Fi’zi:k Terra Ergolace GTX Shoe review

After reviewing the Terra Atlas shoe and the Artica GTX boot i really wanted to test the Terra Ergolace GTX shoe because, well they look very different to anything else on the market today. The fact that they have a goretex membrane (the GTX bit) just made them all the more intriguing.

I chatted to the guys at Extra UK who distribute Fizik in the UK and they were happy to let me try a pair but, and they put this in writing via email, they said “please don’t say this is a winter shoe just because it’s got goretex in it” Obviously I said I wouldn’t. However, I got the shoes in November 2023 and have been wearing them throughout the winter!

The Terra Ergolace, has laces, I suspect you guessed that. personally I love lace up cycling shoes, Boa and velcro are good fastening types, less so ratchet systems but nothing comes close to the micro adjustability of laces. They are difficult to adjust on the fly when cycling I’ll admit but just how many of us are copying pro cyclists tightening their shoes before the last kilometre of a break away finish in a one day classic? Not many I bet and stopping to adjust laces to compensate for foot temperature changes etc isn’t really a drawback in my book. the laces will get covered in whatever fluid/effluent/mud the front wheel throws up though so there is that. Fizik have offset the laces to one side, which they claim is “ergonomic” and I’ve had no isues with the shoe tongue irritating the top of my foot that I’ve experienced with other shoes because of laces digging in, because the laces just aren’t there to cause trouble.

The upper lining is waterproof and breathable due to the aforementioned Goretex membrane. The outer fabric is made from Ripstop nylon and despite wearing them throughout the winter (perhaps the ice grey colour wasn’t the best idea during the muddier months) they have no cuts or pulls in the material. They have discoloured slightly. I’ve just been soaping them down with the same stuff I’ve used to clean the bike and they come up looking almost as good as new. The Vibram sole has bumpers fore and aft with a reinforced PU toe cover to deal with inevitable trail scrapes and knocks. The test shoes are the SPD version, there is a flat pedal specific version too. The cleat pocket underneath is large and the cleat can be positioned far enough backwards to be comfortable, something other shoe designers and manufacturers should take note of!.

The Ergolace shoe has a stiffness rating of 3 which means it has a little give for hike a bike but still supports the foot on the pedals when riding all day. It has an EVA midsole which makes the shoe very comfortable on and off the bike. the vibram sole is grippy enough if you fail to engage the cleat in the pedal and on rock/pavement. Really muddy trails and slimy roots will defeat them but they defeat just about anything. I went a size larger than normal as I knew i’d be wearing them with waterproof socks which are a lot thicker than normal socks. This was a good idea as they fit well and were very comfortable with plenty of room in the toe box for the extra sock material.

My experience of riding in the terra Ergolace Shoes has encompased one of the wettest winter seasons we’ve endured for many years. I think I can only remember 3 or four frosty days in the last 4 months. the shoes have been in near constant spray fom the front wheel and at times they looked like I’d ordered them in a deep brown colour. they got completely submerged in floods a couple of times and not even goretex can stop the shoe filling with water if it comes in via the foot hole!. Waterproof socks were invaluable in this instance. the shoes took around a day to dry on the radiator with the insoles removed which compared to other shoes I’ve soaked is a pretty good performance. With the addition of the waterproof socks and the goretex membrane the shoes have just shrugged off the spray. when the mud has got that bad that I’ve had to get off the bike and trudge through mud condition consistancies varying from cookie dough to farm yard slurry I’ve found them easy to walk in. Uphill pushes have resulted in no heel lift and cafe/pub stops are a delight (aren’t they always) as I’m not walking like bambi on ice or the Penguin from batman due to too stiff soles. I recommend you use a pedal with a platform though rather than a small race style pedal as the shoe flexibility that allows hike a bike performance will result in foot hot spots. a platform SPD pedal will support the foot and I have had zero hot spot issues while using this type of pedal.

Comfort wise I cannot fault the Terra ergolace, infact I’ll go as far as saying these are the most comfortable cycling shoe I’ve ever worn. Add this too the generous cleat adjustment and the shoe just feels spot on for riding. The goretex membrane is just the icing on the cake, this together with a waterproof sock for winter makes them the only shoe you’ll need. summer storm water and puddles wll just get shaken off. The fact that the shoes are so comfortable both on and off the bike make them the perfect bike packing shoe. You’ll only need one set of shoes for everything.

If you are in the market for an out and out super stiff race shoe then these are not for you. if you want a shoe that will do short rides, epic adventures across the globe, hike a bike up hellvellyn and still not look out of place in the pub (or at work….ask me how I know) then buy the Fizik Terra ergolace shoes. they are not cheap and I dont say this lightly, but they are worth every penny.

Throw away your other cycling shoes, get a pair of Fizik Terra Ergolace GTX shoes, they really are that good…….but obvously they are not a winter shoe, ok? 😉

you can find more information on these shoes from the Fizik website here

Exposure lights, Toro, Diablo and Boost R review

I’ve had these lights for 6 months now since USE-Exposure very kindly sent them to me to try out, these are the 2024 versions of the Toro (big one), Diablo (middle size one) and the Boost R (little one)…..I promise this isn’t going to turn into a Goldilocks “just right” scenario…..or is that Cinderella and a shoe? anyway I’d better explain why I didn’t follow every other online reviewer and magazine in the industry and publish this review before the darker evenings and winter started. If you are a regular reader you’ll know I try to do things a little differently at UKGC.

Firstly I wanted to test out the lights over a longer period of time rather than a rushed night ride test and then publish a review the next day kind of thing. I wanted to see how the batteries would perform after repeated use and recharges, how the different models stood up to being stuffed into bags, dropped on the ground accidentally or during repeated soakings by rain and flood and how the various mounts stood up to normal usage.

The second reason I didn’t rush to get a review out for the lights last October was that I thought about who might be using them. There’s lots of reviews endorsing the Exposure lights for competition, Exposure themselves sponsor many endurance events afterall so I thought there’s no reason to go into that, its a given. Not everyone though is into competition. From experience with friends and my online followers the overwhelming majority of users are those with very little time to ride. They can’t spare the time for a 24hr race or a week long bike packing trip. These are the riders who have busy work lives or family commitments. They have to sneak a ride in when the kids have gone to bed or be ultra prepared with kit and drinks the night before escaping the house for an hours intense ride before work. they might start their ride after work knowing the last hour will be into the twilight so they need lights to be able to ride at all and stay safe while they do it, they need them to be reliable, robust and ready to go at the last minute.

BOOST-R + ReAKT & Peloton Mk2 is a long name for a neat looking little rear light. Don’t be taken in with the diminutive size though, this light punches above it’s weigh and as the name describes isn’t just an L.E.D. light with a few flashing modes.

Boasting 80 lumens this rear light has a trick up it’s aluminium sleeve, when you hit the brakes or enter a brighter enviroment it will flare up to 150 lumens warning those behind you that you are slowing, and in the case of following cars, that you are there at all! the peleton part of the name is because if there’s a rider directly behind you with a bright light the Boost R will dim so as not to blind them. Anyone who’s closely followed someone with a flashing rear light knows it’s easy to become fixated or blinded by it to the point of missing the trail obstacles ahead. All this in a tiny package weighing just 45g. It takes 3 hours to fully charge using a mini USB cable, this was my only dislike and even this had been addressed as new models now ship with the much better and easier to insert USB-C type cable. After a full charge the light lasts 6hrs with a steady light and upto 48hrs in flash mode. The light comes with a seatpost mount with a rubber band making it easy to swap between bikes or take into work/cafe/gym with you so it doesn’t get stolen. You simply twist the light into the mount, this has been super secure in use (and when the rider falls off into the undergrowth!) This easy release band does mean it’s easy to knock out of alignment though so worth checking its pointing in the desired direction frequently. This had been my go to light for everything, commutes, night rides and “just incase i need it” rides. It’s been dropped numerous times and just continues to work.

Diablo Mk14 TAP is marketed as a helmet light, Why do I need a helmet light when all the other lights I see are on the handlebars I hear you ask. If you ride away from streetlights or off road a helmet light is invaluable, it allows you to see around corners, no seriously it does!

ok,obviously it doesn’t if we are thinking brick walled corners but riding off road in the dark as you approach a corner your bars and your handlebar mounted light will be facing forward, lighting the way ahead, but the corner, that’s in darkness untill you turn it may have all manner of obstacles, a fallen tree, thick mud or a wheel swallowing hole. A helmet light follows you eyes, turn your head to see where you are going and that corner is lit up allowing you to carry speed and well, not come a cropper.

The Diablo has 2000 lumens and four modes. Low, medium, high and flash plus many more available through the 8 different programs on the light. all controlled by the button on the back of the light. You can though enable the “TAP” function and this changes modes by just tapping the light with your hand, very er… handy when the light is mounted on top of your helmet and its awkward to reach or find the button in a hurry. The casing is very neatly machined aluminium making it very tough, i’ve wacked it on a few low hanging branches (it also comes with a lanyard to stop the light ejecting stage left/right in this scenario) The light takes 4 hours to full charge using a fast charger via a mains plug and depending on the mode will last from 1 (high beam) to 18 (flash) hours. An LED on the back of the light tells you the state of the battery charge so you can measure your ride length accordingly. It weighs 120g and although you’ll know its on your helmet its in no way heavy. In the box as well as a helmet mount you get a bar mount too making the Diablo very versatile as 2000 lumens is more than adequate for riding on the road/commuting and its in this position I’ve ued it the most.

Toro Mk14 with REFLEX is the largest of all the lights and is a dedicated handlebar light, nade with the same CNC machined aluminium body as the others it actually looks powerful before you even switch it on!

The Toro looks large but it is still only 236g but it smashes out 2250 lumens. it also has a hidden talent though and this is called “REFLEX” this boosts the light output to 3600 lumens via an internal accelerometer so when just riding along the light will emits normal power, if you decide to get rowdy and go faster or start throwing the bike around such as riding downhill over rough ground the light will boost the lumens without you even having to touch the light! it sounds like I’m making it up, but thats not all. it also uses temperature to change the light setting too. when crusing along those LEDS produce heat, the Toro measures this and dims the light, if you move faster and the air starts to cool the light it boosts the beam in seconds.

The Toro lasts 2 to 36 hours depending on the mode selected (these are printed on the side of the unit) and takes 6 hours to fully charge. The Toro comes with a quick release aluminium bar bracket that keeps the light very secure but allows quick removal if you are away from the bike. The only thing I don’t like about this is that the mount has to sit to one side of the stem or the other meaning it feels like it isn’t centered. This has no effect on light performance. To rectify this I purchased a mount that fits on the stem faceplate meaning the light is dead centre. The Toro is the only light in test I haven’t dropped! I have however took a roll into the undergrowth with it on the bars and it looks as good as new.

The rear screen tells you which mode the light is in and the state of the battery. The unit is charged using a fast charger that needs to be plugged into a mains outlet.

The Boost R rear light is an essential addition to you be safe and be seen equipment and a reassuring presence on your seatpost when things get dark (or indeed in daylight) I’ve failed to destroy it despite numerous ham fisted attempts. the fact that it gets brighter under braking or dimmer to stop dazzling your trailing ride buddy makes it a must buy.

The Diablo is far and away the most versatile light on test. As a helmet light its great, the TAP function raises it head and shoulders (yes deliberate) above all its competition. As a bar light it’s pretty much all you need for urban riding, commuting and it’s perfect for night time pee walks when camping.

The Toro is a specialist bit of kit, the reflex accelerometer makes it perfect for serious off roading at night. it maybe overkill for urban and commuting, it’ll certainly make sure you are seen though, just point the beam away from oncoming road users eyes!

In every case, the batteries and charging seem to be as good as the first time I used them, run times have been consistent. Although I’ve accidentally dropped, crashed and used the lights as a normal user would, I’ve not tried to be precious with them even though they aren’t mine, the finish on them still looks quality. They are built to last.

Theres’s no doubt that all of these lights are at the top of their game, there are so many built in features and battery tech that they just blow away their competition. Add in the warranty back up of a UK based company (they are still repairing lights that are 15 years old!) and it justifys the price of these lights. They are expensive it has to be said but its worth it for the features, the reliability and the back up.

more info from the Exposure lights website here

check out the ride video using the lights on the uk gravel collective youtube channel below and please take the time to subscribe!

Collins Cycle Works Hip Roll Pack Review

When Patch Collins dropped of his new version of the Collins Cycle Works (CCW) hip pack I didn’t like to tell him that I’m not the greatest fan of hip packs having tried many in the past. In fact I really want to like them and have been buying them since the early 90s in the hope of finding one that suits me.

I always find I dislike the way they bounce around, how narrow the waist strap is and how it cuts into you. How you constantly have to re-cinch the clasp or buckle as it constantly lose grip, usually because of the movement of the pack. They always seem to have too many pockets, all in the wrong place and either too little room for what I want to carry or too much room that stuff rattles about and the space is wasted. the clasps either are too fiddly or don’t work at all. A lot of them seem designed for running and have been marketed for bikes to cash in.

So you can see why I didn’t mention this when Patch very kindly dropped the pack off to me while I was having a pint in my local. He said I could try it out for a month or so and see what I thought of this version 3 of his roll top pack. Oh dear, this might not go as he thought it might.

Roll top pack with jacket stashed with bungy cord

The pack is made of a Xpac VX21 outer layer, which is very water and abrasion resistant, I didn’t hold back with chucking it around on and off the bike and it survived the worst that February in the UK could throw at it and still looked like new at the end. The inside of the pack features one large space lined with welded 210d TPU Nylon to ensure maximum waterproofness, now obviously this is a roll top bag so if you open it in the pouring rain it will fill with water and the waterproof lining means that water will stay in there mixing with what ever you put in the pack. My advice is to not do this!

The roll top means you can get away with over stuffing the bag in an emergency, maybe the shop you’ve stopped at have a sake on Haribo or something? anyway the space is generous. I deliberately took the frame and bar bag off my bike to see if I could just use the hip pack for all the things I needed on a normal day ride. I had a waterproof jacket, a multitool, a gopro and mini tripod (see youtube review video below) my phone and a snack. There was plenty of room for all this and I could have stashed an inner tube and tubeless repair kit in there too with ease. these last items though were on a Ridestash components bottle cage mount I was reviewing at the same time..

The Pack has two mesh pockets on the ends and a zipped pocket on the front. I put my house keys and multitool in the end pocket and my phone in the zipped pocket. All three of these pockets are easily accessible while riding. Even the zip pocket was easy to open and close with gloved hands for those last minute instagram snaps and reels (yes, i am that sad) I was happy to have my phone under just the Xpac fabric as it just looked as if it would keep the phone moisture free. There is a very useful bungy cord on the bottom of the bag and I stashed my waterproof jacket under there, it stayed put throughout.

The waist strap is broad and sat on my hips really well. It kept the pack feeling secure even over rough off road ground. When the pack was full there was some movement but it never felt annoying and the strap did not come loose, it did not need constant retightening. The strap has padding which added to the comfort but it was thin enough to not feel like a massive sponge on my back. It is also covered in a mesh material and my back didn’t feel like it was over heated but obviously the pack was used in February so temperatures were between -1 and 12 degrees.

CCW has chosen to go with a company call Fidlock for the fastenings on this bag and it makes a huge difference over the usual plastic snap closures other bag makers use. Fidlock features magnets and this makes it an absolute breese to open and close the roll top and waist strap. The fidlock clasps feel reassuringly secure but the standout feature of this choice of fidlock is the bottle mount, again check out the video below to see how it works but basically you just twist the bottle to release it to drink and then vaguely wave it next to the mount on the waist strap and the magnets pull it in and secure it, you don’t need to take you eyes of the trail at any time!

So, has the Collins Cycle Works Roll Top pack won me over, am I now a hip back convert? Well in a way yes, I still like to ride pack free and have stuff on the bike rather than on me but the design has solved all the drawbacks I mentioned at the start and has changed my mind on th concept of the hip pack.

If you already like hip packs you will absolutely love the Roll Top pack from Collins Cycle Works but the use of Fidlock clasps and bottle mount just takes this pack to another level above all it competitors.

It costs £130 which isn’t cheap but is on par with its rivals but then figure in that Collins Cycle Works ship these with a fidlock bottle for that price and it is worth every penny.

Check out the Collins Cycle Works website and Instagram page for more details and please watch the video below (and please subscribe, it makes a huge difference to a little channel like mine)

I wonder what Patch would have said if I’d told him I didn’t like hip packs? 🙂