The Giro dItalia is not only shaped by attacks in the mountains and sprint finishes on the road, but also by the decisions made behind the scenes by the race commissaires. Across three weeks of racing between 8 May and 31 May, fines, time penalties, relegations, and other sanctions can quickly infl...

Guy Voisin also said it's important TNT "stands behind" their 'Home of Cycling' moniker and argues that previous free-to-air coverage provided "a limited story" of the sport.

Victor Campenaerts has played down the illness concerns around Jonas Vingegaard at the 2026 Giro dItalia, insisting there was never a moment when Team Visma | Lease a Bikes race leader was in real difficulty. Vingegaards condition became one of the major talking points of the second week after Vi...

Yuri Hauswald is no stranger to pushing his limits or racing at Unbound. In fact, some might say Hauswalds 2015 Unbound 200 (formerly DK200) victory was one of the defining moments of his career, helping catapult him to gravel stardom. The gravel hall-of-famer has completed six Unbound 200 events and also finished in a very impressive second place at the inaugural 350-mile DKXL.The list goes on and on. This year, Hauswald is coming out of retirement and lining up for his seventh Unbound 200 appearance, but this time, with a serious twist. The Athlete and Community Manager at GU Energy, Hauswald is working with the brands charitable arm, GU Gives, to raise funds with a unique challenge theyre calling Chase the Race.BikeRumor founder Tyler Benedict riding with Yuri Hauswald way back in 2019. (photo/Tyler Benedict)From the Press Release:On Saturday, May 30, Hauswald will begin the 200-mile race in the last starting position, with a goal to overtake as many riders in the field as possible, generating donation matches for each rider passed throughout the race. With a field of over 1,500 athletes, every rider passed fuels something bigger giving back to the local community and supporting the next generation of health and wellness in Emporia, KS, with the construction of a bike skills park in the hometown of Unbound Gravel.The end goal to raise $50,000 in charitable donations will aid in the construction of the bike skills park and provide safe access infrastructure to the park via a protected mixed-use path, originating in the town of Emporia. With support from the Life Time Foundation, an organization that helps provide resources for programs that support childrens health, including youth nutrition, movement programs, and a healthy planet, funds raised by Hauswald at Unbound Gravel will wholly go back to the community in Emporia to help fund the project.Joining other donors through the Chase the Race donation platform, GU Energys philanthropic arm, GU Gives, is donating $2,000 to support the fundraising effort in alignment with its shared brand pillar of conservation & stewardship, and access to movement for youth.Hauswald, a former youth educator, has previously pioneered projects that raise awareness and funds to support the upcoming generation, centered around cycling as the conduit for positive impact, and has pledged $1,000 to the donation goal in addition to his upcoming effort at Unbound Gravel.Support Chase the RaceYou can support Hauswalds effort by donating through the Chase the Race donation platform. Donors can choose to pledge any dollar amount per rider passed, or make a one-time donation of any amount. As of May 27th, Hauswald and Chase the Race are well on their way to the $50,000 goal with $23,068 already raised, and that probably doesnt account for the per-rider-passed donations that will be calculated on race day. How many riders will Hauswald overtake in his Herculean starting-from-dead-last Unbound 200 effort on Saturday? Well be watching. Best of luck to Yuri and all of the other riders taking on Unbound this weekend!The post Gravel Legend Yuri Hauswald is Raising Money for Charity with Unique Unbound Challenge appeared first on Bikerumor.

Jhonatan Narvaez insisted stage 17 of the 2026 Giro dItalia had still delivered exactly what he needed after the UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider moved into the ciclamino jersey, despite missing out on the stage victory in Andalo. The Ecuadorian started the day as one of the obvious favourites for the...

An overwhelming majority of people who responded to a well-publicised public consultation support the project, according to a report published by Dublin City Council. The report covers feedback from a four-week consultation on the pre-planning design of the plans, which was held between February and March 2026. This is the third round of consultation on this version of the plaza plan.The council said the consultation included in-person and online engagement. Overall, the project team received over 1,800 submissions from residents and groups, including local businesses, residents and Disabled Persons Representative Organisations.The project, branded Grow College Green, includes making Dame Street limited-access for motor vehicles, with deliveries allowed during normal morning hours, and providing wider vehicular access via Temple Bar to the Parliament Building, which houses the Bank of Ireland.The report said that the number of responses came after 7,800 people visited the consultation page, and that there was an estimated reach of 107,760 unique users across the councils social media platforms. It was also widely covered in the media, and there were consultation events with local businesses and residents. The report was presented to Dublin City Councils Mobility and Public Realm Strategic Policy Committee.Marie Gavin, a senior executive engineerworking on the project, said that the project team would be reviewing the feedback ahead of detailed design for the plaza. The council said that some key points raised included prioritising pedestrians, providing cycling access, reducing vehicular traffic and delivering a high-quality civic space. Other issues raised included the observations regarding accessibility, public safety, long-term maintenance and connectivity.Gavin told the meeting this afternoon that the council hopes to submit a planning application for the plaza to An Coimisin Pleanla this summer.Richard Guiney, CEO of DublinTown, the city centres Business Improvement District group, described the project as probably one of the most important things that has happened in Dublin in quite some time, noting that socialising in the city is the second most popular thing people do in the city centre.He said the plaza would be an ideal location for community engagement wardens to help prevent antisocial behaviour. The Pre-Planning Design Consultation Report can be read at engage.dublincity.ie/en-IE/projects/grow-college-green/ALSO READ: College Green Grow project only seems to be strategically thinking about motor access

Its been a while, but were back with another installment of Shifting Gear. The past few months have been a very busy time for the industry, and all of us on the BikeRumor team have all sorts of new goodies to try out. Ive already been testing most of the items listed below; others Ive just received and am excited to spend some time using. From a 50+ pound full-power eMTB to a 25-pound XC race whippet, bio-based lubes and cleaners, casual sunglasses, knee pads, and more, heres a selection of the freshest gear to cross my desk or land in my homework workshop.Pivot Mach 4 SL XX TransmissionIve been riding the Mach 4 SL on and off since early April.I tested Pivots latest Mach 4 SL XC race bike for a couple of days back in January. That experience included competing in an actual cross-country race, plus another short ride on South Mountain near the brands headquarters. But that test period was literally just two rides, and left me wanting to spend a lot more time aboard this little blue rocketship.So, when Pivot offered to send me a Mach 4 SL Team XX ($11,999) for long-term testing, I jumped right on it. Ive had it since early April and have been switching between it and a few other bikes in my current rotation. Over the next couple of months, I plan to really get to know the bike, dial in the cockpit, touchpoints, tires, and suspension to suit my preferences.It was a 3,900-vertical-foot climb to get here, just to find the outhouse out of commission.So far, Ive been having a lot of fun riding it. Its essentially the polar opposite of the 50+ pound, long-travel Levo 4 Evo that Ive also been riding recently. At 25 pounds, its very light, super fast, and has razor-sharp handling. Ill be tinkering with my setup, and Im looking forward to putting it to the ultimate test by racing it in the Downieville Classic in early August.pivotcycles.comSpecialized Turbo Levo 4 EVO ProThe EVO adds a longer travel option to the Turbo Levo 4 family.Specialized only announced the long-travel Levo 4 EVO a little over a month ago. Its built around the same frame, motor, and battery as the standard version, but its essentially a completely different bike in terms of travel, geometry, and trail manners. By using a different shock yoke/link, Specialized was able to adjust its kinematics and increase rear wheel travel to 170mm. They also bumped the fork travel to 180mm, turning it into an all-out e-enduro shred machine.RockShoxs latest Zeb fork and Vivid shock are one of the reasons this bike is so fun to ride.Ive been riding the Levo 4 EVO Pro ($10,500) for about 3 weeks now, and its absolutely outrageous. This bike is heavy, long, and slack, but its surprisingly maneuverable, yet so planted and composed that Ive been having a hard time wrapping my head around it. Its a tough feeling to describe, but its like I can do no wrong on this bike. Ive been sending it fast and loose on the descents, and the level of confidence this bike gives me definitely borders on unsafe.Pinch me. This bike is almost too good.And dont get me started on the Pro build or the Satin Carbon frame color. Its completely blacked out like Darth Vader, and I think its one of the most badass-looking bikes Ive thrown a leg over in some time. This is also my first time riding the latest RockShox Zeb and Vivid, and wow The ride is so plush, forgiving, and impressively balanced. Its particularly impressive how the Zeb is able to maintain ride height while still giving up full travel on big hits.specialized.comGregory Alpaca Utility Tote 50The 50-liter Alpaca Utility Tote handles all my gear and then some. If you looked in my garage right now, you probably wouldnt assume that Im mildly obsessed with finding the best cycling gear organization/transport solution. Ive already professed my appreciation for my Kitworks MTB Tote and its modular, compartmentalized storage system. Its seemingly bulletproof, but its also very expensive at $289. So, when Gregory asked if I wanted to check out their $120 (currently on sale for $90) Alpaca Utility Tote 50, I was all for it.Fits a mid-sized American house cat.The Alpaca Utility Tote 50 has a 50-liter storage capacity in its large open compartment (theres a 35-liter version as well). Theres a large zippered pocket on one of the inside walls, two internal bottle sleeves to keep them upright, and a large zippered pocket on the outside of the bag, too. I also appreciate that it has a semi-rigid bottom and enough structure that it stays open when loading/unloading, and stands upright in my backseat or truck bed.Whether youre heading to a picnic with wine or to a ride with water, the internal bottle sleeves keep them upright in transit.Its a simple but effective storage system, and it easily swallows up all of my riding gear or a mid-sized housecat. It lacks the modularity of the Kitworks, but its beauty is in its simplicity. It has longer fabric handles as well as rigid ones for carrying different loads. It strikes me as a versatile piece of gear thats just as effective for transporting my riding gear as it will be for camping or heading to the beach.gregory.comSpecialized Trail Control TiresI mounted the Trail Control Grid Trail T7 on the back wheel of the Pivot Mach 4 SL.The Trail Control Tires are a new addition to the Specialized MTB tire lineup. The tread that looks like a cross between the lower-profile Ground Control and the chunkier Butcher. With a moderately aggressive tread and medium-height knobs, they are recommended for aggressive XC, trail, and eMTB use. The Trail Control tires come in three versions with Grid Trail ($80) or Grid Lite ($75) casings with the slightly firmer T7 or grippier T9 rubber compounds.Ive got the Trail Control Grid Lite T9 mounted on the front of the Pivot Mach 4 SL.Specialized Trail Control: Sizes and Claimed weightsTrail Control Grid Trail T7: 27.5 x 2.4 (880g) or 29 x 2.4 (930g)Trail Control Grid Lite T7: 27.5 x 2.4 (840g) or 29 x 2.4 (860g)Trail Control Grid Lite T9: 29 x 2.4 (860g)I went for the slightly tougher casing and longer-lasting rubber of the Trail Control Grid Trail T7 for the rear. Im pairing that with the slightly grippier rubber and lighter casing of the Grid Lite T9 in front. I mounted these up on the Mach 4 SL to add a little grip and durability compared to the stock XC tires. At a measured weight of 975 grams, the Grid Trail T7 is 45 grams higher than claimed. The Grid Lite T9 tire I received was well over 100 grams heavier than Specializeds claimed weight. After discussing it with folks at Specialized, it seems something is amiss, and it is currently being swapped out for another test tire.Trail Control Grid Trail T7Ive got a couple of rides on them already, and my first impression is that they provide a ton more cornering and braking traction than the Maxxis Rekon/Rekon Race combo they replaced. Theyre a little heavier and feel slightly slower rolling on pavement/hardpack, which seems like a fair trade-off for the increased control and confidence they provide, comparatively. Once I get the new T9 test tire, Im going to run these into the ground, and Ill report back with a full review in due time.specialized.comPOC VPD Max Knee PadsThe VPD Max knee pads offer Level 2 protection with a dual-layer VPD insert, and the long upper sleeve prevents any pad gap.POC launched its latest knee pads, the VPD Max ($170), earlier this year. These add to a growing selection of knee protection offered by the Swedish brand. They provide EN-certified Level 2 knee protection, with a dual-layer VPD (Visco-Elastic Polymer Dough) protector providing a generous amount of knee coverage. These layers are separate, which reportedly allows a little slippage between layers, intended to help maintain the proper position on the knee.The protector is in a soft Lycra sleeve, with a tougher, more abrasion-resistant face fabric over the front. It is not removable, however, but the pads are easily washed with it in there as long as you dont put them through the dryer. The VPD Max has a long upper sleeve, especially compared to some of POCs other pads, which are notoriously short. The broad elastic upper cuff and the rear of the lower cuff have plenty of silicone dot print to keep them in place on the leg.Loads of silicone dots on the wide upper and lower cuffs of the VPD Max knee pads have kept them in place reliably thus far.Ive got a handful of rides in the VPD Max knee pads so far. The medium fits me well, and they havent budged on me once while riding. The dual-layer VPD protector is a bit bulkier than most of the other pads Ive worn recently, but they still fit fine under all of my riding pants and feel VERY substantial and protective. I also appreciate the longer upper cuff, which prevents pad gap with all of my shorts. Like all pads, they are a bit warm on the knees, but Ive pedaled in them for hours without irritation. My test pair weighs 504 grams, slightly higher than claimed, but still pretty light for how protective they feel.poc.comPatagonia Trail Craft VestThe Trail Craft Vest is a great backup layer for spring and fall for yourself or your friends to borrow when they forget all of their riding gear. It happens to the best of us.Mountain biking and vests arent the most popular combination, but Patagonia is trying to change that. Ive had the Patagonia Trail Craft Vest ($119) since the early winter, but it didnt really get much use until this spring. This lightweight wind vest is super packable and weighs just 112 grams (size L). Its made from a wind-blocking 100% recycled ripstop with a DWR to fend off light moisture. It has a full front zip and a drop-tail hem, along with 2 zippered hand pockets and a zippered pocket on the lower back. It also stuffs into its own pocket for storage.Not only is this vest super-light, but it packs down to nearly nothing. I fold mine flat and stash it in my hydration vest, and its like it isnt even there until I, or one of my friends (ahem), need it. It has been an excellent backup layer for me all spring, mostly just staying in my pack, and occasionally coming out on some cooler evenings. It takes the edge off of chilly breezes post-sunset when I pedal back from the local trails to my house.Fits in the palm of your hand and weighs just 112 grams. Fit-wise, Ive got a large, and it fits me pretty well at 60 and 170 lbs. Im willing to bet a medium would fit as well, just a little slimmer and shorter in length. It comes in black, blue sage, and marlow brown (the rust color Ive got is from last year) in sizes XS to 3XL.patagonia.comStans Bio-Based Lubes and CleanersStans may be best known for its tubeless sealant, but the brand makes a lineup of Biobased clears and lubricants, too.Did you know Stans makes a full line of Biobased bicycle care products? I didnt realize it until I saw the whole lineup on display at Sea Otter this year. I mustve missed the announcement because Stans Biobased products have been on the market since September 2024. Its a well-developed range of products, all of which were developed in leading-edge materials-science laboratories and on the legendary trails of British Columbia by Whistler Performance Labs (WPL).The Stans Biobased lineup includes wet and dry chain lubes, bike wash, grease, drivetrain degreaser, suspension oil, and ForkBoost a suspension-enhancing lubricant. All of the products have earned USDA Biobased certifications for eco-friendliness, are biodegradable, and most specify they are non-toxic and PTFE-free (if applicable). Additionally, all of the products are made in Canada, and the chain lubes and ForkBoost are packaged in bottles made from 100% recycled sea plastic.I recently got my hands on several of the products in the Stans Biobased lineup. The only one that Ive used so far is the ForkBoost, which I applied to the fork and seatpost on my wifes trail bike. Both are overdue for service and not as smooth or plush as they could be, and I was shocked by how well it worked. Stans claims ForkBoost ($13) lengthens the lifetime of dust seals, eliminates stiction, and removes dirt. Its a band-aid solution, of course, but I was thoroughly impressed by the difference it made.Ill be putting the rest of the Biobased products to good use, and Ill follow up with a more thorough review in a few months. Check it out at stans.com.Smith Truss SunglassesThe Smith Truss sunglasses combine retro-modern style with excellent photochromic lenses and very impressive stability. Okay, so Smiths new Truss sunglasses are technically listed in the brands lifestyle collection, but I think theyre awesome enough to include here. Theyve got a classic shape and a retro-modern aesthetic. This style of sunglasses is definitely trendy these days, but Im finding they deliver more than just style points. Im especially digging the Chromapop Photochromic Brown lens that adapts to changing light conditions but always tints the world in a warm hue.Ive run some errands on the bike while wearing them, but Ill likely stick to my larger coverage cycling sunglasses for most proper bike rides. Still, I went for a 10-mile trail run wearing these a couple weekends ago, and they were great. The large lenses blocked the wind effectively at slower running speeds, they didnt budge at all on my face, and the photochromic lenses were always the right tint.The Smith Truss sunglasses come with a soft, roll-top clip-on storage bag with a soft lens wipe inside and an optional retention cord. They come in five frame color and lens combinations, ranging in price from $197 to $237.smithoptics.comThe post Shifting Gear: Mountain Bikes, Tires, Knee Pads, Biobased Lubes, and More appeared first on Bikerumor.

Michael Valgren admitted frustration helped drive him towards a superb stage 17 victory at the 2026 Giro dItalia after the Dane attacked inside the final kilometre to win from a chaotic breakaway finale in Andalo. The EF Education - EasyPost rider struck just as the winning group had come back toge...

When I rolled into Nov Msto na Morav last week ahead of the XC World Cup, I expected to see several mountain bike pros racing, or at least training on, prototype 32 cross-country bikes. What I didnt expect was that the only 32 wheels I would spot over the weekend would be on a gravel bike and a trail bike (besides the mullet trail bike I brought to play with more on that soon.)(All photos/Cory Benson)And it was DT Swiss who just a couple of months ago assured us that they were taking 32 things slowly that would be behind both of extra-big-wheeled gravel and trail setups32 DT Swiss XR 1700 Spline aluminum cross-country wheelsFirst up, a set of pre-production aluminum cross-country wheels on a gravel bike, but this time with an actual product name. Weve seen a lot of smaller wheel makers debut 32 wheels and 32 prototypes. And even some DT prototypes that were just marked as DT Swiss on the rims. But never a model name.So the marking these as XR 1700 Spline wheels is a pretty big milestone for one of the biggest wheel makers out there, and a behemoth in the OEM wheel market.Of note, XR classifies these as a mid-tier wheelset for DT Swiss, and their highest spec level with an aluminum rim. (X 1900 would be their entry-level alloy, and from XRC 1700 and up theyre all on carbon rims.)A closer look at the production-labeled aluminum rim, and we get quite a bit more useful information.The 686 bead seat diameter confirms that these XR 1700 wheels are 32 as it we couldnt tell how giant they were. They are 28mm internal. And the feature Tubeless Crotchet rim bead, aka, hooked and tubeless-ready like all DT alloy rims.Take a look at the hubs and we see that they are built up with 350-series straight-pull centerlock disc brake hubs. Plus, theres a small text note next to the XR 1700 marking on the rim, confirming the obvious that these 32 wheels are named XR 1700 Spline.32 XC wheels, but on a gravel bikeSo, production-level 32 DT Swiss XR 1700 Spline cross-country mountain bike wheels on a gravel bike.I guess that supports the Boost MTB standard idea for all 32 bikes at the moment excluding Dirty Sixers adamant insistence that bigger, heavier riders will need something significantly stronger than current Boost hubs.The gravel bike fitted with these new wheels is a prototype 32 Superior XR GR, a model the Czech bike maker say they expect to make available to consumers from the start of 2027. Weve only really covered their latest carbon XR GR. But the entry-level of that gravel bike already includes an aluminum-framed version that looks pretty much just like this bike with conventional 700c wheels.All-new prototype DT Swiss 32 XC/Trail suspension forkThen, across the race venue, we spied what looks like a mid-travel prototype DT Swiss fork on one of the CNCd I-Train 32 trail bikes that Actofive built for DT as test mules at the end of last year. The prototype fork looks to include features adapted from both of DTs current top-tier ONE-level forks in an all-new fork design with slimmer dropouts than weve seen on a production DT fork in years.Whats new in the fork department?Theres the more angular but smooth fork brace and some reinforcing edges extending down the front of the legs of the casting, akin to the F535 One. But the reinforcing ridges in the crown shaping are thinner. And there appears to already be some weight-saving, machined-out sections on the lowers, like seen on the F232 One fork.Clearly, though, its all-new. DT likely could have developed a prototype for testing that shared the same crown of those existing forks. But this appears to be a ground-up redesign. Although it does appear that this might have borrowed the same In Control 3-position lockout and external compression damping knob from the F535, hinting that it could share the same or similar PlusPort damper inside the right leg.Behind the back of the arch, its more of a mystery. There are the traditional carved out stiffening webs in the cast arch, with a single set of threads, presumably for a bolt-on fender that wasnt installed. There are also 2-bolt brackets on the upper inside of the legs. These could easily be used to mount the fender as well. But the design looks more complex, perhaps hiding some other functionality like bleed ports for the lowers?DTs main fork seals also always look strangely low profile, pressed deep into the lowers, with no visible retention spring. These look even lower profile than most of their wipers, but thats nothing entirely new for them.So, what do we know?As for any real concrete details, DT Swiss wasnt sharing anything at the moment, other than the fact that this is very much still a prototype fork in development. What we can probably sus out from seeing it in person, though it looks like it probably features 34mm or 35mm stanchions. And based on how high it sits, this looks like120-130mm of fork travel. That fits with the frame itself, which features 120mm of adjustable rear wheel travel. Actofive did design the I-Train 32 for 120-140mm travel forks, and describes it not as an XC bike, but as a Trail bike due to the enhanced rollover capabilities that come with the larger diameter wheels and their larger tire air volume.Now we just have to be patient as 32 development soldiers on, and most likely these core components will be available later in the year.DTSwiss.comThe post Spotted: 32 DT Swiss Suspension Fork & Wheels At Nove Mesto World Cup, But appeared first on Bikerumor.

One of the most common questions I get from newbies is some version of: I think I want to get into road cycling (or triathlon); what bike should I buy? Usually followed by: And I dont want to spend a fortune.Fair enough. You shouldnt have to drop $3,000 to find out if you love riding on the road. But I also dont want to send you home with a bike thats going to frustrate you or fall apart in year two, because thats what happens with really cheap bikes.The good news is there are some really solid, entry-level road bikes in the $1,000 to $1,500 range these days. Youll notice these are from the big bike brands who are able to offer lower prices because they produce and buy components on a large scale. These arent necessarily the lightest or fanciest road bicycles on the market, but they do provide the best bang for your buck. So while I can recommend the following bikes with a good conscience, I also want to say: buy the best bike you can afford. If you think you might really get into this, spend a little more now rather than upgrading in a year. A better bike makes you a more confident rider faster, and youll enjoy the sport more from the start.One more thing: you can also make small, inexpensive upgrades to any budget bike that make a BIG difference. Swap the stock saddle for a womens-specific saddle. Add some colorful handlebar tape. These little touches make the bike feel like yours, and they cost a fraction of what stepping up to the next model would.Now, lets get you on a bike. Beginner women, get ready to rock and ROLL!Our Top PicksBikeWhat We LikePrice1Specialized AllezBCarbon fork, disc brakes, great value$1,2992Trek Domane AL 2Smooth ride, tubeless-ready, versatile$1,1993Liv Avail AR 3Womens-specific, on/off road capable$1,4504Canyon Endurace AllRoadHydraulic disc brakes, incredible value$1,3995Polygon Strattos S4 DiscHydraulic brakes + Tiagra drivetrain$1,299Specialized AllezPrice: $1,299Buy at Specialized.comSpecialized is one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world. This economy of scale means they can buy components in bulk and pass down the savings to their customers. For nice bikes at a decent price, I always recommend Specialized. The Specialized Allez is no exception. The fork, for instance, is made of carbon. Its difficult to find carbon on bikes at this price point, and it makes a real difference in ride quality. Carbon dampens road vibration in a way that aluminum simply doesnt, so your hands and arms wont be as fatigued on longer rides.The geometry is more upright than a lot of road bikes, which is a great thing for beginners. Its stable, not twitchy, and easy to handle whether youre climbing or descending. The Allez wont feel like a punishment on a long day in the saddle.Because the geometry is more upright than many road bikes, this also happens to be a great bicycle for beginners. It provides easy handling and isnt too twitchy when climbing or descending. If you plan on doing some long days in the saddle, this is a comfortable bicycle to do it on.The Allez now comes with mechanical disc brakes (Tektro), which is a significant upgrade from the old caliper brakes on earlier models. More stopping power in all conditions, including wet pavement.The drivetrain is Shimano Claris, which is entry-level but perfectly functional. Youll have 16 speeds to work with, and if you decide to upgrade the drivetrain down the road, the frame can handle it.The smallest frame size is 44cm, which fits riders down to about 50.Trek Domane AL 2Price: $1,199Buy at TrekBikes.comTrek is another brand that consistently delivers quality at entry-level price points, and the Domane AL 2 is no exception.The aluminum frame is solid and well-shaped, and like the Allez, it comes with a carbon fork for a smoother feel up front. What sets the Domane apart is Treks IsoSpeed decoupler technology a feature that lets the seat tube flex slightly to absorb road vibration. Its a big-bike feature that trickles down into this affordable model, and youll notice it on rougher pavement or longer rides.The Gen 4 version comes with mechanical disc brakes (Tektro C550), and the wheels are tubeless-ready which none of the other bikes at this price point can say. Tubeless means fewer flats and a more comfortable ride at lower pressures. It also has a 12mm thru-axle, which is the more modern and stable wheel standard.Gearing is Shimano Claris 28, the same as the Allez. The frame has fender mounts, rack mounts, and a top tube mount for a bag which means this bike works well beyond just road rides. Take it on a rail trail, commute with it, or throw a small bag on for a bikepacking-lite adventure.The Domane AL 2 comes in sizes starting at 44cm (for riders around 50)Liv Avail AR 3Price: $1,450Buy at Liv-Cycling.comThe Liv Avail AR 3 is a good all-rounder. This womens-specific road bike works well on pavement, but can wander off road as well. This makes it a great choice for women who would like to hit up both paved and rail trails.Liv is the womens-specific branch of Giant Bicycles, and they do womens bike design the right way. The Avail AR 3 wasnt designed by putting a womens sticker on a mens bike. It was built using female-specific body data, with geometry, contact points, and tube shapes dialed in for the way women ride.The result is a bike that fits. The saddle is womens-specific. The handlebar positioning suits a narrower shoulder width. Its an endurance bike which means the geometry is a little more relaxed and stable (great for beginners). The tires are a bit wider than normal road bikes as well which also help with stability.The carbon fork and D-Fuse seatpost (a composite post that flexes to absorb vibration) work together to make this one of the smoothest-riding bikes on this list. If youve ever ridden a cheap aluminum bike with a rigid aluminum seatpost and come home with a sore back and numb hands, the Avail AR 3 is the antidote..Gearing is Shimano Sora (or CUES depending on the model year), which is a step up from the Claris you get on the Allez and Domane. More range, smoother shifts.The Avail AR 3 comes in sizes from XS to XL, starting at 43cm, and that extra small centimeter compared to the Specialized and Trek is meaningful if youre a smaller lady. Canyon Endurace AllRoadPrice: $1,399Buy at Canyon.comThe Canyon Endurance All Road punches well above its price class. The biggest differentiator: hydraulic disc brakes. All the bikes listed above have mechanical disc brakes. The Canyon comes with Shimano CUES hydraulic discs, which offer noticeably better braking feel and modulation. Canyon manages to be price competitive by being a direct-to-consumer brand. This means you buy online and the bike ships to your door partially assembled. Theres no local bike shop in the loop. The aluminum frame pairs with a carbon fork, and the CUES 210 drivetrain gives you 10 speeds in the backmore range than the Claris-equipped bikes. Tire clearance is 40mm, the most of any bike on this list, which means you can run wider tires for extra comfort or even light gravel use.Seven sizes are available (XXS through XXL), fitting riders from 53 to 68. This is a unisex bike, not womens-specific, and unfortunately runs a little bigger than the other bikes Ive listed.Polygon Strattos S4 DiscPrice: $1,199Buy at BikesOnline.comPolygon is a smaller brand that doesnt get as much press as Trek or Specialized, but theyve been building quality bikes for over 30 years and they consistently spec above what the price tag suggests. The Strattos S4 Disc is a perfect example of that.Like Canyon, Polygon sells direct-to-consumer, and in the US as distributed via Bikes Online.For $1,199 you get a Shimano Tiagra 210 drivetrain, a step up from the Claris groupset youll find on the Allez and Domane at the same price. More gears mean more range for climbing and cruising, and Tiagra shifts noticeably crisper than Claris. Like the Canyon, the Polygon comes with hydraulic disc brakes. Hydraulic brakes feel better, modulate better, and require less hand strength, which is not nothing if youre descending a long hill. The geometry is endurance-oriented (upright, stable, comfortable), which is exactly what a beginner road cyclist wants. Thru-axles front and rear round out the spec nicely.This is a unisex bike and comes in SM, MD, LG, and XL roughly fitting riders from 53 to 62. No womens-specific fit, and unfortunately, like the Canyon, its not going to be a great fit for the shortest riders.Comparison Chart: Entry-Level Road Bikes for WomenHeres the updated copy-paste HTML:html scroll to see more Bike Price Weight Drivetrain Brakes Thru-axle Womens Tubeless Specialized Allez $1,199 ~21 lbs Shimano Claris 28 Mechanical disc QR No No Trek Domane AL 2 $1,199 ~23 lbs Shimano Claris 28 Mechanical disc Yes No Yes Liv Avail AR 3 $1,299 N/A Shimano Sora 29 Mechanical disc Yes Yes No Polygon Strattos S4 Disc $1,199 ~21 lbs Shimano Tiagra 210 Hydraulic disc Yes No No Canyon Endurace AllRoad $1,399 N/A Shimano CUES 210 Hydraulic disc Yes No Up to 40mm How to Choose Your First Road BikeNot sure what you should be looking for in a road bike? Here are some tips to help you choose the right bike within your budget.Womens-Specific Bikes Versus Unisex BikesJust because a bike isnt marketed as a womens bike doesnt mean that you should automatically discount it. In fact, the best bike for you might be a unisex bike.That said, there are plenty of reasons you might want to opt for a womens-specific bike. If youre on the smaller side, a womens-specific bike might fit better. They often come in smaller frame sizes (the Liv Avail AR 3 starts at 43cm, for example) and with other components better suited to smaller riders, such as shorter crank arms and a shorter stem.The other nice to have item on womens-specific road bikes are womens bike saddles. If you end up choosing a unisex bike, you can always upgrade the saddle later on.To learn even more on this topic, and decide whether a womens-specific bike or a unisex bike makes the best sense for you read our article on womens vs unisex bikes.WeightSub-$1,500 bicycles are going to be heavier than their more expensive counterparts. That said, its still wise to look for the lightest bicycle within your budget. The lighter a road bike is the faster it is, the longer it will take you to get worn out, and the easier it is to maneuver. Road cycliststend to be big weight weenies, and theres a good reason for it. You can use the comparison chart above to compare weights. Make sure if you look at other bikes that arent on this list to get their weights too.BrakesToday, virtually every road bike on the market comes with disc brakes, even at this price point. Rim brakes (the kind that squeeze the wheel itself) are essentially gone from new bikes under $1,500. Thats a good thing. Disc brakes stop better in all conditions, especially when its wet.But not all disc brakes are equal. The difference youll encounter at this price point is mechanical disc brakes vs. hydraulic disc brakes.Mechanical disc brakes use a cable (like your old rim brakes) to actuate a caliper that squeezes a rotor. They work well, are easy to adjust and service at any bike shop, and are what youll find on most bikes in this price range.Hydraulic disc brakes use fluid pressure instead of a cable. The feel is noticeably better. They are more responsive, more consistent, and cause less hand fatigue on long descents. Theyre also more set it and forget it in terms of maintenance. Until recently, you had to spend $2,000+ to get hydraulic disc brakes on a road bike. The Canyon Endurace AllRoad and Polygon are notable because they both come with hydraulic discs at under $1,500.The bike on the left has mechanical disc brakes, while the bike on the right has hydraulic disc brakes. DrivetrainNearly all the bikes on the list come up with the same entry-level drivetrain components, so theres not much differentiation here. Shimano Soris is a step up from the Shimano Claris drivetrain. If you can afford it later, you can always upgrade when it is time to replace drivetrain components. And by drivetrain components, were talking about the chainring, cassette, shifters, and chain.Read: A Guide to Bicycle GearsFrame and ForkThe frame and fork are perhaps the most important thing to look at when buying a budget road bike. Why? Because nearly everything else on the bike can be upgraded and replaced over time if you get more serious about road biking. Carbon is generally the most comfortable and lightest frame material, but you wont find any full-carbon frames at this price point. Still, you can look for bikes that offer a carbon or composite fork as youll still get some of the benefits of a smoother more comfortable ride.Quick-Release Skewers Versus Thru-AxlesMost bikes at this pricepoint used to have traditional quick-release skewers on the wheels. Today we are seeing a tickle down effect, with more budget bikes borrowing thru-axles from more modern, higher-end bikes.Thru-axles provide a more stable ride and are a bit safer. (You dont have to worry about your quick-release coming loose mid-ride). I wouldnt worry too much about this feature, but it is nice to know that youre bike has the latest technology. Most of the bikes on this list now come with thru-axles. The Trek Domane AL 2, Liv Avail AR 3, Polygon Strattos S4 Disc, and Canyon Endurace AllRoad all use them. The Specialized Allez is the exception, still running quick-release.Tubeless-Compatible WheelsTubeless wheels are one of the best things to ever happen to bicycles. Dont like changing flat tires? Who does.Tubeless tires are exactly what they sound likethey have no inside tubes to pinch or get punctured. This greatly reduces the number of flats youll get.While not many bikes at this price point have tubeless wheels, if you really hate changing flats, you might want to look for bikes that have tubeless-compatible wheels. Many of these wont actually be set up tubeless, but they are easy to set upespecially if you ask your local bike shop to do it. More Stuff To Get You Started9 Best Womens Road Bike Helmets9 Best Padded Bike Shorts (Cycling Shorts) For WomenCycling For Beginners: Everything You Need To KnowAbout The AuthorKristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.Shes also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.Shes been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.IG:@femme_cyclistJoin Kristens Weekly Newsletter!The post Best Budget Road Bikes For Women Under $1,500 appeared first on Femme Cyclist.