The new year can be a time of change for cyclists. This is a time to reflect and look forward. You can choose to set a goal or make a plan, press Reset or choose Repeat. Regardless of how last year turned out, we can all toast to a fresh start.
For many people, becoming healthier will be the primary goal. It seems a bit harsh to associate this with winter weather, so training indoors may be the lesser of two evils. With that in mind, we’ve showcased an affordable smart bike from Decathlon, as well as two new products from Garmin – a smartwatch and heart rate monitor. Of course, both can be worn outdoors if you prefer the open road to a garden shed.
But replacement parts can also help with a new approach, and nothing adds fuel to the fire like a new set of wheels, tires or even forks. We have three performance products here: lightweight road wheelsets made in the UK, commuter tires for folding bikes and carbon forks for adventurers.
Decathlon training bike 900
The Training Bike 900 comes standard with an LED console.
(Image source: Decathlon)
While many of the best smart bikes come packed with features, they can also cost a fortune. Not so with Decathlon’s Training Bike 900.
It offers connectivity to the Decathlon app and Kinomap, as well as third-party training apps such as Zwift, Rouvy and BKool. You can also pair it with a heart rate monitor or smartwatch. If you just want to plug it in and go, the 360-degree rotating LED console will show you all the essential metrics, including speed, distance, workout duration, and calories burned.
The bike offers 32 resistance levels and an automatic setting that can be adjusted to simulate climbing or descending. Maximum resistance is 1000 watts, which is well below many more expensive competitors, but may be enough for the target audience. Other details include a 13kg magnetic flywheel and belt drive, which should make it fairly quiet in use.
Decathlon says the bike takes only 30 minutes to assemble and can be individually adjusted via the handlebars and saddle. What about the price? £599.
Garmin Instinct 3 and HRM 200
The burly Instinct 3 comes with multi-band GPS
(Image source: Garmin)
Garmin’s already rich smartwatch product line becomes even richer with the addition of Instinct 3.
It’s billed as “designed for adventure,” and its silhouette does look pretty rugged. The case features reinforced bezels and casing as well as a scratch-resistant display. It is impact and heat resistant and rated for depths up to 100 meters. There’s even a built-in flashlight with strobe mode. Multi-band GPS also adds to its adventure credentials.
It comes in two sizes, 45mm and 50mm, with an AMOLED screen. There’s also a solar-powered model, which Garmin says offers “more than five times longer battery life in GPS mode when charged on solar” compared to previous versions.
For many people, the appeal of a smartwatch is its ability to track your health around the clock. With that in mind, the Instinct 3 offers a ton of data, including heart rate, step count, and advanced sleep monitoring. You can also receive a morning report that lets you know how you slept and shows you the day’s calendar.
It has multiple sport modes, including riding, of course. Prices start at £349.99.
The HRM 200 lets you know when battery life is running low with the help of a small LED light.
(Image source: Garmin)
Garmin has also added the HRM 200 heart rate monitor series. It’s said to provide reliable heart rate and heart rate variability data, and is compatible with your smartwatches, Garmin Edge computers, and smart trainers. The replaceable battery has a claimed life of one year, and a small LED light lets you know when the battery is low. There are two strap sizes available and retails for £79.99.
VeloElite RF50 Flux Wheel
Fast and stable are the goals of the performance-focused RF50 Flux grinding wheel
(Image source: VeloElite)
While we’ve seen wavy rims before, it’s a striking look. VeloElite has chosen a unique design for its new product RF50 flux Wheelset. Designed primarily for British riding conditions, the 50/45mm rim depth blends aerodynamic performance with reliable handling, while the 21mm internal dimensions make it ideally suited to modern road tire widths. The original gloss finish only adds to the visual impact.
Adjusting the hub can help reduce the overall weight of the wheel.
(Image source: VeloElite)
The rims feature Tune hubs, ceramic bearings and Sapim CX Ray spokes (24 front and rear). All this added up, the wheelset weighs a claimed 1325 grams. Handmade in the UK and retails for £1,850.
Goodyear Eagle F1R 16-inch tires
Is this the first high-performance road tire made specifically for folding bikes? Goodyear has taken its Eagle F1 formula – low rolling resistance, soft 120tpi casing and Shield R puncture protection strip – for the 700c racing tire and applied it to a 16-inch version aimed at “serious” commuters.
Goodyear wants to add some color to your commute.
(Image source: Goodyear)
While the 30mm, 120g tires are designed to deliver speed, cornering safety and puncture protection, Goodyear hasn’t neglected their looks either – in addition to the traditional black, you can also choose from clear, yellow, purple and pink Sidewall of Eagle F1R.
Adventure Fork No. 6
Be prepared, you don’t need to own a No. 22 bike to ride the No. 6 Adventure Fork
(Image source: No. 6 Composites)
No. 6 Composites, sister brand to No. 22 Bicycles (the observant may notice a theme here), has launched a new carbon fiber adventure fork as an aftermarket upgrade for any compatible frame from any brand.
It features +5mm clearance to fit 50mm x 700c tires, fender mounts, accessory mounts, internal generator routing and semi-internal and internal cable routing options.
Weight is 440g, with uncut 350mm steerer, price is $525.
