The Volta a Comunitat Valenciana 2026 will once again establish itself as one of the first significant European stage races of the season, with a route that, on paper, appears particularly selective. A mix of rolling stages, summit finishes and days featuring constant elevation gain will demand a hi...

CyclistBest gravel bike handlebars 2026Gravel bike handlebars have developed a unique style of their own that differs from other drop handlebars. The best road bike handlebars have typically had drops that are close to vertical. More recently a slight flare has become fashionable as it places the hands closer together when riding on the hoods and so may improve the riders aerodynamics. But gravel bike handlebars often include a much wider flare. They tend to be wider overall than road bike handlebars too, although that is starting to change, with the best gravel race bikes increasingly following the narrower bar trend of road race bikes.If you want to replace your gravel bikes handlebars, there are plenty of options. Read on for our picks or head further down for a guide to what to look for in the best gravel bike handlebars.Our pick of the gravel bike handlebarsBontrager GR Elite IsoZone: RRP 60Deda Gera Alloy: RRP 130Deda Superzero Gravel Carbon: RRP 308FSA K-Wing AGX Carbon: RRP 340 Giant Contact SL D Fuse: RRP 120Pro Discover Alloy: RRP 60Profile Design DRV/GMR: RRP 80Redshift Kitchen Sink: RRP From 160Roval Terra: RRP 225Zipp Service Course SL 70 XPLR: RRP 120Why trust Cyclists advice?Lizzie CrabbWere into gravel here at Cyclist, regularly featuring gravel bike reviews in our magazine and online. Over time, weve ridden many of the best gravel bikes with a variety of bars, so we know what works for us and what doesn;t quite hit the mark for comfort and usability when riding off-road.Were not paid for our reviews or for product placement, so you can trust our advice to be unbiased. Related Posts Best gravel adventure bikes 2026 reviewed Best gravel bike upgrades for every budget The best gravel bikes 2026 reviewed Best bar tape 2026 reviewed: Recommended tape for wrapping your handlebars Best gravel bike handlebarsBontrager GR Elite IsoZone60 |Buy hereWidths available: 400mm, 420mm, 440mm, 460mmClaimed weight: 300gReach: 70mmDrop: 120mmFlare: 15Bontragers gravel bars are available in this alloy version and a similar, lighter but much more expensive carbon one. The flare is less extreme than many gravel bars and both alloy and carbon bars come with replaceable EVA pads for the tops that sit in depressions to avoid over-widening the bar diameter. You can add on clip-on aerobars too.Deda Gera Alloy130 |Buy hereWidths available: 420mm, 440mm, 460mm, 480mmClaimed weight: 310g (420mm width)Reach: 55mmDrop: 100mmFlare: 24Dedas gravel bars have a complex shape with a short reach, shallow drop and wide flare angle, that Deda claims improve comfort and make for quick switches from the tops to the drops. The alloy version is on the heavy side at a claimed 310g, but theres also a Gera carbon bar with a 220g claimed weight. Both are extension-compatible. Deda Superzero Gravel Carbon308 |Buy hereWidths available: 420mm, 440mm, 460mmClaimed weight: 235g (420mm width)Reach: 60mmDrop: 110mmFlare: 16As with the Gera, Deda sells both a carbon and an alloy version of its Superzero Gravel bars; the alloy bars offer an additional 400mm width. The Superzero bars have less flare than the Geras and a less complex shape, although they have a wider top section and are compatible Dedas internal routing as well as external cabling. Theyre clip-on bar-compatible.FSA K-Wing AGX Carbon340 |Buy hereWidths available: 400mm, 420mm, 440mm, 460mm, 480mmClaimed weight: 205gReach: 76mmDrop: 115mmFlare: 8FSAs carbon gravel bars (AGX signifies adventure, gravel, cyclocross) come with a complex geometry that includes a 25mm per side outward flare, 5mm downslope and 10 forward angle from the centre and 12 inward cant to the drops. The result, says FSA, is ideal ergonomics for gravel riding. The bars include internal cable grooves and are compatible with FSAs integrated routing. Theres a decent range of widths, including narrower options and the small flare ensures a comfortable position on the hoods.Giant Contact SL D Fuse120 |Buy hereWidths available: 380mm, 400mm, 420mm, 440mmClaimed weight: 264gReach: 72mmDrop: 125mmFlare: 8Giants D Fuse gravel bars have the brands D-Fuse shape to their tops, which is aimed at improving compliance. Giant says that the latest model has increased compliance by 38% as well as shedding 16 grams. Although compatible with standard stems, they can also be used with Giants Contact stems for internal cable routing into Giant bike frames. Pro Discover Alloy60 |Buy hereWidths available: 380mm, 400mm, 420mm, 440mmClaimed weight: From 286gReach: 70mmDrop: 110mmFlare: 12 (20 and 30 available) Pro sells its Discover gravel handlebars in alloy with three different flare angles: 12, 20 and 30, although the geometry and available widths differ between them. Theres also a carbon version of the 20 flare bars. The tops are wider for claimed aero gains and also provide a wider hand rest and theres a cable groove in the underside. The bars are compatible with Pros clip-on extensions for those wanting a setup for gravel racing.Profile Design DRV/GMR80 |Buy hereWidths available: 380mm, 400mm, 420mm, 440mmClaimed weight: From 285gReach: 105mmDrop: 105mmFlare: 78mm Profile Designs alloy bars have a complex shape to the drop that flares below the levers to offer a wide hand position when riding in the drops, without too much flare or a wide angle at the levers. Theres a 9mm rise to the tops too to promote a higher ride position. Theres a tool online to help you choose the correct bars for your sizing.Redshift Kitchen SinkFrom 160 |Buy hereWidths available: 410mm, 440mm, 470mm, 500mm, 530mmClaimed weight: From 286gReach: 62-72mmDrop: 110mmFlare: 25 Redshifts gravel-specific bars include the option to choose a front extension if you want to carry extra luggage. Theres a range of extra-wide sizes, all with a 25 flare to the drops, adding even more width. The bars also offer a 20mm rise to the tops and a 7 backsweep. There are more choices of spec including ergo grips to fit and a series of bag and computer mounts, making the Kitchen Sink bars a one-stop shop for gravel riding options.Roval Terra225 |Buy hereWidths available: 380mm, 400mm, 420mm, 440mmClaimed weight: 200g (420mm width)Reach: 70mmDrop: 103mmFlare: 12 Rovals gravel bars have a fairly traditional shape without a great flare and a shallow drop typical of gravel bars. Theyre low in weight with ergonomic tops and Specialized claims their strength is class-leading for carbon bars.Zipp Service Course SL 70 XPLR120 |Buy hereWidths available: 400mm, 420mm, 440mm, 460mmClaimed weight: 260g (420mm width)Reach: 70mmDrop: 115mmFlare: 11 Part of SRAMs XPLR range of components, the alloy Zipp Service Course SL 70 XPLR bars offer a 3 backsweep to their ergo tops. The outward flare is below the levers, so that these are less angled than on some bars. Theres plenty of width to the broader part of the tops, allowing you to clamp extra gear to the bars and theyre extension-compatible. Theres a 20g lighter carbon version available too.How to choose the best gravel bike handlebars for meHere are the factors we think you should consider when choosing gravel bike handlebars.GeometryGravel bike bars are often a little wider than road bike handlebars, which is aimed at providing extra control off-road. Bars also tend to have a shallower drop for easier transition between the tops and the drops and more comfortable riding in the drops. Reach is often shorter than road bars too. The extra width offers more space to fit a larger bar bag for bikepacking without getting in the way of the levers and so is still preferred for many gravel adventure bikes. Some bars, such as those on the Canyon Grizl Escape and the Redshift bars above, include a second central element to increase load space.Thats changing for gravel race bikes though. Although some bars are fairly generic, the BMC Kaius, for example, has a one-piece aero profile bar/stem that wouldnt look out of place on a road race bike. At 360mm across the tops and 420mm between the drops, its as narrow as road race handlebars too.FlareAlmost all gravel bike handlebars have a significant flare to the drops. In some cases its extreme, leading to bars that are in the region of 500mm between the bar ends and a flare angle thats close to 45. The width of the bars is designed to improve steering precision when descending in the drops, mirroring the wide bars now typical on mountain bikes.Were not such fans of highly flared bars though. As Cyclist editor in chief Pete Muir discussed in his review of the Enigma Esker, they result in awkward ergonomics when using the brakes from the drops. They can place the levers at an uncomfortable angle when riding on the hoods too, so that youre gripping the edge of the lever rather than its top. While MTB riders are sitting behind their bars, on a gravel bike you place greater weight on them. This can make it more difficult to steer when in extra-wide drops, which is great for stability on straight runs but may make manoeuvring on trickier trails harder.MaterialWhile its tempting to buy a fancy carbon gravel bar and save a few grams, alloy bars are less likely to be damaged in a crash and will bend rather than break if they are. However, one-piece gravel cockpits and some more elaborate gravel handlebars with extra mounting points may only be available made from carbon, so if you want these features you may not have a choice.Gravel handlebars are more likely to be ridden somewhere damp than road bike bars too, so try to keep them clean and sweat-free to avoid galvanic corrosion, whether theyre alloy or carbon.CompatibilityWhile the trend to front-end integration and fully enclosed cabling isnt as developed for gravel as for road bikes, its coming. If your bike has internal routing through the headset, make sure that your replacement gravel bike bars are compatible. Almost all modern bars will allow you to route hoses internally through the bars or via a groove in their underside though.ExtensionsBar extensions are a popular choice for more extreme gravel rides and races. If you plan to fit extensions, make sure your bars are compatible. Most are designed for clip-ons, even carbon bars which tend to be strengthened around their centres to support extensions, Not all bars work with all available extensions though.The post Best gravel bike handlebars 2026 appeared first on Cyclist.

The shock retirement of Simon Yates continues to echo through the professional peloton, and now one of the men who knows him best from inside a team environment has used it as a warning sign for the entire sport. Speaking to Tutto Bici Web at the AlUla Tour, Brent Copeland did not talk about Yates i...

CyclistUAE Tour Women 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start listThe UAE Tour Women is the second stage race on the WorldTour calendar following the recent Tour Down Under, taking place in the United Arab Emirates from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th February 2026.Last years edition was won by UAE Team ADQs Elisa Longo Borghini with teammate Silvia Persico two minutes down in second, closely followed by Kim Le Court-Pienaar of AG Insurance-Soudal in third. All three will be back on the start line alongside the likes of Marlen Reusser, Anna van der Breggen and Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto duo Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Neve Bradbury.UAE Tour Women 2026 key informationTim de Waele/Getty ImagesDate: 5th-8th February 2026Start: Al MirfaFinish: Jebel HafeetStages: 4Distance: 533km2025 winner: Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)Live television coverage: Discovery+, TNT Sports, FloBikesUAE Tour Women 2026 stage-by-stage previewThe UAE Tour Women 2026 is changing things up slightly compared to last year, saving all the GC action for the final stage instead of having a sprint day to end proceedings. Dont fret Lorena Wiebes, there should still be three bunch finishes to start your 2026 win collection.Stage 1, Thursday 5th February: Al Mirfa Madinat Zayed, 111kmThe UAE Tour Women 2026 begins on the coast for a pan-flat stage, kicking off where Stage 2 finished last year. The peloton heads out south towards sprint points before finishing at Madinat Zayed.Stage 2, Friday 6th February: Dubai Dubai, 145kmAnother flat day awaits the peloton around Dubai, heading out towards Expo Dubai and Al Qudra Lakes for some sprinting action prior to the main event.Stage 3, Saturday 7th February: Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi, 121kmStage 3 is pretty much a carbon copy of the Abu Dhabi stage last year won by Lorena Wiebes. The day heads in the direction of the Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, for an intermediate sprint. From there, riders will race towards Abu Dhabi Breakwater where Wiebes will probably make it 3/3.Stage 4, Sunday 8th February: Al Ain Jebel Hafeet, 156kmAh, some elevation at last. Stage 4 heads towards the 10.8km Jebel Hafeet, which averages 7% but peaks at 11% around 3km from the finish. This is where the race will be decided as the climbers come to the fore. Only Longo Borghini and Lotte Kopecky have won this race so far in its three previous editions. With Kopecky not riding this year, will the Italian be able to keep that streak going? Related Posts Pro Log: Van der Poel and Brand win CX Worlds; Tour and Vuelta wildcards announced; Finucane breaks 200m world record Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list Pro cycling winners and losers in January 2026 Pinky promise: Why this could be the season of EF Education-Oatly UAE Tour Women 2026 favouritesUAE TourBarring a big crosswind split on the Emirates open, flat roads, the winner will be decided on Jebel Hafeet will be the overall champion thanks to flat stages doing nothing to separate those in the GC. It was the case for Longo Borghini in 2023 and 2025 and Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime) in 2024.CyclistsGC ratings: Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ): Marlen Reusser (Movistar), Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG insurance-Soudal), Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM Zondacrypto): Juliette Berthet (FDJ United-Suez), Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto), Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv-AlUla-Jayco): Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ): Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal), Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ), Nina Buijsman (Human Powered Health)Cyclists sprinters ratings: Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime): Charlotte Kool (Femix-Premier Tech): Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ), Chiara Consonni (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto): Linda Zanetti (Uno X Mobility), Rachele Barbieri (Picnic-PostNL), : Georgia Baker (Liv-AlUla-Jayco), Gladys Verhulst-Wild (AG Insurance-Soudal), Maggie Coles-Lyster (Human Powered Health)How to watch the UAE Tour Women 2026The UAE Tour Women 2026 will be available to watch in the UK onDiscovery+and on TV with TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports 3. In the United States, the action can be seen on FloBikes as SBS is providing coverage in Australia.If the race isnt being broadcast in your country, or you are travelling abroad, a VPN will allow you to hide your devices location to access content that is normally geo-blocked.Read more:Live cycling moves to TNT Sports premium subscriptionRead more:How to watch cycling for less in the UKStage 1, Thursday 5th FebruaryDiscovery+: 10:45 12:45TNT Sports 1: 10:45 12:45Stage 2, Friday 6th FebruaryDiscovery+: 10:45 12:45TNT Sports 1: 10:45 12:45Stage 3, Saturday 7th FebruaryDiscovery+: 10:50 12:35TNT Sports 3: 11:00 12:45Stage 4, Sunday 8th FebruaryDiscovery+: 10:45 12:45TNT Sports 1: 10:45 12:45UAE Tour Women 2026 start listData powered by FirstCycling.comThe post UAE Tour Women 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list appeared first on Cyclist.

The return was never going to be quiet. Not with the name involved, not with the history attached, and not with a brand new American team stepping into the international peloton for the first time. But few would have expected George Hincapies Modern Adventure Pro Cycling project to make its first c...

A message from our Executive DirectorHope yall are staying warm! I meant to send this call for volunteers last week, but I got side tracked with a few other tasks, including taking care of my husband while he recovers from ankle surgery. We went on a leisurely ride a few weeks ago, and he fell off his bike in the worse way possible. Its been a bit of a rollercoaster since, but Im happy to report he is on the mend, and Im slowly crossing things off my to-do list (hence the late-in-the-day email).So, please pull out your calendars out and let me know if you can support in any way with the following opportunities:Bike Mechanic Support Wednesday, February 5 2:00 pm 5:00 pmWe need a few extra hands to get our bike fleet ready for our Spring Bike Clubs. Volunteers will help pump tires, clean chains, and make minor adjustments at the Extra Space Storage Unit located down the block from our office at 540 N Cortez, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm this Wednesday, February 5.If you are able to help, please contact Lauren Nagel at lauren@bikeeasy.org for more detailsYard Sign Distribution for the Purple Way Central City, Uptown and Marigny Area This week and nextOur 2026 Purple Way Campaign launched last week! Thanks to the New Orleans Health Department, yard signs have already been deployed to Moss Street, Norman C Francis Parkway, and the Lafitte Greenway. We are looking for folks who live along the route in Central City, Uptown and the Marigny to place additional. Please note that this year we made a few edits to the suggested route based on feedback from last year. Yard signs will need to be picked up from our office at 3530 Toulouse Street, deployed along the route, and then brought back to the office after Ash Wednesday. If you live along Moss Street, Norman C Francis, or the Lafitte Greenway and would like to volunteer to pick up signs already deployed after Ash Wednesday, that is also an option.If you are able to help, please contact Allene La Spina allene@bikeeasy.org for more detailsRide Ambassadors Bike Streets Project OngoingWere looking for 20 dedicated volunteers to help us populate our Bike Streets Map usage this effort is focused on promoting biking in New Orleans by identifying low-stress bike routes to provide directions for people looking to navigate the city by bike. This work will help us identify where vital connectors are missing and focus our effort accordingly.What makes a low-stress bike route and why is this important?Low-stress bike routes are routes that may not have any formal infrastructure, but are well suited for people to ride their bike along regardless of comfort level. To give an example: St. Claude has a traditional bike lane painted on the street but there are often cars in the bike lane, dangerous intersections, and motor vehicles traveling at a high speed. Alternatively, when going down river, Rampart Street sees a relatively low amount of traffic and lower speed limits. When searching for directions, Google Maps and similar Apps will simply highlight bike lanes, this App will allow us to use community input to provide better directions and update conditions in real time to make our city easier to navigate by bike!How can I help?Right now, we are looking for a small group to build our user input before launching this app formally. All we are asking is for people to log rides regularly on your rides. So if youre considering helping all you need to do is keep riding and logging your rides on the app!Were especially looking for people that ride in and around Gentilly, New Orleans East, the West Bank, and downriver of the Industrial Canal. If you are able to help, contact David Meza david@bikeeasy.org for more detailsAgain, sorry for the late notice on some of these asks! Later this week well be sending a couple more emails: One specifically for Bike Easy Members marking the beginning of our monthly newsletter, and another one with more information about this years Purple Way Campaign! In the meantime, stay warm!

CyclistWould cyclocross be better off without Mathieu van der Poel?After a record-breaking eighth UCI Cyclocross World Championship victory over the weekend, Mathieu van der Poel has become the most successful rider in the events history.Now with 183 cyclocross victories under his belt, a record 51 UCI World Cup race victories and this eighth world title, Van der Poel is undoubtedly the greatest cyclocross rider to ever grace the muddy fields of northern Europe. However, after having supposedly completed cyclocross this season, the Dutchman is hinting at hanging up his mud-caked bike in the coming years.Without its 31-year-old talisman, the sport will be forced to navigate a new era, one that could either burn bright or see the discipline fall back into its niche category. So, as Van der Poel takes some time to rethink his options, lets take a step back and envision the sport post-MVDP.The prospect of closer racingUCIWhile Van der Poels mitre and dominance in cyclocross has been nothing short of spectacular in recent years, it has verged on being boring at times. In fact, he has only lost one race during the past three seasons, and that was down to a crash. His winning formula is now tried and tested, often seeing him spending an hour on his own off the front after going clear during the first lap.If youre sitting down to watch a cyclocross race with the hope of seeing some close competition throughout, youve largely been out of luck when a rainbow jersey is on the start line. Since the demise of close rival Wout van Aerts own cyclocross career in the past three years, the season has felt like a series of exhibition races once Van der Poel sails away to an insurmountable lead.Without him, the hierarchy opens up. The competition between the likes of Tibor del Grosso, Thibau Nys, Michael Vantourenhout, Niels Vandeputte and Toon Aerts creates the prospect of far more entertaining and volatile battles in the future. It means we can look forward to more classic cat-and-mouse moments, final lap blitzes and overall intrigue throughout the race.As a bonus, the World Cup could reclaim its relevance without riders needing to worry about an impending Van der Poel hammering. That psychological blow must have weighed heavily on the bunch since his dominance began, so a Van der Poel-less bunch could see riders regain some confidence.The man making the sport globalGaetan FlammeWhile the watchability of cyclocross races may increase without Van der Poel, there is a flip-side to his dominance.The Dutchman has an unparalleled star power in the sport. Id even say he has almost grown bigger than cyclocross itself, particularly on an international level outside of the traditional Benelux market. Clips featuring the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider go viral each weekend and headlines featuring his name are bound to get far more traction than those of any other cyclocross racer. As a result, his fame has transcended cyclings traditional realm.The Dutchman has wrangled in new viewers to the sport, whether they know his name from the road or mountain biking. The proof of this is evident in YouTube views and social media impressions. For example, on TNT Sports YouTube channel which accrued the highest view counts for any highlights packages on the site races featuring Van der Poel this season received an average of 158,000 views in comparison to the Van der Poel-less figure of 57,000. In other words, views almost tripled when the Dutch superstar was racing.In an age of clippable moments and social media virality, losing a star like Van der Poel could certainly damage cyclocross reach, both online and on TV. Not only that, but ticket sales at races may also suffer if fewer people find the sport or connect a star like Van der Poel to its very existence, particularly at races outside of Benelux.I can testify to this with my own experience, having attended the World Cup in Benidorm last month. Van der Poel received an unprecedented amount of attention on the side of the course, with some spectators only deciding to turn up thanks to the promise of a Van der Poel cameo. In fact, ticket sales at the Benidorm World Cup round increased in 2026 in comparison to 2025 when Van der Poel decided to skip the Spanish event. Related Posts Pro Log: Van der Poel and Brand win CX Worlds; Tour and Vuelta wildcards announced; Finucane breaks 200m world record Pro race history: Mathieu van der Poels first Tour de France stage win Pro bike: Mathieu van der Poel's Paris-Roubaix 2025 Canyon Aeroad The kids are alrightUCI CXIf the current vacuum of stars in cyclocross is a worry, feel reassured by the prospects of Del Grosso and Nys. Like a carbon copy of the Van der Poel/Van Aert duo entering the sport a decade ago, the pair are exciting talents with both personality and star power. Nys, of course, has a poetic connection to his father Sven, while Del Grosso posts videos on his YouTube channel and offers Gen Z quips over on social media. Together, they are the perfect torchbearers for cyclocross going forward.Like Van der Poel and, in fairness, Van Aert and Tom Pidcock the pair have also crosspollenated onto the road, helping them to build a bigger name than many of their cyclocross-exclusive contemporaries. Nys has already picked up WorldTour wins, for example, while Del Grosso, as the heir to Van de Poels Dutch throne, has targetted a big Classics programme in 2026. We await his ascendancy on the tarmac, but lets not forget that it took Van der Poel four years to claim his first WorldTour win despite picking up a first rainbow jersey in cyclocross back in 2015.Perhaps their success on the road could bring extra eyes to cyclocross once they switch focus in the winter. After the era of Van der Poel and Van Aert, it would be good to keep up this synergy between the two disciplines, particularly in terms of international reach.Where does the sport go forward?Billy Ceusters/Getty ImagesLets get one thing clear. Van der Poel hasnt fully made up his mind on retirement. He told the press the other day that he still has time, while also hinting that it would not be a bad idea to skip a winter. Of course, there are financial considerations, with each World Cup appearance offering at least 5,000 in cash. Throw in a potential tenth world title in 2028 on home roads in Hoogerheide, the hometown of his father, and we could be premature to think that Van der Poel is ready to bow out.To be honest, the sport probably needs him to stay in the loop for now. His star power is vital for cyclocrosss growth, and its obvious just how much attention he brings to the sport, which has historically been dominated by Belgians. He keeps the sport relevant, and he elevates its appeal to a broader audience, who are not guaranteed to stay on board if he were to retire.That said, the seeds have already been sewn for cyclocrosss next phase through the emergence of captivating characters in Del Grosso and Nys. Their youthful energy is engaging online audiences and seeing their personal appeal expand internationally. As a duo, they offer a new rivalry for cyclocross to build on in the years to come, which is exactly what the sport needs.For most long-time cyclocross fans, names like Sven Nys, Niels Albert and Mathieu van der Poel are the legends of the sport that we remember. If either Tibor del Grosso or Thibau Nys can join those ranks, cyclocross is in safe hands.The post Would cyclocross be better off without Mathieu van der Poel? appeared first on Cyclist.

The debate around Jonas Vingegaards 2026 calendar is no longer just a media talking point. It is now being openly questioned by former Tour de France winners and experienced insiders who know exactly what it takes to win in July. With the Dane set to ride the Giro dItalia for the first time before...

The 2026 Etoile de Bessges will be taking place from the 4th to the 8th of February and will be the first stage-race of the season in France, and one of the first in Europe. The race features opportunities for the sprinters, classics riders and time trialists to perform. We take a look at the start...

Thats right, you read it correctly. Minnesotas Surly Bicycles wants you to up your daily fiber as they join the masses, and spec some carbon bits on the new 700c Black Cherry Fizz Midnight Special. Dont worry, if you prefer your Midnight Special with a steel fork and trusty aluminum hoops, come this Spring you can get that if you want. But, more on that at a later date.(Photos / Surly Bikes)We all know that Surlys been flyin the steel and steel only flag for jeez, almost 30 years now? But now theyre saying that just because steel is real, doesnt mean everything else is fake. I mean, thats always been the consensus among most cyclists, and I tend to agree. I dont think Surly has lost its core values and given in to the mindset that if you cant beat em, join em by adding some carbon fiber to the Midnight Special. Maybe some of the benefits of using carbon fiber bits on your bike are too compelling to continue to ignore. Anywho lets take a look.Black Cherry Fizz Midnight SpecialThe Black Cherry Fizz Midnight Special is the first bike in Surlys existence that has sported a carbon fiber fork and rims. And really, the Midnight Special is the best bike for the addition of a carbon fork and rims. The bike has always been marketed as a bike that was part hustle and part muscle. In Surlys words, a road bike that feels spirited on fresh pavement yet transitions smoothly into the seedy underbelly of road riding, where the asphalt crumbles away, and potholes threaten to throw you off-balance.Carbon fiber has an inherent ability to absorb road and trail chatter. Not to mention the materials crazy strength-to-weight ratio. You blend that crazy lightweight with less road and trail vibration, and you get more comfort and more speed while in the saddle.Tire clearance for weeks!The Surly Midnight Special uses Surlys tig-welded chromoly steel, Natch tubing, with a double-butted main triangle. The fork is the Salsa Waxwing carbon fork with an aluminum 1 1/8 steerer. It also sports a 402mm axle-to-crown measurement. It is specd with a Shimano 105 R7120 front and rear derailleur, as well as 105 50x34t double cranks, 105 shifter/brake levers, and 105 brake calipers. The cassette is a Shimano 105 R7101, 11-34t, 12-speed. Front and rear tires are the Teravail Rampart in 700c x 35mm, tubeless ready with sealant included. The Midnight Specials carbon rims are the new Teravail Circos. They are 700c, with a 25mm internal width and 24h front, and 28h rear. The front and rear hubs are DT Swiss 350 12100 thru-axle front and 12142 thru-axle rear.Claimed full bike weight for a 56cm is: 24lb 1oz. Midnight Special Geo*Measurements based on a 700c x 35 tire with an outside diameter of 695mm. Standover is measured from the top of the TT at the center.Size40cm46cm50cm54cm56cm58cm60cm64cmA. Effective Top Tube501.0521.0541.0556.0570.0585.0605.0625.0B. Stand Over706.0748.0779.0809.0830.0849.0868.0900.0C. Reach360.0363.0376.0386.0392.0402.0409.0421.0D. Stack533.0539.0546.0562.0581.0600.0621.0642.0E. Total Seat Tube Length400.0460.0500.0540.0560.0580.0600.0640.0F. Headtube Length95.0100.0110.0125.0140.0160.0180.0200.0G. Headtube Angle70.771.271.772.273.073.073.573.9H. Seat Tube Angle75.273.773.273.273.073.072.572.4I. BB Drop68.068.063.063.065.065.065.065.0J. BB Height280.0280.0285.0285.0283.0283.0283.0283.0K. Chainstay Length425.0425.0425.0425.0425.0425.0425.0425.0L. Fork Length Axle to Crown402.0402.0402.0402.0402.0402.0402.0402.0M. Fork Offset50.050.050.050.050.050.050.050.0N. Wheelbase996.0996.01009.01019.01022.01037.01046.01060.0Crank Arm Length165.0165.0170.0170.0170.0175.0175.0175.0Handlebar Width400.0400.0420.0440.0440.0460.0460.0460.0Recommended Rider Height147.0158.0155.0165.0163.0173.0168.0178.0173.0183.0178.0188.0185.0196.0193.0203.0Stem Length70.080.080.0100.0100.0120.0120.0120.0Frame & Fork ClearanceFrame clearance:27.5 x 2.35 (w/o fenders)700c x 42mm (w/o fenders)650b x 50 (w/ fenders)700c x 38mm (w/ fenders)Fork clearance:27.5 x 2.35 (w/o fenders)700c x 42mm (w/o fenders)650b x 50 (w/ fenders)700c x 38mm (w/ fenders)Retail & Frame DetailRetail: $Frame Construction: 4130 Chromoly, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, TIG welded, ED coatedFork Construction: Carbon fiberSuspension Fork Length (Travel): N/ARigid Fork Length: 402 x 50mmAxle to Crown: 402mmRear Spacing: 12 x 142mm (Surly axle included)10 x 135mm with Surly 10/12 Adapter Washers (not included)Rear Brake (Rotor): Flat-mount 140 (160mm max rotor), 25mm thick mountFront Brake (Rotor): Flat-mount 160 (160mm max rotor), 35mm thick mountHeadset Upper: ZS44/28.6Headset Lower: EC44Front Spacing: 12 x 100mmFront Axle Size: M12 x 120mm, TP=1.5, TL=12Steerer Tube: 28.6mm (1-1/8)Crown Race: Integrated SHIS 40, 36 angleSeatpost: 27.2mmDropper Post Compatible: NoSeatpost Clamp: 30mmFront Derailleur Type: Bottom-pull (28.6mm)Bottom Bracket: 68mm threaded (1.37 x 24TPI)Crankset (Max Ring)1x (Road): 44T2x (Road): 34/50T3x (Road): 30/39/50TAccessory Mounts: Downtube-mounted shifter bosses (cable housing stops not included with frameset)Bottle Mounts: 3 StandardFork Mounts: Two sets of Three-Pack Mounts. Rack mounts: low-riderFront Fender Mounts: YesRear Fender Mounts: YesCheck out more details at the Surly HQ by hitting the link below. SurlyBikes.comThe post Hell Freezes Over as Surly Midnight Special Gets Carbon Fork and Rims appeared first on Bikerumor.