The BikeRadar Podcast

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, digital editor Jack Luke and senior technical writer Simon von Bromley break down a huge week in cycling tech news. From the UCI's latest major rule change to new groupsets from SRAM and Shimano – and motorsport giant Brembo entering the cycling world via Specialized – they unpack all the key stories. Plus, don't miss BikeRadar's top story of the week and our rant of the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The UCI has announced sweeping controversial changes to its technical regulation, including new limits on handlebar width, helmets and tyre size.  Due to take effect from 2026, officials say the rules are designed to level the playing field and ensure “sporting fairness”, but the response from riders and industry figures has been mixed. In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, digital editor Jack Luke and senior tech writer Simon Von Bromley explain the key details of the changes, and how the experts and racers have reacted to the changes. https://www.bikeradar.com/news/uci-tech-rules-2026 https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/uci-handlebar-width-rules-2026 https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/uci-handlebar-width-womens-impact https://www.bikeradar.com/news/uci-rejects-one-cycling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tech Q&A is back, with Jack Luke, Tom Marvin and Simon Von Bromley fielding your questions. This time around, the trio cover: Do MTBers wear padded shorts, and if so what kind? Having recently crashed their gravel bike at a local trail centre, one rider is looking for a fun hardtail with a £2,000 budget – we recommend our three top picks Can you fit bigger brake rotors to a converted e-bike to help with stopping power? What to do if your mechanical shifting isn't performing at its best Smartwatches as an alternative to GPS bike computers – are they any good, what compromises might you have to make, and what brands we'd recommend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, digital editor Jack Luke grills Simon von Bromley on his experience with Vistar – an all-new drivetrain that neatly integrates Classified's two-speed hub into a fresh component ecosystem from TRP.    The pair are joined by MBUK presenter Tom Marvin, who gives his take on the system, having tested Classified for BikeRadar on his gravel bike.   https://www.bikeradar.com/news/official-tour-de-france-guide https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/groupsets/groupset-road/trp-classified-vistar-powershift-groupset-review https://www.bikeradar.com/news/shimano-kills-di2-batteries-with-self-powered-qauto-hub Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke and Simon von Bromley get stuck into Campagnolo Super Record 13 – the world's first 2x 13-speed wireless road groupset.   Lighter than the competition, full of smart tech and surprisingly affordable, could Super Record 13 be the comeback Campag fans have been waiting for? The pair also cover: The return of the iconic Campag thumb shifter Why SRAM and Shimano should be worried Future launches from Campagnolo  Shimano's strangest product launch in years  And last week's top story   Read more on everything discussed in today's podcast:   https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/groupsets/groupset-road/campagnolo-super-record-13-first-ride-review https://www.bikeradar.com/news/campagnolo-super-record-13 https://www.bikeradar.com/news/shimano-kills-di2-batteries-with-self-powered-qauto-hub https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/progress-or-protectionism-in-ebike-industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senior tech ed Alex and video presenter Tom chat all things XTR Di2, from the brand's removal of wires and internal batteries through to shifter ergonomics and shift performance. Tune in if you want all the juicy insights on Shimano's latest product. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, digital editor Jack Luke takes a super nerdy deep dive into Chris Mehlman's drop bar Pivot Les, which he'll race at Unbound XL 2025.    We explore the specifics of his bike setup, including lots of detail on the logic behind his tyre, suspension and bag choices, and how this unconventional approach reflects wider gravel racing tech trends. If you're a fan of big gravel adventures, weird bikes and clever hacks, you won't want to miss this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mountain bike tyre widths seemed to have plateaued, but could making them wider offer more traction and cushioning, or even make you faster? Some people certainly think so. In this episode, Tom, Alex and Rob revisit the tyre-width debate, talk through their experiences testing and riding bikes equipped with wider rubber, and discuss the pros and cons. Have we hit the sweet spot already or is there still room for improvement? Tune in to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke and Simon von Bromley unpack the chubby new direction for road bike tyres. Are 50mm tyres the future or a passing fad?   The pair also cover:    ·         The new Cervélo S5  ·         Standert's Kreissäge RS – a “circular saw” for chasing KOMs ·         A drunken 1970s cycling adventure ·         Last week's top content ·         Why saddle packs maybe don't suck Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tech Q&A is back, with Jack Luke and Simon Von Bromley fielding your questions. This time around, the pair cover: 26in, 27.5in or 29in? Which wheel size suits trail riding? Best British bike brands: Looking beyond Orange and Whyte? We suggest five UK makes worth a look – plus the Whyte T-140 RS gets a shoutout as a standout full-suspension option Mechanical disc brake upgrades: We share easy, affordable tips to boost lever feel and stopping power without switching to hydraulic Health benefits of cycling: From cardio to mental clarity, we run through the physical and psychological boosts two wheels can bring Best tyres for wet commutes: Grip, durability and rolling resistance – what to look for when choosing rubber for rainy-day riding What happens when an e-bike battery dies? For riders considering an ebike, we explain battery life, maintenance and proper recycling. Got a question for a future episode? Drop us a message at Podcast@bikeradar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new 13-speed Campagnolo Super Record groupset has been spotted at the 2025 Giro d'Italia, and it's more than just an extra cog. From a redesigned rear derailleur and potential 1x compatibility to the long-awaited return of the iconic thumb shifter, this could mark a real turning point for the legendary Italian brand. We dig into what's new, what's still to come, and why this matters for Campagnolo's place in the modern peloton.   https://www.bikeradar.com/news/new-campagnolo-super-record-wireless-groupset-2025-giro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lachlan Morton, the winner of the 2024 Unbound 200, is a gravel and adventure riding superstar. BikeRadar's Liam Cahill caught up with Lachlan at last week's Traka, Europe's biggest gravel race, to take a closer look at his bike. In this episode, Lachlan talks Liam through his 2025 race rig. You can also watch the video here: https://youtu.be/tuaDfwtRLkU?si=S5Wslp7oJu8dEg7x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cannondale has launched a new Synapse endurance bike, with 42mm tyre clearance, an aero-influenced frame, down tube storage and a reimagined SmartSense system that's, well, much smarter than before. It's a bike that, on paper, represents the evolution of the latest endurances bike – a category that's in rude health. In this podcast, George Scott quizzes Warren Rossiter on the new Synapse, and the essential features of an endurance bike in 2025. Read more about the new Cannondale Synapse – https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2025-cannondale-synapse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first episode of a three-part series with Zipp, BikeRadar's Liam Cahill and Warren Rossiter sit down with Zipp product manager Nathan Schickel to chart the history of one of cycling's most influential brands.   From Zipp's original carbon tri-spoke wheel to the current trend for super-wide rims and tyres, via the brand's detour into making bike frames, this is a fascinating chat that looks back at Zipp's key innovations, and what might be coming next.   You can also watch this episode on BikeRadar's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/bikeradar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Electric mountain bike development shows no signs of slowing, with high-powered motors arriving from the likes of DJI and Specialized, which offer 850 and 720 watts of power respectively in their ‘regular' modes. The DJI takes that further with a 1,000-watt boost mode.   But that's not always a good thing. In this podcast, BikeRadar's technical editor-in-chief, Rob Weaver, and MBUK TV's video presenter, Tom Marvin, tell you why.   The duo also chat through what this means for the future of eMTBs, and whether peak power and torque now needs to be capped.   Watch MBUK TV's review of the new Specialized Turbo Levo 4 – https://youtu.be/vk34BFJQ2xQ?si=o1l5OiRczYSIhnyq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jack Luke sits down with hardcore roadie turned gravel dad, Simon von Bromley, to discuss the missing 1x version of Shimano's 12-speed GRX Di2 groupset.   With images of potential new XTR Di2 parts leaking online in recent months, we've been wondering what it could mean for the next generation of 1x GRX Di2 – something conspicuous by its absence in Shimano's gravel line-up.   The duo ponder what a fully wireless XTR could mean for GRX and Shimano's other 12-speed Di2 ranges, why Shimano's enormous product ecosystem can appear so confusing from the outside, and what features they think would be essential in any new 1x GRX Di2 groupset.   Shimano XTR Di2 'leak' reveals the one thing we've been waiting for 12-speed Shimano GRX Di2 is finally here – but it's 2x only for now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tech Q&A is back, with Jack Luke your host, and Tom Marvin and Warren Rossiter fielding your questions. This time around, the trio cover: Are new bikes actually any better than old bikes?  How to improve hand comfort on the bike  Can you convert an MTB to a gravel bike?  Tips for fitting stiff tubeless tyres  The perfect brake bleed, according to Shimano  Carbon vs alloy mountain bikes, what's better?   Got a tech question for the BikeRadar team? Email us at podcast@bikeradar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Colnago has launched the V5Rs, claimed to be the lightest bike it has ever made. The new bike is the replacement for the V4Rs, which has just had an enviable send-off at the 2025 Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix under Tadej Pogačar. In this bonus podcast episode, digital editor Jack Luke sits down with road tech lead Ashley Quinlan to discuss Ash's early impressions of the new bike from a press event on Lake Garda, Italy. Of course, it's lighter and faster on paper, but is that enough to satisfy these two tech nerds?  Read the V5Rs news story here:  https://www.bikeradar.com/news/colnago-v5rs Read Ash's first-ride review here:  https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bike-reviews/colnago-v5rs-first-ride  Find out why Ash thinks Colnago might have missed an opportunity to be bolder here: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/the-colnago-v5rs-has-left-me-feeling-cold  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George Scott and Simon von Bromley reflect on another classic edition of Paris-Roubaix, dissecting the tech trends that dominated this year's race. From ever-wider tyres to gravel-inspired hacks, George and Simon chart the latest evolutions in Roubaix tech.   How Zipp's radically wide 303 wheelset ushered in an aero revolution at Paris-Roubaix – https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/icons-of-cycling-zipp-303 Our tech predictions for Paris-Roubaix 2025... and a decade into the future, in 2035 – https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/paris-roubaix-2035-tech-predictions Why gravel gearing and clearance for 40mm tyres could be the future of Paris-Roubaix tech – https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/gravel-gearing-2025-spring-classics   Watch all of our Paris-Roubaix tech videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bikeradar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With legit suspension and clearance for 50mm tyres, the latest gravel bikes are getting more extreme than ever. Jack and Warren discuss some of the latest trend-setting gravel launches, why big-tyred gravel bikes are good for pros and amateurs alike, and how you can choose the best gravel machine for your needs.   Ridley Ignite GTX – https://www.bikeradar.com/news/ridley-ignite-gtx Lee Cougan Innova Super Gravel – https://www.bikeradar.com/news/lee-cougan-innova-super-gravel Why we need more gravel bike categories – https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/gravel-bike-categorisation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For many cyclists, the continual churn of standards can be a nightmare. New ‘standards' shoot up like Tadej Pogaçar on the Plateau de Beille, making our riding lives more complicated than necessary.   Innovation and new standards can make our bikes better, but too often the gains don't feel worth the hassle.   With this in mind, Jack Luke sits down with Simon von Bromley and Tom Marvin to discuss their top picks for universal road and mountain bike standards.   Simon says: dear bike industry, these are the only road bike standards you should use Dear bike industry: these are the only mountain bike standards you should use Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Holy Week is here! The biggest week in the one-day race calendar is here, with the Tour of Flanders on Sunday and Paris-Roubaix a week later.   The Spring Classics test riders and their equipment to the limit. It's an annual tech feast for bike nerds so, ahead of Flanders and Roubaix, BikeRadar's Simon von Bromley make their predictions for the trends that will define this year's racing.   Subscribe to our YouTube channel for all of our tech coverage from Paris-Roubaix: https://www.youtube.com/user/bikeradar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ahead of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, BikeRadar's George Scott speaks to Glen Leven, Team Support Manager for Lidl-Trek, to find out why the team is using gravel gearing for the Spring Classics.   This was an impromptu phone call following Mads Pedersen's win at Gent-Wevelgem, so the audio quality isn't quite up to our usual standard, but we still want to bring you this behind-the-scenes chat about the latest Classics tech developments.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh from the launch of her new book, Gravel Rides South West England, Freelance journalist and regular BikeRadar contributor, Katherine Moore speaks to Jack Luke about how to plan the perfect gravel route – or, as Moore puts it, “how to cook up a gorgeous gravel recipe.”    From the absolute basics to shockingly nerdy apps, this episode has something for gravel riders of all abilities.    Learn more about bridleways, restricted and byways: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/routes-and-rides/uk-cycling-footpath-laws   Learn more about the UK's best gravel events: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/routes-and-rides/uk-gravel-race-calendar    Learn more about Katherine's book: https://www.adventurebooks.com/products/gravel-rides-south-west-england Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Freelance journalist and regular BikeRadar contributor, Katherine Moore, speaks to Jack Luke about her new book, Gravel Rides South West England, and shares three of her favourite routes.   Find out more about Katherine's book: https://www.adventurebooks.com/products/gravel-rides-south-west-england?srsltid=AfmBOoqyqkIOiBKKl3jN29T-w7wdJR7hQf7g5z6b5fOeIJ2kPQEHB016 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this news round-up, Jack Luke grills Warren Rossiter and Simon von Bromley on the new Cannondale Topstone gravel bike, Boardman's value-packed SLR, and new tyres from Vittoria and Hutchinson.   Read more: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/2025-cannondale-topstone https://www.bikeradar.com/news/boardmans-new-slr-promises-to-be-fast-for-all-four-seasons https://www.bikeradar.com/news/hutchinson-blackbird-race-blackbird-all-season https://www.bikeradar.com/news/vittoria-wide-rim-optimised-tyres Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Liam Cahill sits down with Simon von Bromley to discuss the hottest tech trends from the first spring classic of 2025.   Back in the UK after a weekend in Belgium, Liam gives us the skinny on Visma–Lease a Bike's head-turning helmets, all the unreleased kit the likes of Specialized and Zipp and trying to hide, and why some teams are turning to gravel groupsets for road races.   Enormous aero helmets, 30mm tyres and gravel gearing – Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2025 tech gallery Lidl-Trek using prototype automatic chain waxing machine at the Tour de France Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke sits down with Simon von Bromley to discuss Simon's belief that time trial bikes should be banned.   According to Simon, time trial bikes are dangerous, expensive, and bad for the sport – but how do his arguments stand up to scrutiny?   Tune in to find out… Simon says: the UCI should ban time trial bikes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Simon von Bromley sits down with former pro road racing star, David Millar.   With national titles and multiple Grand Tour stage victories on his palmarès, Millar established himself as one of Britain's best-known cyclists across a 17-year career.   Over a meandering conversation, Millar talks about his new role as brand director at Factor, road-racing tech trends, his take on the issue of safety, and why efforts to change the sport's business model will face plenty of hurdles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week, BikeRadar's Jack Luke attended Velofollies, one of Europe's leading bike shows, and saw a whole host of wonderful new tech.   Now back in the UK, Jack sits down with Simon von Bromley, to discuss his highlights from the trip, and why he thinks Velofollies may have usurped Eurobike on the cycling-show calendar.   For all our coverage from Velofollies 2025, head to BikeRadar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the men's and women's WorldTour kicking off Down Under, Simon von Bromley and Liam Cahill sit down to discuss the latest bike and equipment trends in pro road cycling.   From Chinese bikes to the return of Campagnolo and big names on the move, there have been plenty of changes ahead of the new season, and there's much to discuss.   For a full rundown of all the WorldTour team bikes, head to BikeRadar.com: 2025 Men's WorldTour team bikes and equipment 2025 Women's WorldTour team bikes and equipment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liam Cahill and Jack Luke have made some very silly cycling purchases in their time. The pair sit down to discuss the stupidest of the lot and share them in the safe space that is the BikeRadar Podcast. Can you relate? Share your stories at podcast@bikeradar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Heat training has taken the professional peloton by storm in recent years, promising improved cycling performance in all weather.   But what exactly is ‘heat training' and how do you do it? To find out, Liam and Simon are joined by Dan Lorang, director of coaching and sports science at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, and Puck Alkemade, who holds a PhD in thermophysiology and is a physiologist and study coordinator at CORE.   Could heat training be the secret to unlocking your full potential on the bike this winter? Tune in to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The BikeRadar team has tested more than 500 products this year, but which ones stood head and shoulders above the rest?   In this podcast, Jack Luke hosts Simon von Bromley, Ashley Quinlan and Warren Rossiter to discuss their top picks for road and gravel.   From the best budget aero helmet to an ebike conversion kit, power meter pedals, electric shoe driers and more, tune in to find out which kit impressed us the most this year and why. BikeRadar's Gear of the Year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the 2025 WorldTour season just around the corner, Liam and Simon are joined by Dan Bigham, Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe's head of engineering, to discuss what the big tech trends might be.   Starting with the question of whether there's any low hanging aero fruit left to pick, the conversation moves onto the ongoing controversy over the relationship between speed and safety in professional bike racing.   The trio then discuss the UCI Hour Record, whether breaking the 60km mark is possible and how it could be done.   Wrapping up, Liam and Simon turn the lens on themselves and ask whether Dan thinks there's anything cycling media could do to help audiences understand complicated topics and cut through marketing claims. Dan Bigham: Pro cycling needs safer courses and heavier bikes, not reduced speeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have all bought some truly awful bike products over the years and there are plenty of pitfalls to make when spending money on cycling kit.   But a lot of products, while far too expensive, are still ones we really want.    Liam is joined by Warren and Ash to identify the offending items and help you avoid making the same mistakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liam and Simon are joined by Nathan Haas, a former WorldTour professional turned gravel privateer, to discuss the tech trends that could define gravel racing in the coming years.   Having started his cycling career as a mountain biker, Haas explains why he thinks MTB tyres and suspension forks are overkill for gravel racing.   The trio also touch on the recent UCI Gravel World Championships, and how the sport's governing body could improve its support for the independent gravel racing scene.   To hear more from Haas, check out his podcast, The Gravelog. 2024 Gravel World Championship tech trends Best gravel suspension forks Gravaa KAPS on-the-fly pressure adjustment system helps Vos secure Gravel Worlds win Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical editor Warren gets an exclusive sit-down with Sir Chris Hoy at Manchester Velodrome to talk about his astonishing career. They discuss everything from E.T.-inspired BMX racing, mountain bike, and road racing to how Sir Chris became a track legend. We hear who inspired him, what brought him to track racing, and how he stayed on top for so long. Sir Chris also tells Warren about his post-racing life, from launching a bike brand and his love of e-bikes to his passion for motorsport and rallying – leading to competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The bike industry is, like any industry, home to aspects which are great and things which boil our brakes.   But from the outside, some of these positive and negative aspects can be missed. In the spirit of openness, we wanted to talk about them.   So these are five things that we love, and six things we think the bike industry could improve on. https://www.bikeradar.com/news/longest-bike-stem https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/bike-industry-mtb-standards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

BikeRadar's testers are in the fortunate position to be able to test the latest bikes. But reviewing bikes and making a significant financial investment to buy one, are two very different things.   The gravel discipline has expanded rapidly over the last decade and the bikes which fall under this dusty umbrella range from aero racers to monster adventure rigs. So with gravel bikes becoming ever more numerous, choosing what to buy is getting harder.   We gave Jack Luke, Warren Rossiter and Liam Cahill a tricky task. Choose one bike which they could realistically buy and one that would require a significant win on the horses or lottery.   Given each rider has a very different take on gravel, there were a wide range of options brought to the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zwift might have a serious contender in 2025 after TrainingPeaks acquired IndieVelo.   The virtual indoor cycling app – now called TrainingPeaks Virtual – will be free to use until at least March 2025. With TrainingPeaks' new software being bundled as part of its premium subscription tier going forward, could it tempt Zwift users away from Watopia?   Liam and Simon sit down to discuss this, along with what's new in the indoor training world for the winter of 2024/25 – and whether any of the latest smart trainers are worth investing in.   Zwift challengers up their game and why you don't need a new smart trainer | 2024 indoor cycling tech round-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senior tech editor Alex joins video presenter Tom to discuss how to make your suspension forks perform better. After spending countless hours testing three of the latest forks from the biggest names – Fox, Öhlins and RockShox – Alex divulges all the tips and tricks he learnt, to help you get more from your setup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices