Whereas metal and carbon would possibly seemingly sit on the ends of the spectrum with regards to supplies utilized in bike frames and parts, they are surely simply bedfellows. It is all about how they’re used, reasonably than any inherent properties, that defines their efficiency; metal frames are famed for his or her liveliness and luxury, however this solely achieved by matching high quality tubing with an efficient design. Equally carbon is heralded for its gentle but stiff properties however with out a considerate software these attributes are wasted.
Which brings me on to our headliners this week. We’ve got a metal bike from Colnago, a set of climbing wheels with carbon spokes, and a totally trendy race bike that is doffing its cap to the primary carbon bike to win le tour. All three showcase mentioned supplies and their skill to mix efficiency with desirability, a advertising individual’s dream.
Colnago Steelnovo
(Picture credit score: Colnago)
The Steelnovo was first launched to rejoice Colnago’s seventieth anniversary. Showcasing each the model’s heritage and its framebuilding experience, the limited-edition mannequin (70 made), was as stunning because it was costly.
Whereas the exclusivity of each availability and worth possible added to its enchantment for some, Colnago has determined to supply the Steelnovo in a barely extra accessible and inexpensive guise; this time across the body retails at $6,250 and is restricted to 400 items.
(Picture credit score: Colnago)
It’s debuting in two colorways – a light-weight blue and a pastel orange – and like the unique is made solely in Italy from a mix of Columbus tubing and 3D-printed parts, all blended along with impressively seamless welds. And clearly it’s a motorcycle to be ridden now and into the long run; it boasts clearance for 35mm broad tyres and makes use of the T47 BB and UDH requirements.
DT Swiss ARC 1100 Spline 38 CS
(Picture credit score: DT Swiss)
At first look the DT Swiss ARC 1100s seem like simply one other pair of high-end light-weight carbon wheels. And, to a point, they’re. Constructed for climbing the 38mm deep hoops weigh lower than 1,200g for the pair. However it’s how DT Swiss attained such a weight that makes them fascinating. It’s the spokes.
DT Swiss’ Aerolite metal spokes have been the usual for a while, used not simply by itself wheels however on quite a few units from different producers, too. However within the pursuit of the lightest potential wheel there was a transparent shift to carbon spokes, leaving DT Swiss as one thing of an outlier. Till now.
(Picture credit score: DT Swiss)
There’s a rational argument for why metal trumps carbon as the very best materials for spokes, and it’s possible one which stored DT Swiss from making the swap in its lightest wheelsets.
There’s additionally a counter argument that it merely needed to, given that each one its nearest rivals had made the soar a while in the past. We’re hoping to get a pair of the wheels in to check.
(Picture credit score: DT Swiss)
Till then, right here’s the small print: the hand-built wheels function an aero optimised 38mm deep rim with a 20mm inner rim measurement, designed with the assistance of aero specialists Swiss Facet. There are 24 of the carbon spokes on the rear, and 18 on the entrance, laced in a brand new spoke sample to the model’s very good 180 hub; right here it’s been particularly made for the swap to carbon spokes, with refined flanges.
(Picture credit score: DT Swiss)
The ARC 1100s have been constructed round a particular tyre mixture designed to make the wheel/tyre combo the quickest potential when climbing; DT Swiss are recommending a Continental Aero 111 in a 26mm width on the entrance and a 28mm GP 5000 STR on the rear. This, in line with the model, provides an “optimum mixture of pace and grip, for quick ascents in addition to descents in confidence”.
The DT Swiss ARC 1100 Spline 38 CS are priced at £2,899 / $3,727.
Look 795 Blade RS KG Version
(Picture credit score: Look Cycles)
The 1986 version of the Tour de France was definitely an historic race. Not solely did Greg LeMond turn into the primary winner from exterior of Europe, he did so driving a carbon body, one other first. And now that body, the Look KG68, is being celebrated by the French marque within the form of the 795 Blade RS KG.
(Picture credit score: Look)
Forty years separates the 2 bikes, and whereas a lot has modified, some issues stay the identical. On the time the KG68 was as progressive because it will get, with the monocoque carbon and Kevlar tubes bonded into aluminum lugs, making its metal counterparts look positively medieval by comparability. LeMond’s full bike weighed lower than 9kg, ridiculously gentle for the time.
(Picture credit score: Look Cycles)
The 795 Blade RS is simply as progressive, showcasing at this time’s technical and manufacturing prowess that enables for such a stiff, gentle and aerodynamically environment friendly race bike. The lineage is obvious, and Look has doffed its cap to each the KG68 and LeMond’s achievements on it by decking out the 795 Blade in paintings that displays the revolutionary unique, utilizing tri-colour motifs, silver accents and a uncooked carbon end.
(Picture credit score: Look)
It’s obtainable as each a frameset and an entire bike. The body retails at £4,600 / $5,800, whereas builds begin from £7,970 / $10,700.
Each the outdated and new model had been on show at Rouleur Stay this weekend.
Santini winter jackets
(Picture credit score: Santini)
It wouldn’t be a November tech roundup with out some winter equipment and fortuitously Santini is ready to oblige. The Italian model has launched various jackets that showcase Polartec materials, all designed to guard you from the seasonal components.
First up is the Professional All-Climate jacket that makes use of Powertec Energy Protect. The PFAS-free cloth is each waterproof and breathable in addition to being produced from 48% plant-based supplies. It combines right here with a slim match and a double zipper, alongside a water-proof rear pocket and reflective particulars on the shoulder.
(Picture credit score: Santini)
Then there’s the Thermo Jacket which is produced from Polartec’s Energy Wool cloth, which blends the properties of wool with artificial fibres. Santini says it ends in a garment that’s mushy and sturdy in addition to being breathable. As such, it’s designed to work throughout a variety of circumstances and temperatures, from 5°–15°C. Particulars embrace windproof inserts and three rear pockets, with a minimize that’s described as “aerodynamic”.
(Picture credit score: Santini)
For the coldest circumstances. Santini has given us one other Themo jacket, however this time it is made with Polartec Windbloc and Alpha materials. The previous is there to fight the wind after which rain, whereas the latter is used internally to assist moisture administration.
Final, however possible not least, is the Insulated Jacket. It sees Polartec’s Alpha and Energy Wool workforce up, with Alpha used for insulation, whereas Energy Wool panels on the again and underarms are designed to maintain your physique temperature regulated. Particulars embrace 4 rear pockets, an elasticated hem and reflective components. It’s additionally supplied in a gilet.
Topeak E-Booster Digital Mini pump
(Picture credit score: Topeak)
The march of the electrical pump reveals no signal of slowing down. We coated just a few choices in our helpful information to those devilishly environment friendly devices however new fashions are seemingly arriving with every passing day.
Topeak’s newest is the E-Booster Digital Mini. The clue to its key credentials is within the identify; measuring 5.4 × 3.4 × 7.2 cm and weighing 120g, it’s designed to suit comfortably in a jersey pocket or saddlebag. Nonetheless, regardless of its dimension it nonetheless contains a full-colour LCD show, with readings in PSI, BAR or KG/CM² and a preset operate that means that you can set your required strain.
(Picture credit score: Topeak)
Utilizing a 500mAh battery Topeak says it is good for six full inflations of a 700x40c tyre, which needs to be a lot for any journey until you’re notably unfortunate. Different particulars embrace a weatherproof storage bag, a built-in LED flashlight and an prolonged hose, which is designed to be used with TPU tubes; electrical pumps can overheat and will not be sometimes well-suited to the interior tubes with plastic valves. The E-Booster Digital Mini retails for £109.99.
(Picture credit score: Topeak)
Topeak has additionally launched a brand new TurboFlow vary designed to enhance tubeless tyre inflation; the know-how delivers round 3 times the airflow of conventional valves. It includes three units: adaptors, a valve equipment and the combo. The primary of those converts current presta valves to TurboFlow, whereas the equipment incorporates every part you want for a full set up. Lastly, the Combo provides the valves alongside Topeak’s RapidHead, a pump head designed to work “seamlessly” with the TurboFlow valves; the pump head is claimed to be suitable with most ground pumps.
Pricing for the units is as follows: Valve Kits are £34.99, the TurboFlow Valve Combo is £29.99, and the Presta Valve Adapters are £19.99.
Enve SES AR One-Piece Handlebar
(Picture credit score: Enve)
Enve’s vary of carbon parts are coveted for his or her clear aesthetics and their notable efficiency. However by making a lot of its gear in its US manufacturing unit, the value was prohibitive for a lot of. The SES AR handlebars are as soon as such merchandise, coming with a price ticket of $1,200. Till now, that’s.
The made within the US cockpit continues to be obtainable, however is now named the SES AR Customized one-piece. It’s been joined by an identical bar that’s produced in its abroad manufacturing unit the place it makes its vary of two-piece bars. This bar has adopted the prevailing SES AR identify, whereas the retail worth has virtually been halved, to $750 / £850. The change of manufacturing unit must also improve availability, too.
(Picture credit score: Enve)
The bar’s design and specs stay, with an aero profile and compound-flare drops, supplied in 20 dimension combos. Claimed weight for a 40cm broad bar with a 110mm stem is 340g.
Whereas it’s nonetheless an enormous chunk of cash for a cockpit, any time a premium model seeks to handle problems with affordability and provide needs to be saluted.
Pirelli Cinturato tyres
(Picture credit score: Pirelli)
Pirelli has added to its Cinturato vary of gravel tyres with the HP and P traces.
The Excessive Efficiency line provides up to date variations of the prevailing H and M fashions. Made in Pirelli’s Milan-Bollate plant they use FSC licensed pure rubber and are designed, because the identify states, at top-level efficiency. Particulars embrace a brand new SmartEVO GR compound and a 120 TPI casing with a protecting ProWALL construction borrowed from the model’s MTB tyres. The H is created for hardpacked surfaces, whereas the M is for combined terrain. Each declare to ship improved puncture resistance and decreased rolling resistance in comparison with the earlier designs.
(Picture credit score: Pirelli)
The Efficiency line options 5 fashions: the RH, the RM, the S, the H and the M. The primary two are geared toward “skilled riders”, whereas the S is for free terrain. The RH and the RM are designed for a similar circumstances as these within the HP Line however, like all of the Efficiency Line tyres, function a 60 TPI casing.
All can be found in 40mm and 45mm widths, with the HP tyres priced at $97.90 / £74.99 and the P tyres at $78.90 / £59.99.