Matt Baird
Zone 3 Aeroforce
New Brit brand Zone3 has stepped up to the pontoon with a tri-suit designed for the needs of top-end athletes. Using their patented Aeroforce material to help reduce water absorption during the swim, the tri-suit has Teflon coating to provide minimal resistance through the water. The breathable material allows sweat and moisture to be removed […]
Zoot Advantage
Although most of us roll our feet inwards (pronate) when we run longer races, super-light racing shoes frequently come without any stability. But the Advantage supply just that: enough stability to make you feel the shoes are doing the job they’re supposed to do. From a tri point of view these are difficult to fault. […]
Erox Mega 500
Having impressed us over at 220 Towers with their Quarra Extra Speed bike, the leading Swiss brand Erox is back with its Mega 500 carbon wheelset. Despite the first use of the word ‘mega’ since 1988, this carbon wheelset is truly impressive. Spec-wise, the Mega 500s boast 55mm deep section rims, weigh in at a […]
SIS Super Hydro 80:30
SiS’s Super Hydro offering is a relatively low carbohydrate (20g), high sodium (700mg) drink. As a result, when mixed as directed, it doesn’t feel too heavy on the stomach, with the carbohydrate concentration equating to 2%, compared to typical isotonic sports drinks at 6%. Despite this, Super Hydro is surprisingly sweet and you’d be forgiven […]
Sailfish Furious
The Sailfish Furious – recently approved by FINA – is a ‘speedsuit’ designed to be worn over your tri-suit in a non-wetsuit race. The idea behind the technology is that it helps you gain a speed advantage over the standard suit by trapping air, which increases your buoyancy and reduces drag through the water. As […]
Scarpa Axis
The tech sheets tell you this is a lightweight multi-activity shoe, so what better way to test the Scarpa Axis than a multi-activity weekend of mountain biking and canoeing in the Lake District? Out in adventure world, the Axis’ low profile, relative lightness (for a trail shoe) at 788g, supportive cushioning and generous width ensured […]
MET Sine Thesis
After two years in the making, MET has finally given us the Sine Thesis. And the lengthy development process has paid dividends – to a degree, anyway. Key to its innovation is the Integrated Composite Exoskeleton (ICE), which creates enhanced ventilation and airflow, even at low speeds, and ensures safety is far above the industry […]
Win! Team ActivInstinct goodies
To celebrate Vicky Graves’ recent success at the European Duathlon (gold) and European Triathlon Championships (bronze), her team’s title sponsor, ActivInstinct.com, is offering one lucky reader an amazing prize worth over £600.
Gore Magnitude Windstopper
This women’s run top from Gore’s spring/summer collection looks at first as if it’ll be too warm for running in sunny conditions. It features Gore’s renowned Windstopper membrane, and is two-layered through the front and around the kidney area to block out the wind. Appearances can be deceptive, though, because this top was nothing short […]
Giant Control Tower Pro
Buying sexy bits of kit is always easier than having to shell out for boring essential stuff. So a 70-quid track pump was always going to be a hard sell. But Giant is pitching the Control Tower Pro as the only pump you’ll ever need. To that end, its sturdy, cast-aluminium body makes for a […]
CatEye Micro Wireless CC-MC100W
Thank God for wireless technology. It’s made setting up bike computers a dream. Two pairs of zip-ties, some sticky-back plastic (provided), and about five minutes was all it took to get CatEye’s Micro Wireless up and running. Operation is equally straightforward, with one start/stop button (though this would benefit from a more positive feel) and […]
Oakley Jawbone
The greatest innovations are almost always the simplest. And so it is with the Switchlock system in Oakley’s new Jawbone glasses. While hardly an ordeal, wrestling lenses into stiff clips in sturdy frames isn’t the easiest of tasks. But with Switchlock it allows you to swap lenses quickly without having to manhandle them into place. […]
Santini FS770 GTR Pepe
Santini traditionally specialises in cycling apparel, but has been making in-roads into the tri market for the last couple of years. Available in three colours (black, red and azurro) its Pepe tri-suit is made from a sleek, lightweight fabric and features Santini’s renowned gel chamois pad. To start on a negative, the medium we tested […]
ZipVit ZV1 Energy Drink Elite
Zipvit is a large vitamin and health retailer based online, and this powder-based energy drink is just one example of its extensive product range. When the powder is mixed as directed, the resulting fluid falls in line with typical sports drink carb content. Sodium levels, however, are elevated by 20%, taking it to 0.3g rather […]
Zone 3 Vanquish
Founded by elite triathlete James Lock, Zone 3 is a new British-owned tri-specific brand. Current products include wetsuits and racesuits with further specialist-designed clothing promised for 2010. The Vanquish is packed with the latest technology, from the 2mm neoprene shoulder panel that stretches from elbow to elbow – so flexible that it’s easy to forget […]
Strength Training for Triathletes
Author Dr Patrick Hagerman has been a professor of exercise and sports science, a university-level strength and conditioning coach, and an experienced personal trainer and athlete, so he’s a good man to consult on the subject of strength work. His book begins by introducing the concept of strength training, and follows a logical progression through […]
Zoot Women’s TRIfit Racesuit
The latest race suit from Zoot is aimed at comfort and long-distance performance. Using a double-zip system – one for the internal chest support and the other for the external suit – it was a little awkward to get into and produced some drag in the swim. But it still felt very supportive, especially on […]
Hutchinson Fusion 2
French manufacturer Hutchinson has been making bike tyres since 1890 and has a well-earned reputation for dependability (not to mention an impressive list of race honours). The Fusion 2 is a race tyre that holds up well in a market packed with stiff competition. We tested a pair on rough, pot-holed and grit-strewn Devon lanes […]
Win For Goodness Shakes! XTF entry
The For Goodness Shakes! X Terrain Festival ’09 is now the largest UK off-road event of its type (with possibly the longest name, too). It features various off-road race types, from triathlon to 10k running.
Inov-8 X-Talon 212
Inov-8 shoes are great for off-road running. Try the Roclite 315 for non-technical trails or the Mudclaw 330 for the filthy stuff. But if it’s a lightweight shoe for summer fell races you’re after, then the X-Talon 212 ticks all the right boxes. Weighing in at 212g, it’s like a ballet shoe with 4 x […]
Gatorade Blackcurrant
Another Gatorade flavour finally makes its way over the Atlantic. At 6% carbohydrate, the composition is very much the same as our native Lucozade Sport, with just a slightly lower carbohydrate content (2g) per serving, contributing to a 15kcal-reduced energy content. Sodium levels are identical, while there is a slightly elevated amount of potassium (15mg), […]
Sugoi RSR Women’s Tri Tank
Sugoi has clearly worked hard on applying its extensive expertise in producing this new top. The shape and cut is particularly comfortable and fits very well – we especially liked the longer cut back and strap detailing, which made the top look very stylish and unique. Two pockets – one zipped – are really handy […]
Tektro TRP T925
Even if you’ve gone over your bike with an aero fine-toothed comb, chances are you probably hadn’t thought to upgrade to super slippery brake callipers. With these new Tektro brakes, however, aero performance is the name of the game. They mount behind the front fork to reduce drag and are optimised for internal cable routing. […]
