Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, we explain what Strava is and how mountain bikers are using the service for good (and sometimes evil.) Editor’s note: After recording this episode, we realized we forgot to explain why a rider might yell “Strava!” while passing other users on the trail. Basically it means the person doing the passing is competing in a virtual race an...

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast we talk about the pros and cons of singlespeed mountain bikes and try to answer the question: Is this some kind of a cult? If you’re looking to give singlespeed mountain biking a try, listen in for tips and bike recommendations. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Ah, springtime! The time of year when mountain bikers are excited to get back on the trail, only to realize their bikes are dirty, creaky, and shifting like crap due to a winter of abuse through mud, snow, and ice. In this episode we offer some ideas for getting your ride dialed after wintertime neglect, ready to roll for summer! --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletrac...

Wait, that’s  Moab? If this photo of verdant fields and leafy Aspen trees in Moab strikes you as surprising, then you definitely need to tune in to this episode of the Singletracks podcast! We recently named Moab, UT as the mountain bike capital of the USA and today we talk about some of our favorite trails in the area plus share our tips for planning a trip to this must-ride d...

In this episode we talk about why racing is important to the sport of mountain biking and explain some of the more popular MTB race formats. We also talk about our first and most memorable MTB race experiences. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode we discuss recent mountain bike industry news involving a number of brands, including Giant, Chain Reaction, SRAM, Shimano, Specialized, and Stan’s. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode, we talk about how Singletracks got its start in the late 1990s and also talk about where the site is headed in 2016 and beyond.

In this podcast episode we try to answer the question: How much suspension travel is necessary? We talk about how suspension can affect a bike’s geometry and how to choose the right amount of suspension travel for your bike.

In this episode we talk about this week’s mountain bike news including the mechanical doping scandal, the new Hightower 29er/27.5+ bike from Santa Cruz, and the Fat Bike World Championship race in Crested Butte.

In this episode, Aaron and I talk about indoor bike parks, the newest member of the STC’s board, and our favorite MTB videos shared this week.

In this episode we talk about the connection between mountain biking and craft beer and offer up our favorite beer styles and breweries. Plus, we try to answer the question: why are mountain bikers so into IPAs and Pale Ales?

In this episode, we talk about staying warm on the bike this winter and give tips for using winter wear you already own for riding on the trail. Spoiler alert: it’s easier than you think. The only tough part is motivating yourself to get out! We also talk about what’s grinding our gears (closed-minded online commenters) and what’s stoking our spokes (groomed fat bike trails!) Don’t miss this episo...

In this episode, we talk about our personal pet peeves when it comes to preventable mountain bike trail damage. How do you determine if a trail is too wet to ride? Is skidding ok? Plus, we let you in on the secret behind some of the amazing skids and sprays of brown pow you see in online MTB videos. Hint: it’s not always real and there’s a way to tell whether flying dirt is a result of pinned ridi...

It’s time to start planning your epic mountain bike trips for 2016 so we thought we’d share some tips we’ve learned over the years. We try to answer questions like, what to do when it rains on a trip you’ve spent all year dreaming about? We also share tips for dirt bag bikers who are looking to take a mountain bike vacation on the cheap. Like, only-the-cost-of-gas cheap. Listen...

This is the time of year when mountain bikers plan to do epic shit and building endurance is often the first step to making things happen. In this episode we talk about why endurance training is important, discuss some methods we’ve used successfully, and cover some of the challenges riders will face in building endurance. How far do you plan to push yourself in 2016?

In this short episode, Aaron, Greg, and Jeff discuss their personal mountain biking goals for 2016 and talk about what’s in store for Singletracks next year.

In this episode we discuss who is buying really, really expensive mountain bikes and what they mean for the industry and for our sport as a whole. What’s it like to ride one of these magical, knobby-tired unicorns? Listen in to find out!

In this episode, Aaron, Greg, and Jeff talk about the top stories on Singletracks this year and the trends that have shaped the MTB news in 2015. We cover plus-size bikes, weird product reviews, destination and travel features, and the mountain bike lifestyle.

In this episode we try to answer the question: Are fat bikes the biggest MTB innovation since full suspension was introduced in the early 1990s? We also discuss some of the common misconceptions around fat bikes and offer our predictions for where things are heading in the future. Plus–what’s grinding our gears and stoking our spokes this week.

Listen to part two of Greg’s interview with Sustainable Trails Coalition (STC) founders Ted Stroll and Jackson Ratcliffe as they discuss why certain trail groups oppose bikes in wilderness and what will happen if the STC’s legislation fails. Plus, we hear where Ted and Jackson would ride their bikes if the wilderness ban was lifted. “The number of people screaming against mountain biking [in...

Greg talks with Ted Stroll and Jackson Ratcliffe of the Sustainable Trails Coalition (STC) about their plan to lobby for mountain bike access in US Wilderness areas. In part one of this two-part podcast, Ted and Jackson talk about what the STC is trying to accomplish and why now is a good time for mountain bikers to act. “Ultimately one of my goals is to get rid of the stigma that m...

In this episode we discuss the pros and cons of buying a mountain bike online. We talk strategies for test riding bikes and share our experiences with assembling bikes delivered directly. Also, we touch on the idea of fully custom bike builds and the risks of buying mountain bikes through crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter.

In this episode we talk with Dustin at Southern Wheelworks about the advantages of Boost 148 and why hub standards are continuing to evolve. Dustin also fills us in on some of the techniques pro wheel builders use and talks about ways to save weight (and $$) on your next build.

Happy Turkey Day! This is probably one of those podcasts where Aaron, Greg, and I will listen again in 20 years and think, “man, we didn’t know anything back then!” Why? Because we’re talking about mountain biking into old age, and all of us are under 40. Still, it was a fun conversation and hopefully an enlightening one where we talk about some of the things we’ve learned from mountain bikers muc...

It seems as if mountain bikers have a love-hate relationship with flow trails and in this episode, we discuss some of the pros and cons of the flow trail. Jim Hodgson joins us and talks about how dissing on flow trails is analogous to enjoying a nice cold IPA. “If you don’t enjoy the most technical trails in the world, then you’re not a true mountain biker.” Listen in to our full conversation to h...