The world of bike tech exploded into life over the past seven days. Since we last checked in with you on Tech of the Week we’ve had new bikes from Giant, Merida and Cervélo, a boat-load of new set-ups at the opening week of the classics, and the return of Tiagra.
Yep, there are a few weary faces in the road.cc tech team begging for the weekend, so let’s round-out the most hectic period of 2026 so far with everything else that might have otherwise snuck through the net. We’ve got plenty to get through, so let’s dive straight in.
Cleat-based CycloWatt power meter soars past crowdfunding goal within days
The future of power meters? On Monday, we brought you the news that a cleat-based power meter was launching on Kickstarter. No, not one of these Kickstarter projects that gets stuck in a perpetual status of ‘launching soon’, this one’s actually gone live… and it’s doing rather well.
The Swiss start-up behind it claims the cleat-integrated, single-sided power meter installs in seconds, works with either Shimano SPD-SL and Look Keo pedals, and delivers ±3% accuracy.
> Cleat-based CycloWatt power meter launches on Kickstarter, promising easy swaps and low cost
As co-founder Levi Luder explained: “We have run several tests, and we are in the final development phase, improving the reliability of the measurement and reducing the stack height. We believe that we can conclude the development and final test by the end of May, since feedback has been very positive.”
The big news is that the crowdfunder has already smashed past its £3,451 goal and was rocketing north of £10,000 the last time we checked, more than 60 people backing the project in the opening days of the campaign. There are still 24 days to go, so there’s plenty more investment to come, you’d have thought.
CycloWatt’s designers say users won’t need specific pedals and it’ll be compatible with either Shimano SPD-SL or Look Keo pedals. When the cleat wears out, you keep the electronic section and replace the surrounding plastic for about £14.50. The claimed +/-3% accuracy is a greater margin for error than is claimed by most other power meters, Favero Assioma and Garmin claiming +/-1% for their systems. CycloWatt’s accuracy is apparently not affected by dirt, mud, or temperature changes.
Check out all the details in our full story on the launch…
Rapha promises gaps filled, upgrades to popular styles, and fresh colours as 2026 Pro Team range launched
Rapha’s spring/summer Pro Team range for 2026 is out now. There are some completely new products, the brand wanting to “fill gaps in its range”, such as the Pro Team Wind Jacket and Pro Team Cargo Bibs available for the first time outside of a special collection.
The Wind Jacket is the Pro Team version of Rapha’s existing jacket, the brand telling us it prioritises being highly packable and “perfect for early mornings” and waiting for that ride mate who’s late again.
Elsewhere, the familiar favourites such as the Pro Team Jersey II and Pro Team Training Jersey III have undergone tweaks to the established formula. In the former’s case that means “a more engaged” fit which, I’ve got to say, is the first time I’ve heard that description of a piece of cycling clothing (but maybe that’s a me problem). The Pro Team Training Jersey III has also been updated with longer sleeves.
“We’re not an AI Wiggo”: Alex Dowsett’s coaching platform
Former pro rider Alex Dowsett has a coaching app “that uses AI to give everyday cyclists the kind of responsive, personalised coaching that used to be exclusive to professionals”. It’s apparently the first AI-native training platform “built to think like a world-class coach, every day, for every athlete”.
Stride’s head of growth is certainly confident, this week telling us it’s “not an AI Wiggo”, a shot fired at the recent news that Bradley Wiggins has launched a £22-a-month AI coaching app. Stride is a fair bit cheaper at £12-per-month, but the people behind it believe it is “industry leading” and can offer amateur riders plenty of support in chasing a goal. It connects to devices or virtual training platforms, meaning workouts are instantaneously synced to your devices and platforms. Then, it uses AI to build a training plan towards said goal.
“Most cyclists aren’t training for a living. They’re fitting rides around jobs, families and everything else life throws at them and the tools they have don’t really account for that. Training plans don’t move when life does. Data piles up but doesn’t tell you what to actually do differently,” Stride’s head of growth gave us the sales pitch. “When your Tuesday ride gets cancelled or your weekend gets cut short, it doesn’t just log the missed session — it adapts around it.”
It’s not just new bikes… Giant announces new helmets too
If you missed it on Friday, Giant unveiled its “lightest Propel ever”, shunning the trend towards more radical aero road bikes. There’s also some new lids, Giant announcing the new Pursuit Mips and Rev Pro Mips helmets “designed to meet the evolving demands of modern performance riding”.
In this case, that means “refined aerodynamic efficiency”, more ventilation and, of course, validated protection. The Pursuit Mips, unsurprisingly given its name, is the performance-orientated option. It wouldn’t be Tech of the Week without a watt-saving claim, Giant saying this new version saves 1.66 watts versus the previous generation.
The Rev Pro Mips is the more comfort-focussed offering, designed to offer “a ventilation-forward approach”, even on the hottest days. It weighs 280g for a medium and both helmets feature Mips’ system too. The Pursuit is £199.99, while the Rev Pro is £189.99.
Hutchinson adds 32mm and 34mm widths to its Blackbird range
Hutchinson is hopping on the wide tyre trend, adding 32mm and 34mm options to its Blackbird range. Independent lab testing by the brand reportedly found that the 32mm tyres improved rolling resistance by five per cent versus the 30mm version. Add in the fact wider tyres are comfier and deal with dodgy roads more easily, it’s not hard to see why the brand says it reckons “the future points towards tyres sized 30mm and up”.
“A wider tyre performs better: it filters vibrations, provides damping, and, above all, delivers a level of stability you feel immediately, especially in high-speed corners,” the brand’s product manager Martin Chuchu explained.
”The change might be surprising at first, but once you get a taste for it, there is no going back. Width becomes a clear advantage: more stable, faster, and safer.”
Hutchinson confirmed the price will remain uniform across the range, regardless of width.
Colnago goes over to the dark side
Colnago has two new liveries for its V5Rs and Y1Rs, the ‘Dark’ stripping things back to allow the carbon fibre texture to take centre stage. The finish reflects the “ideal colour scheme for dedicated racers”, the Italian brand suggests. Specifically, full carbon with visible carbon-fibre layup, complemented by chrome-plated details. A minimum layer of transparent coating is sprayed to assure the quality of the finishing.
“No paint, no colours. A pure racing look,” Colnago says. If you want to send me one for my birthday I’m sure I’ll agree…
In case you missed it:
Giant unveils “lightest Propel ever”, shunning the trend towards more radical aero road bikes
- REVIEW: 3T Racemax 2 Italia
SRAM XPLR, DIY stem notes and electrical tape for the opening of the Classics
Is Shimano’s surprise Tiagra revamp an admission that its CUES project has failed?
Orbea’s new Carpe 10 urban electric bike slims down instantly for easy storage and charging
