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This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

ShiftLess

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by ShiftLess Hosts Hooked on Gravel, Bikepacking and MTB

4.9(38 reviews)

150 episodes

Updated Daily

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GoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

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Podcast Overview

Welcome to ShiftLess, the bicycle podcast where curiosity meets total confusion. Hosted by Brad and Kevin, we are a couple of "chuckleheads" easily distracted by new bike tech and adventure cycling gear. We ask the big questions (and the totally irrelevant ones) so you don’t have to. While we lean heavily into gravel cycling, bikepacking, and mountain bike adventures, we cover anything that rolls. We bring in the experts to explain the world of ultra-endurance riding and route scouting in terms even we can understand.

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🇺🇲

Publishing Since

3/3/2023

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Engagement71

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Recent Episodes

June 24, 2026

Tour Divide Updates, The $3,200 Carbon Superbike, and Surviving Texas Traffic | Shiftless #149

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 same price point.The conversation also covers the sharp end of the Tour Divide, the ongoing debate over "weight weenie" culture versus the rise of 32-inch wheels for big-power riders, and the reality of navigating Texas roads on two wheels. Plus, Kevin shares his own struggles with knee pain and the mental hurdles of getting back on the bike after a hiatus, while Brad serves up details on upcoming F.A.M. culinary pop-ups and a rye whiskey pairing with Sagamore Spirits.Throw in some updates on Spinistry routes, the upcoming Gainesville bike swap and hostel concept, and a little local trail talk, and it’s a packed hour.Keywords:Gravel cycling, bikepacking, Tour Divide 2026, X Labs GT8, XDS bikes, 32-inch wheels, adventure motorcycles, acoustic vs e-bikes, Idaho Stop law, Texas cycling infrastructure, Spinistry, ShiftLess podcast, endurance mountain biking, FKT. Shifless Ep. 149: Tour Divide Tracking, 32-Inch Wheels, and X Labs Disrupting Bike PricesIn episode 149 of “Shifless,” the hosts chat about Father’s Day, summer paranoia when life is going well, and wildlife in the yard before shifting to bikes. They discuss Tour Divide leader Victor Bossoni’s pace versus the 13d 2h 16m record and how reroutes and shifting courses complicate FKT comparisons, contrasting that with changing routes at events like Unbound. They revisit 32-inch wheel debates, suggesting bigger, more powerful riders may benefit and speculating Specialized could drive adoption (even imagining a future 32-inch Roubaix) while emphasizing the need for affordable, durable bikes. They highlight XDS/X Labs’ aggressively priced GRX Di2 carbon gravel bike with a power meter and the market disruption affecting dealers. The conversation also covers upcoming Eurobike, proposed May cycling-hostel HQ in Gainesville, a September bike swap/clinics weekend possibly paired with Midnight Massacre, bar/food collaboration ideas, and a North Shore endurance ride. They note knee issues, road paving impacting gravel, cycling-car hostility, and travel plans.00:00 Windy Welcome Back00:10 Episode 149 Check In00:41 Paranoia and Burnout Talk01:39 Father's Day Recap03:07 Yard Wildlife Break03:34 Tour Divide Leaderboard06:32 FKT Records and Reroutes09:55 32 Inch Wheels Debate13:02 Specialized Market Predictions17:30 XDS X Labs Price Disruption18:16 Motorcycles Versus Bike Prices28:14 Eurobike and Event Planning29:04 Bike Hostel in Gainesville30:56 Bike Swap and Midnight Massacre36:44 Cocktails and Kitchen Collab38:06 Commissary Kitchen Talk38:43 Pop-Up Dinner Praise39:19 Sagamore Spirits Pairing40:23 Travel Plans Nebraska43:50 Cycling Laws and Safety45:44 Road Rage Bike Hate47:47 Oil Politics and Bikes52:09 Trail Construction Update54:18 Knee Pain and Recovery57:46 Checking In on Rich01:01:22 Gravel Roads Changing01:03:36 Sanger Bridge Reopens01:07:06 Road Trip Music Chat01:08:27 Upcoming Events Northshore01:11:11 Endurance MTB Loop Plans01:13:44 Wrapping Up and Roll Out

June 17, 2026

Tour Divide Bikepacking Setups, XDS Disrupting Carbon, & The New Era of PEDs | ShiftLess Ep. 148

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 into the weeds on Scott's flat-bar Scale RC—is a 20lb rigid mountain bike really a "gravel" bike?—the disruptive arrival of X-Labs and XDS in the carbon market, and why we are still waiting for that 32-inch wheel revolution to finally hit the dirt.Then, things get real as we tackle the elephant in the peloton: performance-enhancing drugs. Are massive "carbs per hour" claims and extreme ketone use just a convenient mask for a new era of undetectable PEDs? We compare modern cycling's explosive power numbers to the Lance Armstrong and Mark McGwire eras of sports.Plus, an exciting USA Trail update as the Florida segment is officially done and dusted, some pop-culture nostalgia, and Chef Brad walks us through his insane 9-course summer pop-up dinner menu.<ul><li>Tour Divide Gear Check: The massive shift from saddlebags to rear racks, Garmin vs. Coros Dura, and the missing 32-inch test bikes.</li><li>Industry Shakeups: Scott's Scale Gravel RC blurring the MTB lines and how XDS might completely disrupt carbon bike pricing.</li><li>The PED Conspiracy: A candid discussion on TRT, ketones, and whether the pro peloton is quietly slipping back into its old ways.</li><li>USA Trail Update: Florida scouting is completely verified and finished.</li><li>Off The Bars: Hawk attacks in the yard, 25 years of The Fast and the Furious, and Chef Brad's 95-degree friendly 9-course culinary masterclass.</li></ul>Tags/Keywords:Tour Divide 2024, Bikepacking Gear, Tailfin Rack, Gravel Cycling, Scott Scale Gravel RC, XDS Bikes, PEDs in Cycling, Pro Peloton Doping, USA Trail Route, Basepacking, ShiftLess PodcastIn This Episode:Shiftless Ep. 148: Tour Divide Preview, Gear Trends, 32-inch Wheels, and Doping TalkIn Shiftless episode 148, the hosts preview the Tour Divide and discuss last year’s fastest time by Robin (11 days, 19 hours, 14 minutes) being ineligible due to reroutes, then review Bikepacking.com’s rig data: no 32-inch bikes in the field, rear racks now dominate (about 77%) led by Tailfin, flat bars slightly outnumber drop bars, Salsa remains the biggest brand (mostly Cutthroats) though with reduced share, Mezcal tires are most common, and electronic drivetrains and Coros Dura computers are more prevalent. They debate Scott’s marketing around 32-inch prototypes and a rigid flat-bar “Scott Scale Gravel RC” listed as a gravel bike, and reflect on generational gaps and monoculture. 00:00 Tour Divide Preview Kickoff00:28 Record Pace Reality Check01:20 Gear Teasers And Hot Takes03:39 Reroutes And Last Year Recap04:52 Surprise Visitor Interruption06:47 Back To Divide Gear Trends09:04 Racks Droppers And Old School12:43 Brands Tires And Bike Computers19:16 No 32s And Scott Marketing23:08 Scott Scale Gravel Confusion24:33 Generational Gap And Monoculture31:08 Cycling’s Missing Youth32:21 Marketing to New Riders33:53 Scott Bike Lineup Hunt34:58 Steroids and Spectacle37:49 Is That Really Gravel40:59 Doping Returns Debate51:52 Fast and Furious Detour54:15 Better Call Saul Talk58:50 Backyard Hawks and Snakes01:00:35 USA Trail and Industry News01:04:46 Will Prices Backtrack01:05:21 China Subsidy Advantage01:06:05 Carbon Rims and Rebrands01:08:07 China vs Taiwan Fact Check01:09:39 XDS Scale and Market Reality01:11:14 E-Bike Market Direction01:13:58 Tour de France and Side Tangents01:16:47 Wildlife Yard Interlude01:19:15 Pop-Up Dinner Menu Breakdown01:23:15 Rides Weather and Moto Luggage01:26:02 Tour Hype and Doping Debate01:34:45 Where Supplements Become Doping01:38:25 Lance Era Doubt and Wrap-Up

June 9, 2026

The Crux of the Matter: Is 32" Just a Distraction? | ShiftLess Ep. 147

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 Crux at Unbound Gravel (taking 4 of the top 6 spots), are competitors like Scott and Trek pushing 32-inch prototypes as vaporware just to freeze Specialized's sales momentum? We break down the timeline, compare the 32" hype machine to the slow burn of the original 29er mountain bikes, and discuss whether the industry is actually innovating or just scrambling for survival.Plus, we talk Keegan Swenson's Unbound tactics, the upcoming Tour Divide, and why flat-bar drops might be the next frankenbike trend at Leadville.Disclaimer: We aren't industry insiders. This is just our opinion, our observations, and a lot of unapologetic bike nerdery.<ul><li>Join the Pack: Check out upcoming grassroots gravel & ultra-endurance events at <a href="https://www.spinistry.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spinistry.net</a></li><li>Listen on the Go: Find ShiftLess on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your audio.</li></ul>#GravelCycling #32InchBike #SpecializedCrux #UnboundGravel #ShiftLessPodcast #CyclingIndustry #BikeTech #GravelRacing #MountainBiking #TourDivide #ScottBikes #KeeganSwenson #Bikepacking #CyclingPodcast #SpinistryShiftless Ep. 147: Salami in the Cure Room, Unbound Debrief, and the 32-Inch Gravel ConspiracyIn Episode 147 of Shiftless, the hosts open by disclaiming they’re sharing opinions, then detour into Bradford’s “cure room” and his salami projects (beef, Calabrian pork tenderloin, and ventricina-style), explaining drying to ~40% loss and vacuum-sealing to equalize moisture. They pivot to bicycles with an Unbound debrief and a debate over 32-inch wheel hype, noting only one appeared in the pro race while Robin won XL on a Scott 32-inch prototype. They argue the new Specialized Crux dominated results and discuss team dynamics, marketing, and concerns about Specialized dealer pricing. Kevin proposes a conspiracy that 32-inch hype was amplified to slow Crux momentum among early adopters, while Bradford contends big brands are quietly developing 32s and hype moves faster now. They also preview a delayed Tour Divide episode, discuss parts availability for 32s in ultra events, note tracking tools, and touch on Leadville’s drop-bar ban.00:00 Rolling in HD00:23 Opinions Disclaimer01:22 Cure Room Salami02:26 Salami Tasting Notes04:52 Back to Bicycles05:57 Unbound 32 Inch Recap07:02 Team Orders Talk09:23 Specialized Dealer Drama10:50 Crux Dominates Unbound11:40 Tour Divide Plans12:46 Marketing and Tire Clearance16:24 32 Inch Hype Timing22:23 Vaporware Argument23:21 Boutique vs Big Brands26:50 Fads and Fueling Trends28:52 Who Drives the Hype30:11 Sea Otter Reality Check30:55 Will Big Brands Debut 32s34:30 Hype Cycle vs Reality38:25 Development Cycles Explained39:03 MTB Platform Confusion39:41 Scott 32 Prototype Strategy44:19 Hype Cycle vs Reality48:36 Tour Divide Practicalities53:25 Salsa Size Debate55:23 Bikepacking Bags and Fit57:03 AC Troubles and Costs01:02:00 Industry Survival and 32 Adoption01:09:01 Leadville Bars and Specialized01:12:48 Unbound Results and Rider Stories01:19:42 Tour Divide Lists and Tracking01:21:52 Wrap Up and Sign Off

150 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is ShiftLess?: Welcome to ShiftLess, the bicycle podcast where curiosity meets total confusion. Hosted by Brad and Kevin, we are a couple of "chuckleheads" easily distracted by new bike tech and adventure cycling gear. We ask the big questions (and the totally irrelevant ones) so you don’t have to.

While we lean heavily into gravel cycling, bikepacking, and mountain bike adventures, we cover anything that rolls. We bring in the experts to explain the world of ultra-endurance riding and route scouting in terms even we can understand.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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