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Every month we collate the things that have impressed our expert reviewers the most, and nine products have made the most recent cut. A gravel bike frameset got plenty of plaudits, plus four lots of cycling clothing, a bike computer, a pre-waxed chain, and excellent value accessories including Magicshine sunglasses and a Decathlon track pump.
Here is the full list of April’s picks, and there’s some more info about half a dozen of them further down the page:
- Open U.P. 2.0 Frameset
- Kostüme Men’s Windproof Cargo Gilet
- DexShell Thermfit 3.0 Gloves
- Wahoo Elemnt Roam 3
- Lusso Paragon Deep Winter Bibtights
- Gorewear Lupra Mens GoreTex Pants
- KMC X Flat Waxed Chain
- Magicshine Morpher Photochromic Lenses Glasses
- Decathlon Bike Floor Pump 900
Open U.P. 2.0 Frameset
Buy for £3,999 from Evo Cycles
The Open U.P. 2.0 is a lightweight, stiff and aerodynamic gravel bike designed with performance in mind, and it impressed reviewer Stu throughout testing. A decade on from the original U.P., the latest version brings key updates including increased tyre clearance up to 46mm, a T47 bottom bracket and UDH compatibility.
The frameset is also generously equipped, coming with a seatpost, integrated cockpit, chain catcher and computer/GoPro mount included. Stu praised the bike’s versatility and ride quality, saying it handled everything from quick local rides to long gravel adventures with “almost faultless performance”. It’s certainly not cheap, but against some of its real competition it represents decent value for money.
Read our review of the Open U.P. 2.0 Frameset
Kostüme Men’s Windproof Cargo Gilet
With the Giro d’Italia starting tomorrow and the battle for the pink jersey about to begin, this pink gilet from Kostüme feels like a fitting choice for the rest of us.
Gilets come in many forms – from wispy emergency layers to fluffy body warmers for the depths of winter – and this one lives in the middle of that spectrum. Folded into its own pocket this forms a pillow that’s 220 x 190mm, so while it’s not the most compact it will easily squish into a rear pocket.
It manages the holy grail of being both windproof and breathable, and reviewer Jo describes it as an “exquisitely made” sleeveless layer with an excellent fit and plenty of thoughtful details.
Read our review of the Kostüme Men’s Windproof Cargo Gilet
Wahoo Elemnt Roam 3
The Wahoo Elemnt Roam 3 was released a year ago, and our reviewer put it to the test during his attempt to race the Trans Pyrenees. Over the course of the trip, he found it to be a reliable, long-lasting companion with excellent screen clarity and seamless app integration.
The USB-C charging and hi-res touch screen are modern essentials and the battery life, while not topping out at 40hrs like the Garmin, is nevertheless very useable in the real world. Our reviewer still achieved around 25 hours of runtime – exceeding Wahoo’s stated 22-hour figure.
After more than 5,000km of long-term use, he remains impressed by the Roam 3’s durability, accessibility and ease of use.
Read our review of the Wahoo Elemnt Roam 3
Magicshine Morpher Photochromic Lenses Glasses
Buy for £59.99 from Magicshine
At £59.99, the Magicshine Morpher Photochromic Lenses Glasses are a bit of a bargain. They’re £20 cheaper than even the Van Rysels, which themselves are pretty cheap in the grand scheme of things.
The Morphers’ party trick is that they have a two-piece TR90 frame, and the lower half can be removed, so you can wear a full frame or a half frame, and it’s pretty straightforward to swap between the two.
The lens has plenty of coverage and wraps around your face well. The photochromic one that we’ve been testing goes from Cat 1 (light tint) to Cat 3 (dark tint). There are also some standard tinted options and an in-between lens, which is a photochromic with a mirror tint.
Read our review of the Magicshine Morpher Photochromic Lenses Glasses
Decathlon Bike Floor Pump 900
Sitting towards the upper end of Decathlon’s range of track pumps, despite being very sensible money, is the 900 model. It’s a solid pump offering mostly metal construction, a really clear dial and a neat pump head.
The pressed-steel base keeps the pump stable in use and feels comparable to far more expensive track pumps, while the stiff plastic handle is comfortable in the hand. Decathlon’s dual Presta/Schrader pump head also impressed, with a robust locking lever that feels durable and secure in use.
Overall, this is a well-made, attractive and dependable pump. Decathlon offers a range of spare parts for it too, so repairs are possible should you ever need.
Read our review of the Decathlon Bike Floor Pump 900
KMC X Flat Waxed Chain
Waxed chains offer genuine performance benefits over traditional oil-based lubrication but the faff of actually waxing chains yourself has always been a barrier. KMC’s ready waxed solution cuts through all that nonsense. You can install it straight from the packet and ride.
The chain’s flat-top profile is designed specifically for SRAM’s 12/13-speed AXS and Transmission drivetrains, so if you’re running SRAM, it’s a direct replacement. Installation is straightforward: it includes 126 links and a reusable Missing Link connector, so sizing and fitting are no different from any other chain.
The KMC X Flat Waxed Chain is one of those products that solves a problem you might not have realised you had. It shifts well, stays clean, and makes maintenance considerably easier.
Read our review of the KMC X Flat Waxed Chain
To see the full archive of products that have been awarded road.cc Recommends badges over the years, head over to the road.cc Recommends section.
