Gear Break: Ekoï cold weather clothing, drop bar options added to Shimano CUES Ecosystem, Campagnolo Shamal wheels: New design, endless stories, J. Demsky merges art and innovation with Gobik, Smith returns to the archives with the relaunch of the Ultralite sunglass and Chris King updates their iconic espresso tampers.
Long Sleeves Jersey EKOÏ COLD EXTREME and EKOÏ Heat Generating Bib Tights
For those cooler days
Long Sleeves Jersey EKOI COLD EXTREME – Check your local Ekoï website for current price
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: So far I’ve found the Ekoï clothing, shoes, helmet and glasses all very well made and when you have a look on their website for your country, you will usually find most items at a very keen price. The last Ekoï kit I reviewed was the Outlast® Jersey And Supersoft Bib Shorts, in the summer – Technical kit for the hot weather. The long sleeve jersey and bib-tights I now have, are also technical, but now to keep you warm.
Warm in black
Just like the Outlast® jersey, the ‘Cold Extreme’ long sleeve jersey is also a technical garment, but this time to keep you warm. The BeHOT fabric generates warmth when you move, no idea how it works, but it does. The interior of the jersey is soft and the exterior feels like it is wind proof, but the genius is in the heat generating fabric.
Classy and warm
The cut of the jersey is for comfort and a little longer for warmth. The collar is double thick and the cuffs are of a soft stretchy material, no drafts here. The three rear pockets are strong and sturdily made. There is a gripper strip round the bottom to hold everything in place. The full zip has protection flaps and a pouch at the bottom. The material is quite stretchy, so has a snug fit, but not super tight with no flapping in the wind. My only comment would be to have a small zipped pocket for change or card etc.
Very strong stitching
Black isn’t my favourite colour for jerseys, but the subtle little Ekoï logo and fabric badges set it off nicely. So, how does it feel out on the bike? Nice and warm. The jersey is lightweight and comfortable and does everything Ekoï claim. Well worth having on a cool day. It was around 12ºC, the day I tried it out, but cooler in the shade and with a cold wind. I was warm enough, even when I stopped. nice.
‘Where is that chocolate bar?’
What Ekoï sez: The lightweight aero jersey, ideal for riding between 5 and 15°C ( 41°F / 59°F). Thanks to BeHot heat-generating technology, this jersey is insulating while being 30% lighter than a conventional thermal jersey.
Throughout your ride, the fibres stretch and generate heat. This protects you from the cold while riding, but also when you stop for a break or at the end of your ride.
Weighing just 210g in size M, this technical jersey combines lightness/protection/aerodynamics.
Gripper round the waist
Features
- Flat seams.
- YKK auto-locking zipper.
- Zipper garage at the bottom of the jersey to prevent chafing.
- COLD STOP cuffs: blocks cold air entry.
- Silicone gripper at the back hem.
Material:
- Lightweight and breathable.
- Proactive: stores body heat and generates an additional 1 to 2°C.
- Effective down to 5°C. To be worn with an Ekoï thermal base layer.
Composition:
- 83% Polyamide.
- 17% Elastane.
EKOI Heat Generating Bib Tights – Check your local Ekoï website for current price
A comfortable fit
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: The Ekoï bib-tights just seemed to fit as soon as I put them on, a very good fit. The material is the same as the jersey, but the outside isn’t a shiny, maybe less wind proofing? Although you do need some cooling on the legs and the fabric does creates its own warmth.
Ekoï – Black on black
As with all the Ekoï clothing, the bibs are well made, I couldn’t find any faults in the stitching. Starting at the ankles there is griping silicone to hold the legs in place and zips for pulling them on and off with ease. The material stretches over the knees, without any pressure. The Ekoï on the legs is black on black, you can see it, but it is not ‘in your face’. a nice subtle touch.
Very neat ankle
As with the other Ekoï shorts I’ve ridden, the pad is one of the best. Gel just where you want it and only material at the sides and the front, where you don’t want any bulky padding. The bib has solid, wide straps that sit comfortably on the shoulders, with a mesh section between the straps at the back, which also holds everything in place.
Zip and grip
As I said, the bib-tights fit snugly and are flexible. The fabric definitely warms you up and the pad feels great on the saddle area. The jersey and bib-tights combination works well together, feels great and has a subtle classy look.
Lots of gel
What Ekoï sez: Thanks to BeHOT technology, the fabric of these tights offers high thermal performance.
Made in Italy, it has the particularity of generating additional heat each time it stretches, in other words with each pedal stroke. This reduces heat loss and prolongs the pleasant feeling of comfort created by the heat, even after the end of training.
Maintained constantly warm, your muscle fibres preserve their elasticity. Your movements remain fluid and your peddling efficient, despite winter weather conditions. A real technical feat.
Nice wide straps
The comfort is also optimised by the stretchy nature of the fabric which adapts perfectly to your silhouette. Its brushed fleece interior also ensures a soft contact with the skin. Well wrapped up in your tights, you can rack up the miles with the best pleasure and without shuddering.
And if by chance you had to face high humidity or a sudden shower, the water-repellent treatment of the fabric would then offer effective resistance to keep you dry.
On the seat side, the tights are equipped with the Comfort Zone padding, which, thanks to its shape memory gel inserts and its V-shape, guarantees the best seating comfort and real well-being in the saddle. Its wide elasticated and seamless straps contribute to a pleasant general feeling, whatever the duration and intensity of your rides.
A man in black
With their very opaque black colour and their logos discreetly engraved in the fabric, the HEAT GENERATING TECHNOLOGY tights are sober. A way of indicating that behind this aesthetic temperance lies a real concentration of technologies.
Product advantages
- BeHOT technical fabric: heat generation (+1 to 2°C/ 33°F to 36°F) during exercise.
- Maintains constant temperature, even after exercise.
- Effective down to -10°/14°F.
- Water-repellent treatment to protect against humidity and rain.
- More info at: www.ekoi.com
Drop Bar Options Added to Shimano CUES Ecosystem
From city streets to gravel paths, Shimano’s 9-, 10-, and 11-speed disc brake drivetrains will empower your next adventure
SHIMANO announces the expansion of its SHIMANO CUES line-up with a drop bar iteration, for recreational road and gravel riding. Featuring the same durable and smooth drivetrain performance as its flat bar counterparts, this new addition to the line-up has all the comforts of drop bar ergonomics at a reasonable price point.
SHIMANO CUES drop bar components represent Shimano’s commitment to making cycling accessible to riders of all levels.
- SHIMANO CUES: KEEPS YOU MOVING – SHIMANO CUES drop bar is kind on your hands and easy to control, providing next-level confidence and ergonomics. By cascading the ergonomics of its top-of-the-line road groupsets, CUES is designed to accommodate a wide range of hand sizes.
- SHIMANO CUES: SIMPLICITY – Consolidating its 9-, 10-, and 11-speed component ranges with interchangeable components, including common derailleur pulleys, cassette sprockets and chains, SHIMANO CUES reduces shop inventory needs and simplifies the servicing process for mid-tier bikes.
- SHIMANO CUES: VERSATILITY – The lineup features unified sprocket spacing across its 9-, 10-, and 11-speed drivetrains —Shimano’s most compatible and versatile component lineup — meaning that components can be intermixed across a wider range of user groups and riding styles. Providing confidence in the mountains, on descents, through forest paths, or in the city.
- SHIMANO CUES: DURABILITY – With the most durable drivetrain technology, LINKGLIDE extends a component’s overall lifespan and delivers a smooth shifting experience.
CUES 10- and 11-Speed Drivetrains with Hydraulic Disc Brakes
The SHIMANO CUES 10- and 11-speed 6000 series components feature powerful hydraulic disc brakes and smooth shifting with superior chain retention. With a low gear ratio of less than 1:1, based on the three times more durable and smoother LINKGLIDE platform, you can be sure of stable shifting performance with every gear change.
Built with a stiff yet lightweight design, every SHIMANO CUES crankset is compatible with HYPERGLIDE 11-speed chains.
ST-U6030 – CUES HYDRAULIC DUAL CONTROL LEVERS 11 / 10-speed
- DUAL CONTROL LEVERS ergonomically designed with advanced features, inherited from the performance road models.
- The new blade design creates a shorter lever access, allowing riders with a wide range of hand sizes and shapes to comfortably reach the levers.
- Compatible with both 10- and 11-speed drivetrains.
- Smooth shifting, which is a SHIMANO CUES hallmark.
FC-U6040-2 – CUES CRANKSET HOLLOWTECH II 2 x 10 / 9-speed
- Chainring options: 46-32T, 50-34T
- Chainline: 47mm
- Crankarm Lengths: 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm
- HOLLOWTECH II Crankset: 2 x 10 / 9-speed compatible.
FC-U6040-1 – CUES CRANKSET HOLLOWTECH II 1 x 11 / 10 / 9-speed
- Chainring options: 40T, 42T
- Chainline: 50mm
- Crankarm Lengths: 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm
- DYNAMIC CHAIN ENGAGEMENT+ improves chain retention with its special gear tip shape.HOLLOWTECH II Crankset: 1 x 11 / 10 / 9-speed.
FC-U6030-2 – CUES 2-PIECE CRANKSET 2 x 10 / 9-speed
- Chainring options: 46-32T, 50-34T
- Chainline: 47mm
- Crankarm Lengths: 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm
- Two-Piece Crankset: 2 x 10 / 9-speed.
FC-U6030-1 – CUES 2-PIECE CRANKSET 1 x 11 / 10 / 9-speed
- Chainring options: 40T, 42T
- Chainline: 50mm
- Crankset Length: 165mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm
- DYNAMIC CHAIN ENGAGEMENT+
- Two-Piece Crankset: 1 x 11 / 10 / 9-speed.
FD-U6030-F/B – CUES FRONT DERAILLEUR 2 x 10 / 9-speed
- One Front Derailleur for all SHIMANO CUES drop bar bikes.
- Toggle link construction offers easier setup and integrated cable tensioner.
- Chainline: +2.5mm allowing for wider tire clearance.
- Available with BRAZED-ON MOUNT or CLAMP BAND MOUNT.
BR-U6030 – CUES FLAT MOUNT HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKE CALIPER
- Specifically designed for widely used 160mm rotors.
- Flat Mount hydraulic disc brake caliper eliminates the need for a separate adapter.
- Lightweight 2-piston construction provides reliable braking performance under all conditions.
CUES 9- and 10-Speed Drivetrains with Mechanical Disc Brakes
The SHIMANO CUES 3000 series for 9- and 10-speed components provides an even wider range of choices with a mechanical disc brake option for increased reliability and worry-free maintenance. With a low gear ratio of less than 1:1, you can tackle a variety of situations while SHIMANO CUES keeps you in your top gear.
Thanks to the three-times more durable and smoother LINKGLIDE platform, you can be sure of stable shifting performance with every gear change.
ST-U3030 – CUES MECHANICAL DUAL CONTROL LEVER 10s and CUES MECHANICAL DUAL CONTROL LEVER 9s
- DUAL CONTROL LEVERS with ergonomic design.
BL-U3030-L – CUES BRAKE LEVER FOR SINGLE
- NEW SUPER SHIMANO LINEAR RESPONSE (SLR).
- Brake lever design inherited from our high-end mechanical brake levers, offering better control for the Front Single Crankset.
SHIMANO ESSA Drop Bar for 8-speed Drivetrain
Launched last year as a new affordable component system for MTB, fitness and city bikes, SHIMANO ESSA is now available for drop bar 8-speed drivetrains, which expands and elevates its existing 8-speed line-up. Designed to support an active cycling lifestyle, SHIMANO ESSA is an exciting development in accessible, reliable and affordable componentry that will harmonise an often-complex set of component groups.
Based on the existing HYPERGLIDE platform, ESSA will seamlessly integrate with the existing SHIMANO branded products in that range, which will make life easier for bike retailers and cycling enthusiasts alike.
ST-U2030 – SHIMANO ESSA DUAL CONTROL LEVER 8-speed
- Reliable 8-speed shifting.
- Ergonomic design.
BL-U2030-L – SHIMANO ESSA BRAKE LEVER FOR SINGLE
- New SUPER SHIMANO LINEAR RESPONSE (SLR).
- Brake lever design is inherited from our high-end mechanical brake levers, offering better control for Front Single Crankset.
CS-HG300 — HG CASSETTE 8-speed
- Wide range 8-speed cassette provides reliable shifting performance for various riding styles.
- Wide range: 11-45T (11-13-15-18-22-27-35-45T).
- Compatible with 8-, 7-, and 6-speed HYPERGLIDE chain.
Additional CUES Products
Shimano also expands the SHIMANO CUES family with two new additions to its component line, including a dedicated rear derailleur and rotor for small-wheel bikes such as 20-inch.
Specifically engineered for small-wheel bikes, these new parts enhance the functionality of SHIMANO CUES with purpose-built solutions for compact frames, and offer retailers and consumers an affordable, cross-compatible system of components.
SM-RT26-SS — 6-Bolt Disc Brake Rotor
- Available Size: 140mm
- Good for 20 – 24” Child-sized MTBs with suitable brake power.
RD-U4010-SS – CUES SHORT CAGE REAR DERAILLEUR for 10 / 9-speed
- SHIMANO SHADOW short cage type.
- Up to 30 percent more ground clearance, and more tire clearance than standard CUES RD.
- Cassette Sprocket options: 11-36T (9-speed), 11-39T (10-speed).
- E-Bike rated.
- More info at: shimano.com.
Campagnolo Shamal Wheels: New design, endless Stories
Shamal – Dual Profile wheels are readily available starting from €1,890.00 ($ 2,085 – £1,649.99) with Campagnolo N3W freehub (HG11 and XDR versions are also available).
- More info at: www.campagnolo.com.
J. Demsky Merges Art and Innovation with Gobik
Gobik unveils the kit that its Gobik Factory Team will wear in 2025, an innovative fusion of high-performance cycling apparel, artistic vision, and cutting-edge technology, created in collaboration with renowned artist J. Demsky.
J. DEMSKY Merges Art and Innovation with Gobik
Gobik unveils the kit that its Gobik Factory Team will wear in 2025, an innovative fusion of high-performance cycling apparel, artistic vision, and cutting-edge technology, created in collaboration with renowned artist J. Demsky. The Spanish artist has an extensive track record in collaborations, having worked with NBA player Kobe Bryant for Nike; painted the largest graffiti mural in China; designed alongside fashion brands such as Comme des Garçons and Junya Watanabe; created the interior design for Bershka’s flagship store, and much more. Recently, for the launch of Heineken®‘s first beer in the metaverse, he designed a brewery in the Decentraland platform.
J. DEMSKY: A Disruptive Vision Brought to Life
J. Demsky blends digital precision and organic movement to create a unique, modern aesthetic that breaks away from tradition. His fascination with geometry, motion, and perception has led him to push the boundaries of conventional art, developing immersive experiences that now translate into the design of high-performance cycling apparel.
For the Factory Team 2025 collection, J. Demsky reimagines cycling gear as a dynamic canvas, designing pieces that adapt and transform with the cyclist’s movement. The collection features bold geometric structures, vibrant colours, and striking contrasts that convey speed, energy, and precision. His skilful layering of deconstructed shapes not only delivers a visually impactful design but also represents the evolution of cycling apparel as a fusion of functionality and identity.
This collection embodies the intersection of art, cycling, and innovation, pushing the limits of design and functionality to the maximum for elite MTB competition.
- Discover the Gobik Factory Team collection.
SMITH Returns to the Archives with the Relaunch of the Ultralite Sunglass
Celebrating 60 years of style and design, SMITH opened its archives to relaunch the iconic Ultralite sunglass. A throwback from 1987, the retro ski goggle inspired design pairs well with high-top sneakers, a fresh mullet, and a good Beastie Boys track playing on the Walkman.
The oversized fit of the Ultralite returns with its classic cylindrical shield lens in slight wraparound curve, complete with ventilation holes to move airflow when heating up the dance floor. Modern upgrades include lightweight and durable Evolve
bio-based frame material and ChromaPop lens technology to keep the future in focus with contrast and colour-boosting optics.
For extra comfort and convenience, megol nose pads provide a no-slip grip when reacting to perspiration and moisture while auto lock hinges hold the frame open for easy one-hand on and off. The temple tips are also compatible with the included goggle inspired strap for keeping the frames secure.
Available in five colour options, the Ultralite is offered exclusively with ChromaPop lenses designed to cut glare while enhancing contrast, definition, natural colour, and unmatched clarity, and includes smudge and moisture-resistant coatings for easy cleaning and clear optics. Each pair arrives in a Smith Archive Collection fleece pouch for the ultimate retro feel.
- The new Ultralite (MSRP $175 USD / $215 CDN / €175 EUR / $225 AUS – includes archive collection fleece pouch) is available now at select retailers worldwide and online at smithoptics.com.
Chris King Updates Their Iconic Espresso Tampers
At Chris King, they take their coffee very seriously. The espresso machine in the upstairs kitchen is in constant use, fuelling the work of machining raw aluminum and steel (and sometimes titanium) into some of the world’s finest bicycle components.
King has been making and selling espresso tampers for years, and the latest batch updates the design with a handle that is 15mm shorter than their standard design.
Lead Designer and Coffee Guru Jay SyCip says, “Pulling the perfect shot of espresso isn’t easy. Some might even say it’s an art form. Would the Mona Lisa be in the Louvre today if Leonardo DaVinci had used a chicken bone to paint it?” He laughs, “For coffee lovers around the world, that perfect shot of espresso can be the difference between a good day and a bad one.”
The new tamper is 70mm tall, with a 58mm base diameter and a base depth of 10mm. It weighs 420g.
SyCip continues, “We recognize that a technique used by many exceptional baristas is using their fingertips to gauge the levelness of the tamper piston against the outer edge of the porta-filter and longer handles can get in the way. Making this change will allow for better more precise control for all baristas. It’s a small thing, but we felt it was important.”
The design of the Chris King espresso tamper mirrors the shape of King’s legendary NoThreadSet headset, adding a touch of distinction to any espresso set up. They retail for $150, available exclusively through the King website.
Note: If you have other experiences with gear or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews or a slap in the head if you feel the need!
PezCycling News and the author ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper/safe use, handling, maintenance, and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.
The post Gear Break: Ekoï Cold Weather Kit, Drop Bar Shimano CUES Ecosystem, Campagnolo Shamal Wheels, J. Demsky with Gobik, Smith Ultralite Sunglass & Chris King Espresso Tampers appeared first on PezCycling News.
