A few weeks ago, PNW Components reached out to see if wed be interested in reviewing their new Range Dropper Post and Range Lever. According to PNW, the Range is the only dropper post that checks in at 200mm of travel for the $159 price tag. Better yet, you can pick up the Range bundle for $199 thats the dropper post, lever, and a full cable and housing kit, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. (Photos / Ron Frazelle)The Range Dropper Post and Lever are an expansion into the PNW Components durable and affordable Range family. PNW says that the affordable Range line is perfect for both new riders and seasoned shredders. The Range family consists of The Range Handlebar Gen 3, the Range Composite pedal, The Range Dropper, and the Range Lever. I was excited to get the items in and let you know my thoughts. So, lets get to it. The Range Dropper LeverRetail: $54 (by itself with optional cable/housing kit) It comes in black with a black thumb pad. The Range Lever is a lot like its brother, the Loam Lever. In fact, you might be happy to know that the Range Lever uses the same fan-favorite silicone thumb pad thats on the more expensive counterpart, the Loam Lever. Differences from the PNW Loam LeverThe Loam Lever is made using a 5-axis CNC machine, which gives PNW more control over optimizing shaping, tolerances, and weight. The Range Lever is made using forging, a much more affordable process.Sporting more adjustments, the Loam Lever makes it easy to dial in your cockpit setup. The Range Lever doesnt have the same amount of adjustments.Lastly, the Loam lever is more expensive at $69 compared to the Range Lever at $49.Forged out of durable, lightweight 6061 aluminum, the 45-gram Range lever looks very good, having a great fit and finish. The internal sealed pivot bearing allows for remarkably light action.Installing the Range LeverThe test bike for the Range dropper/lever bundle was the Salsa Moraine that I have in for review. At this point, I had already attached the housing and cable to the dropper post and carefully slid it into the frame. So, I then moved on to mounting the Range Lever. It was easy enough. The Salsa uses an integrated Shimano I-Spec dropper lever that attaches directly to the left brake lever. After completely removing the Shimano lever from the brake lever, I loosened the brake lever a little to make room for the Range Lever base to fit on handlebar.After that I mounted the lever, for me, I used the very far right hole on the lever when attaching it. I ran the cable through the lever, pulled and tightened the cable, took out the cable slack with the barrel adjuster, and voil it worked perfectly the first time.Range Lever FeaturesWeight: 45 gramsKit Includes: 1x Range Lever with 22.2mm mountStainless steel hardwareSealed Cartridge bearingCompatibility: Compatible with All 22.2mm handlebarsDropper Post Compatibility: Compatible with all cable-actuated dropper postsCable Routing: Stealth routing Clamp Styles: 22.2mm mount with SRAM MMX Direct Mount built into lever.The Range Dropper PostRetail: $159 (for just the post)(Photos / Ron Frazelle)The Range Dropper Post looks to be of high quality that will last for some time. I feel like this would be a great dropper post for someone curious about the dropper post life. It is inexpensive, providing an easy point of entry into the dropper post world, without breaking your wallet in half. And it comes with a lifetime warranty.Installing the Range Dropper PostIt was really easy to install and works perfectly. It just slid right into the frame while I was slightly pulling on the housing, being careful to push the post in, while simultaneously pulling the housing.The dropper came with two different cable barrels so that you can use other companies dropper levers and run the cable to or from the Range Dropper post.After the install, the post felt solid. There isnt any fore and aft seat slop or movement from the post. It required zero setup, other than finding the right seat height.In my use case, I havent had any droop, and I didnt have to change the factory pressure at all. The post retracts and deploys smoothly.The Range Dropper comes in two diameters, 30.9 and 31.6. You can choose from four travel options per size, 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, and 200mm. PNW sent me a 30.9 with 175mm of travel to use on the Salsa Moraine.Range Dropper FeaturesCartridge style: Sealed air cartridgeRouting method: InternalDiameters: 30.9 and 31.6Weight: From 570g to 666g (depending on size)Lever compatibility: Compatible with all PNW levers and most cable-actuated levers from other brandsCable and housing: Cable and housing included only the purchase of a lever kitLoam vs. Ranger Dropper, Whats the Difference?PNW calls the Range dropper their tried and true dropper design that allows for consistent and reliable performance at our most value-oriented price point. On the other hand, the Loam dropper is an optimized version of the Range. Its a little bit lighter, it offers lower stack height so you can run a longer overall dropper length in your bike. The Loam Dropper also offers 25mm of travel adjustment so you can fine-tune how far your dropper drops.In ConclusionSo, far I really like the Range Dropper and Lever. The Range lever has easy-to-use actuation. The levers engagement is at the beginning of the lever stroke where it makes the most sense, it makes for quick lever actuation without needing to use the full throw of the lever.The levers thumb pad is comfortable and attractive, making it easy to locate and push even with gloves on. Over all the lever, is stealthy in the black-on-black, and branding is low-key.I think as a bundle for $199, the Range Dropper Post and Lever are a fantastic deal. There are lighter and fancier droppers out there, but for those who want to try a dropper but dont want to drop $200, $300, or even $400 on just the dropper post alone, its a great way to drop in.I would recommend this bundle to the newest of riders or the gnarliest of shredders. The PNW Range Dropper Post and Lever Bundle just make sense.PNWComponents.comThe post PNW Components New Range Dropper Post Goes to 200mm for $149, $49 Lever Completes the Set appeared first on Bikerumor.

Belgian continues winning streak as Mark Cavendish bows out with 17th in final Tour sprint

CyclistPro bike: David Gaudus new Wilier Verticale SLR climbing bikeRiding the hopes of French fans this summer, David Gaudu of Groupama-FDJ is racing onboard Wiliers new Verticale SLR. Is the Verticale the bike to break Groupama-FDJs five-year drought at the Tour de France and raise French spirits in the mountains?Billed as lighter than light, the new Verticale SLR is said to be 10% lighter than the brands previous climbing bike, the 0 SLR. The bike was revealed to the public the week before the Tour after being spotted first at the Giro.Cyclist had the chance to check out the Italian brands new bike ahead of the Tour de France 2024 in Florence.David Gaudus Wilier Verticale SLRPatrik Lundin/CyclistPatrik Lundin/CyclistGroupama-FDJ is flying the flag for Wilier at the Tour de France 2024 alongside Astana Qazaqstan, including the history-making Wilier Filante SLR of Mark Cavendish.Gaudus teammate Lenny Martinez rode a prototype of the Verticale at the MercanTour Classic at the end of May. The Verticale is a great bike, especially for me as I am a climber, he said. Its lighter than the Filante SLR and responds really well when the road starts to climb.In the new climbing-specific frameset, Wilier says it used three types of carbon fibres produced by Japanese manufacturer Toray, and it has a claimed weight of 1,623g, including the handlebars, forks and seatpost. Related Posts Pro bike: Tadej Pogaars Colnago V4Rs for the Tour de France 2024 Pro bike: Mark Cavendishs record-breaking Wilier Filante SLR The Wilier Verticale SLR is 10% lighter than the 0 SLR Gallery: Wiliers classic bikes Patrik Lundin/CyclistPatrik Lundin/CyclistThe Verticale comes with the C1 integrated handlebar. Wilier is keen to point out that the research and development process for the C1 handlebar was conducted in close partnership with the Groupama-FDJ. This includes updating the geometry to suit the pros needs and preferences.At the Tour, Gaudu is using a 110mm stem. His bar width sits at 39cm on top, which flares out to 41cm in the drops. Wiliers new handlebar setup also offers an inbuilt aluminium bike computer mount. The bars total weight is claimed to weigh around 310g.Patrik Lundin/CyclistPatrik Lundin/CyclistWe measured Gaudus saddle height at 73.7cm. The Breton is 172cm tall. In the pursuit of a lighter weight, Wilier has also integrated a race number mount into the seatpost, shaving 10g from the previous model. The integrated mount is also compatible with a rear light.The geometry has been altered for climbing too, providing a more upright riding position than the 0. Patrik Lundin/CyclistGroupama-FDJ are Shimano-sponsored, so are using Shimano Dura-Ace C50 tubeless wheels along with the Dura-Ace groupset.The price of the Verticale SLR starts at 9,000. We will share more bikes from the 2024 Tour de France throughout the race. We will also be sharing videos of the bikes on our Instagram @cyclist_mag. Related Posts Pro bike: Tadej Pogaars Colnago V4Rs for the Tour de France 2024 Pro bike: Mark Cavendishs record-breaking Wilier Filante SLR The Wilier Verticale SLR is 10% lighter than the 0 SLR Gallery: Wiliers classic bikes The post Pro bike: David Gaudus new Wilier Verticale SLR climbing bike appeared first on Cyclist.

Jasper Philipsen has won stage 16 of the Tour de France with a regular bunch sprint after a very calm day of racing. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider is back in the fight for the points classification as Biniam Girmay crashed in the final kilometers.The first day of racing in the final week promised to...

Complementing its titanium counterpart released last month, the new Esker Smokey is a long-travel 4130 Chromoly steel hardtail with clearance for 29 x 2.6" tires and aggressive trail geometry. Find photos and specs here...The post Introducing the Esker Smokey in Steel appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

When I first heard that Ibis was releasing a new Ripley, Ill admit, I had mixed feelings. The Ripley v4 was one of my favorite bikes of all time how would Ibis improve on near perfection? The answer, of course, is by updating the geometry (with an additional size!), making it more versatile, and adding internal frame storage. On paper, this seems like the standard formula for updating any mountain bike these days. But in typical Ibis fashion, theyve gone above and beyond with the details so that the new Ripley (and Ripmo) stand out amongst the crowd. STOW Internal StorageTheres a lot thats changed on the new bike, but the most obvious has to be the addition of internal frame storage. Even today, this feature is a hotly debated topic. Some love the convenience of utilizing the space thats already in the downtube for storing your tools, spare tubes, jackets, snacks, etc. Others argue that cutting a huge hole in the frame or more appropriately, molding around it, results in a compromise in build strength or frame weight, only to end up with storage that is hard to access, rattle-y, and potentially mold and mildew-prone. Ibis did not take this decision lightly and spent over a year developing the internal storage system which was viewed as a completely separate project within the brand. In the process, Ibis tested everything they could get their hands on, which included visiting local bike shops to test out other systems. This included surveying riders about what they actually rode with, and even had a Google form to submit pictures of riders tool kits. According to the brand, their Pork Chop bags were a successful alternative to internal frame storage, but they elicited a love-it or hate-it response. The bags also meant that riders on bigger frames would have more storage space than those on smaller frames. Hoping to give everyone equal frame storage, the Ibis STOW (Snacks, Tools, or Whatever) system was born. Starting at the door, Ibis felt that the STOW system had to be easy to operate even with gloves. As a result, the door opens with a single lever that is easy to operate and has a positive detent making it clear when its latched. Calling it water-resistant, the door has multiple seals to keep water out and cut down on noise. Note that it is not water-proof, but if you completely submerge your bike, water will come in from other places anyway. The frame opening is fairly large, which allows easy access for bigger items or the included storage bags. Ibis wanted to partner with a brand on the bags with similar values as a company (including fair labor and environmental practices), so they teamed up with Cotopaxi to create the Ibis STOW Roll and STOW Pouch. These are designed by Ibis, but manufactured by Cotopaxi using fabric remnants for the interior meaning almost every bag is unique. More importantly, the bags have several details that make for a better storage system. In testing, Ibis found that you could either have bags that fit a lot, or bags that were rattle-free. They opted for the rattle-free approach, though theres still a good amount of storage in the two bags. The black exterior of the bag is a thicker rubberized material to protect the bag and its contents, while the interior fabric is a brighter color to help you see the contents of the bag. Both bags have pull loops on either end to help you remove them from the downtube, and the bags can be arranged so that you can access the STOW Pouch zipper without removing it from the frame. Currently in the STOW Roll, I have the new WTC EnCase 40cc pump with tubeless plugger, their EnCase chain tool, and an 8-bit Pack Plier. Inside the Roll youll find elastic straps to hold various tools in place, as well as a zippered pouch, all in the name of keeping things quiet. A velcro closure then allows you to wrap things tightly, again to help prevent movement and noise.In the STOW Pouch, Im carrying a WTB NanoAir TPU 29er tube, which leaves me with enough room to add my car keys when I have to drive to the trailhead. Being able to access the contents of the Pouch without removing it from the bag makes using it for your keys much less of a hassle. On a recent ride, I needed to tighten a lock-on grip, so I timed myself on how long it would take to get everything out, fixed, and back riding. Even without taking off my gloves and dropping a tool bit on the ground, I had everything put back in under two minutes. As promised, the system is very easy to use and completely silent. On top of that STOW System youll find a standard water bottle cage mount with enough room to fit a full size 26oz Purist bottle on all sizes except the small, which will fit a 22oz bottle.Size Specific EverythingA lot of brands have touted the benefits of size-specific design, but Ibis takes it to the next level. Not only do the frames have size-specific tubing sizes, seat tube angles and chainstay lengths, but even the bottom bracket heights are different, with bigger sizes having higher BBs to prevent crank strikes by larger riders who typically run longer cranks (and have longer wheelbases which decreases breakover angle). Different bottom bracket heights also mean changes to the center of gravity used for calculating suspension kinematics, so each size also has its own size-specific kinematics as well. On the topic of frame sizing, Ibis has added a new size called Extra-Medium. Sitting squarely between Medium and Large, the new XM size should be a popular size for riders who find themselves in the middle of the sizing bell curve. In terms of geometry, the Ripley v5 is a good deal slacker up front than v4, with a 64.9 head tube angle (same as the outgoing Ripmo v2). In fact, a lot of the geometry is very similar to the Ripmo v2 with the medium now running a 76.9 seat tube angle, and the reach has bumped up 10mm in the medium size to 460mm.MX Wheel Flip ChipFor the Ripley, all sizes will ship with 29 wheels. However, if you want to run an MX or mixed-wheel setup on your Ripley, it has a flip chip to do so. This chip only changes the rear wheel height it does not affect geometry or suspension. Change Your Ripley into a Ripmo & Vice VersaWant even more versatility? Swap out the stock parts for a 160mm fork, metric 230 x 60 shock, and the right shock clevis & shock eyelet hardware, and your Ripley is now a Ripmo. The same is possible with the Ripmo to turn it into a Ripley. Since the two bikes share the same front and rear triangles and the majority of the suspension hardware, its easy-ish to give your Ripley some longer legs when traveling to a destination that calls for it. However, note that the Ripley now has slightly longer travel to begin with, now featuring 130mm of dw-link rear travel. Thats paired with a 140mm travel suspension fork which puts the bike further into the Trail category. The Ripley still ships with a Fox 34 fork chassis to keep things light, and a Fox Float DPS EVOL rear shock. Thanks to the new mini clevis with bearings at the upper link, the frame is now coil shock compatible as well. Igus bushing are still used for the lower link. Additional Frame DetailsTire clearance is capped at 2.5 in both 29 and 27.5 wheel sizes (stock bikes come with 29 x 2.4 WT), which is accomplished with Boost 148mm spacing and a standard 73mm threaded bottom bracket (with an ISCG05 adapter available). The frames are built around a 55mm chainline and feature a UDH rear hanger to make them Transmission-compatible. A big change for the new frames is the move to a 34.9mm seat post which should allow for more durable droppers. Theres also a lot of room for those droppers, with stock bikes shipping with 125, 160, 185, and 213mm posts for S, M, XM, and L+XL respectively. Additionally, the frame gains burly molded rubber swing arm protectors, a downtube/BB guard, and an upper shuttle guard. Theres also a small little flap to keep crud out of the lower suspension link. A nod to the increased potential of the new bike, there is a 220mm maximum rotor size, with a 180mm rear post mount brake standard. Actual WeightFrame weights are claimed to be around 7.3lbs for the Ripley, with complete builds coming in around 29lbs. Our medium sample with an XT build kit and the Ibis i9 Carbon wheels came in right at 29.48lbs with sealant in the tires, a carbon bottle cage, and no pedals. Thats definitely a bit heavier than the outgoing Ripley v4, but light enough for a more capable bike. Colors, Builds & PricingOffered in either Green Flash or Blue Hour, the Ripley will be offered in complete builds starting at $4,999 or as a frame only. Three Shimano builds will be offered, along with two SRAM Eagle Transmission builds. The Ibis x i9 Carbon wheelset as tested adds another $1,400. First ImpressionsI wasnt sure about changing the Ripley at first, but after a day dialing it in, its clear that Ibis has done their homework. I feel that its important though to point out that this is definitely a different bike. Ripley v5 is a new-school trail bike with a slacker head tube angle, steeper seat tube angle, and longer reach that is more playful and capable out on the trail. Now that Ibis offers the Exie for the XC crowd (and those that prefer a steeper head tube angle), it seems obvious that Ibis would bulk up the Ripley.I always loved how the Ripley v4 handled old-school XC trails, but after riding the v5 on those same trails, I found myself having more fun with a few adjustments. The slacker front end and longer reach means putting more weight over the front end to rail corners, and rather than picking your way through roots and rocks, the v5 urges you to just jump over them. Yet the v5 is such an efficient pedaler that the firm setting on the Fox Float shock is unnecessary for anything other than pavement. So far, Ive spent most of my time riding the bike in the Open-2 setting which is still very efficient and controlled on root-filled trails. I think at one point I was comparing the v4 to another bike and stated that the Ripley v4 wouldnt be my first choice to take to areas with more aggressive terrain since it just felt a touch short on travel and geo the v5 absolutely changes that. Especially when you consider that you can turn it into a Ripmo with the right parts. Keep the STOW Pouch loaded like this and you can access the zipper without removing it from the frame. Perfect for storing your car keys. Thats before we even get to the STOW system. Still a holdout on internal frame storage? Once you use the storage system on the new Ripley, theres no going back. Ibis seems to have addressed all the issues associated with internal storage: the door is super easy to open and close, the STOW bags keep everything protected and rattle-free, and adequate sealing keeps the internals dry. Being able to keep all the essentials you need in your downtube so the bike is ready to go at a moments notice will change how you prep for rides, and what you feel you need to carry on your back or in your pockets. I have just a few weeks on the Ripley v5, and while its a big departure from the previous model, its packed with features that make it an easy candidate for Bike of the Year. Time will tell. ibiscycles.comThe post All New Ibis Ripley v5 Lands Internal Frame Storage, New Geo, MX Wheels & More! appeared first on Bikerumor.

Amazon Prime day is in full swing, and we can't ignore this deal on the Garmin Epix Gen 2

Cyclist10 of the best cycling deals on Amazon Prime Day 2024Amazon Prime Day is back again, so weve trawled through the pages to find some of the best deals on cycling products over the next couple of days.Its not the most abundant sale youve ever seen, but there are still some bargains to be hunted. Here are ten that we think might be worth your while.And remember, because its Prime Day youll have to have Amazon Prime to get access to the deals. You can sign up here. Related Posts Best gravel bike upgrades for every budget Best road bike upgrades for every budget The best gravel bikes 2024 reviewed Best road bikes of 2024 reviewed by Cyclists experts Best gifts for cyclists 2024: Bike-related present recommendations Ravemen FR160 light/computer mountWas 44.99, Deal 31.99 | View offerWere big fans of Ravemen here at Cyclist and theres discounts across the whole range this Prime Day find them all here.The FR160 is a 160-lumen front light that doubles up as a computer mount. Its a be-seen light rather than a see-light, and has a wide lens to help visibility from the side.Buy now from Amazon (31.99)Yale YUL3 bike lockWas 21.59, Deal 15.99 | View offerYale is a giant in the lock game, and its YUL3 Maximum Defendor U/D lock is very cheap and even cheaper on Prime Day.Its Sold Secure Gold rated the second tier behind Diamond and has plenty of features to keep thieves out. It also has a lifetime guarantee.Buy now from Amazon (15.99)Muc-Off Nano-Tech bike cleanerWas 33.89, Deal 17.08 | View offerIts a big 50% off for Muc-Offs Nano-Tech bike cleaner, all five litres of it. We all need a little nudge to clean our bike sometimes so a good deal should be just the ticket.It works on all kinds of dirt and is safe for components. Its tried, tested and trusted.Buy now from Amazon (17.08)Bryton Rider S800 computerMatthew LoveridgeWas 359.99, Deal 289.99 | View offerBryton always seems to get involved with Prime Day and this year is absolutely no different. The S800 is its top-level computer used by Intermarch-Wanty pros like Biniam Girmay.It has a big 2.4-inch colour-screen and a 36-hour battery life. It also comes with a cadence sensor, speed sensor and a heart rate monitor.Buy now from Amazon (289.99)Read our Bryton Rider S800 reviewWhoop 4.0 with subscriptionWas 229, Deal 189 | View offerYouve seen the adverts, youve seen the strain scores, youve seen it on Mathieu van der Poels wrist. Whoop is the fitness watch thats not a watch, its a pure tracker without the face that provides data on sleep, recovery and strain among other things.Its 17% off.Buy now from Amazon (189)Sennheiser Momentum Sports earbudsSam ChallisWas 279.99, Deal 218.49 | View offerThe Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds recently got featured both in Cyclist magazine and in In the Drops, and theyre already on deal.Not only do they have a transparency mode to allow you to hear your surroundings while listening to stuff, they also have in-built fitness tracking including heart rate and body temperature monitoring.Buy now from Amazon (218.49)Peatys Complete Bicycle Cleaning KitWas 79.99, Deal 56.99 | View offerLiterally all the essentials in one tub. Bike cleaner, degreaser, lube, soft brush, drivetrain brush and a cleaning cloth. Peatys has a few deals on Prime Day, find the range here.Buy now from Amazon (56.99)Gorewear Gore-Tex overshoesWas 89.99, Deal 52.78 | View offerThank me later (in winter), Gorewear has a load of Gore-Tex products on deal this Prime Day, find it all here.These waterproof overshoes will keep your feet dry and shoes shiny when the roads are wet and dirty.Buy now from Amazon (52.78)Big Rides: Great Britain & Ireland route bookWas 24, Deal 13.27 | View offerOf course its always worth checking out the book selection in an Amazon Prime Day, and Big Rides: Great Britain & Ireland by Kathy Rogers and Markus Stitz is almost half price.It features road, gravel and mountain biking routes for big adventures close to home (or far away if you dont live here).Buy now from Amazon (13.27)Science in Sport Beta Fuel gelsWas 15, Deal 9.69 | View offerAgain, Science in Sport has a load of deals all here but we couldnt pass over this one on its Beta Fuel gels six-pack.Packing in 40g of carbs per pack, the Beta Fuel range is serious stuff to keep you powering at full pelt all day.Buy now from Amazon (9.60) Related Posts Best gravel bike upgrades for every budget Best road bike upgrades for every budget The best gravel bikes 2024 reviewed Best road bikes of 2024 reviewed by Cyclists experts Best gifts for cyclists 2024: Bike-related present recommendations The post 10 of the best cycling deals on Amazon Prime Day 2024 appeared first on Cyclist.

The riders will not have a single more flat stage in this Tour de France. It's nothing but climbs and hills now all the way to the finish in Nice. We preview stage 17, a day where the breakaway can fight for victory and at the same time, we may see another battle between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Ving...

Just released, the RF-welded Revelate Designs Stoat Seat Bag is a sleek and simple saddle pack accessory that's the perfect size for everyday-carry items, and it makes a great bikepacking kit accessory bag. Find our first-ride review here...The post Revelate Designs Stoat Seat Bag: First Look appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.