Afleveringen
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This week we are doing something a bit different. Often this podcast is a space for a deep dive into an article that you can read about on the Velo website. This week we are instead going to learn more about contributor Lisa Charlebois.
Mike Levy and I sat down to chat with Charlebois about a ride she once did. This wasn’t an ordinary ride, though. Charlebois does a lot of big rides, but this one was even bigger. It is called the Midnight Sun Randonneur, and it is a 1,215-kilometer (755-mile) loop that starts six hours north of Stockholm in Umeå, Sweden, pushes north into the Arctic Circle to the Norwegian Sea, and then loops back.
Because the event takes place during the Scandinavian midsummer, there is no real sunset, just a constant daylight that messes with your sense of time. The mass start kicks off at 11:00 PM, and riders navigate to checkpoints roughly every 100 kilometers where they refuel on local items like deep-fried dumplings and moose meat sandwiches. Beyond that framework, it is an unsupported ride with a 90-hour time limit. You carry your own gear and sleep when you can.
To put her pacing into perspective, Lisa's first day on the bike covered 470 kilometers (292 miles) with over 15,500 feet of climbing. That initial push took 19 hours of moving time through rolling hills and endless Swedish forests before the landscape drastically shifted. Just in case you thought things weren’t hard enough, the third day is where the weather broke. Lisa and the remaining riders faced roughly 200 kilometers of driving, freezing rain.
Of course, like any ultra-endurance event, crossing the finish line was met with no fanfare. Does that sound like your idea of a good time? Maybe not, but that’s the kind of thing Charlebois brings to the table when she shares her perspective about a bike. Listen to the full discussion to hear all the twists and turns and find out if Charlebois would ever consider doing it again.
For more information about the event visit the Midnight Sun Randonneur website. -
This week on the Velo Podcast, the crew discusses a 13-pound Everesting rig, women's specific bike shoes vs unisex options, and why your next road bike might actually be a gravel setup.
I’m back, but Mike Levy is still playing in the woods on a bike. We’ll talk to him about that soon, but for now, Logan Jones-Wilkins, Lisa Charlebois, and I get into women's cycling shoes, 13-pound climbing bikes, and the death of the endurance road bike.
Episode Breakdown:
Women's Shoe Buyer's Guide: We look at the women’s shoe buyer's guide that Charlebois recently published. We bypass debating the actual shoe choices and focus on why it’s critical to carve out dedicated space for that guide. Charlebois shares her thoughts on the current market mix of women-specific and unisex shoes and whether a unisex approach takes away from the quality of the selection.
Everesting Roam on a 13lb Bike: The discussion transitions to the shoes Charlebois chose and the 13-pound bike she used for her recent Everesting Roam adventure—a format with no sleep allowed and no hill repeats, ending only when you hit 29,000 feet of elevation. As someone who prioritizes comfort and normally rides a metal frame, what was the experience actually like on a stiff, ultra-light carbon bike?
The Endurance Bike is Dead: Wouldn’t she have been more comfortable on an endurance bike? It’s possible, but maybe no one should be riding a dedicated endurance bike in 2026. Jones-Wilkins reports on a rider who won a stage of Tulsa Tough on a gravel bike. He argues that while some insist the gravel bike is an industry marketing scam, that label really only applies to pure road bikes. We debate if the endurance bike genre should be put to pasture. -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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wash lines, and why the UCI is suddenly policing your jersey pockets and screen size.
This week on the Velo Podcast, it's lonely! I was away doing an interview, and Mike Levy is out in the wilderness doing a big ride. That left just Logan Jones-Wilkins and Lisa Charlebois to cover the week's topics.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 - Unbound Aftermath & Press Camp Prep: The pair starts off discussing Charlebois getting ready for her first press camp. She has questions about how to handle it, but she also asks Jones-Wilkins if he has recovered from Unbound and what happens after the finish line when the cameras stop. He details the reality of the endless queues for the Muc-Off bike wash, the decompression in the pro tent, and the sheer volume of mud that riders had to scrape off just to feel human again.
05:27 - Shimano GRX Long-Term Review: Gravel continues to be the focal point of the episode. If you’ve been following the drivetrain wars, you know SRAM has seemingly cornered the gravel market. Jones-Wilkins decides to zig when others zag, breaking down his custom mashup—pairing an XTR rear mech with GRX levers—and explaining why Shimano is actually winning the gravel race when it comes to raw shifting speed, cassette range, and the long-term cost of consumable parts. It is a deep dive into why 12 speeds might just beat 13, and why a brand doesn't always need to reinvent the wheel to stay on top.
40:34 - The UCI's New Tech Regulations: The gravel wars are free from the UCI, but once again, the team had to talk about another head-shaking UCI decision. The UCI recently rolled out new tech regulations, including a cap on computer screen sizes, conveniently set exactly 1mm larger than the massive Wahoo Ace. They also introduced a ban on carrying nutrition in front jersey pockets. Logan and Lisa debate whether this is a genuine safety measure to reduce cognitive load or just another instance of the UCI over-regulating tech while ignoring course safety.
51:30 - Ultra-Racing Updates: Finally, the duo wraps up with a nod to the ultra-endurance world, dot-watching Lael Wilcox as she sets off on her Around the World Record attempt, and tracking Dr. Sarah Ruggins on her massive push across the European divide. -
Logan Jones-Wilkins is back from the mud in Kansas to break down a wild 26-mph crash, the dominant Specialized Crux 5 debut, and why gravel racing might never be the same.
As we mentioned last week, Logan was in Emporia, Kansas covering Unbound 2026. Now he’s back in the studio and Mike Levy and I get to talk about what he saw. Part of that is the new Specialized Crux, but before we get there, we start with a discussion of how Logan did in his own Unbound 100 race. It wasn't exactly a quiet day out. Logan details a wild situation that unfolded right in front of him, going from 26 mph to on the ground in an instant. Despite the crash, he still managed a 5-hour and 50-minute finish on the new Crux 5, and he finally shares the real details on what the bike is like to ride.
From there, we get into the rest of the racing in Kansas, and that means the mud. This year, the Flint Hills delivered thick, sticky mud that forced massive sections of walking and led multiple pros to pee on their drivetrains just to keep moving.
We also tackle the arrival of true team tactics. Specialized exerted absolute control over the front of the pack in the Men's 200, prompting the question: is this the natural evolution of the sport, or does it completely change the fabric of gravel racing? The Women's 200 was a slow build with constant anticipation, blowing up early and culminating with riders Sophia Gomez Villafañe and Geerike Schreurs texting mid-race to orchestrate attacks for the final sprint.
Finally, we look at the giant prototype Scott 32-inch wheeled bikes that made their debut. What does that mean for the technology, and will you see it roll out on production models soon?
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Logan's Unbound 100
10:03 – The Specialized Crux Deep Dive
21:55 – The Mud & Drivetrain Drama
27:00 – The Men’s 200 & Team Tactics
42:05 – The Women's 200
46:38 – The 32-Inch Wheel Debate
Resources Check out the Unbound Gravel hub for all the articles covered this week: https://velo.outsideonline.com/tag/unbound-gravel -
We dive into the controversial Scott prototype at Unbound, argue over what makes the perfect gravel bike, and reveal the top picks from our new Road Bike Buyer's Guide.
Last week Josh missed the pod, but this week it's Logan Jones-Wilkins’ turn. He is currently on the ground in Emporia, Kansas for Unbound 2026, but his Starlink connection failed. That leaves host Mike Levy, Lisa Charlebois, and Josh Ross to hold down the fort.
Without Logan to set the record straight, the crew dives into the newly released Specialized Crux. Things quickly get heated as Charlebois and Ross defend nimble gravel bikes with 40mm tires, while Levy argues we all need slacker front ends and suspension.
Plus, Levy shares his newfound love for the Garmin 1040 Solar, which leads to a shocking confession from Lisa about how she listens to music on ultra-rides. We also analyze the massive 32-inch wheels Cam Jones and Robin Gemperle are racing on their Scott prototypes at Unbound, and finally, Josh breaks down his testing methodology and top picks for the 2026 Road Bike Buyer's Guide.
In This Episode:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:13 a mini review of the Garmin 1040 Solar
00:09:53 Music and headphones on the ride
00:14:20 Unbound and Cam Jones riding a 32-inch bike
00:22:34 Reader questions
00:29:14 Road bike buyers guide
00:45:26 Specialized Crux initial discussion -
Mike Levy, Lisa Charleboise, and Logan Jones-Wilkins hold down the fort talking about pee, ultra-racing, and Strava feuds. First, Levy tries to pry embargoed information out of Jones-Wilkins before Charleboise recaps another massive weekend ride. From there, it's on to the main topics:
Urine Intel from the Giro d'Italia
The trio tackles the recent UCI warnings at the Giro d'Italia. Racers have been put on notice for urinating into their water bottles and tossing them to the roadside. Levy attempts to defend the logistical efficiency of the "bottle pee," while Logan and Lisa outline the absolute horror for roadside fans hoping to snag a souvenir bidon.
Strava Feuds and Indoor Aerobars
Addressing reader questions, the team discusses the mental health aspects of chasing Strava KOMs in highly saturated areas. Logan shares his philosophy on defending niche segments against World Tour riders, and Levy confesses to running a high aerobar setup on his indoor Zwift bike strictly for comfort during three-hour sessions.
The Traka 560 Controversy & Ultra-Racing Ethics
The crew dives deep into the messy world of ultra-distance racing. Logan breaks down why Victor Bosoni's victory at the Traka 560km Adventure event sparked intense debate after he cut approximately 400 meters off the official GPS track. This leads to a fiery debate: Lisa firmly believes missing that much of the course is grounds for immediate disqualification, while Levy and Logan argue for a bit more nuance in self-supported "adventure" events.
Timestamps
00:00:00 - Intro
00:08:52 - Peeing in water bottles
00:14:14 - Reader Questions
00:23:37 - The Traka 560 Controversy & Ultra-Racing Ethics -
From wild TT bikes spotted at China Cycle to the real reason behind the Jan-Willem van Schip DQ, we break down the week's biggest tech news. Plus, I talk about sitting down with Chris Froome in China to talk bikes
Episode Notes:
Once again I hit the podcast mic completely jet-lagged and out of my mind to talk about the trip I’d just returned from. This time I was back in Asia, specifically China, at China Cycle to see all the craziest tech from brands that people are absolutely eating up right now.
No doubt about it, Chinese bikes are having a moment right now, but what did I actually see in China? Turns out one thing I saw was Chris Froome so, obviously, we talked about how I had the chance to sit down with one of the most famous roadies of recent memory and talk about gravel racing. I also chatted with Froome about his involvement in Factor Bikes and which Factor model he actually prefers.
Outside of Chris Froome, we also talk about aerodynamics a lot in this podcast. It’s what happens when Logan Jones-Wilkins is away, probably riding a gravel bike in another country. This time, though, we took it about as extreme as it gets. At China Cycle, I spotted a couple of wild TT bikes that take completely different approaches to cutting through the wind.
Before we get into that discussion, though, first we talk about disqualifications in a UCI race. Why did Jan-Willem van Schip get disqualified after the fact for a setup that was approved ahead of the race? If you don’t know the answer, don’t worry; lots of people don’t seem to understand and I take a shot at explaining it a bit more.
All that discussion doesn’t get rolling right away, though. First we talk a little bit about where the riding is best between Europe and Asia and we give some notes for a brand manager who wants to see the product they launch put to the test in better situations. Lisa Charlebois thinks she’s missing out on spending four days traveling for two days in Europe, so Mike Levy and I give her a healthy warning.
We also spend some time answering listener questions and we talk about segments on local roads. Levy claims he’s not fast enough and Charlebois pretends not to care. I don’t believe them, though—what do you think? And how do you treat local segments? -
This week's episode is all about riding long.
Factor's new Sarana ultra-distance race bike made its first appearance at last weekend's Traka gravel race in Girona, Spain, and Velo tech editor Logan Jones-Wilkins answers Levy's questions about how it aims to combine speedy handling and all-day comfort. Its geometry leans more towards speed and agility than outright stability, but it also has room for 2.2" tires and a carbon frame designed for vertical compliance and integrated frame bags, making the Sarana a novel endurance racing option, but did Factor go far enough?
And speaking of all-day (and all-night) adventures, Lisa recounts her recent 600km / 373 mile ride at the Mendocino 600 that saw her on the move for over 20 hours while bagging 5,128 meters (16,824-feet) of climbing. Logan and Levy ask her about the pre-ride planning that goes into an effort like this, how she fueled herself while on the bike, and why she rode a steel frame equipped with some ultra-light carbon wheels and components. They also get into using a power meter to limit yourself, how being a trash panda is a superpower during ultra-distance events, and the deeper meaning of being on your bike for such a long time.
Also, more reader questions answered about 32" wheels and bikes not being too expensive.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:07 - Reader questions
00:12:59 - Factor Sarana gravel bike
00:28:22 - Lisa's 600Km ride at the Mendocino Coast 600K -
This week's episode was just like any other. There was definitely nothing controversial… Logan Jones-Wilkins and I dive into two vastly different gravel bikes we’ve been testing, starting with my review of the XDS X-Lab GT8.
On paper, the GT8 is a standard, run-of-the-mill gravel bike. It lacks a unique "special sauce" and won't revolutionize the category, but it is a highly capable all-rounder that will handle just about any unpaved road. Then you see the price. The GT8 comes with a full carbon build and a power meter for about half the cost of its mainstream competitors. XDS is a massive Chinese manufacturing powerhouse that is now entering the US through a traditional dealer network. We discuss whether you should buy the GT8, and what its aggressive pricing means for Western brands.
Then we pivot to the Obed GVR, which Jones-Wilkins has been putting through its paces. Despite sharing the gravel category, the Obed is the polar opposite of the XDS. It is not an all-rounder. Instead, it is a highly specialized, direct-to-consumer machine built around big tire clearance and a DT Swiss suspension fork that was previously a Canyon exclusive. We break down the tech and figure out exactly who this bike is built for.
Oh and we’ve got more 32-inch wheel discussion. Of course there’s no way we can get away from that. If you read my recent piece, you know I think the standard makes zero sense for most riders, and I absolutely hate the idea of a new wheel size standard. Logan is taking a more measured approach, analyzing why the industry is pushing this standard regardless of public opinion. Of course, Mike Levy set this up as a pair of dueling articles, so we hash out the details on the air and try to predict where this is all headed. Tune in and let us know your take. -
We break down the polarizing "big wheel" trend, compare ultra-premium Partington wheels to Hunt's high-value alternatives, and dive into the coolest gear from the Sea Otter Classic.
This week, the podcast is all about Sea Otter and we’ve got a full house. Lisa Charlebois, Logan Jones-Wilkins, and I all spent time in California at the event, and we’ve got stories to tell. We kick things off by sharing what the vibe was like on the ground, especially for Jones-Wilkins, who was attending the show for the very first time.
After that, we get into the big news: big wheels. Some of us are skeptical and some favor the potential efficiency, but either way, 32-inch wheels are the topic we had to cover. There is a lot to take in, but we focus on the Salsa Fargo, a 32-inch lugged carbon bike from Faction, and a Ventum mountain bike coming this summer.
From there, we talk gravel bikes. This is Sea Otter, so gravel is the focus, and Logan dives deep on a few cool bikes, including the Look G85 and an aero-focused SEKA featuring integrated Fidlock bottles.
Despite the dirt-heavy show, I try to keep it road-first whenever possible, and there were some notable road launches. Partington showed off a crazy expensive wheelset that is incredibly light for a 50mm depth and uses a continuous carbon spoke system. The real surprise, however, was Hunt. Hunt launched a wheelset that is thousands of dollars cheaper than the Partington offering, slightly deeper, and nearly as light.
It wasn’t only wheels, either. I saw a Tavelo aero bike with 40mm of tire clearance and a 650g frame weight that will likely cost half the price of its competition. The No. 22 3D-printed titanium bike definitely won't cost half of anything, but it was spectacular to see getting closer to production. It might even cost more than the lugged-carbon Colnago C72 that launched just before the show.
Finally, we wrap it up with our favorite things from Sea Otter. Charlebois easily had the best answer, but jump into the comments on Velo and let us know what you thought was the coolest tech we reported on.
00:00 Intro: The Sea Otter Classic Experience
05:10 The 32-Inch Wheel Debate
19:30 Look G85 Gravel Bike
23:42 Wheel Tech: Partington vs. Hunt
27:56 Tavelo 650g Aero Road Frame
32:00 Sika Aero Gravel Bike
35:00 No. 22 3D-Printed Titanium Bike
37:20 Colnago C72 & Expensive Paint
40:14 The $25,000 Factor Bugatti Concept Bike
42:30 Our favorite things -
This week the Velo team is at Sea Otter covering the latest tech and Mike Levy is holding down the fort. In this episode, Levy sits down with New Zealander Joe Nation, a rider who possesses one of the most uniquely varied racing resumes in the sport.
Nation spent years following the mountain bike World Cup circuit as a privateer and racing in the Enduro World Series. Today, he’s trading three-minute downhill runs for events that span thousands of kilometers. He placed third overall at the 2023 Tour Divide and won the grueling 1,939-kilometer Silk Road Mountain Race across Kyrgyzstan in 2024.
Levy and Nation dig deep into the mindset required to survive these massive efforts, but they also look at the technology, the preferences, and the background that help Nation find success.
In this episode, we cover:
The Ultimate Dirtbag Origins: How Nation funded his European downhill racing by participating in clinical drug trials (earning the nickname "the white rat") and lived in a tent in the Morzine woods for two and a half months.
The 100mm BB Drop Aero Hack: For the Tour Divide, Nation’s friend built him a highly specialized bike through his company, Sufur Cycles. It features a massive 100mm bottom bracket drop designed purely for aerodynamics so he can get his head out of the wind.
Why Flat Bars Win: Nation pushes back on the trend of adding drop bars to everything, explaining how flat bars provide better leverage on steep climbs and save his hands from nerve damage.
The "Everyone is Dying" Superpower: Nation credits the realization that "when you are hurting, so is everyone else" as a major contributor to his ability to push through dark moments.
Psychological Warfare at 3,800 Meters: How hiding your exhaustion can break your competitors, which is exactly what Nation did when he attacked the leader at the top of a massive pass during the Silk Road Mountain Race.
Hunting for UFOs: It wouldn’t be a Levy interview without discussing the unexplainable things you might see while exhausted and isolated in the wilderness.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Downhill Racing Background
06:37 - The Dirtbag Days and Drug Trials
12:22 - The Tour Divide & Ultra-Racing Mindset
29:44 - The "Everyone is Dying" Superpower
41:29 - Psychological Warfare on the Silk Road
46:08 - The Custom Sufur Cycles Bike & Flat Bars
48:44 - The 100mm BB Drop Aero Hack
59:41 - Hunting for UFOs on the Trail -
I went to Taiwan, but the show must go on. While I was away covering the Taipei Cycle Show, Mike Levy, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins had plenty to talk about. Predictably, things got heavily focused on gravel tire pressure, but that wasn’t all.
This week, the podcast crew debates why roadies need bigger gravel tires, breaks down Specialized’s newest tech, and confesses to their strangest cold-weather clothing hacks.
In this episode, we cover:
Lisa’s 300km Mission: A recap of an epic 193-mile ride through Napa and Sonoma, plus a crucial PSA on the protocol for crossing the Golden Gate Bridge late at night.
Specialized's New Pathfinder TLR: Logan is currently working his way through a massive pile of test rubber. He explains why pros like Keegan Swenson opt for the slickest options, but argues the more aggressive Terra tread is actually better for the rest of us.
Levy’s Tire Volume Hot Take: Levy takes a firm stance that most gravel riders are severely under-tired. His advice to roadies hitting the dirt? Stop obsessing over aero, mount the biggest tires your frame clears, and run an insert.
New Roval Gravel Wheels: A quick look at the newly launched Roval Terra Aero CLX and Terra CLX3 wheelsets, including a discussion on their 27mm internal width and the decision to use a wide carbon hook.
Questionable Winter Kit: Inspired by Jonas Vingegaard's heavily modified, cut-up winter bib shorts, the crew shares their own extreme cold-weather survival tactics—from crotchless long underwear to the merits of baggy mountain bike pants on a drop-bar bike.
Give it a listen, and let us know in the comments if you have a favorite tire or if you think Levy is wrong on his hot take.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Lisa’s 300k
05:04 - Gravel Tires
27:54 - Specialized Wheels
34:28 - Clothing discussion -
Five minutes after walking in the door from the Taipei Cycle Show, I sat down with Mike Levy to unpack what it was like being there. We immediately dive into the wildest tech from the show floor: what a $31,000 3D-printed titanium road bike actually looks like, whether those budget power meter pedals are legit or just vaporware, and the exact physics behind Pirelli’s claim that their new aero tire cuts drag without ruining rolling resistance. I also talk about the one Chinese brand I found at the show and how they’ve got a brand new gravel bike that’s half the price of a Western company.
We also get into the 32-inch wheel standard. The first suspension fork for the standard hit the market at the show, and we dig into whether this is the upgrade riders have been waiting for.
It wasn’t all walking trade show aisles, though. I spent a few days riding Factor's futuristic One aero road bike through the Taipei jungle, and the experience taught me how much better road culture can be.
I was planning to bring that bike home for a full review and further aero testing. Instead, it stayed behind. We get into how the bike actually handles on the road, its aggressive geometry, and the ongoing mystery behind how I somehow managed to break it. -
Legendary Canadian racer Svein Tuft joins Mike Levy to chat about stories from his book, We Will Never Be Here Again. The two cover wild stories ranging from epic bike-packing trips while pulling Tuft's 60-lb dog named Bear in a homemade trailer, to winning stages at the Tour de France and Giro. Tuft has had an unconventional career and lived an unconventional life.
Tuft is likely also the only professional cyclist, active or retired, who has spent time train hopping. He gives Levy his best tips for traveling via railcar—like finding priority trains to cross the country quickly and hiding in the nooks of grain carts to avoid the authorities.
The two also dive into how being an introvert was a superpower for Tuft during his European road career before getting into a discussion of ultra-endurance racing. Tuft has advice for racing the Tour Divide, including getting heavier, and talks about how a severe sickness forced him to pull the pin once he reached Colorado during his own attempt.
Finally, the duo discusses Tuft’s unexplainable sighting while camping deep in the Canadian forest. Was it a UFO or something else? Whether it was an otherworldly encounter or just extreme exhaustion, it adds another incredible layer to Tuft's backlog of outdoor stories.
Listen to the full episode, grab his book, We Will Never Be Here Again, for the rest of the wild stories, and check out Tuft Camps if you're brave enough to try holding his wheel.
Show Notes & Chapter Markers:
[00:00:11] - Intro: Mike Levy welcomes 13-time national champion Svein Tuft.
[00:04:06] - Early bike-packing trips to Alaska with his dog, Bear.
[00:15:57] - The lost art of train hopping and finding "priority trains."
[00:21:47] - How being an introvert was a superpower in the European peloton.
[00:30:08] - Reflecting on the Tour de France and old-school cycling nutrition.
[00:42:37] - Svein’s Tour Divide attempt and knowing when to pull the pin.
[00:52:22] - Unconventional ultra-endurance advice: why you shouldn't show up too lean.
[01:11:01] - An unexplainable UFO sighting near Mount Rexford.
[01:14:51] - Tuft Camps: Riding gravel, road, and MTB in British Columbia. -
We debate whether dumping half your pedal is actually worth the cash, unpack a terrifying lead-vehicle disaster at the Mid-South gravel race, and explain why buying price-point carbon is a mistake.
0:00 - Intro
0:00:35 - Welcome Logan and Mid-South
0:18:10 - Listener questions
0:34:18 - CAAD14 first impressions
0:45:34 - Otso Waheela R launch
0:58:27 - Single sided gravel pedals -
There has been an alarming amount of physical assault and middle fingers flying in the pro peloton lately. Last weekend, UCI race officials disqualified NSN Devo rider Kiaan Watts after he reached out and struck a competitor in the head mid-race. Just days later, British time trial champion Ethan Hayter earned himself a $645 fine and a docking of 25 UCI points for flashing his middle finger to a TV moto at 54 kilometers an hour during the Tirreno-Adriatico.
Which begs the question: when was the last time you completely lost your cool mid-ride?
In this week's episode, Mike, Lisa, and I share our own stories of frustration, adrenaline, and bad behavior. These are not stories any of us—well, maybe Mike—are particularly proud of, but it happens. Lisa details her dark fantasy involving spark plugs, and I pretend like I might actually have the courage to remove a mirror or two. Mike confesses to standing in an intersection in full Lycra and kinda, maybe, definitely threatening a driver. We want to hear about your frustrated moments with cars, so jump into the comments and let us know.
This wasn't only a complaining episode, though. This past week was a massive week for road tech, and we had two incredibly different bikes to dissect.
First up is the fourth-generation Giant Propel. Giant is making a massive aero claim of 18 watts saved. Is that even possible? I break down the fine print after cross-referencing three different press releases, and I talk about why I think it's actually quite likely—but also why you might not even need a new bike to take advantage of those 18 watts.
The big news this week, though, is not about aero gains. I'm super excited to talk about the new Cannondale CAAD14 and why Cannondale is leading this launch with an apology. The latest model in this lineup is heavier than the last one, but that's not what the apology is about. There's also a showstopper brushed aluminum version, and we talk about why you can't buy it.
Finally, we tackle a question from Velo editor Jim Cotton: When you are completely bonked, shivering, and staring blankly into a gas station aisle, what is your desperation snack of choice? Lisa has a jersey pocket recipe of marinated chicken nuggets that's either genius or offensive, while I rain on the parade with a more clinical eye for my choices. No surprise if you listen regularly, Mike chooses Monster. I also share a story about a near-mythical vending machine I encountered outside Vienna, Austria, around 1 a.m. near the end of a 200-ish mile ride.
There's also some time spent on listener questions and comments where Lisa shares an absolutely outrageous opinion about downtube storage before Mike says he wants a leather-bound novel with his bike… or maybe just a paper manual. I also spend some time talking about the merits of the user experience as it relates to package design and high-end sunglasses, and we all confess to hoarding tires.
As you wrap it up, we definitely want to know your take on Lisa's recipe, what you would have chosen from the vending machine, and how you feel about downtube storage.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro and road rage
11:50 - Gas station snacks of choice
23:43 - Listener Questions
41:17 - 4th generation Giant Propel and the 18-watt aero claim
50:04 - Cannondale CAAD14 -
What does it take to be considered one of the greatest of all time? A boatload of major wins doesn't hurt, of course, but how a racer wins can be just as important. Tadej Pogačar's list of victories includes four Tour de France titles, two World Championships, and a remarkable ten Monuments, among many others. They're super-human performances, no doubt, yet it's the Slovenian's willingness to race with his heart and gamble it all that sets him apart, especially in this era of relatively risk-averse specialists.Today's podcast sees Levy speaking with Velo contrinutor Andy McGrath, author of "Tadej Pogačar: Unstoppable," a biography of the modern era’s greatest cyclist. They dig into Pogačar's early days as a junior, his family life and his mother's concerns, and how he's able to remain so calm and positive even when it's not going to plan. Oh, and might Pogačar have a secret tractor collection?
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Opening weekend in Flanders saw chaos, carnage, and the inevitable, with Omloop first-timer Mathieu van der Poel taking a dominating win and Demi Vollering showing some impressive early-season strength. This episode of the Velo podcast has European editor and race correspondent Andrew Hood breaking down all the action from Belgium and answering Levy's questions about how to stop MVDP's dominance at the classics, why there were so many huge crashes, and when a podium feels like a victory.Hoody and Levy also get into the action from Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, where 20-year-old Matthew Brennan's dominating sprint form has finally given Visma–Lease a Bike some good news. They also preview this weekend's Strade Bianche and weigh in on the chances of anyone beating Tadej Pogačar for his fourth win on the white roads, something that Tom Pidcock and Paul Seixas will be doing their best to prevent.
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In this episode of the Velo podcast, we're doing some collective venting about the stuff that grinds our gears, but we don’t start there. Instead, we open with some breaking news from Lisa about Ironman of all things. We don't usually spend much time on triathlons, but this is less about the sport and more about the corporation that controls it. We have to ask: Is a new gear ban with a "safety" justification actually just a thin veil for a commercial cash grab?
From there, we pivot to the two years I’ve spent living with the Garmin Edge 1050. The "fancy walled garden" of the Garmin ecosystem creates a trap that’s hard to escape, but is the tech actually enough to keep anyone there? I think it is, but I also made a big mistake with my initial read on the 1050 when it launched, and it’s time I owned up to it.
Then, the episode shifts into a rapid-fire round of industry complaints:
Mike kicks things off by explaining why a "standard" designed to fix creaking has actually created a new nightmare for home mechanics. We mostly agree on this one, but we want to know if you’ve felt the same pain in your workshop.
Then it’s my turn to rant about unwritten rules. I dig into why I never quite seem to fit in on the local ride, while Lisa offers some perspective, then firmly lays down the real rules of engagement.
Rules established, we jump back to Mike’s crusade against electric mini pumps. We’re all in agreement that they're a bit silly, but Mike shocks us with an unexpected admission about a different strategy he actually endorses. There’s a brief mention of hookless here, too, but I let it go... for now.
Lisa gets surprisingly fired up about the "rules" of jersey pockets, and Mike has his own gears to grind here regarding bibs. Lisa starts with a strong point, and we think she's on to something, but she loses us after Mike swoops in with his own complaint about bibs.
Mike gets on his high horse to explain why your gravel bike shouldn't just be a road bike with fat tires and how current designs make descents scarier than they need to be. I eventually force him to admit he’s wrong, and I may have done a small victory dance off-camera.
My victory doesn't last long. To close things out, I get on my own high horse to talk hookless. We get into a heated discussion about why hookless even exists and whether "mini-hooks" are a real solution or just more marketing. I’ll call it like it is: I think the public is falling for the marketing BS, but maybe you think I’m the one who’s wrong?
Let us know in the comments where you think I’m off my rocker and where Lisa and Mike are spot on. Or, if there’s something else driving you crazy in the bike world that we missed, tell us about it.
00:00 – Episode Intro and "Things that Grind our Gears"
00:57 – Breaking News: Ironman Corporation bans athlete video equipment
07:40 – Garmin Edge 1050: A two-year long-term review and the ecosystem trap
38:20 – Things that grind our gears: Mike hates T47 bottom brackets
42:32 – Things that grind our gears: Josh hates group rides
45:29 – Things that grind our gears: Lisa hates stopping at the top of the climb
46:56 – Things that grind our gears: Everyone hates electric mini pumps
53:34 – Things that grind our gears: Lisa hates bad jersey pockets
54:21 – Things that grind our gears: Mike hates bibs without pockets
56:16 – Things that grind our gears: Mike hates gravel bike geometry
01:07:58 – Things that grind our gears: A heated debate over Hookless Rims -
Senior Tech Editor Josh Ross has spent the last month living with the 5th generation Cannondale SuperSix EVO, and he’s come to a blunt conclusion: either he’s jaded, or the flagship "superbike" just isn't that exciting. While the marketing suggests this is a category-defining machine, Josh explains why at $10,000 for the Hi-Mod (and more for the Lab71), the SuperSix has essentially become a clone of the Specialized Tarmac SL8 without actually hitting the same high marks. The crew discusses the "Tarmac-ification" of the all-around race bike and why the real winner of this launch is actually the $3,000 mechanical 105 build at the bottom of the range.
The SuperSix launch is just the start of the episode. Mike Levy, Lisa Charlerbois, and Josh dive into the polarizing news of the upcoming Lance Armstrong movie starring Austin Butler. Does another big-screen biopic help or hurt the sport’s image? The crew also tackles your listener questions, including the rise of Chinese wireless drivetrains, Mike’s story of being chased through the dark by a "squadron" of squirrels, and whether radar is actually ruining the purity of the ride.
Finally, Josh doubles down on the take that set the Velo comments section on fire: Hi-viz clothing is victim blaming. He explains why he's rejecting the "common sense" argument and why we need to stop shifting the burden of safety onto cyclists.
00:00 – Welcome to the show
01:53 – The Austin Butler/Lance Armstrong Movie Debate
08:17 – Listener Q&A
30:58 – Trek Check-Out Long Term: Ditching the "Dorky" Rack
36:07 – SuperSix EVO Gen 5: What Actually Changed, how the Lab71 compares to the Tarmac SL8 and Cervélo S5, and why the 105 mechanical build is what you be buying
50:13 – Wrap up and a tease about the Garmin 1050 and how it's possible the company made a mistake - Laat meer zien
