CyclistIn the Drops:Campagnolo Super Record X gravelgroupset, Giro Eclipse Pro helmet, Challenges 4 Stagioni tyres and Ekois new PW8 systemA nice confluence of new gear and pro cycling has meant this week has been a busy one on Cyclist.co.uk, with plenty of fresh content.Given its almost upon us, we updated our Milan-San Remo guide, opined on who might win and how they might need to go about doing so as well. A Volta Catalunya guide will follow the MSR content later today and rounding out the pro highlights was a thinkpiece on talented youngster Paul Seixas.Tech held up an end this week too. I put out my latest Tech Talk newsletter on the recent launches from Giant and Merida, and weve had reviews both a range of baselayers and gilets, including the Maap Thermal LS Tee, Rapha Core gilet, Q36.5 Base Layer 3, Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II, Castelli Espresso gilet, with more to come later today.There were a couple of gravel focused launches as well, with Fulcrum releasing super-wide wavy Sharq GR and Sonix GR wheels and Look overhauling its off-road pedal range. In the Drops tops off a solid showing from the Cyclist team (though we do say say ourselves).Campagnolo Super Record XSam ChallisWhen Super Record 13 was launched in 2025, Campagnolo made plenty of noise about it only being the tip of the iceberg, as the groupset was just the first version in a five-strong family.Only the cyclist knows the application theyll have for the bike, so we want them to be able to mix and match components from the platform in a similar way to SRAMs AXS ecosystem, says Arjan Hoogesteger, Campagnolos export manager.Sam ChallisAlong with that 213 road variant, theres 113 road, 113 time trial, 213 all-road and this, the 113 off-road, which Campagnolo has denoted as Super Record X.In business terms Campagnolo is pretty unusual, says Hoogester. Were a reverse pyramid the top end makes up most of our business, so it made sense to offer more options at this level.Each version introduces their own distinct components to better tune Super Record for particular riding conditions. In the case of Super Record X, the drivetrain gets a makeover.Sam ChallisThe front derailleur and double chainring setup of the 213 system gets dropped, with the crankset receiving a single chainring available in eight sizes from 38-52 teeth instead. At the rear, a longer cage, clutched derailleur comes in to work with either a wider-range, 9-42 or 10-48 13-speed cassette.Sam ChallisThe Ergopower controls can stay the same, but to drop a little weight and cost, Super Record X comes as standard with a simplified left Ergopower control, which gives up shift paddles because all the gear changes can be done by the paddle (downshifts) and thumbshifter (upshifts) on the right Ergopower.For more information on Campagnolos Super Record X groupset, visit campagnolo.comGiro Eclipse Pro helmetSam ChallisIf the Eclipse Pro helmet looks familiar, thats because it should be by now. Visma-Lease a Bike used prototypes for the second half of last season.Pauline Ferrand-Prvot won the Tour de France Femmes wearing one, ditto Jonas Vingegaard at the Vuelta a Espaa, so the amateurs that can now buy the proper helmet should have no doubts about the designs efficacy at the top of the sport.Sam ChallisOstensibly an aero road model that takes over from the Eclipse Spherical, Giro says it nonetheless prioritised airflow in the update to make it efficient and comfortable enough to wear in all conditions, so it is just as valuable on high-summer mountain stages as it is in Spring Classics.I started work on the Eclipse Pro right after finishing up on the Aerohead II time trial helmet design, says Ash Lewin, Giros senior industrial designer. That formed a useful base of experience for how to make the design faster, which wind tunnel testing validated. At 50kmh the new Eclipse reduces total rider-bike system drag by five watts versus the old one. Helmet to helmet in isolation, its 17% faster.Sam ChallisAccording to Lewin, it was Giros focus on ventilation that unlocked more aero gains.We used a compact shell shape, but with features such as the U-shaped intake on the brow couple with internal channelling and the spoiler arrangement at the rear of the shell, we were able speed air throughflow up. That helps cooling, but also keeps the air attached to the helmet for longer, reducing the turbulent wake behind the riders head that increase increases drag.For more information on Giros Eclipse Pro helmet, visit uk.giro.comChallenge 4 Stagioni tyresSam ChallisThanks to its name, even those with just a basic grasp of Italian should twig that Challenges new road tyre is a designed for use year-round.The brand says it essentially started with high TPI carcass of a summer-best tyre to get suppleness, slipped extra casing protection underneath for durability and added its SmartHydro tread compound on top for better wet weather grip.Sam ChallisBy virtue of being handmade, Challenge says a new moulding process could be introduced to allowed it to pre-form the 4 Stagionis into a rounded shape that makes them easier to install.For more information on Challenge 4 Stagioni tyres, visit upgradebikes.co.uk Related Posts Cyclist Magazine Podcast: Aero mutinies and secret shorts with Castelli's Steve Smith Schrdinger's Seixas: The superposition of the supertalent Tech Talk: What are Giant and Merida thinking? Milan-San Remo 2026 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch and start lists Eko C12 Pro PW8 shoes and pedalsSam ChallisIn the hunt for more performance, French brand Eko is turning its attention towards pedal stack height.Its PW8 system combines a new shoe with a compatible pedal to reduce the distance between the sole and pedal axle to 8mm around 45% lower than Looks pedal stack height. Eko claims this not only increases pedalling efficiency but is 11% more aerodynamic.The better integration of cleats inside the outsole reduces the drag of the complete system, as well as reducing the overall rider profile due to a lower seatpost height, says Ekos Alexandre Freliger.Sam ChallisContact area is another advantage of the made-to-match PW8 shoe/pedal design. It boasts 1,500mm surface contact more than double that of Look and Shimano pedals.This additional area means higher power transfer for the same applied effort, says Freliger. The pedal body itself is made from lightweight polyamide reinforced with carbon fibre, so a set of pedals and cleats weighs just 225g.Sam ChallisThe cleats are claimed to be self-lubricating thanks to a PTFE additive, and riders can swap between two reversible bolts with differing contours, enabling float options of 0 and 1.5 on one, and 3 and 6 on the other.So far, Eko is the only brand to make a compatible shoe, but is in active discussions with some major footwear brands to increase availability, says Freliger.For more information on Ekos C12 Pro PW8 shoes and pedals, visit ekoi.comThe post In the Drops:Campagnolo Super Record X gravelgroupset, Giro Eclipse Pro helmet, Challenges 4 Stagioni tyres and Ekois new PW8 system appeared first on Cyclist.