Would you pay £8,799 for a pair of bike wheels? Plus mysterious new Wilier road bike leaked, Rapha launches first hijab for cyclists, the 'smartest bike light and bell combo', Rouvy reveals flexible subscriptions + loads more tech news

We're certainly not short of new bike tech stuff to tell you about this week, with just about every genre of cycling covered off from unreleased pro-level road bikes, to innovative new women's casual cycling apparel through to gravel, bikepacking and indoor cycling (plus a brief diversion through a wind tunnel to check out Wattshop's intriguing new 'UCI TT Legality Tool'). We'll start by firing up that rumour mill again... 

Is Wilier set to launch an updated Zero SLR road bike?

Unreleased road bikes have been doing the rounds this week in the form of a potential new Canyon Aeroad and new Trek Madone/Émonda/insert your best guess here. Now, Wilier can be added to this list after Équipe Cycliste Groupama-FDJ riders were spotted on an updated road bike ahead of the Critérium du Dauphiné. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Eric Barnabé (@eric_barnabe_photographie)

Wilier hasn't said anthing about this bike, but we think it looks more like the existing Zero SLR, the brand's lightweight road bike, rather than Wilier's other top-end race bike, the Filante SLR, which is an aero road bike. 

So, what makes us think this? Wilier launched the latest Zero SLR in 2019, whereas the Filante SLR was launched towards the end of 2020, so chronology suggests that the Zero SLR is the model that's more likely to be updated next. It doesn't always work like that, but most of the time it does. 

Pic: Instagram @eric_barnabe_photographie

The new bike has a round seat tube, a shallow seatpost, skinny seatstays, and a reasonably slim down tube, which are features of the existing Zero SLR. The existing Filante SLR has widely spaced fork legs and seatstays, and an aero-profile seat tube that is cutaway around the leading edge of the rear wheel, none of which we see on the bike pictured above.

There is also the possibility that the new bike is neither a Zero SLR nor a Filante SLR, but an entirely new model. More brands are moving back towards the 'one bike to rule them all' route combining lightweight and aero, so maybe that's Wilier's aim here. 

Would you spend this much on a set of Lightweight's new Fernweg Evo Pro wheels?

German carbon wheel specialists Lightweight has announced a new Fernweg Evo Pro wheelset. which it describes as being "designed for riders who have tried the rest and are ready for the best".

While light for their category as you'd expect from a brand named Lightweight, the Fernweg Evo Pro hoops prioritise aerodynamics, with a choice of two deep section rim profiles and a 24mm internal rim width.

Building on their predecessors, the Pro versions shave 130 grams off "without sacrificing stiffness, responsiveness, or strength", says Lightweight. The 63mm wheelset weighs 1,565g and the 85mm wheelset is said to be 1,665g. 

The Pro's predecessor, the Fernweg Evo, was featured in our most expensive road bike build (that is obviously due an update now) with the 63mm Schwarz Edition currently available for £8,400 a pair. 

It won't come as a surprise, then, that the new Fernweg Evo Pro tops that, and will set you back £8,799, but you might be pleased to hear that the inclusion of CeramicSpeed bearings is now standard. Better start saving!

The wheels also feature a Pentagon SL Hub, which the brands says "provides precise braking", along with 20 carbon spokes in each wheel. 

The Fernweg Evo Pro wheels are available in three colourways: Schwarz ED, Shwarz ED Titanium (coming soon), and Schwarz ED Titanium Black (coming soon). 

Find out more here

Danish multisport clothing brand Fusion claims to have built the world's first wind tunnel for sportswear development

Fusion, a Danish manufacturer of cycling, triathlon, running and gym wear, is claiming to be the first to develop an in-house wind tunnel specifically for "innovation in sportswear development" after working to make the project come to life for a number of years. 

A press release says: "Traditionally, Fusion has utilised rented wind tunnel facilities to test and refine our products. However, having a dedicated wind tunnel on-site, adjacent to our sewing workshop, allows us to test and experiment with new designs constantly.

"This seamless integration of testing and development will significantly speed up our product innovation cycles. As far as we are aware, Fusion will be the first clothing brand globally to build and finance an in-house wind tunnel, making it available for daily testing and fabric development."

Fusion's wind tunnel, curiously minus any sportswear atm

Fusion enlisted the help of Mario Batarow, the engineer behind the wind tunnel at the Eindhoven University of Technology used by Visma Lease a Bike, to construct its wind tunnel. Testing equipment will be provided by Simon Smart, the renowned aerodynamicist who founded Drag2Zero.

Smart is quoted as saying: "All of my previous projects have involved adapting existing wind tunnels for product development and that invariably leads to some compromises. There has been a lot of progress made in cycling aerodynamics over the last 15 years and many products have started to converge now. In order to take it to the next level, brands will need a lot more wind tunnel time and the ability to develop their own in house tools and test protocols.

"It’s been a fantastic opportunity to start with a clean sheet and to develop a wind tunnel specifically for Fusion from the ground up. Once Mario has finished installing the air line, we are really excited about starting the commissioning phase and developing a tool that can take aerodynamics to the next level and provide Fusion with groundbreaking products." 

Fusion also adds that going forward, its wind tunnel tests will be conducted alongside real-world use to "ensure comprehensive product evaluation under various conditions". 

WattShop unveils UCI TT Legality Tool to ensure bikes conform with governing body's equipment regulations

When you're done in the wind tunnel, you'll want to make sure your state-of-the-art time trial bike is all UCI-legal and whatnot... and that's where WattShop's handy UCI TT Legality Tool comes in. 

Yeah, we hear you. You race mostly UK-based Cycling Time Trial (CTT) events, so why would a UCI Legality TT tool mean anything to you? Well, if you’re participating in CTT events and doing well, there’s a strong possibility you’ll be eyeing out events that could potentially qualify you for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships. If this is you, your bike will need to conform to UCI regulations which isn’t the easiest thing to understand let alone execute – that’s where WattShop’s UCI Legality Tool comes in. 

The tool has been designed to take the guesswork out of ensuring your time trial bike complies with UCI regulations and avoid being turned away at the start of a UCI-sanctioned time trial. This nifty tool caters for all three UCI height categories - category 1,2 and 3 - allowing you to check your armrest angle, armrest length, hand height and extension lengths ensuring UCI compliance.

Machined from 6082-T6 alloy, the two-piece Legality Tool is a quality product finished in anodised magenta, laser etched with markings and includes a built-in spirit level. Ensuring accurate measurements and ease of use are custom thumb turn screws that have been knurled and laser etched. The markings are easy to read and the tool easy to use. 

Of course, something of this nature is not cheap – it will set you back £150 - but should be looked at as an investment rather than unnecessary splurge. The WattShop UCI Legality tool will make the ideal addition to the cycling tool collector and serious time trialist. Our resident time trial expert, Aaron, will be reviewing the tool as he gets his bike ready for the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Denmark, where he will be representing South Africa in both the time trial and road race.

Find out more on Wattshop's website

Check out the '"smartest bike light and bell combo" that is coming soon to Indiegogo

Have you ever thought about having a bike light, bell and tracking system all in one device? Us neither, but if that sounds like a good idea then you might be interested in the Never Steal anti-theft and child tracking GPS which is about to launch on Indiegogo. 

The bike light is a mini-computer which includes GPS, a Bluetooth App, automatic sounds (like a bike bell), and programmable lights (including brake lights). 

The iOS  and Android tracking app lets you monitor your bike when it's locked up, or if you're a parent, it can track your child's location while they play, and receive notifications if the bike is moved or if a crash is detected.

It's also described as "the world's smartest automatic bike light and bell", designed to detect people and play pre-programmed sounds and lights to notify them of your presence. The light and bell combo isn't limited to bikes and is said to work on anything moving up to 40mph (sorry Telegraph journalists). 

The campaign is yet to launch, but you can sign up on Indiegogo for early bird pricing discounts. 

Find out more here

Rouvy is now free (for 20km a month) and introduces flexible pricing model  

Rouvy has now introduced new subscription options that include a pause subscription feature, plus a free version and "more flexible" pricing, designed to accommodate riders who prefer to cycle outdoors during the summer. 

The new pausing feature allows you to suspend your Rouvy membership for up to 180 days. During this period, you can also use its new free mode, which lets you ride for 20km per month at no cost. This free feature is also available after you've cancelled your membership.

Another new feature for wet days over the summer (that'll be quite a lot of days if you live in the UK) is Rouvy's day passes. You can now purchase a 24, 48 or 72-hour subscriptions while your membership is paused. Passes are priced at $2.99 USD for 24 hours, $3.99 USD for 48 hours, and $4.99 USD for 72 hours. 

Find out more here

CamelBak expands its range to include bikepacking bags   

Best known for its hydration products, CamelBak has entered the bikepacking world with the release of a new lineup of bike bags.

The collection, called CamelBak M.U.L.E On-Bike, consists of waterproof and water-resistant bags designed for multi-day bike trips. The brand describes it as the "ultimate hydration-equipped system". 

The new line includes five different bags, featuring a bike-specific water bladder that tucks into the frame. In addition to the frame pack (available in sizes S and L), there's a handlebar pack, stem pack and two different saddle packs (9L and 1L). 

The bags all feature adjustable attachment points, reflective detailing, water-resistant pockets, roll-top closure and compression straps. They are available to purchase now from CamelBak's website with prices ranging from £30-£140. 

Find out more here

Rapha launches "most inclusive range to date", including the first hijab for cyclists

Rapha has expanded its women's cycling apparel to include the brand's first range of 'modest wear', developed in collaboration with Cycling Sisters, a London-based charity that aims to inspire and enable Muslim women to cycle. 

Designed by an all-female team, Rapha's spring/summer 2024 women's collection offers many options designed to meet the needs of female cyclists. According to the brand, this collection aims to provide greater versatility and comfort for women while riding. 

The Rapha Women collection is now available to purchase on rapha.cc and in Rapha Clubhouses globally and includes a padded skort, gilet, jersey, wind jacket, cropped cargo top, cargo shorts, hijab, long sleeve jersey and padded riding trousers. Prices range from £35.00 - £195.00.

Find out more here

Panaracer announces limited edition colourways of GravelKing tyres

A couple of months ago, Panaracer overhauled its entire gravel tyre lineup. The updated tyres now feature a new tread compound, improved hookless compatibility, better puncture protection, and the introduction of their "fastest-ever" GravelKing tyre - the new X1 model. 

Now, Panaracer has announced two new limited edition colourways of the GravelKing: Panaracer Purple and Matcha. According to the brand, Panaracer Purple "pays tribute to our company heritage", while Matcha "represents security and harmony"... and finely ground green tea leaves, presumably. 

Each colour option is offered in the GravelKing SK, SS and X1 models, with a choice of two sidewall options: black or brown. All tyres are tubeless compatible and are available in sizes 700x40c and 700x45c. 

We're told that the limited edition tyres will be available from early June on Panaracer's website and through retailers. 

Find out more here

Selle San Marco celebrates 50 years of the Concor saddle

First released in the 1970s, the original Concor saddle by Italian specialists Selle San Marco has now been reinterpreted in a limited edition Concor 50 Eroica saddle. 

Selle San Marco describes the original Concor model as a "ground-breaking revolution in the 1970s [that was] soon adopted by the greatest champions of all time", thanks to its bio-anatomical shape. 

"At the heart of this iconic design is the saddle profile that works with the natural shape of your body to support you on long rides", explains the brand.

The Concor 50 Eroica retains the classic design from half a century ago and features a leather cover that celebrates the anniversary, along with the Concor and Eroica logos, marking Selle San Marco's collaboration with Eroica. 

The Concor 50 Eroica saddle is available as a limited edition for £114.99 and features a 'carbon steel' rail, weighing a claimed 300g and measuring 140x265 mm. 

Find out more here

Simon Warren's UK and Tour de France climbing guides receive updates

Simon Warren has produced a series of books documenting numerous climbs, offering detailed information on each ascent. His original book, "100 Greatest Cycling Climbs" was first published 14 years ago. 

Next week, the original "100 Greatest Cycling Climbs", and the "100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of the Tour de France" are set to be reissued after receiving numerous updates. 

Inside the former, you can expect to find climbs such as Gospel Pass in South Wales, Gold Hill in Dorset and Mam Nick in the Peak District. Meanwhile, the latter serves as a guide to the iconic climbs of Le Tour, if you're planning a trip to France this summer. 

Find out more here 

Bonus video: Could this be one of the best bike hacks?

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Schoolyard projects (@schoolyardprojects)

For those of you who still rely on trusty rim brakes or any kind of cables on your bike for that matter, @schoolyardprojects have recently shared this clever hack on social media. They suggested a simple solution to tidy up frayed cable ends using only a cable tie and some superglue. It looks simple enough, right?

While I haven't given this a go yet, if you have any cables that need tidying up, let us know the results!

ICYMI, here's the rest of this week's top cycling tech news:

• Back from beyond the Cindercone, Kona re-purchased by original founders
• Is F1 driver Valtteri Bottas riding an unreleased Canyon Aeroad?
• Can an e-cargo bike replace a car even when your family doesn’t live in a city?
• New Trek road bike with 'IsoFlow' seat tube hole leaked — so, is it a new Émonda or revamped Madone?
• Van Rysel’s £9,000 RCR Pro team edition replica is back in stock in limited quantities
• Check out the Colnago C59 Disc - the beginning of the end for rim brakes