Just how good are modern downhill mountain bikes? Are they as hard to handle as an F1 car or can any mere mortal throw a leg over one and be certain of a great time? 
In this episode, Rob is joined by Luke Marshall, our resident downhill racing expert, who’s returned from the French Alps after testing three of the latest DH bikes to share his findings and answer those all-important questions.

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Six things we learnt testing the latest downhill mountain bikes

BikeRadar delve into the world of road and mountain biking to bring you the best tech content in cycling. Join the team for their weekly episodes and occasional bonus episodes.

Sports

SRAM's new Red AXS groupset is claimed to be the world's lightest electronic disc brake road bike groupset, saving 154g versus the previous generation. 

Priced from around £4,090 / $4,090 / €4,135, the groupset is fully wireless, with a new lever and hood design, increased brake adjustability, and improved braking performance from the hoods. Front shifting is also claimed to be faster and smoother.
 
In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical editor Warren Rossiter shares his thoughts on the revised shifter ergonomics, enhanced braking and shifting changes with deputy editor Jack Luke and senior technical writer Simon von Bromley.
 

2024 SRAM Red AXS groupset review: https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/groupsets/groupset-road/sram-red-axs-review


Hands-on with SRAM Red AXS | Real weights vs Shimano Dura-Ace Di2: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/tech/2024-sram-red-axs-weights


New SRAM Red AXS is the world’s lightest electronic disc brake groupset: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/new-sram-red-axs


New Hammerhead Karoo integrates with SRAM AXS and improves GPS accuracy: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-hammerhead-karoo



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New SRAM Red AXS | Everything you need to know about ‘the world’s lightest electronic groupset’

Upgrading parts on your bike is something many riders love to do. Whether it’s for a performance benefit or just a splash of personalisation and colour, it can be a fun, if expensive pastime.

But which upgrades don’t bring the benefits their price tag suggests? 

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical editor Tom Marvin sits down with fellow shredders Luke Marshall and Tom Law to discuss five mountain bike upgrades they don’t think you need and five that will make a genuine difference to your riding. 

If you have any questions you want answering in a future episode, send them in to podcast@bikeradar.com
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5 mountain bike upgrades you don't need… and 5 you do

After months of testing, it's time to announce our Road Bike of the Year winners. We've got categories for race, endurance, gravel and budget road bikes, as well as urban electric bikes. We're also announcing an overall winner across all five categories.
 
In this podcast, our test team of Ashley Quinlan, Simon von Bromley and Warren Rossiter discuss the 2024 Bike of the Year test, their top three bikes in each category and, of course, the winners.
 
Read more on our 2024 Road Bike of the Year test: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-road-bike-of-the-year-winners
Check out our 2024 Mountain Bike of the Year winners: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2024-mountain-bike-of-the-year-winners
Listen to our 2024 Mountain Bike of the Year podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oNkfe5x1dzEdov9ajhTUK
 
Here are all 24 bikes featured in our 2024 Road Bike of the Year test:
 
Race Bike of the Year:
Focus Izalco Max 9.8 – £6,599 / €6,799 (not available in the US)
Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro - SRAM Force eTap AXS – £8,000 / $8,500 / €8,500
Canyon Ultimate CF SL 8 Aero – £4,799 / €4,999 / AU$7,649 (model not available in USA)
Handsling A1R0evo Classified Powershift – £6,499.99
 
Endurance Bike of the Year:
Canyon Endurace CF SLX 8 Di2 - £4,999 / $5,499
Cinelli Pressure ADR (105 Di2 Ksyrium 30 build) - £3,799 / $4,754
Specialized Roubaix SL8 Comp - £5,000 / $5,000
Lauf Úthald Race Wireless - £4,458.05 ($5,628.00 inc. shipping) / $4,690
Giant Defy Advanced Pro 2 - £3,499 / $N/A
 
Gravel Bike of the Year:
Orbea Terra M41E Team Ix MyO - £4,518 / $4,638
GT Grade Carbon Pro LE - £3,600 / $4,200
Canyon Grail CF SLX 8 Di2 - £4,799 / $4,999
Santa Cruz Stigmata Force-1x AXS RSV - £6,999.99 / $7,699
Merida Silex 7000 - £3,000 / $N/A
 
Budget Road Bike of the Year:
Specialized Allez E5 - £1,000 / $1,200
Cube Attain Pro - £1,099 / $N/A
Trek Domane AL 2 Gen 4 - £1,050 / $1,199.99
Vitus Razor Disc VR - £799.99
 
Urban Electric Bike of the Year:
Cannondale Compact Neo - £2,000 / $1,900
Ridgeback Arcus 3 - £2,999.99 / $N/A
Merida eSpresso CC 675 EQ 2024 - £4,000 / $N/A
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0 EQ - £3,400 / $4,499
Tern NBD S5i - £4,000 / $4,699
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These are our Road Bike of the Year winners!

What are the best mountain bikes on sale in 2024? We have the answers.
Bike of the Year has come around again, and Tom, Rob and Al have been hard at work testing some of the best mountain bikes around. 
In this episode, our tech team discuss the best trail, enduro, full-fat and SL ebikes, following three months of dedicated testing.
For full reviews, head over to BikeRadar.com as we reveal the winners, or keep an eye on our YouTube channel as we present our top-3 winners on film.
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Revealing our Mountain Bike of the Year winners!

In this edition of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical writer Simon von Bromley and senior technical editor Ashley Quinlan discuss Ash’s recent test of £500 alloy wheelsets.

The duo cover off the key winners and losers, deliver some surprising findings and discuss whether a £500 alloy wheelset is worth buying in 2024. 

Finally, Ash shares some of his key thought-provoking takeaways following the test.

Remember, we’d love to hear your opinions about anything discussed in this episode – drop us an email at podcast@bikeradar.com with any questions or comments!
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Six things we learnt testing the latest downhill mountain bikes

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