There's lots of fresh kit and new features this week! After our visit last month, we posted a feature this week all about our trip to Bird Cycleworks so make sure you head over and have a read about the progressive UK based bike company. Elsewhere, one member of the team didn't get her meat delivered (no innuendo bingo needed thanks!) on time due to Parcelforce being overloaded with goods and it's only just December too! Other couriers did manage to get through the doors and we've got this little stash to be tested this week....

• Feature - Bird Cycleworks: From the ground up
• First Ride: Bird Aeris 145

Sonder Camio AL

We take a look at the Alpkit gravel bike that costs just over a grand. The Sonder Camino Al Rival1 Hydro spec we've got for test costs £1199. Considering you get proper hydraulic discs and an 11spd, single ring drivetrain from SRAM, that's mighty impressive. Add in the fact that you get a carbon fork with a proper tapered steerer and the 700c wheels are shod with 37c WTB Ridler Comp tyres  - a 650bx47mm tyre will fit too - and it's a bit of a steal. We've got more info in our 'First Look', so click here.....

• £1199
• www.alpkit.com
• Buy a Sonder Camino AL here

Crank Brothers Mallet DH Pedals

We take a look at Crank Brothers Mallet DH pedals. We've tested the Mallet 3's and the Mallet E's so thought it was only fair we gave the DH version a go too. These have many of the same features as their brother, the Mallet 3, namely a four-sided clip in mechanism, lots of float and a big pedal platform with 8 pins, but crucially these are concave in shape like the Mallet E's. The top picture below is Peaty's signature version and then at the bottom are the pair of Mallet DH's that we will be testing. The differences as far as we can discern is that Peaty's version doesn't have the changeable traction pads either side of the mechanism but you'll still pay the same price......

•  £150
• www.extrauk.co.uk or www.crankbrothers.com
• You can also buy Crank Brothers Mallet DH pedals here
   

Giro Switchblade Helmet 

We are pretty excited about this one, maybe you'll say we are a little late to the party but we say better late than never! We are taking a look at the Giro Switcblade for all our downhill, teeth protecting forays. It's a downhill certified lid with a removable chin bar, but one that polarises opinions with a Princess Leiaesque ear coverings. 

• £250
• www.giro.com or www.zyrofisher.co.uk
• You can buy a Switchblade from Tredz here

Specialized 2FO Flat Shoes

After taking a look at the 2FO Cliplite Lace shoes we are now giving the 2FO flatties a go. We've used the previous version of these shoes and found the sole to be pretty stiff but lacking a bit of traction when the going got rough. The 2018 version features an updated compound - the SlipNot™ 2.0 rubber which Spesh say is "our softest, grippiest rubber, optimised for the ultimate in pedal connection".

• £100
• www.specialized.com
• You can buy Specialized 2FO shoes here at Tredz
   

7Mesh Re:Gen Waterproof Jacket

It's safe to 7Mesh make some good looking gear that just screams quality. We've got some of their kit out with a couple of testers at the moment and we are only hearing good things. This women's jacket, the Re:Gen is minimalistic yet super stylish, we've got high expectations for this little bundle of waterproofness. You'll also see a review of the Glidepath shorts and the Desparado Henley baselayer in good time. 

• £220
• www.7meshinc.com
• You can buy the 7Mesh Re:Gen Jacket here direct

You might also like:

• First Look - Sonder Camino AL gravel bike
• Feature - Bird Cycleworks: from the ground up
• Review: Ion Tee LS Scrub Amp Jersey