Velo Chumps

This week the Chumps tackle the big topic on everyone's mind - handlebar width! Chad has a unique take on what is really behind the UCI making this handlebar width rule and other rules in the name of "safety." We also discuss some new recently released groupsets, including the new wireless 1x12 GRX that was announced today. We have some opinions on this GRX and Shimano's approach to gravel. The factoid this week is around the Camp-spiracy, so listen all the way through hear what that is!

This week the Chumps talk about some new groupsets and what they mean for us Chumps. We also discuss a wild new aero bike spotted in the World Tour and how that might affect our Sunday coffee rides. Finally, in lieu of a factoid, we discuss a listener question about what changes on their bike will make their commute faster. Chad has some good tips, so don't miss that part!

After a hiatus while we recovered from a race (we tell you that story) the Chumps are back! Chad and Eric discuss a variety of topics, which are seemingly unrelated. Other than the fact that they will all probably lead to higher prices for bikes. Most importantly, Mike Green sent us a factoid that you don't want to miss, so listen to the end for that.

The Chumps had the privilege to talk to Stu Garwick who has been a legendary figure in the history of the Ten Thousand Gravel ride and gravel riding in the Driftless area of the US Midwest. Even if you don't know Stu's name, rest assured he helped make Gravel (not GRVL) what it is today. Give this episode a listen to hear about where gravel came from, how the Ten Thousand plays a role in that, and what riding your bike on gravel roads is really about. You might even find the elusive "Spirit of Gravel" along the way.

If this show inspires you, register for the Ten Thousand here:

https://www.bikereg.com/ride-ten-thousand-2025

Please register even in you are on the fence, but you shouldn't be on the fence, you should do it!

This week the Chumps start off with some GREAT news before moving on to a discussion of the new mechanical SRAM Transmission, and what that means for chumps. Then we take on the question of whether cycling is a professional sport, or not. Ryan gets some homework for a two part factoid so listen to the end to hear about his assignment.

This week the Chumps talk to Jack Peck, organizer of some of the most exciting, and challenging, Ultra races in the Midwest. Jack talks about why you should register for the Mishigami Challenge and the Driftless Dagger, but he also gives us a lot of insight into Ultra racing and riding in general, something us Chumps are not very experienced with. If the show inspires you (of course it will!) check out the Midwest Ultra Cycling website here:

https://www.midwestultracycling.com

You can find links to each race there along with social media links to follow along with the fun!

This week the Chumps take on the wide tire craze that is gripping the bike world. Do you need to throw out your current gravel bike? Also, some pros (or at least one) are experimenting with 150mm cranks. Does that mean us Chumps need to run to the bike shop for a switch? Answers to your most burning cycling questions inside! Chad ends the show with a factoid related to the new My Canyon custom program.

This week the Chumps take a trip down memory lane to a past episode where Chad made a prediction. We listen to his old prognostication and discuss how close his prediction matches reality, and also the implications now that we have seemingly arrived in the future. We also talk a little racing and about a new product from our friends at Silca. Ryan closes the show with a factoid, and he even asked for some listener participation.

This week we have tech industry connoisseur James Huang on the show! James talks about the state of cycling media and his new independent publication, N-1. He also tells us a little bit about what it is like to be a tech editor in the cycling space in general. We then get some of James' insights into the bike industry, and what he likes about the gravel segment in particular (don't worry though - we did touch on internal cable routing). James closes the show with a factoid blast from the past that you won't want to miss.

Check out N-1 here:

https://nminus1bikes.substack.com

Consider subscribing and supporting James and his work.

This week, for the first time, we have a guest Chump on the pod. Jonathan Toups joins me, to talk about some of cycling's "rules". This comes off the heels of the last episode where we gave Ryan some grief for running so much, and we wanted to address the reality that, like most of cycling's "rules", giving runners grief is quite silly. No factoid this week because Ryan had one, but he backed out of the pod last minute - something that truly deserves grief.