Last week, we asked our readers how many speeds they prefer on their 1x systems. With over 1,000 responses, the people have spoken. Explore the survey results below...The post Whats the Ideal Number of Speeds? The Results are in appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Aero race bikes have always carried a bit of a reputation. Theyre fast, no question, but historically theyve also been stiff, unforgiving, clumsy, and sometimes a little too focused on wind-tunnel bragging rights. The newest Giant Propel Advanced SL aims to shift that perception. Its still unapologetically aero, still clearly built for racing, but after spending time on the latest Propel Advanced SL 0 with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and the updated CADEX 50 wheelset (reviewed here), its clear Giant has pushed this platform into a more refined, real-world race machine.2026 Giant Propel Launch in Nice, France (Photo/Sterling Lorence)That doesnt mean its suddenly a plush endurance bike. Far from it. The Propel is still a top-tier aero race bike built for speed above all else. But compared to the previous generation, the ride quality and handling feel noticeably more balancedwithout sacrificing the aggressive performance that made the Propel such a staple in the pro peloton.And honestly, thats exactly what you want from a bike like this.If you want to read all the in/outs of the Gen 4 Giant Propel design, check out our news piece here. (Photo/Jordan Villella)A Bike That Wants to Go FastFrom the moment you roll out, the Propel makes an impression. This bike is built to carry speed, but its light like a climbing bikeThe updated frame, integrated cockpit, and the latest CADEX 50 wheelset work together to create a bike that feels incredibly efficient both getting up to speed and maintaining it. Theres very little sense of wasted energy. Every pedal stroke seems to translate directly into forward momentum.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)What stood out most on the flats wasnt just the speed, but how easy it felt to hold it. Once youre cruising north of 20 mph, the bike settles into a rhythm where maintaining speed feels effortless. Its the kind of sensation aero bikes are designed to deliver, but the Propel manages to do it in a way that feels stable and predictable rather than twitchy or overly aggressive.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)Climbing: Surprisingly Light for an Aero BikeAero bikes have gotten lighter over the years, and the new Propel blows that out of the water. Our test medium Propel SL weighs 14.89 lbs, with bottle cages but no pedals. Thats bonkers light for an aero bike.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)Point the bike uphill, and it immediately feels more nimble than you might expect from a deep-section aero machine. The Advanced SL frame is impressively light, and that shows when the gradient kicks up. Out-of-the-saddle efforts feel crisp and responsive, with none of the sluggishness that older aero bikes sometimes exhibited when the road tilted upward.Instead, it sits comfortably in that modern aero-all-rounder category, a bike that climbs efficiently enough that you never feel like youre dragging excess weight up the hill.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)Descending: Stable and ConfidentIf theres one area where the Propel really impressed me, it was descending.Aero bikes sometimes have a reputation for being a little nervous at speed, especially when paired with deeper wheels. The Propel, even with the CADEX 50s, felt incredibly planted on fast descents.Point it downhill, and the bike tracks exactly where you want it to go. Theres a reassuring sense of stability when speeds start creeping past 40 mph, and the front end remains composed even through long sweeping corners.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)Even in the unfamiliar territory of our testing loops, I felt confident sending the machine into corners with the same speed I would race my personal bike. Its the kind of handling that gives you the confidence to stay off the brakes and let the bike run. Plus, the front end is responsive, so much so that when you make a correction, its an instant move, not twitchy but assertive. (Photo/Sterling Lorence)Sprinting and Cornering: That Stiff Front EndWhen the road flattens out, and its time to sprint, the Propel comes alive. The front-end stiffness is immediately noticeable when you stand up and throw the bike side-to-side. Theres zero hesitation in the response. The integrated cockpit and the Advanced SL frame create a front triangle that feels incredibly solid under hard acceleration. Plus, when you factor in the lack of additional weight, you dont have much to get up to speed. The same stiffness translates directly into cornering performance.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)When pushing the bike into corners at speed, the front end holds its line with precision. Theres none of that vague or flexy feeling that can sometimes creep into bikes with highly integrated cockpits. Instead, the steering feels direct and confident, encouraging you to lean the bike harder and carry more speed through turns.Its the kind of handling that racers will appreciate immediately.(Photo/Jordan Villella)Ride Quality: Still Firm, But Noticeably BetterNow, lets talk about ride quality.The Propel is still a performance-focused aero race bike, and that means the ride isnt exactly plush. Rough pavement still makes itself known, and this isnt the bike youd pick if comfort were your top (or only) priority.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)But compared to the previous generation Propel, the difference is noticeable.Theres a bit more compliance built into the frame and cockpit, which takes the edge off the harshness that older aero bikes were known for. Its not night-and-day, but its enough that long rides feel less punishing than they used to. Factor in the larger tire accommodations, and you have a very capable and comfortable machine. For a bike designed primarily for speed and racing, thats a welcome improvement.(Photo/Jordan Villella)The CADEX 50 WheelSystemA big part of the bikes overall performance comes from the updated CADEX 50 wheels.These wheels feel incredibly well-balanced. At 50mm deep, they deliver the aerodynamic benefits youd expect, but they avoid the overly sail-like sensation that deeper wheels can sometimes create in crosswinds.They spin up quickly, hold speed well, and complement the bikes handling characteristics perfectly.In short, they feel like the right wheels for this bikefast, stable, and responsive.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)The DrawbacksNo bike is perfect, and the Propel has a few considerations.The first, obviously, is the price, our test bike is well past the point of being attainable for most at the $13,000 markThe Propel Advanced SL 0 sits firmly in the top of the top category. Between the Advanced SL frame, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain, and CADEX components, this is a serious investment.The other potential sticking point is the integrated seat mast.Seat masts have their fans, but they also have their critics. Some riders simply dont like the idea of cutting a frame to fit. It can make travel a little more complicated, and it may affect resale value down the road.That said, Giant does provide a bit of flexibility. Theres roughly 25mm of adjustment available through the seat mast topper, which offers some room for fine-tuning the fit. And if you end up purchasing a bike with a slightly shorter mast cut, or trim it a little too short yourself, you still have some adjustment range to work with.In practice, its a manageable tradeoff for the weight savings, compliance, and aerodynamic advantages the system provides.(Photo/Sterling Lorence)Final ThoughtsAfter spending time on the new Propel Advanced SL, its clear Giant has refined an already fast platform into something even more capable.The bike climbs way better than youd expect, descends with confidence, and delivers impressive stiffness when sprinting or pushing hard through corners. At the same time, the ride quality has improved enough to make it more livable than the previous generation.Yes, the price is steep. And the seat mast wont be everyones favorite design choice.But those are relatively small tradeoffs for a bike that sits squarely at the top of Giants performance lineup, and might be the best aero bike Ive ridden to date. www.Giant-bicycles.comThe post First Ride: Giant Propel Advanced SL Might Just Replace the TCR appeared first on Bikerumor.

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A programme in Dublin is offering teenage residents of the Fingal County Council area a replacement refurbished bicycle if theirs is stolen. Most teenagers have low or no income, so if their bike gets stolen, it has a disproportionate impact on their ability to stay cycling and use active travel. And what we generally see is that a lot of teenagers, when they get their bike stolen, will go back to unsustainable modes of transport, whether its looking for a lift from their mum and dad or driving, said Stephen McGinn, a cycling and walking officer with Fingal County CouncilAs part of a commitment to the circular economy, the bicycles are sourced from donated or abandoned bikes, which are then refurbished. If they eventually get a new bicycle, participants are also encouraged to donate their bikes back to the centre.The programme is run for the council by the Rediscovery Centre, a charity focused on the circular economy and reuse, which brands itself as the National Centre for the Circular Economy. As reported recently, it also engages in bicycle mechanic training at its Ballymun base.Mark Dunne, cycling programme manager at the Rediscovery Centre, said: In collaboration with Fingal County Council, we supply reconditioned bikes that were donated to us.In a video (below), he outlines how the Rediscover Centre strips the bikes down to their frames, cleans them, repairs any issues, and puts the bikes back together. It then tests them with a 170-point checklist and a test cycle in their car park. The bikes are handed to people with a replacement lock.Lucy, a Fingal resident who has used Second Spin, said: It really annoyed me that my bike was stolen, I had to rely more on my parents to get me to the likes of training and to and from work. I love my bike, it gives me freedom.As part of the project, data will also be gathered on where bike theft is most common, providing valuable insights into patterns and hotspots across Fingal. This information can help identify areas where improvements to bike parking facilities might reduce theft. It will also allow the council to collaborate with schools, community groups, and Garda to raise awareness about bike security.Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom OLeary, said: This unique project supports young people who have faced the distress of bike theft to get back on their bikes, helping them reclaim their freedom, but also encouraging a greener, more sustainable future.David Storey, director of services for Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel and Sport, said: Bike theft is more than just an inconvenience for teenagers, it can mean a real loss of independence and a setback in building long-term sustainable travel habits. With Second Spin, we want to make sure that one negative experience doesnt stop young people from cycling.AnnMarie Farrelly, chief executive of Fingal County Council, said: By renewing bikes through the circular economy, were not only supporting active travel but also reducing waste and promoting climate action. This is about giving teenagers their freedom back while helping to build a more sustainable future for everyone.Applying for the scheme is easy; if you are the teenage victim of bike theft, fill out an application form so that the council can help keep you cycling: https://forms.office.com/e/iX3z0TgTB0

New from Paul Component Engineering in California is the Tall & Elegant seatpost, a zero-setback version of their popular Tall & Handsome seatpost thats now available in four colors and three diameters. Check it out hereThe post The Paul Tall & Elegant Seatpost is Aptly Named appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Scott, in collaboration with World Bicycle Relief, is giving away a hand-painted Spark RC race bike. Well, actually, those arent the only collaborators. Also working on the project is South African artist Lionel Smit and the GOAT, Nino Schurter.The bike is being raffled off, with Nino personally handing it to the winner.One-of-a-Kind Scott Spark RCPhotos by Michael RiehleThere will only be two bikes, but each is unique. Scott provided artist Lionel Smit with raw carbon Spark RC frames. Niono will keep one for his personal collection, and the other will go to the winner.Scott emphasizes that these are not graphics or paint concepts. Rather, this is original artride it or display it on a wall!Lionel Smit is known for his figurative portraits, paintings, and sculptures. However, painting a mountain bike frame is new for the artist.The bicycle itself is already an artwork on its own. Painting onto something that already existed was an interesting concept. It changes the way you see the object, Smit said.And he isnt wrong. Along with the frame, the components Scott chose are a work of art themselves. In other words, they didnt skimp, and the winner will get a truly spectacular race bike. Heres the build:Frame: SCOTT Spark RC HMX, Size MFork: Rockshox Sid Ultimate Flight Attendant, 120mm Travel, 44mm OffsetRear Shock: Rockshox Sidluxe Flight Attendant 120mm TravelRemote: Sram Axs Pod Ultimate ControllerHandlebar: Syncros Fraser Ic Sl Wc / -40 / 80mm / 700mmSeatpost: Rockshox Reverb Axs 31,6mm, 100mmSaddle: Syncros Belcarra R 1.0Grip: Syncros Silicone GR-M100 GripsRear Derailleur: Sram XX Sl Eagle TransmissionShifter: Sram Axs Pod UltimateCrank Set: Sram XX Sl Eagle Transmission Power Meter, 170mm/ 36T ChainringChain: Sram XX Sl Eagle Transmission Flattop ChainCassette: Sram XX Sl Eagle Transmission / 10-52tBrakes: Sram Motive UltimateWheels: Syncros Silverton SLTires: Maxxis Aspen 292.40wt Testpilot Exo/TrSo, again, ride it or hang it on the wall?Nino Schurter and World Bicycle ReliefThe World Bicycle Relief is a nonprofit providing bicycles to rural, low-income communities. This helps people in communities overcome one of the greatest challenges they face: distance. Healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and other life essentials are simply more accessible by bike in many of these communities.Both Scott and Nino have been long-time partners with the organization. In 2026, World Bicycle Relief is set to reach 1,000,000 donated bikes. And, their bike of choice is the durable, dual-chained Buffalo Bike.World Bicycle Relief is an organization that is really close to my heart, Nino said. They do great things with the help of bicycles. Its actually so cool to see what the bicycle can change in rural areas. If you get access to a bike, how the life can change of those families or this personEach entry supports the World Bicycle Relief and gets you closer to winning the bike. As of writing this, there are three months left until the winner is announced. Head to viprize.org for the details and to enter.The post Win a One-of-a-Kind Scott Spark RC; Nino Schurter Will Deliver appeared first on Bikerumor.

Paul Components has launched a new seatpost named the Tall & Elegant with a not-inconsiderable $286 price tag. For that price, you might expect carbon, but the new seatpost is made from 2024 and 6061 aluminium alloy. The brand says it delivers 'no cut corners' craftsmanship. The new seatpost is a zero-setback update to the brands original Tall & Handsome 26mm-setback seatpost. Its been launched in response to consumer requests and is machined in-house in Chica, California. Paul Components' other offerings include $108 bar ends and $308 square-taper cranks. Easy adjustment Stainless steel and brass hardware is claimed to provide smooth saddle adjustment. Paul says its design spaces the saddle clamp bolts away from the post itself, so they can be adjusted easily with a multi-tool or a torque wrench. It claims the two-bolt design is self-aligning and should avoid any slippage. It uses a pair of brass rail-top retainers that Paul says are compatible with oval rails, shouldn't corrode or bind, and offer smooth saddle-tilt adjustment through around 15 degrees. Your cash buys you a choice of colours and finishes. The new seatpost is available in three diameters: 27.2mm, 30.9mm and 31.6mm, with weights between 327g and 402g dependent on diameter a little more than the brand's setback seatpost. Theres a choice of silver, polished, purple or black finishes maybe the black would pass for carbon. Despite the Tall and Elegant name, there's no mention of how tall the seatpost is. The setback Tall & Handsome is 360mm in length though, so we'd guess it's the same.