We are stoked! It’s the first Gear Break of Spring! Winter is over…even if it isn’t. Today’s Gear Break spans the full spectrum of modern gravel and road evolution, from BlackHeart’s category-blurring Road Plus launch and Q36.5’s tribute to the “Shark of Messina,” to the effortless tech of Hammerhead’s Karoo Share and Northwave’s World Tour-inspired Extreme X dirt kicks. We round things out with a decade-in-the-making overhaul of Apidura’s Expedition bags and the official retirement of the Salsa Warbird in favor of the “Midwest-proven” Salsa Flyway.
Blackheart Bike Co. Road Plus
Road everywhere
Today, on the first day of Spring 2026, BlackHeart Bike Co. introduces its latest offering–the Road Plus–available in both Titanium and Aluminum. Blending the modern aesthetic and aerodynamic touches of the Road line with the versatility of the Allroad, the Road Plus delivers an intentional balance of speed and adaptability, moving beyond traditional category lines.
Allroad means any road
Designed to work better for cycling enthusiasts, the Road Plus Ti and AL feature tire clearance for up to 700x42mm. With a simple wheel swap, riders can choose between an aerodynamic all-day road machine and a platform designed to eat up miles of dirt roads.
Ti or Al, what’s your preference?
Exclusive to the Titanium model, a 3D-printed section of the seat tube features a seamless cutout that increases tire clearance for mud and dirt, accommodating fenders for tires up to 700x42mm. Additional Ti 3D-printed details make life with your bike easier, including a bottom bracket shell with expanded internal routing for the rear brake hose, an internally flared chainstay brake port for easier installation, and redesigned rear dropouts with integrated fender and rack mounts.
The Road Plus AL represents a new generation of aluminum bikes – delivering ride quality and build weights comparable to carbon counterparts, all at a similar or lower price point. Riders also benefit from aluminum’s long-term durability and infinite recyclability, offering a more responsible approach to performance.
Product details
Each frame is reamed, chased, and faced at the factory, ensuring it is build-ready straight out of the box. Additionally, keeping with BlackHeart’s core philosophy, they’ve designed these bikes to make use of parts that are industry standard: no proprietary seat post shapes, nor proprietary headsets and spacers. Consistent with the entire BlackHeart line, all Road Plus frames are backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the original owner.
Road Plus Ti
- Frameset – $3,399
- Includes frame, ENVE fork, seatpost, headset
- +$300 for custom Cerakote fork paint
- BlackHeart Core Build – $6,799
- Includes BlackHeart Carbon barstem, SRAM Force AXS XPLR groupset w/ power meter, and Hunt 40 Carbon wheels
- 9 sizes to fit riders from 5’0” to 7’0”
- 100% recyclable premium 3/2.5 double-butted titanium tubing
- 3D-printed updates that enhance real-world usability
- Removable direct mount front derailleur hanger
- FSA ACR headset, T47-86 bottom bracket, Round 31.6mm seatpost, UDH
- 2x/1x electronic
Road Plus AL
- Frameset – starting at $1,699
- Includes frame, ENVE fork, seatpost, headset
- +$600 for custom Cerakote frame and fork paint
- BlackHeart Core Build – $4,049
- BlackHeart Carbon barstem, SRAM Rival AXS XPLR groupset, Hunt 40 Carbon wheels
- 8 sizes to fit riders from 5’0” to 6’7”
- 100% recyclable premium 6066 double-butted aluminum tubing
- FSA ACR headset, T47-86 bottom bracket, Round 31.6mm seatpost, UDH
- 2x/1x electronic
The new Road Plus models are available for pre-order at blackheartbikeco.com and through their growing dealer network for 2026 delivery. Also, make sure you keep your eye on Pez for an upcoming review of a full build Road Plus by the end of Spring.
Q36.5 Nibali Collection
Heritage of a Shark
Ahead of Milano-Sanremo this weekend, one of cycling’s most iconic stages for legends, Q36.5 unveils the Nibali Collection: two new jersey designs created in honor of Vincenzo Nibali, the greatest Italian rider of his generation.
Known as ‘The Shark of Messina’, Nibali wrote himself into Sanremo history in 2018, when his explosive attack on the Poggio stunned the peloton and carried him solo to victory in one of the race’s most dramatic modern finishes.
In that same spirit, instinctive, fearless, and unmistakably Italian, Q36.5’s Nibali Collection blends modern performance with unmistakable racing heritage, referencing Nibali’s relationship with the maglia azzurra and his lifelong obsession with speed.
Two jerseys. One legend.
The new drop includes two designs:
Gregarius Pro Nibali Racing Stripes: White
A crisp, race-ready jersey that fuses retro racing cues with a contemporary, technical silhouette.
- Sizes available: XS-XXXL
- RRP: £140.00/$190.00
Gregarius Pro Nibali Nazionale: Light Blue
A tribute to Italian racing identity, designed to feel both timeless and fast, with a finish that’s as distinctive as Nibali’s style on the bike.
- Sizes available: XS-XXXL
- RRP: £140.00/$190.00
Both jerseys are built on Q36.5’s Gregarius Pro platform, designed for warm-weather riding and high-intensity efforts. Each uses a modern raglan cut and ribbed sleeve system for aerodynamic performance, combined with highly breathable front panels and a honeycomb mesh back engineered to support thermoregulation during hard riding.
Luigi Bergamo, CEO & Head of R&D at Q36.5, sez: “Vincenzo Nibali represents a rare combination of elegance and aggression, a rider whose instinct for speed was always matched by intelligence and style. With this collection, we wanted to celebrate that identity through two jerseys that feel both modern and rooted in heritage. They’re built on our Gregarius Pro platform because this is performance equipment first, engineered for the demands of intense riding, but with a design language that reflects one of cycling’s most iconic careers.”
Hammerhead Karoo Share
Sharing is caring
Hammerhead has announced Karoo Share, a new feature that enables riders to instantly share routes and riding profiles directly between Karoo devices – no smartphone app or Internet connection required.
With Karoo Share, riders can send routes or profiles from one Karoo to another in seconds and immediately start riding. Whether at the start line of a race, a group ride meetup, or a remote trailhead, Karoo Share removes the friction of last-minute setup and makes it easier than ever to get dialed and ride together.
Karoo Share also further unlocks one of Hammerhead’s biggest strengths: deep profile customization. Riders who have spent time dialing in data fields, screens, and layouts can now share their profiles instantly with friends, making it easier to connect, share, and experience the full power of Karoo.
Northwave Extreme X – $329.99
Road performance for all
Over the past decades, few brands have written such memorable chapters in the history of off-road cycling as Northwave. From its headquarters in Onigo di Pederobba (Treviso), Italy, their shoes have carried champions to podiums all around the world. They have reshaped the technical and aesthetic standards of off-road cycling — from Olympic XC to the more recent evolution of gravel riding.
Thirty years after Northwave’s first Olympic title — Paola Pezzo’s MTB gold medal at Atlanta 1996 — the Italian company is ready to write a new chapter with Extreme X, its new top-tier shoe designed for riders seeking maximum performance beyond the asphalt. Extreme X is built for decisive race pace, when every watt makes the difference whether on course for gravel, marathon or XC.
High Tail innovation goes off-road
With Extreme X, Northwave brings sole technology that has already left its mark in World Tour road racing to the dirt world. The Veloce Extreme — the road shoe developed in collaboration with Filippo Ganna — demonstrated capability to reach new levels of efficiency and power transfer thanks to the innovative High Tail design. That design is now available for the highest echelons of gravel and MTB competition and everyday performance. This concept is at the core of Hyperlight HT, the sole powering the new Extreme X.
Construction and design
Northwave constructed the sole from 100% unidirectional carbon. Hyperlight HT is engineered to maximize power transfer and minimize energy dispersion.
The High Tail system is an asymmetric design that extends along the external heel area, providing enhanced support and targeted stabilization of the inner foot. The HT system improves alignment and stability, especially during high-intensity pedaling phases.
The new Hyperlight HT sole, compared to the previous generation, raises the structural benchmarks of the platform: +169% torsional stiffness and +41% compressive stiffness. These gains translate into increased stability and responsiveness during accelerations, pace changes and variable terrain conditions. Thus the shoe meets the everyday demands for high-level gravel and MTB racing.
The patented PowerShape® arch support contributes to improved efficiency and comfort over long distances and sustained load phases. Rubber/TPU inserts complete the sole to ensure traction and stability along with replaceable studs. Thereby, it allows riders to maintain maximum efficiency over time while extending the overall product lifecycle.
Precision fit, total control
Northwave lightened and volume-optimized the upper compared to the previous generation. It integrates strategically placed laser-cut ventilation zones for effective thermoregulation. It also incorporates Northwave’s Anatomical Reticular Support (ARS 3.0), an internal upper structure that gently wraps the foot. This enhances stability and pedaling efficiency.
The Underlap construction guarantees a uniform, pressure-free fit by sliding the upper layers inward through the action of the dual dials. Northwave’s SLW3 closure system allows precise, differentiated adjustment. It is easily adaptable even during racing thanks to its micrometric release function activated by a side trigger.
Extreme X offers customized fit with two different anatomical footbeds: 5 mm (slim fit) and 3 mm (regular fit). Both feature enhanced arch and metatarsal support.
Availability and pricing
Northwave Extreme X is now available in white and black colorways. For full details head over the Northwave.com. The shoes are offered in sizes 36 to 50 (half sizes from 39.5 to 45.5). The recommended retail price is €299.99 ($329.99).
Apidura Expedition Series
A decade of evolution
Apidura is marking a decade since the introduction of the original “Dry” Series (later the Expedition Series) with its first major design overhaul. The new line is built around three core principles: Stable, Waterproof, and Durable. Each pack utilizes an updated, lightweight three-layer Expedition-grade fabric with fully seam-welded construction to ensure contents remain dry in any environment. Beyond weather protection, the redesign addresses the needs of modern gravel and all-road exploration by refining contact points and expanding sizing for better frame compatibility.
Key components
- Expedition Handlebar System: This modular setup features a clamp-free design using BarSpace Modules to offset the pack, ensuring your hands have full access to the tops without compromise. The system includes integrated 3-prong mounts for GPS units and lights, removing cockpit clutter.
- Volume Options: Available in 9L and 14L capacities
- Expedition Saddle Packs: Stability is the priority here, featuring a new Stability Channel and silicone grip strips to eliminate “tail wag”. A Hypalon Cradle compresses the load toward the seatpost for better balance on technical terrain, while an integrated mount allows for secure rear light attachment.
- Volume Options: Available in 9L, 13L, and 16L sizes
- Expedition Frame Packs: These have been updated with Internal Zipper Control Rails to prevent bulging and reduce stress on the waterproof zippers when the pack is stuffed to the gills. New SoftVent Air Valves allow for easy compression without heavy hardware.
- Volume Options (Partial): 2.8L, 3.8L, 4.3L, and 5.7L
- Volume Options (Full Frame): 4.6L, 6.8L, 8L, and 10L
Pricing and Availability
The new series is available now. Note that the Expedition Handlebar System is currently a pre-order item, with shipping slated for mid-April.
To explore the full range and purchase, visit apidura.com.
Salsa Flyway
The Bird is the Word (No More)
More than a decade after defining the gravel category, Salsa has finally retired the Warbird. Taking its place is the Salsa Flyway, and it’s a radical departure. Salsa swapped traditional CX-inspired geometry for a “long and slack” progressive chassis, 50mm tire clearance, and enough compliance to make 200 miles of chunky limestone feel almost civilized.
The Warbird was a refined roadie with an identity crisis, the Flyway is a mountain biker’s fever dream of a gravel rig. It’s longer, slacker, and significantly more capable. With a 70.5-degree head tube angle and reach numbers that look like they were pulled from an XC bike, Salsa built this bike for “sending” it.
Laying markers out of the gate
Andy sez: “I’ve watched the prototypes suffer firsthand. West Michigan’s own local hammers Matt Acker and Jill Martindale have been testing these bikes, and I can confidently tell you that they were tested! I’ve spent enough time trying (and failing) to hold Matt’s wheel during the local Tuesday Gravel Adventures and getting absolutely dismantled by Jill during the Barry-Roubaix Psycho-Killer last April to know that if a bike survives under them, it’s basically bombproof.”
They both took the Flyway to the Mega Mid South last November and swept the podium. Matt won the mens race, and Jill set the FKT. It’s a bike that blends “Midwest Nice”—it won’t beat your spine into submission—with serious performance when the road turns to soul-crushing sludge.
Specs & Details: Compliance Meets Capability
Salsa didn’t just slacken the front end; they overhauled the carbon layup to ensure you aren’t vibrating your fillings out. The Flyway features an updated Class 5 VRS (Vibration Reduction System) that is reportedly 20% more compliant than its predecessor.
Tire Clearance: 700c x 50mm in the rear and up to 57mm in the rigid fork.
Suspension Ready: the geometry is suspension-corrected for 40mm travel forks.
Modern Standards: Features a T47 threaded BB, UDH compatibility for SRAM Transmission, and internal headset routing.
Sizing: Salsa has moved to “T-shirt” sizing (XS–XL) to reflect the progressive geometry.
Availability and Pricing
The Flyway comes in two carbon tiers: the weight-weenie Deluxe (DLX) and the Standard layup. They are in shops now, and not a day too soon…since it is now Spring!
Flyway DLX RED: $11,999 (The “Halo” build with Zipp 303 XPLR wheels).
Flyway DLX Force: $7,999.
Flyway Rival Suspension: $5,499 (Specs the RockShox Rudy XPLR fork).
Flyway Apex: $4,499.
Flyway GRX 610: $3,499.
Flyway Frameset (DLX): $2,799.
Full details are available at salsacycles.com.
Note: If you have other experiences with gear or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews or a slap in the head if you feel the need!
PezCycling News and the author ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper/safe use, handling, maintenance, and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.
The post Gear Break: It’s Spring! – BlackHeart Road Plus, Q36.5 Nibali Collection, Hammerhead Karoo Share, Northwave Extreme X, Apidura Expedition Series, Salsa Flyway appeared first on PezCycling News.
