It's nearly the end of the working week, so everyone stop talking, get your exercise books out, and take note of the shiny new road cycling and mountain biking gear that we at BikeRadar have got our mitts on. That's right kids, it's Friday Five-a-side time.
New road cycling gear
Knog Blinder USB lights
Knog's lights have always found favour with the shaven-legged among us. There's no messing with permanent mounts and they're good looking too, not something you can take for granted with what is essentially dorky safety gear. The Blinder 1s use a single LED and are both tiny and remarkably visible. Their claimed output is 20 lumens but, if you need more firepower, the Blinder 4s quadruple that. Both versions come in fronts and rears and use the company's trademark rubber strap mounts – and charge by plugging directly into a USB port.Blinder 1 front or rear £21.99 / US$29.95 / AU$29.95
Blinder 4 front or rear £34.99 / US$44.99 / AU54.95
www.todayscyclist.co.uk / www.knog.com.au
Hope Road Stainless Bottom Bracket
Not everyone gets excited by bottom brackets… but we do, so sit still and listen. Hope's reputation in the mountain bike world is unimpeachable and there's a guilty pleasure to be had in offending purists by fitting their components to road bikes. This 'gunsmoke' stainless steel number doesn't come cheap, but my is it ever pretty.£80 / US$119.99
Park, M:Part, Pedro's and Birzman multitools
You can never have too many multitools, so it's a good week when four turn up at once. All of these have chain tools and more allen keys than you can shake a stick at. A special shout out goes to the tiny M:Part, which includes a Hollowtech II pre-load cap tool – why didn't we think of that?Park Tool I-Beam 3 £19.99 / US$26.95
M:Part 13 function £29.99 / US$TBC
www.madison.co.uk / www.parktool.com
Pedro's ICM multitool £27.99 / US$30
www.2pure.co.uk / www.pedros.com
Birzman Feexman Cicada Carbon £39.99 / $USTBC
www.i-ride.co.uk / www.birzman.com
Bioracer Spitfire Winter Jacket
Belgian company Bioracer is no stranger to innovation, and its kit has been worn to numerous national and world titles by the likes of Tony Martin and Marianne Vos. The Spitfure jacket uses its new Pixel fabric which, as shown above, reflects light in a manner that's quite startling. Under ambient light it appears unremarkable, but in the glare of car headlights (or a camera flash) it positively glows. We're impressed.£TBC / US$TBC / €149
Genesis Equilibrium Disc 20
The Genesis Equilibrium has found a place in the crusty heart of many a British roadie, admired for its cheerful versatility and retro styling. We really like the look of this new disc version, the 20, which gets the latest 11 speed Shimano 105 groupset and TRP's excellent hydraulic/mechanic hybrid Hy/Rd brakes.£1499 / US$N/A
New mountain bike gear
Ass Savers Wide mudguard
We were sceptical when Ass Savers first appeared on the scene but we have to acknowledge they have their uses – they're not a substitute for full mudguards, but they do keep the worst of the spray off your rear, and they're awfully convenient. Ass Savers has now released a fat tyre version of its signature product, which we imagine will be of particular interest to those whose mountain bikes do double duty as commuters.£7.20 / US$12
Birzman 1/2" Digital Torque Adapter
What do you get the mechanic who has everything? A digital torque adapter of course! This neat little unit from Birzman fits inline with a 1/2" socket and ensures you won't break anything. With a range of 40-200N·m it's only going to be useful for bottom brackets and the like, but we do love a workshop toy.£54.99 / US$TBC
www.i-ride.co.uk / www.birzman.com
Bliss ARG 1.0 LD 12l backpack
The latest from body armour specialists Bliss, this backpack offers a cavernous 12l of storage and all the features you could possibly want – there's back protection, a bladder compartment, various internal pockets and separate sets of loops for both your helmet and your knee pads. Bliss by name…£124.99 / US$189.90
Endura Singletrack helmet
Endura's latest headcase has generous vents, lots of adjustment, and comes in four tasteful colours. Better yet, if you're unlucky enough to put its safety certification to the test, Endura will give you 50 percent off a new lid. Assuming you survive, that is.£69.99 / US$N/A
Marzocchi 350 CR fork
Marzocchi's latest entry into the enduro market features the company's spangly Gold Race Coating on the stanchions and 160mm of travel, which can be adjusted internally down to 150 or 140mm. Naturally it's 27.5in only, with a tapered steerer and a 15mm axle.
£TBC / US$769
