Review - Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 TSA Road Bike Bag

For 2017, the best-selling Scicon Aerocomfort Bike Bag received some significant design updates. With thru-axle compatibility, added protection, and an overall lighter weight, it makes it even more of a market-leader than before.

Back in 2013, I reviewed the read the review here). That bag has had some significant use: for transporting bikes on planes, trains, and even yachts. With many of my bikes now having thru-axle designs though, the Aerocomfort 2.0 had required some questionable 'bodging' on my part, to make it usable. I was therefore relieved when the new 3.0 was released earlier this year. This new design is much improved.

Thru-axle compatibility

One of the biggest differences with the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Bike Bag is that it will accommodate 12mm thru axles on the front and rear of the patented suspension frame system.

To fit thru-axles, you simply remove the QR inserts in the suspension frame, then use your bike's existing axles to secure it to the frame. You can fit 12mm axles up front, and 12mm axles on the rear (if you have 142mm x 12mm on the rear, you need to use a provided spacer to open the suspension frame up to 142mm wide rather than 135mm).

This added compatibility is significant, given that most disc brake equipped road bikes are now using thru-axles. It also means that the bag is more usable for a cyclocross bike (the wheel pockets are also slightly larger, to accommodate cyclocross sized 33-35c tyres).

It is also worth noting that I have successfully used this with a 15mm axle on the fork of the bike; by leaving the QR adaptors in place, and simply clamping the bike in place using a front quick release skewer. This isn't how the system is intended to work, but it gives you even more options for bike fitment.

Added protection

The Scicon 3.0 Aerocomfort design features added protection, compared to its predecessor. This comes in the form of rigid plastic plates around the rear derailleur area, and more padding around wheel hubs and on the hoods/handlebar area.

To make packing easier, Scicon have also neatly labelled the padding strips that go on the handlebar, top tube and saddle; so you can quickly see where each pad needs to go.

New rolling chassis design

The third significant development to the Scicon Aerocomfort Road Bike Bag is an improved suspension frame design. The frame and chassis on the 2.0 was great, but this develops things further.

The new frame features a solid plastic base, which means you can store the provided gear bag safely in the bottom of the bag (containing shoes or similar), without the risk that it will push down on the base and cause the bag to drag on the floor.

The frame also features new wheels, which are lighter, and all-plastic in design. This makes them less likely to scratch things, or rust/bend with use. Replacement wheels are available from Scicon, if you do damage one in transit.

How to pack the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Bike Bag

Packing of the new Scicon Aerocomfort Road 3.0 Bike Bag is even easier than before:

1. Remove the wheels from the bike frame and fit these into the padded pockets on either side of the bag.
2. Attach the bike frame to the bag frame using the appropriate axles. Place the chain over the rear kafe of the suspension frame and put it in the biggest chainring on the front. Use the rear derailleur protector.
3. Add the padding strips to the handlebar, top tube and saddle. 
4. Strap the bike into the bag with the four straps: over the handlebar sides, saddle and top tube.
5. Zip up the bag, and lock it with the provided TSA lock.

Summary

Overall, the new Scicon Aerocomfort Road 3.0 TSA Bike Bag shows great learning and development from the Italian brand. The original Aerocomfort was a winner, but this new design goes one better.

It is worth noting that the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Bike Bag still comes with a great TSA-approved combination lock, and removable carry straps for easy handling. It will accommodate road bikes up to 62cm in frame height, and handlebars up to 48cm wide. Also, despite the added protection, the bag is now lighter, at less than 8 kilograms.

More usable, lighter and more protective. There is a good reason that the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Bike Bag is the bag of choice of dozens of professional cycling teams.

• Shop the Scicon Aerocomfort 3.0 Road TSA Bike Bag at Wiggle (Link)

Review - LedLenser MT10 Handheld Torch

The range of handheld and head torches from LedLenser are market-leading, in terms of quality, technology and performance. The MT10 handheld torch is one of their latest releases, aimed at the outdoor adventurer looking for a compact and powerful handheld torch.

It might seem odd that I am featuring a handheld torch on , given that it doesn't come with bike-light attachments. The reasoning is that with a little adapting, this could be a superb bike light or helmet light; equally, as it stands it is a great light to use for camping, touring and adventuring - all things that many cyclists enjoy.

Meet the M10

The M10 is the mid-range handheld torch in the LedLenser Outdoor line-up.

The unit has a 1,000 lumen max light output, which lasts for 6 hours. On the low power efficiency setting the light has an incredible 144 hours burn time.

Clever lighting technology

The beam on the LedLenser M10 has an adjustable focus; so you can pinpoint in on an area a long distance away (180 metres, to be exact), or you can go for a wider spread beam to illuminate an area close by.

The light has four modes: High, Medium, Low and Strobe. To be honest that is as many as you need, and it does away with the endless scrolling through light modes that often seems the case on torches and lights.

Real life testing

I have been testing the LedLenser M10 on evening walks and hikes, and it has been an absolute pleasure to use.

Pulled from its neat sheath, it is comfortable to hold in your hand, and easy to operate.

Build quality is superb, and the aluminium shell feels solid and robust. The torch is water-resistant to IPX4, too; so you can happily use it for damp outdoor scenarios.

The easily adjustable beam and simple operation are refreshing; it shouldn't be complicated to operate a torch.

Overall, this is a fantastic little unit. Ideal for camping, touring and adventuring; it could also be a great helmet light, with a suitable mount (I tested it with a USE Exposure one).

View the LedLenser range at ledlenser.com

Long range focussed beam on the LedLenser MT10

Short range wide-spread beam on the MT10 handheld torch

The LedLenser MT10 comes with a smart pouch and lanyard attachment

#7Countries7Passes - The simpulan preparation

Copenhagen to Andorra, via some of the highest mountain passes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France. 3,000 kilometres. 50,000 metres of climbing. The #7Countries7Passes tour is imminent.

The bike is packed, the kit list is finalised, and the route is plotted on the map. My approaching departure from the Danish capital of Copenhagen, will mark the start of my longest and hardest bike tour to date.

The Route

My route plans have been tweaked and modified over the last few months, but here is the current (still changeable) plan:

Checkpoints/Passes/Highlights

• Start: Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen (Denmark)
• Checkpoint 1: Villingen (Germany)
• Pass 1: Hochtannbergpass (1675m) (Austria)
• Pass 2: Timmelsjoch (2474m) (Italy)
• Checkpoint 2: Merano (Italy)
• Pass 3: Stelvio Pass (2757m) (Switzerland)
• Pass 4: Col de Montgenèvre (1854m) (France)
• Pass 5: Mont Ventoux (1911m) (France)
• Checkpoint 3: The ‘Cycling House’ (France)
• Pass 6: Col de Pailhères (2001m) (France)
• Pass 7 (Finish): Port d'Envalira (2408m) (Andorra)

Route Card

The Bike

• Find out more about the set-up on the Kona Rove Ti here (links to blog post)

The Kit Selection

• Find out more about the kit selection for the #7Countries7Passes tour here (links to blog post)

Follow the adventure

• On Instagram #7countries7passes
• On Twitter #7countries7passes
• On Facebook:

The Hansen's Cykelløb - Ice Cream, Gravel and Good Friends

Good friends, great ice cream and gravel adventures. The Hansen's Cykelløb was a unique and special Danish experience, with the fantastic team from GripGrab.

Riding your bike should be fun, revitalising and memorable . It should bring excitement, adventure and reward, in equal measure. A gravel ride in the Danish countryside; with ice cream, fresh coffee and great company, sounded like the perfect warm-up ride before my #7Countries7Passes tour.

A Danish celebration

Hansen's are one of Denmark's most famous ice cream producers; creating beautiful fresh dairy ice cream, from the local herds of cattle that graze on the country's fertile grasslands.

The Cykelløb highlights Hansen's love of the Danish countryside, and of their prized ice-cream. 130 kilometres of gravel tracks; taking you through the green pastures just north of Copenhagen. With fuel stops featuring fresh 'Hansen's Ice', coffee, Danish sandwiches, and plenty of friendly conversation.

This isn't so much a race... more an end of summer celebration, of many great Danish virtues. My kind of event.

Good friends = A great team

The team from GripGrab have become special friends over the past six years that I have known them. I was the UK's first 'GripGrab Local Hero', and it has always been a pleasure to champion their products, and the brand's genuine passion for the sport.

I travelled to Denmark to join the GripGrab crew, along with another great friend - fellow Isle of Wight rider, Jack Elton-Walters. We both grew up in the same town, and now both work in the world of cycling media.

Our 'Band of Brothers' was the perfect group for a fun and fast day in the saddle.

The 'Race'

Rolling out from the HQ at Hansen's dairy parlour, there was a fun and chatty atmosphere in the peloton.

We headed north, escorted by the company's shining milk tanker.

Unfortunately, the relaxed atmosphere and big bunch on these early roads led to a crash at about kilometres five. I came off unharmed physically, but the bike suffered a bit of a hit, which reduced me to just three usable gears for the rest of the race.

Strength training for the mountains, I guess...

After the small hiccup, we pedalled on. A fast GripGrab mini-peloton, chasing down the main group.

Before long the tarmac led us to gravel, and then into the secluded and sunlit forest.

We soon approached the first 'feed station'; and were treated to a Hansen's nougat choc-ice, and fresh fruit.

Fuel for the ride... which suddenly became a lot more vertical... with an uphill timed hill sprint!

After heart rates had fallen back to a reasonable level, we pedalled on through the beautiful green forests and open farmland of the Danish countryside. Alongside deserted railway tracks, and quiet villages.

The lunchtime feed stop arrived just in time to kick away a looming blood sugar slump. Fresh sandwiches, coffee, and the biggest and most delicious ice cream I have ever had. I opted for the 'Rocky Road' - it seemed appropriate.

Sugar levels elevated, we raced through the tamat third of the course. Smiles and laughter a-plenty.

On arrival back at the Hansen's HQ, we enjoyed milkshakes, fresh beef salad, and beers.

Stories and plans for future gravel adventures were shared.

Then, we headed back to Copenhagen for a celebratory meal with the team. A great day in the saddle with the GripGrab crew.

#7Countries7Passes Day 1 - Bike Paths, Bridges and Bakeries

We rolled out from Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen at 8am this morning. The sun glistened on the fjord, as the rush hour traffic filed into the city.

Skirting down bike paths, Peter (Marketing Manager at GripGrab) and I were soon out of the thrum of the city, and into the deserted countryside.

Flat roads were a welcome start for first day legs, and we enjoyed heading along the coast at a gentle pace.

Kilometres ticked by, and at the 55 mark we met up with Martin for a few more photos.

Then, after saying farewells and thanks for a fantastic weekend, we parted ways.

By lunchtime I had reached the town of Vordingborg, and treated myself to one last Danish pastry and coffee.

As I headed into the archipelago of islands that composes southern Denmark, the bridges and long straight roads grew in number.

Head down, fuelled by caffeine and sugar, I pushed on into the afternoon.

By 16:00 I had made the Rodbyhaven ferry, and boarded to leave Denmark in my wake. Good memories.

On arriving in Germany, I made the call to try and eat into my long day 2 quota, and managed to get 50km on the clock before setting up camp.

A good first day in the saddle.

#7Countries7Passes Day 2 - An Introduction to Germany

Today's ride provided plenty of variety; from the Baltic coast, to the deep forest around Hamburg; then on into the lowlands of Hannover.

Up with the sun, I was on the road at dawn. Through quiet and deserted Baltic beach resorts, before heading southwards in-land.

The majority of the day was spent pedalling through endless forests, open farmland, and small smart little German towns.

A quick lunch stop at a bakery, and another mid-afternoon stop to make some sandwiches kept me fuelled.

By late evening, I was 150 kilometres in, and searching for a campsite just north of Hannover. Unable to find anywhere though, I made the call to push on through the city and try my luck the other side.

Unfortunately, by the time I had navigated the complex (but stunning) bike paths out of the Hannover forest, it was properly late and dark.

I found a few possible spots to pitch the tent, but then discovered them to be swampy and infested with mosquitoes. I pushed on again.

At about 21:45, I was stopped by a German lady, who had flagged me down to warn me my back light was off. In desperation, I asked if she knew somewhere I could camp. In an incredible act of kindness she invited me back to her family home; dinner and a warm bed inside. I was incredibly grateful.

Germany has shown me an impressive start to the trip across the continent.

#7Countries7Passes Day 3 - Detours and Delays

 Today's ride seemed to take a while to get underway. A delayed start, delays with some GPS problems, and then heavy legs.

Things didn't accelerate when I hit the hills, and headwind; and I had barely covered 85km by noon.

Then I decided after the kind offer of a bed for the night, from GripGrab's Marti, that I would divert to Fulda, from my planned route.

The Wahoo improvised route led me to believe this would be 175km, taking me to 245km for the day. That would have been doable. Unfortunately, the reality was a bit further...

The wahoo route took me on no end of gravel tracks; on the straightest possible line. My true route would be a lot further.

By 21:00 I still had 45km to go, and was on a busy main road. Marti came out to meet me, for the last 30km, and guided me onto safer roads into Fulda.

I was incredibly grateful for a warm meal and good bed.

New route to Villengen planned, the next two days will hopefully be faster.