The BikeRadar Podcast

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

Tom Marvin is a mountain bike through-and-through. With over 23 years of experience riding bikes off-road, ten of which he’s spent as a writer for BikeRadar, he knows a thing or two about what goes into making a good off-road bike. All of that time spent mountain biking leaves him scratching his head whenever he swings his leg over a gravel bike. Where is the suspension and why are there two derailleurs?In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke and Liam Cahill cross-examine Tom and his spicy gravel opinions. Do you agree with Tom? Or is he barking up the wrong tree? Let us know at podcast@bikeradar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George, Simon and Liam discuss the trends dominating the 2023 edition of the Tour de France: 1x, wide tyres (and wide rims), narrow handlebars, lightweight aero bikes, TT tech and budget blow-outs.Read more about the new Factor O2 VAM: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/factor-02-vam-2023/See all of BikeRadar’s Tour tech coverage: https://www.bikeradar.com/events/tour-de-france/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SRAM GX Eagle Transmission brings the brand’s its direct-mount derailleur technology to a lower price point with simpler construction and heavier materials bringing it down to £1,180/$1,099/€1,300. In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke, Alex Evans and Tom Law go over the key details of SRAM’s newest mountain bike groupset and share their early ride impressions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sleuthing trade shows and races for new tech is one of our favourite pastimes and 2023 has been a fruitful year for our dedicated team of eagle-eyed nerds.In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke, Simon von Bromley and Ashley Quinlan look back at the leaks of Shimano’s new GRX gravel bike groupset and the 12-speed mechanical version of 105, outlining everything we know so far. https://www.bikeradar.com/news/shimano-105-12-speed-mechanical/ https://www.bikeradar.com/news/shimano-grx-r820/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

George Scott and Jack Evans are joined by James Witts, author of Riding With The Rocketmen: One Man's Journey on the Shoulders of Cycling Giants, to find out what it takes to ride the Etape du Tour (or any other mountainous gran fondo).From training to tech, pacing to nutrition, George, Jack and James share their experiences of riding major events and how you can prepare for a gran fondo of your own.Read about Jack’s bike for the Haute Route: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/routes-and-rides/horse-for-the-course-the-ultimate-climbing-bike-for-the-three-day-haute-route-davos/Find out more about James’ latest book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/riding-with-the-rocketmen-9781399403504/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices