This weeks Debrief features drop bars on full-suspension bikes, a new Rodeo Labs Spork, Schwalbe Radial Tires, the MEC Kleversack, a Sklar Studio Tour, two events to follow live, and much more. Find it all hereThe post Friday Debrief: Drop Bars on Full-Suspension Bikes, New Rodeo Labs Spork, Schwalbe Radial Tires, and More appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

BikeTiresDirect will give one lucky winner their choice of a pair of Favero Assioma DUO Double-Sided Power Meter Pedals or Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 Power Meter Pedals.Whether you ride road, gravel, or mountain Favero Assioma makes power meter pedals to handle the conditions. In short, the DUO double-sided pedals are for roadies and the PRO MX-2 are for off-road.In addition to power meters, BikeTiresDirect is home to the worlds best selection of bicycle tires, plus tons of other cycling gear. Explore their collection of complete bikes, components, apparel, accessories, computers, and much more. Be sure to check out The BikeTiresDirect Instagram and YouTube for product launches, features & community content!Answer the short survey from the folks at BikeTiresDirect for a chance to win, and read more about the two power pedals you can choose from if youre the lucky winner below!Favero Assioma Power Meter PedalsFavero Assioma DUO Double-Sided Power Meter Pedals are designed for high-performance road training sessions and are LOOK Keo cleat compatible. Each pedal has a power sensor to provide instantaneous Angular Velocity (REAL) data instead of an average velocity. Thats because of the exclusive IAV Power system tech and an integrated gyroscope used for its data. The power meter pedals also incorporate the temperature and weather conditions when measuring watts.The pedals connect via Bluetooth and ANT+ providing up to 50 hours of pedaling before recharging. These are Faveros lightest and most compact pedal-based power meters, which are waterproof and shock-resistant. The Favero Assioma PRO MX-2 Power Meter Pedals are made for MTB and gravel rides and are SPD-compatible. They have integrated rechargeable batteries that last 60+ hours on a single charge and connect via Bluetooth or ANT+ to be compatible with most apps, watches, and cycling computers.The pedal body is 6061-T6 aluminum so its both light and sturdy when you take on all kinds of trails. Like other pedals, these can be swapped to other bikes.So how do you win a pair? Answer the questions below for your chance!The post GIVEAWAY: Take Our Survey for a Chance to Win a Pair of Favero Assioma Power Meter Pedals appeared first on Bikerumor.

UPDATED August 9, 2024BY The TDA TeamINMagical Madagascar no comments The Magic In The Magical Madagascar Cycling AdventureAs most people are aware, TDA Global Cycling offers tours through some very very unique countrieslike Algeria, Malawi, Mongolia, Albania, Nicaragua and many more. Each of them has its own distinctive attraction and each of them is fairly far off the standard tourist map of the world. One country, however, really stands out amongst all these special places, the isolated island nation of Madagascar.A bicycle journey in a different dimension of reality. It was almost as riding on another planet. Eli Baron (USA), 2023The countrys unique and unforgettable flora and fauna, including tenrecs, fossa, upside-down trees, giraffe-necked weevils and 33 species of lemur are a result of being geographically isolated from the rest of the world for over 80 million years. A welcoming population is surrounded by a land of incredible vistas, diverse landscapes, humid rainforests, high plateaus, dry deciduous forests, endless savannah, secluded beaches and hidden coves.The first Magical Madagascar ride took place in 2017 and then again in 2019 and 2023. Each time, the riders who took part were flabbergasted, utterly astonished at their experience. It was indeed magical noted 2019 cyclist, Jeanine Hartnett after her ride while in 2017 rider David Houghton concluded that Madagascar is one of the last wild places left in the world.The next Magical Madagascar Cycling Adventure begins next May. Here are some reasons not to miss out on the opportunity to pedal through a country like no other.The Perfect Day: Cycling Through the Rainforests of MadagascarAs I walked through town, mothers would rush into their houses and re-emerge with toddlers, pointing at me and encouraging them to wave and say hi. People crossed the road to shake my hand, while others called out, Welcome to Madagascar! Not once have I come across anything but warm hospitality and genuine friendliness in this country so far. Read MoreFour Things Youll Never Know About Madagascar From Watching The Movie, MadagascarAs you ride through Madagascar, youll often see peoples occupation or purpose in what they carry: a shovel or a machete, a sack of rice or firewood, a woven bag, well-worn jerry cans that are bruised-banana yellow. Most everything in Madagascar is handmade, from wooden carts to wobbly fences to hand-painted signs, and youll see the Malagasy in the process of making them every day. Read MoreThe Wonders On The Magical Madagascar Cycling ExpeditionTake for instance, since I am talking about travelling, the Traveller Tree, otherwise known as Ravenala. This beautiful, big, fan-like tree, which many people mistake to be part of the palm tree family, opens its fan like crown from east to west. If a traveller is lost they can immediately orient themselves in the right direction. Read More7 Magical Reasons To Visit MadagascarPerhaps the most magical aspect of Madagascar is its culture. It reflects the origins of the Malagasy people originally from South East Asia and East Africa but more recently followed by the arrival of Arabs, Indians, British, French and Chinese. Traditional practices such as zebu sacrifices, emphasize the links between the ancestors and the living, as does the famadihana, a turning of the bones reburial ceremony. Read MoreThe Arteries Of Modern Day Living: Roads & The Madagascar ExperienceBeyond the locals cycling alongside or past you, there are zebu carts to avoid, chameleons racing across the road, kids and students walking to school in the early morning and home in late afternoon, and a wide array of buses, vans and cars. Yes, it can be challenging on these roads sometimes, but the rewards of what one can experience is truly spectacular. Read More.RELATEDTOURMagical MadagascarMadagascar, the world's 4th largest island, is certainly a world unto itself and is often referred to as the 8th Continent. Geographically... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "The Magic In The Magical Madagascar Cycling Adventure" Cancel reply

CyclistInside the secretive world of the derny pacerFor many people new to cycling, their first encounter with a derny was probably at the Rio Olympics.The mens keirin final made headlines when it was forced to restart on three occasions, apparently due to the fault of a man perched on some sort of two-wheeled motorised contraption behind which the riders were jostling.Who was this imposter? Why was he on that strange machine instead of a bicycle? Why did he stick out his knees like that?Questions, it must be said, that those unfamiliar with cycling and particularly track racing can be forgiven for asking.New and unfamiliarGeoff Waugh / CyclistIndeed, even those familiar with the role of the derny rider were a little perplexed by this new and unfamiliar version of one of cyclings oldest and most fabled roles.Where was the engine? The helmet and goggles? The portly midriff and moustachioed upper lip? This wasnt the derny pacer of cycling lore and tradition.The idea of motorpacing in bike races has been around almost as long as bicycle races themselves.From the late 19th century, people had cottoned onto the fact that it was possible to ride faster and conserve more energy while in the slipstream of another rider, so speed record attempts often employed the use of a pacer.In the early days this was simply a tandem (or a tandem-esque bike with two or more positions to pedal from), but as paced events at velodromes and closed circuits proved a popular spectator sport, it was only natural that speeds grew and engines were added.Geoff Waugh / CyclistBefore the century was out, iconic races such as Paris-Roubaix and the now-defunct Bordeaux-Paris were being thrashed out behind motorbikes, all in the pursuit of maximising what was possible on a bicycle.Engine sizes grew, and the dangers of motorpacing rose as a result, with primitive early 20th century bicycles unable to withstand the rigours of the required speed, until the UCI stepped in to regulate the type of vehicle used in 1920.A short period later and the now-familiar derny was born, when Roger Derny et Fils began building machines with pedals, handlebars, saddle and the rough frame of a bicycle, but with a small kick-starting engine placed between the riders legs and a petrol tank wedged between the handlebars.It was a formula that with a few amendments along the way would stand the test of time.Now the bikes are all made in Belgium by a guy who used to be a pacer himself, says Peter Bauerlein, an esteemed pacer who is speaking to Cyclist at the London Six Day. Arie Simon is his name, like you can see written on the dernys.Geoff Waugh / CyclistInto the den of the dernysA glance around at the bikes indeed reveals the name Simon emblazoned across the top tubes, and I nod in appreciation, before returning to sit beneath Bauerleins gaze in a little room reserved for the pacers, beneath the boards of the Olympic velodrome.Bauerlein sits in the middle of a ring of 45 to 65-year-old men, each perched forward in their chairs, cross-armed and cross-legged, listening thoughtfully to the questions Im aiming in their general direction.Its like Ive gained entry into a secret Masons-esque lodge, where its members are suspicious of me and my motives but are willing to humour me and my enquiries for a while.Geoff Waugh / CyclistAre you the ringleader then? I ask Bauerlein after a few more questions, and an eruption of laughter fills the poky room, momentarily replacing the thumping sound of Europop and echoey commentary from the velodrome outside.Yes, he replies, to my surprise. I have to discuss with the organisation everything to do with the derny pacers and what they need from us. We are really a team. Actually we have a name the Derny Team Europe.I started pacing in 1986, whenJoop Zijlaard was in charge, says Bauerlein after I ask about hishistory as a pacer.Joop is his father, someone says, pointing to a colleague, who duly nods in response. Joop was the greatest, and Ron here is on his way to being the greatest.Secret nameWhat do they call you then, Peter? I venture, having heard that theres a special name for the derny MC, but Im only met with another wave of chuckles.If there is a secret name for the derny ringleader, it seems I am not to know it, and for now will have to do with the nicknames that eachof the pacers are given.Bauerleins, I discover, is no less than Der Kaiser, which translates as The Emperor but back to the bikes.They are all exactly the same geometry and measurements they have to be under regulations, Bauerlein adds.But riders can change the motor manufacturer and other things on the bike, so they are actually quite personalised.Geoff Waugh / CyclistLook at this one, pipes up Walter Huybrechts, another pacer, in an accent as thick as the frames of his glasses. Look at the filter its water resistant, isnt it? I nod and try to act knowingly. That must mean he rides his bike outside, in the criteriums, he says in reference to the city-centre crit races, run on a similar basis to the post-Tour crits, but as motorpaced events.Most of the guys have Brooks saddles, Huybrechts adds. But here you can see some guys are riding with the gel saddles too.Everyone has their own idea of what makes a better derny bike. They make adjustments but dont tell anyone, because everybody thinks they have the best bike and the advantage.Asking about the electric bike used in Rio causes a minor fracas among the pacers, and prompts Huybrechts to start recalling an esoteric anecdote about a time he watched a game of football at Wembley as a boy.I struggle to get the drift of his tale, but it seems his point is that motorpacing without screaming engines is the equivalent of Wembley without screaming fans.Geoff Waugh / CyclistMasters and servantsThe more time I spend with the riders, the more sensitive I become to the competition that wafts in the air between them, and how serious the derny race is for them.As part of the London Six Day format the dernys feature once a day, in the last race of the evening, when one rider from each of the 16 teams is partnered with a derny pacer, and the pairs contest what is effectively a paced scratch race.But the impression no, assertion given from the pacers around me is that this is their race.We make the decisions in the derny race, gruffs Christian Dippel, a stolid, bespectacled man boasting a mean moustache.The Metronome! one of the other riders exclaims upon Dippels contribution. They call him The Metronome because hes so steady, I hear chuckled through the laughs now surrounding us, and The Metronome grants his obvious admirers a faint smile.If you want to go faster then Dippel pauses and draws our attention to an open palm down at his side, with fingers opening and closing, to illustrate the signal for more speed.Allez!, you shout. But if the riders cant follow then he shouts, Ho! Its a universal language.Communication, it would appear, is paramount for a strong pairing between rider and pacer, but the nature of the Six Day format means effective communication isnt easy to come by.Geoff Waugh / CyclistHere in this competition we have a draw in advance of the race, says Bauerlein of the way the partnerships are settled.We [dernys] are numbered and have our starting position on the track decided already, and then the riders go up on stage and pull numbers out of a hat. Those numbers correspond to one of us, and there you have a pair. Its directly before the start of the race.We always like to talk to the riders before the start of the race, though, another voice says. This drawing system is new the last three years or so.Before then it was always the same team combination, a partnership, but its only at some events you can still work like that. Like with Michal and his partnership with Kenny de Ketele at the European Championships.A glance at Michal Vaarten, the reigning European champion, is met with a Terminator-style glare.All about trustIt is a close partnership and he has to trust you, says Ron Zijlaard, son of the aforementioned Joop.For sure, if you get paired with a big star then you feel it, says Zijlaard. Like here with Wiggins and Cavendish.But you must not show it you cannot let the rider know you are feeling nervous because it is a close partnership and he has to trust you.Somebody else goes to speak, but Zijlaard is on a roll about the complex relationship between rider and derny pacer: You have to feel it. You have to be something.Derny partnerships are 80% trust and 20% focus. Its about the connection when I turn my head, or when he makes a noise.I tell you what, butts in another voice from across the room. Its the Dutchman Rene Kos. The relationship is kind of like a horse and a jockey, he says in a conclusive tone, as he pulls his jersey out of the bag at his feet and begins to prepare for the biggest race of the night ahead.But which one is the horse? I ask. Well, the rider, of course.This article first appeared in Cyclist magazine in 2017. Related Posts Every Olympic track cycling event explained Emma Finucane Q&A: The goalposts just keep moving Story behind the picture: Merckx the derny rider Japanese keirin: sport and culture beyond the velodrome The post Inside the secretive world of the derny pacer appeared first on Cyclist.

Wout van Aert worked incredibly hard without much tangible reward at the 2024 Tour de France. After a spring ending crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen earlier in the year, the Belgian superstar wasn't quite at the level required to add another stage win to his palmares.In the new, Team Visma | Lease a...

Comment & Analysis:With all of the exaggerated and misleading media coverage of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, some people still think cars are being banned from central Dublin this is just so far from the truth.After the decision was made to proceed, the plan is due to be rolled out on August 25th, just over two weeks from now.Even when all of the measures contained in the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan are implemented, people will still be able to access city-centre car parks, on-street parking, etc, by car. But its worth stressing how minimal starting changes are planned to be.It will likely annoy the supporters of the traffic plan who want to see faster progress. But it will also make some of the objectors look rather silly Im thinking of those who said that the plan should be implemented on a more phased basis.Because thats exactly whats planned: A phased rollout with temporary measures at first with the ability to adjust layouts after the traffic changes time to bed in.The changes could be said to be too minimal to start with, and the city council should examine the traffic layout between Capel Street and Jervis Street to make it clearer that there is only local access on the quays east of Jervis Street.Here are the councils explainers of the changes on both quays:This is the drawing of Bachelors Walk provided by Dublin City Council to this website:Its worth highlighting that the number of cars per hour being diverted is not a huge figure given that the motorists are highly unlikely to all take the same route. Past experience and evidence show a significant number will also switch to walking/cycling/bus/Luas/train or not making some trips.200 the approximate number of cars and other private vehicles per hour on Bachelors Walk.390 the approximate number of cars and other private vehicles per hour going straight from Burgh Quay to Aston Quay past OConnell Bridge.To give these figures context, the passenger-carrying capacity of a single green-line tram is 408, and80-100people is the approximate range of the people-carrying capacity of most Dublin Bus vehicles.And when I say unlikely about all motorists diverting into the one route, I mean to the point of it being next to impossible. No single route would take all of this extra traffic. If motorists are not accessing the area around or before OConnell Street, the detour around the restrictions should take place at Jervis Street and before it, such as the North Circular Road or Church Street. But that does not mean that theres going to be huge amounts of extra traffic on these streets and roads.Many of them are at or near capacity. What happens is that these roads or extra busy for a while, but the same effect of pushing people to use other modes happens again on these routes. It takes time for people to adjust so thats why these kinds of traffic changes need weeks or even months to fully bed in.Some should divert well before even the city centre. For example, if youre going from the N4/M50 at around Liffey Valley Google and going to somewhere around the Point Village, Google Maps doesnt even recommend using the quays for most of the day, even during the summer:If motorists go as far as OConnell Street, the detour is significant because people really should be detouring before that point. There are also very few changes on the south quays at OConnell Bridge most of the changes are already in place with the cycle path thats been under construction for some time.The changes on the north quays should take quite a few Id be a bit more worried that the right turn from the south quays, from Burgh Quay to OConnell Bridge, might be more problematic for buses and trams on OConnell Street. Depending on where somebody is going, it might not be much of a detour compared to the Bachelors Walk detour, which should encourage detouring earlier.Being able to hold back traffic at the Burgh Quay turn to OConnell Bridge may be key to not allowing the bridge and OConnell Street from being clogged up.As far as the already problematic area of Parnell Street to the west of OConnell Street where Luas, most northbound buses and cars share space and valuable traffic light time.Strangely, this section of Parnell Street was not named in the traffic plan. It needs bus priority measures and a redesign of Parnell Street in general. It has relatively narrow footpaths with high footfall and a lot of carriageway space thats not really used much. Its ripe for a redesign.If all goes well, Dublin should be looking at a core area with far more lower-traffic areas, starting with the most central sections of the quays. But Dublin City Council should be looking at a wide set of streets to see what happens with changes in movement patterns and be ready to respond as through traffic is removed, that might include avoiding extra access traffic to car parks filling the free-up space, such as the famous de Bijenkorf traffic de Bijenkorf traffic jams which was just line of traffic to a car park.Cycling could play a part in providing motorists with an alternative, but it will require more continuous segregated cycle routes for that to happen, and it looks like it wont be happening on Day 1 to the level its needed.

This week's Reader's Rig comes from Alex in Michigan, who shares his Colorado Trail Race-ready Ibis Exie, which we also featured in an in-depth YouTube video earlier this week. Meet Alex and find a look at his full-suspension bike here...The post Readers Rig: Alexs Ibis Exie appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Coming down of the high of Crankworx, its time to shake out the remaining bits. While this wasnt the biggest year for expo booths at Crankworx Whistler, there are always some interesting prototypes and new products to be found around the village. In this article, well check out Sam Pilgrims new signature watch from Swatch, Race Faces recently released Chester pedals and eMTB Turbine wheelset, and peek at some prototype carbon dirt jumper wheels from NOBL.Swatch Sam Pilgrim signature watch:Swatch held an evening soiree to celebrate the release of their Proteam Collection watches, one of which is mountain bike freestyle superstar Sam Pilgrims signature Tread On It model. The Swatch Proteam also includes mountain bikers Erik Fedko, Finn Iles, and Casey Brown.Pilgrims signature watch features spokes on the watch face, a tire tread pattern on the rubber strap, and colorful details on the strap loops. The red pusher on the side also features a tooth logo, in honor of Sams missing front chomper!Photo c. SwatchSwatchs first Proteam Collection also includes signature watches from Coco Ho (surf), Matthias Dandois (flatland BMX), and Andy Anderson (skate). Prices range from $120-205.Race Face Chester Pedals and Turbine eMTB Wheels:Race Face had a display to show off their recently released Chester pedals at Crankworx Whistler. This stand shows the small and large size options, plus their many colors. Check out our recent launch article for complete specs and details.Hiding in plain sight at the FOX demo booth was the new Turbine eMTB wheelset. The wheels were on a Rocky Mountain Slayer display bike, set up with beefy parts for bike park shredding. If youre wondering why theyre not on an eMTB, its because some riders may choose to run the eMTB wheels on unassisted bikes simply due to their increased strength. The wheelset was officially announced on July 16th.Race Face wanted to ensure the Turbine eMTB wheels were strong, but not at the sacrifice of ride quality so theyve maintained a degree of compliance. The wheels feature front and rear-specific aluminum rims, steel axles, and thicker spokes than Race Faces Turbine wheelsets. Despite achieving a weight of 2145g per set, Race Face says the Turbine eMTB wheels can handle huge impacts before suffering unrideable levels of damage.NOBL prototype dirt jumper rims:At NOBLs booth, I spotted this dirt jumper bike with some deep-dish carbon rims parked prototype, so I had to ask some questions! Upon request from some of their team riders, NOBL crafted some 26 carbon rims for dirt jumping. At this point, they have no plans to produce the wheels, but Im told the team riders are pretty happy with them. One of NOBLs employees mentioned the lightweight rims make it a bit easier to spin 720s!The post Crankworx Whistler Booth Finds, Prototypes and New Products appeared first on Bikerumor.

UPDATED August 9, 2024BY The TDA TeamINMagical Madagascar no comments The Magic In The Magical Madagascar Cycling AdventureAs most people are aware, TDA Global Cycling offers tours through some very very unique countrieslike Algeria, Malawi, Mongolia, Albania, Nicaragua and many more. Each of them has its own distinctive attraction and each of them is fairly far off the standard tourist map of the world. One country, however, really stands out amongst all these special places, the isolated island nation of Madagascar.A bicycle journey in a different dimension of reality. It was almost as riding on another planet. Eli Baron (USA), 2023The countrys unique and unforgettable flora and fauna, including tenrecs, fossa, upside-down trees, giraffe-necked weevils and 33 species of lemur are a result of being geographically isolated from the rest of the world for over 80 million years. A welcoming population is surrounded by a land of incredible vistas, diverse landscapes, humid rainforests, high plateaus, dry deciduous forests, endless savannah, secluded beaches and hidden coves.The first Magical Madagascar ride took place in 2017 and then again in 2019 and 2023. Each time, the riders who took part were flabbergasted, utterly astonished at their experience. It was indeed magical noted 2019 cyclist, Jeanine Hartnett after her ride while in 2017 rider David Houghton concluded that Madagascar is one of the last wild places left in the world.The next Magical Madagascar Cycling Adventure begins next May. Here are some reasons not to miss out on the opportunity to pedal through a country like no other.The Perfect Day: Cycling Through the Rainforests of MadagascarAs I walked through town, mothers would rush into their houses and re-emerge with toddlers, pointing at me and encouraging them to wave and say hi. People crossed the road to shake my hand, while others called out, Welcome to Madagascar! Not once have I come across anything but warm hospitality and genuine friendliness in this country so far. Read MoreFour Things Youll Never Know About Madagascar From Watching The Movie, MadagascarAs you ride through Madagascar, youll often see peoples occupation or purpose in what they carry: a shovel or a machete, a sack of rice or firewood, a woven bag, well-worn jerry cans that are bruised-banana yellow. Most everything in Madagascar is handmade, from wooden carts to wobbly fences to hand-painted signs, and youll see the Malagasy in the process of making them every day. Read MoreThe Wonders On The Magical Madagascar Cycling ExpeditionTake for instance, since I am talking about travelling, the Traveller Tree, otherwise known as Ravenala. This beautiful, big, fan-like tree, which many people mistake to be part of the palm tree family, opens its fan like crown from east to west. If a traveller is lost they can immediately orient themselves in the right direction. Read More7 Magical Reasons To Visit MadagascarPerhaps the most magical aspect of Madagascar is its culture. It reflects the origins of the Malagasy people originally from South East Asia and East Africa but more recently followed by the arrival of Arabs, Indians, British, French and Chinese. Traditional practices such as zebu sacrifices, emphasize the links between the ancestors and the living, as does the famadihana, a turning of the bones reburial ceremony. Read MoreThe Arteries Of Modern Day Living: Roads & The Madagascar ExperienceBeyond the locals cycling alongside or past you, there are zebu carts to avoid, chameleons racing across the road, kids and students walking to school in the early morning and home in late afternoon, and a wide array of buses, vans and cars. Yes, it can be challenging on these roads sometimes, but the rewards of what one can experience is truly spectacular. Read More.RELATEDTOURMagical MadagascarMadagascar, the world's 4th largest island, is certainly a world unto itself and is often referred to as the 8th Continent. Geographically... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "The Magic In The Magical Madagascar Cycling Adventure" Cancel reply

Colnago goes all nostalgic, releasing a rim brake C68, while Cervlo's Caledonia-5 is now more practical and comfortable, but still racy. Men can celebrate a new razor, just for them.