After a month of bikepacking in Spain, Josh follows up with details on the Rohloff-equipped ATB he designed and built with Big Forest Frameworks in Germany. Read on to find out how big tires changed his trajectory, musings on affordances, and a striking set of photos from off-seasonal Spain hereThe post Joshs Custom Big Forest Frameworks ATB appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Looking for something subdued but unique? The limited edition artist series from Blacksmith Cycle features custom art by B.Harms + Special Projects for an exclusive spring collection.The project is a collaboration between Mike Yakubowicz, owner of Torontos specialty bicycle retailer Blacksmith Cycle, artist Brad Harms, and Todd McCallum, a former racer.The art is from the B.Harms + Special Projects Flow State series, based on Brads vibrant and expressive paintings. They say that Much like the perfect ride, they highlight the balance of flow and control, method and imagination.The kit is produced by Givelo and the complete collection Includes:G90/GVL custom jerseyLacefly Pro bib shorts (in two colors)Gravel Tech-TGilet with 2-way zipper technologySuper Light Base LayerG-socksEssentials CapBibs will be available in both mens and womens sizing while other items are all unisex. All pieces are designed by B.Harms+Special Projects in collaboration with Blacksmith Cycle. Pre-orders close end-of-day Saturday, May 4, 2024, with delivery near the end of May/early June. Order at link below.Bradley Harms and his art.Blacksmith Cycle will also be selling prints of the original Flow State work of art, which is included free with any order of the complete cycling kit collection. Matching Elite custom water bottles and Givelo Musettes are also available.BlacksmithCycle.comThe post Find your Flow State w/ B.Harms x Blacksmith Cycle Special Projects Kit appeared first on Bikerumor.

Further to yesterdays post about Peak Gravel, having lived through Peak Fixiewhich, in case youre lucky enough to have missed it, looked like this:[Unlike the frog in the boiling water, I can assure you that everybody knew how ridiculous this was even as it was happening.]I can tell you that one of the surest signs we were getting to Peak Fixie was when the so-called fixie conversion began to appear everywhere you looked:The recipe was simple: take a frame, preferably a nice old road bike with horizontal dropouts (or, you know, a Softride), and then destroy it* by sticking a track wheel in the back and a Trispoke, Spinergy Rev-X, or Aerospoke in the front. *[Converting a Softride into a fixie does not destroy it, as you cannot destroy that which is already destroyed.]Of course Sheldon Brown had been a proponent of fixed-gear conversions long before it was cool:And of course a fixed-gear or singlespeed conversion is a perfectly good use for an old frame. Like most trends, it started innocently enoughtrack bikes were expensive, but someone interested in exploring fixed-gear riding could turn an old 10-speed into a fixie for about the price of a rear wheel and a cog. However, by the time I started this blog in 2007, fixed-gear conversions had become a disease, with deranged people everywhere defiling perfectly good Colnagos in what was perhaps the darkest period cycling has ever seen:Today, the equivalent of the fixed-gear conversion is the gravel conversion, and its a term so oft-G**gled that there are video tutorials and search engine-optimized, AI-generated articles about it everywhere you look:Just as the fixie or singlespeed conversion was a perfectly reasonable thing to do in plenty of cases, so too is a gravel conversion, since replacing the tires and adding wider bars with more hand positions to an old mountain bike can greatly increase its rideability. At the same time, it can also go too faror, in the case of the lazy gravel conversion, not far enoughand its when this happens that you know youre getting close to Peak Gravel. And until whenever the next Ultraromance ride is, the best place to assess the current state of gravel bike conversions is where the rubber hits the road the supple tire hits the gravel, and thats Craigslist. So lets take a look, and rate them according to the Bike Snob NYC Gravel Market Index:Lets start with New York. There are few if any gravel conversions listed within the city limits, which either means were not at Peak Gravel yet, or were way beyond Peak Gravel. In any case, most of the conversions show up under the more from nearby areas heading. First, we have this:Delusional pricing is the surest sign of Peak [Insert Trend Here], though in this case the price is fairly reasonable, at least by Craigslist standards. At this same time, this is a fairly lazy conversion, as the curator hasnt changed the tires for tanwalls, or even removed the reflectors, much less fitted it with 650b wheels. A hastily-assembled flip like this is generally a sign of an overheated market, so Id put that at about a 75 on the BSNYCGMI scale.Then theres this:Some actual effort went into this one, both in sourcing an older frame with some style, and in attempting to implement a coherent aesthetic theme. The pricing is a bit ambitious since all the money obviously went into that Brooks, and the use of both a threaded-to-threadless adapter and the cloying term retromod detract from what is otherwise a decent bicycle. Id put this one no higher than 70, though so far its definitely a front-runner for a JBAR Award.*[The Just Buy A Rivendell Award is given to any rider who should just buy a Rivendell already.]Looking for something more upscale? Here you go:Covid project? Crust fork? This has bubble written all over it. Also, theres absolutely nothing gravel about those handlebars, and overall this feels more like a basket bike that needs a basket. (Were probably at or close to Peak Basket Bike too, but thats beyond the purview of this particular market analysis.) Price is high, though perhaps warranted for the name recognition factor. This is an 88 on the scale.Next up is something from Trek:This is not a restomod, this is a refurbished bicycle. Also, the description says you can entertain gravel and super wide tires in the future, which is certainly true, as long as you dont use this bicycle. Rampant speculation and flagrant use of buzzwords for a decidedly non-gravelly bicycle. 98 on the scale.Things are a lot better in the Bay Area, at least if this is any indication:Its an old Jamis with drop bars. Its cheap. No annoying buzzwords. The bar tape picks up the yellow accents on the frame. This bike isa good value?!? 40 on the scale!But thenNot only does the ad mention both Rivendell and Crust and make liberal use of buzzwords, but the seller is also asking $750 for an old hybrid, which is indeed a hefty price tag. And unlike the endearing Jamis with the yellow bar tape, these bars arent taped at all:Yes, the seller says hell tape the bars before purchase, but too little too late. This is at least a 90.And finally, to Portland.Back when I started this blog, Portland was a bellwether for all things cycling, so I figured Id see what the gravel conversion situation was out therebut instead of gravel conversions I found people selling all their bikes:I guess its over for Portlandand not just for gravel, but for bikes. And thats not a good sign. 100 on the scale.Taking all these in aggregate yeilds a nationwide BSNYCGMI of 80.1428571429.Get out while you can, and go long on late 90s/early 00s road bikes.

For episode 76 of the road.cc Podcast, we're debriefing how cycling was portrayed on the BBC's AntiSocial show with its 'cyclist' guest Lauren O'Brien, and talking indoor bike racing with the founder of fledgling virtual cycling platform IndieVelo

After a breakthrough Spring Classics campaign, Groupama - FDJ's Laurence Pithie will be hoping to keep the impressive performances going as he makes his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d'Italia."Being at the start in Turin for three weeks of competition is a real opportunity, and discovering your first...

The Irish national junior team for the Peace Race in Czechia, starting today, has been reduced in size while two changes have also been made as bad luck has befallen some of the young riders originally selected. And having lost two riders to that bad luck, it appears Cycling Ireland has only been able to []The post Changes to Irish team for Czech Peace Race due to illness, crash injuries appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Propain has launched the Terrel CF as its first gravel bike, nodding to the brand's downhill mountain biking roots while remaining an all-rounder. While the Terrel CF is compatible with dropper posts and gravel suspension forks, Propain says the Terrel CF's frame stiffness and geometry also suit faster riding.The entry-level Propain Terrel CF costs 2,599 / $2,599 / 2,599 and the range-topping model is priced at 4,999/ $4,999 /4,999.The perfect modern gravel bikeThe Terrel CF has clearance for 50mm tyres. - PropainPropain admits it is late to the [gravel] party. But it says it wanted to see how the market developed and take its time to make, what it calls, the perfect modern gravel bike.With this in mind, Propain has tried to maximise the Terrel CFs versatility.For adventure riding, the frame is peppered with mounts to fit gravel mudguards, bottles and bikepacking bags. You can also run a mullet drivetrain to make your gearing easier.Propain claims the gravel bike can fit a 50mm tyre to enable it to handle rough terrain.But the brand says it hasnt neglected speed: the ability to run single and double chainrings will appeal to those looking for a wider gear range to hit higher speed on and off-road.Propain Terrel CF frameThe frame is said to be stiff where required for pedalling efficiency. - PropainPropain says a size-medium frame weighs 1,090g. While thats heavier than most gravel race bikes, its still light for an all-round gravel bike.The Blend Carbon material is more compliant around the seatstays to improve seated comfort, according to Propain.Greater stiffness elsewhere is claimed to optimise pedalling efficiency Propain says the Terrel CF can keep up on road group rides.Cables run under the stem of the two-piece cockpit. - PropainFrom the semi-integrated cockpit, where cables pass under the stem into the headset, the Terrel CFs cables are routed internally.In addition to frame mounts, the Terrel CF has a down tube storage compartment for spares and a tubeless repair kit, for example.There's a storage compartment in the down tube. - PropainThe Terrel CF comes with MTB-style frame protection, such as a chainstay guard and down tube protector.Propain has chosen a T47 bottom bracket for its durability and ease of maintenance.You can use a mullet drivetrain to make climbing easier while bikepacking. - PropainThe Terrel CF uses the SRAM UDH to make it easier to replace the hanger and to ensure compatibility with SRAM Transmission rear derailleurs.You can fit flat-mount disc brakes up to 180mm in size to provide sufficient stopping power on long, fast descents, according to Propain.Propain Terrel CF geometryPropain says the Terrel CF's balanced geometry helps you handle technical trails. - PropainPropain says the Terrel CFs geometry is gravity-inspired but not MTB-lite.The Terrel CF combines a fairly long reach, short stem, moderate stack, slack head angle and steep seat tube angle.Propain claims this delivers light and natural handling, and a comfortable and efficient riding position.You can fit a dropper post and suspension fork. - PropainThe Terrel CF comes with a rigid fork. However, Propain says the suspension-corrected geometry was conceived for a 40mm-travel suspension fork.It claims to have adjusted the height of the rigid fork to take account of this.The Terrel is available in five sizes: XS, S, M, L and XL. Frame size XS S M L XL Standover height (mm)470510525545570 Fork offset (mm)4545454545 Fork length (mm)425425425425425 Head tube length (mm)98116130154177 Reach (mm)382396405412430 Stack (mm)554568583608632 Head angle (degrees)69.570.070.571.071.5 Seat angle (degrees)74.373.573.573.573.5 Top tube length (mm)538564578592617 BB Drop (mm)7772727272 Chainstay length (mm)435435435435435 Wheelbase (mm)1,0371,0531,0631,0731,094 Edit Table Propain Terrel CF builds and specificationsThe top-of-the-range Terrel CF comes with SRAM Force XPLR. - PropainThere are four stock builds of the Terrel CF. Propain says you can also customise your build on its website.You can choose either a Terracotta Gloss or Raw Matt colour scheme for the frame.The Base build opens the Terrel CF range. - PropainThe Base Propain Terrel CF starts the range at 2,599 / $2,599 / 2,599 and is built around a 1x Shimano GRX drivetrain. Its DT Swiss G1800 wheelset rolls on Schwalbe G-One Overland tyres.The Adventure build is the mid-range model. - PropainNext up is the Adventure Propain Terrel CF at 3,199 / $3,199 / 3,199. It upgrades to a 2x Shimano GRX groupset and Newmen G34 Fade wheels.The Trail is the most MTB-inspired build. - PropainAt 4,079 / $4,079 / 4,079, the Trail Propain Terrel CF looks like the most technically capable build. The Trail swaps to a RockShox Rudy gravel suspension fork and a Rockshox Reverb AXS dropper post.A SRAM Apex / GX mullet drivetrain, DT Swiss G1800 wheels and Continental Terra Trail tyres make up the rest of the build.The raciest Competition spec tops the Terrel CF range. - PropainThe name and spec of the Competition Propain Terrel CF suggest the top-of-the-range model is designed for gravel racing.Costing 4,999 / $4,999 / 4,999, the Competition keeps weight to a claimed 8.05kg with carbon finishing kit, a SRAM Force XPLR groupset, a DT Swiss GRC 1400 wheelset and Continental Terra Speed tyres.Terrel CF BasePrice: 2,599 / $2,599 / 2,599Groupset: Shimano GRX 1xHandlebar: Sixpack Gravel Line ALSeatpost: Sixpack Gravel Line CFTyres: Schwalbe OverlandWheelset: DT Swiss G1800Fork: Terrel CFSaddle: Selle Italia Model X SuperflowClaimed weight: 9.5kgTerrel CF AdventurePrice: 3,199 / $3,199 / 3,199Groupset: Shimano GRX 2xHandlebar: Sixpack Gravel Line ALSeatpost: Sixpack Gravel Line CFTyres: Schwalbe OverlandWheelset: Newmen G34 Fade wheelsFork: Terrel CFSaddle: Selle Italia Model X SuperflowClaimed weight: 8.8kgTerrel CF TrailPrice: 4,079 / $4,079 / 4,079Groupset: SRAM Apex / GX TransmissionHandlebar: Sixpack Gravel Line ALSeatpost: RockShox Reverb AXSTyres: Continental Terra TrailWheelset: DT Swiss G1800Fork: Terrel CFSaddle: Selle Italia Model X SuperflowClaimed weight: 10.15kgTerrel CF CompetitionPrice: 4,999 / $4,999 / 4,999Groupset: SRAM Force XPLRHandlebar: Sixpack Gravel Line CFSeatpost: Sixpack Gravel Line CFTyres: Continental Terra SpeedWheelset: DT Swiss GRC 1400Fork: TerreL CFSaddle: Selle Italia Model X SuperflowClaimed weight: 8.05kg

A winner of four Giro d'Italia stages during his career and the Maglia Rosa in 2017, the now-retired Tom Dumoulin has great love affair with the opening Grand Tour of the season.Reflecting on his relationship with the premier Italian stage race, Dumoulin took a trip down memory lane via theIn Het W...

Our friend Mikkel from Backwoods Bikepacking set out to find the wildest place near his home in Norway via fatbike and snowshoes. Along the way he captured footage to make a lovely video about the project. Watch "Bikepacking and Snowshoeing to the Wildest Place" here...The post Bikepacking and Snowshoeing to the Wildest Place (video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Who is going to win the Giro dItalia? The answer today feels obvious, almost certain although plenty can happen in the next three weeks. The harder questions are how might Tadej Pogaar win and who else is going to finish on the podium?Route reminderYou can see all the stages on one page here. This is not as mountainous as usual and there two time trial stages totalling 70km. If its a gentler Giro, its relative as there are still three weeks and tough mountain stages, especially in the third week.The ContendersTadej Pogaar is everyones pick. Hes finished no lower than third in a grand tour and the few riders who can challenge him directly are not here. Just look at the recent Volta a Catalunya where he ran away with the race, likewise Lige-Bastogne-Lige. Hes more than capable in the time trials and the sterrato stage is no worry for the Strade Bianche winner.If Pogaar seems certain to win then remember in 2019 Simon Yates promised he was better than the rest and got sacked in the third week; Geraint Thomass bid buckled because of a bidon in 2020; in 2022 few predicted Jai Hindleys triumph and last year Remco Evenepoel was DNF. The Giro supplies surprise although this is a race preview rather than mysticism so we wont go too far with speculation about Covid or errant dogs. Today, in a straight sporting contest, Pogaar is far ahead.His team look solid but not scary. Theyre all lined behind him, no Plan B or deputy; they even come with a sprinter in Molano. Rivals will look to them to take on the race which could leave them tired towards the end.If hes here for the Giro, its worth asking how much does Pogaar want to win the Tour de France? The original plan was hed be all in to win his first Giro then see what happens in July. Now the talk is audibly of the Giro-Tour double so he might aim for more economy during the Giro but that remains to be seen, as we saw in Catalunya if hes able to win hell just go for it.If we can all see Pogaar winning, how might he do it? Smash the opening weekend and keep the maglia rosa to the end? His team would be on the ropes, it might be better to try and loan the race lead to a breakaway. Paradoxically the gentler route may be less tiring in totality but it this doesnt make it easy to build an impregnable lead going into the third week. So wait until late before delivering a knock-out in the third week? He might not be so far ahead to insure against a jours sans during the third week, his team could be tired by then too. He was dismantled in the 2022 Tour by Jumbo-Visma playing the old 1-2 and rival teams here have multiple options to play.The RivalsWho else is here to win? Many might think second is no bad result and if Im up there during the third week, who knows? and if so then theyll have in mind the last two years where the Giro has been decided right at the end.Amid a bloom of budding talents, Geraint Thomas, second last year after being overhauled on the penultimate day, is more like an old oak tree and assuming he stays upright hell celebrate his 38th birthday during the race. He should be a dependable rider for the Giro although his form in the recent Tour of the Alps though didnt look sparking; it wasnt last year either but he was playing catch-up after illness then and says hes more ready now. Third in the 2022 Tour de France, he seemed oblivious to the Pogaar-Vingegaard duel and can diesel around to a steady finish and the long time trials suit.Thymen Arensmen is another GC contender who was sixth here last year and can hope to improve on that but recent riding in Romandie didnt look special. Tobias Foss brings more options but is likely to be deployed as a helper. Crucially with Thomas and Arensman means Ineos start with options. Imagine Stage 16 with the Stelvio early in the stage and Ineos get to work and dismantle UAE to leave Pogaar exposed. Fanciful? Maybe but a scenario and having finished second last time Thomas is here for a result rather than a repeat and could be open to tactical risks.Bora-hansgrohe say they want to develop young talent but theyre happy to make big hires too and in comes Dani Martinez. Fifth in the 2021 Giro while jobbing as Bernals motivation coach, the challenge is to improve on this, the Colombian is more than capable based on past results but leadership with a new team, well well see. Hes due to ride the Tour de France as well and so can function as pest to Pogaar for the benefit of Primo Rogli. Florian Lipowitz starts his first grand tour after climbing with the best in Romandie, translating this into success in the Giro is a big ask but worth watching all the same as he is a rider on the up.Embed from Getty ImagesBen OConnor (Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale) has finished fourth in the Tour de France. He won a mountain stage from the breakaway that year to take time but kept hanging with the front group through the rest of the race and has learned plenty and improved since, hes now surprisingly good in time trials. Hes an aggressive rider who can get restless in the front group and this is enjoyable to watch but it can cost him too. Theres a brittle feeling to his challenge, very strong in one week races for the podium but a Ming vase contender in a grand tour where one slip in the next three weeks could see the challenge shattered. Hes bolstered by a strong team for the mountains with Aurlien Paret-Peintre capable of a decent overall result too.Embed from Getty ImagesRomain Bardet (DSM Firmenich-PostNL) looks in great form after Lige-Bastogne-Lige. His challenge is the time trial stages, 70km looks prohibitive for the podium. Put Pogaar aside and if he loses two seconds per kilometre to rival GC riders thats a handicap of over two minutes to make up in the mountains. He can still climb to a high GC finish and if he wins a stage along the way he can complete the set of a victory in all three grand tours.Luke Plapp (Jayco) is the antithesis to Bardet, a strong time trial rider who maybe prone to losing time in the mountains. Aggressive in Paris-Nice and Romandie, hes shown he can climb with the best at times but doing this after multiple climbs and late into three weeks of racing is the new test, in Romandie he found the stage with more than one mountain pass harder. The course suits but this Giro is journey rather than make-or-break. Eddie Dunbar was a revelation last year, fourth on GC in the final week before sliding to seventh but this year his form isnt so convincing and he wont like all the time trials.Visma-Lease A Bike have had a rotten April but Olav Kooij has been delivering sprint wins and his presence can take some pressure of Cian Uijtdebroeks who still goes in as the teams GC contender. Eighth after a promising Vuelta, the 21 year old is going to be interesting to follow this month to see how he performs but is a project rather than a finished product, an undergraduate under the tutelage of Professor Gesink. Look to see how he fares in the high mountains and time trials alike.Embed from Getty ImagesAntonio Tiberi (Bahrain) has long been tipped as a talent for the future, in their Segafredo years Trek nurtured him only for him to slay a government ministers cat with an air rifle which in cost him his job, an incident so far more remarkable than his palmars. Hes out to change this and can climb and time trial well. Having finished third in the recent Tour of the Alps the form is there and starts his first Giro with high hopes after banking two editions of the Vuelta. Theres little pressure, this weeks editions of La Gazzetta Dello Sport contain more references to Marco Pantani than him. From the Lazio region, the 22 year old is surely Italys best hope too although veteran team mate Damiano Caruso has been second and fourth in the last two years, largely by racing his own race.Nairo Quintana (Movistar) is a previous winner a decade ago. Two years ago his results were waning and his return to the World Tour this year has seen him nursing a ligament injury and chasing stage wins.Juan Pedro Lpez (Lidl-Trek) had a great Tour of the Alps, winning the race by matching everything his rivals could throw at him during each mountain stage. But this shows he wasnt saving energy for the Giro and how to win here with 70km of time trials? If hes a form pick its for a mountain stage maybe and a top-10 and one of several contenders for the mountains competition.Tadej PogaarOConnor, Thomas, Arensman, MartinezThe post Giro dItalia Preview first appeared on The Inner Ring.