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A Cycling Weekly report traces how British hill-climb bikes have changed from stripped-down, often rim-brake machines to disc-brake builds and, on longer courses, aerodynamic setups. The 2026 British championship’s 6.6km Porlock Toll Road climb prompted riders to prioritize aerodynamics more than the short, steep courses of recent years. The report says champion Ed Laverack rode a Scott Addict RC Ultimate; it does not provide a full breakdown of his setup.
British hill-climb bikes have evolved from stripped-down, ultra-lightweight machines toward setups that can prioritize aerodynamics, according to a Cycling Weekly report tracing the discipline’s equipment history. The shift was especially apparent at the 2026 British Hill Climb Championships, held on the 6.6km Porlock Toll Road, where the longer, steadier course changed the equipment trade-offs compared with recent short climbs.
Hill climbing is a British cycling discipline in which riders race individually against the clock on steep roads, with climbs described in the report as lasting from roughly one to 25 minutes. The fastest time wins. The sport is not governed by the UCI, and the report says bikes below 5kg are common, including some disc-brake builds. That freedom has encouraged highly tailored equipment, with riders choosing components around the demands of a particular course.
Earlier lightweight builds often used rim brakes and highly pared-back components: cut-off handlebars, very light saddles and brake calipers, and lightweight tyres or tubulars. Disc-brake bikes are becoming more common, the report says, partly because they can offer more stiffness and make descents after the timed climb safer to ride. Some riders still use bikes close to stock specification, or team bikes they cannot freely modify because of sponsor commitments.
The 2026 champion, Ed Laverack, won on a Scott Addict RC Ultimate, according to the championship table in the report. The previous two editions took place on much shorter climbs: Dipton Mill Road in 2024 and Bank Road in 2025. Porlock Toll Road measured 6.6km and had an average gradient of 5.5%, a course profile that led riders to consider aerodynamic equipment rather than focusing only on minimum weight. The report does not give a complete specification or measured weight for Laverack’s bike.
Course Length Changes the Bike
The equipment shift illustrates how strongly hill-climb bike choices depend on route profile. A very steep, short course can reward riders for reducing mass, while a longer and steadier climb can make aerodynamic positioning and equipment more relevant. The 2026 course therefore offered a different test from the short efforts used in the two preceding championships.
That variation matters to riders and fans because there is no single winning formula across all climbs. The report notes that participants may spend months testing component combinations, and that a bike or riding style suited to one route may be less effective on another. It also helps explain why competitive bikes can range from highly modified sub-5kg builds to heavier stock or sponsor-issued machines.
Safety and practical use are part of the equipment story too. Since 2021, helmets and working front and rear lights have been compulsory at hill climbs, according to the report. Disc brakes have also gained ground, with the stated benefit of improved control on the descent after a timed effort. Those requirements and design choices show the discipline balancing speed, course-specific performance and riding conditions.
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From Stripped Builds to Aero
British hill climbing has its own rules and traditions outside UCI governance. The report describes a discipline that attracts riders of different abilities from across the UK and culminates in the annual British Hill Climb Championships. Earlier helmet rules were less strict: adults could ride without helmets or wear casquettes, while helmets were required for under-18s. The move to compulsory helmets and lights in 2021 changed that practice.
The report’s championship record shows that equipment and winners have varied across courses. The Cannondale SuperSix EVO appeared in several winning years, with Dan Evans and Andrew Feather accumulating five wins on versions of the model. Other champions have used bikes including a Kuota Khan, Rose X-Lite, Cervélo R3 SL and modified Trek Émonda SLR. In 2026, the champion’s bike was listed as a Scott Addict RC Ultimate.
Weight is not the only factor. Cycling Weekly says a stock 6.9kg Van Rysel RCR-R Pro was ridden by the fastest rider in the edition described in the report, while some competitors use builds weighing between 6.8kg and 7.3kg. The report does not identify that rider in the supplied equipment passage. These examples underline that course, rider, available equipment and restrictions can all shape a competitive setup.
What the Bike Data Leaves Open
The report describes a move toward aero-focused setups on the 2026 course, but does not quantify the aerodynamic benefit or compare bike performance under controlled conditions. It also does not provide a full component list, weight or wind-testing data for Laverack’s Scott. The reported course characteristics and bike model are identifiable; the exact configuration behind the win is not established in the supplied material.
Nor does the report suggest that lightweight bikes are being abandoned across the discipline. Routes differ substantially, and equipment that makes sense on Porlock Toll Road may not suit a short, steep climb. The number of riders using each type of setup, and the balance between weight and aerodynamics at future championships, remain unclear.
Future Courses Will Shape Setups
The next championship course will help determine whether riders again lean toward low-weight builds or keep more aerodynamic equipment in their plans. The source material does not provide a confirmed venue or date for the next edition, so no specific course or equipment trend can yet be reported.
For now, the clearest takeaway from the 2026 event is that the longer Porlock climb changed the strategic question: riders had to weigh aerodynamic performance against the traditional pursuit of minimum mass. Further course details and bike specifications from future events could show how widely that approach spreads.
Key Questions
What is a British hill climb?
It is an individual time-trial race up a hill, with the fastest rider winning. Cycling Weekly describes climbs lasting from about one to 25 minutes.
Why did the 2026 course affect bike choices?
The 2026 championship climb on Porlock Toll Road was 6.6km long, with a 5.5% average gradient. Its length and steadier profile encouraged riders to consider aerodynamic setups, rather than concentrating only on reducing weight.
How light are hill-climb bikes?
The report says bikes below 5kg are commonplace in the discipline, including some disc-brake builds. Other riders compete on stock or team bikes weighing more; it cites a 6.9kg Van Rysel used by the edition’s fastest rider.
What bike did the 2026 champion use?
The report’s championship results list Ed Laverack as champion on a Scott Addict RC Ultimate. The supplied material does not give the bike’s full specification or weight.
Are helmets and lights required?
Yes. Cycling Weekly reports that helmets and functioning front and rear lights have been compulsory at hill climbs since 2021.
Source: cyclingweekly.com
