Check out our early preview of new items you should be on the lookout for in the coming months.
Brooks Cambium C13
$220 1 of 8
It's no secret that Brooks makes one of the most comfortable and durable leather saddles on the market. On the downside, they tailor most of their products to touring cyclists, which makes their saddles too heavy to pair with racing bikes.
Enter the new Cambium C13. Made with carbon rails and a cotton-infused vulcanized rubber top, this racing saddle is surprisingly light without sacrificing the qualities that make Brooks a favorite among cyclists. Mix in the curved shape and wide mid-section, and you've got one of the most comfortable racing saddles around.
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Cycling EventsCannondale Cypher Aero
$159 2 of 8
Because of its feather weight and breathability, the Cypher has long been one of the best road helmets in Cannondale's lineup. The 2016 version retains last year's fantastic design while incorporating a new vent cover. This improvement increases aerodynamics should you require a faster helmet and makes it a solid winter option when all those open vents can get chilly. When you remove the cover, the Cypher reverts to the same road helmet that's made it such a popular option in years past.
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Cycling EventsPearl Izumi X Alp Launch II
$160 3 of 8
Unfortunately, some of us end up spending just as much time walking single track trails as we do riding them. To make things easier, the X Alp Launch II can do both—combining an excellent entry-level mountain bike shoe with the rugged outsole and flexibility of a top trail shoe. It's also extremely breathable and fast drying, making it great for any obstacles you might tackle in the summer.
The new update for 2016 is the BOA closure, a system that replaces the previous model's buckle latch, which ensures a more customizable, snugger fit.
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Cycling EventsEndura SingleTrack Jacket
$169 4 of 8
Let's face it—most rain jackets made for cycling are ugly and hot, which is not a good combination. Endura seeks to solve this ongoing problem with the SingleTrack jacket. Made with an extremely breathable fabric that manages to keep the rain from seeping while letting the steam out, the SingleTrack also features fully-sealed seams, Velcro cuffs, a zippered chest pocket to store your essentials, and a hood that (actually) fits perfectly over a helmet.
As for the styling, it's one of the few rain jackets that looks just as good off the bike as it does on it. Whether you're hiking or taking the dog for a walk, this is one jacket you'll find yourself pulling out of the closet more often than not.
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Cycling EventsSolos Wearables
Price N/A 5 of 8
One of this year's most exciting releases is Solo Wearables' highly anticipated smart glasses. By projecting a 5-inch screen in front of the eye, you'll get all of the metrics from your GPS computer or power meter without actually needing to look down at the device. This improves aerodynamics by maintaining head position and lets you constantly monitor power and heart rate numbers for more consistent pacing.
It's also readable in direct sunlight and is controllable with voice extraction technology, which ensures you'll never need to use your hands. The glasses also include audio notifications that you can use for performance cues (like a rising heart rate) or smartphone notifications, such as an incoming text.
Solos will release these smart glasses later this year.
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Cycling EventsSpecialized Flux Expert Tail Light
$100 6 of 8
Tail lights aren't just for riding at night anymore. With Flux Expert, Specialized has worked its way into the daytime tail light game—and it just so happens to be one of the best on the market. The 110-lumen output is one of the highest you'll find anywhere, but it's the light's solid construction that's made it a favorite with us.
While rectangular and semi-circular shapes can be awkward against the seat post, securing the Flux on your bike is a painless task because of its narrow body. This also makes the light more aerodynamic than many of its competitors. The shape also increases side visibility while maintaining rear visibility up to one kilometer away on the brightest of days. And the surge glow mode will keep you from blinding other cyclists when riding in a pack.
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Cycling EventsRapha Shadow Jersey
$320 7 of 8
Racing in rain gear when the weather begins to warm has, until now, been nearly impossible because of the unbearable heat it creates. Developed with the help of Team Sky, the new Shadow line from Rapha features a stretch-woven fabric that offers compression, an aerodynamic fit, and breathability that allows riders to wear it even when it's not raining.
And speaking of rain, the genius of the Shadow lies in the durable water repellent (DWR) that's applied several times during the manufacturing process. Rapha claims that it makes the fabric hydrophobic, meaning that water beads off instead of working its way inside. On the downside, you're going to pay for all that craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology.
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