157: Fires, Silca Tires, the State of Gravel Racing & HandMADE Controversies Coming?

In Shiftless episode 157(ish), recorded at Dusty Roads Bicycles, the hosts discuss unexpected cooler weather caused by smoke from a rapidly spreading Palo Pinto County grass fire and how extreme conditions have hurt riding motivation. They recap trends from the MADE show, especially the surge in 32-inch wheels, and debate frame materials and carbon durability, with Nico weighing in. They cover Lynskey’s $795 titanium frame “fire sale,” and Dylan Johnson’s two-year collaboration with Silca to launch new gravel and road tires featuring claimed radial construction, a carbon bead, accurate sizing, and models like Protocol RCG and RCR in specific size ranges. They touch on Gravel Worlds and Leadville results (including Lauren’s third place and Justin’s 14th), rumors of 13-speed GRX, new 32-inch wheels from Industry Nine and Berd, the return of NABs in Austin in 2027, Dallas trail-connection funding issues, and a brief Mena trip to Burl’s Smokehouse.00:00 Cold Open Banter00:16 Episode Setup at Dusty Roads00:49 Smoke and Fire Weather02:34 Riding in Brutal Heat03:08 32 Inch Wheels Trend04:46 Lynskey Ti Fire Sale06:09 Frame Materials Debate07:43 Carbon Durability Reality Check09:40 Silca and Dylan Tires13:39 Gravel Worlds and Leadville Recap17:53 Silca Tire Lineup Explained31:42 Radial Tire Tech Homework34:35 When Silca Tires Hit Shops36:05 Industry Nine 32 Wheels38:37 Centerlock vs Six Bolt Rotors41:31 Berd 32 Wheels Approach43:25 GRX Goes 13 Speed45:37 32 Inch Gear Talk47:13 Scott Scale Gravel Debate48:15 Trainer Video Memories51:49 Race Pace Rabbit Hole54:02 MADE And NABS Return01:00:05 Mena Trails On Pause01:03:16 Big Bend And The Loop01:07:41 Dallas To Fort Worth Route01:12:25 Burls Smokehouse Quest01:15:03 Ham Sandwich Breakdown01:20:00 Wrap Up And Sign Off