Happy Friday! This week started with news of Shimano Essa. The new 1x groupset is said to harmonise Shimano’s 8-speed component groups, similar to how Shimano Cues simplifies the brand’s 9- to 11-speed component lines.
At the other end of the price spectrum, we learned of the Campagnolo HPPM. The HPPM is the brand’s first power meter and it promises an accuracy of ＋/- 1 per cent, thanks in part to its 16 strain gauges.
Sticking with news, Propane launched the new Sresh CF eMTB, which promises full-fat power in a lightweight package, and Hunt redesigned its entry-level carbon wheelset range.
Elsewhere, we outlined the 5 mountain bike accessories you need (and 5 you definitely don't). Kudos to anyone who can guess the fifth thing you don’t need – it’ll likely rattle a few road cyclists, at least.
In the world of health, we covered a new study that identifies the cycling injuries that commonly affect women and how to overcome them, alongside how cycling impacts sexual health.
This week on BikeRadar has also seen two long-term test bike reports. Tom Marvin concluded his Merida One-Forty 6000 testing and Rob Weaver shared the first instalment of his Pivot Firebird review.
Robyn Furtado also delivered her verdict on the Growtac mechanical disc brakes, which cost an impressive £350 / $365.
We also published our pick of the best bike multi-tools and the best cycling trousers, following recent group tests.
Finally, we’ve outlined how to watch the men’s and women’s Paris-Roubaix this weekend, which should be a corker.
Gore Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket
The Gore Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket is a first for the textile powerhouse: the brand’s first PFC-free waterproof jacket for cyclists.
With PFCs (perfluorocarbons) and associated ‘forever chemicals’ understandably seen as undesirable in the natural environment and a forthcoming (albeit not certain) ban set to come into effect in the near future, it’s a bandwagon we’re set to see all brands jumping off.
Gore isn’t the first to the punch by any means – Castelli has the eye-wateringly expensive (£450) Slicker Pro jacket in its line-up, for example, while there are numerous outdoor brands (Patagonia and Fjällräven stand out) that have been going PFC-free for far longer.
The Spinshift jacket design clearly borrows thinking from the excellent Gore Torrent jacket, with a similar cut and visual features. If and when the ban kicks in, the Spinshift could easily be seen as its replacement.
For example, the cuffs have the same elasticated portion at the inside of the wrists, while the dropped tail features a zipped pocket for valuables and a similar-style zip with Gore (Wear) branding laid over the top.
Of course, the fabric is much changed, with a “lower mass” ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane used instead of the typical membrane seen in jackets with Gore-Tex Active fabrics.
It’s notable that the 'Active' portion of the textile name is missing, indicating Gore intends to differentiate this fabric from previous ones, while also potentially recognising that the technology might not be up to the same performance levels as current PFC membranes.
The polyamide outer layer has been treated with a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent) treatment, while this and the also-polyamide inner layer are said to be made from recycled material.
Testing should reveal all, and I’ll be putting it through its paces thoroughly before giving a verdict later in the year.
My initial impression is that the fabric is certainly thinner (it packs down a little easier) and offers a more audible ‘rustle’ than the Gore-Tex Active Torrent garment when moving about in it.
A short, heavy shower didn’t trouble it, while it felt decently breathable in the cool conditions prior to the rain.
The thinner construction of the fabric might be aiding breathability, but, of course, it remains to be seen how the performance balance shakes out with tougher conditions and longer-term testing under my belt.
- £249 / $270 / €249.95
Oakley Sphaera (Prizm Road lens) sunglasses
When the Oakley Sphaera sunglasses broke cover in February, they came with some claims bordering on the spiritual.
Supposedly, the design “reflects the order of the universe” and “stands for both the visible world around us and the invisible, sacred centre within us”.
Irrespective of whether riding a bike amounts to an ethereal experience, though, the Sphaeras are claimed to feel “almost weightless” on the face.
Oakley has past form with lightweight sunglasses – the Oakley Re:SubZero weighed a scant 24g, although the Sphaera is a little heavier at 33g.
That’s perhaps down to the wraparound frame design, reminiscent of the 1990s Oakley M-Frame, as well as the central bar supporting structure originally seen on the Oakley Jawbreaker in 2015.
The lens is said to offer the clearest peripheral vision of any Oakley sunglasses to date, as it sweeps around to the broad temple structure. The glasses also benefit from Oakley’s highly regarded Prizm lens technology.
There are several lens colours available, with tints that are said to be sport-specific. This is unsurprising, given it’s Olympic year, but road cyclists are likely to be best served by the classic Road Prizm lens we have on test, the Mark Cavendish-inspired Road Prizm Jade version, or standard Black Prizm or Prizm Polarized options.
Mountain bikers are catered for with a Prizm Trail lens, while a photochromic lens is also available.
The cross-sport application might hold unintended drawbacks for cyclists, however, so we’re looking forward to trying the Sphaeras… just as soon as the sun makes a lasting reappearance.
- £183 / $221 / €288
Shimano GRX RX880 carbon gravel wheelset
The Shimano GRX WH-RX880-TL (to give it its full code-correct name) wheelset is the brand’s flagship gravel wheelset offering.
Although commonly sold separately, both wheels together are said to weigh 64 grams less than their RX870 predecessors, at 1,394g with a Micro Spline freehub. A HG freehub body is claimed to be only 3g heavier.
We’ll be verifying that shortly as our in-house mechanic Will Poole gets his expert hands on them for a full review.
The rims are 32mm deep, measuring 25mm across internally. The external width measures 30.7mm.
Shimano says the rim has been optimised to provide stability in crosswinds, while the low weight should help the wheels feel fast when heading uphill.
The brand also recommends the wheels are best matched with tyres from 32-50mm in nominal width, although ETRTO recommendations offer even more flexibility than this – you could run as narrow as 700 x 28c tyres (given the rim is hooked, as opposed to hookless), for example.
The freehub uses what Shimano calls a ‘Direct Engagement’ method – essentially, a ratchet system, rather than a pawl-based layout.
In Shimano’s version, a ratchet ring is fitted onto the freehub drive body, with a second ratchet ring positioned inboard of this. This is pushed against the freehub ratchet ring by a spring.
Shimano says this confers a “30%” improvement in rigidity compared to a pawl system.
The sealed bearings employ the brand’s tried-and-tested cup and cone arrangement, while bladed butted J-bend alloy spokes lace the hubs to the rims.
- Front – £579.99
- Rear – £719.99
Van Rysel Unisex Short-Sleeved Summer Road Bike Jersey Racer 2
Another snappily titled product to land on my desk recently is the Van Rysel Unisex Short-Sleeved Summer Road Bike Jersey Racer 2.
Let’s just agree to call it the Unisex Racer 2 jersey, shall we?
The jersey is certainly racy in design, with a mix of lightweight fabrics used across the panels. The flanks and arms see mesh employed for ventilation.
The sleeves are very low-profile (although not quite laser cut), but feature textured silicone grippers on the inside to help them stay in place. The waistline uses a more traditional banded silicone gripper.
Despite being a lightweight design (Van Rysel parent company Decathlon says it weighs 129g in a size medium), the jersey sports six pockets.
Three standard pockets are on the rear, with a central zipped pocket for valuables. Two more elasticated compartments are situated on the sides, which are said to be ideal for ‘trash storage’.
The biggest thing to note is the ‘unisex’ positioning of the jersey, which raises questions about how it might fit for individuals with differing body types.
As a 188cm, 81kg male wearing a size large (my typical jersey size), I can report a visibly snug fit, but with no notably mal-fitting elements. So far, so good.
However, we’ve also asked Alice Thomson – who is far smaller than me – to run the rule over the jersey as part of her upcoming round-up of the latest women’s summer jerseys. She’ll be testing a size small.
In truth, given the general differences between male and female body shapes and proportions, I’m intrigued to see how she gets on.
Stay tuned for a full review of the jersey, which will take into consideration both our experiences.
- £49.99 / €60
WTB NanoAir TPU inner tubes
The WTB NanoAir TPU inner tubes are said to offer lightweight performance in a small package.
TPU, which stands for thermoplastic polyurethane, is also claimed to be more durable than standard butyl inner tubes, while the lower weight (WTB says its tubes are 60 per cent lighter than an equivalent butyl tube) should also improve wheel-system performance overall.
This isn’t the first time we’ve featured alternative inner tubes. I covered Revoloop’s TPU tubes in a previous First Look Friday, Jack Luke has featured Pirelli TPU tubes, while my colleague Simon von Bromley uses latex inner tubes on his own bikes.
Both are generally considered to offer lower rolling resistance and a more supple ride quality than butyl inner tubes and remove the potential for a messy fallout of a failed tubeless setup.
The NanoAir TPU tubes are available in three sizes – 18/32c for road, 32/47c for gravel and 1.9-2.5in for MTB use – and come in an earthy brown colour.
- 700 x 18/32c – £35 / $32.99
- 700 x 32/47c – £35 / $32.99
- 29 x 1.9/2.5in – £38 / $34.99
