The Spring Classics have kicked off with a bang, and the Opening Weekend races delivered thrilling victories by Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Matthew Brennan. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the races themselves were the main event, the real drama unfolded in the team paddocks, where mechanics were frantically prepping bikes, and cycling enthusiasts were buzzing with excitement. We were on the ground at both Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, armed with cameras and notebooks, to uncover the latest road bike tech trends that could shape the season ahead.
And this is the part most people miss: While the absence of a new Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset was noticeable, the real story was the behind-the-scenes experimentation with drivetrains and components. Teams were split almost evenly between Shimano and SRAM, with Cofidis being the lone wolf running Campagnolo groupsets. But the real intrigue lay in the drivetrain specifications, where one-by setups dominated due to the punchy nature of the parcours.
SRAM-sponsored teams like Lidl-Trek, Visma-Lease a Bike, and Unibet Rose Rockets opted for 'mullet' configurations—a term that might spark debate among purists. These setups featured SRAM Red AXS front ends, Red AXS XPLR cassettes, and direct-mount rear derailleurs, allowing them to safely run the brand’s aero-optimised 54T chainring. Is this the future of road bike drivetrains, or just a passing fad? Weigh in below!
Chain guides were ubiquitous on one-by setups, with Wolf Tooth leading the pack. Notably, Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates XRG rode a Y1Rs with a Shimano Dura-Ace 1x setup, paired with a Carbon-Ti ring and a K-Edge chain keeper. Even the humble butyl inner tube made an appearance, used on forks to secure timing transponders—a small but crucial detail often overlooked.
Race profile stickers varied wildly, from glossy decals to handwritten paper adhesives, while stem lengths were surprisingly long, starting at 120mm and going up to 145mm. Handlebar configurations also differed, with some teams like Lidl-Trek opting for integrated one-piece setups, while others stuck to traditional stem-and-bar clamps. Which setup do you think offers the best balance of aerodynamics and control? Let us know in the comments!
We also weighed as many bikes as possible, finding that Classics-spec race rigs averaged around 7.5kg. Tom Pidcock’s 7.18kg Pinarello Dogma F took the crown for the lightest bike, while Cole Kessler’s 8.39kg Factor One was the heaviest, thanks to its SRAM Force AXS components. Mixed-and-matched components were common, with Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL pedals leading the charge, often paired with SRAM crankarms. Look Keo Blade Ceramic Ti and Time XPro SL pedals also made appearances, though the latter was exclusive to SRAM-sponsored teams.
Bahrain Victorious stood out by pairing Shimano cranksets with Chinese Elilee carbon cranks, some equipped with power meters. Mathieu van der Poel’s winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad bike featured a two-by Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 setup with a 56-44T gearing, proving that 24 gears remain a reliable choice for most race scenarios. But is the two-by setup still relevant in today’s racing landscape, or is the one-by revolution here to stay?
Here are the key trends we spotted:
The Single Chainring Revolution: The parcours, with its mix of flat and rolling terrain punctuated by steep bergs, led to diverse chainring choices. The 54T chainring was the most common, with Shimano double chainsets often featuring a 54-40T ratio. Van der Poel’s 55/40T setup and Bahrain Victorious’ 56-44T rings pushed the boundaries. Are we seeing the death of the double chainring, or is there still a place for it in modern racing?
The Crank Length Debate: Crank lengths varied widely, with 172.5mm being the most popular, followed by 165mm and 175mm. Jonas Abrahamsen’s 167.5mm SRAM crankarms were an outlier, but Classics riders seem unfazed by the ongoing debate over shorter cranks. What’s your take on the ideal crank length for racing?
3D-Printed Innovations: Custom 3D-printed components, particularly computer mounts, were a standout trend. UAE Team Emirates XRG continued using their custom Wahoo cradle, while Lidl-Trek and Uno-X showcased team-branded 3D-printed mounts. Is 3D printing the future of bike customization, or just a niche trend?
Prototype Tech: Unreleased tyres, wheels, and frames were on full display. Specialized-sponsored teams rode tyres marked with a 'Cotton' logo and a silicon-like treatment, while Mathieu van der Poel’s custom Canyon Aeroad featured redesigned CFR logos and SRAM UDH-compatible rear dropouts. Prototype Shimano Dura-Ace wheels with carbon spokes and new hubs also made an appearance. What’s the next big innovation in bike tech, and will it come from the big brands or smaller innovators?
30mm Tyres Rule Supreme: Tyre widths were notably wide, with 30mm being the most popular size. Pirelli, Vittoria, and Michelin dominated this category, though Davide Ballerini of XDS-Astana was the only rider using 28mm tyres. The widest option was the unreleased 32mm Specialized Cotton TLR tyre. Are wider tyres the future of road racing, or is there still a place for narrower options?
The Opening Weekend races were a treasure trove of tech trends and innovations, but they also raised questions about the direction of road bike technology. What’s your take on these trends? Do you see them shaping the future of racing, or are they just fleeting fads? Let us know in the comments below!
