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Component news
Campagnolo Ekar GT
With 13 sprockets, Campagnolo's Ekar gravel gearbox can be fine-tuned like no other gearbox that works with just one chainring. The more affordable GT now makes it interesting for a wider audience. The "Gran Turismo" is primarily aimed at cycle travellers, and the groupset underlines its suitability for touring with new gear ratio options. There is a wider-ranging sprocket set with 10-48 teeth and a smallest chainring with 36 teeth - and therefore extremely light mountain gears.
The powerful brakes remain unchanged; the GT's crank and brake lever are made of aluminium instead of carbon. A detail worth mentioning: The chainring is designed so that it can be changed on the bike without having to remove the crank. At a list price of around €1,500, the Ekar GT will cost a good €300 less than its more upmarket sister, but weighs around 300 grams more. The Italians also presented matching Zonda wheels with 23-millimetre aluminium rims, which should make complete bikes for less than 3,000 euros possible, with weights of around nine kilos.
- Price: approx. 1,500 euros
Larger brake discs from Shimano & Sram
The industry's internal specifications for brake discs on gravel bikes have apparently changed almost secretly: the first bikes with 180 millimetre discs on the front wheel will roll onto the market in the 2024 season, initially on models from Fuji, Merida and Rose. Both Shimano (GRX) and Sram (Red/Force) equipment will be available as standard. The larger discs from mountain bike accessories decelerate noticeably more directly and are more stable under heavy loads, i.e. high weight and steep descents. Because not all wheels and brakes are approved for this, the following applies: Always ask the manufacturer before converting!
- Price: approx. 70 Euro
Sram Time XPRO 12 SL
Parent company Sram is sending out a sign of life for the Time pedal brand. The portfolio has been streamlined and the models have been thoroughly revised. The flagship model is the XPRO 12 SL, which weighs less than 180 grams per pair with a carbon body and titanium axles. New features include adjustable hardness for the entry level and pedal axles in three lengths to influence the Q-factor. The top model costs 480 euros, starting with the XPRO 10 from 165 Euro.
- Price: from 165 Euro
Adidas Dunamis
Sporting goods multinational Adidas pursues the topic of cycling sometimes more, sometimes less intensively. Eyewear is one of the more frequently launched accessories, such as the new Dunamis Shield sunglasses with a mirrored visor. The temples are almost completely rubberised for a secure fit and the nose pads can be adjusted to fit large, small, narrow or wide noses. According to the manufacturer, the visor is dirt and water-repellent and the glasses weigh just 27 grams in total.
- Price: 220 Euro >> available here
Crankbrothers Tool BC 18
Carrying a mini-tool plus repair kit open and ready to hand on the bottle cage is a clever idea, as long as it doesn't get dirty. The new BC 18 has all the necessary tools on board, from Allen and Torx bits, spoke spanners and small chain tools to tubeless tools and tyre levers, and is well stowed away in a lockable aluminium cylinder. There is even space for a CO2 cartridge on the holder.
- Price: 100 Euro >> available here
Northwave Gravel Shoe
The gravel shoe from Northwave weighs 880 grams as a pair including cleats. This is a decent weight for a shoe in this price range. When trying on the shoes for the first time, it is noticeable that they are relatively wide, although a version with a wider last ("Wide") is also available. For those with delicate and narrow feet, we recommend the "WMN" model, which, like the "Wide", is only available in the colour black. Otherwise, the affordable model from the Italians is equipped with a twist lock, has a neat finish and is available in black, green, white and grey.
- Price: 135 Euro >> available here
Maloja GatterlM.
What happens when 24 children have to be looked after by their working parents at work on a public holiday and crayons are handed out? At Maloja, this story of necessity and virtue ultimately resulted in a German Design Award. The youngsters were so creative that the design team turned what they had painted into a design for a - now - award-winning road cycling jersey and made it part of their Good Tomorrow collection.
- Price: 129 Euro >> available here
USWE Bikepacking
USWE is a company from Malmö, known as a manufacturer of backpacks for action sports. The Swedes have now added bikepacking bags to their range. There are six different designs in various sizes, from handlebar bags to saddle bags, and all bags are made from waterproof material.
- Price: from 39 to 149 euros
Trek Radar Car Back
Compact radar devices on road bikes are designed to protect against the dangers of car traffic on public roads. Trek is presenting a new device for this purpose. The small waterproof black box with integrated rear light is designed to detect vehicles from a distance of 240 metres and its bright rear light is visible from a distance of two kilometres. If the Trek Accessory App is installed on the smartphone, it warns acoustically and/or visually as soon as vehicles approach from behind; compatibility with all commercially available GPS computers should be guaranteed. Unfortunately, the device is currently only approved for road use in Austria and Switzerland.
- Price: 200 Euro
Fizik MechanismRoad X PNS road cycling shoe
The MechanismRoad X PNS marks a further step in the collaboration between the Italian shoe manufacturer and the Danish cycling clothing brand Pas Normal Studios. The price of 450 euros for the silver pair of shoes suggests that this is mainly about premium products. The very light shoe with a thin and stiff carbon sole and elegant Boa metal fasteners is said to weigh less than 500 grams as a pair.
- Price: 450 Euro
Fizik Antares Evo saddle
Alongside Specialized, Fizik was one of the first manufacturers of saddles with padding from the 3D printer. The latest models from the Italians are called Antares Evo R1 and R3 Adaptive, in which the saddle frame and saddle cover are made from carbon and the seat pad is produced using the in-house printer. The padding has damping zones of varying hardness.
- Price: 299 euros (R3 259 euros)
Milkit sealant remover
Milkit now offers a special cleaner to make it easier to remove sealing milk residue from tubeless tyres. The active ingredient in the gel-like substance is designed to dissolve the sealing milk residue before it can be rinsed off with clear water. The agent is said to be particularly gentle on the material.
- Price: 14,95 Euro
Odlo sports bra
Odlo has already had merino wool clothing in its range for some time. The Odlo Merino Soft sports bra and the Ascent Performance Wool Medium sports bra are new additions to the range. Both models are made from a wool blend with a proportion of mulesing-free merino wool; the Ascent model has wider straps and offers more support than the Soft version.
- Price: 50 / 70 Euro >> available here
Maik Schröder
Editor
