In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Aaron, Greg, and I discuss our favorite bikes from 2016 and talk about the bikes we really want to test in 2017. We also talk about some of our favorite gear items in 2016, in case you need a last minute gift idea for yourself.

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Fabio Wibmer is an Austrian trials rider and mountain biker with almost 7 million YouTube subscribers and his videos have been viewed more than 1.2 billion times. He’s known for starring in videos like Wibmer’s Law, Fabiolous Escape 1 and 2, and most recently, Home Office. In addition to trials riding, Fabio is also a winning downhill and freeride mountain biker.

• How are you feeling following your dirt bike crash in November?
  • Do you have any tips or tricks for recovering from injury? How do you fill your time off the bike?
  • Are dirt bikes just a hobby for you, or is it something you use to get better on the mountain bike?
• Like a lot of people, I imagine you started riding bikes as a kid. When did you realize that you were more talented, or maybe just more passionate, than the other kids?
• Who were the riders who inspired you as you were growing up?
• Are there any tricks you really wanted to include in a video like Home Office, but weren’t able to complete? How do you know when it’s time to give up on a trick and move on?
• Do you consider yourself a perfectionist?
• Where do you get your confidence?
• Which video project are you the most proud of?
• What are some of the skills that cross over between trials and freeride mountain biking?
• What’s the secret to pulling off a really good tail whip?
• What are some of the best mountain bike trails you have ridden around the world?
• What do you have to say to younger riders who look up to you?
• If you weren’t a trials rider and Red Bull athlete, what would you be doing instead?

Photo: Hannes Berger / Red Bull Content Pool

This episode first aired on January 11, 2021.

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Eddie O'Dea is an ultra endurance athlete and member of the board at the Georgia Cycling Association. Last summer he became the first person to complete the 5,900-mile Eastern Divide bikepacking route over the course of 78 days and 10 hours.

• Why did you decide to attempt ride the full Eastern Divide Route?
• Tell us about the start of the ride. It seems like you ran into some snags even before you go rolling.
• Which sections were your favorites? Did you get to hang out in any interesting towns along the way?
• Are there any changes you would make to the Eastern Divide Route?
• As a member of the Georgia Cycling Association board, what do the high school athletes think about your achievement?
• How did your bike and equipment hold up?
• Was there any point where you wanted to give up? How did you keep going? 
• How long before you think someone else completes the route in one go? Will there ever be enough demand for a Grand Depart?
• How did it feel to finish the ride? Would you do it again?
• How does the Eastern Divide compare to the Great Divide?
• What was the final mileage that you covered?
• Does completing a big ride change you as a person?

Connect with Eddie at cycletechniques.com and @eddieodea.

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit ⁠⁠⁠tpc.bike/singletracks⁠⁠⁠ and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

Carol Baldwin is the founder of Flownetic MTB Skills and is a PMBIA Level 3  certified mountain bike skills instructor. She's also a Singletracks contributor and product tester. 

In this podcast we ask Carol:

• Have you alway mountain biked with flat pedals?
• Was it difficult to switch from clipless to flat pedals? Why?
• What are the advantages of flat pedals compared to clipless?
• What are the disadvantages of flats compared to clipless pedals?
• Are bigger and/or wider pedal platforms better?
• What's the right number of pins per side?
• What is your favorite shoe, or type of shoe for mountain biking?
• What is your favorite flat pedal?
• Are aluminum pedals better than composite?
• Are there certain types of rides that are better or worse for flat pedals?
• For people who have only used flats, is it worth giving clipless a try?
• Is riding on flats more fun?

Learn more and connect with Carol at flowneticmtb.com.

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Susie Murphy is the executive director of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association and is also a board member with the California Mountain Biking Coalition.

• What is the San Diego Mountain Bike Association's mission, and how are you organized?
• When and why did the SDMBA get its start?
• How long have you been with the SDMBA, and how did you get involved?
• Did the recent boom in mountain bike participation translate into SDMBA membership growth?
• What are some of the most popular trails your group helps support?
• Are there many opportunities for new trail builds in and around San Diego?
• Several years ago the chapter was pretty vocal about the bikes in wilderness issue. Why is or was that so important in your area, and where are we now?
• Do you think protesting can be an effective tool for mountain bike advocates?
• What does the current discussion around e-bike trail access look like for SDMBA?
• What’s the biggest constraint SDMBA faces in carrying out and growing the mission? I
• How does SDMBA work with the newly formed CA Mountain Biking Coalition? Do you think legislative lobbying is an effective way to increase MTB access?
• What’s next for SDMBA?

Learn more about the San Diego Mountain Bike Association at sdmba.com and the California Mountain Bike Coalition at camtb.org.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Amanda Carey is the President of NICA, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, a non-profit that develops mountain biking programs for student athletes across the United States. Prior to joining NICA, Amanda served as the executive director of Mountain Bike the Tetons and as a mountain bike coach.

• What drew you to mountain biking initially? What's kept you so engaged over the years? 
• What do you think has kept mountain biking from growing more than it has over the past couple of decades?
• How is NICA impacting mountain bike participation? 
• How can NICA teams attract new student athletes who don't have a family cycling background? Why choose mountain biking over another sport?
• How would you characterize the level of competition at NICA races?
• What is NICA doing to encourage trail building and maintenance?
• Is there a demand for a more gravity-oriented youth riding program? 
• What advice do you have for parents of NICA athletes?
• What are the biggest opportunities for NICA over the next five years? How can Singletracks listeners help support your mission?

Learn more and find out how you can get involved at nationalmtb.org.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Today we talk with Nate Hills, pro enduro racer and the man behind the popular YouTube series, Follow Cam Friday. Nate fills us in on his recent win at the Scott Enduro Cup in Moab and tells us what it’s like to bikepack above 15,000 feet in Bolivia.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Joel Smith is the Brand Leader for Reserve, a Santa Cruz, CA brand that designs and markets wheels for everything from downhill to road biking. Steel Wisdom-Wilhelmsson is engineering lab technician responsible for lab-conditions wheel testing. 

In this episode we ask:

• How are MTB wheels assembled? For high-end wheels, is most of it done by hand?
• How does rim construction contribute to ride feel? Is a shallower rim better than a deep rim for ride feel?
• What are the advantages of a high engagement freehub? Is there a number that most riders will find meets their needs or is more always better?
• Are wheel sizes and standards continuing to evolve? What about rim widths? 
• Are today's carbon rims stronger and more durable than aluminum? How do the weights compare?
• What other advantages does carbon have over aluminum rims?
• How much stronger does a DH wheel need to be compared to a lightweight XC wheel? Front vs. rear? 
• What is the most common mode of failure when it comes to mountain bike wheels?
• What are your thoughts on tire inserts? 
• How have rim profiles changed over the years?
• What role does spoke lacing and the number of spokes play in a wheel's strength and ride feel? 
• Is a Super Boost wheel a better wheel?
• What's the deal with mountain bike wheel warranties? Generally speaking, do riders make many claims?
• What's your advice to mountain bikers when choosing a wheel upgrade?

Check out reservewheels.com to learn more about the brand.

This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Where else can you choose from over 300 miles of epic singletrack against a backdrop of soaring mountains and cascading waterfalls? Where else can you explore 100,000 acres of public lands laced with hundreds of miles of backcountry gravel roads? Your best mountain biking adventure ever begins in Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest. Four primo bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need a rental, service, or some cool swag. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes, and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of America’s coolest small towns. It all adds up to one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the U.S. Find out more at
ExploreBrevard.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this podcast episode we talk about mountain biking in Pisgah National Forest. If Pisgah is on your bucket list, be sure to tune in for tips on planning your visit! We also talk about the best trails within Pisgah and where to enjoy excellent beer after your ride.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode we talk about how mountain bike tourism works and discuss the reasons why many communities are rolling out the red carpet for riders. For further information and data, be sure to look over our mountain bike tourism infographic.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Ever wonder how mountain bike trail difficulties are rated? We discuss both subjective and objective measures of trail difficulty, and explain the difference between technically and physically difficult trails.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Tyson Swasey is a mountain biker and trail builder who has lived in Moab, Utah for his whole life. He’s currently the Operations Coordinator for Grand County, Utah Active Transportation and Trails.

In this episode we ask Tyson:

• Has Moab always been a tourist destination? Why was the town founded? 
• It seems like Moab was a mountain bike destination before there were mountain bike destinations.  What makes the area so great for mountain biking?
• How did the first trails get built? Which trails are the oldest?
• Are there any family-friendly rides or trails?
• Which trails are the most challenging?
• What are some lesser-known trails where riders can get away from the crowds?
• Who builds and maintains the trails in Moab?
• What type of bike do most people ride in Moab? Do a lot of people rent bikes when they visit?
• What are some of the more popular guided or shuttled tour routes in the area? Are there any regular group rides for locals that are visitor-friendly?
• Where do people hang out after the ride?
• What is the best time of year to visit? Are there any festivals or races visitors can plan to attend? 
• Is there much camping available in the immediate area? Does lodging tend to fill up around certain events, or at certain times of the year?
• Are there plans to expand or improve trails in the area?
• Is there anything else mountain bikers need to know before visiting Moab for the first time, or maybe for the first time in a while?

Get more information at discovermoab.com and moabtrailmix.com. 

This episode is sponsored by Gloworm Lites.

Gloworm is a mountain bike light brand founded almost a decade ago by two mountain bikers in New Zealand, and today the company offers some of the highest quality bike lights on the market – Including Bluetooth control and complete customisation through their app. Gloworm’s complete line of lights start at 1200 lumens and range up to a blinding 3600 lumens, all at reasonable prices.

Save 15% off all light systems on the Gloworm website with the coupon code SINGLETRACKS2021. Shop for lights at glowormlites.co.nz

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

This year we interviewed dozens of professional mountain bike athletes, skills and fitness coaches, and industry leaders including product designers and CEOs. Here are a few of our favorite moments from more than 50 hours of programming in 2021.

If you enjoy what we do on the Singletracks podcast, please consider becoming a Pro Supporter (https://www.singletracks.com/support/).

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Ben Turits runs a coaching business and sports therapy practice called The Endurance Collective. He’s a former professional mountain bike racer and current USA Cycling coach working with both pro and amateur athletes alike.

In this episode we ask:

• How did your first enduro race go? What type of training did you do to prepare?
• What does VO2 max measure?How is it measured? Is using heart rate data to estimate VO2 max fairly accurate?
• Are there specific types of training that are effective in raising VO2 max?
• How important is VO2 max for predicting performance?
• What is lactate threshold?What does it measure?
• How is it measured?
• Is lactate threshold directly related to power?
• Are there other similar fitness metrics that riders can or should pay attention to?
• Is there a difference between mountain bikers and road bikers when it comes to the importance of certain metrics?
• Is it possible to get the same quality workout on the trail vs. on the trainer?Is gravel riding a good substitute for road riding in terms of the training benefits?
• How do you know if you’re under- or over-fueled on longer rides?

Learn more or connect with Ben and the Endurance Collective on their website (theendurancecollective.com) and YouTube channel.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available to Singletracks Pro supporters: singletracks.com/support

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode we talk with Maxxis bike marketing specialist Bobby Brown about plus size mountain bike tires and wheels. After discussing the pros and cons of plus-size tires, we talk about the best applications, what’s happening to 29+, and why 27.5+ bikes seem to be sweeping the market.

The patent for the acclaimed DW-Link suspension design recently expired, and we wanted to know: What does its expiration mean for the mountain bike industry?

Matt and Jeff interviewed several industry experts, including those involved in licensing the DW-Link patent, to make sense of it all. Originally published online as an article, this audio version includes snippets from select conversations that were featured as quotes in the written version.

Words by Jeff Barber and Matt Miller. Photo by Matt Miller.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Ah, springtime! The time of year when mountain bikers are excited to get back on the trail, only to realize their bikes are dirty, creaky, and shifting like crap due to a winter of abuse through mud, snow, and ice. In this episode we offer some ideas for getting your ride dialed after wintertime neglect, ready to roll for summer!

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Casey Coughlin teaches bicycle repair at Minneapolis College in Minnesota, one of only two colleges to offer a certificate program in the subject. While applying to graduate school she worked as a bike repair tech and later as a manager at Erik's Bikes in Rochester.

We ask Casey:

• What are some of the ways professional bike mechanics learn the trade?  What’s the most common path to getting a job in a bike shop?
• Why do you think the demand for bike mechanics is projected to increase over the next few years? Is this related to the Covid bike boom?
• When learning to become a bike mechanic, what is the first repair you start with? Why?
• Is problem solving something you can teach bike mechanics?
• What does your prospective student look like? 
• Is there any sort of continuing education for bike mechanics?
• Do today’s bike mechanics need additional skill sets to deal with more complicated systems like e-bikes?
• Beyond being able to work on bikes, what sorts of skills do shop employees and future managers need to develop?
• Are there certain repairs that are more fun, or satisfying than others? Are there jobs no one wants to do in the shop?
• What makes working in a bike shop, or in the bike industry, a good career?

Learn more about the Bicycle Assembly and Repair Technician Certificate at the Minneapolis College website.

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Aaron talks about his 340-mile Florida bikepacking adventure, also known as the Huracan 300. For photos and more details from Aaron’s trip, be sure to check out the following articles:

• One Hell of a Ride: Bikepacking the Huracan 300
• How Do You Pack for an Epic 340-mile Bikepacking Route?

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Craig Durkin is the founder of Wandrer.earth, an exploration game that encourages people to explore new places by bike and by foot. He and his wife Pearl are also good friends, and we’ve been riding together regularly for a few years now.

In this episode we ask Craig:

• Are you still biking abandoned railroad tracks with this contraption?
• Why did you first get into mountain biking?
• What is Wandrer and how does it work?
• What are some of the interesting things you’ve see on your rides?
• Are there plans to create specific challenges for mountain biking, and MTB trails?
• Who would you say is the best MTB trials rider of all time?

Learn more and sign up for a free account at Wandrer.earth.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available to Singletracks Pro supporters: singletracks.com/support

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Aaron and I offer tips for responsible mountain biking. Bottom line: you can still have plenty of fun while being a responsible trail user.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

This is part two of our interview with pioneering mountain bike skills coach Gene Hamilton. If you missed part one, be sure to load it up in your podcast app and listen!

In this episode, we ask:

• Is it possible for mountain biking to be bad for our health?
• What’s a mountain bike skill that separates pros from those who would consider themselves advanced or even expert riders?
• Are some bike tires better at cornering than others? Which ones? 
• How has mountain bike skills training changed over the past two decades, in terms of the techniques and the skills you’re teaching?
• As someone who has won Masters-level DH competitions, what tips do you have for staying fast and fit at your age?
• Do you think today’s bikes make it easier for riders to go faster, or to have more fun? How much of performance comes down to the bike, and how much to the rider?

Connect with Gene and his team at Betterride.net.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode, Aaron and I discuss mountain bike cockpit setup, starting from the top! We’ll touch on handlebars, stems, grips, controls (shifters, brake levers, remotes, and accessories), saddles, seatposts, and finally pedals. Strap in and join us for the ride!

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Joe McEwan is a career aerospace engineer and carbon composites expert who founded Starling Cycles in 2014. The brand’s bikes are developed, engineered and handmade for the demands of UK trails, and the bikes have been well received among both the media and athletes.

In this episode we ask:

• What first piqued your interest in building steel bikes? Have you tried building bikes with other materials?
• Is it true that that steel absorbs road and trail vibration better than other materials, and if so, can the average rider feel a difference? Do fat tires and suspension have more of an affect on ride feel than frame material?
• How do you go about making a steel tube stiffer in one direction than the other?
• Are there any design considerations that are unique to steel full-suspension frames?
• Why are most steel frames single-pivot?
• Why do some bikes like the Murmur Trail need a brace between the top tube and seat tube?
• Some Starling products are made in the UK, while others are welded in Taiwan. How do you decide which bikes to build in house, and which ones to outsource?
• Are there advantages to a gearbox over an external drivetrain that go beyond broken derailleurs?
• What are your thoughts on the rising popularity of mixed-wheel bikes?
• What’s next for Starling Cycles? Are there any steel ebikes in the future?

Check out the full suspension steel mountain bikes at starlingcycles.com.

This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available at singletracks.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

This week we’re re-sharing one of our favorite podcast episodes, and we’ll be back next week with an all-new show.

Dr. Adam Phaneuf is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a degree in Exercise Science based in Bellingham, WA. He’s also a bike fitter and has studied bicycle biomechanics.

In this interview we ask Adam:

• Is it true that cycling is lower impact than other activities like jogging?
• Do you think mountain biking is higher impact than road cycling?
• What are some of the most common ride-related issues folks tend to have?
• Are certain muscles, or body parts, more prone to injury or pain for mountain bikers?
• Do oval chain rings work for reducing pain? Are there any biomechanical advantages to them that riders can benefit from?
• How can riders know if it’s their form that needs to be changed, or if it’s something about the bike fit that’s wrong?
• What is arm pump, and what causes it?
• Can vibration on the bike lead to any health or pain issues? Can things like suspension stems or seat posts be helpful for some people?
• How does bike fit change, if at all, based on the type or length of ride we’re doing?
• What is the ideal saddle tilt for mountain biking? How do you dial that in correctly?
• Are there pros and cons to trying a more rearward cleat placement for mountain biking?
• What do you think about the idea of video/online bike fitting?

To learn more or connect with Adam and his team visit apexchirobellingham.com or on Instagram @apexbellingham.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available to Singletracks Pro supporters: singletracks.com/support

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Another Interbike is in the books, and while this year’s show wasn’t as big or as well attended as events in years past, there was still much to be seen. In this episode of our podcast, Aaron, Greg, and Jeff set the scene at Interbike 2017, talk about the most interesting products on display, and recap news and reviews from the show.

Editor’s Note: This podcast was recorded about a week ago, and just released today. The timing with yesterday’s tragedy at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas is purely coincidental. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families of the victims of that tragic shooting.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Today we talk with Walt Bready, professional trail builder and educator, about how mountain bike trails are built and maintained. Walt describes the approval process and construction techniques, and also shares some of his favorite tools and resources for learning more.

Contact Walt at B Ready Trails with your trail building questions or to schedule a consultation.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode, Matt and Jeff talk about the latest mountain bike drivetrain developments from electronic shifting to Eagle Transmission.

• What are the advantages of electronic shifting? What are the disadvantages?
• How does the new SRAM Eagle Transmission wireless electronic drivetrain compare to AXS?
• What's the deal with dropouts? Is UDH going to be the standard?
• How have consumers and readers responded to the Eagle Transmission news?
• How do you think Shimano will respond?

We'll also recap some of the latest mountain bike trail and gear news at the top of the show. Let us know what you think!

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tpc.bike/singletracks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

In this episode, we share Greg’s review of the updated Santa Cruz Bronson, Maureen’s Clif Bar Cykel Scramble race report, and reviews of two paris of MTB shorts.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Aaron, Greg, and I reflect on this year’s tradeshow and discuss some of the most interesting products we found. Also, we explore why 2016 has been such a tough year for bike retailers across the board.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Don’t have the scratch for a new rig this year? We don’t either. Luckily there are at least half a dozen MTB upgrades that can be done for under a hundred bucks each to make your bike ride like new. Don’t have time for a listen? Read Greg’s article on this topic published in 2014.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast we talk about some of the bikes we have in for testing and preview some of the destinations we’re visiting this summer. We also talk about new and updated bikes from Niner, Santa Cruz, and Trek. Plus: what’s grinding our gears and stoking our spokes.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Doug Blease is a mountain biker and environmental researcher based in Scotland. He’s a member of IMBA-EU and has served in active trail planning roles with the Aberdeen Trail Association.

In this interview, we ask:

• What does an environmental impact assessment look like when it comes to trail planning?
• How big of a concern is erosion when it comes to bikes, especially compared to other trail users?
• How resilient is nature in terms of the ecosystem? Could there be long-term effects due to trail building if it’s not done properly?
• As individuals, how can we minimize the impact of our rides?
• How can we balance the tension between creating opportunities to enjoy the environment, with protecting it from damage or overuse?
• How would you grade the mountain bike industry’s overall eco footprint?

If you'd like to contact Doug for advice or to ask a question, email info@singletracks.com and we'll pass your message along.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

*Cover photo: Luis Ascenso Photography from Lisbon, Portugal, via Wikimedia Commons

The Downcountry category has been around for a few years now, and by this point most mountain bike brands have a bike in their lineup that fits the description. Not only that, there are downcountry tires and shoes available now. But what does downcountry even mean?

In this episode, Matt and Jeff take a stab at defining downcountry, taking into account geometry, suspension travel, weight, and components. Other questions addressed include:

• How do downcountry bikes differ from cross-country and trail bikes?
• What were some of the earliest downcountry bikes?
• Which popular mountain bikes today can be considered downcountry?
• Are certain trail types or race disciplines well suited to downcountry bikes?
• What are your impressions of the downcountry bikes you have tested over the past few years?
• Where does the downcountry category go from here into the future?

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠tpc.bike/singletracks⁠⁠⁠⁠ and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

Scott Morris is a self-described “lifelong mountain biker, trail mapper and programmer.” He’s the creator of Track Leaders, a live tracking website for bikepacking races, and TopoFusion mapping software.

In this episode we ask:

• How did first make the connection between mountain biking and computer programming?
• Why did you and your brother decide to create TopoFusion?
• Have there been growing pains as bikepacking races like the Arizona Trail Race become more popular?
• Will some of the unofficial races need to become more official and organized as they get larger?
• Are you able to keep the list of ultra endurance records for races like the Tour Divide and Huracan 300 up to date? Do you think there’s a value in keeping official records for races like this, and for FKTs? What are the challenges involved in maintaining an official list like this?
• What led you to create Track Leaders, and how does it work?
• Are SPOT devices still the best way to track outdoor races? Do you see other devices like smartphones becoming viable for this anytime soon?
• As a programmer, how do you account for GPS data accuracy when tracking races? Is it easy for someone to cheat?
• Why is elevation data so notoriously difficult to track accurately with a GPS?
• When did you fully commit to the digital nomad lifestyle? How’d you finally make the jump? Do you have any tips for going full nomad?
• When you go for a ride in a new place, do you rely on GPS entirely or do you also pack a paper map?
• What are you planning for your next adventure?

Find out more at trackleaders.com and topofusion.com.

This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available at singletracks.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Jeff recounts his hut to hut adventure, mountain biking from Durango, CO to Moab, UT with a group of friends.

For more photos, be sure to check out the original coverage from this epic trip.

• Trip Preview
• Durango to Moab: Part 1
• Durango to Moab: Part 2
• Durango to Moab: Part 3
• Durango to Moab: Part 4

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode we talk about why racing is important to the sport of mountain biking and explain some of the more popular MTB race formats. We also talk about our first and most memorable MTB race experiences.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Chris Canfield's company, Suspension Formulas, develops and licenses mountain bike suspension designs used by brands including Revel and Canfield Bikes. Now he's launching his own bike brand, Vampire Bikes while also continuing to race DH at the Masters level.

• In 2019 you won the UCI Masters World Championship at Mont St. Anne when you were in your 40s. What's allowed you to be so fast for so long?
• How much of DH racing is about equipment vs. rider? 
• Did you get involved in building bikes out of necessity, or was it something you really enjoyed from the beginning?
• Tell us about the Canfield Balance Formula suspension design. Is it primarily focused on pedal efficiency? What does "controlled braking" mean?
• Is designing suspension for a DH bike easier in some ways since you aren't as concerned about pedal efficiency?
• CF3 is a newer, patent pending suspension design. How is that different from CBF?
• With the expiration of the original DW Link patent, does this open opportunities for new designs and/or improvements?
• Is it difficult working with bike brands as a suspension designer? Does your design end up getting compromised in some ways?
• What does the Vampire Bikes customer look like?
• What do you make of recent news about athletes launching their own bike brands? What do you think is driving this?

You can follow along with the launch of Vampire Bikes on Instagram @vampire_bikes and learn more about some of the suspension designs we discussed at suspension-formulas.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Sara Bresnick is a former professional mountain biker, cycling coach and founder of Pedal Power Training Solutions which offers customized training plans plus advice on nutrition, race strategy, and technique.  

• What are some fitness goals your clients have beyond racing? For example, does it make sense for a rider to work with a coach before a big weeklong mountain bike trip? 
• Do older athletes need more time to recover between intense workouts?
• What happens if you miss a day, or two, in a training schedule? How quickly do fitness gains disappear?
• How does an "off season" work for bike athletes? Should you still be biking some, or is it possible to do other activities instead?  
• Let's say I wanted to ride the Tour Divide in 2025, and my goal was to finish the ride in 45 days. Given a good level of base fitness, what's a realistic timeframe for training? In general, what would a training plan involve?
• What's the biggest challenge most people face when it comes to improving their fitness?
• As a trainer, what can you learn from a client's workout data? 
• How much of your job as a trainer is emotional support versus purely technical?
• What's one easy step everyone can take to start improving their fitness today?

Learn more and connect with Sara at pedalpowercoaching.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

David Billstrom is the CEO of Kitsbow, a North Carolina based cycling apparel company known for producing high-quality products. The company utilizes a made-to-order model for many of the items in their catalog to reduce waste, cut lead times, and support the local economy.

In this episode we ask:

• What is lean manufacturing? How does it work specifically for an apparel company like Kitsbow?
• How significant are transportation costs associated with manufacturing your products overseas?
• Has it been difficult to find manufacturing workers in Old Fort, North Carolina? Is hiring a bottleneck in terms of expanding domestic production?
• How much waste is due to forecasting errors on sizing, styles, etc.? Does lean manufacturing eliminate most of this?
• What are some of the things you’ve learned from your customers or been able to improve about your products?
• What does the future of cycling apparel look like for Kitsbow?

Learn more at Kitsbow.com.

This episode is sponsored by Explore Brevard. Picture yourself in the middle of 100,000 acres of public lands and over 300 shredable miles of single track. A place often referred to as one of the top mountain biking towns in the country. Brevard, North Carolina has countless epic adventures for every kind of rider on tap. Whether you love rocky, rooty technical lines in Pisgah, or flowy lines in Dupont State Recreational Forest, or something in-between – Brevard has it all…in spades. Come discover the place often referred to as the Cycling Capital of the South. Start planning your trip at ExploreBrevard.com

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Rab Wardell is a mountain bike athlete and coach living in Glasgow, Scotland. He recently set the fastest known time on the West Highland Way, a 96 mile off-road route connecting Milngavie and Fort William.

In this episode, we find out what makes a Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt different from other mountain bike races, and why Rab chose to challenge the FKT on the West Highland Way in Scotland. Rab outlines the steps he took to prepare his body and his gear for the attempt and shares some of the issues he faced during the ride.

In addition to competing, Rab is also a cycling coach, and he shares his tips for building skills, confidence, and fitness that any rider can apply.

For more info and to connect with Rab, visit rabwardell.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast Gerow, Jeff, and Matt discuss current and future mountain bike trends, starting with a recap of what's been trending over the past couple of seasons.

• Mixed wheel mountain bikes
• More great trails in more places
• High pivot mountain bikes
• Electronic bits and baubles, from drivetrains to droppers

Next, we move on to the trends we see shaping up for 2022.

• Longer travel dropper posts and fatter seat tubes
• Large scale trail projects with unique funding sources
• New mountain bike destinations and trails opening as a response to overcrowded ones
• Bikes and parts supply improvements
• High pivots on shorter-travel bikes
• MTB geometry stabilization

Finally, we discuss some of the trends we'd like to see happen sooner rather than later.

• More customizable bike builds
• DH or enduro as an Olympic sport
• Athletes receiving a more livable wage

This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Lance Canfield is a mechanical engineer and former professional mountain bike racer who drew his first mountain bike design in 1996. Today his bike brand, Canfield Bikes, sells mountain bikes and components designed and tested in Poncha Springs, Colorado. 

• What were downhill bikes like when you began racing in 1994? What did you want to improve about your bike?
• Your first bike design in 1999, the Big Fat Fatty Fat, had 12 inches of travel front and rear. How did that work?
• You competed on some of your own bikes in Red Bull Rampage, including at the first competition ever in 2001. What was it like? How did it compare to today's spectacle?
• Why do you think there aren't many (any?) dedicated freeride bikes on the market today?
• What makes the Canfield Balance Formula (CBF) suspension design different from others on the market?
• Is CBF better suited for certain applications or travel ranges?
• Why are you such a proponent of shorter cranks for mountain biking?
• How has Canfield been affected by industry supply fluctuations over the past few years?
• What's next for Canfield? Which mountain bike developments or trends have you excited about the future?

Visit canfieldbikes.com to see the bikes and components discussed in this episode.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

David Folch is the founder and CEO of Dirty Sixer, a boutique bike builder focused on fitting tall riders with big wheel bikes. The Dirty Sixer line currently features gravel, all-road, and electric bikes, and will soon include a mountain bike with 32" wheels.

• How did your brand Dirty Sixer get started?
• How tall do you have to be for a 32er to make sense?
• What are some of the MTB geometry challenges involved in designing around 32" wheels? Does anything get easier in terms of fitting tall riders thanks to the bigger wheels?
• Has tire availability limited the development of 32" wheel bikes up until this point?
• Are any current MTB forks designed to fit 32" wheels?
• You hinted that you're working on a full-suspension mountain bike with 32" wheels. What are the challenges involved in designing a bike like that?
• Will a 36er mountain bike ever be viable in terms of tire and fork availability? 
• There are several comments on your Instagram posts from people who are against the idea of a mountain bike with 32" wheels, seemingly because this would represent another standard. Do you think 32" wheels will ever gain significant traction like 29er wheels did in the early 2000s?
• What's next for you in terms of big wheel mountain bike development?

Visit dirtysixer.com to get more info about the bikes and tech discussed in this episode.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Claudio Caluori is a seven-time Swiss National Champion and founder of Velosolutions, "a global network of professionals with profound knowledge in cycling, action sports, tourism and urban development." He's also a popular YouTube personality, delivering entertaining course previews and ride-alongs with top athletes.

In addition to building pump tracks around the world, Velosolutions recently helped with construction of the XC race course for the 2024 Paris Olympics and is working on an ultra accurate timing app for pump track competition.

• How did you get into downhill mountain bike racing?
• How are you able to talk while riding fast in your Red Bull course preview and Bla Bla Run videos? Does talking mess you up sometimes?
• How is designing and building a race trail different from building a trail for the public?
• What's so great about pump tracks? Why do adult riders tend to avoid them?
• Tell us about Pump Tracks for Peace.
• Some riders seem to be against asphalt tracks. What's your take?
• Is trail building and funding easier in some parts of the world than in others?
• Which Velosolutions projects are you most proud of?
• Tell us about Velosolutions Farm. What's the vision?
• What are some projects Velosolutions is working on right now?

Get more information about Velosolutions at velosolutions.com.

Photo credit: Sternemann

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Ashley Korenblat is the CEO of Western Spirit Cycling Adventures and founder of Outerbike, as well as the Managing Director of Public Land Solutions, a non-profit dedicated to “providing comprehensive recreation planning and stakeholder coordination to support effective and sustainable public land solutions.” She also previously served as IMBA Board chair.

In this episode we ask Ashley:

• What is a “recreational asset?” Is this considered in strictly monetary terms, or are intrinsic values considered as well?
• How does PLS identify recreational assets and what does a typical plan look like?
• How significant is the Land and Water Conservation Fund in terms of recreation project funding in the US? 
• Is there an opportunity to work with energy development companies on recreation plans?
• What are some of the ways trail advocacy groups could improve on their current land management and access strategies?
• What is the PLS stance on MTB Wilderness access?  
• How does your advocacy background inform and connect with your trip offerings at Western Spirit?

Learn more about Public Land Solutions at publiclandsolutions.org and Western Spirit at westernspirit.com.

This episode is sponsored by Explore Brevard. Picture yourself in the middle of 100,000 acres of public lands and over 300 shredable miles of single track. A place often referred to as one of the top mountain biking towns in the country. Brevard, North Carolina has countless epic adventures for every kind of rider on tap. Whether you love rocky, rooty technical lines in Pisgah, or flowy lines in Dupont State Recreational Forest, or something in-between – Brevard has it all…in spades. Come discover the place often referred to as the Cycling Capital of the South. Start planning your trip at ExploreBrevard.com

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Nichole Dandrea-Russert is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the author of The Vegan Athlete's Nutrition Handbook. Her website Purely Planted offers tips for adding more plants to our diets, and she's based right here in Atlanta.

• How did you get interested in nutrition? Have you always been an athlete?
• For the vegan athletes you work with, is improving performance a primary reason for adopting a plant-based diet, or are other considerations that tend to come first?
• How does a plant-based diet help athletes with recovery and reducing inflammation?
• How does eating less saturated fats and cholesterol improve athletic performance? Is it helpful for endurance sports like cycling?
• How do you know if you are not getting enough fat?
• What are some good plant-based sources of protein?
• What are some other advantages of a plant-based diet for cyclists?
• Do you have any tips for keeping to a healthy diet while traveling?
• How big of a factor is diet in athletic performance?  
• Can mountain bikers get some of the advantages of a plant-based diet without giving up meat and dairy completely?

The Vegan Athlete's Nutrition Handbook is out today and you can purchase it online or keep up with the latest at purelyplanted.com.

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tpc.bike/singletracks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

Alex Larson is a registered dietitian and multi-sport athlete who helps endurance athletes optimize nutrition and performance. She's written multiple nutrition guides and offers customized nutrition coaching services to athletes around the world.

• Do athleticism and nutrition go hand in hand? Are athletes generally healthy eaters by nature?
• What is a "flexible eating style"? Are restrictive diets sometimes harmful?
• How does pre-race fueling work? 
• Is nutrition drastically different for training vs. racing?
• Is it more challenging for athletes to maintain a healthy gut than non-athletes?
• What types of things can cause gut issues for athletes during a workout? 
• Are there signs that nutrition is holding us back from fitness gains?
• What have you learned about nutrition from your own training?
• With summer approaching, should athletes adjust their diet based on the season? 
• Does an individual's nutrition plan look different for different sports?
• Do you recommend an app for tracking daily nutrition or a food journal?
• If I eat the wrong thing after a race, is that going to have a big effect on my future performance?
• What's one simple step mountain bikers can take to improve their nutrition?

For additional nutrition resources and to connect with Alex, visit alexlarsonnutrition.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Dale Boyd and Drew Hall are mountain bikers and trail builders living in Mobile, Alabama. They’re part of a group called Ride the Rebellion that posts videos and podcasts about their efforts to build and ride trails in a part of the US that isn’t traditionally known for mountain biking.

In this episode we ask:

• What was the local mountain bike scene like when you first got into the sport?
• How did you come up with the name Ride the Rebellion for your group?
  • How many folks are a part of the group? Is there an official membership process?
• What are some ways you’ve found to make flat terrain more fun to ride?
• How did you learn to build trails and trail features?
• How do you come up with names for trails and trail features?
  • What is the status of the land where you build trails? How did you get permission to build and ride there?
  • What is your agreement like with the landowner in terms of what you can, and can’t, do?
  • Can anyone ride the trail whenever they like, or is it a members-only situation?
• What is the role of video and podcasting in building your real-life MTB community?
• Do you travel outside Alabama to mountain bike? What are some of your favorite places to ride outside your local area?
• What have you learned along the way that might be helpful to others in a similar situation?

Find Ride the Rebellion video channel on YouTube and their podcast on Spotify.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available to Singletracks Pro supporters: singletracks.com/support

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

On this episode, Aaron, Greg, and Jeff talk about the recent controversies surrounding the Redbull Rampage and mountain biking 14ers, plus the mythical “do-it-all” mountain bike.

Production note: Going forward we plan to share two podcasts each week. Last week we screwed up the recording for our second episode so we only had a chance to publish one episode. 🙂

Manon Carpenter is a downhill mountain bike world champion and advocate for the environment living in Caerphilly, Wales . She recently premiered a documentary film titled Trails on Trial that explores how trails connect the land with communities and various stakeholders.

In this interview we ask:

• When did you first get interested in the idea of environmental protection?
• Was the connection between biking and the environment always pretty clear to you, even as a professional racer?
• What are your local trails like? Who builds and maintains them?
• Why do you think mountain bikers have a bad reputation among some environmental groups? What can we do to change that?
• If "trails come and go," what does that mean for us as mountain bikers?
• Where are some of your favorite places to ride around the world?
• Should we be concerned about the potential impact over-tourism might have on places? How can this be mitigated or offset?
• Do you see a connection between climate change and trail conditions?

Check out some of Manon's videos, including Trails on Trial, on this Youtube playlist. You can follow her on Instagram @manoncarpenter.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Aaron and I discuss the history of waterproof gear, from animal skins to Gore-Tex and everything in between. We also talk about what it means for a material to be waterproof yet breathable, and how waterproof gear can help mountain bikers.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Rhett Jones is a high school mountain biker living in the Austin, Texas area. He's the founder of Station Bike Park, a new private park he developed on 150 acres of former ranchland northwest of Austin.

Singletracks first shared Jones' story in a November feature article on our website; this interview adds more detail and dives into the economic and operational aspects of running a for-profit, private mountain bike park.

• How long have you been riding mountain bikes? 
• Tell us about the free bike, public bike park you built in 2022. How did that get started?  
• Are there many places to mountain bike in and around Austin, TX? What is the mountain bike scene like in the area? In the state?
• How much money did you raise, and how did you raise it? Were you able to stay on budget?
• Are bike parks good businesses? Were you able to use any successful bike parks as an example?
• How do most bike parks actually make money: tickets, rentals, repairs, or sales? 
• Was getting insurance a challenge? 
• Is there a benefit to being close to a more established bike park like Spider Mountain Bike Park?
• What are the economics of a fixed lift system? Is the cost feasible for the average bike park?
• What's your favorite part of owning a bike park?
• What are your plans for the bike park and for yourself in the future?

Find out more at stationmountain.com.

Photo provided by Rhett Jones.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Aaron and I discuss mountain bike shoes and share tips for finding the best shoe. We also give a few specific shoe recommendations.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

The Singletracks team talks about Greg’s review of the Santa Cruz Bronson plus tips for selling bikes online and $80 helmet cameras.

Join us for our second episode of the Singletracks podcast. Today we share Mike Brcic’s 7 Life Lessons from Mountain Bike Pain, the latest on Garmin’s newest GPS units, and John’s summer trip report from the Upper Midwest.

Subscribe via iTunes or Soundcloud to automatically get the latest episodes!

Dee Tidwell is a professional coach and the founder of Train to Ride which provides cycling-specific training programs and plans for mountain biking, road, gravel, and moto riding. He’s also a two time Big Mountain Enduro Master’s Champ and has worked with countless professional athletes including members of the Yeti/Fox Factory professional EWS race team.

• What is the Performance Pyramid, and how does it work? Walk us through each level.
• Is it OK to skip some of the lower levels and jump right to the top?
• How electric mountain bike riding and racing this differ from more traditional mountain bike training?
• Do you find that people really hate cardio so much that they avoid training altogether? Is equipment cost an excuse people use for not working on getting stronger?
• Is soft tissue therapy something folks can work on at home with foam rollers and massage guns, or is this one area where working with a physical or massage therapist in person is beneficial?  
• Have you seen a shift in the mix of your clients over the years between racers and folks who just want to ride for fun?
• What are the risks associated with over training? How do you know if you’re over training?
• Why is full body strength so important for mountain biking?
• How are golf and cycling related in terms of fitness and mobility? Is it true that mountain biking is the new golf?
• How can riders deal with pain and fatigue on long rides?
• How does a lack of strength or fitness contribute to our risk for injury?
• What can we do to have more fun on the mountain bike next season?

Find more information about Dee and learn about training programs at TrainToRide.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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.

It seems many of the latest mountain bike innovations are being pitched as good for consumers because they add stiffness (see Boost 148, 35mm handlebars, wider rims, etc.) So why is stiffness important to mountain bikers, and aren’t bikes stiff enough already? We attempt to uncover the truth.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Jeremiah Stone is a mountain bike skill instructor who has taught hundreds of riders across the western USA with Ninja Mountain Bike Performance and the Sedona Mountain Bike Academy. He’s also a freelance trail builder and machine operator in addition to being a skilled rider.

In this interview, we ask:

• How did you develop your own mountain bike skills? Did you have a coach?
• Do you think today’s mountain bikes make it easier to be a good biker, compared to the equipment that was available in the old days?
• Timing seems to be a big factor when it comes to landing jumps or clearing doubles. How can riders develop a good sense of timing and speed?
• Why is it easier to ride a technical feature once you’ve seen someone else ride it first?
• What are some common bad habits when it comes to technical trail descending?
• Beyond improving physical fitness, are there skills that can make climbing on the bike more tolerable?
• Do you have any tips for helping riders overcome their fear of trying something new? How does that advice change for someone recovering from a traumatic crash?

Connect with Jeremiah on Instagram @vitabrevis and learn more at ridelikeaninja.com. 

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Nick Bennette is the Executive Director of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, a position he's held for a little over two years. The group recently put together a 5-year Strategic Plan to "ensure the sustainability of mountain biking in Vermont and thoughtfully promote exceptional riding experiences for all through advocacy, education, and community-driven stewardship."

• How did your experience as a consultant help you craft the VMBA 5-year Strategic Plan?  
• Vermont was an early adopter of a state advocacy model apart from IMBA. How has the VMBA Chapter model evolved since it was first launched?
• How does Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion fit with trail advocacy? Aside from being the right thing to do, how does it benefit the MTB community?
• Is e-bike access a hot topic in Vermont? Do you think it's been framed properly in the past?
• How did VMBA get to 10,000 dues paying members?
• Is advocating for trails easier today than it has been in the past?
• Are there additional considerations involved when public trails are located on private property?
• Is relying on volunteers to help build and maintain trails viable in a state like Vermont where so many trail users live out of state?
• What's so great about mountain biking on the east coast of the US? Why is there a perception that the trails are better out west?

Learn more about the Vermont Mountain Bike Association at vmba.org and view their strategic plan here. Photo credit: Mark Clement.

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit ⁠⁠tpc.bike/singletracks⁠⁠ and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

Ryan Standish is a professional mountain bike racer from Australia who is currently living in the US. In addition to competing in top level mountain bike and gravel races, he’s also working to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis.

In this episode, we ask:

• How long have you been riding mountain bikes? How old were you when you realized you were fast?
• How did you end up in the US after growing up in Alice Springs, Australia?
• How did you qualify for the World Cup XC and short track races in West Virginia this year? 
• Why did you decide to wear jorts in the races?
• What is it like to race in the World Cup? How is it different from the other races you’ve competed in?
• What type of race or ride do you like the most? Do you prefer sprint formats like short track, or longer races like gravel grinders and stage races?
• How are you able to recover with so many back-to-back races?
• How did you get involved in raising awareness for MS?
• What’s your favorite place to ride? Do you have a favorite trail?
• Are you a good cook? Do you tend to eat healthy during the race season?
• What’s next on your 2021 race calendar? What are your goals outside of racing?

Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryanstandwich and keep up with him online at RyanStandish.com.

This episode is sponsored by Gloworm Lites.

Gloworm is a mountain bike light brand founded almost a decade ago by two mountain bikers in New Zealand, and today the company offers some of the highest quality bike lights on the market – Including Bluetooth control and complete customisation through their app. Gloworm’s complete line of lights start at 1200 lumens and range up to a blinding 3600 lumens, all at reasonable prices.

Save 15% off all light systems on the Gloworm website with the coupon code SINGLETRACKS2021. Shop for lights at glowormlites.co.nz

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast we talk about what to look for when selecting a mountain bike tire. We also talk about tubeless tires and provide some tire recommendations for different conditions like mud, sand, and hardpack.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode we talk about illegal-ish mountain bike trails, or as Greg wanted to call it, “50 Shades of Gray Trails.” We’ll define the concept of gray trails and talk about some of the issues surrounding building and using unauthorized mountain bike trails.

Angi Weston is the founder of Radical Roots MTB, a group that provides "fun, safe, mountain bike skills progression" through various lessons, programs, events, and group rides. In addition to working with riders, Angi also trains MTB skills coaches and is based in Bellingham, WA.

• What led you to launch Radical Roots in 2018?
• What can riders learn from riding flats that they can't learn riding clipless pedals?
• Do you think it's better to learn skills on a hardtail than a FS bike?
• Are the junior riders you work with looking to develop different skills from the adults that attend your other camps? 
• How much does having a good mountain bike contribute to rider confidence, and perhaps even skill? How do you know if you need to upgrade your skills vs. your bike?
• What are the skills your students are most interested in learning? Is there a fundamental skill or skills everyone should learn first?
• What are the skills you're working on personally? Are there things you wish you could do better?
• What makes someone a successful MTB skills coach?

Visit radicalrootsmtb.com to connect with Angi and find out about upcoming clinics.

Photo: Katie Sox.

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tpc.bike/singletracks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

We're re-sharing one of our favorite episodes from 2022, so be sure to listen in case you missed it! Check back next week for more another fresh episode.

Dr. Matt Miller is the inventor and founder of Brake Ace, a sensor that collects data about your braking and an app that makes braking recommendations to help you ride smarter.  He’s also a former elite-level mountain bike racer and has coached riders at all levels of the sport.

In this episode we ask:

• How did you make your way up to the elite level of mountain bike competition?
• Why did you decide to look at braking performance as a part of your PhD program?
• What does the Brake Ace sensor look like, and how does it work?
• How difficult is the hardware side in terms of development?
• What’s different about your approach to studying braking performance? How did you figure out which metrics to focus on?
• Let’s talk about some common braking questions.Does the front brake generally offer more stopping power than the rear?
• Is locking up a wheel and skidding bad in terms of speed and/or performance, or is it desirable in certain situations?
• Should mountain bikers brake before a turn? How soon? Should we brake at all once we’re in the turn?
• What are some common braking skills riders need to work, or bad habits they need to break?How do the pros compare to weekend warriors in terms of braking skills?
• Do some of us brake too often? Could working on things like cornering and overall confidence allow us to simply brake less?
• Mountain bikers seem to be split between preferring brakes that modulate power, and those that have a quick bite. Is one better than the other in terms of performance?
• If bigger rotors offer better stopping power, why not max them out? Is it just because of weight, or is there another consideration?
• Tell us a bit about the MTB scene in Rotorua. How has it grown and changed over the past few years?

Learn more at brakeace.com and sign up for their email list to be notified about availability. Cover photo by Tyler Perrin.

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tpc.bike/singletracks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

In this episode we talk about this week’s mountain bike news including the mechanical doping scandal, the new Hightower 29er/27.5+ bike from Santa Cruz, and the Fat Bike World Championship race in Crested Butte.

In this episode we talk about our top 10 USA mountain bike destinations. We discuss our personal experiences riding each of these places and also dive into why the places we chose made the list.

This is the time of year when mountain bikers plan to do epic shit and building endurance is often the first step to making things happen. In this episode we talk about why endurance training is important, discuss some methods we’ve used successfully, and cover some of the challenges riders will face in building endurance.

How far do you plan to push yourself in 2016?

In this episode we talk with Maxxis bike marketing specialist Bobby Brown about plus size mountain bike tires and wheels. After discussing the pros and cons of plus-size tires, we talk about the best applications, what’s happening to 29+, and why 27.5+ bikes seem to be sweeping the market.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Greg and Jeff discuss mountain bikers’ obsession with lightweight bike frames and components. We’ll talk about how companies save weight on bikes, the advantages and disadvantages of lightweight bike parts, and how to save easy weight on your mountain bike.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Hannah Otto recently became the fastest known woman to ride the 137-mile-long Kokopelli's trail from Moab, Utah to Loma, Colorado, besting the previous fastest known time by over an hour. In addition to racing gravel and mountain bikes, she's also a certified athletic trainer. 

• How do you feel now that you can finally talk about your accomplishment? Were you worried someone else would make an FKT attempt between then and now?
• In October you made your first attempt, but it didn't work out. What happened.
• What did you do differently the second time around?
• What was your bike setup? What did you eat?
• How do you pace yourself for a ride like this?
• Do you think this FKT rules that should be updated or clarified to allow film crews as long as they don't offer any assistance?
• How much of a role does luck play in mountain bike racing, versus skill and fitness?
• Do individual time trials also make you a faster racer in more traditional events, or is this a specialized skill set?
• What's next? Do you have any more FKT attempts on the horizon?

View the Kokopelli Strong film on Youtube and follow @hannah_finchamp on Instagram. Photo credit: @mahkus.g.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In today’s podcast we share Helena’s 3-part trip report as she samples the singletrack from Pennsylvania to Colorado.

Stay tuned as we mix things up a bit on Friday with a Singletracks staff conversation about this week’s MTB headlines.

Singletracks editors Gerow, Jeff, and Matt look forward to more mountain biking adventures in 2022! 

In this episode we talk about the MTB stories that are on our 2022 editorial calendar in the areas of trails, gear, progression, and community. We also share our personal goals for skills, fitness, racing, travel, event coverage, repair skills, and trail building.

This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com.

Are you a Singletracks supporter? Create an account at Singletracks.com to get our newsletter and to show your support financially.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Hannah Otto is a World Cup mountain bike racer, FKT record holder, and Leadville 100 winner who has been racing since the age of 9 years old. Last month she set the fastest known time for riding the Whole Enchilada from bottom to top, and top to bottom in a time of 5:50:38.

You can watch a short film about her FKT attempt here (https://youtu.be/oErEWLGdPlI) and follow Hannah on Instagram @hannah_finchamp

In this episode we ask:

• How did you first get into mountain bike racing?
• How do FKT attempts compare to races like the Leadville 100 or even a World Cup XC race? Is one more stressful than the other?
• Tell us about your Whole Enchilada FKT attempt. Why that route?
• Was this your first time riding this exact route? Had you ridden the Whole Enchilada descent before?
• According to Strava all the fastest times on the Whole Enchilada were posted by men. How did it feel to best all of them by nearly an hour?
• Which was more challenging: the climb or the descent?
• Was the weather a factor when you made your attempt?
• Did you do any training specific to this trail, and this FKT attempt?
• I assume all of your gear held up well. Any surprises out there?
• What have you learned by working with bike coaches over the years?
• Do you use caffeine before or during races? Why or why not?
• What does your rest and recovery routine look like?
• Which races or FKTs are you targeting for 2023?

This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com.

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available at singletracks.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this illuminating episode of the Singletracks podcast, we talk about mountain bike lights, briefly touching on the history of bike lights before diving into the key things every mountain biker needs to know about lighting up the trail.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

This week we’re re-sharing one of our favorite podcast episodes, and we’ll be back next week with an all-new show.

Last year Christopher Blevins became the first American man to win a World Cup race since 1994, taking first in the final XCO race of the season at Snowshoe, West Virginia. He’s also the 2021 short track world champion, and has notched numerous podium finishes at national and international mountain, cyclocross, and road races. This past weekend Blevins crashed during the short track race (XCC) at Les Gets but still managed a top-20 finish. In the cross country race on Sunday he was not feeling well due to injuries suffered in the XCC race and pulled out of the competition.

In this interview we ask:

• How did the Durango DEVO community-based cycling program shape who you are as a rider?
• What is it about Durango that produces so many talented riders? Is it the elevation, or the terrain, or something else?
• How does being a playful rider translate on the race course?
• How did you get interested in spoken word poetry?
• What did you learn through the process of preparing for and then racing your FKT attempt along the Los Padres route?
• Which do you find more challenging: FKTs or World Cup racing? How are they different or the same?
• As a professional athlete, what do you see as your role in important issues like climate change?
• How can we balance the positives that tourism can bring to an area with the impact that it has in terms of the carbon footprint of travel and the strain on local resources?
• Why did you decide to join the Trinity Racing team?
• Were you thinking about becoming the first US male to win a World Cup race in 27 years at the start of the Snowshoe XC event last year?
• Who are some entrepreneurs you admire? Do you see yourself becoming an entrepreneur in the traditional business sense, or is entrepreneurship applicable to making a career as an athlete?
• What’s next for you?

✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available to Singletracks Pro supporters: singletracks.com/support

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Jeremiah Stone is a mountain bike skill instructor who has taught hundreds of riders across the western USA with Ninja Mountain Bike Performance and the Sedona Mountain Bike Academy. He’s also a freelance trail builder and machine operator in addition to being a skilled rider.

In this interview, we ask:

• How did you develop your own mountain bike skills? Did you have a coach?
• Do you think today’s mountain bikes make it easier to be a good biker, compared to the equipment that was available in the old days?
• Timing seems to be a big factor when it comes to landing jumps or clearing doubles. How can riders develop a good sense of timing and speed?
• Why is it easier to ride a technical feature once you’ve seen someone else ride it first?
• What are some common bad habits when it comes to technical trail descending?
• Beyond improving physical fitness, are there skills that can make climbing on the bike more tolerable?
• Do you have any tips for helping riders overcome their fear of trying something new? How does that advice change for someone recovering from a traumatic crash?

This episode first aired on February 22, 2021.

Connect with Jeremiah on Instagram @vitabrevis and learn more at ridelikeaninja.com.

--This episode is sponsored by Jamis Bikes.  Jamis has been designing and building quality bikes since 1979, and they were among the first to produce mountain bikes beginning in 1982. Check out the entire lineup of Jamis high performance mountain bikes at www.jamisbikes.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Aaron Chamberlain is the Bicycle Sales and Marketing Manager at Maxxis, one of the largest bicycle tire manufacturers in the world known for producing high quality products.

In this episode we ask:

• Where are we at with bike tire widths? Clearly fat and plus tire adoption have peaked so are things looking pretty stable these days in terms of widths?
• What are the considerations when choosing the right tire width, especially when there are so many choices? Will a tenth of an inch in width make a noticeable difference to anyone?
• Do you think bike brands do a good job speccing tires on bikes? Do price and weight get prioritized over performance in some cases?
• Which MTB tire features are a good fit for gravel?
• Is it more difficult to design a gravel tire that’s both lightweight and fast and also durable?
• Do any of the innovations in gravel tires have the potential to filter to MTB?
• With access to pretty much any and every MTB tire you could want, how often do you change your tires: Seasonally? Every ride? Never?
• One of the key specs when looking at tire casings is a number called TPI, threads per inch. What does that number tell us?
• How does TPI work when there are multiple plies or casing layers involved?
• What’s the best way to dispose of worn out bike tires?
• What are some of the trends you’re seeing with pro gravity riders? Are there changes in the key things they’re looking for?

See more at maxxis.com and on Instagram @maxxisbike.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Matt Shriver is the General Manager and technical director for the Trek Factory Racing cross country team and is based in Durango Colorado. He’s a former pro rider himself and previously served as the technical director for the Trek WorldTour road team for seven years.

• How did you make the transition from professional racing to managing race teams?
• What are the responsibilities of a pro team liaison?
• Does Trek Factory Racing provide coaching resources to athletes, or do athletes tend to bring their own training team?
• Some pro teams are organized as collectives, while others like Trek Factory Racing seem to lean on more of a team model. Are there different philosophies among the different racing groups in MTB?
• Is mountain biking a team sport? Is there a lot of strategy in MTB racing?
• How does recovery work between races? Is there much downtime for the staff and athletes in between events?
• How are team athletes selected?
• What is the most stressful part of being a team liaison?
• How intrusive are anti-doping protocols for athletes and staff?
• How does a brand like Trek measure the success of their race team?
• Do you think the current international MTB competition model is sustainable?
• For core mountain bikers who love riding but don’t necessarily follow pro racing, why should they start paying attention to races? What can we learn from watching World Cup competitions?

In an upcoming episode we'll also talk with Ryan from the Trek Factory Racing DH team.

Keep up with the Trek Factory Racing team at racing.trekbikes.com. Photo credit: Trek Factory Racing.

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit tpc.bike/singletracks and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

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 of the Singletracks podcast we offer up our tips for riding in the summer, including tips for hydration, treating poison ivy, and removing ticks. It’s a jungle out there–play it safe!

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode, we share our money-saving tips for mountain bikers. Starting with bikes, we’ll talk about how buying a tool can save you money, bike warranties and insurance, and how to shop for new or used bikes. On the travel side, we’ll discuss ways to save money on transportation, lodging, food, and race when you’re on a budget. You can’t afford NOT to listen to this episode.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Aaron and Jeff provide a recap of Sea Otter 2016 while filling in Greg on what he missed this year. We talk trends, interesting and unusual products, and what it’s like to actually meet and hang out with your idol. Don’t miss this episode as we cover several items not mentioned in our written coverage!

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Aaron, Greg, and I share our tips for taking great mountain bike photos.

For additional resources, check out these articles about mountain bike photography.

• Mountain Bike Photography: How to Work with Light
• Mountain Bike Photography: 10 Techniques for Beginners
• Mountain Bike Photography: 10 Editing Tips for Beginners

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Will Hart is Product Marketing Manager at Cane Creek, a western North Carolina based maker of suspension and bike components.

• Besides looking cool, what are some advantages of a coil shock?
• Are certain styles of riding better suited to a coil shock than others?
• What makes some FS mountain bikes coil compatible, and others not?
• How does compression damping work on a coil shock? Is there any air involved?
• Tell us about the Cane Creek Tigon. What's the idea behind combining a coil with an air spring?
• How are progressive and linear coil springs different?
• How do you set sag on a coil shock?
• What about other settings? Are coil shocks as tunable as air shocks?
• What does tightening the pre-load on a coil shock do?
• How does bottom-out work on a coil shock?
• Is it difficult for lighter riders to find an appropriate spring?
• How does the weight of a coil shock compare to an air shock?
• Will a coil feel different over time as the metal fatigues? 
• Are coil shocks lower maintenance than air shocks?
• What is your advice for mountain bikers who are coil curious?

Find out about the Cane Creek Coil Curious program at canecreek.com.

Where else can you choose from over 300 miles of epic singletrack against a backdrop of soaring mountains and cascading waterfalls? Where else can you explore 100,000 acres of public lands laced with hundreds of miles of backcountry gravel roads? Your best mountain biking adventure ever begins in Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest. Four primo bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need a rental, service, or some cool swag. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes, and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of America’s coolest small towns. It all adds up to one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the U.S. Find out more at⁠⁠ ExploreBrevard.com⁠⁠.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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?

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast Greg talks with the 2016 Arizona Trail 750 winner and Bikepackers Magazine co-founder, Neil Beltchenko, about his record-breaking finish. Neil talks about the race and also reveals his strategies for killing it on epic bikepacking adventure races like the AZT 750.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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.

In this short episode, Aaron, Greg, and Jeff discuss their personal mountain biking goals for 2016 and talk about what’s in store for Singletracks next year.

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Greg talks about his summer MTB trip to Spain.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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.

Chris Mandell is the North American Public Relations Manager for SRAM where he's worked for the past 8 years. He currently lives and rides in Bellingham, Washington. 

• Is mountain biking suspension harder to design than say suspension for cars or motorcycles? What's different?
• How much of RockShox testing is real world vs. lab based?
• Is shock heat management important for the average rider?
• What is the advantage of larger diameter fork stanchions?
• What's the idea behind the electronic suspension controls in SRAM Flight Attendant?
• Why aren't there more inverted fork designs?
• What are some common misunderstandings about mountain bike suspension?
• Are suspension designers as focused on reducing weight as they have been in the past? By loosening weight requirements, what improvements can be made?
• What's your method for setting up a new fork?
• Which suspension innovations are you most stoked about?

A full, edited transcript is available at singletracks.com.

The Singletracks podcast is brought to you by TPC -- The Pro’s Closet. Spring is the perfect time to upgrade, and TPC has an industry-leading selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned bikes, plus frames, wheels and accessories. Each Certified, Pre-Owned bike is inspected, tested and serviced, and every bike includes thirty day returns. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tpc.bike/singletracks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and enter code Singletracks40 to save forty dollars on every order over two hundred.

It’s time to start planning your epic mountain bike trips for 2016 so we thought we’d share some tips we’ve learned over the years. We try to answer questions like, what to do when it rains on a trip you’ve spent all year dreaming about? We also share tips for dirt bag bikers who are looking to take a mountain bike vacation on the cheap. Like, only-the-cost-of-gas cheap. Listen in!

Mike Repyak is the Director of Planning and Design at Trail Solutions, the trail development arm of the International Mountain Biking Association. He’s been involved in recreation planning and trail network design for many years and is currently based in Madison, Wisconsin.

In this episode we ask:

• How is Trail Solutions related to IMBA, and what does it do?
• What are some ways designers can influence trail riders' experience?
• Would you say we generally have the right mix of green, blue, and black trails in most places in the US?
• How does the cost to build a new trail today compare to 10 years ago?
• Are there enough experienced, quality MTB trail builders in the US?
• How do maintenance considerations play into trail planning?
• Is chipseal something that is helpful in building low-maintenance trails?
• What are some current mountain bike trail projects you’re stoked about?
• From your perspective, is there a connection between the growth of MTB participation with the growth in trail building? Does a growing sport make it easier to get projects approved and funded?

Find out more about Trail Solutions at imba.com, and for information about current, open positions at IMBA, visit ride.imba.com/explore-imba/meet-imba/careers.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast we talk to pro downhill racer Ethan Quehl about riding fast on big bikes and his gig as a trail builder. Plus, Ethan fills us in on the burgeoning market for building personal pump tracks in peoples’ yards.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Rachel Fussell is the electric mountain bike Policy and Program Manager at People for Bikes. The group’s stated mission is to change the world through bikes by focusing on empowering cities, creating connections, and supporting the bike industry.

In this episode we ask:

• What are the current regulations at the federal, state, and local level regarding eMTB trail access?
• What types of conflicts exist where electric mountain bikes and regular mountain bikes share the trail? 
  • Does basic trail etiquette cover eMTBs, or do we need to update and/or add new rules of the trail?
• Where and how are e-bikes gaining additional trail access?
• What do land managers generally think about e-bikes on trails? What are their concerns?
• How big of a role do studies and unbiased reports play into eMTB advocacy? Do opinions play into the discussion as well?
• Is there a risk that advocating for e-bike access could hurt traditional mountain bike trail access?
• What do you think about registration programs for e-bikes that are needs-based?
• Aside from PFB, who else is advocating for eMTBs? Do we need separate eMTB advocacy groups, or is this something that can fit into existing groups like IMBA and local clubs?
• Why should other mountain bikers care about e-bike access?

Learn more about People for Bikes and eMTB policy at: peopleforbikes.org/topics/electric-bikes

This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard.

Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode, Aaron and I talk about how GPS works and what that means for mountain bikers who use GPS devices for training and trail navigation.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode, we talk about each bike in our list of the top 10 enduro bikes of 2016. Still not sure what enduro even means? Then you definitely don’t want to miss this episode!

Singletracks tested dozens of mountain bikes in 2021 and three of our editors share their favorites in this special episode. From kids mountain bikes to enduro, and from electric to hardtail, we share the ones we liked best.

In addition to sharing our favorites, we'll also talk about our runners up and some of the more unique and unusual bikes we reviewed in 2021.

--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks