Sector guide: road bikes and accessories

Fisher Outdoor Leisure
The LOOK 695 Aerolight – equipped with Ultegra 11s and Mavic CC SLE wheels – lands in the UK in October. With a SRP of £6,999, the 695 Aerolight is all about component integration, with a fluid design benefiting from components developed as a frame-related unit.

Eastway’s range includes the RD1.0 (£1,999) and the Eastway ST1.0 (£999) among others. The former is a carbon offering with road brakes, SRAM Force groupset and Avid BB7 discs. The latter – the ST1.0 – is forged from Reynolds 520 steel providing a strength in frame, comfort in ride and classic looks. 

On the apparel side, Santini has a range of options. Santini’s MIC BCOOL Bib Shorts (£139.99) use the new MIG3 gel padding, with a central core made of lightweight breathable chamois, bolstered with layers to dampen shock. Santini also has the 75 ZEST short sleeve Shirt (retaling at £59.99), the 75 GUARD Jacket (£139.99) – a race-fit waterproof and windproof jacket, and the 75 ICE water resistant Jacket (£82.49).
01727 798345

Sportline
Brand new for Saracen in 2014 is a concise range of aggressive alloy road bikes. The brand says the new line-up doesn’t merely follow a "me-too" formula for road bikes but instead has its own take on what a modern road bike is. Key to that was drilling down to what riders wanted out of an alloy bike: Lightweight frame, reasonably fast handling geometry that was still comfortable 30miles into a ride, all-weather practicality and most importantly being a hoot to ride.

Saracen’s propriety chassis starts with a custom formed and triple butted 6061 alloy tubeset, sharing the visual cues of its Hack but weighing a scant 1.55kg in 56cm form. It comes standard with a tapered headtube for maximum headtube/downtube stiffness giving sharp, precise handling.

All Tenet road models come with a tapered alloy steerer fork with carbon blades that are mudguard-ready for year-round all-weather versatility.

The range starts at just £649 and tops out a very reasonable £949. Head on over to Sportline’s business-to-business site to order:
www.sportlineb2b.co.uk; saracen.co.uk

Hotlines
Lynskey has recently unveiled its Silver Series, consisting of four new US-made titanium frames. With two road frames and two hardtail MTBs, certified aerospace grade seamless 3Al- 2.5V titanium was forged in the company’s new state of-the-art Chattanooga factory. Affordability is a crucial selling point for these bikes, the brand says. The Breakaway hits the £999.99 price point, as does the Peloton, which features slightly relaxed geometry, longer top tube and taller head tube for relaxed riders.

Aside from bikes, the Gaerne Carbon G. Chrono Road Shoes have been released to mark Gaerne’s fifthteenth anniversary. Focused on aesthetics and tech, the new shoe has been designed down to the smallest detail – not least the full carbon sole that ‘guarantees’ absolute lightness and rigidity. The ultra-thin thickness of the carbon allows the foot to be positioned at a minimal distance from the pedal, thus allowing maximum power whilst pedalling without loss of energy. It features the BOA L5 closure system and a wealth of other bits and pieces like the Al Carbon Heel-Cup. Reflective inserts provide maximum visibility and RRP is £299.99.
0131 319 1444

i-ride
The Argon 18 Gallium Pro Ultegra and the De Rosa SuperKing E Frameset are just two of the road bikes on offer from i-ride. The Argon 18 Gallium Pro Ultegra Bike has been fully re-designed for 2014 with a new advanced stiffness to weight ratio (SWR), while still providing responsive power transfer, accurate handling and comfort for which the Gallium Pro is known. The SKU comes with two options – internal cables or Di2/EPS. It has a new integrated BB86 bottom bracket, 3D Headtube for tailored adjustment of handlebar height of every rider while enhancing front-end stiffness and 7050 HM carbon composite.

De Rosa’s SuperKing E Frameset (£2,999.99) is the result of a collaboration between De Rosa designers and engineers from Campagnolo. Last year the frame was made specifically for Campagnolo EPS but this year De Rosa has made it compatible with Shimano Di2 too. The battery is completely hidden inside the frame and rechargeable via a ‘plug’ into the frame itself underneath the water bottle holder.

The SuperKing features a blend of three different types of composite fibres MR-60 (295 GPA/5800MPA) HR-40 (390GPA/4610MPA) and NGF’s 630GPA in addition to structural reinforcements at the points of greatest stress using high modulus fibres.
01444 243000

Moore Large
Moore Large’s own Forme brand has a range of road options and, in the recently launched Formeula line, a junior bike offering. The range includes three drop bar models including a 24-inch, 26-inch and a 700c wheel bike, all ergonomically designed to offer optimum control, function and fun for the younger rider. All Formeula bikes are built on a strong, lightweight 6061 Aluminium frame with mudguard eyelets, and come supplied with two sets of tyres; one slick for road use, and one with a tread for cross riding. Price points start at £399.99 for the 24-inch, £449.99 for the 26-inch and £499.99 for the 700c.

Back to Forme, and the 2014 line-up includes the all-new Forme Thorpe Pro, with Toray 700 Carbon Frame – Brand New Ultegra 11SPD Grupo and Mavic Ksyrium Elites (RRP £1999.99). Find out more from Moore Large at 01332 274252

Raleigh
Raleigh has an expanded performance and endurance range, plus new cyclo-cross, time trial and track bikes. Raleigh has gone with a mix of SRAM and Shimano through the range with the top-end £5000 Militis Team (pictured) featuring SRAM Red 22 and the top-end £3,000 Revenio Carbon 4 featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2. Raleigh has also introduced a new sizing system on its Revenio range designed to offer consumers a wider choice of frame sizes.

The focus for Haibike 2014 will be to capitalise on its premium positioning whilst steadily making more affordable models available to meet demand.

Accessory-wise, Dare2B’s AEP range is being backed by brand ambassador Oscar Periro, including the long sleeve jersey. Raleigh also stocks UK-made Lusso range. While they are created in Manchester, Lusso garments include premium materials like the Carbon Resistex, sourced from premium Italian manufacturers. The Lusso range includes a Carbon Jersey and Carbon bib shorts among others, featuring UV protection, antistatic and flat seam comfort.

Heads are protected on the road courtesy of RSP and its 23-vent Team helmet, with full in-mould construction, integrated carbon skeleton and lightweight, ergonomic head ring system. RSP also measures road rides with its EX4.0 computer.
01773 532600

Paligap
2014 sees further growth of the Avanti range from Paligap. The family-owned New Zealand bike brand continues to expand its range with the inclusion of the new Corsa SL carbon road bike, a development of the award-winning Corsa aero road bike launched last year. With chainstay mounted rear brake and new tube profiling this is set to be a fine addition to the range of existing aluminium and carbon road bikes.
Also new is the carbon Ridgeline full-suspension 29er, a 100mm travel fast XC orientated machine based on the original aluminium model and was two years in the making.

With new colours and graphics for 2014, Avanti’s latest range promises to be the best yet with all categories of road, MTB, urban and leisure catered for. There are now over 60 Avanti dealers, just 18 months after the brand was established in the UK.
01454 313116

SRAM
Aside from componentry, SRAM and its associated brands have a number of road accessories, not least Zipp’s bottle cages: SL Speed (£64.99) and Alumina (£29.99). Both are designed to be ultra-light (18g) while securely holding the bottle. Optimised side-bottle entry provides easy access to the drink, even on smaller frames or those with tight angles. While the arms are thin, they’re also strong and flexy so getting the bottle inserted and removed is no chore. Unsurprisingly, the Alumina features an aluminium cage, weighs 27g and share the same design as the carbon SL Speed. Also under the Zipp brand is the handy QuickView computer Mount for Aero bars (£14.99). This simple computer mount for TT bar extensions weighs 18g and promises to be easy to mount while being vibration and slip-free. It instals quickly and securely on any 22mm TT bar extension and, of course, works great with a Quarq power metre.

Sticking with computers, there’s the SRAM QuickView computer Adaptor (£4). Finally, SRAM has a Carry-on Roller Bag (£124.99).

St Albans-based Fisher Outdoor Leisure looks after the entire SRAM portfolio in the UK: 01727 798345

Endura
Endura’s Airshell Helmet is a lightweight in-mould road cycling helmet that weighs only 220g in size S/M. Extensive rider experience has been poured into the helmet coupled with high tech computer mathematical modelling techniques. The Airshell features glass fibre/ carbon fibre reinforcement bridges for an impressive strength-weight combination and it comes in four colours – as well as a Team NetApp-Endura Replica Edition.
Air flow is maximised through ClearThru air vents, while internal HeadStream air flow channels direct air through the front and out the back of the helmet, stripping heat along the way. The Airshell Helmet is available in three sizes (S/M, M/L, L/XL) and one hand micro-adjustment and the three position vertical adjustment on the inner head ring provide a fine-tuned fit. The compact chin strap with twin strap dividers allows micro-adjustment of the strap position.

The helmet is equipped with antibacterial, fast wicking, easily removable head padding for comfort and hygiene, including a spare set. The extended rear-wrap design of the helmet provides extra protection to the lower rear of the head. The helmet is covered by Endura’s Crash Replacement Policy and Endura Product Guarantee. Retail price is £89.99.
enquiry@endura.co.uk

Vulpine
Vulpine is feeling Epic with its latest range. The Original Rain Jacket, made out of water resistant Epic cotton, was part of the brand’s first ever range but it struck a chord with consumers and in response Vulpine has put more resources into a full range of Epic garments. 

Epic cotton is not only water resistant, but also windproof, stainproof (that includes chain oil), anti-bacterial, ECO-safe and quick drying. The updated Epic range consists in two jackets, shorts and trousers for men and women, with new colours that include Military Green and Sahara.

The Original Rain Jacket is loaded with features like a zip-off magnetic splash guard, magnetic pocket flaps, wrist key pocket and adjustable neck, waist and hips. The Harrington Rain Jacket is a more casual, urban garment simplified in comparison to the Original and based on the British design classic jacket.

Likewise there’s plenty of detail stitched into the Cotton Rain Shorts, with zip cash pocket, key carabiner, reflective tabs, hidden reflective light loop and great rain and muddy puddle proofing. The Cotton Rain Trousers have the same details than the shorts and a more tapered leg and cut lower on the waist than Vulpine’s previous lighter weight Tailored Trousers. The Epic range starts at £115 for the shorts (men and women).
020 3151 4100

Zyro
Blackburn’s Airstik SL Mini pump retails at £16.99 and, says the brand, it provides 37 per cent more stroke volume than similar pumps. 160 PSI is the max pressure. The Airstik 2Stage Min pump (£19.99) has a switchable high-volume and high-pressure modes for faster inflation with less effort, also providing 160 PSI max pressure.

Also available to the trade via Zyro, Easton’s EA90 SLX tubeless aluminium race wheels start from £399.99 is the brand’s top of the line alu offering, offering certified road tubeless rims, wider rim width, durable Echo hubs…all in a lightweight, speedy package.

But how are you going to keep that snazzy road kit working in the winter grime? Fenwick’s Stealth road bike kit (£31.99) fits the bill, providing its multi-award winning chain lube. Winter also mean perpetual, depressing darkness, if we may be so dramatic, so Nima’s front and rear lights (from £12.99) are also a sage choice, providing 180-degree visibility and packing a bright punch despite their diminutive nature.

CatEye has a wealth of options to monitor rides, with the Stealth GPS cycle computers (starting from £79.99) providing simple features and functions without sensors on forks or chain stays. Bryton’s Rider 40 (from £149.99) is pitched straight at competitive road riders, with multiple training modes.

Minoura has a range of handlebar accessories – like the Smartphone holder (£27.99) – where riders can make the most of their smartphone functionality while in the saddle.

Abus’ combiflex Pro 70cm/90cm (£15.99/£19.99) is the same size as a mobile phone and weighs just a few grams, so it’s a flexible solution for low risk applications. The same brand has the Tec-Tical Pro Helmet (£99.99), a premium race helmet weighing 245grams for the medium size and sporting multi-density helmet material (EPS).

Giro’s Air Attack helmet (£149.99) has fine-tuned the design for a lightweight, compact and efficient aerodynamic shape that slices through air. For £50 more, the Aeon helmet is a revamped version of the Aeon, with weight reduced a whopping 28 per cent.

Bell also has helmet options, including the Gage (£159.99) designed to meet the exacting standards of the pro peleton. The Sweep (£99.99) is a popular choice for road and MTBers alike, we’re told, being versatile, lightweight and dependable. More information on that and any of the above from Zyro on www.zyro.co.uk

Avocet
Avocet offers a large range of Viking road bikes including 20-inch and 24-inch wheel, two flat bar and five fixed wheeled bikes. That line-up includes two gents road bikes ranging from £225 to £639.99. The three ladies-specific models retail prices start at £225 rising to £389.99. There are two flat bar road models, at £385.00 and £459.99. Finally there are five fixed wheel bikes, ranging from £259.99 to £329.99. For further detail or to become a stockist call sales on 0161 727 8508

Tiger Cycles
The 2014 range of Tiger Road bikes are pitched as the brand’s best yet and include new graphics on all steel and alloy frame models with the now standard Tiger build of sealed cartridge B/B and full Shimano 16 speed gears in a choice of five colours and all from the industry beating price of £89.90. Find out more about these entry level or training bikes by calling Tiger Cycles Europe on 01683 220837

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