This Is Why Your Power Isn’t Improving (It's Not Your Training)

The Maintenance Mistakes That Are Slowing You Down

Are you losing speed because of simple maintenance mistakes? In this episode, we sit down with Sean Lundrigan, Service Manager at Trek Fort Wright, bike mechanic and racer to discuss the biggest bike maintenance mistakes cyclists make without even realizing it. Many riders spend thousands of dollars chasing upgrades, deeper wheels, lighter bikes, and electronic shifting when the reality is they may be losing free speed because of poor bike maintenance, drivetrain inefficiency, or overlooked mechanical issues. Sean shares the most common problems he sees every day in the bike shop, the preventable mistakes that can ruin races, and the simple things cyclists can do to make their bikes faster, quieter, and more reliable. 🛠 We dive into: •The #1 bike maintenance mistake cyclists make • How much speed a poorly maintained drivetrain can cost you • Chain lubrication mistakes • Tire pressure mistakes • Brake rub and drivetrain efficiency • Common race-day mechanical failures • The ideal 24-hour pre-race bike check • Marginal gains and free speed • What bike mechanics wish every cyclist knew This episode is packed with practical advice that can help you ride faster and avoid costly mistakes. 👉Follow Sean and Trek Fort Wright: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/retail/fort_wright/ or email him: sean_lundrigan@trekbikes.com  ⏱ Chapters:  00:00 - Intro 24:08 - Biggest Bike Maintenance Mistakes 25:17 - Chain Care & Lubrication 31:45 - Weekly Bike Inspection Checklist 42:37 - Bearing Maintenance Explained 44:19 - How to True a Wheel 46:44 - Essential Bike Maintenance Tools 48:10 - Disc Brake Maintenance Tips Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]

The Biggest Cycling Tech Trends According to Mechanics

Cycling tech has changed dramatically over the last 10 years. From wider tires and disc brakes to electronic shifting, 1x drivetrains, massive cassettes, integrated cockpits, and SRAM’s UDH system — modern road bikes are evolving faster than ever. In this episode, we sit down with Michael Haas and Andreas Frances of Reser Bicycle to discuss the biggest cycling tech trends happening right now from a mechanic’s perspective. We break down what innovations are actually improving cycling, what trends may be overhyped, and where road bikes could be headed in the next 5–10 years. We also dive into: * Wider tires, rolling resistance & internal rim width * SRAM UDH & the rise of 1x gearing * Modern gearing trends & easier gear ratios * Electronic shifting vs mechanical * Integration vs serviceability * Proprietary bike parts & modern bike maintenance * What mechanics really think about current bike trends * Predictions for the future of cycling tech Follow Reser Bicycle Outfitters: reserbicycle.com [https://reserbicycle.com] Chapters:  03:18 — Rapid-fire mechanic questions 18:58 — Where bikes have come from over the last 20 years 31:51 — Rise of UDH 36:41— 1x Drivetrains and gear ratios 50:35 — Wider tires and clearance  54:40— Integrated vs non-integrated  1:09:16 — Where bikes are headed in the next 5 years  #cycling #cyclingtech #roadcycling #biketech #cyclingpodcast Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]

This Is Why Your Power Isn’t Improving (It's Not Your Training)

Most cyclists think getting faster means riding more. But what if the real limiter isn’t your training — it's your strength, nutrition, and durability?  In this episode, we sit down with a sports nutrition expert, Dr. Cindy Cassell to break down why power doesn’t equal strength, how metabolism and fueling impact performance, and why cyclists over 35 need to rethink how they train. If you’ve been training harder but not getting faster, struggling with recovery, or feeling like your power doesn’t match your effort — this episode will show you what’s really going on. What You’ll Learn: • Why strength training is critical for cyclists • How nutrition impacts cycling performance and recovery • The truth about low energy availability in cyclists • How to improve cycling durability and fatigue resistance • Why VO2 max declines with age and how to slow it down • How to build power that lasts deep into races and long rides Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]

A National Champion Failed a Drug Test — Is Masters Racing Clean?

Is TRT in Masters cycling an unfair advantage? Or is testosterone replacement therapy simply legitimate medical treatment? In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most controversial topics in Masters racing: testosterone, doping rules, and whether aging athletes are competing on a level playing field. After a recent failed drug test in the Masters ranks sparked conversation, we step back and ask the bigger questions: • Does natural testosterone decline with age? • What does testosterone actually do for endurance performance? • Why is testosterone banned in competition? • What is testosterone replacement?  • Is Masters cycling clean? We break down how testosterone impacts muscle mass, red blood cell production, recovery, and long-term training capacity. If you’re racing Masters, thinking about racing, or just curious about the TRT debate in endurance sports, this episode is for you. ⏱️ Chapters 1:31 – Training plans 9:00 – Strade Bianchi recap  13:15 – Is Tadej good or bad for Strade Bianchi? 18:53 – VelonCC publishes Tadej's power zones 19:49 – USA road cycling on the decline Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]

Is Road Racing in the U.S. Dying? (USA Cycling Data)

Is road racing in the U.S. dying? We break down USA Cycling membership trends, disappearing road races, and the explosion of gravel racing to uncover what’s really happening in American cycling. In this episode, we look at the decline of traditional road racing and criteriums in the U.S., but the rise of gravel. If you're a recreational cyclist or a longtime racer wondering what’s happening to the sport, this episode is for you. For years, riders have said: • Road races are disappearing • Fields are getting smaller • The average racer is getting older But at the same time: • Gravel events are selling out • Crit racing is still strong at it's core  • Zwift racing has exploded • More adults are riding bikes than ever So is road racing actually dying… or just evolving? Follow us:  * YOUTUBE: @bespoke-endurance  * INSTAGRAM: @bespoke_endurance * TIK TOK: @bespokeendurance  * STRAVA: https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/12445307] & https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/9809044]  * SPOTIFY: Bespoke Endurance | Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0DPmxYGRCliSWspprQPo6j] * APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1790091191 * IHEARTRADIO: https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/ [https://iheart.com/podcast/259385937/]