Gear Break: Assos New Collections, Topeak Torq Stick Pro Digital, ROKA San Remo Air, Women’s PRO Sirin Saddles, Chris King Mountain Wheels & Teosport Chamois Development

Gear Break: Assos unveils EQUIPE R and DYORA R collections, Topeak Torq Stick Pro Digital, ROKA introduces the San Remo Air, PRO empowers women racers with the new PRO Sirin saddles, Chris King adds aluminum mountain wheels to their wheel lineup and Teosport has brought a new milestone to PERFORMANCE DAYS: The OEKO-TEX® STeP certification.

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Assos Unveils EQUIPE R and DYORA R Collections

Summer is here

Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: Summer must be here! Assos thinks it is (Clima Code 1/3), but here on the Costa Blanca, the centre of pro team training camps, it has been raining and cold (for here), since the Swiss bike clothing company sent me their Equipe R jersey, bib shorts and Endurance socks. This explains the hairy legs and the non ‘beach ready’ physique. Anyway, I managed one sunny day for photos and a quick ride.

Very nice packaging

The Assos Equipe R Jersey in Stella Lavender
I’ve never had any Assos kit, apart from a pair of socks the BMC team gave me at a press day, many years ago, but Assos was always one of the best known manufacturers of top quality bike clothing. As with all the top brands these days, the unpacking is like new iPhone or MacBook day. But after the opening of the presents, there is no disappointment with the quality of the goods. I had a lavender coloured jersey, subtle and not ‘in your face’ with little bits of black trim and zip. There is a collar at the back of the neck, that cuts down at the front. Unlike many jerseys, there are proper stitched hems on all the edges, no ‘raw’ cut finishes.

A proper collar

You can see the work that has gone into the stitching, all perfect and strong. The full zip has a chunky Assos logo tag and a flap on the inside at the waist. Three rear pockets with a black material strip on the inside, for ease of hand entry and an elastic strip with gripper rubber at the base. This holds everything in place, even with a phone and inner tube in the pocket.

Very easy to use pockets

The material used for the pockets is more robust and double and triple stitched. The cloth for the rest of the jersey is breathable and (I would guess) great in the hot weather I’m hoping comes soon. A body hugging fit that should suit everyone.

Rear elastic gripper strip

As you would expect, the jersey is comfortable to wear, no tight points or strange shapes, when riding or standing in the cafe.

Small logos on the back

The Assos Equipe R Bib Shorts in Secret Blue
In all my kit reviews, I always say that the bib shorts are the most important part of bike clothing. If you are not comfortable in the seat department, you will not have a good ride and maybe suffer for days after. I always try bib shorts (and saddles) on the home trainer, before out in the real World as you put a lot more pressure on those areas and probably don’t ride out of the saddle as much.

Luxury!

The chamois, or seat pad, is made up of two independent foam sections with a breathable section in the middle and a padded section at the front for the ‘family jewels’. This is probably one of the most comfortable I’ve ridden and in combination with a pressure relieving saddle, all very comfortable ‘down stairs’.

A hem round the top of the shorts

The bib, or more like straps, are wide and strong, and the stitching where they are attached to the shorts is unbelievably well done with a strengthening piece incorporated in the rear straps. There is also a hem around three-quarters of the top of the shorts area, leaving the front panel ‘raw’ cut for ease of taking a ‘nature break’. The front of the shorts feels low, but is still inside the jersey, so no problem.

Wide and strong straps

The short’s legs are made of one panel and the seat in two panels, with the front panel I already spoke about. There is gripper silicon at the back of the legs to hold them in place, you don’t really need it at the front. The legs are a good length, longer than ‘old school’ would allow, but not ridiculous. The edge of the shorts are raw cut, but this adds to the comfort and sleek look.

The gripper doesn’t irritate, even with hairs

My bibs came in ‘Secret Blue’, a nice shade of blue and they go well with the lavender jersey. Of course Assos were famous for only making bib shorts in black, so it is nice that they offer a contrast. Oh! And yes there is that important Assos logo on the leg and back.

Nice colours for this summer

The Assos Endurance Socks in Stone Blue

Foot comfort

As I said at the start, I only ever had a pair of Assos socks before, so I knew what they would be like. Fellow PEZ-reviewer, Chuck Peña, would love there socks: They are fairly high and are not white. In saying that, the colour matches the rest of the kit and they are comfortable. They have a nicely shaped toe and heel sections, a leg hugging upper with elastic top and the foot fits snugly. The Assos logo on the back breaks up the total blueness. They also don’t fall down. The BMC team socks said ‘left’ and ‘right’ on them, these don’t, maybe that was for the riders?

Not too high and the colour matches the kit

The overall impression: When you feel the materials and look at the workmanship, you know that you have a quality item(s). Due to the weather, I’ve only managed a Zwift ride in the bibs and just over an hour on the road with the full kit, but the Assos Equipe kit is very nice to wear with comfort and style. The colours are modern, fresh and not garish. A pleasure to ride in. Criticisms? Assos is not cheap, but you are paying for the ‘build quality’ and the top materials. Also this is a training jersey, so a small zip pocket in the rear of the jersey would be handy for a card or a couple of coins. Very nice.

Just need to good weather

Assos sez: Men’s and women’s high-performance, race-ready collections introduce bold new bib short colours, along with fresh jersey styles.

Designed for performance-focused riders seeking individuality and an alternative to traditional style, ASSOS introduces EQUIPE R and DYORA R. The latest men’s and women’s collections bridge the gap between technical excellence and lifestyle aesthetics at an accessible price point.

The EQUIPE R and DYORA R bib shorts are at the forefront of the collections, incorporating leading features from ASSOS’ premium EQUIPE RS Shorts S11. After more than 10 years, ASSOS’ iconic bib shorts are available again in bold new colours, breaking away from the brand’s classic black. The advanced construction — featuring raw-cut cuffs, minimal silicone grips, and lightweight, compressive Type.911 textiles — delivers unrivalled comfort and support on every ride.

The bib shorts are complemented by the EQUIPE R and DYORA R jerseys, engineered with ultralight, breathable AirCell fabrics designed to keep riders cool and comfortable during hot conditions. The sleeves and zippers are integrated with Bonded Tec for increased durability and comfort, offering reliability for all-day efforts. The sleek, second-skin fit and modern aesthetic ensure that cyclists perform at their best and reflect their individuality.

Inspired by the demands of days in the saddle, EQUIPE R and DYORA R off high-performance kits designed to make every ride smoother, faster, and more comfortable. Built with sustainability in mind, ASSOS promotes the “buy less, buy better” philosophy with durable, long-lasting designs balancing function and style. Offering a mix of classic and contemporary colourways, neutral shades like Black and Terra Sand provide timeless versatility, while bold tones like Flame Orange and Halo Green embody the spirit of modern cycling. The collections are rounded off with a distinctive special edition SURFACE design, adding a refined yet striking edge.

Peter Hammerschmidt, Senior Director of Product Management at ASSOS of Switzerland, said: “The EQUIPE R and DYORA R collections bring an exciting change for 2025. We’re expanding the range of bib short colours, giving cyclists more options to express their style while maintaining peak performance. With advanced construction and carefully selected materials, the EQUIPE R and DYORA R ranges offer accessible kits built to enhance the ride like never before.”

EQUIPE R and DYORA R Bib Shorts Key Features
● Type.911:
Highly elastic with enhanced compression, stabilised insert without roll-bars, odorControl, quick drying, good abrasion resistance

● SkinGrip Finish:
Raw-cut leg openings with minimal anti-slip finish

● X-frame:
Reduced stretch in the lower back to stabilise the insert, high stretch across the shoulders, light and breathable on the front

● zeroPressure:
Waist construction

● goldenGate 2.0:
New cut-out wings reduce volume and friction

● 3D Waffle:
Patented, three-layer, perforated foam for increased breathability and reduced weight

● High-density foam:
9mm in an improved shape

EQUIPE R and DYORA R Jersey Key Features

• ● AirCell fabrics: ultralight circular knit with hexagon pattern for cooling air quick dry, odorControl, 4-way asymmetrical stretch, soft hand, UPF 15
• ● Bonded sleeves and zipper: low-volume, frictionless finish for increased durability
• ● Triple Ramp Pocket: classic construction in PushPull textile
• ● Lightweight and breathable textile band: with a microdot silicone treatment stabilising the jersey’s back panel and maintaining grip while wet

Sizing and Availability
EQUIPE R jerseys XS-3XL and DYORA R jerseys XS-2XL are available in Black Series, Terra Sand, Stella Lavender, Flame Orange, Halo Green, Future Dusk (exclusive to EQUIPE R) and a special edition SURFACE design. MSRP €150 / £130 / $175USD.

Both collections offer bib shorts in Black Series, Secret Blue, and Edge Green. MSRP €190 / £165 / $210USD.

The EQUIPE R and DYORA R collections will be available from ASSOS.com, ASSOS flagship stores in Lugano, London, and Frankfurt, and through trusted wholesale partners worldwide.

• For more information about ASSOS of Switzerland visit ASSOS.com.

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Topeak Torq Stick Pro Digital

According to Topeak:  A must-have household tool kit for daily maintenance. Includes a brand new Heavy Duty Ratchet Tool, a complete set of tool bits and a new digital torque wrench to satisfy your need for precise torque.

What you get:

• Torq Stick Digital (1-20 Nm)
• Ratchet Rocket HD Toolbar (Max. 60Nm)
• Hex bits: 1.5 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 10 mm
• Torx® bits: T10 / T15 / T20 / T25 / T30 / T40
• PH1, PH2 • Flat head bits
• Speed sleeve bit holder
• 8mm open-end wrench with valve too

Chuck Peña PEZ sez:  Back when steel was real, you could work with “regular” tools. But in the age of carbon fiber bikes, a torque wrench is an absolute must-have to ensure you don’t overtighten bolts (which can result in fatigued or broken carbon fiber). But not the typical torque wrench you’re likely to find stocked at your local hardware store. You’ll need a torque wrench that tightens to values (usually specified in Newton-meters or Nm) appropriate for bicycles, accepts the range of bits needed for bicycles, and one that’s small enough to use working on bicycles.

A fairly compact set up

Also included is a small ratchet bar for when you don’t need a torque wrench

I’m guessing that most PEZ readers are familiar with click-type torque wrenches. You usually adjust the torque setting by rotating the end of the handle to the desired tightness. There’s an audible click when the desired tightness is reached and the wrench can’t exert any more force.

Analog adjustment

Instead of twisting the handle to adjust torque, a battery compartment

What sets the Topeak Torq Stick Pro Digital apart from other torque wrenches I have (including larger ones with high torque values) is — as the name implies — that it’s digital. So instead of adjusting the torque setting via a line on the handle, it’s via a digital display. So more precise — you can adjust to one-tenth unit values for:

• Newton-meters (Nm), which is pretty much the standard unit of measurement for bicycles
• Kilogram-centimeters (Kg-cm)
• Kilogram-meters (Kg-m)
• Inch-pounds (in-lb)
• Foot-pounds (ft-lb)

What’s also different about the Topeak Torq Stick Pro Digital is that it’s not a click-stop. Instead, as you begin to approach the desired torque value the display turns red and when you reach the desired torque value an audible alert is emitted along with a vibration alert. Definitely high tech.

1 – on/off, 2 – select unit, 3 – torque setting, 4 – adjust torque value

To use the Topeak Torq Stick Pro Digital:

• Press the ON/OFF button to turn on
• Press the SET button
• Select the unit of measurement (if it’s already set at what you want — likely Nm — go to the next step)
• Adjust to desired torque value
• Press the SET button (the display will go to zero)
• Pull until you reach desired torque (the wrench is 2-way if you need to torque something that’s reverse threaded)
• Topeak doesn’t say you have to do this, but when I’m finished using the Torq Stick Pro Digital I press the SET button to zero the torque
• Press and hold the ON/OFF button to turn off

Should be enough different bit heads

Bit heads press fit into hexagonal slot

Topeak calls it a “speed sleeve,” but it’s an extension bar by any other name

Digital-ness aside, the Topeak Torq Stick Digital is a torque wrench that does what it’s supposed to do. IMHO, perfect for home mechanics.

I don’t have a way to validate, but the Topeak Torq Stick Pro Digital comes with calibration documentation

Also included is a small ratchet bar for when you don’t need a torque wrench

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ROKA Introduces the San Remo Air
A celebration of timeless style and performance for every adventure.

ROKA, the award-winning leader in performance eyewear for active people, is proud to announce the launch of the San Remo Air, a bold new addition to its APEX collection. Designed to bridge the gap between sport shields and lifestyle frames, the San Remo Air is lightweight, adaptable, and suited for everything from an intense workout to a casual outing.

Taking cues from the bold, oversized lines of 1980s eyewear and inspired by the aerodynamic sport designs of even earlier eras of ski and racing googles, the San Remo Air has a semi-rim shield design that feels both timeless and fresh. At just 25 grams, it’s light enough for all-day comfort but durable enough to handle demanding activities. The flatter 5-base lens geometry not only offers a distinctive look but also improves airflow, making it a practical choice for strenuous effort where ventilation matters.

“The San Remo Air is a frame that does it all,” said Rob Canales, Founder and CEO at ROKA. “It’s built to stand up to tough efforts while looking just as natural when you’re off the bike or away from the trail. It’s functional, stylish, and easy to wear—exactly what we aim for in every frame we design.”

The San Remo Air is packed with thoughtful details that make it as practical as it is stylish. Designed with FloatFit™ technology, the frame ensures a secure and comfortable fit with precision-tuned spring hinges, multiple nose pad sizes, and lightweight TR-90 nylon construction that’s both flexible and durable. ROKA’s GEKO™ retention system—featuring biomimicry-inspired nose and temple pads—provides optimal grip and stability, even when wet, for all-day comfort. The lenses, featuring C3™ optics, deliver exceptional color, contrast, and clarity while shielding against glare, wind, and debris. Together, these features make the San Remo Air adaptable to intense activities while maintaining a refined aesthetic that easily transitions to everyday wear.
While the San Remo Air is also inspired by cycling culture and the iconic Milano-Sanremo bike race, its versatility makes it a natural choice for everything from gravel rides and trail runs to sitting poolside on a sunny day. Keegan Swenson and Sofia Gomez Villafañe proved this at last weekend’s Belgian Waffle gravel race in Scottsdale, AZ, taking the win in both men’s and women’s pro categories, wearing the San Remo Airs. Like these athletes, the San Remo Airs are a frame that moves effortlessly between performance and style and is designed for those who demand a frame that can look good and perform, no matter the setting.

San Remo Air is designed for APEX athletes and challenge seekers but also appeals to lifestyle consumers. It’s aspirationally targeted towards gravel cyclists and other endurance athletes, with broader appeal to recreational and everyday users. Bridging the gap between high-performance eyewear and street-ready style, San Remo Air is the go-to for those who want uncompromising performance with a sleek, retro edge. Whether for cycling, running, or simply standing out, this frame is built to perform and impress.

KEY FEATURES

• ● Ultralight TR90 Nylon Frame: TR90 provides great impact resistance but is flexible enough that it won’t crack or break like polycarbonate.

 

• ● Nylon Lens (Z87 Rated): High impact resistance for superior protection.

 

• ● GEKO™ Nose Pads: No-slip, interchangeable nose pads give max retention and custom comfort

 

• ● Semi-Rim Lens Design: Offers an unobstructed transition on boom and an aesthetic choice.

● Titanium Bendable Core: Adjustable temples ensure a precision fit with ultralight stability.
● Lightweight Performance: Weighing just 25 grams for an ultra-light feel.
● Cylindrical 5-Base Lens: Delivers sharper clarity with reduced distortion, fiting a variety of face shapes.
● CAM Hinges + Metal Pin: Snaps open and closed with authority—no flimsy feel.

PRICING

$190

$200

 

+$10

$295

$305

AVAILABLE CATEGORIES

• ● Plano Sun, Rx Sun, Custom (Rx Sun coming soon)

 

● More info at: www.roka.com.

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PRO Empowers Women Racers with the new PRO Sirin Saddles
PRO Empowers Women Racers Through Comfort and Performance with the New PRO Sirin Saddles

As the primary point of contact between the rider and the bike, the saddle is of utmost importance. It can be a source of discomfort and hinder performance or enable a better all-round cycling experience. For female riders saddle choice has long been limited, especially for those who like to push their limits, race all-out, and chase podium places.

The new PRO Sirin Team and Performance saddles addresses this need by providing a women’s specific saddle platform which enables women to be their very best on the bike.

The PRO Sirin Saddles are intended to aid women in holding a more aggressive, aerodynamic position on the bike, and to remain comfortable while doing so. The PRO Design team, which is informed by bike fit data from thousands of bike fitments, initiated the saddle design process before it was refined and perfected in collaboration with a pelvic floor specialist as well as a dedicated group of female test riders.

Together this process produced features like a narrower nose, steeper angles in the transition from the nose to the wings, a lifted rear profile, and the flagship 32-millimeter-wide cut-out. Dual density, lightweight, EVA padding with soft-cut edges to the cut-out help ensure comfort.

Named after the Sirin – a mythological half woman, half beautiful bird with wings of an owl, were known as the stealthiest birds on the planet.

The PRO Sirin Saddle is fast and stealthy, and calls upon women to ride like a demigoddess. To embark on daredevil breaks, to soar over climbs, and sprint for victory to achieve legendary status.

“The PRO Sirin Saddles seek to provide comfort to high performance women cyclists, thereby enabling them to go further, faster,” Niek Verbakel, PRO Marketing Manager, stated. “These saddles are not a women’s version of the PRO Stealth Saddles but were designed and developed from the ground up to meet the needs we had identified. Details like the 35-millimetre nose width and the bridgeless cut-out are unique to the PRO Sirin Saddles, as is the shape.”

Constructed from high quality materials and available in two versions – Team and Performance – the PRO Sirin Saddles feature carbon reinforced bases, lightweight EVA Padding, durable PU covers that are ergonomically wrapped, and come with either carbon (Team), or Inox Stainless Steel (Performance) rails. Both the Team and Performance saddles are available in 152- or 162-millimetre-wide models.

Technical Specifications

• Women’s Specific Saddle
• Comprehensively Product Tested by Female Test Riders
• Women’s Specific 32mm Wide Cut-Out
• Bridgeless Cut-Out with Soft-Cut Edges
• Women’s Specific Shape
• Slimmer 35mm Wide Nose
• Dual Density EVA Foam for Additional Comfort
• Ergonomically Wrapped Sides
• Compatible with the PRO Saddle Accessory Mount

Base: Carbon Reinforced
Rails: Carbon (Sirin Team) or Inox Stainless Steel (Sirin Performance)
Padding: Dual Density EVA
Cover: Durable PU
Widths: 152mm and 162mm
Weight: from 165g

• Join us in celebrating the liberating joy of cycling and empower every ride to be unforgettable. www.pro-bikegear.com.

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Chris King Adds Aluminum Mountain Wheels to Their Wheel Lineup
After establishing their carbon wheels as mainstays in the high-performance wheel market, Chris King is introducing the MTN30 AL, an alloy mountain wheel rivaling the performance of its carbon forebear, with increased durability and a dramatically lower price point.

Built around King’s legendary hubs, the MTN30 AL wheelset continues the company’s legacy of reliability, serviceability, and responsible manufacturing while still providing an unmatched ride quality reminiscent of King’s carbon wheel offerings.

The MTN30 AL boasts an optimized 30mm internal width, the modern standard for mountain wheels. It features a precision-sleeved construction and a pronounced rim bead that improves sidewall protection. The rim and decals have a subtle matte finish, letting the hub color set the tone for the bike’s aesthetics. All MTN30 AL wheels have a 32-hole spoke count and a hookless bead for compatibility with today’s tubeless tires.

“In preparing to design these wheels, we spoke with shops and riders about what they wanted in an aluminum mountain wheel, and we learned that ride quality and durability were the most important features,” says King’s Wheel Product Manager Greg Hudson. “We know how to make durable bike products, so that didn’t seem like it would be a problem. However, it took a lot of comparative ride testing in the field and impact testing in the lab to create a wheel that both meets our durability standards and delivers the premium ride quality we were after.”

“We’ve been so happy with our MTN30 carbon wheels, that we tried to bring as many of those design cues to these alloy wheels as possible,” Hudson continues. “They’re highly responsive and give the rider the right amount of trail feedback. We really hit that sweet spot between muted and too harsh. The ride feels very smooth but also connected to the terrain.”

The MTN30 AL is designed for trail and aggressive all-mountain riding. As with all King products, it is designed and manufactured in the US, and comes in 29”, 27.5” and “mullet” mixed set configurations.

MTN30 AL wheelsets will be built in-house at the King factory in Oregon using Sapim Race spokes and King Boost Centerlock, Boost 6-Bolt, or Superboost hubs. Chris King MTN30 AL wheels are available from all King authorized retailers as well as the company’s own webstore: chrisking.com. Rims come with a 2-year limited warranty against defects, a Lifetime Crash Replacement Program for the original owner, and hubs come with their usual King Lifetime Warranty. Rim weights are 595g for 29”, and 565g for 27.5”. $1250 MAP.

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Teosport has brought a new milestone to PERFORMANCE DAYS: the OEKO-TEX® STeP certification
The company has renewed its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Teosport has just returned from an exciting experience at PERFORMANCE DAYS, the leading event for sustainable functional fabrics and accessories, held in Munich on March 5-6. Each year, the show provides the perfect platform to launch new products and share current projects and upcoming innovations with visitors.

This year, Teosport introduced an innovative material—currently undergoing final testing before being incorporated into the brand’s range—as well as a new chamois development, unveiled exclusively at the event. Another major highlight of this edition was a significant milestone: the company obtained OEKO-TEX® STeP certification, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and high-quality production processes.

Achieving this certification marks a major step forward for Teosport, which has worked diligently to meet the stringent requirements necessary for accreditation. With OEKO-TEX® STeP, the company reaches an even higher level of manufacturing excellence while reinforcing its dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

OEKO-TEX® STeP certification sets the highest standards for social and environmental aspects of textile production, ensuring traceability and transparency throughout the manufacturing process. It connects a global network of over 35,000 certified companies and facilitates the sourcing of chemicals, materials, and business partners throughout the textile and leather supply chain. This recognition reflects Teosport’s commitment to its employees and the environment, contributing to a more ethical and sustainable approach to production.

“It has been a challenging journey, but one to which we have been deeply committed,” says Romano Tesser, Sales Manager at Teosport. “Beyond providing an excellent product, we have always asked ourselves what our responsibility should be to our current and potential customers. We have invested energy and resources to achieve this goal, knowing that every accomplishment requires dedication and perseverance. For us, social and environmental responsibility toward our employees and the production chain is essential. Traceability, quality, and professionalism are the commitments we have made to ourselves, and today we are proud to announce that these values are even more solid and tangible with STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification.”

Teosport is now ready to embark on the next chapter of its journey, offering increasingly innovative solutions for cycling and sports while strengthening its long-standing commitment to sustainability—an essential part of its production philosophy.

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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.