What's Grinding Our Gears and Stoking Our Spokes in 2019 [Podcast #189]

What’s Grinding Our Gears and Stoking Our Spokes in 2019 [Podcast #189]

We discuss some of the positive trends we're seeing, along with some of the potentially negative things that could affect mountain biking in the future.

By Jeff Barber
February 4, 2019 Last Updated: January 26, 2021

4 comments

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Mountain biking is riding a wave of popularity at the moment, and it’s a good time to be a rider. We’re seeing progression in everything from bikes and trails to racing, so we thought it would be helpful to give our take on some of the trends we’re tracking in 2019.

Matt and Jeff discuss some of the positive trends we’re seeing, along with some of the potentially negative things that could affect mountain biking in the future. We also touch on some of the trends that we predict will fade this year.

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4 Comments

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Jim Klaas Oregon // 2015
Feb 4, 2019

All my local bike shops sell beer, and/or do rentals and shuttles. I don’t really shop at my local shops much. I have always really enjoyed working on my own bikes and as local shops modified their business model more and more towards tourists I drifted more and more to online. With YouTube working on your own bike became pretty easy. You have to invest in some tools but for 90% of the work there just aren’t that many tools needed. At $50+ an hour for repairs I can justify a lot of top shelf bike specific tools. Rebuilding front and rear shocks or dropper posts, bleeding brakes etc just isn’t that tough nor does it require a lot of tools. I also just didn’t want to deal with the down time. I still bought my bikes locally, never asked for a deal and always paid cash. I have always believed that if you work on your own bike, you will be a better rider and your bike will be in better shape. I think mt bikes take a big hit when kids go to college. A lot of colleges have minimal to zero storage for any bike worth owning. My kid is going to a school in New England next year and there is no way he will take his $$$$ mt bike. I am currently trying to talk him into taking a Surly fattywith full racks and packs! Which I am pretty sure would be a blast on campus and easy to maintain.

0 reply

ericshell Pennsylvania // 2017
Feb 25, 2019

I loved this PODCAST. It is very relevant to me.After researching mountain bike destinations my wife and I are going on our 2 Summer trips to mountain bike destinations. The first one is Kingdom Trails in Burke Vt. and the 2nd one is Pisgah National forest in North Carolina. I also found the part of LBS interesting. When I started my mountain biking (Or should I say REstarted) My LBS was very active in finding me the proper bike. Getting the proper fit and buying the right gear. They saved me tons of money by helping me avoid expensive mistakes. I think there will always be a place for the LBS but they may have to reinvent themselves. Once again a fantastic PODCAST! Well done

Chris Bonsall New Jersey // 2017
Feb 7, 2019

Pretty Cool Pod Cast. However, I have some gripes for several of your view points. Plus is not dead! Yes it seems to be fading, but those who've ridden 1.95 to 2.2 tires since the beginning wouldn't revert back once they Ride a Plus Tire. I've never been a fan of anything 29er. See they have their benefits, but so do 26ers. One thing you got completely right is, the Bike Industry would probably benefit and make EVERY Mountain Biker happy by just making 27.5, 2.6 Bikes. Personally feel its the ultimate sweet spot. Nonetheless, until that day come, I'll stick with my Salsa Timberjack and have faith in my 27.5, 2.8 Plus Tires. To keep it perfectly honest, I'd love to own a CroMoly Steel 26er MTB wit 2.8 Tires. Unfortunately, well never see such a Beast. WTB makes superb Tires with minimal weight, so if any company is going to save the Plus Tire....my Money is on Wilderness Trail Bikes to come through.

I'm tired of hearing about MTBikes and the Wilderness Act. Personally don't give a shIt, there is a Million Square Acres of Public Land at our use that isn't sanctioned by the Government. If someday its opened to us, Awesome, if not it's not going to change the Access we already enjoy. Let keep and help preserve what's already ours.

I'm not in favor of E-Bikes, unless you physically or mentally need one to enjoy the Ride. They are a Motorized Vehicle and should be treated as one on the Trail, unless you are physically or mentally challenge. I'm sorry if you don't agree.

Jim Klaas Oregon // 2015
Feb 7, 2019

I don't own one but I am a fan of E-Fat bikes. I live in a place that has hundreds of miles of forested area. Sometime in the early Fall all the gravel roads are closed. I ride a standard 27.5 until the snow hits and then there are months when having a little extra juice on my 4.8", 5- 8psi fatty would be a great way to extend the miles I can put between me and the rest of mankind. There are absolutely beautiful secluded mountain ponds I like to get my dog to during the winter. I also think we should keep tabs on the Wilderness Act, I have gotten very used to not seeing another person when I ride or hike. Once you get used to not seeing anybody for days it just feels right.

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