Fingerless summer cycling gloves or mitts will help protect the skin on your hands in the event of a crash, and make gripping your bars easier when you’re hot and sweaty. A good pair of mitts will be made from fabrics breathable enough to stop sweat building up, while also offering comfort in the form of carefully placed padding. You can pay a lot for mitts from a ‘premium’ brand but there are some excellent, affordable options on the market, with retail prices starting at less than £20 / $50. We tested six pairs of mitts to find the best summer cycling gloves for 2019. The best bike computers for 2019 | GPS cycle computers for riding, training, touring and navigation Cheap cycling shorts: five affordable options for road cycling, mountain biking and commuting Best summer cycling gloves for 2019 These mitts all scored four stars or more out of five: Giro Strade Dure Supergel: £37 / $45 / AU$60 Altura Airstream Mitt: £18 Stolen Goat Blackbeard: £20 / $48 Endura FS260 Pro Aerogel: £35 / $45 Giro Strade Dure Supergel 4.5 out of 5 star rating Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); Giro Strade Dure Supergel gloves. David Caudery/Immediate Media If you prefer loads of padding on your mitts, then these are great. They have thick Dual Layer Technogel with Rebound Foam pads at the base of the palm and inner thumb, as well as across the synthetic suede palm tops. Finger tabs help with taking them off, while the Velcro at the back keeps them secure. Supremely comfortable, albeit somewhat expensive. Altura Airstream Mitts 4.0 out of 5 star rating Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); Altura Airstream Mitts. David Caudery/Immediate Media The Altura Airstream Mitts feature good, but not excessive, padding on the palm and the heel of the thumb – complete with memory foam – while breathable, wicking, perforated palm panels combine to offer decent grip and comfort. There’s also a large microfibre sweat wipe, handy finger pull tabs and, best of all, a price that you won’t baulk at. Stolen Goat Blackbeard 4.0 out of 5 star rating Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); Stolen Goat gloves. David Caudery/Immediate Media Price: £20 / $48 Arrrghh! Unleash your inner pirate with Stolen Goat’s Velcro-free ‘Blackbeard’ mitts (one of a whopping 22 designs). These snug-fitting microfibre and cotton mitts have pull tabs under the two middle fingers and pretty plush padding across the palms. Well-placed seams and padding offer great comfort, although the ‘sweat wipe’ is pretty small. Available from: Stolen Goat Endura FS260 Pro Aerogel 4.0 out of 5 star rating Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); Endura FS260 Pro Aerogel fingerless gloves. David Caudery/Immediate Media There’s good grip from the rubbery silicone palms, which have thick vented gel pads on the lower palm and a thinner strip at the top on these longstanding mitts. They have the largest Velcro straps out of the mitts on test here, Terry wipes the length of the thumb and lightweight wicking backs. Finger tabs round out a fine package. Also tested Northwave Flag 2 3.0 out of 5 star rating Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); Northwave Flag 2 mitts. David Caudery/Immediate Media Lightweight, well-vented mitts – thanks to a perforated synthetic leather palm – with plenty of padding across the lower palm and less across the tops. Finger tabs help with getting them off and they were comfortable when riding on the tops, though you can feel the slightly prominent seam on the inside of the thumb when riding on the hoods. A good-sized sweat wipe. Castelli Rosso Corsa Cabrio 3.0 out of 5 star rating Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); Castelli Rosso Corsa Cabrio mitts. David Caudery/Immediate Media ‘The lightest and most aerodynamic gloves possible’… Castelli’s boffins achieved that by dispensing with the thumb and sweat wipe and having a large back cut-out. At 25g per pair these are astonishingly light. Impressively, they include large patches of CDS (Castelli Damping System) padding across the palm. Comfortable, light and aero. But no thumbs?!

In its decade of existence, Strava has become an integral part of many people’s cycling and sporting habits. It provides a way to log activity and progress, discover places and people and, most importantly for some, compete for the top of an imaginary scoreboard. Whether you love it or not, Strava’s success is undeniable — it now has as many as 44 million users worldwide. As we all know, where there’s an app there’s a stat, and Strava has recently studied its users’ data to reveal (or confirm) some training traits that will help anyone obtain lasting fitness — even if they don’t feel the need to Strava their pursuits. How to KOM on Strava Make Zwift miles count for Strava challenges Be active, often Strava says that “regular activity is the key to staying active”, which may seem obvious — what next, riding a bike is the key to cycling, we hear you say — but there is a little more to it than that. The brand continues, “athletes who upload to Strava an average of 5 times a week have twice as many active weeks per year as those who upload only twice per week”. In other words, once you get on a roll, there’s no stopping you. Go you! Friends are good There’s no denying that a contemplative solo ride can be good for the soul, but all that time alone might not be the best thing for your performance — Strava claims that activities completed in a group lasted 10 percent longer and went 21 percent further than solo activities. Diversify This guy has just realised that maybe, to become a better cyclist, he’ll have to take up running Oliver Woodman / Immediate Media Practising different sports will make you more likely to be active for a larger portion of the year. Strava’s study shows that “people who do four different kinds of activities per week stay active for three times as many weeks in a year than someone who does just one sport”. Less is still more From looking at marathon runners, Strava has concluded that it’s not always about going flat-out and, again, diversity is key to sustained improvement: “For marathon runners who ran the same race two years in a row, people who got faster did fewer training runs at their marathon pace when training for the second year’s race. Runners who improved were also more likely to have increased their time doing non-running activities compared to the previous year.” Use Strava all the time Only joking. Although, there is some merit to this, as Strava says that for every minute spent on the app, users spend 50 minutes being active. Handily, its new “Escape Plan” is here for you, a multi-sport challenge to log exercise five or more times per week for a month. It might just be your ticket to a new habit.

Fix your foundation.( Photos: 6, Comments: 2 )

The Canyon Strive CF 5.0 and the Canyon Torque AL 6.0 are both designed to be ridden downhill hard and then pedalled back to the top of the hill. Both bikes are listed in the “enduro” category on Canyon’s website and both should be great fun to ride in their own right. However, the similarities end there. Which one should you choose? Speed or style? Let us help you make the right choice! Canyon Strive CF 5.0 160/150 mm (f/r) | 29″ | 15.26 kg | € 2,999vs.Canyon Torque AL 6.0 180/175 mm (f/r) | 27.5″ | 15.46 kg | € 2,599 googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-0'); }); The Contenders The Canyon Strive and Torque are two very different bikes built with the same idea in mind – to create a bike that offers the most fun on the descents whilst retaining acceptable climbing abilities to let you pedal up and ride down all over again. However, while they are both great fun to ride, their riding characteristics are very different. In one corner we have the Canyon Strive CF 5.0. It has a full carbon frame, 29” wheels, 150 mm rear travel and a 160 mm travel fork up front. The CF 5.0 model tested in this comparison comes in at €2999. In the other corner is the Canyon Torque AL 6.0. It gets 175 mm of rear travel from its aluminium frame and a massive 180 mm fork. The Torque rolls on smaller 27.5-inch wheels and costs € 2,599. Both bikes weigh within 200 grams of each other, with the carbon Strive CF 5.0 tipping the scales at 15.26 kg, and the alloy Torque AL 6.0 weighing in at 15.46 kg. It’s safe to say neither of these bikes are featherweights. The Canyon Strive CF 5.0 in Detail Sleek, elegant and fast – three words that spring to mind when describing the Canyon Strive CF 5.0. Like a modern sports car, it is packed full of features and modern technology, such as its 29-inch wheels, full carbon frame and Canyon’s Shapeshifter technology, in an attempt to maximise its performance. The Shapeshifter lets you choose between a Downhill and XC mode, adjusting the Strive’s head and seat angles by 1.5° with the push of a lever. In XC mode the bottom bracket is raised and the rear travel reduced to 135 mm. The steeper geometry, reduced travel and raised bottom bracket in XC mode really transforms the Strive’s climbing performance. In Downhill mode the Strive CF 5.0 retains its full 150 mm travel out back. Canyon Strive CF 5.0 | 160/150 mm (f/r) | 15.26 kg | 29″ | € 2,999 The spec on the Strive CF 5.0 model tested is largely made up of workhorse components. FOX provides the suspension components, consisting of a FLOAT DPX2 Performance shock and 36 Rhythm fork. The drivetrain and brakes are from SRAM, in the form of their NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and Guide T brakes. Whilst we have no issue with SRAM’s entry-level wide range transmission, we do think the wooden-feeling and underpowered SRAM Guide T brakes have no place on a bike of this calibre. The package is finished off by MAXXIS Minion DHRII tires which offer excellent grip and traction. Fork FOX 36 Rhythm 160 mm Rear Shock FOX FLOAT DPX2 Performance 150 mm Brakes SRAM Guide T 200/180 mm Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed Seatpost Iridium Dropper 150 mm Stem Race Face Chester 50 mm Bars Race Face Chester Riserbar 780 mm Wheels Sun Ringlé Düroc Tires MAXXIS Minion DHR II 2.4 29″ Weight 15.26 kg Price € 2,999 Inadequate –i f you plan on riding any steep or technical trails we would highly recommend upgrading the brakes. Stoppers like the SRAM Guide RE specced on the Torque would be much more appropriate here. 2 for 1? – the Canyon Strive CF 5.0’s Shapeshifter drastically improves its climbing performance. Grippy – both the Canyon Torque AL 6.0 and the Canyon Strive CF 5.0 are specced with grippy MAXXIS MaxxGrip and MaxTerra compound tires. However, we would have liked a tougher casing for our days in the bike park. At the heart of the Canyon Strive CF 5.0 is a beautiful carbon frame, kitted out with solid, but perhaps not quite so refined, workhorse components. Despite this, we enjoyed the overall package and ride quality. Size S M L XL Seat Tube 400 mm 440 mm 455 mm 500 mm Top tube 601 mm 627 mm 660 mm 695 mm Head tube 95 mm 100 mm 110 mm 130 mm Head angle 66° 66° 66° 66° Seat angle 73,5° 73,5° 73,5° 73,5° Chainstays 435 mm 435 mm 435 mm 435 mm BB drop 36 mm 36 mm 36 mm 36 mm Wheelbase 1,169 mm 1,169 mm 1,169 mm 1,169 mm Reach 415 mm 440 mm 470 mm 500 mm Stack 626 mm 631 mm 640 mm 658 mm The Canyon Torque AL 6.0 in Detail The Torque AL 6.0 is the rowdy cousin in Canyon’s Gravity lineup. This long-travel bruiser blurs the lines between categories with its 175 mm rear suspension travel and surprisingly civilised climbing manners. It is somewhat of a jack of all trades in the gravity sector. Compared to the elegant, carbon framed Strive, the alloy Canyon Torque AL 6.0 seems very simple. It foregoes the Shapeshifter and features neat external cable routing. Canyon Torque AL 6.0 | 180/175 mm (f/r) | 15.46 kg | 27.5″ | € 2,599 The spec of the Canyon Torque AL 6.0 we rode for this comparison packs a serious punch. RockShox handle the suspension with their Lyrik RC fork and Super Deluxe RCT shock. A SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain delivers power to the Sun Ringle Duroc wheelset that is kitted out with MAXXIS Minion DHRII tires. Stopping power is provided by SRAM’s powerful Guide RE brakes. Fork RockShox Lyrik RC 180 mm Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe RCT 175 mm Brakes SRAM Guide RE Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle 12-fach Seatpost Iridium-Teleskopsattelstütze Stem Canyon G5 Bars Canyon G5 Riserbar Wheels Sun Ringlé Düroc Tires MAXXIS Minion DHR II 2.4 27.5″ Weight 15.46 kg Price € 2,599 Burly – the Canyon Torque AL 6.0’s frame is visibly more rugged compared to the Strive’s elegant carbon lines. External – the Canyon Torque AL 6.0 features external cable routing, which should make it very straightforward to fix or replace any cables if needed. Smaller – the Torque’s smaller wheels make it a blast in the air and in tight corners. However, it doesn’t hold its speed as well as the longer legged Strive. Better specced – the Torque AL 6.0 has a higher spec compared to the Strive CF 5.0. However, it foregoes the latter’s carbon frame. Size XS S M L XL Seat tube 380 mm 400 mm 440 mm 455 mm 500 mm Top tube 571 mm 597 mm 620 mm 642 mm 665 mm Head tube 105 mm 105 mm 125 mm 135 mm 145 mm Head angle 65° 65° 65° 65° 65° Seat angle 74° 74° 74° 74° 74° Chainstays 428 mm 428 mm 428 mm 428 mm 428 mm BB drop 15 mm 15 mm 15 mm 15 mm 15 mm Wheelbase 1,147 mm 1,171 mm 1,195 mm 1,219 mm 1,243 mm Reach 400 mm 420 mm 440 mm 460 mm 480 mm Stack 609 mm 618 mm 627 mm 636 mm 645 mm The fight Both the Canyon Strive CF 5.0 and the Canyon Torque AL 6.0 need to be ordered online direct from the Canyon website and will arrive by post in a bike box. Unpacking and assembling both bikes is made easy by the instruction manual and included tools. Despite its Shapeshifter feature, the Strive is no more difficult to set up than the Torque. The Canyon Torque AL 6.0 is kitted out with better kit than the Canyon Strive CF 5.0, despite costing €400 less. The biggest difference comes in the form of the Torque’s drivetrain (it is equipped with SRAM GX Eagle instead of NX Eagle) and brakes (SRAM Guide RE rather than Guide T) as well as the better fork. So if you are after the highest spec for your money, the Torque takes the lead. However, the Strive shines with a lower overall weight, full carbon frame and Canyon’s clever Shapeshifter unit which effectively gives you two bikes in one. Both bikes climb well enough, but nonetheless, there is a clear winner here. The Shapeshifter on the Canyon Strive CF 5.0 transforms its climbing abilities with the touch of a button. The steepened head and seat angles in XC mode are clearly noticeable and improve climbing comfort and efficiency. The Strive’s rear travel also firms up and reduces to 135 mm when XC mode is engaged, providing a stable pedaling platform whilst retaining good grip in technical sections. The Shapeshifter also raises the Strive’s bottom bracket height, greatly reducing the risk of pedal strikes when climbing. With the Canyon Torque AL 6.0, climbing is definitely more of a means to an end. It has no geometry adjustment, so you are stuck with the slack 74° seat angle. However, the Torque does climb reasonably well if you consider its long travel and gravity-biased geometry. We would definitely recommend slamming the saddle forwards on both bikes to increase their climbing abilities. As long as you keep your legs spinning the Canyon Torque AL 6.0 will happily winch up even the steepest climb, but don’t expect the same snappy acceleration you get from the Strive. Strive vs. Torque – which is the king of the descents? Both of these bikes are very fun descenders in their own right. The Canyon Strive CF 5.0 appeals to those who get pleasure from going as fast as possible. Once you reach the top of the mountain, a click of the Shapeshifter remote is all that is needed to engage Downhill mode. The previous Shapeshifter design required a precisely timed movement to change modes, but the new and improved Shapeshifter is a lot easier to operate. Once the button is pressed it will automatically switch modes at the first opportunity. The Strive picks up speed very quickly, and you’ll feel nicely balanced between the wheels. It’s this balance and integrated ride feel that makes the Strive excellent at holding its speed through corners. When the trail gets fast and rough the bike really comes alive. Its plush yet capable suspension soaks up bumps admirably, feeling like way more than just 150 mm travel at the rear, and the balanced geometry ensures you stay confidently in control through even the roughest rock gardens. On the other hand, the Canyon Torque AL 6.0, is all about playing with the trail. Its smaller 27.5-inch wheels and compact geometry mean it loves to be chucked about in the air and slammed into berms. While the Torque’s massive 175 mm travel is not the plushest, it offers great progressivity and bucket loads of reserves. On mellower trails with less gradient, the Torque can feel a bit clumsy and it does not hold its speed as well as the bigger-wheeled Strive. Overall, the build and frame of the Torque AL 6.0 performed solidly and took all the abuse we threw at it. However, despite the Torque’s long travel and capable geometry, we still found the Strive CF 5.0 to be the king of stability on fast, rough tracks and also more direct and engaging on flatter sections. Which bike is for me? The Canyon Strive CF 5.0 and Canyon Torque AL 6.0 are two very different bikes, with very different ride characteristics. We would recommend the Strive CF 5.0 to anyone looking for a stable, confident and fast bike that will perform equally well on an EWS race stage as it will conquering your local off-piste trails. In this comparison, it’s the greater allrounder. The Torque AL 6.0 is best suited to a small niche of riders. Those who spend the majority of their time riding fast bike park trails and sessioning big jumps in the woods. It’s even more playful than the Strive and the spec and value for money are impressive. If you are looking for a very agile big hitter with an awesome build kit on the cheap this may be the bike for you. This article is from ENDURO issue #039ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine is published in a digital app format in both English and German. Download the app for iOS or Android to read all articles on your tablet or smartphone. 100% free!

It’s been exciting times in the mountain bike world recently. We’ve been treated to new bikes aplenty from Specialized with its new ultra-light Epic and a brand-new Enduro bike that’s been a long time coming. Specialized S-Works Enduro first ride review Devinci’s new Hatchet gravel bike Santa Cruz has just launched a new Tallboy, with accompanying Juliana Joplin, which is a 120mm travel trail bike that’s gained a significant amount of rowdiness while Trek’s treated us to a brand new Fuel EX trail-ragging rig. Giant has also launched a new Reign enduro bike and Reign electric mountain bike. Not only that, Intense has been busy working on a brand new Primer. It’s a 140mm travel trail bike that is available in 650b, mullet (29-inch front and 650b rear wheel) and full 29er setups with the top of the range model costing £6,499 / $6,999. There’s also a new Radon Slide Trail that has 140mm of travel and starts at only €2,499! If you’re looking for a new bike to buy and have some cash to spend, you’re spoilt for choice at the moment! In the roadie world, things have been a bit quieter but we’ve reviewed the latest and lightest Canyon Ultimate CF Evo Disc 10.0 LTD and checked out the latest Trek Domane SLR 9.9 Project One. Both are insanely expensive and both are top performers. Devinci has launched a new iteration of its Hatchet gravel bike that has bigger tyres, an optional dropper and updated geometry. Elsewhere, we’ve checked out Giant’s TCR Advanced Pro 2, awarding it 4.5 out of 5, and given our first ride impressions of a Lapierre eZesty electric mountain bike. Structure Cycleworks SCW1 mountain bike There’s no denying the SCW1 looks bonkers. Alex Evans This quite frankly insane-looking linkage bike takes the latest trend of doing away with telescopic forks to a new level. Based in the Rockies, Canada, Structure claims that the mountains on its doorstep lead the way in which its bikes are designed. The brand’s founder and CEO, Loni Hull, reckons that a linkage fork is the holy grail of front suspension and its Without Telescoping Fork (WTF) design is the leap forwards in technology we all need to be able to ride faster, better and with more control. The linkage fork should isolate suspension and braking forces. Alex Evans It’s got plenty of moving parts to it. Alex Evans We don’t even know how to describe this part. Is it a steering control arm? Alex Evans The top headset connects the bars to the forks and the forks to the frame. Alex Evans The shock’s mounted through the bike’s tubing. There isn’t a huge amount of tyre clearance. Alex Evans The lower headset mounts the forks to the linkage system. Alex Evans The brake hose is internally-routed. Alex Evans Our suspension-guru, Seb Stott is currently putting some miles on the bike so we should have an in-depth review soon. Until then, feast your eyes on the craziness! Price: $10,795 Buy now direct from Structure Cycleworks SP Connect Roadbike Bundle phone holder Buy now from {merchant} ({price}), {merchant} ({price}) and {merchant} ({price})."> (function () { var s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = "//knl.mntzr11.net/widget/intext/app.bundle.js"; s.onload = function () { new inText({ domain: "knl.mntzr11.net", shopId: 608, geolocation: true, }); }; var x = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); //trim whitespace from li to flag empty items (twig seems to strip out closing if you remove the space..... [].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('.monetizer-in-text-link'), function(textLink) { textLink.innerHTML = textLink.innerHTML.trim(); }); })(); The three parts of the phone holder. Alex Evans You’d be a fool to dismiss this phone holder as a bit of gimmick, but until you’ve seen one in the flesh, we won’t judge you. A lot of phone-related gadgets can be easily accused of being rather cheap and tacky and have a flash-in-the-pan lifespan. Luckily for SP Connect, this couldn’t be further from the truth and its Roadbike Bundle feels well made, like it’ll successfully keep your precious phone mounted to your handlebars without breaking a sweat. Even with the weather cover fitted, it’s easy to read the phone’s screen. Alex Evans Included in the package is a Garmin-esque bar-mount that keeps your phone central and ahead of your handlebars, which means cables don’t interfere or are pushed around by the phone or mount. There’s a handy case that fits neatly over the back of your phone which has a nifty twist-lock mounting interface built-in. There’s also a see-through but touchscreen-friendly weather cover to help keep rain, mud and road grime off your phone. Although it’s not entirely waterproof, it does have a fairly good seal but shouldn’t be relied on if your phone doesn’t have a waterproof rating. The twist lock mechanism is in-built into the case’s rear. Alex Evans The mount is perfect if you use your phone to navigate, track rides or just don’t want to miss an important call or message. It’s maybe not ideal for mountain biking but city-based cyclists should love it. Price: £74.95 / $79.99 Giro Tyrant helmet The Tyrant looks like Giro’s Switchblade just without the chin piece section. Alex Evans With the tagline “style over speed” it’s pretty clear that the new Tyrant lid isn’t aimed at the discerning trail, enduro or downhill racer. Instead, it’s aimed squarely at the jib-riding, jump-popping and stunt-focused new-skool slayer that we see pumping out shredits aplenty. It’s certainly an interesting looking lid. Alex Evans The new lid looks like a convertible helmet in shape — it has the low, dropped down ear coverage and rear head protection. It also features the Roc Loc DH fit system that uses a Boa-like dial to dial in the lid’s size. You get adjustable cheek pads and a dual-density foam along with MIPS Spherical to protect your noggin. Price: £150 / $150 / €149 Öhlins RFX36 m.2 fork The RFX36 is a burly, enduro-dominating monster. Alex Evans Using filtered-down technology from the DH38 race fork, the enduro-focused RFX36 now gets the race-proven TTX 18 cartridge. The damper features 15 clicks of low-speed compression and rebound adjustment along with three clicks of high-speed compression adjustment and a climb mode. Öhlins is a name synonymous with suspension. Alex Evans The RFX36 is compatible with 29- and 27.5-inch wheels, has 36mm stanchions and is available in both 51mm or 44mm offsets. It also has between 150 and 180mm of travel. We hope to get a set of these bolted to a bike very soon and should have a review soon after. Price: £1,245 The blue seals look awesome and should provide stiction-free travel. Alex Evans

The Liv Pique, a 110mm travel cross-country-focused bike, has been updated for the modern era of XC racing for 2020 and is now available with 29er wheels for the first time. Built around a women’s specific frame, the Pique combines climb-ready geometry and Giant’s popular Maestro suspension platform to produce a bike that’s designed to tackle trails with speed and efficiency in a wide range of price points. Best women’s bikes: a buyer’s guide 2020 Liv Pique 29er key features Pique now available with 29er wheels Pique Advanced 29 is Liv’s first complete carbon mountain bike Four sizes: extra small, small, medium, large (not in all territories) Bottle cages on all sizes Alloy and carbon frame versions Fox Live Valve on top of the range model A women’s-specific XC bike for modern race tracks The original Liv Pique was introduced in 2016 and formed part of the brand’s redesign of its entire mountain bike fleet. The long-travel enduro-focused Hail launched at the same time with the shorter travel Intrigue trail bike following in 2018. Liv Hail 1 first ride review Liv Intrigue Advanced 0 long-term review However, all of these bikes were built around 27.5 wheels. The new Pique is the first 29er in Liv’s mountain bike lineup. While there are some similarities between the new Pique and the old version, such as the Maestro suspension and hardcore XC geometry, this isn’t just a Pique with 29er wheels slapped on. The whole bike has been redesigned from the ground up to fit in the larger wheels. In particular, it’s interesting to see that the size small bikes ship with 29er wheels, something that most brands have avoided. It’s potentially good news for smaller riders who want the benefits that 29er wheels can bring, namely smoother rolling over obstacles, lower likelihood of getting caught up in rocks and roots, and they’re better at maintaining their momentum when up to speed — all important things in the heat of cross-country racing. 2020 Liv Pique geometry The geometry of the bike has also been altered to suit the larger wheels and bring the bike firmly into the modern era of cross-country bike design. Following the usual tropes of every new bike launch, the head angle of the bike is now 1 degree slacker (68.5), the reach has grown across all sizes (404mm to 427mm on a size medium bike) and the seat tube now sits at 74 degrees across all sizes (vs 72.5). Despite a sprinkling of shred-friendly figures, the bike still has clear XC leanings. What’s the future of MTB geometry? Weight has also been reduced across the bike, with a new ‘forged carbon fibre’ upper rocker that now includes a cutout, which is claimed to reduce weight without sacrificing stiffness. 2020 Liv Pique suspension The bike is based on Giant’s Maestro suspension platform, which combines four pivots and two linkages to create a floating shock design. The top-end $12,300 model features Fox’s Live Valve system. Liv Liv has tuned Fox’s Live Valve system using data it collected from different female riders, collating information about their riding styles and morphology to create what it considers to be the best feeling sus bike for women, with help from Liv’s ambassadors and athletes to boot. The shock has been tuned for the typically lower weight of female riders, with the standard weight range of the Pique tuned for riders weighing between 52 and 73kg. Riders outside of this weight are advised to have the suspension independently tuned to suit them. The upper ‘forged carbon’ rocker has a cutout to reduce weight. Liv Despite its XC-leanings, Liv clearly sees the Pique as a bike that will be popular with a wide range of riders because it’s being offered at everything from entry-level alloy-framed price points right up to range-topping full carbon Advanced Pro models with Fox’s super pricey Live Valve technology. Fox Live Valve first ride review 2020 Liv Pique 29er first ride impressions I rode the new Pique at Kingdom Trails in Vermont. Liv The new Pique was launched at Kingdom Trails in Vermont, which was a great testing ground for the Pique 29er — featuring long, natural trails scattered with roots and rocky sections over undulating terrain you’re pedaling pretty much constantly. The shallow tread on the Maxxis Rekon tyres held lines well and rolled fast on the sandy, well-drained soil of Vermont but riders in places with muddier conditions or a more clay-based soil and prone to wet weather will probably want to upgrade to toothier rubber. Fox’s Live Valve system is effective in that, once it’s working, you don’t notice it — the bike feels efficient, taut and fast on climbs but opens up enough to handle the rooty sections and the odd drop on the descents. However, my weight meant I was able to overwhelm the shock’s tune from time to time. More averagely weighted riders won’t have any issue with this and an increase in spring rate or a re-tune should help to overcome its penchant to bottom out more regularly than I would have liked. The XC-appropriate, 68.5-degree head angle helped to keep the handling snappy and no extra oomph was needed to overcome the bigger hoops’ extra inertia in tight trails. I would prefer to try the Pique 29er on familiar trails, and to also see how it fairs on more technical terrain. With world cup cross-country circuits getting increasingly technical, a good cross-country bike is no longer just about how light and efficient it is; it also needs to be able to handle vast root sections, rock gardens, drops, rollers and the inevitable steep, technical climbs. I look forward to testing its limits in the future, so watch this space! 2020 Liv Pique 29er range overview 2020 Liv Pique Advanced Pro 29 0 The 2020 Liv Pique Advanced Pro 29 0. Liv Fork: Fox 32 Float SC Factory Live Valve Shock: Fox Float Factory Live Valve Wheelset: Giant XCR-0 Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate Groupset: SRAM XX1 Eagle Cockpit: Giant Contact SLR XC Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth Saddle: Liv Contact SLR Tyres: Maxxis Recon Race 29 x 2.25 Price: £8,999 / $12,300 / €10,349 2020 Liv Pique Advanced Pro 29 1 The 2020 Liv Pique Advanced Pro 29 1. Liv Fork: Fox 32 Float Performance Shock: Fox Float DPS Performance Wheelset: Giant XCR-1 Brakes: Shimano XT M8100 Groupset: Shimano XT M8100 Cockpit: Giant Contact SL Seatpost: Giant Contact Switch 30.9 Saddle: Liv Contact SL Tyres: Maxxis Recon Race 29 x 2.25 Price: £4,699 / $5,350 / €5,399 2020 Liv Pique 29 2 The 2020 Liv Pique 29 2. Liv Fork: Fox 32 Float SC Performance Shock: Fox Float SC Performance Wheelset: Giant XCT Brakes: Shimano Deore Groupset: Shimano SLX M7100 Cockpit: Giant Contact Seatpost: Giant Contact Saddle: Liv Contact Tyres: Maxxis Recon Race 29 x 2.25 Price: £2,699 / $3,000 / €3,099 2020 Liv Pique 29 3 The 2020 Liv Pique 29 3. Liv Fork: RockShox Recon RL Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+ Wheelset: Giant XCT Brakes: Shimano BR-MT400 Groupset: SRAM SX Eagle Cockpit: Giant Contact SL Seatpost: Giant Contact Saddle: Liv Contact Tyres: Maxxis Recon Race 29 x 2.25 Price: $2,050 The Pique 29er is available immediately from Liv retailers globally. Some models will not be available in select territories so it’s best to check with your local distributor for full details.

Zip Stitch is designed to help when things go sideways The post New Product Discovery: Zip Stitch appeared first on Mountain Bike Action Magazine.

Ride Santa Barbara 100 (RideSB100), the world-class cycling event set on California’s Central Coast, is introducing an all-new Class One Power Assist Electric Bicycle (e-Bike) class presented by Yamaha Bicycles. RideSB100 is scheduled for October 19, 2019, and has four distinct routes from 34- to 100-miles all beginning and ending at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara, California. Named one of “Nine American Centuries to Master,” by Outside Online, RideSB100 delivers one of the most scenic, fun and potentially challenging cycling experiences in the U.S. The Yamaha Wabash e-Bike. “We’re excited to introduce this all-new class and invite e-Bike riders to join our community and enjoy the beautiful cycling and scenery of Santa Barbara,” said Jamie Monroe, RideSB100 director and owner of Easy Day Sports. “Yamaha is the global leader in e-Bikes, and this partnership will help us develop this new class while improving the event for all of our riders thanks to their enthusiasm for cycling and unmatched experience in e-Bikes.” Yamaha Bicycles has a number of road bike options including the UrbanRush drop bar road e-Bike and Wabash adventure gravel e-Bike. In addition to sponsoring the e-Bike class, Yamaha is also planning to offer demo rides to people during the RideSB100 Expo, including the opportunity for riders to follow the event’s 34-mile fun route. RideSB100 welcomes class-one pedal assist electric bicycle riders (definitions here). Additional details for e-Bike riders will be posted with registration information on RideSB100.com. The event’s four routes offer a variety of challenges for all cyclists including: • 100-mile: An advanced ride featuring the Gibraltar Challenge, a grueling 3,000-foot climb in just 7-miles. • 100-km + Gibraltar: For experienced riders who want to tackle the famous Gibraltar Challenge. • 100-km: A friendly intermediate cycling experience featuring scenic coastal and mountain roads. • 34-mile: A fun and scenic course for casual riders and weekend warriors. Registration is open at www.RideSB100.com. Follow the RideSB100 at www.facebook.com/RideSB100, www.instagram.com/RideSB100, and www.twitter.com/RideSB100 #RideSB100 About Ride Santa Barbara 100 The Ride Santa Barbara 100 features four routes starting from Santa Barbara’s famous Leadbetter Beach and traveling through the beautiful Southern California coastal mountains. This world-class cycling event, including an e-Bike class presented by Yamaha Bicycles, is designed to be a challenging and fun experience that riders will never forget. The RideSB100 is owned and produced by Easy Day Sports and promoted by SPEC PR. The event is scheduled for October 19, 2019. Register at www.RideSB100.com. The post RideSB100 Announces e-Bike Class appeared first on Electric Bike Action.

“Why do you ride an eMTB?” It’s a simple question, but one with an infinite number of answers. For many, eMTBs are simply about having fun, but for some, they represent the power to change lives. When we asked you, our readers, we were inspired and amazed by the unique stories you shared with us. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-0'); }); Those who play together, stay together “Here I am, right back at the start or so it seems. Except this isn’t the start. The start is far behind me in a haze of pacing, pain and days lost to endless nothing. But this is the start of choice. My husband and I met on a hot and hazy day in the remote Scottish mountains, a trip organised by mutual friends to do a big day on bikes. They say that “couples who play together stay together” and our relationship from day one was built on this premise. Before we met we were both wired for adventure, always out in the hills, clearing the cobwebs and feasting on the endorphins that only being outside can bring. With Chris effectively married to his bike, we launched into a romance of eat, sleep, work and adventure. However, 4 years ago this came to an abrupt end after a horrific period of viruses and glandular fever culminated in me being diagnosed with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In a way, after endless tests had found no explanation for my languishing condition, this diagnosis felt like a relief. But it also lay out a potentially permanent future of crippling fatigue, unexplained symptoms, limited choices and little understanding of the cause. I was now officially chronically ill, inactive and trapped in my own body. I even offered Chris a way out, as this isn’t what either of us had signed up for. Then came an eMTB. This union changed the rules. The illness couldn’t take my technical ability, a prize I got to keep, and now I had the tool to level the playing field. The first ride promised possibilities that had long been put to bed – the power to compensate for my failing body. Over the coming months, I experienced a new type of energy. The type that promotes healthy tiredness that isn’t crippling fatigue. The type that steadies the soul and clears the mind. I had the opportunity to plan adventures and get out into the world with Chris and my friends and the chance to play on even terms. Fast forward three more years and we’ve been on adventures big and small, slowly pushing the limits of my body and the machine. This is a new start, with the help of the eMTB, friends, family and my husband I now have a choice. This is the new starting point, a point where I can choose my own path and loosen the grip of this illness on my life.” [Aileen Herragthy, 33] The Off-Road Commuter “Escaping the confines of my stuffy car and the world’s biggest carpark – the infamous M25 motorway – and tackling my 13-mile off-road commute atop a Spectral:ON is the best start or end to any workday. It’s a regular little escape from the petrol fumes and road rage that puts a smile on my face. You can often pedal the whole route without seeing another soul. It feels like a hidden dimension. On the other side are cigarettes hanging out of car windows, wedged along dual carriageways full of potholes and broken glass, overlaid with the near-constant sound of ambulance sirens. The only sound I can hear is the trees gently swaying in the wind, twigs being snapped beneath my tyres and the low buzz of my Shimano motor. The best thing? I don’t even have to shower once I get to the office (unless it’s been a mud-fest). I’ve been pedalling for sure but never pushing enough to lose my breath – even on the 25% gradients up to the edge of Reigate Hill. That’s what Boost mode is for after all! Riding on the road takes about the same amount of time but is far from a pleasant experience. I’ve been threatened and sworn at by drivers multiple times and had a few very close encounters with wing mirrors and car doors. I’m often a bag of nerves by the end of it. The off-road ride, in contrast, is great fun. The Spectral:ON has been a real game-changer and has opened up another far more enjoyable commute.“ [Hollie Weatherstone, 30] The Life Changer “Just over five years ago I was involved in a rear-end vehicle collision which left me with severe lower back injuries. To cut a long and very painful story short, even after 5 operations and many years of rehab I was only able to regain 80% of the function I had before the accident. After 6 months of being ‘nearly’ normal and knowing that I needed exercise, I celebrated by buying a hardtail mountain bike. I had so much fun riding my local trails but I couldn’t climb a hill for toffee. Every time it got even a little bit steep my back would tense up and I’d be in pain, spoiling my rides. Fast forward 9 months and I was lucky enough to be able to order an eMTB. I went for the 2019 Vitus E-Sommet VRS and what a game changer. Honestly, I went out for my first ride and headed straight for the hill that had defeated me on my hardtail, put it in Eco and thought let’s see how this goes. I wouldn’t say I breezed up, but I managed to climb the hill and was amazed – I was grinning like a kid with a new toy. I did 20km that day and I enjoyed every meter of it. As the ride went on, I tried Trail and then Boost and it just blew me away. I actually had to stop at the top of a hill I had ridden and laugh, and then when I realised what I was now doing I became emotional. I had just climbed a significant hill when a year previously I couldn’t climb the stairs. I am now riding twice, sometimes three times a week and nothing stops me. I’ve been out with mates who ribbed me saying I am bringing my motorbike, but I let them have a go and they are all smiles. For me my EMTB is not just a game changer, it’s a life changer.” [Mark Wells, 44 ] The Reformed Technophobe “I must confess to being a bit of a luddite, a technophobe. I drive an old diesel van, heat my house with a wood burning stove and use my phone to actually call people. So eMTBs did not come easy to me. As a life-long biker who has just turned 40, I have come to the understanding that continuing to struggle up hills without a motor is very good for me, keeping my trousers loose and my fitness up. As such, I’m not ready to hang up my un-motorised bike quite yet. However, that’s not to say that I cannot have some fun every now and again, and after experiencing that eMTB smile, I’m now all in. After taking an amazing jump into the world of fatherhood, a new eMTB inevitably arrived in my bike stable. Now everything has changed. Even though I thought I knew every trail in my area, the addition of an eMTB to my bike shed has opened my eyes to a huge network of discovery. Trails that were previously too far away, trails that needed too much climbing to get to, trails that were hard to link into a normal ride. All these trails are now my frequent ‘stolen hours’ playground, for now, riding on my own means stealing ‘father time’ from my new son. I keep fit and healthy now for him, so one day we can ride together. An eMTB lets me keep young, and gives me more precious time with my boy. I would say that I have discovered more in one year on my eMTB than I discovered in the last 10 years without the extended range and climbing capacity of the motor. Yes, sometimes it’s good for the soul to struggle unaided up the hills, but equally, sometimes it just good to throw on a helmet, turn on the motor and grin all the way to the horizon.” [Kevin Wordly, 40] Why do you ride your eMTB? Do you have an inspiring journey you would like to share? Reach out to us, we would love to hear your story: hello@ebike-mtb.com Der Beitrag Why I ride an eMTB erschien zuerst auf E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine.