Velo Podcast

Velo
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The Velo Podcast brings you inside the world of gravel and road racing with Velo's team of reporters and commentators.

  1. 4 days ago

    The Vuelta’s Influencer Misstep and Why Silca Ditched Aero

    Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins The Vuelta a España is in full swing, and this week the whole crew is in the house to break down the racing, new tech, and the latest industry chaos. Host Mike Levy is joined by Logan Jones-Wilkins, Lisa Charlebois, and Josh Ross to cover: Vuelta a España Wackiness: The race has a reputation for the unexpected, and Logan and Lisa walk us through the organizers' questionable decision to hire a specific influencer. It seems nobody vetted the content before handing over the credentials, and the resulting shock was entirely predictable. New Silca Tires: Logan gives the rundown on Silca's latest rubber and the inevitable claims of being the absolute best. Josh jumps in with intel directly from Josh Poertner, who he caught up with at the MADE show, to explain why the master of marginal gains chose to make a road tire that explicitly isn't aero-optimized. The Best of the MADE Show: Josh spent the week shooting rolling art and picked his five favorites. We dive into his absolute top choice. No spoilers, but it features exposed cables, is built for ultra-endurance distances, and comes from fellow Oregon resident Rob English, who builds highly functional steel frames just down the road. Van Rysel Gravel Reviews: Lisa drops two reviews covering the newly launched Van Rysel gravel line. We look at the adventure model that somehow maxes out with only a 50mm tire, and the crew gets into the weeds on why the "racy" version should probably be categorized as an all-road bike rather than a dedicated gravel racer. Timestamps:  00:00 - Intro  02:47 - Pogacito  14:32 - Silca tires  33:45 - MADE bike show  44:22 - Van Rysel EDR-G and RCR-G review

  2. 14 Aug

    220 Miles on an Aero Race Bike, Seven Straight Centuries, and the 14-Pound Trek Domane 5

    Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins The Velo tech team breaks down a week of massive summer rides, including fueling disasters on a 1x Factor One and why Trek’s endurance labeling might be entirely wrong. It is the height of summer, and right now, we are doing some massive rides. We are all here this week—including Lisa Charlebois, Logan Jones-Wilkins, Mike Levy, and Josh Ross. This week we talk about how Logan just did a century on a new bike, but before we get to that, it was Josh's turn to discuss a “big dumb ride.” The 220-Mile Aero Experiment: Last weekend, Josh took the Factor One to the beach and back from Portland. It’s a 220-mile ride with 14,000 feet of elevation, and the base build of the One wasn’t extreme enough. To set things right in the aero world, he swapped the wheels for a staggered Zipp 858 NSW / 454 NSW setup and paired that with a SRAM 1x XPLR groupset. We start by talking about how that 13-hour ride went, including the fueling mistakes that led to violently retching on the side of the road. Seven Centuries in Seven Days: Last week, Lisa declared she’d be doing a century a day for seven days. She crushed it and recorded the numbers. She rode for 52 hours, but how many pounds of sugar did she consume during that time? We discuss the fueling, and Levy reveals why the number of people she rode with is actually the most surprising part of the whole thing. Testing the Trek Domane 5: We bring home the discussion with Logan and the century that was just a small part of the 650 miles he spent on the Trek Domane 5. Trek calls it an endurance bike, but is that what it actually is? It weighs only 14 lbs and will take up to a 40mm tire. Is there a better name for it? Logan walks us through his thoughts on the bike, including why he loves it so much. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:35 - 220 mile ride on a 1x aero race bike 18:52 - A century a week results and figures 28:27 - Trek Madone review Articles covered in this episode: The New Trek Domane is Too Good to Call an Endurance Bike

  3. 3 Jul

    The Tarmac SL9 "Win Fin," a Shrinking Eurobike, and Tour de France Hype

    In this week's episode, we question whether the Specialized Tarmac SL9 is a true upgrade or just an iPhone-style micro-update, look at the shrinking footprint of Eurobike, and talk Tour de France storylines. Show Notes: This week is a big one for me. Logan is out doing the Tour de France thing, and Mike is nursing his wounds somewhere. That leaves just myself and Lisa Charlebois running the studio, which means after all this time, this is officially my first time hosting the podcast. Of course we have to talk about the Tour, so that is where we start. Charlebois is the one who knows the most about the ins and outs of the riders, so I ask her to explain some of what we should be looking for. She’s all-in on the Paul Seixas hype train, wondering if the 19-year-old rookie can snag a stage win for Decathlon. Meanwhile, I ask about Tadej Pogačar and she tells me about potential inner drama over at UAE compared to the clear roles at Visma. Since the Tour is going to get plenty of coverage soon, we kept this light. Before we get into the real meat of the episode though, I have to talk about San Francisco and traffic. Charlebois spends her time riding there and, like everyone else in San Francisco, she seems happy to deal with cars. I take a minute to say I dislike Mt. Tam and we veer into some unexpected tips for riding in traffic. Next, we get into Eurobike. I just got back from Frankfurt, and the main takeaway is that the show is shrinking down to just a couple of halls. However, there were still talking points. Canyon showed up with a 3D-printed concept bike loaded with integrated cameras and a radar system that looks suspiciously like their next aero bike. I also break down a panel on women in cycling, discussing how the industry continues to overlook a demographic with massive spending power. Finally, we tackle the Specialized Tarmac SL9. Logan reviewed it on the site, but Charlebois and I dig into the reality of a bike that claims to be four watts faster but weighs and looks nearly identical to the last generation. We talk about the new "win fin" and whether consumers should be hyped about incremental micro-updates or if there is simply an expectation that the new model has to exist, much like the newest iPhone. Listen to the full episode for all the details, and let us know if you think the SL9 is worth the squeeze.

  4. 5 Jun

    Team Tactics, Peeing on Chains, and 32-Inch Wheels: The Unbound 2026 Debrief

    Logan Jones-Wilkins is back from the mud in Kansas to break down a wild 26-mph crash, the dominant Specialized Crux 5 debut, and why gravel racing might never be the same. As we mentioned last week, Logan was in Emporia, Kansas covering Unbound 2026. Now he’s back in the studio and Mike Levy and I get to talk about what he saw. Part of that is the new Specialized Crux, but before we get there, we start with a discussion of how Logan did in his own Unbound 100 race. It wasn't exactly a quiet day out. Logan details a wild situation that unfolded right in front of him, going from 26 mph to on the ground in an instant. Despite the crash, he still managed a 5-hour and 50-minute finish on the new Crux 5, and he finally shares the real details on what the bike is like to ride. From there, we get into the rest of the racing in Kansas, and that means the mud. This year, the Flint Hills delivered thick, sticky mud that forced massive sections of walking and led multiple pros to pee on their drivetrains just to keep moving. We also tackle the arrival of true team tactics. Specialized exerted absolute control over the front of the pack in the Men's 200, prompting the question: is this the natural evolution of the sport, or does it completely change the fabric of gravel racing? The Women's 200 was a slow build with constant anticipation, blowing up early and culminating with riders Sophia Gomez Villafañe and Geerike Schreurs texting mid-race to orchestrate attacks for the final sprint. Finally, we look at the giant prototype Scott 32-inch wheeled bikes that made their debut. What does that mean for the technology, and will you see it roll out on production models soon? Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Logan's Unbound 100 10:03 – The Specialized Crux Deep Dive 21:55 – The Mud & Drivetrain Drama 27:00 – The Men’s 200 & Team Tactics 42:05 – The Women's 200 46:38 – The 32-Inch Wheel Debate Resources Check out the Unbound Gravel hub for all the articles covered this week: https://velo.outsideonline.com/tag/unbound-gravel

  5. 1 May

    Dueling Over 32-Inch Wheels and Testing Two Polar-Opposite Gravel Bikes

    This week's episode was just like any other. There was definitely nothing controversial… Logan Jones-Wilkins and I dive into two vastly different gravel bikes we’ve been testing, starting with my review of the XDS X-Lab GT8. On paper, the GT8 is a standard, run-of-the-mill gravel bike. It lacks a unique "special sauce" and won't revolutionize the category, but it is a highly capable all-rounder that will handle just about any unpaved road. Then you see the price. The GT8 comes with a full carbon build and a power meter for about half the cost of its mainstream competitors. XDS is a massive Chinese manufacturing powerhouse that is now entering the US through a traditional dealer network. We discuss whether you should buy the GT8, and what its aggressive pricing means for Western brands. Then we pivot to the Obed GVR, which Jones-Wilkins has been putting through its paces. Despite sharing the gravel category, the Obed is the polar opposite of the XDS. It is not an all-rounder. Instead, it is a highly specialized, direct-to-consumer machine built around big tire clearance and a DT Swiss suspension fork that was previously a Canyon exclusive. We break down the tech and figure out exactly who this bike is built for. Oh and we’ve got more 32-inch wheel discussion. Of course there’s no way we can get away from that. If you read my recent piece, you know I think the standard makes zero sense for most riders, and I absolutely hate the idea of a new wheel size standard. Logan is taking a more measured approach, analyzing why the industry is pushing this standard regardless of public opinion. Of course, Mike Levy set this up as a pair of dueling articles, so we hash out the details on the air and try to predict where this is all headed. Tune in and let us know your take.

  6. 24 Apr

    The 32-Inch Wheel Debate, $6,500 Wheels, and the Wildest Tech at Sea Otter

    We break down the polarizing "big wheel" trend, compare ultra-premium Partington wheels to Hunt's high-value alternatives, and dive into the coolest gear from the Sea Otter Classic. This week, the podcast is all about Sea Otter and we’ve got a full house. Lisa Charlebois, Logan Jones-Wilkins, and I all spent time in California at the event, and we’ve got stories to tell. We kick things off by sharing what the vibe was like on the ground, especially for Jones-Wilkins, who was attending the show for the very first time. After that, we get into the big news: big wheels. Some of us are skeptical and some favor the potential efficiency, but either way, 32-inch wheels are the topic we had to cover. There is a lot to take in, but we focus on the Salsa Fargo, a 32-inch lugged carbon bike from Faction, and a Ventum mountain bike coming this summer. From there, we talk gravel bikes. This is Sea Otter, so gravel is the focus, and Logan dives deep on a few cool bikes, including the Look G85 and an aero-focused SEKA featuring integrated Fidlock bottles. Despite the dirt-heavy show, I try to keep it road-first whenever possible, and there were some notable road launches. Partington showed off a crazy expensive wheelset that is incredibly light for a 50mm depth and uses a continuous carbon spoke system. The real surprise, however, was Hunt. Hunt launched a wheelset that is thousands of dollars cheaper than the Partington offering, slightly deeper, and nearly as light. It wasn’t only wheels, either. I saw a Tavelo aero bike with 40mm of tire clearance and a 650g frame weight that will likely cost half the price of its competition. The No. 22 3D-printed titanium bike definitely won't cost half of anything, but it was spectacular to see getting closer to production. It might even cost more than the lugged-carbon Colnago C72 that launched just before the show. Finally, we wrap it up with our favorite things from Sea Otter. Charlebois easily had the best answer, but jump into the comments on Velo and let us know what you thought was the coolest tech we reported on. 00:00 Intro: The Sea Otter Classic Experience 05:10 The 32-Inch Wheel Debate 19:30 Look G85 Gravel Bike 23:42 Wheel Tech: Partington vs. Hunt 27:56 Tavelo 650g Aero Road Frame 32:00 Sika Aero Gravel Bike 35:00 No. 22 3D-Printed Titanium Bike 37:20 Colnago C72 & Expensive Paint 40:14 The $25,000 Factor Bugatti Concept Bike 42:30 Our favorite things

  7. 10 Apr

    Stop Under-Tiring Your Gravel Bike (and Other Hot Takes)

    I went to Taiwan, but the show must go on. While I was away covering the Taipei Cycle Show, Mike Levy, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins had plenty to talk about. Predictably, things got heavily focused on gravel tire pressure, but that wasn’t all. This week, the podcast crew debates why roadies need bigger gravel tires, breaks down Specialized’s newest tech, and confesses to their strangest cold-weather clothing hacks. In this episode, we cover: Lisa’s 300km Mission: A recap of an epic 193-mile ride through Napa and Sonoma, plus a crucial PSA on the protocol for crossing the Golden Gate Bridge late at night. Specialized's New Pathfinder TLR: Logan is currently working his way through a massive pile of test rubber. He explains why pros like Keegan Swenson opt for the slickest options, but argues the more aggressive Terra tread is actually better for the rest of us. Levy’s Tire Volume Hot Take: Levy takes a firm stance that most gravel riders are severely under-tired. His advice to roadies hitting the dirt? Stop obsessing over aero, mount the biggest tires your frame clears, and run an insert. New Roval Gravel Wheels: A quick look at the newly launched Roval Terra Aero CLX and Terra CLX3 wheelsets, including a discussion on their 27mm internal width and the decision to use a wide carbon hook. Questionable Winter Kit: Inspired by Jonas Vingegaard's heavily modified, cut-up winter bib shorts, the crew shares their own extreme cold-weather survival tactics—from crotchless long underwear to the merits of baggy mountain bike pants on a drop-bar bike. Give it a listen, and let us know in the comments if you have a favorite tire or if you think Levy is wrong on his hot take. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:25 - Lisa’s 300k 05:04 - Gravel Tires 27:54 - Specialized Wheels 34:28 - Clothing discussion

  8. 3 Apr

    A $31,000 Titanium Bike, 32-Inch Wheels, and Breaking the Factor One

    Five minutes after walking in the door from the Taipei Cycle Show, I sat down with Mike Levy to unpack what it was like being there. We immediately dive into the wildest tech from the show floor: what a $31,000 3D-printed titanium road bike actually looks like, whether those budget power meter pedals are legit or just vaporware, and the exact physics behind Pirelli’s claim that their new aero tire cuts drag without ruining rolling resistance. I also talk about the one Chinese brand I found at the show and how they’ve got a brand new gravel bike that’s half the price of a Western company. We also get into the 32-inch wheel standard. The first suspension fork for the standard hit the market at the show, and we dig into whether this is the upgrade riders have been waiting for. It wasn’t all walking trade show aisles, though. I spent a few days riding Factor's futuristic One aero road bike through the Taipei jungle, and the experience taught me how much better road culture can be. I was planning to bring that bike home for a full review and further aero testing. Instead, it stayed behind. We get into how the bike actually handles on the road, its aggressive geometry, and the ongoing mystery behind how I somehow managed to break it.

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About

The Velo Podcast brings you inside the world of gravel and road racing with Velo's team of reporters and commentators.

Information

  • Creator
    Velo
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    670
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Velo Podcast

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