The Pinkbike Podcast: Episode 21 - Stuff We Were Wrong About

Sep 2, 2020
by Mike Levy  
photo
Art by Taj Mihelich


I wasn't there when a teenaged @mikekazimer said, ''Disc brakes won't ever be a thing,'' but I can certainly remember working on some examples that made me appreciate the power and reliability of V-brakes, as crazy as that sounds. Speaking of questionable choices, it sounds like @sarahmoore still wants to use her Shimano Dual Control shift/brake levers, and I once preferred old-school geometry. You already know that shop rat Kazimer was wrong and disc brakes got way better, and it's probably safe to assume you're not still rocking Dual Control levers. You could also argue that modern geometry is the most important thing to happen to mountain bikes since someone put knobs on tires, despite some idiot thinking that a 400mm reach makes sense for a size large.

Admitting you were wrong usually isn't fun, but it was today: Episode 21 is all about eating crow.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever else you get your podcasts.



THE PINKBIKE PODCAST // EPISODE 21 - STUFF WE WERE WRONG ABOUT
Sept 2nd, 2020

Does Kazimer still have a secret stash of V-brake pads?

Hosted by Mike Levy (usually) and 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.

Previous Pinkbike Podcasts
Episode 1 - Why Are Bikes So Expensive?
Episode 2 - Where the Hell is the Grim Donut?
Episode 3 - Pond Beaver Tech
Episode 4 - Why is Every Bike a Trail Bike?
Episode 5 - Can You Trust Bike Reviews?
Episode 6 - Over Biked Or Under Biked?
Episode 7 - Wild Project Bikes
Episode 8 - Do We Need an Even Larger Wheel Size?
Episode 9 - Why Are We Doing a Cross-Country Field Test?
Episode 10 - Getting Nerdy About Bike Setup
Episode 11 - Are We Going Racing This Year?
Episode 12 - What's the Future of Bike Shops?
Episode 13 - Are Bikes Too Regular Now?
Episode 14 - What Bikes Would Pinkbike Editors Buy?
Episode 15 - What's Holding Mountain Biking Back?
Episode 16 - Who's Your Mountain Biking Hero?
Episode 17 - XC Field Test Insider
Episode 18 - Electronics on your Mountain Bike: Good or Bad?
Episode 19 - The Hardtail Episode
Episode 20 - MTB Conspiracy Theories

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Reviews and Tech The Pinkbike Podcast Mike Kazimer Mike Levy Sarah Moore


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149 Comments
  • 64 0
 2020 has been the roller-coaster ride from hell and I'm one of the lucky ones. Amongst all the chaos this podcast is a little piece of normality that I really look forward too every week. Thanks Mike and the PB crew for putting this together. Cheers Dan
  • 3 0
 I would always tune into the vital podcast when I had time. This one makes me look forward to it each week Smile
  • 15 1
 Thanks for the kudos! They're always fun to make Smile
  • 3 0
 I just started listening to them last week and have been binge-listening. Almost caught up. Enjoying the format and the banter. Would love to hear future episodes on skills development.
  • 2 0
 Agree! It's a highlight of the week whilst here in Stage 4 lockdown. Thank you ????
  • 1 0
 Interesting.... Just learnt emoji's show up a question marks
  • 22 0
 Just came here to say that you guys are doing an amazing job with this podcast. Keep it up! Smile
  • 12 1
 Thanks! Stoked you're into listening to us babble about bikes Smile
  • 6 0
 @mikelevy: I vote yes for the Mullet discussion...Party on my dude!
  • 9 1
 No! Don't call it 27.5! 650B is closer to 27" than it is to 27.5". "27.5" is a made-up marketing term. "Well, we have 26" wheels and 29" wheels, so let's call this 650B thing 27.5" because it's right in the middle." Even though it's not. If we *must* name it in terms of inches, we should call it "27".
  • 13 1
 I don't care what it's called as long as we call it the same thing Smile
  • 3 0
 Call it what it is: 584 mm bead-seat diameter. Take the tire out of the equation.
  • 1 0
 @R-M-R: This makes so much sense that there sure must have been an ever better reason to name wheel sizes as we do now. It's just that no one remembers what those great reasons were...
  • 2 0
 @vinay: If you assume all tires are about the same size and will stay that way forever, it's simpler to just combine the two measurements. And we all know "standards" never change, right?

The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) knows better, which is why you'll see a number such as 67-622 on your tire's sidewall, representing: [tire casing diameter on a standard rim]-[rim bead-seat diameter].
  • 2 1
 @vinay: It has to do with trying to naming bike wheel sizes by the approximate diameter with a tire mounted. For example, a 622 mm bead-seat diameter wheel is called 700c in roadbiking and 29er in mountainbiking because those are the diameters you get close to with a tire mounted.

My roommate actually mounted a 700x28 road tire to an old 29er rim I had to prove it worked. I did not believe it until he did it.

Sheldon Brown goes into a lot of detail on this: www.sheldonbrown.com/26.html#:~:text=Narrow%20571%20mm%20tires%2C%20commonly,size%20mainly%20intended%20for%20competition.
  • 1 0
 @Will1848: pray tell what 700c means as a diameter...? I know that it's close to 700mm, but "c" is not a unit in this context.
  • 2 0
 @sspiff: That it is circle shaped?
  • 1 0
 @sspiff: There are also 700a and 700b tire standards that are rarely encountered now. The all have a nominal 700mm outer diameter, but the rim diameter is different.
  • 1 0
 @CalamityJake: oh, I was just being a smart ass about 700c vs 29". One of these doesn't have units attached...
  • 1 0
 @sspiff: whoops, I guess my sarcasm detector was switched off.
  • 1 0
 @CalamityJake: all good. this is where pink bike needs a fist bump emoji.
  • 7 0
 a) Strawberry rhubarb was the correct answer, b) I still like plus on sandy desert trails and hardtails. Anyone who says you need skinny tires to dig down to the hard underneath doesn't have deep enough sand. c) Doing a good job on these podcasts, fun listen.
  • 8 0
 You were wrong about the April's fool Grim Donut video. Haven't listened to the podcast yet, but I am sure you regret upsetting the ENTIRE WORLD :-)
  • 21 1
 No ragrets
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: Not even one bike?
  • 5 0
 @mikelevy @mikekazimer I know you already mentioned fatbikes make sense for the snow (and it's fantastic to be able to ride year round up here in Maine!), but with a second set of wheels, they turn into a hardtail that makes boring trails fun. I ride my rigid, mullet, plus-converted fat bike all the time with my daughter in tow or for a ride with my young nephew. It's a perfect do-anything bike!
  • 5 1
 Yesss, excellent call on that. I really enjoyed that Bucksaw on a lot of sketchier trails - so much traction! Not gonna lie, I also liked riding it because people automatically assume things when they see you on a fat bike and it's fun to prove people wrong Smile
  • 1 0
 So true. My Bucskaw is like a Swiss Army knife. I have the following wheel combos with the same hub/axle set ups (15x150F & 12x177R): 26 fat, 27.5x3, 27.5x4F & 26x4R, 29x2.4F & 29x2.3R, and 29x3F & 27.5x3R. Now a Manitou McLeod shock and Mastodon fork that replaced the RS suspension and it's even more beastly.

Oh yeah, and Pat Smage...
  • 1 0
 I'd love to know how 2.5 Minions in Super Tacky would go against a fat tire. I mean they are seriously draggy tires if you're pedaling on the flat. I have some on spare wheels when I shuttle, they are awful anywhere I have to pedal.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: @mikekazimer is still wrong about the Bucksaw. I had one and it was a blast on really rocky and technical trails where traction is king and speeds are slow. It might be a narrow use case, but this was a pretty specific bike.
  • 6 1
 PB overlords can you PLEASE spend a couple dollars on a better microphone and sound set up for Sarah Moore. It's probably a combination of crappy microphone and harsh echoey room, but Sarah you sound like you are in a bathroom while the boys have a buttery smooth, almost sensual sound quality going on. So Sarah it's time to get your sound game on and level the sound playing field. Also when you all have the same sound quality it gives the illusion that you are all in the same room and we get to fully appreciate Sarah's Vocal Fry.
  • 1 0
 Seconded! The biggest turn off to me when listening to a podcast. If the audio quality is shit I automatically stop listening because I assume the content follows suit. I’m wearing headphone stuck directly in my ears, I don’t want to listen to the audio equivalent of a Sasquatch sighting video.
  • 1 1
 www.npr.org/2015/07/23/425608745/from-upspeak-to-vocal-fry-are-we-policing-young-womens-voices
  • 2 0
 @IMeasureStuff, don't worry, there's one on the way.
  • 3 0
 @tlchlct:
Er, no, this is just about the Mikes clearly having studio quality microphone setups, and Sarah equally clearly does not. Has nothing to do with her voice, other than hearing it more clearly.
  • 5 0
 Topic idea or just a question for the next show: “Has Strava changed MTB for better or worse? Your discussion in this podcast about always wanting to ride the trail as fast as possible for me think as too why that is. Has Strava changed how the majority of people MTB, going from a session cultural on skinnies and what not to just trying to PR segments? If Strava did not exist and measuring your speed on trails required more equipment than your phone would we care about going fast all the time?
  • 1 0
 I find it great to have for training for racing, but I see your point for sure. I find it hard to just go out and have a casual ride because I know if I didn’t go faster than last time I’ll just go do it again.
  • 1 0
 I've had different thought recently on this, but what about the use of social media for spot burning in mountain biking (talked about a lot in the fishing world). Thinking about this for areas of private owned land that has tolerated biking until traffic increased due to more people learning about the trails through strava, trailforks, the book of faces etc...

@mikekazimer @mikelevy
  • 3 0
 I absolutely love this podcast! This has quickly become my favorite. I wanted to write in to say, “Yes, please talk about mullet bikes both for DH and for trail riding!!” I’m 5’9” and enjoy riding my 6 year old Trance; however, I’m thinking about upgrading my bike and I’m not certain I’d be any happier on anything else? I’m wondering if a mullet would work for me on technical east coast trails with little elevation gain? Thank you for putting on this podcast!!
  • 2 0
 Glad you like hearing us ramble on! We'll line up a mullet-cast soon Smile
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: If they have a mullet cast then they have to ride a 2001-2004 Big Hit for testing purposes.
  • 3 0
 Question for next time: How do you all go about deciding when to wear additional protective gear? Mostly referring to a full face helmet. Is it a super calculated process or more just what you're feeling like on a given day? Thanks.
  • 8 0
 The way I see it, if you are in a position that is making you think twice about the half shell, reach for the full face.
  • 13 0
 In my mind, there's only one rule: Wear what you want to feel comfortable and safe, no matter the type of ride.
  • 2 0
 Having a convertible helmet makes this easier. If I know my ride up is going to be a sweaty mess, I’ll put the chin bar on my hip pack and then go full face on the downhill.

If I’m doing lift-serviced riding, full face only. Otherwise I’m mostly in half shell mode.
  • 7 0
 If you feel like "Maybe I should wear that full face today", maybe you should wear that full face today.
  • 9 0
 @JSTootell: I can't stand pedaling in kneepads but that's the rule I use for them as well. For some reason, if the idea pops into my head, I gotta put them on or I ride nervous!
  • 1 0
 Given how long a dentist appt takes to get right now in covid I wear mine all the time. I can’t imagine how long it would take to get my teeth crammed back in right now.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: and vice versa if I’m all padded up for a ride that doesn’t need it I always find a way to make myself crash because I’m
Over confident of the safety equipment. My two worst crashes the last 3 years were the two times I tried to wear a Leatt and ended up with a dislocation in one shoulder and an AC tear in the other.
  • 3 0
 Prefer the Shimano road disc brakes brake action, shift quality and hood shape over SRAM but absolutely hate the brake lever moving sideways. So putting up with SRAM until wireless DI2 finally comes around (because retrofitting DI2 as it is now seems ridiculously complicated from a "what parts work with which other parts and what junctions, cables, connectors do I even need" point of view)...
  • 1 0
 Everything you need to know about Di2:
1. You must have an A junction and a battery.
2. If you have front and rear shifting, either both derailleurs need to be road or both need to be mountain.

Other than that there are no rules. TT shifters on your 1x XTR? Sure. Connect left shifter to right shifter and right shifter to A junction? Works fine. Three B junctions and every shifter they make? As long as you have a place to plug everything in it will work.
  • 1 0
 @fullfacemike: Cheers. That makes it sound a lot easier than the official "combination tables" make it look. Might look into that again so.
  • 3 0
 Every "10 wORsT PrOdUCts eVEr" clickbait MTB article has dual control, biopace, sling shot frames, flex stems, elastomer forks in it. What are the actual 10 worst products ever?

Carbon seatstays on mid 2000's hardtails and road bikes. Adding weight AND cost!
resin only rotors
bikes coming with non-tubeless wheels long after WTB, Bontrager, Sun Rims, etc... had inexpensive rims available
Flat pedal shoes that aren't 5.10s
Narrow flat bars, long stems, bad geometry when we knew better.
  • 12 0
 Fuck resin-only rotors.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: Are some Shimano IceTech rotors resin-only?
  • 5 0
 Can’t believe it’s already the 21st episode. I remember the first one, and been looking forward to it every week. Keep them up
  • 2 0
 Same here. We're having fun making them - glad you're enjoying it.
  • 3 0
 So I just binge listened to all 21 podcasts in the course of a few days. Love the podcast guys!

Does anyone else find it amusing that @brianpark wants to see $1k full suspension bikes become a thing, but also that bike brands should have 10-15 different molds for every model so they can have size specific chainstays but at the same time everything should be cheaper? Seems like a game of pick 2 would be more realistic. Aaaand then also at the same time as all this other stuff should have more options and be cheaper and barriers to entry for mtn biking should be lower, Brian’s hypothetical bike shop would charge a ton for service and only sell mid to high end bikes?? Where is the consistency Brian!? All in fun. But seriously... haha
  • 2 0
 They don't need to be the same bikes. A $1K full suspension would have 1 or 2 sizes tops. And it wouldn't be sold in shops.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Which sweat shop in Asia will be making your $1k bikes?
  • 2 0
 @JoshieK: the same ones that currently make everyone's $4K bikes.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: So you will just pay them even less? sounds ethical! The only way to achieve your goal would be through theft of IP of products and manufaturing processes of already existing products. Also sounds pretty ethical. raw material cost for a frame is something close to a quarter of the cost of this proposed bike. Never mind the raw material for the rest of the bike. And so what gives. Some where fat has to be trimmed. That will be in the form of quality (reliability) and wages. Big north american brands are already outsourcing there labour there because despite having to ship it across the ocean its cheaper (are you not woke enough to think of the environment?).
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: and I'm not done yet. I work two jobs, on is as a small volume frame builder. Profit margins are so slim that i can no longer rely on this as a sole income, I work 8 hours a day as a fabricator machinist, then moonlight in my workshop building frames. Flooding the market with your sweat shop built bikes is only putting more cash into the hands of corporate fat cats who loose no sleep over leveraging low income earners to add value to their corporation. I remember a friend buying a full suspension bike back about 2000ish for about the money you wish for. It was a shit bike all the way back then. Inflation, regulatory costs, liability, have all forced prices up since then. You've rocks in your head.
  • 2 0
 @mikekazimer is there any way to get Sara a real microphone? She is great on the podcast but it's painful to listen to her compared to everyone else, sounds like she's under water... at the next door neighbors house... It's night and day different then you and Kaz, stop hogging the good audio equipment!!
  • 6 0
 I haven't been wrong about anything. Since my divorce.
  • 1 0
 Love the podcast guys and gals! I have a topic idea I think would be interesting to cover...how about bike set up tips for the non-average rider? For example I’m just an average sized female but I already have had to do some weird set up things with my controls and such because of small hands and take out volume spacers because of my lighter weight, etc. I’d bet that tall riders, short riders, overweight riders might have encountered issues like this as well and could benefit from your experience
  • 1 0
 I'd love to see bar manufacturers adopt a smaller diameter, like the SDG 19mm kids bar. Then smaller hands could grab the bars better, and larger hands can get more "travel" in their grips for the same outer diameter they currently have.
  • 1 0
 Do all Mips full face helmets make the wearer go deaf? I just bough the Smith mainline helmet and its almost unwearable because the sound of the mips liner rubbing around the inside is so squeaky and loud. Are all full face helmets with mips liners loud like this? or are there other full face helmets that are quieter for enduro riding?
  • 1 0
 nah thats just a problem with all of the smith mainlines haha
  • 4 0
 @sarahmoore is right! fatbike is a must in quebec! no off season! It's also fun when I ride with slower friends!
  • 3 1
 Mike vs Mike Stumpy vs Evo Stumpy video...@mikelevy was still on the geo train...Evo geo is now the standard
www.pinkbike.com/news/mike-vs-mike-specialized-stumpjumper-vs-evo.html
  • 4 0
 Shimano rapid rise was legit. If it was brought to clutch deralleurs and modern gear numbers it would be amazing.
  • 3 0
 Agreed, but they shouldn't have asked everyone to shift backwards to make it work: www.pinkbike.com/news/good-ideas-executed-poorly-opinion.html
  • 1 0
 Maybe Rapid-Rise will be featured on the new DI2?

One can only dream. And also then need to run DI2.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy one thing that you really nailed is the water bottle mounts needing to be in the front triangle. Hadn't had a water bottle mounted to a mtb frame since I got my first camelback (sometime around 98 ). But, since having the ability to carry two full size water bottles on my hardtail fat bike, I can't ever see going back. I've tried the under the frame mount on my Canfield and its just not the same. Way to much organic material with each sip.
  • 1 0
 I don't know why more bike manus, or bottle manus make more bottles that can fit bikes that can't accommodate traditional bottles. Even custom jobs. YT did so, Camelbak I'm lookin' at you. If frame bag manus can do it, I'm sure bottle manus can...
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer - I'm with you on ebikes. I'm sure they are fun (I haven't ridden one and have no real desire to) but I like the sense of achievement on cleaning a hard climb on a meat powered bike - especially if I can do it single speed.
  • 1 0
 There are plenty of skinnies scattered around the Minnesota trails. Probably because we have a lot of dull terrain. I've fallen off enough of them to know not to bother with them. I may be wrong about 27.5 but I don't care. I'm very happy with my 5010 on my local trails. I will say I was wrong about ebikes. Seems they are out there but no one seems to care about them being on our trails. I thought for sure runners and hikers would be crying foul about them on our trails.
  • 1 0
 The EWS season being later in the year has already "put the cat among the pidgeons" with weather conditions being quite poor at Zermatt. However, it has offered the riders a new challenge in terms of riding in more autumnal conditions. With that in mind a question for the podcast. Does the EWS "search for the worlds best mountain biker" actually mean the "search for the worlds best SUMMER mountain biker?" Whilst it might it be popular, would it not be better to run a longer series which extends into the winter months with longer gaps between rounds? Mountain Biking dosent stop at the end of the race season in most places. Certainly at present riders who live in warmer climates seem to be at an advantage.
  • 1 0
 Going back to the theme for the episode and things you were wrong about. I would draw your attention to episode 4 of the podcast and a discussion on how impossible it would be to have the Tour de France happen before a single venue mtb event........... ????????
  • 3 0
 I have a question for the crew. Have any of them got really jealous over a bike that another editor had.
  • 3 0
 I think it works out well with @mikekazimer and myself as he seems to enjoy the longer travel stuff whereas I tend to gravitate towards shorter travel. Not set in stone, though.
  • 10 0
 @mikelevy gets jealous anytime someone else gets to review something weird.
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: Since you guys seem to hate reviewing hardtails, I can always be your sucker. You guys will never be jealous.

Though, I wouldn't mind an occasional long travel bike...
  • 1 0
 @JSTootell: For you first hardtail review, how about a Reeb ReDikyelous? With 410mm chainstays, among other things, it's not following the formula of longer/lower/slacker that seems to be taking over the world.
  • 1 0
 @albert03: Drop one in the mail, I'll ride it!

If it sucks, I still have my E29 to go back to to make me happy again.
  • 1 0
 Question for next episode: What is going on with the Specialized Status? What do y’all know about it and is Specialized ever going to give it a wide release or put it on their website?
  • 2 0
 In the next episode you should address the latency of the first real fantasy league results of the year. Smile
The podcast is great, please keep it running!
  • 1 1
 Dual Control flip floppy controls were crap from the get go. I felt like I was in a fight with myself like Jim Carrey in Me Myself and Irene when I worked on other people's bikes. My left hand would smack my right when it went to turn the barrel adjuster the wrong way
  • 3 0
 Dual Control were great, once you allowed yourself considerable time to get used to it! Took quite a while to learn to isolate your bar control movements from your forces on the brake levers.
  • 2 0
 Agreed but THEY'RE SO NEAT! I'm looking forward to installing them on a bike for an upcoming Explainer video, although I don't think Squamish's trails are ideal...
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: I was a fan of dual control, but not because of the levers. The Rapid-Rise rear derailleur is what I liked. Just seemed to work well to have spring tension pulling it into the lower ratio. Never had to fight it getting into gear.
  • 1 0
 Dual control would be great on a flat bar gravel bike build. They weren't bad, shift down with your ring finger, shift up with your thumb or index finger.
  • 2 0
 @krisrayner: Rapid Rise was also great. Another design that failed because people wouldn't spend a few days getting used to it. As you said, much lighter spring force, plus reduced shifter stress from not desperately pulling for a nonexistent lower ratio when you're already in first.
  • 4 0
 @krisrayner: Yup, Rapid Rise did make sense. Asking people to change how this shift certainly does not, though: www.pinkbike.com/news/good-ideas-executed-poorly-opinion.html
  • 1 0
 @racerfacer: I use them on my commuter bike, a randonneur (drop bar touring bike) converted to flat bar that now could be called a gravel bike. Works great. Got the dual controls for handful of coins some years ago when they couldn't sell them to mountainbikers anymore.
Wouldn't use them on rough trails, however, gost-shifts when drops are higher than average curbs.
  • 1 0
 @R-M-R: I didn't care for dual control, but I'm a twist shift guy. I do, however, love the Campy ergopower(2002, no I don't ride it often) on my Major Jake.
  • 1 0
 @R-M-R: I agree. They were brilliant. I has them on my Scott genius back in the day. Worked well, super easy to change gear and made for a really neat handlebar setup which my cable ocd approved of
  • 1 0
 Is there a specific tire combo would you recommend for a plus bike? I've been happy with a 2.8 Hans Dampf/2.6 Nobby Nic combo on my hardtail but I don't have any experience with much else.
  • 2 0
 Something 2.6" WT from Maxxis.
  • 2 0
 OK but then does a plus bike cease to be a plus bike? 2.6 was squarely in "plus" territory for like two years when plus bikes were trying to be THE THING, and now you see them show up on a whole bunch of regular ol' mountain bikes.
  • 1 0
 @j-t-g: My Rustler came with a set of 2.6 DHF/DHRII and it’s not advertised as a plus bike... But I’ve also see things like 2.6 WT from Maxxis and I get totally lost.

What even is “plus” anymore?
  • 4 0
 @Osirian 2.8 and up is generally considered plus, in that the large volume makes them similar-ish to the outer diameter of a ~29x2.2 tire.

@Keitholbean if you like plus tires definitely don't let us dissuade you. Especially on a hardtail they do have advantages. Going down to front and rear 2.6WT tires may get your bottom bracket too low. Depends how you you want it to ride.
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: To me plus tires make the most sense to be on a hardtail, especially for the majority of trails I ride. And I'm always the one having the most fun on the trail, especially when it starts getting a bit rowdy.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: that means my ibis hd4 is a plus bike as that’s what it came stock with? Along with many other brands now. Does that mean lots of us are riding plus bikes without knowing it?
  • 2 0
 I don't like modern mountain bikes as much as bikes just a little older. They feel too long now ... Like I'm getting "in it" instead of "on it"
  • 1 0
 I have a 2020 29er with modern geo and all the things, how many years before I look back and see it was not the ultimate evolution of the trail bike? I'm guessing five or fewer.
  • 1 1
 So a topic I think a lot about (also tied into some of my academic research) is how we change throughout the life span as humans. This is both impacted by the way the world has interacted with us and changes how we interact with the world. I think an interesting discussion would be how mountain biking changes through the lifespan and how biking changes us. This could be a general topic but would also be interesting to hear your own stories. For example, the drive when we are younger to perhaps take more risk, to establish our social place but then as we get older often move towards biking that is less risky, more social, gives back more, etc... of course, as always, there is huge variability between people. I think it would be interesting to hear your narratives on this. How has your mountain biking changed over the years and how has mountain biking changed you? Maybe also if your young mountain biking self could give your older biking self advice and vice versa also... like don't send it to flat on the 24 Porn King hardtail?
  • 2 0
 Could you do a podcast on what the bike industry was wrong about? Bad idea, products that didn't work, standards that never got adopted etc.
  • 1 0
 e-bikes!!!
  • 1 0
 Did @mikekazimer grow up in CT? How did he end up there? There was a big MTB community in my hometown near the Cannondale HQ. Maybe that is why?
  • 2 0
 Yep, that's where I grew up - I'm originally from Glastonbury.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: Got it. I'm from Bethel. Ever do the Jack Rabbit Run put on by NORBA? My v-brakes failed and I had to walk myself out to my parents in '98. You were probably one of the people who crushed me at those races. www.nytimes.com/1997/08/17/nyregion/still-crazy-about-mountain-biking.html
  • 2 0
 @penguinni, ha, I sure did. I used to race that whole series, and the Route 66 races too.
  • 2 0
 Question for next time: why aren't double discs on the front wheel like on motorbikes a thing?
  • 3 0
 Getting a consistent bite point for both calipers (with automatic brake pad adjustment) must be horror. I'm not into motorbikes but curious, how is the hose routing? Does it go from one caliper to the other (like on hydraulic rim brakes) or do both hoses travel to the same master? Either way, I think bleeding these brakes must be challenging.
  • 1 0
 Motocross bikes also use a single disc. Dual rotors would only be needed if a single rotor would be impractically huge and it would be lighter and/or cheaper or use dual rotors and dual calipers.

Interestingly, some street motorcycles have used a single, rim-mounted (vs. hub-mounted) rotor.
  • 1 1
 Dirt bikes only use one disc up front due to not having enough traction to need more braking power. Probably similar to an MTB. Smaller road motorcycles may only use a single disc. One of the best brakes I have ever squeezed in my life was on a 125GP bike with a single disc. One finger would put you over the bars. I loved that bike.

On dual disc systems, both calipers are controlled by a single master cylinder. Equal hydraulic pressure is applied to all pistons. Brake line length is equal for that reason (at least on performance models).

@R-M-R: Never use Buell as an example of anything done right. They are like the Cannondale of the motorcycle world, except they failed over and over and over again. Former Buell owner, what a pile of junk (I bought into the hype).
  • 4 0
 We don't need that much power as we have far less traction, lower weight, etc.
  • 2 0
 @JSTootell: Yeah, Buell's execution was lacking, but there were some interesting ideas.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: either one hose from the master to a y-junction with short hoses to each caliper, or long banjo bolt at the master with two full length hoses, one for each caliper. Bleeding was never really an issue, much the same as with most cars. Some banjo bolts have a bleeder built in so you can bleed the master separately from the calipers, mostly seen in track/race bikes.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: Bleeding the Brembo M50s on my last bike took way less time and was much easier than the 4 pot SLXs on my MTB. Caliper furthest from MC, caliper closest, MC, done. Ideally you'd get ABS to pulse right before a bleed to get any air trapped in the system out.
  • 2 0
 @JSTootell: As a current owner of Buell motorcycles, and Cannondale atvs/dirtbikes you have hurt my feelings.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer so when is the review on that new embargoed Maxxis tire coming that was ridden all over Zermatt on the weekend? Assuming this is the new bad weather favourite?
  • 2 0
 One of the best so far! Thanks for making me laugh and I think you guys are a good combo for the podcast. Keep it up!
  • 1 0
 Definitely interested in hearing your thoughts on mullet bikes. Especially 'is it better to mullet a 27.5 bike or a 29'r'?
  • 1 0
 Are the EWS Fantasy standings updated yet?!
  • 1 0
 You guys are awesome, just letting you know Smile
  • 1 1
 Is it worth having a DH bike these days with all the long travel single crown options?
  • 1 0
 Yes. Or throw a dual crown fork on a so rated enduro frame if you’re looking for one bike solution.
  • 1 1
 Bigger tires work better for heavier riders. I have no doubt that a couple of 155lb riders see no use for tires 2.8 and up.
  • 3 0
 Shitty sidewalls on plus-sized tires certainly don't work well for bigger riders, though. That was part of the issue with some of those early plus tires. My advice: get on some 2.6" WT Maxxis tires with appropriate sidewalls Smile
  • 2 0
 I am 190 lb and see no use for 2.8+ tires for any type of mountain biking that involves cornering. The promise of plus bikes died when tire manufacturers couldn't make supportive enough sidewalls that didn't also weigh 2000g each.
  • 1 0
 Suggestion for future podcast: tyre inserts. Cushcore have a plus size tyre insert which could resolve a lot of the current negatives with plus tyres. Ok so it's heavy, but there are other ways around that, and other insert Co's on the market. Not just for plus tyres though, they have a lot of potential. Aren't we all yearning for a 'no flat's' world?
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Maxxis Chronicles are the perfect example of that. I had some 29x3.0 and they would just get too squirmy on corners.
  • 1 0
 @tremeer023: If tyres did their job, inserts wouldn't be needed. Air is free, run a proper casing and don't worry about it.
Like others I looked at plus tires and thought, how do they weigh so little? And the reason is they have no sidewall.
It's come up on either here or mtbr, tyre companies can make the perfect tyre, we're just too obsessed with weight to run them.
  • 1 0
 @ChazzMichaelMichaels: yes, I'm not going to try and make a case for plus sized tyres, especially for aggressive riding. You lose all precision of tyre placement on the trail with anything over 2.5/2.6 I find. Maybe for beginners.

But, no love for tyre inserts? I predict a lot more innovation in this area. Potentially to be integrated with the tyre or rim, and they don't need to follow the same design as current offerings. It could be the answer to a lot of goals (increased grip, flat protection, trail buzz).

I could be wrong though, haha.
  • 1 0
 EVERYTHING IS FINE NOW THANKS
  • 5 0
 You're welcome, but I think your caps lock is still stuck.
  • 4 0
 @mikekazimer: WAIT THERE'S A LOCK FEATURE? I JUST HOLD DOWN SHIFT WITH MY UM NOSE
  • 1 0
 "To be faiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrr"
  • 1 0
 Someone should mod an RFX 38 to fit on the new Procaliber just because.
  • 3 4
 Pro tip: buy your hot girlfriend an ebike. Win win for everyone.
  • 4 4
 Amateur tip: Make sure she doesn't talk about her bike, with anyone. Especially not on Pinkbike.
  • 1 1
 Bought my last GF a 130mm non eBike. She still rides it over a year later after we split. She still doesn't have an interest in eBikes. Current GF bought a road bike and MTB, no eBike. She has no interest. Of course, she is also an ultra runner...
  • 1 0
 Pro tip: take hot girlfriend on rides, you'll get into shape chasing her up hills, never ran out of snacks, and people will call you a genius.
  • 1 2
 The trick here is get gf into bike fashion, got to look good on the trails and post ride hangs. Point out those cool hats and t-shirts on bike shops and you'll soon double your wardrobe.
  • 2 0
 @kurtmac2: SO .. get them to do exactly what the guys do then .. easy!!! .. although, we are deluded if we think we look either good or cool in your MTB gear, especially when we join the normals in the pub ... we look daft AF, but, we love it!!!







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