MTB Report (EN)

Arrests, fake MTB components, and a safety risk many riders still underestimate Published by the Radical Life Studios / MTB Report Just before Christmas, a case became public that underlines how serious product counterfeiting in the bike industry has become. In a coordinated international operation, manufacturers, online platforms and law enforcement agencies dismantled a large counterfeit network...

Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report On December 20, 2025, the mountain bike community around Hanover will take to the streets for a bicycle demonstration. The reason: the uncertain future of the officially approved mountain bike trails in the Deister forest. At first glance, this may seem like a local conflict. In reality, it reflects a structural issue mountain bikers across Germany —...

Between empowerment campaigns, real progress and the question of what equality on the trail truly means. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report A decade ago, mountain biking was a man’s world. Now, feeds are full of female shredders and brand ambassadors. But is that empowerment – or PR? https://radicallifestudios.de⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://mtb-report.com⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 think radical – live radical.

How the booming second-hand market became a security risk – and how to protect yourself. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report What started as classifieds has become a billion-euro business. Used e-MTBs, carbon frames, “barely-ridden” enduros – it’s a buyer’s dream … and a scammer’s paradise. 2025’s second-hand boom comes with fakes, theft and fraud on an industrial scale. https://radical...

Why the battle between Schwalbe, Maxxis and Co. proves that physics always wins. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report Tires are the soul of a bike – and the scene’s loudest argument. Every brand promises the perfect balance of grip, weight and protection. But on the trail, there’s no magic compound – only trade-offs. Physics doesn’t care about hashtags. https://radicallifestudios.de⁠⁠⁠ ⁠...

Overloaded workshops, rising costs and a growing gap between riders and brands. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report Doesn’t matter if it’s Santa Cruz, Cube or Canyon – when your bike breaks in 2025, you’d better clear your schedule. Repairs take weeks, sometimes months. Parts are out of stock, workshops are full, and prices are rising. What used to be routine is now a privilege:  gettin...

New tech, new brands, new mindset – why the coming year could change everything. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report 2025 exposed the truth: overpriced bikes, oversold promises, overwhelmed customers – and yet, a community more alive than ever. Now, all eyes turn to 2026 – a year that could redefine what mountain biking means: technically, economically and culturally. https://radicallif...

Why this route is more than a race – and how you can ride parts of it yourself Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report There are trails that test your legs – and others that test your soul. The Stone King Rally belongs to the latter. Six days across the Western Alps, along ancient military routes and forgotten trade paths, through larch forests, over rocky ridges, and down to the Mediterran...

Why a grassroots browser tool outperforms multi-million-dollar MTB platforms Published by  Radical Life Studios  / MTB Report It’s not the biggest platform. Not the slickest. And not even an app. But  TrailRadar.org  hits a nerve—because it solves a problem most riders barely know exists: Where can you actually ride legally? TrailRadar  gives you the answer. Period. https://radicallifestudios.de⁠...

The EU is investing billions in bike infrastructure – but when it comes to mountain biking, most cities remain silent. Why? And what can we really do? Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report The message is clear: the EU wants us to ride. Not just to the office, but out into the wild – over hills, through forests, across valleys. That’s why between 2021 and 2027, over  €4.5 billion  will be...

Die offizielle Rückkehr von Markus Flossmann, ein neues Händlernetz – und eine Community, die noch nicht überzeugt istVeröffentlicht von den Radical Life Studios / MTB Report YT hat gesprochen. Nach Monaten voller Unklarheit, offener Bestellungen, geschlossener Türen und Gerüchteküche hat Markus Flossmann die nächste Phase des Neustarts angekündigt: Rückkauf der Marke, neue Firmenstruktur, neuer V...

How the bike industry polishes its green image – and why that’s not enough. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report “Sustainability” has become the industry’s favorite word. Every brand claims to be “eco-friendly,” “carbon neutral,” or “recycled.” But look behind the slogans and you’ll see the truth:  most of it is marketing, not mindset. 2025 is exposing who’s actually walking the talk – a...

Between tech, craft and cost pressure – the global race to shape tomorrow’s bike industry. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report Mountain biking used to be a symbol of Western engineering. Today it’s a global product – designed in California, manufactured in Asia, sold in Europe. 2025 makes it clear:  The future of cycling is forged in a triangle of power, money and innovation. https://ra...

Because likes don’t build trails – and integrity doesn’t need a hashtag. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report In a world of selfies, sponsorships and polished edits, it’s easy to forget what mountain biking is really about:  passion, sweat and dirt. 2025 marks a shift in awareness. While influencers chase followers, others quietly build the trails that keep the sport alive. https://radic...

Broken promises, angry fans, and a founder under fire Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report YT once stood for direct-to-consumer rebellion: performance bikes, edgy marketing, no middlemen. The Forchheim-based brand had hype, heart, and hardcore fans. But by mid-2025, the dream derailed. Insolvency, layoffs, chaos. What went wrong? https://radicallifestudios.de⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://mtb-report.com⁠⁠...

Why parks are no longer enough – and what truly matters now. Published by  Radical Life Studios  / MTB Report Europe is changing – and so is the way we ride. Where bulldozers once carved bike parks into the landscape, a deeper movement is growing:  trail culture. A community-driven evolution that connects people, places and purpose – from the Alps to the fjords, from Finale Ligure to Trysil. https...

Two worlds, one goal – and the question of who truly rides for adventure. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report https://radicallifestudios.de https://mtbreport.com 🎧 think radical – live radical.

Spare Parts & Service Chaos – When Winter Tells the Truth Published by Radical Life Studios Winter is when the industry sobers up. Summer is for marketing. Winter is for reality. Riders drop their bikes off for service – and wait. Eight weeks for a brake lever. Ten weeks for a motor controller. The truth is simple: The service crisis isn’t a coincidence. It’s design. https://mtb-report.com htt...

How Cube became the people’s brand – and why that’s no accident. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report https://radicallifestudios.de https://mtbreport.com 🎧 think radical – live radical.

Why more riders are switching off the motor – and what it means for the future of mountain biking. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report #BackToBio | #PureRide https://radicallifestudios.de https://mtbreport.com 🎧 think radical – live radical.

Why more watt-hours don’t automatically mean more freedom. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report https://radicallifestudios.de https://mtb-report.com A few years ago, a 720 Wh battery was top of the line. Today it’s considered entry-level. Brands are racing for bigger numbers: 800, 850, 900 Wh – and marketing promises endless freedom. But the truth is: range isn’t just about capacity. It’...

Why 2025 became the most expensive year in MTB history – and what it reveals about the scene. Published by Radical Life Studios / MTB Report 🎧 think radical – live radical.

The world of mountainbiking is changing — from YT’s comeback to a global trail boom. The mountainbike world is in motion. YT Industries is back under founder Markus Flossmann — and his bold move could reshape the brand’s future. But while the bike industry struggles with consolidation, overproduction, and rising costs, something powerful is happening out on the trails. From Canada to Slovenia, fro...

2026 is heating up! New motors, bigger range, exciting innovations – and a real shocker from Germany. In this episode of the MTB Report, we cover the most important news from the bike world: 👉 Rotwild R.EX Ultra – with DJI/Avinox motor and 864 Wh battery – a true statement for range and power [https://www.rotwild.com] 👉 Santa Cruz Vala AL 2026 – aluminum instead of carbon, cheaper, stable, but w...

2025 was rather quiet, but 2026 will be wild: new motors, more radical geometries, brutal e-MTBs, and exciting innovations from both big and small brands. In this very first episode of the MTB Report, we ask the big question: 👉 Who is building the ultimate Hammerbike 2026? We take a look at: Specialized & Santa Cruz – tech fireworks vs. radical geometry Trek & Yeti – power e-MTBs with mas...