This past week, I escaped the gloomy weather of the UK and found myself on the picturesque Tuscan coast, attending the highly anticipated annual Road Bike Connection (RBC) in Massa Marittima. This unique event brings together leading cycling brands and journalists, providing an invaluable opportunity to experience new products firsthand and engage directly with the engineers and designers behind them.

A diverse array of cycling brands, including industry giants like Campagnolo and Pirelli, as well as innovative companies such as Core and Assos, showcased their latest offerings at this year’s RBC. With many exciting products yet to be announced officially, cycling enthusiasts can look forward to seeing news and reviews emerging on platforms like Escape Collective in the upcoming weeks.

The concept of Road Bike Connection, alongside its off-road counterpart, stems from the creative minds of friends Simon Cittati and Giulio Neri. Influenced by the American Bike Press Camp model, this event allows smaller brands to share launch events, reducing both the environmental impact and the high costs usually associated with individual product launches, while also providing convenient access for media representatives to a variety of brands.

Vision Introduces the Game-Changing RS Wheelset

Vision made waves with its launch of the new flagship road wheelsets, the Metron 45 and 60 RS, distinguished by their impressive carbon fibre spokes. This marks Vision’s inaugural venture into the realm of carbon-spoked wheels, which have already been tested in high-profile races like Milan-San Remo by professional teams including EF Education-EasyPost and Arkéa-B&B Hotels.

Notably, the new wheelsets feature the advanced V-1000 hubs, enhancing the design with tool-free maintenance, ceramic bearings, and improved weight distribution. The updated rims boast a wider internal rim profile of 23 mm, facilitating enhanced aerodynamic performance, especially when paired with tyres exceeding 28 mm in width. Wind tunnel tests have revealed that the Metron 45 RS wheels are 9% faster on average compared to their SL version at speeds around 48.2 km/h.

With a weight reduction of 100 grams per wheelset, the Metron 45 RS weighs in at 1,290 grams and the 60 RS at 1,390 grams. These premium wheelsets come with price tags of US$3,300 / £3,110 / €3,110 and US$3,400 / £3,180 / €3,180 respectively. However, evaluating their performance amidst the new environment and unfamiliar setups proved challenging. Initial impressions indicated a noticeable stiffness in the 45 RS wheels, providing responsive handling, especially surging from tight turns.

Core Advances Body Temperature Tracking Technology

Meanwhile, Swiss brand Core unveiled its second-generation body temperature sensor, further solidifying its reputation for innovation in performance monitoring. This device is particularly beneficial for cyclists acclimating to hotter climates and aims to optimize their training regimens.

This updated model refines the design of its predecessor, incorporating a more durable housing and a significant reduction in size and weight, making it 48% smaller and 30% lighter. New functionality includes a dedicated battery-level LED indicator that informs users about charging needs, while the sensor promises six days of active use or up to 30 days on standby. Additionally, the brand incentivizes first-generation sensor owners to upgrade with a 30% discount, encouraging sustainable practices by recycling old units for research purposes.

Pirelli Expands Tyre Range with Tube-Type P-Zero Race RS

Finally, Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli introduced a tube-type version of their popular P-Zero Race RS, catering to a market that, despite the shift towards tubeless systems, still demands traditional tube-type options. This new tyre shares the same advanced SmartEVO rubber compound and tread design but features a lighter structure and reduced total weight.

With current sales showing that approximately 50% of consumers prefer tube-type tyres, this launch emphasizes Pirelli’s commitment to meeting diverse cyclist needs. The new tyre showcases enhanced puncture protection while shedding unnecessary weight and will be priced at €80 in the EU, with prices for the UK and US still pending.

Overall, the 2025 Road Bike Connection illuminated the future of cycling technology, offering a glimpse into what enthusiasts can expect in terms of performance enhancements and innovative designs. Stay tuned as the cycling world reacts and adapts to these thrilling advancements!