Ep. 218 - Bigger Tires Are Faster?! World Champs Chaos & Crit Racing Advice

What’s up party people. Check out this week’s episode of the Bonk Bros.    Find us on the socials: Adam Saban - IG - @adamsaban6 Dylan Johnson - IG - @dylanjawnson Drew Dillman - IG - @raddaddizzle Scott McGill - IG - @scottmcgilljr Tyler Cloutier - IG - @tylerclouti   Dylan Johnson YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DylanJohnsonCycling  Drew Dillman YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DrewDillmanChannel    Wanna help the Bros keep the lights on and the mics plugged in? Check out all the ways you can support our bike-banter podcasting below. (See the most recent video upload for most up-to-date codes & deals)   PATREON: Drop a hundo in the tip jar. https://www.patreon.com/patreon_bonkbros    MERCH: T-SHIRTS ARE HERE! Get your Bonk Bros swag below. https://bb5a73-20.myshopify.com   IGNITION: Hire a coach. Get faster. It’s that simple. $100.00 Off Your First Month with Code: NOBONK100 https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/   FOR UPDATED DISCOUNT CODES CHECK MY LATEST VIDEO.   SILCA: Waxing your chains or melting queso dip. Either way, you need a Crockpotanator 4000. 10% Code: BONKBROSTIRES (All Caps) Silca (10% discount code: “bonkbrosseptember25”): https://silca.cc/?utm_source=Bonk+Bros&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=stripchip&utm_id=Bonk+Bros+Podcast     BIKE TIRES DIRECT: Great prices for bicycle tires, components, and more. 10% Code: BONKBROS10 https://www.biketiresdirect.com/?utm_source=bonkbros&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=bonkbros2025     MATCHBOX PODCAST: Check out our more serious training focused podcast.  https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/podcast      SCARBOROUGH BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAW Scarborough Bicycle Accident Law is with you on every ride, when you're at your peak, or when you're in recovery, and we fight to get our clients results. We want you back on your bike and back in your prime. https://www.bicycleaccidentlaw.com   Just Mention Bonk Bros   LISTENER QUESTION FORM: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2390aqaGwF7CCpFjAnKYn42bEzIi4BYrDI9LrJpgjjVFeew/viewform?usp=sf_link    NEW: BONK OR BALLIN WEBSITE www.bonkorballin.com    This week, Adam, Dylan, Dizzle, and Scott dive into the latest tire-size debate after new testing puts 45 mm, 55 mm, and even 2.2" mountain bike tires head-to-head. The Bros break down why bigger tires may actually be faster once gravel gets rough, and what that means for gravel and cyclocross setups. They also recap Mountain Bike World Champs, including Tom Pidcock’s win, Cole Punchard’s breakout podium, Jackson Goldstone’s downhill performance, and Mathieu van der Poel’s rough day. Plus, e-bike racing hot takes, Vuelta chatter, silent hubs, and the UCI’s 33 mm cyclocross tire rule. Scott closes things out with some simple crit-racing advice: if you want to get better at crits, race more crits and practice sprinting at actual race speed. In this episode: 45 mm vs. 55 mm gravel tires and when bigger is faster Mountain Bike World Champs recap Jackson Goldstone’s downhill win The case for longer, more strategic e-bike racing Haynes Point and the fight for cycling space in DC Silent hubs, magnetic pawls, and hub drag How to actually train for criteriums Cyclocross tire sizing and the UCI’s 33 mm rule Gravel and CX tire recommendations for rough and muddy courses