Tom Pidcock heads to the Volta a Catalunya with renewed confidence after coming within a whisker of victory at the recent MilanoSanremo, where only Tadej Pogacar beat him in a tight finish. The Briton, who delivered a standout performance, has turned the page in record time and tackles this new wee...

One lucky UK-based winner is going to get a serious energy boost for a whole year thanks to the delicious wrapper-free energy bars from OGT (One Good Thing)... and if that wasn't enough, a 200 Stolen Goat voucher to refresh the spring/summer cycling wardrobe too!

The cycling season has barely begun, yet it has already etched itself in fans recent memory. The MilanoSanremo exhibition remains vivid, still blinking, as Javier Ares describes on his YouTube channel, after one of those moments that transcend the calendar. But cycling never stops. It shifts sta...

Right on cue for the 2026 aero road bike comparison, MERIDA unveil the new REACTO. The bike promises outstanding aero performance combined with a surprisingly low weight. Visually, it takes a more understated approach than some of the more extravagant aero machines in this test field. But can this sharp-looking, angular racer hold its own against the big names in the aero game?MERIDA REACTO TEAM | 7.05 kg in Size M | 10,299 | Manufacturers WebsiteThe MERIDA REACTO has always stood for speed, efficiency and pure racing intent, and the latest generation of this aero road bike aims to deliver exactly that. With this update, the Taiwanese brand are not just targeting aerodynamics or clever features. At 7.05 kg, the impressively low weight is designed to boost versatility too, because a modern aero bike has to do more than just dominate on the flat.MERIDA made their ambitions clear with the first leaks ahead of the 2025 Tour de France that was when the REACTO made its WorldTour debut alongside the pros of Bahrain Victorious. Even though MERIDA are currently without a WorldTour team, the REACTOs lofty ambitions remain unchanged.So how does the MERIDA REACTO TEAM stack up against the fastest aero road bikes on test?If its Fast, it Has to be Light Too the MERIDA REACTO TEAM PhilosophyFor an aero bike to succeed in the wind tunnel, it often comes down to one thing: maximum integration. Fully integrated cockpits, perfectly matched wheelsets, and aerodynamically critical bottles sculpted to match wide down tubes. ROSE, Wilier and BMC all follow this path.MERIDA take a very different approach with the new 2026 REACTO TEAM. The concept centres on a deep, narrow head tube, combined with an ultra-slim down tube that almost seems to ignore the existence of bottles altogether. Thats what makes MERIDAs strategy so intriguing. It not only highlights contrasting design philosophies, but also raises the question of how much real-world performance lies in these all-in-one systems.Rounded and ergonomicWith the Vision Metron 5D Aero cockpit, the MERIDA REACTO TEAM is the only bike in this aero road bike review 2026 not to use a handlebar from its own brand.Slim and aerodynamicAt just 15 mm, the seatpost on the MERIDA REACTO TEAM is one of the slimmest in the entire test field, and it achieves that without sacrificing stiffness.Visually, MERIDA have gone their own way too. While many of the other bikes in this group test rely on rounded profiles and broad surfaces, the REACTO TEAM looks sharp, angular and at times strikingly slender in its proportions. The overall impression is unapologetically performance-driven, with a design that is not afraid to break from convention. All the more surprising, then, is the low weight of just 7.05 kg, because angular tube shapes usually come with a weight penalty.High techThe Vision Metron RS 60 wheels with carbon spokes are both light and aerodynamic, making them a perfect match for the performance-driven character of the MERIDA REACTO TEAM.Cool RunningIt would not be a true MERIDA without the brands signature brake adaptors, complete with cooling fins for enhanced braking performance.EdgyWith its sharp, angular design, the MERIDA REACTO TEAM stands out from the rest of the test field, setting itself apart from its more curvaceous rivals.For all its bold lines and individual concepts, the REACTO remains more conventional in other areas, such as geometry. It is clearly race-focused, but without straying into extremes. The 73.5 seat angle places you in a classic, centred pedalling position. A stack-to-reach ratio of 1.41 positions this firmly on the racier side of things. The result is a versatile riding position that lets you adopt an aggressive aero tuck when you want to push on, yet still sit comfortably for long climbs.Size3XSXXSXSSMLXLTop Tube506 mm521 mm535 mm545 mm560 mm575 mm590 mmSeat Tube440 mm470 mm500 mm520 mm540 mm560 mm590 mmHead Tube100 mm105 mm112 mm128 mm140 mm155 mm175 mmHead Angle70.570.57272.573.573.574Seat Angle75.574.5747473.57373Chain Stay410 mm410 mm410 mm410 mm410 mm410 mm410 mmBB Drop70 mm70 mm70 mm66 mm66 mm66 mm66 mmWheelbase981 mm987 mm984 mm992 mm992 mm1,002 mm1,011 mmReach373 mm377 mm384 mm390 mm395 mm400 mm409 mmStack512 mm517 mm529 mm542 mm557 mm571 mm593 mmA Refreshing Blend the Spec of the MERIDA REACTO TEAMTrue to its name, the MERIDA REACTO TEAM comes equipped with components straight out of the pro peloton. The Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 groupset includes a power meter, an 11-30 t cassette and 52/36 t chainrings, giving you the gearing to sprint flat out for the line, while still keeping something in reserve for the climbs. MERIDA also follow the trend towards shorter cranks, fitting our test bike with 170 mm arms.It is a slight drawback that the frame does not use the UDH derailleur hanger standard. That is not an issue with current road groupsets, but if you are considering a SRAM XPLR setup, youll be out of luck.Unlike the rest of the bikes in this group test, MERIDA rely on third-party components for both the cockpit and the wheels. Up front, you get a Vision Metron 5D Aero cockpit in a 400 mm width at the drops, paired with Vision Metron RS 60 wheels. The bike rolls on 28 mm Continental GP 5000 S TR tires, which measured 30.5 mm on our test bike. We were happy with this choice, given they took the top spot in our test of the best road bike tires. The result is a fast and refreshingly curated build that weighs in at 7.05 kg and costs 10,299.MERIDA REACTO TEAM 2026 10,299SpecificationsSeatpost D-ShapedBrakes Shimano DURA-ACE BR-R9200 160/160 mmDrivetrain Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 R9200 2 x 12Chainring 52/36 TStem Vision Metron 5D Aero 110 mmHandlebar Vision Metron 5D Aero 400 mmWheelset Vision Metron RS 60 12 x 100 / 12 x 142Tires Continental GP 5000 S TR 700 x 28cCranks Shimano DURA-ACE FC-R9200 170 mmCassette Shimano DURA-ACE CS-R9200 1130TTechnical DataSize XXXS XXS XS S M L XLWeight 7,05 kgSpecific FeaturesCockpit and wheelset from VisionBrake adaptor with cooling finsSeatpost with integrated lightMERIDA REACTO TEAM on Test Fast and FocusedIn our test field, the MERIDA is never going to be the most exotic aero specialist, but it might be the most versatile aero race machine. And that concept works. The REACTO is one of the standout bikes on test. When it comes to punchy acceleration, only the slightly sharper ROSE Shave FFX has the edge. Thanks to its stiff frame, fast Vision Metron RS 60 wheels and top-tier Continental tires, the MERIDA surges forward with ease, even at higher speeds. The low weight also plays its part, helping this aero road bike sprint eagerly uphill.The handling is beautifully dialled in, reminiscent of the BMC Teammachine R. It feels secure and intuitive, yet pleasingly direct. On the flat, the bike tracks with reassuring stability. On climbs, its agile character adds a real sense of fun. Overall, it delivers a superb ride feel. Tip the weight slightly forward on descents and the bike truly comes alive. It is nimble enough for quick changes of direction, yet always leaves you feeling that you could push a little harder. Rock solid at speed. Agile when it gets tight.At the same time, the REACTO impresses with its efficiency. As a fast and focused race bike, its aero concept performs at a very high level, bettered only by the outright aero specialists, the Cervlo S5 and Factor ONE. Even so, MERIDA have nothing to hide. With its well-considered build and cleverly engineered frame, it ranks among the fastest bikes in our test group.Where the MERIDA REACTO TEAM really claws back ground is in compliance. The frame offers a subtle degree of damping, and the comfort cut-out in the seatpost helps take the sting out of the ride, while still providing some feedback from the road. It strikes an excellent balance between control and comfort for a race bike.All things considered, the MERIDA REACTO TEAM delivers a superb all-round package. It combines outstanding efficiency with agile, engaging handling and steering that feels both intuitive and precise. If you are looking for the complete aero road bike, this could well be it. Tuning tip: Opt for a narrower cockpit to achieve an even faster aero position.Who is the MERIDA REACTO TEAM Made For?The REACTO TEAM is an aero road bike with genuine all-round DNA. On fast sections it piles on the speed, and when the road tilts upwards it remains impressively capable thanks to its low weight. It is spot on for riders who want maximum pace across varied terrain, without giving anything away on the climbs. The real trump card is its handling. It feels intuitive yet direct, combining responsiveness with stability for a riding experience like few other bikes in our test group. That makes it ideal for a hectic peloton, elbow-to-elbow battles for position in the final sprint, or a committed attack on the descent.AccessibilityBeginnerProBLING FACTORlowhighAGILITYsluggishplayfulSTABILITYnervousconfidentHANDLINGdemandingintuitiveEFFICIENCYlowhighACCELERATIONsluggishnimbleFUN FACTORdulllivelyCOMFORTfirmcomfortableVERSATILITYlowhighHelmet Uvex Surge Aero MIPS | Glasses Oakley Radar EV Path | Jersey Pas Normal Studios Essential Long Sleeve Jersey | Bibs Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Bibshort | Socks Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Aero Socks | Shoes Q36.5 Unique Pro | Vest Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Stow Away GiletConclusion on the MERIDA REACTO TEAMIts a great start to the season for MERIDA their new REACTO TEAM takes the top spot in our 2026 aero road bike comparison. Instead of chasing extreme aero at all costs, MERIDA focus on a consistently well-rounded performance package. High efficiency, a surprisingly low weight, beautifully balanced handling and a distinctive look come together to form a coherent racing machine. It is precisely this seamless blend of speed, control and versatility that sets the REACTO apart from the rest of the test field, earning it a well-deserved place on the podium in our aero road bike review 2026. Congratulations!TopsSuper-intuitive, direct handlingDistinctive, stylish designHigh efficiencyLow weightFlopsNo UDH derailleur hangerMore information at merida.com.The TestfieldThis bike was tested as part of the 2026 Aero Road Bike Group Test for an overview of this group test as well as all other tested aero bikes, check out the 2026 Aero Road Bike Group Test.All bikes in test: Cervlo S5 | Factor ONE | MERIDA REACTO TEAM | ROSE Shave FFX | Wilier Filante SLR ID2Der Beitrag MERIDA REACTO TEAM Review in our 2026 Aero Road Bike Comparison erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

As a follow-up to their last Colombian journal entry, Cass and Emma head north of Bogot to ride two of the sites popular routes, Pramos Conexin and Oh Boyac! After fabulous encounters and 35,000 meters of climbing, they wonder to themselves, Can anywhere be as good as Colombia for dirt road, mountain touring? Find out here...The post El Mundo Paramo: Amongst Frailejon and Renaults appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Recently I mentioned that this Islabikes Luath 24 was up for grabs because all seventeen (17) of my human children have outgrown it, and Im both happy and wistful to report that it has officially been grabbed:I am happy because because it will bring joy to another human child, as well as bring joy to me by freeing up a little more space. But I am wistful because I have fond memories of father-and-son cyclocrossing:Im sure my elder son would be embarrassed if I reposted photos of him racing cyclocross, so instead Ill just embarrass myself:Yes, I did a cyclocross race on a Jones (several, in fact), despite the fact the tires are just a few millimeters wider than the UCIs 33mm maximum.Thankfully nobody checked.But hey, I have my memories, and I have my whiskey, so what more could I possibly need?Meanwhile, March is growing less leonine and more lamblike, which means family bike rides around town:Favorable conditions also afforded me the opportunity to do nearly identical back-to-back (well, separated by a day) mixed-terrain rides on the PRJCT GRVL bike:And the Roadini:As with the Farbman, Id sort of benched the Roadini when the truly disgusting winter weather hit, leaving the dirty work to its more rough-and-tumble sibling:Also like the Farbman, returning to the Roadini was a delightfor like the Farbman, its a bike Ive done a fair amount of fussing with since first putting it together on New Years Eve, 2024:[The Roadini on its maiden voyage.]Yes, fundamentally its the same bike, but it took me a little while to figure out exactly what tires it wanted, and not until this past autumn did I realize that despite its curlicue lugs and genteel appearance it was asking me to lower its handlebar slightly and even give it a double crank. The result was that the bike lost weight without feeling jittery:Though Im not sure its actually possible to make a Rivendell feel jittery, unless you ride it with the front skewer open or something.Either way, getting back on the Roadini after a couple months of not riding it (thats a really long time not to ride what was probably my most-ridden bicycle in 2025) was like that feeling you get after a shower when its been way too long since your last shower.Oh, heres a non-drive side photo:Drive-side photos are propaganda from Big Crabon, because those bikes have really ugly bottom bracket junctions which the crank serves to hide, but when its a lugged steel bike youd rather look at the bottom bracket lug than the crankespecially when its this crank:Though I confess Im a Hollowtech II apologist and I secretly like the way it looks, even on a bike like this.Hey, the bike has plenty of Silver on it already:Yes, thats another prototype, because I really am that important:In any case, the Roadini was more than capable of following in the PRJCT GRVL bikes footsteps:Even on these large, partially-buried and intermittently-placed pieces of gravel:Lower gearing and different tires would narrow the off-road gap between them even more, though I enjoy the Roadini because its a ROAD-ini, which is why I gradually moved away from the triple crank and the Garvel Kign tires in the first place. As for the PRJCT GRVL bike, I do really enjoy riding it, though I think if I were putting together a full-on broccoli bike from scratch Id take the parts from that bike and put them on an Appy Lucy or something:And yes, obviously I dont mean all the parts. I mean stuff like the drivetrain and the handlebar and stuff. You cant use dick breaks on an Appy Lucy, youve got to use cantilevers, or else v-brakes, the most deadly of all the brakes:Why would a v-brake lever be more dangerous than any other type of lever? Youve got me. All I know is that this guy really sucks at riding bikes:In 2017, Lynch purchased a Trek Level I road bike and on June 29, 2022, was riding it on a South Kingstown bike path when he applied his brakes to avoid hitting another bikes back wheel. He lost his balance and fell on his right side. The suit alleged that while Lynch was falling, the left lever tore a 12-inch laceration in his left thigh.Trek Bicycle, the lawsuit alleged, also should have known the lever design was faulty and could cause impalement during a fall and failed to inspect and assess the safety of the V-brake for end users before installing it on the subject bike. In addition to alleging negligent design, the lawsuit cited both defendants for failure to warn, and breach of warranty.So basically hes a typical bike path wheelsucker.Then again, perhaps I should be more understanding, considering I may very well have cut my head open on a pair of vintage M-Frames almost exactly like these:Wow, thats pretty good money! Maybe I should put mine on Poshmark too.

One lucky UK-based winner is going to get a serious energy boost for a whole year thanks to the delicious wrapper-free energy bars from OGT (One Good Thing)... and if that wasn't enough, a 200 Stolen Goat voucher to refresh the spring/summer cycling wardrobe too!

On the 29th of March, the peloton takes on Middelkerke - Wevelgem (formerly knows as Gent - Wevelgem). The Belgian classic is part of the World Tour calendar and is one of the most prestigious one-day races in the calendar, where classics specialists and sprinters go head-to-head in a route that is...