Gear Break: ekoï E-LENS Glasses, Bob and Brad Mini Massage Gun, Bianchi New Colors, Zwift Racing Score, DMT Lunch with Tadej Pogačar & Gobik Guide - P

[PEZ Crew]

Gear Break: ekoï E-LENS electronic glasses in white galaxy revo green, Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini massage gun with heat and cold head, Bianchi unveils new colors for revamped Oltre range, announcing Zwift’s biggest racing update to date: Zwift Racing Score, DMT: A Lunch with a legend – Tadej Pogačar and Gobik Guide – The guide to the best places for a unique mid-ride stop.

ekoï E-LENS Electronic Glasses in White Galaxy Revo Green
Innovation signed Ekoï, a high-tech gem!

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Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: Last month I reviewed the ekoï Racing MAGNETIC Three Lens Glasses and they are very comfortable and look great, plus it’s so easy to change the lens, but what if it goes dull, or very sunny while you are out on a ride and don’t have the other lenses with you? The answer is a photochromic lens.

ekoï class

I like photochromic glasses, my ‘normal’ every-day glasses are photochromic and I’ve tested a few pairs of cycling/sports glasses that were photochromic and they are a great invention in changeable light conditions. Even here in Spain where it’s sunny all the time (it isn’t), you go into shade, there are shadows, tunnels and when you walk into the cafe when out on a ride, it’s usually quite dark. With normal dark glasses you might walk into something, so the photochromic lenses are great for everywhere.

Not too dark

Where the ekoï E-LENS glasses are different is the speed in which they change. ekoï claim that it happens in 0.01 of a seconds, and to be honest, who knows? It really is that quick that you don’t see it happening. There is some kind of magic going on here. There is small solar panel at the top of the lens, this powers the change and also is the light sensor to make the change. There are no batteries to charge or anything like that and they are water proof, so no problem in the rain. The system is quite stunning, but there is a price tag on technology. If you want the best you have to pay for it.

Glasses, box and soft bag

ekoï sent me the white frame, like shoes there is only one colour, with a green lens. There is a big choice frame and lens combinations. The frame is very well built, solid with strong screwed hinges and adjustable leg tips, which come in two lengths. The nose piece is also rubberised, but not adjustable. I didn’t notice any discomfort at the nose and the straight legs hold onto your head, with or without helmet. Talking of helmets, always try new glasses/helmets together, you don’t want them to be touching each other when you are riding. The E-LENS are not enormous, like many these days. For someone ‘old school’ like me, they are just the right size.

Not too heavy

With all the technology you would think the e-Lens would be heavy, but they are maybe the odd gram heavier than some, but about average for most glasses. As usual you get a soft bag and a hard box to store your E-Lens.

The solar panel

To sum up: The ekoï E-LENS are comfortable and look great, but the fast change is something else. Very impressive, but at a price.

My new favourite glasses

What ekoi say:
EKOI is proud to offer you the latest model of glasses, fitted with the fastest LCD electronic glass in the world (in the blink of an eye).



Developed by our R&D team and professional riders from the Lotto Soudal, Cofidis and Euskaltel Euskadi teams, the Ekoï E-LENS EVO by SHADETRONIC® electronic glasses are the best electronic auto-darkening sunglasses in the world!

The glasses are always ready to use: powered by solar energy, no need to charge or replace batteries.

Continuous, fully automated the tint adjustment adapts to light conditions by dimming or brightening the lens from light (cat. 2) to dark (cat. 3) and dark to light right away!

They are particularly recommended when light conditions are changing.

Product advantages

• The world’s fastest electronic LCD lens.
• Darkens or lightens depending on the brightness in less than a 10th of a second.
• Ultra light: 37g.
• Your vision adapts in real time to the brightness.
• 100% UV protection (UVA and UVB).
• Lens made in Switzerland.
• Solar powered, no batteries to charge or replace, ready to use right out of the case.

Features

• Category 2-3 lens in unbreakable polycarbonate with active matrix.
• Anti-scratch coating.
• Polarized: blocks reflected light for glare-free viewing and high contrast.
• Clear visualization of all electronic screens: meters, smartphones…
• Operating temperatures: -20°C to +50°C.
• 100% waterproof (IP68 certification).
• Designed and manufactured in Switzerland.
• 2 years warranty.

Application

• Road, Triathlon, Gravel, MTB.
• Be careful, store your E-Lens glasses in your rigid case to protect them from any risk of shocks during your travels.

If the are good enough for Arnaud Démare…

Composition

• GRILAMID frame.
• Polycarbonate lens.
• CE approved.

• Check the ekoi website for your country for the best price: www.ekoi.com.

Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Head – $89.99

• The Q2 Pro offers the flexibility to choose between cold and heat therapy, making it suitable for a variety of recovery needs. Cold therapy is great after workouts to help muscles and reduce swelling. Heat therapy is good before workouts to improve blood flow and flexibility.
• Five adjustable speeds (1800, 2100, 2400, 2700, 3000) percussions per minute.
• Five massage head target different muscle groups.
• Compact – 5.7”L x 3.4”W x 1.8”H
• Lightweight – 0.95 lbs

Chuck Peña PEZ sez: I use the Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun as part of my regular massage routine at home. The Q2 is a smaller and slightly less powerful (about 200 percussions per minute less for each speed and about 7 mm vs 10 mm vibration amplitude) massage gun that’s perfect for when you’re on the go. Probably not small enough to stuff in a purse (unless it’s a relatively large purse), but should fit in most laptop or gym bags to take with you to the office/workout.

Bob and Brad C2 on the left and Q2 in my hand on the right

But the Q2 is still powerful enough for deep tissue massage and pain/soreness relief with five different massage heads:

• Ball head – for large muscle groups
• Aid cushion head – for relaxation of sensitive body parts
• Bullet head – for joints, deep tissue, trigger points, and small muscle areas
• U-shaped head – for spine, neck, and shoulders
• Heat and cold head

Q2 massage heads (left to right): heat and cold, ball, air cushion, U-shaped, bullet

Of course, what makes the Q2 different from most other massage guns is the heat (104F or 113F) and cold head (50F or 59F). My chiropractor is an advocate of cold therapy so I definitely put the cold head to good use.

1 – heat, 2 – cold, and USB-C charging (inset)

Using the Q2 massage gun is pretty easy-peasy:

• Charge it up (takes about 3 hours the first time)
• Attach the appropriate massage head
• Press the power button for 2 seconds to turn on
• Short press the power button to select a suitable massage level (indicated by LEDs on the handle with one LED being the lowest and five LEDs being the highest)
• You can pause the massage gun by holding the power button for 2 seconds (and resume use with a short press)
• If in pause/standby mode, the Q2 will automatically shut down after 20 seconds (or you can hold the power button for 2 seconds to turn it off)
• Otherwise, it will automatically turn off after 10 minutes of operation (to save the motor)

USB-C charging

Green arrow – power button, blue dotted line – massage level, yellow arrow- charging indicator

I don’t do a lot of “away rides” nowadays, but the Q2 is perfect to take with me for post-ride massage on those occasions. Plus for when my wife and I do getaway trips.

Bianchi Unveils New Colors for Revamped Oltre Range
Bianchi completes the graphic redesign of its Oltre aero collection with eight new colorways for its four versions: RC, Pro, Comp, and Race

The new Oltre Pro in carbon fiber version with a pearlescent iridescence (Photo: Zampediverse)

Inspired by the aerodynamic performance of the Oltre platform, the new collection showcases special paints and textures that are further enhanced by minimal yet striking accents. This fresh aesthetic approach offers two distinct perspectives: one highlights the unmistakable Bianchi Celeste, while the other is bold and sophisticated.

OLTRE RC

Previewed last August, the new Oltre RC colorways reinterpret the iconic Celeste in two contemporary and distinct versions.

The first combines the original Bianchi Celeste with a refined metallic finish. The second, Black Carbon UD, features exposed carbon fiber with metallic Celeste details to offer a unique look and a weight savings of approximately 60 grams (+/- 5%).

The Oltre RC is available with the new SRAM Red AXS groupset, while the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 version also includes a 4iii power meter.

The colorways for the Oltre RC were revealed in a preview in August (Photo: Zampediverse)

OLTRE PRO

The blend of metallic Celeste and graphite emphasizes the Oltre Pro’s aerodynamic lines, while matte finishes highlight the model’s technical and technological excellence.

The iridescent pearl carbon version not only provides a 60-gram weight advantage (+/-5%) compared to painted frames but also reveals the bike’s complex, layered soul. A new iridescent pigment combines purple, green, and silver to create a powerful and captivating contrast.

The Shimano Ultegra version of the Oltre Pro comes equipped with a 4iii power meter.

Oltre Pro is also available the Celeste and Graphite version (Photo: Zampediverse)

OLTRE COMP

One new variant of the Oltre Comp pairs the brilliance of metallic Celeste with elegant black details. The glossy finish further accentuates the contrast between iconic and futuristic elements.

Alternatively, the Blue-Gray/Off-White version features a bold, signature blue highlighted by the white logo with matte finishes, which represent a different and sophisticated approach to Bianchi aesthetics.

The new Oltre Comp in blue is a bike with a strong personality (Photo: Zampediverse)

OLTRE RACE

For those who can’t (and don’t want to) say no to Celeste, the new Oltre Race offers a variant combining classic and metallic versions of Bianchi’s historic Pantone color. This striking palette emphasizes the Oltre Race’s aerodynamic lines, which are further enhanced by glossy finishes.

Bianchi also offers an elegant combination of gray with black accents — a dynamic and technical look inspired by the Oltre family’s racing DNA.

Oltre Race, the entry-level model of the range, is available in grey with black accents (Photo: Zampediverse)

Pricing:
The Oltre range are available with the following suggested prices to the public

• Oltre RC (Shimano Dura-Ace Di2): €13,499
• Oltre RC (SRAM Red AXS): €13,499
• Oltre Pro (Shimano Ultegra Di2): €10.749
• Oltre Pro (SRAM Force eTap AXS): €7.599
• Oltre Comp (Ultegra Di): €5.899
• Oltre Comp (Shimano 105 Di2): €4.999
• Oltre Comp (Rival Etap AXS): €5.399
• Oltre Race (Shimano 105 Di2): €3.999
• Oltre Race (Shimano 105): €2.949

The Oltre range represents Bianchi’s high-performance aero family. Its flagship RC | Reparto Corse model won international recognition, including the iF Design Award and Red Dot Design Award, for its technical features and innovation. The Oltre lineup is complemented by the e-Oltre platform, a carbon fiber road e-bike that extends the pure joy of road cycling to a broader audience.

• For more details and specifications on the Oltre range, visit www.bianchi.com.

Announcing Zwift’s Biggest Racing Update to Date: Zwift Racing Score
Zwift Racing Score set to make Zwift racing more competitive, fairer and accessible

Zwift, the global online fitness platform for cyclists, has officially launched Zwift Racing Score. Following recent public testing in the Zwift Labs Club, Zwift Racing Score will revolutionize racing by delivering more competitive, accessible and fairer racing.

Zwift Racing Score is a new ranking system that reflects current fitness and racing skill. Zwifters entering events will only be able to join fields that match their own abilities, making Zwift racing fairer and more competitive. For the ambitious, racers can race in a category higher than their own ability for the chance to secure more ranking points.

For new racers especially, Zwift Racing Score will improve the accessibility of racing by making it easier than ever before to find the right race category. When entering a race for the first time, Zwifters will automatically be assigned a category that meets their current abilities, based on their most recent fitness data. Entering more races will allow new racers to build their racing score gradually. With points available for every finishing position, every race can provide motivation and reward.

Zwift Racing Score is a numerical value between 0 and 1,000, with the higher number reflecting the higher fitness level and racing skill. Every Zwifter is given a ‘floor value’ based on their best 30-second and 10-minute power numbers from the past 90 days. Racers can then improve their Racing Score by securing points in Zwift races. For the first time, racers’ categories will be determined by more than simply their power curve. Racing skill alongside fitness is what makes a successful racer, and so Zwift Racing Score rewards racer skill points added based on finishing position, with bonus points available for podium placings. Racing score also accounts for the field quality and size, with more points available in races with highly competitive fields. Points are available for every finishing position, and at the end of every race, Zwifters will see the impact on their Zwift Racing Score displayed in their finish-line results. Racing Score may increase or decrease depending on the two variables – power and race finishing position.

Zwift World Series, ZRacing Community Festival, Zwift Academy Make Up Races, and Community Racing events will all be using Zwift Racing Score from October 7th. Zwifters will be able to find their current Zwift Racing Score in their profile, located in the Zwift Companion App, the Zwift Game or on Zwift.com. Zwift Racing Score increases the number of standard categories from four to five, allowing for more closely matched racing:

690-1000
520-690
350-520
180-350
1-180

Beyond these 5 standard categories, racing score provides organisers with unlimited flexibility to set bespoke category boundaries, allowing more tailored racing experiences for specific ability groups and up to 10-category racing. Zwift Racing Score will be used for both open and women’s category events.

“We are incredibly excited about the launch of Zwift Racing Score today”, says Mark Cote, VP Product at Zwift. “We have spent years researching the best algorithm, looking into data collected from millions of races held on the platform, and more importantly, working with the Zwift Community to collect feedback on how the system is functioning. We know how important it is to get this right. The feedback from the Zwift Labs club has been incredibly positive with many racers finding events more dynamic due to improved categorization. We will continue to evolve Zwift Racing Score and monitor community feedback but we are excited to see how Zwift Racing Score will help more people enjoy the benefits of racing on Zwift.”

DMT- A Lunch with a Legend – Tadej Pogačar

Tadej Pogačar, athlete of UAE Team Emirates, is not only a cycling superstar but also a person of great values and gratitude. After a legendary season where he broke countless records, before heading off on his well-deserved vacation, he made a point to visit the Zecchetto Group with his partner, Urška Žigart, who races for Team Liv AlUla Jayco, to personally thank them for the support provided throughout the year, particularly the assistance given to the Slovenian Cycling Federation at the World Championships in Zurich, where he claimed victory with an epic solo attack of over 100 kilometers.

DMT has supported the Slovenian champion since his early days in the professional ranks, witnessing his transformation from a young talent into a timeless legend. Earlier this year, before the Giro d’Italia, DMT launched the new POGI’S shoes, which Pogačar used to soar to a Giro-Tour double, the aforementioned World Championship title, and, to top it all off, his fourth consecutive Il Lombardia victory.

To celebrate him, Federico and Philippe Zecchetto, along with Alessia Piccolo and the DMT staff, shared a lunch with Tadej in Bonferraro di Sorgà (VR), near the companies of the Zecchetto Group.

“We were really keen to spend a few hours with Tadej to reflect on this extraordinary season, and especially on his stunning World Championship victory,” said Federico Zecchetto. “Supporting the Slovenian National Team was a winning choice in every sense. Year after year, this young man continues to amaze us, and it’s both a source of pride and an honor to stand by his side—especially knowing he’s far from done impressing us.”

Gobik Guide
The guide to the best places for a unique mid-ride stop.

A guide to the best stops along the way: cafes, restaurants, gas stations, and any establishment where it’s always a good idea to take a break during a ride.

“A Unique Guide For A Unique Team”

Depopulation in rural areas is a worrying reality that affects more and more territories. In 2020, 43.83% of the world’s population lived in rural areas, but this percentage is estimated to drop to 31.64% by 2050. This decline not only results in a loss of population but also the disappearance of culture, tradition, and life in these places, which often serve as the heart and soul of our cycling routes. Without these villages, there would be no quiet roads to ride on or landscapes to enjoy by bike. At Gobik, we understand the importance of keeping rural life alive, because without it, our passion for cycling would be much more limited.

With this goal in mind, we are proud to introduce Gobik Guide, an initiative created not only to offer cyclists a useful tool but also to highlight the small towns and villages we pass through on our routes, and that truly value our presence.

Cycling belongs to the cyclists, and above all, it is for the cyclists. That’s why at Gobik, we’ve created Gobik Guide, a guide to the best stops along the way: cafes, restaurants, gas stations, and any establishment where it’s always a good idea to take a break during a ride. We know that one of the most special moments of a ride is when cycling is just the perfect excuse to enjoy a good coffee, a hearty breakfast, and above all, a good chat with friends. Cycling is not just a sport—it’s a way to connect, and that’s the philosophy behind this guide.

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In keeping with the spirit of Gobik Custom Works and its motto, “Unique Kit for a Unique Team,” we’ve designed this guide so that cyclists can discover the best places to stop and experience the other side of cycling. Through an easy-to-use web app, users can explore, search, and filter recommendations by location, route, or popularity. This way, each group of cyclists can always find the best spots for a perfect break during their rides. Plus, the experience is fully adaptable on both smartphones and computers, so it’s easy to reach.

Gobik Guide is a project made by and for cyclists. That’s why each user has the option to add new recommendations and reviews. We believe it’s essential to give cyclists a voice; it’s their guide, it’s our guide, and everyone’s participation is key to its success. Additionally, through this initiative, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of rural life and support its revitalization. This project is part of the “Join the Repopulation” platform that Gobik launched last year, reaffirming its commitment to combat rural depopulation in Europe. It’s a way to recognize the value of these places, which are often the heart of our routes.

To ensure the establishments featured in the Gobik Guide receive the recognition they deserve, Gobik will host an annual event aimed at strengthening the connection between cyclists and these unique locations. During this event, awards will be presented to highlight the best establishments featured in the guide. It will be an opportunity to celebrate our community and honor those stops that make our rides even more memorable.

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.




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