This Week in Desire | October 9th

Rouleur Desire brings together the latest and greatest tech releases, our Desire Edits featuring our picks from cycling fashion and the Desire Emporium, filled with exceptional products to enhance your cycling lifestyle.

Canyon Aeroad 2021 | Canyon.com

It’s a common arrival in the Rouleur Towers inbox, bike manufacturers telling us about their latest improved releases. Rarely have we seen anything as radically and painstakingly overhauled as the new Aeroad range from Canyon. They really have thought of everything, with position adjustment and assembly to the fore. Very clever stuff from the Germans. See the full appraisal here.

Orbea Ordu | Orbea

This sensational looking beastie from Orbea makes all the usual claims regarding improved weight, aerodynamics and stiffness. Of particular interest to us, in the light of recent bad TT crashes in Grand Tours, is the attention paid to making the Ordu better in the handling department. That has to be a good thing. Also, much like the new Canyon above, Orbea have gone for maximum adjustability options to dial in your position perfectly. As for that weird storage box compartment on the downtube, don’t panic - it is removable. Apparently, triathletes like them for storing Marmite sandwiches and Speedos. Or something…

Rapha x Palace | Rapha

We’ve all seen the new EF kit in action at the Giro, haven’t we? If the pre-race hype machine was brilliantly played, Jonathan Caicedo’s superb stage 3 win on Etna showed the team are not just there to look outlandish and cause a media storm. They win races too. Back to the kit though. Hot or not? Lairy or hairy? Pretty or sh***y? Chief Desirable Stuart Clapp ran his former-skateboarder’s beady eye over the disco ducks of the peloton and their Cannondales and, unsurprisingly, gave them a big thumbs up.

Aurum Magma | Aurum Bikes

When Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso team up to produce their own bike brand, it’s worth paying attention. They’ve ridden a fair few bikes in their time, these guys, and put their experience to good use in developing and refining the Magma. Available initially as frame-only or three complete build options, it’s a pleasingly traditional-looking design – the aero backlash starts here – with all-rounder appeal, a lifetime warranty and allowance for a variety of component options: mechanical or electronic shifting, one-piece cockpit or bars and stem. Sensible design from riders who know their stuff. Ivan and Alberto also join us on the latest Rouleur podcast, so give it a listen and they can tell you in their own words.

Tease me, please me | Rouleur.cc

Wait. What the heck is this? That’s all we are giving away for the moment, sorry. Be sure to subscribe to the Desire Edit email and be first to hear the whole story next week.

Fizik Terra Powerstrap X4 | Fizik

Don't know about where you are, but it has turned decidedly autumnal here in the UK. A good time to get off the road and onto the rough stuff with these unfussy grey gravel shoes from the home of quality footwear, Italy. Rubber tread, beefed up sole and two no-nonsense velcro straps at a reasonable price. Job done. 

TfL X Milltag | Milltag.cc

Meanwhile, here in blustery old London Town, here's one of the more unlikely collabs of recent months. Transport for London provided the classic moquette designs from the Victoria and Central underground lines, Milltag made them into funky garments, and bingo - loud, proud, not safe for work, but a genius idea. Can you carry off the look? See the next issue of Rouleur for more.