More triathlon gear tests than any other website. EXPERT REVIEWS of the latest and best tri kit, including bikes, running shoes, wetsuits and clothing.
Setting up and using the X1 DW is as easy as any wireless bike computer. But, judging by the process outlined in the two instruction booklets, you might think it was actually some sort of aptitude test. First you must work out what each of the four buttons on the main unit – up, down, […]
You’re a couple of hours into a long hot ride and you reach for your bottle. Despite anticipating a refreshing slug of drink, all you get is a mouthful of tepid, sugary horribleness. Insulated bottles can provide a solution to this problem but often they don’t actually work that well, and only hold a relatively […]
At first touch, these socks felt too thick for summer running, so the thought of running in them in high humidity, understandably, didn’t appeal too much. But soon after donning them for an intense running session, the prolonged coolness of our feet became readily apparent. Their breathability comes from air vents and thin panels on […]
The Tattoo sits in the middle of Ironman’s tri-suit range and offers a striking aesthetic, with a vivid sublimated print in a style that defines the name. Ultimately, though, this suit doesn’t really do justice to the iconic brand; when compared to others in this price range we noticed compromises on fit, fabric and finish. […]
Weighing in at about 218g, the adiZero Ace can be considered as a faster-paced training shoe for lighter athletes, or a mid-weight racer for heavier runners and over longer distances. Support-wise it’s ‘neutral’, meaning that it’s best for those blessed with good running mechanics. The light and flexible material provides a comfy fit, though the […]
These Mule bars make a good recovery food, being far less processed than the majority of bars on the market. Each bar contains around 260 calories, 38g carbohydrate and 13g protein, so they’re ideal for immediate refuelling. The sugars (carbohydrates) come mainly from rice syrup, date and banana, and the main source of protein is […]
Sanyo’s new waterproof digital camera/camcorder has been designed to appeal to surfers and skiers, and it’s easy to see why. It has the highest possible IEC waterproof rating – IPX8 – and works down to a depth of three metres. It also boasts a 30x optical zoom and records 1280×720 HD video at 30 frames […]
Mavic Cosmic Carbones were one of the original high-performance deep-section wheelsets to emerge from the famous French brand many moons ago. Now available in various weights and rim combinations, the latest SL version can also be purchased with a Powertap 2.4 wireless rear hub (£1,365 for rear wheel alone) fitted in the factory. The usual […]
dhb has received many plaudits for fantastic value in terms of bang for your buck. Here’s an option that’ll surely be appropriate for these credit-crunching times, right? While this was the case for the R1 road shoe, unfortunately we cannot extend the same praise to the Tri Road. There are shared components [with the R1] […]
Louis Garneau have clearly identified the key requirements of a triathlete with the Carbon Tri HRS and delivered a highly functional shoe. All components perform perfectly with a stiff sole that permits a highly responsive riding experience, a positive and well-positioned pair of straps, and a surprisingly low weight given the slightly bulky silhouette. The […]
Sitting in the middle of their tri-specific range, the TR51 is the latest in a long line of successful shoes from Shimano. Notably, Shimano haven’t deviated from their tried and tested carbon outsole. Although it still offers comparable stiffness, the TR51 isn’t the lowest profile option and makes you feel more detached from the road. […]
Sporting a low-profile white carbon sole and a two-strap closure design, the CX311C is Lake’s top of the range tri-specific shoe. They’ve done a good job with the liner and they’re comfortable enough to ride sockless in, but there are questions over long-distance comfort. The fit’s comfortable and, unlike the Sidi, these have a generous […]
Spiuk’s Casta sits at the lower end of the tri shoes market but, sadly, the term ‘bargain’ doesn’t apply. In fact, with the major outsole component being shared with the cheaper dhb Tri Road (see review elsewhere on 220triathlon.com), we’re struggling to justify the difference. This shoe also suffers from a poorly fitting upper that […]
As with most Sidi’s, the first thing you notice is the ‘bling’ factor. The T2 opts for the classic gloss white scheme followed, as usual, with the snug Italian fit we love – unless you have wide hobbit feet that is! The shoe is constructed from a single thickness lined upper; this is supremely soft […]
Amongst the more expensive shoes we’ve recently tested, the Exustar is equipped with a high-quality and very stiff carbon sole. But this is where the positives end. The shoe’s been lined for sockless use, but where this adheres to the stiff synthetic outer it becomes very rough. This, in turn, makes for a painful riding […]
Despite a middling price tag, these tri shoes from Shimano offer performance and comfort that’s little different to their more expensive offerings. Upon opening the box, these shoes instantly feel durable and well built; they’ve a glass-fibre reinforced sole that’s relatively stiff and a low profile (if you want the carbon sole, the TR51 will […]
There’s no questioning that, with its sleek metallic looks and a symphony of exotic materials and construction techniques, this is a very desirable tri shoe. The Tri Pro has clearly received a great deal of design attention, with unique features like the detachable secondary strap, that offers levels of extra adjustment not often found on […]
The Hilo is aimed at the 112-mile Ironman bike leg, designed to be super light, comfortable and fast in transitions. Out of the box they visually fit the part with flashy silver, asymmetric design and custom-fit eSoles insoles. Slipping them on with the well-designed heel tab, the Hilo proved comfortable to wear sockless and felt […]
The Lynton Flyback comes from Zoggs’ CR25 chlorine resistant range so you can expect this suit to last as long as your tri career, if not longer. It’s fully lined through the front so feels great on, and the material has plenty of stretch, making the suit comfortable in the water. The straps provide good […]
Of all the swimsuits we’ve tested recently, this is the most unconventional looking. With its partially zip-fronted chest, it looks more like a cross between a tri-suit and a recreational swimming costume than a suit designed for training in the pool. It’s well-lined through the front so it should feel comfortable but, rather disappointingly, there’s […]
This suit has a simple-yet-elegant and stylish look with its white-navy-lavender colour scheme. The ‘H-Back’ style straps have been designed to come wider up the chest and over the shoulders, which translates to extra support and comfort in the water. As a result, the suit feels absolutely great in the pool. It’s made of Tyr’s […]
Taking its name from the location of 2009’s FINA World Swimming Championships, the Speedo Rome Placement suit is part of the Roma 09 collection. The bright pink colour scheme and distinctive Roman numeral design through the front of this suit really set it apart from the often staid swimsuit offerings, so this isn’t one for […]
With the wetsuit market more than covered, Orca has transferred some of their knowledge to the pool and, judging from this suit, they’ve clearly done their homework. Their new swim range – the CL-R – features the latest in chlorine-resistant fabrics. The One Piece Classic is exactly that: simple but smart-looking with a funky design […]
Lancashire bike builders Ribble have a wide range of bikes on their website and will build them up to different specs – even supplying with or without wheels – to suit your budgets and requirements. The Aero TT is one of their tri and time-trial-specific models and our test bike was built with one of […]
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