{"id":462844,"date":"2026-03-07T16:17:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T16:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/462844\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T16:17:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T16:17:15","slug":"cleat-based-cyclowatt-power-meter-soars-past-crowdfunding-goal-within-days-a-host-of-new-kit-from-rapha-more-cycling-news-bike-reviews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/462844\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleat-based CycloWatt power meter soars past crowdfunding goal within days, a host of new kit from Rapha + more – Cycling News | Bike Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The world of bike tech exploded into life over the past seven days. Since we last checked in with you on Tech of the Week we\u2019ve had new bikes from Giant<\/a>, Merida and Cerv\u00e9lo<\/a>, a boat-load of new set-ups at the opening week of the classics, and the return of Tiagra<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Yep, there are a few weary faces in the road.cc tech team begging for the weekend, so let\u2019s round-out the most hectic period of 2026 so far with everything else that might have otherwise snuck through the net. We\u2019ve got plenty to get through, so let\u2019s dive straight in.<\/p>\n

Cleat-based CycloWatt power meter soars past crowdfunding goal within days\"20262026 CycloWatt detail (Image Credit: Kickstarter)<\/p>\n

The future of power meters? On Monday, we brought you the news that a cleat-based power meter was launching on Kickstarter. No, not one of these Kickstarter projects that gets stuck in a perpetual status of \u2018launching soon\u2019, this one\u2019s actually gone live\u2026 and it\u2019s doing rather well.<\/p>\n

The Swiss start-up behind it claims the cleat-integrated, single-sided power meter installs in seconds, works with either Shimano SPD-SL and Look Keo pedals, and delivers \u00b13% accuracy.<\/p>\n

> Cleat-based CycloWatt power meter launches on Kickstarter, promising easy swaps and low cost<\/a><\/p>\n

As co-founder Levi Luder explained: \u201cWe have run several tests, and we are in the final development phase, improving the reliability of the measurement and reducing the stack height. We believe that we can conclude the development and final test by the end of May, since feedback has been very positive.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The big news is that the crowdfunder has already smashed past its \u00a33,451 goal and was rocketing north of \u00a310,000 the last time we checked, more than 60 people backing the project in the opening days of the campaign. There are still 24 days to go, so there\u2019s plenty more investment to come, you\u2019d have thought.<\/p>\n

CycloWatt\u2019s designers say users won\u2019t need specific pedals and it\u2019ll be compatible with either Shimano SPD-SL or Look Keo pedals. When the cleat wears out, you keep the electronic section and replace the surrounding plastic for about \u00a314.50. The claimed +\/-3% accuracy is a greater margin for error than is claimed by most other power meters, Favero Assioma and Garmin claiming +\/-1% for their systems. CycloWatt\u2019s accuracy is apparently not affected by dirt, mud, or temperature changes.<\/p>\n

Check out all the details in our full story on the launch<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n

Rapha promises gaps filled, upgrades to popular styles, and fresh colours as 2026 Pro Team range launched\"RaphaRapha Pro Team range spring\/summer 2026 (Image Credit: Rapha)<\/p>\n

Rapha\u2019s spring\/summer Pro Team range for 2026 is out now. There are some completely new products, the brand wanting to \u201cfill gaps in its range\u201d, such as the Pro Team Wind Jacket and Pro Team Cargo Bibs available for the first time outside of a special collection.<\/p>\n

The Wind Jacket is the Pro Team version of Rapha\u2019s existing jacket, the brand telling us it prioritises being highly packable and \u201cperfect for early mornings\u201d and waiting for that ride mate who\u2019s late again.<\/p>\n

\"RaphaRapha Pro Team range spring\/summer 2026 (Image Credit: Rapha)<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the familiar favourites such as the Pro Team Jersey II and Pro Team Training Jersey III have undergone tweaks to the established formula. In the former\u2019s case that means \u201ca more engaged\u201d fit which, I\u2019ve got to say, is the first time I\u2019ve heard that description of a piece of cycling clothing (but maybe that\u2019s a me problem). The Pro Team Training Jersey III has also been updated with longer sleeves.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not an AI Wiggo\u201d: Alex Dowsett\u2019s coaching platform\"StrideStride app (Image Credit: Stride)<\/p>\n

Former pro rider Alex Dowsett has a coaching app \u201cthat uses AI to give everyday cyclists the kind of responsive, personalised coaching that used to be exclusive to professionals\u201d. It\u2019s apparently the first AI-native training platform \u201cbuilt to think like a world-class coach, every day, for every athlete\u201d.<\/p>\n

Stride\u2019s head of growth is certainly confident, this week telling us it\u2019s \u201cnot an AI Wiggo\u201d, a shot fired at the recent news that Bradley Wiggins has launched a \u00a322-a-month AI coaching app<\/a>. Stride is a fair bit cheaper at \u00a312-per-month, but the people behind it believe it is \u201cindustry leading\u201d and can offer amateur riders plenty of support in chasing a goal. It connects to devices or virtual training platforms, meaning workouts are instantaneously synced to your devices and platforms. Then, it uses AI to build a training plan towards said goal.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost cyclists aren\u2019t training for a living. They\u2019re fitting rides around jobs, families and everything else life throws at them and the tools they have don\u2019t really account for that. Training plans don\u2019t move when life does. Data piles up but doesn\u2019t tell you what to actually do differently,\u201d Stride\u2019s head of growth gave us the sales pitch. \u201cWhen your Tuesday ride gets cancelled or your weekend gets cut short, it doesn\u2019t just log the missed session \u2014 it adapts around it.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just new bikes\u2026 Giant announces new helmets too\"GiantGiant Pursuit Mips (Image Credit: Giant)<\/p>\n

If you missed it on Friday, Giant unveiled its \u201clightest Propel ever\u201d<\/a>, shunning the trend towards more radical aero road bikes. There\u2019s also some new lids, Giant announcing the new Pursuit Mips and Rev Pro Mips helmets \u201cdesigned to meet the evolving demands of modern performance riding\u201d.<\/p>\n

In this case, that means \u201crefined aerodynamic efficiency\u201d, more ventilation and, of course, validated protection. The Pursuit Mips, unsurprisingly given its name, is the performance-orientated option. It wouldn\u2019t be Tech of the Week without a watt-saving claim, Giant saying this new version saves 1.66 watts versus the previous generation.<\/p>\n

The Rev Pro Mips is the more comfort-focussed offering, designed to offer \u201ca ventilation-forward approach\u201d, even on the hottest days. It weighs 280g for a medium and both helmets feature Mips\u2019 system too. The Pursuit is \u00a3199.99, while the Rev Pro is \u00a3189.99.<\/p>\n

\"GiantGiant Rev Pro Mips (Image Credit: Giant)Hutchinson adds 32mm and 34mm widths to its Blackbird range\"HutchinsonHutchinson Blackbird 32\/34mm tyre (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)<\/p>\n

Hutchinson is hopping on the wide tyre trend, adding 32mm and 34mm options to its Blackbird range. Independent lab testing by the brand reportedly found that the 32mm tyres improved rolling resistance by five per cent versus the 30mm version. Add in the fact wider tyres are comfier and deal with dodgy roads more easily, it\u2019s not hard to see why the brand says it reckons \u201cthe future points towards tyres sized 30mm and up\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cA wider tyre performs better: it filters vibrations, provides damping, and, above all, delivers a level of stability you feel immediately, especially in high-speed corners,\u201d the brand\u2019s product manager Martin Chuchu explained.
\u200b\u200b
\u200b\u201dThe change might be surprising at first, but once you get a taste for it, there is no going back. Width becomes a clear advantage: more stable, faster, and safer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson confirmed the price will remain uniform across the range, regardless of width.<\/p>\n

Colnago goes over to the dark side\"DarkDark Series (V5Rs and Y1Rs) (Image Credit: Colnago)<\/p>\n

Colnago has two new liveries for its V5Rs and Y1Rs, the \u2018Dark\u2019 stripping things back to allow the carbon fibre texture to take centre stage. The finish reflects the \u201cideal colour scheme for dedicated racers\u201d, the Italian brand suggests. Specifically, full carbon with visible carbon-fibre layup, complemented by chrome-plated details. A minimum layer of transparent coating is sprayed to assure the quality of the finishing.<\/p>\n

\"DarkDark Series (V5Rs and Y1Rs) (Image Credit: Colnago)<\/p>\n

\u201cNo paint, no colours. A pure racing look,\u201d Colnago says. If you want to send me one for my birthday I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll agree\u2026<\/p>\n

In case you missed it:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The world of bike tech exploded into life over the past seven days. Since we last checked in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":462845,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-462844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=462844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/462844\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/462845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=462844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=462844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=462844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}