Gear Break: fizik Vento Antares R3 Adaptive 3D-printed saddle, Ekoï Perf HEAT CONCEPT 5 heated gloves, CHAPTER2 Bikes: Lets get bizarre on KAHA TJ, CORE 2 unveiled: Smaller, smarter, and constructed to rework efficiency monitoring, Q36.5: How chilly is it proper now? And the preferred FESTKA bikes in 2024 on social media.
fizik Vento Antares R3 Adaptive 3D-Printed Saddle
A flexible saddle designed with a low-profile, tapered nose-to-wing transition, and Adaptive 3D-printed padding to supply consolation in each driving place.
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: Fifty years in the past I had a Brooks leather-based saddle on a borrowed Carlton race bike, from there I went on to a Cinelli Unicanitor saddle, which had a bit little bit of padding. Saddles have modified lots since then and now we’ve got 3D-printed saddles. What subsequent?
I’ve principally been driving Selle Italia saddles and aside for making an attempt a fizik Aliante about 20 years in the past, I’ve caught to what I do know fits me. The considered utilizing one thing totally different was a bit daunting. Measuring the Antares, the scale are similar to the Selle Italia SLR, barely longer and about the identical size because the Flite. So possibly nothing to fret about… Let’s discover out. I needed to make one adjustment, I had set the space from the nostril of the saddle to the centre of the deal with bars, the identical because the SLR, nevertheless it felt too far again. I moved it ahead by a couple of centimetre, which felt good. When remeasuring, the space from the again of the fizik Antares to the centre of the bars was the identical because the measurement from the again of the SLR.
The Zwift saddle check
All of the technical particulars you’ll be able to learn bellow, what you need to know from me, ‘was it snug?’ The primary two rides have been on Zwift (different platforms can be found), as this should be the very best check for a saddle. You spend more often than not sat down and also you do put lots of stress on ‘that half’ of your physique when dwelling coaching. Plus you’ll be able to consider the sensation with none street distractions. Sure, it’s snug and the additional size means that you can transfer round a bit extra, which is good. I discovered I used to be extra on the sit bones than on different saddles, and felt like I used to be pushing again towards one thing. There was no stress on the ‘household jewels’ and there was no rubbing, chaffing or stress within the centre a part of the saddle. So all good.
Clearly the 3D-printed padding is the massive distinction for different saddles. The centre part is pretty delicate to guard the prostate space, as are the ‘wings’, the widest a part of the saddle, which supplies consolation to the again of the thigh on the backside of the down-stroke. The toughest a part of the saddle is on the sit bone space, with a medium hardness both facet of the delicate centre and on the nostril. The shell is strong with a little bit of ‘give’ within the centre, the light-weight rails are joined completely to the bottom, all very properly manufactured. I weighed it in at 226g, however my scales are often round 5g heavy, so fizik’s 220g might be about proper.
220g could be about proper
Out on the street, in the true world, the saddle carried out simply as properly. I’ve solely managed to get out for slightly below two hours and there was no discomfort and all felt good. No complaints. This not the primary 3D-printed saddle I’ve ridden and the expertise might be going to work its means down the worth vary and we’ll see 3D saddles on the decrease degree, ultimately. It does really feel totally different, snug sure, however the floor of the saddle isn’t clean. This didn’t hassle me and with good high quality shorts you may not even discover, you possibly don’t transfer round as a lot which fits some individuals, however possibly not everybody. On the entire, the fizik Vento Antares R3 Adaptive 3D-printed saddle is a top quality saddle with the consolation and padding in all the correct locations. It’s what you need/want from a saddle.
And now Tadej Pogačar has joined me and is driving a fizik 3D printed saddle this yr.
What fizik say: A high-performance saddle with a streamlined form and tapered nose-to-wing transition, now accessible with Adaptive padding, our most superior 3D-printed padding expertise.
The Way forward for Efficiency
A part of a brand new era of Antares saddles, the Antares R3 Adaptive maintains many iconic design options which have lengthy made the unique so widespread amongst main athletes. First launched over twenty years in the past, Antares has appeared in practically each Grand Tour since. Reimagined in our revolutionary Adaptive padding, Antares is able to make historical past once more. Delivering efficiency and luxury, from street to CX and XC, the Antares R3 balances energy and weight financial savings with a carbon-reinforced nylon shell and Kium hole rail combo.
3D-Printed Padding
Fizik Adaptive 3D-printed padding has expanded to the Antares household, creating the proper match for many who need distinctive, long-lasting consolation on a low-profile efficiency saddle designed to permit a extra related feeling for optimum pedalling effectivity and energy switch.
Tailor-made Zonal Cushioning
The evolution of digital 3D printing has allowed us to develop a brand new saddle with out the constraints or limitations imposed by conventional manufacturing strategies and supplies. The Adaptive saddle padding is crafted by Carbon® utilizing their revolutionary Digital Mild Synthesis™ expertise. DLS is an additive manufacturing course of which makes use of digital ultraviolet mild projection, oxygen permeable optics, and programmable liquid resins to provide elements with glorious mechanical properties, decision, and floor end.
Lab Examined, Highway Confirmed
Utilizing Carbon® expertise, biomechanics and engineers have an unprecedented risk: to design and manufacture a number of purposeful zones throughout the saddle, tuning every of them individually for particular mechanical properties. Every of those key purposeful zones is engineered for a particular cushioning and mechanical response, joined collectively progressively and seamlessly in the identical padding. The outcome? A 60% discount in peak stress via improved weight distribution for elevated consolation throughout all the saddle floor.
Energy Switch & Strain Aid
Antares is a low-profile saddle with a tapered transition from nostril to wing that helps riders ship environment friendly pedalling in each driving place. 3D-printed padding supplies a responsive, race-ready feeling to higher join rider and bike. Via this expertise, we’re capable of incorporate a softer central zone as a substitute of a standard cut-out to supply higher stress aid with out sacrificing efficiency. Regardless of for those who’re attacking a climb or holding the tempo on flat terrain, Antares R3 Adaptive is designed to assist you.
Examine the fizik web site on your space for worth.
Applied sciences/Specs
- ADAPTIVE: Carbon® Digital Mild Synthesis™ 3D-printing expertise, providing seamlessly engineered zonal cushioning
- ANTARES: Low-profile efficiency saddle designed to permit a extra related feeling for optimum pedalling effectivity and energy switch
- R3: Mixture of a ride-compliant, carbon-reinforced nylon shell and a Kium hole rail with a excessive strength-to-weight ratio
Antares Adaptive R3 140mm
- Size: 268mm
- Width: 140mm
- Peak at 75mm width: 50mm
- Size from nostril to 75mm width: 147mm
- Weight: 220g
- Rail: 7x7mm
Antares Adaptive R3 150mm
- Size: 268mm
- Width: 150mm
- Peak at 75mm width: 50mm
- Size from nostril to 75mm width: 147mm
- Weight: 225g
- Rail: 7x7mm
Ekoï Heated Gloves Perf HEAT CONCEPT 5 – $279.99
NOTE: Pricing is MSRP and should not mirror any reductions being supplied
These heated gloves, efficient all the way down to -10°C, present even heat due to the warmth idea system with its three adjustable ranges. Breathable and moisture-resistant, they provide heat, joint flexibility, and security with non-slip palms.
Palm
- Artificial coating: straightforward upkeep / sturdiness / flexibility
- Non-slip silicone inserts for an ideal grip on the [handlebar] in dry or moist situations
Again of the glove
- Heat and breathable membrane
- Excessive cuffs for optimum safety
- Elasticated on the wrists to forestall air entry
- Velcro closure
- Elastic strap closure for a greater glove match
- Palm with non-slip silicone inserts
2-year guarantee on gloves and batteries
Silicone on the thumb and palm for grip
Chuck Peña PEZ sez: The very first thing you discover concerning the Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 gloves (I’m going with this nomenclature for the sake of brevity) is that they’re positively larger than regular full-finger biking gloves. At first look, you would possibly mistake them for ski gloves — Ekoï charges them as “moisture-resistant” (however not waterproof) so possibly they’d be OK within the snow.
There’s no mistaking the Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 (left) for normal driving gloves (proper)
A few of that is because of a bit extra bulk courtesy of Thinsulate insulation. However most of it’s due to the elongated cuff, which is for the battery. And that’s what makes the Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 gloves decidedly totally different than typical winter/chilly climate driving gloves.
Cost up the batteries (NOTE: I needed to have Ekoï ship an applicable plug adaptor for US shops)
Join and insert the battery into the compartment within the cuff
Inexperienced arrow – Lengthy press to activate/off and quick press to toggle between temperature. ranges Blue arrow – Temperature degree indicator. Yellow arrow – Battery cost degree.
Temperature/warmth ranges left to proper: Low (inexperienced) max 4 hours, medium (orange) max 3 hours, excessive (purple) max 2 hours (NOTE: 4 bars means the battery is totally charged)
I haven’t ridden within the Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 gloves, however I’ve examined them out by simply sporting them exterior when the temp has been beneath freezing and I might positively really feel the heat. And that’s what makes the Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 gloves totally different. Common winter gloves present insulation that can assist you retain physique warmth (so actually to assist preserve you from getting too chilly). The Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 gloves present precise warmth to heat your fingers up. For me, in beneath freezing and on the excessive setting it was comfortably toasty.
I’ll be sincere, the Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 gloves are overkill for my winter driving down within the Lowcountry as a result of: (1) common winter temperatures are lows within the 40s and highs within the 50s and (2) even when temps do dip into the 30s (they’ve and we’ve even had a number of mornings with the temp within the 20s!), I’m now not an HTFU or #9 form of rider (I’m not afraid to be known as a wimp in my AARP years) and keen to layer up and courageous the chilly (that is why god invented Zwift and why I’ve a Wahoo KICKR BIKE). So despite the fact that I’ve the package to have the ability to journey when it will get all the way down to (and even beneath) freezing, I simply don’t have the fortitude to courageous the chilly.
However if you’re a greater man (or lady) than me and are driving via the winter in true winter situations, the Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 gloves are positively value severe consideration.
Don’t need your fingers/fingers to freeze? The Ekoï HEAT CONCEPT 5 gloves could also be simply the ‘droids you’re searching for.
CHAPTER2 Bikes: Lets Get Bizarre on KAHA TJ
CORE 2 Unveiled: Smaller, Smarter, and Constructed to Rework Efficiency Monitoring
CORE, the oldsters behind the trusted physique temperature sensor for prime cyclists, triathletes, runners, and endurance athletes, are elevating the bar once more with the brand new CORE 2 sensor. Smaller, lighter, and smarter, this next-generation sensor delivers cutting-edge options to assist athletes grasp thermal load administration throughout coaching and competitors.
The go-to physique temperature sensor trusted by the world’s prime cyclists, triathletes, and endurance athletes, is redefined with the introduction of CORE 2. Smaller, lighter, smarter, and filled with cutting-edge options designed to revolutionize how athletes handle thermal load throughout coaching and competitors. Obtainable globally beginning late March 2025, CORE 2 is ready to rework efficiency monitoring for athletes in every single place.
The following-gen CORE 2 sensor is 48% smaller and 30% lighter than its predecessor, delivering unmatched consolation and efficiency. Engineered in Switzerland, CORE 2 displays the corporate’s ongoing mission to empower athletes—whether or not professionals chasing podiums or weekend warriors seeking to optimize efficiency.
CORE is bringing the revolutionary CORE 2 to customers whereas holding the worth the identical as the present CORE 1 sensor. The brand new sensor will retail at 269.95 CHF (Swiss Francs), with native pricing adjusted nearer to launch to mirror change charges and relevant VAT.
Increasing on the success of the unique CORE sensor and its extremely adopted Warmth Adaptation Rating, CORE 2 presents a {hardware} platform for continued innovation knowledgeable by athlete suggestions. The outcome? A next-gen sensor that’s sleeker, extra intuitive, and able to deal with the hardest coaching periods and races.
What’s New with CORE 2?
CORE 2 isn’t only a smaller sensor—it’s a wiser device for real-time thermal monitoring:
- Smarter Design: A brand new LED indicator supplies immediate updates on gadget standing, battery life, and charging progress.
- Modular Usability: A removable and reengineered attachment system with sturdy, versatile supplies ensures CORE 2.0 stays safe via each mile, lap, or rep and design simplifies charging.
- Sustainable Packaging: 100% sustainable packaging. The quantity of supplies used to make the sensor have additionally been diminished.
- Future-Prepared {Hardware}: CORE 2 is designed to assist upcoming software program improvements, holding athletes forward of the curve.
- Seamless Connectivity: BLE and ANT+ compatibility join CORE 2 to iOS, Android, Garmin, Wahoo, and extra so athletes can entry efficiency information in actual time.
Based on Ross McGraw, VP & World Head of CORE “CORE 2 is a direct response to the wants of the athletes who encourage us every single day. From the professional peloton to weekend warriors, athlete suggestions helped us refine a product that raises the bar for thermal load monitoring. We’re thrilled to launch a device that balances precision, consolation, and sustainability,”
20% Off CORE 1
Athletes who’re desirous to get began with warmth adaptation coaching and monitoring now can store 20% off CORE 1 whereas provides final.
Commerce-Up Program for Loyal Customers
To assist its devoted neighborhood, CORE shall be launching a Commerce-Up Program to make the transition to CORE 2 even simpler. Current CORE 1 customers who ship of their gadget will obtain a credit score towards their improve to CORE 2, making certain no athlete will get left behind.
Keep tuned for extra particulars on CORE 2 and the CORE Commerce-Up Program as the worldwide launch approaches.
Q36.5: How Chilly is it Proper Now?
The Most Standard FESTKA Bikes in 2024 on Social Media
FESTKA, the Czech producer of high-end carbon bicycle frames primarily based in Prague, has been compiling a success parade of its hottest posts on social media since 2020. Check out the highest 5 Festka bikes that generated essentially the most curiosity on social media in 2024, with feedback from the model’s co-founder and product supervisor Michael Moureček.
“The yr 2024 was marked by minimalist designs. I consider this displays the closing chapter of the post-COVID period, when individuals prioritized getting their bikes rapidly over specializing in design. In 2025, we count on a major shift towards personalised designs and distinctive builds. Even now, anybody can create their dream Festka bike utilizing the configurator on our web site and ship it to us,“ feedback Michael Moureček.
fifth place
Festka Scalatore for Bicycle owner Wardrobe
This sort of design, primarily based on clear colors, adjustments with the depth of sunshine. In daylight, the distinctive carbon construction turns into seen, whereas within the shade, the body seems as if it’s totally painted. We’ve been creating these designs for years, however they gained surprising reputation this yr, particularly when mixed with 24k gold accents.
4th place
Festka Spectre Marble (Velodrom Barcelona)
The refined “marble” impact on this inexperienced is, for my part, a daring mixture. Even I used to be shocked by how placing the body seemed in particular person. Surely, this is without doubt one of the key tendencies of 2024, mirrored within the work of different producers as properly.
third place
Festka Spectre Gravel
For me personally, this was the most important shock of the yr. I didn’t count on such overwhelmingly constructive reactions to this design from individuals of all age teams. The body was showcased at Designblok and appeared to impress completely everybody—a uncommon achievement.
2nd place
Festka Scalatore (Lab 306)
This bike carries an unimaginable private story. Its proprietor had it constructed as a tribute to a cherished one he misplaced. The clear design and selection of parts create a seemingly understated bike that’s, in actuality, probably the most superior bike in as we speak’s biking world.
1st place
Festka Spectre Fireplace
What extra can I say than this: I journey a motorbike identical to this one myself. Whereas the design would possibly seem easy at first look, it’s truly crafted utilizing clear paint and complex layering strategies to create darker sections. It’s a shocking showcase of our painters’ mastery, a design that appears unparalleled in actual life—and one you’re unlikely to see replicated wherever else.
Word: You probably have different experiences with gear or one thing so as to add, drop us a line. We don’t declare to know every thing (we simply indicate it at instances). Give us a pat on the again for those who just like the evaluations or a slap within the head for those who really feel the necessity!
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