Category: Reviews

Bounce Natural Energy Balls

Post author By Editor
Post date 17/05/2011

Here at Cyclo we are always on the lookout for nutritious (and hopefully tasty) treats to either supplement or replace gels, which despite many years in the saddle we still can�t quite bring ourselves to enjoy. Bounce Natural Energy Balls�certainly seem to bring something a little different to the table; made from 100% natural ingredients and available in five unusual flavour combos: Fudge Walnut, Cashew and Pecan, Almond Protein, Peanut Protein and Spirulina/Ginseng. Depending on variety the individually wrapped balls weigh in between 40 and 50g with varying combinations of wheat, dairy or gluten-free credentials, making them suitable for cyclists with special dietary needs and all contain some truly whopping amounts of carbs and protein. Take, for example, The Almond Protein Hit Bounce Ball � our favourite on test � which packs in 12g of protein and 21g of carbs (12g of which is sugar) to serve up more than 200kcal of energy – ample quantities for fuelling up pre-ride, topping up once in the saddle or recovering afterwards.� The balls themselves can truly be described as �rustic�, looking perhaps more like something you would hang in a bird cage, but don�t let looks put you off. Bounce Balls are in fact incredibly tasty and a welcome addition to the kit bag if you�re looking for some variety in your exercise-dependent diet. They are, however, a little dry to the palate and we found that they needed to be taken with a drink.

The Spirulina/Ginseng variety is undoubtedly the most curious variety. Advertised as a �Defence Boost� this one is probably best used post-ride as it has an ideal 4:1 ratio (more-or-less) of Protein:Carbohydrate and is packed with Ginseng (noted as an antioxidant) and the lesser-known Spirulina, a �superfood� which dates back in use to Aztec times. It has a slight marzipan taste and texture, due to the inclusion of vanilla and almonds, and is one of the most unusual health foods Cyclo has ever tried.

Bounce Balls have really tried to do something different with their product range, both in ethos and execution and we wholeheartedly recommend that you give them a try, assuming you can provide a positive answer to their tag-line slogan: �Have you got the balls?�

Various UK stockists or available at www.bouncefoods.com, with a 12 price of �16.55

Tags Bounce, nutrition

Apparel Recovery Reviews

Physicool Cooling Tee-Shirt

Post author By Editor
Post date 11/05/2011

The original Physicool product was a cooling compression bandage that first made its appearance on Dragons� Den a couple of years ago and could genuinely claim to be revolutionary in its ability to combine post-exercise compression with the recovery benefits of cold � all without the need for icepacks. Now, in association with OK! Famously Fit an online �Celebrity and Expert Health and Fitness� magazine (with ex-Steps star Lee Latchford Evans, no less), they have released the Physicool Cooling Tee-Shirt�based on the same coolant spray as the bandage. In principle this might seem like a good idea, but in execution is a little bit neither fish nor foul. The tech-quality T-shirt can simply be sprayed as and when required with the coolant spray to help wick away heat from the body; and in this it is undoubtedly effective � we found that it consistently cooled us for more than an hour without the need for �recharging� and not just in a vague menthol spray way that fools you in to thinking you are cooler (such as with Skins ICE) but in a demonstrable and measurable body-temperature manner. Good stuff, but at Cyclo we can�t quite see the point.

Post ride you could certainly use it to simply cool off � although rapid cooling isn�t always the best advice � but with a little more application this could have been an excellent addition to you kit bag. Imagine if Physicool had teamed up with the aforementioned Skins, or indeed CompresSport, TXU, etc, so that true post-exercise recovery could have been achieved with a little extra squeeze. At �49.99 for a T with 250ml of coolant or �58.98 for a T with 500ml you are already in to the territory where you could by an excellent compression top from most of the leading brands and still have money over to but a stand-alone bottle of coolant at �7.99 for 200ml or �16.99 for 500ml�

So, certainly not the cheapest bit of kit you could add to your bag, but it does do exactly what it claims. Cool.

Available from www.physicool.co.uk

Tags Physicool, sports recovery

Extras Reviews

Camelbak Hydrobak 1.5litre

Post author By Editor
Post date 29/04/2011

As cyclists we know you must be aware of good hydration (if not, read our feature here) and Camelbak have been market leaders for more years than Cyclo cares to remember. With the warmer weather upon us � at least at time of writing � we�ve had our hands on the Camelbak Hydrobak 1.5litre for a spot of in-saddle testing and have enjoyed its use every bit as much as we had anticipated. This is a low-profile, lightweight hydration solution, barely 33cm in back length and weighing in at only 160g (excluding reservoir and water) that should make it suitable for riders even of the slightest build and frame. It has a close fitting strap system that holds the pack tightly in place and the meshed pad reduces sweat and heat build-up which would otherwise be counter productive to keeping well watered. For the fashion conscious (!?) the Hydropak is available in four colours � black (for stealth mode), white (to show up the grime), lime green (for the extrovert) and red (which probably makes you go faster, but tests at Cyclo were inconclusive�) Importantly there are also front and rear reflectives to keep you safe.

Admittedly 1.5litres isn�t the most generous of reservoirs, but should be enough to keep you topped up for a good two hours on the road, and the tiny zipped pocket is barely big enough for a car key and an emergency mint humbug. But for its size and price point (in the region of �35.00) it�s a good choice of packs.

Being the responsible bunch of people that we are, Cyclo thought we�d share some top tips for the use of this (or indeed any other bladder system):

To prevent the unpleasant �sloshing� that can interrupt the most tranquil of rides, invert the bladder after filling it and gently suck on the bite valve to remove all excess air. Bingo, no slosh.

A dash of lemon juice in the bladder post-ride will help to clean it and neutralise the taste of iodine or other water purification tablets. If you�re of an adventurous nature and find yourself on a multi-day desert adventure chip shop vinegar sachets work well too � but stock up on them before you head to the Sahara (and rinse well afterwards�)

Finally, to keep the bladder from developing its own �special cultures� between uses, store it in the freezer and defrost when needed.

Tags camelbak, hydration

Apparel Reviews

Nike Dri-Fit Knee Highs

Post author By Editor
Post date 23/04/2011

Ever thought about adding a little compression recovery to your training rides or races? There�s certainly plenty of evidence to support (forgive the expression) the fact that a little tight squeeze goes a long way both in terms of promoting performance and aiding faster recuperation, but with pro kit often flirting with the upper reaches of extortionate Cyclo was pleased to find a budget option to bring you.�At just �12.00 the Nike Dri-Fit Knee High socks are as far from a thing of beauty as they are from being technologically advanced, but crucially what they do deliver is the basic compression dished up by even the most expensive of alternatives. Anatomically designed for left/right foot they are missing the arch support of compression socks like those made by Compressport (�35.00) but do have a little lateral squeeze along the length of the outer plantar to add to their beneficial purpose.

We certainly didn�t find these comfortable enough to actually saddle up in � nor in fairness are they particularly designed to be � but as post-race/exercise options they are hard to beat for the money. Apart from cases where you are clearly paying for a brand name (though Nike�s pretty big, right?) there is always an element of getting what you pay for with compression kit and these socks are never going to replicate the excellence of techie high-end solutions. But if you want to add a bargain recovery element to your kit bag (Cyclo recons you should) then this could really be the place to start. Slipping a pair on after your training brings comfort and stability to fatigued muscles all for a price you could barely get a good pair of non-compression socks for.

Tags apparel, compression, socks

Featured Reviews

Timex Ironman Global Trainer

Post author By Editor
Post date 19/04/2011

For Triathletes out there the much anticipated Timex Ironman Global Trainer GPS could well be on your birthday list, assuming you know someone that loves you enough to cough up �300.00. Yes, the Timex Ironman is ‘reassuringly expensive’ to pinch Stella Artois� ad-line, but how well does it measure up? The short answer Cyclo is disappointed to report is: Not well. Read on�

On paper this looks impressive. There are five workout screens (run, bike, swim, plus 2 customizable) and the Timex has the ability to handle transition times between disciplines. Each screen can be customised to display up to four separate sets of data � for example pace, heart rate, elapsed time, etc. The device is also water resistant up to a depth of 50m and although this seems impressive, here�s the rub: it loses all satellite connection and heart rate monitoring once submerged and if that�s not enough Timex also suggest you don�t dare hit any buttons once in the water as it will compromise resistance. Huh?

Acquiring a satellite connection is a tedious affair (assuming you can pick one up in the first place). In our tests against two Garmin sat-navs, the Timex took on average four times longer to make contact and dropped signal almost constantly in both built up and heavily wooded areas � which rather rules out both urban and country rides. Distance accuracy appeared to be good � certainly inline with the Garmin � but when we tested the Timex at this year�s London Marathon (yes, we know this isn�t a bike event, but the principle�s the same) it recorded our elevation gain and loss at just over 7500foot, that�s more than a ten-fold error. On the upside the Timex heart rate monitor is both accurate and comfortable, but when you consider that you could buy a stand alone HRM for well under �50.00 this may not be a huge plus point either.

If you�re really determined to turn wasting money into an Olympic event you could even get an optional Speed and Cadence Sensor for the bike (�50, thank you very much) or you could save yourself a lot of grief and buy the similarly priced Garmin Forerunner 310XT for greater reliability, battery life, memory and substantially superior online training centre integration. Up to you of course�

Extras Reviews

Cateye HL-EL530 LED Front Light

Post author By Editor
Post date 07/04/2011

Here at Cyclo we�ve flirted with Cateye lighting on and off for a long time. The manufacturer has a fine reputation for general reliability, innovation and price range but we can�t help thinking that there�s something with the Cateye�HL-EL530 LED front light that doesn�t quite add up. There are certainly plenty of plus points to consider with the model: at around �50 it�s a good mid-level price point (downright cheap when you think of something like the NiteRider Pro 700 at ten times the price), it uses the bespoke ‘optiCUBE’ technology resulting in an almost embarrassingly bright shine for a single LED, and reportedly serves up 50% more light than it�s predecessor, the EL-500.

On the downside that spectacular brightness drops off fast (and exponentially) with time � yes, as per manufacturer�s claims you may well get close to 90hours of burn on a set of four AA batteries, but boy will you notice a drop well within the 20hour mark. Additionally the one we�ve had on test over the winter months has developed an intermittent loose connection that has a tendency to plunge us into pitch blackness just when it�s least convenient (actually, when is it convenient to be plunged into the dark?) Maybe we�ve just been unlucky�

A slightly less dramatic complaint is that the gun-metal detailing around the bulb housing that looked pretty cool to begin with has chipped and flaked making it look rather sad and cheap within a pretty small amount of time. There have also been reports of the plastic flanges that hold the bulb housing in place (and mark the point of most stress when unscrewing it to replace batteries) cracking � Cyclo�s is so far holding up well, but it is another worrying sign.

Okay, it�s not all bad news. At sub-�50 it�s robust and bright enough for some general kicking about on your bike � perhaps it�s just that we have come to expect more from Cateye�

Tags cateye, lighting

Nutrition Reviews

For Goodness Shakes Sports Recovery

Post author By Editor
Post date 30/03/2011
1 Comment on For Goodness Shakes Sports Recovery

The post-exercise recovery drinks market is awash, if you�ll forgive the expression, with products and For Goodness Shakes have been around for some time serving up nutritious (and mostly yummy) solutions. But now, according to their publicity, after a challenge thrown down by The English Institute of Sports and two years of research and development they have unveiled their new Sports Recovery powder mix.

In Cyclo�s opinion the first hurdle at which this kind of recovery powder normally falls is in its ability (or otherwise) to mix well, but on this point the FGS powder performs well, dissolving almost completely for a non-gritty milkshake-style drink.

So, let�s crunch the numbers:

FGS Sports Recovery delivers a 3:1 carbohydrate to protein mix (pretty much standard and recognised as the optimum ratio for absorption) but unlike many of its competitors this drink mixes both fast- and slow-release proteins (whey and casein). The bulk �carrier� is skimmed milk (so lactose intolerant cyclists be warned) which will give around 80% of your RDA along with around 6g of essential amino acids for muscle repair. Like all FGS products this is based on the �NutriMIX� formula which combines a mix of vitamins and �salts�. The vit break-down includes A for general muscle repair, D largely for bone benefit, E � an antioxidant that also aids muscle repair and growth, C (a symbiotic vit that works with E) and B6 which aids the body�s absorption of both carbohydrates and proteins. Potassium and Sodium (along with, but to a slightly lesser extent, Zinc and Magnesium) are also in the mix which work to replace �salts� lost from sweating � but if you�ve been careful with your hydration strategy during exercise, maybe using Elete, nuun or similar electrolytes, then this is really belt and braces stuff.

Phew! That was a lot to take in. But easier to digest is the product itself which is available in Banana, SuperBerry, Vanilla and ChocMalt flavours and retails at around the �1.60 per sachet mark. This could well be Cyclo�s recovery drink of the summer�

Tags For Goodness Shakes, hydration, sports recovery

Extras Reviews

Specialized Airtool Mini

Post author By Editor
Post date 23/03/2011

The Specialized Airtool Mini is one piece of kit that Cyclo can, without question, describe as having been seriously put through its paces, mostly because it�s been our on-bike in-a-crisis pump of choice for several years and so has rarely been off our radar.

Now, at a tiny 25cm you probably wouldn�t want to use this as day a day to day pump � it takes an age to fully inflate a new inner and the flat grip end is positively blister-inducing for extended use � but weighing less than 100g it�s near faultless for roadside emergencies. With an aluminium handle shaft and chamber it ships with a bottle boss mount and can even, according to Specialized, �fit in a jersey pocket� � though to be honest we�d hate to meet anyone with a jersey quite that big.

The locking head (a good secure fit without any sign of leakage) converts from presta to schraeder valves and a neat added touch is the cap end which unscrews to reveal a glueless mini-patch and micro sandpaper. On a pedantic point the manufacturers did claim that it came supplied with mini-patches (plural) rather than the measly single patch that ours contained, but the compartment is nonetheless a fun bonus feature that could even be used for squirreling away a jelly bean or two to cheer yourself up in the event of a flat.

The newest iteration from Specialized has a very sleek carbon fibre-effect finish (Cyclo�s is brushed-metal but still, we think, pretty classy) and at less than �15 remains an utter bargain. Despite its size and weight the airtool mini is also surprisingly robust. Ours has survived more than one quite spectacular wipe-out and even remained un-dented when dropped from a third floor window. The latter not so much a controlled experiment as a freak accident, the details of which are too embarrassing to recount.

Tags pumps, Specialized