Month: July 2026

The 49ers signed free agent wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year, $42.5 million contract in the offseason, a move that drew high praise for both the San Francisco front office and Evans himself, as the All-Pro wideout could have seen a much bigger payday on the open market.

After just the first week of training camp, with Friday being the first practice in pads, the arrival of Evans already appears to be paying off for quarterback Brock Purdy, who has not had an accomplished target at wide receiver quite like the 32-year-old NFL veteran.

In particular, when it comes to Evans and his 6-foot-5 “cheat code” type of height.

Mike Evans Shares His “Still Open” Philosophy Following a Highlight Reel TD Catch

Following Friday’s practice, which featured a couple of brief scuffles involving some key star players, Evans explained what he talks about with Brock Purdy and the rest of the 49ers’ quarterbacks.

Specifically, when it comes to the red zone, where Evans caught an absurd one-handed touchdown pass from Purdy during practice.

“I’m 6’5″, I have the ability and I’ve done it throughout my career,” Evans said in response to a question about the catch.

“It’s a thing that you just talk to the quarterbacks about. Like when I’m covered, I’m still pretty open if you throw the ball up with some air, and Brock threw a great ball. That’s one of the biggest things in my game.”

“It’s a thing that you talk to quarterbacks about. Like when I’m covered, I’m still pretty open if you throw the ball up with some air, and Brock threw a great ball… Brock is super accurate.”

Mike Evans while talking about a leaping one-handed TD catch he made at practice today… pic.twitter.com/NsHCj7z7yj

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 31, 2026

“Brock is super accurate, he’s a super accurate quarterback,” Evans continued. “He hasn’t overthrown me yet … he’s just super accurate.”

There are probably very few lines that an NFL quarterback would love to hear from one of their wide receivers that could topple, “When I’m covered, I’m still pretty open.”

Although making a very clear and concerted effort to put a spotlight on Purdy’s accuracy certainly doesn’t hurt either, and will likely assist in helping the duo evolve their chemistry throughout training camp.

But, yes, it is very typical to to hear all sorts of positivity and praise emanating from NFL training camps across the league. In this case, however, the words from Evans do come with the highlight to prove it.

Good luck trying to cover Mike Evans this season pic.twitter.com/nK1C04V0Ts

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) July 31, 2026

Additionally, when it comes to Evans and his ridiculous list of NFL career accomplishments, including matching the great Jerry Rice and his record of 11 consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards, this isn’t exactly a rookie arriving to the 49ers locker room who would ever feel the need to throw extra sauce on quotes to the media if he didn’t really mean what he was saying.

Considering how brief the video of the touchdown was, here’s a great shot of the catch that was captured from Purdy’s viewpoint.

This pic of Mike Evans hauling in his red zone TD goes crazy 🔥

Via: @49ers pic.twitter.com/hwrPPLNGUK

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) July 31, 2026

There’s just not really much second-year cornerback Upton Stout could have done here other than possibly disrupt the right arm enough to shake the ball loose.

To put Evans’ distinct height advantage of 6-foot-5 in proper perspective, San Francisco’s All-Pro tight end George Kittle, a frequent and favorite red zone target of Purdy’s over the last four seasons, stands at 6-foot-4.

In regard to the free agent contract Evans signed with the 49ers, it essentially equates to a one-year deal worth a total of $16.3 million, with team options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Related: 41 Years Ago Today: 5 Managers Waited, Then Miss Elizabeth Walked In for Randy Savage

Following its record-breaking preview day at the box office, beating out Marvel juggernauts like Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Brand New Day can add another accolade to its list.

The fourth Spider-Man outing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), starring Tom Holland as the titular arachnid superhero, holds a 98% audience score on movie review site Rotten Tomatoes as of July 31. This score, should it continue into Brand New Day’s further days and weeks in theaters, places it as the highest-scoring MCU Spider-Man movie among audiences so far.

This is especially good news for Holland, who admitted that, along with his co-star (and now wife) Zendaya and Jacob Batalon, who plays Ned Leeds in the four MCU Spidey films, they “hated” an early cut of the film, designed to please audiences.

In the interview, Holland, on behalf of the trio, said the edit was based on recent test screenings with audiences, but the cast, led by Holland, pushed for a cut more in line with their creative vision for the film. Ultimately, it seems, that Holland and the cast knew best.

Critically, however, there’s another record broken — and it’s a slightly different story. Among the four MCU Spider-Man movies, Brand New Day has the lowest score among critics. Although critical reviews are still coming in, as of July 31, Brand New Day has a critical score of 90%.

Holland’s first three Spidey outings, Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), have scores of 92%, 91%, and 93%, respectively.

It is doubtful, however, that director Daniel Destin Cretton, along with the all-star cast, will be too disappointed by this still-stellar critical score. To put things in perspective, the original Spider-Man film, released in 2002 and starring Tobey Maguire, stands at 90%, with Spider-Man 3 (2007) sitting at the much lower score of 62%. Andrew Garfield’s films, The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, have respective critic scores of 71% and 50%.

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In This Story

Why We Love This Deal

What’s Richard Karn, better known as the flannel-clad Al Borland from Home Improvement, been up to since he left the set of Tool Time? In a way, it’s like he never left at all. The actor has taken on a host of roles on shows like Assembly Required and Shifting Gears, but he’s also served as a spokesperson for various DIY and tool products. The most notable might be the Pocket Hose, a practical yard tool that’s gone viral on its own merits.

Now, you can actually get the Pocket Hose Ballistic Expandable 50-Foot Garden Hose for 50% off on Amazon. Over 10,000 of these hoses have recently been sold, and the reasoning goes way beyond Karn’s celebrity endorsement. They’re just plain practical for modern living arrangements.

Pocket Hose Ballistic Expandable 50-Foot Garden Hose, $45 (was $90) on Amazon

What Shoppers Should Know

• Sizes Available: The best value for most shoppers will come from the 50-foot version, but there are 25, 75, and 100-foot versions, too.
• Material: UV-protected latex and copper
• Shrinks To When Off: ⅓ of its in-use size

This hose looks like a tiny, coiled-up rattlesnake that triples in size and becomes a full-sized garden hose once the water is turned on. When done, it reverts to its original size. Protected by a UV-blocking coat and fashioned from a polymer used in bulletproof applications, this hose is going to last a long time, being convenient as well.

Besides the Richard Karn tie-in, perfect seasonality, and the cool tech, what’s making this hose do so well right now? I think it goes deeper, with people overall trying to buy items more deliberately, and ones that can move easily, never becoming a permanent fixture. Who wants a hose lying around the front and back yard, when you can get one hose that you can pull out whenever you need it and easily get started at either location?

It’s also an essential hose for apartment dwellers who would like to be able to use one for car cleaning and the like, then store it in a small bag and bring it home, without treating neighbors to their personal belongings.

Related: Pegboards Are One of the Best Garage Storage Hacks, and Walmart Has Them on Sale for $28

See It in Action

“I’m Rich Karn, and everyone loves my hose, but your hose? I don’t think so,” taunts Karn at the beginning of the commercial, showing off the hose’s expandable nature, advanced spigot, and bragging about its 100+ patents.

The Pocket Hose Ballistic Expandable 50-Foot Garden Hose is just $45 while this deal lasts.

Shop More Deals

• Biswing 2-Way Garden Hose Splitter, $9 (was $12) on Amazon
• Bigwave Turbo Oscillating Water Sprinkler, $18 (was $20) on Amazon
• Capin 1-Gallon Pump Sprayer for Home & Garden, $15 (was $20) on Amazon

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

The biggest problem with folding e-bikes has never been the folding—it’s the weight. Most models weigh well over 60 pounds, making them difficult to carry up apartment stairs, lift into a car trunk, or bring onto public transit. The Urtopia Carbon Fold ST changes that by using a full carbon fiber frame to keep the total weight to just 31 pounds. After testing it in real-world commuting scenarios, it’s one of the few folding electric bikes I’ve used that actually delivers on the promise of portability without sacrificing ride quality—while still providing decent daily range.

Urtopia Carbon Fold ST Folding E-Bike Review

Urtopia built its reputation on making carbon fiber e-bikes more attainable, and the Carbon Fold ST is their most compelling proof of concept yet. The carbon fiber frame and fork help with vibration dampening but the ride still feels stiff enough for responsive handling. Combine that with the low step-through geometry and you get a bike that’s genuinely easy to mount and dismount in stop-and-go city traffic, regardless of flexibility or fitness level.

Fit specs say it can accommodate riders from 4’11” to 6’5″, though it’s worth flagging: riders north of 6’2″ should test ride one first, since the telescoping stem maxes out at around 5’11” before the cockpit can start to feel cramped. I’m 6’3″ but have a longer torso and it fit me fine; I even ended up lowering the stem down a bit to get a little more comfy.

The Fold Actually Works

Most folding bikes suffer from a specific problem: once folded, they swing back open the moment you try to lift them if there’s no latching mechanism. Urtopia solved this with magnetic retention plates on the fork leg and rear frame that hold the bike in place when folded. Because the Carbon Fold ST is so light at 31 pounds, the magnets do work—it holds when you’re lifting and moving the folded bike—though I’d like to see them use a bit stronger of a magnet, it can pop off if jostled or set down awkwardly.

Folded dimensions come in at 28 high, 32 long, and 19 inches wide—compact enough for a car trunk, an elevator, or under a desk. The whole process takes about 30 seconds once you’ve done it a few times.

Motor, Ride Feel, and the Smart Mode Worth Using

The 250 watt rear hub motor peaks at 500 watts and delivers 42Nm of torque through a torque sensor rather than a cadence sensor, which means power delivery scales with how hard you’re pedaling rather than just detecting rotation. Acceleration is smooth and consistent—not punchy or aggressive, just smooth and capable. Four assist modes cover the range from Eco to Boost, but the standout is Smart mode, which dynamically reads both torque and cadence to determine the right assist level automatically. I ended up keeping it in Smart mode most of the time, the takeoff torque seemed punchier and smoother than in my other most frequent choice, Boost.

I would also suggest upgrading to the thumb throttle, it made takeoffs and cruising more enjoyable and relaxing. Without it you’ll have to pedal (obviously) to get the motor to assist you, which can be slightly annoying depending on the situation. Having the option for both is well worth the extra $29.

Urtopia’s bikes have a consistent signature across the lineup—quiet motors and a refined, smooth ride—and the Carbon Fold ST delivers both. There’s no motor whine, no jerky power delivery, just a pleasant riding experience.

Braking comes from Tektro 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors front and rear—nice hardware for a bike this light, and they gave me plenty stopping confidence in wet or dry conditions. The 7-speed Shimano drivetrain with a 14-28T cassette handles varied terrain without complaint, and a chain guard keeps grease off your pant leg. Though be warned that the easiest way to carry the bike will put the rest of the chain close to contacting your leg—if you have nice work pants on you may end up with a black streak or two if you’re not careful when toting it around.

Range: Honest Numbers

Urtopia claims up to 50 miles. Real-world testing tells a more conservative story. In Boost mode, expect around 17 miles; in Eco mode, I got around 35 miles on relatively flat terrain. Like most range estimates, that 50-mile figure requires near-perfect conditions—zero elevation gain, no wind, and a rider well under the 220-pound weight limit. For most urban commuters covering 10 to 15 miles round-trip, charging while at work or nightly means range is never a concern. Just don’t rely on the specs for a long-haul jaunts.

The 252Wh battery integrates into the removable seatpost, so you can either plug in at the top of the post or pull it out and bring it inside. A 3.5-hour fast charger ships in the box—practical for daily commuters who don’t want to wait around all day for a full charge.

The Trade-offs

The 220-pound weight limit excludes heavier riders (though I’m 230 and it performed well for me), and the small 252Wh battery is the unavoidable cost of keeping the whole package under 31 pounds, though you can buy another battery for $449 and carry it with you if you need to double your range. There’s no suspension, so rough urban pavement can be felt in your hands—the carbon frame softens it somewhat, but don’t expect a super plush ride. And the Carbon Fold ST doesn’t connect to the Urtopia app, so all settings live in the on-board display menu, which is easy to navigate but means no remote diagnostics or firmware updates.

I did test riding the bike with battery assist turned off, and found it light enough that pedalling on flats and small hills felt pretty much the same as riding a non-powered bike. The only drawback was the amount of effort I had to put in, as a large person, made the stem flex more than I was comfortable with (hence why I moved it down a bit) and the plastic fold up pedals made some concerning groaning noises. One upgrade that I may do is swapping the pedals out for some metal folding models.

Urtopia Carbon Fold ST Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exceptionally light at just 31 pounds
• Premium carbon fiber frame and fork
• Smooth, natural-feeling torque sensor
• Fold stays securely closed with magnetic retention
• Excellent hydraulic brakes
• Quiet motor and refined ride quality
• Compact enough for apartments, offices, and public transit
• Outstanding value for a carbon fiber e-bike

Cons

• Real-world range is well below the advertised maximum
• 220-pound rider weight limit
• No suspension for rough pavement
• No smartphone app connectivity
• Cockpit can feel cramped for taller riders

Is the Urtopia Carbon Fold ST Worth Buying?

The Urtopia Carbon Fold ST solves the one problem that has made folding e-bikes more theoretical than practical for most city riders: it’s actually light enough to use the way folding bikes are supposed to be used. The ride quality is genuinely good, the fold mechanism stays folded (mostly), the hydraulic brakes and torque sensor are top quality for the price point, and the carbon fiber frame delivers a premium feel that no aluminum competitor at this price can replicate. If you’ve written off folding e-bikes because you couldn’t stomach the idea of wrestling 65 pounds up a flight of stairs every day, the Carbon Fold ST is worth a serious look.

Urtopia Carbon Fold ST Specs

• Motor: 250W rear hub, 500W peak, 42Nm torque
• Battery: 36V, 7Ah (252Wh)
• Top Speed: 28 mph
• Folded Dimensions: 28 x 32 x 19 in.
• Weight: 31 lbs.
• Range: Up to 50 miles; 16.5–35 miles real-world
• Price: $1,599