Plus the latest news and reviews
Happy Friday. Later today, we will be announcing the winners of our Bike of the Year mega-test.
Bike of the Year is our most comprehensive test, covering everything from budget road bikes to Tour de France superbikes – and the latest, gravel trail, enduro and electric bikes.
This year, our reviewers have tested more than 50 bikes, logging thousands of miles in the UK and abroad.
Stay tuned to find out which bikes are crowned our overall road and trail winners later today, with further winners announced over the weekend – and all the reviews published over the coming weeks.
Elsewhere this week, we covered all the latest tech from Fort William. The opening round of the downhill World Cup saw aerodynamics return to downhill, an ebike without a motor and a host of prototype bikes.
Our video team also hit up the Traka in Spain, sharing a gallery of the competitors’ gravel bikes.
Back at home, Ashley Quinlan told us why alloy wheels can be faster than carbon and Simon von Bromley covered a new Shimano patent that reveals a potential move to 13-speed cassettes and fully wireless groupsets.
While recent weeks have seen a spate of bike releases, this week was much quieter. However, we did learn of the new 3T Strada Italia. Completing the brand’s made-in-Italy collection, the new Strada can fit 35mm tyres and has adopted SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger, which is uncommon in the world of road bikes.
With the sun finally beaming down and nearly as radiant as Jack Luke after he’s snagged another tandem frame on Facebook Marketplace, we updated our pick of the best cycling jerseys. We also continued publishing reviews from our recent cycling shorts group tests, including the men’s Q36.5 Gregarius Pro shorts and the Rapha Women’s Core Bib Shorts.
Quoc M3 Air cycling shoes
Earlier this year, Quoc launched its M3 Air shoes in partnership with Geraint Thomas, who has signed a two-year sponsorship deal with the brand.
The M3 Air shoes knock the Quoc Mono II off the top of the brand’s road shoe range and cost £60 more.
The M3 Air has the same unidirectional carbon sole as the Mono II, but this is paired with a more ventilated and lighter upper.
One of the more notable features of the upper is the translucent mesh panels in the front and side of the toe box for “maximum aeration in high-intensity conditions”.
I’m sure cycling’s favourite Welshman will welcome the vents while trying to keep on Tadej Pogačar’s wheel, but I imagine he’ll be glad Quoc has released M3 Air toe covers for when he’s back on home roads.
The upper also has a striated pattern in the TPU upper and is finished with the Brogue-like stitching of the Mono II.
The shoe closes with two dials that tighten the two parts of the upper. The upper doesn’t have a tongue to avoid any “structural obstructions”.
Designed with professional athletes in mind, Quoc says the M3 Air has a slightly racier fit than its other models.
The M3 Air weighs a claimed 232g in a size EU42.
- £320
Official Tour de France Guide
We may only be a week into the Giro d’Italia, but the build-up to the 2024 Tour de France has already begun.
The UK’s only official Tour de France Guide is available to pre-order now, with free UK delivery.
This 204-page race guide is packed with profiles of every team, along with details on all stages, maps, route profiles and itineraries, so you’ve got a compendium of facts and stats to supplement your watching.
It also has exclusive interviews with key contenders in the men’s race and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
To top it all off, the guide comes with a Tour de France and Tour de France avec Zwift double-sided A2 wallchart and beer mats showcasing last year’s general classification, points and mountain winners.
Silca Grinta bags
Silca’s saddle bags are often considered to be more of a discerning choice among riders, thanks to the sleek, classic designs and the brand’s history.
Now, Silca has expanded its cycling bag selection to include bikepacking bags.
Called ‘Grinta’, which roughly translates from Italian to grit, determination or tenacity, the range should open up more opportunities for stylish cycling.
Silca Grinta 2l handlebar bag
The Silca Grinta 2l handlebar bag has a Ballistic Nylon construction that offers “superior weatherproof protection”.
Water is also kept at bay thanks to a YKK AquaGuard zip, which runs along the 23cm length of the bag and opens to provide access to the two-litre storage space.
There is a reflective logo on the front and hoops to which you can attach a bike light.
The bag attaches to your bar with TPU-coated straps and there are “magic-slide buckles for maximum grip combined with a fast installation and release”.
- £109 / $95 / €109 / AU$169
Silca Grinta 2-5l roll-top saddle bag
Like the brand’s smaller saddle packs, the Silca Grinta roll-top saddle bag uses Boa dials to attach to your bike.
Silca promises “effortless attachment” with the Boa dials, so you can save all that determination and tenacity for your pedalling rather than your packing.
The saddle bag can fit between two and five litres thanks to its internal structure, while maintaining security and stability.
The roll-top design is said to keep water out and an air bleed valve means you can get all the air out of the bag to minimise bulk.
- £179 / $160 / €180 / AU$289
Rimpact Ultra Portable Bike Stand
Rimpact describes its Ultra Portable Bike Stand as a “sleek, light and intelligent solution to maintenance at the trail head, in the garden or in your shed”.
The bicycle workstand packs down flat without the need for tools. It can be easily stored at home, or in the back of your car or van.
The stand slots into the hole of a crank arm so you can clean your bike and lube your chain.
You can use the stand with a hollow crank spindle, so it’s worth checking your groupset before you buy.
Rimpact says the stand means you can avoid leaning your bike against posts, fences or your vehicle.
The stand has a five-year guarantee, and is made from aluminium and stainless steel. It also uses bushings from the plastics company Igus, which sells parts to a variety of bike brands and created a bike from recycled plastics.
- £129.99