Change is afoot at Cyclist – watch this space – which means we’ve gone a day earlier than usual with our weekly round-up.
This week we’ve scaled the hairpins of Les Deux Alpes, chronicled the history of the iconic Giant TCR, and published our guide to the Transcontinental Race.
Our mega guide to the best bottle cages broke the internet, Mavic officially launched its not-so-secret new Cosmic Ultimate wheels and we gave some useful advice for Étape du Tour riders that will be useful for any major sportive.
On with the product!
OneOdio OpenRock Pro headphones
There’s never been more choice in headphones that don’t block out ambient noise and the latest to enter the fray are the OneOdio OpenRock Pro earbuds, which are wireless and offer an open-ear design.
Where competitors such as Shokz and Haylou tout their bone conduction technology, OneOdio’s take on the concept is more akin to a set of tiny speakers that sit by the openings of your ear canals, but don’t fill them.
Because they don’t rely on pressing against your temples like bone conduction ’phones, there’s no need for a band running round the back of your head – these are more conventional looking separate earbuds that loop over your ears, using hooks that can be tweaked for a more comfortable fit.
Like many wireless buds, the OpenRock Pros ship with a charging case incorporating its own built-in battery.
OneOdio claims you’ll get 19 hours of battery life from the headphones alone, or 46 hours with help from the case. Five minutes of charging is said to get you an hour of play time.
The headphones pair using Bluetooth and include noise-cancelling microphones for calls. All functions are controlled by just one button on each side.
Bravur Grand Tour watches
Want to celebrate your love of cycling and know what time it is? Swedish watchmaker Bravur offers a line of rather special limited edition Grand Tour themed watches that could be for you.
There are no prizes for guessing which race the yellow model pays homage to. This rather tasty chronograph (ie, stopwatch) with three subdials features a 38.2mm diameter stainless steel case (lug-to-lug is 46.3mm) that houses a Swiss-made Sellita automatic (self-winding) movement.
The design is packed with cycling-specific details: that strap, obviously; a yellow and white 12 o’clock hour index that nods to French alpine milestones; an inverted 13; a subtle polka dot motif; and probably some more I’ve missed.
Flip the watch over and you can admire the movement through the exhibition case back, which bears the outline of a popular cycling destination.
The Bravur has the pleasingly solid, quality feel you’d expect from a watch unapologetically aimed at watch nerds.
The crystal is sapphire as you’d hope and the chronograph pushers operate with a really satisfying click.
The green strap model follows similar themes and is the result of a collaboration with team EF Education-Easypost. It looks like it’s already sold out however, so you’ll have to appreciate this one from afar.
BSC Tools disc rotor shims
Swapping wheelsets on your bike is one of those simple jobs that should be incredibly easy, but often becomes more involved because component tolerances mean no two setups can be identical.
Disc rotor alignment is the main issue and if you’re unlucky it may be necessary to recentre your brake calipers.
These handy shims from BSC Tools offer a convenient workaround for centre-lock hubs.
They’re just 0.2mm thick and you can stack them underneath the rotor, fine-tuning the precise alignment. Get it right and you can swap between wheelsets with no need to touch your calipers. Smart eh?
Incidentally, BSC is a good follow on Instagram if you appreciate a bit of tool geekery.
From £8.33 (pack of 10 shims)Buy now from BSC Tools
What we’re into this week: Everyone Else Burns
Photo: Channel 4
It’s easy to poke fun at fundamentalists but Channel 4’s Everyone Else Burns (UK-only) is my hot content rec for this week because it’s funny without being needlessly cruel or exploitative.
The show follows the chaotic lives of a family that belongs to a fictional evangelical sect in Manchester.
Simon Bird is playing Simon Bird again – that’s no bad thing in my book, Friday Night Dinner remains a favourite – and the cast is full of comedy talent including Lolly Adefope and Morgana Robinson. I particularly enjoyed Kate O’Flynn’s slightly manic portrayal of the mother, Fiona.
It’s only six episodes long, give it a go. Catch you on the flip-flop!
Looking forward to the pro season? Read our UCI points system explainer
Bravur photos by Joseph Branston, OneOdio and BSC Tools by Matthew Loveridge
Tags: In the Drops
