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
Garmin Enduro 4 review (2026): the long-haul tri watch
Garmin’s Enduro 4 is a 51mm, 66g multisport watch built around solar-assisted battery life, onboard maps and full triathlon profiles. At £799.99 RRP, its headline 320-hour activity figure is compelling only if you understand the extended-battery mode and bright-sun assumptions behind it. This is a specification-led review, not a hands-on or independent GPS test.
Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 5 review: £2,500, 40mm tyres
Trek’s new 2026 Domane SL 5 Gen 5 costs £2,500 and pairs a 500 Series OCLV frame with mechanical Shimano 105, alloy wheels and clearance for 40mm tyres. The case is practical endurance rather than low weight: its stock 35mm tyres, relaxed fit and frame-bag mounts make more sense than treating it as a race bike. This is a spec-led review, not a ride test.
Magene C606 Pro review (2026): £209 mapping value, with caveats
The Magene C606 Pro brings a 2.8-inch transflective screen, up to 25 hours of battery life and offline navigation to a £209 UK computer, but the maps need preparation.
Stages SB200 review (2026): £2,199.99 for a smarter indoor setup
The new Stages SB200 combines a 2,500W ceiling, ±1% stated accuracy and four crank-length options, but the £2,199.99 UK price and pre-order wait make it a considered purchase.
HOKA Mach 7 review (2026): £140 daily speed
HOKA's 2026 Mach 7 pairs a 5mm drop and supercritical EVA with a lighter-feeling upper and more grip-focused outsole. At £140.00 RRP (about $145.00 in the US), it is a plausible daily trainer for triathletes who want one shoe for steady mileage and faster sessions, but the price leaves little room for a poor fit.
Zone3 Thermal Advance review (2026): £349 for cold water
The 2026 Zone3 Thermal Advance adds a plush fleece lining and thicker core panels to the Advance platform. At £349.00 RRP (about $466.00 on Zone3's US page), it is a mid-priced cold-water option, but the snugger thermal fit and race-rule thickness limit mean it must be tried and checked before you commit.
Factor ONE SP review (2026): £11,299 TT speed
Factor's 2026 ONE SP adds a purpose-built TT cockpit to its ONE aero road platform. The Force build is £11,299.00 RRP (about $11,599.00 in the US before tax). Its adjustability is the real selling point, but fit comes first. This specification-led review weighs the new bike against two UK-priced rivals; it is not a ride test.
Shimano S-PHYRE RC910 review (2026): £389.99 race shoe
Shimano's new S-PHYRE RC910 is built around the SPD-SLR road-pedal system, with a lower-stack interface, dual BOA Li2 dials and a wraparound upper. At £389.99 RRP (about $525.00 in the US), it is a premium, specification-led option, not a proven comfort or speed upgrade. Check the cleat-and-pedal compatibility before buying.
Orca Athlex Aero Race Suit V2 review (2026): £149 for sleeve-led speed
Orca's 2026 Athlex Aero Race Suit V2 is a short-sleeve, aero-focused trisuit at £149.00 RRP (about $239.00 in the US). Its spec sheet and brand guidance make a credible case for a versatile race suit, but there is no product-specific performance data or PureTriathlon wear test. Fit should decide the purchase.
Zipp 404 S review (2026): £985 of mid-depth speed, with a hookless catch
The new 2026 Zipp 404 S pairs a 50 mm carbon rim with a 23 mm internal width and a claimed 1,585 g wheelset weight. At £985.00 RRP (about $1,300 in the US), the value looks compelling on paper, but its hookless tubeless-only design demands a tyre-compatibility check. This is a specification-led review, not a ride test.
Garmin fēnix 9 Pro inReach review (2026): the £1,169.99 safety watch
Garmin’s 51 mm fēnix 9 Pro inReach pairs a bright AMOLED display and long advertised training runtimes with satellite and LTE safety features. At £1,169.99 RRP (about $1,349.99 in the US), it is a serious investment. This specification-led review explains who gets enough from the extras to justify it.
Lazer Blade KinetiCore review (2026): an £89.99 road-and-gravel lid
The 2026 Lazer Blade KinetiCore is a 250 g road-and-gravel helmet with an adjustable TurnSys fit, eyewear docking and integrated rotational-impact technology. At £89.99 RRP (about $119.99 in the US), it sits between a budget MIPS lid and pricier race helmets. This is a specification-led review, not a ride test.
Maurten Gel Mix 480 review (2026): £7.00 for 120g
Maurten’s 2026 Gel Mix 480 puts 120g of carbohydrate in one sachet mixed with 200ml of water and carried in a 350ml soft flask. At £7.00 per sachet from a UK retailer, it is a convenient alternative to opening several gels, but it is a concentrate to portion—not a universal 120g-per-hour target. Here is what it offers and where the evidence stops.
ASICS Novablast 6 review (2026): £140.00 of bounce
ASICS’s 2026 Novablast 6 is a road daily trainer built around an FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot pod, FF BLAST MAX foam and a high-cushion profile. It costs £140.00 in the UK and weighs 253g on ASICS’s men’s page, which omits a size reference. Here is what its specification means for triathlon training, where the evidence stops, and how it compares with two UK-priced alternatives.
NERV Punch review (2026): £99.00 heat-and-cold massage gun
NERV’s 2026 Punch puts a heat-and-cold head, six applicators and a claimed 2+ hours of battery life into a £99.00 massage gun. It is unusually feature-rich for the money, but weighs 1.1kg and the product page does not prove faster recovery. Here is how it compares with two established alternatives.
Canyon Tempr Road review: £169.99 cycling shoe
Canyon’s Tempr Road is a genuine 2026 road-shoe launch with a woven carbon-composite sole, one BOA Li2 dial and a £169.99 UK listing. The value case is strong on paper, but Canyon gives two different weights and does not state the cleat pattern clearly. Here is how it compares with two still-relevant alternatives.
Arena Air Sonic review (2026): racing goggles at £29.49
Arena’s new Air Sonic puts CloudFlex cushioning into a £29.49 racing goggle, with three interchangeable nose bridges and a clear focus on pressure distribution. It looks like a sensible mid-price option, but the fit claims still need to be tested against your own face. Here is how it compares with two still-relevant 2026 alternatives.
Specialized Tarmac SL9 review (2026): £11,999 race bike
Specialized’s new S-Works Tarmac SL9 is a 6.6kg size-56 road racer with a £11,999 price tag and a 687g frame claim. It is an impressive flagship on paper, but the marginal case is hard to make for a triathlete who needs a separate road bike. Here is what the numbers support, and how two 2026 alternatives compare.
SunGod Velans 2 review (2026): 26g at £130
The 2026 SunGod Velans 2 is a 26g shield-style cycling sunglass with interchangeable lenses and a lifetime repair promise. Its £130 standard version is best suited to bright rides: the Category 3 lens is neither photochromic nor polarised. Here is how it compares with two still-relevant UK-priced alternatives.
POC Amidal review (2026): £220 of all-round utility
The 2026 POC Amidal is a £220 road and gravel helmet with Mips Air Node, a 360-degree fit system and a compact shell. Its strongest case is everyday versatility; its 310g medium weight and unquantified aero claims make it less compelling as a weight-led race helmet. Here is how it compares with two still-relevant alternatives.