With so many differing wheel types on the market and every brand claiming that its wheels are the fastest it can be a complete minefield trying to pick the perfect pair to suit your needs. The crucial questions we always get asked are how does rim depth matter and do you need deep section wheels. Questions Tech Ed Michelle Arthurs-Brennan has handily covered this week to help clear up in this handy feature.
Officina Battaglin launch gorgeous new Portofino Disc
The mirror-like Cromovelato finish can be customised dependent on the owner's taste.
Just look at it! Quite possibly the new Battaglin Portofino Disc has the best finish of any bike ever. Thanks to a mirror-like Cromovelato finish it manages to be both refined and stand-out at the same time. There's more to the frame than it's paint though. Underneath it utilises an oversized Columbus HSS steel tubeset that Battaglin join with a unique lugset to combine retro appeal with modern technology. A TIG welded bottom bracket ensures there's more than enough stiffness to cope with the power of the disc brakes.
Just seventy will be made this year and each lucky owner will have a full bike fit/measurement session with Italian racing legend Giovanni Battaglin to help create a truly custom bike.
Have you ever been size curious when it comes to your wheels? If you ride gravel chances are you have thought about switching from 700c to 650b or vice-versa. If you want to know what the change might do to your bike or find out if one is better than the other then you might just want to take a wander over to our feature and video where we discuss the relative merits of each, do some simple science and work out which wheels size is best.
Specialized's popular Sirrus hybrid commuter bike platform has had a revamp with a new, more capable cousin added; the Sirrus X. Built with bigger clearances for wider 42c tyres this is a Sirrus to break away from the urban landscape and go and explore the countryside. It still has the Sirrus' fast riding style but the geometry has been tweaked to make it a little more confidence inspiring when venturing off the tarmac.
Five models will be available in the UK. The top two models stand out for the inclusion of Specialized's Future Shock suspension system as first found in the new Roubaix and designed to help smooth out the bumps in the road ahead.
Yes, we're getting a little fed up of the weather too but at least there are a raft of alternatives to going outside and getting wet and cold (although that is still great fun). Top of the list is getting on the turbo and finding out what all the fuss is with virtual training such as that offered by Zwift and other such interactive apps.
James Bracey's career has seen him move from geography teacher, to MBR writer, to Cycling Weekly's senior tech writer and video presenter. He possesses an in-depth knowledge of bicycle mechanics, as well as bike fit and coaching qualifications. Bracey enjoys all manner of cycling, from road to gravel and mountain biking.
Chinese X-Lab vies for global domination as it equips XDS Astana with bikes for the WorldTour
Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle surprise!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a long top tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
