It’s the end of another week and that means it’s time again for another edition of our First Look Friday feature, where we take a look at the highlights of the latest cycling tech to grace our desks this week.
Of course, those desks are still located at home rather than at BikeRadar HQ, due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.
Last week, my colleague Jack had touring on the brain. With the recent announcement of the revised 2020 UCI WorldTour calendar though, my mind has started to drift back to racing, and how we might get to use that growing mound of base fitness many of us have been building recently.
This week, we shared the huge news that Strava’s leaderboards and routes would be going subscription only and pondered whether e-road bikes are cheating in our latest podcast.
Our reader’s favourite columnist, Matthew Loveridge, also made a compelling argument for why we should all try outdoor cycling. Apparently it’s a very immersive experience, so even though there aren’t any power ups, don’t knock until you’ve tried it.
Plus, we took a look at TRP’s new TR12 12-speed drivetrain and some very fancy socks that are said to decrease your aerodynamic drag.
Last but by no means least, we launched our Power of 8 campaign in association with the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). It’s a fantastic initiative and charity to be involved with and we would love your support.
Nimbl Air cycling shoes
Nimbl is a relatively new brand on the road cycling shoe scene. It makes high-end, performance-oriented road shoes by hand in Italy (with price tags to match), and the Air is its climbers shoe.
Nimbl says that its design priorities were to create a well ventilated, lightweight shoe that doesn’t compromise power transfer and pedalling efficiency. Weighing 465g for a pair of EU size 44.5s, they are pretty lightweight, but they’re by no means the lightest shoes on the market (a title currently held by the Specialized EXOS 99).
Personally, though, having the absolute lightest shoe possible doesn't actually interest me in the slightest. What I care about is the classic styling, heat-mouldable 3k carbon outsole, roomy toe box and good aerodynamics.
There’s a replaceable heel bumper, but none on the toe end so I’ll likely have to be careful walking in them. To be fair to Nimbl, though, these are shoes made with road racing in mind, not walking on gravel tracks or plodding to the cafe.
I’ve long been a staunch devotee of Bont cycling shoes, and these happily appear to share many similarities. If the Airs can prise my feet away from my two pairs of Bonts on a long-term basis I’ll be very impressed.
Nimbl’s shoes are currently only available online, but it has detailed sizing instructions (which essentially involve tracing the outline of your feet on paper and measuring the length and width) to ensure you get the right size.
- €399, international pricing TBC
- Nimbl.cc
Kask Bambino Pro Evo helmet
Based around a design Great Britain’s track sprinters were using at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the original Bambino truly rose to prominence after Bradley Wiggins’ incredible 2012 season (in which he won the Tour de France, as well as every time trial he rode that year).
Previously, TT helmets were getting longer and longer, presumably because they tested super-fast in the wind tunnel with your head in a static position. Kask had the idea that riders actually move their head around a lot during races, though. Every time a rider dropped their head, a long tail would cause an increase in drag.
While a short-tailed TT helmet wouldn’t be fastest in the wind tunnel (although our test showed it actually performed excellently there too), maybe it would be in the infamously imperfect real world. Wiggins’/Team Sky’s dominance appeared to confirm this theory, and practically every TT helmet manufacturer in the world started making short tailed time-trial helmets.
So how have we ended up with a Bambino with a slightly longer tail? The fundamentals of aerodynamics haven’t changed after all. It appears Kask’s engineers have tried to find a compromise between the short and long tailed designs, hoping riders try a bit harder to keep their head in the right position.
At a glance, the difference is subtle but it certainly looks a more aerodynamic shape (i.e. a longer teardrop) than the previous version. Proper aero testing, whether in a wind tunnel, on the track or on the road would be required to definitively find out, though.
Internal padding is generous and the soft eco-leather chin strap is the same as that found on Kask’s road helmets, so hopefully this latest version retains the original Bambino’s excellent comfort levels.
And though it still only has six small ventilation holes, sacrificing ventilation for speed isn’t much of a concern when you live in the UK.
- £320, international pricing TBC
Shimano GR7 shoes
Shimano says the GR7 shoe is a versatile downhill/enduro shoe that combines good grip, durability and protection in a sensible, good value package.
The sole is by Michelin, and should hopefully have similar traction levels to Shimano’s GR9 shoes, which we gave 4 stars to in 2018.
Unlike the GR9s, the laces are exposed on the GR7s for a more traditional look, but there’s still a rubber toe cap and neoprene ankle cuff for protection for bumps and grime. The mesh and TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) upper is also said to help the shoe absorb less water and dry out quickly.
We weighed one shoe at 376g (size EU 42), which is actually a little less than the 382g claimed by Shimano.
- £109.99, international pricing TBC
Lazer Impala MIPS helmet
The Impala MIPS is Lazer’s newest top-end MTB helmet. Naturally, it aims to combine low weight, safety, adjustability and, of course, good looks. Our sample weighs 397g in a size large.
BikeRadar’s editor, George Scott, will be trying out this bit of kit while using his Canyon Spectral AL long-term test bike. The generous venting should help him keep a cool head while shredding trails and dropping hot content all over the South West of England.
Beyond that, it uses Lazer’s Advanced Turnfit System for fit adjustments, which is said to distribute the pressure evenly across the riders head, and this version also comes with a MIPS rotational liner.
It also comes with a neat action camera mounting system. This optional accessory attaches to the top of the helmet using Velcro, and (according to Lazer) doesn’t compromise on the safety of the helmet.
Lazer says the Impala is compatible with both traditional cycling sunglasses and goggles, and that the visor is adjustable to allow goggle storage when not riding.
- £119.99, international pricing TBC
Chrome Citizen Medal Messenger bag
To celebrate its 25th year of existence, Chrome has taken its classic Citizen over-the-shoulder messenger bag and given it a bit of an aesthetic makeover. Well, actually, there are four new makeover styles, and this glittery number is the Medal version giving a bit of a throwback to nineties ska culture – apparently!
The Citizen is a real classic, though, with a bucket load of features designed for the cycle couriers among us – or at least those who want to carry stuff in relative comfort and less sweatiness than afforded by a regular backpack.
A quick-release buckle helps remove the pack quickly, while there’s a stabilising strap and organising pockets galore. The waterproof tarp-like liner should keep contents dry, while the nylon outer resists all the knocks and scrapes you’re likely to get yourself in to on the mean city streets.
- £140 / $140 / €180
