Leo Tanaka
Gear editor, PureTriathlon. Age-group triathlete. Former bike mechanic. Multi-distance racer.
20 articles published
About Leo
Leo Tanaka is PureTriathlon's gear editor. A 38-year-old age-grouper from Manchester, Leo spent a decade behind the workbench of an independent bike shop before going full-time on writing. He brings a mechanic's eye to every review — shoes, bikes, watches, wetsuits, helmets, computers, the lot. Leo races Ironman 70.3 and full distance, builds his own wheels, and refuses to recommend kit he hasn't actually trained or raced on. Expect honest verdicts, real-world testing miles, and a UK perspective on global product launches.
Articles by Leo
HOKA Rocket X 3 review (2026): £220 speed with winged plate stability — who it’s actually for
The Rocket X 3 is HOKA’s 2026 carbon race shoe with dual-density PEBA foam, a winged carbon-fibre plate, and a sticky-rubber outsole. At £220 RRP in the UK, it’s priced to be a “serious but not silly” supershoe — and the spec sheet tells you exactly who should (and shouldn’t) buy it.
Cervelo P5 Force AXS (2026) review: UK pricing, fit range, and why simplicity is its fastest feature
The 2026 Cervélo P5 Force AXS lands in the UK at £9,100 with a built-in SRAM Force AXS E1 power meter, Reserve 77TA wheels, and an all-carbon bayonet fork. Here’s what the spec sheet gets right, what you still need to budget for, and who this superbike actually makes sense for.
Wahoo KICKR HEADWIND Review 2026: The Firmware Update That Changes Everything
An eight-year-old smart fan just got a genuinely new feature set. We test the March 2026 firmware update that adds Bluetooth sensors, adaptive cooling and CORE body-temperature support, and weigh up whether £280 is worth it for UK indoor triathletes.
SiS Beta Fuel + Nootropics Energy Gel review: a British gel built for the last hour
Science in Sport's Beta Fuel + Nootropics gel pairs 40g of dual-source carbohydrate with caffeine, L-theanine and Alpha-GPC for late-race focus. We look at the UK pricing, the evidence behind the 1:0.8 carb ratio, and whether it beats Maurten and PF30 on value.
ENVE SES 4.5 Pro Review 2026: The Wheel Tadej Asked For
ENVE's SES 4.5 Pro arrives in the UK for 2026 with narrower internal rim width and 49/55mm depths built to Tadej Pogačar's spec. We look at whether this £4,100 wheelset makes sense for UK triathletes racing 70.3 and Ironman distance.
Oakley Velo Kato Prizm Road Review: Full-Shield Eyewear Tested
We put Oakley's hingeless, full-shield Velo Kato in Matte White with the Prizm Road lens through UK training rides and race-simulation efforts to see whether the £271 aero eyewear earns its place in a triathlete's kit bag.
Orca Apex Flex V2 wetsuit review (2026): maximum shoulder freedom for strong swimmers who don’t need extra lift
Bottom line The Orca Apex Flex V2 is built for experienced triathletes and open-water swimmers who prioritise unrestricted shoulder mobility and a natural swim...
Suunto Race 2 review (2026): AMOLED maps, dual-band GPS, and the training watch value play for UK triathletes
Bottom line Suunto’s Race 2 is built for athletes who want premium navigation and a bright AMOLED screen without automatically paying flagship-Garmin money....
Skratch Super High-Carb Drink Mix 2026 Review: Raspberry and Mango
Skratch Labs has repackaged its Cluster Dextrin fuel into single-serve Raspberry pouches and a Mango summer seasonal for 2026. We break down the science, the GBP cost, and how UK triathletes should build a bottle strategy around 90-120g/hr carb protocols.
ZONE3 Lava Long Distance Aero Suit 2026 Review
We put the 2026 ZONE3 Lava Long Distance Full Zip Short Sleeve Aero Suit through its paces for UK 70.3 and full-distance racing, testing fabric, fit, pockets and value against Somerset-brand rivals at a similar price point.
XLAB Torpedo Versa 500 review (2026): the BTA system to beat at £159.99
XLAB's carbon fibre Airflow Mount update to the Torpedo Versa 500 brings computer-mount and hydration into one behind-the-aerobars unit. At £159.99 it undercuts most rivals while adding real refill flexibility. Here is what age-groupers need to know before fitting one.
TheMagic5 custom-fit swim goggles review (2026): the 3D-scan goggle tested for UK triathletes
TheMagic5 builds swim goggles from a 3D face scan rather than a shelf size, promising a leak-proof, pressure-free fit. We look at the scan process, UK pricing and delivery, the resurfaced Shark Tank origin story, and whether the £65-£98 outlay makes sense for triathletes.
KASK Nirvana WG11 helmet review (2026): a fast aero lid that’s still livable for hot triathlon rides
Nirvana is KASK’s modern aero helmet play: smoother front profile, managed airflow, and a fit system that doesn’t punish you after two hours in the bars. Here’s what matters for triathletes — plus UK pricing and rivals.
HUUB Anemoi 2 SUB22 Tri Suit review (2026): the aero suit that’s optimised for real-world age‑group speeds
HUUB splits the Anemoi 2 into speed-specific versions. The SUB22 targets the vast majority of triathletes who race below ~22mph on the bike — and it’s a smarter approach than selling everyone the same ‘pro-only’ fabric.
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 review (2026): the Wi‑Fi smart trainer that fixes the one thing CORE users hated
The short version The Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 (2026) is the direct‑drive trainer that finally makes mid‑range indoor setups feel “premium”: Wi‑Fi stability, sensor...
Garmin Forerunner 570 review (2026): an AMOLED tri watch that finally nails the mid-range
The short version Garmin’s Forerunner 570 (2026) is the first Forerunner that feels purpose-built for triathletes who want an AMOLED touchscreen watch without...
Precision Fuel & Hydration PH1000 review (2026): the IRONMAN hydration partner tested for UK racing
Precision Fuel & Hydration became IRONMAN's official global hydration drink partner from January 2026, and PH1000 is the electrolyte behind it. We tested the tablets against a full Ironman-distance training block to see whether 1,000 mg sodium per litre justifies its place on the course.
Favero Assioma PRO RS review (2026): the lightest SPD-SL power pedals we've tested
Favero's first purpose-built SPD-SL power pedal drops stack height to a class-leading 10.5 mm, weighs less than the Duo-Shi it replaces, and starts at £399. For triathletes on Shimano cleats, the Assioma PRO RS finally kills the argument for switching platforms just to get accurate power.
ZONE3 Vanquish-X wetsuit review (2026): £699 of speed, comfort and smarter buoyancy for UK racing
ZONE3’s Vanquish-X sits at the sharp end of the brand’s range. The 2026 version aims to feel faster without feeling restrictive — here’s what that means in UK open-water conditions.
SIDI Genius X Wyve (2026) review: dual-dial fit, R3CC carbon sole and a £188 reminder that SIDI is still the master at cycling shoes
SIDI's Spring/Summer 2026 launch wave includes the Genius X Wyve, a £188 road shoe built around the new Millenium Fit last, dual NUUN dials and an R3CC carbon composite sole. Six weeks of UK testing across long Z2 rides, threshold intervals, and one wet 70.3-distance brick ride. Stiff, narrow-heeled, surprisingly forgiving in the forefoot, and the best cycling shoe under £200 launched this year.