The Rundown: With Ian out sick, Jake, Lance, and Matt tackle a great listener question about choosing a single do it all drop bar bike, dig into Pogacar's massive contract and the economics of pro super teams, and spend a good chunk of time on the Strava API controversy that had the whole cycling world talking.
What Happened on Dialed Podcast 347?
Gravel versus cyclocross geometry, the one quiver killer bike, Pogacar's deal, and the Strava API uproar.
Backpedal: Bomb Cyclone Base Miles
The Pacific Northwest served up a bomb cyclone, so the riding was wet and sloppy. Matt kept up early morning swim coaching and Tuesday Zwift team rides, getting dropped on the climbs but logging the time. Lance rode nearly every day, mixing Zwift workouts with gravel and grabbing KOMs in the rain, and explained graupel for everyone. Jake stuck to the trainer and felt better than expected after a 20 minute test.
Champ Bailey: A Quiet Week
Cyclocross was rolling in Belgium, Canada, and the East Coast, but with no headline results. The bigger conversation was Pogacar's reported six year deal, whether he is actually underpaid given the eyeballs he brings, and how teams build super squads by paying domestiques over a million euros a year to ride in support. The guys noted Pogacar saying he would rather give teammates a chance at a grand tour than sweep all three himself.
Listener Q and A: One Bike, Gravel or Cross?
A Los Angeles listener asked what to look for if you could own one drop bar bike for gravel racing plus the occasional cyclocross race. The guys broke down the key geometry difference: a cyclocross bike runs a steeper head tube (around 72 to 73 degrees) for quick, sharp handling like a sports car, while a gravel bike sits slacker (around 70 to 71) with a lower bottom bracket for stability at speed, more like a bus or truck. The verdict was unanimous: get the gravel bike. It checks more boxes, you can race cyclocross on it, and most manufacturers have shifted from dedicated cross bikes (the old Santa Cruz Stigmata, BMC Cross Machine) to gravel platforms anyway.
The Main Topic: The Strava API Uproar
Strava changed its API terms and user agreement, effectively cutting off many third party apps with only 30 days notice over the holidays. The crew worked through what it means: small fitness and coaching apps that relied on Strava data are affected, while platforms like TrainerRoad, Coach Cat, and TrainingPeaks that pull directly from your Garmin or Wahoo are insulated. They debated the likely motive (protecting Strava's own coaching and AI ambitions, or prepping for a sale or IPO), why segments are the glue keeping cyclists on the platform, and how route planning and detailed analytics are often done better elsewhere, like Ride with GPS and TrainingPeaks.
One Last Thing
Matt teased his Hammerhead Karoo review and an upcoming Amazfit T-Rex 3 video, a budget watch that mimics a lot of the Garmin Fenix 8 but lacks the flashlight and sapphire glass Jake swears by. Lance plugged Scott Schultz's Crossmas Lights night race at Washougal. Jake reminded listeners to sign up for the lab's newsletter for closed network Black Friday deals and to leave the show a five star review.
Talk to the guys
Got a question or an idea for the show?
Ask us anything about the podcast, pitch a topic for a future episode, send general feedback, or ask about gear. We read every one.