The BikeRadar Podcast

29,000km and no mechanicals – Lael Wilcox’s epic adventure

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liam Cahill and Felix Smith sit down with Lael Wilcox to discuss the tech behind a record-breaking around the world bike ride. Learn more about your a...

Lael Wilcox breaks Around The World record and Lachlan Morton’s Down Under FKT

15 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Simon von Bromley and Liam Cahill sit down to discuss Lael Wilcox’s incredible Around The World record and...

Campagnolo has announced Super Record S Wireless – a new “Special Edition” version of its flagship road bike groupset, Super Record Wireless.

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Campagnolo has announced Super Record S Wireless – a new “Special Edition” version of its flagship road bike groupset, Super Record Wireless.  ...

MTB suspension platforms explained – BikeRadar’s tech team talk through the most popular designs

08 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our MTB tech experts Alex, Tom and Luke discuss all-things mountain bike suspension design. From the history of the first true full-sus bike to the...

What road bikes would we buy with our own cash?

01 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

BikeRadar’s road tech writers are in the enviable position of getting to ride countless bikes every year, but it’s one thing to test a bike and an...

Road bike upgrades you don't need (and why)

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many roadies are obsessed with buying upgrades for their bikes. If it’s carbon, light, aero or ceramic (or perhaps even all four simultaneously), we...

Tech Q&A – dropper lengths, UDH conversions, pedal threads and more

18 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back with another Tech Q&A – our listeners have been sending their technical conundrums to [email protected] and we have some answers!...

Cargo bikes: EVERYTHING you need to know (and why you should buy one)

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cargo bikes could be the N+1 to your current vehicle, if you have space in your home or garage for one. Over the past few months, senior technical ed...

Why are women outnumbered in mountain biking and what can be done to increase participation?

12 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mountain biking is a male-dominated sport, and so in this episode we talk to Fi Spotswood, associate professor in marketing and consumption at the...

Why riding an eMTB will make you a better rider

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke catches up with Tom Marvin and Alex Evans to discuss whether riding an eMTB makes you a better rid...

The evolution of British Cycling’s space-age Olympic track tech | BikeRadar Meets… Ed Clancy

04 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Over the past two decades, Team GB has been the dominant track cycling force at the Olympic Games – and arrives at Paris 2024 looking to add to the ...

SRAM’s new 13-speed Red XPLR AXS groupset and ultra-wide gravel wheels

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Simon von Bromley catches up with Warren Rossiter to discuss all of the groupset’s new features and find ...

Why YT’s new eMTB is ‘the best enduro bike’ – plus 3 more fresh MTBs from Trek, Specialized and Lapierre

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Tom Marvin and Jack Luke recap on a busy period for mountain bike launches, kicking off with the Specialized...

José Hermida on coaching Tom Pidcock, his 2024 Olympic predictions and how 29ers “changed everything”

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

José Antonio Hermida is an institution of cross-country mountain bike racing.    From humble beginnings – winning his first race at age 14 in a h...

5 must-ride climbs from the 2024 Tour de France

21 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With the 2024 Tour de France coming to a dramatic close, we look back on the past three weeks of racing and some of the classic climbs that have defin...

The new Canyon Aeroad is here – our first impressions and a chat with a design engineer behind the bike

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After teasing it for weeks, Canyon has announced the new Aeroad CFR.   Said to be both lighter and more aerodynamic than the third-generation version...

Pro-spec bike testing – riding the crème de la crème of road race bikes

14 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wanted to know what it’s like to ride a pro-spec bike? Listen up! Senior technical editor Ashley Quinlan has recently had the pleasure of runn...

1x on the Galibier, Pog’s supersize tyres and Cav’s record-breaking setup | 2024 Tour de France tech trends

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar podcast, Ashley Quinlan catches up with Simon von Bromley to discuss the hottest tech trends from the 2024 Tour de Fr...

Tech Q&A – carbon lifespans, Fox dampers and Campagnolo compatibility

07 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for another Tech Q&A, this time with Rob Weaver and Oscar Huckle answering your mechanical queries.  In this episode we discuss how to chec...

NEW: Spesh Stumpjumper 15 launched with unique Fox Shock

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 15th version of Specialized’s Stumpjumper full-suspension trail bike has been launched, and Rob Weaver has ridden it! Not one to miss out on an...

Tour de France tech special: five new bikes from the Grand Départ

29 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Tour time! BikeRadar’s George Scott and Simon von Bromley bring you this special episode from Florence, where they’ve been spotting new bik...

5 top gravel racing tips from a pro

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to Josie Lori Millard, one of Canyon’s supported gravel racers, to find out what her top tips are when it comes to racing gravel. Josie use...

New bikes from Specialized, New RockShox suspension and Zwift’s first smart bike | BikeRadar news show

23 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar podcast, Jack Luke is joined by Alex Evans and Simon von Bromley to discuss some of the most interesting bike tech st...

What’s the point of gravel suspension?

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gravel bikes with suspension might not be mainstream yet, but there’s an increasing number of gravel-specific suspension forks making their way onto...

5 things we learnt testing the LATEST XC race bikes

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

XC has evolved, and so have the bikes. Following his test of four brand new XC race rigs, Tom Marvin is quizzed by Tom Law on the five things he learn...

EVERYTHING you need to know about gravel tyres

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you pick a tyre for gravel riding? Jack Luke and Tom Marvin are joined by gravel race and former BikeRadar tech guru, Ben Delaney, in our sec...

5 things we want to see from new Shimano XTR Di2

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last updated in 2014, Shimano’s XTR Di2 groupset is getting long in the tooth.    But with the recent release of a semi-wireless, 12-speed GRX gro...

How to choose the right gravel bike for you

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Luke and Tom Marvin are joined by gravel racing legend, Ben Delaney, for the first episode in our gravel cycling series with Canyon. In this epi...

SPOTTED at Unbound – the tech we didn’t expect to see

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Unbound, arguably the most important gravel race in the world, took place last weekend, and our eyes on the ground spotted a host of interesting tech ...

5 gravel racing myths BUSTED

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of Unbound 2024, Tom Marvin grills Jack Luke on gravel racing and busts a few myths along the way. No you don’t need to be a pro, no you don’...

How to make the most of your mountain biking this summer

27 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As summer approaches, it's the perfect time to take full advantage of your time on the trails.   In this episode, tech writer Luke Marshall is joined...

Shimano launches 12-speed GRX Di2 – what’s new and what’s missing?

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday, Shimano announced GRX Di2 RX825 – its long-awaited 12-speed electronic gravel bike groupset.   In this episode of the BikeRadar podcast,...

The essential electronics you NEED to take on your next cycling tour

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Electronics and bikepacking don’t always go hand in hand. The romanticism of disappearing on your bike for days on end often comes as part of a digi...

New SRAM Red AXS | Everything you need to know about ‘the world’s lightest electronic groupset’

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

SRAM's new Red AXS groupset is claimed to be the world's lightest electronic disc brake road bike groupset, saving 154g versus the previous generation...

5 mountain bike upgrades you don't need… and 5 you do

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Upgrading parts on your bike is something many riders love to do. Whether it’s for a performance benefit or just a splash of personalisation and col...

These are our Road Bike of the Year winners!

11 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After months of testing, it's time to announce our Road Bike of the Year winners. We've got categories for race, endurance, gravel and budget road bik...

Revealing our Mountain Bike of the Year winners!

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What are the best mountain bikes on sale in 2024? We have the answers. Bike of the Year has come around again, and Tom, Rob and Al have been hard at w...

Testing £500 alloy wheelsets – are they worth the money?

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this edition of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical writer Simon von Bromley and senior technical editor Ashley Quinlan discuss Ash’s recent ...

Why are pros using such big chainrings and should you be doing the same?

28 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve been paying attention to the pro road-racing scene recently, you may have noticed many riders are increasingly using oversized chainrings....

MTB jargon buster: key terms explained!

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you confused by the jargon you read in our reviews? Find technical terms all a bit much? In this podcast, our technical writer and all-round tech-...

Sea Otter 2024 mountain bike round-up

22 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sea Otter 2024, part trade show, part mountain, road and gravel festival, has just wrapped up. The beady eyes of George Scott and Jack Luke have been...

Sea Otter 2024 road and gravel round-up

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sea Otter 2024 has landed, merging trade-show tech with bike-festival vibes. Our editorial duo of Jack Luke and George Scott are pounding the ground...

Two endurance bikes from ENVE and BMC, a budget Shimano groupset and why Campagnolo’s power meter caught us by surprise | Road news show

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, deputy editor Jack Luke and senior technical writer Simon von Bromley discuss the latest tech news in r...

Tech Q&A | Average chain life, touring on a road bike, derailleur drama and more of your questions answered

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke, Tom Marvin and Warren Rossiter answer questions sent in by you, our beloved listeners. From aver...

Paris-Roubaix tech highlights! Big tyres, bigger chainrings and more from the Hell of the North

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the morning after the night before and, with the dust settling on another edition of Paris-Roubaix, George, Liam and Simon sit down to digest thi...

What we learned testing 9 of the latest dropper posts – and the best revealed

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dropper seatposts are near-ubiquitous on modern mountain bikes, but what separates the good from the bad, how do they work and what should you look ou...

Road bike tech the pros CAN'T have

31 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy to assume professional bike riders get access to the best kit available, but the reality can be very different.   From wild monocoque tri...

Our tips for Olympic XC gold – and why we’re stoked on XC in 2024

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

BikeRadar’s XC fans Rach and Tom look ahead to the 2024 XC season. The first rounds are coming up shortly in Brazil and the summer’s Olympic Ga...

5 MTB accessories you NEED (and 5 you definitely don't)

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Which accessories do you need for mountain biking and which don’t you need? We run through the five most important mountain bike accessories and ...

What are Fastest Known Times and why are they so popular? FKT UK's Molly Weaver explains all

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Fastest Known Times (FKTs) are individual time trials raced over typically mixed-terrain ultra-endurance routes.   A long-established racing format i...

Budget gravel bike buyer’s guide: what to look for if you've got £1,000 to spend

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you pick a pocket-friendly gravel bike? What should you look out for and what key features can you expect if you’re spending around £1,00...

We're testing more than 50 bikes in 9 categories | Bike of the Year 2024 preview

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bike of the Year is coming! Testing for our annual bike review bonanza is well underway. In this episode, George Scott is joined by two of our lead te...

Specialized Epic 8 and RockShox Flight Attendant – we interview the people behind the scenes

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Specialized’s cross-country bike, the Epic 8, was launched with an updated RockShox Flight Attendant, updated to work seamlessly with XC race rigs...

Tech Q&A | Fork settings, bar tape, workshop stands, budget bikes and fenders – your questions answered

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What are your baseline fork settings? The dark-arts of bar tape, and our pick of the best workstands, plus more, feature in this episode of our Tech Q...

Giant launches new TCR – but is it different enough from the Propel?

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s (another) new bike day at BikeRadar – the 10th generation Giant TCR has launched, and we’ve jumped into the podcast studio to cover the maj...

Factor CEO Rob Gitelis on the future of carbon, the bike industry boom and bust, and more | BikeRadar Meets

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this latest edition of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical editor Ashley Quinlan sits down with Factor Bikes CEO and founder, Rob Gitelis. The...

Thomas De Gendt’s crash at the UAE Tour should be a wake-up call for the cycling industry

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Manufacturers of carbon rims are increasingly adopting hookless rims, citing benefits such as lower weight, improved aerodynamics and reduced manufact...

Road bike testing secrets revealed – how we test power meters, smart trainers and more

26 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do we test the best road cycling kit on the market? In a follow-up to our MTB testing secrets podcast, Tom sits down with Ash and Simon to discuss...

Campagnolo's cheaper gravel groupset, a revamped Canyon Spectral & more of this week's top tech stories

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a big week for tech news on BikeRadar. George, Jack and Simon discuss five of the week’s most interesting stories, from Campagnolo’s n...

Tech Q&A – Fancy spokes, kids' bikes, four-or-faux suspension, headsets and computing power

19 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our Tech Q&A episodes are back, with Rob and Warren giving their expert advice on all things cycling tech and answering the questions our listeners h...

What the future holds for Orange, plus new bikes from Pivot and Scott | MTB news show

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, deputy editor Jack Luke and senior technical editor Tom Marvin discuss this week’s biggest news stori...

MTB testing secrets revealed – how we review the trickiest kit

12 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With decades of experience between them, our tech team of Tom, Rob and Luke have come up against a raft of tricky tests in their time. Some products ...

Winter survival guide! 6 winter riding mistakes to avoid

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Winter can be a tough time for a cyclist, so in this episode, BikeRadar's George Scott, Jack Luke and Simon von Bromley talk through 6 winter cycling ...

3 experts explain why your jacket isn’t waterproof

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

 It’s raining, you’ve got your waterproof on, and yet you’re still wet – why? Three industry experts talk waterproof tech with BikeRadar, ex...

Campagnolo is out of the WorldTour – what now?

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Campagnolo, the iconic Italian groupset manufacturer, isn’t sponsoring a WorldTour professional team in 2024.   Do Campagnolo’s groupsets and com...

If we were pros, which races would we enter?

29 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Tom, Rob and Liam look into their pro-racing fantasies. If they could be pros for a season, what type of pro rider would they like to...

New Specialized Aethos, Giant TCR and Canyon Aeroad? 8 new road bikes we could see in 2024

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Following our overview of predicted MTB launches, Jack Luke and Simon von Bromley run through eight road bikes we think may be launched this year.  ...

The new & unreleased MTBs we want to see in 2024

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re looking ahead again in this episode, trying to predict which new mountain bikes will hit the shop floor in 2024. Bike brands tend to follow se...

Tech Q&A – brakes, squashed carbon, flooded derailleurs and tubeless gunk

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our Tech Q&A podcasts return in 2024 with Rob and Warren answering our listeners tech queries. In this episode we cover issues arising from worn out b...

What would we change in the world of mountain bikes?

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our MTB tech team love their mountain bikes, but there’s always going to be something that irks us. In this episode of the podcast, Tom, Al and Luke...

What bikes would we buy with our own cash?

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rob, Tom, Luke and Al are in the unbelievably fortunate position to ride tons of bikes every year, meaning they only own one or two, if any at all. ...

2024 WorldTour tech gossip! A new Trek road bike, an ear-covering aero helmet and more

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 2024 WorldTour kicks off soon with the start of the men’s and women’s editions of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide.  While not the biggest ra...

Our 2024 road bike tech predictions revealed

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While road tech can often feel as though it moves with the zeal of a glacier, 2023 was an interesting year.    We saw new endurance bikes herald the...

The hottest trends set to define MTB tech in 2024

01 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Just over the horizon lie a host of unknown releases, with potentially ride-changing advances in bike and kit tech. Where do we think the industry ...

Bike tech predictions we got wrong!

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 As the BikeRadar team takes its annual look into the crystal ball ahead of the new year, what better time to look back at our 2023 bike tech predict...

Our 2023 mountain bike tech highlights

25 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Senior technical editors Al Evans and Tom Marvin discuss an incredibly busy year of mountain bike tech.   The guys look at the key releases in dri...

2023's biggest news stories

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With another year in bike tech almost over, Jack Luke and Simon von Bromley look back at some of 2023’s biggest news stories.   Topics include the...

BikeRadar’s 2023 road & gravel tech highlights

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From the biggest bike and groupset launches to innovations that arguably missed the mark, 2023 was an interesting year for tech news in road and grave...

Six things we learnt testing the latest downhill mountain bikes

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just how good are modern downhill mountain bikes? Are they as hard to handle as an F1 car or can any mere mortal throw a leg over one and be certain o...

Gamified vs 'boring' indoor cycling: which is better?

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Simon von Bromley thinks gamified indoor cycling, typified by Zwift’s virtual worlds, is the best thing since tanwall tyres. BikeRadar’s chief sm...

CeramicSpeed’s new off-road OSPW, Van Rysel’s budget superbike and Strava DMs

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke, Simon von Bromley and Tom Marvin discuss the week’s biggest news in cycling tech. First off, t...

Specialized Roubaix versus Giant Defy – which endurance road bike comes out on top?

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Warren Rossiter has had the chance to ride new endurance road bikes from two of the biggest manufacturers around, the Specialized Roubaix and the Gian...

Celebrating our Rider of the Year 2023 awards

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

MBUK and Cycling Plus magazines recently celebrated some of the standout riders in the world of cycling, with their inaugural Rider of the Year awa...

Why are mountain bike tyres so confusing?

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For a lot of people, buying a mountain bike tyre is a process shrouded in mystery. Confusing and undescriptive product names, a zillion tyre carcass ...

How to survive your first winter on gravel

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, gravel newbie Simon von Bromley quizzes gravel regulars Warren Rossiter and Tom Marvin on their hints and ti...

We have a new podcast!

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our friends and colleagues at MBUK magazine have launched a new podcast! In series one, the team behind the UK’s best-selling mountain biking magazi...

The 6 mountain bike accessories we couldn’t live without

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Simon von Bromley grills Rob Weaver and Luke Marshall on the essential accessories they’d recommend to any...

5 common training myths BUSTED

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

George Scott and Mac Cassin are back for the fifth and final episode in our training series with Wahoo Fitness.   This time out, Mac, Wahoo’s princ...

The tech trends set to define mountain bikes in 2024

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Following our headliner bike test, which looked at which bikes signified where the mountain bike industry is heading in 2024, our tech heads talk thro...

Base training vs intervals – how to balance your training for maximum results

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With winter fast approaching, we’re back for episode four in our training series with Wahoo Fitness. How can you make the most of your training time...

6 tech trends from the UK Hill Climb National Championships

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hill climb racing showcases radical, often verging on excessive, ways to save weight from bikes in the battle against gravity. This year’s UK Nation...

Understanding training zones – and how amateurs and pros alike can use zones to train more effectively

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding your training zones is key if you want to make the most out of your time on the bike. BikeRadar’s George Scott sits down with Mac Cass...

6 trend-setting mountain bikes for 2024 | Introducing our Headline Bike Test

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the podcast, our testing team of Tom Marvin, Alex Evans, Luke Marshall and Tom Law talk through the six bikes that have made it int...

Fitness testing explained – and why there’s more to FTP than meets the eye

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're back for episode two in our training series with Wahoo Fitness. In this episode, Wahoo's principal sports scientist, Mac Cassin, talks BikeRadar...

Is there such a thing as an ‘affordable’ superbike?

22 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all lust after the pro-spec bikes seen on the WorldTour circuit, but do you actually get a better bike by paying top dollar? In an era of carbon f...

Training jargon buster | The fundamentals of bike training explained

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the first episode in our new series with Wahoo Fitness, BikeRadar’s George Scott is joined by Wahoo’s lead sports scientist, Mac Cassin, for a...

The 6 gravel accessories we couldn’t live without

15 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Simon von Bromley grills Jack Luke and Tom Marvin on the gravel cycling accessories they recommend ahead of ...

Are aero sensors about to go mainstream? Plus the new Canyon Grail and updated Orbea Occam

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke, Simon von Bromley and Tom Marvin discuss this week’s biggest news in cycling tech. Kicking thi...

Matej Mohorič on winning the worlds, gravel racing and his new (unreleased) Merida Silex

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The new men’s UCI gravel world champion, Matej Mohorič, speaks to BikeRadar’s George Scott less than 24 hours after winning the rainbow jersey in...

Tech Q&A – Optimal wheel depths, cassette wear and can you trust an engineer to design an integrated bar for you?

08 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this Tech Q&A we have our senior road technical editor Warren Rossiter and senior technical writer Simon von Bromley offering up their expertise on...