Simon Smythe
Simon Smythe is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer.
In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. These days he spends a bit more time testing road bikes, or on a tandem doing the school run with his younger son.
What's in the stable? There's a Colnago Master Olympic, a Hotta TT700, an ex-Castorama lo-pro that was ridden in the 1993 Tour de France, a Pinarello Montello, an Independent Fabrication Club Racer, a Mercian Classic fixed winter bike and a renovated Roberts with a modern Campag groupset.
And the vital statistics:
Age: 53 Height: 178cm
Weight: 69kg
Latest articles by Simon Smythe
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Colnago V4Rs bike review - ultimate racing weapon that's not for the faint-legged
Pogačar's bike is designed specifically to win races - and you can tell
By Simon Smythe Published
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Best cycling water bottles 2024: how to find the perfect bidon for you
We've rounded up our pick of the best cycling water bottles to keep your fluid intake up, as well as guiding to find your ideal hydration station.
By Simon Smythe Last updated
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Sirrus case of déjà vu: the new Specialized Sirrus breaks all the rules... but haven't we been here before?
Specialized's radical new bike isn't first to try to break free of the diamond-frame template... and won't be the last
By Simon Smythe Published
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Shimano Cues: all-new ‘ecosystem’ to replace every groupset below 105
Phase one focuses on flat bar hybrids and e-bikes with interchangeable components across nine, 10 and 11-speeds; road components to follow at some point
By Simon Smythe Published
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Tech of the week: Adidas 2.0 road shoes, Koo Strade Bianche sunnies, Pirelli's fastest tyres yet and a POC helmet with pockets
With spring and the Classics just round the corner, there's loads of new kit to get excited about
By Simon Smythe Published
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AeroCoach unveils lustrous Aten 1x road chainring - the new gold standard?
British brand launches the road version of its super high-end track chainring
By Simon Smythe Published
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MAAP’s sustainable new road collection features ‘more recycled fabric content than ever before’
Australian brand's message is to do better for yourself, the people around you and the planet
By Simon Smythe Published
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What is the science behind the unreleased new Uno-X TT helmet? We ask the aero experts
Xavier Disley and Michael Hutchinson theorise about what might - or might not - make the most-talked-about lid the one to beat in 2023
By Simon Smythe Published
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Colnago C68 bike review - tradition and technology in perfect proportions
The latest model-C Colnago is still made in Italy and still has lugs, but it is a thoroughly 21st-century superbike
By Simon Smythe Published
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Wahoo launches steering for its RGT indoor cycling platform: 'a new level of strategy and engagement'
Added realism can be accessed via a new Kickr Steer smartphone accessory or existing thumb buttons on the Kickr Bike
By Simon Smythe Published
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New Cofidis Look prototype bikes photographed in full race setup at the Saudi Tour
Exclusive pictures of the unreleased prototype that Max Walscheid rode to a podium place on stage one
By Simon Smythe Published
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What a month off alcohol taught me about my cycling... and myself
Dry January is over - time to crack open a magnum of champagne, or crack on with the abstinence?
By Simon Smythe Published
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Rapha launches new flagship Explore Gore-Tex jacket - at £395/$530 you'd better not fall off...
New high-end jacket and trousers added to Explore off-road collection
By Simon Smythe Published
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UCI introduces mandatory 'height category' sticky labels for time trial and pursuit bikes
New downloadable labels to be the 'reference point for UCI commissaires' and must be visible on the top tubes of bikes in all UCI-sanctioned TT and pursuit events
By Simon Smythe Published
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Nude carbon is back and even sexier with 3T’s new Exploro Racemax Italia XXX
Made-in-Italy frames 'pull back the curtain' on in-house filament winding process with stunning results
By Simon Smythe Published
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Mark Cavendish photographed showing off his new Wilier Filante SLR team bike in Calpe
Manxman testing new team equipment in advance of his Astana debut in mid-February
By Simon Smythe Published
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Lost British speed record bike reappears for sale in Berlin - and a crowdfunding campaign aims to reunite it with owner Dave Le Grys
Doing 110mph on a closed motorway in 1986 was only the start of this bike's epic journey
By Simon Smythe Published
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How is Campagnolo down to one team in the WorldTour, why does SRAM supply seven women’s teams and what does Shimano pay Ineos? We asked the questions…
We take a look at the shifting fortunes of the groupset manufacturers
By Simon Smythe Published
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SRAM v Princeton ‘humpback whale wheel’ lawsuit goes to jury trial
Judge orders that lay people must decide whether or not Princeton CarbonWorks infringed Zipp's 'biomimicry' patents, as claimed by Zipp owner SRAM
By Simon Smythe Published
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Has NASA just invented a puncture-proof tyre that will last the life of your bike?
Airless wire mesh tyres originally invented for the Mars Rover are being developed for bikes and are hitting the market this year - and they could be the last ones you ever buy
By Simon Smythe Published
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Styling it out with Rigoberto Uran - how a pro puts on his Rapha team skinsuit
EF's 2023 kit isn't as funky as in previous years, but Rigo's moves more than make up for that
By Simon Smythe Published
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Oops! Unreleased Shimano 105 mechanical 12-speed groupset leaked - and it could be really cheap
US bike brand KHS's website lists a bike apparently with the unreleased groupset - and then takes down the page
By Simon Smythe Published
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New Dutch team TDT-Unibet unveils a Cannondale even louder than EF’s
YouTuber's dream team is aiming to make a big yellow-and-pink splash in its first year of competition
By Simon Smythe Published
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Wilier’s new Astana team edition: the prettiest bikes in the 2023 peloton?
Sumptuous 'chrome-plated graphite' scheme for the bikes that Mark Cavendish may or may not be riding this year
By Simon Smythe Published