We hate to brag, but the made-up-yet-possibly-sort-of-true Blue Monday phenomenon isn't quite so problematic for the road.cc reviewers, because we're out getting plenty of endorphin-releasing exercise by trying all the latest and greatest cycling gear! Here are some of the most intriguing items out on test this week...
Hunt SuperDura Dynamo disc wheelset
£499.00
The SuperDura Dynamos are workhorses for bikepacking and CX, with a 24mm depth and 25mm width. Claimed weight is 1939g for the pair, and they also come with SONdelux Dynamo hubs that can power your lights and phone/GPS device while you're on the go. Dave Atkinson is reviewing these hoops, with a review coming shortly.
huntbikewheels.com
FSA K-Force WE Groupset
£2,599.99
The component brand revealed their first groupset well over a year ago, and now we know the part-wireless system carries the eye-watering price tag of £2.5K as it nears an on-sale date. What do you get for that? Well it took five years of development, the shifters communicate wirelessly with the mechs via ANT+ and you can customise the brake lever sizes. There's also a dedicated app to fine-tune the shifting to your exact liking. Is it a Force to be reckoned with? Stu Kerton's verdict will be in soon.
windwave.co.uk
Hutchinson Fusion 5 All-Season road tyre
£39.99
This tubeless-ready road clincher tyre is built for bad weather, with Hutchinson's new ElevenSTORM compound said to offer high levels of grip and low rolling resistance. They weigh 254g for a 25mm tyre, low for a tubeless-ready version, and have Kevlar reinforcement for increased puncture resistance. Does it set a new standard in all-season performance? Check back for the review soon.
windwave.co.uk
TrainerRoad Online Training
£99 a year
We've talked about it a fair bit and used it a lot, but then it occurred to us... there aren't many actual reviews of TrainerRoad, the power-based training app that's packed with workouts to improve performance from the 'comfort' of your turbo. Is it a match for the mighty Zwift? Dave Atkinson is putting the virtual miles in before reaching a verdict...
trainerroad.com
Assos RoboCap Headwarmer
£39.99
It might seem like a glorified beanie, but it's forty quid and has a cool name, so we're intrigued. The RoboCap is made with Assos' RXQ fabric for warmth, and it's double-layered around the ears and forehead. It's also got integrated elastic suspenders for securing shades, and comfortably fits under a helmet. Is it the ultimate winter warmer for your bonce? Stu Kerton is currently riding with the RoboCap with a review in shortly...
For all the latest road.cc test reports, check out our reviews section. If you want some more advice before splashing the cash, check out our buyer's guides.
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18 comments
That skull cap, what does the back look like? I have a winter cap but my neck is constantly pushing the cap off my ears (by pushing the material on the back of my neck). This one looks like an ideal solution, but does it remain over the ears?
Presumably glasses go through the little black hoops on the sides of the cap?
As for looks, I don't care. I long ago decided that so long as I'm happy, I couldn't give a toss what others think
On the software front how about testing support as part of the review? I've always found Trainerroad excellent but more broadly, if you raise a ticket as a regular punter it would be interesting to see how companies compare. (and I think they'll all do well as from what I've seen they seem to see it as a priority unlike some.online retailers).
Thanks for your suggestion - obviously this is an area that's difficult for us to explore as we most often receive trial periods for review purposes (although quite a few of our staffers are paid subscribers to virtual training platforms now) so it's something we can comment on and update long-term. We're looking at updating and refreshing reviews more frequently as we learn more about products over longer periods of time, training software is a prime candidate for this.
I recently had reason to contact TR and they responded in about 10 minutes and were extremely helpful in addressing & ultimately fixing my issue. Couldn't have been more happier with that element of it!
And thanks all for the info on the wheels.
Yea they look like Trimax K8 , alu rims they are though.
Think the wheels are trimax by vision, part of FSA. Remember reading they had something similar to mavic exalith/ Dt Swiss oxic coming out.
On that FSA chainset pic, what wheels are on that Colnago please? Anybody know?
The wheels are Vision Trimax 30 KB - https://shop.visiontechusa.com/en/trimax-30-kb
The Assos Guy seems to have abandoned "Blue Steel" and adopted a new pose, presumably entitled something like "Gormless Swimming Pool Attendant".
For the Hutchinson tyre, looks like the description is for the tubed version of the All Season, but the photo is the Tubeless Ready version with the new 11Storm compound.
Why on earth would anyone aim a dynamo front wheel at CX? Cyclocross events only last an hour. Off the road. In the daytime.
Might be handy for an Audax though. Did someone mishear what they were being told?
The wheels are described as for 'Bike Pack/CX' - assuming it means in that order, they're most suitable for bikepacking or audax but can also be cyclocrossed.
OH MY - Does Stu know you've put that picture on the internet?
I must say I have one of those assos skullcaps and it's brill in artic weather, but, and it's a big but.. well you can see the downside from the picture. Not even Brad pit could look good in one of those. I think mine cost a fiver in a end of season sale a few years ago.
It is designed to be worn under a helmet after all.
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It is designed to be worn under a helmet after all.
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"Under" or "by"?
The things I do for cash Pete! At least the Speedo's didn't make it into the shot
All great, but where is the Merida Silex review you said was'coming soon' a month and a half ago.
What is your definition of 'coming soon'?
We like to think a couple of weeks or so, but reviews occasionally get pushed back depending on workload etc. More time = a more thorough review on the plus side!