Mallorca or indoor trainer – are these really the only winter training options? As is so often the case, the world isn’t just black and white – there are plenty of alternatives for some winter drop bar action. To get a jump start on the season, we made a few tweaks, and were rewarded with a first ride of the year that exceeded our expectations. We’ve all been there before. The biscuit tin full of vanilla shortbread, the fat Christmas goose, and the dusty indoor trainer (sorry Zwift!) have left their mark. Suddenly, you’re no longer in the same shape as you were last summer, and you long for t ..read more

In theory, the GIANT Defy Advanced SL checks all the right boxes: low weight, plenty of comfort, and a sporty, puristic look. With a maximum tire clearance of 38 mm, it’s not just suitable for all-road use, but will also venture off-road. Can the bike deliver with its in-house components, cool style, and ample compliance? Giant Defy Advanced SL | 7.2 kg in size M | € 11,999 | Manufacturer’s website This bike was tested as part of the 2024 all-road shootout – you can find an overview of the test field here: 2024 all-road shootout – The four hottest all-road bikes head to head. As giants in the ..read more

The 2024 FOCUS PARALANE has all the essentials you need for the long haul, including a few modern extras, prioritising comfort and a subtle look. To this end, FOCUS have combined aerodynamic features with mudguards, ensuring both speed and everyday utility. Is it the ultimate all-roader? Focus Paralane 8.9 | 8.6 kg in size L | € 5,299 | Manufacturer’s website This bike was tested as part of the 2024 all-road shootout – you can find an overview of the test field here: 2024 all-road shootout – The four hottest all-road bikes head to head. Until recently, FOCUS’ drop-bar portfolio had a big gap b ..read more

The Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 AXS Aero features that classic Canyon look, with added comfort, and a super-clean monocoque cockpit. It’s also got a convenient tool roll integrated into the top tube. Can this combination outperform the all-road competition, and does it live up to its Endurace name? Canyon Endurace CS SLX 8 AXS Aero | 8.3 kg in size M | € 5,499 | Manufacturer’s website This bike was tested as part of the 2024 all-road shootout – you can find an overview of the test field here: 2024 all-road shootout – The four hottest all-road bikes head to head. The Endurace has a very long tradi ..read more

More is more! According to Specialized, that holds true for the perfect all-road bike. The Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL8 therefore offers plenty of tire clearance, extra damping thanks to the Future Shock and Pavé seat post, and mounting points for mudguards and bags. Is that still all-road or have we ventured into gravel territory? Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL8 | 7.36 kg in size 56 | € 14,000 | Manufacturer’s website This bike was tested as part of the 2024 all-road shootout – you can find an overview of the test field here: 2024 all-road shootout – The four hottest all-road bikes head to ..read more

Canyon Endurace, Specialized Roubaix, GIANT Defy and FOCUS Paralane, these four renowned names in the all-road segment have one thing in common – they all relaunched in 2023. We put them to the test to find out what’s new and which bike suits you best. It’s time for a shootout of the most popular all-road bikes! Another all-road group test? Weren’t you just in Spain? That’s right! It hasn’t been long since our 2023 all-road group test. Nine out of ten all-road bikes are still up to date, and the conclusions about the latest technology are still valid. However, Specialized, Giant, Focus and Ca ..read more

Do rooftop tents tickle your fancy? Or perhaps you have one already? Are you into road trips, cool cars and outdoor adventures? Then here’s your chance: apply for our DOWNTOWN road trip adventure and test the most exciting rooftop tents with our editorial team. We’re currently testing 11 of the most interesting rooftop tents for our DOWNTOWN magazine. As a grand finale to our big rooftop comparison test, from the 8th to the 11th of May 2024 we’ll be going on an exciting road trip, which will include bikes, kayaks, BBQ and some questionable dancing. Apply now to be part of the most exciting ro ..read more

The Roadmachine is BMC’s drop bar bike for  comfort, control, and confidence on all surfaces. In 2024, the Swiss brand are launching three new versions of the Roadmachine: the Roadmachine 01 road endurance bike, the Roadmachine 01 X all-road bike, and the Roadmachine 01 AMP e-road bike. We took a trip to sunny Girona to test the three bikes back-to-back on a mix of surfaces. Additionally, we spoke with Stefan Christ, the head of BMC’s development department, about the changes, exciting new features, and the thoughts behind them. In this test, we’ll reveal what’s special about the new BM ..read more

With the ROAD2 pedals, Austrian brand Magped promise to offer the first viable alternative to clipless road bike pedals, relying on powerful magnets to replace the standard clipless mechanism. The ROAD2 has remained true to Magped’s basic design, looking like a refined version of the ROAD. We put them to the test to find out how they perform on the road. Mapped ROAD2 | Weight: 215 g | Price: € 189 | Tester: Christoph | Duration: 4 weeks | Intended use: road cycling, indoor training, clipless pedal newbies | Website Cycling, and especially road cycling, is a very tradition-conscious sport. We w ..read more

“It’s not the world’s prettiest heart” the barista sighs as she hands me my flat white. I just gape at her; has she got ultrasound vision? Can she hear the thudding inside? Is she priming herself to hop the bar and give me a cardiac massage with the tamper? Or not, I realise, smiling feebly, as she signals to the blotchy attempt at latte art. … it’s a foam heart; a romantic one, one that doesn’t beat, or have faulty valves or insufficiencies. Thirty minutes earlier I’d been lying on a hard bed with a cardiologist heavy breathing over my heart. Now I’m standing with a frothy broken heart, a pie ..read more