Big Dumb Rides, Aero Gravel Tires, and the Enve Melee V2

Featuring: Mike Levy, Josh Ross, Lisa Charlebois, and Logan Jones-Wilkins

We answer your questions, debate the real-world value of aero bottle cages, and discuss why it makes sense to ride 500km for tacos.

We’ve had some major topics on the show the last few weeks, so this week we are taking a step back a little and answering some questions. We read every comment, and Logan Jones-Wilkins, Lisa Charlebois, and I will often jump in to respond. Mike Levy also reads them, but he actually brings the comments to the show so we can answer them out loud, so to speak.

Before we get to that, though, Levy starts with a question: Have you ever done a ride just for the sake of going somewhere dumb and unimportant? I’ve (Josh Ross) had this idea for years to ride from Los Angeles to the Mexican border for tacos, then back. It’s a 500km ride, and there’s no real point other than to ride a bike. Lael Wilcox once rode all the roads in Alaska for a similar reason. The whole crew is on this week, so we get to talk about our silly reasons for big rides. Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever done anything like that. Or, if you are like Logan and just ride for training, let us know that too.

We also have some news to talk about. Mostly, it comes down to Logan and me (Josh Ross) trying to convince Lisa and Mike that aero matters. For Logan, it’s all about aero gravel tires. He went very deep into the weeds in his article, and there's a good reason for that. Then it’s my turn to talk about the Enve Melee V2 and why it features aero bar tape and aero bottle cages. I also have a question that I am hoping you can help me answer.

To participate you'll have to jump to the [Velo website], but the question is: Would you choose a bike that is 1.6 watts more aero or a bike that is 1kg lighter?

Give me the Factor One. I will gladly take a 1kg weight penalty to gain 1.6 watts of aero efficiency.

Give me the Enve Melee. Saving 1kg is far more important to how I ride than 1.6 watts of aero efficiency.

I am choosing the Enve Melee purely based on aesthetics. Regardless of the aero advantage, I would not pick the Factor One because of how it looks.

I am choosing the Factor One. I want the 1.6 watts of free speed, and I actually prefer the aggressive aero styling over a traditional frame.

The Velo Podcast wouldn’t happen without subscribers. We’re offering listeners of the show a special 25% discount on an Outside+ membership. Enter the code velopod at checkout to score these