Cyclist Australia

Hold on, what’s this? Small wheels, folding frame, casual wear – have we changed into Commuting World? Fear not, we’re still dedicated to the road, but this little bike deserves a special mention. Brompton is an undeniable manufacturing success story in the bike industry with growing markets around the world. Sales of its folding bikes topped 93,000 last year, which is a fair bit more than the 500 a year the company produced back when it started in the early 1980s. More importantly, as our profile on p68 reveals, Brompton’s CEO, Will Butler-Adams, is not just concerned about sales figures and profit margins, he is also passionate about how the bike – any bike – can transform society and make this world of ours a slightly more pleasant place to live. As a…

All bikes have a definite life cycle, but once the latest model is released, its engineers don’t ever just sit back and relax. ‘When you’re developing big new ideas, you have to pick an endpoint and launch a product,’ says Maria Benson, Cervélo’s director of product management. ‘But in reality we don’t stop looking at how it can be improved after the bike is launched.’ Immediately after the last S5 was released in 2018, work started on its successor, which has now arrived to sit at the top of Cervélo’s road racing line-up, and it has already seen some action. While the men’s Jumbo-Visma team were racking up wins on the previous S5, this latest model was being raced by the women’s and development teams in early 2022. The biggest changes include…

Endura’s GV500 gear is something we’re keen to try on our next adventure off the beaten track. GV is becoming cycling shorthand for ‘gravel’ and Endura promises its range offers a fit and fabric to tackle any ride. GV500 knicks feature double-layer leg panels to reduce the gravel rash in the unlikely event of a fall, and mesh pockets on either thigh to stash some tasty treats. The jersey also includes extra storage beyond the usual three back pockets, with side mesh pockets and a chest pocket with a zipper (where you’d have a top pocket on a collared shirt) for the important stuff. There are also jackets, baggy shorts and rapid wicking T-shirts in the GV500 range to ensure you stay comfy in all conditions. And what about the all-important colour…

This is the third version of wireless Sram Force and the first where the US company is dropping the ‘eTap’. Consumers know about its wireless systems, so Sram has made AXS the focus, not eTap. But what is AXS? Well, it’s abbreviated Sram-speak for access – as in, ‘access all areas’. If you see a Sram groupset – road, gravel or mountain – with AXS, the wireless parts can work together. This is a simple and a welcome reprieve from the compatibility headaches of days past. Sram’s latest Force AXS gets the makeover all bike manufacturers promise – better in almost every way. However, the benefits of Force aren’t shoved down our throats down to the gram, watt-saving or shift speed improvement. Sram pretty much puts the groupset in front of…

We’re betting you’re not too keen to carry a 1.9kg D-lock on your next bunch ride, and we completely understand that. However, we’d also wager you have another bike or two (…or N+1) in your possession for riding to work, to the shops, the beach, the pub, your kids’ school, the bike path, or wherever, and we’re pretty sure you want that bike to be where you left it when you get back. The D1000 from Hiplok all but guarantees your bike will remain your bike, wherever you leave it. The D1000 uses a graphene composite, which makes it resistant to angle-grinder attacks, the weapon of choice for professional bicycle thieves. Hiplok claims it’s the only bike lock in the world with such capability, and it was put to the test…

The Ray 1600 front light is a supremely powerful unit, pumping out up to 1,600 lumens and getting a run time of between 50 hours and 100 minutes, depending on your setting. It has smart technology and can even charge your phone. Meanwhile, the Seemee 150 is a tiny light with serious credentials as one of the best rear lights on the market. It weighs just 26 grams and can last for between 27 and 12.5 hours but most importantly, it’s extremely bright and will make you feel safe even in the darkest winter.…