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
Wilier Rapida 2026 review: aero speed, less punishment
Wilier's Rapida is a genuinely new 2026 aero road bike with a £2,999 starting price, 36mm tyre clearance and a more usable position than the brand's pure race machines.
INPEAK TWiN2 review: dual-sided data, less drama
INPEAK's refreshed POWERCRANK-E TWiN2 turns a Shimano crankset into a rechargeable dual-sided power meter, with 90 hours of battery life and a £899.99 UK price for the Ultegra version.
SATISFY COROS APEX 4 review (2026): a trail-first watch with triathlon brains
The 2026 SATISFY COROS APEX 4 adds an ice-crystallised titanium bezel and two bands to COROS’s 46mm mountain platform. At £465 RRP, it is a distinctive multisport watch whose battery and maps matter more than its fashion collaboration.
Nike Structure 26 review (2026): a stable daily trainer for the triathlon run
The Nike Structure 26 is a supportive 2026 daily trainer with a full-length ReactX midsole and a 10mm drop. At £134.99 RRP, it is a sensible training shoe for triathletes who want calm landings rather than race-day theatrics.
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 review (2026): the smart-trainer sweet spot
The 2026 Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 revision adds Wi-Fi, KICKR Bridge and 10Hz Race Mode without abandoning the mid-range brief. At £499.99, it is the direct-drive trainer most triathletes should buy — with two compatibility checks first.
Garmin Edge 850 review (2026): the compact computer to beat
Garmin's 2026 model-year Edge 850 brings a vivid touchscreen, buttons, maps and training depth to a 112g bike computer. At £469.99, it is the strongest compact head unit for a triathlete who already lives in Garmin Connect.
Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra review (2026): a long-range trail watch with a triathlon blind spot
The genuinely new 2026 Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra brings 33-hour trail GPS, maps and a titanium build to a £599.90 multisport watch — but triathletes should understand its priorities.
O2C Vector RT2 review (2026): a low-stack tri shoe that puts fit before flash
O2C's 2026 Vector RT2 is a £149.95 triathlon shoe with a 200g claimed weight, 3.2mm stack and anatomical fit philosophy — an intriguing new option for fast transitions.
Canyon Speedmax CFR Di2 review (2026): aero ambition meets age-group practicality
Canyon's genuinely new 2026 Speedmax CFR Di2 brings AeroID, integrated fuelling and a 9.26kg size-M claim to a £10,400 flagship triathlon bike.
HOKA Cielo X1 3.0 review (2026): the light, lively racer with a steadier landing
HOKA's genuinely new 2026 Cielo X1 3.0 is a £250 carbon racer with PEBA foam, a 213g claimed weight and a more controlled platform for fast triathlon run legs.
POC Amidal 2026 helmet review: a road-and-gravel lid that earns its price
POC's genuinely new 2026 Amidal brings Mips Air Node, CFD-led ventilation and a 310g size-M claim to a £220 road-and-gravel helmet.
HUUB SUB7 tri suit review (2026): aero ambition, hard-to-ignore value
HUUB's 2026 SUB7 brings its patented Aero-Bridge fabric architecture to a commercially available tri suit, now £279.99 in the UK.
ZONE3 Attack Photochromatic review: 2026 guide
The ZONE3 Attack Photochromatic is a low-cost way to get an adaptive lens for pool and open-water swimming. We compare its fit, lens behaviour and value with two pricier 2026 options.
Garmin Forerunner 570 review: still good in 2026?
The Garmin Forerunner 570 is a 2025 watch that remains a serious 2026 triathlon option. We assess its battery, multisport tools and value against Garmin's newer Forerunner 70 and premium 965.
Orca Apex Float V2 review (2026): maximum buoyancy for swimmers who need a stable line
The current Orca Apex Float V2 Men is Orca's maximum-buoyancy triathlon wetsuit. We assess its 2026 UK price, 3mm/5mm construction, Exo-Lift, Yamamoto 40 and fit logic.
STYRKR GEL50 review (2026 refresh): 50g of fuel, but only if you respect the water
STYRKR's current 2026 GEL50 refresh delivers 50g of carbohydrate per 72g citrus gel, using a 1:0.8 maltodextrin-to-fructose blend. Here is how to use it in training and racing.
Giro Eclipse Pro review (2026): aero speed without the hot-head compromise
Giro's 2026 Eclipse Pro brings a low 280g medium weight, 15 vents and Spherical Technology powered by Mips to the aero-road category. It is fast, but fit and heat management decide whether it works for triathlon.
Favero Assioma PRO RL review (2026): the Look power pedal that gets the details right
Favero's 2026 Assioma PRO RL brings Look-compatible pedal bodies, dual-sided power, 160-hour battery life and a low 10.5mm stack to a compact, transferable system.
Hyperice Hypervolt 3 Pro review (2026): power without the miracle claims
The 2026 Hyperice Hypervolt 3 Pro is a powerful, travel-friendly percussion gun with six speeds, five heads and up to four hours of battery. The smart buy depends on how honestly you use recovery tech.
Lake TX224 review (2026): the tri shoe that makes fit the feature
The Lake TX224 launched before this season, but its three-last fit system still makes it one of the most interesting triathlon shoes to buy in 2026. Here is how it compares with the new S-Works Ares 2 and Fizik Hydra Aeroweave Carbon.