Bruno Armirail is one of France's top time trialists, but was dumbfounded when learning about his result at the time trial World Championships. Despite putting out potentially career-best watts, he was far from even contesting a place in the Top10. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider is not new to...

After a short hiatus, the Curve Kevin of Steel is back with increased tire clearance, updated geometry, and even more size options. Take a closer look at the new Curve Kevin of Steel 4 here...The post Pre-orders Open for Curve Kevin of Steel 4 appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Gates isnt some new bike-parts player chasing a trend. Its an engineering giant thats been solving power-transmission problems since 1911. Gates invented the rubber V-belt in 1917, changing how machines transfer power. The next decades of innovation included the serpentine belt in 1979. Today, Gates engineers the components trusted with longstanding manufacturer partnerships built on over a century of precision and reliability.That same engineering discipline is why Gates belts have become the gold standard for premium commuter bikes, adventure bikepacking rigs, and high-end eBikes, where minimal maintenance and dependable performance are the whole point. Heres what that pedigree means for your next ride.(photos/courtesy Gates)PerformanceFor riders who push themselves the furthest, Gates top-tier CDX belt is engineered for extreme performance in the toughest conditions: global touring, high-mileage treks, or rugged off-road terrain. CDX delivers instant engagement for demanding long-haul riders looking for lower maintenance bikes and reduced mechanical failures on a serious ride.That performance case has now been proven in elite competition. Take the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, where Gates introduced its 100,000 Belted Purse, awarded to the first male or female rider to claim a World Cup win with a Gates Belt Drive. This year, Harriet Harnden and Team AON Racing claimed it with victory aboard their Gamux race bike at the UCI race stop in Les Gets, France. The historic win validated Gates Belt Drive technology at the highest level of downhill competition and generated global media attention across the cycling industry. More importantly, it demonstrated that a Gates Belt Drive can deliver race-winning performance under the most demanding conditions, accelerating interest, development, and adoption among teams, riders, and OEM partners worldwide.A closer look at Harndens winning ride. (photo/Sebastian Sternemann)Where Belt Drives Win, WorldwideRiders have been putting Gates belts through their paces for nearly 20 years, and the results range across the full spectrum of the sport. Its belt drives have carried extreme gravel riders across miles of countryside, powered Reza Pakravans continent-crossing Kapp to Cape expedition and Kamran Alis long-distance rides, and held up mile after mile on the Tour Divide one of the toughest self-supported races on Earth. Theyve proven themselves in both freezing and sweltering conditions, on everything from beach cruisers to cargo bikes hauling serious loads, and even on tandems, where Gates timing solutions keep captain and stoker in perfect sync.Its also worth noting where this started: Gates belt drives began with single-speed mountain biking, proving the systems strength before expanding across categories. And with the rapid rise of eBikes, Gates had a head start in meeting new torque and power demands given its deep roots in motorized power transmission for the automotive and industrial worlds (motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, off-road ATVs, farm tractors, long-haul delivery trucks, and construction skid steers).MaintenanceA proper belt drive means no lube, no wax, no stretch, and none of the service headaches that a chain demands. Riders skip regular lubrication and simplify cleanup (hose it off). Our Editors Choice testers raved that the belts run smoothly and quietly, with one added perk: not worrying about staining your pants with oil. Gates engineers carbon-fiber tensile cords and advanced composite construction across its lineup specifically to reduce maintenance for riders whod rather ride than wrench.VersatilityGates doesnt make a universal belt as one-size-fits-all. It has four tiers, each tuned to how you actually ride: CDX handles extreme performance and off-road abuse; CDC is optimized for mid-torque eBikes up to 75 Nm on longer commutes; CDN covers clean, quiet everyday errands; and ST offers an affordable, low-maintenance entry point for seasonal riders.That same tiered approach extends to sprockets, where Gates additionally offers three sprocket families: CRUISE, CRUISE PLUS, and COMMUTE. Each is designed to pair with Gates Belts and deliver the right balance of performance, durability, and value for different riding applications. From premium, high-mileage systems to practical everyday transportation, Gates offers a belt and sprocket combination engineered to match the needs of every rider.Why GatesGoing with Gates means choosing a system engineered for what real riding requires. Every belt line (with the exception of ST) shares Gates CenterTrack sprocket design for consistent, reliable alignment. And it holds up in practice: BR Contributor Steve Fisher noted no problems whatsoever after riding multiple Gates-equipped bikes. Consistent performance and expected durability are what help inform a smart bike purchase.Build a BikeManufacturers partnering with Gates now have the tools to make specification effortless. The new Bicycle Drive Assistant, part of the Gates Design Power suite, takes the guesswork out of belt-drive integration: Input your bikes configuration, define your gearing and product specs, validate performance with real cadence and speed analysis, and generate a complete bill of materials ready to send straight to your Gates rep. Its precision engineering support thats built for OEMs who want to get belt drive right the first time.Find Your RideThe more miles ridden, the better the case for a Gates Belt Drive becomes: a reduced chance of trailside repairs, limited to no rust belts to combat (or chain lube to clean), plus a drivetrain engineered by a company that delivers high performance to brands across the globe.And as more partner-manufacturers discover ways to integrate new gearing options with the drivetrains, more high-performance belt-drive models are debuting beyond commuters, adventure tourers, and eBikes. Those added choices mean the belt-drive vs. chain question is worth asking, regardless of what kind of riding you do especially for those who want less time maintaining their ride, and more time on it.Use Gates Bike Finder tool to explore the growing list of options and find your next belt-driven bike.This article is sponsored by Gates.

YT Industries has announced that it is opening up US sales of its well-regarded mountain bikes, after a troubled period that saw it enter administration before relaunching.The German direct sales brand is again selling its complete MTB line-up stateside, along with replacement parts and theres a new US-based customer care team ready to provide support to US buyers.YT claims its revamped US operations are designed to put customers first, providing fast delivery and tech support.As we return, our priority isn't just to sell bikes; it's to deliver dependable service, responsive support, and to build a stronger connection with our US rider base, claims YT Industries founder and CEO Markus Flossman.Back from insolvency US buyers will be able to choose from the full range of YT bikes, including the Decoy (pictured). Isac Paddock YT was declared insolvent in September 2025, making the majority of its employees redundant, after its principal investor, a private equity firm, refused to further finance the business.Flossman bought back the firm and relaunched the brand in November 2025, promising to fulfil all orders outstanding at the time of the collapse. YT restarted UK sales in April this year, and said it was working with partners to provide technical support to UK riders.Our [US] relaunch has taken longer than anticipated, but we needed to do it right. We own our past mistakes, and with this step, I'm confident we have a solid foundation for a stronger, more reliable future that our community deserves, says Flossman.Which bikes will be available in the US? The Decoy X is powered by the 150Nm/1,300W peak power Avonox M2S motor. Isac Paddock US buyers will be able to choose from the full range of YT bikes, including the new long-travel Avinox-powered Decoy X Launch Edition. The Decoy X Core model is slated to follow this November.Other YT bikes available from the brands site include the Jeffsy, Capra and Izzo.

The long-running dope case against Colombian rider Miguel ngel Lpez has been "definitively closed", after the Swiss Federal Tribunal dismissed the rider's second appeal in the case, which concerns allegations dating back to the 2022 Giro d'Italia.Then riding for Astana Qazaqstan, ngel Lpez was sanctioned for the "use and possession of a prohibited substance", which in this case was menotropin, a substance that can stimulate testosterone production.ngel Lpez was initially banned for four years by the UCI's Anti-Doping Tribunal. The rider appealed this decision to CAS the Court of Arbitration for Sport which upheld the initial ban, and then took the case to the Federal Tribunal. Now 32, the former winner of stages in the Vuelta a Espaa and the Tour de France, argued that the UCI's use of evidence from a separate investigation violated his human rights. The ban originally came about after CELAD's Operaion Ilex an investigation into Spanish doctor Marcos Maynar, who was arrested in 2022 on drug trafficking allegations which yielded evidence against ngel Lpez. However, the Federal Tribunal did not agree, and once again the original four-year ban was upheld. Given he was originally dealt a ban in 2024 that was backdated to July 2023, the rider has already served a large amount of it he will be free to ride again on 24 July next year.As well as the ban, ngel Lpez was hit with a fine equal to 70% of his gross income for 2022, and the disqualification of all results between 3 May 2022 and 25 July 2023.Writing on the X social media platform at the time of the initial sanction, ngel Lpez said: "In my understanding, the offence does not exist and the sanction is unjustified. I will appeal immediately before the UCI and defend my innocence as I have always done. I have faith that I will return to the world of professional cycling." As well as his Grand Tour wins, ngel Lpez won the Tour de Suisse, Volta Catalunya and more. In theory, he will be able to return to the pro peloton next year, aged 33 and continue adding to his palmars.

The mens Under-23 individual time trial at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montral takes place on Monday, 21 September, with 72 riders set to battle for the rainbow jersey. Indonesias Deska Raya Adya will be the first rider down the start ramp at 17:58:30 CET, while Belgiums Matisse van...

Today's edition of Weekend Snapshot finds a few more folks from our worldwide bikepacking community out riding and camping around Alaska, Norway, and British Columbia. See how fellow readers spent their recent Saturday and Sunday and share a shot from one of your getaways on two wheels here...The post Weekend Snapshot appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

FSA has a new top-tier wheel, and its finally under the 1,300g threshold. It also falls under FSAs lifetime warranty program. But for those looking for a super svelte 32 race wheelsetyoull have to wait longer.The new wheelset brings major updates to the FSA wheel line, making them more competitive but also more expensive.(All Photos/FSA)What is it? FSA KFX i30 XCO Race Wheelset The KFX i30 is a 29-inch carbon wheelset built for XC, XCO, and marathon racing. It now weighs a claimed 1,250g, features a 30mm internal width, hookless rims, and FSAs new 72-tooth PRS ratchet hub.FSA developed the rim with riders from Cannondale Factory Racing and Lapierre Factory Racing. The team helped develop the wheels on the World Cup circuit. This feedback helped shape the rim, spoke system, hub engagement, and impact protection. FSA says KFX i30 prototypes have already won World Championship races before the wheels even reached the public.At 1,250g, the KFX i30 is not the lightest wheelset in the pack, but its way better than the 1500-ishg of the past model, and lets remember, weight isnt everything.30mm Internal, Hookless, and AsymmetricThe KFX i30 uses a 36mm external / 30mm internal carbon rim with a hookless bead.That 30mm internal width matches where modern XC tires have gone. With 2.35-inch and 2.4-inch casings now common at the World Cup level, a wider rim gives the tire more support. Plus, it lets riders drop pressure without the sidewall folding over or becoming squirmy in hard corners.FSA also offsets the spoke bed rather than centering it in the rim. FSA has done this for years, and most modern MTB manufacturers abide by it. The goal is to even out spoke tension between the drive and non-drive sides, which should help the wheel stay more stable in modern XCO conditions.Anti-Pinch Rim ProfileThe rim cross-section was also shaped around impact protection. FSA says the profile is meant to spread impact loads and reduce the chance of pinch flats on square-edge hits. The profile is tuned for strength-to-weight while reducing how hard the rim inevitably contacts the tire. I feel like thats probably more useful than shaving another handful of grams imo, but Im also not on the World Cup circuit.Bladed, Direct-Pull SpokesFSA says it chose the bladed spoke profile to balance weight, strength, and controlled flex. Weve seen prototypes of this wheelset built with BERD spokes for the XCO World Championships, and metal spokes make the most sense for daily use. The goal is a wheel that responds quickly under acceleration without feeling harsh once the course gets rough.The straight-pull design also removes the traditional J-bend at the hub, eliminating one common stress point in a conventional spoke. Plus, it opens the door to carbon and BERD spoke rebuilds.FSA pairs the spokes with Alpina ABS nipples, which use a self-locking nylon insert to keep the nipple from backing off under vibration and repeated impacts.New PRS X-900 Ratchet HubAt the center is FSAs PRS X-900 alloy hub. The rear uses a 72-tooth ratchet, which works out to 5 degrees between engagement points. FSA says that gives the system 24% faster engagement than its standard three-pawl hub.The hubs use seven sealed cartridge bearings, two in the front and five in the rear, with Micro Spline and SRAM XD freehub options. One slight bummer (or upgrade): the hubs support 6-bolt rotors only. Center Lock has become common on high-end XC wheels (and its my fav), so riders moving over from a Center Lock setup will need different rotors.Lefty Riders Are CoveredThere is also a Lefty-compatible front wheel, which is a natural fit given Cannondale Factory Racings involvement in development though not for long.FSA lists the Lefty front at 608g, using the same 30mm internal, 36mm external hookless carbon rim as the standard version. That gives current Scalpel riders a factory-ready option without adapters or custom builds.1,250g, $2,499, and about $2 Per GramThe complete KFX i30 wheelset weighs 1,250g and costs $2,499 USD. FSA also includes the KFX i30 in its lifetime warranty program, which is a nice add-on especially for MTB wheels.The cost is a bit of a barrier, though, and works out to almost $2 per gram. Its FSAs most expensive mountain bike wheelset to date, but only time will tell if its worth the cash we have a review set coming, so look for that soon.www.fsaproshop.com

Ben Wiggins, the reigning British under.23 time trial champion and son of Bradley Wiggins, starts this evening among the top favourites for the U23 time trial at the World Championships in Montral. If he succeeds, he will achieve a world title in the same discipline as his father did back in 2014....