We're just coming back down to earth and getting back on our bikes after being glued to a frankly insane Giro! Here are some of the latest things we've been testing before the verdicts get delivered...
NRC X Series RX1 Storm PR glasses
£119.99
NRC's RX1 Storm shades have top quality lenses courtesy of Zeiss, with a hydrophobic coating to keep the rain/storms out and a unique curvature. they weigh just 27g and the frame material is a tough polycarbonate, with a 20mm bridge and a lens diameter of 51mm. Will they go down a storm with Sean Lacey? His verdict is coming soon.
bob-elliot.co.uk
£310.00
Chris Hoy's kids bike range is one of the most popular in the UK, and the Bonaly is a 20 inch wheel lightweight ride to get your nippers over the hills. The easy-shift gears and small brake levers should give the rider more contol, with just the one chainring in 32t and a 6-speeed 14-28 cassette meaning less clicks to get across the gears. The frame is made with heat-treated alloy with a mix of double and triple-butted tubes, and there are also mudguard mounts if your family adventures head off-road. What will Stu and his young'uns think to the Bonaly? Read their verdict soon.
evanscycles.com
£129.99
Shimano's clothing line has expanded in recent years, and the Evolve has evolved into one of their top level jerseys. Interestingly it has an integrated base layer, with laser-cut micro vents in the chest and under the arms to keep you cool. It's got a large glove-friendly zipper for easy opening and closing, is UPF 50+ for us paler folk and also has some discreet reflectivity elements on the back for low-light visibility.
madison.co.uk
Crankalicious Soapy Kit Wash apparel care
£10.00
Crankalicious are now keeping things clean from your cranks through to your clothes, with this new soapy kit wash promising to keep your gear smelling like roses (or whatever it smells like). It's formulated to remove odour and can be used for hand or machine washing, and doesn't effect any protective properties on your technical clothing. Apparantly you can also apply it directly on "heavily soiled items" to improve performance" as well... did it turn Steve Williams' kit from grotty to gleaming? Read his review next week...
crankalicious.com
£150.00
Yanto Barker's Le Col have produced some impressive kit since their beginnings in 2011, and these top-end bibs look to be more of the same on first impressions. Described as their 'fastest shorts', they've been proven in pro races and aim to deliver plenty of comfort while being minimal and aero. They have a thinner pad with a silicone treatment that is said to provide comfort without the bulk of a massive nappy at your rear, while the trademark Le Col oversized leg grippers have intermittent silicone tabs to keep the shorts in place. Embroidered logos and flat locked seams complete a quality-looking pair of bibs, but can they justify the large price tag? Mat Brett's verdict is coming shortly...
lecol.cc
For all the latest road.cc test reports, head over to our reviews section. If you want some more advice before splashing the cash, check out our buyer's guides.
After cobbling together a few hundred quid during his student days off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story), Jack bought his first road bike at the age of 20 and has been hooked ever since. He joined road.cc in 2017, having previously worked for 220 Triathlon magazine. Jack's preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking (the latter being another long story), and on Sunday afternoons he can often be found on an M5 service station indulging in his favourite post-race meal of 20 chicken nuggets, a sausage roll, caramel shortbread and a large strawberry milkshake.