CyclistIn the Drops: Coros neverending solar-powered computer and training watch, smart NordicTrack dumbbells and Bedrocks classy leather sandalsThe Cyclist peloton is one rider down this month as head honcho and editor Pete Muir is taking an impromptu gap month. The good news is were battling on regardless to deliver the magazine (issue 180 is out now) and keep the website flush with everything thats happening in the world of cycling.Ewan Wilson previews the Giro 2027 and then takes pity on poor old MVDP in light of the route being announced, while Robyn Davidson runs the rule over the Giro dItalia Women route and some of the most brutal stages ever included in a womens tour. Weve shared our Christmas gift guide on the site too.Weve always got our fingers on the buyers guide pulse too, so there are updates to our gravel mudugard guide and our road pedal guide plus our review of the Specialized Diverge 4 is live. There are also some killer deals on Hunt Wheels to be found this month and we summarise them all here.One of my favourite places on the planet to ride a bike is Tenerife, but unfortunately it wasnt me climbing Teide for the magazines Big Ride. Life on Mars is live on the site now and its well worth a read.Its dark, its cold, but In the Drops is here to warm the cockles of your heart. Lets go.Coros Dura Solar 2Its called the Dura 2, but really its a completely new product, says Amanda Braverman, head of cycling at Coros, and true enough, this second generation is almost unrecognisable from the first, using a new double-decker structure of anodised alloy and carbon fibre to create a 3.5in touchscreen computer that weighs a claimed 99g. However, one key feature remains: the solar panel that was key to the originals market-leading battery life.We moved it from the top of the unit to the bottom so that we could add functions to otherwise dead space, says Braverman. That means the new Dura preserves the old units staggering 120-hour life while also concealing haptic buttons within the panel.The old unit was distinct for its watch-like side dial, but that has been scrapped in favour of side buttons that support the ones embedded in the solar panel to retain navigability. Braverman says the touchscreen is now 0.8in bigger and edge-to-edge, boasting 17% more pixel density and pinch-to-zoom capability, while the Duras processor has been significantly upgraded and hands-free operation made possible.Depress an activation button and riders can control the Dura 2 using their voice, says Braverman. As a result, its now possible to set alerts, end rides, drop pins and change navigation all without touching the unit. Well be testing this unit over the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled for the review in an upcoming edition of Cyclist magazine.Buy from Coros (479)NordicTrack dumbbellsFinding the time and space to have a complete static bike trainer setup indoors just isnt realistic for many people. Much as Id love a dedicated suffer cell complete with American Psycho posters, a blue light and 19 hand-written journals full of an incomplete political manifesto and volumes of my own poetry I just dont think its on the cards.With riders and physios increasing their focus on strength training as a complement to cardio and endurance workouts, a home weight station in your house is far less real estate-hungry and could have a big impact on your performance on the bike. Plus its potentially an easier sell to the other members of your household, who are more likely to do a few bicep curls than sling on some bib shorts and turn on a fan that sounds like the cast of Succession is landing nearby.The NordicTrack select-a-weight dumbbells have a number of useful selling points. As the name suggests, rather than spinning on and off weights endlessly whenever you change between exercises, the dumbbell has a smart little selection button that allows you to click weights on and off near-instantly.When theyre not in use, the weights slot neatly into their storage tray, which can then be stored out of the way, ready for the next session.At the end of the day, weights are weights, and doing press-ups or squats while holding bags of rocks or plant pots is a very cost-effective starting point. But if you want something well designed and easy to integrate into a schedule where youd rather not venture outside or to a gym, NordicTracks dumbbells are a good option.Buy from Nordictrack (449)Coros Pace 4 Pro WatchCoros has been busy this year, with an updated version of the athlete-focused Pace 4 Pro watch also having hit the market. According to Coros, the Pro is lighter than a golf ball (43g) and thinner than a Sharpie (11.8mm), and that is certainly borne out when you hold the watch in your hand.The 1.47-inch diameter display, said to be Coros brightest ever at 8 lumens and 20% bigger than before, is an AMOLED, rather than just LED. For those that dont know, thats an ActiveMatrix Organic LightEmitting Diode. In real terms, its good because each pixel emits light and the technology allows for darker blacks and better contrast.As is typical for anything made by Coros, battery life is a strength. In certain scenarios, Coros claims it will run for 21 days of daily use although when GPS and full power display are on, its more like 30 hours. Theres no solar here but even just 30 minutes of charging gives 10 hours of juice. The charger is one of its coolest features: a little USB-C grommet slots into a protective pill that hangs on your keyring. Good luck losing that.In terms of features, the variety is truly impressive. Whether youre interested in tracking recovery, training load, building routes, sleep quality, or letting others know youre OK when out running or riding, its all possible. Theres also voice control and the option to sync it with ovulation and menstrual cycles. Of course, you can also pair it with your Coros head unit so they can talk to each other and log just about everything your body will ever do. It hasnt started ride-shaming me or telling me Im losing my hair yet but Im sure its just a matter of time.Buy from Coros (389)Bedrock sandalsI like my footwear to be sturdy. Whether its posh white road shoes made out of porous, filth-magnet fabric, or cleats that scuff and erode within a few weeks, theres nothing that grinds my gears more than putting prissy, fragile materials in an area that is guaranteed to be hard-working as the kitchen sales people would phrase it.I also like something I can strap on to the top of my seatpost bag on a bike-packing trip without worrying about its welfare. Bedrocks Nubuck Mountain Clog (in Obsidian Dark grey) ticks every box. Its designers take the phenomenon of the chef clog and progress it to its inevitable psuedo-trendy end game.Thats in part thanks to the heel-hook closure system. These helmet-like straps tighten around the back of the foot, or loosen off entirely, so that you can slip on and slip off at will once youve unclipped the cleats at the campsite.The semi-cushioned footbed has some arch support and the Vibram rubber compound sole can be replaced when its worn out, which is an incredibly rare feature for any modern shoe. Because of their sturdiness, they arent the lightest at 355g each, but based on the high build quality and the lovely materials, I think theyll be doing Fred Flintstone proud for years. The Ecco leather used is said to age beautifully too, so thats something to look forward to.Buy from Bedrock (190)The post In the Drops: Coros neverending solar-powered computer and training watch, smart NordicTrack dumbbells and Bedrocks classy leather sandals appeared first on Cyclist.