It’s cycling season. And there’s no better way to keep your distance and get some exercise than taking your bike out on the open road – or mountain or woods. Before you do, it’s worth taking a look at how smart design is propelling the industry forward. Consider these latest innovations in bike design when you go out for a spin.
ADVENTURE BIKES
What It Means:
Rides ready for all types of terrain — from paved road to rugged gravel
Pros:
Versatility
Cons:
True cycling fanatics never really want to own just one bike
Who It’s Ideal For:
Minimalist urbanites with limited storage space
Example:
Litespeed Gravel
From $5,550, litespeed.com
Versatility is the name of the game with this jack-of-all-trades titanium stunner. The nimble frame’s geometry helps it maneuver like a road bike, but shock- and vibration-dampening tech means it’s ready to tackle mountain bike trails, too. Planning a bikepacking trip? Rack, fender, and top tube storage mounts are ready to carry your stuff.
ONE-BY DRIVETRAINS
What It Means:
A single-ring chainset that eliminates front shifting
Pros:
Simpler gear shifting and a lighter bike
Cons:
Bigger jumps between gears
Who It’s Ideal For:
Casual riders intimidated by complicated gear setups
Example:
Giant TCX Advanced SX
$2,600, giant-bicycles.com
Based on a cyclocross model but beefed up for longer rides on rougher roads, this 9.26-kilogram adventure bike features a frame and fork made of Giant’s advanced-grade composite. Its SRAM Apex 1×11-speed drivetrain is simple to operate but suited to a range of inclines.
AERO DESIGNS
What It Means:
Bikes with frames and features designed to reduce drag
Pros:
Boosts speed, stands out with a distinctive, elongated shape
Cons:
Heavier, and requires similarly streamlined clothing to really see benefits
Who It’s Ideal For:
Racers obsessed with reducing resistance by any means possible
Example:
Cervélo R5 Disc
$11,220, cervelo.com
Cervélo’s engineers managed to shave 44 grams o of their previous generation R5 and stiffen the bike’s frame to deliver this latest model, now a bona de racing machine. A D-shaped seatpost builds upon the next-level aerodynamics of the bike’s frame while also upping the comfort factor.
TUBELESS TIRES
What It Means:
Tire setups that don’t require an inner tube
Pros:
Liquid sealants flow out to patch small holes on the y and prevent pinch flats
Cons:
They add weight and can be tricky to fix in the event of a more extreme puncture
Who It’s Ideal For:
Recreational cyclists looking to cut down on flats
Example:
Cannondale Synapse Disc 105 SE
$2,000, cannondale.com
Ready for the roads less travelled, this 22-gear bike strikes a balance between performance and comfort. Its alloy frame has soft angles to keep riders relaxed over long treks, while SAVE — Synapse Active Vibration Elimination — technology stabilizes the bike in bumpy conditions. WTB STP i10 TCS rims are tubeless ready.
DISC BRAKES
What It Means:
Braking force is applied near the centre of the wheel rather than to the rim
Pros:
Powerful, perform well even when wet, and improve wheel durability
Cons:
Heavier than rim brakes, and hydraulic disc system repairs can be quite complex
Who It’s Ideal For:
All-weather warriors who don’t mind messy maintenance
Example:
Kindhuman Kampionne Disc
$9,865, kindhuman.cc
With a tapered downtube and wide bracing fork, this carbon-fibre bike’s aerodynamic frame makes it easy to zip through the air. But no matter what speeds you reach, Shimano E-Thru-axle disc brakes promise you’ll never lose stopping power — even when rain starts pouring or mud starts flying.
AERO GRAVEL GRINDERS
What It Means:
Aero tubing for speed, thicker wheels for control on gravel roads
Pros:
Convenience: No dropper post mishaps, no need for shock services, no cracked carbon frame, no tube changes required
Cons:
There’s no official network for gravel trails mapped out (but that could because for exploration)
Who It’s Ideal For:
Adventure-seeking mountaineers looking to beat their own record
Example:
Exploro 3T Bike
USD$3,599, 3t.bike
BMW teamed up with Italian cycling specialists 3T to develop the Exploro, the world’s first full-aero gravel bike, an all-roader with an aerodynamic carbon frame, the lightest carbon aero cranks on the market and up to 54mm tires for better control at high speeds.
E-BIKES
What It Means:
Tech-enhanced, battery-powered bikes that reduce your carbon footprint
Pros:
Compact, low maintenance, great for commuting
Cons:
Short battery life and long charging time
Who It’s Ideal For:
Design-minded, eco-friendly cyclists looking to minimize maintenance
Example:
Coleen x Aston Martin DB4 E-Bike
From €4,990, coleen-france.com
French e-bike maker Coleen joins forces with Aston Martin for the DB4, merging modern technology with traditional design. With a hydraulic brake system that outlasts traditional brakes, belt drive that’s easier to maintain than chain drive and a killer display, this is the city cyclist’s transport option of choice.
FOLDING BIKES
What It Means:
Compact road bikes with foldable frames for easier storage
Pros:
Bikes you can bring on the subway and fit under your desk
Cons:
Some have small wheels and frames
Who It’s Ideal For:
Urban commuters running out of space
Example:
Tuck Bike
Price TBA, tuckbike.com
Launching in September 2020 on Kickstarter, the Tuck Bike is the brainchild of British engineer Alex Animashaun, who has spent the last three years developing a cycle-friendly solution to the urban commute. Most foldable bikes have a smaller frame and wheels, but the Tuck Bike is a full-size bike that folds down to the size of a weekender bag. But the real lifesaver is the bike’s first-ever folding wheels system: carbon fiber spoked wheel and airless foam tires that collapse easily into three pieces and never need pumping.
