Singletracks Mountain Bike News

Dr. Adam Phaneuf is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a degree in Exercise Science based in Bellingham, WA. He's also a bike fitter and has studied bicycle biomechanics. In this episode we ask: How important is bike fit to mountain bikers compared to say road or gravel riders? Even within MTB, is fit more important for XC than gravity riders? What are some signs that a rider needs a better bike fit? What types of improvements can mountain bikers expect to see? How does a bike fit work? How much does a bike fit generally cost? Can non-racers benefit from a bike fit in terms of comfort or other factors? What are some key component swaps that can be done as part of a bike fit, and why? How can you tell if your bars are too wide? Do you have a rule of thumb for setting seat height for mountain biking? Do droppers make seat height settings easier, or more complicated? What's the best way to figure out the proper bike frame size? Are there certain key measurements buyers should consider? What are the

David Billstrom is the CEO of Kitsbow, a North Carolina based cycling apparel company known for producing high-quality products. The company utilizes a made-to-order model for many of the items in their catalog to reduce waste, cut lead times, and support the local economy. In this episode we ask: What is lean manufacturing? How does it work specifically for an apparel company like Kitsbow? How significant are transportation costs associated with manufacturing your products overseas? Has it been difficult to find manufacturing workers in Old Fort, North Carolina? Is hiring a bottleneck in terms of expanding domestic production? How much waste is due to forecasting errors on sizing, styles, etc.? Does lean manufacturing eliminate most of this? What are some of the things you’ve learned from your customers or been able to improve about your products? What does the future of cycling apparel look like for Kitsbow? Learn more at Kitsbow.com. This episode is sponsored by Explore Brevard. Picture yo

Ashley Korenblat is the CEO of Western Spirit Cycling Adventures and founder of Outerbike, as well as the Managing Director of Public Land Solutions, a non-profit dedicated to “providing comprehensive recreation planning and stakeholder coordination to support effective and sustainable public land solutions.” She also previously served as IMBA Board chair. In this episode we ask Ashley: What is a “recreational asset?” Is this considered in strictly monetary terms, or are intrinsic values considered as well? How does PLS identify recreational assets and what does a typical plan look like? How significant is the Land and Water Conservation Fund in terms of recreation project funding in the US?  Is there an opportunity to work with energy development companies on recreation plans? What are some of the ways trail advocacy groups could improve on their current land management and access strategies? What is the PLS stance on MTB Wilderness access?   How does your advocacy background inform an

Josie Fouts is a two-time National Paralympics Road and Track Cycling Champion with plans to compete at the 2021 Games in Tokyo. She's also working to make mountain biking a Paralympic sport and stars in a new short film called Go Josie. In this episode, we ask Josie: Have you found being stubborn is a strength? Does it ever get you in trouble? Are you able to use your formal education in nutrition and nutritional immunology as a part of your own training?  What is the level of competition like at the US National Paralympics? Were you surprised the first time you competed? How difficult is it to find off-the-shelf products that work for para athletes? Have you found gear manufacturers are willing to work with you to find solutions? What’s it been like working with a gear sponsor like Swiftwick?  Are there things the bike industry could be doing to make equipment more para-friendly?  Why do you think mountain biking is not a part of the Paralympics? What do you do to keep your wor

Renee Hutchens is a mountain biker, storyteller, and artist living in Colorado. As a member of the Diné Nation, Renee is an advocate for both Indigenous people and the lands they call home. In this episode we discuss what it means to have a respectful and consensual relationship with the lands where we ride. Renee explains the meaning of the phrase environmental justice and talks about the mission of the Ute Land Trust. We talk about how words and naming in the bike industry can be hurtful to indigenous communities and why land acknowledgements at races are important. Follow Renee on Instagram @renay.h and view her work at linktr.ee. Editor's note: We reached out to Handup for comment about the "savage" glove mentioned in this interview and received the following reply: "We stopped selling these gloves in June 2020 after this came to our attention. Since then, we've changed gears to highlight 'Gloves that Give' in order for us to be able to give back to underrepresented community members of the mountain bike

Matt Martinez is the executive director of Dream Bikes, a non-profit organization that strategically places used bicycle stores in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods to provide hands-on, paid job training to teens. Dream Bikes has refurbished and returned more than 10,000 bikes to service, and operates two shops in Wisconsin. We ask Matt: Is there a lot of demand for bike mechanics? How does the pay for professional mechanics compare to other jobs? What kind of impact can access to affordable bikes have on communities? Are you seeing increased demand for bikes during the pandemic?  Beyond providing repairs and selling bikes, how does a thriving local bike shop impact neighborhoods? Is there an environmental aspect to your mission? Beyond the training your group provides, what is the value of a more formal bike repair education? Does a lack of infrastructure like bike lanes or even trails limit the reach or utility of the program in the communities where you operate? What are some ways mo

No, this isn't a sponsored episode; we just wanted to geek out on a topic that most of us take for granted!  Rob Martin is the managing director at Outdoor Sports Insurance, a Horizon Agency program dedicated to working with sports equipment manufacturers and retailers. Tori Hoeschler is senior vice president at Horizon Agency and works with all aspects of the Outdoor Sports Insurance Program. Like us, you may have wondered: Are bike shops liable for faulty repairs? Are more bike shops starting to offer rentals? What should consumers know about signing equipment rental or guide service waivers?  With such a high demand for bikes currently, are your retail clients seeing an increase in theft? How does product liability coverage work? How is that related to product recalls and warranty issues? How much of the cost of a bike product, or a service like a bike park lift ticket, typically goes toward covering insurance? More information at outdoorsportsins.com. --Keep up with the latest in mou

This is part two of our interview with pioneering mountain bike skills coach Gene Hamilton. If you missed part one, be sure to load it up in your podcast app and listen! In this episode, we ask: Is it possible for mountain biking to be bad for our health? What’s a mountain bike skill that separates pros from those who would consider themselves advanced or even expert riders? Are some bike tires better at cornering than others? Which ones?  How has mountain bike skills training changed over the past two decades, in terms of the techniques and the skills you’re teaching? As someone who has won Masters-level DH competitions, what tips do you have for staying fast and fit at your age? Do you think today’s bikes make it easier for riders to go faster, or to have more fun? How much of performance comes down to the bike, and how much to the rider? Connect with Gene and his team at Betterride.net. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Sup

Gene Hamilton is a former pro downhill racer who created one of the first mountain bike skills courses in the late 1990s. Today Better Ride holds clinics around the US, teaching regular riders and pros alike how to ride fast. In the first half of our conversation, Gene answers: How did you get into mountain biking racing? Once you realized that you had hit a wall in terms of your own skills development, how did you go about researching proper mountain bike skills? Were there any surprises based on your early research, or any “aha” moments that stuck out? How can riders take advantage of momentum to go faster on the trail without putting in extra effort? And we're just getting started! Tune in next week for part two of our conversation where Gene shares the skills that separate the pros from advanced riders, his favorite tires for cornering, and how our understanding of bike skills has evolved over the years. Connect with Gene and his team at Betterride.net. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking a

Rick Reed is the Brand Manager for Ride Concepts, a mountain bike footwear company based in Reno, Nevada. Before joining Ride Concepts, he was a sales director at Five Ten. In this episode we ask Rick: Why are mountain bike shoes more expensive than “regular” shoes? Is there really an advantage to wearing something made specifically for biking? How does pedal grip translate to trail grip when it’s time to hike-a-bike? Is there a sweet spot when it comes to sole stiffness? Is stiffer always better, at least when you’re on the pedals? What do you think about the trend toward moving cleat positions back toward the mid foot? Are there advantages to using traditional laces instead of Velcro or something like a Boa, or is that just for aesthetics?   What types of features can be built into a shoe to provide protection against injury? What are the biggest constraints when it comes to designing a good bike shoe? How is the environmental footprint factored in when designing a pair of shoes? Are there

Douglas Carchrie is a bicycle mechanic, mountain bike guide, and mountain bike trail consultant at Big Mountain Scotland. He has also served as a national park conservation intern and conducted research into mountain biker behavior as a student at the University of Highlands and Islands in Scotland. In this episode, we ask: Do mountain bikers tend to bother animals more than other trail users? What are some of the things mountain bikers have been asked to do to avoid disturbing animals like the threatened Capercaillie bird? Based on your study, do you think most mountain bikers are willing to change their behavior if they understand the impact of their actions? Which methods are most effective when it comes to communicating conservation information to riders? There are a number of tools available to land managers, including enforcement, trail design, and education. Which ones provide the biggest impact in your opinion? Based on your experience as a mountain bike guide and director for Big Mountain

Doug Blease is a mountain biker and environmental researcher based in Scotland. He’s a member of IMBA-EU and has served in active trail planning roles with the Aberdeen Trail Association. In this interview, we ask: What does an environmental impact assessment look like when it comes to trail planning? How big of a concern is erosion when it comes to bikes, especially compared to other trail users? How resilient is nature in terms of the ecosystem? Could there be long-term effects due to trail building if it’s not done properly? As individuals, how can we minimize the impact of our rides? How can we balance the tension between creating opportunities to enjoy the environment, with protecting it from damage or overuse? How would you grade the mountain bike industry’s overall eco footprint? If you'd like to contact Doug for advice or to ask a question, email info@singletracks.com and we'll pass your message along. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singl

Jeremiah Stone is a mountain bike skill instructor who has taught hundreds of riders across the western USA with Ninja Mountain Bike Performance and the Sedona Mountain Bike Academy. He’s also a freelance trail builder and machine operator in addition to being a skilled rider. In this interview, we ask: How did you develop your own mountain bike skills? Did you have a coach? Do you think today’s mountain bikes make it easier to be a good biker, compared to the equipment that was available in the old days? Timing seems to be a big factor when it comes to landing jumps or clearing doubles. How can riders develop a good sense of timing and speed? Why is it easier to ride a technical feature once you’ve seen someone else ride it first? What are some common bad habits when it comes to technical trail descending? Beyond improving physical fitness, are there skills that can make climbing on the bike more tolerable? Do you have any tips for helping riders overcome their fear of trying something new? How

Jon Cariveau is the head of marketing for Moots, the Steamboat Springs, Colorado based bike brand known for hand building premium, titanium bikes. Jon is a passionate rider and racer, and has been with the brand for 24 years, starting in the shop when Moots had less than half a dozen employees. Moots is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year so we look back at some of the brand's unique bike designs and product decisions over the years, starting with the YBB soft tail mountain bike released in the 1980s. We also ask: What are the biggest advantages of a titanium mountain bike frame? What are the disadvantages or tradeoffs? In 2010 Moots featured a "96er" in the lineup. Are you surprised to see mixed wheel bikes making a bit of a comeback today? As a company that is building bikes domestically, how has Moots been dealing with supply chain disruptions due to Covid? How does the company's location in Steamboat Springs, Colorado influence the products and design? What does Moots have in store for the

Tony Boone has been building mountain bike trails for more than 30 years, and literally helped write the book on the subject, contributing to IMBA’s Guides to Building Sweet Singletrack and Providing Great Riding. He established the first bike patrol in Colorado in 1989 and has been an active member of the Professional Trail Builders Association since 1995. Tony talks about the trail building and mountain bike scene in China, what it's like to work as a government land manager, and the projects he's most proud of. In this interview we also ask: What are some of the most common mistakes new trail builders make? How do concepts like sustainability and stewardship fit into recreational trail building? How do the early trails you built compare to the ones you’re involved in creating today? Can trail builders benefit from a more formal education? To connect with Tony, or to learn more about his work and the studies mentioned in this episode, choose from the following links. https://www.

Earl Serafica is the owner of Earl’s Bike shop, a Specialized dealer located on the west side of Atlanta near the Georgia Tech campus and close to downtown. I first met Earl on a mountain bike ride several years ago, and he’s remained a good friend and tireless promoter of the local cycling community here in Atlanta. Earl talks about how the pandemic and surprising bike boom has affected business, and his approach to connecting with new and old customers.  We also ask: What’s the most common repair you make? Which repairs are more challenging? How has Covid affected your inventory and your ability to get bikes and parts? Which bikes sold the fastest in 2020? Do you worry that delays, and lack of inventory is pushing some folks toward alternatives like wrenching at home, or buying complete bikes online? How are e-bike sales looking? Which types of electric bikes are people choosing, and what do the buyers look like? Connect with Earl and his shop at earlsbike.shop. --Keep up with the latest in

Rab Wardell is a mountain bike athlete and coach living in Glasgow, Scotland. He recently set the fastest known time on the West Highland Way, a 96 mile off-road route connecting Milngavie and Fort William. In this episode, we find out what makes a Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt different from other mountain bike races, and why Rab chose to challenge the FKT on the West Highland Way in Scotland. Rab outlines the steps he took to prepare his body and his gear for the attempt and shares some of the issues he faced during the ride. In addition to competing, Rab is also a cycling coach, and he shares his tips for building skills, confidence, and fitness that any rider can apply. For more info and to connect with Rab, visit rabwardell.com. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Simon Lawton is the founder of Fluidride, a world-class mountain bike instructional school that offers both online courses and in-person clinics around the world.  We first spoke with Simon on the podcast in the summer of 2019, and spent some time catching up and learning what mountain bike skills clinics and instruction look during Covid-19. With so many new mountain bikers joining the sport in 2020, Simon talks about the opportunity for not just skills training but also educating riders on trail use and etiquette. For those rejoining the sport, we ask if certain mountain bike skills can get rusty, and what it takes to break old habits. In this episode we also talk about the mountain bike scene in Baja, Mexico where Simon now spends his winter season. Connect with Simon and learn more at fluidride.com. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Fabio Wibmer is an Austrian trials rider and mountain biker with almost 6 million YouTube followers and is closing in on 1 billion views. He’s known for starring in videos like Wibmer’s Law, Fabiolous Escape 1 and 2, and most recently, Home Office. In addition to trials riding, Fabio is also a winning downhill and freeride mountain biker. In this episode, we ask Fabio how he got his start riding and talk about the athletes who have inspired him along the way. Fabio shares the source of his confidence on the bike, the projects he’s most proud of, and tells us what he would be doing if he weren’t a Red Bull sponsored athlete. We also ask if he considers himself a perfectionist, hear about his recovery from a recent broken foot, and learn his secret for pulling off a really good whip. You don’t want to miss this episode! Find Fabio on YouTube at youtube.com/user/fabwibmer and Instagram @wibmerfabio. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support thi

Mat Stanke is a trail builder and board member of the Clinch Valley Trail Alliance in Oak Ridge, Tennessee outside of Knoxville. He and his club recently opened a new skills park called the Dirt Lab through a grassroots effort involving local businesses and community members. We talk about the vision behind creating the Dirt Lab bike park and how it differs from the natural singletrack trails that were already available to riders in the area. Mat walks us through approvals, funding, and construction, offering insight into the process for others who might be considering the same for their local community. More than just a place for riders to progress their skills, the Dirt Lab offers builders an opportunity to hone their trail feature building skills for future projects as well. Tune in to hear about the mistakes the group made along the way as Mat speaks candidly about some of the challenges the project faced. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks