The Paceline Cycling Podcast The Cycling Independent

With the Tour de France starting this coming Sunday, John takes a look at who the cast of characters will be and the nearly foregone conclusion of the outcome. Patrick takes on a listener question regarding e-bikes and Shimano's e-bike-specific drivetrain, Cues. Also, Patrick flubbed the number of gears for the three versions. He said eight, nine and ten speeds, when, in fact, the options are nine, ten and 11 speeds.

This week John talks about how bike shops are the lifeblood of cycling culture and how we need them to continue to exist. Patrick explains how not all motors in e-mountain bikes are created equal and, with all due apologies to George Orwell, some motors are more equal than other motors. Best of all, he explains what to look for when shopping.

This week John and Patrick try something a little different. They each read a piece published here at The Cycling Independent and then discuss what went into writing them and their intent with the pieces. John read "A Useless Review: Park Blue Grease" and Patrick reads "What We Would Say."

Who do you ride with? Are you a solo artist or a social animal, and how does that evolve over time. Patrick tells us about a jour sans, and how he processes coming up short on race day now versus when he was younger. All that and a couple Paceline Picks for you.

This coming weekend is Unbound, arguably the biggest gravel event in the world and John decides to ask, "Have we hit peak gravel, yet?" Patrick goes on a rant about integrated components.

This week John takes a look at how the Giro d'Italia has become the Tadej Pogačar show. He talks about about suspension of disbelief and whether we've been here before. Patrick takes a look at the idea of what bike we "deserve" and considers words from former co-host Patria Vandermark.