It’s been a hell of a year for new ‘stuff’ with major launches from all the big brands – and some genuine surprises too.
On one side there were the technical aero marvels of the Specialized Venge ViAS and new Trek Madone; on another the sublime stripped-down supremacy of Bianchi’s Specialissima and Cannondale’s awesome duo of the new Evo and CAAD12.
On the gear side, SRAM’s exciting and unique eTap wireless groupset has to get a mention, along with the myriad new power meter solutions that came on the market. For my picks however, I've stuck with the stuff that I’ve been using, have kept using, and will keep on using.
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SRAM Red 22
Red 22 has been around a while, and with eTap on the radar – not to mention Dura-Ace Di2 and Campagnolo EPS – it stands a chance of becoming the forgotten group. But I love the concept and the way Red goes about its business. It’s the lightest group available in standard form at 1747g; if you opt for the hydraulic rim brakes it adds 104g, but at 1851g complete that’s still lighter than either Record or Dura-Ace 9000.
I wouldn’t say Red is better than EPS or Di2; in fact those electronic groups have the edge in terms of maintenance-free use. But Red for me offers big advantages in itself. The slick shifts (aided by the unique Yaw front derailleur, which laughs in the face of crossed chanciness), light weight, and above all superb braking are compelling reasons for me to ride it, and keep riding it – at least until I can get my hands on eTap for a longer period of time.
Challenge Strada Bianca open tubular
I’ve had Strada Biancas – named for the white chalk and gravel roads that snake through the Chianti region of Tuscany – fitted to my Kinesis Decade Tripster for a year now. As I use that bike mostly up on the gravel and unmetalled military roads of Salisbury Plain, they've been the ideal choice.
Fizik R5B shoes
Zipp 404 Firestrike Clincher Limited
Gemini Iris light
Cannondale Cypher helmet
Skratch Labs lime and matcha energy drink
Fox Wilson Camden jacket
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