Enigma’s new Excel 6AL/4V prototype is not only the foundation for the British titanium bike manufacturer’s upcoming 20th-anniversary limited-edition model. It will also showcase the future design direction of Enigma’s range.

With only 20 frames scheduled for production, the new Excel is set to be a collector’s item. Each frame will be handmade at Enigma’s HQ in Hailsham, Sussex, and made from Grade 5 (6AL/4V) double-butted titanium tubing. The prototype is finished with a satin bead blast, and gold-mirror anodised details, head badge and logos.

Jim Walker, Enigma’s managing director, says: “We are collaborating with our friends at Reynolds Technology, who are aiming to produce a brand-new set of Grade 5 6AL/4V tubing for the bike. We want the frame to be as ‘British’ and sustainably produced as possible.”

• Read more: Best titanium road bikes in 2026 for smooth and luxurious riding, as reviewed by BikeRadar
  

Enigma Excel 6A1/4V details

The frame features 3D-Printed UDH dropouts and a 3D-printed seat cluster. As you’ll notice from our pictures, Enigma has stayed with a traditional external seat clamp.

“We believe [a traditional clamp] offers greater long-term security and serviceability than the current trend for concealed push-plate systems,” says Walker. “At Enigma, we use 3D printing only where it offers a genuine structural or functional advantage, not purely for aesthetic impact.”

The bike uses a CNC-machined IS52 head tube and a CNC-Machined T47 bottom bracket shell. Walker says this is because CNC machining delivers much tighter tolerances than 3D printing and a superior surface finish. It’s the right choice for high-load, precision interfaces such as head tubes and bottom brackets.

Enigma Excel 6A1/4V design

The design team at Enigma wants its bikes to combine classic looks with a modern twist. However, it says function should always lead form.

Enigma doesn’t believe that titanium should mimic carbon fibre aero shapes. Simply, if aerodynamics are your ultimate priority, it believes you should use carbon fibre. Enigma wants to celebrate titanium’s qualities and amplify rather than disguise them. Jim is adamant you’ll never see a titanium ‘aero’ frameset from Enigma.

Its intention is to show off its frame builders’ skill with traditional TIG welding, and use a combination of tube diameters, wall thicknesses and butt profiles to influence the ride quality.

While the new bike embraces some 3D-printed elements, Walker sees overreliance on this new technology as a limiting factor when it comes to custom bikes, which have been the heart of Enigma’s business for two decades.

Jim tells us: “While it is possible to build custom frames around extensive 3D-printed components, it can significantly increase cost and restrict design. A more traditional construction allows almost complete customisation without unnecessary complexity.”

For Enigma, it’s also about longevity – and that means reparability. Titanium frames, made conventionally, are fully repairable. When you damage a complex 3D-printed structure, it’s difficult – if not impossible – to rectify. Enigma wants its bikes to last for decades rather than seasons.

This being a prototype, Enigma hasn’t yet listed pricing for the 20^th anniversary Excel, alhough the current Excel is priced from £4,070 for a disc frameset.

Quite a variety of events to feature this weekend: a crazy endurance ride for a good cause, a sweet new kit unlock event, a race series kickoff, and more! See this weekend’s most notable events below…

DBR x Canyon x Cykelnerven

SYN x RAD RACE Spin

Tugaz Tour 2026: Stage 1

WOW – High Speed Ride on TT bikes with draft

Tour de Zwift, Stage 5

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 high-octane hairpins of Alpe d’Huez versus the high-altitude grind of the Col du Galibier? Each of these incredible, storied peaks offers a mouth-watering opportunity to test the legs, but which is the greater challenge? 

Thanks to Club Med’s resorts being positioned at the foot and summit of these Alpine climbs, you’ll be located perfectly to take them on. 

With expert-led guided rides, included equipment and the peace of mind that comes with all-inclusive stays, Club Med’s Alp d’Huez and Serre Chevalier resorts are great places to challenge yourself without losing out on much-needed recovery time.

Let’s compare what it takes to tackle these two iconic Tour de France climbs and explore why Club Med gives you the edge with both.

Alpe d’Huez

Often referred to as the ‘Eiffel Tower’ of cycling, Alpe d’Huez is sharp and intense.

Key stats: 13.8km at an average 8.1% incline.

The challenge: It’s a power climb throughout, with 21 hairpins. While the road is wide and the surface is excellent, this ascent is a relentless assault on your legs and lungs. Be careful on the first six hairpins, because these are the steepest, at a steady 10-12% incline.  

Club Med advantage: The Alpe d’Huez resort lies at the summit, meaning you can start at the top and warm up with a 20-minute descent through the 21 hairpins to get a feel for the road. By the time you’ve done so, you’ll be ready for your attempt at tackling the climb, before rolling into the resort for a much-needed breakfast and massage.

• Book your stay at Alpe d’Huez

Col du Galibier

If Alpe d’Huez is a sprint, Col du Galibier is more of a marathon that requires endurance and grit to conquer.

Key stats: 34.8km at an average of 6.1%.

The challenge: The summit sits at 2,642m. At that height, you’re losing roughly 10-15% of your aerobic capacity. And that final 7km? A challenging 10% incline at an altitude your lungs will feel. 

Club Med advantage: The Serre Chevalier resort grants you a supported ascent with a team of guides who’ll know exactly how to pace you through the ‘false flats’ that catch out many solo riders.

• Book your stay at Serre Chevalier

The verdict: which is harder?

The verdict, of course, depends on where your strengths lie.

For a test of raw power, Alpe d’Huez is the equivalent of an epic HIIT class. But if you favour endurance, the Galibier is your climb. 

• Explore Alpe d’Huez
• Explore Serre Chevalier

• See all Club Med resorts for road cycling

*Club Med is financially protected – ABTA: V6608, ATOL: 10020. Learn more here.

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

Red Bull Hardline Tasmania returns this weekend, with some of the rowdiest riders descending on Australia’s island state to compete in one of the world’s toughest downhill races.

The event is invite-only, with the biggest names in downhill, freeride and slopestyle battling it out on a huge purpose-built course in Maydena Bike Park.

One of those riders is Australian Troy Brosnan, whose Canyon Sender CFR is tricked out with unreleased SRAM and RockShox electronic components.

The bike looks to be a glimpse into the future, with electronic tech seeping into its suspension and shifting.

Let’s take a closer look.

Canyon Sender CFR

Brosnan is riding Canyon’s Sender CFR, the brand’s full-carbon fibre, high-pivot downhill bike.

Canyon has engineered adjustable geometry into the frame, with adjustable cups enabling Brosnan to fine-tune the reach of his bike by 8mm fore and aft.

Last year, we caught up with Brosnan’s bike in Lenzerheide, where he appeared to be experimenting with a different rear triangle featuring a bonded aluminium insert to enable stiffness adjustability.

It appears he’s still using this setup, with the rear brake mount looking oversized compared to the stock option.

RockShox Flight Attendant Boxxer

Brosnan has been using an unreleased RockShox Flight Attendant Boxxer fork and Vivid rear shock since the middle of last season. However, the fork no longer features the Blackbox label that indicates RockShox and SRAM prototypes, meaning we could see it on the shelves in the not-so-distant future.

The system looks similar to the brand’s current XC and enduro Flight Attendant range. However, we don’t know how it operates the damper.

Current systems use data collected by accelerometers to set the damper to Open, Pedal or Lock, depending on the surface or position of the bike.

With downhill riders rarely needing a lockout, we’re unclear as to when this option would be selected.

Other brands have been experimenting with electronic dampers, with Finn Iles teasing an Öhlins electric shock at the Les Gets UCI World Cup last year.

There’s a mystery bump at the bottom of the fork stanchion, labelled Linear XL, which could be a tiny supplementary air chamber that gives compressing air more space at the end of the stroke, reducing ramp-up.

SRAM DH AXS Transmission?

We spotted this derailleur on the bike last year, with only a thin piece of tape veiling the new groupset’s name.

With SRAM having given the rest of the mountain bike world electronic shifting, it seemed a matter of time before AXS would make its way to downhill racing.

It’s been 10 years since we’ve seen SRAM release a downhill groupset, with many riders still riding it to this day.

The electronic groupset carries over the design principles of Transmission, bolting directly onto the bike via a UDH.

It shares the battery placement of GX AXS Transmission, sitting within the bracket connecting it to the UDH mount, rather than hanging off the rear as seen on X0 AXS Transmission.

The range appears to be seven-speed, with the derailleur matching the new crankset’s design.

Brosnan is using an Ochain device at the centre of his bike to reduce pedal kickback. The brand was bought by SRAM last year and already looks neatly integrated into its design.

A US court has granted final approval of the settlement in the class action case over the Shimano Hollowtech II cranksets that were recalled in 2023. 

The preliminary settlement was agreed between the plaintiffs and Shimano in July 2025, and has now been approved by the court, Shimano said in a statement published yesterday.

The deal covers US owners of Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra cranksets manufactured before 2019, and sees Shimano extend its “express warranty” for bonding and delamination to 31 July 2027. 

Shimano will now distribute a magnifying device with enhanced lighting to every recall retailer “free of charge”, alongside a manual, and the retailers must “affirm that they have reviewed and will utilize all materials provided by Shimano related to the Inspections”. 

US riders affected by the recall can now submit reimbursement claims on Shimano’s dedicated website. 

The lawsuit was filed against Shimano, Specialized and Trek soon after Shimano issued the recall of more than 760,000 cranksets in North America and 2.8 million globally. 

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the recall applied to cranks sold over an 11-year period, from January 2012 through August 2023, after a reported 4,519 incidents of cranksets separating. According to the CPSC, the incidents resulted in six injuries, including bone fractures. 

BikeRadar first reported on Shimano road cranksets delaminating in 2020, but the 2023 recall was the first time Shimano acknowledged a widespread issue with its cranks.

Shimano’s statement, released yesterday and translated from Japanese, said: “The impact of this settlement on the Company’s future business performance is expected to be immaterial. Should timely disclosure become necessary in the future in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, we will promptly make the appropriate disclosure.” 

Zwift and Wahoo have just launched an “end of season” promotion on the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 smart trainer. The deeply discounted price is as low as it’s ever been, matching Black Friday pricing. If you’re in the market for a full-featured smart trainer at a great price, backed by industry-leading support… this is it.

Promo Pricing

• US $399.99 ($150 discount)
• EU €399.99 (€150 discount)
• UK £399.99 (£100 discount)

The deal begins today (February 5) and runs through March 1 on Zwift and Wahoo’s websites.

While Zwift only sells the KICKR CORE 2 with Zwift Cog and Click, Wahoo sells that version as well as a version with a standard cassette. Here are links to shop at Wahoo:

Price includes 1 free month of Zwift ($20 value) for new subscribers only, and you can purchase the trainer with either the Zwift Cog or a standard cassette.

Premium Features

Wahoo’s release of the CORE 2 in September 2025 shook up the smart trainer world, because the new CORE 2 maintains the affordability and reliability of the original CORE while adding three premium features:

• WiFi connectivity for fast, reliable connections and automatic firmware updates
• Race mode for near instantaneous response
• Bluetooth bridging of heart rate monitors, Zwift Click v2, and the controllers on the Zwift Ride (great for Apple TV users, learn more here)

Key Trainer Specs

• Max Wattage: 1800W
• Max Incline: 16%
• Max Decline: -10%
• Power Accuracy: +/-2%
• Connectivity: WiFi, ANT+ FEC, ANT+ Power, Bluetooth FTMS, and Zwift Protocol
• Cassette: sold with 11-speed cassette or Zwift Cog
• Supported Hubs: 130/135mm QR, 12×142, and 12×148 Thru Axle
• KICKR CLIMB compatible
• Weight: 30 lbs / 13.6 kg
• Dimensions: 23.5×20.5×18.5 in / 59.7×52×47 cm

Learn more about Zwift’s new Click v2 controllers here >

Questions or Comments?

Share below!

Rose has announced the Shave – its new aero road bike platform, said to marry the best aspects of aero race and endurance road bike design.

Claimed to be 4.7 per cent more aerodynamic and up to 10 per cent lighter than its predecessor, the XLite, Rose has created three distinct versions of the Shave.

The standard Shave blends the aerodynamic performance of an aero road bike with the comfort-oriented geometry of an endurance bike, while the Shave FF and its lightweight variant, the Shave FFX, feature longer, lower riding positions.

As is typical of Rose – a direct-to-consumer brand – the prices look excellent value on paper, starting at €3,600 for a build equipped with Shimano 105 Di2.

The range tops out at €8,500 for the flagship Shave FFX, which is claimed to weigh only 6.6kg, with SRAM Red AXS and carbon spoked-wheels.

AergoConcept

According to Rose, the key idea behind the new Shave platform is ‘AergoConcept’ – which it says combines the low drag of a modern race bike with the “ergonomic advantages” of endurance bike geometry.

Although somewhat rare, we’ve seen a few aero bikes lean into this philosophy.

Factor launched its new Monza race bike last year, for example, which featured a more ‘democratic’ fit geometry compared to its pro-level race bikes, the Ostro VAM and One.

Likewise, when Cervélo launched the first iteration of its S5 aero bike way back in 2011, it added 14mm of stack height to the front end compared to the outgoing S3 – the idea being that fewer racers would need to run spacers above the headset (and that uncompromising pros demanding slammed setups could simply run -17-degree stems).

Some riders are now theorising that high-stack riding positions – as seen commonly on time trial bikes in recent years – may even be faster than the slammed ones, too.

Nevertheless, the Rose Shave takes things further than either of those bikes. It has clearance for tyres up to 36mm wide and a setback seatpost that slackens the effective seatpost angle and helps shift the rider’s weight back, and off the front end of the bike.

It also gets a fully integrated carbon handlebar with flared drops, as featured on plenty of modern gravel bikes, and a layup designed to dampen vibrations without compromising stiffness.

Shave FF and FFX

While the standard Shave uses an endurance-style geometry, the Shave FF and FFX get a more traditional race-bike style geometry.

This means a lower stack height and longer reach to the handlebar, and a steep set tube angle of 74.5 degrees (paired with a zero-offset seatpost) to put the rider more forward and over the bottom bracket.

Tyre clearance is also capped at 35mm – 1mm less than the Shave.

The Shave FFX is pitched as the “most exclusive” version of the bike, with a premium construction focused on minimising weight.

Built using Torayca M40X high-modulus carbon fibre, Rose says the Shave FFX is “almost 10 per cent” lighter than its predecessor, the Xlite, and that a complete bike weighs only 6.6kg in a size medium without pedals – less than the UCI’s infamous minimum bike weight limit.

The Shave FF and FFX builds feature all-new wheelsets developed by Rose, with an aero-focused 55mm-deep and 33.5mm-wide rim up front, and a “narrower and tapered rear wheel” designed to reduce weight.

These wheels are paired with Schwalbe’s Pro One Aero tyres, which are claimed to produce around 20 per cent less drag than the brand’s Pro One TT tyres at 45kph.

On the Shave FF, the RC55 wheelset is built with alloy Sapim CX Ray spokes, but carbon spokes are used on the Shave FFX in order to cut weight and improve stiffness.

Overall, Rose claims its wind-tunnel testing showed the Shave FFX, paired with the new RC55 wheels and Schwalbe Pro One Aero tyres, produced 205 watts of aerodynamic drag at 45kph, compared to 215 watts for the Xlite with Rose RC60 wheels and Continental GP5000 tyres.

Rose Shave range and prices

The Rose Shave is available in four models, starting with a 105 Di2-equipped build costing €3,600 and rising to €5,200 for a build with SRAM Force AXS. All models in this range come with single-sided power meters installed.

The Shave FF and FFX are available in two models each, with Shimano Ultegra Di2 (€5,600) or SRAM Force AXS (€5,900) groupsets, and Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (€8,000) and SRAM Red AXS (€8,500) groupsets, respectively.

Shave FF builds also feature single-sided power meters, while FFX builds are upgraded to dual-sided models.

Hot on the heels of the news that it is re-entering the UK market for the first time since 2020, Rose also confirmed it plans to make the Shave platform available there, although the brand says it doesn’t yet have “a fixed date” for when this will happen.

Chris King turns 50 this year, and to mark the occasion, it recently introduced a new matt gold colourway for its lauded hubs, headsets and other components.

But the cycling company, which was founded in the backroom of a Santa Barbara bike shop, has kept the celebrations going with its new Gold Grease.

Gold Grease is said to reduce bearing drag and extend a bearing’s lifetime. It is also said to be more stable than the company’s other lubricants, which increases the time between servicing your hubs. 

The company’s president, Kirby Bedsaul, says: “Obviously, we put a lot of effort into making our components look good and last a long time, but at the end of the day, riders want components that perform, and that has always been one of our core tenets, too.”

The new lubricant is the result of an extended testing period, where Chris King tested several options. It found Gold Grease made hubs faster straight away and then enabled them to get faster over time, presumably as the lubricant disperses and the ball bearings settle into their races. 

Chris King says its Gold Grease produces 25 per cent less drag right out of the box compared to its Silver Grease, which is now discontinued. King also says the new lubricant produces 16 per cent less drag after 1,000 miles versus the Silver Grease, and 18 per cent less drag than when it is first used. 

“With hubs, but really with all components that use bearings, you’re looking at two characteristics, drag and durability. Gold Grease gives us a huge advantage in reducing drag, which is really about gaining speed,” Bedsaul says. 

Chris King may have moved from Santa Barbara to its current home in Portland, Oregon, but the company’s mission remains remarkably close 50 years later: to create long-lasting, high-performance components for your bike. Gold Grease appears to further that mission. 

“It’s funny to get so excited about grease, but honestly, these are the details that make all the difference,” says Bedsaul.

Chris King’s Gold Grease is priced at $15 (25g) or $29 (100g).

While we’re crossing our fingers and hoping the worst of winter is behind us, indoor training is still where many of us are getting our cycling fix.

Indoor training is the best way to keep your fitness journey on track through the winter months, and with modern smart trainers, it doesn’t have to be a bore.

If you’re yet to jump into the world of indoor training, or are in the market for something new, be sure to take advantage of Zwift’s February promotion.

The deal sees huge savings of £100 / $150 / €150 on Wahoo’s Kickr Core V2, and starts on 5 February, lasting until 1 March.

Better still, this package bundles in the Zwift Cog and Click, offering out-of-the-box virtual shifting and hassle-free setup.

Zwift says this is the last time the deal will be on offer this indoor cycling season, so don’t miss it!

• UK: Buy the Wahoo Kickr Core V2 for £399.99
• US: Buy the Wahoo Kickr Core V2 for $399.99
• Europe: Buy the Wahoo Kickr Core V2 for €399.99

Wahoo Kickr Core V2 with Zwift Cog and Click – £399.99 / $399.99 / €399.99

The original Kickr Core quickly became a benchmark in the smart-trainer boom, delivering a great ride experience, reliable accuracy and sturdy construction without a premium price tag.

Its successor, released earlier this year, stays true to that formula, while adding modern connectivity upgrades and refining its performance even further.

When our indoor cycling specialist, Simon von Bromley, reviewed the Kickr Core 2, he awarded it a 4.5-star rating, praising its build quality and usability.

The trainer is available to consumers in the UK, US and EU for £399.99 / $399.99 / €399.99.

• UK: Buy the Wahoo Kickr Core V2 for £399.99
• US: Buy the Wahoo Kickr Core V2 for $399.99
• Europe: Buy the Wahoo Kickr Core V2 for €399.99

The sixth and final race of Zwift Racing League 2025/26 Round 3 happens Tuesday, February 10, and we’re in London for a scratch race.

If you’re on an A or B team, you’ll be racing two laps of the classic London Loop, and this guide is for you. C and D teams will be on Greatest London Loop (click here for that race guide).

There’s much to discuss, including crucial course segments, powerup usage, bike decisions, and strategic options. Let’s go!

Looking at the Route

The London Loop is 14.9km long with 231m of elevation gained per lap. A and B teams will be racing two laps of the course for a total of 30.4km and 466m of elevation. Here’s the lap profile:

Clearly, there’s one big feature on this route: Box Hill! This is where the big selections will happen each lap.

Official stats for the leaderboard segment indicate it’s 3km long, with an average gradient of 4%, but that doesn’t tell the whole story, since the leaderboard segment doesn’t line up perfectly with the start and finish of the climb.

Box Hill is a fairly steady 2.7km grade, but the final 300-400 meters of the segment are flat or even slightly downhill, throwing off the stats. The steepest part of the climb, where the pack quickly stretches and elastic snaps, is on the early long stretch before the left hairpin. This section averages 7-8%, and most of the climbing apart from that is around 5%.

There are three kickers on the circuit that deserve a mention as well:

The first, Northumberland Avenue, comes early on as you turn right from the Thames and head up to Trafalgar Square. This is the first climb more than a few seconds long on the route, so expect the effort level to lift for ~30 seconds, even though big attacks probably won’t come in earnest.

The Box Hill Kicker comes just a few hundred meters after you ride through the Box Hill KOM banner. This one is short, but steep, and everyone’s legs are a big knackered. Pro tip: hit it hard and push across the top, and you can often close big gaps to riders ahead.

After the long descent (expect everyone to take a big rest here), you’ll enter the Underground tunnel and soon enough hit the plywood-covered ramp back into the London sunshine. At 14%, this is the steepest climb of your race. But it’s short! You’ll want to enter it fast, and keep your power high up and over the top.

From the top of the Underground ramp, you’ve got 1.6km to the finish line. Things often get cagey as riders cross Tower Bridge, and the final meters are slightly downhill and fast. It will take just the right mix of timing and strong legs to cross the line victorious. Good luck!

Read more about the London Loop route >

Powerups

Specific powerups will be given at each arch: the feather at the lap banner, and the anvil at the Box Hill KOM banner. That means you’ll get two of each.

Lightweight (feather): reduces your weight by 10% for 30 seconds.
Use on climbs, when weight matters the most. This is best saved for Box Hill, particularly on the lower slope where the pace will be high and the gradient is steepest.

Anvil: makes you heavier for up to 15 seconds, so you can descend faster. It won’t hurt you, as it only adds weight when the road is at a -1.5% decline or greater.
Use this when descending the backside of Box Hill to make it even easier to sit in.

Bike Recommendations

This race’s big Box Hill climb definitely makes me steer away from pure aero setups and look at climbing bikes and all-arounders instead. Because while a more aero setup has a pure time advantage on laps of the full course, that time advantage evaporates if you get dropped on Box Hill!

My recommendation, then, is to use the new ENVE SES 4.5 PRO or DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 65 wheels paired with one of these bikes:

• S-Works Tarmac SL8
• Cannondale SuperSix EVO LAB71
• Pinarello Dogma F 2024
• Canyon Aeroad 2024
• Specialized Aethos

Of course, your frame’s upgrade status should impact your decision. A fully upgraded Aethos will outclimb the other four frames, but that’s not the case when comparing un-upgraded versions.

Related: All About Zwift’s New “Bike Upgrades” Functionality >

See Speed Tests: Tron Bike vs Top Performers for more nerd-level detail on frame and wheel performance.

More Route Recons

Lots of recon events are scheduled on upcoming ZRL routes, led by various teams. See upcoming ZRL recons for this race at zwift.com/events/tag/zrlrecon.

Additionally, riders in the Zwift community do a great job every week creating recon videos that preview the courses and offer tips to help you perform your best on the day. Here are the recons I’ve found (comment if you find another!)

John Rice

J Dirom

Strategic Options

I predict riders will fall into three groups:

• Climbers: Lighter riders who can sustain high W/kg will surf wheels on the flats, then light it up on Box Hill. Your goal: drop puncheurs/sprinters who have the pure watts to beat you in a pack finish.
• Puncheurs: If your VO2 power lets you compete on Box Hill-length climbs, but you’ve also got some pure sprint watts, you are in the sweet spot to win this race. Pure climbers may try to rip your legs off on the KOMs, but if you can survive, you can roll them in the end.
• Everyone Else: If you’re a pure sprinter, or simply a rider with lower fitness than most in the category, you’re going to struggle in this race, particularly up Box Hill. Your best bet is to pace yourself well on Box Hill, ride smart to bridge up to riders ahead, and simply finish as high in the list as possible. Remember: every point counts!

Your Thoughts

Any insights or further thoughts on this race? Share below!

The sixth and final race of Zwift Racing League 2025/26 Round 3 happens Tuesday, February 10, and we’re in London for a scratch race.

If you’re on a C or D team, you’ll be racing one lap of Greatest London Loop, and this guide is for you. A and B teams will be on two laps of London Loop (click here for that race guide).

There’s much to discuss, including crucial course segments, powerup usage, bike decisions, and strategic options. Let’s go!

Looking at the Route

The Greatest London Loop is 26.2km long with 360m of elevation gain. Here’s the course profile:

Clearly, there’s one big feature on this route: Leith Hill! This is where the big selection will happen. Don’t be fooled by the KOM leaderboard segment highlighted above, since it’s just a portion of what you’ll be climbing, and this is a scratch race, not a points race.

The actual climb is 6km long, with 252m of elevation gain, and the final 2km is the steepest part. Click to see the Veloviewer profile below in 2D to get a really good picture of how this climb lays out:

Here’s the Strava segment for the full Leith Hill climb, so you can analyze it further. It’s a long climb – the longest we’ll race in this round. Plan on 16 minutes minimum, but probably closer to 20 minutes for many C/D riders. It roughly breaks into four sections:

• First 1km: Quite flat and early, so I wouldn’t expect any big moves.
• 1-1.5km: Steep bit starts off the climbing in earnest. The pack will stretch here.
• 1.5-4.5km: Flatter, longer middle section. Sit in the wheels and draft here if you want to conserve energy for the final big kick.
• 4.5-6km: The pièce de résistance, averaging 8.3%. This is where the leading selection of riders will be finalized!

There are two small kickers on the circuit that deserve a mention as well. They may look small on the profile since they’re dwarfed by Leith Hill, but trust me – you’ll notice them in the race:

The first, Northumberland Avenue, comes early on as you turn right from the Thames and head up to Trafalgar Square. This is the first climb more than a few seconds long on the route, so expect the effort level to lift significantly for ~30 seconds, even though riders will be saving their big attack for Leith Hill up the road.

After the long descent from the top of Leith Hill (expect everyone to take a big rest here), you’ll enter the Underground tunnel and quickly hit the plywood-covered ramp back into the London sunshine. At 14%, this is the steepest climb of your race. But it’s short! You’ll want to enter it fast and keep your power high up and over the top.

From the top of the Underground ramp, you’ve got 1.6km to the finish line. Things often get cagey as riders cross Tower Bridge, and the final meters are slightly downhill and fast. It will take just the right mix of timing and strong legs to cross the line victorious. Good luck!

Read more about the Greatest London Loop route >

Powerups

Specific powerups will be given at each arch: the feather at the lap banner, and the anvil at the Leith Hill KOM banner.

Lightweight (feather): reduces your weight by 10% for 30 seconds.
Use on climbs, when weight matters the most. This is best saved for Leith Hill, particularly on the final section where the gradient is steepest and legs are burning.

Anvil: makes you heavier for up to 15 seconds, so you can descend faster. It won’t hurt you, as it only adds weight when the road is at a -1.5% decline or greater.
Use this when descending the backside of Leith Hill to make it even easier to sit in.

Bike Recommendations

This race’s decisive and long climb definitely makes me steer away from pure aero setups and look at climbing bikes and all-arounders instead. While a more aero setup has a pure time advantage on laps of the full course, that time advantage evaporates if you get dropped on Leith Hill!

My recommendation, then, is to use the new ENVE SES 4.5 PRO or DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 65 wheels paired with one of these bikes:

• Specialized Aethos
• S-Works Tarmac SL8
• Cannondale SuperSix EVO LAB71
• Pinarello Dogma F 2024
• Canyon Aeroad 2024

Of course, your frame’s upgrade status should impact your decision. A fully upgraded Aethos will outclimb the other four frames, but that’s not the case when comparing un-upgraded versions.

Related: All About Zwift’s New “Bike Upgrades” Functionality >

See Speed Tests: Tron Bike vs Top Performers for more nerd-level detail on frame and wheel performance.

More Route Recons

Lots of recon events are scheduled on upcoming ZRL routes, led by various teams. See upcoming ZRL recons for this race at zwift.com/events/tag/zrlrecon.

Additionally, riders in the Zwift community do a great job every week creating recon videos that preview the courses and offer tips to help you perform your best on the day. Here are the recons I’ve found (comment if you find another!)

John Rice

J Dirom

Strategic Options

I predict riders will fall into three groups:

• Climbers: Lighter riders who can sustain high W/kg will surf wheels on the flats, then light it up on Leith Hill. Your goal: drop puncheurs/sprinters who have the pure watts to beat you in a pack finish.
• Puncheurs: You will struggle on Leith Hill thanks to the climb’s length, but if you can hold on, you’ll stand a good chance of finishing well. For you, surviving Leith Hill may require a combination of riding smart and praying the climbers don’t push the pace too high.
• Everyone Else: If you’re a pure sprinter, or simply a rider with lower fitness than most in the category, you’re going to struggle in this race, particularly up Leith Hill. Your best bet is to pace yourself well on Leith Hill, ride smart to bridge up to riders ahead on flats and descents, and simply finish as high in the list as possible. Remember: every point counts!

Your Thoughts

Any insights or further thoughts on this race? Share below!

It has been a tricky few months for Campagnolo. Il Gazzentino reported in November that the Italian brand was preparing to cut more than 100 jobs at its Vicenza headquarters, as part of a restructuring plan, after it had incurred losses exceeding €24 million. 

Campagnolo responded quickly, stating the strategy it had presented to trade unions was “a highly structured plan, the result of months of work… with possible positive developments”. However, it acknowledged a reduction in staff was “expected at this stage”. 

But in a statement released yesterday, Campagnolo said it had reached an agreement with “trade unions and social partners” in December that avoids redundancies.

“Seventy-seven percent of employees expressed their support. This agreement led to the signing of a solidarity contract and clearly ruled out any form of layoffs. The process was completed before Christmas, allowing the company to enter the new year with greater stability and a strong sense of responsibility,” Campagnolo said in its statement.

This will be welcome news to FIOM Vicenza, the branch of the Italian Federation of Metalworkers for Vicenza. The trade union said in November that its analysis of Campagnolo’s financial situation was not as disastrous as the company implied and said layoffs could not be the only option.  

But Campagnolo’s statement still addressed the scale of change required. “The company is undergoing a deep internal reorganization that affects both its structure and the way it works. The goal is to simplify, reduce decision-making layers, speed up processes, and give space to the young talents who are already part of the organization. This is not a cosmetic change,” it read.

Campagnolo said these changes are necessary to meet the demands of today’s market. While it didn’t divulge the specific demands, many cycling companies are struggling after a chaotic and challenging five years. 

The Covid cycling boom prompted many companies to over-order, followed by a period of excessive inventory and discounting, issues in the supply chain and subdued economic forecasts – not forgetting geopolitical pressures and US tariffs. 

These conditions led Canyon to lay off 320 staff in Koblenz and Amsterdam last month, following redundancies last year in the USA. There were also layoffs at Trek in January due to similar pressures, according to Escape Collective.

But, despite a tricky market, Campagnolo said it is seeing “encouraging” signals. “The new 13-speed platform is delivering very positive results, both in terms of sales and customer satisfaction. The market has recognized a real shift in pace: technology, precision, speed, and reliability that make this drivetrain truly unique,” it said. 

BikeRadar’s Warren Rossiter argued that Campagnolo’s woes are partly its own making, because of how the company positioned itself as a ‘high-end brand’, neglecting the lower end of the market. 

Campagnolo’s statement from yesterday suggests this is an issue of which the luxury brand is aware – and one it intends to address. 

It says the technology developed through its 13-speed Campagnolo Record groupset, launched in June 2025, will be introduced at lower price points. 

“This is a key step in strengthening Campagnolo’s presence in the market and in bringing our products back onto the bikes of the world’s leading manufacturers,” Campagnolo said, adding that “Many other important developments will be unveiled over the course of the year.”

“We continue to build the future of cycling with genuine passion, respect for our history, and a clear focus on what lies ahead. Not only for business, but for love of this sport,” Campagnolo’s statement concluded. 

• Read more: The road ahead is rocky for Campagnolo but Super Record 13 proves it’s still fighting

Some races are lost on the climb.
Others on the descent.
Mine was lost at the front door — with a baby monitor as co-pilot.

The setting was perfect. Racing with Team NL Cloud 9 Thunder in a Ladder race against my former teammates from Wahoo Esports, on Cobbled Climbs. Short, sharp efforts. Repeated accelerations. Chaos with intent. Exactly my kind of race. Exactly the terrain where I was determined to show my old mates nothing but my rear wheel.

But the first real battle had already started long before the start pen.

My youngest son was sick. High fever. Unsettled. Inconsolable. With my wife due home late, I had stationed a baby monitor right next to my Zwift setup. As I clipped in, I silently negotiated with fate: please no blue crying lights during the race. Just let me get through this one.

To prevent my two boys from repeatedly checking whether their mother had arrived yet, I made what would later turn out to be a catastrophic tactical decision: I locked the front door from the inside, using the hook.

Ten minutes before the race, the house finally went quiet. I started with cold legs and a fatigued mind, skipping any real warmup. Not ideal — but manageable.

At the start line, another complication. One rider from our team was missing. Confusion, quick chat, and then a decision: we would race four versus four anyway. Whether Wahoo Esports was also short a rider or simply chose sportsmanship, I honestly don’t know — but the race was on.

The first lap hurt, as expected. Then the legs woke up. The rhythm settled. The repeated surges began to feel controlled rather than desperate. The group thinned, the pace sharpened, and I found myself exactly where I wanted to be — in the front selection, feeling stronger with every acceleration.

That’s when I heard it.
Not the baby monitor.
The front door.
Loud knocking.
My wife was home.
And locked out.

I unclipped mid-race and sprinted across the house in cycling shoes. Door open. Quick explanation. Door closed again. A full anaerobic effort back to the bike. Back on. Straight into damage-control mode.

By sheer adrenaline and stubbornness, I managed to claw my way back to the front group just before the next climb. Heart rate pinned. Legs already flooded. Zero margin left.

The elastic snapped immediately.

As the group surged uphill, I had nothing. No kick. No response. Just the slow, inevitable slide backward as the watts refused to come back. The climb didn’t beat me — domestic logistics did.

The race wasn’t lost on Cobbled Climbs.
It wasn’t lost tactically.
It was lost in cycling shoes somewhere between the Zwift setup and the front door.

Lesson learned: always recon the course —
and always, always unlock the house.

Garmin has released the Varia RearVue 820, featuring increased visibility and vehicle detection.

The rearview radar bike light is the brand’s brightest model yet, claiming visibility up to 2km and boasting a wider field of view.

The brand says the new radar can track vehicles up to 175m away and now features advanced vehicle tracking that detects a vehicle’s size and side-to-side movement, and categorises threat levels as it approaches.

The Varia RearVue 820 is priced at £239.99 / $299.99 / €279.99

• Read more: I tested two leading rearview radar lights – and the winner offers better performance for less money

Brighter and broader

Garmin says the new Varia RearVue 820 increases visibility to 2km, with Day Flash rising to 100 lumens from 63 lumens on the Varia RTL515.

The light continues to have four running modes: Solid, Peloton, Night Flash and Day Flash, with a separate radar-only option.

Battery life ranges from 10 hours in Solid beam mode to 24 hours in Day Flash, with radar-only lasting 30 hours.

The unit also operates as a brake light when it senses you slowing or stopping, alerting other road users of your presence.

You can also create custom light patterns in the Varia app based on the needs of your ride, including brightness level and duration of flash.

Garmin says the radar has its widest field of view at 60 degrees – 10 degrees more than the Varia RTL515 and has increased detection range by 35m, up to 175m.

The new radar also features Same Speed Tracking, notifying riders about vehicles that are following behind at the same speed or are waiting to pass.

As well as connecting to supported bike computers, the Varia RearVue 820 also connects to Garmin smartwatches, which can give voice alerts for approaching vehicles.

The device charges by USB-C, an upgrade over the Micro-USB on the Varia RTL515, and comes with a new seatpost mount.

See zwiftinsider.com/route/cobbled-crown/

I’ve spent three years testing the best headphones for cycling and running – and while the Shokz OpenFit 2+ won the overall award, Huawei’s FreeArcs ran them very close. Now that Huawei’s buds are reduced to a mere £49 – £120 less than the Shokz RRP – they’re the ones I’d buy.

The design of the FreeArcs is almost identical to the OpenFit 2+, with both sets of buds featuring supple nickel-titanium ear hooks coated in soft silicone to ensure they stay put and remain comfortable when you’re on the bike. 

The Huawei buds have an IP57 waterproof rating, which is superior to the IP55 of the OpenFits, although battery life is seven hours compared to the 10 offered by Shokz. 

• Read more: Best headphones for cycling in 2026 – plus our buyer’s guide to cycling headphones

Widescreen presentation and clarity

Having tested most of the leading headphones and buds designed for running and cycling, I’m now rotating between the Shokz and Huawei designs while training for my next half-marathon.

I tested the FreeArcs on a variety of outdoor runs, treadmill sessions and while commuting to work, and the sound quality was balanced, engaging and detailed, standing up well to wind noise.

I found the “widescreen presentation and clarity“ and separation of instruments to be right up there with the best headphones for cycling. The OpenFits offer a slightly more powerful bass response, but with the price difference now up to £130 if you buy direct from Huawei, I’d be more likely to opt for the FreeArcs. 

Most importantly, like the highly similar OpenFits, Huawei’s buds are an open-ear design, ensuring your ear canals are not obstructed and you can maintain awareness of traffic and other ambient noise while you’re cycling.

• Buy the Huawei FreeArc buds for £59 direct from Huawei

SQUIRREL_13717377

If you’ve been struggling to connect your Garmin smartwatch to the Garmin Connect app, you’re not alone. 

The latest software update to Garmin Connect has disconnected many users’ smartwatches from the app and left them unable to sync their activities and data. 

Users began reporting the issue last week following the release of the 5.21 updates. The problems seem to affect iOS users only, while Android users can use Connect as normal. 

Garmin said it is aware of the issue with Garmin Connect for some iOS users, and that the issue was resolved with the later 5.21.1 update. But the GPS giant provided three steps to follow if your device is still disconnected from its health and fitness app. 

How to reconnect your Garmin device with your phone

Garmin advised that you should first remove your device from your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth settings. In your Bluetooth settings, you must locate your Garmin device and then select ‘Forget This Device’, before toggling Bluetooth on and off and then powering off your iOS device and Garmin. 

You should then put your Garmin device into pairing mode via its settings before adding the device to the Garmin Connect App. 

Garmin said that if you are still unable to pair your devices you should:

• Uninstall all Garmin apps on your phone, such as Garmin Connect, Garmin Messenger and Garmin Connect IQ
• Restart the Phone 
• Restart the Garmin device 
• Confirm your iPhone software is up to date
• Reinstall only the Garmin Connect App
• Attempt the pairing process again

Problems are persisting for some users

Despite Garmin’s advice on how to re-pair your watch and iOS device, some users said in the Garmin forum that they were unable to establish a connection again.

Garmin followed up with a further update on 2 February to address the issue for those who were unable to re-pair their devices.

Users continued to express their frustration on the Garmin forum. One said their device has repeatedly disconnected since the issue started. “At this stage I’m considering switching to a different brand,” they wrote.

Another user described the issue as “Extremely frustrating when other users have been able to fix following the suggested steps”. 

Have you had an issue trying to re-pair your Garmin device? Is the issue persisting? Let us know in the comments.

As we make our way through the long winter months, it may be hard to stay motivated to ride indoors on Zwift. This week’s top video covers tips and tricks for staying entertained on Zwift!

We’ve also included videos about the best budget fans for Zwift, racing as a lightweight rider, Zwift update v1.06, and a gamer’s guide to Zwift.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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

Specialized has issued a stop-ride notice on all of its Turbo Como SL models after identifying a potential issue with the forks.

The brand says the steerer tube on affected models may develop a small fatigue crack, which could lead to a progressive failure of the fork, posing a fall hazard.

All Turbo Como SL bikes sold from 2021 onwards are affected, including all Turbo Como SL 4.0 and 5.0 bikes, with belt or chain drives.

Specialized says the ‘Como SL’ marking typically appears as a small, subtle graphic on the top tube or back of the seat tube. 

Other Como bikes without the ‘SL’ designation are not affected.

The brand says owners should stop riding the bikes immediately, warn new owners and await an update to its recall page.

As of last month, it said it would be several weeks before there are details of an approved rework plan.

The list of affected SKUs is here.