Froome and Contador seem the odds-on favourites at this year’s Tour de France, but there’s a slew of veterans and young riders looking to knock them off the podium in Paris.—Joe Lindsey
Photo: James Startt
The Spanish rider seems to have recovered the form that made him the world’s best stage racer before he was sidelined for his 2010 clenbuterol. He has won or placed second in every stage race he entered this past spring, and had no DNFs, major crashes, illness, or other setbacks. His Tinkoff-Saxo Bank team should be one of the strongest in the race, with a trio of top climbers—Roman Kreuziger, Nicolas Roche, and Mick Rogers—to support him and put pressure on Sky and Movistar. He’s not only the surest bet to unseat Chris Froome, but may also be the true favorite.
The GoPro is the most popular point-of-view video camera out there, but it can suffer from a short battery life if you use the more advanced features. That’s where SP’s Power Bar Duo comes in, because it can fully recharge two GoPro batteries on location.
It looks good, with styling to match the GoPro HERO3, including the same rubber trim and detailing. The built-in lithium-ion polymer battery charges from a mains supply in about four hours from flat, and takes an hour and a half to charge each GoPro battery (when two are plugged in, it charges them one at a time).
LEDs inform you of both battery and charging status, and there’s a USB port so you can charge other devices like smartphones – or even another GoPro, allowing you to charge three batteries at a time when it’s plugged into the mains (unplugged, it only has enough juice to charge two cameras).
Included in the box are a storage bag and a USB cable so you can charge it from your computer, but no mains adaptor. We tested it using an Apple USB to three-pin plug adaptor.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
Known for its BMX bikes, Identiti’s first drop bar machine and its ‘initial’ carbon frame comes with hydraulic disc brakes, which might just be the next big thing. But Identiti has bucked the trend for mountain bike-inspired 135mm rear spacing and stayed with the road standard 130mm.
Maintaining this spacing and including a drilled rear brake bridge enables the Initial-D to run discs or calipers, so it can accept all standard road wheels. The frame has clearance for 25mm rubber and, unusually, features a BSA 68mm bottom bracket, because Identiti and its engineers believe the proven performance of a 24mm axle and an external bearing system is more than adequate and easier to service than modern BB standards. It also has universal internal cable routing for mechanical, hydraulic or electric, mirrored on each side for every eventuality.
Hydraulic discs – the next big thing, now
We tested the range-topping Initial-D with SRAM’s 22 Red groupset, but it’s also available as a frameset or with other SRAM and Shimano builds. Shifting through every gear ratio is sublime, while SRAM’s newly updated Hydro R hydraulic disc brakes provide peerless stopping. Subtle brake modulation gives perfect control with bags of power that remains unaffected by road, rim or cable condition.
The Initial-D feels very refined and covers mixed terrain eagerly and in comfort, the 1515g frame and fork combining the added strength that’s required for disc braking with an involving suppleness. Acceleration is lively too, thanks to the rigid down tube, chunky chainstays and the Halo carbon wheels with their 50mm deep rims.
These tubeless-ready clinchers also have a braking track for extra versatility. A little more width increases stability and grip, and their 1600g weight doesn’t hold you back. The disc means the rear wheel has minimal dishing – good for strength and evening out spoke tension, though it comes at the expense of some lateral stiffness.
This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
