RECON MTB Podcast

Nic Bean and Allan Cooke kick things off with Vincent Tupin’s massive crash in Switzerland—an unreal freeride line that pushed the limits of bike and body. They break down what went wrong, how gnarly the risk is getting in freeride MTB, and what this kind of riding means for the sport’s future. Here is the full episode: https://youtu.be/DcoaJGBUNHUHuge credit and kudos to Vincent Tupin and his fil...

Vinny T Sends It, YT Restructures, and the DH Battle Heats Up | ReconMTB PodcastNic Bean and Allan Cooke are back to break down one of the wildest sends of the year—Vincent Tupin’s jaw-dropping 122-foot drop—and what it says about the progression (and risk) in freeride MTB (and equipment?). The crew dives into the current state of the mountain bike industry, YT’s recent restructuring, and the fina...

From racing the Enduro World Series to going viral bombing San Francisco’s steepest hills, Teddy Hayden shares his wild ride—both on the bike and behind the scenes. He opens up about building Cyclo, the struggles of Strava policing, suspension setups, e-bikes, and what it’s really like creating MTB content in the city. Then the tables turn, and Teddy flips the script—grilling Recon’s own Nick Bean...

Are Canadian kids taking over the Downhill World Cup scene? Nic Bean and Allan Cooke dive into how Jackson Goldstone and Gracey Hemstreet are making serious waves in the DH world. From insane race results to their unique backgrounds and riding styles, the crew breaks down what’s fueling their success and why the future of downhill might just be painted red and white. Shop your MTB essentials: http...

YT Industries is going through big changes—and we’re breaking it down. From major team shifts to a fresh brand vision, Nic Bean and Allan Cooke dive into what’s behind the restructure, what it could mean for YT’s future, and whether the brand can keep its core identity as it grows. Is this a reset, a comeback, or something else entirely? Here is the full episode: https://youtu.be/DcoaJGBUNHU

Allan Cooke and Nic Bean dive into the future of the Enduro World Cup and why it’s been such a challenge to bring the sport to a broader audience. From the struggles of capturing the action for media to the potential solutions that could finally make Enduro shine, they break down what needs to change and why there’s still so much hope for the format if done right. Tune in for insights on the sport...

Everyone uses Strava—but is it really built for mountain bikers? In this episode, Teddy Hayden sits down with Nic Bean to unpack the surprising lack of innovation in MTB software. They dive into why Strava might be holding the sport back, what’s missing for trail riders, and how the future could look if someone finally built tools for mountain bikers, not just roadies. From untapped tech to rider-...

Adrian Galamba and Allan Cooke dive into Orbea’s new Rallon—a bike that’s turning heads for its ability to transform between a full-blown DH machine and an enduro weapon. They break down how Orbea achieved this “two bikes in one” design, discuss geometry changes, suspension tweaks, and who this bike is really for. Is the Rallon the ultimate quiver killer? Tune in and find out. Shop for your new MT...

Clickers, compression, rebound… it never ends. In this episode, Teddy Hayden and Nic Bean dive into the suspension setup rabbit hole—where tuning becomes obsession, and more dials don’t always mean better rides. They break down why some bikes are becoming over-customized, how brands try to balance performance and usability, and what happens when you chase perfect suspension and lose the plot. Full...

In this episode, Allan Cooke sits down with Adrian Galamba to explore a major shift happening in action sports: are pro athletes rethinking how they approach competition while injured? For years, riders would do everything possible to race through the pain, but today’s generation may be playing by a different set of rules. With new income streams from social media, sponsorships, and personal brand...

Adrian Galamba and Allan Cooke tackle the big question facing downhill bikes: are traditional drivetrains holding back future designs, or is the gearbox revolution inevitable? They debate whether the newest DH bikes risk becoming obsolete without gearboxes, and weigh the trade-offs between classic drivetrains and the freedom gearbox systems offer for frame design. Plus, they share their picks for...

Allan Cooke and Adrian Galamba dive deep into the electrified world of e-bikes. They unpack the tricky balance between delivering more power and managing battery consumption—where performance gains meet diminishing returns. Expect heated takes on assist modes, the point of "too much torque," and what the future of eMTB might look like if power overshadows play. Full episode: https://youtu.be/vDLix...

In this episode, Allan Cooke sits down with Christian Rigal to talk about his journey from BMX to mountain biking. Christian shares how his deep love for BMX shaped his style on the MTB, bringing creativity and a fresh perspective to the trails. They dive into the skills that translate between the two worlds, Christian’s passion for building epic trails right in his backyard, and what fuels his en...

Join hosts Nic Bean and Allan Cooke in this episode of the RECON MTB podcast as they unpack the biggest shake-up in downhill racing: the new Q1/Q2 World Cup qualifying format. They dive into the implications of removing protected rider status, what this means for the sport’s competitive edge, and how the Enduro World Cup is shifting. Plus, they spotlight the impressive rise of junior racers making...

Adrian Galamba is back to guest host this episode with Allan Cooke to reflect on world cup controversies, Tahnee Seagrave's the new Orbea DH bike, and the state of slopestyle witnessed by Allan at Crankworx. Shop for your mountain biking products on our store: https://reconmtb.com/Check out this month's giveaway bike: https://reconmtb.com/blogs/news/announcing-recon-mtb-giveaway-3-every-1-...

In this episode, RECON Co-Founder Nic Bean interviews Toby Ricco, the founder of Bimotal, a next-gen tech company becoming famous for electrifying analog bikes. They discuss Toby's engineering background, the challenges of creating a modular powertrain for traditional bikes, and the potential impact on the e-bike market. The conversation also touches on future developments, including a mid-dri...

In #6, co-host Allan Cooke is joined by guest co-host Adrian Galamba - a former pro motocross racer who transitioned to mountain biking. The guys dive into how riders react to fear on the trail, the tech behind Canyon's new Sender, and whether gearbox drivetrains are finally catching on. They also cover Loïc Bruni’s custom Brembo brake setup and what it means for pro-level performance. Plus, N...

Join hosts Nic Bean and Allan Cooke in this episode of the Recon MTB podcast as they dive into the latest happenings in the mountain biking world. The duo discusses the controversial rise of powerful e-bikes, the implications for trail access, and the potential for a downhill bike with pegs. They also touch on the upcoming Hardline event in Wales, featuring riders like Rat Boy and Kade Edwards. Sh...

In this episode, RECON creator Justin Rausch ( @one_mtb ) interviews Sebastian Bauer ( @nrmlmtber ). They discuss his journey from growing up in Novato, California, to becoming a prominent figure in the mountain biking community. Sebastian shares how he and his brother started riding bikes as kids, their first mountain biking experience in Whistler, and how the 2020 pandemic led him to create cont...

In episode #3, Nic Bean and Allan Cooke recap the Sea Otter Classic, highlighting the debut of FOX's new inverted fork and the buzz around DJI's e-bike motor. They discuss the impressive performances of riders like Tahnee Seagrave and Ryan Pinkerton at the World Cup test event in Portugal, as well as the innovations from brands like Santa Cruz and Scott. The guys also touch on the exciteme...

In episode #2, Nic Bean and Allan Cooke dive into the latest in MTB. They discuss SRAM's new mechanical T-type transmission and the new FOX 36 and 36 SL fork. The guys also discuss the upcoming Sea Otter Classic, their dream MTB vacations, and the insanity of Red Bull Cerro Abajo. 00:00 - Intro 00:48 - SRAM's New Transmission10:00 - Fox 36 Fork Updates14:50 - Red Bull Cerro Abajo Is Insane17:11 -...

EPISODE 1! Nic Bean and Allan Cooke sit down in the RECON studio to cover the latest and greatest in MTB. The boys discuss the launch of ReconMTB.com and its fresh take on MTB content and commerce, the current state of the MTB industry, the impact of new technologies like SRAM's compact e-bike motor and Fox's 34SL fork, and predictions for the upcoming racing season, including the rise of new tale...