Gear for the Big Ring
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This week we are bringing you goods for the big ring. Yes, put it in the 53-tooth (or 58 tooth if you’re Tony Martin) and get your legs turning with the following gear.
ZIPP SL SPEED STEM. The SL Speed uses SRAM’s Exogram technology used to make RED cranks. At 123 grams for a 100mm, the carbon SL Speed still exceeds Zipp’s very stringent stiffness standards. Zipp uses an aluminum faceplate for added stiffness and Ti bolts to shave a few more grams. It’s available in 70mm to 120mm lengths and +/- 6 degrees. $265; zipp.com
VELOTOZE. Made of latex, these covers are lightweight, waterproof, windproof and aerodynamic. They stretch over your shoe, leaving the cleat exposed and as long as the latex top of the bootie is against your skin, they are essentially waterproof. They are not as durable as traditional booties, but if you put them on with care and don’t crash, they will last all winter long. VeloToze makes tall booties, short versions and even toe covers. They have a new latex helmet cover too.
$18 (tall), $15 (short), $13 (toe cover); velotoze.com
FITBIT BLAZE. Racers invert the traditional goals of those who wear activity trackers: “How few steps can I get?” Unless you are on the bike training, you should have your feet up. The new FitBit Blaze puts an activity tracker in a stylish, more ref ined package that is incredibly robust. It tracks the usual—steps, sleep, app connectivity—but adds heart rate, GPS, activity recognition, text, call alerts and, perhaps most importantly, integrates with Strava. The touch screen is bright and customizable and the Luxe version with stainless-steel links says “baller” in a way the usual rubber trackers do not. $200–$230; fitbit.com
PRAXIS ZAYANTE 4IIII POWER METER. Forget heart rate and speed, watts are what counts, but watts can be expensive. Praxis has partnered with 4iiii Innovations to create Zayante + Power, a left-side-only 4iiii Precision power meter mated to Praxis hollow-forged Zayante cranks. Compatible with all three major component manufacturers, this is as inexpensive as a quality crank with power metering gets. The 4iiii Precision uses both ANT+ and Bluetooth smart signals, making it compatible with a majority of head units.
$500; praxiscycles.com