Gear Break: Giro Eclipse Spherical Helmet, GCN Castelli Equipment, Shimano Energy Meter Improve, Fara Frameset, Zealios Private Care & KASK Tour Helmet

Gear Break: Giro Eclipse Spherical helmet, GCN Castelli pro team kit, Shimano releases Force Vector upgrade for Dura-Ace R9200 and Ultegra R8100 power meters, Thor Hushovd receives new Fara Cycling F/RD signature series bike, Zealios: Complete range of personal care products and KASK Valegro ‘Tour de France’ – official product for La Grande Boucle 2022.

Giro Eclipse Spherical Helmet – $250

Giro’s newest helmet was released at the beginning of March, but because of worldwide supply chain issues, it took until now for PEZ to get its hands on one. For those of y’all who still can’t find one at your LBS, consider this a sneak preview of sorts.

Specs:

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: First generation aero helmets had one thing in common: not a lot of (if any) ventilation. But the newest aero helmets are both aero and vented. According Giro, the new Eclipse Spherical:

• is the fastest road helmet and coolest aero road helmet in the peloton.
• makes zero compromises in cooling, comfort, or style as it introduces a new standard in speed.
• is the fastest road helmet we’ve tested.

I can’t verify these claims, but do think the Giro Eclipse Spherical is a pretty cool (no pun intended) looking helmet — especially compared to first generation aero helmets, which looked borderline dorky, i.e., more like skateboard helmets, IMHO. The overall shape is sleek, which befits a helmet that’s supposed to efficiently slice through air.

It’s not yet the dog days of summer with sweltering heat and humidity here in Babylon on the Potomac, but the days are pretty consistently in the 80s(F) — and some up into the 90s. On my head, the Giro Eclipse Spherical hasn’t been cause for concern, i.e., feeling too hot. Not air conditioning, but the large vents and deep channeling on the inside provide air flow to help keep you cooler.

I generally wear a size medium when it comes to helmets and that was also the case for the Giro Eclipse Spherical. But pay attention to sizing and try before you buy, if you can. My head measurement is at the upper end of small and the lower end of medium per Giro’s sizing. The size medium both fits me and sits on my head better. Meaning low enough to protect my forehead, but not so low that it interferes with wearing sunglasses.

I’m of Filipino ethnic heritage (so Asian) and Asian heads are typically more round than oval. Giro doesn’t specify if the shape of the Eclipse Spherical is round or oval, but it fit my head comfortably. The twist-to-fit Roc Loc allowed me to snug the fit up to keep the helmet in place without it binding or constricting.

So far, what I’ve described is what you’d want/expect of any road helmet costing you $250. What makes the Eclipse Spherical different is the “spherical” part. You may have noticed the yellow MIPS sticker in the above photo. But if you look at the inside of the helmet, you won’t see a yellow MIPS liner.

Instead of separate liner to provide rotational impact protection, the Eclipse Spherical uses what Giro calls ball-and-socket technology (powered by MIPS), “which allows the helmet’s outer EPS foam liner to rotate around the inner foam liner during a crash to help redirect impact forces away from the brain.” Instead of the helmet being a single piece of EPS foam, it’s actually two pieces that can move independently of each other, which is the essence of MIPS technology. I was able to hold the outer shell of the helmet and wiggle the inner shell as proof.

No yellow MIPS liner — instead “powered by MIPS” technology

Of course, I hope I never have to test the efficacy of Giro’s Spherical technology, but it’s good to see more and more manufacturers incorporating additional protection for rotational impact. I’ll be interested to see if Giro submits the Eclipse Spherical to Virginia Tech for their helmet testing and how it ends up getting rated.

Those of us old enough will remember the original Giro Air Attack that Greg Lemond wore when he won the 1989 Tour de France. It was a helmet I (and a lot of other roadies and racers) wore. Back then, it was state of the art. Fast forward more than 30 years and I think it’s fair to say that the Giro Eclipse Spherical has reintroduced state of the art.

GCN Castelli Pro Team Kit – Available NOW!

SHIMANO Releases Force Vector Upgrade for Dura-Ace R9200 and Ultegra R8100 Power Meters

Enhancing Shimano power meter technology, a new firmware update released via the E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist application reveals hidden features and functionality for Shimano’s Dura-Ace FC-R9200P and Ultegra FC-R8100P power meters. Known as Force Vector, this new firmware measures the direction and strength of pedaling force through the full crank rotation. This can be visualized in real time on Shimano’s E-TUBE RIDE phone app, on a Garmin Edge with Shimano’s own IQ App, or on a Wahoo ELEMNT head unit.

Force data is displayed and recorded at 12 points throughout the crank rotation (every 30 degrees), on both left and right crank arms, and is transmitted with every rotation of the pedal. Depending on cadence, approximately 10,000 force measurements are recorded by the crankset and transmitted to a head unit every minute. This information is easily visualized in real time with a diagram on the head unit that displays forward rotation forces show in blue while reverse rotation forces show in red.

Using force vector information in training, riders can identify inefficiencies in their pedal rotation, which can lead to better training methods and specific work toward increasing riding efficiency over time.

In addition to the live Force Vector display on compatible head units, riders can also examine and analyze their full data after completing their ride using SHIMANO CONNECT Lab via a connection to Garmin Connect, the Wahoo ELEMNT app, or the E-TUBE RIDE app.

Within CONNECT Lab, riders can see the force applied throughout crank rotations and also see which portions of their ride required more power and how efficiently they produced that power. Additionally, SHIMANO CONNECT Lab shows how much of the ride was in a sitting or standing position, and how many front and rear gear shifts were performed during the ride. Together, these training tools enable riders to improve performance and increase efficiency for a stronger and more enjoyable ride experience.

Firmware is available from SHIMANO E-TUBE Project.

For more on Force Vector firmware, including display set-up and transferring ride data to SHIMANO CONNECT Lab, please visit the SHIMANO Power Meter Technology page for your region:

Compatible display devices:

• E-TUBE RIDE Version 2.0 or later
• GARMIN: Edge 1030, Edge 1030 Plus, Edge 1000, Edge 830, Edge 820, Edge 530, Edge 520 Plus, Edge 520* (Edge 520 only supports recording Force Vector, not displaying in real time)
• WAHOO: ELEMNT BOLT, ELEMNT ROAM, ELEMNT

Thor Hushovd Receives New Fara Cycling F/RD Signature Series Bike

Former world road race champion Thor Hushovd has this week received his new Signature Series F/RD from the Oslo-based, adventure-focused Norwegian bike brand, Fara Cycling. Hushovd, a Fara Cycling brand ambassador himself, received his bike in Monaco, delivered in person by Fara’s founder Jeff Webb.

Hushovd’s new Signature Series F/RD is a special limited edition colourway of the yet to launch F/RD frameset, one which features his own signature. The bike was made available to a small number of customers of the F/RD bike during the pre-order phase.

The F/RD itself is Fara’s race-ready, performance road bike that’s designed with adventure in mind. The lightweight carbon frame features aero-optimised Airfoil tube shaping across the head-tube, down-tube, seat-tube and seat-stays. While the wide-stance aero-optimised fork legs reduce airflow pressure around the wheel for drag-reduction.

The frame weighs in at under 900g for a size 54cm making it a lightweight racey option but with endurance perks. Curved seat stays add vertical compliance and therefore more comfort, while increased tyre clearance allows for up to 32mm tyres to be fitted meaning you can easily turn off the tarmac and explore.

Hushovd, who has been involved with the Norwegian brand since its inception said of his new Fara F/RD: “I’m really impressed by the design of the new bike. Compared to the previous model the handling and responsiveness is much improved and it looks great as well which is, of course, important. In the rides I’ve done so far the power transfer feels very efficient when sprinting and climbing, and it’s a sharp descender too. Now I just need to get some more riding in!”

With a closet full of Tour de France Green and Yellow jerseys and even the coveted Rainbow Jersey, Thor Hushovd is a man who needs little introduction. Winning the UCI World Road Race Championships in 2010 gave him the honour of wearing the Rainbow stripes for the rest of his career.

Since his retirement, Hushovd has shifted his focus to entrepreneurship and has been a key figure in Fara Cycling’s development since its early days. His leadership and achievements have served as an inspiration for the brand and a vital component in the development of the F/RD as it stands today.

“Thor’s input over the past few years has been invaluable in helping with the development of the frames as they are today,” explained Fara Cycling founder, Jeff Webb. “To have a rider of his prestige on the bike and truly enjoying riding it is a great seal of approval on all of the hard work across R&D and design hours making not just the F/RD but the F/AR and F/GR bikes special. We can’t wait for our customers to receive theirs now too.”

Hushovd’s Signature Series F/RD is a size 56cm and features a SRAM Red AXS 2x12s Groupset, Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels and his personal choice of Zipp finishing kit and Fizik saddle.

What’s more, Fara Cycling committed to donating one Buffalo Bicycle for each of the Signature Series F/RD frames sold, resulting in 20 bikes being donated through World Bicycle Relief.

• Former World Champion Hushovd ambassador for the Norwegian bike brand
• Fara Cycling Founder Jeff Webb delivers bike to Hushovd in Monaco
• Hushovd to ride Signature Series F/RD
• One Buffalo Bicycle donated through World Bicycle Relief for every Signature Series F/RD frame sold
• Customers can purchase the F/RD either as frame-only or built up to your own specification from a range of groupset, wheel and finishing kit choices on the Fara Cycling website. Find out more about the Fara F/RD here.

Zealios: Complete Range of Personal Care Products

KASK Valegro ‘Tour de France’ – Official Product for La Grande Boucle 2022
For the 2022 edition of the Tour de France, KASK presents a 3,328-piece limited run of their popular Valegro, decorated with a unique graphic and its own progressive number on the rear.

The Tour de France is the world’s most revered and followed multi-stage cycle race. Its winners are guaranteed a place in history as an all-time cycling great. Witnessing seven victories from four different athletes, there is every right to celebrate such a success in a special way. Helping drive team Sky, now Ineos Grenadiers, towards victory by supplying helmets to the team’s athletes including Bradley Wiggins (2012), Chris Froome (2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017), Geraint Thomas (2018) and Egan Bernal (2019), all of whom have sported the yellow jersey on the Champs-Élysées, the Italian company celebrates the extraordinary run of victories by creating a limited edition Valegro ‘Tour De France’, the official helmet for the Tour de France in 2022.

3,328 Kilometres of Unique History
The Valegro was originally created for the 2017 Tour. Designed to be lightweight and super-ventilated, it provides maximum air flow during the hot and humid July days on the climbs through the Alps and Pyrenees. This year, as an official Tour de France 2022 product, the new Valegro Tour de France offers a unique graphic with a special meaning. Seven parallel yellow lines follow one another across a white helmet, forming a road representing the seven historic Tour victories the riders have achieved wearing KASK.

Together with the KASK and Tour de France logos, the 3,328 truly unique pieces, one for every kilometre of the 2022 race, include a progressive number printed on the back. Owners of each helmet will have their very own personal kilometre of this year’s race.

Maximum Ventilation, Minimum Weight
The Valegro offers optimum thermo-ventilation performance, thanks to its 37 ventilation holes. With its incredible lightness, weighing in at only 180 grams (size S), it features internal Resistex® Carbon lining, which is antistatic, breathable and quick-drying, guaranteeing maximum breathability and comfort.

The limited edition model will be available worldwide in sizes S to L, except in Australia where only sizes M and L will be on sale.

Note: PEZCyclingNews ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper / safe use, handling, maintenance and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.

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