Swedish bike customiser Dangerholm has worked his magic to create this new Scott Scale RC Aero. It's his latest work on Scotts XC MTB range to adapt it to gravel riding, and this time he's added a dose of aerodynamics into the mix. Dangerholm says the aero concept isnt aimed at being faster than a standard gravel race bike on smooth gravel, but to maintain performance on rougher surfaces, where a gravel bike with 40mm tyres would start to struggle. Previous Dangerholm customisations have included December 2025s Scott Spark HMX Gravel Project, a full-suspension gravel bike with 110mm travel, a custom one-piece cockpit and 52mm-wide, 70mm-deep aero rims. Then theres the Scott Scale RC SL, a drop-bar bike with a host of custom carbon from Darimo, a RockShox suspension fork and a 7.19kg claimed weight. At the heart of the Dangerholm Scott Scale RC Aero's design is Scotts Scale Gravel RC, a rigid-fork, flat-bar variant of its Scale XC mountain bike. Dangerholm usually rides a size L, but sized down to an M to accommodate the drop bar and make the reach shorter. The seatpost and seat tube cluster were recovered from a crashed Scott Foil RC aero road bike. Scott Dangerholm has raided Scotts road bike parts bin, swapping to a seatpost from a crashed Scott Foil RC aero road bike and the seat cluster to fit it. This involved cutting up a box-fresh Scale frame and hoping the section of the Foil RC frame would fit, which it did, wrapped with plenty of carbon fibre to hold it in place. More cut-and-wrap was done on the Scales driveside chainstay, enabling Dangerholm to fit a larger 46-tooth chainring to the concept bike, followed by a lot of sanding down to smooth out the frame surface. The fork leg mounting points were also removed to up the aero. Bling bits A Berk Lupina Monocoque saddle sits atop the Foil RC seatpost. Scott Once the frame and fork were painted, it was time to bolt on lots of fancy aero parts, starting with that aero seatpost from the Foil RC with its built-in light, topped with a 99g Berk Lupina Monocoque saddle. The cockpit is a custom Darimo with a shorter reach, narrower tops and a steeper negative angle. Scott As with Dangerholms Scott Scale RC SL, theres a cockpit from Spanish super-light component maker Darimo. Its a custom Nexum Drag Gravel with a shorter 80mm length and 380mm width to suit the Scale frames longer reach. The slacker head tube angle of the Scale frame required a unique -12-degree stem angle. Theres also a set of custom headset hardware to fit the bar to the frame. The Red XPLR AXS rear derailleur is fitted with a CeramicSpeed OSPW system. Scott Further fancy hardware comes in the form of a SRAM Red XPLR AXS rear derailleur with CeramicSpeed OSPW X Alpha jockey wheels, along with a Red XPLR 13-speed 10-46t cassette and Red chain. The Wert cranks are fitted with a 44t SRAM Red power meter chainring. Scott Thats paired with a Wert StW-M titanium crankset with hollow crank arms and a 314g weight. The one-off axle sits in CeramicSpeed Alpha bearings and is a little wider than usual, adding 3.5mm to the offset and enabling Dangerholm to fit a 44t Red Aero chainring with a power meter. Finally, there are Xpedo M-Force 8 Ti pedals. The brake rotors come from Carbon-Ti, which provides components to the UAE Team Emirates-XRG team. Scott Dangerholm has used the Red brake levers. But rather than the standard Red calipers, which are flat mount, hes switched to two-piston 612-Parts post-mount aero calipers, along with lightweight Italian Carbon-Ti X-Rotor Aero brake rotors. The one-off wheelset has a 45mm internal width. Scott The wheels haven't been ignored, with prototype 45mm internal-width, 70mm-deep wave-profile rims developed with a pair of Canadian firms, and designed for aerodynamics and tyre stability with 2.25in MTB tyres. Theyre built onto Extralite HyperSmart 3 hubs with Alpina Hyperlite spokes. The hubs have a Boost adaptor kit and can be specced with a SRAM XDR freehub to fit the SRAM road-spaced cassette. Dangerholm reckons that, despite the wide tyre stance potentially positioning the shoulder knobs poorly for cornering, its rare to lean into a corner enough for this to have an impact when riding on gravel, because youd wash out first. He admits the 2.25in Maxxis Aspen ST MaxxSpeed Team Spec MTB tyres probably arent going to add much to the bike's aerodynamics. Hes running TPU inner tubes and has blacked out the logos for cleaner aesthetics. The chunky tyres should be able to take the bike into terrain where a gravel race bike would struggle. Scott Dangerholm isn't the only rider to adapt an MTB for gravel use. Chris Mehlman rode a Pivot LES SL with a drop bar at Unbound XL in 2025. Its not only customisers who are blurring the boundary between gravel and mountain bikes either. Last year, we highlighted four brands with gravel bikes with clearance for MTB tyres. Weve recently seen Ridley launch the Ignite GTX with 2.3in/58mm tyre clearance, while Pinarellos Grevil MX, as with Dangerholms concept, adds an aero road bar to a frame with 50mm tyre clearance and a 100mm-travel suspension fork.

The Vuelta a Andaluca 2026 has a new overall leader: Ivn Romeo. The Movistar Team rider claimed stage 2 with a very strong display, after a very early attack together with Andreas Leknessund that proved to be a perfect tactic to put himself in position to win the race. The Spanish champion jumpe...

The Starling Cycles Big Bird is a handmade full-suspension mountain bike from the Bristol, UK-based builder that uses the new 32-inch wheel size in a mullet-style setup. Find all the details on their latest release here...The post The New Starling Cycles Big Bird has a 29/32 Mullet Frame appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

A new take on the tyre lever concept that works very well once you get your head around the instructions.

Race officials play a central role in shaping each stage of the UAE Tour, issuing formal decisions that can affect individual results, team strategies and the general classification. This rolling jury and fines report documents all official rulings released during the UAE Tour 2026, including penalt...

The road to the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix just got a lot more interesting.With less than two months until the season opener, Life Time has officially unveiled the Wild Card roster, and if last year proved anything, its that these arent just filler spots. Theyre career launchpads.(Cam Jones on the proving ground. Photo/Scott)In 2025, Cameron Jones entered the series as a Wild Card and rode that opportunity all the way to the overall mens title. What was once a developmental side door into the Grand Prix is now arguably the most coveted pathway in elite off-road racing.For 2026, six riders (three women and three men) will again earn their way into the series and chase a record $350,000 equal-pay prize purse.(Photo/Life Time Grand Prix)The Wild Card Gauntlet: Sea Otter + UNBOUNDJust like last season, Wild Card hopefuls must prove themselves across two of the most demanding early-season races:Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel April 16, 2026Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano May 30, 2026Athletes must contest both events, and the top combined performers across the two races will earn entry into the full 2026 Life Time Grand Prix series.Its a brutal filter. Sea Otter demands explosive early-season form and a big engine. All riders competing in the Life Time Grand Prix series are looking to make a good impression in front of sponsors at the Sea Otter Classic. UNBOUND is 200 miles of Flint Hills chaos. It rewards patience, punishes bad decisions, and has zero sympathy for poor equipment choices.Both races are trial by fire and only the strongest will move on. But skill, power, and aerobic endurance arent the only factors in the mix; riders will need a great deal of luck on their side. We love to see it! The start of the iconic Leadville Trail MTB. (photo/Life Time)As Kimo Seymour, Senior VP of Events at Life Time, put it, the Wild Card selection has quickly become one of the most anticipated components of the series and the depth of this years roster reflects just how competitive off-road cycling has become.(Photo/Life Time)2026 Womens Wild Card ContendersThe womens field is stacked with experience, youth, and international firepower. Among the notable names:Lejla Njemcevic reigning marathon world champion with serious gravel credentialsHaley Smith a consistent North American off-road forceEmily Newsom bringing road pedigree into gravelCaitlyn Kellogg multi-discipline contenderLaurie Arseneault CX and MTB crossover talentAnd thats just scratching the surface. The roster includes 20+ international and North American riders, ranging from 22-year-old rising stars to seasoned veterans in their 40s. For the Elite Men, the Life Time Grand Prix series all came down to a sprint at the final race Big Sugar. (Photo: Life Time)2026 Mens Wild Card ContendersThe mens list reads like a whos-who of off-road horsepower and dark-horse potential.Standout names include:Russell Finsterwald former MTB national champ with elite gravel legsDylan Johnson data-driven gravel specialistLance Haidet CX and gravel crossover threatMartins Blums World Cup-level MTB experienceAlban Lakata multi-time marathon world championCory Wallace endurance specialist with global winsAdd in emerging names like Henry Nelson, Yusuf Johnson, and Gustave Orain, and youve got a roster that spans World Cup pedigree, gravel specialization, and serious endurance engines.If 2025 showed us anything, its that Wild Cards arent long shots; theyre legitimate contenders.The 2026 Life Time Grand Prix CalendarOnce the Wild Card spots are decided, riders will tackle the full six-race gauntlet:Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel April 16Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano May 30Life Time Leadville Trail 100 MTB presented by Kenetik August 15Life Time Chequamegon MTB Festival September 19Life Time Little Sugar MTB October 11Life Time Big Sugar Gravel October 17From high-altitude suffering in Leadville to the punchy chaos of Big Sugar, the series rewards versatility as much as raw power.Cam Jones Wild Card for the Life Time Grand Prix 2025 and overall series winner. (Photo/Scott)Why the Wild Card Matters More Than EverThe Life Time Grand Prix isnt just another points series anymore; its the proving ground for modern off-road racing in North America. Gravel specialists, marathon MTB diesel engines, and crossover wildcards all collide here, and the margins are thin. The Wild Card system keeps the door cracked open just enough for someone hungry to kick it off the hinges. With $350,000 in equal-pay prize money up for grabs and the deepest field yet lining up, 2026 wont be handed to anyone. If last season proved anything, its that the next overall champion might already be on this Wild Card list and theyre coming in with nothing to lose.Check out the full wild card list here, and the ways to watch the action. The post Life Time Grand Prix Reveals 2026 Wild Card Roster Six Spots, $350,000 on the Line appeared first on Bikerumor.

Paul Seixas won atop the Alto de Fia, but Ayuso new GC leader

The 2026 Volta ao Algarve will take place from the 18th to 22nd of February, and as is the case every year, will be one of the most fought out early-season stage-races. It features stages for the sprinters, climbers, timetrialists and classics specialists all to fight for results and work on their f...

Maybe youre commuting to work, or maybe youre just out for a cruise. Maybe youre going to grab a beer or get a couple of things at the grocery store.Whatever youre doing, Kona thinks a bike is the better choice. For a long time now, the Dew has been Konas go-to townie/cruiser/commuting machine. Theyve revamped them for 2026, providing more options (including a pretty cool steel offering), and have electrified options as well.They also changed the geo from previous iterations of the Dew, better suited for commuting. Among other things, Kona decreased the stack, increased the reach and chainstays, and gave the latest Dew a slightly slacker headtube angle.Old Kona Dew geo (left) vs. new Dew geo (right)The Kona DewsDewThe latest Dew sees an upgrade from previous iterations, opting for a more modern drivetrain and brakes. It sees a 1x Shimano ESSA drivetrain with an 11-45t 8-speed cassette. It also gets Tektro M280 2-piston hydraulic brakes.Along with comfortable commuting geometry, the Dew also has new Kona Commuter handlebars with 70mm of rise. It also rolls on 292.0 WTB Groov-E tires. Kona offers the Dew in four sizes, SXL, and a Niagra (powder blue) frame color.Dew DLThe Kona Dew DL steps up the performance a bit from the Dew commuter bike. For the Dew DL, Kona went with a 10-speed Shimano Cues drivetrain for a bit of extra range. It also uses Shimano Altus hydraulic brakes paired with 160mm rotors. Like the Dew, the Dew DL is equipped with the same WTB Groov-E tires.The Dew DL also uses the same 70mm high-rise bar as the Dew, and the two frames share the same geometry. Both the Dew and the Dew DL are built from 6061 aluminum, with the DL painted in a satin dark purple called Future Dusk.Dr. DewDespite a different frame material, Kona gave the Dr. Dew the same geometry as its aluminum counterparts. A steel frame and fenders give the Dr. Dew a classic commuter look, and external headset cups give it the classic steel frame look.Kona uses an 11-speed Shimano Cues drivetrain this time. Unlike the Dew and Dew DL, the Dr. Dew takes advantage of 12mm thru-axles front and rear for added performance and support. It, however, shares the same Shimano Altus brakes as the Dew DL, as well as the same Goov-E tires. The color on this one is called Algae, and it speaks for itself.Dew-E and ECocoThe Dew, but electrified. Kona uses Shimanos EP5 drive unit, delivering up to 60 Nm of torque. Paired with the driveunit is a sizeable 504Wh battery, which is semi-integrated into the downtube, and Shimanos EN600 display.This partial integration makes it easy to remove the battery if youre locking up your bike outside. Or leave it; the Dew-E also comes with an Abus battery lock. In full e-bike commuting fashion, Kona also equipped the Dew-E with full fenders and integrated lights. It utilizes a Shimano Cues 9-speed drivetrain and Shimano MT401 hydraulic brakes.Unlike the other bikes, the Dew-E needed a bit beefier tires. The Dew-E comes with WTB Reflective Horizon tires with puncture protection.Dew-E geo (left) and Ecoco geo (right)The Kona Ecoco shares the same EP5 drive unit as the Dew-E, complete with 60 Nm of torque. It has the same 504Wh semi-integrated battery and the same EN600 display. The Ecoco also has the same integrated lights, full fenders, drivetrain, and brakes.It is the sibling to the Dew-E, but with mixtie vibes.Prices and DetailsDew: $799Dew DL: $899Dr. Dew: $1,099Dew-E: $2,999Ecoco: $2,999Currently, Kona doesnt have any of these bikes available on their website, so check with your local dealer. See all the details and full spec list at konaworld.com.The post Kona Makes Your Commute Easier With the New 2026 Dew Lineup appeared first on Bikerumor.

Nearly 80 riders are battling for just 6 spots in the off-road series and a share of a $350,000 prize purse