The BikeRadar Podcast

Gravel bikes with suspension might not be mainstream yet, but there’s an increasing number of gravel-specific suspension forks making their way onto the market, both on production bikes, and available for consumers to fit to their existing bikes.   Beyond bouncy forks, plenty of gravel bikes have compliance built into the frame, to boost comfort levels.   In this third episode of BikeRadar’s latest gravel series, sponsored by Canyon, Tom Marvin and Warren Rossiter delve into the world of gravel suspension.   To read Warren’s reviews of the best gravel suspension forks, head to bikeradar.com: https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-gravel-suspension-forks   Episode 1 – How to choose the right gravel bike for you Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ewN3gr5xtnzU2FWRfeqyJ?si=2xf2EhHtSqiRIN3jUj8MRg Listen on Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-bikeradar-podcast/id1461106709?i=1000658163076   Episode 2 – EVERYTHING you need to know about gravel tyres Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/2G88i9nKTXHxFKnbSmkK9j?si=T6y0ypW4QnKqahxF_8xsFw Listen on Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-bikeradar-podcast/id1461106709?i=1000658964833 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 learnt from his test. All four bikes are fresh for 2024, and represent the latest developments in the sport.  We delve into the details, from suspension to tyres and geometry. Full reviews of the four bikes will be on bikeradar.com soon – look out for the Mondraker F-Podium RR, Cannondale Scalpel 1 Lefty, Specialized Epic 8 Pro and Yeti ASR T3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 second episode in our gravel cycling series with Canyon, to discuss just that.  How do you know what width tyre to get, or how much air you need to put in it? How important is tread pattern, and what on earth is tubeless and what are inserts?    Looking for more info? Check out these in-depth buyers guides:   Buyer’s guide to gravel tyres: https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-gravel-tyres Gravel tyre reviews: https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/tyres/gravel-bike-tyres Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 groupset, we’re hopeful a new version of the Japanese brand’s top-end race-ready mountain bike groupset late could be with us soon.   But what can we expect from a new XTR Di2 groupset? We’ve dug out BikeRadar crystal ball, and with the help of video presenter Tom Law and Technical Writer Luke Marshall, have built a wish-list of features for next-gen XTR.   https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/where-is-12-speed-mtb-di2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 episode, the trio discuss what gravel cycling even is and the key things to consider when shopping for you first gravel bike.    Looking for more info? Check out these in-depth buyers guides:   Buyer’s guide to gravel bikes: https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-gravel-bikes Gravel bike setup explained: https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/gravel-bike-setup   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 strapped to bikes and bodies.   Jack Luke and Liam Cahill guide Tom Marvin through the most interesting bits of tech seen at the Mid-West’s foremost gravel event.   For more Unbound tech, head to www.bikeradar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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’t need to be able to ride silly-long distances and no you don’t even have to ride a gravel bike. For a lot of people, it’s not even a race.   This podcast is part of Gravel Racing Week on BikeRadar. Check out all of our gravel racing content here: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/gravel-racing-week-bikeradar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 by fellow riders Tom Law and Nick Clark to explore how to make the most of your summer riding experience.    They share tips on discovering new trails, optimising your bike's performance, and identifying the essential gear you need to ride at your best. Tune in to find out how to make this summer your most enjoyable yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yesterday, Shimano announced GRX Di2 RX825 – its long-awaited 12-speed electronic gravel bike groupset.   In this episode of the BikeRadar podcast, Jack Luke grills Simon von Bromley to find out what’s changed, what’s stayed the same and what’s missing.   For the full scoop on Shimano’s first 12-speed electronic gravel bike groupset head to www.bikeradar.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 digital detox, disconnecting from tech in order to mindfully focus on your surroundings. However, Jack Luke, a man well versed in spending weeks under canvas, believes that there’s plenty of place for electronics on your next multi-day adventure. But, which digital devices should you pack in your panniers? Jack explains all.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Priced from around £4,090 / $4,090 / €4,135, the groupset is fully wireless, with a new lever and hood design, increased brake adjustability, and improved braking performance from the hoods. Front shifting is also claimed to be faster and smoother.   In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical editor Warren Rossiter shares his thoughts on the revised shifter ergonomics, enhanced braking and shifting changes with deputy editor Jack Luke and senior technical writer Simon von Bromley.   2024 SRAM Red AXS groupset review: https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/groupsets/groupset-road/sram-red-axs-review Hands-on with SRAM Red AXS | Real weights vs Shimano Dura-Ace Di2: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/2024-sram-red-axs-weights New SRAM Red AXS is the world’s lightest electronic disc brake groupset: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/new-sram-red-axs New Hammerhead Karoo integrates with SRAM AXS and improves GPS accuracy: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-hammerhead-karoo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 colour, it can be a fun, if expensive pastime. But which upgrades don’t bring the benefits their price tag suggests?  In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical editor Tom Marvin sits down with fellow shredders Luke Marshall and Tom Law to discuss five mountain bike upgrades they don’t think you need and five that will make a genuine difference to your riding.  If you have any questions you want answering in a future episode, send them in to podcast@bikeradar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 bikes, as well as urban electric bikes. We're also announcing an overall winner across all five categories.   In this podcast, our test team of Ashley Quinlan, Simon von Bromley and Warren Rossiter discuss the 2024 Bike of the Year test, their top three bikes in each category and, of course, the winners.   Read more on our 2024 Road Bike of the Year test: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-road-bike-of-the-year-winners Check out our 2024 Mountain Bike of the Year winners: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-mountain-bike-of-the-year-winners Listen to our 2024 Mountain Bike of the Year podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oNkfe5x1dzEdov9ajhTUK   Here are all 24 bikes featured in our 2024 Road Bike of the Year test:   Race Bike of the Year: Focus Izalco Max 9.8 – £6,599 / €6,799 (not available in the US) Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro - SRAM Force eTap AXS – £8,000 / $8,500 / €8,500 Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero – £4,799 / €4,999 / AU$7,649 (model not available in USA) Handsling A1R0evo Classified Powershift – £6,499.99   Endurance Bike of the Year: Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 - £4,999 / $5,499 Cinelli Pressure ADR (105 Di2 Ksyrium 30 build) - £3,799 / $4,754 Specialized Roubaix SL8 Comp - £5,000 / $5,000 Lauf Úthald Race Wireless - £4,458.05 ($5,628.00 inc. shipping) / $4,690 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2 - £3,499 / $N/A   Gravel Bike of the Year: Orbea Terra M41E Team Ix MyO - £4,518 / $4,638 GT Grade Carbon Pro LE - £3,600 / $4,200 Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 Di2 - £4,799 / $4,999 Santa Cruz Stigmata Force-1x AXS RSV - £6,999.99 / $7,699 Merida Silex 7000 - £3,000 / $N/A   Budget Road Bike of the Year: Specialized Allez E5 - £1,000 / $1,200 Cube Attain Pro - £1,099 / $N/A Trek Domane AL 2 Gen 4 - £1,050 / $1,199.99 Vitus Razor Disc VR - £799.99   Urban Electric Bike of the Year: Cannondale Compact Neo - £2,000 / $1,900 Ridgeback Arcus 3 - £2,999.99 / $N/A Merida eSpresso CC 675 EQ 2024 - £4,000 / $N/A Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ - £3,400 / $4,499 Tern NBD S5i - £4,000 / $4,699 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 work testing some of the best mountain bikes around.  In this episode, our tech team discuss the best trail, enduro, full-fat and SL ebikes, following three months of dedicated testing. For full reviews, head over to BikeRadar.com as we reveal the winners, or keep an eye on our YouTube channel as we present our top-3 winners on film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical writer Simon von Bromley and senior technical editor Ashley Quinlan discuss Ash’s recent test of £500 alloy wheelsets. The duo cover off the key winners and losers, deliver some surprising findings and discuss whether a £500 alloy wheelset is worth buying in 2024.  Finally, Ash shares some of his key thought-provoking takeaways following the test. Remember, we’d love to hear your opinions about anything discussed in this episode – drop us an email at podcast@bikeradar.com with any questions or comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve been paying attention to the pro road-racing scene recently, you may have noticed many riders are increasingly using oversized chainrings.   Are today’s pro riders so fast they simply need bigger gears than before, or could there be more to this tech trend than meets the eye?   In today’s episode of the BikeRadar podcast, Simon von Bromley sits down with Liam Cahill to discuss this development and whether there’s anything the rest of us can learn from it.   If you have any thoughts, questions or feedback, you can contact the team at podcast@bikeradar.com.   https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/why-are-pros-using-such-big-chainrings  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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-head Luke Marshall guides you through some of the terms that pop up frequently in our mountain bike reviews. If there are other terms you’re not sure the meaning of, pop us an email, and we’ll do our best to help. Our email address is podcast@bikeradar.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 on the search for the best MTB kit at the show, and they bring you their top picks here. From fancy frames to brand new pedals, via a very fast set of tyres, the 2024 Sea Otter has provided the goods. Our team pushed out a lot of tech content on BikeRadar’s Instagram account, so you can catch up with even more here: https://www.instagram.com/bikeradar/ And, of course, there are a host of articles on the site now, and coming soon, covering all aspects of the show. https://www.bikeradar.com/news/sea-otter-classic-2024-mtb-tech https://www.bikeradar.com/news/maxxis-aspen-st https://www.bikeradar.com/news/neko-mulally-bonded-dh-frame https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-sea-otter-new-gravel-tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 grounds of Laguna Seca Raceway to bring you the best bits. This podcast focuses on the best of the drop-bar tech seen on day one. Jack Luke almost lost his marbles when he spotted Ritchey’s new Montebello randonneur bike, and was blown away by 5Dev’s scuff-proof cranks. There also were some fancy bikes from the likes of Parlee, while the team got a hands-on look at the new Cane Creek Invert gravel fork that has certainly stirred up plenty of comments. For the most up-to-date news from the show, follow BikeRadar’s Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/bikeradar/ And, of course, there are plenty of in-depth features on BikeRadar.com, including the stories below on Ritchey, Parlee, 5Dev and Cane Creek. https://www.bikeradar.com/news/ritchey-montebello https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-parlee-ouray https://www.bikeradar.com/news/5dev-diamond-coated-cranks https://www.bikeradar.com/news/cane-creek-invert-gravel-suspension-forks   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 road cycling.   Last week saw the launch of the new ENVE Fray and BMC Roadmachine – both endurance road bikes with an all-road slant. As well as sharing details of each new bike the pair discuss whether all-road bikes can really do double duty off and on the tarmac.   Next up, Jack and Simon discuss Campagnolo’s new HPPM power meter, and why it took the BikeRadar team by surprise.   Finally, this week’s podcast wraps with details about Shimano’s new Essa groupset – an 8-speed 1x-only groupset designed specifically for budget bikes. The duo consider how it fits in with Shimano’s Cues range, and what it could signal for entry-level bikes of the future.   As always, if you have any comments, questions or feedback about what was discussed in this podcast, you can email the BikeRadar team at podcast@bikeradar.com. https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/enve-fray-first-ride-review  https://www.bikeradar.com/news/bmc-roadmachine-2024  https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-campagnolo-hppm-power-meter https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-shimano-essa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices