The BikeRadar Podcast

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