Table of contents for August 2018 in Cycling Plus

£2499 It’s as 2018 as a road bike can be This Cube Agree encapsulates pretty much all that is on trend: dropped seatstays, tapered head-tube, all-round endurance geometry with aero flourishes, disc brakes and wide tyres. It’s ready for Shimano Di2, and looks poised and powerful in its understated black-and-white colour scheme. The components The Shimano Ultegra hydraulic setup has a wide-ranging 11-32 cassette, 12mm thru-axles and 160mm rotors. In typical German style the Newmen carbon handlebar – unusual at this price – has flattened tops for extra comfort, with more plushness coming from the 28mm tyres. The quality kit also keeps the bike light for the money. The geometry and ride The endurance geometry is similar to the well-liked Cannondale Synapse’s, though the Cube has a lower stack figure…

Named the Adventure, this entry-level UK-spec alloy Ridley X-Trail stands out thanks to its yellow frame and is the only X-Trail to come with 650b wheels and 2in wide tyres. The X-Trail range is designed with gravel racing in mind, and takes 700c wheels with 36mm rubber, something the Adventure could also do, but its frame and fork easily swallow the 2in/50mm Continental Contact Speed tyres with heaps of clearance to spare. Its credentials are also validated with a third bottle mount beneath the down-tube, and rack and mudguard mounts. The triple-butted 6061-T6 alloy frame has a relatively short 158mm head-tube on our medium size, a boxy, wide down-tube, slimming top-tube and bridgeless seatstays with a connecting brace behind the seat-tube. Heavily shaped chainstays incorporate the flat-mount disc brake, two…

A riveted metal plate at the top of the seat-tube contains the Sequoia’s name, and the statement, ‘A thousand decisions properly made’. It’s hard to argue with the design team’s work, mating a high-quality steel frame with a carbon fork and loads of adventurous features. It’s a worthy nod to the original Sequoia, Specialized’s first ever bike. Predominantly round and subtly ovalised, the Premium Cr-Mo steel tubes range from slim seatstays to burly chainstays and a tapered head-tube. The welds are small and neat, there are mounts for three cages, mudguards and a rack, and both cables and the brake hose are routed externally. A comparitively large full carbon fork blends into the head-tube, and can carry luggage or a bottle on each leg, plus a mudguard. It’s fitted with…

OUTWARDLY VERY SIMILAR TO FEEDBACK’S Omnium trainer, Blackburn’s Raceday is designed for the rider wanting a good quality training or warm-up unit that’s easily transportable and simple to store. The Raceday folds down to 51x19x19cm and comes with its own tough carry bag. An internal pocket keeps the alternate axle fittings safe, as mounting quick-release, 12mm or 15mm thru-axles and 100mm or 110mm dropout widths necessitates reconfiguring the easily-swappable fork mounts. The unit weighs just 6.59kg, which is considerably less than almost every turbo or set of rollers. Its two independent rollers are 108mm in diameter with 120mm usable width, and have integrated fluid resistance, said to be good for 650 watts. Unfolding the trainer is simple, the splayed legs have braces which snap in to place, and telescope to…

FIZIK’S RANGE USED TO BE one of the simplest; you could choose from three saddles based on three levels of flexibility, and that was it. Over the last few years, the company has introduced two widths for every model, and now the Versus, featuring a pressure relieving channel, has two versions. Firstly, there is the full hole ‘Open’ model, which features a stiffer hull for those concerned with power and speed, racers to you and me, who are also looking for a bit of pressure relief. Secondly, the Evo, as tested here, is a plushly padded saddle with a more flexible hull, designed to be the best companion for endurance riders. Our test model is the wider 148mm large version that weighs 188.7g, which is very light for such a…

When Trek introduced its fifth iteration of its Madone flagship model in 2015 it, arguably, set a new benchmark for fast, aero and comfortable race bikes. Job done – the Madone of two years ago worked, and worked well. As soon as the wraps had come off the last Madone, Trek’s designers in Madison, Wisconsin were already analysing what they could have done better, creating mood boards, sketching sexy new shapes on deep-fried cheese curd (Google it) stained napkins and typing numbers into big computers to find more speed, extra comfort and to discover how to add disc brakes without messing up a winning formula. Three years later and Trek reckons it’s made one of the best bikes currently on the market even better. The headline for Madone number six…

Weight 310g (pair) Colour Black Cleat style Look Keo It’s hard to imagine that you can buy a clipless pedal with cleat for under £25 but Boardman can offer just that. The Road Teams feature large shiny black painted aluminium bodies that use dual-compound Look Keo-style cleats offering seven degrees of float. The bodies work well but the paint can be slippery in the wet and we found it chipped off over time. They roll on chromoly axles with a combination of bushings and sealed bearings that worked fine during testing. If you can live with a few paint chips over time these pedals offer outstanding value for those on a budget. HIGHS Great value LOWS Slippery when wet, finish chips off over time WELLGO R096 £32.99 Weight 284g (pair)…

Weight 202g (pair) Colour Black Cleat style Time The Xpresso 10s are the first pedals in the Time line-up that come with carbon bodies as well as carbon blade tension adjustment, like those on the company’s higher end models. These are combined with hollow steel axles to produce an impressively light pedal. The wide body provides a stable ride and the pre-opened iClic system makes for easy clipping in, once you’re used to the action, and delivers a solid ride once engaged. Lateral and angular float is kind, especially to those with knee issues. Time aims its higher end models specifically at racing, but these will do you proud whatever pedalling you’re doing. HIGHS Light, wide body for stability LOWS Clipping in takes time to get used to SHIMANO ULTEGRA…

The most obvious part of the rapid recipe is the cockpit There are many ways to cover long distances on a bike. The traditional panniers and pubs touring route, the bike packing adventure approach, or rattle along on a road bike reasoning. Then there’s the fastest time-trial-it option. We wanted to discover just how practical that last one is? How uncomfortable is a purely speed-focused position after an hour, let alone hour after hour. Do the aero benefits still win out over a full day or does fatigue from an unfamiliar position punish you when it comes to overall performance? We’re stood on Morecambe seafront early in the morning with four entry-level time trial/triathlon bikes with the Irish Sea behind us and a full day of riding all the way…

Cyclists have been touring by bike since the time of its invention. Up until a few decades back, the way to go would have been a steel-framed, drop-barred tourer – Dawes, Claud Butler, Raleigh for example – decked out with a rack or two, Ortlieb or Carradice panniers, and a bar bag for good measure, with an extra pack or tent strapped to the rear rack. Now, traditional cycle touring has a younger, hipster sibling – the bikepacker. Traditional cycle touring has a younger, hipster sibling – the bikepacker ALL ABOUT THE BIKE? Taking advantage of today’s gravel, adventure, all-roader, road-plus endurance bikes, you can fit bags on to and within the frame and handlebar, using only simple fabric secured by Velcro, buckles or both. This does away with the…

WHAT IS IT? The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone (calcaneus). The two muscles that make up the calf complex, the gastrocnemius and soleus, unite into the Achilles tendon for a common insertion onto the calcaneus. HOW IT WORKS Force generated from the calf muscle is transferred through the Achilles tendon to pull on the heel and flex the ankle and foot (plantar flexion). The Achilles tendon also has the ability to store and release energy during dynamic activities. When the ankle is flexed upwards (dorsi-flexion) the Achilles tendon stretches and stores energy, which is then released with the counter movement – plantar flexion. WHAT GOES WRONG? The majority of Achilles tendon injuries are caused by overload…

“The route was spectacular, and I’d recommend adding it to your bucket list of rides” Les Pegler Training pays off After completing the tough 80-mile Tour de Yorkshire Ride in May (issue 342) I was back on the bike the next day and back to normal training by Thursday. I was surprised how quickly I recovered, which shows that the training plan devised by coach Florian Geyer in Germany is working. That feeling was confirmed a week later when I climbed my favourite hill – Stanway near Winchcombe in Gloucestershire – and without really pushing it rode my best time for three years. I’m now a huge fan of following a training plan, I’m converted to training in heart rate zones as I can tell that I’m fitter, stronger, recover…

It felt good to reunite my Lycra yin with my studded yang Many of you will neither know nor care that I started my professional life as a football reporter. It was a deeply held passion for the rituals and comedies, the occasional wonder and despair of football that drove me towards a Saturday job at Sky Sports, which paid me the princely sum of £50 per week. So began a journey through the ranks, until a couple of years later I pitched up at ITV, a fully fledged ‘touchline reporter’; one of TV’s punch bags in suits who dole out the team news, get their heads torn off by megalomaniac managers, and lambasted by fans for being a stupid bloke in a suit. I spent 15 years stalking the…

DUTCH COURAGE To get even more people on bikes the Dutch government wants companies to pay people 14p per kilometre to commute to work by bike in a bid to get a further 200,000 people on bikes. BROAD STRIKES The Land’s End-John O’Groats record was broken for the first time in 17 years. Hertfordshire’s Michael Broadwith, 40, knocked over 39 minutes off Gethin Butler’s 2001 effort in riding the length of Britain in 43 hours, 25 minutes. SPEED DEMON Neil Campbell set a new European cycling speed record, reaching 135.3mph at Elvington Airfield. He was attached by a cord to the back of a Porsche Cayenne, before being released at speed. TRI HARDER Competitors in the bike leg of the Royal Windsor Triathlon were roundly criticised for undertaking a horse…

Owing far more to the fantastic Boone and Crocket cyclo-cross bikes than Trek’s road models, the Checkpoint has all the bona fide features we’ve come to expect for a bike of this genre, and one we didn’t, the adjustable rear dropouts to support singlespeed riders. Our ALR5’s aluminium frame has classical looks with unfussy round or ovalised tubes, neat welds and glossy paintwork. It sports numerous mounts for racks front and rear, mudguards, options for one bottle cage on the seat-tube, two on top of the down-tube, and one beneath it. There’s neat internal cable and hose routing through the down-tube via a single port, externally on the fork, and beneath the chainstays, and for those who think this bike has 21 gears too many, Trek’s adjustable Stranglehold dropouts allow…

Merida’s gravel bike has a bold look, our large sized bike has a main triangle whose perimeter is nearer to being a square, and its lengthy down-tube is in stark contrast to the surprisingly short stem. The 220mm head-tube on our aluminium test bike makes the front end quite upright, and it’s backed up by a steeply sloping top-tube and heavily hydroformed down-tube that’s joined with a flared buttress covering more than half its length. The top-tube has a round-edged diamond profile, while the seat- and chainstays are hourglass-shaped. The partly flattened seatstays cross over the seat-tube to tuck in under the top-tube, creating a strong junction, with the dropped stay design and carbon seatpost adding seated comfort. There’s a third bottle mount beneath the down-tube, auxilliary luggage/cage mounts on…

ZIPP’S 202 IS THE US company’s long-standing lightweight option. It may have fewer aero benefits than the 303 or 404, but its low weight makes it the first choice for plenty of riders when it comes to climb-heavy riding. This latest addition to the NSW (Nest Speed Works, Nest being the company’s test facility) range takes ideas from Zipp’s development labs and applies them to the 32mm-deep rim. It gains the sawtooth pattern dimples on the rim surface, first seen on the radical 454s, and the minimal graphics are directly printed so there are no clumsy stickers to affect the aero surface. The real work has been done under the skin. On trend, the 202 has broadened, with a wide 21mm internal dimension and a max outside width of 28.9mm.…

B’TWIN 500 £49.99 The king of budget-price cycling kit has delivered with these 606g shoes (pair, size 43). The fibreglass sole doesn’t have the stiffness of rigid carbon, but they’re more than adequate for most of us. Velcro? Old-fashioned maybe but it’s quick, effective and easy to adjust. There’s plenty of venting and the soles take both SPD and three-bolt pedals. BONTRAGER ESPRESSO £119.99 A road shoe that’s not just a road shoe? These two-bolt compatible shoes have more walkability than most manage, thanks to their rubber-protected fibreglass-reinforced nylon soles, and while they weigh 700g per pair (42), they’re great if you mix riding with the need to walk in comfort. The Boa dial is highly adjustable and they also come in black. GIANT BOLT £69.99 The Bolts from Giant…

THE FIRST OFFERING FROM NEW Italian glasses manufacturer Alba Optics, the Delta looks like it could have come straight out of the 1980s. The design is reminiscent of Oakley’s legendary Razorblades, which the brand brought back as a limited edition as part of its heritage line a few seasons ago. It was the original forerunner to the Mumbo, which in turn became the M-Frame, and is now the Radar. The styling may be retro, but the materials used are bang up to date, with TR90 – a carbon nylon blend – in the frames, just like Rudy Project and Tifosi, and an optically-corrected full wrap lens, so you won’t get any distortion. Add in UV400 protection to meet EU, US and Australian safety and protection standards, and these are about…

Free speed, instant gains, low-hanging fruit - everybody has a name for the magical tweak that will have an immediate effect on your performance. And like the curmudgeons so many cyclists are, we tend to ignore them in favour of the relentless pursuit of miles, junk or otherwise. There are plenty of sports where a little finesse here or there can make a big difference, but so much of cycling comes down to physical fitness, which can only be built through sustained effort, that any promises of instant gains are usually dismissed as a nostrum or, worse, a precursor to being offered the sort of chemical assistance that doesn’t come from the coffee shop. Cynicism aside, there are plenty of coaches, physiologists, mechanics and data-bashers who believe that there are…

Weight 262g (pair) Colours Black, white Cleat style Look Keo The Keo 2s are Look’s mid-range pedal, this updated version losing some weight over previous models and featuring a 60mm-wide pedal platform. This gives 25 per cent more cleat coverage, feeling stable under foot, and are easy to clip-in to. Spring tension is fully adjustable using a 4mm Allen key. The chromoly axles and needle bearings work without issue. While it might be aimed more at the sportive rider, with Look’s more expensive Blade pedals aimed at racers, these still work well for all riding. The only downer is that the cleats wear quicker than many of Look’s competitors. HIGHS Stable feel, easy to use LOWS Cleats wear quicker than the competition TIME XPRESSO 2 £49.99 Weight 228g (pair) Colour…

CYCLING HIGHLY COMMENDED Weight 320g (pair) Colour Black Cleat style Look Keo The Vector 3s do away with Garmin’s separate pods, with all the power meter technology now inside the pedals, which makes for much easier installation, lower rotating mass and neater looks. Garmin now makes its own pedals that are sleeker, lighter and run on durable needle bearings. Neat light indicators on the inside of the pedal thread display battery, pedal and firmware status. Batteries are LR44s, with a claimed life of 120 hours, and are fitted via an external side cap. Communication is via ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart for wide compatibility and it’s quick to set up. Having a power meter in a pair of pedals is convenient, especially if you switch between bikes. Reliable performance, accurate ride…

BEFORE RIDING IN GIRONA Girona-based Team ETW pro Dan Craven explains that you’ll be spoilt for great routes in the area 1 DON’T MISS ‘THE CLASSIC’ The Classic is a beautiful introduction to the area. It features the 10km Els Angels climb and after a few rolling kms you go up Santa Pellaia, a steady 7km climb. Halfway through you enter the old town of Monells. 2 SPOT THE CROWDS Keep an eye on Strava and see where people are riding. Also check out ourgirona.com which lists favoured rides, restaurants and hotels for cyclists. 3 SELECT EASY GEARS The roads are generally sensible, considering the number of mountains. With so much climbing, you’ll appreciate an easy gear. I ride 39x28 as my easiest gear, while my wife has a 36x30.…

Vitus calls the aluminium Dee a city bike, but with its hefty treaded WTB Nine Line tyres it certainly has some off-road ability mixed in with it. It’s a fun bike to ride, even with its budget-belying weight of nearly 13kg, but once you give the fully rigid pseudo mountain bike a chance you’ll get a lot of fun out of it. The simplicity of the bike, with its trigger downshift and button upshift works well for such an inexpensive system, and the Tektro mechanical disc brakes offer ample power and just enough feel. They also work in all weathers, which can’t always be said for budget rim brakes. The WTB tyres, own-brand Vitus saddle, and lock-on grips make for a comfortable ride, and all are impressive for their low…

1 FEATURES Following on from Fabric’s clever Lumaray front light comes the Lumacell light set. Each Lumacell light contains a single, central line of COB (Chip On Board) smart LEDs within a tough nylon case, charged directly from a USB port. 2 FITTING Each light pushes snugly into a rubber bracket, protecting its USB connector, and the attached bungee permits multiple mounting options. They require a clear portion of handlebar, so cables sited on the front can be a problem. 3 LIGHTING Fabric claims the front light has a maximum output of 30 lumens, while the rear emits 20. Four lighting modes of high, medium, low and flashing are good for 2.5, 4, 8 and 8 hours respectively. 4 PRACTICALITY The ovalised lens shape maximises light spread to 180 degrees…

Changing people’s cycling habits is harder than removing a gap-year tattoo It’s Cycle to Work Day on 15 August. Not International Cycle to Work Day, which was 9 May. Or Cycle to Work Week, back in June. Or Cycle September, which encourages workplaces to out-cycle-commute each other. Or ‘Ride to Work Week’ in June: that was for motorbikes. Er, why? I know this from email invitations to complete surveys by marketeers unaware of the world outside office jobs. Do I cycle to work? No. Why not? The dropdown options never include ‘Office is living room downstairs, so need full-suspension mountain bike’. Any initiative that encourages cycling is welcome. Especially commuting, which potentially removes two motor journeys a day. Leisure rides create them, celebrating the environment by driving hours to ride…

The Tripster began life as the ATR titanium all-rounder, but for a company who made its name building affordable aluminium frames, the Tripster AT was inevitable. Using its own Kinesium tubes, the Tripster AT has typical Kinesis design elements, with hydroformed tubes, chunky welds and a definite sense of solidity. Some of the design ideas on the AT came from the late Mike Hall, a rider whose ultra-endurance on- and off-road riding gave him insight in to what makes a practical, reliable and quick bike. A graphic on the left seatstay credits his input. AT stands for All Terrain, and it boasts the features we’ve come to expect on a modern adventure bike. There are thru-axles, hydraulic disc brakes, and the option to run either 650bx52mm or 700x45mm tyres, plus…

GT started in 1972, and was a great innovator in the fledgling mountain bike scene. Comprising GT’s EnduRoad category, the Grade debuted ahead of the current gravel bike trend, but is equipped to compete. This model is the cheapest carbon Grade in the range, as well as being the only all-carbon fibre bike on test, and the most expensive. What does it offer that could make that higher price worth paying? First up is that high-modulus carbon frame, incorporating GT’s trademark Triple Triangle seat cluster design, which braces the main triangle and permits additional seated flex from the dropped seatstays. All the cables and brake hoses run externally beneath the down-tube and chainstays, with the front brake hose clipped on to the front of the fork leg. We’d replace its…

THE MATRIX POWERWATCH, LIKE SO much of the latest technology, came about through crowd funding, taking 1000 per cent of its target pledges. What makes the Matrix different to the likes of Fitbit et al is the way it powers itself. Rather than rely on cable recharging, it gains its power from your body heat via thermoelectric generators housed within the 15mm deep case. It’s a big achievement, as according to Matrix, the top of the wrist is one of the least efficient parts of the body to harvest heat for energy from – the head and feet are best. The watch is 47mm in diameter, not including the crown, the case is matt finish aluminium mounted to a nylon-webbing strap, so looks suitably rugged A companion app is available…

ISADORE IS THE BRAINCHILD OF Slovak pro cycling brothers Martin and Peter Veltis, who aim to create clothing that’s been informed by their racing days. The company also looks to produce locally, using sustainable materials, so all of Isadore’s products conform to Oeko-Tex standards for ecologically sourced and produced textiles and leathers. The jersey The Signature jersey uses a mix of merino wool, polyester and Lycra. The material is thicker than a standard polyester jersey but the close fit is comfortable. The Lycra in the mix gives the wool more elasticity. It features flat-locked stitching, inset reflective panels, reinforced pockets, a metal zip and logos. The jersey is ideal for cooler days or early mornings, keeping chills at bay thanks to the wool’s natural warmth, yet wicks well enough to…

CYCLING BEST ON TEST Weight 278g (pair) Colour Black Cleat style Shimano SPD-SL The 105s are affordable quality racing pedals that take many design and technology cues from their more expensive Ultegra and Dura-Ace siblings. The wide carbon fibre bodies make for comfortable and efficient pedalling, and we found them to be one of the easiest of our test pairs to get in and out of. The low profile body has a metal plate over the centre, helping to reduce premature wear and increase clearance between you and the road. Along with adjustable spring tension, quality sealed bearings, which cut down on maintenance, and hardwearing cleats these are racer-friendly and efficient road pedals. Weighing 278g for the pair, they might be heavier than some but this trade-off is worth it…

RETIREMENT PLANS Depending on who’s asking, my actual time spent cycling these days varies. I have to sneak in rides where I can sometimes! Like every other cyclist with a young family you have commitments that take over your life – one of the big differences since retiring as a professional is having to ask permission! RACE MEETINGS Where possible I arrange business and social meetings along ride routes just to get some miles under the belt each week. I’ll still try to get out on the bike three times a week – if I can squeeze a fourth in I will. I’m fortunate that I have sisters living nearby who love to spend time with their niece, which means I get to ride at weekends too. TIME SPAN It…

1 INCORRECT TYRE PRESSURE Riding on too soft tyres can cause a heap of problems. Always check your tyres’ pressure, they should feel firm to the touch and make a drum-like hollow noise when correct. 2 PEDALS IN DRY OR TOO TIGHT Use plenty of grease, a protective washer when required, and firmly tighten, but not overtighten to keep your pedals spinning in tip top condition. 3 INCORRECT HEADSET TIGHTENING Never tighten the top cap without loosening the stem bolts, or you’ll damage the cap, star-washer and expander plug inside the steerer tube. Nip up the adjuster bolt so there is free movement but no bearing play. 4 RIDE WITH A BADLY FITTED CHAIN Assume that any damage will lead to catastrophic failure. Follow joining pin instructions to the letter,…

When you embark on a cycling tour overseas, you want your chosen setting to have just the right blend of excellent facilities for adventures on two wheels, and ample opportunity for adventures on two feet. That’s where the Costa Daurada really comes into its own as a brilliantly versatile place to ride. Read on for just some of the reasons you should make it your next cycling destination of choice. 1 The Costa Daurada offers more than 2,000km of virtually traffic-free roads in perfect condition. As you cycle, you’ll be treated to stunning views of natural parks, as well as coastal and mountainous landscapes. 2 The Mediterranean climate ensures mild temperatures throughout the year, and low rainfall is the perfect ally for training and cycling holidays. 3 When you book…