DARE

In 2012, founder Jerry Chen and his business partners would often discuss amongst themselves what they would want from their perfect bike. This began a process that saw DARE emerge, the aim being to combine aesthetics and functionality into a complete package.

The following year, DARE released its first lightweight production road bike, named the MR1, which saw the brand enter the consumer ranks. The following year the MR1 took the top step at the Taiwan KOM challenge, presenting the brand to a global audience and gaining consumer traction.

In 2014, to accompany the MR1, DARE revealed its first foray into aero bikes. Dubbed the VSR, this was ahead of the curve with availability for both rim or disc brake frames, something that was new to the road world at this time. The VSR was launched in conjunction with the MYDARE program that provides complete customer control over the configuration of their bikes.

By 2016, the brand had tripled its revenue from the previous year, attributing this to a large uptake in distribution across Asia. The scale of the business continues to grow with a revised version of the MYDARE program launching called OURDARE allowing riders of any level the ability to show off the spirit of their rides.

After expanding into the European market a year previously, 2020 saw DARE make big ripples into the pro cycling ranks when it struck a sponsorship deal with the Uno-X team. Through this partnership, with pro rider feedback, a new generation of aero bikes was designed.

Since 2022, Uno-X have been racing aboard DARE bikes in both the Women's WorldTour and the men's ProTeam ranks, with both teams competing at their respective Tours de France in 2023.

DARE is a manufacturer of bicycles based in Taiwan, offering customisation and pioneering carbon technologies. 

Tech

Features

Tech Features

How can a road bike cost as much as a motorbike? 

The rising cost of bikes is hard to ignore. If you are in the market for a new road bike, you will know just how much they can cost these days. The current breed of 

 can set you back just as much as a brand new motorbike. 

But how and why is this the case? After all, a road bike has very few parts when compared to a motorbike and, most obviously, no engine.

GCN's Alex Paton and Manon Lloyd have gone looking for answers.

It's widely accepted that the larger the scale on which something is produced, the cheaper it can be done. Machinery, bulk buying raw materials, and refined manufacturing processes all contribute to driving the cost of the finished product down.

In 2022, 143 million bikes were sold globally. That's nearly three times the amount of motorbikes that were sold over the same period. On the surface, this does the opposite of justifying the cost of bikes. 

However, when you scratch beneath the surface you find that the overwhelming majority of bike sales are of lower-end bikes used by people all over the world for transport and leisure. The volume of high-end road bikes made from carbon fibre and designed in wind tunnels only makes up a very small proportion of the total sales.

GCN Tech Show: Is the cost of cycling killing the sport?

A motorbike has a lot more going on than a road bike, that is for sure. One of the big costs for road bikes is that they have come on in leaps and bounds in a relatively short period. It is only in the late 2000’s that aero bikes became a thing and the same can be said for the widespread uptake of 

Designing, testing, and refining these new products takes a considerable amount of research and development, which all costs money.

Motorbikes, on the other hand, have reached something of a plateau in terms of big step changes in development. A motorbike made in 2023 is going to be very similar to one made in 2003. Although cosmetically things will change, a lot of the underpinnings of the motorbike will either be the same, similar, or have seen a steady refinement over the years.

What is fusion fibre and is it the future of bike component manufacture?

One of the beautiful things about our sport is the ability to ride on the same roads as the pros and – if you have the desire – the same kit. With deep enough pockets, you can buy the exact bikes that the best riders in the world use at races like the Tour de France. Although they may be eye wateringly expensive, the fact that you can ride exactly what the best in the world do is not something that can be said about motorbikes.

If you take the very best stock motorbikes built for track days and racing, these are going to put the price up towards the £/$/€30,000 mark. However, this is still a step below the bikes used by the professional riders. A MotoGP bike is a bespoke bit of kit, not something that you can just go and buy, and even if you could they have a price tag well north of £/$/€1.5 million.

Best men's WorldTour bikes of 2023: Which brand won the most races?

If you are looking to buy a brand new motorbike from a dealer, you will have a handful of brands to choose from, a few styles of bike, and then a couple of different engine sizes. The reality is the level of choice you have over the finished product is relatively small. This is a great way to keep costs down as you only need to be able to manufacture one product over and over again.

This is flipped on its head in the cycling world, with brands offering multiple different build kits and different frames to accommodate every type of budget, rider, and preference. Some bike brands have over 10 different sizes for the same bike and can even make the same bike out of different materials. 

This diversification costs money throughout the whole process. The design process has to be carried out for each size and material as too does the testing of them. As far as the manufacturer is concerned having the right jigs, moulds, presses, and tooling for each model and size all cost additional money.

Tour de France bikes ranked – cheapest to most expensive

Genuine profit margins for any industry can be hard to come by. Most industries like to keep this a closely guarded secret for obvious reasons. We have managed to get some general statistics on both the motorbike and cycling industries to compare just how much of the total sale price of the bikes is profit.

On average, a brand new motorcycle provides the dealership with around a 10% profit margin. For road bikes, this margin grows to around 40%. This seems like a very high percentage of profit. However, as mentioned above, the technological advances in bike design do cost a lot and that cost needs to be recuperated. Also, the number of top-spec carbon fibre road bikes being sold is relatively small meaning that the associated research and development costs need to be reclaimed over a smaller number of sales than for motorcycles.

No matter how you choose to look at it, the cost of the highest-end premium road bikes is getting out of hand. Not long ago bikes costing £/$/€10,000 we deemed to be hyperbikes and now for some brands they aren’t even the top tier offering. 

Ultimately as consumers, we have the ability to vote with our money on what we are willing to buy and how much we are willing to pay for it. Although the rising cost of superbikes does not directly affect most of us, they do appear to be dragging the prices of lower-spec bikes up with them too.

What are your thoughts on the cost of bikes and do you think that things have gone too far? Let us know in the comments below. If you are in the market for a new bike or anything else cycling-related make sure to head over to our dedicated 

 for all the information you could possibly need.

News

Tech News

Super deep prototype Dare aero cockpit on display from Uno-X Mobility

 was spotted with a prototype bar and stem at 

. The new bar looks to push the UCI’s equipment regulations to the limit with a super deep profile.

The prototype bar is a collaborative effort from both the team and equipment provider 

 with rider input a key element to the final product design.

As of 2023, the UCI relaxed the regulations around bike and equipment design to allow for more aerodynamic profiles. Up until this point the rules limited equipment to a maximum cross-section ratio of 3:1 meaning that if a bar was 20mm thick it could only be a maximum of 60mm deep.

The new ruling allowed far more freedom for aerodynamically optimised designs. The specific ruling around bars and stems is a bit more nuanced to prevent bars from being as deep as the length of a stem. Instead, they are restricted to a maximum depth of 80mm and both the stem and the bar need to fit inside a template detailed within the UCI regulations.

Is the peloton actually taking the UCI’s lever position regulations seriously?

Accompanying figure 334 (above) is the clarification that 'the blue areas of the illustration show the parts must respect the requirement of minimum and maximum dimensions'.

The images show that the centre of the bar profile deepens significantly where it joins the stem before tapering to a narrower section at the edges of the bars. Although the team would not share any specific data about the new cockpit they did confirm that the new bar has tested and presents an aerodynamic saving over the current more classically shaped cockpit.

Banned tech: 10 things the UCI has outlawed over the years

The cockpit is one of the areas of the bike that can offer the most gains with regards to aerodynamic optimisation as it is the first section of the bike to take the wind. We saw this when Specialized 

 with the new Roval Rapide cockpit contributing half of the total aero savings over the SL7.

With aerodynamics undeniably a pillar of professional racing it is likely that we will see more products in the coming months coming to light that make the most of the relaxation of the UCI’s equipment regulations.

For the time being, Uno-X Mobility has confirmed that the prototype bar will be used by select riders across 

 and by the team in the Tour de France. This means that the bar must be made commercially available before the Tour. With the bars confirmed to be in its final iteration, it cannot be long before we see a formal release for purchase.

Aerodynamic tech certainly seems to be where the focus is amongst the pro peloton this year with TT-style helmets making their way onto the road from both Ineos Grenadiers and EF Education-Easy Post. Vision also released a new version of the 5D Evo bar earlier this month which featured a larger or extra-large profile referring to the depth of the tops.

What do you make of the new bars, do you think they are hot or not? Let us know in the comments section below.

To keep up to date with all the latest tech news from the world of cycling head over to our dedicated 

Hottest bikes in the Women's WorldTour: New brands and colourways in action at UAE Tour

Contrary to its name, the off-season is anything but quiet for the Women’s WorldTour peloton. Sure, there are no races over the winter, but that void is filled by a world of transfer sagas and sponsor changes. By the time the peloton kicks into action in mid January, the peloton can often barely resemble the one that ended the previous season.

The 2023-2024 off-season was no different, delivering another hectic period of changes, especially in the world of bike tech, where multiple teams switched things up, either by swapping bike brands or mixing up their colourway. 

To help you keep track of all of these changes, 

 got her hands on every team’s bike at the recent 

Here’s a rundown of every bike in the Women’s WorldTour peloton.

2024 Women’s WorldTour bikes, wheels and groupsets: A complete guide

 over the winter months, although not in the realms of tech. After some impressive showing over recent seasons, the team have been rewarded with WorldTour status for 2024.

 bikes will make the step up alongside them, although the American brand was already represented at the top level by SD Worx. The team will choose between the 

 or the S-Works Roubaix, which is usually reserved for rougher terrain like the cobbled Classics, hence the Roubaix name.

Unfortunately the team weren’t racing at the UAE Tour so we didn’t get any close-up pictures of the bikes, although the team have already put the bikes through their paces at the Tour Down Under where 

 won the overall to ensure the team made a winning start to WorldTour life.

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You get no points for guessing which bikes and groupsets 

 use. The team has bore the same name since 2016 when 

’s association with the team goes back either further to 2013.

 and Ultimate CFR, which the team’s riders will choose between, are stunning bikes, but they’re made even more eye-catching by one of the best colourways in the WorldTour peloton. Canyon-SRAM usually delivers on this front and they haven’t let us down in 2024.

There are more SRAM-influenced components beyond the Red AXS groupsets in the form of 

 wheels, which is owned by the American company.

 were also rewarded with a step up to WorldTour level for 2024. That’s good news for 

 which is now represented at WorldTour level through its Orca Aero and regular lightweight Orca.

The latter was one of the standout bikes of 2023 as the Spanish brand bucked trends by going all-in for lightweight. A light bike is nothing new but most brands have allowed aero features to filter into their lightweight bikes. Not Orbea. 

The Orca is unapologetically built solely for climbing

Cerazitiz debuted the bike at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2023.

 bikes which carried them to plenty of success in 2023. A major part of that winning equation was 

 who emerged as a genuine contender to Lorena Wiebes in the sprints.

Kool’s victories were taken atop the aero Scott Foil RC which remains unchanged from 2023, barring a new colourway to match the team’s updated kit. For climbing days, the riders can also choose the Scott Addict. Both bikes will be paired with Shimano’s Dura-Ace groupset and Shimano wheels, except for time trials where 

Groupama-FDJ delivered the biggest shock of the off season when they confirmed that they were splitting with 

. Wilier has since stepped in to fill the void.

That change isn’t reflected in the women’s 

 team, though, who will continue to use Lapierre bikes. Riders will get to choose between the Aircode DRS or the Xelius SL 8.0.

Like the majority of teams, the French outfit uses 

 groupsets and the Japanese brands provide much more of the finishing kit too, such as the Dura-Ace wheels and pedals.

provide a rare case where virtually nothing has changed since last season. The team has retained its WorldTour status, name and the same look, which is great news for those who struggle to keep track of all the changes.

They’re one of three teams who use Canyon bikes, with the German brand topping the rankings as the most popular bike in the women’s WorldTour - a title it holds in the men’s peloton too.

Alongside the Aeroad CFR and Ultimate CFR bikes, they’re also another team who uses a complete set of Shimano finishing components, including wheels, pedals and the Dura-Ace groupset.

 are the first team in this list who have switched bike sponsors for 2024, 

having ended their five-year partnership with Felt

 has stepped into the void along with its new Ostro VAM. Only released in February, it’s a boundary-blurring aero bike which balances all-round performance. If that wasn’t enough, there’s also the O2 VAM which, upon release, 

Factor claimed is “the world’s fastest climbing bike”

Black Inc, which is owned by Factor, has also stepped in to provide the cockpit and wheels, while SRAM remains as the groupset sponsor.

Factor's new Ostro VAM blurs boundaries with aero and lightweight design

Another team whose name gives away their bike sponsor, 

The Madone is one of the standout bikes in the pro peloton thanks to its IsoFlow technology, which is essentially a large hole in the seat tube. If recent sightings are anything to go by, it could be about to pass over to the Émonda too, as 

Giulio Ciccone of the men’s team was spotted riding a version of the bike with a suspicious hole in the seat tube

Unsurprisingly the team hasn’t mixed up its colourway or kit for 2024, as it only took on its current colours mid-way through last season when Lidl hopped aboard as title sponsors.

Lidl-Trek pro bike: Quinn Simmons’ Trek Madone SLR

’s bike really stands out in 2024. Not because it’s new or sporting any fancy components, but thanks to its snazzy colourway. By our judgement, it’s one of the best-looking bikes across both the women’s and men’s WorldTour pelotons - not that it’s hard to beat the designs in the men’s peloton which are routinely trumped by those in the women’s.

’s bikes - comprising the EnviLiv and the Langma Advanced - were used by two teams in 2023 but that’s gone down to one in 2024. That’s because its two previous teams, Liv Racing TeqFind and Jayco AlUla, merged to form the new Liv AlUla Jayco team, hence the changes to the colourway too.

Jayco/Liv merger to be named Liv AlUla Jayco, as Giant extend GreenEDGE partnership

 contingent. It’s proven to be a successful partnership over recent seasons, mainly because Annemiek van Vleuten called the team home. Up until last year’s Tour de France Femmes, the Dutch great had won six Grand Tours in a row. SD Worx’s Demi Vollering ended that run in France. The team will need to find a new source of wins in 2024 as Van Vleuten has now retired.

Beyond the Aeroad and CFR bikes, the team also uses the SRAM Red groupset, Zipp NSW wheels and Continental tyres.

Israel Premier Tech stepped down from their role as title sponsors at the end of 2023, leaving 

 to forge on alone. Just as notably, they took bike sponsors Factor with them.

That left a hole which has since been filled by 

, with the Italian brand making the step up to WorldTour level. Like Ineos Grenadiers in the men’s WorldTour peloton, Roland will use the 

, one of the most recognisable bikes in cycling.

Shimano groupsets make another appearance on the team’s bikes, except this time with a twist as FSA chainsets are subbed in.

Pinarello enter Women's WorldTour for first time with Roland Cycling

 appeared to be genuinely unbeatable. With so many strings to their bow, the team was competitive on virtually every type of terrain and their complete dominance was only halted by Annemiek van Vleuten at two of the three Grand Tours, although it went pretty much unchecked for the rest of the season.

Wins for the team also mean wins for their bike sponsors, Specialized, and it’s no surprise that the American brand extended its partnership with the team at the end of 2023. This wasn’t any regular extension, though, but one that will see the team and bike brand work together until the end of 2028. Partnerships of that length are unheard of in Women’s cycling.

SRAM will provide its Red groupsets while the team will use Specialized’s own-brand 

Specialized extend SD Worx partnership until 2028

 in 2024 for the third season in a row. At the start of the partnership the team used Colnago groupsets but they have since swapped to Shimano in a move that ties in with the 

general demise of Campagnolo at WorldTour level

. The historic Italian brand won’t be used by any teams at either women’s or men’s WorldTour level in 2024.

Colnago is one of the brands that has one superbike rather than dedicated climbing and aero bikes, in the form of the V4Rs. It was released just ahead of the 2023 season. It will be specced with Shimano Dura-Ace groupsets and 

One of the lesser-known bike brands at WorldTour level, 

 is a Taiwanese manufacturer that has been supplying bikes for 

 since the women’s team’s inception in 2022. It will provide the VSRu, which is the most budget-friendly bike in the peloton.

While the team is known for its orange colours, the bike will sport a matt black design in 2024, accented by orange bottles. It’s another team that Shimano counts in its roster, while they also use 

After some confusion over the team’s future during the off-season, Lease a Bike stepped into the void left by market chain Jumbo to ensure the team will continue in its current guide, 

. Many expected the team to change colours for 2024 too, as yellow is associated with Jumbo, but the team has kept its same yellow and black theme.

 S5 and R5 bikes for 2024 though with a new design that’s definitely more eye-catching than before. We caught an up-close glimpse of these at the recent Tour Down Under. Check out that out here.

Racing

Race News

Thor Hushovd announced as new general manager of Uno-X Mobility

Just days after they were announced as wildcard entrants in the 

 have made the exciting announcement of Thor Hushovd as their new general manager, as of 1 February. 

Uno-X Mobility and TotalEnergies return to 2024 Tour de France as wildcards

The former world champion will take over leadership responsibilities from another former pro, Jens Haugland, who will be able to focus his time on his role as general manager of Uno-X Mobility Norway and his new promotion to the board of Uno-X Mobility Cycling. 

Hushovd's addition is among several changes to the leadership structure of Uno-X, which will see Reitan Retail CEO and owner Ole Robert Reitan take over from Uno-X Mobility AS CEO Vegar Kulset as the chairman of Uno-X Mobility Cycling. Kulset is set to take a step back, whilst still remaining on the board of Uno-X Mobility Cycling. 

The announcement of Hushovd's appointment was made in a public letter from Kulset, in which he the CEO speaks on behalf of himself and outgoing general manager, Haugland. 

"We are very ambitious both for the ongoing transformation of our mobility business and for the development of the cycling team," wrote Kulset. "This will require a lot of strong and focused leadership. 

"The signing of Hushovd represents another step in the development of the cycling team, and it strengthens our leadership in Reitan Retail and the Uno-X Mobility business. Thor Hushovd needs no further presentation, and he has an outstanding background and personality to help Uno-X Mobility take the next steps in professional cycling. Our WorldTour ambitions with both our women and men are no secret."

Last week, the men's Uno-X Mobility team were handed a wildcard slot for the Tour de France for the second time in as many years, with the Norwegian side set to field the likes of 

 in the sport's biggest race this summer. With the addition of Hushovd as general manager, the team will gain more important Tour de France experience as they look to win their first Grand Tour stage. 

-24°C and eyebrows turning to icicles: Andreas Leknessund trains in Arctic conditions

The 46-year-old, of course, won ten stages of the Tour in his 15-year professional career, whilst also sealing the green points jersey in 2005 and 2009. Hushovd is among a select group of riders who have won stages at all three Grand Tours, with the Norwegian also rising triumphant at the 

 in 2007 and on three occasions at the Vuelta a España. 

Since retiring, Hushovd has long touted his ambition to launch a Norwegian WorldTour team, and with Uno-X he will get his opportunity.

Uno-X Mobility's women's squad is also at the UCI Women's WorldTour level. Still, for now, Uno-X Mobility's men's side sit in cycling's second tier as a UCI ProTeam. However, the leadership at Uno-X Mobility have always been vocal about their desire to become a WorldTeam in the near future, and Hushovd's appointment looks like another step in the right direction for Scandinavia's biggest professional cycling team. 

DARE

DARE

History

Pro cycling

Top DARE Stories

Super deep prototype Dare aero cockpit on display from Uno-X Mobility

Hottest bikes in the Women's WorldTour: New brands and colourways in action at UAE Tour

Thor Hushovd announced as new general manager of Uno-X Mobility

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