New Tech But We Can’t Buy It… Taipei Bike Show 2024 | The Nero Show Ep. 74

[@ChinaCycling]

Chris hit the nail on the head a bit that this is a trade show so it's not very product orientated and more production / technology orientated. But at the show in general, it was a bit of a nervous pause... the industry isn't looking great, TREK had just announced shunting 10% of it's workforce, and everyone is kind of looking at each other like, we gotta pretend everything is good and rosy or we're all out of jobs. They're going on about sustainability and all that (which I'm all for saving the planet) but the whole industry is built on telling people to throw away their current bike and buy another one because the new one has an extra cog on the back... As for the state of bike frames on Panda Podium... big things coming this year, can't say any more! ;) ;)

[@jonphotos8631]

Ur taking to long Jo!

[@adamsouthard1155]

I am literally holding off my next bike purchase for you. Been following you for years and trust your curation when finding high quality stuff over there.

[@jonphotos8631]

We need trigon’s for $600

[@aaronsims2538]

Waiting on the Trigon ar01

[@notsoenduro]

If it means less price gouging - so be it. Sustainability could be to better spec base models so there is less throwing away of entry level components.. wheels for example, or tyres… why spec 18t ratchets when you make 54t anyway etc etc

[@brandondavis5655]

It’s important to note that Trek are not cutting 40% of their “models” they are cutting 40% of their SKUs. A sku would be an individual bike model, spec, color and size. Compared to all the big other manufacturers, trek offer FAR MORE specs and colors for all their bikes. Not other manufacture (to my knowledge) offers their top end frame with a 105 groupset, but trek has an Emonda SLR 6 Di2. This would be like Specialized offering an S-Works Tarmac 105. I don’t think we see the Emonda, Madone or Domane get cut, we just see fewer models or colors; and I can bet if you still want a Madone SLR with 105, you could still order it from their Project One program

[@ILOVEDEFENDINGTHE1PERCENT]

Bang on

[@pulser955]

Did Trek say 40% of bike SKUs or 40% of SKUs overall? Trek makes alot of soft goods that I’m guessing aren’t flying off shelves.

[@JohnSmith-ck5qk]

having lots of SKUs isn't a problem. The Colnago Master has 7 paintjobs and 17 sizes whichi means there are 117 SKUs. The difference is Trek engage in speculation by building models without first finding a buyer whereas the Colnago Masters are basically made to order with only a few leftovers immediately available.

[@JimUe1]

Trek’s relied on a failed IYKYK attitude. Who’d be bothered to figure out the difference between a Trek Madone SLR 7 Gen 6 and a Trek Madone SL 6 Gen 7 or was it an Trek Madone ALR 8 AXS Gen 5 or Trek Madone AL 5 DI2 gen 8 🤔

[@dlwebbable]

YES! The guys are on a rant and completely missed it

[@mickmeaney1461]

Fondos .. 100% correct! It's a test of personal performance and endurance and should be the same for all. I've done the Lake Taupo 320k where you're out in the middle of nowhere at 3am and they specifically ban support vehicles. They actually have people out there checking to ensure everyone's effort is pure. It's not a race but it needs to be a honest and transparent test.

[@jed1mstr]

The 3D printed stuff at the show wasn't stuff you can print at home and isn't cheaper. It's industrial metal 3D Printed products in Titanium or Aluminum and the benefit is that they're lighter or more strong mechanically and can't be easily created without 3D printing.

[@peteracain]

Yeah, not the most informed commentary on this subject unfortunately.

[@brianboschma]

3D printing in some materials can be lower cost in low volume products. If you have to create tooling , the tooling alone can cost thousands of dollars. I suspect a frame mold is likely near $100,000. To pay that off one needs to push a lot of frames through that mold. 3D printed metals are not inexpensive as they require very clever pastes that have been years in development and require a sintering step after printing that can take several days in very high temp ovens, similar to annealing a metal. The 3D printer itself is not something one has at home. They are more akin to a CNC milling machine in size and cost with controlled environments within the printing chamber.

[@evidenz_]

Here in Germany outside help is also most of the time prohibited at Fondos - makes also so much sense. Imagine a year after everyone is starting to "get outside help".

[@thisnameisrandom]

Surely the organisers don't want unregistered and possibly uninsured riders actively participating in their events. One thing riding around a course unregistered, but actively participating in setting a course record is nuts

[@nockee]

Outside help for a Fondo is not good. It adds potential traffic to the course. It’s not fair. It’s especially egregious to use pacers.

[@out_spocken]

Outside pacers shouldn't be allowed hands down. Should be banned and if it happens your time doesn't get counted at all. I'm not necessarily worried about bottles and food on the course. Someone doing 10hr loops isn't worried about someone chasing the 7hr record. It's no different to having someone on course in case you flat. Relying on events to properly provide ample food/drink stations is ridiculous. This was evident at 3 peaks from what I hear where the water stations on such a hot day weren't near enough. ON ROAD help not allowed. Side of road...fine. No different to a spectator giving a bottle to a pro to throw on themselves to cool down, or giving them a newspaper for descents. Do we then tell people they can't carry their own feed bags and have to start with the exact same thing everyone else has? Maybe I'm looking at it from someone that wouldn't ever challenge the top 1000 riders. Having a partner or friend mid way that can have my stuff sounds fucking awesome. Or an ice water. I can understand the issues when you have people trying to win the whole thing...but then maybe the rules need to be clear....winners can't have any non-offical assistance. Then allows people to have assistance to finish, knowing doing so won't allow them to win...but does allow them the support they need that an event doesn't provide. Because there is no specific regulation on distance of feed/water stops. So you're assuming what someone needs will be supplied by an event. Especially when you start factoring in heat and cold. Definitely no cars on the road even to film. Not only does it allow the ability to maybe draft but it's just fucking dangerous and I imagine would break event inusrance and liability having random drivers on course. Support riders...no unless they are registered riders and they start at the same point (small details). I've been a non registered support rider for a friend trying to do around the bay. And it was on the day there were 100kmh winds. Basically met them 40km in and sat on the front of him, and a group, all the way back to melbourne. Why? Because I had no intention to pay $240 to ride roads I can ride any day of the week, and to help my cousins actually finish the thing. No chance it affected the 'race' component of that ride. So yes...to win no support, but you can't stop riders jumping in and helping friends to finish, especially when a lot fo the time events don't really give a shit about people once they're on the ride outside of the mandatory stops

[@ericbeirman1170]

What are your thoughts if you stash your own bottles on the side of the road the day before? And you stop to pick them up on your own. I do this often and have gotten grief from others.

[@nockee]

@@ericbeirman1170 It’s cheating to me. You can carry the food you need with bags on the bike.

[@thenoclue90]

Re: Setting Course Record - That was part of the reason Keegan was set to break the Leadville record. It was previously held by someone who had a full team and lead out the whole day. He had a 20 minute lead out at the start and then blew the record to pieces. Much more impressive feat.

[@stuartmisfeldt3068]

It’s a Grand Fondo, a challenge, you do it on your own, carry your own supplies and do your own repairs. No outside help! IMO a KOM should be without pacing or drafting.

[@ChrisMillerCycling]

Facts

[@helmetculture]

BRO YOU LITERALLY ATTACKED ME PERSONALLY 33:28 WITH MY SRAM FORCE TEAMMACHINE GETTING INTO IT AROUND COVID AT 29 YEARS OLD HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

[@sams247]

Same here 😂 33 with SRAM Force, sitting next to my buddy (32) who's rocking a SRAM Rival

[@helmetculture]

@@sams247 And on BMC too 😂😂😂😂

[@AlexPeka]

I can feel your souls shrivelling up when you monlogue the adverts 😂 mine too! Gotta do whatcha gotta do...

[@carleklund3297]

If someone stocks 10 different frames, it's actually many more because you have the different sizes and paint schemes to cater for. Additionally taking them in ties up a fair bit of capital. Also you will need to stock up on possible spare parts for these which again ties up more money. Then there is the issue of being a small player. If someone big(ger) orders 1000 frames for their the product the production centered factory will put the small orders at the end of the queue and they might even decide against fulfilling them at a later point in time.

[@BreakawayB]

I think Trek’s halving is more about the SKUs and less about the specific models. So, they may keep all the same bikes that you love, just half the configurations of frames.

[@Heliosmaster]

Also they have a ton of "active" and mountain bikes models. I think more of these market will get the cut, not the high end high margin bikes

[@davidspagnolo4870]

Yeah, they have like 8 different paint jobs on all their SLR frames

[@ChrisMillerCycling]

mmm ... look like the Emonda will be gone this week

[@davidspagnolo4870]

@@ChrisMillerCycling If they do this, they're actually killing the Madone and renaming the Emonda.

[@johnlowkey359]

I work in a bike shop, and I've been thinking about the array of products available. Honestly, I think brands need to make loss-leader bikes with carbon frames if they want to continue with the material. There's a big gap between people who want carbon and people who write it off as expensive and unnecessary. Its about $1500 more for the same specced domane in carbon than alloy. That's too much money for someone who doesn't know if carbon is worth the try. I know you have a lot of watchers who work on their own bikes, but I think most people still go to a shop for their first road bike. Direct to consumer are going to eclipse brands like Trek at the high end. The savings are just too significant if you know how to build a bike. With respect to Trek, I think the Mountain bike line is bloated. Hybrids could maybe be paired down. Make the SL road bikes simple and cheaper (no isospeed on Domane), and save the Emonda for SLR only, because the SL isn't light compared to the other models.

[@tylertruksa1378]

I worked for Trek and I sort of expected that when they said they were cutting skus they meant they wouldn’t have 7 price points of the Marlin, and 8 for the FX, and dropping one of their three XC mountain bikes, and that sort of thing. I don’t necessarily expect them to drop the emonda or the Madone, I think

[@future62]

I think splitting the pro bikes from consumer bikes is fine. Works for cars (F1) and motorcycles (MotoGP) for example. I do like race bikes but I also like honest punter bikes like the Defy, Endurace, Caledonia etc. And a lot of new endurance bikes still have a lot of cool tech and weight weenieism. I think it's mainly a failure in marketing and messaging.

[@gaza4543]

fully agree and just wrote something very similar!

[@patrickparisienne1917]

Another great episode guys! Two points: 1. Bike industry/ reduced models. Maybe it’s time to go back to buying framesets only, and speccing the build, to be completed at an authorised shop. With the component buying power of the larger companies, this would allow their leverage to allow a built price similar to a complete bike off the rack. This would enable a reduction of stock of frames and components, and order them in demand…. 2. Peaks record/ pacing. I agree that pacing and assistance precedent would matter more to the average cyclist busting to complete the course. Agree the rules should be re written. Perhaps contact Bicycle Network about this rule going forward specifically?

[@derrickjones2171]

I work in an outdoor store that sells bike and I’m about to start working as mechanic/salesman at a Specialized dealer. From what I’ve seen from both markets, regular people want regular bikes. But regular people are not comfortable going into bike stores. The argument I can find for selling to the pros are that they spend more. A mediocre Tour de France sorta rider will eat 3,4,5 bikes a year at 10k a pop EASILY. That doesn’t include maintenance, kit, nutrition, etc. That doesn’t even include the “aspiring” pros. In a year, they may spend more on bikes than a family will in a lifetime. But they are few. Most people I’ve sold bikes to don’t race, are not interested, and want to experience the joy of riding a bike. That’s MOST people. I don’t have the insight (or foresight) to see where the market will go if companies pivot to attracting regular people, but I’m confident in the fact that if these companies continue catering only to pros, it will eat its own tail.

[@mattmc30]

The bike manufacturers (not only Trek) should design bikes for the consumers and not for the pros. Not the other way round. As an analogy, you don't see (most) cars manufacturers designing Formula 1 or WRC cars to sell to their customers. The bike industry (helped by most of the medias) is digging it's own grave as they took the piss out of the mass consumers for years by making us believe that we all needed to be on $6-8000+ bikes to enjoy cycling... Nice show guys. Keep up the good content.

[@Andy_ATB]

Absolutely!! Someone who gets it.......More practical bikes for your average cyclists. There should only be a few top of the line/ halo models....

[@discbrakefan]

Kind of got it backwards I think. Marketing isn’t about pushing a product out and inflating the price, the market showed people were willing to buy higher priced bikes so the manufacturers have been catering to that. Why wouldn’t they? Everyone wants a carbon frame now and they have never been cheap. The cheaper bikes are still available, but that’s not what people want.

[@eddysobieralski8075]

Before too many people go down the rabbit hole of bikes for pros only, don't forget that the UCI is trying to drive and promote the globalisation of cycling. Although the rules are bent by wealthy national federations and teams, that is why there are rules about equipment that is used for racing must be commercially available. If pro racing goes down the prototypes for pro riders only route, the costs will escalate to the point of non-affordability for small teams and developing nations. It will just turn in to an F1 style arms-race.

[@walshman70]

The straight up rant into the camera at 22:00 was gold! Ha!

[@DaveCM]

Trigon has a direct to consumer model. I just checked and I can buy their bikes. I am in the US though. I don't know if they are not selling to Australia or not though.

[@alejandroleals]

I completely agree with you, Chris. When I heard about the possibility of Marc receiving external support to get the event record during Peaks, I immediately thought that if it was true, then the timing would be completely bu💩hit. There is no doubt that Marc is an exceptional rider, but if he wants to have the best time at Peaks, he should do it under the same conditions as the other 2000 riders who were competing in the challenge over the weekend, and the thousands who have competed in the years before. Otherwise, Marc and Bicycle Network need to open a new category that allows external support, so that Marc would be the first person to hold the event record under such conditions. Honestly, It's ridiculous for both Marc and @bicyclenetwork to do this. By the way, I had to stop four times in the last 100k (extreme heat) due to I didn't have any external support to avoid losing 20 minutes… :( Lol

[@AlistairLattimore]

Regarding Trek, if you check their site they have 103 bikes listed with road bikes and 177 listed with mountain bikes categories. That is crazy and surely needs to be reined in.

[@byrnze1710]

Another great episode guys. Received my Nero Show t-shirt yesterday and it is awesome. Thanks again for the entertainment and good merch!

[@MrDfanculo]

Loved the part about outside help, I raced grandfondos and always found felt that as cheating.

[@loterco]

My question is, if the biggest cost of a bike is the components and the big brands design frames and wheels. Why they don't sell these and they force us to buy something that we will have to modify anyway to make it work for us.

[@stuartmisfeldt3068]

Specialized did that separation years ago with S-Works, Pinarello with the Dogma, but if you have the money, you can still buy one. I’d frankly prefer the ability to select a frame and then spec the components and finishing kit.

[@toweringtrio]

The socks your referring to, they use them in the hospital for people who had surgery and are laid up for a while. Helps with circulation, blood flow, helps prevent clotting. They put them on me after I had my appendix removed. I wonder if they took the idea from the medical field.

[@PeterPutz82]

Bowral classic. The organisers specifically said, please don't have friends/family assist as it makes traffic on the already congested road. The event provides assistance, anything outside of that is not in the spirit of the event.

[@rexringschott]

Kind of agree re: Mark O’Brian’s Peaks time. It sours the result.

[@ColinSmith2001]

"The spirit of Fondo!";-)

[@elbowspeak]

countdown to aerobar ban...

[@paulshepherd6311]

Great show, thank you. Tried to support the channel by buying Pillar mag but your code didn't work. Maybe teh code doesn't work in Singapore. Keep up the great work.

[@jmunyard]

Congratulations Chris that was the toughest Peaks in the last 5 years. I have Emonda SL6 with SRAM etape rival 48/35 and my first tubeless. Love it. As far as outside help, I think no and should now be put down in the rules. I am in the just get in group (DNF this year😢) and got no place to say anything about records. but I did hear some people have the parents drive to the rest stops to hand them bottles.

[@mysho6317]

Australian Alps Fondo - CONGRATS Chris !!!! sounds like a very Challenging & Fun event.👏👍😎

[@chris_gb_]

The Trek thing might be overblown, if they're cutting SKUs that can just mean a reduction of the number of colourways and groupsets or builds offered for each model. It doesn't necessarily mean they would be dropping the Emonda. There's probably dozens of configurations across all types of bikes that they could drop and most of us wouldn't even notice.

[@stuart3901]

Jesse’s shirt looks awesome. Great chat today, keep up the good work.

[@ChrisMillerCycling]

Thanks so much

[@Anon.User.602]

I have 1X force xplr on my gravel, and I love it. It's super sturdy and reliable, and I confidently push the bike's limits in all road/trail conditions. I remember comparison tests show that force components last longer (I concur, compared to how often I change my Dura Ace parts on my road bike, like the chain, etc).

[@markbarnard7219]

Yes lads. Welcome to the week. Perfectly delivered as normal. Thanks for the entertainment

[@Evaso_CC]

Triogn used to be imported into the UK and was reasonably successful. But it stopped about 6 years ago. Apparently Trigon wanted large orders to be placed and the distributor didn’t want to.

[@rexringschott]

I was hoping that you actually talk about the experience of doing Peaks, and how it went for you.

[@HarishChouhan]

I hope you guys know that Trek makes many models of hybrid and mountain bikes. The sku reduction could very well be from those models.

[@johnterry5409]

Yes, although the madone is getting discontinued and the new bike spotted that everyone thinks is the new émonda will be one performance road bike they sell.

[@Andy_ATB]

That would be a mistake....they're the bikes they should be trying to sell, not bikes for pros.

[@edmoconnor]

That nero t shirt reminds me of a 1980s real madrid jersey, nice.

[@therazor9875]

This is what happens when you start ranting without doing the homework first: Trek’s stock-keeping units (SKUs) in the 2026 model year will be 40% lower than in the 2024 model year. An SKU is a separate product that a company offers. If a particular product is available in several sizes and/or different colours, that all adds to the number of SKUs offered. The Madone or the Emonda will not disappear. The 20 different alternatives of each model will be reduced.

[@ShawnIsBatman]

I believe that when you look at the reduction on SKU's that Trek is considering, it will cover so many more products than just the bikes. Trek (and Bontrager) cover a huge variety of products and thus could reduce a significant number of products that would not be noticed by many. As for the bikes, I do not believe that there is an inevitable bifurcation coming between the pro vs. consumer ranks. I believe the logical trend that is developing is bike companies doing a better job of creating a bike model and then offering a range of that model through the various price categories by changing the carbon quality and the groupset. Is it possible that a given bike brand might look more critically at having too many different models? Yes, of course. Given the evolution of technology, I believe that the distinction between the light weight bike vs. the aero bike will continue to blur.

[@urouroniwa]

I want to hear more about saunas. Here in Japan the local hot springs almost always have saunas. It only costs me 500 yen to go (less than $10 AUD I guess). It's pretty cheap. But I've never really done the sauna thing. Is there a duration that you need to go in for?

[@dp2619]

What these major brands who sponsor teams should do is reduce their frame allotments to the teams by 40%. To see the Visma service course and all of those frames hanging around. I’m sure they’ll use them but wow, that’s a lot of bikes!!!

[@marcus_velo_9970]

well done on Peaks Chris, its in the rules to a certain extent: from peaks ride guide ... "PRIVATE SUPPORT VEHICLES Private support vehicles are not permitted on the Peaks Challenge Falls Creek route under any circumstances. Support is provided along the entire route, including emergency medical assistance, mechanical assistance, food, drink, valet services and transport for riders who retire. Any riders found to be supported by private vehicles risk being excluded from the event" Of course they're referring to feed etc, however a non-entrant would be classed as a private support vehicle (could be ebike, car, large quad ex-pro etc) and rider consequently excluded from the event. The other consideration is the terms and conditions of the SRAM prize money again, rider was outside supported they might not be happy handing over the $$s. anyway good on him, he's good enough that he surely doesn't need help and must be thinking about how this may have compromised an outstanding ride.

[@legaultben]

Rapid recovery boots are another good option like Normatech. They are essential getting blood flowing in your legs which speeds up recovery. Elderly people have been using them for circulation issues for a looooong time. There is lots of research on this, but yes very expensive

[@cgold88]

With Trek, given we don’t have the detail this announcement doesn’t necessarily mean the three road bikes are up for the chop. Their UK website has 13 different “city” bikes, surely ripe for some harmonisation. I don’t know enough about mountain bikes but a lot going on there too. This could also be a thinning out of spec levels (do they need the SL6 and SL6 pro?) Also, with the move to gravel do they need the domane (which the pro teams roll out just for Paris Roubaix) and the checkpoint?

[@daf_jockey736]

Trek, just looking at their road bikes, there are 10 domane models, around the same emonda models, and there are effectively 7 madone models. That is a ridiculous amount. Trek could easily streamline these to an entry, mid and top spec. However, if these 3 models are selling well, who is to say trek are going to cut them, maybe trek is actually going to cut the mountain bikes or the hybrid bikes. When you actually look at the website, they offer a crazy amount of bikes. Looking at the domane do they really need to sell the slr with every possible groupset just incase? Surely have a top spec slr with red or durable ace, mid spec, then have maybe an sl with force or ultegra and then either an sl or an al with 105 or rival.

[@Maddack]

I bought a Trek Domane today. I was influenced in my choice to some degree rhat I like Trek racing team. Especially Pedersen and Skjelmose.

[@davidspagnolo4870]

I bought a Madone last week. I've wanted one since I was in fourth grade when the Madone line was first launched under the USPS team. They captured my imagination 20 years ago, and they still hold it today. The racing team sponsorship model works and it has staying power.

[@Maddack]

The history with Lance and how Trek supported him for me was a small negative in my purchase.@@davidspagnolo4870

[@witepa]

So happy every time I get to hear the bassline in the intro music

[@MrJohnnyTN]

Normatec.. it's marginal but I can't say it hurts. I have GameReady too... but I also have repaired ligaments

[@LuisPG92]

Having worked a good amount of time with 3D printing technology, the whole idea is to give the opportunity to people to manufacture custom things in short amount of time while remaining locally, it’s amazing. Imagine a small 3D printing bike shop open in your town/country. Instead of having a wear house full of frames, you have the raw materials and you just print custom geometry’s for all of your customers. You can buy the pre made files and just print them in your house (if you have a printer). It’s opening the market to new players who won’t buy a open mold frame from china, and will print locally and stamp the “made in (instert your country here)” that will create a sense of pride in that frame. This is my personal opinion tho…

[@robbchastain3036]

Not sure about all the mag wheel choices at the Taipei show, is that something for which riders are clamoring? Wire wheels for me, tho' I have to say 20" nylon mags by Skyway changed my life for the better in '76 as I stepped up to a BMX bike, a CYC Stormer, from my beloved Schwinn Sting-Ray for jumps and drops and such. Tuff-Wheels were game changers in the early days of BMX and all that craziness we just had to exhibit for some unknown reason.

[@BevandEdMusic]

Was about to leave for a ride and this drops, perfect! Highlight of the week lads!

[@seanmccuen6970]

grovel

[@DickSpencer1954]

You guys say you never read comments but here goes. Chris, shout out to your friend VC for 4th place in Rock Cobbler! Yes, that's news. Stop complaining with the Trek thing because all they have to do is reduce the colors available and that will reduce stock by over half I reckon... Thank you for the edgy stuff even though it gets my blood pressure up, lol. Keep up the good work!

[@mysho6317]

Asian (China, Taiwan, South Korea, others) Brands (existing & emerging) have a huge "local" market which is so much easier to cultivate than trying to break into Oceania, Western Europe & the Americas markets for so many reasons. As mentioned, sure there is also some OEM potential "friction". Joe (China Cycling / Panda Podium) mentioned on your show the high local demand, which is in contrast to the drop off in the "western" markets. It's an interesting business topic and how it all shakes out will even more interesting.🍿🍿🍿

[@jamesinrok]

i see plenty of trigon bikes in korea. though i think that average korean cyclist still prefers international bike brands.

[@notalreither69]

Issue with marko tho is there was $500 prize for each kom when he was getting paced and others weren’t

[@notalreither69]

Along with feeding where others had to carry everything

[@discbrakefan]

Yeah that’s not cool.

[@tomlarter3894]

Normatec boots are amazing. Well worth the price. Great leg recovery. Legs feel and perform better. Allows you to ride more consistently

[@44boowee]

Would love to hear how you use a sauna with cycling. When, how long, do you cold shower between turns in the sauna? First time I have ever heard of this.

[@UltimateTuner10]

I don’t think SKUs means models. TREK currently offers the Madone SLR in like 5-6 colors and with 105, Force, Ultegra, Red, and Dura Ace. That’s a lot of combinations for just the Madone and just the SLR that they can definitely trim down. Most other companies only offer 2-3 colorways per bike

[@michaelwalker4242]

On the back of your commentary about Mark O'Brien and outside help, check out the 2019 result for the first female across the line. Mark's result is not the first time outside help has been used and Bicycle Network was informed of this at the time too

[@pierrex3226]

on recovery, Compex electrostimulation machines are super nice. They havent innovated in many years, so for eg, 2nd hand, the SP2 can be cheap, and it feels amazing. It's an on demand massage with electrodes, basically. If you compare it to manual massages, you recoup your money really fast. I barely use mine these days because i dont do long days in the saddle, but it packs down to nothing and truly feels great. You can also use it for strength training and medical purposes, but that's not the point here.

[@Shadowboost]

They're the only thing I use on my sack and perineum

[@julienhuxley4172]

Outside help for a Fondo: I've been meaning to ask you guys what a fondo means for you because we definitely have 2 kinds here. Type 1 is the kind where you get a Jersey included in your signup and have a security escort/the event is timed but you can only really gun for it in the last 5% of the ride or so, the first 95% is a group ride. Type 2 I honestly am unable to distinguish from a road race. Glad you cleared it up but for sure a lot of fondos here people have family/friends setup to refuel. This is Canada btw. Re fewer bikes: I agree the GCN take is a bit hypocritical because they have been shilling on how awesome it is that the bike industry is putting out a bike for every single possible use for the last 10 years. More choice for the consumer is good, like you say Jesse if you're going to drop 10k$+ on a bike it's good to have a few options, however I for one would not mind at all that the industry stops inventing segments for a while so that we stop getting "Oh you thought that was a gravel bike? No sorry that's actually a cyclocross bike. No what you need is an adventure drop bar bike, not an all-road racer. No we can't actually mount a dropbar to that hardtail mountainbike you need an integrated bar-stem combo

[@savagepro9060]

1:11 Holy Sh!t, WTF happened to David Arthur in Taipei?

[@Eugeneizzy]

Check out recovery boots Australia , same as normatec and $400 a set

[@chris_gb_]

Question for Jesse: what is the correct way to use a sauna? I usually do four cycles of around 10 minutes in 76°C - 80°C, with the cold shower at the start, end, and between each heat. It does seem to help with my issues, but I've read conflicting advice on what's best.

[@Chris-ho4ki]

Check out Dr. Rhonda Patrick….it seems the ideal sauna session is 19 mins long Any longer, you’re not really realizing more benefits

[@neilmckenna236]

Great show as always guys, love it 👌 btw, i tried the Pillar discount code and it wouldn't work ... im in the uk

[@ChrisMillerCycling]

I will check that out for you

[@brianboschma]

Climb to Kaiser !! I did it 12 years ago. Chris, Is your film on line somewhere ?

[@discbrakefan]

Yeah he did a video on it on his channel. Just search for it.

[@ChrisMillerCycling]

It’s linked in the card

[@dougwtownley]

It interesting and makes me wonder if it will go the way of top level motorcycle racing where the Pros ride prototype machines and the public still follow and buy on a brand loyalty basis?

[@albertosantangelo6872]

Perhaps they will be able to make properly round and aligned bottom brackets with 3d printers

[@dp2619]

Very smart moving your weekly show up in the week ahead of Cade. 👍🏼

[@MS-bw7yt]

As an engineer myself: 3d printed stuff-> cheaper in low numbers, therefore highly customizable because you don't need tooling etc., in some cases you can do shapes and features that are otherwise not possible. Otherwise, 3d printed is not better or cheaper. With high production numbers, it is actually the other way around, mass production is not done with 3d printers

[@mikew466]

I don't know about Australia, but in the U.S. the amateur race scene use all the same equipment as the pros. Sometimes they have to pick the secondary frames and groupsets due to expense, but everyone still tries to get the most aero, stiff, light bikes possible. So I assume Trek and others market these "pro" bikes for the elite amateur as well.

[@junksmiles]

100% agree with Jesse's take on the frames/bikes being shown. If I can't order it, I don't care about it. Yea it's cool, but seeing a cool bike that I would actually buy, then finding out it's not available in the US (looking at you Bross), then I lose interest in the whole thing. It's too bad, too.

[@shaert01]

Was funny when someones hookless tyres BOTH blew off on Saturday in the middle of the event village while registrations were on 😂 went off like firecrackers

[@noahmills2884]

I understand your argument about choice for pros in regards to climbinb/aero bikes. But it seems (and I think you guys may mentioned this previously) that most pros want to be on Specialized equipment. A "one bike to rule them all" brand.

[@krisbowditch827]

E biking motor pacing next 🙈🙈🙈 it’s the beginning of the end of fondo’s

[@onacoffeeride]

I actually prefer when brands have fewer options. Make each model different enough from each other so that I’m not totally confused or get a point of paralysis by analysis. It’s one reason why I shop at Trader Joe’s, smaller, less options and I’m not stuck trying to choose between products. I know that’s not the case for all people, but I know many people prefer it that way. And who said less options doesn’t mean you get the best option?

[@neon3690]

Good luck on educating the public on which tyre goes which rim, if they don’t know difference between tubeless and hookless.

[@JordanHammond7]

Isn't the S-Works the high-end performance version of the Specialized brand? The rest of us have the Specialized emblazoned frames to buy..

[@mat_from_ballarat]

I've met Marko, and he was a lovely guy, so this isn't anything personal whatsoever. I don't think you can call it a course record if the previous record holders didn't have outside help either. If it's not in the rule book now, the Bicycle Network needs to add a line starting that outside help is prohibited. It could be a slippery slope if they don't.

[@LivoniaLimo]

About the group sets, now that prices are coming down for the Shimano and SRAM, availability is not a problem and new SRAM red is soon to be released there is no way anyone will continue to look at LTwo and other group sets from Asia

[@SAnderson77]

Joe Rode the Trigon in another Video and i even looked at it myself as a frame only however the frame was pricey for an unknown brand here I the west. Even Joe said it was an expensive bike

[@Jospabaerze]

I think youre missing a point in the Trek / Trek high perfomance discussion. The UCI would have to agree and change the rules since the products the pro´s use have to be availiable to the public no later than 12 months.

[@deneirtubes]

My friend rides a Trigon for around two years now. We're in Southeast Asia though

[@kerrinallwood589]

The way to stop the fondo thing would be for a couple of equally strong riders to wheelsuck all the way round then win the sprint for the record.

[@Jon-Jon53]

9Velo for the win! better hubs than every other brand out there!

[@GravelRacer1]

3d printed metal parts allow for the production of complex shapes that can not be produced with any other method. It's quite revolutionary actually. Definitely not cheaper... yet.

[@gaza4543]

fully agree you could easily make areo bike out of pretty much any material or metal bikes with absolutely no welds and in any size made to order. When they get to that point it will be amazing

[@DJMSydney]

I also did the Peaks Challenge on the weekend. It took me over 12hrs; it hit 34c/95f on course in the afternoon and at the last rest stop there were 4 Ambulances treating riders who had given it THEIR all and couldn’t make it the last 15km. In my opinion, the 1st place rider isn’t a winner, he’s a cheat. Having non participant riders strategically placed to pace you is cheating. The organisers need to cancel this new course record and install rules to prevent this from happening again. The same rules/spirit of event must apply to first place as it does to those desperately giving it their all to make the 13hr cut off time.

[@adamroberts2141]

I have done half of the peaks events though wasn't there this week. I agree with you and would suggest that this isn't the record for the peaks event. If this isn't called out as a joke then the next cheat may as well have motor pacing on the sections that are open to vehicle from Dinner Plain to Omeo etc. Each year is so different with the High-country weather. Congrats on your time, very well done.

[@paulmitchell7391]

It’s impossible to do double blind placebo research in compression because you can’t do compression on one set of legs and get the same feeling on another set of legs without the compression. You can only test the legs with and without compression and the results may all be placebo

[@SpaceWorxRide]

22:30 - The brands exist to make a profit for shareholders. The pros are simply a marketing vehicle for the brands and ultimately they are a cost. Pros don’t dictate terms, they will ultimately ride whatever they are given, even if it is suboptimal in performance terms. With the advent of social media influencers in recent years the pros are becoming relatively less influential and therefore have less power to dictate what the brands should do. Consumer sales is what truly dictates terms. I may be cynical yes but it is what it is.

[@veganaus]

I too was really shocked going to panda podium and seeing how few products Joe had available. I honestly thought the website was incomplete/still in beta. There's nothing there for roadies

[@curtvaughan2836]

Amen on the outside assistance on grand fondos! Nada!! It destroys the amateur atmosphere for the genre.

[@Staygold1987]

Isn't there a UCI rule that says all the bikes ridden in the pro races have to be available to buy, so a high performance pro only bike wouldn't be allowed right?

[@douglasbooth6836]

Treks bikes are ace. Love my madone. My 3rd one. Im not a racer.

[@isaacobrien6013]

Q. Why don't they add Crit style stages to grand tours? What a way to make cycling more current and exciting. I'd much rather watch a Crit than a TT..

[@paulw677]

I was at Peaks 24 and no way was SRAM more visible than Shimano. Maybe it’s like when you buy a new car all you see on the road is that car. Also - does Peaks need elite riders from around the world? It’s a challenge event mainly for the (very dedicated) masses. Those “racing” for the win are in a very small minority, some might call it a bubble.