Gear Break: Pas Normal Studios Summer Kit, Adidas Dunamis Evo Sunglasses, New CADEX Aero Cotton Tire, Sinter and EF, Cyclowax: The Wax Behind the Win & Pinarello Bicycle sponsor of the Giro

Gear Break: Pas Normal Studios Mechanism bib shorts, jersey, socks, sleeveless base layer and Escapism mitts for summer, Adidas Dunamis Evo sunglasses, New CADEX Aero Cotton tire blends aerodynamic integration, low rolling resistance, and exceptional ride feel, Sinter and EF Education-EasyPost partner for a second year, the wax behind the win: How Cyclowax helped Mattias Skjelmose conquer the Amstel Gold Race and Pinarello return as the official bicycle sponsor of the Giro d’Italia.

Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Bib Shorts, Jersey, Socks, Sleeveless Base Layer and Escapism Mitts for Summer
Summer is on the way (allegedly) in the Northern hemisphere and there is nothing better than some new kit for the warmer days. Pas Normal Studios sent me their Mechanism kit in their new colours for 2025: Bib shorts in khaki green and short sleeve jersey in light indigo, plus their sleeveless base layer and socks. To finish off the ‘ensemble’ a pair of their very new Escapism mitts arrived a couple of weeks later. I’m set for this summer, we just need the weather.

Nearly warm enough

Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Short Sleeve Jersey
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: I usually finish with my overall impression, but on this occasion I’ll start with the obvious quality of the materials used and top workmanship gone into Pas Normal Studios clothing. Starting with the jersey; It has a proper collar, not low scooped at the front. The full zip has small pouches top and bottom. There are wide gripper strips on the sleeves and all the way round the waist, to keep everything in its place. The jersey is made of two panels, with shaping at the shoulder and a narrower panel at the front. This works like having side panels for ‘figure hugging’ jersey. The material used is very breathable and soft to the touch.

The colour looks better in the photos outdoors

The large overlock stitching is in a contrasting white, which matches the bib shorts, and gives the kit a unique look. Now to my favourite subject, the pockets. The pockets are double or maybe triple stitched with strengthening material on the inside at the joints. The tops of the pockets have a solid edging so you have difficulty finding your pockets on the move, but the thing I like the most is the small zip pocket at the side of the main pockets to keep some money/card etc. All training jerseys should have one. There is a small logo on the front and a larger ‘P N S’ on the back, with ‘Mechanism’ on the inside of the collar. There are 17 different colours, all subtle shades, nothing in your face and you can either match or contract with the bib shorts.

That important zip pocket

Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Bib Shorts
The bib shorts I have are in khaki green, a colour I probably wouldn’t pick, but they go well with the indigo jersey. You could have a matching, all the same colour, but a contrast looks good. There are 5 different colours of bibs. If you do choose to mix and match, the colours/shades are all very classy, it’s obvious that the jersey and bibs are made in Italy.

One of the best pads

The most important part of any bib shorts is the ‘chamois’ or pad. I have used the Pas Normal Studios pad before and not had any problems. It feels like there are four thickness, more where you need it and less, where you don’t. There is a channel in the centre, much like many saddles, to lessen pressure on the prostate area. There is less material at the front, so less chance of chaffing and feeling like you’re wearing a baby’s nappy/diaper. The pad is very good.

Great fitting bibs

The legs have three panels each and the body has four, with a cross panel at the rear, they all help to shape the bib for a great fit with lots of comfort. There is also the matching ‘zig-zag’ stitching at the seams, not all the seams, just the more obvious ones. Wide gripper strips on the legs keep everything where you want them and you can wear the long if you want. The material used is stretchy and soft. The grippers are soft to the touch, so not skin marks at the end of the day.

Breathable bib and wide gripper

The white bib is made up of wide elastic straps connected at the front with breathable material. The same material is used at the back between the straps, which helps to keep them in the middle of the shoulders. ‘P N S’ logo on the legs and ‘Mechanism’ across the back. Even if you only bought the shorts, you wouldn’t regret it.

Nice colour combo

Pas Normal Studios Sleveless Base Layer
I was always told to wear a base layer in all temperatures as it keeps you warm in cold temperatures and takes the sweat away from the skin when it’s hot. My mother always said “N’er cast a clout till May’s oot”. She also said you should always have clean underwear on incase you were hit by a bus, which seemed pointless under the circumstances. Anyway, a good base layer in changeable weather conditions or if you are doing a lot of climbing, could save your life, or at least keep you comfortable.

Always wear you vest

The Pas Normal Studios base layer is tight fitting and comfortable and it works. Insulating you and/or swicking the sweat away. The soft breathable material hugs the body without rucking up and all the edges are double hemmed. the usual Pas logo on the front and ‘Road to Nowhere’ down the spine. Practical and comfortable.

Comfortable base layer and wide bib straps

Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Socks
The Pas socks are a little bit high for an ‘old school’ rider like me, but they are not over the top. White is the colour for cycling socks, but the Mechanism’s come in 7 colours, if that is what you want. They are soft and the material on the top of the foot is breathable with some padding under the sole and at the heel. The top of the sock isn’t too tight and they don’t fall down, although with all socks, that might depend on your legs. ‘P N S’ on the side of the legs and ‘Mechanism’ on the sole. Comfortable to wear and they don’t let your feet get too hot. Chuck would like the hight, a little shorter would suit me, but each to their own.

Comfortable socks

Pas Normal Studios Escapism Mitts
The Escapism mitts were an added bonus I wasn’t expecting, but as they arrived two days ago, I had to add them to the review. Pas Studios say they are ‘gravel-specific’, but there is no reason why you can’t wear them on or off road. There is a thick bit of padding on the palm, which would absorb any rough surface, while the rest of the palm material would stop any chaffing. The back of the hand is a soft woven, elastic material with a ‘Pas Normal Studios’ reflective logo.

Soft weave back

At the wrist there is a strengthened section which helps pulling them on and will protect the soft, inside of your wrist. Unlike many cycling mitts, they are easy to pull on and off. Sturdy and well made, with comfort and safety in mind.

Padding and protection on the palm

The overall impression: Pas Normal Studios designs and manufactures top quality kit, that is the first thing you notice. It’s also stylish, fits well and is very comfortable… but at a price. It cost much the same as the other brands at the top end of the market. If you want a Colnago, a Pinarello or a hand made bespoke bike, it won’t be cheap. Pas Normal Studios clothing never disappoints.

Only the best of kit

What Pas Normal Studios sez:
Men’s Mechanism Jersey
The jersey is suited for rides in mild to high temperatures. Combine with a stow away jacket/gilet or arm warmers on colder rides.
The jersey is optimised for high intensity training rides and races.
This jersey works with you as you ride due to its micro-perforated fabrics on the collar, sleeves, back, and side panels. With its quick-drying properties, moisture is quickly absorbed and then dissipated to reduce any windchill after the hardest efforts.

Fit

• The jersey has a tight, aerodynamic fit – ideal for high-intensity road riding and racing.

Product details

• Aerodynamic race fit
• Lightweight fabric
• Highly breathable
• Modern low-cut collar to reduce chafing and improve comfort
• Fully dyed waist and sleeve elastic grippers
• Zippered side pocket with a stay-down seam zipper
• The stiff zipper insert makes it easier to reach your essentials
• Single layer patch pocket inside
• Minimalistic guarded zip ends
• Full-length YKK zipper with semi auto-lock puller
• Material: 86% Polyester, 14% Elastane
• Made in Italy

Men’s Mechanism Bibs
The bibs are optimised for high intensity training rides and races
The bibs are suited for rides in mild to high temperatures. Combine with leg warmers on colder rides.

Fit
The bibs has a tight, aerodynamic fit – ideal for high-intensity road riding and racing.

Product details

• Aerodynamic race fit
• Mesh-structured straps
• Durable zigzag chamois stitching
• Four-layer ultralight foam chamois
• Fully dyed fabrics and elastic grippers
• Highly breathable
• Material: 82% Polyester, 18% Elastane
• Made in Italy

Men’s Sleeveless Base Layer
The base layer is optimised for summer rides in warm temperatures. The most breathable base layer in our range.
The base layer offers superior breathability properties and is optimised for moisture wicking.

Fit
The base layer has a tight fit that gives the best possible comfort and allows you to build extra layers on top of the base layer.

Product details

• Lightweight mesh fabric to disperse moisture
• Road to Nowhere branding down the back
• Central Pas Normal Studios chest logo
• Material: 94% Polyester, 6% Elastane
• Made in Lithuania

Mechanism Socks
The socks are optimised for summer rides in warmer temperatures.
A key component to round out your everyday kit, our collection of Mechanism Socks is designed for the summer weather, providing optimal comfort and exceptional durability under the highest performance requirements. Perfect for high intensity training and racing.

Fit

• The socks has a tight fit that gives the best possible comfort.

Product details

• Meryl® Skinlife yarn
• Lightweight and breathable
• High wicking performance
• Excellent wash- and colourfast performance
• Fabric: 78% Multifilament Polyamide, 14% Polyamide, 6% Polypropylene, 2% Elastane
• Made in Portugal

Pas Normal Studios Escapism Mitts
A gravel-specific mitt suited for your all-terrain rides during the warmer months. The knitted fabric on the back of the hand gives you the needed ventilation during your high-intensity efforts. A padded palm reduces hand pressure and numbness during bumpy rides. The mitts offer protection from chafing, abrasion, and road rash if you crash. The Escapism Mitts has been finished with a reflective Pas Normal Studios logo on the face of the gloves.

Product details

• Knitted main fabric for breathability
• Vent holes on palm
• Reflective Pas Normal Studios logos
• Gel padding for additional comfort
• Rubber part on the wrist for easy wear
• Main fabric composition: 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex
• Palm composition: 84% Polyester, 10%Polyurethane, 6% Spandex

• More info at: https://pasnormalstudios.com.

Adidas Dunamis Evo

Adidas sez:

New CADEX Aero Cotton Tire Blends Aerodynamic Integration, Low Rolling Resistance, and Exceptional Ride Feel
Innovative aero shaping, 320 TPI Cotton Race Casing and RR-S2 silica compound deliver speed, control and efficiency

Smooth & Responsive – 320 TPI cotton casing for an ultra-supple road feel with road-hugging control

CADEX, a global leader in high-performance cycling components, announced the launch of the CADEX Aero Cotton, a premium road tire for elite racers, time trialists and triathletes. Engineered for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, ultra-low rolling resistance, and road-smoothing compliance, the Aero Cotton delivers top-tier performance where speed and precision matter most.

“The Aero Cotton brings together the elements that matter most for pro riders—low rolling resistance, confident handling, and aero performance,” said Jeff Schneider, Global Head of Product for CADEX. “With a refined hookless profile, high-TPI cotton casing, and our latest compound technology, it’s built for real-world race conditions.”

Already proven at the highest level of competition, the CADEX Aero Cotton has been ridden by Team Jayco AlUla at the Tour of Flanders, one of the most challenging events in professional cycling, where rough cobblestones, variable conditions, and intense race speeds demand pro-level performance and reliability.

Battle Tested – Proven at the highest level under the toughest conditions

Designed to work seamlessly with CADEX hookless rims, the Aero Cotton features a taller sidewall that creates a smooth, oval shape for optimal aero performance. This integration reduces drag and enhances airflow across the tire-rim interface, helping save watts at high speeds.

At the core of its ride quality is the Lightweight 320 TPI Cotton Race Casing, which delivers superior suppleness, smooth compliance, and pinpoint handling while keeping weight to a minimum. The tire’s RR-S2 silica compound further boosts performance, reducing rolling resistance by 30% compared to the previous compounds.

A smooth center tread supports high-speed efficiency, while the micro-textured shoulder improves grip and water dispersion for confident cornering in all conditions. And for added reliability, Race Shield puncture protection employs a lightweight Kevlar® center patch to guard against cuts and flats without adding unnecessary weight.

The Aero Cotton also features a hybrid carbon-Zylon bead for a secure, airtight fit on hookless rims—ideal for riders pushing the limits of performance.

Balanced Speed & Grip – Fast in the straightaway, confident in the corners with a tread design optimized for real-world racing

Cadex Aero Cotton Tire – Key Features:

• Optimized Aero Performance – Taller sidewalls and an ovalized profile integrate with CADEX hookless rims for reduced drag and maximum aerodynamic efficiency.
• Lightweight 320 TPI Cotton Race Casing (CRC) – Delivers ultra-smooth ride quality, superior traction, and responsive handling with minimal weight.
• Next-Generation Rolling Efficiency – RR-S2 silica compound reduces rolling resistance by 30% compared to the RR-A compound, improving acceleration and sustained speed.
• Balanced Speed and Grip – Smooth center tread ensures low rolling resistance; micro-profile shoulders provide confident cornering grip and wet-weather control.
• Durable Puncture Protection – Race Shield Kevlar® center patch defends against cuts and flats while maintaining race-level weight and flexibility.
• Secure Hookless Fit – Ultralight hybrid carbon-Zylon bead resists stretch and ensures a reliable, airtight fit on hookless rims.

Locked-In – Hybrid carbon-Zylon bead maintains a secure interface with tubeless and hookless rim systems

Technical Specifications:

• Sizes: 700x28c, 700x30c
• Weight: 278g (28c), 305g (30c)
• ETRTO: 28X622 (28c), 30×622 (30c)
• Maximum Pressure (PSI / BAR): 72 PSI / 5.0 BAR
• TPI: 320
• Bead: Hybrid carbon-Zylon
• Bead Type: Folding
• Compound: RR-S2
• Casing: Cotton Race Casing (CRC)
• Puncture Protection: Race Shield

• The CADEX Aero Cotton tire will be available through select retailers and online in key markets worldwide. Learn more at www.cadex-cycling.com/aero-cotton-tire.

Sinter and EF Partner for a Second Year

For the second year running EF Education – Easypost has partnered with Sinter as the official supplier of brake pads to the WorldTour team.

Developed, tested and manufactured in Slovenia. Sinter brake pads give EF Education – EasyPost riders the control and braking power for the most demanding race situations. 50+ years of brake pad knowledge distilled into delivering the performance and confidence required at WorldTour level.

EF Easypost are known as one of the most innovative teams on the World Tour, from attacking the Spring Classics, crushing gravel races, animating the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, Sinter brake pads will be there every braking moment.

• More info at: sinter.si.

The Wax Behind the Win: How Cyclowax Helped Mattias Skjelmose Conquer the Amstel Gold Race
On April 20th, Mattias Skjelmose delivered one of the most thrilling finishes of the 2025 cycling season. Surging past titans Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel in a photo-finish sprint, the young Danish rider secured victory at the Amstel Gold Race—his most prestigious win to date.
But in elite cycling, success is never the result of a single moment. It’s the product of preparation, precision, and marginal gains. And one of those key gains? His chain.

“Mattias saved just the right amount of watts with his hot waxed chain.” — Glen Leven, Performance Manager at Lidl-Trek.

That waxed chain wasn’t just any wax. It came from Cyclowax—a brand rewriting the rules of drivetrain performance with precision-engineered hot wax technology trusted by WorldTour pros. More than just clean and quiet, it’s a formulation born from lab rigor, built for race-day chaos, and fine tuned to deliver consistent watt savings when it matters most.

Shaving Watts Where It Counts

Races like Amstel Gold are unforgiving. With over 250 km of rolling terrain and relentless surges, every watt matters. That’s where Cyclowax comes in. Lab-tested and race-proven, their hot wax treatment delivers consistent watt savings across race distances. In optimal conditions, riders can gain up to 4 watts of efficiency over traditional oil-lubed chains.

Wattage gains of traditional oil lube vs hot wax in optimal conditions

In a finish where mere inches separate legends from the nearly-made-it, four watts isn’t just a number —it’s the final surge, the extra gear, the edge that turns a top-ten into a career-defining win. It’s the invisible advantage that made all the visible difference when Skjelmose threw his bike across the line in Valkenburg.

The Road to Partnership: From Pedersen to the Performance Lab
Cyclowax’s partnership with Lidl-Trek began not with contracts, but with curiosity. During a winter training camp, World Champion Mads Pedersen was handed a freshly waxed chain. The result?

“I never want to go back using oil. My chain is 100% clean, smooth and feels really fast” — Mads Pedersen.

That one sentence set the wheels in motion. With Pedersen’s endorsement, the next step was earning the trust of Lidl-Trek’s head of performance, Glen Leven. Cyclowax ran a series of rigorous tests with the team to benchmark watt losses over distance—and the results spoke for themselves.

From smooth tarmac to cobbled hell, Cyclowax consistently outperformed traditional lubrication. Take Paris-Roubaix, for instance—one of the sport’s harshest tests—where Cyclowax saved up to 8 watts over the course of the race.

Wattage gains of traditional oil lube vs hot wax in “wet race” conditions

More Than Just Marginal Gains
This partnership is more than a technical alliance—it’s a shared commitment to performance excellence. From lab to launchpad, Cyclowax now supports Lidl-Trek with customized chain waxing routines based on race profiles, weather conditions, and rider feedback. It’s the kind of innovation that doesn’t just support a team—it powers its wins.

Mattias Skjelmose’s victory wasn’t luck. It was legs, strategy—and a chain running smoother, faster, and more efficiently than the rest.

In a sport where every detail counts, Cyclowax is proving that performance isn’t just about pushing harder—it’s about riding smarter.

• More info at: www.cyclowax.com.

Pinarello return as the official bicycle sponsor of the Giro d’Italia
Pinarello is proud to announce its return as the official bicycle sponsor of the Giro d’Italia.

The 108th edition of this illustrious race starts in the Albanian city of Durrës on Friday 9th May and concludes in Rome on Sunday 1st June. Stage 14 on Saturday 24th May is a particularly special one as the action commences in Pinarello’s home city of Treviso, with the 0km start flag dropping outside Pinarello’s headquarters.

Pinarello has a long and triumphant history with the Giro d’Italia, with eight victories achieved on its iconic race bikes, each inspired by a vision that combines design, technology, and the relentless quest for ultimate performance.

The most recent successes were with Chris Froome in 2018, Tao Geoghegan Hart in 2020 and Egan Bernal in 2021, while Pinarello ambassador Miguel Indurain achieved back-to-back triumphs in 1992 and 1993.

This year also marks a special landmark as it is 50 years since Fausto Bertoglio earned Pinarello’s first-ever Grand Tour win at the Giro, the first of 30 Grand Tour victories in total to date which makes the brand the most successful bike producer in Grand Tour history.

This homecoming celebrates that tradition, passion, and special bond. The Giro is more than just a race – it’s an epic journey through the heart of Italy: across mountains, cities, and communities. This return as official bike sponsor reaffirms that deep connection, not only with the race, but with the fans who live and breathe every stage.

Pinarello President Fausto Pinarello said: “We are very proud to return to the Giro d’Italia as the official bicycle sponsor. This race is part of our DNA, our history, and our identity. As a brand, we have always believed in innovation at the service of beauty and there is no better stage than the Giro to bring that vision to life. Coming back into the fold means celebrating our past, but above all, looking to the future with passion and ambition. We’re thrilled to be there alongside the athletes, teams, and fans, sharing every stage, every challenge, and every dream of wearing the legendary Maglia Rosa.”

Welcome back, Pinarello. Welcome home.

• More info at: https://pinarello.com.

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The post Gear Break: Pas Normal Studios Summer Kit, Adidas Dunamis Evo Sunglasses, New CADEX Aero Cotton Tire, Sinter and EF, Cyclowax: The Wax Behind the Win & Pinarello Bicycle sponsor of the Giro appeared first on PezCycling News.