Gear Break: Topeak Stand, Fizik Vento Antares Saddle, BlackHeart Gravel Ti, Kogel Bearings, Zwift Bike Upgrades & Hover Air Drone

Gear Break: Topeak Lineup Stand Max, Fizik Vento Antares R3 saddle, introducing the BlackHeart Gravel Ti, Kogel Bearings unveils the Kolossos ST: Performance without the price tag, tinkerers rejoice: Bike upgrades come to the Zwift Drop Shop and Hover Air drone for capturing your rides!

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Topeak Lineup Stand Max – $119.95

According to Topeak:

Durable, tubular folding stand for storing and displaying bicycles. A spring-loaded arm stabilizes the rear wheel and adjustable tire roller accepts 20mm road tires up to 3.25″ wide mountain bike tires. Fits most road bikes, mountain bikes, or eBikes.

Chuck Peña PEZ sez:  If leaning your bike up against a wall isn’t your idea of bike storage (or doesn’t still well with your significant other), the Topeak Lineup Stand Max may be just the ticket for you. Whether you own a road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike, or even an e-bike, it’s sturdy/flexible enough to accommodate.

Using the Topeak Lineup Stand Max is pretty easy-peasy. I’ll let pictures do a lot of the talking.

Folded, the Topeak Lineup Stand Max has a fairly small footprint

Extend the legs outward

Pull the stabilizer arm lock out to lift the stabilizer arm and be sure to reset it

Roll the rear wheel of the bike (in this case, my wife’s) into the stand

Adjust the wheel chock to fit tire width (wheel tray and chock can accommodate pretty fat tires)

If you’re looking for a way to keep your bike securely upright and have the floor space, the Topeak Lineup Stand Max does the job. If you only have one bike in your stable, IMHO an ideal bike parking solution. And if you already have a storage solution for your bike(s), you could use it for convenient guest bike parking.

For me, the Topeak Lineup Stand Max is perfect for cleaning and lubing a chain (and would work well for washing a bike too)

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fizik Vento Antares R3 Saddle
Alastair Hamilton PEZ sez: Back in February I was lucky enough to test out the Fizik Vento Antares R3 Adaptive 3D-Printed saddle, and very nice it was, too. But the 3D-Printed saddle might just cost more than you can justify at €259.00, although saddle comfort is worth every penny/cent spent. The Fizik Vento Antares R3 saddle is the same design, but not 3D-Printed and costs €149.00. The question is: How similar are they?

Very similar

The dimensions are exactly the same. If you look at the underneath, the two saddles are mounted on the same rails and carbon-reinforced nylon shell, so they should be the same dimensions. I measured every part for comparison and, apart from the slight differences in the topping, which I’ll come to later, they are the same. You could jump from one to the other and the fit would be the same.

The same base and rails

The fizik Antares is not a ‘short fit’ saddle as is the fashion at the moment. I’ve found that I like to move around a bit and many of the short saddles hold you in one place. Comfortable the may be and suit many people, but I find those extra couple of centimetres suit me better. Probably better for my old lower back.

3-D is slightly heavier

The 3-D Antares is a little heavier, but I doubt you would notice. The Kium hollow rails are the same on both saddles, they are light and strong.

The profile is very slightly different

As with my bib shorts tests, I always try out saddles on the home trainer first. I find this is the best way to get the feel of the saddle (shorts) as you spend more time on the saddle and maybe you also put more pressure on that area when Zwifting (others are available). The ‘normal’ Antares felt the same as the 3-D version. The fit and shape is the same, but there are difference and that comes down to the 3-D Printed top.

First ride on Zwift

OK, so what differences did I find? The padding on the 3-D has been scientifically designed to give support or softness in certain places on the saddle. The non 3-D also has softer sections on the wings and in the centre and harder parts at the sit areas at the back of the saddle. On the whole, the non 3-D saddle is a harder ride, more for the racing man, not uncomfortable, but it is a solid saddle.

Watch out for the cactus

How does the ride compare? For me, the 3-D is more comfortable with more soft sections: On the wings, the central section and the nose. The normal Antares has soft and hard sections, whereas the 3-D Antares has soft, medium and hard sections, which are all in the correct positions for a bit more comfort.

The Antares looks good

Which do I prefer? That is easy. I much prefer the 3-D Printed Antares. Yes, it is much more expensive, but I would say it would be money well spent. Both saddles suited me well and if I had never ridden the 3-D version, I would be quite happy with the ‘normal’ Antares. The shape, for me, is what I like and that is what is important. After all, saddles are a very personal choice, you wouldn’t wear the wrong shoes.

fizik sez: A lightweight, versatile racing bike saddle, featuring a low-profile design, carbon-reinforced nylon shell, and kium rails for balanced performance in a variety of riding situations.

Description
It’s a name that’s appeared in nearly every Grand Tour of the past two decades, earning top podium spots in the Tour de France, the Giro, and the Vuelta over and over again—and it’s only getting better with age. We’re talking about Antares. Since its launch in the early 2000s, our Antares racing saddle has become a fixture beneath the leading athletes in the sport, riders like Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde, Greg Van Avermaet, Wout van Aert—even last year’s TDF winner, Jonas Vingegaard. And now, Antares is back and better than ever. Take your seat at the winner’s circle with the all-new Antares.

Performance Chosen by Pros
As a member of the new generation of Antares saddles, the Antares R3 maintains many iconic design features that made the original one of the most popular amongst leading athletes.

Power Transfer
Antares is a low profile saddle with a transition from nose to wing that helps deliver efficient pedaling in every riding positions. No matter if you’re attacking a climb or holding the tempo on flat terrain, this saddle is designed to support you. Moving fore and aft has been made easier by a flatter, slightly wider nose that acts as an optimal base from which to produce power.

Pressure Relief
Antares features an ergonomic cutout, developed using detailed pressure analysis and input from medical experts, that helps to relieve pressure and facilitate blood flow. Additionally, the low-profile padding has been engineered with a double-density foam, firmer on the ischial bones, softer on the nose, to provide every rider the right support, regardless of riding position, without creating undue pressure.

Lightweight, Strong, Responsive
Antares is designed for riders seeking a performance saddle that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. As our performance option, Antares has been race-proven by athletes around the world, from those competing on roads to cyclocross and cross-country riders.

Technologies/Specifications

• ANTARES: Low-profile performance saddle designed to allow a more connected feeling for optimal pedaling efficiency and power transfer
• R3: Combination of a ride-compliant, carbon-reinforced nylon shell and a Kium hollow rail with high strength-to-weight ratio
• WINGFLEX: The shell’s side edges flex and adapt to the rider’s inner leg movement
• DOUBLE-DENSITY FOAM: Firmer on the ischial bones, softer on the nose, for optimal comfort in every riding position

Specifications
ANTARES R3 140 mm

• Length: 268 mm
• Width: 140 mm
• Height at 75 mm width: 47 mm
• Length from nose to 75mm width: 147 mm
• Weight: 195 g
• Rail: 7×7 mm.

Specifications
ANTARES R3 150 mm

• Length: 265 mm
• Width: 150 mm
• Height at 75 mm width: 47 mm
• Length from nose to 75 mm width: 147 mm
• Weight: 202 g
• Rail: 7×7 mm

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Introducing the BlackHeart Gravel Ti

Still waters run deep.

Hidden among the roughest terrain – the bumps, ruts, and rocks – lies a harmony. Each beat of ground turns into a rhythm. As senses sharpen, time slows. A leaf quaking in the wind. Dust suspended in the golden light. A new realm emerges where disorder and calm coexist.

It’s not about the rush, but the serenity in the spaces between each movement. A centering of mind and body that glides like water over rocks downstream.

This is State of Flow

In stock May 2025

Modern aesthetic

A gently sloping top tube, dropped seat stays, a 3D-printed dropped drive side chain stay, and 47mm tire clearance bring titanium design into the 21st century.

Aero design

Our custom kammtail downtube, dropped seat stays, one-piece carbon cockpit, and fully integrated cables make it slippery where it matters.

Magic ride

Premium 3/2.5 double-butted titanium tubing and dropped, curved seatstays deliver a smooth yet snappy ride.

Future proof

Electronic 2X and Mechanical 1X compatible, threaded T47 bb, a round 31.6mm seatpost, and SRAM UDH means easy maintenance and no proprietary parts to limit your options.

This is State of Flow.

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Tinkerers Rejoice: Bike Upgrades Come to the Zwift Drop Shop
Zwifters can now also pedal their way to unlocking three new ‘Halo Bikes’ from Specialized, Cannondale and Pinarello

Zwift, the global online fitness platform for cyclists, announces the launch of the Bike Upgrade System, adding more value to the Drop Shop economy.

‘New Bike Day’ is the highlight for almost any cyclist but the next best thing is a shiny new upgrade, a well-earned reward that might just help them get an edge over their riding buddies. Now you can spend your hard-earned Drops tuning up your bike in Zwift – making your favourite top-end ride even better or fine-tuning each of your bikes for specific terrain.

Following this update, Zwifters will now see that every frame in their garage will display a sequence of upgrades, specific to that bike frame. Five stages of upgrades are possible, each improving a specific aspect of your bike’s performance. To progress to the next upgrade, Zwifters must equip the frame and complete the requirements to earn the opportunity to purchase the upgrade using Zwift Drops. From the launch, there will be five bike upgrade variants:

1. Aero Improvements
2. Weight Reduction
3. Improved Drivetrain Efficiency
4. XP Boost (5%)
5. Drops Boost (5%)

In addition to the new Bike Upgrades update, Zwifters will now have the opportunity to unlock three new Halo Bikes from Specialized, Pinarello and Cannondale. Pinarello has introduced the Pinarello Espada to Zwift’s roads. The Pinarello Espada, designed by Fausto Beroglio, a Time-Trial bike made for one effort against the clock for Miguel Indurain. Specialized has introduced the Project 74 bike to Zwift, conceived by Robert Egger to honor the founding of Specialized in 1974, forged by the desire to “Innovate or Die”. The Project 74 bike was a challenge to think outside the UCI box and beyond the double triangle. Lastly, Cannondale has unveiled the R4000 Roller Blade, a visionary concept bike from the mid 1990s, features four inline skate wheels instead of a regular front wheel. Each bike has a story of innovation and cycling history available to earn for every Zwifter.

Like the Zwift Concept Z1, these bikes will require a significant amount of effort to unlock, giving them huge prestige and street credibility. Of course, they will also have the performance to live up to the billing! To unlock the opportunity to purchase one of these new bikes, Zwifters need to fully upgrade (completing all five stages) three bikes from the same manufacturer.

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Kogel Bearings Unveils the Kolossos ST: Performance Without the Price Tag
Kogel Bearings is proud to introduce the latest addition to its oversized derailleur cage lineup: the Kolossos ST. Designed for riders who demand top-tier performance at a more accessible price point, the Kolossos ST brings Kogel’s signature quality and efficiency to a wider audience.

For years, the Kogel Kolossos oversized derailleur cages have been the go-to choice for cyclists looking to maximize efficiency and drivetrain longevity. With the introduction of the Kolossos ST, Kogel has taken everything that makes Kolossos exceptional and streamlined it into a product that delivers world-class performance at a more budget-friendly level.

By exchanging the trusted hybrid ceramic bearings for stainless steel bearings, the Kolossos is now available 30% cheaper compared to the standard Kolossos models. The Kolossos ST uses all the same components as the classic Kolossos design, only with a new bearing.

Kogel’s first venture into non-ceramic bearings does not mean these are just any bearings. Afterall the company’s punchline has always been High Quality Bearings. The ST bearings use all the same components as the top of the line CR bearing. Only the most expensive components, the ceramic balls, are replaced by super hardened stainless steel balls to match the corrosion resistant races.

“At Kogel, we believe in Accessible Performance for every rider, not just those with deep pockets,” says Ard Kessels, Founder of Kogel Bearings. “With the Kolossos ST, we’re delivering the same oversized pulley benefits—reduced friction, improved shifting and customization options—while keeping costs down where it matters.”

“The Kolossos ST is the perfect choice for cyclists who want a performance boost but are not looking to save the last fraction of a watt at a high premium,” Kessels adds. “We designed it with practicality in mind—strong, durable, and ready to roll, whether you’re racing or just looking to enhance your ride.”

The Kolossos ST is compatible with all Shimano 11 and 12 speed and Sram AXS road derailleurs and retails for $324.99.

• For more information about the Kolossos ST and the rest of Kogel Bearings’ product lineup, visit www.kogel.cc.

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Hover Air Drone for Capturing your Rides!
We’re stoked to announce a potentially game-changing addition to our product lineup! GreenMonkey has partnered with Hover Air to bring you the revolutionary, intelligent Hover Air Pro drone – your ideal companion for capturing your cycling adventures.

Imagine effortlessly capturing stunning aerial footage of your rides, from epic climbs to breathtaking descents. The Hover Air Pro is super ideal for cyclists, with its intelligent, hands-free operation and ultra-lightweight design (just 190g!). It even fits comfortably in your middle jersey pocket, so you can take it on any ride (you won’t even know it’s there!). There’s a dedicated cycle mode function; simply select it, and you can focus entirely on your ride! Whether its on some quiet backcountry road or weaving through the trees on some tricky single-trail!

Share your passion with immersive, high-quality videos and see your rides from a whole new perspective! The Hover Air drone isn’t just for cycling; it’s your ultimate selfie companion anywhere. Plus, its dedicated ski mode makes it perfect for capturing your tricks on the mountain during winter!

This partnership is the result of our recent trip to China, during our cycling kit factory visits and attendance at the 5-day Yunnan Granfondo. More on those adventures in our next newsletter! We have more exciting announcements coming up! Stay tuned!

We visited the impressive Zero Zero Offices, in Shenzhen to pick up the demo unit, which I’ve been testing since November 2024. I love it, and if you’re passionate about capturing your rides, I highly recommend investing in one of these. It will elevate your online content, especially if you’re good at or willing to learn some basic video editing!

Key Features:

• Hands-free, intelligent flight
• Ultra-lightweight and portable
• High-quality video capture: 4K video quality for the PRO model and 8K video quality for the PRO MAX.
• Perfect for elevating your content.

Explore the Hover Air Pro collection on our website and take your cycling footage to the next level.

SPECIAL OFFER
$50.00 off HOVER AIR DRONES
Use code: HOVER50 at checkout, or click the link below to automatically apply the discount to your order.

Apply discount

Offer valid from Mar 11, 2025 – We will price match – subject to conditions.

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