Gear Roundup: DZR Cove Cypress Shoes, Hiplok Gold Superbight Lock, ABUS Pedelec 2.0 Helmet [VIDEO]
Time for a look at some new bike accessories that can make your eBike ride safer, more comfortable, convenient, and fun!
In this roundup we have the:
- DZR Cove Cypress Shoes
- Hiplok Gold Superbright Lock
- ABUS Pedelec 2.0 Helmet
I’ve recently been riding the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SL eMTB as an all around eBike for off road and on road adventures, commuting, and errand running.
It features a carbon fiber front triangle with aluminum 160mm rear suspension, 170mm Rock Shox front suspension, Bosch Gen 4 CX motor, 625 Wh Bosch Power Tube battery, SRAM NX drivetrain, Magura brakes, and Schwalbe 27.5″ x 2.6″ tires.
In addition to the gear below, I recently reviewed the Old Man Mountain Sherpa rack and Chrome Barrage Pannier on this eMTB.
DZR Cove Cypress Shoes
The DZR Cove Cypress shoes ($99) are all about stylish shoes that are also comfortable to wear.
And they may look like ordinary shoes built for all around daily cruising but underneath…….
….they have a special focus on being bike compatible!
The plate with the 2 screws is a placeholder for a cleat for clipless pedals.
And here is a look with a SPD cleat installed.
Many cycling shoes have very stiff soles for an efficient transfer of power from your foot to the pedals and generally those shoes are not very comfortable to walk in.
DZR Shoes feature a “A full-length nylon mid-sole/shank designed with strategically mapped stiffness for a combination of power transfer while pedaling and flexibility for walking.”
I did find that they are very comfortable for walking around while still feeling pretty efficient while pedaling.
While they have the capability for the SPD cleat attachment, the Cove Cypress shoes also work well with the just the plate for platform pedals.
Also note the cool looking chainlink tread pattern! It is pretty grippy.
I did notice that on hard surfaces (tile) the cleat does contact that a bit when walking and it is something to get used to. If you don’t use a cleat the shoe feels normal on hard surfaces.
Here is a look at the shoes clipped into the Shimano one side SPD pedal. The black laces that also came with the shoes were used.
There are reflective stripes on the back of each shoe.
And a look at the side profile of the shoe.
DZR states that their shoes tend to fit larger than other brands.
I normally wear a size 45 and there was a significant amount of room in the toe area, so a 44 would probably be a better fit.
DZR also sells fancy looking flasks! So if you want to take a little drink with you there is the $18 DZR Flask.
At $99 the DZR Cove Cypress shoes are a pretty good value because you are getting 2 shoes in 1.
There is the stylish around town shoes that are comfortable for walking combined with a shoe that pedals efficiently on the bike.
They work well with the cleats for clipless pedals or for use just as they are for platform pedals.
DZR also makes a wide variety of other shoes too.
Hiplok Gold Superbright Lock
Yup, Hiplok is a great name for this hip lock!
This is a tough chain lock (lifetime warranty) that is worn around the waist and this particular Superbright model builds in a reflective band for help with being seen.
Here is a video from Hiplok for a closer look:
The Hiplok has adjustable fit between 30″ to 44″ waist. In this view you can see that the lock is attached to the chain with the other side using an adjustable belt system.
At about 5.25 pounds you can definitely feel the weight of the lock but it is well placed on the waist for good weight distribution.
It is nice to be able to quickly grab the lock when you roll up to the bike parking. And similarly, quickly attach it to your waist when leaving.
Also, the reflective band around the waist is a good location for being seen while riding.
The chain is about 33″ long and wraps around the frame and locking structure well.
In some situations the front wheel and frame can be include while wrapping around the locking structure.
Hardened steel is used for the lock shackle (12mm) and the chain (10mm).
This is the belt connector that attaches to the lock.
And the belt connected to the lock. You can also see the adjustable belt for waist sizes between 30″ to 44″.
The Hiplok Gold comes with 3 keys that are coded for replacement if you ever need that.
This Superbright reflective Hiplok Gold is priced at $139.99 and the black color band is $129.99.
That is a premium price but the Hiplok Gold is heavy duty and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Hiplok does make a variety of other innovative locks at lower price points too.
ABUS Pedelec 2.0 eBike Helmet
The ABUS Pedelec 2.0 helmet is an update to the original Pedelec helmet that features sturdy construction, an expandable rain cover, rear LED light, and more.
We previously reviewed the original Pedelec+ version a couple years ago.
Here is a video with a good overview of the features and accessory options:
The Pedelec 2.0 comes in a variety of colors shown below and sizes: Medium and Large. The helmet in this test the Motion White color in the Large size.
The Pedelec 2.0 has a good bit of venting that feels comfortable but it is not the coolest helmet on the market.
That is less of a concern on an electric bike because you have the option to go for an easier ride in hot conditions as compared to a traditional bike.
ABUS states that the design has “deep temple and neck protection” which you can see in the side view of the helmet.
The interior has foam padding that feels comfortable. The blue color is also a nice touch of style.
There is netting in the front vents to keep the bugs out!
On the back of the helmet is the LED light and the rain cover compartment.
An upgrade for the Pedelec 2.0 is the USB charging of the LED light (the Pedelec+ did not have a rechargeable battery). The LED light has solid and flashing modes.
The LED light is good for being seen at night, especially because it is moving around a bit as you move your head. It is not the brightest light but it is noticeable.
It is also nice to have the integrated light because it is always with you as long as you are wearing your helmet. It’s one less thing to worry about when you are headed out the door for a ride.
And when it starts to rain, ABUS has you covered! The rain cover conceals the vents well and adds some reflectivity with the striping.
The rain cover is stowed in the compartment on the back of the helmet when not in use and when deployed it has an attachment within the compartment. And you can see the the LED light is still visible.
Near the front of the helmet are the attachment points for the rain cover.
There is a dial for fitting the helmet to the back of your head and the whole structure can be moved vertically down for those that ride with a pony tail.
This is the Fidlock magnetic buckle that is very easy to secure once you get used to the attachment and release directions of sliding it together or apart.
The magnetic characteristic does make it easier to connect and the connection feels very solid. It did not come apart by accident during any of the test rides.
As the arrow indicates you slide the buckle forward to open. Also, there is some padding to make the buckle under your chin more comfortable.
The ABUS Pedelec 2.0 is priced at $149.99 which is on the higher end but it does include a lot of features that makes riding safer and more comfortable.
Stay tuned for more e-bike news and reviews and thanks for reading!
-Pete
Review Note: All of these products were given to electricbikereport.com with no requirement for return.
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