Cyclists, we are a weird bunch, that I know. But sometimes someone goes and does something that just leaves me speechless.
The latest instance of that passed by me thanks to an equally perplexed bike mechanic, who shared the image of a modest-looking bike, paired with SRAM’s “most powerful” downhill brakes, Maven Ultimate — not just any version, but a limited edition ‘Teal Splatter Expert’ kit that retails for £585 (although it appears to be out of stock on most websites).
Some things just shouldn't go together...
byu/Minechaser05 inBikeMechanics
Other users on social media weren’t too impressed either, or rather, baffled by the choice to install brakes with 18 and 19.5-millimeter pistons with four piston callipers and titanium hardware, which according to SRAM deliver “best-in-class power” and are “worthy of any modern super bike” — on a bike with £15 Specialized Fast Trak tyres, an entry-level Rockshox fork, a rigid seatpost… and a Delta mobile phone mount.
“It gets worse the longer you look,” wrote one person, while another said: “Looks like a kinda crappy bike with one of the most powerful brakes in the world on it. SRAM Mavens are crazy powerful.”
Another person said: “They're also so strong that it will be impossible to modulate at all with those tyres. They’ll be either off, or skidding out of control, nothing in between.”
Yet another user wrote: “I spent 3 hours on Mavens last fall, and I thought they were borderline unrideable, they were so strong, and I have 6,000ft descents out my door.”
Honestly, I am more worried about the orientation of the quick-release axle…
Finally, there was one person who seemed to catch on to what the cyclist was up to: “Very nice upgrade parts on a s***house bike — classic. Everyone that has been into MTB has done this at some point before they smartened up.”
Another scorcher from Reddit, the platform that never fails to disappoint — this time it’s a cyclist who’s put their bike through so much use (hey, no complaints there) that the rubber tyre’s completely worn out to reveal the inner flat protection rubber casing.
It left the rider wondering if it was “red paint” at first, only for a host of kind social media users to inform them that it *might* be time to get a fresh pair of rubber.
Question: What's this red strip on my tyre?
byu/sits79 inbikewrench
“That is indeed your tyre screaming in agony to be retired,” wrote one person. “That red stripe is your puncture safety layer, and it’s not intended to be visible. Your tyre will have a bad grip and is dangerous to ride, especially in wet conditions. Please replace it immediately.”
Another person said: “It’s the ‘please for the love of God change the God damn thing’ indicator. For real, change that thing asap,” while yet another commented: “It says replace me three years ago.”
If Timothée Chalamet can show up at the London premiere of his Bob Dylan movie ‘A Complete Unknown’ on a Lime bike, well, one could say the Three Lions are just following in on the trend!
Arriving at the ground in style 😎
Only one way to beat the road closures in London 😂 pic.twitter.com/2xrSPypnQD
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 3, 2025
A stark contrast from the footy team who were at the Barcelona Grand Prix over the weekend…
The Isle of Man’s iconic raceway at the National Sports Centre is set to be renamed in honour of Sir Mark Cavendish later this month, the government has confirmed.
The site holds deep significance for Cavendish, who first raced competitively as a child on the 0.6-mile (1km) circuit.
“It’s where it all began for me, so it’s a very special place,” Cavendish said ahead of the event. Now 39, the Manx Missile became the most successful stage winner in Tour de France history last year when he notched his 35th victory, capping a glittering career that has seen him claim 135 wins.
On 27 June, Cavendish will complete a timed hot lap of the newly renamed raceway before joining school children and members of his former cycling club for a celebratory ride-out lap. The event will also feature the unveiling of a mural that incorporates a powerful quote from Cavendish’s early racing days: “I dreamt of being like my heroes.”
Cav said the raceway was where he “fell in love with cycling” and was “deeply moved by the thought and detail that has gone into every element” of the new mural, which features the names of hundreds of pupils. The project also includes a new podium, finish lines and updated signage, all of which will be revealed during the launch event.
Daphne Caine, Education, Sport and Culture Minister, hailed the impact of Cavendish’s achievements. “Young people are truly at the heart of this,” she said. “Sir Mark is a fantastic role model, and this project shows how his legacy can inspire the next generation.”
As part of the celebration, children have nominated their own heroes, designed banners and prepared questions for Cavendish. A few lucky students will also have the chance to interview the sprint legend about his life and career.
If anyone had mixed feelings at the finish line in Rome, it was Adam Yates. While he beamed with pride at seeing his twin brother Simon finally win the Giro d’Italia – a dream realised after years of close calls — it also marked the bitter end to UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s ambitions of winning the race with Isaac del Toro.
“In the end, we did a good race, and I think we can be proud of how we rode. Isaac [Del Toro] is still young, he’s 21. I even forget sometimes how young he is,” Adam told Cyclingnews. “I think he’s got a big future ahead of him and for sure many chances like this to come.”
Adam himself hasn’t had the best legs this season and looks likely to slip into a more supporting role at the Tour de France, especially with new team leaders emerging at UAE. But that didn’t stop him from enjoying the moment with his brother.
“I’m super happy for him. All those years ago, when he lost the jersey in the last couple of stages, I think it’s been in his memory for a long time now. He’s tried many times and come up short, but he finally managed to pull it off, so chapeau.”
The Yates twins have shared plenty of memorable moments over the years, most notably when Simon won the Vuelta a España with Adam as his Mitchelton-Scott teammate in 2018. This time, though, the dynamic was different – Simon’s win meant heartbreak for Adam’s team. The brothers will reunite on the roads again soon, both set to ride the Tour de France in support of the two main maillot jaune protagonists: Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.
But with his second Grand Tour now in the bag, Simon has edged ahead in the family palmarès, something Adam was quick to acknowledge with a wry smile. “To be fair, he’s won a lot of races in his career already. It’s not easy. He’s won a Vuelta, he’s won all these races, I don’t know how many Giro stages he’s got already,” he said.
“He’s not a bad bike rider! Two Grand Tours… not many people have done that, I guess. I need to find one first of all, never mind catching up.”
The iconic pavé of Paris-Roubaix, the metre-long trident of Tirreno-Adriatico, Giro’s Trofeo Senza Fine, or the copper wheels from Strade Bianche — what do you think is the best trophy in cycling?
For me, it’s got to be between the beautiful spiral-y Giro prize or the Roubaix memento… but what’s your pick? Let us know in the comments!
Simon Yates’ pink jersey win in Rome wasn’t just a sign of Visma-Lease a Bike’s resurgence after a rocky few months – it was also a powerful indicator of the team’s strength heading into Jonas Vingegaard’s yellow jersey campaign at the Tour de France.
Former key domestique Nathan Van Hooydonck, Yates’ told Het Nieuwsblad: “It means that the culture is still there. This was also a very important victory in view of the Tour. Jonas [Vingegaard] will have been pleased to see how well Yates rode uphill.”
Since their flawless 2023 season, Visma-Lease a Bike has faced challenges, but Van Hooydonck believes the team’s scientific approach has remained rock solid.
“We try to measure everything that can be measured,” he said. “Our food coach in particular has made the difference, certainly in 2022 and 2023. If you eat and drink correctly for three weeks and you don’t miss anything, you can make a difference in the third week.
“Our chef also has to cook well for three weeks, the masseur has to massage well for three weeks. That is the strength of the team, that is our DNA. With Wout [van Aert] as the great example. If the leader is prepared to sacrifice himself for the whole, then the other riders cannot do otherwise.”
The 29-year-old Belgian added: “Richard [Plugge] and Merijn [Zeeman] have created a cohesive and strong group. That cohesion is very important, especially when you are on the road together for three weeks. Our statement ‘Winning Together’ is therefore much more than an empty slogan. For example, we insist that, in the event of a final victory, everyone comes to the podium ceremony, including the staff.”
Red Bull’s cycling outfit may not be finding the same highs as its Formula 1 counterpart, but that didn’t stop the energy drink company from bringing a 2013 F1 car to Rome and hoisting an SL8 on top of it — and then having a driver perform doughnuts.
Honestly, that’s the tamest marketing thing I’ve seen Red Bull do in a while.
But in the midst of it all, Primož Roglič — the team leader and pre-race favourite to win the maglia rosa, who had to abandon the Giro on stage 16, after a brutal three weeks without a single stage win, which saw the Slovenian and 2023 Giro d’Italia winner crash four times — has been catching strays from fans.
Under Red Bull’s video, when one person asked who the driver was, someone replied: “Primož”, which led to another person commenting: “No chance he would have crashed it.”
Other social media posts also had several comments along the same lines, with fans repeating the same jokes about Roglič crashing the car… Ouch.