It’s time for a World Cup Downhill bike check! This is Danny Hart’s prototype Two15 HP downhill bike snapped at the recent UCI Downhill World Cup which took place at the iconic Fort William venue in the highlands of Scotland; our regular freelance photographer James Vincent was there for the weekend and managed to capture the Two15 HP in the pits. This is the second year that Danny is onboard Cube and this season he’s moved over from the Two15 production downhill bike to a brand new Two15 HP prototype bike for 2022. Why HP? Well HP signals that this new bike features a high pivot suspension configuration.
Regarded as the Formula One of mountain biking, the Downhill World Cup circuit sees the most significant prototyping of bikes and equipment within any discipline of cycling, with technical trends sweeping the pits faster than the latest viral pandemic. Previously we’ve had everyone racing to develop 29” wheel-sized downhill bikes, then came the mullet (more on that later) and now the latest obsession in the race paddock is the high pivot.
Danny’s Two15 HP prototype sported a fresh paintjob for the Fort William Downhill World Cup.
So what is a high pivot and what are the performance benefits? Last year saw an explosion of high pivot downhill bikes from many of the leading brands; a high-pivot suspension configuration moves the bike’s main pivot high above the chainring and the rear wheel axle to encourage an enhanced rearward axle path through the travel off the rear suspension. In the past one of the potential drawbacks of this sort of setup is that chain growth and pedal kickback can be an issue – basically as the rear axle travels trough its suspension the chain tightens and pulls back on the cranks. To solve this we have seen brands fit an ‘idler’ which is basically an extra jockey wheel placed above the chainring, eliminating those issues. The benefits of a high pivot are a more plush feel as your wheel moves rearwards and upwards away from obstacles rather than just upwards.
Danny fine-tuning his ride before the final on Sunday (spot the suspension telemetry recording data on his Fox Fork).
It’s no surprise to see Cube joining the high-pivot party and we saw Danny testing the bike earlier in the year before the season had started; he then showed up at round 1 of the World Cup in Lourdes, France on a raw-alloy version with an air shock before rocking up at Fort William on this painted version featuring a coil shock so it’s looking like we’re getting closer to a production model. As I mentioned earlier, Danny’s Two15 HP is a ‘mullet’ bike (business up front, party at the back) consisting of a 27.5” diameter rear wheel and a 29” diameter front wheel which gives him all the advantages of a faster-rolling front wheel with a more agile rear wheel that he can throw around tight turns a little easier. Being fairly short in stature too, Danny likes the smaller rear wheel when he’s throwing his weight over the back of the bike on steep drops because there’s less risk of him getting buzzed by the rear tyre.
Cube has been prototyping a high pivot version of their Two15 downhill bike during the early race season.
Danny had raced his raw alloy version of the Cube Two15 HP at UK National Downhill Series at Fort William a couple of weeks before the World Cup where he took the win so hopes were high for him going into the weekend of top-flight international racing. He qualified for the final with no dramas and was able to put in a solid run in the final to take an excellent 8th place at his biggest home race of the year. It’ll be interesting to see if this particular prototype becomes the final production version or whether we’ll see further developments before the end of the season. Watch this space!
It’s still in prototype but this bike’s working title is Two15 HP (HP indicating a high pivot).
Danny’s race mechanic tunes the Fox 40 Factory fork following rider feedback and telemetry data.
Danny ran an air shock at round 1 of the World Cup but chose a coil shock for the demanding Fort William course.
Spot the difference? The 2022 Two15 HP prototype features a high-pivot and idler creating a more rearward axle path for super-plush suspension.
The Two15 Prototype’s idler helps reduce chain growth and pedal kickback as the bike moves through its suspension travel.
Tried and tested; Danny sticks with a 7-speed SRAM XO rear derailleur.
A simple, no-nonsense 7-speed SRAM XO trigger shifter helps Danny easily find the right gear in any racing scenario.
Magura Raceline MT7 brakes are powerful and ready to scrub off speed in an instant.
Four pot brake calipers are the norm within World Cup downhill racing; Danny has paired his with 203mm rotors.
The Magura’s iconic fluro yellow stands out, so there’s no mistaking what brand of brake Danny’s running.
Raceline MT7’s are recognised for their superior stopping power.
The Magura Raceline MT 7 calipers look great as well as preforming flawlessly.
Danny runs a durable pair of Newman wheels in ‘mullet’ configuration – 29″ wheel up front and 27.5″ on the rear.
Newman Fade hubs are smooth and fast-rolling.
A typical sight at the World Cup pits, ‘First Ride’ denotes Schwalbe’s prototype and development program.
Schwalbe Magic Mary Super DH tyres feature plenty of sidewall protection.
Tyre choice is tricky at Fort William, with the top of the course being open, fast & rocky and the lower course being wooded & muddy.
Danny runs Cushcore inserts and Schwalbe Doc Blue sealant in his tyres.
The Cube Two15 HP features a pair of 770mm wide Race Face Atlas handlebars.
Danny says his Crud XL Fender is so good he almost doesn’t need to wear goggles.
Danny airs into the Fort William finishing arena to take an excellent 8th place.
The Cube Two15 HP prototype is shaping up to be a rapid Downhill World Cup machine.
Cube Two15 HP Prototype
Full Specification:
Frame: Cube Two15 HP Mullet
Shock: Fox DHX2 200mm travel
Fork: Fox 40 Factory 200mm
Cassette: SRAM XO 7 Speed
Derailleur: SRAM XO 7 Speed
Shifter: SRAM XO 7 Speed
Cranks: Race Face Atlas Direct Mount 165mm
Chainring Race Face Direct mount 34T
Chain Device: MRP SXG
Brakes: Magura Raceline MT 7
Rotors: Magura 203mm front & rear
Wheels: Newman 29″ front 27.5″ Rear
Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary First Ride (Prototype) 27.5″ rear, 29″ front
Inserts: Cushcore
Tubeless Sealant: Schwalbe Doc Blue
Stem: Race Face Atlas 50mm Long, 35mm Clamp
Handlebar: Race Face Atlas, 20mm Rise, 770mm Wide, 8° Back Sweep, 5° Up Sweep, 35mm Clamp
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Wheelbase are pleased to announce that we have added another fantastic bike brand to our folio! Say ‘hola’ to top Spanish bike brand Orbea; founded way back in 1840 in the city of Eibar in Spain’s Basque country. Orbea originally manufactured guns before diversifying into bicycle production, using their in-depth knowledge of steel tubing to produce premium, race-ready road bicycles. Leap forward 182 years and Orbea is now recognised around the world as being a bike brand at the cutting edge of bicycle design and production across a multitude of cycling disciplines including Road, Gravel, Mountain and E-MTB with racing success through the years within the biggest road races in the world and more recently, at the mountain bike Enduro World Series and World Cup Cross Country mountain bike races.
Today Orbea can rightfully claim to be one of the very best, most-influential bike brands within the industry as they continue to develop cutting-edge bikes that are born out of the performance demands of racing competition but are designed to enhance the riding experience of cyclists at every skill and fitness level. We have had Orbea on our radar for a long time and have been relishing the chance to work with them so that we can bring you some really fantastic bikes including their sublime Rise e-MTB which promises to deliver a completely new e-MTB riding experience and is already garnering a lot of well-earned attention on the Wheelbase shop floor. We’ve focused in on the Rise e-MTB for an in-depth product feature below as well as picking out another few key models that we think stand out for all the right reasons…
Orbea was founded in 182 years ago in 1840 by the Orbea brothers in Eibar in the Basque Country of Northern Spain.
Product Feature – Orbea Rise E-MTB
Check out the stunning Orbea Rise e-MTB! No, that’s not a typo or a slip of the keyboard, this sleek mountain bike does indeed possess an e-MTB motor and internal battery. It’s just so discrete it really is a case of blink and you’ll miss it. Orbea is a new brand to Wheelbase and when we sat down to decide on the key models we were going to initially stock the brilliant Rise was at the very top of our list; we knew the minute we set eyes on it, that Orbea had set out to do something entirely different with the Rise compared to most other e-MTB’s on the market and we were keen to learn more about the design principles behind the light, agile e-MTB.
Orbea’s design brief was simple for the Rise – create an e-MTB that was less ‘e’ and more ’bike’. A lightweight e-MTB that’s more agile and maneuverable but can accommodate a full day of riding, helping riders to push the limits without conceding to an overly powerful motor and heavy battery; aspects of a conventional e-MTB that can sometimes take some of the fun away from a long ride on the trails. In a nut-shell Orbea gives a more authentic ‘acoustic ride’ feel with just the right amount of pedal assistance to help you reach more epic locations and strike out on longer mountain bike adventures; this is a whole new e-MTB riding experience and will suit a great number of mountain bikers who so far have been put off by the extra weight penalties of a typical e-MTB.
Blink and you’ll miss it; the Orbea Rise M20 e-MTB is so svelte it’s easy to miss that this is an e-Mountain bike.
At the heart of the Orbea Rise is their unique Rider Synergy (RS) Concept. The Orbea design team wanted to deliver a new riding standard – ‘less e delivers more bike’, helping the riding to become more natural with a motor which enhances the ride, without dominating it. Orbea call this sentiment ‘rider synergy’ (RS), reflecting a design approach which sees range, power and interface being considered as one.
The RS motor was developed in partnership with Shimano and consists of the already popular EP8 e-MTB motor but with modified hardware. The unique Orbea RS firmware means the motor responds with more power; when you pedal harder the Shimano motor responds with more power giving full assistance in the right places at the right times. It’s smooth rider assistance responding to rider force with no lag or drag, just and elastic, natural pedaling feel. The unique RS firmware has changed the behaviour of the EP8 motor with a smoother power band and responsive echoing of cadence input, especially in the 75-90rpm range.
The compact Shimano EP8 motor has been specially tuned to work with Orbea’s Rider Synergy (RS) firmware.
The Shimano EP8 motor’s Orbea RS firmware provides a subtle yet powerful 60Nm of torque (limited from the motor’s standard 85Nm) so that the RISE feels completely natural, giving an enhanced feel of your body’s own engine. Orbea developed their own RS battery, creating the lightest, smallest and most discrete battery out there; because of the bike’s light weight battery consumption is greatly reduced; a greater reliance on your legs means battery range is extended, with 4 hours of riding on one charge or for even longer rides you can use an Orbea range extender and give an additional 612Kw of power for up to 8 hours of riding and more than 8,000m of climbing in Eco mode. The low weight of the RISE also makes it feel agile and sporty, and battery consumption is significantly reduced. And with RISE you can keep pedaling for longer as the bike is designed to take you further. The total ride time with the onboard battery and portable range extender is 8 hours and more than 4,000m of climbing in Eco mode.
Find out more about the Rise and its unique Shimano EP8 Rider Synergy (RS) tuned motor.
When it comes to the connection between bike and rider the Orbea Rise RS Interface is sleek and simple. Orbea were clear at the outset – they didn’t want any unnecessary displays, sensors, extra wires or glowing buttons; a traditional, uncluttered bike was what the designers were aiming for and this was critical for their RS concept. There’s a compact button shifter on the left of the handlebar allowing you to toggle between Eco, Trail and Boost modes along with two tiny LEDs to broadcast data.
We already love the Orbea Rise e-MTB; it signifies a bold approach from the Spanish brand and promises a more authentic ride feel with a sensible amount of assistance and a really natural ride quality. We’re confident there’s a considerable audience for exactly this kind of e-MTB and it’s great to see Orbea at the forefront of this sort of technology. In the short amount of time that we’ve had the Rise on our shop floor we’ve heard plenty of people questioning whether or not it’s an e-MTB they’re looking; it’s a stunning looking bike that promises a whole new e-mountain biking experience.
The Orbea Rise promises a whole new e-MTB riding experience.
The Orbea Wild FS is a fun and capable full-suspension e-MTB that features progressive, trail-focused geometry with 160mm of travel to handle the most technically demanding descents you can find. Large 29er wheels roll over the roughest terrain, helping you carry your speed regardless of whether you’re pointing the Wild uphill or downhill; speaking of uphill the Wild FS range includes powerful Bosch motors to help ferry you back up to the top of your favourite trail. If you suffer from ‘range anxiety’ you can even fit a second battery to extend the Wild FS’s range up to a massive 1125 Watt Hours.
The Occam is Orbea’s super-agile trail or ‘enduro-lite’ mountain bike available in either carbon or alloy and featuring 140-150mm of travel with the rear suspension configuration able to accommodate either an air or coil shock. The Occam can boast modern, confidence-inspiring trail geometry which includes a slacker head angle, lower bottom bracket, longer reach, steep seat angle and a longer, more stable wheelbase.
The Laufey is Orbea’s versatile alloy hardtail designed to bring the fun to your mountain bike riding. It’s a slack, simple trail bike which can handle fast, frenetic riding and big hits. Featuring large 29er wheels shod with wide 2.6” tyres there’s plenty of grip on tight, loose terrain and those large-diameter wheels will help you carry more speed while enjoying a smoother ride. All Laufey models feature long-travel 140mm suspension forks to help you blast down the most technically demanding trails you can find while relaxed, trail-friendly geometry will have you railing turns and tackling steep drops with new-found confidence.
Orbea’s great-looking Terra gravel bike is available in alloy or carbon options and represents a truly versatile option when it comes to a light, durable and super-fun-to-ride mixed-terrain bike. Both the alloy and carbon options feature fully-integrated cockpits with internal cables running through the stem and into the frame and fork. The carbon Terra includes Orbea’s Lockr system which provides a storage area inside the downtube and both bikes include multiple mounting points. Tyre clearance is always an important consideration when choosing a gravel bike; the Terra can accommodate 700c tyres up to 45mm wide and 650b tyres up to 50mm wide.
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It was a case of ‘Super Sunny Saturday’ on May the 14th as Wheelbase Lake District hosted their Road & Gravel Bike Demo Day. In similar scenes to our Pinarello Demo day which took place during a heat wave last July, riders were welcomed with blue skies and warm temperatures, all keen to try out the very best dream bikes from Pinarello, BMC and Cannondale. With attendees pre-booked to ride their first choice of bike and each of the three brands providing fleets of premium demo bikes the day was an opportunity for individuals to head out on as many as 5 separate rides to compare how each bike performed up against the other on a fast and undulating road circuit packed with short, punchy climbs and fast, sweeping descents.
Our road bike demo riders enjoyed crackin’ weather and fast dry roads.
This time around we were also providing riders with the chance to try out some of the latest gravel bikes from Pinarello, BMC and Cannondale, with a nice little 50 minute loop from the shop, out onto some of our secret and very fun gravel lanes that crisscross the local countryside. All road and gravel rides were expertly chaperoned by fully-qualified local guides Rachel and Lucy along with Glen who helped us plot the entertaining gravel bike loop and former Team Sky professional Russ Downing who had raced on Pinarello bikes for a good amount of his road racing career. Russ was on hand to talk through the finer points of each Pinarello model while helping to keep the road riders in good spirits as they explored the south Lake District. Cannondale brought along their brand ambassador Dan Evans, the former National Hillclimb Champion who not only helped to manage the fleet of stunning Cannondale road and gravel bikes, fitting riders to their size of bike, but also got out on a couple of rides and showed his talent for climbing hills on his back wheel only.
Pinarello UK were on hand to ensure each bike was perfectly set up and ready to ride.
BIG thanks to everyone who joined us for the Road & Gravel Demo Day; we hope you enjoyed the experience! Thanks too to Pinarello UK, Cannondale and BMC for helping us to provide such a fun and enjoyable day of riding, giving our attendees a real taste of what they can expect from the very best bikes available.
Russ Downing and Dan Evans joined us on each ride and were on-hand to talk through the finer points of each bike.
For those of you that missed the opportunity to join us this time, keep a watch on our social media channels and subscribe to our emails if you haven’t already and next time we host another demo you’ll be at the front of the queue!
Check out the awesome photos below by our regular photographer James Vincent who was there with us to capture the day…
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Have you heard? There’s a new gravel bike in town and this thing’s super-versatile! Our latest product feature takes a deep dive into the all-new Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 L gravel bike. The new 2022 range of carbon Topstones launched at the beginning of March (see our launch feature here) and once we’d set our eyes on them we eagerly awaited the arrival of a test-bike to allow us to spend some quality time riding and getting to know this new-gen gravel bike. Cannondale sent us the all new Topstone Carbon 2 L spec’d with a Shimano GRX 800/810 mix groupset and their unique SmartSense lighting system; after spending a few weeks onboard this super-fun gravel bike we’d like to run through all of the key features and let you know what we think of the ride out on the demanding gravel tracks and trails of the south Lake District.
After the recent product launch we were eager to get a ride on the all-new Topstone Carbon.
Watch our Topstone Carbon 2 L bike check video.
Over the last few years it’s fair to say that the Cannondale Topstone has been a really popular gravel bike option for our Wheelbase customers. Cannondale’s large range of carbon and alloy Topstones have helped plenty of cyclists get into the ever-evolving world of gravel biking, but we think it’s fair to say that as time goes on the gravel bike genre continues to diversify somewhat into separate sub-genres – think super-lightweight aero race machines, tough utilitarian bike-packing machines, affordable alloy bikes with geometries that are closer to more traditional road bikes, playful burly options with 650b wheels & dropper posts and carbon gravel bikes with cleverly engineered technology designed to isolate you from rough terrain.
The new-generation Topstone Carbon 2 L came to life in the Kentmere valley in the South Lakes.
Some brands have produced gravel bikes that meet these demands separately – there’s a specific bike for Bikepacking, a specific bike for gravel racing and so on. Cannondale have rather brilliantly created a carbon gravel bike that is so versatile that it can excel in all the gravel riding scenarios we’ve highlighted above. With all bikes featuring their unique Kingpin rear suspension configuration the small range of 2022 Topstone Carbon gravel bikes cater to every style of riding; for example choose the Topstone Carbon 2 Lefty for rowdy riding on the trails thanks to their super-plush 30mm travel Lefty Oliver front fork, or the Topstone Carbon 3 650b for the option to run a fatter, more capable tyre. Alternatively if you’re focused on speedy efficiency and covering distance while carrying your Bikepacking luggage choose the Topstone Carbon 2 L that we’re looking at today and benefit from Cannondale’s SmartSense lighting system, allowing you to continue riding late into the night.
The Topstone Carbon 2 L benefits from Cannondale’s SmartSense integrated lighting system. (It can be removed if preferred).
There’s been a significant number of design improvements compared to the previous-generation Topstone Carbon. The all-new Topstone Carbon 2 L can boast a faster and more agile-looking silhouette to its predecessor and just looks more fun to ride from the get-go. There’s a dramatically increased slope to the top tube which now looks more in proportion to their unique rear triangle featuring the Kingpin pivot point; as well as looking better, the practical benefits of this is an increased stand over which will mean you’ll be able to move more freely when you’re riding technical terrain and if you have to get off in a hurry you’ll be less likely to get painfully tangled with the top tube. While the top tube has been tweaked we’re pleased to say that on the whole the bike’s geometry stays the same, including that relaxed head angle which makes the ride feel stable and confidence inspiring while the bike’s short chainstays still mean the bike is agile and easy to throw around on technical trails.
The new-generation Topstone Carbon gravel bike strikes a nice balance, feeling stable and confidence-inspiring while being playful and agile too.
KEY FEATURES
Kingpin Suspension You’ll probably already be familiar with Cannondale’s iconic Kingpin suspension system from the original Topstone Carbon. For the new 2022 version the same rear suspension now features a low-friction bushing which is more durable than the previous model’s cartridge bearing setup. This simple system which relies on the engineered flex of the carbon fibre rear triangle gives 30mm of travel at the saddle and 10mm at the rear axle; it takes the sting out of rough terrain without adding any extra weight or complexity and is completely maintenance-free.
The Kingpin pivot works in unison with some clever carbon layup in the frame construction to give up to 30mm of travel at the saddle.
The new 2022 version of the Topstone’s Kingpin pivot features a low-friction bushing rather than the bearings seen in the previous version.
Kingpin takes the sting out of rough terrain without adding unwanted complexity or weight to the Topstone Carbon.
OutFront Steering The Topstone Carbon features Cannondale’s OutFront steering, providing confidence-inspiring handling for a stable ride in the chop when things get a little rowdy, while remaining light and nimble when you’re winding your way through tight singletrack or are pointing the bike uphill.
Cannondale’s OutFront steering is stable and confidence-inspiring.
SmartSense All bikes in the 2022 Topstone Carbon range are either equipped or are ready to upgrade to Cannondale’s SmartSense system which entails front & rear lights, rear radar and an integrated PowerPack. The Cannondale Topstone 2 L includes the ambient reactive front and rear lights but does not include Garmin’s rear radar. For those of you who prefer not to have the SmartSense system on your bike, it can be removed with the PowerPack recess acting as a cradle for Cannondale’s Topstone trail-side tool kit.
The SmartSense front light developed in partnership with Lezyne reacts to ambient light, increasing in brightness as darkness falls.
The SmartSense rear light is ambient-light-reactive too.
At the heart of Cannondale’s SmartSense system is the integrated PowerPack battery.
Superior Carrying Capability Cannondale have done everything possible to encourage you to spend longer on your gravel bike. Instead of doing your usual out and back ride in ‘a oner’ why not load up the Topstone Carbon 2 L with everything you’ll need for a multi-day adventure. There’s plentiful gear and water bottle mount bosses on the frame and fork for all of your Bikepacking luggage.
With multiple gear and water bottle mounts this bike’s got more bosses than corporate middle-management.
Proportional Response Cannondale have included their Proportional Response principle to the construction of each frame size in the Topstone Carbon range. Size-specific construction, with different carbon layups specific to the size of frame and fork means that every size of rider experiences exactly the same ride quality.
Proportional Response means each size of bike gives exactly the same ride quality.
Increased Tyre Clearance and Greater Wheel Compatibility The new 2022 Topstone Carbon 2 L includes a significant change to its wheel and frame configuration compared to the previous generation Topstone. Gone is their unique Ai wheel and frame system which meant that the wheels had to dished differently to conventional wheels and swapping out wheels from one bike to another was more complicated than it had to be. Now all wheels are standard dished for easy interchangeability; the other improvement is seen in the mud-shedding clearance capability of the new Topstone. Thanks to that new dropped drive-side chainstay you can now run up to 45mm wide tyres and still benefit from 6mm of clearance between tyre and frame.
The new Topstone Carbon can take 45mm tyres and still have 6mm of clearance between tyre and frame.
Clever use of a dropped chainstay on the new Topstone Carbon frame allows for wider tyres.
Threaded Bottom Bracket
Cannondale have returned to a conventional threaded bottom bracket for the new generation Topstone Carbon. This is a trend that we’re seeing across all of the top bike brands and the rational is twofold; the first reason is that it makes home bike maintenance easier and means quick bottom bracket changes are a more realistic option – a plus if you’re touring remote areas of the world on your Topstone! Secondly, by moving away from a press-fit to a threaded bottom bracket any potential for unwanted noise reverberating through the frame is removed. The people have spoken and Cannondale have listened.
SPECIFICATION
The Cannondale Topstone Carbon 2 L comes spec’d with a great mix of components including Shimano’s gravel-specific GRX Groupset. With a mix of GRX 800 and GRX 810 components making up this 11-speed drivetrain you can be confident that your gears will continue to function flawlessly even when conditions get particularly wet and muddy.
Shimano’s gravel-specific GRX groupset more than meets the demands of off-road riding.
Shimano’s GRX gear shifter and brake lever units, designed specifically to meet the demands of gravel riding, give a secure hand-hold even when wet thanks to their embossed brake hoods. Every gear selection is light, crisp and precise, while braking feels powerful and controlled regardless of whether your hands are positioned on the hoods or on the drops. This is partly down to Shimano cleverly repositioning the pivot-point of the brake lever, compared to their road-going equivalents to help make braking leverage more effective when you’re predominantly riding with your hands on the hoods.
The GRX shifter and brake units feature clever ergonomic detailing to better suit off-road riding.
Little details like the embossed rubber brake hoods help to keep you in control even in wet weather.
Gear ratio choice on a gravel bike can make or break how much fun you’re having while riding on mixed terrain; if your gears are too low then you’ll be spinning out on the roads and faster gravel sections. Equally if your gears are too high you’ll be running out gears on steep and loose climbs and will struggle to keep momentum. Thankfully the Shimano GRX groupset has every eventuality covered with a double 48/31T chainset up front combined with a wide ratio 11-34T 11-speed cassette out back giving you almost every gear ratio you’ll need on any mixed terrain adventure. With the Topstone Carbon more than willing to carry a Bikepacking load too these low climbing gears will come in handy when you’re heading out fully-laden with luggage on multi-day riding adventures.
The GRX chainset featuring 48/31T chainrings provides versatile gear ratios to suit all riding scenarios.
The GRX 810 rear derailleur with clutch mechanism means every gear selection is precise and your chain stays securely located.
Scrubbing off speed quickly and effectively off-road is an absolute must; gravel bikes have a habit of pulling you into more and more technical terrain as you continue to discover new tracks and trails. The beauty of a light, fast carbon fibre gravel bike is that you’ll be able to all-but dance up smooth gravel climbs; however, pointed downhill on tight, technical singletrack descents you’ll very quickly find yourself riding at your limits. A good pair of brakes is going to help you make drastic changes to your speed and remain in control even when things get rowdy. Cannondale have spec’d a pair of 160mm disc rotors married up to a pair of powerful GRX 800 hydraulic disc brake callipers to help ensure you’re always in control.
Powerful Shimano GRX 800 hydraulic brakes scrub speed off quickly and keep you in control even you’re pushing the limits.
Cannondale have fitted the Topstone Carbon 2 L with a pair of light, fast-rolling but durable WTB KOM Light i23 TCS rims laced to smooth Formula hubs for a no-nonsense wheelset that will stand up to the increased rigours of riding off-road for the majority of the time. The rims are tubeless-ready and are already taped; Cannondale ship the Topstone with tubeless valves and the process of converting over to tubeless is quick and easy. We did this with the Vittoria Terreno Dry 38c tubeless-ready tyres before testing the bike and have found the set up to be 100% reliable. The Terreno tyres feature an almost slick central tread with a more pronounced profile on the outer edges of the tyre; we have been impressed with how these tyres performed both on road and off-road, but they may be challenged by the sort of wet and muddy riding conditions more commonly found here in the Lake District; as it was, with dry and dusty trails, they performed flawlessly.
The Vittoria Terreno Dry tubeless tyres have performed well and roll really fast and efficiently on smoother terrain.
Finishing off the Topstone Carbon 2 L spec is a collection of propriety parts from Cannondale; the carbon SAVE seatpost, which has been specially developed to accommodate their SmartSense rear light, is a lightweight carbon post which flexes a little in unison with the frame’s Kingpin configuration further adding to the bikes’ compliance and comfort in the saddle. All good gravel bikes need a nice wide handlebar with flared drops to really help both bike and rider descend off-road with confidence and control. The Topstone Carbon 2 L features a Cannondale 2 ShortDrop alloy bar with a 12 degree flare which really helps you hold that nice wide stance, helping distribute weight more evenly and increasing steering leverage on tight turns. The final contact point is taken care of with a Fizik Terra Argo x5 saddle with a nice stubby-nose profile and mid-with profile which will suit most riders and proved to be comfortable even on long all-day epics.
Nice wide Cannondale 2 ShortDrop alloy bars with a 12 degree flare really help with leverage and control on tight, loose turns.
THE RIDE
We’ve had the Topstone Carbon 2 L for a good few weeks now here at Wheelbase and have had a really good opportunity to put the bike through its paces on a variety of terrain and in slightly different riding scenarios such as short, sharp blasts on technical terrain and longer, more endurance-based rides that take in a mix of road and high-elevation gravel roads, with multiple hours spent in the saddle.
We put the all-new Topstone Carbon through its paces on multiple terrains.
The Topstone Carbon has excelled within every cycling scenario; on the longer mixed terrain rides the bike performed really well, zipping along on the road at speeds not dissimilar to a typical road ride. In fact on the sort of weather-beaten broken-up back roads of Lancashire and the South Lakes the Topstone was a real asset, with those 38mm tyres and the wide handlebars giving us a greater sense of control than if we were on our road bikes; this had one tester wondering why they even owned a ‘proper’ road bike at all!
Super-efficient AND super-fun the Topstone really comes to life when you point it off-road.
Once the Topstone had swung off the tarmac and hit some long gravel climbs the clever Kingpin pivot and sophisticated carbon fibre construction of the rear of the bike really came into its own. Climbing for more than half an hour to the highest point of the ride the Topstone Carbon 2 L was super-comfortable in the saddle even when the terrain became particularly rough and it was easy to keep momentum and retain traction on loose gravel surfaces as the Kingpin did its thing. It’s subtle; the bike’s not bobbing up and down and there’s nothing gimmicky going on. You don’t feel any unwanted movement when you’re putting the power down on smoother terrain, you just notice after a while that you’re staying the saddle more than you thought you might have and that you’re not feeling beat up and uncomfortable.
Johnny rode the Topstone Carbon over Lancashire’s Salter Fell gravel road to get a feel for how it performed on long-distance off-road rides.
As we’ve mentioned already, the geometry of the all-new Topstone Carbon is almost identical to its predecessor which is great as Cannondale have nailed it when it comes to angles that keep you stable at speed while retaining a good amount of responsiveness and agility thanks to the short chainstays. At no point did the bike begin to feel skittish or nervous on the descents and when we took the bike onto tight, technical singletrack we didn’t loose control or feel like the bike was getting away from us.
Adam was ready and willing to push the Topstone Carbon 2 L to its limits off-road.
While the new 2022 frame’s top tube has been lowered for increased stand over, that trail-friendly geometry stays the same.
THE FINAL VERDICT
We keep coming back to this point but it’s worth reiterating; Cannondale have created a REALLY versatile gravel bike with the Topstone Carbon. It feels fast and spritely on the road and it’s fun and agile on those sort of short, local after-work blasts that are so much at this time of year. Heading out on longer rides it instantly becomes a reliable pack-horse and is more than ready to ferry you and your Bikepacking luggage over vast distances. It is probably the most comfortable drop handle bar bike I have ever ridden and it’s a bold statement, but if had to set off on an around-the-world Bikepacking trip tomorrow THIS is the bike I would reach for.
The all-new Topstone Carbon 2 L is clearly in-step with the evolution of gravel biking and is a super-versatile machine.
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We captured all the action of the 2022 Fred Whitton Challenge, check it out.
The 22nd edition of the Fred Whitton Challenge sponsored by Wheelbase took place in glorious weather under blue skies on Sunday the 8th of May. Back in its rightful mid-spring slot following the delayed September edition last year due to the impact of Covid-19, riders were treated to dry roads and plenty of road-side support dotted all around the long 112 mile course, set in the heart of the Lake District National Park.
The Weather was perfect with clear skies revealing the jagged peaks every where you looked.
The Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge can rightfully claim to be the UK’s most grueling Sportive taking in all the major mountain passes in the Lake District, with each climb striking some level of fear in even the most accomplished of cyclists. Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Wrynose and Blea Tarn test each and every rider with the poster child – Hardknott Pass and its 30% gradients proving to be almost unrideable for a great number of participants. There was over 3,500 metres of climbing to navigate with Hardknott coming late in the day, 94 miles into the 112 course.
Everyone finds their own pace at the Whitton and friendships are easily formed out on the road.
Over 2,000 riders took on the challenge this year on a day which saw cyclists from all over the UK forming new friendships, with natural groups of similar-paced riders forming on the road. Some of the biggest road-side support came at the top of Whinlatter, with scenes reminiscent of a Tour De France mountain stage; riders climbing through crowds of supporters ringing cow bells and shouting encouragement.
The local Kendal Cycling Club was well represented at the Fred Whitton Challenge.
It would be a long day for many participants which saw cyclists heading out from the village of Grasmere as early as 6.00am on Sunday morning and the last arrivals back at the finish crossing the line at 6.40pm. Wheelbase would like to congratulate every single rider who took part and faced this arduous challenge, helping to create a fantastic day as well as raising a huge amount of money for charity, with this year’s edition of the Fred Whitton Challenge helping to make the total raised through the years to over 2 million pounds.
With great weather and safe, dry roads there was plenty to smile about at this year’s Fred Whitton Challenge.
As well as sponsoring the event and providing mechanical assistance before the start Wheelbase also fielded four of our Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team riders and challenged them to see if they could set the fastest finishing time of the day. Our multi-cycling-discipline star Giles Drake who is more typically seen racing off-road in Cyclocross, Gravel and Mountain Bike races took on the Fred Whitton Challenge for the first time and came home in first place with an amazing time of 5 hours and 35 minutes. The top three was rounded out by two other Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli riders with Tom Merry taking 2nd place and Oli Dawson taking 3rd place in 5.40.29 and 5.50.34 respectively. Giles’ effort over this attritional course is simply stunning with a 20 mph average speed! Check out his Strava stats below…
Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli’s Giles Drake set the fastest time of the event with a stunning performance on the bike.
Fatigued riders had to ride carefully on some of the steepest, most winding descents on the course.
The long and technical descent off Blea Tarn was a welcome relief to tired legs.
Despite a huge entry of over 2,000 riders the long, arduous 112 mile course had riders spread over many miles.
The smiles say it all – relief that the worst of the climbs are behind you.
On a glorious day in the Lakes there was plenty of road-side support for each and every rider taking on the Fred Whitton Challenge.
Huge congratulations to everyone who came and conquered the grueling Fred Whitton Challenge.
Riders had travelled from far and wide to take on the UK’s most challenging sportive.
Afterwards there was a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy a well-earned post-ride beer.
The 2022 edition of the Wheelbase Fred Whitton Challenge was a great success, thanks in no-small-part to all the hard work of a huge team of volunteers.
There were plenty of tales to tell at the end of the Fred Whitton Challenge with riders comparing how they had fared.
Did you ride the Fred? Check out our huge Facebook photo gallery and see if you can spot yourself.
Wheelbase’s Giles Drake had the fastest ride of the day, completing the course in 5 hours and 36 minutes.
Tom Merry of the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team had the 2nd fastest time with 5 hours and 40 minutes.
Rounding out the top three was another of our talented Wheelbase squad – Oli Dawson finished his ride in 5 hours and 50 minutes.
Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli’s Dave Duggan had a puncture early on but still managed to place 96th overall with a time of 6 hours and 55 minutes.
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The Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team headed to Lincolnshire for the first round of the National Road Series to take on the demanding Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix, one of the UK’s most-cherished one-day races regarded by racers and spectators alike as a true British classic.
Young Scot Matti Dobbins was in action again representing Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli.
Wheelbase sent a young team, looking to gain valuable racing experience within one of the hardest road races on the calendar with Logan Maclean, Callum Thornley, Matti Dobbins and Matt Fox in attendance and ready to race as a cohesive team. In the team car we had former Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team racer Alex Turner behind the wheel, providing valuable tactical guidance and support by calling on his valuable racing experience. Tyla Loftus stepped in with mechanical support at what can be a puncture-heavy race thanks to the infamous cobbled stretches of the Lincoln GP; meanwhile Ryan was helping out as team Soigneur, handing out bottles and making sure each rider had everything they needed to perform.
There was no soft-pedalling at the Lincoln GP, racing was full-on from the start.
Preparation is key and with this young team lacking some experience of racing the biggest races in the UK they used the day before the race as an opportunity to pre-ride the circuit to really get their heads around the course and to get a better understanding of where they should position themselves as well as mastering their gear selection for the steep, cobbled climb of Michaelgate.
It wasn’t Callum’s day, but he’s already showed a real talent for racing this season and is looking forward to the upcoming Stockton GP.
Come race day and the action came thick and fast from the gun; Logan Maclean and Matt Fox managed to position themselves at the front of the bunch before the first ascent of the infamously steep and cobbled climb of Michaelgate; Logan crested the climb at the head of the stretched out group of cyclists with Matt in around 10th position. The mood in the peloton was tense with the constant risk off crashes coming from such close racing on a really technical circuit. In one particularly sketchy moment Logan ended up in a power slide on the curb as he tried to avoid a crash in front of him just before the feed zone; this pushed Logan’s heartrate even higher as he attempted to keep pace within the action.
Young racer Logan Maclean continues to ride strongly while gaining valuable racing experience.
Crowds were immense with our rider’s ears ringing each time the team tackled the cobbled climb and the great weather meant that the Lincoln GP was a fantastic day out for spectators. Feedback from the lads after the race highlighted that the hardest part of the race was each time the bunch crested the main climb with some of the bigger teams doing everything they could to split the bunch to pieces. As the racing progressed Matti Dobbins and Callum Thornley got caught out on this most selective part of the course; Matti lost contact at around 120km into the race and Callum popped too after a fantastic racing effort.
Logan and Matt rode well together to stay at the sharp end of the race.
Meanwhile our Aussie recruit Matt Fox was revelling in this atrocious race, constantly fighting for position at the front with little or no fear for the level of racing he was taking on. Reflecting the effort required to even be at the front of the race it’s worth noting that Logan’s max speed approaching the Michaelgate climb was 75kmph; the tenacious young Scotsman didn’t have the best legs on the day but did manage to chase back onto the bunch after missing the split at the top of the climb to go into the last lap securely positioned in the bunch.
Callum Thornley is cheered up the cobbled Michaelgate climb.
As the race came to a close Luke Lamperti of the Trinity team took the win with Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli’s Logan Maclean taking a great 36th position over the line and Matt Fox showing true Aussie grit to take 59th place. At the post-race debrief Logan was initially downbeat, however, on reflection he could see that he had gained valuable racing experience and finished one of the UK’s most gruelling one-day road races in the national series. This was his first race with a length of over 100 miles this year and finishing only 1 minute and 29 seconds after the winner should be applauded.
Matt Fox continues to show true Aussie grit in every race he competes in.
Looking forward to the upcoming races, the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team can take what they learnt from the Lincoln GP into the Premier Calendar Stockton GP road race which should suit Callum as an accomplished sprinter and there’s plenty of hilly races ahead of them too which riders like Logan are already looking forward to. Well done to our lads on a great showing at Lincoln and special thanks to the team staff for diligently supporting our riders behind the scenes.
It’s clear to see how deep Logan had to go to finish in 36th place.
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One of the perks of working in the bike trade is, that from time to time, you’ll get the opportunity to test ride some of the latest, greatest bikes available from the best brands in the bike industry. Andrew Barlow who works at our Lake District store recently got the chance to spend a few weeks getting to know the Mondraker Crafty RR e-MTB better. Having the Crafty RR over spring gave Andrew the opportunity to undertake a long term test for Wheelbase. Here’s his thoughts…
Andrew’s been putting the Mondraker Crafty RR through its paces in the Lake District National Park.
We all know that e-MTB’s are the future, whether you like it or not! The 2022 Mondraker Crafty RR has given me endless hours of fun over the past month or so while I have been riding this exceedingly capable steed.
The Crafty RR has been liberating for Andrew, encouraging him to explore ever-more remote areas of the Lake District.
Now, Mondraker for me has always been a brand that I gravitate towards, niche-y yet inclusive, independent yet affordable and I do feel like the Elche-based brand from the south of Spain strikes that balance particularly well. Here’s my quick overview of this super-fun eMTB from Mondraker. Starting with the battery and motor – the Gen 4 Bosch Performance Line CX Cruise motor with Bosch Smart System is absolutely flawless; I’m impressed by how this latest iteration is 48% smaller, making the e-MTB’s chassis more compact and agile; with the Bosch Powertube 750Wh internal battery hidden in the downtube for a stable, low centre of gravity while making for a particularly clean aesthetic.
The Mondraker Crafty RR coped brilliantly with the extra demands that come with a full Bikepacking load.
The all-new Kiox display positioned on the handlebar stem is vibrant and user friendly much like its predecessors but with more functions such as being able to see your cadence and heart rate, as well as having Bluetooth connectivity. One thing’s for sure, with that 750Wh in-tube battery there’s none of the classic ‘range anxiety’ you may experience on some e-MTB’s spec’d with less powerful batteries. Riding in excess of 50km ridden and with elevation profiles of over 1200 meters I would still be riding home with over 30% charge remaining. This latest large-capacity battery is a considerable breakthrough in the e-MTB world enabling you to just head out, have fun and ride wherever the wheels may take you.
A budding landscape photographer, Andrew used the Crafty RR to quickly gain elevation in a race against fading light.
So let’s consider the Mondraker Crafty RR’s suspension. Up front there’s a Fox 38 29” Float GRIP2 Factory fork with Kashima coating providing 160mm of plush travel; these forks combined with a nice slack 65.5 degree head angle really makes for a stable, confidence-inspiring ride; likewise the rear Fox Float-X LV Factory Kashima shock gives 150mm of rear travel to encourage you to blast through the roughest terrain. With this setup rolling on large 29” wheels the ride is as forgiving as you’d hope it to be and during my time on the Crafty RR I rode way beyond my usual capabilities.
Andrew will be the first to admit that the Crafty RR gave him a whole new level of ability on the challenging descents of the Lake District.
It’s not too bold of me to say that Mondraker really did revolutionise mountain bike handling when it introduced its super-short stem and longer-reach top tube ‘Forward Geometry’. Pretty much every other mountain bike brand has now followed the lead with this sort of progressive geometry; slack headtube angles combined with steeper seat tube angles are now not as niche as they used to be. It might be old news but it’s still worth highlighting how Mondraker’s innovative geometry still makes for a such a stable, nimble, confidence-inspiring riding experience.
With a compact Bosch Performance Line CX Cruise motor and internal 750Wh battery it’s a case of blink and you might miss the fact it’s an e-MTB.
All other components including the Crafty RR’s drivetrain and brakes performed flawlessly regardless of the riding conditions I was faced with and, to be honest, I’ve been up against some challenging weather here in the Lake District this spring! The Mondraker e-MTB handled it all with no issues; with a good mix of 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle groupset components I had all of the gears I needed at my fingertips with each selection being crisp and precise via a light-touch SRAM trigger shifter. A big-travel e-MTB is quickly going to pick up speed and will get you into trouble just as quickly if you can’t scrub off speed quickly and effectively. Thankfully Mondraker have spec’d the Crafty RR with a pair of powerful SRAM Code with 4-piston callipers designed to hack off huge chunks of speed in an instant; combined with large-diameter 200mm Centerline disc rotors you can be sure that when things get a little out of control you’ll be able to wrestle the bike back into control. They certainly saved my bacon more than once!
Super-fast trail shredder or reliable pack-horse the Mondraker Crafty RR will excel at whatever you challenge it with.
Overall I would describe the Mondraker Crafty RR as capable and adaptable; as you’ll see from my recent photos, I’ve put the Crafty up to the challenge of some late-winter Bikepacking duties and it passed with flying colours by morphing into a faithful pack-horse for the duration of my adventures. For me the Mondraker Crafty RR signifies exactly where the very pinnacle of e-MTB technology is right now; increased power and more range combined with an improved compact configuration and super-agile handling. If you’re thinking of heading to what some call the “dark side” for the first time and are looking for an e-MTB that can do it all the Crafty will boost your confidence and put a smile back on your face. You’ll be able to blast up the climbs you’ve always loathed and with that 750Wh battery you won’t have to worry about your battery draining in front of your eyes!
Rear Shock: Fox Float-X LV Factory Kashima, 205x65mm. Settings: compression 2 positions lever, low-speed compression, low-speed rebound, air preload. Trunnion top mount, 25x10mm bottom bushings
Fork: Fox 38 29 Float GRIP2 Factory Kashima, 160mm, e-bike tuned, tapered steerer tube, Boost 15x110mm axle, offset 44mm. Settings: high and low-speed compression, high and low-speed rebound, air preloa
Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Cruise (25Km/h) Bosch Smart System
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We’d like to introduce you to UDOG, our newest shoe brand here at Wheelbase! Why UDOG I hear you ask. Because this stylish Italian cycling shoe brand is not only new to Wheelbase it’s new to the world of cycling; put simply they’re the Underdogs, ready to steal victory and win the hearts of cyclists around the world, hence the name UDOG. Created by a team of passionate cyclists who set out to improve every ride, UDOG was born from a lifelong love of cycling in Vento, Italy, a region with an authentic connection to Italian fashion and cycling culture.
New Italian brand UDOG is set to make waves in the world of cycling.
UDOG was founded by Alberto Fonte in 2021; this passionate, lifelong road cyclist can boast a pretty impressive background within the Italian cycling industry, having previously worked as Brand Manager at fi’zi:k and as Sales & Marketing Manager at Pinarello bikes and Kask helmets. An avid and competitive cyclist Alberto Fonte has a true love of the sport and all its cycling disciplines. After 15 years in the cycling industry Fonte teamed up with his friend and former business manager at fi’zi:k and Crankbrothers, Antonio Gerolimetto, to create this new and unique cycling brand – UDOG.
UDOG may be a new name, but behind the scenes the brand is driven by individuals already well-established in the cycling industry.
In sport the Underdog expression references a competitor who is typically expected to lose but somehow comes through to steal victory and win the hearts of the fans. Underdogs know how to work hard. With a laser-focused drive to succeed any of us can achieve our goals in cycling and in life; the exciting new Italian brand UDOG symbolises this ethos.
UDOG cycling shoes mix the latest shoe technology with classic Italian styling.
UDOG shoes are born out of a lifelong passion for all forms of cycling.
UDOG have released two new road cycling shoes as part of their brand launch. The Tensione features an interesting new design and construction concept which sees the shoe wrapping the rider’s foot from bottom to top for a superior fit, helping to improve comfort and increasing pedalling efficiency.
The Tensione features a unique closure system.
The all-new UDOG Tensione has been painstakingly designed and developed by UDOG owner Alberto Fonte; influenced by Fonte’s wealth of performance footwear knowledge and expertise the Tensione is an extremely high-quality road cycling shoe that is not only brilliantly functional but can boast classic Italian styling too.
This stripped-back road cycling shoe features classic, minimalist Italian styling.
The Tensione’s one piece upper is made from durable 3D tech mesh which is light, soft and breathable too; with comfort being the top priority within UDOG’s design brief the Tensione is shaped to provide a deep heel cup and a generous toe box. Keeping overall weight low this premium cycling shoe is intentionally minimalist, with all plastic and metal hardware eliminated to cut weight and reduce unwanted pressure points at the same time.
Available in white or black colour options the Tensione is light and breathable.
The UDOG Tensione incorporates their patented dynamic system called the Tension Wrap System (TWS) which hugs the metatarsal area of your feet, from instep to bridge for an optimum fit. Constructed with durable TPU laminated straps which wrap the insole from one side of the shoe to the other the TWS system works in unison with UDOG’s hybrid lace-up configuration, giving 18 points of contact between the foot and soft shoe upper, securely holding your foot during each complete pedal stroke.
The Tensione features UDOG’s unique Tension Wrap System (TWS) which hugs the metatarsal area of your feet.
So why use traditional lacing rather than ratchets or dials as their chosen closure system? UDOG explains that they opted for lace-ups for a number of reasons – laces create an even distribution of pressure across the top of the foot, they offer a more understated, classic-looking aesthetic and, most significantly, they are more comfortable and lighter. Fonte’s experience tells him that traditional laces tend to loosen while pedalling; UDOG’s TWS system uses proprietary laces which are flatter in construction to help create a better, more secure knot for a dependable, secure closure that will stand up to even the longest endurance road rides.
Years of industry experience told UDOG to use a lace-up closure system.
The UDOG Tensione features a super-stiff carbon-nylon outsole which includes a small ventilation channel for enhanced breathability in hotter conditions as well as integrated rubber heel and toe caps to help protect the outsole and help you walk when you’re off the bike. The UDOG’s outsole includes a large metatarsal platform to accommodate cleat engagement with generous amounts of adjustability engineered in, allowing you to fine tune the position of your cleats.
The Tensione features some clever technical innovations packaged up into a stripped-back, classic-looking shoe.
UDOG’s second shoe which has been released at the same time as the Tensione as part of the Italian brand’s launch is the great-looking Cima. So what’s the Cima’s unique selling point? It’s got to be that super-sophisticated upper featuring UDOG’s knit technology which helps to form an extremely lightweight, supportive, breathable but waterproof road cycling shoe.
UDOG have really utilised modern knit technology in the Cima’s upper.
The Cima’s upper features a seamless one-piece engineered knit construction, eliminating all plastic and metal components for a noticeably light shoe without any potential for pressure points on your foot. With minimal stitching the Cima includes small TPU layers in key areas to help increase support, enhance the effectiveness of the closure system and offers protection from the elements.
The premium Cima road cycling shoe is super-light and stripped of all metals and plastics.
UDOG’s sophisticated knit technique featured in the Cima’s construction creates a super-soft sock-like material which adapts to any foot shape and every fit. Each portion of the shoe’s upper has a different technical knit pattern to help ensure that each area is as comfortable and form-fitting as possible. With every inch of the upper carefully considered in the design and construction process the CIMA uses a tight-knit construction in the medial arch area to provide dynamic support and a more breathable construction in the toe box.
The white colour option easily shows the sophisticated knit pattern involved in their construction.
Just like the Tensione, UDOG’s Cima road shoe features a lace-up closure system, tapping into some great performance benefits including the distribution of pressure being more even across the top of the foot for greater comfort and reduced overall weight. Then there’s the obvious aesthetic quality of the Cima; it’s a great looking shoe thanks to that simple, stripped-back construction and sophisticated Italian styling. With some traditional laces being prone to loosening UDOG have spent time sourcing special propriety laces which are flatter in construction to help create a better knot helping to ensure that fit stays constant and secure regardless of the duration of your ride. There’s three specific options for lacing patterns too thanks to the Cima’s unique upper eyelet construction allowing you to adapt the fit to your own foot shape.
UDOG really believe in using lace-up closure systems for a secure, comfortable fit.
The Cima features UDOG’s clever Pocket Tongue System (PTS), their clever way of storing the excess lace ends once tied. Combined with the upper’s elastic bridge the system provides an internal pocket for the knotted laces which then folds under the elastic bridge to form an integrated aero cover for a clean, dynamic look which also helps to eliminate the potential for laces getting caught in your bike’s drivetrain.
A good road cycling shoe is only as good as its outsole; to be efficient and able to transfer all of your pedalling input through your bike’s drivetrain your shoe’s outsole needs to be super-stiff. The UDOG Cima features a carbon composite outsole with a stiffness index of 11 to help you race hard and fast; it includes a cool directional ventilation channel to help stop your feet from overheating in warmer riding conditions and includes integrated rubber heel and toe caps for durability and to help you walk more easily when you’re off the bike. The UDOG’s Cima outsole also includes a large metatarsal platform to accommodate cleat engagement with generous amounts of adjustability engineered in, allowing you to fine tune the position of your cleats.
UDOG chose the Cima product name for good reason; the Italian word Cima translated into English means ‘summit’ or ‘mountain-top’. We think that’s rather fitting for a shoe that’s so light and simple. Super-stiff, comfortable, breathable and fast drying the all-new UDOG Cima is both brilliantly functional and super-stylish.
The Cima may look simple and somewhat traditional, but there’s plenty of tech behind this premium cycling shoe’s design.
High carbon composite outsole – stiffness index 11
Minimalist design – less material, less weight
Lightweight – 240g in size 42
15 sizes, from 38 to 46, full sizes, gender neutral
Written by Johnny Dodgin
Have you seen our Fast Bike Friday feature? Missed some of our best bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!
Our regular Fast Bike Friday feature is focusing in on the super-sleek Teammachine SLR01 Five Ultegra Di2 road bike, regarded as the ‘all-rounder’ within BMC’s extensive fleet of road bikes. The stunning Teammachine road bike shouts out cool design and precision Swiss engineering with a beautifully shaped frame-profile featuring an aerodynamic fully integrated cockpit which includes an aero stem with internal cable routing.
This newest iteration of the BMC Teammachine SLR01 has evolved following years of product development and refinement, all influenced by the constant performance demands of pro-cycling which BMC have part of for successive race seasons. The Teammachine SLR, has won every major title that a bike can win including Monuments, World Championships, Olympic Games and the Tour de France with Australian pro cyclist Cadel Evans; most recently the Teammachine SLR01 has been piloted to numerous race wins by the French Ag2R Citroen pro-cycling team.
The Teammachine SLR01 (right) can be seen in the most demanding pro road races, piloted by the AG2R Citroen team.
BMC describe the Teammachine sub-range of bikes as the ultimate lightweight race bikes in their collection which do everything very well, excelling on the climbs. Alternatively their Timemachine Road bike is their out-and-out aero road bike which is ideal for fast flat road races where aerodynamic gains can make all the difference. The third option when it comes to BMC road bikes is their Roadmachine branded as their ‘One Bike Collection’ built for all-day adventures and featuring a frame that promises more compliance, putting the rider in a comfortable, neutral riding position.
So who is the Teammachine for? Well, if you’re looking for a modern disc-brake-equipped high-performance road bike which is super-lightweight and flies up the hills while remaining aerodynamically efficient then the BMC Teammachine is the perfect option for you. Want to understand more about the Timemachine Road and the Roadmachine road bike options? Check out our full breakdown of the BMC road bike range HERE.
The Teammachine’s angular tube profiles are unique to BMC making their road bikes instantly recognisable within the bunch.
The Swiss designers and engineers take their job seriously, there’s no flamboyant, unnecessary additions to the design process here, the BMC Teammachine is a brilliant example of the ‘form follows function’ principle. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, the principle is this – ‘an object’s shape should primarily relate to its intended function or purpose’. We think the BMC road bikes have nailed this. While those angular and truncated frame tube profiles look great, they also serve a really important purpose too, making the Teammachine more aerodynamically efficient. It seems that BMC have arrived at the same conclusion as almost all other road bike brands and have included dropped seatstays that, with some clever engineering and sensitive carbon layup are not only more aerodynamically efficient but provide the rider with enhanced levels of comfort in the saddle too.
The Teammachine SLR01 features a fully-integrated front end for superior aero-efficiency and a clean, uncluttered look.
With all of the cables routed through an integrated BMC stem and into the frame and fork the SLR01 boast some impressive aerodynamic stats.
Developed through Computational Fluid Dynamics (FLD) and wind-tunnel testing each angle has been sculpted to cut cut through the air with less drag.
The Teammachine SLR01’s dropped seatstays give two significant benefits – increased aerodynamics and enhanced comfort in the saddle.
Swiss design and precision engineering means the BMC Teammachine SLR01 boasts stunning styling and faultless functionality.
UCI approved for competition; you’ll see the French pro team AG2R Citroen piloting the Teammachine in the mountains of the Tour De France.
As the Teammachine SLR01 Five Ultegra Di2’s model name suggests, this BMC features Shimano all-new 12-speed electronic Ultegra Di2 groupset. This new cutting-edge groupset was launched in Autumn of 2021 and it’s taken a few months for us to see it starting to appear on complete bikes. It was launched alongside its super-bling Dura Ace cousin and basically mirrors all of the brilliant functionality of that groupset only made with slightly more affordable materials and consequently carrying a small but almost negligible weight gain.
When it launched there were two significant headliners for both groupsets. Firstly the Japanese brand had made the leap to a 12-speed drivetrain, just as their nearest component-manufacturing equivalents SRAM and Campagnolo had done previously. Secondly the new electronic groupset was wireless (kind of) like their SRAM equivalents. I say kind of because the new Ultegra Di2 electronic groupset actually features a ‘semi-wireless’ system; it’s a sort of ‘best of both worlds’ approach which benefits from having wireless shifters eliminating the requirement to route the wires through the handlebar into the frame.
As the model name suggests, this Teammachine SLR01 comes spec’d with Shimano’s all-new 12-speed Ultegra R8100 Di2 groupset.
This wireless cockpit which looks so clean and simple on the Teammachine, is paired with a wired portion within the rear of the frame linking the front and rear derailleur and connected to an internal battery that powers them both; Shimano state that this solution guarantees longer run times thanks to a more efficient central source of power, compared say, to totally wireless front and rear derailleurs which require their own battery power source located on the mechs themselves (as seen on the SRAM system).
The new-gen Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 electronic rear derailleur is even neater and more compact than its predecessor.
Crisp, precise digital gear selections are made by the newly shaped wireless ergonomic 12-speed shifters.
Those who have already used the new Ultegra R8100 D2 shifters have remarked on the comfortable feel of the shifters with their taller hoods.
Just like the rear derailleur, the Shimano Ultegra Di2 front derailleur has become more compact and helps to increase clearance for larger tyres.
The 12-speed Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 groupset spec’d on the Teammachine SLR01 Five Ultegra Di2 features the sort of gear ratios that you’d expect for a road bike which is focused on performance and racing. Upfront that all-new, hot-looking Ultegra chainset features 52-36T chainrings combined with a close-ratio 12-speed cassette out back with the spread of gears going from 11 teeth to 30 teeth. That addition of an extra cog in the rear cassette helps to make the jumps from each gear ratio smoother and more efficient, especially in a racing scenario when you’re trying to stay on top of your gear.
The Shimano Ultegra R8100 chainset has been re-sculpted and boasts a clean look.
Shimano have spent some considerable time on developing the new Ultegra R8100 hydraulic brakes and they are noticeably more compact than their predecessors. This completely new design addresses some small issues that were identified on the previous versions; while there was never an issue with the amount of braking power generated they could be a little noisy and difficult to setup. The new Ultegra calipers feature a decreased weight and increased rigidity while a greater amount of pad clearance (10% more) guarantees a much quieter ride.
Shimano Ultegra flat-mount disc calipers look neat and minimal but provide powerful braking in all riding conditions.
The Teammachine SLR01 Five Ultegra Di2 comes spec’d with a pair of super-fast, lightweight carbon CRD-351 tubeless-ready disc-brake wheels. The development of modern road bikes and the universal move to disc brakes has seen a change in attitude towards how we all run our road bike tyres. Wider rim profiles and increased spacing between wheel and frame have opened up the possibility of running wider road tyres at lower pressures; while this bike comes fitted with fast-rolling but grippy 25mm Vittoria Corsa tyres there’s clearance for 28mm tyres and they’ll sit nicely on those wide CRD carbon rims. Being tubeless-ready you’ll be able to run lower tyre pressures for improved grip and enhanced comfort once set up tubeless.
The Teammachine SLR01 Five Ultegra Di2 comes spec’d with a light and spritely pair of CRD carbon wheels.
Those fast-rolling CRD wheels come shod with 25mm wide Vittoria Corsa tyres which provide plenty of grip on all road surfaces.
With its short nose, large cut-out portion and 140mm width the Fizik Argo Vento R5 saddle will suit most cyclists.
Thanks to its short profile and stubby nose this saddle is comfortable even when you’re down in the drops putting the power down.
BMC have blended a traditional, round-profile handlebar with their aero integrated stem giving you comfort and speed in equal measure.
The BMC Teammachine SLR01 Five Ultegra Di2 road bike has been brilliantly designed and engineered to be aerodynamically efficient, uncluttered and fully-integrated for enhanced performance at race speeds. With a stiff, responsive, lightweight frame the Teammachine SLR01 Five lets you dance uphill but not at the expense of comfort, with just the right amount of compliance engineered into the frame through clever tube profiling and carbon layup for a comfortable ride even when you’re spending hours in the saddle. The other major talking point on this particular bike is the all-new Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 electronic groupset; typically of Shimano the differences aren’t immediately obvious, reflecting Shimano’s measured approach to product development where function leads the way and gimmickry is not a consideration. Rest assured though this new 12-speed electronic groupset marks a real step forward in terms of flawless function and user-friendly benefits, particularly in the heat of a race.
Cutting edge with classic looks, BMC have nailed it with the Teammachine SLR01 Five Ultegra Di2
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Last weekend saw the Dirty Reiver gravel race return to its rightful place on the calendar following the impact of Covid-19 over the last couple of years. The Dirty Reiver 200 (200km) is an off-road cycling challenge based on the Gravel Grinder format found predominantly in the mid-west of America where gravel racing was really born. In the last 5 years the popularity of the versatile gravel bike and associated races all over the globe have really boomed; now all of the biggest, most influential bike brands produce large and diverse ranges of gravel bikes reflecting the huge growth of this cycling discipline. Previous podium finisher Giles Drake, racing for our Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team returned to the race with good form following a rigorous training schedule to see if he could take the win; we’ll let him pick up the story from here…
I feel the Reiver is the only gravel event in the UK that truly embraces the ideals which gravel racing was born out of and that’s not surprising when you think about the logistics of putting together a route that spans hundreds of kilometres, primarily on gravel. Enter Kielder Forest, an extremely remote forest in western Northumberland, just a couple of miles from the Scottish border. It’s hosted numerous daft events over the years including the Kielder 100 mile mountain bike race; we’ll be returning too in August for the National Marathon Champions. The Dirty Reiver is extremely popular, sells out almost instantly so you know it must be pretty epic if it’s managed to convince best part of a thousand people to line up at 7:30am for 200 brutal Kilometres of gravel racing.
So let’s consider bike setup; the biggest concern with bike setup for a 200km course with very few bail-out points is reliability. So I went with what I know, my Cannondale SuperSix Evo CX cross bike. Following a busy National Trophy cyclocross season through the winter the SuperSix EVO CX needed a couple of modifications to meet the demands of the Reiver. The addition of a couple of bottle cages, a mountain bike cassette to give me a better gear range and some Schwalbe G-One Allround 40mm gravel-specific tyres to add some comfort were the only changes needed for this versatile bike.
So there we were, dealing with the chilly start to an otherwise incredibly pleasant April morning. Over the years the Reiver has become more and more competitive, going from the “getting round” mentality to “how quick” and this year was no different. Naming a couple of the guys looking to be competitive this year, there was returning 2021 champion Harold Evans at the front of my mind along with Sule Kangangi who was most-definitely in the running too; he recently raced the gruelling Cape Epic mountain bike stage race in south Africa and was posting training selfies with world tour pro Lachlan Morton, reflecting his fitness levels simply by the sort of company he was keeping.
From the start of this 200km race a pretty sizeable group of around 30 riders was quickly established and with a brutal easterly headwind we all settled in, exercising caution and staying together to protect ourselves from the wind. I was happy with this informal arrangement, with others helping to share the work and using it as an opportunity to save my legs until later in the race when I would be able to finish strongly. As time went on I began to think that the group was a little too big and that there were too many free rides so at the 70km point with a lengthy climb ahead of us I made a move to thin the group out.
Not attacking but upping the pace, without turning round, I could sense that I’d distanced everyone, so I carried on pushing. Towards the top of the climb I turned around, surprised to see the group in pieces and Harold & Sule trying to bridge across to me. I wasn’t overly happy with the idea of 130km in a “breakaway” but Harold saw it as the opportunity he was looking for and as he reached me, he was all about riding to consolidate his position. So I went with the flow and the three of us set about building our lead over the chasing group.
We worked well together, trading turns and ticking off the kilometres until the 140km point where we all appeared strong and content with the situation as it was. In such a small group you can always tell when people are suffering and for the next 30km we all had visibly bad moments, mine coming closer to the 170km point and this was the point Harold correctly identified as his time to attack us. When Harold took off Sule made no attempt to follow and I couldn’t do anything either; Harold was out of sight almost instantly! Sule & I attempted to ride Harold back but I think we both realised we were now running on fumes.
Another 5 or 10km ticked by, another climb and I could sense Sule was struggling so I kept the pace high to the top. A quick glance behind confirmed it was now just me; I didn’t really have any realistic ideas of being able to catch up to Harold so I just focused on riding at a consistent pace. Crossing the Dam was a welcome point as I knew I was the home stretch. Ahead of me lay the last 20km consisting of 5km of climbing, 5km of down & a final 10km amble along the reservoir paths and I’d be done. If I’m being honest it’s been a while since I was as relieved as I was on Saturday to cross the finish line! Clocking a time of 6 hours, 49 minutes, completely empty, full of energy gels & carb drink and on the verge of throwing up I’d taken second place at this uniquely demanding gravel race.
2nd place was bittersweet; so close again but I’d missed out on the win. I will make my excuses… I had a cold all week which stopped me preparing exactly as I’d like to and something was very wrong with my nutritional strategy… but on the whole, I was really happy with my ride. For 5.5 hours I was strong and in a happy place, confident I had the beating of all around me! Ultimately it didn’t work out this year but I’ll be back next year…
…Thanks Giles! And congratulations on a fantastic result at the UK’s premier gravel race, placing an amazing 2nd overall in a time of 6 hours, 49 minutes. Elsewhere our super-versatile racer Lucy Bell who is usually happy to line up for any kind of off-road adventure struggled with a rare bad day; deciding to cut her ride short Lucy changed tack and completed the shorter 65km option. She eventually placed 67th overall with a time of 3 hours, 22 minutes and was 2nd in the women’s 30-39 age group category.
A small number of staff from Wheelbase head office were competing too and in the lead up to the race there was plenty of posturing and banter as certain members of the group sized each other up. There was some panicked buying of new equipment in an effort to ensure that all marginal gains would be achieved and this ‘race within a race’ between staff kept the conversation in the office firmly focused on the Dirty Reiver in the run up to the event. Ultimately Ollie would take the ‘win’ with an impressive time of 8 hours and 50 minutes placing him 93rd overall and 17th in the 20-29 age category. Charlie did well too, finishing in 9 hours and 21 minutes for 149th place overall and 28th in the 20-29 age category; an appeal from Ollie to the race organisers to penalise Charlie by at least an hour for his terrible striped arm warmers unfortunately went unheard. Our Wheelbase in-house gravel guru Adam finished in 10 hours and 51 minutes placing 333rd overall and 82nd in the 30-39 age category; a veteran of the Dirty Reiver Adam approached this addition with a relaxed attitude and stopped plenty of times to snap some great pics – thanks for loan of them for this report Adam!
Despite official complaints citing offensive arm-warmers Charlie’s Reiver result was allowed to stand. Photo Credit: Sport Sunday
Lucy Bell, Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli, 65km, 3hrs 22mins, 67th Overall, 2nd Female 30-39 Age Group
Ollie, Wheelbase Office, 200km, 8hrs 50mins, 93rd Overall, 17th 20-29 Age Group
Charlie, Wheelbase Office, 200km, 9hrs 21mins, 149th Overall, 28th 20-29 Age Group
Adam, Wheelbase Office, 200km, 10hrs, 51mins, 333rd Overall, 82nd 30-39 Age Group
Bike Check
Giles Drake used his versatile Cannondale SuperSix EVO CX team to take on the Dirty Reiver this year. After a successful season of racing cyclocross on the bike a small amount of changes to the spec for this event proved that Cannondale’s specialist race bike is ready for the most challenging gravel races too.
