Zwift version 1.96 begins its phased rollout today. This is a small update, but racers should take note of a fast new wheelset, and achievement badge completionists will want to know what’s changed on their badge list. Read on for details…

New ENVE SES 4.5 PRO Wheelset

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

The wheels are now available in the Drop Shop, accessible at level 29 and above, for a price of 675,000 Drops. They are the only wheelset in the Drop Shop with a 4-star rating for both aero and weight, so we expect them to be fast on the flats, and light on the climbs!

Watch this space for a detailed post about their performance once we finish our speed tests.

If you’d like to try the wheels before purchasing, September’s ZRacing events feature them, meaning everyone will be placed on these wheels for each of September’s races. (More info on September’s ZRacing will be published here on Zwift Insider tomorrow.)

Unearned Event-Only Badges Now Hidden

Zwift says, “In the Achievements screen, placeholder badges will now only be shown for routes that are available to all Zwifters in the Routes list. If a route is only accessible via an Event, the badge will be shown in the Achievements screen if it has been earned.”

The event-only route badge situation has been a messy one for years on Zwift. In the early days, event-only routes didn’t have achievement badges. That changed with the release of the Neokyo Crit Course in November 2021, the first event-only route to ever have an achievement badge and corresponding bonus XP.

Since then, more and more event-only routes have had achievement badges attached. But there are still many that don’t.

Zwifters who love earning achievement badges have been frustrated by their inability to earn badges for certain event-only routes, and this seems to be the driving force behind Zwift removing unearned event-only route badges from the list and the counter at the top.

To be clear, you can still earn these badges. They just aren’t visible until you earn them, making them like other hidden “extra credit” badges in Zwift.

Here’s a full list of event-only routes with achievement badges and associated XP, in case you want to make sure you earn all these badges:

Release Notes

Zwift provided notes on additional tweaks and bug fixes in this update:

• The in-game “Friends Zwifting” notification is no longer shown during Workouts.
• Fixed an issue that caused some environmental shadows to have jerky animations.
• Fixed a crash that could potentially occur when creating custom workouts.
• Fixed an issue that could cause water to flicker at some locations in France.
• Android: Improved Bluetooth connection reliability.
• Windows, Android: Stability improvements.

Discuss this update in Zwift’s forum >

Questions or Comments?

If you spotted any other changes or bugs in the update, please comment below!

I can already hear the comments… Pashley? Wasn’t that the brand behind the wicker-basket bearing Princess? That lot who made the Royal Mail’s rides when I was a kid?

I do like a nice steel bike, and I love to see the custom creations at Bespoke or NAHB, but I’ve never really wanted one, not since I was a poor student in 1994 when I lusted after a classy (now classic) steel Colnago. That’s now changed with this lovely looking machine.

Now, admittedly, Pashley has made some very cool bikes; there’s the Hipster gold-star bearing Guv’Nor, and who can forget the super-cool mountain bike TV series made famous by the talented Tongue brothers’ antics.

Things started to look up when Pashley announced the Roadfinder at the start of this year, which appeared to be a solid, do-it-all classic British road bike, albeit with a nice, stylish twist and a hint of the new technology Pashley introduced alongside its traditional manufacturing expertise.

In Pashley’s 99-year history, however, it appears the brand has learned a great deal. This new bike showcases its frame-building mastery and sets the agenda for what we can expect from the Stratford-upon-Avon-based manufacturer in the future.

• Read more: Best steel road bikes 2025: 7 timeless bikes that will never go out of fashion

Cutting-edge in steel

The new Roadfinder SL is something very special. Not only is it one of the best-looking new bikes of 2025, it’s also steel, and under the skin it’s made with the sort of craftsmanship and tech know-how that would shame the most exclusive boutique frame builders.

The tubeset comes from fellow West Midlands outfit Reynolds, in the shape of its legendary seamless 853 tubeset, custom drawn for Pashley in this SL version. That’s combined with 3D-printed stainless steel junctions, along with cast pieces. The mixture of materials means a multitude of fabrication techniques.

So, every Roadfinder SL frame has traditional brazing, TIG welding and even silver soldering to join its component parts.

The frame weight is down to around 1,600g, which is very light for steel, even more so when you consider the Roadfinder SL is a disc frameset with 12mm thru-axles, mudguard eyelets and a UDH dropout.

Fantastic ferrous

Pashley’s attention to detail is evidence of a brand that’s serious about making one of the most advanced steel frames available.

The brand says it re-evaluated every component of the frame fabrication. This involved redesigning and removing material from every 3D-printed element without compromising its structural integrity. It also involved a new custom 853 tubeset produced in collaboration with Reynolds – made exclusively for the Roadfinder SL.

The special tubeset developed with Pashley takes in the smallest of details. “Positions of tube butts and wall thickness all came under additional scrutiny for weight reduction; the top tube, for example, now has reduced butt lengths and a central portion that is only 0.4mm thick,” Jon Cumberpatch, lead designer at Pashley, explained.

It’s all in the details

Every element of the frame has come under scrutiny, without compromising style. Take the left-hand rear dropout; it still bears the signature casting Pashley ‘P’ emblem, but internally and structurally, Pashley has worked to reduce the weight by 30g.

With a combination of laser-cut pieces and lots of 3D printing rendered in stainless steel, the Roadfinder SL is the most advanced steel frame Pashley has ever produced.

Other details, such as a 3D-printed stainless steel front derailleur hanger, help reduce weight, while the frame is solidly up to date with a threaded T47 bottom bracket and UDH rear dropout.

The frame is designed for internally routed brake hoses and electronic drivetrains. So, once Pashley had fabricated the frame with its multitude of routing ports, it needed to make sure the steel isn’t vulnerable to corrosion.

Pashley CEO Andy Smallwood explains: “Once the fabricated frame is finished, we shot-blast it in-house to clean and remove any impurities as well as adding further marginal improvements to the frame’s strength and durability. We then send it for electro-coating, which completely covers the frame inside and outside in a 2-micron thick durable layer to fully protect from corrosion and act as an initial base ahead of painting.”

That’s a huge improvement in anti-corrosion compared to a standard primed and painted frameset.

The wet-paint process is then applied with graphics and logos stenciled and painted rather than decals. This also gives Pashley lots of options with regard to custom colours and customisation options.

Minimal manufacturing miles

Pashley has been fabricating steel frames at its Stratford factory for 99 years. Unlike many of its rivals, it hasn’t seen the need to move manufacturing overseas for cost savings.

The tubesets come from Reynolds in Birmingham, a distance of only 26 miles (42km), and the 3D-printed stainless parts are produced locally too. The whole fabrication, painting and assembly process is done in-house, too.

It’s impressive to think that your first ride out on a Roadfinder SL could well be the longest distance it has ever travelled.

Realistic prices

What would you expect to pay for a handmade, state-of-the-art, custom tubeset and 3D-printed steel frame from a boutique builder?

I’d suggest thousands for the frameset alone. So, when Pashley gave me the UK price list for the Roadfinder SL, I had to double-check it hadn’t made a mistake.

The bike shown here, with Shimano Ultegra Di2, Parcours carbon wheels, Zipp carbon bar, seatpost and stem, finished with Vittoria Corsa tyres and a Brooks Cambium saddle and bar tape, costs £5,495.

With bikes starting from £3,950, the range-topping Campagnolo Super Record 13-equipped bike is £8,995. I can’t think of another handmade steel bike that gets close to that sort of value.

• Pashley Roadfinder SL Shimano 105 Di2: £3,950
• Pashley Roadfinder SL Shimano Ultegra Di2: £5,495
• Pashley Roadfinder SL Shimano Dura-Ace Di2: £8,495
• Pashley Roadfinder SL Campagnolo Super Record 13-speed: £8,995
• Pashley Roadfinder SL frameset: £1,795

Custom coming soon?

I like the idea of a handmade steel bike made in Shakespeare’s home town that could cut it with the most exclusive handcrafted boutique builds for a fraction of the price.

Smallwood told me that, because of the new techniques and technology used on the Roadfinder SL, along with having complete control over the whole manufacturing process, Pashley is looking into offering full-custom options around the new range of performance bikes.

Pro cyclist Derek Gee spoke out publicly yesterday to confirm he has “formally and duly” terminated his contract with Israel–Premier Tech.

In a statement released on his social media channels, Gee said: “This was not an easy decision, but one I made after careful consideration and for legitimate reasons. Certain issues simply made my continuation at the team untenable.”

Gee’s decision follows Israel–Premier Tech’s statement last week that said the Canadian road cycling champion’s contract is valid until 2028.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Derek Gee (@derekgee97)

“Israel-Premier Tech was unexpectedly issued a notice of termination from lawyers representing Derek Gee on Friday, 9 August,” the team wrote. 

“Gee, who is under his contract with Israel-Premier Tech until 2028, having signed a five-year contract extension in 2023, had been engaged in discussions with team management to renegotiate the conditions of his current contract.”

Gee’s statement also came after reporting that Gee was linked with a move to Ineos Grenadiers, as reported by Daniel Benson and La Gazzetta dello Sport. But Gee has dismissed the rumours. 

“I want to make it very clear, despite some current reporting, this decision solely concerns the termination of my previous contract with Israel–Premier Tech,” his statement said. “In accordance with UCI regulations, I have not yet signed with, nor even spoke to, any new teams.”

Gee has raced for Israel–Premier Tech since 2023. He finished ninth at the Tour de France last year and fourth at the 2025 Giro d’Italia.

He was supposed to be riding the Vuelta a España, which started on Saturday, but he was not announced as part of the Israel–Premier Tech squad. 

Designed to redefine what’s possible in all-mountain riding, Pivot has given its Shuttle AM a refresh, with refined geometry, an updated motor and a few fine details gaining the attention of its engineers.

The new Shuttle AM has 150mm of rear-wheel travel and the latest Bosch Gen 5 Performance Line CX or CX-R motor, for punchy power on the trail.

The bike is built to be ridden all day, with an efficient suspension platform that can still deliver on the descents and a large 800Wh battery for increased range. Add a 250Wh PowerMore range extender and you shouldn’t run out of juice.

The new Shuttle AM has a similar use case to Pivot’s non-assisted Switchblade and sits alongside the longer-travel Shuttle LT.

The Shuttle LT has a softer ride feel through the suspension, while the AM is more efficient under power.

In-depth frame development

As with most high-end electric mountain bikes, carbon is used throughout the frame.

Pivot tells us that around half the bike’s development time was spent on ensuring the carbon layup was just-so.

In reality, this means the engineers spent around two years working on the way the carbon sheets were laid, and what size and shape they needed to be.

One of their priorities was a bike that drops into, and holds, a corner nicely.

As such, each size bike has its own layup, with different tube profiles visible between the sizes.

Going further, the battery is decoupled from the down tube, with nylon mounts preventing the structure impacting on the frame’s flex.

Making the suspension work

It’s no surprise to see Pivot employing Dave Weagle’s DW-link suspension design – it’s one Pivot uses extensively throughout its full-suspension line-up.

The system employs two short links to join the front and rear triangles, creating a virtual pivot point.

During the launch presentation of the Shuttle AM, John Pentecost, from Pivot, told BikeRadar the DW-link delivers increased anti-squat (the force that resists pedal bob) when more power is added – something an eMTB does very well.

This increased anti-squat means less compression damping is required in the shock for it to remain stable under pedalling loads, freeing up the shock to work properly.

This is, according to Pentecost, different from a typical four-bar bike. 

These perform well under braking, usually. However, increased power, especially on an eMTB, causes the suspension to squat more, sinking the rider down and back, and effectively shooting the bike forwards from underneath. 

As such, this can necessitate increased low-speed compression damping on the shock to calm pedal inputs.

More motor

Bosch’s fifth-generation Performance CX motor is bolted into the belly of the bike, with the Pro and Team models receiving the CX-Race motor.

The motor has been updated, giving it 100Nm of torque and 750W of power – up from 85Nm and 650W previously.

The Race motor sees a weight reduction of around 100g, uses ceramic bearings and a titanium spindle, and has better heat management. There’s also the option to run up to a three-second overrun, should you wish.

So punchy is the power delivery in the Race mode, that Pivot advises getting used to the motor’s performance before using it on the trail. It’s quite the experience.

The Team and Pro bikes, with the CX-R motor, get Tour+, EMTB+, Turbo and Race modes, while the cheaper Ride build, with the standard CX motor, gets Tour+, EMTB, EMTB+ and Turbo modes.

The EMTB+ mode has a little more fine-tuning in its dynamic power delivery, with a goal of maximising traction on loose climbs.

The eBike Flow app allows plenty of customisation to power levels and modes.

All the bikes receive an 800Wh battery, with the option to run the 250Wh PowerMore range extender. 

The Pro and Team build also feature the new Kiox 400C top-tube screen, which is full-colour, and has customisable data and ride navigation capabilities.

A new magnetic cap over the charge port adds sealing, and can be removed easily if the range extender cable is attached. The team at Pivot are particularly proud of it.

Ample sizing

Four sizes will be offered, from Small to XL.

Key geometry figures include a head angle of 64.1 degrees, 76.5-degree seat angles, reach figures from 431mm to 496mm and a BB height of 345mm.

There is a geometry chip, which will steepen the angles by around 0.5 degrees, reduce the reach a touch and raise the bottom bracket, ideal for those riding technical climbs and in areas with lots of roots and rocks to get over.

While bikes will come as full 29ers, a 27.5in rear wheel can be fitted, with Pivot suggesting the geometry flip chip is placed in its ‘High’ position. 

Pivot Shuttle AM range details

The range starts with the Ride model.

This has, for the first time in Pivot’s history, a RockShox suspension package, featuring a Lyrik Select+ fork and Super Deluxe Select shock. 

There’s a SRAM Eagle 70/90 Transmission mechanical drivetrain, DT Swiss alloy hoops and EXO+ casing Maxxis tyres.

The mid-spec Pro model also sees RockShox suspension, this time Ultimate-level Lyrik and Super Deluxe, while an X0 Transmission and Maven Silver brakes look after the bike’s stop-and-go capabilities.

eMTB-optimised DT Swiss HX1501 wheels are again wrapped in Maxxis tyres.

At the top end, the Team build has Fox Factory suspension – a 36 fork and a Float-X shock. 

There’s a SRAM XX Transmission drivetrain and Maven Ultimate brakes, and the same wheel/tyre combo as found on the Pro. Fox’s Live Valve Neo system can be added, too.

It has a claimed weight of 21.5kg.

Pivot Shuttle AM Pricing

• Shuttle AM Ride: £8,600 / $8,499 / €8,599
• Shuttle AM Pro: £11,900 / $11,999 / €11,999
• Shuttle AM Team: £13,900 / $14,499 / €13,999
• Bosch PowerMore: $599
• Fox Live Valve Neo shock (Team builds only): $1,500

Pivot Shuttle AM Pro ride impressions

I’ve only had a very brief time on the Shuttle AM, in some incredibly dusty conditions, and I need more time on the bike before I can draw definitive conclusions.

However, the Shuttle AM climbs very well.

Bosch’s latest motor is an impressive unit, with plenty of power and torque on offer to get you up the steepest hills.

The delivery of both is impressive, especially in the EMTB+ mode, which seems to dole it out with almost perfect control.

While DJI and Mahle’s ebike motors have more sensors measuring wheel speed, giving them more clarity over what the wheel is doing at any one time, Bosch’s computing power has been put to good use.

Traction is impressive even on loose surfaces.

As Pivot warned, though, the Race setting is very, very punchy.

This all works well with the DW-link suspension. It’s stable under power, which helps give the bike plenty of zip, despite its weight of around 22kg.

Although it’s stable, the suspension remains active enough to soak up uphill hits.

On the way down again, the low and central weight, and modern geometry give the bike ample stability, even if it’s not quite as long and slack as the most radical rides out there.

It’s not quite as smooth as, say, the Shuttle LT.

The rear suspension, designed to be efficient for all-day rides, does a good job of dealing with the bigger hits, and tracks the ground well, but it’s not entirely isolating from the chunder.

It will, however, pick up speed and encourage you to push harder on more flowy terrain.

Cornering characteristics are pleasing, with a light-feeling, snappy attitude between the corners.

There’s still stability, though, on long, rough corners.

The Maven Silver brakes are punchy and powerful, and I’ve not had any wandering bite-point issues on this bike. I’ll admit to not being a huge fan of the Maxxis Minion DHF on the front, though, in dry and dusty conditions.

The tyre requires you to lean the bike right over for the shoulder tread to bite properly into the dirt. In summer conditions, an Assegai would be a better bet.

What happens when an elite distance runner attempts an FTP test on Zwift? In this week’s top video, watch as a sub-elite marathoner tackles an FTP test.

Also included in this week’s top videos are tough Zwift races, the addition of native power to the KICKR ROLLR, a comparison between the different types of FTP tests, and a dream pain cave build.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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

Last week, a comment from an astute reader alerted me to a browser extension I’d never heard of: ZwiftPower ZRS.

Available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, the extension delivers a simple but useful upgrade to the ZwiftPower experience for racers by adding Zwift Racing Score results to event pages. Here how it works…

Installation

Installation is easy – just navigate to the ZwiftPower ZRS page for your browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox) and click to add it to your browser. Done! It will automagically function when viewing event results on ZwiftPower.

Usage

Visit any event results page on ZwiftPower to see the extension at work. Here’s one such page, the results for a race I wrote about losing just this week.

ZwiftPower ZRS adds a “ZRS” column to the results, as shown below:

The number in black is the ZRS result for the race, while the smaller superscript number tells you how much the rider’s score changed with this result.

If a rider’s score increased due to a power PR that resulted in a seed score boost, you’ll see an upward arrow ⇡. You may also see an up tack ⊥ next to the score, which indicates that the rider’s ZRS floor has been reached.

From the Creator

I reached out to the creator of ZwiftPower ZRS, who prefers to go by the nickname “int” for online anonymity. Here’s what they shared:

Feature Requests for Zwift

We could discuss potential improvements to the ZRS algorithm all day long, but for this post, I want to stay focused on what the ZwiftPower ZRS extension does: make it easier to view ZRS information.

A ZRS column should already be built into ZwiftPower, of course. This extension, like other brilliant community projects over the years, just adds functionality Zwift should have already built!

I would also love to see the score change number showing up on the event results page at zwift.com as well (for example, at zwift.com/events/view/5061096).

And my bigger ask – which Zwift has said is coming – is some sort of historical view of a rider’s ZRS, as int mentions above. I want to see how my score has tracked over time, and I want to see that for others as well. Please make it so, Zwift!

Questions or Comments?

Have you used this browser extension? Would you like Zwift to make ZRS information more available, and if so, how specifically? Share your thoughts below!

Knog has announced a recall of early production runs of its Blinder 900 and Blinder 1300 front lights following reports of potential battery issues that may cause the units to fail.

“Customer safety is our absolute top priority,” said Mal McKechnie, Knog’s chief operating officer in a statement sent to the media. “While a recall is never ideal, we’re acting proactively to prevent any additional product failures.”

The Blinder 900 and 1300 sit at the higher-output end of Knog’s range. The 1300 is our current pick as the best all-round light for road cyclists.

• Read more: Best bike lights 2025 reviewed

What’s affected

• Models: Blinder 900 (front), Blinder 1300 (front)
• Scope: early batches only (identified by batch code)
• Issue: potential battery-related failure that could compromise performance and safety

Knog is asking riders to check their batch code via its product recall portal. If a unit is affected, customers can submit a claim for a free replacement.

Once confirmed, the faulty light should be disposed of. Knog encourages affected riders to follow local regulations because its lights contain lithium batteries.

See zwiftinsider.com/route/red-zone-repeats/

When you’re on the bike, it’s important to keep hydrated – we all know that. But what many of us don’t know is that water often doesn’t do a good a job as we want.

That’s where electrolytes come in. An electrolyte mix can help to replace the fluid and salts you burn through on long rides, supporting hydration and recovery.

And right now, Gut Wealth is offering up to 30 per cent off its Water Wealth mix, making it an affordable way to introduce electrolytes into your hydration routine.

Rehydrate smarter

Fight fatigue and cramps: 10% off one sachet or 30% off two

View price

Understanding electrolytes

Sweat on the bike and you’ll lose essential minerals that your body needs to function at its best. Water is good, but it doesn’t contain the electrolytes that’ll keep you cycling at your peak and feeling good throughout the day.  

• Learn more about how electrolytes can help improve your performance

What does it contain?

Water Wealth tastes like summer fruit and contains a mixture of essential electrolytes (776mg of electrolytes per scoop), trace minerals and vitamins. That includes 50mg of Vitamin C and 100 per cent of your daily recommended amount of Vitamin B12. There’s also no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. 

You simply mix one scoop into 500ml of water, give it a stir or a shake, and you’re good to go.

• Find out more about Water Wealth’s electrolytes, minerals and vitamins mix

Why Water Wealth?

Gut Wealth, the company behind Water Wealth, is best known for its daily vitamin tablets, designed to aid gut health, particularly for those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.

Water Wealth is its foray into hydration, combining the brand’s expertise in gut health with hydration science.

• Learn more about how Water Wealth’s ingredients can help you 

Rehydrate smarter

Fight fatigue and cramps: 10% off one sachet or 30% off two

View price

This week’s selections include a bit of everything… a memorial ride, two races, an endurance effort, and a banded ride. Pick what works for you, and Ride On!

BMTR LANDER Alpe Memorial Tribute Ride

TNP Chase Race

Bikealicious Climbalicious

Tour de HISP 2025 Stage 6

USMeS – Task Force 100 [E]

How We Make Our Picks

We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:

• Is the event unique/innovative in some way?
• Are celebrities (pro riders, etc) attending/leading?
• Are signup counts already high, meaning the event is extra-popular?
• Does the ride include desirable unlocks or prizes?
• Does the event appeal to ladies on Zwift? (We like to support this under-represented group!)
• Is it for a good cause?
• Is it just plain crazy (extra long races, world record attempts, etc)?
• Is it a long-running, popular weekly event with a dedicated leader who deserves a shout out?

In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!

The 2025 Vuelta a España starts on Saturday 23 August and finishes 21 stages and 3,151km later on Sunday 14 September.

This year’s route starts in Turin, with three stages in Italy and one that crosses from Italy into France, before arriving in Spain for a 24.1km time trial on stage 5 in Figueres. The route stays firmly in the north of Spain, making a traverse from east to west, before heading towards a second time trial on stage 18 in Valladolid and finishing in Madrid.

Last year’s win for Primož Roglič was his fourth at La Vuelta, equalling the record set by Spain’s Roberto Heras in the early 2000s. But having started both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France this year, Roglič is skipping the race, as is his countryman Tadej Pogačar.

That leaves Jonas Vingegaard as a top contender, although he’ll be up against strong competition that includes Pogačar’s teammate João Almeida, who picked up a string of overall wins in shorter stage races this year, before crashing out of the Tour de France.

How to watch the Vuelta a España 2025: quick guide

• Watch in the UK: TNT Sports / Discovery+ (£30.99/month)
• Watch in the USA: Subscribe to Peacock
• Watch in Canada: Subscribe to FloBikes
• Watch in Australia: SBS
• Watch anywhere: Catch your usual stream on the move by subscribing to NordVPN*

How can I watch the Vuelta a España 2025 live in the UK?

TNT Sports/Discovery+ will show live coverage of the Vuelta a España 2025 and, as usual, there’s an on-demand option. Coverage times are to be confirmed.

A TNT Sports subscription costs £30.99 per month. It’s available on a range of platforms including tablets, mobile, TV with Chromecast, or AirPlay, Android TV or Apple TV.

How else can I watch the Vuelta a España 2025 when I’m outside the UK?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that enables you to change your device’s IP address, making it appear as though you’re accessing the internet from another country.

As long as you adhere to your broadcaster’s terms and conditions, a VPN enables you to unblock your usual streaming services, no matter your location. Additionally, a VPN can improve playback speeds and significantly enhance your overall internet security.

There are many VPN options available, but we recommend NordVPN as the best choice. It offers strong streaming capabilities, robust security features and excellent value for money.

• Subscribe to NordVPN

*At BikeRadar (published by Our Media Limited), we review VPN services to help you access online content and services securely while you’re on the go. This includes activities such as streaming your favourite TV shows, live web content or using apps from different countries (provided it’s okay with the service provider’s terms and conditions). It’s important to note: BikeRadar does not endorse or support the use of VPN services for illegal or malicious activities, such as accessing paid-for pirated content. Please ensure you enjoy online content responsibly.

How can I watch the Vuelta a España 2025 live in the US?

Viewers in the US can enjoy daily coverage on NBC Sports and Peacock. You can watch NBC on demand, too – there’s no additional charge above your cable, satellite or telco TV provider’s subscription cost.

Peacock access requires a subscription to its premium tier, priced at $7.99 per month, or $79.99 for a year’s access.

How can I watch the Vuelta a España 2025 live in Australia?

SBS will be covering the Vuelta a España live and on demand. With live coverage of most stages starting around 11pm, this might be one to pick up on demand on the SBS Sport website.

The full schedule is here.

How can I watch the Vuelta a España 2025 if I can’t get live coverage?

YouTube is a good option if you want shorter highlights and you don’t have on-demand access to any of the above sources. You can also watch short highlights videos on the Vuelta a España site.

Both are also good sources for highlights of previous editions to get you geared up for the racing.

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

Your groupset is a pivotal part of your mountain bike, enabling you to put power down, change gear and even come to a stop in some cases.

While it can be overlooked, upgrading it can make a big difference to how your bike feels up and down the trails.

There are plenty of deals to be had at the moment, so we’ve had a sniff around to find some of the best for those looking to upgrade their groupset.

There are options from SRAM and Shimano on this list, so whatever your allegiance, there’s a groupset for you.

We’ve saved what we think is the best deal until last, so be sure to check it out.

• Read more: Mountain bike groupsets – everything you need to know
  

Shimano XT M8100 1×12 £632 £325 (save 49%)

Shimano’s XT M8100 groupset has been a benchmark for mechanical groupsets, and has continued to impress us since we first reviewed it at launch, giving it a 4.5-star rating.

While it’s not the latest Shimano XT groupset, with the electric M8200 Di2 released this year, it’s still a great performer for the price.

This deal at Merlin Cycles sees the groupset’s price slashed from £632 to £325, saving you 49 per cent.

• Buy Shimano XT M8100 1×12 now from Merlin Cycles

SRAM XX T-Type Eagle AXS Transmission £2,195 £1,097.50 (save 50%)

SRAM XX T-Type Eagle AXS Transmission is one of the few products to receive our coveted 5-star rating, with its launch signaling a revolution in mountain bike drivetrains.

The groupset utilises SRAM’s UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) design, with the derailleur bolting directly to the frame and using reinforcement from the axle to add strength.

XX is SRAM’s top-of-the line groupset, and is targeted towards trail and cross-country riding.

We praised the groupset’s durability, ergonomics and ability to shift under load in testing, and it will make a great addition to any bike.

Just remember, you need a UDH-equipped bike for compatibility.

• Buy SRAM XX T-Type Eagle AXS Transmission now from Merlin Cycles

Shimano SLX M7100 1×12 £465 £225 (save 52%)

Shimano’s SLX groupset might not receive as much attention as XT and XTR, but it’s still classed as a performance mountain bike groupset in the brand’s hierarchy, borrowing tech from its siblings.

For those not wanting to spend loads on upgrading their groupset, £225 is an excellent price for all the parts you need to get your bike running smoothly again.

We tested this version of SLX when it was released, praising its performance and awarding it 4 stars.

• Buy Shimano SLX M7100 1×12 now from Merlin Cycles

SRAM X0 T-Type Eagle AXS Transmission £1,715 £1,215 (save 29%)

X0 is SRAM’s enduro and trail Transmission, with near-identical performance to XX and a heavier-duty design for more challenging conditions.

Many of the best enduro mountain bikes feature the groupset, with its shifting among the best on the market.

If you’re looking to upgrade your mountain bike or electric mountain bike, SRAM’s X0 groupset should be on your shortlist, and with 29 per cent off, it’s even sweeter.

• Buy SRAM X0 T-Type Eagle AXS Transmission now from Sigma Sports

SRAM GX T-Type Eagle AXS Transmission £1,180 £820 (save 31%)

Like XX and X0, GX uses the same technology for its derailleur design, including X-SYNC and cassette mapping that creates timed shifts that help when changing gear under load.

While it’s slightly heavier than XX, the trade-off shouldn’t leave your wallet as light.

We’ve spent plenty of time on the groupset while testing bikes and found it to be nearly flawless.

If you’re looking to upgrade your groupset to a new shifting experience, this is one to consider.

• Buy SRAM GX T-Type Eagle AXS Transmission now from Sigma Sports