This week we entered full geek mode and directly compared weights and prices of mechanical Shimano GRX to the Di2 version. We also got our hands on those new Sector wheels from Kinesis UK, plus a new bike cleaner by Naked Bikes, some women's autumn gear from Castelli and the new Stan's NoTubes DART Tool. 

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Shimano Di2 RX800 GRX groupset

Shimano's eagerly awaited GRX gravel groupset offers wide-range cassettes and single ring options for drop-bar bikes, filling a gap in the Japanese giant's lineup. It's offered in cable operated RX600 format but we've also got this super shiny, electronically shifting RX800 Di2 groupset in. If you follow this link there is a detailed breakdown of prices and weights and a comparison with the mechanical RX600 groupset too. 

• £1,460
• bike.shimano.com

Sector i9 mountain bike wheelset

Sector wheels are new from Kinesis UK, with the brand offering carbon gravel  (below) and 29er MTB wheelsets to the table in the first instance. The carbon wheels use tech from Innegra and TeXtreme®​, creating wheels with a particular layup of carbon which Kinesis UK says allows for 50% more vertical compliance than a standard carbon rim. There is lots more information in our news story here. 

The 9i is the 29er wheelset which has a 29mm internal width, 35mm external width and weighs 1,700g (rim weight is 428g). The wheels are 25mm deep, have 32/28 spokes (rear/front) and are tubeless ready from the box. The hubs uses are an own brand Boost only hub with Revo Cream bearings and a feehub with 6 pawls and 72 tooth engagement (5 degree pickup).

Sector GCi gravel wheelset

The GCi (standing for Gravel Carbon Innegra) 700c wheelset has a 38mm deep rim and has a 24mm internal width (34mm external). The wheelset weighs 1690g with the rim only weighing in at 440g. The gravel wheels have 24 spokes front and rear and again use an own brand hub with Revo Cream bearings and a freehub with 6 pawls and 72 tooth engagement (5 degree pickup). The rims are ready for tyres from 30mm to 50mm width and as above are tubeless ready straight from the box. 

• Both wheelsets retail at £1,100
• www.sectorwheels.cc​

Naked Bikes Pure Bike Shampoo

It's not a bike, nor is it one of those clothes-free bike rides... but Naked Bikes is a 'bike shampoo' that claims to give your bike a unique shine with its blend of "the finest grade oils" which is designed to protect the lifespan of your frame. Naked Bikes say they don't use any thickeners, salts or bulking agents, yet the gentle formula packs enough punch to clean your steed in no time. At six quid for 500ml, it's not bad value, either. road.cc will be giving us their verdict soon... 

• £5.99
• www.naked-bikes.com

Stan's NoTubes DART Tool

Released yesterday, the Stan's NoTubes DART System is a tubeless repair kit that aims to react with the companies sealant to plug holes. A plastic plug with feathered patches is inserted into the tyre to form a secure bond with the sealant against the tyre. It's all bound up in a neat wallet with some extra sealant and spare valves too or you can just take out the 15g plastic tube of Dart's in your jersey pocket.

• $25 USD - GBP to be confirmed
• www.notubes.com

Castelli Women's Transition Jacket

Getting into winter means an influx of autumn ready kit, this Transition jacket from Castelli gets GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® mid-weight fabric on the front and a warmer fleece on the rear. There are three pockets on the back,  an asymmetrical zip on the front and its good for temps between 8-16 degrees.

• £160
• www.saddleback.co.uk
   

Castelli Perfetto RoS LS Women's Jacket

Also from Castelli is this jacket built for Rain or Shine (hence, RoS), the Gore-Tex Infinium fabric is water resistant and stretchy too. This looks to be a jacket designed to be worn when working hard in foul weather!

• £190
• www.saddleback.co.uk

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