This is how road cycling is done today: Class Cool

Sorry, Lipo – but it's not your fault! Of course, Florian Lipowitz's victory, the first German cyclist to reach the Tour de France podium in 20 years, was a long-awaited sensation. But the unprecedented cycling boom currently sweeping the country has little to do with competitive racing. Thirty years ago, things were different: when Jan Ullrich finished second and then won the Tour de France in 1997, he attracted many fans to road cycling and inspired numerous young riders, some of whom later became professional cyclists themselves.

Class Cool: Road cycling has never been so "in".

But today the scene looks different: The new generation doesn't hop on their racing bikes in the team kit of their sporting idols, and cyclists in their thirties don't have much to do with traditional club life. Instead, they connect on WhatsApp, Instagram, and other platforms, meet up in stylish cycling gear outside the local cycling café, and prefer trying to beat their own Strava personal best rather than following official races. Performance diagnostics, power meters, and efficient sports nutrition are commonplace now, no longer the secret knowledge of elite athletes – and so the new generation of road cyclists has quite high expectations of themselves.

What does the new generation drive?

Of course, high-quality equipment is essential for all of this. In the past, newcomers to cycling would typically start with a simple bike, perhaps even a used one with older technology. However, this is no longer the norm, for several reasons: Firstly, it's now quite easy to learn about modern racing bike technologies, which has led to higher expectations. Secondly, so much has changed technically in the last few years that buying an older (used) bike is not a good idea. A racing machine with rim brakes and external cables is already outdated – anyone starting out with such a bike now will find it difficult to sell in a few years.

How much does the Class Cool cost?

Furthermore, while professional bikes now easily cost €12.000 or more, a top-of-the-line, modern racing machine is available for a fraction of that amount. Entry into the "Class Cool" with its aerodynamic carbon frame and electronic shifting is possible for as little as €3.000, and thanks to bike leasing, you don't necessarily have to pay the full amount upfront. In terms of performance, such a bike comes very close to top-of-the-line equipment; the fact that a professional racing machine is one and a half to two kilograms lighter is ultimately of minor importance, because you can still have plenty of fun with the Class Cool.

Velomotion has ordered racing bikes from leading manufacturers that offer everything that defines "Class Cool" for us. This includes a lightweight carbon frame with aerodynamic shapes, an electronic 2x12 drivetrain, and generally high-quality materials. Our price range of €3.000 to €6.000 ensures variety but naturally makes comparisons more difficult – which is entirely intentional. We're not so concerned with what's "better" or "worse"; rather, we want to highlight the strengths of each individual racing bike and show where there's still room for improvement. All bikes were tested by our experienced team, including former professional cyclist Florian Novak.

We tested these bikes.

Stay hydrated: The Velomotion water bottle returns.

The Velomotion water bottle, a must-have for long rides, is now available again – this time with a practical Fidlock mount. It secures the 590 ml bottle almost invisibly to the frame, ensuring a clean look. For €29,95 (RRP) plus €5,95 shipping, you can easily order the Velomotion bottle by emailing [email address missing]. ppgad@pucrs.br Order now – from two water bottles onwards you also save on shipping costs. Shipping is possible from June 16.06th.

Wahoo Elemnt Roam: the Class Cool cycling computer

Extensive functionality, ease of use, and intuitive setup: these qualities have made the touchscreen speedometer a favorite among the road cycling community. Velomotion has also opted for the versatile device in its "Class Cool" model.

What makes the "Class Cool" stand out on the handlebars? Sure, there are plenty of good GPS bike computers, but the fact that more and more cyclists are swearing by Wahoo certainly isn't just down to its Gaussian normal distribution. It's more likely because the company doesn't do everything differently, but does many things better than the competition – and it starts with the fact that... Wahoo Cycling is absolutely central, instead of just being a marginal aspect of the model range.

Perhaps the best example of this is the Wahoo Elemnt Roam, which combines the advantages of both the top-of-the-line and entry-level models in the middle of the range. Like the latter, it's quite compact, yet already equipped with a larger screen than the more affordable Bolt. And it shares the touchscreen functionality of the top model, which is a real asset for navigation, significantly simplifying map display with zooming and panning. The sharp color display is an additional plus in this regard.

Despite the high-quality screen, Wahoo hasn't abandoned its six-button operation – a testament to the company's cycling expertise. Even with gloves on and without prolonged eye contact, it's possible to switch between display windows or adjust the number of data fields shown. Setup couldn't be simpler, with the Wahoo interface offering optimal customization options being a major advantage. Users can define what and how much information is displayed, resulting in an intuitive user interface that's incredibly easy to navigate. This makes the Wahoo Elemnt Roam appealing to both young "digital natives" and those who didn't learn how to use electronic devices as children and therefore appreciate ease of use.