The Pinkbike Podcast: Episode 40 - The Pinkbike Awards Explained!

 So no more phallic microphone... but in the upper left you put in a puckered bu.... nevermind I get it now.

 The only people who hate on the SWAT/TWAT hole have never ridden a bike with one. I can do 20 miles now with no hip pack or backpack while still having all the tools I need to fix my bike and enough food and water to stay nourished. I love it.

 Why the hate for Fat Bikes? I live in Edmonton and put away the Full Suspension mountain bike in November and don't get back on it until April. It's 5 months of fat biking for a lot of non-coastal northern climate folks. It would be great to get bike and product reviews for real world snow riding (not just someone ripping a DH track with a few cm of wet stuff on it). Things important for riding here are; loose snow traction, packed/ice traction, float on fresh stuff, pogies, winter bike boots, lights etc.

Show some love for those that aren't on the west coast...

 Hey I have a general question. Why is a mtb with a 29 inch wheel up front and a 27.5 in the back called a mullet? I'm not an expert in hairstyles, especially those of the 1970s, but isn't a mullet short in the front and long in the back? AKA all "business" in the front and a "party" in the back...oh, maybe that's why?

 I feel a PB podcast t-shirt coming into the shop.

 I like Levy a lot, but the graphic would be slightly cooler if Sarah, James or Brian was front and center...totally subjective I guess, sick team anyway you slice it

 You know what would be funny, for next year, do a poll, and then NOT give the award to the most voted for product. Just imagining the outrage is giving me a semi right now.

 a thought for next year. why not have the winner from the year before in the competition the next year so there is more for us to compare too. that way we know if something not new for that year is still possibly the better option

 In re: to a used Hummer being better than a new Tesla... the podcast "How To Save a Planet" has an episode "Are Electric Cars Really Better for the Climate" that discusses the common questions around buying a new electric car vs a used combustion engine, its impacts on the environment both short term and long term, a coal powered grid, battery manufacturing and recycling, etc. It has some really good insight worth checking out if that interests you.

 beyond his awesome name, Pidcock is sick. Forget the eMTB if that offends you... he is U23 XCO champion, U23 road third, and was second in cyclocross worlds (senior not u23) to freakin' mvdp. so great name and he is better than all of us at most everything and only 1.57 m tall! so say it with me... Pidcock

 I would love to hear from industry experts for their opinions on the Alternative Manufacturing techniques nominated for innovation of the year. Especially in regards to the environmental impact and scalability of these options versus the status quo. 15 years as a manufacturing engineer in addition to working as a machinist makes me very skeptical of machining a frame from a solid billet of aluminum, and while 3D printing portions of the bike is certainly feasible, there are significant unique engineering resources required for every frame made, which will have a massive impact on price.

 Hey @mikelevy, big fan of the podcast out here in New Zealand. Got an #askpinkbike question for you. Just wondering what your ideal down country tire setup would be from the maxxis range to suit a scott spark #downcountry build?only state maxxis as they are the easiest tires to source here as some other brands are more difficult, cheers

 I should be a shoe-in for the Average award - 31, 2 kids, and riding 2014 Turner in West Michigan maybe 2-3 times a month.

 I really wouldn't just assume that if Specialized had figured out a way to put swat in their aluminum frames they would have done it by now. It could be as simple as that they just want to reserve it as a premium feature for the carbon frames only. Also if the aluminum frame is the value option why would they spend more on manufacturing it?

 Great job as usual.

I think that in awards for whole bikes, it shouldn't just be "new" bikes in the running. At the very least bring last year's award winner into the mix if it is still in production. There may be some component changes, but I think a bike and value bike of the year award should consider all bikes that are available to purchase, not just what was new for that year.

 for your future e-bike podcast here are some good materials on the e-bike energy consumption and net carbon emission.

www.bikeradar.com/features/long-reads/cycling-environmental-impact
this breaks down carbon output from manufacturing, supply chain, and also calorie consumption required by the rider

More ammo for @mikekazimer

 two questions for you guys and gals. First one @mikekazimer ; you rave bout the Commnecal Meta TR, do you think its significantly better than the Meta AM because of its balance of suspension/pedaling? Or are they equally awesome and the TR just fits your riding style and terrain better?

Also for everyone, a would you rather I thought of (late to the game). Top end version of the best suspension ever made but set up absolutely terrible, wrong pressure, too little rebound, etc, or the most budget low quality suspension set up absolutely immaculately?

 Thank you for another episode guys.
This episode highligthed Pinkbikes scepticism and lack of knowledge for e-mtb's. Which I find wierd. Love it or not, but those bikes are here to stay. As the dominating (?) global website of mtb content I find it unpoffessional actually. I mean, accustic mtb's sales are declining, and e-mtbs are growng FAST. I'm not sure about sales numbers in US/Canada, but here on the other side of the pond (Europe) e-mtb's are soon to be the dominating kind.
To weight my opinion, I can add that I'm the puchsing manager of the largest bikeshop in Norway, and has 20yrs of experience on all sides of the bike biz.
I was an absolute hater until last year. When UCI annonced that they're lanching a e-XC on top of their e-WES I realized the battle was lost. I had to make a dissision. As I saw it, I had two options: Keep on hating and quit my dream job, or take a deep dive into the subject and learn all there is to learn about e-mtbs. I chose the latter. I strongly encurage @brianpark and his team to do the same.
Strong words I know, but it's all meant in best effort.
Keep up you great work.

 @brianpark can you transition this podcast to include video as well? Totally love the podcast and this would take it to the next level

 27:52 - sounds like Levy may be alluding to a new FOX air spring? Hopefully it'll be backwards compatible like the Debon air spring if that's the case.

 if redbull used the AWS Elemental they could make a VOD right as the live stream is coming in, tsk tsk redbull

 @mikelevy @mikekazimer what are your go to mid-ride and post-ride snacks? Does eating lots of donuts and drinking monsters make you faster?

 Loved the old “Advocate of the Year” award in prior years and would encourage a comeback of that category.

 RIP phallic microphone

 I'm sure I've heard Seb Stott say Stank-shun on his old podcast, so I look forward to that becoming a new industry standard.

 Listening to the podcast now and wondering how much influence pinkbike has in the industry?

 Any word on the advent calendar updates?

 Looks like a MillenColin postcard

 I'll wait for the video version.

 I would gladly review Fat Bikes!!!

 Fuck you. I ride an old aluminum Stumpjumper.