The Road Cyclist's Training Manual features essential training, nutrition and gear advice for the perfect autumn and winter of cycling. Indoor training sessions, the best clothing to beat the elements, what to eat to boost immunity… All this and more.
Road Cyclist’s Training Manual (A/W 2025)
Welcome
SMART TRAINERS • We test three interactive turbo trainers at different budgets to determine the sweet spot of performance and value
Van Rysel D100 Zwift Ready Home Trainer • £279.99 Flywheel weight 3.2kg Max power output 600w Max simulated gradient 6%
JetBlack Victory • £399 Flywheel weight 4.7kg Max power output 1,800w Max simulated gradient 16%
Wahoo Kickr V6 • £849.99 Flywheel weight 7.3kg Max power output 2,200w Max simulated gradient 20%
Wattbike Proton • £1,795 A smart bike to take on Peloton?
FRONT LIGHTS • It’s that time of year when you need to assess whether your bike lights will make it through another autumn and winter. We test six of the latest models to illuminate their pros and cons
Moon Rigel Max • £79.99 Weight 150g Lumens 1,500 Run time 1:30hrs (full beam) IP rating IPX7 Modes 6
Bookman Volume 1500 • £130 Weight 202g Lumens 1,500 Run time 3hrs (full beam) IP rating IPX5 Modes 10
Magicshine Evo 1700SD • £79.99 Weight 156g Lumens 1,700 Run time 2hrs (full beam) IP rating IP67 Modes 8
Zéfal Supervision F1500 • £99.99 Weight 202g Lumens 1,500 Run time 1:40hrs (full beam) IP rating IPX6 Modes 5
Cateye AMPP 1700 • £139.99 Weight 210g Lumens 1,700 Run time 1:25hrs (full beam) IP rating IPX4 Modes 6
Knog Blinder 1300 • £99.99 Weight 162g Lumens 1,300 Run time 1:30hrs (full beam) IP rating IP67 Modes 6
Rear Lights • £49.99 - £130 These lights take road safety to the next level, but which is best for your riding?
Bib Tights • £130 - £170 Trusty bib tights are essential for enjoyable winter riding. Here are our top picks…
WATERPROOF JACKETS • With PFCs and associated ‘forever chemicals’ set to be banned, clothing manufacturers have had to rethink how they design their waterproofs. We test four jackets that are a sign of what’s to come…
Universal Colours Mono Men’s Rain Jacket • £170 Sizes XS-3XL Colours Black, Almond Beige, Fred Brown, Isabel Blue, Midnight Teal, Soft Pink, Victor Red Women’s version? Yes
Scott RC Weather WP Men’s Jacket • £164.99 Sizes S-2XL Colours Black, Sulphur Yellow Women’s version? No
Gore Spinshift Gore-Tex Jacket Men’s • £249.99 Sizes S-2XL Colours Black, Utility Green, Lime Yellow, Cargo Blue Women’s version? Yes
Albion Men’s All Road Pertex Shield Rain Jacket • £210 Sizes XS-2XL Colours Orange, Black Women’s version? Yes
WINDPROOF JACKETS • More versatile, stashable and breathable than a rain jacket, a windproof shell can be an inspired purchase. But what should you look for? Here we test six for their wind-thwarting powers…
Winter Gloves • £29.99-£79.99 Which are best at keeping your fingers toasty and dry?
Winter Tyres • £23 – £46.99 Find your perfect combination of durability, grip and speed
Wet lubes • £9.99-£20 Which of these lubricants best keeps your drivetrain running smoothly and quietly?
COLD WAR • Our 10-step winter survival guide will help you endure, even thrive, through the season cyclists dread most..
SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY • From summer showers to winter storms, rain can be a cyclist’s nemesis. But with sharp skills, good kit and a gritty mindset, you can turn an ordeal into an opportunity and enjoy the romance and rewards of wet-weather rides
Virtual Realities • Turbo training addicts reveal their hard-won tips, racked up over countless indoor sessions, for thriving throughout the...