Rob Britton is riding Factors new Sarana gravel bike for the Traka 560 gravel race today. Designed with input from the 2025 Unbound XL winner, the Factor Sarana majors on comfort and control over long distances, without compromising on aerodynamics or speed. Most notably, the Sarana is designed to be used with a gravel suspension fork up front, with Britton opting for the 40mm-travel version of Foxs 32 Taper-Cast Factory gravel fork. The rest of the bike features a collection of truncated aerofoil tube shapes, with deeper aerofoils up front, shorter, slimmer ones at the rear, and heavily dropped seatstays. Britton also opted for a set of time-trial style aero extensions, to help with speed and comfort during the long flat stretches in-between climbs on the 550km course. Bang on trend for this years Traka, Britton is also using Schwalbes Thunder Burt tyres the German brands fastest cross-country mountain bike option rather than dedicated gravel tyres. These were mounted to the Saranas new Black Inc Forty Six gravel wheelset, which features wide, 46mm-deep aero rims designed for chunky tyres. Read more: Canyon's new unreleased Grail CFR is an aero bike with clearance for XC tyres Monster gravel TT XC tyres are on-trend at this year's Traka, with many top racers opting for Schwalbe Thunder Burts. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Ultra-wide tyres have been a clear theme at this years Traka, with countless pros and amateur riders opting for 50mm+ options. Speaking exclusively to BikeRadar before the race, Britton described the Schwalbe Thunder Burts as a terrible mountain bike tyre, but one of the best gravel tyres Ive used. Britton opted for the narrowest, 2.1in / 53mm version, although the Sarana frame has clearance for 2.2in / 57mm tyres, so can accommodate even larger tyres if desired. The Fox suspension fork has less tyre clearance than the Sarana frame, but it still clears a 2.1in Thunder Burt. Simon von Bromley / Our Media The Sarana can be specced with a dropper seatpost to improve its descending capabilities. Simon von Bromley / Our Media The Fox gravel forks clearance tops out at 50mm (the Schwalbes measure a little narrower than specified once mounted up), although the Sarana can also be specced with a matching rigid fork, enabling the use of 57mm-wide tyres front and rear. The Sarana can also be specced with a dropper seatpost if desired, although Britton has opted for a rigid carbon post from his sponsor Easton for this race. Britton's aero extensions mount directly to his one-piece Black Inc cockpit. Simon von Bromley / Our Media A set of custom bar-end shifters enable Britton to change gears while in an aero tuck. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Despite these XC-inspired features, the rest of the Sarana is firmly in fast endurance bike territory. The frame is aerodynamically optimised, and features a fully integrated, Black Inc aero cockpit up front. Brittons aero extensions are identical to those specced on Factors Hanzo time trial bike, and provide the Canadian with a comfortable and aerodynamic position to lock into for extended periods. XC/gravel hybrid drivetrain Instead of Shimano's GRX drivetrain components, Britton opts for the lighter (and pricier) XTR rear derailleur and cassette. Simon von Bromley / Our Media One of the few pro riders we've seen at this years Traka on a Shimano drivetrain, Britton paired a top-spec XTR rear derailleur with a 10-51t cassette and a 46t 1x aero chainring. Britton told us he usually opts for a 46t chainring for longer races, because it gives him a comfortable spread of gears for challenging courses (this years Traka 560 route features more than 9,000m of elevation gain). Britton uses a 46t chainring mounted to a Sigeyi power meter and Easton cranks. Simon von Bromley / Our Media This chainring is mounted to a Sigeyi power meter spider, with Easton carbon cranks in a relatively short (considering Brittons 1.88m height), 170mm length. Instead of GRX gravel shifters, Britton has opted for Shimano Ultegra Di2 road shifters. He also has a set of custom satellite shifters mounted to his aero extensions. Luggage and plugs at the ready Britton uses Tailfin bags to carry all of his food, tools and spares. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Finishing off Brittons build is a set of Tailfin frame bags, plus a small saddle bag, two bottle cages and some tubeless plugs taped to the frame, ready to be called into action at a moment's notice. Britton said his frame bags would be filled with fuel for the race, from his sponsor The Feed, plus tools and spares to help him deal with any mechanical failures. Britton has a tubeless plug ready to go on his chainstay. Simon von Bromley / Our Media And another one taped underneath the stem. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Instead of bringing a hand pump, Britton said he would be racing with an electric mini pump, with enough juice to fully re-inflate his tyres around four times. Last but not least, Britton is running Shimano XTR SPD pedals, plus Exposure lights and a custom-made saddle from Canadian brand, Reform. Britton has a custom saddle made by Reform. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Rob Britton with his new Factor Sarana for the 2026 Traka 560. Simon von Bromley / Our Media

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Bosch has released its latest firmware update called Performance Update 2.0, which includes a 41% increase in torque for the CX and CX-R motors, boosting maximum torque to 120Nm. This matches the torque of the outgoing Avinox M1 motor, but falls short against the new class-leading Avinox M2S, which is capable of a whopping 150Nm torque and 1,500W maximum power in temporary Boost mode. The update also offers CX and CX-R users the chance to access an Extended Boost programmable overrun, Drivetrain Tensioner capability, an enhanced Trick Check feature and Live Data interface with selected Garmin Edge computers. The Performance Update 2.0 software will be available via a free over-the-air update from 4 May. Read more: DJI'sAvinoxeMTBmotor is better in every respect, but Idstill buy a Bosch-powered bike for one reason Performance Update 2.0 CX and CX-R motors Performance Update 2.0 gives the Bosch CX and CX-R motors a serious boost to 120Nm torque. Bosch The new Performance Update 2.0 includes software updates and some new hardware. Performance Line CX and CX-R now have 120Nm of torque and 600% support Power remains at 750W Live Data interface now enables selected Garmin Edge computers to sync with bikes Extended Boost can be customised in the Bosch eBike Flow app, offering up to two metres of programmable overrun Drivetrain Tensioner feature adds code that temporarily locks the freewheel between the electric motor and crank Trick Check feature automatically recognises jumps, wheelies, manuals or endos New 12A Charger released as part of the update Bosch responds as Avinox raises the bar The Avinox M2S motor is the most powerful on the market, but Bosch's Performance Update 2.0 offers CX and CX-R owners a significant torque increase to compete. Scott Windsor / Our Media The biggest headline about the latest Bosch Performance Update 2.0 firmware update is the increase in maximum available torque. Previously, Bosch motors had a maximum of 85Nm torque. The Avinox M1 motor offered 1,000w maximum power and 120Nm maximum torque. What we dont see in the new Bosch firmware update is an increase in power from 750W, but there is a reason for this. Bosch has been vocal in calling for a cap on maximum continuous power from ebikes. Bosch and brand ambassador Hans Rey have been lobbying for legislation that would see Class 1 ebikes limited to 750W. Bosch ebike motors are capable of a maximum 750W peak power. Bosch says the 120Nm torque figure applies only in Race, Turbo, eMTB+, Cargo and Auto modes. Read more: MTB legend calls for clearer ebike regulation but would your bike be banned from the trails? Why hasn't Bosch upped the power? Bosch ambassador and eMTB proponent Hans Rey is calling for a power limit on ebikes. Kyle Emery-Peck This nominal rating signifies the average continuous rated power a motor can produce over 30 minutes without overheating, complying with regulations in UK and Europe (EPAC standards). Class 1 ebikes are limited to a maximum assisted speed of 15.5mph in the UK and 20mph in the USA. Boschs proposed caps would see any ebikes offering over 750W of peak power reclassified as Class 2. Read more: Electric bikes and the law: everything you need to know about ebike regulations Live Data interface The Bosch Performance Update 2.0 enables the Bosch system to sync with selected Garmin Edge computers. Bosch Bosch has partnered with Garmin to integrate its Smart System Live Data Interface. This enables Bosch users to view live data such as power, cadence and battery levels on select Garmin Edge models. Combining these technologies brings Boschs functionality in-line with Avinoxs. Extended Boost overrun customisation Bosch Extended Boost software can now provide up to two metres of programmable overrun. Bosch From mid-2026, a new slider in the Bosch eBike Flow app will make it possible to set the length of the overrun, or 'residual boost' as Bosch calls it, for each riding mode, up to a maximum of two metres. Overrun is a term for the motor driving the bike even when the rider is not turning the crank. Drivetrain Tensioner Bosch's Drivetrain Tensioner uses software to temporarily lock the freewheel between the motor and the crank for improved riding characteristics. Bosch The update includes an updated piece of code that can temporarily lock the freewheel between the electric motor and the crank. Doing so reduces the free travel on the pedal to a minimum and eliminates any delay while pedalling. Bosch claims the result is almost instantaneous traction" and an "even quieter freewheel". Trick Check feature records tricks and congratulates you in real time Bosch's Trick Check feature uses sensors to recognise tricks and congratulates you in real time with a noise. Steve Behr / Our Media Boschs Trick Check function might sound gimmicky, but it's very clever. Bosch has programmed the bikes sensors to automatically recognise jumps, wheelies, manuals and endos, confirming a successful trick with an audible signal. The last trick is shown on the display for eight seconds. Once your ride is over, the eBike Flow app can show users their personal best stunts and they can track their progress and compare trick attempts. New 12A Charger is three times faster Bosch says its new 12A Charger can charge three times faster than its existing 4A Charger thanks to GaN technology. Bosch As part of the update, Bosch has released a new 12A Charger, which has charging power of circa 500W. Bosch says it will charge around three times faster than the Bosch 4A Charger. Bosch says an 800Wh battery such as its PowerTube 800 can now reach around 50 per cent charge in approximately one hour. The new 12A Charger is said to be compact enough to fit in a backpack and is claimed to weigh less than 1kg. This charger brings Bosch in line with the latest higher-spec Avinox Fast Charger, which also uses GaN technology to charge at a similar 12A/508W rate. The Bosch 12A Charger is compatible with all Bosch Smart System batteries and will be available from the end of 2026. Which bikes will have the Performance Update 2.0 features? Newly released bikes using Bosch CX and CX-R motors are expected to include capabilities from the new Performance Update 2.0 release. Laurence Crossman-Emms / Our Media Bosch CX and CX-R equipped bikes on sale now are likely to be available with the newer, more powerful Bosch capabilities. Canyon is expected to be one of the first with bikes on the market.

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The wider tyre clearance battle continues to rage as Factor bestows its new Sarana gravel bike with clearance for 2.2-inch mountain bike tyres

The Giro dItalia is back and so is your chance to compete for$9,385 /8,000/ 7,000in guaranteed prizes with Zweelers Fantasy Giro dItalia 2026 (budget). Whether you're a cycling fanatic or a fantasy sports strategist, this is your moment to shine. With a budget of 250 million, youll sele...