It’s the end of the week and time for another edition of our favorite cycling tech overview, First Look Friday.
As usual, we have a selection of new and interesting kits to introduce you to, but before we get into that, let’s run through some of the week’s highlights.
Specialized stole the headlines on Wednesday with the announcement of a cheaper, aluminum Crux DSW gravel bike.
Based on its carbon S-Works Crux and made using its D’Aluisio Smartweld (DSW) technology, Specialized claims this is the lightest aluminum gravel bike frame available, weighing in at just under 1.4kg.
At the other end of the price spectrum, our review of Partington’s hyper-light (and hyper-expensive) R-Series MKII R39/44 wheelset was published this week.
Their performance and new construction certainly make these wheels stand out from the crowd, but at £5,500 / $6,400 / €6,000 we don’t expect to see many sets making their way to your local club anytime soon.
Following the launch of Shimano’s new 12-speed GRX Di2 RX825 gravel groupset, our knobby tire crew had their say on things we want to see from a new Shimano XTR Di2 groupset.
We have no idea when that will come, but hopefully there will be time for Shimano to implement all our ideas and create a winning electronic mountain bike group.
At the start of the week, BikeRadar editor-in-chief Gary Walker published the first entry of his Temple Adventure Disc 2 long-term review.
On his first gravel bike, Gary has already described the ride quality as “revelatory”, although he obviously already has a number of upgrades and personalizations planned.
Finally, it won’t be long until La Grande Boucle. That’s right, the 2024 Tour de France is less than a month away, and if you want to know everything about this year’s race, it’s worth picking up our official Tour de France guide.
POC Procen Air helmet
Launched earlier this year after being bullied into the pro peloton at the Tour Down Under, the Procen Air is POC’s latest aero road helmet.
In many ways, the Procen Air simply seems like a cut-down version of the brand’s latest time trial helmet, the Procen TT.
Taking advantage of the fact that there are no UCI rules against ear coverings or long tails in mass start road races, the Procen Air looks to offer the aerodynamic performance of a time trial helmet with the practicality and ventilation of a racing bike helmet.
It’s fair to say that the Procen Air’s styling is, to put it kindly, very performance-oriented. Like the POC Tempor, we suspect it will divide opinion.
But if it’s as slick as it looks, we have no doubt it will also find its place among those willing to sacrifice looks for speed.
Like many time trial helmets, the Procen Air uses an integrated, magnetic visor to improve aerodynamic performance, and both mirrored and clear visors are included.
Conveniently, the helmet contains a set of magnets at the back, so the visor can be stowed away from the airflow when not needed.
Priced at £360 / $400 / €400, there are three sizes available; small (50-56cm), medium (54-59cm) and large (56-61cm).
The Procen Air is available in two colors: ‘Hydrogen White’ and ‘Uranium Black Matte’. Our test sample is a black, size medium model.
According to POC’s specs, the Procen Air is quite heavy, weighing 356 grams (six grams more than the claimed weight), according to our scale.
However, that includes the integrated visor, so once you factor in sunglasses with a traditional aero racing helmet, the opening narrows somewhat.
- POC Procen Air helmet: £360 / $400 / €400
Hutchinson Caracal Race and Caracal gravel tires
Unveiled last month, Hutchinson claims its new Caracal Race tire (£54.99 / €59.99) is “the fastest gravel tire on the market”.
Using technologies borrowed from its latest flagship road tubeless tyre, the Blackbird, Hutchinson says the Caracal Race “outperforms unnamed competing models by up to 35 percent”.
According to the brand, this is thanks to a lighter, smoother carcass and a new tread compound, both of which are said to offer significantly lower rolling resistance.
At the same time, Hutchinson also launched the Caracal band. Although visually similar to the Caracal Race, the standard Caracal uses a thicker casing, a different rubber compound and a special puncture protection belt under the tread.
According to Hutchinson, this makes it more suitable for ‘everyday riding’, while the Caracal Race is only intended for racing on dry and hard gravel.
It’s also slightly cheaper: £49.99 / €54.99 per band.
Hutchinson claims that both tires – which are only available in one size 700x40c – weigh 475 grams, but we see some differences between the two models here.
The Caracal Race, with its thinner casing and lack of a puncture protection belt, is expected to weigh slightly less (466 grams per tire), while the sturdier Caracal weighs 485 grams per tire.
Big tires in particular were a major technology trend at this year’s Unbound gravel race (with many racers using 45 to 50mm wide tires), so while 700x40c certainly isn’t small, we wonder if Hutchinson would use larger sizes in the future can launch if there is demand.
- Hutchinson Caracal Race gravel tire: £54.99 / €59.99
- Hutchinson Caracal gravel tire: £49.99 / €54.99
Restrap Race hydration vest
Hydration packs have become increasingly popular among gravel and ultra-distance cyclists in recent years, as they provide a way to carry much larger amounts of fluid and fuel than just on the bike.
As the name suggests, Restrap’s Race Hydration Vest has a compact, minimalist design and is aimed at racers. It has a shorter profile that still allows access to the back pockets of close-fitting cycling jerseys.
Despite this, it still has room for a large 2 liter bladder (which is included), while there are two additional mesh pockets on the back for extra water bottles, snacks or spares.
At the front, each shoulder strap features additional mesh pockets for quick and easy access to food or spare parts, while the left strap contains a zippered pocket for valuables.
The total capacity of the backpack is 7.5 liters, of which 2 liters are reserved for the hydration backpack.
It’s available in two sizes – small/medium and large/XL – and has a claimed weight of 368 to 380 grams.
Built to handle the unpredictable conditions of long-distance cycling events, Restrap’s Race Hydration Vest is made from waterproof X21 fabrics and features reflective detailing for improved visibility in low light.
- Restrap Race hydration vest: £139.99
Oakley Drop In D3O Knee Grd
In addition to a special mountain bike helmet, a set of MTB knee pads are an important part of the protection on the bike.
Oakley’s latest Drop In D3O knee pads [sic] are a downhill-focused design, with “heavyweight protection designed for aggressive riding.”
The Drop In D3O knee pads are made from Cordura – a tough, abrasion-resistant nylon fabric – and include removable D3O EN1621 L1 CE certification LP1 knee pads for motorcycle-level protection.
There is also an additional layer of 3mm EVA foam padding on the outer edge of each pad for extra protection.
As you’d expect, the fit can be adjusted at both the top and bottom of the pads via sturdy Velcro straps, while the back of the pads is fully mesh to improve breathability and ventilation.
Available in one color (black) and five sizes, from XS to XL, Oakley’s Drop In D3O knee pads cost £92.
- Oakley Drop In D3O Knee Pad: £92