Innholdsfortegnelse for November-December 2025 i Bicycling Australia

It’s the end of sorts. Yet it’s also the beginning. That’s the thing about cycling, it never truly stops. Unlike most sporting pastimes, professional or otherwise, the offseason isn’t really an offseason at all. There is no finish line, just more rides and training to be done, more kilometres and coffee to be consumed, more gear and gadgets to acquire, especially at Christmas time. Then come 1 January we get to do it all over again – if we ever even stopped. One pro who has reached the end, but also a new beginning, is 39-year-old Geraint Thomas. Having retired in September at the Tour of Britain, the 2018 Tour de France winner takes up a managerial position in 2026 as INEOS Grenadiers Head of Racing. Same, but different. Again…

As the winter chill fades and we move into warmer months, it's the perfect time to shift gears and start planning for the upcoming Aussie summer of cycling. Mid-spring is the ideal moment to refocus and create a cycling strategy that will help you make the most of the season ahead. Whether it’s putting together a dedicated training plan to regain peak fitness or simply deciding it’s time for a new bike (let’s be real, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of a new bike to boost your cycling spirit), the goal is to get motivated. As an event owner, I’d also recommend locking in one of your favourite cycling events like the Bowral or Mudgee Classic. Setting a goal like this gives you the perfect reason to start pedalling…

South Korea might not be the first country that springs to mind for world-class cycling. But after riding through Busan and Seoul on a recent trip, I can confidently say it’s a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. From its extensive cycling infrastructure to its scenic routes, South Korea delivers a unique riding experience. Add incredible food and warm, respectful locals, and the country becomes a standout destination. With terrain ranging from flat riverside paths to challenging mountain climbs, there are options for every rider, from casual beginners to seasoned elites. Busan: a city of coastlines and climbs Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city and a major port hub, is rapidly growing in popularity with both domestic and international visitors. For cyclists, it delivers a rare blend of relaxing seaside paths,…

With the growing popularity of e-bikes, it is timely to investigate this serious issue and provide some reassurance that buying a reputable brand of e-bike is relatively safe. In short, the main reasons batteries catch fire are overcharging, using a charger that doesn’t meet Australian Standards or doesn’t match the battery, excessive heat, damage, or a fault. Last year, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) reported 323 fires ignited by lithium-ion batteries, an increase from 272 fires in 2023 and 165 fires in 2022. Lithium-ion batteries are in many devices used in Australian homes, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, cordless power tools, e-bikes, e-scooters, smartwatches, and many more. Most don’t cause house fires unless they malfunction. Cheap, poorly made batteries and devices hold a higher risk of igniting. In a report from…

2025 has been a good year for road tyres. In particular, several excellent new all-rounder options have arrived on the market – the latest being the Continental Grand Prix TR. Taking plenty of lessons from the acclaimed GP5000 series – which introduced its first tubeless options back in 2018 – the Grand Prix TR costs less and lasts longer, meaning there’s plenty to like, especially for an everyday training tyre. Out of the box they feel stiff and hard-wearing. Unsurprisingly they’re also a little hefty at around 370 grams per tyre (30mm), putting them on a par with rival all-rounder brands. By way of comparison, the Continental GP5000 S TR equivalent weighs 310 grams. Tubeless-ready and hookless compatible, the Grand Prix TR features Continental’s renowned ‘BlackChili’ tread compound. However, unlike…

Scott Addict The new Scott Addict is designed to be more comfortable and versatile than its predecessor. Scott claims it is twice as comfortable as the outgoing model and 25% more comfortable than the Addict RC. To increase comfort, the product development team at Scott has reshaped various frame tubes. The seat and top tubes are slimmer to promote vertical compliance, while seat stays are lower than on the previous Addict model to further dampen the ride. Following the trend towards wider tyres, the clearance has increased to accommodate tyre widths up to 38mm. The larger tyres also improve comfort and lower rolling resistance. Another addition is the integrated repair kit in the downtube located near the bottom bracket. Scott says that by positioning it low on the frame, they’ve…

A my McPherson experiences the excitement of the Tour of Britain on a cycling tour across the five countries of the British Isles and discovers that each has its own culture, landscape and challenges. Did you know the Union Jack is made up of three crosses? The Cross of St George for England, the Cross of St Andrew for Scotland, and the Cross of St Patrick for Ireland. Yes, okay, so Wales is missing from the picture, and as of today, there is still a border between the two factions of Ireland. Nevertheless, I’ve never really given it much thought that what we consider the ‘British Isles’ is, in fact, a combination of five countries. On a cycling tour across England, Wales, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland,…

The original Cervélo S5 was launched in the lead-up to the 2011 Tour de France. Fourteen years on, it remains one of the most feted aero road bike platforms on the planet thanks to a long and bountiful partnership with Visma-Lease a Bike. Piloted to glory by the likes of Jonas Vingegaard, Wout Van Aert, Christophe Laporte and Marianne Vos, the S5 has won Classics, Monuments, Green Jerseys, two Tours de France and, most recently, the 2025 Vuelta a España. So, when a new model launches, the world is watching. Overview There’s always an element of risk in changing something that’s already extremely good. But Cervélo clearly understand their market. The 2026 model S5 has undergone a series of strategic aerodynamic changes to take full advantage of the latest UCI…

Dodging Magpies. It’s almost a sport in itself for Aussie cyclists. At best, a little annoying. At worst, downright dangerous. But rather than simply accept the inevitable dive-bombing each spring, an industrious Dutch-Australian engineer Leo Boesten decided to do something about it – the PieProof Helmet was the result. First impressions When I was first asked to review the PieProof Helmet I assumed it would be entirely functional, but barely practical with large, heavy and protruding defence mechanisms. So it was a pleasant surprise when it arrived to see that it mostly looks and feels like a very normal bike helmet. It also weighs just 285 grams (large size), putting it on par with many other road helmets. Safety First and foremost, the PieProof Helmet is certified to AS/NZS 2063:2020…

When I first put these shoes on, I was concerned about how comfortable and flexible they felt. I’m more of a road cyclist than a gravel one, so I’m used to wearing carbon-soled road cycling shoes, which are super stiff and designed to immobilise your foot. But once I started riding on gravel with them, I realised they are ideal for the terrain and riding style. Flexible and comfortable are just what’s required to pair nicely with mountain bike pedals. They are also super comfy when you get off the bike and walk around on both gravel and bitumen. And I wouldn’t pigeonhole them as gravel only; they make great off-road shoes for mountain biking, gravel, commuting, or bike-packing. Flexible sole Northwave calls the sole of these shoes ‘Jaws Evo’.…

The performance carbon road bike market is crowded and increasingly expensive, with flagship models from major brands now costing $10,000-$20,000. For many riders, especially amid current cost-of-living pressures, upgrading feels out of reach. In response, a wave of direct-to-consumer brands has emerged, promising high-quality frames and wheels at far lower prices. While some still raise eyebrows over quality and after-sales support, a few are proving they can deliver. One of those is Yoeleo, a Chinese brand that has quietly refined its offering for more than a decade. I’ve been testing their R12 Disc frameset paired with the SAT C50 DB PRO NxT SL2 wheels to see how they stack up. First impressions The quality of the R12 frame is immediately obvious. The Hemidium finish is striking, with a subtle sparkle…

The subject of this review, the Karoo 3 – or simply the ‘new Karoo’ as Hammerhead refers to it – was launched around 18 months ago, succeeding the Karoo 2 to become Hammerhead’s flagship head unit. From a size and cost perspective, it slots directly into the mid-market alongside the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam (2.8-inch screen) and Garmin Edge 840 (2.6-inch screen). On paper it has plenty to offer, but how does it deliver out on the road? First impressions Out of the box the new Karoo is a good mid-size unit with a generous 3.2-inch touchscreen. With a sleeker and more elegant form factor than the Karoo 2 it certainly looks good. The quality is also quite robust, however, I did immediately notice there’s an ever-so-small amount of play in…

The idea of a pocket-sized air compressor has always sounded like a dream, and while I’ve seen various models pop up in recent years, I’ve remained sceptical about how effective they could really be. CO₂ canisters can inflate a tyre in seconds, but they come with downsides: they’re single-use, prone to user error, and can cause frost burns – something I’ve fallen victim to more than once. And, you’re left guessing the pressure. Hand pumps aren’t much better – they’re slow, physically demanding, and still imprecise. After reaching out to Cycplus, they sent me two of their mini electric pumps to test – the AS2 Pro and AS2 Pro Max. Excited to put these pumps through their paces, I got to work using them whenever I could, so much so…

This isn’t just a bike race. It’s a rolling street party with long lunches and FTP. It’s Australia’s biggest festival of lycra and leg tans. It’s where pro racing meets poolside lounging, and somehow your Garmin still tells you you've done 700km by the end of the week. If that doesn't sound like heaven, I can't help you. And for me – they are always special. It’ll be my fifteenth time heading over for TDU, and somehow every year gets better. The stories. The climbs. The chaos. The sunburn. I’ve seen it all (not much rain though) – and yet I know 2026 will still bring something new. You wake up early, legs still humming from yesterday’s ride. The group chat's going off – "Coffee at Exchange? Who’s doing Norton…