Colorado bicycle adventure specialists, Rodeo Labs, just released a new addition to their super-versatile Flaanimal line. Today we meet the new Flaanimal 6 Ti, and it’s ready for whatever you want to throw at it. Don’t forget, the Flaanimal won the 2021 Tour Divide, so yeah, the platform is a goer.

I’m kinda excited about this one, so let’s get right to it.

Flaanimal 6 Ti Frame Features

Headtube

Rodeo Labs loves its new headtube on this frame, saying that it “sets the tone for the overall design philosophy”. It uses 44mm press-in headset cups, is machined out of titanium into an hourglass shape, and supports integrated routing. Rodeo Labs won’t promise that it’s aero, but the fact that it looks more aero is a-ok with them.

Distinctive Silhouette

The 6 Ti has some frame features that help it stand out on its own. It uses a custom-profiled, full-length top tube, that has an elegant taper as it gets to the seat tube. It then “hugs” the seat tube for a clean blended seat tube cluster, with nicely sculpted seat stays.

Keg Bottom Bracket

Rodeo Labs calls the 6 Ti’s improved T47 bottom bracket shell, The Keg. It kinda looks like a keg, with its increased diameter compared to the standard-size bearing seat. This CNC-machined titanium BB shell is designed to create space for internal routing while not interfering with the crankset spindle. Plus it uses a “bowtie-shaped passthrough” to aid in dropper routing.

No Yoke

Unlike the Flaanimal 5 Ti, the 6 Ti doesn’t feature a CNC-machined dropped yoke design. Rodeo Labs decided to keep a more “classicly-shaped chainstay cluster”. They incorporated a 3d printed “no-yoke” design, with seamless tube shaping, expert hand finishing, and fully internal shift/brake routing.

Lock Jaw 2

Moving on from the Flaanimal 5 slider dropout system, Rodeo Labs created a new slider for the 6 Ti. With the invention of the UDH, it was time to design an updated and improved slider. The 6 Ti slider removes unwanted mass as well as makes it ready for new rear derailleur tech. The Lock-Jaw 2 pulls inspiration from the pioneering slider concepts of the TD4. Some of the features of the new Lock-Jaw 2 are:

• Native UDH Compatibility
• Standard hanger Compatibility
• Singlespeed Compatibility
• 30mm of slider range
• Future Proof

Routing Choices

If you read some of the comments on Bikerumor, you’ll see that integrated routing is not for everyone. So, with that in mind, Rodeo Labs made sure that the new 6 Ti had three choices for cable/hose routing. They are fully integrated, semi-integrated, and traditional routing.

Tire Clearance

The Flaanimal 5 Ti could just fit a 29 x 2.1″ which is commendable in the tire clearance dept. With the 6 Ti’s removal of the dropped yoke, the redesigned sliders, and the re-shaped stays, it can comfortably match the 5 Ti’s tire clearance. The new 6 Ti frame, with the sliders in the very rear position, can fit a 29 x 2.1″, and a 650b x 2.4″ with no need for a “wide” crankset. Depending on your tire casing choice and rim selection, you may be able to push that a bit.

Dynamo Ports for the Win

This feature is for all of you commuters, ultra-racers, or anyone who enjoys the worry-free lighting experience that a dynamo system offers. The new 6 Ti frame includes two non-drive side seat stay ports with the upper port near the set tube cluster The lower port is down by the rear drop out. There is a similar port up under the top tube.

The Flaanimal 6 Ti Geometry

The 6 Ti has two geometry options for riders with different fit priorities. Rodeo Labs are calling them Standard Geometry and Extended Geometry. They said, “We will allow people to order either version of the geometry, and we will keep an eye on what is popular ongoing”.

Standard Geo

Our standard geometry is the Flaanimal geometry that everyone who owns one knows and loves. The geometry is largely shared across every bike we make and has proven itself versatile and predictable across genres. This is true quiver-killer geometry, ideal for using the bike from road to gravel, to fast-paced ultra riding.

Extended Geo

Our extended geometry is a new option and increases the stack on each frame size for a more upright riding position. We also slackened the head tube angle slightly for more relaxed handling. The handling changes will be very subtle on this version but are more suited for a rider who is touring or riding ultra-distance events with their bike.

I Built my Own 6 Ti For a Price

Being that the new Flaanimal 6 Ti has so many choices to choose from there is no basic retail price for the frameset (that I could see on their site). So, I thought it would be fun to “build my own” and see what I would spend.

You can build yours here.

I kept it simple and tried to keep from choosing all of the options in an attempt to keep the price reasonable. Here’s what I picked…

• Frame size: 58cm
• Geometry choice: Extended
• Build choice: Shimano GRX 820 1x
• Add-ons: Dynamo Hub and headlight
• Price: $8,185.20

To get all the details and to get your own Flaanimal 6 Ti, go to the link below!

Rodeo-Labs.com

The post Rodeo Labs Launches New Flaanimal 6 Ti, a Stand Alone Do-Everything Bicycle appeared first on Bikerumor.

Mondraker goes all-in on drop bars with their first-ever gravel bike – the all-new carbon Arid. Created by a progressive mountain bike company, the new Mondraker Arid is still designed to go fast. But instead of pigeonholing it into one small niche, Mondraker built a versatile gravel all-rounder that is as happy to go racing as it is to spend a chill week bikepacking.

It also happens to be the first-ever Mondraker to get internal frame storage. Maybe that’s something we’ll see come to mountain bikes soon, too?

2025 Mondraker Arid carbon gravel bike

“Get out of the saddle. Pedal as hard as you can. Don’t look back. This thing is fast, we know. Let your instincts kick in and…. Boom! You’ve unlocked all that potential. As easy as. The new Mondraker Arid is the perfect ride whatever your idea of gravel. We’ve created something that moves, something truly authentic. Our way.”

If the silhouette of the new Mondraker Arid looks a bit familiar, that might be because last year Mondraker already debuted their first dropbar model, which curiously was the Dusty gravel ebike with a stealthy, almost-entirely-hidden Mahle ebike drive system. But while that gravel ebike might have been perfect for the Mondraker eMTB fans, this new Arid is for the Mondraker fans who want to push themselves fast and further after the pavement ends.

One thing that I noticed was missing from the Dusty was Mondraker’s signature pierced headtube. But now, the Arid brings it back, well it brings it to the back. The new Mondraker Arid features a unique cutout window at the top of its seatstays, where it can provide a bit of vertical flex, while maintaining overall frame stiffness for solid handling.

Gravel geometry designed by mountain bikers

Mondraker describes the Arid’s gravel bike geometry as “innovative”, clearly inspired by their progressive mountain bike Forward Geometry. It features “generous reach figures and stem lengths of between 60mm and 90mm depending on frame size, a 70° head angle, and 425mm chainstays“.

The result is a fit and feel meant to provide ample rider comfort, and still be “confidence-inspiring” when the terrain gets spicy.

Tech details

• lightweight top-tier Stealth Air carbon frame & fork on all models
• integrated fully internal cable routing through the headset, accessible outside under the stem
• 1x-only, compatible with mechanical & electronic drivetrains
• internal frame storage in the downtube behind a watertight, dustproof & locking hatch
• includes 3 zippered ‘Carry-On’ bags inside to keep your spares sorted & secure
• 2 standard bottle cages, 1 under-downtube cage & 1 toptube bag mounts
• plus 3-bolt Anything cage mounts low on each fork leg
• 27.2mm round seatpost with external clamp
• 12mm thru-axles & flat mount disc brakes
• T47 threaded bottom bracket
• UDH for max drivetrain compatibility
• 50mm max tire clearance
• 5 stock sizes available (S, M, M/L, L & XL)

Mondraker Arid – Pricing options & availability

Four complete gravel bike builds, plus a separate frameset, round out the options to get your hands on the all-new Mondraker Arid carbon gravel bike. All sharing the same frameset layup.

Of course, the Arid Carbon RR SL frameset is the lowest-priced of all at $2200 / 2000€, but then you’ll have to put together your own build kit.

Complete bikes start at $3300 / 3200€ for the base Mondraker Arid Carbon with mechanical Shimano GRX, carbon post, alloy bar & alloy Mavic AllRoad wheels (9.7kg). Arid Carbon R brings that up to $4700 / 4500€ with a wireless electronic SRAM Rival AXS build, a carbon bar upgrade, and machined-out alloy Mavic AllRoad SL wheels (8.9kg). Then, $6500 / 6500€ gets you a Force Xplr AXS upgrade, powermeter cranks, plus lighter & more aero Mavic AllRoad Pro Carbon SL wheels with the Arid Carbon RR (8.8kg).

And finally, the builds top out with a $9800 / 9500€ Mondraker Arid Carbon RR SL complete bike built up with SRAM Red Xplr AXS 13-speed, powermeter cranks, and ultra-wide carbon Zipp 303 Xplr SW wheels (7.9kg).

Get yours from your local Mondraker dealer now, and let them know you are down with a gravel bike built by a mountain bike brand.

Mondraker.com

The post All-New Carbon Mondraker Arid is the MTB Brand’s First-Ever Real Gravel Bike appeared first on Bikerumor.

David Folch, the 6’6″ tall CEO and Founder of the DirtySixer bicycle brand, was tired of riding disproportionate 700c and 29er bicycles. He learned how to design and fabricate “better, bigger, and safer” bicycles for tall people. And, he swore to make it look great as well. Now, he is Introducing the DirtySixer 32er Gravel.

This 32er Gravel is designed as a planned evolution of their 36″ wheeled bike named the Allroad. The Allroad is a bike made especially for tall riders, and has been in production for a little over a decade. The 32er will be aimed towards riders that are slightly smaller with a projected fit range of 5’10” to 6’8″. Bigger than that, David recommends the 36″ Allroad.

After making prototypes around 7 years ago using unicycle rims and tires, DirtySixer now makes their own wheels and tires. However, there are more choices for those items now, even 32er carbon forks.

Hoping to fill the gap between the 29er and the monstrous 36er, the 32er seems to fit where it needs to for the taller rider. It uses a 6061 aluminum frame, with designs and component choices made for the tall and sometimes heavier rider.

32er Gravel Retail and Specs

The 32er will rollin custom DirtySixer VeeTire T-Monster 32 x 2.4″ tires. Those tires are mounted to their own double-wall aluminum rims with a 35mm internal width, or a carbon option with a 30mm internal width. Notably, this bike uses fat bike hub standards with a 150 x 15mm up front and 197 x 12mm out back. A 1×12 SRAM Apex Eagle drivetrain propels the rider while the (most likely long) crankset is TBA. While the seat post is a standard 31.6mm affair, the seat post clamp is an extra burly twin bolt design to keep the post from slipping under large riders.

Retail: $5,899 (30% off if you become a VIP member for $4,129)

• Frame: DirtySixer 6061 or titanium available in XL, 2XL, 3XL (should fit riders from 5’10” to 6’8″)
• Fork: carbon fiber 150mm OLD x 15mm with triple eyelets
• Rims: DirtySixer double-wall alloy 35mm internal / 42mm outer width or carbon fiber 30mm internal / 38mm outer width
• Hubs: DirtySixer 36H in 150mm x 15mm front and 197mm x 12mm rear
• Tires: DirtySixer VeeTire T-Monster 32″ (686 BSD) x 2.40 skin wall
• Handlebars: Ritchey Comp Beacon XL
• Headset: Neco
• Crankset: TBA
• Pedals: DirtySixer oversized flat
• Cassette: SRAM Apex Eagle PG1230 – 10-50 x 12-speed.
• Derailleur: SRAM Apex Eagle
• Brakes: 200mm rotors and hydraulic calipers
• Shifter: SRAM Apex Eagle
• Seatpost: 31.6mm zero setback
• Stem: 50mm + 30°

Crowdfunding Details

DirtySixer will soon launch a crowdfunding campaign for the 32er. Currently, you can land ‘VIP membership’ with a non-refundable $100 deposit. That gains you access to the VIP price when the crowdfunding campaign starts, which should work out to 30% off. We’re told that the preorder window will close in December.

Campaign timeline:

• October / November: Testing
• December / January: Finalizing geometry and components 
• March / April: Production
• June: Delivery

DirtySixer says that some things, like drivetrain and brakes, may change once the feedback returns from testers.

Other Big Bikes in the Works

David also tells us that there are some mountain bikes in the works, starting with a hardtail 32er. That will likely be followed by a full suspension MTB that’s in development with “one of the biggest names in the rear suspension world.” On top of that, there are loose plans to offer 32″ wheel sets which could be an alternative build for existing 29+ or fat bikes.

Check out more details on how to get your own DirtySixer 32er Gravel bike by hitting the link below.

DirtySixer.com

The post DirtySixer’s New 32er Gravel Bike Rolls on 32 x 2.4″ Tires, Preorder Ends Soon appeared first on Bikerumor.

The handmade Italian shoemakers at Nimbl have a new premium Urano gravel bike racing shoe built on their proven ultra thin and ultra stiff monocoque carbon sole. Promising efficient power delivery, Nimbl CEO Francesco Sergio emphatically describes the all-new Urano gravel bike shoes as lightweight, high performance, and elegant.

Nimbl Urano premium performance-oriented gravel shoes

The Urano is Nimbl’s first performance-oriented shoe dedicated to gravel bike riding and racing. Made in-house on the central Adriatic coast of Italy, Nimbl created the gravel Urano to perfectly match the fit of their road shoes, while adapting their modern handmade construction to the newer off-road discipline. “Not just a gravel shoe”, the Urano was created to a top-performing shoe for riding any terrain and all roads.

“Urano is a shoe with a racing soul that embodies the values of Nimbl, while also forging a new path to uncharted fields. Superior performance and quality, Italian craftsmanship, and excellence all merged into one product that has fueled cyclists’ dreams for years and has now become a reality.”

Tech details

• ultimate performance and artisanal construction in a versatile all-terrain shoe
• durable & easy-to-clean honeycomb-patterned perforated synthetic microfiber upper
• dual aluminum Boa Li2 dial lacing with fabric lace guides
• ultrathin one-piece full carbon monocoque sole construction
• <2mm sole stack

• molded-TPU tread blocks (not replaceable)
• black TPU toe bumper, plus lateral reinforcement
• 2-bolt SPD MTB style cleats
• lightweight at just 254g (size 43 per shoe, claimed)
• 100% made in Italy

Nimbl Urano – Pricing, options & availability

Nimbl sells their new Urano shoes for an eye-watering 550€, and most often makes them to order. So they typically take 8 working days in production before sending them anywhere around the world. Nimbl then offers the shoes in whole EU sizes from 39 and half sizes from 41-47. And they craft the Urano on a wider than average last. Like many of Nimbl’s shoes, the Urano comes only in white with an exposed carbon structure, but the new gravel shoes do feature an all-new extra durable upper.

Nimbl.cc

The post Nimbl Urano Handmade Carbon Gravel Bike Shoes Deliver Ultimate Performance appeared first on Bikerumor.

If you’ve been eyeing a carbon Crux but balked at the price, the aluminum Specialized Crux DSW Comp might be your best option. It has the same geometry as its carbon brethren but is crafted from DSW alloy. This bike has a unique personality all its own and welcomes Specialized back into the world of alloy off-road drop bar frames. The build, however, makes us wonder if it is better to choose your components and build from the frameset up.

The Return of the Alloy Crux 

If you’ve raced cyclocross for a while, you remember the days of the beautifully colored (and affordable) Specialized alloy Crux frames. These frames were staples at every cyclocross venue around the US and beyond. The frames and, eventually, complete bikes had a personality to them. Plus, riders could build up a frame and give their personal touch on the Crux canvas. 

I love that Specialized sees a place for high-end alloy bikes in racing. The new Specialized Crux DSW comes at a perfect time when carbon super gravel bikes (even the Specialized ones) are priced out of touch with reality. 

The Frame: A Mix of Allez Sprint and Chisel 

If you’re familiar with the Specialized DSW (D’Aluisio Smartweld) lineup, the DSW Crux is precisely what you’d expect. Specialized calls it the “lightest alloy frame in the world,” though the jury is still out on that claim. 

The welds over the Specialized Crux DSW frame are stout but smooth. The downtube flows directly into the bottom bracket without any welds. The headtube is more refined than the Allez Sprint and doesn’t use the same welding method. The top tube is sloping, like the current version of the Crux.

The tubing is less round than the carbon version and slightly pointed on the end where a cyclocross rider would shoulder the bike. Specialized’s target has moved towards the gravel and exploration crowd rather than the pure cyclocross racer. That said, the bike is fine to shoulder but not as comfortable as the previous version. 

The seat stays are thin, reminiscent of the Specialized Chisel hardtail. The fork is the same as the carbon Crux models. The underside of the bottom bracket shell shows off some cool cutouts and easy cable routing additions. 

A different piece you won’t see on the carbon Crux version is a SRAM UDH (though we’re sure the next carbon Crux will have this update). Though the SRAM Apex 12-speed mechanical doesn’t require a UDH (unlike the 13-spd SRAM Red XPLR), it’s a nice touch and helps future-proof the frameset a bit.

One Build – SRAM Apex XPLR 12-speed mechanical

Like it or not, the DSW Crux comes in a single build option: SRAM Apex XPLR 12-speed mechanical. It arrives with a 40T front ring and an 11-44T XPLR cassette, giving it a solid range on gravel and off-road. The build speaks to the utility of the DSW Crux and helps keep it in the sub $3K ballpark. I have opinions on the SRAM Apex XPLR group set, but I’ll save that for my ride impressions. 

Wheels and Cockpit

The wheels are simple and effective. They are DT Swiss tubeless aluminum rims with a 25mm internal width paired with Specialized-branded hubs. The wheels come wrapped with Specialized’s 38mm Pathfinder Pro tires—one of my favorite gravel tires.

The cockpit stays in the alloy lane, arriving with Specialized Adventure Gear bars with a 70mm reach and a 12° flare. The saddle is another favorite of mine and is just as comfy as the top-tier version, the Specialized Power with alloy rails. 

Ride Review: 

My first Specialized Crux DSW Comp ride was short and slightly shocking. I dialed in the new review ride, taking measurements from my trusty Carbon Crux of the same year. Once I was satisfied with the fit, I headed for gravel. However, as I crested the final climb out of my neighborhood, my rear brake failed just as I started my descent. More precisely, the SRAM Stealth-a-majig failed. I was lucky to have the front brake, but I was still shaken after the incident.

I’ve had brakes fade and lose pressure during rides, but never like this. SRAM assured me that this was a warranty issue and took the brake in for further inspection. But even after installing a replacement brake, I’m still gun-shy about pulling the lever as hard as possible. The brake failure left a dark shadow over my time on the Crux, but the goodness of the bike still showed through.

Take 2 — Actual Riding

Now that my Crux was good to go, I chose a new route (I’m not superstitious but I am a little stitious…) and hit the gravel. Besides the different lever feel (I ride Shimano on my bike) the ride was very similar to the carbon version. 

Since the Crux DSW Comp comes with 38mm tires, the hum of the alloy is pretty muted. The alloy seat post is the bike’s only harsh and heavy (330g) component. I imagine that’s where most will upgrade first to take the edge off, give a little compliance, and shed some weight. 

Excellent Ride Quality

The Crux DSW Comp’s ride is responsive and lively. I can see this being a very popular option for cyclocross racers and gravel racers alike. The pedaling is responsive, and the bike’s geometry is the same as the carbon version—less aggressive than the previous version but easy to steer. 

The Crux DSW can hold its own in the woods and on single track. It’s slightly slower turning than a traditional cyclocross bike, but the short stem gives it a faster feel. Plus, when you get into the rocky and technical bits, the bike is effortless to pilot.

The alloy frame is hardly noticeable on the trails, open roads, and gravel-heavy sections. The super thin seat stays soak up the bumps, and the larger tires do the rest. Like its carbon counterpart, the frame is very stable on long open roads and descents.

Our demo ride arrived in the satin oak paint scheme, and it wasn’t my favorite. It looks like a carbon bike, and the satin finish holds onto mud and dirt more than a gloss paint would.

I’m personally a fan of the older alloy Crux paint schemes, with neon blazed lines and loud colors. Though, if you’re into that (but slightly more tame), check out the frame-only options (above, $1,700) for the Crux DSW. 

Though the SRAM Apex XPLR group let me down initially, the shifting and braking performance was solid after I got sorted. The hoods are nice and wide, with a slight tooth on the brake lever. The shifting is crisp and easy to dial in. The XPLR gearing range is ample and will be an asset for anyone doing extended explorations on the Crux DSW. 

Final Thoughts 

Overall, I’m a fan of the Specialized Crux DSW Comp. It’s a performance alloy bike with an attainable price for anyone looking to jump into gravel or cyclocross. The frameset is rock solid and has an excellent feel and responsiveness. The bike is easily upgradable to shed some extra weight, even though it’s respectably light. The weakest spot for me is the SRAM Apex spec. It helps keep the price down, but a comparable Shimano spec would go a long way with riders. 

Would I race Crux DSW? I would 100% race this bike. I’ve raced the carbon version of the Crux for years, and I love it. However, I would probably go with the “choose your own adventure” build route.

Bottom Line 

The Specialized Crux DSW Comp delivers an excellent ride and should help get more riders on gravel and between the tape. I recommend it to anyone looking to try gravel riding, commuting, or cyclocross. The $2,600 price tag is very reasonable for this much bike, and the fully stock 21lb (54cm) weight puts it on the pointy side of alloy life.

Specialized.com

The post Specialized Crux DSW Comp Review: An Excellent Frame with a Single Build appeared first on Bikerumor.

Highlighting their new painted-in-Italy WPNT colors inspired by classic car paintjobs, 3T almost glossed over a really big update to their core RaceMax gravel bike… an Integrale shift finally gives the bike fully internal cable routing. Sure, 3T already adopted fully internal routing on their aero road bike a couple of years ago, and then incrementally on each of their premium made-in-Italy Italia models since. But now, the more affordable standard 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale drops the annoying toptube routing port. And it’s also available as a frameset for 1/2 the cost of the Italia edition!

3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale carbon gravel bike is integrated!

For four years, the 3T RaceMax has been 3T’s best-selling gravel bike – aerodynamic, versatile with faster and wide 700c tires or even wider 650b tires for bigger adventures, and plenty of mounts for bikepacking and adventure. Now, 3T gives the RaceMax a “fresh coat of paint” by adding it to their new WPNT program, with 5 special edition metallic & iridescent colors said to be inspired by classic cars. That “We Paint” label meaning that 3T paints the bikes themselves in Italy, letting them run more special edition colors.

At the same time, the 3T RaceMax WPNT also becomes “Integrale” like their top-tier made-in-Italy Italia edition carbon road & gravel bikes…

Why does an integrated gravel bike update matter?

The 3T Exploro has been around as an aero gravel bike since 2016. And, I’ve ridden every generation since – at least 5 or 6 different Exploros with one inelegant cable routing solution. The RaceMax platform itself, has been around for 4 years, now. I reviewed this latest bike back in the summer of 2020. And all-in-all I think it’s still one of the best, most versatile but still race-ready gravel bikes out there. Well, except for one major nit I had to pick…

The cable routing into the frame just behind the headset was simply bad. Always in the way, whether mounting devices over the stem or using any toptube bag. It was annoying enough that I wasn’t bothered when it was time to return that test bike to 3T.

And I was genuinely psyched when I first rode the made-in-Italy Exploro Extrema Italia which fixed the internal cable routing issue (even if the toptube bolts didn’t exactly seem to be in the correct spot).

Sure, it meant that the new made-in-Italy bikes were only compatible with electronic shift drivetrains. And they were a lot more expensive. But, it was so much better a solution that this was a gravel bike I would like to keep around for a bit longer.

Now, that’s no longer holding it back, I can say this made-in-Taiwan RaceMax is one of the best all-rounder gravel bikes out there. It does everything the RaceMax Italia does – the same shaping, tire sizes, component standards, and geometry – just with a frameset that costs half as much built with pre-preg carbon instead of filament winding.

2025 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale – Pricing, options & availability

The newly integrated RaceMax WPNT is now available directly from 3T in 5 special edition paint colors: Camo gray, Indaco blue, Mara blue, Malva purple & Avorio off-white. And it is offered both as a 2975€ frameset, or a complete bike build for 6150€ with a new GRX Di2 2x build and aero carbon 3T Discus 40/30 wheels. Either way featuring the 3T Fango RaceMax Integrale compact crown fork & Apto Integrale Stealth stem to route all cables (electronic shift only) through the headet.

Both new iterations of the new 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale are painted and built-to-order, with a 6-8 week lead time.

3T.bike

The post 3T RaceMax WPNT Finally Integrates Internal Cable Routing For Popular Gravel Bike appeared first on Bikerumor.

Today is a big day for Santa Barbara’s Stinner Frameworks. Not only have they announced a new Carrizo All-Road bike, but with it, they’re introducing a complete range of approachable, made-in-the-USA bikes. Introducing the Stinner Select Program. With this new program, the Carrizo is ready to ship within days, not weeks or months.

California-based Stinner Frameworks has been building steel and titanium bicycles for over a decade, becoming a staple in the handmade frame-building world. Their continued growth and popularity put the brand in a unique and exciting position.

The “Select” program is designed to offer customers the best Stinner has to offer while “eliminating the wait time and potential confusion that’s often associated with a custom bike”. The dedicated, in-house production and manufacturing line will allow Stinner’s full custom side to continue to flourish, with “Select” bikes remaining in stock all year long.

The new Carrizo All-Road is built in the same facility, by the same team that builds Stinner’s famous custom offerings. The Carrizo will be available online and at select Stinner dealers worldwide.

The Stinner Carrizo “Select”

This new Carrizo all-road bike is handcrafted, powder-coated, and assembled in Stinner’s Santa Barbara facility. The frame uses lightweight Columbus Zona Steel tubes.

The complete Carrizo will sport a SRAM Apex AXS 12-speed drivetrain. The frame will be able to run 40mm tires, making it comfortable on paved, not-so-paved, and dirt roads.

Braze-ons for fenders and three water bottles make the Carrizo a tough cookie that’s ready for year-round adventuring. The complete will also have a full Easton cockpit and DT Swiss wheels.

Stinner Frameworks says they utilize common standards throughout the bike for easy maintenance, futureproofing, and serviceability.

Stinner Carrizo Geo

Retail, Sizes, and Specs

Frameset retail: $1695
Complete retail: $3895

Sizes: 50cm, 52cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, and 60cm\

• Made in Santa Barbara, CA
• Colors: Mint and Desert (powder coated for durability)
• Frame Material: Columbus Zona Steel Tubing
• SRAM Apex AXS 12 Speed Build
• Tire Clearance: 40mm
• Easton Cockpit / DT Swiss Wheels
• Three bottle cage locations and fender mounts

StinnerFrameworks.com

The post Stinner Carrizo Select is a USA-Made All-Road Bike w/ Electronic Shifting Under $4k! appeared first on Bikerumor.

We’ll be the first to admit it: Fueling for long events is challenging, especially if you don’t have a game plan or it’s your first event. With the rise of longer and more intense gravel races and events, proper fueling is more critical than ever. If you’ve ever questioned what and when to eat on the bike, this podcast will improve your fueling game.

A Guide to Gravel Race Fueling

This conversation isn’t just for first-timers or elite gravel grinders; it’s for everyone. I’ve often gotten my fueling strategy wrong, and I still do sometimes (and I’ve been at this for years).  Whether it was not eating enough, not eating the right food, or the dreaded “I’ll eat later” followed by a dreaded BONK and vision quest for the finish line. We can all work on our fueling for training and racing, no matter how many races we have under our belt. 

For BikeRumor Podcast Episode 103, I sat down with the Fuel Good Nutrition (formerly Rider Box) team to dispel fueling myths and clarify what a race nutrition plan can look like. 

So, should I eat as many gels as I can? No, this isn’t a laundry list of 20 gels and 50 blocks for over 250k of racing. It’s a real-food and practical look at what riders can do (and stomach) to achieve the most from their training.

From Training to Race Day

We discuss what a fueling plan looks like from the very start. Please look at the week leading up to the big event (gravel race in our scenario) and forward from there. We are tackling not only what but also how to get in the correct amount of carbs and other fuels to stay robust and fresh over your ride. 

Bottle Strategy and Pack Prep

Are you going to go bottles or pack? How many? What should I put in them? These are the big questions for a longer (hot) gravel event. The last thing you want as an athlete during an event is dehydration. It affects not only your ability to perform but also your mental capacity.

Do you know what kind of sweater you are? Are you someone who needs more sodium or electrolytes? We discuss sweat rate and how to find your sweat type. Whether you jump on the scale pre and post-ride or check your rate with the NIX biosensor – knowing what you need to replenish is vital.

Post Gravel Race Recovery

After the race, you need to replenish, recover, and rebuild. We discuss re-fueling, recovery meals, drinks, and strategies so you can be stronger in the next race.

Learn more about FuelGoods.com

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From deep in the Dolomites, Alpitude lays up a new ultralight full-carbon Navene saddle with a short-fit, extra reinforcement, and new engineered flex for gravel and XC weight weenies. With weights as low as 72g, Alpitude developed the Navene to withstand the toughest off-road conditions whether you’re a full-tilt racer or just looking to lighten up your ride.

Alpitude Navene short-fit ultralight carbon off-road saddle

Alpitude calls the short-fit Navene the latest in their ultralight ‘naked’ carbon saddle line-up. As a follow-up to their ultralight split Gardena road saddle, the new Alpitude Navene shares a similar short fit, but now, reoptimized for more demanding off-road riding and racing conditions.

It’s a project that Alpitude has developed over the past 3 years with a couple of pro Italian racers – Lorena Zocca & Mirko Tabacchi – who between the two have won more than a dozen national championship titles between them in XCO, XCE, XCM, CX, Gravel & eMTB. The idea was always about creating one of the lightest possible and stiffest race-ready saddles, but also making it flex at the back where it needs to for comfort and durability.

They even teased us with the Navene last autumn. But now, it’s officially ready for consumers.

What’s new?

The most obvious difference compared to the Gardena is the connected tail of the new off-road saddle, said more to prevent snagging your shorts when hanging off the back on steep descents, rather than increasing strength. But those biggest durability & robustness improvements are harder to spot. Like wider reinforced edges all around the Navene to make the saddle stronger overall, but especially more impact-resistant.

More precision attachment of rails to shell and tougher reinforced carbon rails to handle bigger G-out forces while in the saddle. In the end, there’s about 10% more weight in the Navene vs. the Gardena. But at the ultralight levels of an unpadded, full carbon saddle, that only amounts to just a 7g difference to make this off-road-ready.

Tech details

• full carbon construction, handmade in Italy
• available in three finishes: large 3K Twill, tighter 1K weave, or UD
• 245mm long short-fit design optimized for off-road riding
• 130mm standard or wider 142mm options
• 7×9mm oval carbon rails, max 6Nm rail bolt
• 95kg max rider weight

• designed for XC, gravel, and road riding
• 72g for 3K x 130mm wide or 75g for 3K x 142mm
• add 5g extra for either UD or 1K finishes
  (all weights claimed +/-5%)

Alpitude Navene saddle – Pricing, options & availability

Alpitude’s all-new ultralight carbon Navene gravel and cross-country mountain bike saddle is available now directly from Alpitude for 320€. For that price you get to pick your ideal finish – 3K, 1K, or UD – and 130mm or 142mm widths.

Alpitude keeps some size & finish combos in stock, while others are made-to-order, with an approximate 2-week leadtime. And global shipping adds 12€.

Alpitude.cc

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Cane Creek’s latest product isn’t a groundbreaking gravel suspension fork or a colorful rim brake, but it is something that many bikes need. As far as Cane Creek’s lineup goes, this is one of their simpler products, but it looks like a cool, lightweight, and handsome stem, so let’s check out the details.

Let’s start with the weight. The GXC has a claimed weight of 96g for a 60mm stem. That’s a pretty light aluminum stem. The GXC is made from forged and machined 6066 aluminum and uses stainless steel hardware.

GXC Claimed Weight

• 60mm: 96g
• 70mm: 104g
• 80mm: 112g
• 90mm: 116g
• 100mm: 120g

GXC Details

The GXC sports “ghosted, laser etched” branding which looks low-key and attractive. Cane Creek GXC comes in polished black or polished silver. It’s a premium finish that would usually be on stems that could cost twice as much.

The new stem has an angle of +/- 6 degrees and is compatible with Cane Creek’s computer mount. It has a stack height of 42mm and uses a 31.8mm bar clamp. It comes in five length options: 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, and 100mm.

Made specifically for gravel and cross-country mountain bikes, the GXC uses an aesthetic that “matches the overall size, shape, and proportions of modern gravel and cross-country frames.

GXC Retail and Features

Retail: $70

• Colors: Polished Black & Polished Silver
• Lengths: 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 90mm, and 100mm
• Angle: +/- 6 degree
• Bar Clamp: 31.8mm
• Steerer Clamp Height: 42mm
• Material: Forged and Machined 6066 aluminum alloy
• Hardware: Stainless Steel
• Graphics: Ghosted, laser-etched Cane Creek Logos
• Accessories: Compatible with Cane Creek Computer Mount

Check the GXC Stem out as well as all of the cool bits at the link below.

CaneCreek.com

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