From budget-friendly road tyres to high-end wheelsets and smart indoor training tech, cycling brands have unveiled a ton of cool new products this week, and we’ve got them all in here. We have a fan controller that keeps you cool while on the turbo, a Thule rack with parking sensors, a just-launched clothing range from Castelli and the clunkiest blacking out of graphics at a pro race that we’ve ever seen, but we’re kicking off with a tyre that Hutchinson reckons sets “a new benchmark for entry-level road performance”.
Hutchinson claims new £14.99 tyre is “a new benchmark for entry-level road performance”
Hutchinson has expanded its range with a new entry-level road tyre, the GP Explorer, “designed to balance value, performance and durability”. It brings trickle-down technology from the brand’s performance range, including a dual-compound construction not typically seen at this price point, aimed at improving rolling efficiency while maintaining grip.
Hutchinson says: “This bi-compound construction is a key contributor to the tyre’s on road performance and clearly differentiates the GP Explorer from many competing entry-level road tyres that rely on a single rubber compound”.
The tyre also features an extended tread area for added confidence, according to the brand, and is available in widths from 26mm up to 32mm.
The GP Explorer is available in two versions. The folding bead model features a 66 TPI casing, is priced at £23.99, and comes in black or tan wall options in widths from 26mm to 32mm. The wire bead version uses a 33 TPI casing, is designed with durability and value in mind, and is priced at £14.99. It’s available in black only and in 26mm and 28mm widths.
Nibrocool responds to your effort to keep you cool
If you ride indoors on a trainer, chances are that you’ll know the feeling of being uncomfortably cold at the start of a session, or uncomfortably hot at the end. Nibrocool aims to end all that.
This British invention controls a fan in response to a heart rate monitor, power meter or body temperature sensor; the fan speed varies according to the effort you put in.
Wahoo’s Kickr Headwind fan can also be controlled by various sensors, including a power meter and body temperature sensors but Nibrocool is different.
“Nibrocool can pair with any standard fan, enabling users to upcycle their existing fan,” says Nibrocool’s Rich Corbin.
“The ability for Nibrocool to work with larger fans gives users in hot climates, or who themselves get very hot while training indoors, the option to stay cooler and perform better for longer. People are different, and some like a lot of wind from their fan to cool them down, and others less so.
“Our technology matches the Headwind in providing sensor support for ANT+ heart rate, power and Core temperature sensors. Nibrocool only requires an app for initial pairing and setup, then it is effectively fit-and-forget, with most users reporting they were so comfortable they forgot it was even there.
“Our device adds LED indication of training zones, if set up by the user, so at a glance they can see whether they are in the correct zone, rather than cycling through menus on a computer or watch. This helps target interval efforts more effectively, or ensure those long zone 2 rides really are as steady as they are supposed to be.”
The retail price is £259 and Nibrocool is selling direct to UK customers only for the moment.
Boyd launches new 55mm carbon road and gravel wheelsets, priced at £1,860
Earlier this year, US wheel brand Boyd Cycling launched the Podium 36mm Carbon Disc SL wheelset, and now the brand has released two new 55mm carbon wheelsets – one for road and one for gravel – both positioned as “ultimate no-compromise” upgrades. The lineup includes the 55 Road Disc SL for road riding and the Pinnacle Race for gravel. Both wheelsets are hand-built and use Boyd’s new Grade 54 hubs.
As Boyd founder Boyd Johnson explains: “The 55 Road Disc SL gives you the best of both worlds. Use it for your fast rides and races, without any penalty on the most demanding mountainous terrain.”
At its core is a rim constructed from T1000 aerospace-grade carbon fibre, resulting in a claimed rim weight of just 400g and a total wheelset weight of 1,329g (610g front / 719g rear). In comparison, Hunt’s recently released 5AM Limitless Ti_UD Carbon Spoke Wheelset weigh a claimed 1,212g.
The wheel features a 55mm-deep rim with a 24mm internal width and 29mm external width, using a hooked design recommended for tyre sizes from 28mm to 38mm.
The Pinnacle Race is Boyd’s gravel-focused option, built around a 55mm-deep, hookless carbon rim with a 28mm internal width and 33mm external width. Tyre width is recommended from 40mm and optimised for 45mm and above. Claimed weight for the wheelset is 1,354g (618g front / 736g rear).
Both wheelsets are available to order now and retail at £1,860. You can find out more here.
Blink and you’ll miss it: Kostüme x Adam Ball collection lands for 10 days only
If you like to get your hands on anything from the Kostüme x Adam Ball cycle clothing collection, you’ll need to act quickly because it’s only on sale from midday on Friday, 1 May until midnight on Sunday, 10 May.
It will be released as a strictly limited drop of 350 pieces worldwide, and when it’s gone, it’s gone.
The print for the collection is taken from an original painting created by Adam Ball.
“It draws on energy patterns found in nature, organic flows and dynamic forms, and is intended to mirror the rhythmic circular motions that relate to riding a bicycle,” says Kostüme. “The print was carefully adapted for use across Kostüme’s high-end recycled technical fabrics, including Polartec Power Shield RPM used in the Cargo Gilet.”
Bristol-based Kostüme sells direct to customers, manufacturing only what people commit to buying in each batch with the aim of eliminating overstock, discounting and waste.
The collection for both men and women includes short and long-sleeve jerseys, shorts, base layers, gilet, cap and snood, available at kostume.cc.
New GravelKing ZX is Panaracer’s “fastest ever one-tyre solution for mixed terrain”
Panaracer has announced the latest addition to its GravelKing range in the shape of the GravelKing ZX, which it describes as “an all new gravel tyre designed for riders chasing speed across mixed-surface gravel routes”.
“With modern gravel riding rarely sticking to one surface, moving from paved roads to loose descents and rocky climbs, there is a need for a tyre that balances speed, grip and durability across varying surfaces,” says Panaracer. “The GravelKing ZX meets this demand, delivering low rolling resistance alongside the grip and durability required when conditions become more demanding.
The new tyre features a three-zone tread pattern.
“A smooth centre tread minimises rolling resistance and maintains momentum on tarmac and hard-packed gravel,” says Panaracer. “The inner edge uses a transitional tread that engages when braking and leaning into corners, maintaining grip and ensuring a predictable feel. On the outer edge, aggressive side lugs provide the traction needed for loose gravel corners, technical descents and rougher surfaces, giving riders the control required when terrain becomes more demanding.”
The Panaracer ZX is available in 45mm and 50mm widths at £54.99 now and will eventually cover widths from 35mm to 55mm.
We have a review set out on the tracks and trails right now so stay tuned for a review on road.cc soon.
Castelli introduces new Corretto range
Castelli has unveiled the Corretto range, a completely new addition to its Spring Summer Collection, and it looks pretty cool to us.
Corretto? Caffè corretto is an Italian coffee – a shot of espresso with a splash of grappa, or sometimes sambuca or brandy.
Key products in the range are: Corretto Jersey (£170), Corretto Long Sleeve Jersey (£180) and Saturday Morning Skinsuit (£290) – which combines the Corretto Jersey with Castelli’s existing Espresso 2 Bibshort.
Hang on, though… Where’s the usual Castelli scorpion logo? It’s tucked away on the side, under the arm, so it’s only visible when you’re stretched out on the bike.
New Ursus Arya G all-road wheels debut at Paris-Roubaix, but what are those tyres?
road.cc roving reporter Ryan Mallon took pics of these new wheels from Italy’s Ursus being ridden by Team Picnic-PostNL at Paris-Roubaix last weekend.
The Arya G joins the Arya R, which launched back in January. The new model is an all-road and fast gravel wheel that features Sapim’s RC-1 PBO carbon spokes.
Arya G is built around a full-carbon tubeless-ready rim with a mini-hook for bead retention. The rim is 50mm deep with a 25mm internal width and 31mm external width, designed to combine aerodynamic efficiency, tyre support and handling stability across a wide range of conditions.
The wheelset weighs a claimed 1,340g (±40g) and retails at €2,500 per pair.
What are those tyres, though? Team Picnic-PostNL is sponsored by Michelin, but that has to be some of the most unrestrained blocking out of another brand’s logo that we’ve ever seen. Subtle, it ain’t. Even though someone has clearly had a lot of fun with a Sharpie here, we can see they’re Vittoria tyres because… well, because it’s completely obvious.
We understand that Picnic-PostNL tested prototype Michelin tyres designed for Roubaix (and one team bike was in fact kitted out with Michelin-branded tyres), but instead opted for the tried-and-trusted Vittorias used last year.
POC’s Amidal helmet takes a dedicated rear light from Knog
Swedish company POC – it stands for ‘Piece of Cake’, trivia fans – has just dropped a new helmet called Amidal around to road.cc HQ. It comes with Mips Air Node – a lightweight, rotational management system integrated directly into the helmet padding, designed to provide extra protection – and a mount-point for a bespoke Knog rear light. You need to buy the Knog light separately for 40 quid, but it’s a cool feature.
> Find out all you need to know about Mips
The reinforced exhaust ports at the back are distinctive too, and you get what POC calls an eye garage where you can park your glasses when you don’t want to wear them.
The Knog light has been engineered specifically for the Amidal, so it fits neatly at the rear. The light weighs just 17g, produces 30 lumens and has four different modes. The ‘high steady’ mode is said to last two hours, with the ‘eco flash’ mode offering 26 hours.
The POC Amidal helmet itself is said to weigh 310g (size medium, EN 1078 version) and is priced at £220.
Thule’s new bike carrier comes with parking sensors
If you’re nervous about damaging your bike when it’s mounted on the back of your car, Thule’s new Epos ParkSecure carrier comes with integrated parking sensors.
Thule describes the Epos ParkSecure as: “A premium towbar-mounted platform bike carrier for cyclists who care deeply about their bikes and want the same confidence transporting them as riding them.”
> Check out our review of the Thule Epos 3-Bike Platform Towbar Bike Rack
Available in two and three-bike versions, Thule Epos ParkSecure can handle most bikes. It’s tiltable for access to the boot of your car – even with bikes in place – and foldable for storage
“The telescopic bike arms with pivoting heads attach at the frame or rear wheel, adapting to different bike geometries and designs, including bikes with fenders [mudguards] or racks,” says Thule.
“With 25cm spacing between bikes and a load capacity of up to 30kg per bike, even heavier bikes travel securely and independently. Whether it’s a carbon road bike or a fully equipped e-MTB, Thule Epos ParkSecure treats every bike with the same care riders do.
“The Thule ParkSecure system activates automatically when you put the vehicle into reverse. Four integrated sensors monitor what is happening behind the vehicle, covering bikes up to 1,350mm in wheelbase and 29in wheels.”
A wireless in-car unit gives you audio and visual alerts to help you manoeuvre into tight spaces.
It’s certainly among the more expensive options out there, though. The Thule Epos ParkSecure 2-bike towball bike carrier is £1,319.99 while the 3-bike version is £1,449.99.
Behind on your cycling tech news this week? Here’s what you’ve missed:
- Colnago unveils C72 road bike: new Italian-built flagship model blends updated lug design, hidden storage and extra comfort
- Shimano expands CUES 11-speed range with lighter cassette and rear derailleur – but how does it fit with the new Tiagra groupset?
- “The fastest all-round road racing wheel system Hunt has ever made or tested”: UK brand says new wheels are quicker than the ones Pogacar used to win the Tour de France
- New ‘Opal White’ capsule collection adds the look of luxury to Selle Italia’s elite-level SLR saddles
- How to plan an epic one day cycling trip from your front door
- Maxxis goes all in on 32″ wheels with new tyre range and all-new Aspen AT
6 thoughts on “Budget boost? Hutchinson says £14.99 GP Explorer tyre sets “a new benchmark for entry-level road performance” – plus Thule’s new bike rack that incorporates parking sensors, and loads more from Castelli, POC, Panaracer, Boyd…”
Tip for Kostüme x Adam Ball advertising department: putting your models up against a wall and making them look as if they have been apprehended by the secret police of a tinpot dictatorship and are being held hostage facing an uncertain future may not project the carefree, liberated image you might want for your clothing – they look as if they’ve just got out of a gruelling session of interrogation!
Are.you suggesting this eg. an AI image from the White House?
Hmm – well it claims that in various places, but then at the top of the homepage it says it “works with most fans*”. That asterisk doesn’t have any referent, and the FAQs are “coming soon”. And they don’t give any explanation of the mechanism by which it “‘talks to’ your fan”. So there doesn’t currently appear to be any way to determine which fans it will actually work with.
I like the concept of a dedicated rear light that attaches to the POC helmet. Both quality brands too, I’m not into integrated helmet lights.
I never knew about the Piece Of Cake thing, and I’ve been using excellent POC helmets and gloves for some time now.
I was going to say it’s interesting how the folding version is cheaper, but looking at the “hutchinson gp explorer” listings on bikeparts.co.uk I think this press release was written backwards. I’ve always thought it weird that wire bead versions of the same tyres were sold for cheaper because it must be such a pain for distributors to ship and retailers to stock compared to the much more compact folding versions that should be reflected in the rrp’s.
New Castelli range, same bonkers sizing?