Chatting Crankworx, Hard MTB League, Goldilocks Tires & More with Special Guest Sophie Allen Ep. 166

Steven and Jonathan dig deep into how to prepare for your next big race or big day on the bike. Gear, psychology, logistics, nutrition and training – it's all covered. Topics covered in this episode: • Why we’re excited for SRAM GX Eagle • Suspension tuning for clydesdales • Should you shift gears under power? • How to afford a new bike • How to get better at bunny hopping • Is starting on a hardtail really a good idea? • How does an incorrect chainline affect your drivetrain? • Are you goofy footed on the bike, and does it matter? • Why you can’t estimate power accurately on the trail • Can you use TrainerRoad outside? • A good XC bike for the East Coast • Can you pick a bad bike these days? •• How to prepare for a race or dig bay on the bike •• • YouTube Mountain Bikers • Cannondale SuperX, Subaru Crosstrek, and Küat Sherpa

27 Jul 20171h 27min

Kurt "The Angry Singlespeeder" Gensheimer joins Steven and Jonathan for discussions on fat tires, new Santa Cruz bikes, and the debate between modernized trails and primitive ones. Being a purveyor of historic trail, Kurt gives us insight on why we should get off the flow trails from now and then and head back in time. Topics covered in this episode: – Jonathan's Whistler trip – Santa Cruz Hightower LT – How to repair a scratch on your frame – Picking the right bike for the trails you ride – Cheap wheels with wide internal width – When you should go for aluminum wheels instead of carbon – Full suspension, or stick with a hard tail with larger volume tires? – How to conquer arm pump – What are floating brake rotors, and why don't you see more of them? – Modern vs. Primitive trail – How to find primitive trail and how to appreciate it – What you can do to maintain primitive trail, and why you should be doing it

20 Jul 20171h 17min

Steven returns from BC and Jonathan gets ready for Whistler! But first, they cover the latest releases & answer your questions. Topics covered in this episode: • People are suing bike parks: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/injured-rider-unsuccessful-in-lawsuit-against-whistler-bike-park.html • Pinkbike shows what goes into starting a bike company: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-went-to-taiwan-and-started-a-bike-company.html • New Giant Anthem 29er: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/giant-introduces-new-anthem-29-xc-race-bike.html • One Up EDC Tool: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/oneup-components-edc-everyday-carry-available-now.html • 2018 Intense Carbine: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/intense-carbine-2018-first-look.html • 2018 Marin Bikes: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/marin-2018-bikes.html • 2018 Orbea Rallon: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/new-orbea-rallon-2018-first-look-and-first-ride.html • Angelfire Pro XCT: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/pro-xct-and-pro-grt-return-to-angel-fire.html • 2018 BMC Speedfox: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bmc-speedfox-01-first-ride.html • Tips for USA National Championships • Why doesn't MTB racing have good coverage / exposure? • Shoes, pads and pack picks of the hosts • Is it bad to wear different brand kit than your bike? • How to avoid nerves when racing • Wide tires, plus bikes, short travel – how to choose • Picking a bike that will be easy on your back • How to use SRAM Eagle on a direct-drive trainer • Why does your lower back tighten up when riding? • Is there anything Jonathan and Steve disagree on? • How to use Shimano cranks in a BB30 frame • Why a modern XC bike could be the perfect bike for most people • Should you lube your cables? • High Altitude Lines: A Yeti Tribe Story: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/high-altitude-lines-a-yeti-tribe-story.html • WTB PadLoc Grips: https://www.wtb.com/pages/wtb-introduces-padloc-grips

1 Jul 20171h 8min

Special Guests Sofía Gomez Villafañe (Assos / Pivot) and Keegan Swenson (Cannondale 3Rox) joined Steven and Jonathan for a quick look into the life of a pro XC racer and a deep dive into tire tech. Topics covered in this episode: • How much does a pro XC racer train? • How do pros determine how much they should train? • The work/life balance of a pro MTB racer • How to read a tire's tread pattern • What tread profiles are best for XC? • What tread profiles are best for trail and enduro? • What to know about tire rubber compounds • What durometer rubber should you have? • Durability vs. traction • What effect does a tire's casing have on it's handling? • What is TPI? • How to know if a tire is fast rolling or not • How sidewall construction affects strength, weight and rolling resistance • How does tire width affect a tire's performance? • How to match your tire to your rim

22 Jun 20171h 13min

With Steven back from vacation and Jonathan getting ready for Carson City Off-Road, we jumped into the biggest product releases, race results from the XC and DH world and answered your questions. Topics covered in this episode: • Leogang World Cup: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/final-results-leogang-dh-world-cup-2017.html • Missoula Pro XCT: https://competitivetiming.com/missoula-xc-results/ • SRAM GX Eagle: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/gx-eagle-srams-new-wallet-friendly-12-speed-drivetrain.html •Ohlins Forks: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/hlins-debuts-new-trailenduro-forks.html • X-Fusion Manic Dropper: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/x-fusions-199-manic-dropper-post-review-2017.html • Fox Float DPX2: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/fox-float-dpx2-shock-first-look-2017.html • Carson City Off-Road Prep • How to choose between updating your shock or simply servicing it? • What can you power while spinning on a trainer? • How to get stronger as a cyclist • Why pushing a big gear doesn't make you stronger • How to strength train for cycling • Are you sure you're bonking and not just tired or not warmed up? • What your body does while warming up • Why the beginning of your workouts is always hard • MTB road trip from Colorado to California • Squish Dynamics: http://squishdynamics.com • WTB Riddler: https://www.wtb.com/products/riddler

15 Jun 201753min

Jonathan and Steven look into the new Santa Cruz Nomad, saddle choices, why your jockey wheels get greasy and more! Topics covered in this episode: • US Open of DH Results • The new Santa Cruz Nomad • What to know before you upgrade to wider tires and wheels • First things to upgrade on a baseline bike • Should you go to a skills clinic, or trust online coaching? • Why does gunk build up on your jockey wheels? • What chain lube is best in different conditions • How to protect your carbon frame from damage when riding • Norco Torrent FS+ 7.2 vs. the Norco Sight 7.3 • Can you get insurance for your bike? • How to pick a saddle • Can saddles really wear out? • Why are downhillers losing their minds over 29" wheels? • e*Thirteen TRS Dropper user review • Yeti Tundra 105 cooler: http://yeti.com/tundra-105-cooler • BMC Team Machine SLR01: http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/us-en/bikes/road/altitude-teammachine-slr01_disc-team/

11 Jun 20171h

Jonathan pre-rode the 2017 Edition of the Carson City Off-Road by Epic Rides. Get the detailed break down in this episode, and see the course preview here: https://youtu.be/c3yy0mSO7mg Topics covered in this episode: – EWS Ireland - Albstadt UCI XCO – Iron Horse Bicycle Classic – Ibis HD4: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/ibis-hd4-review.html – BME Santa Fe Season Opener – Trans-Sylvania Epic – Backcountry Research Straps – Best MTB light that uses a GoPro mount – Training advice for High School MTB racers – How to get your derailleur pulleys clean – Best CX tires for gravel riding – What to know when painting your frame – Carson City Off-Road Preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3yy0mSO7mg&t=2s – www.instagram.com/thehardopen – Cuore Cycling Kit: www.cuore.ch

1 Jun 20171h 3min

Jonathan and Steven review the first round of the UCI XCO World Cup in Nove Mesto, The Epic Rides Grand Junction Off-Road and answer more of your questions. Topics covered in this episode: • Shirts, Sweatshirts, Stickers and more at MTBpodcast.com • Float X2 clarification • Grand Junction Off-Road review • XCO Nove Mesto Review • Carson City Off-Road course change • Lost & Found course change • Non-quick release thru axles? • How to train for enduro racing • Do you really need pedals with a platform? • Are long / inverted stems relevant? • Can you "cram" for training? • Best sub $3,000 trail bikes • How to plan the color palette of your bike • WTB tires for Enduro, gravel, XC and CX

28 Mai 201757min