It’s Friday again dear readers. We hope you’ve had a good week despite everything and are staying at home, staying fit and, most importantly, staying healthy in these difficult times.
It’s also time for another round-up of all the coolest stuff to grace our desks this week. Luckily for us, as Fifth Harmony so poetically put it, “we can work from home, oh, oh, oh-oh”, so although our office may be closed for the time being we’re still here at the coalface of content.
This week, we’ve got new kit for both indoor and outdoor cycling (which we can fortunately still do here in the UK for the time being), as well as some flashy small parts and a more value-focused stubby saddle.
And in case you missed any of this week's hottest news, articles or videos, here’s a quick recap of some of the highlights: our Bike of the Year reviews have continued to trickle out and content director Rob Spedding sat down with senior tech editor Warren Rossiter to discuss the winning road bike, the Cannondale SuperSix EVO.
We also featured an e-MTB from Specialized in our Bike of the Week, revealed how you can unlock the BikeRadar kit on Zwift and Matthew Loveridge took a close look at an unusual Shimano crankset failure.
Five Ten Trail Cross Mid Pro MTB shoes
Looking a little bit like Marty McFly’s shoes from Back to the Future II, these high-top trail shoes from Five Ten aren’t self-lacing but have a textile and mesh upper, high tops for protection and our favourite Stealth sole that’s featured on previous shoes from the brand.
Our technical editor Alex Evans is hoping the lighter, mesh construction will mean these retain less water on wet rides than some previous models.
That lighter weight might mean they’re more suited to trail riding than enduro or downhill, but if shoe weight isn't an issue then these could potentially still be pressed into service in those more hardcore disciplines thanks to the sole and the D30 ankle protection.
Available in black and grey, or ‘feather grey’ (which looks a lot like green) and black, we weighed our pair at 880g (EU size 43.5).
Endura Pro SL S/S Jersey II
Hot on the heels of the launch of the second generation of its Pro SL bibshorts, Endura has sent us (in biodegradable packaging, which is always good to see) its latest matching short-sleeve jersey, the Pro SL S/S Jersey II, in a very fetching peach colour it calls ‘sunrise’.
If that’s not your cup of tea, it’s also available in black or kingfisher (blue), with the same simple design.
The fit is suitably close considering the ‘Pro’ moniker and Endura also says the Pro SL S/S Jersey II is made from rapid wicking fabrics that have a UPF50 rating for added protection from UV radiation.
The front features subtle branding plus a full length zip, while the rear has three open pockets and a fourth zipped pocket on the right for valuables. There are also silicone grippers in the sleeves and on the rear hem.
I weighed my size small at 138g and, as with all of the kit in its Pro SL range, Endura offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Training jersey and bib shorts
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll almost certainly have noticed that indoor cycling, related indoor cycling apps and kit (like smart trainers) are really having a moment right now.
With that in mind, more and more brands are making indoor cycling specific clothing, and this latest offering is the result of a collaboration between premium kit manufacturer Le Col and Wahoo.
How exactly it differs from ‘outdoor’ cycling kit is a bone of contention of course, but generally indoor cycling kit puts an increased focus on breathability, sweat management and pad comfort.
Le Col and Wahoo’s efforts use lightweight, mesh fabrics on the jersey, and the bib shorts even have perforations along the leg to increase ventilation.
Unlike some competitors, the jersey has three standard rear pockets, which might come in useful for keeping your phone within easy reach or for holding an emergency banana in case you can’t quite reach for the table next to you.
- Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Training jersey: £120 / €140 / $155
- Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Training bib shorts: £150 / €175 / $190
JRC Components Stem out-front mount and Carbon Donut headset
There’s nothing as simple or convenient for spicing up a bike build than some bling small parts and components, and JRC is here to help you do that without having to break the bank.
As a direct to consumer brand, JRC claims it can offer lightweight, high quality components at a much lower price than competitors.
A good out-front mount for your GPS bike computer is an almost essential accessory these days, and if handlebar space is at a premium, or you just like things to be symmetrical, then it could be worth considering a stem mounted version.
Available in nine different colours to match or clash with your bike, JRC’s stem out-front mount is made from CNC-machined aluminium and claimed to weigh just 23g (excluding bolts and washers).
It has adjustable bolt spacing to fit a variety of stems and you can also mount adaptors for lights, GoPros and other accessories to it.
A headset top cap is even more essential on most bikes, and with this snazzy 5.5g (claimed) carbon headset cap you can preload your headset bearings and display your love of donuts at the same time.
- JRC stem out front mount – Wahoo: £22.01 / €24.95 / $27.04
- JRC carbon donut headset cap: £13.19 / €14.95 / $16.20
