Gallery: Wired Bike Test: The Best Cycling Gear for 2012
01trek-domane-6-series-road-bike
While kicking back on your couch watching this year's Tour de France contenders suffer their way up the Col du Tourmalet, you probably felt that nagging itch to get back on the bike and start logging some serious miles. And of course, that itch is always compounded by a burning lust for more gear. We gathered up some of the best hard goods the 2012 season has to offer -- bikes, components, shoes, helmets, shades and apparel -- taking it all up [into the California hills for a week](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/bike-test) to put it to the test. In this round-up, you'll see how it all shook down. Ladies and gentlemen, start your wallets. Trek Domane 6 Series Road Bike ------------------------------ Trek's new [Domane](http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/road/race_performance/domane_6_series/) road bike ($6,930 and up) is outfitted with some pavement-smoothing technology that keep your poor bones from getting too rattled on long days in the saddle. "Endurance bikes" like the Domane are designed to be more comfortable and stable than traditional road bikes. They usually have shorter top tubes, taller head tubes and slightly longer wheelbases, effectively bringing the handlebars closer to the rider. They're also referred to as "Classics" bikes -- machines designed to be ridden over rough roads for long distances in bad weather, much like the [Specialized Roubaix](http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/roubaix/) frame Tom Boonen rode to a decisive victory in this year's wild and woolly Paris-Roubaix race. Trek's approach to reducing the shocks of the cobbles? The Domane's [IsoSpeed technology](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yel3yhN_vy4) -- it's a decoupler system that separates the seat tube from the top tube, so the bone-shaking bumps of the road aren't directly transferred to the rider's body. *-- Jim Merithew* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-trek-domane/)__ __WIRED__ IsoSpeed tube coupler and shock-absorbing front fork mitigate the worst effects of rough roads. All-day comfort while remaining more Ferrari than La-Z-Boy. Tech is inconspicuous and doesn't look nerdy. __TIRED__ There's a gaggle of cables at the stem. The correct saddle pairing for this technology remains a mystery -- the Bontrager saddle on my test bike left my butt wanting better. 
02capo-sc-12-cycling-jersey
Capo SC-12 Cycling Jersey ------------------------- Capo's [SC-12 jersey](http://www.capocycling.com/apparel/mens-apparel/sc-12/jersey) ($150) is clearly made for performance cycling, but it feels more like it's designed for hurtling through space at great velocity. The first thing I noticed when slipping on the top half of this middle-tier kit is, well, nothing. That's precisely the point. I want to feel naked while cycling (ahem), like there's nothing holding me back from setting land-speed records. If you find your soigneur has neglected to wash your skinsuit come race day, this $150 jersey from the Emeryville, California-based company is so snug, breathable and light that it would be a passable replacement. *-- Bradley Hughes* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-capo-sc12-jersey/)__ __WIRED__ Materials are weightless and softer than a baby's bottom. Zipper is nearly invisible. Graphics are as unobtrusive as the kit itself. __TIRED__ Pockets are sky high and small. Sizes are more European than Fabian Cancellara, so buy a size up. 
03assos-ss-uno-s7-cycling-jersey
Assos SS.Uno s7 Cycling Jersey ------------------------------ It seems making a cycling jersey would be simple, right? Get some spandex, slap on some pockets and you're good to go. But that's not how Assos, the mad genius Swiss cycling apparel makers, approach things. For Assos, a jersey isn't a piece of apparel, it's a blank canvas which the company proudly fills with as much tech as possible. For instance, the [SS.Uno s7 jersey](http://www.assos.com/en/19/singleProduct.aspx?cat=6,19,25&prod=419) ($200) is constructed using four fabrics. The key is what the company calls Type.vX121, which is designed to effectively protect your chest from wind while still allowing for ventilation and quick drying times. In our [group tests](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/bike-test), it was a noticeable improvement over other jerseys, especially on cooler Bay Area days. *-- Mark McClusky* __[Read the Full Review](http://blog-admin.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-assos-uno-jersey/)__ __WIRED__ Tremendous fit in the cycling position. Zip side pocket for valuables. UV 50+ rated sun protection. __TIRED__ Tight Euro-style fit is not for every rider. As usual, Assos takes a big bite from your wallet. 
04scott-sports-foil-10-road-bike
Scott Sports Foil 10 Road Bike ------------------------------ In terms of all-out blistering speed, I've never experienced anything like the [Foil](http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/221864/foil-10/). It's the rare aero-road frame that feels every bit as light, stiff, and snappy as its more traditional, round-tubed brethren, yet it holds huge aerodynamic advantages over those frames. (Scott claims a 20 percent boost over round-tubed frames.) In essence, the Foil is free speed. Aero-road frames have been around for only four or five years, but they've quickly become a required product for any serious frame manufacturer. The frames borrow the teardrop tube shapes of triathlon bikes but with geometries and components made for road racing. However, the narrower tube profiles can introduce a lot of side-to-side flex, which robs pedaling efficiency. Scott solved this by cropping off the back end of each tube. If you think of the aero tube cross section as being teardrop shaped, Scott chopped off the rear third or so, the part that narrows down to a point. As with Trek's patented Kamm tail shape, the trailing edge of each tube is flat and runs perpendicular to the frame. This not only sheds weight, it stiffens the frame. *-- Nathan Hurst* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/06/scott-foil-10/)__ __WIRED__ Everything that makes standard race bikes fast, plus aero benefits they can't match. Surprisingly comfortable for such a twitchy, race-oriented frame. __TIRED__ Ho-hum graphics and overall look. Frustratingly slippery seatpost clamp; I finished several rides with my saddle a few millimeters below where it had started. 
05assos-zegho-noire-sunglasses
Assos Zegho Noire Sunglasses ---------------------------- Checking myself out in the mirror at home, I was digging the look of these Assos Zeghos ($470) shades, as crazy and weird as their Euro-goggle looks are. I flashed back to visions of [Mario Cipollini](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Cipollini) -- teeth clenched, muscles bulging, barreling six lengths ahead of the peloton in a mass Tour sprint, grandly sporting the most audacious kit and a pair of fluorescent Briko Stingers. I imagined my next ride would be one filled with intense sprint repeats, followed by some iced Sambuca and a nice hot tub with *molte belle ragazze*. But out on the road, when all my friends started ribbing me, it dawned on me that I'm not as cool as Super Mario, nor will I ever be. I just look like a dork. But who cares? These shades are downright awesome. To develop the Zeghos, Assos partnered with Carl Zeiss Optics to work up a shockingly lightweight, one-piece lens that offers 100 percent UV protection. The tinting features a unique gradient Assos is calling "Tunnel Vision," where the bottom third of the lenses are clear. There's zero distortion across the entire lens, even the curviest parts. *-- Jim Merithew* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-assos-sunglasses/)__ __WIRED__ Great optics from Carl Zeiss. Tinting gradient is perfect -- it blocks the sun, but you can still read a computer or phone screen and see the road clearly. No sweat. Featherweight construction is supremely comfortable. Impenetrable to UV rays. __TIRED__ They cost (cough) $470. My wife let me leave the house wearing these? 
06giro-factor-cycling-shoes
Giro Factor Cycling Shoes ------------------------- The night I brought these [Giro Factor](http://www.giro.com/us_en/factor-7685.html) kicks ($290) home, I found myself lounging around the apartment in them as if they were just another pair of house slippers. That's the first time I've had that experience when trying on a new bike shoe. Sure, the Factor's super-stiff carbon-fiber soles aren't made for walking. But as I sat there with the uncleated shoes strapped to my feet, they felt about as comfortable as a sneaker. The Factor achieves that comfort level without any noticeable sacrifices in terms of efficiency. The 6.5mm soles come from corporate sibling Easton, a maker of some of the sickest carbon wheels, stems, bars and forks on the market. Cadel Evans rode Easton wheels to victory in last year's Tour de France. I felt absolutely zero unwanted flex, even when mashing the pedals on 12 percent climbs in my testing grounds of Marin County, California. These are bona fide race shoes. *-- Jim Merithew* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/giro-factor/)__ __WIRED__ Comfortable right out of the box. Wafer-thin, rock-solid platform. Customizable arch support for a wide range of feet. __TIRED__ Red and white patent leather look ain't exactly classic. Walking pads border on cosmetic. 
07assos-fi-uno-s5-cycling-shorts
Assos FI.Uno S5 Cycling Shorts ------------------------------ Telling a bike rider to try a pair of Assos shorts is like telling a gearhead to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari. The product is beautiful, impeccably thought out and insanely expensive. There's not a reason in the world that you should actually have either, but once you try them, you find it hard to settle for less. The [FI.Uno S5 bibs](http://www.assos.com/en/19/singleProduct.aspx?cat=6,19,22&prod=174) are actually Assos' value product, if you can call a pair of bike shorts that retail for around $200 a value. Slip them on, though, and you see why you might pay such big bucks. The cut is simply perfect -- when you're standing, they feel odd and binding, but once in the saddle, they seem to almost disappear. These are made for riding bikes, not walking around. *-- Mark McClusky* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-assos-uno-bib-shorts/)__ __WIRED__ Typically high comfort on the bike. Assos products wear like iron, so should last for years with good care. Comes with wash bag. __TIRED__ Very expensive. Leg grippers not quite as solid as they could be. 
08specialized-prevail-helmet
Specialized Prevail Helmet -------------------------- The Kevlar-reinforced internal skeleton inside every [Specialized S-Works Prevail](http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftr/helmets/roadhelmets/s-worksprevail) helmet ($230) helped the company's designers get away with massive vents that wouldn't be possible with pure foam. The added structural support allowed them to shave away external foam to create massive ports and channels, which have a double benefit: They allow more cooling air to flow over the wearer's head and also, according to Specialized, improve aerodynamics. I don't have easy access to a low-speed wind tunnel, so I can't speak to aerodynamics, but [all of Wired's testers](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/bike-test) who've been wearing the Prevail over the past several weeks agree it's possibly the most well-vented helmet they've worn. It's markedly cooler than my 2009 S-Works helmet. *-- Jim Merithew* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/specialized-prevail/)__ __WIRED__ More air flow than a jet intake. Micro-adjustable fit system for fine-tuned snugness. __TIRED__ Fixed strap system may not be for everyone. If you are already self-conscious about the size of your melon, beware. 
09nalini-acrab-cycling-jersey
Nalini Acrab Cycling Jersey --------------------------- Slip on the airy [Nalini Acrab](http://albabici.com/nalini/12-summer-collection/mens-tops/mens-acrab-jersey.htm) cycling jersey ($130) and you'll feel like you're floating on a Mediterranean breeze. A wide knit and wicking polyester fabric keep you cool, and the slightest wind is enough to thermoregulate. Designed and made in Italy, the Acrab is a mid-range offering from the 32-year-old company. It's a no-frills piece; the back pockets are simple and straightforward, but not saggy. A lot of jerseys have grippy hems to keep them from riding up in the front. It doesn't always work, but on the Acrab, it was effective. One quirk: the Acrab is available only in a three-quarters zip, which is fine if you're into that type of fit, but frustrating otherwise. *-- Nathan Hurst* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-nalini-jersey/)__ __WIRED__ Light, venting fabric. Simple but effective. Slim fit through the body. __TIRED__ Too-slim fit through the neck. Three-quarter zip only. 
10smith-pivlock-v2-sunglasses
Smith Pivlock V2 Sunglasses --------------------------- If you're out there mashing it three or four (or 10) hours a day, you've got enough obstacles to deal with. Fighting for a clear field of vision shouldn't be one of them. I'm tired of looking around, or under, or even through the top bar of my glasses frames while descending my favorites climbs. It's a dangerous distraction, but mostly it just takes all the speed (and fun) out of it. The [Pivlock V2](http://www.smithoptics.com/products/#/Sunglasses/Mens/PivLock+V2/view/) ($160) is a new, rimless design from Smith that smartly solves this issue while still covering all the prerequisites typical to sport protective eyewear. *-- Bradley Hughes* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-smith-pivlock-v2/)__ __WIRED__ Adjustable nose pads give you a great fit. Classic Smith looks. Obstruction-free views. __TIRED__ Even with the Hydroleophobic lens coating, I still fogged up in the fluctuating temps of Northern California. Sweaty lenses almost propose more issues than a pair of glasses with a top rim. 
11giant-tcr-advanced-sl-1-road-bike
Giant TCR Advanced SL 1 Road Bike --------------------------------- Some people want to be warriors on bikes. Some want to be pirates. Me? I want to be a ninja. And that's why I so enjoyed my time with the Giant [TCR Advanced SL 1](http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/tcr.advanced.sl.1/9005/48833/). The murdered-out color scheme is only the beginning, though. (And let's face it, most serious cyclists would ride a hot pink frame if it made them faster.) No, the ninjaness really came from the bike's tracking -- smooth and silent. The hugely oversized headtube is offset by nearly rectangular top tube and down tubes, giving the bike a distinctly stealth-bomber appearance and a stability that surprises. In past years, some complained that the Advanced SL line got jarring on rough pavement, but I felt nearly as comfortable flying over cattle guards as I did on newly repaved roads. The [Dura-Ace groupset](http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/road/dura_ace.html) is Shimano's crown jewel for a reason, and it performed admirably, even when struggling up 20-percent-plus grades. Never a hitched shift, never a dropped chain. *-- Peter Rubin* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-giant-tcr-advanced-sl-1/)__ __WIRED__ Black-on-black-on-black made for the most badass ride of the crop. Component quality and performance for the price ($6,900) can't be matched. __TIRED__ Integrated seat post feels unduly permanent. People love catching — and dropping — ninjas. 
12cycleops-powertap-g3-power-meter-wheelset
CycleOps PowerTap G3 Power Meter Wheelset ----------------------------------------- [CycleOps Power](http://www.cycleops.com) unveiled its newest line of PowerTap power meters last year. Like previous PowerTap models, the G3 unit is built inside a rear hub. But the G3 is thinner and lighter yet has wider flanges, which, in theory, would make any wheels built up with the hub stiffer and more durable. And for the first time, CycleOps is offering not just standalone hubs but also prebuilt wheelsets. I've spent two months on the company's 45mm G3 Carbon Wheelset ($3,200), and even in the incredibly windy and hilly San Francisco Bay Area, I prefer them in most conditions to all of the other wheels I own. But the rims' more traditional wedge profile struggles with strong sidewinds, much more than rims with the bulging profiles that have become so popular on aero wheels over the past two years. The new design puts most of the electronics in the removable cap, rather than the body of the hub. Where repairs on the old design often involved sending your entire wheel back to CycleOps, now you can just mail them the Oreo-sized cap, which takes all of 10 seconds to remove. CycleOps has also redesigned its Joule computer, and the new $169 unit is much smaller and way better looking than the old Joule 2.0 while retaining features like a customizable dashboard and fields that let users dive deep into their power data. *-- John Bradley* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/06/powertap-g3-wheelset/)__ __WIRED__ Full power-meter training in a package lighter than a lot of standard race wheels. Insanely stiff, responsive wheels. Easy-to-service hub design. ANT+ compatibility means unit will talk to a wide range of devices. __TIRED__ Slightly last-gen shape to the deep-dish rims. Tricky in strong side winds. Would be tough to create a more boring logo for such an exciting set of wheels. Braking performance isn't the greatest. 
13oakley-radarlock-pitch-sunglasses
Oakley Radarlock Pitch Sunglasses --------------------------------- When you're powering your bike alongside traffic at 20 mph and you've got a six-inch stretch of street between you and the shoulder, the last thing you need is to be blinded by an unrelenting sun. Like the wind in your face, there's not much you can do but fight through it, but a competent pair of shades will help you plow through any angle of sun. Oakley's latest, the cycling-specific [Radarlock Pitch](http://www.oakley.com/products/6958/26261) ($220 and up), which expands the company's push for better lens-swapping designs, proved more than up to the task. During our [group bike test](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/bike-test), a few of us ran the Radarlocks through the rigors while biking around San Francisco Bay and the challenging terrains around northern California. On first usage, the lens provided noticeable protection against the sun's unforgiving UV rays as well as any unexpected fog or haze -- always a concern around these parts. When the sun did go down, switching out the dark polarized lens and popping in one designed for low light was a cinch, thanks to the innovative Switchlock button located near the left eye hinge. You just slide the button back a little, bend the hinge, and gently pull the lens out. Swapping one lens for another can be done in under a minute, once you get the hang of it. *-- Erik Malinowski* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/oakley-radarlock-pitch/)__ __WIRED__ Excellent protection against bright glare. Structurally sound. Decent wind deflection in all elements. Nail the balance between coverage and venting. __TIRED__ Tight fit around some noggins. Cumbersome to slip on while helmeted. 
14rapha-performance-roadwear-pro-team-jersey
Rapha Performance Roadwear Pro Team Jersey ------------------------------------------ The first thought I had when I put on this [Rapha Pro Team jersey](http://www.rapha.cc/) ($210) was NOT, "Well, this is going to look absolutely ridiculous" -- which is important, because that's a thought I have about almost every single jersey I've owned. On aesthetics alone, it's a thing of beauty. It's got a slim fit, but it's somehow forgiving enough to find room for and camouflage my last couple of burritos. And for those of you, like me, who cringe at the garish all-over prints of most jerseys, the off-white/cream with a single black band on the left arm is nice fresh breath of minimalism. Details abound (sorry for just saying "abound"): The very top of the placket, when unzipped, exposes a subtle black-and-white pattern that's as close to a color splash as you're going to get. An eyesore it ain't. Functionally, it's got all the hallmarks of a true race-fit jersey (rare for Rapha, which tends to opt for boxier "club cuts"). The sleeves are snug, but not so tight as to leave marks after a long ride. The front is cut higher than usual -- when you're low in the saddle, the logic goes, all that extra material is just going to bunch up and make things uncomfortable. There are radio cable loops, which 99 percent of us are never going to need, but give the same feeling of craftsmanship as the label in one of the pockets featuring an odd little meditation on the joys of cycling ("Tongues hang, like those of dogs, and the gang breathes fast and heavy"). The pocket placement was significantly higher than most other jerseys, which I didn't love -- it certainly inhibited the usual in-and-out inventory transfers of a long ride (vest, arm warmers, food, etc.). *-- Peter Rubin* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/rapha-jersey/)__ __WIRED__ It's a departure for Rapha, to be sure, but one that bodes well for trimmer cyclists riding in warmer weather. A head-turner on the road. __TIRED__ Beware the high pockets, and the high price. 
15sidi-ergo-3-road-cycling-shoes
Sidi Ergo 3 Road Cycling Shoes ------------------------------ The [Sidi Ergo 3](http://www.sidisport.com/eng/index.php) road cycling shoe ($400) is packed to the gills with technology. These pedal-pushers are outfitted with enough straps and buckles to make Houdini drool all over his penny-farthing. Up top, there's Sidi's new Techno II buckle, a line-and-dial tightening system that gives you a more accurate fit than a ratchet closure. There's some Velcro below that to keep the forefoot snug. The Ergo 3s also use Sidi's familiar heel-retention system, a caliper buckle on the back of the shoe that tightens and grips your foot from behind. This keeps your heel securely planted on the carbon sole, which comes with little vents you can open or close. But despite having all the fancy buckles, straps and vents, or maybe because of them, the Ergo 3 just works. Indeed, once I got past my initial fascination with Techno II buckle and adjustable venting system the shoe seemed to disappear onto my foot about as well as any shoe I have ever worn. On rides short and long, I did not find myself fidgeting with the strap or buckles like I am prone to do with other shoes. *-- Jim Merithew* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/bike-test-sidi-ergo-shoes/)__ __WIRED__ Instant Euro cred. Best fit of any Ergo shoe to date. Replaceable heel pad. Built to last. __TIRED__ Might want to stick with black if you are going to keep these for years to come. Instant Euro cred. 
16cannondale-supersix-evo-road-bike
Cannondale SuperSix EVO Road Bike --------------------------------- The Cannondale [SuperSix EVO Team](http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/road/elite-road/supersix-evo/2012-supersix-evo-team) ($9,900) is the same bike the members of the [Liquigas Cannondale Team](http://www.teamliquigascannondale.com/2012/eng/main.php), including podium finisher Vincenzo Nibali, rode at the 2012 Tour de France. As one would expect of such a dyed-in-the-carbon-fiber racer, the EVO is about as lively it gets. The 14.3-lb bike is a joy on the climbs, but the aggressive geometry and big, thin-walled tubes make for a responsive but temperamental ride. The EVO's connection to the pavement could be a bit tenuous at times. That's not to say it's not a great ride. It was. But I sometimes had a hard time keeping the wheels on the ground when accelerating uphill or sprinting. And that lively frame doesn't so much carve through high-speed turns as it rips through them. If you're not an experienced racer, it can sometimes feel like you're along for the ride, rather than completely in control. *-- Nathan Hurst* __[Read the Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2012/06/cannondale-supersix-evo-team/)__ __WIRED__ Surgically precise shifting from the 2012 SRAM Red components. Custom Cannondale green paint job on the Red shifters is just cake. Twitchy handling is perfect for racing in tight quarters. Aero Carbone wheels slice through the wind. __TIRED__ Temperamental frame not ideal for long, casual club rides. Carbon rims don't have the best braking surfaces, especially when wet. Jittery front end. 
