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Tech

Motor round-up: Drone brand brings its expertise to e-bikes, ZF’s “uniquely compact” Coke-can-sized mid-motor + another new mid-drive that’s even lighter than that

There has been plenty of new kit announced this week, starting with some impressive looking drive systems

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Sweaty palms on your summer bike rides? You need this patented cooling bar tape that cools while you ride

Simply dropping some water on Ultra Cool Tech's Glacier Tape creates an endothermic reaction that is said to provide continuous cooling, and it's already attracted the attention of WorldTour teams according to its creator

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Classified and TRP launch a 16-SPEED, 1x electronic groupset that provides “superior efficiency and durability”

12- and 13-speed not quite doing it for you? The Vistar Powershift is supposedly now the widest-ranging road and gravel groupset around, marrying Classified's Powershift hub with virtual shifting and offering all the benefits of 2x in a single chainring

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Drone manufacturer DJI expands into electric bikes and motors with 108Nm and 850W peak power mid-drive

The new drive system will be equipped on the brand’s new electric mountain bike, the Amflow PL

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RIP Presta and Schrader? Schwalbe reckons its “revolutionary” new Clik valve is set to become cycling’s new tyre inflation industry standard

Schwalbe wants to make bike tyre inflation "child's play" with its new take on the humble valve, that can be latched onto using a compatible pump with little force and just two fingers

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Cycling’s latest tech innovation? Super glue, apparently: Biniam Girmay’s Intermarché-Wanty team using glue to get around UCI rule on helmet covers at Tour de France

The Belgian squad’s new Uvex helmet features a detachable cover as part of its two-in-one aero and ventilation design – which has been outlawed by the UCI since 2012

9

Bosch’s automatic shifting for e-bikes now works with Shimano gears

Motor manufacturer expands its eShift portfolio to include electronic derailleur drivetrains for the first time

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Continental, DT Swiss and Swiss Side team up to create the Continental Aero 111, the ‘world’s first aerodynamic tyre’: here are our first ride impressions

Front-wheel-specific, tubeless ready tyre utilises patented Vortex Generator tread blocks to maximise sailing effect and boost handling in crosswinds... and we've already had a go

16

More pictures emerge of new Van Rysel aero bike with mysterious new front tyre

New Van Rysel aero bike is raced for the first time at the Tour de France plus some new rubber that we now know is the Continental Aero 111, touted as the 'world’s first aerodynamic tyre'

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Giant bids to buy assets of bankrupt power meter brand Stages for $20 million

In April, Giant sued Stages Cycling over £11 million worth of unpaid invoices and already manufactured products valued at £5.4 million, four top executives moving from the shut down US power meter brand to the bicycle manufacturer

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A bridge too far? Scicon prices bizarre aero ‘beak’ at €350, as Dylan Groenewegen reveals UCI ordered him to remove nose cover during Tour de France stage

"I need to put if off, from the UCI... that was a big surprise! I think they saw me not pedalling and said, 'this is not fair, we need to stop these fast sunglasses'," the Team Jayco AlUla sprinter joked after stage three

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I can’t believe it’s not carbon, awesome integration and a subtle Shand rebrand: Five Cool Things from Bespoked Handmade Bike Show 2024

We dived right into Bespoked at Victoria Baths in Manchester over the weekend and spied plenty of intricate, intriguing and unique bike tech. Here is a cool quintet of highlights

3

Shimano launches two new electric bike mid-drive motors, but where do they sit in the brand’s hierarchy?

The EP5 and E5100 drive systems are set to be an “ally to your daily commute and a gateway to cycling adventures,” it’s claimed

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“This is getting ridiculous”: Bizarre aero ‘beak’ spotted attached to Dylan Groenewegen’s sunglasses at the Tour de France

The Scicon shades with a curious add-on, presumably for aero gains, are being worn by the Team Jayco–AlUla rider on stage 3, causing a stir on social media. Perhaps it won't seem so silly if he bags the stage win, though?

15

Will Bikonic’s gas-assisted e-bike workstand replace electric ones?

Hope is that gas strut technology will result in a more affordable workstand suitable for home use

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Deda’s £800 handlebars, Bravur’s £2,500 Tour de France watch, Argon 18’s new affordable road racer, sustainable tyres, ANOTHER Ltd edition Raleigh Chopper + more

We've got things to tell you about white and sustainable tyres, an exciting bike from Argon 18, super expensive accessories ahead of the Tour and loads more in this packed Tech of the Week

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Spotted: Decathlon AG2R sprinters riding new Van Rysel aero bike at the Tour de France

'Pure' aero bikes are few and far between these days. Are we about to see a new one launch?

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Trek unveils radically updated, lightweight Madone and ditches the Émonda. Here’s why we think it’s the biggest bike launch of the year so far

Trek merges its top-end road bikes, with the Madone Gen 8 said to be as aero as the previous model and 320g lighter, marking the end of the road for the carbon Émonda. Full builds start at £3,250 for the SL model, rising to £12,500 for the flagship SLR

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The Tern Quick Haul compact electric cargo bike goes Long

And we've already reviewed it...

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Wilier unveils its “lightest ever bike”, the Verticale SLR… and it’s (we think) even lighter than the Specialized Tarmac SL8

Wilier's new all-rounder is a climber's dream with a brand new lightweight cockpit and frame, and you'll need at least £9,000 to own one. By our calculations, the frame, fork and seatpost combined are a shade lighter than Specialized's flagship road bike

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Wahoo ditches coin cell batteries and goes rechargeable with new Trackr heart rate monitor

The Trackr Heart Rate is the inaugural product in Wahoo's newly branded Trackr line-up, replacing the Tickr

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Garmin claims new Edge 1050 is “brightest, smartest and most connected cycling computer ever”… but there’s less battery life and no solar option

The Edge 1050 is priced at £649.99, with new features including a built-in speaker that can act as a bike bell, the ability to receive road hazard alerts and the use of Garmin Pay, though it comes with a shorter battery life than the outgoing Edge 1040

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The “fastest and most protective helmet in the peloton”, a new high-end turbo and mid-priced Merida: Five Cool Things we’re reviewing right now

This week we're previewing a helmet worn by the pros, a shiny new road bike, camo gravel shoes and more, with full reviews dropping soon

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Coming to a head near you soon? Cycling helmet with integrated airbag is one step closer to reality as POC patent approved

Following Hövding's bankruptcy last year, fellow Swedes POC and Autoliv have taken their own airbag helmet concept one step closer to production

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New Pinarello Dogma F: the secret’s out… so is it a secret you’d want to keep?

Ineos Grenadiers’ updated race bike is lighter than before but the real gains come through reduced drag, says Pinarello

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Colnago unveils all-new, “accessible” V4 based on its flagship V4Rs – but with £5,500 price tag

It's got the same monocoque frame and design as the V4Rs, but the V4 has more affordable components including an Ultegra Di2 groupset to make it around half the price

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Fizik introduces 3D-printed saddle service, with prices starting at £459

The brand's Adaptive line of 3D-printed saddles are set to become completely custom-made, but the advanced technology doesn't come cheap

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Liv introduces new lighter Langma with 33mm clearance, more aero and more efficiency: here are our first ride impressions

The third generation of this women-specific race bike has got big updates all round

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Mahle launches “bulletproof” X30 e-bike hub motor, offering 45Nm torque and weighing just 1.9kg

The new system is “robust and versatile” and is compatible with X20 components

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