ShiftLess: Gravel, Bikepacking and Unpaved Bicycle Adventures
By ShiftLess Hosts Hooked on Gravel, Bikepacking and MTB
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Subscribers: 7
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 161
Description
Welcome to ShiftLess, the bicycle podcast where curiosity meets total confusion. Hosted by Brad and Kevin, we are a couple of "chuckleheads" easily distracted by new bike tech and adventure cycling gear. We ask the big questions (and the totally irrelevant ones) so you don’t have to.
While we lean heavily into gravel cycling, bikepacking, and mountain bike adventures, we cover anything that rolls. We bring in the experts to explain the world of ultra-endurance riding and route scouting in terms even we can understand.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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160: Don Walker on Bringing NAHBS Back (Reunion & Invitational) + Handmade Bike Culture
|
Sep 22, 2026 |
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Shiftless 159 Redux: Heat, Bike Routines, Tire Hype, and a New Mexico Escape
|
Sep 16, 2026 |
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158: Pogačar’s Vuelta Crash, Safe Cycling Summit, More MADE/NAHBS & More Routes Coming
|
Sep 01, 2026 |
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157: Fires, Silca Tires, the State of Gravel Racing & HandMADE Controversies Coming?
|
Aug 28, 2026 |
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156: Austin Whittington’s 219-Mile Judgment Day, Tour de France Doping Talk, and Hands On 32-Inch Bike
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Aug 13, 2026 |
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155: Spinistry Safe Cycling Initiative & North Texas Safe Cycling Summit
|
Aug 06, 2026 |
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154: Fargo 32 Updates, Tour Finale Drama, and the Problem with Racing E-Bikes
|
Jul 30, 2026 |
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Shiftless Episode 153: Tour Drama, Texas Heat, Bike Wrecks, and Cycling Safety
|
Jul 22, 2026 |
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Kevin's Visit To The ER Plus Current State of Cycling Advocacy and Infrastructure | Episode 152
|
Jul 14, 2026 |
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Hands On With The Coros Dura, Salsa Spearfish and the E-bike Arms Race | Episode 151
|
Jul 08, 2026 |
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Endurance Bicycles, Real Market Research, and The Bear (spoiler alert) | ShiftLess Ep. 150
|
Jul 01, 2026 |
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Tour Divide Updates, The $3,200 Carbon Superbike, and Surviving Texas Traffic | Shiftless #149
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Jun 24, 2026 |
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Tour Divide Bikepacking Setups, XDS Disrupting Carbon, & The New Era of PEDs | ShiftLess Ep. 148
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Jun 17, 2026 |
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The Crux of the Matter: Is 32" Just a Distraction? | ShiftLess Ep. 147
|
Jun 09, 2026 |
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Stop Buying the Wrong Bike! Pre-Fits, Short Cranks, & Unbound Chaos | ShiftLess Ep. 146
|
Jun 02, 2026 |
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Unbound Gravel Predictions: 32-Inch Wheels, Niner Bikes Closing & SRAM's UCI Win | ShiftLess 145
|
May 26, 2026 |
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Gravel Racing Tech, Garmin Gripes and the Lynskey Bankruptcy | ShiftLess Ep. 144
|
May 20, 2026 |
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Unbound XL Preview & Ultra-Endurance Gravel Setup with Justin Cary | ShiftLess 143
|
May 13, 2026 |
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Gravel Cycling Progression: From Beginner Clinics to 300-Mile Ultra-Endurance - 142
|
May 05, 2026 |
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32-Inch Wheel Revolution: Innovation or Industry Hype? Plus The USA Trail & Bikepacking Strategy - 141
|
Apr 29, 2026 |
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Sea Otter 2026: 32-Inch Wheels, The USA Trail, and the Future of Gravel Racing Ep 140
|
Apr 20, 2026 |
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Is 32-Inch the New Standard? The USA Trail Verified, Atherton Ti Cranks, and Gravel Racing’s Hot Takes - 139
|
Apr 13, 2026 |
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AI Bike Coaching Strategy, Salsa Flyway vs. Stormchaser, and Mid-South Single Speed Recap | ShiftLess 138
|
Apr 02, 2026 |
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Solo Breakaway Tactics, Rouge Roubaix 2026 Recap, and Commercial Kitchen Logistics with Austin Whittington | ShiftLess 137
|
Mar 27, 2026 |
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32-Inch Wheel Realities, SRAM GX Transmission Review, and the DIY Dry-Aging Cooler Project | ShiftLess 136
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Mar 22, 2026 |
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1,000W E-Bike Rumors, 32-Inch Wheel Prototypes, and Singletrack Scouting the Coast-to-Crest Trail | ShiftLess 135
|
Mar 12, 2026 |
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Heart Rate Anomalies, 32-Inch Wheel Rumors, and the 9-Course Valentine Menu | ShiftLess 134
|
Feb 24, 2026 |
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New Jersey’s E-Bike Crackdown, Salsa’s Full-Suspension Gravel Tech, and the 32-Inch Wheel Evolution | ShiftLess 133
|
Feb 17, 2026 |
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32-Inch Wheel Rumors, Wolf Tooth’s Q-Factor Pedals, and Winter Footwear Strategy | ShiftLess 132
|
Feb 10, 2026 |
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Leadville’s Drop Bar Ban, the 32-Inch Wheel Conspiracy, and Texas Gravel Evolution | ShiftLess 131
|
Feb 02, 2026 |
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Leadville’s Drop Bar Ban, the 32-Inch Wheel Conspiracy, and Texas Gravel Evolution | ShiftLess 130
|
Jan 27, 2026 |
|
32-Inch Wheel Rumors, The Specialized "Big Wheel" Theory, and Podcast Trademark Tangles | ShiftLess 129.5
|
Jan 20, 2026 |
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The 32-Inch Wheel "Conspiracy," Arizona Trail Scouting, and our MAJOR Sponsorship Announcement | ShiftLess 128
|
Jan 09, 2026 |
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The Community-First Approach: Gravel Racing, Shop Culture, and Ultra-Endurance Adventures Ep 127
|
Jan 02, 2026 |
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Episode 126 - Tour Divide Veteran: The Adventures of Rick Ashton
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Dec 20, 2025 |
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Gravel Racing 2026: 32-Inch Wheels, Night Riding Tech, and Scouting The USA Trail | ShiftLess Ep. 125
|
Dec 10, 2025 |
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Episode 124 - This One Might Get Us In Trouble?
|
Dec 04, 2025 |
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Episode 123 - Another Previous Guest With Another FKT
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Nov 19, 2025 |
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Shattering the RAT 1000: Sleep Deprivation, Hallucinations, and an Epic FKT - 122
|
Nov 10, 2025 |
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Justin Cary’s RAT 1000 FKT, Caleb’s Broken Valve Stem, and the Science of Dextrose | ShiftLess Ep. 121
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Oct 22, 2025 |
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Episode 120 - The Special Edition That Wasn't Supposed to Happen
|
Oct 15, 2025 |
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RAT 1000 Survival Guide: Mechanical Woes, Bikepacking Gear, and Ultra-Endurance Gravel Racing Tactics #119
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Oct 08, 2025 |
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Basepacking the USA Trail: Our New ProMaster Van, COROS Dura Review & SRAM vs. UCI Gearing Ep 118
|
Sep 26, 2025 |
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Episode 117 - Eric House & The Silk Road MTB Race (on Single Speed)
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Sep 18, 2025 |
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300-Mile Bikepacking Survival: Race Across Texas Prep, The USA Trail Scouting, and Wide Tire Science | Ep. 116
|
Sep 11, 2025 |
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San Juan Hut to Hut Bikepacking & The Leadville 100 Controversy | Ep. 115
|
Aug 27, 2025 |
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Durston Gear X-Dome & X-Mid: Dan Durston on Ultralight Tent Innovation for Bikepacking | ShiftLess 114
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Aug 07, 2025 |
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The Zone 1 Training Revolution: Riding 180 Miles of Trails and Road on a Gravel Bike | ShiftLess 113
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Jul 30, 2025 |
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Heat Training, Summer Survival, and the Battle of the Bugs Ep 112
|
Jul 25, 2025 |
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Episode 111 - Summer Cycling Adventures?
|
Jul 17, 2025 |
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Gravel Cycling Gear Guide: Dursten X-Mid Tents, Canyon Grizzel, & The 1,000-Mile Taysha Route | Ep. 110
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Jul 10, 2025 |
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Bikepacking Prep: Heat Acclimation, Hut-to-Hut Gear, and Ultra-Endurance Gravel Cycling #109
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Jul 03, 2025 |
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Tour Divide Record, Shimano GRX Wireless, & RAT 1000 Prep | Gravel Cycling & Bikepacking Ep 108
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Jun 27, 2025 |
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Leadville 100 Debrief, RAT 1000 Logistics, & Unpaved Survival | Ep. 107
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Jun 20, 2025 |
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The Art of Basepacking: Gourmet Meals, Gear Survival, and Heat Acclamation | Ep. 106
|
Jun 12, 2025 |
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Episode 105 - The Bike Rack Episode
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Jun 05, 2025 |
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14-Speed Rumors, Flat Pedals with Float, and the Legendary Potato Gun Incident | ShiftLess Ep. 104
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May 08, 2025 |
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RAT Loops, Revelate Tarsier Review, and The USA Trail: Unpaved Cycling Culture | Ep. 103
|
May 01, 2025 |
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TUBA Trail Scouting & Happy Little Accidents Ep 102
|
Apr 25, 2025 |
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Episode 101 - Whiskey, Weather, and Wild Rides
|
Apr 17, 2025 |
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Bikepacking Overnighter Strategy: Tents, Radars, and The Art of the "Plan B" Audible | ShiftLess 100
|
Apr 03, 2025 |
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Turnin’ & Burnin’: Mid South Wildfires, E-Bike Tech, and the Future of Gravel Racing #99
|
Mar 27, 2025 |
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Filming the RAT 1000: Ultra Endurance Bikepacking, Unpaved Culture & The USA Trail | Ep. 98
|
Mar 20, 2025 |
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Gravel Tech Revolutions, Pro Doping Scandals, and Ultra-Endurance Survival | ShiftLess Ep. 97
|
Mar 13, 2025 |
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UCI Gravel Worlds in Limbo: Terlingua Stories, Pro Cheating, and the $999 Gravel Bike #96
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Mar 06, 2025 |
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Episode 95 - Tariff Update for the U.S. Cycling Industry
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Feb 27, 2025 |
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Episode 94 - It's a "Me" Thing...Prioritize Riding Your Bikes
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Feb 23, 2025 |
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Leadville 100 MTB Prep for Roadies: Wide Tire Science, The USA Trail, and Arkansas E-Bike Epics | Ep. 93
|
Feb 13, 2025 |
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Episode 92 - Another Solo Attempt...
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Jan 30, 2025 |
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The Gramble Revolution: Gravel Meets Rambling, The USA Trail, and the Future of Unpaved Cycling #91
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Jan 23, 2025 |
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Single Handedly Saving the Bicycle Industry? Industry Crisis, Winter Gear Hacks & The Future of Events | Ep. 90
|
Jan 15, 2025 |
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Gravel Bike Trends & Industry Outlook: Reversed Stems, Brompton Gravel, and the 1000-Mile RAT #89
|
Jan 08, 2025 |
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Episode 88 - ShiftLess Cookbook and Glamping Trips?
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Dec 19, 2024 |
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Gravel Cycling Tech, The USA Trail Scouting, and the Future of Basepacking | ShiftLess Ep. 87
|
Dec 12, 2024 |
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DJI Motors, Strava Controversy, and Gravel Bikepacking Adventures #86
|
Nov 21, 2024 |
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Episode 85 - Back in the Saddle(ish)
|
Nov 14, 2024 |
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All or Nothing Recap, The End of Palooza, and Training "Hours vs. Miles" | ShiftLess Ep. 84
|
Oct 30, 2024 |
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Lifetime Grand Prix Shakeups, Brad’s BT Epic DNR, and the "Conflibrated" Denton NW Loop | ShiftLess Ep. 83
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Oct 23, 2024 |
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Lifetime Grand Prix 2025 Shakeups, Brad’s BT Epic Goal, and Gravel Doping Rumors | ShiftLess Ep. 82
|
Oct 16, 2024 |
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UCI Gravel Worlds, The "Real" RAT 1000 Movie, and The Taysha Heritage Trail | Ep. 81
|
Oct 09, 2024 |
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Radial Tires, Shimano Advocacy, and The USA Trail: Caleb’s Return | Ep. 80
|
Oct 02, 2024 |
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Texas Gravel Champs, Lifetime 2025 Rumors, and the "Peter Rule" | Ep. 79
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Sep 27, 2024 |
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Pro Gravel Racing & The Lifetime Grand Prix with Emily Newsom | ShiftLess 78
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Sep 19, 2024 |
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Judgment Day Victory & Montana Solo: Gerritt Brink | ShiftLess Ep. 77
|
Sep 11, 2024 |
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Fat Bikes, Pinion Gearboxes, and the "Spirit of Gravel": Surly Moonlander & UCI Worlds | Ep. 76
|
Sep 04, 2024 |
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Texas Dominance at Gravel Worlds: Lauren Stevens & Emily Newsom Wins, Pro Drafting Debates, and Titanium Bike Tech | ShiftLess 75
|
Aug 28, 2024 |
|
Leadville 100 Debrief: DIY Nutrition, Heat Acclimation, and Ultra-Endurance Gear with Justin Cary #74
|
Aug 23, 2024 |
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Summer Merino Secrets: Pinebury Gear, Drop Bar MTB Taxonomy, and The USA Trail | Ep. 73
|
Aug 13, 2024 |
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Episode 72 - Brad & Kevin Bikepacking on a Tandem? Olympics Stupidity & The Science of Seatposts
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Aug 06, 2024 |
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Arkansas Trail Revolutions: Mena’s Ward Lake, E-Bike Truths, and the Great Bikepacking Bike Rankings | ShiftLess Ep. 71
|
Jul 30, 2024 |
|
E-Bike Tech Secrets, Tour Divide Strategy, and Bike Shop Realities with Velo Republic | ShiftLess 70
|
Jul 23, 2024 |
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Leadville Sub-9 Strategy, Unbound XL Review, and the "No Data" Approach with Justin Cary | ShiftLess Ep. 69
|
Jul 16, 2024 |
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Gravel Cycling Heat Acclimation, The USA Trail, and Bikepacking Tech | ShiftLess Ep. 68
|
Jul 05, 2024 |
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Gravel Cycling Trends, Tour Divide Records, and Mountain Bike Racing with Shawn McAfee | ShiftLess Ep. 67
|
Jun 25, 2024 |
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Gravel Racing & Bikepacking: The RAD Unbound Qualifier, Bike Theft Prevention with AirTags, and OneUp vs. Kuat Racks #66
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Jun 18, 2024 |
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Unbound XL 350 Strategy: Dealing with Stomach Shutdown and 2.2" Tire Performance | ShiftLess 65
|
Jun 11, 2024 |
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Gravel Bike Skills for Beginners: How to Build Confidence, Endurance, and Self-Sufficiency | ShiftLess 64
|
Jun 04, 2024 |
|
Kona’s Return to Roots, Garmin vs. Karoo 3, and Caleb’s Unbound XL Strategy | ShiftLess Ep. 63
|
May 28, 2024 |
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Dylan Johnson on the Science of Gravel: Heat Acclimation, Aero Tech, and 100g Carbs/Hour | ShiftLess 62
|
May 21, 2024 |
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Specialized Rumors, the U23 Gap, and Titanium Mud Picks | ShiftLess Ep. 61
|
May 14, 2024 |
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Unbound XL Bike Setup: Gravel Tech, Revelate Bikepacking Gear & Tire Science | Ep. 60
|
May 07, 2024 |
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Episode 59 - Bike Industry Doom and Gloom & Is Gravel the New Nascar or the New Pickleball?
|
Apr 30, 2024 |
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Episode 58 - The Next Big Thing? Premature Kona Talk & Is Hutch Back?
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Apr 23, 2024 |
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Episode 57 - Made in the USA, Real Time Customer Service & Kevin Gets More Baggage
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Apr 16, 2024 |
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Episode 56 - Kevin Gets Wrecked, How To Pronounce Shimano & Eclipse Foreshadowing?
|
Apr 09, 2024 |
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Episode 55 - Brad's Feet on Only Fans, Gravel Racer Survey & What Do Carbon Bikes Really Cost?
|
Apr 02, 2024 |
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Bikepacking the LBJ Grasslands, TPU "Pink Tube" Review, and Trailside Repairs | ShiftLess Ep. 54
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Mar 26, 2024 |
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Salsa Tributary E-Gravel Review, Why Panniers Fail, and the GravelKing X1 Launch | ShiftLess Ep. 53
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Mar 19, 2024 |
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Episode 52 - Caleb Unzips for the Birthday Episode, Some Big Bend Adventure and Brad is Proud of His Sausage
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Mar 12, 2024 |
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Bikepacking Tech Deep Dive: Dynamo Hubs, Water Filtration, and the 5-Year Gravel Evolution | Ep. 51
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Mar 05, 2024 |
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Episode 50 - Brad is Into Waxing, Kevin Drops His Baggage & Caleb is a Whiny Bit...
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Feb 27, 2024 |
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Episode 49 - Gear Ratios, Pacing, Health Department Info + Gravel & Fat Bike Fadness
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Feb 20, 2024 |
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Episode 48 - Unplanned 130 MileSS, Maths is Hard & Why We Break the Rules
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Feb 13, 2024 |
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Bikepacking for Beginners: How to Start with the Gear You Already Have | ShiftLess 47
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Feb 06, 2024 |
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Episode 46 - Caleb & Brad Torture Kevin, Event Hosting AMA
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Jan 30, 2024 |
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Episode 45 - Day Late Cold Weather Gear Talk, Walton or Walmart?, Breaking News on BLM Land in Texas!
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Jan 23, 2024 |
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Ultra Endurance Unconventional: Flat Pedals, 200-Mile FKTs, and Unbound XL Prep with Justin Cary #44
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Jan 16, 2024 |
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Episode 43 - Once in Lifetime Bike Ride, Bye-Bye Niner? & Are Motorcycles the New E-bike?
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Jan 09, 2024 |
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Epidsode 42 - We Hear From a New E-biker, No More Bike Discounts? All Road or All Shark Jump?
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Jan 02, 2024 |
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Episode 41 - Brooks Saddles, Share the Trail & Chef Brad's Double Secret Gumbo
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Dec 26, 2023 |
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Episode 40 - Farewell to Peak Gravel, Mechanical Doping, E-bike Cheating & Brad's Dream Bikepacking Trip
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Dec 19, 2023 |
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Episode 39 - Back to Oklahoma, Brad's Non Conventional Road Safety & Dunkin Donuts Coffee
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Dec 12, 2023 |
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Episode 38 - Tire Liners, Stainless Steel Bikes & It's Not a Jeep Thing
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Dec 04, 2023 |
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Episode 37 - Dr. Brad Joins Us to Discuss the Woes of Centerlock Rotors, Benefits of Square Taper and PRP Therapy & Is Kevin Ready For An E-Bike?
|
Nov 27, 2023 |
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Episode 36 - The Big Bend/Multiday Survival Guide Featuring DJ Caleb (Part 2)
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Nov 20, 2023 |
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Episode 35 - Spinistry-palooza Recap Part 1 Featuring DJ Caleb
|
Nov 13, 2023 |
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Episode 34 - RAT Talk Including the Documentary Crew, Every Bike Maker Hates Us & Brad Puts Kevin in a Corner
|
Nov 06, 2023 |
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Episode 33 - Is Zwift for Brad? All or Nothing Review, Bikepacking Poll, How Much is Too Much Ultra Endurance?
|
Oct 30, 2023 |
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Gravel Cycling History with Guitar Ted: Trans Iowa, Hall of Fame, & The Future of Steel Bikes #32
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Oct 23, 2023 |
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Episode 31 - Expert Edition With Cyclist Insurance Guru Ron Wadley
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Oct 16, 2023 |
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Episode 30 - Is Carbon the New Aluminum? No More Steel Bikes? Does Brad Read Viewer Mail?
|
Oct 09, 2023 |
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Episode 29 - 1Up or Kuat? Aluminum or Carbon? What Brands are Over Rated? Brad Doesn't Bash E-bikes...
|
Oct 03, 2023 |
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Episode 28 - Moots Lane Change, the Ti Bike Industry, Brad Get His Yoga On & Gravel Crits Review
|
Sep 25, 2023 |
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Episode 27 - Trail Recumbent Idiocy, Bachelor Party Talk & We're Not Melting!
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Sep 18, 2023 |
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Epidsode 26 - All bikes all the time going forward! (mostly) We talk Wolftooth, Robert Axle Project, Revel Bikes and more!
|
Sep 11, 2023 |
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Episode 25 - New stuff announcement, Jay Petervary, No earbuds & The Bear
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Sep 04, 2023 |
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Episode 24 - Brad is the D, Ray Porter Memorial & Great Divide vs Tour Divide
|
Aug 28, 2023 |
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Epidsode 23 - Coffee Snobbery, Midnight Massacre Recap & Create Your Own Adventure
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Aug 21, 2023 |
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Episode 22 - Worst Case Scenarios, Odd Men Out and Brad Goes Full Gatekeeper Mode
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Aug 14, 2023 |
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Episode 21 (20B) - To B or Not to B, Lots of Doping & Cheating Talk, and Wrapping Up How Did We Get Here?
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Aug 07, 2023 |
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Episode 20 - Chef Brad's Latest Culinary Adventure and How Did We Get Here?
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Jul 31, 2023 |
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Episode 19 - TdF Talk, More Sram Transmission, WTF are Gravel Crits & Does Brad Find Kevin's Tickle Feather?
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Jul 24, 2023 |
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Episode 18 - Best & Worst BBQ, a Dash of Bike Talk, are E-bikes the Pellet Smokers of the Trail?
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Jul 17, 2023 |
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Episode 17 - Brad Gets Inspired by Alaska & Canadia, Training in Texas Heat, Judgment Day & More
|
Jul 10, 2023 |
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Episode 16 - Wireless Brakes, Korean BBQ & Kevin is Afraid of Getting Lucky by the Pool
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Jul 03, 2023 |
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Unbound Gravel 200 Survival: Mud Drama, Gear Secrets, and Ultra-Endurance Mindset | Ep. 15
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Jun 26, 2023 |
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Unbound Gravel Attrition: Ultra-Endurance Racing, The USA Trail Scouting, and Shimano’s Wireless Hanger Patent #14
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Jun 19, 2023 |
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Episode 13 - Expert Edition Chef Brad Green Makes Us Hungry
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Jun 12, 2023 |
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Episode 12 - Expert Edition Part 2 With Dirt Dominator Rich Waldschmidt
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Jun 05, 2023 |
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Gravel Racing & Ultra Endurance: Rich Waldschmidt on the Hell of the North Texas #11
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May 29, 2023 |
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Episode 10 - Point to Point Adventures & Is Brad Getting Old?
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May 22, 2023 |
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Episode 9 - New Orleans Chat, Weather Tools, Saddle Sores & Just Dave It!
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May 15, 2023 |
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Tour Divide Survival Guide: 2,700 Miles of Gear, Grizzlies, and Mental Grit with Tim Nipper | ShiftLess 8
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May 08, 2023 |
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Episode 7 - Has Bikepacking Hit the Tipping Point? & We Demonstrate How Dumb We Are Regarding Bike Transmissions
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May 01, 2023 |
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Episode 6 - Expert Edition Pedaling Innovations
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Apr 25, 2023 |
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Episode 5 - Fried Chicken, Red River Riot Recap & More Spirit of Gravel
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Apr 19, 2023 |
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Episode 4 - Expert Edition Ride With GPS
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Apr 11, 2023 |
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Episode 3 - Some of Our Mistakes During Adventures
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Mar 23, 2023 |
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Episode 2 - Covid Flashbacks and Colorado Trail
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Mar 15, 2023 |
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Episode 001 Hello World and Oklahoma!
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Mar 08, 2023 |
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Episode 000 - Testing
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Mar 03, 2023 |