Tech of the Week: New bike frenzy
What's new in the world of cycling tech over the last seven days
Take a deep breath, it's been a pretty busy week in the bike industry as brands battle to release a bumper crop of new bikes and kit.
Trek Madone
Trek has played around with the Madone aero race bike and now claims it is lighter than ever before thanks to a swap over of carbon on the top end SLR models. Now using the latest OCLV 800 carbon layup (as first seen on the new lightweight Émonda) the Madone SLR frame is said to be 80 grams lighter with no detriment to performance and the top level bikes as raced by Trek-Segafredo are reportedly up to 450 grams lighter thanks to ultra light components.
BMC Teammachine
Stiffer yet more compliant. This is the claim BMC has put to its new Teammachine road racer. Of course it's had an aero tweaking so the new, disc brake only, BMC Teammachine is reportedly now six per cent faster (more aero), nine per cent lighter – and a jaw-dropping 20 per cent stiffer. It’s also, according to BMC, “more compliant than ever”.
Find out the full story in this feature.
Giant's new TCX cross racer
Cross is coming.. a new completely revamped Giant TCX has been announced, the brand’s dedicated cyclocross race platform, promising to be lighter and far smoother to handle anything a course can throw at it.
Read all about the new rapid racer here.
A brace of Pinarello
Pinarello has updated the Prince road bike, the price-conscious machine which aims to bring the Tour de France worthy Dogma to a larger audience, whilst also re-introducing the 'Paris', comfort-orientated bike.
Check out the new bikes here.
The Superstrata 3D printed bike
Now this is a really cool concept. Silicon Valley tech company Avero is starting production a made to measure, 3D printed carbon fibre bike. If that isn't a bit tech and niche in itself, it's also being constructed with no glues or joins, just a single piece of carbon fibre.
Intrigued? Find out more in this news story
Continental release special edition GP5000 tyres
Released to coincide with what would have been the second rest day of the original 2020 Tour de France schedule, Continental revealed it's first 'proper' tan wall race tyre. Fashionistas everywhere have gone wild.
Maxxis new race tyre
It's refreshing when a brand comes out with the strap line 'built to be fast, not to last' - you know it's designed for one thing: winning races. This is the story of Maxxis latest race tyre and you can find out more here.
Bollé X Le Coq Sportif
French sport powerhouses Bollé and Le Coq Sportif have collaborated on a new eyewear and helmet collection. Comprising of two items each celebrates the unique Gallic connection with cycling and celebrates Le Tour.
Milltag special edition jerseys
Milltag has been collaborating with some high profile clients to produce special edition cycle kit. This year represents the ten year anniversary since it collaborated with alt rock band Pixies and is now taking pre-orders for the latest collab range.
That's all for now, check back next week for another tech round-up.
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James Bracey's career has seen him move from geography teacher, to MBR writer, to Cycling Weekly's senior tech writer and video presenter. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of bicycle mechanics, as well as bike fit and coaching qualifications. Bracey enjoys all manner of cycling, from road to gravel and mountain biking.
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