Cycle Systems Online

EPISODE 214: Drop Bar MTBs with John Galloway

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we dive into the world of versatile cycling setups, the evolution of gravel and mountain bikes, and the story behind a painful foot i...

EPISODE 213: Sustainable Tire Manufacturing and Innovation with Continental Tires

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we dive into Continental’s sustainable tire manufacturing efforts and their approach to eco-friendly bike tires. From sourcing rene...

EPISODE 212: Mavic e-deemax wheels with Mike Stead

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sean discusses the latest Mavic E-Deemax wheelset, a newly designed wheelset specifically for e-bikes. The E-Deemax is Mavic's m...

EPISODE 211: Cyclocross in 2024 - Is the Golden Age Over?

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sean dives into the world of cyclocross bikes and how the rise of gravel biking has impacted the cyclocross scene. Once a thrilling s...

EPISODE 210: an Epic Icelandic Adventure with Tynan Couture-Rashid

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cycle Systems Online Podcast, we sit down with Tynan Couture Rashid, an avid cyclist and bikepacking enthusiast, fresh from an ...

EPISODE 209: Continental 111 Tires with JP Ballard from Swiss Side

05 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey behind the development of game-changing aerodynamic tires with JP, a cycling expert and former Formula ...

Episode 208: New Developments in Bikepacking Bags with Mike Stead

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sean and Mike dive deep into the world of bikepacking gear and innovations, with Mike sharing insights gained from years of reviewing...

Episode 207: The Ins and Outs of Dynamo Lighting

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

 In this episode, we dive back into the workshop and focus on Dynamo hubs! Sean discusses the basics of Dynamo lighting systems, shares repair tips, ...

Epiode 206: Shimano Cues One Year Review with Mike Stead

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cycle Systems Online Podcast, host Sean Lally is joined by cycling expert and Road.CC reviewer Mike Stead to discuss the Shiman...

Episode 205: Our Summer of Love

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sean and Julia discuss their recent bikepacking adventure in the Swiss Alps, focusing on the experience of using an e-bike for such a...

Episode 204: David vs Goliath - Small Biz in 2024 with David Darby from Red Chili Bikes

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast episode, the discussion centers on the evolution and impact of cycling technology, featuring David Darby of Red Chilli Bikes. They exp...

Episode 203: Are Gravel Bikes Just 1990s MTBs?

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sean has fun in this episode, and dives into the ongoing debate: Are gravel bikes just modern versions of 1990s mountain bikes? Drawing from personal ...

Episode 202: What The Swiss Taught Me About Bike Cleaning

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Episode 202 of the Cycle Systems Online Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the essential yet often overlooked aspect of cycling: c...

Episode 201: Are Bike Products Fit for Purpose? A Mechanic's Rant

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of the Cycle Systems Online Podcast, Sean dives into a pressing issue in the bike industry: are the products being release...

Episode 200: Bike Mechanics - Experience vs Training

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Cycle Systems Online, host Sean Lally dives into the debate of experience versus training in bike mechanics. Drawing from his exper...

Episode 199: Corners Mechanics Cut (But Shouldn't)

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Episode 199 of Cycle Systems Online Academy! In this episode, our instructor discusses common practices among bike mechanics that need impr...

Episode 198: Graduate Story - from Menus to Mechanics

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of the Cycle Systems Online Podcast, Sean chats with Dino Pavledis, a Cycle Systems Academy graduate. Dino shares his insp...

Episode 197: What is Going on with the UK Bike Industry?

22 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we delve into the dynamic landscape of the UK bike industry. We cover:The Rise of Electric Bikes: Discover how e-bikes are transformi...

Episode 196: Labour Conditions in the Bike Trade - Worst and Best Cases

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

 In this episode of the Cycle Systems Online Podcast, host Sean delves into the often-overlooked ethical concerns in the bike manufacturing industry....

Episode 195: The UK bike industry with Raleigh's Managing Director, Lee Kidger

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Cycle Systems Online Podcast, we are joined by Lee Kidger, a prominent figure in the cycling industry who recently transitioned...

EPISODE 194: Warranty work and it's implications for bike shops

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Warranty work, unless you sell exclusively Pashleys and Bromptons you'll have lots of this. It seems most mainstream manufacturers see warranty c...

EPISODE 191: The Hidden Costs of Internal Routing

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Internal routing does look cool, but does is equate progress and modernity? Well, if like me, you have been working on these bikes you may have been s...

EPISODE 193: Shimano Cranks. When is a recall not a recall?

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The long overdue Shimano 11spd crank recall seems to be throwing up as many questions as it is answering. Is this a genuine recall, or an attempt to p...

EPISODE 192: Anthony Foy - The Cycle Tech Start Up

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cycle Systems Academy Level 3 graduate, Anthony Foy has got years of experience as a product designer, and a hands on mechanic in the bike industry. H...

EPISODE 190: Winter MTB Tires Special

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

MTB riders cannot replicate their kicks on Zwift. They are hard men and women that don't mind a bit of mud. Join Sean, self-confessed hardcore mu...

EPISODE 189: Gravel Bike Fun in the Alps

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Taking his entry level gravel bike into the high Alps, Sean was somewhat intimidated after the rolling hills of Dartmoor. Hear how he got on riding th...

Episode 188: eBike Battery Safety

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

eBike batteries have hit the headlines in 2023 for many of the wrong reasons. Sean has been lucky enough to talk to some real experts in eBike battery...

Episode 186: MTB Design + a Bike for All Trails

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

MTB design for you. which is the best MTB to choose for riding, shredding or even racing? Find your show notes HERE.Want to immerse yourself in commun...

Episode 185: Enjoying All Weathers

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Riding in Winter does not have to be on Zwift. In fact, you may be missing out if you just jump on the home trainer all the time. Join bad weather ent...

Episode 184: Getting the Bike Ready for Winter

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the Northern hemisphere were are entering Winter. How will your poor bike survive? Let Sean guide you through how to Winterise your bike or even bu...

Episode 180: Campgnolo and the Main Things to Remember

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Campagnolo equipment, love it or hate it? It turns out many of the haters simply don't have the knowledge or skills to work with the various grou...

Episode 179: Bike Buying Advice from Sean

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bikes are better than ever, it has to be said. Road, off road, utility, we really can ride an unrivalled machine of our choice these days. There are c...

Episode 178: Strava KoM Hunting

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Strava can be a way to get lost in data, metrics and meaningless competition. It can also be great fun and a good way to set yourself goals, even when...

Episode 177: eBike Troubleshooting

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our latest show looks at how to troubleshoot your eBike problems beyond just looking at the error code. While more complex than their acoustic cousins...

EPISODE 175: Riding Big Events

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ok, fellow MAMILS, got your bib shorts on inside out and your helmet on backwards? Have you inexpertly shaved your legs with a rusty razor? If so, let...

Episode 174: Tubeless Tires Essential Knowledge

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tubeless or not? For mtb'ers this is a no brainer, for roadies, not so much. Sean takes you through the tubeless landscape of 2023. For full show...

Episode 173: Disc Brake Fault Finding

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For show notes and more, please click HERE....Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out ...

Episode 172: Working More Safely in the Bike Workshop

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For show notes and more, please click HERE...Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out o...

Episode 171: Workshop Efficiency

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For show notes and more, please click HERE....Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out ...

Episode 170: Types of eBikes (Part II)

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For show notes and more, please click HERE...Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out o...

Episode 169: Marginal Gains for Mamils

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For show notes and more, please click HERE.....Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out...

Episode 168: Working as a Bike Mechanic

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For show notes and more, please click HERE...Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out o...

Episode 167: Breathing & Diet - a Look at Lifestyle & Boosting Fitness From Within

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For show notes and more, please click HERE....Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out ...

Episode 166: Types of eBike (Part I)

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For show notes and more, please click HERE...Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out o...

Episode 164: Shimano Cues with Mike Stead

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While the evil overlords of the bike industry force us to use disc brakes on our road bikes, D shaped steerers that seem to break quite often and inte...

Episode 163 eBikes and the Modern Workshop

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Galloway was a pro mechanic in the 1990s and finished up pretty much when Sean started out. In this week's episode they look at how a 1990s...

Episode 165 The first rule of Farmer John's MTB Park is...

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Cycle Systems Online podcasts for 2023. It's great to be back with a stellar episode with John Thorpe from https://fjmtb.com/ From 198...

Episode 162 Winter Bikes 2022

19 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sean and John for a revisit to the topic of Winter Bikes. Quite a few changes have occurred in the bike world since we discussed this topic last....

Episode 161 Cyclocross tech with the Crosscast's Neil Mansfield

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The world of cyclocross racing and tech is beloved to some and unknown to many.Whichever of these camps you fall into, this weeks show with Neil Mansf...

Episode 160 - MTB tech with Jarno Hoogland

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sean and International Mountain Bike Mag's Jarno Hoogland for a look a the world of mountainbikes for 2023. Whether you want inspiration for...

Episode 159 - Shimano Linkglide with Mike Stead

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While we all like to save money on bike components, having more longevity is especially important in 2022 due to continuing component shortages. As ch...

Episode 158 Back to Basics in Bern (1) (1)

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time since 2007 and the formation of Cycle Systems, Sean is working for someone else. In this episode, he looks at the differences of bi...

Episode 157 Rider Safety and Bike Design, an Educated Rant

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Sean and John look at the trends in modern road bike design and their impact on carbon fibre design and manufacture. Specifically how this a...

Rider Safety and Bike Design, an Educated Rant

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Track 13 in Cycle Systems Academy. Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out our Team Ca...

Misha Sakharoff - Holisitc Health Engineer

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Track 11 in Cycle Systems Academy. Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out our Team Ca...

Episode 155: Gary Blem - Life in the World Tour

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the Tour de France has just wrapped up and we get into the Tour de France Femmes, let's look back a few years and join Sean having a chat with...

New Tech from Bosch and Garmin with Mike Stead

18 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Track 12 in Cycle Systems Academy. Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out our Team Ca...

Dt Swiss Wheel Test - Mid/Users/julialally/Desktop/New Tech fro Term Review

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sean gives his mid term review of the DT Swiss ARC, ERC and Mon Chasseral wheels. Riding uphill and down dale, on and off road has given the wheels a ...

A Balanced Look at 105 Di2

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shimano finally releases its much anticipated 105 Di2 groupset. The question is, beyond the hype, will this benefit the bike world? In this pod, Sen t...

Jack Thurston's Lost Lanes

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Track 7 in Cycle Systems Academy. Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out our Team Cam...

Episode 149: Giro d'Italia Climbing Bikes

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As the final week of the Giro d'Italia hit the big mountains, the bikes got lighter and less aerodynamic. Sean and John moun the dearth of Pantan...

Episode 148: Gravel Wheels and Ironman Worlds with JP Ballard

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we welcome back Jean Paul Ballard, CEO of Swiss Side. Sean has been testing the new Gravon 420 wheels and we get into the technical details ...

Episode 147: Starting Out All Over Again

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Hi, it's Sean here -The world is in a strange place right now...Things we previously felt were stable - such as our careers - are feeling a lot l...

Episode 146: Swiss Wheel Test Primer

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This Week's podcast is an introduction to the enviable selection of wheels has been sent by DT Swiss and SwissSide for testing. From performance ...

Episode 145: 2022 Cobbled Classic Tech

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Galloway and Sean take a look at the bikes and equipment used for this Springs arduous cobbled classics races. From Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to Pari...

Episode 144: Scott Dedenbach on Bikepacking Tech (1)

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Avoid epic fails in the backcountry!Regular guest and Bike Shop Show star, Scott Dedenbach returns to talk about the mechanics and tech of bikepacking...

EPISODE 143: Zero Friction Cycling

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Track 18 in Cycle Systems Academy. Want to immerse yourself in community and a year long learning programme in bike maintenance? Check out our Team C...

Episode 142: Barry Hoban

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After Biniam Girmay’s win in yesterday’s Gent Wevelgem, the first victory by an African rider, we speak to Britain’s only ever winner, Barry Hob...

Episode 141: MTB Tech 2022 with Jarno Hoogland of IMBM

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week join Sean and editor of https://www.imbikemag.com/ Jarno Hoogland to look at the latest MTB technology and trends.Looking at acoustic and el...

Episode 140: Trevor Payne on Sports Injuries

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode is a look at the mechanics of the body. Trevor Payne works with athletes from varied sports, including cycling and triathlon fro...

Episode 139: Silca's Josh Poertner

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Mike Stead returns, joining Sean for a chat with the owner of www.Silca.ccFrom a diverse background, including motorsport and a real life ‘...

Episode 138: Ken Robertson Tribute

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s podcast we pay tribute to a giant of the sport of cycling in the South West UK, Ken Robertson.Ken passed away recently, while riding ...

Episode 137: A Decade of The Bike Shop show

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded exactly ten years to the day of The Bike Shop Show episode 1, Sean catches up with Scotty D to find out if he still bans mix and match kit an...

Episode 136: Morocco Singletracks with Hisham Ghourdmani

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Morocco has become a real destination for gravel and adventure racers as well as mountain biking in recent years. Hisham Ghourdmani www.instagram.com/...

Episode 135: Cycling Industry News' Mark Sutton

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

www.cyclingindustry.news is our favourite source of, well industry news worldwide.Editor, Mark Sutton has his finger on the bike trade, from collectin...

Episode 134: CSA Instructor Chris Jones

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When you come to Cycle Systems Academy you don’t just get an education, you get comradeship and shared stories and love for the bike.Some of these s...

Episode 133: Bosch SmartSystem Tech

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sean is joined by Bosch technical trainer, Mark Haylett and regular guest, Mike Stead to discuss the new Bosch Smart System. Launching in 2022, this i...

Episode132: Mat Clark on Suspension Set Up and Technology

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, as promised we bring you a suspension special with Mat Clark from https://plushsuspension.uk We get into not only the latest fork and shock tec...

Episode 131: Ryan Builds Wheels

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ryan Downes has been creating quite a buzz with his company https://www.ryanbuildswheels.co.uk a workers co-op where all staff are paid equally and co...

Episode 130: Cycle Touring with Andy Pettitt

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are joined by Cycle Systems friend and long term podcast listener, Andy Pettitt. Andy is a very well travelled cycle tourer, a bike colle...

Episode 129: Cop 26 with Carlton Reid

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While many from the cycling world went to Glasgow for COP 26, not many did so with a journalist's pass. Luckily for us,Carlton Reid was one of th...

Episode 128: Bike Mechanics in the Townships of South Africa

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we welcome back Graeme Freestone King from https://www.velotech-cycling.ltd.uk/campagnolo.shtml as well as catching up on Graeme’s latest ...

Episode 127: The Great British Hill Climb with Xavier Disley

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The UK’s national hill climb championship, hosted by the RTCC, ran yesterday at Winnats Pass in Derbyshire. https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/rac...

Episode 126: Revenge of the CTC Nerd Army

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Remember when the Cyclist Touring club geeks were the butt of all jokes? Plastic bags full of oily components, a 30 year old steel touring bike and a ...

Episode 125: The SwissSide Pressure Measurement Rake

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jean-Paul Ballard, CEO of https://www.swissside.com/ joins us again for an engaging chat about aerodynamics and Swiss Side’s new Pressure Measuremen...

Episode 124: World Cup Dan

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we follow on from recent mountain bike pods by chatting to World Cup MC, Dan Jarvis.Mostly focussed on the world of XC racing, we look at th...

Episode 123: The New Shimano Di2 Road Groupsets

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve probably read all about the new Dura Ace 9200 and Ultegra 8100 groupsets. Mostly gushing reviews and podcasts have given us the perfect marke...

Episode 122: UCI Head of Off Road, Simon Burney

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join Sean on a trip to the UCI headquarters in Aigle to meet Britain’s Simon Burney, head off all things off road.Encompassing MTB in all its discip...

Episode 121: Meet the 2 Muslim Night Riders

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have all heard of the new cyclists hitting our streets, towpaths and trails since the first lockdown. Well, meet Noor and Sham from https://www.you...

Episode 120: Framebuilding with Mark Barfield

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s pod we have invited Mark Barfield back to discuss his framebuilding business and to look deeper into manufacturing standards in the b...

Episode 119: Olympic Special - Team GB’s track bikes

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the track cycling events for the Tokyo 2020 (sic!) Olympics start today we are releasing the audio from a CSA Membership webinar in late 2019. Sean...

Episode 118: Tour de France Bikes with Dimitris Katsanis

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the Tour starts we catch up with our friend, Dimitris Katsanis from Metron Engineering https://additive-engineering.co.uk/ to find out about the in...

Episode 117: Inside Big (Bike) Tech with Mark Barfield

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who do you turn to when you want an insider’s view on UCI tech rules, life as a workshop and race mechanic and what people are saying in the Federat...

Episode 116: Transmission Design and Sram AXS Rival

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week John Galloway rejoins Sean for a look at whether to buy the new Sram Rival AXS groupset for his bike.Rather than rehash press releases and a...

Episode 115: Introducing Northroad Cycles

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

https://www.northroadcycles.com have established a well loved and respected high end bike brand based in Manchester, England. We were interested in wh...

Episode 114: Tech of the 2021 Giro d’Italia

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While all the racing is done from the 2021 we have a short Giro d’Italia tech round up for you. From banned hubs to custom time trial bars, Sean tri...

Episode 113: Richard Hallet - Framebuilder and Veteran Tech Journalist

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The world of bespoke frame building has consolidated in the last decade to a solid and interesting part of the worldwide cycle industry. We spoke to l...

Episode 112: The Reduced Italian Bike Tech Episode

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the Giro d’ Italia has just begun, Sean and John trawl through some of Italy’s memorable, amusing and world changing bicycle tech. Why WERE Ita...

Episode 111: A History of Campagnolo Hubs and Wheels with The Campag Kid

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A return of the ever popular and exceedingly knowledgeable ‘Campag Kid’ for a show all about the development of Campagnolo’s renowned hubs and w...

Episode 110: Easter Tech Chat with Sean and John

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Taking a break from guests, Sean and John have a catch up about some of the latest tech out there in the bike world. Also, with the increasingly spars...