Wow, what a week! Snow, snow and more snow, even here in the ever-so-slightly warmer south west. It meant we got chance to really try out what our winter test kit was made of, but to be honest, we’re pretty relieved to be thawing out…
MET Trenta 3k Carbon aero road helmet
£265.00
MET’s latest flagship aero road helmet has big claims to go with its big price tag, and they say it’s by far the fastest road lid they’ve ever made. The density of the EPS foam has been reduced by 20% to cut weight, yet MET say the impact protection is still as good as their other road helmets. The parallel ‘ribs’ are linked from the centre of the helmet by a carbon cage embedded into the liner, making it lighter compared to a traditional construction. Is it worth the outlay for the marginal gains? Mat Brett is our man assessing this lid…
met-helmets.com
Pearl Izumi P.R.O Leader 4 road shoes
£274.99
These jazzy kicks have a real party going on beneath, with eye-catching multicoloured ‘electroplating’ around the carbon sole. They say the fourth version of the Pro Leaders are the lightest and stiffest shoe they’ve ever made, and the seamless upper minimises any pressure points by cutting out all the stitching. The sole and upper are joined using a unique unibody construction, with a super low 5mm stack height. Do they ride as good as they look? Mat Brett is testing them now…
madison.co.uk
Pedal ED Essential long sleeve jersey
£105.00
This understated jersey is made of breathable Merino stretch fabric, and can be combined with layers for winter or used on its own for spring rides. Lycra rib cuffs give a close fit on the arms, there are three big back pockets and also reflective elements for safety brownie points. Stu Kerton is trying it out now in all weathers…
pedaled.com
Gore C5 Gore-Tex Shakedry 1985 Viz jacket
£250.00
If you can afford it, you’ll simply never go back once you’ve tried gear featuring Gore’s totally waterproof yet featherlight Shakedry material – well according to a good number of our reviewers who’ve had a chance to try it, anyway. The new 1985 version has a more relaxed fit than the original Gore ONE (still available, and reviewed here) and has some additional features such as a small zip pocket, more comfortable cuffs and a two-way zip system so you can open it from the bottom too. It’s a whopping price tag, but is it just as whoppingly impressive as the first iteration? Ash Quinlan will be telling us soon…
gorewear.com
£85.00
British online bike behemoth Ribble are now in the clothing game, and these are their debut pair of bib longs. Ribble have put a lot of work into the design, and say they’ve selected quality thermal fabrics that are durable and of a high density. The back panel is mesh for extra breathability, and the braces are seamless to be lightweight and comfortable. The chamois is also cupped at the front for some extra warmth ‘down there’. Are they the real deal? Dave Atkinson is testing them now…
ribblecycles.co.uk
To see all the latest road.cc test reports, head over to our reviews section. If you’re after some more advice before splashing your cash, check out our buyer’s guides.
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