Cycling Plus

Cycling Plus is the manual for the modern road cyclist. Whether you're cycling weekly, an occasional new rider or a Tour de France fan you’ll find everything you need. Each issue is packed with buying advice and tests of essential cycling gear - everything from bikes to bags! Cycling Plus is the place to find training advice, nutrition secrets and practical tips guaranteed to improve your bicycling. It's also full of inspirational rides, real-life cycling stories and entertaining riding-related features.

Ed’s letter • Issue 434 ● August 2025

The Big Picture

Bucking the price rises • There’s still value to be found in the cycling market – you just need to look harder, says Warren Rossiter

Bianchi • The story behind the Italian marque that’s managed to maintain a winning habit for 125 years

PEDAL-O-METER • WHAT’S SPINNING ALONG AT SPEED AND WHAT’S CRASHING OUT THIS MONTH?

Sarto Raso Gravel • £14,190 as shown An Italian gravel race bike you can build your way – if you can afford it

Ventete aH-1 helmet • £350 (inc. pump) An award-winning inflatable helmet that’s designed for urban cycling

A concept bike with real MPACT • Warren Rossiter hopes Canyon’s wild urban e-mobility design becomes reality

Assos Equipe R S11 cycling kit • £130 (jersey), £165 (bibs) Simplified yet elegant designs

FROM THE PELOTON TO THE ROAD • Galfer’s new Shark Road disc has been developed with the Lotto team to provide top performance for road and gravel riding

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE • Britain’s best-selling cycling magazine will come through your letterbox as if by magic every month if you become a subscriber. And it’s much cheaper than buying it in the shops. It’s a win-win!

HISTORY IN THE MAKING • Cycling Plus takes a traipse down memory lane at the Tour de France and looks at some of the best images from its 122 years. As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same…

THE FORMUL A1 EFFECT • The 2025 Tour de France looks set to be the fastest in history thanks to mind-blowing modelling and speed-seeking simulations. Cycling Plus investigates the rise of big data and big minds, often inspired by the world of racing cars…

THE OFFICIAL UK TOUR DE FRANCE RACE GUIDE

Bad blood • IT’S BEEN YEARS SINCE THE LAST BIG DOPING SCANDAL, SO IS THE SPORT STILL RIDDLED WITH DRUGS? WE TRY TO DISCOVER THE TRUTH

MBUK 6 ISSUES FOR JUST £9.99 • HUGE SAVINGS!

Ridden & Rated • The UK’s best tests for over 30 years

GET INTO GRAVEL • We try a selection of bikes aimed at those who are just starting to venture off the tarmac

Need to know • Here’s what you should expect at the £2k price point

Bike tech explained • Your quickfire guide to the jargon

Bikes on test • Let’s take a glance at the three rigs

Boardman ADV 8.9 • £1,200 An impressively capable gravel bike at a bargain price

Focus Atlas 6.7 • £1,899 A bargain-priced bikepacking rig

Specialized Crux DSW Comp • £2,300 A lightweight, racey gravel bike that’s ready for cyclocross

Boardman ADV 8.9 • A great-value, versatile bike that’s a happy medium between the other two options

SeaSucker Talon 1 bike rack • £350 Lightweight and compact suction carrier

Cannondale Synapse LAB71 • £13,000 Is this 2025’s smartest design?

Bottle cages • £14.99-£70 Which of these will best hold your bidon?

3T Extrema Italia • £8,941 Genre-blurring gravel bike with a colossal clearance

Training zone • Expert advice on maximising your cycling performance

Boost your ride • Performance Q&A The big cycling questions answered by our team of expert coaches, nutritionists and...