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The 2022 Tour de France may be in the rear-view now but the sun is still shining, the pros are still racing and brands are still releasing excellent new kit, so things are looking rosy on planet Cyclist.
We’ve had a particularly healthy week tech-wise, which as Cyclist’s tech editor, always makes me happy. Zipp overhauled its 858 NSW and 808 Fircrest wheelsets, making them wider, lighter and hookless, while Factor worked with artist Karl Kopinsky to produce a rather special new bike for Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Cannondale’s SuperSix EVO went under the knife – the special edition ‘Leichtbau’ version of the frameset said to save 90g over the regular model, and we covered the striking new Colnago G3-X Nathan Haas will be using to take on a slew of upcoming gravel races in the US.
We reinvigorated a couple of our buyer’s guides too: our best single-speed bikes and best aluminium road bike buyer's guides are now bang up to date, so check them out if you need some advice.
Just to make sure things weren’t too tech-focussed, edition number 25 of our Extremely Online series went up on Tuesday, alongside a ride report on a stunning route in Snowdonia.
A look back at the fan’s mountain, Alpe d’Huez, at this year’s Tour will be published later today too, so be sure to check back for that later.
In the meantime, read on to get the scoop on the latest gear to arrive at Cyclist.
After eight years protecting the heads of Team Sky/Ineos Grenadiers – and as a result of that exposure, countless amateurs around the world – Kask has redesigned its popular Protone helmet.
The update may be a subtle one but Kask promises better ventilation, ergonomics and aerodynamics in the Protone Icon, as well as increased protection against rotational impacts.
According to Kask, the helmet’s internal structure is stronger but more aggressively sculpted to better channel air, which provides more ventilation and improved aerodynamics.
The helmet’s Octofit+ adjustment system has also been improved with a view to providing a more stable and comfortable fit.
While Kask still doesn’t use a Mips slip plane liner or similar mechanism, the brand says the Icon meets its own WG11 standard for rotational impact safety. The Icon weighs a 230g in size medium – the same as its predecessor.
The RX6 shoes are a new little sibling to the hugely popular Shimano RX8 gravel shoes released in 2018, which are incidentally looking a little long in the tooth...
The upper material and layout is the same as the RX8s, so the RX6s should achieve the same level of hardiness I found the RX8s possessed when I reviewed them.
In fact, the only difference on the top of the shoe is a switch down to Boa’s slightly less premium L6 dial.
Things are similarly similar on the bottom of the shoe – the tread pattern is the same configuration as the RX8, with particularly pronounced studs at the heel for grip on loose and muddy ground. The tread even ostensibly gets an upgrade over the RX8 shoes, courtesy of its rather fetching gum colour.
The sole is the only area where a distinctive concession has been made, its material switching from carbon composite to nylon composite, though depending on your perspective that may actually be a good thing.
Nylon soles typically cedes a little stiffness and weight but gain a little extra walking flex, meaning should your adventures trend toward the rowdy, the RX6 shoes may be the better option for you any way, while saving you a chunk of cash too.
HollowGram is Cannondale’s in-house components brand. Although it doesn’t have the reputation of other brands in a similar position like Bontrager (Trek) and Roval (Specialized), I can only see it as a matter of time until it is as well-regarded because as I noted in my Cannondale Synapse 1 RLE review, the quality of its products seems top-notch.
Case in point is the new HollowGram R 45 wheels. They sit under the HollowGram SL 45 wheels found on the Synapse, the main difference being slightly less fancy hubs and spokes.
Instead of the SL 45’s DT Swiss 240 ratchet rear hub internals, the R 45s use a simpler three-pawl system and forego DT Swiss’ Aerolite spokes too.
Performance-wise, the only perceptible difference the rider should feel is about 140g extra weight (at a claimed 1,680g) and marginally slower freehub engagement. In exchange, the R 45s can come in at less than half the cost of the SL 45s.
The rims are the same as those found on the SL 45 wheels, so feature a modern 21mm internal width and wide 32mm external width that should pair smoothly with wide road tyres.
In my last edition of In the Drops I espoused the virtues of cricket and given the weather conditions are still perfect for the sport and the second edition of The Hundred has just started, I want to go off on one about it again.
The Hundred is a competition between eight city-based British teams and attracts some of the sport’s biggest names. The format is an entirely new concept for cricket – instead of a set amount of ‘overs’ to complete, each team gets 100 balls to score as many runs as they can. Instead of the traditional six-ball ‘over’, the bowlers of the fielding team bowl ‘sets’ of five or ten balls at time.
It is a smash-and-grab version of the sport that is completed relatively quickly (a mere two and a half hours). There’s still the occasional dud match-up, but more often than not the games are tight and exciting, with the runs-per-ball achievement/requirement making it easy to understand the match situation and who is winning.
Though as ever with cricket, the momentum can swing either way within a few decisive deliveries.
The on-screen graphics need work, coming across as they do like some sort of jarring Teletext throw-back, but broadly I see The Hundred as an innovative new way to reach people that otherwise wouldn’t think to access the sport.
Neat tricks combined with smart design equals good fun. The Checkpoint SL is the sweetspot in Trek&
Five reflections from the first Tour...
Movistar cyclist’s ride on final Tour...
Movistar’s rider secured the maillot...
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The latest instalment in our series recapping the weekly shenanigans in the peloton, showcasing the
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