GET SET? GO!

As the summer riding season commences, we look at helmets and shoes designed by Trek to keep you ahead of your racing rivals

Trek has built its reputation on excellence. It believes that to achieve the finest results from its cycling gear, you need to test it on the best riders. Trek’s racing team Lidl-Trek has acted as the benchmark for helmets and shoes. Maximising on the team’s intense training schedule, experience and ambition, Trek put five new products – two helmets and three pairs of shoes – to the test.

Trek’s Ballista and Velocis helmets, the Velocis, the RSL Road and the RSL knit shoes all feature performance-enhancing tech, and all have all been subject to Trek’s intense testing scrutiny. This quintuplet has been assessed by the finest riders to ensure that you are prepped to achieve your best and find adventure this season.

Faster, faster…

The Trek Ballista MIPS helmet has been designed for riders looking for the fastest helmet available. It was crafted to give the Trek-Segafredo team the edge on the finishing line and is now available to all speed addicts.

But what exactly makes this helmet Trek’s fastest? “The aerodynamic efficiency of Ballista is the result of its unique shape,” says Trek. “Further improvement was gained from the addition of an air trip, vent design and internal channels. Together, the whole system makes Ballista the fastest helmet Trek has ever made.”

It’s also light, just 275g. Less volume, less material and lightweight components all contribute to its aerodynamic efficiency, which, says Trek, equals 10.1 watts of power. That’s the equivalent of one bike length during a final sprint. That could be the difference between you and your rivals.

Aero efficiency is Ballista’s star quality. Other benefits include an optimised vent and channel control for efficient airflow, while a fully-integrated MIPS Air

safety system manages rotational forces. Comfort has not been left behind either. Ballista has a single-lace, 360° fit system with two lace-height positions and three yolk positions so you get a completely customised fit. Secure sunglasses storage and a bevelled front edge for a greater field of view seals the deal. In fact, it’s so good that Ballista became the official race helmet of Trek-Segafredo on its release in 2023.

The lightest touch

When Trek asked its team of professional riders what makes the ultimate helmet, the answer was a no-brainer: aerodynamic optimisation and low weight. Trek set to designing its lightest helmet yet with the second generation of Velocis. It comes in at an impressive 260g. That’s 6g lighter than the previous iteration. It’s not just lightweight, it’s cool too. An improved ventilation system means the Velocis is 38 per cent cooler than its predecessor, thanks to an improved vent and channel design.

To achieve such featherweight credentials, Trek has reduced helmet volume. It installed new integrated MIPS Air systems and OCLV carbon inlay bridges. Essentially, the team optimised material usage to keep the grams off. A new brow-band design, MIPS+ Fit pads and single BOA lace-fit system shaved weight, as well as improved comfort.

Like its sister helmet the Ballista, the Velocis has a single-lace, 360° fit system with two lace-height positions and three yolk positions for customised fit. Its low weight, comfort and aero efficiency makes this helmet primed for the podium.

Going in feet first

Fresh to Trek’s stable of racing shoes for 2024 are Velocis, RSL Knit and RSL Road. Engineered for superb performance, this threesome has been designed in collaboration with the Lidl-Trek team.

Bringing comfort to the fore, all three designs feature METNET relief zones. This Trek-exclusive perforating technology allows the shoe to stretch and compress around the forefoot. In real terms this means relief from the numbness and tingling that can be a distraction from your best performance. While the RSL Road is a traditional twopiece construction, the RSL-Knit features an entirely knitted upper for added breathability and even more comfort. The RSL Knit and RSL Road feature two BOA Li2 dials. So, if you need to tweak as you ride, micro-adjustability allows for easy adjustments and an ultra-precise fit, as and when you need it. The Velocis has one premium BOA Li2 in a dualdial configuration.

Looking for maximum power transfer? The RSL duo feature a 100% OCLV carbon plate with a Trek stiffness index rating of 14/14. The Velocis is the most flexible of the trio with an OCLV composition carbon plate and a stiffness index rating of 10/14. Another secret of these shoes are the BioDynamic insoles, a collaboration with Superfeet. The result? Better-fitting insoles designed to optimise performance and provide a more comfortable fit for the average foot.

Geared up and ready to go

As you ride into the heart of the race this summer, don’t forget about the optimised tech that helps you reach peak performance in comfort. Designed and rigorously tested by pros, this is gear that leaves you free to race to the finish.

For more on Trek’s latest gear, visit trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/