The most exciting new products... that you can't actually buy yet

It's now common practice for online retailers to list products that aren't yet ready to ship out, and we've even heard cases whereby the stock hasn't even been ordered from their distributor yet!

As summer slips away from us, there are already a whole host of 2019 cycling products emerging all over the interweb; and it's sometimes the case that you'll be all set to pop your exciting new toy in the basket, only to be told that you won't be able to get your hands on it for days, weeks... maybe even a few months in some cases. On the plus side it means you're in for a nice little surprise when your pre-ordered present eventually arrives, but problems can sometimes arise when launch dates get delayed. Whether you're in agreement with the practise of products being out there to ogle at and/or pay for long before you can really have them, here's a selection of the most highly-anticipated bikes and gear out there prior to landing on the virtual shop floor... 

Mavic Cosmic Ultimate UST wheels

These tubeless-ready hoops certainly don't come cheap at £3,500 for the set, but there are plenty of reasons behind the pricetag; weighing in at a claimed 1310g for the set, they come ready to go with Mavic's Yksion Pro UST tyres, with Mavic saying their wheel/tyre system saves 15% in rolling resistance over competitors. Titanium quick releases, tyre sealant and syringe, carbon brake pads, wheel bags and a user guide complete the deluxe package. 
ETA: early 2019 according to Mavic

Cannondale SystemSix

The SystemSix sees Cannondale fully embrace aero road at long last, proclaiming it as 'the world's fastest road bike', and our own Mat Brett was impressed when he rode it at the press launch. “The disc brake-only design freed SystemSix from the constraints imposed by rim brakes, allowing engineers to achieve new levels of drag-reducing integration between the frame, fork and wheels. Precisely truncated airfoil profiles in the frame, fork and seatpost maintain air flow attachment across important yaw angles and minimise drag, while delivering world-class stiffness and ride feel", say Cannondale.
ETA: The Himod Systemsix can be yours from the 28th December, but less pricey versions such as the one above won't be landing until March 2019. 

Giant Defy Advanced Pro 0/Giant Power meter

Giant's new Defy has been brought bang up to date and has some seriously bling features considering its reputation as an easy-handling sportive pootler. The top-of-the-range Defy Advanced Pro 0 has Shimano Ultegra Di2 components, Giant's new D-Fuse handlebar to give better comfort and stiffness and even an integrated power meter nestled in the crankset, all for £4,499. 
ETA: Some of the Defy Advanced models are set to ship in October, but the Advanced Pro 0 won't be landing until the new year. The power meter is set to be sold as an after-market product, but there are no ETA's as of yet. 

Wahoo Kickr Headwind

"The world's first cycling-specific fan" can be controlled via an app, ANT+ or manually with wind speeds of over 30mph, and comes in at £199.99. The wind can even be adjusted based on your power or heart rate zones, meaning this really ain't just any old fan. 
ETA: pre-orders are expected to be dispatched in late September

Rotor 1x13 speed groupset

It's been a year of firsts in the groupset wars this year, and when we thought we'd seen it all with Campagnolo's 2x12 groupsets, along come Rotor with a 1x13 hydraulic system. Rotor say the groupset can be combined with a huge number of chainring sizes (38 right up to 54) and the cassette offerings are 10-36, 10-39, 10-46 and a massive 1--52 for mountain bikers.    
ETA: nothing is available to pre-order and Rotor haven't given an ETA yet, so it's looking like 2019 at the earliest. 

Giro Aether aero helmet

This new helmet does away with the yellow MIPS liner, which can sometimes be a source of irritation, and replaces it with the latest MIPS Spherical technology inside. It's essentially a two-piece shell that does the same job as the liner and reduces rotational energy during certain impacts. The removal of the liner also improves ventilation, so say Giro. 
ETA: numerous retailers are expecting their stock from the 10th September onwards. 

Bell Z20 aero helmet

Bell's new aero road lid is claimed to be faster than its previous aero helmet, the Star Pro with sliding vents. Bell claim it'll save you 40 seconds on a 40km time trial at 400 watts compared to the regular non-aero Z20 helmet, which is all well and good if you can hold 400 watts for that long... 
ETA: No news as of yet

Look/SRM EXAKT Power Pedals

These reassuringly expensive power pedals (£1,299 for the double-sided versions) courtesy of Look and SRM were launched back in late May, and promise accuracy in the region of +/-1.5%. They're also rechargeable and weigh just 155g a pedal, which may go some way towards convincing Look loyalists to spend the extra cash.  
ETA: bikefast.co.uk are quoting a delivery time of 25-40 days

UCI abolishing the 6.8kg weight limit

Ok, so this isn't something you can actually buy (unless there's anyone high up and impressionable in the UCI who would change their mind should a wealthy person who agreed with us were to offer them a gift) but it's definitely something we sort of want but can't have! In our poll back in July 74% of you agreed that the rule is outdated, with 46% agreeing it should be lowered and a quarter of you saying it should be scrapped entirely. Despite strong rumours that the rule is to be updated after 18 years of tyranny the UCI are still yet to officially throw in the towel, so until then pro riders will have to make to with heaving at least 6.8kg of bike up the mountains... 
ETA: probably never at this rate! 

What have we missed from this list? Let us know what you're trying to get your mitts on at the moment to no avail in the comments...