As predictable as the turning of the tides, the changing of the seasons or the cycle of the moon, Friday at BikeRadar means it’s time for 11spd — our weekly roundup of the most kickin’ fresh kit to be bestowed upon the collective cupped mitt of our content gremlins by the gods of cycling swag.
If 11 of the hottest products in cycling isn’t quite enough to tickle your cycling pickle, be sure to check out our coverage of Team INEOS’ (formerly Team Sky) new Pinarello Dogma F12 race bike, our roundup of the very best electric bikes on the market and Wahoo’s all-new GPS computer.
BikeRadar has also entered the world of Podcasting this week, with Episode 1 of the BikeRadar Podcast tackling this year's Road Bike of the Year!
Nitto MT-11 1 ⅛in quill stem
Do you have an old bike with a 1 ⅛in threaded steerer and want to upgrade its cockpit with a handsome forged stem? If so, the Nitto MT-11 is your answer.
This is one of very few good-looking 1 ⅛in quill stems still available to buy new — pretty much everything else in this size is either some hideous adjustable contraption or a considerably less lovely two-piece option.
The MT-11 is made to Nitto’s high-quality standards and features a dashing satin finish. This particular stem will be paired with the Japanese brand’s B352 Albatross handlebars on Jack’s tandem, Cecil.
The closest 1in quill equivalent is the MT-10, otherwise known as the dirt drop.
- €46, international pricing TBC
- Buy the Nitto MT-11 stem from Bike-Components.de
Straight Cut Design top-tube bag
Flawlessly handmade in Edinburgh using Cordura 500D fabric, this top-tube bag from Straight Cut Design ticks all the boxes if you're looking for somewhere to stash your on-bike accoutrements.
The closed cell foam padding on each side helps the bag keep its shape without sagging, while also providing added protection.
The quality No.5 YKK Aquaguard zip has a pleasing glow-in-the-dark zipper making it easy to use with one finger and when riding in the dark.
The bag attaches to the top tube with One-Wrap Velcro, which can be cut to fit your frame.
The liner is available in bright colours for added visibility and Straight Cut also provides a complete custom option to complete the perfect bikepacking rig.
- £60, international postage available
- Buy direct from Straight Cut Design
Cane Creek 110 EC44 lower headset
There’s a lot to love about Cane Creek’s headsets — they’re high quality, the cheaper options are great value for money, they’re available in just about every dimension imaginable and spares availability is excellent.
The last point is the key one — if you happen to wear out a cup from your EC44 headset, Cane Creek will almost certainly have an individual replacement cup in stock.
We’ve just taken delivery of this 110 lower cup for this very reason, where it will soon take pride of place on the front of the aforementioned tandem.
- From £37.99, international pricing TBC
- Buy Cane Creek’s 110 EC44 lower from Tredz
Nikwax sandal wash
Are you a proud SPD sandal wearer? Are your beloved open-toed daps beginning to emit a foul whiff? If so, this sandal-specific wash from Nikwax may be just the thing for you.
Formulated to kill guff-creating bacteria and remove accumulated body oils from the beds of your sandals (gross), this sponge-on wash may just be the most specific cleaning product we’ve ever come across.
- £8.99, international pricing TBC
- Buy Nikwax sandal wash from MTW Direct on eBay
Litelok Silver
The Silver from Litelok is claimed to be the world’s lightest Sold Secure Silver-rated lock.
The stainless-steel core is contained within Litelock’s own Boaflexicore (what a mouthful!) strap. As it is flexible, the lock can be worn around your waist and also offers more options for locking to irregular-shaped objects than a typical U-lock.
The lock is available in three different lengths, with the shortest 52cm-long lock weighing a claimed 630g.
- £69.99 / $90 / €89.95 / AU$ N/A
- Buy the Silver direct from Litelok
Genetic Driser
Genetic — ISON Distribution’s in-house component brand — has just released the Driser, a riser drop bar aimed at off-road gravel-adventuring types.
Contorted in every plane, the bars feature ovalised tops, 20mm of rise, 16-degrees of flare at the drops and a dash of backsweep.
Similar bars exist on the market but, at just £45, the Driser is a whole lot cheaper.
- £45, international pricing TBC
- Buy the Genetic Driser direct from Genetic
SwissStop EXOTherm2 disc brake pads
SwissStop’s all-new EXOTherm2 pad compound is said to be its most durable yet. When combined with its redesigned cooling fins, the pads are claimed to provide some of the most consistent and powerful braking on the market.
Available in all common pad types, they are expected to hit the market very soon.
- Pricing and availability TBC
Pearl Izumi PRO bib shorts and Elite Pursuit jersey
Pearl Izumi’s PRO bib shorts have a bang-on-trend longish cut, come in a fetching shade of navy and are made from very premium feeling materials.
Likewise, the natty patterned Elite Pursuit jersey dazzles with delightful well-thought-out details, including laser-cut edges on the pockets, long sleeves and a grippy metallic zipper.
The understated kit is a bit of an aesthetic departure from Pearl Izumi’s typical look, but it's one we welcome readily.
Lizard Skins Charger Evo grips
Lizard Skins’ Charger Evo grip is said to be ‘its most complex grip ever’, with a mix of dual-pattern textures and a funky compound said to reduce hand-fatigue in rough terrain.
The grip is available in five different delightful hues and in lock-on, push-on or flanged versions.
- $8.99 / £12, international pricing TBC
- Buy the Lizard Skins Charger Evo from High on Bikes
Easton EA50 stem
It may have been around for donkey’s years, but Easton’s EA50 finishing kit is always worth highlighting — it’s affordable, high performing, high quality and inoffensively designed.
Take the EA50 stem — the RRP is just £35 (though it can often be found much cheaper), we’ve always found it to be stiff enough and this 120mm length option weighs just 140mm.
If you’re looking to upgrade your cockpit, this is well worth considering.
- £35, international pricing TBC
- Buy Easton’s EA50 stem from Bikester
Backcountry Research Camrat strap
Backcountry Research is the original, and some would argue best, name in on-bike bagless tube storage.
The Camrat is the road tube-sized option in its increasingly large range and, as with all of its straps, is available in a number of jazzy patterns.
- $15.00, international postage available
- Buy the Camrat tube strap directly from Backcountry Research
