CyclistTech Talk: Ive built the bike to win Paris-RoubaixThis article has been taken from a previous edition of tech editor Sam Challiss fortnightly newsletter, Tech Talk, which has 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. Clickhereto get Tech Talk directly to your inbox.Paris-Roubaix is my favourite race of the year. It isnt just because of the hugely unpredictable and exciting racing, but also because equipment choice has always been a unique conundrum. Optimise for 100km of smooth main roads, followed by 160km of winding farm tracks interspersed with 29 secteurs of brutal pav? Its an impossible equation that the tech nerd in me loves seeing the solutions for.Setups might have tempered from the wild designs of yesteryear (remember that prototype, full-suspension Bianchi that broke under Museeuw in 1994?), but even with todays ultra-capable equipment, the Paris-Roubaix pits remain a source of ingenious and non-standard kit selection.It does often get me thinking about how I would go about building a bike if I were to race Paris-Roubaix. Due to the restrictions of sponsorship agreements, entrenched team agendas and even individual rider superstitions, I think stones are still being left unturned. Im going out on a limb: I could put together a bike that suits the race better than any that will take to the start line on Sunday.Tyres are probably the most crucial part of the puzzle, so lets start with them. Id opt for something like Vittorias new 38mm wide Corsa Pro Controls. 38mm pushes things just about as large as they go without falling foul of the UCIs 700mm max wheel+tyre diameter rule. Early ultra-wide slicks had a bulkier construction than their narrower counterparts despite being named as the same tyre, but the latest crop are the same in construction, just wider. That helps mitigate the increase in weight, and if paired with the emerging tech that controls pressure on the fly, such as Gravaas KAPS system, they could be pumped up for the beginning of the race for a fast roll and let down when the cobbles start, for bump absorption, to get the best of both worlds. Its something that narrower tyres dont have the volume to do to the same extent. Admittedly, Gravaa has recently been declared bankrupt, but reports of interested parties looking to resurrect the brand plus with rumours of competing systems on the horizon as well mean I dont think well be without this technology for long.Lizzie CrabbId then mount those Vittorias on Zipps 303 XPLR SW wheels. The ETRTO might have something to say about that, but official compatibility issues aside, the wheels have the rim width to pair smoothly with wide tyres. Ive said since their release that the XPLR SW wheels would make better all-road aero wheels that they do gravel wheels (for reasons I delve into in my review), so this seems like an ideal application for them. I wont claim to know much about aerodynamics, but I at least understand that neat transitions between tyre and rim do generally result in cleaner airflow.Given the high speeds the race is ridden at, an equally aero frame is a must, but the width of tyre+wheel pairing Ive gone for rules out all road race frames. Therefore Id choose 3Ts RaceMax2, which puts together aero styling with wide clearances perhaps better than any other bike on the market.Gearing has to be 1x. Its considered to be more aero than 2x (having no inner chainring or front derailleur), and the races course accumulates next to no elevation, so gearing range isnt an issue. That being the case, Id opt for SRAMs Red XPLR AXS. For a while Id have had no choice; it was the only choice on the market as a wireless 13-speed 1x system. Campagnolo has since released its Super Record 13 family, which includes 1x options and means SRAM has competition in the category, but Id still lean towards SRAM.Campagnolo offers more cassette options and SRAMs single 10-46t block is perhaps overkill in terms of range, but its 13 sprockets still ensure adequate gear steps, and the large sprockets do at least mean you could run one of SRAMs huge aero chainrings for drivetrain efficiency gains. SRAMs rock-solid full-mount interface would hold up well in a cobbles crash as well. Related Posts Paris-Roubaix tech gallery 2025: 1x chainrings, Cervlo Soloist and Gravaa tyre pressure adjuster Big Ride: Flanders vs Roubaix Photo Essay: The brutal reality of Paris-Roubaix Paris-Roubaix 2025 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch, start lists and history 3T offers its More integrated stem for the RaceMax, so thatll do there, then Id perhaps go left-field for the bars, using Profile Designs Canta model. The aerofoil tops, long reach and narrow width (they have been designed to push the limits of UCI rules) should coax some extra speed via a more aggressive body position.So there we have it: my Roubaix winning bike. Now I just need to find an extra 200 watts for my FTP and a WorldTour contract, and Ill have that cobble on my mantelpiece in no time.The post Tech Talk: Ive built the bike to win Paris-Roubaix appeared first on Cyclist.

Axel Laurance claimed victory on Stage 3 of Itzulia Basque Country 2026, winning from a two-man move alongside Igor Arrieta after a fractured and attritional day that saw further disruption among the general classification contenders. The Frenchman proved the stronger in the final kilometre in Basau...

Dan Camp's 34th video from his ride across the Americas captures three weeks on the Peru Great Divide, which he says is the most beautiful route in the world. Find the 46-minute video and a selection of photos here...The post Bikepacking the Worlds Most Beautiful Route (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The peloton is now riding at three speeds, says Belgian rouleur Oliver Naesen

Tim Merlier powered to a third consecutive Scheldeprijs victory in 2026, producing a devastating sprint to win from a reduced peloton after a crash-disrupted finale in Schoten. In a race that had long pointed towards a routine bunch finish, late incidents inside the final 10 kilometres reshaped the...

The 16th issue of The Bikepacking Journal is just around the corner, and were excited to offer a first look at whats inside. Plus, vote on your favorite cover to help us decide! Find details and learn how to reserve a copy before the April 17th deadline here...The post Announcing The Bikepacking Journal 16 + Help Us Pick a Cover! appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

These new alloy Crankbrothers Stamp Evo pedals buck flat pedal conventions with a long, thin rectangular shape that delivers a twenty percent bigger platform without decreasing ground clearance. Available in two sizes, the extended platform shape delivers increased contact area between your shoe and pedals without sacrificing ground clearance. Plus, Crankbrothers says the 20% longer Stamp EVO platform pedals increase stability on the descents, improve efficiency on the climbs, and result in less foot fatigue after a long day on the bike.(All photos/Cory Benson)So weve been testing them out this fall, the small pedals on an enduro bike and the large ones on a full-power eMTB. And weve been impressed with how they really do deliver a better connection to our feet, and yet still look great after a couple months of rocky abuseCrankbrothers Stamp EVO long mountain bike platform pedalsThe new Stamp Evo expands Crankbrothers premium alloy flat pedals, effectively stretching out their Stamp 7 platforms in line with your foot. The key forged aluminum construction and thin, concave profile spinning on a tough chromoly axle and premium Igus bushings remains the same. But the longer shape necessitated a platform redesign that makes them look a lot different and weigh about 1/3 more. But it also means you get 20% more area, 30% more traction pins to enhance support, stability, and comfort.A new feature that goes a long way to keeping the new Stamp Evo pedals looking good longer, Crankbrothers adds a new replaceable skid plate to the outside of each pedal. The reinforced composite bashguards are there to both help deflect rock strikes and minimize pedal hang-ups.Tech detailsconcave aluminum pedal body forged from 6061-T6 alloyjust 11mm thick over the axle & 15.5mm thick at the leading and trailing edges13 adjustable traction pins per side, adding to the concave shape(5.6mm long outer, 4mm inner & 3mm middle pins)fiber-reinforced nylon composite outer bashguards protect the pedal without added thickness (held in place by the outer pins)available in two sizes: Small 103mm x 117mm platform for size 3-10 US / 35-43.5 EU shoes Large 114mm x 133mm platform for size 10-15 US / 43-49 EU shoespremium low-friction Igus LL-glide bearing inner & outer bushings with V-ring sealsforged SCM 435 chromoly steel axlesclaimed weights: Small 418g & Large 464gactual weights on our scale: Small 414g & Large 456g no rider weight limit5-year warrantyRiding ReviewWhats really unique is that the new Crankbrothers Stamp Evo flat pedals arent quite square like most platform pedals. Sure, they arent the first pedal weve seen to go longer than wide. But Crankbrothers really stretched them out to increase pedal-to-shoe contact area without getting wider, and without increasing the likelihood of catching a pedal on the ground. In fact, compared to some of the more grippy flat pedals we spend the most time on, the new Stamp Evos are actually both narrower and thinner, while spreading their traction pins further apart for even better grip. They are narrower because the Igus glide bearing bushings allow Crankbrothers to butt the pedal almost directly up to your crankarm, while also bringing those inner pins closer to the centerline of your bike, too. That means you could end up with quite substantially wider pin spacing vs. your current pedals, without a wider (or much wider) platform to catch on rocks.The two main benefits of the big, long rectangular Crankbrothers Stamp Evo pedal design are simple. First, that larger platform area offers more shoe support for improved stability, grip, and reduced foot fatigue. Secondly, their outboard fiber-reinforced nylon bashguards take the brunt of rock strikes to protect the pedal where they most often hit an obstacle, with the lower friction material decreasing the chance of hanging up an aluminum pedal on grippy or sharp rocks.Weve been riding the new pedals hard from wet, rocky & fast Finale Ligure trials to our own home steep, loose, boulder-strewn enduro tracks in the Czech Republic. And were really happy with how much grip they offer. As good or better than any other flat pedals weve ridden in the recent past.Weve bashed these things on a lot of rocks in the past two months. And yet, these Crankbrothers Stamp Evo platform pedals still look almost new. The bashguards have really soaked up the majority of that abuse. Well, and the replaceable pins, which are already showing some grinding wear. Overall, the new pedals look to be holding up better than expected. I just hope we grind through some bashguards soon, so I can justify getting some new blue and purple ones!Crankbrothers Stamp Evo Pricing, options & availabilityThe new Crankbrothers Stamp Evo pedals sell for $200 / 200 in sizes Small or Large in either silver or black anodized. All silver pedals come standard with black bashguards and black pedals with grey guards, including extra pins and a spare pair of reinforced nylon bashguards with each set of pedals, since they are considered wear items. You can also add a bit of flair to your pedals by picking up colorful replacement bashguards in blue, a pinkish purple, grey, or black for an extra $15. All size and color combinations are available now directly from Crankbrothers, or wherever you buy pedals.Crankbrothers.comThe post Crankbrothers Stamp EVO Flat Pedals Grip with Huge, Long Rectangular Platform: Review appeared first on Bikerumor.

Paul Seixas grip on Itzulia Basque Country 2026 remained firm on Stage 3, but beyond the race situation itself, the French teenager offered a clear insight into the mindset underpinning his rapid rise. On a day where the breakaway took the stage honours, Seixas rode with control and composure in th...

Chinese bicycle manufacturer XDS is stepping out from behind the curtain with X-LAB, a new performance platform that launches with nine bikes across road, gravel, urban, and e-bike categories. And yes, the pricing is going to get people talking.Theres a certain kind of bike launch that follows the usual script. Dim lights, dramatic copy, carbon close-ups, and a lot of talk about redefining performance before anyone even tells you what the thing weighs. Then they bait you in with claims of watts and wins before dropping the price, and its usually as eye-bulging as the claims. But what can you do? This is the price we pay for cutting-edge performance right? Maybe not. (All Photos: XDS)Enter The X-Lab Instead, this launch feels more substantial than theatrical. The big story isnt just one halo bike or one wild claim pulled from a wind tunnel. Shenzhen, Chinas XDS, is one of the worlds largest bicycle manufacturers. They are now bringing their updated, competitively priced X-LAB platform to 15 new markets, including the U.S., Norway, Japan, and Australia.That lineup covers road, gravel, urban, and electric bikes. It also arrives with a WorldTour tie-in (XDS-Astana) and a U.S. HQ in Los Angeles.But whats the catch? There is none. XDS is doing the same thing that others have been doing for years; if you control more of the bike, you can build a better complete package and sell it for less money.Theyre just doing it for themselves now, not for someone else. Theyre also making a lot of their own parts including ebike motors through their in-house component brand, Branta.What is X-LAB?In the simplest terms, X-LAB is XDS deciding it doesnt want to be the company behind the company anymore.XDS has been around since 1995, and over the years, it has built a massive in-house ecosystem. This in-house manufacturing spans carbon frame production, forks, wheelsets, components, motors, sensors, and software (though Im sure Im missing something).This is not small-batch boutique stuff. This is industrial-scale, engineering-first manufacturing with enough depth behind it to enter the US market and possibly disrupt the apple cart.One Stop ShopRather than sourcing a frame from one place, a wheelset from another, a cockpit from somewhere else. X-LAB says it wants the bike designed as a complete system from the start. Frame, fork, cockpit, crankset (power meters), wheels, integrated tech, and, in the case of the e-bikes, the drive system too. So basically everything except some performance tires and shifting components. X-LAB: Meet The FamilyThe complete line of bikes from XDS/X-Lab doesnt rest on a single build or model. The newly announced X-LAB range is pretty vast, spanning World Tour-level road bikes, all-road machines, gravel bikes, and e-Bikes. All of which stick with the XDS ethos of building the complete bike, so dont look for a Vision cockpit or Zipp Wheels here all the extra bits besides the shifting and a few of the tires are XDS components.X-LAB RoadThe model we were most familiar with is the AD9, X-LABs WorldTour aero road bike, already being raced by the XDS-Astana team. It gets a Toray T1100 carbon frame and fork, and a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 build. But as mentioned above, X-LAB is going for the whole bike, so this AD9 comes with the XDS in-house Branta-integrated carbon cockpit and Branta C50 ULR carbon-spoke wheels. The AD9 comes with a claimed complete weight of 15lbs (6.82kg) in size Large. Then theres theRT9, which might be the real attention-grabber of the bunch because all cyclists love a light bicycle. The jury is still out on whether its the lightest production road bike of all time, but its super light. X-LAB says it uses a mix of Toray T1100 and M40X carbon to produce a claimed 550-gram frame, with a complete bike weight of 13.6lbs/6.2kg. That puts it squarely in the ultra-light climber-bike conversation.The AD8 sits just below the AD9 and honestly feels like the one many riders will circle first. It keeps the aero-road look, uses Toray T800 carbon, gets Shimano 105 Di2, and still lands at a claimed 16.5lbs/7.41kg in size Large.All Road The road range is rounded out by the RS7 and RS5. The RS7 is the carbon all-road/performance option, built around Shimano 105 mechanical, an integrated carbon cockpit, 32mm tires, and a claimed weight of 18lbs/8.49kg.The RS5 moves into alloy endurance territory with an XDS X6 aluminum frame, carbon fork, Shimano Cues 211, 38mm tire clearance, and fender compatibility. It looks like the practical one in the family, the bike for riders who want speed, comfort, and a little room for snacksGravel The GT8 is X-LABs first dedicated gravel bike, and it checks the right boxes: full carbon frame and fork, GRX 715 1x Di2, in-frame storage, accessory mounts on the frame and fork, and clearance for up to 55mm tires. Claimed weight is 19.35lbs/8.78kg in size Medium. More on this bike later.E-Bikes | CommuterOn the electric side, X-LAB is going after both utility and fitness.The X-LAB ST5+ is the more commuter- and cargo-friendly option, using an in-house XDS X800 mid-drive motor with 95 Nm of torque, a 619 Wh battery, an integrated display, and a front light. The ST5+ boasts a Quad Lock mount, MIK-HD rear rack, fenders, and an 80mm suspension fork to round out the build. This is the one for replacing car trips, hauling stuff, and turning daily transportation into something a little less soul-sucking.The SP5+ leans more fitness-focused, with an 85Nm version of the X800 motor, a 339Wh battery, integrated lights, 700c all-terrain tires, and a flatter, sportier position. It looks like the e-bike for riders who still want a ride to feel like a ride, just with a little less suffering on tap when needed. The weight and the price of this bike will likely make it very popular for a lot of riders. More on this one, soon.Then theres the SP3, a city/fitness hybrid that rounds out the lineup with an aluminum frame, carbon fork, Shimano Cues 10-speed, hydraulic discs, 42mm tire clearance, and rack-and-fender compatibility. It may not be the flashy one in the room, but bikes like this tend to do the most actual work. But wait till you hear the pricing. Then Theres the Price TagI wanted to separate this; I wanted all the specs and weights to land separately from the pricing. Because I was taken aback the first time I read it over, and I think you might be too.The RT9 with complete Shimano Dura Ace Di2 lands at $9,150, which is serious money, but in a market where featherweight superbikes can sail $3K past that without a double take, it keeps the conversation lively. However, the AD9 with the same Dura Ace spec comes in at $7,999, and the AD8 with Shimano 105 Di2 drops to $4,499.The carbon gravel GT8, with a full-carbon frame and fork, Branta carbon stem, gravel carbon bar, and single-ring rechargeable powermeter and Shimano GRX 715, is priced at $3,199.The Carbon RS7 all-road/performance road bike, with a full-carbon frame and fork, an integrated Branta carbon cockpit, and Shimano 105 mechanical components, comes in at$2,099.The alloy RS5 comes at$1,399and includes a Shimano Cues 211 drivetrain, a Branta alloy power meter crankset, Branta A35 SL wheels, andBranta 70032 tires.On the electric side, the ST5+ is $1,999, the SP5+ is $1,899, and the SP3 is just $799.Wild Right?!(XDS-Astana at the Giro. Photo: Cory Benson)Dealer-FirstAnother notable aspect of the launch is the sales model.At a time when the industry is still untangling years of DTC tension, inventory headaches, and retailer fatigue, X-LAB says it wants independent bike shops to remain central to the customer experience. That means fit, setup, service, and long-term support still matter.Cautiously optimistic; The real test comes later, when the bikes are on shop floors, customers need help, warranties get tested, and dealers decide whether the partnership actually feels different. But at launch, at least, X-LAB appears to understand that if it wants to be taken seriously, it has to do more than show up with good carbon and dramatic photos. Plus, investing in the IBD market is a great way to get hands-on experience with these machines.Where to From Here?Theres still plenty to prove here. But as first impressions go, X-LAB isnt arriving quietly.It showed up with nine bikes, a WorldTour connection, a legitimate gravel platform (though not UCI-approved yet), a real e-bike push, and pricing aggressive enough to make more established brands question why. If the ride matches the pitch, this one could get interesting in a hurry.The post XDS Launches 9-Bike X-LAB Global Range With Seriously Competive Prices appeared first on Bikerumor.

Crashes, illness, and withdrawals are an unavoidable part of any stage race, and Itzulia Basque Country 2026 will be no exception. With narrow roads, technical descents, and relentless climbing throughout the week, incidents can quickly reshape both stage results and the overall general classificati...