The R+1 Alto is a 1x-specific road bike, which Vielo claims is 30 per cent laterally stiffer than an equivalent bike designed for use with a front derailleur<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet while Vielo is firmly behind 1x drivetrains<\/a> in isolation, it says it has nevertheless seen \u201cincreased demand\u201d for Classified\u2019s Powershift technology to be incorporated onto its bikes.<\/p>\n The Powershift hub system, which is available for road, gravel and mountain bikes<\/a>, effectively replaces a front derailleur and double crankset<\/a>.<\/p>\n Its 2-speed internal gear system enables the use of a wide range of gears with a 1x drivetrain, without the need to resort to an ultra-wide range cassette.<\/p>\n The special-edition R+1 Alto is built with a SRAM Force AXS<\/a> wireless electronic groupset<\/a>, with a 48-tooth Vielo 1x chainring and a 10-36t cassette at the rear.<\/p>\n The Powershift hub forms part of the Classified R50 wheelset, which features 50mm-deep carbon rims. These are paired with Continental GP5000 S TR<\/a> tyres, in a size 700 x 32c.<\/p>\n Up-front, Vielo includes its own integrated carbon handlebar with fully internal routing for the hydraulic brake hoses.<\/p>\n The bike is priced at \u00a36,999 and showcases a new paintjob called Cyan Blue, which \u201cfeatures a vibrant blue transition with an explosion of R+1 logos\u201d.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to channel your inner Matej Mohori\u010d<\/a>, Vielo says a RockShox Reverb AXS dropper pos<\/a>t is available as an upgrade for \u00a3650.<\/p>\n This latest announcement follows Classified\u2019s recent expansion into mountain biking, with the Powershift Boost hub<\/a>, and the announcement of a partnership with Parcours<\/a>, a British wheel brand.<\/p>\n Having originally launched in 2020 as part of the Ridley Kanzo Fast<\/a> gravel bike, Classified has steadily expanded its offering and accumulated technical partners.<\/p>\n Partnerships with the road bike industry\u2019s most important players (namely the major bike and component manufacturers) seem to be more notable by their absence, though.<\/p>\n Classified does have relationships with a few higher-profile brands, such as Ridley and Rose. However, so far, these have also only produced Classified-equipped gravel bikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is perhaps unsurprising, given 1x drivetrains have seen a far greater level of adoption in gravel than in road cycling.<\/p>\n Since Team Aqua Blue\u2019s ill-fated season on a 1x-only 3T Strada<\/a>, 1x drivetrains have been largely confined to flat time trials and road races with relatively little climbing (such as Milan-San Remo<\/a> and Paris-Roubaix<\/a>) at the sport\u2019s highest level.<\/p>\n While Classified\u2019s Powershift hub appears capable of solving many of the issues those riders experienced (our in-depth review of the system is currently in progress), there are other potential hurdles still to be overcome.<\/p>\n Given how heavily the road cycling market is influenced by professional racing (see the recent proliferation of aero road bikes<\/a>, disc brakes<\/a> and wider tyres<\/a>, for example), Classified may need to more obviously infiltrate the WorldTour<\/a> peloton if it wants to secure a stronger foothold in this domain.<\/p>\n Many pro riders and teams will be understandably keen not to upset valuable sponsors by adopting this tech unofficially, of course.<\/p>\n However, Lotto\u2013Dstny\u2019s Victor Campenaerts has already used a Classified Powershift hub, combined with a 1x crankset on his Ridley Noah<\/a> aero road bike, in certain races this season.<\/p>\n BikeRadar\u2019s road and gravel presenter, Liam Cahill<\/a>, was also reliably informed that Team Uno-X intends to use Classified Powershift hubs at this year\u2019s Tour de France.<\/p>\n![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/21\/2023\/04\/R1ClassifiedWheel1-7e2a790.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Vielo R+1 Alto Classified build spec and pricing<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Is Classified set to go mainstream in road cycling?<\/h2>\n
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