Hookless rims are back under the spotlight – here’s everything you need to know
Josh Poertner, the former chairman of the Bicycle Wheel Technical Committee, dropped a bombshell recently when he issued a powerful rebuttal of the case for hookless road rims – one of cycling’s most controversial topics in recent years.
Specifically, Poertner claims “Hookless rims are a scam”, with “zero performance advantages”, and that they are “a safety risk” with too little margin for error.
In this episode of the BikeRadar podcast, Jack Luke sits down with Simon von Bromley – BikeRadar’s most learned correspondent on this topic – to discuss Poertner’s comments, and why this debate refuses to die.
"Hookless rims are a scam," claims former chairman of Bicycle Wheel Technical Committee
Hookless rims explained | How new standards have finally improved compatibility
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What’s going wrong at Ineos, can Visma crack Pogačar, and more
On the first rest day of the 2025 Tour de France, we’re joined by cycling journalist and longtime Tour veteran Daniel Benson, who brings his trademark insider insight direct from the roadside in France.Alongside BikeRadar’s Simon von Bromley and host Jack Luke, Daniel breaks down the key talking points from the race so far:
What’s going wrong at Ineos?
Can Visma crack Pogačar?
Who’s been the best Brit at the Tour?
Is racing actually actually any less safe in 2025?
Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at life as a solo reporter on the world’s biggest bike race, and why Daniel had a Snickers for dinner. Don’t forget – Daniel’s exclusive dispatches are running throughout the race on BikeRadar.com.
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These are the 2025 Tour de France tech stories you need to know about
The Tour de France is in full swing, and with it comes a flood of tech news, wild bikes and even wilder French car park encounters with pros and rival journalists.
In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, Jack Luke is joined by Simon von Bromley – fresh from the grande départ in Lille – to unpack this year’s biggest tech stories so far.
Top of the list is Jonas Vingegaard’s brand-new Cervélo R5, which Simon was first to spot. It’s lighter, sleeker, and could be key in the GC battle.
They also dig into Tadej Pogačar’s possible mountain time trial machine, the new Merida Reacto, and the surprising trend-bucking ENVE SES 4.5 Pro wheels ridden by Pog.
There’s also a peek behind the curtain at how BikeRadar covers the Tour, plus a look at last week’s top-performing story and our weekly ‘rant’ courtesy of Michael Woods, who thinks pro riders should be wearing hockey-style protective gear.
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NEW tech spotted at the Tour de France: what we've seen at the Grand Départ
We're on the ground at the Tour de France Grand Départ in Lille, hunting out the latest and greatest tech ahead of cycling's biggest race. Simon von Bromley and Ashley Quinlan have spotted an unreleased Cervélo R5, ENVE's trend-defying SES 4.5 Pro wheels and the new Continental Archetype tyre.
Read more:
Cervélo R5: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/new-cervelo-r5-2025-tour-de-france-matteo-jorgenson
ENVE SES 4.5 Pro wheels: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/enve-bucks-wider-is-better-trend-with-narrower-ses-4-5-pro-wheels-for-pogacar
Continental Archetype tyre: https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/tyres/road-bike-tyres/continental-archetype-tyre-review
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Our Tour de France tech predictions: what do we want – and expect – to see at the Grand Départ?
It’s Tour time! BikeRadar’s Simon von Bromley will be at the Grand Départ in Lille this week but, before heading out to northern France, Simon joins George Scott in the pod studio to run through his Tour de France tech predictions for 2025.
Listen to hear why aero bikes are back, tyres are getting wider, cranks are getting shorter and plenty more.
Buy the Official Tour de France Guide (UK only): https://www.ourmediashop.com/products/specials/2025-tour-de-france-standard-edition-516599
Read more about the UCI’s rule changes: https://www.bikeradar.com/news/uci-tech-rules-2026
Read more about the new Continental Archetype tyre: https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/tyres/road-bike-tyres/continental-archetype-tyre-review
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BikeRadar delve into the world of road and mountain biking to bring you the best tech content in cycling. Join the team for their weekly episodes and occasional bonus episodes.
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