Watch any race, read any website or scroll social media, and you’ll be bombarded with the latest and greatest bikes and products, along with a gazillion ways to make you faster, ride further, or just be better. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of it all. There’s no doubt these things are exciting and cool, and if you’re a diehard fan of mountain biking like I am, just wondering what these new bits of kit or training techniques might bring to your riding becomes hard to ignore. It’s marketing at its finest.  

But all of that can lead to a feeling of missing out, being left behind on a tech trend or guilty because you had to miss the last ride and you’re now less fit and don’t feel as comfy on the bike as you’d like, and that sucks. 

It’s a mindset that’s all too easy to fall into. It was definitely something I was feeling last summer after a nasty chest infection and too much time behind a computer. 

But a steady ride on a clapped-out town bike on the bike paths of Holland made me forget all that and reminded me why I love riding bikes so much. 

FOMO to the max

I’ve ridden and raced mountain bikes for well over three decades now and can’t imagine my life without two wheels. And although mountain bikes might be my first choice, I’m not exactly fussy what sort of bikes there are. 

I’m obsessed, and also incredibly fortunate to do the job I do. Testing bikes and kit is amazing. It’s a genuine dream come true. 

I am terrible at switching off, though. Not just from a testing point of view, but from a riding and performance perspective, too.  

If I’m not questioning my suspension settings, I’m berating myself for braking too late, or missing the line I should have hit.  

Then, of course, there’s the ride stats. It’s a weird thing but I’m obsessed with climbing a certain elevation before I can head home and if I can’t manage it, I feel like I’ve failed in some way. That’s probably not a healthy outlook, but it’s thinking in this way that made me quit Strava. 

It’s just the way I am. But the overthinking can impact my enjoyment of the ride. It’s something I don’t want to happen but sometimes find it hard to avoid. 

If I’m pedalling a bike, I’m constantly switched on and can forget (maybe just for a while), why I got into riding bikes in the first place. 

This was a habit I struggled to shake last summer. 

I’d been battling a chest infection that just wouldn’t seem to go. This in turn meant I couldn’t ride as much as I wanted, couldn’t get keep my fitness and endorphins topped up, and couldn’t do my job to the best of my abilities. It really started to take on toll on me. 

And any time I opened my phone, all I could see was clips of friends riding which made me feel like I was really missing out.  

It’s a horrible feeling and one I struggled to shake (a bit like the chest infection). I just wanted to ride. 

Keep it simple, stupid

Despite my low mood, we packed the car and headed to Holland for a family camping holiday. With a lack of phone signal, it was easy to start forgetting what I was missing out on and start having more fun. 

One day, we decided to hire bikes and ride to play crazy golf out in the middle of the Dutch countryside. 

While the kids had their regular rides, my wife and I hired a couple of town bikes from the campsite. 

It was the first time riding a bike like this for me. It had three gears, a coaster brake and the most flexible bar and stem I’ve ever held. But what a bike it turned out to be. 

On quiet cycle paths, I cruised along the smooth tarmac with nothing to think about other than gently turning the pedals. 

I had no need to consider what the bike was doing, or if my elbows were out far enough when plopping off curbs. I could just ride. 

It sounds cheesy, but it felt so liberating. I almost always ride with a purpose and in that moment, I could just enjoy the simplicity of cycling. I bloody loved it. 

More than anything, it reminded me I why I love bikes so much. They’re not only great tools: they bring joy and mouth-stretching grins. It took me back to being six years old, razzing around the housing estate on my first BMX. It was fun. Nothing more, nothing less. 

My day on this old, clapped-out town bike helped me in a lot of ways. 

Once we got back to the UK and my chest finally got better, I vowed that I’ll make the most of every single ride, no matter how short or infrequent, or even how fit I’m feeling, and that I’ll always keep things as fun as possible.  

That’s why I started, and I need to remember that. We all do. 

More from the BikeRadar team

• Warren Rossiter: Endurance bikes nearly died, but now they’re back with a bang – here’s why
• Jack Luke: The one benefit of Strava that nobody is talking about (and why it could make you happier)
• Ashley Quinlan: Move over XTR Di2 – Shimano Q’Auto is the most important drivetrain development for years

Name: Deb Hodson

Hometown: Alamo, CA

How did you get into cycling?  About 25 years I met my partner who raced track. She taught me how to ride track and not kill myself! I learned how to paceline and do leadouts for her as she was a pure sprinter. We also did a lot of road cycling when we were not close to a track. I fell in love with the track bike. Felt like I was one with the bike!

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? I started Zwifting right before the pandemic because my partner was injured. Instead of riding outside alone, I felt safer riding indoors. To be honest, I was running more at the time, and used cycling as my rest days. It’s quite the opposite now. 

Are you part of a Virtual team? OTR (On the Rivet racing) 

What do you love most about racing? I started racing about 2 years ago because my friend signed up and I wanted to ride with her. We joined OTR as a Cat D. I swore I was not going to get addicted to racing, but that soon changed and I love pushing myself. I soon found myself in women’s Cat C. Racing has given me way more confidence in myself. I am now trying to sprint even though climbing for me is much easier. Having a team like OTR has challenged me to be a better cyclist and a better teammate. The other cyclists believing in me encourages me to push myself when I don’t think I can. The support from the team has allowed me to become a faster, smarter racer. It’s truly all about teamwork and an encouraging environment to go like crazy on the bike!

What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)?  Ladder racing is absolutely my favorite. Bringing different levels of riders to race against another team is like putting together a puzzle. Deciding strategy before and during the race is rewarding. A fantastic way to meet other women cyclists too! Truly a team effort to win a race!

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? ZRL women’s division is my main race I have participated in. Being team captain for the women’s team has been such a gift. Watching the teammates support and cheer each other on is so uplifting! Meeting cyclists from other teams while we compete with each other at the back of the pack is so rewarding. I have met the nicest riders racing with me!

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? My most memorable racing experience is when I raced with my friend, and a few of us dropped back and helped and cheered them up the mountains and across the finish. There is nothing better than helping a friend race.

What is your favourite food to eat post-race? My favorite food is peanut butter. I quit sugar years ago, so peanut butter is a treat!! Ok, I will admit to eating chips occasionally… I cherish those chips!

What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? If you are entering your first race, warm up first, go hard out of the pen, and celebrate the finish! Jump up and down! We race for fun!

Where can people follow your racing adventures? I post my races on Strava and my races and banjo videos on YouTube. I do have a YouTube channel under my name.

The Outdoor Trade Show is the UK’s only outdoor sports trade show, welcoming some of the biggest brands from Britain and beyond to display their wares.

This year, it was held in Liverpool and welcomed brands from across the outdoor pursuits space, including camping, hiking, climbing and trail running, alongside plenty of bikepacking swag.

While not a specific cycling show, we pushed our noses into the exhibition centre to sniff out the best cycling tech.

Sea to Summit camping setup

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Bikepackers will be well aware of Sea to Summit’s camping equipment, with the brand selling everything from lightweight tents to collapsible cutlery.

The brand was displaying its latest sleep solutions, with the Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat and Aeros Ultralight Pillow looking ideal for featherweight camping gear.

Much like a Chesterfield sofa, the Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat features a dimpled surface that is said to provide good stability and support.

It also has an R-value (a measurement used for insulation) of 3.1, which the brand says is perfect for spring, summer and early autumn.

The mat is inflated from the pack sack using the Bernoulli principle to blow air into a plastic portion, which is then compressed through the valve.

This sack can also be used to inflate the Aeros Ultralight Pillow, which sticks to the mat using Velcro, keeping it in position throughout the night.

The Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat weighs in at 430g and is priced at £140, while the pillow is sold separately for £35 and weighs only 60g.

Sea to Summit also had its Spark Ultralight Sleeping Bag on show, which is comfortable down to 7ºC, weighs in at 387g and features a longitudinally baffled design said to retain heat better. This comes at a pretty price of £330.

Combined, they should make for an excellent sleep setup for lightweight bikepacking.

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Silva Free 2000 M head torch

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This headtorch from Silva caught my eye, with its modular design looking great for ticking off those last couple of miles when the night sets in.

The design enables you to wear it as a head torch or mount it directly to a helmet, giving it great versatility on and off the bike.

The unit’s party piece is that the light portion can be mounted directly to the battery, giving you a torch or lantern to navigate campgrounds.

This model has an output of 2,000 lumens and is priced at £284.99, although there are more powerful variants in the range, which may be more suitable for high-speed night riding.

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Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack Tent

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If you plan on spending a long time away bikepacking, a good tent is an essential.

This unreleased two-man, bikepacking-specific tent from Big Agnes packs down small enough to fit between most dropped handlebars and weighs in at around 1.8kg.

It’s a double-skinner, meaning you won’t be waking up soaked by your own breath, and features plenty of storage inside with specific helmet storage.

There are two doors to the tent, both featuring space outside to protect your bikepacking bags from the elements during the night.

There are attachments to dry off wet clothes on the top of the tent, and sticking to the bikes theme, the Big Agnes logo features a chainring outline. 

We don’t have any official pricing, but it looks like luxury bikepacking material.

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Jetboil Stash camping stove

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If you’re looking for one of the most compact cooking solutions, the Stash looks a great option.

The design sees the stove and gas canister secured in the pan for easy storage.

Instead of using a full-titanium design, Jetboil has employed an aluminium pan for better heat transfer.

The stove itself is made from titanium and folds away into a smaller profile.

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Suunto Aqua Light headphones

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These cycling headphones from Suunto feature an open-ear design using bone conduction to send the music through your jaw and into your eardrum.

We’ve tested similar models in the past, giving the Suunto Wing 4.5 stars in our review. 

The new headphones feature IP68 waterproofing, which Suunto says makes them waterproof for two hours at two metres.

Battery life is up to 10 hours and there’s now 32GB of offline audio storage.

While it’s nice to listen to your surroundings while bikepacking, when the hammer has to be put down to make a checkpoint, some music can be just the ticket – as long as you’re not putting yourself or others at risk.

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The UCI’s new rules, limiting handlebar width to a minimum of 400mm in road and cyclocross events, have caused uproar across the cycling industry – and our readers are equally unimpressed.

Published as part of a sweeping update to the UCI’s technical regulations, the rules – which also mandate a 320mm minimum hood-to-hood width – are set to take effect from 1 January 2026.

But many in the BikeRadar audience see the change as exclusionary, unnecessary and disconnected from the realities of modern bike fitting.

“As a bike fitter, this does my head in,” said Maxwell Buchanan in a comment on our Facebook post about the news. “Most women and lots of men also need narrower handlebars. This will just worsen people’s accessibility to the sport,” he added.

Buchanan claims that 60 per cent of his clients are currently fitted to narrower bars. “This is just going to make bikes fit worse,” he added.

Another reader, Jan Mohyla, agreed: “40cm is actually too wide for a good third of men and some 90 per cent of women.

“Good job on the inclusion side, UCI. Morons…”

More on the UCI’s new rules

• UCI rejects One Cycling with damning description of proposed racing reforms
• “It’s impossible” – How the UCI’s new controversial handlebar rules will affect pro riders and teams

Fit frustration

Many readers focused on the apparent disconnect between the UCI’s rules and modern bike-fit practices.

“If a bike fitter is recommending 38cm bars, that’s almost certainly at the hoods,” pointed out David R Wilkinson. “With these new rules, 32cm bars are going to look like gravel bars.”

Jacek Kaap was more blunt in his assessment: “If a bikefitter is saying 38cm, who the hell is the UCI to enforce 40cm? Who is the idiot behind it?”

‘Marketing BS’ or meaningful reform?

Not all readers were ready to dismiss the UCI’s rationale outright. One commenter, Shaun Timberlake, pushed back against claims the rule would damage accessibility: “How does a UCI competition ruling affect accessibility? They are opposing ends of the sport…”

Timberlake added: “As an industry that is all but driven by marketing and advertising, it deserves to get chopped down a peg or two periodically.”

Still, the dominant sentiment was frustration – especially over the short development lead time. “Six months [to implement changes] is wild from a development perspective,” said a source close to the decision. “It’s impossible, really.”

What’s next?

With the rule still two seasons from enforcement, many riders, teams and fitters will be watching closely to see whether the UCI issues clarifications or adjustments. But, as it stands, many BikeRadar readers feel that the latest round of regulations miss the mark – both in science and in spirit.

Still trying to earn that 60-minute Alpe badge? Our first featured event this week may help you out. See it below, plus four other fun picks!

Alpe 60 min Pace

DBR Social Ride

SISU Scramble

The Ultimate Women’s Mini Races – City Sites

JETT Endurance Ride 100km 2.5~3.3w/kg

How We Make Our Picks

We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:

• Is the event unique/innovative in some way?
• Are celebrities (pro riders, etc) attending/leading?
• Are signup counts already high, meaning the event is extra-popular?
• Does the ride include desirable unlocks or prizes?
• Does the event appeal to ladies on Zwift? (We like to support this under-represented group!)
• Is it for a good cause?
• Is it just plain crazy (extra long races, world record attempts, etc)?
• Is it a long-running, popular weekly event with a dedicated leader who deserves a shout out?

In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!

The UCI opted not to include the One Cycling project when it finalised the men’s and women’s WorldTour races through to 2028 on Thursday, with the governing body describing the scheme as “lacking sporting coherence”.

One Cycling, reportedly backed by a company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, wanted to overhaul professional road cycling’s calendar. It proposed remodelling the cycling calendar into a league and broadcast rights to aid the financial stability of teams. 

But the UCI Management Committee voted the proposal down at a meeting this week in Arzon, France.

“While welcoming the fact that road cycling is attracting new investors, the UCI Management Committee nevertheless unanimously decided, following the PCC’s vote in this direction, not to respond to the request, as it stands, to include the OneCycling project in the UCI Women’s WorldTour and UCI WorldTour calendars,” the UCI said in a statement. 

“The project, which had been developed by certain teams and organisers, in collaboration with a sports investment fund, was deemed incompatible with the governance and regulatory framework of the UCI as well as lacking sporting coherence.” 

One Cycling was announced in October 2023. The brainchild of Richard Plugge, the general manager of the Visma–Lease a Bike team, the scheme has support from other WorldTour teams, including Ineos Grenadiers and RedBull Bora hansgrohe.

Plugge said last year: “With One Cycling, we aim to involve everyone, including the Tour [de France], other teams, and the UCI – everyone. Cycling has much greater potential beyond the current financial scope. This applies not only to me but also to organizers and other teams. This isn’t about creating a Super League; it’s about working together.”

A source close to One Cycling told CyclingNews that the Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO), which organises the Tour de France and La Vuelta, has a “monopoly on the sport” and that One Cycling wanted to work with them. 

But Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said “everywhere and every time cycling has tried to transform itself solely with money, it has failed.”

With its ambitions to launch in time for the 2026 WorldTour blocked, One Cycling’s prospects have changed. But there could still be hope for the scheme. 

“[T]he UCI wishes, as do all cycling’s stakeholders, to continue discussions with the representatives of this project in order to collaborate on the internationalisation of the UCI Women’s WorldTour and UCI WorldTour calendars and the economic development of our sport,” the UCI’s statement said. 

The UCI’s plans for the 2026 WorldTour season include the addition of a women’s version of Dwars door Vlaanderen, which was previously a UCI ProSeries race.

The 2026 UCI Women’s WorldTour will comprise 28 events in 11 countries, with a total of 77 days of racing, beginning with the Santos Tour Down Under in Australia. The men’s UCI WorldTour will feature 36 races, with 171 days of racing. 

Elsewhere, the UCI’s Management Committee announced huge changes to its tech regulations, with one industry insider telling BikeRadar: “They ignored everything the industry said – literally everything.”

The UCI has announced sweeping revisions to its technical regulations, aimed at combating technological fraud and enhancing rider safety through stricter equipment standards – and not everyone in the industry is on board. 

Set to come into force from 2026, the changes cover everything from rim depths and handlebar widths to helmet standards and frame dimensions. These changes mark one of the most comprehensive overhauls of technical regulations in recent years.

The changes, which were published in a statement on the UCI’s website, stem from work by the UCI’s Equipment and New Technologies Commission and consultations with SafeR, the rider safety body. Despite claims of industry input, some insiders say their concerns were ignored.

“We’ve been in meetings about all these rules for ages now with WFSGI [World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry] and the UCI,” said an industry source who’s worked with several WorldTour teams and is close to the matter. “They ignored everything the industry said – literally everything.”

Read more:

• Simon says: The UCI must stop banning things just because they look weird
• The UCI needs to scrap this one rule – unobtainable bikes make racing worth watching

Handlebar and rim size limits

From 1 January 2026, mass start road race bikes will be limited to a maximum rim depth of 65mm.

In a more controversial decision, the UCI will also enforce a minimum handlebar width of 400 mm (outside-to-outside) in road and cyclocross events, with a minimum width, as measured from hood-to-hood, of 320 mm. Track mass start events will see a narrower minimum of 350 mm from 1 January 2027.

“These new rules are hugely discriminatory against women and smaller men,” said our source. “It will shift the demographic of winning riders to taller riders.”

“In the last meeting we had, Cervélo said that 14 of the 18 women on Visma–Lease a Bike would need to change their handlebars.” 

According to our source, this will cause problems for riders seeking ergonomic setups: “I tried to tell them that you can’t make an ergonomic bar with 400 drops and 320 inner hoods, as it would have a 2 degree flare and hurt your wrists.”

Fork width and frame design

Further standardisation comes with new limits on internal fork width. Road bikes will be capped at 115 mm at the front and 145 mm at the rear from 2026, with the same limits extending to track bikes from 2027.

This could have implications for current equipment, with our source warning that “Hope’s track bikes [are] potentially gone too, as they’re wider than 145mm at the rear stays.”

New helmet categories and future approval protocols

Another major change is the introduction of distinct helmet regulations for road races versus time trials, taking effect in 2026. The UCI says this will allow for “clarified specifications” to suit the demands of different race formats.

A more formal helmet approval protocol – akin to standards like CE or CPSC – is expected by 1 January 2027 at the earliest. The UCI Equipment Unit is continuing work on this with manufacturers.

Behind closed doors, our source claims the UCI was pushing for rules stating helmets must have “3 to 4 vents minimum, and nothing that is marketed as a time trial helmet could be used.” 

Crackdown on technological fraud

In response to growing concern around hidden motors and other concealed performance aids, the UCI is expanding its anti-fraud regulations. As of next year, the rules will no longer apply only to equipment used during competitions, but also to any attempt to deceive or obstruct anti-fraud testing – regardless of where it occurs.

To support enforcement, the UCI Disciplinary Commission has been granted expanded investigatory powers. “Technological fraud cannot be conducted in the same manner as other disciplinary matters due to their fraudulent nature,” the UCI said in the statement published on its website.

More to follow…

Garmin has launched the Venu X1 ultra-thin smartwatch, which can be worn all day but doesn’t scrimp on high-tech features.

The watch has an “industry-leading” 2in display and Garmin says it’s a trend-setter with its lightweight material, built-in speaker, microphone and torch. 

With wearable fitness trackers growing in popularity, the thin design will likely appeal if you want to keep a tab on your health metrics but don’t like the bulk of the best cycling watches. 

• You may like: Your Apple Watch will now speak to you through your workout

An ultra-thin design 

The Venu X1 has an 8mm-thick watchcase and 2in screen, making it thinner and wider than an Apple Watch.

The watch combines a titanium caseback with a scratch-resistant Sapphire lens and easy-to-read AMOLED display. 

This makes the watch suitable for wearing all day, according to Garmin. 

“Not only does it pack all of Garmin’s most popular features into a slim profile, but the large display makes it easy to see everything from preloaded maps and workout stats to health insights and smart notifications with stunning clarity,” says Garmin’s Susan Lyman. 

Despite its thin design, Garmin says the watch has up to eight days of battery life in smartwatch mode, which reduces some functions. 

The watch face is customisable, so you can see data of your choosing, including step count, heart rate, altitude and training readiness. 

Built-in features 

Like the recent Forerunner 970, the Venu X1 has a built-in speaker, microphone and torch. 

Garmin says the speaker and microphone enable you to take calls from your wrist, when the watch is paired with a compatible smartphone.

The watch will use your phone’s voice assistant to respond to text messages.

Certain voice commands, such as “start a running activity” and “set a timer for five minutes”, can also be activated from the Venu X1 with no phone connection required. 

ComfortFit strap

Designed to be worn all day, the Venu X1 has a 24mm quick-release ComfortFit nylon band. 

The £679.99 smartwatch is also available in two unobtrusive colours, black and moss. 

The Venu X1 will be available to order from 18 June. 

See zwiftinsider.com/tiny for current Tiny Race details.

Cycling regularly during middle age can reduce the risk of dementia and maintain brain health, a new study suggests. 

With the global number of dementia cases projected to rise from 55 million in 2019 to 139 million in 2050, the study aimed to investigate the relationship between how people travel, and dementia risk and brain structure.

It found that, compared with non-active travel such as driving or public transport, active travel such as cycling and walking was associated with a lower adjusted risk of dementia.

• How to keep cycling – and stay fit – through your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond

A lower risk of dementia

The study, conducted by researchers in China and Australia, assessed data from 479,723 participants collected over 13 years. The data was from UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database that contains de-identified genetic, lifestyle and health data. 

The participants in the study had an average baseline age of 56.5 years. More than half were women and over 85 per cent were of European ancestry. They were free of dementia and able to walk at the beginning of the study. 

Participants were asked which forms of transport they had used most to get about in the last four weeks, excluding commuting to and from work. The answers were categorised into four groups: non-active, walking, mixed-walking, and cycling and mixed-cycling. 

Nearly half of the participants were non-active, while 6.8 per cent walked, 37 per cent were in the mixed-walking group and 7 per cent were in cycling and mixed-cycling.

Over a follow-up of 13 years, 8,845 cases of dementia and 3,956 cases of Alzheimer’s disease were recorded. 

The study found that cycling and mixed cycling reduced the risk for three forms of dementia: Alzheimer’s diseases, young-onset dementia and late-onset dementia. 

Cycling could help maintain brain health

Cycling or mixed cycling was significantly associated with a higher hippocampal volume, with the researchers suggesting that cycling is “a promising approach for maintaining brain health”.

“Our findings suggest that active travel modes, particularly cycling and mixed-cycling, are associated with higher hippocampal volumes. The hippocampus is critical for memory and cognitive function, and greater volume is generally considered a sign of better brain health,” co-author Liangkai Chen, of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, told MedPage Today. 

“Cycling, especially as a regular form of transport, may help increase blood flow to the brain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate neurogenesis, and requires higher cognitive engagement during travel, which could all contribute to the observed preservation of hippocampal volume,” Chen added. 

Participants without the APOE4 gene, which can double or triple the risk of dementia, appeared to derive greater benefits from active travel in terms of dementia risk. But the research suggests APOE4 carriers can still benefit from cycling. 

Walking results were more mixed. “Our results suggest that mixed-walking models, which combine walking with other forms of travel that require higher cognitive engagement (eg, driving), may be more beneficial in reducing dementia risk than walking alone,” said Chen.

The study follows research published in the British Medical Journal that found that “weekend warriors” – those who exercise only once or twice a week – were 25 per cent less likely to develop dementia than those who didn’t exercise at all.

Ever finish a Zwift workout and think, “That was good, but not quite what I needed today?” Or maybe you’ve scrolled endlessly through the workout library, wishing for something perfectly tailored to your current goal or how your legs are really feeling?

Zwift offers a strong library of workouts and flexible training plans, and many riders find real value in them. But sometimes you want a workout that reflects your current goals, recovery state, and fitness — something that adapts to you in the moment. That’s where ZwiftFit comes in.

Every ZwiftFit workout is dynamically generated based on your profile and inputs, meaning even if you request the same workout type twice, you’ll get a different version each time — always targeting the same goal, but never repeating exactly. It’s about keeping your training fresh and specific, every time you ride.

That’s the idea behind ZwiftFit, a new AI-powered web app that creates truly personalized ZWO-format workouts based on your profile, goals, and how you’re feeling today. As an avid Zwifter and independent developer, I built ZwiftFit to solve a problem I personally felt. Now I’m sharing it with the community.

Why ZwiftFit?

While there’s no shortage of workouts on Zwift, finding the right one to match your immediate goals and energy can feel like guesswork. And let’s be honest, repeating the same old sessions can quickly lead to boredom. We’ve all been there: scrolling through lists, picking a workout that looked good on paper, only to find it didn’t quite hit the mark for that specific day.

ZwiftFit solves this by generating workouts tailored to:

• Your FTP, gender, age, and training load
• Your training goals (e.g., improve climbing ability late in long rides, increase flatland power, sharpen race finish)
• Strengths and weaknesses defined in your user profile
• Physical limitations or injuries you’ve specified
• An upcoming race or event
• Daily readiness, HRV, and resting HR
• Even how you feel that day — from “Very Tired” to “Excellent”

It’s not about scrolling through a library. It’s about telling ZwiftFit who you are and what you need — and letting it create the session.

Two Ways to Create a Workout

ZwiftFit supports two core paths:

1. Quick Workouts

Choose from 9 workout types including:

• Endurance Ride
• HIIT Session
• Sprint Session
• Climbing Challenge
• Threshold Intervals
• Race Warm-Up
• Event Cooldown

With one click, you get a workout tailored to your current profile settings and duration preferences.

2. Custom Workouts

Need more control? Go custom. Custom Workouts give you a much deeper level of customization than Quick Workouts. There are seven main workout categories — like Recovery & Endurance, High-Intensity Intervals, and Strength & Skill Development — and within those, over two dozen specific workout types to choose from.

Once you’ve selected a type, ZwiftFit adapts it further based on your current profile and the specific workout options shown on the Custom Workout screen. Unlike your profile settings — which tend to remain stable over time — these session-specific options allow you to adjust key variables for the ride you’re about to do. You can specify:

• Workout duration (fixed or range) – so you can fit in the perfect session whether you have 30 minutes or two hours.
• Current feeling (Very Tired to Excellent) – ensuring your workout matches your actual recovery state, not just a pre-set plan.
• Resting heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV)
• 3-day and 7-day training load
• Warm-up and cool-down length (Short, Normal, Long)

You can even add custom instructions — whether you want motivational tips, fun cycling trivia, or a focus on specific aspects of execution like cadence, pacing, or technique. ZwiftFit incorporates this input to further personalize your session in real time.

Event Prep & AI Flexibility

Beyond crafting the core of your session, ZwiftFit offers some useful additions designed to seamlessly integrate with your Zwift life and give you even more control.

One of ZwiftFit’s standout practical features, especially for the racing Zwifter, is its event-specific warm-ups. These are invaluable not only for races (which often start hard right from the gun) but also for a variety of other Zwift activities. To meet these diverse needs, ZwiftFit provides a range of targeted warm-up types, including: Race Warm-Up, Climb Preparation, Group Ride Primer, TT Preparation, Sprint Activation, Long Ride Preparation, and Hard Start Readiness. Each is designed to address the specific physical demands you’ll encounter in those events.

To complement the warm-ups, ZwiftFit also offers targeted Zwift Event Cooldowns to enhance recovery immediately following your rides or competitive efforts. These short routines are carefully structured to gradually lower intensity, aiding in the removal of metabolic byproducts and easing muscle tension. Options include Race Recovery, Climbing Recovery, Sprint Recovery, and Endurance Ride Recovery.

You can also choose the duration of these warm-up and cooldown sessions based on your available time and personal preference. For the best experience, generate both the warm-up and cooldown sessions ahead of time. That way, you can smoothly transition from race prep to recovery without needing to leave Zwift or revisit the app. It’s a convenient and practical addition that supports readiness and recovery across a wide range of Zwift activities.

Multiple AI models are available, each offering a distinct style for generating workouts. Some models might emphasize structured intervals, while others introduce more variety or different types of challenges. You’ll also find variations in the verbosity of instructions—some are more concise, others more detailed—and subtle differences in tone. For example, one model might suggest a straightforward “2×20 at threshold,” while another adds pacing cues, motivational prompts, or mental focus tips throughout the session. This variety allows you to select a model that aligns with your personal preference for a particular session or to simply change models periodically to keep your training stimulating and engaging. Whether you want to stick with your favorite or switch it up to explore different approaches, having multiple models gives ZwiftFit a unique adaptability.

Simple and Affordable

There’s no subscription. Just a credit system:

• New users get 30 free credits after signing up and verifying email.
• Earn 30 more credits by generating one Quick Workout, one Custom Workout, and then downloading either of those workout files.
• A 300-credit package costs just $2.99 — typically enough for 30–40 workouts (that’s less than 10 cents a session!)

For now, credit purchases are U.S.-only due to international tax complexity, but international users can still use the free credits and the FIT to CSV tool.

Bonus Tool: FIT to CSV Conversion

For data-driven riders who like digging into their workout files, ZwiftFit includes a free utility that converts your FIT files into CSV format. This makes it easy to import your Zwift workout data into spreadsheets or other analysis tools. There’s no cost and no credits required — just upload your FIT file and download the structured data. It’s a small but powerful addition for those who want more control over how they visualize and track performance.

Try It + Promo Video

ZwiftFit is available now at zwiftfit.com. You can also watch a short 30-second promo video below:

Final Thoughts

ZwiftFit is still evolving, but I hope it fills a real need in the Zwift training ecosystem — helping riders at every level get more out of their workouts with less friction.

If you give it a try, I’d love your feedback! Share your experiences or suggestions via my contact form or tag me @ZwiftFit on Instagram. Your feedback will help shape its future!

Your chosen bike frame and wheelset both affect speed in Zwift, so it makes sense for racers to do a little research and choose the best tool for the job. This is especially important in a time trial (TT) race, since there is no drafting and all your speed is entirely dependent on you and your bike!

Charts last updated June 10, 2025

Time Savings Over 1 Hour (Stage 0 Frames)

We begin with a simple chart showing how much time a particular frame will save you across 1 hour of riding at 300W (4 W/kg) compared to the most basic TT frame in game (the Zwift TT). These are “stage 0” frames, meaning no performance upgrades have been applied.

The chart is sorted from the best-performing frames to the worst, and you can sort based on flat performance or climb performance.

Takeaways

When sorted by flat performance, you can easily see that the bottom ~10 frames have similar CdA (aero) settings in Zwift.

If you sort by climb performance, the speed falloff from one bike to the next is more even across the board. (This applies to road bike frames as well.) While Cadex Tri is far and away the winner on flat ground, it drops down in the list when it comes to climbs, meaning a pure climb TT needs a different weapon than a mixed or flat race on Zwift.

Time Savings Over 1 Hour (Stage 5 Frames)

This chart is just like the one above, except these are “stage 5” frames, meaning all possible performance upgrades have been applied.

Read all about Bike Upgrades here >

Use the toggle to sort based on flat performance or climb performance.

Takeaways

We shouldn’t see any major rankings changes here in terms of flat or climb performance, since all frames receive the same upgrades between stages 0 and 5.

Except there’s a bug (see “Misconfigured Frames” below), which means the Cervelo PX-Series and Ventum One both drop several slots between stage 0 and 5 in terms of flat performance, while improving more than the other frames in climb performance.

Apart from the misconfigured frames, all other frames gain roughly the same performance improvements between stage 0 and 5. (This test data has a margin of error of approximately 1 second, so you’ll see the frames reshuffled a bit due to this.)

Time Savings, Stacked (Stage 0 vs Stage 5 Frames)

Next, we have one of our favorite charts, ranking frames based on total time savings across our flat and climbing tests. This chart lets you easily see the best all-around performers, and whether their performance leans to the aero or climbing side.

Use the toggle to see data for stage 0 frames, or fully-upgraded stage 5 frames.

Takeaways

There are clearly four top TT frames in terms of all-around performance: the Cadex Tri, Scott Plasma RC Ultimate, Felt IA 2.0, and Canyon Speedmax CF SLX Disc.

Time Savings for Climbing (2 W/kg vs 4 W/kg)

Some readers have asked us to compute time gaps at lower power numbers, which is a perfectly reasonable request. Making this change has the interesting effect on climb times of making lightweight bikes move up the rankings while the more aero-focused bikes drop.

This is because, as you reduce your climbing speed, having an aero bike delivers less benefit.

Below we’ve charted climb time gaps for both 2 W/kg and 4 W/kg, and you can toggle between those two power levels to see how the rankings change. (The 2 W/kg time gap is compared to the Zwift TT frame at 2 W/kg, while the 4 W/kg time gap is compared to the Zwift Carbon frame at 4 W/kg). Times given are for stage 0 (un-upgraded) frames.

Takeaways

The top 5 climbers remain the top 5 climbers whether you’re riding at 2 W/kg or 4 W/kg… but they get reshuffled a bit.

Misconfigured Frames

All of the TT frames on Zwift are supposed to be using the duration-based upgrade scheme. But for whatever reason (we assume it’s a misconfiguration), Zwift has configured the Cervelo PX-Series and Ventum One as distance-based upgrades, like standard road bikes.

This means that the upgrades applied to these frames as you progress from stage 0 to 5 are different than the upgrades applied to other TT frames. The end result? As mentioned above, the Cervelo PX-Series and Ventum One improve a bit more than their peers in flat performance between stage 0 and 5, while losing a bit in climb performance.

What About the Espada?

The Pinarello Espada is the only TT Halo Bike currently in Zwift. It is not listed above because it’s impossible to test the Espada frame without also testing the Espada wheels, since they are inseparable.

The Espada, it could be said, performs like a top-quality TT frame from the 1990’s. It loses ~20 seconds to the fastest TT frame in game (the Cadex Tri paired with Zipp 858/Super9 wheels) across an hour of flat riding, while losing around 15 seconds on an hour-long climb to the Cadex (which isn’t even close to the fastest climbing frame in game).

Testing Methodology

The data above was generated using our standard bot testing procedure. Our bot rides alone on Zwift, set to 75kg weight, 183cm height, using the Zwift 32mm Carbon wheels. The aero (flat) test route is Tempus Fugit, the flattest course on Zwift, while the weight (climbing) test is done on Alpe du Zwift since it’s a long, steep, and fairly steady climb.

All of the data used by these charts comes from our public Google sheet of test data.

Questions or Comments?

We’d love to know what you think of these charts, including suggestions for improvements. Share your comments below.

Last week, Shimano introduced Q’Auto, a self-powered automatic shifting system that integrates with Shimano Cues and eliminates the need for a seperate battery. Here’s what you need to know, in brief:

• The Q’Auto system utilises the FH-U6060 rear freehub, which has a dynamo to generate power that it can store for over a year.
• The system employs “over 6,500” pre-set algorithms to automatically adjust gears. It learns from manual gear selections made by the rider to personalise shifting.
• Shimano said: “Q’Auto brings together the joy and simplicity of riding non-ebikes with the automatic shifting technologies that were limited to ebikes.”
• Initially designed for urban, trekking and gravel bikes, the Q’Auto system is compatible with all of Shimano’s Di2 shifters. So we could see it appear on Shimano’s road, gravel and mountain bike groupsets.
• The Q’Auto system launched at the same time as the long-awaited Shimano XTR MTB groupset, which lacks wow factor. 
• Ashley Quinlan said Q’Auto is the daring product XTR should have been: “Technological innovations, such as Q’Auto, are part of the formula for cycling’s wider uptake. While not a silver bullet, its refinement (and application across non-assisted and electric bikes alike) could help make cycling more appealing.” 

Want to know more? Read how Shimano kills Di2 batteries with self-powered Q’Auto hub.

One of the best ways to monitor progress in cycling is through FTP Tests. In this week’s top video, one Zwifter tackles an FTP test to see how much he has improved since his first ramp test nearly 2 years ago.

Also featured in this post are videos about tips for winning Zwift races, a tour of Zwift HQ, a brutal Zwift race, and the Zwift Insider Tiny Races.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

Share the link below and we may feature it in an upcoming post!

Apple’s new Workout Buddy feature incorporates your workout data and fitness history to generate personalised, motivational insights during your workout sessions. 

Announced yesterday as part of the WatchOS 26 update, the feature is a “first-of-its-kind workout experience”.

Workout Buddy will be on the Apple Watch and uses Apple Intelligence, the AI system developed by Apple. 

It will be available only in English at first, across the most popular workout types, including outdoor cycling, running, walking, HIIT and strength training. 

Alongside an Apple Watch, you will need a pair of Bluetooth headphones for it to work and an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone nearby.  

Meaningful inspiration in real time

Workout Buddy uses a new text-to-speech model that will then translate insights into a “dynamic generative voice” that Apple says will match the tone and energy required for a workout. 

Apple says: “To offer meaningful inspiration in real time, Workout Buddy analyzes data from a user’s current workout along with their fitness history, based on data like heart rate, pace, distance, Activity rings, personal fitness milestones, and more.”

Apple has also revealed the kinds of encouragement Workout Buddy will provide. These include statements such as “Way to go on your run this morning”, “You just broke your all-time weekly distance record!” and “You’ve climbed 2,000 feet in elevation”.

As soon as you start an activity, Workout Buddy can start with a pep talk before marking key moments in an activity, such as distance covered. Then, once you’ve completed your activity, it will recognise your effort and provide summary stats, including speed and average heart rate.    

Workout app also updated

As part of WWDC25, Apple’s annual developer conference, Apple says Workout is one of its most popular apps. 

It has a new layout to help you easily create a custom workout or race against your fastest time on a route. 

There are also new media features built into the app. You can now let Apple choose the best playlist for your workout, or you can select playlists or podcasts based on what you’ve been listening to. 

Zwift version 1.91 begins its phased rollout today. As far as we know, it’s really just a bug fix release. Here are the release notes from Zwift:

• Improved display of your current Split (Lap Timer) after teleporting while using Pedal Assist.
• Various visual improvements to roadways and bystanders in France.
• Apple TV: Improved navigation of the Splits sidebar when using an Apple TV remote.
• Windows & Android: Fixed a crash that could occur when opening Zwift.
• Android: Fixed an issue that could prevent sending chat messages when in an event paddock.
• General stability improvements.

Discuss this update in Zwift’s forum > (link coming soon)

Questions or Comments?

If you spotted any other changes or bugs in the update, please comment below!

SunRace Sturmey-Archer has released the new A2 two-speed rear hub, featuring automatic shifting and four braking options.

The A2 doesn’t require a shifter on the bar, meaning it should make for a low-maintenance solution for those seeking simple and efficient shifting on their commuter bikes.

A new kids’ version of the hub has also been released, so young riders can concentrate on pedalling rather than shifting gears.

Sturmey-Archer is well known for its internal gear hubs, creating its first in 1902 and being bought by SunRace in 2000.

Many riders choose internal gear hubs because they generally require less maintenance compared to derailleur setups, due to the mechanism being protected from the elements.

Sturmey-Archer says the A2 has a gear ratio of 138 per cent and changes gear based on the RPM of the rear wheel.

For a 28in wheel, the hub will shift into the low gear at approximately 14.6km/h and shift into the high gear at 19.4km/h.

There are four braking options available for the A2 hub, with rim, disc, coast and drum brakes all supported, making it compatible with a wide range of bikes.

SunRace Sturmey-Archer has yet to confirm pricing, but we can expect to see the hubs roll out as OEM parts on commuter bikes soon.

Specialized has issued a voluntary recall of its Globe Haul ST and LT electric bikes due to a potential fall hazard.

The recall, issued together with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, relates to the 13in telescopic seatpost that came with the two e-cargo bikes. 

When the lower portion of the seatpost is fully extended, it can break, posing a fall hazard. 

Specialized has received 13 reports of incidents to date, including two minor injuries.

Consumers are advised to stop using the Haul ST and Haul LT ebikes immediately, and contact an authorised Specialized retailer to schedule a free repair. The repair will consist of a new post made from a different material.

The statement from Specialized says: “At Specialized, our riders always come first. We have identified a potential issue with certain lower seatposts on our Globe Haul ST and LT bicycles. If extended, affected seatposts could break under heavy loads.

“If your bike is equipped with an affected post, we ask that you stop riding your bicycle immediately.

“We apologize for the inconvenience and want to thank you for riding Specialized.” 

Specialized launched the two bikes in 2023 as part of Globe’s new line of urban electric bikes, with the Haul LT designed to replace your car.  

Basque brand Oquo has given its new generation of wheels a complete redesign, introducing lightweight proprietary hubs and new carbon rim profiles.

The second-generation wheelsets come in three specification levels. The LTD wheels are built with the new Q10 hubsets and Sapim CX-Ray spokes. The Team and Pro-level wheelsets continue with Zipp’s ZR1 hubsets.

The wheels were produced at Oquo’s new state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing facility in Bizkaia (Biscay) in Spain’s Basque region.

Oquo has had success since launching in 2022, claiming podiums at the Tour de France and in the Mountain Bike World Cup downhill.

The brand was initially an exclusive partner to fellow Spanish manufacturer Orbea and part of the same Basque-based co-operative. It has since shifted to become an independent brand.

Oquo says the new R&D and manufacturing facility gives it the capability of assembling up to 1,500 wheelsets per day and has provided skilled jobs for more than 100 staff.

For the new generation of wheels, Oquo has redesigned the rim profiles, created a new lightweight hubset and expanded the range to include an all-new aerodynamic, race-oriented all-road/gravel option. We first spotted the new wheelset at this year’s Unbound.

Not a clincher, not hookless

Oquo has continued to use the same rim and mini-hook designs it pioneered on the original wheel range.

The mini hook, unlike hookless rims, preserves compatibility with clincher tyres, while still enabling you to use tubeless tyres.

The mini-hook design is rated to 6.5-7 BAR / 95psi for the road, higher than hookless rims, which come with a 5 BAR / 72.5psi maximum.

The tyre interface may have been carried over, but the rim shapes and profiles are new. Development of the new rim shape has been ongoing over the last three years, involving riders from the Orbea and Oquo-sponsored Lotto team.

Testing on the road, alongside wind-tunnel proving, has been key to the new models, according to Oquo.

New lighter and simpler hubs

Oquo originally partnered with Zipp, using Zipp’s ZR1 hubsets throughout its wheel range. For the range-topping second-generation LTD models, it has designed a new hub, the Q10.

The new hub has a shell CNC machined from 7075 T6 aluminium billets. It’s a material Oquo claims has superior durability to steel, while being lighter and stiffer too.

The new ratchet freehub, called Shark Ratchet, combines 45-tooth engagement with a full ceramic coating treatment to keep friction low and provide a fast 8-degree engagement angle.

The hubs use custom stainless-steel bearings, and races with low-friction seals and a proprietary water-resistant grease. Oquo claims they will perform even at temperatures as low as -50°C.

The hubs have a claimed weight of only 175g for the rear and 104g for the front. In comparison, DT Swiss’ lightest road option, the DT Swiss 180, comes in at 192g for the rear and 93g for the front. That makes Oquo’s Q10 one of the lightest Center Lock road disc hubsets available.

Tool-less maintenance

The new hubs’ assembly is a threadless interface, which means disassembly, inspection and maintenance require no special tools.

As a result of this design, Oquo has paid particular attention to making the seals as robust as possible. It claims the sealing is both ultra-efficient and tough, stopping the ingress of water and dust, which can cause premature wear.

Even switching freehubs between Shimano and SRAM is toolless and requires only the changing of a single part.

The range

The LTD range consists of four models: the lightweight climbing, 35mm-deep RP35LTD; the 50mm-deep, gravel-optimised RA50LTD; the 57mm-deep RA57LTD; and the time-trial specific RA80LTD, which, as the name suggests, is 80mm deep.

The RP35LTD has a 35mm-deep carbon rim with a 21mm internal width, optimised for 28-30mm tyres, with a claimed weight of 1,244g.

The RA50LTD has a 50mm-deep carbon mini-hook rim with a 23mm internal width and a claimed weight of 1,460g. Oquo says this rim profile was developed with input from riders at Orbea-sponsored Lotto. The aim was to design a rim for the roughest road surfaces, including gravel racing.

The RA57LTD is Oquo’s most aerodynamic road racing wheelset, a direct competitor to Zipp’s 404 and the ENVE SES 4.5. With 57mm-deep, 23mm-wide internal dimensions, the new RA57TDs have a claimed 1,460g weight.

Oquo says the rim shape offers the best compromise between lightweight, aerodynamic stability and speed. This is designed to make it the ideal wheelset for mixed courses.

The RA80LTD is Oquo’s time trial and triathlon option. It’s 80mm deep and the 23mm internal-width rims are paired with the Q10 hubset. This results in a 1,626g complete weight, a respectable figure for a wheel of this depth.

All the Oquo LTD wheelsets will retail for £2,110 / $2,499 / €2,399 and ship with tubeless valves, tapes, sealant and wheel bags. The wheels are available with Shimano HG, Microspline, SRAM XDR and Campagnolo freehubs.

The four new LTD wheelsets are set to see a further upgrade soon, with Oquo confirming it has been busy working on a carbon spoke upgrade. The new spoke design is set to debut at this year’s Tour de France, with wheelsets with the suffix CS (Carbon spoke) becoming available later in the year.

Custom looks

Oquo has taken cues from Orbea’s MyO programme to bring customisation to the new wheels. It tells us it could only achieve this by bringing assembly and manufacturing completely in-house. That also means a choice of graphic decal styles and colours across all models.

Last week, Zwift launched two summer mini challenges named “Cardio Crusher” and “Heat Check”. Each consists of 5 workouts, and completing them earns you an XP bonus.

Cardio Crusher Workouts

“Get ready to sweat! Cardio Crusher is your ticket to staying fit, fast, and fired up all season. With five targeted workouts built to boost endurance, power, and speed, this challenge keeps your summer training locked in—so you show up stronger for every ride, indoors or out.”

Heat Check Workouts

“Summer’s here—are you ready to bring the heat? Heat Check is all about staying sharp, fast, and race-ready, even when outdoor riding is in full swing. With structured workouts designed to maximize your time and build power, this challenge proves that the smartest riders don’t just ride more—they ride better.”

Joining a Challenge

To sign up for one of these Challenges, just click its card on the home screen under “Challenges”, pick a workout, and go!

Mini challenges are typically available for 3 months.

Challenge Rewards

Your reward for completing all five workouts in one of these challenges? Boosted fitness, of course. B

But you’ll also earn a total of 2000XP as you progress through the 5 workouts.

Tip: do one of these workouts each week on the Route of the Week to earn a 500XP bonus!