Gear Break: Quoc x Restrap Sandals, Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey, 4iiii New ‘Ride’ Watch App, Moots New Carbon Component Line, Lotus New Olympic Bike & Brooks C17 Special Migration Gravel Race Saddle

Oct 11, 2023

Gear Break: Quoc x Restrap sandals, Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh jersey, 4iiii integrates Apple Find My Technology with power meters and unveils new ‘Ride’ watch app, Moots announce the new Routt CRD and Tease carbon component line, Lotus Engineering keeps British Cycling on track as new Olympic bike is revealed and Brooks England roll out the latest limited-edition saddle: The C17 Special Migration Gravel Race saddle.

Quoc x Restrap Sandals

Stephen Cheung Pez Sez: Quoc is a British cycling shoe brand with a growing and loyal following, and one that I’ve kept my eye on since testing their Gran Tourer II off-road shoe throughout my 2022 gravel and bikepacking adventures. Not only do they make traditional cycling shoes, but they’ve long offered urban shoes that also happen to be SPD compatible, like their Chelsea and Weekend shoes that wouldn’t look out of place in the office after your commute.

For 2023, they’ve greatly expanded their range into off-bike relaxed footwear, with their Lala Slides and their Quoc x Restrap Sandals. The latter is a collaboration with the British bikepacking brand Restrap, which is known for their durability and design acumen with their bags.

This a pretty neat and true collaboration, where both partners bring their unique expertise to the table. Quoc brings their knowledge with footwear, designing the sole and the microfibre fabric. The footbed is both soft enough for comfort and rigid enough for support, along with letting your feet spread out comfortably after a long day confined in cycling shoes.

In return, Restrap brings their bag expertise to the 3-strap design. You can see this in their wide adjustability to accommodate different foot sizes and shapes. The middle strap rotates quite freely to adapt to different arch shapes and sizes. And the back strap rotates even more freely, allowing you to wear them as either sliders or with heel retention.

So far so good and fairly normal for a pair of quality sandals, and the Quoc x Restrap would be a nice pair of sandals for anyone, non-cyclists and cyclists whose rides bring them back home at the end of each day.

What makes them great for bikepacking though?

Sure, you can get a dirt-cheap pair of flip-flops and strap them on your saddlebag and have them dangling off your rear to show off your bikepacking creds. But the Quoc x Restrap offers an alternative that’s sleeker and nearly as lightweight.

That’s because the Quoc x Restrap Sandals are designed to link together securely, and then in turn they can be tightened around your saddlebag without the need for additional straps. Overall, it makes for a secure way to pack a comfortable pair of sandals with you on your adventures.

A video showing you how to link the Quoc x Restrap Sandals and secure them to your saddlebag.

In my use to date I’ve found the Quoc x Restrap to be supremely comfortable. Around the house or camp, I keep them on slider mode for quick access, while I rotate the straps back whenever I’m actually walking anywhere substantial. This has included mild gravel trails and scrambles up trails and hills.

One issue that I’ve noted though is that the sole, while comfortable and lightweight, seems to wear down quickly. Over a month of street and bikepacking use, I’ve found the sole to have worn down more than I would’ve expected.

Regardless, if you want to graduate from cheap and flimsy flip-flops for your everyday and bike use, the Quoc x Restrap Sandals are light, comfortable, and highly versatile.

Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey – $164

The Summit Aero Mesh Jersey has been designed specifically for warm-weather, long-distance rides. Not only has it been constructed entirely with a lightweight, stretch mesh, but this jersey also features active-cooling from 37.5® Technology, where tiny Cocona particles woven into fabric absorb humidity and move it away from the skin for efficient body-temperature regulation.

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: PEZ readers may remember the Pactimo Summit Aero Jersey in Gear Break last month. As the name implies, the Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey is basically the same jersey but constructed entirely with a lightweight, stretch mesh. So the construction/design is the same:

The front panel is two-pieces connected by a full-length YKK zipper (so the gold standard). The back panel is three pieces made with two different materials (more about that in a minute) — and has the requisite three rear jersey pockets plus a hidden zipper secure pocket. There is a wrap-around silicone gripper strip at the hem of the jersey … The collar is essentially no collar. Except for the flat-stitched seam for the bottom of the bellows rear jersey pockets, all the seams of the different panels are soft serge-stitched.

Fit is also the same. Meaning a race fit that hugged my body shape (5’8″, 130 pounds, ectomorph) snugly but comfortably and allowed for easy freedom of movement

One thing that’s different with the Summit Aero Mesh jersey is that the sleeves are a mesh material so are flat-stitch hemmed rather than raw cut

What makes the Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey different is the 37.5 Technology. Per 37.5 Technology:

So does the 37.5 Technology work as advertised? I don’t have a way to determine or measure whether it actually removes moisture at the vapor stage before breaking a sweat and reduces humidity next to skin to maximize evaporative cooling. So my take is subjective/anecdotal.

The requisite three rear jersey pockets (I appreciate the bellows design that allows you to carry more stuff without the pockets sagging) plus a zippered pocket to hold valuables more securely (I really appreciated that the zipper is offset a little so it’s more to the side than back, which it makes it easier to reach)

What I can say is that riding in the Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey down in the Lowcountry in 80-to-90-something (F) heat and humidity without my usual base layer has been surprisingly “comfortable.” To begin, the open mesh material provides a significant amount of air flow for venting/cooling. I have other jerseys that are made with an open mesh material, but how I experienced the heat and humidity in the Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey was decidedly different. It wasn’t air conditioning, but I felt less hot and was definitely less sweaty than I would have been otherwise (it’s really one of those things you have to experience live and in living color — words don’t really do it justice). I’m guessing what I felt was very similar to the experience the inventor of 37.5 Technology had at the volcanic sand baths at Mt. Aso, Japan:

What he realized is comfort comes from balance, a balance between heat gain and heat loss. The volcanic sand was removing the sweat vapor from his skin so fast that he was continually cooled by sweat evaporation … This was the moment of clarity, he understood that removing the sweat vapor before it turns to liquid sweat was key to comfort.

The proof in the pudding was taking my jersey off after riding. The jersey itself was damp/wet, but not heavily soaked. But my skin was almost dry to the touch — and remember, this was without a wicking base layer (BTW, Pactimo’s Summit Base Layer uses 37.5 Technology so I might have to try it out). Like I said: not air conditioning … but probably the next best thing and about as good as it gets riding a bike in high heat and humidity. YMMV.

The middle back panel is a micro-mesh material (think pinhole size venting) while the rest of the jersey if a more open mesh (much like what you find in your typical warm weather baselayer)

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m suitably impressed with the Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey and the 37.5 Technology used in it. If you live somewhere where dog days of summer are sweltering hot and humid (both Babylon on the Potomac and the Lowcountry qualify), IMHO you should have a serious look at the Pactimo Summit Aero Mesh Jersey.

Heat? Humidity? Bring it!

4iiii Integrates Apple Find My Technology with Power Meters and unveils new ‘Ride’ Watch App

4iiii Innovations Inc., a leader in power-driven cycling performance, proudly announces the integration of Apple technology to create the world’s first power meter with Find My and an innovative new companion app.

4iiii has integrated Apple Find My technology directly into their new PRECISION+ power meter platform, and is now available on the PRECISION 3+. By leveraging Apple’s network of over 1.5 billion Apple users, cyclists will now be able to track their power meters effortlessly using their Apple devices, providing them with unparalleled peace of mind whether they are at home or on the go.

PRECISION+ offers real time Terrain Auto-Optimizing that was specifically developed to guarantee optimal performance and unwavering accuracy across any riding surface. By using the accelerometer on smooth steady state cruising and automatically switching to the gyroscope on rough terrain, gravel or for high RPM sprints, PRECISION power meters are capable of industry-leading battery life and accuracy. Keeping with 4iiii core values, the platform is extensible and always improving in order to ensure riders are always up to date with the latest and greatest new and innovative features the company offers.

In addition to PRECISION+ with Apple Find My, 4iiii unveils its innovative ‘Ride’ companion watch app, designed to offer cyclists another way to track and analyze their performance. The watch app offers Bluetooth connectivity, enabling seamless integration with fitness sensors (non-drive side and dual power meters, and heart rate monitors like 4iiii’s own Viiiiva) from 4iiii and most manufacturers. Cyclists can now access workout views, live heart rate, power, speed, cadence and distance directly on their watch. Download the 4iiii app from the App Store and use the watch app for free!

The app seamlessly uploads comprehensive ride statistics, including GPS routes, in .FIT and Apple Fitness files. It is natively configured as part of the Apple Health Kit, allowing riders to track their activity, calories, and close those daily activity rings. The app also supports auto sync to Strava, enabling automatic workout sharing and enhancing the social aspect of cycling.

With the 4iiii Ride App, there is no need for a conventional head unit; cyclists can rely on their watch to capture key information, whether they are on the road, gravel, or in the mountains.

“We wanted to do more than just release another power meter” said Phil White, President and CEO of 4iiii. “With the addition of Find My integration and seamless use with Apple devices, the PRECISION+ platform really shows where we can go with this technology as bikes (and their users) get smarter and more connected.“

“The best innovations are the ones that simplify, not complicate,” says Eric Gerstenbuhler, Director of Global Operations, Sales, and Marketing for 4iiii. “By extending the functionality of our app, riders can integrate with the tech they’re already wearing to have a convenient way to view, track and analyze their rides.”

The PRECISION 3+ Powermeter, featuring Apple Find My, is now available for purchase as Ride Ready on Shimano cranks or on existing cranks as part of 4iiii’s Factory Install program. The PRECISION 3+ PRO Powermeter will be available soon on Ultegra and Dura Ace dual sets. The ‘Ride’ companion watch app is currently available for free download in the App Store and available through the 4iiii app.

Moots Announce The New Routt CRD and Tease Carbon Component LineComplete Race Design For Gravel Aficionados

The race bike of every gravel enthusiast’s dreams. Pure speed in a performance-focused chassis, integrated routing for clean lines, and a sweet spot for tire clearance. With or without a number plate, this bike will have you setting PRs all over your local gravel haunts and beyond. Speed and performance are the cornerstones of the All-New Routt.

The NEW Routt CRD incorporates everything Moots has learned from a decade of making versatile gravel bikes. The ROUTT CRD (Complete Race Design) is a distillation of Moot’s rich history and desire to create a perfect gravel race machine with the purist in mind. The new Routt CRD enters the line-up as their flagship gravel race bike meant for speed across gravel and broken road surfaces, while maintaining legendary Moots ride quality. The Routt CRD continues to improve efficiency where power enters the bike around the BB and dropouts while isolating the rider with lighter tubing both in the seat stays and top tube for those all-day rides. Designed with the spirit of competition and the gravel racer in mind, the Routt CRD is optimized around 40-42c tires with plenty of clearance to spare.

The RSL (Race Super Light) tube set leads the way to save weight, while the updated 3D printed dropouts and brake mount pull the back end into precise alignment for quick accelerations and tracking over the roughest surfaces. The core of the bike starts off with a threaded T47 bottom bracket for wide groupset compatibility and the stiffest possible platform. The rear end of the Routt CRD now features UDH compatibility for current and next-gen groupset accommodation, while the front end gets enhanced with an all-new integrated cockpit of Moots Own Design (MOD) and an improved version of the legendary Moots gravel fork—no wires or hoses to be seen.

The bottom line: Gravel race tendencies, all-day comfort, and long-term durability in one integrated package that is the pinnacle of the Routt family of gravel bikes. This is Complete Race Design.

Routt CRD Build Options

Peloton

Peloton 1x

Podium

Frameset

MOD Components InformationThe MOD Component line is currently only available on Moots Bikes; pricing, and availability to come.

MOD Stems:

MOD Handlebar:

MOD Gravel Fork:

Lotus Engineering Keeps British Cycling on Track as New Olympic Bike is Revealed

The second-generation Hope-Lotus track bike, unveiled today, has been meticulously designed and optimised to deliver improved track performance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Lotus Engineering has collaborated with the Great Britain Cycling Team (GBCT), Hope Technology and Renishaw to evolve the Tokyo 2020 track bike which contributed to the track team winning seven Olympic medals and topping the event medal table.

Lotus and GBCT have developed the cockpit of the bike, evolving the unique front fork and handlebar design to allow for greater aerodynamic efficiency. This is coupled with the Hope HBT Paris frame which includes refinements to the headstock and seat stays. Renishaw has provided support in design and production of wind tunnel models and other crucial components on the final bike.

GBCT has been testing the bike rigorously on track and in a wind tunnel, working alongside the Lotus team to optimise the forks and handlebars ahead of its competitive track debut next month at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Richard Hill, Chief Aerodynamicist at Lotus, was responsible for the design of the Lotus 108 Olympic track bike and 110 Tour De France bike in the nineties and has continued to play a pivotal role in both the Tokyo Olympic track bike and now, the 2024 Hope-Lotus Olympic track bike.

Lotus Engineering has played to its strengths of optimised aerodynamics, advanced materials, lightweighting and engineering innovation to help guide the bike’s cockpit development. It has applied learnings made over 75 years in vehicle dynamics to improve front-end feel and stiffness to enhance rider confidence. Additional evolution of the components creates the sensation that the bike is carving through air, a signature element of the aerodynamic design found in the new Lotus vehicle line-up.

The unique patented, wide element fork design, introduced at the Tokyo Olympic Games, continues to reduce drag and break the air flow in front of the rider. Taking inspiration from fighter jet design, the fork has a new serrated edge that allows for smoother airflow around the rider. Customisable handlebars help riders to achieve a more efficient aero position for longer races, whilst an enhanced integration with the fork further reduces drag.

To guarantee lightness, the composite fork is crafted from the same high-grade carbon fibre and single-cure manufacturing process as the Lotus Evija hypercar. A combination of carbon fibre and 3D-printed metals is used to optimise aerodynamics, ergonomics, structural integrity and lightweighting.

More than 150 hours of wind tunnel testing and advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has helped to create significant aerodynamic gains. This testing was instrumental in optimising the airflow around the legs of the rider to reduce drag.

Mark Stringer, Commercial Director, Lotus Engineering said: “Lotus is proud to have again played its part in helping British Cycling push the boundaries of sporting performance in the quest for Olympic medals. It’s the perfect demonstration of our ability to transfer the skills and knowledge we’ve gained through 75 years of automotive development to bring a new perspective to other industries. Through the deployment of our expertise, innovation, tools, techniques and processes developed to engineer high-performance Lotus cars, we’ve been able to deliver efficiencies to give British track riders the best possible opportunity for success.”

Lotus has a successful history in cycling through its Lotus Engineering division. Innovations include the early Lotus sports bikes used by cycling legend Chris Boardman in the nineties, the iconic Lotus type 108 in the noughties, through to the Hope-Lotus collaborations.

Stephen Park CBE, Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team, said: “Our relationship with Lotus Engineering, Hope Technology and Renishaw is going from strength to strength. Their combined high quality manufacturing standards, renowned lightweight design, aerodynamic efficiency and their keen eye for finer details help us to unlock valuable marginal gains, which make all the difference come race day. This is the most advanced bike that has ever been ridden by British athletes.”

Brooks England Roll Out Latest Limited-Edition Saddle: The C17 Special Migration Gravel Race

As riders set out on the epic four-day adventure across the Maasai Mara that is the Migration Gravel Race, the team at Brooks England are inviting supporters from around the world to celebrate the event’s spirit in colourful style with their latest limited-edition saddle: the C17 Special Migration Gravel Race.

Constructed with a warm, rust-coloured organic cotton fabric inspired by Kenya’s clay roads, vulcanised to a natural-rubber top in deep green, a hue drawn directly from the Maasai Mara’s verdant, rich vegetation, the brand’s latest Cambium saddle doesn’t just look the adventurous part. It packs the right performance, comfort, and support to carry riders far, no matter how challenging the terrain beneath their tyres.

That’s thanks to Brooks’ signature hammock-like saddle suspension that naturally absorbs the bumps and ruts of rough roads and trails, whether traversing the wild tracks of East Africa or seeking excitement closer to home.

The C17 Special Migration Gravel Race saddle is out now exclusively through the Brooks England website and includes its own coordinating musette in a matching palette for a price of €200, $200 or £180. Quantities are limited to 150 pcs.

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.