The BikeRadar Podcast

Specialized Tarmac SL8 and Canyon Endurace CFR discussed, including aerodynamics, adjustable cockpits, handlebar design, mudguard mounts, and a new go fast bike for bikepacking. The improvements and features of the Tarmac Essalate are analyzed, along with a detailed comparison of the Tarmac SL8 to the S-Works Venge. The suitability of the Tarmac SL8 for different types of riders is also explored.

We’re lucky at BikeRadar to be able to try out tons of new gear, whether that be bike components or riding kit. This means we rarely need to buy our own kit, which is a lovely problem to have.However, we’re not immune to the occasional purchase – perhaps a well-loved bit of test kit that’s been returned, or something a colleague has been raving about catches our eyes.In this episode, senior technical editor Tom Marvin is joined by technical writers Luke Marshall and Nick Clark to discuss the kit and clothing they’ve spent their own money on – if they’ve dug into their pockets, it must be pretty good! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 A professional road cyclist’s bike is clearly different from yours – but is that always a good thing?At BikeRadar, we have plenty of expertise and opinions on pro bike tech. In this podcast, senior mountain bike technical editor Tom Marvin is joined by road and gravel video presenter Liam Cahill and digital writer Jack Evans. From handlebar width and bike weight to component choice, the trio discuss the peculiarities of pro bike setup. It turns out, they don’t always envy what elite cyclists have to ride. https://www.bikeradar.com/features/pro-bike/pro-bikes-are-different-to-yours/https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/best-value-aero-upgrades/https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/2013-pinarello-dogma-vs-2023-cervelo-r5-s5/https://www.bikeradar.com/features/pro-bike/einer-rubio-canyon-aeroad-cfr/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gravel race bikes and gravel bikepacking bikes are two very different things, so why do we still call both of them 'gravel bikes'? In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical editor Warren Rossiter argues that the gravel bike genre needs splitting up into sub-sections, to help riders better distinguish between the increasingly diverse set of bikes labelled as ‘gravel’.For his full review, head to https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/gravel-bike-categorisation/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In between seeking out new tech and eating the finest fayre of his home nation, deputy editor Jack Luke enjoyed the track racing action at the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow. Sunday found him watching the qualifications for the men’s elite individual pursuit, where Australia’s Conor Leahy put in a storming effort onboard an unreleased Factor track bike, seeding sixth ahead of the final event.This led to some enthusiastic cheering from a group of Australians in the stands, and who should be in their midst but Paul Collins – the technical director for the Australian cycling team. In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, we hear what Collins thinks could be behind Jumbo-Visma’s success at the 2023 Men’s Tour de France and the hottest trends in track tech today.Do you have any questions, comments or ideas for the BikeRadar Podcast? Please send them through to Podcast@BikeRadar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In recent weeks we’ve seen five notable electric mountain bikes being launched onto the market. Our senior technical editors Tom Marvin and Alex Evans bring you all the hot gossip on these new bikes, as well as some riding insights on a few of them too.The bikes range from under £4000 all the way up to just shy of £15000, making the selection as broad as they come.The bikes come from Vitus, Pivot, Mondraker, Intense and Trek, there’s plenty more information available on all the models on BIkeRadar.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bikepacking has exploded in recent years – social media feeds seem filled with aesthetically pleasing pictures of people setting off into the distance on a bike loaded with camping kit.Here at BikeRadar, we’re not averse to the odd bit of bikepacking. Tom Marvin is joined by digital writer Oscar Huckle and videographer Robyn Furtado – between them they’ve spent plenty of nights under canvas.The team talk all things bikepacking, from route selection and kit picks, to how to load your bike up with equipment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Deputy editor Jack Luke has just reinvigorated his love for mountain bikes after slinging his leg over a Pivot LES XC hardtail. In doing so, he’s realised there’s much to love about the modern mountain bike. But, there’s also lots that needs changing. In this episode, Jack condenses his rekindled love affair into three great recent developments and three adjustments that still need to happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke, Oscar Huckle and Tom Law discuss the hottest news in bike tech this week.Kicking things off, the trio examine Microshift Sword – the new affordable 10-speed gravel bike groupset that could have Shimano worried: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/microshift-sword/We also discuss the new Norco Fluid, which will be Tom’s long-term test bike for the next 12-months: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2023-norco-fluid-fs/Finally, we examine what VanMoof’s bankruptcy could tell us about the future about integrated tech on bicycles: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/vanmoof-bankruptcy/As ever, if you have any questions, suggestions or feedback on the BikeRadar Podcast, please send those through to podcast@bikeradar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The new seventh-generation Orbea Orca has broken cover today, with senior technical editor Ashley Quinlan on the ground in Spain to get all the juicy details.In this special episode, Ash sits down with Joseba Arizaga, Orbea’s road product manager, to get the inside track on the new Orca road bike.Along the way, the pair discuss the design thinking behind the new Orca and Oquo road wheelsets, plus cover some ground on Orbea’s distinctive business model. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices