Velo Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Riding the New 13lb Specialized Aethos & the Limit of Lightness Oct 05, 2025

Show notes

Velo Senior Tech Editor Josh Ross has been testing the second-generation Aethos and explains what’s changed and how it performs out on the road. We also talk about that kinda mostly hidden cable routing, the advances in FEA software that allow more grams to be shaved, and the new Roval Alpinist CLX III wheels that use thermoplastic spokes with titanium ends. Fancy.

Josh also compares the just-released Aethos to the previous version that we had at the Velo Field Test, and Levy forces him to decide between the Specialized and Scott Addict RC.

SRAM VS the UCI & Why Illegal Drivetrains Might Affect You Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Will lower gearing make for safer racing? The UCI thinks so, but it could also make all of SRAM's 1X drivetrains verboten at the highest level of competition without affecting Shimano or Campagnolo. SRAM disagrees, obviously, and has begun legal action in Europe, citing reputational damage and EU competition laws. And as you'd expect, the UCI responded yet again. That and more on this week's episode of Velo Podcast.

Velo Tech Editor Josh Ross and host Mike Levy dig into the details of the UCI's potential 10.46-meter rollout rule and why SRAM's 10-tooth cog doesn't comply, safer courses versus lower gearing, and the UCI's near silence when it comes to so many issues.

We also discuss the UCI president's social media post congratulating Tadej Pogacar on his TT World Champs victory in Rwanda, despite Remco being the actual victor, and we look at Alvin's first impressions of Factor's new Aluto gravel bike.

Riding the 13-Pound Cervelo R5 & Specialized's New Diverge Goes All In on Suspension Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Aero is... not everything? Forget about the wind tunnel, kammtail tube shapes, and 65mm deep rims because Cervelo's just-released R5 proves that light isn't just right, it's also fun. Alvin has been testing the new climbing-focused R5 and tells us what it's like to ride and why it might make more sense than an objectively faster aero bike, especially if you swap the tires.

We headed off-road as Specialized debuted the 4th-generation Diverge gravel bike in Slovenia, and tech editor Josh Ross was there to find out how it performs. He explains all the updates, including room for 2.2" wide tires, its evolved geometry, and why it has an even bigger hole. We also dig into Specialized's decision to spec every model with their Future Shock suspension stem, and how it compares to a heavier and more complex suspension fork.

We also discuss the latest updates to the Garmin 550 and 850 computers as well as Garmin's Rally power meter pedals, now available with rechargeable batteries. And last but not least: the Lazer VeloVox begs the question of who among us needs walkie talkies built into their helmets.

Further reading

Getting to Know Velo Tech Editors Alvin Holbrook and Josh Ross Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Do you dream about reviewing the newest bikes and equipment? In this episode, Levy goes behind the curtains at Velo to find out how Alvin and Josh ended up testing the latest (and sometimes) greatest gear, and what it's like to ride a different bike every other week.
We dig into Josh's origin story, which includes long-distance rollerblading epics, because of course it does, and how his love of photography led him from commercial car shoots in LA to press camps for new bikes in Europe.
Alvin talks about how his time working at bike co-ops shaped his appreciation for the cycling community at large, his background in urban planning, and how he went from covering Sacramento Kings games to Italy to cover Campagnolo's Super Record.

The crew also gets into Alvin's weekend crit race, Josh forcing himself to spend time on 50s, and Levy's four-day mission just to ride a single gravel road.

Shimano's $480 Gravel Shoes, Zwift Partners On Headphones, & MADE Bike Show Highlights Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

This week’s Velo Podcast takes a tech-heavy turn while Mike Levy is away, while Josh and I (Alvin Holbrook) dive deep into the latest gear, updates, and trends shaping cycling.

We kick things off with Wahoo’s firmware updates. Credit to Wahoo, here, as they pushed a series of updates to its first-generation bike computers, experiencing mass file corruptions and problems, a long eight years after the first Elemnt computer was released.

Next up are the new Shimano S-Phyre RX910 gravel shoes, the brand’s first gravel-specific model under its flagship line. At $480, they promise elite-level performance with a supple upper, serious stiffness, and clever pontoons that offer road shoe-like stability. Still, their pedal sensitivity and premium pricing sparked a lively debate on whether “gravel-specific” is worth the investment.

We also tested Zwift’s new over-ear headphones, boasting 50-hour battery life, sweat resistance, and active noise cancellation. At $249, they’re aimed squarely at serious indoor riders, but are they really better than in-ear buds?

From there, Josh shares highlights from the MADE Handmade Bike Show in Portland. Standouts included the fillet-brazed artistry of Ira Ryan, the aero-focused, 3D printed titanium No.22 Reactor, and a bold paint scheme from Black Magic. The show reinforced that road and gravel continue to dominate, but also showcased fresh experiments, like Moots’ monster-cross machine.

Finally, we wrap with a bit of talk before Alvin's last criterium of the season. What bike, wheel, and tire combo should he roll with this weekend? With options like the Canyon Aeroad, Factor Monza, and Specialized Tarmac SL8, plus the latest Roval Rapide CLX III wheels, there's a lot to discuss.

Further reading

00:00 Intro

01:18 Early Wahoo devices are still being updated

03:26 Experiences riding with Shimano's new S-Phyre Gravel shoes

17:20 Zwift has new (branded) headphones

28:20 MADE Bike Show: Josh's favorite bikes

55:15 Waffling about pre-crit gear choices

Lessons from Riding 610 km in Three Days & Real-World Aero Testing Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

On this week’s Velo Podcast, we’re asking the hard questions: Why would anyone pay $50 to effectively suffer through a 20 km FTP test? And who rides 610 km in three days on a race road bike… on purpose?

Alvin Holbrook did the former, signing up for a local time trial with less than 48 hours to prepare. Instead of tapering, he went full aero-nerd — swapping wheels, testing tires, fiddling with bars, and even breaking out the Chung Method to measure aero drag to find the fastest setup. Did it actually make him faster, or was it just a way to distract himself from the inevitable pain of the start ramp?

Meanwhile, Josh Ross redefined commitment to aero. Not only did he ride the Swift Summit 200 (that’s 328 km in a single day) but he also rode 150 km to the start and 150 km home. Over three days, that’s over 610km on a Colnago Y1RS, topped off with a time trial helmet worn for nearly 24 hours. Why? We’re not sure either, but he’s here to explain.

We also talk about the Fara Gr4 gravel bike, a race bike with a weird handlebar/stem setup and 57 mm tire clearance that has really piqued Alvin's interest.

Free speed on the bike, CdA calculations, endless miles, and maybe a touch of madness: this week’s episode has it all.

Further reading

0:00 Intro

4:00 Fara Gr4 talk

9:49 Testing to find the fastest gear for a time trial

34:05 Josh does the Swift Summit 200

1:09:09 What's coming next

Hookless Rims: Lighter, Faster, & More Dangerous? Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

If hookless rims weigh less while being more aero and stronger than the antiquated and surely inferior hooked rim design, why are some of us so hesitant about using them?

Today's show features Velo editors Josh Ross and Alvin Holbrook debating which rim design makes the most sense, while Levy questions whether changing from the proven hooked system is even worth the hassle. The guys also dig into loose-fitting tires, ever-changing compatibility lists, and whether pressure limits matter or not.

00:00 intro 02:30 Josh got a nail through his rim 13:00 Hook vs hookless on the road 22:10 dimensional consistency and tire pressure choice? 30:10 Why is there fuzziness in compatibility? 35:00 Claimed benefits of hookless 47:00 Issues with secondary and tertiary owners 1:01:20 conclusion

Further reading

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's Madeleine Masterclass – Tour de France Femmes Wrap-Up Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Three years to win the Tour de France Femmes? Not so much. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot had said that it would take that long for her to transition from World Cup MTB competition to the very different challenges of multi-day road racing, but stage 8 showed that she's far ahead of schedule.

Andrew Hood and Shane Stokes discuss her historic performance on the Col de la Madeleine that saw the Jumbo-Visma rider tempo away from Vollering and the other GC contenders in dominant yet measured fashion, and Levy wonders just how much danger she was in after being distanced the following day. They also get into why the TdFF doesn't finish in Paris, adding more stages, and why it might be better to hold the Femmes race before the Tour de France.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected