The first hair loss warning signs were uncovered in a US study in 2005: high physical and mental performance generates harmful stress with negative consequences for the hair, as a German pilot study* has subsequently revealed.

Testosterone plays a key role in this finding. During high-stress periods and physical exercise, both testosterone and the stress hormone cortisol experience an increase. The result is a lack of energy, quickly noticeable in the hair roots, and hair loss is the consequence.

Cycling types that are particularly at risk are race and marathon. Both consciously go to the limits of their physical capabilities at extreme speeds.

Fortunately, sportspeople affected by possible hair loss can now do something about it. These days, hair loss can be specifically targeted, for example, by using Alpecin Caffeine Liquid Forte, a hair tonic containing caffeine. Its caffeine complex improves hair growth and recharges your hair daily to maintain a full and strong appearance.

Caffeine is nothing for sportspeople to worry about, as it is no longer on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited substances list. Caffeine can be safely used without reservation, not just in the form of coffee but as a means of preventing hair loss.

This fact differentiates caffeine from other substances, such as finasteride, which are prohibited and have already led to positive doping findings.

Win Alpecin Shampoo

Bicycling Australia readers have the chance to win one of 10 incredible prize packs, each worth a whopping $380!

You’ll score shampoo, a Team Alpecin Jersey and more. Simply follow the link here to enter the competition.

The Prize Prize Package Includes

1x Jersey

1x Shorts

1x Cycling cap

1x Drink Bottle

1x Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo 375ml

The prize will be drawn on the 31st of July, 2023. 

*Source: Pilot study involving professional and amateur handball players. The pros involved are under contract with the Handball-Bundesliga club TBV Lemgo (Germany). Study was conducted by SALUTO (Halle, Westphalia) and Dr. Wolff Research (Bielefeld).

The post Win Alpecin Gear: Athletes at Higher Risk of Hair Loss  appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

German bag manufacturer Deuter have come a long way since their founder started making mailbags for the Royal Bavarian Post in the century before last!

Establishing the ‘Mechanical Canvas and Linen Mill’ in 1898, Hans Deuter began developing a company that would not only keep the Bavarian posties happy, but go on to be one of the biggest speciality outdoor adventure backpack brands of all time. 

Jump forward 125 years to 2023, and today we are riding and reviewing the company’s ‘Cabezon’ series of lightweight premium bikepacking bags.

Announced last year and available from April this year, we felt fortunate to get our hands on sample versions of the Cabezon FB 4 Framebag, HB 14 handlebar bag and SB 16 Saddlebag for this ‘first look’ review.

To the naming convention first, and it’s quite obvious FB, HB, and SB stand for frame, handlebar and seat tube bag, while the corresponding numbers indicate the overall capacity in litres.

First to the handlebar bag, and at 14 litres that’s a lot of capacity (and potential weight) over the front of the bike. But being a convertible system – like the seat tube bag that we’ll get to later – the inner roll bag has an internal usable capacity of anywhere from around 5 to 14l. Typically used to carry sleeping gear or clothing, the front bag can be tightly rolled down to around 25cm diameter.

Where this handlebar bag (and the seat tube bag) differ from much of the competition is the two-piece construction method. What this means for bikepackers is this: stop at a campsite, hotel or B&B for the night and you simply release two clips to take the bag off the bike while the attachment harness remains securely in place. 

To the removable dry bags themselves, and light years ahead of the aforementioned heavy canvas Bavarian Post bags, these are light, thin and ooze not only style but toughness. You can feel the quality of the material as you run your fingers over the surface of this thermal polyurethane (TPU) fabric. Importantly for multi-day bikepackers and adventurers, it’s 100 per cent waterproof, is anti-tear, durable and maintains flexibility.

The seams of the front and rear dry bags are taped and welded, and the zippers are also TPU coated to help keep the rain out.

No (S)way

Poor-fitting handlebar and seat tube bags have a bad habit of swaying side-to-side (at the rear) and up / down (up front). Deuter have clearly paid close attention to this via the mounting systems incorporated into the Cabezon series bags. Up front, two lightweight but heavy-duty high-density foam blocks space out the bag and keep it in place. 

On the seatpost, two heavy duty Velcro strips are used, along with buckle straps to secure the outer body to the saddle. Do they sway? Not when properly fitted. During our testing we took several ‘dry runs’ for an upcoming trip. The result – secure storage solutions front and rear, and surprisingly comfortable and well-mannered bike handling, given the extra five or so kilograms of baggage.

To Deuter’s FB 4 Framebag, and although we tested a prototype 6-liter version, both are fundamentally the same mounting wise. With universal style frame attachment points along the front, top, and trailing ends of the bag, this perfectly matches the handlebar and seat tube bag in style and sits equally well on the bike. 

A single, full-length waterproof zipper allows access, and the bag is made of the same blue thermal polyurethane (TPU) fabric. The frame bag was delivered with four adjustable Velcro securing straps, however,  the bag will accomodate up to eight straps. While eight would be overkill, we feel that six straps would help ensure more even and complete support of the bag.

“…Waterproofing across the range is first class, to the point of being completely out-of-mind…”

Thoroughly wet-weather tested during our review, we’re pleased to report internal contents of each of the three bags remained 100 per cent dry. We later extended the test by using the garden hose on a medium spray for the same result. 

Another Option

Not so fussed on waterproofing and want to save some hard-earned cash? Deuter have also released a second-tier range of the bags, the Mondego series. These are not waterproof and come in at around half the price of the top-level Cabezon offerings. In the Mondego series there’s a four and six litre frame bag, eight litre handlebar bag and 16l saddle bag. 

Colours, Pricing and Summing Up

The new Deuter bags are available in ‘Atlantic Black’ – the colour we tested, along with a more neutral ‘Desert Black’. 

Price wise, the Cabezon series FB 4 is $169.90, the HB14 is $199.99 and the SB 16 has a RRP of $239.99. To the Mondego series, and the FB 4 is $89.99, the FB 6 is $99.99, HB 8 $129.99 and the SB 16 the same at $129.99.

In summary, having used various other saddle, frame and handlebar bags from at least seven other manufacturers over the past few years, the Cabezon range from Deuter stand out as the best in their field for a number of reasons. Waterproofing across the range is first class, to the point of being completely out-of-mind, and the anti-sway characteristics of such a good-sized saddle 14l bag are spot on. 

The handlebar bag packing system is simple, straightforward and a lot quicker and easier than other bags we’ve used, and the quick removal concept works exceptionally well. 

To the frame bag, and as mentioned we feel it could come with one or two extra velcro securing straps to prevent possible sag, but overall it works well and completes and complements the set nicely.  

The post Latest Deuter Cabezon Bikepacking Bags Tested appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

If you follow pro road racing then you’ve most likely seen the EKOI brand being strutted by some of the biggest names in the sport over the last few years, and maybe you even headed down to the local bike shop to see if they have any of those slink lids as worn by the likes of Caleb Ewan, and if you did you may well have pulled up short.

EKOI is a French brand, and one that’s been around for almost 22 years now, and the reason those of us riding outside of Europe may be a little less aware of their growing prominence is probably because they are consumer direct. In fact, they were bold in being one of the first in the bike industry to adapt this business model.

The Aero 14 helmet was my first ever test product from EKOI, and so I was interested to see what this curiously named brand was all about.

First up was the ordering process, which was remarkably simple – for Australian prices simply click the flag at the bottom of the page and then browse away, and all quoted prices include international shipping and all import duties, which we all know can be a bane of online shopping from across the water.

On reaching the helmet page I was lured in by the customisation tab; depending on the model there is a certain amount of customisation that can be done, and in the case of the Aero 14 that comes down to the helmet colour choice and having your name and chosen flag on the side (no Aussie flag available just yet), and in a few seconds and for a few extra bucks it was all sorted, simple.

Delivery, even with the customisation, took around a week, which was impressive.

The helmet comes in a nice thick drawstring bag and has three sets of pads, which is a blessing, as finding the right replacements is rarely easy – plus, they come in different thicknesses, which was just as well as I perhaps ordered a size too big (do check the sizing charts).

The first thing I noticed was the weight – this is a pretty light lid, especially for an aero helmet. The top shell has four front vents, two rear top, two rear side and a larger rear cluster ventilation grille, while the shell also wraps neatly around the helmet inner to give it a clean line.

The strap system has a mesh base, which means that it does not gather sweat like many others, and the buckle is magnetic, making it a breeze to take on and off, while the tensioning is done via a rear rachet dial system.

In use it’s a very light and comfortable feeling helmet, and while I was concerned about the lack of ventilation, that doesn’t seem to be too much of an issue, and although I have been riding it in toasty and humid road and gravel conditions without issues, I would say that the AR14 is more of a performance road helmet.

Although it’s hard to put any numbers on its aero performance, do keep in mind that your head is a significant part of the aerodynamic equation, and logic points to it being more effective on that score when compared to a regular helmet, and with its design the AR14 manages to balance out well as a general road performance helmet too, which is not the case with many dedicated aero helmets.

Overall, this is a great product at a very good price point, plus adding your name and chosen banner in-house does give it that “special feel.” 

For further details or to order visit https://www.ekoi.com/

The post Road Tested, The Aero 14 Helmet From EKOI appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

Ever objective, I’ll admit we have to be very careful not to sound too gushy, familiar or one-eyed in a review. Why? Because the wheels we are testing today are indeed the second pair of Black Inc Thirty Fours we’ve chosen to be riding since late 2022. 

Fitted as standard to the Factor Ostro Race Gravel bike we reviewed in the January / February edition and now on this website (just use the search box on the top right corner of the home page), Factor also sent a second wheelset to review on the bike of our choice.

And, to be brutally honest, as soon as that second pair arrived I swapped out my own personal wheels for the Black Incs and don’t plan on removing them anytime soon. Those nameless wheels were impressive, but nothing compared to these babies.

Over the past few months we’ve ridden the Thirty Fours on bikes including BMC’s impressive all-road / light gravel one-bike solution, the Roadmachine X, along with Chapter 2’s new race gravel specific KAHA.

Yes, the theme here is gravel and we can hand on heart say the Thirty Four wheelset have seen well in excess of their fair share of it since Christmas. 

Tested in numerous locations and on a wide range of surfaces, the wheels have spun hundreds of thousands of revolutions and been party to many thrills plus a couple of unfortunate spills.

The findings in four words? Faultless, silky smooth, sublime.

And in a little more detail? 

Out of the box, the wheels look slick yet subtle and have a modern, minimalist feel. They are finished in a stylish matt/ gloss black and certainly complemented the look and blended well with the three very different bikes with rode them on – the aforementioned Factor Ostro gravel, BMC Roadmachine X and Chapter 2. 

On that, there’s nothing worse than a mismatched wheelset; wheels that just don’t look quite right with whatever frameset you are riding. Wheels really do make the bike – so far as overall aesthetics go, it can be heartbreaking to see a stunning bike let down with a mediocre wheelset.

At 34mm the Black Inc gravel-specific offering seems to perfectly bridge the too shallow / too deep divide. Depth wise, we’ve found them to exhibit the aero and efficiency attributes of a deeper wheelset. 

At the same time, we’ve found them to be noticeably less susceptible to cross winds than other 35 to 40mm wheelsets we’ve ridden. 

To all-important weight, and out of the box we weighed the wheels at just under 1500g – impressive considering the strength and durability aspects touted by Black Inc. 

You need to have a little sympathy for gravel-specific wheelsets, we sure do expect a lot from them. To seamlessly morph from fast, smooth bitumen to a craggy, rock-strewn country lane is a hell of a lot to ask of 700g (front) and 800g (rear) hoops of carbon laced with 24 lightweight spokes per piece. 

We’ve bunnyhopped the bitumen and hit the gravel many, many times on these and are yet to experience even the most minor of problems or concerns. 

We have also crashed them, at speed and on loose gravel. With the bike cartwheeling several times through the air prior to landing heavily on its side, the bars and shifters ended up facing opposite directions and frameset sported some unfortunate scuffs, but the wheels continued to spin factory true.

The Heart Of The Thirty Fours

At the heart of the Black Inc Thirty Four wheels are some of the world’s best bike bearings, those from Ceramic Speed. These handmade Silicon Nitride ceramic balls surpass traditional steel bearings in every way, and are fitted as standard and the only factory option on Black Inc wheels. 

Far from a scientific test in lab conditions, we gave the crank a solid quarter turn push and saw more than 1m 30 seconds on the timer. And that was with 40mm Goodyear Connectors fitted with tubeless sealant. They do spin very nicely and are incredibly smooth on the road.

A hookless profile rim, we found fitting various tubeless road and gravel tyres a simple and frustration-free affair. We were able to seat tyres with a high volume floor pump and found, over time, pressures to remain satisfactory between rides.

The Thirty Fours feature a 25mm internal width and are 30mm across externally. The hoops are laced to the Ceramic Speed hubs with industry leading Sapim CX flat spokes. Talking the spokes, we found tension – both out of the box and after several months of use – to be excellent.

Summing up, with literally hundreds of carbon wheels out there – and more and more options each year – the Black Inc Thirty Four’s slot straight into the top 10 per cent of the market. 

They are light, strong, fast, incredibly reliable and surprisingly versatile. Yes, they retail a lot higher than many options. But, with so much riding on wheels, and after several months of intense testing, we feel feel they are a sound investment.  

More at www.blackinc.cc

The post Tested: Black Inc Thirty Four Gravel Wheels  appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

Most people can bear adversity; but if you wish to know what a [person] really is, give [them] power”. Robert Green Ingersoll

The prevalence and improved affordability of power meters in the market means that it seems like most enthusiastic cyclists now have one. Power is the ultimate training, racing and social comparison tool. Many a post-ride coffee conversation drifts, slowly and inevitably towards the blackhole of watts, peak power, normalised power, Phillipo Ganna power … all the big issues in life really. 

The difficult decision for many cyclists now seems to be not whether to get a power meter, but rather, which option to choose. Full cranks, pedal-based, left crank only, or as the power2max units are, spider-based. Each style of system has its own pros and cons.

The spider-based systems provide less flexibility in terms of ease of switching between bikes but have a reputation for accuracy. So it was with great interest that I got to have a good chunk of time training and racing on a ‘Power2max NG Road’ power meter.

The range of combinations that power2max offer is, to be honest, a little overwhelming. Fortunately, they have an online guide that steps you through the selection process. They offer two main ranges of power meters for road bikes: the NG Road power meter and the more budget option (at about 2/3rds the price), the NGeco Road. Each of these spiders then has differing options depending on which crank, chainrings and bottom bracket configuration you’ll be using. 

For this test, we are using the NG road unit matched with Shimano Dura-Ace chainrings and the Rotor ALDHU-R 24 cranks. This unit comes in at a combined weight of 777g (over 100g heavier than my Dura-Ace crankset). Power2max claims an accuracy of +/ – 1% for their NG range, putting it among the top-tier power meters in terms of accuracy (Note: the pool of power meters claiming 1% accuracy is growing). 

The NG has a USB rechargeable battery with a 150-hour cycle life and connects via a neat magnetic junction. Since this is a spider-based system, it only measures overall power, however, the NG units use the oscillations of power that accompany pedalling and an algorithm to deliver metrics such as left-right balance and pedalling smoothness. This is reportedly, quite accurate too. Connectivity is via ANT+ and Bluetooth. 

The warranty is for an impressive 5 years! Interestingly the cheaper NGeco models have +/-2% accuracy and do not offer the pedalling metrics as standard. However, the internal hardware must be the same or very similar, as these can be “upgraded” via software for an additional fee. This is an interesting way of differentiating their products. 

I’m sure the upgrades are tempting, it does let us see behind the curtain a little and asks the question of why the NG models need to be as expensive as they are. Apart from being a little heavier, the main hardware difference, as far as I can see, for the lower model NGeco is that they use replaceable CR2450 batteries (300-hour life). This makes the NGeco model seem quite appealing.

Using The Gear

Installation involved assembling the spider, chainrings and cranks and then installing them on the bike. For some, this may be an intimidating process, but power2max has numerous video guides to explain the process.

Connectivity to my Wahoo unit was easy. P2M units now need no calibrations, which is so nice. There is a phone app that I’m sure is great but it no longer seems to be available for Android phones (Apple only), so I didn’t get to play.

Regardless, the setup and connection were straightforward and hiccup-free. There are spacers that can be installed on either side of the bottom bracket which necessitates a little knowledge of bike setup and chainring placement requirements; so some people may want the reassurance of their local bike shop to set it up well.

I’m a longtime user of Shimano cranks, particularly the 9000 series DuraAce. I was genuinely surprised by how noticeable the increased stiffness of the rotor cranks was. Admittedly, they do give away a bit in weight, but they were markedly stiffer.

This is anecdotal, of course, but normally I don’t notice subtle changes in rigidity or small ride dynamics because I am often switching between bikes and components. These personal observations were echoed by others I’ve since talked to about using Rotor cranks.

Since this is a power meter review, we probably should look at the power. There are super in-depth analyses of this at places like DC Rainmaker’s website, but for my purposes here, I ran Assioma pedals which are known to be quite accurate, and dual recorded power over the duration of the review period. The Assiomas are also a 1% accuracy device, so between the two we should expect 2% discrepancies. This was precisely what happened. 

Looking at power curves, the higher powers are recorded for much shorter durations and are therefore prone to differences in error that could be to do with cadence calculations and other things. There were up to 2.1% differences between the power meters for peak power and shorter 5 to 20-second efforts. These differences occurred in both directions too; as in, it changed from ride to ride which unit recorded higher peak values. 

At lower power levels, such as 20 or 30-minute efforts, they recorded within about 1%. I didn’t see any unusual spikes or experience dropouts at all. This robustness acted as confirmation of what I’d heard from several users of power2max equipment, namely, that they are robust and very reliable units.

So overall, the question came down to what are the benefits and detractions of this unit, compared to the other options out there?

1: Robust and simple system to use.

2: Perfect for, and more affordable, those who have cranks they want to keep using.

3: Accurate and reliable.

4: Pedalling metrics for those who really want to geek out.

5: A bulletproof unit – the chances of wearing it out are extremely slim.

6: The mid-range price point is not spectacular.

7: The weight penalty of over 100g (depending on setup) when other power systems can be lighter.

8: It’s not as simple to switch between bikes compared to a pedal or even a single-side power meter.

The Verdict

So, would I recommend it? Yes, with two small caveats. As long as you are not wanting a power meter that you will be swapping frequently between bikes and as long as you are ok with sacrificing around 100g, then the power2max units are a great choice.

Robust, reliable accurate and well built, not the cheapest but not complete bank breakers either. I would happily keep this on my bike if I didn’t have to give it back. 

The post Road Tested: The Power2Max NG Power Meter appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

But the flagship groupo comes with a hefty pricetag, with AU pricing expected to be in the vicinity of $8,000.

Weighing in at around 2500grams depending upon gear ratio spec, the new Super Record wireless is a slick, futuristic, state-of-the-art groupset that features high-spec carbon fibre, titanium and light weight alloys.

Gearing option wise, the chainrings are available in 50-34, 48-32, and 45-29T, and cassettes are all 10T – 10-25, 10-27, and 10-29T.

The company say it has been developed with their trade team AG2R Citroën, the ethos being to stand out from the crowd while offering a ‘seamless interaction between rider and bike.’

Bicycling Australia have not yet seen or ridden the groupo in real life, we hope to have that opportunity in coming weeks at both Eurobike and the Tour de France. Going off launch information and the product spec sheets, it features the following-

Ergopower Control Levers 

• Redesigned body lever shape utilizes extra grip and cushioning for enhanced riding comfort
• No traditional Campag thumb lever
• Ergonomically shaped brake levers for better control and a more efficient braking 
• New shifting experience with one lever – one action functionality
• Battery status LED light for immediate feedback

Wireless Shifting

“Effortless Bluetooth communication ensures every exchange between components is instantaneous. Every detail has been optimized to be ultra-functional, including quick-snap magnetic charging ports, vivid LED battery-indicators, and super fast charging.”

Brakes 

• No rim brakes on offer
• Temperature control disc technology to avoid excessive heating and the need for an additional cooling fin
• Patented rotor profile resulting in a sleek, anti-cutting surface
• Refined design provides instinctive modulation, progressive feel and greater reliability

Drivetrain 

• ULTRA-TORQUE System implemented for maximum power transmission efficiency
• High durability bottom bracket featuring a dust-proof PRO-TECH patented external protective seal
• Instant responsivity courtesy of a titanium axle and unidirectional carbon fiber crankarms (available in 165, 170, 172.5 and 175mm)
• Quick fit rear derailleur produced from technopolymer

Batteries – Dynamic User Interface

• Magnetic charging ports on front and rear derailleurs for quick and secure connection. One standard port for both components
• Fast charging times; 90% charge in 45 minutes and full charge in just 60 minutes
• Long lasting charge with 750km battery range
• Ability to charge both on and off the bike
• LED battery status interface which is highly visible in all conditions

Cassette & Gearing

• Three sets (front chainrings 50-34, 48-32, and 45-29 and cassettes 10-25, 10-27, and 10-29) provide improved gear ratio combinations to deliver unrivaled cadence and optimal tempo
• Smoother shifting experience courtesy of new teeth geometry designed on the chain path
• N3W standard freewheel body
• 10T cog
• 2x 12 speed crankset

Connectivity

An updated MyCampy 3.0 app. Delivered for ease-of-use, quick referencing, simple operation and customisation. 

We are keen to hear your thoughts on the new Campagnolo Wireless 12-Speed. have your say in the comments section below.

The post Super Record: Campagnolo’s New 12-Speed Wireless Groupset appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

A powerhouse of the bike light category, MagicShine has earned a solid reputation with its wide range of quality front and rear lighting options.

Bicycling Australia has enjoyed using and reviewing several of the company’s lights over the past couple of years, the standouts being the whopping 8000-lumen Monteer (that uses a remote li-ion battery pack), to the SeeMee 200 rear light that features an innovative downward facing spread beam.

Today we are looking at two other MagicShine lights, the RAY 1600 and SeeMee 150.

First to the Ray, this front light uses two high-efficiency LEDs to produce a combined maximum of 1600 lumens of bright, white light.

Forming a well-rounded beam pattern is a pair of custom-designed, high transmittance optical lenses, one of which has been fine-tuned to produce a far-reaching spotlight, while the other specialises as a closer-distance floodlight.

The blend of the two beams evenly and seamlessly blanket the rider’s path. It’s suited for mountain biking, trails & paths, road cycling, urban commuting, etc.

Newly introduced is the smart mode; the light automatically adjusts its output based on the level of ambient light it detects. Under day mode, the output will be limited to 30 lumens to increase the rider’s passive visibility in traffic. Under night mode, or when entering a tunnel, the output will kick up a few notches for full-range visibility in the dark.

The RAY 1600 comes with many top-quality features including USB-C fast charging … and discharging. This means you can use your bike light as a power bank if you’re caught with a flat phone (or other devices).

Another innovative feature is mode adjustment – you don’t need to use the same button to cycle through every single setting and mode. Brightness is controlled intuitively with the up/down buttons, both of which act as a flash switch, on/off switch, and remaining power indicator.

The RAY 1600 uses the popular Garmin style quarter-turn mounting mechanism and widely compatible with many out-front mounts. There’s an optional wired remote control that connects to the light’s USB-C port for easy access to on/off and flash modes.

Specifications

Equipped with two high-power LEDs, max output 1,600 LM.

Unique combination of long-reach spot light and close-in flood light.

Micro remote for ease of operation (Purchased separately).

Intelligent brightness sensor scans for ambient light in real time.

Up-down brightness control with accurate battery display.

Lock function to avoid mis-operation.

Powered by two high capacity 18650 integrated batteries with 5,200mAh capacity.

USB-C fast charging and discharging.

Internal thermal management ensuring consistent output at high levels.

IPX6 rating, heavy rain resistant, all weatherproof.

Universal Garmin quad lock style mount, easy to put on and take off.

RRP $169.95

MagicShine SeeMee 150

The SeeMee 150 FL is a small but mighty light that uses tiny LEDs to produce a bright 150 lumens. It adopts high transparent optical fibre with dual steady and flash modes to help ensure riders are more conspicuous.

A major point of difference with this light is the COB (chip on board) lighting technology. COB allows smaller and therefore more lights than LEDs. They also are more efficient due to their higher density of light output. They’re also considered more reliable due to less internal components than LED.

The SeeMee 150’s translucent housing provides side visibility and offers a degree of peripheral visibility among traffic, and the light body features an IPX6 rating for weatherproofing.

It’s a light that is simple to operate. A long press of the switch will turn the light on and off, and a single press will cycle through all the modes.

The handlebar mount consists of a Garmin-type, which the light clicks into securely. This suits round bars of 22-35mm in diameter. And the use of quality silicone straps means it won’t damage your bike’s frame or paintwork.

The 150 features micro USB charging and takes an hour to fully charge for an impressive 31.7 hours run-time in eco mode. We have been using this model along with other MagicShine lights for the past 12-months or so.

They are lightweight but strong, offer solid battery life, and have proved very dependable. It’s no surprise that the brand is seen in many local bike shops around the country. They are well-priced, work exceptionally well, and will help keep you safe and seen out there.

Specifications

Using COB LEDs, produces 150 lumens that will ensure you’re seen and safe in all light conditions.

Translucent housing provides side visibility.

Four modes: low, high, flash and eco.

Compact size but powered by a high-capacity battery, max runtime up to 31.7 hours.

Easy-to-read multiple battery power indicator.

Tool-less mounting system, suitable for handlebar 22-35mm diameter.

Low power mode (automatic) to extend the running time efficiently.

Memory function, battery indicator and USB rechargeable.

IPX6 rating, heavy rain resistant, all weatherproof.

RRP $74.95 – More at www.magicshine.com.au or as at your local bike shop.

The post Magicshine RAY1600 and SeeMee 150 Reviewed appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

Bicycling Australia has recently been riding Exposure’s Boost and Trace front and rear lights. To say we’re hugely impressed with the build quality, performance, attention to detail and overall abilities of these high-end lights would be a major understatement.

Exposure TraceR Rear Light

“Bike lights, they’re all fundamentally the same,” you may think, but that’s certainly not the case when it comes to the Trace series.

The unique selling point of this TraceR ReAKT (the rear Trace), is the ingenious ‘Peloton’ mode. Using what the company calls ‘Ambient Kinetic Technology’ – hence the AKT in its name, this light automatically adapts to riding conditions.

The light reads the surroundings and flares up to 120 lumens when braking is detected or the rider enters brighter areas such as out of a tunnel or into street lighting. In addition to this, in ‘Peloton mode’ the light dims when a light from the rider behind is detected.

The TraceR ReAKT features a mode selector to adjust its three inbuilt brightness levels plus the comfort and safety of side illumination.

It has an IP6 waterproof rating, a run time of three to 24 hours depending upon mode, and will fully charge in three hours. Exposure lights are built to last but also surprisingly light – the light features a red anodised alloy casing and weighs in at 35g. A very well-made mounting bracket and heavy-duty rubber attachment strap is included in the packaging.

Specifications

LEDs: 1 x XPE-RED

IP Rating: IP6

Max Lumens: 75

Battery: 850 mAh Li-Ion

Runtime: 3-24 Hours (FL)

Charge Time: 3 Hours

Weight: 35g

Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium

Length: 57mm

Head Diameter: 28mm

Included: The rear light and a seat post mount

Exposure Trace Front Light

Finished in gunmetal grey anodising, the front Trace light is more about personal safety and visibility than spotlighting the road ahead. The same size and shape as the rear light – the red (rear) and grey (front) combination are designed to blend in with the colour schemes of most bikes.

This front light features a 125-lumen main beam, an internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and constant, pulse and ‘Daybright’ lighting modes.

‘Daybright, what’s that?’ You may ask. This is a specifically designed pulse mode that Exposure engineers have designed and optimised for maximum visibility. Similar to and inspired by the strobe and light patterns used by emergency services, all aspects of this light are about keeping you safe and seen, day and night.

With a powerful single LED, the front of the lens extends around 7mm from the alloy casing to ensure side illumination. This, coupled with the same design on the rear TraceR, means 180° visibility to keep you safe.

Subtle and stylish in form, these Exposure Trace lights scream quality and the ‘Made in Great Britain’ branding on the packaging says it all.

Specifications

LED: 1 x White XPG2

IP Rating: IP6

Max Lumens: 125

Battery: 850 mAh Li-Ion

Runtime: 3-24 Hours (FL)

Charging Time: 3 Hours

Weight: 35g

Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium

Length: 57mm

Head Diameter: 28mm

In The Box: Trace DB MK2, QR Handlbar Mount, Micro-USB Charge Cable, QS Guide

RRP Trace pack (Front & Rear lights) $160 – Ask at your local bike shop or check dealer locations at https://www.bikebox.com.au/dealer-locator.html

Exposure Boost Front Light

Offering the output of a larger light, Exposure’s Boost can pump out up to 350 lumens.

Perfect for commutes where more output or burn times are needed but still small, USB charging but extremely portable.

It also features the Daybright pulse pattern we mentioned in the Trace review, a cutting-edge feature designed to cut through the many distractions we see on roads.

Specifications

LED: 1x XPL2

Output: 350 lumens

Weight: 45 grams

Run time: Min 2 hrs to a maximum of 24 hrs pulsing.

Battery: 1400 mAh Li-Ion

Dimensions (mm) Length 66, Head 28, Back 22

Exposure Boost R Rear Light

The BOOST R is a slightly larger version of the popular form of the Trace R (reviewed above). Ten grams heavier than the smaller model, the Boost offers twice the burn time.

There’s also a quarter-turn locking bracket to ensure the light remains secure to the bike.

Like the rear Trace, it features the ReAKT (Ambient Kinetic Technology) to adapt its output to conditions. Following a rider using this light is an impressive sight! The Boost flares up to 150 lumens under braking or, when entering brighter environments. It also features the previously described ‘Peloton mode’ to dim when light from the rider behind is detected.

Overall, top-quality workmanship, the attention to detail is outstanding, and this is a sturdy, very well made and no doubt long-lasting rear light offering. Top marks Exposure.

Specifications

LEDs: 1 x Red XPE-R

IP Rating: IP65

Max Lumens: 80 (150 ReAKT Flare)

Battery: 1400 mAh Li-Ion

Runtime: 6-48 Hours

Charging Time: 3 Hours

Weight: 45g

Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium

In The Box: Boost-R ReAKT, Seatpost Mount, Micro USB Cable.

RRP: Boost Pack (front and rear) $249 – Ask at your local bike shop or check dealer locations at https://www.bikebox.com.au/dealer-locator.html

The post Tested: British Made Exposure Boost & Trace Bike Front & Rear Bike Lights appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

Over the past few months we’ve been using and abusing the current top model from GoPro, the Hero 11 Black. Looking at it purely through the lens of a cyclist wanting to carry a lightweight, portable, rugged, go anywhere high-resolution still and video camera, here are our thoughts.

Fitted with GoPro’s Max Grip, a small and versatile hand grip that morphs into a tripod, we’ve found the latest GoPro to be the perfect still and video recording device for bike riders. Its small form allows it to be easily stowed in a rear jersey pocket. Place it camera down / grip up and its extremely easy to reach around, grab pull out, switch on and start using. And even easier if you set up voice activation mode.

So far as a genuine alternative to carrying a camera (or a late model phone) goes, the latest model is a big step up from its predecessor. The Hero 11 features a larger 1/1.19in sensor and 27 megapixel camera. And, inanother major change from all previous models, the aspect ratio is now 8:7 instead of the age old 4:3. Why change such a GoPro fundamental? The new aspect ratio allows creators to record a single 8:7 video then crop both landscape and vertical orientation to produce 16:9 clips during editing. This is particularly useful for those using the camera to crate content for multiple channels such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

True Colours

The new sensor supports 10-bit colour which dramatically help those who go to the effort for grading footage in post-production. This is a little too tech for us – we find the standard out-of-camera colour quality to be spot on. Want to see this? Take a look at the recent video content over on the Bicycling Australia YouTube and Instagram channels.

The camera also features a new ‘HyperView’ mode, great for fitting in wider angles when the Hero 11 is fitted to an out-front mount on your bike. This more takes advantage of the taller sensor to squeeze in the full 8:7 image down to a standard 16:9 frame in-camera. This results in more distorted but super-wide view that GoPro markets as “ultra-immersive”, it sure is!

Stabilisation is a major point of difference with GoPro camera and the latest model provides this in spades. ‘HyperSmooth’ stabilisation is now in its fifth iteration, and is touted as being the firm’s most effective stabilisation to date. 

While stabilisation is outstanding, probably the most notable improvement is the full 360-degree horizon levelling, which can maintain a perfectly level horizon even with the camera fully inverted. 

Thinking about a GoPro for cycling-related content? Here are our Top 5 takeouts.

Durability and ruggedness: Like its predecessors, the Hero 11 has been designed to be extremely durable and able to withstand various weather conditions and physical impacts. This is particularly beneficial for cyclists who may encounter rough terrain, vibrations, and potential falls. The rugged build ensures the device can handle impacts a lot better than a phone.

Image stabilisation: The latest model’s advanced image stabilisation tech dramatically reduces camera shake and provides far smoother footage – especially when fitted to an out-front mount and used on long, slow, side-to-side climbs and fast, curvy descents. This is particularly beneficial when using the camera on gravel, filming another rider, or running alongside a moving cyclist.

Simpler transfers: The latest model features the simplest image and video transfer and connection method to date. Using the GoPro Quik app you can edit, upload, delete and backup all media in minutes. Gone are the days of convoluted file transfers and unused or wasted media, things seem to be so much easier, quicker & more efficient nowadays.

Water and dust resistance:  GoPro’s have always been renowned for their waterproofing qualities – this makes them ideal for cyclists who want to capture their rides wet or muddy conditions. We’ve tested the latest Hero 11 in cold rain, alongside muddy puddles in Mudgee, and underwater in the sea, and it remains like new.

Mounting options and accessories: Like its earlier incarnations, the Hero 11 is compatible with a wide range of mounting options and accessories designed specifically for different activities, including cycling. You can attach a GoPro securely to your bike’s handlebars, helmet, chest, or even your body using various mounts. These accessories provide more flexibility and ensure stable footage, even during fast-paced cycling, on and off-road. As mentioned earlier, we find the Max Grip Tripod to be extremely handy … in fact, it hasn’t been removed since it was first screwed into the base on the Hero 11.

Summing Up

Without a doubt the most impressive, feature packed and high quality GoPro we’ve used. With the permanently attached grip tripod, this small, handy and powerful content creation device comes along with us on every ride. The image quality, ease of use and intuitive operation is outstanding…Kudos GoPro!

GoPro Hero 11 Black Specifications

Dimensions: 71.8 W x 50.8 H x 33.6 D (mm)

Weight: 154g

Battery: Removable 1720mAh 

Waterproofing: 10m (33ft)

Image Sensor: 1/1.9″ CMOS

Video Resolution:

5.3K: 4:3 (5312×3984)

5.3K: 16:9 (5312×2988)

Photo Megapixels (MP) + image size: 27.13MP (5568×4872)

Time Lapse Mode: TimeWarp, Star Trails, Light Painting and more.

Audio Features: 3-mics | 3.5mm Audio Mic Input with Media Mod for HERO11 Black or Pro 3.5 Mic Adapter (Sold Separately) | RAW Audio Capture (.wav Format)

Rear Display Size: 2.27″ Touch LCD

Front Display Size: 1.4″ Color LCD

User Interface: Voice Control (14 Commands) plus 11 Languages & 6 accents.

RRP: $649

More at www.GoPro.com

The post Tested: The GoPro Hero 11 Black – The Best All-Round Model For Cyclists Yet? appeared first on Bicycling Australia.

Key features are what the company describe as ‘fluid carbon’, and ‘multipod technologies’.

Fluid Carbon 12 is a composite technopolymer capable of absorbing more energy from an impact than traditional materials. The idea is that this helps distribute forces more evenly across the helmet.  

This has enabled KASK’s technicians to increase the size of the Elemento’s internal channels, improving ventilation whilst simultaneously reducing the size of the ventilation holes. Ultimately this aides internal cooling and external aerodynamics.

Multipod is a KASK-designed structure that is 3D-printed and used in the Elemento’s internal padding. This elastomer material was conceived as a direct result of KASK’s Rotational Impact WG11 Test – an internal testing protocol that has enabled KASK to improve the performance and safety of its helmets when subjected to different types of impact.

The helmet also features a reflective graphic on the back to increase rider visibility, plus also merino wool internal padding is used in addition to Multipod. This, say Kask, ‘Guarantees unprecedented comfort and heat regulation.’

Elemento Colours

The Elemento is available in the classic Black or White versions, as well as the new metallic finishes of Beetle Green, Oxford Blue, Red, and Silver.

As is standard for all KASK products, the Elemento was designed in accordance with the KASK Rotational Impact WG11 Test, an internal testing protocol that measures the helmet’s performance when subjected to rotational impacts.

Weighing in at just 260 grams (size M), the Elemento will have an RRP in  Australia of $650.

The post Kask Tackle Super Premium Helmet Market Head On With The Elemento appeared first on Bicycling Australia.