It’s been a pretty interesting week, with stormy weather and the remainders of the summer glimmering through rain clouds. But we’ve also seen some pretty interesting tech, from a cycling jacket with what looks like a built in napkin, Zwift’s smart bike dropping in price, MyWhoosh adding zombies to its platform, another “revolutionary” helmet brand, and more.

So grab a cuppa, throw on your hoodie and watch the rain fall outside while you get up to speed with this week’s coolest, weirdest and most wonderful cycling tech…

A jacket with a built in… napkin?

Is it a bib? Is it a wind protector? Or is it… a napkin? First shared on Instagram, it looks like Q36.5 has a new prototype jacket with a zipped pocket on the shoulder containing what we can only describe as a napkin. 

It’s more likely to be some aero or racing technology that us mere mortals don’t know we need, sure. But it could also become a staple of the café stop. Or even a bib for when you take on a gel and dribble a little bit. 

We’ve contacted Q36.5 to confirm what they’ve actually designed here. If it’s an addition to the brand’s current winter jacket range then it’s very much unlikely to be cheap, with prices going up to a lofty £470 for the Dottore Termico jacket in a check orange colourway. I’ll take one for each day of Christmas, please! 

It’s almost turbo season, and Zwift has discounted its Smart Bike

Zwift Ride Smart Bike with Kickr Core 2
Zwift Ride Smart Bike with Kickr Core 2 (Image Credit: Zwift)

Sadly, it looks like summer is drawing to a close and the allure of the turbo trainer grows ever stronger. And just in time for the seasons to change, Zwift has discounted its Zwift Ride Smart Bike by £100. 

Now costing £1,099.99, the setup includes the newly released Wahoo Kickr Core 2, which we covered last week. The Kickr Core 2 now includes WiFi connectivity and heart rate bridging capabilities, which improves the experience for Apple TV users. 

Find out more about the Zwift Ride on the brand’s website. 

> Review: ​Zwift Ride with Kickr Core

The zombies are coming…

Zombie Escape
Zombie Escape (Image Credit: MyWhoosh)

Ever been riding along on the turbo trainer and thought, you know what this experience is missing? Zombies. Us neither, but, MyWhoosh reckons gamification is where it’s at, and in its latest app update has released “Zombie Escape Arcade Mode”. 

So it’s a bit like Call of Duty: World at War zombies, but without the name-calling and broken friendships because you didn’t think it was worth reviving your liability of a mate. According to MyWhoosh, the new mode is designed for riders to outpace virtual zombies in order to survive and thus unlock higher levels.

Unfortunately MyWhoosh haven’t forked out to have that Cranberries song playing in the background while you’re in Zombie Escape Arcade Mode, which is an opportunity missed really… 

Arcade Mode
Arcade Mode (Image Credit: MyWhoosh)

The update also includes a new world, inspired by the UCI World Championships in Africa this year. Another interesting addition is the introduction of junior accounts for those aged 6-18 years, which include parental control options and a “kid-friendly cycling experience.”

Trek’s city lights get updated with longer run time

Ion _100_R_Flare_R_City_LS
Ion _100_R_Flare_R_City_LS (Image Credit: Trek)

It’s that time of year where we all spend some time rustling through our collective bike stuff looking for the lights we swore we had last year. But if you’re in the market for a new set, Trek has just updated its city lights: the Ion 100 R and Flare R City. 

Ion _100_R_Flare_R_City_LS4
Ion _100_R_Flare_R_City_LS4 (Image Credit: Trek)

They come with a new and improved hood design which prevents glare, and they’ve changed from micro USB to USB-C charging (hallelujah). Trek also claims the new lights run 28% longer than previous models, and they include new battery charge gauges on the lights. 

The front and rear light set costs £67.99 and they’re on the Trek website now. 

GO-OFF unveils “revolutionary” helmets made with recycled materials and low-waste packaging

GO-OFF bike helmets
GO-OFF bike helmets (Image Credit: GO-OFF)

If you haven’t had your fill of eco-friendly bike helmets following Rudy Project’s release of a new ‘single material’ lid last week, Dutch brand GO-OFF has announced it’s gained B Corp Certification with its more sustainable approach to manufacturing its helmets. The helmets use recycled materials, minimal-waste packaging, an “eco-efficient production” and the brand also offers a helmet recycling programme. 

GO-OFF might not be a brand you’re familiar with, as it largely operates in Europe. But, you can still buy from their website and have the helmets shipped to the UK. They offer helmets for e-biking, gravel riding, and more. 

Trek releases new Aeolus saddles with AirLoom lattice tech

TrekAeolusEliteLatticeSaddle-52234-A-Alt1
TrekAeolusEliteLatticeSaddle-52234-A-Alt1 (Image Credit: Trek)

Soon you’ll be able to ride atop the same perches as some of the riders from the Lidl-Trek and Trek Factory Racing-Pirelli XC teams with the launch of the new Trek Aeolus saddles. What’s new? The AirLoom lattice technology, which is not dissimilar to that of a pie top construction. 

It’s a 3D printed matrix which offers flexibility under soft tissue, as well as offering “strategic support” for the sit bones. It also eliminates the need for a foam cover, according to Trek. The new saddles have already been raced across various disciplines, including gravel at the Unbound Gravel event earlier this year. 

There are four models, three of which utilise the AirLoom lattice tech. Saddles are available with different widths (depending on the model), including 135mm, 145mm and 155mm. 

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