Buying a used road bike can save you thousands of dollars—or cost you thousands if you don't know what to look for.

Before you buy a used Specialized, Trek, Cervélo, Canyon, Cannondale, Giant, Pinarello, Scott, BMC, Factor, or any high-end road bike, watch this episode first.

This week we're joined by Michael and Andreas from Reser Bicycle, two professional bicycle mechanics who have repaired and serviced thousands of bikes. They share the biggest mistakes cyclists make when buying used bikes, the hidden problems most sellers won't mention, and the red flags that can turn a great deal into an expensive headache.

We also break down the biggest stories from the 2026 Tour de France, discuss the all-new Cervélo Soloist, explain why your engine and bike fit matter more than the bike itself, and show you how to diagnose headset problems and inspect carbon frames before you buy.

Whether you're shopping on Facebook Marketplace, BuyCycle, Pinkbike Buy/Sell, Craigslist, eBay, or at your local bike shop, this episode will help you buy with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.

In this episode:

✅ 2026 Tour de France recap and biggest talking points
 ✅ First look at the new Cervélo Soloist
 ✅ What to know before buying a used road bike online
 ✅ Why the rider matters more than the bike
 ✅ Proprietary bike parts that can become expensive headaches
 ✅ How to diagnose headset issues before purchasing
 ✅ What to look for when inspecting a carbon bike for damage

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:02:13 Tour de France Highlights
00:29:47 New Cervélo Soloist
00:45:19 Buying a Used Bike Online
00:46:40 Engine & Fit First, Bike Second
00:51:02 Proprietary Parts
00:55:23 Headset Diagnosis
01:00:01 Carbon Diagnosis

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Everyone has an opinion about the best way to train for cycling.

Some swear by a coach. Others say TrainerRoad is all you'll ever need. And now more and more cyclists are asking the same question...

Can ChatGPT actually build a training plan that's just as good?

Instead of guessing, we spent an entire race season finding out.

We trained with ChatGPT for nearly a year. We spent a full year working with a cycling coach in 2025. We also completed 5+ months using TrainerRoad. Then we sat down and compared everything—not opinions, but the actual training plans, workout structure, and race results.

We break down:

• Training philosophy
• Weekly TSS
• Time spent in every training zone
• VO₂ Max, Threshold, Sweet Spot and Endurance work
• Interval design
• Recovery weeks
• Adaptability to busy schedules
• Race specificity
• The biggest strengths and weaknesses of each approach

Most importantly, we answer the question every cyclist wants to know:

Which one actually made us faster on race day?

Whether you're considering TrainerRoad, wondering if ChatGPT can replace a cycling coach, or trying to figure out the best cycling training plan for your goals, this episode should help you make a more informed decision.

We also catch up on our latest training, share our thoughts on the newly released Specialized Tarmac SL9, discuss the new Specialized Crux 5, and talk about what's next for the rest of our racing season.

Chapters

01:21 - New Specialized Tarmac SL9 impressions
09:49 - The new Specialized Crux 5 
19:05 - Recent training updates
29:26 - TrainerRoad vs ChatGPT vs a coach
32:55 - Training philosophy comparison
38:27 - Time spent in each training zone
46:06 - Weekly TSS comparison
50:16 - Interval design comparison
58:19 - Pros and cons of each approach

#TrainerRoad #CyclingTraining #ChatGPT #RoadCycling #CyclingPodcast

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• SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify
• APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191
• IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ 

Are continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) worth it for endurance athletes? Or are they just another expensive trend?

After hearing that professional athletes have used continuous glucose monitors to optimize their fueling (and that they're no longer allowed during races), we wanted to find out for ourselves. So we each wore a CGM for a month during training and everyday life to answer one question:

Can tracking your glucose actually help you become a faster cyclist?

Over the course of our experiment, we tracked blood glucose before rides, during high-intensity workouts, after long Zone 2 rides, and around meals to see whether we were underfueling, overfueling, or simply misunderstanding how our bodies use energy.

In this episode, we cover:
✅ What glucose actually is (and why every cyclist should understand it)
✅ How continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) work
✅ What our glucose looked like during training and racing
✅ Can a CGM help prevent bonking?
✅ The biggest surprises from wearing one for multiple weeks
✅ The downsides of CGMs for everyday cyclists
✅ Are continuous glucose monitors worth it if you're not diabetic?

We also catch up on recent racing, including Josh's health scare after a race, Greg's latest KORRs, the ongoing power meter saga, plus we recap an incredible Giro d'Italia and make our predictions for this year's Tour de France.

👇 We'd love to hear from you:
Have you ever bonked during a ride?
Would you ever try CGM to better understand your fueling?

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with another cyclist trying to level up.

#Cycling #CGM #ContinuousGlucoseMonitor #CyclingNutrition #Fueling #Bonking #EnduranceSports #RoadCycling #BikeTraining #AmateurCycling #TourDeFrance #GirodItalia

Follow us: 

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Are you losing speed because of simple maintenance mistakes?

In this episode, we sit down with Sean Lundrigan, Service Manager at Trek Fort Wright, bike mechanic and racer to discuss the biggest bike maintenance mistakes cyclists make without even realizing it.

Many riders spend thousands of dollars chasing upgrades, deeper wheels, lighter bikes, and electronic shifting when the reality is they may be losing free speed because of poor bike maintenance, drivetrain inefficiency, or overlooked mechanical issues.

Sean shares the most common problems he sees every day in the bike shop, the preventable mistakes that can ruin races, and the simple things cyclists can do to make their bikes faster, quieter, and more reliable.

🛠 We dive into:
•The #1 bike maintenance mistake cyclists make
• How much speed a poorly maintained drivetrain can cost you
• Chain lubrication mistakes
• Tire pressure mistakes
• Brake rub and drivetrain efficiency
• Common race-day mechanical failures
• The ideal 24-hour pre-race bike check
• Marginal gains and free speed
• What bike mechanics wish every cyclist knew

This episode is packed with practical advice that can help you ride faster and avoid costly mistakes.

👉Follow Sean and Trek Fort Wright: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/retail/fort_wright/
or email him: [email protected] 

⏱ Chapters: 
00:00 - Intro
24:08 - Biggest Bike Maintenance Mistakes
25:17 - Chain Care & Lubrication
31:45 - Weekly Bike Inspection Checklist
42:37 - Bearing Maintenance Explained
44:19 - How to True a Wheel
46:44 - Essential Bike Maintenance Tools
48:10 - Disc Brake Maintenance Tips

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• SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify
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Cycling tech has changed dramatically over the last 10 years. From wider tires and disc brakes to electronic shifting, 1x drivetrains, massive cassettes, integrated cockpits, and SRAM’s UDH system — modern road bikes are evolving faster than ever.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Haas and Andreas Frances of Reser Bicycle to discuss the biggest cycling tech trends happening right now from a mechanic’s perspective. We break down what innovations are actually improving cycling, what trends may be overhyped, and where road bikes could be headed in the next 5–10 years.

We also dive into:

• Wider tires, rolling resistance & internal rim width
• SRAM UDH & the rise of 1x gearing
• Modern gearing trends & easier gear ratios
• Electronic shifting vs mechanical
• Integration vs serviceability
• Proprietary bike parts & modern bike maintenance
• What mechanics really think about current bike trends
• Predictions for the future of cycling tech

Follow Reser Bicycle Outfitters:
reserbicycle.com

Chapters: 

03:18 — Rapid-fire mechanic questions
18:58 — Where bikes have come from over the last 20 years
31:51 — Rise of UDH
36:41— 1x Drivetrains and gear ratios
50:35 — Wider tires and clearance 
54:40— Integrated vs non-integrated 
1:09:16 — Where bikes are headed in the next 5 years 

#cycling #cyclingtech #roadcycling #biketech #cyclingpodcast

Follow us: 

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• SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify
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Most cyclists think getting faster means riding more. But what if the real limiter isn’t your training — it's your strength, nutrition, and durability? 

In this episode, we sit down with a sports nutrition expert, Dr. Cindy Cassell to break down why power doesn’t equal strength, how metabolism and fueling impact performance, and why cyclists over 35 need to rethink how they train.

If you’ve been training harder but not getting faster, struggling with recovery, or feeling like your power doesn’t match your effort — this episode will show you what’s really going on.

What You’ll Learn:
• Why strength training is critical for cyclists
• How nutrition impacts cycling performance and recovery
• The truth about low energy availability in cyclists
• How to improve cycling durability and fatigue resistance
• Why VO2 max declines with age and how to slow it down
• How to build power that lasts deep into races and long rides

Follow us: 

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• SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify
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• IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ 

Is TRT in Masters cycling an unfair advantage? Or is testosterone replacement therapy simply legitimate medical treatment?

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most controversial topics in Masters racing: testosterone, doping rules, and whether aging athletes are competing on a level playing field. After a recent failed drug test in the Masters ranks sparked conversation, we step back and ask the bigger questions:

• Does natural testosterone decline with age?
• What does testosterone actually do for endurance performance?
• Why is testosterone banned in competition?
• What is testosterone replacement? 
• Is Masters cycling clean?

We break down how testosterone impacts muscle mass, red blood cell production, recovery, and long-term training capacity. If you’re racing Masters, thinking about racing, or just curious about the TRT debate in endurance sports, this episode is for you.

⏱️ Chapters
1:31 – Training plans
9:00 – Strade Bianchi recap 
13:15 – Is Tadej good or bad for Strade Bianchi?
18:53 – VelonCC publishes Tadej's power zones
19:49 – USA road cycling on the decline

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• IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ 

Is road racing in the U.S. dying? We break down USA Cycling membership trends, disappearing road races, and the explosion of gravel racing to uncover what’s really happening in American cycling.

In this episode, we look at the decline of traditional road racing and criteriums in the U.S., but the rise of gravel. If you're a recreational cyclist or a longtime racer wondering what’s happening to the sport, this episode is for you.

For years, riders have said:
• Road races are disappearing
• Fields are getting smaller
• The average racer is getting older

But at the same time:
• Gravel events are selling out
• Crit racing is still strong at it's core 
• Zwift racing has exploded
• More adults are riding bikes than ever

So is road racing actually dying… or just evolving?

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If you’re serious about getting faster without just buying new gear, this is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Peters, founder of ERG Cycling, to break down what a professional bike fitting actually does — and how details like cleat position, saddle height, crank length, and hip angles can either unlock free speed…or quietly steal watts from you. 

If you’ve ever wondered:
 - Is a bike fit worth it?
 - Are shorter cranks really better?
 - How important is cleat placement?
 - What is CdA and does it matter?
 - Can you fix your position at home?

This episode answers all of it.

Follow us: 

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• SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify
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• IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ 

What should cyclists do immediately after a crash with a car?
In this episode of Recreational Rider to Racer, we sit down with Chris Carville, an experienced bike lawyer, to break down exactly what cyclists should (and should NOT) say or do after a crash — and how one small mistake can cost you thousands of dollars.

If you ride on the road, this episode is essential. We cover cycling vs cars, cyclist rights on the road, bike insurance, race waivers, medical bills, hit-and-runs, and the #1 mistake cyclists make after getting hit by a car.

🚴‍♂️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What to do immediately after a bike crash
• How cyclist vs car accidents are handled legally
• Who usually wins when it’s a cyclist’s word vs a driver’s
• What insurance cyclists should actually carry (UMI explained)
• Whether bike insurance is worth it — and when it applies
• How race waivers really work
• What to do after a hit-and-run
• How to know when you need a cycling accident lawyer
• The rights cyclists already have on the road (but drivers don’t know)

This conversation is must-watch for road cyclists, racers, commuters, and anyone riding in traffic.

🎙️ About the Guest

Chris Carville has over 20 years of legal experience representing injured clients in Ohio and Kentucky. He has tried cases in both State and Federal courts and argued appeals in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. His approach is simple: put clients first and protect their rights — especially vulnerable road users like cyclists.

Follow us: 

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