It’s the off-season. There’s no road racing going on worth talking about, and for the most part brands have already launched any products they were going to this year, so tech news is equally sparse (though Lapierre did continue a late-season overhaul of its drop bar range, launching a new Pulsium on Wednesday).
Despite the dearth of reactive content however, the Cyclist team has still managed to serve up an interesting and varied week of articles, which I think is a testament to the talent and experience we have on our books. Go us (or rather, go my colleagues, because my only contribution to this well-rounded week is what you’re reading right now).
We kicked off the week with how attitudes around altitude (try saying that three times fast) are changing, plus an account of what it’s like to climb Mallorca’s famous Cap de Formentor. The early week saw buyer’s guide overhauls for bike computers, endurance bikes and high-end shoes, the latter representing the culmination of months of hard work from staff writer Laurence Kilpatrick, and I think the result does his effort justice.
In homage(?) to whatever the hell just happened in America again, we revisited an article on how the Tour de Trump put US cycling on the map, plus pro racing aficionados Ewan Wilson and Robyn Davidson were in round-up mood, looking back at the eight most impactful transfers this year and the 50 best female riders of the 2020s.
In the Drops is only the start of the content being published today as well, so be sure to check back later as well.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
Bontrager Paradigm Pro 30 wheels
Gravel tyres are trending ever wider, with pros now winning races on 50mm widths and pushing gravel bikes’ frame clearances to the max. Reflecting this pump up in volume, Bontrager has released its new Paradigm Pro 30 wheels. They boast an internal rim width of 29mm, which is wide even for gravel standards.
‘As riders look to use wider tyres, rims need to be adjusted for proper fit and function,’ says Matias Lauryssens, Trek’s wheelworks product manager. ‘Wider rim+tyre combos provide better traction, control, and up to a point better rolling resistance. The obvious “con” is the added weight, but in many cases the benefits of extra width outweigh the penalty.’
Lauryssens says that once the move to even wider tyres had become clear, releasing the Paradigm Pro 30 was a no-brainer. This is because Bontrager could not only serve modern tyre sizes properly, but it could introduce the model to do it very easily as well. The Paradigm Pro 30 uses the same rim as Bontrager’s preexisting Kovee Pro 30 mountain bike wheelset.
‘We just laced the rim into road hubs, which have the right spacing for gravel bikes,’ he says. ‘Gravel incorporates elements of both road and MTB, so we were able to fuse the two disciplines pretty neatly in these wheels.’
The Paradigm Pro 30 wheels remain hooked – ‘there is a somewhat obvious manufacturing benefit to hookless if you know how rims are made, but we are still not sure that it translates directly to any product performance advantages’, according to Lauryssens – but despite their width, are competitively lightweight, weighing a claimed 1,380g.
They are also warrantied for life, so riders can feel comfortable taking their gravel bikes places they probably shouldn’t if they’re using the Paradigm Pro 30s.
- Find out more about the Bontrager Paradigm Pro 30 wheels at trekbikes.com
Silca Ultimate chain waxing system
Silca says its new wax kit aims to take the hassle out of waxing chains, so riders can get all the benefits of chain waxing – better drivetrain efficiency and longer component lifespan – without having to assemble a setup from a shopping list of parts.
The melting pot, when used with Silca’s hot-melt wax and StripChip degreaser, both strips a chain of grease and waxes it up in one, which is a process that until has had to be done separately. The stand then lets the chain cool and catches any wax that drips off, which can be reused.
If users want to take things further, Silca now offers additives that can be thrown in too – the brand says they alter the recipe of the base wax, either for even better efficiency (SpeedChip) or better longevity (EnduranceChip).
Shimano RC703 shoes
Coming in just below Shimano’s top-end S-Phyre RC903 shoes, the new RC703 shoes incorporate many of the same technologies, to the point where the shoes look almost identical (think of them as the Ultegra shoes to the S-Phyre’s Dura-Ace).
There are differences, however. The RC703s use a slightly less premium carbon composite sole, so are slightly less stiff – 10 versus the S-Phyres’ 12 on Shimano’s own stiffness scale. They are also slightly heavier – 244g versus the S-Phyre’s 225g in a size 42.
This has allowed Shimano to price the RC703s around £100 cheaper than the S-Phyre RC903s, so no doubt many riders will be happy to accept these compromises, particularly as they are the only noticeable differences.
With a view to creating a similarly adaptable fit to the S-Phyres, the RC703s use the same cable arrangement and dual Boa dial placement, so forefoot volume and foot security can be adjusted independently. The RC703s also have the same ventilation as the S-Phyres, including vents in the heel and toe.
Colours include black, white and sage green. Wide versions are available, as well as an identically priced women’s version.
Attaac Element sunglasses
New eyewear brand Attaac has just released its first model, dubbed the Element. The oversize, shield design is on-trend, if a little generic in looks, but the glasses’ construction method is currently unique to the market. It is the first pair of cycling sunglasses with frames to be 3D-printed from 100% recycled materials.
‘The Element’s nylon BioFrame is made from plants, and the lenses are made using 39% agricultural by-products,’ says co-founder, Jacob Dahl. ‘We’re planting a tree for every pair sold as well. Attaac is committed to sustainable consumption and production patterns.’
Dahl says the Element’s eco-credentials don’t come at the expense of the performance, either.
‘The Elements weigh just 29g, making them some of the lightest full-frame glasses available,’ he says. ‘Plus the lens is made by specialists Zeiss to ensure crisp clarity, zero fog and easy cleaning.’
- Find out more about the Attaac Element sunglasses at attaac.com
