We've stocked up on sunscreen and are all set for the heatwave this week, which won't stop us getting out and testing some of the latest bikes, gear and tech of course! Here's the pick of the pile this week...
Scicon Aerotech sunglasses
£215.00
Scicon off of bags have been slowly but surely extending their range to include clothing and accessories recently, also launching a saddle and a pair of bib shorts last year. The Italian-made lenses offer a wide field of vision and are photochromatic, so suitable for most light conditions. Scicon's Flexi Fit temples and adjustable tips are coated in thermoplastic elastomer material to ensure they're wrapped securely around your head, and there's also some ventilation between the frame and lenses to reduce fog and increase airflow. Worth the big price tag? Stu Kerton will be telling us if he thinks so in his full test report, coming soon.
sciconbags.com
Van Rysel RR 900 jersey
£39.99
Decathlon's new fancy-sounding bike and apparel line is still offering very appealing value for money, with this performance jersey coming in at a price quite a bit lower from equivalents from various other brands. It's designed for racing with an ergonomic and close-fitting cut, and mesh inserts for better cooling and sweat wicking. There are also four pocks at the back, one of which has a zipper for valuables. Is it up there with the best performance jerseys for less? Stu will be delivering his verdict soon.
decathlon.co.uk
Pearson Once More Unto the Breach single speed
£839.99
It's name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but Pearson claim their Once More Unto the Breach single speed will roll nicely during your commute thanks to a lightweight alloy frame paired with a carbon fork and the simple design. With space for mudguards and fittings for racks and panniers, it's touted as a smooth and comfortable bike that is also highly practical for chugging around town. Does it ride as smooth as it looks though? Find out in Mat Lamy's review in early August.
pearsoncycles.co.uk
Bouh SR600 Alarm and Light Founders Edition
£125.00
A light and a security system wrapped in one, the SR600 has an anti-theft alarm system that turns on when the torch is unmounted – "a simple solution that makes safeguarding your bicycle easy and stress-free", say Bouh. There's no need to charge the alarm as it charges itself from the light, and should a thief try to take off with your bike they will be greeted with a 120dB siren. The light kicks out 600 lumens with five modes and delivers up to 10 hours of run time, Each torch has a unique serial number that pairs it to the alarm that it came with, with the electronic connection making it safe from cyber attacks. A handy two-in-one that gives you piece of mind and a decent beam? The verdict is due in early August...
bouh.co.uk
Cycology Logo bib shorts
£70.00
These are Cycology's staple bib shorts in a plain black colourway with a heat-pressed logo on the leg for mixing and matching with any jersey colour. They offer body-contoured panel construction for superior comfort and fit, with laser-cut elasticised grippers on the leg cuffs to stop them riding up. The durable fabric has a four way stretch that Cycology say offers plenty of moisture wicking for hot days. How do they compare to the competition? Find out in James Whatley's review later next week.
cycologygear.co.uk
For all the latest road.cc test reports, head over to our reviews section. If you want some more advice before splashing the cash, check out our buyer's guides.
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7 comments
Singlespeed road bikes always seem to come in overpriced, and overweight! When I was last in the market I was looking forward to buying something cheap and light, but usually came up against £800+ bikes in the 10-11kg bracket. Basic steel frames and/or cheap disc brake setups seemed the major culprits.
Eventually found a Charge Plug (RRP £500 but on sale for £350) which with some judicial pruning and mudguards fitted comes in at around 10kg.
If I were in the market again, and it was light enough (and maybe on sale...), I might have been tempted by the Pearson, at least it has clearances for 28s.
The main reason you don't see many disc brake single speeds is because it complicates tensioning the chain.
And regarding finding a single speed with good tyre clearance, it looks like the 8bar FHAIN V4 (not yet available, but you can find information of it if you Google it) offers clearance for 32 mm tyres, and likely for cheaper than this Pearson. I'm definitely considering going for it when it's available, since it's a really nice looking and practical fixed gear at a reasonable price. Makes a difference from the usual choice of cheap and heavy, or expensive and impractical.
That and the hub is specialised - must have disc and lockring or similar. I know a few people who have retro-fitted Pinnacles and Genesis disc frames meant for SS or Alfine, but it's not a cheap option. Very rare to have a frame that does that out of the box - All City Nature Boy is one, but it is effectively a SS-CX frame.
If you want to see a seriously over-priced steel fixie, check this out.
A Kona Paddywagon will fit up to 32mm tyres or 28mm with mudguards. I got one second hand, it's a brilliant commuter and is under 11kg with the mudguards. The Paddywagon is all steel including fork so you'd hope that this alloy and carbon Pearson is a fair bit lighter, especially at that cost!
For a brief, exciting moment I thought the Pearson was Ti.... But yeah that's a bit much. I bought a Pinnacle Flyer on sale for £500 18months ago, new price 750 and frankly the parts were a bit crap all in all. Have changed wheels, bars, seat, stem. Cranks I kept because they are 165mm which they got right. Really like it and it will last for yonks but not great value all in all. I would probaly buy a Brother and build from scratch next time (but that will be about 2028 given how reliable a steel fixie is!) If I wasn't bothered with practicality it would be a Dolan alloy, sharp and cheap.
That Pearson is very ugly and looks to be pretty terrible value too. For much cheaper you could buy a bike fitted with equally questionable no-name components, or for the same price you could get a really nice fixed gear / single speed with much better finishing kit...
Agreed, I clicked the link thinking it was going to be in the £5-600 range, £799 seems like a huge amount for a single speed, it's not like it has any particularly exciting parts or cool looking aero wheels.