In this article, you will find frequent updates on some of the events that happen throughout the 2024 Tour de Romandie. In the medical report we gather the list of riders that abandon the race as well as information from the race's official press releases.PrologueNothing to note.Stage 1Astana have...

Schmolke, the carbon components company, has launched a range of folding bike parts, enabling you to give your Brompton the weight-weenie treatment.The boutique German brand is known for producing extremely light and expensive finishing kit beloved of hill climbers.Its folding bike part range is no different save seconds off your ride to work with 205g rims, a 129g seatpost and a 95g handlebar.205g rimsThe perfect upgrade for the folding bike hill climb championships. - Ben Wiesenfarth / SchmolkeIf your Brompton is sluggish up the cols of your commute, the 16-inch TLO carbon rim might be the solution.In Schmolke-speak, TLO stands for the lightest one and represents the brands highest grade of carbon.Which spokes will you pick for the feathery rims? - Ben Wiesenfarth / SchmolkeSchmolke claims the 16in clincher rims weigh a mere 205g each, without compromising on safety or stiffness.It says the weight limit is 105kg. The German brand hasnt made any claims about the TLO carbon rims aerodynamic efficiency. But for uphill traffic-light starts, youd be hard pressed to find a lighter option.True weight weenies will go for the 20-spoke rim, but 24- and 26-spoke options are also available.95g folding bike handlebarSchmolke says its folding bike handlebar weighs less than 100g. - Ben Wiesenfarth / SchmolkeThe titanium Brompton T Line is already a light bike, with a claimed weight of only 7.45kg.Now you can make yours even lighter with the TLO Lowriser for Brompton T Line handlebar, which is said to weigh 95g in its narrowest width.This weight saving will cost you between 289 and 349 depending on spec.Upgraded with Schmolke parts, your Brompton will fly up urban inclines. - Ben Wiesenfarth / SchmolkeSchmolke says the Lowriser TLO will be comfortable to hold in the upright position used on folding bikes.The ergonomically designed bar has a 15mm rise, 6-degree backsweep and middle section with a 280mm diameter.You can have a choice of 560mm, 580mm and 600mm widths, which keeps steering controlled, according to Schmolke.You can specify the rider weight limit you require when ordering the maximum is 110kg.A 600mm, 159g seatpostThe Seatpost TLO for folding bikes costs 100 per 100mm of carbon. - Ben Wiesenfarth / SchmolkeLast but not least is the extraordinarily pricy Seatpost TLO for folding bike.Schmolke caters for how folding bikes leave a lot of seatpost exposed, with a choice of lengths from 500mm to 650mm.Prices range from 550 to 610, or 100 per 100mm of carbon.Schmolke claims the 31.8mm diameter (the other is 34.9mm) in a 600mm length weighs 159g.Lifting your Brompton into a locker will be easier than ever. - Ben Wiesenfarth / SchmolkeConsidering a typical carbon road bike seatpost weighs about 200g in a 350mm length, thats seriously light.Schmolke says it achieves this by varying the thickness of the carbon fibres. In areas placed under stress, there are 23 layers and only seven where less stress is placed.There are three rider weight specifications (from up to 75kg to a maximum of 110kg), so lighter riders can save even more grams. Please can I extend my overdraft this month, bank manager? - Ben Wiesenfarth / SchmolkeThe Seatpost TLO for folding bikes can fit oval and round saddle rails, according to Schmolke.This will enable you to top off your weight-weenie Brompton with a Schmolke saddle.How about the 325, 109g SL 199 carbon leather saddle for a little extra padding?

La Vuelta Femenina starts off in Valencia. A 16-kilometer team time-trial in the coastal city will set early differences in the race and benefit the teams who have put in a strong focus on their collective. We take a look at the start times.The race starts off with Team Coop-Repsol beginning their...

Seth Dunwoody, the Irish junior racing for international trade team Cannibal B Victorious, has taken his biggest win of the season at E3 Saxo Classic Juniors. The Irish teenager had come very close in other major races in Europe in recent weeks, taking the runner-up spot in Kuurne-Kuurne Juniorsback in February while also finishing 2nd []The post Seth Dunwoody takes big European win at E3 Saxo Classic Junior | Video appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Fox has revealed its new Transfer dropper post, designed to combat the shortcomings of the previous model.The overhaul of the Transfer, already rated one of the best dropper posts, sees the brand bidding to re-establish itself in the competitive dropper post market.With the goal of making the new Transfer more robust, delivering smoother operation, and offering tunability and increased serviceability, Fox has gone back to the drawing board.More options and greater adjustabilityThe new Transfer comes in five sizes, with user-adjustable travel. - FoxThe new Transfer post is available in an extended range of sizes, with up to 240mm of drop. This should provide ample choice for riders seeking longer-travel options.With five sizes available (120mm, 150mm, 180mm, 210mm and 240mm), each post enables tool-free travel adjustments dropping in 5mm increments to a 25mm reduction. This is intended to ensure optimal fit within various frame geometries.This results in travel options from 95mm to 240mm in 5mm steps that should suit every frame and rider size.Durability improvementsMoving the air chamber to the top of the post has enabled Fox to install a Schrader valve, so riders can set the pressure to tailor return speeds. - FoxFox has prioritised durability enhancements. It has redesigned the Transfer's air system to minimise air loss by a claimed 62 per cent. This was achieved by eliminating dynamic air shaft seals, thanks to moving the air chamber to the top of the post.The Transfer's air-spring redesign enables user-friendly servicing, which should reduce costs and downtime.Fox has also introduced double oil seals with advanced wiper seals, substantially extending the cartridge's service life. The new Transfer is claimed to boast an impressive 300-hour service interval.Performance upgradesThe new internal and external seals are designed to help reduce the force needed to lower the post by 40 per cent. - FoxFox has implemented friction-reducing measures, such as replacing the previous IGUS bushings with metal-backed Ekonol bushings, to achieve smoother operation and faster return speeds.This upgrade enhances tolerances, and Fox claims it reduces the force required to lower the post by 40 per cent over the previous Transfer. Fox boasts that this sets a new standard in dropper post performance.Enhanced tunabilityThe new Transfer post is available in Factory and Performance Elite models. - FoxMoving the air chamber to the top of the post introduces a Schrader valve under the seat clamp. This enables you to fine-tune the post's return speed by adjusting air pressure and enhancing customisation, according to individual preferences or atmospheric conditions.Moreover, the tool-free internal travel-adjust system allows for quick modifications in 5mm increments, providing further versatility in tailoring the post's travel to specific riding needs.Streamlined design and compatibilityFox has redesigned the head and seat clamp to maintain the low stack height and improve aesthetics. - FoxFox has refined the Transfer post's design, including a sleeker two-bolt seat rail clamp for an updated aesthetic. It keeps stack height as low as possible.The brand has also added a dedicated 34.9mm post option, optimising strength and aesthetics. This dedicated size includes a larger-diameter stanchion to deliver stiffness gains and ensure compatibility with a wide range of bike configurations.Fox says it wants the redesign of the Transfer dropper post to set a new performance, durability and user-friendliness benchmark, aiming to strengthen its position as the gold standard in dropper post technology.

From the 28th of April to the 5th of May the women's peloton faces it's first Grand Tour of the season. La Vuelta Femenina features eight stages including chances for all kinds of riders and will be one of the highlights of the season. We preview the stage ahead.As we read on CyclingUpToDate, the r...

From controversial (and premium) suspension tech to affordable flat pedals brought back from the dead, the 2024 edition of Sea Otter Classic is busting at the seams with new, shiny, prototype and downright cool mountain bike tech.We put our sender sleuthing hats on and are pleased to bring you a taster of our favourite mountain bike tech so far.If you prefer your off-road riding tamer, check out our round-up of the best gravel tech on show.Well be bringing you much more from Sea Otter in the coming days. But for now, lets get stuck into this lot.Foxs divisive 32 Step-Cast forkThis is the first chance we've had to look at Fox's new range of forks. - Jack Luke / Our MediaThis years show was one of our first chances to lay eyes on the latest Fox 32 Step-Cast the brands new (and divisive) lightweight XC fork, which has adopted a reverse arch in the spirit of Manitous iconic design.What do you think of the reverse-arch design? - Jack Luke / Our MediaFox says the new reverse arch makes for a fork thats 40 per cent stiffer than the previous generation, despite weighing just 1,287g (down from 1,443g).The fork also uses Foxs new super-light Grip SL damper, which is designed for the rigours of XC marathon racing.Check out our full news stories for more on the damper and fork.Athertons (slightly) more affordable S-Range alloy bikesAtherton's bikes are some of the best looking out there today. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaThe show was also our first chance to set eyes on Atherton Bikes S-Range 170 alloy enduro bike.Released in February, the new S-Range uses CNC-machined lugs and bonded alloy tubes to bring the cost down versus the 3D-printed titanium lugs and carbon tubes used on Athertons A-Range bikes.Unlike most alloy mountain bikes, Atherton uses 7075 tubing. This cannot or, at least, not easily be welded, but offers higher ultimate and fatigue strength than conventional alloys used for bikes. Athertons bonded construction makes it possible to use 7075 tubing.Pricing starts at 2,799 for a frameset rising to 5,599 for a top-end full build.Box Components updated 9-speed drivetrainThe new drivetrain is centred around the one-piece steel cassette. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaBox One is a new premium 9-speed drivetrain designed for the rigours of eMTB riding.Building on its Prime 9 drivetrain, released in 2019, the new drivetrain is centred around a one-piece steel cassette and updated rear derailleur.The shifters have also been updated. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaThe cassette is available in a single 11-50t option, is expected to cost around $400 and weighs a claimed 350g.The derailleur has moved from a slanted parallelogram layout as seen on Shimano derailleurs to a horizontal layout similar to SRAMs. Box says this new design results in more accurate shifting with less chance of ghost shifting.The internals of the shifter have also been upgraded from the original plastic ratchets to magnesium, improving longevity and shifter feel.Box uses a proprietary chain that is, externally, as wide as a 9-speed chain but with 11-speed-width rollers. This results in a stronger chain according to Box.The groupset should be available later this year with an expected retail price of $700.WolfTooth Ripsaw pedals are for flat pedal shreddersIf you like your pedals big, you'll love these new pedals from WolfTooth. WolfTooths RipSaw platform pedals start life as a block of 6061-T6 alloy and are designed specifically for a mid-foot riding position.The pedals have a slightly convex profile. They are just 7mm thick at their leading edge and 12.5mm thick at the axle.The $199 pedals spin on three sealed cartridge bearings and an Igus bushing. The 12 pins on either side of the pedal can be swapped for 4.5mm or 3.5mm-long options.All components are available as spares and the pedals come with a five-year warranty.Praxiss forged Podium pedalsForging is relatively rare on boutique components. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaPraxiss new Podium pedals are competitively priced at $155 and may look familiar to some readers.The new pedals are a reincarnation of a model of the same name produced by Gamut until the brand ceased trading in 2018.Unusually for a boutique offering, Praxiss pedals are forged prior to machining. This results in a stronger pedal body compared to machining from solid billet, according to Praxis.The internals have been updated.Though the initial tooling is expensive, forging makes the pedals easier and cheaper to produce. This is reflected in their competitive pricing.The pedals profile has been slightly updated they are now 14mm thick at their widest point, with the bearing bump that pushed the foot outboard on the first Gamut-era pedals slimmed down.As with Wolf Tooths pedals, the Praxis Podium pedals spin on a row of three sealed Enduro bearings and a custom Igus bushing.Maxxis launches its fastest XC racing tyreThe ultra low-profile tyre is designed for fast racing in bone-dry condition. - Jack Luke / Our MediaThe Maxxis Aspen ST XC racing tyre has been raced by pros for several years and are now, finally, available for the public to buy.Available in 170 and 120 TPI casing options, the long-awaited ultra low-profile tyre is Maxxis fastest XC race tyre.The side knobs are the same as the regular Aspen. - Jack Luke / Our MediaWith a big year of XC racing ahead of us, thanks to this summers Paris Olympic Games, were seeing plenty of new cross-country tech come to the fore, including another tyre in the former of Vittorias all-new Peyote.Head to our full story on the new Aspen ST for all the details.Michelin reimagines classic Comp 16 with new DH16 downhill tyresMichelin's new DH tyres are inspired by the classic Comp 16. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaAt the other end of the tyre spectrum, Michelins new DH16 tyre is the brands downhill racing tyre designed for dry hardpack conditions.The tyre replaces the DH34 and is inspired by the much-loved Comp 16.The new tyre is claimed to be around 150g lighter than the previous-generation tyre with an 18 per cent improvement in rolling resistance, according to Michelin.A new softer rubber compound is said to maintain consistent performance down to temperatures as low as 3c.Cannondales stunning Lab71 ScalpelThis paint is simply gorgeous. - Jack Luke / Our MediaWe couldnt resist a closer look at this amazing smokey paint job on Cannondales Lab71 Scalpel.Lab71 is Cannondales range of premium bikes, with lighter layups and top-flight builds.And what a build! - Jack Luke / Our MediaThis bike is about as fancy as it gets, with a full SRAM XX Transmission groupset, DT Swiss XRC 1200 wheels, a Lefty Ocho 120 fork, a RockShox Reverb AXS dropper seatpost and CeramicSpeeds OSPW X oversized pulley wheel system.

From the 28th of April to the 5th of May the women's peloton faces it's first Grand Tour of the season. La Vuelta Femenina features eight stages including chances for all kinds of riders and will be one of the highlights of the season. We preview the race ahead.The race starts off in Valencia. A 16...

Downhill pro Neko Mulally has been building and racing his own bikes for a couple of years now but heres something altogether new: a prototype bonded frame, which also hides an unreleased electronic Fox shock and prototype ENVE wheels.Displayed on the Continental stand at the Sea Otter Classic in California, the front triangle features aluminium tubes bonded into CNC-machined lugs. The existing production downhill frame from Frameworks, Mulallys brand, uses conventional welded construction.Atherton Bikes has been making waves with its bonded frames and this is Frameworks take, brought to life as a result of a partnership with Quebec-based engineering company Faction Bike Studio.Neko Mulally's new downhill frame features a bonded construction. - George Scott / Our MediaMulallys bike also teases a couple of other unreleased tech gems: a Fox shock with what looks to be an electronic lockout, and unreleased ENVE wheels.Mulally describes the bonded frame, which uses a carbon fibre rear triangle, as an experiment.The bike also hides an electronic Fox shock. - George Scott / Our MediaThe advantage of going bonded is that there are no heat-affected zones, adds Mulally. You can be more creative in the way you make the bike, compared to welding.When the bike is finished, the tolerance of everything is going to be perfect; the accuracy of all the pivot points is going to be perfect.Prototype ENVE wheels for Neko Mulally. - George Scott / Our MediaThe bonded frame, which has the same geometry and suspension kinematics as Frameworks existing DH bike, is also lighter, with a claimed weight saving of around 300g versus the welded frame.This is a prototype being real-world-tested by Mulally after undergoing lab testing. He says hes ultimately not sure of the future of the frame, but he wanted to try a different construction technique and to see how it stands up to riding and racing.The wheels are said to offer improved comfort. - George Scott / Our MediaThe bike also sports a wireless Fox shock. We dont have any details on this but theres an accompanying remote on the handlebar.Finally, Mulallys bike gives us another look at ENVEs unreleased wheels, which we first showed you on Brendan Faircloughs Scott Ransom a couple of weeks ago.The fancy build continues with a set of 5Dev cranks and an Ochain device to handle pedal kickback. - George Scott / Our MediaAn ENVE representative told BikeRadar that the wheelset is still being fine-tuned, but the wheels are built to offer more compliance, partly to combat the rising stiffness of frames and forks.Well bring you more when you know more. For now, you can check out all of our coverage from Sea Otter 2024.

Richard Carapaz hadn't taken any big win since leaving INEOS Grenadiers at the end of 2022, but today he took advantage of his former team's work at the Tour de Romandie to take a strong win in the race's queen stage.I took advantage of the work of INEOS Grenadiers, who made the race very hard. Th...