A week is a long time in politics, but exactly seven days on a bike, who knew?
Content highlights this week included a gallery of gorgeous bikes from the UK Handmade Bike Show, Bespoked and the Dinosaurs of Cycling – not a Cipo benchmark, honestly.
We’ve taken a look at the surprisingly controversial world of helmet testing courtesy of Kask and given some timely advice on how to get your bike clean quickly.
Without a doubt, the biggest product news of the week was the launch of Specialized’s extraordinary Diverge STR gravel bike. Don’t miss our launch coverage, in-depth development story and our first Specialized Diverge STR ride review.
The product began with a guest appearance from tech Sam Challis with some new Shimano swag.
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Shimano RX8R Gravel Shoes
Photo: Sam Challis
When Shimano initially launched its RX-8 gravel shoe in 2019, it wasn’t clear where it would fit between the brand’s sleek, stiff road shoes and rugged off-road models. Could the design carve a niche between the two or step on the toes of the two ranges on either side?
Hindsight tells us it was the former: RX8 shoes are now generally considered a neat blend of the best qualities of both lines, being light and stiff like the road, yet rugged and with soles like the off-road.
The RX8s have just received an update and gained an additional bypass in the process, the RX8R. The RX8R shoes use the same durable microfiber synthetic leather upper as the regular RX8 shoes, but add a knitted cuff.
The idea being that the cuff fits more tightly to the rider’s ankle, improving the shoes barrier against dust, dirt and water ingress, while providing physical protection against brambles and rocks on the path.
Elsewhere, the RX8R shoes mirror the regular RX8s, using the same ‘Surround Wrap’ upper closure – where one half of the upper wraps over the other – the same Boa Li2 dials and the same lightweight carbon composite sole. .
The knitted cuff doesn’t add much weight, so the RX8Rs are still as light as their predecessors at 592g for a size 43 pair.
Back to Matthew…
MAAP Alt_Road lightweight anorak
In the UK, the term ‘anorak’ has connotations of men lurking on train platforms – although that’s cool now – but this smocked jacket from MAAP is anything but dated.
Part of the gritty Alt_Road range, the lightweight anorak is designed to be fully waterproof thanks to its Drytex fabric and taped seams, and it has a slightly more relaxed fit than the brand’s pure road kit.
It has a good sized hood, two side pockets and an additional chest pocket, as well as elasticated cuffs and waist and hood straps to protect you from the elements.
The anorak is a simple, stylish jacket that manages to look like streetwear but doesn’t look out of place on the bike.
MAAP offers the men’s anorak in ‘dark olive’ and ‘deep blue’. This last modeled here by woman looks more like purple to us, and it is very beautiful too.
There’s also a female-specific version that comes in a single “gray mist” option.
- Shop the men’s Alt_Road lightweight anorak now from MAAP (£235)
- buy women Alt_Road lightweight anorak now from MAAP (£235)
Rapha Pro Team Time Kit
Photo: Patrick Lundin
There was a time when Rapha’s range was quite simple, but today it’s an ever-evolving blur of limited editions, capsule collections and collaborations alongside the main pieces.
The Pro Team collection is pure racing kit and it’s a must-have for riders who want a very tight fit designed to perform in an aggressive riding position.
Photo: Patrick Lundin
The outfit pictured here features Rapha’s Pro Team Time print, which is said to be “inspired by Rapha’s global cycling community”.
Whatever that means, it’s a great design and the kit itself ticks all the boxes for a summer roadie (sorry): lightweight fabrics, a minimalist collar, three regulation pockets plus a zippered one for valuables , and pro-style long sleeves for the eros.
Photo: Patrick Lundin
Drag reduction is a theme everywhere in fact, with smooth fabrics on the front, a textured back panel and “strategically placed glued seams”, all aimed at adding slipperiness.
The matching bib shorts feature similar attention to detail and breathable sports suspenders, wide silicone leg grippers and size specific chamois.
After wearing the kit on roasting Swiss climbs for a Cyclist magazine photoshoot, I can confirm it’s perfect for riding fast in the heat.
There is also a women’s version of this kit, although there is no Aero version of the jersey available at this time, but rather the more affordable (and less capable) Pro Team training jersey.
Get yours direct from Rapha:
- Men’s Pro Team Aero Shirt – Duration: £112
- Pro Team Womens Training Shirt – Duration: £57
- Mens Pro Team II Bib Shorts – Duration: £154
- Women’s Pro Team Bib Shorts – Duration: £154
On the agenda this week: Copenhagen and good cycling infrastructure
It’s no news that there are countless countries in the world that cycle every day much better than the UK. I’m not talking about fast on-road driving, but everyday utilitarian stuff – errands, commuting, outings, etc.
After enjoying my brief working holiday in Copenhagen for the Grand Départ of the Tour de France 2022, I recently returned to the city with my wife for a real holiday and was struck again, but how great the Danes cycling infrastructure is doing well and how terribly wrong we are about that in the UK.
Utility cycling is not a hobby for young athletes in Denmark, it’s just what people do. Separate cycle lanes are the norm and although you see road bikes and fixies, the vast majority of people ride upright city bikes or cargo bikes which are perfectly suited for riding in everyday clothes.
Alongside the cycling infrastructure, Copenhagen has excellent metros and buses at reasonable prices, so there are alternatives for people who can’t or don’t want to ride a bike.
Judging by the Danes’ offhand approach to bike security – it’s not uncommon for bikes to be locked only and not attached to a rack – theft isn’t a problem either.
Efforts to improve cycling in British cities invariably meet furious opposition from people who will not accept even the slightest adjustment to their way of life.
Never mind that reducing urban car traffic benefits everyone, making cities quieter, less polluted and safer for their inhabitants, and that good alternatives exist for those who cannot get around by bike themselves.
I have no silver bullet to change the political climate that makes it so difficult to improve our shared urban spaces in this country. Do we need to take the anti-bike guys on a mini break in Copenhagen? It really is a attractive town.
Meeting next week.
Belting your loins for cold weather? Don’t miss our guide to riding in winter
Shimano photography by Sam Challis, all others Matthew Loveridge unless otherwise noted
