The two pairs of NOYZ we have to play with are similar in that the frames are the same shape, one pair in blue and the others in red, but there is more to it than that. The red pair is in racing white with the more obvious RUDY PROJECT markings on the side of the front part of the frame; these are the frames you see the top Pro riders wearing, so that there aren’t any mistake which glasses these are! The blue are still white (if that makes sense?) without the large Rudy Project markings, still very stylish, but a little more subtle, if that is possible with these sports eyewear.

The Lenses

Of course the most important part is the lenses and these are exchangeable with the choice of twelve different lenses and you can be RX’ed with an optical insert or direct in frame technology. The ones we have are ImpactX Photochromic Red and the World should look like this when you look through there, talk about seeing the world through rose coloured glasses, well these would cheer up the most grey of days. ImpactX is unbreakable, it was developed for the military for protection and performance, and it’s used for the windshield panels on Apache helicopters, so it has to be light and strong. They are also Photochromic, so on those changeable days the lens will darken up for strong sun light and become nearly clear for in cloudy conditions. The superior optics of the ImpactX lenses have lower refraction index and chromatic dispersion, which basically means the image is much sharper with a much higher definition for important visibility when riding. The NXT lenses are guaranteed unbreakable for life.

The blue set of NOYZ have matching Multi Laser Blue lenses which have been developed with a special process that gives a very thin mirror coating on its surface that improves its scratch resistance. The image is very clear in all light conditions from cloudy to full sun and the look of the reflective lenses adds that killer aspect.

The Frames

The stylish frames for the NOYZ come in three different colours; matte black, graphite and the white, they only weigh in at 1 oz or 31 grams and the wraparound style is perfect for cycling (and other sports), the chassis is made with ultra-light Grilamid, which is a high quality thermoplastic material which is shock resistant and non-allergenic with soft and adjustable nose and ear pieces which will allow the glasses to fit comfortably and very importantly; securely, as the last thing you want is that they fall off during a ride. They are secure without feeling tight, after a while you forget that you are wearing them.

When you are wearing the Rudy NOYZ, unlike some other sport sunglasses, you don’t see the nose piece in the middle of your vision or have light coming under or round the lenses or above the frame when the glasses are fitted properly. Also no wind will blow into your eyes causing watering, which can be very dangerous when riding.

The Style

As I said before, the Rudy Project NOYZ are very cool, well they are made in Italy and are famously worn by Ivan Basso, the Milram and Vacansoleil teams and lots of other Pro riders and have been the most popular sunglasses at the Tour de France also Jennifer Lopez chose Rudy Project when she took part in a Triathlon.

The frames are not large and cumbersome, they are slim and sleek and if you go for the less obvious matte black or graphite they are quite subtle and unobtrusive, the white on the other hand are just right for the more show offish, flamboyant riders amongst us. If you want to be envied by your ride partners then these are the sunglasses for this summer.

At the moment Rudy Project are running a special offer (US & Canada) where you receive a full kit of Rudy Project goodies, like a back pack, helmet, spare lenses and T-shirts, check out their web-site; www.rudyproject.com for the up to date offers and other sunglasses.

Points out of 10, it has to be 10 because we can’t give more!

TOP TIP: Go for the ImpactX Photochromic lenses, you won’t get any better or clearer.

“STOP PRESS”

————————-

After the 15^th of June the Fluo versions of the NOYZ will be available to the public, they come in Fluo yellow, Fluo green and Fluo pink. As Rudy Project say ” the Noyz Fluo will definitely have the most cutting-edge fashionistas and sports enthusiasts alike asking each other the question, “Do You Fluo?”.

If you want to ride comfortably and efficiently you need to own a pair of cycling specific shoes, you probably already know this if you have been doing a lot of cycling. The big problem is to work out which cycling shoes are correct for you and the form of cycling that you choose to take part in.

Which Shoes Should I Buy?: The first answer is easy, there are specific biking shoes for each different cycling discipline, from MTB to road, track and spinning. there are even shoes that are specificly designed to keep your feet warm in the winter. We will look at as many different cycling shoes as we can and hope that this will help you to make an informed purchase. There are some basic guide lines; Price, fit, looks and function.

Road Shoes: There are thousands of different on the market and how much you can afford will affect what you buy. Let’s start from the top; shoes with a lace-up fastening system are a thing from the past, now we have Velcro and some different adjustable ratchet tightening systems, these are designed to hold your feet securely and comfortably in your bicycle shoes.

Your foot cannot be constricted or crushed and one of the best closure systems is from Sidi shoes, on their top of the range “Sidi Ergo 2″. It has three different buckles on the same shoe, the lower strap is Velcro, the middle strap is a nylon string with a tightening system for comfort across the top of the foot and then the top strap is a plastic ratchet that is tightened or loosened by a lever for micro adjustment, to get the correct tension on your foot. Sidi have many shoes at different prices, their carbon soles are some of the best made.

Shimano don’t only make cycling components, they have a range of clothing and some fine shoes. Shimano pedals were designed to fit their own SPD style pedals, these took a smaller shoe cleat with just two bolts, since then SPD’s for road bikes are not so popular as they were, but the Shimano cycling shoes are still very popular as they can fit all pedals.

The top of the Shimano range is the R215B, it has the usual three closures, two Velcro and a micro-adjust buckle. They take all the different shoe plates and with an adapter you can also fit Look pedals to the hollow channel carbon fiber sole which is light and very rigid for power transference.

• Lake
• DMT
• Carnac
• Spiuk
• Louis Garneau
• North Wave
• Adidas
• Diadora

…and many other manufacturers make very good shoes. The main problem you can have is finding the one that fits you the best; most have a similar closure system with three straps or adjustable ratchets. Most uppers are made of a plastic material that is both strong and comfortable, the main thing you must look for is that the sole will take the cleats of your choice of clippless pedals and most importantly that the sole fits your feet. As with all shoes the sole shape and dimensions are different from one manufacturer to another and you have to try a few before you find the sole that suits you. The Italian shoes tend to be narrower and the German and French a little wider, but this is a general guide and cannot take the place of trying the shoes before buying.

Mountain Bike Shoes: They have basically the same uppers as the road bike shoe, but the sole is completely different because some running is involved. Take a look at the sole of a MTB shoe and you will see the built-in studs for grip in muddy or other difficult terrain and in the center of the sole you will find the fittings for a clipless pedal.

Shimano invented the SPD clipless pedals for off-road, these are small and less likely to get jammed up with mud or sand etc. The shoe plate is small and slot into the pedal easily and tends not to get too much mud clogging the entry and exit of the shoe plate from the pedal.

Some of the best shoes come from Shimano, they make race style MTB shoes as well as a trainer style, and both can take a clipless pedal with a removable cover over the two holes for the SPD bolts. The trainer style is great for easy riding with a bit of walking involved, where as the race shoes are made more for action. With all mtb shoes you must look at how easy it will be to clean them and if the rain and mud may ruin the material of the uppers.

Adidas make the AdiStar XC Ultra, it is a top class shoe with great studs and closure system as does the men’s legend from DMT, which also has a very comfortable toe box…

• North Wave
• Diadora
• Carnac
• Sidi
• Pearl Izumi
• Louis Garneau

They all make very good quality and stylish MTB shoes in both versions, trainer and race shoe. The same rules apply when buying mountain as road shoes, try them first and when you find a manufacturer that suits you then stick to it and hope that they don’t change the shape of their shoes.

Women’s Cycling Shoes : Size and shape are the main problems for women to find the perfect cycling shoe, all the usual manufacturers. Sidi, just like the men’s ones, make some of the nicest and covers all the sizes that the ladies need. Look out for comfort on the inside of the shoe, any seems or joints will rub your foot and cause problems. The closure systems are the same as the men’s, and will not cause you any problems. Finding the correct size is the most important thing, and some of the manufacturers don’t make small enough shoes, check this out first on the manufacturer’s web-site then try to find a pair in a bike/sports shop that fits.

Winter : if you want to go training in the cold weather then you have to look after your feet, the three most important part of the body that you need to look after in cold and/or wet conditions are the head, hands and feet, if you have ever been out on your bike and forgotten to look after your feet, you will know what I’m talking about!

Most of the shoe manufacturers make at least one special winter cycling shoe or more usually a boot. The good reason for a boot is that extending the footwear up over the ankle protects the lower leg whilst keeping the warmth in and the rain out. The best warm and dry winter cycling shoes that we have found are made by:

• Shimano
• Sidi
• Diadora
• Nalini
• North Wave.

Some use Gore-Tex for protection and a Thinsilate to keep your foot warm, there is also a fleece lined boot with sheep’s wool lining for warmth. If you don’t want to go as far as buying an extra pair of shoes, then a pair of over shoes is your answer, these can be for either warmth or water proof and fit over your existing shoes, protecting the shoes and your feet against the elements.

Spinning Shoes: it has become exceptionally popular recently and there is now spinning specific clothing as well as shoes, these are very handy for the person who wants to go spinning but doesn’t normally ride a bike, so hasn’t got a collection of cycle clothing and shoes. Just like going to the gym or running you need you need some special equipment for spinning, a good pair of cycling shorts and a pair of spinning shoes.

Shimano again make some of the best spinning shoes, you can use them with an SPD pedal or not, as they have reinforced areas where they would rub against toe clips and straps, most of these shoes can be used for other forms of cycling, but not anything extreme and they can be walked in with a fair bit of comfort.

What to Look For :

Comfort is the most important thing with shoes, they must fit well and the fastening system must hold your feet in the shoe securely and without constricting them and causing any numbness.

The toe area must give you room and around the ankle must be comfortable, check that the heel gives support and holds your heel without movement, if your heel is moving around in the shoe it can cause discomfort and could cause a knee or hip injury.

Get the best you can afford, but make sure that they are comfortable!!

Spiuk was started by three people, it is now, ten years later, staffed by 25 members who are all based in the Spanish town of Alava from where they supply top quality products to many sportsmen and women all over the world.

The designers first look at what the cyclists need and then design the perfect article, after that a prototype is tested by professional sportspeople. When the item has passed their strict quality control it is then produced and marketed to the public in the best shops.

The Goods!

Spiuk makes lots of different clothing for cyclists as well as helmets, glasses, shoes, massage products and complete bikes. Then with their Kuips line they manufacture frames and forks and all the other components you need to finish off your bike; seat posts, stems, handlebars, saddles, cranks, handlebar tape, headsets and bottlecages, so basically everything except the gears.

Today we are looking at the cold weather wear to keep ourselves warm when getting those winter miles in. so we are testing the Team Line Thetwe-M2W jacket, the Team Line ERGODRY WARM bib tights and the thermal MIDLINE knee guards. All excellent quality and very necessary for cold weather condition training.

The Spiuk Jacket

The upper body is very important as it doesn’t move around much on the bike, especially on a long, flat ride, so in wet, windy and cold conditions you need to insulate yourself and keep comfortable. If you don’t, the cold will sap your energy and apart from feeling uncomfortable you will go slower and slower and you will be wasting good training time. One of the important facets of any sports clothing is the “wicking” properties of the garment, this is its ability to take the sweat away from the skin, so that it doesn’t get cold. That’s the science, what about the jacket?

The Thetwe-M2W material is a microporous membrane made from a waterproof and windbreaker Teflon base developed to resist the worst conditions that the elements can throw at you on a winter ride. The jackets material is ultra lightweight and elastic and has great breathing and thermal properties, it’s a very comfortable fit on or off the bike, the wind cannot get in due to the close, comfortable fitting and the inner fleece keeps you warm as well as taking the sweat away due to its hydrophilic treatment.

Zip Pocket

The stitching is unobtrusive as all the seams are flatlock so as not to chafe or irritate whilst under activity, for safety there is reflective piping on the front and back and the jacket has a secure zipped rear pocket for all your valuable necessities; money, phone etc. the jacket comes in five different sizes and three different colors, so there should be something for everybody?

Jacket

The Spiuk Bib Tights

The Bib Tights are made with a fabric called ERGODRY WARM; this multielastic polyester hollow fiber multifilament is created for optimal use in adverse weather conditions, especially under the duress of physical activity. The ERGODRY WARM material gives freedom of movement, comfort and warmth.

The bielastic material helps muscle activity as it holds the muscles in place, thus it enhances your power output, helps with the precision of pedaling, reduces muscular vibration, so makes riding more comfortable and more productive.

Just like the jacket, the tights have contrasting trim and flatlock stitching on the seems, reflective piping and a short front and ankle zips for easy access and ankle grippers to stop the legs from riding up. The seat pad is Spiuk’s Team men pad, very accommodating and comfortable with padding in all the correct places, slim on the inner thigh area and wider to the back, it will also stay dry to keep you comfortable. Five different sizes and three colors.

Seat Pad

The Spiuk Knee Warmers

Knee Warmer

On a day when it is not too cold you might not want to wear the full tights, this is where the knee warmers come into there own. Shorter than full leg warmers, but very similar as you wear them under your shorts and they keep your knees warm and come half way down the calf muscle to protect the tendons, but to let some fresh air around your legs.

They are made of 80% Polyamide and 20% Lycra, this combination will keep you warm and also they will keep their shape and not go baggy, especially around the knee area. Warm, but not too hot, just right for those cool, bright days when too many clothes are a burden. MIDLINE Knee Guards are “one size fits all” and come in two colors, black and blue. There are also matching arm warmers that are equally useful and comfortable.

BIG Question, How do They Feel?

Very simple, they feel great! The first day was cold and a little windy, with thin material clothing it would have been a terrible day of trying to stay warm and would have probably been cut short been spent in too many cafe’s to have been a worth while training ride.

With the full Spiuk Team Line jacket and tights it was a comfortable ride, warm and dry, the sweat didn’t go cold on the skin and the wind did not cut through and chill the body. At the end of the ride I felt as comfortable as at the start, the seat pad did not rub or chafe and there was no soreness, all very nice.

The second day of use wasn’t so cold, but there was a little rain in the air, not torrential as I wouldn’t want to go out in that! Drizzle would be the best description, dampness works its way into your whole body over time and if there is a wind then that just freezes you, but I had no problems with my Spiuk kit on, dry and warm. On the flat return trip the lads were ripping it up a bit, not flat out, but the pulse was getting near the max. OK, so I admit it, although the sweat was running I still felt dry and comfortable. The knee warmers I have only used once on a short ride and my legs felt fine, the knees were warm and all was great, they will come in for much more use in the spring, that is for sure.

Ankle Zip

The Overall Effect

Obviously we can’t try all the Spiuk clothing, but the Team Line winter collection is just what is needed for the cold weather. Its classy, look great, it fits well and the best thing is it keeps you warm and comfortable. This stuff works very well and looks good at the same time, could be just what you ask for at Christmas.

Spiuk have a Pro Team, newsletters and a Spiuk Club, you can find out all about it and all the other goodies they do at www.spiuk.com have look.

Jacket

We give Spiuk Clothing Full Marks 10/10, ah! But no carbon or titanium, so just a little less.

Under the saddle is a great place to put your stuff, but it can look a little bulky, especially on a smaller frame.

Read our review on Scicon saddle bags

What if you have a big saddle bag, one that you have filled for a long weekend or an extended touring holiday, it will be where your small bag should be.

All the bits inside

The Answer

The Sci-Con Tubo Bag fits into the bottle cage; if you have two bottle cages on your bike then this is a perfect place to carry those very important items.

Just imagine you are on a touring holiday and you have a puncture, well all the things you need to get back on the road are easily accessible, you won’t need to pull all your well packed kit to get to your repair outfit.

Tubo & Bits

If you are a racing cyclist or a would be Pro, then the Tubo Bag is also for you, its easy to remove and refit, when you are going to a race it’s a matter of just a Velcro strap and away the bag goes and you can start your race with two bottle cages. When you are training the look of the bike is more stream lined with a Tubo Bag, a small saddle bag is nice, but the look is much cleaner with a Tubo Bag.

What is the Technology?

The Tubo Bag is made of Cordura which is a hard wearing material that is also water proof. The bag has a volume of 500 cc, this is big enough to hold many things, like inner tubes, tire leavers, multi-tool, mobile phone etc. you can get everything you need in to the Tubo Bag that will get out of any sticky situation you might get into on your ride. The Tubo is available in classic black as well as blue, red and grey. The Velcro strap at the back of the bag holds it tight and safe in the bottle cage and there is a very handy Sci-Con zipper tab so it’s easy to open even with cold fingers, all well manufactured and thought through for style and functionality.

Velcro strap

What does The Style Monkey Think?

The Tubo bag is great, it makes your bike look like you are going racing, nothing under the saddle, stripped and ready for action. You must have two bottle cages for the style and for the hot weather, but one bottle and the Tubo Bag and the bike looks great!

The Conclusions

If you are looking for a small bag to carry your bits and pieces and want to keep the area under your saddle clear, then the Tubo Bag is for you, check out the Sci-Con web site, http://www.scicon.it and you can also order goods direct on the internet.

9.75 out of 10, brilliant!

Tubo on the bike

What to Look for in a Cycling Shoe?

We will go through what a Triathlete needs from his cycling shoes next, but first let’s see what everyone wants from their cycling shoes. Most important is a solid sole, if you haven’t got lots of money then a solid plastic sole will be good enough, save your money and you can get a carbon sole, it’s stronger and more rigid. Rigidity in the sole means there is no loss of power between your foot and the pedal, so there is no waste of your effort.

Top & Carbon Sole

You need good fitting at the heel and toe and a snug fitting around your foot. Padding around the ankle is very important for comfort and to hold the shoe securely to your foot, you don’t want any movement of your foot inside the shoe; this loses efficiency and can cause friction between the foot and the shoe which will give you hot feet.

Heel Loop

And for Triathletes?

As well as all the above reasons a Triathlete needs some special extra facets to their shoes. The transition faze of a Triathlon is very important; you could win or lose a race on how fast you can get changed. An easy to use fastening system is a must, normal road shoes have three fastenings on the top of the foot to hold them secure, with Tri shoes you also need security, but you also to be able to get your foot in and the strap fastened quickly. Then when you change to the running you need to be able to get out of them fast.

The Shimano TR50 Triathlon Shoes

The Shimano TR50’s are specific Triathlon shoes, the difference between these and a normal cycling shoes is the fastening, one big strap goes over the top of the shoe with Velcro to hold it all safe. It’s quick and secure which is what you need. On the back of the shoe there is a loop to pull the shoe on after your swim; these shoes are made for that quick transition.

The BIG Strap

What Else is Special?

The Shimano TR50 are made with a hollow channel carbon fiber sole which are super light and exceptionally stiff for top power transfer to the bike. The sole is Look/Time cleat compatible and obviously Shimano SPD-SL cleats can be fitted also. The sole is the same as the RS 215, so these are Pro-Level competition cycling shoes. The uppers have lots of ports and vents to keep your feet cool and the material allows greater airflow for added ventilation. The TR50 can be worn without socks as the upper is made from a seamless material for maximum comfort, the material is also quick drying so that you wont be riding with wet feet after your swim.

Top

The Other Attributes

Starting from the front, the toe section is boxy for added room so your toes have space to move and breath, it also has air vents and protection for the toes, the ventilation carries on up across the top of the shoe. The sides are well ventilated too, but also with strengthening material to hold your foot tight with out any unwanted movement. The heel cup is made for comfort and holds the foot in place so there is no discomfort; also at the heel is the quick pull on and off loop. The best thing about these Tri shoes has to be the strap, its BIG and it hold your foot really well and it lets out so you can get your foot in and out very quickly, nothing better.

Ready to Go

The special features include the big strap, if you look the strap come across the foot and fasten on the inside, which is easier to tighten on the move after your transition from your swim. The loops on the heel help to pull the shoes on, but also you can use elastic bands to secure the shoes to the bike for quick foot insert.

Toe & Heel

What Does the Style Monkey Think?

OK these shoes work well, hold your foot tight and have a solid carbon sole, but what about the look and the style? Silver and blue is a good combination, these shoes get the Monkey vote of confidence. You can’t beat carbon and the sole on these shoes is a perfect example of carbon weave with a gloss finish, top class style.

Easy Fit

Marks Out of 10-9.75, Lots of Carbon

First impressions

The first thing you notice about the Sci-Con Aerotech is the shape, not your usual square box, the Aerotech is sort of bike shaped, well a bike with the wheels off and packed on the side. The shape and design of the box disguises its internal dimensions, if you have ever seen the TV program Dr. Who, he had a time travel machine called the Tardis which was a Police phone box on the outside and enormous on the inside, well the Aerotech is like that, neat on the outside and a giant on the inside.

How Does It All Go Together?

When you open the case up you can feel the strength of the box, made from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) which is a softer kind of plastic that will absorb the knocks of transportation better than a harder more brittle plastic, as Sci-Con say, the box may get dented, but it remains intact and can usually be repaired. In side the Aerotech Evolution there is lots of padding for the bike and the wheels, let’s look at how the wheels are looked after, as this is one of the special facets of the Aerotech. The wheels are secured by quick-releases (supplied by Sci-Con) to the body of the case, slotting over each other and then protected by padded covers. The wheels are very secure and safe, no rattling around and no chance of them damaging the bike frame.

Wheels

Fitting the Frame in the Case

You should follow the packing instructions form Sci-Con as they think of everything; the padding on the inside of case takes care of the protection of one side of the frame and the wheel protecors on the other side.

The Aerotech comes with frame padding, these go round the tubes for extra protection, then with the saddle and seat pin removed, remembering to mark your position first, the handle bars and stem need loosening and turning across the frame, you then place the bike into the padded bottom shell and then fasten it with the internal safety belts so that the frame is hanging from the straps when its all upright.

Sci-Con thoughtfully supply a bag for carrying the saddle and seat pin separately, there is lots of room left for some bike clothing, but it is best not to place any heavy items in the case.

The Bike

You need to remove the left pedal to fit in the case properly, but the right pedal and the chain set can be left in place, something you wouldn’t dare to do in most other bike cases and definitely not in a bike bag. Personally I would take both pedals off just to be sure. Computers and any electrical bits must be removed as you need to carry them through customs control. Air must be let out of the tires and it is best to leave you water bottle in its cage on the bike.

Room for All

When It’s All Together

Once you have everything in the Aerotech Evolution hard case it all closes up with four locks, two of which have combination codes for security and away you go. The case is easy to move around as it has four strong thermo rubber bearing wheels and many hand holds moulded into the case its self.

The Technology

The Sci-Con Aerotech Evolution has:-
4 locks, 2 with combination.
2 built-in handles,
4 ergonomic hollows for an easy lifting,
2 fixed wheels and 2 revolving wheels for an easy transport.

Weight: – 11,5 Kg / 405,65 oz

Maximal external dimensions: 94 cm x 113 cm x 36 cm – 3,54″ x 44,48″ x 14,17″

Internal dimensions: base: – 114cm; height: 90cm on the right and 75cm on the left; diagonal: 133cm

Items Included In Aerotech Evolution:-

2 Covers for Bike Wheels.
1 High Quality padded interior.
2 Steel Quick Release for Bike Wheels.
1 Saddle/Shoes Soft Bag.
4 Antishock tubes.
4 Velcrostrap.

Optional Items Available:-

Security

Wheel/Tyre Cover.
Handlebar Cover.
Gear Bike Cover.
Rear Bike Cover.
Aerotech Cover.

Aerotech Evolution Spare Parts:-

4 Aerotech wheels kit + screws.
2 Steel Quick-release for bike wheels.
4 Locks kit (2 combi lock) + screws.

Personal Thoughts

The Aerotech Evolution is, for sure, the best Hard Case we have seen, its strong, it will protect your prized bike and it’s very manageable around the airport, you don’t need a trolley for this Case! The wheels are safe, all your things are secure and you don’t have to worry that your bike will not arrive in one piece. It has everything you need for taking your bike away for training or a holiday, worry free! For that extra comfort of mind you also get a world wide lifetime warranty, so lots of security.

Lots of Hand Holds

I could only think of one problem and its not the fault of Sci-Con, many carbon frames now have a built in seat pin, small bikes will have no problem, but bigger frames there is no chance that with that seat extension it will fit into any bike case, but that’s progress.

P.S. Giulia from Sci-Con has advised me that with the Aerotech case, if you reverse the frame in the box it should take any carbon frame with seat extension. Impressive!

Marks Out Of Ten.- 9.9, well we never give 10, but Sci-Con get very close.

If you win the Giro d’Italia you’ll get a pink one!

You can put all these things in the back pocket of your jersey, but it stretches the jersey and carrying weight on your body is harder than carrying it on the bike. The best thing to do is to get a small saddle bag and the best ones we have seen are from Sci-Con, here we look at three of there best and most useful saddle bags.

The “Roller System”

All the bags have the same amazing function that is the “Roller System” this is the system of fitting the bag under the saddle, it’s a brilliant idea and so easy to fit and secure. The system is a clamp which grips to the saddle rails, fitting any size of rails, you don’t need any tools as there is a wheel that can be tightened with your fingers.

When the clamp is fitted you then fit the bag with a half turn onto the bracket, its secure, light and very safe. Other bags use straps or clamps that need to be screwed on with nuts and bolts, with the “Roller System” you can remove the bag and the clamp in minutes, and so if you are racing or cleaning the bike, the bag is off in no time.

Three Sci-Con Bags

The Borsello Soft 350, Dragon Tattoo

The Borsello Soft 350 is the smallest of the three bags on test, obviously it has the Roller System and reflective strip, the one we have also has a Tattoo Dragon stitched on to the bag on the back of the bag with Dragon style flashes on the sides, very classy!

The bag is for daily training use, you can fit two inner tubes, a set of tire levers, a few loose Allen keys and some coins or paper money. The bag is perfect to fit to your bike and forget about it, just get on and go for your daily few hours or commute to work. It also came with a very handy mini light.

Dragon Tattoo with Mini Light

The Borsello Sottosella Pro Carbon Compact 430

The Sottosella Pro Carbon 450 is slightly bigger than the Soft 350 and with its carbon side panels and reflective piping it’s also a very stylish bag. You can fit more into the Sottosella, small multi tool, wallet, mobile phone or an energy bar, perfect for the all day ride when you might be too far away from civilization. Inside the bag there is an extra Velcro strap to hold an item separately from your other bits, like iPod, perhaps! The compact design lends its self to Italian styling with an aerodynamic shape with a slight wedge tapering in towards the saddle. Also with the easy fit Roller System for convenience and came with a waterproof saddle cover.

Pro Carbon

The Borsello Pin Roller 695

This is the biggest of the three, very sturdily made, strongly stitched Cordura with a plastic stiffener inside and a reflective strip for safety round the edge and of course the “Roller System” fitting. The Borsello 695 can hold all the things you might need, tools and inner tubes, a small tightly rolled rain jacket or camera could also be fitted in this compact but very roomy saddle bag. This bag is made for a long day out and this well made bag will give you years of dependable use.

The Pin Roller 695

All the Other Sci-Con Bags

Sci-Con has four sections of small under the saddle bags, the Champion’s Saddlebags Collection, the Mainstream saddlebags Collection, the Premium Saddlebags Collection and the Specialty Saddlebag Collection.

From the Champion’s Selection there are three different styles to choose from and signed by five different stars of cycle sport, Danilo Di Luca, Damiano Cunego, Gilberto Simoni, Alessandro Petacchi and Jan Ulrich, the three bags are the Phantom 230 (small and neat), the Compact 430 (same style as the Pro Carbon that we reviewed) and the larger Vortex 480.

The Mainstream Collection has six different sized bags from the 210cc to the 700cc, two of the bags are Velcro strap fitting and the others are the “Roller System”, the Borsello Saddlebag Pin Roller 695 is from this range.

The Tattoo Dragon 350 is from the Premium range, there are three Tattoo versions, Tribal, Flowers and the Dragon and they come in two different sizes, the neat 350 and the more commodious 695, the Tattoo bags come with a mini light. Then there is the Smart which has a weather resistant semi-rigid shell, but light with multi compartments for all your bike bits and mobile phone or iPod, the Smart comes in two versions, the standard 1050cc capacity and the expandable 1350cc size, both have an integrated LED light.

The fourth Collection is the Specialty range, six very different bags, a Tubo Bag to fit into your bottle cage and a mobile phone stem bag along with four saddle bags that could hold just about anything as they are expandable or have external pockets or mini pump fittings.

Dragon Tattoo

What Do We Think?

These have to be the best bags on the market, covering all needs that you might have. They are strong, stylish and exceptionally well designed. You don’t have to look anywhere else than Sci-Con for saddle bags and soon we will be taking a look at their top of the line Bike Transportation case, The Aerotech Evolution, so come back for that soon.

Marks out of 10; It has to be 9, they are great!

Pro Carbon with Saddle Cover

Check out the Sci-Con web-site for further info – http://www.scicon.it/index2.php

Crotch Guard is what it says it is, it guards your crotch against chafing, irritations and any rash that maybe caused by saddle friction, which can cause saddle sores, especially on longer rides, they claim that it absorbs easily, reduces friction, creates an anti-bacterial barrier, starts the healing process, great cooling effect, no messy hands and easy to carry.

Unlike chamois creams which are usually thick and greasy, Crotch Guard is an oil and my first thought was, “how can an oil do anything?” Well as we found out it does, let me explain.

So What’s the Science Behind It?

4 oz bottle

Tracie Oehler took two years in research and development and so I’ll let her explain the science behind the oil to skin relationship as the key to the success of Crotch Guard. Ultra Pure Crotch Guard Skin Care Oil was designed to match the natural lipids in human skin. Lipids play an important role in strengthening your skin’s natural barrier function. The body creates lipids using a combination of cholesterol and fatty acids to fill in the gaps and spaces between the skin cells and the areas between the layers of skin. Just like cement mortar fills in the spaces between the bricks and layers of bricks in a brick wall. This lipid/mortar component ultimately supports the entire structure.

Strengthening the skin from within also reduces the friction factor, a vital aspect to cyclists or any athlete. Based on this technology, the body and skin understand the molecular structure of Crotch Guard, and this method of action is what makes Crotch Guard so unique.

Ultra Pure Crotch Guard was designed for the skin as an organ. Other products are designed as a topical agent to create a thick coating to distance the skin from rubbing against other surfaces. Unfortunately, there is no consideration for the actual skin. Based on the ingredients alone, these other products will eventually block the pores of the infected areas, and cause further irritations from the dyes and fragrances they contain.

Because the body understands the molecular structure of the Crotch Guard, it will absorb quickly into the surface of the skin. A very clean and natural form of protection for up to 8 hours.

What does the Team Think?

Alex with Free Sample

Let me introduce the team of testers for the Crotch guard. Alex Coutts races as a professional in Belgium for the Babes Only Team, he rides multi-day stage races and long one day classics and spends many hours in the saddle training, he is here in Spain training at the moment and his daily routine is five to six hours a day in average temperatures of around thirty degrees. Alex was a skeptical when he saw it was an oil and not a heavy cream, he said “I was surprised to find how well the oil works, I’m more used a heavier cream in my shorts, the Crotch Guard is absorbed into the skin, so I didn’t think it would do anything, but I did a long ride of over six hours in the hills and normally would feel a sort of burning on my inner thighs, from the continual rubbing, well nothing, all nice and comfortable. Normally after shaving my legs I would get soreness from the saddle, the Crotch Guard eliminated this problem. Great! I’ll be taking the bottle with me Belgium.”

Sam’s Story

Sam is our Tri-Athlon and Mountain Bike expert and used the Crotch Guard on a Mountain Bike ride, “I hadn’t used any king of shorts protection before, so it was a new experience for me. Spraying the oil on gives you a nice fresh feeling and doesn’t feel oily and soon disappears, probably by the time I had put my shorts on. On the ride I didn’t feel any different from normal at first but as the ride went on I still felt comfortable when normally I would start to get a discomfort after a couple of hours. I also tried the Crotch Guard in a Bike/Run Bi-Athlon and applied the oil before the start, this helped with any chaffing during the bike ride and also in the running section, I will be interested to see how it performs after a swim, it should be OK as its absorbed in to the skin, but I’ll have to wait and see for that one.”

A Roadies Review

Our resident Roady and mechanic, Alastair, has been using the Crotch Guard for two weeks now, his thoughts: “Like the others I didn’t think thin oil would do anything, but it feels really good, I’ve ridden every day for the last ten days and I feel nothing, well nothing bad. I also suffer from chafing on the inside of one foot, it helps that too. My only problem was how to apply the oil, it comes in a handy free sample towel wipe which I found the easiest but I needed to use the spray as I was going to be using it every day, eventually I found if I put one foot on a chair I could spray the inner thigh area where its needed most, and away I went. This is good stuff and I intend to use it on every ride.”

Alex with Bottle

Alison’s Thoughts

My name is Alison, I’ve not been riding as much as I should lately, I have been going to spinning classes once or twice a week and I had been noticing a slight rash in the saddle area especially after waxing or shaving, with the Crotch Guard it soon cleared up. When spinning I find you generate much more friction and sweat than normal riding, with the Crotch Guard no friction and the sweat didn’t wash it away, so for me it’s been brilliant to use for my work outs.

FREE Sample

How to get your hands on Crotch Guard

The Crotch Guard comes in a four ounce bottle, which has a fine mist finger-tip spray pump which has a cooling effect on the skin and avoids any drips or mess. The four ounce bottle should last you three months and can be ordered directly from the Crotch Guard Web-Site. Discounts for clubs and shops are also available.

If you go to www.CrotchGuard.com you can order the FREE sample towel wipe and find out how good they are.

Marks out of 10, we give Crotch Guard 8, well it’s not Carbon or Titanium!.

Bottle and FREE Sample

This is one of the problems of having a big difference between the sizes of chain rings; the jump between the gears can make it difficult to find just the right gears of the road conditions.

You could also buy a triple or a compact crank set for you chain rings, these would be 30/40/50 for the triple and a 36/50 for the compact, these you can change for different chain rings, but with these they will cover all your needs.

On a mountain bike you would have a triple crank set with chain rings of maybe 24, 26 or 28 teeth on the inside for steep hills or very muddy conditions, the middle chain ring would have 36 or 38 teeth and the outer chain ring would be 46, 48 or possibly 50 teeth for the downhill or fast flat sections.