Welcome back to First Look Friday and as we’ve now sailed past the mid-point of February, it’s another week closer to warmer weather. Before I reveal this edition’s tech goodies, let’s recap on the week just gone.
We’ll first head back to last weekend, where senior technical editor Ashley Quinlan brought us an insight into his testing regime from a winter of putting the latest waterproof jackets through their paces.
Voicing a spicier opinion was digital writer Jack Evans, who proclaimed the winter bike is dead and Zwift is to blame. Jack thinks winter bikes are slowly disappearing from the roads, with riders preferring the gamification of indoor cycling. Let us know in the comments where you stand.
Much-loved former BikeRadar video manager Joe Norledge made a triumphant return to our YouTube channel and website, showcasing his rim-brake equipped Giant TCR Advanced SL. It’s a striking build, with a tasty Campagnolo Super Record 12 groupset and old-school Bora Ultra 35 carbon wheels.
We also saw some new product launches, with Specialized releasing its new Propero 4 helmet, and Torch 2.0 and 3.0 shoes. The Propero 4 combines the aerodynamic and ventilation properties of the S-Works Evade 3 and Prevail 3 helmets at a more affordable price point and the new Torch cycling shoes are heavily inspired by the S-Works Torch.
The much-teased Factor Ostro VAM also launched this week, the brand’s second-generation all-rounder aero road bike. It’s claimed to be 7 watts more aerodynamic at 48km/h and 267.8g lighter than its predecessor – and supposedly more aerodynamic than the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 and Cervélo S5.
Big Agnes camping gear
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Mat
Although I’ve been a keen bikepacker for many years, last year represented the first time I'd entered into the camping sphere when I rode The Pictish Trail.
I was very impressed with the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat I used on the trip. Since then, a number of people in my local gravel group have sung the praises of Big Agnes sleeping mats and I was keen to see what the fuss was about.
The Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Mat is rated for three-season comfort with an R-value of 4.8 (the Sea to Summit, by comparison, is 3.2). It’s built with what Big Agnes calls an ‘Offset I-Beam construction’, claimed to reduce weight while providing multi-directional support for consistent stability and comfort.
A pump sack is included to inflate the mat, as are some 3M patches in case you happen to come a cropper. There’s a dual-valve system, with the larger valve for inflation and the smaller one to dump all the air out in one go when putting the mat away.
The sleeping mat is available in six sizes – 20x72in, 20x78in, 25x78in, 25x72in, 20x66in and finally a 40x72in two-person option. I’ve gone for the 25x72in mat to suit my 5ft 11in height.
The mat packs down more compactly than the Sea to Summit, but is 184g heavier at 719g.
However, I’m willing to take the hit on weight if it ends up being more comfortable and versatile in a wider range of temperatures. I’m looking forward to seeing how it performs on some trips I have planned for this year.
- From £190 / $149.95 / €220
Big Agnes Pluton UL40 sleeping bag
The Pluton UL40 is a minimalist mummy sleeping bag designed for warmer weather.
It’s filled with a lightweight and luxurious 850-fill DownTek insulation and finished with a PFAS-free water-repellent coating.
There’s a hood with a drawcord to trap the heat in and dual-zips, so you can use the bag as a quilt or open it for ventilation, as well as an ergonomic foot-box.
It’s available in two sizes – Regular or Long, with Big Agnes recommending the Long if you’re over 6ft.
I’ve gone for the Regular, which weighs 570g on my digital scales.
- £310 / $349.95 / €350
Old Man Mountain Axle Pack
Old Man Mountain’s Axle Pack is designed to make any fork cargo-ready. Many of the latest gravel bikes come with triple mounts on the fork, which are incredbly useful for mounting extra bags or bottle cages.
But if you want to go bikepacking and your fork isn’t festooned with eyelets, the Axle Pack could be a game-changer.
The Axle Pack sees two 6061 aluminium arms mounted on the axles and secured on the outside of the fork blades. The brand claims the arms weigh 73g per side.
Old Man Mountain says the system can carry more than a conventional triple-mount fork, which it says are typically rated to 1.5kg. The Axle Pack can take up to 10kg per pair and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Because we live in a world with myriad axle standards, you’ll need a separate thru-axle Fit Kit to mount the arms onto the axle – Old Man Mountain has a handy Fit Finder on its website. The Axle Pack isn’t compatible with quick-release skewers.
My gravel bikes already have cargo mounts, so I’ve mounted the Axle Pack onto my Norco Optic, which has a RockShox Pike Select Plus suspension fork.
- $60 (Fit Kit sold separately)
Velocio winter clothing
Velocio Alpha Merino Air jacket
Velocio boldly claims the Alpha Merino Air is the one jacket to conquer ‘fall, winter and spring’ riding. The brand says the jacket combines the warmth of a heavy-winter softshell with the weight of a long-sleeve jersey.
The secret ingredient the jacket has going for it is its Alpha Merino wool insulation, which Velocio claims provides thermoregulation for a broad range of temperatures without the bulk.
Recycled Italian-milled, fleece-backed polyester is used for the back panel to improve mobility and breathability.
There’s a dual YKK Vislon zipper and an extended rear hem for added protection.
You get three spacious pockets at the rear and there’s a silicone waist gripper that extends around the back of the garment.
I’ve used the jacket for a mixture of gravel rides and club runs recently and it’s quickly become a favourite for higher single-digit temperatures. The Alpha Merino Wool insulation feels luxurious next to the skin and the fit is spot-on.
- Velocio Men’s Alpha Merino Air Jacket – £191 / $249 / €224.95 / AU$306
Velocio Luxe bib tights
You may remember I featured the Luxe bib shorts in a previous First Look Friday. My previously dubbed “discerning bottom” agrees they are deserving of the praise and they’ve quickly risen straight to the top of my bib shorts pile for warmer rides. As a result, I was eager to test their winter equivalent.
Like the bib shorts, these tights use a supple and compressive high-gauge Luxe fabric with minimal seams for a second-skin fit. Velocio has placed an emphasis on using as few panels as possible to decrease weight and improve comfort.
The Luxe bib tights use an identical Cytech EIT Proprietary Signature Chamois – a dual-density pad, which incorporates an anti-vibration, super-high density layer with a supportive high-density layer to create all-day comfort and support.
There’s some subtle reflective detailing for low-light visibility and Velocio rates the tights for use in temperatures ranging from 7 to 16°C.
The shorts are available in eight sizes, from XS to 4XL, and in three colours – Coffee, Navy or Black. I’ve opted for a size large in Black.
My first impressions of the tights are also positive, but I’d say they are definitely more of a focused piece because they aren’t particularly well insulated. As such, they’re best suited for milder winter temperatures or on a day when you’d typically reach for knee or leg warmers.
- Velocio Men’s Luxe bib tights – £230 / $299 / €269.95 / AU$367
Q36.5 Anfibio Winter Rain gloves and overshoes
The weather has been rather turgid over the last couple of weeks and Q36.5’s Anfibio Winter Rain cycling gloves and overshoes are designed specifically for these conditions.
The gloves and overshoes are the only products in the brand’s catalogue that aren’t made in Italy – Q36.5 has partnered with an unnamed Taiwanese manufacturer for the proprietary fabric. Although the brand says it would prefer if everything was locally sourced, it states “we won’t compromise on using inferior products to achieve that”.
Both the gloves and overshoes use a three-layer fabric that includes a waterproof membrane between two polyamide layers to keep you warm and dry on wet rides. Compared to neoprene, Q36.5 says this construction is more breathable because it prevents condensation next to the skin – particularly useful in the case of the gloves.
Both products are said to fit like a second skin and I like that the cuffs of the overshoes come up very high. There’s nothing more annoying than water entering from the top of an overshoe with a low cuff.
Q36.5 has paid a lot of attention to the outer sole area of the overshoes, which uses a different yarn and a PU print to increase durability. There’s also a substantial felt-like toe cap for when you inevitably put your foot on the ground.
Q36.5 claims a wide temperature range for both products, with the gloves rated from 0 to 18°C and the overshoes from 2 to 18°C.
- Q36.5 Anfibio Winter Rain Gloves – £57 / $79 / €90
- Q36.5 Anfibio Winter Rain Overshoes – £48 / $66 / €60
BBB DoubleShot mini-pump
BBB’s new DoubleShot is an innovative take on the mini-pump as we know it, with its ability to be split into two.
Mini-pumps are a necessary evil to carry on a ride and I’m always thankful when I have a quality option to hand whenever I experience a puncture (I’ve no doubt jinxed myself now).
That said, there’s always a part of me that’s wary of the pump protruding out of my jersey pocket in the event of a crash. That’s why I always wrap it inside something soft, such as a gilet.
The shorter 120mm length of the DoubleShot means the pump is as small as possible until you need it, perfect for stowing in a jersey pocket or saddlebag.
BBB claims the DoubleShot offers an impressive 35cc pump volume and can achieve a maximum pressure of 116psi / 8 BAR. The pump weighs 83g, just as BBB claims.
The pump’s head is compatible with Presta and Dunlop valves but not Schrader. BBB says it opted for a push-on design to avoid the valve core unscrewing, which can be an annoying downside of many pumps. There are handles at either end for improved stability.
- €59.95 (UK and Australian availability expected later this year, USA TBC)
