Find All Your Favourite MTB YouTube Channels in the New Trailforks Directory

May 30, 2018
by Trevor May  
youtube videos page

Trailforks has a new feature to help you find quality video content about trails and to give more exposure to mountain bike YouTube creators. There is a growing number of people creating trail riding YouTube channels with great quality video content. We think these videos are often the best video content for a trail, so we want to promote them first when a Trailforks user looks up detail on a trail or a region.

To accomplish that, Trailforks now has a directory of the top mountain biking YouTube channels focused on riding trails. Channels added to this directory have all their videos auto-imported to Trailforks every hour. The YouTube creators can add Trailforks trail & region URLs to their video descriptions and we will scan them to auto-associate the video with the trail. Videos from these channels receive priority listing when viewing trail videos on the Trailforks website or mobile app. This creates a great new organic source of video views for YouTubers and new way to attract subscribers! And provides Trailforks users looking for trail beta hopefully the best video content.

Directory

View our directory of YouTube channels, and compare channels:

list of youtube channels

Prioritized Videos

When viewing video lists on Trailforks, videos from these top YouTube channels will be listed first with a special red badge. Same goes for viewing videos in the app.


youtube videos featured


View details about a channel, where they are from, do they use a gimbal, and a link to support them on Patreon:


info about youtube channel



trail videos in app


When you view a video on Trailforks, along with the linked trail, the Channel info is shown on the right and other recent videos from that channel below.

Sometimes a video contains multiple trails, so a video can be added to multiple trails using the timestamp URL variable from YouTube. When a user clicks the video from the trail page on Trailforks, the video will start at the specified point.


viewing video on TF with trial info


Check out the portal page listing recent videos from these YouTube channels.
Mountain Bike YouTube Videos

Do you run a YouTube channel and want to be included? We require a minimum of 500 subscribers before your channel can be considered. More info here.


MENTIONS: @trailforks


Author Info:
canadaka avatar

Member since Jun 8, 2010
29 articles

77 Comments
  • 58 3
 I like this, I like this a lot actually.
  • 17 1
 Can't imagine why Wink
  • 39 2
 I think youtubers are great. They're entertainers. Entertaining is a completely different skill from riding fast and well. Sometimes you get both (phil) but that's a rare combination. YouTubers are a good thing for our sport. They introduce an entirely new audience to mountain biking. I'll bet seth has brought more new riders to mountain biking than any 3 pros combined.

I often hear the pros (and others) complain that "_________ youtuber is such an awful rider, why are they so popular? I'm such a better rider. Making videos isn't hard, I should do it and blow him out of the water." Unless you've tried to run your own YouTube channel, you'll have NO idea how much work, planning, money, and time goes into each of these guys' videos. They are working their tails off. They don't claim to be the world's best riders, and frankly, you get something out of the videos that you can't get from the uber-polished, pro video shoots where guys are clearing 40 foot gaps. Those videos aren't relatable to the average rider.

I'm glad we have pros, and I'm glad we have YouTubers. They both give me something to watch in the winter when I'm not able to ride my bike. They're better than most of the trash on TV these days, and there's room for both of them in the sport. I don't think most MTB companies have the slightest clue how influential these YouTubers are with their viewers.
  • 9 0
 Very well said! And that last statement is dead on. Seth mentioned in an interview he did how there will be 20,000 people at a race watching pro riders... but he'll have 20,000 views on his video within the first hour.
  • 11 3
 Ya that is true, I was quite surprised at first when I seen youtubers surpassing me very quickly even though they weren't as strong of riders. It has been a great learning experience to figure out what actually makes you successful on youtube. It's not about being a good rider!
  • 2 1
 Sixstringsteve: is this bxxc? Glad to see pb finally giving Nate hills a little love. Best YouTuber out there and has been for years. Oh yea, he’s a ro and hauls ass, go finger!
  • 1 3
 Sixstringsteve: also, I’m not so sure about entertainment, i think the baby who was riding on that guys handlebars in whistler has way more personality and entertainment value than alllllll those you tubers combined! Minus Nate hills of course!!!
  • 1 1
 @boostmaster: David duke is prolly popular on YouTube
  • 2 0
 @enduro29erHack: nahh, pretty sure he's dustybetty's husband
  • 1 0
 @pfordgreen: Yup, I'm Steve, DustyBetty's husband, not BKXC.
  • 1 0
 So then how does the little guy starting out that IS a better rider and just as good video quality, but better riding content get noticed? I agree with you in a way, but also disagree in a way. Most of the most "Popular" channels became popular mostly because they were the first to have a gimbal and start making awesome footage. But now, there are Droves of better riders with arguably better riding and video content but yet are still in the background. @canadaka how does this help those people?
  • 1 0
 @projectnortheast: its a saturated market. There are hundreds of MTB YouTube channels. Its a real challenge to stand out. Just like how a new glove or sunglasses company may be better than Oakley, but standing out is going to be tough. It's going to take great marketing, and lots of hard work.

If someone really wants to stand out purely for their riding, they should race or compete in events. Thats really the only venue that rewards on pure riding talent.

YouTube isnt just a contest about being the best rider. Viewers have a choice who to follow and who to watch. Just like any marketing, you have to appeal to your audience and what they want. I have a non mtb channel. I realize what some of my viewers want (drama, clickbait titles, daily vlogging, etc.) and I have zero interest in producing that. My channel numbers suffer because of it, but that's ok to me. I'm using YouTube to express myself, rather than to make as much money as possible. For some people it's art, for some people its 100% business, but for most people it's a blend of the two.

YouTube is a storytelling platform, not a riding contest. If you can't tell a good story, or have a personality that people are drawn in by, your viewers aren't going to come back week after week to watch the latest videos, no matter how good you are.

The good news is that even though its a saturated market, there is still room for unique channels. But if you dont give the viewers what they want, they wont subscribe.

The other tricky part about running a YouTube channel is that (unless you have huge sponsors and a media crew) you wear many many hats. You're not just the subject of the video (rider/personality), you're also the writer, promoter, web designer, graphic designer, editor, videographer, personality, community relations, and music selector/editor. When you have ALL those things to do well, simply being a fantastic rider isnt (usually) enough.

Different types of videos get different viewers hooked on the sport. Some people want to just watch jumpsand jibs. Others want how-to vis. Others only want to watch racing. Others want cheap hacks. Others want to see novices entering the sport and relate to them as fellow novices. The point is, the viewers want what they want. If you make videos they dont like, no matter how good the riding, dont expect huge subscriber counts. The one thing all the big channels have in common: they know what their audience wants and they give it to them.
  • 2 0
 @sixstringsteve: well put Steve. Dig both your channel TMWE and DustyBetty's. Your progression as riders is pretty cool to see. Saw you are selling your rig. I wish I had a spot to park it.
  • 1 0
 @pfordgreen: thanks for watching!
  • 3 1
 @sixstringsteve: I understand all that. I get it. But, my point is.. at the bottom of this article it says "we require a min of 500 subscribers for your channel to be considered" @canadaka Why isn't my video if I'm just starting out that may be a better showcase of said trailfork mapped trail showing up when I click on that trail? Why are we only giving the opportunity to channels that have an audience already? As a user of trailforks I would like to be able to see and scroll through every video that has that trail tagged, whether I'm researching a new place to ride, or planning a trip, or just watching for entertainment, funneling only the most popular channels is a disservice to users and the "little guy" that spends hours showcasing a trail which might even be worlds above the content that these other channels put out.
  • 3 0
 @projectnortheast: The 500 minimum subscriber thing is pretty dumb. Reminds me of YouTubes constantly changing monetization policies. I said it further down in the comments that this helps out YouTubers more than Trailforks users that are trying to add trail footage.
  • 5 0
 @projectnortheast: To reduce the burden of us having to verify and approve all the Youtube channel submissions. We also only want ones that are active and not just 'flash in the pans'.

One can always manually add their Youtube video to a trail on Trailforks, you've always been able to do this.

We also have a limited number of Youtube API calls we can use to automatically check each channel for new videos every hour. So need to be mindful of that.
  • 3 1
 @huntstyle: The pro vs youtube metric is a little sticky for a few reasons. First off to qualify things, I've been riding professionally for over 20 years and I'm amazed how my Youtube stuff has resonated with the average rider more than anything else I've done. it's REALLY cool to be able to organize group rides and have people show up because of my channel. My main objective of all this is using a Youtube presence to build awareness so I can provide value to sponsors through real life activation. Like Jordan commented below, I too felt it was strange watching people with huge channels continue to grow without pro level skill when I started. After doing this a couple years I've seen how much work goes into it and I respect how hard a lot of people work so I don't begrudge anyones success. Succesful channels are succesful becuase they people running them are creating good content.
As far as the Youtube view vs spectators at a race, If 20,000 people who take the time and effort to travel to a venue and watch thier favorite riders that's not the same as 20,000 people watching on Youtube. Those 20,000 people are most likely sharing social media so that number also grows exponentially. At Fort William this year 34,000 people payed for tickets to watch, those are die hard fans who are core enthusiasts. In addition to the spectators on site Red Bull coverage of that race was 850,000 live views which doesn't replays. Finally every core MTB Publication covers these races which is millions of more impressions.
When you calculate all the numbers, top Youtubers aren't close to top pro racers with regards to reaching conumers who are "likely to make a purchase". This is where it effects "MTB companies" specifiacally, for non endemic companies the value might sway to Youtube. Unfortunately people compare top Youtubers to average pro riders who aren't top of thier class. Times are definitely changing and there are more ways than ever for riders to provide value. At the end of the day, its exciting that new riders have so many opportunities to learn about mountain biking and that's a good thing.
  • 2 0
 Why I like ALEX CHAMBERLAIN... great rider with an informative YouTube channel. I like the riding spots but came back for the tech stuff.
  • 3 0
 Just IMHO, as an armchair watcher of all you guys (Seth, BKXC, Alex Chamberlain, Jordan "Huck to flat", Outdoor Gold, BC POV, Nate Hills, Trail Peek, Loam Ranger, etc etc), I really only watch to see the trail riding. I end up fast forwarding to the trail part while usually muting the volume. I don't care how your trip went, I don't care what you ate, I don't care that you have a nervous giggle when you ride, etc etc.

Wont stop me from subscribing, just a little feedback on how I actually watch your guy's videos.
  • 2 1
 @Thustlewhumber: I often wonder "why do people watch these guys" because I'm the same way, I don't watch to see how their Van build is going, I could care friggen less. But, I'm interested in the trails and also maybe how they built their van out, (if I were to build one) but I don't care about all the stupid antics. But, I guess what I'm saying is... there must be a large population of people that do, cuz... why else would they sign on with Patreon and pay a monthly subscription? I swear, if anyone mentions patreon in their video's I shut it right off...
  • 31 10
 if I were a boss, I'd fire anyone I caught watching these clickbait-titled vlogs at work.
  • 34 18
 “Watch me STRUGGLE on this MODERATELY DIFFICULT trail... will I DIE?” covers what the content is actually like for 95% of YouTube mountain bikers. Kinda bums me out that people give money to those guys instead of supporting talented riders and filmmakers.
  • 24 3
 @SangamonTaylor: Why? People support these creators for their personalities, not for their skill level. I think it's awesome that anyone can make a living doing what they love, even if they aren't the most talented at that passion. It's an opportunity that prior generations couldn't even think about having.
  • 11 1
 @SangamonTaylor: while watching the pros ride trails is good, you don't get a feel for how the trail rides for tom dick or harry. If someone wants to give money to someone else that is their business and if it bums you out them you have the issues.
  • 5 5
 @SangamonTaylor: My thoughts exactly. It bothers me that Nate Hills' channel has fewer subscribers than The Singletrack Sampler. Despite the fact that Nate has been on Youtube publishing better POV content way longer.

Nate Hills: Bartlett Wash Slickrock, Moab Utah | Published 12-9-16
Singletrack Sampler: MOUNTAIN BIKING ON THE MOON!!! (but with gravity) | Published 4-19-17
  • 2 0
 @jconnormcl: does it really bother you? what about the channels with girls in them that are crap but have huge subs and views just because they are girls. There are a fair few well known channels that I think are not great or have content put up purely for views but doesn't bother me.
  • 22 0
 @jconnormcl: That's because success on YouTube is a different ballgame than success as a pro mountain biker. Alex puts way more work into his channel. Nate does 1 video a week, Alex does 3. More content = more views = more subscribers. Alex tells a story, does a weekly live stream, and connects with his audience. Nate does not. He just films his rides, with maybe a brief timelapse or drone shots before & after.

I have nothing against Nate. I love his videos, too. The difference is Nate is a pro mountain biker doing YouTube. Alex is a pro YouTuber who rides mountain bikes. I guarantee you Alex didn't just luck into more subs. He's put in the work, studied, learned, and put in more work. Not only that, he's a great guy. He deserves all of the success he's had.
  • 6 1
 The other point I'd make is that pro riders make money riding (perhaps not as much as they should but that's another argument) outside of YouTube (etc.) whilst normal riders don't. These channels support non pros to ride more - how can you hate on that? If you could be that person, wouldn't you?
  • 1 0
 @poah: please tell me harry's last name is also dick
  • 3 0
 @slimboyjim: I honestly think that's the reason it bothers them... because they aren't getting paid to ride their bike. It can either bother you, or inspire you. I chose the latter.
  • 1 0
 @jtayabji: please tell me harry's last name is also dick

It's Bush. Australian DH racer
  • 2 0
 @jtayabji: I have no idea what that means
  • 2 0
 So non dramatic titles are ok though right? What if I just have heavy breathing instead of commentary?
  • 2 0
 I see you subscribe to my channel. Should hear me when I do climbs, it’s like a dirty phone call. @keeqan:
  • 1 0
 @poah: my fault. i thought it was "Tom Dick or Harry" and not "Tom, Dick or Harry." as if Tom Dick was one person. i'm not too bright, i'll leave now.
  • 14 1
 beb cathro has the most insightful and interesting channel if you are into the DHWC and general riding skills
  • 23 0
 Almost as good as Ben, his older brother.
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: lol whoops
  • 8 0
 Thanks for creating this list--it's an honor to be on it! I love creating and sharing my videos and it's always great to share them with more people.
  • 7 0
 For those interested in the debate between lifestyle athletes vs professional athletes, you maybe interested in what Ratboy has to say on the topic:

www.downtimepodcast.com/josh-bryceland at 1:23:30
  • 11 0
 Good stuff!

"With growth comes vloggers and stuff like that, but like I said, I’m sure there’s room for everyone.”

"It's really tough man, I feel like #1, be true to yourself. Get in where you fit in, do your thing. If that means making a living, f*ckin' great to you. And if not, it's probably gonna cause a bit of bitterness for people who feel you don't deserve it."

"I don't think there should ever be any tension. If someone's doing something your not happy with, stop focusing on em, and do better at what you do."
  • 4 0
 @bkxc: I’m actually surprised to see so much animosity towards MTB youtubers, as though these videos existing makes mtb worse for them. I ride for fun, I make videos for fun, and I guess I just assumed everyone else did too. Some of the comments I see are pretty disappointing. I guess T Swift was right, haters gonna hate.
  • 1 0
 @nicz: are u new to mtbn’ & Pbn’?

“Welcome to the party pal!” - John mclane
  • 7 4
 So if there is a video that is filmed on illegal trails can we get their video blocked from the Trailforks. Because one of those guys at the top of that group has a lot of videos of him riding illegal stuff & when you call him on it, suddenly you're the only "Subscriber" he doesn't respond to.

Two of the top ones make a living of riding illegal stuff and then not taking the videos down if asked to...because "clicks"
  • 12 0
 Simply put, illegal trails should not be on Trailforks.
  • 3 0
 Also videos that use drone shots in areas where drones aren't allowed- there was one not too long ago with extensive drone shots in DuPont State Forest, for example. That stuff is going to get us all banned.
  • 1 1
 @JeffWeed: yup. You coming to Pisgah or the WIndrock Enduro?
  • 4 0
 Thanks for putting this list together!!! Will be increasing my Trailforks references soon!!! www.youtube.com/c/JeffKendallWeed
  • 1 0
 Enjoy your videos, love to see you session out in Laguna. There's another Ibis sponsored rider that lives there that you two can make quite the edit with on some RAD trails!
  • 1 0
 Way to saturated and the bike reviewers who overhype the bullshit are a beat down. I’m all for the Seth’s bike hacks, skills with phill, and Jeff Kendal-weed types. However it’s entertainment and like music and movies there will always be more garbage than actual talent.
  • 1 1
 Mountain bike vlogs are cool and all, but a lot of these channels spend more time hanging out telling stories (great for YouTube) than focusing on providing their viewers previews of trails. Now these guys have inspired me to get out and go ride new locations, but I have often looked for Trailforks or MTB Project links in their channels and they rarely link them. I try to include one or the other in almost everything I have put up on YouTube. Trailforks in my view is a resource for trails and not a way to help these guys with their digital tip jars. I think BKXC has admitted to avoiding watching videos of trails he is about to ride. This sort of seems opposite of what Trailforks is about.
  • 2 0
 Thanks so much for including me in the list. I'll have to go through and put all my crappy videos on the trails I've ridden...or at least hiked...with my bike. Wink
  • 1 0
 Yup you can manually tag the trails to the video afterwards. But in the future can automate it by just including a link in description, we'll detect it.
  • 4 0
 Trailforks just never ceases to amaze me! Nice work, bike nerds! Thanks!
  • 4 0
 Bike porn is now like real porn.
  • 2 0
 Pinkbike, please consider Adventures With Luke. m.youtube.com/channel/UCVGtu7NBDdVCCdLV-o0OAPA
He's on 7.5 k subs and an awesome Aussie who races enduro and xc.
  • 1 0
 Yes, please add him, Luke Radley is an awesome dude and deserves to be on trailforks.
  • 3 0
 Having Harry Main in there makes me sad. Not cool Pink Bike.
  • 6 5
 Sid and Mackey, BKXC, Singletrack Sampler, and Seth are all on my Patreon. Skills with Phil when he starts putting out consistent content hopefully in the near future.
  • 3 1
 Love those channels.
  • 5 0
 check out BCPOV
Newer channel but wicked trail content, and legit rider. Keeps me going when the weather sucks! Phil is ramping it up now too Smile
  • 3 2
 You guys need to add Drew Blankenbecler to the list! He's got over 10k subs. All rad mountain bike content.
  • 2 0
 This is pretty awesome! Now I just need to hit 500 subscribers!
  • 1 0
 link to channel?
  • 1 0
 Dang, still 106 subs away from being eligible! It's so hard to grow, and I'm afraid this market is getting pretty saturated.
  • 3 0
 I just hit 1000, keep going, but I also shoot videos of others and lots of skiing at Whistler as well
  • 1 0
 @onecutmedia: Nice! Congrats! Yeah, I've tried some different types of videos since I'm injured right now, but on my analytics I'm seeing that I'm losing subs from those videos, so I think I'm going to stick to a focused niche. I'll definitely keep making vids, just cuz I enjoy being creative, and I like watching my own old vids to recall those memories!
  • 2 0
 @huntstyle: whats the name of your channel? I will sub to it.
My is Ride Alongside.
While I rarely do POV vids, providing honest product reviews of products I was trying/comparing/interested in have gotten me to almost 1400 subscribers. Its all about uploading regularly and having search terms dialed. Don't worry about being injured. Post up a basic vid about a product you have used or one you plan to use and what application it is/might be good for. We all like to know what works for others and why. Not all of us have time or money to try everything out there so it helps to hear from someone else's experience.
Heal up quick!
-Nick
  • 1 0
 @forgivenick: Same name on YouTube: Huntstyle. Yeah, I think if I did more product reviews I'd probably show up in more searches. But I definitely enjoy making the riding videos along with some B-roll & drone shots of the area the best!
  • 1 0
 "Infinite content, infinite content, we're infinitely content" ~Arcade Fire
  • 1 0
 Thanks for adding me to the list. This feature on trailforks is really sweet!
  • 1 0
 another 234 subs required Frown

www.mtbscotland.bike
  • 1 0
 All about alexchamberlin on YouTube or Skillzwith phillz
  • 1 0
 This is GOLD!
  • 1 0
 Well done boys







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