The "GRXTR" Mashup: Why 12 Speeds Might Be All You Need

wash lines, and why the UCI is suddenly policing your jersey pockets and screen size. This week on the Velo Podcast, it's lonely! I was away doing an interview, and Mike Levy is out in the wilderness doing a big ride. That left just Logan Jones-Wilkins and Lisa Charlebois to cover the week's topics. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 - Unbound Aftermath & Press Camp Prep: The pair starts off discussing Charlebois getting ready for her first press camp. She has questions about how to handle it, but she also asks Jones-Wilkins if he has recovered from Unbound and what happens after the finish line when the cameras stop. He details the reality of the endless queues for the Muc-Off bike wash, the decompression in the pro tent, and the sheer volume of mud that riders had to scrape off just to feel human again. 05:27 - Shimano GRX Long-Term Review: Gravel continues to be the focal point of the episode. If you’ve been following the drivetrain wars, you know SRAM has seemingly cornered the gravel market. Jones-Wilkins decides to zig when others zag, breaking down his custom mashup—pairing an XTR rear mech with GRX levers—and explaining why Shimano is actually winning the gravel race when it comes to raw shifting speed, cassette range, and the long-term cost of consumable parts. It is a deep dive into why 12 speeds might just beat 13, and why a brand doesn't always need to reinvent the wheel to stay on top. 40:34 - The UCI's New Tech Regulations: The gravel wars are free from the UCI, but once again, the team had to talk about another head-shaking UCI decision. The UCI recently rolled out new tech regulations, including a cap on computer screen sizes, conveniently set exactly 1mm larger than the massive Wahoo Ace. They also introduced a ban on carrying nutrition in front jersey pockets. Logan and Lisa debate whether this is a genuine safety measure to reduce cognitive load or just another instance of the UCI over-regulating tech while ignoring course safety. 51:30 - Ultra-Racing Updates: Finally, the duo wraps up with a nod to the ultra-endurance world, dot-watching Lael Wilcox as she sets off on her Around the World Record attempt, and tracking Dr. Sarah Ruggins on her massive push across the European divide.