With a chill in the air and the rain hammering it down here in the south west, our attention has fully turned to the autumn and winter kit that#s landed in the office. It's overshoes and gloves on, and unfortunately that's probably the way it will stay until spring!
Tifosi Alliant Fototec Light Night Lens Sunglasses
£99.99
Tifosi's Fototec lenses are designed to adapt to a wide range of light conditions, so are particularly useful if you ride off-road/on paths and still need to protect your eyes from road dirt. The polycarbonate lenses offer a large, uninterrupted surface area that give plenty of peripheral vision, and they incorporate Glare Guard technolovy to keep out UV rays. They're also vented to prevent fogging, and are interchangeable for when you need to change them. Are the Alliants as versatile as claimed? Ian Walker's review is due soon.
zyrofisher.co.uk
Iamrunbox Backpack Pro
£135.00
Although it has 'run' in the title, the Pro backpack from Iamrunbox is supposed to be ideal for cyclists too (and parkour enthusiasts according to the promo video) and is designed to keep your work clothes crease-free thanks to its specially designed compartments. There's a laptop section suitable for a 13.5" laptop and also an external shoe bag attachment which you can buy separately. It weighs just 945g, and has straps accross the chest to keep it secure. Is it worth the big old price tag? The verdict will be in shortly...
iamrunbox.com
Madison Avalanche gloves
£32.99
These could be just what we need as the weather starts to turn, promising waterproof and windproof protection against cold weather with minimal bulkiness. A micro-fleece lining keeps your hands warm, while the construcion is multi-layered so you still have a positive feel around the fingertips to make sure you don't mess up during that all-important Strava upload. Could they keep your hands warm in an avalanche? Siobhan Kelly is finding out...
Specialized Sirrus Alloy
£425.00
The 2019 version of the Sirrus hybrid is described as 'a simple and stylish way to begin your fitness adventure', with a light aluminium frame and steel fork equipped with a rack and mudguard mounts so you can head off the beaten track. The Shimano Tourney 3x8 drivetrain gives you plenty of low gers for climbs, and it's equipped with V brakes and tough 32mm tyres. Would Matt Lamy give the Sirrus some serious consideration? Find out in his test report soon...
specialized.com
Santini Aquazero Vega bib tights
£140.00
These high-tech tights from Santini have anti-shock protection in the chamois pad, with an anti-twist gel core that should keep your bum happy even over the most brutal bumps on the road. The Aquazero treatment keeps them water resistant even after multiple washes, and they have a breathable thermofleece construction with jacquard elastic braces and a mesh insert at the back. Are they now Ash's top tights for the colder months? His review is coming soon...
zyrofisher.co.uk
To read all of road.cc's latest test reports, head over to our reviews section. If you want some more advice before splashing the cash, check out our buyer's guides.
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These would be ideal for security in the garage, and out and about for our bikes lost two in the past.
But if it doesn't look like a car's going to pull up, you find someone in the same-coloured top as you and make them give you their bike.
I bought an Anker 15w solar panel set to try for touring in Australia. It wasn't a success for me. I tried draping it over the rear panniers while...
I'm running a mid 90s chainset (originally had a 6 speed freewheel) with a 10 speed chain and cassette and it all works very well. I might be wrong...
Re: Early morning raid on BV....
Agreed on that, he was definitely part of my first week plans! Not to mention my French riders team - that is in tatters without Le Coq!
I'm sure that the reason the Belgian team didn't take him is so that he doesn't take the crown from a Belgian.
Donated. Let's at least get his last fundraising effort up in his honour. Rest in peace.