Vielo founder Ian Hughes sat down with Bike Radar's technical editor Warren Rossiter for a 20-minute deep dive into one of the most debated topics in modern cycling: is 1x the future of road and gravel bikes?
In this episode, Ian draws on Vielo's engineering philosophy and real-world riding experience to make the case for single-chainring drivetrains — covering everything from mechanical simplicity and weight savings to the expanding range of modern cassettes that make 1x genuinely viable for road riding, not just gravel.
Listen to the Episode
What They Cover
Over the course of the conversation, Ian and Warren explore:
- The mechanical case for 1x — fewer components, less to go wrong, and a cleaner cockpit
- Range vs. precision — how wide-range cassettes have closed the gap with 2x for most riders
- Gravel as the proving ground — why gravel riding accelerated 1x adoption and what road cycling can learn from it
- The weight and aero argument — ditching the front derailleur and second chainring has real performance implications
About Bike Radar
Bike Radar is one of the world's leading cycling media brands, covering road, gravel, mountain, and commuter cycling with in-depth reviews, news, and technical features. Warren Rossiter leads their technical editorial team and is known for rigorous, no-nonsense gear analysis.
If you want to explore Vielo's 1x-ready framesets and builds, browse our current range or get in touch to discuss a bespoke build.
