Innehållsförteckning för January 2023 från Cycling Plus

The winning bike in two of this year’s Tour de France stages, the latest Giant Propel is claimed to be lighter, stiffer, more compliant and more aerodynamically efficient than its predecessor. It also has a shortened reach and wheelbase. Its frame, with an integrated seatpost design, is made from Giant’s Advanced SL carbon layup: its stiffest, lightest and priciest carbon fibre. Here are the details. 01 Feathery weight At 6.91kg for a complete ML-sized bike (including bottle cages, a power meter and the outfront bike computer mount) and just 1,429.5g for the frame, it’s one of the lightest disc brake aero road bikes out there. That’s around a 255g reduction in frameset weight compared to the previous version, which nudges it impressively close to the UCI’s minimum bike weight limit…

● A ramp test of four increasingly tough Black Forest climbs on roads that exemplify the region. Gems include the super-steep climb out of Gernsbach, the Panorama bike path section from Höfen to Sprollenhaus and the back-road finish via Schloss Eberstein. 01 Bike shop ● Zweirad Rehm (Kuppenheimer Strasse 3) is a Trek dealer with workshop for urgent repairs. 02 Lunch stop ● Another spa town, Bad Wildbad, roughly marks the halfway point of the ride and is an ideal spot for lunch. Be sure to bring cash here – and elsewhere in the Black Forest. The rush to a cashless society hasn’t been as fast in Germany. 03 Photo op ● Coming off the high summit of Schwarzmiss (the big climb of the day) sees a break in the…

ALONGSIDE A TOUGH, HIGHLY-rated lock or two, you may want to add a security tracker to your bike to help deter thieves. One option is to add an Apple AirTag to your bike, and the likes of Muc-Off offer discreet holders. Knog, however, has taken things a step further with its own tag that has a loud alarm as well as app support for tracking and arming the system. The 35.7g unit (including cover and hardware) is designed to fit on your bike’s bottle cage bosses and comes with long bolts so you can fit a bottle cage on top. This is the stealth option as the matt-black lozenge shape looks like the base of a composite cage. Or you can use it alone with the supplied security bolts,…

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Fibre is a type of complex carbohydrate that’s mainly found in plant-based foods (fruit, veg, wholegrains and legumes). Make sure you eat the recommended 30g per day to keep your digestive system happy and help you feel fuller for longer. Fibre can also help keep your weight stable and lower risk of diseases such as bowel cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Moroccan chicken harira (GF) A winter warmer soup that’s packed with fibre, plus slow-releasing carbs, protein and vitamins and minerals. Prepare in advance and use it during the week ahead. Eat it with a hunk of bread if you wish. Details 10mins 40mins 4 Ingredients 3 tbsp olive oil 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced 1 red onion, peeled, sliced finely 3 cloves garlic, peeled, crushed…

01 Train purposefully ● Start by identifying how much time you have available each week to spend on a bike. If you only have six hours, then you want to maximise this time so that you can train purposefully. Use SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) goals to keep on track and determine a suitable objective. Pay special attention to achievable and realistic, so that you chose a goal that’s within your reach. 02 Commute smart ● Accrue regular mid-week miles by riding to and from work. You may need to invest in some additional kit such as panniers and wet-weather gear to carry equipment and keep you comfortable, but once you’ve got these systems in place you can enjoy adding to your endurance base. Home workers could consider…

“On the morning of 24 February 2022, the people of Ukraine woke up in a different world. Our hopes, plans and tranquillity disappeared in a second. Our phones woke many of us with a simple and short massage: ‘The war has started’. Whenever you read this article, our army, medics and volunteers will be doing their best to fight for freedom.” “Cycling in Odesa has only been possible again recently and usually only on the weekends. After months of war, it’s a way for us to relax and chat for two or three hours. And although there can be air raid alarms during our cycling that bring us back to wartime life, that two or three hours is like a breath of fresh air.” “Many cyclists from our community are…

Enter the Science Museum in London and you’re overawed by a carousel of historic bicycles adorning the hall ceiling. Among the boneshakers, penny-farthings, folders, MTBs and town bikes, one stands out. Sleek and black, the LotusSport looks like something from outer space. It’s not, however, from a Star Trek Klingon factory, but from an English bloke in Norwich. It’s the most famous work of visionary bicycle designer Mike Burrows, who died in 2022 aged 79. Imagine ‘Doc’ Brown in Back to the Future as a feisty, maverick British bike nerd in a workshop full of lateral-thinking cycle engineering and a fax machine. That’s Burrows. Lotus flowers The Lotus was a long time in the making. In the 1980s Burrows worked with the new carbon fibre tech to develop one-piece frames…

SHIMANO’S 105 GROUPSET HAS A well-earned reputation for value for money and is arguably the most popular performance groupset available today. However, while the 105 R7170 Di2 – the brand’s first electronic, 12-speed groupset at the 105 level – had an update in 2022, controversially it didn’t update the 105 mechanical groupset. 01 Steadfast performer Shimano 105 R7000 benefits from Shimano’s trickle-down approach to development in the area, with technology that debuts on Dura-Ace making its way to Ultegra, and then onwards to this third-tier offering. Sure, you have to wait a while to get the latest shifting and braking tech from the more expensive groupsets, but when it arrives, history shows that 105 includes practically all of the good stuff and leaves out the stuff you don’t really need –…

More than anything, our test demonstrates the continuing impressiveness of Shimano’s 105 R7020 mechanical groupset, whether the Japanese manufacturer chooses to update it in the future or not. In these days of high inflation and soaring cost of living, top-whack value for money becomes paramount, and this groupset is most definitely still a viable option for those who can’t justify spending many thousands of pounds on a bike. As you’ll have read, the models here will suit different riding styles and uses but all are excellent options in their own way. “The Addict rides like a consummate endurance bike: it’s fast and fun, yet it is also compliant enough for distance” The alloy Giant Contend blends a relaxed geometry and ride and, as the least expensive bike on test, offers…

Benedict Bicycles Ben Plowman makes low numbers of rider-specific handcrafted frames. He uses simple lines and geometric designs, drawing on techniques he’s acquired from 20 years making pieces for interior designers and artists. Bicycle design and fabrication is his passion and cycling a way of life. A long time in the planning but made in just 10 days in his Herne Hill workshop, this half and half frameset (£3,000) is for long days and tours. The classy frame’s made from carbon and steel Columbus Spirit tubing. Festka To be launched this autumn, this Spectre frameset (£4,990 exc VAT) sits at the top end of Festka’s range. From the Czech Republic, the Spectre makes a nod towards comfort with decent tyre clearance, but in its heart, it’s a machine built to…

Weight 8.19kg (L) Frame Advanced grade composite Fork Advanced grade composite Gears Shimano 105 (52/36, 11-30) Brakes: Shimano 105 Hydraulic Wheels Giant SLR 2 42 carbon Finishing kit Giant Contact SL bar (44cm) and stem (110mm), Giant Variant composite seatpost, Giant Fleet SL saddle, Giant Gavia Course 1 tubeless 25c tyres I ADMIT TO BEING A BIG FAN OF the TCR: the combination of razor-sharp handling and a ride that’s stiff in the right places and forgiving where it needs to be are compelling reasons enough. I also like that, in this era of complex integration of everything, the TCR keeps things simple. It makes a bike that’s easy to maintain, easy to pack for travel, and easy to upgrade should you want to. Giant also deserves plenty of recognition with…

● THE STANCE IS A FREESTANDING, minimally sleek plywood birch home bike stand that looks as good as a piece of furniture, allowing your pride and joy to stand on show wherever you like. It arrives flat-packed, assembles easily in about five minutes and is fully adjustable for any model, from kids’ to fat bikes, with a twist of a knob. There’s no frame contact to ruin your paintwork and I’ve been impressed by the rock-solid grip on all bikes. The Stance is the best excuse you’ve been looking for to keep your bike in the house.…

● AS WE EXPECT FROM SWEDISH brand Thule (say ‘too-lee’), this 27l commuter backpack is practical, durable and full of cycling-specific touches such as a pocket for a bike lock and helmet, an enclosed hi-vis rain cover and stash areas for bottles. The laptop sleeve is sizeable and reinforced, and the main section had room for my cycling kit plus sarnies. At 52cm long, I found it quite lengthy (anyone over 168cm might not agree). But, with comfortable straps and a breathable mesh back area, overall this bag justifies its price.…

Alpkit Koala 13L with Exo-Rail £89.99 & £21.99 A robust seatpack plus nay-sway frame THE KOALA IS handmade in the UK from a waterproof three-layer laminate and tough 1100D Cordura. The seams aren’t taped but Alpkit’s Airlok Tapered dry bag (£15.99) can be used inside it. The Koala has the usual pair of nylon straps that loop over the saddle rails and attach at the rear of the stiffened base, and three compression straps by the rolled opening. Two Hypalon straps secure the pack to the seatpost. An upper sleeve allows the Koala to slide onto the Exo-Rail mounting system, whose 6mm stainless steel frame reduces sway and bounce. Together, the Koala and Exo-Rail weigh 434g. Quick fit Fitting the saddle rail and seatpost straps is quick. The Exo-Rail fits…

Weight 17.48kg (one size, including carry bag) Frame Aluminium Fork Aluminium Gears One speed Brakes Tektro mechanical disc Wheels Aluminium one-piece Motor system 250W rear hub motor, 280.8Wh battery, LCD control display Finishing kit Kenda all-weather 1.75” x 14” tyres, folding pedals, lights, rear rack, kickstand, mudguards, unbranded saddle EELO’S 1885 HAS BEEN completely revamped for 2022. The bike now comes with custom one-piece alloy wheels which look sharp in their raw, polished-aluminium state. Mechanical disc brakes have replaced the old bike’s v-brakes and the engine has gained a little oomph and a trigger throttle to help you accelerate off from standing starts and to give a boost at the foot of hills. It’ll only kick in once it senses pedal movement, but the boost is pretty impressive. The simple…

Road bikes Four fantastic flyers for road riding and racing 01 Reilly Fusion £9,049 Issue 399 ● Winning tech, craftmanship, ride manners and looks: Reilly’s titanium-framed Fusion has it all in abundance. 02 Dolan ADX Titanium 105 Di2 £3,099.98 Issue 398 ● A great, sporty, year-round titanium endurance bike that majors in value and definitely doesn’t disappoint in its ride. 03 Canyon Aeroad CF SLX 7 Disc eTap £4,949 Issue 397 ● This is a superbly specced and surprisingly comfortable aero bike that’s built with more than the pros in mind. 04 Giant Defy Advanced 0 £2,899 Issue 394 ● A very special frameset with a superb level of kit and fantastic wireless gearing. The latest Defy is very, very hard to fault. Gravel bikes This capable quartet will help you head off the…

Your Experts James Witts Reach your Peak The Science of the Tour de France author looks at the latest cycling research Kate Percy Fuel your Riding Kate is the author of Go Faster Food and the founder of Go Bites energy balls Norman Lazarus Performance wisdom Norman, 86, is a physiology professor, author and former audax champion Heidi Blunden Masterclass maestro Short of time? Look no further than Heidi’s guide to maximising your riding…

Pearson Cycles East Sheen, London History ● Founded in 1860 (yes!) by Sutton blacksmith Tom Pearson in the velocipede boom, it’s the world’s oldest bike shop. Now run by fifth-generation family members Will and Guy Pearson it has a modern focus: high-quality performance bike builds, sustainability, ethics and a big online presence. What makes this shop special? ● “Customer service is paramount,” says Will. “We survey customers and use data for research and development. Every bike is 100% custom built to a precise fit, crank length, stem, bar width, everything, Dura-Ace to 105.’ Why is a local bike shop so important ● “Community, and customer care – some have bought six bikes over the years from us.” What’s in store ● Own-brand performance bikes (End of Road, Venture, Urban) in…

In Germany’s brooding Black Forest, it’s the shimmering slivers of light that speak loudest. Though the sun struggles to penetrate the thickets of common spruce and pine trees (which make up 50% of the forest), when it does, the effects on the road are magical, helping to dry the patches of tarmac still damp from the morning mist. Schwarzwald, as the forest translates to in German, stretches over 6,000km2 in a long slither in the southwest corner of Germany. To its north is one of its most-visited towns, Baden-Baden, famed through much of Europe for its sumptuous thermal spas, such as the 140-year-old Friedrichsbad and its dazzling Renaissance architecture. To English football fans, the town has gone down in infamy for their football team’s stay here during the 2006 World…

The big day is sprinting into view and even ultra-fit pro cyclists are getting ready to eat cake and party with friends. The festive season is a chance to take your foot off the gas and reset your body and mind. It’s okay to eat more chocolate and train a little less – you deserve it! But with a few subtle upgrades, you can swerve the side effects of a month of parties, laziness and indulgence – and still enjoy Christmas to the max. Here is our tinsel-covered survival guide. POWER THROUGH THE PARTY SEASON You should look forward to some big nights out with friends, family and those boozemonsters in the advertising department. “Cyclists should live their lives and enjoy this fun period which only comes once a year,…

Subscribe & receive a Syncros IS Coupe bottle cage & Thermal toe warmers Features Neoprene Windproof Reinforced Features For road and gravel 10-piece multi-tool Weighs 98g approx Hurry! Offer ends 22 December 2022 Why subscribe? SPECIAL BIRTHDAY OFFER • Save 49% off the UK shop price – pay just £3.07 per issue by direct debit! • Every issue delivered straight to your door buysubscriptions.com/CPP400 03330 162 142 quote code CPP400 Or scan the QR code to subscribe Lines are open 8am-6pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays. Overseas orders please call +44 1604 973 751 or visit buysubscriptions.com Terms & Conditions *Offer open to new UK customers only. Full details of the Direct Debit Guarantee will be provided and are available on request. Please allow 28 working days for delivery of your gift.…

● THE GENEROUS FIT AND soft-feel fabric made from recycled polyester make this a top with a conscience that you’d be comfortable in on long days in the saddle. There’s ample room for a winter baselayer underneath, but if you work up a sweat, odour-inhibiting and wicking properties will help keep you feeling fresh. As well as the usual three back pockets, there’s a useful zipped pocket there too that fits my mobile phone and keys. There are also men’s styles, and lots of sizes.…

● THESE ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT 27G glasses adorned my head on our 400km ride (see p50), and a weekend of riding in sunshine and rain at the Lombardia Gran Fondo. The good? The winning RRP and clarity of the photochromatic lenses, and their refusal to fog no matter how much heavy breathing I produced. The bad? That frameless design makes them more vulnerable in crashes and café stop-clumsiness, while the lens extends quite high on the forehead, which could clash with protruding aero helmets.…

OAKLEY’S ARO3 IS BIG ON ventilation. Also available without MIPS as the ARO3 Lite (£102), the MIPS-equipped ARO3 tested here comes in three sizes and thirteen colours. The Large 56-60cm size weighs 296g, which is reasonable. The EPS foam inner is mostly covered by an intricately shaped two-part outer shell, with only the vulnerable underside of the helmet, and the internal vent recesses exposed. There are three large vertical vents at the front, linked by deep internal channels to three dorsal vents. Channels behind the smaller triangular vents on each side (that also act as an eyewear dock when you’re not wearing your glasses) exit just behind each ear, and the rear of the helmet has two small exhaust vents, but they’re covered by the internal MIPS cap, making them…

£24.99 – £60 Help keep road spray and dirt at bay this winter 01 SKS Commuter With Spoiler £24.99 Widths 35, 45, 60mm ● THESE BARGAIN-PRICED mudguards come in 26in x 60mm, and 700c x 35mm or 45mm, in black or silver plastic. They attach with parallel twin stays, with Secu-Clip fittings designed to release the stay if anything gets jammed between the mudguard and the tyre. Spray protection depends on the combination of tyre and mudguard width you use, and the 45mm tyres on my test bike were dwarfed by the generous width of these ’guards. The only places where spray escaped them was from the front of the front wheel at speed, and from the rear of the rear wheel, despite the good-sized flaps on these slightly-too-short mudguards.…

Like many riders, I suspect, a coast to coast, or C2C, across the north of England, is one of those rides that I’ve always wanted to do and just never got around to. Too much faff perhaps, starting and finishing in two places miles apart. Moving to Sheffield, slap bang in the centre of England, from London, several years ago got me thinking more about it, particularly as something that might be doable in a single day. At the right time of year, with a prevailing wind, the right ride partner and no clangers from our rail network, and you know what? It just might be. The plan I concocted was to travel by train from Sheffield to Morecambe at the crack of dawn, ride east to Scarborough then get…

01 Science of stamina Fancy a scientist extracting a segment of your muscle fibre within a day of hardcore intervals? Doubtful. Fancy that same scientist extracting four segments of muscle fibres during a day of hardcore intervals? Sod off. That’s what a brave set of Danish cyclists let a team of Danish researchers do to their thighs, all in the name of finding out more about the role of muscle glycogen in high-intensity exercise. From our point of view, their suffering was worth it as it’s given us a deeper insight into why your power output drops after two hours of chasing your mate’s chamois or from battering yourself round Watopia. Eighteen cyclists performed high-intensity, intermittent, glycogen-depleting intervals. They were then randomly assigned to the high-carbohydrate diet group, who’d scoff…

Fitting cycling around a busy lifestyle is a position that many of us find ourselves in. As amateur cyclists we’re constantly juggling family life, work pressures and social commitments. The key to progressing your cycling is consistency, and this can be hard to establish and maintain when you have many different responsibilities. When things get hectic, cycling sessions can be the first thing to slip. But it’s important to recognise that regular exercise has a critical role to play in our lives. In addition to the obvious physical benefits, bike riding can improve mood and overall wellbeing through the release of endorphins in the body. According to the Mental Health Foundation, ‘Participation in regular physical activity can increase our self-esteem and can reduce stress and anxiety.’ James Rogers, 2022 Invictus…