The Specialized Podcast

Specialized

Going behind the curtain to talk to the riders and creators working hard to make your ride better.

  1. Lael Wilcox | Around the World, Faster Than Anyone

    3 gg fa

    Lael Wilcox | Around the World, Faster Than Anyone

    Lael Wilcox is one of the greatest ultra-endurance cyclists ever. She holds the women’s record for the fastest ride around the world, has set records on the Tour Divide, Trans Am, Baja Divide, and so much more.  She's also helped reshape what is possible in bikepacking, especially for women. This episode was recorded days before Lael's attempt to go around the world a second time, faster than anyone. In this episode, host Ben Capron sits down with Lael to talk about the spirit behind her attempt. Not just the miles, logistics, equipment, or record, but the mindset that lets someone take on a challenge this big and still keep it joyful. Lael shares how ultra-endurance cycling has changed as more women enter the sport and raise the level of competition. She talks about riding to the Tour Divide from Alaska, getting stuck in peanut butter mud, working through dark moments, and learning that not all suffering is useful. Her approach is simple and powerful: if you are doing your best, let it go. If you want to quit, you can always quit later. They also get into her 2024 around-the-world ride, why she turned it into a rolling invitation for people to join. This time the route is faster, the pace is higher, the support crew is bigger, and the goal is clear: ride around the world faster than anyone ever has. Along the way, Lael and Ben talk about comfort as performance, why sleep and fueling make you faster, the role of the Specialized Roubaix in her around-the-world setup, and why women can compete at the highest level in ultra-distance cycling. They also discuss GRIT, the girls’ cycling mentorship program Lael started to help young riders build confidence, adventure, and independence through bikes. This episode covers: Why Lael is going back around the world to chase the overall record How her 2024 ride became a rolling party with everyone invited Why ultra-endurance is changing as more women enter the sport What it means to compete without losing joy Why suffering is not the point How Lael works through dark moments on the bike The meaning behind “you can always quit later” Why comfort is performance in ultra-distance riding How sleep, fueling, and recovery can make riders faster Why Roubaix was the right bike for riding around the world How Lael thinks about equipment, efficiency, and durability Why women can compete at the highest level in ultra-distance cycling How GRIT helps young girls build confidence through bikes Why bikes can expand what people believe is possible Guest: Lael Wilcox Follow Lael: Instagram - @laelwilcox Subscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling. Get More from Specialized TikTok: @specializedbicycles Instagram: @iamspecialized Specialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtb Specialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxc Facebook: specializedbicycles Outride: @outride

    49 min
  2. Crux 5 | The Equation of Gravel Speed

    28 mag

    Crux 5 | The Equation of Gravel Speed

    Gravel racing has changed. What used to feel like an endurance event has become a full-speed race, with stronger athletes, higher speeds, sharper tactics, and bigger consequences for every equipment choice. Crux has always been loved for its light weight, lively ride, and pure race feel. But as gravel racing got faster, Specialized had to answer a harder question: how do you make Crux faster without losing what riders already love about it? In this episode, guest host Ben Edwards sits down with Leo Cadena, Doug Russell, and Alex Jerome just north of Barcelona to go inside the creation of Crux 5. They discuss the evolution of gravel racing, the shift from cyclocross roots to a dedicated gravel race platform, and the engineering work behind making a bike that is not simply light or aero, but faster against the only metric that matters: time to finish. They get into Specialized’s equation of speed, Formula 1 style simulation, moving-leg mannequin wind tunnel testing, race-course telemetry, tire rolling resistance, 55 mm tire clearance, the new Terra cockpit, Terra wheels, and the challenge of preserving the Crux ride feel while building a faster bike for modern gravel racing. This episode covers: How gravel evolved from an event into a race Why Crux 5 was built as a dedicated gravel race bike The equation of speed and why time to finish matters most How Specialized balances aero, weight, rolling resistance, and ride quality Why bike-only aero testing does not tell the full story How moving-leg mannequins make wind tunnel testing more realistic How race telemetry from Unbound and other courses shapes product decisions Why tire choice and tire clearance can decide a race The role of 50 mm and 55 mm tires in modern gravel performance How Crux 5 became 15.2 watts faster than Crux 4 Why the new Terra cockpit matters for comfort, control, and aero efficiency How Crux 5 keeps the light, lively ride that made Crux so loved What simulated Unbound time savings reveal about real race performance Why the future of gravel race bikes is about systems, not isolated numbers Guests: Leo Cadena, Doug Russell, Alex Jerome Get More from Specialized TikTok: @specializedbicycles Instagram: @iamspecialized Specialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtb Specialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxc Facebook: specializedbicycles Outride: @outride

    43 min
  3. Outride | Science Says Ride to Think Better and Feel Better

    14 mag

    Outride | Science Says Ride to Think Better and Feel Better

    What if science proved what riders already know? That riding clears your head. Sharpens your focus. Improves your mood. Connects you to yourself, to others, and to the world around you. In this episode of the Specialized Podcast, host Ben Capron sits down with Esther Walker, Executive Director of the Outride Foundation, to explore the growing body of research showing how riding bikes positively impacts brain health, mental well-being, cognitive performance, and human connection. Outride began with a simple question inspired by Specialized founder Mike Sinyard after reading an article titled Cycling Is My Ritalin: could riding a bike measurably improve focus and cognitive function, particularly for people with ADHD? That question launched years of scientific research in partnership with institutions like Stanford University and helped spark programs that have now reached more than 400 schools and impacted more than 500,000 students across North America. Rather than hype or speculation, this episode offers a human and science-backed look at why riding helps us think, feel, and flourish,covering: How riding improves focus, executive function, mood, and stress regulation Why consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to brain health How Stanford researchers measured real-time brain activity while riding The connection between cycling, neuroplasticity, memory, and reduced dementia risk How Riding for Focus brings bikes, helmets, curriculum, and teacher training into schools The power of confidence, skill building, and joy in helping students flourish Stories from communities like the Navajo Nation, where bikes are opening new pathways for health, connection, and opportunity How programs like Silver Stallion Bicycle & Coffee Works help sustain cycling culture through service, skills, and community Why athletes like Demi Vollering, Christopher Blevins, and Haley Batten help amplify the Outride mission How riders, schools, communities, brands, and volunteers can all help more people experience the benefits of cycling Whether you ride every day, support young riders, work in education, or simply believe bikes can change lives, this conversation is a reminder that riding is more than fitness or speed. It is a powerful tool for focus, connection, confidence, and well-being. Follow Outride: @outride  Subscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling. Get More from Specialized TikTok: @specializedbicycles Instagram: @iamspecialized Specialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtb Specialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxc Facebook: specializedbicycles Outride: @outride

    42 min
  4. Body Geometry | Remco’s Secret to More Power and Less Pain.

    8 mag

    Body Geometry | Remco’s Secret to More Power and Less Pain.

    How do top pros like Remco Evenepoel and Demi Vollering stay powerful, efficient, and pain-free for hours at race intensity? They do not leave fit to chance. They rely on ergonomically designed, scientifically proven Body Geometry bike fit and products built to increase performance and comfort. In this conversation about power, pain, fit, science, and the ergonomic advantage behind the fastest riders in the world, guests Jason Williams and Ashley Sult explain how Body Geometry became one of Specialized’s biggest performance advantages. They get into the origin of Body Geometry, why Specialized started studying the rider as much as the bike, and how fit data drives the product development of saddles, shoes, gloves, handlebars, and frame geometry. Ashley explains what happens when contact points are wrong, how small problems compound over time, and why the right support and adjusting the bike to fit the body improves comfort, reduces injury risk, and help riders produce power more efficiently by being more comfortable. Together, they call bullshit on old adages like “no pain, no gain”, and they make complex science understandable to identify and solve common problems like pain in the posterior, feet, neck and hands, and losing power through poor fit. They also cover the process Specialized uses to design products around the human body. This episode covers: Why virtually every rider loses power through poor fit Why better comfort translated to better performance How rider data informs product development What professional athletes reveal about fit at the highest level, and what that means to you Why the best equipment helps the bike disappear beneath the rider How Body Geometry helps riders reduce pain and improve performance Why Remco, Demi, and many top pros rely on precise fit and ergonomic products Why rider pain is not something to suffer through   How Body Geometry started and why it became core to Specialized Why fit, product, and performance have to work together What the varus wedge does and why foot alignment matters How longitudinal arch support and the metatarsal button improve foot stability Why saddle width, shape, and pressure mapping matter for real riders GUESTS: Jason Williams and Ashley Sult Subscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling. Get More from Specialized TikTok: @specializedbicycles Instagram: @iamspecialized Specialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtb Specialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxc Facebook: specializedbicycles Outride: @outride

    1h 4m
  5. Epic 9 | Creating the Fastest XC Bike Ever

    28 apr

    Epic 9 | Creating the Fastest XC Bike Ever

    You know Christopher Blevins from his record-breaking 2025 season, where he finished #1 in UCI XC points, claimed both the XCO and XCC overall titles, and helped the Specialized Factory XC Team sweep the World Cup podium twice aboard Epic 8. So why change the bike? Because lead engineer Jason McDonald and the rest of the Specialized Science Club knew they could make it faster. In this episode, Jason explains how the team started with Epic 8’s world-beating benchmark, then removed what held it back: 206 grams gone, making Epic 9 the lightest full-suspension XC race bike on the planet. Then he gets into how suspension friction was cut by 11%, how kinematics were optimized, and how it all adds up to unmatched efficiency, capability, and speed per watt. Christopher shares what modern World Cup XC racing demands at full speed, how Epic 9 feels on course, and why control, confidence, and composure now matter as much as efficiency and weight. This episode covers: • Why Specialized built Epic 9 after Epic 8’s dominant season • What actually slows riders down in modern XC racing • What “Made In Racing” actually means: turning data, rider feedback, and engineering into speed • The engineering behind the 1,589 g frame • Why lighter only matters if the bike stays fast, controlled, and composed • How Epic 9 blends Epic World Cup crispness with Epic 8 capability • The role of 11% lower pivot friction in ride feel and traction • How Wide Open, Magic Middle, and Sprint-On-Lock damping settings work in real racing • Why efficiency is more than stiffness and weight • How Body Geometry data shaped Epic 9 fit and handling • What Christopher feels when the bike disappears and flow takes over It is a conversation about speed, science, flow, and devotion beyond reason to making the fastest XC bike in the world even faster. GUESTS: Christopher Blevins and Jason McDonald Get More from Specialized   TikTok:   / specializedbicycles  Instagram:   / iamspecialized  Facebook: https://www.fb.com/specializedbicycles Outride:   / outride

    55 min
  6. Finn Iles | Ride To Redemption

    22 apr

    Finn Iles | Ride To Redemption

    Setbacks do not always stop the story. If we have the grit, they become the path to become better than ever. For downhill phenom Finn Iles, the past couple seasons have been painful, frustrating, and shaped by an invisible back injury that forced him to rethink how he trains, prepares, races, and lives. And that is exactly what makes this moment so compelling. He is healthier, hungrier, and faster than ever and ready to send it in 2026 with purpose. In this episode of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast, Ben Capron sits down with Iles for a direct conversation about the love of riding, freedom, flow, the long road back, and why he enters 2026 humble, hungry, and ready to win. The story moves from growing up in British Columbia, chasing his brother through some of the best riding on earth, to becoming a Junior World Champion, a World Cup winner, and one of the most thoughtful riders in downhill racing. But more than results, this conversation reveals what drives him. Riding is where the noise disappears. It is where the mind clears and the feeling of freedom takes over. But this is not just about talent. It is about devotion to process. Finn makes it clear that process is everything. The work behind the scenes. The routine. The repetition. The discipline to check every box so that when the gate drops, the mind is free. For him, preparation is not separate from performance. It is the thing that makes performance possible. That is what makes this episode hit harder. The obstacle became the path. Injury forced patience. Pain forced awareness. And the comeback has been built the same way Finn approaches racing itself: deliberately, honestly, and one step at a time. He talks openly about learning to trust the process, trust the people around him, and rebuild without rushing, all so he can come back stronger. The conversation also goes inside the development of the new Demo 11, a project Finn has helped shape over multiple seasons. From prototype bikes to production bike, from endless testing to finally having a stable platform to build from, he describes the process as one of the most amazing things he’s done in his career. That matters here, too. It is another expression of the same mindset: keep building, keep refining, keep earning speed. And now the focus sharpens. Val di Sole. A decade after winning Junior Worlds there, Finn heads toward 2026 motivated, healthier, and with a track that suits him in his sights. After everything he dealt with in 2025, he sounds like a rider who has done the work, learned from the setback, and is ready to win. This episode goes beyond racing, covering: Why downhill feels like freedomHow to clear the mind for ultimate performanceWhy preparation is the foundation of speedWhat really happens in the start gateHow injury changed his body, mindset, and processWhy the obstacle became the pathWhat 2025 taught him through pain and setbacksWhy Val di Sole matters so much in 2026The role Finn has played in developing Demo 11Why redemption is earned through the workIt is a conversation about freedom, preparation, resilience, and the road back to winning. Get More from Specialized TikTok: @specializedbicycles Instagram: @iamspecialized Specialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtb Specialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxc Facebook: specializedbicycles Outride: @outride

    1h 17m
  7. Loïc Bruni | Faster Than Fear

    22 apr

    Loïc Bruni | Faster Than Fear

    When the gate drops, hesitation loses. And Super Bruni wins when it matters most. A five-time World Champion and one of the fastest downhill racers in history, Loïc Bruni has built his career on precision, composure, and the rare ability to deliver when the pressure is highest.  In this episode of the Specialized Podcast, Ben Capron sits down with Bruni for a direct conversation about speed, pressure, and the mindset behind championship performance. The story moves from growing up in the south of France, surrounded by the roots of downhill racing, to becoming one of the sport’s defining riders. From there, it goes inside the mental demands of downhill, the pursuit of flow state, and developing the Demo 11 in pursuit of finding more speed when the margins are almost nothing. But this is not just about racing. It is a philosophy. Feel. Trust yourself. Commit fully. From fear and focus to redemption, mind games, and the balance between obsession and joy, Bruni shares what it takes to stay fast, keep evolving, and show up when it matters most. The conversation also goes inside the development of the new Demo 11, a no-compromise race bike built through deep trust between rider and brand, and a process focused on one thing: maximum speed. This episode goes beyond racing, covering: What downhill racing really demands What happens in Bruni’s mind before the gate drops Why flow state cannot be forced The pressure and heartbreak of the 2025 season What redemption looks like in 2026 Growing up in the heart of European downhill The influence of Nico Vouilloz and technical obsession How Bruni balances focus, fun, and longevity The mindset behind winning runs The development of Demo 11 It is a conversation about pressure, precision, and performing when it matters most. Subscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling. Get More from Specialized Get More from Specialized TikTok: @specializedbicycles Instagram: @iamspecialized Specialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtb Specialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxc Facebook: specializedbicycles Outride: @outride

    57 min
  8. Mike Sinyard | Innovate or Die

    14 apr

    Mike Sinyard | Innovate or Die

    He sold his VW bus to ride across Europe. That decision changed cycling forever. Mike Sinyard didn’t set out to build Specialized. He set out to ride. He sold his VW bus and rode through Europe. What came back was something bigger. A way of seeing the world. The start of Specialized. And a relentless belief that the bicycle can change the world. In this episode of the Specialized Podcast, Ben Capron sits down with Sinyard for a direct conversation about where it all began, and what still drives him today. The story moves from the freedom of early childhood rides, to importing Italian components, to building the first Specialized products designed to solve real problems for riders. From there, it tracks the launch of the Stumpjumper and the birth of mountain biking as we know it, and into becoming one of the winningest brand across all major disciplines, including winning the Tour de France. But this is not just a history lesson. It is a philosophy. Innovate or Die. The Rider Is the Boss. Do the Right Thing. Use science to make it better. From Body Geometry to World Cup racing to the rise of Turbo electric bikes, Sinyard shares how these ideas have shaped every chapter of Specialized. Along the way, the conversation expands beyond product into something bigger. The power of the bicycle to change health, mindset, and the trajectory of people’s lives. The work of Outride. And the belief that bikes can pedal the planet forward. The episode closes where it began. With a simple idea. Ride a bike. Change your life. This episode goes beyond origin stories, covering: How a trip through Europe sparked SpecializedWhy the first product was a tire, and what it taught himThe launch of the Stumpjumper and the birth of mountain bikingThe philosophy behind “Innovate or Die”How Body Geometry redefined comfort, performance, and healthWhy racing remains essential to innovationThe vision behind Turbo and the rise of electric bikesThe mission of Outride and the connection between bikes and the brainWhat the bicycle can do for humanityWhat still inspires him after 50 yearsIt is a conversation about freedom, innovation, and the enduring power of the bicycle. Get More from Specialized Get More from Specialized TikTok: @specializedbicycles Instagram: @iamspecialized Specialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtb Specialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxc Facebook: specializedbicycles Outride: @outride

    1h 6m
Elenco completo (17)

Descrizione

Going behind the curtain to talk to the riders and creators working hard to make your ride better.

Informazioni

  • Creatore
    Specialized
  • Anni di attività
    2K
  • Puntate
    17
  • Classificazione
    Contenuti espliciti
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Specialized Podcast
  • Sito web del podcast
    The Specialized Podcast
  • Fornitore

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