UAE Team Emirates will count on the experience and strength of one of the best climbers in the pro peloton with Rafal Majka extending his current deal until the end of 2025.Majka is one of those riders who have around for so long that many may forget that the 35-year-old rider podiumed Vuelta a Espa...

Marin's first lightweight eMTB, the Rift Zone EL, uses Bosch's mid-powered Performance Line SX motor and 400Wh onboard battery.The EL which stands for Electric Light is the latest addition to the trail-bike Rift Zone family, sporting a familiar 140mm of rear-wheel travel and a 150mm fork shared with the human-powered Rifty and full-power eMTB in the existing range.At 21.39kg (size large), it's questionable whether it sits in the SL electric mountain bike category, but it is Marin's lightest ebike yet.An adjustable head tube angle switches the figure between 64.5 and 65.5 degrees in 0.5-degree increments, while the four-size range has reach figures starting at 430mm and lifting to 520mm.The Rift Zone is Marin's trail-bike range. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThe new three-bike range starts at 4,699 / $4,799 / 5,399 for the Rift Zone EL 1 and rises to 6,599 / $6,999 / 7,699 for the range-topping Rift Zone EL XR.Rift Zone family lineageThe Rift Zone EL uses Marin's single-pivot MultiTrac suspension design. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThe Rift Zone EL shares its Series 4 aluminium frame and 140mm-travel MultiTrac suspension design with its full-power ebike and non-assisted counterparts.Cables are routed internally via ports on the side of the down tube/head tube junction (rather than through the headset) using rubber membranes that seal around the cable to help prevent water ingress.The bash plate is used to protect the motor and down tube. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThese are found on the brand's newest Alpine Trail and are an upgrade over the other Rift Zone design.There's chunky chain-slap protection on the driveside chainstay and the rear dropout uses SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger.An underslung motor and down-tube protector made from a fibreglass-infused nylon is fitted to the underside of the bike to help protect it from damage.Bosch's top-tube controlled features. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesMarin has managed to lower the bike's weight by using Bosch's 55Nm torque 600W Performance Line SX motor and 400Wh internal battery, rather than a chunkier full-power motor and bigger battery.As the lightest eMTB in Marin's range, it tips the scales at 21.39kg (size large) compared to the equivalently sized full-power Rift Zone E2's 24.23kg and the Alpine Trail E2 Bosch's monumental 27.55kg.But whether it qualifies as an SL ebike is up for debate. Seemingly, its spec, price and weight matrix is impressive, but its 21kg weight would make it one of the heaviest SL ebikes on the market.Angle-adjusting headset cups are a great feature. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesUp-front, an adjustable headset switches the head angle between 64.5 degrees, 65 degrees and 65.5 degrees. It does this using plus and minus 0.5-degree cups and a 0-degree neutral cup.The seat tube hovers around 77 degrees (depending on which geometry setting the head angle is set to), which is plenty steep enough.The Rift Zone EL's geometry is adjustable thanks to an angle-adjusting headset. Andy Lloyd / Marin Bikes SMLXLSeat tube angle (degrees)77777777Head tube angle (degrees)65656565Chainstay (mm)440440440440Seat tube (mm)400420430460Top tube (mm)572.85605.99638.08669.12Head tube (mm)100115125130Bottom bracket height (mm)342342342342Wheelbase (mm)1188.811225.151259.381291.49Standover (mm)674.75687.74691.98699.2Stack (mm)618.74632.33641.4645.93Reach (mm)430460490520 Edit Table The four-size range spans small to extra-large and has reach figures from 430mm to 520mm.Chainstays are 440mm across the size range, while stack heights range from a modest 618mm (small) to 645mm (extra-large).2025 Marin Rift Zone EL models and pricingBosch's mid-power SX motor (55Nm torque, 600W power) is matched with a 400Wh battery. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThe Rift Zone EL is available in three models, starting at 4,699 / $4,799 / 5,399 for the Rift Zone EL 1, rising to 5,699 / $5,999 / 6,499 for the Rift Zone EL 2 and topping out at 6,599 / $6,999 / 7,699 for the Rift Zone EL XR.2025 Marin Rift Zone EL 1Frame: Series 4 aluminium, MultiTrac 140mm-travel suspensionShock: Marzocchi Bomber Air InlineFork: Marzocchi Z1, 150mm travelDrivetrain: Shimano CUESBrakes: TRP Slate EVOPrice: 4,699 / $4,799 / 5,3992025 Marin Rift Zone EL 2Frame: Series 4 aluminium, MultiTrac 140mm-travel suspensionShock: Fox Float X Performance EliteFork: Fox 36 Performance, 150mm travelDrivetrain: SRAM GX EagleBrakes: SRAM Code BronzePrice: 5,699 / $5,999 / 6,4992025 Marin Rift Zone EL XRFrame: Series 4 aluminium, MultiTrac 140mm travel suspensionShock: Fox Float X Performance EliteFork: Fox 36 Performance Elite, 150mm travelDrivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS TransmissionBrakes: Magura MT-7Price: 5,699 / $5,999 / 6,4992025 Rift Zone EL XR initial ride impressionsModern geometry makes its handling feel accurate. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesLuke Marshall spent some time on the 2025 Rift Zone EL XR ahead of its launch, and these are his ride impressions.Marin has done well to maintain the Rift Zone E Lights trail bike heritage. This 21.39kg (size large) ebike still benefits from a trail-bike feel thanks to its suspension kinematics and geometry.2025 Rift Zone EL XR climbing performanceThe Performance Line SX motor gives you enough assistance to tackle most climbs while managing battery life. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesBoschs Performance Line SX motor and integrated 400Wh battery can deliver a useful boost to get you up demanding climbs. However, its best used in lower-power modes. That gives you the additional assistance to tackle the climbs and manage range for a worthwhile ride. Sure, you wont win any KOMs, but youll also not blow a gasket, as it's possible to do without the motors help.It has barely any pedal bob. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesCruising up the climbs like this is helped by the Marins geometry. The 77-degree effective seat tube angle sits you nicely above the bottom bracket for smooth and efficient pedal strokes. The modest 606mm (medium) effective top-tube lengths also make the bike comfortable to pedal for extended periods.I never felt cramped or too stretched out, yet still had enough space to move around the bike as I needed to help get the best traction from the rear tyre or aid front-wheel tracking around tight hairpins.The shock is driven by a linkage to adjust the leverage ratio. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesI also never reached for the climb switch to firm up the shock. The Marins suspension when pedalling remains composed and there was never undue pedal bob. In fact, the rear suspension is relatively firm with ample support. What feels like a firm shock tune helps keep the bike in the trail bike category.Rear-tyre grip from the Maxxis Forekaster was good in the dry, but it struggled on steeper climbs when the surface became greasy. Still, for rocky trail-centre terrain, theres plenty of traction.There's plenty of chain-slap protection. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThe rear end, while not the most sensitive, helps the back wheel track over rough and technical climbing trails to provide traction and comfort. Its usable suspension, but it's not wasteful which is ideal for a trail bike.2025 Rift Zone EL XR descending performanceThe rear suspension can feel a bit firm on slower, rougher tracks. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesThis trail-bike feel carries on at the top of the climb. On flowing blue trails and smooth jump lines, the Marins firm suspension support is great for maintaining momentum and carrying speed down the trail. You can pump and push your way through rollers, landings and into berms, and theres a helpful platform to push against.Its also great for when you want to unleash the potential of the bike. With modern geometry, you can charge on the Rift Zone E Light and use its eMTB weight to your advantage. The stability it provides at speed is great and the supportive suspension, while shorter on travel, keeps the bikes higher in its travel so what travel it has is there on tap to help smooth out the trail.The Rift Zone EL has a trail-bike feel on the descents. Andy Lloyd / Marin BikesIts handling is accurate too, and the weight never feels like a hindrance. Tight turns are easy to initiate and theres good composure for long, flat turns that helps the bike remain balanced and hunts out grip.However, that firmer suspension isnt the best on slow, rough tracks. Here, the firmness limits traction a little and the bike feels more like its trail-bike self. Its not harsh, but it doesnt conform to the trail as well as it does at higher speeds. Everything is a balance, and Marin has done a good job with the Rift Zone E Light of delivering decent trail efficiency with capable downhill performance.

Plans are being explored for a cycling, and walking, route around Cape Clear, an island off west Cork, as part of efforts to boost tourism there and across the islands dotted around the coast of Ireland. Cape Clear can be accessed by ferry from Baltimore and Schull and while cycling has not been developed on []The post Plans explored for new cycling route around West Corks Cape Clear island appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Louise Haigh was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who argued road safety is one of the main reasons why young people do not cycle

The relationship between Tom Pidcock and INEOS Grenadiershas been one of the most intriguing in professional cycling. Pidcock, one ofthe sports brightest talents and a double Olympic Mountain Bike champion, isunder contract with the team for several more seasons. However, there are clearsigns t...

A club cyclist has been hospitalised for injuries sustained in a crash with a driver, with police investigators now appealing for information that would help them track a motorist who may be able to aid the investigation into the colission. The rider is a member of North Down Cycling Club and was injured in the []The post Irish club cyclist seriously injured in morning crash involving driver appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Its the end of the week and Adwitiyas on the chillier-than-usual hot seat to steer this Fridays live blog in the direction of all the latest cycling news, views and more

The route of the 2024 Il Lombardia was decided and confirmed a few weeks ago but a literal last-minute change is now expected. Landslides have affected the Passo di Ganda and most likely the ascent will be removed from the route after this week's heavy rainfall.A picture shared by ValSerianews show...

Innovative, seemingly safe, lightweight and well vented helmet but pricy. 7/10