Girona is a must-ride cycling destination, whether you’re into road cycling, mountain biking or gravel riding.
Autumn is the ideal time for a trip to this Catalonian cycling hotspot – here are five reasons why.
Use the Skyscanner City Break tool to plot your next cycling trip across Europe
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.
Plan your next cycling trip to Girona
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.
Plan your coastal and gravel routes through Girona
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.
Plan your next warm getaway in Girona
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.
Plan your cycling trip to Girona
Use the Skyscanner City Break tool to plot your next cycling trip across Europe
Children grow up fast, and finding a bike that fits them while offering a few years of service can be a difficult affair.
Whether you want to get them riding along with the family or commuting to school, making sure your little ones are comfortable on their bikes will help build their confidence faster.
As with adult bikes, getting the correct size is vital for children’s enjoyment and for improving their confidence when they first start pedalling.
The best children’s bikes will feature size-specific components such as child-size levers, cranks, saddles and handlebars to help your kids get the most out of their bikes.
Most brands will recommend a height range for their bikes, while some suggest an age range, though this can be confusing because little riders grow at different rates.
Wheel size remains an important indicator of children’s bike size, ultimately restricting the frame size.
With all of this in mind, here’s everything you need to know about children’s bike sizes to make sure your kids feel safe and confident on their bikes.
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 |
The most important thing to consider when finding the right size bike for your child is not their age, but their size.
Some brands will size bikes on overall height, though this doesn’t take proportions into account, so it’s important to also measure your child’s inside leg.
This can be done by having your child stand against a wall with a book placed between their thighs. Once the height is market against the wall, measuring down to the floor with a tape measure will give you their inside leg measurement.
The inside leg measurement will give you a good indication of standover height for younger riders, and where saddle height should be for older children looking for pedalling efficiency.
A smaller standover height will give your child more confidence when learning to ride because they will find it easier to put their feet down should they lose balance.
While measuring your child will give you a good indication of what bike size you should buy, it is always best to sit your child on a bike before buying it to make sure they are comfortable and can reach the handlebars.
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.
Balance bikes have become a very popular way of introducing young children to cycling, with the omission of pedals reducing the coordination needed to learn how to balance on two wheels.
Similar to early Victorian bicycles, such as the dandy horse, balance bikes are propelled by kicking backwards and encourage the child to ride along at their own momentum.
Most balance bikes will typically feature 12in wheels, making it easier for small legs to reach the floor, but make sure your child can support the bike and reach the brakes if they are fitted.
If a child becomes confident on a balance bike, they can usually skip training wheels when progressing to a pedal bike because they will already understand how to balance it.
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.
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 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 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…
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.
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!
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.
See ride on Strava >
See results on ZwiftPower >
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!
Did you race Rolling Highlands this week? How did it go? Share your thoughts below…
Exposure has launched its new 2026 front light range, consisting of four handlebar-mounted lights and three helmet lights.
All of the lights now charge via USB-C – a feature many riders, me included, have been asking for. Until now, Exposure has stuck with its own proprietary charging port.
The brand claims the USB-C charge port improves charge times by up to 66 per cent and is compatible with power banks – news that will particularly delight bikepackers and ultra-distance racers.
Exposure also says you can charge other devices straight from the USB-C port.
In addition, the handlebar-mounted lights now come with a new colour OLED screen, which is said to be easier to read, as well as ‘Reflex 2.0’ technology, which automatically changes the light’s output according to the speed and terrain.
Let’s take a closer look at the range.
The new handlebar-mounted front light range consists of the:
All are made from machined 6063 aluminium.
The Six Pack Mk15 can now kick out up to 6,000 lumens in its brightest setting (up from 5,800), while the MaXx-D Mk17 is 50 lumens brighter than its predecessor at 4,850 lumens.
Meanwhile, the Toro Mk16 can pump out 3,850 lumens (up from 3,800), but the Race Mk19’s maximum output is a little dimmer than the Mk18 at 2,650 lumens (previously 2,800 lumens).
All four lights use what Exposure calls its new ‘OSD+ Screen’. This is said to be easier to read because the display is 70 per cent bigger, and it’s now in colour, displaying what mode you’re in and the remaining run time.
A new ‘Reserve’ mode provides 30 minutes of lower-level light if the light runs out of juice, Exposure says.
The updated Reflex 2.0 Technology automatically changes the light’s output depending on your speed and the terrain you’re riding, via thermistors and 3D-digital accelerometers, including a gyroscope.
According to Exposure, the lights will last for a minimum of 2 hours and up to 36 hours on a single charge.
In addition to the four handlebar-mounted lights, Exposure has also updated its three helmet lights.
The new Zenith Mk4 has a maximum output of 2,360 lumens (up from 2,200 on the Mk3), with the Diablo Mk15 the same as the Mk14 at 2,000 lumens. Finally, the new Joystick Mk18 is 50 lumens brighter than its predecessor at 1,200 lumens.
The lights feature Exposure’s ‘Tap Technology’, where you simply tap the light and it’ll switch between modes – much easier than needing to locate the ‘Function’ button the brand used on some of its older helmet lights.
Exposure claims each of these lights can last up to 36 hours on a single charge.
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.
First event is Sunday, August 31 @ 5pm UTC/1pm ET/10am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/evolveomnium
Beth’s Banded Badge Hunt
Banded Ride Beginner-Friendly Endurance Challenge
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.
This weekend’s ride is on London’s PRL Half route (69.6km, 1014m).
Saturday, August 30 @ 7am UTC/3am ET/12am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5077335
La Roja Tour (TNP): Stage 1 and 2
Stage Race Multiple Classifications
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.
Stage 1 is on Watopia’s Hilly Route with a custom finish line, while stage 2 is on 1 lap of Watopia’s Waistband.
Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31 @ 5:15pm UTC/1:15pm ET/10:15am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/tnp
Bikealicious Rubberband Joy Ride
Banded Beginner-Friendly Endurance Challenge
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!
Saturday, August 30 @ 7am UTC/3am ET/12am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5089213
Tour de HISP 2025 Stages 12 and 13
Popular Race
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).
Four timeslots each day
See events on ZwiftHacks
We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:
In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!
Our annual Bike of the Year awards are now in their 17th year, and 2025 has been as tough a year as any to select our shortlist and arrive at winners for each of our road and gravel categories – as well as an overall victor.
Tough, but not impossible… and Cannondale’s five-star Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense has been crowned as our overall Road Bike of the Year for 2025, while also topping the endurance bike category.
We all have different needs from our bikes, but our annual Bike of the Year awards offer the opportunity to shine a light on those that stand out from the crowd, be it for their innovation, success on the podium or sheer ingenuity.
Bike of the Year is a long-term project that begins at the end of the previous year’s edition, and this year we’ve focused our attention on the three key categories we know you love to read about – race bikes, endurance bikes and gravel bikes.
Since 2024’s Bike of the Year, we’ve tested dozens of bikes across all categories, with road lead Ashley Quinlan and Bike of the Year stalwart Warren Rossiter taking the best of the bunch, and pitting them against one another to find a winner.
Across the three drop-bar categories – race, endurance and gravel – we whittled the selection down to five bikes worthy of a ‘Highly Commended’ accolade, before pulling out the standout pairs into a finalists’ shootout for each category and an overall winner debated.
The results?
Over the next week, we’ll be bringing you in-depth coverage of our finalists in each category, and analysis on the current state of play across the endurance, race and gravel bike sectors.
And on Tuesday 9 September, we’ll announce our Mountain Bike of the Year for 2025 – stay tuned for that.
Just as in 2023 (Vitus Venon Evo) and 2024 (Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2), our overall winner is an endurance bike – a category that has seen rapid change in recent years to make these bikes more versatile than ever, without losing any of the joy of a go-fast road machine.
This year’s winner, the Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense, landed at BikeRadar HQ hot on the heels of the sterling performance of the flagship (and eye-wateringly expensive) Synapse Lab71, and had much to live up to.
However, it packed all the same integrated tech as the newly-launched flagship model into a machine that Warren described as setting “a new gold standard” for what we should expect of endurance bikes in 2025 and beyond.
While the Cube Attain, Parlee Ouray and Cervélo Caledonia 5 also earned ‘Highly Commended’ awards in the endurance category, the Cannondale Synapse and Boardman SLR 9.4 Ltd were selected by Warren to go head-to-head in the final.
The Boardman SLR 9.4 Ltd offered tough competition – in our eyes, it’s one of (if not the) standout value proposition of 2025, with an enviable spec list including a handlebar that would cost over a fifth of the bike’s total value if you bought it aftermarket, with no notable shortcomings elsewhere.
Both bikes scored a rare five-star rating in testing, owing to their respective strengths and dearth of weaknesses, but for its forward-thinking design, both Warren and Ashley agreed during final deliberations that the Synapse took the tape by a whisker.
“The Synapse represents the new template for a non-racing road bike,” says Warren. “It has handling that’s swift and stable, and it delivers confidence in spades. It’s compliant but doesn’t lose the excitement that comes from a stiff bike, plus it features the most usable application of the SmartSense system to date.”
He concludes: “The Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense is an exciting ride and a sensible choice – it’s a rare thing to draw both those conclusions about a single bike.”
Turning to race bikes, the Cervélo S5 takes the title after going head-to-head with the Colnago Y1Rs in our category final.
Despite fierce competition from some outstanding contenders, with the Van Rysel RCR Pro, Scott Addict RC 20 and Trek Madone 7 SLR earning ‘Highly Commended’ nods, our two finalists here showcase cutting-edge aero designs.
Indeed, both bikes featured at the front of the 2025 Tour de France but while that fight ended up being decidedly one-sided in favour of the Colnago Y1Rs-riding Tadej Pogaçar, BikeRadar’s lead tester, Ashley Quinlan, looked past the Slovenian phenom and instead found that the S5 was the more worthy winner of our Race Bike of the Year category.
Why? While both bikes are undoubtedly expensive – the cream of the racing crop – the Cervélo S5 simply offered more for a keen racer’s money. The build is practically unimpeachable, and while the Y1Rs offers a little more customisability overall, this can be more than made up for with the money left over once the specs have been equalised.
Ashley also found the S5’s ride quality and handling to be a little more polished than the Y1Rs – a marginal win, but where the details really matter among two outstanding contenders, that’s where the devil lay.
“The Cervélo S5 offers a well-balanced ride quality and excellent handling, underpinned by a devilish turn of speed,” says our road lead, Ashley Quinlan. “It’s also stable in changing wind conditions, though perhaps its biggest asset is how easy it is to ride quickly – it feels as fast as any aero road bike I’ve tested.”
Rounding out our drop-bar awards, the Parlee Taos Force AXS is BikeRadar’s Gravel Bike of the Year for 2025.
Pitched against the mountain bike-inspired Mondraker Arid Carbon RR in our gravel final, Parlee’s Taos took the crown thanks to its mightily impressive versatility and progressive design.
If there was a gravel bike to rule them all, this might be it, leading Warren to believe that it’s the best all-round gravel bike he’s ever tested.
That said, the Arid’s chops when things get gnarly earn it high praise – if off-road fun on a gravel bike is what you’re after, then look no further.
Elsewhere, the Cannondale Topstone, Kinesis Tripster AT+ and Wilier Rave SLR all earn ‘Highly Commended’ awards in a hard-fought category.
“Parlee has managed to combine the best elements of a gravel race bike – low weight, pedalling efficiency and fast handling – with the traits of more adventurous designs – large tyre capacity, smooth riding over rough ground, and stable handling and control on technical trails,” says Warren.
We established three categories in our road and gravel Bike of the Year test this year, distilled from five in recent years to reflect what we know you (our audience) love to read about.
This saw us put every race, endurance and gravel bike that we’ve reviewed in 2025 in the pot for consideration, with the finest five examples for each category examined once more.
The two standout candidates from each group of five were then put forward for a dedicated head-to-head test, with back-to-back testing conducted to find a winner for each category, with Warren and Ashley then coming together to decide on an overall winner.
Everything from established market leaders to emerging newcomers have been represented throughout the past year, and there should be something to suit most budgets by checking out our reviews and buyer’s guides.
Big thanks to sports campervan specialists Auto-Trail for supporting our Bike of the Year 2025 test. Head to auto-trail.co.uk for more details about their range, including the cycling-specific Auto-Trail Expedition 68, which features a purpose-built bike garage.
Bike of the Year – the industry’s most prestigious annual bike test – has been running since 2009, with previous winners including some of the biggest names of the past two decades, as well as breakthrough brands earning their place at the top table.
2024
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2
2023
Vitus Venon Evo RS Aero
2022
Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0
2021
Boardman SLR 9.4 AXS
2020
Cannondale SuperSix EVO
2019
Rondo HVRT CF0
2018
Giant TCR Advanced 2
2017
Specialized Roubaix Comp
2016
Cannondale CAAD12 105
2015
BMC GF01 Disc 105
2014
Cannondale Synapse 5 105
2013
Giant Defy Advanced 2
2012
Focus Izalco Pro 3.0
2011
Storck Scenero
2010
Cannondale Six Carbon 105
2009
Giant TCR Advanced 3
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, with road lead Ashley Quinlan and senior technical editor Warren Rossiter heading up this year’s test.
Europe is packed with incredible cycling destinations, often just a short hop from the nearest city.
Among them are the ‘Great Lakes’ of northern Italy, in the foothills of the Alps. Less than a two-hour drive from Milan, Lakes Como and Garda combine breathtaking scenery with easy access.
Here are five reasons why Milan, Lake Como, and Lake Garda should be at the top of your cycling bucket list.
Planning your trip has never been easier. Skyscanner’s free city break tool lets you map your route, book flights, hire a car, and reserve hotels all in one place. That means less time on logistics and more time on the road, soaking up Italy’s best cycling routes.
Use the Skyscanner City Break tool to plot your next cycling trip across Europe
Kick off your cycling trip by cruising along Milan’s famous Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Martesana – two of Italy’s historic canals.
Naviglio Martesana, in particular, is well-suited to cycling, with a 30km cycle path to enjoy.
Plan your cycling trip to Milan
Each spring, the Garda Bike Festival draws riders from across Europe for road cycling, mountain bike and eMTB events. Even better, this takes place alongside a huge expo showcasing the latest cycling gear.
The next exhibition is set for 1 to 3 May 2026, so use the Skyscanner tool to start planning your trip in advance.
Plan your cycling trip to Lake Garda
Lake Garda’s floating cycle path extends for 2.5km, hanging over the water for spectacular lake and mountain views.
Cyclists of all abilities can enjoy the smooth surface and stunning panoramic vistas, making it a must-ride for anyone looking to combine riding with unforgettable scenery.
Plan your cycling trip to Lake Garda
Near Lake Como, the Madonna del Ghisallo climb is a must for road cyclists. Ride past the chapel, explore the cycling museum, and soak in sweeping lake views. Push a little further and the surrounding roads reward you with rolling hills, charming villages and panoramic views.
Plan your trip to make the Madonna del Ghisallo pilgrimage
The 160km loop around the entirety of Lake Como is an epic endurance ride for advanced cyclists and features a mix of flat roads, rolling hills and short climbs.
Plan your cycling trip to Northern Italy
Use the Skyscanner City Break tool to plot even more rides across Europe
Microshift manufactures drivetrain components for all cycling disciplines, including mountain, road and gravel bikes.
The brand may be off the radar for some riders and tends to feature on bikes at the low- to mid-range of the market. Its products are generally priced below SRAM or Shimano components at comparable spec points.
A large proportion of its range is compatible with Shimano’s shifting systems. This is because Microshift uses the same cable pull ratio on certain products. It makes Microshift products ideal inexpensive replacements if you’re shopping on a budget or can’t find Shimano in stock.
Microshift is unusual in that it also shares the same cable pull ratio across many of its road bike groupset and mountain bike groupset components. This means riders can mix and match, for example, drop-bar shifters with mountain bike groupsets, creating a mullet drivetrain on a budget.
We have also seen what’s to come from the brand after spotting Cypher, Microshift’s first electric groupset at Eurobike this year.
It also produces less common shifter styles, such as thumb and bar-end shifters, for most drivetrains. All of this makes Microshift a popular option with dedicated home tinkerers.
In this article, we will delve into the full Microshift product range, explaining the hierarchy of its groupsets for road, gravel and mountain bike components. We’ll also outline the compatibility of its parts with those from other manufacturers.
Microshift’s road groupsets are compatible with Shimano parts because both brands use the same pull ratio, making them an inexpensive replacement.
All cassettes can be fitted onto Shimano HG freehubs.
The R8 groupset is a part of Microshift’s R-Series of components and sits at the bottom of the brand’s hierarchy, but uses the same shifting technology as others in the range.
Available with a single, double or triple-chainring setup, the R8 family can be specced with either drop-bar shifters or Microshift’s Xpress flat-bar shifters.
Cassettes range from 12-28t to 11-34t and are available in a silver or black finish.
The R9 features the same shifting system as the R8, but has an aluminium rear derailleur as opposed to steel, offering a weight saving.
The R9 groupset is compatible with single, double or triple-chainring setups, with the option of a drop-bar or Microshift’s flat-bar shifters. The R9 is also available with bar-end shifters for time trial bikes, as well as thumb shifters for a ’90s mountain bike aesthetic.
Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.
The R10 groupset tops the R-Series range and features an aluminium-machined rear derailleur that still uses the steel cage found on the R8 and R9.
The R10 is compatible with double or triple chainrings, with the same options of drop-bar, flat-bar, bar-end and thumb shifters as the R9.
Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.
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The Centos groupset is Microshift’s 11-speed offering, which the brand says offers race-level shifting performance.
Unlike the R-Series, the Centos’ rear derailleur features forged aluminium construction, as well as an aluminium cage.
It’s only compatible with a double chainring with a short cage, and is positioned near to Shimano’s 105 groupset in terms of performance.
Centos is available with drop-bar shifters with 12mm of adjustable reach that can be set by a screw under the hood. It’s also available with Centos Xpress and Xpress Plus bar shifters, as well as thumb shifters.
Cassettes range from 11-25t to 11-34t.
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While the specs of Microshift’s first electric groupset are unknown, it appears to take a lot of inspiration from the brand’s Sword groupset, with 10-speed shifting and cable-actuated brakes.
We spotted the groupset at Eurobike this year, where it was specced on a children’s Giant Seek road bike.
We’ll likely see the groupset launched sometime in late 2025.
Some of Microshift’s mountain bike groupsets are compatible with Shimano because they use the same pull ratio.
The brand has also released its own proprietary shifting system on the Acolyte, Advent and Advent X groupsets. These aren’t compatible with Shimano’s drivetrains, but the cassettes can be fitted onto an HG freehub body.
While Microshift makes gravel-specific groupsets, many of its mountain bike groupsets can be paired with drop-bar levers. This enables you to choose from a wide range of durable components for your gravel riding exploits.
These models include the Advent X, Advent and XLE.
The Mezzo groupset is Microshift’s lower-tier mountain bike groupset, which the brand says is aimed at mid-level mountain bikes.
It can be set up as either 8- or 9-speed and is compatible with double or triple chainrings.
The rear-derailleur outer link is made out of a composite, while the body is forged aluminium.
The Mezzo groupset is available with Microshift’s thumb tap shifters and is compatible with Shimano’s mountain bike drivetrain components.
Cassettes range from 12-28t to 11-34t and are available in a silver or black finish.
The Marvo sits just above the Mezzo in the Microshift line-up, with the rear derailleur featuring full-metal construction for durability on the trails.
Available with Microshift’s Xpress shifters, the Marvo groupset is compatible with a double or triple chainring.
Cassettes range from 11-32t to 11-36t.
The XLE is the brand’s mid-range groupset. The XLE rear derailleur is the first in Microshift’s line-up to feature a clutch. This makes it compatible with 1x setups.
XLE is also compatible with a double chainring and uses Microshift’s Xpress flat-bar shifters, or drop-bar shifters if you’re of a gravel persuasion.
Cassettes range from 11-40t to 11-46t.
The XCD is Microshift’s top-of-the-line Shimano-compatible mountain bike groupset, featuring a full-aluminium rear derailleur that can be specced with or without a clutch.
XCD is only compatible with a 1x setup using Microshift’s Xpress Plus shifter.
Cassettes range from 11-42t to 11-46t.
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The Acolyte is the first groupset in the Microshift range that uses the brand’s proprietary cable pull technology. This means it’s incompatible with Shimano’s mountain bike components.
The Acolyte rear derailleur is constructed from aluminium and features a steel cage with the option of a clutch.
A ‘Super Short’ cage enables the rear derailleur to be used on 20in wheels for kids’ bikes or folding bikes.
Positioned for light trail use and commuting, the Acolyte groupset is only compatible with a 1x drivetrain.
Cassettes range from 12-42t to 12-46t.
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The Advent is a mid-tier mountain bike groupset using Microshift’s proprietary cable pull ratio.
Compatible with single or double chainrings, the Advent’s rear derailleur can be specced with a clutch for keeping the chain in check on bumpy descents.
There is a large choice of shifters, with the groupset also able to use Microshift’s drop-bar levers and bar-end levers for gravel bikes.
Cassettes range from 11-42t to 11-46t.
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The Advent X is Microshift’s top-tier groupset using its proprietary cable pull ratio.
Compatible only with a 1x setup, the Advent X’s rear derailleur features full-aluminium construction, as well as a clutch to keep the chain running smoothly.
Aimed at performance mountain biking, the groupset can also be specced with drop-bar levers for gravel riding.
The Advent X is available only with an 11-48t cassette.
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Microshift has long made mullet drivetrain compatible components for gravel bikes, but has only recently delved into gravel-specific groupsets with its Sword range.
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Microshift Sword is the Taiwanese brand’s new mechanical gravel bike groupset that’s available in 1x and 2x options.
The shifters have received a radical redesign, similar in appearance to a Shimano GRX-815 Di2 lever, albeit less angular. There’s texturing on the hoods for improved grip and the shifters are cable-actuated, meaning you cannot run hydraulic disc brakes on this groupset.
The rear derailleur has also been redesigned with a clutch for improving chain retention.
The 1x drivetrain option is paired with an 11-48t cassette, whereas you’ll need to use an 11-38t cassette on the 2x alternative.
Be aware the groupset doesn’t include a namesake chain, bottom bracket, brake calibers or disc brake rotors, so you’ll need to factor these into the cost too.
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Microshift also produces a wide range of shifters that are compatible with internal gear hubs.
This includes drop-bar, trigger, twist, bar-end and thumbie-style shifters for Shimano 8- and 11-speed Alfine hubs, as well as 3-, 7- and 8-speed Shimano Nexus hubs.
Shimano only produces trigger and grip shifters for these hubs. Microshift’s range opens up options for using an internal gear hub on any bike.
A drop-bar gravel bike with an internal gear hub? We like it.
See zwiftinsider.com/tiny for current Tiny Race details.
Shimano has launched its new XTR PD-M9220 pedals, which offer a wider platform, removable pins and improved bearing seals.
The mountain bike pedals match the new Shimano XTR Di2 groupset, which launched in June, and come with the brand’s new multi-entry cleats.
Tailored to aggressive trail and enduro riders, these pedals are more of an evolution than a revolution. However, they pack features that should mean they remain frontrunners in the crowded mountain bike pedals market.
Shimano says that the XTR PD-M9220 pedals focus on durability, with a robust outer cage protecting the binding mechanism from rock strikes and trail impacts.
This added toughness means extra weight. Shimano claims the PD-M9220 pedals weigh 435g, which is 40g heavier than the previous XTR PD-M9120 pedals.
Durability is also aided by the improved seal design, which should reduce any play and keep the bearings running smoothly for longer.
Shimano also had “enhanced rider control” in mind when creating the PD-M9220.
It says the pedals have “a wide contact area that improves pedalling efficiency, assuring no wasted power when charging uphill”.
Shimano has also combined the wider raised pedal platform with four adjustable traction pins, which were not present on the previous model.
The pins increase traction on the bottom of the shoe, adding resistance to guard against accidentally unclipping, and improving stability and control when you’re not clipped in.
Shimano has confirmed the PD-M9920 pedals will ship with the newly released MT001 pedal cleats as standard.
The two-bolt SPD cleat is the first major update to Shimano’s SPD cleat platform in nearly 30 years.
Whereas Shimano’s previous cleats required you to clip in ‘toe first’, the new cleats provide multi-directional entry for easier engagement.
While Shimano says the cleats are targeted at all riders – and should be particularly useful for beginners learning to use clipless pedals – they’ll also prove useful for enduro and trail riders who find themselves frequently clipping in and out.
Shimano says its new RX910 S-Phyre gravel shoes resolve the contradictory demands gravel racing puts on your footwear.
Gravel racing requires the power transfer you get from road shoes and cleats, and off-road traction for technical terrain.
But Shimano says its latest gravel shoes resolve this by “offering unmatched power transfer, walking stability, and all-day pedalling comfort in one streamlined package”. And a big part of how the RX910 S-Phyres do this is Shimano’s new and “revolutionary” Pontoon cleat system.
The Pontoon cleat system has a pair of modular, replaceable TPU contact blocks, which complement the lugged outsole. Shimano says these blocks “dramatically improve the shoe-to-pedal contact point” to optimise power transfer.
“The system enables a road-shoe-like pedalling interface while maintaining SPD compatibility and off-road functionality,” Shimano says.
While conventional gravel shoes have blocks mounted on their outsoles, Shimano says the RX910’s ‘pontoons’ are part of the cleat interface. This means they move with your cleat position to provide “consistent support and efficiency”.
Shimano says it developed its latest shoes with the professional gravel racer, Pete Stetina. “For me [the Pontoon cleat system] is the most exciting point of this shoe,” says Stetina. “You now have road stability and power transfer while still having the offroad benefits of mud shedding and quick engagement of SPD.”
The RX910 S-Phyre’s power transfer is also aided by its carbon sole, which scores 12/12 on Shimano’s own stiffness scale.
This is two points stiffer than the previous RX801 gravel shoes and the same stiffness level as the Shimano S-Phyre RC902 road shoes.
Elsewhere, Shimano says the RX910s have a seamless midsole construction to reduce stack height and improve pedalling efficiency.
Drainage holes will let water escape from crossing rivers and on rainy days, and provide ventilation in hot weather.
When it comes to fit, Shimano has equipped the RX910s with Boa dials for micro-adjustments. An anti-twist heel cup and surround wrapping upper should help hold your foot comfortably.
The shoes weigh a claimed 304g (size 43) and come in a range of standard, half and wide sizes.
They will cost you £369.99 / $480 / €419.95.
“Nearly 400 students, many of them entrepreneurs, have so far made the journey to Forest City to study everything from coding to unconventional theories on statehood,” reports Bloomberg.
“They’re building crypto projects, fine-tuning their physiques and testing whether a shared ideology — rather than just shared territory — can bind a community.”
They have descended on Forest City to attend Network School, the brainchild of former Coinbase Inc. executive and “The Network State” author Balaji Srinivasan. In this troubled megaproject once envisaged to house some 50 times its current population, they’re conducting a real-life experiment of sorts with Srinivasan’s vision of “startup societies” defined less by historical territory than shared beliefs in technology, cryptocurrency and light regulation… Mornings are spent in product sprints and coding sessions; afternoons in seminars exploring topics from the Meiji Restoration to Singapore’s statecraft and the mechanics of decentralized governance. Guest lectures double as both technological deep dives and ideological sermons, according to half a dozen students interviewed by Bloomberg. The campus also mirrors Silicon Valley’s infatuation with longevity and health, right down to a commercial-grade gym and specially designed workout routines. Students follow a protein-heavy diet…
After co-founding DNA testing startup Counsyl in 2008 and serving as its chief technology officer, Srinivasan spent five years at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, first as general partner and then as board partner. He joined Coinbase as CTO in 2018 when the crypto exchange bought a portfolio company he oversaw and left after a little over a year, according to his LinkedIn profile. In a 2013 speech at Y Combinator’s Startup School, Srinivasan brought his ideas about what he saw as a fundamental conflict between some modern nation-states and innovation to a wider audience. In the address, he advocated for Silicon Valley’s “ultimate exit” from the U.S., which he argued was obsolete and hostile to innovators. In essence: If the society you live in is broken, why not just “opt out” and create a new one?
“The Network State: How To Start a New Country,” published in 2022, expanded on Srinivasan’s “exit” concept to outline how online, ideologically aligned communities can use crypto and digital tools to form new, decentralized states. A network state can be geographically dispersed and bound together by the internet and blockchains, he says, and the aim is to gain diplomatic recognition… On the Moment of Zen podcast in September 2023, he outlined how the “Gray Tribe” — entrepreneurs, innovators and thinkers — can retake control of San Francisco from the Blues using a variety of tactics, like allying with local police. The effort would involve gaining control of territory, according to Srinivasan, who didn’t advocate for violence. “Elections are just the cherry on the cake,” he said. “Elections are just a reflection of your total control of the streets.”
The cost of attending Network School “starts at $1,500 per month, including lodging and food, for those who opt for a shared room.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
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