UCI Track World Championships 2026Wednesday 14 Sunday 18 October Shanghai, ChinaFive Irish riders reigning world champion Lara Gillespie leads the teamShanghai Velodrome seven hours ahead of Irish time Gillespies scratch final Wednesday about 12:00 Irish timeReigning world champion Lara Gillespie heads a five-rider Irish team at the UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai, which start on Wednesday and run until Sunday 18 October.Gillespie arrives in good form and already acclimatised. She finished second overall at the Tour of Chongming Island on the outskirts of Shanghai on Sunday, on the podium of all three stages behind Lorena Wiebes, and the week before that took silver in the omnium at the 3 Days of Aigle in Switzerland.She won bronze at the 2024 Worlds before taking European and world titles in 2025, and this week she will race the scratch, the omnium and the points race.Aoife OBrien targets the elimination race. Her 2025 was disrupted by injury, but she has built steadily through 2026, with podiums in road races around Europe and a stage win at Rs na mBan with the national team.Emma Jeffers rides the kilo time trial. She made her national team track debut last year at both the European and World Championships, and has had a strong road season, with podiums at Rs na mBan and regular racing in one-day and stage races for Liv AlUla Jayco.Fiona Mangan returns for her second Worlds after her debut in Chile last year and takes on the individual pursuit. She rode her second Tour de France Femmes this summer and has been a regular presence in one-day races through the season.Mangan, Jeffers and OBrien will also form the team pursuit squad with Esther Wong, who took silver in the individual pursuit at Aigle.IRLIreland Track Worlds TeamShanghai 1418 October 2026Lara GILLESPIEScratch Omnium Points raceAoife OBRIENElimination Team pursuitEmma JEFFERSKilo time trial Team pursuitFiona MANGANIndividual pursuit Team pursuitEsther WONGTeam pursuitHow the races workMost of Irelands events this week are endurance races on the 250-metre track, so four laps make a kilometre. Five of the seven are bunch races, where tactics, positioning and a fast finish matter as much as raw power; the other two are races against the clock.Scratch Lara GillespieThe simplest bunch race on the track. Everyone starts together and the first rider across the line at the end of the final lap wins. The final is 40 laps (10km), with the bell rung for the last lap.There are no points and no intermediate sprints, but laps count: a rider or group who breaks clear and catches the back of the bunch has gained a lap, and is placed ahead of every rider they lapped, whoever wins the final sprint. That leaves two ways to win. Attack early and try to gain a lap, or sit in, save energy and back yourself in the sprint. Gillespie, a fast finisher, will want it to come down to the line, and so will Lorena Wiebes.If more than 24 riders enter, there are 7.5km qualifying heats first. Wednesdays field is exactly 24, so it goes straight to the final.Points race Lara GillespieA bunch race decided by points rather than by who crosses the line first. The final is 25km, 100 laps, with a sprint every ten laps, which makes ten sprints in all. Each intermediate sprint pays 5, 3, 2 and 1 point to the first four riders; the final sprint pays double, 10, 6, 4 and 2.The big swings come from laps. Gaining a lap on the bunch is worth 20 points, and being lapped costs 20, so a well-timed attack can be worth more than winning several sprints. If riders finish level on points, the final sprint decides it. It is a race of constant calculation, and riders and coaches track the scores lap by lap.Elimination Aoife OBrienOften called devil take the hindmost. After a neutral start, the last rider across the line every two laps is eliminated and pulled out, judged on the back wheel. It carries on until two riders are left, and they sprint for the title.Positioning is everything. Sitting near the front is safe but costs energy in the wind; drifting to the back risks being caught out by a sudden surge. The best elimination riders read the race and move up just before each sprint. If the field is too big, riders first qualify through 7.5km scratch heats.Omnium Lara GillespieFour bunch races in one day, the decathlon of track endurance racing. In order:Scratch (10km): first over the line wins, as above.Tempo race (10km): from the fifth lap onwards, one point goes to the first rider across the line on every lap, and gaining a lap is worth 20. It rewards riders who are active at the front all race.Elimination: as above, last rider out every two laps.Points race (20km): the finale, scored as above.The first three races award omnium points by finishing position: 40 for the winner, 38 for second, 36 for third, dropping by two a place. Riders carry that total into the points race, where every sprint point and every lap gained or lost is added on or taken off. The highest total wins the title. The omnium often stays open until the last laps, because a single lap gained in the points race can wipe out a 20-point deficit. Gillespie took silver in the omnium at the 3 Days of Aigle last week.Kilo time trial Emma JeffersOne rider, one kilometre, four laps from a standing start, held in the start gate until the countdown ends. It is a flat-out effort of a little over a minute, with no tactics, no drafting and nowhere to hide. Getting the bike up to speed from a standstill is half the race.Every rider sets a time in qualifying, and the eight fastest go through to the final later the same day to ride again for the medals, with the fastest qualifier going last.Individual pursuit Fiona ManganTwo riders start at the same time on opposite sides of the track, half a lap apart, and chase each other over the set distance. It is a test of pacing as much as power: go out too hard and the last laps are brutal.Qualifying is about the clock, not the rider across the track. The two fastest qualifiers meet in the gold-medal final and the third and fourth fastest ride for bronze, both later the same day. In any ride, catching your opponent ends the race.Team pursuit Mangan, Jeffers, OBrien, WongThe team version: four riders over 4km, 16 laps, starting on opposite sides of the track from their opponents. They ride in a tight line and take turns on the front, peeling up the banking and dropping back onto the rear wheel after each turn. The clock stops when the third rider crosses the line, so one rider can be used up and dropped in the closing laps.Every team rides qualifying alone against the clock. The eight fastest go into the first round, ridden head to head the next day, and the fastest teams from that round contest the gold and bronze finals later the same evening. Ireland have exactly four riders for the event, so there is no fresh rider to rotate in between rounds.Thursday is a big day for OBrien. The team pursuit first round, her elimination final and the team pursuit finals all fall in the same evening session, about 10:05, 11:30 and 12:50 Irish time. If Ireland go deep in the team pursuit, she could race three times in under three hours.Wednesdays start listsThe Irish are in action on the opening day. In the team pursuit qualifying, Jeffers, OBrien, Mangan and Wong ride in heat 3 of 17 over the 4km distance. Great Britain hold the world record of 4:02.808, set in Konya in February.Gillespie starts her title defence in the evening in the 40-lap (10km) scratch race, in a 24-rider field that includes Lorena Wiebes. It is the third time in a week the two have lined up together in China: Wiebes beat Gillespie on all three stages at Chongming Island.TPWomens Team Pursuit Qualifying, Heat 3Wed 14 October 2026 4km 17 teams21Emma JEFFERS22Aoife OBRIEN120Fiona MANGAN121Esther WONGWhen to watch the IrishWomens Schedule Irish RidersOfficial UCI programme Irish time on the right Shanghai is +7 hoursWed 14Team pursuit QualifyingMangan, Jeffers, OBrien, Wong heat 3 of 17 c. 10:45 localc. 03:45Wed 14Scratch FinalLara Gillespie 40 laps c. 19:00 localc. 12:00Thu 15Team pursuit First roundif Ireland qualify in the top eight c. 17:05 localc. 10:05Thu 15Elimination FinalAoife OBrien c. 18:30 localc. 11:30Thu 15Team pursuit Finalsif Ireland reach the top four c. 19:50 localc. 12:50Fri 16Omnium I Scratch 10kmLara Gillespie c. 12:35 localc. 05:35Fri 16Omnium II Tempo 10kmLara Gillespie c. 14:35 localc. 07:35Fri 16Omnium III EliminationLara Gillespie c. 18:05 localc. 11:05Fri 16Omnium IV Points race 20kmLara Gillespie c. 19:40 localc. 12:40Sat 17Kilo time trial QualifyingEmma Jeffers opens the session 11:00 local04:00Sat 17Individual pursuit QualifyingFiona Mangan c. 13:25 localc. 06:25Sat 17Kilo time trial FinalEmma Jeffers if in the top eight c. 17:35 localc. 10:35Sat 17Individual pursuit FinalsFiona Mangan if in the top four c. 20:00 localc. 13:00Sun 18Points race FinalLara Gillespie 25km c. 14:00 localc. 07:00Times from the official UCI competition programme and Wednesdays competition schedule. c. marks an estimated start, worked out from the published running order and event durations within each session, so allow a few minutes either way. The timetable is subject to change.The post World champion Lara Gillespie leads five-rider Irish team at Track Worlds in Shanghai appeared first on Irish Cycling News.

French drivetrain specialists CyclingCeramic have a few new off-road OSPW upgrades for SRAM derailleurs, developed to make your XPLR gravel & T-Type mountain bike transmissions and even previous-generation S-type MTB drivetrains more efficient. Over-Sized Pulley Wheel cage upgrades spinning on ceramic bearings have long been accepted as a simple way to eke out a few extra watts from your current drivetrain. And now that CyclingCeramic adds XPLR 13, T-type & S-type cages in addition to separate drop-in replacement pulleys for the same upgrading to a made-in-Europe ceramic OSPW setup just got a lot more affordable for anyone with a modern SRAM drivetrainCyclingCeramic EU-made ceramic bearing OSPW at more reasonable prices(Photos/Cory Benson)Weve been impressed with the value CyclingCeramic offers with their derailleur upgrades for years. Sure, weve been told for more than a decade that you can reduce drivetrain drag by both upgrading with larger diameter (oversized) derailleur pulleys AND by swapping in ceramic bearings. Plus, OSPW cages on derailleurs arguably look pretty cool too, right?But frankly, the cost of an OSPW upgrade from the big names in the industry can be eye-watering. Starting around 400 for the most affordable, the majority are around 500-600, and there are literally some that sell for upwards of 1800. And yes, you still need to buy a derailleur to upgrade with that thing!CyclingCeramic is a bit different. Their cages, oversized pulleys, and ceramic bearings are all still entirely made in Europe, with final quality control and assembly in France. But outside of their special aero cages (which cost about 25% more), they offer OSPW cage setups to fit almost every current derailleur for between 250-300.Sure, thats still not cheap. But even SRAMs own latest replacement cages retail between 100-225. So, upgrading to a CyclingCeramic solution for a bit more to hunt for some incremental gains, all of a sudden, doesnt sound so unreasonable.CyclingCeramic OSPW cages for SRAM off-road derailleursWhats new here are three new off-road OSPW fits, using CyclingCeramics latest cage design and solid pulleys, spinning on ceramic bearings. That means you get a CNC-machined aluminum outer cage, a machined carbon plate inner cage, connected with stainless and alloy hardware. Three different cage shapes/layouts now bring bolt-on compatibility to virtually all 12- & 13-speed SRAM off-road derailleurs.As for the pulleys, they feature an all-new narrow-wide tooth profile for CyclingCeramic what appears to be a single design that is compatible both with conventional Eagle and Flattop T-type chains. Of note, the teeth are incrementally shorter than those on stock SRAM pulleys, in a move presumed to reduce friction. Like other recent CyclingCeramic OSPW Pro cages for SRAM XPLR Red/Force/Rival, Red/Force AXS, Shimano Ultegra/Dura-Ace, 105, and GRX 11sp (none of which feature narrow-wide teeth), these new pulleys feature a solid disc design, as opposed to conventional spoked pulleys. This style was first adopted for tiny aerodynamic improvements, but off-road also means fewer edges to accumulate mud and debris.And of course, they all spin on ultra-low friction hybrid ceramic bearings hand-assembled in France.OSPW Tech detailsmachined 7075 aluminum reinforced outer cagelaminated carbon inner cageoversized 14-tooth & 20-tooth pulley setssolid machined 7075 aluminum pulley wheels with narrow-wide tooth profilesealed hybrid ceramic bearings all components manufactured in Europe, with final assembly and QC in Franceclaimed weights (without clutch spring): 138g XPLR, 139g T-Type, 131g S-Typeactual weights:139g T-Type, 143g S-TypeSRAM off-road derailleur model compatibility:XPLR: SRAM Rival, Force, Red XPLR 13 SpeedT-Type: SRAM EAGLE XXSL, XX, X0, GX, 90, 70S-Type: SRAM AXS S-series (S1500, S200, S100) XX1, X01, GX, NX, SX Eagle AXS (non-UDH, 12s, 10-52)How does a CyclingCeramic OSPW compare to a stock SRAM cage?There are several key differences between these new CyclingCeramic OSPW cages and those that come stock on a SRAM off-road derailleur.Most obvious are the extra teeth that give them the over-sized name. These 3 new off-road upgrade cages each feature a 14/20T pair vs. 14/16T on XPLR & T-type, or 12/14T on S-type. And they spin on low-friction, larger-diameter hybrid ceramic bearings vs. standard sealed stainless bearings.Pulley spacing is also slightly shorter on the CyclingCeramic OSPW so the overall cage length and required chain length are unchanged, at least for the XPLR & T-Type cages. The S-type cage is also shorter to maintain the same overall length and ground clearance, but the bigger step up in pulley sizes does mean you will most likely need to add an extra couple of links to your chain length.More durable cage design?One other big difference is that the CyclingCeramic OSPW off-road cages are much thicker and more robust than stock SRAM MTB cages. The outer machined aluminum plate on our T-type & S-type cages measures 4.6mm thick vs. 3.0mm for GX & Eagle 90, or just 2.6mm for XX SL. Plus, the legs of the lower extension of the outer cage measure 12mm deep vs. just 8mm for XX SL/GX/90.Combining that 53-77% increase in plate thickness with a 50% deeper profile of the outer cage is sure to make this CyclingCeramic OSPW significantly more impact-resistant than stock SRAM MTB cages. That could be a pretty big deal for me personally. As Ive noticed a lot more impact damage from our extremely rocky home trails to modern MTB derailleurs ever since moving to massive 52T cassettes. Im pretty sure at least half of my SRAM T-type derailleurs have bent their cage enough to need re-straightening. And Ive had to replace one cracked Shimano a& two SRAM cages broken by rock strikes in the last few years.Sure, that means its about 13g heavier than the basic GX/90-level cage. But that seems like a reasonable weight penalty with all the other gains, right?enduro racing tests (Photo by Tomas Vychlopen/Blinduro)So far, Ive ridden the CyclingCeramic OSPW T-type cage for a month on trails and in one regional enduro race where I heard a major impact with a rock, hard enough that I checked it after the race stage. And so far, the visible damage is minor and cosmetic only.But maybe reduced chain retention?The only real potential downside that I see comes from the alloy pulleys themselves. The solid design is much easier to keep clean in our muddy riding a nice bonus for me, since I struggle to keep SRAM pulleys clean, even with a waxed drivetrain. Alloy pulleys are invariably a bit louder running than plastic-toothed ones, and making them solid is even a bit louder. But frankly, a little extra drivetrain noise hasnt bothered me.My real concern would be the shorter teeth on the pulleys. Standard SRAM MTB narrow-wide pulleys these days feature tall teeth to positively engage the chain for maximum retention. I measure SRAM teeth at 8mm (wide)/6mm (narrow) for the lower pulley and 7mm/5mm for the upper pulley. Compare that to 7mm/5mm and 6.5mm/4.5mm for the CyclingCeramic OSPW off-road cage.The differences are small, just 0.5mm shorter for the upper pulley teeth and 1mm shorter for the lower pulley teeth. Yet, I worry a bit about reduced chain retention in the search for reduced drivetrain drag. Surely, gravel riders will be fine. Maybe XC riders, too. But for more technically demanding trail conditions, I worry that any reduction in chain retention could be an unwise compromise. A dropped, or worse jammed, chain will lose you much more time than any low-friction could hope to compensate, especially for someone looking to an OSPW upgrade for race-day gains.CyclingCeramic OSPW off-road upgrades Pricing, options & availabilityNew for CyclingCeramic are three SRAM Off-Road OSPW cage upgrades with narrow-wide pulleys and ceramic bearings. Each sells for the same 299 price: S-Type, T-Type, and XPLR 13. If you dont want to replace your entire cage just yet, CyclingCeramic also offers narrow-wide pulley pairs in the same 14/16T size as your current Eagle 12 or XPLR 13 derailleur for 119 per pair. There are also a couple of other off-road cages selling for 289, to fit GRX & XPLR 12-speed, although they do not feature narrow-wide pulleys.Get them all now, directly from CyclingCeramic or through dealer bike shops.CyclingCeramic.com

CyclistStiff competition: Are stiffer-soled shoes really faster?How much does sole stiffness really matter?All else being equal, stiff soles stop us having to use as much muscle in our feet to get the power into the pedal when we pedal hard, says Tony Corke, bike-fitter and founder of Torke Cycling. Its more efficient, so we can pedal harder for longer. Then, the harder you push if youre a WorldTour rider, say the more stiffness matters.Yet contrary to this theory, says Corke, for most of us stiffness wont impact performance. He points to research comparing stiff-soled cycling shoes with more flexible shoes, which finds little difference in efficiency when pedalling well below maximal intensity.But dont stiffer soles transfer power better?At higher power outputs, softer soles can indeed flex slightly under load. A stiffer carbon sole resists that movement, creating a more stable interface between rider and pedal, meaning less energy is lost to the flexing of the sole and hence more energy goes into turning the pedals. Riders operating at the highest power outputs, where soles are most prone to flex, stand to benefit most.Track riders are all about milliseconds, says cycling podiatrist and founder of Mik.Fit, Mick Habgood, who has worked with Team GB, Japanese and US track teams, and EF Pro Cycling. We dont want to lose out by having a shoe thats soft.Shimanos S-Phyre RC903 shoes.Lizzie CrabbSo are stiffer, pricier shoes only relevant to professionals?Yes and no. Habgood points to Shimanos mid-range RC7 shoes (10 out of 12 on Shimanos stiffness scale; 239.99) and flagship S-Phyre RC903 shoes (12/12; 349.99) as an example. He believes that while the average rider wont feel the difference in stiffness, they may benefit from the S-Phyres more refined materials, which wrap the foot more comfortably and precisely and wont stretch over time. Corke agrees.The more the foot moves in the shoe, the more delay there is in response on the pedal, he says, explaining that as you produce more power, you pedal in a more circular motion, pushing over the top of the stroke and pulling through the bottom.Having the upper of the shoe hold the instep and heel, and having the metatarsal heads held in place is much better for performance.Thus the stiffer S-Phyres may be the better option, but for reasons of foot stability, not stiffness. To that end, Corke adds that a pair of 100 shoes that fits well will perform better than 500 shoes that fit poorly.Can I improve my fit?Yes, using aftermarket insoles. Corke refers to the process as foot activation, involving having custom insoles made to support your arch shape and help stabilise the foot in the shoe.This is how to maximise force transfer and is much more effective than stiffer soles for improving performance, he says. With foot activation, riders are able to create better power, particularly at the end of the ride [where they are most fatigued]. They are not leaking watts.However a great custom insole cannot compensate for an ill-fitting shoe, and custom insoles can cost nearly as much as shoes, so the best place to start is finding a shoe that fits properly in the first place.How do I do that?It starts with understanding foot shape. Different brands use different lasts (foot-shaped moulds that dictate the inside of a shoes shape), and different lasts suit different feet. Some riders need shoes with a wider forefoot, others need narrower heels or lower-volume uppers. Most brands claim their designs are based on years of fit data from customers, and more recently this has led to a shift to wider toe boxes. But theres a new technology that might push fit beyond aggregated data.Lore Threes Legend Pro shoes RRP ,649 (approx 1,215).Corke points to the latest generation of 3D printed shoes, such as Lores custom models, which use foot scans to create rigid uppers that are precisely shaped to the riders feet.Some riders are seeing 5-12% more sprint power in these shoes, he says.Habgood has also developed fully custom cycling shoes for elite athletes, including riders who went on to win medals at the Paris Olympics. In those shoes the orthotic support (the sort provided by a custom insole) is effectively built into the shell itself.Its a complex and often incredibly expensive solution a pair of Lore Three shoes starts from $1,649 (approx 1,215). Plus, at any rate, for most cyclists the takeaway is much more simple: sole stiffness matters but is a distant second to fit.The post Stiff competition: Are stiffer-soled shoes really faster? appeared first on Cyclist.

Today, Ari Bikes is launching the new Shafer HP e-gravel bike. It combines Aris versatile 3rd-generation Shafer gravel bike platform with the lightweight, mid-power TQ-HPR60 drive system to provide quiet, natural pedal assistance. Its available in five complete builds with upgrade options including wheels, suspension, and range extenders. Lets check it out.The Shafer HP is everything riders love about the Shafer, electrified. Its for the rider who wants to go farther, keep up with friends, or use it as a training tool for Zone 2 days.-Tyler Cloward, Director of ProductAri Shafer HP DetailsTo create the Shafer HP, Ari essentially took its 3rd-gen Shafer gravel bike and added the TQ-HPR60 drive system. Other than the compact TQ-HPR60 motor and a slightly thicker downtube, the standard Shafer and the HP look nearly identical. Looking at the pictures, its almost hard to tell theres an e-bike drive system at all.Ari says it shares the exact same geometry as the standard Shafer (see below for details), which has made it one of the most versatile gravel bikes around. The frame has been engineered to provide the same ride quality with compliance in the rear triangle and fork to smooth out rough roads while being strong enough to tackle singletrack trails.The Ari Shafer 3.0 geometry chart for reference.The frame and fork also have the same massive tire clearance for modern gravel tires up to 60mm wide. It comes stock with 55mm tires and can go as big as 2.25 wide. The Shafer HP is also compatible with dropper posts and gravel suspension forks for those looking for a bit more cushion. Riders have the option to upgrade to a suspension fork when purchasing.Heaps of tire clearance.The Shafer HP frame has three bottle mounts inside the front triangle, making it possible to carry plenty of water, even if you use one of the mounts for the optional range extender. There are also fender mounts, three pack mounts on the fork, and plenty of space for frame bags if youre looking to haul some gear.TQ-HPR60 Drive SystemThe TQ-HPR60 is compact and barely noticeable.Weve covered the TQ-HPR60 drive system as well as numerous bikes equipped with it already. You can learn the details of the system here. The quick and dirty is that it is a lightweight (1.92 kg or 4.2 lbs) and compact mid-drive motor that is concentric to the crank spindle. It puts out up to 60 Nm of torque and 350 W of peak power with three customizable assist levels to choose from.On the Shafer HP, the TQ-HPR60 is powered by a downtube-integrated 360 Wh battery. Its also compatible with the optional 160Wh range extender for longer rides. The Shafer HP features TQs top tube-integrated color display to monitor your ride info, and assist levels are changed using TQ controllers on the hoods. The whole TQ drive system stays fairly lightweight, and Ari says the Shafer HPs complete bike weights average around 28 pounds.The TQ color display is integrated into the top tube of the frame.Weve tested bikes with the TQ-HPR60 motor, and can confirm that its impressively quiet with a smooth and natural power delivery thats far more subtle than the full-power options. Preferences vary, but we think its one of the best motors on the market.Builds and PricingThe Shafer HP comes in green and white frame colors with five complete builds to choose from. All builds include the same TQ-HPR60 drive system and components and a CleanCast carbon frame thats backed by a lifetime + transferable warranty. As mentioned above, numerous component upgrade options are available when purchasing, including wheels, suspension, range extenders, and more, so you can customize your ride.Sport $4,899: Shimano Cues 11-speed drivetrain, Shimano Cues brakes, WTB Sportterra i25 wheelsComp $5,499: SRAM Apex 12-speed drivetrain, SRAM Apex brakes, WTB Speedterra i25 wheelsElite $5,999: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 13-speed, SRAM Rival brakes, WTB Speedterra i25 wheelsPro $6,999: SRAM Force XPLR AXS 13-speed, SRAM Force brakes, Reynolds G30 Expert Alloy wheelsTeam $10,499: SRAM Red XPLR AXS 13-speed, SRAM Red brakes, Zipp 303 S XPLR wheelsAvailabilityThe new Shafer HP e-gravel bike is available now directly from Ari. Head to the brands website to learn more.aribikes.com

It's official, Filippo Ganna's time as a Netcompany INEOS rider is over. After eight seasons with the British team, he joins Lidl-Trek in an unprecedented transfer - leaving the team despite previously being contracted to the end of the 2027 season. The Italian rider picked up 41 wins while at the t...

I love riding my Aventon Current EXP eMTB. Its an amazing riding bike that Ive clocked 500+ miles on and havent been able to stop riding. Well, a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to ride with Aventons Tom Sweeney. We took the new Aventon Current LTD out for a 12-mile ride on my favorite loop. The ride and the company were both top-notch. The new Current LTD was a very nice riding bike that was dressed in a beautiful new color with great high-level bits hung on it.(Photo / Aventon)The new Current LTD is built on the same platform as the Current EXP. It uses the same Aventon Ultro X mid-drive motor, which delivers up to 110Nm of torque and 750W of peak power (120Nm and 850W in BOOST mode), an 800 Wh battery, and the same carbon front triangle and aluminum rear end.The only real change is the beautiful new color and the spec sheet. Oh, and the fact that it is being produced in very limited numbers. Only 99 units will be available.Attainable Innovation(All photos / Ron Frazelle unless specified)Even at $7,999, the Aventon Current LTD is priced below the bigger-name brands with this level of spec. And Aventon didnt hold anything back when releasing this bike. While the rest of the Current lineup is designed and engineered with accessibility in mind, Aventon says the Current LTD is a halo build.(Photo / Aventon)The spec upgrades look like this: New Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Transmission delivers crisp, wireless shifts under load.New Suspension: RockShox Ultimate suspension provides ultimate adjustability and top-of-the-line dampers and air springs.New Wheelset: Crankbrothers Alloy 2 Synthesis Wheelset with Industry 9 hubs New Cockpit: A Truvativ carbon handlebar and Fizik Aidon saddleNew Brakes: Maven Ultimate 4-pistonWhat did I Think? (Photo / Ron Frazelle)I loved the upgrades! We rode the Current LTD on a loop that Ive been riding a lot with my Current EXP. I found the LTD to be very similar in how it handled this particular loop. I mean, thats not that surprizing since its the same bike with a few fancier components. Out of the box, the Current LTD will need zero upgrades.I only had an opportunity to ride it this one time. But I found the upgrades to kind of finish off the Current where the EXP left off. Does that make sense? Its kinda like Aventon took the Current EXP and did the spec upgrades for you, or at least the ones that Id be inclined to make.(Photo / Aventon)The suspension is smoother and more plush, holds a lot more air, and it was the biggest difference I noticed between my EXP and the new LTD. The new Crankbrothers wheelset has the Current LTD handling with a lot more spirit and pep than the EXP when it was stock.The spec that took a little getting used to was the SRAM Reverb AXS seatpost. It didnt have the same feel as an analog post. During the first few miles of the ride, there was a little bit of a learning curve. But by the end of the ride, I saw the merits of the AXS seatpost.Being a bigger rider, I appreciate the Current LTDs suspension upgrade. The new RockShox Lyrik Ultimate and Super Deluxe Ultimate have a higher air capacity than the Lyrik Select and Super Deluxe Select+ on my Current EXP.(Photo / Aventon)Having that extra volume made a world of difference. Ive always run my Current EXPs rear suspension maxed out in air volume, as I find my rear suspension a tad soft. So this was a welcome upgrade. (Photo / Aventon)Current LTD Full Spec DetailsMotor: Aventon Ultro X, 110 Nm (120Nm in BOOST Mode)Display: Integrated Top Tube Display with Touch ScreenBattery: 800Wh Integrated BatteryCharger: 42V/4ARange: Up to 105 Miles / 168 km.Frame: Carbon Front Triangle, 6061 Aluminum Rear Triangle, Rear Spacing: 12 x 148 mm, Fork Spacing: 15 x 110 mmWeight: TBDPedals: 9/16 Alloy PlatformFork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 150mmShock: RockShox Super Deluxe UltimateWeight Limit: 300 lbs.Crankset: ISIS 160mmChain: SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission ChainChainring: SRAM T-Type 34T (104 BCD)Rear Derailleur: SRAM X0 Transmission (12-spd)Cassette: SRAM XS-1270 T-Typ 10-52TShift Lever: SRAM AXS Transmission Shift PodBrakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate (4-piston) Front & RearBrake Rotors: SRAM Centerline 200mm 6-Bolt, Front & RearFront Wheel: Crankbrothers Enduro Synthesis Alloy, Industry 9 1/1 hubsRear Wheel: Crankbrothers Enduro Synthesis Alloy, Industry 9 1/1 hubsFront Tire: Maxxis Minion DHF 292.5 EXO (Tubeless Ready)Rear Tire: Maxxis Minion DHR II, 292.4 EXO (Tubeless Ready)Saddle: Fizik AidonSeatpost: SRAM ReverbStem: Truvativ Descendant 35mmSeat Clamp: 34.9mmHandlebars: Truvativ Descendant Carbon 35mm/800mmHeadset: ZS56 Upper/LowerGrips: Aventon Lock-On GripsIn ConclusionI found this bike to be fantastic. The way I look at it, I mean, whats not to like? I literally love my Current EXP eMTB, and the LTD version has all of the upgrades Id want to make to the Current EXP already done for you.It comes dressed in a new, beautiful color and rides with the same awesome suspension kinematics as the EXP. At $7,999, its not cheap, but still really affordable when comparing it to a Trek, Specialized, or other big brand eMTB with SRAM XO and RockShox Ultimate-level suspension.(Photo / Aventon)The only bummer I can think of for the new Current LTD is that there are only 99 of them. And if you dont move quickly, my guess is that they will be gone soon. Hopefully, Aventon will decide to bring the LTD into the Current line permanently.Hit the link below to check it out or to get yours while supplies last.Aventon.com

CyclistGrand Colombier, Col du Portet and Normandy: Tour de France 2027 route rumoursIts barely been three months since Tadej Pogaar rounded out his fifth Tour de France victory, having beaten the Alpe dHuez record en route to another Grand Tour title. But now the road season is coming to a close, its time to think about next years race, which, of course, comes to British shores for the first time since 2014.The Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes routes will be revealed next week on Thursday October 22nd in Paris. While it has been kept secret by ASO apart from the British details the route has been widely speculated by the French press. Using their network of sources, local politicians and hotel bookings, many newspapers have pieced together the route for the 2027 race. Here, weve merged those leads to create a clearer picture of what next years Tour could look like.Week 1: UK to Normandy, then the BugeyOlly Hassell/SWpix.comThere are no surprises in store for the Tours opening three stages. They have been confirmed for some time now, with a cross-UK opening to the Tour confirmed between Friday 2nd July and Sunday 4th July in Scotland, England and Wales. All three stage routes have been revealed, with visits guaranteed to Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff throughout the three-day exploit on British roads.A rest day will come after Stage 3s finish in Cardiff. Thatll give the riders enough time to head across the Channel in time for Stage 4.Several Norman newspapers have reported the likelihood of a stage in Cherbourg, right at the north of the Cotentin peninsula, with Stage 4 expected. The profile is rumoured to be punchy, finishing in Cherbourg too, reportedly with the Ctede La Glacerie, previously used when Cherbourg last hosted the race in 2016.Another punchy stage is expected the day after, with a visit to Breton cycling staple Plumelec or Vannes rumoured. The Mr-de-Bretagne has been mentioned too, however.Xavier PereyronStage 7 has been suggested to be the first time-trial at this years race. The boozy town of Chambord has been near-confirmed as a venue by La Nouvelle Rpublique, which has noted a spike in hotel reservations by the UCI. The start town is supposedly Blois, which means this is likely to be a time-trial.Similar research by Le Berry Rpublicain shows that Bourges will host the start of the following stage. Its likely to take an easterly direction through the Morvan, past Uchon and to Le Creusot, which last held a mammoth Tour stage in 2021. Stage 9 remains in the east of the country. Lyonnais newspaper Le Progrsbelieves a stage is planned to take place fully within the Ain dpartement, possibly starting in Villard-les-Dombes or the nearby Parc des Oiseaux ahead of a summit finish at the Grand Colombier. The pyramid of the Bugey has featured on several Tours, most recently as a stage finish at the 2020 and 2023 editions. This summer, it hosted a stage finish at the renamed Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes. At 17km in length, the Grand Colombier should act as the first summit finish at this years Tour de France.Week 2: A short visit to the Alps and a punchy weekendXavier PereyronWe jump into the Alps right after the second rest day.In terms of Alpine location, the Tour is expected to be concentrated in the pocket toward Switzerland. Grenoble-based newspaper Le Dauphin has confirmed that the Isre dpartement wont be hosting a stage of next years race. That rules out the return of Alpe dHuez or the neighbouring climbs. The Col du Granon was also previously rumoured. Local reporters have refuted the claims and believe the bid will be in 2028 instead of next summer.Instead, Le Dauphin has suggested that the Tour de France will come to Haute-Savoie on Stage 10 in preparation for the 2027 UCI Super World Championships the following month. At this years Tour de France, it was reported that the area around Sallanches could host a stage finish in 2027. Its since been clarified that the Ctede Domancy will feature in the final part of the stage, just one month prior to its key role in the race for the rainbow jersey.Xavier PereyronStage 11 takes place on Bastille Day, and for the occasion a big day through the Savoyard Alps is expected. As per Le Dauphin, it will start from Cluses and end atop Les Saisies, a Tour newcomer. Geography dictates that the stage could include the Col de la Colombire and Col des Aravis en route to the finish. Its Bastille Day expect some big elevation numbers.The stint in the Alps is expected to be short this year. According to the local brand Ici, the Tour will leave the Alps from Chambry and head to Valence, a frequent Tour host town, the following day.The same Ici site believes Stage 13 is set to be hosted the following day in the Ardche, starting from Aubenas. Its likely to have a hilly start before a flat finish in Montpellier, close to the Mediterranean coast.The two final stages of week two look to cut across the country. Actu Occitanie believe Mende will play host to Stage 14. Its steep Cte de la Croix Neuve could provide the backdrop to the finish, as it did when Steve Cummings won a memorable stage on Mandela Day in 2015 and Michael Matthews claimed a solo win at the 2022 race.As for Stage 15, another hilly stage is on the cards, with Albi rumoured to be the destination.Week 3: Toulouse, Pyrenees and a tame final weekendXavier PereyronAfter the races final rest day, the riders are expected to be staying in Toulouse. After its long stint at the 2025 race, the pink city will welcome the Tour again according to Le Dauphin. A time-trial has been mentioned for Stage 16 to get the race restarted, but its length is unknown.The following day is said to start from Toulouse, as per Le Dauphin again, but with the aim of a sprint in familiar Tour territory: Pau.The Pyrenees look set to play host to the final GC battles of the 2027 Tour de France. If thats the case, it will see the mountain range act as the third-week showdown for the first time since 2022. Its time in the race, however, will be short, with Stages 18 and 19 the only ones expected to venture into the southern mountain range.Xavier PereyronThe Col du Portet is heavily rumoured to return in 2027, with La Rpublique suggesting a summit finish there on Stage 18. The climb has featured in two previous Tours, both as the scene of decisive GC stages. On its most recent visit, Tadej Pogaar took the win while wearing the yellow jersey. To reach its summit in 2027, the riders will have to face the Aubisque, Tourmalet and Hourquette dAncizan beforehand, according to Le Dauphin.Laruns has been mentioned as a potential finish to Stage 19, the last in the Pyrenees. The town is in close proximity to the Col de la Marie Blanque, which has featured on previous Laruns visits in 2020 and 2023. On both of those occasions, the stage resulted in a yellow jersey change, most recently when Jai Hindley took the maillot jaune for a day during the 2023 edition.As for the final weekend, expect to see a sprinters day on Stage 20, likely ending in Libourne if the Dauphin is to be believed. Its then off to Paris for the now customary visit to Montmartre ahead of the Champs-Elyses.Expected routes: our thoughts?Xavier PereyronWere over a week away from knowing the route for real and casting a real verdict but it seems as though the Tour de France looks set for its least mountainous parcours in years.If the route is to be believed, there will only be four or five mountain stages at this race, with summit finishes looking even thinner on the ground, at a potential figure of three. Thats maybe a response to the past few years, in which Tadej Pogaar has decimated the field.Instead, it looks as though the parcours will feature lots of hilly stages, particularly those with decisive short ramps towards the finish. This could be an attempt to generate the hype and excitement of a Classic, and to minimise the GC gaps to prevent the race from being won on one single day.Similarly, the race upping its number of time-trials to two could indicate that the race organisers want to give a leg up to Remco Evenepoel, who has beaten Pogaar consistently on flat time-trials over the past three editions.The final weekend is completely head-scratching to me, however. A sprint stage to Libourne, then the Paris stage. A Stage 20 flat stage seems bamboozling and a waste of an opportunity for the race when the viewership is at its highest. Also, given the Montmartre stages have been neutralised on both occasions theyve featured on the final stage, its likely the last stage wont be influential in GC. That could leave the race frozen GC-wise after Stage 19, when the race leaves the Pyrenees.Lets hope our newspaper sources are wrong in that case.The post Grand Colombier, Col du Portet and Normandy: Tour de France 2027 route rumours appeared first on Cyclist.

UPDATED October 13, 2026 BY The TDA Team IN Road to Valhalla no comments Cycling Heaven. 2026 Road To Valhalla Rider ReviewsOur inaugural cycling adventure through Scandinavia, The Road to Valhalla, ended in Trondheim, Norway about a month and a half ago. Lets see what the riders thought about their time in Finland, Sweden & NorwayStunning landscapes, beautiful roadways, cycling heaven. Anne Thompson (USA)The most wonderful journey in many respects. The best way to see and experience a country, make new friends and be lucky enough to ride in such a beautiful place. I didnt want it to come to an end. Sarah Gunn (UK)Definitely exceeded my expectations. Its the best way to see the Scandinavian countries. Jeanine Hartnett (USA)I am 71 years old, and I have done many interesting runs, hikes, treks and rides around the world. The TDA rides are what I put at the top of the list in terms of memorable and enjoyable experiences. _ Bob Jensen (Canada)The tour showcased Scandinavia in the best light. Starting in Finland spinning the legs on quiet cycling paths watching farmland and forests go by. Then into Sweden cycling and cruising on ferries amongst beautiful island sceneries. And then came the drama in Norway with the countless waterfalls, fjords and mountains. Besides the cycling there was lots of history to see and learn about while enjoying the friendly hospitality of the Scandinavians. This is certainly a tour with the best way to get into the rhythm of a cycling tour. Ursula Simpson (Canada)I loved the tour, the staff, the route, and getting to know my fellow riders. There really wasnt a dull day in the entire trip. I credit the TDA staff for maintaining a fun atmosphere even when the weather didnt cooperate or mechanical problems slowed us down. Kudos to the whole TDA team for constructing and running an unforgettable tour . Scott Colner (USA)My heart is full after completing the Oslo to Trondheim portion of the Road to Valhalla! I found that each day of riding seemed to be a notch higher than the previous. We road by farm fields of barley, the cleanest cows youve ever seen and spent time on bicycle paths that kept cars/bikes separated so you could take in the sights. There were small colourful towns, rolling hills and climbs through deep forests, modern architecture by the sea, and ferry rides beneath thundering waterfalls due to the record rains. Peggy Morsch (USA)RELATEDTOURRoad to Valhalla Valhalla, also known as the Hall of Heroes, was the goal for all real Vikings. Ruled by the Norse God, Odin, only the bravest and fiercest of warriors... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Cycling Heaven. 2026 Road To Valhalla Rider Reviews" Cancel reply

In the third installment of The Cut List, Miles shares a dozen items he once relied on but, after a decade of experimenting, testing, and bikepacking, would be okay with never using again. Find a curated list of items and strategies he has turned his back on in The Cut List Vol. 3 hereThe post The Cut List (Vol. 3): Gear Miles Has Left Behind appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.