Reach out and touch us: shiftlesslive@gmail.com The hosts record at Casa Verde after recent technical issues and discuss upcoming Fam Food Adventure Memories dinners. Bike topics include Schwalbe entering the 32-inch tire market across mountain, gravel, and reportedly road, plus a rumor of a major brand debuting a 32-inch bike at Sea Otter. They discuss a theory that brands are trying to convert post-COVID gravel buyers who aren’t “N+1” riders by offering more stable, confidence-inspiring mountain bikes to expand participation. They talk about the Salsa full-suspension gravel e-bike (Class 3, ~40 lb, 2.2" tires, ~50-mile range) with a high price, and debate who the market is for. They also review the Salsa Stormchaser (frameset vs complete pricing, sliding dropouts, ability to fit 2.2" tires) and discuss bottom bracket standards (criticizing press-fit). The episode covers New Jersey’s new law treating any e-bike as a motorcycle (lights, mirror, DOT helmet, plate/registration, insurance) and predicts more sweeping enforcement elsewhere due to high-speed e-bike accidents. The conversation branches into parallels with the gun industry’s COVID boom, long-range shooting training to 800 yards, safety and education, and how event organizers manage participant risk. They close with planning notes for Trinity Trio (moved to Sunday the 15th, ~100 miles full route) and conclude with the host heading to Whitesboro to document the kitchen and refrigeration setup.00:00 Mic Check Mayhem: Are We Actually Recording?00:38 Welcome to Shiftless at Casa Verde (Weather, Vibes, Pool Talk)01:21 What’s on the Agenda: 32-inch Wheels, E-Bikes & New Laws02:43 FAM Food Adventure Memories Sponsor + Dinner Schedule Updates04:50 January Dinners Canceled: Snow Forecasts, Ice, and Event Chaos07:11 Gravel Road Conditions After the Storm: Potholes, Chunk & Predictions10:21 February 28 FAM Dinner Promo + Menu Tease12:38 Sbarro in New York: The ‘Good Slice’ Misunderstanding Storytime16:58 Back to Bikes: Schwalbe Enters 32-Inch Tires + Road/UCI Speculation18:37 The Big Theory: Turning Gravel Newbies into N+1 Riders via MTB22:13 Training Slump & Sick Weeks: Getting Back on the Bike23:16 Salsa Stormchaser Deep Dive: Dropouts, 2.2" Clearance & Build Options28:39 New Salsa Wander: Full-Suspension Gravel E-Bike Arrives29:13 Teal Talk & First Impressions of Salsa’s New Gravel E‑Bike30:02 Specs Breakdown: Range, Weight, Tires, Class 3 Speed—and the $13K Question33:46 Salsa Lineup Rumors: Warbird, Spearfish, Name Changes & What’s “Coming Soon”35:47 All‑Road vs Gravel: Surly Midnight Special, Industry Identity Crisis & COVID Hangover36:47 SHOT Show Parallels: Forecasting, N+1 Culture, and the ‘Year of the Suppressor’40:15 Range Life: Long‑Range Qualification, Training Layers, and Why Suppressors Rule47:00 Insurance, Scuba Tragedy & Event Risk—From Cave Diving Rules to Gravel Shenanigans54:05 Running Safer Gravel Events: New Rider Handholding, Self‑Responsibility & 101 Clinics01:00:12 Beginner Progression: Gear Overwhelm, Skill Layering, and Building a Real Training Program01:03:09 Back to Riding: Garmin Recovery Shock & Texas Chainring Massacre Weather Check01:05:05 Windy, deceptively cold night ride (wet bulb & layering mistakes)01:06:45 Whitesboro food service plan + kitchen/fridge scouting01:07:54 Locking in March dates & moving Trinity Trio to Sunday01:09:06 Trinity Trio route breakdown: Gateway–Sansom–River Legacy mileage01:09:48 What bike (or e-bike) works? Drop-bar MTB, battery range, and trail rules01:12:32 North Shore e-bike permits & class confusion (Class 1 vs Class 3)01:15:16 New Jersey’s sweeping e-bike law—and why more places may follow01:23:49 Kids, risk, and consequences: storms, accidents, and learning the hard way01:32:51 Urban legends & the information age (Screaming Bridge)01:33:58 Industry news roundup: Eurobike drama, layoffs, Sea Otter, and trade shows01:39:49 Wrap-up: off to Whitesboro and closing thoughts
