It's been far too long since we've done a proper Q&A episode, so episode 140 sees Mike Kazimer, Henry Quinney, Sarah Moore, and I go through a whole bunch of reader questions that I've pulled from under previous podcasts, Field Test videos, and our recent Crankworx coverage. We talk about how to dress for success in the pacific northwest, the epic stages races we'd love to do, the rising prices of mountain bikes, why we don't (currently) have a 250lb test editor, short rides versus long rides, Kazimer not being interested in UFOs, and what career Henry might have if he wasn't in the cycling industry.
Got a question that you want answered on the Pinkbike podcast? Post it down below (or under any article as long as you tag me) and we might read it in a future episode.
THE PINKBIKE PODCAST // EPISODE 140 - PB EDITORS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT BIKE SETUP, RAIN GEAR, BLOWING SHOCKS, & UFOS
August 25th, 2022
Q&A with the PB editors
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.
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Since Levy keeps bailing out on Mike vs Mike, let's go in a different direction.. Kaz goes to the trailhead/ pumptrack/ lift line to find a random Mike for a Mike vs Mike challenge..
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Modern mountain biking’s Malcolm Muggeridge!
I track mileage on Strava for all my bikes and components, then write the data down on a spreadsheet since Strava deletes old components.
also - @mikelevy: reminded me - our lifecycles crew also did regular vancouver urban expeditions; many stair gaps (bc place was classic) and gross drops to flat were had. those days, they were something.
Sealant is necessary for sealing the bead and small thorn holes, but I've never seen it plug any sort of cut or tear.
9point8 fall line doesn't have any hydraulics so it doesn't suffer from that issue but I'm not aware of any other droppers using that system.
I will continue to listen and really enjoy the pinkcast, thanks for the hours of entertainment.
Anyways, in my opinion, mountain-bike design hit its peak in 2016/17, and since then it's been incremental upgrades in geo, suspension, and drivetrain mechanics. An appropriately modern 2016 enduro bike is not all that different from a 2022 enduro bike.
I'd be curious to hear Pinkbikes take on this. Have bikes plateaued? It feels like a lot of bike reviews are similar in that the "normal" bike brands with modern geo specs all pedal well and are capable, with the big differentiator being the price and value of components you get at that price point.
That said, bikes have improved a ton over the last five years or so, which makes the entry-level options perform better than ever, and makes the used market a good place to find a bike that works really well without needing to spend so much money.
$2,000 bikes are SO good. Are there better bikes? Of course, but you don’t need them to take part in the sport. To me, it sometimes reads like a lot of people think they should be able to afford a $5,000 bike, or that a $5,000 bike should cost half as much. Bikes are expensive, especially right now, and it sure seems like some of them do cost too much for what they come with - I get that. But none of us need to spend that kind of money to have fun and enjoy mountain biking, period.
Anecdotally, they are close. I bought a base model 2017 E29 and rode the shit out of it for a couple years. Combination of getting into a better financial position, and great clearance price (and a bike shop friend) and I replaced that bike with a top model 2018 E29 (no real change between model years, but Ohlins, carbon wheels, etc).
Last I checked, I was still in the top 10 on Strava on one of the local bike park enduro type trails (I am local fast, but NOT slow pro fast. I am slow pro XC fast though). The time difference between the 2017 E29 and the 2018 E29 was only a few seconds. Faster? Yes. But not leaps and bounds. Not 3x the price difference faster. Would it make a difference in race results? Yes. Would it make a difference to the casual rider? No.
It did kill my motivation to upgrade though. Every time I think "Damn, this bike has taken a beating and is getting a little old and out dated" I remember I don't race it, I enjoy it, and the marginal gains isn't worth it for me.
But no one who rides an e-bike should be moaning about Flight Attendant or Live Valve. Talk about hypocrisy.
An electronic push button on the bars for manual application would be a good forward step. Surprised that we're not seeing this already.
For my trail bike (170 mm coil), I want simplicity. I am willing to sacrifice performance for not having to worry about my batteries (or any other details). I showed up to my first XC race with a dead battery because I didn't realize leaving it in the derailleur during a 2000 mile drive was a bad idea (I caught it the night before, so a non issue). I don't want to deal with the same mistake heading out for a fun day on the bike.
That said, I never use a "climb switch" on my trail bike. It not only doesn't need it, it works better when I don't use it.
0 interest in eBikes, I have multiple motorcycles.
I always get down voted for being honest about my assessment because everyone wants to say Shimano is the greatest ever, but I don't like it.
Now the @shimano XT flat pedals that I've blown through twice in the past year are garbage. I'm only 174 lbs, not a super aggressive rider and I've snapped the spindle inside the pedal on a two year old and one year old pedal of each. Now I've got to chase down a receipt from whichever LBS I bought it if I ever hope to have a warranty claim. We have SO MANY shops here.
Takes care of the zombies. Biggest threat will surely be the surviving Americanadian Pinkers with a score to settle?
@mikelevy we heard the talk about slopestyle, what about to talk 4X? I just seen Tomas Slavik had to put out the rainbow jersey as UCI has decided to cut out 2022 4X champs