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 428 ● March 2025

Your experts

The Big Picture

What’s on • The best media, entertainment and events from the cycling world

Castelli Gabba • Castelli’s breathable, close-fitting yet waterproof and windproof jacket marked a watershed in cycle clothing

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

Guava Spot Force AXS • £4,950 Big-value, Barcelona-born bike that hits the spot for gravel riding

Joined-up thinking • Connecting more rail stations to the NCN is long overdue

Antrim Coast

The route

The Bike Test WHEELS OF FORTUNE • We zip around on three new urban e-bikes to see if they mean business and find out the commuting pros and cons of different wheel sizes

Bike tech explained • Your quickfire guide to bike jargon

Bikes on test • Which e-bike in this trio will be your best option for commuting?

Engwe P275 ST • £1,575.80 Value-packed mid-motor city bike

Whyte RHeO 3 • £2,299 Mountain bike-inspired everyday commuter

MiRider 24 GB3 • £2,995 (£3,095 as shown) Lightweight e-folder specialists branch into cargo

The winner is… Whyte RHe0 3 • The Whyte gets so much right and proves a versatile companion in all conditions

Ride all winter • 10 scientifically proven ways to bolster your immunity

COLD SNAPS • Chris Lanaway dons the deepest winter thermals for the Abloc Winter Challenge in southern Sweden

CANARY IN A COALMINE • Gran fondo novice Emma Lewis heads to the Canaries and throws herself into the two-day Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote, featuring one Alberto Contador…

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

Cadex Max 40 wheelset • £3,500 Flyweight 40mm-deep, all-carbon wheels

Garmin Edge 1050 vs Wahoo Elemnt Ace • The two bike-computer titans duke it out for supremacy

Wilier Verticale SLR Dura-Ace Di2 • £11,000 Lightweight performance and easygoing handling

Women’s bib tights • £110-£185 Which of these best answer all of your winter-cycling needs?

Parlee Ouray SRAM Red AXS • £14,200 The all-round road bike redefined

Buyer’s Guide DEEP-WINTER JACKETS • While these outer layers will protect you from the wind and rain, they should also keep you warmer than a waterproof, so can be useful on really cold days

Endura Men’s Pro SL 3-Season Jacket • £209.99 Sizes XS-XXL Colours Black (tested) and Pomegranate Women’s version? No

Gore Spinshift Thermo Jacket Mens • £159.99 Sizes S-XXL Colours Black, Cargo Blue (tested), Lab Graphite, Utility Green, Neon Yellow Women’s version? No

Rapha Men’s Pro Team Winter Jacket • £230 Sizes XS-XXL Colours Black Women’s version? Yes

Santini Vega+ Winter Jacket • £240 Sizes XS-4XL Colours Black, Purple (tested), Navy Blue, Dark Green, Neon Orange-Pink Women’s version? Yes

Sportful Total Comfort Jacket • £250 Sizes S-3XL Colours Black, Teal Blue (tested), Tango Red...