Bikerumor Podcast

A couple of episodes ago, I interviewed my friend Christian about his experience as a black cyclist working in the industry. I invited him back to co-interview this week's guest, Rahsaan Bahati. Rahsaan's a multi-multi-multi-time national champion pro road racer who's been on some of the top, and most controversial, teams. In this episode, he shares how he got into cycling, his experience in the peloton and now leading a team, a foundation, and helping nurture the next generation of racers. If you're tuning in sometime in the future, we recorded this on June 9, 2020, about two weeks after George Floyd's murder sparked massive Black Lives Matter protests across the nation. In that light, we discuss Rahsaan's experiences as a black man racing and winning in a predominantly white sport, and wrap up with a few ideas on how all of us can help introduce a more diverse audience to the sport we all know and love so much…cycling. One quick note: about 5 minutes in Rahsaan's signal gets a little warbly, but it goes away within a minute, and you can still make out the conversation. Enjoy! WANT MORE? Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW TYLER Like us? Love us? Follow your host on social @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG).

This weekend was set to host the Downhill World Cup at Fort William, Scotland. In the absence of racing, we caught up with an athlete who’s raced that track no fewer than 13 times over the last 8 years, a rider set to inspire a generation of aspiring downhill racers, the 2013 Junior World Champion, Tahnee Seagrave. We chatted with Tahnee on June 4th, at a time when she’s recovering from injury at her home in North Wales, contemplating the ever illusive 2020 race season. We talk about how she’s keeping herself busy with rehab during lockdown, her memories of racing Fort William and her new relationship with Canyon. WANT MORE? Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I'm recording this on Friday, June 5th, almost one week after the Black Lives Matter protests started and spread throughout the country. To say this is an interesting time in our history is an understatement. And to say I'm curious about where we go from here, equally so. I like asking questions. I like learning. And I like talking to interesting people. And this week, I got to do just that with my friend Christian. He's black, he's a cyclist, and he's been in the cycling industry for almost two decades. In this episode, we have a candid chat on his back porch about how he's feeling right now, what it's like being african american in a predominantly white industry, and more It's an awesome conversation, and I'm seriously stoked that I have friends like that who are open to having the conversations that matter. I sincerely hope you enjoy this episode. Hit us up on social and let me know what you think...we're @bikerumor on all the major platforms. And if you like, please share it with your friends. FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW TYLER & WATTS Like us? Love us? Follow your host on social @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)  

Budnitz Cycles is one of those brands that has definitely elicited strong emotions over the years, and they've made some beautiful bikes. So it came as quite a shock to me when they posted that they were shutting down. I wondered why, so I called Paul up to get the scoop. And his answer? Well, let's just say this conversation does not disappoint. It's short, just 20 minutes, but worth a listen. And his advice for wanna be entrepreneurs at the end is priceless. Real quick, before we get started, can you look at your podcast player real quick and hit Subscribe? Thanks, and if you dig this episode and the others, give us a five start review. That stuff really helps, more than you can imagine. Thanks! WANT MORE? Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW TYLER Like us? Love us? Follow your host on social @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

Ever wonder why people would run a smaller wheel on the back of their mountain bike? Or a larger fork and wheel up front and create what's affectionately known as a "mullet"? So did we, so we reached out to Mullet Cycles' founders to get them to explain the benefits of a mixed wheel setup. Handling is one of them, but there's a lot more to it than that. We also discuss the history of how bicycles came to be standard with two same size wheels, and why moto mixes smaller wheels front or rear depending on the application. We kick things off with some of their own history and why they started a bike brand specifically to make bikes with different wheel sizes. It's a fun conversation that may just have you considering a mullet for your next mountain bike! WANT MORE? Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW TYLER Like us? Love us? Follow your host on social @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

These are tough times for many folks and industries, and the bicycle industry is no exception. But, after talking with PUSH Industries' founder Darren Murphy, we're seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. In this episode, we talk about how there are actually quite a few opportunities for growth, tons of jobs to be had, and how anyone can get into them. It's a bit of a random conversation, ranging from automation, modern manufacturing, jobs, and how they are personally handling the forced shutdowns during the COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. But it's worth a listen to hear how you, or someone you know, could break into the cycling industry with a high paying job, great benefits, and work for some pretty killer companies! Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! WANT MORE? Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW TYLER Like us? Love us? Follow your host on social @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

ENVE is pushing tubeless hard across all of their wheels and rims. And not just to all of us, but to their sponsored pro team riders, too. In this episode, we talk with them about how they tested their wider AR-series wheels with the pros. The process led to NTT deciding to use them not just for the cobbled classics, but wanting them for every race going forward! We also talk about: How a hookless rim design can work for higher pressure road bike tire applications How and why they test so many different brand road tires before approving them for use on their rims What those tests mean for future road tire development What else is coming from ENVE for hookless, tubeless road rims For more info on the hookless rim design and ENVE in general, check out their AASQ post, too. Huge thanks to Jake and Neil for joining us on the Bikerumor Podcast! To see their full lineup, head over to ENVE's website. For full show notes, images showing how tubeless tires should fit onto rims and more, visit this episode's post here. FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World’s Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And follow your host on social at @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

In this episode, VanDOit’s cofounders talk about some of the most important parts of outfitting a custom van to handle any environment. We start off with insulation and sound damping, two things that can create real headaches for DIYers. We also discus A/C and heat, toilets and showers, and which other creature comforts you really need (or don't) to make your #Vanlife super sweet! WANT MORE? Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW TYLER Like us? Love us? Follow your host on social @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

We're back for part 2 of our Future of Gravel roundtable conversation.  If you missed the first one, I'd recommend catching that if you want to learn more about the history of some of the US's largest, most popular gravel races, and how they're making their races more diverse and getting more women involved. We have owners of Crusher in the Tushar, Dirty Kanza, Rebecca's Private Idaho, The Mid South, which was formerly known as The Land Run 100, SBT Gravel in Steamboat Colorado, and Pete Stetina, who's a pro racer that's just launched his own gravel ride event called Pay Dirt. All MC'd by gravel racer Yuri Hauswald in a casual setting, this episode kicks off with him getting Pete going on the subject of pros taking over the front of the pack. If you like this episode and the other, more casual conversations we're having with the people behind the brands, event and tech, hit that Subscribe button on your favorite podcast player. And if you really love it, when you queue up that next episode, take a sec and leave us a rating and review, those really matter and we really appreciate it! Thanks! Next up, we'll return to our three part Van Life series with VanDOit to wrap up the conversation on how to  customize your own camper van, Sprinter or Ford Transit! FIND US IN YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW YOUR HOST Like us? Love us? Follow Tyler at @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

Ready to get your gravel on? At this winter's ENVE Gravel Camp, they brought out several of the biggest names in gravel races. We round tabled with the promoters and owners of Crusher in the Tushar, Dirty Kanza, Rebecca's Private Idaho, The Mid South, which was formerly known as The Land Run 100, SBT Gravel in Steamboat Colorado, and Pete Stetina, who's a pro racer that's just launched his own gravel ride event called Pay Dirt. MC-ing the discussion is gravel racer extraordinaire Yuri Hauswald, and he brings us through all the major topics affecting gravel cycling and racing today. Everything from why gravel is so hot right now, how they've built their races so big (or why they've chosen not to), getting more women to show up and how the industry can do better, and what effect it'll have when the pros really start showing up and crushing us mere mortals. It's a lot, running a hair over two hours, so we split this into two parts. If you want to know what the state of gravel riding and racing is, this conversation will both enlighten and entertain! FIND US IN YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW YOUR HOST Like us? Love us? Follow Tyler at @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

In this episode, VanDOit’s mad scientist Jared McCauslin talks us through everything we ever wanted to know (and didn’t know to ask) about custom electrical systems for your camper van, Sprinter, Transit or whatever adventure vehicle you’re building. We talk about the pros and cons of Solar Power, how and why to use it, what it will and won’t do, and how much you need for your adventure camper van. They put about 400W on a standard install, and say it pays for itself in about year three by saving on battery replacements. More importantly, it helps keep everything electrical running efficiently, serves as a backup to make sure your car will start, and gives you enough juice to run a few conveniences in the evening.’ But it’s about more than just the number of watts your solar panels can pump out. It’s also about the type of batteries you have. The most common battery types for custom vans are Lead Acid, Lithium Ion, or AGM. The latter is what VanDOit uses, and they all recharge and discharge at different rates, and in different ways. All of which can affect your ability to  power equipment inside the vehicle when you’re off grid. There’s also a lot of talk about battery type, technology and rates of charge and discharge. Sound too geeky? Not if you want to make smart decisions about which appliances you choose for your van,  how you use them and ways to conserve power. We also talk about why Lithium Ion batteries aren’t always the best choice (they’re expensive, and require far more computer management to maintain), and why they use AGM Deep Cycle batteries. We really go down the rabbit hole on this one, talking about everything from wire gauge and type, the differences between AC and DC power and how it’s used inside a camper van, how to properly use a generator, and more. If you’re thinking about wiring your own custom van, this is a must listen because there is so, SOOOO much to consider. Even choosing the wrong type of wire can really mess things up down the road. WANT MORE? Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW TYLER Follow your host on social @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

Lovin' the idea of the #Vanlife but not sure where to start? VanDOit walks us through the entire process of building out your own custom camper van. In this episode, we talk about everything from choosing the right size van, gas vs. diesel, DIY vs. pro, how to get an RV loan on a custom van, where you can park and sleep, what options you need, and more. They even tell us what you need to watch out for if you're buying a used van as the foundation of your own conversion project. This is just Part One! If you really want to geek out, be sure to find and subscribe to the Bikerumor Podcast on your favorite player. In Part Two, we go full geek on how to create the perfect electrical system for your camper van, discussing everything from batteries to solar to alternators and so much more. Seriously, our heads almost exploded by the end of that one. Part Three discusses all the creature comforts, insulation, paneling, and everything you put inside the van. It's a killer mini-series, stay tuned. And be sure to check out our VanDOit factory tour, too! Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Love your host? Follow @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG) on social, too!

Ever wonder how Tifosi Optics got started? And how they've grown against the juggernauts like Oakley, Smith and more? And outlasted efforts from Giro and Specialized to enter the cycling sunglasses game? It's all here in this episode, where Tyler interviews co-founder Joe Earley about how he and his wife launched and have grown Tifosi into one of the largest sunglasses brands in specialty retail. This episode originally aired as part of Tyler's entrepreneurship/startup podcast series, The Build Cycle. Check it that out on your favorite podcast player if you'd like to hear more startup stories from outdoor, cycling and adventurous lifestyle brands. Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! WANT MORE? Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FOLLOW TYLER Like us? Love us? Follow your host on social @tylerbenedict (FB // TW // IG)

For our final interview in our series on the people around the Philadelphia Bike Expo and SRAM Framebuilder Inclusivity Scholarship, we have the pleasure of speaking to my friend (and occasional Madison partner), the marvelous Megan Dean of Moth Attack. The most experienced of the builders in this series, Megan is also the least ornamental. Rather than focus on flare, Megan obsesses over handling and ride feel, fitting ride experience and bike to rider. As a result her bikes are clean, and her range of product tends to expand as her personal riding tastes do. GET MORE BIKERUMOR! Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Canadian builder Danielle Schön is all about growth. Like her colleague and hero, Julie Ann Pedalino, Danielle Schön of Schön Studio is a skill hoarder - she's always looking for new things to learn, master, and add to her evolving toolkit. But where Pedalino's path has lead her to computer aided design and CNC machining to realize her creative vision, Schön has skewed more visceral. Her constant need for growth and personal development has helped her to build an impressive portfolio of work and technical chops - which she will discuss in detail in the podcast. As a builder, the exciting thing for me is how she is a top notch fabricator first. Like other builders in this series, because she comes from outside the craft, Schön is freed from the dominant narratives and traditions around what a bike should be. As a result, Schön's solutions and construction can take unexpected and delightful turns. She deeply understands the opportunity of her material and her process - that is her guide. Check out the full post on Bikerumor.com for gorgeous photos of Schön's custom bicycles! GET MORE BIKERUMOR PODCAST ACTION! Find the Bikerumor Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, and through RSS, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Can't find it? Let us know which players you use so we can get them up to speed! And let us know who you want us to interview. Click that PODCAST link in the menu and send in your suggestions! Hit like, hit subscribe, and hit play. Then just get out and ride! Got an idea for a guest? Click here to submit your ideas for who we should interview next! FOLLOW BIKERUMOR Keep tabs on all the latest bikes, wheels, components, gear and tech on The World's Largest Cycling Tech Blog by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.