The annual Bespoked show in Bristol was awash with beautiful bikes as always... and while there were some lovely frames and fine forks on display, we also spotted some interesting components, accessories and innovations too. Here are some of our favourites...
road.cc Bespoked 2018 Choice Awards
Bespoked 2018 highlights
Reynolds 3D-printed components
Reynolds won a road.cc Choice Award for these impressive 3D printed parts, and they're well worth another mention. They've been investing heavily in 3D printed lugs as of late, and also shown off dropouts, bottom brackets and head tubes at Bespoked, made from titanium and steel. For small frame builders it offers the chance to make unique components and parts with customised shapes and designs, without the huge costs associated with large scale production. If it catches on and is affordable to the consumer, it's exciting and potentially revolutionary stuff from Reynolds.
Alpitude single bolt out-front mount
Alpitude is the spin-off component and accessory brand of Italian frame makers Werking, and the Stelvio carbon out-front computer mount weighs a tiny 15g. Inserts are included for Garmin, Polar and Wahoo computers, and they're available now for 85 euros.
Flightrider pannier set/bike bag
This is a really nifty idea, a set of panniers that transforms into a robust bike bag for flying. The panniers are removed, and then zip together to form a bike bag - easy and quick enough to do at the airport terminal right before you head to the check-in desk. As you can see, they can be mounted on a front or rear rack, and the bags are made from 1000 denier Cordura that is waterproof and resistant to abrasion. You also get lightweight wheelbags supplied. Flightrider are in their final development stage, and you can check out their website to join a mailing list for updates.
Moskito Smart Watch
We recently reviewed the StemCaptain clock, a cool idea that often turns heads... but what if it did more than tell the time? Step forward the Moskito, a smart watch whereby the body can be twisted off and used as a functional stem cap. The watch is bluetooth-ready, takes your speed, distance, time etc and can also be synced with Strava and Garmin Connect. It's finished beautifully, with a sapphire glass casing and either leather or nato straps when worn as a wrist watch. Moskito originally got their project funded on Kickstarter, and were showing off a Chris King version of the watch at Bespoked, limited to just 24 pieces... yes they're £663 according to our Swiss Franc conversion, but it's still a mighty cool bit of kit! (classic versions will be available from June 2018).
White industries G30 gravel crankset
This adventure gravel crankset from White Industries is made in the USA, and has crank arms that are designed to give plenty of spacing for wider tyres while allowing you to keep a streamlined chain line thanks to the narrow 30mm aluminium spindle. It's BSA, T47 and Press Fit 30 compatible and available in versions for both TSR 1X and VBC 2x chainrings, which are sold separately.
Cycling infrastructure does not force drivers to break the law, drivers are the reason they break the law, no one else.
Ah but taking pictures of things to defy the man (avoid a fine) is righteous. Taking pictures of people to grass on them to the cops (perhaps...
But getting paid for it is the very definition of professional....
Never had a Shimano QR fail on me. They just work. And the top end ones look good too....
If you're only looking at the guy in front of you then you're going to crash whatever brakes you have, you need to look beyond them to anticipate...
As a woman, this works great for me! My chain broke once, and a kind guy stopped with a chain breaker and sorted it all out for me. We stopped at a...
Same. I also have gone through a bunch of their tyres, and only the extralight disappointed (torn sidewall) but the standards are fantastic....
thanks for the ideas....
Indeed - but it's no more inconsistent than our current road design - very often UK high streets are "for shopping" and also a busy through route....
If you ask the world's leading economic commentators how many people have been rescued from abject poverty by capitalism the average answer would...