Velo Podcast

Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, and Lisa Charlebois

We headed into the desert for a massive route, and the desert won. This week, Mike Levy, Lisa Charlebois, and Josh Ross (Logan Jones-Wilkins is still away) recount the war stories from our brutal trip through Death Valley. We’re talking 109-degree heat, heat exhaustion, and gale-force hurricane winds—which makes for a very interesting day when you are riding an aero bike with 65mm wheels.

We break down exactly how the ride fell apart, including why Lisa dropped us on the first major climb and what caused her husband to end up puking on the side of the road.

Before we get into the survival stories, we tackle your listener questions. I explain why I never give exact numbers when quoting aero savings, we offer up some new bike recommendations, and we listen to a gnarly crash recounting. Plus, we debate the new Garmin Edge 1060 and whether voice control on a bike computer actually makes sense.

This week's poll: A big goal goes unfinished. Do you plan a revenge ride, or move on to the next adventure? Let us know in the comments.

Listener Perks:

The Velo Podcast wouldn’t happen without subscribers. We’re offering listeners of the show a special 25% discount on an Outside+ membership. Enter the code velopod at checkout to score these savings, and thank you for your support!

We tally up our most memorable on-bike disasters, look at why World Tour riders are ditching BOA dials for laces, and debate the true cost of the sport. Let us know your worst cycling mistake in the comments!

About This Episode:

This week, Lisa Charlebois, our host Mike Levy, and I (Josh Ross) will be riding in Death Valley when you watch this. With that in mind, we had a discussion—including Logan Jones-Wilkins who will only be on the ride in spirit—all about the mistakes we’ve made.

It starts with Logan giving me a bit of a hard time. The problem is that I’m so risk-averse I don’t actually have a ton of examples. If left to my own devices, I tend to move slowly and plan things carefully to avoid disaster. Mistakes do happen though, and I have a few. Lisa has a few more, and Logan has a few more too. Pretty soon though, this just devolves into the Levy show. Mike is far from risk-averse, and the number of things he’s done with his body moving faster than his ability to contemplate the results is pretty extensive.

We do have some other things to chat about this week before we get into all the Mike Levy disasters, though. Did you know that laces are more aerodynamic than BOA dials? Logan noticed a lot of riders at Worlds seemed to be into laces, so he jumped into why and has some interesting details to share. I also get a chance to share why I suggest that anyone looking for budget-focused shoes might want to think twice about BOA dials.

Then we take some time to answer listener questions, including a dive into why Mike is adamant that cycling isn’t an expensive sport. That discussion happens right around when we also talk about the $6,500 Partington wheels that Pidcock was riding at Worlds. Clearly, the two things are not related. Same story with the 12-speed Dura-Ace Di2 rim brake groupset that apparently still exists for sale.

Support the Channel:

The Velo Podcast wouldn’t happen without subscribers. We’re offering listeners of the show a special 25% discount on an Outside+ membership. Enter the code velopod at https://www.outsideonline.com/membership/ to score these savings, and thank you for your support!

Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins

Inside the Rapha corporate fallout, a boots-on-the-ground Worlds recap, and the strategy behind selling $6,500 wheels.

This week, we dive into road tech, racing drama, and the cycling industry's biggest shakeups. Logan Jones-Wilkins brings us inside the race for the rainbow stripes, while Josh and Logan debate the business logic behind some of the sport's most polarizing gear.

In this episode:

Worlds Recap: Logan’s on-the-ground breakdown of Brandon McNulty’s win and the ridiculous positional rule that nearly upended the women’s race with Kate Courtney.

The Rapha Meltdown: Is its financial restructuring a textbook marketing fail, or was the CEO’s departure actually a calculated, voluntary exit?

High-Dollar Bling: Why a custom Firefly rim-brake bike makes no logical sense but still commands attention, and how $6,500 Partington wheels prove a Western brand can maintain appeal against cheaper Eastern competition.

Listener Q&A: We address the Canyon mounting system corrections, Logan answers for his Haro bike, and Josh shares advice on balancing mileage goals with raising kids.

Listener Perks:

The Velo Podcast wouldn’t happen without subscribers. We’re offering listeners of the show a special 25% discount on an Outside+ membership. Enter the code velopod at checkout to score these savings, and thank you for your support!

Chapter Markers

00:00:00 - Intro: Lisa's Heat Training for the Desert

00:02:17 - Logan at the Montreal World Champs

00:06:21 - A Road-Only Episode Challenge

00:08:53 - Listener Q&A: Grail Mounts, Motivation, Water Bladders & the Old Haro

00:19:58 - Firefly Bicycles: Titanium Rim-Brake Art

00:30:23 - Fran Miller Steps Down & the Rapha Story

00:37:34 - Manufactured Scarcity & Cycling Fashion

00:43:25 - World Champs: The Men's Race & McNulty's Win

00:48:41 - Should Pogačar Be Unbeatable?

00:53:48 - The Women's Race: Vollering vs Kopecky

00:56:35 - Demi's UCI Fine & the Puppy-Paw Rule

00:59:33 - Kate Courtney & the Crash

01:01:56 - Trade Teams vs National Teams

01:05:42 - Tom Pidcock's Partington Wheels

01:14:45 - Wrap-Up & Listener Questions

Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins

This week, we have a full house with Logan Jones-Wilkins, Lisa Charlebois, Mike Levy, and Josh Ross. We kick things off with a massive week in gear news before diving deep into the psychology of ride motivation.

In this episode:

Shimano's Pedal Controversy: Shimano just dropped new pedals, shoes, and cleats that break backward compatibility. Are we excited, or stocking up on new-old-stock?

Canyon Grail Critiques: The latest Grail seems like a great bike in many ways, but Josh brings some sharp criticism regarding a “fun” surprise with the handlebars.

MVDP's Latest Feat: Logan breaks down Mathieu van der Poel's recent achievement and how it might impact the World Championship race. (Plus, an inevitable tangent on aero gains).

The Motivation Equation: How do you get out the door when you just don’t feel like it? After years of riding through major life changes and terrible weather, the crew shares what actually gets them out of bed.

Support the Show:

The Velo Podcast wouldn’t happen without subscribers. We’re offering listeners of the show a special 25% discount on an Outside+ membership. Enter the code velopod at checkout to score these savings, and thank you for your support!

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro & Episode Overview

00:02:10 - Josh's Early Impressions of the Envy Melee V2

00:04:18 - Shimano's New SPD-SL Pedals & Cleats

00:14:39 - The Third-Gen Canyon Grail

00:23:40 - Van der Poel's 174km Solo Breakaway

00:30:40 - Pogačar & World Championships Preview

00:36:26 - Poll Results: 1.6 Watts vs 1 Kilogram

00:38:05 - Josh's Melee vs Factor 1 Aero Testing

00:43:58 - Listener Comments on Aero vs Weight

00:51:19 - Electronic Shifting on Long Rides

00:53:24 - Where Does Cycling Motivation Come From?

Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins

We answer your questions, debate the real-world value of aero bottle cages, and discuss why it makes sense to ride 500km for tacos.

We’ve had some major topics on the show the last few weeks, so this week we are taking a step back a little and answering some questions. We read every comment, and Logan Jones-Wilkins, Lisa Charlebois, and I will often jump in to respond. Mike Levy also reads them, but he actually brings the comments to the show so we can answer them out loud, so to speak.

Before we get to that, though, Levy starts with a question: Have you ever done a ride just for the sake of going somewhere dumb and unimportant? I’ve (Josh Ross) had this idea for years to ride from Los Angeles to the Mexican border for tacos, then back. It’s a 500km ride, and there’s no real point other than to ride a bike. Lael Wilcox once rode all the roads in Alaska for a similar reason. The whole crew is on this week, so we get to talk about our silly reasons for big rides. Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever done anything like that. Or, if you are like Logan and just ride for training, let us know that too.

We also have some news to talk about. Mostly, it comes down to Logan and me (Josh Ross) trying to convince Lisa and Mike that aero matters. For Logan, it’s all about aero gravel tires. He went very deep into the weeds in his article, and there's a good reason for that. Then it’s my turn to talk about the Enve Melee V2 and why it features aero bar tape and aero bottle cages. I also have a question that I am hoping you can help me answer.

To participate you'll have to jump to the [Velo website], but the question is: Would you choose a bike that is 1.6 watts more aero or a bike that is 1kg lighter?

The Velo Podcast wouldn’t happen without subscribers. We’re offering listeners of the show a special 25% discount on an Outside+ membership. Enter the code velopod at checkout to score these savings, and thank you for your support!

00:00:00 - Intro & Vel Membership Code

00:02:08 - Bond Almond Ultra-Endurance Story

00:06:03 - Big Adventure Rides Discussion

00:13:19 - Arrow Gravel Tires from WTB

00:28:02 - Envy Melee V2 & Aerodynamic Handlebars

00:31:38 - Desert Ride Plans (Vegas to Death Valley)

00:41:34 - Q&A Segment Begins

00:42:46 - Front Derailleur Q&A & Comments

00:47:02 - Shimano vs Sram Brakes Debate

00:54:44 - Environmental Impact of Bike Materials

00:58:35 - Gravel Bike vs Mountain Bike Comparison

01:04:16 - Arrow vs Lightweight Bike Poll

01:13:38 - 32-Inch Wheel Comments & Discussion

01:21:16 - Suspension Fork Question

01:22:32 - Closing Remarks & Listener Poll

WTB's New Stromm Collaboration Aero Tires Are Exactly What Gravel Tires Should Be

The Story of a Cyclist, 32 NFL Stadiums, and One Very Important Football

ENVE's New Melee V2 Proves Hyperbikes Don’t Need to Look Insane

Featuring: Mike Levy, John Karrasch, and Jan Heine

Does a 32-inch wheel actually save watts, or is the testing methodology broken? We put Chung Method advocate John Karrasch and vocal critic Jan Heine in the same room to hash out the reality of rolling resistance.

This week, the usual crew steps aside to host a direct debate between two of the most outspoken voices in tire tech. John Karrasch (aka flexfitbyjohn) has generated massive datasets using the Chung Method, recently claiming that adopting 32-inch wheels can improve rolling resistance by up to 10%. On the other side, Rene Herse CEO Jan Heine—a pioneer of supple gravel tires—argues that wheel size ultimately doesn't matter for speed, pointing to historical roll-down tests and potential flaws in the Chung Method's precision.

After a long series of online blog posts and rebuttals, we brought them together to debate the physics, the testing protocols, and the future of gravel geometry face-to-face.

Support The Velo Podcast

This show wouldn’t happen without our subscribers. We’re offering listeners a special 25% discount on an Outside+ membership. Enter the code velopod at checkout to claim your savings.

Episode Timestamps

00:00:00 - Episode Intro & Guest Backgrounds

00:07:51 - Setting Up the 32-Inch Test Bikes

00:12:12 - Understanding the Chung Method for Tire Testing

00:16:18 - The Results: Do 32-Inch Wheels Roll Faster?

00:25:01 - Analyzing the Physics and Approach Angles

00:29:32 - Jan Heine's Counterargument: Wheel Size Doesn't Matter

00:36:58 - The Debate: Is the Chung Method Too Precise?

00:42:36 - Defending the Data and Real-World Variables

01:03:15 - Tire Design Priorities: Casing, Compound, and Pressure

01:17:11 - Tire Inserts and 36-Inch Wheel Possibilities

01:18:57 - 2030 Gravel Bike Predictions & Outro

Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins

This week is easily one of our favorite recent episodes. All four Velo podcast hosts—Lisa Charlebois, Logan Jones-Wilkins, Mike Levy, and myself—are together in the virtual studio, and things get incredibly spicy. Expect a lot of passion and plenty of heated back-and-forth as we debate drivetrain futures, prototype spy shots, and the true definition of bikepacking.

We kick things off with listener questions. What starts as straightforward bike-buying advice quickly devolves into an argument over whether bikepacking is strictly a gravel activity and if camping is actually required. Josh also gets a chance to double down on why there is more to a bike than its spec sheet, specifically making the case for the Cannondale CAAD14.

Next, the conversation shifts to the newly spotted 13-speed Shimano Dura-Ace prototype. Because the system still relies on wires, the analysis quickly spirals into a broader SRAM vs. Campagnolo vs. Shimano showdown. The crew splits on what matters more: Shimano’s shifting precision or the glaring gaps in the rest of the brand's ecosystem.

Finally, the main event. Following a week of dueling op-eds, Logan and Josh bring the drivetrain battle to the microphone. Is 1x the inevitable future of road bikes, or will the slow-to-change road market ensure 2x remains superior? Listen to the arguments, read the articles on the site, and vote in the Velo poll to settle the score.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:52 - Listener questions: Bikepacking definitions and the Cannondale CAAD14

00:25:45 - Shimano 2x13 prototype and the great drivetrain brand war

00:53:41 - 1x vs. 2x on the road

Read More on Velo

Front Derailleurs Are Living on Borrowed Time: Why 1x on the Road Is the Inevitable Future

Opinion: You Can Take My Front Derailleur When I am Dead

The Velo Drivetrain Poll: Is 1x or 2x the Future of Road?

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:

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

Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, and Lisa Charlebois

We air out our worst group ride habits, explain why the CAAD14's aluminum vibe beats cheap carbon, and tackle reader questions.

In this episode:

Toxic Cycling Traits: What's the thing you do on the bike that the group ride probably hates? Levy admits to half-wheeling, I talk too much, and Lisa... well, you'll have to let us know if her trait is actually a big deal.

The Cannondale CAAD14: I’ve had this bike all summer and absolutely love it. We discuss how a mistake by Cannondale made the bike better, why it's an incredible value, and why other reviewers are entirely missing the point. It doesn’t matter that there are cheaper, faster carbon bikes out there; the CAAD14 has an undeniable vibe.

Reader Q&A: With Logan Jones-Wilkins off at Leadville playing at high altitude, Lisa, Levy, and I take over the mic to answer your questions. Would Logan have suggested a Trek endurance bike instead of the gravel bike I recommended? We also touch on the massive new 32-inch Mosaic that launched this week.

We want to hear from you:

What is your toxic cycling trait? Also, have you ridden a CAAD bike and know exactly what I'm talking about, or am I off my rocker and people should just buy cheap carbon instead? Let us know!

Articles covered in this episode:

Review: Cannondale Made a Mistake and the CAAD14 Is Better for It

The New Trek Domane is Too Good to Call an Endurance Bike

The New Mosaic 32 Gravel Bike Fixes 32-Inch Gravel Bikes' Biggest Problem

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.”

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