Mathieu van der Poels 2026 season has already reinforced his status as one of the defining riders of his generation, from an early statement win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to head-to-head battles with Tadej Pogacar in Sanremo and Flanders. But away from the cobbles and the spotlight, a newly released...

Two years ago, we wrote a piece about the introduction of the Otso Hoot Ti hardtail trail bike. It wasnt just a new bike for Otso, it was a chance for the brand to test the mountain bike waters to see how it would be received. The Hoot Ti was a smash hit and received a really positive response. Naturally, riders wanted that bike but in a more affordable steel version of the Hoot Ti. So, meet the Hoot Steel.(Photos / Otso Cycles)The Hoot Steel is a 140mm travel hardtail mountain bike with a 4130 chromoly steel frame. Otso uses custom tubing thats sized according to frame dimensions. Designing the Hoots geometry to be both confidence-inspiring while descending, and playful on the trail was the goal. It rocks a slack 65-degree head tube angle, 76-degree seat tube angle, short 425mm chainstays, and a 60mm bottom bracket drop. Sounds fun! This kind of progressive geo means a balanced riding position that handles steep descents while keeping responsive handling on technical trails. The Hoot Steel is designed to run a 140mm suspension fork standard. But it has compatibility for 150mm forks without major geometry changes. The tire clearance extends to 29 x 2.6, and the bike uses a UDH rear dropout for compatibility with current drivetrain systems. Low Standover = Longer Dropper One of the notable design elements of the Hoot Steel is the frames capacity for long dropper posts. The frames low standover height is the reason this is possible. Otso extended the seat tube above the top tube and uses straight tubing geometry. The seat tube bottle cage mount uses an external design that prevents interference with dropper post travel and doubles as a strap mount for holding accessories. Were not sure if Esker was the first company to use a bottle cage mount like this, but it is nearly identical to their Hitching Post design. Hoot Steel GeometrySmallMediumLargeX-LargeRecommended rider height53-5757-511511-6363-66Inseam28-2929-3030-3131-33Standover708mm716mm737mm755mmStack617mm626mm644mm662mmReach441mm464mm479mm500mmEffective top tube595mm620mm640mm665mmHead tube angle (140mm suspension fork)65656565Head tube length100mm110mm130150Seat tube angle76767676Seat tube length380mm420mm440mm480mmBottom bracket drop60mm60mm60mm60mmChainstay length429mm429mm429mm429mmRear center425mm425mm425mm425mmWheelbase1174mm1201mm1225mm1254mmTrail129mm129mm129mm129mmFork offset44mm44mm44mm44mm140mm suspension fork axle to crown length523mm523mm523mm523mmSeatpost insertion depth296mm336mm376mm416mmThe Hoot Steel Retail & DetailRetail: $1,200 (Frame), $3,300 (Shimano SLX), $3,950 (SRAM GX AXS)Shimano SLXSRAM GX AXS TransmissionFrameOtso custom butted 4130 Chromoly tubing with UDH-compatible dropoutsOtso custom butted 4130 Chromoly tubing with UDH-compatible dropoutsForkRockShox Pike Base Rush RC 29 Boost 15X110 MXL Ultimate DEBONAIR+, Gloss Black, 140mm travel, 44 offsetRockShox Pike Base Rush RC 29 Boost 15X110 MXL Ultimate DEBONAIR+, Gloss Black, 140mm travel, 44 offsetHeadsetWolf Tooth Performance Headset, ZS44/EC44, black; option to upgrade to Wolf Tooth Premium Headset with a variety of color choicesWolf Tooth Performance Headset, ZS44/EC44, black; option to upgrade to Wolf Tooth Premium Headset with a variety of color choicesRear derailleurShimano SLX M7100SRAM GX T-Type Eagle TransmissionShifterShimano SLX M7100SRAM AXS Pod ControllerCassetteShimano SLX M7100, 10-51T, 12-speedSRAM XS-1275, T-Type, 10-52TBrakesShimano Deore BR-MT410; upgrade optionsShimano Deore BR-MT410; upgrade optionsCranksShimano Deore FC-M6120-1, 170mm, 32T chainring; upgrade optionsSRAM Eagle 70, custom length, 32T chainring; upgrade optionsBottom bracketShimano English threaded BSA, 73mmSRAM DUB english threaded BSA, 73mmHandlebarLithic MTB, 35.0 x 780mm, 35mm riseLithic MTB, 35.0 x 780mm, 35mm riseGripsWolf Tooth Echo Lock-on grips, black/blackWolf Tooth Echo Lock-on grips, black/blackStemAluminum 50mm, 0 riseAluminum 50mm, 0 riseSeatpostTranzX, 31.6; custom travel optionsTranzX, 31.6; custom travel optionsSeatpost clampWolf Tooth 34.9mm, black, custom color options come with headset upgradeWolf Tooth 34.9mm, black, custom color options come with headset upgradeSaddleWTB Silverado Medium; Steel; 142x265mmWTB Silverado Medium; Steel; 142x265mmWheelsDT Swiss M 1900, 30mm inner width, 11015 thru-axle front, 14812 thru-axle rear; custom upgrade optionsDT Swiss M 1900, 30mm inner width, 11015 thru-axle front, 14812 thru-axle rear; custom upgrade optionsTiresSchwalbe Rick Evo, XC Pro, 292.4, black; 27.5 option availableSchwalbe Rick Evo, XC Pro, 292.4, black; 27.5 option availableChainShimano SLX 12-speedSRAM GX T-Type, 12-speedFrame SizesS, M, L, XLS, M, L, XLSteel is RealWe all know that steel is indeed real. And some of the best qualities of a high-quality steel frame are durability and ride quality. Otso made sure that each frame size received specific tubing to maintain consistent ride characteristics across the size range. The bike launches in a single Sparkly Bronze colorway. This gorgeous color features a glittery orange-brown finish with metallic silver decals and black drop shadows. Plus, there are custom color options for anodized components available through Otsos bike builder system. Check out the link below for more details or to pick yourself up a Hoot Steel. OtsoCycles.comThe post Otso Cycles Delivers an Affordable, Fun, Steel Trail Bike, and its a Hoot! appeared first on Bikerumor.

After the release of We are Cyclists, Shimano releases a new short film thats part of the This is Home Series. This time, the series follows Mathieu van der Poel as he prepares for his historic attempt to win a fourth consecutive Paris-Roubaix title. (Photos / Sterling Lorence)The This is Home documentary takes viewers away from race venues to explore the training routes around Antwerp and Moraira, where Van der Poel trains. The film also focuses on the daily routines that support elite cycling performance. And rather than focusing on race victories, the series shows Van der Poel on his regular training roads, spending time with his girlfriend Roxanne Bertels and their dog Lola.Enjoy!Bike.Shimano.comThe post Shimanos Latest Installment of This is Home Series Features Mathieu van der Poel appeared first on Bikerumor.

Alex Aranburu brought Itzulia Basque Country 2026 to life on Stage 4, producing a perfectly judged finish on home roads to secure victory after a week that had not gone to plan for either himself or Cofidis. The Spaniard emerged from a chaotic and relentlessly aggressive stage to take control in the...

Eddy Merckx has been hospitalised once again after a persistent hip infection left him in significant pain, with the Belgian icon now facing the prospect of yet another operation in what has become a prolonged recovery period. The five-time Tour de France winner has been in hospital for around a wee...

Netflixs The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilsondirected by Katie Walsh reached the number one spot in the U.S. shortly after its April 3, 2026 release and climbed to number two in the UK. That alone is remarkable for a film so deeply rooted in cycling culture. For cycling fans, the documentary sta...

Team Visma | Lease a Bike Women face one of the calendars most emblematic dates this Sunday: Paris-Roubaix Femmes. The Dutch squad arrives with ambition after Pauline Ferrand-Prvots second place at the Tour des Flandres and will field a powerful dual leadership alongside Marianne Vos, who returns...

Comment & Analysis: Just the other day, a concerned resident in Cork City posted a comment on this websites Facebook page it was a dreadful story about how residents in the city are having their car parking stolen for cycle lanes. A similar picture is emerging around the country. The only thing is that its untrue. This is what they posted: The waste of money on bike lanes is a disgrace in cork city we have a problem with them being forced on people and robbing their parking spaces outside their homes that they own people are protesting against this for the past three months and being forced to wash their neighbourhood being destroyed removing trees that are there for decades and not one of our representatives standing with them the money being wasted is shameful and could have been used to build homes for the homeless.And this is the problem: To many councillors and people around the country, this sounds dreadful. But, like too many things this website has to deal with these days, its not a clear reflection of reality. And thats putting it nicely. The neighbourhood is actually getting much-needed new crossings, new footpaths and a fully resurfaced roadway, new water mains, and better public spaces outside community centres, etc. Hardly what many people would call destroyed.If you were not familiar with the details of the Knockpogue Avenue and Knockfree Avenue active travel project, the lack of clarity in the comment and the mention of the car parking spaces being robbed might lead you to think that peoples front yards were being compulsorily purchased for the cycle lanes. But were talking about a public road with parking outside homes and elsewhere. Theres not a single private space on peoples land that is to be taken away. Whats worse, looking at the updated plans provided by Cork City Council, there doesnt seem to be any parking lost in front of homes at all. And in most cases where parking was to be lost at other locations away from homes, it has been added back as part of the revised designs or in one place, drop-off bays are being provided, or provision is being made to share off-street parking outside of community facilities. In any case, the council cannot rob the space it owns on the streets. To be clear: The project was democratically approved by councillors, and they recently stood by their decision.The main reason more trees are being chopped down is not for the cycle lanes, but for the above-mentioned extra car parking to be retained. My guess is that overall, the council might end up formally marking more parking spaces that were previously informally used on the streets. Even if there are some locations where reparking might be in higher demand, those, I think, generally correspond to where there are side streets where theres a good deal of space. And, while it is unfortunate that any trees have to be cut down, the number of trees being planted including semi-mature trees will far outnumber those being cut down.And, no, money being used to revamp a street and replace water mains cannot be used for housing. It especially cannot be reallocated after construction starts.More money would be wasted trying to change the plans after construction has started post- construction changes were the main reason for issues with the childrens hospital. That seems to be why councillors said no to more changes at this stage.But while this commenter claimed in a follow-up comment that there was nothing wrong with the way the street was, this is disputed by other residents who agree with some of the changes. They say there were safety concerns, especially around the old roundabouts on the route. The cycle lane part of the project has been used against the whole project.In all likelihood, while it may be useful for some short trips, the route wont likely attract tons of people cycling because it will remain disconnected for some time until other routes are built. While the routes gradient isnt too bad, the residents are correct in saying it is a very hilly area overall its not where I would start if I were just focusing on building a cycle lane network.However, the project isnt just about cycle lanes. It improves not just safety, but also pedestrian accessibility and adds bus stops. Its also a basic street renewal and updating project.Its a populist idea that a significant project under construction for months can be changed again in a fundamental way without huge cost implications. After a long process and democratic agreement, the council entered into an agreement with the National Transport Authority that it would spend money on the whole package of measures, including the cycle lanes, and then set about having a contractor build the project using the agreed design. You cannot complain about money being wasted, and also want construction stopped and more money wasted because people have been wound up over plans not only long agreed to by councillors, but which have already started construction. And, yes, cycle lanes are being used as a lightning rod here at least some of the main people objecting wont stop at the cycle lanes.The renamed Facebook page against the project, Voices for Knockfree, Knockpogue & surrounding areas, prominently includes the claim that Narrowed roads are a mortal danger to the young and elderly residents a claim that has no basis in fact.It goes against a huge amount of research, as well as national and international examples showing that excessively wide roads, of the type that Knockpogue Ave was, increase speeding and pose a danger to all road users. The proven remedy is to adjust road sizes. And, no, nobody is saying the project is perfect. The cycle lanes are probably the part of the project in most need of improvement. But the project was approved by councillors, subject to the condition that more parking would be provided, which led to the loss of some trees. Its unclear, but some of the anger going around seems to be exaggerated claims about the extent of the parking changes and the loss of trees, with the use of phrases like complete removal and vagueness about trees being felled. And an increase in the number of buses on a route is apparently a reason against a safer streets project.

Tim Merliers presence at Paris-Roubaix this weekend was not part of the original plan. Just days ago, the Soudal - Quick-Step sprinter was still working his way back from a disrupted start to the season. Now, he arrives at the Hell of the North off the back of one of the most emphatic wins of his c...