Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins
Inside the Rapha corporate fallout, a boots-on-the-ground Worlds recap, and the strategy behind selling $6,500 wheels.
This week, we dive into road tech, racing drama, and the cycling industry's biggest shakeups. Logan Jones-Wilkins brings us inside the race for the rainbow stripes, while Josh and Logan debate the business logic behind some of the sport's most polarizing gear.
In this episode:
Worlds Recap: Logan’s on-the-ground breakdown of Brandon McNulty’s win and the ridiculous positional rule that nearly upended the women’s race with Kate Courtney.
The Rapha Meltdown: Is its financial restructuring a textbook marketing fail, or was the CEO’s departure actually a calculated, voluntary exit?
High-Dollar Bling: Why a custom Firefly rim-brake bike makes no logical sense but still commands attention, and how $6,500 Partington wheels prove a Western brand can maintain appeal against cheaper Eastern competition.
Listener Q&A: We address the Canyon mounting system corrections, Logan answers for his Haro bike, and Josh shares advice on balancing mileage goals with raising kids.
Listener Perks:
The Velo Podcast wouldn’t happen without subscribers. We’re offering listeners of the show a special 25% discount on an Outside+ membership. Enter the code velopod at checkout to score these savings, and thank you for your support!
Chapter Markers
00:00:00 - Intro: Lisa's Heat Training for the Desert
00:02:17 - Logan at the Montreal World Champs
00:06:21 - A Road-Only Episode Challenge
00:08:53 - Listener Q&A: Grail Mounts, Motivation, Water Bladders & the Old Haro
00:19:58 - Firefly Bicycles: Titanium Rim-Brake Art
00:30:23 - Fran Miller Steps Down & the Rapha Story
00:37:34 - Manufactured Scarcity & Cycling Fashion
00:43:25 - World Champs: The Men's Race & McNulty's Win
00:48:41 - Should Pogačar Be Unbeatable?
00:53:48 - The Women's Race: Vollering vs Kopecky
00:56:35 - Demi's UCI Fine & the Puppy-Paw Rule
00:59:33 - Kate Courtney & the Crash
01:01:56 - Trade Teams vs National Teams
01:05:42 - Tom Pidcock's Partington Wheels
01:14:45 - Wrap-Up & Listener Questions
