Gear Break is back with less than 24 hours to the 2026 Tour de France Grand Départ in Barcelona, España. This week we’ve got some pretty amazing equipment. First up is the pairing of the Factor ONE and Black Inc Hyper 62 wheelset. Immediately on its heels is the extremely limited edition Bianchi Specialissima as the official TdF bicycle. Pinarello Q36.5 unveil team kit and a special Dogma F for the tifosi. Specialized worst kept secret, the new Tarmac SL9, is out. Campagnolo has released a new wheelset marking a new chapter in a long heritage of excellence. And, finally, POVEC brings electrochromic technology to sunglasses.
Factor ONE + Black Inc HYPER 62
The Ultimate Alliance
The Factor ONE broke cover in prototype form at the 2025 Dauphiné. It quickly proved it was more than a wind-tunnel champion; it’s a proven race-winner. Black Inc recently launched the HYPER 62, an aero wheel designed for peak speed. A perfect pairing.
Out of the Tunnel
After Jake Stewart powered the prototype to a dominant sprint victory at the 2025 Dauphiné, Ben Oliver (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling) followed up with a spectacular win at the Tour de Wallonie in June.
Factor completely rethought geometry for modern elite positions. By decoupling the handlebar mount from the steering axis, riders get extreme reach without relying on unstable, overlong stems. Additionally, Factor adjusted the bottom bracket drop to counteract the raised center of gravity from larger tires and shorter cranks, maximizing high-speed stability.
The result? Aero tube shaping that delivers a verified “lift” sensation at and above 50 km/h. As Stewart noted after his career-defining win, the massive front-end stiffness and balanced weight distribution handle full sprint torque without a hint of steering deflection. It simply flies.
A HYPER wheel to match
With the release of the Black Inc HYPER 62, the ONE has the ideal aero wheel to reach peak speed. Development went into hyper-speed when Factor and Black Inc’s engineers began working on the Bugatti ONE, accelerating the concept into a full production program.
Early 48 mm prototypes evolved into the deeper HYPER 62 platform. The team focused on proprietary carbon spoke construction, bonded hub architecture, and hidden threaded tip integration. The carbon spokes and hidden nipples promote aerodynamic efficiency. Engineers employed an advanced carbon layup and a TexTreme outer layer to prevent sidewall deformations under load. This results in an extremely stiff, responsive wheelset weighing just 1,298 grams.
John Ebsen, Factor Global Sales Manager, sez: “The ONE with the HYPER 62 wheel system feels like a single, cohesive unit. The interlinked spoke structure significantly boosts stiffness, distributing forces evenly across the wheel for a stronger, more stable ride. Though these wheels may not be quite as light as a 20 mm climbing wheelset, they deliver a similarly rapid response with the added benefit of aerodynamic speed.”
The ONE
In line with its advanced appearance, the ONE has caught a lot of reviewers’ eyes. Bold performance claims deserve to be tested in the real world. The broad consensus among tech editors is that if you are a serious cyclist looking to ride and race the fastest, most aerodynamic bike on the road, then the ONE is basically the only choice for you.
Early ride reports confirm the bike defies standard aero trade-offs, proving surprisingly well-mannered and stable rather than twitchy or unpredictable. Reviewers note that the extreme front-end stiffness keeps the chassis rock-solid under full sprint torque and completely planted on high-speed descents. It behaves normally enough for everyday training miles, yet consistently excels above 50 km/h, where the frame feels as though it is genuinely lifting underneath the rider and holding speed effortlessly.
The Future Of Road Cycling
Thanks to Factor’s bold vision, the ONE is not only the future of cycling; it’s now. It sits at the top of an innovative high-performance road line-up, alongside the OSTRO VAM and MONZA. Pricing runs from $7599 for framesets, up to $14,499 with Campy Super Record and Hyper 62 wheels.
Bianchi Specialissima RC Limited
The Official Bike of the 2026 Tour De France
Bianchi has signed a new, multi-year agreement with the Amaury Sport Organization (A.S.O.) to become the Official Bike of the Tour de France. Two weeks ago we debuted the Bianchi Specialissima, the bike that Bianchi has chose to represent this partnership and coveted designation.
This initiative underscores a deep, historic bond between Bianchi and the Tour de France. For generations, their stories have been inextricably linked, with icons such as Fausto Coppi, Felice Gimondi and Marco Pantani having all achieved historic victories on Bianchi bikes, and Team Bahrain Victorious will be aiming to add to that tally in 2026.
Throughout the 2026 race, this masterpiece of Italian engineering will be displayed prominently for fans and guests to enjoy every day at the official Tour de France start village and at Casa Bianchi (Corso Garibaldi 65, Milan).
(Very) Limited Edition Colorway
To celebrate the collaboration, Bianchi has unveiled a highly limited-edition Tour de France version of its new Specialissima RC which honors that epic history while continuing to push the boundaries of modern performance.
Just 113 individually numbered pieces of this flagship all-rounder have been produced by Bianchi’s Reparto Corse to commemorate the 113th edition of the race, making it an instant collector’s item for those with a strong affinity to cycling’s most famous event.
Top-line performance meets exquisite detailing
The Specialissima RC sits alongside the Oltre RC aero bike at the pinnacle of Bianchi’s road range. Engineered to excel on the flat, conquer the steepest climbs, and provide unrivalled control on the fastest descents, the Specialissima RC also integrates Bianchi’s new formula Countervail technology to deliver maximum vibration damping whilst still maintaining the necessary stiffness for explosive sprints and accelerations.
Every aspect of the Tour de France edition has been treated with meticulous attention to detail, with a number of premium components designed specifically for this model:
- Reparto Corse carbon wheels: The bike is equipped with new RC 49R chopped carbon wheels featuring dedicated yellow decals to celebrate the Maillot Jaune. These high-performance components feature a 49mm profile and 25mm internal width, as well as straight pull spokes, offering added comfort and reduced rolling resistance.
- Custom Prologo Tour de France saddle: Providing unmatched style and ergonomic support, a custom 148 mm Prologo Choice aero saddle has been produced exclusively for this model, which features the four iconic jersey colours of the Tour.
- Coordinated cockpit: The integrated handlebar is wrapped in an exclusive black and yellow bar tape.
Striking commemorative livery
Pinarello created a striking aesthetic by merging all of the Tour de France leader jerseys into a single, cohesive, hand-painted livery. The artwork beautifully integrates nods to the Yellow Jersey (General Classification), Green Jersey (Points Classification), Polka Dot Jersey (Mountains Classification), and White Jersey (Best Young Rider):
- Premium paintwork: The front and upper side of the bike feature a striking yellow metallic paint that smoothly fades into a clean white. The rear and lower sections are finished in a precise, masked green paint, separated by an elegant yellow fading, while the inner forks incorporate uniform polka dots.
- Exclusive branding: An official Tour de France logo has been applied to the seat tube, while the down tube features exclusive, individual numbering under the clear coat to permanently preserve and celebrate this historic edition.
Bianchi Head of Brand Marketing and Communications, Claudio Masnata, sez: “The bond between Bianchi and the Tour de France goes beyond the sport of cycling. We’re incredibly proud to be joining forces with one of the world’s most iconic sporting events – broadcast in 190 countries, with around 15 million fans on social media – as it will provide us with unprecedented global exposure.”
The ultimate welcome kit
Owners of this highly exclusive edition will receive a deluxe, personalized welcome kit, the centerpiece of which is an exquisite 1:12 scale miniature replica of the bike, 100% handmade in Italy, and individually numbered to match the owner’s real-life model.
Pricing & Availability
The Specialissima RC Tour de France Limited Edition is available at a suggested retail price of €12,900. For more information and local pricing options, visit bianchi.com.
Pinarello Q36.5 Limited Edition Tour de France Colorways
A new professional pairing
Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will line up at this year’s Tour de France for the very first time in the team’s history in a new limited-edition racing kit, created by Q36.5 to highlight the inherently hi-tech construction techniques and fabrics offered to their athletes, as well as bringing a cooler and more distinctive visual identity to the world’s biggest bike race.
The threads
This limited-edition kit will make its debut as Tom Pidcock returns to the Grand Boucle for the first time in two years leading the Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling squad. The team, co-founded by Q36.5 in 2023, makes its debut at the 2026 Tour de France, marking a major milestone in the project’s history.
The jersey
At the heart of the collection available to the public is the Gregarius Clima Pro Cycling Team Limited Edition Jersey, engineered for racing in hot conditions. Built around Q36.5’s advanced body-mapping approach, the jersey uses three different fabrics, including ultralight mesh materials across the chest and back, to support thermoregulation during high-intensity efforts in extreme heat.
The jersey introduces a new 6mm ribbed aero sleeve fabric in a proprietary raglan sleeve design for adaptive fit. Power mesh pocket construction maintains breathability without compromising function. The jersey retails for $190.00 or 140,00€.
The bibs
The Dottore Pro Pro Cycling Team Limited Edition Bib Shorts complete the kit and represent the latest expression of Q36.5’s woven bib-short technology. Q36.5 developed the Dottore Pro bib shorts utilizing four-zone body mapping and designed them to deliver ultimate comfort. This approach gives supreme support and thermoregulation over the longest and hardest race days.
The bib shorts feature Q36.5’s proprietary two-layer Q LAB Air Chamois for comfort and moisture management. The fabric panels incorporate Silver Thread for antibacterial and conductive advantages. The bibs, designed to deliver a light compressive fit, support muscle fibre alignment and chamois stability during the pedaling action. The bibs retail for $370.00 or 280,00€.
The cap
The collection also includes a Pro Cycling Team Limited Edition Summer Cap, a ventilated reinterpretation of the classic cycling cap in the same Light Blue finish. At press time, Q36.5 have not shown the cap or pricing on their website.
The bike
Pinarello have also manufactured in limited quantities a Dogma F painted in team livery. For the diehard Pinarello tifosi, this is a special offering that is not only painted to match the team equipment, it is equipped to be race ready.
Key Features:
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- Cockpit: Most Talon UltraFast integrated cockpit
- Seatpost: Pinarello Aero
- Groupset: SRAM Red ETAP AXS
- Wheelset: Zipp 454 NSW
- Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro, 30mm
- Saddle: Prologo Nago R4 PAS, 137mm
- Bottle cages: Tacx Deva
- Bike weight: 6.8kg without pedals (size 53)
- Tyre clearance: Up to 32mm
Availability
The kit is available now from Q36.5, links above take you to Q36.5’s retail site. Pinarello presents full details at their website on this special Dogma F. Work through your nearest Pinarello dealer to secure one of these special builds.
The Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team Tour de France Limited Edition kit and bikes will be available in limited quantities. For more information on the new team, head over to their website.
Specialized Tarmac SL9
Still “One bike to rule them all”
The new S-Works Tarmac SL9 arrives as the fastest road bike ever made. Rather than chasing theoretical performance, it targets the lowest real-world Time to Finish of any road bike tested. By focusing on how a bike translates human effort into pure speed across demanding courses, Specialized validated the SL9’s performance using real riders under genuine terrain conditions.
Beyond the CdA Trap: The Time to Finish Concept
This shift represents a fundamental change in bike design. Up until now, cycling press releases touted marginal percentage gains, traditionally focusing on isolated wind-tunnel percentages or tiny CdA drag coefficient reductions. Specialized shifted away from these abstract lab metrics—a philosophy that originally began with the reinvented Crux.
Instead of chasing sterile aero percentages in a vacuum, engineers now optimize for “Time to Finish.” This approach recognizes that drag reductions mean nothing if a chassis handles poorly or causes premature rider fatigue. Ultimately, the bike is designed around a simpler, more realistic goal: getting a human racer across the line faster.
The Equation of Speed
To turn this philosophy into data, engineers developed a predictive model called the Equation of Speed. This algorithm directly converts rider power into elapsed race time by integrating aerodynamics, mass, rolling resistance, and rider fatigue.
Because of this complex modeling, the SL9 was benchmarked directly against decisive WorldTour race moments rather than static lab tests. For example, simulation data indicates the Tarmac SL9 saves 14 seconds over a grueling 80km mountain stage. On the world stage, that is the exact margin between heartbreak and history.
Sculpting the Air
To capture those seconds, aero optimization focuses entirely on where it matters most. Every tube profile was re-sculpted for modern racing speeds, yielding a frame that is almost 4 watts faster than the SL8 at 45 km/h.
Up front, the “Speed Sniffer” head tube is 4 mm narrower, cutting frontal surface area by 10 percent. To achieve this, an offset steerer design routes the front brake hose along the right side of the steerer tube to clean up the cockpit. Unfortunately, we do not have a photo to show this to you, but the internet has a few and we suspect more will show up. It definitely defies everything you thought you knew about steerers.
This narrowed head tube works in tandem with the new “Flow Fork,” featuring twisted blades to guide clean air away from the wheels. To maximize this efficiency, the fork legs and crown were entirely redesigned to blend seamlessly into the frame. The crown now features a deeply recessed pocket that directly integrates into the base of the head tube, creating a single aerodynamic surface that radically eliminates low-pressure air pockets and wake turbulence.
Further clean air gains are found across the rest of the chassis. At the rear, an ultra-thin seatpost slices through leg-generated turbulence, while the “Win Fin” seat tube shaping optimizes aerodynamics during solo breakaway attempts. For SL8 owners, the seatpost is backward compatible.
Weight and Ride Quality
Crucially, these aerodynamic advancements do not come at the expense of mass or ride quality. The S-Works FACT 12r carbon frame weighs just 687 grams, achieved because engineers closely studied frame flex under load to optimize structural performance.
This deep understanding allowed them to further remove unnecessary carbon layers from the SL8 while actually increasing stiffness. The resulting chassis delivers instant acceleration and telepathic handling.
Rider-First Engineering ensures that every single frame size delivers this identical precision. Notably, Specialized has introduced flare of 4°, 10°, and 12° for the current year Roval Rapide Cockpit, but the 4° option is the standard for full build SL9s. Again, this cockpit is compatible with SL8s.
Key Details and Specs
- Frame Weight: 687 grams (FACT 12r Carbon, size 56cm)
- Complete Build Weight: 6.2 kg – 6.5 kg (depending on configuration)
- Aerodynamic Gain: ~4 watts faster than Tarmac SL8 at 45 km/h
- Frontal Area: 10% reduction via a 4mm narrower “Speed Sniffer” head tube
- Key Features: Flow Fork twisted blades, integrated recessed crown pocket, Offset Steerer internal hose routing, Win Fin rear aero profiling
- Geometry: Retains identical geometry to SL8 (with adjusted fork offset on 54cm for toe clearance)
- Cockpit: Roval Rapide one-piece integrated bar and stem
Pricing & Availability
At launch, Specialized only offers the SL9 at the S-Works level with premier groups, wheelset, and their highest tier FACT 12r carbon layup. Specialized also offer 5 color ways for S-works frameset purchase beside four team replica frames. For more economically priced builds, the SL8 remains active in the Specialized lineup. Full details about and how to purchase the new Tarmac SL9 can be found at specialized.com.
| Model | USD | EUR (€) | GBP (£) | AUD |
| S-Works Tarmac SL9 (SRAM RED AXS) | $14,000 | €13,999 | £11,999 | $21,500 |
| S-Works Tarmac SL9 (Shimano Dura-Ace Di2) | $13,500 | €13,999 | £11,999 | $20,500 |
| S-Works Tarmac SL9: 2026 World Tour Team Edition (Frameset) | $6,000 | €5,999 | £5,499 | $9,500 |
| S-Works Tarmac SL9 (Frameset) | $5,800 | €5,799 | £5,249 | $9,500 |
Campgnolo Zonda
A new chapter of excellence
There was a time when every bike had a clearly defined purpose. A road bike for asphalt. A gravel bike for dirt. Today, that distinction no longer exists.
Routes change without warning. Smooth tarmac turns into broken pavement. Pavement gives way to gravel. An unexpected detour becomes the best part of the ride. For many cyclists, this isn’t a new discipline. It’s simply the way they ride today.
That’s who Zonda Carbon All Road was created for.
A wheel designed for riders who want speed, efficiency and responsiveness on the road, while keeping the freedom to go further whenever the route changes.
A new vision of All Road
All Road isn’t about finding a compromise between road and gravel. It’s about designing a wheel that feels equally at home on both.
Its 50 mm profile delivers aerodynamic efficiency at cruising speeds, while the 25 mm hooked internal rim channel supports modern tubeless tyres from 29 mm to over 40 mm wide. At just 1,550 g, Zonda Carbon All Road is built to follow the rider wherever the road leads.
Because today, the road rarely ends where the asphalt does.
The most direct access to Campagnolo carbon
Zonda represents the most direct access to Campagnolo’s carbon wheel range. Not because it gives something up. Because it focuses on what truly matters. Its high-modulus unidirectional carbon rim with C-LUX direct mould finish, manufactured entirely in Europe, is built around the same engineering philosophy that defines every Campagnolo product: premium materials, complete manufacturing control and lasting reliability.
Campagnolo in every detail
Every component reflects Campagnolo’s engineering philosophy. The hub features Campagnolo’s signature G3 lacing pattern, using an asymmetric spoke layout to improve lateral stiffness and deliver immediate power transfer.
The adjustable Cup & Cone bearing system reflects Campagnolo’s long-standing philosophy of prioritizing long-term performance. It preserves the smooth rolling feel that has always distinguished Campagnolo wheels, even after thousands of kilometers.
Campagnolo manufacture the Zonda Carbon All Road entirely in their own European facilities, ensuring complete control over every stage of production.
A new space between road and gravel
Within the Campagnolo range, Bora Ultra, Bora WTO, Hyperon Ultra and Shamal represent the brand’s purest expression of road performance. At the other end of the spectrum, Campy developed the Bora X specifically for modern gravel riding.
Between these two worlds lies a new generation of cyclists. Riders who start on the road but don’t want to stop when the road changes. That’s exactly where Zonda Carbon All Road belongs. A wheel that preserves the dynamic feel of a true Campagnolo road wheel while adding the versatility demanded by modern cycling.
Zonda Carbon All Road doesn’t ask riders to choose between performance and versatility. It simply invites them to keep riding. Wherever the road leads.
Pricing & Availability
The new Zonda Carbon All Road is available now with N3W (Campy), HG11 (Shimano), and XDR (SRAM) free hub bodies. Visit campagnolo.com for the full details and to find a retailer. Pricing is from €1420.
POVEC C1 Sunglasses
Electronic tint control
If you’ve ever squinted your way through a tunnel exit or fumbled for a lens swap mid-descent, POVEC thinks it has your answer, and it comes borrowed from the automotive world.
Hi-tech eye protection
The Newport Beach startup is entering the performance eyewear market with the C1, a set of sport sunglasses built around solid-state electrochromic lens technology adapted from programs developed for Audi and BYD. The pitch is simple: swipe the earpiece, and the lens shifts between Category 2 and Category 3 tint in under a second. No waiting around for photochromic lenses to catch up with reality, no fragile liquid-crystal workarounds.
Three years of R&D went into shrinking automotive glass technology into a 36-gram wraparound frame. The result is ANSI Z87.1-certified optics in a TR90 chassis rated IP65 for rain, dust, and sweat. POVEC claims battery life is up to 28 days based on four hours of daily use, with USB-C charging and optional Bluetooth control on board.
C1 in use
The C1 offers two modes: Clear for overcast and low-light, Dark for full sun, keeping the operation refreshingly uncomplicated. Whether that binary choice satisfies riders who spend long days chasing changing conditions remains to be seen, but the underlying technology has serious credentials. Stay tuned, POVEC is confident in their technological development and they’ve sent a set to PEZ for test. We will have a full review soon.
The POVEC C1 is available now at povecoptics.com for $249.00.
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PezCycling News and the author ask that you consult the manufacturers if you have any questions about the products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper/safe use, handling, maintenance, and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.
The post Gear Break: Grand Départ – Factor + Black Inc, Bianchi Specialissima RC Ltd. Ed., Pinarello Q36.5 TdF Ltd. Ed., Specialized Tarmac SL9, Campagnolo Zonda, POVEC C1 appeared first on PezCycling News.
