Easton has added an all-new happy-medium depth aero carbon EC90 ALX gravel wheelset to help you go further, faster. On paper, the new EC90 ALX carbon wheels look killer. Theyre 58% deeper for improved aerodynamics vs. Eastons popular EC90 AX wheels, get a spoke upgrade, and a 10% lower price all that with just twenty-two grams of extra mass to spin up.Easton EC90 ALX mid-depth aero carbon gravel wheels (Photos/Easton)Last year Easton added a new ALX all-road & gravel racing line-up to their long-running AX adventure gravel family. It kicked off with just one slightly-flared carbon EC90 ALX handlebar. But now it looks like Easton is going deeper into going fast across all surfaces, with a set of ALX race wheels, too.Go further, faster. Gravel has gotten faster and aerodynamics are of growing importance to riders battling headwinds, washboards, and 10+ hours in the saddle without the support of a team or peloton.Whats new?Based on the EC90 AX gravel wheels that we rode, abused, and kept riding, the new EC90 ALX is just meant to go faster. The carbon rims are the same 24mm internal hookless tubeless, but now grow to 36mm deep for extra aero speed without getting heavy. In fact, I was pretty impressed to read that these wheels have the same Vault hubs, the same rim width, an upgrade to premium Sapim CX-Ray bladed spokes, and evolve from 21mm (AX) to 36mm (ALX) deep now but the claimed new aero gravel wheelset is only 22g heavier!This mid-depth obviously didnt add much weight, but Easton also claims it really improves aerodynamics with 35-45mm gravel tires. Although, they havent shared any concrete drag figures either from CFD or wind tunnel testing. But again, the new rim is still shallow enough not to be overly stiff, rattling you down washboard roads. Or to feel like a sail that youll be fighting in crosswinds.Tech detailsRim: carbon 24mm hookless tubeless Rim aero dimensions: 36mm deep x 30mm wide outsideTires: optimized for 35-50mm tubeless gravel tires, compatible with 30-53mm tubeless tiresHubs: Easton/RaceFace Vault CL 3-pawl hubs with 60T, 6 engagementFreehubs: tool-free Shimano HG11, MicroSpline, or SRAM XDRDisc brake: Centerlock, max 180mm rotorSpokes: 24x straight-pull Sapim CX-Ray bladed double-buttedNipples: Sapim Secure Lock external alloy Wheelset weight: 1492g (claimed)Easton EC90 ALX wheelset PricingThe new Easton aero carbon all-road and gravel EC90 ALX wheels sell for $1398, available direct from Easton or your local bikeshop. They come pre-taped for tubeless, with alloy tubeless valves and spare spokes. The machine-built wheels promise unmatched even spoke tension & balance, and are backed by Eastons new Lifetime Warranty, which including crash damage, too.EastonCycling.comThe post Easton EC90 ALX Aero Gravel Wheels, Faster For Less Money & Just a Few Extra Grams appeared first on Bikerumor.

Stage 2 of the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine gave the general classification riders their first true test of the race with a punchy stage finish eventually won by Magnus Cort Nielsen, who prevailed over Primoz Roglic and Matteo Jorgenson in the mist and fog at the finish line.A little earlier however,...

Alexandera Houchin just became the first woman to complete the 2024 Grand Loop, finishing the 365-mile loop in Colorado and Utah in 3 days, 3 hours, and 58 minutes. Johnny Price was at the finish line to capture her record-setting finish. Find details here...The post Alexandera Houchin Wins 2024 Grand Loop Womens Race + New Womens Record appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Here is my review of the Two Wheel Gear Classic Garment Pannier, written from a women's perspective. Joe recently reviewed the Two Wheel Gear Classic Garment Pannier. However, I decided to add my own review of this pannier set. I am sure many readers would like a womans perspective on this unique pannier, designed for cycle commuters who want to look like the boss when they get to the office. Read all about this unique cycling pannier, which is ideal for professionals who cycle to work. Get a workout on the way to work, and look professional when you get there.The post Two Wheel Gear Classic Garment Panniers Review by Mrs. Average Joe Cyclist appeared first on Average Joe Cyclist.

Two days of back-to-back breakaway action for the fidgety Mathis Le Berre brought along a well-deserved reward for the young Frenchman in form of the polka dot jersey.After Sunday, it was Mark Donovan leading the King of Mountains classification, but the Brit didn't make an effort to jump into the b...

The second day of racing at the Critrium du Dauphin headed to the hills on Monday, with the final 20 kilometres of the stage taking on two categorised climbs and a drag uphill to the line. Team dsm-firmenich PostNL's Warren Barguil approached the stage as a test of his legs after training camp and...

Regina Doherty also wants traffic plan aimed at accelerating climate action paused. Doherty compares cycle lanes to Berlin Wall, where 140 people were killed or died.An attack on cycle lanes in Dublin by Fine Gael MEP candidate Regina Doherty has been called jaw-dropping stuff and about the worst reactionary anti-cycle rant Ive ever seen.A number of politicians from different parties have criticised her views on cycle lanes generally and on transport plans for Dublin.In response to an article covering Dohertys comments, Green Party candidate Ciarn Cuffe said: A clear choice on Friday: cleaner air and a safe, liveable city with the Greens, or more traffic and pollution if @FineGael presses pause on climate action and aligns with the far-right.Labour Senator Marie Sherlock said: This is jaw-dropping stuff @ReginaDo Taking Footpaths away, Dublin spaghetti junction of cycle lanes What city are you talking about? This is about the worst reactionary anti-cycle rant Ive ever seen.In reaction to Senator Doherty having said that laws on e-scooters are being broken because under a Green Transport Minister, some people believe they can break the law without consequences, Senator Sherlock added: And in case you need reminding-law breaking is the remit of [Fine Gaels] Minister HelenMcEntee.Louth-based Labour TD Ged Nash said: Is this the same Regina who sponsored the Road Traffic (Minimum Passing Distance of Cyclists) Bill 2017? Is this the same Regina who petitioned the then Transport Minister (as a backbench TD) in 2015 for safer cycling laws? Cynical, or wha?Senator Doherty was reported in the Irish Mail newspaper yesterday as having said that the Green Party have turned Dublin into a spaghetti junction of cycle lanes that have divided the city like East and West Berlin.However, the Green Party is not a majority party in any of the four Dublin council areas and does not have the power to make changes without the support from other parties. Some of the most disruptive projects currently under construction were voted on by a majority of councillors, including Fine Gael councillors.The article in the Mail was written by John Drennan, a former spin doctor at Renua, who last year wrote a similar article but using comments and references from unnamed sources claimed to be from Fianna Fil and Fine Gael, including a comment that cycleways have made cities worse than the Berlin wall in some places. But there was no name attached to the sources in that article.The Greens are in thrall to the cyclists lobby to such an extent they are now doing damage to the concept of cycling, Doherty was quoted by the Mail yesterday. But no details on what was doing damage to the concept of cycling other than cycle lanes being built that upset some motorists.And she said that: The Greens currently are doing more harm than good to the climate change agenda, while she was among those who who responsibly support the need for climate change [sic].Doherty also issued a press release last week seeking to delay the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, a Pathfinder project aimed at accelerating climate action. She was quoted by the Mail as stating: Even Guinness trucks and builders lorries cant get into the city. But theres no ban on Guinness or builders trucks from accessing the city or the city centre.The call to delay climate action was made on Friday, just days after the Environmental Protection Agency warned that the Government would fall short of delivering its 2030 emission reduction targets. The EPA said that the emissions in the transport sector are projected to reduce by only 26% even if all the measures set out in plans and policies are implemented. The target is 50% compared to 2018.On The Week in Politics on RTE One on Sunday, Doherty claimed that people had not heard of the public consultation for the project even after it had received a huge amount of media coverage.On the same TV show, Sinn Fin, MEP candidate for Dublin and sitting councillor Daith Doolan, said that there had been a robust consultation on the city centre plan. He said: We need to greatly reduce the number of cars going through the city [centre], most of them dont even stop. We need cycle lanes and public transport thats safe, accessible, and adequately policed.

The Irish Times has been accused of harmful misinformation on the planned Living Streets project in Dn Laoghaire just days ahead of the local elections.The Living Streets Dn Laoghaire was highly debated in the area but still gained the support of a majority of public consultation respondents, with just 35% outright opposed. It then gained the support of 30 councillors, with only 7 voting against the project at a council meeting that ran until nearly 2am.The project is planned to include pedestrianising part of Georges Street in Dn Laoghaire and installing modal filters aimed at reducing rat running. The filters are designed to allow people to walk and cycle on safer and more attractive streets while still allowing car access.The newspapers local elections page for the Dn Laoghaire-Rathdown implies that Living Streets has caused complaints about car journeys taking twice as long as before when the project has not started construction. The newspaper said: In Dn Laoghaire, the Living Streets initiative, involving cycle lanes and route changes for motor vehicles, has proved controversial with complaints about car journeys taking twice as long as before.The cycle lanes in the scheme are short in nature and not a central part of the plan.On Twitter, Living Streets, a community group that has campaigned for the measures, said: To be clear, #LivingStreets HAS NOT started. @IrishTimes is parroting harmful MISINFORMATION. Please correct.The article has a publication date and time of 12:28 midday yesterday.

Ellen van Dijk will go for gold in the Olympic Games time trial in Paris on July 27. In the run-up to her big goal, she will compete in just three more races. The Lidl-Trek rider said this in Wegkletsen podcast.Van Dijk is currently mainly training for her next race: the National Time Trial Champion...

Nothing can ruin a ride faster than an uncomfortable saddle. The wrong saddle can cause chafing, saddle sores, bruising, and a bad attitude about biking.The good news is that you dont have to continue to suffer. A good bike saddle can make all the difference in terms of your enjoyment and comfort on the bicycle.In a quest to find the BEST womens bike saddles, we researched, tested, and polled every female cyclist we know. In this article well share the ones that came out on topincluding womens mountain bike saddles, road bike saddles, and a few saddles that are great for everything. Also, its important to note that while one saddle might be awesome for one woman, it might be terrible for another. To help you pick the right saddle for YOUR body, weve also included tips on how to choose.Key TakeawaysEverybodys anatomy is different. What works well for one woman may not work well for you. Measuring your sit bone width is crucial when choosing a saddle.More padding is not the answer. You need a saddle that supports your sit bones properly.The vast majority of women weve polled prefer the Specialized MIMIC, Ergon, or Terry saddles.Table Of ContentsOur Top PicksHow To Choose A SaddleComparison ChartOur Top PicksSaddleWhat We Like / Who Its ForPriceTerry ButterflyWide rear, affordable, good for all types of riding$80+Specialized MIMICDesigned to reduce soft tissue swelling, good for all disciplines$140SDG AllureGood maneuverability, use on or off road$89Ergon SMC Sport GelLarge cutout, flat rear, designed for off-road riding$99Ergon SR Sport GelLarge cutout, sit bone support, designed for road riding$99Fizik LunaAddresses chafing issues, mountain bike saddle$99Selle Italia Diva Gel SuperflowEffective pressure relief, long distance road riding or touring$139Terry Bicycles FLX SaddleAggressive road riding$139Brooks C17Flexible and durable, gravel and road touring $140Terry ButterflyPrice: $79-$219Buy at TerryBicycles.comAlmost every serious female cyclist I know has owned and loved theTerry Butterflyat one point or another. It has a wide rear, a narrow nose, and a good-sized cutout making it suitable for a wide range of bodies. It also comes in fun prints which we appreciate.For women at any range of the budget spectrum, the Terry is a good pick. The basic version is $79, and the carbon version is $219. All have the same great design, the price just goes up with the material of the core and rails.It also only comes in one width (155mm), so women with narrower sit bones wont love this one.Read Our Review: Terry ButterflySpecialized MIMICPrice: $140Buy at Specialized.comForget a big cutout. In fact, theSpecialized MIMICdoesnt have a cutout at all.Instead, it uses multiple layers of foam to minimize soft tissue swelling, and the ladies we know swear by this unique design. To further ensure youre comfortable, the saddle comes in THREE different widths to match your sitbones.The saddle also comes in several different pricepoints. For most, wed recommend the Specialized Power Comp MIMIC. It hits that sweet spot between comfort and price. There are more expensive versions that are perfect for serious riders and racers.This saddle is so popular that sometimes your preferred width/size may be out of stock, which is the only con we can come up with. Read Our Review: Specialized Power Comp MIMICSDG AllurePrice: $89Buy at SDGComponents.comWhen we started polling our friends on their favorite bike saddle, the SDG Allure was the winner over and over and over again. Seriously, there are a lot of women that are passionately IN LOVE with the SDG Allure.Whats so great about it? It has a well-placed cutout that keeps your lady parts from getting squashed; a downturned nose for when the trail turns steep; and a comfortable seat that refrains from being squishy.All that, and its moderately priced as well.The downside is that it only comes in one width (143mm), so if you have wider sit bones youll need to look elsewhere.Read Our Review: SDG AllureErgon SMC or SR WomenPrice: $99Buy at REI.comErgon makes great products that have been intelligently designed to be ergonomic. When you first see the Ergon SMC or Ergon SR saddle, you might do a double take. They dont look quite as sleek as other saddles, but thats because its been designed to actually fit your body, not just look a certain way. These are the two saddles that I personally use. The cut-out is larger than most and the nose is wider, both of which make them a good pick if you have a lot of soft tissue tenderness.The SMC is designed for mountain biking (or a more upright position), while the SR is designed for road riding (or a more leaned over position). The Sport Gel version of both saddles have gel inserts that provide a little extra (but not too much) cushion. The result is a supportive but comfortable platform. Additionally, both saddles are offered in two sizesS/M and M/L. The SR is slightly narrower than the SMC as it is intended for a more aggressive riding position. Read Our Review: Ergon SMC Sport GelFizi:k LunaPrice: $99Buy at Fizik.comWe highly recommend the Fizik Luna for female mountain bikers seeking a comfortable and supportive seat. Designed specifically for the female body, it addresses common complaints such as chafing, saddle sores, and back pain. The saddles center cut-out provides relief for sensitive areas, reducing uncomfortable pressure and chafing during long rides. Additionally, it is designed to accommodate the wider sit-bones of women, with two size options available.It boasts a sleek appearance and is made with lightweight and durable carbon materials. The company also offers a user-friendly return policy and a detailed survey on their website to help riders choose the best saddle for their needs. Moreover, the packaging is environmentally conscious, using recyclable materials.The only big drawback of this saddle is that the mesh material on the sides of the seat makes it difficult to keep clean, as dirt and mud tend to accumulate and are hard to remove.Read Our Review: Fizik LunaSelle Italia Diva Gel SuperflowPrice: $139Buy at SelleItalia.comThe Selle Italia Diva Gel Superflow saddle is a highly recommended choice for women seeking a comfortable and supportive saddle for long-distance road riding and touring. It features a women-specific design, soft (but not too soft) gel cushioning, and durable materials.During rigorous test rides, including a seven-day road biking event, the saddle proved its worth. It provided a perfect fit, even weight distribution, and effective pressure relief. The lightweight gel cushioning offered comfort and vibration absorption.While popular among men as well, the saddle retains its recognition as a design focused on womens anatomy. It is lightweight (275g-285g) with two different size options available.Read Our Review: Selle Italia Diva Gel SuperflowTerry Bicycles FLX SaddlePrice: $139Buy at TerryBicycles.comTheTerry FLXsaddle is a lightweight, minimally padded saddle that doesnt sacrifice comfort for performance. If you prefera more minimalist saddle, the FLX is worth a look.It only comes in one width142mmand is definitely aimed toward riders with narrower sit bones and a more aggressive riding position. If that doesnt describe you, try the Terry Butterfly we listed above instead.Full review coming soon!Brooks C17 CarvedPrice: $140Buy at REI.comBrooks saddles are classics! The original Brooks are leather, but the C17 is made of a flexible rubber instead. This makes it well suited for bikepacking and gravel rides where durability and toughness are key. The flexibility of the saddle also helps absorb some of the vibration from rough roads. If you are looking for cushion, the C17 is not your saddle. Many women are surprised to learn, however, that the flexibility of the saddle and the superb sitbone support, fixes many of the issues that they though a comfier saddle would provide.It is heavier than many of the saddles on this list, so keep that in mind if youre planning on racing, but for most, the weight will be a non-issue.Full review coming soon!How To Choose A SaddleWhen it comes to bike saddles theres no one best pick for all. Each of us have different body shapes and riding styles, which means that a saddle that one woman loves, her best friend might hate. Here are a few tips for choosing the right saddle for YOU.Unisex vs Womens-Specific SaddlesIs a womens-specific saddle always the best choice?Not necessarily. Ive had women-specific saddles that Ive hated, ones that Ive loved, and a couple of unisex saddles that rocked my world.That said, women-specific saddles do generally fit women better than a mens saddle. A lot of the time in the bike world when we talk about something thats womens-specific its a marketing ploy. A womens-specific saddle is not one of those times.Women typically have wider sit-bones than men and more pelvic rotation and therefore need a wider saddle. Women-specific saddles usually also have a cut-out to relieve soft tissue pressure (something I personally appreciate).While many women may find a unisex saddle that they are comfortable with, Id really urge every woman to try a couple saddles designed specifically for female anatomy. Oftentimes, I hear women say that they didnt even realized how uncomfortable they were until they discovered what a truly comfortable saddle felt like.Examine your Personal AnatomyKnowing what style of womens bike seat might fit your bodybest is a little tricky.A good place to start is to think about what you dont like about your current saddle. If your sit bones hurt, you might need a wider saddle.If your genitals hurt, you might need a larger cut-out. If your inner thighs are getting chafed, you might need a narrower saddle.Are You an Innie or an Outtie?Are your lady parts an innie or an outtie. Just like your belly button, some women have more pronounced lady parts than others.For outties, youre going to have more trouble finding a comfortable saddle than women with an innie. Innies are much more likely to do okay with a unisex saddle, especially if you have narrower sit bones as well.If you often have soft tissue soreness after a ride, consider a saddle with a larger cut-out. It will make a world of difference.Get Yourself MeasuredYou know how you get measured for a bra, and its 1,000% better than the bra you picked out for yourself? Thats how a bike saddle is too.To pick the right saddle, you should know how wide your sit bones are. A good bike shop will have a special seat you can sit on that will measure your sit bones. Alternatively, you can measure yourself at home.There are several methods you can use to measure your sit bone width (sit on corrugated cardboard, sit on playdough), but my favorite uses tin foil. I show how to do it in this video.In case youre wondering how accurate it this is, Id say very! Ive had my sit bones measured at a shop, by a professional bike fitter, and at home. In all three instances, Ive ended up with the same measurement.You can find the width of each of the saddles we have listed in the comparison chart at the end of this article.Consider your Riding Position and StyleThe type of bike you have, and the way that you ride it, can determine the type of saddle that will suit you best.If you ride in a more leaned over position, down in the drops, you will put more pressure on your soft tissue. In this case, you need a saddle with a wider cut-out.Alternatively, if you have a more upright bike with a less aggressive reach, then you might need a saddle with a wider saddle or slightly more padding for your sit bones.Dont Equate Padding with ComfortOne of the biggest mistakes I see women make when buying a bike seat is thinking the cushier it is the more comfortable it will be. Unfortunately, more padding brings with it a host of problems includingsaddle sores, chafing, and all around discomfort.Try A Couple SaddlesIf you can, try a couple of saddles before you buy. Some local bike shops have demo programs where theyll let you try out a saddle before you make a purchase. Or, if you have other ladies you ride with, you might ask to borrow their saddle for a spin as well.Get aProfessional Bike FittingIf you continue to have saddle discomfort, even after trying a few different saddles, you might consider getting a professional bike fit. A professional will be able to evaluate issues that arent related to the design of your saddle at all.For instance, your saddle might be too far forward, too far back, tilted at a strange angle, or you might be leaned over too far. When I interviewed Natalie Collins, who is a professional bike fitter, she shared that shes worked with women whove tried ten different bike saddles, only to discover that the issue wasnt the saddle at all.PriceWhen it comes to bike saddles, the higher the price the lighter and more performance oriented it is. The extra cost is probably worth it if you are racing or putting in a LOT of miles. For more casual riders, a mid-price saddle will work just fine.There are a couple things that can drive up the cost of a saddle. The first is the material of the covering on the seat. Real leather for instance will drive up the price significantly compared to a synthetic material.The core material of the saddle can also drive up the price; higher end saddles usually have a carbon inner that makes it lighter and helps absorb vibration. Finally the material that the saddle rails are made from can drive up the price; again, the lighter the material the more expensive the saddle.Comparison ChartStill not sure how all these saddles stack upor which one is best for you? Use this comparison chart to help you choose.SaddleWeightSeat WidthSeat LengthRecommended UseCoverRailsTerry Butterfly Carbon218 g155 mm262 mmRoadLeatherCarbonTerry Butterfly335 g155 mm262 mmEverythingVinylChromoly SteelSelle Italia Diva Gel Superflow275/285g135 mm / 152 mm270 mmRoadLoricaTitatniumSpecialized Power Comp MIMIC223 g143 mm /155mm/ 168 mm240 mmEverything Chromoly Steel Fiz:ik Luce Manganese231 g144 mm281 mmRoadIschialFlexManganeseFiz:ik Luce Carbon175 g143 mm281 mmRoadIschialFlexCarbonTerry FLX228 g142 mm260 mmRoadLeatherManganeseSDG Allure260 g143 mm265 mmEverythingTi-AlloyErgon SM / SMC Women265 g / 270 g143 mm / 155 mm266 mmMTBMicrofiberCroMoFizi:k Luna255 g / 260 g145 mm / 155 mm281 mmMTBMicrotexAlloyWTB Deva 275 g145 mm259 mmMTBSteelErgon SR265 g / 275 g141 mm / 152 mm261 mmRoadMicrofiberCroMoBrooks C17 Curved446 g164 mm 283 mmRoad/gravelRubber and nylonCroMoAbout The Reviewers & How We Tested The SaddlesWe had all hands on board to test these saddles. Our saddle review team included Femme Cyclist founder, Kristen Bonkoski, long-distance road cyclist, Darlene Bonkoski, womens group ride leader, Stacy Smith, and passionate mountain biker, Jane Gerritsen. Were all avid cyclists, from different cycling disciplines, who LOVE to ride our bikes. This made testing saddles easy.We just went about our lives riding our bikes, and trying different saddles as we go. The awful ones, we throw in the trash. The good ones we share here with you. In addition to riding hundreds (or thousands) of miles on these saddles, we also look from feedback from our community. Just because we like a saddle, doesnt mean its going to be great for everyone. Instead, we look to recommend saddles that we hear yall raving about time and time again. More Stuff To Help Your BumA great saddle is the best first step toward making your ride more comfortable, but its not the only thing you can do to help. These things can help as well. Best Bike Shorts For WomenHow To Prevent And Treat Saddle SoresDont Wear Underwear With Your Bike Shorts & Other Things You Should KnowThe post Best Womens Bike Saddles & How To Choose! appeared first on Femme Cyclist.