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This week, we’re testing a mix of things that cover everything from performance upgrades to premium kit. We have Scribe’s Inception 50+ Disc carbon wheels at a competitive price, Garmin’s Instinct 3 smartwatch with the promise of “unlimited battery life”, and a £200 summer jersey from Q36.5. We’re also testing Giant’s Defy Advanced SL 1 endurance bike, along with Pirelli’s new eco-conscious Cinturato Evo tyres available in widths of up to 55mm. 

Scribe Inception 50+ Disc wheels (£649)

2025 Scribe Inception 50+ Disc wheelset.jpg
2025 Scribe Inception 50+ Disc wheelset (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The Scribe Inception 50+ Disc wheels offer an affordable way to upgrade to some deep-section carbon wheels, with a 50mm rim depth and a 24mm internal rim width. 

Tipping the road.cc scales at 1,580g, they aren’t much heavier than more expensive options. For example, the £1,479 Hunt Sub50 Limitless Aero Disc Wheelset weighs 1,430g. 

Could these be a contender for the best value carbon road bike wheels out there in 2025? Stu’s putting them to the test, so check back soon for the full review. 

Buy from Scribe for £649

Giant Defy Advanced SL 1 (£8,499)

2025 Giant Defy Advanced SL 1.jpg
2025 Giant Defy Advanced SL 1 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The Giant Defy is an endurance bike that has been around for years, and the Defy Advanced SL sits at the top of the three-tier Defy range, offering the lightest and most premium build.

The SL 1 is the second-tier model within the SL level, equipped with a SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset (with power meter) and Giant SLR 1 36mm carbon wheels. The complete build (in size M) weighs in at 7,380g.

The bike also offers a maximum tyre clearance of a whopping (by road bike standards) 40mm wide. Keep an eye out for the full review in the coming weeks.

Buy for £7,224.15 from Cyclestore

Garmin Instinct 3 45mm Rugged GPS Smartwatch (£349.99) 

2025 Garmin Instinct 3 Rugged GPS Smartwatch - on wrist 1.jpg
2025 Garmin Instinct 3 Rugged GPS Smartwatch - on wrist 1 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Designed for the “toughest adventures”, the Instinct 3 is a rugged 45 mm GPS smartwatch with a bolted construction, metal-reinforced bezel and a scratch-resistant lens. 

It features a 0.9” display, built-in LED flashlight, 24/7 health and wellness monitoring, and solar charging technology that can provide “unlimited battery life” in certain conditions, according to the brand. 

Available in three sizes, Dave has been testing the 45mm one and his full report will be landing on the site soon. 

Buy from Amazon for £330.99

Pirelli Cinturato Evo TLR tyre (£74.99)

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2025 Pirelli Cinturato Evo (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Pirelli has recently released new ‘road enduro’ tyres, and the Cinturato Evo TLR is the first tyre in the new category. The slick tyre is designed for both road and gravel and is available now in 700C sizes, in widths from 28mm to 40mm, with wider 45mm, 50mm and 55mm options expected later in the year. 

The Italian brand says that the new tyre is suitable for all surfaces, and it’s the first model in the Pirelli range to use FSC-certified natural rubber while also featuring more than 50% bio-based and recycled materials

Buy for £74.99 from Tredz 

Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey White/Black (£200)

2025 Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey White-Black.jpg
2025 Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey White-Black (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The Q36.5 Dottore Clima Jersey in White/Black is a premium offering, billed as the brand’s “most advanced hot weather jersey ever.” That claim is backed by its graphene-polyester fabric, designed to keep you “drier and cooler than you have ever felt before.”

It ranks amongst the most expensive short-sleeve jerseys we’ve tested, but at the time of writing, it’s available at a reduced price of £140.

Is it worth the investment for a summer jersey? Michael Drummond will be putting it to the test. 

Buy now for £140 from Q36.5

For all the latest full test reports on road.cc, head over to our reviews section. For more advice before splashing the cash you can check out our buyer’s guides, and head over to road.cc Recommends to find all our top-rated products in one place.