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TECH NEWS

Will this new online vintage bike store help you build your dream retro machine? Plus Muc-Off launches new electric mini pump, Pogačar's custom Colnago V4Rs for the worlds, new Quad Lock mounts + more

From limited edition bikes to a new place to buy retro bike parts, we've got all bases covered in this week's Tech of the Week

It's a packed tech round-up this week, with plenty of new bits and pieces to sink your teeth into. 

Colnago has released a rather snazzy limited edition V4Rs for Tadej Pogačar to ride at the world championships this weekend, and we've spotted an intriguing new website for retro parts and kit which is kind of like an online jumble sale but for well-worn bikes. Quad Lock has got some new mounts for your phone, Prologo is also celebrating that man Pogačar with some new saddles and Muc-Off has launched an electronic pump. 

Right, let's dive in!

Colnago releases limited edition Pogačar V4Rs for worlds

Colnago-V4Rs-Tadej_BK-bakcground (23)

It's World's week, and Colnago has gone all out with a brand new livery for Slovenia's top rider. The limited edition Colnago V4Rs Tadej is inspired by "all the successes collected by the Slovenian so far." 

It's a pretty bright livery, with Pop-Art references, which apparently Pogačar is a big fan of. In addition, it's inspired by his major victories, including three Tour de France's. Each colour on the bike represents a victory and the colour of the jersey worn - so yellow for the Tour, pink for the Giro, Green for Il Lombardia, blue for Tirreno-Adriatico, and so on. 

Colnago-V4Rs-Tadej_BK-bakcground (11)

The only exception to this is purple, which Colnago say came from Pogačar's words: "you always need something purple in your life." But it's not just the paint that's different, Colnago has worked with Carbon-Ti for cranks, discs and thru-axles which lazer-etched graphics. 

Now, are you sitting down? If you want to own one of these limited edition bikes, you'll have to fork out €17,200. They're available to order until 14 October from the Colnago website, and beyond that, from Colnago retailers. 

Quad Lock releases its smallest-ever bike mount

Quad Lock Stem Mount road

Phone mount specialist Quad Lock has released two new mounts for smartphones, designed to attach to bike stem caps. The Stem Cap Mount and Stem Cap Mount Adjustable are both designed to stay in place by being mounted under the bike's stem cap.

The standard Stem Cap Mount is designed for use with stems angled up to 15 degrees, and the adjustable version can accommodate stems up to 35 degrees. The adjustable mount can also be reversed in positioning. 

Quad Lock Bike Stem Cap Mount -  Studio Shoot_QLM-SCM_IMG_8695

They both use the standard twist-and-lock mechanism Quad Lock is known for, and costs £29.99 for the standard Stem Cap Mount and £39.99 for the Adjustable version. As a special introductory offer, Quad Lock is providing three months of Ride with GPS premium with every bike mount purchase until 11 November. 

Find out more on the Quad Lock website

Meet the new online retro parts store, ideal for 80s and 90s project bikes

ABR_02

Getting hold of parts for older bikes isn't as easy as it once was, I mean, it's hard enough to get hold of current stuff let alone parts from the 90s. So, to help alleviate that, the website Amazed by Retro has launched in an effort to bring abandoned bikes back to life. 

It is apparently a joint effort between Studio from Scratch Ltd (which runs Amazed by Retro) and a "large organisation active in the reintegration of workers."

What this means is that half of the profit apparently supports social work done by the 'partner organisation', and the other half of the profit is to be used to create "meaningful jobs in the bike industry at ABR."

ABR_01

So what's the site like? It's a webshop and eBay platform at the moment, but is based in Switzerland. So orders will be subject to longer delivery times and potential custom fees etc if you're based in the UK like us.

Carbon Specialized Allez - Amazed By Retro

Everything is listed in Swiss Francs and there's a nice mix of older and newer (as in around the 2000s newer) spare parts, as well as wheelsets and some kit, even if the selection is a bit sparse right now. Our pick so far would be a tasty-looking carbon Specialized Allez frame (above) with aluminium lugs. Remember when there was a carbon-framed Allez? It's yours for 250CHF plus customs, shipping and the rest anyway. 

Find out more on the Amazed by Retro website

Perch like Pogačar with a limited edition Prologo saddle

Prologo Pogacar saddle

Not only is there a new bike livery for Tadej Pogačar being launched this week, but in celebration of the Slovenian's two Grand Tour wins this year, Prologo has released two celebratory versions of the Nago R4 147 saddle. Now, you can adorn your bike with either a yellow or pink version of the saddle, depending on whether you prefer the Giro d'Italia or Tour de France. 

According to the brand, Pogačar began using the saddle last year, after it was redesigned with reduced weight and a more ergonomic design. Pogačar famously wore the Maglia Rosa for 20 consecutive days this year, so we're glad this is a replica and not actually his used saddle for sale. 

Pogacar tour saddle

Each saddle is also embellished with his initials, 'TP' on one side, and the Prologo 'O' logo on the other. They are presented in a black cardboard case with a pink or yellow sleeve, and are available to buy now from the Prologo website for £299. 

Muc-Off launches the Airmach mini electric inflator pump for quicker roadside repairs

muc-off mini inflator

Muc-Off has created yet another product beyond its popular bread and butter bike cleaners, a small but mighty electronic pump that could be an ideal solution if mini pumps seem time-consuming and you find CO2s fiddly and/or wasteful. 

Featuring a full aluminium body construction, the Airmach is just 64x56x28mm and weighs 97g (or 114g with its silicone case). Via USB-C, it can inflate up to two tyres to 100psi "within seconds" apparently. The USB-C port also doubles up as the air intake to "reduce complexity and weight of the unit", and Muc-Off says the tech is all kept safe by the protective silicone case. 

Want one? It's £90, and a hose to use it with plastic valves, TPU inner tubes and children's bikes is sold separately for £5. Find out more here.

Just in case you missed it all, here's the rest of our tech news stories and features from this week: 

> Strava adds 'Quick Edit' option to make it easier to edit and customise key details for your ride uploads
Five cool things for the commute that we're reviewing from Muc-Off, Zefal, Moon, Tooo Cycling and H2O Audio
Train smart this winter with these Zwift setups
> What is UDH and is it the future of all bikes?
What we learnt using the "world's first real-time aerodynamic drag force measurement system for cyclists"

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3 comments

Avatar
quiff | 6 days ago
4 likes

"Via USB-C, it can inflate up to two tyres to 100psi "within seconds" apparently."

There I was thinking USB-C had settled down as the standard; now I'm gonna need a USB-C to Presta converter.  

Avatar
mdavidford replied to quiff | 6 days ago
0 likes

Seems a bit behind the curve - there's no wireless inflation support.

Avatar
froze | 6 days ago
1 like

The Retro store has a very tiny amount of inventory.  They need a lot more inventory if they're going to be worthwhile operation that can sustain enough income to stay in business.

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