The Pinkbike Podcast: Episode 39 - Predicting the Future of Mountain Biking

 This is literally the movie "Upgrade" on Netflix which is awesome btw

 That’s why part 2 took so long to come out.

COVID was created by the g-100 in hopes of the donut never getting exposed, but all it done was delay the inevitable

 Downhill is the future.

 As people and companies move to purchasing and developing e-bikes, less resources are going to be put towards normal mountain bikes and one day, you may not be able to buy a modern geo normal mountain bike or parts at a reasonable price. If you don't see this coming, you must be blind.

See: 26 in wheels, 27.5 in wheels

 @retswen: It doesn't necessarily have to be a zero-sum game. It's possible the growing ebike market makes trail access and advocacy a bigger group, hence creating more trails for people to get on. We could see a large market of people make the "people-powered jump" from an ebike to a regular MTB, and grow the market that way.

The way it seems to be is that a lot of the people getting on ebikes were people who weren't going to ever get on a regular MTB to start. I think a there's stlil a lot of strong support for human powered MTB still.

 @Kyleponga: I hope you are correct.

E-bikes are rad and I understand why people opt to get them. A lot of people can only reasonably own one bike and an e-bike makes the most sense to them so they can get in more distance on a normal ride. However, this shrinks the market for traditional human powered mountain bikes, and bike companies are going to go where the money is.

 @Kyleponga: Yeah I hope ebikers and bikers stay reasonable and stay on the same side. Several years ago a motorcycle advocacy group sued the forest service because mountain bikers were using trails that used to be open to motorcycles. North Fork outside of bellingham, some truly great trails. Anyways The forest service's solution was to ban mountain biking too. It was a mega bummer. I really hope that ebike groups don't try to use similar tactics which might result in similar outcomes for normal bikers.

 @retswen: And I thought I was a pessimist...

 @retswen: No I dont see this coming dude and im not blind, your wheel comparison is miles off the mark also lol. Wise words...

 @retswen: look at the handlebars, front suspension and rake angle over time. Duplicating motocross and setting up for more >> motors

 All of my mtb buddies still mtb, and a few non-mtb buddies got mtb’s and are now mtb buddies too. And my city is building more trails and protected bike infrastructure to keep up with demand. Soooo I disagree.

 It's the community you make it! Find great riding buddies and help your local trailbuilders. Ignore the rest.

 @Adamrideshisbike: I miss the days when it was exciting to just see another Mtn biker on the trail, and you immediately set up rides together, now if you even say hi to another rider at the trailhead you’re treated like a psycho. Maybe it’s because so many city people are getting into riding???

 @unrooted - It's what you make it

 @mikelevy: I wish Mtn bikers were still all a bunch of immature misfits with poor social skills....so I could feel like I fit in.

 @unrooted: you need to join my weekly hardtail alcohol ride.

 @unrooted: That's me

 This is an interesting theory. I like it.

 And someone will win something at some point?

 @mikelevy: Just not the guys who are still flatting in 2021

 Lets make Michelin Tweels and UPTIS tires a thing...https://nsmb.com/articles/could-michelin-uptis-airless-tire-work-mtb/

 I am holding out for the Cranky Cruller which is rumored to have identical performance as the Grim Donut on downhill sections, but climbs "like a goat" (quotes as hand signaled by a highly respected industry insider).

 True.

 sup

 Hopefully not!

 This is the way.

 Yup, for sure! We'll definitely be doing a podcast about geometry in the near future.

 This would be interesting for sure.

 Sounds like a solid evening tinkering with bikes!

 @mikelevy: I do love a good project! 2008 Giant trance X2 into 2008 giant trance XDC! ha

 Bikes will continue to get even more expensive... if you want to spend that much money. But you're also getting SO MUCH MORE bike for your money than ever before. So yeah, you can spend more, but you should compare a modern $2,500 bike to one from five years ago.

 Glad you like 'em!

 And landlords/states/cities will blame us for that disaster

 Nah, we didn't - I've been saying that for ages

 @mikelevy:

Come to Nelson, ride for a few days, and see if you can say that again.

 @skimtb1: No one is saying they ain't a blast to ride, especially in Nelson. I think we mentioned that as well, just like we've also said previously that they'll always be plenty of downhill bikes to buy. I also enjoy shuttling, monster trucks, and pallet fires.

 @mikelevy: So DH bikes and tech are on the way out & unnecessary due to how capable enduro bikes currently are? Or is DH being usurped by e-bikes? Or maybe DH hanging in there for the long term? perhaps they are fun but unnecessary? PB is are sending out mixed messages here...

Shit maybe DH is on the cusp of greatness, due to climate change and winter resorts being forced to develop new revenue streams? Or maybe if PB editors graduate to the big boy & big girl trails, you'll all be singing a different tune?

The problem is that PB has a huge amount of clout in shaping the industry, dictating market trends, and has a pretty good dialogue directly with consumers. Every time you guys pump out a "Why buy a DH bike?" drivel piece, you're actively doing harm to the DH market: PB perpetuates that idea that DH bikes aren't important for consumers, more people buy enduro bikes, trails get toned down to accommodate their inferior bikes, and DH bikes therefore become less relevant... Obviously PB isn't the sole industry player hawking this message, but you do provide the primary platform to disseminate this information. Let's do what we can to stop this feedback loop and minimize the "softening" of mountain biking.

Also, it's somewhat strange how you've correlated DH riding with redneck stuff? Perhaps some sort of inherent squamptonian bias?

 @skimtb1: Yes, you've nailed it - we just need to ride big boy trails. Or maybe you're just wildly over-biked and you'd develop into a much more skilled and well-rounded rider if you spent all your time on a hardtail with a 70-degree head angle and the seat post 7ft high? Stop riding your DH bike on all those Nelson flow trails and I'll believe you.

 @mikelevy: Thanks but I'll pass on that... Cut my teeth 20+ years ago doing that.

Open invite to the PB editorial team for a guided tour on our trails. Come broaden your horizons & see how other folks roll outside of your S2S fiefdom! Bring whatever bike you want, but for your personal safety, I would highly suggest 4 piston brakes, aggro tires, a slack (AF) HTA, and as much suspension as you can get your hands on.

 @skimtb1: Ok, I'll bring my DH bike then?

 @mikelevy: Now you're talking my f*cking language!
www.bikemag.com/features/resisting-reinvention

 I'm not going to jump into this stupid debate. But to quote James May, he once said "you can have just as much fun drifting a 80hp car with tiny wheels as drifting a super car......"


You could ride Nelson in a wheelbarrow if you were stupid enough. What does it matter what bike someone brings to the steeps?

 @Waldon83:

and I quote, "Bring whatever bike you want, but for your personal safety,..."

 @skimtb1: I rode Nelson about 11 years ago, and it was on a Cove Shocker. But I’m pretty sure I could ride everything I originally rode on my HTLT. Sure, it’s gnarly and steep, but my Hightower has far more progressive geometry, more powerful brakes and far better suspension.

 @Waldon83:

Not sure what an HTLT is? But ya that was 11 years ago, lots of new trails on the wild side of the spectrum since then... Sure, if I was on a modern aggressive trail bike I could ride all the gnarly stuff, probably half-decently for that matter. But you sure aren't as optimized you would be on a full DH. You can either limp a trail bike around with shit in your shorts, or you can unleash the beast and shred a DH sled

I only own one mountain bike and it is a DH. I have never felt the need for something else here.

 miniature grim donut....a GROM donut?

 Would recommend the name "Grim Timbit" to play at @mikelevy 's love for Timmie's