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Featured Reviews

Garmin Edge 510

Garmin Edge 510 review

Garmin Edge 510 reviewThese days it would seem that everything is shared across social networks, from the sublime to the ridiculous (‘I got engaged!’… ‘I just ate toast!’), however some things we feel are well worth sharing; training plans, routes, results and achievements among them. Enter then the new Edge 510 GPS bike computer, which makes all this – and more – possible, and being from market-leading Garmin, Cyclo took to testing it with more than a hint of anticipation.

 

The Edge 510, with its touchscreen and colour display (both steps up from the Garmin 500), works in conjunction with two other crucial elements; firstly the Garmin Connect Mobile app for smartphones – free for iPhone and Android – to which the Edge 510 connects via Bluetooth, secondly the online (again free) Garmin Connect dashboard website. More on both in due course…

 

Out-of-the-box impressions were positive – the 510 is reasonably compact at just 5.2 x 8.6 x 2.4cm and mid-weight at 80g; the screen was clear, bright (and of course colourful) and the glove-friendly touchscreen responsive. Setting-up technical devices for the first time can be daunting, but the Quick Start manual was easy to understand and guided us through the set up, installation and pairing of the Edge 510 to the smartphone (an iPhone in our case) via the bluetooth without any trouble. The app turns the Edge 510 into a truly connected device, capable of sharing activities and data as they happen in real-time and wirelessly uploading workout- and race-relevant data to the Garmin Connect website or downloading courses and routes direct to the device; in short it is the cornerstone of this new model.

 

With a standard ‘quarter turn’ mount the Garmin Edge 510 is simple enough to attach to the handlebars using two of the supplied bands, but those who prefer an ‘out-front’ mounting one is available for an additional £29.99. In either case, and in the event of a spill, the Edge 510 ships with a tether so you shouldn’t lose your investment if the worst comes to the worst…

 

Cyclo appreciates that some GPS devices can struggle to acquire satellite signals, a complete headache when you’re itching to get going – or worse racing, but on our tests the Edge 510 acquired the signals quickly and, just as importantly, held it unwaveringly throughout. We were impressed too that the aforementioned glove-friendly touchscreen remained responsive even to the prodding of our thickest winter gloves, delivering additional data pages quickly and, with a fairly generous 4.4 x 3.5cm screen size, serving up something we were actually able to read on the ride.

 

Live tracking allows friends (rivals?) and family to follow your races and training activity in real time, so long as the app and the Edge 510 are connected. Inviting followers – or ‘connections’ if ‘followers’ sounds too messianic for you – using email or social media allows the chosen few to view your live data on the Garmin Connect tracking page, follow your position on a map, and track progress, and once the workout or race is posted to the Garmin Connect site followers can (re)view and comment on them. Naturally you can also share all of this across various social networks, something we personally love to do at Cyclo.

 

Of course all this extra tech comes at a slight cost above the old 500 – it’s naturally both bigger and heavier (the noted 80g compared to the previous model’s more svelte 56.7 g) – but the extraordinary amount of functionality for a not unreasonable £249.99 makes for an excellent investment. At around £80 cheaper than the Edge 810, which admittedly adds base maps and data cards amongst other things, this looks like a first-rate option for anyone wanting to up their game with a robust, reliable and very sociable bike computer.

 

The Garmin Edge 510 is available from, amongst other places online, wiggle.co.uk – for full details and spec of the Edge 510 visit garmin.com or take a look at their video below…

 

 

 

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Extras Reviews

Superfeet Yellow

Superfeet Yellow

Superfeet Yellow reviewOriginally designed for hockey skates, the Superfeet Yellow is an insole replacement that works across a range of tighter fitting footwear, delivering excellent arch support and ideally suited to road cycling shoes. Available in seven sizes, these are part of the Superfeet ‘trim to fit’ range, a simple enough process that involves a quick trace around your shoe’s existing insole and two minute’s work with a pair of scissors.

 

As you would expect from a market-leader like Superfeet things don’t stop there. The main bed is formed from ‘XLPE’, a ‘cross-linked’ polyethylene foam, with both excellent support and shock-absorbing qualities and enough flex to feel responsive; coated in a natural antimicrobial treatment to extend their shelf-life and help reduce odor. But the real trick up the sleeve (sock?) for the Yellows is the integral, stiffened, rear cup, which is noticeably deeper and more cradling for both comfort and fit – the result of which is intended to be stabilisation through the pedals for increased power transfer.

 

Does that work? Hard to quantify improved performance outside of the lab of course, but after letting these bed in (so-to-speak) for a couple of weeks – they did, as the manufacturers suggested, take some time to get used to – rides felt more powerful on the hills and there was an overall sense of ‘pushing’ strength more directly through the pedals. There’s always a danger of emperor’s new clothes with such innovations, but the more we road tested these the more we liked them.

 

The foam bed wicked moisture well – aided by the ‘diamond venting system’, a cluster of nine holes designed to line up with perforated outsoles without compromising the bed’s structural integrity – and the fit felt almost custom-made. As noted: any improvement in actual power increase is wildly subjective but across numerous rides we felt a distinct benefit and any ‘edge’, either perceived or real, is one we will gladly take.

 

Superfeet Yellow have an RRP of £35 and are widely available online – for more information see superfeet.co.uk

 

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Nutrition Reviews

Jack Links Beef Jerky

Jack Links

Jack Links Beef Jerky ReviewIf there is one thing here at Cyclo we like almost as much as riding the bike, it’s food. Before, during, after the ride – and as much as we can happily recommend a number of bike nutrition solutions (take a look at our reviews of Bikefood or Shot Bloks for example), it’s often ‘real’ food we crave in the saddle. Enter then Jack Links Beef Jerky, quite possibly our favourite new snack…

 

Beef Jerky? On a bike? Where’s the carbs? Actually there are some – around 17g per 100g of snack – which is barely significant compared to something like a High5 Energy Gel say, which would boast closer to 70g per 100g (roughly 3 gels worth) but what is significant here is the protein content, so often overlooked when it comes to exercise. Protein is useful (arguably essential) for several reasons: some of the amino acids in protein help your body absorb carbohydrates; protein is essential to recovery – a process that can be started whilst still exercising. Jack Links Beef Jerky delivers a not-unreasonable 46g of protein per 100g.

 

The science aside, here’s the thing: Getting food, of whatever protein/carbohydrate ratio, down you during exercise is a whole lot easier when it tastes great and Jack Links Beef Jerky certainly does. With a reputation for care and attention they make these snacks from only the choicest beef and at just 3% fat it’s a winning formula. Beyond the original flavour there is also the Sweet and Hot variety which, although undeniably tasty, are lower on carbs (just 12g per 100g) and which we found slightly dehydrating on the saddle so perhaps best saved for post-ride refuelling.

 

If you want more there’s also Beef Steak Bites (25g carbs, 34g protein per 100g) and their Teriyaki variety (18g carbs/36g protein) both slightly higher in fat at 4%, plus equally delicious Chicken Bites Flamin´Buffalo Style or Curry (12g carbs/32g protein and 4.8g fat). But for our money the Beef Jerky originals are where it’s at for adding both taste variety and a useful dose of protein to your ride.

 

Just a couple of minor words of warning: first if you’re looking for gluten-free the original flavour isn’t, whilst the rest of the range is. Secondly, if you are a true purest, note that the full range, apart from the Beef Stake Bites, contain the flavour enhancer MSG and thirdly take care: each pack contains an essential (but very easily swallowed if you have your eyes on the road) non-edible sachet of oxygen absorber to maintain freshness.

 

Cautionary note noted, we couldn’t recommend Jack Links Beef Jerky highly enough, great on the ride, great for recovery afterwards.

 

Widely available on line in both 25 and 75g sizes, more information at jacklinks.info

 

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Apparel Reviews

The Odlo Trail Jacket

The Odlo Trail Jacket

The Odlo Trail JacketWhen it comes to cycling jackets there seem to be as many options, permutations and styles as there are routes and roads to ride – but the Odlo Trail Jacket, a full-zipped high-collar, is distinctive enough to stand out amongst the crowd in more ways than one. Odlo have been around since the 1940s and hailing from Norway, a country not noted for its balmy weather, you would expect them to know a thing or two about keeping their customers warm. And so it is with the Odlo Trail Jacket.

 

The fine mesh material (the whole jacket is 100% polyester) does an excellent job of venting yet keeping chill at bay even at speed on the bike; the front inner panels have a softer almost fleecy-quality that further help to keep wind in check, whilst the cuffs and waistband, although not elasticated, are snug enough to help here too.

 

The fit is close yet comfortable – available in S to XL – but doesn’t feel constrictive in the least, always a bonus given the near-straightjacket qualities of some jackets we’ve tried over the years. The full-length zip is really the only snagging point we found; it features a good-on-paper ‘parking garage’ at both the top and bottom to keep the zipper in place, but this proved more than a little fiddly to negotiate, particularly in the saddle and especially one-handed. No such problem with the zipped (non-‘garaged’) rear pocket – generous in size and easily accessed.

 

That small main zip gripe aside the Odlo Trail Jacket was a pleasure to ride in – the styling is bold, verging on the brash but, so long as you don’t mind the fully emblazoned look (we rather liked it), then it’s a pleasure to wear. Arguably more a BMX, MTB or trail jacket (as the name implies) – perhaps because the styling has a slightly punk/skate attitude – there’s nothing to stop you wearing this on the road – and indeed much to recommend you do.  Odlo founder Odd Roar Lofterød apparently lived by the legend ‘always make sure you’re one step ahead’ – we rather like that. We rather like his name and jackets too.

 

Online prices seem to vary wildly – ranging from around £80 to well over £100 – so it clearly pays to shop around; odlo.com features a comprehensive store locator if you prefer shopping in the real world.

 

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Extras Reviews

Rudy Project Rydon II

Rudy Project Rydon II

Rudy Project Rydon IIRudy Project have been making the highest quality sunglasses for the best part of thirty years and the Rudy Project Rydon II remains one of Cyclo’s firm favourites. These are everything we have come to expect from Rudy and pretty much everything we look for in cycling sunglasses. Attention to detail, classic yet somehow endlessly contemporary design, superb fit and feel and lenses that simply will not let you down.

 

Comfort – key, we think, to the success of any pair of sunglasses – can be broadly achieved in two areas. Firstly weight; the Rydon IIs utilise a combination of carbon, aluminum, magnesium, silicon and titanium (already sound cool, don’t they?) that provides strength and flexibility whilst weighing in at just 25g. That featherweight touch comes close to feeling like there’s nothing on your face/head at all.

 

Secondly in the comfort stakes comes arm and nose bridge fittings. Both of these on the Rydon IIs are rubberised to prevent slippage from sweat but flex and warp in a seemingly infinite number of ways for a fit that ends up feeling bespoke. If you can’t get comfortable in these Cyclo suspects that sunglasses aren’t for you, period…

 

Of course no amount of comfort counts if the lenses don’t do their job, but here again Rudy (forgive the phrase) shine. The ‘ImpactX lenses are made from a material apparently developed for the US military – incredibly lightweight, strong and shatterproof to the point where they are guaranteed unbreakable for life. Both polarised to prevent glare and photochromic to keep pace with changing light conditions, the lenses in the Rydon IIs deliver a crisp clean ride that doesn’t distort even in the extreme of periphery vision. Additional, tinted, lenses can also be fitted and, assuming money is no object, prescription sets can also be ordered up.

 

The Rudy Project Rydon IIs not only look the part and come in a choice of colour-ways, but also deliver on every level. Sure, they’re not cheap at close to £150 and leaving them at a feed station is likely to require professional psychiatric assistance, but if you care about looking after your eyes (and you should) and want to look the part on the bike (and why not?) then the Rydon IIs can’t be recommended highly enough.

 

More details on Rudy at rudyprojectuk.com, the Rydon IIs are widely available online.

 

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Apparel Reviews

Altura Thrermocool Base Layer

Altura Thrermocool Base Layer

Altura thermocool base layer long sleeve top rated best Arguably nothing beats natural fibres for pure comfort, but when it comes to outstanding man-made tech we haven’t found better than the Altura Thrermocool Base Layer. This long-sleeve top – a blend of 73% Thermocool Eco (basically polyester), 22% nylon and 5% Elastano (Lycra) – not only fits snuggly without compromising movement, but comes close to being an on-board thermostat with an outstanding ability to keep the ride temperature regulated.

 

Fast drying, wicking away sweat from the skin and with a 10% antibacterial ‘Body Fresh’ yarn to deter bacteria and help keep ride-related stench at bay, the Thermocool’s real secret to success is its variable knit ‘body mapping technology’. Stripping away the sciency speak this basically means that the top is constructed with a range of fabric densities – a little like panels with a mesh-look – thinner along the sides and under arm, thicker across areas more prone to cold such as the back and shoulders.

 

Comfort is paramount, particularly when you’re battling the elements as much as the terrain, and Altura have worked hard to ensure this top is almost second-skin comfortable. The fit is incredibly close – almost compression gear close – yet it moves completely fluidly with the body and with no side seams to irritate and the why-doesn’t-everyone-do-this idea of embroidering the care instructions to the waistband rather than sticking in a flappy label the Thrermocool is as close to perfection as a base layer comes.

 

This is, by far, one of the most comfortable and responsive tops that Cyclo have ever had the pleasure of riding in. You’ll stay warm when the temperature drops and cool when the heat is on – that, surely, is the point of a temperature regulating base layer; if only all manufacturers realised this simple truth.

 

The Altura Thrermocool Long-Sleeve Base Layer has an RRP of £44.99 (short-sleeve alternative at £39.99). Further details and retailer information at zyro.co.uk

 

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Extras Reviews

Y-Fumble

Y-Fumble

Y-Fumble cycling arm pocket storage solution gelsWhen jersey pockets are already overflowing there’s a simple solution to extra storage space on the bike with the Y-Fumble. A simple, elasticated pocket that slips over the upper or lower arm, the Y-Fumble easily accommodates three or four gels for extra energy or holds keys, cash, mobile phones or MP3 players – although the latter isn’t easily operated in place (but with safety in mind, probably not a bad thing…)

 

There are no fastenings to attach the Y-Fumble, so nothing to chafe or rub and everything is held in place by the integrated, elasticated flap so no zips or Velcro tabs need tackling when you need to get anything out. Getting things back in is another matter – it’s simple enough to load the Y-Fumble and then put it on, but once in place putting anything away (one handed) is far from easy; in Cyclo’s opinion this works best for gels, bars and the like – a one-way delivery system rather than a true substitute for a generous jersey pocket. Also, as the material isn’t even remotely waterproof, stashing phones and MP3s is really only recommended when you can be sure of the weather.

 

Those caveats aside, we’ve found this useful (if not quite indispensible) on the ride and at £6 it’s worth the punt even for occasional use. Available in three sizes and four colours – blue, pink, black and yellow – only the latter option really offers any additional visibility bonus and the inclusion of some high-visibility trim and detail across the whole range would be welcome.

 

But online at shop.fitbrands.co.uk

 

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Extras Reviews

Angel Cycle Helmet

Angel Cycle Helmet

Bicygnal Angel Safety Light HelmetIf you’re looking for additional cycle safety during the darker winter months, or indeed just looking to up your visibility in general, then the Angel cycle helmet from Bicygnals offers an interesting solution. Fundamentally a regular cycle helmet in appearance (although with rather sleek ‘designy’ affectations), the Angel has an integrated band of fibre optic light, which illuminates around the full circumference at the push of a button.

 

Created by Gavin Thomson, who has produced designs for companies ranging from BA and Samsung to MontBlanc and BT, the Angel certainly looks the part – combining matte black elements with a print-textured polycarbonate shell upper that’s clearly intended to give that carbon-look edge to proceedings. The illuminated yellow band – which creates the angelic halo effect, giving the helmet both its unique selling point and name – is powered by a battery recharged via a supplied USB cable; the light is by far the brightest to the rear, diminishing substantially to the front of the helmet. A nice inclusion though is the ability to use the band in either solid or flashing mode.

 

As you might suspect the Angel is not the lightest (no pun intended) of affairs, weighing in at a bulky 535g – around double the weight of an average road helmet – but then this is hardly the lid of choice for those looking for speed or aerodynamics; as a straight commuter option the trade off between weight and additional safety may well be worth considering.

 

Despite the weight, a fairly basic internal cradle and minimal padding the Angel is surprisingly comfortable for day-to-day use, the universal sizing (54-61cm) can be ratcheted up and down with a simple dial-wheel and the strap adjusts easily and incorporates a detachable beard-guard/chin pad. The venting is bare-minimal (which is telling in the weight department) but adequate enough for the intended commute rather than sportive use.

 

Easy to dismiss as a novelty item, the Angel is in fact a useful safety addition to the commuters’ arsenal. Priced at £49.95, further details and online purchase via bicygnals.com