Bike theft decriminalised? Plus NEW Shimano groupset, UCI helmet rules and more…
On this week’s episode of the BikeRadar news podcast, Jack Luke is again joined by Simon von Bromley to discuss the biggest tech stories in cycling this week. First up, Jack and Simon discuss the UCI’s recently updated helmet regulations for the 2026 road racing season. As all too often, the updated rules appear to leave plenty of room for riders and teams to be creative – or perhaps even to keep using certain time trial helmets in road races. They then discuss Shimano’s new polished-silver CUES groupset – could it be a sign of more shiny things to come from the Japanese component giant? Following that, Jack grills Simon on the latest piece in his series on the ‘state of play’ in hookless rims, and why the professional rider’s union wants to see them banned. Lastly, Jack introduces last week’s top-performing story on BikeRadar – which also happens to be his ‘rant of the week’ – which was the news that the British Transport Police will not investigate bike thefts at train stations where the bike has been left for more than two hours. Needless to say, Jack and Simon aren’t impressed. The UCI has just clarified its new helmet regulations – but it's left me with more questions than a… Is this polished-silver CUES groupset a sign Shimano is finally listening to riders? Pro riders want hookless rims banned – do they have a future in road cycling? Bikes stolen at train stations after being left for more than two hours will not be investigated Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
10 Okt 34min
Specialized Aethos 2, next-gen Shimano pedals leaked, UCI cost caps and more…
In this week’s BikeRadar news podcast, Jack Luke is once again joined by Simon von Bromley to discuss the latest hot stories in bike tech. We kick things off with a Shimano leak that suggests the Japanese brand may be working on a set of power meter pedals for its next generation road groupsets. Next, we move on to the new Specialized Aethos 2, which has been updated to include full integrated cable routing, wider tyre clearance and a less aggressive geometry. It’s also as light and expensive as ever, of course. We also discuss Tadej Pogačar’s tricked-out Colnago Y1Rs from the Rwanda world championships, and speculate why the Slovenian rider switched to Continental’s new Archetype tyres for this race. Finally, instead of ending with a ‘rant of the week’, Simon and Jack give a rare shoutout to the UCI for its recently announced cost cap for track cycling bikes and equipment, which will be introduced ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics Games in 2028. I've spotted an unreleased Shimano pedal system – and it looks like the product we've been waiting … The Aethos 2 is the lightest production bike Specialized has ever made at 5.98kg UCI announces price caps for 2028 Olympic track bikes and equipment Tadej Pogačar's tricked-out Colnago Y1Rs for the Rwanda World Championships – new tyres, custom whe… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2 Okt 36min
Giant bikes held at US border over forced labour allegations, SRAM vs UCI beef explained, Sea Otter Europe Recap and more…
On this week’s episode of the BikeRadar news podcast, Jack Luke is joined by Simon von Bromley to discuss the biggest tech stories in cycling this week. Leading with the news that Giant bikes are being held at the US border due to allegations of forced labour and “undercutting American businesses”, Jack and Simon discuss the biggest tech tidbits from the Sea Otter Europe trade show and explain why SRAM has taken legal action against the UCI. Wrapping things up, Jack and Simon discuss last week’s top news story – as voted by your clicks – and Jack explains why, in his opinion, loud freehubs are an abomination. Trump administration bars Giant Bicycles imports to the US, citing forced labour allegations Why is SRAM taking legal action against the UCI? This tiny brand could challenge SRAM's UDH dominance with new direct-mount derailleur One of road cycling's most iconic shoes has finally been updated Dangerholm's mind-bending gravel bike weighs only 7.19kg – but its components are even more interes… I’ve just found Pogačar’s 2018 race bike – it's mismatched, beat up, and cooler than an… Why don't bike manufacturers adopt a universal system for aligning the stem in the correct position? Loud freehubs are a crime against good manners – and there’s a better way Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
26 Sep 44min
Vitus is BACK! Plus Bradley Wiggins’ £515 Olympic track bike, and more
Jack Luke is joined by Simon von Bromley are back for another episode of the BikeRadar News Podcast. This time, the pair discuss Vitus’ return from the dead, the revival of the tri-spoke, a wild bargain for sports memorabilia hunters, and Simon’s take on the new crop of hybrid TT/aero helmets. - Read more on Simon’s helmet test: https://www.bikeradar.com/features/opinion/time-trial-helmets-for-road-cycling-test - Vitus back from the dead: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2026-vitus-hardtails-nucleus-sentier - AeroCoach’s new wheels: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/aerocoach-thunderbolt-tri-spoke-wheel - Bradley Wiggins’ Olympic bike on eBay: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/bradley-wiggins-2000-olympics-bike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
18 Sep 32min
Garmin’s frighteningly expensive power meter pedals, the new Specialized Diverge and more
Jack Luke is joined by Simon von Bromley and Ollie Smith to break down the biggest tech stories in cycling this week. The team dive into Garmin’s new Rally power meter pedals and Edge computers, with Simon offering his take on the steeply priced pedals. Ollie shares his first impressions of the freshly launched Specialized Diverge 4, which brings bigger tyre clearance, tweaked geometry and the latest Future Shock suspension. Looking back to last week’s top story on BikeRadar, Tom Marvin asked ChatGPT to design the mountain bike of the future – with results ranging from realistic to wildly fanciful. And in Rant of the Week, we argue the case for more shiny groupsets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
12 Sep 37min
Tech Q&A: How to make your gears easier, set up cleats like a pro, and more
In this month’s BikeRadar Tech Q&A, we tackle another batch of your tech questions. We cover everything from keeping your drivetrain spotless without contaminating your disc rotors, to whether tubeless tyres are more likely to blow off the rim in a puncture. We also discuss chain wear on mid-drive e-bikes and how to set up Shimano MTB cleats like a pro. Elsewhere, we answer your questions on wheel upgrades for gravel, upgrading 7-speed gearing for easier climbing, and tricky shifting issues with wide-range cassettes. If you’ve got a question for the team, send it into podcast@bikeradar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
7 Sep 44min
The trends defining road and gravel tech in 2025
Join BikeRadar’s digital editor Jack Luke and road tech gurus Warren Rossiter and Ashley Quinlan as they discuss the key takeaways and trends from this year’s Road Bike of the Year awards.Find out why they think tech integration is the future for all bikes, perfect spec is more important than ever, and why gravel bike divisions are here to stay, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
5 Sep 41min
How we buy cycling bib shorts NEEDS to change
In this edition of the BikeRadar Podcast, Simon von Bromley discusses the challenges of buying bib shorts in 2025 with Ashley Quinlan. Ashley is dissatisfied with the dominant window-shopping method of buying bib shorts and thinks we all deserve a better way. Today's episode is supported by Insta360 and the new GO Ultra, the tiny 4K camera that goes everywhere with you. Visit store.Insta360.com and use the code "RADAR" for a free 128 GB micro-SD card. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
31 Aug 37min
