Welcome to another edition of First Look Friday, where we share details of some of the shiny products that have passed over our desks in the past seven days.
This week has been Gravel Racing Week on BikeRadar, and like a long multi-stage race, we're powering towards the finish line having delivered a wealth of reviews, riding advice and commentary on the evolution of gravel racing.
Among the highlights were Oscar Huckle sharing his experience of the sadistically tough 850km Seven Serpents ultra-endurance race and our essential training plan for gravel riding and racing.
We also investigated gravel racing tyre trends at this year's Traka and brought you our gravel bike setup tips, while Simon von Bromley explained why he built his gravel bike like a road race bike.
While you're in the gravel mood, don't forget to check out our lists of the best gravel bikes and gravel race bikes.
It's not all been gravel-themed, as Bike of the Year reviews continue to land on site, with Tom Marvin giving his two cents on GT's Sensor Carbon Pro and Ashley Quinlan sharing his feedback on the Pinnacle Laterite 2.
Without further ado, here's our pick of the latest shiny products to arrive this week.
Fizik Vento Proxy
Fizik’s Vento Proxy is an off-road-focused racing shoe that can be used on your XC bike and gravel bike.
A translucent PU laminated mesh is used on the shoe upper, which is said to make the Vento Proxy lightweight while increasing comfort and breathability.
The material is said to be tear-proof.
The brand says the Vento Proxy has a “fine-tuned fit”, with the upper closing with a single Li2 Boa dial on the outside of the shoe.
Fizik has given the shoes its recently redesigned X3 fibre composite outsole, which is said to offer increased stiffness for more efficient power transfer.
Catering to gravel riding and XC mountain biking, the shoes feature an aggressive tread pattern as well as mounting points for studs, should you be racing in wet, sloppy conditions.
The shoes are available in Coral, Sky Blue or Black as seen here, with the other colourways giving fellow gravel riders a good excuse to stare at your shoes.
- £229.99 / $249.99 / €229.99
Skratch Labs Super High-Carb Sport Drink Mix
Skratch’s latest Super High-Carb Sport Drink Mix builds on its Superfuel mix.
The brand says it has incorporated cluster dextrin into the mix, a carbohydrate that's said to be digested steadily and in a similar manner to regular food.
Each portion delivers 400 calories of cluster dextrin, alongside electrolytes to keep your hydration levels up on long rides.
Skratch says the drink mix is non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher and vegan, which should make it an option for a large variety of people.
Due to the high solubility of cluster dextrin, Skratch claims the mix dilutes easily in water, meaning you can sip rather than nip the calories into your body.
The mix is available in a 3,200-calorie bag, which if our maths checks out, should mean there are eight servings in a bag.
- $41.95
Fox Flexair Aviation Race Jersey
The Flexair Aviation Race Jersey from Fox is designed for the summer months, with Fox touting its sweat-wicking capabilities and cooling properties.
Fox has used a TruDri fabric that is said to move sweat away from the body to keep you dry and comfortable on hot days.
The cut of the jersey also looks flowy, enabling air to cool you down when riding at speed.
Fox says the jersey is made from 100 per cent recycled materials, with the Flexair Aviation Race made up of 94 per cent polyester and 6 per cent elastane.
The jersey is available in three colour options: Gunmetal Grey, Grey Vintage and White as seen here.
- £59.99 / $69.95
Abus HiDrop helmet
The Abus HiDrop is a full-face mountain bike helmet aimed at downhill riding, that complies with EN1078, ASTM F1952, ASTM F2032, CPSC and AS/NZ standards.
The brand, better known for its bike locks, says the helmet is made with an ABS outer shell that makes the HiDrop particularly impact-resistant.
On the inside, an EPS and EPP core is used for shock resistance, lowering the amount of force transferred in an impact.
Large vents feature on the front of the helmet, with two long ports on the forehead, which should allow for good airflow through the helmet to the large exhaust vents at the rear.
The peak is unadjustable, but there appears to be enough space to store MTB goggles when waiting in the lift line.
Abus says it has opted for this design because the peak can break away in a crash to prevent your head from being thrown around when impacting the floor.
The helmet fastens with a simple D-ring buckle and Abus says it's compatible with MTB sunglasses.
- £180 / €199.95
