The new Zpacks Plex Solo Pro Tent is a feature-packed one-person Dyneema shelter that weighs in at an impressive 373 grams without sacrificing performance or comfort. Find details on the brands latest ultralight release hereThe post The Feature-Rich Zpacks Plex Solo Pro Tent Weighs Just 373 Grams appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Fox Racing is one of the biggest brands in mountain bike apparel and accessories. Foxs product range includes multiple apparel lines, shoes, helmets, gloves, jackets, and even eyewear, which is coming soon. They can literally outfit trail, enduro, and downhill riders from head to toe with everything they need to go ride.Ive been riding in Fox gear on and off for well over a decade. Until just recently, however, I never realized that Fox made a mountain bike bib liner. In the days before Sea Otter, Fox gathered a handful of folks from the mountain bike media to try out the latest Flexair apparel and ride around Santa Cruz, CA. In the process, I ended up with the Fox Tecbase Bib Liner, and Ive been riding in them ever since.Ive been mountain biking in bib liners ever since the original Specialized SWAT Bibs came out, which was about 13 years ago. In the years since, Ive tried just about every brand and model of liner bibs I can get my hands on, in search of the perfect pair. Now that Ive found the Fox Tecbase, I think that search might be over.Fox Tecbase Bib LinerCheck Price at BackcountrySpecificationsMSRP: $179.95Body material: Lightweight nylon spandex meshPad: Triple-density Italian-made chamoisPockets: Three rear jersey-styleFeatures: Wide double-sided leg grippers, Out-stiched seams, Pee flapSizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XLProsExcellent chamois comfort and supportSuper soft bib strapsLeg grippers don't budge and also grip knee padsCompressive fitFly/flap to facilitate nature breaksNo useless thigh pocketsConsKinda expensiveI never want to wear any of my other bibsJeremy BensonFox Tecbase Bib Liner DetailsGenerally speaking, the Tebase bibs look like most of the other bib liners on the market. Theyre black, they have shoulder straps, they have a chamois, and they have some pockets. But despite looking similar to the competition, it seems like Foxs designers really did their homework to create an incredibly well-thought-out product.The main body of the bibs is made of a blend of 80% nylon and 20% elastane. It has a slight gridded texture that gives it a somewhat mesh-like appearance, but it doesnt have any holes in it. Its quite thin and fairly stretchy, but the grid construction gives it support and what Id call a moderate level of compression. All of the stitching on the seams is exposed on the outside of the shorts for comfort and to reduce the chances of chafing.The outstitched seams look a little funny at first, but they make a lot of sense.The triple-density Italian-made chamois has a mountain bike-specific shape, meaning its designed for more neutral and upright seated pedaling positions. It provides padding for the sit bones and perineum, but its a little shorter in the front, which made it easy for Fox to put a flap/fly for easier urination while wearing bibs. The pad is a medium thickness, tapering off to the edges, with higher-density padding where you need it for comfort and support.The leg grippers are 4 inches wide with a fine silicone texture on both sides. The idea behind this is that the inside of the gripper holds onto the leg, and if youre wearing knee pads, the sleeve overlaps, and the knee pad gripper has traction on the outside of the liners gripper.plenty of cargo space in the three pockets on the lower back.Moving to the back, a denser and slightly less stretchy material connects the shorts to the shoulder straps around the mid back. This back panel is also home to three jersey-style pockets, which are common on bib liners. The pockets are baffled at the bottom to allow them to expand for gear and to overlap the waistband of shorts. Theres ample space to stash tools, tubes, plugs, snacks, and even a water bottle will fit in the middle pocket. Unlike many cargo bibs, the Fox Tecbase does not have pockets on the thighs.The raw-edge shoulder straps are 1.75 inches wide and made from two materials. On the back and over the shoulders, the straps are slightly thicker and not quite as stretchy to provide support and stability for the seat pad. Over the chest, the straps are a softer, lighter, and stretchier material thats very comfortable on the skin, presumably to prevent any chafing on the nipples.Two materials used in the straps balance support and comfortRiding in the Fox Tecbase Bib LinerWhen I pulled the Tecbase liner on for the first time, I thought they were perhaps a touch too small. For reference, Im 60 and 170 lbs. with a 32-inch waist, and Ive got a size medium. Every other bib liner that I currently own or have worn in the past decade has been the same size.The difference with the Fox Tecbase is that they are more compressive than any other bib liner Ive worn. Id call the level of compression moderate, and similar to a higher-end endurance road/gravel bib. So, while they are a touch more effort to pull on, Ive found they provide excellent support and a precise fit that doesnt budge whatsoever while riding. But if youre on the cusp of sizes, have large quads, or prefer a lighter level of compression, double-check the size chart and consider sizing up.The leg grippers are huge, and these bibs dont budge.Along with the snug fit, the wide leg grippers provide a very effective hold on the thighs, ensuring they dont move around at all on the trail. Fox added the fine silicone texture to both sides of the gripper, and it interfaces well with both the Leatt and Fox knee pads Ive been wearing lately to keep the upper cuff from slipping down. Neither of these pads shifts around while riding anyway, but theres essentially no chance of them sliding down now.The raw-edge shoulder straps are a step up from the mesh straps with stitched trim on other bib liners I have, and more akin to what youd find on fancier bib shorts. Ive found them to be very comfortable against the skin, and highly effective at keeping the seat pad in place and the contents in the rear cargo pockets from sagging or bouncing around.The chamois has a good shape, thickness, and density.Speaking of the pad, I think the triple-density Italian-made chamois strikes an excellent balance of thickness and support. Its medium thickness avoids being too pillowy, while the moderately firm density is both supportive and stable under the sit bones. Time will tell how it holds up, but so far, it has been impressively comfortable.The pad also seems to manage moisture well and hasnt felt excessively hot or gotten soggy with sweat on rides in the low 90s F. Likewise, the body material of the Tecbase bibs breathes well and dries very quickly, especially compared to a couple of the other pairs that I have that tend to hold moisture and often feel soggy.I also think the pocket layout on the Tecbase liners is pretty much ideal. Ive never understood or used the thigh pockets on liner shorts that are intended to be worn underneath a baggy MTB short, so Im glad that Fox did not include them. The three jersey-style pockets on the lower back, however, are well executed and offer ample storage for a tube, flat repair, tools, and can fit a water bottle if you choose. And if you dont use them, which I usually dont, they lie flat and are unobtrusive.Every bib liner for MTB should have outstitched seams and a pee flap. On top of all that, my favorite feature of the Tecbase liners is the fly/pee flap. Ive stretched out enough other pairs of bibs and bib liners while pulling the front down to pee over the years, and I have always been perplexed why more liners dont include a fly. Its such a simple design choice, but one that I think makes a world of difference and generally makes my life easier on the trail.And last but not least, the outstitched seams have proven to be very comfortable and virtually eliminate the chances of seam-induced chafing. I believe the most recent Specialized SWAT bibs are stitched similarly, and it makes a lot of sense for a garment thats not really visible anyway.The rear pockets easily fit a bottle, plus plenty of room for tubes, tools, CO2, snacks, etc. The small baffle works well to overlap the waistband of your shorts. Fox Tecbase Bib Liners: My TakeawayIf you cant already tell, my experience and impressions of the Fox Tecbase Bib Liner have been overwhelmingly positive. These are the most thoughtfully designed liners Ive ever used, and I actually dont have a single complaint. Im a fan of their more compressive fit, impressive stability, and comfortable chamois. The features are also dialed, from the outstitched seams, dual-sided leg grippers, rear cargo pockets, and, perhaps most importantly, the pee flap.Needless to say, Im a huge fan, and I think these are probably the best MTB bib liners on the market. At $180, they arent exactly cheap, but I strongly recommend checking them out if youre looking for a new pair.foxracing.comThe post Fox Tecbase Bib Liner Review: The Best MTB Liner Bibs Ive Tried appeared first on Bikerumor.

NSN Cycling Team have hosted their pre-Tour de France press conference this Wednesday afternoon in the heart of Barcelona. Biniam Girmay will lead the team's ambitions at the Grand Boucle with the aim of taking stage wins in the sprint stages and potentially the points classification. CyclingUptoDat...

Kevin Vauquelin already knows what it takes to ride deep into the Tour de France general classification battle. Last year, he finished seventh overall with Arka B&B Hotels, doing so without the collective strength now surrounding him at Netcompany INEOS. This time, the context is very different. Va...

Prologo is bringing their wildly-aero Predator TT saddle to the masses with a new design that slashes its price by more than half, while also making it now fit almost all bikes. Plus, theyve added a 3rd saddle to their 3D-printed padding family with the Dimension 3D, featuring a more conventional cover potentially better suited to more riders, especially off-road. Prologo also expands its top-tier womens saddle line with the new Nago Eva. And theyve added more CPC grippy dots to new Octotouch 3D bar tape, not just to their new aero MIG Air gloves.Aero Prologo Predator//02 saddle gets normal rails for TT & Tri(All photos/Cory Benson)Since we first wrote about Pogaars Predator saddle in 2024s Tour time trial, its official 01 debut the following spring, then Vingegaards grippier saddle for the 2025 Tour TT saddle, it was still an ultra-proprietary, out-of-reach design requiring a special seatpost and costing more than 1200. Now, Prologo makes it much more universal as Predator//02 with replaceable oval carbon rails. And most importantly, a 680 price cut.Look, the new Predator 2 is still shockingly expensive at 570 for a stock saddle. But if you want the most aero perch for your time trial or triathlon bike, this looks to be your chance to ride the same saddle as Grand Tour winners.Whats new?The Predator saddle shape is exactly the same from its long, thin padded top to the underlying carbon shell with its aerodynamic extended tail. But in fact, the new version moves to an injected long-fiber carbon base (instead of hand-laid fiber) that manages to cut costs without adding much weight.Underneath, Prologo has swapped out the flat carbon plate for a modular replaceable 7x9mm oval Nack carbon rail system. That means it will fit any saddle compatible with oval rails. The new saddle comes in two versions, both sharing the same 260x110mm overall dimensions:Predator//02TT with thinner padding towards the back and a narrow 50mm wide nose 159gPredator//02TRI with tall padding from front to back, and a wider, more cushioned 60mm nose 169gPrologo Dimension R2 3D flat saddle for road, gravel & XCPlus, Prologo added a 3rd saddle to their 3D-printed padding family with the Dimension 3D. It features a more conventional cover, potentially better suited to a wider range of cyclists, especially off-road riders. The flat V-shaped saddle includes the same wider 40mm nose of the other 2nd-gen Dimension saddles, a large PAS central pressure relief cutout, and now variable-density Multi Sector System 3D-printed padding for more rider comfort.This shape was specifically optimized to be used across all performance cycling disciplines, which is why Prologo reimagined how to give it a new type of 3D-printed padding top with an integrated coverInstead of sticking with the same completely open honeycomb grid, the Dimension R2 3D features a mostly-closed cover developed to keep more dirt, mud & grit out of the structure. While open padding can usually be cleaned by flushing grime & debris out, grit like sand can stick inside.The new Dimension R2 3D comes in just one size 245mm long x 143mm wide and features a long-fiber carbon-reinforced nylon shell. It is available with either oval 79.3mm Nack carbon rails at 195g, or conventional 7mm round tubular steel TIROX rails at ~228g.Like the Scratch 3D & Nago 3D, the new Dimension 3D should sell for approximately 290 with steel rails or 390 with carbon rails a significant pricing premium compared to the conventionally-padded Dimension saddles.Nago EVA high-performance womens saddlePrologo also expands its top-tier womens saddle line with the new Nago Eva. It joins the Dimension Eva & Scratch Eva to combine Prologos classic saddle shapes tweaked for top-level female riders.The hallmark of the Nago Eva saddle is a hidden pressure relief cutout in the shell, covered by a very low-density foam in the central section to limit any pressure on sensitive tissue. Padding on the sides under the sit bones is thicker and much higher density to offer stable support.Like the other two Eva saddles, the new Nago Eva is available with either oval Nack carbon rails for 229 or steel rails for 129.Octotouch 3D grippy bar tapePrologo also adds a new injection-molded Octotouch 3D bar tape, with their signature grippy dots for better comfort and control, especially in foul weather or over rough terrain.The outer surface of the bartape is a thin, rubbery elastomer with raised CPC-style nodules molded in, backed by a thin EVA foam for cushioning. The concept is pretty much the same as Prologos previous Onetouch 3D bartape, but here the little dots are a larger diameter, with slits cut across them so they deform more under your hand. The cut present on each of the conical structures increases breathability and the feeling of softness on the palm of the hand, while at the same time allowing moisture to easily escape... Moreover, this technology manages to transform vibrations coming from the ground into a delicate micromassage that relieves the cyclists hands, wrists, and arms, increasing stamina levels in the body.Officially, the new 55 Octotouch 3D tape is the same 3.5mm overall thickness as the Onetouch, apparently including the height of the grippers. But it seems like the new tape features a thinner base and the nubbins are a bit taller, making the new tape feel thinner overall. It also makes this new tape lighter 118g for the full 2m long x 30mm wide roll (enough to wrap both sides of your bar), a savings of almost 10% over the Onetouch 3D tape. MIG Air CPC aero, grippy half-finger cycling glovesWe already wrote about the aero benefits of the new MIG Air gloves. But their tiny CPC grippers are worth a closer look. Those same tubular Connect Power Control nubs are smaller than ever in these new aero gloves, composed of a variety of sizes and spacing concentric around the center of your palm to improve grip on the bars while damping vibrations.While Im not personally a regular user of half-finger gloves for riding dropbars and Im unlikely to be spotted riding a Predator saddle, I really am curious to give these MIG Air CPC gloves a try.Prologo.itThe post Prologo Predator TT Saddle Goes Mainstream; New Dimension 3D, Nago Eva, CPC Tape, More appeared first on Bikerumor.

In the center of Barcelona, NSN Cycling Team was in the heart of the cycling world this Wednesday afternoon. Dozens gathered to talk to the likes of Biniam Girmay and Andrs Iniesta on the eve of the Tour's presentation, in which interesting sight was shared. CyclingUpToDate was on site to follow th...

The 2026 Tour de France startlist includes 13 riders from Australia and New Zealand, with Ben O'Connor, Jai Hindley, Michael Matthews and Luke Plapp among the standout names from the region. There are elevenAustralians and two New Zealanders on the final startlist. Team Jayco AlUla carry the strong...

Welcome to BIKE Magazine July 2026July 2026 Front CoverTo read this issue online click hereTo subscribe click hereJuly is cyclings loudest month, and in this issue we lean fully into that noise the hum of carbon wheels on hot tarmac, the rattle of gravel under tyres, the roar of roadside crowds and, just occasionally, the quiet internal dialogue that gets us through the hardest kilometres.At the centre of it all sits the Tour de France. This years edition feels anything but routine. A Grand Dpart in Barcelona, an opening team time trial, and a route built less on tradition and more on tension it all points towards a race that wont wait politely for its narrative to unfold. From the first pedal stroke, this is a Tour designed to provoke. Climbers, rouleurs, domestiques and sprinters alike will be forced into the open far earlier than usual, and that, for fans, is exactly as it should be. July should feel unpredictable.But cycling has never been just one race, even in its most Tour-obsessed moments. Beyond the French spotlight, this issue captures a broader, richer picture of the sport at full tilt. In Austria, emerging riders will carve out their reputations on unforgiving climbs. In Brisbane, BMX racing strips cycling back to instinct and nerve, where races are decided in seconds rather than weeks. And in the Black Forest, endurance mountain biking continues to test the limits of resilience and pacing.What binds these events together isnt just competition its the sense of possibility. July invites breakthrough performances, unexpected stories and careers that pivot almost overnight. It reminds us that cycling is a sport of layers, where the biggest stage is only part of the picture.That idea runs through the rest of this issue. From the high-altitude theatre of the Maratona dles Dolomites, where thousands ride not just for challenge but for shared experience, to Scotlands expanding gravel networks, which redefine adventure closer to home, we see cycling in all its forms: communal, exploratory, deeply personal.There is also a quieter thread this month one centred on connection. Nahla Summers extraordinary Kindness ride across the American Midwest shows how the bicycle can be more than a machine for speed or distance. It can be a bridge. In a world that often feels divided, riding remains one of the simplest ways to engage with people and places, to move slowly enough to notice, and to stop long enough to connect.That balance between intensity and reflection is what makes July so compelling. It is a month of extremes: lung-bursting climbs and long caf stops, elite competition and everyday riding, global headlines and local discoveries. Whether you are watching the Tour unfold on television, tackling your own sportive, or simply stealing an hour on familiar roads after work, you are part of the same rhythm.So wherever you find yourself this month chasing a personal best, exploring new terrain, or just enjoying the ride lean into it. July doesnt come quietly, and it shouldnt be experienced quietly either.Ride hard, ride often, and above all, enjoy the noise.Nick BranxtonEditor, BIKE Magazine