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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This limited edition 'frozen' Colnago C64 with £550 off is literally the coolest thing in the Cyber Monday deals
But £550 barely scratches the surface when this beautiful bike costs £4,999 to start with...
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Cyber Monday mountain bike deals - we get gnarly to bring you the best off-road bargains
While we were looking for the best roadie deals we couldn't help noticing that there are a lot of mountain bikes and MTB kit on sale too...
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Best bike storage solutions 2023: hooks, racks and sheds
Looking for a bike storage solution that allows you to keep your bikes neat and tidy at home? We round out some of the best and explain the options
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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What kind of tires do you need for winter?
What you need to consider when switching tires for the winter months
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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How wide is too wide, is hookless pointless, are carbon spokes worth it and what aero innovations are coming next? We ask Parcours’ Dov Tate the big questions about road bike wheels
The dynamic British wheel brand talked to CW exclusively about a new study it's conducting on how to quantify aero wheel handling stability - the first of its kind - and we picked founder Dov Tate's brain about the other stuff, too
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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From the archive: 1950s Claud Butler gets ready to leave the Clapham factory
A young mechanic puts the finishing touches to this gleaming, handmade steel 'lightweight'
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Ineos-Grenadiers, Jumbo-Visma, Movistar and BikeExchange headline Zwift's Pro Training Camp from this month
Virtual training platform offers Zwifters the chance to train like - and with - pros as top WorldTour teams lead rides and supply workouts
By Simon Smythe • Published
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New Tacx Neo Bike Plus gets programmable shifters and more adjustability... and a much higher price
Upgraded smart bike keeps the same headline features as the existing model but Tacx has zoomed in on three areas to improve - and has put up the RRP
By Simon Smythe • Published
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'Riding to where my father was shot down in Vietnam gave my cycling a purpose' world champ Rebecca Rusch tells SRAM
SRAM's new podcast features ultra endurance rider and multiple world champion Rebecca Rusch on riding the 1,200-mile Ho Chi Minh trail to the crash site where her father died - and there are five more inspirational episodes with SRAM athletes
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Wahoo responds to Zipp's warranty threat: ‘Kickr Rollr causes no structural or cosmetic impact even under extreme test conditions’
US fitness brand publishes report from independent testing lab following a statement from Zipp that use of its wheels with the Kickr Rollr would void warranty
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Are you Eddy Merckx enough to ride the 1972 Tour de France? Grand Velo Tours is offering the ultimate bucket-list bike ride
British company invites you to channel your inner Cannibal and ride the whole of the best Tour route in history
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Rouleur Live: our favourite things from a £19K custom Battaglin to a free tin of Wahoo beer
From the sublime to the ridiculous - you decide which is which - we bring you our highlights of the weekend's bike show
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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New Garmin Instinct Crossover combines tradition and technology via analogue hands and smartwatch functionality
Along with 'real hands' are built-in sports apps, health and wellness features and solar charging, all of which set a new standard of hybrid smartwatch functionality according to Garmin
By Simon Smythe • Published
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World's first real denim cycling shorts about to launch - and they could be worn by AG2R Citroën
French UCI WorldTeam's kit supplier Rosti not ruling out a swap from the iconic brown shorts to denim - and either way the 'Bib Jeans' will go on sale to the public in February
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Are MTB brands taking over the gravel scene? YT is the latest one to muscle in with its new 'gravity' Szepter
'Gravel by category, gravity by nature' is YT's approach to its all-new Szepter platform
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Livall Pikaboost e-bike conversion kit is self-charging, takes 30 seconds to fit and will cost under $300/£300
Innovative new energy-saving electric bike converter launches on Kickstarter with a price that undercuts other popular e-bike conversion kits
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Mythos Elix 3D-printed stem review - technology in search of a component?
The world's first commercially available 3D-printed stem is a real statement, but what does it offer beyond its radical looks?
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Wahoo X aims at indoor and outdoor domination with latest expansion
Better integration with outdoor rides and 'in-app' voice chat on RGT are just a few of the highlights...
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Why is the internet so angry about Bianchi's new F1-inspired 'hyperbike'?
The new Bianchi Oltre RC: genuine 'aerovolution' or next-level marketing hyperbole?
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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The 5.9kg bike that won Britain’s most prestigious hill-climb was 'my dad's old Planet X frame from about 2010'
Monsal Hill Climb winner Gregg Booker talks CW though his idiosyncratic but superfast gravity-defying setup
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Sportful Pro Race Toe Covers review
These half-overshoes are wholly useful for days when it's not quite warm enough to leave home without some sort of toe protection
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Wahoo Powrlink Zero dual-sided power meter pedals - long-term review
Six months after they were launched, the lollipop-shaped power meter pedals are running as sweetly as ever
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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New Wahoo Elemnt Roam bike computer gets more accurate GPS, more memory and more colours - here's our first look
It looks mostly the same as the old one but the new Roam has a lot more horsepower under the hood
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Never mind the London Marathon, Britain's wackiest cycling time trial is go!
Three... two... one... have a good ride and try not to catch your superhero cape in your chain at the Team Bottrill fancy dress TT
By Simon Smythe • Published