Sometimes life gets in the way of training (and writing). Two weeks ago we spent the better part of the week in Texas, and this week at least one of our editors seems to have come down with a spring cold. But training must go on, and so does the review process!
This week we shared our review of the Smith Overtake MIPS helmet. Last week we reviewed both the Park Tool MT-20 as well as our year with TrainerRoad. Oh, and don’t forget that we also took a look at the Catlike Cloud 352 aero road helmet.
For those just visiting AeroGeeks.com for the first time, one of our favorite ways to showcase our readers is our Readers’ Rides album on Facebook. You can check out our entire collection at http://on.fb.me/12jEqE3. If you would like to have your bike featured in our album, just tweet us at @AeroGeeks, Facebook message us, get us on Instagram, or email us at info@AeroGeeks.com. Don’t forget to also follow #agreadersrides on Instagram as well!
The Past Two Weeks
This Week – Smith Overtake MIPS – Review
Last Week – Our Year with TrainerRoad – A Review, Catlike Cloud 352 – First Look, Park Tool MT-20 – Review
Look Keo Blade 2 Signature Series
For those looking to celebrate some of their favorite peloton riders, LOOK is offering the Kéo Blade 2 Signature Series pedals in the colors of Peter Sagan and Alberto Contador.
We reviewed the Kéo Blade 2’s last year and came away saying “there are always some products that we beg the company to keep—even if that means we end up paying out of our own pocket for them. With their increased stability, precise engagement, and aerodynamic design the Look Kéo Blade 2s definitely fall into that category.” And we have to say we really like the look of the Peter Sagan edition.
New Pinarello Bolide TT
Mikel Landa will ride Sunday’s stage nine time trial at the Giro d’Italia on the all-new Pinarello Bolide TT. The new frame is significantly lighter than the outgoing Bolide, with 350 grams shaved from the frame’s weight, and aerodynamic drag has been drastically reduced by a whole host of cutting-edge revisions.
Featuring a new concave down tube that reduces turbulence in an essential area of the frame, a sloping top tube that helps to optimize the bike’s aerodynamic profile, and a new rear brake cover derived from the aeronautical industry – the new Bolide TT is Team SKY’s new weapon in the quest for the fastest race machines available.
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
This week Garmin introduced its latest multisport watch – the 735XT. The new watch boasts 24/7 heart rate monitoring and built-in activities including running, cycling, swimming, multisport, hiking, XC skiing, strength training, paddle sports and cardio. The new watch follows the design of the Fenix (and losing the rectangular face of the 910xt and 920xt).
Connect IQ™ compatible, the Forerunner 735XT is the first device to come with the Strava Live Suffer Score app pre-installed so users can track how hard they have been working based on heart rate data. Users can download additional free custom apps, watch faces, data fields and widgets from the Connect IQ store to further customize the Forerunner 735XT.
With Elevate wrist heart rate technology, the Forerunner 735XT offers users 24/7 heart rate monitoring without the need for an additional strap. For advanced running dynamics and other detailed measurements, users can add a chest strap during training and receive data including stride length, ground contact time balance, vertical ratio and more.
Additional built-in activities include cycling, swimming, multisport, hiking, XC skiing, strength training, paddle sports, and cardio. Water rated 5 ATM (50 meters), the Forerunner 735XT has battery life of up to 14 hours in training mode and 11 days in watch mode. It is available in black and gray or midnight blue and frost blue for $449.99. It’s also available in a run bundle (includes HRM-Run) for $499.99 and tri-bundle (includes HRM-Tri and HRM-Swim) for $599.99.
While we haven’t gotten a chance to check out the 735XT in person, lucky for us, Ray at DCRainMaker has. You can check out his full review here.
Current Reviews
Bontrager Ballista Kit
The Bontrager Ballista kit is for those looking for the fastest road kit out there. And while speed is the goal, based on our few rides, comfort was not sacrificed. Whether we were in a more road position or TT position, the chamois and kit were good to go the distance.
Giant Rivet
We had our first ride in the Rivet this week and our first impression is that this is definitely a helmet that runs on the small size. We are riding with a size M that historically worked for us across other brands, but with the Rivet just barely fit. That being said, when we had it on the road, even though it’s an aero road helmet, it was plenty cool enough for TT intervals.
The Feed Zone Cookbook
We cooked our first recipe from the Feed Zone Cookbook this week. We tried out the white beans and chicken featuring 39g of protein and just 425 calories – the meal was great right from the first Sunday night we made it and later in the week for post workout leftovers.
