This Week in Desire | Thursday September 10th

This Week in Desire | Thursday September 10th

This week, we've got even more luxury than normal, with picks from Breitling, Vadolibero and more stellar bike releases from Basso and Factor. Welcome to This Week in Desire, our weekly edit of the latest and greatest in cycling tech. 


Factor Ostro | Factorbikes.com

With the firepower currently riding (or soon to be) for Israel Start-up Nation, it comes as no surprise that UK brand @Factorbikes have their finger on the pulse when it comes to bike design. The Factor Ostro represents a marked shift towards the do-it-all performance bike. Designed to be aerodynamically remarkable, lightweight and comfortable, is this move the real quiver killer? It certainly makes the choice easier for riders like Dan Martin. With a 780g frame, a full build will certainly trouble the UCI's lower limit. PLUS it comes in this glorious Sicilian Peach colourway, what's not to like?

Basso Volta

Basso Volta | Bassobikes.com

E-bikes are getting closer to their road bike cousins with each passing week. Basso's latest release, Volta, even includes the integrated front end of their new Diamante SV, should you choose to build it that way. We say that, as the frameset straddles what we've traditionally defined as bike categories. Build it as a road bike, gravel bike or city bike and take advantage of that 250 watt battery, the choice is yours. 

 

 

Breitling Pro Endurance | Breitling.com

There have been no shortages of expensive timepieces adorning the wrists of Tour de France riders in this year's race. Take Alaphilippe's Richard Mille for example. Needless to say, should Geraint Thomas have taken to the start line, then Brietling's latest sports watch, the Pro Endurance model, would have been given a proper Grand Tour test. Pro Endurance is positioned firmly in athleisure, could you tell from the colours? But paired with Breitling's signature SuperQuartz internal movement, designed to offer lightweight durability.

Fingerscrossed Block

Fingerscrossed AW20 | Shop Fingerscrossed in the Rouleur Desire Emporium

With autumnal colours aplenty, @fingerscrossed.design lift the lid on their latest collection. Featuring new colourways of their popular Block, Stripe and Merino lines there promises to be something for everyone. Shop the full collection in the Rouleur Desire Emporium

Universal Colours x Sigma Sports

Universal Colours x Sigma Sport | Universal Colours at Sigma Sports

Our latest issue, 20.6, has started landing with subscribers, and we feature both men’s and women’s Universal Colours kits in the Desire section. Why? Because they look the business and really stand out from the crowd without being lairy – no mean feat. This latest release is a collab with top London bike emporium Sigma Sports. It’s a winning combo. 

Vadolibero LM Vertik

Vadolibero Vertik x Ludivica Mascheroni | Shop Vadolibero in the Rouleur Desire Emporium

Talking of colabs – everyone’s at it, eh? – luxury bike storage manufacturers Vadolibero have teamed up with fellow Italian designer Ludovica Mascheroni to produce this sensational-looking stand for those who like to stare longingly at their pride and joy rather than watching TV. Pull up that comfy chair, settle down with the new Rouleur and keep the bike in your peripheral vision. That’s a fine night in.

 

 

 

READ MORE

Business as usual: Does the Tour de France ever get old for riders or their families?

Business as usual: Does the Tour de France ever get old for riders or their families?

The average number of Tour de France appearances per rider this year is approximately 3.4 participations. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed debutants have been making headlines enough...

Read more
'Haters gonna hate': Pogačar steals the show on Bastille Day

'Haters gonna hate': Pogačar steals the show on Bastille Day

France dreamed of a local victor on its national day. Instead, Tadej Pogačar lit up stage 10 with another trademark attack. Begrudged 'chapeaus' abound in...

Read more
Tadej Pogačar celebrates on the podium in the yellow jersey during the 2026 Tour de France.

'It's not Pogačar's fault he's so good' - Eddy Merckx on the Tour de France's current generation of GC stars

The five-time yellow jersey winner is still an avid watcher of the sport – he tells Rouleur his thoughts on the Pogačar-era of bike racing

Read more
Bastille Day at the Tour: can a Frenchman end the wait?

Bastille Day at the Tour: can a Frenchman end the wait?

Bastille Day is the biggest day of the year for French cycling fans, and the wait for a home winner has dragged on since Warren...

Read more
Reflections of the Tour de France peloton, including the yellow jersey group, in a shopfront window

Heat, hierarchy and a hotly contested green jersey: what we learnt from the Tour's first week

Rouleur breaks down the heatwaves, the sprint points battle, and UAE's grip on week one of the Tour de France.

Read more
Tom Pidcock rides through a gravel sector for Q36.5 Pinarello during stage nine of the 2026 Tour de France

Pidcock's redemption arc: Brit content in defeat after refinding his love of Le Tour

A jammed shifter and a third place in Ussel would once have wrecked Tom Pidcock's Tour. Free of pressure and riding for a team on...

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE