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 430 ● May 2025

The Big Picture

Cannondale SuperSix • The US brand’s 2011 masterpiece of a bike led the way in terms of carbon frame design, comfort and lightness

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

Magic of the mind • Endurance rider Leigh Timmis on the powerful link between mental health and cycling performance

Argon 18 Equation • £2,500 New value-packed endurance bike from the Canadian innovators

Home run • How a New Town in Cambridgeshire reached for the skies in its provision for cycling and walking

The Cotswolds

The route

High rollers • Could bigger wheels improve your gravel riding? We test some oversized 750d rims to find out

ONE TRACK MIND • FIVE MOMENTS THAT SHAPED SIR CHRIS HOY’S STELLAR CAREER IN THE VELODROME

Marginal gains • The 17 expensive upgrades that you may want but really don’t need

NOVEMBER RAIN • When Emma Lewis took on a Mexican medio fondo, the conditions weren’t exactly what she’d imagined…

GFNY WINTER ESCAPES • A trio of other exotic places to pretend to be a pro in

WorldTour Trends • Chinese bikes, Campagnolo’s return and Shimano domination – we take a look at the big 2025 bike and team changes

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!

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

Koo Hype glasses • £180 Breezy shades for hot days

Orbea Kemen Tour 20 Mid • £3,799 Rugged touring all-rounder gets a makeover

Gravel suspension seatposts • Designed to take the sting out of poor surfaces

Women’s jerseys • £64.99-£195 Which top has the best combo of features for your needs?

Marin DSX 2 • £1,229 A flat-bar hybrid for commuting, touring and gravel

SMART TRAINERS • We test three interactive turbo trainers at different budgets to determine the sweet spot

DUST-UP DOWN UNDER • Adelaide’s new RADL GRVL event fires the starting gun on the 2025 gravel racing season

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

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 riders

How to ride an unsupported event • Charlie Allenby helps take you through what to do on longer challenges

SELF-SUPPORTED ESSENTIALS • Must-have items to help see you through your big event

READY TO GO IT ALONE? • There’s an event out there to suit everyone’s level

“Nothing prepares you for the Algarve’s beauty, even after a 2,000km ride from the UK” • Paul Nixon, 62, took on a challenge to cycle from Tyneside to Southern Portugal to shine a light on a great cause

Cycling Plus

£2500 ROAD BIKES • Endurance bikes on test from Argon 18, Ribble and Surly

Safe and sound? • Should the UCI issue a small race a big fine for safety transgressions probably due to a lack of funds?