Big Dumb Rides, Aero Gravel Tires, and the Enve Melee V2 | Velo Podcast

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We’ve had some major topics on the show the last few weeks, so this week we are taking a step back a little and answering some questions. We read every comment, and Logan Jones-Wilkins, Lisa Charlebois, and I will often jump in to respond. Mike Levy also reads them, but he actually brings the comments to the show so we can answer them out loud, so to speak.

Before we get to that, though, Levy starts with a question: Have you ever done a ride just for the sake of going somewhere dumb and unimportant? I’ve had this idea for years to ride from Los Angeles to the Mexican border for tacos, then back. It’s a 500km ride, and there’s no real point other than to ride a bike. Lael Wilcox once rode all the roads in Alaska for a similar reason. The whole crew is on this week, so we get to talk about our silly reasons for big rides. Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever done anything like that. Or, if you are like Logan and just ride for training, let us know that too.

We also have some news to talk about. Mostly, it comes down to Logan and me trying to convince Lisa and Mike that aero matters. For Logan, it’s all about aero gravel tires. He went very deep into the weeds in his article, and there’s a good reason for that. Then it’s my turn to talk about the Enve Melee V2 and why it features aero bar tape and aero bottle cages. I also have a question that I am hoping you can help me answer.

Poll Question

Timestamps

00:00:00 – Intro & Vel Membership Code
00:02:08 – Bond Almond Ultra-Endurance Story
00:06:03 – Big Adventure Rides Discussion
00:13:19 – Arrow Gravel Tires from WTB
00:28:02 – Envy Melee V2 & Aerodynamic Handlebars
00:31:38 – Desert Ride Plans (Vegas to Death Valley)
00:41:34 – Q&A Segment Begins
00:42:46 – Front Derailleur Q&A & Comments
00:47:02 – Shimano vs Sram Brakes Debate
00:54:44 – Environmental Impact of Bike Materials
00:58:35 – Gravel Bike vs Mountain Bike Comparison
01:04:16 – Arrow vs Lightweight Bike Poll
01:13:38 – 32-Inch Wheel Comments & Discussion
01:21:16 – Suspension Fork Question
01:22:32 – Closing Remarks & Listener Poll

Articles covered this week

• WTB’s New Stromm Collaboration Aero Tires Are Exactly What Gravel Tires Should Be
• The Story of a Cyclist, 32 NFL Stadiums, and One Very Important Football
• ENVE’s New Melee V2 Proves Hyperbikes Don’t Need to Look Insane