Happiness. One word, one feeling. As unique as the people experiencing it. For some, its achieving a long-held dream or the fleeting moment of a brilliant victory. For others, its the purchase of a new bike or outfit. And yet others seek their happiness in ultimate performance.In life, theres never an absolute right or wrong. Only perspectives and viewpoints. What remains are the consequences of our decisions. Especially marginal gains come at a cost. And sometimes those costs can be quite steep both financially and in terms of safety.For this issue of GRAN FONDO, weve pulled out all the stops. Weve asked uncomfortable questions, ridden through hell with the latest technologies, and, along the way, weve decoded the biochemistry of human happiness. And how about the good life? Of course, thats in here too! In the end, its not just about chasing happiness, but also finding it.Heres a preview of the stories youll find in this issue:You can download the new issue now in our magazine app free as always! If you dont have the app yet, you can find it here in the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or in the Play Store (Android Smartphones & Tablets).A dramatic post-thunderstorm sky pays homage to your Strava PR, and the golden light of the evening sun casts long shadows across the asphalt. Youve got a tailwind as you crest the final climb And there it is, that fleeting, indescribable moment: You feel light, all of your troubles have melted away. Cycling can make you happy, and its addictive. But how do you achieve this drop bar high?Whats the connection between design classics by the likes of Vitra, Knoll, USM, and bikes? Why should every well-furnished home have at least one bike on a stand or wall mount? And whats even more exhilarating than spending the whole day on a bike? We commandeered one of Germanys finest furniture stores, arranged some wickedly expensive furniture, and drilled holes in every other wall. Dive into our ultimate guide to integrating bikes into your home decor!Carbon and aero wheels are the upgrade dream of many roadies. But what remains after stripping away the marketing promises? Hardly any other upgrade offers as much promise as a set of coveted wheels. But no other component costs as much. We tested 11 of the most exciting and trendy models and tell you what really matters when buying wheels.Two incidents in the pro peloton have sparked many debates about the safety of hookless rims. The UCI is looking into it, but what does all this mean for us, the end users? We set out to shed light on the background and asked industry insiders the crucial question on all our minds: hooked or hookless? Were unanimous: performance, yes! But at what price?Paris-Roubaix needs no introduction: ancient cobbles, brutal winds, and all-out racing all the way to the Roubaix velodrome. Were about to embark on a journey through the ages on the Specialized Roubaix SL8 to one of the sports most unique places, where history meets the future in the form of cutting-edge road bikes riding full-gas over ancient roads. How would this particular Roubaix fare at the Hell of the North, its namesake race?On the quest for happiness, theres a lot to try out. No matter what you consider (personal) happiness, you can only know once youve experienced and felt it. I hope this issue gives you food for thought and inspiration to discover the countless facets of happiness: on the saddle, in everyday life and beyond. Enjoy reading!Yours,Robin SchmittFounder and Editor-in-ChiefGRAN FONDOEnjoy the mix of articles that have made it into this issue, and grab yourself some inspiration! Get the latest issue directly on your device if you already have our app. Otherwise, simply install it from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or the Play Store (Android Smartphones & Tablets). Have fun reading. Heres to maxing out the Vorfreude for whatever youve got planned for this year.Der Beitrag CHASING HAPPINESS the new GRAN FONDO issue #027 is here! erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.