Pez Fans, Gear Break anuncia ¡Vuelve la Vuelta! The Vuelta rolls out of Monaco mañana, and with it comes the surest sign that summer’s clock is running out – evenings are closing in earlier with each day. Soon, the first genuinely cool morning will have you digging for arm warmers or a thermal jersey. But, for now, it’s still summer. We’ve got a lineup that spans the season ahead of us: a radical new gravel bike built for 32” wheels from Mosaic, a nifty saddle bag from Redshift, a trainer bundle from Tacx built for the dark months indoors, SILCA’s first-ever tire, a mid-layer from ASSOS built for the shoulder-season stretch, and a wider aero tire from Continental. ¡Venga, amigos!
Mosaic GT i55 32
32-Inches. Zero Apologies.
32-inch wheels aren’t new, the industry saw the invasion of 32-inch technology hit at Sea Otter this spring. However, until now, the bikes built around the new platform have largely felt like experiments. Mosaic is ready to change that.
Introducing the Mosaic GT i55 32, a handmade titanium gravel bike designed from the ground up around 32-inch wheels. It’s built with the singular goal of taking the theoretical performance advantage of a larger wheel and turning it into a gravel bike you actually want to ride.
Mosaic approached the GT i55 32 as an entirely new platform. Other frame builder thus far have generally worked to adapt existing frames to the oversize wheels. Mosaic developed the frame geometry, rear triangle, axle standards, tire clearance, and in-house-designed 32-inch gravel fork together to address the challenges that have kept larger wheels from translating into truly high-performance gravel bikes.
Mosaic GT i55 32 Key Updates
- 32-Inch Wheel Platform: Purpose-built around the efficiency, momentum, and rollover characteristics of a larger-diameter wheel.
- 55mm (2.2-inch) Tire Clearance: Designed around high-volume 32-inch gravel tires for speed, traction, and control over rough terrain.
- Zero Components 32-Inch Gravel Fork: Mosaic-designed 445mm axle-to-crown fork with 60mm offset minimizes front-end height and helps manage toe clearance across frame sizes.
- Compact Rear Geometry: 440-445mm chainstays and offset seat tube tuck the rear wheel beneath the rider to preserve responsive handling.
- 3D-Printed Titanium Yoke: Creates the tire and drivetrain clearance necessary to package the larger wheel within a performance-oriented titanium chassis.
- Standard Gravel Chainline: The 3D-printed yoke and compact rear end allow the GT i55 32 to retain standard gravel drivetrain clearance for up to a 46T chainring.
- Immediately Available with Made to Order: Available through Mosaic’s Made to Order program at launch.
What 32 Inches Changes
Mountain biking went through a similar evolution more than a decade ago. Larger diameter wheels proved their value because they carry momentum efficiently and roll more easily over rough terrain. Now, as gravel racing becomes faster, rougher, and increasingly technical, Mosaic believes this is the best platform to put 32-inch wheel technology to the test.
Compared with a traditional 700c wheel at an equivalent tire width, the 32-inch wheel offers a shallower angle of attack when encountering rocks, washboards, holes, and other road obstacles. The larger wheel can carry momentum more efficiently across uneven surfaces and provide greater stability when the terrain gets rough.
On paper, the advantages are compelling. But making them work on an actual gravel bike is considerably harder. A larger wheel affects nearly every element of bicycle geometry. It can increase stack height and wheelbase, create toe overlap, lengthen chainstays, and ultimately produce a bike that feels more cumbersome than fast.
Mosaic’s answer wasn’t to design a gravel bike that happens to accept 32-inch wheels. It was to design a dedicated 32-inch gravel race bike.
Making a Big Wheel Feel Small
At the heart of the GT i55 32 platform is a completely redesigned titanium chassis intended to tuck the oversized wheels as tightly beneath the riders as possible.
- Chainstays: Mosaic targeted chainstays of 440-445mm, keeping them as short as possible given the wheel diameter to preserve responsive acceleration and handling.
- Seat Tube: An offset seat tube creates additional room for the rear wheel, while allowing Mosaic to shorten the overall wheelbase.
- Bottom Bracket: A 3D-printed titanium yoke derived from the GT i55 700c platform creates the space necessary for 2.2-inch wide 32-inch tire while maintaining a modern gravel drivetrain and appropriate frame stiffness.
- Axle Standards: The bike uses a 148x12mm rear and 110×15 front axle standards, reflecting the structural and clearance demands of the larger wheel platform.
- Gravel Chainline: Purpose-built frame architecture maintains standard gravel chainline with clearance for up to 46T chainring – no mountain bike crank required. While 38-42T chainrings will suit most riders on the 32-inch platform, the added clearance provides gearing flexibility for faster race setups.
Every decision works toward the objective to capture the rollover and efficiency advantages of the 32-inch wheel without sacrificing the quick, responsive character expected from a performance gravel bike.
The Fork That Makes It Possible
Perhaps the biggest challenge wasn’t the frame. It was the fork. Existing fork options forced compromises in axle-to-crown height, offset, tire clearance, or fit. All of which would quickly negate the performance benefits Mosaic was chasing with the larger wheel.
So, Mosaic designed its own fork and launched Zero Components along the way.
The new in-house designed Mosaic Zero Components 32-inch gravel fork was developed specifically around the geometry requirements of the GT i55 32. With a 445mm axle-to-crown length, Mosaic worked to keep the front end as low as possible while still clearing 2.2-inch tires.
A 60mm fork offset allows Mosaic to achieve appropriate steering geometry while creating additional toe clearance, which is an especially important consideration with smaller frame sizes. The fork uses a 110x15mm thru-axle and will be available with internal or semi-internal brake routing.
Big Wheels Aren’t Just for Big Riders
The most obvious criticism of 32-inch wheels is also one of the most legitimate, with concerns over what happens to smaller riders. Larger wheels inherently create challenges as frame sizes decrease. Stack height and toe overlap can quickly make the format impractical.
Mosaic saw that limitation as an engineering problem rather than an unavoidable consequence of the wheel size. The short axle-to-crown fork, 60mm offset, compact rear triangle, and offset seat tube all work together to make the platform accessible across a wider range of rider sizes.
Through Mosaic’s custom program, geometry can be tailored specifically to the individual rider. And because the GT i55 32 is available t rather than forcing the rider to adapt to a predetermined frame. For Mosaic, that is particularly important because a new wheel standard only matters if its benefits aren’t limited to the tallest riders in the field.
Not a Concept Bike
The new GT i55 32 platform wasn’t simply designed to generate conversation around a new wheel size. It’s not a prototype destined to disappear after a trade show. Instead, it represents Mosaic’s commitment to 32-inch wheels as a legitimate performance platform.
The GT i55 32 will make its debut at the MADE bike show in Portland, Oregon, and will be available immediately for order. The 32-inch gravel race bike will initially be available through Mosaic’s Made-to-Order program and will later be added to the Batch Built program.
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- GT-1 i55 32 Details
- Head Tube: IS52
- Bottom Bracket: T47
- Fully internal brake routing
- Rider-Specific Custom Geometry
- Choice of Mosaic standard paint layout
- Starting at $8,250
- GT-2 i55 32 Details
- Heat Tube: IS52
- Bottom Bracket: T47GArmin Cirqa
- Semi-integrated brake routing via Cane Creek HCR
- Ride-Specific Custom Geometry
- Titanium Ghost Finish
- Starting at $5,000
- GT-1 i55 32 Details
Redshift Quickdraw Saddle Bag – $69.99 / €74.99 / £64.99
Snap it, strap it, done – and they mean it.
Redshift sent over their new Quickdraw, release on August 18, for testing. The pitch is simple: ditch the fumbling hook-and-loop strap saddle bag and swap in a single strap that stays on the rails, with a magnetic bag that pops on and off with one hand.
Two Sizes, One Snap
The Quickdraw mounts with a single strap that stays fixed to the saddle rails. A magnet in the strap meets a magnet in the bag, and a wraparound hook-and-loop closure locks the two together. Pull the bag, and the strap stays put on the bike, ready for the next stop. Redshift sells the bag in two sizes that share the same footprint – small for road and narrow-tire gravel, medium for MTB and wider gravel tires – with the medium simply running a bit deeper front to back. Both mount clear of the seatpost, so dropper posts and suspension posts aren’t a problem.
Mounting
Mounting took a few minutes and no drama. The bag clamps onto the carbon rails of my Specialized S-Works Mirror saddle without any fuss. Thread the free end of the strap through the D_ring and you’re ready to go.
Staying put
A centering magnet on the bag lines up with the magnet in the strap, and the bag snaps into place on its own. The wraparound strap then closes over the top with hook-and-loop to secure the bag under your saddle through washboard gravel and hardtail chatter. When you cinch the strap down, you know the bag isn’t going anywhere, and it didn’t. If you need into the bag, release the hook-and-loop strap and pull the bag free. No threading, no re-looping around the rails. Just pull it free.
If you need to use it
With the bag free of the strap, it opens like a clamshell instead of a rear-entry pouch like many seat bags. Both halves swing open together, so everything sits in view instead of buried at the bottom. That layout matters roadside, when you’re digging for a tube with cold hands. The small fits a tube, a CO2 inflator, and maybe a lever if you pack light. My medium (pictured below) carries more — an electric inflator, a TPU tube, tire levers, and a DynaPlug tool for anything a plug can fix faster than a tube swap.
Key Specs
- Sizes: Small (106g) – road and narrow-tire gravel; Medium (114g) – MTB and wide-tire gravel
- Material: abrasion-resistant fabric with reflective elements, weatherproof zipper
- Mount: single strap, magnetic interface, rail-only attachment – clears dropper posts and suspension seatposts
- Extra strap for a second bike: $19.99 / €24.99 / £19.99
- Warranty: lifetime warranty, 90-day risk-free trial
The Bottom Line: The magnet-and-strap combo works exactly as advertised, and the one-handed removal makes it genuinely useful mid-ride, not just a nice idea on the shelf. Hit the link above in the section header for full details and purchase.
Tacx NEO 2T with Zwift Cog & Click – $1,099.99
The trainer, minus the toolbox
The NEO 2T itself isn’t new – it’s been Tacx’s flagship direct-drive trainer for years. What’s new, announced August 18 and available to order now, is that Garmin sells it pre-loaded with Zwift Cog & Click at no added cost.
Ready to Ride, Out of the Box
Zwift Cog replaces the cassette and fits almost any 8- to 13-speed bike. Zwift Click handles virtual shifting, steering, and menu navigation from the handlebars. No calibration, no separate purchase: Garmin priced the bundle at $1,099.99 – the same MSRP as a bare NEO 2T. Zwift sells the Cog and Click kit alone for $49.99, and that’s the cost most riders eat to add virtual shifting to any other direct-drive trainer. It also folds flat for storage, convenient for storing in a closet between sessions and seasons.
Electromagnets for the win
Most direct-drive trainers connect the flywheel to the resistance unit with a belt, and belts are consumables. They stretch, they need periodic re-tensioning, and along the way they can quietly bleed off 3-4% of the power you’re putting into the pedals before it ever reaches the sensor. The NEO 2T skips the belt entirely – electromagnetic induction resists you directly, with no mechanical link between flywheel and brake, so there’s nothing to adjust and nothing slowly eating your watts. That’s a big reason it’s built a reputation for holding up over years of regular use.
Built to Grow
The NEO 2T reproduces cobblestones, wooden planks, and other road textures on its own through Road Feel, a vibration feature built into every NEO-line trainer. The Tacx NEO motion plates ($299.99) add about an inch of physical fore-and-aft float, so seated riding feels less bolted to the floor. The Tacx Alpine gradient simulator ($1,099) tilts the whole rig to simulate climbs to 25% and descents to -10%, with steering compatibility for Zwift, and works with the NEO 2T and NEO 3M.
Quick Specs
- Power and cadence accuracy: within 1%
- Pre-installed Zwift Cog: compatible with 8- to 13-speed drivetrains
- Zwift Click: wireless shifting, steering, and menu navigation
- Resistance: electromagnetic induction, no flywheel or belt contact
- Platforms: Zwift and ROUVY (subscriptions required)
- Optional add-ons: Tacx NEO motion plates, Tacx Alpine gradient simulator
Pricing & Availability
For full details and purchase head over to garmin.com. The NEO 2T w/ Zwift Cog & Clock retails for $1,099.99 USD, and is available for order starting today, August 21, in select regions.
Silca Protocol Tires
No one made them so Silca did
SILCA built its name on pumps, tools, and tire pressure science. Now the Indianapolis brand makes its own tires. SILCA launched the Protocol line on August 20, and it splits into gravel and road tires. This roundup covers the gravel side. We’ll cover the road tires, the RCR, in a few weeks.
Here’s the problem SILCA set out to solve. Gravel tires got wider over the past few years. The industry responded by making them thicker. More volume meant more rubber, heavier casings, and tread patterns that gave up efficiency as they grew. Speed and ride quality paid the price. SILCA started somewhere else. The team began with an XC mountain bike tire and distilled it down to essentials.
Why the Casings Run Backward
SILCA inverted the usual logic. The widest tires in the line run the thinnest casings. Material gets added back in as the tires get narrower. The reason comes down to pressure. Think of the strands of a mop. Loose and relaxed, they’re hard to slice through. Pull them tight, and they cut easily. A high-volume, 120 TPI casing at modern gravel pressures carries less tension in its threads. That lower tension spreads impact across a larger area and lets the casing deflect instead of tear. Less tension also lets SILCA run a thinner, faster compound and still get better flat resistance out of it. According to Silca, the numbers prove it.
That casing decision drove everything else. Pulsar Compound combines solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber with silica reinforcement. The blend cuts energy loss while rolling, without giving up braking or cornering grip. On the gravel treads, the outer blocks sit taller than the center knobs. That height difference lets the biting edges engage earlier, at gentler lean angles. Carbon fiber beads replace Kevlar in the bead itself, so nothing stretches, absorbs moisture, or goes lumpy after a season on the rim.
Josh Poertner, CEO of SILCA, sez: “We’ve created a tire platform that is faster, lighter, and more supple without sacrificing durability.”
The Gravel Lineup
RCG-1
“The Fastest Gravel Tire Ever Made” SILCA’s fast-rolling, hardpack option. It rolls like a slick down the center, and side knobs grip when the bike leans over. Built for pavement-heavy courses and fast race builds like Mid South, Gravel Worlds, Dust Bowl, and SBT.
- Sizes: 45mm (460g), 50mm (510g), 55mm (535g)
- Puncture protection: Ghost Shield, a lightweight layer tuned to protect rolling efficiency
RCG-3
All-Conditions SILCA calls this one the right answer for most riders. It balances rolling speed with grip when the terrain turns loose. Built for races like Unbound and Big Sugar, where the course gets more technical.
- Sizes: 45mm (495g), 50mm (540g), 55mm (590g)
- Puncture protection: SealSkin, an enhanced layer for terrain that asks more of the casing
RCG-3 32-inch
Built for the 32-inch Standard A version of the RCG-3 sized specifically for 32-inch gravel wheel platforms.
- Size: 32 x 2.4 (61-686 ETRTO), 710g
- Built for rough, mixed terrain and purpose-built 32-inch race setups
RCG-4
The Aggressive One The most aggressive tread in the lineup, with widely spaced lugs across the entire carcass for mud and adventure riding.
- Sizes: 45mm (545g), 50mm (620g), 55mm (650g)
- Best for muddy courses, technical terrain, and high-volume race setups
The Bottom Line
SILCA didn’t just add a tire to its lineup — it built four gravel-specific tires around its own pressure and casing research, at a flat $99 price point. Riders picking a race tire for hardpack speed, mixed terrain, or full mud duty now have a Protocol option to match.
Pricing & Availability
All four gravel models are tubeless ready and run $99 USD per tire (€119 / £99 / $159.95 AUD / $149 CAD). For full details and ordering, head over to silca.cc.
ASSOS EQUIPE ThermoBooster Mid Layer
Built for Conditions between Seasons
Some rides start cold, finish warm and spend several hours somewhere in between. For those conditions, ASSOS of Switzerland introduces the EQUIPE ThermoBooster P1, a lighter and more packable evolution of its versatile midlayer.
Designed to sit between a jersey and a traditional jacket, the ThermoBooster P1 adds lightweight thermal protection without sacrificing the close, aerodynamic fit of the EQUIPE range. It is made for cool starts, exposed descents and the changing temperatures of spring and autumn, when a jersey is no longer quite enough, but a jacket is too much.
The updated generation uses Hyperlight insulation and the SENS AIR PLUS textile for 360-degree coverage, combining thermal protection with high breathability and low weight. At the arms, 575CX sleeves provide a close, aerodynamic fit that integrates cleanly over the jersey underneath.
A double-slider zipper allows riders to fine-tune ventilation and access on the move, while the new ASSOS A logo and reflective details add a subtle visual signature and increased visibility.
Light enough to pack away when conditions improve and aero enough for racing, the ThermoBooster P1 is designed to be a practical part of the layering system, adding just the right amount of protection when temperatures begin to shift.
EQUIPE ThermoBooster P1
- Lighter and more packable ThermoBooster generation
- Hyperlight insulation for lightweight thermal protection
- SENS AIR PLUS textile with 360-degree coverage
- Maximum breathability
- Ultra-aero fit for layering over a jersey with 575CX sleeves for an aerodynamic profile
- Double-slider zipper for ventilation and adjustability
Pricing and Availability
The EQUIPE Thermobooster is available globally now. Check out ASSOS website for more details and ordering, links are just below.
- EQUIPE Thermobooster P1 – Mens – Kosimo Granit – RRP €200 | £175 | $235
- EQUIPE Thermobooster P1 – Womens – Kosimo Granit – RRP €200 | £175 | $235
Continental Aero 111 lineup expansion
Optimized for comfort and speed
Continental has launched a new 32mm size extension for its Aero 111 road tire. Developed in close collaboration with Swiss Side, Continental’s most aerodynamic tire is now available in a wider size, offering its proven drag-reducing performance to riders who demand a balance of high speed and enhanced comfort over tough terrain.
On the road
Changing wind angles and rough surfaces constantly challenge performance and comfort. The Aero 111 32mm addresses this with a patented tread pattern embedded with 48 precision cavities that act as vortex generators. By manipulating airflow around the front wheel to delay separation, this design achieves optimal efficiency at all yaw angles, significantly reducing drag while amplifying the sailing effect to propel riders forward with less effort.
Wider without compromise
Despite its wider profile, the tire compromises nothing on speed or durability. It relies on Continental’s race-proven BlackChili compound to deliver low rolling resistance and reliable grip in both wet and dry conditions. Puncture protection is handled by the trusted Vectran
Breaker layer, a feature shared with the iconic Grand Prix 5000 family, while the casing is fully Tubeless Ready and hookless rim compatible.
Hannah Ferle, Road Product Manager, Continental Tires, sez: “With the addition of the 32mm width, we truly are offering aero performance from every angle. Developing the Aero 111 alongside Swiss Side has allowed us to build a tire like no other, one that performs across even the most demanding conditions. The Aero 111 has already proven the benefits of advanced airflow management but this additional width allows us to bring those same aerodynamic gains and crosswind-taming technologies to the modern road cyclist who refuses to compromise on comfort.”
Key features
Offered in a standard black sidewall across three widths, 32-622, 29-622, and 26-622, the Aero 111 delivers high-performance and aerodynamic gains across a variety of road conditions, catering to the modern road cyclists’ needs.
- Weight: 310g for 32-622, 280g for 29-622, 250g for 26-622
- Dimensions: 32-622, 29-622, 26-622
- Color: Black/Black
- Technology: BlackChili Compound, Vectran Breaker
- Aerodynamic tread designed in partnership with Swiss Side
- Tubeless Ready
- Hookless rim compatible
Pricing & Availability
The Continental Aero 111 32mm is available worldwide through select retail partners and Continental distribution channels. The MSRP for the new tires is €128.95 / US$ 140.94 /£113.95. Full details
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 us 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.
The post Gear Break: Vuelve la Vuelta – Mosaic GT i55 32”, Redshift Quickdraw, Tacx NEO 2T w/ Zwift Cog & Click, Silca Protocol tires, ASSOS ThermoBooster, Continental Aero 111 appeared first on PezCycling News.
