slack period geometry. In the UK at least, to be this grand you'll have to hand over just shy of a grand, gentlemen.£995
Rapha Pro Team Softshell Jacket
Designed specifically for racing and high-level training in cool or wet conditions, the Pro Team Softshell offers far greater protection than a jersey, and more all-day usability and freedom than a rain jacket. The fabric is extremely stretchy, comprising two thin layers with a membrane between, and fully taped seams, either internally or externally. It is highly water resistant and breathable, but still feels soft against the skin, with a very snug fit tailored to the riding position. Laser cut holes beneath the arms and in the rear pockets permit extra ventilation and drainage, and the rear central panel is coated with clear wipe-clean PU for practicality and added protection.£200 / US$295 / AU$310
Drink Tea Ride Bikes T-shirts
If you love bikes then it's common to want other people to know about it, even when you aren't in the saddle. These ethically sourced cotton T-shirts should spread the knowledge of your two wheeled habits out there – without being a crime against fashion. Each is limited to just 51 prints so you're unlikely to ever bump into anyone wearing the same.£25
Fizik R5B Uomo shoes
Road kicks do not come much stealthier or more elegant than these R5Bs from Fizik. Constructed from perforated Microtex material, the R5Bs boast a carbon reinforced outsole and Boa closure system. They really are beautifully made too – so much so that we're kind of afraid of getting them dirty. Manufactured in sizes 40 through to 48, they're also available in white/grey.€149,00
Scope R5C aero wheelset
Scope Cycling is a fresh Dutch brand that are offering three new carbon clincher wheelsets. Each costs £1,199 – the R5C models pictured are Scope's aero specialists and the 55mm rims build into a competitive claimed weight of 1.55kg a pair. The decals are available in white, grey or black. We'll be putting some hours in on these, so stay tuned for further info.£1199 / €1398
New mountain bike gear
Uberbike ceramic jockey wheels
We've killed a few jockey wheels in our time – replacements are pretty easy to come by, and they aren't usually costly either. However, if you've got a drivetrain you're particularly proud of then these upgrade jockey wheels from Uberbike might appeal. CNCed from billet alloy, they not only look pretty but are light at just 22g a pair; they spin on ceramic sealed bearings so should also outlast and spin with much less resistance than an OE part. There are hues galore and each 11t wheel is compatible with nearly all 9/10 speed mountain bike or road derailleurs, plus Campagnolo 11 speed.£24.99
Vee Tire Co Crown F and Crown R
Developed with legend and Downhill World Champion, Mike King, these new models from VEE are available for 650b and 29in hoops and in a single or dual compound option.The Crown R features a fast rolling low profile middle tread but aggressive side knobs, while the more aggressive Crown F variant looks set to be a fine all-rounder. We’ve handed them over to our sister publication What Mountain Bike magazine for testing.From £36-£42
Gamut Podium pedals
These may well look familiar to you and that's because these are continuations of a design that emerged a few years back from Point One Racing. Reborn under the Gamut brand for 2015, these ultra slim big platform flats are set to return at a more affordable price point than the originals, and the use of bearings where the originals had bushings should be a durability improvement also. Production models will look slightly different to the ones above – but nothing drastic – and claimed weight for a pair stands at 295g.£110
Gamut TTr thick thin chainrings
Narrow wide/thick thin, call it what you like, if you want a 1x drivetrain then you'd be foolish to fit anything other than the latest generation of chain retaining rings. With plenty out there to choose from, what is it that sets Gamut's apart? Well, these are hard anodised, meaning they should stand up to wear a lot better than some of the competition, and despite being made in California they retail at a very reasonable £34.99. A range of options – 30t, 32t, 34t and 36t – are available, all with a 104mm bolt circle diameter and a Renthal-like gold finish.£34.99
On-One 45650b
The hardcore hardtail is back in vogue – and freshened up for 2015. On-One's latest 45650b raids the SRAM parts drawer for the company's X01 1X groupset, Guide RSc brakes and Roam 30 wheelset. The super slack steel frameset also boasts a 140mm RockShox Revelation up front. This one looks like big fun straight out of the box. Stay tuned for more.
£1699.99
