It’s wet, it’s miserable, and we’re severely lacking in vitamin D here in the UK (particularly residents of Aberdeen)… but bluer skies are hopefully around the corner, by which time you might be able to head out with any number of these shiny new things without getting soaked.
Maybe that’s too optimistic, so we won’t jinx it any more and get straight into the new tech…
An N+1 threatener: Ventum says revamped NS1 won’t replace your entire fleet, but will be “the bike you reach for the most”
If you’re not familiar with Utah-based premium bike brand Ventum, they first arrived with a bang and a rather unusual-looking triathlon bike in the mid-2010s, and have since expanded the range to include road, gravel, and electric bikes.
The NS1 is now in its third iteration, and of course, it’s supposed to be lighter, more aero and stiffer than the last one. Frame weight is a claimed 852g, and Ventum reckons it’s 7.7% stiffer at the head tube and 11.9% stiffer at the bottom bracket.
An extended leading edge and deeper airfoils on the fork legs make the new NS1 more aerodynamic, the brand says, and this is balanced with a taller head tube to make it more comfortable for more riders: “Speed is easier to find when the position is right”, adds Ventum.
Tyre clearance is up to 35mm, more than enough to take the NS1 on mixed terrain adventures: “Race it. Train with it. Get lost with it. The new NS1 is not meant to be a N+1 killer, but it will be the bike you reach for most.” Props to Ventum for snappy marketing copy to match the claimed snappier handing of the new NS1.
UK prices range from £4,199 for the NS1 with SRAM Rival shifting, up to £8,599 if you want it with a top-end SRAM Red AXS groupset – certainly not cheap, but comfortably less expensive than premium road bikes from some other brands, where we often see prices in five figures nowadays.
We’ve asked for UK pricing and a test bike. Merlin Cycles are Ventum’s UK distributor, check out the range here.
Ridgeback unveils new Anteron e-bike
Ridgeback has been super-busy revamping its range, and one of the key new additions is the Anteron aluminium e-bike, which is available in standard and open (dropped top tube) frame designs. It’s the start of a wave of new electric bikes from the British brand, and the first that has been fully designed in-house.
The Anteron is a city/commuter bike that runs on a 45Nm Mahle X30 system rear hub motor with a 250Wh battery in the down tube and a range of about 65-70km in typical UK conditions. Ridgeback claims a weight of 18kg.
You get an aluminium fork and Shimano parts, along with Busch & Müller lights that are designed to allow you to see by (as opposed to just getting you seen). The stem comes with an integrated Quad Lock mount so you can fix your phone up front and power it from the central battery. The mounts on the head tube will take a front rack.
Built up with a Shimano Cues 10-speed groupset and fitted with mudguards, a MIK HD rear rack and a kickstand, it’s priced at £2,799.99.
A clever new bag-mounting system from Thule
Thule is introducing a new bag-mounting system called InLock, where all of the hardware stays on the rack when you remove the bag. It’s pretty smart. The design means there’s no hardware against your body when you’re carrying a bag, and also lightens the load a little. Away from the bike, the bags don’t look cycle-related at all.
It’s a little hard to explain, but here’s InLock in action. A sleeve on the back of the bag slides onto the rack and a spring-lock catch holds it in place. Thule will offer various bag options, both hand-held and back-carried.
Expect the Thule InLock system to be released in the next week or two.
Thule launches compact VeloLite cycle carrier
Thule has offered a range of bike carriers for years, but this latest addition is super-compact. The VeloLite is a towbar-mounted design that allows you to open your car boot when no bike is mounted. The one pictured here can carry a single bike.
When not in use, you can fold the side sections (featuring the lights) inwards, giving dimensions of 42 x 77 x 20cm. That’s easily small enough to store in the boot without much worry.
The VeloLite has a load capacity of 25kg and costs £350.
Pro’s new Stealth 3D saddles up close
Shimano’s Pro brand launched its Stealth 3D saddles a few weeks ago and now we’ve had the chance to check them out.
You get three ‘Mesh Zones’ of differing densities of EPU (elastomeric polyurethane) that are designed to keep you comfy whether you’re down on the drops or sitting up and relaxing, and one of the key features that Pro is keen to shout about is that the 3D printing is enclosed on the outer sections, minimising abrasion caused by rubbing as you pedal.
The Pro Stealth 3D saddle is available in two versions, each available in 142mm and 152mm widths. The Team model (£279.99) comes with carbon rails and a claimed weight of 210g for the narrower fit, while the Performance model has stainless steel rails and weighs from 250g.
A legend retires
Calvin Jones, Director of Education at Park Tool, is retiring at the end of the month after 29 years. This was announced a while back, but this week’s iceBike trade show at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London was his last public engagement.
You might think this is a bit of bike industry navel-gazing, but Calvin has become a famous character over the years as the face of Park Tool on YouTube and at events around the globe. Instantly recognisable and immensely knowledgeable, he’ll be greatly missed, although he’s keen to point out that he’ll still be riding and coaching, so this might not be the last we see of that big ol’ moustache.
How light? Selle Italia’s new SLR Racing Replica is just 109g
We’ve reviewed ultra-light saddles here on road.cc in the past, including the 100g Berk Lupina Short 144 a few days ago, but Selle Italia’s SLR Racing Replica is up there – or down there – among the lighter options out there. Of course, you can go lighter if you’re happy to forego padding, but that’s a big ‘if’ for most of us.
The SLR Racing Replica comprises four parts: carbon rails, a carbon-fibre skeleton, 1.5mm-thick shell, and EVA padding – very little of it at the rear because this is a saddle designed for aggressive riding positions. It comes in a 242mm length and two different widths (130mm and 145mm).
The Selle Italia SLR Racing Replica is yours for £319.99.
Trek marks 50th anniversary with limited collection
Trek is 50 this year, and to mark the occasion, it has unveiled its 50th Anniversary Collection headlined by three limited-edition bikes: The First 50 Project One ICON, The First 50 Replica, and No. 76 Project One ICON.
Trek says, “The First 50 ICON and The First 50 Replica take Trek’s history — its innovations, values, people, and defining moments — and turn them into a visual timeline across the frame. Every graphic marks a specific, meaningful chapter in Trek’s journey from barn-born startup to global brand determined to change the world through bikes.”
You can decode the graphics here.
Lidl-Trek’s WorldTour teams will race the limited-edition The First 50 ICON Madone SLR 9 AXS in the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes later in the year.
Each frame is numbered, and the build includes a limited-edition white-and-red saddle and Aeolus RSL wheels – also with limited-edition graphics. Price? £12,700.
The First 50 Replica brings the same graphic icons onto the Madone SL 7. This one is priced at £5,400.
No. 76 Project One ICON features Trek’s original 1976 logo, a graphic of Trek’s early brass-plate headbadge, and comes in the brand’s heritage blue, said to be inspired by Trek’s earliest handmade touring bikes. It’s available only on the Madone SLR 9 AXS.
The build includes Aeolus RSL wheels with golden anniversary decals and a special-edition saddle, with a price of £12,700.
Need help carrying the shopping? Get your little’un a Super Mighty Junior cargo balance bike
We love a cargo bike here at road.cc and our sister site ebiketips, and now you can spread the cargo joy to the next generation with a cargo balance bike (for 349 euros).
The Super Mighty Junior is a genuinely practical cargo machine, with an adapter on the front to mount a small box or other compatible accessories so your child can carry their toys, snacks or whatever else while they scoot along. It’s suitable for ages 2 and up, the weight limit (for the rider) is 30kg, and there’s also a brake at the rear. The frame is sturdy 6061 aluminium, and there are safety grips and footrests to further improve comfort and safety.
Pre-orders are being taken now: super-bicycles.com
Got a thirst for more cycling tech news, views and features? Here’s a selection of the best tech on road.cc from this past week:
> Why did Tadej Pogačar share his power data on his latest Strava upload? Won’t it help his rivals?
> Five Cool Things featuring Spatz, Lusso, Rapha, Gobik and Universal Colours
> Nine of the best cheap* 2026 aero road bikes (according to Liam)
