Gear Break: Knog Light Set, Le Col Lightweight Bib Shorts, UVEX Surge Aero MIPS Helmet, Indurain Returns to the Pinarello Family, CORE’s New Heat Adaptation Score & Continental Pure CONTACT

Gear Break: Knog Blinder 1300 and Mid Cobber rear bike light set, NEW Le Col Hors Categorie lightweight bib shorts, UVEX Surge Aero MIPS – Innovative road bike helmet with plug-in aero cover, Miguel Indurain returns to the Pinarello family, CORE’s new heat adaptation score brings pro-level sports science to more athletes and Continental Pure CONTACT: An urban tire setting a new standard in puncture protection.

Knog Blinder 1300 and Mid Cobber Rear Bike Light Set – $159.95

What Knog says:

A powerful light set for road and gravel riders who require the very best in performance and safety – with the Cobber being the world’s only rear light with a 330 degree beam. Add to this, long runtimes, carefully considered beam angles, powerful light output and multiple mounting options – the Blinder 1300 and Mid Cobber rear combo delivers on all fronts.

What’s in the box: (1) Cobber Mid rear light (not pictured is its seat post mount), (2) “rubber band” straps for the rear light mount, (3) Blinder 1300 front light, (4) handlebar and GPS-type mounts for the front light, (5) USB-A female to USB-A male charging cord (for the rear light — the front light uses a USB C charging cord and one wasn’t included), but you can also plug the rear light directly into a USB-A port

Blinder 1300 Front Bike Light

Mid Cobber Rear Light

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: As the name implies, the Knog Blinder 1300 front light is 1300 lumens (in high mode). By way of comparison, a typical halogen car headlight in high beam mode is 1200 lumens. So plenty bright if you need a steady beam of light. But even at lower output (230 lumens), in strobe mode it’s pretty much impossible not to be noticed — even in bright daylight. And, for me, it’s more than bright enough for night riding — in an urban environment with ambient street light. As a reference point, my other front bike light is 1000 lumens and I never found it lacking in the brightness department. So the Knog Blinder 1300 is a bit like Spinal Tap turning it all the way up to 11.

In flash mode, the Knog Cobber Mid rear light is 170 lumens. That’s plenty bright to be seen in daylight from a sizeable distance (Knog doesn’t make any claims). And if it can be seen in daylight, for sure it can be seen at night.

Operation of the Blinder 1300 front light is fairly easy/straightforward:

• USB-C port for charging (NOTE that a USB C-cable was not included) – the power button will glow amber to indicate charging and change to green when fully charged
• A quick press of the power button when off will tell you the current charge level: Green = 100-50% charge remaining, Yellow = 50-25% charge remaining, Red = less than 25% charge remaining
• Long press (2 seconds) of the power button for on/off
• Quick press to change mode
• Double press to toggle between steady and flash modes

The Cobber Mid rear light is even easier:

• USB-A male “tab” can be plugged directly into a USB-A port to charge or you can use the provided cord — the ring around the power button will turn green when fully charged (red indicates
• A long press of the power button for on off
• Quick press to change mode

There are two mounts for the Blinder 1300 front light. One with a strap that wraps around various diameter handlebars. The light mounts by placing it in the cradle and pulling up on the side tab while pushing the light down into the cradle (assuming you’re attaching the light on the top of your handlebars). When you hear a “click,” it’s locked in place. Reverse to remove the light, i.e., pull down on the tab and pull the light away from the cradle.

Handlebar mount

I like my light under the handlebar, but you can mount it on top if you want

If you have an out front bike computer mount with a Go Pro mounting tab underneath, you can attach the other mount to it. The light goes into the cradle much the same as the handlebar strap mount except there’s no tab. Instead, there’s a toggle that needs to be in the unlocked position to put the light in and then locked to secure it.

GoPro mount — lever unlocked (inset) and with light mounted and locked (main)

The Cobber Mid rear light mounts via a rubber band-like strap (two different sizes are provided) to secure the mount to your seat post. The mount is clearly designed for a round seat post, but I was able to use it on an aero seat post. For me, getting the light on and off the mount was a bit finicky. I found what worked best for me was to attach the light to the mount first and then attach to the seat post. I also found it easier to remove the light and mount from the seat post to be able to remove the light. Maybe I’m just challenged. YMMV.

The Cobber Mid on 27.2 round seat post on my Felt FC

And on the aero seat post on my LOOK 795 Blade RS

My only night riding is after Operation Dinner Out after my Wednesday Night Hill Rides in an urban environment with ambient street lighting. The Knog Blinder 1300 and Cobber Mid bike light set are more than up to the task for that. The front light in high (steady) mode is essentially the equivalent of a car headlight. It projects a beam far enough ahead and wide enough to both sides for me to be able to see what I need to see riding at sane speeds. And it’s bright enough to be seen by oncoming traffic. And you’d pretty much have to be blind not to see the Cobber Mid rear light in pretty much all of its modes.

But where the Knog Blinder 1300 and Cobber Mid bike light set really shines (no pun intended) for me is as daytime running lights. Their combination of brightness and flash patterns make them hard not to be seen even in bright daylight. That’s key for real world riding having to share roads with cars. In particular, the Cobber Mid rear light is “the future’s so bright I gotta wear shades” bright!

NEW Le Col Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Shorts

After years of relentless development and extensive testing over 1000s of kilometres, the performance cycling apparel brand Le Col is thrilled to unveil their latest innovation: Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Short. Driven by their passion for design and performance, these shorts represent the pinnacle of cycling apparel. The new Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Shorts were styled around the already meticulously designed 2nd generation of the Hors Categorie Bib Shorts. The only difference is that these shorts are engineered to meet the demands of your longest and hottest summer rides and all-day epics.

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: To paraphrase Vesper’s line in Casino Royale: “There are bib shorts and bib shorts, these are the latter.”

Construction-wise the Le Col Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Shorts are more minimalistic (there seems to be a bit of a trend in this direction away from a multitude of panels — and associated seams). The shorts section consists of five panels (not including the leg gripper sections that have silicone dots on the inside). The bib section has two micro mesh panels plus the raw cut straps that are perforated. So a tried-and-true, don’t fix what isn’t broken Y-back design — not unlike a lot of other high quality bib shorts.

But the moment you take the Le Col Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Shorts out of their packaging and feel them to the touch, you know they are different. You can feel how light they are. The material is super soft and super smooth. Luxurious is the word that comes to mind.

As its name implies, the Le Col Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Shorts are light

Per Le Col’s size guide (and my Le Col Sport II Bib Shorts), I’m a size XS. On me (5’8″, 130 pound ectomorph frame) they fit very comfortably. Unlike uber tight race fit bibs, I could almost slide them on without any pulling and tugging. A lot of that is because of the fabric that is so smooth. Once on, they felt like a second skin but with medium firm compression — enough to feel it but not so much that you really feel it, if that makes any sense. Between the smoothness of the material and the way the Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Shorts fit, they kind of “disappear” and it almost feels like you’re not wearing a pair of bib shorts (if not for the pad).

The bib section is also lightweight and the straps have a “barely there” feel, yet provide more than enough support to hold everything up

Le Col says, “Everything about these shorts is designed to enhance airflow and moisture management in hot and humid conditions.” Well, that’s exactly what it is right now here in Babylon on the Potomac — hot and humid. Even the pros will tell you it’s no fun to ride in those kind of conditions (but at least they get paid to do so — the rest of us …  well … it’s really a question of sanity and judgment). But the Le Col Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Shorts have been about as comfortable as comfortable gets under those circumstances (we’ve had more than few days with the heat index 100+F). A large part of what makes the difference is how smooth and soft the shorts are against bare skin (to the point that you almost don’t feel them). Uber comfortable.

The all important pad is also very soft and smooth to keep the important bits comfortable and protected

My longest riding these days is 60-something miles, but my butt-o-meter tells me that the Le Col Hors Categorie Bib Shorts would be good for more miles than that. For me, the pad has the right combination of firmness and cushioning for all day comfort (there’s that word again). In fact, one of my rides involved some unexpected extended broken up pavement/gravel adventure riding dodging potholes and ruts (the sign that said “Bike Trail Closed” should have been a clue) and both my butt and important undercarriage bits didn’t feel like they were getting banged up.

I’m not sure if Le Col is telling me to ride faster or that I’ll ride faster if I wear their bib shorts

Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: I was also lucky enough to be sent a pair of Le Col Hors Categorie Lightweight Bibs. I have a Le Col jersey, but have no memory of where it came from, I always liked it for the fit and quality, so when Le Col asked if I wanted to try a pair of bibs, I jumped at the chance. Le Col sent me the Hors Categorie bibs in ‘Navy’ which is a nice change and they go well with my jersey. I would agree with everything that Chuck says about the bibs; comfort and fit is top. I’ve been testing a lot of Italian made bibs recently and I would say the Le Col are slightly bigger. I always have ‘M’ and sometimes Italian bibs can feel a little tight. I wouldn’t say the Le Col are loose, comfortable would describe it better.

As for ‘Lightweight’, yes they are. You don’t feel you are wearing anything, they are that soft! The bib part is thin and breathable, with wide straps, perfect for the hot days. Also good leg grippers that don’t feel sticky. They are very well stitched with no chaffing from the seams and the most important pad is generous with the gel in the right places. Only draw-back: I’ve not had time to give them a good ride.

Key Features and Innovations:

• Lightweight Fabric: The main body of the shorts features a lighter fabric weight of 135gsm, compared to the 160gsm of the standard Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II. This ensures a second-skin feel that moves effortlessly with you, providing the ideal combination of support and breathability in sweltering conditions.
• Enhanced Comfort and Fit: Designed to be supportive yet optimise freedom of movement, these shorts sit close to the skin so that you don’t even notice them. This delivers unbeatable comfort when the intensity and temperatures climb, allowing you to focus on your ride.
• Perforated Raw-Cut Elastic Straps: These straps seamlessly blend lightweight design with optimised ventilation, offering exceptional shape retention and elasticity without compromising on comfort.
  Minimalist Seam Construction: A streamlined fit minimises friction, ensuring that you stay focused on the long road ahead.
• Temperature Range: Perfectly designed for temperature ranges of 25-30+ degrees Celsius, these shorts are your ideal companion for the hottest summer rides.

Le Col has retained the same high-quality chamois from the Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II, ensuring consistent performance where it matters most. The focus of these new shorts is on their unparalleled lightweight design, making them an essential addition to any cyclist’s wardrobe.

The all-new Hors Categorie Lightweight Bib Shorts will be available for purchase 31st May on the Le Col website and are available in Black/White and Navy/White.

Recommended to be paired with the Hors Categorie Lightweight Jersey to complete a lightweight summer kit for long rides/all day epics. When bought together, savings will be applied if customers purchase both the HC Lightweight Jersey and HC Lightweight Bib Shorts together.

• RRP: £210 / $275
• More info at: lecol.cc

UVEX Surge Aero MIPS – Innovative Road Bike Helmet with Plug-In Aero Cover

Made by pros, designed for all riders – the new uvex surge aero MIPS
Two in one: With the new uvex surge aero MIPS, uvex is presenting a particularly versatile and stylish high-end performance road cycling helmet. Its highlight: A plug-in cover quickly transforms the well-ventilated helmet into an aero helmet. The new flagship model is going to première at the world’s biggest bike race. In this year’s Tour de France, the UCI WorldTeam Intermarché-Wanty team will be wearing the uvex surge aero MIPS for the first time.

Optimal protection, outstanding ventilation, excellent aerodynamics – performance road bike helmets have to meet a wide range of requirements. The new uvex surge aero MIPS has got them covered. No one understands these demands better than pro riders, who clock up countless kilometres on their bikes. This is why uvex worked with well-known riders right from the start to develop its new road cycling top of the range model. The uvex WorldTour Intermarché-Wanty team riders around Biniam Girmay, and also sprint legend Andre Greipel and further uvex athletes have all contributed their expertise to help create this especially innovative helmet. It’s made by the pros, but designed for all riders. This summer, the uvex surge aero MIPS will be worn by athletes in top international road races, but also by ambitious riders in their cycling communities.

Well-ventilated quick-change artist: uvex surge aero MIPS
With the new high-end helmet, uvex is showing a new side: The modern design, clean lines and minimalistic look perfectly capture the zeitgeist of road cycling. In addition to looking good, the brand new uvex surge aero MIPS also has outstanding ventilation to ensure that riders keep a cool head – especially on tough climbs. Large ventilation openings at the front allow air to flow through the helmet and along the head, this is further enhanced by the innovative design. In general, when racing, and particularly during fast sections and sprints, aerodynamics play an essential role. And this is exactly what the new uvex surge aero MIPS is designed for. At those decisive moments in a race where every hundredth of a second counts, the plug-in cover improves the aerodynamics.

Quick and easy to install, the lightweight cover weighing just a few grams plugs the ventilation openings to reduce air resistance on the bike. During development the helmet and cover were extensively tested in the wind tunnel, in order to deliver optimum results on the road. They were conducted with bike pro road bike racer André Greipel and the results speak for themselves: The uvex surge aero MIPS outperforms the previous top model – the uvex rise pro MIPS. It’s quick and easy to use and ambitious recreational riders will also benefit from its reduced air resistance – whether in finish sprints or in pursuit of their next Strava crown. As a genuine quick-change artist and ‘two-in-one solution’, the uvex surge aero MIPS is also bang on trend.

Premium bike brands have moved away from the classic division of ‘aero vs mountain’ to focus more and more on all-round helmets with optimised aerodynamics that can do both.

Naturally, the new model makes no compromises when it comes to safety. The Multi-inmould construction features an integrated cage that further improves the stability of the helmet. For additional protection, the MIPS Air Node Layer – the latest and lightest MIPS system, reduces rotational forces in the event of a fall. And the helmet is available in three different sizes that adjust easily to guarantee a perfect fit. The design is rounded off by a practical glasses retention system.

The helmet will be available to all road bike fans in the shops from Thursday, 4 July 2024. And also comes in a version without MIPS technology.

Miguel Indurain Returns to the Pinarello Family
Iconic cyclist joins forces with Fausto Pinarello to design a unique DOGMA F colorway

Cycling legend Miguel Induráin is back in the Pinarello fold following a short hiatus and the five-time Tour de France winner marked his return to the iconic Italian brand by riding a customized DOGMA F at the Maratona dles Dolomites.

Induráin and Pinarello President Fausto Pinarello worked together on the one-off, full luxter red design, which the Spaniard collected in person at Pinarello’s headquarters in Villorba, Treviso, before taking part in the world-famous event.

Pinarello’s new DOGMA F was launched on 20th June and combines incredible performance and cutting-edge technology with stunning aesthetic beauty. Click HERE for more information.

Pinarello President Fausto Pinarello said: “I’m delighted to have Miguel back in the Pinarello family as he is the cyclist I feel the deepest connection with. Our friendship spans over 30 years and he is an integral part of Pinarello’s history; his incredible performances helped us grow to become the brand we are today.

“It was a very proud moment seeing him riding our new DOGMA F and we look forward to this new phase in our partnership.”

Pinarello and Induráin’s histories are intertwined. The Spaniard dominated cycling during the 90’s, exclusively on Pinarello bikes. As well as claiming five consecutive Tour de France titles, Miguel also won two Giros d’Italia, two World Championships, and took the Hour Record on the iconic Espada.

CORE’s New Heat Adaptation Score Brings Pro-Level Sports Science to More Athletes
CORE, maker of the only non-invasive core body temperature monitor used by over 65% of the UCI WorldTour has launched its most significant app update yet.

Core’s new Heat Adaptation Score shows athletes how their bodies are adapting to thermal stress in real-time, with a rating that compiles the results of the Heat Strain Index and Heat Zones launched just last month. While it is no secret that CORE is already used by the top endurance athletes in the world, this new feature from CORE will enable all athletes to capitalize on the performance gains of heat training and adaptation.

It is no surprise that the more an athlete is exposed to thermal stress, the more adapted he or she becomes. However, it has been challenging for athletes to track their heat adaptation progress without the involvement of a sports scientist or coach – until now. CORE’s Heat Adaptation Score, a new feature available in the CORE mobile app, enables athletes to track their heat adaptation progress and see how much of their potential they have reached. This gives the athlete full control over their heat training and advancements made towards reaching their goals. The score indicates how adapted you have become to the heat, using an evidence-based formula derived from extensive independent scientific research and refined in CORE’s lab in Zurich.

This new metric, available to all users of the CORE body temperature sensor, will make tracking progress easier and provide indicators to optimize specific training protocols for improved heat adaptation.

Find out more about the new Heat Adaptation Score on CORE’s website.

How the Heat Adaptation Score is Calculated
CORE’s new Heat Adaptation Score is based on the level of heat strain accumulated during daily training sessions. This accumulated heat strain is measured by CORE’s Heat Training Load, which ranges from 0 to 10 each day. The Heat Training Load is calculated based on how much time you’ve spent with an elevated Heat Strain Index (Heat Zones 2 & 3). On days with an adequate Heat Training Load, Heat Adaptation Scores will increase. The higher the load, the larger the heat adaptation benefits. A couple of days with no Heat Training Load will cause the Heat Adaptation Score to decline.

CORE has categorized heat adaptation into four distinct levels:
1. 0–24%: Thermal Rookie
2. 25–49%: Heat Accustomed
3. 50–89%: Heat Adapted
4. 90–100%: Heat Champion

Raising Concerns about Adverse Heat at Local and Global Sporting Events
This update from CORE comes while concerns are rising over the predicted adverse effects of heat at the Tour de France and Paris Olympic Games this summer. According to the latest report from BASIS, one of the key recommendations to help mitigate the disruptive and potentially dangerous effects of extreme heat at both local and global competitions includes the “deployment of enhanced technology to monitor heat and body temperatures.”

CORE Physiologist, Puck Alkemade PhD has been intrinsic in the development of the Heat Adaptation Score, she commented “Most athletes do not have a team of sports scientists on staff. So we want to make it easier for athletes to learn and use thermal data like the pros and for coaches to give more specific direction.”

Scientific studies exist to support the gains resulting from the adoption of heat training. While performance loss is typically dependent on the type of metric analyzed, studies have shown that during a 43k cycling time trial, average power was reduced by 16% in hot (36’C) relative to cool (8’C) conditions. While after just 1 week of heat training, the performance decline in the heat was reduced to 8% relative to cool and with 2 weeks of heat training, the decline was reduced to only 3%. (See media assets to download the study)

With CORE’s advancements in technology and the release of new features, heat training is now available to all athletes wishing to mitigate against the effects of rising global temperatures and optimize their preparation for racing in the heat.

Ross McGraw VP and Global Head of Core: “We are excited to make some of the thermal data and insights used by the top elite athletes in the world more accessible to endurance athletes. We know that heat has a massive impact on performance, and with rising global temperatures it’s more important than ever to bring CORE technology to more athletes. We believe this latest update will profoundly impact how athletes understand and relate to thermal stress.”

Arne Dedrie Associate Sports Director, Human Powered Health: “Hot conditions increase the physiological strain on the body and can result in a marked decrease in performance. For example, increased brain temperature affects the quality of tactical decisions during a race. The CORE sensor is able to quantify this source of fatigue and guide us during training interventions designed to optimize our athletes’ thermoregulatory capacity. With the introduction of the heat adaptation score, we can now track the individual adaptation rate of the riders, allowing us to provide a personalized heat dose to each rider in preparation for warm races!”

The CORE app is free to download for Android from Google Play and iOS from the Apple App Store and use, and is available in English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese. Another update to in-app insights is planned for mid-summer.

Continental Pure CONTACT: An Urban Tire Setting a New Standard in Puncture Protection
Premium compound and tread pattern for long-lasting wet weather grip and low rolling resistance on varied terrain.
Combines technologies from both bicycle and automotive tires for ultimate urban puncture protection.
Constructed from a high proportion of renewable and recyclable materials.

Continental has announced Pure CONTACT, a new lightweight urban tire designed for cyclists seeking enhanced confidence for their daily commutes, errands and adventures.

The introduction of Pure CONTACT comes with an unprecedented level of puncture protection. The new tire surpassed the highest safety benchmark in Continental’s Urban range, requiring the addition of Level Eight to Continental’s Safety Level scale. Level Seven had previously topped the scale, with the E-CONTACT Plus.

The Pure CONTACT’s new benchmark in puncture protection comes from its innovative multi-layer breaker technologies. Continental combined its high-quality bicycle racing tire tech with a PolyX breaker which has been extremely effective across Continental’s class-leading automotive tire range.

Pure CONTACT provides riders with confidence in dry and wet conditions. Its tread pattern features symmetrical repeating grooves, scales, and drainage elements for better grip and rolling resistance, making it ideal for urban use and occasional off-road adventures. Available in a broad range of sizes from 50-60/584 through to 40-55/622, Pure CONTACT is E50-rated for use with conventional and electric bikes, including SUV E-bikes.

Pure CONTACT contains silicate from the ash of rice husks, an agricultural waste product that is processed into silica through a new, lower energy-consuming process. Silica helps to optimize beneficial tire characteristics such as grip, rolling resistance and durability, while, natural rubber is a crucial material for strength and further durability. The natural rubber utilized by Continental is responsibly sourced.

Oliver Vauth, Urban Product Manager, Continental Tires, said: “Pure Contact represents the pinnacle of development in our Urban tire range. During our testing process, the tire exceeded expectations and demonstrated the perfect blend of rolling resistance & puncture protection. The results were so impressive that we had to create a new level (Level Eight) in our puncture protection scale.”

“Not only does the tire offer superior puncture protection, but we also redesigned the tread pattern to improve wet grip and rolling resistance. In addition to these huge improvements in performance, it was also important to us that we made the tire more sustainable. The tire contains more than a third of renewable materials and represents the beginning of a new chapter in the CONTACT family’s journey towards sustainability.”

“Pure Contact is more than a match for all urban terrains from smooth asphalt to light off-road conditions. Now people have a choice of which route they want to take the next time they are out on their bike. I am excited to see where it takes people.”

Key features

• Lightweight – 50/60 – 584 → 655g, 40/55 – 622 → 620g
• High -level puncture protection – Poly X & Vectran Fabric Breaker Combination
• Improved sustainability – employs recycled and renewable materials and sustainable manufacturing techniques
• Improved safety – Graphite Reflex Stripe for improved side-on visibility in low light
• E50 certified – robust construction and enhanced durability for e-bikes
• Made in Germany
• More info at: www.continental-tires.com

Note: If you have other experiences with gear or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews or a slap in the head if you feel the need!

PezCycling News and the author 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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