Another week, another hardcore week of tinkering and testing to the max from road.cc's review team. Here are some of the highlights of the gear we've seen pass through recently...
Barbour X Brompton Bromley wax jacket
£299
Yes it's nearly 300 quid, and yes it looks more at home on the shooting range than on a bike, but this collab between Barbour and Brompton is specifically made for the needs of urban cycling with easy-access pockets and a dropped back tail to keep the grime off your backside. A 100% cotton lining, reflective tape and zipped vents on the rear and sleeves make this a very classy Christmas present in theory (plus it's reduced to a bargain £210 on Barbour's website currently) but what will our tester Caroline Dodgson make of it? Her review is due soon.
barbour.com/uk
Light and Motion Urban 1000 FC
£139.99
The Urban 1000 FC packs, you guessed it, 1000 lumens into an impressively light 122g package - in fact Light and Motion say it's the most compact light you can buy that delivers an output this strong. A simple rubber mount, additional side lighting for extra safety and a one-touch toggle for ease of use make for an impressive sounding beam, but does it trounce the competition in the £100-£150 price bracket? I'll be giving you my tuppence worth later this week.
madison.co.uk
Sportful Luna Softshell jacket
£100
This women's jacket is a 'simple yet elegant' number according to Sportful themselves, with a fleece-lined softshell construction to provide adequate warmth and wind resistance in chillier temperatures. A back panel with ThermoDrytex Plus and silicon elastic hem completes the garment. Emma Silversides is your tester, with a verdict coming later this week.
sportful.com
Trek Emonda SL 5
£1900
The 2018 version of the Trek Emonda has got even lighter still, and our test model with Shimano 105 groupset weighed in at 8.5kg - pretty feathery for a bike at this price point. Trek's 500 Series Ultralight OCLV carbon frame takes BB90 and has full internal cable routing as standard, with direct mount brakes and a tapered head tube. Is Mat Brett loving the lightness? Check back for a review next month.
trekbikes.com/gb
Cane Creek EE brakes
£599
These high-end calipers are self-proclaimed as setting a new standard in high performance road braking, at half the weight of their competitors. No tools are required for pad centering and every detail has been meticulously thought through in these USA-made beauties. Can the big price tag really be justified? Jez Ash is applying some pressure to them right now...
extra.co.uk
For all the latest road.cc test reports, head to our reviews section. If you need more advice before splashing your cash, check out our buyer's guides.
I always liked him in The Reassembler....
Looks like the temp ban has been lifted then. I can't believe anyone who has been cycling for 30 years or even driving for 30 years has not had an...
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Freddie Oborne.
Maybe he was just a drug testing mule; he actually took 30 substances, only 20 passed the test?
The person running the social media has to want to help though, my experience has generally been poor on getting a good response via social media...
Teach me for writing on an ipad in a rush....
This link is to an article about the amount of submissions (which are also by motor vehicles as well as cyclists). It is dated Jan2021 although I'm...
You really should review this bit about USB-C. That is actually pro, not con.
True - and stoic, in line with our great traditions and monarch....
I wonder if they treat knife stabbing victims with the same logic: We would prosecute, but you were caught littering the pavement with your blood.