Welcome back Pez Fans, this week’s Gear Break is a Spring Classic. As the pro peloton prepares for the soul-crushing pavé of Northern France, the gear industry is pivoting to meet the chaos. This Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix serves as the ultimate backdrop for a Gear Break that blurs the line between high-speed racing and rugged survival. From Canyon’s bid to put Mathieu van der Poel on a “comfy” bike that’s anything but slow, to Van Rysel’s ambitious plan to cushion the impact of the stones with wearable tech, we are witnessing an ascendant all-road revolution. Whether you’re hunting for 42mm cotton-casing comfort, high-clarity rimless optics, or just trying to navigate the coffee run without a pedal wrench, this week’s collection is all about mastering the rough stuff.
Canyon Endurace
Aero speed with cobble compliance
Canyon’s new Endurace CFR is an “all-road” racer that matches Aeroad speed with Roubaix-ready compliance, featuring 35mm tire clearance and a world-first VCLS Aero seatpost, launching today as Mathieu van den Poel’s weapon of choice for Sunday’s Hell of the North.
The Hell of the North’s New Weapon
Paris-Roubaix “hits different,” and today Canyon is leaning into that chaos with the release of the all-new Endurace lineup. This isn’t just a comfort bike for the Sunday club run; the top-tier Endurace CFR was specifically engineered to get to Roubaix fastest. Developed in lockstep with Alpecin-Premier Tech and feedback from Mathieu van der Poel, the goal was simple: floating above the pavé without bleeding watts. Keep an eye out this Sunday as MVDP looks to secure his fourth straight win for the brand on this machine—a bike designed to master the toughest conditions in racing.
The Tech n Spec: Compliance Meets Cutting Edge
The “race” in Endurace is no marketing fluff. The CFR features a stiffer head tube than the Aeroad (115 N/° vs 103 N/°) to handle the violent impacts of 5-star cobble sectors. At the same time, it is within a single watt of the Aeroad CFR in the wind tunnel, thanks to a minimal head tube profile and the new SP0093 VCLS Aero seatpost. This world-first post uses a specialized layup to deliver 25% more vertical compliance than a rigid post.
In line with the industry movement to more and more clearance, the CFR offers 35mm clearance and up to 38mm on the CF SLX. These generous allowances for the high-volume rubber have revolutionized modern all-road riding. Up front, the adjustable PACE Bar allows for 50mm of width and 20mm of height adjustment without a single brake bleed—a mechanic’s dream and a fitter’s delight.
The ride experience
The shift to 165mm cranks on Medium frames is a welcome move toward better hip angles and easier spinning. Canyon claims the bike is more planted and stable due to a slightly longer wheelbase, yet it retains that signature Canyon snap. With a more compliant frame, it’s a bike that lures you to seek out the rougher “shortcuts” you used to avoid. While this is a road bike, the press kit from Canyon makes it clear this is a tool for cobblestones (you’ve already seen MvdP hammering the Belgian cobbles on it) and more than just some accidental gravel secteurs.
The Specs
- Frame: Toray T1100/T800 and YS80 pitch-based carbon (CFR).
- Weight: 7.5 kg (Endurace CFR Di2).
- Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM Red AXS with power meters.
- Wheels: DT Swiss ARC 1100, 65mm deep.
- Tires: Pirelli P Zero RS, 35mm.
- Geometry: Sport Pro (CFR) or Sport Geometry (SLX/CF).
Pricing & Availability
The Endurace CFR is available globally. Pre-launch pricing starts at $10,499 / 8,999€ for both Di2 and AXS builds. The CF SLX and standard CF models follow on May 12th, with the SLX 7 AXS priced at 3,999€ and the entry-level carbon CF 5 starting at 1,699€. Check Canyon’s website in your region for complete post-launch pricing and availability.
Tifosi Optics Moab XC
Unobstructed (re)views
Pez fans, we have got a treat for you this week. Our first Pez Crew collab review. Chuck and Andy have each been testing the all new “frameless” Moab XC from Tifosi Optics which will is available for purchase in North America now, and in Europe early next week. You may also recall, we teased it a couple weeks back.
Tifosi’s new Moab XC dropped this week and it’s 29 grams of rimless optics designed for the “fast and rough” crowd. It is a refined evolution of the Moab lineage, trimmed down for a more compact M-L fit that stays put when the road turns to washboard.
The Nitty Gritty
- The Chassis: A Grilamid TR-90 frame—the gold standard for lightweight durability—paired with fully adjustable ear and nose pieces to allow for a truly custom fit.
- Sticky Bits: They’ve utilized hydrophilic rubber on the contact points. This material actually gains grip as you sweat, ensuring the glasses don’t migrate toward your chin during high-effort efforts.
- Polycarbonate Optics: Shatterproof and scratch-resistant lenses cut in a rimless shape to maximize your field of view. There is no frame to obstruct your line of sight when you’re looking through the apex of a corner.
Chuck got the Satin Vapor with Clarion Deep Purple lens (left) and Satin Vapor with Light Night Fototec Lens (right)
Per Tifosi:
The Moab XC builds on the current Moab and Moab Lite, offering a lighter, more compact fit and a quick-swap lens system, designed for variable riding conditions.
Key details:
- Weight: 29g; Fit: M–L
- Interchangeable lens system (bright, low, and no light coverage)
- Fototec lens option adapts to changing light
- Clarion lenses repel sweat and moisture
- Grilamid TR-90 frame for lightweight durability
- Hydrophilic rubber nose + ear pieces for no-slip fit
- Adjustable nose and ear pieces for a customized fit
- Polycarbonate lenses (shatterproof + scratch-resistant)
The original Moab is a full-frame shield design
The Moab Lite ditches the full-frame for a half-frame
The Moab XC follows the natural evolution and goes frameless
PezCrew thoughts
Style is in the eye of the beholder, but of the three Moab designs, the new frameless XC is our favorite. The frameless design is clean and looks fast. All three are oversized, shield designs, but the Moab XC lens real estate has different proportions:
- Moab – 138 mm wide x 56 mm tall
- Moab Lite – 133 mm wide x 55 mm tall
- Moab XC – 130.8 mm wide (149.6mm overall) x 56.9 mm tall
Interestingly, the frameless Moab XC weighs more than the half-frame Moab Lite (but both are less than the full-frame Moab) — according to Tifosi:
- Moab – 31 grams
- Moab Lite – 27 grams
- Moab XC – 29 grams
Both pairs of Chuck’s Moab XCs weighed in at one gram over spec
Chuck sez: PEZ readers will know that I’m a fan of Tifosi sunglasses. I’m a Tifosi tifosi. They’re not worn in the pro peloton, but could be and wouldn’t be out of place. The optics are crystal clear (the most important thing). And the quality is top notch. All at a price tag that’s easier on your wallet than comparable sunglasses from many other manufacturers. Everything in the Tifosi lineup costs less tha $100 — including their models with multiple lenses. That’s more than just a bargain, it’s real value.
In the real world
The Satin Vaypor/Clarion Deep Purple is a perfect (for me) lens for all-day riding in bright sunlight (typical for the SC Lowcountry). More than enough dark tint to ease eye strain, but not too dark (for my eyes) riding in occasional shade. But it comes with two extra lenses for less than full sunlight conditions. AC (all conditions) Red works better in cloudy/overcast conditions (or if riding mostly in shade), but offers enough tint (for me) for intermittent sun. The clear lens is for dedicated night riding or daytime very low light conditions, e.g., fog, heavy rain (neither of which I intentionally ride in as an official AARP rider).
The Satin Vaypor Clarion Deep Purple comes with AC red lens (back) and clear lens (front)
Changing lenses is pretty easy-peasy: hold the lens between your thumb and forefinger in one hand and pull (pivot) the temple up and out with the other hand. Reverse the process to install a new lens.
Everything stows away in a protective hardshell case
I have an average-ish size head and think I’m OK size-wise with the Moab XC, but as our dearly departed friend and PEZ colleague Ed Hood would warn: “if you have a small head and wear huge shades you could stray into ‘Dame Edna’ or ‘Fearless Fly’ territory – neither is icy”
It’s always a good idea to try on sunglasses with your helmet to make sure they fit well together
One lens to rule them all
Tifosi also offer a single lens solution for those who prefer a photochromic option for complete versatility without carrying a spare lens. The Moab XC Satin Vapor/Night Light Fototec lens responds to changing light conditions. In low light, it has 75.9% light transmission. In bright light, it has 27.7% light transmissions. As the name implies, the Night Light Fototec leans more towards riding in darker conditions. If I was still up in Babylon on the Potomac and doing my Wednesday Night Hill Rides that included Operation Dinner Out afterwards, the Night Light Fototec would be exactly what I would want. Enough tint for riding in late afternoon daylight conditions, but “clear” enough for riding home at night with urban ambient light. (NOTE: For true night riding, I would recommend a clear lens.)
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The Night Light Fototec (or the Clarion Blue Fototec that’s a slightly darker tint and darkens to a blue mirror) is also a good choice for days with both clouds and sun or when you’re riding in and out of the shade.
No extra lenses with the Light Night Fototec — just a hardshell case and soft microfiber case (that doubles as a lens cleaning cloth)
Indoors, you might think the lens is clear (but it’s actually very lightly tinted)
Outdoors in bright sunlight and the lens darkens up (but not as dark a tint as a dedicated full sun lens)
To give you an idea of how the Night Light Fototec Lens transitions from light tint to dark tint
The bottom line
IMHO, Tifosi has a winner with the new Moab XC. It’s definitely got the current trend oversize shield pro look. And they’re pro in terms of their functionality and quality. The lens real estate provides more than enough UV and wind protection. I don’t have a way to measure optical clarity, but my aging (although Lasik corrected) eyes can’t discern any real difference between Tifosi lenses and the lenses in other high quality (and more expensive) sunglasses (that are part of my rotation). Plus the Moab XC comes in enough color/lens choices:
- Blackout – Smoke/AC Red/Clear
- Crystal Smoke – Clarion Blue/AC Red/Clear
- Forest Vapor – Clarion Yellow/AC Red/Clear
- Satin Vapor – Clarion Deep Purple/Ac Red Clear
- Kinetic Blue – Clarion Blue Fototec
- Satin Vapor – Light Night Fototec
- If none of the above suit your fashion taste, you build a custom Moab XC
The 1,000-yard stare
The only “problem” I have with the Moab XC is having to decide between wearing them or the Tifosi Rail Race when I go out for a ride. (There’s also the original Rail plus the Vogel XC and Vogel SL for me to choose from.) They’re all great sunglasses for riding and I love them all. Almost too many choices! I know … first world problem.
Pricing & Availability
You have two paths for glass: the classic 3-lens Interchange kit (Bright, AC Red, and Clear) or the “set it and forget it” Fototec photochromic lens. At $79.95 for the kits and $89.95 for the Fototec, Tifosi once again proves you don’t need to drop a car payment to get high-performance eye protection.
- PEZ-Fans can Buy Tifosi Moab XC sunglasses here – and PEZ receives a small affiliate commission to help run the site.
- Canadian PEZ-Fans – Please Use this link to shop for Tifosi
Vittoria Corsa PRO Control
The “Pro’s Couch” Goes Wide
Vittoria’s Corsa PRO Control has long been the go-to for the pro peloton when the cobbles get greasy, but the big news this week is that this WorldTour tech is finally sizing up for the rest of us. Expanding the range to 38mm and a massive 42mm, Vittoria is effectively blurring the line between a road racing tire and a gravel sleeper.
The tech
The magic lies in the Corespun-K 320 TPI cotton casing. Unlike stiff nylon, this cotton construction is incredibly supple, allowing the tire to deform around the edges of a cobblestone, or your local broken tarmac, rather than bouncing off it. Combined with the Graphene + Silica compound offering a 9% increase in speed and 17% better puncture protection, it provides cornering confidence usually reserved for skinny racing tubulars.
At 38mm and 42mm, there’s just a whole lot more cushion for your (carc)ass. Whether you’re on chip-seal or the pavé of the Arenberg Trench, these wider casings allow for lower pressures without that sluggish, “vague” feel. Add in the Vittoria tire liner we featured about a month ago, and you’ve got a winning combo.
The specs
- Construction: 320tpi, seamless, vulcanized cotton
- Compound: Graphene + Silica
- Compatibility: Hookless compatible up to 72 psi.
- Widths: 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38 and 42mm
Pricing & availability
The new wider sizes are hitting shelves just in time for your spring classics.
Priced at $111.99 / €95.95 these are definitely premium options. But, the one part of the bike intended to maximize control and comfort is not where you should settle for half measures. For full details head over to Vittoria.com.
Challenge 4 Stagioni XP
The Handmade Tank
If the Vittoria is a racing silk, the Challenge 4 Stagioni XP is a bulletproof vest. Released just in time for a potentially wet Roubaix weekend, the “XP” (Extra Protection) is Challenge’s answer to the “one-and-done” nature of high-end race tires. Built on a handmade SuperPolyester casing, this tire is designed for those days when you’re more worried about a sidewall-slashing flint than you are about saving two watts in a wind tunnel.
The tech
The standout feature in the 4 Stagioni is the Corazza Silver + Gold Armor. This is a bead-to-bead protection layer that reinforces the entire tire against cuts and pinches. Despite heavy-duty protection, it retains that signature Challenge “tubular-like” feel because it isn’t vulcanized, preserving the natural flexibility of the fibers. The SMARThydro compound is engineered to work in any season, giving fantastic grip in dry and warm weather as well as wet and cold weather.
Challenge introduced the Easy-Fit Shape with the 4 Stagioni. This feature reduces the usual wrestling match required to mount their handmade tires onto modern tubeless rims. Challenge also states that the tire is hookless compatible. (I thought hookless was dead?!?)
The specs
- Construction: 260 TPI SuperPolyester handmade casing (non-vulcanized)
- Compound: SMARThydro compound tuned for wet and cold performance
- Armor: Double-layer PPS (Puncture Protection System) with a bead-to-bead Corazza armoring layer
- Widths: 28, 30, 32, 35, and 38mm in Black or Tan Wall.
Pricing & availability
Pricing is listed as $99.99 / €84.90 at ChallengeTires.com. Check with your favorite local shop or online retailer for availability, or buy direct from Challenge.
Redshift Mousetrap
Cheese not included…
The Redshift Mousetrap is a clever, magnetic-coupled solution for turning your clipless pedals into “townie” flats, offering a grippy platform for casual commutes without the hassle of a full pedal swap.
The Snap of the Trap
Redshift has a knack for solving problems we didn’t know we had—or at least the ones we were too lazy to solve with a pedal wrench. The Mousetrap is their answer for the rider who wants to take their “good” bike to the coffee shop or the pub without clomping around in carbon-soled slippers.
Installation is a refreshingly tool-free affair. Using a simple cam-lever mechanism, these glass-filled nylon platforms lock into your existing SPD jaws in seconds. One of the slickest design wins, however, happens off the bike: strong embedded magnets snap the pair together into a single, low-profile block. It’s a thoughtful touch that ensures they don’t become independent agents of chaos at the bottom of your gear bag or pannier.
Street Cred and Gravity
Once you’re rolling, the cross-cut surface provides a genuinely grippy interface for your Vans or Sambas. The platform is generous enough for navigating city streets, sitting low enough in the pedal mechanism that you won’t need to adjust your saddle height.
Key specs:
- Weight: 176g per pair (Actual: 169g)
- Compatibility: Shimano SPD (and most SPD-compatible systems).
- Dimensions: 80mm x 105mm x 10mm thick.
Because these clip into one side of the pedal, the weight naturally flips the assembly upside down at every stoplight. You’ll need a bit of that classic “toe-flick” finesse to get situated before you pull away from the green light. (Note: Redshift sells a 2-pack option for attachment on both sides of the pedal; but, honestly, this is overkill.)
The pedals are rock-solid for utility riding, but they aren’t built for “sending it” on your local XC loop or grinding through a technical gravel race. They just don’t have the sort of grip that a set of large platform pedals with pins offer. They are utility players, through and through, and good at it.
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Andy sez: “The Mousetrap is a nifty solution for riders who don’t want to use their gravel or XC shoes for every trip around town, but still want to rock their sendy whip.”
The Verdict
Redshift clearly has a sense of humor to match their engineering; my test unit arrived with a handwritten Post-it note simply stating, “Cheese not included…” While you’ll have to source your own dairy, the Mousetrap itself is a solid piece of kit for the urban quiver. It’s a high-quality “go-between” for the cyclist who refuses to let their shoes dictate their destination.
Pricing & Availability
The Mousetrap is available now in several colorways. The standard pedal is Black/Gray, Redshift are currently offering a Teal and Pink, Blue and Orange, and Purple and Black.
- Price: $59.99 (2 sets for dual-sided use is $99.99)
- Availability: RedshiftSports.com and select retailers.
Van Rysel Project Airbag
Safety at any speed
Van Rysel is unveiling Airbag, a fully integrated airbag skinsuit developed for road cycling, marking a major step forward in the evolution of rider safety at the highest level of the sport.
The Gap Between Speed and Safety
As WorldTour speeds climb, so do the stakes. With a staggering 20% of pro riders sustaining fractures each season—tallying over 1,300 in the last six years—Van Rysel decided that “skin in the game” shouldn’t mean losing it to the tarmac. Project Airbag isn’t an awkward vest or an aftermarket add-on. Understanding that adoption means providing a race-ready system. Van Rysel built the integrated skinsuit airbag system from the ground up to meet this goal.
Jocelyn Bar, Product Manager at Van Rysel, sez: “Behind every race number, there’s a human being and sadly it is still widely accepted that a rider can lose everything in a fraction of a second due to a crash. At Van Rysel, this is a fact we no longer want to accept. What helmets represented 20 years ago, we think Airbag can represent today, but now, we’re looking beyond the head, we need to protect as much of the body as we can.”
Integrated Intelligence
Developed with In&motion, the system focuses on the “vital trio”: the thorax, the cervical zone (stabilizing the neck), and the spinal line. The 500g airbag system is powered by an algorithms trained on 450 million kilometers of data. The system samples rider dynamics 1,000 times per second to ensure it only fires when things actually go sideways. It deploys in a blistering 60 milliseconds—faster than a blink—bringing MotoGP-level reliability to the peloton.
Pro Validation and Performance
Safety is a hard sell if it costs watts. Van Rysel partnered with Swiss Side for wind tunnel and CFD optimization to ensure the suit matches the efficiency of a WorldTour kit. The system is currently undergoing final validation with the Decathlon CMA CGM and Van Rysel Roubaix teams.
Maxime Dezoomer, Engineer at Decathlon, sez: “In cycling, we’ve always thought you had to choose between performance and safety. We don’t believe that anymore. This isn’t something you add on, it’s a complete system, built into the suit from the outset, designed to protect the rider without changing how they perform. Our objective was very clear: with or without the airbag, the rider must feel exactly the same. That’s what guided every decision, aerodynamics, thermoregulation, weight, everything.”
Dominique Serieys, CEO of Decathlon CMA CGM, sez: “Professional cycling is getting faster and faster, which makes protecting our riders an absolute necessity. The airbag developed by Van Rysel is a true technological breakthrough. It is crucial to understand that a rider who feels safe is relieved of mental load: this peace of mind is a genuine performance gain.”
Pricing & Availability
While the pros are the test bed, Van Rysel aims to bring this market within the next two years. Pez are in discussion to try this out…the wear and fit, we are not aiming to crash. But, you never know…
- Target Total Weight: 700g (Approx. 500g for the airbag system)
- Protection Zones: Thorax, Cervical (Neck), and Spine
- Retail Availability: Expected within 24 months
- MSRP: TBA
The post Gear Break: Spring Classic – Canyon Endurace, Tifosi Optics Moab XC (review), Vittoria Corsa PRO Control, Challenge 4 Stagioni XP, Redshift Mousetrap (review), Van Rysel Project Airbag appeared first on PezCycling News.
