I hope you had a great Mardi Gras this year. It truly is a magical time in the area, and especially magical to navigate it all by bike!Mardi Gras By BikeAs a mechanic at a local bike shop, and someone constantly discussing biking with anyone and everyone, its amazing to see how crucial a bike becomes to people during the season. For some working or living inside the box, its a necessity to be able to commute across parades. Others dust off their bikes to be able to avoid traffic and finding a parking spot for their car. And likely, since I have your email, youre always biking but get to enjoy side streets that suddenly turn much more pedestrian and bike friendly along the parade routes. (Or take out your bikes with sturdy tires and enjoy a crunchy ride along the route following a parade)Whatever your reason for riding, we see a surge in ridership around Mardi Gras. I started this survey years ago to try to quantify some of the change in riding around the season and get some feedback so we can see how we might be able to best improve the experience of celebrating Mardi Gras on your bicycle. I hope youll take a minute out of your day to fill out this form and help us collect some more data and please share with any of your friends/family that you know rode their bikes to or around parades.Mardi Gras by Bike SurveyBike StreetsHopefully you saw the week before Fat Tuesday, we officially launched Bike Streets New Orleans. This is an effort that several volunteers have been working on locally since 2025 to start implementing an app from developers out of Denver with a few key opportunities:Providing turn-by-turn direction to people on bikes using low-stress streetsCrowdsourcing a map where locals can suggest and vote on routes to develop a low-stress bike networkCollecting quantifiable data to support our advocacy effortsIdentifying missing connectors to the developing bike network to help us focus our advocacy effortsRight now, were primarily looking to build the ridership on the app, so if you havent signed up yet please do! All you need to do is download the app and sign up then start logging rides by selecting Ride and then clicking on the Ride button on the map when you start to ride.Get riding with Bike Streets New OrleansIf youd like to get more involved in the app and start suggesting or voting on routes, were going to host an info session that will do a deeper dive into the features of the app and how we can best use this opportunity to support biking in Greater New Orleans.Ill be hosting a Zoom meeting on Tuesday March 10th from 5:30-6:30 to dive into the following topics and answer any questions you may have about this effortWhat are we considering low-stress?How to add suggestionsHow to navigate the AppHow to upvote/downvoteOther features of the appA quick intro to Open Streets MapIf youd like to join please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/il5oEYBBS9avw91t24nuYQAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.Please reach out to me if you have and questions around either of these efforts or anything else bike related I can help you with!Thank you,David MezaCommunity Programs CoordinatorBike Easydavid@bikeeasy.org

The Spring Classics are about to begin. This week brings Opening Weekend, which fires the starting gun on one of the most special periods of the entire season. It will do so with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2026, a race that this year will feature a star studded line up battling for victory. And Wout van...

CyclistIsaac del Toro is taking 2026 by the hornsIsaac del Toros 2025 was quite something. Eighteen victories including two stage races and a close second place on his debut Giro dItalia made it a breakthrough season for the 22-year-old Mexican. As 2026 kicks into life, he looks to be cementing himself as UAEs next super-talent, rapidly rising up the pelotons rank of Grand Tour contenders.Pacing to victoryUAE Team Emirates XRGIt was first stage, first win for Del Toro at the UAE Tour in 2026 despite it being labelled as one for the sprinters. A crash in the final 2km ruled out Lidl-Treks Jonathan Milan, who won the same stage in 2025, and Del Toro utilised the slight incline to get a jump on the field, surprising the remaining sprinters and puncheurs to snatch victory.The first big GC test of the season came with new climb Jebel Mobrah on Stage 3. The 15km test was broken into two sections with a slight downhill in the middle before a second half rising to gradients up to 18%. in places It was after the brief lull that Del Toro slid back through the peloton to his teammate Adam Yates, dousing himself in bidons of water to cool down in the UAE heat before getting dropped by the rest of the GC contenders as they started to attack. However he was just biding his time, and as the other frontrunners dropped off one by one, the bull began to rampage, working his way through the field to finish second on the day just behind Bahrain Victoriouss Antonio Tiberi.It would be a different story on Jebel Hafeet on Stage 6. Del Toro stuck at the head of the race, powering away and shaking off Tiberi in the final 3km. His pace was so ferocious he took almost 40 seconds off the previous best time on the climb, albeit assisted by a tailwind.The seven days were expected to be a showdown between Del Toro and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohes new signing Remco Evenepoel, however that tussle barely got off the ground. Evenepoel fell away on Jebel Mobrah after winning the time-trial, and lost more time on Jebel Hafeet, ultimately finishing the race tenth overall.Whats next?Zac Williams - Pool/Getty ImagesDel Toro is pencilled in for Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo and Itzulia Basque Country next. The white gravel roads of Tuscany are no doubt calling his name, it was here where he finished second behind Wout van Aert on Stage 9 of the Giro last year, propelling himself into the maglia rosa. UAE are heading to the race with a stacked lineup including defending champion Tadej Pogaar, so anything other than the victory will be a big disappointment. As for Milan-San Remo, its going to be all hands on deck helping the World Champion to tick it off, and with Jhonatan Narvez injured it likely up to Del Toro to deliver the finishing blow on the peloton.The stage races Tirreno-Adriatico and Itzulia Basque Country could prove solid hunting ground for Del Toro. With Pogaar and Joo Almeida at different races, hell have sole leadership to continue building his stage race collection, though it looks like hell face his stiffest competition of the year so far in Spain, with a face-off against former teammate Juan Ayuso and French rising star Paul Seixas on the cards.The Tour de France is the main target for Del Toro this year, though obviously not with the aim of taking the win himself. There is no better man to learn from, however, than the four-time champion looking to make it a record-tying five. Del Toro heads to France as the key superdomestique for Pogaar, and theres every chance at his current pace he could end up on the podium himself. Related Posts Bulls on parade: 6 talking points from the mens UAE Tour Is Remco Evenepoel too unreliable in stage races? Are Decathlon-CMA CGM cycling's new superteam in waiting? Cycling Spring Classics 2026: Race dates, Monuments, cobbles and live TV guide A shakeup of the hierarchyA.S.O./Charly LopezPrior to Del Toros stratospheric rise, the rung below Pogaar in the UAE Team Emirates XRG hierarchy was largely occupied by Almeida and Ayuso. but Del Toros rise and Ayusos departure certainly set the cat amongst the pigeons. Del Toro will spend his summer soaking up the sunshine in France as Pogaars lieutenant against former colleague Ayuso, while Almeida is given his chance for leadership at both the Giro and Vuelta.Almeida is a seasoned Grand Tour competitor at this point, but the 27-year-old is yet to win one, his best results a second place at the Vuelta in 2025 and third place at the Giro in 2023. With Del Toro snapping at his Portuguese teammates ankles for those Grand Tour leading roles, it might just be a race between the two to see who is firstNote: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.The post Isaac del Toro is taking 2026 by the horns appeared first on Cyclist.

For all the rule changes, working groups and technology trials introduced in recent years, professional cycling is still making what Matteo Trentin describes as the same basic errors. Speaking on the Bici Sport Podcast, the experienced Tudor Pro Cycling Team rider did not hide his frustration when a...

Over the past decade, wince-worthy perches have been ousted by their stubby-nosed alternatives but, 10 years on, are we sitting any prettier?

Maybe youve seen pictures of it in the wild. For the last year or so, photos surfaced of direct-mount, electronic drivetrains on downhill bikes. Rumors swirled of a new DH drivetrain project SRAM was working on, and those drivetrains looked an awful lot like Transmission.Undoubtedly, these sneaky drivetrains were on the DH rigs of pros and industry testers. They were spotted at World Cup races and party laps at Whistler.Well, today SRAM announces that the rumors are true with the release of the XX DH Transmission.Comparing to Existing T-TypeFor the most part, XX DH Transmission is essentially the same as the XX Eagle option SRAM released in 2023. However, some key factors distinguish this DH offering from XX Eagle.First, it doesnt fall in the Eagle lineup. Although the similarities are vast (just look at them side by side), Eagle is a distinct offering for SRAM. The label indicates 12-speed, 10-52t cassettes with the brands 520% gear range.XX Eagle Transmission (left) and XX DH Transmission (right)DH cassettes are 7-speed, pushing the new DH drivetrain out of the Eagle category. But, there are a few other differences that make the new XX DH Transmission distinctly DH.Eagle XX T-Type uses carbon cranks, while the new XX DH sees aluminum. There is also a significant difference in crank length. Whereas XX T-Type cranks are offered in 165, 170, and 175mm lengths, DH XX cranks are significantly shorter. The new DH cranks range in 5mm increments from 150mm up to 165mm.Spacing for the chainline is also different. DUB DH spacing is available for both boost and superboost rear ends, with a corresponding 56.5mm chainline. SRAM also offers the standard DUB Wide for a 55mm chainline. Which spacing you will need typically corresponds to your bottom bracket width83mm or 73mm, respectively.Also new is the XD SLIM freehub body option. Similar to the previous HG SLIM, this allows wider hub flanges and more symmetrical spoke tension due to better bracing angles. SRAM says that the older HG SLIM driver should work with the XD SLIM cassette. However, they recommend you check with the hub manufacturer.XD SLIM (left) and XD (right)Also, SRAM notes that the XD SLIM cassette isnt compatible with a standard XD driver body, or vice versa.DH XX Transmission DetailsDerailleurSRAM claims that the new XX DH T-Type derailleur is simply the strongest DH derailleur available. Same as Eagle T-Type, SRAM uses its full-mount design and stout cage, which we all found can take a considerable beating. It also uses SRAMs Cassette Mapping to deliver precise shifting and constant engagement, resulting in uninterrupted power transfer.Yes, this means shift away, even under load, as it doesnt matter to Transmission. This will be crucial at the start, as racers will no longer need to hesitate, even for a fraction of a second, before hitting that next gear.Familiar install and pair via the standard AXS set-up and pairing procedureReplaceable skid plates, outer parallelogram link, and rebuildable thread-on cage assemblyInline Cage features a flat outboard surface for easy maintenanceType 4 damper results in very quiet operation through the roughest tracksT-Type chain compatibility onlyAluminum426g$700 (battery not included)CranksetSRAM drew inspiration from the established aluminum Transmission cranks but redesigned them from the ground up. Their goal was to develop best-in-class DH cranks that set a new strength-to-weight standard.The new crankarms are stout, featuring machined surfaces in high-impact areas. And they start short and end fairly short, with lengths starting at 150mm and topping off at 165mm. The new cranks and chainrings are available with Ochain, which SRAM just acquired last year.DUB DH spindle for 56.5mm chainline, for either 157mm or 148mm rear hub spacingDUB Wide spindle for 55mm chainline, optimized for 148mm rear hub spacingAvailable in 150mm, 155mm, 160mm, and 165mmAluminum~701g (depending on length)$450CassetteSimilar to the DH Transmission cranks, SRAM says the new XX DH cassette is the most robust cassette theyve ever made. The 10-24t, 7-speed cassette features an X-Sync tooth profile and delivers precise gear changes at full power.Full X-Sync tooth profile for best-ever inboard and outboard shifting performance under load7-speed, 10-24tT-Type, flattop chain compatibility onlyXD driver body, or gravity-specific XD SLIM driver bodySteel150g (XD) / 144g (XD SLIM)$500ChainringSRAM increased folding and impact resistance on the new XX DH T-Type chainring. This creates a chainring designed to withstand the most demanding downhill riding.As with the cranks, the XX DH Transmission chainring was designed to work hand in hand with Ochain. The chainring uses a 104 BCD interface to easily integrate the product into the T-Type ecosystem. It is also cross-compatible with other Eagle Transmission components and backward compatible with older SRAM DH drivetrains.optimized for use with all Ochain spiderscompatible with Eagle / DH drivetrainseMTB compatible32t, 34t, 36tAluminum~43g (depending on size)$120Flattop ChainThe same flattop chain found on the XX Eagle T-Type drivetrain is used on the XX DH Transmission drivetrain. Utilizing a hollow pin design, SRAM says this is the strongest chain they have ever made. SRAM also uses high-quality, durable chrome to extend the chains life.One important note: this new drivetrain requires a T-Type, flattop chain. SRAM recommends using the XX or XO chain for best performance, but a GX chain or even the new Eagle 70 chain will work. However, SRAM states that the XX SL chain should not be used with the new XX DH drivetrain.Strongest SRAM chain everHollow pinFlattop profile126 linksSteel247g$155AXS Pod UltimateWrapping up the SRAM XX DH Transmission drivetrain is the AXS Pod Ultimate controller. Its light, features a completely new shape and ergonomics, and a huge range of adjustability. It has interchangeable touchpoints and a flippable design for mounting on the right or the left. Not to mention a bunch of customization in the AXS App.Interchangeable convex and concave touchpoint buttonsImproved ergonomics and adjustabilityAXS App50g$220For right now, all SRAM is releasing is XX-level Transmission for DH bikes. If SRAM follows previous patterns, we expect to see XO and GX options shortly. Maybe even direct-mount mechanical DH? Check out all the details at sram.com.The post SRAM Brings Direct Mount to Downhill with New XX DH Transmission appeared first on Bikerumor.

Fairlight's latest gravel bike, the Secan 3.0, is now offered in a new Iridescent Root Beer color. Replacing the Plum color the bike launched with, this paint scheme is the brand's premium option. For more on this color, find details below...The post The Fairlight Secan 3.0 is Mesmerizing in Iridescent Root Beer appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Two new cycle mechanic courses to take place at Rediscovery Centre in Dublin the Cytech Technical Three and Technical e-bike Courses are to run at the end of March and the end of May. The centre said that the first Technical Three course, described as designed for advanced cycle mechanics with strong technical knowledge and experience working on high-end bicycles and equipment, will be running Monday to Friday, March 23rd to 27th, and the first e-bike course will be from Wednesday to Friday May 27th to 29th.The Cytech qualifications, which the Rediscovery Centre are the exclusive provider of in Ireland, were developed and are delivered internationally, and continually updated with the latest innovations and changes in legislation. The centre said that the courses have been adapted for the Irish market for the first time.The Rediscovery Centre said it has worked with UK bicycle distributor Madison to fully fit out their workshop with tools from Park Tool, battery storage from Asecos, parts cleaning by CRC, and a range of components from top brands like Shimano, DT Swiss, and Vittoria to give Cytech learners a full overview of the industry as a whole.Mark Dunn, programme manager at the Rediscover Cycling and lead Cytech Ireland trainer, said: The industry is constantly growing, changing and developing, especially the market for electric-assistance. With that comes the need for new skills and knowledge, the need to keep your training up to date and to remain adaptable to future technologies and trends, and thats where Cytech comes in.Jonathan Harrison, director of the Association of Cycle Traders UK, said: In both training and service work, maintaining a high standard is critical especially when working with sensitive performance and electronic parts. Working with the Rediscovery Centre over the last 2 years has been great, theyve been ideal ambassadors for Cytech Technical Training in Ireland.

Soaring costs are pricing youngsters out of racing, shrinking the talent pool and threatening cycling's future. Meet the parents making huge sacrifices to keep their kids' wheels turning

The new Specialized Levo R uses the same, powerful and punchy motor as the Levo 4, but has 130mm of travel, 29in wheels front and rear, a lighter frame and a less burly parts package. This is a trail bike through and through, designed to be agile and fun whether youre riding up or downhill. But get the new Rally onto the trail, and its far more capable than you might expect. So much so, in fact, I wonder whether its going to tread on the toes of the existing Levo. Although, on paper, it may appear theres a decent enough difference between the two bikes, theres a good chunk of common ground, too. Take the two top-end S-Works bikes, for example. Theres only a couple of kilos separating them when it comes to weight, with the Levo R tipping the scales at a claimed 21.16kg. The Levo R is also incredibly capable and rides like a bike with more than 130mm of travel. Its lively and fun, as promised, but get it pointed down something tricky and itll more than handle it. The existing Levo still rides like a bigger bike should, but the differences might not be as drastic as youd expect. So, with the Levo R being as good as it is, has Specialized shot itself in the foot here, or is there still room for the Levo, too? Read more: Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo 4 review one of the best eMTBs I've tested, but it's outrageously expensive Lower weight, less travel, but still very capable It might have less travel than the standard Levo, but the new Levo R is incredibly capable. Justin Sullivan / Specialized When Specialized presented the new Levo R, it was keen to show us where on the riding spectrum it sits. The current Levo a bike that uses mixed wheels, some tough tyres and a chunky 160mm-travel fork is referred to as "capable, versatile and rugged" with a bias towards descending. The Levo R is said to be "fast, agile, low and light", and is intended to be more of an all-rounder when it comes to going up, along and down. The new bike uses 29in wheels at the front and rear, with 20mm less rear-wheel travel than the standard Levo, at 130mm. This is paired with a 140mm fork, although Specialized says you can run up to a 150mm fork if youre looking to boost capability a little more, closing the gap between the two eMTBs further. Although the bikes look similar, the Levo R has a whole new frame. In all, Specialized says it has saved 530g against the previous bike, shaving weight wherever possible, including the use of a carbon shock extension. This new chassis is built around 29in wheels and designed to be used with a 140mm fork. Despite this and the fact that its meant to be a different offering from the Levo, Specialized says itll take up to a 150mm fork if youre looking to boost comfort or broaden the margin for error. Like the Levo, theres plenty of opportunity to alter the Levo Rs geometry. The head angle can be adjusted via the angled headset cups, giving three options, with the middle position measuring a claimed 65 degrees. A flip chip down at the Horst-link pivot enables to you to lengthen the chainstays by 6mm, with 447mm being the longer of the two options. Thisll also tweak the bottom-bracket height by 5mm and in the lowest setting, sit it up at 339mm off the floor. The flip chip located on the chainstay pivot enables you to change the chainstay length and alter the bottom-bracket height. Justin Sullivan / Specialized At 77 degrees, the seat tube angle should provide a decently efficient seated position for lapping up the trail miles. In short, then, with the travel on offer, the ability to run a bigger fork if you wish and a host of geometry adjustment, the Levo R should be able to handle a lot. Big power and range Specialized sells the Levo R with a 840Wh battery as standard, although the 600Wh battery seen here is available aftermarket, as is a separate range extender. Justin Sullivan / Specialized While the travel figures and geometry stats may differ slightly from the Levo R to the Levo, one thing that remains the same is what the motor is capable of pumping out. After Specializeds recent update, the S-Works 3.1 motor on the top-end model delivers a staggering 111Nm of torque and 850 watts of peak power. If you opt for any of the cheaper models, those numbers are reduced to 105Nm of torque and 810 watts of power. Were still not talking Avinox figures here, but the Specialized motor is certainly one of the gutsiest out there. Its quiet, too, thanks to the lengths the team went to. The driveside housing has been decoupled from the motor mechanism to lessen vibrations, along with applying various surface coatings and treatments to the components within it in a bid to make it run as smoothly as possible. Powering the motor is, as standard, an 840Wh battery. There is also the option to buy a lighter 600Wh battery or boost range by adding a 280Wh range extender. Getting the battery out is extremely easy, as is fitting it. Justin Sullivan / Specialized Within the side-loading battery compartment, Specialized has crammed in some of its SWAT storage, complete with a bag to stow your essentials. For the most part, motor modes remain the same as weve seen on the Levo, although Specialized has added the Micro and Dynamic Micro Tune modes. In these settings, youre able to adjust assistance in 10 per cent increments. Now, though, theres a new 0/0 (in Micro Tune) or 0/100 (Dynamic Tune) on offer, for those looking for more of a workout or to eke out as many miles as possible from one charge. As with the Levo, theres an integrated top-tube display with all the ride data you could possibly need, and plenty of tuning options. The top-tube mounted display offers a whole host of ride data. Justin Sullivan / Specialized Tuning can also be done via the Specialized app, where you can apply the Turbo System Lock for better security and keep tabs on your bike via Apple Find My. When it comes to topping up the battery, Specialized offers its 12A Smart Charger (sold separately), whichll get you up to 80 per cent in less than an hour. The standard 5A charger can manage 80 per cent in a claimed 90 minutes. Capable suspension The Fox Float Genie shock enables you to tune the first 70 and final 30 per cent of the stroke separately from one another. Justin Sullivan / Specialized It might not be able to match the Levo when it comes to rear-wheel travel, but the 130mm the Levo R has on tap manages to feel deeper and more plentiful on the trail. The trail-smoothing sensation is likely elevated by the use of the larger 29in rear wheel (compared to the 27.5in featured on the Levo), which rolls over smaller chatter more easily. And lets not forget the supple, incredibly smooth Fox shock with Genie technology. The dual-stage air spring enables you to tune the first 70 per cent and final 30 per cent separately from one another, and delivers a more linear, coil-like feel earlier in the stroke, helping keep the rear wheel tracking the trail more effectively compared to a standard air shock. The 130mm of travel is dictated by the four-bar, Horst-link suspension system. A very nice touch from Specialized is the lifetime-replacement bearing policy (for the original owner), which should help breath new life into well-used rigs without costing riders a fortune. The conundrum The powerful motor and well-controlled power help make the Levo R a formidable climber. Justin Sullivan / Specialized I get what Specialized is trying to do with the Levo R. Its designed to offer a more lively trail-bike feel for those looking to clock some big miles and have fun while theyre doing it. But perhaps it has made the bike too capable, too powerful and too close to the standard Levo in doing so. Yes, its lighter, but its not a million miles off the Levo's weight and doesnt crack that sub-20kg mark. It's still heavier than the Amflow PL, arguably the best eMTB in this category. The Amflow PL's Avinox motor is still the one to beat in many people's view. Andy Lloyd / Our Media It also has all the power and torque of the bigger bike, and even though the spec is more trail-focused, itll still take a right belting down some serious tracks if you want it to. OK, the Levo is burlier, chunkier and likely a safer bet if youre looking to hammer bike-park laps or ride enduro-style downhill trails, but youll be surprised by what the Levo R can take. Will there still be a place for the Levo, considering the Levo R is so capable, despite having less travel? Justin Sullivan / Specialized Thats why I feel the Levo R might be the better option for most riders. That's not to say the Levo isnt a good bike Ive really enjoyed my time aboard it. But as an all-rounder, the Levo R offers a little more versatility and is still very capable, making the Levo a little less appealing in my eyes. Range overview The big wheels, short travel and seriously punchy motor make the Levo R a great all-rounder. Justin Sullivan / Specialized While only the S-Works model gets the S-Works motor, the two cheaper bikes share the 3.1 motor, which delivers 101Nm of torque and 810 watts of peak power. The S-Works bike also gets the integrated carbon bar and stem, which you won't see on any other bikes in the line-up. Specialized Levo R Comp The Levo R range starts with the Comp model, which will set you back $9,200. Specialized Frame: FACT 11m carbon, 130mm travel Fork: Fox 36 SL Performance, 140mm travel Shock: Fox Float Performance Genie Motor: Specialized 3.1 (101Nm / 810W) Battery: Specialized Turbo X2 840Wh Drivetrain: SRAM S-1000 derailleur, GX Eagle Transmission cassette and chain, SRAM Eagle 70 crankset Brakes: SRAM Motive Bronze Wheels: Specialized Price: TBC / $9,200 / 7,999 Weight: 22.34kg (S3, without pedals) Specialized Levo R Expert For a little extra, you get upgraded suspension, wheels and drivetrain. Specialized Frame: FACT 11m carbon, 130mm travel Fork: Fox 36 SL Performance Elite, 140mm travel Shock: Fox Float Performance Elite Genie Motor: Specialized 3.1 (101Nm / 810W) Battery: Specialized Turbo X2 840Wh Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission Brakes: SRAM Motive Bronze Wheels: Roval Traverse SL II Price: 8,499 / $10,800 / 9,999 Weight: 21.76kg (S3, without pedals) Specialized Levo R S-Works The top-end S-Works build gets the punchiest motor, with the highest torque and power stats of the three-bike range. Justin Sullivan / Specialized Frame: FACT 11m carbon, 130mm travel Fork: Fox 36 SL Factory, 140mm travel Shock: Fox Float Factory Genie Motor: Specialized 3.1 (105Nm / 850W) Battery: Specialized Turbo X2 840Wh Drivetrain: SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission Brakes: SRAM Motive Ultimate Wheels: Roval Traverse SL II Price: 12,499 / $15,650 / 13,999 Weight: 21.16kg (S3, without pedals)