Lara Gillespie has underlined her form as she continues her last block of road racing before the World Track Championships; taking a very strong result in the Netherlands today. The UAE Team ADQ suffered a little bit today for the lack of a better lead-out in the final kilometre of the 154.8km stage 2 at []The post Lara Gillespie gets in among the big stars in World Tour action | Video appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Recently I came across this opinion piece, and I even read some of it:The accusation? Shimano doesnt care about gravel people:See, we know this because punters are conducting Internet searches for What is best garvel biek? and landing on their listicles:And even though Shimano does in fact have a whole line of gravel stuff its just not enough, becausetheyre dominating the UCI Gravel World Championships anyway?!?Is the conclusion to draw from this really that Shimano doesnt care about gravel? Or is the conclusion to draw that the GRX stuff is for the punters, but that both Shimano and the pros understand that the road stuff works on gravel too? This is an extremely dangerous situation, because if people start figuring out that not everything has to be gravel-specific then the whole house of cards is gonna fall! And happens then? Not to mix metaphors, but the gravy train comes to a halt. No more gravel helmets:No more gravel eyewear:No more gravel socks:Sorry, make that aero gravel socks:Also, no more FAQs on how to install your aero gravel socks on your feet for that matter:I honestly cant believe I just saw How do I put on my socks? in an FAQ, and I think cycling may have officially hit rock-bottom.Wait, no, this is rock-bottom:Sorry, its hard to keep track.But yes, were perilously close to everyone finally figuring out that the word gravel in a cycling context serves to other purpose except to increase SEO. As Ive pointed out before but dont remember where, if you remove the word gravel from pretty much any bike-related marketing it has no effect on the meaning whatsoever. Its like the little nut on your presta valveleave it off and youll never notice:Actually, the bike industry is clearly aware of the danger because you can see theyre slowly trying to replace the word gravel with the word adventure. This is a slight improvement, because sometimes the word adventure is gratuitous, and sometimes its not. For example, its reasonable to say bike adventure because not every ride is an adventure, but its silly to call a bike an adventure bike since any bike is capable of going on an adventure. Its like calling this a musical enjoyment speaker instead of just a speaker:If it were the bike industry thered be a different one for every single genre of music and the only difference between them would be the color.Anyway, hopefully Shimano reads that opinion piece and figures out they can slap a gravel edition sticker on their standard Dura-Ace drivetrain, put some olive drab detailing on it, and charge $1,000 more for it.Speaking of colors, the leaves are full of them:Yes, I had myself a real gravel bike adventure on my gravel adventuring bike this morning:This despite Shimanos utter lack of concern for gravel and adventure and adventure-gravelling:In fact, as you can see, Ive gutted my drivetrain in protest.At one point I also came across these seemingly abandoned wheels and tires:Fuck it, Im going tubeless, someone must have decided.

On the 10th of October we have the final Italian classic before Il Lombardia Gran Piemonte is a race that often changes its route and always brings something new to the table, making it an interesting race to follow every year. There are also some interesting names on the startlist in 2024.The final...

CyclistBest bike covers 2024: Keep your bicycle dry outdoorsIf your bicycle needs to live outdoors, youll keep it in much better shape with one of the best bike covers. Rain can quickly corrode your chain, leaving you with a high-friction, creaky, unsightly component that will make your ride that much more difficult. Over time, other components such as headsets and wheels can suffer too. Keep your bike under a cover and youll shelter it from the worst of the weather.Of course, keeping your bike indoors is better still, but even with the best bike storage solutions, that may not be practicable. The best bike chain lubes and water displacing sprays can help, but are likely to get washed off over time.So if youre going to keep your bike outdoors, here are our top recommendations for the best bike covers to help it survive the weather.Best bike covers at a glanceBikeParka StashOxford AquatexTopeak Bike CoverVK International Bike CoverEvoc Bike Rack CoverScicon Road Bike CoverDecathlon Bike CoverPro Bike Tool Bike CoverHalfords Bike TentChallenge Bike CoverWhy trust our advice?Here at Cyclist, riding is a way of life. Were constantly out reviewing the best road bikes, plus we regularly ride our own bikes into the office or for errands. That means a lot of bikes to store and we dont always have space for them all. So a weatherproof bike cover, along with one of the best bike locks, is an essential for when one of our own bikes needs to live outdoors for a while. Related Posts Chain lube vs chain wax: Pros, cons and which should you choose? Buyers guide: Best frame protection for road and gravel bikes Buyers guide: Six of the best bike boxes How to pack your bike into a bike box The 10 best bike covers 2024BikeParka Stash39.95 | View offerBikeParka makes a wide range of covers to suit everything from kids bikes to cargo bikes. The Stash is its standard cover and adjusts to different frame sizes. Fitting is just a case of pulling it backwards from your front wheel, while a toggle on top will take up the slack, so it shouldnt blow around.Made from ripstop fabric, the BikeParka is repairable and the Stash is available in five colours, including camo. It comes with its own stuff sack, so you can keep it out of the way when not in use, or carry it with you.Oxford Aquatex22.99 | View offerOxfords bike covers are a popular choice; youll frequently see the motorcycle version around. Theres a range of bike covers including double, triple and cargo bike options, as well as heavier duty Pro versions. The cover is held in place by an elasticated lower hem and the fabric is double PU coated to keep out water.As with the BikeParka and most of our selected products, theres a storage carrier option when not in use.Topeak Bike Cover47.99 | View offerTopeak is a maker of everything bike-related, from multitools to bike boxes and, in this case, a bike cover. Its designed specifically for 29er MTBs, but should work equally well for flat bar commuter bikes. Made of nylon, it weighs a claimed 330g and packs into its own stuffsack.VK International Bike Cover17.99 | View offerDutch brand VKs covers come in a range of colours and designed to fit a range of bike styles, including tandems, e-bikes and cargo bikes, as well as pairs of bikes. Made with super-durable woven materials, VK claims that its covers will last an average of seven years before needing replacement, with some designs offering more. The Classic cover has eye loops to allow you to lace it down or to the bike. At 425g, its a little heavier than some other bike covers.Evoc Bike Rack Cover149.99 | View offerThe Evoc Bike Rack Cover is designed specifically for use when transporting your bike on a car bike rack, but would also serve for at-home use. Its designed to completely enclose a road bike, with zipped closures over the wheels and straps to stop it from flapping when youre driving. Its made from durable, water resistant fabric that should provide good water protection too.Scicon Road Bike Cover55 | View offerA brand with a big presence in bike bags for transport, as well as furnishing Pogaars eyewear, Scicon also sells bike covers. There are separate designs for road and mountain bikes, which are lightweight, with a claimed 300g weight for the road cover. Its also durable and waterproof and folds into its own built-in pocket. Buy now from BikeInn (38.99)Decathlon Bike Cover19.99 | View offerAs youd expect, Decathlon makes a low-priced, functional bike cover that works for a range of bikes. Available in one or two-bike sizes, the cover has an elastic hem to help keep it in place and is secured around the bikes frame by Velcro. The cover comes with its own storage bag; at 580g, its heavier duty than some options here, but on the downside Decathlon doesnt claim that its waterproof and it will only protect your bike from light rain. Pro Bike Tool Bike Cover29.99 | View offerNot the Shimano sub-brand, but sold via Amazon, the Pro Bike Tool cover is available in three sizes, to fit up to three bikes. Its made with ripstop fabric and heat-sealed seams make it waterproof. Adjustable for a secure fit, theres a front hole for a lock and reflective loop handles that fit over the handlebars and make it easier to take the cover off.Halfords Bike Tent50 | View offerThe Halfords Bike Tent avoids the need to stretch a cover over your bike by providing a rigid structure with loop poles, guy ropes and wall anchor points within which you can store up to three bikes. Its waterproof and UV resistant and has a built-in groundsheet, as well as folding into its own storage bag. It would be a good option for travelling, as well as for home storage. Halfords also sells more conventional bike covers for one or two bikes.Challenge Heavy Duty Bike Cover15 | View offerThe Challenge bike cover is sold by Argos, making it widely available throughout the UK. Its sold in one bike and two bike sizes. Its a fairly simple PVC sheet design, with elastic at either end of the hem and held in place by a strap under the bottom bracket.Buy now from Argos (15) Related Posts Chain lube vs chain wax: Pros, cons and which should you choose? Buyers guide: Best frame protection for road and gravel bikes Buyers guide: Six of the best bike boxes How to pack your bike into a bike box The post Best bike covers 2024: Keep your bicycle dry outdoors appeared first on Cyclist.

Weve seen a number of devices add dampers into your drivetrain to combat pedal kickback for smoother, more supple suspension, but Rimpacts new Chain Damper puts it directly inside a special chainring sandwich. Promising stiffness, all weather durability & a incredibly stiff and creak-free design, the Chain Damper uses its own proprietary chainrings, but a classic direct mount crank arm interface to make it easy to fit to your bikeRimpact direct mount MTB Chain Damper and chainring(Photos/Rimpact)Yes, we know Rimpact for their foam tire inserts that prevent rim impacts, so what are they doing with a mountain bike chainring that damps chain slap?Well, theyve now engineered a new gadget that they claim will momentarily capture the energy from your bouncing chain and smooth it out over time (damping) to quiet drivetrain feedback on your bike, both figuratively and literally. Smoothing those spikes in tension, Rimpact says their Chain Damper delivers a silent and calmed ride characteristic that lets the rider focus in on subtle suspension movements and the sound of tyres[sic] gripping the dirt. So you get smoother suspension and a quieter ride? What more could a mountain biker ask for!Why do you want or need to damp your chain in the first place? Simply put, on most full suspension bikes, as the bike moves through its travel chain length changes most often increasing. So as you stand on your pedals, the tension in the chain between your chainring and cassette keeps the bikes suspension from moving smoothly. By detaching your chainring from your feet slightly, the chainring can rock back and forth when you are standing flat on the pedals descending through rough sections, allowing smoother suspension action. The same effect is there to a lesser extent when pedaling through chunky sections of trail, as well.Also, as you quickly hit sharp edged bumps your chain simply bounces around above and below your chainstay. Its the reason we modern mountain bikers all ride clutched derailleurs these days. But that can really only be managed on the bottom loop of chain between the derailleur & chainring. So Rimpacts Chain Damper chainring will damp that movement on the top of the chain, preventing chainslap, and seriously quieting your ride.(Animation by Theo Charrier/Rimpact)A chain weighs around 260 grams on average and the top part of your chain, (the length between the chain ring and cassette) can move at 8 meters per second, completely uncontrolled. Clutch derailleurs offer some amount of control to the lower part of your chain but the top remains free to flail wildly. Here at Rimpact, we think the significant effect of this uncontrolled chain energy plays a bigger part in unwanted ride characteristics than other sources of negative drivetrain feedback.A damped chainring means a smoother feel, better rear wheel grip on the ground, and a quieter ride in the end, too.Tech detailsdirect mount compatible withShimano MTB, SRAM 3-bolt X-Sync & SRAM T-Type 8-Bolt crankarmsCNC-machined 7075-T6 hard anodized narrow-wide chainrings available in 30, 32, 43 & 36T sizes11 & 12-speed compatible, including SRAM T-type compatibility2 stiff internal springs capture and return the energy from your chain2 internal elastomers limit rotation to +/-5 and damp the energy return1 main IGUS bushing handles rotation and 4 thrust bushings handle alignment between the chainring & Chain Damper spider2 X-ring seals between the fixed spider and rotating chainring keep water & dirt out, and are designed to survive UK winterstotal system weight 230g (140g for the Chain Damper spider, plus 82g for the 32T chainring with its bushing. Yes, we also noticed that those numbers dont add up.)replacement chainrings and service kits also availableRimpact Chain Damper Pricing, options & availabilityThese new Rimpact direct mount MTB Chain Damper and chainring complete setups are available now for 280 / $375 / 325, ready to bolt directly to most Shimano and SRAM direct mount mountain bike crank arms, as well as others that share those same standards. Rimpact says they have RaceFace, e*Thirteen, Hope, and various eMTB versions in the works, but are gauging interest before putting those into production.When you buy a complete Chain Damper, Rimpact lets you pick a 30-36T chainring. But those special proprietary rings are also available as separate replacements for 70. Theres also a 25 service kit that includes the elastomers, bushings, and seal rings that will wear out over time, but are all super quick and easy to replace.Everything is available now direct from Rimpact online well, 32 & 36T rings in stock today or through their international distributors very soon.RimpactMTB.comThe post Rimpact Chain Damper Smooths MTB Rides with Springs & Elastomers Inside a Chainring appeared first on Bikerumor.

CyclistBest steel road bikes 2024 reviewedThe first bikes to ever roll off a production line were made of steel. Its the material that kick-started the industrial revolution and gave birth to the modern age.But in an era of space travel and smartphones, why would you want a bike made from anything other than carbon fibre? Put simply, because its fun to be different and while there are drawbacks, steel has a unique charm and some real-world advantages over other frame materials. Lets break it down.Reviews of the best steel road bikesAll-City Zig Zag: RRP 1,300 Read our full review Cinelli Nemo Tig: RRP 2.049 (frameset) Read our full review Condor Super Acciaio: RRP 1,700 Read our full review Fairlight Strael: RRP from 1,399 Read our full review Genesis Equilibrium Disc: RRP 2,699 Read our full review Mason Resolution:RRP 1,595 Read our full review Ritchey Road Logic: RRP 1359.99 Read our full review Ritte Phantom Steel: RRP 2,137 Read our full review Stayer Crit: RRP 2,200 Read our full review Keeping reading for full details of all these bikesAre steel bikes comfortable?Steel bikes can be very comfortable but you should be wary of generalisations, as theres a lot more to a bikes personality than just its frame material.Steel comes in many grades and variants but its overall a comparatively hard and stiff material.Good quality steel frames use carefully chosen tube profiles to target stiffness and flexibility where its needed.Butting where tubing varies in wall thickness along its length allows bike makers to place more material where strength is required, and less where its not, to save weight.One reason some riders love steel is because it doesnt ride quite like anything else. Its not magic, but steel has a distinct character thats simply different to aluminium or carbon.Steel bikes do tend to be strong and resistant to damage and, with care, they will usually last a lifetime. Although youre unlikely to see one at the Tour de France, steel can also still form the heart of a proper racing bike. Related Posts Best titanium bikes: Ti road and gravel bikes reviewed Opinion: In defence of steel bikes Opinion: Steel bikes are overrated Best aluminium road bikes 2024 Best road bikes 2024 reviewed by Cyclists experts Are steel bikes heavy?Matthew Loveridge / CyclistWith the exception of some one-off custom designs, steel bikes are always heavier than what you might expect from an equivalent aluminium or carbon bike, but dont let that put you off.A good quality steel road frame will weigh around 2kg, give or take a bit, in other words a good kilo more than a pretty average carbon frame. Many steel frames are also matched to steel forks, widening the gap even further.Neverthless, its possible to build up a respectably light steel bike using premium components, even coming close to the 6.8kg UCI minimum weight limit.Regardless, a bike doesnt have to be ultra-light to be a joy to ride. We care more about the experience than the numbers, and the best steel bikes are sublime.How we test and why you should trust our adviceJoseph Branston / CyclistWere riders like you who love our bikes and our team of testers led by tech editor Sam Challis is immensely experienced. Between us weve reviewed bikes from every mainstream manufacturer plus countless smaller brands, covering everything from the entry level to the truly premium.Weve ridden every bike on this list, heading out in all weathers on roads we know well to decide if theyre up to scratch. Whether its a 500 commuter or a 12,000 superbike, we bring a critical eye to our reviews, and we prize bikes that combine good design with everyday usability and, above all, fun.Read on for our favourite steel road bikes.Best steel road bikes reviewed by Cyclists expertsAll-City Zig Zag1,300 (frameset) | View offerPros: Decent weight for built bikes, 35mm tyre clearanceCons: All City brand being wound down, limited availabilityHighlights: 30mm tyres, clearance for mudguards, rack mountsThe All-City Zig Zag is a versatile steel road bike designed in the United States and manufactured in the Far East. It relies on generous tyre clearances and aggressive geometry for a fun riding experience.Using custom-created tubing, even when built up with a modest component list of Shimano 105 groupset, alloy Halo Devaura wheels and alloy Genetic finishing kit, this is still a bike that clocks in at a respectable 9.4kg.Obviously, this wont be troubling machines with carbon frames, but its pretty impressive considering the versatility and robustness on offer.Our test bike was rolling on broad 30mm tubeless Schwalbe Pro One tyres and it was supple and smooth. Theres clearance for wider 35mm tyres along with eyelets for racks and mudguards, so itll take to rougher terrain too.With a comfortable riding position and slightly longer than average wheelbase, the Zig Zag is happy to try its hand at other activities.Its never so upright as to be lifeless and so always provides a nice mix of speed and stability. Better yet, it comes in some fabulous paintjobs.The Zig Zag is currently available as a frameset only in the UK. Its been announced that All City will close down and will not be developing any new bikes beyond the 2024 model year, so theres limited availability of framesets and sizes.Read our All-City Zig Zag reviewBuy Now from Swinnerton Cycles 3,299.99Cinelli Nemo Tig1,399 (RRP: 2,049) (frameset) | View offerPros: Racy oversized frame, sub-8kg weightCons: Now only sold with disc brakes in UKHighlights: Carbon wheels, last-gen Campagnolo groupsetIts a fast, purple Italian steel bike with rim brakes what more could you ask for in life?The Nemo Tig combines quite a modern fat-tube aesthetic with the oldest frame material in the world, producing a proper race bike that will certainly turn heads.Our test bike with last-gen Campagnolo Chorus squeaked in under 8kg which is pretty good for steel, helped by those rim brakes and low-profile Miche carbon wheels.The Nemo Tig should be high on your list if you want steel that isnt sedate.Theres a disc brake version available as well for the non-purists, and thats the only option currently imported into the UK.Read our Cinelli Nemo Tig reviewCondor Super Acciaio Disc1,700 (frameset) | View offerPros: Lively ride, great descendingCons: Gauche dropoutsHighlights: Custom Columbus tube profiles, quality paint schemeMade in Italy from custom Columbus Spirit HSS tubing, the Super Acciaio was designed by venerable London bike seller Condor Cycles.Its a fast-looking bike thats legitimately race-ready with the right build.Out of the stalls, the Super Acciaio has the feeling of an excited buck rather than a stately mare, and on the climbs the extra weight is mostly unapparent thanks to the front and rear stiffness on offer.Even when facing the steepest gradients, wed happily accept the slight extra drag for the way the Acciaio descends.If the Acciaio has one standout strength, its handling. At low speeds its fine, but when the road plummets the handling becomes more responsive, with the overall feel of road-holding that much more assured.Available only as a custom-build, our mechanical Ultegra and Mavic-equipped creation came out at 5,500 and 8.65kg.The classic-looking Super Acciaio is adashing all-rounder with a racing bent.Its quick enough to compete on but still well-mannered enough to ride all day. Weve also reviewed the Condor Acciaio Stainless if you want to keep rust at bay.Read ourfull Condor Super Acciaio reviewFairlight StraelMike Massaro / Cyclist1,399 (frameset) | View offerPros: High and low fits for each frame size, classic steel looksLows: Long order times, 9kg weightHighlights: Highly customisable spec, buying process The Strael is British company Fairlights all-season, all-distance steel road bike made from a mix of Reynolds 853 and 725 tubing with custom forming.Its versatility comes from the wealth of options that Fairlight offers, which includes a two-level sizing system to offer a more personalised fit for each rider and fantastic spec choices that go as far as adding a dynamo.Weight-wise its about where youd want a high-end steel bike not as light as carbon but lightweight for the material thanks to those custom tubes, which are also ovalised to ensure stiffness and compliance come into play where you need it most.That makes for a bike that has a high-performance feel paired with spades of comfort, and the external routing give it a classic look.The spec we tested is a Shimano Ultegra Di2 build with Hunt 4 Season wheels, 28mm Continental GP5000 tyres and FSA components, which comes to 9.08kg in a size 58R.Read our full Fairlight Strael reviewGenesis Equilibrium Disc2,395 (RRP: 2,699) | View offerPros: Durable, hydraulic braking Cons: 10kg-plus weight, sedate rideHighlights: Shimano 105 groupset, WTB Exposure 30mm tyresThe Equilibrium Disc is designed to offer all-day comfort with a carbon fork that lets you eat up the miles. On the face of it, these attributes, allied to a 105 groupset and decent tyres, are a recipe for success.Featuring a pronounced sloping top tube, the frame itself is constructed of Reynolds 725 tubing and butted to create strength where its needed and save weight where its not.A slack head angle gives a predictable rate of turn-in and contributes to a sensation of being utterly planted to the road at all times.Although its not a touring bike, it can do a decent impression of one if thats what you want thanks to mounts and multi-terrain capable 30mm WTB Exposure tyres.The full Shimano 105 groupset with hydraulic brakes means shifting and stopping is also uber-reliable, and the gearing range is generous too. Theres a rim brake option available that shaves a bit off the pricetag.At a touch over 10kg, theres no getting away from the Equilibriums weight. The price is also perhaps a little premium. However, being both lovely to look at and charming to ride, it more than justifies its place on our list.Read ourGenesis Equilibrium Disc reviewMason Resolution1,795 (frameset) | View offerPros: Modern spec, four-season versatilityCons: Not very agile, too nice for all-seasons useHighlights: Wide range of luggage bosses, 35mm tyre clearancePart of the joy of a steel bike is its timelessness. Now with bolt-thru axles and flat mount discs, but the same dialled-in geometry, version two of the Resolution has proved exactly that.Racy to behold, the UK-designed Resolution nevertheless marketed as a four-season bike. How so? Because with the right accessories it can turn its hand to pretty much any road-based discipline.Hidden all over the Columbus steel-tubed frame and carbon fork are a plethora of tucked-away bosses to secure mudguards and pannier racks. At a glance, you wouldnt notice them, but check the inside of the fork legs or at the back of the chainstay bridge and youll find bolt holes ready to accept the necessary mounts to turn the Resolution into anything from winter hack to full-on touring rig.Clearances are generous, with space for up to 35mm tyres (30mm with mudguards), suggesting the Resolution wouldnt mind a spot of gravel riding to boot, yet strip it back to its bare essentials and the geometry is just about racy enough for someone who wants to mix it on a crit circuit.Delivering all the bike youre likely to ever need, this racy machine will adapt to your whims, yet never threatens to be anything other than a blast to rideRead ourfull Mason Resolution reviewRitchey Road Logic1087.99 (RRP: 1359.99) (frameset) | View offerPros: Stable, comfortable rideCons: Rim brake only, sub-par wheels and tyresHighlights: Ritchey branded components, quality frameFew bikes blend new and old with more panache than a steel Ritchey the Road Logic is a truly handsome thing.We tested a build that arguably didnt do the bike justice, but as a frameset the Ritchey is a much more appealing prospect, with classic lines and 30mm clearance in the rim brake version. If you buy a complete bike, budget for a spec upgrade. Theres a disc brake option available, as well as the classic rim brake frameset that we tested. Read our Ritchey Road Logic reviewRitte Phantom Steel2,096 (frameset) | View offerPros: Stiff and responsive, classic linesCons: Direct road feel, limited UK availability Highlights: T47 bottom bracket, clean frame weldsProof that a skinny-tubed, steel bike can still deliver a stiff and responsive ride, the Ritte Phantom Steel is based around a Reynolds 725 frame thats exquisite in every detail.Made from heat-treated tubes using a process that allows them to have extremely thin walls, these deliver stiffness and performance at a weight within sight of carbon frames.Our SRAM Force-equipped test bikeweighed a respectable 8.59kg and featured a slew of modern features including a T47 threaded bottom bracket, internal cabling, flat-mount disc brakes and thru-axles.The Phantom features full-on race geometry. Add this to its minimal mass and the result is an appreciably spritely feel on the road.Its stiff for sprinting and although theres a degree of damping, it offers a pretty direct relationship with the road.The Phantom is a recognisably modern road racing bike, but made of steel. Its a classically handsome bike replete with clean lines and elegant welds.Read our full Ritte Phantom Steel reviewStayer CritJoseph Branston / Cyclist2,200 | View offerPros: Small batch build, comfortable rideCons: Not a full custom build, unlike Stayers other framesHighlights: Full 105 groupset, can choose your own colour schemeDespite the name, the Crit isnt just for short, fast laps. Its lively and smooth on the road and the geometry allows tight, fast cornering and over-the-bars steep climbing, while the narrow steel tubing provides flex and spring to the ride, but not to the detriment of pedalling efficiency.The bike is hand-built in East London in small batches with set geometry, rather than being a full custom build like the brands other bikes, bringing down the price and lead time. You still get to choose colour, groupset and other details. Plus theres a distinctive, handmade look that sets the Stayer Crit apart from mass market carbon frames. Read our Stayer Crit reviewLove steel but looking to ride the rough stuff? Head to our buyers guide to the best gravel bikes for some steel gravel options Related Posts Best titanium bikes: Ti road and gravel bikes reviewed Opinion: In defence of steel bikes Opinion: Steel bikes are overrated Best aluminium road bikes 2024 Best road bikes 2024 reviewed by Cyclists experts The post Best steel road bikes 2024 reviewed appeared first on Cyclist.

Merijn Zeeman has played a key role within the Team Visma | Lease a Bike set up over recent years. Before the 2024 season has even been fully completed however, the Dutchman has departed his role for a different kind of challenge at Dutch football team,AZ Alkmaar."It is indeed a very big loss. I wa...

Comment & Analysis: Irish Rails Dublin Commuter and Dart services are in a heap after timetable changes, which were too ambitious for the network and what the company was able to implement and will be corrected soon. And, in Cork, the Bus ireann-run city bus service has been falling apart for the last month with driver shortages at least on par or worse than the chronic problems witnessed in Dublin after Covid.Now was not the time to celebrate 1 million passenger trips on public transport daily in Ireland for the first time ever. The daily average number of passenger journeys is 1,070,901. Crudely, you could say 500k people using public transport daily, but thats off the mark too, because some people are making one-way trips.Anyway, the Green Party in Government and the public transport system could be accused of sometimes not publicising the improvements in recent years effectively enough. But not holding off for a week or two until the Cork bus issues and Dublin rail issues have eased at least somewhat is a communications misstep.I have recently said to a number of people that more people using public transport is an indicator of success, with responses from more than one saying that those numbers are because people are packed into overcrowded public transport. There can usually be a fine line full and overloaded, but what rail passengers in Dublin and bus passengers in Cork have had to tolerate recently jumps way beyond any fine line.The National Transport Authoritys press release on the passenger milestone is dead right to highlight the new or improved BusConnects routes, the 54 new or improved Connecting Ireland rural and inter-urban routes, the new 24-hour Bus ireann service to Shannon Airport, quicker bus journeys thanks to the implementation of the Dublin City Centre transport plan, and increased rail services including five additional services a day on the Heuston to Galway corridor.The denial of the improvements includes people claiming there have been no rural improvements. The reality is that the Greens have probably focused on rural and smaller inter-urban bus improvements with Connecting Ireland and the new urban bus services in towns more than it is politically advantageous for them, even if it is for the greater good. The same could likely be said for at least some of the inter-urban rail improvements in recent years. The denial from some people that public transport has been improved is stunning. Most have not given credit rightly due to the Greens for securing the extra funding and to the transport authorities and operators for implementing the improvements.Its worth saying that in terms of future investment in infrastructure, we dont know yet if the Green Party has managed to secure the 2:1 funding commitment to public and active transport over road development in the latest budget, but there has been a large-scale shift already.A lot of political capital has been used to make that happen, with politicians across all parties in and out of Government asking where the money is for their roads. But many people have blinkers on if they think investment in rail and buses is guaranteed to continue. New governments in other countries are slashing public transport and increasing fares.But, again, while it is right to highlight improvements, the timing is just rubbing salt into the wounds of people stuffing onto Dart trains or the people left behind on damp Cork streets and roads as a huge number of services are being cancelled daily.Even generally, people can somewhat understandably find it hard to accept that public transport has improved when they have not seen it directly because their service is poor or because they have no service available to them. At a time when things are so bad for a large chunk of public transport users in our two largest cities, its just too much to celebrate.

CyclistMeet the maker: Andr Pfeil of Kocmo Titan BikesAdmit it, if you dont already own a titanium bike, youve thought about getting one. After all, theyre light, fast, strong, comfortable, corrosion resistant and beautiful to look at. Yes, theyre also pricy, but titanium is arguably the ultimate frame material.The Soviets certainly understood the benefits of titanium although their interest was more for the purposes of building submarines than bicycle frames and invested heavily in its production. This led to an abundance of the material in the former USSR and Eastern Bloc. So, for a bike brand rising from the ashes of the German Democratic Republic in the early 1990s, it was the obvious medium to work with. Related Posts Meet the maker: Javier Valiente of Amapola Cycles Meet the maker: Alex de Kraker of St Joris Cycles Meet the maker: Dominik Dominiak of Project D We decided, OK, well take titanium for us, no problem, says Andr Pfeil, CEO of Kocmo Titan Bikes. Technology has come a long way since then, but its part of our DNA now, part of our history. We dont make carbon frames. We dont make steel frames. We only do titanium.Kocmo had built stock titanium bikes since the 1990s, but war in Ukraine forced CEO Andr Pfeil to shift focus to custom-building bikes such as the stunning Daytona R5.Patrik Lundin / CyclistUntil recently, Kocmo had a long-standing manufacturing arrangement whereby its titanium tubes were made in Ukraine, then sent to Russia to be welded together. It worked flawlessly from 1994, but when Vladimir Putin launched his unprecedented assault on the neighbouring country, the brands future was cast into doubt.Our frames were manufactured in Nizhny Novgorod, Pfeil tells Cyclist. The Russian city is famous for metalworking, and in the 1990s Kocmo also made frames for Colnago, but as of this year no bikes come from Russia anymore. Its not possible for political reasons. The tube factory was in Ukraine, it was the largest of its kind and it produced for Boeing and other big companies. But everything has changed now.Patrik Lundin / CyclistWhen the war began, there was a lot of uncertainty regarding how we were going to continue. But now we have a solution. Everything is clear again, says Pfeil. Were specialising in bespoke production. The company now focusses on anodising and 3D printing processes to offer customers highly customised products.On point for off-roadFor a prime example of what Pfeil is talking about, look no further than this rather special version of Kocmos Daytona RS gravel bike. Designed for off-road racing mayhem as opposed to slow-paced bikepacking adventures, it features a low stack for an aggressive riding position, full internal cable routing to aid aerodynamics and an eye-catching anodised finish. It also makes use of Srams T-Type direct-mount derailleur for increased shifting precision and durability.Patrik Lundin / CyclistThe idea with the Daytona RS was to have a gravel race bike with standard geometry, but to also give customers the option to have a custom-made frame if they wish, says Pfeil. For customisation, the additional cost on top of the price of the bike ranges from 400 to 1,200 [approximately 340 to 1,000]. It all depends on the design, the colour and the geometry.The rear dropouts have been designed around Srams UDH standard. This means that all Sram full-mount rear derailleurs can be mounted directly onto the frame. Pfeil points out that some customers might worry about the absence of a derailleur hanger in the event of a crash, but says that, thanks to the way the derailleur attaches via the thru-axle, its actually more robust. And even if the derailleur does get bashed, key parts are replaceable so you can just switch out the damaged bits and get back up and running.We think it looks better too, says Pfeil. And that was really important to us to have a nice clean aesthetic.To complete the clean look, cables are internally routed and the bike has been fitted with a sleek one-piece bar and stem. Rolling comes courtesy of a pair of DT Swiss GRC 1400 Spline wheels, and shifting is taken care of by a Sram 1x transmission featuring Force AXS and Eagle AXS components.The icing on this titanium cake is the multicoloured anodised finish. Its something that, as Pfeil says, the brand is now investing considerable time, effort and money in.Patrik Lundin / CyclistWeve been doing the anodising for five years now, so we have a good amount of experience with it, he says. I think were good at getting those colours to really shine. Its something a lot of other brands struggle with. They ask us every time how we do it the green, the blue, how do we get them so shiny? But its a big secret for us, and its one of the things that makes our bikes special.The Daytona RS is available to buy on Kocmos website, with prices starting from 3,485 (approx 2,950) for a frameset or 6,340 (5,400) for a complete bike, both in a raw titanium finish. Prices can increase significantly depending on spec and finish, with the anodised version seen here coming in around the 8,000 (6,800) mark. This article originally appeared in issue 156 of Cyclist magazine. Click here to subscribe Related Posts Meet the maker: Javier Valiente of Amapola Cycles Meet the maker: Alex de Kraker of St Joris Cycles Meet the maker: Dominik Dominiak of Project D The post Meet the maker: Andr Pfeil of Kocmo Titan Bikes appeared first on Cyclist.

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