Specialized's affordable mullet bike gets an upgrade, and the top-end model still only costs 3,500Specialized Status 2Specialized has launched the Status 2, an updated version of one of the best mountain bikes around that now comes Continue reading

Theres a new family of bikes coming out of the Specialized stable the Status 2.Its not a new name, with the previous generation of Status bikes being pocket-friendly rippers for those looking for an aggressive ride. And, in many ways, this new breed of Status follows that formula.However, rather than there being one Status, there are now three occupying a broad range of intentions, all built with M5 alloy frames.At one end, is the Status 2 140 a trail bike built for those who prioritise durability and snappy handling over weight and a feature-full chassis. Those riders might want the new Stumpjumper instead.Park laps or DH tracks, the Status 2 170DH should be a good stepping stone to a full-blown DH rig. - SpecializedAt the other end, theres the Status 2 170 DH. If its not too obvious from the name, its a 170mm-travel bike with a 180mm DH fork, built for wannabe downhill racers and park rats.Then theres the middle model, the Status 2 170 a burly enduro bike with 170mm travel.This 170mm version will be sold as a frameset in the USA for $2,000.Even if youre not interested in tearing up the woods, Specialized says the Status 2 is great for hitting up a few stair steps on the way back from the corner shop.Trail riding, laps in the woods, stair sets or sending it to the Post Office all in a day's work for the Status 2 140. - SpecializedThe bikes are built with durability in mind, while specs are focused on suspension and braking performance, rather than time being spent on hitting specific performance metrics. These are designed to be no-nonsense MTBs for those who just want to jump on a bike and ride.Alloy mullet wheels are fitted to all the bikes, along with basic but effective drivetrains and finishing kit.In addition to the new bikes, Specialized is introducing a new S0 size to the Status 2 range, designed for riders under 5ft. Rather than the regular mullet setup, these S0 models get a 27.5in front wheel with a 26in rear.Specialized Status 2 140The 140mm-travel version of the Status 2 should be a proper ripper in the woods. - SpecializedThe Status 140 2 is a rough-and-tough trail, jib, or short-travel enduro bike, with 140mm Marzocchi Z1 forks and a Marzocchi Bomber piggyback air shock offering up normal squish.TRPs Trail EVO brakes provide the stopping power, while a Shimano Deore groupset gives the drive.In keeping with the intentions of the bike, the geometry is suitably dialled.Air shocks ensure plenty of tunabiity. - SpecializedIn the Low setting, theres a 64-degree head angle and a 77-degree seat angle, while the BB drops 38mm below the axles for a relatively slammed ride.Reaches and stacks range from 415mm to 515mm and 605mm to 636mm respectively across the S1-S5 size range, while chainstays are a snappy 427mm in the S1-S3 and 432mm in the S4 and S5.A flip chip raises the BB by 8mm and steepens angles by half a degree, if you want a slightly taller ride its worth noting that the bikes will ship in this setup.$3,500Specialized Status 2 140 ZEROThe smaller S0 bikes get specially tuned shocks for lighter riders. - SpecializedThe S0 version of the bike comes with a similar build, although it has a SRAM NX drivetrain and SRAM Code R brakes.The suspension has been tuned for lighter riders.This includes a more progressive leverage rate to give those running lower spring pressures the necessary mid-stroke support, while theres still tunability late in the stroke with volume spacers possible.Flip chips in all the bikes steepen or slacken angles by half a degree, and raise or lower the BB by 8mm. - SpecializedThis setup is also said to help overcome the friction inherent in air suspension units something lighter riders are more likely to feel.The same angles are present, although the reach is down to 390mm and the stack is 377mm. You still get the flip chip though.Lower standovers, narrower bars and shorter cranks are also specced.$3,000Specialized Status 2 170Don't want to spend tons on your next enduro bike? The Status 2 170 might be the answer. - SpecializedLots of squish is provided by the longer-travel Status 2 170 .Theres 170mm of travel at either end, doled out by Foxs 38 Rhythm fork and a Performance-level DHX Coil shock.The bike shares the same TRP brakes and Deore groupset, although while the 140 gets Grid Trail Butcher tyres at both ends, the longer-travel 170 receives a stouter Grid Gravity rear tyre.Reaches range from 420mm to 520mm and stacks 620mm to 652mm. The head angle (Low) is 64 degrees, while the seat angle is 77 degrees.3,000 / $3,500 / 3,700Specialized Status 2 170 ZEROShorter riders have an option with the S0-sized Status 2 140 and 170. - SpecializedAvailable in the S0 size only, the build of the Status 2 170 ZERO is similar to the Status 2 140 ZERO, although theres a 170mm Fox 36 Rhythm fork and a Fox air shock to aid tunability.The NX drivetrain and Code brakes remain.Theres a 597mm stack and a 390mm reach, along with 432mm chainstays.$3,000 / 3,700Specialized Status 2 170 DHThe Specialized Status 2 DH is a 170mm-travel budget DH and park bike. - SpecializedThis model has a descending focus.At the front, theres a RockShox Boxxer Select fork, paired with a Super Deluxe Select coil shock.SRAMs new Maven brakes are on stopping duty, while you get a 7-speed GX DH groupset this is one for those happy pushing up the hills or getting on an uplift.Grid Gravity-cased tyres feature on the front and rear.The head angle is raked out to 63.5 degrees, thanks to that longer fork, while reaches in the S2 to S5 size range are spread between 445mm and 520mm.Theres no ZERO-sized model in the 170 DH flavour bike.3,500 / $4,500 / 4,200

There will be no third successive Tour de France victory for Jonas Vingegaard, barring a miracle on the final two stages. After another destructive display by Tadej Pogacar on stage 19, Vingegaard is now languishing over five minutes down in the general classification."I was not on a good day," Vin...

The Van Rysel performance bike brand of big box retailer Decathlon is about to get a new carbon FCR aero road bike. We spotted several riders of AG2R La Mondiale racing the next-gen Van Rysel FCR at Le Tour de France. Lets take a closer look at what the new bike looks like and how it compares to the brands current RCR race bikeVan Rysel FCR prototype carbon aero road race bike(All photos/Cory Benson)Its the first year of Van Rysel bikes on the road World Tour with the sponsorship of the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team. And while Decathlon already had an affordable do-it-all lightweight carbon road race bike with aero features in their RCR, its not quite on par with the latest aerodynamic trends. So enter the Van Rysel FCR, designed in Flanders at Decathlons massive Lille, France HQ and bike assembly facility.Whats new?The big differences between the existing RCR and this new FCR prototype are of course the aerodynamic optimizations. We dont have any concrete details about aero improvement claims, but these gray & black camouflaged bikes feature much more dramatic aero tube shaping compared to their light all-rounder road bike.The Van Rysel FCR prototype fork features deeper tapered legs, and a crown that smoothly transitions into a horizontal rib at the top of the downtube.From the side, the downtube itself, seattube (with new rear wheel cutout), and seatstays are all narrow, deep airfoil shapes. And the headtube is also incredibly deep, maybe 3x as deep as the old bike.Out back, the prototype Van Rysel FCR aero road bike features a long & narrow proprietary aero seatpost now a bit deeper even than the RCR. And an internal wedge clamps the seatpost in position, accessed from the top, under the small rubber cover. The seatstays are narrower from the front, deeper in profile, and actually look to be set a bit closer to the rear wheel compared to the existing road bike although still with a similar dropped position and flat top.From the front there also appears to be more clearance around the front tire whether thats to allow for smoother airflow or just to fit larger modern tires.Aero finishing kitThe AG2R prototype Van Rysel FCR aero bikes also are the first we spotted in competition to use the new fastest ever Continental x Swiss Side x DT Swiss Aero 111 aerodynamic front tire.The prototype bikes were also fitted with what is labeled as a one-piece Deda handlebar cockpit. The rounded front profile, step-down for clean bar tape finishing, simple out-font GPS mount, and recessed top cap mount look like the latest Alanera RS. But the cockpits stem seems to be missing the signature ridge across its top or the angular side shaping of the Alanera RS, suggesting this may be an unreleased Deda bar, or a 1-piece cockpit that will come with Van Rysel branding.Also, the AGR team has further modified the cockpit with an extended top cap, matching steerer spacers, and the resulting long aero-shaped upper headset cover. Of course, all the cables on the bike are routed fully internally, and maybe that extra stem real estate make it easier to route everything into the frame?Van Rysel FCR prototype Availability timelineOfficially, this Van Rysel FCR aero road bike still a prototype according to the UCI approval stickers on the race bikes we spotted at le Tour. But while that doesnt confirm a concrete timeline, it does mean that Van Rysel did have to confirm that the bike was in its final stages of development and they committed in the UCI application to make the FCR available to the public within the next 12 months. RCR (l) vs. FCR (r)Our guess is that theyll want to have the new bike in Decathlon stores by the end of next winter. And it looks like it will join the all-rounder RCR as a more dedicated aero option from Van Rysel.Decathlon.comThe post TdF Prototype: Next Affordable Van Rysel FCR Aero Road Bike Raced at Tour de France appeared first on Bikerumor.

He might not win this year's race, but the Dane could still finish second, mere months after being seriously injured in a crash

Tadej Pogacar is set to reclaim the Maillot Jaune after two successive years being the runner up at the Tour de France. In his latest display of dominance, the UAE Team Emirates leader burned the likes of Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel off his back wheel on the slopes of Isola 2000 to take his...

Dublin City Council has started the phased opening of more outbound sections of the cycle path on the Clontarf to City CentreCycle and Bus Priority Project.The project has been delayed twice. Its original finishing date was Q1 2024 it was extended to Q2 2024 last year and then this year extended again to at least late Q3 2024. The majority of the inbound section of the cycle path was finished last year.On social media, Dublin City Council said: As part of the #ActiveTravelNetwork Clontarf to City Centre Scheme 500m of outbound cycle track along Amiens Street and North Strand Road extending from Talbot Street junction to Seville Terrace was opened today, Friday 19th of July. The protected arrangement on the Five Lamps Junction is now open to cyclists travelling in all directions.At Five Lamps, there is what is called a Dublin-style protected junction, and campaigners have raised significant concerns about the operation of such designs. The project includes a full boundary-to-boundary renewal of footpaths and the carriageway, new pedestrian crossings, continuous footpaths at minor side streets and private access points, more continuous bus lanes; extended bus stops which can fit at least two buses with upgraded shelters, new greenery and new water mains on both sides of the roads and streets.An extension of the project from the junction of Talbot Street to the quays is part of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, the faith of which is currently unknown while the councils chief executive decides whether to delay the plan or not.New section of the Clontarf to City Centre cycle route outbound. Talbot Street to Seville Terrace@IrishCycle #c2cc https://t.co/qApnGwFfB4 pic.twitter.com/Fe71EwZ5OW Kevin Sheedy (@KevSheedy) July 19, 2024

Belgian was unable to follow Tadej Pogaar's attack on the climb to Isola 2000 on Friday

CyclistFlashback Friday: Warren Barguil wins in polka dots on Bastille Day in 2017Stage 9 of the 2017 Tour de France was a chaotic day. Astanas Fabio Aru attacked race leader Chris Froome of Team Sky as he raised his hand for a mechanical. Froomes teammate Geraint Thomas abandoned after a crash, as did BMC Racings Richie Porte. And in the finale, Rigoberto Urn (Cannondale-Drapac) got stuck in the single 53/11 gear, but somehow managed a bike throw on the line to take the win just ahead of Sunwebs Warren Barguil.It wasnt a disappointing day for the Frenchman, however. Having made it into the breakaway on a stage with seven classified climbs, three at hors categorie classification, Barguil led over the Grand Colombier and the Mont du Chat to take maximum mountain points and thrust himself into the polka dot jersey. He would reach even greater heights four stages later.A victory to celebrateA.S.O./Pauline BalletA French rider winning a stage in the French Grand Tour on Bastille Day it doesnt happen often, but when it does its a memorable occasion. Stage 13 on 14th July 2017 was short at just 101km, but it packed in a series of Category 1 climbs. Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) and Mikel Landa (Team Sky) broke away from the main bunch, encouraging Barguil to team up with Movistars Nairo Quintana to chase them down. The two pairs eventually merged to form a quartet, and Barguil added to his lead in the mountains classification, taking maximum points on the final climb, the Mur de Pgure. It was a lengthy 25km descent to the finish in Foix that followed. All would sprint for the victory, but Barguil shot around the corner with his head in the wind and never relented, crossing the line to become the first Breton stage winner since 1993 and the first Frenchman to win on Bastille Day for 12 years. Related Posts How to fix the Tour de France King of the Mountains classification Is this the end of Tour de France breakaways? Flashback Friday: The day Marcel Kittel won his final Tour de France stage in Pau Flashback Friday: When Julian Alaphilippe almost won the Tour de France And repeatA.S.O./Thomas MaheuxStage 18, the final mountain day at the 2017 Tour, featured the hors categorie Col dIzoard as a summit finish for the first time. A well-represented 50-man breakaway (only three teams didnt make the cut, Team Sky included) got away from the main peloton, which included Barguil and the main GC favourites.However, in the final kilometres, Barguil attacked, shaking off Contador and hoovering up every man in the splintered breakaway. It was in the final kilometre of the Izoard that the lead rider on the road, UAE Team Emiratess Darwin Atapuma, had his heart broken as Barguil sailed past to claim his second stage victory of the Tour. With only a hilly day and a time-trial remaining before the processional Stage 21 to Paris, the polka dot jersey was as good as his. He just had to finish the race.Barguil got through the final stages unscathed and amassed an 89-point lead in the mountains classification ahead of Primo Rogli (LottoNL-Jumbo). He would also make it into the top ten on general classification. Barguils Sunweb squad had other successes in 2017 as well, with sprinter Michael Matthews winning two stages and seeing off competition from Marcel Kittel (QuickStep Floors) to win the green jersey of the points classification.The top his race off, Barguil was also awarded the super-combativity award for the Tour, although the decision proved to be somewhat controversial. Thomas De Gendt of Lotto-Soudal had spent over 1,000km in the breakaway in addition to winning the same number of daily combativity awards as Barguil (one each); the public vote suggested the Belgian should have taken the accolade too.Still, there was no doubting that Barguil was the deserving winner of the polka dot jersey, and by being the only Frenchman to have won on Bastille Day since 2005, his legendary status was assured.The post Flashback Friday: Warren Barguil wins in polka dots on Bastille Day in 2017 appeared first on Cyclist.

Team Visma | Lease a Bike would have known it was a tough task to try and wrestle the Maillot Jaune from a seemingly faultless Tadej Pogacar on stage 19. In the end, Pogacar showed again just how good he is at the moment, breaking the hearts of not only Jonas Vingegaard, but also Matteo Jorgenson in...