Dedicated solely to the exhilaration of road cycling, Cyclist is the very first magazine of its kind. A celebration of the rides, the travel and the latest gear – we'll show you how to get the best from your ride every time.
The one everyone remembers is Rule #5 – ‘Harden The F*** Up’ – but there was (and still is) a long list of Rules, as laid down by the Velominati, governing everything from sock length to quick release positioning. As the Velominati pointed out, however, they didn’t invent The Rules. Rather, they curated them, based on what they saw going on in the ranks of the pros. Basically, if Eddy did it, it became a Rule. But then something happened. The arrival of disc brakes and wider tyres on road bikes ushered in a new kind of riding – gravel – which allowed us to explore further afield and escape the traffic. At first there was a certain amount of trepidation – isn’t this a bit too close to mountain…
Ever since the name first appeared in the mid-80s, ‘Specialissima’ has been reserved for Bianchi’s most traditional bikes. They have always been classic in form – a double-diamond construction of round tubes and rim brakes that married light weight and high stiffness with timeless looks. That makes the latest Specialissima somewhat of a departure. The bike has gone disc-only, with fully internal cables and subtle aero styling to bring the design functionally up to date. It now competes with some of the most popular bikes on the market, such as Specialized’s Tarmac, Giant’s TCR and Cannondale’s SuperSix Evo. To make such radical changes is a bold move, especially considering how well-regarded the 2015 Specialissima was. ‘The old Specialissima was conceived to be included in the superlight category,’ says Bianchi product…
Thermal jacket $219.95, bib short $219.95, vest $149.95, jersey $129.95, giant-bicycles.com/au Half a decade ago, cycling kit was out of control. Crazy colours, outlandish designs and wacky combinations were the norm, ensuring anyone could stand out from the crowd as they pleased. Australia was known globally for its statement apparel thanks to some visionaries and, lamentably, some less talented copycats. Nowadays, most can agree nothing looks classier than something that’s well made, fits properly, and has a subtle design. Outlandishness has given way to style and it’s a great look for cycling and cyclists. Giant’s new Staple Collection has picked up on the muted trend. For starters, it’s only offering its bibs in black and navy, and its jerseys, jackets and vests are all block with names including Forest Green…
$299, fesports.com.au These are the squarer version of 100%’s rounder Westcraft glasses. Like their sibling, the Eastcraft glasses can accommodate either a one-piece lens or two-piece lenses, the only obvious difference being that the wedge-shaped space in the middle is either filled in or not. The Eastcraft comes supplied with a one-piece mirror lens and two-piece clear lenses, although other kinds are available, including photochromic lenses. Both glasses are, of course, super-light, anti-scratch, and UV-blocking. Hydrophobic and Oleophobic lens treatment ensures water, oil and dirt pearl off your lenses, while removable side shields offer a bit more protection. More importantly, they are achingly cool and you’ll want to be seen in them – no matter the season.…
$219, fesports.com.au If the image to your left looks familiar but the name does not, here’s why. The first name change is the brand: formerly known as Aftershokz, the bone conduction headphones specialists are now known simply as Shokz. And their most popular product, the Aeropex, is now called the OpenRun. Ergo, the Aftershokz Aeropex is now the Shokz OpenRun. For those unfamiliar, bone conduction technology is where the headphones rest directly on the listener’s cheekbones, transmitting sound to the inner ear (cochlea) via this path instead of the traditional way via the eardrums. In doing so, they don’t obstruct external noises – say, a car engine or a rider calling out a pothole. The OpenRun incorporates some new updates including QuickCharge – offering an extra 1.5 hours of active…
$2,335, shimano.com.au Last issue, Cyclist featured the latest Dura-Ace wheelset and concluded: ‘$3,385 a pair seems a bargain.’ Well, bargain hunters read on. We all know Ultegra works just like Dura-Ace, but at a lower price. In bygone generations, Shimano’s trickle-down technology was a torrent of lesser-quality aesthetic and function; now, it’s barely a drip. The quality between first- and second-tier components is increasingly difficult to contrast. Like Dura-Ace, you can buy Ultegra wheels in C36, C50 and C60 with the number noting the rim’s depth. The widths across each are identical to Dura-Ace (21mm internal, 28mm external) and they claim to be lighter, stronger and more aero than any previous wheel in the Ultegra series… no prize if you guessed those features. Tech-wise, the wheels are full carbon, tubeless…
