Plus all the latest news and reviews from the week <\/p>
Welcome back to First Look Friday, your round-up of the week\u2019s content highlights, but more importantly a chance to check out the latest swag to land at BikeRadar HQ.<\/p>\n
We opened the week with news of Syncros\u2019 Capital SL carbon wheelset<\/a>. The striking set of hoops have a one-piece construction where the rim, spokes and hub flanges are moulded and cured together. The hub shell is bonded later in the process, providing tension to the spokes and housing the DT Swiss 240 EXP internals.<\/p>\n Microshift also announced its new Sword gravel bike groupset<\/a>. The affordable 10-speed gravel groupset features a clutch rear derailleur, 1x or 2x drivetrain options and is fully cable-actuated.<\/p>\n Dutch electric bike brand VanMoof declared bankruptcy<\/a> after the co-founding brothers failed to secure a last-minute investment. The brand\u2019s bikes offer high levels of technological functionality and in-built connectivity.<\/p>\n VanMoof\u2019s demise certainly raises some thought-provoking questions on whether you should invest in proprietary tech if spares might be hard to come by in the future. Let us know in the comments where you stand on the subject.<\/p>\n Orbea also announced its latest-generation Orca road bike<\/a>. The seventh-generation climbing bike<\/a> prioritises light weight and ride quality over aerodynamics and the top-tier Orca OMX frame weighs in at a claimed 750g in a size 53cm. Ashley Quinlan treated us to a first ride review<\/a>.<\/p>\n Finally, the remaining four reviews from my budget bib shorts<\/a> group test have been published. How do the Sportful Neo<\/a>, Rapha Core<\/a>, Specialized Men\u2019s RBX<\/a> and Van Rysel Road Cycling Bib Shorts Racer 2<\/a> fare under my \u201cdiscerning bottom\u201d?<\/p>\n Now, let\u2019s get onto what you\u2019ve really been waiting for and unveil this week\u2019s goodies.<\/p>\n