Primoz Roglic delivered Slovenia the moment it had been waiting for at its home European Championships, claiming the men's individual time trial title in enur and securing the nation's first and only medal of the event. The 36-year-old beat Bruno Armirail by just over seven seconds over the 21.8-k...

Ridley has completely reworked the FALCN RS for its second generation, cutting weight, changing the fit, and keeping enough aero shaping to avoid becoming a traditional climbing bike.(All Photos/Ridley)Ridley FALCN RS 2.0The new FALCN RS 2.0 sits in what Ridley calls its aero-to-weight category, with a claimed 705g frame in size Medium. Ridley says the complete frameset, frame, fork, and seatpost included, is 12% lighter than the first-generation FALCN RS.The geometry gets an equally big update. Every size now uses a 76-degree seat tube angle, paired with more reach, more stack, and a slightly lower bottom bracket. Rider feedback and fit data gathered with Uno-X drove the changes, and the bike had already made its Tour de France debut before Ridley officially launched it. Torstein Tren even raced the new FALCN RS 2.0 while wearing the yellow jersey during the 2026 Tour.A 705g Frame Without Giving Up the Aero ShapesWeight was the main target with the new FALCN RS. Ridley revisited the carbon layup and reduced unnecessary overlap between layers. Instead of stacking carbon over large sections of the frame, material is now concentrated where stiffness demands it.The rear brake mount is one example. Ridley calls it a hollow brake mount, keeping carbon around the load-bearing areas and removing it where it isnt needed.The exterior shapes were cleaned up too. The FALCN RS 2.0 uses fewer sharp transitions and more rounded surfaces, allowing Ridley to reduce material without sacrificing structural strength.Ridley says lateral stiffness remains at an aero race bike level, keeping the frame quick when the rider gets out of the saddle or responds to an attack. The result is a claimed 705g frame weight in a Medium. More impressive is what happens once Ridley builds the whole thing.The SRAM Red AXS bike comes in at a claimed 6.2kg (about 13.7lb). The Force AXS model is 6.65kg, while the Shimano Ultegra Di2 bike lands at 6.8kg.That gives Uno-X some room to play with equipment choices while still hitting the UCI minimum weight. A deeper wheel or slightly heavier components become options without turning the bike into a brick.Still Aero Enough for the Fast StuffRidley didnt chase the 705g frame by turning the FALCN RS into a skinny-tubed climbing bike.The new design keeps the original FALCN RSs aerodynamic tube shapes but smooths the transitions between them. The seatpost gets noticeably slimmer while keeping an aero profile, and the bike uses Ridleys Nimbus Pro cockpit up front.The cockpit balances aerodynamics and rider position, making it easier to hold a narrow, low posture without resorting to an extreme front end.The complete builds also stick with relatively deep wheels, reinforcing that the FALCN RS 2.0 is meant to work on more than mountain stages.The Fit Gets Much More ForwardThe biggest change may be the geometry. Ridley worked with Uno-X riders and reviewed the fit positions used in the current peloton. The takeaway: riders are moving farther forward on the bike. So the FALCN RS 2.0 uses a 76-degree seat tube angle in every size, with a zero-offset seatpost.76 degrees is pretty steep for a road bike, especially when compared with the more traditional practice of gradually slackening the seat angle as the frame gets larger.Ridley says the forward position puts the rider more centrally over the bike and improves pedaling efficiency.It also pairs that steep seat angle with a longer reach and higher stack, which can sound contradictory until you look at the fit as a whole. The rider moves forward at the saddle, but the longer front end keeps the cockpit from becoming cramped. The added stack helps open the hip angle without forcing an excessively low position. Its a very modern, pro-driven fit. The bottom bracket also sits slightly lower than before, giving the rider a little more stability at speed.Ridley FALCN RS 2.0 GeometryThe FALCN RS 2.0 comes in five sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, and L.The Medium gets:Stack: 562mmReach: 425mmSeat tube angle: 76 degreesHead tube angle: 73 degreesChainstay: 410mmBB drop: 78mmWheelbase: 1,022mmHead tube: 150mmReach runs from 375mm on the XXS to 446mm on the Large, while stack ranges from 500mm to 576mm.Interestingly, Ridley keeps the 76-degree seat angle, 73-degree head angle, 410mm chainstays, and 78mm bottom bracket drop identical across all five sizes.That should make sizing worth a closer look for anyone coming from the previous FALCN RS. The steeper seat angle and longer reach create a very different starting point before you even touch stem length or saddle setback.Already Raced at the TourUno-X didnt wait for the official launch to start racing the FALCN RS 2.0. Several riders used it during the 2026 Tour de France, including Torstein Tren, who wore the yellow jersey while riding it.The FALCN RS impressed me from the very first ride, said Tren. The bike feels incredibly responsive, is remarkably stable and inspires confidence in every situation, from steep climbs to fast descents.Ridley says the team developed and validated the bike with Uno-X throughout the process, giving them direct input on both fit and ride characteristics.Seriously Light WheelsThe Forza Skiron RSR wheels used on the Force AXS build have 50mm-deep rims, a 23mm internal width, bonded carbon spokes, and CeramicSpeed bearings. Claimed weight is just 1,197g.The Shimano Ultegra Di2 build gets Mavic Comet 50 wheels with carbon spokes and CeramicSpeed bearings. The SRAM Red AXS bike goes considerably lighter with AX Lightness Ultra SL wheels. They have 45mm-deep rims and weigh a claimed 950g as a wheelset.That 950g wheelset helps explain how the complete Red bike sneaks down to 6.2kg.Weight Savings in the Small StuffPlenty of smaller changes hide around the frame, too. The FALCN RS 2.0 uses a lightweight seatpost clamp first seen on Ridleys Kanzo Fast 2.0. It combines a carbon shell with a titanium bolt.On Shimano electronic builds, Ridley also moved the Di2 battery from the seatpost to the downtube. That gave its engineers more freedom to make the new seatpost narrower and lighter.The bike gets CeramicSpeed headset bearings, and Ridley also calls out Selle Italias SLR Racing Replica saddle as part of the lightweight component package.UDH and 35mm Tire ClearanceThe FALCN RS 2.0 gets a few updates that make swapping components easier. Theres now a UDH derailleur hanger, and the frame supports both 1x and 2x drivetrains. The front derailleur hanger is removable, so a 1x build doesnt have to carry an unused mount.Tire clearance tops out at 35mm, leaving plenty of room for 30mm and 32mm race tires while still allowing wider options for rough roads or long training days.Complete bikes also come with lightweight TPU inner tubes.Ridley FALCN RS 2.0 PricingThe new FALCN RS 2.0 comes in sizes XXS through Large and can be customized through Ridleys configurator.European pricing is:Shimano Ultegra Di2: 7,499SRAM Force AXS: 8,499SRAM Red AXS: 12,499No US prices are listed yet.Ridley-bikes.com

Dorian Godon has won Gran Piemonte 2026, taking the sprint from a reduced front group after defending champion Isaac Del Toro's late attack was caught inside the closing kilometres. The Netcompany INEOS rider beat Anthon Charmig and Alberto Bettiol to victory in Bra, with Lukas Nerurkar and Quinten...

Gravel race tires keep getting bigger, speeds keep rising, and HUNT just unveiled a wheelset built for the demands of modern gravel racing. Our EU Tech Editor, Cory, had a few meetings with these fast gravel wheels, but this is the first time were getting the full details and pricing. If you wanna check out some of our spotted event coverage, you can see it here.What Are The Hunt 5AM Gravel Limitless Wheels?The new HUNT 5AM Gravel Limitless is built around 45mm and 50mm tires, with a wide 45 mm front rim, a shallower rear, oversized rim beads, hidden nipples, and two spoke options.These are the gravel equivalent of the brands super-fast 5AM road wheels. That is to say, these are for the riders that want to go fast and have the scratch for a $3,200 wheelset to ride over rocks. But these bad boys pack lots of tech and cool updates.The lighter 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD comes in at a claimed 1,317g, while the steel-spoke version weighs 1,447g. HUNT says the Ti_UD was both the lightest wheelset and the lowest-drag option with 50mm tires in its final wind-tunnel test.Instead of using identical front and rear rims, the new 5AM Gravel Limitless puts the bigger aero profile where it matters most: up front. This differential rim-width idea isnt an outlier anymore; its the playbook for a fast aero wheel that stays calm in crosswinds.A 54mm Front, 49mm RearThe front rim measures 54mm deep and 45mm wide externally, while the rear is 49mm deep and 38mm wide. Both use a 27mm internal width, which isnt very aggressive, given that ENVE and Zipp use upwards of 32mm. But the actual rim bead tells another story. That front-to-rear split is deliberate. HUNTs reasoning is that the front wheel meets relatively clean air and has more influence on total aerodynamic drag, so it gets the deeper and wider profile.The rear wheel sits in disturbed air coming off the front wheel, frame, rider, and drivetrain. HUNT chose a shallower, narrower profile to save weight and keep the wheel feeling responsive under power.(Photo/Cory Benson)The front rim also uses HUNTs patented Limitless Width Aero Technology, which allows the company to build a very wide rim without simply filling it with carbon. A low-density structural polymer is molded into the rim sidewall between the carbon layers, helping create the broad shape without adding weight.Built Around 45mm and 50mm Gravel TiresHUNT designed the 5AM Gravel Limitless around modern gravel race rubber.The wheels are aero-optimized for 45mm and 50mm tires, though HUNT says they are compatible with 40-60mm hookless TSS tires and comply with ETRTO guidelines. HUNT chose the 27mm internal width first, then shaped the rims outside.From there, HUNT modeled 52 different rim profiles around a scanned 50mm Vittoria Terreno T30 tire. Six designs moved on to physical prototype testing, and HUNT then tested the final production wheels against competing wheelsets.Those Rim Beads Are HugeThe other obvious feature is the rim bead. The front uses a 9mm-wide bead, while the rear uses a 5.5mm bead, much wider than a conventional road or gravel rim.HUNT says the blunt profile does two jobs. First, it helps transition airflow from a large gravel tire onto the rim. Second, it spreads impact loads over a larger area when the tire bottoms against the rim. Plus, the bead is round and not sharp like some others on the market. That wide front bead also contributes to the 45mm overall external width, which is pretty massive even by current gravel standards.HUNT 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UDThe lighter of the two builds is the Ti_UD Carbon Spoke wheelset, with a claimed weight of 1,317g per pair.It uses 20 VONOA Ti_UD carbon spokes front and rear, laced two-cross in a non-interlacing pattern. HUNT lists each spoke at just 1.7g. The spoke hardware is made from Ti6-4Al-4V titanium, while the spoke profile itself is slim and heavily bladed to reduce rotational drag.HUNT also moved the nipples inside the rim.Internal nipples arent exactly easy to live with if youre constantly truing wheels, but HUNT says the spokes remain replaceable and you can still true the wheels normally once you get access to the nipple.The hub is HUNTs H_Ratchet 48T DBL, with a 7.5-degree engagement angle, dual-sided nickel-coated ratchets, 6061-T6 alloy hub shells, and 7075 alloy axles. Buyers can choose standard stainless steel bearings or upgrade to CeramicSpeed Alpha bearings.HUNTs Wind-Tunnel NumbersHUNT tested 12 wheelsets at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub using a Specialized Crux 5 (read our review here). Tests ran at 40km/h, with the tires at 30 psi, across a dynamic yaw sweep from -20 to +20 degrees.HUNT then weighted the results using its gravel-specific 40km/h Wind-Averaged Drag calculation.One number worth keeping in mind: HUNT says the tunnel has a 0.5-watt margin of error. Anything closer than that should basically be treated as a tie.With 50mm Vittoria Terreno T30 tires, the 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD posted the lowest drag.Compared with the HUNT, the results were:Reserve 48|53 GR: +0.21WRoval Terra Aero: +0.56WDT Swiss GRC 50: +0.84WENVE G SES 4.5 Pro: +1.10WZipp 303 XPLR SW: +1.50WThe Reserve 48|53 GR result falls within the tunnels margin of error, so its effectively a wash. The Roval is just outside that margin, but HUNT also weighs less than the others.Compared with the Zipp 303 XPLR SW, HUNT claims a 1.5-watt aero advantage and 135g less weight with the 50mm Vittoria setup. Across four tire configurations, HUNT says the Ti_UD recorded the lowest drag in three.Steel Spokes Are Actually Faster With 45mm TiresHeres the fun part. The cheaper steel-spoke 5AM Gravel Limitless was actually the fastest wheelset in HUNTs test when fitted with 45mm Vittoria Terreno T30 tires.The steel version uses the same front and rear rim shapes as the Ti_UD but swaps in Pillar Super Wing stainless steel spokes. HUNT calls these the longest aerodynamically bladed stainless steel spokes currently available. Theyre triple-butted and cold-drawn from T302 stainless steel, with reinforcement around the spoke head.There are 24 spokes front and rear, again with internal nipples. Weight climbs to a still-respectable 1,447g.With 45mm Terreno T30 tires, the steel version recorded the lowest drag of all 12 wheelsets tested.The Ti_UD was only 0.21W behind, well within the tests margin of error. The DT Swiss GRC 50 was another 0.24W back, effectively tied, while the Zipp 303 XPLR SW was 2.51W slower in HUNTs setup. Tested with a 50mm tire, the carbon-spoke wheel takes the lead again, beating the steel version by 0.41W. Again, thats inside the stated margin of error.So the practical difference between the two isnt really aero. Its mostly weight, spoke construction, bearings, and price.Weight: 1,317g vs. 1,447gThat makes the decision pretty straightforward.The Ti_UD version saves 130g, dropping the system to 1,317g.The steel version weighs 1,447g, but keeps almost all the aero performance and costs considerably less.Both share the same:54mm front / 49mm rear depth45mm front / 38mm rear external width27mm internal width9mm front / 5.5mm rear beadsHookless tire interface40-60mm tire compatibility48T H_Ratchet hub systemSo you arent buying a cheaper rim shape with the steel wheelset.Gravel Race TestedThe wheels have already spent most of 2026 under HUNT-supported gravel racers.HUNT points to a win at Gravel Mxico with Hannah Shell, third at Unbound with Cecily Decker, and second-place finishes at both SBT GRVL and the U.S. Gravel National Championships with Sarah Lange.That race testing matters because the design targets differ significantly from a traditional road aero wheel.The goal isnt simply to win a wind-tunnel test with a narrow slick tire. HUNT wanted something aerodynamic on 45-50mm tires, light enough for climbing, stable in crosswinds, and less likely to get killed by a hard rim strike.Hunt 5AM Gravel Limitless Pricing and AvailabilitySteel spoke wheelset is priced at: 1,999 / 2,399 / $2,399Ti_UD with stainless steel bearings is: 2,449 / 2,899 / $2,899Ti_UD with CeramicSpeed Alpha bearings moves to: 2,799 / 3,299 / $3,299Pre-orders open October 8, with global shipping scheduled for the first week of December 2026.All versions include HUNTs H_CARE lifetime free crash replacement for the original owner.

Hunt has announced its latest flagship aero gravel wheels, the 5AM Gravel Limitless, claiming theyre lighter and more aerodynamic than almost anything else available.As with the British brands 5AM Limitless road wheels, which launched earlier this year, the 5AM Gravel Limitless wheels use an aero mullet rim pairing.This sees a deeper, wider front rim paired with a shallower and narrower rear rim, designed to offer the best balance of aerodynamic performance and low weight (a design pioneered by Specialized and its Roval Rapide CLX III wheels).Thanks to the use of the brand's patented Limitless technology, Hunt has pushed this to the extreme with an enormous 45mm external width on the front rim, while maintaining a 27mm internal width for improved tyre compatibility.Available now with steel or ceramic bearings, the Hunt 5AM Gravel Limitless wheels cost 1,999 / $2,399 / 2,399 with steel spokes, or from 2,449 / $2,899 / 2,899 with carbon spokes.Wide and light Hunt's latest gravel race wheels are mid-depth, super-wide and very light. Simon von Bromley / BikeRadar 2026 has seen gravel racing finally go aero en masse. There seem to be two distinct approaches to the problem of gravel performance forming, though.Many brands, for example, have gone all-in on low drag. Weve seen new hyper-aero gravel bikes, such as the Argon 18 Anti Matter, Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0 and Factor Elara, taking gravel racing by storm, alongside ultra-deep gravel wheelsets such as the Newmen Streem G.62s, ENVE G SES 6.7 Pros and Black Inc Sixty Fours.The Hunt 5AM Gravel Limitless wheels, however, take a more balanced approach, prioritising both aerodynamic efficiency and low weight, rather than low drag above all else. Hunt specs its own alloy hubs, but you can choose between steel and carbon spokes. Simon von Bromley / BikeRadar In this respect, it's a wheelset more in line with Specializeds new Crux 5 gravel bike and its Roval Terra Aero CLX wheels, or Giants Revolt Advanced SL 0 and its carbon-spoked Cadex MAX GXR wheels.As for why Hunt chose this path, design engineer Patrick Brown told BikeRadar: For top level pros, that aero [performance] is really important, but for technical gravel where there are lots of accelerations weight and feel matters. The Ti_UD wheels (with carbon spokes) are competitiely light, at only 1,340g per set. Simon von Bromley / BikeRadar Well cover Hunts wind-tunnel testing results shortly, but the 5AM Gravel Limitless wheels tipped our the scales at impressively low figures only 1,340g for the carbon-spoked version and 1,480g with steel spokes (both with rim tape, but without valves).Specialized claims its Roval Terra Aero CLX wheels also weigh 1,340g, while Cadexs Max GXR wheels are claimed to weigh as little as 1,280g (without tape or valves).Both wheelsets are considerably more expensive, however, at 2,998 / $3,399.98 / 3,458 and 3,499 / $4,000 / 3,799, respectively. Opting for steel spokes sees the weight go up to 1,480g, but you save 450 / $500 / 500. Simon von Bromley / BikeRadar Despite this low weight, the Hunt rims are notably wide 54mm deep / 45mm wide up front, and 49mm deep / 38mm wide out back, both with 27mm internal widths.In comparison, the Roval rims are 50 / 45mm deep front and rear, and only 38.5mm wide, while the Cadex rims are 50mm deep and 35mm wide, front and rear.As with Hunts previous Limitless wheelsets, the 5AM Gravel Limitless rims are distinct in their super-wide rim beads, which are 9mm wide on the front rim and 5.5mm wide on the rear. The patented 'Limitless' ultra-wide rim beads are among the widest we've seen, at 5.5mm on the rear (left) and a whopping 9mm up front (right). Simon von Bromley / BikeRadar Hunt says this design helps strengthen the rims and reduces the chances of pinch flats, while the patented construction technology (which sees low-density polymer used in place of carbon fibre to reduce weight) helps reduce rim weight without sacrificing width.As is increasingly common on carbon gravel wheels, the rims are also hookless or Tubeless Straight Side (as opposed to hooked or Tubeless Crochet). The Limitless tech helps Hunt widen the rims without adding weight. Simon von Bromley / BikeRadar Hunt 5AM Gravel Limitless wind-tunnel resultsIn terms of that aerodynamic performance, Hunt says it can point to testing done at both the GST wind tunnel in Germany and at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub here in the UK.Hunt says it designed the 5AM Gravel Limitless wheelset around 50mm tyres, because thats what elite racers are using in the Lifetime Grand Prix (the US gravel scenes premier off-road bike racing series).After developing and testing prototypes in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and at the GST wind tunnel, Hunt says it tested the final wheelsets against a broad range of competitor options at the Silverstone wind tunnel using a Specialized Crux 5 as the test rig. Hunt selected a Specialized Crux 5 as its wind-tunnel testing rig. Hunt Hunt selected an average wind speed of 11.3kph, and a bike speed of 40kph, because thats slightly faster than the average speed of races such as the 2025 edition of Unbound Gravel 200 (which was won at an average speed of 37.8kph).With 50mm tyres (Vittorias T30 gravel tyres), Hunts results show the 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD carbon-spoked wheels as the lowest-drag option (by only 0.21 watts compared to Reserves 48|53 GR wheels which it notes is within the margin of error for the tunnel), saving just over 13 watts compared to its 4 Season Gravel alloy wheelset. Aero test with Vittoria T30 Tyre - 50mm Wheelset Wheelset Weight (g) Depth-F (mm) Depth-R (mm) Power (W) Delta (W) HUNT 5AMG Ti_UD 1317 54 49 89.46 0 Reserve 48|53 GR 1433 48 53 89.67 0.21 HUNT 5AMG Steel spoke 1449 54 49 89.87 0.41 Roval Terra Aero 1340 50 45 90.02 0.56 DT Swiss GRC 50 1575 50 50 90.31 0.84 Enve G SES 4.5 Pro 1480 49 55 90.56 1.1 Zipp 303 XPLR SW 1452 54 54 90.96 1.5 Parcours FKT 1500 47 47 91.8 2.33 HUNT 40LGA 1431 40 41 92.92 3.46 Fulcrum Soniq GR 1695 52 52 94.98 5.52 HUNT 40 CGR 1431 40 40 95.02 5.56 HUNT 4SG Alloy 1689 19 19 102.49 13.03 The results follow a similar pattern with smaller, 45mm tyres, although overall drag figures reduce accordingly alongside the tyres frontal area. Aero test with Vittoria T30 Tyre - 45mm Wheelset Wheelset Weight (g) Depth-F (mm) Depth-R (mm) Power (W) Delta (W) HUNT 5AMG Steel spoke 1449 54 49 85.74 0 HUNT 5AMG Ti_UD 1317 54 49 85.94 0.21 DT Swiss GRC 50 1575 50 50 85.98 0.24 Reserve 48|53 GR 1433 48 53 86.36 0.63 Roval Terra Aero 1340 50 45 86.92 1.18 Parcours FKT 1500 47 47 87.35 1.61 Enve G SES 4.5 Pro 1480 49 55 87.89 2.15 Zipp 303 XPLR SW 1452 54 54 88.25 2.51 HUNT 40LGA 1328 40 41 89.68 3.94 HUNT 40 CGR 1431 40 40 91.42 5.68 Fulcrum Soniq GR 1695 52 52 91.5 5.77 HUNT 4SG Alloy 1689 19 19 99.48 13.74 Further testing with 2.1in VIttoria Peyote cross-country mountain bike tyres also shows the 5AM Gravel Limitless coming out on top, although again, only by small amounts. Aero test with Vittoria Peyote Tyre 2.1in Wheelset Wheelset Weight (g) Depth-F (mm) Depth-R (mm) Power (W) Delta (W) HUNT 5AMG Ti_UD 1317 54 49 92 0 Reserve 48|53 GR 1433 48 53 92.38 0.38 Roval Terra Aero 1340 50 45 92.62 0.62 Enve G SES 4.5 Pro 1480 49 55 94.24 2.24 Zipp 303 XPLR SW 1452 54 54 94.66 2.66 Brown also noted that, while recent wind-tunnel testing performed by our friends over at CyclingNews showed Hunts new wheels can be beaten by ENVE and Newmens latest options, both wheelsets use considerably deeper rims and weigh around 200g more.The Newmen Streem G.62s and ENVE G SES 6.7 Pros, for example, use 62 and 60/67mm-deep rims, and weigh 1,539g (actual weight, including valves) and 1,580g (claimed), respectively.He also hinted Hunt might look at developing a super-deep version of its Gravel Limitless wheels in the future. Hunt says the new 5AM Gravel Limitless wheels are wind-tunnel and race-proven. Hunt

Dorian Godon gave Netcompany INEOS a much-needed positive at Gran Piemonte, fighting his way back after being dropped on the final ascent of La Morra before sprinting to victory in Bra for his seventh individual win of the 2026 season. The Frenchman beat Anthon Charmig and Alberto Bettiol after a ch...

Profile Design has launched the Supersonic Aerobar, a set of bar extensions that bolts onto the Zwift Ride smart bike frame, so you can get more aero on your indoor bike.Made of forged alloy and weighing 222g, Profile Design says its extensions have a 42mm stack height and the width can be adjusted by 37mm.The Profile Design Supersonic Aerobar includes Zwift Click controller mounting points and is supplied with Clicks, so you can control your Zwift Cog from the extensions, without having to change arm position to use the levers built into Zwift Ride. The Supersonic Aerobar is supplied with Zwift Click controllers. The aerobars include a Zwift Tray, thats integrated into them, replaces Zwift Rides phone tray and provides the necessary space to attach the extensions to Zwift Rides handlebar. Theres a ski-bend style design with anti-slip grips and Profile Design claims theres plenty of adjustability to fine-tune your ride position and the placement of the Ergo+ armrest pads.Profile Design will sell the Zwift Ride Supersonic Aerobar for 220 / $275 / 245 and you can pre-order it now. Profile Design claims high adjustability to fine-tune your position. Considering that Zwift Ride itself, without a turbo, costs 749 / $800 / 800, the Supersonic Aerobar requires a sizeable chunk of extra cash for what is likely to be only the most marginal of aero gains when riding a stationary bike.Some competitor products such as the Wattbike Atom 2, and even some more basic indoor bikes from the likes of Schwinn, come ready-fitted with bars with extensions built in, although neither the Tacx Neo Bike Plus nor the Wahoo Kickr Bike Pro include extensions.

CyclistLocal heroes: Londons XO Bikes breaking the chainA stones throw from the south bank of the Thames, along the Blackfriars Road, lies an Edwardian building that looks a lot like an old pub. The Sons of Temperance Friendly Society lettering is smartly maintained on the buildings frontage, only now there is a large neon XO sign visible in the window. Thats XO for ex-offender.We give blokes with a past and bikes with a past the chance of a decent future, says XO founder Stef Jones. We operate two soon to be three prison workshops, and a training programme in Lewisham for ex-offenders.XO Bikes is a charitable enterprise that runs training both inside and outside prisons. As Jones puts it, Were a purpose with a business, not a business with a purpose. Every pound of profit is reinvested into wages, running costs or workshop materials.When talking to the graduates of the XO Bike Academy now working at the Blackfriars workshop, one word arises more than any other to describe what the course has given them: structure.Our students learn a trade, build up experience and potentially get a job, and we will encourage them to move onwards in the industry, says Jones. We try to give them the belief that they can succeed at something and have a sense of belonging in society. Thats often something these guys wont have had.A new pathXO Bikes has a strong relationship with the justice system and the police. And what have the police got? Lots of stolen bikes.We would argue that by giving us a bike that keeps a student busy for a week, pays his wages and helps to keeps him out of prison, a single bike could be worth tens of thousands of pounds to society, the government and the taxpayer, says Jones.On the day Cyclist visits, we talk to guys at different stages of their mechanical journey (for now they are all men; XO has run workshops in womens prisons and there has been one female graduate, but Stef says he wants to improve the courses gender diversity). The feedback borders on the evangelical. Many arent cyclists and dont plan to be one trainee tells us he tried to take on a 30-minute ride and it took him almost two hours, and he hasnt been back on a bike since but its the work itself that is sustaining.Were not a bike business, were a person business, says Jones. The product is someone who doesnt go back to prison they just happen to fix bikes.Find out more at xobikes.comArticle continues belowXO doesnt look like your average bike shop which is wholly appropriate, because it isnt.Mike MassaroXO founder Stef Thomas is clear in his mission: to give people with a past a brighter future as bike mechanics.Mike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroMike MassaroXO Bikes storiesAssistant trainer Tray was XOs first graduate and has witnessed the benefits first hand. Ive seen it change people hugely. It changes their characteristics and their outlook, he says.Mike MassaroTrayAssistant trainer, first graduate, four yearsIve been involved with bikes from when I was 12, mainly BMXs because there was a wooden skatepark right next to my house in Leytonstone. It was maintained by the locals and had a proper community feel. I always thought it might be a career that or becoming a sponsored rider.The scheme has trained around 80 people and Ive seen it change people hugely. It changes their characteristics and their outlook. Some people struggle to engage in a social environment when they arrive, and then by the end they are outgoing and bubbly.Lots of ex-offenders feel like they dont have much purpose. Giving guys work to do, where they learn and have that sense of accomplishment, sounds simple but is really helpful.I also get a lot of pleasure from helping to motivate guys who are earlier on in their journey than I am. I really enjoy what I do and I hope Im at XO for a long time to come.Jason combines his role at the workshop with outreach work in prisons. Its good for them to talk to someone who has been in exactly their position, he says.Mike MassaroJasonAssistant manager Lewisham, graduate, three yearsI was sitting in my cell in Thameside Prison and I actually saw XO on ITV News. When I lived in the Caribbean I used to ride and work on fixies and racing bikes, so I had a history in bikes, which is why I signed up for the XO course.Now I do a lot of outreach work, going into prisons and talking with inmates about what we do. Its good for them to talk to someone who has been in exactly their position and after wasting about 15 years on the street has come out the other side. It gives them some hope.Im in a much better position now, contributing to society rather than wasting my time and having a negative impact on those around me. Im doing more on the charity side and enjoying talking to all kinds of young people not just those who are caught up in the justice system. Im a local lad from Woolwich, so hopefully I can share some knowledge that will direct them down the right road.XO gives structure and ambition to its graduates. Eugene is working with XO to set up his own bike shop.Mike MassaroEugeneGraduate and volunteer mechanic at Lewisham, two years When I first got in touch with XO I didnt even own a bike. They accepted me onto the programme but I didnt know a thing. I did six weeks with them, graduated, and have been volunteering for almost two years since.I was a car mechanic earlier in my life, before I was incarcerated. I started hustling, got into trouble and went to prison in Japan for about ten years, and then came to the UK to complete my sentence. Prison in Japan was a nightmare. As one of the few non-Japanese inmates I couldnt really talk to anyone, and you have to march everywhere you go.Its difficult psychologically too. They wouldnt use your name, just your prisoner number. Thankfully I had a cell mate who taught me some Japanese but Ive forgotten most of it now. The guards dont speak any English so its very tricky for a non-native speaker.In terms of bikes I really like working on derailleurs. Its challenging but super-rewarding when you get it right. My plan is to set up my own bike shop called Good Spokes. The XO management is keen to support me to help make this happen and Im on the hunt for a suitable garage as we speak. Hopefully my shop can be a place where more graduates can come and get a job.Ross was volunteering for a completely different organisation before finding XO: I went from operating a sewing machine to truing wheels. It was challenging for sure.Mike MassaroRossMechanic at Blackfriars, recently graduated traineeIve covered a lot of ground in my life to get here. I was born in Scotland but moved to Sydney, Australia, when I was two and spent 40 years there, including some time in prison.I did a culinary apprenticeship, worked in kitchens, and since I got deported back to the UK I volunteered for a bit at a sewing organisation and then got referred to the XO scheme. I went from operating a sewing machine to truing wheels. It was challenging for sure Im not a natural mechanic but the more Im challenged the more I enjoy things.One of the key things the training provides is structure. Theres a tight schedule and you know what your routine is. Youre always meeting new people and keeping your mind busy. Thats good for anyones mental health.Every day is a school day here. Sometimes Im in the workshop and between my boss and colleagues there are 100 years of bike knowledge between them. Its like getting cooking lessons off Gordon Ramsay or something.I honestly dont know where I would be if it wasnt for XO especially in my case when youre relocated to a new country and you dont know anyone. XO trained me up and gave me a job. I cant thank them enough.The post Local heroes: Londons XO Bikes breaking the chain appeared first on Cyclist.

Drawing on data from its earlier steel and titanium hardtails, Spot Bikes has released a new Rocker Carbon hardtail. Designed to feel like a metal bike without the weight penalty, the Rocker packs a series of features that make it an intriguing option in 2026The post The Spot Rocker Carbon Gen 3 Can Run Gears or Belt Drive appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.