Three of red jersey Ben O'Connor's Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team mates received a yellow card after Wednesday's stage 11 of Vuelta a Espana. Why? It's not rare to see GC teams 'blocking' the road to prevent more riders from joining breakaways. But when one of Ben O'Connor's teammates caused Richar...

SUN Ringl has just added the SR 307 & 309 a new line-up of core durable affordable aluminum mountain bike wheels for Enduro and DH mountain bikers. Working with a new 30mm internal alloy rim optimized for aggressive riding and fast-engagement hubs, the new mix-and-match 27.5 and 29 wheels are a great choice for riders looking to upgrade their stock wheels without worrying about bashing carbon on rocksSUN ringl versatile SR 307 & 309 Enduro and DH wheels(Photos/SUNringle)The naming makes it pretty straightforward. SR SUNringl. 30mm internal. 7 & 9 27.5 or 29. And Enduro or DH.These are no-nonsense aluminum mountain bike wheels available with front & rear wheels separately to fit pretty much all modern gravity-leaning mountain bikes. Full 29er, full 27.5, or mullet setups. And with hubs specs tailored for either aggressive all-mountain and enduro or full-on downhill racing, you get just what you need for reliability, durability, and fast engagement. And with three spec levels the OEM-only Comp, affordable Expert, or more premium Pro there are wheels to fit most budgets, too.Whats new?The key new bit is the SR 30 series rim. Its a tough welded 6069 alloy rim for aggressive riding, with a sandblast matte black finish. So, its 30mm wide internal, 35mm external, and 20mm deep. It gets wide hooked beads, a deep center channel, tubeless shoulders to lock your tires in place, and a reinforced spoke bed for strength & durability. And its available in 27.5 (515g) & 29 (545g) diameters, with 28H or 32H drilling. Sun Ringle designed it for 2.3-2.6 tires, and give it no max rider weight limit.Built to Ride, Built to LastSaying durability is king, these arent ultralight wheels and they are any unproven tech. Sun Ringle build the SR 30x wheels around these new rims with their proven CNC-machined pawl-based hubs, double-butted Wheelsmith DB14 spokes & brass nipples.Even though they say the wheels come in Enduro or DH Comp, Expert & Pro, there really are only 3 wheelset combos that make it to the aftermarket.The SR 307/309 Enduro Pro wheels are the top for riding trails. They then feature straight-pull Super Bubba X hubs with fast 90 POE, 4 engagement. These hubs work with 6x 2-tooth pawls that are offset in pairs of 3-pawls to separately engage a 45T ring for those quick 90 points of engagement.The more affordable SR 307/309 Enduro Expert wheels then get straight-pull SRX hubs with 3x single tooth pawls that grab a 30T ring for 12, 30 POEs.The downhill-ready SR 307/309 DH Pro wheels feature a classic J-bend set of Sun Ringles older Bubba hub. These feature the unique ClockD design with two separate 45T rings and two rows of 3x 2-toothed pawls. Then, the rider can either align (clock) the rings together for great strength and 45 POE 8 engagement. Or then move the rings out of sync for faster 90 POE 4 engagement.Tech detailsSun Ringle SR 307/309 Pricing, Options & AvailabilitySUNringle 307/309 Enduro Pro307/309 Enduro ExpertSUNringle 307/309 DH ProThe Sun Ringle SR 307/309 Enduro & Downhill wheels are available to buy individually now, through dealers direct or from the Hayes Group website. The idea is buyers can easily mix and match sizes to fit pretty most modern gravity bikes. And those who have bikes that can run a full 29er or Mullet setup with a flip-chip can easily buy both matching rear wheels to get the most out of their bikes versatility and adaptability.HayesBicycle.com/collections/SUNringleThe post SUN Ringl SR 307/309 Roll Out Durable & Affordable Alloy Enduro & DH MTB Wheels appeared first on Bikerumor.

Stage 11 of the Vuelta a Espaa doesn't look overly dangerous looking at the profile but the final climb in the day heading to Padrn is very steep and has the potential to see another exciting GC battle where Ben O'Connor will be put to the test.Follow our Live Blog down below!

Whether its protection from the sun, mud, dust, or errant tree branches, sunglasses are a good accessory to ride with. Finding a pair that works for you isnt always easy, so I was stoked to try SMITHs Motive and Wildcat sunglasses this summer.The SMITH Motives struck a chord with me right away. They fit my face well, stayed in place during rides, fit with some of my favorite helmets, and they provide a huge field of view. Unfortunately, the Wildcats didnt work as well for me. They were too tall for some of my helmets and slipped down my nose after I got sweaty on a ride. I did like the Wildcats low-light lens, which worked great in its intended conditions.SMITH Motive Sunglasses: FitRight away I liked how the Motive sunglasses fit me. I can push them right up my nose until they touch between my eyebrows, but they still leave enough of a gap at my forehead to vent themselves really well. The lenses are wide, and there is no lower frame to interrupt your vision. The arms are slightly longer than Id require, but that was never an annoyance.As far as helmets go, the Motives proved a bit wide for some of mine. They wouldnt fit with SMITHs Payroll helmet or my ABUS MoDrop, as the arms were wide enough to contact or not fit under the sides of the shells. The Motives worked great with my Oakley DRT5 and Specialized Ambush 2 helmet.Ride Impressions:My Motives came with ChromaPop Violet Mirror lenses and clear lenses. My first ride was in drizzly conditions to light rain, so I started with the clear lenses.The clear lenses produced no condensation during the climb, and I only got a tiny bit of fog on them while stopped twice. Both times the lenses cleared up quickly, even by just sliding the glasses down my nose. In any kind of motion, condensation was never a problem.The field of view the Motives offer is excellent, especially from left to right. The lenses extend far out to both sides, so you cant see the edges as you ride. Top-to-bottom visibility is also great, as the bottoms are out of view and the top clearance is very good. If you really look, the bottom outer edges of the lenses are visible, but my eyes never went there during rides. Initially, I felt like I could see the nosepiece quite a bit, but this was quickly forgotten.The Motives large lenses do a great job of blocking wind, and will protect your eyes from dirt and debris. They were also very good at staying put on my nose; I never needed to adjust them during a ride. Aside from the arms feeling a bit tight on my temples after one early test ride, I had no ongoing comfort issues with the Motives. CP Violet Mirror Lenses:Allowing 10% light transmission, SMITHs ChromaPop Violet Mirror lenses are dark enough to provide ample shade for a fully exposed ride on a bright, sunny day. The ChromaPop lenses are also tuned to enhance color, clarity, and definition. I did notice trail surfaces looked very well defined with them.There is a tradeoff for having enough shade for full sunshine: The Violet Mirror lenses do get a bit dark when you dive deep into the woods or if the sun goes away. They were hardly unbearable to ride within such conditions, but theyre a bit darker than youll need in the shady forest. At no point did I manage to produce one bit of condensation on the Violet Mirror lenses. Clarity is also excellent with both the clear and Violet Mirror lenses. Changing lenses is very easy with the Motives; just tug on the outer top corner of the frame and the lens literally pops right out (be ready to catch it!). Putting lenses in is just as easy.One final note: Since I like their looks and the lenses are fairly dark, I sometimes wear the Motives causally as well as for riding.The Motive sunglasses weighed in at just 27g.MSRP for the Motives ranges from $175-185. There are six different frame and lens combinations available. SMITH includes a hard case and soft spare lens bag with each pair.Wildcat Sunglasses: FitKnowing the Wildcats are a popular sunglass I was stoked to give them a try, but they just didnt jive with me like the Motives did. First off, the Wildcats always want to sit crooked on my face. Despite playing with the adjustable nose pads, the glasses always took a bit of fiddling to get them sitting level. This is not an issue I typically have with sunglasses.As for compatibility with helmets, I found the Wildcat frames too tall for Smiths Payroll helmet. It should be noted that I have a shallow skull, and the Payroll helmet fits quite deep on me. I had the same issue with my Oakley DRT5 helmet The sunglasses are tall enough to contact the forehead. The Wildcats did work fine with my shallower-fitting Rudy Project Protera and my ABUS MoDrop.Ride Impressions:My Wildcats came with SMITHs ChromaPop Rose Blue Mirror lens (ideal for low light conditions) and a clear lens.My first ride was with a clear lens, and it provided crystal-clear vision. It was a warm, damp day, and I only got a bit of fogging while stopping for breaks. As soon as I got moving, the condensation disappeared quickly, and I had none whatsoever while moving up or downhill. Throughout my testing with both lenses, the worst condensation I got was during that first humid ride, and only while I wasnt moving. Otherwise, both lenses did a great job of staying clear.The Wildcats frames are visible in your peripheral vision, particularly at the outer bottom edges, but as soon as you get focused on the trail they become easy to ignore. Throughout all my test riding, the Wildcats arms and nosepiece remained perfectly comfortable. The length of the arms is also ideal for my head.ChromaPop Rose Blue Mirror Lens:I first tried the Rose Blue Mirror lens in sunny conditions that were not ideal for it and it was not ideal! The lens did offer decent shade from the bright sun, and it was clear it was helping to brighten up darker patches of the forest. However, I discovered some issues with reflections in direct sun.One day I wore the Wildcats while driving to work, and I noticed the lens produced reflections of bright lights (like oncoming car headlights). I could also see blue dots on the lens with both of my eyes, and a blue haze appeared at the outer edges of the lens. Once I noticed this, it became pretty distracting!Of course, these sunglasses arent designed for driving in bright sunshine, so I rode with them in sunny conditions. Even on the trails, when the sun was behind or beside me it created reflections on the lens. Fortunately, the lens proved to be great in the conditions it was intended forOne day I got a perfectly ideal overcast, dimly lit summer day. The Rose Blue Mirror lens is great in these conditions. The yellowish hue makes the deep forest appear brighter (especially yellows and greens) and helps your eyes see with better definition. To my naked eye, the woods seemed duller and the colors looked more muted. Also, in low light conditions, there were no issues with reflections on the backside of the lens.Swapping lenses on the Wildcats isnt really difficult, but it involves a bit of tugging and pulling. Its hard to change them without getting your fingers all over the lenses so be ready to wipe them clean! Another issue I had with the Wildcats was they didnt stay in place well. As soon as my skin got sweaty the Wildcats would slide down the bridge of my nose. On a bumpy trail, they would slip downwards within a few seconds of riding.After one ride like this, I realized I had the nose pads pushed outwards, and my skin was touching the frames more than the rubber pads. However, I rode again with the pads pushed inwards and the glasses hardly did any better at staying in position. Also, Im confident my helmet wasnt pushing downwards on the frames, the nose pads just werent providing much grip.The Wildcats hit my scale at 31g.The Wildcat sunglasses retail for $215-255 depending on the model. SMITH offers a large assortment of frame colors and lens options. A hard case (with a slot for an extra lens) and soft bag are included with each pair.smithoptics.comThe post SMITH Motive And Wildcat Sunglasses Review: Steve Finds One Clear Winner for His Face appeared first on Bikerumor.

Stage 11 of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana saw the fight for the Red Jersey ignite once again. For Soudal - Quick-Step's Mikel Landa, it ended up being a solid day despite a slight scare on the final climb of the day.Its been another hard stage," reflected the Spaniard afterwards in conversation with S...

Stage 2 of the Renewi Tour is a 15-kilometer long time-trial, a day that will be crucial for the overall classification and will see a battle between riders such as Filippo Ganna, Mikkel Bjerg and Jonathan Milan. We take a look at the start times and order.The first rider to start his effort will b...

This last weekend in Portland at the MADE Show, we got to see a bunch of really amazing people. And they were showing off their amazing talents. Including dynamo light guru/aficionado, David Dean of Sinewave Cycles. This year at the show, he was showing off the new Sinewave Cycles Taillight. (Photos / Ron Frazelle)The new Sinewave Cycles Taillight can connect to a front dynamo light, or battery, or even be used on an eBike. But, it has another very unique feature. Most, if not all of the rear dynamo lights available on the market need a front dynamo light to work. But, the new Sinewave Cycles Taillight does not. It can be run directly to the front dynamo hub.Blinking. off.. on. Perfect for those that dont need/want/like front dynamo lights. When run straight to the dynamo hub, it allows the Snewave Cycles Taillight to be always on. No need to mess with chargers or batteries, you just have a working rear light thats ready to shine as soon as the front wheel is turning. Clever and simple mounting hole. Simple Mounting solutionThe new Taillight has an optional blinking mode and a stand light that remains illuminated for 5 minutes after the bike has stopped. Taillight Innovative FeaturesPowered by headlight, battery, or directly from the dynamo hubSelectable blinking modeIntegrated reflectorFlexible installation optionsWaterproofMade in the USAI am a massive fan of the Sinewave Cycles Beacon 2, and you can read about it in my review. I would imagine that it is a sound bet that the new Taillight will be of equal build quality, with the same technological innovation. If you like what you see and want to learn about Dynamo products, check out their site by hitting the link below. SinewaveCycles.comThe post MADE Show: Sinewave Cycles Compact Dynamo Rear Light, No Dynamo Hub or Front Light Needed appeared first on Bikerumor.

Councillor welcomes student discount and calls for wider review of DublinBikesDublinBikes Dubllins orignal on-street bicycle share system is offering a new discounted student subscription.With a student ID, students sign up at DublinBikes.ie to avail of the discounted 20 rate, which is 15 cheaper than the standard rate.Annual subcription include the free use of the bicycles for the first 30 minutes of each journey, and if there is no space at a docking staion you can get extra time to return it to another staion.Cllr Feljin Jose (Green Party) said: This is a great initiative to encourage more students to take up cycling. DublinBikes is a fantastic scheme and is the easiest way to get around Dublin City.He added: Unfortunately, the membership fee has risen considerably since its launch and is now much higher than the TFI Bikes scheme in other cities. While this helps to rebalance that for students, I would like to see a full review of DublinBikes including its unusual public-private partnership setup, geographical coverage as well as fees.

Wout Van Aert showed monstrous performance on Tuesday to with the tenth stage of Vuelta a Espana. With three victories and a comfortable lead in the points classification, the Visma | Lease a Bike rider took a seemingly day off on Wednesday to finish 12 minutes back.However the Belgian assures that...

Once again,Jonathan Milan did what he knows best and launched an extremely long, but any less powerful, sprint to win the opening stage at the Renewi Tour. Looking forward to the coming stages, the bonification seconds will come more than handy in Milan's quest for the overall victory. The next ste...