Cyclist
In the Drops: Quoc and Pas Normal Studios/Fizik shoes, Restrap hydration vest, Albion pocket jersey, Maap shorts and playlist #20
Every time I come to write my In the Drops I can’t shift Rebecca Black from my head, so let’s just crack on.
It’s been a good week of #content here at Cyclist as we’ve kept things ticking over while the next issue of the magazine got polished off.
We’ve had reviews of Shimano 105 Di2, the Temple Adventure Gravel Disc all-road bike and the new Zwift Ride smart bike/frame.
We published a great gallery of pictures from the first Tour of Britain Women courtesy of Pete Goding, and we’ve also been gearing up for the Tour de France with some key takeaways from the Dauphiné, plus updates to our pro team bikes guide and sponsors deep-dive, and staff writer Ewan found a treasure trove of weird pro cycling merch.
Some good stuff from the magazines hit the .co.uk too, such as the story of Bernard Hinault’s dominant victory at a very frozen Liège-Bastogne-Liège, plus the last in our team staff series, which features EF’s social media guru, Julia Dowd.
The latest episode of the Cyclist Magazine Podcast came out too, featuring Factor Bikes owner Rob Gitelis, who was great to speak too, and if you ever get the chance to chat with him off the record I’d recommend taking the opportunity.
Now onto the products.
Quoc M3 Air shoes
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If anyone has kept up with my In the Drops editions, you’ll be well aware I’m a big fan of Quoc shoes. However I’d only ever tried the gravel shoes before. So when tech editor Sam Challis asked me if I wanted to test this brand new pair of Quoc road shoes I was very excited.
These aren’t just any shoes though, the M3 Airs are Quoc’s first foray into the big time as they’re being worn by Geraint Thomas this season, including on his way to the podium at the Giro d’Italia. Not a bad start to life in the WorldTour.
The upper is made from TPU, with mesh panels to help get air – yes, it’s in the name – in and out of the shoes, so while they won’t be best suited to winter riding, they wipe clean very easily should you get caught out. Or just wear overshoes.
Clik here to view.
They feature two of Quoc’s proprietary dials, which are easy to adjust on the go and help spread pressure across the foot, with a wrap closure that slots down the side of the foot to prevent pinching and has extra ventilation holes on the lower layer and on the side of the shoes.
All that, plus the unidirectional carbon fibre sole, makes them lightweight – Quoc claims an EU42 shoe weighs 232g.
It helps that they look great too.
- Buy now from Quoc (£320)
Pas Normal Studios/Fizik Mechanism shoes
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It’s a double shoe day, and this pair is surprisingly not white. These are the new collaboration between Pas Normal Studios and Fizik and are quite different to the Quocs.
They feature lots of Fizik technology including the R2 carbon sole, which is the stiffest Fizik makes – and you can tell when you put them on. The upper has PU laminate sitting over a mesh, so these will cope a fair bit better with downpours but still have plenty of ventilation for most rides.
Clik here to view.
The dials are the classic Boa Li2s and the closure is a traditional tongue system. Pas Normal says the cleat positioning is further back than most shoes to help improve pedalling efficiency and reduce knee compression. The brand claims a size 42.5 shoe (I know, bit difficult) weighs 227g.
I wore them for our most recent Big Ride up Monte Grappa and they held up nicely.
- Buy now from Pas Normal Studios (£390)
Restrap Race Hydration Vest
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Now we enter the long distance segment, starting with this new hydration pack from Leeds manufacturer Restrap. Built for maximum functionality and ease of use, the Race Hydration Vest comes with a 2-litre bladder, expandable zip pockets front and back, mesh pockets front and back, and plenty of adjustability.
It’s secured with two buckles on the front, which can be adjusted to fit; the positioning of the drinking tube is adjustable too, and the end attaches to a magnet, meaning it’s very easy to pick up for a drink and pop back on afterwards.
Clik here to view.
It’s made with waterproof fabrics and features plenty of reflective details for riding in any conditions at any time of day. The mesh pockets can fit extra bottles and there are carabiner attachments to stick anything else you might need on.
I tested it out at RideLondon last month and with the bladder combined with two 750ml bottles, I didn’t need to fill up at all until I crossed the line at Tower Bridge, which was a total of about 113 miles including my ride to the start, and I easily stuffed my raincoat into the rear pocket when the sun came out.
- Buy now from Restrap (£139.99)
Albion Traverse jersey
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The new Traverse jersey from Albion is also made for long-distance riding and multi-day adventures, though obviously using it for a short ride is also fine.
It features lots of ventilation under the armpits and down the sides of the torso to suit warm weather riding and fits closely but comfortably.
Clik here to view.
The big takeaway is the pockets though, as there are six of them! There’s your three classic rear pockets, a zip pocket on the side of those, a zip pocket on the chest, and a mesh pocket underneath the row of three at the back to stuff in a jacket, gloves or anything else that can sit safely without a secure closure.
It’s an interesting proposition considering the trend in recent years has been to move as much out of the jersey pockets as possible, but when you need to carry days’ worth of essentials plus all the niceties of a good ride, you can never have enough space.
And because it’s Albion it’s made with lots of recycled materials in all areas. The jersey complies with the Global Recycled Standard, a voluntary standard that requires certification of the content, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions.
- Buy now from Albion (£135)
Maap Alt_Road overshorts
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This last product is more off-piste. These are Maap’s new Alt_Road overshorts, the latest in the Australian brand’s off-road pursuits, though, again, if you wear them on a road no one will be upset.
They’re made with nylon and elastane and have a four-way stretch and ripstop to keep them both comfy and durable. They’re thin and have a slim fit but they’re plenty baggy to sit nicely on top of the Alt_Road Liner bib – which Maap recommends – while also looking like nice off-bike shorts.
Clik here to view.
They have plenty of pockets with deep open ones at the front and zipped ones at the side that are easy to access while riding, and they’re adjustable with an elasticated waistband and dual-sided buckles to secure it at the right size.
When summer finally arrives I reckon I’ll use these for commuting too.
- Buy now from Maap (£155)
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What we’re into this week: playlist #20
I would’ve used this space for the Euros, but England aren’t going to win so I’ll save my blushes.
The 20th edition of my In the Drops new music playlist and while it’s not been my biggest period of seeking new stuff, there is plenty of excellent songs to go around.
My highlights include new music from Zach Bryan, Maggie Rogers, Wallows, Clairo and Kings of Leon, a farewell from The Magic Gang, and Kendrick Lamar’s knockout blow in his beef with Drake.
There’s also the return of the artist formerly known as Easy Life, under their new guise, Hard Life.
Stick it on shuffle and enjoy.
- Listen to In the Drops #20 on Spotify
- Check out all my In the Drops playlists
The post In the Drops: Quoc and Pas Normal Studios/Fizik shoes, Restrap hydration vest, Albion pocket jersey, Maap shorts and playlist #20 appeared first on Cyclist.