Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2015 från Cycling Plus

SPECIFICATION Weight 11.65kg (57cm) Frame Chromo Lite double-butted steel Fork Chromoly Gears Shimano Tiagra 50/34, 11-32 Brakes Hayes CX Expert mechanical discs Wheels Alex rims, Formula disc hubs Finishing kit Spectra alloy bar, stem and seatpost, WTB Speed V saddle, 35mm Kenda Kwick Tendril tyres The Volpe – Italian for ‘fox’ – is part of Bianchi’s Classic range, but it’s no replica. It successfully mixes classic Bianchi livery and subtle metallic silver paint with that most modern of features on a road bike, disc brakes. The nicely finished and appointed frame has rear rack eyes, front and rear mudguard fittings and even a very old-school under-the-top-tube pump peg. It’s constructed using Bianchi’s own steel tubing, the double butting giving it plenty of spring and life. The Volpe owes its geometry…

1 Internal affairs Mechanics may love external cables, but slick modern aesthetics demand that everything be hidden from sight. A solution has been a long time coming - enter the Park IR-1. 2 Thinking inside the box Your 50 quid doesn’t get you much on the face of it, but the contents of the neat little carry case will save countless grey hairs next time you build a bike. 3 End of days So what’s the secret? Three cables in Park’s trademark blue; two with positive polarity magnets at one end and a choice of special tips at the other; one with a negative polarity magnet and a plain cable tip. The cables will mate with brake and gear outers, hydraulic hoses, or electronic groupset wires. 4 Magnetic personality You…

Clugs are devilishly simple twopart plastic clips that can be mounted to almost any vertical surface. To store your bike vertically, the rear wheel rests on the floor, and the front tyre pushes in to the appropriate width Clug. Different sizes are available to suit road bikes (Roadie – 23-32mm tyres), hybrids (32-42mm tyres) and mountain bikes (MTB – 42-60mm tyres). Our Roadie sample costs £15.99. ON THE RADAR BIKE TECH OF THE NEAR FUTURE SLIMLINE SCULTERA We spoke to industry experts who said the chase for lower frame weights was slowing. Then Merida went and revealed its new Scultera 9000, which it’s claiming is the lightest production frame at 680g. SEVEN UP The successor to Cervelo’s R5 looks imminent after the UCI website updated its list of approved frames…

It’s possible to have too many signs. Cycle into London’s Rotherhithe Tunnel, for example, and you have to read around 14 signs at the entrance in the few trafficharassed seconds of your approach. (Plus there’s a programmable text display in case of a one-off incident – burst main, escaped zebra, etc.) Deciphering this is even tougher for drivers – how can they possibly read them all while they’re on the phone? At least, in a decluttering bid, the sign saying no explosives has been removed, so you’re okay with that jal frezi in the panniers. But cycle routes invariably suffer from the opposite signage problem: too few, too small, too unfit for purpose. (Coincidentally, the same three issues that annoy many women browsing femalespecific cycling clothes.) Too few. Typically, just…

SPECIFICATION Weight 8.87kg (54cm) Frame Endurance blend monocoque carbon Fork Criterium carbon composite Gears Shimano Sora Brakes RSP Wheels RSP AC2.0 Finishing kit RSP alloy stem, bar, 31.6mm seatpost and saddle, 25mm Schwalbe Lugano tyres The high quality Criterium frame is accompanied by some more modest kit choices We always advise bike buyers to make sure they get the best frame possible for their money and worry about upgrading components later. That’s definitely the approach Raleigh’s taken with its Criterium Elite, but as a result the complete bike suffers noticeably compared with the other options here. Concentrating on the positives, a sculpted carbon fork leads into a similarly artful head-tube, which includes internal gear cable insertion points on the front face to avoid paint damage. The gradually expanding down-tube constantly…

SPECIFICATION Weight 8.7kg (56cm) Frame Midmodulus carbon Fork Mid-modulus carbon Gears Shimano 105 5800 Brakes Tektro R525 Wheels Shimano RS010 Finishing kit Ritchey Comp Curve bar, Norco stem, saddle and seatpost, 25mm Continental Ultra Sport II tyres We never felt threatened by climbs and the Norco never struggled on tightly packed corners Norco might be better known for mountain bikes but its Valence all-rounder draws design and ride parallels with some of the best bikes in its category, and at a bargain price. The tips of the fork are the first clue you’ll find that Norco has been paying close attention to the shakers and movers in the road all-rounder or sportive category. The rolledbacked ‘wrist’ just above the dropout slots allows more forward rake for increased flex without altering…

HIGHS Visibility, great silicone mount LOWS A little pricey for a rear light YOU MIGHT THINK it strange to be testing a rear light in the middle of summer. No, it’s not because we’re secret nocturnal riders, it’s because the latest version of Bontrager’s Flare R has daylight modes designed in, as the company believes, just like with Swedish cars, running a daytime rear light enhances visibility. The Flare R uses CREE brand LEDs, which have a big reputation for quality, power and energy efficiency. It produces ‘just’ 65 lumens (some rear lights claim plenty more), but the clever bit is how well the light’s used. With most of the casing made up of translucent red plastic, practically the whole unit lights up, meaning it’s visible from every side and…

HIGHS Beautifully styled, top performance LOWS You can get lighter for less RAPHA HAS ALWAYS partnered with specialist Giro on its shoe line, starting with the Grand Tour that was an exercise in high-grade leather paired with a state-of-the-art carbon sole. With its cyclocross shoe and the Climber’s it’s opted for a more performance orientated line. The Climber’s shoe uses the Easton EC90 SLXII sole, as used on Giro’s Empire. This highmodulus unidirectional carbon sole is stiff, and maintains a low stack height (the measurement between cleat and pedal centre). The sole has bonded toe and replaceable heel bumpers, with titanium bolts to keep weight low. Rapha’s used Giro’s Supernatural Fit footbeds inside, albeit with Rapha graphics. The shoes come fitted with a footbed but with replaceable heel arch supports…

OUT OF THE BOX WEIGHT 8.2kg (S) FRAME Cayo P2T Disc FORK Cayo P2T carbon disc GEARS Shimano RS685 levers with Ultegra BRAKES Shimano RS785 hydraulic disc WHEELS DT Swiss Spline 24 db FINISHING KIT Concept EX bar, CPX stem and EX seatpost, Fizik Arione R7 saddle, 25mm Schwalbe Durano tyres HIGHS Weight, all-round ride quality, tyre clearances LOWS Issues with brake noise, excessively flared bars I FIRST RODE the Cayo Disc at its launch in Italy last year, and immediately wanted one. With hydraulic discs, thru-axles [1] and reasonably racy geometry, it’s an appealing package. It’s easy to be seduced by a bike when your first taste of it is on sundrenched Italian climbs, so I was interested to see how the Cayo fared in the cold light of…

SPECIFICATION Weight 5.136kg (custom 56cm) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Wheels Zipp 303/404 rims on custom Tune MIG/MAG hubs Gears Campagnolo Super Record EPS V2 Brakes Campagnolo Super Record Skeleton D Finishing kit Schmolke SL carbon bar, Tune 4.0 stem, THMCarbones M3 modular crank with SRM powermeter and Praxis-Works clover chainrings, Tune DC14 skewers, Veloflex Corsa 25mm tyres, Tune universal bottle cages, Scapin bottles, Speedplay Zero titanium pedals THE IVOR IS handmade in Italy by Scapin using its unique TT Matrix process, whereby multiple mould tools that make up the head-tube, down-tube, top-tube, seat-tube and chainstays may be bolted together in any configuration to create a unique frame with custom geometry. Once the external tooling is fixed, internal tooling is used inside to create the carbon frame. The tooling expands hydraulically…

Belgian-design with proper Euro styling HIGHS Great security and lens coverage LOWS Bold arms, need to check nose fit Weight 34g Included Two spare lenses, soft bag, rigid case Lazer’s Solid State sunnies have an oversized and tough frame that sits high at the brow, keeping it out of view when riding in a head down position. Chunky screwed hinges support thick arms that grip hard and will leave tan lines, but they can be bent to improve fit. The pliable nosepiece self-adjusts and grips well, and there are three lenses supplied – clear, yellow for low light and a medium smoke lens with a multicoloured oily finish. Coverage is very good from edge to edge, and forwards when on the drops, although nose width dictates how high they sit…

HIGHS Styling, lens coverage and quality LOWS Brown is a Marmite colour Weight 30g Included Arm fairings, soft bag, rigid case We like the French AG2R team’s colour combination, but it’s made bolder by the optional addition of stylish clip-on fairings at each temple, which reduce drag a tiny bit, and don’t hinder the grip of the bendy rubberised arms. The nosepiece is adjustable, supporting the virtually rimless lens, braced by a central stiffening brow bar that doesn’t detract from the superb angle of view. The crisp blue violet lens has a medium warm tint that’s graduated from the centre towards clearer outside edges, and works well in changeable UK lighting. They feel light and secure, ventilation is excellent, and even with the fairings, the Bolle’s didn’t steam up. SMITH…

HIGHS Low weight, good vibration damping LOWS Slippery finish can hinder riding Length 281mm Width 132mm Weight 206g Shape Flat The Ritchey WCS Streem is one of the more expensive saddles in our test – but fortunately its performance backed up the heavyweight price, proving to be one of the most comfortable of the lot. The carbon-reinforced shell features what Ritchey terms ‘Vector Wings’, which see the chromium nitridetitanium rails mounted into a wing design at the rear of the saddle. On the road they worked effectively, enhancing comfort over rough surfaces in what would have otherwise been a firm ride. Ritchey’s WCS range is made up of the American company’s highest performance products and the Streem is a worthy entry in the line-up. Our only real criticism is that…

MORE DRINKS ALL ROUND Cyclists can often go into a long ride insufficiently hydrated, so drinking around two litres of water throughout the day when you’re not riding helps maintain energy levels and reduce the risk of dehydration. To check your hydration levels look at the colour of your pee – too dark and you aren’t hydrated enough, almost colourless and you’re over-hydrated. A pale straw colour is just about right. DON’T PASS WATER Failing to hydrate properly when riding could cost you. Research into the effects of hydration on cycling performance has grown almost as much as the products riders can drink. One endurance study focusing on an 80km time trial, at the University of Cape Town, found that cyclists who drank regularly through the test replaced 51 per…

Alberto Contador sits so far out on his own in the current peloton when it comes to winning Grand Tours that his status as the preeminent stage racer of his generation is surely undisputed. Among currently active professionals, only his Tinkoff-Saxo teammate Ivan Basso, with two Giro wins, has won more than one three-week stage race. Contador has seven (he’d say nine). The 98th Giro was a spectacular edition, with never a dull day, but despite riding through the pain of a dislocated shoulder early in the race, Contador’s win never looked in doubt. This season the Spaniard is aiming to cement his status by becoming the first man since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win the Giro and Tour de France in the same year. How much Astana’s constant…

Fans of F1 can’t buy the same car Lewis Hamilton drives. We cyclists, though, can ride the bikes of our Tour de France heroes. And we’ve tested a dozen of them here. Some of them, such as the Bianchi, BMC and Trek, are on a par with those ridden by their teams – with prices to match. The Orbea, meanwhile, has a near team build but a more modest price. We’re also looking at what we think the future will bring, in the form of Specialized’s S-Works Di2 Disc – hydraulic disc brakes joining cycling’s last game changer, electronic gearing, in one race-ready package. Coming soon… Warren Rossiter, Senior technical editor RATINGS EXPLAINED EXCEPTIONAL A genuine class leader VERY GOOD One of the best you can buy GOOD It’ll do…

WEIGHT 7.01kg (M) FRAME Advanced SL-Grade Composite, integrated seatpost FORK Advanced SL-Grade Composite GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 with sprint shifters, 52/36, 11-25 BRAKES Giant SpeedControl SL Ti WHEELS Zipp 404 Firecrest CCL FINISHING KIT Giant Contact SLR Aero integrated carbon bar and stem, Giant P-SLR1 23mm tyres, Fizik Arione R3 saddle Alot has been written about the Propel, and it’s gained universal praise in every component spec. We tested the rarified SL 0 model, which is about as close as mere mortals can get to Marcel Kittel’s steed of choice. The German sprinter has watts in abundance, but sees no point in wasting them on air resistance, choosing instead to maximise his straight line speed when charging for the line. Giant’s frame has a sculpted look to it, almost like…

WEIGHT 6.95kg (57cm) FRAME Carbon FORK Carbon GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 50/34, 11-28 BRAKES Shimano Dura-Ace WHEELS Vision Trimax T30 FINISHING KIT FSA SL-K carbon seatpost, FSA Energy stem, FSA Energy compact bar, Selle Italia SLR Team Edition saddle, 23mm Challenge Forte tyres Orbea’s association with the pro ranks went on hiatus with the collapse of the bright Basque orange of Euskaltel. It’s returned with the French Cofidis team that includes 2014 Giro d’Italia Points jersey winner Nacer Bouhanni. The new Orca, like the colour scheme, is a departure from the previous model. The older one had a swathe of curvy sculpted lines with beautifully machined and fluted alloy inserts, the new Orca looks positively understated, with the emphasis on slender and angular through the flattened top-tube, triangulated headtube junction…

WEIGHT 6.74kg (M) FRAME Canyon Aeroblade SLX FORK Canyon Aeroblade SLX GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 with sprint shifters, 52/36, 11-28 BRAKES Shimano Dura-Ace WHEELS Zipp 404 Firecrest carbon clincher FINISHING KIT Canyon H11 Aerocockpit integrated carbon bar and stem, Canyon S27 Aero VCLS CF seatpost, Continental Grand Prix 4000s II 23mm and 25mm tyres, Fizik Arione R5 saddle Norway’s Alexander Kristoff is, on the face of it, an atypical big burly sprinter. In 2015 he’s finished second in the Milan-Sanremo classic, and won the Scheldeprijs and the Tour of Flanders. Two of these races are considered to favour sprinters, and ended in group sprints, but in the steeply cobbled Tour of Flanders he broke away with 30km to go with one other rider, and outsprinted him. We’re used to pro…

SPECIFICATION WEIGHT 7.5kg (54cm) FRAME Teammachine SLR02, ACE Technology carbon FORK Teammachine SLR02 carbon GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace, 52/36 chainrings, Ultegra front mech BRAKES Shimano Dura-Ace WHEELS Shimano RS21 FINISHING KIT BMC RST 3 stem, BMC RDB 3 bar, Continental Grand Sport Race 23mm tyres £3400 It’s awesomely fast BMC Racing Team’s SLR01 has been one of our favourite rides since its launch. The SLR02 shares its design and moulds, but uses more costeffective carbon and external cable routing. It’s a few grams heavier, but only sacrifices a few per cent of its big brother’s performance, displaying the same surging acceleration. In lower gears the feeling is akin to the camtype action of ovalised chainrings, every revolution creating fantastically direct drive. It has incredible handling The SLR02’s performance is so accessible…

Research from Cambridge University shows that more cycling could save the NHS £250 million I’ve got to applaud Boris Johnson Politically I’m obviously not his biggest fan but you’ve got to applaud Boris for what he’s done for cycling in London. I’d like to see the same approach here in Liverpool . It’s not cycle-friendly enough, it’s so far behind other UK cities, there are no cycle lanes and bus lanes are being scrapped so there’s no protection for cyclists. I’m part of an independence party Riding a bike gives you a form of independence that doesn’t click with those who don’t cycle. I love pottering around on my bike and enjoy riding long sportives and charity rides. I’ve cycled from Germany to Poland and Paris to Geneva among others.…

SPECIFICATION Weight 8.91kg (M) Frame Toray T700 carbon Fork UD carbon tapered Gears Shimano Tiagra front, 105 rear Brakes Tektro R540 Wheels Mavic CXP22 on QR hubs Finishing kit Boardman E4P bar, stem, 31.6mm seatpost and saddle, 25mm Continental Ultra Sport II tyres The deservedly popular Team Carbon has a great frame, decent kit and a very attractive price If there’s one brand that has consistently scored highly in performance for price terms without resorting to direct retailing it’s Boardman. Its just sub-£1000 carbon bike is a massively important model for the company as it sneaks its way into the government’s Cycle to Work scheme price bracket, but this bike is about a lot more than just competent commuting. However, it’s worth mentioning that this is one of only two…

SPECIFICATION Weight 8.52kg (56cm) Frame T700 HM UD carbon Fork T700 HM UD carbon tapered Gears Shimano 105 11-speed Brakes Shimano 105 Wheels Fulcrum Racing 7 Finishing kit Vitus stem, bar, 31.6mm carbon seatpost and saddle, 25mm Continental Grand Sport Race tyres The price has been dropped to deliver 11-speed 105 within spitting distance of £1000 There’s no escaping the fact that more of us are shopping online to get the best deals. And if your chosen website is doing a good job of getting you your spares and upgrades faster and cheaper than your local shop it’s tempting to get your next complete bike by clicking a mouse. The Vitus Venon proves that could be a really smart move too. Admittedly you can’t judge frame quality online, but the…

RAPHA ESSENTIALS CASE £45 THE SUPPLE FEELING Essentials Case will swallow an iPhone 6, and the internal full length pocket and water resistant zipped pocket will take care of cards, cash and keys comfortably. The outer zip and leather don’t claim to be waterproof, but offer reasonable weather protection in most conditions. The zip can be abrasive inside and out. LEZYNE PHONE WALLET £17.99 THE IDEAL SIZE for jersey pockets, the Phone Wallet has a Velcrofastened flap with three slots inside for cards or notes and a zipped pouch outside. The wallet opens to uncover a touch screen-friendly window over the waterproof-zipped phone compartment. An iPhone 6 fits but the window’s too small to use it in situ. POCPAC MOBI 3X £8.99 SIMPLE AND SLIM, the Pocpac is a tinted…

HIGHS Smooth, distance friendly, Shimano and Campag compatible LOWS Relatively heavy, fixed QR axles, non tubeless HUB AND PARTICULARLY tandem hub fanatics will know all about Edco’s reputation for smooth, Swiss-built hubs, but its complete wheelsets are new to the UK. Thanks to a shared distribution deal with Continental each Edco wheelset will come with Grand Prix 4000s tyres and tubes. If you’re into smooth reliability using conventional quick release axles and inner tubes, they are definite contenders. The 35mm depth and 24.5mm inner width create a neutral handling wheelset with a whiff of aerodynamic advantage but none of the gusty downsides of a deeper wheelset. The sixbolt disc brake attachment means no worries about carbon rim braking issues in the wet either. The rim does still have Edco’s CTg…

HIGHS Versatile, comfortable and a great all-rounder LOWS Challenge tyres aren’t so great on wet mud THE DECADE IS a breath of fresh air. It’s light enough to be swift on the road, and the 52/36, 11-28 gearing is a boon when climbing. I also love how far off the beaten track the bike’s able to go. The huge volume Challenge tyres [1] come up bigger than the claimed 30mm when mounted onto the wide profile Zipp 303 wheels. Even though they’re full slicks they hold a surprising level of grip on dry dirt and gravel, and are plenty fast on tarmac too. The high-grade custom drawn titanium 3Al/2.5V (alloy with 3% aluminium and 2.5% vanadium) frameset and carbon fork have huge clearances and offer plenty of stiffness, which is…

Steve Witczak Jan 2012: 18½st (259lb/117.4kg) Jan 2015: 11st (154lb/70kg) Total loss: 110lb/50kg (in August 2013 he went down to 10st 6lb) On 12 January 2012, 48-year-old Steve Witczak stepped on the scales and peered down over his 44in waist to read the figures. The dial groaned up to 259lb, or 18.5st. STEVE’S MEAL PLAN... “During the first 12 months, where I lost the majority of my weight, I maintained a calorie intake of 1300 a day – before exercise. On top of this I would exercise to burn 300-400 calories, giving me a net calorie intake of 900 calories a day. “As my cycling increased, so did my calorie intake (up to 1600). By July 2013 I’d reached my goal of 154lb (11st/70kg). Now I consume 2200 calories a…

Customisable eyewear to personalise your look HIGHS Great comfort and security, custom options LOWS Lens cut-out is narrow for some Weight 31g Included Two lenses, soft bag, rigid case BBB’s Select glasses can be bought off the peg, or you can configure your own selection of arm tips, frame and lenses. Tough Grilamid frames have highly flexible textured rubber-tipped arms for a very secure but not overpowering grip. A fully adjustable nosepiece holds station up front, although the cut-out is a little narrow for the widest noses. Additional clear and yellow lenses back up the standard lightly tinted green coated version, which we found ideal for the majority of rides. They’re optically very strong, and fit close all around with minimal gaps and great peripheral vision, but no vents. ENDURA…

HIGHS Huge shield, adjustability, Prizm lens LOWS Lower rim visibility Weight 34g Included Spare nosepiece, soft bag, rigid case Named after a new lens removal system where the nosepiece is the clip controlling the hinged lower half of the frame, or jaw. Each pair has 27 components, with several adjusting the sturdy arms to one of three lengths. We found the fit to be very secure, with a typically grippy nosepiece. A marked frame rise above the eyebrows means that when your head is down, and you are looking forwards, nothing obstructs your vision, although depending on face shape, in a head-up position the lower rim can make seeing your bottle or gears difficult. The well-vented red/brown Prizm lens isn’t dark like a polarised one can be, but is optically…

HIGHS Good design, construction and ride LOWS Printed graphics mark easily Length 280mm Width 132mm Weight 201g Shape Semi-curve Pro’s Turnix is available in a range of configurations: with or without a cut-out and with either titanium or carbon rails. The version we tested didn’t have a cutout but featured titanium rails. The Turnix is one of the lightest saddles on test and has an attractive combination of black, grey and white. While slightly plain to look at, on the bike the Turnix impressed with a comfortable ride that offered good bump absorption over rough surfaces. The semiround shape works well for a range of riding positions, and Pro offers a welcome 30-day money-back guarantee to allow you to try it with complete confidence. BTWIN SPORT 900 £19.99 Length 277mm…

HIGHS Good value, shape and comfort levels LOWS Not the lightest, conservative styling Length 279mm Width 140mm Weight 247g Shape Curve Madison has been producing saddles for a number of years and has established a good reputation for comfortable and affordable products. The Sportive is the latest evolution of the company’s offering for all-day riding and it easily delivers on this promise. While not the lightest on test, Madison has served up a very good saddle when you consider its modest cost. It has a good shape, comfortable high-density padding and a grippy surface. At this price it’s a great choice if you’re looking to upgrade the saddle on your first road bike without spending a fortune, and if you’re looking for increased comfort on longer, more challenging rides. SDG…

BANGING BEETROOT Beetroot has a high nitrate content, known to help reduce blood pressure and regulate blood flow. Two shots of Beet It Sports drink taken 2.5 hours before a race have been proven to improve times by up to 2%, according to the University of Exeter’s School of Sport and Health Sciences. BOOMING BANANAS Bananas have a high carb content and concentration of potassium (400mg average banana). Potassium minimises cramp and aids the cardiovascular system. SUPER SALMON Omega 3 essential fatty acids keep hearts healthy by increasing the elasticity of blood vessels, and improves nervous system function. The European Journal of Applied Physiology research found that a high amount of Omega 3 increases heart stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle in one contraction) and…

BREATHING BASICS 1 As pedalling intensity increases, so does the speed of breathing (ventilation) to enhance oxygen flow to blood tissues. “The depth of each breath increases and breathing rate becomes more rapid,” says physiologist James Hewitt (jameshewitt.net). But the extra breathing effort comes at a cost of around 15 per cent of your energy consumption. “Learn to train the function of your respiratory muscles and you could divert that energy back into your performance.” EXERCISE YOUR DIAPHRAGM 2 Off the bike there are drills to train your thoracic diaphragm – the muscle across the bottom of the rib cage. Try lying on your back with your chin in a relaxed, slightly tucked, position. With a hand on your chest and the other on your stomach inhale a breath deep…

A lot is written about the psychology of cycling, but it’s often related to ‘suffering’ and overcoming adversity. With a week in the mountains awaiting everyone at Maison du Velo, it would’ve been easy for sport psychologist Tim Harkness to pitch his discussion at the ‘hell’ that awaits us. This, however, is exactly what he doesn’t do. As a cyclist, Harkness is aware that while we like to talk up the pain and suffering, we ride our bikes because we enjoy it: it’s fun, and part of what makes us who we are. The evening would be dedicated to the positive influence taking part in a seemingly gruelling cycling event would have on our wellbeing. Harkness began by introducing us to fellow psychologist Martin Seligman’s concept of ‘flourishing’, the research-based…

TRAINING TIP “Even with all the training you’ve put in, a 100-mile bike ride will be a big mental challenge so try not to over-think it. Break the distance down and set mini goals along the way, and aim to reach those points.” Laura Trott 1 BEST IN SHOW The people behind the event bill it as the world’s greatest cycling festival, and it’s hard to argue looking at the numbers: over 95,000 people will ride their bikes over the course of the weekend on closed London roads. 2 CARBON COPY Based on the route of the Olympic road race, the 100 is a sportive with over 25,000 riders taking part. Over 60,000 people lost out on entry in the ballot used to select the starters. 3 ON YOUR MARK…

SUITED AND BOOTED NED MAKES A TWO-WHEELED ENTRANCE TO THE BAFTAS When I received my invitation to the BAFTAs, I noticed a separate blue ticket in the envelope. ITV’s Tour de France coverage was up for a gong. This card contained instructions about how to approach the red carpet. It said very clearly: ‘Hand This Card To Your Driver’. And then in smaller print, ‘without this card, your car will not be allowed to drop you off at the end of the red carpet’. This sent me into a tailspin of worry. I don’t have a driver. I barely have a car. Was I expected to hire a limousine? Is BAFTA collectively insane? Did it really stand for The British Association of Finicky Travel Arrangements? Anyway, I was going to…

WEIGHT 6.72kg (54cm) FRAME V1-R carbon FORK V1-R carbon GEARS Campagnolo Record 50/34, 11-25, Campagnolo Super Record rear mech BRAKES Colnago direct mount WHEELS Vision Metron 40C FINISHING KIT Vision Metron carbon monocoque stem, Vision Metron carbon wing bar, Colnago V1-R carbon seatpost, Colnago Selle Italia SLR saddle, 25mm Continental Grand Prix 4000sII tyres Although no longer a WorldTour team, Europcar is virtually guaranteed a Tour place every year, and its association with Colnago means that the Italian marque’s machines will make bold attacks throughout July. Colnago’s range was bolstered last year by the aero V1-R, the first choice of team fastman Bryan Coquard. The Ferrari ‘Cavallino’– prancing stallion – logo adorns each machine in recognition of its collaboration with Colnago, most notably when it comes to the carbon fibre.…

WEIGHT 6.7kg (58cm) FRAME Carbon FORK Carbon GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 52/36, 11-25 BRAKES Shimano Dura-Ace WHEELS HED Ardennes Plus LT FINISHING KIT Continental Grand Prix 25mm tyres, Rotor 3D+ chainset, FSA K-Force compact carbon bar, FSA OS99 CSI stem, Fizik Antares saddle For 2015 it looked like Canada’s Cervélo might miss the year’s biggest race as its deal with Garmin ended. Instead, Cervélo decided to go with MTN-Qhubeka, who secured a wild card spot, making this the bike you’ll see Britain’s Steve Cummings, ex-Sky sprint specialist Edvald Boasson Hagen and Aussie Matt Goss on board. Cervélo’s R series bikes have always been about light weight and stiffness with a drop of smooth comfort thrown in. The frame is based on (it’s the same mould) the exclusive, and expensive, RCA,…

WEIGHT 6.73kg (55cm) FRAME HOC Carbon T monocoque FORK Carbon GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 53/39, 11-25 BRAKES Shimano Dura-Ace WHEELS Shimano Dura-Ace C50 tubular FINISHING KIT FSA Team Issue carbon stem, FSA K-Force carbon bar, Bianchi Aero seatpost, Vittoria Corsa SC 25mm tubular tyres, Fizik Arione R3 braided saddle Bianchi’s Oltre XR2 has been a pro steed for a couple of seasons, but is very competitive alongside the current carbon crop. With a frameset that shows a stage of road aero evolution between its recent origins and today’s ever more refined machines, the Oltre XR2 was ahead of its time. Checking off the now expected features such as aero shaping, universal cable routing, recessed fork crown, hourglass headtube, hidden seat clamp and internal battery placement, the Bianchi wants for little.…

WEIGHT 6.86kg (s) FRAME Gallium Pro (S) FORK Gallium Pro GEARS Shimano Ultegra 50/34, 11-28 BRAKES Shimano Ultegra WHEELS Fulcrum Racing Zero FINISHING KIT 3T Ergonova Team Carbon bar, Arx Ltd stem, Prologo Zero II Pas Nack saddle, Argon 18 carbon seatpost, Continental Grand Prix 25mm tyres Bora-Argon 18 probably isn’t a household name, but it’s one you’re likely to hear a lot of this July. Formerly known as NetApp-Endura, the German-based outfit is one of five teams granted a wild card entry to the 2015 Tour de France, and its riders will compete aboard bikes from Canadian manufacturer Argon 18. Argon 18 produces two flagship race bikes: the aero Nitrogen and the lightweight Gallium Pro, whose frame weighs a claimed 790g in size medium, plus 350g for the fork.…

WEIGHT 6.85kg (58cm) FRAME Carbon FORK Carbon GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, 53/39, 11-28 BRAKES BMC Integrated road design WHEELS Zipp 404 Firecrest tubular FINISHING KIT 3T ARX II Team stem, 3T Ergonova Team carbon bar, Fizik Arione CX saddle, 22mm Continental Competition tubular tyres Switzerland’s BMC has one of the most compelling pro-level bike line-ups around. The Classics-derived GF is our bike of the year and the SLR01 is one of the most comfortable Tourlevel bikes we’ve ever ridden. The TMR01, however, is a very different beast – an out-and-out aero road bike developed using technology from the groundbreaking time trial version of the Timemachine. The frame features BMC’s ‘subA’ design concept, which looks at reducing the frontal area and minimizing any wind resistance. It gives the impression of a…

FIRST RIDES This month I’ve had the privilege to test pure Tour de France race machines, plus more everyday bikes like Scott’s Solace Disc, and gravel-inspired Bianchi Volpe. Warren Rossiter, senior technical editor ROAD TEST & NEW KIT It’s been a varied month of bike tests, from custom carbon to classy alloy and Tour-worthy superbikes, plus Look’s power pedals and latest ride wallets and sunglasses. Robin Wilmott, technical writer FIRST RIDES & NEW KIT This month’s head-tohead bikes from the big two American manufacturers were a nice reminder that entry-level doesn’t need to mean a boring ride or sub-par kit. Matthew Allen, technical writer RATINGS EXPLAINED EXCEPTIONAL A genuine class leade VERY GOOD One of the best you can buy GOOD It’ll do the job very well BELOW AVERAGE Flawed…

TAKE A BEAU Adventurer Mark Beaumont’s broken another record, riding the length of Africa solo (6762 miles) in 41 days, eclipsing the previous record of 59 days. Over tough terrain, the Scot managed an average of 160 miles each day. QUIDS IN The A63 in Hull got its moment in the sun as Sir Bradley Wiggins turned out for City Road Club’s open 10-mile TT. He fell shy of the British record but still won £50. GUNS FOR HIRE Pinarello’s opened an ‘experience centre’ in Puerto Pollensa, Majorca, offering cyclists the option to hire bikes right across their range. Prices start from €30/day for the Razha 105 to €100/day for Team Sky’s Dogma F8 with Dura-Ace Di2. PORTE IN A STORM Pro cycling’s littered with riders bending the rules and…

Mosaic, Campagnolo and Prestige Cycles of Brighton have partnered to create five special RT-1s. The standard RT-1 is Mosaic’s top road machine, hand-built by Aaron Barcheck, previously head frame builder at legendary US titanium bike brand, Dean Titanium Bicycles. It uses a double-butted 3Al/2.5v (3% aluminium, 2.5% vanadium alloy) titanium tubeset mated to an ENVE fork. The special edition bike comes with Campagnolo’s electronic Record EPS groupset and Campagnolo Bora Ultra wheels. Mosaic provides the titanium seatpost and Chris King headset, and customers can choose their bar, stem and saddle. The limited edition frameset starts from £3600, with complete bike prices dependent on spec, and £1000 from each bike sold will go to the Men’s United Prostate cancer charity.…

SPECIFICATION Weight 8.49kg (54cm) Frame Aero UD carbon Fork Aero UD carbon Gears Shimano Tiagra Brakes TRP T822/820 Wheels 13RS Aero Finishing kit 13RS bar, stem, 27.2mm seatpost and saddle, 23mm Vittoria Zaffiro III tyres The 13 is the lightest bike here – but it lacks punch on steeper climbs It doesn’t take long to get the measure of the Intuition Alpha Carbon in terms of its design cues and the pros and cons of its performance. In fact it’s all summed up pretty neatly in the front wheel, fork, cockpit and head-tube. Right through the bike, 13 has sourced its own componentry where possible rather than going off the shelf. With the wheels that means you’re getting a semi-aero rim that’s subtly colour coded to match the frame and…

SPECIFICATION Weight 8.73kg (M) Frame Sensium carbon Fork Sensium carbon tapered Gears Shimano Tiagra Brakes Shimano Tiagra Wheels Shimano WHR501 Finishing kit Ritchey 4 Axis stem, Ritchey Comp Curve bar, Selle Italia X1 saddle, 25mm Hutchinson Equinox 2 tyres The detailing is neat throughout and the frame is ready to take Di2 electronic shifting Lapierre has always produced distinctive bikes and if you’re after something as obviously smooth as it is stylish then the Sensium should be on your list. Power players should probably look elsewhere. The Sensium has been around for a while but this latest version is future-proofed and bang on trend for steady sportive adventures. In practical terms that means a relatively tall head-tube for a naturally upright, back-friendly position. The sloped and tapered top-tube also means…

HIGHS Progressive, powerful braking, comfortable hoods LOWS Shifting’s outshone by the competition RIVAL 22 IS the cheapest of SRAM’s 11-speed groupsets and in its hydraulic disc configuration it commands a £372 premium over the standard mechanical option. It benefits from significant technological trickle down, sharing its more expensive siblings’ clever Yaw front derailleur – it rotates as it moves through its travel to eliminate chain rub – as well as the ZeroLoss levers, which claim to make shifts more instantaneous. Rival’s aimed at everyday cyclists rather than road racers, so the 110mm BCD (bolt circle diameter) cranks are available in 46/36, 50/34 and 52/36 ratios, with axles for BB30 or GXP bottom brackets. Three cassettes are offered, with 11t small cogs and a choice of 26, 28, 32 or 36t…

HIGHS Simple operation, accurate data LOWS Needs careful fitting, cable ties THIS UPDATED RELEASE of Look and Polar’s pedal-based measurement system has two versions, our twin transmitter pod one and the £699 Keo Power Essential, with a left pod only. The pedals weigh 347g, and the aluminium-bodied pods 56g with batteries, totalling 403g, 139g more than the standard Keo 2 Max pedals. Fitting takes up to 30 minutes. Crank arms can be no more than 16mm wide, and it’s crucial to correctly insert the extended axle thread and orientate a mark on it, then tighten the flat sided lock ring against the crank to 35Nm while keeping said mark aligned, otherwise the transmitter pod won’t hang at the ideal 90-degree angle when the crank points forwards. Inserting the transmitter into…

DESIGNED BY US visual artist Dustin Klein, whose inspirations stem from San Francisco’s messenger scene, Cadence kit is made in Italy. The eight-panel construction in compression Lycra and a CyTech Elastic Interface seat pad keep the shorts (£120) supportive and comfortable over distance, and their wide folded Lycra leg grippers are very effective. The jersey (£105) uses perforated Micro Quattro fabric for excellent cooling when the heat is on, and features a race fit with full zip, three spacious rear pockets and close fitting but not overly tight sleeves. A silicone gripper keeps the hem in place, and the jersey has a light but durable feel. Graduated orange and gold stripes set on black and white give a classy, and quite ’70s feel, which we love. A couple of brand…

HIGHS Superb fit, optical quality and style LOWS You probably aren’t World Champion Weight 30g Included One spare lens, cleaning cloth, key ring, rigid case On the face of it, the design of these Italian glasses isn’t outstanding, despite the World Champ winning jersey-inspired finish, but wearing them is. The frame has the right amount of curvature to surround your face, enough spring to help the Megol rubber arm tips grip well, and a non-adjustable soft-feeling nosepiece that’s ideally shaped and conforms superbly well to keep the glasses in place. Lens coverage is excellent, extending wide and low for great peripheral vision, keeping unwanted UV rays or airborne nasties at bay, and still shaped high enough at the brow to avoid frame interference. Optically the Salices are as good as…

More manufacturers seem to be taking great interest in aluminium frames. High class, smooth welding isn’t new, as companies like Cannondale and Klein popularised and perfected the techniques in the early ’90s, but now matched to heavily hydroformed tubes, it’s making a welcome resurgence. Aluminium certainly shouldn’t just be seen as a collection of sturdy pipes, welded together for utilitarian strength but, as our three bikes prove, also a viably rapid race option too. We’re firm believers in horses for courses or in cycling terms, using the right bike for your preferred riding. But there’s nothing like exploring the limits sometimes to see what a bike is truly capable of. With a pair of bikes closely resembling their Grand Tour racing siblings, and one designed for the circuit racer, we…

HIGHS Construction, looks, comfort, easy care LOWS It’s not super-light, but that’s about Length 283mm Width 142mm Weight 257g Shape Semi-curve While a relatively new component company, Fabric has already garnered a strong reputation for making excellent products – its Scoop Shallow Race only extends this reputation. This features a striking and attractive design, including a beautifully constructed smooth base with a single rail and a bonded top, which is matched by a great shape and a comfortable ride. The Scoop Shallow’s semi-rounded shape offers a good balance between a more aggressive flatter model and providing comfort when you’re riding on either the hoods or the drops. The Scoop is available in three shapes but only one width, though Fabric does offer some of its other models in a choice…

HIGHS Well designed and comfortable LOWS Slightly heavier than rivals Length 275mm Width 140mm Weight 254g Shape Semi-curve The Evo is the entry-level model in Prologo’s semi-curved Nago range. It’s a striking-looking saddle, particularly in the red and black we tested, and it looks more expensive than it is. The rear padding gives a firm but still comfortable ride, with the density changing towards the nose to protect your perineum. The semi-curve shape means that it’s designed to work for both sportive and more aggressive riding positions. There’s good attention to detail in the design and construction, its nylon base combining with the lightweight stainless steel Tirox rails to bring sufficient suppleness to the ride, all helping Prologo achieve our ‘Highly Commended’ award. ERGON SR3 £84.99 Length 288mm Width 136mm…

KEEP IT SIMPLE Front mechs or derailleurs are relatively straightforward devices that should work solidly over the long term if they’ve been set up properly to begin with. From time to time, however, you may encounter some trouble switching between front rings. Fear not, on double chainsets at least, adjustment is a fairly simple process. ROLL OUT THE BARREL If your mech is struggling to shift into the big ring from the small one, you need to tighten the gear cable from your left-hand shifter. You will find a barrel adjuster either near where the cable exits the shifter, or where it attaches to the frame. Turn the adjuster anti-clockwise to tighten the cable, which should iron out any upward shifting sluggishness. TIGHTER STILL If your mech won’t succumb to…

Our ProBuild system is a destination for the rider who wants to create a custom dream bike. ProBuild gives you the confidence to build a bike without compromising on the spec. Choose your frame from some of the best high end Road Bike brands on offer - Look, Parlee, Eddy Merckx, Cinelli, Ritte, Scapin, Lynskey, Storck, Olympia and more - and then you’re ready to build your dream bike. Personalise your ultimate ride by speccing everything from wheels to groupsets, saddles to stems, and chains to tyres. Once you’ve built your bike (Cinelli, Ritte and Storck are availble to be built online - using our visual software www.ubyk.co.uk/probuild ), our expert team will build the bike piece by piece and involve you in the experience by cataloguing each stage, enabling…

WEIGHT 6.96kg (56cm) FRAME S-Works FACT 11r carbon FORK Carbon GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, Shimano RS785 Di2 shifters, Specialized S-Works FACT carbon crank 52/36, 11-28 BRAKES Shimano RS785 hydraulic callipers with Ice Tech Freeza 140mm rotors WHEELS Specialized Roval Rapide CLX 40 SCS Disc carbon clinchers FINISHING KIT Specialized S-Works SL alloy stem, S-Works SL carbon bar, S-Works FACT carbon 27.2mm seatpost, 24mm S-Works Turbo tyres, Specialized Toupé Pro saddle Specialized wanted to include its S-Works Tarmac Disc Di2 machine as a taste of what is to come in the pro peloton. With the UCI’s recent decision to hold several professional road races as test events for disc brakeequipped bikes, the widely held opinion is that the inclusion of disc brakes in all road events is more a matter of…

WEIGHT 6.9kg (58cm) FRAME Carbon FORK Carbon GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace 53/39, 11-23 BRAKES Shimano Dura-Ace WHEELS MAVIC R-SYS SLR FINISHING KIT Easton EC90 SLX3 carbon bar, Easton EA90 aluminium stem, Easton EC90 carbon seatpost, Mavic Yksion Pro Griplink 25mm tyres Lapierre’s Ultimate program is an online bike builder that allows you to specify the equipment and finish of your chosen bike, which means selecting your colour choice, wheels, components, drivetrain and gearing. For our review sample, we asked Lapierre to use the Ultimate system to build a bike that’s as close to FDJ’s ProTour Pulsium as possible. That means a full complement of Easton finishing kit, from the brilliant EC90 SLX3 bar with its semi-ovalised top section, mid-compact drop and a stiffness that encourages hard, out-ofthe-saddle sprint efforts but doesn’t…

WEIGHT 6.25kg (58cm) FRAME Carbon FORK Carbon GEARS Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 50/34, 11-28 BRAKES Bontrager Speed Stop WHEELS Bontrager Aeolus 3 D3 FINISHING KIT Bontrager Paradigm XXX carbon saddle, Bontrager Ride Tuned seatpost, Bontrager XXX OCLV carbon bar, Bontrager XXX carbon stem, Bontrager R4 Hard-Case Lite 23mm tyres Trek added the Émonda to its lineup just days before the Tour de France started in Yorkshire in 2014. With the now aero-optimised Madone and comfort-offering classics-biased Domane in the range, Trek’s designers saw the need for a super-light chassis for climbers. With the Émonda Trek’s created one of the lightest chassis around, the 56cm frame weighs just 690g. That’s in the territory of highend, low volume carbon creations from the likes of AX Lightness or Storck, and the fact it’s been…