Innehållsförteckning för May 2023 från Cycling Plus

Issue 404 ● May 2023 WELCOME… How can we ride faster? This Speed Edition has the answers we’re all looking for. First up is the Go-Faster Wishlist selection of high-end aero goods (p12) before the latest generation of British cycling talent inspire you to get out the door (p38). Next is a date with the Silverstone wind tunnel (p78) to discover the biggest – and cheapest – ways to improve your aerodynamic profile, with some surprises in tow. Then it’s our Speed Masterclass (p112) with tips to help you ride like Tom Pidcock on Galibier. Or make it to the mid-ride café stop before the Bakewells have sold out… Your experts Hannah Grant Chef We speak to the former chef to the pros and include three recipes from her new…

I wasn’t expecting to find myself running away from angry station staff at Euston station just to board a train with a bicycle, but if me and my friend Claire hadn’t broken the rules, we would have faced several hours’ wait and the ruination of our weekend plans. On the face of it, cycles and trains are the perfect match: you ride to the station, you get on a train, you ride out the other end. Whether you take your bike with you, or use a public hire bike, it’s a perfect alternative to travelling by car – which we need to do much less of, to cut congestion and meet our carbon reduction goals. While, on paper, the Government is keen on integrating these two modes, on the ground…

Tyre clearance ● Bikes are designed for a specific maximum inflated tyre width. This can differ from the size printed on the tyre, depending on the rims used. You can, of course, fit narrower tyres, but exceeding the specified maximum risks your tyres, or attached dirt, rubbing against the frame. Manufacturers usually allow for a 6mm gap between the tyre and frame on each side. Bottom bracket drop ● This is the vertical distance between a horizontal line linking the front and rear dropouts, and the centre of the bottom bracket shell. The BB is always lower than the dropouts, so the drop dictates ground clearance for pedals and chainrings, and is also a factor in a bike’s stability. Rotational mass ● Although the whole of a wheel is rotating,…

Weight 11.64kg (56cm) Frame 4130 chromoly steel Fork 4130 chromoly steel Gears Shimano Sora R3000 (50/34, 11-32) Brakes Mechanical disc Wheels Halo Drove Line Finishing kit Halo GXC 700 x 38 tyres, Genetic Drove Road alloy 42cm flared bar, Gusset Staff alloy stem, Genetic STV143 saddle, Genetic Heritage II alloy seatpost THE STRAGGLER FRAME IS TIG welded from Surly’s proprietary, custom-butted 4130 steel Natch tubing, which is model- and size-specific. The main triangle is double-butted. Both frame and fork are festooned with multiple accessory mounting points, as well as special partially closed, horizontal rear dropouts. These allow for a conventional geared drivetrain, or a single speed build. Relaxed position The 56cm Straggler tested is relatively long and low. It follows classical frame lines with a 56cm seat-tube and horizontal top-tube, but…

Fred Wright Age 23 From London Team Bahrain-Victorious Rider type All-rounder/Classics Wants to win Tour of Flanders/Paris-Roubaix Cycling heroes Bradley Wiggins & Mark Cavendish Best result 2nd, 2022 Tour de France stage Fun fact He has a growing Lego collection Cycling Plus says: Part of a golden group from London’s Herne Hill Velodrome who started out “messing around”, Wright is charismatic and well-rounded, getting up there in breaks and bunch sprints. He broke through in 2022, finishing second in stages of the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. It’s only a matter of time until his first pro victory, so keep an eye on this talented young Londoner. Fred says: “I went to watch the Tour of Flanders and ride the sportive when I was 14. Seeing the pros…

SHIMANO’S RX600 SHOES (aka RX6) are designed to ‘balance stiffness and walkability’ – qualities you want when riding gravel and rough stuff, bike packing and touring – and these entry level shoes come at a lower price than the company’s excellent RX8s (aka RX8, £219). Just as with the RX8s, Shimano has gone with a single BOA dial and a Velcro strap over the forefoot. The L6K BOA is a more basic version than the RX8’s IP1, but it still offered quick and easy on-the-fly adjustability. Whether I was riding or walking, the fit felt secure, with my heels never pulling out, even on hike-a-bike sections. Where the RX8s have an all-carbon sole, these ‘make do’ with nylonre inforced carbon. Shimano rates the RX6’s sole stiffness at eight on…

Weight 11.64kg Frame Thermoplastic Fork Thermoplastic Gears L-Twoo R9 1x 11-speed (42t x 11-28t) Wheels Unbranded alloy rims on Control Tech hubs Brakes Pro 5.0 Pass by TUV Cable Discs, 160mm rotors Finishing kit Control Tech ONE SB10 alloy seatpost, Selle Italia Model X Boost Saddle, Kenda Kwest K193 28c tyres, FSA Energy Compact Bar, FSA ACR stem and headset, Ginyea bottom bracket, RPP 2-piece chainset, Sunshine 11-28 cassette WE WERE EXCITED TO HEAR about this new bike that had come into being thanks to crowd funding, with an unconventional design and a potentially more eco-friendly frame material than usual. The company behind Superstrata, Arevo, makes carbon parts for aerospace client Airbus, so it had technical and engineering promise too. The frame is made from what Superstrata calls ‘industrial grade’ thermoplastic…

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY www.buysubscriptions.com/MOUNTAINTIPS23 or call 03330 162 138 and quote ‘1001 Mountain Bike Tips 23 Print 1’ Lines are open Mon to Fri 9am-5pm. Overseas please call +44 (0) 1604 973 746 *Prices including postage are: £10.99 for UK subscribers, £12.49 for Europe and £13.49 for the Rest of the World. UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. All orders are subject to availability. Please allow 28 days for delivery.…

Soup is a fantastic option for a work-day lunch or post-ride meal. These homemade options are packed with around half of your five-a-day, good levels of unrefined carbohydrate for sustained energy, and fibre to keep you feeling fuller for longer. The liquid meals are also hydrating due to the high water content, which is a post-ride bonus. Yellow split pea dal soup (DF, GF, Vg) Gently spiced with a smooth texture, this soup is low fat, low GI and high in cholesterol-reducing fibre, plus B vitamins, protein, iron and magnesium, providing two of your ‘five a day’. Details • Prep 5mins • Cook 50mins • Serves 4 Ingredients • 200g yellow split peas• 400g tin chickpeas• Small cauliflower broken into florets• 1 tsp ground cumin• 1 tsp paprika• 1 tsp…

We’ve already delivered you the latest aero kit suggestions (page 12), insights from the fastest young riders (page 38) and the ultimate wind-tunnel wins (p78) this issue. But, bar investing in all sorts of kit, what can you do in your training to make yourself a swifter cyclist on the tarmac and elevate your riding to the next level? Simple. Tap into the tips prescribed by our band of coaching and riding experts. What follows over the next six pages are training, tech, sessions, and positioning pointers that should gain you easy speed without expending a single ounce more energy than you are today (in fact, hopefully you’ll expend less!). And they’re not marginal gains, they’re significant gains based on a wide cycling knowledge base from cycling coaches, pro riders,…

In a world… Zwift has released its latest world, Scotland, to coincide with the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, which has just taken place. It has 58.8km to explore, past castles and lochs, across five routes Jumbo-Visma primer Your own documentary is the must-have object of pro teams and the world’s best men’s team Jumbo-Visma have got in on the act. The six-part Amazon Prime doc is only available in the Benelux region for now On/off switch Bike maker Pearson has launched its ‘Steeplechase’ event (7 May), with both road (100km) and gravel (60km) rides through the Surrey countryside pearson1860.com S-pain cave Climbing authority Simon Warren’s latest tome, 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of Spain (£14.95), out now, includes many climbs made famous by La Vuelta. Order now at 100climbs.co.uk Cafe closure…

Weight 10.57kg (56cm) Frame 100 Series Alpha Aluminium Fork Domane AL carbon Gears Shimano Tiagra (50/34, 11-32) Brakes Shimano Tiagra hydraulic disc Wheels Bontrager Paradigm rims, Formula hubs Finishing kit Bontrager R1 Hard-Case Lite 32c tyres, Bontrager Comp VR-C bar, Bontrager Elite stem, Bontrager Verse Comp saddle, Bontrager Comp alloy seatpost THE ORIGINAL TREK DOMANE WAS a game-changing endurance bike, thanks to its surface-smoothing IsoSpeed frame tech. The more affordable Domane AL frame adds enough substance to manage regular departures from the black stuff. It’s aimed at regular riders who want a bike for training and leisure rides on the road, or even taking in some “light gravel”. It has the least tyre clearance of the test trio, and ambitions that don’t venture too far from tarmac. Every Domane AL in…

One of the most popular – and unlikely – reality shows of 2022 was Netflix’s Is it Cake? Here, master bakers presented a series of everyday items such as handbags and sewing machines. Contestants had to guess which one was the ostentatious cake creation, and which were the real thing. The show was either the highwater mark of reality television or the point at which it started to eat itself. From this writer’s perspective, gorging on a sewing machine feels like a fitting end for the genre. The concept of the show came to mind as Cycling Plus chatted to Danish chef Hannah Grant about her new cake book for athletes, The Cake Cook Book, when she was recalling how one of her food testers, a British cyclist, had fed…

Weight 9.79kg (L) Frame 6061 aluminium Fork Full carbon Gears Shimano GRX Di2 11-speed (42t/11-42t) Brakes Shimano GRX hydraulic disc BR-RX810 Wheels WTB Proterra i23 650b Finishing kit WTB Venture 47mm Tubeless ready 650b tyres, 90mm Pinnacle alloy stem, Pinnacle alloy wide-flare gravel bar, WTB Volt saddle, Promax alloy post 27.1mm, Shimano WU111 Bluetooth antenna THE BRITISH-DESIGNED PINNACLE Arkose has been a firm favourite of ours thanks to its capable geometry, well appointed frameset and series of well-priced options. The new Arkose X, however, might well be the best-value model yet thanks to the brilliant Shimano GRX Di2 groupset and WTB’s Proterra i23 wheelset. The 6061-aluminium frame has neat welds, plus internal routing, and a metallic-green paint finish with some reflective graphics. The hydroformed top-tube tapers and flattens along its length.…

PITCHED AS THE AMERICAN brand’s second-tier carbon aero wheelset, Roval’s Rapide CL II features the same rims with identical dimensions as the flagship Rapide CLX II hoops to help maximise the aero performance. It then saves £1,000 with the hubs, spokes and bearings. The front rim is 51mm deep, with a 35mm external rim width while the rear is 60mm deep and 30mm externally. Both feature 21mm internal rim widths. The shallower, wider front rim is claimed to be less susceptible to cross winds to help with handling. The deeper, narrower rear rim should boost aero performance. Roval, Specialized’s in-house wheel brand, says you can use up to 700 x 38c tyres, but tyres above 35mm wide should be 60psi pressure at most. Otherwise, you can run up to 110psi,…

THE JAPANESE BRAND’S LATEST high-performance tubeless-ready road bike tyre pairs a thin, slick tread designed for low rolling resistance with a relatively supple, 120 TPI (threads per inch) tubeless-ready casing. It’s claimed to offer good durability and puncture resistance, making it suitable for racers and non-racers alike. It’s a little cheaper than the likes of the Continental GP5000 S TR (£69.95), Schwalbe Pro One TLE (£68.49) and Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR (£64.99), and lighter to boot, at 243g per tyre. It comes in three sizes: 700 x 25c, 28c (tested) and 30c and is compatible with both hooked and hookless rims. It was a tight fit on both a Giant SLR 1 42 Disc wheelset (hookless rims, 19mm internal rim width) and a Hunt 54 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc wheelset (hooked,…

A couple of years ago, while being interviewed on ‘The Longevity Forum’ podcast, I mentioned that, in my early 60s, I’d simply decided to lose weight and never be overweight again. The interviewer asked how I was able to concentrate my mind to do this. I was not sure how to answer because, like most people, I had never particularly thought about my behaviour and its direct relationship to my mind. I suppose there are two instances in my life that might serve as examples of mental attitude and its relationship to behavioural outcomes. The first is how I came to lose weight and the second is my mindset when faced with long cycle rides. There is only one way to lose weight and that is by consuming less energy…

Four dropped and flatbar commuter bikes reviewed in the big test. Plus new rides from Cube, Lios & Vitus ridden & rated ● New gear Wide wheels grouptest The best rims to upgrade your gravel bike ● Also inside… The science of a big ride Just what happens to your body during a major event? Giro d’Italia preview All you need to know about 2023’s first Grand Tour The Rebellion Way We take on Cycling UK’s latest bikepacking route in Norfolk New look Training Zone Group riding masterclass, recipes, events & more On sale 14 April 2023 SAVE 30% Did you know that you can read Cycling Plus on your tablet or phone? Digital subscription offer! • Get your first 6 issues for just £10 – that’s just £1.66 per…

From conception, my book The Midlife Cyclist was built on several pillars, including: that in any other century in history most of us would never have made it out of our 40s, never mind 50s and 60s; that we are the first generation in history to test the hypothesis that intense exercise into middle age is as good for our biological health as it seems to be for our mental health and well-being; that there is a better way for us to balance our lives using fitness; and that the book will be more novel than manual. There would be no graphs or pictures – it is a story about how we may all do better. I started the book in 2017 after spinal surgery, but I underestimated the toll…

Ireland-based custom carbon builder FiftyOne Bikes had made headlines before creating custom bikes for stars like former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and UFC MMA legend Conor McGregor. The brand also produces this rather special gravel bike that majors on versatility without sacrificing speed. 1 Flip away At the heart of the Assassin is its adaptable geometry realised by using ‘flip-chip’ dropouts in both the fork and rear stays. That allows the bike to switch between three positions at the rear, adjusting the wheelbase in 5mm increments, so you can go shorter for more agility, longer for more stability, or stay in the middle for a balance. The two-position fork dropout switches between a low position for a longer trail and slacker head angle, for technical twisty terrain, and a high…

Weight 9.39kg (M/53cm) Frame 6061-T6 heat-treated aluminium Fork Full carbon Gears Shimano 105 R7000 (50/34, 11-34) Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic disc Wheels Mavic Aksium DCL19 Finishing kit Continental Gatorskin 700 x 28 tyres, Level 1 6061 alloy 42cm bar, Level 1 3D 6061 alloy stem, Fizik Antares R7 saddle, Level 2 carbon seatpost THE CGR’S MONIKER STANDS FOR ’cross, gravel, road and, on paper, the CGR comes with all the attributes it needs to fulfil each potential use. The frame is made using hydroformed aluminium. Chunky, ovalised chainstays are crimped for extra clearance, and the seatstays are kinked above the dropouts, a feature usually employed to improve vertical compliance. The carbon fork has masses of clearance, as well as internal brake-hose routing on the left side, and provision for hub dynamo…

“The Aries was given top marks for safety from the highly regarded Virginia Tech labs” THE ARIES IS GIRO’S LATEST helmet to include its Spherical system, a unique ball-and-socket design made using MIPS technology. Giro takes the MIPS ‘slip-plane’ idea, but instead of either making a thin liner that sits between the helmet and pads (which in our experience can decrease the volume of a helmet, altering the fit or impeding venting), or anchoring the pads to elastomers that allow some movement (such as with Specialized and Scott’s premium offerings), Giro uses two EPS (expanded polystyrene) shells and sits one inside the other. The elastomer anchors that link them are ball ended and sit in a socket on the lower shell allowing 360° movement. The outer shell is higher density EPS…

THE LIKES OF RESTRAP AND ORTLIEB make wonderful and durable solutions for multi-day bikepacking. And yet, no matter how well they stick two-coated nylon fingers up to pesky brambles, relentless mud and the wet stuff falling from the sky, they do come with mid/top-end pricetags. But what about bikepacking on a budget? Enter Oxford’s new Aqua Evo Adventure range vying for your multi-day dollar, featuring the Top Tube Pack and Seat Pack reviewed here, plus a Frame Pack (£39.99, review on its way), a Handlebar Pack (£29.99), and a couple of backpacks. The headline figure of the Top Tube Pack (£19.99) is the mighty 1.5l capacity, double or even triple some of the bento boxes we’ve tested recently, and capable of holding a veritable buffet of 10 energy bars. That…

IN-BETWEEN, CHANGEABLE weather at this time of year can be so hard to dress for. One minute it’s sunny, the next clouds blow in and the temperature plummets. Enter clothing designed for spring and autumn: not as thick as winter layers nor thin as summer outfits, with coverage to suit the middle ground too. This long-sleeved jersey’s robust front panel has soft thermal insulation inside to keep chilly headwinds out, but is still breathable and wicking. The the back of the jersey, meanwhile, is lighter weight, for fast wicking and drying so you avoid that damp chill when you stop pedalling in cooler weather. Layered up with a gilet and base layer, this top also kept me really warm on a cold winter’s day. There are three colour options for…

01 Silca Pista Plus £225 ● WITH ITS WORLD CHAMPION stripes on the sides, shapely ash-wood handle and crest-stamped footplate, the Pista Plus from Silca is a work of pneumatic art. The price reflects that, at more than the next three most costly pumps in this test combined. Presta and Schraeder valves are catered for, although removal of the chuck housing the bleed valve is necessary to access the latter. A 53mm diameter analogue gauge is clear enough and backlit in red to enhance visibility. Silca proudly states the pump is built to last, using steel, brass, wood and Italian leather rather than plastic, and various gaskets and seals are available for long-term serviceability. In our inflation test, the Pista Plus took 25 strokes to reach 80psi. Although the most…

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Session 01 Better breathing Coach Jamie Webb of Brighton Sports Therapy Key benefits This breathing exercise will send more oxygen to your muscles, help you exercise longer and create more space for the flexibility required for a dynamic position. It’s weight training for your diaphragm. Warm-up Lie on your back and breathe naturally. Where do you breathe the most? Is it in your stomach or your ribcage? Perhaps even your neck? Main set Still on your back, start the breath by moving your stomach. As your diaphragm draws your lungs downwards, your stomach should move outwards. Place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest to make sure your stomach moves first. Breathe deeply in a wave from the bottom of your stomach and continue the ‘wave’…

It’s fairly unusual that bike races get cancelled, but the first stage of O Gran Camiño was, put simply, unrideable. Just 20km from the finish line in Galicia, a snowstorm of epic proportions blew in, and as the heavy flakes started to settle on the riders’ shoulders, their will to race froze solid. The enduring image of the day will forever be of a shivering Jonas Vingegaard, the 2022 Tour de France winner, bleakly informing the race director through his car window that he wasn’t really enjoying it any more. Then they all stepped off. Interruptions are common enough, I suppose; like when the Tour de France gets paused while climate emergency protestors are hauled off the road during an actual climate emergency. I’ve seen the race paused on a…