We the leg-shaving citizens of the tarmac saw some major changes to our world in 2016. Disc brakes finally came (and then went) in the pro peloton, suspension bobbed into our bikes, and Zwift blossomed into a legit phenomenon.
I logged 11,000 miles this year, Strava tells me. Much of that was on test bikes. Like my coworkers, I also tested a whole mess of shoes, helmets, computers, apps, saddles, wheels and more. But what do I use when I'm not actively testing something, you ask? What are my favorites? Well, here are the 10 things I went back to time and time again in 2016.
Bluetooth
Okay, let me start this one with an apology to Polar, a company that I derided in the past for choosing Bluetooth over ANT+. Two years ago, ANT+ was the wireless protocol for cycling computers and components, and using Bluetooth seemed kinda like spec'ing Campagnolo in a Shimano- and SRAM-dominated world. I mean, it's a great technology, but who is using it, really?
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Fast forward to 2016, and, well, a lot of cycling companies are using Bluetooth — often in addition to ANT+. Stages kicked off the power-meter category with Bluetooth/ANT+ transmissions, and now dual broadcast is the standard for smart trainers.
Of course smartphones have long offered Bluetooth, and many newer laptops have it, too. The new Android Galaxy 7 (not the flammable one — the other one) is cool with its native ANT+, which I've been testing with TrainerRoad. But short of that, getting ANT+ to talk to your phone or computer requires a plug-in dongle or USB stick. Not very slick.
- Auto uploads of rides from Garmin Edge or Wahoo Elemnt to Strava via a tethered phone
- Text and call alerts on Edge and Elemnt from a tethered phone
- Smart trainer connection to Zwift and TrainerRoad
- Heart-rate monitor connection to Edge, Element, phone and MacBook
- Power meter firmware updates
Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL pedals
Specialized Power saddle
Dznuts chamois cream
Q36.5 phone wallet
Sako7 socks
Oakley Jawbreaker Prizm Road
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