Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 LTD Red Bull 2025 TdF Edition
Partner in crime Alvin Holbrook is a lover of the S-Works Tarmac SL8 and he spent 1500 miles riding it. He’s hardly alone. The bike is widely considered one of the best available race bikes on the market. Now there’s a special edition you can grab.
This version comes courtesy of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe team who is switching up the team’s look for the upcoming Tour de France. That means both a new look for the team bikes and a new jersey.
If you want your SL8 to stand out just a bit more then you can buy one to match. “This release is strictly limited to 500 numbered bikes globally and features the all-new Roval Rapide CLX III wheelset and new SRAM RED AXS groupset.”
Pricing is set at $15,999.99 and you can put down your credit card at the Specialized website or just watch one get built at the Specialized YouTube page. – Josh Ross
Look 795 Blade RS Black Radial Team Replica
Sticking with the theme of special Tour de France bikes, Look has one too. This time it’s not a special edition but an updated team replica bike. “The Iconic Black Radial finish captures what French performance design is all about — minimalism, precision, and intent”, said Federico Musi, CEO of LOOK Cycle. “It’s more than paint. It’s the visual signature of a bike built to win.”
Of course it’s also available for sale. The build is includes:
- Campagnolo Super Record 13s Wireless
- Campagnolo Bora WTO Ultra 60 Team Edition
- Vittoria Corsa Pro 28 TLR
- LOOK Aero Carbon Combo (Bar + Stem)
- LOOK Aeropost 4 Carbon
- Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow
- Campagnolo SR Carbon 13s (165–175 mm depending on size)
If you want to grab yourself a French race bike, it’s available today through dealers and the Look website at a price of €13,999 / £13,999 / $15,400. It’s almost a bargain if you consider the build kit compared to the Specialized. – Josh Ross
Zwift Adds Fitness Trends and HUD Customization
Zwift has added two key features to its indoor training platform, one that most folks in the Northern Hemisphere will assuredly not be using. One is Fitness Trends, which consists of a series of charts for riders to track their training goals, historical training status, and historical training score. Think of it as Zwift’s next step toward being a one-stop training platform for cyclists and you’re on your way there, particularly as the Fitness Trends analysis is now available on the Zwift Companion app.
In addition, Zwift has added additional available metrics to the HUD, or heads up display. There’s compatibility with Core Body Temp sensors to offer Heat Strain Index, as well as left/right power balance in real time, lap splits, average speed, and averages watts per KG.
Our take? It was only a matter of time before Zwift added deeper fitness analysis as a way to make the app stickier for folks who tend to migrate to outdoor riding when indoor riding season is over. And all of that new heads up display data? That makes a lot of sense, too.
See the updates to the Zwift Companion app and in app, or at zwift.com. – Alvin Holbrook
Ortlieb’s new Thru Axles and Quick Racks help you add cargo carrying ability to almost any bike
We’ve reported on Ortlieb’s thru axle and Quick rack system in the past as a way for cyclists to add bike racks and pannier carrying ability (or fender) to bikes that don’t already have the appropriate mounts. And today, the racks and special thru axles are now officially for sale in the US and UK.
Also available is a new Quick Rack L and Quick Rack XL made specifically for gravel bikes and mountain bikes. The rack can either mount directly to a frame via included snap-in knobs or the aforementioned thru axle connectors. And if you don’t want to use that, Ortlieb also has an adapter that allows the rack to be mounted to the seat stays. The racks offer a max capacity of 44 pounds (20 kg) or 57 pounds (26 kg), respectively.
Ortlieb’s rack system might be the best I’ve seen yet in allowing bikes to add capacity without needing to go as far as to buy a different frame. Find the Ortlieb thru axles for $35, a Quick-Rack L for $130, or a Quick-Rack XL for $140 at ortlieb.com. – Alvin Holbrook
Garmin Tacx Alpine climbing simulator
Playing some catch up here since last week was all-hands on deck for Eurobike and we missed a couple of things. One of them was the announcement of the Garmin Tacx Alpine climbing simulator.
Garmin states that the “Gradient simulator raises and lowers the front of a bike during an indoor ride to replicate climbs and provide more natural movement.” YYou’ve seen this for years though. The concept isn’t new and both Elite and Wahoo have options that do the same thing. Garmin has been notably absent though, and now the brand is jumping and beating both of the existing options by just a bit.
The Garmin Tacx Alpine:
- Replicate grades from up to 25% and down to -10% for more natural movement.
- Dynamic fork mount provides virtual, real-time steering.
- Built-in motion base provides more natural, smooth and responsive movements.
- Exclusive design accommodates Tacx NEO 2T and 3M smart trainers.
- Seamlessly integrate with the Tacx Training App to complete training plan workouts, participate in virtual GroupRides and experience immersive videos from some of the most beautiful routes and locations around the world.
I think there’s something more interesting though. As I look at the details for the Velo Buyer’s Guide: The Best Smart Trainers for 2025 I’m thinking this accessory throws the market into some disarray at the top end. If you want the best of the best, what do you get? A smart bike used to be the answer except that the Garmin Tacx Neo Bike Plus (which I have and love) is missing some features. You could instead choose the Wahoo Kickr smart bike but like Garmin, that bike lacks the movement that seems the most requested high-end feature. That would leave you to choose a wheel off trainer from Garmin or Wahoo but then you’d have to supply your own bike. As I start testing trainers this year, the first thing I plan to check is if the Elite Square works in the Garmin ecosystem. That would give you movement in every direction plus a dedicated bike. That could be a winner.
If you are interested in the Garmin Tacx Alpine, the MSRP is $1099.99 and it’s available at the Garmin website. – Josh Ross
Apidura Aero System
This one is another catch up piece but this time the catch up is about plans falling through as much as it is Eurobike. I’ve had this pack system for a while and planned to test it on a 500km ride that never happened.
What I’m talking about is the Apidura Aero System that’s finally hit the market after a prototype aero system for Ridley only debuted at unbound last year. I still plan to put this to a proper test but for now, it’s press release info only.
According to Apidura, “The Aero System is a performance-oriented solution for competitive gravel racers, developed through rigorous Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. With an average 5 watt saving at race speed, it’s wind tunnel tested and race-proven at the highest level, showing a benefit on every bike we’ve tested.”
Notably, Apidura also claims that “The Aero System was designed with the primary purpose of improving aerodynamic performance, regardless of what you decide to pack.”
I’d also like to add that I’m not a competitive racer but regular people should pay attention as well. If you are attempting an ultra-endurance event even a little bit of aero savings can add up to big time saved as you stretch the day to days of riding. Plus this system is a pair of small bags that are perfect for a minimal setup. Snack and batteries should fit without the bags being in your way.
If you are interested in a watt saving bag system it’s $278 for the pair and you can find more info or purchase on the Apidura website. – Josh Ross
Ornot Park Jersey
I won’t go too deep on this one but there’s a lot of love for OrNot and the brand has a new version of the Park Jersey. According to OrNot, the Park jersey is “Designed in the Bay Area, made with ultra-soft recycled fabric, and available in two flavors – bright and bold, or understated and clean. Built for race-day function, long-term durability, and low-impact riding. After two years of refining and rethinking performance, the Park Jersey is now available in seven colors, in both short-sleeve and long-sleeve versions.”
Differing from some OrNot jerseys, the Park jersey is a race fit option. It also “ boasts a UPF 30 rating, protecting you from the sun without the environmental impact of ‘net new’ materials.”
MSRP is $168 for a short sleeve or $178 for a long sleeve and there’s both men’s and women’s pieces. More info and purchase is available at the OrNot website. – Josh Ross