The Shimano XC7’s prove to be a sleek, comfortable and stiff SPD cross-country race shoe for both gravel and mountain bike use. 

The European Commission has announced that e-bike riders without motor vehicles third-party liability insurance could be classes as riding illegally in the future. It looks like the decision is yet to become law but if it does, it would affect those riding pedal-assist e-bikes in Europe.

Whilst last week's theme was predominantly summer clothing (you can blame us if you had a washout bank holiday), this week is a gravel tyre and tool fest. We've got a varied bunch of tyres from WTB and Compass along with some smart little tools from Topeak.  

When last week was all about gravel gear, this week is mostly about premium clothing and exciting bikes! We've got gear from Gore, Aussie Grit Apparel, plus a long-term test bike from Cotic, sealant from Muc-Off and tyres from Michelin. 

Halo wheels have just launched a new gravel wheelset calling them the Vapour GXC's. It pairs their 21mm wide Vapour rim with GXC Supadrive rear and GXC front hubs to make a set of wheels that are as equally applicable for gravel riding, cross-country or 'road plus'. 

This bike has been a few months in the making but finally, it was time to build it up and get it on the trails! Rachael's long-term test bike will be a 2018 Cotic Rocket, a 160mm enduro and all-mountain machine that's as long and as slack as she likes it!

Stan's No Tubes have just released two new 700c rims (and wheelsets) suitable for gravel, cyclocross and cross country riders. The Grail CB7 and MK3 have been updated and redesigned to be paired with wider tyres and used with lower pressures. 

More summer kit came our way this week in the form of Nukeproof Blackline gear and some e-bike specific shorts from Alpinestars. There's also a very new dropper post from SGD and grips designed by Ratboy and the 50to01 crew.