Lighter Frames
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Yes, road bike frames are already plenty light. But as technology improves, you can expect to see even lighter, stronger frames than ever before. A year ago, Dassi introduced a bike made of graphene that weighed 750 grams, and the company claims a 350-gram frame weight is possible in the near future. Look for other materials and lighter carbon frames on high-end road bikes at 2017 tradeshows.
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Your Next RideSpecialized Ruby Road Bike
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The flagship women's model from Specialized is getting a big upgrade in 2017. While it won't come cheap ($10,000), the S-Works Ruby eTap will be ready to take on any road you'd like. The most significant upgrade is the FutureShock, which is a 3 mm travel suspension integrated into the steerer tube that can be adjusted depending on what kind of riding you're doing. On the back end, suspension is used at the rear fork/seat tube junction that will make gravel riding more forgiving.
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Your Next RidePeter Sagan
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If there's one cyclist you should be paying attention to this year, it's Peter Sagan. The 2016 World Champion finished up the year with a second consecutive rainbow jersey, setting the stage for another potential big year ahead. Keep an eye on the professional peloton to see if he can capture a Tour of Flanders/Paris Roubaix double this spring—and perhaps another green jersey this summer at the Tour de France.
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Your Next Ride650B Road Bikes
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Gravel bikes have taken over in a big way. In 2017 there will be more options available, including road bikes with 650B wheels. This smaller wheel circumference coupled with the ability to handle a wider tire will provide more comfort and better handling overall on dirt and gravel. The new 3T Exploro is one such model that's already available.
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Your Next Ride2017 Tour de France
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If you're a betting man, the money still says Chris Froome is the man to beat in the 2017 Tour de France. And while Froome did edge out his main rival, Nairo Quintana, in 2016, Quintana followed up his defeat at the Tour de France with a victory over Froome in the Vuelta a Espana a little later in the year. Could this be the year Quintana finally topples Froome in the Tour, or will Froome join a rare group of greats with his fourth yellow jersey?
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Your Next RideNew Power Meters
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Not only are there a ton of new power meter options available in 2017, they're getting cheaper and more compatible, too. Polar partnered with cycling pedal giant Look to create the Keo Power—a new model we really like—but if you're looking for something new and innovative, Luck takes the cake. Their new power meter is included in the sole of their custom-made shoes. That means zero installation, lighter overall weight, and the ability to easily transfer your power meter from one bike to another. Overall cost for the custom shoes will be around $250 a pair.
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Your Next Ride3D Print Technology
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(Ed Note: The bike pictured is a prototype and not representative of the final product)
At Interbike 2016, one new bike stood out from the rest—the Argon 18 Concept smart bike. The visual differences of the frame and the level of integration of the front cockpit, which was made possible with the use of 3D printing technology, truly set it apart. Expect to see more bikes like this one at tradeshows in 2017, as bike manufacturers begin to test the boundaries of this new technology.
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Your Next RideZipp 454 Wheelset
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The radical new rim shape of the Zipp 454 wheelset is sure to raise quite a few eyebrows among traditionalists. What Zipp has sought to do with the 454 is improve control and efficiency of its wheel at high speeds and in crosswinds, while further reducing aerodynamic drag. How it accomplishes this is hidden in a lot of technical details, but it will be interesting to see if the results start a tidal wave of new wheel designs from other wheel manufacturers.
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The release of Shimano and SRAM disc brake groupsets have left many wondering what to expect from Campagnolo. With the pro peloton steering towards a big serving of disc brakes in 2017, don't be surprised when Campagnolo releases its long-rumored disc brake groupset in the near future. And if it's anything like the company's other component lineups, it'll be worth the wait.
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Your Next RideVirtual Cycling
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Apps and software from Zwift and CycleOps has made indoor training much more entertaining. Thankfully, the fun won't stop with these two options. If you're keeping an eye towards the future, the VirZoom and Hero VR 4D are two more examples of how virtual reality will change your indoor cycling experience.
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