It's been one busy week on the tech front. Loads of new bikes have been released – including the much-teased Canyon Grail CF. We also spotted a brand-new Merida Silex at the UCI Gravel World Championships. To get up to date on this week's tech news, scroll down for more.

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UCI Gravel World Championships 2023 - how the race was won

Last weekend, the 2023 UCI Gravel World Championships in Veneto, Italy, delivered quite a spectacle. Despite a lack of live TV coverage, Kasia Niewiadoma, a first-time gravel racer, emerged as the winner in the Elite Women's race, replacing the absent defending champion, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot. 

The men's race saw Slovenian Matej Mohoric becoming the Elite Men's World Gravel Champion, despite his crash. Read the full recap of the second iteration event below.

• Read the full story here

Unreleased Merida Silex raced to victory at Gravel World Champs by Matej Mohoric

Matej Mohoric didn't only win at the UCI Gravel World Championships but he was also aboard an unreleased version of Merida's Silex gravel bike. The new Silex showcases several design changes, including a modified head tube, fork legs, internal cable routing, and an internal seat clamp. According to Merida, it's due to be officially unveiled on 19 October 2023. 

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Cannondale reveals LAB71 Moterra Neo e-MTB

Cannondale has introduced another addition to the LAB71 collection: the LAB71 Moterra Neo e-MTB, an ultra-premium trail-focused electric mountain bike. It features a lightweight LAB71 Edition Full Carbon Front Triangle, integrated cables, a Bosch Performance Line CX race drive unit, and a 750Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. Shifting is handled by SRAM XX Transmission groupset, and the suspension includes a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork and a RockShox Deluxe Select + rear shock. The price… yes it's high at £11,500, reflecting the bike's top-tier spec and target market.

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Lapierre introduces third-generation Overvolt GLP e-MTB

Lapierre has released the third generation of its Overvolt GLP e-MTB. It features top-shelf UD SLI carbon fibre for rigidity and improved motor cooling with better ventilation. The bike comes with Bosch's Performance CX Race motor, producing 85Nm of torque and 600W peak power. 

The new model has mullet wheel sizing with a 650b rear wheel and a 29-inch front, 170mm of front suspension, and 173mm at the rear. There are three models available, with prices ranging from £8,000 for the Elite to £9,900 for the Team build in the UK.

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Berd launches Sparrow gravel wheelset

Berd, an American wheelmaker known for its standout spoke design, has introduced the Sparrow gravel wheelset, weighing only 1,065 grams for the complete set. These lightweight wheels feature Berd spokes for vibration damping and are optimised for anything from 28c road tires to 50c gravel tires. They come with multiple freehub options and are priced at $2,195 (£1,800) with a five-year limited warranty.

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Orbea's Rallon enduro bike gets slacker and more capable

Orbea has updated its Rallon enduro mountain bike, enhancing its capabilities with more suspension travel, new colours, and refined geometry. Although the bike is designed for racing the brand believes it also excels at bike park riding with its 167mm of rear travel and a 170mm suspension fork.

The geo changes include a slacker head angle, shorter seat tube lengths for better reach options, and the addition of downtube storage called Lockr. Five builds are available, featuring Fox suspension and Shimano or SRAM drivetrains, with prices ranging from £5,400 to £8,000.

• Read the full story here

Canyon officially launches new performance Grail gravel bike

Canyon has officially launched the much-teased Grail CF gravel bike, aiming to cater primarily to the "performance gravel" market. The new Grail focuses on improving performance, aerodynamics, and compliance, with the CFR frameset being 118g lighter than the previous top-tier Grail CF SLX frameset. The frame is 10 per cent stiffer around the bottom bracket and headtube and the fork is said to be also stiffer. 

Most significantly, the Grail has a new "Double Drop" handlebar which means the signature double-decker bar is gone. New on the frame is also integrated frame storage which houses everything you might need for roadside repairs. Three tiers are available: Grail CFR, Grail CF SLX, and Grail CF SL, and prices start at £2,599. We've already had a chance to put miles into the CF SLX model, and you can read the full review here. 

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Best mountain bike shoes 2023 - top-rated flat and clipless kicks

This feature offers you guidance on selecting the best mountain bike shoes. Shoes are crucial for comfort, control, and power transmission on the bike, so getting the right pair should not be overlooked. We've had a look at both flat and clipless clicks, and hopefully, this will help you make a decision if you are looking for a new pair.

• Check out the full buyer's guide here

Madison introduces its most advanced winter kit to date

Madison has launched its "most advanced" winter clothing lineup for the A/W season, featuring partnerships with Primaloft and D3O, alongside a move towards eco-friendliness. The range includes the Flux and DTE jackets with impressive waterproof/breathability ratings and the addition of women's models for every product. 90 per cent of the range is made from recycled materials, and Madison offers a garment repair service to enhance sustainability. 

• Read the full story here

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