I first saw the Wrist ID Elite on the wrist’s of top American riders; Levi Leiphiemer and Liz Hatch and wondered what that different wrist band was? We have all got used to seeing wrist bands from when Lance Armstrong kicked off the Livestrong yellow bands at the Tour de France what now feels like years ago and there have been many other charities, good causes and companies selling and giving away their different coloured bands, but the Road ID is very different.

My Road ID

The first thing you notice about the Wrist ID Elite is that it is wider than the usual wrist bands and comes in nine great colors. The Wrist ID has a watch style buckle that clicks together securely and also allows you to make the sizing adjustment; once you know your size you cut to the correct length and the buckle grips the end to hold it all as tight as you want.

The Clip

Now let’s get to the most important part “how could it save my life?” On the wrist band there is a satin finished stainless steel plate that has all your important details lazer engraved on to it. In the event of an accident your rescuers will know who you are, who to contact and any other information you have on the Wrist ID. As Road ID say “remember, if you can’t speak for yourself, your Wrist Elite ID will speak for you. Get your Wrist ID today…your life may depend on it”.

Safe & Style

I bought the Original Wrist Elite ID with the engraved plate, which by the way only weighs 0.234 of an ounce so you forget it’s there. There is also an Interactive version which is the same but will a phone or internet link to your information. The phone link will give your rescuer your details with a voice message with all that they will need for immediate help. With the internet link they will see your information page with as much detail as you have given it, for a photo to your next of kin, doctor and any medical history you may have. This has a yearly subscription, but its peanuts compared to medical bills.

Plate Example

There isn’t just the Wrist ID Elite, there is also the Wrist ID Sport which is made of a comfortable material with reflective band for extra security when training in the dark, and it comes in three sizes and six colours. It is also available in Original or Interactive. Similar to the Wrist ID Sport is the Ankle ID, four colours with a fully adjustable Velcro fastening system and the reflective bands.

There is also the Shoe ID which is the same satin finish stainless steel plate, but it attaches to your shoe, either for running, cycling or hill walking with a Velcro strap. Three colours and has the reflective bands for the dark nights.

As well as the Shoe ID there is a great innovation; the Shoe Pouch ID. The water resistant pouch straps to the front of your shoe and as well as having your information it can hold a key or some money for an emergency. The ripstop nylon pouch comes in four colours and is great for runners.

There is the FIXX ID which was the first style of Road ID and is similar to a military “dog tag” and has all the info you need to save your life.

The Clip Closed

All the tags can be replaced when you need to update your information and if you want a new coloured strap then your old tag can be fitted to the new strap in seconds. If you want to read some of Road ID’s success stories then check out their web-site  at www.roadid.com for lots more information and how to order. I ordered on the internet from Spain, you’re given time to change your mind on the wording of your tag and then it is shipped out; mine arrived within the week, which is very quick and came in a handy tin.

Liz Hatch & Jerseys

Road ID also sell the Firefly which is a very bright safety light which can be strapped or clipped to any part of your body for night training, they also have some great cycling and triathlon clothing to compliment their safety goods, if you are proud to wear your Wrist ID then you can proudly wear the matching clothing.

My Wrist ID is always with me, it gives me confidence of knowing that if, god forbid, I’m in an accident then the emergency services will know who I am and who to contact. I hope I never have to put it to the test, but then who does?

My Wrist ID goes with me on all my rides and its safety with style…Just Great!

The Inside of the Plate

We think the Wrist ID deserves 10 out of 10 for quality, style and safety, you life could depend on it!

Click on to read the Lance Armstrong wristband review

We always look forward receiving the new season’s offerings from Rudy Project as we think they are the most stylish, the most comfortable and the best made sports glasses that we have worn…and we have tried them all!

We have two pairs of sunglasses to look at; the “Ultimatum” is for casual wear off the bike, but firstly we will road test the “Magster” which is technical sports-wear for many different sport disciplines, we of course will be wearing them out on the bike!

Magster Clear

“The Magster”
There are quite a few options to choose from to get the style that suits you with eight different frames and twelve lenses. If you want the race look then it has to be either the racing white in blue or red or the yellow fluo, these mated to any of the Lazer, Photochromic or Racing lenses will give you the look any Pro rider would be proud of and many wear.

Magster Air Vent

We have gone for the more subtle look of the Black Mat frames and the Smoke lens, we could have gone for the Frozen Ash or Frozen Brown as these are not too over the top and then there is the Crystal frame, which as you would guess are an all crystal clear frame with red tips and nose piece and are very noticeable. Our Black frames came with the Smoke lens and also included in the very solid carrying case, where a pair of Transparent lenses for dull weather conditions or even riding in the dark, these are a must for winter training as you need to protect your eyes all year round; sun, dust and fly’s in the summer and grit and rain in the winter.

On and Off The Bike

The main frame of the Magster is made of a plastic material which holds the lenses in place but still allows you to easily exchange lenses. The legs are made of alloy which gives a solid feel to the glasses.

The Best Points
There are a few very neat developments with the Magster over its predecessors, the very popular Noyz and Rydon. The main advantages are the temple pads, the leg and tip grips and the nose piece which are all made of a rubbery material called “Megol”. It dampens any vibration and keeps comfort to its highest, the arm tips and the nose piece are screwed to the frame allowing them to be replaced and are fully adjustable. The temple pads are embedded into the frame and along with the nose ventilation at the front emblem stops any fogging of the lenses. The non-fogging is exceptionally important when cycling in hot and damp conditions.

Temple pads

The Magster is also great for us who need to wear a prescription lens as they can either use the Rx insert or the direct Impact lens, both can be the answer to seeing while cycling.

On and Off The Bike

Out on the Road
On a ride the glasses were ultra-comfortable without any air into the eyes and definitely no steam on the lens even when I stopped at traffic lights, the temperature was around 27ºC and there was a high humidity and I was sweating quite a lot on the climbs, but visibility was at 100%… no problem! On some rough roads, with the legs and nose pieces adjusted properly, there was no movement, the temple pads didn’t chafe and kept the frame away from the head without causing any discomfort. As with all good glasses I forgot I had them on, until the inevitable fly crashed in to the right lens!

“The Ultimatum”
The Utimatum is: If you want to look cool you have to get a pair of these!

After a hard ride you need to wind down with a coffee or a beer and sometimes instead of a hard ride you just need to sit out in the sun on a terrace bar with a coffee, watching the world go by, thinking of the ride you should have done and the rides you will do. Well, the Ultimatum sunglasses are of the highest pose value and would fit in at any beach front, Fashionable Boulevard or at the après-ski, they are a class act.

Italian Strength and Style

You can feel the quality of these “made in Italy” glasses with the strong screwed hinges and a solid feel to the legs. The lenses are not too dark, but will not let anyone see what you are looking at, so anonymity is guaranteed. The Rudy Project silver plate screwed to the side is noti

Class

ceable enough without being over the top. We had the Black Gloss with the Smoke lens, but there are five different combinations, if you really want to stick out from the crowd then go for the White Gloss frame with the Smoke lens or stay subtle with the Demi-Turtle frame or Matte Black.

Lots of comfort, style and that most important protection for your eyes. If you want to look cool, then these are the Sunglasses for this season.

Style

9.99 out of 10, top style, Rudy Project never disappoint!

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 makes 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.

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.

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.

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.

If you have been watching any Pro bike racing recently you would have noticed there are many new glasses out this year with different styles and colours and we have had a good look and tried many of them. When it comes to buying sports sunglasses there are a few think you must look for, first; comfort, second; lens choice and third; style. The NOYZ glasses has all three and they are cool, no they are not cool, they are; WOW! DROP DEAD SUPER COOL!!

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.

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?”.

Which Shoes Should I Buy?

The first answer is easy, there are specific biking shoes for each different discipline; from mountain biking to road shoes, track and spinning. There are even shoes that are specificly designed to keep your feet warm in the winter.

A word to 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.

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!!

Look at the table below….there are as many different shoes as we can image. BCR hopes that this will help you to make an informed purchase. There are some basic guide lines; price, fit, looks and function:

Road Bike Shoes		Introduction and basics to road cycling shoes. What you need to know before buying your next ones. The sole, shoe plate, leather, and systems to see which is most comfortable for you
Road Shoes Manufacturers Review		Review of the principal road shoes manufacturers. Talks about the Sidi Ergo 2, Shimano, DTM, Lake, Spiuk, Adidas.
Mountain Bike Shoes		Reviews of mountain biking shoes. Shimano SPD, clipless pedals, studs for grip in muddy and fittings.
Winter Cycling Shoes		Further readings on special cycling shoes for training in winter. Shimano, Sidi, Nalini and North Wave are the few brand names that make these special boots.
Triathlon Shoes		Review of the Shimano TR50. Road shoes made for triathlon.Read the differences between road and those triahtlon specific shoes.
Indoor/Spinning Shoes		Quick guide on shoes for indoor cycling. Sidi and Shimano are the top manufacturers. These are not cheap, but there are others. Read on.

The Spiuk Clothing History

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.

You need to have a spare inner tube with you on your ride and most riders have a small bag under the saddle for tire levers, a small multi-tool and those very important tubes.

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