A new generation of the meticulously machined Actofive I-Train mk2 aluminum trail bike lets MTB riders pick from 120-140mm of rear wheel travel and then fine-tune anti-squat to create their own perfect mountain bike. More travel, more adjustability, and more capable than ever. This second generation of Actofive’s full in-house CNC-machined aluminum mountain bike can be built into a lightweight downcountry bike or with a bit more burly build into a beast of a trail bike blurring into short-travel enduro for the capable rider…

ActoFive I-Train Mk2 versatile, adjustable CNC alloy Trail bike

Just over a year and a half ago, Actofive introduced the I-Train as a simplified shorter-travel and more affordable example of their beautifully precise CNC-machined mountain bike handiwork. Compared to the much more complex and longer travel variable high-pivot P-Train enduro bike, the I-Train was meant to be a more accessible bike, and a bike more suited to the type of riding most mountain bikers actually experience.

But now, with 15mm more travel in each of three settings, three different flip-chips to fine-tune suspension, wheelsize combos & ride height, plus an angle adjust headset… the limitations of what the new I-Train mk2 can do are kind of flying out the window. What you are left with is a bike that can adapt to almost any style of modern mountain biking.

Actofive calling this machine a short-travel trail bike seems to undersell what is clearly a capable tool in the right hands. I watched first-hand as Czech enduro racer Vojta Blaha rode his new I-Train mk2 to a Blinduro Podzim win on the bike’s first weekend racing after its debut at Bespoked, while most riders (myself included) raced the 2 days of steep, rocky & loose blind stages on much longer travel bikes.

Yet, Blaha had nothing but great things to say about the playful new bike… calling it a “Shred machine. The ultimate trail bike that you can pedal for 100km and then throw a DH track at it”.

What’ new?

The new all-29er I-Train Mk2 gains 15mm longer rear wheel travel, now reaching 120mm / 130mm / 140mm depending on your choice of rear shock. It’s simple plug-and-play according to Actofive, so you can always change travel down the road with a simple shock swap – no other parts/modifications required.

While the original I-Train used welded Nicolai seat & chainstays, now Actofive machines the entire bike in-house. The new stays feature intricately hollowed-out truss-like structures that you can see on their backsides. We got a preview of the new stays in our recent Actofive Factory Tour.

What’s really most unique about the new I-Train mk2 is its newfound adjustability, giving more options to fine-tune it for various styles of trail riding. It keeps the same 3-position ride height adjustment & angle adjustable headset cups.

But now adds the option for a 10mm shorter chainstay link for mullet builds AND a new 4-position suspension tuning flip-chip they’re calling Adjustable Pivot.

By minutely adjusting the height of the main pivot just above the bottom bracket users can significantly adjust the anti-squat response of the suspension, while fine-tuning the pedal kickback curve, as well. This lets riders easily adjust how lively or planted the bike feels to suit their riding & pedaling styles. Read our summary of Anti-Squat here if you want to learn more on why it is great to be able to adjust it to your preference.

The new bike also features more progressive geometry, inspired by its Enduro World Cup-racing P-Train sibling. Its headset is now a degree slacker at 65° (+/-1°), seattube a degree steeper at 78°, and frame Reach 5mm longer.

Perfect for fast and technical trail riding.

Tech details

• fully CNC-machined from 7075-T6 aluminum billet in Dresden, Germany
• two-piece hollow clamshell adhesive-bonded front triangle
• open machined seatstays & open machined chainstays with press-fit polymer bridge for tuned rear-end flex
• two-piece keyed & bolted-together aluminum rocker link

• 120, 130, or 140mm of 4-bar rear wheel travel via different shock stroke (190×45 or 210×50/55mm)
• matched to 130-150mm fork travel
• 4-position Adjustable (main) Pivot to tune suspension anti-squat characteristics
• 3-position bottom bracket drop settings: Low 43mm, Neutral 39mm, or High 36mm
• 2-position size-specific chainstay lengths: 437mm (S1/2) or 444mm (S3); adjustable -10mm for Mullet setup
• three Reach-based sizes: S1 455mm / S2 475mm / S3 505mm
• slack 65° headtube angle, adjustable +/-1° with eccentric headset cups
• steep 78° seattube angle
• full 29″ or Mullet wheel size combinations
• max 2.4″ tires
• UDH for SRAM T-type Transmission or conventional derailleurs
• 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket with ISCG 05 tabs
• Boost 12x148mm thru-axle, PM 180 brake & 31.6mm seatpost
• bottle cage bosses on top & bottom of downtube, plus tool bag/carrier mount under toptube
• internal cable routing through main triangle (external routing optional)
• custom anti-noise chainstay protector & downtube guard
• 3300g frame weight (size S2, without shock)
• raw aluminum or several anodized colors available

Actofive I-Train Mk2 – Pricing, options & availability

The new Actofive I-Train Mk2 is available made-to-order as a frameset starting at 6000€ without a shock.

Once you hit the order button, Actofive’s Simon Metzner will work out exactly what you are looking for to customize your bike, including figuring out what the best shock is suited for your build… from a 420€ Fox Float to a 1079€ Intend Hover Opt and every coil or air option in between.

Then, once you put a 2/3 down payment, he’ll get to machining your bike. Frameset lead time is currently around 4-5 months. Custom complete Actofive I-Train Mk2 dream bike builds are also available. The sky is the limit, but complete pricing starts at 12,900€, and again Simon will help you build a one-of-a-kind shredder.

ActoFive.com

The post Actofive I-Train Mk2 Adjustable Travel CNC-Machined Trail Bike Shreds in 2nd Generation appeared first on Bikerumor.

The team behind this little Belo bikes startup set out to build a more sustainable kids’ bike. Pairing fast-growing bamboo frame tubes with recycled plastic lugs, they’ve created a bike they say is as close as you can get to carbon-neutral, while still being 100% functional, cool to look at, and affordable for parents faced with kids that grow like weeds. For now, the Belo bike is being offered through a Kickstarter campaign in 14″ to 20″ wheelsize. But Belo hopes to deliver their sustainable, made-in-Germany kids bikes already by the middle of next summer!

Belo bamboo kids’ bikes made from sustainable materials

“Let your little ones explore the world sustainably. Belo bikes for little eco-heroes!”

Belo’s goal was to create a better, more sustainable bike for kids. As parents themselves also faced with fast-growing kids, the Belo design team wanted to figure out how to build a high-quality bike that would get their children excited about riding. But at the same time, a bike that they could feel was more in line with the climate-positive benefits of actually riding bikes, instead of creating another disposable product.

Sustainable bamboo & recycled plastics

Bamboo as a frame material first came to mind for its rapidly renewable character, minimal processing needs, red water consumption, and net negative CO2 impact. However, building conventional bamboo bikes is still very labor intensive and requires a lot of less-friendly epoxy work. So they spent the past 3 years developing a plug-and-play lug system that uses injection-molded recycled plastic to give the bikes structure, and requires much less harmful adhesive.

Plus, the white recycled plastic lugs were specifically infused with splashes of colorful throughout to create an eye-catching look to contrast the neutral tones of the bamboo frame elements.

The result is lightweight and fun to ride. Plus, Belo builds affordable frames thanks to the simple lugged construction, even factoring in production in Germany.

“By choosing our eco-friendly kids’ bike, you’re not only providing your child with a fun and healthy activity but also supporting a more sustainable planet.”

Tech details

Belo describes the bamboo they build their frames & rigid forks from as “light as aluminum, as strong as steel, and has a high resistance to compression, bending, and torsion“. Still, the fiber-reinforced, recycled plastic lugs are overbuilt to be extra strong for how kids use & abuse bikes, while still being lightweight. The bikes are also disc brake only and feature thru-axles to work with high-quality wheels.

Beyond the eco-friendly frames, Belo bikes feature solid kid-centric components. Comfy saddles, ergonomic bar shapes, child-specific levers for easy reach, and light affordable alloy components.

• available in 3 wheelsize-specific sizes (S-L) to fit kids from around 3- to 8-years-old
• offered with 14″ and 16″ wheels as a singlespeed bike, or
• the 20″ kids bike features a 1x 10-speed drivetrain
• designed and manufactured in Dresden, Germany

Belo sustainable kids’ bikes – Kickstarter pricing, options & expected availability

Belo has just opened up a crowdfunding campaign for their sustainable bamboo and recycled plastic kids’ bikes on Kickstarter, and they still have quite a ways to go to meet their funding target. As an early backer, you could pre-order their 14″ bike for just 400€ or the 16″ bike for 500€. The 20″ 10-speed geared Belo kids’ bike is a bit more at 700€.

And there’s even an option for a limited founders addition where you can get a custom-colored Belo bike for 1000€, then in any of the wheel size options to fit your kid.

We’ve also heard they’re likely also working on a smaller balance bike version for even smaller kids, as well.

Belo’s Kickstarter runs through the middle of November. Assuming they hit their goal, Belo expects to ship their bikes out to early backers next summer, starting in May but officially by July 2025.

Belobikes.com

The post Belo Bamboo Bikes Crowdfunds World’s Most Sustainable Kids Bike from Bespoked appeared first on Bikerumor.

Festka has an all-new Spectre Gravel, a race-ready gravel bike inspired by the fastest road racing bike. While it retains the characteristic vibration damping that comes from the way Festka builds all of their carbon bikes, this new gravel bike is not meant for casual adventure rides. This is a gravel bike that wants to go fast!

Festka Spectre Grvl handmade Czech carbon gravel race bike

Festka calls their Spectre road bike the absolute “stiffest and most explosive” bike they have ever built. Created to satisfy Festka co-founder and ex-Conti Pro racer Michael Moureček’s need for speed, it features exceptional stiffness from its headtube, down through the downtube and bottom bracket, then out through the chainstays to the rear axle. On the other hand, the dropped mono-seatstay and 27.2mm seatpost combined with the unique rider-tuned nature of the frame’s robot-woven carbon tubes, means the bike still promises to eat up road buzz for all-day comfort and deliver improved rear wheel traction.

Now, the Festka Spectre Gravel does all of that but with bigger tire clearance so you rides are not limited by smooth road surfaces.

Michael always wants to ride fast. And gravel riding was no exception. So he demanded a single bike that blended that all-road style of versatility with bigger – but not too big – tire clearance.

He wanted a gravel bike that felt as fast as his Spectre road bike when he stomped on the pedals. And at the same time, a bike that he could ride with 40mm gravel tires to go fast on dirt and gravel roads… or could swap in something like 32-35mm road tires to stick to hard surfaces.

And of course, a UDH to accommodate the latest SRAM Red XPLR AXS gravel transmission groupset.

The result is this new Festka Spectre Gravel.

With a max tire clearance of 700c x 40mm tires, it might seem under-biked compared to most new gravel bikes that we talk about these days. But Festka calls this a “race-ready gravel bike engineered for maximum speed and performance”. Plus, Festka already had the Scout for a few years if you were looking for bigger tires, or more of an adventure-style ride.

Tech details

Each Spectre Gravel is produced by hand in Festka’s Prague workshop. There, size-specific Czech-made carbon frame tubes are individually mitered, assembled in a jig, and then each joint is overlaid and laminated by hand in a painstaking process. At Bespoked in Dresden’s airport over the weekend, Lenka – one of Festka’s frame builders – worked throughout the handmade bike show on one Festka frame, showcasing the time-consuming process. Building up the transition material from one tube to the next, adding layers of raw carbon fiber weave, resin, and then tape overwraps to compress & hold them in place.

• full carbon tube-to-tube construction with CompoTech robot-wound tubes
• handmade in Prague, Czech Republic
• 52mm headtube for fully integrated internal cable routing through the headset
• Enve All-Road In-Route full carbon 1.5″ tapered steerer fork

• 1x only, 46T max chainring
• electronic shift only, wired or wireless: i.e. AXS, Di2, EPS/WRL
• UDH for compatibility with all drivetrains
• 40mm max tire clearance (specifically, width as measured)
• 27.2mm round seatpost with conventional external clamp
• BB86 PressFit bottom bracket
• max 140mm rear rotor
• 1035g frame weight (albeit an unpainted size M, as claimed)
• available in 7 stock frame sizes (XXS-XXL), also custom geometry possible

Festka Spectre Gravel – Pricing, options & availability

The new Festka Spectre Gravel is available to order now direct from Festka or any of their dealer bike shops around the world. Frames are made to order, with about a 3-4 month lead time. The new gravel bike comes in a wide 7 size range, and as is typical with Festka, more custom sizing is typically possible for those that have more unique fit requirements. We’re waiting to hear back an exact number on price, but we suspect it will start around the same 7000€ that it costs for a Spectre road frameset.

This bike shows the standard paint scheme for the Spectre Gravel with the majority of the carbon structure visible through just a glossy clearcoat. But of course, Festka also creates some of the most amazing paint jobs we’ve seen on a bike, so you could always transform one of these new Spectre Gravel race bikes into a piece of art if you have the time and budget.

Festka.com

The post Festka Spectre Gravel Stiffens Up Race-Ready Handmade Carbon Gravel Bike at Bespoked appeared first on Bikerumor.

At Bespoked in Dresden over the weekend, Czech robot-wound carbon bike maker CDuro teased us with an all-new gravel bike prototype. Designed as an all-rounder, this prototype gravel bike highlights their unique automated carbon tube & joint manufacturing construction, showcasing every individual wrap of carbon that makes up its structure.

Plus, at the same time, CDuro also announced their carbon Epona enduro mountain bike – which we first shared with you last summer, but had been following for several years through its development – is now available for purchase!

CompoTech’s CDuro Czech robot-made carbon bicycles

We first know CompoTech for their unique in-house-made machine-wound carbon fiber tubing. A carbon tube tech designed from the ground up to better handle the real bending and torsion forces that bike frame tubes actually encounter vs. conventional filament winding, these tubes are remarkably strong and impact resistant, even when made incredibly lightweight.

It’s the same tech we’ve been riding in Festka road and gravel bikes for more than a decade.

I even got a first-hand look into CompoTech’s in-house Czech carbon tube production back in 2017, together with Festka as they were preparing to make tubes for my own custom One Gravel bike – itself the prototype that would become Festka’s Rover. Although everything was so super secret at the time, so I really wasn’t allowed to share what was happening inside their factory.

I did in fact, already catch a glimpse of an early prototype that CompoTech was working on, which would become their CDuro Epona enduro bike… which itself is now available.

CompoTech Integrated Loop Technology drives CDuro bikes development

But CompoTech’s latest and most advanced automated manufacturing technology is really what fuels them to create their CDuro Bikes brand.

As a manufacturer, the vast majority of CompoTech’s carbon products go into industrial applications where their light weight, stiffness, and vibration damping make them outperform conventional metal parts or other composites… the engineers behind the brand like to ride bikes. So while high-performance carbon tubes were a great starting point for tube-to-tube bike builders like Festka, it was the automated manufacturing of joints between tubes that allowed CDuro to create its own bikes.

This new Integrated Loop Technology (ILT) takes automated carbon tube production to a new level with an automated “integral joining tech” that lets a robot join the tubes.

That way CDuro first makes individual lightweight carbon tubes with a more conventional filament winding ‘loom’ attached to a spinning spindle. Then for example, they cut & miter a downtube, bottom bracket shell, and headtube to be assembled as one. And a robotic arm joins the tubes together, wrapping longitudinal fibers over the joints and along the full length of the tubes to complete the structural needs of the assembly. And finally, the robot overwinds the tube junctions to create the desired tension in the long fibers and lock in the joint before wrapping it all in tape to squeeze out any excess resin and finalize the structure.

ILT carbon up close: before & after

This ILT process allows CompoTech to fully automate the creation of the key frame subassemblies of both their first bike – the single-pivot full-suspension Epona enduro mountain bike – and this more traditional diamond frame gravel bike prototype. In that way, CDuro machine-winds the bikes’ backbone as a single element. And then, they simply slide other tubes in and bond them into place.

CompoTech show how the downtube assembly of the Epona is made in that video above, but don’t reveal exactly what happens in the next step. However, that long robot arm suggests much bigger assemblies could be rotated through the automated production.

Plus, CDuro describes the complete front triangle of the Epona mountain bike and the front triangle of this gravel prototype as being made in one piece.

CDuro robot-wound carbon all-rounder Gravel bike prototype

So the ILT process creates a perfectly automated joint between tubes, but also the continuous longitudinal fibers that reinforce the woven structure of the main frame tubes.

And probably the thing that I love most about the CDuro bikes is that nothing is hidden. While traditional hand-laid carbon always has some human imperfections (like you can see on this prototype gravel bike’s seatstay and chainstay junctions), the automated fiber placement is perfectly where it was designed. Every fiber precisely placed by robots.

The finished product is a strangely skeletal or even industrial aesthetic, at times even looking unfinished. But that’s exactly because CDuro’s robots only place the carbon fiber where they need to from a structural perspective.

In my mind, that’s the beauty of these bikes. Every fiber of carbon is placed there with intention. Nothing extra.

The result on this as-yet-unnamed carbon CDuro Gravel bike prototype is that the overwrapped ILT joints remain open. On their mountain bike, they seal these off to keep out mud and debris. But CDuro still aren’t sure if they would leave the gravel bike more open.

Carbon tube connections up close

CDuro does not entirely automate construction of the prototype gravel bike, though. Robots wind the (mostly) round tubes and create the main front triangle joints. But CDuro CNC-machines aluminum dropouts at the rear, which they then directly bond into their tubes. And then, they connect those chainstays and seatstays to the front triangle with conventional tube mitering and hand-wrapped carbon overlays.

Officially, this is still completely a gravel prototype, and CDuro does not have any real final details of an estimated availability timeline for the new bike. They do describe the gravel bike more as an all-rounder. So it will have gravel geometry inspired by the mountain bikers who have designed it. And while optimizing weight, CDuro prioritize durability over the absolute lightest weight possible for this gravel bike project.

CDuro expects tire clearance in the 45-50mm range. Cable routing will be fully integrated up front, and it will be UDH-compatible. And it likely will add more bottle cage mounts than you see here, but as CDuro say, they would rather cut as few holes into the middle of their carbon tubes, as possible.

100% made-in-Czechia, complete gravel frames will probably sell for somewhere between 2500-3000€ in a handful of stock sizes, starting with raw matte carbon finishes being the most affordable. But we’ll have to wait at least until next spring to get a more concrete timeline.

CDuro Epona carbon enduro mountain bike

But, if you are looking for a unique carbon enduro mountain bike woven by Czech robots, you can already order one of these CDuro Epona frames today.

We first featured the single-pivot Epona last summer at Eurobike where it was sporting this upside-down carbon Intend fork. I’ve also seen it around the Czech enduro racing scene and in line at my local bikepark, piloted by Czech enduro racer Dominika Adamcová.

This is the versatile and capable mountain bike that CompoTech’s engineers wanted to build from the start. CDuro name the Epona after a local technical rocky trail that descends from the highest mountain just above CDuro’s factory in Sušice, at the foot of the Šumava mountains on the CZ/DE border.

CDuro describe the concept of the bike as simple, “a strong, stable, lightweight carbon, and straightforward single-pivot enduro frame platform”. They are not trying to reinvent mountain bike suspension or even geometry design – just to reimagine it with their unique automated carbon construction.

Generally, CDuro builds the Epona up as either a mullet bike with a longer 65mm stroke shock for 160mm of rear wheel travel. Or go full 29er with a 60mm shock stroke for 150mm of rear travel. But for the smallest S-sized bikes, CDuro reduces rear wheel travel to 137mm with a 55mm stroke shock for lower standover with either a 29″ or 27.5″ rear wheel.

In any case, CDuro recommends matching it to a 29″ front wheel and 160-170mm of fork travel.

The bike comes in 4 stock sizes (S-XL) and features pretty standard capable geometry for a lightweight enduro bike. You get a slack 64° head angle, steep 79° seat angle, relatively long 450mm chainstays, and medium-long Reach figures.

Tech details

• CompoTech Integrated Loop Technology robot-wound carbon front triangle
• hi-mod carbon frame 100% EU-made at a claimed 2.2kg without shock
• 27.5 mullet 160mm or full 29er 150mm of rear single-pivot travel on sealed bearings
• threaded or BB92 PressFit bottom bracket
• UDH with 12x148mm Boost spacing
• 180 post-mount disc brake
• internal brake routing, plus optional internal wired 31.6mm dropper seatpost or derailleur routing

Epona – Pricing & availability

CDuro produces the Epona in small batches in 4 stock frame sizes (S-XL), but with each bike dialed in for the individual buyer.

The Epona sells as a frame-only for 3860€. And with a 50% deposit to start the build process, it takes about 8-9 weeks before they will get the frame to you to build up. Pretty much every Epona I have seen built up in person has featured premium Intend suspension, but CDuro is happy to help you find a more reasonably priced build, as well. In fact, Bikerumor is in talks with CDuro to test one with a more conventional build kit on our local trails in the coming months.

CDuroBikes.com

The post CDuro Teases Czech Wound Carbon Gravel Bike, Starts Shipping Epona Enduro MTB appeared first on Bikerumor.

Kyle Strait may be taking inspiration for his Rampage build from the Southwest, but for Brendan Fairclough, it’s all about the horsepower. The horsepower of a very specific Porsche, that is.

As the story goes, Brendog attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed where he fell in love with a TAG Turbo. By the photos, it appears to be the Lazante 930 TAG Turbo Championship – one of three “championship” cars to honor titles won by TAG-engined McLarens. This particular Porsche (and Scott Gambler) features a paint job inspired by Alain Prost’s F1 helmets from the 1980’s, with Porsche Grand-Prix White, McLaren Rocket Red, and Bugatti French Blue.

Check out the full build of the SCOTT Gambler Rampage X TAG Turbo Edition in the video above. You can also follow the Youtube link to check out Brendog’s build progress at Rampage – it’s gonna be nuts!

scott-sports.com

The post Bike Check: Brendan Fairclough will Pilot Porsche-Inspired Gambler at Red Bull Rampage appeared first on Bikerumor.

The big news this year is the inclusion of a women’s event, which takes place on Thursday. The men will return on Saturday.

While a race down some of the most jaw-dropping, hand-sculpted gravity lines ever constructed may seem a bit frightening, riders and their dedicated diggers hope for fortunate days to reach a coveted podium spot.

Diggers will have their shovels and pickaxes hard at work at the Virgin, Utah, venue during the days before Red Bull Rampage 2024. They will cultivate lines for their riders while the riders themselves are busy plotting courses and tricks sure to shock and awe anyone with the stomach to watch.

Here’s our guide on how to watch Red Bull Rampage, 2024 edition.

How Does Red Bull Rampage Work?

Red Bull Rampage is a unique mountain biking event. Riders and their crews spend days handcrafting unique lines filled with drops, gaps, and enormous, sketchy descents that drop around 1,000 feet over the entire course.

After several days of work, riders have 4 days to practice and refine their lines before the final event.

Riders get two runs during the event finals to send the cleanest and most exciting run possible. Judges score riders on a scale of 1 to 100 based on difficulty of line choice, tricks and style, fluidity and control, and air time. It’s not just about successfully making it to the bottom. Riders have to provide ample amounts of style and big sends as they do so.

Red Bull Rampage 2024: The Competitors

Men’s Field

On the men’s side, the top eight competitors from last year’s event were automatically entered in this year’s Rampage. Ten other wildcard entries were granted based on a selection committee of former competitors, other pro athletes, judges, and cycling industry experts. This committee used competition results and video submissions to judge overall ability.

This group of 18 men includes four former winners and two Red Bull Rampage rookies and promises to showcase a diverse set of styles and skills at the event. Additionally, the selection committee chose five alternates.

Prequalified Athletes

Cam Zink (USA)

Tom Van Steenbergen (CAN)

Carson Storch (USA)

Brendan Fairclough (GBR)

Talus Turk (USA)

Kyle Strait (USA)

Emil Johansson (SWE)

Bienvenido Aguado Alba (ESP)

Wildcard Athletes

Adolf Silva (ESP)

Brandon Semenuk (CAN)

Clemens Kaudela (AUT)

Kurt Sorge (CAN)

Luke Whitlock (USA)

Reed Boggs (USA)

Szymon Godziek (POL)

Thomas Genon (BEL)

Tom Isted (GBR)

Tyler McCaul (USA)

Alternates

Ethan Nell (USA)

DJ Brandt (USA)

Jaxson Riddle (USA)

Hayden Zablotny (USA)

Dylan Stark (USA)

Last year, Cam Zink scored a 95 on his final runs to snag the victory. Tom Van Stennbergen nabbed second with an 89, while Carson Storch took the final podium spot with a score of 87. Look for these three to perform well again, as well as the veteran Emil Johansson and fan favorite Kyle Strait. Notably missing this year is Gee Atherton, which may be a relief to the rest of the men’s field.

Women’s Field

Eight women were invited to the first women’s edition of Red Bull Rampage, which takes place 2 days before the men’s competition. The same committee chose these top women as the men based on recent competition results, video submissions, and overall ability. Four alternates are also listed on the women’s inaugural competitor’s list.

Invited Athletes

Camila Nogueira (ARG)

Casey Brown (CAN)

Hannah Bergemann (USA)

Jess Blewitt (NZL)

Robin Goomes (NZL)

Vaea Verbeeck (CAN)

Vero Sandler (UK)

Vinny Armstrong (NZL)

Alternates

Harriet Burbidge-Smith (AUS)

Chelsea Kimball (USA)

Georgia Astle (CAN)

Micayla Gatto (CAN)

Whoever wins the 2024 Red Bull Rampage will go down in history as the first women’s winner!

Red Bull Rampage 2024 Venue

The course should look pretty familiar for the riders who have competed in Rampage in the past. This year’s venue is the same one from 2023 and has previously hosted the event from 2008 through 2013.

The mountain is a short distance from Zion National Park and covers roughly 1,000 feet of elevation from start to finish. It includes huge drops of roughly 70 feet, exposed ridgelines, and a smattering of ramps for riders to traverse.

Starting in 2022, though, the course looked different from the course of 2008 to 2013. Rampage rules changed in 2015 to allow only sandbags in trail construction, without any wood features common to free-ride and downhill courses. That’s part of what makes Rampage unique and even more challenging.

How to Watch Red Bull Rampage 2024

Here’s how to watch Red Bull Rampage via different streaming services and media channels:

ESPN+: The women’s broadcast will be on October 10 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, and the men’s broadcast will be on October 12 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

Red Bull TV: You can watch the event live on Red Bull TV.

Red Bull Bike YouTube channel: You can watch the event live on Red Bull Bike’s YouTube channel.

ESPN2: You can watch highlights on Sunday, October 27, with the women’s competition at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT and the men’s competition at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Hulu: You can stream the event on Hulu (with ads) for $14.99 per month or Hulu (no ads) for $24.99 per month.

Roku: You can find where to stream the event for free or at a low cost on any Roku device.

This post originally appeared on GearJunkie.

The post How to Watch Red Bull Rampage 2024 appeared first on Bikerumor.

Velo Orange offers bike parts that blend timeless/retro style with modern innovation. I met up with them at the MADE Show a few weeks ago, and they have some new things to share.

First, they are rocking a new logo that looks retro and new at the same time. With the new logo comes some new bike parts and a new frame.

Growtac Equal Control Levers

The big news is that, hopefully in the next two months, they will be carrying a new pair of drop bar shifters. They will be of the stepless (non-indexed) type. They’re made by Growtac, and could be a game changer. You guys remember Growtac, right? I reviewed their super-popular, high-quality Equal mechanical disc brakes a while back.

Growtac’s Equal Control Levers are going to simplify, if not eliminate complications of mixing drivetrain components. No matter the manufacturer, groupset, and number of speeds you want to to run, these new shifters will work. And, according to Growtac, they will allow the user to shift from 2 to 13 speeds.

Checking the Growtac website, the new levers may have a third smaller lever on the right lever. This lever could be used to actuate a remote lockout or dropper post.

They will be available with both front and rear shifting or in a 1X configuration.

Chessie Aluminum Gravel Frameset

Named after the mythical sea monster that lives in the Chesapeake Bay, the Chessie will bring you “monstrous fun”! Velo Orange says don’t think of the Chessie when you think of a harsh riding aluminum frame.

There have been advances in the way aluminum frames are constructed. These methods separate them from the battle tank aluminum frames of yesteryear. The main triangle of the Chessie is double-butted, and sports custom bends and other technical features, including its unique dropouts.

The dropouts allow for chain tensioning in the single-speed configuration and are compatible with flat-mount brakes. All while still leaving enough room for fenders.

The fork is triple-butted and comes with mounts for fenders, racks, and cargo cages. The legs of the fork have a subtle external taper and a cool segmented design, elegant without being overwhelming.

The medium and large frames have clearance for 700 x 50mm or 650b x 2.25″ tires. If you decide to run fenders Velo Orange suggests sizing down to 700 X 45mm. The small and XS sizes are designed around 650b x 2.1 and 26 x 2.25″ tires. With fenders, you can get away with 650b x 48.

Velo Orange is waiting on the final test lab reports to complete their internal testing. After that, they give the green light on production. They are expecting the Chessie to go on sale in early spring.

New Bike Bits

There and Back Rack

The new, uber-versatile There and Back Rack is made from high-quality stainless steel. It can hold up to two panniers or two double cargo cages. A bonus feature is that it comes with two sets of stays. Meaning you can rock it on the front or rear of your bike.

Riddle Rack

The Riddle Rack is a simple and classy way to keep transverse-mounted saddle bags from hitting your legs. It simply holds the bag back and away from any pedal interference. It clamps around a 27.2 seatpost providing extra space for your bag. All while making it easier to get in and out of.

Gibbous Bottle Cage

Another new product is the Gibbous Cage. This is a fresh take on Velo Orange’s existing Mojave Cage. The Mojave Cage is designed to hold bigger bottles, like Nalgene Bottles. The new Gibbous Cage holds big bottles as well, but is a side-loader.

The cage is made from stainless steel, keeping your bottles from getting marred up. They will also be available in both left-side retrieval and right-side retrieval. Look for these in the next few weeks.

Velo-Orange.com

The post Friction Drop Bar Shifters That Can Shift Anything? Velo Orange Shows Growtac Levers, More appeared first on Bikerumor.

While attending the MADE Show a few weeks ago, I got to catch up with Ortlieb and chat about their innovative new products. Since 1982, the German brand has been known for its innovative and weatherproof bags for both on and off the bike. This new run of gear is no exception.

There’s quite a bit to cover, so let’s dive right in!

The 2025 Ortlieb Gear

Dry-Pack

Retail: $65 (12L), $75 (16L)

The Ortlieb Dry-Pack is a rear-specific, multifunctional dry bag that is waterproof. It has dual roll closures on either end for quick access. A clever valve is included to get the air out while you compress the bag. The 12L version weighs in at 230g and the 16L comes in at 250L.

The O-Straps Rack helps to ensure a secure and wobble-free fit. Built-in daisy chains offer flexible positioning. Sustainably made in Germany with PU-coated nylon fabric, this bag is ready to work!

Duffle Lite

Retail: $230 (40L), $250 (60L)

Ortlieb’s new Duffle Lite might be the bag you need for trekking, loading in cycling gear, paddle sports, or just traveling the globe. It comes in two sizes, the 40L which weighs in at 760g. Or, the 60L size, weighing in at 850g.

It has a cool waterproof TIZIP zipper that offers IP67 protection and comes with a removable inner pocket. Sustainably made in Germany with PU-coated nylon fabric, this duffle is ready to travel with durability and functionality!

Handlebar-Pack Flex

Retail: $145 (15L)

With its multiple mounting options, this new 25L bikepacking bag would be ideal for carrying your sleeping gear. It is 100% waterproof and mounts to the handlebar with any Ortlieb Mounting set (sold separately). The roll closures on both sides make for easy access.

For the attachment of additional equipment, there is an elastic drawstring and hooks to secure stuff to the bag. There is a valve to help let the air out during compression, allowing the bag to get smaller, tighter, and more secure. The new Handlebar-Pack Flex has a load capacity of five kilos.

Handlebar-Rack

Retail: $60

The Handlebar-Rack is Ortlieb’s first attempt at a luggage rack for handlebars. This rack like the Handlebar Pack Flex, above is ideal for bikepacking, but can also be used on your city bike. It supports up to 5 kilos and offers three mounting options. This helps the Handlebar-Rack fit a plethora of bicycles and handlebars.

The Ortlieb Mounting set (not included) makes installation quick. there are also adjustable rack straps that ensure your load is secure. It’s made of aluminum and ready to help transport your groceries home, or your camping gear to the campsite.

Quick-Rack

Retail: $130 (L), $140 (XL)

Again, Ortlieb delivers another quickly installed, versatile rack in the Quick Rack. It comes in two distinct sizes, large and x-large. This rack is super versatile and comes with secondary attachment levels. This allows for the simultaneous use of side panniers and a basket.

Fitting tires up to 29″ x 3.0″, the XL version of the rack can support up to 27kg. The L version supports up to 20kg and 28″ x 2″ tires. The cool thing about this rack system is the ability to install it in a claimed 15 seconds and remove it in 5. Making it easy to switch from bike to bike.

Both racks are also compatible with the new Thru Axle M6-Connector, QL 3.1, and of course all of their bag attachments, QL2.1, QL3.1, etc

Sling-Bag Metroshpere

Retail: $80 (8L)

Modern design highlights meet functionality with the new Ortlieb Metrosphere Sling Bag. The reinforced roll closure with its self-locking magnets allows whatever you have stored in the 3L sling to stay secure. It’s waterproof, sustainably made, and the perfect everyday companion for all of your essentials.

Thru-Axle M6 Connector

Retail: $40

This is a universal thru-axle that is used for mounting the Ortlieb Quick-Rack line. It uses an adjustable length range of 165/168mm, all the way up to 180mm. So the Thru-Axle M6-Connector can be used for all sorts of bikes. On both ends, you’ll find M6 threaded mounts which allow for the use of panniers o trailers.

The Thru Axle is made of high-quality aluminum in Germany and comes in three thread pitches; 1, 1.5, and 1.75mm.

Velo-Sling

Retail: $95 (3L)

The Ortlieb Velo-Sling is a waterproof handlebar bag hybrid that allows you to use it as both a handlebar bag and an off-the-bike sling. As a handlebar bag, it’s versatile for bikepacking, MTB, or city adventures. The Velo-Sling uses a roll closure and magnets to keep it fastened.

It also offers 3L of waterproof storage and can fit things like your wallet, phone, and jacket. Sporting an inner zipper compartment, it helps you get organized. The O-straps and rubber cord keep it rattle-free while attached to the bars. Use the compression straps to further secure the load.

Use the detachable shoulder strap to carry it around town with you. it’s also sustainably made in Germany and comes in Ortlieb’s bikepacking colors, black or sand.

Ortlieb.com

The post Ride Bikes & Bring Stuff with Ortlieb’s Smart New ’25 Line of Products appeared first on Bikerumor.

I’m working on the last of my coverage of the MADE Show, which means it’s time to do something with a boatload of photos. I knew I took a ton of photos… but jeez Louise!

Everywhere you looked at the show, you were treated to a cornucopia of bike awesomeness and my photos reflect that. There are pictures of anything and everything that caught my interest.

To give you guys a taste of what I was looking at, I’ve included some of the coolest, albeit random, things I saw while attending MADE.

There will be a lot of photos, none of which will be in any specific order, enjoy!

Chris King Get Together/Factory Tour

Wilde Bikes Lugged Earth Ship

Cool Cal Poly Cargo Concept

Paul Components Titanium Booth Bike

Bike Friday/Bosch eBike

Liminal Machine Works Retro Direct Gearing System: Pedal Forward for One Speed/Backpedal for Another

Cool Bikes at the Show not in the Show

King Cage‘s “one-off” Condiment Cage

Yellow Bird Thread Works

Prova Cycles

Black Magic Paint

Pinarello

Mosaic

Enve

Ron’s Bikes

Stinner Frameworks/MADE Show Collab

Schon

Scarab Cycles

Rare Earth Cycles

No22 Bicycles 3D Printed Aero Titanium

Tonic Fabrication

Squid Bikes

Baum Cycles

Hot Salad

Tom Ritchey Brazes some Bull Moose Bars

I hope you enjoyed all of that bike nerdy stuff, I know I did!
Made.Bike

The post Tom Brazes, Curvy Curves, Cool Cargo Prototype, & Amazing Paint Close Out MADE Show Coverage appeared first on Bikerumor.

At Eurobike we got an early sneak peek at the small German startup Allpacka transformer commuter bike folding rack basket, and got to play with just how easy it is to use. It’s a great piece of plastic origami. A smart reimagined, readaptation of a classic folding plastic crate, Allpacka created a sturdy wide basket to fit on almost any normal bike rack, that quickly folds out of the way in a literal second when not needed.

And now, you can pre-order One through Allpacka’s Kickstarter, to be ready to cart around your commuter bike cargo next year.

Allpacka One folding commuter bike rack cargo basket

It’s this simple. When you don’t need it, the Allpacka One folding cargo crate collapses onto the top and down the sides of your run-of-the-mill bike rack.

Then, when it’s time to haul some cargo, you pull up on the sides and the spring-loaded design, transforming into a rigid cargo box 3x the size of your rack’s original footprint.

Back home then with your cargo successfully hauled, just press in from the outside corners and the Allpacka One rack basket collapses back down onto your rack, and out of the way.

When it is open you can store up to 30L and 20kg of goods with secure tie-down & bungee points inside. And once it’s folded flat again, there’s a set of 4 bungee straps built-in to carry simple things like a rain jacket. There are even small pockets inside to stow a reusable shopping bag so you are always prepared for grocery shopping. Plus, there are even standard mounts to secure a set of panniers on without removing the foldable cargo box.

Tech details

• Compact and practical: Stowed compactly on the carrier for everyday use
• Immediately ready for use: Folds into a large cargo box within a second
• Generous 50x31cm cargo space: 30+ liter volume in the basket for a wide range of transport options
• High load capacity: Carries up to 20kg, enough for a crate of drinks (read: beer)
• Universal fit: Fits all standard luggage carriers (8-15cm wide, with 8-16mm tubing diameters), simply clamped on top
• Compact design: 26cm wide when folded, 59cm wide x 18cm tall when opened, 2.5kg in weight
• Pannier compatibility: Fits many QR pannier clips from Ortlieb, Thule, Vaude & more
• Maximum flexibility: Always with you, always ready for use
• Accessories: cargo net, shopping bags, rain cover
• Weight: with a net weight of only approx. 2.5 kg, you can continue to ride with agility

Allpacka One folding cargo box – Pricing, options & availability

The smart collapsible Allpacka One folding cargo box is available for pre-order now via Kickstarter with estimated early-bird savings of 40-45% off the final expected retail price. That means a folding rack basket will cost you about 120€ including a set of adjustable bungee cords designed to secure whatever you need hauling on your city commuter bike.

We talked to the Allpacka team earlier this summer, and they expect to manufacture the folding rack basket entirely in Germany from recycled plastic. And it’s already blown past its funding goal, in just one hour, so it looks like the Allpacka One folding cargo box will be real at the start of next summer, with shipping throughout continental Europe and the USA.

Allpacka-box.de

The post Allpacka Folding Basket Transforms Commuter Bike’s Rack into a Cargo Box in 1 Second appeared first on Bikerumor.