Is SRAM’s solar-powered shifting a glimpse into cycling’s future? Plus Lightweight's £7,700 gold leaf wheels, a tiny electric pump, new KMC cassettes + loads more tech news
You could avoid the problem entirely by just going for cable-operated components, but assuming you’re all-in on electronic, SRAM has a solution in the shape of a battery charging unit connected to a ‘solar cell array’. This solar cell array could be positioned on a mudguard or bottle cage, or it could be on a flexible panel that’s wrapped around a frame tube.
Who needs regular wheels when you can have these Lightweight Meilenstein Evo Signature Gold Edition hoops, complete with graphics in 23-carat pure gold leaf? Small stumbling block: they're £7,699.99. The Nitecore EBP10 Mini recharges via USB-C, has an aluminium shell, and comes with a silicone sleeve that insulates you from the heat when inflating. It's compatible with Presta and Schrader valves.and you need to pledge at least 388 Hong Kong dollars, which is about £40. As we always point out, pledging money on a crowdfunding site isn’t the same as buying through a retailer; rewards aren’t guaranteed.
PFCs are perfluorochemicals and they degrade notoriously slowly and are associated with a number of health effects. Gore Fabrics says its goal is “to eliminate PFCs of environmental concern from the lifecycle of its consumer fabrics”. If you want to know more about this, head over to Emily’s excellent feature...
The Velocade features a mountain bike-style two-bolt cleat system with that cleat recessed into the sole. A nylon plate extends across the front two-thirds of the sole to provide stiffness for cycling while also allowing for flexibility at the heel when walking. It features a wide webbed strap, a quick-release buckle that comes complete with a bottle opener – well, you never know when you’re going to get thirsty, do you? – along with multiple internal organiser pockets, and three external pockets.Each is made using a water-resistant 3-ply 210 denier recycled poly shell with recycled 150D liner and polyurethane-coated YKK zippers.Aqua cycling: it’s a thing. It’s like a spin class… but in a swimming pool.