GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos — 3-18-10

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.

Way back in November (geez, that long ago?), I wrote about PRO, Shimano's house components brand. Designed to be a bit more neutral — keeping that big "Shimano" logo off of everything makes it an option even for non-Shimano teams — PRO is being pushed hard to shops in 2010.

I've been able to check out stems in a couple of flavors — road and mountain — as well as a road seatpost. The items most riders will be most interested in, however, are repeat-purchase items like bar tape.

My little box of PRO goodies arrived last week. And since my bar tape needed a refresh, I cracked that box open and got to work.

First up: PRO Smart Silicon Digital Carbon tape ($19), in white. I wrote in a GamJams review a long while ago that the Fizik Microfiber tape would be the standard by which all others are judged. Pretty much everything from here on out will be a pretty direct comparison.

Feel: Where Fizik tape feels almost leathery and smooth, the PRO tapes have a softer feel. Digital Carbon has tiny little squares embossed in the surface to enhance grip. Also, PRO tapes have a thin strip of gel on the underside for added cushion.

Application: Fizik tape really doesn't stretch ... at all. To make it do what you want around the bar and shifters, you have to have the angles just right. PRO has a good deal of stretch to it, along a good deal of tacky adhesive. Application is easy, even when you screw it up a couple of times.

Performance: This is going to be the real test. Even after rides in the rain, far too much handlebar-to-pavement contact and plain old dirty hands, my white Fizik tape always looked good. What it lacked in cushion (which I really didn't want anyway), it more than made up for in durability. With PRO's softer texture, I doubt it'll last as long. Even after a few rides outside, dirt is already showing.

Time will tell, though. I'll have a more complete picture in a month.

Also in the PRO box: A little storage bottle thinger. It fits in a bottle cage, it has a screw top. I think I'm supposed to stow stuff in it.

I can pretty much guarantee this thing isn't going to go in a bottle cage with stuff rattling around inside. Just ... no. But tossed into a gear bag for a race, filled with safety pins? Or maybe it holds your keys and wallet in that same gear bag?

Now we're talking.

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In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske manages the Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha, is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.

Comments

[chris schmidt]

I really think that of all I've read concerning cycling the last few days I came away fro your article with the most applicable knowledg...not that I read cycling stuff 24./7 but short n sweet is perfect...will look for the fizik stuff with a pro wrapper..