Good morning.Ahem.[Removes slip of paper from pants pocket, unfurls]Last week in the spirit of Jest,I curated a gravel contest.The entries poured in,But which one should win?I cannot decide which is best.Yeah, pretty bad, sorry. But what do you want from me? I never said I was a poet.Now this is poetry:Let us sing of bikes, which we have manyNot near enough for those in marketingTo slake their thirst would cost quite a pennySo our needs for graveling they will singFirst add one with flat bars, for our hands easeA shock on the front! Ah yes, thats the thingLight and squirrelly? So racy, yes please!Tires round and bulbous, takes out the stingWhen shredding the gnar, no MTB needThe frame tubes of carbon, fear not the massThe rims doth be hookless, pressure thou heedBrakes hydro and disc-y, to stop your assWho are we kidding? Lets go on a rantTo hell with what Trek says, buy one from GrantAlso, this late entry, though ineligible, deserves honorable mention.So Ive mentioned it. Honorably.Anyway, Ill probably Award the Lube tomorrow.Maybe.Speaking of the Spirit of Gravel, its about to get slightly bigger:This will make riding on gravel quicker, smoother and more comfortable. You know, likeRIDING ON A PAVED ROAD:When the bike industry figures out how to market a bike specifically for the smooth processed gravel with which most roads in the civilized world are surfaced Im telling you its gonna be HUGE. I cant wait to hear what term they come up with for these pavement-specific bicycles. If it were me Id go with something like road bike, but thats pretty boring, and Im sure the marketing geniuses can do better.Too bad urban gravel bike is already taken, and has been since at least 2023:And yes, the Urban Gravel Bike is for youjust as long as youre a pink-hatted sandal bro with a bike bag full of vinyl LPs:All hes missing is the I Voted sticker.As for the 32-inch gravel bike, call me a conspiracy theorist, but this may be about selling people new bicycles:See, 650b used to be the hot new gravel size, but it seems to be going out of style now, and the reason for this is that you dont really need a new bike for it. Not only do most current gravel bikes with dick breaks accept both 650b and 700c, but you can even convert some older rim brake bikes to work with it. But the genius of 32-inch wheels is that you need a whole new bike to use it:This is one of the first in a wave of 32in-compatible components on the horizon from manufacturers of gravel and mountain bike parts, with 32in bikes requiring different frames, forks, tyres and rims from bikes running29in wheels.Scoff if you want, but the bike industrys in trouble. In a post-gravel economy, flat mount brakes are good, but flat sales are not:So not only will a shift to 32-inch wheels require everyone to buy new frames, but Shimano can increase profitability by introducing the new GRX 32!Sure, it may look like your current GRX crank only with the number 32 written on it, but what you cant see is that the BCD differs from ordinary GRX by .8mm, making it fully incompatible with regular GRX. This is for your safety, since GRX 32 uses chainrings optimized for 32-inch wheels, which can be dangerous if used with 700c or 650b. Why? Because 32-inch wheels have more traction, so if you use a GRX 32 crank on an old-fashioned 700c or smaller wheel youre liable to spin out, resulting in serious injury or death.And after that will come GRX 32 SL:By the way, believe it or not, no AI was used in the above images.Speaking of manipulating perception, I wish Streetsblog could decide whether this recent snowstorm was routine or historic:Here its routine:During a walk to get a slice at midday yesterday more than 15 days after the routine 12-inch snowfall of Jan. 25 Managing Editor David Meyer saw that the protected bike lanes on Grand and Lafayette streets in Little Italy hadstillnot been plowed (even though we mentioned them in a storytwo days earlierand had posted about this on our popular social media channels, too).And here its historic:On Jan. 25 15 days ago today New York City had its worst snowstorm in years. Weve endured bigger dumps from Mother Nature, but rarely do temperatures remain below freezing for so long, not only keeping the snow in place, but hardening it into immovable bergs that block bus stops, sidewalks and bike lanes and make a mockery of the notion of getting around on foot, in a wheelchair or on a bike.And complicating all of this is that recently Streetsblog had given up on the idea of snow altogether:You know, because of climate change:The snow is already starting to melt (damn, global warming), but we thought we would provide you with the first, and possibly only, road report of the winter.Look, I dont like that when it comes to bike lane obstructions Ive become one of those Just go around it peoplebut, you know, just go around it.Finally, you may recall Framework, who make artisanal Trek 2300s:And who were anointed by the cycling media as the Custom Bicycle Builder Of The Moment, even though no cycling media person who got one actually seemed to like it:Anyway, Id mostly forgotten about them until YouTube served me this video:First the builder had to re-do the headset because it would bind when the rider put his full weight on the bars. Then the bike just broke:Dont make me say itDont make me say it.

Jasper Philipsen has revealed his 2026 spring schedule, and it reads like the calendar of a rider no longer content with being labelled just a sprinter. The Belgian will again build his campaign around a dense block of Flemish one-day races, with Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix standing out as the...

Given the excitement surrounding the small run of prototype Esker Hayduke LVS fat bikes the brand has been testing and teasing throughout the past year, they're offering a limited production run. Interested in an extra-long titanium fat bike? Find details on the new Esker Hayduke LVS FAT here...The post Esker Hayduke LVS FAT: Even More of a Good Thing appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Updates to the 2026 Kona Rove lineup are here, featuring a host of build kit changes and geometry tweaks to its lauded gravel bike. For more on the new Kona Rove lineup, dig into all the details belowThe post The 2026 Kona Rove Lineup Features a Complete Under $1,000 appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

ActoFives CNC-machining stepped it up a notch, cutting away almost 10% more material from their simplified crankarms to create a lighter Signature X SL crankset. Perfect for everything from gravel up to trail bike builds, the lighter cranks shed 50g over the original Signature X, but keep the same price. Plus, Actofive also adds new color options, letting Signature X buyers pick from 6 anodized finishes for their crank hardware with only a little extra cost. And now with three modular spindle lengths available, you can fit an Actofive Signature X family crankset on anything from a modern 1x road bike up to a DH bikeActoFive Signature X SL lightweight aluminum 1x cranks(Photos/Cory Benson)Calling it the latest evolution of their 100% Made in Germany in-house CNC-machined aluminum crankset, the new Signature X SL cuts weight down to 520g thanks to more detailed FEA development and more machining time. Actofive dropped 50g off the original Signature X by utilizing deeper, more aggressive machining in the backside pocket of the crank arms while keeping the outside unchanged. The result is that the lighter X SL cranks are now officially rated up to ASTM Category 3 for cross-country, downcountry, and general trail riding, according to Actofive. If you need something more burly for enduro or gravity riding, stick with the regular Signature X.Color customization, now for just 20(Photo/ActoFive)While the black anodized self-extracting crank bolts and BB tensioner remain standard, a touch of color is an affordable semi-custom option, too. Now, for an extra 20, buyers can pick from shiny silver, red, gold, blue, or deep purple hardware to spice up any of the Signature X cranksets. For those who already have a Signature X crank, itll cost you 95 to upgrade to a new colorful hardware kit, including VAT.Now, three spindle options, too(Photo/ActoFive)And now that theres a lighter SL crankarm option, Actofive has also added a third spindle option for their modular Signature X family. Now theres a shorter 161.5mm q-factor version for 1x all-road, cyclocross, and gravel bike builds.Tech detailsone-piece crankarms, CNC machined from 7075-T6 aluminumavailable in 165, 170 & 175mm lengths, plus especially limited runs of 145mm on occasionthree standard crankarm finishes: silver, black, or raw aluminumcustom anodized crankarm color also available on request, and to match your Actofive frame, for an extra feeSRAM 3-bolt direct mount chainring interface Actofive chainrings available separatelythree 29mm SRAM DUB BB compatible spindle lengths available: Short for CX/Gravel -48mm chainline, 161.5mm q-factor Long for standard MTB Boost 51mm chainline, 168mm q-factor Extra Long for wide MTB (Super Boost) 55mm chainline, 176mm q-factorself-extracting without special tools520g for Signature X SL (with Long spindle, without chainring)optional slip-on crank boots for protection from impactsActoFive Signature X SL availabilitySignature X SL cranks on a Sour gravel bike (Photo/ActoFive)All Actofive cranksets are made to order in Dresden, Germany in limited numbers. Buying a complete crankset (arms, spindle & hardware kit) gives you a bundle discount. A complete setup with the colorful hardware will cost you 419 without a chainring. Signature X SL cranks on an ActoFive mountain bike (Photo/ActoFive)Chainrings are not currently listed on their website, but are still available from around 120 in 30T or 32T for MTB or 40T for gravel, in both silver ano or hard black anodized finishes.Order yours today straight from Actofive:ActoFive.comThe post ActoFive Signature X SL Cranks Machine Away Grams, Add More Colors & New Spindles appeared first on Bikerumor.

In an era where elite riders routinely change teams in search of marginal gains, better contracts, or fresh motivation, Mathieu van der Poel stands as a near-total outlier. While the modern peloton is defined by movement, his career has been defined by continuity. From his teenage years through to b...

CyclistSetmana Ciclista Valenciana 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start listThe first stage race for the women on European soil is the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, which runs from 12th-15th February 2026. Established in 2017, the race has grown in standing to a UCI 2.Pro event as of 2023 and is often a season debut for Grand Tour contenders and podium hopefuls who skipped the Australian block of racing.Last year it was the earliest opportunity for Demi Vollering to shine with her new FDJ-Suez squad. She jumped at the chance, winning the opening day with an 18km attack and then holding the lead over the following three stages to win by 34sec ahead of Movistars Marlen Reusser.Vollering is back to defend her title in the tenthedition of the race and she faces competition from the likes of World Champion Magdeleine Vallieres and her EF teammate CdrineKerbaol, Feniz-Premier Techs Yara Kastelijn, and the UAE Team ADQ duo of Pauliena Rooijakkers and Dominika Wodarczyk. SD Worx-Protime are not set to take part.Setmana Ciclista Valenciana 2026 key informationSzymon Gruchalski/Getty ImagesDate: 12th-15th February 2026Start: GandiaFinish: ValenciaStages: 4Total distance: 481.5km2025 winner: Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez)Live coverage: RD3 Eventos Deportivos YouTube channel. Non-geo-restricted live coverage of the final two hours.Setmana Ciclista Valenciana 2026 route and stage-by-stage previewAs usual, Valenciana offers a hilly parcours and this year the race kicks off on the coast in Gandia. After a couple of bumpy days in the saddle, the Queen Stage arrives on Valentines Day with Stage 3 offering over 2,770m of elevation and will be decisive in deciding the general classification before the race finishes in Valencia.Stage 1, Thursday 12th February: Gandia Gandia, 121kmGandia has welcomed the peloton in every edition of the race and typically on the opening day. Stage 1 begins with a loop west from there, over a couple of smaller climbs before the Alto de Barx (6km, 5.6%) hits 17km from the finish. From there its downhill to the flamme rouge before a slight incline to the finish.Stage 2, Friday 13th February: Vila-Real Vila-Real, 115.5kmStage 2 begins and ends in Vila-Real, close to the Estadio de la Cermica (the stadium for the Villareal football team). All the climbing action is in the middle of the day so its ripe for a breakaway that could be reeled back in prior to a sprint finish. Did someone say Elisa Balsamo?Stage 3, Saturday 14th February: Agost La Nucia, 128kmWe hope the riders packed their climbing legs. The Queen Stage takes the peloton from just outside Alicante to just outside Benidorm, via the lengthy Port de Tudons (17.6km, 4.7%) and Alto Confrides (5.5km, 7.7%) double whammy for a total elevation gain of 2,776m.Stage 4, Sunday 15th February: Sagunt Valncia, 117kmThe final day gets interesting in the final 30km, the Port de lOronet (5.4km, 4.9%) providing one last chance to shake things up as the 2026 edition finishes in Valencia. Any plans for a sprint finish could potentially be disrupted on those slopes, but it is pretty much a carbon copy of Stage 3 last year, won by Balsamo in a sprint, and Stage 4 in 2023, also won by Balsamo. Related Posts Pro Log: Cycling streaming moves to HBO Max in UK and Ireland; Wiggins is an AI coach now; Remco is red hot Pro cycling winners and losers in January 2026 Pinky promise: Why this could be the season of EF Education-Oatly 9 big predictions for the 2026 pro cycling season Setmana Ciclista Valenciana 2026 favouritesSzymon Gruchalski/Getty ImagesAll eyes will understandably be on Demi Vollering in her first stage race of the year. In 2025, the Dutch rider opened her season with an immediate victory on Stage 1 here and claimed the overall title.Her old teammate Anna van der Breggen finished third in 2025 but SD Worx-Protime will not be bringing a squad this year, instead diverting attention to the upcoming Classics. Last years runner-up Marlen Reusser is also set to miss out following her crash at the UAE Tour. Instead, the team bring Liane Lippert, who raced to fifth overall in 2025, and British star Cat Ferguson, with both riders already winning a one-day race in Spain this season.World Champion Magdeleine Vallieres is here too for EF Education-Oatly alongside CdrineKerbaol, who already have one stage race win in the bag in 2026 thanks to Noemi Regg at the Town Down Under. UAE Team ADQ bring the strong trio of Pauliena Rooijakkers, Dominika Wodarczyk and Mava Squiban, while Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Premier Tech), Antonia Niedermaier and Agnieszka Skalniak-Sjka (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto) should also feature in the GC action.Lidl-Treks Elisa Balsamo always thrives here in the sprints and understandably topped the points classification in the last edition, even finishing fourth overall after two stage victories. The Italian will be on the start line again with Stage 2 and 3 looking similar to those she won last year. With seven stages to her name so far, its likely shell tack on a few more and bag a few bonus seconds along the way.Cyclists ratings: Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez): Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Premier Tech), Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto): Liane Lippert (Movistar), CdrineKerbaol (EF Education-Oatly), Pauliena Rooijakkers (UAE Team ADQ), Mie Bjrndal Ottestad (Uno X Mobility): Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-Suez), Dominika Wodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ): Agnieszka Skalniak-Sjka (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto), Thalita de Jong (Human Powered Health), Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek)How to watch Setmana Ciclista Valenciana 2026Szymon Gruchalski/Getty ImagesViewers worldwide can catch the last two hours of each stage on the RD3 Eventos DeportivosYouTube channel. There in no coverage on Discovery+ or TNT Sports. Broadcast timesAll times GMTStage 1, Thursday 12th FebruaryYouTube: 14:45-16:45Stage 2, Friday 13th FebruaryYouTube: 14:00-16:00Stage 3, Saturday 14th FebruaryYouTube: 11:30-13:30Stage 4, Sunday 15th FebruaryYouTube: 11:50-13:50Setmana Ciclista Valenciana 2026 startlistData powered by FirstCycling.comThe post Setmana Ciclista Valenciana 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list appeared first on Cyclist.

For UAE Team Emirates - XRG, the UAE Tour has never been about novelty. It is about expectation. Three overall victories, ten stage wins, and years of dominance on home roads mean that when the Emirati squad unveil their lineup for the race, it is less a participation announcement and more a stateme...

Ventum is back with a new version of its flagship aero road bike. The third-generation NS1 lands lighter, stiffer, and more refined. Which is kinda hard to believe, as we reviewed the second-gen NS1 and we loved it. But the updates are aimed at making real-world speed easier to achieve, and thats an update everyone will love.(All photos/Ventum)A Sharper Leading EdgeMuch of the update centers around the front end, where Ventum pulled lessons from its Tempus TT platform to reshape how the NS1 meets the wind.The new head tube now extends forward of the steerer, creating a cleaner leading edge and narrowing the frames middle through an hourglass profile to reduce frontal area. Meanwhile, deeper fork legs help guide airflow around the front wheel while adding stiffness up front.203 Grams Lighter Stiffer Where It MattersVentum also took a hard look at weight, trimming 203 grams from the frameset compared to the outgoing NS1. That reduction comes from an updated carbon layup, production refinements, and shaving mass from the front end and seat stays.In a size M/L frame, the claimed frame weight is 853 grams. Ventum claims the stiffness numbers also improve, with increases at both the head tube and bottom bracket areas.On the road, that should translate into a bike that feels more responsive climbing and more solid when putting power down, without losing the aero edge that defines the platform.A More Usable Race PositionInterestingly, one of the most meaningful changes isnt aero at all its fit.Version three of Ventums Race Geometry sees slightly taller stack heights, adding roughly 13mm in M/L sizes and similar adjustments across the size range. Reach numbers remain mostly unchanged.In practical terms, this means riders can achieve and hold an aerodynamic position more comfortably. Instead of forcing riders into ultra-low setups, the updated geometry acknowledges that sustainable aero positions often lead to better real-world speed.Ventum NS1 Gen-3 Frame Details The new NS1 also checks modern compatibility boxes, including:Integrated cable routingT47 threaded bottom bracketUDH compatibilityVentum carbon seatpost with 10mm offsetClearance for up to 700x35mm tires (same as NS1 gen2)Complete Builds & Pricing Ventum NS1 Gen-3 Ventum offers the NS1 as both a frameset and multiple complete builds, covering a wide range of price points and component preferences.Complete builds include:SRAM Rival AXS $5,499SRAM Force AXS $7,599SRAM Red AXS $10,999Shimano Ultegra Di2 $7,899Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 $11,299Frameset: $3,599 (Includes frame, fork, and seatpost)Build kits feature Zipp wheels, Fizik saddles, and either Zipp or Ventum cockpit options, depending on spec level; higher-end builds receive Ventums in-house integrated carbon cockpit.Color options include AeroChrome, Limoncello, and Onyx finishes across the lineup.Check out all the build options at Ventums site here. The post Ventum Launches Third-Gen NS1: Lighter & Built To Hold Speed Longer appeared first on Bikerumor.

Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohes early 2026 storyline has been obvious from the outside: Remco Evenepoel arrives, wins immediately, and the teams Tour de France project starts to look serious fast. What the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana revealed from inside the race convoy, though, is that the new stru...