It's like Christmas everyday at road.cc Towers for our review team. Here's some of the latest kit that's out on test...
Cole C40 Lite wheels
£1700
These 40mm deep carbon clincher wheels weigh in at 1450g for the pair, with Cole’s patented DSA hubs to allow for high spoke tension and better power transfer. The straight-pull, butted spokes are supposed to eliminate the stress and breakage of traditional j-bend spokes.
The wheels are treated with Heat Shield tech to minimise heat when braking, and Cole’s Pink Pad braking compound offers “class-leading performance” according to Cole. We’ll be putting these £1700 hoops through their paces shortly…
www.cole-products.com
Schwalbe X-One gravel tyre
£28.99
Schwalbe say the X-One gravel is one of the fastest cross tyres ever, with their One Star rubber compound optimised for better rolling resistance. Schwalbe recommend they’re run tubeless always, and you can run them at very low pressures for cyclocross on tubeless-compatible wheels without any pressure being leaked during your ride. Dave Atkinson’s verdict will be live on road.cc shortly…
www.schwalbe.com/gb
Leyzene Digital Pressure Overdrive
£139.99
With a classy wooden handle and digital LCD display system, the Digital Pressure Overdrive from Lezyne is a cut above your average floor pump. It has tubeless seating and a high grade aluminium barrel, and works by pumping a central chamber up to 220psi. Once it’s filled you attach to the valve (presta or Schrada) release a foot pedal and the pressure is released, inflating the tyre instantaneously. Leyzene say it pumps tyres up in seconds and it certainly looks convenient, but £140 worth of convenient? Dave Arthur is testing now…
shop.upgradebikes.co.uk
Rapha Packable Waterproof Jacket
£160.00
This emergency rain jacket from Rapha is a bit more robust than your average packable jacket, being fully waterproof and supposedly capable of withstanding far more than a light shower. It’s made from the same lightweight nylon fabric used in Rapha’s Core rain jacket, has windproof properties and zip pockets at the front. Safety features include a high-vis collar and useful high-vis straps on the cuffs so you can be seen when signalling in the dark or low light.
As to be expected from a piece of Rapha gear £160 is a lot of cash, but is it justified? Our reviewer George Hill’s verdict will be in next month…
rapha.cc
Hill and Ellis Professor Bike Bag
£195.00
Hill and Ellis was founded in 2012 by Catherine Ellis, who after being unable to find a suitably stylish bike bag anywhere, decided to start manufacturing her own to fill the gap in the market. The Professor bag is crafted in Britain, with luxurious leather beige straps, discrete pannier hooks and a waterproof cover included for when the heavens open.
Hill and Ellis say the bag is “perfect for your ride around town, to the varsity bar or to the university boat race” and “the ideal present for any Oxtonian” - which may narrow the target market down somewhat, but you can’t deny it looks like a fine piece of leatherwear. Our reviewer Simon MacMichael (not an Oxtonian) is currently swanning round the Cotswolds with the Professor in tow before delivering his verdict soon…
www.hillandellis.com
Head to our reviews section for all the latest in-depth product reviews by road.cc'st team...
I imagine that it would be significantly more effective, unless there are police there everyday between 10am and 4pm.
Adam, you'll see that most posts on here are understanding of the trans dilemma, and sympathetic?...
Another one who deliberately misuses the term. Looking for trouble. Yeah because in London you have to stake out a road all day to find one offence.
Ticks a box, doesn't it?...
Or even race in the women's races in a separate category with seperate points and medals. Perhaps in return BC could sponsor and also ask all...
Normally I don't have a small enough violin for them but in this case I guess it's possible that their office / secretary / intern submitted this...
🤔 I bought the Allez Elite with 105 groupset for £1000 in 2021. Seems a very steep increase in price for barely any gains
Fantastic ride by Roglic specially after dropping his chain on that insane climb
Er. No. I don't think I'll chance it.
The Expanse is superb - hard sci-fi that has realistic space battles. The first few episodes suffer from poor sound mixing, but it gets better.