Check out all the big — and not so big — bike and gear news of the week, including new Garmin smartwatches, stronger suspension from Can Creek, a new Restrap bottom, frame protection from Dyebro and the so-called “world’s fastest gravel bike”.
Garmin adds 255 and 955 to its Forerunner lineup
255
Available in two different sizes and with a smaller 255S version for the wrist, the Forerunner 255 features an always-on color display that Garmin says is easy to read in direct sunlight.
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The Forerunner 255 has a host of features such as HRV status, provided workouts, and running strength. There are also a host of smart and wellness features, and now offers multi-sport capability.
Raid 955
Garmin markets the Forerunner 955 as the “perfect cycling smartwatch.” The 955 offers many training tools and features, including exercise readiness, endurance, and strength running.
If you are not the hardest person when working out, you can switch between using the buttons when working out and then the touch screen for the daily smartwatch functions. Garmin has steadily increased its solar range, and the 955 is available with technology to harness the sun’s energy. Garmin says that translates to up to 49 hours of charging in GPS mode.
Cane Creek’s ‘game-changer’ eeSilk shank offers 20mm adjustable suspension
Cane Creek produces a range of components, and the eeSilk upper is a “stress requiring upper compliance that reduces vibrations on various surfaces.” The stem provides up to 20mm of adjustable conformation with a single switch to switch between soft/hard compliance.
Cane Creek was so confident in this compliance switch that they call it “game changing.” The switch allows riders to run the power through full travel, then quickly stiffen the front end of the bike if you’re about to get out of the saddle while climbing. If you want to switch to a different rubber material, this is a single job that should make it easier, and Crane Crick says this can be done without removing the tape.
The only problem we can see is that this shiny silver version is only available in the US.
Apidura, Ridley, Hunt and Fat Pigeon team up to create ‘world’s fastest gravel bike’
Aero gravel bikes arrived years ago, and we understand that. But have you ever thought about the aerodynamic characteristics of choosing your bag? Maybe it was, but Ridley and Abidora left and got corny about it.
They’ve been in the wind tunnel and found out that they made a bunch of panniers that make the bike go faster.
According to Ridley, an incorrect setup of the bag could cost you 17.5 watts at 40 km/h. Apparently the new bags just as quickly became the fastest 16.6 watt bike.
Santini New Collection for Dauphin
Santini has sponsored a number of ASO courses and created custom designs for some of the major courses.
“A stylized outline of the peaks and valleys across which the race has crossed will be displayed. We chose blue and yellow as a nod to the Commander-in-Chief shirt,” said Santini Creative Director Fergus Nieland. “The shirt is yellow with a blue streak in the middle, so we did the opposite with our kit which has a blue background with yellow details.”
Set includes jersey, jacket, shorts, base layer and accessories.
There are new Full Frame bags from Restrap
It’s a good week for both gravel and adventure runners. Ristrup says they have applied their “extensive knowledge of making custom frame bags for all types of bikes over 7 years to make the perfect size for small, medium and large standard geometry tires.”
Two Aquaguard YKK zippers on the training side of the bag allow easy access to the top and bottom portions of the bag, with interior Velcro dividers to separate compartments. These dividers can overlap each other to allow all the interior space of the bag to be used if needed. The side opposite the bag reader has a document pocket, which provides storage for small items on the go.
The bag is made of durable nylon outer material and VX21 fabrics, with a washable bottom section.
Small – 266 g, 6 liters – 109.99 euros
Medium – 320g, 7.5L – £119.99
Large – 365g, 9L – £129.99
Rafa wears new T-shirts for critics and pebbles
Rafa some new jerseys just launched. The jersey is designed for the night races on the track that sometimes happens under the floodlights. There are reflective elements and aerodynamic trim.
The gravel jersey has added pocket stability and extra UV protection for those long miles of gravel.
Vittoria and A Dugast Launch Limited Edition Tubular XXV L’Eroica
If you like the old-fashioned way of doing things, tubular tires are what you need. And if you are thinking of buying tubulars, you can also buy the best ones and get a set of handcrafted Dugast racing tires.
The partnership sees the Vittoria Pave tread mounted on a Dugast Flying Doctor cotton sleeve and the result is amazing.
Kask has a special helmet design for the Tour de France
There will only be 3,328 manufactured. This is because the distance of the tour…
…you guessed right. Either way, it’s based on the popular Valegro helmet and costs £219.
Intermarche-Wanty has new wheels in the shape of Newmen Streem
The wheels seem to have been in development for a couple of years and we’ve already seen them take a few wins with Girmay winning Ghent-Wevelgem and Giro. They’re two of the most memorable gains of the year, which isn’t a bad thing for Neumann.
Streem comes in four different rim depths (38-80mm), is described as “ultra light” and Neumann says the wheels feature the latest valve and hub technology.
100% Norvik Sunglasses Launched
100% “sets the standard for versatility by blending unparalleled flair, style and performance,” says Norvik, but we’ll let you judge.
Finally…New bikes arrive from Factor, Giant and Canyon
We all love new bikes. That’s why we were especially happy to discover the 2023 Trek Madone ride in Duphine last week.
There are also new versions of Factor, Giant, and Canyon. Giant and Canyon offerings are easy to understand. A new batch and a new Ultimate will undoubtedly appear at the Tour de France, but we don’t know what “OG” means. Original bands perhaps? Mostly not.
