The BikeRadar Podcast

SRAM took the fight to Shimano in 2021 when it launched Rival eTap AXS – a 12-speed, wireless electronic groupset at a relatively affordable price point. After years of telling us that 105 Di2 wouldn’t happen, Shimano was forced to react and create a rival for Rival eTap AXS. And now it has – Shimano 105 Di2 R7120 launched earlier this year. Having had plenty of time to put both groupsets through their paces, BikeRadar’s senior technical editor, Warren Rossiter, sits down with senior technical writer, Simon von Bromley, to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each system, and see if they can crown one the king of budget electronic road groupsets.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New bikes are still making their way onto the market, and our MTB test team is hard at work getting the miles in on a host of new rides, across a broad range of prices!In this News Review episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Alex Evans tells us about a new Marin Rift Zone, Luke Marshall has been riding a box-fresh Orbea Wild FS, and Tom Marvin has been pedalling the new Yeti SB120 around the South West's hills - they've also launched a new SB140 and SB160.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week we looked at buying your first mountain bike, but it turns out that’s just part of the equation: you’re gonna need a few more things before you can take to the trails. We’re joined by our Tech Editor in Chief Robin Weaver and Senior Tech Ed Tom Marvin to sort through what really are trail essentials and what extra things are nice to have. Listen in for our thoughts on the best safety gear, what to wear, what tools and spares to carry, and what extra bits to kit out your bike with. Head over to BikeRadar.com for loads of handy buyer’s guides on this topic, from the best pedals to toolkits, helmets to baggy shorts, and click here for our 20 essentials for epic MTB rides: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/20-essentials-for-epic-mountain-bike-rides/.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, deputy editor Jack Luke sits down with former pro-cyclist-turned-presenter, Adam Blythe.Blythe is famously unafraid to air his opinions on tech, notably singling out Aqua Blue Sport’s decision to race on 3T’s 1x-specific Strada bikes as a key reason for his former team’s downfall in 2018. Following the recent release of the new 3T Strada ICR – which is available in a 2x configuration – We asked Adam whether he thought 1x will ever offer a competitive advantage.Blythe also comes from a generation where riders were able to customize bikes to suit their riding, and by extension, personalities. In the podcast, Blythe bemoans the homogeneity of the modern peloton and highlights who he thinks are today’s most stylish riders on and off the bike. Finally, we hear his personal view on the UCI tech rules today.  Blythe shares his thought on whether he thinks 1x will ever offer a competitive advantage, the homogeneous aesthetic of tech in the pro peloton today (and why he thinks that’s a bad thing), who he thinks is the most stylish rider on and off the bike, and his thoughts on UCI tech rules. ·         Read more about the 3T Strada ICR: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/3t-strada-icr/·         Watch BikeRadar’s Gravel Diaries: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLhX4qGpWXV9vU_zmhOJyAABezN_22dy0B  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the northern hemisphere plunged into darkness, BikeRadar’s George Scott, Ashley Quinlan and Jack Luke discuss one of winter’s must-have cycling accessories – lights. George, Ash and Jack discuss the key things to look out for when buying lights for a road bike, to help keep you riding through winter.You can also listen to our MTB lights podcast https://play.acast.com/s/bikeradarpodcast/our-guide-to-mountain-bike-night-riding Best bike lights for road cycling https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-bike-lights-for-road-cycling/Best MTB lights https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-mountain-bike-lights/Flashing vs steady lights – what’s better? https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/flashing-bike-lights/StVZO lights explained https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/stvzo-bike-lights/UK bike light laws explained https://www.bikeradar.com/features/bike-light-laws-in-the-uk-what-you-need-to-know/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first of our four-part series all about getting into mountain biking, we’re joined by Tom Marvin and Alex Evans to chat everything you need to know about buying your first mountain bike. From which mountain bike discipline suits you best to how much travel you need, what to look for in geometry and components we’d recommend.Besides this podcast, we’ve got heaps of buyer’s guides to check out on BikeRadar.com to help you choose your first mountain bike. Check them out here: https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-mountain-bike/.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For this bitesized episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, editor-in-chief, George Scott, speaks to Nathan Haas, who enjoyed a ten-year career as a WorldTour professional on the road, before switching to gravel full-time in 2022. Nathan discusses the unique physiological, technical and tactical demands of gravel, as well as his tech setup, favourite races and targets for 2023.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shimano 105 saw an eagerly-awaited update in 2022. In came Di2 electronic shifting and 12-speeds (in a disc brake-only flavour to boot), while mechanical shifting 105 got left behind. In this podcast, BikeRadar’s road tech maestros Simon von Bromley, Ashley Quinlan and Warren Rossiter delve into our latest four-way bike group test, which featured the previous-generation 105 R7020 groupset. They discuss the continued merits of mechanical 105, why Shimano should consider updating 105 R7000/R7020 to bring it into 12-speed line with its new electronic sibling, and if mechanical 105 R7020 is still the bang-for-buck performance benchmark groupset you shouldn’t ignore.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the BikeRadar podcast, digital writer Jack Evans explores what’s powering the popularity of electric bikes.  Jack asks Specialized Globe and Brompton why they’re investing in electric bike technology, while Emily Sinclair from cycling charity Sustrans and Selaine Saxby MP explain their support for ebikes.  Meanwhile, Saul Leiken from Specialized Globe makes the case for electric cargo bikes as an alternative to cars in towns and cities. Brompton’s head of design, Will Carley Smith, says going electric was an easy decision for the brand, but incorporating an electric motor into a compact folding bike proved trickier.  Sustrans Cymru liveable cities and towns officer Emily Sinclair tells Jack about a Welsh government-funded scheme that loans electric bikes to people for free.  Conservative MP for North Devon Selaine Saxby is a keen ebike user. She says the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking, which she co-chairs, advocates more financial support for people to buy electric bikes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott has just launched two new versions of its trail bike, the Genius. Both feature 150mm of travel at the rear, with 160mm forks, but the new Super Trail line, which also extends to the Spark family, gets more aggressive build kits with a focus on descending capabilities.Our senior technical editor Tom Marvin has ridden the Genius ST and, in this bite-sized episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, talks through the new bikes. Read more about the new Scott Genius: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2023-scott-genius/ ‎Read Tom’s first ride review: https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/2023-scott-genius-st-900-tuned/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices