The next edition of La Vuelta a Espaa, which starts this Saturday, will carry special meaning for Jess Herrada. The rider from Cuenca will line up with Burgos Burpellet BH for his eighth appearance at Spains grand tour and, at the same time, his final race as a professional. At 36, after 16 seas...

Manitou has just released its legendary Dorado upside-down downhill fork in a special Pro Silver Edition. At present, there are only two ways to get your hands on this shiny component. The first is to be an elite-level DH racer on the AON Racing team. The other is to purchase one of the extremely limited supply of Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition downhill eMTBs that will be produced this fall. A silver fork is cool and all, but the Nicolai R20 is really something else. Read on for the detailsAon Racing has been riding the Dorado Pro Silver Edition this year. (photo / Manitou)Why Silver?With a name like Dorado Spanish for golden silver is a curious choice for this limited-edition fork. Working with AON Racing, Manitou developed the silver Dorado exclusively for use on the teams super-wild prototype race bike, which carried Reece Wilson to 2nd place at the World Cup DH in Andorra. That very unique bike is a story in and of itself, and Cory already covered it in great detail if youre interested in learning more.Interestingly, the Manitou Dorado may be one of the most normal components on that AON DH bike. With its distinctive looks and inverted design, the Dorado still turns heads, especially in flashy silver. The inverted architecture is intended to keep the bushings and seals lubricated to maintain consistent, smooth performance while enhancing fore-aft stiffness and controlled torsional flex.The Manitou Dorado Pro Silver Edition. (photo / Manitou)Dorado DetailsWithout going into too much detail weve covered the Dorado before the fork can be configured in 180, 190, and 203mm travel lengths with no additional parts. Manitou says the Dorado Air Spring includes a unique balancing valve to equalize both the positive and negative air chambers during inflation for consistent spring behavior. The fork is also equipped with IRT (Infinite Rate Tune), which is a secondary, infinitely adjustable positive air spring for the middle and end of the forks travel. This allows riders to tune for small-bump sensitivity independently of the mid- and end-stroke.On the damping side, the TPC+ provides variable damping depending on velocity and position in the travel. It also features a Hydraulic Bottom Out circuit to provide progression and control in the last 30mm of travel with no impact on the rest of the stroke. A spring-backed IFP (internal Floating Piston) helps keep your damper oil pressurized so the fork maintains its consistent, smooth performance during long, rough downhill runs.The Dorado also features TSR bleed buttons to release pressure from the outer legs as a result of temperature or elevation changes. The Dorado works with 29 and 27.5 wheels, and riders have the ability to adjust air spring pressure, IRT, rebound, and high- and low-speed compression.(photo / Manitou)How Can You Ride It?Since most of us arent elite-level DH riders and will never be on the AON Racing team, the only other way to acquire the Dorado Pro Silver Edition fork is on the Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition bike. And while a silver inverted fork is neat and all, this Nicolai DH eMTB is arguably a lot more interesting.Lets check it out.Nicolai R20 MGU AON EditionYou could win at bike design bingo with the Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition. (photo / Nicolai)Nicolai has never really been a brand that makes conventional bikes. This out-of-the-box approach to bike design is on full display with the R20 MGU AON Edition. According to Nicolai, this bike is the focused execution of a very specific idea: What happens when you equip a proper downhill bike with an e-drive system so it can get back to the start of the next descent under its own power?The R20 MGU is a joint project between Nicolai and Gamux. The two brands/manufacturers both support AON Racing, and have been working together since 2024. The R20s suspension platform is based on the one-of-a-kind Gamux Sego, with its CNC-machined frame, Pinion gearbox, and Gates Carbon Drive belt. Nicolai says the Segos suspension, kinematics, and geometry were carried over to the R20, with its frame integrating the Pinion MGU (Motor.Gearbox.Unit) and Gates Carbon Drive.No shortage of CNC-machined parts on the R20. (photo / Nicolai)R20 MGU AON Edition DetailsAs with most Nicolai bikes, the R20 is a sight to behold. It has a tennis ball yellow aluminum frame comprised of CNC-cut tube sets and precisely TIG-welded by hand. Other parts, like the linkage and the swingarm, have been CNC-machined. It rolls on a mixed wheel setup for a confident front end and more clearance/maneuverability in the rear. Unlike most downhill bikes, the R20 comes with a Manitou Jack G2 dropper for the ride uphill, with a straight seat tube for full insertion for the party back down.SuspensionHigh-pivot, idler, tensioner, Gates carbon belt, MGU, CNC, etc (photo / Nicolai)The R20 is made to be a self-shuttling downhill bike that matches the Gamux Sego raced by AON Racing on the World Cup. As such, it has 200mm of rear wheel travel using a high-pivot suspension design with a single-pivot layout and a linkage-driven shock. Thats paired with the 203mm travel Dorado Pro Silver fork for some high-speed, rock-smashing fun.Nicolai says that the R20s kinematics are sensitive off the top with a continuously progressive leverage curve. It starts off sensitive, support increases through the mid stroke, and theres plenty of progression for big hits and hard compressions deep in the travel.GeometryThe R20 has the geometry of a downhill bike because it is a downhill bike. (photo / Nicolai)Geometry-wise, the R20 is clearly focused on handling, stability, and speed downhill. It has a 63.3 head tube angle for stability, speed, and confidence in steep, rough terrain. Reach numbers increase in 20mm increments up the size range, with 480mm on a Large. Thats paired with a 462mm rear center (all sizes) to create a centered riding position and balanced weight distribution between the front and rear wheel. The comparatively tall front end adds further confidence and control on steep sections.Seat tube angles are barely even a consideration on most downhill bikes, but the R20 is designed to rip back uphill for more laps. As such, it has a steep, 78 seat tube angle and comes with a Manitou Jack G2 dropper post. For maximum freedom of movement on the descent, the dropper can be fully inserted into the frame. The R20 comes in three frame sizes, M, L, and XL.Pinion Motor.Gearbox.UnitThe Pinion MGU E1.12 essentially combines the 12-speed Smart.Shift system with an e-drive system, all of which is housed around the bottom bracket area. This puts the combined weight of the drivetrain and motor low and central on the frame, which aids in stability and composure. This also reduces unsprung mass at the rear wheel, which is claimed to improve suspension response and sensitivity.The Pinion MGU houses the gearbox drivetrain and the e-drive motor in the same unit. Pinion Smart.ShiftUnlike a non-motorized downhill race bike, which might have 6 or 7 gears, the Pinion MGU has 12 to facilitate the uphill travel the R20 is intended for. Pinion Smart.Shift uses the electronic TE1 trigger shifter with intuitive operation and familiar ergonomics. The system has numerous features, including Pre.Select and Start.Select, to help with gear selection and maintain ride flow.Pinion E-DriveThe FIT Master Node display on the Nicolai R20. (photo / Nicolai)Pinions e-drive system has a brushless motor that delivers up to 600 watts of peak power and up to 400% assistance. In gears 1 to 4, it can reportedly generate up to 160Nm of torque at the rear wheel. The FIT Master Node display is integrated into the top tube with a 1.52 color display to monitor key riding metrics. The FIT Remote Pure is a handlebar-mounted unit with a ring-style control to adjust assist levels or system functions.One of the alleged benefits of the MGU is that all of the components work together as a coordinated unit. A wide range of internal sensors continuously measure input torque, motor speed, shift shaft and crank position, cadence, riding speed and additional parameters. The system always knows which gear is engaged and in which riding situation the bike is operating. This enables dynamic power delivery, precise, lightning-fast shifting even under load and an intuitive riding feel with direct feedback.Power SupplyThe R20 works with the latest FIT Tubepack batteries, and riders can choose between 800Wh or 1060Wh (+200 ) capacities. The batteries can be removed for storage or charging off the bike.The R20s high-pivot suspension design necessitates an idler as well as a belt tensioner.Gates Carbon DriveWith the Gates Belted Purse still up for grabs, belt drives are becoming increasingly common on the World Cup DH circuit, and the Gates Carbon Drive is the most common. This carbon-reinforced belt never requires lubrication and is very quiet with no chain slap or derailleur rattle to distract from the action.On the R20, the rearward axle path of the long-travel, high-pivot suspension results in what would be called chain growth on a bike with a regular drivetrain. This requires that the Gates Carbon belt passes over the idler pulley at the swingarm point while the GBT3 Belt Tensioner compensates for the change in length while maintaining tension on the belt.(photo / Nicolai)Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition: BuildFork: Manitou Dorado Pro Silver Edition, 203mmShock: Manitou Mara Pro 250x75mmDrivetrain: Pinion MGU E1.12 w/ Smart.Shift and Gates Carbon DriveDrive Unit: Pinion MGU E1.12Battery: Fit Tubepack 800Wh or 1060Wh (+200 )Brakes: Hayes Dominion A4 w/ 203mm rotorsWheels: Reynolds Blacklabel 307 DH Expert 29/27.5Tires:Front: Schwalbe Magic Mary Gravity Pro Ultrasoft, 29x2.5Rear: Schwalbe Tacky Chan Gravity Pro Ultrasoft, 27.5x2.5Handlebar: ProTaper E50, 31.8mm x 810mm, polished silverStem: ProTaper D-Vice Direct Mount, 31.8mm x 45mm, blackGrips: Rev Grips Half Waffle Pro SeriesSeatpost: Manitou Jack G2, 30.9mmSaddle: Fizik Zea:k X3 TeamYours for a cool 14,999 . (photo / Nicolai)Pricing and AvailabilityThe Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition electric downhill bike is available now. It retails for 14,999 , with the option to upgrade to the 1060 Wh battery for an additional 200 . It comes with a 5-year warranty against breakage and material failure.nicolai-bicycles.commanitou.hayesbicycle.com

Its not unusual to see footage of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani cycling around the mean streets of the Big Apple, decked out in his dapper suit and tie, while wearing his trademark winning smile, but one thing has been notably missing: a bike helmet.And, as you can imagine, critics have been quick to take to social media to point out that the 34-year-old politician a renowned master communicator and pin-up member of the influencer generation is setting a very bad example by riding around without proper head protection.Where is your helmet Mr Mayor? yells a typical commentator. Just like in the UK, in New York its not a legal requirement for recreational or commuting cyclists to wear a helmet unless theyre under the age of 14 or working as a delivery rider but instead of ignoring the criticism or going on the defensive, Mamdani has listened to it, taken the advice on board, and very publicly purchased himself a lid. In a video posted on Instagram, he responds to the chastising comments by saying: Youre right. Ive got to do better. He is then shown unboxing a brand new bike helmet, putting it on his head and saying: Safety first, New York. See you out thereA post shared by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@nycmayor)A photo posted by on So rare is it for a politician to be seen to admit their mistakes, that the post has gone viral and has likely done more to encourage helmet wearing than any public safety campaign could possibly have hoped to have done. In cycling circles, both in Britain and the United States, the helmet debate rages on. Those in favour point to evidence demonstrating that head protection drastically reduces the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash or a collision with a car. On the otherhand, people who are against making helmets mandatory - incuding Chris Boardman say such laws discourage cycling (especially when it comes to city bike-share programs) and argue that helmets can dehumanise cyclists and even make drivers behave less cautiously. Our resident riding guru Dr Hutch takes a liberal approach to the issue, but with reasonably decent helmets being available at an affordable price, it makes sense to protect your head as much as possible.

Good morning and welcome to the Renewi Tour liveblog. The second stage of the race takes to the road, linking Blankenberge and Ardooie over a distance of 173 km. Its another day for the pure sprinters, where the lead-outs and team trains will battle for every inch of the road in the final kilometre...

The2026 Vuelta a Espaawill be the third and final Grand Tour of the men's calendar and will take place from the 22nd of August to the 13th of September. Starting in Monaco, the World Tour peloton will travel through the eastern and southern half of Spain for a mountain-packed edition. We take a l...

Australian rider Maeve Plouffe said she was nearly hit by a non-race car driver on Wednesdays opening stage of the Tour of Britain Women.The 27-year-old, who rides for British Continental team O'Shea Red Chilli Bikes, said the incident happened as she was chasing back to the peloton after she was dropped following a puncture. She wrote on Instagram that she was less than two minutes adrift of the race convoy when non-race vehicles started coming at me from all directions, including one that nearly hit me on a roundabout. Plouffes comments come less than a week after 19-year-old British rider Finlay Tarling was killed at the Volta a Portugal when he was struck by a non-race vehicle driver that had entered the course. Tarling was one of three riders at the back of the race when the collision happened on a downhill bend. The circumstances of his death triggered widespread outcry, with the riders union, the CPA, saying they were furious that even today it is still not possible to prevent such serious accidents. Plouffe did not finish stage one of the Tour of Britain Women, and has now had to withdraw from the race. Her post on Instagram stories read: A badly timed puncture ended up becoming a 30+ minute chase. I fought and I fought really, really hard, but you can only do so much alone on a course like that. On a side note, while the race convoy was still in sight, and I was less than two minutes down, there were cars from the general public coming at me from all directions, including one that nearly hit me on a roundabout. Later on, the moto escort was wonderful and I felt much safer. But considering the recent devastating events in our cycling community, its scary to see situations like this, when we know that this can have horrific consequences, especially so soon after suffering such a tragedy. Like most UCI-sanctioned road races, the Tour of Britain Women operates rolling road closures, whereby a police escort is meant to secure the route until all riders and race cars have passed through.Despite this, there have been several instances of public car drivers entering courses in recent years, notably at the 2023 Tour Fminin International des Pyrnes and last years toile de Bessges, at both of which teams pulled out due to safety concerns. Speaking to Cycling Weekly ahead of stage one of the Tour of Britain Women, and therefore before the incident Plouffe cited, race director Alice Wood said rider safety was at the forefront of the organisers minds following Tarlings death. The safety of the riders is what's really important and we need to make sure that we're keeping the back of the race safe as well, Wood said. When I was racing it was something that I was always thinking about. I was dropped too many times, so I was one of those riders that was distanced Unless we are the Tour de France, where you can shut down roads and have full road closure, you can't cover every road, every junction, every farm track, every driveway. It's really difficult to do. Cycling Weekly has contacted British Cycling, the organisers of the Tour of Britain Women, for a response to Plouffes comments. The five-day Tour of Britain Women continues on Thursday with a 110km stage to Blackpool. Wednesday's opening stage was won by Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), who currently leads the race.

UAE Team Emirates are reportedly in advanced talks to sign a French classics specialist from Decathlon CMA CGM, bolstering their support of Tadej Pogacar in one-day races next season and beyond. Spanish publication MARCA reports that talks to sign Pierre Gautherat are in the advanced stages and th...

After five years of custom framebuilding in Philadelphia, Tom La Marche of La Marche Bike Co. picked up his life and moved to Portland. Ahead of this year's MADE bike show, we stopped by his shop inside the Chris King factory to chat about his involvement with Firsthand Framebuilding, the downsides of new technology, and keeping bikes fun. Find that, photos from our visit, and an early look at the bikes he'll be displaying at the MADE show this weekend here...The post Pre-MADE 2026: An Afternoon with La Marche Bike Co. appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.