Whether you’re looking for inspiration for the mountain-bike-loving lady or ladies in your life or you’re the woman in question and need to drop a few hints, allow us to help.

• Best mountain bike 2020: how to choose the right one for you
• Best mountain bike suspension forks: 10 trail/enduro forks tested

Heat Holders Ski Socks

Socks are the quintessential Christmas gift. They’re like a hug for your feet, keeping them snug and warm throughout the winter, and what’s more, they’re pretty much always guaranteed to fit, despite all the festive indulgence.

So, when when your giftee has spent the day getting her feet soggy at the trails, there’s nothing better than sliding them into some thick, warm socks afterwards, and ski socks are a great shout.

• £14.99

Juliana Beer Can Pint Glass

• Buy now from Stif MTB (£19.99)

If your loved one enjoys cracking open a pint of her favourite liquid gold after a day of shredding, why not give her something to enjoy it from?

It’s bound to taste twice as good in this Juliana glass, which is shaped like a beer can and holds a full pint (that’s 16oz for those not using the metric system). 

Whether or not her bike is a Juliana, she’s bound to appreciate a gift that’s simple yet celebrates one of only a handful of women-specific MTB makers.

• £19.99 / $10

Sealskinz Waterproof Cable Knit Bobble Hat

What’s better than a super-snug knitted bobble hat to keep your head warm after a ride? One that keeps it dry as well.

This hat is claimed to be totally waterproof, as well as breathable and windproof. Plus it looks great and comes in a funky purple colour.

• £28 

Camelbak Solstice LR 10 Low Rider Hydration Pack 

If you’re buying for the kind of mountain biker who goes off on long treks in the wilderness, help her stay hydrated with this hydration pack from Camelbak.

The Low Rider is designed specifically for mountain biking, and it keeps the centre of gravity nice and low and frees the upper body to move as it needs to. 

• £114.99 / $157

Fox Live Fast Pin Pack

If you’re just looking for a stocking filler or Secret Santa gift, then these cute pins from Fox are a nice idea for a woman who loves mountain biking. She can add a little flair to her favourite bag, hat or jacket, and show off her passion for the muddy magic of mountain biking.

The pack contains four adorable designs, including a full-face helmet and the iconic Fox logo. The locking pin backs should keep them nice and secure too, so she can take them with her out on the trails.

• £10

Patagonia Better Sweater Jacket

In case you haven’t spotted a pattern here yet, let us spell it out for you: mountain biking in the winter is really fun, but leaves you shivering afterwards. Anything to help your giftee keep warm post-ride is sure to be well received.

Patagonia’s Better Sweater fulfils that need, plus it’s made from recycled polyester, which wins you some eco-friendly brownie points as well.

• £100 / $139

Cycle of Good Inner Tube Coin Purse

• Buy now from Cycle Store (£7.49)

Staying on the green side of things, everyone loves an upcycled inner tube gift, don’t they? What’s more, a day at the bike park requires some coinage for the cafe and bike wash. So this coin purse fashioned from recycled inner tubes makes a great practical gift, and it’s small enough to fit into a pocket.

• £7.49 / €8.75

Inspirational coasters

• Buy now from >Amazon (>£3.75 ea)

Coasters are always a nice, functional addition to someone’s decor, and these mountain- and forest-inspired prints will have any mountain biker raring to get out on their bike every time they have a cup of tea. There are several designs available but these are our favourites.

• £3.75 each

Disc Brake Pendant

• Buy now from Cycling Jewellery (£129)

Jewellery is a traditional present, but that doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze a bike reference in. This necklace, from the aptly named Cycling Jewellery website, features a sterling silver disc brake rotor that’s sure to go down exceptionally well.

• £129

Coaching session or skills camp

Whether she’s an air-loving park queen, a clock-beating enduro racer, or just someone who’d like to progress her skills, a coaching session or a skills camp can make a big difference.

One of the great things about mountain biking is how accessible and supportive its pro-racers are. She can learn from the very best.

Here are just some of the many camps and coaches around and a quick Google search will throw up more in your area. Pricing varies.

UK:

• Katy Curd – Elite downhill racer, world champion 4X racer and qualified coach
• Bike Park Wales
• One Planet Adventure
• Flow MTB
• Singletrack School
• Dale Trails

US:

• Ladies AllRide
• Leigh Donovan – World champion downhill racer, MTB and BMX Hall of Fame inductee, and coach
• Women in the Mountains
• LW Coaching
• Ninja Mountain Bike Performance

Canada:

• Sweet Skills
• Dialed in Cycling
• Zep Techniques

Australia:

• Australian Mountain Biking Association women’s development program
• Bike Rite
• Thredbo Gravity Girls

Of all the components on your bike, when it comes to comfort, the saddle is perhaps the most important. It’s also one of the most personal choices because everyone’s anatomy and riding style is different.

This presents a number of problems though. There are road-specific issues such as how aggressive your position is and the fact you might have to sit on something for a number of hours in one go. But chiefly, how are you supposed to find out what’s best for you personally?

In reality, the best way to know is to test every option yourself until you find nirvana, but that’s obviously not realistic. It is more realistic for us to test those options for you though, so that’s precisely what we’ve done.

Our team of expert testers have ridden a huge range of different saddles, in various shapes and sizes, and we’ve assembled a list of what we think are the most comfortable bike seats for road cycling.

While this might not quite be a substitute for personal testing, this guide should help you narrow down your choices and enable you to make a more informed decision for your next purchase.

For more information on what to look for when purchasing a saddle, scroll down to our full buyer’s guide.

Selle Italia Novus Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow

• £220 / €239.90 / $299.99
• Comfortable with plenty of freedom to move around
• ID-match fit system helps you find the right size

It’s not cheap and it has a frankly ridiculous name, but we got on really well with the Selle Italia Novus Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow – it’s an extremely comfortable saddle that’s especially well suited to aggressive riding positions.

Thanks to Selle Italia’s ID-match fit system, our tester was able to quickly find the right size, and if you can’t quite stomach the price of this top of the range model, the Novus Boost starts at a more affordable £79.99 / $109.99 / €89.90.

• Click here to read our full review of the Selle Italia Novus Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow

Specialized Power Pro Elaston

• £190 / €239.90 / $275
• Amazing anatomical features
• Incredibly comfortable

The Specialized Power saddle has existed for a few years, and is generally very well regarded, but the addition of Specialized’s Elaston technology is another game changer – it looks like a load of tiny pillows on the surface of the saddle, and to be honest, that’s pretty much how it felt in use.

Our tester said the Specialized Power Pro Elaston was as close to perfection as he’d ever experienced – high praise indeed. So why not five stars? Well the price is pretty high and the looks aren’t our favourite, but if those things don’t bother you, this could be the last saddle you’ll ever buy.

• Click here to read our full review of the Specialized Power Pro Elaston

Tioga Undercover Stratum

• £170
• Lightweight
• Plush ride

The Tioga Undercover Stratum saddle uses a web-like shell covered in a thin X-Pad SL closed-cell EVA foam. The foam layer takes care of vibrations, while the shell’s role is to flex under pressure – something it does very well.

Helped by a decent sized central cutout, comfort levels are fantastic, and at just 145g it’s also a very lightweight saddle.

If the high price puts you off, there are cheaper versions available with CrMo or titanium rails.

• Click here to read our full review of the Tioga Undercover Stratum

Fizik Aliante R1 Open

• £164.99 / €179 / $199
• Great shape
• Central channel offers good pressure relief

The Open is Fizik’s latest update to the popular Aliante saddle. The channel isn’t as deep along the full length as on Aliante Versus models, but the hull gains a hole in a key area.

These changes combine to give the feel of the classic Aliante shape – with its kicked-up rear section providing a bit of extra leverage when climbing – but with much reduced pressure on your sensitive parts.

At just 196g, the carbon railed version is also reasonably lightweight, making it the perfect addition to a race bike.

• Click here to read our full review of the Fizik Aliante R1 Open

Fizik Aliante R1 Versus Evo

• £189.99 / €210 / €199
• Lightweight
• Comfortable

The Aliante R1 Eve differs from the Open version by having a more flexible carbon hull and more generous padding.

It’s designed to be the ideal Aliante for endurance riders, but we found it was also very good if you spend a lot of time hammering away in the drops, sitting forward on the nose of the saddle.

There, the generous padding and channel help relieve pressure on your soft tissue, but still offer a stable platform to put the power down from.

It weighs just 188.7g too, so it’s nicely lightweight for such a pillowy saddle.

• Fizik Aliante R1 Versus Evo review

Prologo Dimension Nack

• £200 / €195
• Great shape
• Good balance of comfort and stiffness

At 157.6g, the Prologo Dimension Nack is one of the lightest short saddles we’ve tested. Like the Specialized Power saddle, it has a large pressure-relief channel, with high density padding and a stepped nose that makes riding in an aggressive position very comfortable.

The cover’s printed texture works well at keeping you in position when it’s dry, but it’s less effective in the wet – this isn’t ideal when the saddle is designed around you staying in one position all of the time, but it wasn’t a major issue.

The only real downside is the price of the carbon railed version, but you can get a version with ti-alloy rails for £80 less if you don’t mind it gaining 20g in weight.

• Click here for our full review of the Prologo Dimension Nack

Prologo Dimension NDR Tirox CPC

• £165 / €159
• Comfortable
• CPC cover is very grippy

The Prologo Dimension NDR Tirox CPC uses carbon fibre for it hull construction, with varying degrees of thickness for targeted stiffness and flexibility across the saddle. This, combined with the generously sized P.A.S. (perineal area system) channel and NDR high-density padding, makes it a supremely comfortable saddle.

The CPC cover is a real advantage. The tiny volcano-shaped rubberised tubes offer phenomenal grip in both wet and dry conditions, and keep you firmly planted in the right place.

The only downside is it comes in just one width – 143mm – so if this doesn’t suit your anatomy, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

• Click here to read our full review of the Prologo Dimension NDR Tirox CPC

Scicon Elan

• £180 / €199 / $229
• Supreme comfort
• Grippy surface texture

Despite the Elan being Scicon’s first ever racing saddle, it’s a great start. The padding is very generous, and this combined with a large, central cutout and flexible hull means it’s a supremely comfortable saddle.

It’s short and wide design means it’s great for hunkering down in an aggressive position, with the grippy surface texture helping to prevent positional slippage, but it’s just as comfortable for long days out too.

Our only complaint is the underside is a touch sloppily finished, with a few creases and some exposed staples.

• Click here to read our full review of the Scicon Elan

Specialized Power Arc Pro

• £175 / $225
• Two choices of width
• Lightweight

The Power Arc Pro is a more recent addition to Specialized Power range. It features the same sizings and length as a standard Power saddle, but uses a more curved shape. Specialized says this gives a feeling of sitting “in the saddle” rather than on it.

Our tester found it to be a very comfortable racing saddle, with the large, central cut-out providing excellent pressure relief. We also liked that it comes in multiple widths to suit different riders’ anatomies.

• Click here to read our full review of the Specialized Power Arc Pro

Syncros Tofino 1.0

• £134.99 / €164
• Plush padding
• Effective cut-out design

At 248mm long and 135mm wide, it’s slightly longer and narrower than other short saddles, such as the Specialized Power, but the flat profile, large cut-out and plush padding make this a very comfortable perch nevertheless.

As expected for a saddle of this price, the base and rails are both carbon, and there are hidden mounting bolts for a range of accessories. Curiously though, the rails lack any positioning or clamping limit marks, so setting it up can be a bit of a hassle.

• Click here to read our full review of the Syncros Tofino 1.0

What to look for when buying a road saddle

Gender

It’s an unfortunate fact that most road saddles are designed with male anatomy in mind by default.

That’s not to say that a saddle designed for men can’t work for women too, but the realities of biology mean fit requirements are likely to be somewhat different.

Don’t worry though, BikeRadar has handily produced a guide to the best women’s road bike saddles, so if you’re yet to find saddle nirvana, this could be a great place to start your search.

Shape

The most important differentiator between road saddles is shape. Long, curved shapes like the Selle San Marco Concor were the hot item through the eighties and nineties, then we had long and flat like the Fizik Arione in the 2000s, and more recently the trend has been for short and wide, such as the Specialized Power.

Personal preference will always play a big role, so ideally you want to be able to try out saddles of different shapes before you commit to anything. That said, it’s becoming more generally accepted that for optimum comfort and performance you want to put the pressure on your sit bones and off any surrounding soft tissue, so finding a saddle that enables you to do this is often crucial.

A high quality bike fit from a reputable brand can be a godsend here – all good fitters should have a sizeable range of saddles for you to try. You can of course go it alone, but the trial and error process can get expensive very quickly unless you beg, borrow and steal from your riding buddies.

If you’re taking part in time-trials or triathlons it’s also worth considering a saddle specifically designed for those disciplines, such as an ISM saddle. These saddles tend to feature more radical shapes and designs, all with the intention of maximising soft tissue pressure relief while in an aggressive riding position.

Width

Once you’ve found a shape that works for you, the next variable to look at is width.

Some brands make a bigger deal about width than others, but no one’s anatomy is the same, so it intuitively makes sense that sit bone width will vary between riders.

Specialized, for example, offers an in-store method of measuring the distance between your sit bones and determining the ‘correct’ width saddle you require. A comprehensive bike fit would also take this variable into account.

Length

As already mentioned, the current trend is for shorter saddles that aim to fix you in a single position (i.e. with the pressure on your sit bones) while you ride.

This doesn’t work for everyone though, and there are many who prefer the extra room to move around that a longer saddle provides. Longer saddles offer the opportunity to shift your weight around, rather than keep it concentrated in one place for the duration of your ride.

This sounds great in principle, but if you’re finding that you just can’t get comfortable on any saddle, and need extra length to move around and constantly relieve the pressure on your undercarriage, there may be other fit issues at play, such as excessive saddle to bar drop.

In any case, if you’re suffering, it’s always worth seeking out professional advice from a reputable fitter.

Padding

It might be counterintuitive, but when it comes to padding, less is often more. Shape is usually the biggest determinant of comfort, hence why full carbon saddles can be surprisingly comfortable.

That said, most saddles do incorporate some sort of padding as a method of protecting against vibrations and bumps in the road. Generally speaking, though, we would tend to recommend harder padding for road cycling because a saddle that’s too soft can often lead to an inconsistent fit over the course of a long ride.

If you’re finding pressure building up in specific areas, more often than not it’s a problem with shape or width, rather than a lack of padding.

Again, we’ll have to caveat this by saying that everyone is, of course, different and that a good bike fit is often the best way of targeting any specific issues you’re having.

Zwift is taking the indoor cycling world by storm at the moment, and with winter well and truly underway here in the Northern Hemisphere, you might be thinking about taking the plunge and investing in a dedicated setup.

However, it can be hard to know exactly what you need or how much money you should spend to get your ideal set up.

With that in mind, we’ve examined all of the options and put together a guide to the best Zwift setups for every rider and every budget. We’ve covered it all; from entry-level to the ultimate high-end Zwift indoor training configuration.

Why should you use Zwift?

Zwift is a great way to race and train. It can be used throughout the year, at any time of the day or night.

It’s an online virtual cycling game, with different worlds to ride around, group rides to join, workouts and training plans to complete, and even races to be won and lost.

Zwift is great not just for taking the boredom out of indoor training, but is so fully-featured that it can be considered an ideal complement to riding outside, rather than simply an alternative.

If you’re totally new to Zwift, you can check out our complete guide to the platform, which sets out everything you need to know about all of the current major features.

What do you need to get started?

You do need to sign up for a Zwift account, which can be done on a Mac or PC via zwift.com/create_account, or on a compatible tablet or mobile device via the Zwift app, which is available through the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Once you’ve created an account, you’ll get a seven-day free trial if you signed up online, or 25km of free riding if you sign up via the Apple App Store. Once that’s finished, you’ll need to sign up for a subscription, which costs £12.99 / $14.99 per month.

Again, we’ve covered this in lots more detail in our complete guide to Zwift, so if you’re feeling confused, give it a read for the full run-down.

Best budget Zwift setup

At its most basic, you need the following equipment:

• A bike
• A trainer or a set of rollers
• An ANT+ or Bluetooth measurement tool: a power meter, smart trainer or speed/cadence sensor
• A compatible computer, smartphone or tablet with Bluetooth or ANT+ (or an ANT+ USB dongle)

Most people will probably want to start here because many dedicated cyclists will likely have access to a lot of this equipment already.

If you currently own an ANT+ or Bluetooth compatible measurement tool, such as a modern power meter, Zwift can use the data from that device to power your on-screen avatar. You’ll obviously miss out on features such as course/gradient simulation, but this is a good option if you don’t want to invest in a new trainer.

It is worth noting that if you’re using an iOS device, then connecting via Bluetooth is your only option at this point.

Those without a power measurement tool will need a speed/cadence measurement device instead. 

Something like Wahoo’s RPM Speed and Cadence Cycle Sensors are what you’re looking for, but any Bluetooth or ANT+ speed sensor should work.

If you are just using a speed/cadence sensor, then Zwift has two methods of calculating virtual watts.

The first way is for Zwift to use the known power curve of your trainer. If you own a trainer that Zwift has tested (the full list of compatible trainers can be found on Zwift’s website) this can be a fairly accurate way of measuring power, but your in-game wattage will be capped at 1,200 watts.

With that in mind, the Saris Fluid 2 trainer could be a good option if you don’t already own a turbo trainer – we gave it five stars when we reviewed it back in 2013, and it’s on Zwift’s supported list for virtual power.

If you have an unsupported trainer, Zwift will try to make a rough calculation based on your wheel speed, but realistically this is a last ditch option, so don’t expect the numbers to be particularly accurate. Your in-game wattage will also be capped at 400 watts, so this isn’t a great long-term solution for many.

You’ll also need some kind of stand for your phone, tablet or computer – but you can just as easily make do with a few boxes stacked on top of a chair or stool, if that’s all you have available.

Finally, you’re going to need some sort of fan. A cheap desktop fan such as this one from Argos will work fine, if you can get it in the right position.

Best mid-range Zwift setup

The mid-range is dominated by wheel-on smart trainers.

With a wheel-on smart trainer you’ll be able to access all of the features Zwift has to offer, such as simulated courses and gradients, power based workouts and training plans, group rides, races, etc. They’re a great way for riders on a budget to get into interactive training.

Our current favourite wheel-on smart trainer is the Saris M2. We were impressed not only with the price, but also with its performance compared to pricier, direct-drive trainers.

It has a claimed power accuracy of +/- 5 per cent, but in practice our tester found it generally kept within 3 per cent of his Garmin Vector power meter pedals.

A dedicated trainer table with extendable legs will help you easily get your laptop or tablet at eye level, as well as provide a convenient place to put your phone and spare water bottle.

You’ll want to get a riser block for your front wheel too, if the trainer you purchase doesn’t come with one. This levels out the bike and holds the front wheel in place for better stability.

You might also consider a trainer-specific tyre, but you’ll ideally need a spare wheel to put this on because swapping tyres every time you want to use the trainer isn’t practical.

Finally, if you’ve got a little bit more money to spend, it’s worth investing in a slightly more powerful fan than recommended in our budget set-up, to help keep you cool and comfortable, such as this Vornado 460 Small Air Circulator – but anything similar will do.

Best top-end Zwift setup

At the top-end, the market is dominated by direct-drive smart trainers.

With a direct-drive trainer, you remove the rear wheel and connect your bike to the trainer via a standard cassette.

The advantage of this is that there’s no wear on your rear tyre, and the best ones are able to offer better power accuracy, as well as a quieter and more realistic ride feel than a wheel-on trainer – usually thanks to them having a larger flywheel.

They’re also generally able to simulate steep gradients and offer better support for higher wattage outputs because there’s no risk of the tyre slipping on the trainer during sprint efforts.

Even though direct-drive smart trainers are a top-end option, there’s a range of price points to choose from, but the best ones generally cost over £500.

A reasonably accessible option is the Tacx Flux S. At an RRP of £549, it’s an excellent value route into direct-drive trainers. Its specs might not match up to its more expensive competitors on paper, but in reality it’s a great trainer that offers more than enough power and resistance for the vast majority of riders.

For only £150 more, the Elite Suito (RRP £650) is another good option. It’s ever so slightly louder than some of the best direct-drive trainers we’ve tested, but it’s performance, ease of use and stability make it a great option.

At this level, you may even want to consider playing Zwift on a TV, so that you can really enjoy the virtual worlds in all their glory. You could connect a laptop or tablet to your TV via an HDMI cable, but the easiest and possibly most cost efficient way (if you don’t already own a suitable laptop or tablet) is to use an Apple TV 4k because there’s a dedicated app for that platform.

In terms of top-end fans, the Wahoo Kickr Headwind can simulate a headwind of up to 38mph / 48kph, with the fan speed controlled by your effort level – which can be measured in speed, power or heart rate.

The ultimate Zwift setup

If money is truly no object, then there’s still another tier of Zwift setup you can reach.

At this level you really will have to have deep pockets because costs can spiral out of control very quickly. But, if you take your Zwifting seriously and you’ve got the cash to spend, why not treat yourself?

One of the most fully-featured direct-drive smart trainers is the Tacx Neo 2T Smart. At an RRP of £1,200, it’s not cheap, but it has excellent ride feel thanks to its virtual flywheel, a claimed power accuracy of +/- 1 per cent, and it can even simulate descents and different surfaces (such as cobbles and gravel).

Similarly, Elite’s top of the range Drivo II is able to simulate gradients up to 24 per cent and has a monstrous maximum power of 3,600 watts at 60kph – so if you’ve got legs like Chris Hoy it could be one to consider.

If you use a Wahoo Kickr trainer, you can also make use of the Wahoo Kickr Climb, which attaches to the bike’s front dropouts and simulates climbs of up to 20 per cent and descents of -10 per cent, for a more immersive experience.

But, if you’re able (and willing) to spend even more, there’s a recent trend towards dedicated smart indoor training bikes.

There’s the Wahoo Kickr Bike, for example, which is claimed to “blur the line between the indoor reality and an outdoor experience”. There are also offerings available, either now or in the near future, from Stages, WattBike, Tacx and SRM.

These are definitely halo products and will likely be out of reach for most people, but they have some key specs that differentiate them from even the best smart trainers, if your budget stretches this far.

Bike fit and crank length are usually highly adjustable, for example, and many models allow you to customise shifting and even chainring or cassette profiles. They often claim better ride feel and power accuracy, have support for higher maximum power outputs, and can also offer even greater degrees of gradient and descent simulations.

An obvious drawback to these indoor bikes is that they can’t be folded away for easy storage, so you really need a dedicated space to train.

In terms of other equipment, everything else from the top-end tier applies here, unless you find that a TV is just too small for your ultimate pain cave and might want to consider a >projector and >cinema screen to create the truly ultimate experience.

The benefits over a top-end setup will probably only be marginal, but marginal gains are gains nevertheless. So, if you’re looking to squeeze out every last watt from your sessions, spending this kind of money could be worth it.

Indoor training is a staple of many cyclists’ lives, especially during the winter months, and while it was once something that most people dreaded, it’s now possible to make it bearable or, dare we say it, even fun.

With Black Friday just on the horizon, we’re starting to see great deals on smart trainers, turbo trainers and accessories popping up everywhere, so we’ve rounded up a few of the very best offers so you don’t have to spend your own time scouring the internet.

CycleOps M2 Trainer – £499.99 £299.99

CycleOps was recently rebranded as Saris, and the M2 is one of the best wheel-on smart trainers we’ve tested.

We reviewed it recently as part of our smart trainer group test, and we were very impressed with its simplicity, price and power accuracy. With 40 per cent off, it represents even better value and is a great way to get into interactive training.

• Buy the CycleOps M2 Trainer from Rutland Cycling with a 40% discount

Cyclops Basic Mag Kit – £195 £84.99

Smart trainers might be all the rage right now, but standard ‘dumb’ turbo trainers still work just as well as before – they’re also vastly cheaper.

If, for example, you’ve already got a power meter on your bike, you can still connect to Zwift or do power-based workouts with a turbo trainer such as the Cycleops Mag. You won’t be able to replicate the virtual terrain, but it’s a great way to get into online training on the cheap.

Furthermore, if you’ve never owned an indoor trainer before, this kit could be the ideal introduction because it has everything you need to get started: the trainer, a trainer mat, a riser block and a towel.

• Buy the Cycleops Basic Mag Kit from Rutland Cycling with a 56% discount

Elite Drivo direct-drive smart turbo trainer – £1,200 £589

Just because Elite has released the Drivo II recently, doesn’t mean the original Drivo isn’t still a great smart trainer.

It’s user friendly and has claimed power accuracy of +/- 1 per cent alongside vast amounts of resistance (up to 2,300 watts). We gave it 4 out of 5 stars when its RRP was £1,200 in 2017, so it looks to be a serious steal at such a heavy discount. 

• Buy the Elite Drivo smart trainer from Halfords with a 51% discount

Elite Novo Force – £230.99 £105.94

The Elite Novo Force is a solid entry-level trainer, but we felt it was let down simply by its high price. However, with a hefty discount it’s a much more attractive option.

It’s a magnetic trainer with five different resistance settings, which ought to be enough for most indoor training. Its light, sub-10kg weight and portability also make it ideal as a trainer to take with you to warm up before races.

• Buy the Elite Novo Force from Amazon with a 54% discount

Tacx Satori smart trainer – £259.99 £219.99

The Tacx Satori is one of the cheapest smart trainers on the market. It doesn’t have the ability to allow software to vary its resistance like pricier models, but you can adjust this using the integrated shifter.

What it does do is broadcast cadence, power and speed over both Bluetooth and ANT+, making it a bargain way into the world of interactive training apps.

• Buy the Tacx Satori smart trainer from Amazon with a 15% discount

Get a hit of riding enthusiasm for this winter with the latest issue of MBUK, featuring a six-page mud-riding masterclass, a waterproof jackets group test, and wild adventures in the Lake District.

Plus, MBUK test eight of next year’s most exciting bikes, and Antur Stiniog’s new trails get thrashed. All this and loads more are crammed into this month’s issue.

First out of the gate

MBUK‘s bike test crosses genres to bring you reviews on eight of next year’s hottest bikes; from Ribble’s new titanium hardtail to Scott’s latest Gambler downhill bike and everything in-between. Grab a copy of the mag if you want to know how next year’s leading bikes stack up.

Inside the tornado

Take a behind-the-scenes look at Brendan Fairclough’s emotional, terrifying and extraordinary week at this year’s Red Bull Rampage. Find out his insights into the whole event, and just what it means to throw down on some of the world’s scariest lines.

Master the mud

Even though winter throws us some miserable weather, the riding doesn’t have to stop. With 30 years of winter riding experience, MBUK delivers a comprehensive six-page guide on how to get the best from yourself and your bike this winter. So instead of suffering, you can thrive.

Waterproof jackets

Possibly the most essential item of kit you need for winter is a good waterproof jacket. MBUK puts 15 bike and non-bike specific jackets, covering a range of budgets, through a good soaking to recommend which is best this winter.

Antur Stiniog

One of the most recognisable and intimating UK bike parks has had a revamp to make it more beginner-friendly. Including two new flow trails and a new red and black run.

Elliott Heap and Owain James show MBUK’s Ed Thomsett just how much fun this place has to offer.

Uplift overview

Pick up a mag, make a brew and take ten to check out Sam Hill’s Ferrari-red Nukeproof Mega 290c superbike, read about Tahnee Seagrave taking on the Red Bull Formation, Steve Behr’s scariest moments from snapping pics for three decades, and loads more. Best take 15 then.

Free gift

Planning next year’s trips is a brilliant way to keep you motivated to ride through the winter and luckily MBUK’s 2020 calendar is this month’s free gift.

Black Friday 2019 is just days away and sales, offers and deals are ramping up rapidly.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade, refresh or update, a fresh groupset can breathe new life into your bike, and we’ve collated the best deals we can find for mountain and road bike groupsets on the web.

Campagnolo Record 12-speed disc groupset – £1,799.99 £1,424.99

• Campagnolo Record 12-speed first ride review

Campagnolo’s Record groupset is absolutely drool-worthy – a 12-speed cassette, disc brakes and a handsome overall look combine to create blingtastic jewellery for your bike.

It doesn’t just look good though, our first ride impressions were very positive about its form matching function with the groupset providing a very reliable ride. If you want an exotic upgrade for your bike, look no further.

• Buy the Campagnolo Record 12-speed disc groupset with up to a 20% discount from Wiggle

SRAM Red eTap AXS hydraulic groupset – £1,800 £1,099

Why not go 12-speed and wireless with SRAM’s newest range-topping Red AXS groupset this Black Friday?

The innovations don’t stop at the extra sprocket though; with a 10-tooth smallest cog, Red AXS uses smaller chainrings to save weight. The cassette options, up to 33 teeth, also mean that you can stay on the large ring over more terrain.

The AXS smartphone app lets you tune your shifting to match your riding style as well. The single ring option is priced at ‘just’ £1,049.

• Buy SRAM Red eTap AXS hydraulic groupset for £1,099 from Sigma Sports

Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 groupset – £1,874.99 £1,039.99

• Read our Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 review

While SRAM still dominates in the mountain bike sector, we’d argue that Shimano still has the upper hand when it comes to road builds.

For the ultimate in bling, performance and quality why not treat yourself to the very tasty pro-level Shimano Dura-Ace groupset. It’s currently available at a stupendous discount and you’ll be the envy of all your riding buddies.

• Buy the Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 groupset with a 44% discount from Wiggle

Shimano Ultegra R8000 groupset – £1,099.99 £549.99

Jack Luke / Immediate Media

• Read our Shimano Ultegra R8000 groupset review

Another option is Shimano Ultegra, with the most recent groupset one of the best the company has ever made (we gave it a rare five stars), and right now it is available with a healthy discount.

• Buy the Shimano Ultegra R8000 groupset with a 50% discount from Chain Reaction Cycles

• Buy the Shimano Ultegra R8020 hydraulic disc groupset with a 30% discount from Wiggle

Shimano 105 R7000 groupset — £575 £399.95

• Read our Shimano 105 R7000 groupset overview

Ahh, good ol’ 105 – the blue-collar hero of groupsets.

Taking many of its styling cues from the higher-end Ultegra, R7000 promises improved performance across the board, all while remaining at a competitive price point.

• Buy the Shimano 105 R7000 groupset with a 30% discount from Merlin

Campagnolo Potenza hydraulic disc groupset — £1,444.99 £849.99

• Read our Campagnolo Potenza groupset review

Campagnolo Potenza is best thought of as Chorus cast in alloy and is becoming increasingly common spec on a number of bikes.

It sits at roughly the same level as Ultegra, so if you want to go Italian, then this might just be a great choice.

• Buy the Campagnolo Potenza hydraulic disc groupset with a 41% discount from Wiggle

SRAM X01 Eagle groupset – £1,057.99 £749.99

• Read our SRAM X01 Eagle first ride review

SRAM X01 is a top-tier groupset that is pitched as a hardier and more durable version of the racier XX1. That makes it perfect for the rigours of everything from trail riding to enduro.

It’s usually an expensive proposition, but this discount might help sweeten the deal.

• Buy the SRAM X01 Eagle groupset with a 29% discount from Wiggle

Shimano XT M8000 1×11 groupset — £499.99 £349.99

• Read our Shimano XT M8000 groupset review

Build up your drivetrain around Shimano’s groupsets and you won’t have a potentially costly upgrade to a SRAM XD Freehub body, or Shimano’s own new Microspline freehub that was introduced with its new XTR M9100, XT 8100 and SLX M7100 groupsets.

You still get a decent range, but only 11 gears. However, you get proven Shimano reliability and a great performing drivetrain at an even more reasonable price.

• Buy the Shimano XT M8000 groupset with up to a 30% discount from Wiggle

If you like Oakley’s more casual styled sunnies, but still want on-bike performance, from today Evans Cycles is discounting its Targetline, Latch and Crossrange styles for the Black Friday weekend. 

Oakley Targetline carbon Prizm road sunglasses – £125 £85

Usually £125, the Targetline design is now priced down to £85.

Although it will work well for everyday use, it’s still great for riding, coming with Oakley’s Prizm lenses for enhanced contrast and a wide field of vision.

There’s a wrap-around frame design to avoid side glare, and Oakley says that the lens’s lower radius of curvature lets you fit a wider range of prescriptions too.

• Buy Oakley Targetline Prizm glasses for £85 from Evans Cycles

Oakley Crossrange Round Prizm sunglasses – £150 £104.99

Usually £150, the Crossrange Round sunglasses are priced down this week to £104.99.

Again, designed to work well both for casual use and for active sports, the Crossrange comes with interchangeable Unobtanium ear and nose pads for optimal fit and with Prizm high-definition lenses.

• Buy Oakley Crossrange Round sunglasses for £104.99 from Evans Cycles

Oakley Latch Matt Prizm Road sunglasses – £130 £90

Part of Oakley’s urban collection, the Latch has smaller, more rounded lenses in a matt black frame and is inspired by the world of skateboarding.

You get Prizm lenses for optimum optical clarity, and Evans has dropped the price from £130 to £90 for the Black Friday weekend.

• Buy Oakley Latch Prizm glasses for £90 from Evans Cycles

20% off selected replacement Oakley lenses

Meanwhile, if you already have a pair of Oakley’s Radar EV Pitch, Flak Jacket XLJ or Flak 2.0 XL sunnies, Evans has discounted spare Prizm lenses for these styles by 20 per cent, so now’s a great time to get spare lenses or a new lens tint to suit different conditions.

• Buy Oakley Radar EV Pitch Prizm Trail lens for £64 from Evans Cycles
• Buy Oakley Flak 2.0 XL Prizm Trail lens for £48 from Evans Cycles
• Buy Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ Prizm Road lens for £48 from Evans Cycles

Last week, ENVE announced its Trade In and Trade Up programme that would take $600 off any new wheelset if you traded in a set of rideable carbon wheels.

The premium wheel and finishing kit brand has now expanded this promotion to include any rideable carbon or alloy wheelset. 

• ENVE launches “No-questions-asked” Lifetime Incident Protection
• ENVE SES 3.4 Disc wheelset review

The deal, which will only run until 2 December, offers customers $600 off any current ENVE wheel if you trade in any non-ENVE carbon or alloy wheelset. 

Those trading in a set of ENVE wheels will receive a further $300 off. 

The deal covers all wheels in the ENVE range. Given many of us are likely to have a set of old alloy wheels kicking about, this could be a good way to make a new set of high-end hoops affordable (affordable is maybe a stretch, but $1,950 does sound better than $2,550).

Sadly, the deal is limited to US customers only. It can be claimed in-store, through ENVE or via a select number of online retailers. The full details of the programme can be seen on the ENVE website.

This list is full of Christmas gift ideas for those who are committed to cycling to work, including plenty of gifts that will keep them pedalling through winter.

Here’s a roundup of some great gift ideas that are perfect for the commuter cyclist.

B’Twin 500 Waterproof Panniers

Ideal for carrying your everyday items, these B’Twin panniers from Decathlon will keep your possessions dry for considerably less than big name options.

They’ve got a loop for attaching a light should you want to increase your visibility plus their universal fastening mechanism can be replaced individually should it wear out.

• £25 (sold individually)

Cube Travel SL

Cube

The Travel SL from Cube is a fantastic commuter bike that ranks among our top-scoring hybrids. Straight out of the box it has quality full-length mudguards from SKS, dynamo-powered front and rear lights from Busch & Muller and a sturdy pannier rack.

The combination of Shimano’s excellent Alfine hub gear and a belt drive from Gates make for a quiet transmission with plenty of range that requires infrequent maintenance.

Its aluminium frame and fork aren’t the plushest, but do make for impressive efficiency and keep the overall weight down.

• Read the full review of Cube’s Travel SL (2018 model)
• £1,149

More Christmas gift guides

• The ultimate Christmas gift guide for cyclists
• 10 Christmas cycling gifts for all budgets
• 12 presents for the gadget-obsessed cyclist
• Christmas gift guides for women who ride mountain bikes

Abus Granit Xplus 540 D-lock

The Granit XPlus 540 from Abus is a D-lock for someone who really, really loves their bike.

Not only does the X-Plus 540 get a gold rating from security test house Sold Secure, but it also achieved seriously impressive results in BikeRadar‘s own extensive lock test, which saw our expert lock picker unable to compromise its state-of-the-art mechanism.

Even crooks equipped with serious tools will be forced to take their time thanks to its clever design.

It weighs less than 1.5kg, which is perfectly reasonable considering how much protection it offers.

• £119.99 / $150

Muc-Off 8-in-1 bike cleaning kit

This kit from Muc-Off contains what’s needed to get a bike looking seriously good, hence why we think it makes a great gift.

There’s a litre of Muc-Off’s effective yet biodegradable cleaner and a soft sponge as well as several brushes for detailed cleaning. The brand’s post-wash Bike Spray is also in the kit and should help guarantee a lasting finish.

• £40

Topeak Mini 20 Pro Multi-tool

A good-quality multi-tool is infinitely useful for any cyclist and we were impressed by the Topeak Mini 20 Pro.

It has a wide-ranging tool arsenal, including all popular Allen keys, as well as Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, a T25 Torx driver, a metal tyre lever, a chain tool, a variety of spoke wrenches and, of course, a bottle opener.

For more reasons why they’ll love this multi-tool, read our full Topeak Mini 20 Pro Multi-tool review.

• £31.99 / $34.95 / €36.66 / AU$59.80

Gore C5 Gore-Tex gloves

A good set of winter gloves can be the difference between enjoying and enduring your commute, so here’s a pair that are really outstanding.

Gore-Tex’s excellent balance of weather protection and breathability mean these will keep your hands dry and comfortable during the worst of the weather.

• £64.99 / $89.99 / AU$109.99

Northern Irish company See.Sense makes a range of smart bike lights and is now adding an anti-theft tracker to the line-up, which employs the new Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) low power, wide area network to get longer life out of a battery charge.

This means a bike fitted with the AIR tracker could be traceable for up to three months, which is longer than existing products of its size.

See.Sense says that it is the first company to apply this new technology to a bike tracker, and one of the first brands to use it in any kind of tracker design.

• Best bike locks 2019
• Buyer’s guide: GPS bike computers

The AIR bike tracker weighs 80g and is “half the size of a deck of cards”, according to See.Sense.

It provides GPS location and immediate alerts to a connected smartphone app, and sounds an alarm if your bike is moved (this function can be turned off).

It can be set up to send an SMS with your location to an assigned contact if it senses that you have been in an accident, and the device also gathers “depersonalised” information so that “ride insights can be shared with partners to improve conditions for cycling”.

• Estimated launch June 2020
• Three months’ battery life
• £119.99 estimated retail price
• £12 estimated annual connection charge
• Available for pledges on Kickstarter now

NB-IoT noob?

If you are unfamiliar with NB-IoT, essentially it is a new communications network for “things” (phones, lights, computers, anti-theft trackers, etc.) that has been designed to “enable efficient communication, long battery life for mass distributed devices and lower costs for wide geographical footprints or deep within urban infrastructure,” according to telecommunications company Vodafone.

See.Sense’s AIR tracking device will be traceable from your mobile phone (Android or iOS) in more-or-less any location worldwide once NB-IoT fully comes into effect.

The firm has worked with Vodafone in the UK to develop and test the product in its Newbury facility, which is open to manufacturers of “things” by application, in anticipation of the provider’s network launch (which will be begin in early 2020).

The AIR tracker will work on Vodafone’s network, although that doesn’t mean you need to be a Vodafone subscriber to use it.

See.Sense says: “Although See.Sense AIR is powered by Vodafone, NB-IoT is expected to be supported by all major telecommunications providers in the future”.

In talks with BikeRadar, See.Sense’s tech team noted that they “expect in a couple of years [NB-IoT will] be as ubiquitous as mobile phone roaming”. More information about NB-IoT and a coverage map can be found on gsma.com.

AIR on Kickstarter

AIR recently launched on Kickstarter and blew through its €20,000 goal in a matter of hours, with over €60,000 having been pledged at time of writing.

The AIR’s estimated retail price is £119.99 and it is set to be delivered in June 2020. Kickstarter pledges of £74 or more will receive one AIR, with the usual multiple-product deals for bigger pledges.

A two-year network connection is included for Kickstarter backers of all levels, with the usual fee applying after that period.

Of course, the system does depend on the AIR tracker being attached to your bike, and the fact that it is an external unit, which obtains best coverage when attached under the saddle or bottle cage, means that savvy thieves might notice and know to remove it.

It is connected with a securite torx key, but, as a number of Kickstarter backers have noted, perhaps something more tamper-proof might provide further security for your bike.

Recording your rides on a GPS cycling computer can add new dimensions to familiar routes and rides with interesting snippets of data about speed, heart rate, elevation change and other information.

If the GPS has mapping and navigation functions then your rides can take new turns— figuratively and literally — as you explore the country, safe in the knowledge you’re following an on-screen route.

• Black Friday smart trainer deals 
• Black Friday smartwatch deals 

Make the most out of this year’s Black Friday deals and bag yourself a top-scoring Garmin GPS.

• Garmin Edge bike computers: buyer’s guide to all the models

Garmin Edge 520 Plus GPS cycling computer £199.99 £149.99

With on-device navigation that uses the Garmin Cycle Map – which is based on OpenStreet Map data – the 520 Plus has turn-by-turn navigation, off-route redirection and back to start routing functionality. It’s a great performer and scored 4.5 stars when we reviewed it.

It’s got great battery life too and is compatible with all modern-day sensors, and outperforms its price tag, especially with the Black Friday discount.

• Buy the Garmin Edge 520 Plus GPS cycling computer from Wiggle with a 25% discount 

Garmin Edge 520 Plus MTB Performance Bundle £249.99 £164.99

If you’re a mountain biker, you’ll appreciate the MTB Performance Bundle that builds on the Edge 520’s standard kit with a mountain bike mount, a silicone case and the Edge remote, so you don’t need to let go of the bars to operate the GPS.

• Buy the Garmin Edge 520 Plus MTB performance bundle GPS cycling computer from Evans Cycles with a 34% discount

Garmin Edge 820 Performance Bundle GPS cycling computer £400 £199.99

With a touchscreen display, the Edge 830 builds on the functions of the Edge 520 with FTP and VO2 max testing when used with a heart rate sensor and power meter.

The sensor bundle also includes a heart rate monitor, cadence sensor and a speed sensor, so you’ve got no excuses to not get training!

• Buy the Garmin Edge 820 Performance Bundle GPS cycling computer from Halfords with a 50% discount

Garmin Edge 1030 GPS cycling computer £499.99 £399.99

Boasting a 3.5in colour touchscreen, the Edge 1030 is Garmin’s top-of-the-range GPS cycling computer with on-device route creation, turn-by-turn navigation with alerts, and impressive mapping.

It’s also got rider-to-rider messaging and phone text, email and call notifications.

We awarded the Garmin Edge 1030 GPS cycling computer four out of five stars when we reviewed it.

• Buy the Garmin Edge 1030 GPS cycling computer from Wiggle with a 20% discount

Garmin Edge 1030 Performance Bundle GPS cycling computer £549.99 £440

Like the basic Edge 1030 package, the Performance Bundle adds a heart rate monitor, speed sensor and a cadence sensor, so that you can measure every part of your ride.

• Buy the Garmin Edge 1030 Performance Bundle GPS cycling computer from Evans Cycles with a 20% discount

Garmin Edge 130 GPS cycling computer £169.99 £152.99

With power meter, and Bluetooth and ANT+ sensor compatibility, this diminutive GPS cycling computer packs a punch way above its 33g headline weight figure.

It’s got on-screen notifications from your phone, supports LiveTrack and can connect to the Garmin Connect IQ store. Thanks to its host of impressive features we gave it four out of five stars.

• Buy the Garmin Edge 130 GPS cycling computer from Cycle Surgery with a 10% discount

Garmin Fenix 5X Plus Sapphire GPS watch £749.99 £599.99

As one of Garmin’s multi-sport watches, the Fenix 5X records your rides and can track your other fitness activities.

With technology such as wrist-based blood oxygen monitoring and heart rate, European mapping and music player integration, you won’t be left wanting for more.

• Buy the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus Sapphire GPS watch from Evans Cycles with a 20% discount

Focus’s bikes always come out well in reviews, with the German brand’s engineering resulting in lightweight, responsive machines. So, if you’ve got your eye on a Focus adventure road or cyclocross bike, now is a great time to invest in a new bike with up to 40 per cent off at Rutland Cycling this Black Friday,

Focus Paralane 5.9 GC – £1,759 £1,049.99

The Paralane is designed to give you all-weather, multi-surface rideability. When it designed the bike, Focus made sure that there was clearance for tyres up to 35mm wide. Plus, all Paralanes ship with custom-designed full mudguards, so they’re ideal for winter conditions.

The alloy Paralane 5.9 GC is well specced, with Shimano 105 shifting and hydraulic disc brakes. Its 50/34 chainset and 11-34 cassette give you the range to tackle just about any terrain and the Mavic Aksium Disc wheelset comes with 28mm Conti Contact Speed tyres.

Rutland Cycling has the Paralane 5.9 GC priced down from £1,759 to just £1,049 for Black Friday, available in sizes 54cm, 56cm and 58cm in a rather cool desert-sand colour scheme.

• Buy the Focus Paralane 5.9 GC for £1,049 from Rutland Cycling

Focus Paralane 8.9 GC – £1,499.99 £2,459

You could also step up to the Paralane 8.9 GC, now priced at £1,499.99, down from £2,459.

Your extra cash gets you a carbon frame instead of alloy and the extra-compliant Focus CPX Plus carbon seatpost. The spec includes a SRAM Apex 1 single-ring groupset, while the tyres are 32mm Conti Speedkings.

• Buy the Focus Paralane 8.9 GC for £1499.99 from Rutland Cycling

Focus Mares 105 – £2,149 £1,299.99

Finally, the carbon Mares 105 cyclocross bike is priced down from £2,149 to £1,299.99. It’s equipped with the classic 46/36 cyclocross chainset, an 11-28 cassette and hydraulic disc brakes. Tyres are 35mm Conti Cyclo-X Kings and there’s full internal cable routing.

Rutland Cycling has the full range of sizes available from 48cm right through to 60cm.

• Buy the Focus Mares 105 cyclocross bike for £1,299.99 from Rutland Cycling

Thanks to the annual bargain-fest that is Black Friday, Rapha has reduced a huge number of products including jackets, jerseys, tights, gloves, accessories and more by up to 50 per cent, and it ends on Monday.

• Black Friday bike deals | The best offers for cyclists in 2019

Let’s not forget, internet retail giant Wiggle also stocks Rapha, and is currently running an online archive sale of old stock, some with added discounts on top of the previously reduced prices, making some discounts an impressive 70 per cent off. 

We’ve collected a few of the best below. Be sure to check out the full collection to see all of the deals!

Rapha Brevet Insulated Jacket £150 £112.50

Rapha’s Brevet collection is aimed at long-distance riders and randonneurs. The Insulated jacket contains Polartec Alpha insulation to keep you warm when the weather turns against you, while remaining light, breathable and packable.

• Save 25% on the Rapha Brevet Insulated Jacket from Rapha

Rapha Brevet Reflective Gloves £80 From £40

In any endurance event or long-distance ride, dawn and dusk can present certain problems with visibility, and having your hands seen is extremely important for signalling.

These reflective Brevet gloves come in four colour options and have reflective and hi-vis details. They’re designed for dexterity as well as protection, and feature a thin layer of Polartec Power Shield Pro fabric for insulation and breathability.

• Save up to 50% (dependant on colour) on Rapha Brevet Reflective Gloves from Rapha

Rapha Classic Winter Jacket £260 From £155

Arguably the brand’s most versatile jacket, the Classic Winter Jacket is cut from Polartec Power Shield Pro fabric, providing breathable insulation that is waterproof and windproof.

The Chartreuse colour — an eye-catching bright yellow — will keep you visible all day and has the biggest discount.

• Save up to 40% on the Rapha Classic Winter Jacket from Rapha

Rapha Classic Winter Tights with Pad £200 From £120

Rapha’s Classic Winter Tights, now with a chamois pad, are constructed from Thermoroubaix fabric that’s designed to be super stretchy.

Well thought-out features include an extended rear panel for extra warmth, and single joins at the knee for added elasticity.

• Save up to 40% on Rapha Classic Winter Tights with Pad from Rapha

Rapha Souplesse Winter Tights with Pad £210 From £126

In a similar vein, these Souplesse Winter Tights with Pad offer women the same protection from the cold but blended with breathability and comfort. 

• Save up to 30% on the Rapha Souplesse Winter Tights with Pad from Rapha

Rapha Commuter Jacket £100 £80

• Rapha Commuter Jacket review

We gave this jacket four stars because it provides great visibility, has a generous fit and is really practical for any commuter cyclist

It features a hydrophobic membrane to repel water and is packable enough to fit in your jersey pocket. Plus, it’s extremely comfortable to boot.

• Save 20% on the Rapha Commuter Jacket from Rapha

Rapha Pro Team Race Cape £220 £154

The Pro Team Race Cape is claimed to be waterproof, breathable and close-fitting, and loved by the EF Education First team.

It’s constructed around three-layer water protection and where neoprene once featured, Shadow fabric has now replaced it. It doesn’t absorb water so should feel lighter and less bulky than before.

• Save 30% on the Rapha Pro Team Race Cape from Rapha

Rapha Souplesse Race Cape (women’s) £220 From £88

Much like the men’s Pro Team Race Cape, the women’s Souplesse Race Cape is constructed from Polartec fabrics, which are ideal when you’re in need of a breathable, waterproof outer shell. It’s said to be a favourite of Rapha’s pro riders.

• Save up to 64% on the Rapha Souplesse Race Cape from Rapha

Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey £150 From £75

Insulation often leads to bulk, so creating a garment that is both thermal and performance-oriented can be difficult. In designing the Pro Team Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey, Rapha’s solution was to use a slightly thicker fabric than that used in the Aero version.

It features a fleece inner lining for added comfort, and is designed with the dedicated winter trainer in mind.

• Save up to 50% on the Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey from Rapha

Rapha Souplesse Thermal Jersey (women’s) £150 From £75

Similar to the men’s Pro Team Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey, this is designed to be less bulky than its competitors while keeping riders warm.

Cut in Rapha’s race fit and finished with the soft fleece brushed-back inner lining, it’s bound to please.

• Save up to 50% on the Rapha Souplesse Thermal Jersey from Rapha

Rapha Pro Team Thermal Bib Shorts II £200 £150

These thermal bib shorts are made from the same windproof and waterproof panels that feature in the Winter Tights, and can be paired with some leg warmers for rides when the weather is changeable.

Compared to the non-thermal Pro Team bib shorts, these have a longer leg and a higher cut to keep out the cold.

• Save 25% on Rapha Pro Team Thermal Bib Shorts II from Rapha

Rapha Women’s Classic Jersey £110 £71.50

This Classic jersey is cut from Rapha’s RPM150 fabric, which is its performance Merino for an interesting new twist on a classic choice of wool.

It’s designed to be soft and breathable while providing superior moisture wicking. Its streamlined cut promises aero gains and makes a great jersey for any woman who’s setting out to win.

• Save 35% on the Rapha Women’s Classic Jersey from Wiggle

Rapha Lightweight Shadow Jacket £195 From £97.50

The Lightweight Shadow jacket, as suggested by the name, is constructed from Rapha’s proprietary Shadow fabric.

More than that, though, it’s been given the DWR (durable water repellent) treatment, which is claimed to result in a lightweight, packable and durable jacket.

• Save up to 50% on the Rapha Lightweight Shadow Jacket from Rapha

Rapha Souplesse Bib Shorts II (women’s) £180 From £90

If you’re using a particular brand’s bib shorts to benchmark the quality of others, it’s going to be Rapha. They’re soft, stylish and seriously comfortable for all-day riding.

Available in four colours, the Souplesse Bib Shorts II come with Rapha’s Classic women’s chamois and has had its upper re-shaped and cut from mesh fabric that is highly stretchy, moisture-wicking and fast drying.

• Save up to 50% on Rapha Souplesse Bib Shorts II from Rapha

Rapha Souplesse Gloves £70 £45.50

These gloves are designed for between-seasons cool weather, when your hands need to be covered but not overheated.

Their dual-layer construction includes the same water-resistant and breathable fabric used in the Pro Team Race Cape, and produces low-bulk and low-profile gloves with good dexterity. What’s more, the polka dot design looks good.

• Save 35% on Rapha Souplesse Gloves from Rapha

Rapha Souplesse Long Sleeve Aero Jersey (women’s) £150 £97.50

Rapha claims that this is its fastest race jersey ever, thanks to the blend of smooth fabrics with rough textures and bonded seams, which it says provides an aero advantage.

The fabric is light and stretchy, with interior pockets constructed from a breathable mesh. 

• Save 35% on the Rapha Souplesse Long Sleeve Aero Jersey from Rapha

Rapha Merino Arm Warmers £45 £31.50

Treat yourself to some luxury this Black Friday with Rapha’s Merino arm warmers. They’re designed to be lightweight and insulating, while promising breathability, fast moisture-wicking and itch-free softness.

Currently only available in size Large.

• Save 30% on Rapha Merino Arm Warmers from Wiggle

Rapha Overmitts £90 £22.50

Okay, they may look ridiculous but there’s merit in this ‘lobster claw’ style overmitt, and that’s serious warmth.

They may look bulky but they’re claimed to offer great dexterity for shifting and braking, and keeping your fingers next to each other generates warmth. At a quarter of the retail price, these are a bargain not to be missed.

• Save 75% on Rapha Overmitts £90 from Wiggle

Rapha Weeklong Bag Large £240 £168

A great option for any multi-day cycling trip, Rapha’s Weeklong bag is spacious and versatile. It has 80 litres of capacity and can be either carried like a duffle bag or worn as a backpack.

It’s constructed with a durable and hardy water-resistant coating to help protect belongings, while the leather binding and herringbone webbing offer a touch of elegance. 

• Save 30% on the Rapha Weeklong Bag Large from Rapha

Whether you’re commuting or going on a post-work jolly, at this time of year it’s important to have a good set of lights to hand — both to see and be seen. 

• Best bike lights for road cycling
• Best mountain bike lights 2020: 8 top-rated options for night riding

Naturally, there are plenty of bargains to be had in the Black Friday sales right now, so we’ve collated a list of what we think are some of the best deals on discounted bike lights from a variety of retailers.

Hurry, while stocks last!

Blackburn Dayblazer 800 £54.99 £42.99

Putting out 800 lumens, the Blackburn Dayblazer is powerful and bright, while having a battery life that lasts long enough to cater for most stints in the dark. 

It features multiple mounting options, including a rubber band strap and GoPro-style tabs and can be affixed almost anywhere, regardless of your cockpit setup. 

The 800 lumen ‘Blitz’ mode is super bright and will help you out in the darkest of alleys and most perilous of gutters. It’s a great option for roadies riding into the night.

If you’re worried about being seen, its TIR lens has diffusing side cutouts, plus daylight pulse modes. 

On top of all that, it’s submersible waterproof, so you can take it out in the worst weather without worry.

• Buy the Blackburn Dayblazer 800 with a 22% discount from Tredz

Cateye Rapid X3 rear light £49.99 £37.99

• Cateye Rapid X3 rear light review

The Cateye Rapid X3’s low-profile design boasts a 150-lumen maximum power output, and makes a great option for year-round urban commuters or casual road cyclists.

It weighs just 51g and will run at full power for around an hour and 20 minutes. This should suit pretty much anyone’s commute in the darkest days of winter.

With a rubber band mount, it’s quick and easy to attach and remove, and is suitable for use with curved or aero seatposts.

• Buy the Cateye Rapid X3 with a 24% discount from Tredz

Exposure MaXx-D Mk12 front light £385 £308

• Exposure MaXx-D Mk10 review

This front light from Exposure puts out an eye-watering 3,800 lumens, so it’s perfect for a night ride in the woods, or for blinding your fellow commuters if you’re that way inclined.

But seriously, if you’re heading out for some post-work shredding in the dark, then this is the one of the best lights on the market to help you do just that.

Its combination of focussed and wide lenses result in a far-reaching beam that highlights the edge of the trail at the same time.

It has a built-in accelerometer that automatically dims the light when you’re stationary, saving both battery power and other people’s retinas.

• Buy the Exposure MaXx-D Mk12 with a 20% discount from Evans

Exposure Strada Mk10 Super Light front light £210 £168

If £300 is still too steep (perfectly understandable) and you’re not planning any off-road adventures in the dark, then Exposure’s Strada Mk10 is another fantastic option, which is currently sub-£200 for Black Friday.

Its 900-lumen output is not to be sniffed at. Its design has been developed from car headlight technology, using dual lenses (flat- and spot-beam) to cover both periphery and distance illumination.

It’s pretty versatile, offering a variety of programmes that dictate modes and their run times, so you can easily select the best option for your ride.

• Buy the Exposure Strada Mk10 Super Light with a 20% discount from Evans

Guee Sol 700 Plus £59.99 £44.99

• Guee Sol 700 Plus review

Are you that person who always forgets to dip their full beam? Don’t be that person. But, if you are, then you’ll love the Guee Sol 700 Plus, with its magical, automatic power adjustment. 

Is it witchcraft? No, it’s an auto-sensor that detects changes in surrounding light conditions, making it particularly useful at dawn and dusk, especially when street lighting isn’t always on your side. A great option for commuting at ungodly hours, or all-day-into-night road cycling.

It’s also compatible with GoPro mounts, making it easy to attach to your bike regardless of your setup.

• Buy the Guee Sol 700 Plus with a 25% discount from ProBikeKit

Hope R2i Vision Integrated LED front light £175 £125.50

If you’re a fan of Hope’s signature machine aesthetic then you’ll be pleased to see it carried over into the R2i LED Vision, which makes a good option for mountain bikers.

It features a ‘double barrel’ setup of eye-friendly and warm coloured LEDs, which creates a binocular-like lighting effect. This results in a smooth transition at the edge of the beam, keeping your vision free of stark reflections and sharp edges.

It’s super robust, housed in a very sturdy all-alloy body, and despite being relatively heavy, its reliability is legendary.

• Buy the Hope R2i Vision Integrated LED front light with a 28% discount from Wiggle

Hope R8+ LED Vision front light and battery £295 £236

• Read our full review of the Hope R8+ LED light

With a blinding 4,000 lumens on offer, the Hope R8+ LED Vision offers exceptional illumination, with a run time of one hour and 25 minutes at max power. Perfect for a blast around the woods after work.

It provides excellent side-to-side flooding, which is wide enough to highlight lines on the trail without actually pointing directly at them.

• Buy the Hope R8+ LED Vision front light and battery with a 20% discount from Evans

Knog PWR Road 600 Modular front light £84.99 £50.99

• Knog PWR Road front light review

The modular lighting solution that comes with the Knog PWR Road is genuinely innovative and well made. The system is constructed around a central power pack that comes in different capacities. Right now you can get a 600-lumen setup for just over £50.

In testing, we found it to be fuss-free, with a decent battery life for a mid-powered light. 

We’d recommend the Knog PWR 600 for road cyclists who like to stay out after dark.

• Buy the Knog PWR Road 600 Modular front light with a 40% discount from Tredz

Lezyne Zecto Max Drive 250 rear light £48 £37.99

We’ve found the Lezyne Zecto Max Drive to be a great option for bikepacking because it’s really robust, reliable and versatile.

It features eight power modes that max-out at 250 lumens, and can run for up to nine hours, but it might be a bit heavy at 69g, and it doesn’t have much sideways visibility, so that’s worth bearing in mind. 

Having said that, we think a hard-wearing and adaptable light with a long run-time for less than £40 is a great investment for the budding bikepacker. Ours survived being dropped and hosed with no issues, which is a bonus.

• Buy the Lezyne Zecto Max Drive 250 rear light with a 24% discount from ProBikeKit

Light & Motion Seca 2500 Enduro light system £349.99 £299.99

• Read our full review of the Light & Motion Seca Enduro

While it’s easy enough to throw numbers around, when it comes to finding a decent light for night rides on the trails, it’s about quality, rather than quantity. 

In the case of the Seca 2500 Enduro, its max power output of 2,500 lumens may be less than some other lights in this list, but the way its power is used makes it appear much brighter on the trail.

It blends flood and spot lighting exceptionally, while putting out great side-to-side lighting as well. If you’re one to take your time and enjoy the ride, then this light will do exactly what you need it to. However we would say that if you’re likely to be going full-pelt down fast fireroad descents, then you might want something with a bit more range.

We found its battery life to be impressive, with a max power run-time of two hours and 40 minutes. 

At the full retail price we wouldn’t say it’s the best value for money, but taking advantage of the Black Friday sales will mean you get a better deal.

• Buy the Light & Motion Seca 2500 Enduro light system with a 14% discount from Cyclestore

Moon Meteor C1 and Orion light set £45.99 £29.99

It’s difficult to argue with a combined 450-lumen USB rechargeable light set for less than £30 all in. 

A great option for commuters and casual riders, the Meteor C1 and Orion lights offer a multitude of modes including daytime flashing, along with a mode memory function for convenience.

The C1 front light puts out a maximum of 400 lumens in its Day Flash mode, or 300 lumens at full constant beam. It can run in this latter mode for up to one hour and a half.

The Orion rear light provides 50 lumens of light in its Day Flash mode, and can run on a constant beam of 20 lumens for two and a half hours.

• Buy the Moon Meteor C1 and Orion light set with a 35% discount from Rutland Cycling 

Moon Meteor Storm Lite and Nebula light set £109.99 £39.99

A £110 set of lights for less than £40 is worth paying attention to, particularly when it provides a combined output of 1,280 lumens. 

The Meteor Storm Lite front light carries a maximum of 1,100 lumens in its Boost setting, which it can sustain for an hour in total. If you need a constant beam, then you’re looking at a max power output of 800 lumens for up to one and a half hours.

The Nebula rear light provides up to 180 lumens in its Day Flash mode, while sustaining 100 lumens output for just over an hour.

A great commuter or road cycling option.

• Buy the Moon Meteor Storm Lite and Nebula light set with a 64% discount from Rutland Cycling

Moon Meteor-X Auto Pro and Arcturus Auto light set £66.99 £24.99

Commuters might want to opt for the Meteor-X Auto Pro and Arcturus Auto combo, particularly as it’s less than £25 right now. Not only is this an affordable investment, it’s a great option for urban riding when it’s dark and drizzly, with a combined output of 770 lumens.

The Meteor-X Auto Pro front light puts out a maximum of 700 lumens in Day Flash mode, or a constant beam of 450 lumens for up to one and a half hours. 

It also comes with a clever feature that, when the battery falls below a predefined level, it auto selects the power output that gives the best visibility while also guaranteeing an hour of run time to get you home. 

The Arcturus Auto rear light will run with 35 lumens for up to one hour 20 minutes, or put out 70 lumens in its Day Flash mode.

• Buy the Moon Meteor-X Auto Pro and Arcturus Auto light set with a 63% discount from Rutland Cycling

NiteRider Lumina 1800 Dual Beam front light £160 £120

• Read our full review of the Niterider Lumina Dual 1800

We found the NiteRider Lumina 1800 to have a great beam spread while putting out impressive power. As the name suggests, its maximum power output is 1,800 lumens. This makes it a great option for most riders, whether they’re tackling berms in the dark, navigating city streets at rush hour, or speeding along country lanes at dusk.

It does have a small internal battery however, so its max power run-time is only about an hour. It’s definitely an affordable option for most though, while outperforming some of the more expensive lights we’ve tested, so that ticks an important box.

• Buy the NiteRider Lumina 1800 Dual Beam front light with a 25% discount from Wiggle

AeroCoach, a British brand that offers aerodynamic testing and components, has released a set of custom carbon-fibre aerobar extensions, called the AeroCoach Vantaggio extensions, that are quite possibly the most expensive tri-bars in the world.

Recently used by Team Ineos rider Filippo Ganna to break the individual pursuit world record, prices start at a staggering £1,800 (approximately €2,100 / $2,300 – though prices may differ due to local tax rates) for the track specific versions, rising to £2,000 if you want compatibility with Shimano Di2 or SRAM eTap shifters.

• Is this the world’s most expensive stem?
• CeramicSpeed’s mad chainless Driven drivetrain now changes gear, and it’s for mountain bikes too

Designed to be compatible with the Pinarello Bolide and weighing in at approximately 450g a pair, each set of Vantaggio extensions are handmade in the UK and are made to completely custom specification for each customer – not just for shape and fit, but also in terms of carbon layup.

Xavier Disley, PhD, director at AeroCoach, told BikeRadar that this means each set will be optimised for strength and weight for the individual rider: “a big track rider putting out world record watts has a stronger, stiffer pair than a smaller rider, for example”.

Disley says the enormous cost is due to this customisation process, and the many steps that are involved in production: “if you order a set of Vantaggio extensions, you’re assigned an AeroCoach engineer who will personally go through your order with you in computer-aided design”.

From there, “prototype parts will then be produced so that you can check the fitment” and, following that, any further required changes can be made. Finally, because the extensions are handmade in the UK, this inevitably adds to the cost.

The advantage of these extensions is, apparently, mostly in ergonomics, because personal preference for any kind of fit can be accommodated.

However, Disley says they’re also slightly more aero than standard extensions because “they’re wider than other options, going right up to the UCI 40mm cross section limit”. 

AeroCoach doesn’t sponsor Filippo Ganna, but expects that he will use them in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, along with other riders, WorldTour teams and federations that AeroCoach is working with. 

Disley told BikeRadar that he can’t say explicitly who AeroCoach is working with due to the sponsorship commitments its customers have.

Faster, higher, stronger

With the Olympics in mind, AeroCoach has also been teasing a selection of other aerodynamic components. 

As per UCI rules, all of these products will have had to be used in competition by the time the Track World Cup in New Zealand takes place from 6 to 8 December 2019, and then be commercially available from 1 January 2020 in order to qualify for use at the upcoming games.

Though not everything is quite ready for public release, Disley was able to tell us about three other products.

The AeroCoach Lann track endurance handlebars, which are constructed using 3D printed titanium (similar to the handlebars on the new Hope/Lotus HB.T and those made by Bastion for the Australian Olympic cycling team), are designed to offer multiple hand positions and also appear to possibly be shaped to direct airflow around the riders’ hands when using the drops.

Disley told BikeRadar that “the long flat section across the top of the handlebar is designed to offer a pseudo hoods position, to get greater reach and a more horizontal torso angle, as that’s more aerodynamic.”

The AeroCoach Ascalon carbon extensions are designed to be a universal version of the Vantaggio extensions (meaning they will fit a range of bikes). 

These will not be available in completely custom spec, but will have “a variety of end grippers, tilt and length options”, as well as being “much, much cheaper”.

There are also two new AeroCoach skinsuits, one specifically designed for pursuit riders and another for endurance/drop handlebar use, both of which will apparently be used at the Tokyo games. 

Developed in partnership with NoPinz, Disley says these skinsuits use a “special fabric that’s more aero than standard fabrics”. 

He didn’t quantify exactly how much more aero these fabrics are or what the benchmark was, but it’s certainly interesting to note that skinsuits are now being designed around specific rider positions, rather than as ‘one type fits all’ garments.

Pricing is yet to be announced for the Lann handlebars, Ascalon extensions or skinsuits, but Disley did tell us that the Lann handlebars would likely cost “a lot, even with a tiny profit margin”, due the highly expensive nature of the materials and construction method used, and that “in terms of £/watt, the skinsuit is a big saver”.

It may not be the first place you’d think to shop for a new bike, but Go Outdoors has a wide range of machines available at very reasonable prices ahead of Black Friday.

That includes its own Calibre brand, but also bikes from more mainstream marques such as Kona, Forme and Raleigh. Plus, there are kids’ bikes, e-bikes, folders and women’s machines in its range online.

You need to purchase its discount card to access the best offers from Go Outdoors, but that only costs £5 and gives you a year’s access to its lowest prices across its entire range, including camping and other outdoors kit. Plus, there are cardholder-only offers and Go Outdoors provides a lowest price guarantee.

Here’s our pick of the current deals on Go Outdoors’ bike range.

• Best Black Friday 2019 cycling deals

Calibre Sentry full-sus enduro MTB £2,300 £1,799.10

If you’re looking for a full-susser, the Calibre Sentry was already a bargain but now has 22 percent off.

It has a RockShox Yari 160mm travel fork, which is matched with a RockShox Deluxe R rear shock. 12-speed shifting comes courtesy of SRAM NX Eagle, with SRAM Guide RE brakes with 200mm/180mm rotors for controlled, powerful stopping.

• Buy the Calibre Sentry full-sus enduro MTB for £1799.10 from Go Outdoors

Kona Cinder Cone hardtail MTB £1,099 £799

The Cinder Cone, with its alloy frame and RockShox Recon RL Solo Air 100mm travel fork, currently has 27 percent off, and is equipped with SRAM NX shifting and Shimano MT500 brakes. The Cinder Cone’s wheelset consists of WTB ST i29 rims on Formula hubs with WTB Trailboss 2.25in tyres.

• Buy the Kona Cinder Cone hardtail MTB for £799 from Go Outdoors

Calibre Stitch Urban hybrid bike £500 £359.10

For the commuter and casual rider, the Calibre Stitch alloy framed hybrid bike offers a dependable budget option. You get a Shimano Claris 2×8 speed groupset, along with Shimano M315 hydraulic disc brakes, which will give you dependable, confident stopping in all conditions.

• Buy the Calibre Stitch Urban bike for £359.10 from Go Outdoors

Calibre Rivelin men’s/Loxley women’s road bike £450 £314.10

The Rivelin and Loxley share the same spec and price point, but are designed for male and female riders respectively. Again, sharply priced by Calibre, and both have a Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset with an FSA Tempo 50/34 compact chainset and an 11-25 cassette. Calibre specs a fork with carbon blades, which is impressive at this price point.

• Buy the Calibre Rivelin men’s road bike for £314.10 from Go Outdoors
• Buy the Calibre Loxley women’s road bike for £314.10 from Go Outdoors

Kona Rove NRB adventure road bike £699 £499

Kona’s alloy Rove NRB is designed for rugged riding both on and off road. This Claris spec comes with Hayes mechanical disc brakes and a dependable Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset. Kona provides plenty of clearance for chunky tyres and kits the Rove NRB out with 35mm Schwalbe Delta Cruiser rubber.

• Buy the Kona Rove NRB adventure road bike for £499 from Go Outdoors

Calibre Rake hardtail MTB £649 £404.10

The Rake has a Shimano Acera groupset with a Prowheel Flint triple chainset and Shimano M315 hydraulic disc brakes, letting you tackle a wide range of terrain. That’s coupled to a RockShox XC30 fork, a Ritchey bar and WTB 2.3in tyres on Calibre Trail 29in rims with Shimano hubs. Go Outdoors quotes a bike weight of 14.5kg.

• Buy the Calibre Rake hardtail MTB for £404.10 from Go Outdoors

Merlin Cycles has some nice discounts on its ranges for Black Friday. That extends across bikes, components and clothing, as well as some big price reductions on premium wheelsets.

Its bike offers often include mountain bikes and road bikes from harder-to-find brands such as Colnago, 3T and Ridley, and it has some well priced own-brand bikes and kit too. 

Take a look at our pick of Black Friday offers. We’ve focussed on wheels for now but will update this piece with more deals on the big day itself. 

Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon UST wheelset £1,190 £829

Mavic put a lot of tech into its Cosmic Pro Carbon wheelset. That starts with the aero profile, which Mavic has wind tunnel tested and says performs better at a range of wind yaw angles than its competitors.

Plus, Mavic uses its iTgMax laser treatment to provide superior braking and heat management on wet and dry rides.

There are patented aero spokes too and Mavic supplies its tubeless-ready Yksion Pro UST tyres with their grippy 11Storm compound.

• Buy Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon UST wheelset for £829 from Merlin Cycles

Fulcrum Racing 3 C17 wheelset with Conti GP4000 SII tyres and tubes £650 £429

The Racing 3 is where Fulcrum’s wheelset range begins to get that bit more flashy.

The alloy rims are different depths front and rear, and milled between the spoke holes to shave some weight and increment acceleration. They come with aero bladed spokes and run on Fulcrum’s legendary steel bearings, which gives you light weight, performance and durability.

And Merlin adds Conti GP4000 SII tyres and tubes to sweeten the package. Quoted weight is 1,560g.

• Buy Fulcrum Racing 3 C17 wheelset with Conti GP4000 SII tyres and tubes for £429 from Merlin Cycles

Enve SES 3.4 NBT tubular wheelset on Chris King hubs £3,100 £1,499

Enve’s wheel still sets the pulse racing, with its aero rim profiles and WorldTour-proven performance.

Enve has reworked its brake track for increased stopping power with its supplied pads and the claimed 1,345g weight won’t hold you back either.

Plus, these wheels are built on the legendary Chris King hubs, for the ultimate in low friction running and wear resistance.

• Buy Enve SES 3.4 NBT tubular wheelset on Chris King hubs for £1499 from Merlin Cycles

3T Discus C35 Team Stealth Disc carbon clincher wheelset £1,499.99 £799

3T’s wide, mid-section rim wheels are built for Centerlock brake rotors and come with asymmetric rim profiles to help even-up spoke tension between the two sides of the wheels.

You can swap the hubs from thru-axle to quick release, depending on your set up.

3T quotes a weight of 1,464g and the rounded rim profile and 32mm deep section are designed to provide stable handling in a range of ride conditions.

• Buy 3T Discus C35 Team Stealth Disc carbon clincher wheelset for £799 from Merlin Cycles

Fulcrum Racing Zero Carbon C17 Dark clincher wheelset £1,799 £1,169

Moving up Fulcrum’s range, the Racing Zero Carbon offers a lightweight rim, alloy spokes and ceramic bearings.

With an overall weight of 1,495g, it offers a reactive, premium ride and is available from Merlin with both Campagnolo and Shimano freehubs.

• Buy Fulcrum Racing Zero Carbon C17 Dark clincher wheelset for £1,169 from Merlin Cycles

Fitbit is well known for its smartwatches and activity trackers, which range from the more affordable step- and calorie-counters, all the way to the high-end water-submersible heart rate tracking in-depth health monitors.

• Black Friday bike deals | The best offers for cyclists in 2019
• Black Friday smartwatch deals

It’s really that not long until we’ll be stuffed full of Christmas indulgences and setting our New Year’s Resolutions, so jump on the Black Friday bargains while they’re hot, and invest in a gadget that will help you meet your goals in 2020.

For all non-Fitbit smartwatch deals, head to our separate Black Friday 2019 smartwatch deals page.

Fitbit Inspire HR £89.99 £70.37

The Fitbit Inspire comes with all-day activity tracking, including the steps you’ve taken, as well as automatically detecting when you’ve started exercising. 

It’ll tell you how many calories you’ve burned, how well you’ve slept, and even give you a little nudge when you’ve been sedentary for too long.

• Save 22% on the Fitbit Inspire HR from Amazon

Fitbit Inspire £69.99 £49.99

If you don’t feel like you really need the heart rate monitor, then you can opt for the cheaper Fitbit Inspire, while it’s currently two thirds of the retail price.

It tracks your activities, calorie burn and sleep, as well as automatically detecting your exercise and prompting you to move.

• Save 30% on the Fitbit Inspire from Amazon

Fitbit Versa 2 £199.99 £179.99

Fitbit’s Versa 2 is a powerhouse that provides in-depth tracking of your sleep patterns and heart rate, displays apps and notifications, stores and plays music, allows you to pay for items with Fitbit Pay, and shows on-screen workouts. 

It even comes with in-built Amazon Alexa and voice control. The future is now.

• Save 10% on the Fitbit Versa 2 from Amazon

Fitbit Versa £199.99 £128.99

If you want all that but not with Alexa, you could opt for the original Versa instead. You can still use it to track your sleep, heart rate, calories burned, steps and exercise, plus connect it with Strava to record your rides. 

It also offers motivating step challenges as well as on-screen workouts, and still does everything you want from a smartwatch: displaying your notifications, playing music, and using Fitbit Pay.

• Save 36% on the Fitbit Versa from Amazon

Fitbit Charge 3 £129.99 £79.99

If you’re a keen swimmer or budding triathlete, the Fitbit Charge 3 can help you can kill two birds with one stone. 

Similarly to the Versa, it’s water resistant to 50m and can specifically track your swim workouts. It still tracks your sleep pattern and daily activity too. Smartwatch functions include app notifications and alerts for calls and texts.

• Save 38% on the Fitbit Charge 3 from Amazon

Fitbit Ionic £249.99 £219

At the top end of the range, the Fitbit Ionic is basically a personal trainer that lives on your wrist. It gives dynamic coaching with step-by-step instructions and syncs with your computer, phone or tablet to bring all the smartwatch features you’d need.

It has capacity to store over 300 songs in the watch alone, so no need to sync to your phone for tunes on the go. It contains built-in GPS to track your pace, distance and routes

• Save 12% on the Fitbit Ionic from Amazon

Black Friday seems to have morphed into Black Fortnight, so in the spirit of extended Black Friday events, ProBikeKit has released these deals today, which we’ve renamed Black Friday Eve to get you in the mood for tomorrow’s sales. Or, if you’re American, Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s our pick of the new deals we’ve spotted on ProBikeKit’s site.

Look Keo Blade Carbon pedals £154.99 £94.99

Save £60 on Look’s lightweight, aero Keo Blade Carbon pedals. Look updated the Keo Blade last year, increasing its platform area for better contact with the cleat and upgrading the bearings and seals for lower friction and increased durability.

The carbon leaf spring can be swapped out to alter the release tension and is 40 per cent lighter than a coil spring. Plus, it smooths airflow over the underside of the pedal.

Look quotes a weight of 220g per pair.

• Buy Look Keo Blade Carbon pedals for £94.99 from ProBikeKit

Or the Keo Blade with a composite body is now half price, down from £109.99 to £54.49

• Buy Look Keo Blade Carbon pedals for £54.49 from ProBikeKit

Oakley Aero jersey £120 £58.99

Oakley has extended from its eyewear range into other cycling kit. So if you want to wear the big O on your jersey to match your sunnies, this option with its black fade colour should fit the bill.

Made from aero fabrics, it has a race fit with 14 per cent elastane content and includes mesh panels for enhanced breathability.

To up your road presence, it includes reflectives on the sleeves and a reflective waistband.

• Buy Oakley Aero jersey for £58.99 from ProBikeKit

You can pair the jersey with Oakley’s Aero bibshorts too for an all-Oakley look. They’re priced down from £135 to £66.99.

• Buy Oakley Aero bibshorts for £66.99 from ProBikeKit

Lezyne Super Drive 1600XXL front/KTV Drive Pro rear light set £150 £119.99

This 227g high output front light offers seven run modes and optics designed for wide-angle illumination while still providing a bright central pool of light.

Meanwhile, to keep your rear safe, the KTV Drive Pro can emit up to 75 lumens for 10 hours in Day Flash mode and provides 270-degree visibility.

Both lights are compatible with Lezyne’s Smart Wireless phone app to let you tailor your preferences, control the lights and pair the front and rear. You can also use them with a remote switch.

• Buy the Lezyne Super Drive 1600XXL front/KTV Drive Pro rear light set for £119.99 from ProBikeKit

Scicon Aerocomfort Road 3.0 TSA Stelvio Limited Edition bike bag £525 £315

You’ve seen the videos: airport baggage handlers don’t always move your bike around with the respect it deserves.

So, if you’re looking to travel with your pride and joy, it’s worth investing in a quality, well padded bike bag. The Scicon Aerocomfort fits the bill, but is still really easy to pack: you just need to remove your front wheel.

This special Stelvio limited-edition bag is available from ProBikeKit in red or grey and has a weight quoted at 8kg.

• Buy the Scicon Aerocomfort Road 3.0 TSA Stelvio Limited Edition bike bag in red for £315 from ProBikeKit
• Buy the Scicon Aerocomfort Road 3.0 TSA Stelvio Limited Edition bike bag in grey for £315 from ProBikeKit

Token Ventous Disc Prime 700c wheelset £1,099.99 £776.99

Token has gone extra wide with its Ventous wheelset. The 20mm internal, 27.4mm external rim width is designed to provide optimum support and aerodynamics if you’re running wider tyres.

The mid-depth 36mm rim gives aero benefits, with a light weight of just over 1,400g for the pair.

You also get ceramic bearings in Token’s hubs for low rolling-resistance and thru-axle compatibility.

• Buy the Token Ventous Disc Prime 700c wheelset for £776.99 from ProBikeKit

Winter is a tough time for cyclists given the reduced daylight hours, colder weather and component-destroying conditions. 

Even so, it’s still possible to get around these limitations by putting together a well thought out, purposeful and time-efficient training programme specifically designed for this part of the year.

Here are five steps to creating a winter training plan for cyclists looking to build a solid foundation of fitness for the coming year.

The first step in creating any plan is to understand where it is you’re starting from.

By conducting some simple testing using the training tools you have available, whether that’s a heart rate monitor, power meter or smart trainer, you’re able to get a clear picture of where your fitness is right now.

Good testing options include functional threshold heart rate (FTP) and maximum heart rate tests if you’re training with a heart rate monitor; a power profile test (where you would typically perform a maximal effort at 5 second, 1 minute, 5 minute and 20 minute durations over a series of days) if you have a power meter on hand; or even looking into blood lactate analysis and/or VO2 Max testing, if you want to take a more scientific approach. 

Testing your current fitness will mean you’re able to establish appropriate training intensity zones for your current capabilities, as well as set benchmarks to measure against later on.

• Best smart trainer 2020: top-rated turbo trainers

The next step is to decide on your goals and objectives for the winter period, in order to plan your training effectively.

These goals can be fitness related, performance-based, or a mixture of the two. A fitness-based objective such as achieving a particular threshold power or VO2 Max value, or even a more performance-based objective such as a time on a virtual segment, work particularly well.

Using the popular S.M.A.R.T approach to make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound can be really helpful when setting meaningful goals.

Alongside these goals, you’ll also want to set appropriate objectives to measure your progress along the way. These will help to ensure you’re constantly heading in the right direction towards where you ultimately want to end up.

These objectives could be a target threshold power improvement by the halfway stage of your training if you’re building towards a hilly event, or perhaps a VO2 Max improvement of 5 per cent after an eight-week training period to improve your fat burning capabilities and overall aerobic endurance for longer or multi-day rides/races.

As we’ve just alluded to, the adaptations you’ll want to see over the winter will depend on what your goals are and the demands of the events you’re preparing for, but most cyclists will want to focus on improving their aerobic capacity as a priority.

As an endurance athlete, you want to have as strong an aerobic energy system as possible. This will allow you to ride at higher power outputs for longer without the anaerobic energy system (used for shorter, more explosive efforts) causing fatigue.

It also offers greater potential for you to raise other key performance indicators such as your anaerobic threshold, i.e. the point at which lactate begins to accumulate in the muscles and blood. 

What’s more, you’ll also have a stronger foundation to build on top of if and when it’s appropriate to focus on improving your anaerobic energy production too, which will be necessary for shorter, higher intensity efforts such as sprinting and making attacks.

Building your aerobic capacity with lower intensity rides around zone two (using heart rate or power), longer ‘muscular endurance’ blocks of perhaps 15 to 20 minutes each at lower cadences of around 60 to 80RPM, as well as interval training close to intensities that work on VO2 Max (e.g. the popular 30 seconds on/15 seconds off workout) will be ideal for the task.

• 6 hardcore training sessions to take your cycling to the next level

The next step in creating your plan is to work backwards and schedule the training sessions that will inch you forward towards your goals.

What you’re looking for here is a wide variety of workouts that fulfil the purpose outlined above. This will keep training interesting, motivating and result in greater adaptations since the body responds better when it’s challenged in different ways.

For the more structured workouts in your programme, indoor training apps such as Zwift are ideal for getting high-quality sessions done in a very time-efficient manner. 

Using ERG mode on a smart trainer, where the power is set at a prescribed output for your session (or the intervals within it), and avoiding interruptions from traffic can really help with hitting the numbers necessary to achieve the desired improvements. 

At the same time, one great tip is to have a dedicated winter training bike that you’re happy to ride outdoors in bad conditions. Having the right equipment — including a cost-effective bike with mudguards and puncture-resistant tyres — can go a long way to keeping your motivation intact through winter.

After all, you’re far more likely to get out onto the road or trail if you’re not too worried about wearing out expensive parts or having to meticulously clean the bike after your ride.

Finally, it’s important to constantly adjust your plan as you go based on how you’re responding to the workouts and how much time and energy you realistically have available. Making tweaks and iterations will help ensure you’re not leaving any fitness on the table – or worse, risk overtraining and burnout. 

Busy riders often underestimate the impact of stress external to training (such as work and family pressures) and the extent to which they can negatively affect athletic performance, so always stay on the conservative side and don’t be too wedded to what you originally planned at the outset.

In addition, leaving feedback on your key workouts, whether in a diary or as comments on your Strava file, will help you to avoid making the same mistakes in the future and guide you towards the right training approach to take further down the line.