Shimano's $480 Gravel Shoes, Zwift Partners On Headphones, & MADE Bike Show Highlights
This week’s Velo Podcast takes a tech-heavy turn while Mike Levy is away, while Josh and I (Alvin Holbrook) dive deep into the latest gear, updates, and trends shaping cycling.
We kick things off with Wahoo’s firmware updates. Credit to Wahoo, here, as they pushed a series of updates to its first-generation bike computers, experiencing mass file corruptions and problems, a long eight years after the first Elemnt computer was released.
Next up are the new Shimano S-Phyre RX910 gravel shoes, the brand’s first gravel-specific model under its flagship line. At $480, they promise elite-level performance with a supple upper, serious stiffness, and clever pontoons that offer road shoe-like stability. Still, their pedal sensitivity and premium pricing sparked a lively debate on whether “gravel-specific” is worth the investment.
We also tested Zwift’s new over-ear headphones, boasting 50-hour battery life, sweat resistance, and active noise cancellation. At $249, they’re aimed squarely at serious indoor riders, but are they really better than in-ear buds?
From there, Josh shares highlights from the MADE Handmade Bike Show in Portland. Standouts included the fillet-brazed artistry of Ira Ryan, the aero-focused, 3D printed titanium No.22 Reactor, and a bold paint scheme from Black Magic. The show reinforced that road and gravel continue to dominate, but also showcased fresh experiments, like Moots’ monster-cross machine.
Finally, we wrap with a bit of talk before Alvin's last criterium of the season. What bike, wheel, and tire combo should he roll with this weekend? With options like the Canyon Aeroad, Factor Monza, and Specialized Tarmac SL8, plus the latest Roval Rapide CLX III wheels, there's a lot to discuss.
Further reading
Shimano Makes Its Biggest Change to SPD Cleats in Decades and MAAP Collaborates with a Record Label | This Week in Bike Tech
Review: The Shimano S-Phyre RX910 Gravel Shoes Makes SPD Feel Like Road Pedals
Black Magic Paint Creates a Wild Pink and Blue Enve Melee
No. 22 Reactor v2 3D Printed Aero Race Bike Shown at MADE
MADE Show: It Doesn’t Get More Portland Than a Fillet Brazed Ira Ryan Bike
Moots Adventure Bike With Suspension Teased at MADE Bike Show
Updated Roval Rapide Wheels Add Carbon Spokes, New Sprint Model, And… Are Shallower Than Before?
00:00 Intro
01:18 Early Wahoo devices are still being updated
03:26 Experiences riding with Shimano's new S-Phyre Gravel shoes
17:20 Zwift has new (branded) headphones
28:20 MADE Bike Show: Josh's favorite bikes
55:15 Waffling about pre-crit gear choices
Portugal