CyclistIn the Drops: Albions patchwork Ultralight jersey and thermal bib shorts, Keelas jazzy Aeroshell Jacket, Cervlos racySoloist and Ravemens beefed up lightsIts nearly Worlds time a reason to celebrate but also a reason to mourn. Its almost the end of the season. Before we know it, Hill Climb season will be upon us and Ill be getting tricked into doing one in pursuit of editorial excellence. To keep up with the final spate of pro action weve got a Q&A with Michael Storer from the magazine, a Worlds Road Race form guide and a Pro Log roundup from Robyn.In the world of performance apparel, big moves are afoot too. After dusting off the wallet and buying Bristol-based luggage company Tailfin, Castelli has updated its iconic Gabba and Perfetto lines to include the Polartec AirCore Fabric. Ive tested it elsewhere, and it is effective stuff. Reviews of Oakleys banned Meta glasses, Scotts new Addict, and Scribes Elan Ultra 5 wheels are all live too.Its very nice to see some dedicated bikepacking content on the site too. Expert guide Emma Karslake has outlined her recommendations for bikepacking in Europe, which includes tips for packing and the best destinations. And if you get really reeled in, some races too.Now for a gentle descent into the drops.Albion Ultralight Insulated Jacket and ABR1 Thermal Pocket bib shortsBritish endurance specialist Albion isnt afraid to try out original designs in its quest to equip riders for the weirdest and most changeable weather imaginable. That means events like the Atlas Mountain Race, where it can be upwards of 35C in the daytime, and sub-zero at night.The Ultralight Insulated jacket is an unerring whisp of kit. The fabric used for the body and arms is Quantam NetPlus from Pertex. Full marks for the scientific name, but what does it actually do? Albion says its been chosen for the new iteration of this jersey because of its light weight but is also 100% recycled from fishing nets and fully traceable. I can attest that it definitely doesnt smell of fish either.The main design choice that sets it apart from other garments is the patched insulation. Albion has sewn Primaloft Gold Cross Core insulation into the upper arms and torso of the Ultralight a change from the last version. When you hold it up to the light, its very clear to see the difference, with the insulated sections clearly protecting the rider from the worst buffetings of cold wind.The ultralight insulated jacket is all about warmth to weight, and packability, says Charlie Stewart, co-founder and head of Product. A mens medium weighs about 96 grams, and its a jacket that just disappears into a pocket or a frame pack when not being used. The jacket uses a 40gsm Primaloft Cross Core insulation, technology originally developed by NASA to maximise warmth-to-weight, and its become a core item in the packing lists of bike packers and ultra racers all over the world.(No ones asking me, but surely extra weight in a gravity-free vehicle doesnt really matter? You have my details NASA).Albion has made a few other changes to the jacket, adding an elastic hem gripper and cuffs, different sizes for men and women and an internal mesh pocket for stashing the entire jacket into. It packs down into a hand-sized bundle.Mike MassaroElsewhere, Albions very well-reviewed ABR1 bib shorts now have an insulated option too. Weve retained the premium Italian knitted performance fabrics, our signature three-pocket cargo system, a pad by Elastic Interface for long distance riding and in our womens version a strap system for easy comfort breaks whilst making them useable in cold weather, says Stewart. The shorts use Thermoroubaix fabric by Miti Spa, a highly insulating, durable brushed back fabric with stretch, and for the pockets a brushed back grid fleece fabric for additional insulation. When used with our new Leg Warmers, the temperature range for these shorts can stretch from near freezing into the mid teens.If youre not a fan, Albion offers a 60-day return on used bibs so you can exchange them for an alternative or a refund. Im usually a Large in Albion kit, but a medium fitted just fine here, so its worth paying a bit of attention to the sizing grid.Buy now from Albion (195 and 205)Keela Aeroshell JacketYou can see where Im going with this. Surely these blue skies are heading elsewhere soon. Well, when they do, Keela has got you sorted. Its new Aeroshell Jacket, available in two very fetching shades of ultramarine (blue) and ignition (orange), is suited for a range of different outdoor pursuits, including cycling. The material incorporates its Flylite Dri Fabric, which is said to be both waterproof and breathable, allowing sweat and moisture to escape before you overheat. Handily, the hood is specially scooped out so that it fits over the top of a helmet, and can be rolled away when out of use. The zips Keela has fitted are all waterproof too, sealing up the entire package. The sizing range is massive, running from XS to 3XL, and the whole thing packs down pretty small, so it can live happily in a backpack when commuting or a seatpost or frame bag when out on a proper ride. Buy now from Keela (129.95)Ravemen FR1500 and CL200 lightsPersonally, the time of year doesnt affect my attitude towards lights. Its lights on, whatever the time, whatever the month. I cant count the number of times Ive seen drivers take a furtive look in their rear-view mirror at the sight of my flashing beam, just as their reaching arm (not indicator light) tells me theyre about to come charging left across the bus lane and bosh me into next week.The coming autumn signals more people using lights, more of the time. So its just as well that Ravemen has updated its highest-strength FR1500 front light. Ravemen is known for lights that have both a male and female computer mount fitting, meaning you can mount your computer on top of the 270 light. And that handy detail hasnt changed, but a number of things have been updated.There is a more refined build quality this time around, including additional heat-dissipating fins 1500 lumens is the brightest light Ravemen does and it gets hot! A cable is included so the light doubles as a 3500 mAh power bank if your computer is on the brink. That light has a range of up to 115 metres and includes an increased range of beam patterns but will last on its own for a claimed 60 hours depending on usage.This model (not the SE model) also includes an out-front mount that fits onto a round handlebar. My kingdom for a company that can make a universal out front mount. I must have about ten kicking around my draw, barely any of which fit any bike other than the one its specifically intended for. Unfortunately, none of the bikes I currently have in my possession has round handlebars so the photographs arent in situ.Its natural companion at the rear is the new CL200 tail light. This is designed to point out longways at a horizontal angle mirroring the visibility of the front light. Its smart too, with the internal monitor highlighting the light when it detects braking or abrupt deceleration. Ravemen claims it is 300 for the rear light. Both lights have some decent waterproofing too.In terms of attachment, it fits to rails or onto seat posts, including some longer aero seat posts, and these come in the box. Ravemen claims a 160-hour slow flashing run time on the 31g light which should do most people for a good few weeks of riding. Now, lets go and see about this rave.Buy now from Ravemen (94.95 & 54.95)CervloSoloistIve only had Cervlos updated Soloist on loan for a week, but Ive been impressed so far. I was lucky enough to test the last one back in 2023 and things have moved on quite significantly with big 36mm clearance, aero bottle cages, more integration, and a more refined profile.Unlike some other brands, Cervlois still intent on producing a triumvirate of WorldTour grade road bikes, with the Soloist filling the gap between the hella aero S5 and the hella lightweight R5. But this is no compromise bike. No sir. Cervloclaims its faster than the Tarmac SL8 in the wind tunnel and only a whisker over 7kg even in this 1x SRAM Force AXS build with a beefcake XPLR rear derailleur. Thats thanks to a general chipping away at every tube and join, although surface area is actually up overall.That said, its not a whole lot cheaper, ringing up at 7,000 in this spec. Thats the same price as the Factor Monza, which was positioned as a more accessible race bike, albeit with the emphasis heavily on aero. The Soloist is lighter and, if the claims are true, potentially more aero too especially with a 1x setup.Depending on your dint, other changes might charm or grate. Like the Aethos 2 I tested recently, Cervlo has moved the cockpit to totally internal routing with a spacer arrangement that perhaps isnt the most straightforward Ive encountered. But dont worry, those aero bottle cages take normal bidons too.Aesthetically, the changes are clear. As seems to be the general direction of travel, the frontal area is far smaller but the side on profile is larger. Are we moving into the Flat Stanley era of bikes, and away from chubbier tubing? It does seem that way.Keep your eyes out for more on the Soloist in the magazine as weve got a studio feature and then a full in-depth review to follow. My comments about the decidedly inoffensive colourways might not make the edit in print so Ill express my indifference here while I can. Come on bike brands, we can do better than white or black surely? Yes, theres a fresh turquoise frameset available but frankly, thats not enough.Buy now from Sigma Sports (7,000)What were into this week: AudaxThe end of summer means a wild scrabble to fit in a final Audax or two before things get really filthy out there. For me that means the 200km Saints and Sinners ride, which is running from St Albans to Bury St Edmunds and back again. Inevitably this will lead curmudgenous web editor Will Strickson to berate me once more that anything less than 300km isnt an Audax, but since Im yet to see him crack three figures this summer, I wont let his critiques damage my morale too much.As youd expect for that neck of the woods, its a mercifully flat one. That means packing the Soloist, rather than the Aethos, and teeing up some nice aero bits and pieces to go with it. A firm favourite for sportives this summer has been the Apidura Aero Bags, which I featured last year. Theyre just the same as a frame bag but designed in such a way that a delightfully smooth join around the head tube/top tube junction is created, like the bags Canyon fits to the Grail and claims are more aero on than off. You can believe it.The rest of the kit hasnt come together yet, but it could be some shoulder season business. Im thinking the thermal Albion bib shorts and some kind of long sleeve arrangement to go with it. Plus Ill be cooking up some oaty/ricecakey business the night before, so please do let me know of any recipes that work well.The post In the Drops: Albions patchwork Ultralight jersey and thermal bib shorts, Keelas jazzy Aeroshell Jacket, Cervlos racySoloist and Ravemens beefed up lights appeared first on Cyclist.