Out Now! GRAN FONDO Issue #012 – WHY?

Our latest issue is here. But one question remains: WHY … exactly are you reading this editorial? Is it because cycling is more than just a hobby for you? Perhaps the rhythmic stroke of the pedals lets you find the ultimate feeling of fulfilment and escape? Should we even question the emotional pull that cycling exerts on us, and if not, why not?

Highlights

• The best E-road bike of 2019 – 13 of the most exciting models on test
• The best road bike tire money can buy – 6 models in comparison
• Rockstars, Dads & Roadies – Touring Europe with Dropkick Murphys
• Taiwanese Recovery/Hangover Ride – Don’t try this at home!
• Less is more – First-world problems, paradoxical life goals and the art of letting go

For those who’ve been around the road riding scene long enough – and we’re talking before the mid-90s boom – the constant stream of must-have features, advancements in technology and new trends might leave a bitter taste in your mouth. We get that, we totally do. Steel-framed bicycles are often inextricably linked to our memories and emotions, so tightly entwined at times that the sight of the companies who have shunned their Italian heritage for cheaper overseas production of carbon frames, aero tube profiles, disc brakes and now even electric motors, might make you feel a little queasy. The purist roadie inside of you almost has to scream “WTF does this have to do with road cycling?!”

But how can progress prompt such an emotional outbreak? Why does emotional protectionism so often initially win out over the rational understanding of what’s actually happening before, a short while later, with the obvious benefit of hindsight, there are smug claims of “Yeah, I knew that would happen” and “Yep, exactly what I said.”

If you’ve already got the App, you’ll be able to download the new issue directly. If not, now’s your chance to grab our free App for iOS or Android.

With this issue, we really wanted to focus on the “why” throughout all our articles and reviews. It’s the focus of Robin’s essay on luxury problems, paradoxical questions and how being laid-back has become an art form. Then, from Taichung to the suburbs of Stuttgart, we write about the drivers, inspiration and the “why” behind a whole other definition of road riding, before the Dropkick Murphys teach us why pro riders and tattooed rockstars aren’t as different as you think. What’s more, we dive deep into the road tire market to discover why a good set of tires is the most economical way to upgrade your bike. This time our big bike group test goes electro and we investigate which E-road bike is currently topping the charts and which motor system is best suited to which rider. After thousands of test kilometres, we can now provide the answers. But why is the topic of ebikes so prominent in this issue?

The easiest answer is to retort: why not? But the actual answer is a bit longer, although no more complicated. For us, road cycling is not about the masochistic cycle of swinging between physical exhaustion and revitalisation after weeks of recovery. What counts more is the experience and pleasure of riding and the desire to gorge on this as often as possible. Amateur racer or recreational weekend rider, whatever you are, different approaches to riding require different bikes.

Stories of heroic feats in cycling usually end in jubilation and a champagne shower.
Somewhat unusually, our story starts the other way round with two bottles of whisky
and sake and ends 160 km later in Taichung’s rush hour.

No one wants to force a weekend rider onto a race-tuned whip with an outrageous saddle to bar drop, and nor will anyone force a lactate fan to alter their idea of a road bike. There are enough niches and interpretations of cycling to keep everyone happy! So maybe, we should just have called this issue “Why the hell not!?” But we didn’t, so what you should probably do now is check the new issue and embrace your own idea of what road biking is about.

All bikes in this issue:

Bianchi Aria E-Road | BMC Alepnchallenge AMP Road | Cannondale Synapse NEO SE | CENTURIO Overdrive Carbon Road Z4000 | Coboc Ten Torino | Focus Paralane2 9.9 | LOOK E-765 Optimum Disc | Moustache Dimanche 28.7 | Orbea Gain M10 | Pinarello Nytro | Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL | Thömus Sliker E1 | Wilier Triestina Cento1 Hybrid Custom

Put on some great music and have fun reading GRAN FONDO Issue #012. Ride whatever way you like!

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Words: Photos: Diverse