ShiftLess: Gravel, Bikepacking and Unpaved Bicycle Adventures

In episode 151 of Shiftless, the hosts return to Dusty Roads Lounge/bike shop/bar and discuss a weekend riding Nicko’s Salsa Spearfish 120/120 demo bike, with Deore Di2 and Fox suspension, finding it surprisingly comfortable and capable despite past skepticism about full-suspension bikes; they compare it to other “marathon XC/downcountry” options and note practical features like stable geometry an...

Welcome to Episode 150 of ShiftLess! We made it to a major milestone, and we wouldn't have it any other way than doing what we do best: bicycles and conspiracy theories. This week, Kevin brings actual facts and market research to the table after spending a 100-degree weekend observing riders at the North Shore Trailhead during the Mountain Bike Free For All / Hell on Wheels event. We dive deep...

Brad and Kevin are hot on the mics for Episode 149 of ShiftLess! This week, the guys dive deep into the current state of the cycling industry, looking hard at how the market is begging for a shakeup. They break down the aggressive new pricing from XDS/X Labs and their GT8 gravel bike, and Kevin questions the math of $10,000 acoustic bicycles when a fully capable adventure motorcycle sits at the sa...

Welcome to Episode 148 of ShiftLess! Coming at you straight from the mobile van studio, Kevin and Chef Brad dive deep into the gear trends dominating this year's Tour Divide. From the undeniable takeover of rear racks (shoutout Tailfin) over traditional saddlebags to the absolute dominance of Vittoria Mezcals, we are breaking down what the ultra-endurance crowd is actually running. We also get...

Welcome to Episode 147 of the ShiftLess Podcast! This week, we’re serving up a heavy dose of mental gymnastics, cycling industry conspiracy theories, and... dry-cured meats? Bradford gives us an update from the "cure room," but the real meat of the episode is Kevin’s massive hot take on the sudden explosion of the 32-inch gravel bike hype. After the absolute dominance of the Specialized...

We took the mobile studio down to Lewisville, Texas, to sit down with local legends Carlos and Lisa Uranga at the brand-new Full Gas Cycling Fit Studio. Before we dive into the black magic of bike fitting, Brad and Kevin debrief the absolute mudfest at Unbound 2024. We break down Keegan Swenson's F1-style pit stops, the utter dominance of the Specialized Crux, and the momentum building behind...

Will Unbound Gravel be the proving ground for 32-inch wheels? In episode 145 of the ShiftLess podcast, we dive into the latest industry rumors, including the highly anticipated debut of 32-inch gravel bikes by top-tier pros. We also break down major cycling news, from the unfortunate closure of Niner Bikes to the triumphant return of Paragon Machine Works and SRAM's groundbreaking legal victor...

Kevin and Chef Brad are back in the studio, and this time they’re joined by the king of the Zone 1 Revolution himself, Austin Whittington, fresh off a grueling, wind-blasted win at the Spinistry Red River Riot. In this episode, the crew dives deep into the current state of grassroots gravel racing versus the increasingly commercialized “Instagramification” of the industry. They discuss how event f...

The Unconventional Justin Cary Returns for an Unbound XL Deep Dive! In this episode of ShiftLess, Kevin and Brad sit down with our favorite ultra-endurance rule-breaker, Justin Cary. With Unbound XL right around the corner, we are milking this preview for all it's worth. Justin is gunning to shave three hours off his time from last year, and to do it, he's taking some massive swings with h...

In this solo edition of ShiftLess , host Kevin Lee dives deep into the heart of gravel cycling culture and the reality of ultra-endurance progression . Recording live from "The Distance"—Spinistry’s inaugural Gravel Max Adventure —Kevin explores the diverse paths riders take when transitioning from beginner gravel clinics to daunting 300-mile straight-through efforts. We break down the &...

Is the cycling industry "circling the drain," or is the 32-inch wheel the life preserver it needs? In this episode of ShiftLess , we dive deep into the controversy surrounding the next big wheel size, comparing it to the 29er revolution and discussing its potential for gravel cycling , bikepacking , and high-speed stability. We also check in on the final verification of The USA Trail , s...

In this post- Sea Otter 2026 recap, the ShiftLess crew dives deep into the "internet-breaking" debut of 32-inch wheels and what they mean for the future of gravel cycling . Join Kevin, Brad, and special correspondent Caleb as they unpack the latest from the expo, including a firsthand review of the gravel racing scene at Laguna Seca and the "treacherous" reality of the pro cour...

In this episode of ShiftLess , we’re pulling back the curtain on the ultimate adventure cycling project: The USA Trail . Kevin and Brad just returned from completing the massive 4,100-mile scouting trip, verifying the final unpaved segments from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, to Del Mar, California. We discuss the logistics of a coast-to-coast gravel riding effort, the best seasonal windows for cros...

Can an AI model predict your physical fatigue better than a human coach? In this episode, Kevin and Brad sit down with Caleb to bridge the gap between high-tech data and grassroots grit. Caleb recaps his Top-20 single-speed finish at the Mid-South 100, while we audit the newest gravel machines from Salsa Cycles. We also dive into the "AI Sounding Board" and how large language models are...

How do you maintain a 15-minute gap over a 300-person field for 70 miles solo? In this episode, Kevin and Brad sit down with 2026 Rouge Roubaix Champion Austin Whittington . Austin provides a masterclass in "Cat and Mouse" racing, explaining how he utilized a bottleneck in the St. Francisville gravel sectors to launch a massive solo flyer. We also dive into the "other" side of...

Connect with the Community: Spinistry Events: [Link to Spinistry.com] The USA Trail: [Link to theusatrail.com] Food. Adventures. Memories. Visit us at [Link to https://www.google.com/search?q=FoodAdventuresMemories.com] Follow the Journey: Join us as we scout the transcontinental USA Trail and define the future of BasePacking . Keywords: 32-inch wheel mountain bike, SRAM GX Transmission review, Co...

Are we on the verge of an E-bike motor war, and is the 32-inch wheel finally ready for the Tour Divide? In this episode, Kevin and Brad sit down with Nico from Dusty Roads to audit the massive shifts coming to the bike industry in 2026. From the rumored 1,000-watt DJI motor to the reworking of the legendary Salsa Fargo, we deconstruct the tech that will define the next decade of adventure cycling....

Is your heart rate monitor lying to you, or are you pushing into the red zone without knowing it? In this episode, Kevin and Brad deconstruct the "Heart Rate Mystery" after Brad's monitor hits 182 BPM during a casual conversation on the bike. We dive into the logic of checking your tech ( Garmin vs. Wahoo straps) and when it’s time for a professional blood panel. We also analyze the...

Is the era of "lawless" e-biking coming to an end, and does a gravel bike actually need 2.2-inch tires and dual suspension? In this episode, recorded back at the Casa Verde alcove, Kevin and Brad audit the massive regulatory shift in New Jersey that treats all motorized bikes as motorcycles—requiring registration, licensing, and insurance. We also dive into the technical specs of the Sal...

How do you stop your SPD cleats from turning into a sub-zero heat sink? In this episode, Kevin, Brad, and Caleb hunker down to deconstruct the gear and logic needed for high-performance adventure when the weather turns hostile. We audit the technical debut of Wolf Tooth’s new SPD pedals , analyze the "Heat Sink Effect" of metal cleats in the snow, and dive deep into the rumors surroundin...

Is the ban on drop bars at Leadville about safety, or is it a calculated move by the industry’s biggest brands? In this episode, Kevin and Brad are joined by racer Austin Whittington and master mechanic Nico from Dusty Roads to deconstruct the "conspiracies" and logistical realities of the 2026 bike world. We audit the decision to ban drop bars in Lifetime events, analyze the proportiona...

Is the ban on drop bars at Leadville about safety, or is it a calculated move by the industry’s biggest brands? In this episode, recorded while scouting the upcoming Texas gravel season, Kevin and Brad deconstruct the "conspiracies" and logistical realities of the 2026 bike world. We audit the decision to ban drop bars in Lifetime events, analyze the proportionality logic of 32-inch whee...

Is the 32-inch wheel the "next big thing" the industry is forcing, or is it the logical evolution for the unpaved world? In this episode, recorded after a 40-minute "technical rehearsal" (otherwise known as forgetting to hit record), Kevin and Brad audit the sudden surge of 32-inch wheel hype. We analyze why big-box brands like Specialized might be pushing for a Sea Otter revea...

Is the 32-inch wheel a forced industry fad or the ultimate rollover solution for the transcontinental scout? In this episode, recorded at Nico’s Dusty Roads Bicycles in Argyle, Kevin and Brad reveal a major shift in the brand: ShiftLess is officially self-sponsored by FAM (Food. Adventures. Memories.) and Spinistry . We also provide a complete logistical debrief of the 12-hour Arizona scouting run...

Welcome to ShiftLess episode 127 , where we kick off the New Year by diving deep into the heart of unpaved bicycle culture. In this episode, we visit the newly opened Dusty Roads Bicycle Lounge in Argyle, Texas, to chat with Nico Smith—a master mechanic with over 20 years of experience, including five years as a professional race mechanic for Shimano North America. We explore how a "community...