Cyclist and writer, Emmie Harrison-West, has seen too many riders jump red lights, and asks, is it allowed?

Spanish coach Pascual Momparler stopped by the set of Eurosport yesterday to give more details about the team he will take to the road race at the World Championships in Zurich on September 29. It features a lot of climbing talent in a route that suits these men.It is a World Championships that, fo...

The Vision Metron 60 SL Disc places its bets on full aero optimisation to trump the competition in our big aero wheel group test. But its not just the deep rims that promise to deliver. With in-house hubs and balanced handling, theres no denying the Metron SL Discs racing ambitions. But does that come at the cost of too much weight?Vision Metron 60 SL Disc | 2,209 | 1559 g | Manufacturers websiteWe tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.Even though Vision wheels might not be the most popular as aftermarket upgrades, theyre firmly established in the professional scene, the most noteworthy being the EF Education EasyPost World Tour team. The EF Education pros have been riding Vision wheels for some time now. But have the wheels got what it takes to keep up with the competition in our group test? We put the high-end Metron 60 SL Disc wheelset to the test to find out. The 60 mm deep rims are paired with in-house components, allowing Vision to control every detail on their aero wheels. By the way, we recently got to visit Visions HQ and take a peek behind the scenes, which you can read about here.Full aero The specs of the Vision Metron 60 SL DiscWith the Metron 60 SL Disc, Vision decided to go all-in with aerodynamic optimisation. Doing so generally tends to come at the cost of weight. In fact, the 1,614 g wheels are about 200 g heavier than the test field average, and theyre the heaviest wheels on test by a significant 100 g margin. At 2,209, however, theyre also at the lower end of the price range, making them the most affordable wheels on test. The wheelset includes a wheel bag, rim tape, loads of tubeless tape, and valves as standard, providing everything you need.UnobtrusiveDa geht etwas mehr: Die schwarzen Logos sind zwar schick, doch im direkten Vergleich wirken die Vision 60 SL nicht ganz so edel.Down to the finest detailVision are the only brand to integrate a raised and flattened valve port, making a tubeless setup really easy.Cool to seeRather than relying on a third-party manufacturer like some of the other brands in this test, Vision produce their own hub system.The 60 mm deep rims themselves are perfectly matched to modern road tires, measuring 21 mm internally and 32.5 mm externally. The hooked rim flanges also provide added peace of mind and freedom of choice when it comes to the tires and pressures. Visions in-house Power Ratchet System hubs are equally promising, using a clever angled ratchet design that results in one of the loudest freehubs on test, on par with the HUNT SUB50. The look is less conspicuous: with a classic black carbon finish and glossy black decals, the wheels make a high-quality impression, though they cant match the classy looks of the competition from Syncros and Reserve. Finally, Vision are impressively generous with their guarantee. Despite the comparatively affordable price, the Metron 60 SL Disc comes with a lifetime warranty and crash replacement.InnovativeVision develop everything themselves, relying on an innovative freehub design for the Metron 60 SL.Ready for anythingThe Vision Metron 60 SL Disc wheelset comes with traditional rim tape and tubeless tape included, allowing you to choose whether you want to run tubes or go tubeless.Speed is king The Metron 60 SL Vision on testThe handling of the Vision Metron 60 SL is characterised by its prioritisation of aero gains, and its clearly designed for racing at the pro level. Fortunately, that also means the wheels have been developed with long and difficult stages in mind. Theyre not uncompromisingly stiff, like the wheels from HUNT and CADEX, offering enough compliance to make you feel relatively fresh even after 200 km. However, theyre by no means as soft as the Roval Rapide, resulting in responsive and fast wheels that perform well on the sprints and allow you maintain the pace. Its here where the 60 mm deep rims excel. Once brought up to speed, the wheels spin with incredible smoothness and efficiency. Perfect for long straights, or the sprint on your home stretch. Unfortunately, this has a generally negative effect on their performance on the climbs. Due to their relatively high weight, theyre not the quickest to accelerate at low speeds.Aero performance and results from the wind tunnelCan wheelsets with 60 mm deep rims be slow? Perhaps, but the Vision Metron 60 SL Disc definitely isnt one of them. The wheels feel like theyre amongst the top performers, both in terms of aerodynamics and the sail effect. This is confirmed by wind tunnel tests, clearly placing the Vision wheelset amongst the front-runners from Syncros, Roval, and Reserve. Although theyre slightly slower about half a watt compared to the Roval Rapide CLX II the Vision Metron 60 SL Disc still commands fourth place. Its interesting to note that the Metron wheelset performs best at moderate yaw angles, up to around 12.5, whereas Reserve and Roval excel at higher angles. So, depending on your aerodynamic philosophy and speed, Visions wheels can perform better if you like riding into headwinds, then maybe these are the wheels for you .Our conclusion on the Vision Metron 60 SLThe Vision Metron 60 SL Disc is an extremely capable wheelset that performs well in almost every respect. Theyre well balanced and capable of excelling in a variety of situations. Wind tunnel tests confirm that they can keep up with the best, while showing a clear focus on lower yaw angles. Its only on the climbs that theyre at a slight disadvantage compared to the lighter competition. Overall, its an excellent wheelset, especially considering the price.Topsvery good value for moneycool, impressive-sounding hubsflattened valve portFlopsslightly heavysomewhat boring lookFor more information, visit visiontechusa.comThe test fieldWe tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.All wheels in test: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLR (Click for review) | Cadex 50 Ultra (Click for review) | DT Swiss ERC 1100 Dicut DB 45 (Click for review) | Hunt SUB50 (Click for review) | Lightweight Obermayer EVO (Click for review) | Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc (Click for review) | Reserve 52/63 (Click for review) | Roval Rapide CLX II (Click for review) | Syncros Capital SL Aero 60mm (Click for review) | Vision Metron 60 SL Disc | Zipp 454 NSW (Click for review) Der Beitrag Vision Metron 60 SL Disc on test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

The cycling retailer is set to open a new 3,300 sq ft store in Bristol, complete with service centre and 150-bike showroom, on Friday, before opening another new shop in Sheffield attached to Frasers Groups flagship department store

With three Tour de France titles and now a Giro d'Italia victory on his palmares, the question of when Tadej Pogacar will attempt to complete his Grand Tour set at the Vuelta a Espana is a keenly discussed one. Now, courtesy of the Slovenian's agent Alex Carera, we may have our answer."His dream is...

All-round wheels with 50 mm rims? Thats right, the Bontrager Aeolus 51 TLR set out to achieve the impossible. Treks in-house brand offer aero wheels that claim to set the standard with a classic and classy look. How do they stack up against the competition? We put them to the test to find out.Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLR | 2,599.98 | 1425 g | Manufacturers websiteWe tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.Besides having a name that nobody really knows how to pronounce, Treks marketing of the Aeolus RSL 51 is as modest as always ;). Theyre not just claimed to be the fastest of all time, but also offer ultimate speed, maximum stability, and maximum confidence in all conditions. As such, the wheels promise to excel in every situation and that seems to hold true for the pros of team Lidl Trek. But do they have what it takes to beat the competition in our test field? With DT Swiss hubs, and a special tubeless setup, the specs seem to point in the right direction, though the V-shaped rim geometry looks a bit dated at first glance.The specs of the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLRAt 2,599 per set, the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 are priced slightly below the test field average, which is unusual for Trek, whose products are regularly at the upper end of the price range in our tests. The weight, on the other hand, is more typical for Trek slightly above average at 1,425 grams (excl. the freehub). Nonetheless, the weight is still quite impressive for a wheelset with 50 mm rims. By using classic spokes with a minimal aero profile, Trek dispense with the higher weight and aero gains of carbon spokes. The hubs look rather unspectacular too, but that doesnt necessarily mean anything. Bontrager rely on what is probably the most proven brand in the wheel industry: DT Swiss 180 hubs arent just modern, but also highly reliable, easy to service, and backed by an extensive dealer network.Minimal aeroBontrager rely on bladed spokes for the Aeolus RSL 51, though they look rather conservative compared to some of the big, flat carbon blades on test.DT Wisconsin?Bontrager rely on proven hubs from DT Swiss paired with the Swiss brands latest spokesShiny!The glossy finish of the rims is unique in the test field and gives them a high-quality lookThe rims, on the other hand, are supplied entirely by Trek. With an internal width of 24 mm, external rim width of 31 mm, and a measured depth of 52 mm, at least the key specs match the current trend towards wider rims. However, Trek seems to be taking a different approach with the rim shape. In contrast to most aero rims, the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 are less bulbous, with a shame more reminiscent of the tapered models from previous years. However, Bontrager have come up with a smart solution to the tubeless question. Thanks to their TLR rim strip, a white plastic insert similar to rim tape, the rim can be sealed in no time and promises long-lasting, puncture-free tubeless fun. Overall, the wheels are a visual treat, with the high-gloss rims and black decals as well as the elegant DT Swiss hub resulting in an incredibly high-quality and classy look.Tubeless made easyThanks to Bontragers in-house design with a plastic tubeless strip, theres no need for rim tapeReinventedThe pointed rim profile is reminiscent of the first aero wheels. However, Bontragers have managed to bring the design up to date with current performance standards.Bontrager are rather generous with their warranty too: in addition to a lifetime warranty for the original owner, they also offer a two-year loyalty program. If the wheels break during this period, Bontrager will replace or repair them free of charge.Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 All-round feel on a race wheelsetAs Bontrager proclaim, the Aeolus RSL 51 shouldnt just deliver in terms of aerodynamics, but also set the standard when it comes to handling. As our tests can confirm, the extremely composed and predictable handling is complemented by a perfect level of compliance. The wheels arent just fun on smooth, brand-new asphalt, they also fare well on old and poorly maintained roads. Nevertheless, theres no denying their performance oriented character. The Aeolus never feel too flexy or vague, always providing ample feedback from the road. Due to the stiffness, especially of the front wheel, the steering feels precise, allowing you to hold your line perfectly through the corners.Although the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 are fast and responsive, youll notice their slightly higher weight on the climbs, especially when accelerating out of tight bends, which is further confirmed in crosswinds. Compared to the competition with the same rim depth but wide carbon spokes, they remain stable even in heavy winds, proving to be true all-rounders.Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 Made for speedAn all-rounder with high aero performance? We had our doubts about that, at least as far as the rim shape is concerned in fact their performance isnt on par with the test field average. The direct competition from CADEX and HUNT feels faster and gets a significant boost from the sail effect. The results from the wind tunnel confirm this impression. However, their performance at low yaw angles up to about 5 is surprising. In this case, the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 even partially beats our group test winner, the Syncros Capital SL Aero. But above that, their performance drops off rapidly, especially at the crucial average yaw angles of 10. On average, the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 lands in 5th place, about 2 watts behind the test winner, and just 1.5 watts ahead of the competition from CADEX and HUNT. However, this result is heavily skewed by their excellent performance at low yaw angles.Our conclusion on the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51Bontragers Aeolus RSL 51 is an excellent all-round wheelset. Their compliance and ride feel offer a perfect compromise for everything from long training sessions to racing. Its a great choice for those who want an all-round performance wheelset thanks to their responsive acceleration and stable handling. It performs surprisingly well in the wind tunnel too. Due to the somewhat old-school rim geometry, however, it performs best at shallow yaw angles.Topsclassy look with glossy rimsDT Swiss hubs with ceramic bearingsoutstanding performance in the wind tunnel for 50 mm deep rimsFlopssomewhat dated rim geometryFor more information, visit trekbikes.comThe test fieldWe tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.All wheels in test: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLR | Cadex 50 Ultra (Click for review) | DT Swiss ERC 1100 Dicut DB 45 (Click for review) | Hunt SUB50 (Click for review) | Lightweight Obermayer EVO (Click for review) | Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc (Click for review) | Reserve 52/63 (Click for review) | Roval Rapide CLX II (Click for review) | Syncros Capital SL Aero 60mm (Click for review) | Vision Metron 60 SL Disc (Click for review) | Zipp 454 NSW (Click for review) Der Beitrag Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLR on test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

In the second installment of our 2024 MADE Bike Show coverage, photographers Paul Kalifatidi and Tyler Dawson return to the show grounds at Zidell Yards in Portland, Oregon, to navigate the sea of nearly 200 builders and brands showing off their bikes, products, and more. Find another gallery highlighting a selection of intriguing finds from the jam-packed event and beyond here...The post Bikes and Builders of MADE 2024 (Part 2) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Weve just passed the halfway stage of the 2024 Vuelta aEspaa, and the race has already delivered thrilling moments, unexpectedperformances, and its fair share of surprises. After 11 stages, the pelotonfinds itself in a fascinating position, with a surprising rider in the redjersey and some of...

Carbon aero wheels: many roadies dream upgrade, but can they live up to the hype? We put eleven of the most exciting and trendy models through their paces, in the wind tunnel and on the roads, to find out what really counts when buying aero road wheels.Deep carbon wheels, with the perfect combination of rims and tires for maximum speed? Hardly any other upgrade is as enticing as a set of high-performance wheels. Its also by far the most expensive. The decision to invest 7,000 in the Lightweight Obermayer EVO wheelset isnt one many of us would take lightly. But even some of the more affordable models will set you back by around 2,000 to 3,000, with our test field averaging out to 3,194.So, which wheelset is the right one for you, and how big are the differences? Is more expensive necessarily better? We tested eleven of the hottest, most unique models for our aero wheel group test, putting them through the wringer on everything from our local post-work laps to high mountain passes. When youre spending this kind of money on the ultimate upgrade, its nice to have some statistics to back up your decision, so alongside our real world riding impressions, youll also get some aero performance data for each wheel. We took the wheels to Germanys most modern wind tunnel, to find out which model is really the fastest.The aero wheel test fieldOur test field includes some of the biggest and most important brands. From carbon pioneers such as Lightweight, to absolute classics such as Mavic and DT Swiss, to established in-house brands from the big players, and newcomers to the world of premium wheels. But this is not just a classic performance comparison. True to the GRAN FONDO ethos, we included some of the most coveted and promising wheelsets, as well as those shrouded in myths. We pitted weight weenie dreams against uncompromising performance monsters, 60 mm aero rims against all-round endurance models, and all-rounders against exotic specialists. As such, our test field is made up of some of the most sought-after and well-known wheels with performance aspirations. However, we still need more specific facts and figures to differentiate the wheels and help you make the right choice.And which is the most important figure for drop-bar bikes if not the rim depth? This is a group test of wheels in the all-round high-performance segment, which means that theyre aero optimised, but without neglecting the weight. These are wheels that excel both on fast, flat tracks and high mountain passes, not 80 mm carbon bombers or featherweight climbing specialists. As such, we limited ourselves to wheels with rim depths between 45 and 65 mm.Since the wheels on test should be suitable for modern tires, whether tubeless or not, we also looked for appropriate rim widths. Admittedly, not all models meet this criterion, but the test field just wouldnt be complete without the legendary Lightweight Obermayer EVO.Considering the currently raging debate around hookless rims, we obviously had to have both hookless and classically hooked models represented in our test field. And spoiler alert some of the hookless models are amongst the best performers. By the way, we recently spoke with some of the leading advocates and critics of hookless rims to take a deep dive on the subject, and better understand both the pros and cons of hookless rims check out the link here.Ultimately, we managed to put together an exciting yet also divisive test field. We put the lightest and fastest all-rounders, as well as the hottest models through their paces. The diversity of the test field is also reflected in the prices, though, admittedly, you wont find any bargains here. However, considering the dizzying 7,000 price tag of the Lightweight Obermayer EVO, its suddenly a lot easier to justify 2,000 for premium carbon wheels.BrandModelPriceinternal rim width (f/r in mm)front external rim width (f/r in mm)rim depth (f/r in mm)Total weight (g)BontragerAeolus RSL 51 TLR 2,599.9824/2431/3152/521425CADEX50 Ultra 2,799.8022/2230/3050/501315DT SwissERC 1100 DICUT DB 45 2,50022/2228,5/28,545/451465HUNTSUB50 2,78923/2334/3050/501365LightweightObermayer EVO 6,99018/1819/1948/481275MavicCosmic SLR 45 Disc 2,24919,8/19,828/2846/461419Reserve52|63 2,29926/2535/3452/631455RovalRapide CLX II 2,70021/2135/30,551/601485SyncrosCapital SL Aero 60mm 4,19823/2531/3360/601295VisionMetron 60 SL Disc 2,20921/2132,5/32,561/611614Zipp454 NSW 3,79823,5/23,527,8/27,853 58/53 581415Wheel group test: Our test methodologyWheels are more than just one of many components on the bike, like a new handlebar with better aerodynamics or (even) faster ceramic bearings. Wheels influence the bikes feel and handling like no other component. And thats why we didnt just test them in the wind tunnel. We rode the wheels day to day, and in back-to-back tests, fitted tubeless tires until our hands were bloody, and swapped so many cassettes that we could compete with Formula 1 teams in the pit stop.Real-world testsTo determine the differences in handling and ride feel, we tested in a variety of conditions, went looking for the heaviest crosswinds in southern Sweden, climbed Mont Ventoux in the French Provence, and explored our local routes around the Black Forest. We climbed the steepest inclines we could find, meandered along rolling hills, braved stormy lowland routes, picked our way through potholed asphalt, sailed along freshly paved roads, and bombed down the fastest, most beautiful descents.We also tested all the wheels back-to-back with the same tires, on the same track, and in comparable weather conditions, within a short period of time. All wheels were fitted with a pair of tubeless 28 mm Continental GP5000 S TR control tires. We selected the tire pressure according to the riders weight and the measured tire width in order to mitigate the effect of unknown variables.We focused on the following criteria for our wheel group test:ComplianceThe wheels compliance says a lot about their best use cases. All-rounders and endurance-oriented wheels tend to offer more compliance than thoroughbred racing wheels, making them more comfortable.StiffnessYes, stiffness doesnt necessarily have a direct correlation with compliance. Above all, a stiff wheel is responsive and agile, steering with speed and precision, and converting pedalling input into propulsion with minimal losses. Stiffness depends on the system as a whole, meaning the hubs, spokes, and rims must work hand in hand, and be designed accordingly.HandlingThe handling results from a combination of compliance and stiffness, though this is also highly dependent on individual preferences. The stiffer the wheel, the more precise, but also the more unforgiving the handling. As a general rule, forgiving handling can instil newcomers with more confidence.AerodynamicsWhile obviously not as precise and objective as the data from wind tunnel tests, aerodynamics can also be observed and assessed in real world conditions, especially when it comes to the sail effect.Susceptibility to crosswindsThe deeper the rims, the more susceptible they are to crosswinds, right? At least thats the rule of thumb, but some wheels rely on special features to counteract this. If the wheels are difficult to control, cycling is no fun.High speedHow quickly do the wheels accelerate, and how easily do they hold the pace?Climbing abilityAll-round wheels should also excel on the climbs, so we tested them all extensively on high mountain passes too. Above all, its the weight and acceleration of the wheels that comes into play here.Wind tunnelWe took the wheels to Germanys newest cycling-specific wind tunnel. Aerrow from Bad Wrishofen and the specialists from HYCYS have dedicated themselves entirely to the sport, and helped us conduct our tests. As such, we had the privilege of testing the wheels in a modern wind tunnel that was only opened at the beginning of 2024.We tested all the wheels at a wind speed of 45 km/h, while spinning and mounted to a bike. The bike we used was a Canyon Ultimate CFR, serving as a benchmark for modern road bikes. The wheels were paired with 28 mm Continental GP 5000 S TR tires and tubes, making it easier to swap them around. We inflated them to 5 bar. In total, we determined 21 measurement points at yaw angles ranging from -20 to +20.Test resultsAdmittedly, we didnt think we would find any particularly big differences between the wheels, but it soon became clear that no two wheels are alike, despite their visual similarities. The wheels all revealed very different characters through the course of our test rides. For example, the ultra light Lightweight Obermayer EVOs stand out as the ultimate climbing companions. Thanks to their extremely stiff and lightweight construction, the wheels are a ton of fun and excel on the high mountain passes. They surpassed all other wheels in this regard. Or the DT Swiss ERC 1100, which proved to be incredibly well balanced wheels, with no surprises or unexpected behaviour they simply always do exactly what you want and need them to do. Perfect for endurance or leisurely rides, but not for the ultimate performance or thrills on the descents.Carbon spokes like those on the 50 mm HUNT and CADEX wheels also create a unique riding experience. The high tensile strength of the spokes makes for incredibly stiff wheels. Combined with modern rim geometry and first class aero performance, this results in wheels that are perfect for crit races.Aero testingBut what about the data from the wind tunnel? This shows how fast the wheels really are, and how much truth there is to the marketing hype. To this end, there are two key figures that we looked at.First, theres the CdA value, which indicates the extent of an objects aerodynamic drag. In our case, this value refers to the bicycle as a whole. Since the drag of the Canyon Ultimate CFR on which the wheels were fitted remains constant, the differences were due to the performance of the wheels. While the values are interesting in themselves, theyre not comparable with other tests.Secondly, we measured the watts, which cyclists so love. Based on the CdA values, we calculated the power required to move the system at a speed of 45 km/h.Both values, averaged out over the measured yaw angles, allowed us to compare the wheels. Although this neglects the specific capabilities of individual designs, it gives a good indication of the actual performance you dont get to choose which way the wind blows while you ride.In addition, we also looked at the yaw angles. This describes the angle from which the airflow strikes the object in question in our case, the bike and its wheels. The relevance of the different angles in real world scenarios depends on many factors, and is hotly debated even amongst the experts. However, its clear that the faster you ride, the shallower the angle youll encounter. For our test, we measured a range +/- 20, taking measurements at every 2.5. This gives us an overview of all relevant angles, as well as the necessary resolution to interpret the values.On the graph below, you can see the yaw angles on the y-axis and the CdA values on the x-axis. The resulting profile indicates the wheels aerodynamic performance across the breadth of the measured angles. In general, the lower the CdA value, the better the aerodynamics, and the fewer watts needed to keep the bike and its wheels going at 45 km/h.BrandModelAverage CdAAverage power in wattsBontragerAeolus RSL 51 TLR0.08493.9CADEX50 Ultra0.085395.34DT SwissERC 1100 DICUT DB 450.085495.48HUNTSUB500,085395.43LightweightObermayer EVO0.0904101.08MavicCosmic SLR 45 Disc0.087197.4Reserve52|630.082992.79RovalRapide CLX II0.083393.17SyncrosCapital SL Aero 60mm0.082291.89VisionMetron 60 SL Disc0.083893Zipp454 NSW0.08696.2First of all: all the wheels on test perform well aerodynamically. We tested an entry-level aluminium wheelset in the wind tunnel for comparison, and the performance oriented aero wheels were over 12 watts more efficient on average. Nevertheless, there were clear differences between the performance of the aero wheels. Generally, the wheels can be arranged according to the rim depth.Wheels with shallower rims, like those from Mavic and Lightweight, tended to perform the worst. That said, the DT Swiss ERCs surprised everyone, delivering a performance on par with the competition from HUNT and CADEX, with 50 mm rims and wide carbon spokes, despite a rim depth of 45 mm. Wheelsets with mixed rim depths performed slightly better, like those from Roval and Reserve, which rely on different rim depths at the front and rear. The idea is to minimise the effect of crosswinds with a shallower rim on the front, and to ensure increased efficiency and a more pronounced sail effect with a deeper rim on the rear. And it seems to work because despite the shallower front rim, both the Rovals and Reserves outperform the 60 mm deep Vision Metron SLs. Only the Syncros Capital SL Aeros can beat them all, coming in at just under a watt ahead of the pack.Another surprise is the impressive performance of the Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLRs. Despite the somewhat outdated rim geometry, their aerodynamic performance is significantly better than the competition with the same rim depths. Considering the lack of wide carbon blade spokes, the result is all the more remarkable. Presumably, the Bontrager development team pursued maximum performance at shallow yaw angles by keeping the rims comparatively narrow, resulting in a narrower wheel and tire combination and therefore a smaller frontal surface area. In that scenario, theyre almost on par with the test winners from Syncros.Aero wheel group test winner: Syncros Capital SL AeroSyncros Capital SL Aero 60mm | 4,198 | 1295 g | Click for reviewThe test winning Syncros Capital SL Aero wheelset delivers a convincing performance across the board. As the most modern wheels in our test, they feature a one-piece construction, an innovative aero tire pairing (though we didnt use these), and 60 mm rims, easily checking all the boxes on our wish list. Added to this is the low weight and a perfectly balanced riding experience. Yes, the wheels are designed with racing in mind and want to be ridden at high speeds, but they allow you to do so with ease. Thanks to their first-rate handling, superbly balanced compliance and stiffness, and class-leading aero performance, the Syncros Capital SL Aero wheelset is the deserved winner of our big 2024 aero wheel group test.Aero wheelset best buy: Reserve 52|63Reserve 52/63 | 2,299 | 1455 g | Click for reviewThe Reserve 52|63 wheelset is the undisputed peoples champion. With a classic hooked rim design, surprisingly good aero performance, and versatile handling, the wheels deliver an impressively reliable and balanced performance in almost every situation. While theyre slightly heavier than the test field average, weighing in at 1,455 g, theyre still remarkably light for wheels with such deep rims. Considering the excellent and absolutely justified price of just over 2,000, the Reserves are a no-brainer for performance-hungry and price-conscious riders and racers, making them our well deserved best buy.FindingsAfter reviewing all the data and discussing test ride impressions, there are certain findings that stood out. There were a few points and features that surprised us or opened our eyes. Added to that, there are certain things that we wont want to do without on our next set of wheels. Weve summarised these findings for you here.Carbon spokesCarbon spokes make a stiff wheel, which in turn means responsive and agile handling, but usually at the expense of compliance. Theyre a good choice for racing and maximum performance, but somewhat too harsh for leisurely weekend tours. That said, you can always add a little extra cushioning with wider tires, provided your frameset has the necessary clearance.Continuous rim bedCan a tubeless setup get any easier? An undrilled, continuous rim bed like youll find on the Syncros, Lightweight and Mavic wheels will convert even the biggest tubeless sceptics. Just pop in the valve and the wheel is ready no tape required and no more slow leaks. More of the same please!Hoist the sailsYes, bikes can sail too, and it makes a significant difference. To put it briefly, the deeper the rim profile and the more surface area thanks to wide spokes, the more of an effective sail youve got. As such, if the wind is in your favour, you get an added boost (almost) for free.Tire width mattersThe hotly debated topic of tire width also comes into play here, and although skinny tires are faster in the wind tunnel, wider is better, and ultimately faster! Wider tires offer more grip and compliance thanks to lower pressures, which is less taxing on long rides, and is simply more fun. In addition, some wheels are specially designed for wide tires and work best in combination with them.HOOKLESSYes, hookless remains a topic of dispute for the time being. That said, we had no problems during our tests. On the contrary: we had zero issues with the hookless wheels, occasionally outperforming the hooked competition. However, theres no denying that the limited tire choice and specific pressure requirements make them a little more complicated.Ceramic bearingsCeramic bearings promise maximum efficiency and increased durability, though we didnt notice this during our test. However, at the price points of some of the wheels on test, ceramic bearings are the least wed expect.Warranty and crash replacementPractically all manufacturers offer a warranty extension as well as a crash replacement beyond the EUs legal requirements. But dont gloss over the details. Some manufacturers are very conservative in what they offer. Especially when compared to HUNTs H_CARE program, most cant keep up.Human wind tunnelOur back-to-back tests revealed even small differences in efficiency. We were surprised at how closely the data from the wind tunnel matched our test crews perceived findings.Wheels are expensiveMore precisely, good wheels are expensive. The asking price of over 4,000 for the best wheelset on test is likely to blow most of our budgets. Thats a shame, because unlike some other wheels, theyre price is absolutely justified in this case.ConclusionThere were big differences between the various wheels on test, but we all agreed: the Syncros Capital SL Aero wheelset is the deserved test winner. Thats not to say the other wheels dont also have a lot to offer. With so many clever features and innovative solutions, its been a while since we had so much fun with a group test. The wheels consistently high performance also speaks for itself, which is reassuring considering the prices. If youre looking for a new wheelset, and youre flush with cash, youre certainly spoilt for choice.Der Beitrag The big 2024 aero wheel group test 11 high-performance carbon wheels head to head erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Nick Neuhaus is a maker of amazing bicycles and the name behind the meticulous custom bike brand Neuhaus Metalworks. We caught up with him at this years MADE Show. And, he let us get a glimpse of a new bike. To help bring Neuhaus Metalworks to more riders, theyre releasing a Taiwanese-made production Yet to be Named (YTBN) Hardtail for 2025.(Photos / Ron Frazelle)Neuhaus Metalworks is renowned for its custom frame offerings. The new YTBN will be designed in Marin, California, and made in Taiwan by one of the industrys top factories. Using a refined version of their Full Spectrum sizing, they created 5 different sizes for production. All of the sizes maintain their leisure fit geo. Mark says, This means that the stack height scales proportionatelywith each frame size so riders of all sizes end up on a great-fitting bike with room to adjust based on saddle and bare placementpreferences.Sliding dropoutsProduction yoke matches custom yoke. Just like the current Neuhaus Metalworks Hummingbird, the YTBN will maintain the 29 x 2.6 tire clearance. It will also come standard with sliding dropouts, specd with size-specific tubing, maintaining comfy and consistent ride quality. It will also be UDH/T-type compatible.Pricing is not yet available for the YTBN as of this writing. But, Nick said that their goal is to try to hit a lower price point. This, in hopes to make the most advanced hardtail more accessible. Neuhaus Metalworks will continue to produce all of its titanium bikes. Along with the steel Hummingbird and Solstice in the USA. For those looking for customization that wont be offered in the new bike, check out the link below.NeuhausMetalWorks.com. The post MADE Show: Sneak Peek at Neuhaus Metalworks New Production Yet To Be Named Hardtail appeared first on Bikerumor.