The Specialized Podcast

You know Christopher Blevins from his record-breaking 2025 season, where he finished #1 in UCI XC points, claimed both the XCO and XCC overall titles, and helped the Specialized Factory XC Team sweep the World Cup podium twice aboard Epic 8.So why change the bike?Because lead engineer Jason McDonald and the rest of the Specialized Science Club knew they could make it faster.In this episode, Jason explains how the team started with Epic 8’s world-beating benchmark, then removed what held it back: 206 grams gone, making Epic 9 the lightest full-suspension XC race bike on the planet.Then he gets into how suspension friction was cut by 11%, how kinematics were optimized, and how it all adds up to unmatched efficiency, capability, and speed per watt.Christopher shares what modern World Cup XC racing demands at full speed, how Epic 9 feels on course, and why control, confidence, and composure now matter as much as efficiency and weight.This episode covers:• Why Specialized built Epic 9 after Epic 8’s dominant season• What actually slows riders down in modern XC racing• What “Made In Racing” actually means: turning data, rider feedback, and engineering into speed• The engineering behind the 1,589 g frame• Why lighter only matters if the bike stays fast, controlled, and composed• How Epic 9 blends Epic World Cup crispness with Epic 8 capability• The role of 11% lower pivot friction in ride feel and traction• How Wide Open, Magic Middle, and Sprint-On-Lock damping settings work in real racing• Why efficiency is more than stiffness and weight• How Body Geometry data shaped Epic 9 fit and handling• What Christopher feels when the bike disappears and flow takes overIt is a conversation about speed, science, flow, and devotion beyond reason to making the fastest XC bike in the world even faster.GUESTS: Christopher Blevins and Jason McDonaldGet More from Specialized TikTok:   / specializedbicycles  Instagram:   / iamspecialized  Facebook: https://www.fb.com/specializedbicyclesOutride:   / outride  

Setbacks do not always stop the story. If we have the grit, they become the path to become better than ever.For downhill phenom Finn Iles, the past couple seasons have been painful, frustrating, and shaped by an invisible back injury that forced him to rethink how he trains, prepares, races, and lives. And that is exactly what makes this moment so compelling. He is healthier, hungrier, and faster than ever and ready to send it in 2026 with purpose.In this episode of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast, Ben Capron sits down with Iles for a direct conversation about the love of riding, freedom, flow, the long road back, and why he enters 2026 humble, hungry, and ready to win.The story moves from growing up in British Columbia, chasing his brother through some of the best riding on earth, to becoming a Junior World Champion, a World Cup winner, and one of the most thoughtful riders in downhill racing. But more than results, this conversation reveals what drives him. Riding is where the noise disappears. It is where the mind clears and the feeling of freedom takes over.But this is not just about talent.It is about devotion to process.Finn makes it clear that process is everything. The work behind the scenes. The routine. The repetition. The discipline to check every box so that when the gate drops, the mind is free. For him, preparation is not separate from performance. It is the thing that makes performance possible.That is what makes this episode hit harder. The obstacle became the path. Injury forced patience. Pain forced awareness. And the comeback has been built the same way Finn approaches racing itself: deliberately, honestly, and one step at a time. He talks openly about learning to trust the process, trust the people around him, and rebuild without rushing, all so he can come back stronger.The conversation also goes inside the development of the new Demo 11, a project Finn has helped shape over multiple seasons. From prototype bikes to production bike, from endless testing to finally having a stable platform to build from, he describes the process as one of the most amazing things he’s done in his career. That matters here, too. It is another expression of the same mindset: keep building, keep refining, keep earning speed.And now the focus sharpens. Val di Sole. A decade after winning Junior Worlds there, Finn heads toward 2026 motivated, healthier, and with a track that suits him in his sights. After everything he dealt with in 2025, he sounds like a rider who has done the work, learned from the setback, and is ready to win.This episode goes beyond racing, covering:Why downhill feels like freedomHow to clear the mind for ultimate performanceWhy preparation is the foundation of speedWhat really happens in the start gateHow injury changed his body, mindset, and processWhy the obstacle became the pathWhat 2025 taught him through pain and setbacksWhy Val di Sole matters so much in 2026The role Finn has played in developing Demo 11Why redemption is earned through the workIt is a conversation about freedom, preparation, resilience, and the road back to winning.Get More from SpecializedTikTok: @specializedbicyclesInstagram: @iamspecializedSpecialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtbSpecialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxcFacebook: specializedbicyclesOutride: @outride

When the gate drops, hesitation loses. And Super Bruni wins when it matters most.A five-time World Champion and one of the fastest downhill racers in history, Loïc Bruni has built his career on precision, composure, and the rare ability to deliver when the pressure is highest. In this episode of the Specialized Podcast, Ben Capron sits down with Bruni for a direct conversation about speed, pressure, and the mindset behind championship performance.The story moves from growing up in the south of France, surrounded by the roots of downhill racing, to becoming one of the sport’s defining riders. From there, it goes inside the mental demands of downhill, the pursuit of flow state, and developing the Demo 11 in pursuit of finding more speed when the margins are almost nothing.But this is not just about racing.It is a philosophy.Feel. Trust yourself. Commit fully. From fear and focus to redemption, mind games, and the balance between obsession and joy, Bruni shares what it takes to stay fast, keep evolving, and show up when it matters most.The conversation also goes inside the development of the new Demo 11, a no-compromise race bike built through deep trust between rider and brand, and a process focused on one thing: maximum speed.This episode goes beyond racing, covering:What downhill racing really demandsWhat happens in Bruni’s mind before the gate dropsWhy flow state cannot be forcedThe pressure and heartbreak of the 2025 seasonWhat redemption looks like in 2026Growing up in the heart of European downhillThe influence of Nico Vouilloz and technical obsessionHow Bruni balances focus, fun, and longevityThe mindset behind winning runsThe development of Demo 11It is a conversation about pressure, precision, and performing when it matters most.Subscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling.Get More from SpecializedGet More from SpecializedTikTok: @specializedbicyclesInstagram: @iamspecializedSpecialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtbSpecialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxcFacebook: specializedbicyclesOutride: @outride

He sold his VW bus to ride across Europe. That decision changed cycling forever.Mike Sinyard didn’t set out to build Specialized. He set out to ride.He sold his VW bus and rode through Europe. What came back was something bigger. A way of seeing the world. The start of Specialized. And a relentless belief that the bicycle can change the world.In this episode of the Specialized Podcast, Ben Capron sits down with Sinyard for a direct conversation about where it all began, and what still drives him today.The story moves from the freedom of early childhood rides, to importing Italian components, to building the first Specialized products designed to solve real problems for riders. From there, it tracks the launch of the Stumpjumper and the birth of mountain biking as we know it, and into becoming one of the winningest brand across all major disciplines, including winning the Tour de France.But this is not just a history lesson.It is a philosophy.Innovate or Die. The Rider Is the Boss. Do the Right Thing. Use science to make it better. From Body Geometry to World Cup racing to the rise of Turbo electric bikes, Sinyard shares how these ideas have shaped every chapter of Specialized.Along the way, the conversation expands beyond product into something bigger. The power of the bicycle to change health, mindset, and the trajectory of people’s lives. The work of Outride. And the belief that bikes can pedal the planet forward.The episode closes where it began. With a simple idea.Ride a bike. Change your life.This episode goes beyond origin stories, covering:How a trip through Europe sparked SpecializedWhy the first product was a tire, and what it taught himThe launch of the Stumpjumper and the birth of mountain bikingThe philosophy behind “Innovate or Die”How Body Geometry redefined comfort, performance, and healthWhy racing remains essential to innovationThe vision behind Turbo and the rise of electric bikesThe mission of Outride and the connection between bikes and the brainWhat the bicycle can do for humanityWhat still inspires him after 50 yearsIt is a conversation about freedom, innovation, and the enduring power of the bicycle.Get More from SpecializedGet More from SpecializedTikTok: @specializedbicyclesInstagram: @iamspecializedSpecialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtbSpecialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxcFacebook: specializedbicyclesOutride: @outride

Rob Roskopp was a driving force during skateboarding’s most explosive era as a skater and in business. Later he brought that same raw, instinctual approach into mountain biking, building, growing, and exiting a rider-driven brand along the way.In this episode of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast, Ben Capron sits down with Roskopp for a direct conversation about creativity, risk, and what it means to stay authentic while building a business for riders.His story moves from the hardcore originality of early skate culture to ripping on dirt, to bringing that same mindset into product and business. Trusting feel. Backing riders. Creating things that actually make riding better. Today, that path has led him to Specialized, where he helps advance mountain bike product and contribute to strategy.Along the way, he reflects on identity, progression, and growing a business while staying true to what matters. The conversation closes on something simple, but timely. Less hate. More connection. More shared stoke.This episode goes beyond origin stories, covering:How skate culture shaped his approach to riding, product, and businessWhy instinct and feel still matter in modern product developmentWhat it takes to grow without losing authenticityHis current work advancing mountain bike product at SpecializedWhy positivity and shared experience matter more than everIt is a conversation about edge, evolution, and building for riders, then and now.Get More from SpecializedTikTok: @specializedbicyclesInstagram: @iamspecializedSpecialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtbSpecialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxcFacebook: specializedbicyclesOutride: @outride

You likely know Christopher Blevins from his celebrated career in cross-country racing that culminated in a record-breaking 2025 season, where he finished #1 in UCI XC points and claimed both the overall XCO and XCC titles. What you may not know is the process behind that success, the mindset that shaped it, and the deeper ‘why’ that keeps driving him forward.In this episode of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast, Ben Capron sits down with Christopher for an open conversation about the season that changed everything, the inner work that made it possible, and his goals for the future.His story moves from growing up in Durango and racing BMX as a kid, to finding his way through doubt and reconnecting with his purpose, to becoming one of the most thoughtful and dynamic riders in any sport. Along the way, he reflects on the part he plays in R&D at Specialized, creativity, community, and the role mindfulness plays in helping him perform at his best. The conversation also looks ahead to what’s next, including his goals for 2026, and the 2028 Olympics.This episode goes further than race results, covering:• What stood out most from his landmark 2025 season• How process, presence, and adaptability shaped his success• The role of mindfulness in racing and daily life• How BMX, road, and XC each helped form him as a rider• His goals for 2026 and the road to the 2028 Olympics• Why community, creativity, and service matter beyond competitionIt is a conversation about flow, focus, and the deeper purpose behind one of the most compelling and inspirational riders in sport.GUEST: Christopher BlevinsFollow Christopher BlevinsInstagram: @christopherblevsGet More from SpecializedTikTok: @specializedbicyclesInstagram: @iamspecializedSpecialized MTB Instagram @iamspecialized_mtbSpecialized Factory Racing Instagram: @specialized_factoryxcFacebook: specializedbicyclesOutride: @outride

Go inside the design of the fastest gravel wheels ever made. Roval Category Leader Chris Wehan and Olympian + Unbound Champion Sofia Gomez Villafañe pull back the curtain on the development of Roval Terra Aero CLX and Terra CLX III—two wheels built for the fastest gravel races on earth.We break down Virtual 70 aerodynamics, real‑world tire + rim system performance, 21% more compliance, massive flat‑protection gains, and how these wheels influence race strategy at Unbound Gravel, Big Sugar, Sea Otter, the UCI Gravel World Championships, and more.If you’re into gravel tech, race‑day speed, equipment testing, or behind‑the‑scenes product development, this episode delivers the full story: the motivation, the engineering challenges, the breakthroughs, and the athlete feedback that shaped the final result.Topics we cover:• Why aero matters now in modern gravel racing• Virtual 70 and why Terra Aero is faster without going deeper• 21% compliance gains on Terra CLX III and where you feel them• Flat protection and why bead hook design can save your race• What Sofia feels on course—and how speed shows up in hour 5 and 6• How Roval’s engineering team partnered with athletes from the very first prototype• Which wheel to choose for Unbound, Big Sugar, Worlds, or everyday gravel ridingFeaturing:Sofia Gomez Villafañe — Unbound Gravel Champion, Big Sugar winner, Olympian, Multi-time National ChampionChris Wehan — Category Leader, Roval Components, Pretty fast on a bikeBuilt for the roughest terrain. Designed for the fastest riders. Developed for real‑world race conditions across Kansas, Arkansas, California, and every gravel course in between.Subscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling.Get More from SpecializedTikTok: @specializedbicyclesInstagram: @iamspecializedFacebook: specializedbicyclesOutride: @outride

You likely know Demi Vollering for her Tour de France Femmes victory, her run of classics wins and Grand Tours, and the way she has pushed the level of women’s racing with every season. What you may not know is how her journey began, the confidence she built on the way to her first win, and the goals that still drive her forward.In this episode of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast, guest host Ben Edwards sits down with Demi and Hannah Troop, S-Racing Road Liaison, for an open conversation about the path behind her success and the work that continues to shape her career.Her story moves from the moment she discovered cycling, to her fast rise through the women’s peloton, to the long‑standing partnership with Specialized and what that relationship means to her. Through it all she has helped elevate the sport while showing that staying healthy and grounded is essential for performing at the highest level.This episode goes further than her results, covering:• How Demi discovered cycling and her journey toward her first win• The key moments in her career and what she still dreams of achieving• How she prepares for her goals in the upcoming racing season• Her partnership with Specialized and how this connection helps her continue to improve• How women’s cycling has evolved and why athlete wellbeing matters more than everIt is a conversation about ambition, growth, and the mindset behind a champion who keeps finding new ways to rise.GET MORE FROM SPECIALIZED: Instagram: @iamspecialized Instagram: @iamspecialized_mtb TikTok: @specializedbicycles Facebook: specializedbicyclesSubscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling.Outride Instagram: @outride

Levo just became a family. With Levo R, Specialized introduces “Electric Rally”—full‑power e‑MTB that feels lighter, sharper, and more connected on trail, all while delivering the SuperNatural ride feel riders love.In this episode, host Ben Capron talks with Brian Gordon, Mountain Bike Product Manager at Specialized, about how full‑power e‑MTBs evolved from brute strength to intuitive control, what has to be true for a bike to feel SuperNatural, and how “usable power” shows up on steep tech climbs, loose-over-hard corners, and slick root webs.Together they map the Levo lineup: Levo 4 as Electric Trail (benchmark versatility and balance) and Levo R as Electric Rally (full power with rally‑car precision). From rider archetypes to real setup guidance, Brian breaks down who benefits most from each bike and why. Then they dive into Levo R’s three pillars: SuperNatural Power via the Turbo 3.1 system (up to 850 W peak and 111 Nm, metered with adaptive traction control), Super Agile through a purpose‑built 140/130 chassis, a frame that’s hundreds of grams lighter, rally‑ready spec, and the GENIE shock that delivers coil‑like comfort with bottom‑out control. They also cover practical details that matter every ride, like geometry adjust, storage, and serviceability.Finally, they demystify Super Range with a modular system—840 Wh, 600 Wh, and a 280 Wh extender—plus efficiency gains you can actually feel over long days. You’ll hear how to choose the right battery for your rides, why charging to 80% can extend longevity, and how Levo R’s efficiency translates to consistent support and less heat fade. The conversation ends where great rides begin: the emotional heart of Electric Rally and what the perfect Levo R day feels like.GUEST: Brian Gordon Mountain Bike Product Manager, SpecializedGET MORE FROM SPECIALIZED: Instagram: @iamspecialized Instagram: @iamspecialized_mtb TikTok: @specializedbicycles Facebook: specializedbicyclesSubscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling.Outride Instagram: @outride

The award-winning Turbo Levo 4 just got more powerful, smoother, and more customizable, thanks to an over-the-air update you can install right from the Specialized App.In this episode, host Ben Capron talks with Marco Sonderegger, Director of Turbo Technology at Specialized, for a deep dive into how Levo 4 continues to evolve, and what it really takes to create a SuperNatural ride feel.Alongside what’s new in the latest OTA update, up to 22% more peak power, more torque, refined control, and new personalization, Ben and Marco dig into the nuances behind the numbers: how rider feedback shapes real improvements, how to manage range as performance increases, and what features like MicroTune and overrun actually do on the trail.It’s a technical-yet-human, rider-first conversation about nuance, tradeoffs, and the thousands of decisions behind a ride that feels like “You, Only Faster.”GUEST: Marco Sonderegger Director of Turbo Technology, SpecializedGET MORE FROM SPECIALIZED: Instagram: @iamspecialized Instagram: @iamspecialized_mtb TikTok: @specializedbicycles Facebook: specializedbicyclesSubscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more conversations with the engineers, athletes, and creators shaping the future of cycling.Outride Instagram: @outride

From her victory at Liège–Bastogne–Liège, to lighting up the Tour de France Femmes with a stage win and multiple days in the yellow jersey, in 2025 Kim Le Court-Pienaar announced herself on the world stage. What you may not know is that her first foray into European road racing in 2015 began with a string of DNFs and DFLs.In this episode of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast, guest host Ben Edwards sits down with Kim for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about one of the most unlikely and inspiring careers in modern cycling.From grit to reinvention to breakthrough performance, Kim’s story is a masterclass in persistence, humor, and belief.Follow the athlete and teamKim Le Court-PienaarInstagram: @kimlecourtAG Insurance–SoudalInstagram: @aginsurancesoudalSpecialized RoadInstagram: @iamspecialized_roadSubscribe to Specialized Bicycles on YouTube for more athlete conversations, behind-the-scenes racing insight, and the real stories shaping the future of cycling.Get More from Specialized TikTok: @specializedbicyclesInstagram: @iamspecializedFacebook: specializedbicyclesOutride: @outride

What’s really behind the biggest gravel racing news in years?In this episode of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast, Keegan Swenson and Sofia Gomez Villafañe sit down to tell the story in their own words.The media has called Keegan’s move to Specialized Offroad Racing the gravel transfer of the decade. And with a roster that includes top male riders Matt Beers and Mads Würtz Schmidt, Keegan’s transfer has sparked a conversation about the dawn of the “super team” in gravel—and what real team tactics might look like at the pointy end of the biggest gravel races.Keegan and Sofia cut through the noise and share the real story behind the move, the thinking that led to it, and what it means for the future of gravel racing.This conversation goes deeper than headlines, covering:Why gravel is evolving, and what that evolution demands from athletesHow Keegan approaches long-form gravel and MTB racing, strategy, and self-directed performanceSofia’s tireless, principled, and effective advocacy for equity in gravel racing, including realizing separate women’s starts at some of the sport’s biggest events.What it actually takes to build sustainable dominance in gravel, season after seasonHow partnership, independence, and preparation intersect at the highest levelRather than hype or speculation, this episode offers an authentic and spirited, first-person look at where gravel racing is headed and what it takes to lead it.Hosted on the Specialized Bicycles YouTube channel.Follow the athletes and teamSofía Gomez Villafañe Instagram: @sofithevillaKeegan Swenson Instagram: @keegels99Specialized Off-Road Racing Instagram: @specialized_offroadracingSubscribe to the podcast for more athlete conversations, behind-the-scenes racing insight, and the real stories shaping the future of cycling.

In this episode of the Specialized Podcast, guest-host Ben Edwards sits down with one of the most accomplished riders of his generation: Remco Evenepoel.Joined by Leo Menville (S-Racing Road Liaison), we dive deep into Remco’s journey so far. From his rapid rise to the top of the sport to navigating injuries, setbacks, and the mental resilience required to come back stronger. Remco opens up about his relationship with Specialized, how bikes and equipment play a crucial role in his performance, and what continues to drive his obsession with improvement.We also reflect on the biggest results of his career so far and explore his decision to begin the next chapter of his career with Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe, what motivated the move, and the ambitions that come with it.Find out more about Remco here: https://www.specialized.com/remco-eve...Get More from Specialized TikTok:   / specializedbicycles  Instagram:   / iamspecialized  Facebook: https://www.fb.com/specializedbicyclesOutride:   / outride