CyclistTech Talk: What are Giant and Merida thinking?Thanks to more than ten years testing products for Cyclist, tech editor Sam has plenty to say when it comes to new bikes and gear. Tech Talk is Sams fortnightly newsletter, with a focus that hops between his thoughts on the latest kit to be featured by Cyclist and wider tech trends that people are talking about, or should be talking about. Click here to get Tech Talk directly to your inbox.Over the last year or so weve seen the aero road segment return from near extinction at the hands of the lightweight racer to become more exciting and innovative than ever. As has been well publicised by now, relaxations in a few UCI rules governing frame design were responsible for this reinvigoration. Essentially, theyve allowed more extreme tube shapes and features to be considered that meaningfully advance aerodynamic efficiency to the point that there is now clear water (or rather, air) between aero bikes and lightweight all-rounders once again.Aero bike releases had been neatly following this narrative until Friday 6th March, when Giant launched its new Propel and Merida launched its new Reacto within hours of each other. The timing coincidence was an interesting twist, but considering the wider context the premise of the bikes and the market position of the companies that have released them it becomes more intriguing.First, the bikes themselves. Contrary to other recent aero bike releases, both adopt the more traditional approach of refining existing platforms rather than radically overhauling them. Also, the updates (which boil down to a bit lighter, a bit comfier) also move both bikes more squarely into competition with the brands own lightweight racers the TCR and Scultura for Giant and Merida respectively.Giant and Merida are the makers makers, in that they are responsible for the production of most high-performance bikes on the market because most bike brands subcontract one or the other to build their frames for them (for example, Merida builds Specializeds bikes). Add this all-but-peerless level of oversight to the proposition of their latest releases, which are similar to each other but different to the rest of the market, and it raises the question of whether they know something the other brands dont.In an attempt to add some genuine insight to my rambling speculation, I spoke with both brands on the subject.Its genuinely pure coincidence that Merida launched their new aero bike on the same day and we are based in the same city in Taiwan. They follow their own plan and theres no collusion, says Giant product manager David Ward.Meridas Michael Wilkens concurs with Ward, so despite the coincidence firing up the imagination of this excitable journalist, as expected theres no Velominati-esque agenda. But why the iterative updates this time around, rather than fully exploiting the UCI changes as others have?The Reacto has always been, and continues to be, a highly versatile bike rather than a one-trick pony, says Wilkens. While it clearly has an aerodynamic focus, comfort and handling were equally important in the development process so we could make it a bike that appeals not only to WorldTour racers, but also to performance interested amateurs.Ward echoes Wilkens sentiments in the Propel.We wanted to improve on what we already had. Not everyone wants an extreme aero bike especially as in some cases those bikes can be heavier, less torsionally stiff and less comfortable to ride.These seem like fair justifications, but the other side of the coin to not leaning more heavily into aero is the risk of usurping preexisting lightweight race bikes. How will Giant and Merida deal with that conundrum? Both brands cite similar reasons for continuing with both platforms.The weight is clearly getting closer to what was historically only possible on classic/climbing bikes, but we know that not everybody wants the aesthetics and style of an aero bike, says Wilkens. Based purely on sales numbers worldwide, the Scultura continues to play a vital role, so we are keen to keep it in the range and will continue to develop the concept.Not everyone wants full on aero the TCR is not going anywhere, says Ward. Apart from anything else a TCR, with its sloping top tube design giving more exposed seat post and a fork with a less aero profile, will always give a more compliant ride than on a Propel.There we have it, folks. While I couldnt get the juicy scoop the circumstances may have hinted were there, ultimately two great bikes appear to have been made even better, and by treading their own path albeit together Giant and Merida continue to offer more variety to those looking to ride fast, which is a situation Im definitely here for. Related Posts Merida Reacto 2026 review: First ride on Meridas faster, narrower Reacto The new Merida Reacto's UCI-illegal cockpit is its key to aero gains Giant Propel Advanced SL review: First ride on the UCI weight limit-breaking aero bike New Giant Propel steals TCR's clothes with lighter one-piece construction and high-performance Cadex components Tech tidbitsA couple of Sams small product launch highlights from the last week or twoWider GP5000 S TR tyresFor my money the best all-round premium tyre on the market, Continentals GP5000 S TR, is now available in a 35mm width. It rounds out a five-strong range that now caters for all road (which is importantly distinct from all-road) tastes. Crucially, the new size shares the same construction as the skinnier options, so users can expect the same suppleness and durability as theyd expect from the tyres, just with the extra grip and comfort that comes with more volume. Out and out speed-merchants will still want to hit that 30-32mm sweet spot, but for those who prioritise a nice riding experience which really should be most of us the 35mm width ticks a lot of boxes. Just make sure your bike has the clearance to fit themGenius pedal convertersRedshift has released the nattiest gadget I can remember coming across for some time. Its new Mousetrap pedal adaptor uses a cam mechanism that snaps down like a mousetrap into the pedal binding, converting clipless pedals into flats in seconds. Pedal converters arent exactly new, but these look among the best thought-out theyre even magnetised, so clip together neatly when not in use. Only Shimano SPD pedals are supported at the moment, but there are versions for SPD-SL, Look Keo and Crankbrothers pedal systems on the way. Priced at 90 a pair.The post Tech Talk: What are Giant and Merida thinking? appeared first on Cyclist.

Welcome to the Liveblog of MilanoTorino 2026. An unpredictable race, as it could be attacked from the very start, forcing the teams interested in the victory to work hard before facing the double ascent of Superga and trying their luck there. Who will have the best strategy? We will find out togeth...

We are Cyclists is a new video from Shimano that follows Marley Blonsky and Kailey Kornhauser as they attend cycling events across the country, spreading their message of inclusivity and joy. Watch it belowThe post We are Cyclists Celebrates Community, Representation, and the Joy of Riding (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

If you looked at the Factor ONE and thought, Cool but what if it had a little more Bugatti and a little less rulebook?oh, and make it cost as much as a car Well, apparently someone at Factor and Bugatti had the exact same thought. Because theres no better way to say cycling is for everyone than the drop of a $24K bike.(All Photo/Bugatti/Factor)The result is the new Bugatti Factor ONE. A limited-edition UCI-illegal superbike that takes Factors ONE platform and turns the volume knob way past sensible. Its part halo project, part engineering flex, and part art object with pedals. And yes, it costs from $23,599. So no, this is not your next Tuesday-night worlds bike unless your Tuesday-night worlds start in a chteau courtyard.The Bugatti Factor ONE was born of a shared obsession with innovation, precision, and performance. Both brands worked closely to create a bike that reflects Bugattis design language and Factors aero-first engineering mindset. Bugatti x Factor ONE Whats The Point? This isnt a bike designed to sneak through a commissaire check with a shrug and a fake mustache. The Bugatti Factor ONE exists specifically because the standard Factor ONE already explored the upper limit of what could be done within the UCI rules. So this version simply tosses the rulebook aside and asks a more entertaining question: what happens when aero engineers are told to stop coloring inside the lines?The biggest visual clue is the front end. Factor says the Bugatti version gets a dramatically wider fork stance (147mm wide versus the UCIs 115mm limit). Additionally, the fork fairing is shaped to actively manage airflow around the brake caliper and downstream surfaces. According to Factor, that unique fork shaping cuts drag by around 2 watts, while also improving front-end stability at speed. From there, the whole bike leans hard into the Bugatti connection.The frame uses an exposed 3K twill carbon weave to mirror the carbon work seen on Bugatti hypercars. The paint is finished in a signature Bugatti two-tone split graphic thats inspired by the brands road cars. Up front, theres even a reinterpretation of Bugattis historic Dancing Elephant emblem. The detail is a nod to Rembrandt Bugatti, brother of founder Ettore Bugatti. Like anything insanely expensive and luxurious without having utility, the bike is seriously exclusive. Factor says production is limited to just 250 individually numbered bikes worldwide, with each frame carrying its own numbered plate. That level of exclusivity feels very on-brand for Bugatti.The Bugatti Factor ONE is the result of a shared vision between two brands devoted to mastery and ambition. Every element of this bicycle, like the wide fork, for example, has been meticulously engineered to deliver measurable aerodynamic gains, reducing drag through refined shaping and optimised airflow management around the leading edge of the bike. It translates the meticulous engineering and attention to detail of Bugatti hypercars into a completely new category. It demonstrates that our pursuit of excellence and craftsmanship extends beyond hypercars, creating a machine that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in high-performance cycling. Wiebke Sthl, Managing Director Brand & Licensing at Bugatti International.Bugatti Factor ONE Specs The Bugatti Factor ONE gets a full dream-build spec sheet. Loaded with the sort of details that make gear nerds start zooming in on every product photo. The groupset is SRAM RED AXS with a power meter, paired to a Bugatti-branded Carbon-Ti 48/35 chainring. The Carbon-Ti rings are paired with THM carbon crank arms and an SRM ORIGIN PM9 power meter. What would a baller bike be without CeramicSpeed? So yeah, you find a CeramicSpeed OSPW and a CeramicSpeed T47 ALPHA bottom bracket to round out the build.Bring In The Carbon Stopping duties come from Bugatti-branded Carbon-Ti rotors, using a carbon central body with a steel braking track. Wheels come in the form of the equally wild Black Inc Bugatti Hyper 62 wheels. Factor says the 62mm-deep wheelset is designed as the cycling equivalent of a hypercar wheel. The Hyber 62 balances sustained high-speed efficiency with crosswind stability and weighs a claimed 1298 grams per pair. The wheels also use co-moulded rim-to-rim carbon spokes. A construction method Factor says it improves fiber continuity, lowers mass, and opens up more aerodynamic opportunities. Custom On Custom The finishing kit keeps the theme going. Theres a custom Selle Italia SLR Carbon saddle wrapped in Alcantara, a nice little nod to Bugatti interior trim, plus Bugatti-branded bar tape and special Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT tires with French Racing Blue sidewalls. Factor also says buyers can customize the accent color to match their personal Bugatti color scheme, which is a sentence that very neatly tells you who this bike is for.The cockpit is equally bespoke. Instead of a traditional stem-and-bar setup, the bike uses an integrated one-piece bar system with five reach options, corresponding to stem equivalents ranging from 110mm to 150mm, plus three high-rise options that add 20mm of stack height. Factor that riders can also add up to 15mm of spacers, giving a total shifter stack height range of 35 mm, depending on the bar choice. Bike Bag IncludedNot just any bike bag, either. Factor says every Bugatti Factor ONE arrives fully assembled in a special Factor-developed carry bag, complete with a Post Carryco. Loomer travel bag, integrated bottle cages, and a custom 3D computer mount. That means even the unboxing experience is meant to feel premium. If youre spending Bugatti money on a bicycle, you probably dont want to be elbow-deep in foam wrap and zip ties like the rest of us.Ready to order? Head over to Factorbikes.com.The post $23,599 UCI-Illegal Bugatti x Factor ONE Is Fast With All The Bespoke Touches appeared first on Bikerumor.

It's been around since 2014, but the latest Diverge has adjustable suspension, internal storage, and huge tyre clearance. Our favourite gravel bike of 2026 is now at some of its lowest ever prices.

The Australian had not posted on social media for more than two years following Hoskins' death on New Year's Eve 2023

CyclistNokere Koerse 2026 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch and start listsThe mens Nokere Koerse began during World War I as a fairground race with the likes of the Tour de France on pause. Its original name of the Grote Prijs Jules Lowie derives from the local rider who raced to fifth in the Tour in 1935 and won Paris-Nice in 1938. Lowie was born in Nokere, where the race starts, in 1913, and died at the age of 46 in the finish town of Deinze in 1960.World Champion Marcel Kint won the first edition in 1944 and Belgians have typically dominated the race, including Tim Merlier, who reigned victorious here from 2022 to 2024. A junior race for the men has been in the calendar since 2016, and a womens race was created in 2019. Lorena Wiebes claimed victory in that first edition and, with a second win in 2022, holds the most womens Nokere Koerse titles alongside teammate Lotte Kopecky.Last year, Nils Eekhoff (Picnic-PostNL) and Marta Lach (SD Worx-Protime) won, both in a bunch sprint.Nokere Koerse 2026 key information Luc Claessen/Getty ImagesDate:Wednesday 18 March 2026Start:DeinzeFinish:NokereTotal distance:Mens 186.4km; Womens 133.3kmLive TV coverage:TNT Sports, Peacock, SBS, FloBikesMost wins:Mens Hendrik Van Dijck, Tim Merlier (three); Womens Lorena Wiebes, Lotte Kopecky (two)2025 winners:Mens Niels Eekhoff (Picnic-PostNL); Womens Marta Lach (SD Worx-Protime)Nokere Koerse 2026 routesMens parcoursAs is customary for the Belgian semi-Classic, Nokere Koerse is full of cobbles. Perfect for its position of the calendar as we get further into Classics season. The mens race packs in 27 sectors of cobbles and 12 climbs occasionally at the same time over 186.4km. The race heads east towards the first cobbles in Paddestraat and the first cobbled climb of the Eikenberg (1.4km, 4.3%), which also features in the mens Omloop Nieuwsblad and hits just before 50km in the saddle.Despite combining all this with a short uphill finish in the Waregemsestraat that averages 4.5%, the race is typically one for the sprinters. Soudal-QuickSteps Tim Merlier enjoys the race, winning from 2022 to 2024. Last years edition was won by Nils Eekhoff for Picnic-PostNL in a hotly contested finish after a 19-man group came to the finish line.Womens parcoursThe womens race is 133.3km and takes the peloton over 22 sections of cobbles with ten climbs. The action begins early, the first climb of Lange Ast (0.6km, 4.3%) and cobbles (Hulseplein, 34m) coming in the opening 15km. A small loop follows before the race continues south past Oudenaarde and near the Scheldt river, turning north and heading over the likes of Hellestraat, Petegemberg and Nokereberg before another small loop around Lange Ast. The finish is again held after a short climb in Nokere and its no surprise the past three years have been won by SD Worx-Protime, with Lotte Kopecky winning in 2023 and 2024 followed by Marta Lach in 2026.Nokere Koerse 2026 favouritesA.S.O./Billy CeustersThree-time mens race winner Tim Merlier will not be here, instead pivoting to the Tour of Bruges (formerly Brugge-De Panne) to start his season after a knee injury. Defending champion Eekhoff also misses out following iliac artery surgery. Should the race follow tradition and end in a sprint finish, then you can be sure Alpecin-Premier Techs Jasper Philipsen will be there having crashed on the Nokereberg last year. Jordi Meeus of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe arrives in good form off the back of a win at the Ename Samyn Classic.Luk Kubi (Unibet-Rose Rockets) has been making a name for himself this season thanks to three second places at the Etoile de Bessges and fourth place overall. Max Kanter (XDS-Astana) grabbed his first win of the year at Paris-Nice, while hardy Portuguese rider Antnio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates XRG) has enjoyed plenty a strong finish in one-day races this season. Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello-Q36.5) always tends to be up there in a sprint finish and could podium.Two-time winner Lotte Kopecky leads the way for SD Worx-Protime in the womens race and is looking for her first win this season while sprinters like Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ) and Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech) will be hoping the bunch arrives together. Gillespie is one to watch, the Irishwoman second twice behind Lorena Wiebes on stages at the UAE Tour, before taking a breakthrough win at the Beobank Samyn Ladies. Elsewhere riders to watch include SD Worx wildcard Mischa Bredewold, AG Insurance-Soudals in-form Shari Bossuyt and the West Midlands own Josie Nelson, whos looking to take Picnic-PostNLs first victory of 2026.Cyclists ratingsMens race: Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Premier Tech): Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe): , Hugo Hofstetter (NSN Cycling), Juan Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Luk Kubi (Unibet-Rose Rockets), Matev Govekar (Bahrain Victorious): Antonio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Tom Crabbe (Flanders-Baloise), Matteo Moschetti (Pinarello-Q36.5): Erlend Blikra (Uno X Mobility), Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek), Paul Penhot (Groupama-FDJ United), Steffen De Schuyteneer (Lotto-Intermarch), Max Kanter (XDS-Astana)Womens race: Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime): Lara Gillespie (UAE Team ADQ), Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime): Charlotte Kool (Fenix-Premier Tech), Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek): Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance-Soudal), Megan Jastrab (UAE Team ADQ), Josie Nelson (Picnic-PostNL): Caroline Andersson (Liv-AlUla-Jayco), Clara Copponi (Lidl-Trek), Kamilla Aaseb (Uno X Mobility), Arlenis Sierra (Movistar), Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93), Eline Jansen (VolkerWessels)How to watch Nokere Koerse 2026Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch Nokere Koerse on TV through TNT Sports via the premium 30.99 a month subscription. Live pictures will be on TNT Sports 2. To stream the race, you will have to access Discovery+, which comes included in the TNT Sports subscription. Those elsewhere in Europe can catch the action on Eurosport too. Viewers in Canada and the United States can catch the action on FloBikes, while SBS has the rights in Australia.If Nokere Koerse 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:Which countries can watch cycling for free in 2026Read more:How to watch cycling for less in the UKTV scheduleWomens raceTNT Sports 2: 11:1513:00Discovery+: 11:1513:00Mens raceTNT Sports 2: 14:0016:30Discovery+: 14:0016:30 Related Posts Milano-Torino 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list 6 talking points from Opening Weekend Its time for UAE Team ADQ to kick things up a notch Cycling Spring Classics 2026: Race dates, Monuments, cobbles and live TV guide Nokere Koerse 2026 start listsData powered by FirstCycling.comData powered by FirstCycling.comThe post Nokere Koerse 2026 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch and start lists appeared first on Cyclist.

Tom Pidcock surged clear inside the final kilometre to win Milano-Torino 2026, timing his move to perfection on the steep slopes of Superga after a relentlessly aggressive finale. The Brit attacked with around 600 metres remaining from a reduced lead group, immediately opening a gap that none of his...

Kim Gintrand's latest video documents an unforgettable ride from Jomsom to Lo Manthang in Nepal's Mustang region, sometimes referred to as the Forbidden Kingdom. In the video, Kim rides remote tracks across high-altitude deserts, learns from the locals, and is awed by breathtaking Himalayan scenery. Find a short written report, photos, and Kim's trip video here...The post Chasing the Forbidden Kingdom: A Nepal Gravel Adventure (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Primo Rogli came in third