CTech August Product Picks

In our August CTech Product Picks we have an array of products to showcase to you. This includes Bont's newly designed Vaypor + shoes, Bontrager helmets, Schwalbe tubeless tyres, Giro shoes, Fyxo's 'KING lights, Apres Velo tee's, Prologo's Scratch saddle, and Clif Bars. If you have any experience with any of these products, please leave us your thoughts in the comments. We're keen to hear your feedback.

Bont Vaypor+ Shoes

Here’s what Bont as to say about their newly designed Vaypor+ road shoes:

“The Bont Vaypor has been re-engineered from the ground up to create the Vaypor+. Whilst maintaining all of the design and technical attributes that has made the Vaypor one of the finest cycling shoes available, the Vaypor+ introduces new materials, closure design and last shapes that not only improve fit, but also performance.”

RRP: $430

Post by Bont.

There’s so much good information about these shoes on Bont’s website and not enough room for it here, so I highly recommend you visit it if you want to learn more.

CTech’s Take:

“

Bont make shoes which are hard to explain. When you first try them on and before you’re clipped into a bike, they feel all wrong. But once you move forward on your first pedal stroke, you know that there’s something remarkable about them.

You might think that there’s a point in a shoe where “stiff” may get uncomfortable. However, the Bont Vaypor+’s soles don’t have a millimeter of give and it’s something you can appreciate, if not love when riding. There’s a nice snug feeling in the back of the foot with how the carbon cups the heel, but the immediate instinct is that they will be uncomfortable. Not so. Although they take a bit of getting used to, comfort is definitely there, but performance is ultimately what you buy this shoe for.

The “atop” dial system works well, and ever since dials have been introduced onto shoes I much prefer these over the ratchet systems. These dials are slightly different than Specialized’s “Boa” system in that the top dial on the Bonts immediately loosen when turned anti-clockwise, instead of backing off one notch at a time. The positive side is that this system makes the shoes extremely easy to get off, but it would be nice to have a way to back off the tension instead of completely undoing them and then tightening again while riding (the front dial does have a unidirectional dial though). However, I can’t say that this is a true inconvenience when put into practise.

The Vaypor+ shoes are also heat moldable which you can easily do at home. I recommend going through the process as it will make a big difference to the fit and comfort.

Bontrager Oracle and Specter helmets

Here’s what Bontrager says about their Oracle and Specter helmets:

Oracle: “Low profile. Massively ventilated. Exceptionally aerodynamic. Oracle is a pro-caliber road helmet for riders who won’t settle for anything but the best. Featuring an in-molded carbon fiber skeleton that provides the superior structural integrity and load dispersal necessary to create the biggest possible vents in the lowest-profile design, Oracle uses internal channeling and CFD-optimized ventilation to maximize airflow efficiency through the helmet and over the head, for impressive levels of cooling and drag reduction.”

Specter: “Aimed at racers and performance enthusiasts, Specter borrows DNA from the pro peloton-leading Oracle to deliver outstanding fit, massive airflow, and quick, easy adjustability. ”

RRP (AUD): $299 Oracle, $199 Specter

For more information on Bontrager helmets visit their website.

The Specter is the red/black helmet in the above photos, the Oracle is the white helmet

CTech’s Take:

“

My first introduction to Bontrager helmets was when one was gifted to me at a Trek Madone launch back in 2012. It was a white Specter (similar to the black/red one shown here) and have enjoyed wearing it ever since. The fit on either Specter or Oracle is good and comfortable, but they are both quite different. The Specter seems to fit slightly higher on the head and not quite as all encompassing. Both have convenient dial adjustments on the back and the chin straps require very little adjustment when first setting up. As usual, my preference is with the more expensive of the two - the Oracle. The shape between the Specter and Oracle is quite similar except for a subtle difference at the back. The most important part however, is how do these look? All helmets need to be safety certified so it’s a given that they’ll protect your head. Well, both the Specter and Oracle pass my “look test” in the mirror, however the shell is still slightly larger than my ideal preference. Possibly the best part about all of Bontrager’s helmets is the free replacement you’re involved in a crash during the helmet’s first year.

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX Tubless tyres

What Schwalbe says: “It’s not only the fastest tire Schwalbe has ever produced, but also the safest: The Ultremo ZX tubeless raises rolling resistance and puncture protection to a higher level. Schwalbe is the first leading supplier in the racing bike sector to put a tubeless tire on the road.

“We’ve had the idea of applying the tubeless technology used for mountain bikes into racing bikes for ages”, says Christian Lademann, Schwalbe’s Product Manager for racing bike tires. “But in spite of our experience with tubeless in the MTB field it was technically quite challenging to produce a high-pressure tubeless racing bike tire.” With the special carcass design and development of the carbon bead, Schwalbe engineers broke new ground in bicycle tire technology. After three years’ development, hundreds of test rides in training and competition, as well as numerous prototypes, Schwalbe is now enthusiastic about its tubeless tires for racing bikes.”

RRP: $169 AUD for bundle of two.

For more information visit the Schwalbe website.

CTech’s Take:

“

A few years ago I wrote about my experience on Hutchinson tubless road tyres and at that time it was unclear whether or not tubless was just a passing fad or something that was real. I loved the feel of the tubless ride, the durability, but I didn’t love the messy process of putting them on or changing a puncture.

Schwalbe tyres are one of my favorite brands of tyres. They wear nicely and are extremely durable. Plus, they do a great job at supporting the local community at the events, so consider that when considering where to purchase. However, at the time of writing I haven’t tried these particular tyres. However, it was nice to see that everything you need for a tubeless setup is contained in this kit. I’ll be sending these to Matt Wikstrom (our tech editor) to use and write a feature article on tubeless tyres and his impressions. If you’ve used these particular tyres, please let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Giro Code Shoe

Here’s what Giro says about their Code shoe:

“Hardcore trail riders and XC racers want mountain biking shoes with maximum power transfer plus the comfort and durability need to withstand rugged trails and conditions. The Code answers the call with a light-yet-tough Teijin microfiber upper that shapes to your foot, plus our adjustable SuperNatural Fit Kit that allows you to tune the level of arch support, enhancing efficiency and comfort. Welded scuff guards boost the upper’s durability and structured feel of these premium MTB shoes, and the optimized Easton® EC90 unidirectional carbon sole provides pro-level stiffness for the most efficient power transfer available in mountain bike shoes today.”

RRP: $299 each.

For more information visit the Giro Code website and they can be purchased in Australia here.

CTech’s Take:

“

When I think of Giro, I think of their helmets. That needs to change at some point because from my experience with their shoes, they are outstanding. I’ve worn their road shoes before but this is my first mountain bike shoe (let’s call them Cyclocross shoes, okay?) from Giro. The fit is perfect, they have excellent grip for walking when you have to dismount, and they’re actually quite comfortable for walking as far as cycling shoes go. The longterm durability test has still yet to be done, but if they’re anything like their road shoes, I can’t foresee a problem.

Fyxo ‘KING BRIGHT

Here’s what Fyxo has to say about their ‘KING BRIGHT light:

“For dark times. We stock one light set so you don’t have to wade through a sea of options. This is the best value and performance lightset for commuting and nocturnal adventures bar none.

- 1000 lumen output for cycling amongst other things.
- The burn time on super-dazzling mode 3.5 hours +
- The burn time on semi-dazzling mode is about 15 hours.
- Flashing mode 30 hours.”

RRP: $79 AUD each.

For more information visit fyxomatosis.

CTech’s Take:

“

Lights have sure come a long way in the past 5 years. My $600 Night Rider halogen lamp that lasted 1 hour from my mountain bike days is a testament to that. The ‘KING BRIGHT is absolutely incredible for seeing in the dark, and for $79, it’s value and quality that you simply cannot beat. It comes with everything you need to get on the road or trails - the lamp, a headstrap, the battery, a charger, and a cool box. Get on it.

Apres Velo TdF Shirts

In 2012, Eleanor Grosch and her husband Peter Dalkner travelled to France to ride their bikes and take in some stages of the Tour. They had a great time and it inspired them to collaborate on a series of contemporary prints in honour of the 100th edition of the Tour. Apres Velo have adapted these designs for their latest range of t-shirts, offering five designs for men (Arc, Sprinter, Alpe d’Huez, Finish Line, and Sunflower Fields Forever) and three for women (Alpe d’Huez, Finish Line, and Sunflower Fields Forever).

RRP: $49.95 each.

For more information visit Apres Velo.

TdF100-1

CTech’s Take:

“

Grosch’s bright, geometric styling readily evokes the Tour, I can almost hear euro dance music when looking at these t-shirts. Apres Velo dedicates each design to a single style of shirt, but lightweight fabric is used throughout the new range that is best suited to summertime weather. Each shirt is well finished with some nice details, such as a stitched logo, contrasting fabrics, patches, or pockets. Proof that not all cycling t-shirts have to celebrate the pain and suffering of the sport.

Prologo Scratch Pro CPC Saddle

Prologo divides its catalogue of saddles into three families according to cross-sectional shape. “Round” saddles have a round cross-section (ie when viewed from the rear) that are best suited to long distance riding since the round shape spreads out the rider’s weight and avoids pressure points. In contrast, “Flat” saddles have a flatter cross-section and wider seating surface that are recommended for short distances such as time trials, while the “Semi-round” shape sits somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

The Scratch Pro belongs to the round saddle family, and the latest iteration features “CPC”, patches of a rubbery polymer designed to absorb shocks and vibrations. Prologo also claims that these patches will also improve your performance too. The new saddle has a carbon-injected base and uses the company’s Nack carbon rails that are braided with kevlar and aluminium filaments. The Scratch Pro CPC is 278mm long and 134mm wide and comes in one colour (deep metallic blue with white highlights).

For more information see Echelon Sports or Prologo’s website.

RRP: $309

CTech’s take:

“

The patches of “CPC” (Connect Power Control) that cover the surface of Prologo’s new saddle comprise tiny volcanoes and ribs that compress and sway under load. To the touch, the CPC polymer is both spongy and sticky, so once I planted my backside on this saddle, I wasn’t surprised that it stayed in place. I don’t normally use a Prologo Scratch saddle, so I can’t say if the addition of CPC improved the comfort of the saddle, but it certainly didn’t detract from it. I found the sticky patches served to anchor my efforts and may have improved the efficiency of my output a little. Normally I like to slide my butt into place so I had to be a little more precise when sitting on this saddle, but once accustomed, I found I could make minor adjustments to my position without much effort. All told, the CPC material is sticky, but not too sticky. Otherwise, the Scratch Pro is a narrow saddle with a very firm base that is clearly race-oriented. For the uninitiated, the addition of CPC attracts a premium that will probably dissuade them from experimenting with this iteration of the Scratch Pro, plus, there is the odd colour to contend with, which is likely to clash with more bikes than it suits. For those riders already familiar with the Scratch Pro, then this saddle provides extra grip without intrusion.

Clif Bar

From Clif Bar’s website: “CLIF BAR is the original energy bar made with organic ingredients that delivers an optimal blend of nutrition for sustained energy. CLIF BAR uses whole ingredients you can see and taste, such as oats, dried fruits and nuts, to create delicious, convenient food that’s good for you and for the planet.

The initial release will be the CLIF BAR with Crunchy Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, and White Macadamia Nut. More varieties and flavours will be coming later in the year with Shot Gels expected Mid July and Shot Bloks in October.”

For more information visit Clif Bar’s website.

CTech’s Take:

“

Finally, Clif Bar is in Australia. For those who know me will know how I used to bring back boxes of these things to Australia whenever I visited North America. The bars taste like real food (imagine that!) and so do the gels, but they’re made with the conveniences that we all need while on the bike and gasping for breath (i.e. texture, consistency, packaging, etc).

Bonk Breaker is the only other bar that I’ve found that compares to Clif Bar and I’m happy to see both of them being imported into Australia.

Most of these other products in this post I need to send back, but I’ll be eating these.

Have you used any of these products? Please let us know your long-term impressions and feedback in the comments below.

Tags: Product Picks

jules

a mate of mine bought some tubeless tyres for his MTB. the rims were not tubeless and he was running tubes, but for the life of us, we could not lever the bead over the rim. i even broke a tyre lever. i’m not a pro mechanic but this was ridiculous.

he actually got a bike shop to mount them. i asked him what he was planning to do when he got a puncture..
- nick
  
  If you pop the tyre off the hook of the rim as you are mounting it, you will have no trouble getting it on the rim. not a problem with the tyre, just the person trying to fit it with a tyre leaver.
  - jules
    
    that is what i normally do. this one was different though. i like the idea of tubeless, just wondering if they’re all like that or it was an anomaly.
    - Lounge
      
      Some Tubeless and Tubeless Ready MTB are very difficult to fit as the bead is made smaller to sit more tightly and create a better seal. Compatibility of tyres and rims is one of the joys of tubeless but in no way should it put you off using it. All my MTB are tubeless and I’d never go back to tubes! Having said that I haven’t tried it on the road as I already have some very nice carbon hoops so don’t need to buy any new wheels for a while.
      - MadBlack
        
        +1 on never going back to tubes on the MTB. My Ultremo ZX tubeless road tyres set is in the mail. Should be arriving very shortly and I cannot wait to give ‘em a go. If my research is right you won’t have any issues with fixing punctures out on the road because you won’t get any and then there’s the touted reduction in rolling resistance. Btw all Shimano Ultegra and Dura Ace clincher wheel sets are tubeless ready for years now.
- nicklothian
  
  I have some Ultegra 6800 tubeless compatible wheels and mounting Conti GP4000S’ on them was the most difficult tyre mounting experience of my life.
  
  I know mounting tubeless tyres is supposed to be hard, involving soappy water etc, but I wasn’t expecting normal tyres to be almost as bad.
Sandwichands

Said it before and will say it again. The Fyxo lights are absolutely amazing. Mine has been totally going strong until my house was broken into and one of the burglars broke it. Naturally I shall be purchasing another which is a big endorsement from me because I rarely buy anything twice.
- lefthandside
  
  They are excellent. Best value performance headlight I’ve found by a mile. Just ~please~ don’t strap it to your helmet, folks, unless you’re out on the MTB trails at night!
Adam Cowcher

I think I have wholly sustained myself with samples from the Clif bars tent at Crankworx this week. So tasty!
haitch

They need to do the neon yellow/black version of those Giros here - would snag in an instant.
Tristan

Whilst I haven’t tried Ultremo tubeless tyres, I use and love Ultremo ZX clinchers, and have used Hutchison and Bontrager R3 tubeless tyres in the past and absolutely love the feel of tubeless. Will definitely be getting a set of the Ultremo’s in tubeless ASAP. Can’t wait.
- Moe
  
  Have to agree, I ride on the ZX clinchers but these are a race tire and not a daily. Many reports say they do not wear well at all so I have to disagree with CTech on that. The feedback is perfect on this tyre, something you don’t really get on say something like Mich Pro or Conti’s. Looking forward to trying the tubes, but again highly doubt I’ll be get many k’s through them.
  
  My current Ultremo have particularly weak sidewalls where the threads keep coming off like an old pair of pants. These is clearly where they have said a lot of weigh.
  - Rob Storey
    
    Agreed on the thin ZX sidewalls - I have gone away from them for this reason. Loved the feel and grip, but the threads coming out of the sidewalls - no good.
JBS

Clif bar in Australia…and the website lists a store five minutes away as a stockist! A crappy day just became sensational. Thank you CT!
Jonathan

I’ve sworn by Cliff bars since I started riding because they taste great and are easy to open above all, I used to pick them up from PBK or wiggle but they’ve not been offering them as of late, so hunted around and found that iherb.com sell them quite cheaply ~$1.50aud/bar - I’ve never gone with iHerb before but i saw they offer google purchase protection and tracked 2-4 day shipping with DHL express for $16 … so hopefully all goes well, i’ll check in with an update once everything arrives by early next week!
- dsf
  
  well done jonathon,… now shimano australia will get them blocked from sending them to australia…
  - Jonathan
    
    Not likely mate … implementation and enforcement costs don’t add up on factors such as profit and volume for the bars. It doesn’t make business sense to implement such a strategy when as the distributor you’re forgoing a small amount of ~$1.30 per bar on the back of light import volume.
    
    When looked at in contrast to the supply of their components the differential is minute. For example there is roughly a ~$120 difference on an ultegra cassette when bought here and overseas and at BEST a $2 differential on the bars…
    
    But on a serious note, Shimano are a bright bunch they’d have run many business case analysis models in making their decision to buy the right to distribute, so i’m almost entirely certain they’re aware of the retailers that provide goods in to the market they’re entering and factored that in to what they paid and the eventual price they’ll charge when the good goes to market.
    
    So rest easy!
    - dsf
      
      actually…. why do you think wiggle and pbk stopped sending them to australia? ask anyone who used to buy asics shoes from overseas and now can’t because asics australia monitor the various forums and get o.s. retailers blocked by the parent company from sending here. shimano australia are well known for enforcing their distributorship rights, and if they’re charging $3.90 a bar vs. $1.70 and all it takes is one phone call to clif to stop it, what do you think they’ll do?
      - RayG
        
        When you ‘distributorship rights’ you mean ‘anti-competitive practice rights’, don’t you?
      - http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
        
        From what I’ve been told for years, Clif Bar hasn’t been distributed or sold in Australia because of food and health regulations. I wouldn’t jump to conspiracy conclusions.
      - http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
        
        From what I’ve been told for years, Clif Bar hasn’t been distributed or
        sold in Australia because of food and health regulations. I wouldn’t
        jump to conspiracy conclusions @dsf
        
        Ian
        
        I hope you’re right CT. Unfortunately, like a lot of others I’ve noticed previous availability of Cliff and similar products disappearing from overseas sites over the last few months….now followed by Clif appearing in the AU market. I’ll walk the 100m to my local stockist tomorrow and see what they’re charging me for Clif bars.
        
        jules
        
        it’s an energy bar. if the price is inflated here, i’ll buy cheaper products - plenty available. mind you, i love almost any food - i love the taste of most energy bars.
        
        velocite
        
        I bought some Clif bars from my LBS a couple of days ago - delicious, and seemed to work also. But $4 each. And FWIW, I don’t think you need to be a conspiracy theorist to believe that Shimano would freeze out imports to support it’s own expensive distributors.
        
        Stef
        
        That is the best looking photograph that any powerbar has ever had.
        
        Adam
        
        I reserved judgement till tasting myself. In a word, awesome! These are the only packaged food I’ll take with me from now on. Tried the Oatmeal Raisin Walnut, so delicious and easy to eat. I’ve now sourced 4 other flavours. What’s your favorite Wade? I’ve bought them from two different retailers , $2.95 a bar at both. These were health food stores rather than LBS…
        
        http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
        
        Macadamia White Chocolate is the bomb
      - krashdavage
        
        Does that mean you can’t buy Shimano online o/s and have it shipped to Australia?
RayG

I bought a pair of Codes. When I got them home I found that I couldn’t get the cleat as far back as I could on the S-works they were intended to replace. The difference was about a centimetre. Quite a lot. They felt nice when I walked about the shop in them, though.
Steel

Nice, like many I’ve never found a decent tasting energy bar. Power bars taste like cat poos. Will be hitting up Bike Force docklands for some Clif bars shortly.
- Dubonab1ke
  
  FYI i tried the swisse energy bars, just cos they were there and i thought id’g give them a go….they really are gross…dried and compacted cow pats…..dont waste your money
PhotosofchickspleaseVeeral

God those shoes are ugly….
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  What??? Bite your tongue. I know a few of your teammates who would break your kneecaps for the comment!
Stef

Bont, now there’s a case of wtf. The Vaypor+ can be bought for $100 less in the UK then the price shown on this post. Now, try and get a pair from Aus and you will be a lucky one, as there is almost never any stock at any of their retailers. Now here’s an interesting twist, the oz market is so small that Bont needs a distributor to service a handful of retailers that have no stock. How do I know all this, well lets just say I tried hard to get a pair and it was impossible. So either these shoes are so awesome that you need to be Wiggo to own a pair, or the genius running the show needs to be fired.
- jules
  
  buy them from the UK then. (term for the day - “freight forwarder”)
  - 900Aero
    
    But isn’t Bont an Australian company? Why would they need a distributor?
    
    Last time I bought shoes I wanted to try the Bonts but could not find a retailer for love or money. Maybe I’m a fool but it was basically impossible to get their shoes. Perhaps they don’t care? The Aussie market may be smaller than the UK but we still spend a lot on bikes and related crap.
    - http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
      
      I should really know this, but I thought Bont was was founded in Finland and Steven Nemeth (the CEO) was just based in Sydney. Not so, as I just discovered: (from http://www.seekingmedia.com.au/news.php?newsid=2569)
      
      Bont was founded in 1975 in a Sydney backyard by Mr. Inze Bont. The company rapidly became the world’s leading brand in ice and inline speed skating (rollerblading). Not content with simply working with traditional methods, Inze continued to push the boundaries of design and development. This passion and experience in 2008 was directed towards the world of cycling developing a new concept for performance cycling shoes. During the cycling divisions short time it has rapidly become the preferred choice of some of the finest cyclists in the world including 8 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.
      
      Company founder and shoe engineer Mr Inze Bont from Sydney said “Having our shoes win some of the greatest cycling events in the world is a dream come true. Sunday, failing any disasters will cap off an incredible journey to date.”
  - Stef
    
    Thanks Jules, maybe I can buy them of you?
TeeHDee

Although not used whilst riding I have wrapped my laughing gear around one of the Clif Crunchy Peanut Butter bars. I give them 2 thumbs up for taste and it alleviated my mid afternoon hunger.
Devin

US rider here- be aware that all those ClifBars have a good amount of processed soy- it gives me wicked GI issues for the rest of the day. They had a bar called the Pan Forte for a little while that was the cats meow- no soy, awesome spiced flavor, good texture, but they stopped producing it! Anyhow- if you’re just getting ClifBars, enjoy! Unless you have a soy sensitivity- then beware. Also, enjoy living in OZ- I get one more month of sunshine then it’s back to Portland piss.
Scott

I had the first generation Bont A1 and they were simply too stiff for my feet. They fit like a glove though, just hurt after a couple of hours on the bike, particularly on race day if it was hot. Don’t know if the vaypor fixed those problems.
I run a prologo scratch and it is great, not sure about the non slip bit though.
- velocite
  
  I got some Bont Vaypor XC’s a few months ago - took a local retailer months to get my 44.5 size. They were something of a revelation, the lightweight and the total stiffness, felt very powerful. But despite having them in the oven several times and poking about with a screw driver handle to relieve pressure points, in the end my feet said enough so I bought some SIDIs. Anyone want some near new Vaypor XC’s? If your feet are not like mine they could be great.
Steve G

Right… I’m in Tassie, how the f*#k do I even attempt to get a hold of those Bont shoes!? No local dealer and the online store only has stock of sizes to fit a polar bear.
scottmanning

Re discussons of buying OS…
I used to be there, but then I got to know my LBS owner. The prices he gives me now are so close to online prices it’s a no brainer. The only thing I buy online now are clinchers (he supplies my tubs) becasue he doesn’t stock the ones I want. The extra I pay is repaid in spades in many ways. Eg; brake something the afternoon before race day and need it fixed then and there? He’ll fit it in, over time if he has to. Having a small issue with a component? He’ll fix it there and then, no charge.

I’m not going to get onto the soap box about it but seriously, find a good LBS and get to know them (<-that's the key part), build a reliationship and quit buying OS. It's a two way street.
- Steve G
  
  I buy all my stuff from the LBS; local support is even more important in Tassie IMO. Small businesses here really struggle.
  
  … but I have to source those shoes online unfortunately, and the Australian distributor doesn’t have a lot of stock or sizes and is somewhat unable to respond to emails.
  Sometimes doing it all via the LBS isn’t practical.
Andrew

Just to let the readers know, Schwalbe is coming out with a tubless/tubular/clincher tire called “the one” which is only slightly heavier than the Ultremo but has lower rolling resistance and more durability.