“I have no musical talent at all,” says Oliver McCann. “I can’t sing, I can’t play instruments, and I have no musical background at all!”
But the Associated Press describes 37-year-old McCann as a British “AI music creator” — and last month McCann signed with an independent record label “after one of his tracks racked up 3 million streams, in what’s billed as the first time a music label has inked a contract with an AI music creator.”
McCann is an example of how ChatGPT-style AI song generation tools like Suno and Udio have spawned a wave of synthetic music, a movement most notably highlighted by a fictitious group, Velvet Sundown, that went viral even though all its songs, lyrics and album art were created by AI. Experts say generative AI is set to transform the music world. However, there are scant details, so far, on how it’s impacting the $29.6 billion global recorded music market, which includes about $20 billion from streaming.
The most reliable figures come from music streaming service Deezer, which estimates that 18% of songs uploaded to its platform every day are purely AI generated, though they only account for a tiny amount of total streams, hinting that few people are actually listening. Other, bigger streaming platforms like Spotify haven’t released any figures on AI music… “It’s a total boom. It’s a tsunami,” said Josh Antonuccio, director of Ohio University’s School of Media Arts and Studies. The amount of AI generated music “is just going to only exponentially increase” as young people grow up with AI and become more comfortable with it, he said. [Antonuccio says later the cost of making a hit record “just keeps winnowing down from a major studio to a laptop to a bedroom. And now it’s like a text prompt — several text prompts.” Though there’s a lack of legal clarity over copyright issues.]
Generative AI, with its ability to spit out seemingly unique content, has divided the music world, with musicians and industry groups complaining that recorded works are being exploited to train AI models that power song generation tools… Three major record companies, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Records, filed lawsuits last year against Suno and Udio for copyright infringement. In June, the two sides also reportedly entered negotiations that could go beyond settling the lawsuits and set rules for how artists are paid when AI is used to remix their songs.
GEMA, a German royalty collection society, has sued Suno, accusing it of generating music similar to songs like “Mambo No. 5” by Lou Bega and “Forever Young” by Alphaville. More than 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn, released a silent album to protest proposed changes to U.K. laws on AI they fear would erode their creative control.
Meanwhile, other artists, such as will.i.am, Timbaland and Imogen Heap, have embraced the technology. Some users say the debate is just a rehash of old arguments about once-new technology that eventually became widely used, such as AutoTune, drum machines and synthesizers.
Shuttle has introduced the XPC slim DH810, a compact mini PC designed for Intel Core Ultra 200 desktop processors in the LGA1851 socket. The system supports “Arrow Lake-S” CPUs with up to 24 cores and integrates a Neural Processing Unit delivering 13 TOPS of AI performance. Processor support extends to Core Ultra 9, 7, and […]
Apple device owners that also use WhatsApp have cause for concern. The instant messaging app is affected by zero-day vulnerabilities that are actively being exploited in the wild.
MacBook, iPhones, and other Apple products are particularly susceptible to attacks, because the WhatsApp flaws can be used to expoit additional vulnerabilities
Amidst concerns over the threat posed by black hat hackers, Google is urging billions of Gmail users to be on high alert. The company recently advised users to change their passwords and implement two-factor authentication to protect themselves.
This warning follows a recent revelation that hackers may be actively exploiting a compromised
Technically, the summer season will not end for another few weeks. However, you can feel autumn in the air and if you’ve been out shopping lately, then you undoubtedly ran into a barrage of back-to-school supplies and advertisements. It’s that time of the year folks, and if you’re in need of a new laptop to tackle the new school year, we have
In a groundbreaking experiment, engineers at the University of Pennsylvania successfully demonstrated the possibility of transmitting quantum data over commercial fiber-optic networks using the same Internet Protocol (IP) that powers today’s internet. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the quest for a functional “quantum internet,”
Ask LG and the company will tell you that it’s been the top OLED TV brand for 12 years running, a claim that is likely rooted in sales data. LG’s also been one of the more active participants in the OLED space, and has continually catered to gamers with a lot of its models. Fortunately, OLED has also come down in price quite a bit during the
Labor Day weekend is here, and while this might be dating myself, but back in my day this meant a new school year was about to begin. These days? The school year typically starts in mid-August. Either way, we’re in the midst of the back-to-school shopping season, and you can still snag the latest-generation Apple MacBook Air for its lowest
On Wednesday and Thursday this week, Deutsche Bank Securities hosted its 2025 Technology Conference in Dana Point, California. At the conference, Intel’s Chief Finanical Officer David Zinsner participated in a ‘fireside chat’ where he was interviewed about Intel’s recent deal with the US government, Intel’s product roadmap and business strategy,
We are not expecting a decline in the number of data breaches and ransomware campaigns anytime soon. At least not at a time when AI is becoming an enabler for the malicious activities of black hat hackers. We’ve published a lot of reports that attest to this fact, including AI-powered ransomware that can automate cyberattacks. In addition
Every company is trying to find ways to leverage AI even if they’re not necessarily a technology company, especially as NVIDIA continues to post monster quarterly results. However, companies are quickly figuring out that it’s not possible to just slap AI somewhere in their business process and expect the money to start rolling in; Taco Bell
It’s not clear how widespread this issue actually is, but some users—and not just crazy overclockers—have definitely experienced a problem where AMD CPUs fail in spectacular fashion, scorching the bottom of the CPU package and the socket it was in. Initially, it was Gigabyte and ASUS motherboards known to have this problem, but it’s also been
Scientists have sought to understand the nature of the red planet’s interior for decades. Recently, the journal Science published a paper authored by researchers from California and the UK Space Agency detailing research showing that Mars’ mantle consists of giant rocky fragments that emanated from the collision of celestial objects billions
DLSS Swapper is an application that allows you to replace older DLSS versions with newer ones in games that never got updated with the latest models. It’s arguably somewhat unnecessary now that NVIDIA’s official App allows you to do this at the driver level, but it’s still useful for the control it gives over specific DLSS versions, as well
You can fly direct to Girona itself in around two hours from London, Birmingham, Manchester and other major UK airports. This autumn, budget airlines are offering rock-bottom prices on flights, so you’ll have more Euros to spend once you arrive. Check out Skyscanner for the best deals.
Alternatively, fly to Barcelona with even more flight options and train connections to Girona in just over an hour.
Once you arrive, Skyscanner has deals on car hire from £22 for an SUV, so you can pack your bike and quickly head out to the smooth empty roads in the hills or drive to your hotel.
Girona has a bit of everything on its doorstep, which is why it’s a favourite base for pro cyclists. While many road riders will gravitate naturally to the challenging ascents and quiet roads inland or even head into the Pyrenees to take on the classic climbs, there’s less demanding riding to the east and glorious undulating roads along the coast.
Girona isn’t just for roadies – it’s become a major destination to ride gravel, with the Traka a major European gravel race to rival Unbound in the US. You don’t have to ride too far out of town to hit gravel and can choose between flatter, faster routes and taxing climbs.
Hang onto summer for another few weeks. With average daytime temperatures in September 28ºC, October 24ºC and November 18ºC, you can enjoy short-sleeved jersey weather without sweltering, while the gales blow in from the Atlantic in the UK.
All the above are reasons why many pros make Girona their base. You can spot the current generation of riders heading out to train on Rocacorba, Els Àngels or one of the other local climbs or find the door behind which Lance Armstrong used to prepare for races when he was based in Girona.
It’s not just about the riding though, with Girona boasting a historic old town with cobbled streets, ramparts, museums and churches, ancient houses on the banks of the river Onyar and a bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel.
You can hang out at a coffee shop, browse the boutiques and eat in some great restaurants. Head out of town for more sightseeing or further afield to see those climbs in the Pyrenees that you didn’t quite find time to cycle.
As with adult bikes, getting the correct size is vital for children’s enjoyment and for improving their confidence when they first start pedalling.
The best children’s bikes will feature size-specific components such as child-size levers, cranks, saddles and handlebars to help your kids get the most out of their bikes.
Most brands will recommend a height range for their bikes, while some suggest an age range, though this can be confusing because little riders grow at different rates.
Wheel size remains an important indicator of children’s bike size, ultimately restricting the frame size.
With all of this in mind, here’s everything you need to know about children’s bike sizes to make sure your kids feel safe and confident on their bikes.
Kids’ bike size chart
This table shows the various bike wheel sizes and the approximate ages they are suitable for, as well as the minimum height and inseam length for each wheel size.
The important thing here is the size of the child, not the age.
Approx age
Wheel size (in)
Minimum inseam (in)
Minimum inseam (cm)
Minimum height (ft, in)
Minimum height (cm)
2+
12 (balance bike)
12
30
2,8
88
3+
14
15
38
3,3
98
4+
16
16
42
3,5
104
5+
18
18
46
3,8
112
6+
20
20
52
3,11
120
8+
24
23
57
4,2
127
10+
26
25
64
4,7
140
Measuring your child
Measuring against a wall will give you a more accurate result. Getty Images
The most important thing to consider when finding the right size bike for your child is not their age, but their size.
Some brands will size bikes on overall height, though this doesn’t take proportions into account, so it’s important to also measure your child’s inside leg.
This can be done by having your child stand against a wall with a book placed between their thighs. Once the height is market against the wall, measuring down to the floor with a tape measure will give you their inside leg measurement.
The inside leg measurement will give you a good indication of standover height for younger riders, and where saddle height should be for older children looking for pedalling efficiency.
Most bike brands will offer comprehensive guides to help you find the right size for your child. Woom
A smaller standover height will give your child more confidence when learning to ride because they will find it easier to put their feet down should they lose balance.
While measuring your child will give you a good indication of what bike size you should buy, it is always best to sit your child on a bike before buying it to make sure they are comfortable and can reach the handlebars.
What if my child is in between sizes?
If a bike is too big, you’ll have to wait for your child to grow into it before they feel confident. Getty Images
It can be tempting to buy a bike that is slightly too big in the hope it will last longer before your child grows out of it, but this can compromise safety and stability.
The more enjoyment they have when riding the bike, the more they’ll be interested in learning.
Some brands have experimented with trade-up schemes, which enable you to return your bike and receive the next size up.
Kids’ bike types and size guides
Balance bike sizes
Balance bikes are one of the best ways to get your child onto two wheels. Getty Images
Similar to early Victorian bicycles, such as the dandy horse, balance bikes are propelled by kicking backwards and encourage the child to ride along at their own momentum.
Most balance bikes will typically feature 12in wheels, making it easier for small legs to reach the floor, but make sure your child can support the bike and reach the brakes if they are fitted.
If a child becomes confident on a balance bike, they can usually skip training wheels when progressing to a pedal bike because they will already understand how to balance it.
First pedal bike sizes
First pedal bikes will often feature threaded axles, which allow for training wheels to be fitted. Immediate Media
Whether they have mastered the balance bike or are using training wheels, making sure their first pedal bike fits will enable them to enjoy learning to ride a bike and the fun it brings.
These bikes are usually designed for children who are 3 years old or above and typically feature 14in or 16in wheels, a low standover height and brakes – in line with the law for pedal bikes in the UK.
As with balance bikes, it’s important your child’s feet can still touch the floor at this stage because sacrificing pedalling efficiency is well worth it for their security.
First pedal bikes will usually be singlespeed, enabling young riders to focus on pedalling rather than changing gears, and can be heavy for their size.
Kids’ hybrid bike sizes
Kids’ hybrid bikes prove most common for their versatility. Islabikes
Most children’s bikes will feature a hybrid design that enables young riders to explore trails while remaining efficient on the road.
These multi-purpose bikes are designed for children aged six or older, with many featuring 20in, 24in or 26in wheels. They have low slung top tubes to allow for a lowered standover height.
Kids’ hybrid bikes usually feature grip shifters that enable smaller hands with less dexterity to change gears easier.
Kids’ road bike sizes
Kids’ road bikes often provide high levels of efficiency, but dropped handlebars can be difficult for beginner riders. Frog Bikes
Kids’ road bikes usually feature cantilever brakes and large clearances to allow for knobbly tyres to be fitted for cyclocross.
Road shifters can be hard to use with small hands, so make sure your child is confident with dropped handlebars.
Kids’ road bikes are available in 24in, 26in and 650c wheel sizes, with the latter also being found on some women’s road bikes.
If your child is confident on their road bike, then setting the saddle height as you would for an adult will enable them to be more efficient with their pedal stroke.
Kids’ mountain bikes
Smaller wheels will be easier to control for shorter riders but will struggle to roll over larger obstacles on the trail. Specialized
Kids’ mountain bikes come in all shapes and sizes, with the complexity of the bike differing between sizes.
Some kids’ mountain bikes will feature suspension, though this can add weight to the bike, making it harder to pedal and manoeuvre.
Instead of this, many brands offer wide tyres to soak up bumpy trails, while maintaining a light and playful bike.
Kids’ mountain bikes are available in 20in, 24in, 26in and 27.in wheel sizes.
Hydraulic disc brakes can be set up with small reaches and provide the best braking for little hands.
This week, the final race of August’s Kick ‘N’ Sprint series was held on Scotland’s Rolling Highlands route. I was looking forward to it, because it’s a fun race course: hard enough to keep things interesting, but not so hard (read: climby) that I would get dropped.
Read below to see how my race unfolded…
The Warmup
I got on the bike with plenty of time before the 12:10pm PT race, giving me a full half hour to wake up the ol’ ticker and spin up the legs. I was already one dirty chai and a few pieces of Neuro caffeine gum into my warmup by the time I got on the bike, so I was nicely caffeinated. I had also rubbed PR Lotion into my legs to keep the burning at bay.
My Warmup “Stack”
I rode my Cadex Tri bike during the warmup, since I’m working on upgrading it as we head into ZRL. Just upgraded to stage 3, working on stage 4, which requires 480 minutes!
Lead-In + Lap 1
Rolling Highlands has a long lead-in, but it’s an easy one: 5.1km, starting with a nice little descent and ending with a kick up the Breakaway Brae. In a two-lap race like today’s, you’ll hit the Brae three times: once at the end of the lead-in, once at the end of lap 1, and once at the finish.
I was holding onto a feather powerup, which I used at the bottom of the Brae. 412W for 58s got me through that segment. At the finishing arch I grabbed a draft boost powerup, then settled in for a bit of recovery as we looped past Nessie’s pond and headed back toward the lap banner. Lap 1 had begun.
The next challenge is the climb up through “The Cliffs”. It’s 2.2km long, and not steep at all – a very draftable climb. I held onto my van until we neared the top, where the riders always push the hardest. Then I used it, so I could more easily surf the wheels as we headed toward the lap banner and another powerup.
I grabbed another draft boost through the lap banner, then sat in and recovered to prepare for the Corkscrew Castle climb just up the road. This steep little kicker requires close to an all-out sprint for 15 seconds or so in order to stay in touch. The pack always stretches across the top, but tends to come together before hitting the Brae just 90 seconds up the road.
And that’s what happened: 549W for 31s got me up and over the Corkscrew Castle climb, then it was another go at the Brae, using my draft boost over the flat top to ease my effort as I sat in the wheels. Lap 1 done.
After a bit of recovery, we hit the Cliffs climb again. M. Rogozinski went off the front and was soon joined by E.VP, but I just sat in, using my feather to ease the effort near the top. As we went through the lap arch I got a feather as my final powerup, Rogozinki got reeled in, and E.VP was 5s off the front.
We hit the Corkscrew Castle climb with 2km left in the race, and I knew these final 2000 meters would be hellish. I put out some big watts to stay near the front over this climb, figuring the pack might break up and I didn’t want to get gapped. 618W for 28s put me into a good position… but had I dug too deep? I spun my legs past Nessie’s place as our front pack of 24 proceeded toward the final Breakaway Brae.
One rider, S. Leary, went long as we crossed the segment start line. Others followed, and I boosted my power to try to hold their wheels. But seconds later, Leary was too far ahead for me to draft, and I was in the wind, so I eased a bit to let riders around me come around as we hit the uphill hairpin with 400 meters to go. Feather engaged. It all comes down to this!
The orange numbers were everywhere! A. Adams passed me, then T. E1000. 300 meters to go and I was hurting in 4th position. I steered left to get more draft, but my legs were done. More riders passed mein the final 100m, and I rolled across in 8th.
T. E1000 took the win with a powerful, perfectly-timed final kick that pipped S. Leary.
Rolling Highlands is a fun race course for me. The three climbs – Breakaway Brae, The Cliffs, and Corkscrew Castle – make it interesting without forcing me out the back.
It’s just that the Breakaway Brae finish always seems to eat my lunch. I do well climbing through the left hairpin, but seem to run out of fuel on the long hall to the line that follows. Pre-race I tell myself I should wait longer before going all in, but somehow I never manage to do it. Because there’s always someone just a little off the front, dangling a tantalizing wheel. If I could just grab that wheel…
My “weebles” (W’bal) chart from intervals.icu is pretty telling when it comes to that final effort over the Corkscrew Castle and Breakaway Brae. W’ is the amount of work you can do over critical power – that is, how big of a bucket you have to draw from when it comes to hard efforts (read more about W’ and Critical Power here.) Ride above your critical power (which is close to, but not the same, as FTP) and you’ll be emptying your bucket. Ride below critical power long enough, and the bucket will refill.
You can see in the chart below that my W’bal began at 25 kilojoules, and dipped to -3.9 as I crossed the finish line. That’s truly emptying the bucket! It’s the lowest I’ve seen my weebles in at least a few months…
If I were to do this race again, I would go easier up the final Corkscrew Castle climb, gambling that it would all come back together before the start of the Breakaway Brae. This would have left me more weebles to play with, and hopefully a bit more kick left in those final meters.
I began this race with a score of 569, just barely sneaking into the 450-570 group. My 8th-place result boosted my score by 5 points, which means I’ll have to race against the big boys next week. Wish me luck!
Your Thoughts
Did you race Rolling Highlands this week? How did it go? Share your thoughts below…
Exposure has launched its new 2026 front light range, consisting of four handlebar-mounted lights and three helmet lights.
All of the lights now charge via USB-C – a feature many riders, me included, have been asking for. Until now, Exposure has stuck with its own proprietary charging port.
The brand claims the USB-C charge port improves charge times by up to 66 per cent and is compatible with power banks – news that will particularly delight bikepackers and ultra-distance racers.
Exposure also says you can charge other devices straight from the USB-C port.
In addition, the handlebar-mounted lights now come with a new colour OLED screen, which is said to be easier to read, as well as ‘Reflex 2.0’ technology, which automatically changes the light’s output according to the speed and terrain.
The new Six Pack can pump out up to 6,000 lumens. Exposure
The new handlebar-mounted front light range consists of the:
Exposure Six Pack Mk15
Exposure MaXx-D Mk17
Exposure Toro Mk16
Exposure Race Mk19
All are made from machined 6063 aluminium.
The Six Pack Mk15 can now kick out up to 6,000 lumens in its brightest setting (up from 5,800), while the MaXx-D Mk17 is 50 lumens brighter than its predecessor at 4,850 lumens.
Meanwhile, the Toro Mk16 can pump out 3,850 lumens (up from 3,800), but the Race Mk19’s maximum output is a little dimmer than the Mk18 at 2,650 lumens (previously 2,800 lumens).
The new larger display… Exposure
All four lights use what Exposure calls its new ‘OSD+ Screen’. This is said to be easier to read because the display is 70 per cent bigger, and it’s now in colour, displaying what mode you’re in and the remaining run time.
A new ‘Reserve’ mode provides 30 minutes of lower-level light if the light runs out of juice, Exposure says.
The updated Reflex 2.0 Technology automatically changes the light’s output depending on your speed and the terrain you’re riding, via thermistors and 3D-digital accelerometers, including a gyroscope.
According to Exposure, the lights will last for a minimum of 2 hours and up to 36 hours on a single charge.
Exposure SixPack Mk15 – £495 / $540 / €495
Exposure MaXx-D Mk17 – £445 / $485 / €445
Exposure Toro Mk16 – £355 / $385 / €355
Exposure Race Mk19 – £295 / $320 / €295
Three helmet lights
The Zenith is now in its fourth generation. Exposure
In addition to the four handlebar-mounted lights, Exposure has also updated its three helmet lights.
The new Zenith Mk4 has a maximum output of 2,360 lumens (up from 2,200 on the Mk3), with the Diablo Mk15 the same as the Mk14 at 2,000 lumens. Finally, the new Joystick Mk18 is 50 lumens brighter than its predecessor at 1,200 lumens.
The helmet lights also get USB-C charging. Exposure
The lights feature Exposure’s ‘Tap Technology’, where you simply tap the light and it’ll switch between modes – much easier than needing to locate the ‘Function’ button the brand used on some of its older helmet lights.
Exposure claims each of these lights can last up to 36 hours on a single charge.
This week’s picks are all community-organized events, and they rotate between innovative races and challenging longer group rides. So whether you’re looking to go fast or go long, we’ve got you covered!
Team Evolve’s August Omnium
Unique Event Neutralized Bikes
The new Team Evolve is holding a three-race omnium on Sunday consisting of a 16km individual time trial (iTT), a one-lap short route under 10km, and a 4-lap crit race to cap it off.
You earn points based on your finishing position in each race, and the rider with the most points wins.
Along with its unique format, the event includes some unique rules: riders are categorized based on FTP, and bikes are neutralized to level the playing field.
Beth’s Badge Hunt is a series of monthly rides taking on big Zwift routes. Led by Wobble Cycling Club’s Beth Phillips, these are banded rides, so everyone can ride at whatever effort level they’d like.
TNP (Team Not Pogi) has organized a 6-stage race series held on Saturdays and Sundays, and this weekend it kicks off with stages 1 and 2. In this series, riders compete across each stage for GC, Sprint, and Climbing overall podiums.
Which ride had more signups than any other when we were putting this post together? This one!
The friendly Bikealicious crew is leading a “keep together” group ride on Watopia’s Zwift Games 2024 Epic route (81.7km, 878m). Grab this challenging route badge if you haven’t done so yet, which comes with a whopping 1594 XP!
The most popular race this weekend is the Tour de Hisp, which wraps up on Sunday. Racers are nearing the end of this grueling 14-day tour featuring 13 stages, but even if you haven’t been joining in the fun, you can hop into the race!
Saturday’s stage 12 is held on Innsbruck’s Lutscher CCW route (22.6km, 828m), while Sunday’s stage 13 wraps up the series in Paris with 2 laps of Champs-Élysées (16.4km, 91m).
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!
Team Evolve’s August Omnium
Unique Event 
Beth’s Banded Badge Hunt
