Another day has gone to the breakaway at the 2024 Vuelta a Espana as Pablo Castrillo of Equipo Kern Pharma took a brilliant summit finish win on stage 12, the biggest success of his career to date ahead of Max PooleWith this stage all about the final climb, their was another intense fight to get int...

With the ERC 1100 DICUT 45, DT Swiss sent us their endurance classic to take on the competition in our aero wheels group test. But theres more to these wheels than meets the eye, and they didnt just surprise us on the road they also performed well in the wind tunnel. How do they fare against the high-performance competition?DT Swiss ERC 1100 Dicut DB 45 | 2,500 | 1465 g | Manufacturers websiteWe tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.The 45 mm deep DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT wheelset is a classic of the endurance scene. In addition to streamlined aerodynamics, the wheels are designed to offer compliance on varying terrain, resulting in an excellent ride feel. With their relatively shallow rim depth, they should excel in both mountainous and mixed terrain, while also shrugging off heavy crosswinds on the flat. The perfect wheelset for all conditions, then? With their endurance character and wide rims, the wheels are bang up to date with the trend towards wider tires too, promising to be on par with the highest performers.Swiss engineering the specs of the DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45 wheelsAs one of the largest wheel manufacturers in the industry, DT Swiss have a wide range of parts and know-how to draw from. Accordingly, everything on the ERC 1100 DICUT 45 is sourced in-house. DT Swiss rely on their flagship 180 hubs for these high-end wheels, which are probably some of the most well-known and reliable hubs ever. You also get maximum efficiency thanks to the in-house ceramic bearings. The ERCs also perform convincingly when it comes to weight: at 1,465 g, theyre in the midfield of our group test.Keramik?Die DT Swiss SINC-Keramiklager sorgen fr maximale Effizienz am Endurance-Laufrad.Schn verstecktDie neuen DT Swiss-Aero-Naben verstecken die Straightpull-Speichen im Nabenflansch. Das sorgt fr eine bessere Aerodynamik, einen cleanen Look und noch mehr Steifigkeit.Other than that, the wheels meet all the requirements that you would expect of modern rims. With an internal and external rim width of 22 and 28.5 mm respectively, the design is a bit more conservative, though they still pair well with wide, modern tires. In contrast to the likes of Roval and HUNT, DT Swiss deliberately dont adhere to the 105 % rule, instead keeping the rim width similar to the tire width. According to DT Swiss and co-developers Swiss Side, this is the ideal combination for optimum aerodynamics.DT Swiss guarantee is considerably more progressive, offering an unlimited guarantee on manufacturing and material defects. On top of that, they offer the first owner another ten years of crash replacement.Pure ZuverlssigkeitDT Swiss 180-Naben stehen fr Zuverlssigkeit und Effizienz, kein Wunder, dass die meisten Hersteller auf DT Swiss-Internals setzen.Up to date?Mit 22 mm Maulweite und 28,5 mm Felgenbreite passen die DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT perfekt fr moderne und breite Rennradreifen.Floating on a cloud DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45An endurance wheelset in an aero wheel group test? Thats no problem according to DT Swiss, but the ERC 1100 DICUT 45 wheels offer a completely different riding experience, nonetheless. That much is evident after the first few metres. Compared to the other wheels on test, the ERC 1100 DICUT feel like youre floating on clouds. They feel slightly less direct and stiff, but deliver an incredibly smooth ride. While not necessarily the first choice for a crit race, theyre very pleasant on long distance rides. We were particularly impressed with how well they balance compliance, stiffness, and acceleration, as well as their predictable handling and reliability. The wheels never behave unexpectedly and always fulfil their purpose reliably. They accelerate willingly, make easy work of holding the pace, corner well, and remain stiff and efficient even in a sprint.All of these factors combined result in a wheelset that feels very composed and smooth, not just motivating you to go on long rides, but also to race. The DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT is the ultimate all-rounder a wheelset for all eventualities.Aero wonder DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45 in the wind tunnelWe were also surprised by the aero performance of the DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45. Subjectively, the wheels feel slightly below average. Thats not necessarily surprising at first, considering that our test field includes wheels with significantly deeper rims and super-aero spokes made of carbon. Nevertheless, we felt the DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45 produce a noticeable sail effect.Their consistently high performance is confirmed in the wind tunnel. Its surprising how well the DT Swiss wheels stack up against the competition in this group test. Despite being endurance wheels, theyre roughly on a par with the high-performance models from HUNT and CADEX, which have 50 mm deep rims and carbon aero spokes. Above all, its thanks to the narrower rims and reduced frontal area that the DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45 wheels are able to achieve this. At steeper yaw angles, however, the deeper and wider wheels perform significantly better. That said, the ERC 1100 DICUT performs incredibly well for an endurance wheelset with 45 mm deep rims.Our conclusion on the DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45 wheelset/h2>The DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45 is the big surprise of the group test. They impressed us with perfect balance, a smooth ride, high efficiency, and reliability in every situation. Their performance in the wind tunnel also exceeds all expectations, on a par with the uncompromisingly performance-tuned wheels from HUNT and CADEX. Overall, DT Swiss deliver on their promise and offer a wheelset that excels at more than just endurance riding.Topsvery smooth ride feelhighly predictable and reliableFlopssomewhat understated look the white decals are reserved for the prosFor more information, visit dtswiss.comThe test fieldWe tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.All wheels in test: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLR (Click for review) | Cadex 50 Ultra (Click for review) | DT Swiss ERC 1100 Dicut DB 45 | Hunt SUB50 (Click for review) | Lightweight Obermayer EVO (Click for review) | Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc (Click for review) | Reserve 52/63 (Click for review) | Roval Rapide CLX II (Click for review) | Syncros Capital SL Aero 60mm (Click for review) | Vision Metron 60 SL Disc (Click for review) | Zipp 454 NSW (Click for review) Der Beitrag DT Swiss ERC 1100 DICUT 45 on test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

In his latest video, Josh Reid sets out on the Of Milk and Navvies route, connecting two of Norway's best gravel cycling routes: the Mjlkevegen (the Milk Road) and the Rallarvegen (the Navvies Road). Watch it and learn more about the route here...The post Bikepacking Norways Best Gravel: Mjolkevegen and Rallarvegen (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Trek's latest Procaliber hardtail mountain bike has a new frame compliance system based around a large hole in the top tube.Called IsoBow, the compliance system replaces Treks IsoSpeed design and it's said to be lighter and simpler than its predecessor.Elsewhere, the new Procaliber keeps up with cross-country mountain bike trends, with fork travel increasing from 100mm to 120mm and a more aggressive frame geometry. Trek says the bike has been designed with anyone in mind from rugged gravel riders to World Cup XC racers.The Trek Procaliber starts at 1,200 for the base aluminium Procaliber 8 with the high-end, carbon-framed Procaliber 9.7 AXS topping the range at 4,250. A frameset is also available for 1,400.International pricing is to be confirmed.IsoBow frame complianceThe IsoBow does look simpler than the IsoSpeed it replaces. - TrekTrek says the new IsoBow frame compliance design is lighter and simpler than the IsoSpeed system it replaces, and that its athletes cant feel a difference in compliance between the two systems in a blind test.The new design utilises flex in the rear triangle to smooth out trail imperfections. The seat stays continue past the seat post allowing them to flex and dissipate vibrations.The new system leaves a large hole in the crossbar. - TrekThe Lapierre Prorace CF 9.9 has a similar system, which is a bit like GT's Triple Triangle Design.Only carbon Procaliber models feature IsoBow. Trek says reduced vibrations lead to less fatigue over time. - TrekThe new frame has a floating brake rotor mount similar to Treks full-suspenionSupercaliber XC bike. The mount is said to isolate braking forces from the seat stay flex to increase comfort and provide more consistent braking.Trek says the new Procaliber frame is on average 150g lighter than the previous generation across the sizes.Increased travel and clearanceTrek has designed the Procaliber for elite competition. - TrekThe new Procaliber now uses a 120mm suspension fork. This is in keeping with other cross-country hardtails which have increased suspension travel in recent years.Also following a trend in XC mountain bikes, the new Procaliber can accommodate wider mountain bike tyres, measuring up to 2.4in.Inside the front triangle is room for two water bottles, which should be enough to keep you hydrated on longer riders or in marathon races.Trek hasnt given the bike any frame storage, though there is a mount on the underside of the crossbar where you could mount a small pack.Modern XC geometryThe Procaliber has grown longer and has a slacker head angle. - TrekTrek has also modernised the Procalibers geometry. It now features a slacker 67-degree head angle compared to the 68.8-degree angle of the previous Procaliber.The effective seat tube angle has also steepened to 74.3 degrees from 73.8 degrees to maintain an efficient pedalling position.Reach has increased, too, growing 10mm to 460mm in a size large.Trek says all this has resulted in a bike with calmer handling and increased confidence which should lead to increased speed.Trek Procaliber spec and priceProcaliber 6The Procaliber 6 is the entry-level aluminium frame. - TrekFork: RockShox Judy Silver, 120mmDrivetrain: Shimano XTBrakes: Shimano MT200Wheels: Bontrager KoveeTyres: Bontrager Sainte-Anne Pro XR 2.4inPrice: 1,200Procaliber 8The Procaliber 8 features an SLX shifter and better brakes than the Procaliber 6. - TrekFork: RockShox Recon Gold RL, 120mmDrivetrain: Shimano XTBrakes: Shimano MT410Wheels: Bontrager KoveeTyres: Bontrager Sainte-Anne Pro XR 2.4inPrice: 1,400Procaliber 9.5 Gen 3The Procaliber 9.5 is the entry-level carbon bike - TrekFork: RockShox Judy Gold, 120mmDrivetrain: Shimano Deore 12-speedBrakes: Shimano MT200Wheels: Bontrager KoveeTyres: Bontrager Sainte-Anne Pro XR 2.4inPrice:1,950Procaliber 9.6 Gen 3All Procalibers come with Bontrager Sainte-Anne Pro XR 2.4in tyres. - TrekFork: RockShox Reba RL, 120mmDrivetrain: Shimano SLX 12-speedBrakes: Shimano MT500Wheels: Bontrager Kovee Comp 25Tyres: Bontrager Sainte-Anne Pro XR 2.4inPrice:2,350Procaliber 9.7 AXS Gen 3The Procaliber 9.7 AXS features SRAM's GX Eagle AXS Transmission - TrekFork: RockShox SID, 120mmDrivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS TransmissionBrakes: SRAM Level Bronze 4-pistonWheels: Bontrager Kovee Elite 30Tyres: Bontrager Sainte-Anne Pro XR 2.4inPrice: 4,250

Spaniard takes emotional victory with hard-fought solo mountain break

Aero road bikes have come a long way in recent years, but are they compromising your performance more than you think? To find out, we put Orbea's latest top road bikes, the Orca and the Orca Aero, through some tests

CyclistThe 5 climbs that will decide the Tour of Britain 2024The Tour of Britain kicks off on Tuesday 3rd September in the Scottish town of Kelso. The race will run for six stages from the Borders all the way down to Suffolk for the final stage to Felixstowe on Sunday 8th September. Remco Evenepoel, Tom Pidcock and Julian Alaphilippe lead a strong startlist hunting the overall title.In total, the 2024 Tour of Britain will tackle 9,456m of elevation gain. Stage 3 from Sheffield to Barnsley offers the largest amount of uphill roads with 2,282m of climbing. In the fight for the GC, these climbing metres will prove decisive in the fight for the leaders teal-coloured jersey.The parcours of this years race includes three Category 1 climbs, six Category 2 tests and four Category 3 hills. The majority of these come during the first three stages through the Scottish Borders and Yorkshire.Dingleton Road (Stage 1)Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThe climbs come as soon as Stage 1 on this years race. During this undulating day through the Scottish Borders, the Dingleton [Road] climb will be tackled on two occasions. The race director Rod Ellingworth earmarked the climb saying: for those riders who believe, the final climb at Dingleton can be a launchpad to victory in Kelso.The ascent has been granted Category 2 status at the 2024 Tour of Britain. The inclines begin in Melrose and last for around 2.6km averaging out at a 6% gradient. The climb will see 150m of elevation gain, adding to the 1,855m on offer during the opening stage. The riders will crest the climb for the second time at 20km to go. From there, they will dive down into Kelso for an arrival in the towns cobbled square. Pavel Sivakov of Ineos Grenadiers currently holds the KOM on Strava. He tackled the climb in 4:39 during the 2019 Tour of Britain. On that day, a similar approach to Kelso was negotiated. Back then, Matteo Trentin took the stage win ahead of Jasper de Buyst and Mike Teunissen. Related Posts 5 standout Tour of Britain moments from the last ten years Classic climb: Hardknott Pass, the hardest climb in England Classic climb: Bealach na B, the climb that goes to 11 Tour of Britain 2024 favourites and riders to watch Tour of Britain 2024: Route, start list, how to watch and all you need to know Ugglebarnby Moor (Stage 2)Michael Steele/Getty ImageThe climb of Ugglebarnby Moor is 3km at a 6% gradient. Close to Whitby, the Yorkshire climb will open the hilly proceedings on Stage 2 from Darlington to Redcar.The climb has been warranted Category 1 status, like three of the climbs on Stage 2. The climb peaks with 80km to go, so dont expect it to be a crucial point for riders in the GC. That said, it is within the long-range Evenepoel attack zone. Weve seen him be ambitious before, and with few hilltop finishes and no time-trials at the 2024 Tour of Britain, the Olympic champion might see this as an opportunity to break free.The current Strava KOM is held by Julen Irizar, a former rider of the Euskaltel team. He tackled the climb during Stage 3 of the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire won by Alexander Kamp.Lythe Bank (Stage 2)Ian Forsyth/Getty ImagesThe 1.7km-long Lythe Bank, averaging 7.7%, will be one of the toughest challenges on Stage 2s voyage through North Yorkshire. The climb comes as the riders exit the seaside town of Whitby towards Sandsend. The slopes will also give the riders a glimpse of the sea if they dare to look behind them on the steep incline.Lythe Bank is one of the three first-category climbs in the 2024 race. Therefore, it will be pivotal in the fight for the mountains classification. Its slopes are hardest during its hairpinned opening phase through Sandsend. A measured effort will be necessary to claim the KOM points atop the Bank.Lythe Bank has been used before in the mens and womens Tour de Yorkshire. It hasnt been used in a pro race since 2019, so it will make a welcome return to racing at the Tour of Britain.Saltburn Bank (Stage 2)Ian Forsyth/Getty ImagesSaltburn Bank hasnt been classified as a climb by the organisers. Instead, the ramp will be rewarded with bonus seconds for the first three riders over the summit. The climb isnt too long, but its average gradient of around 14% will make this a tough obstacle towards the end of Stage 2.For followers of British racing, Saltburn Bank will be familiar. It was used in the parcours of the past two editions of the British National Road Championships. During those races, the hill proved decisive in the wins of Ethan Hayter, Fred Wright and Pfeiffer Georgi.To celebrate the arrival of the Tour of Britain, the popular Beefeater Bend is set to be on the Bank during the stage. These royally costumed fans went viral on social media a couple of years back for cheering on British riders around the Tour de France and other European races. If youre in the area, make Saltburn Bank your spectator spot of choice.Hound Hill (Stage 3)A new addition to the Tour of Britain, Hound Hill will be the final categorised climb in Stage 3s rolling stage through South Yorkshire. The climb comes in the final 10km of the day, so it could prove to be a pivotal launchpad for punchers like Julian Alaphilippe or Stevie Williams.The climb is narrow and peppered with a number of sharp 90-degree corners. Its very British in its appearance with high-rising shrubbery on both sides of the road. To add, it also passes over the disused Blackburn Valley railway line. In total, the climb will last just 1.5km at an average gradient of nearly 7%. The hill crests at 4km to go before a final dash into Barnsley up Old Mill Lane an uphill drag in itself.Hound Hill is named after a Grade II listed Tudor farmhousefound at the top of the climb. The house dates back to the late 16th century and was originally built by the Elmhirst family.Read our full Tour of Britain preview including the start list, TV timings and stage profiles. Related Posts 5 standout Tour of Britain moments from the last ten years Classic climb: Hardknott Pass, the hardest climb in England Classic climb: Bealach na B, the climb that goes to 11 Tour of Britain 2024 favourites and riders to watch Tour of Britain 2024: Route, start list, how to watch and all you need to know The post The 5 climbs that will decide the Tour of Britain 2024 appeared first on Cyclist.

Pablo Castrillo has arrived on the biggest stage of Spanish cycling. After a brilliant breakaway performance on stage 12 of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, the Equipo Kern Pharma rider took the summit win.Just after finishing, in the microphones for the press, Pablo Castrillo, exhausted, spoke emotionally...

With the Cosmic SLR 45 Disc, Mavic sent us some true all-rounders to take on the competition in our big aero wheel group test. But can these classic wheels hold their own against the latest performance models on the market? Mavic stand out from the crowd thanks to their innovative nipple design and undrilled rim beds. Can they prevail?Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc | 2,249 | 1419 g | Manufacturers websiteWe tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.As former market leaders in the wheel industry, Mavic have had it tough in recent years. However, the French manufacturers are slowly but steadily making a comeback. As one of the driving innovators of the classic hooked rim, Mavic are back in the middle of the current hookless debate. Its no surprise that the historic French brand continue to place their bets on the hooked design. That said, the Cosmic SLR wheelset doesnt just aim to impress with the tried and tested, but also with an innovative nipple design, making for a cleaner, futuristic rim. But how do the wheels stack up against the competition in our group test?Regaining their former glory? The Mavic Cosmic SLR 45With the Cosmic SLR 45, Mavic arent just breaking new technical ground, but also distinguishing themselves from the competition in terms of looks. The raw carbon look, tactile laser etched SLR logo on the rim, and yellow Mavic accents result in an understated but distinctive look. The rim geometry, on the other hand, is a bit old school. With an internal rim width of just under 20 mm and an external width of 28 mm, the Cosmic SLRs still work with 28 mm tires, but wider tires dont pair so well with the Mavic rims and are likely to compromise their aerodynamics too. The traditional Mavic hook provides peace of mind and makes for versatile wheels that are compatible with a wide range of tires and tire pressures. It also promises an easy tubeless setup due to the continuous rim beds of the Cosmic SLRs simply insert the valve, pop on the tire, add sealant and inflate. This is possible thanks to the innovative design of the spokes and nipples. In contrast to the conventional design, the nipples screw directly into the inner face of the rim, which is thanks to embedded threaded aluminium inserts. As an additional benefit, the wheels can be serviced without having to remove the tires.UniqueThanks to the laser etched SLR logo in the rim, Mavic offer a unique look and feel.Go tubelessWith the undrilled rim bed, there is no excuse not to go tubeless. We want more of this, please!Mavic the innovatorsWith the nipples screwing directly into the rim, Mavic take modern wheel design to the next level.At 1,419 g, theyre slightly heavier than average, but they offer excellent value for money. Theyre amongst the more affordable wheels on test, priced at 2,249. Moreover, Mavic offer a lifetime warranty and a crash replacement scheme thats impressive!ClassicThe hubs are true and proven classics from the Mavic range, making for robust and durable wheels.IconicThe small yellow Mavic emblem is iconic.Spectacularly unspectacular Mavic Cosmic SLR 45With a rim depth of 45 mm, the wheels have all-round written all over them, but what makes good all-rounders? Good climbing characteristics, average efficiency, balanced compliance, and a high level of stability? At least, thats what the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 promise and deliver. Like the DT Swiss ERC, Mavics wheels are incredibly well-balanced, but theyre designed more for all-round racing than for endurance. Thanks to average compliance and just the right amount of stiffness, the Cosmic wheelset accelerates quickly and performs well in sprints, though without feeling touchy or unpredictable in the corners or on fast descents. As such, they work just as well for relaxed group rides as they do for leisurely weekend jaunts. Due to the relatively shallow rim depth and comparatively skinny bladed spokes, theyre highly composed and largely unaffected by crosswinds, too. Overall, they feel like a pair of well-balanced, all-round wheels.Aero all-rounder The Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 in the wind tunnelRiding the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45s, it didnt feel like the wheels offer much in terms of aerodynamic performance. Although significantly faster and more modern than the competition from Lightweight, the equally deep DT Swiss models perform significantly better on the road than the wheels from Mavic. The wind tunnel tests show just how much. The test winning Syncros wheels are separated from the Mavics by an average of 5.5 watts. The Cosmic SLR also loses just under 2 watts to the mid-field formed by HUNT, CADEX and DT Swiss, despite having similar rim depths. Their poorer performance is especially noticeable at moderate yaw angles of 7.5 and up, as well as their less significant sail effect.Our conclusion on the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45Narrow, but not out: While the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 are somewhat skinnier than most modern high-performance wheels, they stand out from the crowd with their clever spoke mounting interface and undrilled rim bed, nonetheless. Whats more, they feel balanced in virtually every situation. Only their aero performance cant keep up with the competition. But if you can spare a few watts, the Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 is a very high quality wheelset with excellent all-round handling.Topshigh quality look with tactile SLR logo and Mavic accentsinnovative spoke tensioning systemno-fuss tubeless setupFlopsrims are slightly too narrow for a modern wheelsetbelow-average aero performanceFor more information, visit mavic.comThe test fieldWe tested these wheels for our big 2024 aero wheel group test click here for an overview of the test field or to check out the individual reviews.All wheels in test: Bontrager Aeolus RSL 51 TLR (Click for review) | Cadex 50 Ultra (Click for review) | DT Swiss ERC 1100 Dicut DB 45 (Click for review) | Hunt SUB50 (Click for review) | Lightweight Obermayer EVO (Click for review) | Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc | Reserve 52/63 (Click for review) | Roval Rapide CLX II (Click for review) | Syncros Capital SL Aero 60mm (Click for review) | Vision Metron 60 SL Disc (Click for review) | Zipp 454 NSW (Click for review) Der Beitrag Mavic Cosmic SLR 45 Disc on test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Based in a small town in Minnesota, Four Dog Stoves manufactures inexpensive titanium lids for a variety of Snow Peak mugs and more. Featuring a lightweight, durable construction and a distinctive wooden handle, they're an endearing little upgrade for your camp cook kit. Learn more here...The post Four Dog Stoves Offers Minnesota-Made Lids for Snow Peak Mugs appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.