While many of us aren't big on resolutions, turning the calendar over to a new year sure does seem like a convenient time to also turn over a new leaf. Or try to, at least. The final episode of 2021 sees Mike Kazimer, Sarah Moore, and myself chatting about our goals and challenges (just don't call them resolutions) for the coming twelve months and what it's going to take to tick them off the list.
Do you have any bike-related resolutions for 2022?
THE PINKBIKE PODCAST // EPISODE 99 - NEW YEAR, NEW YOU? Dec 24th, 2021
Dude, I can't wait to hit the gym on January 1st!
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.
Same issue here - had to move to Spotify to DL everything after the Tori Wood episode (94?) so - oh no here comes the paywall gripe club... but I don't even pay for Spotify, a bud put me on his family plan about 7 yrs ago and I've used it ever since. Anyway - funny to see people talking about the "paywall" below as if this is some political conspiracy crap...doesn't make sense to make people pay for a cast vs. making it available, that's a super-lose biz-model. Any way - maybe check Spotify if ya have it. I can't f*cking stand a few days w/o the PB podcast (meaning I replay lots of previous episodes til new ones come out) so I'm hatin' it for ya.
Some of you will laugh, but I want to clear every jump on Crank It Up this year. Jumping has always been my biggest fear on the bike. I'm fed up with casing 1/3rd of those tables and going home dissatisfied. It's going to be 90% mental battle, and 10% learning how to safely be in the air a tiny bit longer. Merry Christmas all!
I’ve been struggling coming up with a dish to cook when I head to my in-laws for the holiday, but once again the Pinkbike comment section saves the day! Dick shaped potatoes it is!
Now that the other comments back and forth between two individuals have been removed, please remove my comment as well as it’s irrelevant now. Hoping for better humans who respect one another in ‘22 Me-ride my bikes a little more, drink a little less, be a little nicer to my family (especially when I haven’t ridden recently), and surround myself with great people. Thanks PB!
I’ve got my sights set on some KOMs in Pisgah. Im not very fit right now but my new e bike should help a lot! Excited for this journey. Say hey if you see my sprinter in the parking lot, license plate says TRSTFND. Don’t forget to click like and subscribe!
Hope yr joking as all of Pisgah is e-bike illegal. May wanna stick to Kanuga, Windrock, Berm Park (if it ever opens) or ebike-legal parks b/c if people see ya offload an ebike in Pisgah, yr very likely to get some ripped up tires, get yr rig trashed out on the trail and/or ticketed as yr gonna def get called in to get ticketed by LEO and they will do that faster than you can get back & try to hide yr bike. Not kidding man - ebikes + Pisgah = seriously bad combo. Hit the legal sites. It'll make you & ebikers look better & get more respect.
@MillerReid: Word...hard to read these types of things at times on-screen but yeah: I missed the TRSTFND lead. Just saw a guy get almost beaten today at Bent Creek (Asheville) by a crew of riders...old guy on an ebike. I was afraid for him. They took his battery out & said they'd walk him & his bike out to the road and then they left.
@Mtn-Goat-13: that’s honestly pretty sad. I love Pisgah and support not allowing E-Bikes but that’s just sad. Bullies will be bullies no matter what it’s about I guess.
@MillerReid: Bent Ck isn't technically Pisgah (Brevard proper) tho its in the Pisgah district (close to A'ville and waaaay more usage than even Pisgah gets) but still - these guys weren't being bullies...just being firm. They were just being sure homey knew it wasn't allowed & they walked him out - glad to see someone enforcing these rules since USFS mostly can't (except in main Brevard area Pisgah). It will hopefully be a lesson not to ride ebikes on these trails where its clearly signed.
I'm sure ebiking is great - at parks like Kanuga I'm getting passed sometime twice before I can even pedal up once so clearly its more laps & more mileage for the time but - there are more & more parks popping up around the region by the year, and 1000's of miles of USFS roads where ebiking is legal. I'm def'ly not wanting to see confrontations but when people are breaking the rules because they think they are special and the exception - they shouldn't be surprised if others call them out and enforce the rules.
“Just one more entry!” cried the pink bike user as he tapped ENTER TODAYS PRIZE DRAW.
He slammed a monster energy drink, hit record on his GoPro, and rolled towards the largest road gap of his life. The only proof he existed is his Saturday Sends submission that never made it to the video reel. Some say he’s still riding the same road gap. Some say if you hit that road gap on a really windy day you can hear him cry “Send It!”
I've been listening to podcasts for (how long?) but nothing has gotten my attention as much as this one.
From the well-timed foul-mouthing of Levy to Kaz's sharp English major ideas, Sarah's non-stop high-on-life + in-depth knowledge (and electric socks) and practical know-how and Brian's inside-the-industry realistic slap-downs - and everyone's humor and overall vibe...this is just easily the most eagerly awaited cast I look forward to every week. My only gripe is there aren't 2 or 3, so when numerous casts drop in a short period of time, its even sweeter. The PB podcast has literally been the brightest if not most defining event for me during the pandemic - I can't thank you all enough. f*cking amazing.
So does this mean there's no cast next week...the dead week after Xmas? Its gonna be a long 2 weeks wait if so...
@mikekazimer In the podcast you talked about viewers not understanding the nature of the trails you're testing on and only seeing the gnarliest, most photogenic parts. In the future, would you consider adding a "course tour" video? Maybe as easy as a gopro video with a layover in the top corner showing where you are on the trail with someone talking through it -- perhaps discussing why the trail was chosen and what elements of the bike you're looking to test on which sections of terrain. I understand this opens y'all up to more internet criticism about your trail decisions but I would find it super interesting. Thanks again for all the work that goes into these!
I came to ask this same thing. Lets see a whole lap. Doesn't need to be super fancy with lots of 3rd person shots, just a full lap with a speed and elevation overlay so we get a better sense of what you're riding on would be much appreciated.
Question: Might seem like a stupid question, but do you consider VitalMTB, EnduroMTB, Blister, NSMB, and other competitors in your space? Do you compete for views, click through, or paid memberships? Do you compete with Beta, even though you have the same ownership? Thanks!
Guessing these guys are all on vaycay. I totally get it and they should be - would just be nice to know. Three weeks now w/o a cast seems like a f*cking eternity (because I love these guys & the banter, the whole thing). Dunno the answers to your questions but the answer is yes except that Beta is likely hand-n-glove in a sense. I don't know how related it is or not, but its ultimately from the same group now w/ Outside ownership.
Tech topic question: What is the deal with Shimano brakes and the bite point. Get a Shimano team mechanic to address this. Are the top pros dealing with this as well? Do they have a magic bleed process? Do they keep pulling a new pair out until they find a good set?
@mikelevy@mikekazimer You guys should think about Trans BC, that a perfect mix of being fit and ride all day and gnarly Enduro terrain. @mikelevy let me know if you do come that way, i ll get the cars ready
My resolution is to stop online researching and make a decision. Evil insurgent or transition patrol. And then try not suffer from crippling buyer’s remorse....
Not quite the same. I researched lawnmowers this spring, pulled the trigger and went electric. Hated it. Instant buyers remorse. Sold it in the fall and bought what I should have in the spring. Best purchase of the year for me.
@dirtyburger: I hope you are wrong. Since an Injury in August im Digging super deep into what bike to buy next. Today I downloaded an Programm called Linkage X3 were I can simulate suspension of bikes look at leverage ratios and Anti squat with different chainrings and trugh the travel ect. If you are right im going to be very unstatisfied with my descision ^^
I think your next podcast should address the Budget vs Baller video series. The comments section of the latest video elegantly (and almost unanimously) address its dire shortcomings. In a nutshell it's garbage vs baller and in its current form really missed the mark. Deliberately downgrading the existing parts on the bike benefit no one and with the plethora of amazing budget parts (which Jenson could also have supplied) the series could have really been something special.
Follow up question for this @mikelevy which content are you guys most proud off and which do you in retrospect regret. As mentioned above the budget vs baller series has been widely panned whilst all the Cathrine stuff seems to be wildly enjoyed
@mikelevy and @mikekazimer Race topic: As much as we've all been waiting for the Mike Vs Mike race, it would be awesome to see a series where the whole staff (at least those presenters reviewing bikes) were to race 3 races together. One with an XC course with laps, climbing and strategy. One as more of a trail/enduro race showing a balance of fitness and dh prowess. Lastly a straight up DH race. This would be great to understand the riders and their style better, especially the newer presenters, so that when they review a bike we know what kind of rider they are and what kind of bike would best suite them. Seems like it might be entertaining too so long as you include all of the shit talking in the videos as well.
I’ve been extremely happy with my current bike, a Niner Rip 9, my buddies have been riding Evil bikes for years, switching between models, and now a couple of them are on Yetis. Everyone is always talking about finding one bike that does everything well; but I’m wondering if there is one brand that does everything well?
What a fantastic podcast you have created. I would love to see adderson zewada on the PB podcast . the man reminds me of justin timberlakes character in the movie popstar . this lovely unassuming gent could also sub in for levy when the Gearbox cabal eventually assassinates him.
Question for the podcast, what watched do you recommend for mountain biking/cycling? I'm looking for a watch that can display trailforks so I can leave my phone behind and have the maps shown on the watch instead, any suggestions?
I am considering a trail bike . I live in Tucson and ride a variety of trails. Most of them very rocky with climbing and descending. Occasional trips to ride the trails on MT Lemmon and trips to Sedona. I currently ride a Scott spark XC bike which I love for the milder trails but it leaves me wanting on many of the rocky trails and feels like a death trap on Lemmon. I am trying to decide between a Stumpy and A Stumpy EVO. What would you chose for the AZ terrain?
ebikes are soul stealers!!! lol oh and if you ride with Henry and get hurt he leaves you and finds another friend. Awesome you guys and gal made my morning. Oh Henry the budget brawler haters... f`em. do they have a show? No thanks for the great work to all of ya.
Per the "Midwest mountain bike" topic. Doesn't it seem like there is always a certain number of mountain bikers that actively fight change? Number of gears, suspension on the front and then the rear, how much suspension, discs, bar width, stem length, bar diameter, wheel size, wheel width, tire size, geometry, electronics, etc. etc.
Find your "insert topic here" and be a dick about it?
I mean the great part of modern geo is how often a person can size up or down. So if you really think a bike is too long and the seat tube too steep, size down and push your seat back = fixed!
As far as saying a bike is too slack, you could negative angleset it BUT... that slack front end on the RM element didn't hold it back grinding fire roads or keep it from making impossible climbs.
Question for the pinkbike videographer/photographers: 1. What gear are you using to make these videos/photographs and more importantly, how are you carrying the gear? 2. If you were to bring video/photo gear on personal rides, what would you bring and how would you carry it?
Another question: how much money do race teams cost? This question is In the context of the YT mob disbanding. @brianpark in your experience how much money could a consumer save on a bike if the company didn’t have a World Cup team? Or possibly no marketing whatsoever? How much of the margin is written off as marketing?
Robin might not want you to talk about it, but do any of you like riding under the influence? And if so, what do you like? We all know about summit beers, but sometimes my friends and I like riding on a half-dose of something psychedelic, or smoking a little when we get to the top of a climb or a viewpoint.
And if I'm not allowed to ask about that, do any of the zillions of bikes you've all ridden ever feel the same as another? Does the bike industry worry that their rigs are different enough from the rest of the crowd? Seems like there are plenty of bikes with close enough geo and spec that you wouldn't be able to tell they were different just riding them
Question: I'm looking at upgrading my brakes and considering 4 piston with smaller rotors over my current (and perfectly fine) 2 piston. Which would you rather; 2 piston with large rotors or 4 piston with smaller rotors?
What I would love to see out of Pinkbike this next year is some reviews on trails. I understand people get excited about racing but to be honest, I want to hear about different trail systems. Take these test bikes to different regions and maybe review both. I hear about the big areas like Whistler but tell me about the hidden gems around the country. The areas that created them might appreciate the advertising and bringing in some tourists. In my opinion, this is how you grow the sport, by supporting your local communities. Trails and communities are a much bigger part of the picture than the racing scene, although I understand the importance of racing. Thanks PB. Keep the podcasts coming.
@mikelevy@mikekazimer@brianpark - relatively petty question but do we get a listing or announcement of the Advent Cal-winners from Dec? I always rabidly enter these but then it's a fizzler as obviously the chances of winning are low and there's no notif here or email from the companies notifying anyone of the winners (that I've seen, even when signing up on the email list). So - here's a Q&A episode question for ya. A lame one, but a question.
For the future field test, maybe a video in point of view of the course could lower the number of questions and comments. "What about flat land?" "This rock-roll is too big for a downcountry bike..." Etc.
As @mikekazimer explained in the podcast, it would be borring to do a video of the whole course for all bikes, but it may help people who needs perspective.
Hey PB, if Sarah does end up taking that wilderness first aid class I'd be interested to hear about what they cover as a future podcast topic. Also, what emergency medical supplies are most important to bring on a ride?
@brianpark@mikelevy@mikekazimer@sarahmoore@henryquinney - sooooo, we've have been really good so far in 2022 with our New Year and New You's and so are getting a podcast this week? How about a "best of PB podcasts" or maybe just having Henry wax for 2 hrs about his Magic Mushroom experience? Just that topic alone is worth hours.
Question for the upcoming Q&A podcast (hopefully I am not too late).
Head tube angle and anglesets, what’s the deal? What sort of improvement does changing the head tube angle via angleset get you? I get that slacker headtube angles work well in “modern geo” combined with things like longer reach and shorter fork offset, but are there any downsides to adapting an older bike where no other measurements are changing? How significant of a change is 1 or 2 degrees on an existing bike, like in my case a 2016 Transition Smuggler with a 67 degree head angle? Is there a consensus on what product works best? Works? WolfTooth?
@mikelevy@sarahmoore@mikekazimer Just saw Mike Levy’s reply below that podcast 100 is already in the can. Is there anywhere I can post my question above so it can be considered for a future podcast?
Question: do companies name their bikes the XX 150 LT 440 TR 5 because they don’t want to go to the trouble of patenting and trademarking a name? And is that why brands reuse names from model to model so frequently?
Please for the love of audio equalize the levels or whatever. I was listening on spotify and some presenters were very quiet then suddenly a laugh would come in and wake up everyone in the car.
Has Levy cracked under the pressure of delivering something worthy of the 100th podcast? Has he been abducted by aliens and is being probed for No.100 right now?
Please anyone answer I dont care I just broke the chain stay on my bike and I have to order a new one, Is there a name for seat and chain-stay combined?
How many bike "Categories" are there? What catehory is in the middle to pick an all rounder? Whats the best 1, 2, or 3 bike stable to fill the needs of all categories?
Gotta stream via Spotify now (unless ya don't subscribe). Not sure what happened but - doesn't look like we're getting a show this week either. I was chomping at the bit for a cast last week, about to lose it this week...gonna practically be dead waiting for one to maybe drop next week. Good luck getting hold of it...
@Mtn-Goat-13: I have found it on Spotify. I suppose its no big deal really. It does sem a bit odd however. I need to get in the habit of checking other locations
@Potterymouth: Good to hear - I guess the prob is that only some people subscribe (mines free as a buddy put me on his family plan years ago). I'm used the apple-cast method but have since just moved all my mtb casts to Spotify and everything else on apple.
The midwest has a few great trail areas but a lot of very mediocre ones. I would love to move my family to the mountains, just not in the cards yet. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I'm lucky to be a Blue Ridge / western NC mountains rider... no lack of options here. But if I lived in the Midwest I'd def try to find the trails or make some... just cannot live w/o riding (and not interested in road biking). There are some odd little ranges & peaks tho, if ya look at maps - Ouachita Mtns in Oklahoma & Arkansas w/ a high elev of 2753 - that's a big-ass drop but I don't know what trails are in that area. There are also probably lots of gorge / hollow / dropoff types of areas none of us are aware of. I don't have plans to go, but point being: when its mostly flat & bland & your surrounded by the 1870's people, you gotta find something rad to do or you die.
@ODubhslaine: you are so clever, eat a dick shaped potato. I’m trying to inform them their sponsors might pull out, that would be a negative for them. I’ve told them in other podcast posts on here that it works for me with Spotify, maybe that helps them figure out why it’s not working with Apple, I’m trying to be helpful, you’re trying to eat all the dicks, stop trying so hard and refer to my previous reply to you…
Merry Christmas all!
Dick shaped potatoes it is!
Hoping for better humans who respect one another in ‘22
Me-ride my bikes a little more, drink a little less, be a little nicer to my family (especially when I haven’t ridden recently), and surround myself with great people.
Thanks PB!
In ‘22 I better just ride my bike
I'm sure ebiking is great - at parks like Kanuga I'm getting passed sometime twice before I can even pedal up once so clearly its more laps & more mileage for the time but - there are more & more parks popping up around the region by the year, and 1000's of miles of USFS roads where ebiking is legal. I'm def'ly not wanting to see confrontations but when people are breaking the rules because they think they are special and the exception - they shouldn't be surprised if others call them out and enforce the rules.
He slammed a monster energy drink, hit record on his GoPro, and rolled towards the largest road gap of his life. The only proof he existed is his Saturday Sends submission that never made it to the video reel. Some say he’s still riding the same road gap. Some say if you hit that road gap on a really windy day you can hear him cry “Send It!”
From the well-timed foul-mouthing of Levy to Kaz's sharp English major ideas, Sarah's non-stop high-on-life + in-depth knowledge (and electric socks) and practical know-how and Brian's inside-the-industry realistic slap-downs - and everyone's humor and overall vibe...this is just easily the most eagerly awaited cast I look forward to every week. My only gripe is there aren't 2 or 3, so when numerous casts drop in a short period of time, its even sweeter. The PB podcast has literally been the brightest if not most defining event for me during the pandemic - I can't thank you all enough. f*cking amazing.
So does this mean there's no cast next week...the dead week after Xmas? Its gonna be a long 2 weeks wait if so...
They sound identical!
@mikelevy let me know if you do come that way, i ll get the cars ready
Race topic: As much as we've all been waiting for the Mike Vs Mike race, it would be awesome to see a series where the whole staff (at least those presenters reviewing bikes) were to race 3 races together. One with an XC course with laps, climbing and strategy. One as more of a trail/enduro race showing a balance of fitness and dh prowess. Lastly a straight up DH race. This would be great to understand the riders and their style better, especially the newer presenters, so that when they review a bike we know what kind of rider they are and what kind of bike would best suite them. Seems like it might be entertaining too so long as you include all of the shit talking in the videos as well.
Find your "insert topic here" and be a dick about it?
I mean the great part of modern geo is how often a person can size up or down. So if you really think a bike is too long and the seat tube too steep, size down and push your seat back = fixed!
As far as saying a bike is too slack, you could negative angleset it BUT... that slack front end on the RM element didn't hold it back grinding fire roads or keep it from making impossible climbs.
And if I'm not allowed to ask about that, do any of the zillions of bikes you've all ridden ever feel the same as another? Does the bike industry worry that their rigs are different enough from the rest of the crowd? Seems like there are plenty of bikes with close enough geo and spec that you wouldn't be able to tell they were different just riding them
Question: I'm looking at upgrading my brakes and considering 4 piston with smaller rotors over my current (and perfectly fine) 2 piston. Which would you rather; 2 piston with large rotors or 4 piston with smaller rotors?
As @mikekazimer explained in the podcast, it would be borring to do a video of the whole course for all bikes, but it may help people who needs perspective.
Head tube angle and anglesets, what’s the deal?
What sort of improvement does changing the head tube angle via angleset get you?
I get that slacker headtube angles work well in “modern geo” combined with things like longer reach and shorter fork offset, but are there any downsides to adapting an older bike where no other measurements are changing?
How significant of a change is 1 or 2 degrees on an existing bike, like in my case a 2016 Transition Smuggler with a 67 degree head angle?
Is there a consensus on what product works best? Works? WolfTooth?
Thanks!
Shadow banning?
Has the cancel culture mob set it sights on Levy?
#freespeechforLevy
And stop whining.