The Bicycling Show About Bicycling

Are shorter cranks actually better, or just a trend? We break down making the switch to 165mm, covering reduced hip and knee strain, and when fitter and shorter cranks can genuinely help, especially if you're dealing with nagging joint pain.

Cycling or running — which actually wins for fitness and longevity? We break down the trade-offs and the real takeaways.  

New brand XLAB is turning heads with a $4,500 carbon aero race bike loaded with Di2, a power meter, and carbon wheels — undercutting legacy brands by hundreds of dollars. Are more economical new entrants are legit competition or unproven wild cards? We dig into the murky world of shared carbon factories and supply chains and debate whether these lower prices will actually push the whole industry down — or just repeat history's pattern of hype that fades.

Your bike helmet may look perfectly fine—but is it still protecting you? This episode breaks down why helmets wear out, how heat, sun, sweat, and everyday use can affect their materials, and the warning signs it’s time for a replacement. Plus, learn how to care for your helmet so it stays safer for longer.

How do Tour de France riders bounce back for another brutal stage tomorrow? We break down the pros' full recovery routine — from precise macros to ice baths and limiting social media — and figure out which parts everyday cyclists can actually steal. Plus: why bikepacking racing is basically the opposite of recovery.

Does a new bike actually make you faster? We break down real Strava data, brand marketing claims, and generation-over-generation bike launches (Specialized, Cannondale, Giant) to find out where the real gains are — and where they're mostly marketing spin. Spoiler: yes, a new bike helps, especially if you're coming from an old one, but for most riders, wheels, tires, and body position upgrades offer way more bang for your buck than a $15,000 frame.

Tour de France bikes ranked: Bicycling experts compare all 23 team race bikes and reveal the one high-performance road bike they’d buy. ------------------------------------------------ The Bicycling Show About Bicycling Resources: Download our 8-week century plan: www.bicycling.com/training/a69889210/eight-week-century-training-plan/ Join our Bicycling membership program: https://shop.bicycling.com/bicycling-premium-membership-5999.html Browse our training plan library: https://www.bicycling.com/marquee-exclusives/ Download our workout app: https://www.bicycling.com/training/a70438054/all-out-studio-app/ ------------------------------------------------ Follow Bicycling: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bicyclingmag/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BicyclingMag Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bicyclingmag X: https://x.com/bicyclingmag  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bicyclingmag