It’s been another barnstorming week for the BikeRadar content factory – your favourite website has been hot on all the latest news (and gossip) from the cycling world.
In case you missed it, over the weekend we published news of three (that’s right, THREE) new and as-yet unreleased bikes spotted by Liam Cahill at the Criterium du Dauphine: the latest Pinarello Dogma, Canyon Aeroad and Trek Madone.
If that wasn’t enough, it was Unbound Gravel weekend, and we got down and dirty with the coolest new serious gravel tech to appear at the event, including clapping eyes on a new SRAM Red AXS XPLR groupset.
While you’re at it, don’t miss out on contributor Josh Patterson’s excellent long read on how it became the most important gravel race in the world and Oscar Huckle’s dive into the original Unbound (then called Dirty Kanza) race-winning bike.
The week then got into full stride (for me, at least) with a behind-the-scenes look at Decathlon brand Van Rysel’s assembly line and tech facilities, and a first look at Fulcrum’s new wavy Sharq wheels.
Then, yesterday, we published Rachel Bennet’s latest update to her Orbea Oiz long-term review, and deputy editor Jack Luke couldn’t help himself but reminisce over all the weird and wonderful stuff spotted at Unbound.
Aside from that, we continued to publish our 2024 Bike of the Year reviews, plus brought you a wealth of coverage over on our YouTube channel and podcast.
Phew… right, let’s dig into the latest cool stuff to land across my desk this week.
CeramicSpeed OSPW RS
The latest-generation CeramicSpeed OSPW (oversized pulley wheel) system has seen an update that’s said to make it stronger, quieter and better at shedding road debris.
Borrowed from the OSPW X for SRAM’s Eagle Transmission, the latest OSPW RS can be fitted with the brand’s ‘Alpha Disc’ design – a filled pulley wheel.
The disc section is made of aluminium, while the outer ring and teeth are made using a composite material.
CeramicSpeed says the filled alloy section eliminates the potential for objects to get stuck in the device, while adding strength to the overall design.
Meanwhile, the composite teeth are said to run more quietly and be more wear-resistant.
The bearings, of course, are ceramic, and are protected by a design CeramicSpeed calls the ‘Active Debris Remover’.
This takes the form of a pronounced ridge encircling the bearing housing, with a series of grooves cut into the inner face. As the pulley wheel spins, CeramicSpeed says the grooves help mud to shed more easily (reducing the chances of ingress).
The outer-cage design has also been tweaked, said to perform the twin job of improving aerodynamics and being stronger in the face of impacts.
The OSPW RS is compatible with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 and Ultegra Di2 R8100 groupsets, or SRAM Red and Force AXS groupsets, and can be bought with CeramicSpeed’s standard five-spoke pulley wheels (in red, black, gold or blue), or the Alpha Disc design as pictured.
Branding style can also be selected between the bold ‘pro-team’ large CeramicSpeed branding, or a more subtle script on the bottom edge of the cage.
CeramicSpeed also provides a 15ml bottle of lube for the pulley wheel bearings.
My Alpha Disc-equipped sample, compatible with Shimano drivetrains, weighs 101g.
- CeramicSpeed OSPW RS 5-spoke – £470 / $599 / €529
- CeramicSpeed OSPW RS Alpha Disc – £515 / $669 / €579
Sweet Protection Ronin, Shinobi and Memento shades
Norwegian brand Sweet Protection, best known for its range of high-performance helmets – as worn by the Uno-X Mobility pro cycling team – has sent in its range of sunglasses for our delectation.
The range includes the full-framed Memento, half-framed Shinobi and shield-lensed Ronin, with pro riders given the choice of which to use when racing (subject to using team-friendly colours, of course).
Happily, the paying public have a wide range of colours to choose from – the Memento and Shinobi, the latter of which the brand considers its flagship eye protection, are available in 13 options with varying lens tints.
The brand says the lenses use ‘RIG’ (Retina Illumination Grading) technology, which is claimed to improve contrast while minimising colour distortion.
All lenses are replaceable, and all feature hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings, alongside full UV protection.
- Sweet Protection Ronin – from £129 / $150 / €149
- Sweet Protection Shinobi – from £159 / $180 / €179
- Sweet Protection Memento – from £119 / $130 / €129
FSA Pro-Wing AGX alloy gravel handlebar
The Pro-Wing AGX handlebar is designed for gravel riding and racing, according to FSA.
The extensions serve a dual purpose – a comfortable perch on which to rest in a more aerodynamic position when covering long miles, plus a point on which to hang a handlebar bag.
The bar can route cables internally, and is said to have been designed for optimal ergonomics.
According to FSA, for the gravel racing and bikepacking it envisages, this has brought about a 25-degree flare of the drops, a slight backsweep to the tops paired with a flattened profile, and a 'sculpted' hood fitment point.
FSA says the bar features a 10mm rise from the 31.8mm clamp site, and a 70mm reach and 100mm drop – when the flare is thrown into the mix, the brand says this increases clearance and control for descending more technical terrain.
The extension section is also shaped into a U-bend with a flattened top, which is claimed to be more comfortable than a pointed end. This is 170mm long, 150mm wide at the base and 80mm wide at the furthest point.
The Pro-Wing AGX handlebar comes in 420, 440 and 460mm width options (centre-to-centre), delivering an effective 470, 490 and 510mm width at the drops, respectively.
- £199.99 / $195 / €179
Restrap Race Top Tube Bag – Short
Restrap has launched a new, smaller-capacity top tube bag, which it says is ideal for “ultra-distance racing and audaxing”.
With a 1.2-litre volume, it sits beneath the 1.5l and 2l versions Restrap already sold.
Thanks to that size, though, the UK-based brand has included bento box holes on the underside, removing the need for the wide central tethering strap to fasten it to the top tube on gravel bikes.
That said, if you don’t have top tube mounting points on your bike (like my Fairlight Strael 3.0), you can employ the loops underneath to use supplementary fitting straps in addition to the one provided – the brand says its Fast Straps are perfect for this.
Otherwise, the bag is anchored by a Hypalon fitting at the front, with a guarding sheath to protect your bike’s head tube spacers and stem.
Inside, the bag features a semi-rigid foam base and supporting sidewall structure, which is claimed to help it hold its shape.
Four internal pockets are included, plus an elasticated tether to hold your bits and pieces in situ.
The outer is made of an abrasion-resistant X21 waterproof fabric, and zips together via a YKK Aquaguard zip.
Two external storage compartments (one on either side) made of elasticated mesh offer easy access to quick essentials, or a place to stuff empty gel and food wrappers.
- £59.99 / $83.99 / €71.99
Continental TPU inner tubes
And finally, I’m back with another brand’s TPU inner tubes. This time, German tyre powerhouse Continental has jumped on the bandwagon.
Thermoplastic polyurethane is said to create a tube that's lighter than a standard butyl, while offering lower rolling resistance and a more supple ride quality. It also packs down smaller, much like a latex tube.
To recap, we’ve already shone a spotlight on WTB, Revoloop and Pirelli TPU tubes, and on the face of it, the Continental models are little different.
However, the brand says its tubes use a seven-layer construction for improved air retention, while the valve shaft is said to have a “slightly conical” shape. This is claimed to help it fit better to a wheel rim and minimise the risk of unwanted (and annoying) valve rattle.
Continental says every tube is manufactured in Germany, with raw materials also sourced from the country. In theory, for European riders, this should result in a lower carbon footprint.
Each tube is supplied with a repair patch, while there are three nominal sizes to choose from: a road-oriented 700x25-35c (35g claimed weight), gravel and MTB-suitable 700x40-60c (45g claimed weight) and a smaller-diameter 650x40-60b (43g claimed weight).
- All sizes – £TBC / $34.95 / €29.95
