Children grow up fast, and finding a bike that fits them while offering a few years of service can be a difficult affair.

Whether you want to get them riding along with the family or commuting to school, making sure your little ones are comfortable on their bikes will help build their confidence faster.

As with adult bikes, getting the correct size is vital for children’s enjoyment and for improving their confidence when they first start pedalling.

The best children’s bikes will feature size-specific components such as child-size levers, cranks, saddles and handlebars to help your kids get the most out of their bikes.

Most brands will recommend a height range for their bikes, while some suggest an age range, though this can be confusing because little riders grow at different rates.

Wheel size remains an important indicator of children’s bike size, ultimately restricting the frame size.

With all of this in mind, here’s everything you need to know about children’s bike sizes to make sure your kids feel safe and confident on their bikes.

Kids’ bike size chart

This table shows the various bike wheel sizes and the approximate ages they are suitable for, as well as the minimum height and inseam length for each wheel size.

The important thing here is the size of the child, not the age.

Measuring your child

The most important thing to consider when finding the right size bike for your child is not their age, but their size.

Some brands will size bikes on overall height, though this doesn’t take proportions into account, so it’s important to also measure your child’s inside leg.

This can be done by having your child stand against a wall with a book placed between their thighs. Once the height is market against the wall, measuring down to the floor with a tape measure will give you their inside leg measurement.

The inside leg measurement will give you a good indication of standover height for younger riders, and where saddle height should be for older children looking for pedalling efficiency.

A smaller standover height will give your child more confidence when learning to ride because they will find it easier to put their feet down should they lose balance.

While measuring your child will give you a good indication of what bike size you should buy, it is always best to sit your child on a bike before buying it to make sure they are comfortable and can reach the handlebars.

What if my child is in between sizes?

It can be tempting to buy a bike that is slightly too big in the hope it will last longer before your child grows out of it, but this can compromise safety and stability.

The more enjoyment they have when riding the bike, the more they’ll be interested in learning.

Some brands have experimented with trade-up schemes, which enable you to return your bike and receive the next size up.

Kids’ bike types and size guides

Balance bike sizes

Balance bikes have become a very popular way of introducing young children to cycling, with the omission of pedals reducing the coordination needed to learn how to balance on two wheels.

Similar to early Victorian bicycles, such as the dandy horse, balance bikes are propelled by kicking backwards and encourage the child to ride along at their own momentum.

Most balance bikes will typically feature 12in wheels, making it easier for small legs to reach the floor, but make sure your child can support the bike and reach the brakes if they are fitted.

If a child becomes confident on a balance bike, they can usually skip training wheels when progressing to a pedal bike because they will already understand how to balance it.

First pedal bike sizes

Whether they have mastered the balance bike or are using training wheels, making sure their first pedal bike fits will enable them to enjoy learning to ride a bike and the fun it brings.

These bikes are usually designed for children who are 3 years old or above and typically feature 14in or 16in wheels, a low standover height and brakes – in line with the law for pedal bikes in the UK.

As with balance bikes, it’s important your child’s feet can still touch the floor at this stage because sacrificing pedalling efficiency is well worth it for their security.

First pedal bikes will usually be singlespeed, enabling young riders to focus on pedalling rather than changing gears, and can be heavy for their size.

Kids’ hybrid bike sizes

Most children’s bikes will feature a hybrid design that enables young riders to explore trails while remaining efficient on the road.

These multi-purpose bikes are designed for children aged six or older, with many featuring 20in, 24in or 26in wheels. They have low slung top tubes to allow for a lowered standover height.

Kids’ hybrid bikes usually feature grip shifters that enable smaller hands with less dexterity to change gears easier.

Kids’ road bike sizes

Kids’ road bikes usually feature cantilever brakes and large clearances to allow for knobbly tyres to be fitted for cyclocross.

Road shifters can be hard to use with small hands, so make sure your child is confident with dropped handlebars.

Kids’ road bikes are available in 24in, 26in and 650c wheel sizes, with the latter also being found on some women’s road bikes.

If your child is confident on their road bike, then setting the saddle height as you would for an adult will enable them to be more efficient with their pedal stroke.

Kids’ mountain bikes

Kids’ mountain bikes come in all shapes and sizes, with the complexity of the bike differing between sizes.

Some kids’ mountain bikes will feature suspension, though this can add weight to the bike, making it harder to pedal and manoeuvre.

Instead of this, many brands offer wide tyres to soak up bumpy trails, while maintaining a light and playful bike.

Kids’ mountain bikes are available in 20in, 24in, 26in and 27.in wheel sizes.

Hydraulic disc brakes can be set up with small reaches and provide the best braking for little hands.

This week, the final race of August’s Kick ‘N’ Sprint series was held on Scotland’s Rolling Highlands route. I was looking forward to it, because it’s a fun race course: hard enough to keep things interesting, but not so hard (read: climby) that I would get dropped.

Read below to see how my race unfolded…

The Warmup

I got on the bike with plenty of time before the 12:10pm PT race, giving me a full half hour to wake up the ol’ ticker and spin up the legs. I was already one dirty chai and a few pieces of Neuro caffeine gum into my warmup by the time I got on the bike, so I was nicely caffeinated. I had also rubbed PR Lotion into my legs to keep the burning at bay.

My Warmup “Stack”

I rode my Cadex Tri bike during the warmup, since I’m working on upgrading it as we head into ZRL. Just upgraded to stage 3, working on stage 4, which requires 480 minutes!

Lead-In + Lap 1

Rolling Highlands has a long lead-in, but it’s an easy one: 5.1km, starting with a nice little descent and ending with a kick up the Breakaway Brae. In a two-lap race like today’s, you’ll hit the Brae three times: once at the end of the lead-in, once at the end of lap 1, and once at the finish.

I was holding onto a feather powerup, which I used at the bottom of the Brae. 412W for 58s got me through that segment. At the finishing arch I grabbed a draft boost powerup, then settled in for a bit of recovery as we looped past Nessie’s pond and headed back toward the lap banner. Lap 1 had begun.

The next challenge is the climb up through “The Cliffs”. It’s 2.2km long, and not steep at all – a very draftable climb. I held onto my van until we neared the top, where the riders always push the hardest. Then I used it, so I could more easily surf the wheels as we headed toward the lap banner and another powerup.

I grabbed another draft boost through the lap banner, then sat in and recovered to prepare for the Corkscrew Castle climb just up the road. This steep little kicker requires close to an all-out sprint for 15 seconds or so in order to stay in touch. The pack always stretches across the top, but tends to come together before hitting the Brae just 90 seconds up the road.

And that’s what happened: 549W for 31s got me up and over the Corkscrew Castle climb, then it was another go at the Brae, using my draft boost over the flat top to ease my effort as I sat in the wheels. Lap 1 done.

Lap 2 + Finish

After a bit of recovery, we hit the Cliffs climb again. M. Rogozinski went off the front and was soon joined by E.VP, but I just sat in, using my feather to ease the effort near the top. As we went through the lap arch I got a feather as my final powerup, Rogozinki got reeled in, and E.VP was 5s off the front.

We hit the Corkscrew Castle climb with 2km left in the race, and I knew these final 2000 meters would be hellish. I put out some big watts to stay near the front over this climb, figuring the pack might break up and I didn’t want to get gapped. 618W for 28s put me into a good position… but had I dug too deep? I spun my legs past Nessie’s place as our front pack of 24 proceeded toward the final Breakaway Brae.

One rider, S. Leary, went long as we crossed the segment start line. Others followed, and I boosted my power to try to hold their wheels. But seconds later, Leary was too far ahead for me to draft, and I was in the wind, so I eased a bit to let riders around me come around as we hit the uphill hairpin with 400 meters to go. Feather engaged. It all comes down to this!

The orange numbers were everywhere! A. Adams passed me, then T. E1000. 300 meters to go and I was hurting in 4th position. I steered left to get more draft, but my legs were done. More riders passed mein the final 100m, and I rolled across in 8th.

T. E1000 took the win with a powerful, perfectly-timed final kick that pipped S. Leary.

See ride on Strava >
See results on ZwiftPower >

Watch the Video:

Takeaways

Rolling Highlands is a fun race course for me. The three climbs – Breakaway Brae, The Cliffs, and Corkscrew Castle – make it interesting without forcing me out the back.

It’s just that the Breakaway Brae finish always seems to eat my lunch. I do well climbing through the left hairpin, but seem to run out of fuel on the long hall to the line that follows. Pre-race I tell myself I should wait longer before going all in, but somehow I never manage to do it. Because there’s always someone just a little off the front, dangling a tantalizing wheel. If I could just grab that wheel…

My “weebles” (W’bal) chart from intervals.icu is pretty telling when it comes to that final effort over the Corkscrew Castle and Breakaway Brae. W’ is the amount of work you can do over critical power – that is, how big of a bucket you have to draw from when it comes to hard efforts (read more about W’ and Critical Power here.) Ride above your critical power (which is close to, but not the same, as FTP) and you’ll be emptying your bucket. Ride below critical power long enough, and the bucket will refill.

You can see in the chart below that my W’bal began at 25 kilojoules, and dipped to -3.9 as I crossed the finish line. That’s truly emptying the bucket! It’s the lowest I’ve seen my weebles in at least a few months…

If I were to do this race again, I would go easier up the final Corkscrew Castle climb, gambling that it would all come back together before the start of the Breakaway Brae. This would have left me more weebles to play with, and hopefully a bit more kick left in those final meters.

I began this race with a score of 569, just barely sneaking into the 450-570 group. My 8th-place result boosted my score by 5 points, which means I’ll have to race against the big boys next week. Wish me luck!

Your Thoughts

Did you race Rolling Highlands this week? How did it go? Share your thoughts below…

Exposure has launched its new 2026 front light range, consisting of four handlebar-mounted lights and three helmet lights. 

All of the lights now charge via USB-C – a feature many riders, me included, have been asking for. Until now, Exposure has stuck with its own proprietary charging port. 

The brand claims the USB-C charge port improves charge times by up to 66 per cent and is compatible with power banks – news that will particularly delight bikepackers and ultra-distance racers. 

Exposure also says you can charge other devices straight from the USB-C port.

In addition, the handlebar-mounted lights now come with a new colour OLED screen, which is said to be easier to read, as well as ‘Reflex 2.0’ technology, which automatically changes the light’s output according to the speed and terrain. 

Let’s take a closer look at the range. 

Read more from BikeRadar

• After hundreds of miles of testing, I found the latest bib short trend is really a fad
• I’ve ridden thousands of bikepacking miles – here are 10 mistakes to avoid

Four handlebar-mounted lights  

The new handlebar-mounted front light range consists of the:

• Exposure Six Pack Mk15
• Exposure MaXx-D Mk17
• Exposure Toro Mk16
• Exposure Race Mk19

All are made from machined 6063 aluminium. 

The Six Pack Mk15 can now kick out up to 6,000 lumens in its brightest setting (up from 5,800), while the MaXx-D Mk17 is 50 lumens brighter than its predecessor at 4,850 lumens. 

Meanwhile, the Toro Mk16 can pump out 3,850 lumens (up from 3,800), but the Race Mk19’s maximum output is a little dimmer than the Mk18 at 2,650 lumens (previously 2,800 lumens). 

All four lights use what Exposure calls its new ‘OSD+ Screen’. This is said to be easier to read because the display is 70 per cent bigger, and it’s now in colour, displaying what mode you’re in and the remaining run time. 

A new ‘Reserve’ mode provides 30 minutes of lower-level light if the light runs out of juice, Exposure says.

The updated Reflex 2.0 Technology automatically changes the light’s output depending on your speed and the terrain you’re riding, via thermistors and 3D-digital accelerometers, including a gyroscope. 

According to Exposure, the lights will last for a minimum of 2 hours and up to 36 hours on a single charge. 

• Exposure SixPack Mk15 – £495 / $540 / €495 
• Exposure MaXx-D Mk17 – £445 / $485 / €445 
• Exposure Toro Mk16 – £355 / $385 / €355
• Exposure Race Mk19 – £295 / $320 / €295 

Three helmet lights 

In addition to the four handlebar-mounted lights, Exposure has also updated its three helmet lights. 

The new Zenith Mk4 has a maximum output of 2,360 lumens (up from 2,200 on the Mk3), with the Diablo Mk15 the same as the Mk14 at 2,000 lumens. Finally, the new Joystick Mk18 is 50 lumens brighter than its predecessor at 1,200 lumens. 

The lights feature Exposure’s ‘Tap Technology’, where you simply tap the light and it’ll switch between modes – much easier than needing to locate the ‘Function’ button the brand used on some of its older helmet lights. 

Exposure claims each of these lights can last up to 36 hours on a single charge. 

• Exposure Zenith Mk4 – £280 / $305 / €280 
• Exposure Diablo Mk15 – £240 / $260 / €240 
• Exposure Joystick Mk18 – £195 / $215 / €195

This week’s picks are all community-organized events, and they rotate between innovative races and challenging longer group rides. So whether you’re looking to go fast or go long, we’ve got you covered!

Team Evolve’s August Omnium

Beth’s Banded Badge Hunt

La Roja Tour (TNP): Stage 1 and 2

Bikealicious Rubberband Joy Ride

Tour de HISP 2025 Stages 12 and 13

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!

Our annual Bike of the Year awards are now in their 17th year, and 2025 has been as tough a year as any to select our shortlist and arrive at winners for each of our road and gravel categories – as well as an overall victor.

Tough, but not impossible… and Cannondale’s five-star Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense has been crowned as our overall Road Bike of the Year for 2025, while also topping the endurance bike category.

We all have different needs from our bikes, but our annual Bike of the Year awards offer the opportunity to shine a light on those that stand out from the crowd, be it for their innovation, success on the podium or sheer ingenuity.

Bike of the Year is a long-term project that begins at the end of the previous year’s edition, and this year we’ve focused our attention on the three key categories we know you love to read about – race bikes, endurance bikes and gravel bikes.

Since 2024’s Bike of the Year, we’ve tested dozens of bikes across all categories, with road lead Ashley Quinlan and Bike of the Year stalwart Warren Rossiter taking the best of the bunch, and pitting them against one another to find a winner.

Across the three drop-bar categories – race, endurance and gravel – we whittled the selection down to five bikes worthy of a ‘Highly Commended’ accolade, before pulling out the standout pairs into a finalists’ shootout for each category and an overall winner debated.

The results?

Over the next week, we’ll be bringing you in-depth coverage of our finalists in each category, and analysis on the current state of play across the endurance, race and gravel bike sectors.

And on Tuesday 9 September, we’ll announce our Mountain Bike of the Year for 2025 – stay tuned for that.

Why the Cannondale Synapse is our Road Bike of the Year

Just as in 2023 (Vitus Venon Evo) and 2024 (Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2), our overall winner is an endurance bike – a category that has seen rapid change in recent years to make these bikes more versatile than ever, without losing any of the joy of a go-fast road machine. 

This year’s winner, the Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense, landed at BikeRadar HQ hot on the heels of the sterling performance of the flagship (and eye-wateringly expensive) Synapse Lab71, and had much to live up to. 

However, it packed all the same integrated tech as the newly-launched flagship model into a machine that Warren described as setting  “a new gold standard” for what we should expect of endurance bikes in 2025 and beyond.

While the Cube Attain, Parlee Ouray and Cervélo Caledonia 5 also earned ‘Highly Commended’ awards in the endurance category, the Cannondale Synapse and Boardman SLR 9.4 Ltd were selected by Warren to go head-to-head in the final.

The Boardman SLR 9.4 Ltd offered tough competition – in our eyes, it’s one of (if not the) standout value proposition of 2025, with an enviable spec list including a handlebar that would cost over a fifth of the bike’s total value if you bought it aftermarket, with no notable shortcomings elsewhere.

Both bikes scored a rare five-star rating in testing, owing to their respective strengths and dearth of weaknesses, but for its forward-thinking design, both Warren and Ashley agreed during final deliberations that the Synapse took the tape by a whisker.

Warren’s verdict

“The Synapse represents the new template for a non-racing road bike,” says Warren. “It has handling that’s swift and stable, and it delivers confidence in spades. It’s compliant but doesn’t lose the excitement that comes from a stiff bike, plus it features the most usable application of the SmartSense system to date.”

He concludes: “The Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense is an exciting ride and a sensible choice – it’s a rare thing to draw both those conclusions about a single bike.”

• Read Warren’s dedicated head-to-head between our two endurance bike finalists – Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense vs the Boardman 9.4 Ltd

Overall and Endurance Bike of the Year winner

• Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense review

Highly commended

• Boardman SLR 9.4 Ltd review (runner-up)
• Cervélo Caledonia 5 Ultegra Di2 review
• Cube Attain C:62 SLT review
• Parlee Ouray SRAM Red AXS review

Introducing our Race Bike of the Year

Turning to race bikes, the Cervélo S5 takes the title after going head-to-head with the Colnago Y1Rs in our category final.

Despite fierce competition from some outstanding contenders, with the Van Rysel RCR Pro, Scott Addict RC 20 and Trek Madone 7 SLR earning ‘Highly Commended’ nods, our two finalists here showcase cutting-edge aero designs.

Indeed, both bikes featured at the front of the 2025 Tour de France but while that fight ended up being decidedly one-sided in favour of the Colnago Y1Rs-riding Tadej Pogaçar, BikeRadar’s lead tester, Ashley Quinlan, looked past the Slovenian phenom and instead found that the S5 was the more worthy winner of our Race Bike of the Year category.

Why? While both bikes are undoubtedly expensive – the cream of the racing crop – the Cervélo S5 simply offered more for a keen racer’s money. The build is practically unimpeachable, and while the Y1Rs offers a little more customisability overall, this can be more than made up for with the money left over once the specs have been equalised.

Ashley also found the S5’s ride quality and handling to be a little more polished than the Y1Rs – a marginal win, but where the details really matter among two outstanding contenders, that’s where the devil lay.

• We will publish our final shootout between the Cervélo S5 and Colnago Y1Rs on Wednesday 3 September

Ash’s verdict

“The Cervélo S5 offers a well-balanced ride quality and excellent handling, underpinned by a devilish turn of speed,” says our road lead, Ashley Quinlan. “It’s also stable in changing wind conditions, though perhaps its biggest asset is how easy it is to ride quickly – it feels as fast as any aero road bike I’ve tested.”

Race Bike of the Year winner

• Cervélo S5 (Dura-Ace Di2) review

Highly commended

• Colnago Y1Rs review (runner-up)
• Scott Addict RC 20 review
• Trek Madone 7 SLR Gen 8 review
• Van Rysel RCR Pro review

And our Gravel Bike of the Year?

Rounding out our drop-bar awards, the Parlee Taos Force AXS is BikeRadar’s Gravel Bike of the Year for 2025.

Pitched against the mountain bike-inspired Mondraker Arid Carbon RR in our gravel final, Parlee’s Taos took the crown thanks to its mightily impressive versatility and progressive design.

If there was a gravel bike to rule them all, this might be it, leading Warren to believe that it’s the best all-round gravel bike he’s ever tested. 

That said, the Arid’s chops when things get gnarly earn it high praise – if off-road fun on a gravel bike is what you’re after, then look no further.

Elsewhere, the Cannondale Topstone, Kinesis Tripster AT+ and Wilier Rave SLR all earn ‘Highly Commended’ awards in a hard-fought category.

• Find out how Parlee Taos and Mondraker Arid stacked up against one another soon, with our head-to-head review due to be published on Monday 1 September

Warren’s verdict

“Parlee has managed to combine the best elements of a gravel race bike – low weight, pedalling efficiency and fast handling – with the traits of more adventurous designs – large tyre capacity, smooth riding over rough ground, and stable handling and control on technical trails,” says Warren.

Highly commended

• Mondraker Arid Carbon RR review (runner-up)
• Cannondale Topstone Carbon 1 Lefty AXS review
• Kinesis Tripster AT+ review
• Wilier Rave SLR ID2 (full review to come)

What we tested

We established three categories in our road and gravel Bike of the Year test this year, distilled from five in recent years to reflect what we know you (our audience) love to read about.  

This saw us put every race, endurance and gravel bike that we’ve reviewed in 2025 in the pot for consideration, with the finest five examples for each category examined once more.

The two standout candidates from each group of five were then put forward for a dedicated head-to-head test, with back-to-back testing conducted to find a winner for each category, with Warren and Ashley then coming together to decide on an overall winner.  

Everything from established market leaders to emerging newcomers have been represented throughout the past year, and there should be something to suit most budgets by checking out our reviews and buyer’s guides.

• Read our road bike reviews
• Read our gravel bike reviews

Bike of the Year is supported by Auto-Trail

Big thanks to sports campervan specialists Auto-Trail for supporting our Bike of the Year 2025 test. Head to auto-trail.co.uk for more details about their range, including the cycling-specific Auto-Trail Expedition 68, which features a purpose-built bike garage.

Previous Road Bike of the Year winners

Bike of the Year – the industry’s most prestigious annual bike test – has been running since 2009, with previous winners including some of the biggest names of the past two decades, as well as breakthrough brands earning their place at the top table.

2024
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2

2023
Vitus Venon Evo RS Aero

2022
Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0

2021
Boardman SLR 9.4 AXS

2020
Cannondale SuperSix EVO

2019
Rondo HVRT CF0

2018
Giant TCR Advanced 2

2017
Specialized Roubaix Comp

2016
Cannondale CAAD12 105

2015
BMC GF01 Disc 105

2014
Cannondale Synapse 5 105

2013
Giant Defy Advanced 2

2012
Focus Izalco Pro 3.0

2011
Storck Scenero

2010
Cannondale Six Carbon 105

2009
Giant TCR Advanced 3

Europe is packed with incredible cycling destinations, often just a short hop from the nearest city.

Among them are the ‘Great Lakes’ of northern Italy, in the foothills of the Alps. Less than a two-hour drive from Milan, Lakes Como and Garda combine breathtaking scenery with easy access.

Here are five reasons why Milan, Lake Como, and Lake Garda should be at the top of your cycling bucket list.

Planning your trip has never been easier. Skyscanner’s free city break tool lets you map your route, book flights, hire a car, and reserve hotels all in one place. That means less time on logistics and more time on the road, soaking up Italy’s best cycling routes.

Tick off more from your cycling bucket list

Use the Skyscanner City Break tool to plot your next cycling trip across Europe

Try the free trip planning tool

1. Start in Milan: Canals and countryside on your doorstep

Kick off your cycling trip by cruising along Milan’s famous Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Martesana – two of Italy’s historic canals.

Naviglio Martesana, in particular, is well-suited to cycling, with a 30km cycle path to enjoy.

Plan your cycling trip to Milan

• See cheap flights to Milan
• See cheap car hire options from £4 per day
• View cheap hotels

2. Celebrate cycling at the Garda Bike Festival

Each spring, the Garda Bike Festival draws riders from across Europe for road cycling, mountain bike and eMTB events. Even better, this takes place alongside a huge expo showcasing the latest cycling gear.

The next exhibition is set for 1 to 3 May 2026, so use the Skyscanner tool to start planning your trip in advance.

Plan your cycling trip to Lake Garda

3. Ride the Limone floating cycle path

Lake Garda’s floating cycle path extends for 2.5km, hanging over the water for spectacular lake and mountain views.

Cyclists of all abilities can enjoy the smooth surface and stunning panoramic vistas, making it a must-ride for anyone looking to combine riding with unforgettable scenery.

Plan your cycling trip to Lake Garda

• See cheap car hire options in Garda from £10 per day

4. Make the Madonna del Ghisallo pilgrimage

Near Lake Como, the Madonna del Ghisallo climb is a must for road cyclists. Ride past the chapel, explore the cycling museum, and soak in sweeping lake views. Push a little further and the surrounding roads reward you with rolling hills, charming villages and panoramic views.

Plan your trip to make the Madonna del Ghisallo pilgrimage

5. Challenge yourself

The 160km loop around the entirety of Lake Como is an epic endurance ride for advanced cyclists and features a mix of flat roads, rolling hills and short climbs.

Plan your cycling trip to Northern Italy

• See cheap hotels near Lake Como
• See cheap car hire from £6 per day

Tick off more from your cycling bucket list

Use the Skyscanner City Break tool to plot even more rides across Europe

Try the free trip planning tool

Microshift manufactures drivetrain components for all cycling disciplines, including mountain, road and gravel bikes.

The brand may be off the radar for some riders and tends to feature on bikes at the low- to mid-range of the market. Its products are generally priced below SRAM or Shimano components at comparable spec points.

A large proportion of its range is compatible with Shimano’s shifting systems. This is because Microshift uses the same cable pull ratio on certain products. It makes Microshift products ideal inexpensive replacements if you’re shopping on a budget or can’t find Shimano in stock.

Microshift is unusual in that it also shares the same cable pull ratio across many of its road bike groupset and mountain bike groupset components. This means riders can mix and match, for example, drop-bar shifters with mountain bike groupsets, creating a mullet drivetrain on a budget.

We have also seen what’s to come from the brand after spotting Cypher, Microshift’s first electric groupset at Eurobike this year.

It also produces less common shifter styles, such as thumb and bar-end shifters, for most drivetrains. All of this makes Microshift a popular option with dedicated home tinkerers.

In this article, we will delve into the full Microshift product range, explaining the hierarchy of its groupsets for road, gravel and mountain bike components. We’ll also outline the compatibility of its parts with those from other manufacturers.

Microshift road groupsets

Microshift’s road groupsets are compatible with Shimano parts because both brands use the same pull ratio, making them an inexpensive replacement.

All cassettes can be fitted onto Shimano HG freehubs.

Microshift R8

• 8-speed
• Cage lengths: short, long
• Rear derailleur material: steel, composite
• Compatibility: Shimano road

The R8 groupset is a part of Microshift’s R-Series of components and sits at the bottom of the brand’s hierarchy, but uses the same shifting technology as others in the range.

Available with a single, double or triple-chainring setup, the R8 family can be specced with either drop-bar shifters or Microshift’s Xpress flat-bar shifters.

Cassettes range from 12-28t to 11-34t and are available in a silver or black finish.

Microshift R9

• 9-speed
• Cage lengths: short, medium, long
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium, steel (cage)
• Compatibility: Shimano road

The R9 features the same shifting system as the R8, but has an aluminium rear derailleur as opposed to steel, offering a weight saving.

The R9 groupset is compatible with single, double or triple-chainring setups, with the option of a drop-bar or Microshift’s flat-bar shifters. The R9 is also available with bar-end shifters for time trial bikes, as well as thumb shifters for a ’90s mountain bike aesthetic.

Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.

Microshift R10

• 10-speed
• Cage lengths: short, medium, long
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium, steel (cage)
• Compatibility: Shimano road

The R10 groupset tops the R-Series range and features an aluminium-machined rear derailleur that still uses the steel cage found on the R8 and R9.

The R10 is compatible with double or triple chainrings, with the same options of drop-bar, flat-bar, bar-end and thumb shifters as the R9.

Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.

Microshift Centos

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• 11-speed
• Cage length: short
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium
• Compatibility: Shimano road

The Centos groupset is Microshift’s 11-speed offering, which the brand says offers race-level shifting performance.

Unlike the R-Series, the Centos’ rear derailleur features forged aluminium construction, as well as an aluminium cage.

It’s only compatible with a double chainring with a short cage, and is positioned near to Shimano’s 105 groupset in terms of performance.

Centos is available with drop-bar shifters with 12mm of adjustable reach that can be set by a screw under the hood. It’s also available with Centos Xpress and Xpress Plus bar shifters, as well as thumb shifters.

Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.

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Microshift Cypher

While the specs of Microshift’s first electric groupset are unknown, it appears to take a lot of inspiration from the brand’s Sword groupset, with 10-speed shifting and cable-actuated brakes.

We spotted the groupset at Eurobike this year, where it was specced on a children’s Giant Seek road bike.

We’ll likely see the groupset launched sometime in late 2025.

Microshift mountain bike groupsets

Some of Microshift’s mountain bike groupsets are compatible with Shimano because they use the same pull ratio.

The brand has also released its own proprietary shifting system on the Acolyte, Advent and Advent X groupsets. These aren’t compatible with Shimano’s drivetrains, but the cassettes can be fitted onto an HG freehub body.

While Microshift makes gravel-specific groupsets, many of its mountain bike groupsets can be paired with drop-bar levers. This enables you to choose from a wide range of durable components for your gravel riding exploits.

These models include the Advent X, Advent and XLE.

Microshift Mezzo

• 8/9-speed
• Cage length: short, long
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium, composite, steel (cage)
• Compatibility: Shimano mountain

The Mezzo groupset is Microshift’s lower-tier mountain bike groupset, which the brand says is aimed at mid-level mountain bikes.

It can be set up as either 8- or 9-speed and is compatible with double or triple chainrings.

The rear-derailleur outer link is made out of a composite, while the body is forged aluminium.

The Mezzo groupset is available with Microshift’s thumb tap shifters and is compatible with Shimano’s mountain bike drivetrain components.

Cassettes range from 12-28t to 11-34t and are available in a silver or black finish.

Microshift Marvo

• 9-speed
• Cage length: short, long
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium, steel (cage)
• Compatibility: Shimano mountain

The Marvo sits just above the Mezzo in the Microshift line-up, with the rear derailleur featuring full-metal construction for durability on the trails.

Available with Microshift’s Xpress shifters, the Marvo groupset is compatible with a double or triple chainring.

Cassettes range from 11-32t to 11-36t.

Microshift XLE

• 11-speed
• Cage length: short, medium, long
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium, steel (cage)
• Compatibility: Shimano mountain

The XLE is the brand’s mid-range groupset. The XLE rear derailleur is the first in Microshift’s line-up to feature a clutch. This makes it compatible with 1x setups.

XLE is also compatible with a double chainring and uses Microshift’s Xpress flat-bar shifters, or drop-bar shifters if you’re of a gravel persuasion.

Cassettes range from 11-40t to 11-46t.

Microshift XCD

• 11-speed
• Cage length: medium
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium
• Compatibility: Shimano mountain

The XCD is Microshift’s top-of-the-line Shimano-compatible mountain bike groupset, featuring a full-aluminium rear derailleur that can be specced with or without a clutch.

XCD is only compatible with a 1x setup using Microshift’s Xpress Plus shifter.

Cassettes range from 11-42t to 11-46t.

Microshift Acolyte

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• 8-speed
• Cage length: super short, medium
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium with a steel cage
• Compatibility: Acolyte range only

The Acolyte is the first groupset in the Microshift range that uses the brand’s proprietary cable pull technology. This means it’s incompatible with Shimano’s mountain bike components.

The Acolyte rear derailleur is constructed from aluminium and features a steel cage with the option of a clutch.

A ‘Super Short’ cage enables the rear derailleur to be used on 20in wheels for kids’ bikes or folding bikes.

Positioned for light trail use and commuting, the Acolyte groupset is only compatible with a 1x drivetrain.

Cassettes range from 12-42t to 12-46t.

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Microshift Advent

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• 9-speed
• Cage length: medium, long
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium, steel (cage)
• Compatibility: Advent range only

The Advent is a mid-tier mountain bike groupset using Microshift’s proprietary cable pull ratio.

Compatible with single or double chainrings, the Advent’s rear derailleur can be specced with a clutch for keeping the chain in check on bumpy descents.

There is a large choice of shifters, with the groupset also able to use Microshift’s drop-bar levers and bar-end levers for gravel bikes.

Cassettes range from 11-42t to 11-46t.

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Microshift Advent X

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• 10-speed
• Cage length: medium
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium
• Compatibility: Advent X and Sword only

The Advent X is Microshift’s top-tier groupset using its proprietary cable pull ratio.

Compatible only with a 1x setup, the Advent X’s rear derailleur features full-aluminium construction, as well as a clutch to keep the chain running smoothly.

Aimed at performance mountain biking, the groupset can also be specced with drop-bar levers for gravel riding.

The Advent X is available only with an 11-48t cassette.

• Read our Microshift Advent X review

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Microshift gravel groupsets

Microshift has long made mullet drivetrain compatible components for gravel bikes, but has only recently delved into gravel-specific groupsets with its Sword range.

Microshift Sword

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• 10-speed
• Cage length: medium and long
• Rear derailleur material: aluminium
• Compatibility: Advent X and Sword range only

Microshift Sword is the Taiwanese brand’s new mechanical gravel bike groupset that’s available in 1x and 2x options.

The shifters have received a radical redesign, similar in appearance to a Shimano GRX-815 Di2 lever, albeit less angular. There’s texturing on the hoods for improved grip and the shifters are cable-actuated, meaning you cannot run hydraulic disc brakes on this groupset.

The rear derailleur has also been redesigned with a clutch for improving chain retention.

The 1x drivetrain option is paired with an 11-48t cassette, whereas you’ll need to use an 11-38t cassette on the 2x alternative.

Be aware the groupset doesn’t include a namesake chain, bottom bracket, brake calibers or disc brake rotors, so you’ll need to factor these into the cost too.

• Read our Microshift Sword review

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Microshift city bike groupsets

Microshift also produces a wide range of shifters that are compatible with internal gear hubs.

This includes drop-bar, trigger, twist, bar-end and thumbie-style shifters for Shimano 8- and 11-speed Alfine hubs, as well as 3-, 7- and 8-speed Shimano Nexus hubs.

Shimano only produces trigger and grip shifters for these hubs. Microshift’s range opens up options for using an internal gear hub on any bike.

A drop-bar gravel bike with an internal gear hub? We like it.

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

Shimano has launched its new XTR PD-M9220 pedals, which offer a wider platform, removable pins and improved bearing seals.

The mountain bike pedals match the new Shimano XTR Di2 groupset, which launched in June, and come with the brand’s new multi-entry cleats. 

Tailored to aggressive trail and enduro riders, these pedals are more of an evolution than a revolution. However, they pack features that should mean they remain frontrunners in the crowded mountain bike pedals market. 

• New Shimano RX910 S-Phyre gravel shoes optimise power transfer with “revolutionary” Pontoon cleat system

Increased durability

Shimano says that the XTR PD-M9220 pedals focus on durability, with a robust outer cage protecting the binding mechanism from rock strikes and trail impacts. 

This added toughness means extra weight. Shimano claims the PD-M9220 pedals weigh 435g, which is 40g heavier than the previous XTR PD-M9120 pedals.

Durability is also aided by the improved seal design, which should reduce any play and keep the bearings running smoothly for longer.

Enhanced control

Shimano also had “enhanced rider control” in mind when creating the PD-M9220. 

It says the pedals have “a wide contact area that improves pedalling efficiency, assuring no wasted power when charging uphill”. 

Shimano has also combined the wider raised pedal platform with four adjustable traction pins, which were not present on the previous model. 

The pins increase traction on the bottom of the shoe, adding resistance to guard against accidentally unclipping, and improving stability and control when you’re not clipped in.

New multi-directional cleats

Shimano has confirmed the PD-M9920 pedals will ship with the newly released MT001 pedal cleats as standard.

The two-bolt SPD cleat is the first major update to Shimano’s SPD cleat platform in nearly 30 years.

Whereas Shimano’s previous cleats required you to clip in ‘toe first’, the new cleats provide multi-directional entry for easier engagement.

While Shimano says the cleats are targeted at all riders – and should be particularly useful for beginners learning to use clipless pedals – they’ll also prove useful for enduro and trail riders who find themselves frequently clipping in and out. 

Shimano says its new RX910 S-Phyre gravel shoes resolve the contradictory demands gravel racing puts on your footwear. 

Gravel racing requires the power transfer you get from road shoes and cleats, and off-road traction for technical terrain.

But Shimano says its latest gravel shoes resolve this by “offering unmatched power transfer, walking stability, and all-day pedalling comfort in one streamlined package”. And a big part of how the RX910 S-Phyres do this is Shimano’s new and “revolutionary” Pontoon cleat system.

The Pontoon cleat system

The Pontoon cleat system has a pair of modular, replaceable TPU contact blocks, which complement the lugged outsole. Shimano says these blocks “dramatically improve the shoe-to-pedal contact point” to optimise power transfer. 

“The system enables a road-shoe-like pedalling interface while maintaining SPD compatibility and off-road functionality,” Shimano says. 

While conventional gravel shoes have blocks mounted on their outsoles, Shimano says the RX910’s ‘pontoons’ are part of the cleat interface. This means they move with your cleat position to provide “consistent support and efficiency”. 

Shimano says it developed its latest shoes with the professional gravel racer, Pete Stetina. “For me [the Pontoon cleat system] is the most exciting point of this shoe,” says Stetina. “You now have road stability and power transfer while still having the offroad benefits of mud shedding and quick engagement of SPD.”

Shimano’s stiffest sole and other features 

The RX910 S-Phyre’s power transfer is also aided by its carbon sole, which scores 12/12 on Shimano’s own stiffness scale. 

This is two points stiffer than the previous RX801 gravel shoes and the same stiffness level as the Shimano S-Phyre RC902 road shoes. 

Elsewhere, Shimano says the RX910s have a seamless midsole construction to reduce stack height and improve pedalling efficiency.

Drainage holes will let water escape from crossing rivers and on rainy days, and provide ventilation in hot weather. 

When it comes to fit, Shimano has equipped the RX910s with Boa dials for micro-adjustments. An anti-twist heel cup and surround wrapping upper should help hold your foot comfortably. 

The shoes weigh a claimed 304g (size 43) and come in a range of standard, half and wide sizes. 

They will cost you £369.99 / $480 / €419.95. 

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Shimano has updated its iconic two-bolt SPD cleat system for the first time in “nearly 30 years”, enabling riders to clip in to SPD pedals from multiple angles.

Built around the same two-bolt design as Shimano’s existing SH51 SPD cleats (which launched in 1995), the new CL-MT001 cleats feature a modified leading edge.

This is claimed to enable riders to connect to the pedal from multiple angles, rather than needing to lead with the front edge.

While that’s still an option, Shimano says the CL-MT001 cleats enable riders to clip in by engaging the rear first, then the front, or to “simply stomp straight down” on the pedal.

Launched alongside a new set of flagship gravel cycling shoes, the S-Phyre RX910s, and a new XTR PD-M9220 trail pedal, Shimano says the CL-MT001 cleats offer a number of advantages for off-road riding.

Enduro, cross-country, gravel and cyclocross riders, for example, “will appreciate the quick re-engagement that is critical after dismounts or foot dabs in technical terrain”, Shimano says.

The Japanese brand also says the new cleats should make the experience of using clip-in pedals more intuitive, and says the multi-entry engagement offers “added peace of mind”.

Because the new CL-MT001 cleats use the same two-bolt mounting system as existing SPD cleats, Shimano says the new cleats are “fully backwards compatible with all existing two-bolt Shimano SPD pedal and shoe systems”.

This means riders can upgrade their existing systems simply by replacing their cleats.

A Shimano spokesperson told BikeRadar that there are no plans to phase out the existing SH51 cleat. The CL-MT001 will be an additional option for two-bolt SPD pedal systems but Shimano is “confident it will become the new standard for clip-in pedals.”

The new Shimano CL-MT001 cleats are available now and cost £19.99 / $20 / €22.99.

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Chris Froome was airlifted to hospital following a “serious training crash” in the south of France on Wednesday

The four-time winner of the Tour de France, and Great Britain’s most successful Grand Tour rider, was flown to the hospital by helicopter after crashing near Toulon, 170km away from his Monaco home.

While it’s unclear what caused the crash, Froome’s team said “no other cyclists or vehicles were involved” and that he was “stable”. 

Israel-Premier Tech’s statement also confirmed that Froome had sustained a pneumothorax, five broken ribs and a lumbar vertebrae fracture. He will receive surgery today (Thu 28 Aug).

French newspaper L’Equipe reported that Froome remained conscious after the crash and was able to speak to those around him. 

It’s a blow for the 40-year-old, who was dominant on our screens between 2012 and 2017, winning everything from Grand Tours to Olympic medals.

Froome suffered a heavy fall at the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2019, which saw him taken into intensive care.

Garmin has revealed its latest software update, which includes bringing new mountain biking features to the Edge 1050 bike computer. 

Launched in June 2024, the Garmin Edge 1050 was billed as the company’s “brightest and smartest” bike computer yet with the ability to offer ride-specific routing for mountain biking. 

The bike computer has now received a host of updates, which should make it even better for mountain biking, courtesy of a free software update.

So what’s new? 

Garmin says its flagship Edge 1050 bike computer has received five mountain biking updates, which first debuted on the Edge MTB that launched in June. 

Like the Edge MTB, the Edge 1050 will now feature Garmin’s timing gates function. This lets you set timing gates through a trail or course to track split times and “better understand your performance in real time.” 

You’ll also be able to see more detailed information about upcoming forks in the trail thanks to improvements to the forksight mode. These improvements include seeing the distance left on a trail, the elevation profile and the distance to return to the trail’s start. 

Garmin has equipped the Edge 1050 with two new ride profiles, too. The enduro ride profile tracks total ascent and descent from each run and for the overall ride.

The downhill ride profile automatically laps when completing each run. Garmin says this means returning to the top of a shuttle or ski lift won’t affect your ride stats.

Finally, the Edge 1050 will now support faster 5Hz GPS recording so you can view trail lines in great detail.

Changes to Garmin’s smartwatches 

Garmin’s latest software update will also bring a host of new features to its smartwatches, including the new Venu X1.

These are mostly targeted at runners, with new features such as running tolerance and running economy that first appeared on the latest Garmin Forerunner watches.

However, cyclists might be interested in the new evening report and smart wake alarm features.

The evening report is similar to Garmin’s morning report, but it suggested the amount of sleep you need, along with details about the following day’s suggested workout, plus weather and events. 

The smart wake alarm provides gentle vibrations to help you “wake up at the optimal time and feel more refreshed.” 

Cargo bikes are a great way to transport goods, your shopping and even cycle around town with your kids. But they’re no small investment, with many of the best cargo bikes costing at least a few grand. 

This is something Argo Cargo Bikes wants to change with the new Argo Fy, a flat-pack conversion kit that it says will turn any bike into a cargo bike. 

Scott Taylor, founder of Argo Cargo Bikes, based in Denver, Colorado, said: “We’re part of a new wave in cycling that’s taking inspiration from companies like Rad Power Bikes, who democratised electric bikes by shipping direct and making them accessible to everyday families.” 

“We saw what they accomplished for e-bikes and asked: why can’t cargo bikes work the same way?” added Taylor. 

Approachable, affordable and accessible

Taylor introduced the Argo Fy concept to his newsletter subscribers and previous customers. Argo Cargo Bikes said it sold “hundreds of units” across the world before this public announcement and sale. 

“We’ve proven that people who know what one is, want cargo bikes – they just need them to be approachable, affordable and accessible,” said Taylor. “The challenge is that you take a risk when you order a cargo bike without riding it first. With the Argo, we’re not changing the size or fit of your bike. You already know that it fits – we just add massively what you can do with it.” 

At $1,399 / £1,100, the Argo Fy uses standard components for easy repair and maintenance, with bolts you can pick up from hardware shops, alongside standard bearings and components that are serviceable by bike shops.

“When something needs repairing, people shouldn’t have to wait weeks for proprietary parts or pay premium prices. You should be able to walk into your neighbourhood shop and get back on the road,” said Taylor. 

New and improved design 

This isn’t the first time Argo has released a cargo bike conversion kit. There was a previous version simply called the Argo Cargo Bike Kit. But the company says the Fy improves the previous design based on user feedback.

The Fy now has a 6061 aluminium frame which it says offers “enhanced durability against weather and salt while improving control through increased stiffness.” 

Protection against the elements is also aided by a new plywood front box which is waterproof, paint free and also more sustainable.

The Fy also has a hydraulic brake system, which Argo says is compatible with electric bikes for “enhanced stopping power”.

It now works with a wider variety of forks, including the carbon forks, making it compatible with many of the best road bikes and best gravel bikes. 

A motorcycle-style kickstand will hold your bike and its load upright. 

Argo says its mission is really about cultural change, not just selling products, and it wants to normalise cargo bikes in the way a certain children’s bike has become commonplace.

“Remember when balance bikes were niche?” said Taylor. “Now every parent knows about them, that’s our vision for cargo bikes – moving from specialist cycling equipment to everyday family transportation.”

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Team Velos is a longstanding Zwift club and racing team that aims to help riders of all abilities improve their fitness while having fun and competing in a supportive environment.

The club hosts nine group rides weekly, including beginner-friendly events that engage riders in entertaining ways, a competitive sprint training event with monthly winners and prizes, a climbing-focused event to develop “Grimpeurs” (cycling’s climbing specialists), and Poursuite de la Lanterne Rouge: a C-paced ride that includes optional challenges including a chase of the red beacon and featured as one of the Great Group Rides on Zwift.

Team Velos also hosts three weekly races: an individual time trial, a chase-style race, and the Monuments Race inspired by pro cycling’s Spring Classics and stage races.

To learn more about Team Velos, go to: teamvelos.co.uk

Introducing the Pretzel Endurance Group Ride

Velos launched the Pretzelfest on 2 November 2024 as a weekly 2-hour group ride with an ‘After Party’ to encourage those wanting to complete all the Pretzel routes on Zwift. The event soon evolved to encompass all of Zwift’s epic routes, and now features a rotating monthly schedule of increasingly difficult routes to keep the event varied and interesting for its many regulars. Although the Pretzel ride officially ends after two hours, many riders stay on to support one another in completing the longer routes.

Each week, two pace groups start together, with the yellow beacon averaging 2.5 W/kg, and the red beacon 2.0 W/kg. The mass start enables everyone to participate in the ride chat and move between the two pace groups. A rider might start wanting to push a harder pace, then ease back to the red beacon group and finish at a gentler pace; or set off easier, then push higher watts to reach the faster group. A single field promotes camaraderie between the two pace groups, and others in the red beacon crew function as traditional sweeps supporting struggling riders.

During each Pretzel ride, the Yellow Beacon messages on a wide range of performance issues including cycling endurance training, nutrition, strength training, and related topics. This is interspersed with plenty of entertaining chat, including joke contests and quizzes to help the time fly with lots of laughs.

About the Ride Leaders

The Pretzel endurance ride was conceived by longtime Velos teammate and Yorkshire resident David Pickles, General Manager of The Gym Group — one of the largest fitness centers in England. David is also a certified personal trainer and owner of OnelifePt Coaching. David leads the Yellow Beacon group, and started the event with teammate Alicia Caron who leads the Red Beacon group. Alicia is a long-time cyclist in Massachusetts, working as a physical therapy aide trained in injury prevention, recovery, and performance. A lifelong athlete, she has extensive experience in strength and conditioning.

Says David Pickles: “Helping people collect hard-to-reach route badges is part of what we do, which sometimes results in our team riding 5+ hours because someone needed to complete The PRL Full. This event was designed to attract riders who want endurance training and enjoy an element of cycling that many avoid due to boredom. While the ride was founded with the idea of enjoyable zone 2 training, it has created a lively following that helped us grow together. Beyond our two pacing groups, there are bad jokes, silly quizzes, practical tips to improve training, and a team who loves helping others. Not only has the ride evolved, but so has the team. This has been the first Velos event for some riders, many of whom became regulars and so comfortable they joined our lead/sweep crew. Our two sweep teams never give up, since helping others is sewn into the fabric of Velos. We simply try to extend that to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hour of your training rides.”

Velos owner Stephen Whitcombe adds: “Velos launched its first endurance ride, the Routebagger Challenge, in February 2022, and it immediately gained a following since ticking off the tougher badges is so much more fun with company. But we were able to support that ride only once a month, so the Pretzel event was a perfect evolution since it offers something for everyone: two pace options, a great endurance session for those with limited time, and fantastic support to the end for those wishing to complete extremely tough routes like the Four Horseman, PRL Full, 25 Volcano laps, and Uber Pretzel. Feedback has been tremendous, and many Zwifters make this a must-ride event on their weekly schedule.”

The last week of every month is always the toughest route, and August features one of the most challenging in Zwift: the Uber Pretzel (128.8km, 2335m of elevation)!

The ride is on Saturday, August 30 at 11am UTC/7am ET/4am PT. Sign up here:

The covers look to have been taken off Specialized’s upcoming Demo downhill bike at the Les Gets UCI World Cup.

An Instagram post from Finn Iles revealed the unreleased bike, which appears to be fitted with an unreleased Öhlins rear shock featuring a black plastic housing that we assume suggests electronic adjustability.

The Canadian racer’s bike has been under the spotlight for a while now and was only recently the test bed for Brembo’s new disc brakes.

Production-ready Demo?

For the past couple of years, the Specialized Gravity team has been using a test mule made from carbon tubes and alloy lugs, leaving many to speculate the direction the American brand would take.

Now it appears the downhill bike has moved into the carbon fibre stage of development, suggesting that the production model isn’t too far away.

The enlarged bottom bracket area from the latest prototype has carried over to this monocoque frame, which many initially believed was a gearbox. While it’s not confirmed, the design enables the chainring to be positioned away from the cranks, allowing engineers greater control of anti-squat characteristics.

While the cranks have a small chainring, it appears the drivetrain chainring is connected internally to the cranks.

The suspension system appears to use Specialized’s UBB (Under Bottom Bracket) layout, which has been seen on previous test mules.

Electronic Öhlins Suspension

Öhlins has long been a partner of the Specialized Gravity programme, and it has been speculated that the brand is developing an electrically controlled.

Button’s on the prototype Demo showed up nearly two years ago, with many believing this allowed the rider to select different shock tunes to eke out as much performance on a single run.

Those buttons are still present on Finn Iles’ bike, although it now appears the shock is in a more refined stage of prototyping.

We’re unsure whether this shock will take the same automatic approach as RockShox Flight Attendant or Fox’s Live Valve, or whether it’ll remain programmable with the buttons on the bars.

If you’ve cycled for many years, you’ll likely have been through different phases of your two-wheeled adventures, where your goals, aspirations and interests shift up and down, and side to side – and may eventually change out of all recognition.

What you did as a teenager on the bike – had fun, rode fast and dreamed of the endless possibilities of where this machine might take you – will be very different from where you might find yourself in your 70s, still riding for the sheer pleasure of it and the memories it evokes from a life on the bike.

Because of the possibilities that this simple contraption promotes, your relationship with your bike constantly shifts. Not to mention how your life, the responsibilities it brings and the time it eats up, affects your time in the saddle.

Few cyclists experience this gearshift quite like a professional when the time comes to retire and hang up their cleats.

Many will have been on the pro pathway from an age that they can barely remember. Some may have had all the talent but had the enjoyment for the sport squeezed out of them, as their childhood hobby turned into a pressurised job, one that the livelihoods of many others depended on.

For others, their life as a professional becomes such a part of their identity that life on the other side of retirement is impossible to fathom.

Would they ever be able to relocate the simple pleasures of riding a bike again, after years of compromising it through fame and fortune?

Retired British three-time Olympic team pursuit champion Ed Clancy is a poster boy for how bikes can remain as the fulcrum of a life through changing times.

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

Enduring love

“My love for cycling is as alive today as it was when I was three or four years old, scuttling about on balance bikes,” he tells me over the phone from the office of one of his new day jobs, which you can probably guess is tied up with cycling (he’s South Yorkshire’s active travel commissioner).

We’re chatting because he’s got a new book to promote, which he’s written with flexibility expert Lexie Williamson.

Full Gas Forever: A 40+ Cyclist’s Guide to Riding Further and Faster is a practical manual that capitalises on the trend for midlife cyclists to push themselves harder than at any time in history.

Clancy just about qualifies to write such a book, having turned 40 in March. It’s filled with hard-won advice from the pair on the training, nutrition, recovery and off-bike conditioning required for a long life on – and off – the bike.

Clancy and Williamson complement each other well, bringing their own expertise from very different backgrounds. “Bloomsbury, the publishers, approached me about it and with turning 40 this year I thought it sounded like a great idea,” Clancy adds.

“But I was honest with them about the things I was interested in – the technical side of bikes and the technique of riding them – and the things I didn’t have the first clue about.

“Things like stretching and nutrition – things that I managed to miraculously avoid as a pro rider. And why it made an awful lot of sense to partner up with someone [Lexie] who was better and smarter than me in every regard.”

The last time I rode with Clancy was on a Club Med press trip last summer in Alpe d’Huez, where he was bounding up and down the high mountains of the French Alps with the enthusiasm of a newborn foal.

Three years post-retirement, he was in fabulous shape. Not any better or worse than when he was propelling himself around a 4,000m track race. Just different. Lighter, less muscled and better prepared for this new chapter of his life.

The particular physicality of his old job on the track left him with worn-out discs in his back that required surgery. These days, the ability to simply ride, as opposed to train, frees up his body and soul.

“We’re all going to get older – that’s a given. But it’s also a given that cycling is the absolute best thing for us,” he says.

“Who wants to be trying to play stop-start sports like football in your 50s, 60s or 70s when there’s the option of riding a bike.

“I’m clearly very biassed but cycling is the best sport, leisure activity and means of transport – add all that together and it’s the best way to age gracefully.”

Life begins at 40

While hitting 40 might be a time when some cyclists decide it’s time to start racing at master’s level, for an ex-pro such as Clancy, who’s been riding bikes at full throttle from a very young age, organised racing is low on his agenda from this point onwards.

He wants to experience new things on a bike – which at times has overlapped with his old career.

“I ‘won’ the Fred Whitton this year,” he says to explain how his love for cycling has never been stronger.

Won is a strong word, he clarifies, because the event is a sportive (albeit the most competitive of its kind in the UK), but he got a thrill out of it nonetheless.

“2,500 riders do that event, whippersnappers in long-sleeve skin suits who take it dead seriously,” says Clancy.

“I haven’t touched a power crank or heart rate monitor since the day I got off the track in Tokyo [2021] but I still love riding bikes.

“I commute – I’ve cycled into the office in Sheffield today. Sometimes I ride to British Cycling in Manchester to do some work there.

“If I have a free Saturday, I’ll get on my electric mountain bike and head into the hills with people who have nothing in common except enjoying the fun and freedom of doing that.

“I have no desire to hit a certain weight, or coefficient of drag – I just love riding my bike.”

But let’s hear more about that Fred Whitton ride…

“I do some ambassadorial work for a company called CAMS [Cycling Accident Management Services, who help cyclists through the process of making a claim after a crash on the road]. One of their managers is Ian Bibby, a friend who I used to race with.

“We went up for the Fred, had a couple of beers the night before, and as is often the case, rumours start circulating around the village that the fast group is going to set off at 8.45 in the morning.

“So me and Ian sat on the back of the 8.45 train. Our tactics went out of the window after 30 minutes and we just went flat-out through and off for the rest of it. And we had a thoroughly enjoyable day out.

“The lad that really should have won it, I sat on him for about 90km, he was so strong that I couldn’t give him a turn. And then the poor lad got heat stroke on the final climb and I never saw him again.

“If I was a better man, I would have waited for him…”

That competitive instinct is clearly harder to shift than the legs sometimes.

“It’s just good fun,” says Clancy. “I’ve done a few of the big sportives. The Majorca 312 and I’m doing the Contador one [Gran Fondo Alberto Contador, in Valencia] later this year.”

Contador rode the 312 the same year as Clancy, in fact.

“And if you look at the results, guess who finished one place ahead of him. He did puncture, mind you…”

Build back better

For now, back to the book. Although Clancy and Williamson each contributed their own expertise – sometimes independently in different chapters – one in which they both added their two cents was the section on strength training.

Off-the-bike strength exercises are under-utilised by so many cyclists, no matter their age or ability.

The home or gym-based location can seem boring and less stimulating than the great outdoors, and it requires more planning, knowledge and often motivation than riding a bike.

But it unquestionably reinforces our bodies for the one-dimensional activity of cycling, as well as reducking the risk of osteoporosis and boosting our testosterone production, which tails off in men with age without taking steps to remedy it.

“The book isn’t about me giving it the big Olympian – it’s about things I didn’t always get right,” says Clancy.

“I could have carried on my career if I’d been a bit smarter about things, and gym work was something I avoided.

“My asset as a team pursuit rider was that I was very fast and had good peak power. I took that as ‘great, I don’t need to do anything in the gym.’

“I can’t help but think I might have avoided those back operations and be in a better position to rehabilitate to the highest level if I was a bit more rounded.

“I am a classic example of someone who’s spent their whole life in a flexed position in one direction and probably suffered the consequences.

Balancing act

If there’s one thing Clancy took from writing the book – and hopes that readers take from it too – it’s that finding a balance, an equilibrium, is crucial to your enjoyment and achievement of cycling in midlife and beyond.

As an athlete, he says, you get more debriefs than you know what to do with, picking apart the minutiae of performance forensically.

“But one thing you never really did was helicopter out of the situation, step back and take a long-term, overarching look at how your training is going.

“In this book, we’re not necessarily talking about tiny marginal gains, like how to extract the nth degree of aerodynamics in a wind tunnel – it’s more about good solid, grounded advice.

“And I haven’t even been holding myself accountable to these standards, so it’s still possible to do alright on a bike!”

• Full Gas Forever by Ed Clancy and Lexie Williamson is out now (Bloomsbury Sport, £18.99)

Raleigh’s latest electric bike, the Captus, features a premium Bosch motor but keeps the price to under £2,000.

Raleigh says the electric bike is “for riders who want proven, premium technology without the premium price tag”.

For £1,899, you get Bosch’s Active Line motor alongside a Shimano Cues drivetrain and Suntour suspension, with either a mid-step or low-step frame. 

“By bringing Bosch e-system technology to a bike priced under £2,000, Raleigh is setting a new benchmark for value in the e-bike market,” the brand says.

“Riders can now enjoy the same level of safety, reliability and refinement found in higher-end models, at a price that makes switching to electric more accessible than ever.” 

Bosch Active Line motor 

Alongside first-time ebike owners and people looking for a well-specced bike, Raleigh says the Captus is for “everyday city riders”, which matches up nicely with Bosch’s Active Line ebike motor.

Bosch says its Active Line motor is “ideal for city routes” and that its “finely balanced acceleration and barely perceptible pedal resistance over 25 km/h or in Off mode make every ride relaxing and leisurely – even in rush hour traffic.”

Raleigh has paired the ebike motor with a 40Wh battery for a range of up to 70 miles. 

How does it compare in price to other Active Line ebikes?

Raleigh’s claim that the Captus offers the premium Active Line motor for a more affordable price stacks up against other big-name brands.

For instance, it’s £700 cheaper than the Cannondale Adventure Neo 4 and £350 less than the TrekDistrict+ 1 Lowstep, which has a similar set of features.  

The Captus is also cheaper than British brand Raleigh’s other ebikes, the Motus (£2,299) and Hockley (£2,699).

In fact, the Raleigh Captus beats many of the best electric commuter bikes on price. But whether it earns a place in our list will have to be seen.  

Components from Shimano and Suntour

Alongside the Bosch motor, Raleigh has fitted the aluminium Captus with more components from respected brands.

The bike uses a 9-speed Shimano Cues drivetrain alongside Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes. 

The low-step version of the bike has a Suntour Nex-E25 suspension fork with 50mm of travel. 

Raleigh has completed the Captus with integrated bike lights, a rack and mudguards. 

Pro-Palestine protestors disrupted Israel–Premier Tech’s team trial effort on today’s stage 5 of the Vuelta a España.

The group of protestors blocked the road while holding Palestine flags a few minutes into Israel-Premier Tech’s time trial. 

Police motorbikes pushed the protestors to the side of the road, clearing a way for the team. 

• How to watch the Vuelta a España

However, the protest slowed Israel–Premier Tech who went through the first time check 47 seconds behind Ineos Grenadiers, the fastest team at that stage of the race. They finished 45 seconds down on stage winners UAE Team–Emirates XRG. 

Pro-Palestine protestors have now disrupted all three Grand Tours of 2025, with incidents also taking place at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. 

��� | Oei! De ploeg van Israel-Premier Tech wordt vertraagd door een protest met Palestijnse vlaggen. ⏱️ #LaVuelta25

� Stream koers op HBO Max pic.twitter.com/P9nxHgjpTs

— Eurosport Nederland (@Eurosport_NL) August 27, 2025

While no group has yet taken responsibility for today’s protest, in April the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions Movement called for peaceful protests against Israel–Premier Tech at this year’s grand tours.  

Israel–Premier Tech is co-owned by Israeli–Canadian Sylvan Adams who has vocalised his support for the country. 

In a statement published on its Instagram this evening, the team said: “Israel–Premier Tech respects everyone’s right to freedom of speech, which includes the right to protest peacefully, but we absolutely condemn the dangerous acts of the protestors on stage 5 of the Vuelta a España which not only compromised the safety of our riders, race personnel, but the protestors themselves.

“The team continues to work with race organisers and relevant authorities to ensure our safety at the Vuelta a España and all races, and ensure any protestors do not impact our safety, nor our right to race.”

Read more

• Derek Gee terminates Israel–Premier Tech contract, calling “my continuation at the team untenable”
• Pro cyclist Jakob Fuglsang says it’s “nicer to ride without an Israel logo than with it”

This week, Zwift releases a new wheelset from ENVE: the SES 4.5 PRO. The real-life ENVE SES 4.5 PRO wheels were announced in July of this year, and ENVE shared that the wheels were developed with direct input from Tadej Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates XRG over two seasons. When the wheels were announced, they had amassed 25+ victories this season alone … before Tadej won the Tour de France!

Here’s what the Drop Shop says about them: “Designed for the cyclists seeking the ultimate wheelset, where low weight, aerodynamics, and rolling efficiency meet.”

The wheels are now available in the Drop Shop, accessible at level 29 and above, for a price of 675,000 Drops. This is the only wheelset in the Drop Shop with a 4-star rating for both aero and weight, so we expected them to be both fast on the flats, and light on the climbs! Since Zwift’s 4-star rating system isn’t precise enough for our taste, we ran these wheels through our standard battery of tests to determine exactly how they perform in Zwift and stack up against other wheelsets in game. (Spoiler alert: they’re fast.)

Let’s dive in and learn all about the performance of this new wheelset from ENVE…

Aero (Flat/Rolling) Performance

The ENVE SES 4.5 PRO is definitely in the upper echelon of aero performance in Zwift, with our tests showing that it is bested by only three non-disc wheelsets: the ENVE SES 8.9, ENVE SES 7.8, and DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 65.

The ENVE SES 4.5 PRO is 5 seconds slower than the ENVE SES 8.9 wheelset (the most aero non-disc wheelset) across an hour of flat riding. If you include disc wheels in the picture, the ENVE SES 4.5 PRO is 10.8s slower than the fastest disc wheels in game, the DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 85/Disc.

Climb Performance

The climbs are where this wheelset really shines. It turns in a time that puts it within a half second of the top climbing wheels (Zipp 353 NSW, Lightweight Meilenstein, and Roval Alpinist CLX) across an hour of climbing. All of these wheelsets trim 9+ seconds off of our stock Zwift Carbon wheels’ times in our tests.

So the ENVE SES 4.5 PRO is essentially tied with the best climbing wheels in game, while delivering much better aero performance than the other top climbing wheelsets.

Note: all test results above are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady using the Zwift Carbon frame.

Conclusions

These wheels show exceptional performance as climb-focused all-arounders. Perhaps the best way to see this clearly is to compare them to the best aero all-arounders in game, the DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 65. Consider this:

• The ENVE SES 4.5 PRO wheels save 9.4 seconds across an hour of climbing compared to our stock Zwift Carbon wheels. The DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 65 saves just 2.7 seconds. A 6.7s difference.
• The ENVE SES 4.5 PRO wheels save 41.7 seconds across an hour of flat riding compared to our stock Zwift Carbon wheels. The DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 65 saves 46.2 seconds. A 4.5s difference.

So if you swap from the DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 65 to the ENVE SES 4.5 PRO, you’re essentially trading seconds gained on the flats for seconds gained on the climbs.

Another way to see it clearly: check out the Tron vs Top Performers chart, which we’ve just updated by swapping out the Zipp 454 wheels with these new ENVE SES 4.5 PROs, since the new ENVE wheels effectively replace the 454s as climb-focused all-arounders, beating them in our flat and climbing tests.

These wheelsets have been, or will soon be, added to the following posts:

• Master Zwift Wheels List
• Zwift Speed Tests: Wheel Ranking Charts
• The Top 10 Wheelsets on Zwift
• Zwift Shopping Guide: What To Buy from the Drop Shop at Each Level
• Speed Tests: Concept Z1 (Tron) Bike vs Top Performers
• Zwift Speed Tests Public Data (Google Sheet)

Questions or Comments?

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