Bicycling

Bicycling

The 2025 Men's Elite UCI Downhill season was one of legend. With Jackson Goldstone returning to his first full season of racing after injury, he and Loic Bruni duked it out all season long. The year was not without heated competition, but there were plenty of wild moments, and race runs that didn't revolve around the two favorites. Amaury Pierron showed up to put down a blistering run in Switzerland after a close second in Loudenvielle, France.

2025 was an incredible year for Stinner Frameworks. Thanks to the community's overwhelming support, Stinner sold out of bikes faster than should be possible in 2025, and this enthusiasm proved it was time for a change. No, not by changing what they're about or lowering standards, but by making it possible for more riders to enjoy a Stinner without long waits.

In cycling, D30 Protection is widely recognized as one of the leaders in protective materials. D30 foam and variations of its unique padding appear as protective inserts in gloves, knee and elbow protectors, chest protectors, MTB grips, and more. Beyond mountain biking, D30's materials are also found in protective gear for motor sports, workwear, and even the military. Until now, however, one application we have not seen for D30 materials is the chamois, or seat pad, of cycling shorts.

From their debut more than five years ago, I've loved Apidura's Packable series of ultralight, mostly waterproof bags that pack down to such a tiny form factor that I always carry one on any adventure. Now, both the Packable musette and backpack get refreshed with the same carrying capacity, but increased durability, more eco-friendly fabric, more reflectivity, improved packability, and effectively the same low weight as before.

The debate over hardtail vs. full-suspension mountain bikes is never-ending, and there is a dedicated camp of riders on both sides. While there are numerous benefits of a hardtail mountain bike over a full-suspension mountain bike, the two options are evenly matched when it comes to the pros and cons, but which has the edge in terms of popularity and versatility?

The Tilford team keeps the roster to three riders-lean, intentional, and now wholly focused on development. It's quality over quantity, with the kind of hands-on support you rarely see outside a national program. New partnerships coming online for 2026 only sharpen the vision. Pinarello joined as a major supporter in 2025, supplying cyclocross, gravel (read our review here), and, importantly, XC bikes that will enable the team to compete more deeply in the World Cup scene.

Following his life-changing crash at Red Bull Rampage 2025, Adolf Silva has been keeping us all extremely well updated on the status of his recovery in his video series . The 28-year-old Spaniard has been posting a video every week documenting the process of his recovery. Adolf can be seen in good spirits and continuing to work as hard as ever while facing what is perhaps his life's most monumental challenge yet.

"At the core of the sporting project envisioned by Bianchi and Team Bahrain Victorious is the creation of an integrated ecosystem between athletes and high-performance products with Italian design, developed by Bianchi Reparto Corse. This model is driven by data, continuous athlete feedback, and a shared ambition to express maximum performance in every race scenario, with the clear goal of targeting some of the most prestigious competitions on the UCI calendar."

Nothing quite like tearing a downhill team down to the studs in the off-season, right? While these kinds of cataclysmic overhauls are full of trials and tribulations, at times it's this complete reset that lays the foundation for long-term future success. For FMD Racing and Orbea Bicycles, it's exactly what it took to turn the tides from skepticism to success story in the 2025 UCI Downhill World Cup season.

Natural Selection (NST) Bike is headed back to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2026-and the stakes just got higher. Twenty-five of the world's best riders will descend on the wild ridgelines of Mt. Dewar in Tāhuna Queenstown for another action-packed year of pushing what's possible on a bike. Natural Selection is more than just a name; it's an ideology and a format that supports the evolutionary process of progressing the sport.

The clipless MTB shoe market is saturated with super-great options from Shimano, Specialized, Crankbrothers, FiveTen, and more. So what makes the Fox Racing Union BOA worth considering? After testing these shoes against competitors at similar price points, the Union BOA stands out for three reasons: the dual BOA Fit System offers genuinely superior fit adjustment, the molded toe box delivers a sense of security without sacrificing fit, and the D3O insoles provide excellent arch support.

Pas Normal Studios' T.K.O. line is the passion project of their fashion-first founder, knocking out ever-changing limited edition designs that break away from basic solid colors and a rotating color palette of earth tones. It is winter after all, and a splash of color can go a long way towards boosting morale to head out for another long, grey ride outside.

A quality pair of mountain bike gloves is an essential piece of kit for most riders. As the primary point of contact between you and your bike, finding a well-fitting pair of gloves that suits your riding style, environment, and needs is crucial for control, comfort, and protection on the trail. With gloves made for hot weather, cold weather, and ranging from thin and minimalist to beefy and protective, there are a dizzying number of options on the market to suit varying needs and preferences.

Evoc's current lineup of limb protectors includes one set of elbow pads and two models of knee pads. Both sets of knee guards offer Level 2 protection, but appear to be aimed at slightly different end-users. The LS Flex Enduro appears to be the burlier of the two knee protectors, featuring adjustable straps and "Direct Lash Loops" for an extra-secure and shift-free fit. The LS Flex Lite provides roughly the same padding and protection for the knee, but with a lighter, non-adjustable sleeve design.

For taller riders, proportional bike geometry is essential, and many brands address this by making the front center longer, with little growth at the rear, which can leave many riders, myself included, riding bikes that fit but feel a little lacking. Although this is changing, and many bike brands are offering longer rear-centers, some riders want more. Eric Olsen from Jank Components is one of those riders, but he's also someone with the engineering know-how to remedy this on the Ibis Ripmo and Ripley (and af versions) with the Jank Link.

Whoever wins doesn't just inherit movie studios. They inherit the entire sports infrastructure that controls how World Cups reach fans worldwide. And for die hard wolrd cup fans, that matters a lot more than any Hollywood headline. If Paramount wins, they get all of WBD's sports assets in one fowl swoop - Eurosport included. Paramount already handles major live sports like the NFL and Champions League, meaning they actually have the capacity to fold mountain biking into a broader, more stable sports ecosystem.

Ever since its inception in the early 2000s, Swedish brand MIPS has had a monopoly, more or less, on inclusion in high-end bike helmets. Its device-revolutionary at the time-deflects rotational impact away from the head in the event of a crash, thereby reducing the likelihood of brain trauma. However, it has also provoked many companies to research and develop their own proprietary rotational impact protection units, most of which are different takes on the same concept -a snug inner webbing that is able to move independently of the helmet's outer shell.

It's safe to say that downhill racing has come a long way in the last 30 years. The bikes have gone from prehistoric death traps to full-on race-ready machines. We've gone from lycra to baggy and back again. And racing as a whole has gone from a fringe experiment to a professional athletic proving ground. But even with all that progress, one thing hasn't changed: how difficult it is to etch your name into downhill history.

Scribe has made a name for itself by delivering fast, well-priced boutique wheels. Now, heading into 2026, the UK-based brand is swinging even harder with the launch of its all-new Ultra Élan and Ultra CORE wheel ranges. What makes the Ultra Élan and Ultra CORE range different? They are lighter, wider, and ( according to Scribe) among the most aerodynamic road wheels you can race under UCI rules.

Integrated cockpits used to be something you'd only find on pro bikes - now, they seem to be run of the mill for top-tier (and not so top-tier) road and gravel machines (and some mountain bikes!). But it's not just the one-piece bar/stem that makes an integrated cockpit great. It's the design, the shape, the feel, and more importantly, the ride.

Scott just announced a multi-year partnership with the newly rebranded NSN Cycling Team (formerly Israel-Premier Tech). This partnership marks the first major equipment deal in NSN's post-Israel-Premier Tech rebuild. The Spain-based squad (now racing under a Swiss license) found a natural partner in Scott. Both share Swiss roots and are looking to make a fresh start. You might remember that Scott was bumped this year from the Q36.5 Team for Pinarello, leaving them stranded; however, when Factor and IPT split, Scott was a likely choice, bumping the Swiss giant back into the World Tour after several seasons.

To find the best roof bike racks, we rounded up a selection of nine different models to test and compare. From the top-rated Yakima HighRoad to the high-end Kuat Piston SR, we've got recommendations to suit your rooftop bike-carrying needs. Editor's Note: This guide was relocated from our sister site, GearJunkie.com, on December 5, 2025, and updated to include the Allen Smart Suction Rack and the SeaSucker Talon MAX.

First is Gravaa, which, if you don't know, makes hubs. However, these hubs allow you to adjust your tire pressure while you're riding. Secondly is Handgespaakt, who provided the carbon hoops for the build. Handgespaakt wheels are made to order, with each wheelset meticulously handbuilt with precision. Lastly, they are only making ten wheelsets. And yes, they have some available - I checked.

Scared of growing up? Well, now you can stay a kid forever with this very rare and very cool titanium Klunker. Stinner teased this gem of a bike (and a prototype full suspension bike) at and is finally pulling back the curtain. The Klunker is a limited-edition offering that is designed and fabricated at the Stinner HQ in Santa Barbara, California, and is truly a rare breed. Only 20 complete bikes will be produced. One size fits most. And never to be made again.

If you have ever been stuck trying to diagnose or fix an issue on your bike at home, you have likely come across one of their articles or videos, which have helped you solve whatever problem you were facing. Park Tool is a brand in the bike industry that is genuinely dedicated to helping riders, and the 11th annual Community Tool Grant is just another way Park Tool supports the community.

Portland Design Works (PDW) has joined fellow Portlandians, Bingo Components, to launch a new headset spacer. Introducing the Bingo Headset Spacer. The CNC-machined aluminum component is designed to streamline the attachment of handlebar bags and bottle holders.

Red Bull Hardline, an invite-only event that is widely regarded as the gnarliest mountain bike race in the world, is back in Tasmania for 2026. On February 7th & 8th of 2026, Hardline Tasmania returns to Maydena Bike Park, with a redesigned upper section of the track and an absolutely packed roster of some of the most talented mountain bikers in the sport's history.

Dropper posts enable us to adjust our saddle height with the push of a lever, enhancing comfort, efficiency, and, most importantly, control while out on the trail. Many people would argue that dropper posts are one of the most important innovations in mountain bike technology, essentially transforming the way we ride. The ability to adjust the height of your saddle on the fly ensures it is always positioned perfectly for the terrain you are riding.

Both carbon and aluminum frames will retain the same numbering, with the 6 Series for aluminum and the 8 Series for carbon. Within each of those series, Focus offers three different build options. The Atlas 6 Series and 8 Series both feature multiple mounting points. From the frame to the fork, Atlas allows multiple bags (and racks) to be mounted all over the bike.

First launched in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y in response to the rabid consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is all about radical generosity. Below, we've shared a few cycling-related places where you can give, if you so wish. You can make direct donations to the charity or make them through a brand's checkout when buying gear.