{"id":1913646,"date":"2026-05-01T18:16:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1913646"},"modified":"2026-05-01T18:16:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:16:25","slug":"dueling-over-32-inch-wheels-and-testing-two-polar-opposite-gravel-bikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1913646","title":{"rendered":"Dueling Over 32-Inch Wheels and Testing Two Polar-Opposite Gravel Bikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

[analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Velo-Podcast-thumbnail-copy.jpg”]<\/p>\n

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Josh Ross<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Published May 1, 2026 12:16PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Table of Contents<\/h4>\n
    \u2022<\/span>Get right to the Audio Episode<\/span><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    This week\u2019s episode was just like any other. There was definitely nothing controversial\u2026 Logan Jones-Wilkins and I dive into two vastly different gravel bikes we\u2019ve been testing, starting with my review of the XDS X-Lab GT8.<\/p>\n

    On paper, the GT8 is a standard, run-of-the-mill gravel bike. It lacks a unique \u201cspecial sauce\u201d and won\u2019t revolutionize the category, but it is a highly capable all-rounder that will handle just about any unpaved road. Then you see the price. The GT8 comes with a full carbon build and a power meter for about half the cost of its mainstream competitors. XDS is a massive Chinese manufacturing powerhouse that is now entering the US through a traditional dealer network. We discuss whether you should buy the GT8, and what its aggressive pricing means for Western brands.<\/p>\n

    Then we pivot to the Obed GVR, which Jones-Wilkins has been putting through its paces. Despite sharing the gravel category, the Obed is the polar opposite of the XDS. It is not an all-rounder. Instead, it is a highly specialized, direct-to-consumer machine built around big tire clearance and a DT Swiss suspension fork that was previously a Canyon exclusive. We break down the tech and figure out exactly who this bike is built for.<\/p>\n

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    ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Oh and we\u2019ve got more 32-inch wheel discussion. Of course there\u2019s no way we can get away from that.\u00a0 If you read my recent piece, you know I think the standard makes zero sense for most riders, and I absolutely hate the idea of a new wheel size standard. Logan is taking a more measured approach, analyzing why the industry is pushing this standard regardless of public opinion. Of course, Mike Levy set this up as a pair of dueling articles, so we hash out the details on the air and try to predict where this is all headed. Tune in and let us know your take.<\/p>\n

    00:00:00 \u2013 Intro
    \n00:00:50 \u2013 Reader questions and 32-inch wheels
    \n00:20:20 \u2013 XDS Xlab GT-8 Gravel Bike
    \n00:35:20 \u2013 Obed GVR and the DT Swiss suspension fork<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Subscribe to the Velo Podcast<\/h3>\n

    \"Listen<\/p>\n

    \"Listen<\/p>\n

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    ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Articles covered this week<\/h2>\n
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    • First Ride: It\u2019s Hard to Find Flaws with the New Obed GVR<\/li>\n
    • The XDS X-Lab GT8 is a $3,199 Problem for Western Bike Brands<\/li>\n
    • 32-Inch Wheels Are Leaving Everyday Riders Behind<\/li>\n
    • The 32-Inch Wheel Revolution Is Coming Whether We Like It or Not<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      \n
      \n
      Josh Ross<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      Published May 1, 2026 12:16PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      [analyse_source url=”https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/gravel\/gravel-gear\/velo-podcast-32-inch-vs-obed-vs-xds\/”]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      [analyse_image type=”featured” src=”https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Velo-Podcast-thumbnail-copy.jpg”] Josh Ross Published May 1, 2026 12:16PM Table of Contents \u2022Get right to the Audio Episode This week\u2019s episode was just like any other. There was definitely nothing controversial\u2026 Logan Jones-Wilkins and I dive into two vastly different gravel bikes we\u2019ve been testing, starting with my review of the XDS X-Lab GT8. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,71],"class_list":["post-1913646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-velo-outsideonline-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1913646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1913646"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1913646\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1913646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1913646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1913646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}