Welcome to Tech talk with Matt Phillips – your quick hit of the latest gear news,what we’re testing,and the innovations the Bicycling gear team can’t stop talking about.
In this edition: Geeking out on design notes, fast bikes with fat tires, an update to a decades-old Shimano product, slick tires for your gravel bike, optimum tyre pressure, new bikes, and drag-optimized storage boxes for your bike.
Stories You Need to Read
[Image of Fairlight Strael bike in pearlescent blue]
Dan recently undertook “probably the longest review I’ve written for the cheapest thing,” focusing on Shimano’s new MT001 two-bolt SPD cleats. This cleat represents the most notable update to Shimano’s SH51 SPD cleat in decades – since the SH52 cleat for the 858 SPD pedal – and marks Shimano’s first multi-entry cleat (distinct from the SH56 multi-release).
Unlike the SH51 and SH56, which necessitate toe-first entry, the MT001 allows engagement from various orientations. It’s designed to be compatible with most Shimano SPD pedals and likely most non-Shimano SPD clones.
And when you have tires, you also have tire pressure, which is another one of our favorite topics. Dan’s recent story helps explain the science behind the recent shift in tire pressure beliefs. If you want to understand why we’re no longer inflating tire pressures to the maximum specified on the tire’s sidewall, read this story. Top tip: “When in Doubt, Go lower.”
Bike Launch of the Week
Evil also stepped back from the 157mm rear spacing of the previous generation and adopted the much more common 148mm rear spacing, which means lots more wheel choices for riders.
What I found most surprising was Evil’s statement that mountain bike geometry has become too progressive. So, while the Offering 151’s geometry has evolved from the previous version, Evil isn’t participating in the game of one-upsmanship that has pushed some mountain bike geometry into some pretty radical territory.
In fact,the new Offering’s top tube length is some 30mm shorter than the previous generation (this is partially due to a slacker head angle and steeper seat angle), though the reach dimension remains the same.
NanoWorx Draft Box: Aero Storage for Your Ride
I’m genuinely surprised Dan hasn’t added the NanoWorx Draft Box to his Tarmac SL8 yet. this isn’t just storage; it’s a 3D-printed box that mounts to your seatpost and functions as an aero fairing.NanoWorx isn’t making bold claims about wattage savings – they call it “aero inspired” – but consider this: similar fairing-style storage is standard on many top-tier triathlon bikes. And surprisingly, traditional under-saddle seat bags can actually hurt your aerodynamics.
Currently, the DraftBox is available for a limited selection of bikes: Cervelo, Scott, Canyon, and Specialized models with aero seatposts.I’d really like to see broader compatibility, especially a global option for round seatposts. more choices would make this a must-have for a wider range of riders.
have a question? Reach out to me at gear@bicycling.com. I’m happy to hear your thoughts or just say hello.
🚲 now get out there and enjoy the ride! 🚲
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