The Rouleur Podcast

If you're dreaming of the bike you'd buy if money was no object, the BMC Masterpiece range may be near the top of your list. The Swiss company's most exclusive bikes are not made using pre-built sections like most of their carbon rivals, but handmade in a single mould. They're not cheap, but how do you put a price on what some consider to be the world's most beautiful bikes? Dan Cavallari talks to Stefan Christ - BMC's Head of R&D - about the history and future of the Masterpiece. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3D printing has revolutionised design in bikes and components in recent years - now it's even inside your shorts. Elastic Interface are pioneering the use of 3D printing in the making of chamois pads - they say the process helps make them more comfortable, longer lasting and less wasteful of materials. If you're not familiar with Elastic Interface, the Italian company make high-quality pads for some of the best clothing brands in the world. On this episode, Dan Cavallari talks to Irene Lucarelli and Luca Conte from the company about the present and future shape of the often overlooked chamois. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just how green is cycling? Clearly the act of pedalling your bike is about as eco-friendly as it gets, but what about the way it was built, the delivery chain, even the clothes you wear to ride? Not looking quite so green now. And bike racing? Best not to ask how many air and lorry miles are involved in transporting the peloton around the globe. Rouleur Issue 114 looks at sustainability in cycling - on this podcast Editor Ed Pickering explains why it matters. And cycling journalist and F1 presenter Laura Winter joins us to talk about how Netflix are hoping to deliver some Grand Prix glamour to our sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Cavallari gets the lowdown on Enve's Melee - the customisable road bike which takes up to 35mm tyres. His guest is Enve Composites chief engineer Kevin Nelson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across all its seven versions, the Trek Madone has been a benchmark for aerodynamics and speed. The company claims its latest Madone SLR is the fastest bike it's ever made - thanks in part to its radical aero seat tube. Dan Cavallari talks to two people closely involved in the Madone's evolution - John Davis, lead aerodynamicist and senior industrial designer Jon Russell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just how good was Beryl Burton? Her achievements are well known - countless British and international titles, beating not just the best women but the best men in time trialling, setting records which lasted decades. But how does she compare with today’s best? A new biography aims to answer that questions, but also tell the extraordinary story of the woman who can stake a real claim to have been Britain’s greatest ever athlete. Author Jeremy Wilson joins Ian Parkinson on this podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next time you feel like moaning about the weight of your bike-packing rig, spare a thought for the members of the Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps, the black US soldiers who rode 1900 miles across gravel roads on heavy steel single speeds loaded down with military kit. Their expeditions, in the late 1890s, were designed to demonstrate the efficiency of transporting soldiers by bike rather than horse or foot. Modern-day explorer Erick Cedeño, known as The Bicycle Nomad, was captivated by their story and determined that it should be more widely known. He's recently retraced their journey, although on slightly more modern equipment. Dan Cavallari has been talking to him. You can watch video of Erick and Dan on this link:https://slowguyonthefastride.com/dignity-truth-the-buffalo-soldiers-project-with-the-bicycle-nomad/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest edition of Rouleur magazine is arriving with subscribers now. Issue 113 - The Inspiration Issue - includes interviews with some of the most inspiring riders in the peloton and some of the most inspirational places to cycle. Lorena Wiebes, Jai Hindley, Bradley Wiggins and Fabio Aru, along with Mont Ventoux and the hardest ever stage of the Tour de France. On this podcast, Ian Parkinson is joined by Rouleur editor Ed Pickering, photojournalist James Startt and staff writer Rachel Jary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recent years have seen huge changes in wheel and tyre technology. Disc brakes, wider tyres and tubeless rims are fast becoming standard. Dan Cavallari catches up with Jake Pantone of Enve Wheels and talks through the latest developments in the company's products and why no-one should be afraid to go hookless. This episode was recorded in July, before Dan set off for the Tour de France. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After eight days of inspiring and unpredictable racing, it's time to reflect on the inaugural Tour De France Femmes avec Zwift. Rouleur's Rachel Jary has been at every stage of the race, James Startt and Ian Parkinson have been watching from the comfort of home. Can anything - except retirement - stop Annemiek Van Vleuten winning in the mountains? Which teams could do better? And how important is the success of the TdFF to women's racing? Featuring interviews with rising French star Juliette Labous, super-domestique Audrey Cordon-Ragot and veteran racer turned DS Jolien D'Hoore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.