Tech Roundup: Contador's custom SL4, new Rail carbon clinchers and Giro rain jacket + more

Alberto Contador’s Specialized Tarmac SL4 with SRAM Hydro brakes

Specialized and SRAM built this custom painted Tarmac SL4 for Alberto Contador on the closing stages of the Tour de France, with one bike using the new Red 22 11-speed groupset with hydraulic rim brakes.

The rest of the kit is regularly used stuff, with Zipp 202 tubular wheels, Specialized S-Works crankset and a Prologo Nago Evo CPC saddle. There’s the custom paint finish as well, with his signature pistol celebration (which he didn’t get to use in the Tour this year) along the top tube.

Strada Rail carbon clincher wheels now available

We first spotted the new Rail carbon clincher wheels from Strada at Bespoked Bristol, and we had an email this week from founder Jonathan Day telling us they’re now arriving in stock.

The proprietary rim has been developed by Dave November Bicycles in the US with 20 years of aerodynamics experience. It’s a 52mm rim with a toroidal aerodynamic shape based on NACA airfoil profiles, following the trend being set by the likes of Zipp. The rim has an 18mm internal width along with a 25mm brake track width. They recommend 23mm tyres. Rim weight is in the region of 475 to 495g according to Strada’s claims.

Strada specialise in hand-built wheels and offer builds from £1,100 to £1,995, depending on which hubs and spokes you go for. The choice of hubs includes Novatec, DT Swiss, Chris King, Tune and PowerTap. Weight with Chris King R45 hubs and Sapim CX Ray spokes is a claimed 1,576g.

More info at www.stradawheels.co.uk/shop/carbon-clincher-wheelset/

Giro launches new Road Waterproof Jacket

We might be in the middle of a heatwave, but it’ll soon be time to start preparing for the typical unpredictable weather we’re more used to, and autumn is only around the corner. Sorry to bring you down, but let's face facts! Helmet manufacturer Giro is branching out into clothing, and have just launched this smart looking waterproof jacket.

It’s made from Pertex and is fully waterproof, windproof and breathable. There’s waterproof zips and taped seams to stop rain getting in. The main full-length zip is off-set like you’ll find on a Rapha jacket. There’s shoulder vents and a pocket for your phone.

http://www.giro.com/eu_en/products/men/apparel/waterproof-jacket.html/

POC launch eyewear range. Ryder Hesjedal signed up

You might have spotted Team Garmin’s Ryder Hesjedal wearing some unusual eyewear in the Tour de France. He’s signed up with Poc to promote the Swedish company’s new range of eyewear, which joins their clothing and helmet lines.

“Ryder is a fantastic cyclist and we are really excited to be able to work closely with him. With his experience and input, he will be a huge asset in our development process, says Stefan Ytterborn”, POC CEO and Founder.

Hesjedal was wearing the DID eyewear model, which looks less like regular cycling eyewear and more something like you see on the catwalk. It features a slim and lightweight frame with NXT lenses, with an anti-scratch and anti-reflective treatment. They’re available in a wide range of frame and lens colour combinations.

POC are also working on a new road helmet, the Octal, more details on that when we get them.

www.pocsports.com/en/3/eyes

Ritchey launch new Vector Evo saddle system

Ritchey are launching a new saddle system for 2014 called the Vector Evo.

At the heart of the system is the Vector Evo rail, a single rail design that is designed to act like a suspension system. It also allows a degree of lateral flex that is intended to act as you to eliminate discomfort on long rides.

Ritchey claim that the design is also incredibly durable, preventing any sag in the saddle over the long term, and that you get extra pedalling clearance over a standard two-rail design.

The Vector Evo saddles will work with Ritchey’s WCS Link and WCS Carbon Link seatposts.

For more info go to www.ritcheylogic.com

74 Degrees T-shirts

If you’re thinking that there are a lot of bike-related T-shirts out there these days, well, here are some more from new brand 74 Degrees.

Their range focuses on some of the most famous French climbs: Galibier, Ventoux, Tourmalet, Alpe d’Huez and Izoard.

Here’s the Tourmalet one, for example, complete with an English translation of Alphonse Steines’ famous quote when he went to recce the climb ahead of the Tour’s first visit in 1910.

The T-shirts are made from 100% fairtrade organic heavyweight cotton and they’re available in men’s and women’s versions for £20 each.

74 degrees do merino on-the-bike clothing too. We’re getting a couple of base layers in so stay tuned for reviews on road.cc soon.

For more info go to the 74 Degrees website.

Shimano show off

Shimano have sent us an infographic (we’re getting a lot of infographics these days; no idea why) pointing out that their sponsored athletes wore the yellow jersey from start to finish in this year’s Tour de France. Fair enough, the yellow jersey was worn by Chris Froome for most of the Tour, but Kittel, Bakelants, Gerrans, and Impey all used Shimano kit too.

Eleven of the 21 stages were won by Shimano-sponsored riders, and 13.1% of the Tour’s 198 riders wore Shimano shoes. So now you know.

Fizik are very proud that the three most recent Tour de France winners - Cadel Evans, Wiggo and Chris Froome - have all used their saddles. Green jersey winner Peter Sagan rides a Fizik saddle too.

Peré Performance

If you have kids who are into cycling, running or triathlon, Peré Performance have a range of clothing developed for children between the ages of five and 12.

The UK brand, developed by Jackie Prothero and Lynne Karp,  will be launched at the Virgin London Triathlon this weekend.

The cycling clothing uses technical fabrics and comes in ergonomic fits, and includes safety features such as reflectivity.
The product will be available to buy online and through selected retailers. We’ll get some in for review here on road.cc. In the meantime, check out www.pereperformance.com

With words by Mat Brett.