Pez Fans, it’s Harvest Time at Gear Break. The pumpkins are on the porches and the trainer is creeping out of the corner. Chuck kicks things off with Q36.5 kit for shoulder season. Garmin dropped a new flagship computer and a new smart trainer on the same day. BlackHeart polishes its titanium road bike. Hutchinson joins the electric pump fight, and Continental joins the 32” wheel party. Let’s get into the gear!
Q36.5 Cool(er) Weather Kit
Shoulder season, sorted
In the Northern Hemisphere, at least, it’s that time of year. The heat (and humidity) of summer is in the rearview mirror. Temps are cooler, but not yet cold. Welcome to transition, or shoulder, season. Here in the SC Lowcountry, that means mornings in the 50s/60s F that warm into the 70s F by midday (80F isn’t out of the question). For me, that’s riding weather where a lightweight long-sleeve jersey like the Q36.5 Dottore Pro or Gregarius Hybrid Light QLAB is just the ticket to ride.
Dottore Pro Long Sleeve Jersey – $270 / €200 / £200
What Q36.5 Says
The long sleeve version of our iconic Dottore jersey, providing exceptional protection from the sun (SPF+50) and just that little bit of extra thermal protection on chillier late summer rides. As with the original, the long sleeve is cut with our proprietary skin-suit inspired pattern to eliminate all frontal facing seams and features our most thermally versatile lightweight fabric with 3D surface and real silver yarn.
The PEZ Take
The Dottore Pro Long Sleeve Jersey is built differently than most other brands’ jerseys.
- The two front panels (joined by a full-length zipper) also form the top of each sleeve and extend to the back yoke (joined with a serged seam).
- The underside of each sleeve extends into a side panel.
- The sleeves are hemmed, unlike the raw-cut sleeves on most short-sleeve race jerseys.
- Below the back yoke, a rear panel holds the three jersey pockets (plus a secure zipper pocket).
- That’s five panels total, all in the same material, plus a low-ish collar and an elastic hem at the back below the pockets.
Invisible Pockets
One interesting feature is Q36.5’s Invisible Pocket System. Each of the three rear pockets has a small flap that covers whatever is inside. Q36.5 claims it keeps your essentials safe and adds to the aerodynamic efficiency. Honestly, I’m not 100 percent convinced. But if it’s true, it’s one of the most marginalest (is that even a word?) of marginal gains.
Fit
My short-sleeve Q36.5 jerseys are size XS, so that’s what I went with here. My wife says it looks “tiny,” like it’s sized for a child. In fairness, it does look small when you hold it up. But the material stretches comfortably to fit. It’s a close-to-the-skin race fit, but not uber tight or constricting. For me (5′8″, 130 pounds, ectomorph), that’s comfortable. YMMV.
Gregarius Hybrid Light QLAB Long Sleeve Jersey – $200 / €160 / £160
What Q36.5 Says
The Q36.5 Gregarius Hybrid QLAB Long Sleeve Jersey is an ultralight spring and fall essential that uses an ergonomic, aero-efficient cut and a combination of intelligent materials to ensure high-performance comfort in milder temperatures.
The PEZ Take
The Gregarius Hybrid Light QLAB uses a different construction than the Dottore Pro Long Sleeve.
- A two-piece front panel in a very fine micro-mesh, joined by a full-length zipper
- A low-ish collar
- Raglan sleeves in a ribbed #aero material, with raw-cut ends
- The underside of each sleeve extends into a long-ish underarm side panel
- A honeycomb mesh rear panel
- The same Invisible Pocket System on the three rear pockets as the Dottore Pro (plus a secure zipper pocket)
- An elastic hem below the rear pockets
Fit
Size XS fits like the Dottore Pro, just a tad looser. It’s not quite as tight, but it’s still very form-fitting. In other words, any extra pounds/kilos you’re carrying won’t go unnoticed.
Base Layer 2 Short Sleeve – $110 / €90 / £90
What Q36.5 Says
The first and most striking characteristic of the Q36.5 Base Layer 2 – recommended for temperatures over 15°C – is its extraordinary softness and elasticity that allow the garment to stretch perfectly to the contours of your body for that invisible, next-to-body feeling. Combining this with our signature advanced body mapping, which uses multiple integrated structures and densities to accommodate the different sweat zones of the body, and a 100% seamless construction with an unhemmed finish, gives you a garment that is both high performing and practically indestructible even after years of use.
The PEZ Take
The Q36.5 Base Layer 2 is essentially a form-fitting t-shirt. The front uses a more solid material for insulation. The back has a vented section for wicking, and the underarms are vented too. I really like the short sleeves for that little bit of added #marginalgains coverage and insulation. The material is very soft and smooth against bare skin. It’s pretty much everything I could ask for in a base layer for cool-weather riding.
Chuck’s bottom line: There’s no getting around the fact that Q36.5 kit is expensive. I’m not here to tell you how to spend your money, but if you want kit that’s ridden at the pro level (by the likes of Tom Pidcock and the Pinarello Q36.5 World Tour team), it’s the price of admission. For me, both the Q36.5 Dottore Pro and Gregarius Hybrid Light QLAB long sleeve jersey—worn with the Base Layer 2—strike the right balance between just enough extra insulation for cooler weather but lightweight enough that it’s not too hot when the sun warms things up. If you’re already beginning to feel the cold of winter weather and need to layer up with heavier/more thermal kit now, then the Dottore Pro and Gregarius Hybrid Light QLAB long sleeve jerseys will be the ‘driods you’re looking for in the late spring shoulder/transition season.
Pricing & Availability
The Dottore Pro Long Sleeve Jersey is $270 / €200 / £200. The Gregarius Hybrid Light QLAB Long Sleeve Jersey is $200 / €160 / £160. The Base Layer 2 Short Sleeve is $110 / €90 / £90. Get the details at q36-5.com.
Garmin Edge 1060 – $799.99 / €799.99 / £699.99
OK Garmin, find me coffee
Garmin’s new flagship Edge can talk, and it listens too. The Edge 1060 is the first Edge with a built-in microphone and speaker. You can report hazards, ask for ride data and pick routes by voice. Your hands stay on the bars the whole time.
The speaker also reads out turn-by-turn directions, workout prompts and voice messages. Messages run through the Garmin Messenger app. Anyone who has tried to poke a touchscreen in winter gloves will see the point right away.
Smarter Navigation
Garmin also upgraded the navigation. You can now preview several route options before you pick one. A new “Up Ahead” data screen shows the points of interest you choose, like restrooms and coffee shops. Hazard reports now include road closures. A “free flow” routing option tries to keep stops to a minimum.
Smaller Body, Same Screen
The 1060 keeps the 1050’s 3.5” display but puts it in a smaller case. Garmin also added physical side buttons for gloves and wet days. Reverse charging lets it share power with a Varia light or your phone in a pinch.
Key Specs
- Display: 3.5”, 480 x 800 touchscreen
- Weight: 142g (vs. 161g for the Edge 1050)
- Dimensions: 58.5 x 107 x 16.3mm
- Battery: Up to 20 hours in demanding use, up to 60 hours in battery saver mode
- Training: TrainingPeaks workout sync, interactive workout screen, customizable home screen
- Extras: Microphone and speaker, voice messaging, reverse charging
Pricing & Availability
The Edge 1060 is $799.99 / €799.99 / £699.99. Get the details at garmin.com.
Tacx Nēra Smart Trainer – $999.99 / €999.99 / £859.99
A trainer that moves with you
The new Tacx Nēra is a direct-drive smart trainer that moves under you. Built-in motion pods let the bike shift forward, backward and side to side. The goal is a ride that feels more like the road and less like a bolted-down machine. Your hips and saddle will thank you deep into a long winter.
The numbers are serious. Tacx claims power and cadence accuracy within 1%. The Nēra handles gradients up to 20% and sprints up to 2,200 watts. It also has Wi-Fi built in, plus a race mode for online racing.
Two Versions, One Price
The standard Nēra comes with an 11-speed Shimano/SRAM cassette already installed. It’s ready to ride out of the box. The Zwift Ready version swaps the cassette for a Zwift Cog and adds a Zwift Click controller. You get quiet virtual shifting in Zwift or ROUVY, with no derailleur noise or cassette wear. Both versions sell for the same price.
Key Specs
- Accuracy: Power and cadence within 1%
- Max gradient: 20%
- Max power: 2,200W
- Motion: Fore/aft and side-to-side movement
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, plus Tacx Training app workouts
- Drivetrain: Preinstalled 11-speed cassette, or Zwift Cog + Click
Pricing & Availability
The Tacx Nēra is $999.99 / €999.99 / £859.99 in either version. For full details and purchase head over to garmin.com.
BlackHeart Road Ti – from $3,499
Modern metal, refined
BlackHeart Bike Co. out of Truckee, California just updated its Road Ti. The goal is the look of a modern carbon race bike in a titanium frame built to last. The new version borrows the 3D-printed details first used on the Road Plus Ti earlier this year.
The ride itself hasn’t changed. BlackHeart uses 3/2.5 double-butted titanium tubing with dropped, slightly curved seatstays. The result is smooth but snappy. A kammtail downtube, one-piece carbon cockpit and fully internal cabling keep it fast. The previous Road Ti won Cyclingworld Europe’s 2024 Best Race Bike award.
The 3D-Printed Upgrades
This is where the new frame stands out. The details are small, but anyone who builds their own bikes will like them.
- Seat tube cutout: A seamless 3D-printed Ti section opens up room for 700x35mm tires with fenders
- T47-68 BB shell: A lower channel and retaining clip give cleaner brake hose routing
- Brake mount: A solid mount with a self-guiding hose port makes builds and service easier
Each frame is reamed, chased and faced at the factory, so it’s ready to build out of the box. BlackHeart backs it with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original owner.
Builds
Road Ti Frameset – $3,499
- Frame, ENVE fork, seatpost and headset
- Custom fork paint to match any automotive color: +$300
Road Ti Signature Builds – from $5,799
- BlackHeart carbon barstem
- SRAM Rival AXS or Shimano 105 Di2
- Hunt Allroad Alloy wheels
Road Ti ENVE Edition – $13,749
- SRAM Red AXS 2x with power meter
- ENVE SES Aero Pro barstem V2, ENVE SES 4.5 Pro wheels, ENVE carbon seatpost
- CeramicSpeed Alpha BB
- Size 56: 17 lb 0 oz (7.71kg)
Road Ti Zipp Edition – $13,499
- SRAM Red AXS 2x with power meter
- Zipp SL 80 Race carbon bar, Zipp SL Service Course alloy stem, Zipp 202 NSW wheels
- BlackHeart carbon seatpost, CeramicSpeed Alpha BB
- Size 56: 16 lb 12 oz (7.60kg)
Key Specs
- Sizes: 9, for riders from 5’0” to 6’7”
- Tire clearance: 700x35mm with fenders
- Tubing: 100% recyclable 3/2.5 double-butted titanium
- Standards: Cane Creek HCR headset, T47-68 BB, round 31.6mm seatpost, UDH
- Drivetrain: 2x or 1x electronic, with a removable direct-mount front derailleur hanger
Perfect Fit Program
BlackHeart offers a free 30-minute one-on-one fit consultation. Riders use their own measurements and current bike to settle size, build and geometry. The fit guarantee is the best part. If you finish the program and don’t like your size, BlackHeart pays shipping to swap the frame.
Pricing & Availability
The Road Ti frameset is $3,499, with complete builds from $5,799. EUR and GBP pricing has not been announced. The bike will be in stock in November at blackheartbikeco.com and through BlackHeart dealers.
Hutchinson FlashAir – €69.99
The French join the e-pump party
Electric mini pumps have gone from novelty to normal in a hurry. Early Chinese brands like Cycplus got there first and set the bar. Topeak, Silca and plenty of others have since piled in. Now Hutchinson, the French tire maker, joins the fight with the FlashAir.
The FlashAir weighs just 130g and measures 71 x 45 x 32mm. It slides into a jersey pocket or saddlebag with the rest of your ride kit. A silicone sleeve protects it from knocks and adds grip when your hands are cold or slimy with sealant (ask me how I know).
Set It and Forget It
The digital screen shows your current and target pressure side by side. Set the target, and the FlashAir shuts off when it gets there. No more guessing with a thumb squeeze on the side of the road. It tops out at 120 psi (8.2 bar), so it covers road, gravel and MTB.
Hutchinson added a few thoughtful touches. A built-in LED light helps with roadside repairs after dark. Overheat protection pauses inflation and flashes “HOT” during long runs. The pump also powers down after three minutes of inactivity to save battery.
Battery Check
A three-bar indicator shows the charge level, and the light flashes when the battery drops below 5%. It charges by USB-C. A red light means it’s charging, and green means it’s full.
Key Specs
- Weight: 130g
- Dimensions: 71 x 45 x 32mm
- Max pressure: 120 psi / 8.2 bar
- Valves: Presta, Schrader and ball needle
- Display: Real-time and target pressure, auto shut-off at target
- Extras: LED light, overheat protection, auto power-off
- Charging: USB-C
What’s in the Box
The FlashAir comes with a silicone sleeve, USB-C cable, Presta and Schrader adapters, a ball needle, an extension hose and a lanyard.
Pricing & Availability
The FlashAir is €69.99 and available now. USD and GBP pricing has not been announced. Get the details at hutchinson.com.
Continental 32” Dubnital Race Rapid
Bigger hoops, familiar tread
Those of us who lived through the 29er wars know how this goes. A new wheel size shows up and people scoff. Then the tire makers start lining up. Continental is the latest to step in. It just previewed the 32” Dubnital, its first tire for the new wheel size.
Conti calls the Dubnital a fast-rolling all-rounder. It sits between cross-country mountain biking and gravel. Continental scaled up the existing tread design for the bigger wheel. The claim is better momentum, easier rollover and more traction and stability.
Race Casing, Rapid Compound
The 32” version comes in Continental’s lightweight Race Casing and fast-rolling Rapid Compound. Conti says the combination should roll efficiently and cut rider fatigue on long, rough days.
Alexander Haenke, Product Manager MTB & Gravel, Continental Tires, sez: “The growing interest in 32” wheels is clear, and our priority is ensuring riders have immediate access to Continental’s flagship tire technologies as new wheel sizes emerge.”
Key Specs
- Diameter: 32”
- Use: XC / gravel crossover
- Casing: Race Casing
- Compound: Rapid Compound
- Widths and weights: Not yet announced
Pricing & Availability
The 32” Dubnital Race Rapid will be available worldwide in April 2027. Pricing has not been announced. Get the details at continental-tires.com.
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, call us out if you feel the need!
PezCycling News and the author ask that you consult the manufacturers if you have any questions about the 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.
Like what you see? Subscribe to the Pez newsletter to get Gear Break and all the latest cycling news delivered straight to your inbox.
The post Gear Break: Harvest Time – Q36.5 Cool(er) Weather Kit, Garmin Edge 1060, Tacx Nēra, BlackHeart Road Ti, Hutchinson FlashAir, Continental 32” Dubnital appeared first on PezCycling News.
