Tobias Lund Andresen had shown great legs so far this season but is truly having a breakthrough at the Tour of Turkey. Team DSM-Firmenich have won again, and it was the Dane's third win of the week.This came as a result of another powerful sprint where he was above the rest of the competition, wher...

We are introducing our Crow Ambassadors Program, a one of a kindreferral program in the bikes industry whereby all Crow users can access and refer their friends and both gain great incentives.The initiative is a pioneer among the industry and has been very well received by the early adopters and users of the brand, from Europe, the USA and Canada.We have followed a very different path than most in the industry since our inception, and thi initiative is just one step forward in this journey. Our goal is simple:turning all our users in brand ambassadors, allowing them and their referrals to gain great incentivesWeintroduced Gravital, its first full line of ultralight, high-performance eBikes earlier this summer, and many of you have been receiving your bikes in both Europe and North America ever since. Now, wewant to reward these first buyers who have trusted the brand by offering them an exclusive incentive program, whereby they can obtain income and exclusive advantages to acquire accessories, and new products of the brand and, even a second Crow eBike for free.Since we started, we have proven it, our best reference are our users; everyone who tastes the ride of a Crow, falls in love! So, theres nobody better than them, who will better communicate the performance of our bicycles, thus we want to reward them for their trust and offer them all the necessary tools and incentives in order to continue growing our murder of crows all across the globe says Willy Losa, Crow Marketing Director.The procedure is very simple: each user who buys a Crow eBike accesses the referral program through https://crowbicycles.com/pages/ambassadors, where they will have all the information, along with a unique link to be shared with other people. All those who use a referral code in the purchase order will have a direct discount of 200. Meanwhile, users whose personal code has been used will automatically get a credit of 200 accumulable. Thesecredit have no expiration date or limit, being able to exchange them for accessories or new brand products and even, for another eBike completely free of charge.This incentive program will be launched this October for all users and will be retroactive.With these initiatives, Crow Bicycles continue its mission, shaking up the cycling experience through innovative, accessible and sustainable solutions in the long term.

As I write this blog on 4th February, it is 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) in Girona. La entrada What is the best time of year to cycle in Girona for the Weather? se public primero en Eat Sleep Cycle.

Further to yesterdays post, Framework seems to be the Builder of the Moment, because theres also another review of one over at Escape Collective:Its considerably different from the review I mentioned yesterday since unlike the other guy James Huang is able to articulate his thoughts in a comprehensible fashion. Otherwise, both reviewers are similar in that they fawn over an overwrought process that seems to result in a bicycle the reviewer finds unsatisfactory:Yes, the Frameworks meticulous construction means you wont fall victim to the dreaded ring of death,' whatever that means:Yet its a (mostly) carbon bicycle that doesnt seem to be particularly light or aero, and I thought the ability to combine both of those attributes was the whole point of the materialwell, that and the ride quality, which doesnt seem to be there either, since the desert hipster guy yesterday doesnt like his, and James Huang had the guy build him two frames so far and still isnt happy:All this for $7,750 for the frame and sundries. Of course I understand theres no reason to be angry at a single guy (a Canadian guy no less) whos devoted himself to making bicycles the way he wants to make themand Im most ceratainly not. Hes not forcing anyone to buy them, hes not creating some new standard well all be stuck with, and no doubt hes doing it for the love of both bikes and craft. And who knows? One day maybe hell hit on how to make the perfect bike frame.At the same time, while Im not angry, I am mystified. Whats going on here? Is it simply that high-performance bikes have become so boring and indistinguishable that the reviewers can no longer even pretend to find them interesting, and yet these same reviewers also remain unwilling to embrace the old technology theyve forsaken and admit theyve been led astray, and so instead they swoon over this guy who seems to build failure after failure, albeit with incredibly tight tolerances? Like is a bike that doesnt appear to be terribly well-executed (at least based on two in-depth reviews) worth it because you can barely slide a piece of paper in between the headset bearing and the head tube?I suppose the trouble is that its not particularly difficult to build a bike that rides beautifully and is durable. Thats not to say its easy, but bike builders have been able to do it reliably and consistently for at least the past 75 years, and its why I can pull a battered 40 year-old frame like this out of my closet, throw some spare parts on it, and wind up with a bike that rides as well as anything out there on the road:But that sort of consistency and reliability is boring, and its much more exciting to enter into a long process with someone whos going to build you a rolling experimentbecause yes, its nice to feel important.Speaking of the Faggin, its an appropriate bicycle for the spring, because just like the nature with which were surrounded its been reborn. The flowers are blooming, the trees are blossoming, and the skunks are skunking:It hissed at me as I passed, which suggests to me I was about a second or two away from getting sprayed:I also happened to pass a good 15-20 young bikepackers who appeared to be heading out of the city for some sort of expeditionat least I assumed thats what they were doing, though I suspect people just ride around like that all the time now, and probably just carry pour-over coffee fixings and all the rest of it at all times as a matter of course, in the same way the plastic bike crowd dons skinsuits and helmets with integrated visors to ride for an hour in the park.My first reaction when I see a group of young, hip bikepackers is to feel fear, because it always looks like some sort of massive and trendy evacuation is underway, and I immediately wonder if maybe they know something I dont. Like, is Brooklyn under attack? Are all the electric Citi Bikes exploding due to an EMP from North Korea? Is a mushroom tea shortage imminent? (I have no idea if mushroom tea is a thing with people, but I saw a sign for it not too long ago so I hereby declare that it is.) My second reaction is to feel jealousy and resentment, because when I was that age I didnt have 15-20 friends with cool bikes with whom to ride into the country and prepare pour-over coffee. But then I realize that was all my fault, and that I also rode with large groups of people when I was that age, only instead of chatting and eating and enjoying the scenery I was in a paceline with my nose up the ass of the rider ahead of me. The lesson here is that you make your own fate, and you have nobody else to blame for being a giant loser but yourself.As I pondered the above, I passed this garment:Had it fallen from the Voile strap of one of the bikepackers? Would they find themselves later that night shivering at the campsite without it? Should I retrieve it and chase them down? Would they then invite me to join them, allowing me to partake in all the joyous socializing and camaraderie I missed out on in my early adulthood?Fuck it, I decided, and continued on my way, back into Van Cortlandt Park:Like other parks in the city, in some places Van Cortlandt Park retains the same bucolic charm it had in that bygone era:Whereas in other places it doesnt, like when you have to ride under the expressway:Also like other parks, it can be a little feral around the edges, and people will appropriate out-of-the-way parts of it for their own purposes. Such was recently the case in Kissena Park in Queens, right by the Kissena Velodrome:I guess somebody tore up a bunch of saplings or something, and word on the street (or at least the Internet) is that it was the so-called Central Park Raccoons:As you might expect from someone who sees groups of young bikepackers and goes into an emotional tailspin, I dont know the Central Park Raccoons apart from what Ive seen on the Internet:It is hard for me to imagine a bunch of young bike people would tear down a bunch of saplings in a park, since this is the same demographic that thinks climate change is going to destroy us, and that feels guilty about killing mushrooms for their mushroom tea. Then again I guess I could imagine them building a tracklocross course in a Dionysian mushroom tea-fueled frenzy and making the kinds of people who volunteer to plant trees in parks angry as a consequence:Who knows? All I can say for sure is that some kind of Valmont Bike Park type thing at Kissena complete with velodrome, singletrack, dirt jumps, and all the rest of it would be pretty amazingand thats how I know itll never happen.

POC is well known in the cycling industry for a reason. They make high quality products while being mindful of the environment which extends not only from the materials used to make helmets, but also to their clothing. The Re-cycle Boxer Chamois is the perfect example of them using sustainable products without compromising quality. The chamois has sufficient padding to ride all day, they are breathable, and the waistband doesnt dig into your stomach. (Even if youre a post-baby mom like me). The legs do have a tendency to roll up, and the pricetag is a bit on the high side, but despite these minor complaints, this is still one of our favorite chamois liners. Review in a NutshellPros:Made from recycled polyesterComfortable waistband that doesnt dig into your stomachThe padding in the liner keeps you comfortable for longer ridesThey are breathable and quick drying- essential for riding in summer or humidityThe sleek black material with POC logo on the waistband is very flatteringWide size range XS to XXLCons:They are more expensive than othersThe inseam is short which rode upOnly comes in 2 colorsPrice: $80 ListBuy at Backcountry.comBuy at POCSports.comThick Padding for Long Days in the Saddle After using these chamois for a month or so I found myself grabbing them first for every ride. The padding is superior to other chamois I own, and I was able to do long rides in them without getting saddle sore. Padding isnt everything when it comes to staying comfortable, but it is a large part of the equation. Something to consider if you continuously have issues with saddle sores is your saddle. Having a good saddle that fits your sit-bones is crucial to being comfortable. Once you know you have the right saddle, then the padding in your chamois will only bring you more comfort on the bike. Wearing a well-made chamois will keep your booty and pelvic bones happy little campers.With that being said, the longest ride I did while wearing the Re-cycle liner was 4 hours long. Typically if I am planning for a longer ride, I will always opt for a bib short because I find the padding is more comfortable than any liner chamois padding Ive tried. The POC Re-cycle Boxer definitely had me grabbing for them more than my bibs. They were that comfortable.That said, if youre someone that prefers a minimal padding, this chamois might not be for you.Comfortable Waistband That Doesnt Dig InThe waistband is a typical elastic waistband. I dont normally gravitate towards anything other than a yoga waistband because I hate when they dig into my stomach. I did not have this problem with the POC Re-cycle Boxer.I am about 59 and 165 pounds. Ive had two kids and by no means a perfect body. My stomach has loose skin and fat that I havent been able to shed. These shorts give me enough compression to not move but didnt cut off my circulation. I got a large and they fit perfectly. POC has a sizing guide on their website that made is easy to decide on a size.Short Inseam Might Cause Them to Ride UpMy one gripe with these shorts is that the inseam is so short that they tend to ride up on my legs. I think if they made the inseam slightly longer and put some sort of sticky material around the thigh, they would stay in place.After sifting through reviews, I noticed several people had the same issue. With that being said, I still find myself choosing these shorts over other ones I own. They do ride up to my crotch, but it isnt super uncomfortable. Its something I can deal with to have the comfortable padding for long rides. Id much prefer to have my chamois ride up than saddle sores.If you have rather thin legs, this might not be a problem for you. My body is pear shaped and I have bigger legs which is why I think these ride up. It is definitely going to depend on your body shape.Recycled Polyester = Breathable and Quick DryingOne of my favorite things about these liners is the material they used to make them. The recycled polyester is so breathable and soft it feels like Im not wearing anything. Moving from Colorado to Florida was quite the change in weather. I never had to deal with humidity or even really sweat when I rode in Colorado, but let me tell you, Florida is the land of humidity. I have never sweat so much in my life, and I NEED material that is going to keep me dry- these liners do just that.A Little Pricy Compared to Other ChamoisPOC makes high quality cycling and snow sports equipment. They do not compromise quality for price so you will pay for what you get. With that being said, I know $80 is a lot to spend on a pair of liners BUT the padding is so comfortable that I can honestly say it is worth it.I have had other liners like Fox and Terry and they are not nearly as comfortable as the POC liner. Yes, they are more affordable, but I dont want to waste money on something that Im not going to wear or WANT to wear.Another thing to keep in mind if you decide to purchase these rather expensive liners is if you wash them with a gentle detergent and DO NOT dry them in the dryer, they will last you forever. Properly cleaning your cycling clothes will ensure that they last a long time.Bottom-Line: Your Booty Will Thank YouYou cant go wrong with anything POC. Yes, they are more expensive, but worth every penny. They will last you until the end of time. The Re-cycle liner has a perfectly padded chamois to keep you comfortable for long or short rides. My biggest gripe with them in the length of the inseam, but even that hasnt deterred me from wearing them for 90% of my rides. If youre looking for a well-made chamois liner, you cant go wrong with the POC Re-Cycle.More Stuff You Might Like10 Best Womens Mountain Bike Shorts7 Best Chamois Creams for Women & How To Use It!7 Solutions For Saddle Pain & Discomfort Down ThereAbout The ReviewerMalorie Gagehas been mountain biking, road, gravel cycling for many years. She lives in Colorado where shes raising two tiny humans and balancing biking and motherhood.The post POC Womens Re-cycle Boxer Chamois Review appeared first on Femme Cyclist.

Embed from Getty ImagesMarc Hirschi attacks on the Geulhemmerberg, his third big attack of the day. Tiesj Benoot and Tom Pidcock follow, as does Mauri Vansevenant. Hirschi might have been the strongest on the day and his work helped the move go clear but the fatigue might have cost him and Pidcock would get the better of him.Embed from Getty ImagesThe early breakaway had just four riders. Tosh Van der Sande (Visma-Lease a Bike), Enzo Leijnse (DSM Firmenich-PostNL), Alexander Hajek (Bora-hansgrohe) and Zeb Kyffin (TDT-Unibet). Its been a theme this spring that the early break doesnt get time. Four minutes is the World Tour limit, some unwritten rule that the break and bunch cant go beyond. Ineos and Alpecin-Deceuninck holding the gap before the breakaway was caught with 80km to go.Embed from Getty ImagesTheres always a fight for position and riders sprinting into corners but the intensity went up a notch just inside 60km when Soudal-Quicksteps Louis Vervaeke attacked and he was joined by Mikkel Honor (EF) and Paul Lapeira (Decathlon-Ag2r). It looked like a ruse to force to chase and trio were often looking back to see where the bunch was. The answer was in sight.The Gulperbergweg climb came with 44km to go and Micha Kwiatkowski took a few metres going into to the climb and then launched. Mathieu van der Poel chased in person and it looked like an attack was coming. Only here was a different beast. Floating on pav a week ago, suddenly he seemed less agile, his upper body and legs didnt seem to be one unit; if he was dancing on the pedals this was more someones uncle at a wedding than last weekends exhibition. As soon as Kwiatkowski sat down, so did Van der Poel and what was left of the bunch spread across the road.Onto the Kruijsberg and Alpecin-Deceuninck had two on the front for Van der Poel. Only the climb came and went. It can be where a major selection happens and everyone seemed to be waiting for Van der Poel to attack, bracing themselves for the effort. But nothing, niks. Likewise on the Eyserbosweg although Richard Carapaz surged Honor was still, just, up the road with Van der Poel marking him. Again more riders were dropped but no flamboyant attack.Instead of waiting for the next climb Marc Hirschi made a serious move with 35km to go. Many of the main climbs in the race are small even if some sting but the Swiss rider launched on an unmarked rise and was joined by Roger Adria, Bauke Mollema and Valentin Madouas. Mauri Vansevenant bridged to them. Pello Bilbao too. More floated across with Kevin Vauquelin, Tiesj Benoot, Quentin Pacher and Tom Pidcock and they caught the breakaway on the Keutenberg with Benoot surging and taking Hirshi, Pidcock and Vansevenant clear the same quartet as wed see later but Honor helped bring things back. Pidcocks presence here was the big deal although Bilbao, Madouas and Benoot were co-leaders too.Embed from Getty ImagesIt left a simple matter of subtraction: 12 riders from 11 teams were up the road. With 24 teams in the race that equalled 13 teams left to chase, or 12 since because Cofidis were not there (all DNF as it happens, a rare feat but Astana did it in the Tour of Flanders too). Given some squads only had a tired rider hanging on, the arithmetic favoured the group and more so since they had team mates behind to sap the chase.Hirschi attacked the break on the Cauberg where Paul Lapeira matched him and the rest came back, except for Honor. Behind the peloton accelerated and chomped twenty seconds lead with Lidl-Treks Mattias Skjelmose making a big move that suggested few were counting on Mollema up front. But the breakaway was still clear and Bilbao attacked the descent but Hirschi and Pidcock, them again, covered him.Hirschi made another big move on the Geulhemmerberg, third time lucky for him as itd stay away to the finish. Benoot was there with Vansevenant and Pidcock. Benoots long pull over the top helped prise them away. With his partner due to give birth any day now, Benoot wasnt even sure to start the race, perhaps he was in a hurry.Embed from Getty ImagesAs a quartet they all had a clear motivation to get to the finish to contest the win or at least the podium, they looked committed. The chase from the group behind was working but the classic stand-off, the group had more riders but because of this some were missing turns or taking an economy pull. Sensing this Bilbao tried to bridge but couldnt make it.Behind EF chased hard with Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy working for Marijn van der Berg. They didnt get much help and so couldnt bring back the breakaway. Van der Berg would crash on a corner soon too but it was over for the peloton now, just UCI points left.Pidcock made a move on the last climb of the day which surprised as it suggested he didnt fancy his chances in a sprint but Benoot drove across. Lapeira tried to get across but couldnt. Benoot tried a late attack but if some riders are explosive hes inert, powerful in gradual efforts but he couldnt get a gap. The quartet could see the chasers and Vansevenant started the sprint with 300m to go and Pidcock went with 150m to go while Hirschi was behind. There was a headwind but Hirschi could neither find the opening or the speed and Pidcock was clear to sit up and celebrate, no photofinish worries this time.Embed from Getty ImagesThe VerdictA lively edition that forced viewers to watch until the end. Time gaps were tight, there was suspense but it wasnt a full thriller, that needed more attacks and reversals of fortunes were needed. This was a good edition, not a great. But its most interesting to compare it not to other years of the Amstel but to other races this spring. Here it was entertaining because it was like watching racing from a different era, no galatico, no extraterrestrial who we may admire but who bends the race to their will and turns the final hour into a victory procession. Likewise no single team was in charge.Marc Hirschi looked the strongest, his three attacks shaped the final result but Pidcock proved quicker in the sprint and was able to match him in the hills. For Pidcock its his first win on the road in over a year. Hes potentially a star rider he won the Strade Bianche with a solo move that we normally think on Pogaar can pull off but his win rate and the fact that he had to snipe Hirschi in the sprint shows why he isnt in the same bracket as Van der Poel. He rode a tactically astute race: efficient, always in the right moves, his late attack was the surprise but otherwise it was out of the Kwiatkowski handbook. Benoot was strong throughout and thats his hallmark, a haul of top-10 results but very few wins among them while Vansevenant was a ray of sunshine for Soudal-Quickstep who will give the team more confidence for Lige.Embed from Getty ImagesRival mountain biker Van der Poel didnt have a Sunday to write home about, often so visible thanks to full white shorts and rainbow jersey but also because he was always near the front. Yet he barely attacked, his chase of Kwiatkowski was as far as things went with talk that he did one ride too many during the week. His focus is still on Lige but thats looking harder as his team were harassed by rivals and hell find even hillier terrain. But hes got nothing to lose.Two wins in France, a Basque stage make it hard to say Paul Lapeira was a revelation but it was still a further breakthrough in a long race, on the attack 60km to go and still making moves in the final.We start Ardennes week officially with Flche Wallonne, the most scripted finish of the season but perfect for a Wednesday afternoon, before Lige on Sunday. The Tour of the Alps starts today to provide us with sport and clues ahead of the Giro too.Embed from Getty ImagesThe post Amstel Gold Race Review first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Roll up, roll up, it's time for our round-up of new (and one prototype) mountain bikes from the 2024 Sea Otter Classic.North America's biggest bike show brought us a first look at box-fresh bikes from Salsa, Pinarello, Specialized, Digit, Trek and Liv.Head to our Sea Otter hub for more coverage from the event and go check out our round-up of new MTB tech from Fox, Atherton, Box, Michelin and more.Now on with the show!Salsas first eMTBs on showThe Notch is Salsa's long-travel eMTB rig. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaSalsa released its Notch and Moraine electric mountain bikes just before the show. These are the brands third and fourth electric bikes, following the release of its Confluence and Tributary electric gravel bikes in February.The Bosch motor should provide a punchy ride. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaThe Notch is a full-fat Bosch Performance Line CX-powered electric enduro bike with 170mm of travel. Prices start at $4,999 for a Shimano Deore build.The Moraine is powered by a Fazua motor. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaThe Moraine is a super-light eMTB powered by a Fazua Ride 60 motor. You can file this neat little cutout under 'so clever we wish we'd thought of it'. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaA neat cutout in the strut connecting the top and down tubes is used to securely strap down spares. Prices start at $4,999 for a Deore-equipped bike.You can finally buy the Pinarello Dogma XC (if you have deep pockets)While it has been raced for a little over a year, the Pinarello Dogma XC is only now available to purchase. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaThe Pinarello Dogma XC was on show at Sea Otter and is now available to buy following a soft launch in May 2023.Raced extensively by and developed specifically for Pauline Ferrand-Prvot and Tom Pidcock, Pinarello was at pains to stress the Dogma XC isnt intended to be a truly commercial offering.Squint and the integrated cockpit looks a bit like a carbon hammerhead shark. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaIt is, instead, designed to be an uncompromisingly stiff and lightweight cross-country whip.Ferrand-Prvot and Pidcock have been running wireless SR Suntour suspension and Shimano XTR drivetrains since the bike debuted.Stock builds will, as pictured, feature Fox suspension and SRAM drivetrains.Prototype Specialized downhill bike revealed to publicWe finally got a close look at Specialized's new DH bike. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaNearly two years since it was first raced on the World Cup circuit, Specializeds mystery downhill prototype was on its stand for all to see at Sea Otter.The prototype bike uses an aluminium lug and carbon-tubed construction similar to Atherton Bikes production models and Pivots similarly wild prototype downhill frames.Lugged and bonded construction has proliferated among production and prototype bikes in recent years. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaThe massive chainstays are also machined from aluminium.The unusual construction is just one part of the bike's intriguing appearance.The rear shock layout was covered up during races for much of the last two seasons. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaThe suspension design is a dramatic departure from the current Demo downhill bike and, indeed, the brand's other full-suspension models.Dubbed the UBB, or Under Bottom Bracket, system, it had been hidden away under a cover when at races over the last few years.Now though, we can see it uses a pull rod and rocker link to actuate the shock. The chainstays pull on the rod under the bottom bracket, which then rotates the rocker that compresses the shock.Theres still no news on if or when the bike will see full production, but we expect to see Loic Bruni, Finn Iles and Jordan Williams on the bike at upcoming World Cup races.Digits unashamedly integrated Ring trail bikeThe Digit Ring takes rear-shock integration to another level. - Jack Luke / Our MediaCalifornia-based Digit had its new Ring trail bike on display.The bike incorporates the brand's striking Analog suspension system.This 128mm design uses the brands proprietary Integer Strut shock, which extends far into the top tube.Well ain't that something - Scott Windsor / Our MediaThe increased volume of the shock means more oil can be used than traditional rear shocks, helping with cooling on longer descents and improving performance.Digit says integrating the shock provides descending and pedalling attributes, increasing lateral stiffness and reducing weight by minimising the number of components in the linkage.Independent shim stacks are employed to control high-speed and low-speed compression damping.A 140mm Manitou Mattoc Expert fork is custom-painted to match the frame.Only 30 Rings will be manufactured.Limited-edition Trek Slash SE is the most tech-packed Slash everNew from Trek: the Slash SE. - George Scott / Our MediaOn the eve of Sea Otter, Trek announced the Slash SE, described as a new tech-packed spec option for the brands enduro bike.The Slash SE is based around Treks Gen 5 Slash frame. Thats the previous version of the Slash winner of our Enduro Bike of the Year award in 2021, so no slouch (watch the video below to find out why) rather than the latest iteration, which moved to a high-pivot design.The Slash is Trek's enduro rig. - George Scott / Our MediaThe 160mm enduro rig combines a RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, both with RockShoxs Flight Attendant automatic suspension system.Theres also a SRAM GX AXS T-Type direct-mount drivetrain, RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post and Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels wrapped in Bontrager SE6 (front) and SE5 (rear) Team Issue tyres.RockShox Flight Attendant provides auto-controlled suspension. - George Scott / Our MediaThe carbon frame gets a limited-edition Project One Earth and Air paint scheme, inspired, according to Trek, by loamy laps and boosting big.This ones priced at $8,999.99.There's Flight Attendant on the shock, too. - George Scott / Our MediaSRAM provides the GX AXS T-Type drivetrain. - George Scott / Our MediaTreks new alloy XC bike lands in the USThe Trek Procaliber Alloy is now available in the US. - George Scott / Our MediaAlso new from Trek in the US at least, having launched early in Europe is this Procaliber Alloy.This XC bike replaces the X-Caliber, and brings thru-axles, a modern geometry, increased fork travel, a dropper post and clearance for 2.4in tyres to Treks hardtail whippet.The Procaliber Alloy is Trek's aluminium XC hardtail. - George Scott / Our MediaThe forks suspension travel increases to 120mm, while Trek says the frame sports a more progressive shape to handle the ever-technical terrain now found on the latest cross-country race courses.The Trek Procaliber 6 pictured here, with a Shimano Deore drivetrain (XT rear derailleur) and 2.2in Bontrager Sainte-Anne Pro XR tyres, costs $1,699 / 1,200.The Trek Procaliber 6 costs $1,699 / 1,200. - George Scott / Our MediaLiv Pique evolves as a modern XC bike ahead of Paris 2024This is the new Liv Pique. - George Scott / Our MediaSticking with cross-country racing, Livs new Pique XC dropped in March and Sea Otter gave us the opportunity to take a closer look.With the Paris Olympic Games on the horizon, XC bikes are hot right now and the 2024 Liv Pique follows the latest trends for full-gas cross-country bikes.Suspension travel has increased to 120mm and 115mm front and rear respectively. - George Scott / Our MediaThat means the suspension has been bolstered to 120mm and 115mm front and rear, compared to 100mm at both ends for the third-generation Pique. You can also now fit 2.4in rubber and theres a dropper post as standard.The frame is 297g lighter than the previous generation, according to Liv, and the Pique now features shorter chainstays for improved agility through tight switchbacks, paired with a slacker head tube angle (by 1.5 degrees), steeper seat tube angle (by two degrees) and longer reach.Bikes start from 4,999 in the UK and $4,500 in the US. - George Scott / Our MediaExpect to see this one being raced by the Liv Factory Racing team through 2024.There are three bikes in the UK range, from 4,999 to 11,999, and two in the US, from $4,500 to $7,500.New Liv Intrigue X hits the sweet spot with enhanced adjustabilityAlso new from Liv: the Intrigue X trail bike. - Warren Rossiter / Our MediaHeres another new bike from Liv, this time with a trail focus.The Intrigue X was launched at the end of March, and, as a do-it-all trail bike, is designed to sit in the sweet spot between short-travel and long-travel bikes, according to Liv.The Intrigue X has an adjustable headset. - George Scott / Our MediaLike the Liv Pique, the Intrigue X is designed 100 per cent for women, down to the geometry, frame sizes and suspension tune.The Intrigue X pairs 140mm of rear suspension with 150mm up front.Liv has also honed in on adjustability, with a three-position flip chip and a 10mm range for headset adjustment.The Intrigue X uses Liv's Maestro rear suspension with 140mm of travel. - George Scott / Our MediaThere's frame storage, too, an additional set of mounts on the underside of the top tube and bucking the latest trends Liv has kept the cables external.The Intrigue X sits between the Intrigue LT (160mm front / 150mm rear) and Intrigue 29 (140mm front / 125mm rear) in the range.Liv is offering the Intrigue X in carbon and alloy frame options. Prices range from 3,299 / $3,200 to 6,999 / $7,000.

Bag yourself a bargain, not a dud with these invaluable tips for buying a second hand bike

The Tour of Turkey takes place from the 21st to the 28th of April. It is one of the longest stage-races in the calendar and covers a meaningful portion of the country, in a race that features opportunities for all kinds of riders. We preview the race ahead.As we read on CyclingUpToDate, the race fi...

When you ride all year long theres not much need to give your bikes a spring tune-up since youve been keeping them more or less in tune anyway. However, the so-called Normcore Bike is a different story, as its currently my elder sons commuter. This means its often hastily lashed to bike racks and left out in the rain, so for the safety of both bicycle and rider I gave it a bit of a going over yesterday:As I took the above photo I heard a splash from that little pond in the background, and just barely managed to get a shot of what I assume to be a Red-tailed Hawk [I have since been informed its an osprey] snatching itself an early dinner:As one of cyclings preeminent bird photographers I should probably start carrying an actual camera around with me, but this was the best I could do with a so-called smart telephone, pinch-zooming, and subsequent cropping:As such, the images are a bit blurry, but you can tell that he hawk has either a fish or else a gigantic bird erection:Nevertheless, even these fuzzy images are more than sufficient to convey the grace and might of this airborne killing machine:And as it flew off into the evening sky I marveled at its power and efficiency:Similarly, while not exactly a bird of prey, the bird of meh that is the Normcore Bike is also graceful and mighty, and I marveled at its power and efficiency as I ran through the gears during my test ride:My fondness for the Normcore Bike is not because its more graceful and mighty that other road bikes (its really not), but because its an utterly competent road bike that can be had extraordinarily cheaplythe odd ambitious seller notwithstanding:Thats got to be some kind of record:While I believe in capitalism and a free market, I must say that we in the Bonded Trek Community frown upon of this sort of rampant speculation. I mean at least throw some bar tape and a pair of fresh hoods on there! This is like one of those real estate ads where they show you a pile of rubble for a million dollars and say, Bring your contractor and your imagination!Speaking of the Bonded Trek Community, Ive got quite a bit of perspective on it, for not only do I have a lowly 1200, but Im also the temporary custodian of the rarefied and exotic carbotanium LeMond Tete de Course:Glued-together bikes moved to the fore in the 1980s:In addition to those Vituses (Vitae?) there were also those carbon-and-aluminum Specialized Allez (Aliz?) and Giant Cadexes (Cadeces?):But Id say it was Trek who really ran furthest with the concept. They first began sniffing glue back in 1985:And by 1989 (the year the Normcore Bike would have been new) they had a whole line of bonded bikes, from entry level aluminum to high-end models incorporating carbon fiber tubes. Arguably, this culminated in the aughts with the ultra-luxury Tete de Course, until gluing metal to metal and metal to carbon finally went completely out of style shortly thereafter. I mean how could you sell a bonded bike like the Tete de Course today anyway? Consumers have long accepted that carbon is the material of choice for high-performance bicycles, so why the hell would they be interested in a bike where its glued to something else?But cycling is no less fashion-based than clothing, and whether its bikes or pants you can count on every bygone trend eventually making a return. For example, this past August, I mentioned you can basically buy a custom made-to-measure 1991 Trek 2300:This company, Framework Bicycles, appears to work on the Seven model, that being giving the customer sufficient rope with which to hang himself by allowing him to specify every single aspect of the frames geometry, however ill-advisedand as this review shows, sometimes theres nothing more dangerous than fancying yourself an expert:The cycling media tends to go heavy on the word salad, and the desert hipster website from whence this review comes is its Sweetgreenlots of ingredients and a high-end presentation, but still, you know, a salad. It all starts out well enough, with the reviewer confident that his self-professed expertise in the all road/gravel/rando/touring sphere will result in the perfect bicycle:However, things quickly go awry when he loses himself in strange musings about circles and triangles:I think this is what happens when you consume cannabis and attempt to explain that a bike should fit you good.While the prose only grows more inscrutable from there, it nevertheless becomes plain that he is attempting to express nothing less than his very essence in the angles of his artisanal glued-together frame:I tend not to believe that the answer to what ails us as a society is more organized religion, but when people are so lost and dissatisfied that theyre trying to find spiritual and creative fulfillment in a bicycle geometry chart you cant help but wonder if perhaps one of the major faiths holds the answers they seek:If you ever find your need for complementary numbers so in need of soothing that you are tempted to self-engineer a custom bicycle in an effort to spark joy in your subconscious, simply print out the chart above, punch a hole in it, and insert some sort of dial. Then spin that dial, and whichever symbol it lands on, just go to the nearest house of worship that matches it and do whatever they say. Dont think, just obey. Typically I wouldnt recommend this, but if youre this profoundly lost youll be much better off in the long run.Alas, instead of surrendering himself to the Spinning Wheel of Faith, he moves forward with the bicycle as planned, and it comes out all funky and ass-backward:This leaves him not only unfulfilled, but so bereft of joy he is contemplating giving it away.Shoulda picked up an old 2300.