For almost a decade, weve covered Tout Terrains creative Shift:R adapters that gave adventure riders better dropbar control over their Pinion gearbox. But this new Shift:R Allroad generation takes it to the next level with Shimano GRX compatibility. That means better ergonomics, some of the most sought-after brakes, and lets be honest, a much better-looking alt-drivetrain setup.Shift:R brought Pinion shifting to drop bars, Shift:R Allroad refines it(All photos/.Tout Terrain)Officially launched to the public in 2019, wed already seen and nerded out on Tout Terrains mechanical Cinq Shift:R setup back at NAHBS two years earlier. The concept of the self-contained Pinion gearbox always made a lot of sense for the type of round-the-world touring and all-terrain adventure bikes that Tout Terrain specializes in building. But from the start, Pinion only offered a GripShift-style twist shifter that only worked on a flat bar. Sure, you could mount one on the flat top of your dropbar, but that was clearly a performance and ergonomics compromise.So, Tout Terrain & their Cinq component brand worked with Tektro/TRP to build a custom set of shift/brake levers that could control a gearbox. You mounted a Cinq adapter to your Pinion. You could shift with the custom levers that looked (and worked) much like old Shimano brifters before cable routing under the bar tape. And TRP Hylex hydraulic brakes did the stopping. It all worked. But it wasnt pretty. And it certainly didnt feel very modern. Moving to the electronic Smart.Shift gearbox let them go with more refined TRP Hywire controls, but then you had to worry about keeping your shifter batteries charged. Not very expedition-friendly, right?That all changes with Shift:R AllroadTout Terrain Cinq Shift:R Allroad dropbar Pinion shifterThe new Tout Terrain (probably Cinq when they hit the aftermarket) Shift:R Allroad shifter now matches a Pinion gearbox with regular Shimano GRX levers, so you get trusted braking and ergonomic fit. OK, its not a stock set of Shimano levers. Tout Terrain customizes the RX610 GRX 212 levers to remove the internal shift ratchets, swapping in a replacement mechanism to control the gearbox. Thats because Pinion shift indexing is at the gearbox itself. And Tout Terrain has built their own shift box that bolts directly to the gearbox. So, now you can shift with your modified mechanical 2x GRX levers. A single swing of the right Shimano combined shift & brake lever will upshift the Pinion. Then, the left-hand lever can shift it back. (Or you can swap direction by swapping the cables around). And the smaller secondary Shimano release shift button behind the brake lever no longer does anything.How to get the new drop bar gearbox control setup?Tout Terrain Blueridge Xplore GT customFor the moment, the new Shift:R Allroad is standard spec on all new Tout Terrain Pinion C-Line gearbox-equipped bikes with drop bars (denoted as GT). That presumably replaces the electronic Smart.Shift for the entry-level with a solution that doesnt rely on batteries to shift. Those bikes include the expedition touring Blueridge Xplore GT, the gravel all-rounder Scrambler Xplore GT, the backcountry adventure Outback Xplore GT, and the city commuter Tribeca Xpress GT. Complete bike pricing starts around 4000-4250, with customizable builds from ~4500.Cinq Shift:R Allroad aftermarket availability?Tout Terrain says they are first focused on making the new Shift:R Allroad setup available for their own complete bikes. But just like in the past, they plan to offer it soon as an aftermarket upgrade, either for people with an existing dropbar Pinion C-line setup, or anyone building a new bike from scratch. In either case, the Shift:R Allroad kit will include the modified Shimano GRX levers & brake calipers, the Shift:R box, and the cables to install it on the bike. Youll just need to swap out the stock C-line control box with the Shift:R box, and connect it to your modified GRX controls. Simple, low-maintenance, all-weather Pinion shift performance, also combined with trusted mechanical Shimano ergonomics and braking.Read more about it on the Tout Terrain blog.Tout-Terrain.de

With Tadej Pogacar closing in on a fifth Tour de France after Jonas Vingegaards withdrawal, UAE Team Emirates-XRG are already looking beyond the yellow jersey. The teams major target now is to place Isaac del Toro on the final podium in Paris as well, Joxean Fernndez Matxn told EFE. The Mexican,...

In light of a plan for making high-vis and helmets compulsory for e-scooter users, the Government are also looking at making the same personal protective equipment mandatory for cyclists, Minister of State Sean Canney, who has responsibility for road safety, told The Last Word radio show this afternoon.He was on air after the Government issued a statement on their decision to ban all under-18s from using e-scooters, make registration and licensing a requirement of use, and make high-vis and helmets mandatory for e-scooter users.The Government previously looked at high-vis and helmets for people on bicycles, but U-turned on this after a backlash. But at the time and afterwards, they said the measures could still be rolled out for users of pedel-assisted bicycles, which are generally counted the same as bicycles across Europe.Action on making the gear mandatory for people cycling could depend on how it works for scooter users, Minister of State Canney told Today FMs The Last Word with Matt Cooper/When presenter Cooper asked: If youre bringing in high-vis jackets and helmets, and also registration and licences for e-scooters, I suspect there are some of our listeners who will be wondering: Why not the same for bicycles?'Minister Canney said: Absolutely, and weve discussed that this morning. But I think the enormity of the problem we have at the moment with the e-scooters is something we need to address quickly, and thats why were bringing in these regulations and this emergency legislation now. But I would also say that we are looking at personal protective equipment, like helmets and high vis vests, and maybe for cyclists, is something that we are looking at and are considering, he said.Minister Canney said: And we also have e-bikes, which can go to speed as well, but they are better balanced than an e-scooter. An e-scooter is totally small wheels, very little, no suspension on them, and they just glide along. And if they stop abruptly, you just go over the handlebar. So I think its important. A bicycle doesnt work like that in terms of its balance. So I think its important that we deal with the very critical problem which we have right now.Cooper then asked: But if this works in relation to e-scooters, is it possible that bicycles could be next? That people will be required to register their bicycles, have a licence plate on them, wear a helmet, and wear a high vis jacket? Could that be possible?Minister of State Canney said: Yeah, but what I would say to you is I wouldnt be I dont want to be in a position where Im making bold statements that were going to put helmets on every cyclist. But we will look and see how we will progress with e-scooters, what effect it will have, and if its a benefit. Then, of course, we will look at helmets and high-viz on cyclists as well.In Irish and EU law, there is currently no distinction between pedal bicycles and those with electric assistance, provided the assistance cuts out at 25km/h, and the maximum continuous rated power does not exceed 250W.Earlier in the interview this afternoon, Minister Canney referred to planned helmets and high-vis not in safety terms but in terms of compliance and making it easier for Gardai to spot people not dressed in high-vis as more likely to be offenders. He was speaking in the context of Gardai having powers to chase people using illegal e-scooters. So there will be training required by the Garda on that. But also, I would say that, in itself, if somebody is spotted with no helmet on them, its very easy just to stand in front of them and say You dont have a helmet on you'. He added: I think that gives a bit more clarity to Garda on the street and they can see somebody doing something wrong or actually not having a helmet or high vis vest. That is a reason to take the e-scooter off them, and that in itself is a deterrent for people not to break the law.

Whether youre camping, adventuring off-grid, or simply setting up for a long ride, its pretty common for cyclists to bring along food and extra hydration. You could just toss it in your car and hope for the best, the majority of us will opt for something like a cooler to keep those necessities at the right temperature until theyre needed. Even if youre not bringing a full cooler, every cyclist should have plenty of water on hand when you need it most, it probably wont be readily available. To those points, RTIC reached out to us recently to see if we wanted to test out some products. Ive wanted to try a cooler with wheels, so I opted for the 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler and leveled up my water-carrying game with their 1-gallon Outback insulated jug. For the price, both are impressive performers but not without faultsRTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Cooler ReviewWhen you think of wheeled coolers, many people are going straight to the YETI Tundra Haul. The RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light is clearly going after that market, but it goes about it in a different way. Thanks to a different construction with 2.5 closed-cell foam insulation, the cooler can offer multiple days of ice retention while coming in 30% lighter than the competition. On our scale, the RTIC cooler checks in at 29 lbs 1 oz, while the YETI Tundra Haul claims to be 37.5lbs. Note that to get the full cooling performance of the RTIC (up to 5 days), they recommend prechilling the cooler with ice a full 24+ hours ahead of time, and making sure all your provisions are prechilled as well. The 52 QT cooler has a 78 can capacity, and can be divided into two separate compartments with the Freezable Divider accessory ($18.74). Inside on the lid, there is also a silicone cargo net that can be used to store smaller items, or you can easily remove it to fit bulky items. The cooler closes with silicone T-latches, and a silicone gasket keeps it airtight. Note that RTIC does not list their cooler as bearproof, so if you intend to leave a cooler out in bear country, the YETI might be the better option (when used with extra-long shank Masterlock padlocks). On the outside, youll find a powder-coated aluminum handle with silicone grips for easy toting to your destination. When you let go of the handle, it gently lowers to prevent slamming, and its pretty comfortable to pull around. The wheels are puncture and impact resistant, and seemed to work well everywhere I tried, including on loose beach sand. RTIC calls out their patented chassis design which protects the stainless steel axle and rolls on premium wheel bearings. Youll also find a built-in bottle opener in case you dont already have 6 different options in your vehicle and on your bike, plus non-skid rubber feet and tie-down slots to keep the cooler anchored in place. Additional accessories include a dry goods basket ($17.24), and an external cup holder kit ($16.99).The one area where the cooler is lacking is in the drainage department. Because the drain is raised off the bottom of the cooler and offset from the side, it is impossible to fully drain the cooler without just turning it upside down while open. It will allow you to drain the majority of water out during a trip, so you can refresh the ice without keeping the contents submerged in water, but to fully drain it at home youll have to tip it over. Also, the leash for the drain cap comes off far too easily. On a recent trip, I had packed the cooler so full that there wasnt any room for ice. In spite of that, the cold food that went into the cooler was only 1 warmer after an 11-hour drive. Overall, the performance of the RTIC cooler has been great, and the ability to wheel it around is a game changer when its fully loaded. At $279, the RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler is priced extremely competitively vs. the $450 YETI. As long as you dont need a bearproof cooler, it seems like the drainage issues are easy enough to live with given the price difference. Currently, the cooler is offered in five different colors (plus one other clearance color), but the Beach tan color shown above is currently not available. RTIC 1 Gallon Outback Jug ReviewI keep extra water in my car at all times you never know when youre going to need an extra bottle, your kids or pets need some extra water, or maybe you need to clean something off real quick. With the RTIC Outback, Ive now doubled the amount that I carry around, and overall the jug has been a nice addition to my equipment. The double-walled, vacuum-sealed insulation claims to keep drinks cold up to 24 hours or hot for 6 hours, but it also works well to keep your water from getting too hot while in the car even if you havent iced it down. The inside of the jug is ceramic-lined to make it easy to clean and keep your water tasting like water, and its BPA-free. Even better, its dishwasher-safe (top rack only) so you can easily clean it. The lid leash is meant to stay tethered to the lid with a stretch-fit around a peg. But it comes off very easily and flops around. The leak-proof lid features a burly handle that can be used to spin the lid open or closed, and the spout makes it easy to pour into smaller bottles. Kind of like the cooler though, the cap leash comes off way too easily and can get in the way when youre pouring (so you may just want to remove it completely when pouring). Other than that, the cap is very easy to open and close, and the lid is very easy to remove and install. On the bottom, a silicone base helps it stay put quietly. The Outback is offered in 1/2 gallon or 1-gallon sizes ($39.99 or $59.99), and six different colors (plus one clearance color). I opted for the Stainless steel color because I thought it would hold up the best in the long term, but Im a little disappointed that its already showing small rust spots. While the Ultra-Light coolers have a 3-year warranty, the drinkware warranty is only 90 days. RTIC has confirmed that this would be covered under warranty (within the first 90 days), but Id still suggest going with one of the powder-coated colors instead. Again, the RTIC Outback 1 gallon jug isnt perfect, but it does perform quite well at a substantial price difference from competition like YETI. I wouldnt hesitate to throw one of the powder-coated bottles into my gear rotation for mobile hydration needs.

On the fifth episode of the CyclingUpToDate Podcast, Rben Silva and Gavin Quinn have discussed Jonas Vingegaard's sudden crash and withdrawal from the Tour de France on stage 15; as well as the sprint dominance of Tim Merlier that continued in the second week of the race. On stage 11, it was Soren...

Correction: An earlier version of this article attributed the night-time anti-doping controls to the French Anti-Doping Agency, AFLD based on LIVE reporting by Belgian's Sporza Cycling channel. Available reporting released recently now indicates that the controls were conducted by the International...

Remco Evenepoels spectacular victory on stage 15 of the 2026 Tour de France has sparked intense debate over whether Tadej Pogacar truly contested the final sprint or let the Belgian take the win. A theory Roxane Knetemann flatly rejects. The former Dutch rider believes the doubts after the finale...

If you own a pickup truck, tailgate pads have been and continue to be the simplest and most cost-effective way to transport multiple mountain bikes at a time. Sure, you could save some money by using a moving blanket or creating some other DIY pad solution, but purpose-built tailgate pads generally offer some features, durability, and performance that make them a worthwhile investment to protect both your bikes and vehicle in transit. Evoc has been a player in the tailgate pad market for years, and its Classic pad has been a popular and durable choice (and is currently available at a discount).Recently, Evoc updated its Tailgate Pad, building on the design of its predecessor, but with some new features, colors, a lighter weight, and a more compact, storable size. At $170 (size M/L) or $190 (XL), the price hasnt gone up, but the new Evoc pad provides a bit more bike protection, a clean aesthetic, and is notably easier to store when off the truck for extended periods. Its nothing groundbreaking, but Evoc has managed to improve upon an already solid product.The M/L pad on a 2009 Tacoma tailgate.Evoc Tailgate Pad DetailsThe latest version of Evocs tailgate pad features a tarpaulin exterior shell material, which is said to be cut-resistant, water-resistant, and UV-stable. The inside of the pad features a soft, anti-scratch lining that makes contact with your vehicles paint. Three webbing straps extend from the front of the pad under the tailgate with slim, aluminum hook-cam buckles that attach and adjust tension on the inside.Eight molded blocks across the top/top inside of the pad create six slots to add stability and support for bikes in transit. Evoc replaces the Velcro straps on the previous version with TPU ski straps to secure the bike to the pad if/when needed. Evoc also added foam pads on the outside of the pad for protecting the fork lowers. The tailgate handle flap is large and folds up and out of the way for use with backup cameras.The separator blocks are similar to the previous version, but the TPU stki straps are new.Like most tailgate pads, Evocs comes in two sizes to fit mid- and full-size trucks; both are designed to carry up to six bikes. Evoc also makes a Curve version to fit trucks with chonky tailgates. The new Tailgate Pad comes in Black and Sand and retails for $170 (M/L) or $190 (XL).M/L for Mid-Size TrucksFits tailgates 132 cm / 52 wide (inside), 50 cm / 19.7 tall (outside)Compatible with: Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, Frontier, RidgelineWeight: 2,000 g / 4.4 lbsDimensions: 136 x 50 x 17 cm, up to 6 bikesXL for Full-Size TrucksFits tailgates 156 cm / 61.4 wide (inside), 58 cm / 22.8 tall (outside)Compatible with: F-series pickup trucks, Silverado 1500+, Ram 1500+, Tundra, Sierra 1500+Weight: 2,500 g / 5.5 lbsDimensions: 160 x 65 x 17 cm, up to 6 bikesUsing the Evoc Tailgate PadI drive a 2009 Tacoma, so I got Evocs new Tailgate Pad in the M/L size. Unboxing the pad, the first thing that stood out to me was how light it was and how compact it was when folded up. Ive used lots of different tailgate pads in the past decade, including Evocs Classic, and none of them have been quite as compact when taken off the truck. The Evoc Classic was a bit more rigid, whereas the new version is very pliable. The foam blocks and pads are stiff, but Im able to fold the pad down to a 12 x 12 x 24 bundle thats easy to toss on a shelf in my garage.Installing the Evoc pad is pretty easy, too. Evoc has been using slim aluminum hook buckles on its pads for years, and Ive always found them to be a bit more user-friendly than standard plastic cam buckles. Rather than feeding webbing all the way through a buckle every time, you just hook the buckle and snug it up. In my experience, this system makes installing and removing the Evoc pad quicker and easier than the competition.These hook buckles help make installation and removal relatively quick and easy.Fit-wise, the M/L pad is pretty much maxed out on my 2009 Tacomas tailgate, which is a little bit slimmer and shorter than the tailgates on most newer mid-size trucks. That said, its still a good fit with excellent coverage and stability. On the outside, the pad covers the entirety of the tailgate height-wise, with basically no room to spare if it were any taller, it would be too long. Width-wise, theres about an inch of tailgate showing on both sides, which is pretty ideal.Given that the front height of the pad is maxed out and the top of my tailgate is about 2 inches thick, the foam separation blocks fold over the back of the tailgate just slightly, rather than sitting right on top. On taller and/or thicker tailgates, these may end up positioned across the top, rather than on the back of the tailgate. Regardless, in this position, the blocks support both sides of the downtube and provide excellent bike stability in transit. In fact, unless Im driving on bumpy roads, Ill skip strapping the bike(s) to the pad altogether.The TPU straps take a bit more time to attach but seem secure and high quality.The TPU ski straps are a departure from the Velcro straps traditionally used on tailgate pads, including the Evo Classic. They are slightly fiddlier to attach around the bike, but they are very secure, and they seem very durable. The underside of the plastic buckle even has a rubber bumper added to prevent abrasion damage to your bikes paint. Again, I dont think they are always necessary, but certainly nice to have and probably more durable than Velcro. I would always recommend reattaching them when not in use, so they dont fly off the pad in the wind, or removing them and stashing them in the vehicle.Easy access to the tailgate handle, and easy enough to keep folded up for use with the backup camera.The handle flap is fairly large and well positioned for the handle and backup camera on my tailgate. Tailgate handle positions vary, of course, so its hard to say how it will line up on other trucks, but it seems like it should be compatible with most. It would be nice if Evoc included a strap or a clip to keep it folded back, but I found it easy enough to use the Velcro to hold it open when needed. The fork leg pads on the outside are a welcome addition to the updated pad. While they arent exactly necessary, they do provide a bit of extra cushion and protection for your bikes front suspension.Much tidier for storage than most of the other tailgate pads Ive used/owned.My TakeawayEvocs updated Tailgate Pad combines the user-friendly installation and removal, separation blocks, and durable construction and materials of the Classic version, with the addition of fork padding, TPU ski straps, and a lighter, foldable construction. Its not changing the game or anything, but its easy to use, carries all the bikes, and helps protect both your precious rides and vehicle in the process. And, when its not in use, it folds down to a compact size that tucks away neatly in your garage, shed, or other storage space.Evoc is also moving away from the graphics on the Classic version to understated solid black and sand colorways. The Evoc logos dont go unnoticed, but I think it looks as good as any other tailgate pad around. At $170 (or $190 for the XL), its also priced competitively compared to pads from Race Face, Thule, Kuat, Yakima, and others, and I think its worth a serious look if youre in the market for a new tailgate pad.evocsports.com

A new high-profile sponsor enters the WorldTour grounds. Alpecin-Premier Techand Fenix-Premier Tech have announced a new multi-year partnership with Adidas. The German sportswear giant provide off-bike apparel to both WorldTour teams. For the remainder of the 2026 season, both the riders and suppor...

The cyclists e-bike was seized after officers tested its speed by lifting the back wheel and turning the pedals, clocking a speed of 47kph which they claimed was proof that the bike failed to meet the current regulations