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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Knog PWR Trail 1100 review
Minimal-looking but feature-packed light that's brighter than the lumen count suggests
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Colnago adopts blockchain technology to 'combat theft and counterfeiting'
Italian brand partners with blockchain-based platform MyLime to ‘provide customers with proof of validity and ownership’
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Storck's new Aernario.3 Signature Disc weighs 6.2kg and costs under £9K
German boutique brand's super-light disc-brake bike is lighter than most mainstream flagship models and is priced lower too
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Ethan Vernon to debut Hope TT bike at World Championship U23 time trial
First international appearance for the roadgoing version of the Great Britain Hope x Lotus track bike
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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BiSaddle EXT Stealth review
The world's only adjustable saddle has a patented system that allows you to get your perfect saddle shape down to the last millimetre
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Chris Froome joins Supersapiens as technical advisor and investor - despite UCI ban on glucose trackers
Four-time Tour winner steps up involvement with the controversial Supersapiens energy management system which is no longer allowed in competition
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Swiss Side unveils aero measurement system that ‘sees’ aerodynamic drag in full colour
LED-equipped pressure measurement rake claimed to be ‘breakthrough technology for aero development’
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Longtermers: Simon Smythe's Hotta TT700 time trial bike
In the latest in our series that lifts the lid on Cycling Weekly staff members' own bikes, tech writer Simon Smythe explains why his Nineties Hotta is still outstanding in its field
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 v Ultegra R8100: what are the key differences?
We compare the weights, the performance differences and the prices of the two brand new top Shimano groupsets
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Hope HB.TT bike gets its first road time trial win with Ethan Vernon
Prototype roadgoing version of the Hope/Lotus Team GB bike is fastest in its first UK TT despite still being a 'work in progress'
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Bosch unveils integrated new Smart System for e-bikes, underlining its ambitions for ‘new e-mobility age’
New package of sophisticated software and hardware aimed at enhancing the e-bike experience in 'everyday life and leisure'
By Simon Smythe • Published
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New Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 and Ultegra R8100 launched with semi-wired, 12-speed shifting
The arrival of the new Shimano Dura-Ace groupset comes alongside a new Shimano Ultegra R8100 platform
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Pro bike: John Archibald's National 25-winning unbranded TT bike
We take a closer look at the TT rig that carried the Eolo-Kometa rider to a 45-minute ride on a foul day in Cumbria
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Over half of all Brits considering buying an e-bike, study finds
Bosch eBike Systems poll suggests for the first time the majority of UK is ready to embrace e-mobility
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Le Col x McLaren Project Aero LS jersey review
We went to the wind tunnel to test Le Col's new kit, developed with McLaren, and were blown away by its performance
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Team GB call for Denmark disqualification for illegal shin tape and aero undervests
Kinesiology tape on shins and drag-reducing undervests breached UCI regulations, says Great Britain's performance director Stephen Park
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Team GB Lotus x Hope track bike design ‘stolen’, claims Dutch bike brand
Kú Cycle threatening legal action for patent infringement if British Cycling refuses to recognise its claimed ownership of the wide fork design
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Team GB's secret smaller-pitch chains break cover ahead of Olympic track cycling events
Scaled-down drivetrain designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase stiffness - and hasn't yet been spotted by Team GB's rivals
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan • Last updated
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Team GB athletes react to the revolutionary Hope/Lotus Olympic track bike in a new film
Lotus film captures Team GB riders training for the Tokyo Olympics on the new track bike
By Simon Smythe • Last updated
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Wattbike puts prices up and calls on PM to help British businesses hit by spiralling costs
British smart-bike brand offers Boris Johnson a Wattbike to help keep him fit for the challenges ahead
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Hope's secret Olympic time trial bike didn't go to Tokyo but it will go into production next year
Cycling Weekly gets an exclusive look at the first prototype of the roadgoing Team GB Olympic track bike
By Simon Smythe • Published
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Cinelli Pressure road bike review
Cinelli's aero bike channels The Clash's London Calling album - but does it smash it?
By Simon Smythe • Published
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New flagship PRO Vibe Evo bar introduces ‘new era for integrated cockpits'
Shimano’s component brand promises aerodynamic and ergonomic advancements in all-new flagship bar/stem
By Simon Smythe • Published
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FFWD Ryot 55 DT350 wheelset review
Fast, aerodynamic and great-handling wheelset that would make a good upgrade - but there are more competitively priced wheels out there that are lighter too
By Simon Smythe • Last updated