Cyclists spend more unfiltered time outdoors than almost anyone else with a hobby. A road ride or a gravel loop puts you directly on the verges, trailheads and river crossings where litter collects which is probably why World Cleanup Day, on 20 September this year, tends to land differently for riders than it does for most people scrolling past it on social media. Its not an abstract cause. Its the ditch you rode past on Tuesday.The event itself is bigger than a single day of picking up trash. What started in Estonia in 2008 as a country cleanup initiative has grown into a UN-recognised international day. Last years edition brought out an estimated 25 million volunteers across roughly 190 countries and territories. For cyclists, the more useful takeaway isnt the one day of action its the prompt to ask whats already happening the other 364 days, starting with what the stuff strapped to your head or hanging off your handlebars is actually made of.Thats a fair question to ask, and eyewear is a great place to start. Swiss-founded performance eyewear brand, VALLON, has built two sunglasses models, Watchtowers, and Ventures around that question: How can we make performance eyewear that has classic style, maximum performance, and is more sustainable than other models on the market? Both styles are built using frame materials that readily hold up against standard synthetic materials, while also carrying eco-credentials: These are sunglasses for riders who want to spend more time outside, while carrying and using gear ready to live up to whatever is thrown at them, and that do their part for the planet.Whats in the frame?Start with VALLONs Watchtowers: Their frame is made 85% recycled fishing nets fused into durable nylon-6. The lens tech is a wraparound shield made by ZEISS, with a RiPel coating so that sweat and rain bead off rather than smearing the lens. They are Cat. 3, block 100% UV400, and offer shatterproof eye protection worth knowing on a gravel line where kicked-up stones are a regular part of the adventure.The Ventures have Bio TR90 frames made of 45% recycled materials making them exceptionally lightweight and versatile for lighter cycling days hopping on and off the bike. VALLONs V52 polarized lenses with an ABBE value of 52 provide exceptional visual acuity and less distortion at the edge of the lens useful when youre scanning a descent rather than staring straight ahead also Cat. 3 and UV400 protected. At 26 grams, theyre light enough to disappear on a long ride. Between the two, its an easy case for choosing the lower-impact frame without giving up anything on performance.Tried and testedBIKEs team put the Watchtowers through testing and came away impressed. The read was that these sunglasses earn their keep on a genuinely tough ride: protective enough to trust on a fast, loose descent, comfortable enough to forget about after a few hours, and, more than one tester noted, good-looking enough to stay in rotation on the easy days too. The recycled-net build took on testing without any give on durability, which was the detail that stuck with the team most worth noting, the fixed lens cant be swapped for different light conditions, so riders who go out in everything from bright sun to flat overcast may want to weigh that trade-off. Read the full Watchtowers review for the whole gear download.Beyond the frameSeparately from the frame material, VALLON funds the recovery of 1kg of ocean-bound plastic waste, through accredited partner CleanHub, for every pair of eyewear sold. VALLON puts the cumulative total recovered by its customers at the equivalent of more than 10.9 million plastic bottles.A better way to gear up this yearBeing a more eco-conscious cyclist doesnt have to mean a trade-off between performance and principle. Gear built from reclaimed fishing nets or bio-based stock, backed by ZEISS or V52 optics that hold up on a genuinely hard ride, checks the performance box and the materials box at the same time. Add a cleanup programme funded by every sale, and whats left is a purchase that performs on the ride, looks good doing it, and is easy to feel good about afterwards too which, heading into World Cleanup Day, is about as much as anyone could ask of a pair of sunglasses.

From British Lanes to the World StageTo read online click here https://read.bike-mag.com/october-2026To subscribe for hard copy click hereOctober has always felt like cyclings most reflective month.The frenzy of summer racing begins to fade, the evenings shorten, and many riders start to think about winter miles, next years goals and the adventures still waiting before the season closes. Yet if this issue proves anything, it is that cycling never really slows down. It simply changes gear.In these pages we celebrate a sport that continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the simple joy of riding a bicycle. We travel from the autumn spectacle of Il Lombardia and the growing influence of gravel racing to some of Britains most rewarding late-season sportives. Cycling has become more diverse than ever, and October is perhaps the perfect snapshot of that transformation.Adventure remains at the heart of this issue. We explore the cycling culture of Florida, where year-round sunshine and endless trails create an irresistible riding destination. We head into Peru to discover how travel can test resilience in the most unexpected ways, and we ride along the stunning Croatian coastline where every turn reveals another unforgettable view. From the cycling-first streets of Utrecht to the mountain bike playgrounds of Girona and the Dolomites, the bicycle continues to open doors to places and experiences few other forms of travel can match.For riders passionate about equipment, we bring you the latest innovations shaping the future of cycling. From the new Fantic Rhapsody e-MTB to the rise of electric bikes and sustainable products from brands such as VALLON, technology is rapidly changing how we ride, explore and connect with the outdoors.Perhaps the strongest message running through this issue is community. Whether it is riders tackling the Lionheart Sportive, friends sharing miles in the Peak District, amateur racers chasing gravel glory in Australia, or travellers helping one another through difficult conditions in Peru, cycling continues to bring people together in ways few sports can.As the season enters its final chapter, I encourage you to make the most of every ride. Seek out a new road. Join a local event. Plan next years adventure. Or simply enjoy the changing colours of the countryside from the saddle.Wherever your bike takes you this autumn, thank you for bringing BIKE Magazine along for the journey.Happy riding.Nick BranxtonEditorBIKE Magazine

Written by Richard Howard.Combining all-day comfort, impressive battery life and secure open-ear design, the new Shokz OpenFit Air 2 headphones offer riders a practical way to enjoy music on the move without compromising awareness of their surroundings.Ive been sent some really cool, recently released headphones from Shokz to see how suitable theyd be to wear whilst riding.Theyre made by Chinese company Shokz who already have a range of headphones on the market and some very impressive feedback from Amazon customers who have their previous releases. Based on that I had high hopes for this new release which is the OpenFit Air 2 released to the open market in the UK on 16th September 2026.The first thing that stood out was the very slick holder for the headphones. The oval shaped box is white along with the sleek headphones which have a flexible soft rubber piece that comfortably fits around any shaped ear and Im happy to say doesnt become uncomfortable if worn for long periods.Theyre 17% lighter than their previous model and have made some improvements for this release to ensure theyre a more of a tight fit and so less likely to fall off during a ride. They also come in white, black and my favourite is an ice blue colour.With the standard touch functions youd expect such as pause, next track and even volume up and volume down. The latter is not something all Bluetooth headphones have.The battery life is healthy at up to 36 hours with 8hrs usage on a single charge and during my long-term use of them Id say it pretty much reached that limit.It also only takes 10-15 minutes of charging to receive up to 3hrs of listening time which is ideal if youve stopped for a rest or lunch and are able to re-charge at the restaurant.In regards to the sound quality it was rather impressive, it was on par with my usual Anker headphones for sure and so whilst not as crisp Apple phones was nonetheless impressive.They come with isolated audiophile sound which ensures the best audio quality.The above is just my point of view of course. You can now purchase from their website or Amazon for 129 with the usual free returns, money back guarantee window and so if youre tempted then you have nothing to lose giving them a little trial.

One of Marianne Vos' biggest former rivals will be on her side from 2027. Giorgia Bronzini, the two-time road world champion who twice beat Vos to the rainbow jersey, is joining Team Visma | Lease a Bike as a sports director from the start of next season. Bronzini arrives with extensive experience f...

REEB Cycles is no stranger to limited-edition builds, and theyre at it again with Cane Creek, this time collaborating on a limited-edition STEEZL x Invert Chassis Kit. Available to order for the month of October only, this collaboration pairs the new and somewhat rare Cane Creek Invert Enduro fork with a STEEZL frame in a custom finish inspired by Cane Creeks new Slate Chroma Studio color.We didnt want to take an Invert, bolt it onto a STEEZL and call it a collaboration, said Jeff Lenosky, Brand Director at REEB Cycles. Cane Creeks new Slate color gave us the opportunity to treat the entire chassis as a one-off custom project. The dual satin/gloss powder finish, frame and fork graphics, headset, black-anodized hardware, and suspension package create this limited edition chassis and what makes this collaboration worth doing.Built in-house by REEB in Colorado and featuring American-made rockers, hardware, and seat clamp, the 155mm travel STEEZL frame is done up with a custom, dual-finish Lux Nightfall powder coat. Thats complemented by the Slate accents of the Cane Creek Hellbender 70 headset, black anodized suspension hardware, and matching graphics on the frame and fork.This limited-edition Chassis Kit is centered around Cane Creeks new Invert Enduro fork at 170mm of travel. Officially launched back in April, the upside-down Invert Enduro fork has been highly sought after and in relatively short supply it is currently sold out in all travel lengths. For the rear shock, buyers can choose between the Cane Creek Kitsuma Coil, Kitsuma Air, or the unique Tigon air-charged coil shock.Chassis Kit FeaturesREEB STEEZL 155mm-travel chassis handcrafted in ColoradoCustom dual-finish Lux Nightfall powder coat inspired by Cane Creek SlateCane Creek Invert Enduro forkCane Creek Hellbender 70 Slate Chroma Studio headsetExclusive matching REEB frame and Invert Enduro fork decal package with Slate accentsBlack-anodized Prosise Metal Works rockers and hardwareChoice of Cane Creek Kitsuma Coil, Kitsuma Air, or Tigon rear shock46 week estimated lead timePricing and AvailabilityThe limited edition STEEZL x Invert Chassis Kit starts at $5,462 and includes everything listed above. The price may increase slightly depending on the rear shock choice or the addition of ISCG tabs (+$40). Complete builds are also available, with no shortage of options in REEBs custom build configurator.As mentioned above, the REEB STEEZL x Cane Creek Invert Chassis Kit is available to order for the month of October only. Head to the REEB website to learn more or place an order.reebcycles.com

Giant & Liv together launch two all-new ebikes today that hope to refocus eMTB choice on not just more power, but better full-power control. Dont worry, theres more power too. Between 20-40% boost upgrade to 120Nm makes both the new Giant Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ shoot up the climbs. And the all-new full-power eMTBs also get more travel and more capable geometry to fly downhill, as well.But honestly, the two big upgrades in this new generation are much better control of all that pedal-assist power, and a new rider-tuned battery configuration for the women-focused Liv eMTBs.2026 Giant Trance & Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ get more power(Photos/Cory Benson)It feels like ever since DJI & the Avinox motor system smashed onto the ebike scene, theres been an eMTB arms race to deliver maximum power. I think that essentially boils down to the fact that most eMTB buyers dont get a chance to try several different powertrains before they buy. And much like range anxiety makes us pick the biggest battery possible. Power FOMO is real. And no one wants to spend a ton of money on an ebike, only to find out that its not powerful enough. Or worse yet, that your friends new ebike is more powerful, and you cant keep up.Its the reason that light-assist ebikes look to be DOA, even if many of them are a lot of fun to ride.Both the new Giant Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ share the same new SyncDrive Pro 4 ebike motor developed in-house together with Yamaha. And there is certainly more pedal-assist. Significantly higher torque output, now comes to 120Nm of continuous support. And max power is up too, now at 850W peak. Plus, now with 500% max assistance, you get more eMTB motor support than ever!No, those are not the highest figures on the eMTB market. But rest assured, thats still a lot of power.More controllable full power, even at zero cadenceBut with greater power come greater need for control.While its relatively simple to just add more peak power or higher torque, putting that into the ground through a 2.4 wide tire on often loose terrain is a tougher challenge. And then, making a >20kg ebike manageable under full-power without shooting you off the trail, into a tree, or into shared-access traffic is a completely different story. Theres a reason that theres quite a lot of ongoing backlash from Avinoxs more power is better mindset from inside the bike industry, from trail access advocates, and even potentially from national regulators. Super power can be fun. But it also can be problematic if not well controlled.And control is really one of the high points of the new Yamaha-produced SyncDrive Pro 4 motor at the heart of these two new Giant & Liv E+ eMTBs.A big secret to the new motor control is its new torque-based, zero-cadence design. The new Giant/Liv motor claims to be able to deliver its peak torque within just 0.28 seconds of you pressing down on the pedals. And it doesnt require the crank arms to actually move. Thats a big difference to the feel of most ebike drive systems, which require physical crank movement to match your power input.Now with Traction ControlWhat that translates to is faster pedal-assist response from the Giant/Liv motor. And most importantly, the ability to restart ebike motor support almost instantly, and get moving again when you hit an obstacle and come to an unexpected stop.Tied with more sensors in the whole system (now increased to 6), Giant/Liv add a new Traction control mode that measures power output at the chainring (plus slope and cadence) and detects slip at the rear with a wheel speed sensor. So when that bigger new power comes on too quickly and breaks the rear tire loose, the system instantly manages output up and down to make sure all of the power translates into forward motion. The result is a lot less wheel slip than we are used to in full-power ebikes in loose conditions. And especially on really steep ascents with steps or variable traction (like loose over hardpack), the new E+ system simply puts the power down in a much more manageable way.What about battery capacities? 840Wh or 560Wh+280Wh!The last generation of Giant Trance Advanced E+ & Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ that we really covered in-depth, combined full power motors (85Nm & 600W, at the time) with half-size 400Wh batteries to keep weights down. In between, there was a 85Nm & 800W update with full-sized 800Wh batteries for more range. Now, Giant and Liv separate themselves a bit to better serve the actual riders who buy their ebikes. Since the Giants come in larger sizes and generally get heavier riders, they come with an 840Wh removable internal battery inside the downtube. But on the other hand, since most Liv buyers are smaller and lighter, they get a smaller, lighter 560Wh removable internal battery. But lest the Liv buyers suffer range anxiety, Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ eMTBs, at the same spec and price level as their Giant analogs, also come with an external 280Wh range extender battery. So the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ buyers still get the same 840Wh total battery capacity, but they only have to carry the heavier setup on longer rides.Now guys, dont worry, you can ride further, too. The Giant Trance Advanced E+ eMTBs are also compatible with the same EnergyPak Plus range extender. It doesnt come standard with the ebikes. But you can add on an extra 280Wh to get a max 1120Wh capacity for longer supported rides, if you buy the 280Wh range extender separately.What else is new?Besides the new more-powerful motor, the enhanced motor control, and the new battery options, the new Giant Trance & Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ also now get 10mm more Maestro dual-link 4-bar travel. Both eMTBs are still mullet builds 27.5 rear and 29 front wheels but now they get 160mm front & 150mm rear travel for more technical trail capability. Because if you are hauling full-power eMTB weight around, you might as well be able to handle any trail. Giant and Liv also reshape geometry to make these new ebikes ready for anything. Both eMTBs share the same 64.5 head angle, 77 seat angle, and 443mm chainstays. They also both get a 3-position flip-chip at the top of the seatstays to let you go lower or higher, with a +/- 0.4 tweak to the angles. While much is the same between the two frames, the Liv Intrigue E+ comes in 4 sizes (XS-L) with generally lower Stack and shorter Reach to fit smaller riders. And sharing the same angles, the Giant Trance E+ comes in 4 bigger sizes (S-XL).Overall, Giant says this is the lightest full-power eMTB theyve ever made. They saved 300g off the latest carbon frame and forged links, and dropped 1850g off total ebike weight, for a claimed total weight of 21.9kg. The Liv carbon frame is more than 100g lighter than the Giant, and the complete Intrigue Advanced E+ comes in at just 20.0kg claimed. Interestingly, that makes this new Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ with more power and a bigger battery, just 200g heavier than the previous light model that only had a 400Wh battery inside.Giant Trance Advanced E+ Pricing, options & availabilityThe new Giant Trance Advanced E+ comes in four specs globally, all sharing the same carbon frame and SyncDrive Pro 4 ebike powertrain. The top-tier 10K Trance Advanced E+ 0 gets Fox Factory suspension, a SRAM XX AXS Transmission groupset, TRP Evo Pro brakes, and heavy-duty Giant TRX HD carbon wheels. Next, the 8000 Trance Advanced E+ 1 goes Fox Performance spec, SRAM GX AXS Transmission, and alloy Giant TRA HD wheels.Then, the special edition 6500 Trance Advanced E+ SE gets a special ebike-tuned Crest TR Elite 36 fork and TR shock from Giants in-house suspension department in Taiwan, plus wireless electronic TRP drivetrain running an 11sp LinkGlide cassette with automated shifting controls. And the entry-level 6000 Trance Advanced E+ 2 goes for RockShox Psylo Gold fork, Deluxe Select shock, and a Deore mechanical 12-speed drivetrain.Globally, the new Trance Advanced E+ eMTBs roll out to Giant dealer bike shops today. But of course, the elephant in the room is US availability. There is still a US import restriction in place, so no US availability is expected in the immediate future.Giant-bicycles.comLiv Intrigue Advanced E+ Pricing, options & availabilityPutting women first, to get more women on bikes, the new Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ also comes in four complete ebike builds, mostly at the same price, even with the addition of the range extender battery being included. Lighter weight for most rides was the real driver behind the smaller internal battery, to maintain control & maneuverability. But Liv thought it was important to include maximum range for those women who still want to ride further. The Liv models also include lighter shock and fork tunes, better suited for lighter riders to get the most out of their suspension, even with added ebike weight.The flagship 10,000 Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 gets Fox Factory, SRAM XX AXS, TRP Evo Pro brakes in shiny gold, and the Giant TRX HD carbon wheels. The 8000 Intrigue Advanced E+ 1 gets Fox Performance, SRAM GX AXS, and the alloy Giant TRA HD wheels. And 6500 Intrigue Advanced E+ SE gets the Crest TR Elite 36 fork & shock, electronic TRP 11sp LinkGlide drivetrain and special edition paintjob. All three of which include the 56oWh internal battery AND the 280Wh EnergyPak Plus range extender at no extra charge, making them all great values.The entry-level 6000 Intrigue Advanced E+ 2 does not get the range extender, but otherwise the same RockShox Psylo Gold fork, Deluxe Select shock, and Deore mechanical 12-speed spec.Liv-cycling.comOne more thingA new KMC eFlat HT high-torque flattop chain!Both new Giant & Liv E+ eMTBs also all come with a new high-torque chain that they developed together with KMC. The new gold KMC eFlat HT was designed for SRAM Transmission derailleurs and cassettes paired to high-powered ebike powertrains, with combined rider plus motor input up to 300Nm. The new chain is said to be 21% stronger than the benchmark (read: SRAM) chain with 35% higher pin strength to prevent chain breakages on high-powered eMTB, plus significantly longer lifespan.As someone who has broken at least 3 chains in between torque-heavy Avinox & S-Works ebikes, I really look forward to getting more time on this shiny new KMC chain!KMCchain.com

Giulio Pellizzari arrived at the World Championships believing Italy could fight for a medal. A few days later, his own race had ended with a DNF and a blunt admission that he had fallen short of both the team and the jersey. "Disappointed not to have lived up to the team and the Italian jersey," Pe...

CyclistElite from day one: The story behind the Italian cycling iconIn itself, the name Elite doesnt give much away other than a suggestion of excellence, but for the past half century the company behind it has worked hard to become one of the worlds foremost manufacturers of cycling equipment with a mission statement concise enough to fit on a bidon: make riders feel good. All this from its deep and enduring geographical roots just outside Padua, Veneto, in northeastern Italy.Elite was founded in a garage in 1979 by Amerigo Sartore, who was working in the industry at the time and was deeply passionate about cycling. At first it was rollers and bike carriers, but fast forward a few decades and Elites product range today covers bidons, cages and every type of trainer for cyclists the world over, including one particularly notable rider, a certain Tadej Pogaar.Elites distinctive headquarters in Fontaniva in northeast Italy are located in a restored industrial site that dates back to the late 19th century.Since the turn of the century, home has been the Fornaci Serciari on a meander of the Brenta river in Fontaniva, where Elite has been working to make high-performance cycling products amidst the almost incongruous setting of 19th century brick kilns. Making things to last is in the very ground here, and its a suitable fit. A ten-year restoration project, completed in 2000, turned these rustic buildings with chimneys and bricks intact into a future-proof headquarters steeped in heritage.Elites first bottle cage collections were designed inside the fornaci and named after the people of Fontaniva, further cementing the companys link with the area. Now there are more than 120 products in the Elite catalogue, which are used by riders across the globe.Grand Tour connectionsThe area of northeast Italy that Elite calls home, with its sometimes changeable mountain weather, is dripping with Grand Tour pedigree. Theres Giro stalwart Monte Grappa in the north, with its punishing 25km of ascent looming over the town of Bassano; the Pasubio, Colli Berici and Monte Berico in the west; and the volcanic Colli Euganei in the south, bursting with Classics-style 10% ramps.In other words, Elites headquarters are surrounded by elite riding opportunities this region can claim to be the most cycling-obsessed part of Italy, and with over 400 clubs and close to 10,000 licenced racers in the region youd be brave to disagree. Grand Tours dont route stages through Veneto just for the scenery, they come because the terrain is testing and deep crowds of passionate fans are always in attendance.Elite through the yearsElites story began with a set of very simple bike rollers that formed an indoor training machine. Then came the first frame-clamped trainer in 1982, adjustable magnetic resistance in 1992 and the leap forward into digital with the first PC-connected trainer in 2000. Elite was able to put DVD race footage in front of riders in 2009 with RealAxiom while direct drive training arrived soon after in 2013. The arrival at what we recognise today as modern indoor training came in 2016 with automatic resistance control. Quite the journey.Continuing the work of founder Amerigo Sartore is his daughter Nicoletta, who worked in almost every area of the business before taking the reins. Continuity is a key part of the ethos: a family-run, family-owned business that reinvests profits into new projects, answering to riders rather than shareholders.Elite has been working in the WorldTour peloton since the 1990s and currently partners with more than half the worlds pro teams for technical support. That relationship is not just about brand exposure it provides crucial feedback for Elites product managers and designers.The Fly bottle weighs just 51g and is one of the most widely used bottles among cyclists around the world. Its shown here with Elites Leggero Carbon cage.When a rider takes a bottle at 55kmh in a crosswind on the Roubaix cobbles, the products design must stand up: light enough to go unnoticed, soft enough to empty in a few squeezes and secure enough not to bounce out of the bottle cage. Elites flagship 550ml Fly Team bottle weighs 51g. Thats after years of removing material without compromising flow or resistance. Similarly, the Leggero Carbon cage has been holding bidons for generations, and the new version sheds more grams again, making it even lighter.Both the Fly Team and the Leggero Carbon cage are used in every WorldTour race, while Elites Fly Tex bottle is one of the most used bidons by cyclists worldwide. Elite is also looking to the future, with its Jet bottle made from biodegradable plastic.Elites trainers are used by many of the worlds top pros, including World Champion and five-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogaar.Taking it indoorsElites trainers are also put through their paces by the worlds best. UAE Team Emirates XRG, Groupama-FDJ United and Picnic PostNL routinely warm up and down and train using Elites flagship Justo 2 trainer, with several other teams using the companys other trainers in their regimes. These riders need consistent, reliable data whether theyre in a hotel car park in August or their garage in February. Rather than fitting a third party optical torque sensor, Elite builds its own, meaning the heat generated during a workout doesnt affect the trainers accuracy.Elites Square smart frame lets you recreate your bike precisely, from fit position to drivetrain, ensuring your setup is consistent whether indoors or outdoors. To go alongside, Elite also produces a smart indoor fan, the Aria, to maintain optimal rider temperature.Rolling into the futureAs well as aspiring to the highest performance standards, Elite has voluntarily become a Benefit Corporation and is committed to creating value for local communities and protecting the environment. In practice, that means embedding sustainability into Elites products and creating designs that are built to be updatable and repairable rather than replaced; products that use less material and create less waste; packaging thats recycled or plant-based; and manufacturing standards that are environmentally conscious.Elite has 70 employees, some of whom have worked in Fontaniva for more than 20 years longevity that speaks for itself. The brick kilns they work in, peering up at Monte Grappa framed by the window, have stood tall in Fontaniva for over a century. Elite is well on its way to doing exactly the same. To find out more about Elites range of products, go to elite-it.comThe post Elite from day one: The story behind the Italian cycling icon appeared first on Cyclist.

The new Giant Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ offer 120Nm of torque and 850W peak power, and are packed with Giants latest ebike technology.Giants E+ system now offers traction control, electronic-shifting capability and a wirelessly operated electronic dropper post connected to the bikes main battery, which offers almost 20,000 activations even after the main battery reaches 0%.The proprietary RideControl app offers safety features such as bike tracking, remote locking and an alert if it senses movement when the bike is locked.SyncDrive 4 motor Giant's New SyncDrive motor is housed in the Advanced carbon frame in a cradle co-designed with Yamaha. Giant The new Trance and Intrigue models are the first bikes to showcase Giants new SyncDrive Pro 4 motor, which offers 120Nm torque and 850W peak power. This trumps Boschs top Performance Line CX motor (120Nm and 750W peak power), but falls short of the latest Avinox M2S with its 150Nm peak torque and 1,500W peak power.Giant claims a weight of 2.4kg for the SyncDrive Pro 4 and says this makes it the brand's highest-ratio power-to-weight motor yet. Giant has also adopted a new 48V system, which it says reduces heat build-up, which could boost efficiency.RideControl Ergo 5 system Giant's RideControl Ergo 5 controller selects assistance modes, activates the e-dropper and has optional electronic shifting functionality. Giant Giants Ergo 5 controller is a wireless interface that controls the modes and featuresof the bike. On the new Trance and Intrigue, Ergo 5 controllers activate the e-dropper post, and select assistance modes, Boost mode and Walk Assist, and can be used to activate some electronic derailleurs.Unlike Orbeas RS System, the Ergo 5 controllers are wireless. Giant specifies you can use one Ergo 5 controller or a pair. An Ergo 5 can be used on the left-hand side to control the assistance modes and the e-dropper.If you have select derailleurs (such as the TRP unit on the Advanced 2 model), another Ergo 5 controller can be run on the right-hand side to provide electronic-shifting functionality.The Contact Switch E+ dropper post is wired into the bikes main battery for power. This is a similar architecture to Orbeas RS post, although the Switch E+ does not have programmable smart-dropper functionality like the Orbea RS.The Contact Switch E+ post is 30.9mm in diameter and available with either 100mm, 140mm, 170mm or 200mm travel.Traction control system Giant's traction control system uses four sensors to detect wheel slip and temporarily reduce assistance. Giant Like some of the latest electric mountain bikes, including those with the new Avinox motors, the new Trance and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ models will feature a traction control system (TCS). Sensors monitor cadence and torque while pedalling in order to detect rear-wheel slip. The traction control system will temporarily reduce assistance, then revert to the riders selected assistance level.Giant says four parameters are monitored, enabling the onboard computer to tell when the wheel has broken traction.Traction control could be useful on loose, technical climbs, especially in lower gears where the rear wheel is being fed a large amount of torque.Smart Gateway 2.0 Giant's Smart Gateway 2.0 system controls the electronics of the bike, including the electronic dropper. Giant The digital brain of the Giant E+ is Smart Gateway 2.0. It connects the SyncDrive motor, EnergyPak battery, RideControl system, Go Lux display and Aegis safety features together.The system runs the e-dropper, integrated e-shifting, Aegis tyre checker, real-time clock, E-Lock feature, and Aegis Radar.The Aegis Tyre Checker enables you to track front and rear tyre pressures, displays live updates and alerts you when pressure reaches your programmable limits or drops rapidly. Giant says it offers up to 600 hours of battery life and works with tubes or tubeless tyres.There are six sensors inputting into the system and six modes to select: Eco, Tour, Active, Sport, Power and Boost, and each is customisable.RideControl app Giant's RideControl app is used to monitor and adjust the bike's systems from your phone. Giant Giants RideControl app offers riders the chance to set their assistance level, and tune the maximum torque, acceleration, responsiveness, and overrun available in the selected support mode.Unfortunately, bike thefts happen, but Giants latest RideControl app offers features that could help combat thieves.The eLock is a coded lock that enables you to disable your bike remotely. The app also enables you to play a sound from the bike, and uses Apples Find My network to locate the bike and get directions to its location.EnergyPak Plus 280 Range Extender Giant's EnergyPak Plus 280 Range Extender is included with all models of Liv Intrigue E+ and Giant Trance E+ on sale in the UK and Ireland. The 280Wh-capacity range extender is included with all models in the UK and Ireland, and in all models except the base Advanced 2 model in the rest of the world. The EnergyPak Plus 280 mounts to the bottle cage bosses and Giant claims a weight of 1.5kg.Along with the main 840Wh battery, the total battery capacity with the range extender fitted is 1,120Wh.Giant says the EnergyPak Plus 280 will maintain 80% of its peak performance for more than 800 cycles, with a total battery life of 2,300 cycles.Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ construction Giant's Trance Advanced E+ and the Liv Intrigue E+ use an Advanced carbon frame with three-position flip chip. Giant The Trance Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ are both based around the same carbon frame, using a mixed-wheel-size setup and offering 150mm travel via Giants Maestro suspension system. Up front is a 160mm fork and top-spec builds use Giant's composite integrated carbon bar and stem.Giant claims full builds weigh in at 21.9kg, which is on a par with other full-power eMTBs.The bike has a three-position flip chip, which enables the head angle to be altered by 0.4 degrees in either direction from the stock 64.5 degrees. The seat angle is 77 degrees, adjustable by +/- 0.4 degrees with the flip chip.Top-spec Advanced 0 builds have Fox Factory suspension with a 36 fork and Float X shock, carbon wheels and SRAM XX Eagle Transmission.The Advanced 1 gets Fox Performance suspension, aluminium wheels and SRAM GX AXS Transmission.Advanced SE models have a Crest fork and shock, and a TRP wireless derailleur, while the Advanced 2 model sports a RockShox Psylo Gold RC fork, and a 12-speed Deore drivetrain.Price and availability The Giant Trance Advanced 0 E+ uses Fox Factory suspension and carbon rims. Giant There are four models each of the Giant Trance and Liv Intrigue. Giant say bikes will begin shipping from November. Advanced 0 E+: 8,999 / $11,700 / 9,999 Advanced 1 E+: 6,999 / $9,400 / 7,999 Advanced SE E+: 5,999 / $7,800 / 6,699 Advanced 2 E+: 5,499 / $NA / 5,999While all Liv Intrigues are sold with the range extender in the UK and Ireland, outside the UK and Ireland the Advanced 2 model does not include the range extender.

Molly Sugars latest zine, in collaboration with The Wilderness Society, invites readers to reflect on public lands and why they matter. The best part? You can download and print the zine for free! Learn how to get yours hereThe post Molly Sugars Dear Public Lands Mini-Zine appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.