More triathlon gear tests than any other website. EXPERT REVIEWS of the latest and best tri kit, including bikes, running shoes, wetsuits and clothing.
There’s always something a bit special about putting on a brand-new pair of Brooks run shoes (plus they’re Chrissie Wellington’s brand of choice – T7’s in her case). And although you can always rely on a relatively standard, classic look from this brand, their shoes are more than happy to help you clock up the […]
As you’d expect given the brand name and the top-end price, Saucony’s ProGrid Cortana delivers on many fronts: supreme fit, light weight and vibrant styling. There’s good support from the upper on first wear – in particular at the ankle – which provides great reassurance and an excellent ride. And it’s not at the expense […]
This fantastically stylish, stand out shoe harps back to the classic Puma RS1. Thankfully it backs up the style with plenty of substance; there’s no real performance compromise, as both the comfort and speed boxes have been ticked. Faas actually means ‘fast’ in Jamaican – a country that knows a thing or two about fast […]
Zoot entered the tri market in the mid-Eighties with a host of innovative products. And judging by its latest Energy 3.0, it won’t be long until it makes its mark in the running market, too. The Energy is a cushioned, neutral, high miler and although Zoot offers lighter shoes, these are still very light. The […]
Here’s a collection of ground-breaking technologies packaged in a strong, attractive design. The Syncro Fuels benefit from several own-brand features, such as a new 1:1 Energy Foam, which cushions the foot on impact before returning the energy to the runner for a snug, confidence-inspiring ride. A further stand-out aspect is the wide lacing configuration – […]
Here we have a more stripped-out option to stop your toes from overheating in hotter climes. The Blade-Light Run comes with plenty of ventilation thanks to its mesh upper and drainage holes, but this dark heat-absorbing colourway does seem to contradict that ambition somewhat. (Thankfully it comes in a variety of light colour options.) The […]
As part of the celebrated Lunar range, the Lunarglide bridges the gap brilliantly between lightweight racer and high miler. This is down to its Lunarlite (30% lighter than standard Phylon) cushioning material and its Dynamic Support system. This system sits in the shoe’s midsole and features more soft foam on the lateral side for cushioning […]
This is a lot of wonga for a wheel and to buy a matching front you’ll have to stump up another £900. Although clinchers have their advantages, the set-up will always be heavier and, although this disc only weighs 1,200g (joint lowest weight on test), the tub equivalent is 1,050g. DT hubs are used by […]
Based in North Harrow, Questbikes is an independent bike shop with its own range of branded cycles and parts. Conceived and developed by customers and staff, including members of their Team Quest club, the range includes this cracking value disc wheel. Coming with carbon-specific pads and a conversion kit so you can use it on […]
The Reynolds disc was consistently the quickest in our test. It’s amazingly stiff and, even when trying to get it to flex and rub on the brakes (with exaggerated rolling), it stays true. It always feels like it’s slicing the air effectively and there’s wind-tunnel data to back this up. There’s no doubt that its […]
The first clincher wheel on test, this one comes with an alloy braking surface. The upside of this is improved braking, especially in the wet; the downside is more weight – at 1,445g (1,195g for the tub equivalent) this is the heaviest on test. Whether braking performance is that much of an issue on a […]
With asymmetric decals, the Cole disc certainly looks the business, and you get a fair bit for your money, including a padded bag, QR skewer and carbon-specific pads. The combination of a silky-smooth hub, wind-tunnel-proven aerodynamics and low flex give a fast, stable and responsive ride. Weighing in at 1,380g, it’s the heaviest of the […]
Key to a bike rack’s success is flexibility, ease of set-up and stability. And the Halfords Advanced Rear High Mount 3 Cycle Carrier scores well in all three. Flexibility’s down to the number of cars it fits: hatchbacks, estates, saloons… Its chameleonic characteristics stem from a plethora of rack frame settings and four sizes of […]
Competitively priced triathlon suit, and very comfortable too
The new Carnac Triathlon shoe is brimming with ideas. To start with it has a carbon sole with an integrated air intake system. But wait, the real innovation comes with a rubber heel that allows it to collapse as you put your foot in to speed entry, before pulling the shoe back into shape using […]
Polar has persisted with the armband-mounted sensor approach to GPS speed/distance monitoring. The advantage of this is a compact wrist unit that’s noticeably slimmer than the Gamin 610. The downside? It’s another piece of kit to misplace or remember to strap on when you’re heading out to train. The RCX5 has plenty of great features, […]
SaltStick manufactures electrolyte capsules, the content of which is designed to replace electrolytes lost when sweating. Being small and water soluble, the capsules aren’t the easiest to carry and protect from the elements, so SaltStick has designed this clever little dispenser. It comes with a Velcro strap and clip so it’s easy to attach to […]
The Palm Paddle is a swim training aid aimed at improving your technique. Made from plastic, it’s shaped to fit into the palm of your hand and has a single strap for your middle finger. The paddle works by allowing water to slip around your palm, thus reducing grip from your hand and increasing the […]
Combining an ultra-lightweight upper (with more than a hint of Crocs about it), removable neoprene sock liner, minimal midsole and a quick-pull lacing system, the Ultra is seemingly perfect for the triathlete who wants a speedy T2 and a barefoot feel to their run. Slipping them on, they feel super comfortable without socks and the […]
The Elite Aeton is one of only a few aero drinks bottles on the market with the downtube-mounted Speedfil and Profile Design Aerodrink its closest rivals. In terms of capacity, the Aeton holds 750ml (compared with 900ml in the Profile and 1,200ml in the Speedfil) so it comes up a little short there, but this […]
There’s nowt worse than an injury raining on your training parade, so whether you need healing or just want to prevent injury in the future, we’d recommend reading this. It begins by outlining the benefits of exercise, and helps you to understand how your body changes and adapts to endurance exercise. The author, Dr Maharam […]
Let’s deal with the elephant in the room first – the £2,250 price tag. It’s £350 more than Zipp 404s, £405 more than Easton EC90s and a staggering £1,155 more than our ‘Best on Test’ Strada 88mm wheelset (issue 258, 220). However, once you see what’s gone into developing them, splashing this much cash seems […]
Opinions on the aesthetic values of the Blackburn’s head unit were divided but it’s certainly not the least attractive computer on test (the Union definitely takes that prize). The speed sensor is a beast, though, and although the fin styling is a nod to sleek lines, it could definitely do with losing some bulk. Mounting […]
There are plenty of people who’ll argue that you only need the seven simple functions on offer from the Pro SX4-W. And we know plenty of triathletes with high-end power meters and computers suffering from chronic paralysis by analysis who could do well to heed this advice. The neat head unit looks really classy and […]
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