Antoine Willemart and friends recently pedaled out for an easygoing Halloween overnighter in Belgium, and his latest YouTube video beautifully captures the experience from start to finish. Watch the immersive video here...The post Take Your Bike, Sleep Outside! (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Eibach is a leader in performance car and off-road suspension, especially popular for track and desert racers. Soon, they want to bring that same performance to mountain bikers.The new range of coil springs will be made in the USA, just like their automotive springs. But theyll be sold as a kit with custom spring seats from German suspension performance brand Lorey.All photos Tyler BenedictFor the springs, Eibach has two benchmarks: be the lightest in class, and offer the best tuning range. For weight, its a matter of using their decades of experience turning steel wire into springs. And they admit, its a goal, but that getting the performance right matters more than being the absolute lightest-weight coils on the market. Regardless, expect them to be among the lightest.For tuning, theyre aiming for 20lb increments. Meaning, theyll offer spring rates of 200lb/in, 220lb/in, 240lb/in, etc., up to 500lb/in or more to meet market demand.Compare that to the standard 50lb increments from stock options by RockShox, Fox, and Cane Creek. Even current high-end aftermarket springs typically come in 25lb increments. Dropping that to 20lb increments gives you much finer tunability. A range of lengths will be available to fit popular shock stroke lengths, too.For the perches, Loreys precision-machined spring seats thread onto popular shock bodies from Fox, Rockshox, etc. In this case, theyre custom-mated to Eibachs springs for an exact fit, cradling the coil and keeping it rock solid top and bottom.Beyond this info, details are sparse. Theres no set pricing or release date, but their reps told me theyre very close to production. Look for them (hopefully) in early 2027.Eibach.com/MTB

Wout van Aert says that his Paris-Roubaix victory brought him "profound joy" and it's evident that many cycling fans, not just those of the Visma-Lease a Bike rider specifically, felt the same way.It was a win that the Belgian had spent years fighting for, and one that Van Aert says taught him that perseverance can pay off. With Paris-Roubaix ticked off, the next big ambition for Van Aert is surely the Tour of Flanders his home race. However, speaking in a new interview with Fiets.nl, he also conceded that with the presence of Tadej Pogaar and Remco Evenepoel, he felt a certain amount of realism was becoming necessary when it came to De Ronde.Like Paris-Roubaix before April this year, Van Aert has spent a long time trying to win the cobbled Monument, but never quite succeeding. He has been fourth the past three occasions, with a best placing of second back in 2020."[It] teaches me that I must always keep trying," he told the Dutch outlet. "There are riders who have better cards, but there are also few riders who get opportunities like I do. That chance can always come, and then I have to be ready. That applies to the Tour of Flanders as well. He added: "At the same time, it is no coincidence that it worked out in Roubaix specifically. That is one of the few Monuments where I have a more than realistic chance. The Tour is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the presence of Pogaar and Remco Evenepoel. I have to keep believing, but also be realistic."Looking back over his season, Van Aert, who is still only 32, says how much he has felt fans' own joy over his Roubaix win."You notice that people like to start talking about it, and do so quickly. It is a victory that clearly resonates deeply," he said.For him personally, Van Aert said that his Roubaix victory differed to some of his previous big wins, in that it felt less inevitable."Those previous big victories aren't even that far behind us, but back then it felt more like a logical consequence of my development as a rider. Now, for myself and for the people, it was much more of a release. The word 'finally' comes up often. I noticed that in the reactions as well. Apparently, I have made a lot of people happy."

The budget-friendly State 4130 Trail is a modern steel hardtail that offers impressive value. Today, its available with a suspension fork, a rigid carbon fork, or a rigid steel fork, plus several drivetrain options. Find all the details here...The post State 4130 Trail Now Has Three Fork Options and a $1,200 Complete Build appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The government survey also found twice as many men cycle than women, whilst only half of households are happy with their local infrastructure for cycling

Almost nine months after a horrific crash at the Tour of Oman, Damien Touze is still fighting to save his professional cycling career. The 30-year-old Frenchman has not raced since February and will leave Cofidis at the end of 2026, having survived life-threatening injuries and a hospital ordeal tha...

There have been many different flat pedal adapters for clipless pedals to this point, but as the saying goes, build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door. Redshift took that expression literally and created their version of the ideal pedal adapter and called it the Mousetrap. Starting with SPD pedals, Redshift unveiled their ingenious design. Tool-free, incredibly quick to install and uninstall, impossible to release accidentally, low profile, high grip, and easy to transport with magnets that hold the pair together. It really is a near-perfect design. Now, that same design is porting over to road pedals with new versions for SPD-SL and LOOK Keo. Note that the SPD-SL version is also compatible with other SPD-SL-compatible pedals, including Garmin & Favero power meter pedals. The glass-filled nylon composite Mousetrap pedal adapters use a mechanical lock that snaps into the clipless pedal without the requirement to buy extra cleats. Our sample of the SPD-SL version came in 2g less than claimed at 168g, while the LOOK Keo versions are a bit less at 160g per pair. Both offer a fairly large 80mm x 105mm platform that is just 10mm thick.When fitted, the platform sits level with the top of the clipless mechanism and offers a surface that is grippy without being too painful if you manage to catch your shins. Really, the only negative we can find is that the weight causes the pedal to rest upside down. But its very easy to flip over the platform when you start to pedal, since the front side of the pedal still rests higher than the rear. Available in black/grey, purple/black, teal/pink, and blue/orange in both LOOK Keo and SPD-SL; pricing is set at $59.99 per set. However, Redshift is having an early Black Friday sale, which means you can get them right now for just $44.99 (25% off on nearly everything).Redshift has also announced that a Crankbrothers-compatible version is next up, and is expected in 2027. You can sign up for their email list to be notified.

Tom Pidcock has left former professional racing driver Jorg Bergmeister astonished by his speed behind the wheel of a Porsche at the Nurburgring, with the German admitting that the double Olympic mountain bike champion is already quicker than many drivers who regularly tackle the famous circuit. The...

Its illegal to drive on footpaths, cycle paths and park on grass verges, but after one resident made countless calls to the Garda and emails to the South Dublin County Council, little has changed outside sports pitches on the Firhouse Road in Dublin.In many cases in images and videos provided to IrishCycle.com, a number of offences are apparently committed, including parking on grass verges, which can result in an 80 fine; driving on footpaths and cycle tracks, which comes with one penalty point and a 60 fine if paid within 28 days; and, in some cases, parking dangerously, which attracts three penalty points and a 80 fine if paid within 28 days. The offence of parking dangerously could include blocking the line of sight of road users entering and exiting side roads or otherwise obstructing other road users in a way that could cause extra danger.Eamonn OBrien, who uses the cycle paths on the road, said the illegal driving and parking centres around matches at Ballyboden St Endas GAA club and the council-owned Cherryfield pitches. OBrien said: The parking and driving is a high-risk safety concern during sports events, notably at the lead-up to some games and when games are finishing. Events, both sporting and social, staged in both Pairc UI Mhurchu and Cherryfield pitches in the park opposite, are the main issue. Vehicles park on both sides of the cycle lane, which doubles the risk of an accident.IMAGES: Examples of the illegal parking with one visible reg blocked out to protect the member of the public who took the photos. I have encountered on several occasions cars accessing the ramp at the entrance to Cremorne estate, mounting footpaths and cycle lanes to park on the grass areas on both sides of the junction. I have witnessed, at the end of matches, cars reversing from grass areas onto the cycle lane, to drive along the cycle lane to get out onto the road, he said.OBrien said some motorists have acted aggressively when hes tried to gather evidence of this long-term problem, which has gotten worse since the cycle route was upgraded as part of the Dodder Greenway project.I have been challenged by drivers when I took video and photo footage of the parking. I have been told to F off and get a life. I have been told to F off, I am here with my daughter by a home fan. I have been told to delete my vehicles photo off your phone, pal, he said.He said that before the Dodder Greenway project, it took several years for the council to act, but the bollards were not replaced post recent road upgrades, allowing for Free access now to park vehicles where they want.OBrien said: I have witnessed cars accessing the cycle lane within proximity to the pedestrian lights outside GAA club to park partially on cycle lane and fully on grass areas. This occurs from the junction at Cremorne up to the pedestrian lights / main entrance to the GAA club.He said motorists parked the same way at the Green Acre Court junction, west of the GAA club entrance, but South Dublin County Council recently installed new bollards that have proven successful there.OBrien said: I had sent several communications to the local authority over a few years about this and action was taken to finally put in the bollards, possibly with some enforcement input. However, recent communications with the local authority about current parking behaviours within the vicinity of Cremorne were met with a response that stated this is an enforcement issue and outside the remit of the local authority.He describes enforcement as having a very weak impact. He said: I have continued to ring the local Garda station on the day of the incidents, usually rerouted my call to emergency services who instigate a call-out at some stage, and I rarely see a police car on the scene.OBrien said contact with the community Garda has, again, little or no impact, and generally There appears to be a relaxed approach to his parking and driving safety concerns once vehicles are not blocking or obstructing a carriageway or residential entrances. He said the GAA club continues to send out communications to visitors to park appropriately, but that has not helped.A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council said they are aware of vehicles parking on the grass verge adjacent to Ballyboden GAA Club during busy match and event times.To help address the problem, the council installed bollards in June 2026 at the junction of Green Acre and Firhouse Road to restrict vehicle access to the grassed area and discourage illegal parking on the verge. The council will continue to monitor the location and assess whether any additional measures may be required, the councils spokesperson said. The councils spokesperson said: In relation to enforcement, illegal parking on public roads is a matter for An Garda Sochna, which is the statutory enforcement authority. The council will raise the matter with An Garda Sochna and request that enforcement activity be considered during periods when parking issues are known to occur.They added: SDCC remains committed to protecting pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and ensuring that active travel facilities can be used safely and as intended by all road users.A spokesperson at the Garda Press Office said: An Garda Sochna and local Traffic Wardens are tasked with enforcing regulations concerning illegal parking and the unauthorised stopping of vehicles on public roads. Local authorities employ traffic wardens to monitor and address such violations within their jurisdictions.In April 2024, the Garda Commissioner issued a directive to all members to conduct 30 minutes of high-visibility roads policing operations during each tour of duty. This directive remains in place. The primary objective is to increase Garda visibility, which is proven to moderate driver and road user behaviour. Enhanced enforcement all road traffic offences, including parking regulations is a direct benefit of this initiative, the Garda spokesperson said. The spokesperson quoted the Commission on the Future of Policing, which they said highlighted that During some of our public consultations, we encountered a misperception that An Garda Sochna should be policing routine parking violations. This should not be a function of police, but rather of parking wardens employed by local authorities. Police should only need to deal with illegally parked vehicles if they constitute a risk to public safety.The Garda statement, including reference to routine parking violations, was a copy of what was provided to the Leinster Express/Laois Live late last year. In an article published by the newspaper, a mother using a pram explained to the newspaper that, I have to walk onto the road most mornings, and Ive seen elderly people nearly killed stepping out. How is a person in a wheelchair meant to go past that? while pointing to an SUV blocking a footpath.The mother told the newspaper, Ive lived here ten years and its always been like this, making the parking, like that in on the Firhouse Road, both routine and often dangerous too. The Garda spokesperson added: An Garda Sochna remains committed to improving road safety on our roads and examples of enforcement activity and operations related to illegal parking can be found on our social channels, including @gardatraffic #operationenable.

Not every new 32 bike is simply riding a wave of me too, bigger wheel trends. This custom titanium TOOT aka TRed Tritone gravel bike built for Felix Ritzinger to race Gravel Burn is a perfect example of the Italian bike builders overarching custom concept. Designed for a tall rider, looking to tackle long-distance, multi-stage gravel racing, it simply made the most sense to develop the bike around 32 wheels for the highest performance. Enter the 32 Toot TritoneTOOT x TRed Tritone fully custom 32 titanium gravel bike(All photos/TOOT)Italian bike maker TRed custom designs and builds each bike they create specifically for the rider and how they plan to ride. Their ADAPT (Adaptive Design Advanced Process Technologies) custom bike design process starts with a rider scan, virtual rider fit, and aerodynamics simulations to dial-in each bike for the individual rider. Thats the same process they use for amateur cyclists and pro riders alike. Toot calls it a digital twin of the rider that helps them perfectly fit and customize a bespoke bike to each cyclist. And it lets them visualize and optimize the final bike before it leaves the design stage.Racing for clothing maker RH77, Ritzinger is more than 1.91m/ 6-3 tall, with especially long legs, and he often struggles to get an ideal fit on stock XL-sized bikes. So this ADPAT process helped Toot tweak a gravel race bike to his needs, and led to the conclusion that 32 wheels would solve a lot of his particular fit & performance issues.Is it TOOT, TRed, TRed, even TiRed then, Tritone or Triton?To keep things a little bit confusing, TRed has been the name of the companys bike brand for more than a decade. And even thats been written several different ways. But TOOT Engineering is and has been the name of the performance design & development team behind all TRed bikes and Toot-branded components. Toot is also the name used for their highest-level race bikes custom-built for professional cyclists, encompassing track, road, gravel, and even some cross-country. But even racers like Ritzinger use both TRed and Toot interchangeably.As for the new ti gravel bike Toot officially call it the Tritone, in their native Italian. But their site uses auto machine translation, so youre as likely to see it listed as Triton on its English-language product page. So, well try to stick with the original.Why 32 if not just to jump on the bandwagon? View this post on Instagram TOOT Engineering explains that it essentially boils down to the simple geometry of a classic diamond-shaped bike frame for a tall rider (not handling geometry, just yet). In order to get the bar high and far enough above the bottom bracket for Ritzinger, a traditional 700c bike with a normal fork axle-to-crown length results in a tall headtube and a large open front triangle. That resulting larger-than-average distance between the down and top tubes, invariably means decreased frame stiffness, no matter the frame material.Ritzingers custom fit comparing 700c & 32 wheelsSo going to bigger wheels let Toot create a more compact frame that was stiffer and more responsive, while nailing Ritzingers fit. Small frames often end up too stiff, a real problem for comfort and grip on gravel. But the longer 32 wheelbase here compensates(Felix Ritzinger photo/RH77)In fact, the reason Ritzinger (whos RH77 team typically races on BMC bikes) came to TRed & Toot in the first place is that they previously built him a super-slammed Falcon track bike for the Berlin Six Days in 2025. That bike followed a similar philosophy of keeping the frame low and compact, with a rider-customized high & long cockpit (and wildly long seattube extension). (Felix Ritzinger photo/RH77)Ritzinger was psyched with that bike, saying, I hadnt felt since I was under 17: stiffness, reactivity, precision riding. With my height, my physique, I thought Id never be able to feel them under my ass again. So when it was time to build a gravel race bike for South African Gravel Burn, returning to TRed & Toot was a no-brainer.Custom 32 Ti frameset Tech detailsfully custom titanium gravel bike developed around the riderall-new full carbon 32 gravel fork developed by TOOT Racing, 445mm a-c & 110mm axle3D-printed titanium tube junctions & dropouts, plus hydroformed ti tubingfully-integrated internal cable routing (wireless-only drivetrains)slack real seattube angle to offer three saddle positions with 0 offset or forward-facing +10mm or +20mm curved seatpostswidely curved dropped seatstays for tire clearance and comfort64mm (32 x 2.5) max tire clearancemax 54T 1x chainring (with narrow 47.5mm chainline on 150mm road Q-factor cranks)Boost axle spacingUDH dropout T47 86.5mm road-style threaded bottom bracketintegrated seatpost clamp3D-printed titanium band clamp for braze-on mount mini chain guidehandmade in Italy, in Montichiari in LombardyUnique 32 gravel race bike build specsToot Marassha GR ultra-narrow 38.5cm outside, +35mm reach, +50mm stack aero carbon handlebar & Toot alloy stem9th Wave Sandstone SL32 LTD, 32 x 52mm deep aero carbon wheels32 x 55mm Schwalbe G-One RX Pro (322.4 Silca Protocol RCG-3 tires in photoshoot)44T 1x chainring paired to 10-52T Garbaruk cassette and SRAM Rival AXS XplrTOOT Tritone 32 gravel bike Options, pricing & availability(Felix Ritzinger Photo/RH77)The trick to getting a 32 titanium Tritone gravel bike is just reaching out to Toot. Each frame and complete bike they build is custom developed for each individual rider. Geometry, material, and stiffness characteristics are tuned to each rider, not a stock geometry chart or rider weight table.A fully-customized replica of Ritzingers build will set you back approximately 11k. While Toots still-custom Club Edition complete build of the 32 Tritone with a Rotor 113 groupset & M4 cockpit sells for 10,580.As Toot describes their custom bike concept, You dont need to be a pro to ride like one. Every single rider who comes to us gets this exact same treatment and dedicated approach. So, just get in touch to start building your own super bike whether thats a titanium, steel, or alloy bike, whatever discipline you ride, and whichever wheelsize makes the most sense for you!performance.TOOTengineering.com