Updated December 4, 2025 04:02AM
The latest edition of This Week in Bike Tech features new bikes. One is an update of one of the most surprising road bikes we’ve ridden in recent memory – the Polygon Strattos – largely because of the sheer value for money. What’s the deal with this new generation bike? We break down what we know below.
What else is new? Focus Bikes has a new Atlas gravel bike, while Selle Repente has a closed-cell 3D printed saddle that looks sweet. Park Tool introduces its Annual Community Tool Grants Program for the 11th year in a row. Priority Bikes and Xtracycle introduce a program to donate a portion of bike sales to your local community programs.
Oh, and if you have a Cube Agree road bike, you might want to check that serial number, because they’ve just announced a fork recall.
Here’s what’s new, This Week in Bike Tech. See prior editions here.
Polygon updated the Strattos, a road bike that might be the least-expensive way to get Shimano Ultegra Di2
Polygon has launched the Strattos C, an all-road endurance bike designed for high-mileage riding and all-day comfort. The bike features a higher stack height than Polygon’s other road models like the Helios A we reviewed, creating a more upright riding position to reduce strain on the back and shoulders during long rides. Polygon says uniquely shaped seat stays are tuned to absorb road vibrations while maintaining stiffness, and tire clearance extends to 34mm for versatility across different road conditions.
The Strattos C uses Polygon’s new LINC integrated component line, including an integrated carbon cockpit, stem, and wheels designed to balance performance with comfort and stability in crosswinds. Three build options are available, including a Strattos C7 with Shimano 105 Di2, a Strattos C8 with Shimano Ultegra Di2, and the Strattos C9 with SRAM Force AXS. All builds feature Schwalbe One 30 mm tires, carbon wheels, electronic shifting, a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH), and the aforementioned one-piece carbon handlebar and stem cockpit combo.
‘Endurance’ road bikes often sacrifice either performance or comfort. From our review, we found that the outgoing Polygon Strattos was firmly a performance-focused bike purely based on how long and low the fit geometry was. This new version is far more upright, which should make the bike more comfortable for the average person. That itself should be a massive update, while maintaining the impressively low price point.
Pricing starts at $2,899 for the Strattos C7 Di2, $3,399 for the C8 Di2, and $4,499 for the C9 AXS. Full details are available at polygonbikes.com and bikesonline.com.
New Focus Atlas wants to be your Goldilocks gravel bike
Focus has updated its Atlas gravel adventure bike for 2026, introducing changes to both the aluminum 6 Series and carbon 8 Series models. The brand retains the philosophy behind the original Atlas, keeping multiple mounting points across the frame and fork for bags and racks. But unlike the previous-generation Atlas, this new one ditches Boost MTB spacing and reverts back to a more standard road and gravel hub spacing. Rejoice!
The carbon Atlas 8 Series gains in-frame storage called the “Prep Pocket,” which could be a really popular name depending on who you talk to. Maximum bike weight increases to 135kg, up 15kg from the previous Atlas, while all bikes are compatible with a fork-mounted platform rack it calls the Hawaii Rack. Wheelbase measurements are shorter than before in an effort to make the bike more of an all-rounder.
Focus’s new bike is absolutely one gravel bike to do everything. The rack mounts, the shorter geometry, the option for an alloy or carbon frame, it all screams all-rounder. Unfortunately, the limited tire clearance – 45 mm out back and 53 mm up front – scream behind the times, particularly for an all-rounder.
Prices start at €1,799 (~$2,089) for the Atlas 6.7 in aluminum to €5,299 (~$6,154) for the Atlas 8.9 in carbon fiber. Full details and specifications are available at focus-bikes.com.
Cube Bikes announces recall for Agree range of road bikes
Cube bikes has announced a recall of its Agree C:62 road bike sold prior to November 30, 2025. The recall is due to a fork manufacturing defect, as a change in resin used during production resulted in insufficient resin content above the brake mount. According to the brand, this can caus the outer carbon layers to delaminate and weaken under excessive braking.
Eight models are affected, including the Cube Agree C:62 One, Pro, Race, SLX, SLT, and Ultegra Di2 variants in various colorways. Every fork covered by the recall must be replaced.
Fork failures are among the most dangerous mechanical issues on a bike, so Cube is right to issue an immediate stop-use order. It isn’t the first time we’ve seen something like this, and unfortunately, we suspect it won’t be the last. Affected customers shoudl contact an authorized Cube dealer immediately, with more information available through Cube’s official recall notice.
Priority Bikes (and Xtracycle) introduces Priority Gives to support your local communities
Priority Bicycles has introduced a program called Priority Gives. The program allows community organizations to submit a cause to work with, receive a code to use at checkout, and receive as much as 10 percent of any full-priced bike purchase to go back to the organization. Priority says it’s a great way for schools, PTAs, advocacy groups, and community nonprofits to get additional support while you get to buy a new bike.
Worth noting here that this Priority Gives program extends not just to Priority, but cargo bike brand Xtracycle as well. Either way, the program is a cool idea, and if you’re looking at buying a Priority or an Xtracycle, its worth checking with your local organizations to see if they have a donation code to share.
Park Tool announces its 11th Annual Community Tool Grants
Park Tool has announced the 11th iteration of its 2026 Community Tool Grants program. The program consists of donating bicycle tools and repair stands to ten nonprofit organizations or community groups with a claimed “over $1,600 in Park Tool products.” That includes shop aprons, repair books, portable repair stands, and the mack daddy Park Tool PK-5 professional mechanic tool kit.
My roots in cycling come from volunteering in non-profit bike collectives. There, I learned how to work on bikes, get parts for cheap, and see first-hand just how transformative a bike can be for folks who rely on them day in and day out to simply live their lives. We didn’t need the Park Tool grant, but I love that this continues today.
Applications for the grants are open until December 31, 2025, at parktool.com. Winners will be announced in late January 2026.
The Repente Nomad 3D saddle gets replaceable carbon rails
Repente has launched the Nomad 3D saddle, a carbon saddle with 3D-printed TPU padding that features an integrated smooth cover instead of exposed padding structure. The saddle uses three density zones – firmest under the sit bones for support, most relaxed under soft tissue for flexible load distribution – with a central anatomical channel to relieve perineal pressure.
The Nomad 3D uses Repente’s modular RLS construction, allowing rails or the padding-topped shell to be replaced independently at lower cost with less waste. The full UD carbon shell pairs with 7×9 mm oval UD carbon rails. Repente describes the finish as “pearly white” with the internal structural patterning visible as it catches light, blending 3D-printed performance benefits with more traditional saddle aesthetics. The saddle is made entirely in Italy. It measures 260 mm long by 142 mm wide, making it slightly longer than the slew of short-nose saddles on the market. Weight is a claimed 180 g.
Most premium 3D-printed saddles leave the lattice structure fully exposed, which works functionally but isn’t for everyone aesthetically. Repente’s approach of printing a closed top layer onto the padding structure is a clever middle ground. You still get zone-specific support and the performance benefits of additive manufacturing, but with a smoother, more classic look. The modular RLS construction is a genuine sustainability win, too.
The Repente Nomad 3D saddle is priced at €350 and available now in a single 142 mm width with pearl white finish at sellerepente.com.