Just one day to go until the London Bike Show.
Some 90 exhibitors are preparing to put on show a selection of irresistibly attractive kit to make time on the bike still more enjoyable. Here’s a selection from Deda, Kask, Selle Italia and Time to maximise quality time with your two-wheeled companion.
Kask Mojito
Fancy a Mojito? For around £100, this lid might take some beating. Made entirely in Italy, and tipping the scales at 220 grams, the Mojito is the lightest in Kask’s range. Some 26 air vents keep the rider cool, while comfort comes from a ventilated non-stick pads, and a hinged adjustment system. The pads are sanitized and can be removed for a spin in the washing machine when required. A leatherette chin strap is a nice touch, while the quick release buckle promises ease of use. With months of winter riding still ahead, the high-visibility reflector stickers on the back of the helmet and on each of its straps may prove a welcome feature. Available in five different colours: black, blue, lime, red, white.
Deda Bandito
Deda will be showing off their Bandito, a carbon masterpiece that looks like a jet fighter, but is in reality a handlebar (trust us). Designed with the ironman triathlete in mind, the monocoque design is constructed entirely from carbon fibre composite, and can be positioned via a ‘lift angle system’ modestly billed by Deda as ‘revolutionary’. Available in three different combinations of stem length and bar width, and available in two finishes (carbon matte with a protective clearcoat finish, or painted matt white) the Bandito weighs in at 540 grams.
Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow and SLR Lady Gel Flow
Selle Italia’s Max SLR Gel Flow is an offering from the Italian manufacturer’s ‘super comfort’ range. Its “flow’ design (a void in the middle to take the pressure off your tender parts) has different thicknesses of silicone gel padding throughout, putting the comfort where its needed, beneath your sit bones. It tips the scales a 270 grams, has a seven millimetre rail of Vanox steel, and a shell made from 10 per cent carbon composite.The SLR Lady Gel Flow is, you guessed it, a saddle for ladies, with a ‘new anatomical cut’ for the female anatomy, a shell made from 30 per cent carbon, a cover of breathable leather, and the same 7mm Vanox steel rail as the gent’s Max SLR Gel Flow.
Time i-Clic 2 Titan Carbon
Here’s Time’s latest salvo in the pedal wars continually waged between Look, Shimano, Speedplay et al. This offering doesn’t stint in the material stakes, with a carbon body mounted on a titanium axle and a flexible carbon blade to secure the shoe cleat. A range of adjustment is available to provide a ‘feel’ to suit, and paired with a preset release angle of 15 degrees. They tip the scales at 175 grams.
Cinelli Ram
Cinelli will be showing their slightly modified Ram bar – an integrated bar and stem combo made from T700 high modulus carbon that tips the scales at 410 grams. The Ram boasts a ‘thumb zone’ – a recess in which to rest the aforesaid digit, which Cinelli claim provides additional comfort both on ‘active’ phases of the ride (out of the saddle climbs) and ‘relaxed’ periods ( presumably tootling home with thoughts of an afternoon on the sofa). Cables emerge from internal routing at the start of the Ram’s computer mount. The Ram comes in six different combinations of stem length and bar width, starting at 40/100, finishing at 44/130 and covering many points in between. Available in none-more-black clear-coated carbon.
