It’s not just about听the bikes at the 2014 Tour.听Many companies use the world鈥檚 biggest race to unveil all manner of gear. And why not? Stick a racer in your helmet, shoe, or jersey, and if they win a stage or place well, you can claim your product helped. We can鈥檛 verify all of that, but here are a few of the new things we鈥檝e seen that we like.
Giro Empire SLX ($350)
Lace-up cleats have made a bit of a comeback in recent years, in part thanks to American for them. The original Empire was already lightweight and trim, but Giro has pared the shoe down further for the version. With an even trimmer EC90 SLXII carbon outsole and a highly ventilated Teijin upper, a size 42.5 SLX weighs just six ounces鈥攁bout the same as a large banana.
Bell Star Pro ($240)
Aero road helmets have exploded since Giro launched the first-of-its kind Air Attack two years ago. Bell鈥檚 is a bit different than most because it uses a system that allows riders to either close or open the vents, improving aerodynamics or ventilation respectively. Bell says that in wind-tunnel testing, the Star Pro had the least drag of any of its aero competition (the Specialized Evade and Air Attack among them), while it was cooler than the average road helmet with vents open. Some models will include a sun visor, which attaches with built-in magnets.听
Rapha Climber鈥檚 Jersey ($225)
This jersey, worn by Team Sky, takes lightweight to an almost ridiculous level. The open-mesh body fabric is so lightweight and gossamer that the garment comes with a warning tag that it must be worn with sunblock for safety reasons. It is, indeed, extremely comfortable on stuffy days, and as with all Rapha apparel, the fit and tailoring is just right. The locking zip, which keeps the jersey secure with the thob down but allows for quick cooling with just a tug of the fabric if the thob is up, is a nice touch. And though we have nothing against Team Sky, we do wish this jersey was available in a non-Team edition for less-conspicuous riding.
Louis Garneau Course Superleggera 2 Jersey ($160)
Ironically, after typing that about wanting a non-branded version of the climber鈥檚 jersey, the showed up, and it鈥檚 mostly cut from the same gauzy fabric used by Rapha, which Garneau calls Kite Mesh. An extremely sheer Lycra covers the upper chest and shoulder blades, a material that Garneau uses in order to add a Cold Black treatment for UV protection. This one also has a neat, laser-perforated elastic waistband, and it鈥檚 nominally lighter than the Rapha鈥90 grams for a size medium. Wisely, Garneau is opting to offer it to the public in options other than the cash green of , which, in Rapha鈥檚 defense, isn鈥檛 nearly as fetching as the Sky design.
Oakley TDF Eyeshade ($200)听
Remember those giant, ski-goggle-esque glasses that Greg Lemond, Andy Hampsten, and all the cool kids wore back in the 鈥80s? They鈥檙e back, courtesy of a by Oakley. The resurgent Eyeshades (as well as two other models, the Razorblades and Frogskins) come in three lifestyle colorways (Seafoam, Black, and Fog), as well as a Tour-de-France edition that has white frames adorned with a color swatch to match the three jerseys of the Tour. And yes, there are some pros actually wearing .
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Shimano CM-1000 ($300)
Those paying close attention might have noticed a few riders with cameras mounted to their bikes. For the first time in history, the UCI has approved the use of these electronics at the Tour, and Shimano has placed a number of its new CM-1000 with sponsored teams. The diminutive device sports an f2.0 lens that records in 1080 HD, and it鈥檚 also ANT+ and WiFi enabled so it can talk to a host of devices, including Shimano鈥檚 new Di2 transmitter, power meters, and smart phones. Shimano is hush hush about what it plans to do with any video it might collect, but in June has become a bit of an internet sensation.