Pez Fans, Gear Break can’t ignore the turning leaves. The morning air has started to offer some bite, and there’s more darkness than daylight now. Gravel season is still in stride, but we are thinking about taking the trainer out of the corner. This week’s Gear Break covers both. Colnago and LOOK each dropped a new gravel race bike. Mavic has a fast new lid, and Gobik has the winter layers sorted. Profile Design and ROUVY have the pain cave covered. Let’s get into the gear!
Colnago G5-X – from $5,500 / €4,900 / £5,299.99
Cambiago goes wide
Colnago’s gravel race bike just grew up. The new G5-X replaces the G4-X, and it is a ground-up redesign. The old bike still had one foot in the cyclocross pits. The new one is built for the long, rough races that define modern gravel.
Colnago designed the G5-X around four very different events. The Traka shaped climbing response and technical descending. Unbound pushed mud clearance and long-day comfort. Badlands and the GranGuanche Audax drove the need to carry gear for multi-day efforts. Colnago’s take is blunt: “You can’t simply borrow road metrics” and bolt them onto a gravel bike.
Room to Grow
Tire clearance jumps from 45mm to 53mm. Every complete bike ships on 700×50 tires, so there is still space for mud. Colnago’s reasoning is simple. Big tires at low pressure grip better, bounce less, and pinch-flat less. On rough ground, they often roll faster, too.
Calmer Geometry
The geometry changed as much as the clearance. The head tube angle runs from 70.5° to 71.5°, depending on size. The wheelbase is longer – 1,044mm on a size 51. Chainstays grow from 430mm to 435mm. BB drop increases to 77.5–80mm, which sits the rider lower between the wheels.
To keep the steering sharp and predictable, Colnago runs 52mm of fork rake on every size. More offset trims trail and keeps the front end lively at low speed. The goal is a bike that tracks straight at speed but still turns on tight switchbacks.
Colnago also reworked the carbon layup. The aim is a frame that stays stiff under power but takes the edge off broken roads. Colnago has not published a frame weight. Every build uses the same frame, so the entry model doesn’t get a lesser layup.
Storage and Mounts
The G5-X gets a storage hatch in the down tube, similar to the one on Colnago’s C72 road bike. It holds a tube, CO2, and tools. The inner bag and tool kit are not included.
Downtube internal storage
Extra mounting points for more gear There are six mounting points with 64mm spacing. Two of them sit on the fork for cargo cages. A top tube bento mount is there, too. Each bike also comes with three Fidlock Twist Lock mounts and bottles. They lock on mechanically, so they won’t launch on washboard.
Cockpit and Compatibility
The top two builds get the new CC.01 Wide one-piece carbon bar and stem. It has 30mm of flare per side, 72.5mm of reach, and 120mm of drop. The seatpost switches from the G4-X’s D-shape to a plain round 27.2mm. That adds comfort and opens the door to dropper and suspension posts.
The frame is electronic-only and UDH-compatible, with a threaded BSA 68 bottom bracket. It clears 1x chainrings up to 50T. It also takes 2x gravel cranks and compact or super-compact road cranks.
Specs at a Glance
- Frame: G5-X carbon, one layup across all builds
- Tire clearance: 53mm (ships with 700×50)
- Sizes: 45, 48, 51, 54, 57
- Colors: Carbon Green (G501), Carbon Blue (G502)
- Standards: BSA 68 threaded BB, UDH, electronic groups only
- Seatpost: 27.2mm round
- Mounts: six (64mm spacing), two on the fork, plus down tube storage
Carbon Green
Carbon BluePricing & Availability
- SRAM Red XPLR AXS E1, Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels, Goodyear XPLR Inter 50mm tires, CC.01 Wide cockpit – $10,500 / €9,200 / £9,999.99
- SRAM Force XPLR E1, Vision TC45 carbon wheels, Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RH 50mm tires, CC.01 Wide cockpit – $7,500 / €5,750 / £6,299.99
- SRAM Rival XPLR E1, Vision TC45 carbon wheels, Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RH 50mm tires, Deda Superzero Gravel alloy bar – $5,500 / €4,900 / £5,299.99
The Red build is available now. The Force and Rival builds arrive in mid-November. Full details on each build can be found at colnago.com.
Profile Design Zwift Ride Supersonic Aerobar – $275 / €245 / £220
Watopia, now aero
The Zwift Ride finally gets a proper set of aero bars. Profile Design developed the Zwift Ride Supersonic Aerobar in partnership with Zwift. It is the first dedicated aero bar setup for the Zwift Ride smart bike. Triathletes can now dial in a TT position indoors. No, they will not make you a faster Zwifter, but you will get one more hand position for those long Watopia slogs.
A New Tray Makes It Work
The key piece is a newly designed 50mm Zwift Tray. It gives the bars the room they need to mount cleanly. From there, it’s classic Profile Design. A forged-alloy Supersonic bracket clamps to the 31.8mm base bar. Ergo+ armrests offer a wide, stable support surface. The 52A aluminum extensions use a ski-bend shape and come with heat-shrink grips already installed.
Click Control from the Tuck
A dedicated Zwift Click holder mounts on the extensions. A pair of Zwift Click controllers comes in the box. You can shift, steer, and navigate the game without sitting up.
Fit is where this kit earns its keep. The pads and extensions offer a wide adjustment range. That means you can copy your outdoor TT position on the Zwift Ride, not just get close to it. Setup is simple, too. Every bolt is M6, with 6Nm at the bar and extension clamps and 4.7Nm at the armrests.
Specs
- Bracket: Supersonic, forged 6061-T6 alloy, 42mm stack, 37mm of width adjustment
- Armrests: Ergo+, 15mm reach increments, 18.5mm width increments
- Extensions: 52A aluminum, 400mm long, 87mm rise, 22.2mm OD
- Includes: 50mm Zwift Tray, Click holder, two Zwift Click controllers, USB-C covers, Allen keys
- Weight: 222g
- Color: anodized matte black
Pricing & Availability
The Zwift Ride Supersonic Aerobar sells for $275 / €245 / £220. Pre-orders are open now at profile-design.com, with shipping set to start November 7. Profile Design is also showing the setup in Kona at the IRONMAN World Championship.
Gobik UNITY – Cold27
Waiting for winter is half the fun
Spain’s Gobik has launched its UNITY – Cold27 winter collection. The campaign is called “THE WAIT,” and it’s built on a simple idea. Winter doesn’t start when the thermometer drops. It starts when you decide to get ready for it. For those who ride, winter isn’t a stopper—it’s a distinct way to roll, complete with its own wind, light, and climate.
UNITY – Cold27 is a deep range. Gobik’s site lists 57 pieces at launch, from jerseys and vests to jackets, bib tights, and base layers. The look stays clean and minimal. The focus is on layering, with clear steps in insulation and weather protection. Gobik spotlights four new pieces.
ENVY – High-Performance Vest
The Envy is the vest Gobik’s pro teams race in. It uses a Polartec Power Shield Pro membrane for wind and water protection that still breathes. It has an aero cut, sealed seams, and a YKK Vislon AquaGuard zipper. The pockets drain water, and a neoprene rear flap blocks road spray.
- Weight: 166g (size S)
- Range: 7–15°C (45–59°F)
- Price: €150 / £150
WEEZER – Solid Long-Sleeve Jersey
The Weezer is the insulating layer of the four. Its winter fabric is 25% heavier than Gobik’s Pacer Solid line. A thicker inner fleece adds warmth but still moves sweat. It’s built for cold days and medium-intensity rides.
- Weight: 250g (size S)
- Range: 7–15°C (45–59°F)
- Price: €120 / £120
VANTAGE – Lightweight Protection Jacket
The Vantage handles cool, changeable days. The front panel uses Polartec Windbloc. Three-layer membrane sleeves block wind and shed water. A brushed inner back adds warmth and lets heat escape. It uses Gobik’s Perfect Fit pattern for a trim, streamlined cut.
- Weight: 261g (size S)
- Range: 5–14°C (41–57°F)
- Price: €125 / £125
PRIME – Ultralight Wind Vest
The Prime is the emergency layer. It weighs 71g and disappears into a jersey pocket. Pull it on for long descents or early starts. Rear openings give quick access to the pockets underneath.
- Weight: 71g (size S)
- Range: 10–18°C (50–64°F)
- Price: €60 / £60
Gobik’s design team sez: “The wind, the changing light, and the cold are all part of a unique way of experiencing cycling. This collection doesn’t just aim to protect the rider from the elements; it elevates and completes their experience on the bike throughout the entire winter season.”
The Rest of the Collection
The four new pieces sit inside a much bigger lineup. Most pieces come in men’s and women’s cuts. Highlights include:
- Envy 3.0 jackets in long-sleeve (€195) and short-sleeve (€175) versions
- Hyder long-sleeve jerseys in new colors (€120)
- Armour 3.0 (€275) and Skimo Pro 2.0 (€175) jackets for real cold
- Superarmour (€450) for the days you probably should stay home
- Pluvia 2.0 packable rain jacket (€90) and Exo 2.0 rain jacket (€330)
- Absolute 8.0 (€150), Grit (€160), and Subzero (€185) bib tights
- Eminent 2.0 (€165) and Pathfinder (€135) vests, plus Winter Merino base layers
Pricing & Availability
UNITY – Cold27 is available now at gobik.com and through authorized retailers. UK prices match the euro prices one for one. Gobik sells to US riders direct in euros, so US prices convert at checkout.
Mavic Comete Ultimate – $300 / €239 / £TBD
Nine watts, sitting up
Mavic says the new Comete Ultimate is the fastest road helmet it has ever made. That’s a big claim from a brand with a long aero helmet history. The twist is where Mavic says it’s fast. Most aero lids shine in a low race tuck. Mavic says the Comete Ultimate also wins when you sit up – which is where most of us spend most of our time.
Built in the Wind Tunnel
Mavic shaped the helmet with CFD simulation, then refined it in the wind tunnel. It tested the Comete Ultimate against the ten best-performing helmets used in the WorldTour. The protocol ran at 50 km/h, in two riding positions, at three yaw angles (0°, 10°, and 20°).
Mavic’s numbers:
- Aero position: up to 7.5 watts saved vs. the closest competitor
- Aero position: up to 15 watts saved on average across the test panel
- Upright position: 9 watts saved on average
Those are Mavic’s figures, and the helmets in the test panel aren’t named. Still, the upright number is the one that matters to most riders.
So, who is it for? At 300g, Mavic is betting that watts matter more than grams for most riders. If you race crits, chase KOMs on the flats, or spend hours on the hoods in a fast group, that trade makes sense. Pure climbers may still reach for a lighter, more open lid.
AeroFlow Disruptors
The most visible feature is a set of small raised ridges on the shell. Mavic calls them AeroFlow disruptors. They control where air separates from the helmet. The idea is to keep airflow attached where it would otherwise stall and drag.
Real Vents, Real Fit
An aero lid still has to breathe. Mavic’s AirChannel system pulls air through large front vents and deep internal channels. It exits through rear ports. Coolmax padding helps move sweat.
Fit comes from the new RS360 retention system. It wraps around the whole head instead of pulling from the rear alone. Mavic says it locks the helmet in place at high speed. MIPS Air Node Pro handles rotational impact protection. A dock holds your glasses when you pull them off on a climb.
Specs
- Weight: 300g claimed (size M)
- Sizes: S, M, L
- Retention: RS360 wraparound system
- Safety: MIPS Air Node Pro
- Ventilation: AirChannel, Coolmax padding
- Aero: AeroFlow disruptors
Pricing & Availability
The Comete Ultimate is available now for $300 / €239. UK pricing was not confirmed at press time. More at mavic.com.
LOOK G85 Cezal RS – from $8,900 / €6,990 / £TBD
Same mold, harder punch
LOOK launched the G85 Cezal back in April. It was a versatile carbon gravel bike for adventure, long days, and the occasional race. Now LOOK has pared it down for racing. The new G85 Cezal RS is lighter and stiffer, and it comes with LOOK’s aero cockpit.
From the outside, the RS looks almost identical to the standard Cezal. That’s by design. LOOK kept the proven mold and geometry. The real changes are under the paint.
What’s New?
Compared with the standard G85 Cezal, the RS gets:
- A High Modulus carbon layup
- A 1,000g frame (size M, painted) – 200g lighter
- 19% more bottom bracket stiffness
- 20% more head tube stiffness
- The Aero Carbon Combo cockpit
- No internal frame storage
What stays the same:
- Fast-yet-stable geometry
- Compliant 3D Wave seatstays
- 57mm front / 50mm rear tire clearance with 1x (57mm / 45mm with 2x)
- Geometry corrected for a 60mm suspension fork
- T47 bottom bracket, UDH dropout, and 27.2mm seatpost
Stiffer, but Still Comfortable
LOOK put the extra stiffness where power and steering live. LOOK says the RS head tube is stiffer than even its top road race bike. That should pay off when sprinting out of the saddle or diving into a rough corner.
Comfort comes from the back end. The shaped 3D Wave seatstays allow a little vertical flex to soak up hits. LOOK says the revised layup cuts transmitted vibration by 15%. Add a slim 27.2mm carbon post, and you can stay seated longer through the chunk.
Aero Where It Counts
LOOK didn’t chase deep aero tube shapes. Instead, it focused on the biggest source of drag – the rider.
The Aero Carbon cockpit looks like a one-piece bar and stem. It’s actually two pieces, so you can mix stem lengths and bar widths for fit. LOOK offers seven stem lengths, three bar widths, and 50mm of stack adjustment. The shape is designed to help you hold a lower position when you’re off the front.
LOOK sez: “A watt here and there on the frame pales in comparison to moving your body through space.”
Built for Race Day
LOOK tuned the geometry for the places races are won or lost. A short wheelbase and a carefully placed bottom bracket make for sharp cornering. The bike still stays calm on fast, technical descents and loose gravel roads.
The 3D Wave seatstays have a second job. They flex upward over rough ground, so your pedal stroke gets interrupted less. LOOK says that lets you run a standard race tire, not a bigger, slower one with more sidewall squirm. That compliance also pays off late in a long race, when fatigue starts to bite.
Race Proven
LOOK co-developed the RS with pro gravel racer Russell Finsterwald. He won Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona 2026 on a prototype. He also took a top-20 at The Traka 360. His feedback shaped the final bike.
Builds
- SRAM Red XPLR AXS 1x – 44T aero chainring, Aero Carbon RS3 cockpit, Fulcrum Sharq C25 wheels, Hutchinson Touareg Race 45mm tires – 7.9kg claimed
- SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1x – 40T chainring, Fulcrum Sharq C25 wheels, Hutchinson 45mm tires – 8.3kg claimed
- Frameset – frame, fork, Token T47 bottom bracket, flat-mount hardware, LOOK LS1 27.2mm carbon seatpost
Pricing & Availability
- Red XPLR: $11,200 / €8,990 / £TBD
- Force XPLR: $8,900 / €6,990 / £TBD
- Frameset: $3,500 / €3,290 / £TBD
The RS is available now, and the frame carries LOOK’s lifetime warranty. More at lookcycle.com.
ROUVY FEST – October 12–25
Two weeks of pros, parties, and pain caves.
ROUVY is kicking off the indoor season with a party. ROUVY FEST runs October 12–25. It’s two weeks of pro-led group rides, races, and challenges on ROUVY’s filmed real-world routes. An active ROUVY subscription gets you in, with a FEST Pass for every event.
The Lineup
Group rides start at 16:00 GMT (noon Eastern) unless noted.
- Oct 12 – Amy and Kyle Hudson, fresh off a world record as the fastest couple to ride around the world
- Oct 14 – Luke Rowe and Manon Lloyd of the Watts Occuring podcast
- Oct 15 – Marek Martin Matyska, ROUVY VP of Product
- Oct 19 – Lidl-Trek’s Mattias Skjelmose and Derek Gee-West (16:30 GMT)
- Oct 20 – Visma | Lease a Bike’s Wout van Aert and Victor Campenaerts, livestreamed
- Oct 21 – The Big IRONMAN Ride with Kat Matthews, fresh from Kona
- Oct 22 – ROUVY ambassador Julia Schuler
- Oct 25 – ROUVY CEO Petr Samek closes it out (18:00 GMT)
Race, Ride, Hang Out
A daily Route of the Day brings the whole community onto one course. The ROUVY FEST Race lines everyone up for a proper hit-out. You can also race British hill climb ace Andrew Feather up 19km of Mallorca’s Cap de Formentor. Or try to beat CEO Petr Samek’s best time on a climb in Indonesia.
Off the bike, the in-app ROUVY Café lets you chat with each day’s ride leader before and after the ride. ROUVY’s new in-app chat keeps the conversation going while you pedal.
Marek Martin Matyska, VP of Product, ROUVY, sez: “The start of the indoor season is more motivating with others rather than riding alone so to kick things off this year we’re bringing everyone together.”
Rewards
- Double Coins for completing any route
- Double XP for completing the ROUVY FEST Challenge
- Virtual jerseys for the Challenge and the Amy and Kyle ride
How to Join
ROUVY FEST is free with an active ROUVY subscription. New riders can sign up for a 7-day free trial. The full schedule is at rouvy.com/fest.
Note: If you have other experiences with gear or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews. Or, call uColnagorouvys out if you feel the need!
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.
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The post Gear Break: Turning Leaves – Colnago G5-X, Profile Design Zwift Ride Aerobar, Gobik Unity Cold27, Mavic Comete Ultimate, LOOK G85 Cezal RS, Rouvy Fest appeared first on PezCycling News.
