Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

TECH NEWS

Tech Roundup: Muc-Off, Garmin, Zipp, SRAM, Sidi, Rapha and more

Faster Zipp bearings, new SRAM cassettes, Giro d'Italia Santini jersey, Sidi trainers and Raleigh heritage gift merchandise and Rapha water bottles and caps + more

Tech Roundup was on holiday last week, but it's back with another batch of the newest and most interesting products from the world of cycling. 

Sidi Insider Shoe

If you’ve been waiting for Sidi to produce a trainer, well the wait is over, they’ve released the Insider. It’s a high top trainer available in grey or black and costs $149 - we don’t actually know if they’ll be available in the UK at the moment, we’re still waiting for the distributor to get back to us. We do hope so though.

www.sidisport.com

Raleigh launch heritage gift merchandise

Raleigh have dug deep into archives to launch this range of merchandise, which includes mugs, flasks, notepads and bells. They're all inspired by some iconic periods in the company’s 127 years of existence.

Such as the Raleigh Notebook and Drinks Flask which use a classic image from the 1890s of the first world cycling champion, AA Zimmerman, who took the Raleigh name to glory in exhibitions and sprint competitions in North America and Europe. The enamel mug, two ceramic mugs and tin lunch box meanwhile take their cue from the 1950s with the "all-steel bicycles" imagery. And lastly, Chopper and Burner mugs that look cool.

www.raleigh.co.uk

Santini Maglia Azzurra Giro d’Italia 2014 jersey

The Giro d’Italia is just around the corner and here is the official mountain classifications jersey. It's produced by Santani and is constructed in the same way and with the same lightweight polyester fabric as the actual race jersey, so they claim.  

It’s described as being ‘highly aerodynamic’ with elasticated and breathable Cyber Rider fabric inserts on the back panels and pockets, with a hidden three-quarter length main zipper. The cuffs are elasticated and the waist band is lined with silicone gripper tape. It costs £74.99.

www.santinisms.it

Muc-Off developing new products with Team Sky

Muc-Off have partnered with Team Sky and IAM this season and they have been busy developing new lubes and chain cleaners for the teams.

They’ve particularly been focusing on the high demands of the spring classics, races like Tour of Flanders where the bikes really get abused in sometimes horrible conditions. Team Sky have been testing a prototype Endurance chain lube, Bio Grease and Carbon Gripper, all products which Muc-Off say will be available to the public later this year. 

http://muc-off.com/content/blog/595-future-technology-

Walleva Garmin silicone cases

 

Garmin already produce a range of coloured silicone protective cases for their Edge 800 computers, but what if you have the smaller Edge 500 or 200? We found this company, Walleva, who produce a large range of colourful silicone cases that will fit. They cost $9.99 each. Here’s a Giro d’Italia pink case to show your love for the Grand Tour.

www.walleva.com

SRAM release Red 22 WiFLi cassettes in 11-32 and 11-30 ratios

Need lower gears for the hills and mountains? SRAM to the rescue with a 11-32 and 11-30 ratio cassette for their RED groupset. They’re CNC-machined from a single billet of aluminium, they call it PowerDome X. This ensures they’re exceedingly light; the 11-32 is a claimed 196g, the 11-30 just 185g. Of course, such lightness comes at a cost, you’re looking at £284. Yikes! They’re available in June and July.

www.sram.com

Faster Zipp wheels with ceramic bearing upgrade kits

 

Want faster wheels? Zipp have released new CeramicSpeed bearing kits for their wheels, which they claim offer a measurable saving of between 1.5 and 9 watts per bearing set. Unless you have the means of testing those claims, it’s hard to verify, you just have to take it at face value. However, if you’re a believer in marginal gains and have exhausted every other avenue of going faster, this could be for you.

The bearing kits are compatible with Zipp 88, 30 and 60 front and rear hubs, 188v8, Super-9 and Sub9-Disc rear hubs and all freehub driver bodies. Note, 88 front and 188v9 rear hubs are used on all 2014 and newer Zipp 101, 202, 303, 404, 808 wheelsets. They’re quite an investment at £194. They’re available now.

www.zipp.com

The Race iPad cases on Kickstarter

Always some interesting projects on Kickstarter.. The Race is a bit of a collaboration, Manchester made Bukcase iPad cases using traditional bookbinding techniques, and decorated with cycling artwork by York-based artist Giuliana Lazzerini.

The iPad case is made from black leather with a birch-ply frame, with a magnetic sleep wake function and the case also doubles as a stand. They’re hoping to launch the cases at the  L'Eroica Britannia Festival in June where they will be exhibiting. They’re seeking £3,300 of funding to acquire the embossing tool to get the rider designed added to the cases, screen print the ‘end-papers’ and do an initial run of 100 cases. The cases will fit the iPad 2/3/4 generation or iPad air.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/893092543/the-race-uk-ipad-cases-and-art-ce...

Secret Training Strip System care range soon to launch

Secret Training is a range of race day and training personal care products from SIS founder Tim Lawson. The products include sunscreen, chamois cream, hand cleaners, lip balm, post-race wash and much more, and even towels and bags. Think of it as everything you need to “invigorate, protect, sanitise, calm, cool, moisturise and nourish," says the company.

Tim says, “Coming from the North West of England where there’s more rainfall than anywhere else in the UK, training in the most extreme of conditions, whether it’s the cross winds of Winter Hill or further afield in the blistering heat of Mount Teide, I needed a range of quality, trustworthy and dependable products, that worked wherever and whenever. Having read the lengthy and often scary ingredients list on a variety of oil and rub product labels, it was clear there was scope to create better formulas and work towards a fully, ‘informed sport’ brand. Made for athletes, by athletes.”

Sounds interesting. The range will be launching in a couple of weeks, we’ll bring you more details soon. www.secret-training.cc

New colours for Rapha's water bottle and cycling cap range

Water bottles looking a bit tatty? Treat yourself to some new Rapha water bottles, now available in yellow and pink. They’re made by Camelbak, but not strangely the new-and-improved bottle we tested recently, and feature the Rapha logo on the sides. Choose from two sizes, 610 and 710ml. They cost £12 each. And, like they jerseys, each bottle has a short story printed on the side. 

The Rapha Cap has been update with a new panel construction, and there are new colours as well. A one size fits all design made from Schoeller cotton, which is windproof and water-resistant. They cost £30.

www.rapha.cc

Kinoko Cycles launch X D​aily Goods cycling cap

More cycling cap news. London-based cycling shop Kinoko have launched a limited edition cap to celebrate their Daily Goods instore coffee shop. It looks very cool, and costs £10. We want one. Get one at www.kinokocycles.com

That's all from Tech Roundup for another week, tune in next week for another batch of the latest product news from the world of cycling.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

45 comments

Avatar
antigee | 9 years ago
0 likes

run an 11-32 mtb cassette but then again I'm not a roadie - have never trained power or in group rides or race - but can knock off couple of thousand metres of ascent without a café stop

appreciate many on this forum are riders that will pass me at twice the speed I ride at but if you've ever ridden further towards the back of a challenge type event you'll see plenty of people struggling to push a standard double and 11-28 cassette on reasonably moderate hills (10% or so) and plenty giving up and walking - I think its great that there is much more choice available now and that compacts now have the range of the relegated to entry level triple - hopefully some people will get sold the gearing that will suit the type of riding and training they intend to do rather than being forced towards what club cyclists have always ridden rather than the Audax / touring style that would actually suit them

Avatar
offshore_dave | 9 years ago
0 likes

Are the Sidi shoes second hand?

Avatar
ronin | 9 years ago
0 likes

I tried Muc-Off C3 ceramic dry lube. It was awful. I said I wouldn't put it anywhere near my bike again. Well I did (I didn't know what I would do with the rest of the bottle), applied, went for a short ride and applied it again. Went for a ride the next day, chain was quiet for about 3.5 miles and remained noisy for rest of the 45 miles.

If Team Sky suddenly have a turn of fortune, you'll know why.

Cassettes are a non-issue. Y'all need to move on  3

Avatar
Claud And I | 9 years ago
0 likes

OOH, I could wade in to an argument about gear ratios but instead I'm just going to say:

THOSE SIDI TRAINERS ARE PURE SEX

I'll leave you all to your comment wars now.

Avatar
tomturcan | 9 years ago
0 likes

Strange thread!

It's power that counts, not gear ratios, and on hills it's power-to-weight that trumps aerodynamics or rolling resistance. If you can sustain power better at a higher cadence (like most people) then on steep gradients you need a small ratio. Which actual ratio will also depend on your aerobic profile, your muscle type and the state of your knees.

End of.

Avatar
Metjas | 9 years ago
0 likes

where's the dislike button when you need it!

Avatar
peajaybee | 9 years ago
0 likes

Contador Wins 2012 Vuelta on sram WiFLi setup.
It was the dramatic stage into Fuente Dé where Contador finally outgunned everyone, resulting in a spectacular win that vaulted him into the red leader’s jersey aboard his SRAM RED-2012 WiFLi equipped Specialized SL4.

Avatar
peajaybee | 9 years ago
0 likes

Contador Wins Vuelta on WiFLi

Avatar
peajaybee | 9 years ago
0 likes

Contador Wins Vuelta on WiFLi

Avatar
MrBAW | 9 years ago
0 likes

Some snobs in here...

I run a compact and a 11-28 and find it very good. But for future upgrade I am looking at an 11-32, mixed with a 52-36 front!

I like to have to options, not make judgment on others gearing.

/A

Avatar
ajmarshal1 | 9 years ago
0 likes

Wow.

There are some very, very sensitive people on here. I'll admit to taking the piss with the basket comment, perhaps my 'banter' was misplaced. Bloody cyclists, so sensitive and serious.

Still, if you live at the top of the Zoncolan, tackle 25% climbs every day or are racing in some monumentally skyward Grand Tour stages, I can see why you might want a big arse cassette. Otherwise, nope. Still don't get it, especially at £284.

J90 wrote:

.....says the man who's never ridden up a decent climb.

Wiggins used an MTB setup on the Vuelta, so did Cadel Evans IIRC.

Some people are completely clueless.

Yawn. Seriously, what did you do before SRAM started selling WiFli? Get off and walk?

Edited to add: I tell you what, I'll nut up or shut up. I'm off to Italy again this summer so as it's only £15 I'll buy a cheapo 12-32 and give it a try. Who knows, perhaps I'm missing out on something after all.

Avatar
dave atkinson replied to ajmarshal1 | 9 years ago
0 likes
ajmarshal1 wrote:

I tell you what, I'll nut up or shut up. I'm off to Italy again this summer so as it's only £15 I'll buy a cheapo 12-32 and give it a try. Who knows, perhaps I'm missing out on something after all.

let us know how you get on, especially if you've previously done the same climbs on a narrower cassette

Avatar
ajmarshal1 replied to dave atkinson | 9 years ago
0 likes
Dave Atkinson wrote:
ajmarshal1 wrote:

I tell you what, I'll nut up or shut up. I'm off to Italy again this summer so as it's only £15 I'll buy a cheapo 12-32 and give it a try. Who knows, perhaps I'm missing out on something after all.

let us know how you get on, especially if you've previously done the same climbs on a narrower cassette

I doubt anyone really cares how I get on when I ride, especially as I've been solidly rounded on for daring to deride fat cassettes, however I will attempt to revisit this thread when I get back. I did the Stelvio and others on a 28, this summer like I said I'll put a 32 on for some of the big ones and see what happens.
I expect to be quicker this summer anyway as I'm in better nick than last time but we'll see.
I'm more than happy to chow down on some humble pie when necessary. Then you can all go "Haaaaa! Told you so, nyah, nyah!" Or I can say "Didn't use it, I'm mega."* Even if it's a revelation, I'm still not paying nearly £300 for a casette!  1
Well, not unless it's made by Campag and on a C60.
*Note - this again is a joke people.

Avatar
J90 replied to ajmarshal1 | 9 years ago
0 likes
ajmarshal1 wrote:

Wow.

There are some very, very sensitive people on here. I'll admit to taking the piss with the basket comment, perhaps my 'banter' was misplaced. Bloody cyclists, so sensitive and serious.

Still, if you live at the top of the Zoncolan, tackle 25% climbs every day or are racing in some monumentally skyward Grand Tour stages, I can see why you might want a big arse cassette. Otherwise, nope. Still don't get it, especially at £284.

J90 wrote:

.....says the man who's never ridden up a decent climb.

Wiggins used an MTB setup on the Vuelta, so did Cadel Evans IIRC.

Some people are completely clueless.

Yawn. Seriously, what did you do before SRAM started selling WiFli? Get off and walk?

Edited to add: I tell you what, I'll nut up or shut up. I'm off to Italy again this summer so as it's only £15 I'll buy a cheapo 12-32 and give it a try. Who knows, perhaps I'm missing out on something after all.

Well, your first comment came across as quite ignorant, I thought I'd remind you that even the professionals can use that type of cassette, but I suppose nobody wants to hear/believe it because of macho BS.

What did they do before WiFli? I believe MTB parts were utilised for riders who preferred it.

Kudos for you if you do try that setup, who knows you might find it works well in places.

12-32 though? Don't take the piss  10

Avatar
Nick T | 9 years ago
0 likes

Looks like he's saved weight with that short bit of cable housing too, small margins I guess.

Avatar
Ham-planet replied to Nick T | 9 years ago
0 likes

Cable entry point is different on MTB mechs. The fact that they haven't gotten rid of that big nasty loop of cable necessary for mechanical road deraillers is perplexing to me.

Avatar
levermonkey replied to Ham-planet | 9 years ago
0 likes
Ham-planet wrote:

Cable entry point is different on MTB mechs. The fact that they haven't gotten rid of that big nasty loop of cable necessary for mechanical road deraillers is perplexing to me.

An awful lot of road derailleurs have that "nasty loop" as well! Don't see your point, please expand.  4

Please tell me it was not a just a dig at MTB's brought on by road biker's envy that nearly all the major innovations in cycle tech over the last twenty years or so have come from the MTB camp.  4  19

Avatar
dave atkinson replied to levermonkey | 9 years ago
0 likes
levermonkey wrote:
Ham-planet wrote:

Cable entry point is different on MTB mechs. The fact that they haven't gotten rid of that big nasty loop of cable necessary for mechanical road deraillers is perplexing to me.

An awful lot of road derailleurs have that "nasty loop" as well! Don't see your point, please expand.  4

Please tell me it was not a just a dig at MTB's brought on by road biker's envy that nearly all the major innovations in cycle tech over the last twenty years or so have come from the MTB camp.  4  19

I think ham-planet's point is that the MTB cable routing through the mech would appear to be so self-evidently more efficient that it's odd road mechs haven't followed suit - they still use a big loop of cable outer, introducing more friction, when there's no real need to.

Avatar
dave atkinson | 9 years ago
0 likes

Here's a pic of David Millar's bike from the Giro 2011:

//road.cc/sites/default/files/imagecache/preview_500/images/Millar%27s%20XX%20setup/Millar%20cassette%20mech.jpg)

each to their own though, i'm sure you'd give him a kicking  3

Avatar
Hoester | 9 years ago
0 likes

I can see both sides.

I'm a non-racer flatlander who rides a close ratio block and compact. On the infrequent occaisions when i get to ride serious (continental) mountains, my lack of big hill experience and altitude exposure means I pack an 11-32. I make do with my mtb cassette, i wouldn't buy top spec for my application. I'd love to be stronger, but I'm not, for many reasons. Congratulations, the basket comment made me feel like sh*t. I trust that was the intention.

Sure there will be a small amount of rich folk who will buy this, along with the rest of a bike they can't really justify - but then who sets the rules on hobbies? Maybe one day i'll get to own some exotica - it'll look awesome on my 12yr old astra.

Conversely its not difficult to imagine some people in some terrains more legitimately needing top spec low ratios.

There's loads worse people in this world than folks who run low ratio gears. Cheap or expensive. S'all I'm sayin. Enjoy your rides one and all.

Avatar
funkdubious | 9 years ago
0 likes

Who needs a gear set? Bunch of softies! I run single speed everywhere you lycra boys go  3

Avatar
ady | 9 years ago
0 likes

I believe Wiggo had an mtb cassette when he won the TDF as he likes a high cadence and to set a high pace up the climbs, so he had a mtb cassette adapted. Nothing wrong in having a big cassette if your increasing your effort like Contador is and this seasons results show it's a winning formula.

Avatar
joemmo | 9 years ago
0 likes

Gearing snobbery has always seemed one of the most perverse among the many affectations of road cycling but I decided to try it out for myself this afternoon by riding up some hills in inappropriately big gears until my knees bled. I can't say it was more enjoyable but I certainly feel more 'serious'.

Avatar
pauldmorgan | 9 years ago
0 likes

I also believe that some pro riders would use a 30 or 32 and a WiFli or MTB mech on the back rather than a compact because their power measuring cranks are 130 BCD. This option is cheaper than a new SRM or Quarq even for this Red version.

Avatar
sodit | 9 years ago
0 likes

I run a triple (50/39/30) with an 11-34 cassette, mid 50s, fat and knackered knees!! So yaa boo sucks to all you super fit types  11
I bet I enjoy my cycling just as much as you do.  36
Mind you I think that cassette costs more than my complete 9 speed Tiagra set up (Deore LX rear derailleur in case your wondering)  21
It isn't the fitness or the gear its the fact that your on your bike that counts.  16

Avatar
Metjas | 9 years ago
0 likes

enjoy Hardknott on your 25 - lucky you!

As for us lesser souls, we'll make sure to stick to the entry level groupset.

Avatar
joopi | 9 years ago
0 likes

Good luck on the Mortirolo on a 25 or even a 28....

Avatar
joopi | 9 years ago
0 likes

Good luck on the Mortirolo on a 25 or even a 28....

Avatar
ajmarshal1 replied to joopi | 9 years ago
0 likes
joopi wrote:

Good luck on the Mortirolo on a 25 or even a 28....

That's what compacts are for. A 32? Might as well admit defeat, fit a triple and stick a basket on the front too.

Edited to add: As an aside, those Sidis are soooooo Euro.

Avatar
pwake replied to ajmarshal1 | 9 years ago
0 likes
ajmarshal1 wrote:
joopi wrote:

Good luck on the Mortirolo on a 25 or even a 28....

That's what compacts are for. A 32? Might as well admit defeat, fit a triple and stick a basket on the front too.

Edited to add: As an aside, those Sidis are soooooo Euro.

You might want to send a strongly worded email to Alberto Contador then? He runs an 11-32 wi-fli setup; obviously, he has no idea!

Pages

Latest Comments