RECON MTB Podcast

Adam Miller joins the podcast live from the Sea Otter Classic to tell the full story of Revel Bikes — from scrappy startup to private equity exit, and back again. He breaks down what it really took to build Revel from the ground up: seven credit cards, employees living at his house, and sleeping in factory dorm rooms in Asia to save every dollar. What started as a passion for making bikes he actua...

Matt and Jono Jones join the podcast to break down how they went from riding bikes at the highest level to building Mavrix — a virtual bike park designed to be ridden anytime, anywhere. They talk about Matt’s journey from slopestyle competitions and huge freeride features to YouTube, and how that path eventually led into game development. What started as a passion project quickly turned into years...

🪖 MTB Helmet Safety Deep Dive + Crash Data Insights (w/ Simon Fisher & Allan Cooke)In this episode of the RECON MTB podcast, the crew is joined by helmet design expert Simon Fisher (founder of Headspace Design Lab, with experience at Giro, Bell, and Specialized) alongside Allan Cooke, ex professional BMX athlete and XGames gold medalist, for a deep dive into the realities of mountain bike hel...

We went to Mexico City… to race TransAzteca 🇲🇽🚵‍♂️In this episode of the podcast, Nic and ReconMTB head south to take on the TransAzteca — and quickly realize this trip is about way more than racing. From the insane high-altitude trails around Mexico City to the unreal food and culture, this place completely surprised us. Nic sits down with local legend and TransAzteca race organizer Mau de Avila...

🔮 2026 MTB Predictions + Forbidden Dreadnought ReviewIn this episode of the RECON podcast, Nic and Allan dust off the crystal ball and throw down their spicy predictions for the world of MTB in 2026, from team shakeups to game-changing products and the riders to watch. Plus, after months of riding, they give their no-BS review of the Forbidden Dreadnought V2, where it shines, where it struggles,...

Cam Zink breaks down what actually went wrong at this year’s Red Bull Rampage. From surprising crashes to the conditions riders were fighting against, Cam gives his raw take on why this year’s event was so chaotic. If you want real insight from someone who’s been in the game for decades, this clip is it. Full podcast episode: https://youtu.be/hX1ndAySlCw

Nic Bean sits down with MTB legend Cam Zink for a deep dive into the life of one of freeride’s most iconic riders—known for world-record flips, rider-built events, founding bike brands, and a style that changed the sport. They cover everything from the story behind the record-breaking backflip and creating The Zink Invitational, to the inside scoop on Rampage, judging, and how freeride has evolved...

In this episode, Nic and Allan talk about the return of UCI World Cup downhill to American soil. The 2025 Downhill World Cup Season was an exciting one, and it could be the start of a multi year expansion for the sport. With that, Juniors will be aging up, taking on the current top pros. They get into the details Juniors VS. Elites, best locations for more World Cups, and more. Enjoy!

In this episode of the Recon Podcast, Nic Bean and Allan Cooke sit down to talk all things US Open of Downhill, from the massive(?) payout and standout performances, to what made this year’s event such a statement for North American racing. They also look ahead to the Lake Placid World Cup, sharing thoughts on what to expect from the course, who’s looking fast right now, and how the new U.S. round...

Kyle Strait shares some of his wildest memories from Red Bull Rampage. From unforgettable runs to near disasters, he recounts what it’s really like to ride and survive one of mountain biking’s most extreme events. Pure behind-the-scenes storytelling from a Rampage legend. Full podcast is here: https://youtu.be/p_U6zxz5cyE

Kyle Strait reflects on whether the risk of riding Red Bull Rampage is truly worth it. He talks about the highs of stomping a dream run, the financial and physical risks involved, and how the event has evolved over the years. A raw and honest take on what it really costs to chase glory at Rampage. Full podcast is here: https://youtu.be/p_U6zxz5cyE

Nic Bean and Kyle Strait break down how new riders find their way into Red Bull Rampage. Kyle explains how years of digging and building give rookies an edge, why past qualification systems didn’t always work, and the pressure of riding in such a strict format. He also shares his thoughts on feeder events, the need for a junior Rampage, and how the current system still feels inconsistent. Full pod...

Kyle Strait opens up about the hidden challenges riders face at Red Bull Rampage. He shares how much riders actually invest just to compete, why builders are their lifeline, and how the financial side of Rampage doesn’t always add up. A rare, honest look behind the scenes of the biggest freeride event in the world. Full podcast is here: https://youtu.be/p_U6zxz5cyE

Kyle Strait has seen it all. In this clip, Nic Bean sits down with the only rider to compete in every Red Bull Rampage, from its raw, rowdy beginnings to today’s sculpted super lines. They dive into how the event has evolved:from small dig crews to full build teams,from pick-and-ride lines to massive pre-sculpted features,from dry desert days to water trucks and rest days. But with all that progre...

Nic Bean heads down to Strait Acres to sit down with legendary freerider Kyle Strait for a raw, honest conversation that you won’t hear anywhere else. They talk all things Red Bull Rampage, from the wildest behind-the-scenes moments to the scariest features he’s ever ridden, and why Kyle won’t be competing in Rampage 2025.This one goes deep. Kyle opens up about his career highs, brutal injuries, a...

Allan and Nic dive into one of the most annoying problems in mountain biking: headset creaks. From the classic quick fixes to the long-term solutions, they swap stories, compare what’s worked (and what hasn’t), and get into the details of how to finally silence that dreaded noise for good and improve bearing longevity. Whether it’s about grease, torque settings, upgrading parts, to design, this cl...

Nic and Allan pull out the crystal ball and dive into what the bike industry really needs—both from the perspective of riders and as people with years of firsthand experience. With plenty of stories, insights, and unfiltered opinions, this episode takes a hard look at where the industry is headed, what’s holding it back, and how it can better serve the riders who keep it alive.

Nic Bean and Charlie Murray get real about the hidden side of racing life. From constant travel and jet lag to the pressure of back-to-back events, they unpack why the pro dream isn’t always what it seems—and why balance matters as much as results. Full episode here: https://youtu.be/69CU_l4wupA

What happens when the wrong tool is brought to the biggest stage? Charlie Murray tells Nic the wild story of lining up at the Enduro World Cup on an "trail" bike, what it taught him about adaptability, and how much equipment really matters at the highest levelFull episode here: https://youtu.be/69CU_l4wupA

Charlie Murray shares his perspective on enduro’s place in mountain biking and why the discipline deserves more recognition. He and Nic dig into how enduro reflects the riding most people actually do, and the frustration of seeing it overshadowed on the world stage. Full episode here: https://youtu.be/69CU_l4wupA

In this episode, Nic Bean sits down with Enduro World Cup standout Charlie Murray to dive into life as a professional mountain bike racer. From dialing in bike setup to navigating the highs and lows of a long season, Charlie shares the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that come with competing at the top of the sport. The conversation covers the grind of worldwide travel, the mental battles behin...

Nic dives into the story behind Theory Racing, the independent Enduro World Cup team he built from scratch. From developing young talent like Bailey Christie to supporting Julie DuPont’s top-5 chase, they discuss the challenges of running a privateer squad—and why Enduro needs teams like this to survive. Here is the full episode: https://youtu.be/xGJ5M8NSVv4

Adrian and Nic discuss Henry Quinney’s surprising departure from Pinkbike to launch Quarter HP, his new high-end bike review channel. They break down why this move matters—will independent reviews shake up the industry? Plus, they analyze his first videos, the "mystery rider" bit, and whether this could change how we judge bikes forever. Full episode link here: https://youtu.be/xGJ5M8NSV...

Is downhill MTB really more dangerous than road cycling? Nic and Adrian debate Tom Pidcock’s controversial take, comparing crashes, skill levels, and the mental game in both sports. From peloton pileups to Hardline’s insane drops—which discipline demands more from its riders? Here is the full episode: https://youtu.be/xGJ5M8NSVv4

Adrian and Nic break down the biggest moments from Red Bull Hardline 2025, including Asa Vermette’s insane run and Louise Ferguson’s historic finish. They also discuss Jackson Goldstone’s absence—was skipping Hardline the right call? Plus, Henry Quinney’s new bike review channel, the debate over MTB vs. road racing danger, and an inside look at Nic’s Theory Racing Enduro team.