Lauf has never really donenormal, and thats a big part of the brands appeal. The Icelandic company has built its reputation on doing things a little differently. Take a look at its leaf-spring gravel forks, all-road geo, and RIFT races held in its Icelandic homeland. Hell, take a look at the Elja acoustic (cringe at using that word). Its a polarizing silhouette, but one that I, and many others, love. Now Lauf is bringing that same mindset to the eMTB space with the new Lauf eElja. A lightweight mid-travel trail bike that looks like a beefed-up version of the brands entry into the mountain bike space.And thats really the hook here.(All Photos/Lauf/Antoine Daures)What is it? Lauf eEljaThe new eElja doesnt appear to be trying to win the e-bike arms race with huge batteries, monster torque numbers, or burly downhill-bike proportions. Instead, Lauf has taken the DNA of its acoustic Elja and added just enough motor, battery, and travel to create something that feels like a natural extension of the line. Same clean aesthetic and carbon frame (but not the exact frame as the Elja). Just with a TQ HPR60 drive unit tucked inside the frame and enough extra shove to make big rides, big climbs, and repeated trail laps a lot more achievable.At first glance, that might be the smartest thing about the eElja.Not A Full-Power Bruiser Think Light Trail eMTBLauf says the new eElja weighs as little as 16.6kg / 36.6lb, which immediately puts it in rare company for a mid-travel eMTB. Our medium review ride from the Iceland launch weighed in at 38lbs on the dot.That low claimed weight comes in the top-spec Race build with lighter tires, while the more trail-ready tire configurations still stay pretty low for the category. The Weekend Warrior build weighs 17.7kg / 39.0lb with the Goodyear Escape 2.6 tires and drops to 17.2kg / 37.9lb with the Goodyear Peak 2.6 option. The Race build is claimed at 17.1kg / 37.7lb on Goodyear Escape tires and 16.6kg / 36.6lb on the faster-rolling Goodyear Peaks.Thats a big deal, because it changes what kind of bike the eElja wants to be.Rather than build a heavy, over-gunned machine that needs a motor to mask its mass, Lauf appears to have chased something much more appealing. They crafted an eMTB that still behaves like a spirited trail bike when the trail gets weird, tight, fast, or technical. Less plow bike, more precision tool. That means less shuttle replacement and more of an all-day ripper. That lines up with the spec too, with 140mm up front and 130mm out back, a setup that lands squarely in the sweet spot for modern (and fun) trail riding.Talk Power To MePower comes from the new TQ HPR60 system, a 60 Nm / 350W motor paired with a 360 Wh battery. Though it doesnt come with one, it has an optional 160 Wh range extender for bigger days or travel. Lauf calls it the smallest, lightest, and quietest motor in its class, and we have to agree (though Im not an eBike connoisseur yet). However, less weight doesnt mean less protection. The TQ HPR60 is also fully sealed to IP67, which should matter to anyone who rides in the real world and likes to explore. In the U.S., its a Class 1 e-bike with assist up to 20mph.Whats That Mean In Ride Terms? Lauf claims the eElja can manage about 1,400 m / 4,600 ft of climbing on a single charge with an 80kg rider using full assist. If youre going for the big day, thats about 2,000 m / 6,600 ft with the range extender.That Looks FamiliarOne of the more interesting details of the eElja uses the exact same cockpit as the analog Elja. Making it an easy transition for those looking for a counterpart to their Elja, or for those going from XC to eMTB. The cockpit stays the same. It says a lot about what Lauf was trying to preserve here its supposed to not be too much like an eBike.Everything is controlled through a pair of SRAM AXS Pods, which handle the drivetrain, dropper, and motor modes with just those four buttons. No cluttered handlebars or extra spaghetti. That means the eElja is not just visually similar to the acoustic Elja, but also functionally similar. That matters because the best light assist eMTBs tend to work when they still feel like mountain bikes first, e-bikes second. The eElja seems built around that exact idea. Quiet motor. Clean controls. Low system weight. Conventional trail-bike proportions. It sounds like a bike made for riders who already love the Elja (and light trail bikes), but want a powered version that doesnt blow up the original bikes character.Suspension DesignThe motor may get the headline, but the core of the bike is still Laufs LSP suspension layout. On the eElja, that means a simple design that uses a DUB bottom bracket (and as the Elja) for the pivot bearings. This basic setup avoids the extra links, bearings, and bushings found on more complex multi-link systems. Lauf says the pivot placement delivers suspension performance similar to a 4-bar design, but with less weight and fewer durability concerns.That design also creates one of eEljas most practical features: tire clearance.The frame has room for up to 29 x 3.0in tires, which is a solid amount of real estate on a modern mid-travel bike. Stock builds come with 29 x 2.6in Goodyear Escape Max Trail Lite tires and are very solid performers (more on that in our review). Buyers can swap to the lighter, faster-rolling Goodyear Peak Ultimate 2.6 (specd on the Elja XC Race) at checkout at no extra cost.That much clearance makes the eElja feel more versatile than many bikes in this category. You could easily build it as a grippy, high-volume trail bruiser for rough terrain. But if youre like me, youll bias it toward faster, more downcountry-friendly riding you want that 2.6 Peak option. That mirrors the broad-use vibe of the acoustic Elja, and again reinforces the idea that these two bikes are meant to live side by side, not cannibalize one another.The suspension curve aims for usable, balanced trail performance rather than something overly progressive or oddly tuned. The anti-rise chart trends from the low-80% range down toward the mid-60% range through travel, while the anti-squat chart hovers around 100% depending on setup. This suspension is designed to pedal cleanly without sacrificing composure. Lauf eElja Fit and GeometryTwo Builds No FrillsLauf is launching the eElja in two complete builds: Weekend Warrior and Race. Both share the same IRM carbon frame, TQ motor system, 360Wh battery, RockShox Reverb AXS dropper, SRAM DB8 four-piston brakes, 180mm rotors, and wireless SRAM controls. Both also use 160mm cranks and the same broad tire clearance. The Weekend Warrior comes with a RockShox Pike 140mm fork, Deluxe Select shock, SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain, alloy DT Swiss M1900 wheels, and alloy e*thirteen cranks.Price: $6,990.The Race build bumps up to Pike Select+ and Deluxe Select+ suspension, SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission, carbon ethirteen cranks, and ethirteen Optimus carbon wheels with the brands Sidekick rear hub. Price: $8,490.Honestly, both builds seem well judged. The Weekend Warrior looks like the volume play: real performance, no weird corners cut, and a price that undercuts plenty of similarly specced competitors. The Race build is the flashy one, and with a claimed 16.6kg starting weight, its also the attention-grabber. If youre hard on your kit and smoking drive trains like Willy Nelson, you might as well hit the Weekend Warrior.Plus All bikes are assembled at its Harrisonburg, Virginia factory.Bringing It Back Around The most impressive thing about the new Lauf eElja isnt just that its light. It seems to understand exactly what kind of eMTB many riders actually want right now. The eElja looks like an e-trail bike for riders who still care deeply about the feel of a mountain bike. The low weight, quiet TQ system, clean all-wireless setup, sensible travel, huge tire clearance, and simplified rear end. This is an eMTB that wants to ride naturally, stay easy to live with, and avoid burying the fun under unnecessary complexity.And when you put it next to the acoustic Elja, the case gets even stronger.The Elja and eElja look like the kind of stablemates that could make perfect sense for the same rider: one for pure analog trail riding, the other for longer loops, bigger elevation days, recovery rides, or simply getting more out of limited time. Check out the full line of Lauf bikes at Lauf.com Look for our review coming up shortly! The post Lauf eElja Lightweight e-power to the trail appeared first on Bikerumor.

HBO Max launches in the UK next week and new 'saver plans' have been revealed for customers looking to stream TNT Sports. After a series of changes to how you can watch cycling races in the UK which saw GCN+ close, Eurosport UK axed and coverage move to TNT Sports it was revealed last month that cycling streaming would be absorbed into HBO Max from Thursday 26 March. The move is part of Warner Bros. Discoverys continued plan to consolidate its global streaming service, but it saw TNT Sports remain as an add-on, costing viewers 30.99 per month. But now HBO Max has announced 'saver plans' in the UK, which could save you between 60 and 131.88 per year. Fans who only wish to purchase TNT Sports, can subscribe via HBO Max for a minimum 12-month term, saving 5 per month or 60 a year, when compared to the monthly plan, HBO Max said on Wednesday. HBO Max is now offering a standalone TNT Sports subscription for 25.99 per month, with a 12-month minimum term, which is 5 less than the regular monthly plan. If you opt for an HBO Max with TNT Sports saver plan, the price varies from 27.99 to 34.99 per month, depending on the package. HBO Max and TNT Sports plan comparison HBO Max Monthly Plans (price per month) HBO Max with TNT Sports Monthly Plans (price per month) HBO Max with TNT Sports Saver Plans (price per month, 12-month minimum term) Basic with ads 4.99 N/A N/A Standard with ads 5.99 36.98 27.99 Standard 9.99 40.98 30.99 Premium 14.88 45.98 34.99 What does this mean for cycling in the UK? Many of our UK readers will have fond memories of watching the Tour de France live on TV. But after ITVs long-standing coverage came to an end last year, you now need access to TNT Sports to watch the worlds biggest bike race and others, such as the Tour de Flanders which is just weeks away on 5 April and ParisRoubaix the following weekend. While securing the broadcast rights to the Tour was described as colossal by TNT Sports, it could diminish road cyclings profile in the UK. BikeRadars Ashley Quinlan has argued that easy access to the Tour helped the sport grow in the UK, and so that growth could slow. Of course, anyone with access to TNT Sports on linear channels will still be able to tune in. But for a race with viewing figures that have been in slow decline since 2012, having it disappear behind a paywall doesnt paint the rosiest picture. Thats particularly pertinent considering the Tour de France returns to the UK next year and gets underway in Scotland. Scottish first minister, John Swinney, said having the Tour de France start in Edinburgh would be a moment of real national significance. But will that be true if its harder to watch? The best place to catch the action might be on the roadside rather than the sofa, unless youre willing to fork out for that subscription. Ned Boulting: The Tour de France is absurd, beautiful and unforgettable Ill miss it profoundly

It should be no suprise to see the outgoing Garmin Edge 540 & 840 with well over 20% off in the early Amazon Big Spring Sale; however, could this be the final call for these now much-loved bike computers?

The UCI has put a definitive end to the licence controversy with a decision that directly affects cases like, among others, Carlos Veronas. The international body has made it clear that riders must process their licence in the country where they reside, shutting the door on alternatives such as reg...

This isnt the first 32 weve seen from Btchn. The brand wowed us at last years MADE with a 32 drop bar bike that was, just, wow. Now, Tyler Reiswig (founder of Btchn) is taking 32 to a mountain bike platform.The Alpina is a 32 hardtail that can accommodate up to a 130mm fork. And, needless to say, it looks pretty Btchn (bad pun, I know, but I couldnt help myself).Btchn Frame DesignOne of the key factors that Btchn points out is that this 32 rig isnt a scaled-up 29er. In some cases, brands have essentially enlarged an existing frame to accommodate larger wheels. Rather, the Alpina is a ground-up design, intentionally pointed at eeking out the unique attributes and advantages of the larger wheel size.Btchn offers the bike in three sizes (MXL), batch-building these tig-welded Reynolds Steel frames with help from Falconer Bikes. The bottom bracket drop is increased relative to axle height, providing an in the bike experience, even with the larger wheel size. The result is a stable, planted ride characteristic, but with ample clearance for pedals on rough terrain.Bottom bracket height is at 315mm across all sizes, with a (massive) BB drop of 92mm. A size Medium Alpina has 450mm reach, topping out at 500mm on a size large. That said, the chainstays are relatively normal, starting at 439mm (M), 448mm (L), and 459mm (XL). The wheelbase ranges from 1,194mm to 1,269mm.According to Btchn, the Alpina will fit riders 57 to 64.Combined with the increased rollover efficiency of 32 wheels, the result is a calmer, more efficient ride. Btchn says that the larger wheels track the ground better, providing confidence even on rough terrain.Btchn builds all the Alpina frames in California, focusing on domestic manufacturing. They use components from White Industries, Astral, and Madrone and have frame clearance for 32 x 2.6 tires. It features super-boost spacing (12 x 157mm) and a 55mm chainline with a BSA73 bottom bracket.32 Alpina BuildBtchn offers a standard build for the Alpina, with optional upgrades on certain components. As stock, the Alpina comes with a WREN Inverted 32 fork. However, this can be upgraded to an Intend BC Inverted fork if so desired.The wheels are also available for an upgrade. The alloy Astral Jester wheels and Astral Approach hubs can be upgraded to a carbon Btchn wheel build with White Industries CLD hubs. To be fair, though, White Industries owns Astral, so we may be splitting hairs.Btchn says the Alpina frame weighs about 2,380g, and we imagine that is a Medium frame. The complete build (on a Medium frame) weighs 29.17lbs. The upgraded build (still a Medium frame) drops the weight slightly, down to 27.44lbs.The Btchn Alpina starts at $6,800.Head to their website for details and availability. btchnbikes.comThe post BTCHN Bikes Introduces the Alpina, a 32 Hardtail Mountain Bike appeared first on Bikerumor.

In our exclusive interview, we explore what really drives the number one ranked rider in the women's peloton to keep improving

The 2026 Volta a Catalunya takes place from the 23rd to the 29th of March. The Catalan race has been widely regarded as the most important mountain test throughout the spring and is one of the most difficult races outside of the Grand Tours; which often sees many of the best climbers in the world go...

Welcome to the Liveblog of the 2026 Grand Prix de Denain. Another cobbled semi-classic that serves as preparation for the tougher Classics coming up Its the Mini Paris-Roubaix. Join us and dont miss anything from another exciting day of cycling, live and minute by minute.

After losing out on victory in the very final meters of the Nokere Koerse, Alec Segaert set off for the GP de Denain with intentions of attacking. The Bahrain - Victorious rider was the winner, although he was almost caught in the finale exactly the same way he was the day before. The breakaway of...

Felix Stehli rode a 32in-wheel bike to the top of the podium on Stage 3 at the Cape Epic, alongside his teammate Marc Pritzen on a 29in bike. To our knowledge, this is the first time a 32in-wheel bike has taken an elite-level UCI race. The Cape Epic, which takes place in South Africa's Western Cape, is widely regarded as one of the most difficult stage races in the mountain bike calendar, with the mens race seeing teams of two taking on seven stages across 707km. An interesting detail is that Stage 3 is the longest in the race, perhaps showing the 32in wheels' ability to cover ground faster. Read more: Are we on the cusp of a 32in wheel revolution? This is what pro XC racers are riding in 2025 Honeycomb 226ers is a mixed-wheel size team at the Cape Epic. Absa Cape Epic Stehli and Pritzen are on Team Honeycomb 226ers and were both riding Stoll bikes, although they chose two different platforms for the race, with Stehli opting for the 32in P32 and Pritzen picking the M3 SR. Stehlis P32 features an Intend 32 fork up front, which gives between 100mm and 120mm of travel, and was seen using 32in Maxxis tyres. Stoll released the P32 last year. Stoll Bikes Its hard to see what wheels he was using, but looking at Stolls spec list for the bike, theyre likely to be the Pi Rope Duke Lucky Jack 32. The frame itself is said to weigh in at 1,880g, with Stoll saying this is competitive with 29in bikes of the same ilk. The P32 has an unusual top tube. Stoll Bikes The suspension linkage is one weve come to expect in mountain biking, although the frame features an oddly dissected top tube, perhaps to minimise weight. The UCI officially approved 32in wheels for XC racing in November 2025, and they are expected to be raced at all levels of the sport throughout this season.