A very sleek-looking pump, Specialized’s ATM takes patience but does have some nice features. The slim alloy construction looks class and the patch stash (with two glueless patches and sandpaper included), situated in the screw top handle, is a neat touch, especially as it’ll also hold spare chain links or an emergency fiver. It’s under […]
Polypropylene has one of the lowest moisture regains of all modern and classic fibres, which is why the FS260 performed so well under sweaty conditions. The polypropylene/nylon mix allows moisture to wick through the fabric and evaporate easily without leaving you in a cold, sodden top. As a standard medium the sizing felt a little […]
It could be argued that Helly Hansen is one of the forefathers of base-layer construction. You might think, therefore, that this top would wipe the floor with the competition. Sadly not… Helly Hansen have not tried to hide the fact that this is a revamp of their classic line and the basic performance is still […]
TESS’s top-of-the-range, 94% nylon base layer is definitely one for the winter. The thick, one-piece, circular knitted body and one-piece arms provide a close, comfortable fit. Nylon offers a wealth of stretch and, when mixed with the chosen manufacturing process, provides a very flexible garment. The thickness gives great thermal insulation but can struggle slightly […]
Spiuk use a three-layer theory when designing their garment range: the inner (base) layer is used predominantly for breathability and moisture transportation; the mid-layer for thermoregulation; and the outer layer for insulation. A combination of these layers can (they claim) provide solutions to nearly any condition. The EVO 2 is Spiuk’s mild winter base layer. […]
The Compton represents good value for a seamless base layer, and the solid thermal properties provide a nice blend of warmth and moisture control. Unfortunately, the fit and general comfort of this top isn’t as we’d hoped. It’s as if the body contouring hasn’t been completed successfully, which caused consistent complaints with every member of […]
Falke’s Athletic Cool is sublimely comfortable, and although it’s not the best-insulated base layer we’ve ever tested, this doesn’t seem to compromise the ‘in-use’ performance. Anyway, Falke have marketed this garment as more of a moisture manager than a pure winter-warmer, and in this respect the thin fabric wicks extremely well. This is an important […]
We absolutely love DeFeet’s Merino wool socks but how well would their gloves cope with the cold? The 80% Merino wool mix is reinforced with Cordura and Coolmax, while the palms and fingers are covered with rubber grippers to give fantastic control feel. The long cuff means there’s plenty of overlap with jackets, even when […]
Cannondale’s LE gloves are expensive, but as warm as you’ll get while staying in control of your bike in the depths of winter. The outer, thermal, carbon, hydrogrid max fabric is superbly weatherproof. And the Outlast lining really does seem to promise the magical trick of cosy, cold-weather warmth without excess mild-weather marinating. The pre-articulated […]
Gore’s Xenon gloves are serious stuff. There are more panels and technology here than most jackets and the fit is as snug as we’ve ever tried – even in lightweight summer gloves. The Windstopper fabric is as damn near waterproof as you’ll get, with rain only seeping through after a while. Ribbed pads on the […]
DHB’s budget gloves are made with windproof softshell fabrics that shrug off most showers, and warmth is good considering the decent finger dexterity and control. The fleece inner means they do this without feeling sweaty on the climbs and the liner is well anchored to stop it turning inside out when you take them off. […]
Typically for Cannondale, these gloves aren’t cheap, but the extra money isn’t wasted. The water and windproof fabric shrugs off serious showers and properly arctic, frosty morning descents before cold or wet creeps through. There’s very little sweat build-up and the long cuffs give a good wrist sealing. There’s useful reflectivity on your little finger, […]
North Face products are generally stylish and desirable, and the Thresher is no exception. The mesh panels and rip-stop material make it very lightweight and the waist/chest straps ensure a snug fit, virtually eliminating movement. The real winner on this product, though, is the use of a Nalgene pipe and bite valve system that employs […]
Hydrapak supplies the bladders for many manufacturers’ bladder packs and its own own Chute bag is one of the smallest and lightest around. Containing a 1.5L bladder and weighing in at 228g dry, there really is very little to it. With one simple zip pocket on the back and no waist or horizontal chest straps, […]
Karrimor’s philosophy is clearly to create a very minimalist and lightweight pack. Cue the mesh straps, thin insulation and limited storage. Unfortunately, the sleeve doesn’t hold the bladder in place tightly, and on downhill rides we found it kept riding up and hitting us on the back of the head. Continuing the negative theme, the […]
Nobody has a better reputation for computer reliability than Cateye, but visibility and versatility could be better. While the rack-and-pinion thumbwheel attachment strip is very clever, it’s a lot bulkier than zip ties and can’t cope with flat wing-style bars. The combined cadence and speed sensor makes for easy set-up and rear-wheel turbo compatibility. The […]
Sigma has always had a solid reputation for decent easy-to-use computers and this full-function squarehead is no exception. Paying nearly £100 gets you chrome sidestripes and crisp detailing all round, as well as a massive book of instructions. ‘O’ ring installation is easy and repeatable on different bikes without the need for extra zip ties. […]
The Pro range is basically Shimano’s set of accessories, and this computer was a joy to use. The head-unit twist locks into a thin, but perfectly secure stem- or bar-mount cradle that’ll flatten to fit onto wing bars. HR belt is a bit broad, stiff and basic, but it registered reliably from the first lick […]
Ciclosport has a big European presence and Lance Armstrong was a long-time user, but this computer needs several add-ons to compete on functions. Having to pay £32.99 extra for the heart-rate belt and £24.99 for the cadence sensor is the sting, especially as the software and USB stick that you need to work with the […]
If you want cutting-edge computing power then you have to look at Garmin’s latest GPS-enabled baby. First thing you’ll realise is that this is a big piece of kit even compared to the old 305. However, while it definitely takes up a lot of space on the bars, it sits on top of a stem […]
As you might expect from Assos, they’ve delivered a considered design on a well-finished garment. Although their offering still packs down sufficiently to allow easy pocket storage, the material is a little heavier than some other ‘lightweight’ jackets. The extra weight has gone into a more water-resistant material that does suffer on the breathability front. […]
We’re guessing the electronics designer for Blackburn has an impressive collection of Star Wars figures, but behind the retro styling there’s some decent stuff going on. Fitting comes second to cosmetics, though, as the big handlebar clamp only fits around section bars, and the steerer tube mount tends to rattle on the stem top. Despite […]
The Sugoi Helium is a very light jackets, weighing in at just 90g. There’s some nice reflective detailing, which when combined with the “super nova yellow” of our test sample has to make it one of the safest jackets to be out in. The jacket’s inherent light weight makes it very comfortable to wear and […]
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