Gear Break: Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave Shoes, Ridley Track Bike, Rapha Pro Team Bib Shorts, Zwift Games Returns, Lezyne Tubeless Upgrade & Shimano Eyewear

Gear Break: Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave shoes, Ridley Omnium Fast: The custom track bike for group events, Rapha teams up with WorldTour riders to re-engineer its Pro Team bib shorts, the record-breaking Zwift Games returns for 2025, Lezyne: The ultimate upgrade for your tubeless setup and Shimano introduces next generation S-PHYRE super light eyewear, along with new EQUINOX and PULSAR models for unmatched clarity, protection, and performance.

Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave – $379.99

According to Fizik:

A lightweight, ultra-breathable road cycling shoe built from an innovative, net-like material paired with a full-carbon outsole for unrivalled ventilation and race-ready responsiveness.

Chuck Peña PEZ sez:  You may have seen these shoes on Movistar team riders over the past couple of seasons. So even they are old school with velcro for the closure, they are definitely pro level.

I’ll have a more full review at a later date, so consider this a PEZ sneak peek for now.

You could get the Movistar Team edition, but if you want to stand out in a sea of white shoes with BOA dials, you’ll want to go with the #realmenwearpink version.

The pink with orange colorway aside, two things stand out about the Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave.

First is the velcro straps. They’re old school tech, but they don’t work like velcro closures of old that pulled the two sides of the shoe (vamps) together across the tongue. Instead the front Powerstrap (to adjust midfoot) is a zig-zag pattern that creates more of a “wrap around” effect. Along with the rear Powerstrap (that just comes across the instep), they are supposed to provide a very secure fit. Just trying the shoes on for fit, I can say that the velcro Powerstrap system provided a secure and comfortable fit around my feet. (But very different from the then flagship Fizik R3 shoes with sailcloth velcro straps that David Millar wore towards the end of his career that were also favorites of mine before I abandoned velcro in favor of BOA.)  I’ll be interested to see how they hold up to extended riding.

Back to the future with velcro

The second thing is the material for the upper. Instead of a more “solid” material (synthetic or leather), it’s a vented mesh fabric. Needless to say, the Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave are shoes intended for hot weather riding. The Aeroweave is in its second generation and according to Fizik, the woven fabric interlaces nylon fibers with filaments of thermoplastic polymers for an even lighter shoe that doesn’t lose its original tenacity, providing the strength and support required in competition.  Again, just trying the shoes on for fit, the Aeroweave material conformed to my foot shape not unlike a synthetic or leather upper, i.e., it didn’t feel “loose.”

The Aeroweave mesh material is apparent when viewed from the inside. Also note the two intake vents in the forefoot.

The rest of the shoe is relatively “conventional” and what you would expect in a high-level shoe that pros ride.

The sole is unidirectional carbon fiber. Fizik claims a stiffness index of 10, but it’s important to know that there is no standard for measuring stiffness. That said, given my experience with several different pairs of Fizik shoes (most recently, the Fizik Tempo Decos Carbon Iridescent road shoes), I’m sure they’re plenty stiff. Again, these are shoes ridden by pro riders so if they’re good enough for them, they’re probably good enough for us mere mortals.

Black carbon fiber goodness

Speaking of the sole, it has a standard 3-hole LOOK cleat mount (if you’re like me and ride Speedplay pedals, you’ll need an adapter plate). Plus there are two front intake vents for air flow/cooling (but no exit ports).

Toe and heel pads for walking about, but they’re not replaceable

The insoles have a metatarsal pad that can provide #marginalgains comfort

It’s not even spring yet, but we’re already getting days in the 70s(F) here in the Lowcountry. So it won’t be too long before it actually gets hot. As the Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave shoes are hot weather shoes, I’ll get the chance to see how they do in their intended environment and report back. Stay tuned!

Annemiek van Vleuten wearing pink (2022 Giro Donne) and pedaling in the Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave shoes

Ridley Omnium Fast: The Custom Track Bike for Group Events

Following the success of the Arena Fast, Ridley now introduces the Omnium Fast, a track bike optimized for group races on the velodrome. Building on the Arena Fast’s success, the Omnium Fast features geometry specifically tailored to the demands of omnium disciplines. It is also the new weapon of choice for omnium world champion Lindsay De Vylder.

The Omnium Fast is designed for all events in the omnium: the scratch, tempo race, elimination, and points race. These disciplines demand a unique combination of speed and agility in a peloton. In group races, where surges and unpredictable moves dictate the pace, responsiveness is critical. The Omnium Fast meets these challenges with a geometry designed for quick and confident reactions to sudden changes within the peloton.

Evolution of the Arena Fast

Aerodynamically, the Omnium Fast draws on the proven efficiency of the Arena Fast (track bike) and Dean Fast Disc (time trial bike). The tube profiles take full advantage of the 2022 UCI rule changes, which allow an 8:1 length-to-width ratio compared to the previous 3:1 restriction. This enables developers to create longer, narrower tubes. The connections between the top tube, head tube, and down tube are also maximally reinforced.

Compared to the Arena Fast, the Omnium Fast has a steeper head tube angle, enhancing maneuverability and responsiveness in a peloton. The Arena Fast, in contrast, prioritizes stability and sustained speed for events requiring minimal steering.

Its lower and deeper rider position accommodates a time trial handlebar for maximum aerodynamics. The head tube is shorter and features a cut-out to seamlessly integrate a time trial handlebar into the frame.

The Omnium Fast, however, employs traditional drop bars, eliminating the need for handlebar integration into the frame. Consequently, the head tube is taller. These adjustments result in an exceptionally responsive and agile bike with maximized aerodynamic efficiency.

Flip Chips

Like the Arena Fast, the Omnium Fast features flip chips in the fork, allowing riders to fine-tune handling to their preferences.

By adjusting the flip chips, riders can vary fork rake and trail. Placing the flip chips in the forward position reduces trail, making the bike more responsive. A larger trail, achieved in the rearward flip chip position, results in more forgiving handling. The flip chips are easy to adjust, enabling quick transitions between configurations.

Future Proof Dropouts

Another shared feature with the Arena Fast is the Future Proof Dropouts, which are compatible with all current axle standards thanks to interchangeable components.

Should new standards emerge, riders can easily update their dropouts to maintain compatibility.

New handlebar

Accompanying the Omnium Fast is a new handlebar designed by Ridley. Its geometry and dimensions are optimized within UCI regulations. The handlebar’s outer width is 35 cm, the minimum allowed by the UCI. The top width measures 30 cm, widening to 33 cm in the drops (center-to-center). The reach is 105 mm, and the drop is 120 mm.

The handlebar includes additional “horns” on top, enabling riders to adopt an aerodynamic position similar to gripping brake hoods on a road bike. A textured coating improves grip, ensuring the perfect balance between aerodynamics and control.

The handlebar is compatible with stems featuring a 31.8 mm clamp and can also be used on other track bikes, including the Ridley Arena Fast in its sprint configuration and the Ridley Arena A. It is available separately from Ridley dealers.

Availability

The Omnium Fast is available in three sizes (S, M, L) as a complete bike or frameset, and customers can fully personalize it in Ridley’s online configurator.

Ridley has a dedicated program for UCI license holders and collaborates with Belgian Cycling and other federations worldwide, ensuring that this bike is used at the highest level. Thanks to its own wind tunnel in Bike Valley and a partnership with Velodroom Zolder, Ridley has all the assets to build the fastest track bikes in the world.

• FFS: € 4999,-
• SBI: € 5999,-

Lindsay De Vylder
Thanks to Ridley’s partnership with Belgian Cycling, Belgian track cyclists provided valuable feedback during development. Over time, all Belgian riders will transition to Ridley track bikes. As the reigning omnium world champion, Lindsay De Vylder is the ideal ambassador for the Omnium Fast.

Lindsay De Vylder on the Omnium Fast: “I am very satisfied with the Omnium Fast! Ridley invited me to their headquarters to explain the details of this track bike, and I also had the opportunity to share my feedback. The result is an ultra-fast bike that handles perfectly in the peloton. The special rainbow design makes it clear that I am the world champion in this discipline. With this bike, the road to Los Angeles is wide open, and I look forward to achieving many more highlights on the Omnium Fast!”

• More info at: www.ridley-bikes.com/.

Rapha Teams Up with WorldTour Riders to Re-Engineer its Pro Team Bib Shorts
Rapha launches Pro Team Bib Shorts III – its most comfortable high-performance shorts yet.

Centred around a proprietary chamois, road tested over 400,000km and fine-tuned with WorldTour athletes, the Pro Team Bib Shorts III are part of Rapha’s pinnacle performance range.

James Stannard, Senior Product Manager at Rapha said: “Whether you’re gearing up for your next race, chasing a QOM, or planning your hardest ride to date, these next generation bib shorts are built for unhindered focus on the absolute limit.”

The Pro Team Bib Shorts III were put to the ultimate test by Lachlan Morton who recently beat the fastest known time riding from Auckland to Wellington in New Zealand. The record had previously stood for over 40 years, set in 1983 by post office worker and endurance club rider, Brian Fleck. EF Pro Cycling’s Morton broke the record riding 648km in a time of 18 hours and 28 minutes.

Commenting on the Pro Team Bib Shorts III, Lachlan Morton said: “From Auckland to Wellington, I didn’t notice them at all, and that’s the highest praise I can give. That’s what I want from my bib shorts.”

Fellow EF Pro Cycling rider Kasper Asgreen has also put Rapha’s new bib shorts through their paces whilst training in Denmark. The former winner of Flanders, E3 and an epic Tour de France stage said: “These are great all round bib shorts, probably the best I’ve worn. Really fantastic.”

Key features include:

• Unrivalled comfort – For absolute comfort in competition, Rapha’s in-house atelier and design team went deeper to innovate the pattern and garment construction. Minimal seams and fabric with fewer panels, the advanced build of the chamois, low profile elastic bib straps, laser cut hems and mesh waist section all ensure optimum fit, functionality and support.
• Supreme chamois – The new proprietary chamois was a key focus of the design process. Increased high-density foam, with a reticulated structure, conforms to your body and wicks sweat rapidly. Iterations of this pad were tested by WorldTour and elite-level riders in all conditions. The result is supreme comfort during your hardest efforts.
• Material gains – The legs and bibs sections use another proprietary textile technology, selected for high strength-to-weight ratio for an engaged fit and increased chamois stability. This Italian-made woven fabric also offers advanced thermo-regulation whilst still delivering a balance of form-following flexibility and compression.

Availability

• Available to purchase on rapha.cc and in Rapha Clubhouses globally and in select Rapha partner retailers from 25 February 2025.

Chapter 1: In One Day with Lachlan Morton:

The Record-Breaking Zwift Games Returns for 2025
With racing for all abilities, last year’s event attracted over 80,000 participants

Zwift, the global online fitness platform for cyclists, today announces the return of Zwift Games, the largest community racing competition in cycling, with racing for all abilities. The five-stage, multi-format competition is open to the entire cycling community and aims to introduce even more Zwifters to the thrill of Zwift racing.

Racing on Zwift delivers high-octane fun that you can enjoy with friends, old and new, from all around the world. It’s some of the best training you can do, and with categories available to all abilities, there truly is something for everyone.

For the 2025 Zwift Games, Zwift has created five brand new routes across multiple Zwift Worlds, each designed specifically for racing, and to test the skills of every type of rider. Races begin short but gradually increase in duration as the series rolls on, with Stage 5 culminating in the ultimate racing challenge.

With the introduction of Zwift Racing Score, designed to make racing more accessible but also more competitive, the 2025 Zwift Games will feature 11 categories. Zwifters will find it easier to match with racers of similar availability, making races more competitive and giving each participant a genuine opportunity to win.

Also new for Zwift Games 25 is the introduction of startline PowerUps. Each racer will be awarded a PowerUp in the pen, adding an additional layer of strategy.

For the first time, the Zwift Games website will showcase Zwifter’s progress and ranking for the community races as well as hosting the Elite Race General Classifications and the Stage results. There will be dedicated race results ranking, global leaderboards as well as leaderboards broken down by each stage. Category filters will allow each racers to compare themselves globally with those most relevant to their own abilities.

Oakley, Nimbl and Shimano have joined Zwift Games 25 as official partners. Competitors will have the opportunity to unlock Oakley Velo Kato TM eyewear after completing 1 stage, Nimbl Ultimate shoes after 2 stages and Oakley Velo Mach Helmet after 3 stages. Finish all five stages and unlock the Zwift Games 2025 kit.

In 2025, the Zwift Games Elite consists of 5 stages across 3 consecutive Saturdays: March 8, March 15 and March 22. Two Sprint stages, two Climb stages and an Epic stage. The Zwift Games will crown men’s and women’s Champions across the Sprint, Climb and Epic disciplines as well as Overall Zwift Games Champions. Each of the 8 champions will also unlock the iconic golden Concept Z1 bike. It is the highest quality start list ever assembled including Lucy Charles-Barclay, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, Sam Laidlow, Jason Osbourne and Freddy Ovett. Watch the racing here. For more details on competition formats, our fan guide is here.

Want to test out all the new routes before Zwift Games? The Zwift Games Route Chaser Challenge is live right now where you can complete all of the new routes that will feature in the Zwift Games, grab the new route completion badges and earn an extra 1000XP.

Also returning this March is the Zwift Big Spin. Ride! Spin! Win! Immensely popular with Zwifters in 2024, Zwift Spin offers up some type one fun for the month. Running through the decades with 4 stages, from the 1970s to 2000s, and limited edition themed unlocks with each stage. Get into the spirit of each decade with themed Spotify playlists. More information and to sign up here.

Lezyne: The Ultimate Upgrade for Your Tubeless Setup!

Shimano Introduces Next Generation S-PHYRE Super Light Eyewear, Along with New EQUINOX and PULSAR Models for Unmatched Clarity, Protection, and Performance
Featuring Cutting Edge RIDESCAPE Lens Technology Across All Three Models

SHIMANO announces its 2025 eyewear collection, the new lineup reinforces Shimano’s commitment to providing cyclists with premium eyewear that combines performance, comfort and environmental responsibility.

Shimano expands its lineup of premium eyewear with three new models that combine advanced optics with precision engineering to help riders perform at their best. Featuring sleek, modern designs with lightweight and durable construction, the new S-PHYRE SL, EQUINOX, and PULSAR eyewear deliver the ultimate in speed, style, and functionality for optimal performance in any riding condition.

RIDESCAPE Lens Technology
Shimano’s proprietary RIDESCAPE lens technology includes three lens options that are tuned for different riding conditions and terrain types. From sunny days on the road to riding through mixed shadows on a forest trail or chasing the dimming light of an evening gravel ride, RIDESCAPE transmits the right amount of light to boost visibility. Details that would normally be washed out, dull, or flat become more clearly defined, vibrant, and vivid.

Each RIDESCAPE lens is crafted from premium-grade polyamide, delivering superior optical clarity and targeted performance for specific riding environments. This technology reduces eye strain and enables riders to focus on the road ahead of them at all times.

Find your perfect lens and fit, by visiting the Shimano Eyewear Selector.

S-PHYRE SL: Super-Light Rimless Eyewear for Peak Performance
For high-performance riding, the new S-PHYRE SL features a super lightweight, one-piece lens, and rimless design for racers looking to drop every gram of weight possible. The invisible frame and nose piece create a sleek, aerodynamic look while curved temples ensure a secure fit on any terrain.
The frameless construction delivers featherweight comfort and performance, optimized for riders with smaller faces or those seeking a sleeker fit. With crystal color temple options, the rimless frame design delivers a secure and comfortable fit.

• RIDESCAPE RD: Black Sapphire, Matte Crystal, Purple Sapphire, and Pink Sapphire
• RIDESCAPE OR: Black Sapphire, and Yellow Sapphire
• RIDESCAPE GR: Green Sapphire
• Frame: Rilsan® clear G850 Rnew® bio-based polyamide materials
• Weight: 23.7 grams
• MSRP: $150.00 USD, €149.95 EUR

EQUINOX: Tech-Infused Style and Versatility
Borrowing performance features and design cues from Shimano S-PHYRE eyewear, the new EQUINOX lineup delivers a lightweight half-rim frame and unique temple structure for a secure fit in any riding condition. The unique cutout temple structure integrates seamlessly with a wide range of helmets for all-day comfort and protection from the elements.
Equipped with a one-piece cylindrical lens for a wide field of view, EQUINOX offers enhanced wraparound protection, shielding your eyes from wind, debris, and the elements.

• RIDESCAPE RD: Matte Black, Matte White, Smokey Pink
• RIDESCAPE OR: Matte White, Teal
• RIDESCAPE GR: Teal, Transparent Gray
• Frame: Rilsan® clear G850 Rnew® bio-based polyamide materials
• Spare Lens: Clear
• Weight: 25.2 grams
• MSRP: $125.00 USD, €119.95 EUR

PULSAR: Bold, Trail-Ready Eyewear

The lightweight and durable PULSAR eyewear offers a large, one-piece lens for enhanced eye protection and visibility when hitting the trails. It features a detachable lower rim for added versatility and allows riders to switch between a full-frame look and sleek half frame design while maintaining a wide field of view. With interchangeable RIDESCAPE lenses, optimized for MTB and gravel riding, picking the right line won’t be an issue, while the photochromic lens option is ideal for variable light conditions.

• RIDESCAPE OR: Matte Black, Forest Gray, Lilac, Tealberry, and Teal
• RIDESCAPE GR: Sage Green
• Photochromic Gray: Matte Black, and Ivory
• Frame: Rilsan® clear G850 Rnew® bio-based polyamide materials
• Weight: 29.8 grams
• MSRP: $100.00 USD, €89.95 EUR

• More info at: bike.shimano.com

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: Fizik Vento Powerstrap Aeroweave Shoes, Ridley Track Bike, Rapha Pro Team Bib Shorts, Zwift Games Returns, Lezyne Tubeless Upgrade & Shimano Eyewear appeared first on PezCycling News.