Tech

For a roadie, getting invited to Campagnolo’s HQ in Vicenza, northern Italy, is a high point. It’s like getting to visit Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. I mean, this isn’t any old bike company… this is Campagnolo. Actual Campagnolo. And we’re here. Walking around. Eyes wide. Looking at stuff… At Campagnolo.

Buying a Christmas pressie for a woman who likes cycling is as easy as, well, falling off a bicycle. Not only is there a stack of shiny things available that are orientated entirely towards women, but there’s all the unisex kit and gadgetry that she’ll have had her eye on for a while too. And any woman who’s fortunate enough to find a new bike under the tree might just choose to change her name to Mrs Claus, it’s that simple.

The clocks are going back so it's now officially lights season on the bike. If you're in the market for some bike lights there's a bewildering array of lights out there to choose from, ranging from a few quid to nearly a grand, so what's the best bet for your riding?

Finally, I've got my hands on our brand new Viner Maxima RS for review on road.cc, and it's looking amazing. Excited? Oh yes.

 Although the early-season Classics are still a few weeks away, the WorldTour (ProTour as was) teams have already raced the first event, the Tour Down Under, so it’s high time we took a look at the bikes they’re all riding this year.

To me, the best presents are sometimes those that I can't justify buying myself, the items of absolute luxury which could be considered way too expensive to treat yourself with, my other favourites are the little thoughtful things, the stocking fillers, the small gifts that are always a pleasant surprise. 

Getting the right lights is important. Not only are they a legal requirement when its dark but they can free you from the turbo and open up a whole new world of riding opportunities. We've covered many of the basics of choosing lights in our buyer's guide but now it's time for the science bit: what's all this stuff about lumens?

In our third list of Christmas gifts for cyclists, our man Mat suggests some highly desirable stuff for riders with a need for speed. So if you've got a performance cyclist in your life, someone who sprints for every sign and treats even a ride to the shops as if they were tackling a Belgian classic we've got some suggestions for you. With a selection of clothing, gadgetry and pre and post-ride preparations and pampering to ensure that when there moment comes they'll be able to give it their all… even if they're just racing down to the shops.