The 464-mile Rolling Horse bikepacking route was designed to highlight the regions rich natural and human history. Much of it utilizes backcountry roads that approximate the original migratory and trade routes of the Ute ancestors. Other portions acknowledge the regions more recent ranching and mining history. Yet others appreciate the regions long-standing commitment to land []The post The Rolling Horse appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Can you believe Im still fucking around with this thing?I thought I was done, and I told myself Id stop messing with it, but the cover of the saddle I had on there was just too worn to deal with, so I put on another one, then in messing with the saddle height as I rode I realized the seatpost was just a bit too short, so I changed it for another oneThe upshot of all this is that I still havent had a ride on the Noner during which I wasnt distracted by something that required futzing, and at this point Ive spent so much time tweaking it that I cant decide whether this means I should see it through and keep it for the rest of my life or get rid of it immediately. Meanwhile, Ive also got Project Spinergy to deal with, because what could be a better use of the little time I have left after obsessing over the Noner than exploring the nuances and inner workings of an old pair of race wheels?As the Classic Cycle Old Crap Test Pilot, you may get the sense that Im just floating around alone in space, but upon sending me the Spinergys, Paul informed me that hed also be running simulations on the ground by riding a pair of the ol Squirrel Slicers himself. So upon reading about the issues I was having he sent me the following communication:Having finally recovered enough from my recent altercation with the Noners rear hub to contemplate dealing with cone wrenches and bearings again, I collected the items Paul had enumerated and got to work:Though before I got started I noticed another chip in the rear wheels Death Blades:Eh, its just a little splintering, Im sure itll be fine.Anyway, carefully I followed the instructions, and I was successful in removing the lock nut and cone:By the way, see the threads on the freehub body? Those are for a Uniglide cassette. Thats how old these things are.Next I tapped out the axle:And finally I tightened the freehub bodywhich was already tight after all:So it was all for naught, but fortunately it was an extremely simple procedure, and I only had to crawl around on the floor after one ball bearing, which is a record for me.But where does this leave Project Spinergy? The ostensible purpose of course is to pit them against their mortal enemy, the Rolfs:However, the fact is theres really no contest. Like any retrogrouch Im leery of the paucity of spokes on the Rolfers:However, so far I havent had any inkling of a problem with them, aesthetically they suit the bike, they run smoothly, and theyre nice and light to boot. (Im not even remotely a weight weenie, but on a bike like this you might as well go with it.) Meanwhile, the Spinergys are kinda heavy, the bearings on the front are worn, the rear wheel is mysteriously off-center, and while the Rolfs may not have many spokes, the Spinergys dont have any spokes at all. (Well, technically the eight fraying crabon blades are spokes, but retrogrouches only recognize wire spokes.) Really, it doesnt seem terribly sportsmanlike to compare the two, and its less a shootout than it is an execution.Moreover, the LeMond is just too damn nice for those tired old Spinergys. Yes, its from 2003, but its in perfect condition and might as well be a new bike. No, the ideal test-cycle for the Spinergys is a bike thats also showing its age; a bike with horizontal dropouts to compensate for the wonky dish, and with friction shifting so it doesnt matter if the hub is off-center; a rat rod, if you will, and one thats already somewhat aesthetically challenged so that the Spinergys wont detract from it. Do I have such a bike? Why yes, I most certainly do:The rear wheel went in with minimal fuss:And call me crazy butaesthetically it kinda works?I really do think they look much better on the Faggin than they do on the LeMond. Its like the bike is wearing a pair of stiletto heels. Shes a Mean Faggin.If nothing else, its truly earned this sticker:Those squirrels had better watch out.

After coming into the 2024 season with much anticipation and expectation, Arnaud De Lie struggled during the spring. Once it was revealed the Belgian had been battling Lyme Disease, an enforced break was on the cards and since returning, De Lie has been back to his best.Arnaud needed a kind of 're...

CyclistWhat type of bike should I buy?Road and gravel bikes fall into a bewildering array of different types and the differences between them are not always clear-cut. This guide demystifies the different categories to help you to narrow down the options if youre in the market. Related Posts Opinion: Its time to rethink drop bar bike categories Best all-road bikes 2024 reviewed Best road bike upgrades for every budget Best endurance road bikes 2024 ridden and reviewed The best commuter bikes 2024 The best gravel bikes 2024: Cyclists top-rated gravel and adventure bikes reviewed Best lightweight road bikes reviewed Best road bikes: Best bikes from under 1,000 to over 10,000 Best aero bikes 2024: Ride faster for less effort Types of road bikeRoad bikes are a broad category of bikes designed for as their name says riding on tarmacked roads, as opposed to mountain bikes, which are designed purely for off-road use. Within the road bike universe there is a range of bikes adapted for different uses. Some of them are even designed for a bit of off-road action, while the popular gravel bike category (explained below) will let you head onto unpaved surfaces.Its worth thinking about the type of riding you want to do before choosing a bike, although many novice riders find within a couple of years that they want to upgrade to a new bike that better suits needs and aspirations they didnt know they had.Already know what youre after? Head to our guide to the best road bikes. For the rest of you, these are the three major types of road bike1. Endurance road bikeMatthew Loveridge / CyclistFairly upright geometryWider tyres and other comfort featuresWide spread of gearsAn endurance road bike, also called a sportive bike, is designed to provide a comfortable riding position and plenty of gears so that you can climb hills while still making good progress on the flat. That allows you to ride for longer distances without getting tired, but it also makes an endurance bike a good option for the novice rider.A typical endurance bike will have a short reach, putting the handlebars within easy reach and encouraging you to sit upright, placing more of your weight on the saddle. Its likely to have a high stack as well the height of the top of the head tube and hence the handlebars.Most entry-level bikes will have endurance geometry and an alloy frame, possibly with a carbon fork to help reduce road vibration. Move further up the price range and carbon fibre takes over, often leading to a lighter bike. Titanium and steel are also options.The number of gears typically increases as well, starting from around eight and going up to 12. Wide tyres make a big difference in how comfortable a road bike is to ride and endurance bikes will typically have tyres that are 28mm wide or more.More expensive endurance bikes may get added comfort features. Examples are Specializeds Future Shock stem, the Canyon VCLS split seatpost and the IsoSpeed system found on some Trek bikes, all designed to help smooth out road imperfections.Examples of endurance bikes that weve reviewed at Cyclist:Cannondale SynapseCanyon Endurace CFGiant DefySpecialized RoubaixCheck out our full guide to the best endurance road bikes2. Race bikeLizzie Crabb / CyclistAerodynamic featuresFrame usually made of carbon fibreLightweight components used, often also made of carbon fibreRace bikes are designed to allow you to ride faster on tarmac. The bikes ridden by professional cyclists can be very expensive, but bike brands usually make cheaper versions of their racing bikes too.Carbon fibre is almost always the preferred frame material, although there are titanium, aluminium and steel options. Components will also be chosen to keep weight down. That usually includes carbon wheel rims, a carbon seatpost and often carbon handlebars.Almost all race bikes now include aerodynamic tube profiles and integrated handlebar systems with hidden cables to improve the bikes aerodynamics. Some are designed to be as aero as possible, with deep tube profiles and an aggressive riding position, while others look to keep weight down with a less aerodynamic but lighter frame.All of that makes a racing bike can sometimes be a significantly more expensive option than an entry-level endurance bike, but it will lead to a more sprightly ride.Most race bikes will seat you in a more hunched-over position than an endurance bike, as however aerodynamic a race bikes frame is, around 80% of the drag when riding comes from the rider. The best way to reduce this is to decrease the size of your frontal profile so that you catch less of the wind, thats why road bikes and especially time-trial bikes, as seen below typically position the rider long and low on the bike. This can get uncomfortable after a while though, particularly for the novice rider, but with practice comes adaptation.Examples of lightweight race bikes that weve reviewed at Cyclist:Vitus Vitesse EvoSpecialized AethosFetska ScalatoreCheck out our full guide to the best lightweight road bikes.Examples of more aerodynamic race bikes that weve reviewed at Cyclist:Merida ReactoScott Foil RCCervelo S5Check out our full guide to the best aero bikes.3. All-road bikeJoseph Branston / CyclistsAll-road bikes are the furthest extension of a road bike you can imagine. They blur the line between tarmac and trails, mixing the best bits of an endurance road bike and an all-rounder gravel bike. All-road bikes are designed to handle everything you could encounter on a road from the smoothest streets to light gravel terrain. You cant always predict where a ride will take you and the all-road edict aims to provide one bike that can handle them all. In reality, this is quite a vague concept and many all-road bikes could easily fit into other categories. The main common factors however are a relaxed geometry, wide tyre clearance and wide gearing options. Isnt that just like an endurance road bike?, I hear you ask yes and no. All-road bikes typically take these ideas a step further than endurance road bikes, with typical tyre clearances of around 30-38mm. While many all-road bikes will still come a double crankset, they will generally have easier gearing options and some component brands, such as SRAM, even have all-road specific chainring options. All-road bikes are designed to handle a wider range of terrain and so will usually have a more relaxed, upright geometry than an endurance road bike. They may be specced with components such as wider handlebars to help provide more stability on rougher roads. However the line between the two categories are increasingly blurry.All of these elements can also make all-road bikes perfect winter training bikes, and they will often have multiple mounting points for storage and mudguards. Examples of all-road bikes weve reviewed at Cyclist: Bianchi Impulso AllroadBMC Roadmachine XFara F/ARVitus Venon EvoCheck out our full guide to the best all-road bikes. Related Posts Opinion: Its time to rethink drop bar bike categories Best all-road bikes 2024 reviewed Best road bike upgrades for every budget Best endurance road bikes 2024 ridden and reviewed The best commuter bikes 2024 The best gravel bikes 2024: Cyclists top-rated gravel and adventure bikes reviewed Best lightweight road bikes reviewed Best road bikes: Best bikes from under 1,000 to over 10,000 Best aero bikes 2024: Ride faster for less effort Types of gravel bikeThe next category of drop handlebar bike is the gravel bike. Its a lot newer than the road bike genre and is still evolving. Around ten years ago, the first generation of gravel bikes were either road bikes with slightly wider tyres or rebranded cyclocross bikes (see below). But gravel bikes have changed fast, typically offering around 45mm of tyre clearance and lower gearing than a road bike.Gravel bikes are also diversifying, with some designed for riding fast off-road and others more geared towards long-haul gravel adventures, possibly spanning many days, and some even acting as drop-bar mountain bikes.Already an expert? Head straight to our guide to the best gravel bikes. If you need to know more first, these are the three loose categories into which gravel bikes can be divided1. All-rounder gravel bikeLizzie CrabbWide tyre clearanceLow gearingPlenty of mounts for mudguards, a rack, luggage and water bottlesMany gravel bikes are still designed to cater for a variety of uses. They will offer wide tyre clearance and the option to fit mudguards and a rack, making them a good option for commuting duties as well as off-road leisure riding. There are typically three sets of bottle cage mounts and further mounts for luggage.The ride position is quite upright, as with an endurance road bike, for long-distance comfort and to let you change your position to negotiate off-road obstacles. More expensive all-rounder gravel bikes may include some form of front and/or rear suspension.Most all-rounder gravel bikes will have gearing that goes below 1:1, either from a subcompact two-chainring groupset or often from a single chainring groupset with a wide-ranging cassette.Examples of all-rounder gravel bikes that weve reviewed at Cyclist:Giant RevoltRibble Gravel SLMoots Routt RSLSpecialized Diverge STR2. Gravel race bikeCyclistMore aggressive ride positionMay include aero frame featuresFewer mounting pointsGravel racing has become more popular and more competitive in the last few years, with its own specialist professional scene developing. To cater for gravel racing, gravel race bikes are much more like road race bikes. Theyll often have aerodynamic tube profiles, narrower handlebars to reduce drag, and typically narrower tyre clearance than all-rounder gravel bikes. They may be higher geared too, to cater for the higher speeds in gravel races.Gravel races typically cover long distances, possibly without support, so gravel race bikes will usually have more mounting points than road race bikes, to allow riders to carry extra food and fluids, although they wont have the full array of luggage mounts found on all-rounder or bikepacking-oriented gravel bikes.Examples of gravel race bikes that weve reviewed at Cyclist:Cervlo speroBMC KaiusFactor Ostro Gravel3. Bikepacking gravel bike or adventure bikeEmma Cole / CyclistRelaxed ride positionWide tyresLow gearingAt the other extreme are gravel bikes geared towards longer off-road adventures, often loaded up with luggage for multi-day bikepacking expeditions. Theyll be designed to carry lots of luggage and may have mounting points on the fork legs as well as the usual set on the frame itself.The ride position will be relaxed and the gearing very low to help you get up steep climbs while fully loaded. Theyll often have handlebars that are wide and flared, so you can more easily fit a handlebar bag.Many bikepacking gravel bikes have 650b wheels, rather than the 700c wheel size thats more common on road bikes. This allows the fitting of wide, grippy tyres that can be run at low pressures to add extra comfort.Examples of bikepacking gravel bikes that weve reviewed here at Cyclist:Canyon Grizl3T Exploro UltraRibble CGR Ti Cyclocross bikeVitusDesigned to be raced off-roadEdgy handling to tackle obstaclesLess tyre clearance than most gravel bikesLike gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes are designed for riding off-road. But cyclocross bikes are designed for short, sharp races that typically take place in winter, last around an hour and include obstacles that riders must negotiate either on their bikes or running and carrying them. Theres a popular professional circuit and a large amateur scene in countries including the UK and USA.The nature of cyclocross courses means that cyclocross bikes are designed to be more nimble than gravel bikes. Theyre also built to be easier to shoulder and run with, with a large central triangle and usually a flattened top tube to make carrying more comfortable. In UCI-sanctioned cyclocross racing, tyres need to be 33mm or less, so pure cross bikes often have less clearance than gravel bikes.While cyclocross bikes have some genre-specific features, they can work well as speedy gravel bikes.Examples of cyclocross bikes that weve reviewed at Cyclist:Canyon InfliteSpecialized CruxTouring bikeTrekStable geometryMounts for mudguards and racksOften steel or sometimes aluminium or titaniumTouring bikes are designed for multi-day rides on tarmac. They have mounting points to add a rear and sometimes a front rack, allowing you to use panniers to carry your gear. You can usually fit full mudguards as well.The ride is stable, with a relaxed, upright position for comfortable riding. Weight tends not to be an issue, so frames are usually made of metal rather than carbon fibre; steel is a favourite but you can also find aluminium and titanium touring bikes. Components are chosen for durability rather than speed.The popularity of gravel bikes and the availability of bikepacking luggage that doesnt need racks and so saves weight has meant that bikepacking set-ups are increasingly replacing the traditional touring bike.Examples of popular touring bikes:Genesis Croix de FerKona SutraRidgeback VoyageTime-trial/triathlon bikeAero bars for low ride positionAero frame and deep section or disc wheelsSteep saddle angleTime-trial and triathlon bikes are distinguished by their bar extensions, which let you rest your forearms on pads and control the bike from a narrow position to reduce wind resistance.The frame shapes are designed to be aerodynamic and the bikes are typically equipped with very deep section wheels, or even a spokeless disc wheel at the rear. The saddle is positioned well forward over the crankset to help the rider to maintain their aero ride position.The UCI, the organisation that controls bike racing, dictates certain rules about the shape of bikes, which time trial bikes need to conform to. Triathlon bikes are outside those requirements though, so there are more radical designs with very deep tube sections and other features like feed boxes that also improve the bikes aerodynamics.Flat bar road bikeFlat bars provide upright ride positionMost are designed to be ruggedSome flat bar road bikes availableMost flat bar bikes fall into the hybrid category. These typically have a metal frame and wide tyres. Theyre good for leisure rides and commuting.Some brands also offer flat bar versions of their road or gravel bikes, for riders who prefer a flat bar to a drop bar. You may find this more comfortable than drop bars, although it places you in a more upright ride position that is less aerodynamic and stops you using different hand positions, which can make a longer ride on a flat bar bike less comfortable.Examples of flat bar road bikes that are available are:Specialized Sirrus Giant FastRoadWhich type of road bike is right for me?Honor Elliott / CyclistYou can see from the above that theres a lot of choice of types of road and gravel bikes. Some are quite niche, and these bikes are often expensive, so unless you are planning to take on a triathlon, for example, a tri bike is probably not the place to start.If you think youll want to stick to road riding, an endurance road bike is a good first choice. It will give you a more comfortable riding position that will help you to increase your fitness, explore new places and increase the length of your rides.An all-rounder gravel bike may be a little slower on the road, but can offer more variety, taking you up byways and bridleways and away from traffic. Its always possible to swap out the tyres for a smoother tread if you do want to ride on the road. A gravel bike is also an excellent commuter bike option and a capable bike for cyclocross racing.If you want to try racing or want to be able to ride faster, a race bike may be a better option. It will feel more lively than an endurance road bike or a gravel bike, but you may find the typically edgy handling and low ride position more difficult to get used to.In the UK, theres a new road bike time trial category, so you can try racing alone against the clock on a race bike without the expense of buying a separate time-trial bike. Many road bikes now have sufficient tyre clearance that you could try your hand at gravel racing on a road race bike as well.If you dont like the idea of using drop bars, a more sporty flat bar bike is a good alternative for leisure rides.Finally, if you want a little help on your rides, there are e-bike versions of every category of bike you can think of head to our sister site Cycling Electric for more. Related Posts Opinion: Its time to rethink drop bar bike categories Best all-road bikes 2024 reviewed Best road bike upgrades for every budget Best endurance road bikes 2024 ridden and reviewed The best commuter bikes 2024 The best gravel bikes 2024: Cyclists top-rated gravel and adventure bikes reviewed Best lightweight road bikes reviewed Best road bikes: Best bikes from under 1,000 to over 10,000 Best aero bikes 2024: Ride faster for less effort The post What type of bike should I buy? appeared first on Cyclist.

The Bahrain - Victorious team will head to the Criterium du Dauphine with a strong lineup, packed with different general classification options, including recent Best Young Rider at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, Antonio Tiberi.This is a very important race in the lead up to the Tour alongside the Tour d...

The tires come in three treads with two new colorways: Matcha and Panaracer Purple with black or brown sidewalls.

For the first time since dramatically crashing out at the Tour of the Alps after attacking on a wet and dangerous descent, Chris Harper will return to racing at the2024 Criterium du Dauphine, leading Team Jayco AlUla's general classification hopes.Im looking forward to getting back into racing at...

The Dimanche 28 and 29 electric bikes both utilise the Bosch SX mid-drive system, and Moustaches day of the week naming system

The finales of the Giro d'Italia have been incredibly Slovenian-themed over the last two years. Firstly, on Monte Lussari in 2023, Primoz Roglic overturned a deficit to Geraint Thomas and claimed the Maglia Rosa then in 2024, Tadej Pogacar destroyed his rivals again on Monte Grappa to emulate his co...

CyclistDT Swisss new GRC wheels go back to hooks and double the depth optionsBuilding on the success of the DT Swiss GRC 1400 Spline 42 wheels, the brand has launched an update with two different aero rim depths, the GRC Dicut 30 and the GRC Dicut 50. The GRC Dicut 50 rim profile is available in 700c size only, while the GRC Dicut 30 rim is also available as a 650b wheelset.Theres a choice of hubs for each, providing six options in total. The lower spec GRC 1400 Dicut wheelset is priced at1,864.98 and the higher spec GRC 1100 Dicut at 2,299.98.In addition, theres a new HGC 1400 Spline wheelset, specifically designed for use on electric gravel bikes. This has the same 30mm deep rim as the GRC Dicut 30 with a more robust hub and extra spokes in the rear wheel. Its priced at 1,949.98. Related Posts Best tubeless sealant for road and gravel bike tyres Hooked vs hookless rims: Pros, cons and which is right for you Best gravel bike upgrades for every budget Buyers guide: The best gravel bike tyres The spokesmen: Inside DT Swiss Adventure or race?The two gravel rim depths are designed to serve different purposes: the shallower 30mm deep rims are aimed at providing agility for adventure riding and bikepacking, while the deeper 50mm rims are aero optimised for aero gains and speed for faster gravel riding and gravel racing.The two depths have the same 24mm internal width, but while the 30mm profile has a 31mm maximum external width, the 50mm depth bulges out to 36.5mm at its widest point. DT Swiss says that the 24mm internal rim width provides optimal support and lowest drag with 40mm gravel tyres.Hooked rims for safety and aerodynamicsWhile other brands are increasingly offering hookless rims, both new DT rims have hooked beads, following the brands move to return to hooks from hookless in its latest CRC wheels. DT Swiss says that it believes that hooked rims are better than hookless for safety and ease of use.It also says that its modelling and wind tunnel testing suggest that hooked rims are more aero than hookless, contradicting Zipp, Enve and other proponents of hookless rims. DT says that, with the launch of the new rims, its entire road and gravel wheelset range is now hooked.As well as low drag, DT Swiss claims that the new GRC 50 rim also has lower steering moment than a range of competitor gravel wheels the force that is exerted on the rim by crosswinds at different yaw angles. For an off-road rider, the ability to keep a line with less effort is likely to be an important feature of a front wheel in particular.The rims are built using a patent-pending process, which DT says provides a high quality finish out of the mould without air pockets or excess resin, thus avoiding the need to lacquer them, in turn saving weight.Weights and pricesYou can buy both rims laced to two different grades of DT Swiss hubs and with different spoke grades, with the different specs designated the GRC 1100 Dicut and the GRC 1400 Dicut.The higher spec GRC 1100 Dicut wheels have a 180 Dicut hub with a Ratchet EXP freehub with 36 points of engagement and are laced with 24 T-head spokes to prevent spoke rotation. The front wheel and rear non-drive side use DT Aerolite II spokes, with Aerolite Comp spokes in the rear wheels drive side.Laced to the 1100 Dicut hub, the GRC wheels have a claimed weight of 1,350g for the 30mm profile and 1,567g for the 50mm depth. That makes the GRC 1100 Dicut 30 wheelset some 252g lighter than the previous generation GRC 1400 Spline 42 gravel wheels, which we reviewed in 2021 and which are now discontinued.Both depths of GRC 1100 Dicut wheels are priced at 2,299.98 / $2,990.80 / 2,499.80.The GRC 1400 Dicut wheels have a 240 Dicut hubset with the same Ratchet EXP freehub, while the 24 front and rear wheel spokes are T-head DT Aero Comp II. Wheelset weights are 1,421g for the 30mm depth and 1,631g for the 50mm profile.The GRC 1400 Dicut wheels are priced at 1,864.98 / $2,399.80 / 2,049.80 per set in both depths.Both hubs are available with freehubs with Shimano 11-speed, SRAM XDR and Campagnolo N3W compatibility, as well as Shimano Microspline now a requirement for gravel bikes with the latest 112-speed Shimano GRX.Plus e-bike specific HGC 1400 Spline wheelsetIn addition to the GRC wheelsets, DT Swiss has also released the HGC 1400 Spline wheelset. This has a rim with the same 30mm depth as the shallower GRC profile, but is beefed up for use on electric gravel bikes, with a 240 Straightpull hub and 28 spokes in the rear wheel and 24 in the front wheel. Claimed weight is 1,476g.The HGC 1400 Spline wheelset is priced at 1,949.98 / $2,449.80 / 2,099.80.Read our guide to the best gravel bike tyres to complement your gravel bike wheelset. Related Posts Best tubeless sealant for road and gravel bike tyres Hooked vs hookless rims: Pros, cons and which is right for you Best gravel bike upgrades for every budget Buyers guide: The best gravel bike tyres The spokesmen: Inside DT Swiss The post DT Swisss new GRC wheels go back to hooks and double the depth options appeared first on Cyclist.