The new Specialized Demo is a downhill bike we've been waiting eagerly for and now you can finally buy it. Developed in plain sight over three years with input from Specialized's World Cup race team, including Loc Bruni, its been no secret that something new was coming. The previous Demo has been around since 2020, making this one of the longer gaps between updates in the downhill category. At first glance, the Demo 11 looks like a subtle update. In reality, it is a very different bike. The changes go far deeper than geometry tweaks or suspension refinements. Theres a new drivetrain layout and a heavily revised suspension system at the core of the redesign. The aim is not more travel or more extreme numbers Specialized says it is chasing something harder to define but more important on-track: consistency. The frame is built from Specializeds FACT 11m carbon, with a layup tuned for downhill loads and an emphasis on keeping the chassis stable and predictable during heavy impacts. Combined with the new drivetrain and suspension design, the Big S says the goal is simple: a bike that stays composed when you are pushing at the limit. Read more: Unreleased hlins shock spotted on prototype Specialized Demo DH bike with hidden drivetrain and Brembo brakes HighGear drivetrain moves mass and separates chain forces from suspension Specialized has worked alongside drivetrain giant SRAM to develop the new HighGear drivetrain. Specialized The most obvious change is the new HighGear drivetrain. Instead of a conventional chainring mounted at the bottom bracket, the Demo 11 uses a smaller drive ring connected to a jackshaft positioned higher in the frame. Although the jackshaft doesnt pass through the frame, its mount is on the driveside only. A second ring on that shaft drives the rear wheel. In effect, it behaves more like a simplified gearbox system than a traditional drivetrain. There are two key outcomes from this layout. First is ground clearance. By reducing the size of the lower ring and moving the main drive point upwards, Specialized claims a 30mm increase in clearance compared to the previous Demo. On rough tracks, that could reduce the risk of smashing chainrings and open up more line options or give you a get-out-of-jail-free card for mistakes and misjudgments. The second outcome is the drivetrain's influence on suspension. On a regular bike, chain growth as the suspension compresses creates pedal kickback. That can feed back through the cranks and stiffen the suspension subtly under load. The revised suspension kinematics should help smooth out rocky sections of track and enable riders to go faster. Probably not as fast as Loc Bruni, though. Specialized High/mid-pivot bikes such as the Canyon Sender CFRmanage this by using idler pulleys to control chain growth. Specialized has taken a different approach. By fixing the upper chain length relative to the suspension movement, it claims the system largely removes that interaction altogether. In theory, that means the suspension can move freely regardless of what the drivetrain is doing: no kickback, no extra resistance as the bike goes deeper into its travel. That should help the rear wheel track the ground more consistently over repeated hits. The trade-off is added mechanical complexity. There are more moving parts essentially three chainrings, more bearings and more potential failure points compared to a standard MTB drivetrain, plus the additional drivetrain friction this could cause. Specialized says it has worked with SRAM on durability, but long-term reliability will be something riders will watch closely. OBB suspension aims to reduce compromise in setup Additional links sandwiched within the down tube help to dictate suspension movement and drive the rear shock. Specialized Alongside the drivetrain, the Demo 11 introduces a new suspension layout called OBB (Over Bottom Bracket). Its essentially a Horst-link (four-bar) with additional links driving the shock. The Horst-link controls the axle path, anti-squat and anti-rise. The additional links control the leverage ratio. The key idea here is separation of variables. On most bikes, axle path, leverage rate and braking behaviour are linked. Changing one affects the others. Designers often have to compromise between bump absorption, pedalling efficiency and braking stability. Specialized says the OBB layout enables those elements to be tuned more independently. The leverage curve is quoted at 24 per cent progression. That's fairly typical for downhill bikes. It should give a supportive feel deeper in the travel without blowing through on big hits. The axle path looks as if it follows a mid-pivot location (even though the centre of curvature is floating). The rear axle arcs rearward to around 13mm at approximately 100mm of travel, then transitions forward to bottom-out. Rearward axle paths help the wheel move out of the way of square-edge impacts, reducing hang-up and maintaining speed. The forward shift later in the stroke helps control wheelbase growth and keeps handling predictable. The rearward axle path and additional ground clearance the Demo 11 offers up should be really beneficial for race tracks that are notoriously rough. Specialized This is not a new concept. Many modern downhill and high-pivot bikes use a similar approach. The difference here is how it interacts with the drivetrain. Because the HighGear system reduces chain influence, Specialized has more freedom to shape that axle path without introducing excessive kickback. The other claim is improved braking performance. Specialized says the suspension remains more active under hard braking. That is something high- and mid-pivot designs can struggle with. Under braking, forces through the rear triangle can stiffen the suspension and reduce grip. If the Demo 11 can reduce that effect, it could help maintain traction in steep, rough braking zones. Again, that is something that will need real-world testing to verify. Self-aligning chassis focuses on load paths, not magic fixes Rear movement of the rear wheel axle for the first half of the Demo 11's travel should help make it smooth in rough terrain. Specialized Specialized makes a big deal of what it calls a self-aligning chassis. This comes down to how loads move through the rear end when the bike is under impacts. On the Demo 11, the shock is driven from the chainstays via a link. That link then compresses the shock in the usual way. So, while the shock itself is still being pushed, the first part of the system, from the rear axle through the chainstay to the link, is effectively being pulled. That matters because components under tension tend to stay straighter than those under compression. In a conventional layout, links are often pushed under load, which can introduce small amounts of flex or twist when the bike is deep in its travel. By pulling on the linkage first, Specialized appears to be trying to keep the load path more direct and more in line with the frame. In simple terms, it's aiming to reduce how much the rear end can deflect sideways when things get fast and rough Geometry remains conservative but adjustable The new Demo 11 offers riders the potential to tweak the geometry to suit their needs or tailor it to a specific track. Specialized Despite the major changes elsewhere, the geometry is as youd expect from a World Cup winning downhill bike. The head angle is fixed at 62.5 degrees. Reach figures are 445mm, 475mm or 500mm across the S3 to S5 sizes. These figures are in the mid-setting. Headset cups can lengthen or shorten the reach by 6mm. Chainstay length increases with size, from 435mm to 445mm and 455mm, which should help keep weight distribution consistent across the range. The bottom-bracket height can be changed by 7mm, which sits at 348mm in its low setting. These are small changes, but useful at races, where setup can be dialled to specific tracks. Overall, Specialized has not chased extreme numbers. The focus appears to be on stability and balance rather than headline geometry. Specialized Demo 11 S-Works models and pricing details Specialized only offers the S-Works build of the Demo 11 or a frameset. Specialized Specialized is offering the Demo 11 in the complete S-Works build or as a frameset. UK pricing has not yet been confirmed. It has taken Specialized three years to develop the new Demo 11, but now it's available to buy in the shops. Specialized Specialized Demo 11 S-Works Frame: FACT 11m carbon, 200mm travel, 148mm rear hub spacing Fork: RockShox Boxxer Ultimate, 200mm travel Shock: RockShox Vivid Coil Ultimate DH Wheelset: Roval Traverse Gravity alloy rims, DT Swiss 350 hubs, Specialized Cannibal Grid Gravity T9 tyres 29x2.4in (f), 27.5x2.4in (r) Drivetrain: SRAM XX DH AXS T-Type, SRAM XS-797 10-24t cassette, SRAM XX T-Type chain, SRAM XX HighGear crankset (165mm), SRAM GXP bottom bracket Brakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate, 220/200mm rotors Handlebar and stem: SRAM Descendant handlebar, 800mm/SRAM Descendant DH direct mount stem, 50mm Saddle/seatpost: Body Geometry Henge DH, Ti rails/Thomson alloy Claimed weight: 19.03kg Price: $11,000 / 12,499 / AU$18,000 Specialized Demo 11 S-Works frameset Frame: FACT 11m carbon, 200mm travel, 148mm rear hub spacing Shock: RockShox Vivid Coil Ultimate DH Crankset: SRAM XX HighGear, 165mm Price: $6,500 / 7,499 / AU$8,900

Beln Castell's latest bikepacking video series finds her arriving in the Philippines with only a loose plan for her trip. Once on the road, she connects with a new local friend who helps ease her into the journey through the unfamiliar country. Find the 40-minute video with a written introduction and photos here...The post Cycling a Lesser-Known Side of the Philippines (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Vanmoof has returned to the UK with the launch of its latest S6 e-bike series, marking a significant moment in the brands post-bankruptcy recovery. There are two models the S6, which keeps the brands iconic frame design and the S6 Open, which features a step-through design for smaller riders. Both are said to be more powerful, more secure and smarter than before, featuring the brands Anti-Theft System. Van Moof says this now has more granular location tracking, in addition to Apple Find My integration. Both the S6 and S6 Open have been for sale in Europe since last summer, but the brand says high demand has led them back to British shores. The bikes retail for 3,098 and will be available through one of VanMoofs 42 partners or via its website. Read more: Best commuter bike: What's the best bike for commuting in 2026? Back in the UK The bikes feature Kick Lock an integrated rear-wheel locking system. Vanmoof While based in Amsterdam, Vanmoof is British-owned, having been acquired by a subsidiary of McLaren Applied following its bankruptcy in 2023. The brand's move back into the market comes with a renewed commitment to the UK. It says riders should expect a fast-growing network of sales and service partners throughout the country. The bikes use an Autoshift Hub that shifts based on riding speed. Vanmoof VanMoof CEO Eliott Wertheimer said in a statement: "After a couple of years of intense product engineering, focusing on enhancing VanMoofs magic while anchoring it in reliability, our team is immensely proud to bring the S6 to the UK. From customers and retailers reviews, to the specialised and tech press, as well as multiple awards, the S6 has smashed our wildest expectations, leading to European sales outperforming all our forecasts since launch. With our operations fully ready to support our UK riders, we cannot wait to have them enjoy our latest and best product ever.

UAE Team Emirates - XRG have not managed to win Paris-Roubaix with Tadej Pogacar, however the World Champion is still the prime favourite to win this Sunday's Lige-Bastogne-Lige. The Emirati team has provided insight into his late preparation as well as how they tackle the team's issues with injur...

Maxim van Gils had a difficult 2025 season but 2026 only got off to a worst start. As it stands, the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe rider only completed two race days going into May, and will at best return to competition in June. Still, he hopes to make it to the Tour de France alongside the German te...

The 2026 Sea Otter Classic has come and gone, but it left a big impression especially when it comes to 32 wheels. The hype behind the new-ish wheel size has been building exponentially, and while its still very much in the development phase, there was plenty to see at the show. Going into the show, it seemed that most of the excitement had been geared towards 32 wheels for mountain bikes and there were plenty of 32 mountain bikes on hand as a result. But after our discussions around 32 wheeled gravel bikes, it seems like even more brands may be viewing gravel as the ideal use case for the larger hoops. That makes sense when you think about it, as 32 wheels claim to offer a longer contact patch with increased traction in loose conditions, faster rolling, and dont have the same concerns when it comes to building around full suspension frames like 32 MTB. Salsa Fargo 32 & Fargo Ti 32Salsa waited until the first day of the show to break cover on two new 32 versions of the Fargo gravel/adventure bike. The steel Fargo 32 and the titanium Fargo Ti 32 frame sets will launch this fall, available in sizes small through extra-large to accommodate riders from 52 to 67. Yes, size small. Salsa claims to have figured out the geometry to fit very small riders on 32 wheels without toe overlap. Full geo has yet to be announced, but the frames will provide 2.4-inch tire clearance and utilize standard boost spacing with a 73mm bottom bracket shell. An aftermarket alternator plate will reduce the chainstay length by 17mm. Development of their 32 platform began in 2024, with Salsa determining that launching the Fargo model first made strategic sense for their product lineup. Expect the official release to be this fall. Teravail will introduce two new tire treads alongside the Salsa frame release: the Camrock and Cannonball models, both featuring two casing options. All 32-inch tires will include an updated SuperStructure casing that provides improved strength-to-weight ratios. According to Teravails testing, 32 tires offer 14 percent more surface contact area compared to equivalent 29 models. The Camrock tread is currently available, while the Cannonball will become available in June or July.Additional wheel options include late summer availability of the Circos wide wheels with updated carbon layup specifically designed for 32-inch applications. These wheels feature front and rear-specific profiles (29mm front, 28mm rear) and layup configurations, available in 28 and 32-hole drilling patterns with DT350 hubs, including impact-resistant wider rear lip designs.BTCHN Geared & SS GravelThe BTCHN SS Gravel bike on a Thule rack, demonstrating that it will take 32 wheels (we found that many bike racks are already 32 compatible)BTCHN has gone all in on 32 wheels with a single-speed bike that was shown at MADE, plus mountain bikes and a new geared gravel bike shown at Sea Otter.Called the Bandito Ti, the geared gravel bike will actually be steel for the production run. That production will be run in batches with M, L, and XL frames. While the SS bike has sliding dropouts, the Bandito features a UDH hanger and appears to have a bit more traditional geometry than the MADE show bike. We didnt get any details on the wheels, only that they are prototype 32 gravel wheels from WTB.Faction 32 Gravel Bike ConceptAt this point, Faction Bike Studio is no stranger to 32 wheels and followed up their 32 Big Ben Concept at Eurobike with this Atlas Gravel build. The concept bike serves as a testing platform to evaluate how oversized wheels affect real-world performance and geometry requirements in drop-bar bicycle applications.The frame accommodates 2.1-inch tires while achieving 435mm chainstays, demonstrating that larger wheels can work with relatively short rear-end geometry.The Atlas features a bonded carbon tube and aluminum lug construction and includes a TRP/Classified Vistar Powershift drivetrain, Easton 32-inch carbon rims (which are not Havens as it turns out the wrong decals were applied), and Schwalbe 32-inch x 50mm tires, which are unmarked, and different than the 32 Schwalbe gravel tires shown on theStinner 32 Prototype Gravel BikeStinner is one of the brands, like Salsa, that has decided to start with gravel bikes for 32 wheels instead of MTB. According to Aaron Stinner, it just makes more sense to start with gravel since there are so many questions surrounding the standards and designs of 32 mountain bikes. As Aaron puts it, the industry is still feeling through the dark to find out what works.As a result, the gravel bike prototype is made from straight-gauge titanium tubing, which Aaron states is easier to iterate with. The ride quality of the tubing is known without having to worry about butting profiles, so he can focus on determining if the geometry works.The first batch will be a limited run of 20-25 bikes in M-L or XXL. The bike is shown with a prototype Stinner carbon MTB fork that fits 32 wheels, but isnt designed for it, pointing out that by narrowing the gap between the tire and the fork crown, it would open up the ability to fit more riders by building a lower front end.The bike also features Stinner carbon prototype 32 rims wrapped in Schwalbe Rick Race Pro tires. Tire clearance is said to be 2.4, and the frame will run Boost 148mm spacing with an MTB chainline. Boyds Colorful 32 RimsBoyd had a handful of anodized 32 rims on display, including two CCC models meant for gravel with a 26mm internal. The rims were also being used in the Vittoria booth to display the 32 x 2.4 Peyote tire, including the new model that claims to be 90% renewable & recycled. It looks like our 32 future is going to require a lot more rubber, so thats probably a good thingThe post 32 Gravel Bikes of Sea Otter 2026: Fewer Than the MTBs, But Theyre Coming appeared first on Bikerumor.

When it comes to accessories, pro riders understand that quality craftsmanship is not an afterthought. Every detail matters; any extra effort that reduces friction and boosts performance will yield an in-person product referral. And when it comes to the right water bottle or cage, those recommendations will likely point you in the same direction as the bottomless online comments and reviews: at Elite.(Photo/Elite)This small company, rooted in Northern Italy, has made an outsized impact on the sport with its relentless pursuit of crafting a handful of specialty cycling products, honing the production of rugged carriers, cages, and bottles for over four decades. Developed through direct collaboration with stacked pro teams, Elite drills down on the extreme performance of a few focused items to deliver excellence that larger do-everything brands have trouble matching.And the engineering isnt just for Elites suite of high-end smart trainers (like its flagship Justo 2). Youll be hard-pressed to find a manufacturer who takes water bottle needs as seriously. Beyond the R&D, Elite actively reduces its carbon footprint with sustainability certifications, practices, and packaging, plus solar energy use as well as plant-based bioplastics in its bottles, where possible.Cycling extends beyond the finish line. Thats how the forward-looking Benefit Corporation frames two-wheeled pursuits as a larger experience, one that shapes our character and allows us to discover the world through the journey, pedal stroke by pedal stroke.When youre ready to take your cycling seriously, here are two picks for Elite products you should no longer overlook.Elite Fly Tex Water BottleTheres a reason Elites iconic Fly Tex water bottle line is the UCI WorldTours most used. Yes, its incredibly lightweight. And that record weight 1.8 ounces (51 g) for the smallest 18-ounce (550 ml) model means less plastic material and more ease when it comes to exhausted squeezing for abundant water flow.Flow To Go: The ergonomic cap creates a leak-free seal with a 20% wider, flat nozzle (push-pull open) that ensures a high-volume, yet controlled fluid stream per gentle squeeze. The wide-mouth opening is easy to fill (and wash).Competitive Design: New texture improves grip in hand, and smooth release from the cage, while reducing bottle creep on unpaved, gravel, and singletrack rides.Eco Innovation: New manufacturing processes use over 30% less plastic than the industry average. The odorless, soft (BPA-Free), and durable plastics (still fridge- and dishwasher-safe) are the result of a 3-year study conducted at multiple universities.Options Galore: Pick a color to match your bike, cage, or team. Larger sizes available at 25 and 32 ounces (750 ml, 57 g; 950 ml, 68 g, respectively). Add protective caps, included in the Fly Tex MTB series, to block the nozzle from mud and dirt.Elite Leggero Carbon Bottle CageAt less than a half-ounce (13 grams) Elites lightest bottle cage ever is a classic standby refreshed to blend clean lines with extreme lightness that still provides maximum strength on any route. Leggeros registered design trims non-essential elements from the composite structure while reinforcing high-load areas with carbon fiber.(Photo/Elite)Design Elegance: Quality that matches its made-in-Italy cred makes this feather-weight cage a go-to WorldTour favorite thats easy to spot at the globes biggest cycling events.Stability Standards: Carbon reinforcement keeps bottles fixed even on technical terrain. Ride confidently off-road with this most popular addition to Elites range of ultra-light bottle cages designed for both leisure rides and cutthroat races.Light and Versatile: Wide entry lets you insert/remove at many angles. The cage is compatible with all bottles with a standard diameter of 74 mm.Elites Fly Tex Water Bottle and Leggero Carbon Bottle CageThis article is sponsored by Elite.The post Reach for a Better Bottle: Elite Refines Its Race-Proven Bottles and Cages appeared first on Bikerumor.

The 2026 Tour de Romandie will take place from the 28th of April to the 3rd of May and will make for Tadej Pogacar's debut in a stage-race this year. The Swiss race provides the final big test ahead of the Giro d'Italia whilst also following the spring classics, a period where many are looking to sa...

The team at Giro has apparently been quite busy, as they showcased 8 new and updated shoes at their Sea Otter booth this year. Three road-specific models replace the outgoing low to mid-range models, while five new off-road shoes cover everything from gravel to trail.With these new and updated shoes, Giro hopes to maintain a consistent design language across the road and off-road shoe lineups, while providing options to suit a wide range of budgets and performance demands. Lets take a look.New Giro Trail ShoesThe all-new Chamber Trail (left), the Chamber III (middle), and the new Empire TR (right) in the Giro booth at Sea Otter.Off-road cycling spans many disciplines, and Giro covers everything from gravel to downhill mountain biking. The brand updated its most gravity-oriented shoe, the lace-up Chamber III (middle), last year. Now, Giro is providing more options for trail and all-around riders with the addition of the all-new Chamber Trail (left), while the new Empire TR (right) adds a less expensive, casual-looking, clip-in all-arounder model to the mix.Chamber Trail: $220The all-new Chamber Trail.The shoe I was the most excited about was the all-new Chamber Trail. I saw some of the test versions of this shoe earlier in the week and was stoked to check out the finished product. This new model slots in alongside Giros gravity-oriented MTB shoe, the Chamber III, as a lighter, ventilated, and more streamlined option made for trail and all-mountain riding. According to Giro, it builds on the DH-proven power transfer of the Chamber, while reimagining a performance-driven upper that maximizes breathability, enhances pedal-feel, and saves weight.The Chamber Trail outsole.Part of the Chamber Trails development story.Compared to the Chamber III, the microfiber upper of the trail version is slimmed down throughout and has large mesh ventilation panels on both sides of the mid-foot. Giro also added a stretchy knit ankle cuff to help keep debris out of your shoes, with a single BOA Li2 dial to add tension over the foot. Other than the cleat mount area, the sole is covered in Giros Sensor rubber with its Gamma tread pattern.The Chamber Trail is a unisex shoe that comes in whole EU sizes 36 to 48, with half sizes from 42.5 to 45.5. It is currently available in black or dark sage.Empire TR: $170The new Empire TR looks great. It shares the same outsole design and 2-bolt cleat mount as the Chamber III and Chamber Trail shoes.For riders seeking a casual-looking, lace-up clipless mountain bike shoe for all-around riding, Giro made the all-new Empire TR. These shoes feature the same Sensor rubber outsole as the Chamber III and Chamber Trail, but with a slightly softer flexing sole. The one-piece synthetic leather upper and classic lace-up closure give them some timeless appeal.The Empire TR is a unisex shoe that comes in black only and whole EU sizes 36 to 48.New Giro XC and Gravel ShoesThe new Regime XC (left), Cadet XC (middle), and Stylus XC (right) on dsiplay at Sea Otter.Three of Giros new off-road shoes closely resemble the three road shoes described below in both looks and naming. The new Stylus XC, Cadet XC, and Regime XC shoes are geared more toward cross-country and/or gravel riding, with off-road features like walkable rubber outsoles and reinforced toe bumpers. Otherwise look nearly identical to their road counterparts of the same names. They all slot in well below the range-topping Gritter ($425) and Empire XC ($375) models.Stylus XC: $125Stylus XC in WhiteStylus XC in Dark SageStylus XC in BlackThe Stylus XC looks just like the Stylus II road shoe with a one-piece upper and a classic, lace-up design. Actually, it looks a lot like the $375 Empire XC shoe, too, but costs $250 less. Its tubular laces secure the synthetic upper over the foot, atop an injection-molded nylon and glass fiber sole, and a co-molded rubber outsole for off-the-bike traction and walkability.The Stylus XC is a unisex shoe that comes in whole EU sizes 36 to 48. Its currently offered in solid black, white, and dark sage.Cadet XC: $175Cadet XC in Dark SageCadet XC in WhiteCadet XC in BlackThe new Cadet XC bumps up to a single L6 BOA dial closure, while maintaining the same aesthetic with a one-piece upper and solid colors. Like the road version, the Cadet XC adds performance with a slightly stiffer injection-molded nylon and fiberglass sole, but with the added traction of a co-molded rubber outsole for grip and durability.Like the Stylus XC, the Cadet XC comes in solid black, white, and dark sage, and in whole EU sizes 36 to 48.Regime XC: $250Regime XC in WhiteRegime XC in Dark SageCarbon composite sole with dual-injection rubber outsole.The Regime XC essentially takes the Regime II road shoe and adds a reinforced toe bumper and dual-injection rubber outsole for off-the-bike grip and durability. Otherwise, its got the same TPU-reinforced upper, dual BOA L6 overmolded dial closure, and stiff, carbon-composite sole that should provide efficient pedaling performance on gravel and XC rides.The Regime XC comes in solid black, white, and dark sage. These unisex shoes come in whole EU sizes between 43 and 48, with half sizes available from 42.5 to 45.5.New Giro Road ShoesGiros road shoe lineup. The upper shoes are the existing Imperial AS (left), Imperial II (middle), and Imperial SLX (right). The lower shoes are the new Regime II (left), Cadet II (middle), and Stylus II (right). It was a little over a month ago that we reported on the new Imperial AS, a top-of-the-line road shoe with some built-in weather resistance. At $450, the Imperial AS slotted in alongside the heavily ventilated Imperial II ($450) and the Imperial SLX II ($400) at the top of the brands lineup. At the same time, Giros more affordable road shoes, the Cadet, Stylus, and Regime, were showing their age and were due for an update.And thats exactly what Giro had on display at Sea Otter: updated versions of its low to mid-priced road shoes, which have been brought closer in line with the aesthetics of their higher-end siblings. Now known as the Stylus II, Cadet II, and the Regime II, these new shoes are affordable, lightweight, and look great, too.Giro Stylus II: $125Stylus II in WhiteStylus II in Sky Blue3-bolt and 2-bolt cleat mountsThe Stylus II doesnt look budget, but it is very affordable. The new Stylus II is Giros entry-level road shoe with classic styling and a lace closure that looks anything but budget. Theyve got a one-piece synthetic leather upper, tubular laces for a customized fit and all-day comfort, and laser cut perforations for ventilation. The injection-molded nylon and glass-fiber sole provides support and rigidity for efficient pedaling, with both 3-bolt and 2-bolt mounting options for compatibility with nearly all clipless pedals.The Stylus II is a unisex model thats offered in whole EU sizes from 36 to 48. They come in solid white, black, and sky blue.Giro Cadet II: $175Cadet II in Sky BlueCadet II in White3-bolt cleat mountThe Cadet II is an updated version of Giros popular budget-friendly Cadet road shoe. While it maintains a similar appearance to the Stylus II, it steps up to a single L6 dial BOA closure to secure the one-piece synthetic upper over the foot. Laser cut perforations in the upper and tongue aim to provide ventilation, while the injected nylon and fiberglass sole provides a slightly stiffer pedaling platform with a standard 3-bolt road cleat interface.The Cadet II is a unisex road cycling shoe available in whole EU sizes from 36 to 48. Just like the Stylus II, the Cadet II comes in solid white, black, and sky blue.Giro Regime II: $250Regime II in WhiteRegime II in BlackRegime II in Sky BlueStepping up a performance and price tier, the Regime II is an updated version of Giros mid-range Regime shoe. It boasts significantly modernized looks, a sleek, TPU-bonded upper, and a fit built on the same last as the high-end Imperial II shoe. Dual BOA L6 dials provide a precise fit, while the injection-molded carbon-composite sole offers rigidity and efficiency closer to that of the top-tier Imperial models.The Regime II is a unisex model thats available in solid white, black, and sky blue. It comes in whole EU sizes 36 to 48, plus half sizes from 42.5 to 45.5.AvailabilityAll of the new Giro shoes on display at Sea Otter are already available. You can find them on the Giro website, your local Giro dealer, or your favorite online retailer.giro.comThe post Giro Unveils Eight New and Updated Road, Gravel, and MTB Shoes at Sea Otter appeared first on Bikerumor.

Galfer is heading to the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, with a clear message: braking performance is entering a new phase. The brands North American arm, Galfer USA, will be showcasing its latest innovations at Booth P120, including the US debut of the Disc Shark EVO MTB rotor.The Sea Otter Classic has long been a key date in the cycling calendar, blending racing, product launches and industry networking. For Galfer, it provides the perfect stage to demonstrate how decades of braking expertise are being translated into modern systems for mountain, road and gravel riders alike.A full braking ecosystemRather than focusing on a single product, Galfer is presenting what it describes as a complete braking ecosystem. The idea is simple: rotors, pads and accessories are designed together to work as a unified system, delivering predictable braking, strong power and consistent feel across different disciplines and conditions.For off-road riders, including enduro, downhill and e-MTB users, the focus is on durability and heat control under extreme loads. Galfer combines its Disc Shark rotor technology with application-specific pad compounds and dedicated accessories to manage high temperatures on long descents while maintaining reliable stopping power.Road and gravel riders are not left out. Galfer is extending its performance philosophy to endurance and competitive riding, where modulation, weight and thermal stability are just as critical. Lightweight rotor designs and discipline-specific pad compounds aim to deliver smooth control and confidence across long distances and mixed terrain.A key addition here is the new Shark Road rotor, which brings the distinctive Shark design language to road applications. With an emphasis on efficient heat dissipation and precise modulation, it underlines Galfers intention to offer consistent braking characteristics across its entire range.Disc Shark EVO MTB takes centre stageThe headline launch at Sea Otter is the Disc Shark EVO MTB, making its first appearance on US soil. Building on the success of the original Disc Shark rotor, the EVO version has been developed for riders who demand maximum braking performance with minimal compromise.The braking surface has been expanded and refined with a new Shark Track design, increasing pad contact for stronger and more consistent braking. Thermal management has also been a major focus, with optimised fins and venting intended to reduce heat build-up and brake fade on sustained descents.At the core of the rotor sits a CNC-machined 7075-T6 aerospace-grade aluminium carrier, chosen for its stiffness and long-term durability. An optimised semi-rigid connection between the braking track and carrier is designed to ensure precise force transmission at the lever.One of the most distinctive features is the use of an exclusive Kashima coating, offering enhanced wear resistance alongside a premium look. Riders can choose between Original Kashima, Black Anodised and Raw Aluminium finishes. Importantly for the growing e-MTB market, the Disc Shark EVO MTB is fully compatible with e-bike sensor systems.Seventy years of braking heritageGalfers presence at Sea Otter also reflects its long history in braking technology. With more than seventy years of experience, the brand has built its reputation on combining advanced engineering with proven reliability. Galfer USA, based in Orlando, Florida, plays a key role in delivering that expertise to the North American market through product support, technical training and close collaboration with partners and distributors.For visitors to the Sea Otter Classic, Booth P120 offers the chance to see the Disc Shark EVO MTB up close, explore the wider Shark Off-Road range and get hands-on with Galfers road and gravel components. Technical specialists will be on hand to discuss setup, applications and future developments, making it a must-visit stop for riders and industry professionals interested in where braking technology is heading next.