MTB Podcast

Steven and Jonathan squeaked in a quick episode to answer your questions for boxing day. Enjoy, and get out and shred on those new bikes!

Take a deep dive into all things trail dogs – breeds, gear, training and more. • New Canyon Spectral • IMBA Opposes Wilderness Access For Bikes • How to fix slipping lock-on grips • Best power meters for slim crankset clearance or wide Q-Factor • Are Nickel or Titanium coated chains worth it? • When is it a good idea and a bad idea to bring a dog on a ride • How to know if your dog is a good trail dog • How to train your dog for mountain biking • Trail dog etiquette • Gear your dog needs for mountain biking • Flex Togs: https://togs.com/ • Easton E100 Handlebars: https://www.eastoncycling.com/products/details/e100-bar

Steven and Jonathan are back (sorry!) with a deep dive on night riding and discussions on the following: • Niner Bikes declares Bankruptcy • YT Consolidates but still has Zink • Mercedes Benz partners with the UCI World Cup, but somehow ignores the fact that mountain bikers actually want their sprinter van, not their truck. • Can you mix different brands of sealant? • What is the difference between "domestic manufacturing" and "domestic development"? • How carbon product development actually works • Is the Fox 34 or the Pike a better short travel fork? • How to adjust your geometry for a longer fork on an XC bike • Best XC bike for Florida riding • Should the Stages Dash be your next head unit? • Why the pros still have a lot of room for improvement with training • Why you don't want to use heart rate for structured interval training • Night riding deep dive! • Halo Lights Dog Collar: https://www.halolightsusa.com/ • Rogue TB-2 Trap Bar: https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-tb-2-trap-bar

Part 1 of your questions answered, with more coming soon! Topics covered in this episode: - Why your brake rotors howl - Do larger break rotors make more noise? - Why you should keep your saddle level - The benefits and reasons for running brake levers at different angles - What fork is best for Leadville? - Can you install a Lefty on non-Cannondale bikes? - Why the Lefty, even though it looks weird, is better than other forks - What's the deal with upside down forks? - How to train for Enduro (a basic overview) - Why your tire may be rubbing your chainstays - Carbon Wheels: Roval vs. Santa Cruz vs. ENVE

Special guest Dustin Cardoza joins us for a deep dive on trailside hacks, fixes, and overall MacGuyver tactics. This is a fun one! Topics covered in this episode: • Fox Rhythm Fork: https://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/forks-suspension/fox-releases-new-rhythm-budget-trail-fork.html • Red Bull Rampage: Is it still a good thing? • How do 120mm forks affect XC geometry? • How warranties work • Should you race Breck Epic in your first year of racing? • How elevation actually affects performance • What you need to carry with you on a ride • Extra items to deal with a trailside emergency • Trailside hacks you need to know • How to fix a mechanical on the trail • How to fix a broken derailleur cable • How to fix a flat with a shoelace • How to fix a broken shifter with tape • How to fix a leaking hydration pack • How to use superglue to stitch a head wound (not medical advice!!!) • How to make an emergency chain guide • Light & Motion Lights • Wiral Lite Cable Cam: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1332617026/wiral-lite-the-easy-cable-cam-for-impossible-film • 140mm Trail Craft Cycles cranks

Jonathan and Steven cover some big retirement news, a new 7,000' descent in Downieville, a deep dive on drivetrains and hacks and cover your questions! Topics covered in this episode: • Todd Wells has retired :( • Sho-Air pulls out of the US Cup • Downieville's new 7,000' descent: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/downieville-downhill-now-boasts-7000-vertical-feet-of-descending.html • John Tomac: American Mountain Bike Legend - Video: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/john-tomac-american-mountain-bike-legend-video.html • Can Fox remotes be used on Rockshox suspension, and vice versa? • Is MTB mechanics a viable career? • Should clydesdales avoid carbon? • What tire width should most people have? • What is a good budget kids MTB? • Affordable road bikes for training • The one reason a Reverb is better than other dropper posts • Is it bad to train with clipless pedals and ride in flats? • What power meters are best for MTB? • How to know when your head tube height is correct • The ultimate guide to drivetrains

Steven and Jonathan spend nearly the entire episode answering your questions, but first, a few words on Interbike, World Championships, concussions in XC racing & more! Topics covered in this episode: • Concussions in XC racing • World Champs quick & dirty recap • Why do stock bikes come with bad components? • Why you should (usually) have your saddle parallel to the ground • Knolly 4x4 vs. Banshee KS-Link vs. Canfield Balance • 27.5" trainer tires • Do lighter cranks reduce rotational weight? • Is there such a thing as a "perfect bike fit"? • What's the deal with fat bikes?? • Are removable chin bar helmets the future for MTB? • Are KTM mountain bikes legit? • Good riding in the Bay Area • How to improve traction in California dirt • Reusing quicklinks • What is a tire's "drift zone", and is it bad? • Should you buy a bike specifically for the trainer? • Is a QR to thru-axle upgrade really worth it? • What causes a shock to "knock"? • Is Interbike dead? • New GoPro6 review • Bear Growl Century gravel ride

Jonathan is back from Point 2 Point and the hosts hither highlights of Eurobike and answer your questions. Topics covered in this episode: - Cane Creek Slam Stem: https://www.pinkbike.com/u/vernonfelton/blog/slam-that-stem-cane-creek-debuts-the-slamset-eurobike-2017.html - What types of grease should you use on your bike and where? - Should you lube the stanchions of your suspension? - The Sturdy Dirty Enduro Series - What spares and tools should you carry with you on a ride? - The ideal home bike shop setup - Is it bad to go between clips and flats? - The Marji Gesick XC race in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - How to above neck and shoulder pain when riding - Is commuting a waste of time? - Lee Likes Bikes skills clinics - How to use the Maxxis Ardent appropriately

The Park City Point 2 Point may be the toughest one-day MTB race in the USA. It's 75 miles of pristine singletrack, viciously laced with 15,000' of climbing. It's a true test of a mountain biker's abilities, and one of the most gorgeous routes you could ride. 2x P2P champion and one of the best XC racers in America, Cannondale 3Rox's Keegan Swenson, joins us to give us all the insider information on how to prepare for and execute a successful endurance MTB race.

Steven and Jonathan take a deep dive on interval training, how every rider should be using it, and tips on how to get more out of your interval workouts. All of this plus stem caps, special episode teasers & more! Topics covered in this episode: • CES Enduro Rd. 6 – Northstar • Park City Point 2 Point • New stem caps have arrived! • Hope HB 160: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/hope-hb211-first-look-2017.html • Shimano XT8000 4-piston Calipers: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/shimano-announces-4-piston-xt-brake-caliper.html • Crank Brothers Pedals: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/crankbrothers-expand-stamp-flat-pedal-lineup.html • New Maxxis DH Tire: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/maxxis-shows-off-new-downhill-tires-news.html • 2018 Transition Bikes: http://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/Complete-2018-Transition-Patrol-Scout-Smuggler-Sentinel-Specs-Released,1745?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=spotlight&mobile=false • Which bike computer should you get? • How to use TrainerRoad or maintain fitness in a gym? • Crested Butte or Durango: Which is a better bike vacation destination? • Why don't bicycles have gearboxes yet? • Is it bad to scoot forward on the saddle during hard climbs? • Matching modern tires to narrow rims • The comprehensive guide to interval training • Camelbak insulated hoses: https://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-Antidote-Insulated-Tube/dp/B00P8DEBU4 • Project 321 Hubs: https://project321.com