Spring seems to have given summer a miss and skipped straight to autumn, to almost quote a famous scene from Monty Python's Holy Grail... and while we're back in our full-fingered gloves and longs, road.cc's reviewers are still out testing to the max in all weathers. Here are some highlights that are out with reviewers this week...
Tifosi Cavazzo Tiagra Commuter Disc
£1,649.00
This bike is aimed at tourers and commuters (hence the name) and has mudguards mounted as standard. Tifosi claim to have made one of the most versatile bikes money can buy, suitable for fast commuting and the club run, right up to gravel riding. It can take up to 40mm tyres (32mm tyres and Miche Race rims come on our test model) and the hydraulic, flat mount disc brakes have a 160mm rotor up front with 140mm at the rear. The frame is a blend of Toray Carbon fibres, and it's electronic groupset-ready should you want to upgrade the full Tiagra groupset you get on this build for £1,649. Can the Cavazzo really do it all? Look out for Mike Stead's review on the site next month.
tifosicycles.co.uk
£195.00
They caused quite a stir when they were launched in early March, and these premium adventure-orientated shorts drawn particular attention for the sizeable pockets on the sides; dubbed 'banana pockets' amongst some of the 1.5 million or so of us who saw their advertising campaign on YouTube. Rapha say that by placing pockets on both legs and the upper back, the bibs free you from needing a traditional cycling jersey with pockets so you can wear a regular tee or whatever the hell you like on top. They're made with a lightweight water-resistant material, and suitable for a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. A perforated chamois is also added which is designed to dry quickly so you can get some extra days out of them on your adventures. Are those banana pockets actually genius, and are they really worth that huge price tag? Dave Arthur is finding out...
rapha.cc
£80.00
It's no secret we're a fan of Primal kit here at road.cc Towers (after all, they do make the greatest cycling garment of all time, our famous road.cc Evo jersey) and this one is designed for the warmer seasons with a stretchy polyester fabric that's designed to move with your body and wick moisture away. Interestingly it has silver ions in fabric, which Primal claims destroy odours caused by bacteria... which will stop you from ponging after sweaty times in the saddle. How does it stack up against other airy summer best jerseys? James Whateley is testing this one with a review due shortly.
primaleurope.com
BBB Samurai Telescopic MiniPump 210mm
£29.95
Sure you can stuff them in your back pocket, but it's good to know you can save some space and mount this powerful little pump on your frame too with the mounting bracket included. Weighing just 124g, the Telescopic is made with lightweight 6061-T6 aluminium and has an extractable hose. BBB claim it inflates up to 9 bar or 130 psi, and it also has a valve cover to help keep your valves clean. The unique screw-on valve system is designed to fit Presta, Schrader and Dunlop valves, and the whole unit is just 210mm long. Dave Arthur is assessing this pump's power at the moment.
windwave.co.uk
£169.00
The Valegro is the latest all-round road lid from Team Sky's helmet maker of choice, and it's packed with technology to keep you cool and comfortable. Weighing just 206g for a medium, the Valegro has patented MIT Technology that adds a polycarbonate shell on top for complete protection, plus Kask's In Moulding system to join the layers together which is supposed to improve shock absorption. It has a whopping 36 air vents and an internal lining for fast wicking, and highly conductive padding to stop static building up while you ride. A soft leather chin strap and smooth padding make it a luxurious option for race day. Is it worth the investment? Mat Brett will be telling us soon...
kask.com
For all the latest road.cc test reports, head over to our reviews section. If you want some more advice before splashing the cash, check out our buyer's guides.
After cobbling together a few hundred quid during his student days off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story), Jack bought his first road bike at the age of 20 and has been hooked ever since. He joined road.cc in 2017, having previously worked for 220 Triathlon magazine. Jack's preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking (the latter being another long story), and on Sunday afternoons he can often be found on an M5 service station indulging in his favourite post-race meal of 20 chicken nuggets, a sausage roll, caramel shortbread and a large strawberry milkshake.