At Eurobike we already saw PRO Discovered gravel with new flared bars & bikepacking bags, and slammed new Koryak trail dropper posts too. But PRO also had a couple of new Vibe SL road handlebars they say will be the lightest fully cable integrated on the market, and debuted a series of premium home mechanic tools. Plus, parent company Shimano rolled out new road shoes & previewed new clothing lines…
2019 PRO Vibe SL Aero & Compact light carbon bars
When PRO set out to update their Vibe road bars they set a goal to craft the lightest integrated routing handlebar for both shift & brake cabling, shedding 15% over the standard Vibes without losing stiffness. Developed to bring Di2 or mechanical cable and traditional rim brake or hydraulic brake lines fully internal, the new PRO Vibe SL bars mix high-strength and hi-mod carbon fibers, plus PRO’s special Innegra reinforcement layer that keeps the carbon together if you crash.
This new Vibe SL bars are available in either Aero (at top) or standard Compact (above) shapes. The Vibe SL Compact comes in 40, 42 & 44cm widths, with a claimed weight of just 184g. The flattened top Vibe SL Aero has narrower drops of 38, 40 & 42cm wide, and a 209g claimed weight. Both new bars will be in shops in Oct 2018.
PRO premium home mechanic tools
Stretching more beyond components, PRO is expanding their tool market as well. The tools look to offer premium performance in an affordable package aimed at the home mechanic. The core Team Tools look to bring professional specialist tools to the amateur workshop and include items like a new 12-speed lock ring remover, 12-speed chain whip & 12-speed compatible chain tool to address the needs of new XTR, plus a new BB lock ring remover and updated pedal wrench.
An interesting folding tool is the new Cable Routing Tool that looks like a mini multi-tool, but is actually a workshop-ready setup to route shift, brake & Di2 wires as well as hydraulic lines inside internal routing frames and components. It uses a strong little magnet much like the Park Tool kit that has been around for a few years, but in a neatly compact little kit that might help keep your tool box tidy.
This new compact integrated mini-tool is meant to be tucked in its own neoprene sleeve under the saddle or into a small saddle bag. It has a ratchet design with tool bits hidden behind snap-on tire levers and gets a chain tool on the end. Riders with PRO saddles can attach it directly to the saddle via those saddles underside mounting bolts, or you can use PRO’s video camera mount adapter to attach it directly to the rails of other saddles.
PRO’s new tools will also be available from bike shops starting in Oct 2018.
2019 Shimano S-Phyre RC9 carbon road bike shoes
Shimano officially announced the overhaul of their top level S-Phyre XC9 mountain bike shoes back at the end of May. But while we knew the S-Phyre RC9 would follow suit, we had to wait until Eurobike to get confirmation. Just like the cross-country race shoe, the top-level road shoes get the same new asymmetric, perforated synthetic microfiber upper for improved ventilation, while keeping contaminants out. They also drop the mesh toe panel that was on the last S-Phyre shoes we tested for a closer, more comfortable seamless fit. In addition to the bright team blue, the road shoes also come in glowing green.
2019 Shimano Sumire & Transit clothing range
While their own separate Pearl Izumi brand keeps developing new kit, Shimano is also expanding their own-branded clothing lineups for next year. The new Sumire range looks to provide colorful but subtle performance peices for women riders. Sumire will get customizable inseam lengths with roll-up leg hems, less aggressive silicone dot print grippers, performance women’s chamois pads, and UPF50+ sun protection.
And the new Transit range provides a bit of urban style to transition off the bike as well. It includes items like a packable windbreaker, versatile stretch fabric shorts, polos, more typical jerseys, and technical t-shirts. All of the Transit gear features subtle reflectivity, and usable chest & lower back pockets on the tops.
Look for the complete new lines to be available in early 2019.
