Pinarello Becomes Title Sponsor of Q36.5 in Major WorldTour Shake-Up

In one of the most significant team sponsorship moves of the 2026 season, Italian bicycle manufacturer Pinarello has agreed to become the title sponsor of Q36.5 Pro Cycling. The team now races as Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling, and the partnership represents a major strategic shift for both the brand and the team. The move comes after … Read more

The New Cannondale CAAD Returns to Its Roots With a Modern Twist

Cannondale has pulled off something rare in the cycling industry: a new bike that feels both nostalgic and thoroughly modern. The latest iteration of the legendary CAAD series, launched in March 2026, returns to the oversized round tubes and double-diamond frame geometry that made the original CAAD a favorite among serious road cyclists — while … Read more

Bianchi Returns to the WorldTour With Bahrain Victorious Partnership

One of cycling’s most storied brands is back at the highest level. Bianchi, the historic Italian bicycle manufacturer founded in 1885, has returned to the WorldTour as the new bike sponsor of Bahrain Victorious, replacing Merida after a long and successful partnership. The team will race aboard three Bianchi models: the Oltre RC for aerodynamic … Read more

SRAM Now Powers Half the WorldTour Peloton — Here’s What Changed

The biggest equipment story in professional cycling this season is not a new bike or a revolutionary frame design. It is the quiet revolution happening in the components bolted to those frames. SRAM, the American component manufacturer, now equips half the bikes in the WorldTour peloton — a milestone that seemed unthinkable just a few … Read more

Tour de France 2026: Barcelona Grand Départ and Double Alpe d’Huez Finale Revealed

The 2026 Tour de France promises to be one of the most spectacular editions in the race’s history. Starting with a team time trial in Barcelona on July 4 and culminating in a double ascent of the legendary Alpe d’Huez on the final mountain weekend, the route has been designed to produce breathtaking racing from … Read more

Pogačar Wins Milan-San Remo 2026 After Dramatic Crash and Solo Attack

Tadej Pogačar has added another monument to his extraordinary palmares, winning Milan-San Remo 2026 in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. The World Champion crashed just 32 kilometers from the finish before the Cipressa climb, then launched an audacious attack that only Tom Pidcock could follow, before outsprinting the Briton on Via Roma to claim his … Read more

The 5 Most Important Bike Upgrades: Road Bike Edition

So, you’ve had your road bike for a while, and you’re thinking about upgrading it.

But where’s the best place to put your money to yield the greatest improvement when looking at the best bike upgrades road racing has to offer?

Upgrading your bike is always the next step after you’ve been cycling for a while. Sometimes it’s necessary, maybe a part or two has broken, and you might as well upgrade if you’re buying a new one.

How Do Electric Bikes Work?

Electric bikes work by combining a motor (250W-750W in most regions), a battery (typically 36V-48V, 10-21 amp-hours), and a controller that delivers power as you pedal (pedal assist) or via a throttle. Range is usually 25-60 miles depending on assist level, terrain, and rider weight. Below, we explain motors, batteries, and how the system works. … Read more

Essential Guide To Top Mountain Bike Brands

Making a decision on which mountain bike to buy can be pretty challenging, given all of the different factors to consider – and that’s before you even consider the sheer number of mountain bike brands available.

But what are some of the best mountain bike brands to look out for? What gives these brands such a good reputation?

7 Of The Best Electric Bike Brands: Essential Guide

Electric bikes are an excellent invention that massively increases the accessibility of the sport, and there are a vast range of worthwhile electric bike brands.

Between all of us in the BikeTips team, we’ve had the chance to try out a vast range of electric bikes – and we’ve selected seven of the best eBike brands, from A-Z.

What Are Watts, and How Is Watts Calculated in Cycling?

Simply put, a “Watt” (W) is a unit of power. On a scientific level, it’s equivalent to one joule per second.

Watts are most commonly calculated for cyclists through the use of a power meter, which measures torque and cadence to display power output.

Read on to find out what Watts means for cycling power, why it’s such an important element of power to understand, and how this knowledge can be implemented in your training.

Strava Free Vs Paid: How Much Is Strava Subscription, And Is The Upgrade Worth It?

Strava comes in two “flavors”: Strava Free vs Paid.

After years of using Strava’s free version, I was lured in by the additional features on offer and finally decided to take the plunge and upgrade to a premium Strava subscription.

But what’s the difference? How much is Strava premium? And is the upgrade worth it?

Vintage Gitane Bikes: Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

If you’re looking for a high-quality vintage French bicycle, then a vintage Gitane bike could be your best bet.

Gitane as a name is synonymous with late-20th-century French racing bikes. With many Tour de France legends having ridden Gitane bikes to victory, they’re an extremely well-known and reputable brand.

Weird Bikes: From Creative To Cursed

The cycling tech world is changing rapidly, with innovations every year that offer the potential to revolutionize the sport.

However, some innovations certainly don’t offer such bountiful outcomes but are extremely unique bikes or, sometimes, just plain weird bikes.

Ultimate Vuelta a España Jerseys Guide: Maillot Rojo and More

Anyone with interest in professional cycling sees knows that in each of the Grand Tours (the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España), the race leader wears a certain jersey to distinguish themselves from the rest of the peloton.

The Vuelta a España is no exception, and there are four different jerseys up for grabs in the race.

Tour De France 2023: Matej Mohorič Lunges Across The Line First In Photo Finish Stage 19

Slovenian Bahrain-Victorious rider Mohorič took the stage today with an impressive lunge to the finish line that beat yesterday’s winner – Kasper Asgreen – by a hair, confirmed only by a photo finish.

Tour De France 2023: Pogačar Capitulates as Felix Gall Claims “Queen” Stage 17 Victory

AG2R Citroën’s Felix Gall launched an impressive solo attack with 6 km to go of the toughest climb of this year’s Tour – the Col de Loze – and held his lead to the finish despite the efforts of Simon Yates and Jonas Vingegaard.

Tour de France 2023: Jai Hindley Wins Stage 5 After An Impressive Solo Attack In The Mountains

Bora – Hansgrohe’s Jai Hindley showed his General Classification intentions by sustaining a powerful solo attack for almost 20 km to take the first mountain stage of this year’s Tour.

It was the Australian’s first stage win in his debut Tour de France, after winning the Giro d’Italia last year. Hindley snatched the yellow jersey from UAE’s Adam Yates, on what was a poor day for UAE.

Tour de France 2023: Jasper Philipsen Prevails in Controversial Stage 3 Sprint

Alpecin – Deceuninck rider Jasper Philipsen was the fastest of the bunch today as he crossed the finish line a wheel’s length ahead of Phil Bauhaus in a thrilling bunch sprint in Stage 3 as the Tour de France returns to French soil.

Tour de France 2023: Victor Lafay Launches Blistering Attack To Pick Van Aert’s Pocket On Stage 2

Victor Lafay launched a blistering acceleration to distance himself from the bunch – and pre-stage favorite Wout van Aert – in the final kilometer, as Stage 2 of the 2023 Tour de France arrived in San Sebastián.

Lafay crossed the line a bike length ahead of van Aert, who was seen to punch his handlebars in frustration at the finish line as he lost the sprint.

2023 Tour de France Teams And Riders: Start List In Full

With the action underway, we’re running through the full start list of 2023 Tour de France teams and riders.

The Tour de France 2023 start list contains some clear favorites, some dark horses, some surprising absentees, some incredibly strong teams, and some with a slightly underwhelming set of riders for the race.

How Technology Is Revolutionising The Tour de France

As with most things in life, the technological revolution has dramatically impacted professional cycling. New cycling tech changes the way in which amateurs and professionals alike interact with the sport.

Revolutionary advancements in aerodynamics, tracking, equipment, communication, and anti-doping tech have had direct consequences in the sport itself. Nowhere is this more present than in cycling’s biggest race: the Tour de France.

Power and Influence at the Tour de France: Meet the Key Directeurs Sportifs

The directeur sportif (sports director) of each team essentially runs the show on the sporting side of things. Analogous to the head coach in football, the directeur sportif provides insight into the current situation of the race, following the team in a car.

They also provide the team with the proper tactics they should use in each case, often updating these as such during a stage, reflecting the current situation of the race.

Riding On Carbon (Dioxide): What’s The Environmental Impact of the Tour de France?

The Tour de France is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and such a significant sporting event – in any context – is never going to be emission-free.

Cycling is widely considered to be a sustainable practice, particularly when used in place of another form of transport. However, in the context of cycling as an organized sport, it’s certainly not emission-free.

Giro d’Italia 2023: Stage-by-Stage Recap

This Giro d’Italia 2023 began on the Adriatic coast and finished in Rome, the first time in the Italian capital since 2018.

The three-week race covered 3,448 km along the beautiful Italian coastline, along rolling hills, and most importantly, over 51,000 m up some of the most brutal climbs in Europe.

V Brakes Vs Cantilever Brakes Explained: 6 Key Differences

V brakes and cantilever brakes are both different types of rim brakes. This means that, upon the action of the brake levers, they apply a frictional force directly to the rim, slowing the rotation of the wheel to an eventual stop.

But what is the difference between V brakes vs cantilever brakes?

What Is A Wheelset? Bike Wheelset Meaning Explained

A wheelset is one of the integral parts of a bicycle, and, as the name suggests, contains the system of the wheels.

The question – “What is a wheelset?” – might seem straightforward, but it can be a little confusing because there are many different parts included within a wheelset. If you just buy a set of wheels, you wouldn’t necessarily consider all of them separately.

7 Of The Best Long Distance Cycle Routes UK For 2023

Home to stunning mountains, swathes of beautiful coastline, and even temperate rainforests, the UK offers excellent potential for bikepacking adventures.

The long-distance cycle routes UK has to offer vary significantly in difficulty and scenery, meaning there’s a route out there for whatever you’re looking for from your adventure.

Great Dun Fell: Cycling Guide to the Highest Road in England

Great Dun Fell is the second-highest mountain in the Pennines, 849 meters above sea level – but it is also home to the highest road in Britain. Located in Cumbria in the northwest of England, it is also a highly-regarded climb, since it is renowned for its superb road surface and beautiful views. Regardless of … Read more

Ultimate Guide To Gravel Wheelsets: Shimano + Campagnolo Edition

The wheelset of your gravel bike can make a huge difference to the feel of your ride. But how do you choose the right gravel wheelset for you?

Different types of gravel wheelsets excel at different things. Gravel biking is such a wide discipline that two gravel wheelsets could be very different from one another and should be used for different types of riding.

Cycling’s Darkest Hour: The Lance Armstrong Doping Scandal Explained

The Lance Armstrong doping case was the greatest scandal to ever hit the cycling world.

For many years, Lance Armstrong was the poster boy of the Tour de France and helped to elevate the competition to global popularity with his success.

In this article, we’ll give you the complete story of cycling’s biggest scandal: Lance Armstrong’s doping case, from start to finish.

The 8 Toughest Climbs in The World of Cycling

As cyclists, we like to challenge ourselves. The biggest challenges often come in the form of climbs, whether it’s around the corner from your house, or on a long ride far from home. But what are the most challenging climbs in the world? Now, this probably isn’t a question you’ve asked yourself unless you’re really … Read more

What Are Sintered Brake Pads? Organic Vs Sintered Brake Pads Explained

If you’ve got disc brakes on your bike, then you’ll need to make an important decision as to which type of brake pad you wish to use: organic vs sintered brake pads.

But what are sintered brake pads? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of sintered brake pads when compared to organic brake pads?

Mountain Bike Wheel Sizes Explained (With Mountain Bike Wheel Size Chart)

Some parts of cycling tech can be particularly confusing. One such area in which this is particularly apparent is mountain bike wheel sizes.

Cycling is a sport that has rapidly developed over the past few decades, with new disciplines cropping up and adding new types of tech along with different names for already existing tech and sizing.

“The Greatest Tour Of Them All”: The Agony And Ecstasy of Greg Lemond’s Legendary 1989 Tour de France Victory

Greg LeMond won the yellow jersey in the 1989 Tour de France – the closest and arguably most fiercely fought Tour in history – by a margin of just 8 seconds.

Often regarded as the greatest edition in the race’s history, the 1989 Tour de France winner was decided in its final moments in dramatic scenes never matched before or since.

Disc Brakes Vs Rim Brakes: Everything You Need To Know

Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your bike: they keep you safe! But which is a better braking system, disc brakes vs rim brakes?

In recent years, the best type of braking system for your bike has been hotly debated amongst roadies, and there are benefits and drawbacks to both rim and disc brakes.

Ultimate Light Bikes Guide: Lightest Road, Mountain, And Electric Bikes in the World

One thing is undisputed in cycling technology: light bikes come with a huge number of benefits.

The most significant of these is that a lighter bike lends itself to faster acceleration and deceleration. If you’re tackling a climb, you simply have less weight to drag up the hill, and it makes it easier to fight gravity.

If you’re trying to slow down, you’re carrying less mass, and therefore less momentum, so can decelerate more sharply.

Vintage Road Bikes Guide: What To Look For In A Vintage Road Bike

In the market for a vintage road bike? There are a few things to look out for to ensure you get the best deal possible!

Vintage road bikes provide an excellent entry point into the world of road cycling, but they’re not just for the beginner. There are a number of highly desirable vintage road bikes that enjoy a high level of esteem due to their functionality, aesthetics, and collectibility.

Shimano Tiagra Vs 105: Is The Upgrade Worth It?

Shimano’s mid-range groupset offerings – Tiagra and 105 – are some of the most common groupsets among amateur cyclists.

Shimano is the world-leading manufacturer of components, and for a good reason. They are trusted by much of the pro peloton and have supplied the groupsets on every winning men’s Grand Tour bike since 2020.

So, it begs the question, is it worth the upgrade? What’s the difference between Shimano Tiagra vs 105?

8 Essential Tips For Biking In The Winter

Cycling is an extremely rewarding sport.

Whether you’re summer cycling or biking in the winter, getting on two wheels allows you to get from A to B, keep fit, and feel immersed in your surroundings and connected to the landscape around you all at the same time!

For some, however, it’s very much a summer sport.

But in reality, there are very few places where you cannot go biking in winter – and winter cycling can be extremely beautiful and very rewarding.

7 Vital Safety Tips For Cycling At Night

Cycling at night can be pretty dangerous, and riding when you don’t feel completely safe can take away from your enjoyment.

However, by taking just a few simple precautions, you can feel significantly safer and enjoy your night rides more!

Night bike rides can be super fun. The roads are generally less busy, everything is really nice and quiet, and you can even use it to enjoy the stars or bask in the moonlight whilst riding your bike.

Furka Pass: Ultimate Cyclist’s Guide

Cycling the Furka Pass in Switzerland is an unforgettable experience that is not for the faint-hearted. Not an easy climb by any stretch, the long pass stretches up to lofty heights where the air is thin, with seemingly endless hairpins winding their way up the mountain.

But in an area renowned for its natural beauty, the view at every one of these hairpins could be a computer desktop background: sparkling rivers winding through valleys carpeted with vibrant green and huge snow-capped mountains and unique glaciers towering above them.

8 Top Tips To Make Your Bike Last Longer

Bikes these days can easily set you back thousands of dollars, and the constant need to replace certain parts only increases the cost. So, it’s worth doing everything possible to ensure that your bike and its components last as long as possible.

But what are some good tips to make your bike last longer? And how can you ensure that your components don’t need replacing very often?

6 Simple Ways To Improve Your Bike Handling Skills

Handling is one of the most important things to develop in order to enhance your cycling performance. But are there any tricks to accelerating this development?

Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned cyclist, there are always improvements to be made in your ability. Handling is perhaps one of the best routes to such improvement.

Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio): Ultimate Cyclist’s Guide

Passo dello Stelvio is the highest paved mountain pass in the eastern Alps at 2,758 m / 9,048 ft, in Italy near the Swiss border. From Bormio (south side) it’s 21.5 km at 7.1% with 38 hairpins; from Prato allo Stelvio (north) it’s 24.3 km at 7.4% with 48 hairpins. The Stelvio has appeared in … Read more

9 Epic Bikepacking Destinations

Want to get away with your bike, but struggling to narrow down the list of bikepacking destinations? Who doesn’t? But, it can be quite hard to land on the ideal location to suit your needs for your cycling holiday. Maybe you’re looking for somewhere with incredibly unique landscapes, not found anywhere else in the world, … Read more

Ultimate Shimano Wheels Guide and Hierarchy: Road Bike Edition

Shimano’s wheelset range covers four tiers: Dura-Ace (top, carbon clincher and tubular, $2,500–4,000); Ultegra (premium clincher and tubeless, $1,000–1,800); 105 / RS-series (mid-range alloy and entry carbon, $400–800); and the WH-RS01 / RS300-series (OEM wheels on $1K–2K complete bikes, $200–400 to buy separately). Shimano’s wheels are known for hubs that last 50,000+ miles, conservative aerodynamic … Read more

Ultimate Guide To L’Eroica Cycling: Vintage Bike Requirements and How To Take Part

L’Eroica is a vintage cycling event held annually in Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany, since 1997. Riders complete one of five route lengths (38–209 km) on pre-1987 steel-frame bikes wearing period clothing. The original event has spawned a global circuit — Eroica Britannia, Eroica California, Eroica Hispania, Eroica Japan. It’s the closest most cyclists will come … Read more

Ultimate Carretera Austral Cycling Guide

One of the most beautiful cycling routes in the world, the Carretera Austral is a road stretching over 1200 km through Chilean Patagonia.

It is known for its beautiful scenery and is littered with dramatic mountain formations, glaciers, volcanoes, and fjords. The Carretera Austral is a partly paved, partly unpaved road spanning 1240 km, passing through some of Patagonia’s highlights.

Vintage Trek Bikes: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re in the market for a second-hand bike on a budget, it’s likely you’ve come across some vintage Trek road bikes during your search. Trek is now a hugely popular brand amongst amateur cycling enthusiasts, enjoying the biggest slice of the bicycle market in the United States. However, it wasn’t always this way, and … Read more

What Is A Granny Gear On A Bike – And How Should You Set One Up?

A “granny gear” is the smallest chainring on a bike’s drivetrain, paired with the largest cog at the rear — the easiest gear available, used for very steep climbs. The term comes from triple-chainring road bikes of the 1980s–90s, where the inner ring (typically 30 teeth) was small enough that “even your grandmother could ride … Read more

Raleigh Vintage Bikes: Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Vintage Raleigh bikes — the iconic British marque from Nottingham (1885–1999 as a UK manufacturer) — are among the most collectible vintage road and commuter bikes. The most coveted models are the Raleigh Professional, the Team Replica, the Carlton-built Competition, the lightweight Record Ace, and the iconic Chopper. Raleigh frames typically used Reynolds 531 tubing … Read more

Transcontinental Race: Europe’s Toughest Bike Race

One of the most unorthodox cycling events in Europe, the Transcontinental Race – often abbreviated to TCR – is exactly what it says on the tin: a race that spans the whole of Europe. Fancy cycling all day, every day, bivvying up in bushes at the side of the road every night for a few … Read more

Puy De Dôme: Cyclists Guide

An iconic dormant volcano in central France, the Puy de Dôme returns to the 2023 Tour de France for the first time in decades. After being excluded for over three decades, the famously steep and challenging climb of Puy de Dôme has once again been announced in the route for the 2023 Tour de France. … Read more

What Is A Cyclocross Bike? CX Bikes Explained

Cyclocross is one of the most hardcore cycling disciplines, requiring excellent handling, power, and even running. The riders need to traverse some extremely tough terrain, including steep banks, sand, mud, and sometimes snow. Not only that but there are often many obstacles on the courses, meaning the riders have to dismount and run with their … Read more

Gravel Bike Vs Mountain Bike: Essential Differences Explained

Gravel bikes and mountain bikes are two very different types of bikes, but they’re both intended to be used off-road. Mountain bikes are the classic off-road beasts and couldn’t be further from their efficient asphalt-going cousins: road bikes. However, cycling’s newest discipline, gravel biking, has exploded in popularity, particularly with roadies keen to give some … Read more

What Is The UCI Weight Limit – And Why Does It Exist?

Cyclists must abide by a rule imposed by the UCI that restricts the minimum weight of their bikes to 6.8 kg (15 lbs) if they wish to compete in elite races. With cycling tech advancing rapidly to shave grams off the total weight of their bike, through ultralight frames, wheels, tires, and even handlebars, it … Read more

Ultimate Campagnolo Groupset Guide And Hierarchy

Campagnolo’s road groupset hierarchy: Super Record Wireless (top, 12-speed wireless electronic, ~$5,000), Record (premium, 12-speed wired electronic), Chorus (mid-premium, 12-speed mechanical), Centaur (entry-performance, 11-speed mechanical), and Veloce (now discontinued). Italian-made, distinct lever shape (a separate thumb lever for downshifts), and a cult following — but more expensive than equivalent Shimano. The oldest and most iconic … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Gran Fondos – Or Sportives – In Cycling

Sportives and Gran Fondos are an excellent way to get involved in the cycling community while enjoying a beautifully scenic ride with like-minded riders. Gran Fondos (also known as Sportives in parts of Europe) are mass-participation road cycling events often taking place over large distances through stunning courses. Due to their increasing popularity, Gran Fondos … Read more

Shimano 105 Vs Ultegra: Is The Upgrade Worth It?

Shimano 105 (R7100) and Ultegra (R8100) are the mid and premium tiers of Shimano’s road groupset range. Both are 12-speed, both come in mechanical or wired-electronic Di2, and both use hydraulic disc brakes. The differences: Ultegra is ~250 g lighter, has slightly faster shifts, and costs about 60% more. For 99% of riders, 105 delivers … Read more

Colnago Vintage Bikes Guide: Colnago Master X Light And More

Colnago are one of the highest-regarded manufacturers of bicycles of all time. Even to this day, you’re likely to see some beautiful Colnago frames in the pro peloton. But one of the reasons Colnago enjoy such esteem is due to their iconic vintage bikes. Colnago is not the oldest of manufacturers, founded in 1952, but … Read more

Ultimate Guide To Cycling’s Spring Classics

The typical beginning of the road cycling season, the Spring Classics include some of the most iconic day races in the cycling calendar. The Spring Classics are a collection of fourteen major one-day races which kick off the road cycling calendar, beginning in February and ending in April each year. Some races are more prestigious … Read more

Jonas Vingegaard: Everything You Need To Know About The Tour de France Champion

Seemingly from nowhere, Jonas Vingegaard has risen to the pinnacle of world cycling, taking the yellow jersey in the most recent Tour de France. If you’ve been living under a rock for the past two years, you might not have even heard of Jonas Vingegaard. Having entered his first Grand Tour in 2020, he has … Read more

650b Vs 700c Wheels: Everything You Need To Know

Particularly for off-road disciplines, you’re often offered a choice in wheel size when buying or building a bike. The wheelset of a bicycle includes the hubs, bearings, spokes, rims, and often the tubes and tires themselves. It’s not uncommon to be presented with a choice of wheel size, specifically if you’re buying a gravel or … Read more

SRAM Vs Shimano: The Essential Guide

Shimano and SRAM are two of the biggest and most successful manufacturers of bike components, making up 85% of the bike componentry market combined. Choosing the right groupset for you is absolutely essential. Whether you’re building a bike from scratch or buying a complete bike outright, SRAM and Shimano are both tried and tested options … Read more

Campagnolo Super Record EPS: The World’s Most Expensive Groupset

Campagnolo is renowned for its high-quality bike components. Their flagship groupset – the Campagnolo Super Record EPS – is no different. Campagnolo is the oldest and (arguably) most prestigious bike component manufacturer, famed for its beautiful Italian aesthetics and outstanding engineering. However, they come at a hefty price tag. Campagnolo Super Record EPS is the … Read more