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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not a clincher, not hookless

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

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

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

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

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

New lighter and simpler hubs

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

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

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

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

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

Tool-less maintenance

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

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

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

The range

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Custom looks

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

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

Cardio Crusher Workouts

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

Heat Check Workouts

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

Joining a Challenge

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

Mini challenges are typically available for 3 months.

Challenge Rewards

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

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

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

The best women’s cycling jerseys are a ticket to comfort and convenience on the bike, with easy-access pockets, aerodynamic fit and good ventilation.

We’ve put a selection of women’s jerseys to the test to find out which will serve you best, whether you’re racing, bikepacking or extending your commute.

You can also jump to the end of this article to read our buyer’s guide to women’s cycling jerseys, which explains what to look for in a jersey, the different types and what to wear them with.

Editor’s note: this list was updated on 9 June 2025 with information on how we test women’s cycling jerseys as well as why you can trust BikeRadar.

Best women’s cycling jerseys in 2025

Gore Distance Jersey

SQUIRREL_TEXT_13214275

• £120 as tested
• Sizes: EU 34-42
• Weight: 121g (Size XS/36)
• Pros: Longer sleeves with raw-cut cuffs; effective grippers; spacious pockets; feels amazing
• Cons: Not cheap

The Gore Distance Jersey is expensive, but arguably worth it. Every aspect of this exceptional jersey is design is well thought out.

The jersey features an ergonomically shaped neck, with a much more subtle take on a traditional collar.

There are long sleeves with raw-cut hems, contributing to a modern and clean look.

Available in block single colours, the material is a polyamide/elastane mix, incorporating recycled content.

The construction is flattering and allows for a super-comfortable fit. Attention to detail is exceptional – the secure zipper pocket has a rubberised grip, which makes it easy to access even when riding.

The reflective details are classy, too. The substantial reflective strip underneath the back pockets worked brilliantly when cycling.

The rear pockets give ample capacity for a day’s worth of snacks.

SQUIRREL_13214275

Gore Spinshift Breathe Jersey Women’s

• £109.99 / €109.95 as tested
• Sizes: EU36-44
• Weight: 97g (XS)
• Pros: Flattering fit, beautiful colours, lightweight
• Cons: Flimsy feeling main zip, mesh fabrics may not be the most durable

The Gore Spinshift Breathe Jersey Women’s is superlight, fits well and is hard to fault despite its premium price tag. 

If our tester had to choose one jersey for a summer bike tour, it would be this one. 

Soft and stretchy fabrics offer good ventilation while remaining reasonably opaque as you sweat. 

At the back, the pockets are generously sized and well-designed with reflective details on either side. There is a smaller zipped pocket for valuables. 

However, the main zip and some of the mesh fabric feels a little flimsy.

Le Col Women’s Sport Jersey

SQUIRREL_TEXT_13214286

• £105 as tested
• Sizes: XS-XL
• Weight: 93g (Size S)
• Pros: Lightweight fabric; waterproof secure pocket
• Cons: Baggier fit; minimal reflective details

The Le Col Women’s Sport Jersey is designed to be your go-to training jersey. In testing, it provided excellent comfort and a soft touch.

The jersey is constructed from a stretch-knit polyester, resulting in a soft, less compressive jersey with a slightly matt finish. Our tester found the fabric to be breathable on warm days and when working harder.

There are three rear pockets, with a fourth secure zipped pocket that’s waterproof.

A silicone hem gripper sits on the rear, and the sleeves are cuffed without any form of gripper.

The sleeves are on the shorter side, positioned slightly higher up than most jerseys, but still comfortable.

The relaxed fit meant the material bunched a little over our tester’s chest.

Being very lightweight, though, it was fast to dry out after being rained on, and wicked sweat away effectively.

SQUIRREL_13214286

Santini Colore Riga Jersey

SQUIRREL_TEXT_13092953

• £90 as tested
• Sizes: XXS-XXXL
• Weight: 101g (Size M)
• Pros: Gorgeous colours and pattern; comfortable relaxed fit; breathable
• Cons: Missing a zipped pocket; reflective details minimal

The Santini Colore Riga is a dreamy summer jersey with materials that ooze quality.

The design aims for a “second skin weightless feel” and a flattering fit, in beautiful colours with a subtly striped top panel.

The raw-cut sleeve cuffs are soft and keep the sleeves neatly in place.

The fabric itself is lightweight and felt breathable even on hotter rides, which was helped by the relaxed cut.

Santini’s kit has a reputation for running small. However, our tester found this jersey to run big, which hopefully means the size range will cater for a broader range of cyclists – up to around UK18-20.

The Santini Colore Riga jersey achieves near perfection – it’s just a shame it lacks a zipped pocket for valuables.

SQUIRREL_13092953

Altura Icon Plus SS Jersey

SQUIRREL_TEXT_13083268

• £70 as tested
• Sizes: 8-18
• Weight: 170g (Size 10)
• Pros: Great reflective details; large pockets; nice zip toggles; flattering fit
• Cons: Over-enthusiastic sleeve grippers; back gripper could be better; main fabric a little heavy

The Altura Icon Plus SS jersey is constructed from a soft ‘streamlined’ body and recycled mesh panels, with a classy pattern and attractive colourway.

The fit is flattering and comfortable with the longer-cut sleeves and well-fitting panels.

The reflective details are subtle in daylight but highly effective at night, offering a good boost to visibility.

The zip toggles are substantial and grippy without being clunky, allowing for easy access and adjustment when riding.

The grippers could be improved. The sleeves gripped a little over-enthusiastically, leaving behind indents on our tester’s skin, and the back gripper struggled to keep the jersey in place when the spacious rear pockets were full.

The main fabric is a little heavier than most comparable summer jerseys, making it slightly warm to ride in at times.

The Icon Plus SS jersey is ultimately a great summer jersey that punches above its price.

SQUIRREL_13083268

Sportful Light Pro W Jersey

• £110  / $140 / €99.90 as tested
• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Weight: 100g (M)
• Pros: Highly flexible pockets; lightweight; aesthetically pleasing
• Cons: No secure pocket

The Sportful Light Pro W Jersey wicks sweat and dries quickly, making it an excellent choice for riding in the heat. 

Lightweight, super stretchy and incredibly comfortable, the Light Pro W has laser-cut sleeves which sit gently on the skin. 

The jersey body is longer than some other brands and it didn’t ride up on our tester. 

The pockets are generous and expand to fit larger items (including up to four bananas). But there’s no zipped compartment. 

Also consider…

The following jerseys scored fewer than four out of five stars, so we haven’t included them in our main list. However, you may find they tick the right boxes for you.

Rapha Women’s Pro Team Training Jersey

• £110 / $145 /  €130 / AU$180 as tested
• Sizes: XXS-XL
• Weight: 106g (S)
• Pros: Soft supple fabrics; flattering cut; robust zips; comfortable sleeves
• Cons: Shows sweat (at least in the blue colourway); short in the body; small pockets

The Rapha Women’s Pro Team Training Jersey is a good summer jersey, let down by a tendency to show sweat in the blue colour we tested.

On the plus side, it has a subtle and comfortable low-profile neckline, close-fitting cut, and soft stretchy fabrics. There are three small rear pockets and one zipped pocket. 

The relatively long sleeves have comfortable sewn ends which stay put. 

But the jersey is quite short in the body and the gripper only covers the rear half. This led to it riding up at times.

Specialized Women’s Prime Short Sleeved Jersey 

• £100 / $170 / €140 as tested
• Sizes: XS-XL
• Weight: 114g (S)
• Pros: Classy colour palette; elegant fit; comfortable
• Cons: Readily shows sweat (in terracotta)

The Specialized Women’s Prime Short Sleeved Jersey is great, but hindered by how much it shows sweat (in the terracotta colour we tested). 

Wearing a sports bra underneath highlighted the issue further giving a two-tone appearance with colour changes above and below boob level. 

But that aside, there’s a lot to love. The fit is flattering, the material is smooth and supple and the Terracotta colour on test was rich and gorgeous. 

The rear pockets are sufficiently roomy and one has a small reflective logo. The secure, zipped pocket uses the same robust zip as on the front of the jersey. 

Sportful Kelly Thermal Jersey

SQUIRREL_TEXT_13214288

• £85 as tested
• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Pros: Bright colours; comfortable; tapered wrist cuffs
• Cons: Zip lets cold air in; no secure pocket; few reflective details

The Sportful Kelly Thermal Jersey is a solid if not spectacular jersey designed for riding in cool weather.

It uses a combination of brushed fleece and lighter textured panels, focusing warmth around the core while enabling excess heat and moisture to escape.

The jersey performs well and was warm enough with a short-sleeve baselayer to ride in temperatures around 9˚C.

The tapered cuffs are close-fitting and sit comfortably under gloves to keep warm air in. Unfortunately, the front zip is draughty.

While this jersey does a lot of things well, it falls short in several areas. A zipper pocket for valuables would be nice and so would more reflective details.

• Read our full Sportful Kelly Thermal Jersey review

SQUIRREL_13214288

How we test women’s cycling jerseys

We test women’s cycling jerseys over long durations to see how they hold up to the rigours of real life.

The jerseys are worn on a variety of road and gravel rides to evaluate their performance across the board.

Ultimately, our women’s cycling jersey reviews are based on the following criteria:

• Comfort – how does the material feel? Is it well-fitting?
• Breathability – does the jersey vent well and will it keep you cool on hot rides?
• Practicality – are the pockets a useful size and are there any extra features?
• Price – does the jersey represent good value for money?

Why you can trust BikeRadar

BikeRadar has been an authority on bikes and cycling tech since its inception in 2007, delivering the world’s best riding advice.

We have experts testing all types of bikes, parts, clothing and accessories, from road, mountain and gravel bikes to commuting, bikepacking and electric bikes. 

Our reviews are always editorially independent – with no exceptions. Our reviewers comprehensively test all products in the real world, always reflecting on performance, value and the wider market when delivering their verdicts and review ratings.

We have more than 15,000 product reviews available at your fingertips, as well as expert buying, maintenance, training, skills, health and fitness advice. 

Our annual Bike of the Year test is an industry benchmark and the BikeRadar team consists of some of the most experienced riders and testers in the business.

Buyer’s guide to women’s cycling jerseys

A cycling jersey is one of the first items you’ll want to invest in when starting out, possibly only second to a pair of the best cycling shorts.

An abundance of options exist and the choice can be somewhat overwhelming, but our guide will help you pick out the right jersey for you.

How should a cycling jersey fit?

A cycling jersey should be comfortably close-fitting without being baggy or loose. It should gently hug you, and any zips or seams – especially around the neck or under the arms – should not dig in.

Length-wise, a cycling jersey should overlap a little with the top of your shorts. Too short and you risk bare patches when cycling, too long and the jersey will bunch and roll up.

The pockets should sit at a suitable height for you to access when riding, with an opening that’s large enough to get your hand inside easily.

Note that sizing can vary substantially between brands, and some can be much longer in the body than others, so it’s always worth checking the brand-specific size guide if ordering online, or trying the kit on in person.

What to look for in a women’s cycling jersey

Besides fit, there are several key features to consider when choosing a cycling jersey.

Materials

Most cycling jerseys will be a blend of synthetic materials, creating a soft stretchy fabric. They are commonly a polyamide/elastane blend. These jerseys are often lightweight and quick-drying.

Alternatively, Merino wool or Merino blend jerseys exist. These utilise Merino wool’s natural antibacterial and insulating properties.

Summer jerseys will often be constructed from lightweight synthetic fabrics and may feature mesh panels to maximise ventilation. Meanwhile, winter jerseys are long-sleeved and often fleece-lined for warmth.

Zips

Most modern jerseys are designed with a full-length front zip for ease of changing. Many of the best women’s cycling jerseys include ‘housing’ for the zip at the neckline and a protective backing for it, both helping to prevent chafing.

Pockets

Rear pockets are a key feature of cycling jerseys and one of the major advantages of a jersey over a T-shirt.

The ideal pocket is stretchy, with some form of band across the top to prevent items escaping when riding.

Many jerseys also include a secure zipped pocket or waterproof zipped pocket for valuable items such as keys or electricals, which you don’t want to lose in the process of retrieving your waterproof jacket or any snacks.

Grippers

Grippers are bands of tighter material, or stickier substances (often silicone), which help to keep parts of the jersey in place.

Grippers are common on jersey sleeves, and around the bottom of the garment to stop the jersey from riding up.

The gripper should give a firm hold, without irritating your skin.

Sleeves

Sleeves come in a variety of lengths and whichever length you choose is largely personal preference, although aero jerseys will generally have longer-cut sleeves made from aerodynamic fabric.

The sleeve hem should stay in place neatly without cutting into your skin. If the hem gives your arm a ‘waist’, it’s too tight.

Laser-cut sleeves don’t have a hem and often remove the need for grippers. These can be very comfortable.

What type of cycling jersey do you need?

There seems to be a type of jersey for every niche in cycling, from race jerseys to gravel jerseys.

Be reassured that most jerseys work for most disciplines, and you won’t be disadvantaged wearing a ‘training’ jersey to a race, or a road jersey on gravel.

The main decision-making factor will be the climate you’re riding in. This determines the need for a summer/lightweight jersey, a midweight short-sleeved jersey or a long-sleeved winter jersey.

Other variations include aero jerseys for races and time trials, jerseys with more carrying capacity for longer adventures and (rare) maternity jerseys for cycling while pregnant.

What to wear under a cycling jersey

Temperatures will also help you decide what you wear under your jersey. Wearing just a sports bra under the jersey will suffice for warm weather, or on harder rides.

However, combining jerseys with different baselayers can broaden the range of temperatures they’re suitable for.

As the weather cools, a short-sleeved baselayer underneath a jersey is a good call.

A thick, long-sleeve baselayer can make a long-sleeve jersey designed for spring or autumn suitable for winter riding.

Zwift launched bike upgrade functionality in March, and Zwifters have been busy putting in the work to upgrade various frames ever since.

While some people are content with just riding their bike and purchasing upgrades as they become available, others (like myself) are asking questions like, “Just how much faster will this upgrade make me?”

That’s what this post seeks to answer. But before I go there, let me link to two posts that fully explain the bike upgrades feature, in case you don’t yet understand it:

All About Zwift’s New “Bike Upgrades” Functionality
What is required to fully upgrade a particular bike in Zwift?

Below, you’ll find charts that answer two questions: how much faster does each upgrade stage make a particular bike, and how much power does that upgrade save?

Every bike frame in Zwift is assigned a particular upgrade scheme that defines what riders must do to achieve each upgrade stage, and what those upgrades are. I’ve created charts below for each of the 9 upgrade schemes, since each scheme is unique.

Performance improvements vary from scheme to scheme but are essentially the same for bikes within a scheme. That is, two different Distance-Based, Entry-Level bike frames will see the same time improvements at each upgrade stage. But a Distance-Based, Entry-Level bike will not see the same time improvements from stage to stage as, say, a Duration-Based Entry-Level bike. (For more on the upgrade schemes, and a table listing which scheme each frame uses, see this post.)

About the Charts

The Time Savings charts illustrate how much time is saved across 1 hour of riding for each upgrade stage. These numbers are based on our tests at 300W (4 W/kg) and may vary slightly if you are riding at higher or lower power levels, but within typical race pace levels (150-375W) the data should remain quite accurate.

The Power Savings charts show how, since your bike is now faster after upgrading, you can put out a little less power but still maintain the same speed as before the upgrade. You may be surprised to see that you’re saving less power on the climbs than on the flats, even though your time savings at that same upgrade stage is greater on the climbs than the flats. But that’s just physics! Power changes have a larger impact on speed when climbing than on flats.

There are a few caveats to mention before we dig into the data:

• The time savings data below is representative of each type of bike. Speeds will vary a bit from bike to bike, but for most bikes, the data below is accurate within 1-2 seconds.
• The power savings data below is an estimate based on our test rider holding 300W (4 W/kg). If that’s close to the power you race at, then these power savings numbers will be good estimates. But if you are riding, at, say, half that power (150W), the power savings drops (approximately) half as well.

Alright, let’s dive in!

Distance-Based Upgrades

Riders must put in a certain number of kilometers/miles before upgrading a distance-based bike (for details, see this post). Almost all road and gravel frames in Zwift fall into this category, so it’s the largest by far.

You can clearly see above that entry-level frames get all of their performance upgrades in the first 3 stages. (Stage 4 gets you a 5% Drops earning bonus, and stage 5 is a 5% XP bonus.)

You can also see how each type of upgrade affects the overall performance: stage 1 is an aero upgrade, so speed on the flats is boosted the most. Stage 2 is a weight upgrade, so climb speed improves massively. And stage 3 is a drivetrain upgrade, so performance on both flats and climbs is boosted.

Mid-Range frames get 4 stages of performance upgrades (stage 5 is a 5% Drops bonus), and you can see that the overall performance improvements (time savings at stages 4 and 5) end up matching the improvements to Entry-Level bikes at stages 3/4/5.

Distance-based High-End and Halo bikes have their performance upgrades spread across all 5 stages, but you can see the final time improvement (stage 5) matches the final time improvements for Entry-Level and Mid-Range frames.

(When I say it “matches” I mean the time savings is within ~1 second, since the data plotted above is from actual tests of actual frames, so the numbers won’t match perfectly.)

Again, you can clearly see what is being upgraded in each stage: stage 1 is an aero upgrade, stage 2 is a weight reduction, stage 3 is a drivetrain upgrade, stage 4 is a small aero upgrade, and stage 5 is a weight reduction.

Duration-Based Upgrades

Riders must put in a certain number of hours before upgrading a duration-based bike (for details, see this post). This category is exclusively for time trial frames.

Whew, that stage 1 aero upgrade makes a huge difference! And again, we see that only the first three stages offer performance upgrades for Duration-Based Entry-Level Frames.

The major upgrade for Mid-Range frames comes at stage 4, when aero performance greatly increases.

Again, High-End and Halo frames have their performance upgrades spread across all 5 stages. And the big stage is the final one with its major aero upgrade, which should save you around 6W on flat races. That’s no joke in a time trial.

Elevation-Based Upgrades

Riders must climb a certain amount before upgrading an elevation-based bike (for details, see this post). This category is made up of mountain bikes and a handful of climbing-specific road bikes.

The big upgrade here happens in stage 2, when the bikes get significantly lighter. Notice also how the upgrades are very climb-focused, with most of the improvement coming on the climb side of things.

The total time savings charted above differs a bit more than usual compared to the Entry-Level and Low-End Elevation-based frames because our sample frame used for the Mid-Range chart is a mountain bike frame (our only option), while the others are road bikes.

Questions or Comments?

Share below!

Complete our short survey today about how you use BikeRadar and get a free one-month digital magazine of your choice from Our Media Limited. No payment details needed – just pick your title and enjoy great content on your mobile device.

Even better? UK residents will also have the chance to win one of five £50 Love2shop eGiftcards in our exclusive prize draw.

But hurry – the survey closes on Sunday 15th June 2025 at 11:59pm. Terms and conditions apply.

• Take part in our survey for a chance to win a £50 gift voucher

Wahoo has raised prices on all its products for US consumers, with increases ranging from $10 to $2,000.

The brand’s Wahoo Elemnt Ace bike computer has increased from $599 to $649, while a Kickr Core with a Zwift Cog is up $40 to $534.

The biggest price hike is the Wahoo Kickr Run, which has risen from $4,999 to $6,999. 

According to DC Rainmaker, Wahoo’s US site appeared “to be updating itself, because if you hover over products, you’ll see the old price. But once you open up the product page, you’ll see the new price”.

Wahoo’s US price increases at a glance

• Wahoo Elemnt Ace: $599 to $624
• Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3: $329 to $349
• Wahoo Elemnt Roam 3: $449 to $464
• Wahoo Kickr V6: $999 to $1,049
• Wahoo Kickr Core (with Zwift Cog): $499 to $534
• Wahoo Kickr Bike V2: $3,799 to $3,899
• Wahoo Kickr Climb: $699 to $749
• Wahoo Headwind: $299 to $319
• Wahoo Trackr Radar: $199 to £249
• Wahoo Trackr HR: $89 to $99

Are Trump’s tariffs causing the price hikes?

Wahoo’s European and UK pricing appears to have remained the same, which suggests these price increases are due to Trump’s tariffs.

The cycling industry has seen many brands adjust their pricing or distribution in light of the tariffs.

In April, Silca revealed that selling its new Elettrico electric bike pumps in the US was not viable due to the impact of tariffs. However, last week it was revealed that a reduction in trade war facilities opened an import window for the electric bike pumps. 

At the end of April, Garmin revealed its January–March 2025 earnings, showing a 12 per cent year-on-year uptick. 

Garmin’s president and CEO, Cliff Pemble, said the results were outstanding, but added that US trade policy was affecting every business, especially those with global supply chains.

Pemble said this would likely result in price increases: “So we’re evaluating pricing not broadly, but specifically in context of each market and product line… there are cases where definitely, there’s room to have different pricing, and there’s other cases because… it’s more competitive and difficult to increase prices.”

Specialized and Trek have also adjusted their pricing in light of the tariffs, with the former adding a surcharge to products and the latter introducing a price increase. 

The US bicycle industry’s trade association, PeopleForBikes, has said Trump’s tariffs will have “devastating impacts” on the industry. 

Why are there varying price increases? 

The variation in price increases is likely due to where Wahoo’s products are made. 

In May, Wahoo added a surcharge to its Wahoo Trackr Radar via increased shipping fees.

US consumers were faced with a $50 fee for the radar bike light, whereas the cheapest shipping fee for an Elemnt Bolt 3 was $15.

The difference between these products is the Trackr Radar is made in China, and therefore subject to higher tariffs, while the Elemnt Bolt 3 is made in Taiwan. 

What does Wahoo say about the price increase? 

Wahoo hasn’t yet said anything about the price increases on products in the US.

BikeRadar has contacted Wahoo for comment.

Young people are leading the UK’s charge in electric bike popularity, according to new research by the E-Bike Positive campaign. 

Released to coincide with the UK’s Bike Week (9-15 June), the research suggests a shift in Gen Z and Millennials’ approach to travel.

E-Bike Positive says more young adults aged 25-34 are planning to travel by ebike over cars or public transport, with nearly half saying they’re more likely to buy an ebike than they were a year ago. 

Jonathan Harrison, director of the Association of Cycle Traders, says: “This surge in ebike enthusiasm among young adults shows the future of transport is already here – and it’s healthier, more sustainable, and more accessible than ever.” 

There has also been a shift in the broader UK population, with 20.47 per cent more likely to buy an ebike, compared to the 49.34 per cent of young people. 

E-Bike Positive, which launched last August, and includes Cycling UK, Bosch and The Bicycle Association, says more than half of the 2,000 people surveyed say they would likely buy non-manufacturer approved ebike components. 

This includes items such as ebike batteries, chargers and conversion kits from online marketplaces. 

There have been repeated warnings that these items can pose safety risks, particularly fires.

The UK government recently announced an inquiry into dangerous ebike conversion kits.    

The research also suggests that among 25-34-year-olds, only 63 per cent would be able to determine if an ebike was road-legal. 

Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said ebikes have made a difference to people’s lives, helping them save money and stay healthy. 

“That’s why we need to do all that we can to explain clearly the difference between safe, road-legal ebikes and potentially unsafe aftermarket alternatives. With 1 in 4 people unable to make the distinction between what’s safe and what isn’t when it comes to ebikes, we need to do more to increase awareness so people can make informed decisions when it comes to travel choices,” added Dollimore.

You may like

• A battle over ebike regulations is causing havoc in the cycling industry
• Electric bikes are more powerful than ever – do we need to put the brakes on?
• I’ve ridden more than 200 electric bikes – here are five things I’ve learned about maximising battery range

Merino wool baselayers deliver superior thermal comfort and performance benefits, according to a new study and four-year research programme led by North Carolina State University and Woolmark. 

The study found that, unlike conventional synthetic performance wear, 100 per cent Merino wool baselayers maintain thermal equilibrium during both exertion and rest, making them ideal for stop-go sports, such as cycling.

This means that when wearing wool, you can avoid ‘after-chill’ when you stop moving to conserve energy, with your body having to do less work to maintain its skin temperature. 

“No longer anchored by anecdotes”

Merino wool has long been favoured by outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its thermoregulation and odour resistance. 

But this new peer-reviewed study means Merino wool’s position as a natural performance fibre is “no longer anchored by anecdotes, but by science,” according to Woolmark, the Australian wool marketer. 

In human trials conducted in a climate-controlled chamber, all fibres exhibited similar performance during exercise. But wool maintained its performance during activity and rest. 

John Roberts, managing director at Woolmark, says: “This is about the ongoing transition from activity to recovery. With wool’s structure designed by nature to enhance wearer performance, it responds in real time to changing physiological needs.

“It automatically keeps athletes close to their comfort zone, allowing 100 per cent focus on the challenge – especially in unpredictable and high-output activities, such as cycling or rock climbing, where a baselayer is often all they wear.”

The study also found that Merino wool’s hydrophobic outside and hydrophilic inside enable it to absorb up to one third of its weight in moisture vapour without feeling wet.

Who makes Merino wool cycling kit?

Many cycling brands have Merino wool clothing in their collections, but Rapha and Isadore are two brands that have long championed the natural fibre. 

Founded 21 years ago, Rapha’s first-ever product, the Classic Jersey, introduced a Merino wool blend called Sportwool. Combining Merino wool with polyester, the blend is said to combine the absorbent and insulating properties of Merino with the wicking of polyester. 

Sportwool was the only fabric used for Rapha’s jerseys until the Pro Team jersey was introduced in 2011. 

Rapha continues to make the Classic Jersey, which uses 36 per cent wool, alongside several Merino wool baselayers, such as the short-sleeve Merino baselayer.

Isadore uses Merino wool in its cycling jerseys, such as the Signature Merino Air Jersey, for its thermoregulation and breathability. Isadore also uses the natural fibre as part of its commitment to sustainability. 

“Building Isadore around the core principles of sustainability, high quality and timeliness of the design, production had to be in the EU with the core material being Merino,” it says. 

Name: Alexandra Kay 

Hometown: Novato, CA 

How did you get into cycling? I come from the running world – mid-distance and long-distance. I sustained an overuse injury early last year, and physical therapy encouraged me to seek out other means of exercise while I recovered. I joined Zwift in October ‘24 and was instantly hooked! 

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? 6 months

Are you part of a Virtual team? Yes, Coalition 

What do you love most about racing? Being surrounded by highly talented, strong women is really inspiring. 

What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)? Duathlon 

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? Warrior Games 

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? It was a co-ed Zwift race where I took the lead on a hill climb and held it, meters ahead of the peloton. I finished 15 seconds ahead of 2nd place.

What is your favourite food to eat post race? Avocado toast 

What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? You can do hard things. 

Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? Iceni 

Where can people follow your racing adventures? @runnowrestlater on Instagram.

This weekend we’ve chosen two one-off race events as our top features. Additional picks include Pride On events, an extra-long group ride, and a banded ride up Alpe du Zwift. Ride on!

TRIBE RC Epic Chase Race

The Rhino Classic

LGBTQz Ride with Pride

The BMTR Fundo

Phoenix Rising Tronathon (Banded) on Road to Sky

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!

Last week, we reported on the controversy surrounding proposals to change electric bike regulations in the cycling industry. Here’s what you need to know, in brief: 

• The German cycling industry association ZIV (Zweirad Industrie Verband) has proposed preserving the bicycle-like nature of ebikes by limiting power to a 4:1 assistance ratio and a maximum of 750W. 
• Critics argue these limits could stifle innovation and hinder the development of ebikes, which are vital for logistics and cycling mobility. 
• Industry insiders claim Bosch, a member of ZIV, is using its influence to protect its market position.
• Annick Roetynck of LEVA-EU describes the proposal as “protectionism” that could “kill off major parts of the industry.”
• ZIV says its proposal was reached through consensus with its 140 members. 
• The European Union has set a 2027 deadline for redefining ebike standards, intensifying the urgency of this debate.

Want to know more? Read our in-depth feature on how the a battle over ebike regulation is causing havoc in the cycling industry.

It’s all too easy for a simple workshop job to become an odyssey.

We’ve all been there. From rounding a bolt to starting a task that’s deceptively complex, bike maintenance can quickly become frustrating.

So, to ease your maintenance woes, we’ve put together a list of 15 common home maintenance mistakes so you can avoid any unneeded trips to the bike shop.

1. Reaching for the limit screws first when adjusting gears

There are many variables to check when adjusting or indexing gears. While it might be tempting to reach for the limit screws, this isn’t the best place to start.

The limit screws prevent the rear derailleur from shifting the chain into the spokes or into the driveside chainstay. Provided they have been set up correctly and the derailleur hanger is not bent, in theory they will not need adjusting.

If your gears aren’t shifting optimally, checking the cable tension should be your first port of call. It’s also worth checking the condition of the cables for any fraying, or kinks or tears to the outers.

2. Not looking after your chain properly

The chain is one of the most critical components on your bike, so it’s worth looking after.

If you get into the habit of cleaning your chain regularly, your drivetrain will run smoothly and you’ll decrease the rate of chain wear.

It’s best to use a specific chain degreaser and chain lubricant for optimal results when looking after your chain.

3. Incorrect chain length or orientation

Sticking with chains, it’s important to install them correctly.

If the chain has been cut too short, you will struggle to shift into the largest cassette cog. The chain will likely snap and it can even rip the rear derailleur off as the chain puts too much strain on it.

If the chain is too long, it will sag or droop when using the smaller cassette cogs. This will make shifting less precise and the chain will contact the driveside chainstay.

When replacing a bicycle chain, it’s worth making sure the chain is installed in the correct orientation.

Some chains are designed to only be installed in one direction and it’s worth paying particular attention to the quick link, too. Again, the wrong orientation can lead to poor shifting and an increased risk of the chain snapping.

4. Quick-release skewers loose and in the wrong orientation

It’s common for the quick-release skewers to be installed too loose, too tight or in the wrong orientation.

A quick-release skewer shouldn’t require a Herculean effort to close – it should require enough tension that the lever leaves a slight imprint in the palm of your hand.

Quick-release skewers should also be oriented correctly.

The skewer handle should always be on the non-driveside of the bike (the only exception being a handful of disc brake frames with levered thru-axles that install from the driveside).

The handle should be positioned slightly past the fork blade in the direction of the drivetrain. On the rear, it should bisect the non-driveside chainstay and seatstay.

If the skewer is pointing forward or downward on the front, or towards the floor or back of the bike on the rear, you run the risk of it opening accidentally if you hit an obstacle or if another rider’s wheel gets caught in the skewer.

And never position the skewer against the fork or frame because it will make opening it again in the future a very difficult task.

5. Riding with a poorly adjusted headset

If your bike’s headset is too lose, it can lead to a variety of problems.

If you can feel play or knocking when you apply the front brake and rock the fork back and forth, your headset is loose.

At best, this translates to poor steering, but at worst the knocking headset can cause severe damage to your fork steerer tube, particularly if it is carbon.

Carbon fibre cannot withstand abrasion and, over time, a loose headset bearing can start to wear away at the material, potentially causing catastrophic failure.

6. Under- or over-inflating tyres

Riding with under- or over-inflated tyres is another common error. Too high and you’ll feel every vibration on the road or trail; too low and you’ll run the risk of punctures, compromised handling and a sluggish ride.

If you’re unsure on what pressure to inflate your tyres to, there will be a suggested range printed on the sidewall.

It’s a good idea to invest in one of the best bike pumps, because they will feature a gauge for precise inflation. It’s worth checking the tyre pressure before every ride. If you’re not sure what tyre pressure you should run, you could take a look at a tyre pressure calculator (we like Silca’s).

7. Torquing your bolts wrong

Modern bicycles are subject to tight tolerances and the bolts that secure the various components need to be fastened correctly.

If a bolt is too loose or too tight, you run the risk of failure.

It is best to use a torque wrench whenever you adjust a bolt, particularly if the component or the surface it is clamping onto is carbon fibre. Carbon fibre, in particular, doesn’t like to be over-clamped and will fracture if over-tightened.

Many manufacturers list a recommended torque next to the bolt – do not exceed this.

It’s also worth ensuring any and all fasteners are sufficiently prepared with grease, threadlock or anti-seize, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Removing pedals with the outer chainring exposed

When you fit, remove or change bike pedals, it’s a good idea to have the chain in the biggest chainring.

Having the chain cover the sharp teeth of the chainring can help avoid any painful, knuckle-skinning experiences.

9. Not greasing pedal threads or over-tightening them

Sticking with pedals, make sure you apply some anti-seize to the pedal threads prior to installation.

If you don’t grease them, you’ll likely find it impossible to remove them in the future because they can seize in place.

It’s also critical to not over-tighten pedals, because the act of pedalling effectively tightens them.

10. Neglecting your seatpost

A seized seatpost can spell all manner of trouble. It’s an easy component to forget about, given you rarely need to adjust it once you’ve correctly set your saddle height.

In the worst-case scenario, you’ll need to enlist the specialist services of a seatpost removal company (yes, these actually exist).

It’s best to remove the seatpost twice a year and give it a clean. If the seatpost and frame are metal, make sure you apply some anti-seize during installation. If any of the components are carbon fibre, you’ll need to use carbon fibre grip instead.

11. Resting a bike on its driveside

If the bike is leaned on the driveside, there’s an increased likelihood of the derailleur hanger bending.

The derailleur hanger is a sacrificial part in between the frame’s dropout and rear derailleur and is designed to bend or break to save your frame.

If a derailleur hanger is bent, it can lead to poor and inaccurate shifting, with the chain potentially derailing into the spokes or driveside chainstay.

12. Not replacing bar tape

Regularly replacing your handlebar tape may not seem like an important maintenance job, but if you ride frequently or you’re into indoor cycling, it’s wise to do this once or twice a year.

If your handlebar is metal, the salt in your sweat can lead to oxidisation. In extreme cases, it’s not unheard of to witness handlebars failing due to corrosion.

By removing your old bar tape, you can periodically inspect your handlebar, and you’ll also avoid the thoroughly unpleasant task of unravelling crusty old tape.

13. Riding without bar end plugs

Whether you have a drop handlebar or a flat mountain bike handlebar, we really can’t recommend riding with bar end plugs enough. These are a safety feature and not simply cosmetic.

If you were to fall off when cycling, an unplugged handlebar end will effectively act as a cookie cutter into your sternum, or worse.

If your bar end plug falls out regularly, you could try applying some double-sided tape on its inside. Alternatively, you can upgrade to one that clamps in place with an expanding bung.

14. Not servicing suspension

Suspension requires regular servicing to perform in tip-top condition.

The components that make up the fork or shock are always moving when you ride, and the oils and seals should be kept fresh and clean.

Servicing suspension stops any grit and grime that’s made its way into your shock or fork from causing any damage.

Suspension manufacturers include recommended specific service intervals, so it’s well worth keeping a note of when you should next give your suspension some TLC.

Tuning your suspension can also help you eke that extra bit of performance from your fork and shock.

15. Using poor-quality tools

The age-old adage “Buy cheap, buy twice” couldn’t be more true in the world of bicycle tools.

A worn or poor-quality tool could lead to rounding a bolt, marring an interface, even breaking a component or the tool itself.

Higher-quality tools will be manufactured to tighter tolerances, ensuring a snug and precise fit for the relevant job at hand.

Editor’s note: this article was first published in February 2023 and updated in June 2025.

Shokz has launched two new wireless open-ear headphones, the OpenFit 2 and OpenFit 2+, both utilising the brand’s bone conduction technology.

The headphones are powered by the brand’s DualBoost technology, which it says is an industry first.

Combined with an updated OpenBass 2.0 algorithm, Shokz say this helps deliver a more vibrant and powerful sound.

Dolby Audio surround has been added to the OpenFit 2+, reportedly enhancing immersion in surround sound listening.

The Shokz OpenFit 2 is priced at £169.99 and is available in beige and black colourways, while the more feature-rich OpenFit 2+ is priced at £179.99 and comes in grey and black.

SQUIRREL_13210801

More on cycling headphones

• Best headphones for cycling in 2025
• Cycling with headphones is safe – and 5 more lessons from 2 years of testing

Open-ear surround sound

Shokz says the OpenFit 2 is made from an ultra-lightweight, high-strength material covered in a soft silicone finish.

The earhook has been updated with a flexible nickel-titanium alloy that moulds to the contours more accurately.

The design retains a similar form factor to the previous generation, which we praised when testing the original OpenFit headphones, offering a secure fit when cycling.

Shokz says the headphones weigh 9.4g for each earbud.

A case is used to store the headphones when not in use, and like with many wireless headphones, it keeps them charged too.

Shokz says the new DualBoost technology utilises two individual speakers in each earbud.

An extra-large low-frequency driver is used for deep, resonant bass, while an independent high-frequency driver is used for crisp mids and highs.

Alongside this, the brand has updated its low-frequency enhancement algorithm with the OpenBass 2.0, which is said to offer more dynamic low-frequency vibrations directly to your ear.

The Dolby Audio on the OpenFit 2+ is said to surround you with lifelike audio.

Longer battery life

Aside from the audio and algorithms, Shokz has boosted the battery life of the OpenFit 2 range, now seeing 48 hours of playback compared to 28 on the previous model.

This breaks down into 11 hours of charge in the earbuds before they need to be charged in the case – an improvement over the 7 hours of the original OpenFit.

The OpenFit 2+ can also charge wirelessly with compatible devices.

Shokz has also increased waterproofing from IP54 to IP55, but don’t expect the headphones to withstand submersion in water.

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

We’ve spotted a new full-suspension Trek gravel bike being ridden by ultra-racer Justinas Leveika at this year’s Trans Balkans Race. 

The unreleased bike uses a gravel suspension fork and a linkage-driven rear shock, and looks to have larger tyre clearances, in keeping with the emerging gravel trend. 

Leveika, the Triple Crown record holder, annihilated the competition at this year’s race, crushing the gruelling 1,350km route in 4 days, 8 hours and 39 minutes. 

• Read more: Why XC mountain bike tyres are gravel racing’s hottest pro trend

A new model?

Trek currently has two gravel bikes in its range – the Checkmate and the Checkpoint. 

The Checkmate is Trek’s first dedicated gravel race bike, taking many cues from the brand’s Madone, with clearance for 45mm tyres – relatively narrow compared to the competition. 

The Checkpoint SL is a more versatile gravel bike for adventure riding, with integrated down tube storage and a more generous 50mm tyre clearance.  

This new bike appears to be designed for even rowdier terrain, where it may still be advantageous to run a gravel bike rather than a mountain bike. 

Since the Checkmate and latest Checkpoint were only announced in August 2024, we suspect this to be a new model rather than a revamped Checkpoint. 

We contacted Trek for comment: “Trek is always in development with new products, and our professional riders are a huge part of our development process. When we have details to share with riders globally, we will be happy to share.”

Chunky tyres for rough terrain 

The bike is built with a RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork. This is available in 30 or 40mm travel options. 

The gravel suspension fork looks to be a current production model. If this is the case, the fork can accept up to a 700c x 50mm gravel bike tyre. 

Leveika is running a Continental RaceKing tyre, which is available in 29×2.0 (50mm) or 29×2.2in (56mm) options. 

We’re unsure which width he’s running from the image but, given he’s running them on Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels with a 25mm internal rim width, we suspect that even if he’s running the narrower 50mm tyre, it will likely inflate a little wider than measured. 

We therefore suspect the rear triangle must have beefed-up clearance, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the bike has a tyre clearance of 57mm upwards, to match recent releases such as the 3T Extrema Italia, Allied Able and Argon 18 Dark Matter. 

The short-stroke linkage-driven RockShox SIDLuxe shock is tucked under the top tube, near the seat tube junction. This is driven by a linkage connected to a one-piece flex-stay rear end. 

Flex stays – which rely on the flex of the chain or seat stays to allow the suspension to move throughout its travel – are a common feature on the current crop of lightweight full-suspension cross-country bikes.

A mainstream gamble? 

While we wouldn’t go as far as to use the word ‘troubled’, it’s fair to say full-suspension gravel bikes have never really taken off. 

Niner’s MCR 9 RDO (Magic Carpet Ride) is perhaps the most notable example, and while it was in the brand’s catalogue for a number of the years, Niner has since reverted back to its rigid gravel models. 

More recently, Lee Cougan launched its Innova Super Gravel with a whopping 100mm fork and clearances for 2.4in mountain bike tyres, although it’s shockless at the rear, relying on a soft-tail design. 

The fact that Trek has gone for a pretty traditional shock layout is fascinating, and is certainly a bold move from the brand. 

Even Specialized – as mainstream a manufacturer as Trek – has its Diverge STR, which also utilises front and rear suspension without a shock unit. 

Either way, once we have more details from Trek when the bike is ready for production, we’ll be sure to share them. 

While Mahle might not be on the tip of ebikers’ tongues when it comes to considering which motor they’d like in their next bike, the introduction of the new M40 motor may change things.

That’s thanks to some impressive performance stats – 105Nm of torque, 850W maximum power and a weight of 2.5kg.

Mahle isn’t the best-known brand in the electric mountain bike motor space. The brand is better known in the assisted road bike market, thanks to a range of hub-drive motors mounted in bikes from the likes of Merida, Bianchi, Wilier and Ribble. However, Mahle does manufacture the motor in the Specialized Turbo Levo SL.

As with the likes of Bosch, Gates and Magura, the bike division is only a small part of a large conglomerate, with Mahle’s technology extending far into the electric automotive world. Some 68,000 people work for this huge company.

The introduction of the M40 puts Mahle’s flag in the electric mountain bike ground, and we’re excited to see which brands pick up this new motor.

Current partners are listed as “Abums, Labyrinth, Messingschlager, Sants and Titan Racing”. However, we believe more will be announced at Eurobike 2025.

The M40 is a mid-mount motor (as per the majority of eMTB motors), comes with a pair of new batteries and features some interesting technology.

Mahle M40 stats

Key when it comes to ebike motor performance are the torque and power outputs.

DJI’s Avinox motor set the market alight with its impressive 120Nm and 1,000W max outputs, with updates and new motors from competitors clamouring to reach such figures.

However, it’s worth bearing in mind potential EU legislation could limit these figures down the line, with support from Bosch.

For now, Mahle’s M40 hits some high numbers. 105Nm of torque and 850W maximum power are not to be sniffed at, placing the new motor on the powerful performance leaderboard.

It’ll kick out up to 400% of assistance – if you put in 100W, it’ll add another 400W – up to that 850W max.

Its peak performance is delivered with a cadence of 90-120rpm, however, below this speed, there’s still plenty on offer.

The motor weighs in at 2.5kg – in line with the most recent full-power motors from other brands, thanks to its lightweight magnesium casing.

The M40 is said to benefit from Mahle’s Decoupling Mounting System, which reduces the transmission of vibrations from the motor to the frame.

Cranks attach via the ETOR standard, enabling a wide range of cranks from the major manufacturers to be fitted.

Brands will have the option of the 534Wh iM5 battery, which weighs 2.5kg, or the heavier iM8, with 850Wh of capacity, aimed at those looking for an optimised range of up to 150km, or 2,500m of ascent.

Both batteries share the same form factor, so should fit in the same frames.

Keeping it rolling

There’s quite a lot more involved in making a decent eMTB motor, namely how – and how consistently – the power is delivered.

Although it’s not often mentioned, temperature control is important when it comes to ebike motors – getting them too hot by asking for consistently high power can degrade performance.

When this happens, motors can turn off, or drastically reduce their output until things cool down a little.

Mahle is keen to point out that its heat management systems should prevent this from happening.

When the temperature gets towards the limit, the maximum power is limited to 750W with the aim of lessening the chance of overheating, without drastically impacting the ride experience.

Perhaps more interesting are the internal sensors – and what they mean for current and future performance.

Inside the motor are various accelerometers, torque meters and gyroscopes.

There’s also a rear-wheel speed sensor that has a high degree of resolution. With a 27.5in wheel, the system can detect your speed every 3cm of trail – thanks to 84 readings per revolution.

In contrast, if your ebike has a magnet mounted to the wheel or rotor, that’s only reading your speed once per wheel revolution.

These sensors are able, therefore, to detect a large amount of data pertaining to what your bike is doing, and then adjust the motor’s attitude to your power input accordingly.

For example, if the system detects the rear wheel suddenly speeding up while climbing, it’s a fair assumption that the wheel is spinning and not gripping. Power can then be reduced to regain control.

On descents, if the bike is leant over, the kick of any power input can be reduced to prevent the loss of control.

Likewise, the motor’s ‘Dynamic Overrun’ alters how much the motor continues to pull the chain round once you stop pedalling, depending on the speed and whether you’re climbing or descending.

Doing this is said to improve the motor’s climbing performance.

Mahle tells us it is continuously monitoring user data to improve the software and thus performance.

For example, in time, it should be able to tell the difference between a bike that’s looping out by accident on a climb, and when someone is intentionally popping a wheelie.

Extra assistance

The walk mode is engaged by holding the ‘down’ button on the wireless on-bar controller. This spins the cranks to rotate the rear wheel.

Additionally, there’s a hill-start function. By gently pushing down on the cranks while the bike is facing uphill, the motor engages and prevents the bike from rolling backwards.

The neat on-bar Trio Remote, which features LED status displays, is supplemented by a 1.9in top-tube mounted head unit and display, which shows a multitude of data via its colour screen. A second Trio Remote can be added to the bar for additional functionality.

Data is customisable, while additional data can be found in the accompanying app.

While OEMs (bike brands to you and I) will have around 100 customisable parameters, to match the motor’s performance to their individual bikes, riders will also be able to tweak a second, narrower layer of motor performance.

Mahle has a suite of additional items in its ebike ecosystem, including neat wall-mounted chargers, mirroring those in the automotive world.

Mahle M40 motor initial impressions

I only spent a little while riding the motor, which was fitted to a frame that Mahle had built specifically for the launch – expect more partner brands to be announced at Eurobike 2025.

Much like DJI’s Avinox, what is immediately obvious is how reactive the motor is to human and trail impacts.

While it’s a cliche, it has a very natural feel, with easily controllable power to the rear wheel.

At those higher, ideal cadences, the power delivery is punchy and smooth, easily powering you up steep, loose and technical climbs.

The overrun doesn’t boost you uncontrollably into sections you want to take more care in – rather, it supplements what you’re trying to achieve in a subtle manner.

At lower cadences, there’s still ample grunt to get you up steep pitches. In fact, on the steepest pitches, I used lower cadences to keep the bike as stable as possible, rather than pedalling manically at a high rate and relying on the torque to get me up.

During descents, I didn’t find the motor pushed me beyond speeds I wanted to be at – the overrun is subtle and the kick of power when I did put pedal strokes in was smooth.

The hardware seems solid. The remote controller is well-shaped and doesn’t take over the bar, while the feedback through the buttons is ample.

The screen is bright and readable in sunny conditions.

I’m excited to see which brands pick up this motor. It’s a crowded space, and it’s difficult to think of bikes that are due a refresh. However, whichever bikes come equipped with the M40 shouldn’t find their performance compromised by the motor.

In March, Zwift adjusted the performance of bike frames and wheels in the game, aligning them more closely with real-world performance differences between various bikes and wheel types. At the same time, they released the bike upgrade feature, allowing riders to put in work to make their bikes marginally faster.

Learn more about the performance changes >
Learn more about bike upgrades >

While I’ve spent a lot of time unpacking these changes on the road bike/tarmac side of things, I really hadn’t tested bikes on Zwift’s dirt surfaces until recent days. And the results surprised me! Let’s dig into how various bike types perform on Zwift dirt today.

First, a Wheel Important Note

The 1-hour time gap data below is based on the speeds of our baseline bike, which is the Zwift Carbon with 32mm Carbon wheels.

In Zwift, you can’t put the 32mm Carbon wheels on a gravel bike. Instead, you must choose between several gravel-specific wheelsets. The nice thing is, Zwift keeps it simple: all the gravel wheels currently perform the same.

When it comes to mountain bikes, there is just one wheelset you can use, named “Zwift Mountain”.

Because of how wheels work, for the data below, we paired each frame type with a specific wheelset so the comparisons would be useful:

• Gravel Bikes all used the Zwift Gravel wheels
• MTB all used the Zwift Mountain wheels
• Road bikes all used the ENVE 8.9 wheels (we tested a few top-performing wheelsets, and these turned in the fastest lap times)
• Zwift Concept Z1 (Tron bike) used the Zwift Concept wheels

Time Savings Over 1 Hour at 300W (Stage 0 vs Stage 5 Frames)

Let’s begin with a simple chart that clearly illustrates the performance delta between gravel, mountain, and road bikes on Zwift dirt. This chart illustrates the time difference between each bike and our baseline bike (Zwift Carbon with 32mm Carbon wheels) over 1 hour of riding on the Jungle Circuit at 300W (4 W/kg).

Use the toggle to switch between viewing the un-upgraded versions of each bike and the full-upgraded (stage 5) version.

Takeaways

First things first: there is a big performance gap between gravel bikes and MTB+road bikes on the dirt. This gap is bigger than it’s ever been, thanks to changes Zwift made in their March update.

In fact, the gap between gravel and road bike performance in the dirt is approximately twice what it used to be. (After Zwift made road bikes roll faster in the dirt in November 2023, road bikes were around 1 minute slower than gravel bikes across an hour of riding. Now that gap is more like 2 minutes.)

The performance gap between the fastest and slowest gravel bikes has also widened. Formerly, the difference between the fastest and slowest bikes was ~20 seconds. Now it is ~38 seconds. (This lines up with the changes Zwift made to road bikes, where they stretched out the bell curve of performance so there was a larger delta between the fastest and slowest bikes.)

Toggling between stage 0 and stage 5, we can see that fully upgrading a frame doesn’t change its performance relative to other frames of the same type (the fastest gravel bike remains the fastest gravel bike, etc.). But a few of the road bikes do overtake some mountain bikes, as the delta between MTB and road shrinks at stage 5.

Lastly, this data shows that mountain bikes are never the smart choice if you’re looking for the fastest setup in a Zwift ride. In the Jungle, mountain bikes are just barely faster than the road bikes (at stage 0 at least). But mountain bikes are significantly slower than road bikes on all other surfaces, and gravel bikes clearly outperform them on dirt. So the mountain bike has no home in Zwift currently, unless you’re looking to ride with a group and make the effort more challenging.

Time Savings Over 1 Hour at 150W (Stage 0 vs Stage 5 Frames)

This chart uses the same bikes as the first chart, but the tests were run at just 150W (2 W/kg) to see how performance deltas change at lower speeds.

Use the toggle to switch between viewing the un-upgraded versions of each bike and the full-upgraded (stage 5) version.

Takeaways

Wow! The performance deltas between each type of frame are much larger at 150W vs 300W. ~249 seconds separate the Cervelo Aspero from the S-Works Tarmac, almost twice the gap (~128 seconds) we saw at 300W.

The mountain bikes clearly outperform the road bikes at this power level as well, with the Scott Spark RC World Cup besting the S-Works Tarmac by ~83 seconds at 150W vs ~10 seconds at 300W.

If you weren’t sure about the advantage of a gravel setup on Zwift dirt, this chart makes it clear.

Overall Conclusions

The changes Zwift made to bike performance on dirt surfaces are quite substantial. And I think they’re good changes:

• Road bikes didn’t really get slower on the Jungle dirt, and that’s good – because nobody likes going slow on Zwift
• Gravel bikes got faster, making them a viable option in more scenarios. This adds a strategic bike choice element to certain Zwift races/rides.

Racers will want to consider the implications of Zwift’s updated dirt performance and polish up their mid-race bike swapping technique for courses that include significant dirt stretches.

What’s Next

Given the impressive performance of gravel bikes on dirt, I will conduct additional tests on key dirt sections to determine where using a gravel bike (or swapping mid-ride) makes sense. We’ll especially take a look at Makuri Island’s Temple KOM, which is a mostly dirt climb that forces key selections in races on that map.

I’ll also test how gravel bikes now perform on the gravel surface type, which currently only exists on the Sgurr Summit North in Scotland.

Stay tuned for results…

Your Thoughts

Do you have comments or questions about how Zwift bikes perform on dirt? Share below!

Condor’s Italia RC Disc sees cables and hoses sprout from the handlebar before disappearing into the frame. 

But the new Italia RC Ltd, a limited-edition version of the aluminium race bike, features fully integrated cable routing.

The Italia RC Ltd comes in a striking lilac paintjob and features a new seatstay design. 

• Condor Italia RC Disc review: a shining example of how good aluminium race bikes can be
• Condor’s most popular bike is now available in stainless steel

“Clean and uncluttered”

While integrated cable routing can be divisive, Condor says it gives the Italia RC Ltd a “clean and uncluttered aesthetic” and contributes to “improved aerodynamics by reducing drag”. 

The aluminium road bike is available with a two-piece bar and stem combination from Deda, ENVE, Condor or Pro. It will also be available with a colour-matched one-piece carbon handlebar. 

Condor has increased the size of the head tube on the Italia RC Ltd to accommodate the internal routing. 

“This ensures that brake hoses run smoothly without kinking or bending, an issue we’ve often observed on bicycles serviced in our store workshop,” it says.

But Condor also says the new 1.5in head tube provides front-end stiffness that “translates into razor-sharp steering precision”. 

Semi-dropped seatstays 

Another difference between the fully integrated Italia RC Ltd and the standard version is the seatstays.

These are “semi-dropped” rather than meeting the down tube at the same point as the top tube. 

“Unlike fully dropped designs, our seat stays are positioned to retain some of the bicycle’s traditional, elegant lines, ensuring a familiar and pleasing aesthetic,” Condor says.

“Yet, this subtle drop isn’t just for looks. By lowering the attachment point on the seat tube, we achieve enhanced vertical compliance, allowing the seat post and seat tube to flex more effectively.” 

Condor has also “custom-forged” the seatstays by flattening the tubes to create a wider horizontal profile. It says this increases lateral stiffness compared to a round tube of the same weight. 

Custom-drawn aluminium

It’s not just the seatstays that are custom, but all of the Italia RC Ltd’s tubing. 

The bike uses 7000 series aluminium for its strength-to-weight ratio, which Condor says allows for “thinner and lighter, yet stiff and durable frame construction”. 

Condor hand-welds the tubes and assembles each frame one at a time, rather than on a production line. Condor says this enables its builders “to use less material at each join and dedicate greater attention to detail, ultimately enhancing the ride’s overall quality”.

“At Condor, we’ve always believed that aluminium never quite got the recognition it deserved at cycling’s highest level,” the London-based brand says. “When crafted correctly by skilled artisans using a precise selection of aluminium alloys, it delivers a ride that’s both smooth and incredibly lively.” 

Condor claims the Italia RC Ltd frame weighs 1,500g, painted in a size 55cm with fixings and bolts. The carbon fork adds 350g. 

Elsewhere, the Italia RC Ltd has a T47 bottom bracket. Condor uses threaded bottom brackets on all its bikes for ease of maintenance and says the T47 aids power transfer.

Tyre clearance remains the same as the standard Italia RC at 32mm. 

How much does the Condor Italia RC Ltd cost? 

At £1,499, the Italia RC Ltd frameset costs £100 more than the standard Italia RC. 

Condor has provided a range of example builds. Pricing starts from £3,762 for an Italia RC Ltd with Shimano 105 Di2 and rises to £7,861 with Campagnolo Super Record Wireless 13-speed. 

SQUIRREL_13213521