Pinkbike Podcast Episode 58: Debunking Mountain Biking's Biggest Myths

Apr 22, 2021
by Mike Kazimer  
Pinkbike Podcast
Art by Taj Mihelich

There are all sorts of inaccurate statements that circulate through the mountain bike world, and it's often newcomers to the sport that get hit with a wave of bad advice. In this episode, we debunk some of the most common myths, including the idea that you need to learn how to ride on a hardtail (you don't), that "no brakes and pull up" is helpful advice (it isn't), and that the front brake should be avoided at all costs (definitely not true).

We also dig into other misconceptions, including the concept that there's a right or wrong type of pedal, that mountain bike apparel needs to cost hundreds of dollars, and that a coil shock will magically make your bike the best thing ever. Enjoy!





THE PINKBIKE PODCAST // EPISODE 58 - DEBUNKING MOUNTAIN BIKING'S BIGGEST MYTHS
April 22, 2021

Wait, I'm supposed to use my front brake?


Featuring a rotating cast of the editorial team and other guests, the Pinkbike podcast is a weekly update on all the latest stories from around the world of mountain biking, as well as some frank discussion about tech, racing, and everything in between.




Previous Pinkbike Podcasts
Episode 1 - Why Are Bikes So Expensive?
Episode 2 - Where the Hell is the Grim Donut?
Episode 3 - Pond Beaver Tech
Episode 4 - Why is Every Bike a Trail Bike?
Episode 5 - Can You Trust Bike Reviews?
Episode 6 - Over Biked Or Under Biked?
Episode 7 - Wild Project Bikes
Episode 8 - Do We Need an Even Larger Wheel Size?
Episode 9 - Why Are We Doing a Cross-Country Field Test?
Episode 10 - Getting Nerdy About Bike Setup
Episode 11 - Are We Going Racing This Year?
Episode 12 - What's the Future of Bike Shops?
Episode 13 - Are Bikes Too Regular Now?
Episode 14 - What Bikes Would Pinkbike Editors Buy?
Episode 15 - What's Holding Mountain Biking Back?
Episode 16 - Who's Your Mountain Biking Hero?
Episode 17 - XC Field Test Insider
Episode 18 - Electronics on your Mountain Bike: Good or Bad?
Episode 19 - The Hardtail Episode
Episode 20 - MTB Conspiracy Theories
Episode 21 - Stuff We Were Wrong About
Episode 22 - Does Your Riding Style Match Your Personality?
Episode 23 - Grim Donut 2 is Live!
Episode 24 - Why Even Buy a DH Bike?
Episode 25 - Fall Field Test Preview
Episode 26 - The Three Most Important Mountain Bikes
Episode 27 - The World Champs Special
Episode 28 - All About Women's Bikes
Episode 29 - Freeride or Die
Episode 30 - Would You Rather?
Episode 31 - Wet Weather Riding Tips & Tricks
Episode 32 - What Needs to Change in the Bike Industry?
Episode 33 - Behind the Scenes at Pinkbike Academy
Episode 34 - Grilling Levy About Field Test Trail Bikes (and His Bonspiel)
Episode 35 - Story Time - Stranger Than Fiction
Episode 36 - Grilling Kazimer about Field Test Enduro Bikes
Episode 37 - The 2020 Privateer Season with Ben Cathro
Episode 38 - Editors Defend Their 2020 Best-Of Picks
Episode 39 - Predicting the Future of Mountain Biking
Episode 40 - The Pinkbike Awards!
Episode 41 - Racing Rumours and Team Changes
Episode 42 - Mountain Biking's Guilty Pleasures
Episode 43 - Dangerholm's Wildest Custom Mountain Bikes
Episode 44 - Mountain Bike Suspension Decoded
Episode 45 - What Makes a Good Riding Buddy
Episode 46 - The RockShox Zeb vs Fox 38 Deep Dive
Episode 47 - High Pivot Bikes: The Good, The Bad, and The Why?
Episode 48 - Rides That Went Horribly Wrong... & Why That Made Them So Good
Episode 49 - What's the Best DH Bike?
Episode 50 - Are Bikes Actually Getting Less Expensive? (Value Bike Field Test Preview)
Episode 51 - Should MTB Media Post Spy Shots?
Episode 52 - Our Most Embarrassing MTB Moments
Episode 53 - Should Climbers Still Have the Right of Way?
Episode 54 - Best and Worst MTB Product Marketing
Episode 55 - Big Dumb Rides & Staying Motivated
Episode 56 - What Were the Most Important Inventions in Mountain Biking?
Episode 57: What Were the Best (and Worst) Trends in Mountain Biking?

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153 Comments
  • 183 37
 Mountain biking's biggest myth: Ebikes are mountain bikes
  • 21 185
flag DoubleCrownAddict (Apr 22, 2021 at 7:41) (Below Threshold)
 Mountain bikers with the biggest chip on their shoulder: The grumpy guys still riding old timey non e bikes.

Mountain biking's most regretful riders: Anybody paying several thousand or more for a non e bike. Cause they are quickly becoming like 26" bikes and nobody will want them in a couple years.
  • 65 3
 @DoubleCrownAddict: can you please get banned again, the comment section was so nice without you for a couple days
  • 27 2
 @theoskar57: Did he really get banned? I second the motion to make it happen again lol
  • 38 4
 @DoubleCrownAddict: not everyone's as lazy as you, some of us find joy about pedalling and getting healthier.
  • 23 44
flag Mtn-Goat-13 FL (Apr 22, 2021 at 8:43) (Below Threshold)
 Except: they are here to stay, bitching or not. I don't have one & don't see the need for now but when I'm old as hell I might jump. Or I might just get one anyway because I want to.

I hear you tho: change makes you upset, but wake up: you drive cars (oh no - no more buggies!) use the internet (oh no...no more letters!) electricity (oh no - candles no good now!) and eat modern food (oh no - no more hunting & gathering). You live in the modern world & use 10's of 1000's of modern devices & process that weren't available even 100 years ago so whining about ebikes vs self propelled bikes is pretty weak. Perspective. Don't like em? Don't buy one.
  • 40 1
 @Mtn-Goat-13: that's true but the quest to do everything faster with less effort has to have limits. I mean why don't we motorize soccer or the 100m sprint? They can go faster and farther and you don't even have to be in shape to play, which after all is the main e-bike argument.
  • 11 59
flag DoubleCrownAddict (Apr 22, 2021 at 10:11) (Below Threshold)
 @GBangShredder: Those aren't even realistic comparisons. It's a fact that non e bikes climb extremely slow. Like snails pace slow. There's no harm in speeding that up a little and getting it closer to the pace of shuttling in a truck or riding a ski lift up. Also gives you more energy for the downhills and allows you to do more downhill runs in the same amount of time.

Why does all of those good things make non e bikers so grumpy?
  • 4 14
flag SuperHighBeam (Apr 22, 2021 at 10:21) (Below Threshold)
 Only where they have a throttle, otherwise they truly are just super mountain bikes.
  • 27 0
 @DoubleCrownAddict: you're a zealot and a fundamentalist. To consistently and obsessively argue that motorless bikes are obsolete when the lack of motor is what makes them so amazing is just testament to your one-eyed idiocy/BPL (if it's the latter then thoughts and prayers).
Does YT not do ebikes? Is that it?
  • 3 49
flag DoubleCrownAddict (Apr 22, 2021 at 11:25) (Below Threshold)
 I've never said non e bikes are obsolete. They still have value in downhill racing, road biking, dirt jumping, commuting to work, etc. Check out my latest blog, its a Run DMC e bike rhyme that will change your mind!
  • 7 4
 @GBangShredder: @GBangShredder: I think yr assuming all riders are getting ebikes just to go faster - can't be true...also soccer / running aren't quite similar anlogies, but point taken. If you can do 2x the laps where there's no lift or shuttle - why not? People have injuries & ebikes help them get access where there may be none (I live in a remote area so can appreciate that). I hear ya, but there's more to it than just speed. I can't fathom need to go faster DH for me tho - I ride park, remote DH etc that I have to earn, and find I'm at the edge of disaster on DH constantly so more speed isn't needed, but I'd love to get back up the mtn 2-3 more times than I could w/o the assist to have bigger ride days. Again, I have zero plans to buy an ebike anytime soon - love pedaling, but just sayin - people more reasons to have one than just "speed"
  • 8 6
 @BenPea: While I disagree w/ DCAddict's ebike philosophy, would agree on some level of zealotry & fundamentalism - and only earn my rides by pedaling - its the anonymous 'down-arrow' pusher syndrome on PB that is far more zealous & fundamentalist. Not saying you are doing that - just noticing that its not just ebike lovers (and I'm not one) speaking their minds here who are zealous & fundamentalist... looks like people go into shock just seeing ideas different from their own

preparing for the down-arrow cowards on this comment as I type...> "make it go away!!! he said ebikes are here to stay even if you don't like that...down-arrow, down-arrow, down-arrow...
  • 3 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: ideas different from their own? Like preaching for the extermination of mountain bikes? It's fine to buy an ebike, I don't want to hear about it, it's a different kind of pastime, however many pros get paid to shoot e-bike vids and extol their virtues.
  • 7 14
flag pigman65 (Apr 22, 2021 at 12:58) (Below Threshold)
 yawn, if you can't afford one, i pity you
  • 2 0
 @GBangShredder: non-sequitor
  • 4 1
 @chriskneeland lol. so 2018.
  • 3 2
 @BenPea: Actually yes - even if DCA types "extermination of all mtn bikes and the riders that ride them" (like that's actually a thing...its more absurd to see it out in the open then buried) - why should that get buried? Its beyond ridiculous - its no discussion, its just diarhea of the keyboard. It's still crucial to read ideas that completely counter your own or else its just p****-ass Kids Kancel Kulture & Snowflakery. You can simply ignore it or comment & move on, whatever. Far better to see it & disagree than try to make it not exist. This type of thinking is why we have an entire generation of pathetic whining brats who can't hear anyone say anything they disagree with and thus - have no foundation for their very own thoughts
  • 5 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: the problem is the repetition. If someone repeats the same bullshit frequently enough it can take root and distort the course of history. Look at the absolute madness the US and UK have been put through recently by gobshites with ulterior motives. Repeat a lie enough times and it becomes the truth to a lot of susceptible individuals, people who have power through their votes and dollars. That is the whole MO of the ideological zealot. Keep carpet bombing the population with lies and they will do your bidding against their own interests. Where do you draw the line?
... I admit this looks a bit like a tangent.
Essentially, not all opinions have the same value, because they might well be founded on sweet FA and eventually erode all that is good for no discernible reason other than thickskulled human nature. Good people on both sides though right?
  • 1 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: alternative answer: it's just comment spam, do you like spam?
  • 4 1
 Saw both comments below - I hear ya and def agree about the US / UK nonsense & gobshite (damn, love that word) BS by instigators. But this is bikes and tho I'm not on team ebike - they are in fact here to stay, spam comments or not. I hear ya, but its probably just better to let people speak & totally ignore them vs. taking them on. I dont' see any e vs. reg bike holocausts coming up either (in my area they're entirely not allowed - so far) so its not even an issue yet. Also - whats' the "lie" here - ebikes are better than analog? Easily happening in politics - not seeing that on Pinkbike forums...

Ditto that opinions not all w/ same value - but this isn't Fakebook w/ Russian bots Bendovers who want a king vs. a president so the analogy seems extreme. Case in point: I got a bunch down-arrows just for saying "ebikes are here to stay and if you don't like one, don't buy one" - when I could care f*cking less about ebikes at all, just acknowledging the reality of their existence & sales. Facts. Result: rabid whack-a-mole cowards shove down my comment to eliminate it. Ultimately I don't give a shit - this is just bikes & a comment board, but it is zealous & fundamentalist censorhip at its root to do that - this is just bikes. I feel pretty good discussing those here even with dipshits.
  • 5 1
 @Mtn-Goat-13: pedal assist motorcycles evolved into non pedal motorcycles. No reason to think the same wont happen with Ebikes.

Ebikes can take over the vacancy of dirt bike which gas powered will slowly be outlawed .
  • 3 16
flag DoubleCrownAddict (Apr 22, 2021 at 15:58) (Below Threshold)
 None of this divisive rhetoric would be happening if people would just accept the fact that mountain bikes are a valid part of the sport now and are here to stay, instead of making stupid jokes about them and pretending they are motorcycles. We all essentially like the same activity so just let the e bike hate go and accept them and you won't hear me dissing non e bikes.
  • 6 0
 @DoubleCrownAddict: "mountain bikes are a valid part of the sport now and are here to stay" -DCA

Apparently mountain bikes are a valid part of the sport of mountain biking. Wow. E-bikes on the other hand....
  • 2 0
 Nah, this is not really true. As much as I love to tease e-bike owners, because I believe most of them are really newbies with tools that overgrow them (and it is really different category of newbies, since there are people who would never tried mtb without a motor), the very e-bikes are not really different from DH bikes. Or even better, because you need to put some effort up the hill unlike just sitting on a lift ... Just think of them as of enduro bikes with own lifts Wink Or put differently, how is a DH bike more mountain bike than an e-bike?
Anyway, hope that normal bikes will not get pushed to a niche within a niche.
  • 2 0
 Kaz hates hardtails and dogs. Symptoms of being abducted by aliens...
  • 2 15
flag DoubleCrownAddict (Apr 23, 2021 at 5:36) (Below Threshold)
 @thegoodflow: Meant to write e mountain bikes. They are not going anywhere and will eventually be the dominant mountain bike that people ride, as non e mountain bikes continue to slowly die.

Stop wasting money on archaic non e bikes

Its like spending money on your hated ex wife

The value of non e bikes will only drop more every year

E bikes are taking over, it's becoming increasingly clear.

Do you wanna climb slow forever, or actually go fast?

Climbing steep terrain on old timey bikes is a pain in the ass

When it comes to the downhill, e bikes still shine

I pass non e bikes on mine all of the time

With this battle rap rhyme I can truly state

It's time for non e bikes to go to the grave
  • 12 1
 @DoubleCrownAddict: You could apply all those same sales pitches to hikers when the invention of the mountain bike came along, yet there are still 1000 times more hikers than mountain bikers. Why? Because people still like to hike. Just as people will still prefer to mountain bike over riding a little pussy ebike.
  • 2 1
 @lkubica: thats funny!! Next time there is DH bike content everyone should complain that they aren't real mountain bikes because they are not designed to be pedaled to the top... LOL

Smile
  • 1 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: I rest my case.
  • 4 1
 @DoubleCrownAddict: you may as well argue that everyone else should take Viagra because you can no longer get your pecker up.
  • 1 1
 @fabwizard: can't seem to reply anywhere now, maybe for typing p**** (with the stars). Ah, the snowflakes today. Why even bother
  • 1 1
 @BenPea: replied on this just below - PB not allowing me to post now (guessing because I typed p**** actually w/ the stars or s*** (?). Proves my point about being p****'s & snowflakes here tho so I'm thinking why bother. See comment below - somehow @BenPea was left off the intro
  • 1 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: and for all those other people suggesting e-sprinting or e-soccer isn't a fair comparison let me present you with this: youtu.be/NEIHLfPd4gI

That's old too, presumably better and smaller now. "It's like running and having someone behind you pushing you along." Sounds familiar!
  • 2 1
 After watching someone yesterday e-pedal up proper jank using the odd half crank and no full crank rotations I've decided e-MTB is somewhere between trials motorcycles and regular MTB.
  • 1 6
flag DoubleCrownAddict (Apr 23, 2021 at 9:33) (Below Threshold)
 @BenPea: invalid comparison, you can still climb a non e bike but at a fraction of the speed. E bikes are like the Viagra that lets you have sex 4 times in one night instead of just 1 and done. Plus more fun.
  • 8 0
 @DoubleCrownAddict: No, it's like having sex 4 times in one night and never actually feeling it
  • 3 0
 @DoubleCrownAddict: you mean cocaine?
  • 1 1
 @GBangShredder: Fair enough - I'm sure the e-runners will have their own Olympics & strava segements soon.

My points in all this are 1) ebikes are here to stay, like it or not and I'm not an ebiker and 2) all the down-arrowing here is laughable at best, a cowardly anonymous attempt to shut others out even if they are annoying jerks. Thought I'd get in the mix & comment, discuss, but there's no real discussion here - just brick wall opinions on all sides & a wizzing match that looks more like FB than homeys. Prob won't bother much again w/ all the snowflakes on all sides here. Came to talk riding, not skiiing
  • 1 0
 @DoubleCrownAddict: @DoubleCrownAddict: I just think it is friggn hilarious how you call them old timey bikes! lol
  • 2 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: I'm not saying it isn't here to stay or that it isn't fun. It's definitely fun. But it's a different sport. Mountain biking is a non-motorized sport, e-mtb have motors. I think the sector needs to start separating them out rather than trying to group them together. For big epic laps they are probably more compatible but for shorter, closer to town flow loops and climbs they just aren't.
  • 1 0
 @GBangShredder: Good to know - agreed. Funny that most other scribblers here are so unwilling to just discuss anything, its all Hatfields & McCoys opinion backed by pitchforks. I prob won't bother anymore. People with injuries would argure your last point (as would I as I age & get more crumbly & pathetic). I'm would also not compare pedal vs. ebike as "sports" and find zero interest in watching ebike anything. Will say that e-riders trying to nuke pedal riders strava times are douches tho. Have had to rat out a few of those in my local riding area where ebikes aren't even allowed by they have gall enough to attempt to take out koms / top 10s from standard riders. That's truly lame.
  • 39 7
 Myth: faster is funner. For the same pushup time some people only get 3min of downhill riding, but by going slower I can get over 10min of downhill for the same effort!
  • 36 1
 It's not about going faster it's about going better. When you're riding well, hitting your lines, nailing features and being smooth you tend to go faster, more efficient, more flow. Going fast with no skill is reckless and kind of lame. When speed emerges from perfection, well that's another kind of perfection.
  • 2 0
 @alexsin: Perfect practice makes perfect.
  • 2 0
 @alexsin: well put. i do get that some people think going as fast as possible is fun, but i'd rather hit every feature and ride well. speed comes with the flow, not regardless of it. strava line, or an out of the way jump? jump every time.
  • 30 2
 01000010 01111001 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110111 01100001 01111001 00101100 00100000 01001101 01101001 01101011 01100101 00100000 01001011 01100001 01111010 01101001 01101101 01100101 01110010 00101100 00100000 01001001 00100000 01100001 01101101 00100000 01101110 01101111 01110100 00100000 01100001 00100000 01100010 01101111 01110100 00101110
  • 21 0
 in case anyone was wondering, it says "By the way, Mike Kazimer, I am not a bot."
  • 12 0
 @danielfloyd: I thought it was the solo from Flight of the Concords.
  • 7 1
 01010111 01101000 01100101 01110010 01100101 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101100 01100101 01110110
  • 21 1
 @Noeserd: For anyone wondering about this one, it means: "My hovercraft is full of eels"
  • 3 0
 epic rickroll
  • 4 2
 01001001 01110100 00100111 01110011 00100000 01100001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01101100 01101001 01100101 00100111 01110011 00100000 01101000 01100101 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01100001 00100000 01100010 01101111 01110100 00101110 00101110 00101110 00101110 00101110 01100001 00100000 01110011 01100101 01111000 00100000 01100010 01101111 01110100
  • 2 2
 @Noeserd: 01101000 01100001 01101110 01100111 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101111 01110101 01110100 00100000 01110111 01101001 01110100 01101000 00100000 01101000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101100 01101001 01100110 01100101 01110011 01101001 01111010 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101001 01101100 01101100 01101111 01110111
  • 2 2
 @artistformlyknowasdan: 01101000 01100001 01101110 01100111 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101111 01110101 01110100 00100000 01110111 01101001 01110100 01101000 00100000 01101000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101100 01101001 01100110 01100101 01110011 01101001 01111010 01100101 00100000 01110000 01101001 01101100 01101100 01101111 01110111

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcGnZPh3ZIw
  • 2 0
 @danielfloyd: Wouldn't a bot that didn't want to be identified as a bot tell you that it is not a bot?
  • 2 2
 @DhDWills: McCarthyism at its finest XD
  • 3 1
 @kcy4130: 01101100 01101111 01101100
  • 27 1
 i myth being able to find parts.
  • 3 14
flag justwaki (Apr 22, 2021 at 6:58) (Below Threshold)
 Stop with those edibles Mike... get A Tiger instead.
  • 1 1
 @savagelake I myth being able to find parts that save me money. I also find it mythical to be able to accrue an array of spare parts. If I'm replacing something on my bike it usually because the original is worn out or broken. I don't buy bikes though that have a need for upgrade, and perhaps that's the difference. Many people must buy bargain builds and then proceed to gradually make their bikes much more expensive by upgrading them, but that is oddly far more expensive that having had just bought a better bike build from the get go. Perhaps I'm too logical or rational to have spare parts. And then their the whole you'll save money if you buy your parts second hand...no really, usually at the expense of the parts being a bit hammered or notably dated...that's just being cheap rather than saving money.
  • 2 0
 @SuperHighBeam: It’s ok if you aren’t comfortable wrenching or able to decipher if used parts are valuable, hammered, or obsolete. Plenty of built bikes to choose from. Hell it’s even ok to delay upgrades until the crappy part causes irreversible psychological damage before it finally falls off. Plenty of therapists for that kind of thing.
  • 1 0
 @SuperHighBeam: Oh I guess there aren’t plenty to choose from right now..
Ahhh, sure is nice to have spare bikes and spare parts kicking around!
  • 1 0
 @emptybe-er: Wrenching and Ability to decipher the value of used parts isn't the issue. Maybe the issue is I haven't held onto any one bike long enough to need to do any component replacements. I've been mountain biking since 2007 and have gone through 3 bikes in that time frame. I don't buy bargain bikes, and I don't buy top tier bikes. Oftentimes there isn't much desire to upgrade since what I have meets my needs. Whenever I do look at parts oftentimes I find I'd be better off buying new rather than used. I also don't necessarily ride my bikes really hard.
  • 1 0
 @emptybe-er: Lol, what a jerk. JK Wink
  • 1 0
 @SuperHighBeam: I get it. It’s not near as hard as it used to be (for most people) to find/sell bikes with suitable builds from the manufacturer that tick enough boxes. I usually do the same.

And I respect your utilitarian mindset, keeping it more about the riding than tinkering and spending time customizing. In the end, we’re all gonna wish we spent more time riding and living vs dorking out over the details!
  • 1 0
 @emptybe-er: Exactly. Now I also respect that there is a pool of riders out there that are tinkerers that can likely only afford to tinker with their bike (as opposed to car, boat, etc.). I enjoy putting things together, but I do not enjoy fixing things or maintaining things, I'd rather be out riding. I keep my bike clean, I lube the chain, I adjust things as need be and otherwise leave all else alone until something breaks or wears out.
  • 18 0
 I found out a few days ago that my left-handed buddy who has been afraid to use his front brake since he started riding thought the left brake (we're in the US) was his rear brake. He's been only braking with his front brake for like two years. I'm not sure if this is a blessing or a curse.
  • 10 0
 on a full suspension bike? or even a bigger travel hardtail? how do you not notice?
  • 22 0
 @AyJayDoubleyou: Short travel FS. He said to me at one point a few months ago he only uses the back brake. The other day I asked him if he's been practicing using the front brake and he said "No, I've just been using the back" while demonstrating with his front brake. I said "wait, that's your front brake". He said "oh I've just been using the one on the left because I'm left handed, I thought it was the rear". I have no idea why he'd assume the left was the rear and no idea how he hasn't found out the hard way it's the front brake. It keeps me awake at night.
  • 34 1
 @jeremy3220: Does he uh... have trouble putting on pants in the morning? I feel like he shouldn't be driving cars on the highway.
  • 10 0
 @Peally: thankfully he hasn't shown up at the trail pantless yet
  • 17 0
 Can’t have brake jack if you don’t brake, your buddy is next level smart
  • 3 0
 @jeremy3220: Scooters have the rear brake on the left side, and both motorcycles and scooters have the front brake on the right side. It doesn't justify never figuring out but it is a natural assumption.
  • 3 0
 @Upduro: but...front brake only = 1000% brake jack? Shirley?
  • 1 0
 @jeremy3220:
Depending on where the bikes are shipped from and for what market the brakes hoses are switched up! Euro style is front brake on the left and rear on the right,Couldn't tell you the actual reason why though
  • 13 0
 Combine Mike and Sarah's processes for easiest results. Turn hydration bladder upside down, then squeeze bite valve and bladder at the same time to expel the air through the drink tube. You instantly get a bladder with no excess air, no sloshing, and no unnecessary volume.
  • 15 0
 I blow air into my bladder for free spine protection.
  • 9 0
 Hardtails are super fun, but I think they teach you to choose hardtail friendly lines. Totally fine to learn on either, but I think learning how to pick good lines on a full suspension will transfer better to all bikes than on a hardtail. That being said, everyone should start on a hardtail just to understand how good modern full suspension bikes are!
  • 2 0
 I still haven't ridden a FS bike. Ever. Road bikes, XC rockets and a few HT trail bikes. I'd want a nimble, efficient 120-130mm full suspension machine tho. There bloody expensive
  • 3 2
 Strangely most of the people I ride with ride HT lines, and me on my HT rides FS lines. I still think newbies should start out on HT so they can better feel how the tires interact with objects, how the bike rides over them, and how you should be riding on the bike. My only issue with FS (in which I am guilty too) is invitation to the fat n lazy in the saddle all the time riding style instead of getting up and RIDING it.
  • 5 0
 One thing that hard tails teach you is the stand-up attack position, instead of sitting down all the time. I see so many novice FS riders sitting down as they pedal up or through chunky stuff, losing most of their momentum in the wrong position, when they could just cruise through standing up. This can be taught with lessons, you don't need a hard tail for this, but a hard tail will burn that into your brain forever.
  • 3 0
 @mammal: I have seen this first hand. My granddaughter outgrew her hardtail and next bike was Full Sus. Now she sits all the time up and down.

Have to constantly remind her to stand while descending or needing more climbing power.

Hopefully, BMX racing is a go this year and she will get used to standing again(even if i have to remove her seat).
  • 3 0
 HT lines are a myth. You pick lines based on your ability. I have ridden both HT and FS for considerable periods of time and find very little if any noticeable difference in line choice when I am on either. But I do find on both types of bikes I choose lines based on my ability. You learn to ride lines by getting out and riding lines, many lines over and over. whether you start on a FS or HT one has to learn how to ride the simplest of lines before progressing to harder lines. A brand new rider would struggle on the most basic line if they were on a FS or a HT.
  • 1 0
 @riklassen: Well this makes sense for even another reason; MOST, not all of course, but most riders like myself have spent WAY less on their HT and WaaaaY more on their FS.
With that said, I am more capable on my FS for much more difficult riding due to the fact that my HTs are cheaper and less equipped. My FS is a monster bike and gives me a much more capable vehicle for riding over almost any terrain or obstacles. So I pick different lines when on HTs because of that.
If I had a HT that was even close to what I spent on my FS I'd likely have lots of fun and feel more confident on that than on my cheaper HTs. I'm just saying this because it's more common for recreational MTBrs to have a higher quality FS than HT.

I agree w/you though. I'm picking lines due to my ability, but I'm CHANGING that on my HTs because I'm damaging THOSE bikes, and my FS loves to just plow through it.

~JSV
  • 14 2
 Goggles and half shells look cool
  • 8 1
 I know it makes me look like a tryhard enduro-bro knob, but damn does it work well.
  • 2 2
 @codfather1234: @codfather1234: until your mandible gets shoved down your throat
  • 10 0
 Where is Levy?
There is no doubt the podcasts are more fun when he is on...
  • 2 1
 seems super odd no mention at all. usually they make a reference to vacation, etc. maybe he quit?
  • 1 0
 Doesn't he usually announce his departure on his last podcast? Maybe he did and I missed it.

This absence seems ... off. No mention of him but if he was officially leaving, this is not how it would unfold IMO. But something does seem amiss.
  • 2 0
 @njcbps: My guess is that he's moved on, but they'd just finished filming all the Field Test reviews so they want to hold off on announcing he's left PB until they're done.
  • 2 0
 @big-red: if that is true, its a shame and a loss for PB. Levy was a joyful, positive and happy character...brought some good vibes...
  • 2 0
 @gbcarmona: agreed, i have been reading PB for a long time and have liked all of the staff people but was indifferent to a degree and never though much about them. That all changed with the Podcast as i began to get mike's humor and understand all of their personalities. i grew to really feel a connection and enjoy the content, and to be honest he was/is the ring leader and without that it changes. Kazimer is great and so is everyone else but they don't have his whit or ability to keep things moving and make it as funny.
  • 1 0
 @gunslingger: totally agree...maybe he is just enjoying his Mini...or with a massive hangover!? lol
  • 1 0
 @gbcarmona: Levy and Kazimer and were a good Yin and Yang.
  • 1 0
 @gunslingger: Mike Levy has good charisma, wit and energy. That's a good trait for a podcast, because the others feed off of it.
  • 1 0
 @gbcarmona: Early March is when we heard him on a podcast. I think he's departing, but that's still my opinion based on lack of contact or news about him.
  • 7 0
 Left turns for years at the ice rink, had to learn to turn right for skiing. No preference on the bike. I think everyone needs to learn on a rigid bike with a front derailleur and canti's.
  • 1 5
flag SuperHighBeam (Apr 22, 2021 at 10:59) (Below Threshold)
 @titaniumcrank To gain some greater appreciation for modern mountain bikes? Would love to hear your elaboration on why you think beginners should start on a fully rigid mountain bike with a front derailleur and canti's? Seems like an "earn your stripes" kind of right of passage more than anything. For what it's worth I started out on a hardtail Walmart Mongoose with a pogo stick fork and cantis. I am inclined to believe my antics on that crappy bike made me a better rider before stepping up to a real mountain bike. My progression looked like this: 2000 Walmart Hardtail 26er > 2007 KHS AM1000 > 2012 Specialized Camber Comp Carbon 29 > 2018 Pivot Mach 429 Trail
  • 11 5
 Everyone should 1st learn to bike on a horse & buggy, then a penny-farthing, and then every other f*cking bike that was made before "mountain bikes" and then early mountain bikes and then 90's & 2000's bikes and only then if you survive, you can ride a modern full-sus bike (ebikes not allowed yet of course "because those are lame" and then.... oh right, its all BS. Find a bike you wanna ride for your conditions, experiment, explore, figure it out and ride the bikes you like. Its just f*cking bikes.
  • 4 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13 I'd love to try to ride a penny-farthing if only I could find or borrow one.
  • 1 0
 @SuperHighBeam: I'll pass! But - I'm 6'6'' and I already feel like I'm on platform shoes & higher up for falls than anyone else as is... good to just stay on the full sus rig.
  • 2 0
 @SuperHighBeam: Would look bitchin popping wheelies on one of those in a tophat.
  • 1 0
 @Peally: Just imagine the gnar you could get into w/ one w/ Assegai's and cushcore. The nose bonks & flips alone would be amazing
  • 2 0
 @SuperHighBeam: I highly recommend it. They're so scary and fun - just getting up and onto the seat is an adventure.
  • 1 0
 @Peally: I got your upvote bro....where is Taj
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: I figure it would be like riding a really weird unicycle, or perhaps just a really twitchy bicycle with a lot of angular momentum. Perhaps someday the opportunity will present itself to try riding one.
  • 6 0
 Question for Kaz:
The Minions seems to be the most popular tire ever, but most everyone is agreed that you need to lean them hard in corners to make the most of it - because of the gap between the center knobs and the bitey side knobs. My question is: Why isn't this seen as a major drawback? There's loads of grippy tires that don't have this downside of needing to lean harder to grip properly (WTB Vigilante and Magic Mary come to mind) - why's the Minion so highly rated??
  • 1 0
 Because if you aren't leaning hard you don't know how to corner.
  • 14 7
 One of the craziest myths I’ve been noticing: vocal fry makes you sound interesting or intelligent.
  • 4 0
 Must learn on hardtail? How about single speed rigid for true purity. No wait, must learn on bmx to truly master pumping and popping, except you need to start on a skateboard to earn respect for the origins skateparks and street, but you can’t really skateboard until you learn how to rip pools on your banana board, but you need to surf first. Err no wait, you have to ride moto if you want to be any good at dh. Before anyone even buys a mtb you must be 5 and get a peewee 50 for Christmas. Then race nationals for 15 years, build a front ski mount and ride your moto across ocean waves. Then you’re truly ready for a full suss. It’s a long journey, I better get started.
  • 1 0
 So True. Start on whatever bike you want. Get out and enjoy yourself. Riding bikes makes you better at riding bikes.
  • 4 0
 @mikekazimer I have a question for your next podcast. You guys ride and test a lot of bikes. Sometimes new versions of existing models. Do you remember testing the latest version of a bike that you actually thought was worse than the old one?
  • 4 0
 This one was a bit of a painful listen. This is in no way a comment on Sarah as a person, but she is not made for podcasts. Her voice is SUPER grating and she struggles articulating interesting thoughts. Really missing Levy on this one (or even Brian).
  • 2 0
 She has a great voice when she is not creaking. It's a habit that a lot of young people have.
  • 2 0
 @Tinshield: totally agree. Her real voice comes out every now and then and it's very pleasant.
  • 3 0
 I completely agree. She seems like a “nice person” but she has a habit of just restating what the other person just said.
  • 3 0
 I think Christina Chappetta would be a better regular on the podcast. She’s got that Levy charisma
  • 2 0
 @Jibofo: I like her attitude. :-)
  • 3 0
 Question for the next podcast. What matters more for stability at speed, a longer reach or a longer wheelbase? Ignoring that a bike's wheelbase will inevitably increase as the reach gets longer, wouldn't the bike's wheelbase matter just as much as reach when it comes to stability at speed?
  • 7 0
 Mountain biking's biggest myth: Resin pads are a low rent no no.
  • 5 0
 Left handed, right footed. Right foot forward. Right turns.
  • 3 0
 I have a buddy who is frequently quoted as saying "It's just like dropping off a curb" or, my personal favorite, "It's perfectly safe as long as you make it!"
  • 4 1
 I have a Bontrager wheelset with the fancy 108 engagement and a wheelset with 350's with 36 degree engagement and I don't notice a difference when I switch between them.
  • 2 1
 Myth: Hardtails are an entry level bike and FS is the experienced riders choice.

Reality: its a matter of preference.

I prefer riding a hardtail to a FS for a number of reasons of which none is that I am new to the sport. Nor is it cause I want to improve my skills when I graduate to a FS.

I started on a Hardtail many moons ago, than transitioned to FS for close to 15 years of riding and am now back to a hardtail and am having the most fun and enjoyment I have ever had.

And no I don't think I am better on hardtail than FS. Its just been more fun, less maintenance, less pressure and generally cheaper.
  • 4 0
 Does anyone else miss Levy on these podcasts?? Where has he been! Bring back the opinionated wildcard!
  • 1 0
 @Levy would be happy to know he's not the only one who cranked his thumb.
Personally I chose to backpedal my thumb out, the chainring has also pierced my nail big time and the shop didn't have anything in their first aid kit. I ended up using vodka I've found in the freezer, which to be fair did the job rather well. I suspect the freezing temperature helped numbing the pain whilst i was playing it cool, well done workshop for the great choice of health and safety equipment ^___^'
  • 1 0
 Regarding the myth that steeper HTA bikes will be better climbers. I went from a 2002 Gary Fisher 71.5 HTA and 1,105mm wheelbase to 2020 Optic 65 HTA and 1275mm. I was worried about 170mm longer bike but it's an amazing climber - like a tractor, and I haven't had problems getting around tight corners because the Norco has better stability too.
  • 5 1
 Levy has left Pinkbike for a store manager job at Tim Hortons?
  • 4 0
 Anyone else find the vocal fry difficult to ignore?
  • 2 0
 Right handed, right footed, right foot forward, right brained, middle name is Wright, enjoy writing, so yeah, right turns are easier.
  • 4 0
 Brage does a 180 on the skinny and a half cab off.
  • 3 2
 Ah, right, thanks for clarifying.
  • 3 0
 Any experiences hot waxing chains on trail bikes? Can you go longer maintenance intervals?
  • 2 2
 After banging my head against the wall of ebike Libs & pedal-only Cons here I've decided both crews ain't homeys, are whining c***'s who can't discuss or even consider other's ideas, and who are little better than your angry windbagging granddad - nothing but dogma & cliches & BS...why bother trying to discuss either of these two-wheeled terrorists. What bores

On a better topic: my intro to PB years ago was that Levy was a jerk & why is he so annoying but I quickly got on Team Levy pretty quick. Now, with 3 weeks of no Levy in the podcast I find myself ear-surfing the podcast from the beginning to hear his antics. Levy: your are missed. Some (and maybe not most) of us will be happy when you get done playing ice shuffleboard...
  • 3 1
 Pinkbike doesn't get paid or offered incentives (Patagonia trip) to promote certain brands.
  • 3 0
 Dropping your bike from chest height is a suspension test
  • 2 0
 Most frustrating myth I experienced - if you want to be fast, just don’t brake.
  • 2 0
 Ironic coming from a source that fuels trends.
  • 2 0
 The myth of the Climbless Downhill trail.
  • 1 0
 The Grim Donut has been outdone: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAPumW_wYKc
  • 3 1
 Vocal fry seems to me invasive at Pinkbike. So hard to listen to. Sorry.
  • 1 0
 I didn't realize this had a name. Looking into minimizing this would make for better quality podcasts.
  • 1 0
 @njcbps: I didn’t either until the other day.
  • 1 0
 I would love an episode about training and nutrition myths.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer full case of doom, yeah
  • 1 0
 Forgot "don't wash your bike you'll wreck your bearings"
  • 1 1
 If you don't call a session a session, is it even a session?
  • 1 1
 The intro song, please!?
  • 15 1
 Darude - Sandstorm
  • 3 0
 @Upduro: nice Music Identification Group ref
  • 1 1
 ???







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