Bike Filth

Mountain biking before YouTube was a completely different world. No Instagram. No Trailforks. No endless bike reviews. No race clips appearing seconds after the finish. If you wanted your mountain bike fix, you had magazines, VHS tapes, catalogues, bike shops and whatever information your mates could give you. In this episode of Bike Filth, we're going back to the days before mountain biking l...

Mountain bike technology is constantly changing. But what happens to all those innovations that were supposed to be the future... and then disappeared? In this episode of Bike Filth, we're heading back through mountain bike history to look at some of the weirdest, cleverest and most forgotten MTB technology ever created. From suspension stems and Girvin linkage forks to Shimano Rapid Rise, Dua...

**Mountain biking used to be absolutely INSANE… so what happened to freeride? 🤘🚵**Before perfectly sculpted bike parks, social media clips and modern enduro bikes, there was a generation of riders building terrifying wooden structures in Canadian forests, launching off cliffs and pushing mountain bikes far beyond what they were ever designed to do. This was **freeride**.In this episode of Bike F...

26 inch ruled mountain biking for decades… then it almost disappeared. So who killed it? 🚵‍♂️💀There was a time when you didn't choose your mountain bike wheel size. You bought a mountain bike… and it came with **26-inch wheels**.Cross-country? 26". Downhill? 26". Freeride? 26". That questionable bike you got for Christmas? Probably 26". 😂Then along came the 29er. Then 27...

Mountain bikes used to be simple… didn’t they? 🚵‍♂️26-inch wheels, triple chainrings, narrow bars, questionable brakes and maybe a bit of suspension if you were feeling fancy. Fast-forward to today and we’ve got 29ers, 12-speed drivetrains, dropper posts, tubeless tyres, electronic shifting, adjustable everything… and mountain bikes that can cost more than a decent second-hand car. So, **what hap...

🏔️ **I MADE A MOUNTAIN BIKE MANAGEMENT GAME… despite having absolutely no idea how to code.**🎮 **PLAY THE RIDE EMPIRE ALPHA FREE:** 👉 https://play.unity.com/en/games/79ad9e8d-c91d-439f-84f0-26a83dcadda2/downhillmanagerwebbuildI've spent far too many hours of my life playing Football Manager, and at some point I started wondering…**Why isn't there a Football Manager for mountain biking?**...

How did a small bike company from Vancouver Island become one of mountain biking’s most talked-about cult brands? In this episode of Bike Filth, we take a look at the story of Forbidden Bike Company — from the launch of the original Druid and its distinctive high-pivot suspension design to the Dreadnought, racing, idler pulleys and the loyal following that grew around the brand. Forbidden certainl...

Think you know Azonic? Think again. Before carbon cockpits, wireless drivetrains and featherweight components, Azonic was building some of the toughest mountain bike parts money could buy. Their stems, handlebars and pedals became legendary during the rise of downhill and freeride, trusted by riders who pushed bikes further than ever before. In this episode of Bike Filth, we dive into the story of...

For decades, Merida quietly built bicycles behind the scenes while other brands took the credit. Today they're one of the biggest names in cycling, a major force in mountain biking, road cycling and even a key investor in Specialized. But none of it would have happened without one moment that changed everything. In this episode of  Bike Filth , we uncover the incredible history of  Merida Bike...

Diamondback was once one of the biggest names in BMX and mountain biking. From legendary BMX race bikes like the Turbo and Silver Streak to World Championship-winning mountain bike teams featuring riders such as Cadel Evans, Susan DeMattei and Dave Cullinan, Diamondback helped shape cycling history. So what happened? In this episode of  Bike Filth , we dive into the incredible rise of Diamondback,...

Think you know Voodoo Bikes? Think again. Most riders in the UK know Voodoo as the brand behind the legendary Bizango, but its story began long before it appeared in Halfords. In this video, we explore the fascinating history of Voodoo Bicycles—from mountain bike pioneer Joe Murray and the birth of a cult American brand, to the bikes that earned a loyal following and the partnership that made Vood...

Have you ever assumed  Univega  was a German bike brand? You’re not alone… and that’s exactly what I thought too. In this episode of  Bike Filth , we’re diving into the fascinating history of Univega, a brand whose story spans  California, Italy, Japan and Germany . What started as the vision of bicycle importer  Ben Lawee  became one of the most respected names in cycling, producing legendary roa...

Ever wondered who Claud Butler was… and whether he was actually a butler? In this episode of Bike Filth, we dive into the fascinating history of one of Britain’s most recognisable bicycle brands. From Claud Butler’s legendary lightweight racing bikes of the 1920s and 30s to the modern brand found in bike shops today, we uncover the real story behind the name. We’ll also untangle one of cycling’s b...

What Happened to Muddy Fox? | The Rise and Fall of Britain’s Biggest MTB BrandBefore Orange, Whyte and Cotic became household names in British mountain biking, there was Muddy Fox. Founded in 1984 by Ari Hajipetrou and Drew Lawson, Muddy Fox helped introduce a generation of riders to mountain biking. Their Japanese-built bikes, manufactured by Araya, earned a reputation for quality and innovation,...

The bike industry is collapsing - but is it the economy, or their own fault? In this video, we dive into why bike companies are struggling, what's behind the closures, and how consumer habits have changed the cycling world forever.

Before freeride mountain biking exploded in popularity, before bike parks became mainstream, and before long-travel bikes dominated the trails, there was Foes Racing. Founded by Baja truck fabricator Brent Foes in 1992, Foes Racing built some of the most innovative and extreme mountain bikes the sport had ever seen. From the groundbreaking LTS and F1 fork to the legendary DHS Mono, Foes helped sha...

Founded by Tony Ellsworth in 1991, the California-based company became one of the most respected boutique mountain bike manufacturers of the late 1990s and 2000s. Known for their handcrafted frames, innovative ICT suspension design, and iconic models like the Truth, Moment, Epiphany, and Dare, Ellsworth built a reputation for producing some of the finest full-suspension mountain bikes money could...

The rough history of Nukeproof Bikes — from its beginnings as a small American component company to becoming one of the most respected names in gravity mountain biking. This is the story of a brand that was born, died, reborn in Northern Ireland, dominated world racing, survived industry collapse, and somehow still refuses to die. In this video, we dive into the people, bikes and moments that shap...

A rough history of Turner Bikes.

Marin Bikes isn’t just another mountain bike company… it’s a brand born at the birthplace of mountain biking itself. In this video, we dive deep into the complete history of Marin Bikes — from the early days of Mount Tamalpais and the birth of MTB culture, to the rise of iconic bikes like the Team Marin, Rift Zone, Alpine Trail and San Quentin. We’ll look at how Marin survived the massive changes...

DJI just entered the bike world… and no one saw it coming. In this video, we’re diving into Amflow—the new brand backed by DJI—and their first serious entry into mountain biking with the Amflow PL.A drone company making e-bikes? Sounds weird. But once you look at the tech, the power, and what they’re bringing to the table… it starts to make a lot more sense. From the insanely powerful Avinox motor...

Ever wondered what makes Rocky Mountain Bikes so legendary? From the rugged trails of British Columbia to the birth of freeride madness, this is the full story behind one of mountain biking’s most iconic brands. In this video, we dive into the history, the bikes, and the absolute chaos that helped shape Rocky Mountain into what it is today. From the early days of modifying bikes in a small shop… t...

Think pump tracks are easy? Yeah… so did I.In this video, we’re diving into what pump tracks actually are, why they’re blowing up everywhere, and why they’ll absolutely humble you in about 30 seconds. No pedaling, just pure technique—and if you get it wrong, you’ll feel it immediately. From BMX roots to modern bike parks, pump tracks are one of the best ways to build speed, flow, and bike control…...

Dialled Bikes might not be a household name—but if you know, you know. In this video, we dive into the rise, impact, and quiet disappearance of one of the UK’s most respected underground mountain bike brands. From steel hardtails built to survive real-world riding, to earning a loyal cult following without big marketing or factory teams—Dialled did things their own way. But why did a brand so love...

Cove Bikes isn’t just another mountain bike brand… it’s one of the original builders of freeride. Born on the North Shore of Vancouver, Cove was there when mountain biking went from cross-country racing to full-blown chaos—skinny ladders, massive drops, and lines that made no sense… until someone rode them. In this video, we dive into the full story of Cove Bikes: • How a small rider-owned shop he...