Nicola Rutzou
New products and innovations are always arriving in the dynamic cycling industry. Here are the latest as published in Bicycling Australia’s May/June edition.
Orbea e-gravel bike
The Orbea Denna is an eRoad with gravel-adapted assistance, superior traction in the loosest terrain, and range for the longest routes.
In building the new model, Orbea combined the expertise it had gained from the Orbea Gain eRoad and Terra gravel models. It includes gravel-specific assistance to aid riders up the steepest climbs, traction on the loosest surfaces and range to take on long rides.
Like the Terra gravel bike, the Denna has generous tyre clearance up to 50mm and a frame designed for a smooth ride.
The new Denna includes two pre-configured modes – Gravel and Gravel+ – designed for different conditions. Gravel mode is optimised for smoother surfaces where it’s easier to maintain a higher cadence, allowing riders to use the cassette’s wide range and providing the most natural ride. Gravel+ mode increases the torque limit, adapts to looser surfaces and delivers more torque at lower cadences to maximise traction.
Denna has an optimised chain-stay length, a longer top tube than Gain, a lower bottom bracket, a longer wheelbase and a specific fork trail for each size. Its 420wh battery with next-generation cells offers more power in a lighter, smaller package. Riders can reach up to 3,500m of elevation gain in Eco mode, and it can be fitted with the 210wh Range Extender.
When ordering an Orbea Denna, riders can choose from a selection of components, additional options, and a wide palette of frame colours and finishes.
More info www.orbea.com/au-en/
Thule Roundtrip
The Thule Roundtrip Road bike travel case is designed to keep your bike safe during travel and make it easier to disassemble and reassemble at the other end of your journey. Its tailored packing components keep every part of the bike positioned for safe travel, so your bike remains packed and protected.
The Roundtrip will accommodate most road, gravel, or cyclocross bikes, fitting up to 110cm wheelbases. It includes a removable swivelling front wheel that makes it easy to wheel. What sets it apart from most other bike bags is the included work stand, which makes bike maintenance, assembly, and disassembly easier while travelling or at home.
It features a moulded HDPE bottom tub and rigid side panels reinforced with 5mm corrugate polypropylene that protects while travelling. For compact storage at home, the folding sidewalls can collapse and secure tightly for compact storage (124 x 38 x 24cm).
More info www.thule.com
Continental introduces Grand Prix TR
Continental has unveiled the Grand Prix TR, a new endurance road tyre designed for cyclists who want a dependable, all-round tyre for training, commuting, and long-distance rides.
Building on the legacy of the popular GP5000 family, the Grand Prix TR incorporates tubeless-ready technology, strong puncture protection, and good rolling resistance that provides a smooth, confident ride across various road surfaces.
In addition to the tubeless-ready version, a tube-type version is available in select sizes. The Grand Prix TR is available in black or transparent sidewall in sizes 700 x 28, 700 x 30 and 700 x 32.
More info continental-tires.com
Cannondale Topstone Carbon
Cannondale has introduced a revamped version of its all-around gravel bike, the Topstone Carbon, described as a bike for multi-day bike-packing trips, adventure gravel rides, or gravel racing.
The features that set it apart from its competitors are the suspension systems called KingPin (rear suspension) and Lefty Oliver (front suspension), which deliver comfort, control and greater speed. By absorbing bumps and vibrations and allowing the wheels to track the ground fluidly, the suspension improves traction, enhances cornering grip, and allows the rider to carry more speed over mixed surfaces.
KingPin rear suspension is achieved with a pivot in the seat tube, plus tube shaping and carbon layup, allowing the bike’s rear triangle and seatpost to flex in unison, delivering up to 30mm of bump-smoothing travel. On the front, the bikes are equipped with the Lefty Oliver unique single-sided suspension fork built specifically for gravel.
Cannondale has also launched the SuperX gravel bike, which is designed for gravel racing. It’s based on the current SuperSix EVO road bike, raced by the EF Education pro teams and available in three specs based on a standard carbon and a LAB71 frameset. Replacing the SuperSix EVO SE/CX, it is positioned as a pure gravel race bike with extra tyre clearance.
More info www.cannondale.com
BMC’s core Teammachine SLR model
The second-tier BMC Teammachine SLR has been updated, with the front-end cabling switching from external to integrated hidden cables. The other features and the bike’s geometry remain the same as the previous generation.
The integrated cabling on this climber’s bike brings it in line with most high-end road bikes and makes the model compatible with BMC’s range of one-piece and two-piece bars and stems. It also makes the new models look good and go faster than the predecessor.
The updated model is designated generation 4.5, reflecting the modest updates to the BMC Teammachine SLR, whose generation 4 bike was launched in 2020.
More info www.au.bmc-switzerland.com
Super B tool set
The Super B tool sets provide riders and home mechanics with a complete solution for bike maintenance. The roll-up design keeps all the tools securely in place, making transportation easy and ensuring quick access. When it is opened, everything is neatly organised, allowing you to find the tool you need quickly. The tools are made from heat-treated industrial steel, providing long-lasting performance for routine repairs and more advanced servicing.
The 15-piece set is ideal for casual riders, featuring essential tools for everyday adjustments and bike cleaning. The 25-piece set is designed for professional cyclists and home mechanics, providing a comprehensive selection of tools for complete bike maintenance, from minor repairs to more complex servicing.
The 15-piece set has a retail price of $199, while the 25-piece set is $349.
More info www.superbiketool.com
Hiplok Z-Lok Combo
The Hiplok Z LOK COMBO is a steel-core, lightweight security tie lock with a resettable combination code. Designed to stop opportunist theft, it has revolutionised “café-stop” security with its lock-and-hold design. New for 2025, the next-generation Z LOK COMBO includes an optional bracket, enhanced number display, and a 45cm locking length.
The Z LOK COMBO has a three-digit resettable combination code with enhanced number display and dial functionality, a reinforced steel core, and a unique lock-and-hold design that fastens down while locking.
It comes in four colours and includes a frame bracket to make it easy to carry on your bike. Alternatively, it can be attached to your clothing or carried in a pocket. Its retail price is $44.95.
More info hiplok.com
PRO Sirin women’s saddle
PRO has developed a new saddle for women, allowing them to ride in a more aggressive, aerodynamic position on the bike and remain comfortable.
Using the bike fit data from thousands of bike fits, the PRO design team initiated the saddle design process before it was refined and perfected in collaboration with a pelvic floor specialist and a dedicated group of female test riders.
The product development process produced features like the narrower nose, steeper angles in transitioning from the nose to the wings, a lifted rear profile, and a 32mm-wide cut-out. Dual-density, lightweight EVA padding with soft-cut edges further ensures comfort.
The PRO Sirin is available in 152mm and 162mm widths and comes with carbon or stainless steel rails. It is compatible with the PRO Saddle Accessory Mount.
More info pro-bikegear.com
BBB Signal Pro rear light
BBB Cycling has released a bigger, brighter and better version of its iconic Signal rear light.
Its 250-lumen day flash mode provides optimal daytime visibility, ensuring riders will be seen in daylight, or one of the other modes for nighttime use.
The eight LEDs on both sides of the Signal Pro show riders the battery status in real time. It also provides 270-degree visibility and dynamic flash patterns and is easy to operate even with winter gloves.
The strap mount fits Ø 5-45 mm and features a self-locking USB port, which ensures it is waterproof.
More info bbbcycling.com.au
DT Swiss dynamo hub wheels
DT Swiss has released its first dynamo wheels, which are built around a custom hub produced in collaboration with Shutter Precision (SP). The company says the brand developed the wheels in response to the increasing demand for bikepacking and commuting products.
These new durable aluminium gravel wheels and dynamo hub ensure that lights are always on by converting the energy of your pedal strokes into electric light.
Alongside the new wheels, DT Swiss is offering the 350 SP PL-7 dynamo hub as a standalone product, continuing its commitment to custom wheel builders.
The dynamo hub generates electricity from the front wheel’s rotation, which is used to power lights and other electrical devices. This adds some resistance, but thanks to the design of the hub shell and the efficiency of the SP PL-7, it has a minimal effect. Efficiency is measured both with the light on and off.
More info www.dtswiss.com/en
Wattbike adds two new models
Indoor cycling pioneer Wattbike has launched the Proton and Air indoor bikes, designed for indoor riders and athletes in team sports.
Both are priced lower than Wattbike’s flagship model, the Atom, and the reason there are two new models is that they are aimed at different markets.
The Proton and Air come with access to Wattbike’s training hub, which offers a range of workouts and training plans. Its revamp coincides with the launch of the two new models.
The Proton is a smart bike equipped with magnetic resistance that can be controlled via an app designed for indoor cycling. The Air is a non-smart model with fan-based resistance aimed at cross-trainers and team sports.
More info au.wattbike.com
