German steel bike maker Sour has just given their popular Pasta Party XC hardtail a 32 upgrade. Dubbed simply the Pasta Party 32, it reimagines their versatile cross-country bike for even faster speeds and better rollover with the up and coming bigger wheelsize. Alluding to how their customers build up their Pasta Parties for everything from backcountry bikepacking rigs to racy trail shredders, Sour describes the bike as bigger wheels, same party energy.While 32 wheels continue to draw in those looking to innovate, the real world availability of such 32-specific components like wheels, tires, and suspension forks continue to be a limiting factor to broader adoption of this fast-growing wheelsize. So, its especially interesting that this new Sour Pasta Party 32 debuts 3 new 32 products that have never been seen before:a Manitou MRD R8 32 prototype fork that were told gets 120mm of travela set of Reynolds A32 aluminum cross-country mountain bike wheels, anda pair of 32 x 2.4 Schwalbe Rick Race Pro XC mountain bike tires!Sour Pasta Party 32 production steel XC hardtail(Photos/Sour)Unsurprisingly, it was that same 32 Maxxis Aspen 32 that we spied last year in Taipei that sparked Sours curiosity about bigger wheels. Sour founder and owner Christoph Sue dug in with industry connections at the Hayes group and Schwalbe to see how they could make a production 32 bike happen. Of course, sourcing big wheel components was a major challenge, but so was figuring what needed to change to make the bigger-wheeled bike as nimble as a 29erWhats new?Sour explains that the 32 bike retains the core character of the [original 29er] Pasta Party. But it also looks to take a bit of extra inspiration from their Trail-rated Crumble hardtail on account of the idea that riders will be pushing the Pasta Party 32 harder over rougher terrain thanks to the increased rollover of bigger wheels, and to fit bigger 2.4 tires since that has become the new XC standard.That meant revising proven XC geometry to deal with larger wheels, the longer wheelbase, higher standover, and a taller front end. There was quite a bit of geo tweaking to be done. But looking at the numbers comparing it to Sours other bikes, its less extreme than you might think, with chainstays just 2cm longer and suspension fork length just 2.4cm longer than a 29er trail hardtail.32er XC geometryTo make it all work, Sour gave the new 32 bikes more BB drop to keep rider weight the same height off the ground so you dont feel like you are sitting on top of a monster truck. Then, they adapted the shortest tapered zero stack headtubes from their more burly Crumble hardtail to keep frame stack as low as possible, without needing a reinforcing gusset. Frame Reach got increased over the standard Pasta Party, but still less than the Crumble to keep riders in a neutral position, and to keep overall length in check. In the end, the medium Pasta Party 32 is 44mm longer overall than the 29 Pasta Party, but just 7mm longer wheelbase then the same sized Crumble, making for a similar trail bike feel.All in all, Sour calls the Pasta Party 32 a production-ready frame, and it is available to order now with an approximate three month lead time. But Sour is acutely aware that this bike we see today is on of their earliest prototypes, which theyve only been riding in the woods since the start of this year. I wouldnt be surprised at all, if they decided to make any small geo tweaks between now and when their Saxony frame shop lights the torch on these new bikes in the coming weeks.How does the 32 hardtail ride?Sour says the Pasta Party 32 has a familiar balance of control, comfort, and playfulness like its older 29er sibling. They describe the larger wheels a providing:Significantly improved rollover performance on technical terrainIncreased stability at higher speedsBetter momentum retention and climbing efficiencyMore traction through corners and over mixed surfacesOur goal was simple: take the benefits of the new wheel size and integrate them without losing the signature handling of the Pasta Party. Christoph Sue, Sour founderWe havent had a chance to ride it yet, but plan to make a trip to Dresden next month to give the big-wheeled bike a whirl. Until then, we have to take Chris word for it, The results feel familiar, just faster over everything in front of you I just hope people do not take this too seriously. We want to try and find out, we want to play and so the people should.Tech detailscustom-drawn, multi-butted & partially heat-treated chromoly steel tubingovalized top and seat tubes for comfort & precise steering (dont crash) and better power transfer (go fast)TIG-welded in Germanyall new in 32 wheelsize with clearance for up to a 2.4 tiredesigned for 100-120mm fork travelultra-short tapered headtube for drop-in ZS44/ZS56 headsetmodular external cable routing under the toptube, plus internal dropper post routingUDH compatible with all derailleursT47 73mm threaded bottom bracketmax 38t round or 36t oval chainring for mega speed with these big wheelsBoost 148x12mm rear thru-axle spacing31.6mm seatpost with Sours custom machine integrated seatpost clamp160mm Post Mount direct rear brake mount (PM160) 2 bottle cage mount inside the main triangle, plus a 3rd under the downtubeSour also offers additional mounts (like for a toptube bag) for an extra feeavailable in three sizes M-XLSour Past Party 32 Pricing, options & availabilityThe most important first point is that the new is available to order starting today. The first batch of production frames is expected to be completed around the middle of May 2026, after which itll be a couple of weeks more for Sours customizable, colorful and ultra-tough powdercoat paint jobs. Pricing for the German steel hardtail mountain bike frame starts at 1300Sour.bikeThe post Sour Invites Everyone to a 32 Pasta Party with New Made-in-Germany Steel Hardtail appeared first on Bikerumor.

Despite racing just days after being doored by a driver, Keegan Swenson admitted he was still struggling to walk, scans later revealing that the American off-road specialist had fractured his iliac crest

Two sprint opportunities, two near misses, and no victory to show for it. On paper, that reads like a slow start to the season for Jasper Philipsen. Inside the Alpecin - Premier Tech camp, however, the tone is considerably calmer. If Jasper had been in Kadens wheel, he would have won the first sta...

B/W photos by Cody Johnson; Color photos by Cody Johnson, Dana McKnight, Mike Miller, Luke Kocher, Jen Kelly, Mike Miller, Evan Deutsch, and Evan Finton Segment 5 of the Great []The post GAWR Segment 5 (Maize) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

B/W photos by Cody Johnson; Color photos by Cody Johnson, Dana McKnight, Mike Miller, Luke Kocher, Jen Kelly, Mike Miller, Evan Deutsch, and Evan Finton The flat part of the []The post GAWR Segment 6 (Steel) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Named after Dr. Seusss beloved forest creature/environmentalist, Eskers Lorax is a go-anywhere dropbar bike made for exploring the far-off places that the books character was hoping to preserve. A staple in the brands lineup since 2016, Esker is updating its iconic steel dropbar backcountry exploration bike with its new Fork Yeah! steel fork, new colors, specs, and pricing. Whats not changing is the adventure-ready frame and features that riders already know and love.The Lorax is already well-liked for its 4130 chromoly steel frame thats ready to go the distance, whether on the Tour Divide or your mixed surface commute. The frame fits 29 wheels, has clearance for 2.6 tires, and user-friendly external cable routing for ease of maintenance. The frame and fork are loaded with mounts for frame bags, racks, and all of your other bikepacking necessities, and the Portage Dropout system allows for adjustability or single-speed setups. And, as expected in this day and age, its UDH-compatible to work with all of the latest drivetrian options.The new Esker Lorax with the Fork Yeah! in the Lunar paint color.Whats New?Fork Yeah!For 2026, Esker is equipping its Lorax framesets and complete bikes with its new Fork Yeah! rigid steel fork. As of now, the Fork Yeah! is only available on the Lorax, but it will be available for purchase separately for $250 starting in May. This change helps bring the starting price of the frameset down to $1,250 and $2,200 for the complete base build.Like the Lorax frame, Fork Yeah! is made from 4130 Chromoly. It has a 495mm axle to crown length, a 1 to 1 tapered steerer, 44mm offset, 15 x 110mm Boost spacing, and clearance for tires up to 3.0 wide. Its also got low-rider rack mounts, 3-pack mounts, and crown eyelet mounts for all your mounting needs. According to Esker, it also has an amazing ride quality.Darkness ED BlackRancheraLunarPaint OptionsColor-wise, Esker is introducing a new low-cost paint option that its calling Darkness ED Black. This option skips the cost of paint, while protecting the frame with an ED coating (electro-deposited), which is claimed to be both durable and corrosion-resistant. We think it looks pretty good, too. Esker is also offering the Lorax in two painted colors, Ranchera and Lunar, which add $150 to the price of the frameset or complete build.New SpecsWith new specs for the base model complete build, Esker is able to offer the Lorax for as low as $2,200. This lowest-cost option includes the Darkness ED Black frame and Fork Yeah! fork, Microshift 110 drivetrain, house-branded wheels, Avid BB7 brakes, and Maxxis Ikon 2.2 tires. Starting with that base build, Esker offers a number of upgrade options for the paint, fork, cockpit, drivetrain, and wheels, so you can pick and choose to get the parts you want.The complete base build starts at a reasonable $2,200, and Esker provides numerous component upgrade options when purchasing.Lorax Complete starting at $2,200Fork Yeah! ForkMicroshift Sword 110 drivetrainAvid BB7 brakesEsker House wheelsetPNW Bar/Stem and Ergon saddle with alloy seatpostMaxxis Ikon 292.2 folding tiresLorax Complete OptionsPainted Option Ranchera or Lunar +$150Forks Reba Gold 120mm +$300ENVE MTN Carbon fork +$450SID Ultimate 120mm +$900Cockpit Add PNW Loam Dropper +$200Drivetrain SRAM Apex 1 Eagle w/ Hydraulic brakes +$500Shimano XT/GRX 12 speed +$800Wheelset Industry Nine 1/1 Enduro S +$500Industry Nine 1/1 Enduro S Carbon +$1000BERD Hawk 27 +$1600If youre cold, theyre cold; let them inside.GeometryThe Esker Lorax is a rigid steel-framed drop bar adventure bike, and it has a geometry that reflects its intended use. Take a look at the chart below for all the specifics and sizing.Esker Lorax: AvailabilityEskers updated Lorax is available now. Head to the Esker website to learn more, find a dealer near you, order a frameset, or customize a complete build.eskercycles.comThe post Esker Updates Its Lorax Steel Dropbar Bike with New Fork, Colors, and Pricing appeared first on Bikerumor.

Lovely weather were having:To paraphrase The Great Man, it aint fit out there for Fred or beast, and its so bad that Mayor Mam-commie even has us under a TRAVEL BAN:Not like I actually plan to leave the house, mind you, but its the idea of the thing. See, Ive got an SUV, and Ill go anywhere I damn well pleaseif I can manage to get myself un-stuck, that is:And yes, people really are that bad at driving around here. Ive been watching similar scenes play out over and over again ever since last months snowstorm, which hadnt even melted away yet when this one arrived. Heres the fresh new snow falling on the disgusting old snow:Its like contracting norovirus just as youre getting over a hangover.Fortunately, unlike food poisoning, I at least saw this bout of projectile vomiting coming, and so I made sure to squeeze in some riding first. In fact, I even brought out the PRJCT GRVL bike:There was still too much snow to do any actual graveling, though at this point the roads are so bad Id argue that they qualify:I will admit that after getting spogged on not too long ago Ive been leery of the tires, but so far theyve been holding up:See, potholes are one thingbut the real flat hazard is all the detritus lining the roads:Scientific analysis reveals this terminal moraine of sludge is comprised of the following:Making this especially hazardous to cyclists is that its all suspended in a matrix that adheres to bicycle tires, ensuring the sharper components eventually make their way through the casing. Id share with you the exact composition of this matrix, but the percentage f semen content alone is enough to trigger projectile vomiting, and while ignorance isnt exactly bliss, it might at least allow you to continue deluding yourself enough to going outside. Lets just say you should use full fenders whenever possible, at least until it gets to the point where this stuff is able to eat through plastic:By the way, Ive had those now-discontinued Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires on there since 2020, and not only do they have plenty of tread left, but in that time Ive experienced exactly one (1) flat, though of course I realize that having pointed this out Ive now jinxed them and theyre going to explode at any moment.Nevertheless, for urban riding in filthy conditions, I continue to put more faith in a robust tubed tire than a more supple tubeless one. See, a gravel road is like a monogamous relationship, and as such you may be able to rely entirely on an internal solution such as sealant. However, if youre running around the city indiscriminately, a tough casing is paramount, as it is your first line of defense:Sure, you sacrifice a bit in ride feel, but its worth it, because you never know what youre liable to pick up out there.

Seven months away from racing is rarely the recipe for an immediate general classification result. Yet on his first outing since the 2025 Tour de France, Kevin Vauquelin delivered exactly that, finishing fifth overall at the 2026 Volta ao Algarve in his debut appearance for INEOS Grenadiers. More te...

Hope has teased its forthcoming HB.912 trail bike at the COREBike show, with the launch set for late this summer. Described as the younger brother of the HB.916 downhill bike, the HB.912 drops the high-pivot design and instead has a four-bar linkage to achieve 120mm of rear travel. There is a 130mm suspension fork and the bike has 29in wheels. In terms of geometry, the trail bike has an adjustable head angle of either 65 or 66 degrees, and a 77.5-degree seat tube angle. In a size M, the bike has 435mm chainstays and a 465mm reach. The Hope HB.912 trail bike is set to launch late this summer. Stan Portus / Our Media The HB.912 has a four-bar linkage rather than a high-pivot. Stan Portus / Our Media The bike on display at COREbike had special green paintwork, but the consumer model will sport Hope's classic raw-carbon finish. Stan Portus / Our Media The bike is suited to a wider audience than the HB.916, but it is still made in the UK and will have the same raw-carbon finish as the downhill bike. Hope displayed a special version of the new bike at COREbike with a green finish. A spokesperson for the brand said when the bike launches later this year, it will be available as a frameset for 3,950 or a complete bike for 7,950. The complete build will have RockShox suspension, a SRAM drivetrain and Hope brakes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MBUK Magazine (@mbukmagazine)

Lidl-Treks long-term Classics roadmap is no longer a rumour whispered in development meetings. It is an internal plan. And at its centre stands 23-year-old Czech champion Mathias Vacek. Vacek has made it clear that the American WorldTeam sees him as the future focal point of its cobbled campaign, b...