The BikeRadar Podcast

In the first of our four-part series all about getting into mountain biking, we’re joined by Tom Marvin and Alex Evans to chat everything you need to know about buying your first mountain bike. From which mountain bike discipline suits you best to how much travel you need, what to look for in geometry and components we’d recommend. Besides this podcast, we’ve got heaps of buyer’s guides to check o...

For this bitesized episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, editor-in-chief, George Scott, speaks to Nathan Haas, who enjoyed a ten-year career as a WorldTour professional on the road, before switching to gravel full-time in 2022.  Nathan discusses the unique physiological, technical and tactical demands of gravel, as well as his tech setup, favourite races and targets for 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acas...

Shimano 105 saw an eagerly-awaited update in 2022. In came Di2 electronic shifting and 12-speeds (in a disc brake-only flavour to boot), while mechanical shifting 105 got left behind.   In this podcast, BikeRadar’s road tech maestros Simon von Bromley, Ashley Quinlan and Warren Rossiter delve into our latest four-way bike group test, which featured the previous-generation 105 R7020 groupset.   The...

In this episode of the BikeRadar podcast, digital writer Jack Evans explores what’s powering the popularity of electric bikes.    Jack asks Specialized Globe and Brompton why they’re investing in electric bike technology, while Emily Sinclair from cycling charity Sustrans and Selaine Saxby MP explain their support for ebikes.    Meanwhile, Saul Leiken from Specialized Globe makes the case for elec...

Scott has just launched two new versions of its trail bike, the Genius.  Both feature 150mm of travel at the rear, with 160mm forks, but the new Super Trail line, which also extends to the Spark family, gets more aggressive build kits with a focus on descending capabilities. Our senior technical editor Tom Marvin has ridden the Genius ST and, in this bite-sized episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, ta...

In this special edition of the BikeRadar Podcast, digital writer Jack Evans records live from the UK National Hill Climb Championships in Llangollen, North Wales.    After taking part himself, Jack reports on a totemic event in the UK domestic racing scene.    You’ll hear from the UK’s top climbers, including the women’s and men’s champions, and find out which bikes they rode on the 1.6km climb, w...

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, senior technical editors Tom Marvin, Warren Rossiter and Alex Evans introduce you to the world of electric bikes, covering off a range of topics from the very basics through to more complex issues such as maintenance, reliability and battery capacities. Whether you’re starting your ebike journey or you’re a seasoned super charger, there’s helpful and usefu...

Winter is almost upon us in the UK, and it's fair to say that heading out into the wilds when the wind is blowing and the rain is pouring isn't always the most appealing. However, if you want to keep in shape over the darker months, or just want to get out and about and enjoy your bike, it's still possible to do so when the sun isn't shining. Our senior technical editors, Alex, Warren and Tom, sha...

Canyon has released a steering stabilisation system for the Spectral 29. This discreet system, which sits inside the top tube, provides a self-centring effect on the handlebars. Canyon claims this adds control and stability to calm the handling when things are getting rough at high speeds, or when you’re tackling slow-paced technical sections of trail, improving, the brand says, the connection bet...

In our latest Tech Q&A episode, our tech-heads look at everything from how best to plan and track your rides, on and off road, to which tools realy should be in your tool kit, and how to pick the best handlebar shape for your road bike. There are other hints, tips and guides in there too, so make sure you listen!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your a...

George, Ash and Stan from BikeRadar dissect a bumper week for road and gravel tech, covering the launch of the new Specialized Diverge STR and Bianchi Oltre RC, as well as the return of the Bespoked show. As Specialized’s first take on a full-suspension gravel bike, the Diverge STR introduces Future Shock Rear, a tendon-like system with 30mm of travel. The Oltre RC, meanwhile, is Bianchi’s next-ge...

In this episode, we talk to Vicky Balfour about adaptive bikes. As well as being a regular Mountain Biking UK Magazine and BikeRadar workshop contributor, through her, and her family's love of cycling, Vicky has direct experience using adaptive bicycles and can be regularly found on cycling adventures with her daughter, who rides her own adaptive trike.   In this podcast, Vicky helps guide us thro...

In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast we look a little deeper at tyre inserts. These loops of foam sit inside your tyres, offering puncture protection and improved tyre stability. But, do they work well? Are they worth investing in? And, are they easy to fit?  Our tech-heads Warren Rossiter and Luke Marshall wade in with their experiences of using tyre inserts in their gravel bikes and mountain...

In this episode of the BikeRadart Podast, senior technical writer Simon von Bromley is joined by senior technical editor Ashley Quinlan and digital writer Jack Evans to chat about one of the enduring debates in road bikes: aero vs all-rounder.   They discuss their personal preferences, the key differences between aero and all-rounder roadnikes, recognise the recent blending of the two styles, as w...

What defines a gravel or all-road wheelset? In this episode, Ash, Simon and Oscar discuss the technical differences between gravel, all-road and road wheelsets. What kind of rim width you should be looking for, carbon vs aluminium, hooked versus hookless rims, and how to choose the right wheelset for your needs. For more advice and information, plus our pick of the best gravel wheelsets currently...

Pulling our testing expertise from MBUK issue 413, our full MTB tech team talk through some of the most important, or influential, mountain bikes that'll be gracing our trails in 2023. Some are innovative and some represent the trends we're seeing across the market, from XC race rigs to bike-park slayers. We then give you the lowdown as to how well they ride, and whether the trends they embody are...

With the nights drawing in, we've been flat out testing the best night-riding lights on the market, both up in the depths of the Tweed Valley and in the deepest, darkest Forest of Dean, with our night-riding experts Alex Evans and Luke Marshall. The team delve into the inner workings of lights – the beams, the lumens, batteries and mounts, before we take a quick straw poll about what we love, and...

In this episode of our semi-regular Tech Q&A Podcast, our senior tech team of Alex, Warren and Tom look into downcountry electric mountain bikes, the best kit to wear when the weather doesn't know what it's doing, and how often you should replace your helmet. There's more, too, so tune in for your tech fix.  If you have a question for a future Tech Q&A, don't forget to email us – podcast@bikeradar...

Deputy editor Jack Luke quizzes our senior technical editor Tom Marvin on the latest new mountain bikes. It's been a busy time over in the US, with three of the most prominent brands releasing a host of new bikes. Santa Cruz led the charge, with three of its models receiving an update – the Tallboy, 5010 and Nomad. It's goodbye 27.5in and hello mullet in California. Pivot has recently expanded its...

BikeRadar’s editor-in-chief, George Scott, chats to Trek’s director of road bikes, Jordan Roessingh, about two of this year’s key road launches – the new Trek Madone aero bike and updated Trek Domane endurance bike. Jordan lifts the lid on the Madone’s IsoFlow concept and how Trek has tried to achieve a balance of aerodynamics, lightweight and comfort, as well as explaining why the US brand has mo...

The thrill of heading into the unknown is half of the fun when cycle touring… but sometimes it’s nice to know what to expect. In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke sits down with regular contributor, Katherine Moore, to discuss the tools, tips and tricks they use when planning multi-day cycling adventures.  From simple tips like downloading offline maps to the charmingly nerdy world...

In this week’s edition of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke and Simon von Bromley discuss the latest road bike releases from Cervélo, Trek and Canyon. The pair also discuss the Zwift Hub – the indoor training brand’s first entry into the hardware market – and the recently updated Wahoo Kickr V6.    https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2022-cervelo-soloist/ https://www.bikeradar.com/news/new-canyon-ultima...

BikeRadar’s Ashley Quinlan sits down with Canyon’s Mattias Eurich (product manager) and Lukas Birr (product engineer) at the launch of the new Ultimate CFR road bike. It’s a case of evolution, not revolution, for Canyon’s racy all-rounder – so what’s changed and why? Read our news story on the new Canyon Ultimate: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2023-canyon-ultimate/ Read Ashley’s first ride review...

BikeRadar’s digital writer, Jack Evans, talks to Tom Bell, an elite mountain biker, current UK national hill climb champion and cycling coach, about training with a power meter. Tom, who runs High North Performance coaching, explains what power means for cyclists and why it matters. All kinds of riders can benefit from measuring power, according to Tom, from beginners to advanced, and road riders...

In this episode, BikeRadar's tech team dig a little deeper into mountain bike tyre tech. How are mountain bike tyres made? What is the tyre carcass? How do tread block shapes influence the feel of the tyre? All this and more, in this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices