In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical writer Tom Marvin and MBUK staff writer Rachel Bennet are joined by Dr Fiona Spotswood, an associate professor in marketing and consumption at the University of Bristol.With mountain biking being such a male-dominated sport, the team discuss ways in which female participation could be boosted and some of the issues holding women back.Dr Spotswood shares her research, including the structural and cultural barriers to female participation, as well as highlighting the areas that have seen successful growth in recent years.How to subscribe to the BikeRadar PodcastThe BikeRadar Podcast takes you to the heart of the issues that matter for bike riders, whether you're a roadie, mountain biker, gravel rider or commuter.From the latest tech news, reviews and debates, to interviews with the biggest and most interesting personalities in cycling, the podcast is your direct line into the BikeRadar team.To make sure you dont miss a future episode, you can subscribe via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

The final Grand Tour of 2024 is almost upon us and for Team Jayco AlUla, there is a final chance to make an impact at the top of the general classification standings as they put forward an eight-man lineup full of options for the Vuelta a Espana.With a climbing heavy lineup, the Aussie-based outfit...

Colnago has released a rim brake C68 frameset with a claimed weight of 1,080g, costing 6,299.99 / $7,750 / 6,750.The C68 Rim Brake is a modular, carbon frameset handmade in Italy and compatible only with electronic groupsets.The premium Italian brand says the addition of a rim brake frameset completes the C68 range, which already includes a disc brake road bike and an all-road bike.Colnago's C68 Rim Brake joins the few top-end rim brake framesets still made. - ColnagoColnago had a rim brake bike in its range until 2022, when the disc brake only V4Rs replaced the V3Rs.Indeed, Tadej Pogaar rode the rim-brake V3Rs on mountain stages during his 2020 and 2021 Tour de France wins.Now the three-time Yellow Jersey winner races exclusively on the VR4s all-rounder, which we weighed at 7.71kg at the Grand Dpart.Pogaar could save weight by riding rim brakes. However, we suspect a combination of cajoling from Colnago and the promise of watt savings converted him to the more aerodynamically optimised V4Rs.A painted size 485 frame is claimed to weigh 1,050g. - ColnagoAs ever, there is tech the pros cant have but you can. And by launching the C68 Rim Brake, Colnago hopes to appeal to cyclists in search of a high-end, modern rim-brake frameset.The widespread adoption of road disc brakes has almost wiped out this kind of bike. Most of the rim brake bikes you can still buy are more affordable.For example, Pinarello used to offer the Dogma F race bike in rim-brake form, but the latest version is disc-brake only.The C68 uses direct-mount calipers. - ColnagoThe C68 Rim Brake is nearly identical to the disc brake version, apart from a couple of modifications to enable rim brakes to be fitted.Colnago has altered the fork and seatstays, so you can attach direct-mount rim brake calipers.The quick-release dropouts are 3D-printed titanium. - ColnagoIn place of thru-axles, the C68 has 3D-printed titanium quick-release dropouts. Colnago says titanium is one of the few metals to bond perfectly with carbon.In terms of electronic groupsets, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 is your only option if you want the latest version in rim brake form.The C68 fork has been modified to accept rim brakes. - ColnagoOtherwise, youll have to go back a generation, for example to Campagnolo Super Record EPS. The Italian groupset makers latest version (Super Record Wireless) is not available with rim brakes.Modern rim brake road bike wheels wont be easy to find either.Included in the C68 Rim Brakes 6,299.99 / $7,750 / 6,750 asking price are the frame, fork, headset and seatpost.

After spending his entire professional career in the colours of Soudal - Quick-Step and their various different names over the years, Julian Alaphilippe will move on to pastures new in 2025.Whilst the French star and Soudal - Quick-Step's at times controversial team boss Patrick Lefevere haven't al...

A new 60-cent charge on paper bags at Brown Thomas and Arnotts department stores has been called out as greenwashing while the retailer continues to oppose a climate action Pathfinder project around its central Dublin stores.The department stores which are jointly run and owned are seen as key members of the Dublin City Centre Traders Alliance, which was set up to oppose the College Green Plaza and is currently opposing the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, which is a Pathfinder project aimed at accelerating climate action by giving priority to sustainable transport and reducing emissions. Dublin Bus, the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council have said that the transport plan will make buses more effective in the city centre and also help cross-city bus routes run more effectively. The transport plan is also supported by a majority of councillors, public consultation submissions, and groups such as the Climate and Health Alliance.ALSO READ: In numbers: Dublin City Centre Transport PlanThe Dublin City Centre Traders Alliances only apparent activity is lobbying against car-free spaces on College Green and Capel Street, as well as projects such as the Liffey Cycle Route and now the transport plan.Brown Thomas-Arnotts, which runs Brown Thomas and Arnotts department stores, was sold a number of years ago by the IrishCanadian Westen family to the group made up of Thailands Central Group and Austrias Signa Holding.According to media reports today, Brown Thomas-Arnotts chief executive Donald McDonald said: We were the first retailer in Ireland to set science-based targets to reduce our emissions, and now we are the first to commit to aiding afforestation efforts on the island of Ireland.He was referring to a new 60-cent charge on paper bags, profits from which will go to planting trees across Ireland as part of the retailerss new partnership with Crann, which describes itself as a voluntary tree organisationdedicatedto the promotion and protection ofourtrees, hedgerows and woodlands.McDonald claimed that the partnership underscores our dedication to the environment and highlights the critical need for afforestation in Ireland.Jason Cullen, the chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition, a group dedicated to promoting sustainable transport, said the company was obstructing climate mitigation measures in its trading areas in central Dublin.The irony of Brown Thomas faux concern for the climate, by implementing a cost-saving measure is not lost on the commuters of Dublin plagued with ever-increasing traffic as they sit on public transport, due in part to their obstruction of climate mitigation measures, Cullen said.He added: If Brown Thomas were genuine about wanting to address climate change, then perhaps they could start with supporting measures to improve the air quality, greening, public transport and pedestrian space in the city they trade in.Its not the first time that the higher-end retailer has made environmentally friendly claims while opposing transport projects that are at least partly aimed at reducing emissions. The company said in 2021 that it is promising to cut its emissions by 50% by 2030.At the time, McDonald said: As a business in existence for more than 175 years we have always put sustainability at the heart of everything we doBut responding to that, the Dublin Commuter Coalitionsaid: They have been holding up progress in Dublin for years. Either they or the Dublin City Centre Traders Alliance (a car parking business conglomerate which claims to represent them) have opposed to: College Green Plaza, Liffey Street pedestrianisation, Interim Liffey Cycle Route, COVID mobility measuresto name but a few.

The Tour de France Femmes did not start as hoped for Team SD Worx - Protime. The Dutch WorldTeam worked the entire stage to preserve their chances for the first yellow jersey. But unfortunately Lorena Wiebes's derailleur broke off at the worst moment possible.Lorena Wiebes returned to the incident a...

After looking uncharacteristically weak in his first race since the Tour de France last weekend at the Clasica San Sebastian, Jonas Vingegaard was dropped very early and eventually failed to even finish. As such, the Dane's form heading into the 2024 Tour de Pologne is something of a question mark....

Ahead of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, one of the big talking points was whether or not UAE Team Emirates would really leave out the star of Spanish cycling Juan Ayuso from their lineup. We now have official confirmation as the team have revealed their eight-man Vuelta team with the 21-year-old nowhere...

Remco Evenepoel's heroic deeds in Paris couldn't have gone unnoticed 300 kilometers further north in Belgium. After all, it's not so often Belgians get to celebrate both road race and time trial gold medals. And it's absolutely unprecedented to have been accomplished by a single rider at the same Ol...

Michael Woods has witnessed the rise of his compatriot and teammate Derek Gee this season from a first-row seat. However he himself had a disastrous start to 2024, topped off with an early abandon at Giro d'Italia. At Vuelta a Espana, he'll try to write a story with much happier ending."Im really e...