Hey folks, it’s September 19, and Fall equinox is right around the corner…for readers in the Northern Hemisphere. That means cold weather is not far behind. We’ve got a packed Gear Break aiming to get you ready for the coming seasonal change. First up, Chuck reviews a new neck and shoulder massager from Bob and Brad. Then we’ve got the new winter season kit from MAAP. Winter time is gravel time, and we’ve got two exciting bikes for you. A just released endurance focused gravel bike from Factor Bikes and the titanium Moots Routt CRD. We also have a new hybrid road/gravel carbon wheel set from Vision if you’re looking to upgrade your ride. Finishing up, we’ve got exciting nutrition news from Wahoo and Momentous. Check it out!
Bob and Brad EZ Back Neck Massager – $79.99
Experience ultimate relaxation with the Bob and Brad EZ Back Neck Massager with Heat. Its ergonomic design provides superior support, while 3D Shiatsu Deep Massage Technology relieves muscle soreness and stiffness. The soothing heat therapy enhances circulation, and its one-button control makes it easy to use anywhere. Developed by renowned physical therapists Bob and Brad, it’s a perfect gift with a 2-year warranty.
The Bob and Brad EZ Back Neck Massager with Heat offers superior relaxation. Its ergonomic design ensures support, while 3D Shiatsu Deep Massage Technology relieves muscle tension. The soothing heat therapy enhances circulation, and one-button control makes it easy to use anywhere.
Chuck sez: PEZ readers will know that I use Bob and Brad massage guns as part of my post-ride recovery and whenever I need to relieve muscle soreness. But while a massage gun works well on my legs, it isn’t always ideal for everywhere else. My neck and back are two good examples. As the name suggests, the Bob and Brad EZBack Neck Massager is specific for neck and back muscles.
Using the Bob and Brad EZBack Neck Massager is pretty easy:
- Charge it up (a USB-C charging cord is included)
- Turn it on (hold the power button for about 3 seconds)
- Select the mode you want (short press the power button to change modes)
- A1 – Kneading in a clockwise direction with heat (orange light)
- A2 – Kneading in a counter-clockswise direction with heat (orange light)
- A3 – Kneading in a clockwise direction without heat (blue light)
- A4 – Kneading in a counter-clockwise direction without heat (blue light)
- When finished, turn it off (hold the power button for about 3 seconds) NOTE: It will automatically shut off after 10 minutes of continuous use
(1) Power button. (2) Charging port (USB-C).
Because everyone’s anatomy is different, you will have to experiment with how best the Bob and Brad EZBack Neck Massager will work for you. For my upper back and neck, I found lying down on my bed was best. For my lower back, sitting in a chair was best (I didn’t use it, but the adjustable strap allows you to attack the massage unit to the back of a chair). The massaging itself felt firm, which is what I prefer.
As far as the heat was concerned, I found it to be more subtle than pronounced. At least for me, I’m not sure how much I would use the heat feature.
The heat is on!
For me, the Bob and Brad EZBack Neck Massager is a nice addition to a massage gun — especially for my back. Riding doesn’t really affect my back (or neck) that much, but I will definitely be using the Bob and Brad EZ Back Neck Massager for golf!
But the better judge of the Bob and Brad EZBack Neck Massager is my wife. She’s had several different bike accidents that have affected her neck, shoulders, and back. It’s not the same thing, but for a lot less than a single visit for a deep tissue, sports massage (that she loves), she has ready access to daily relief that — according to her — feels a lot like a real massage.
MAAP New Season Collection
Designed for forces of nature
MAAP has unveiled its latest collection of road apparel, with reimagined staples and a selection of new items ready for the change of seasons. Key highlights of the new MAAP collection:
- Aeon collection sees addition of Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey
- New waterproof Elements Pro Race Jacket featuring Polartec fabrics
- Apex Deep Winter Jacket and Bib Tights reimagined in V2.0
- Range of accessories completes a comprehensive update designed to tackle the forces of nature
- MAAP Equinox Experience returns this month uniting riders globally to take on planetary laps
The common thread running through all the latest additions in the collection is a stand against the forces of nature tackled in the harshest months of the year. Ensuring the conditions don’t stand in your way, whilst maintaining comfort, security and performance.
Leading the pack is an extension to the popular Aeon family, which debuted earlier this year and is designed for the demands of endurance riding, with the new LS Aeon Thermal Jersey. A premium brushed fleece-liner pairs with a water-repellant DWR coating to provide both comfort, warmth and protection from the elements. Whilst MAAP’s signature Pro fit delivers a sleek, form-fitting silhouette in line with the wider Aeon collection.
MAAP’s new Elements Pro Race Jacket provides waterproof outer shell protection on the days when nature does its best to stop play, in either long sleeve or short sleeve. Incorporating a technical Polartec Power Shield RPM membrane, critical seam sealing and a protective back panel, the Elements Jacket pulls out all the stops for enhanced weather protection. While underarm stretch panels and cuff designs optimize comfort and range of movement with a customized feel.
A perfect pairing that has carried many a rider through the darkest winter months, the Apex Deep Winter Jacket and Bib Tights have levelled up this season. When making experiences, attention to detail matters, and new fabric selection and functional upgrades help create a winter combination that’s hard to beat.
From the Apex Jacket’s waterproof and windproof Polartec Power Shield, to strategically positioned windproof and waterproof leg panels, a concealed chest pocket for easy essentials access, a bonded finish on the sleek bib brace system, or the subtle YKK AquaGuard waterproof zip. The Apex Deep Winter 2.0 duo embodies the ethos of apparel designed for the needs of cyclists, by cyclists.
Completing the new additions is a range of apparel accessories: the comfortable Apex Deep Winter Cap featuring Polartec Power Shield fabric; the Control Winter Glove, created for the early winter cold with a focus on comfort and grip; plus new Team Mesh and Team Midweight Base Layers, working hard underneath to maintain comfort and wicking sweat away from the body.
Extending the attention to details that often saves your ride, MAAP has introduced a new Shield Saddle Bag and Waterproof Phone Wallet, each waterproof and reinforced with durable TU laminated Nylon to keep your essentials dry and secure even through the worst conditions.
The latest drop goes live ahead of MAAP’s biannual Equinox Experience – a global ride series uniting riders in the brief moment in which we all experience equal light and dark. Challenging you to join others and push your limits as a global community of riders works to take on as many laps around the planet as they can in seven days.
Discover more about the MAAP Equinox Experience and how you can get involved at https://maap.cc/equinox.
New Season Road Collection:
- Aeon Thermal LS Jersey, Mens & Womens – £205 / €225 / $250
- Apex Deep Winter Jacket 2.0, Mens & Womens – £305 / €335 / $380
- Apex Deep Winter Bib Tight 2.0, Mens & Womens – £295 / €325 / $365
- Elements Pro Race Jacket, Mens (LS, SS) – From £240 / €265 / $300
- Control Winter Glove, Unisex – £85 / €100 / $115
- Apex Deep Winter Cap, Unisex – £60 / €65 / $65
- Team Mesh Base Layer, Mens & Womens – £65 / €70 / $80
- Team Midweight Base Layer, Mens & Womens – £65 / €70 / $80
- Shield Saddle Bag, Small & Large – From £50 / €55 / $60
- Shield Waterproof Phone Wallet, Small & Large – From £50 / €55 / $60
- Team Sock, Unisex (S, M, L) – £18 / €20 / $22
- Core Bottle (Standard, Large) – From £18 / €20 / $22
Discover the full New Season Road collection here.
Rapha Winter Road Collection
King of the Mountains
In typical Rapha fashion, the newest collection for the coming season has quietly appeared in our inboxes and in the internet.
Factor Bikes ALUTO
Signature sharp handling with long-distance comfort
Factor Bikes ALUTO, sitting alongside the OSTRO Gravel, offers endurance-focused riders an alternative option for high-performance mixed surface riding.
Developed to set a new standard in the all-rounder space, the ALUTO reinforces Factor’s commitment to high-performance gravel. Bringing as much speed, sharpness and technical focus as the race-proven OSTRO Gravel, the ALUTO is also centred, stable, and built to go long. Using its balanced race geometry, the bike has been optimized around 45 mm tires in the rear- with a performance maximum of 47 mm, as measured- and 52 mm in the front. Every aspect of the geometry has been designed to ensure the handling retains much of the precision of the OSTRO Gravel, delivering a light, bright ride, while dialing in long-distance comfort.
Compared to the OSTRO Gravel, the ALUTO has a slightly steeper head tube angle and equally short chainstays to maintain a shorter wheelbase and enhance agility. The lower bottom bracket shifts the centre of gravity downward, stabilising the ride and balancing the shorter wheelbase while increasing control across variable terrain. With a slightly higher stack than the OSTRO Gravel, the ALUTO allows for a more adaptable fit for a wider range of riders without compromising a race-ready position.
Long-distance racing, training, and exploring require high-performance design cues as well as utilitarian integration. Downtube storage provides a secure, aero solution to stash tools and essentials. The full internal cable routing has been designed to be mechanic-friendly while guaranteeing clean aesthetics. 1x and 2x compatibility allows riders to set up the bike for their most likely case-use scenario.
The Black Inc HB05 Barstem complements the lively nature and geometry of the ALUTO with a gravel-specific design. The shorter reach of the HB05 offsets the increased reach seen in modern hoods, ensuring the rider’s fit is preserved. Its shallow drop and increased flare add stability over rough terrain, and the moulded cable entry ports reduce machining complexities while facilitating easy cable routing.
The ALUTO’s two colors, Raptor Blue and Quattro Grey, are inspired by the world’s most extreme off-road proving ground: the Dakar Rally. Just as Dakar cars are engineered to endure vast distances, brutal terrain, and the sharpest edges of performance, the ALUTO is built to bring that same spirit of resilience, versatility and precision to gravel cycling.
Mike McGinn, the ALUTO’s designer, sez: “One of the major highlights of the ALUTO is the delicate dance and balance of all its elements. While most companies are focusing on maximum volume of tyres, we’re painstakingly balancing the bike to provide a ride experience that is holistic, purposeful, and absolutely high performance.”
David Millar, Brand Director at Factor Bikes, sez: “Gravel has evolved at an incredible pace. What used to be one discipline has now split into countless styles of racing and riding. The ALUTO is our answer to that evolution. It’s a true high-performance all-rounder: sharp, agile, and versatile enough to excel across every scenario. I raced it at UNBOUND this year, and it delivered in every condition. With the ALUTO, we’ve taken Factor’s signature handling and engineered it into a bike that can go further, adapt better, and still feel unmistakably Factor.”
The ALUTO doesn’t sit below the OSTRO Gravel; it stands beside it.
The ALUTO is available in sizes 49, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 61cm. Fully compatible with Shimano 12-spd or SRAM AXS groupsets. To learn more, head over to Factor Bikes.
Moots Routt CRD – from $8799.00
The ultimate titanium gravel race bike
The race bike of every gravel enthusiast’s dreams. Pure speed in a stiff titanium chassis, integrated routing through the headset for clean lines, and tire clearance right where you want it. With or without a number plate, this bike will have you setting PR’s all over your local gravel haunts and beyond.
The new Routt CRD incorporates everything we have learned about making versatile gravel bikes for the last 10 years. The Routt CRD is a streamlined package that is meant for speed across all gravel and broken road surfaces, while maintaining legendary Moots ride quality. Our RSL (Race Super Light) tube set leads the way to save weight, while our updated 3D printed dropouts and brake mount pull together the back end into precise alignment.
The core of the bike starts off with a threaded T47 bottom bracket, the rear end now features UDH compatibility, while the front end gets enhanced with an all-new integrated cockpit and an improved version of the legendary Moots gravel fork. No wires or hoses to be seen. The concept continues to improve stiffness where power enters the bike around the BB and dropouts while isolating the rider with lighter tubing both in the seat stays and the top tube for those all day rides. With the gravel racer in mind the Routt CRD is optimized around 40-42c tires with plenty of clearance to spare.
Frame Specs
Head Tube: 44mm
Bottom Bracket: T47 86mm Threaded
Seatpost: 27.2mm
Derailleur Clamp: 34.9mm
Rear End Spacing: 142×12 Thru-Axle
Max Tire Clearance: 45mm
Water Bottle Locations: 3
Fender Eyelets: Lower, Mono Stay & BB (optional)
Chainline: Gravel Wide (45mm)
Vision SC 48 i25 – $1299.00
Hybrid aero carbon wheels at home on tarmac and gravel
Vision has long been a technical partner for professional World Tour and Continental teams, and this experience is a key part of the new SC 48 i25 wheelset. The brand’s “SC” (Service-Course) line aims to deliver premium carbon wheels at a competitive price point, and the SC 48 i25 wheels are a prime example of this “intelligent choice” philosophy. Designed for a blend of performance and value, these wheels are a hybrid product, optimized for both road and gravel use.
The new Vision SC 48 i25 wheelset fully embrace this philosophy.
The carbon rim, characterized by a 48mm aero profile, features a 25mm internal hooked channel optimized for wide tyres, making this wheel a hybrid product, properly intended both for road and gravel use. The 24 aero-bladed spokes are laced onto straight-pull hubs. The rear freehub, fitted on the best-selling V-200 Vision hub, features an improved pawl system, updated design without bearing preload adjustment but with press-fit end caps, to improve reliability and more maintenance-friendly.
And, speaking of maintenance-friendly, each hub will be imprinted with a QR-code to access the spare parts manual. This industry first action will simplify and speed up sourcing parts to rebuild the hubs if ever needed.
Design and Development
The development of the SC 48 i25 wheels was guided by three key priorities: drag reduction, stability enhancement, and weight optimization. To achieve this, Vision’s Aero CFD specialists used extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, evaluating over 300 rim profile variables across road and gravel categories.
This rigorous process led to the selection of a 48mm rim depth. The design was intended to provide stable aero performance, even when using wider tires and across wider yaw angles, which is a significant factor for both on-road aerodynamics and off-road unpredictability. The rim’s 25mm internal hooked channel is optimized for these wider tires, making it suitable for both road and gravel.
Key Specifications
- Rim Material: Full carbon
- Rim Depth: 48mm
- Inner Rim Width: 25mm
- Hubs: V-200 Hubs with 6 sealed cartridge bearings (2 front, 4 rear)
- Spokes: 24 aero-bladed direct pull spokes with a 2:1 lacing pattern
- Compatibility: Tubeless Ready, Centerlock rotor mount, and compatible with SH/XDR/MS/CAMPY freehubs
- Weight: 1,590 grams per pair
- Construction: Hand built
- Price: $1,299.00 USD (RRP)
For full details on the new SC48 i25 and the whole Service Course line, head over to Vision.
Wahoo Fitness Partners with Momentous
Science-backed nutrition
Wahoo Fitness, the leading fitness technology company for endurance athletes, announces a new partnership with science-backed sports nutrition brand Momentous.
Momentous products will now be available in the US market through WahooFitness.com, giving athletes direct access to the highest quality and clinically proven performance supplements alongside Wahoo’s award-winning ecosystem of training tools.
Becoming a better athlete is built on discipline, consistency, and a commitment to excellence in every aspect of performance. But, it also goes beyond training data and hardware. It requires fueling the body with the same level of intent and precision.
Wahoo has partnered with Momentous, the leader in high-performance human nutrition. Trusted by the U.S. Military, professional sports teams, and Olympic athletes, Momentous develops expertly formulated, rigorously tested supplements designed to meet the demands of serious performance.
With NSF Certified for Sport® products built around foundational health, recovery, and resilience, Momentous shares Wahoo’s commitment to elevating what individuals can achieve. Together, they are delivering not just the tools to train better, but the nutrition to recover, rebuild, and perform for everyday life and beyond
Gareth Joyce, CEO of Wahoo, sez: “We’re excited to announce this partnership between Wahoo Fitness and Momentous. It’s a business that we greatly admire and that perfectly fits with our ethos and mission.Both companies share a commitment to helping athletes reach their full potential. By integrating science-backed, performance-fueling into the Wahoo ecosystem, we’re continuing to build the better athlete in all of us”.
Jeff Byers, CEO of Momentous, sez: “At Momentous, we’ve always believed that the hard work athletes put into training deserves to be fully realized. High-quality supplementation is what ensures that effort translates into even greater progress – helping athletes recover faster, adapt better, and ultimately get the most out of every session. By partnering with Wahoo, we’re bringing our philosophy into one of the most trusted ecosystems in performance, giving athletes not just the tools to train, but the highest quality nutrition to maximize the results of their dedication.”
Visit Wahoo’s website for more information.
The post Gear Break: Bob and Brad Massager, MAAP , Factor Bike ALUTO, Vision SC48 i25, Wahoo x Momentous appeared first on PezCycling News.
