POC Ventral Air MIPS EF 2023
Team edition helmet
Oakley TDF 2023 edition
Encoder Strike sunglasses

Words by Terry Hawes
Images by Truman Sparks

Grand Tour contenders

Everyone likes something special, something unique.
We at Simpson have always admired the influence and impact of team kit with its bold colours and sponsors branding. It’s a quantity that can’t be bought off-the-shelf either from a physical store or online shop - it’s this rarity that increases its desirability.

On occasion, teams and manufacturers do release very limited numbers of ‘Team Edition/Tour Edition’ kit. In an age where the term ‘limited edition’ is an almost meaningless, redundant term, we at Simpson tend to gravitate towards these releases - but why?

There’s no real definitive answer other than a combination of childhood aspiration/desire to be a Pro rider and the joy of owning something unique (in a non-elitist but very Simpson way). It’s about a state-of-mind, a look good, feel good factor. We acknowledge but kick against the term ‘Pro Team w**ker’ - in the belief that you ride better when you know you look sharp out on the road. Gone are the days where ill fitting kit is an option, no rider has an excuse to look amateur on a bike.

Special editions, for the most part are no different in specification to the regular, the non-special edition other than colour combination/graphical detail but it’s this very attention to detailing that we love. It’s the impact generated by colour, pattern and significance that makes these editions so special.

POC Ventral Air MIPS EF 2023 Team edition helmet
With it’s striking colour way combination, right through from chin strap to outer shell that makes this is our go-to Summer helmet. Although we acknowledge helmet choice is very much governed by factors such as head shape, the Simpson office all champion this brand of head attire - it’s already saved one reviewers life. This edition embodies the pinnacle, to date, of POC’s helmet range.

Oakley TDF 2023 edition Encoder Strike sunglasses
It feels like Oakley’s involvement with the Grand Tour scene has run in tandem with the emergence of major US rider talent to the continental scene. The likes of Andy Hampsten, Greg LeMond et al heralded the arrival of the ‘big O’ - the eyewear equivalent, in our eyes, of Nike.

As we’ve mentioned before its physical features with both head and eyewear - such as the shape of one’s face, which govern make and model preference. Oakley’s extensive product range caters for most riders needs. We’ve enjoyed ‘sessioning’ these Tour de France edition glasses. The yellow/black, almost animal-like patterning coupled with the official Tour logo etched into the lefthand side of the lens, makes the sunglasses a great combination of style and practicality.

In conclusion
We’d like to offer a visual word of warning when using specific kit such as both of these.
Always avoid mixing editions - at any cost. This is where the whole notion of ‘special’ can go completely wrong. You should always ask yourself questions like ‘Would I put mustard on Ice Cream and enjoy eating it? Tastes and strong flavours should always be kept apart and respected.