Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

In this episode we discuss who is buying really, really expensive mountain bikes and what they mean for the industry and for our sport as a whole. What’s it like to ride one of these magical, knobby-tired unicorns? Listen in to find out!

In this episode, Aaron, Greg, and Jeff talk about the top stories on Singletracks this year and the trends that have shaped the MTB news in 2015. We cover plus-size bikes, weird product reviews, destination and travel features, and the mountain bike lifestyle.

In this episode we try to answer the question: Are fat bikes the biggest MTB innovation since full suspension was introduced in the early 1990s? We also discuss some of the common misconceptions around fat bikes and offer our predictions for where things are heading in the future. Plus–what’s grinding our gears and stoking our spokes this week.

Listen to part two of Greg’s interview with Sustainable Trails Coalition (STC) founders Ted Stroll and Jackson Ratcliffe as they discuss why certain trail groups oppose bikes in wilderness and what will happen if the STC’s legislation fails. Plus, we hear where Ted and Jackson would ride their bikes if the wilderness ban was lifted. “The number of people screaming against mountain biking [in wilderness areas] under the age of 50 is zero.” -Jackson Ratcliffe. If you missed it, click here to listen to Part 1 of this podcast. Update 07/14/16: The Sustainable Trails Coalition’s Bill Has Been Introduced in Congress

Greg talks with Ted Stroll and Jackson Ratcliffe of the Sustainable Trails Coalition (STC) about their plan to lobby for mountain bike access in US Wilderness areas. In part one of this two-part podcast, Ted and Jackson talk about what the STC is trying to accomplish and why now is a good time for mountain bikers to act. “Ultimately one of my goals is to get rid of the stigma that mountain biking is somehow less environmental, less natural, less good than riding a horse or hiking.” -Jackson Ratcliffe, STC Board Member Click here to listen to Part 2 of this podcast. Update 07/14/16: The Sustainable Trails Coalition’s Bill Has Been Introduced in Congress

In this episode we discuss the pros and cons of buying a mountain bike online. We talk strategies for test riding bikes and share our experiences with assembling bikes delivered directly. Also, we touch on the idea of fully custom bike builds and the risks of buying mountain bikes through crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter.

In this episode we talk with Dustin at Southern Wheelworks about the advantages of Boost 148 and why hub standards are continuing to evolve. Dustin also fills us in on some of the techniques pro wheel builders use and talks about ways to save weight (and $$) on your next build.

Happy Turkey Day! This is probably one of those podcasts where Aaron, Greg, and I will listen again in 20 years and think, “man, we didn’t know anything back then!” Why? Because we’re talking about mountain biking into old age, and all of us are under 40. Still, it was a fun conversation and hopefully an enlightening one where we talk about some of the things we’ve learned from mountain bikers much older and wiser than we are. We also touch on Greg’s follow-up review of the Santa Cruz Bronson plus the things that are grinding our gears and stoking our spokes this week.

It seems as if mountain bikers have a love-hate relationship with flow trails and in this episode, we discuss some of the pros and cons of the flow trail. Jim Hodgson joins us and talks about how dissing on flow trails is analogous to enjoying a nice cold IPA. “If you don’t enjoy the most technical trails in the world, then you’re not a true mountain biker.” Listen in to our full conversation to hear this plus a rundown of some of the best flow trails we’ve ridden.

In this episode we talk to Vince from Chumba USA about fat bike designs, adventure biking, and why designing short chainstays on steel bikes is more challenging than it is with carbon. Also, will we ever see 6-inch fat bike tires?