What’s New In Cycling
BIKES
Ribble Gravel SL
Ribble makes some of the best bikes on the market and its newest launch is no exception. Available in four models – Sport, Enthusiast, Ekar and Pro – the Gravel is for anyone hoping to hit some trails this summer. The entry-level Sport model has off-road optimised gearing, gravel-specific ergonomics and flared handlebars, while the top-end Ekar helps you tackle extreme terrain with confidence. All four models get extra points for sleek design.
From £2,399
Available here
Vielo V + 1 Alto
Offered in two frame sizes, this dynamic model by Vielo promises a faster, more refined ride. The seat has a special ‘flex movement’ for comfort, while the symmetric chain means you can easily switch from road to rugged terrain. As the most expensive model on this list (not including a certain Porsche e-bike), it’s an investment, but a great all-rounder. V + 1 Alto comes in four pastel shades – we’ve got our eye on Frost Green.
From £5,999
Available here
Boardman SLR 8.8 Disc
Since its release at the start of the year, this new Boardman model has earned plenty of accolades and five-star reviews. The brand’s highest-spec aluminium road bike yet, it’s for those who want a fast, comfortable bike that’s also practical. A triple-butted aluminium frame with high-quality 28mm tyres delivers efficient power, without compromising comfort or precise handling, while the bike’s geometry is designed to balance fast riding and longer-distance comfort. Tektro disc brakes are powerful yet easy to control.
£750
Available here
Trek Domane AL 4 Disc Road Bike 2021
If you’re looking to up the ante this year and start training competitively, the Trek Domane is a model worth looking at. Combining the smooth, comfortable qualities of an advanced alloy frame with the performance of higher-quality parts, it features an upgraded drive train and crisp hydraulic disc brakes ideal for competitive group rides. With an impressive range of gears suitable for any terrain, the ride on this feels extra smooth.
£1,495
Available here
Lapierre Pulsium 3.0 Disc
Billed as the best Pulsium bike yet, the 3.0 promises tighter lines and a light carbon frame, with a versatile design suited to endurance cycling and bike-packing. Made for long days spent on the saddle, its lightweight and agile carbon frame will work with you during climbs, while the integrated ‘elastomer’ will ensure great comfort on all surfaces. This is a versatile road bike and it’s easy to operate on asphalt and slippery surfaces. Plus, it’s one of the most stylish designs we’ve seen this year.
£1,749
Available here
Ragley Piglet Hardtail Bike
Agile, stylish and fun, this new bike from Ragley features a modern low frame, an impressive suspension range and four different brakes. That lightweight frame plus generous axle spacing adds up to all-day comfort. Another great all-round option, this one’s ideal for smashing laps around the local woods or carving up trail centres.
From £1,999
Available here
E-BIKES
Porsche eBike Sport
We were excited when we heard Porsche had created its own range of e-bikes. The bike promises the smooth, luxurious ride you’d expect from its cars. Featuring high-tech components such as a full-suspension carbon frame and a powerful new Shimano motor with assisted pedalling speeds of up to 25km/h, the Porsche eBike Sport was made for speed. With clever gears that automatically switch depending on your terrain, it combines tech and style perfectly.
From £9,999
Available here
Canyon Precede: ON CF 9
With a Bosch Performance CX motor and a Kiox display, this e-bike is the latest innovation from Canyon. A great choice for cycling on tricky terrain, it can handle even the steepest of inclines with a smooth internal control system that means you can really sit back and enjoy the ride. It only takes five hours to fully charge and the power settings can be changed depending on the terrain. It’s already won the prestigious German Design Award for 2021 – we’re sold.
From £4,999
Available here
ACCESSORIES
Elite Zumo Smart Interactive Turbo Trainer
If you’ve been pining over a Peloton but are yet to make the investment, this interactive trainer is a great alternative that turns your bike into an at-home exercise machine. The new model is fully compatible with apps like Zwift, TrainerRoad and Rouvy, and can be attached to the back wheel of your bike to enjoy indoor cycling. It even has an incline mode so you can challenge yourself with a 12% simulated slope. One of the best new launches from the brand in recent months, it’s a worth-while investment.
£529
Available here
Vector 3 Dual-Sensing Power Meter
Premium sportswear brand Vector has just launched this sleek pedal-based power meter. Simply connect it to your bike, download the app, and track your performance in real time. There’s also post-ride analysis, data sharing, mapping and route planning. It installs like any other pedal and is easy to transfer from one bike to another without any shop assistance. The battery lasts up to 120 hours, so you can track even the longest routes.
£789.99
Available here
Fabric Knurl Bar Tape
If you’re not a fan of cycling gloves, this clever bar tape will ensure you have the best grip whatever the weather conditions. Featuring a rubber construction with a silicone backing, the road-ready tape reduces road buzz and gives you extra control of handlebars. Available in black or white, it’ll fit in seamlessly with most designs.
£15
Available here
BLIZ Hybrid Small Cat Cycling Glasses
Bliz has become well known for its performance-enhancing helmets, glasses and sports equipment. These new glasses were made for mountain biking, with a sturdy yet lightweight frame and UVA and UVB protection. They also have a special anti-slip coating, plus adjustable nose pads and temples.
£70.95
Available here
Sweet Protection Bushwhacker Bike Helmet
This top model was made for enduro and trail biking where the highest protection is needed. A great option for everyday cyclists too, it has extra ventilation pockets, an adjustable visor and comfort pads, all wrapped in a five-piece shell. Importantly, it also has a MIPS Brain Protection System – a low-friction layer designed to reduce the forces transferred to the brain.
£239.95
Available here
Lezyne Alloy Drive Pump
Sleek and functional, Lezyne’s new pump delivers 120 psi. Although the pressure drive is just 17cm long, it can quickly inflate tyres on the go – ideal during long rides or routes off the beaten track. It’s also incredibly lightweight and you can attach it to your bike.
£35
Available here
ROUTES
King Alfred’s Way
A new 350km bike-packing route, King Alfred’s Way is the largest new cycling route the UK has seen for years. Connecting some of England’s most iconic sites, it starts and ends in Winchester, passing monuments including Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle, Iron Age hill forts, Farnham Castle and Winchester Cathedral. Ideal for gravel bikes, the route is best tackled over the course of a few days to make the most of the cultural attractions. It mixes gravel tracks, woodland and heathland trails, grassy field-edge bridleways, canal towpaths and quiet lanes. There are some steep inclines, but the route has been made for riders of all abilities, so it’s a great choice whatever your experience.
Cycleway
London cyclists can look forward to a series of new routes in the capital over the next two years. Due to be completed by 2024, new cycleway routes include a path between Wembley and Willesden Junction; a 12km route connecting Tottenham Hale, Seven Sisters and the Nag's Head; and a 7.5km route connecting Hackney to the Isle of Dogs via Westferry, Mile End and Victoria Park. There will also be new routes in and around Greenwich and Woolwich, and West Kensington and Hammersmith, all of which will make the city that bit more cycle friendly.
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