Best known for his exploits on the bike, Ryan Mullen is venturing into broadcasting with the launch of a new podcast with his wife, Georgina. The couple have one child 2-year-old Gino and are planning to open up about their family life on their new pod, Im Not Your Soigneur. The new venture []The post Ryan Mullen and wife Georgina launch new family life podcast appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

In our latest YouTube video, Neil sits down with the Outdoor Alliance to learn more about the EXPLORE Act and what it means for bikepackers, the strategies they use to engage with policymakers, and more. Watch it here...The post A Conversation With Outdoor Alliance (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Solidarity between cyclists is one of the nicest things about being on two wheels. Why do some people eschew it?

CyclistWatch: How to change a tyre and inner tube without levers like a proChanging tyres is a fact of life for any cyclist, be it worn out treads or simply the inevitable punctures we all encounter at some point.But changing a tyre or inner tube doesnt have to be a major chore. As thevideo above shows, learning some simple techniques means saving all the struggle and you dont even need tyre levers for the majority of setups.Follow our steps and you can have your flat fixed, or tyres swapped, in no time. Related Posts Best road bike upgrades for every budget How to build a home bicycle workshop Best road bike tyres 2024: 10 of the best tyres for all occasions How to clean your bike chain and drivetrain in 5 minutes How to pack your cycling jersey pockets and saddle bag like a pro How to change a tyre and inner tube without levers like a pro1. Move all the slack round to one placeThe key to being able to remove a road bike tyre quickly and efficiently is getting all the slack that exists between the rim and the tyre into one place.The technique is to work around the bead of the tyre systematically, unlocking it from the rim (as often youll find it stuck) and then gripping and pulling with your fingers and thumbs working towards a single point; ending opposite the valve works best.Note: If you end up at the valve you wont be able to push the tyre off.2. Use the slack youve created to push the tyre off the rimWith a slack point established, hold onto it as you support the wheel between your feet on the floor, and then starting with your thumbs begin to push the tyre bead sideways off the rim. Once youve got it started you can use the palm of your hand, in an outward rolling motion, to be a more effective lever.Note: Sometimes this requires a fair amount of force and good technique, which will only come with practice.Also note: some tyre and rim combinations are tougher than others. Its a good idea to try your particular setup at home first, so you are not doing this for the first time on the side of a busy road in the pouring rain.3. Push the rest of the tyre off the rim, check for debrisOnce youve got a section of the tyre over the edge of the rim it should be fairly straightforward to continue and push it all the way off.At this point, if youre at the roadside due to a puncture, now is the time you need to thoroughly check inside the tyre carcass for the offending thorn/flint/shard of glass or whatever has caused the flat.Beware: sharp bits of glass poking through can also cut fingers!4. Refit the tyre on one sideTo refit the tyre: start with pushing on just a single bead so the tyre is held in place. Its a nice touch to align your tyre logos with the valve and it can make locating future punctures easier. Details count.5. Slightly inflate the tubeBefore trying to fit the new tube, the best tip I can offer is to inflate it slightly.Its really important the tube has some air inside as this will make it hold its roundness and shape which makes fitting it so much simpler, and significantly reduces the chance of pinching the tube during fitting.6. Insert the new inner tubePop the valve in first and then guide the inner tube into the tyre carcass. Immediately you will notice how much easier this is to achieve with the partially inflated tube, rather than a dead flat one.Check the inner tube is completely within the rim bed all around.7. Fit the second side of the tyrePlace the wheel on the floor once more, valve at the bottom, and begin opposite (at the top) working the bead of the tyre back into the rim bed with your thumbs.As per the tyre removal technique, try to work the slack around with you as you push the tyre bead in. With practice this will become second nature.At the end point (try to finish at the valve) it may look like the tyre will not fit, but trust me it will. It just needs a good shove.Strong thumbs are helpful, but its good technique not brute strength that makes this easy. Again, practise!If necessary go back a few more times, working the slack around once more and pushing a little more of the tyre on each time.Tip: Little bites are helpful ie, push a bit on at a time, dont try and push a huge chunk over in one go. Youll just end up frustrated and with very sore thumbs.8. Push the valve upWhy you should finish at the valve: Once the final part of the tyre is seated end by pushing the valve stem upwards (into the rim) to ensure the tube is not trapped here (where it is usually thickest).9. Final visual checkId advise one final visual check around the entire bead to check no part of the inner tube is trapped before inflation. But this should never be a worry if you have put sufficient air/shape into the tube in the first place, as it wont lie flat.10. Pump it upNow youre ready to inflate, using your mini pump or CO2 inflator if youre at the roadside, or your track pump at home.Ready to attempt something tougher than changing an inner tube? Read our guide on how to build a home workshop Related Posts Best road bike upgrades for every budget How to build a home bicycle workshop Best road bike tyres 2024: 10 of the best tyres for all occasions How to clean your bike chain and drivetrain in 5 minutes How to pack your cycling jersey pockets and saddle bag like a pro The post Watch: How to change a tyre and inner tube without levers like a pro appeared first on Cyclist.

The 2024 Giro d'Italia will take place from the 4th to the 26th of May. The first Grand Tour of the season, the main goal of the season for many and one of the most spectacular and history-rich cycling races in the world. We take a look at it's startlist. sThe final startlist features: Ben O'Connor,...

Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month, Sarah Swallow's One-Hour-A-Day Challenge has returned for another year to encourage folks to get outside and move for 60 minutes daily through May 30th. Learn more about the 2024 edition and how you can participate here...The post Sarah Swallows 2024 One-Hour-A-Day Challenge Kicks Off Today appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Tadej Pogacar heads into the Giro d'Italia as the main favourite, but also as the man to beat for the first stage of the race. Joxean Matxin is aware of this possibility, but he does end up playing down the chances of the Slovenian in the day's finale in Torino."I dont know. Stage 1 is a special s...

Ryan Pierce and friends recently rode the Kane Creek Pritchett Canyon Loop in Moab, Utah, and made a video detailing the route's highlights and trail notes. Using a couple of Ryan's recommendations, we also updated the longstanding overnighter route. Find the video and a link to our refreshed route guide here...The post Bikepacking the Kane Creek Pritchett Canyon Loop (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Colnago is having a banner year. The company just reported sales of 55.7 million euros ($59.6 million) in 2023 and is on its second gravel bike release of 2024. Its no secret that racing is a huge part of their success and history. After releasing the refined (and super expensive) C68 Gravel, Colnago created something for the dedicated gravel racer with a hint of cyclocross pedigree. Meet the new Colnago G4-X.Colnago G4-X What is it?Image: Colnago The new Colnago G4-X replaces the G3-X as Colnagos dedicated gravel and cyclocross race bike.What about the C68 Gravel that just came out? Thats a good question; its actually pretty different. The C68 is hand-assembled in-house in Italy and has a modular frame. It is more slack, with more stack, and slightly more compliant. Plus, the tire clearance is 42mm maxed out. Colnago doesnt think of it a race bike (even though we did) but more of a great-riding gravel bike.Image: Watts Dixon The G4-X, on the other hand, is a monocoque frame made in Asia, designed specifically for racing and competition. The frame is stiffer and more aggressive (more on that later) with less rake, less stack, and fewer (none actually) mounts for bike packing. Colnago says the G4-X takes cues from the V4RS road bike (tube shape wise) than the C68. Colnago G4-X Frame DetailsImage: Watts Dixon Colnago wants the world to see the G4-X as the gravel (and cross) companion to the V4RS. The frame is UCI-approved, and will be raced worldwide, including the European cyclocross season and world championships.Image: Colnago Colnago maintains tight control in manufacturing, even though the frame is crafted in Asia. They have an in-house dynamic stiffness test that is more comprehensive than the Zedler standard. It is meant to mimic the actual stresses of the rider on the bike rather than general stress.Image: Watts Dixon While still monocoque, the frame layup is very intentional. The drive side has a stiffer modulus where the chainstay is narrower. The same is true in various places, such as seat stays, down tubes, etc.Internal Cable RoutingImage: Watts Dixon The frame sees updated internal cable routing via headset and stem. Steerer-wise, the new G4-X moves to an entire 1.5 top and bottom headset over the previous 1-1/8 top and 1.5 lower. The new headset accommodates internal routing and is compatible with other manufacturers stem and bar combos.Image: Watts Dixon The new G4-X frame is UDH compatible with all 1X and 2X groups. If youre looking to do-it-all, the G4-X has clearance for road-size chainrings. New Colnago G4-X seatpost clamp is the same as the C68 GravelImages: Watts Dixon Utility-wise, the G4-X has a newly re-imagined seat post clamp, similar to the C68 Gravel.Image: Watts Dixon If youre looking for rack mounts, keep walking. The G4-X has zero rack or fender mounts, dont fear it has spots for three bottles and a top tube feedbag.The new Colnago GX4 boast more tire clearance than its predecessor, from 42 max on the G3-X to 45mm (with6mm wiggle room) on the G4-X.Colnago Bar/StemThe new G4-X is available with a traditional two-piece bar and stem or an integrated Colnago CC.01 Wide one-piece bar/stem combo. Image: Colnago This updated bar stem boasts a 40cm top46cm flare. The same super comfortable ones we reviewed on the Colnago C68 Gravel are also available.Colnago G4-X GeometryThe G4-X has slight geo changes compared to the G3-X. The head tube is slightly steeper, with a longer reach.Size wise the Colnago G4-X comes in; 45, 48, 52, 54, and 57cm sizes. Builds OptionsImage: Colnago The new G4-X will arrive in five different build options, with pricing starting at $4,750 and growing to the $9,000 mark.The builds start at 1x and 2x Shimano GRX buildsaround the $4,750 mark. There are three SRAM builds available with mechanical Rival at $5,250, Force AXS XPLR at $6,250 and Red eTap AXS XPLR for $9,750. No Campagnolo builds are slotted for the time being. Weight: The Colnago G4-X with integrated bar, SRAM Red AXS build option, Zipp 303S wheels, with XT pedals weighs in at 8.4kg (18.5lbs).Colnago.comThe post Colnago Launches G4-X For Pure Gravel Race and Cyclocross appeared first on Bikerumor.

Recently I was on the YouTube and the ol algo served me a video in which someone asks a bunch people at Sea Otter whether or not weve hit peak gravel:Now even without watching it you can probably guess whether or not industry insiders think weve hit peak gravel. (And if you cant guess, the answer is, Absolutely not! The supple-tired gravy train will never stop a-rollin!) However, Im not sure this is the right question. Consider this guys response:Hes from Bridge Bike Works, with which I was not immediately familiar, and he makes the good point that people often accuse the bike industry of wanting to sell them more stuff (An industry that wants to sell stuff? What nerve!), but that having lots of options is good for customers. He then talks about their Surveyor, which he notes is good for 90% of road to fast gravel:Now Im not saying the Survey is a bad bike, at all. Yes, its an expensive bike (the frame alone is $5,500) but if its the bike you want and youve got the money than thats all that matters. Whether its a boutique carbon gravel bike or an uber-deluxe Rivendell youve run through the Ultradynamico/Rene Herse/White Industries/Nitto garden, if you wanna go balls-deep on your next bike purchase then by all means go for it. Its certainly a lot better than throwing your money away on something that will erode your humanity, like drugs or an Ivy League education.What I am saying however is that this whole Gravel bikes open up a whole new world of possibilities for new riders! is starting to sound like a real load of crap. A Surveyor isnt going to mint more riders any more than the high-end road bikes of yesteryear. A race bike is a race bike, and it doesnt automatically become more accessible just because it has more tire clearance. Some people buy their first road bike and never ride it because they thought it was cool but it turns out it was weird and uncomfortable, while for others its the start of a lifelong love affair with cycling. I dont see why gravel bikes are fundamentally any different, and despite the much-touted versatility Im sure plenty of entry-level fat-tired flared-bar machines will wind up languishing in suburban garages hours from the nearest gravel road, forsaken by riders who found the handlebars uncomfortable and who never bothered to bring them to the shop after the brake piston started sticking and instead just went back to the Peloton.So I dont think the question is whether or not weve hit peak gravel. I think the question is the Passover-adjacent Why is this bike different from all other bikes?, and I think the answer is that it isnt. Bikes for roads and trails and multi-day tours and all the rest of it are nothing even remotely new, nor is the fickle and delusional consumer. Gravel races are no more or less accessible than the criteriums of yesteryear, and for all the talk of diversity and inclusion in the gravel space for most people who live in cities and suburbs and have full-time jobs and families these events might as well be on the moon. Ultimately some people are cyclists and some people arent, and I dont think todays bikes are any more or less likely to unlock your inner cyclist than the bikes of yesteryear just because they have a few more millimeters of tire volume. Speaking of the road bikes of yesteryear, Ive been riding this one a lot:As someone whos embraced steel and friction almost completely in recent years its a rolling testament to my hypocrisy. The integrated shiftingThe crabon cockpitThe wheels with like six spokesAnd of course the frame made from not onebut two expensive materials that are not steel:Bu what can I say? Its a great deal of fun to ride, and its nine speeds transport me with a flick of the wrist right back to 2003, when I was at the very peak (or depth, depending on how you look at it) of my own roadiedom:But Ive changed a lot since then, and one way in which Ive matured is that I now stop while riding and pay attention to the natural word around me. In fact, as I took the above photos, I became aware of movement in the Saw Mill River:It was a brown furry mammal of some kind, plying the waters:I didnt know what it was, but I thought maybe it was a beaver, so I climbed over the fence and went after it:As I did so I realized I was leaving behind a fancy road bike that did not belong to me:However, sometimes in life a man must choose between bike and beaver, and in this case I opted for the latter.Boldly, I pressed on, even though I was wearing road shoes:And while I lost sight of the beaver (assuming it even was a beaver) I did see the sort of place they like to hang out, at least in cartoons:Beaver dam or random pile of crap? I have no idea.Anyway, while I may not have gotten that beaver shot, I did at least get a picture of this jawbone:If you have any idea what kind of animal it might have belonged to please let me know.