Welcome to the Zipp Speed Podcast and our third and final episode of our special Momentum for Cycling series where in Parts 1 and 2 we met two new African American cyclists, Mario Leavell and Olivia West. Now we meet Jennifer Cole Cvar, executive director of the Momentum Indy cycling races and festival in our hometown of Indianapolis. Jennifer is on the leading edge of producing inclusive and invigorating cycling events that combine top level competition with community events that reach beyond the traditional cyclist audience. To learn more about Momentum Indy, visit momentumindy.org. So we now join Zipp’s Dan Lee talking with Jennifer.

This is Part 2 of our three part Momentum for Cycling podcast series. For these three podcasts, we take a look at grassroots cycling and how it’s changing to reach more people than ever. This series ties with Zipp’s support of the Momentum Indy bike races and festival and the Honor Major Taylor ride in Indianapolis.   In this episode, we meet cyclist Olivia West. Oliva grew up in Northern Indiana playing basketball and working with horses. Now she’s passionate about bikes and how they expand and empower her life. Olivia also was inspired by visiting the Major Taylor exhibit at the Indiana State Museum.   To learn more about Momentum Indy, visit momentumindy.org.   So now on to the show with guest host Mariah Parsons talking with Olivia about all things cycling. Thanks Olivia and Mariah for that great conversation.   Guest interviewer Mariah Parsons currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and is the host of two podcasts (Learn 2 Listen & Retention Chronicles). She is currently in the Orr Fellowship and works as a Marketing Specialist at Malomo.

We’re going something different for the next few episodes of the Zipp Speed Podcast. While we’re all about bike tech, we know cycling is all about people. Here at Zipp we’re excited to be part of SRAM’s commitment to expand cycling and make it more accessible to a more diverse array of people. This episode of the Zipp Speed podcast kicks up a three-part series we’re calling Momentum for Cycling. It ties into a racing and cycling festival we support here in our hometown of Indianapolis called Momentum Indy. This festival includes the Honor Major Taylor ride presented by Zipp—a free ride dedicated to world champion and Indianapolis native Marshall “Major” Taylor. To learn more about Momentum Indy, visit momentumindy.org. In our three-part Momentum for Cycling series, we meet two new African American cyclists, Mario Leavell and Olivia West, and a visionary of American cyclist, race and event executive director Jennifer Cole Cvar. In our first Momentum of Cycling episode, we meet Mario Leavell. Mario started riding bikes since 2000, and used cycling to transform his health. Along the way he became inspired by Major Taylor and became a big fan of LEGION of Los Angeles. Last fall he even traveled from his home in Evansville, Indiana, to California for LEGION’s Into the Lion’s Den race. Marion So now on with the show with guest host Mariah Parsons talking with Mario about the power of cycling. Join us for episodes 2 and 3 of this special Momenum for Cycling series from the Zipp Speed Podcast. Guest interviewer Mariah Parsons currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana and is the host of two podcasts (Learn 2 Listen & Retention Chronicles). She is currently in the Orr Fellowship and works as a Marketing Specialist at Malomo.

Zipp’s deep-section wheels, the 858 NSW and 808 Firecrest, epitomize our drive to make you faster. These two wheelsets are our go-to weapons for triathletes and time trial specialists. Now, Zipp’s 858 NSW and 808 Firecrest pack even more speed thanks to the addition of our Total System Efficiency design with the hookless rim-tire interface. What’s more, each of these wheelsets is hundreds of grams lighter than its predecessor. In episode, Zipp Design Engineers Ben Waite and John Leachman explain all that’s new with the 858 NSW and 808 Firecrest. They detail Zipp’s development and testing of the new wheel, talk about its carbon construction, and give practical tips for riders making the transition to Zipp tubeless and hookless wheels.

In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, we talk with Zipp Product Manager Nathan Schickel about aerobars. We go through Zipp’s lineup of triathlon and time trial aero cockpits and clip-on extensions for road and gravel bikes. Nathan, also a bike fitter, explains Zipp’s “fit-first philosophy” in designing aerobars and lets you some of the specific bike models speced with Zipp aero cockpits. Dialing in your fit on a tri or TT bike is complicated, and this discussion can help simplify your decision-making as Nathan ends by running us through Zipp’s options at different price points.

Luke Lamperti of Trinity Racing, at only 19, just won back-to-back U.S. Pro Criterium championships. We caught up with Luke at the recent Tulsa Tough criterium races in Oklahoma. Luke focuses on racing in Europe, but he loves American crit racing, too. Luke has been riding Zipp 404 Firecrest Tubeless wheels while racing criteriums back in the U.S. Luke is wise beyond his teenage years, talking about cycling tech, tactics, and lifestyle. Luke grew up on two wheels. First, he rode motocross on his grandfather’s ranch and then bike rides in his native Sonoma County. Get to know this young cycling talent in this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast.

Triathlon technology is changing, and it holds the potential to make you faster. In this episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, we examine innovations in tri bikes used by the pros and what they can mean for you. SRAM Racing’s Jason Phillips was recently at the Ironman World Championships in St. George, Utah. Jason works closely with SRAM and Zipp-sponsored triathletes to ensure their bikes are as efficient and fast as possible. He talks with Zipp Content Manager Dan Lee about tubeless tires, lower tire pressure, additional gearing options, rider position, etc.

There’s a reason Zipp is in Indianapolis – this midwestern city is a hotbed of motorsports and central to the age-old human quest for speed.
 
In this special episode of the Zipp Speed Podcast, we take of look at the fascinating century old ties between bicycle racing and motorsports. That linage eventually would lead to the creation of Zipp Speed Weaponry more than 30 years ago, and still plays a role in Zipp’s speed innovations today. SRAM’s home of Chicago also played a central role in popularizing bicycles, as we will see.
 
More than a century ago, bicycles were the fastest thing on wheels. Cars and motorcycles were trying to catch up.
 
Consider this passage from the definitive book on the history of American bicycle racing, Hearts of Lions …
 
US Census data indicates that America at the start of the twentieth century had 10 million bicycles, compared with 18 million horses and mules, and some 8,000 motorcars. One of the largest bicycle-making centers was a neighborhood in Chicago called Cycle Row. For nearly two miles along Jackson Boulevard, Cycle Row was lined with cycling-related stores and shops, most turning out bicycles with ready-made parts and fittings for shipments around the country.
 
It may be hard to realize today, but bicycle racing is one of the country’s oldest sports. The first recorded competitions took place in Boston’s Beacon Park on May 24, 1878—two years after the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was formed, three years after the first running of the Kentucky Derby, and thirteen years before basketball was invented…
 
We’re pleased to welcome noted cycling historian Peter Nye, author of Hearts of Lions: The History of American Bicycle Racing, to the Zipp Speed Podcast. Both Peter and Zipp content manager Dan Lee are board members of the US Bicycling Hall of Fame, with its museum in Davis, California. We think you’ll find their conversation about cycling’s historic links to motorsports fascinating.
 
Please stick around for this episode, as Peter and Dan discuss more about the history of cycling, including the little known story of William F. Ivy, an African America who in 1909 finished 27th in Paris-Roubaix—he is the first American to ride the Queen of the Classis, and his result was the best for an American until Greg LeMond was fourth in the 1985 Paris-Roubaix.
 
Peter also tells his fascinating journey into bike racing in the early 1960s and how cycling helped sustain him during the toughest times of his life. Photo of Albert Champion on Orient tricycle holding a French engine, state of the art in 1900. Credit BuckPeacock. From The Fast Times of Albert Champion: From Record-Setting Racer to Dashing Tycoon, An Untold Story of Speed, Success, and Betrayal by Peter Nye (Prometheus Books, 2014.)

Mexican Road Champ Eder Frayre of L39ION by Zipp

We love this conversation with Zack Foley, chief mechanic for L39ION of Los Angeles. Zack is a veteran team wrench with 17 years of experience, but you can hear the enthusiasm in his voice for being on the road with L39ION. Zack explains what it takes to be a team mechanic, from prepping the bikes to being part of the broader team culture. He also details the changing nature of road cycling tech, including disc brakes and tubeless tires. Zack also tells us why wrapping bar tape just the right way is so important—especially with white bar tape! He calls L39ION a team full of imagination and creativity, and Zack’s outlook on cycling reflects that.