The Inside Line Podcast - Vital MTB

Join Vital Tech Editor Jason Schroeder as he wanders the sea of vendor tents at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic. From new products to athlete check-ins to Pro dual slalom practice, get a taste of what it's like to have boots on the ground at the event. 1:28 - Checking in with Brandon Turman5:15 - Crankbrothers SOS Tools8:32 - B Zone loamers and Fort William predictions with George Browne14:14 - Mondraker on moving to the U.S.21:18 - Dillon Lemarr chats working at TLD and Fort William predictions34:31 - Kiran MacKinnon from Santa Cruz Bicycles chats suspension tuning and bike development

Join Vital Tech Editor Jason Schroeder as he wanders the sea of vendor tents at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic. From new products to athlete check-ins to Pro dual slalom practice, get a taste of what it's like to have boots on the ground at the event. :35 - Derek Teel of Dialed Health 4:03 - Nik Nestoroff chats slalom finals prep and Maven brakes 6:11 - 2024 news with Industry Nine 8:43 - New forks from SR Suntour 14:43 - John Hall from Intense Cycles 28:39 - Intense’s gearbox downhill bike 40:33 - Transition Bikes 49:06 - Checking in with Marco Osborne 52:47 - Norco Sight and Optic link + 60-Year Anniversary 55:54 - Dual Slalom Finals

Join Vital Tech Editor Jason Schroeder as he wanders the sea of vendor tents at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic. From new products to athlete check-ins to Pro dual slalom practice, get a taste of what it's like to have boots on the ground at the event. :53 - Tannus Inserts new Fusion 3:08 - Ride Wrap5:41 - DEITY Components - new grip and two new pedals (coming in June)12:45 - Dakotah Norton - Slalom update14:40 - Ari Bikes - custom slalom bike for Kyle Strait; updates on the new DH bike17:45 - New Hunt Wheels coming this summer…21:09 - Privateer Bikes now being sold in the US23:48 - Interview with Braydon BringhurstMore Sea Otter content:Day 2 Photo Gallery #1 - https://www.vitalmtb.com/pit-bits-sea-otter-2024-day-2Day 2 You Tube Video - https://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/sea-otter-classic-2024-crazy-and-cool-day-2-slalom-practice-rawvitalmtb.com

Join Vital Tech Editor, Jason Schroeder, as he wanders the sea of vendor tents at the 2024 Sea Otter Classic. From new products to athlete check-ins to Pro dual slalom practice, get a taste of what it's like to have boots on the ground at the event. Day 1 Photo Gallery #1 - https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/pit-bits-sea-otter-2024-day-1/pit-bits-sea-otter-2024-day-1Day 1 Photo Gallery #2 - https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/pit-bits-sea-otter-2024-day-1-part-2/pit-bits-sea-otter-2024-day-1-part-2Day 1 You Tube Video - https://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/sea-otter-classic-2024-crazy-and-cool-day-1

To learn more and hear our thoughts on the new Grip X2 damper, check out our First Ride review.After years of mostly positive reviews intertwined with some shortcomings, FOX has ditched its Grip2 and FIT4 dampers for model year 2025 forks. In their place are three new dampers that seek to offer a heightened level of discipline-focused performance and features.Grip SL - XC, short track, marathonGrip X - all mountain, trailGrip X2 - all-mountain, enduro, gravity We joined FOX for a few days at their HQ in Scotts Valley, California, to get the run down from their engineering and development team on the new damper line and the goals surrounding each product.0:00 - Overview of Grip dampers with Bill Brown, Head of Engineering14:35 - Grip X2 details and development goals with Sergio Avanto, Manager of Product Performance SUPERCROSS TALK WITH SERGIO27:19 - Who was most difficult to work with (hint: the world's fastest German SX racer)Epic insight into James Stewart during his prime 45:49 - Jett Lawrence vs. James Stewart50:13 - Similarities between supercross suspension and mountain bike suspension  55:48 - Remi Gauvin of the Rocky Mountain Gravity Team talks about the differences in performance and setup between Grip 2 and Grip X2

Thanks to  Maxxis Tires, FOX and Jenson USA    for supporting The Inside Line MTB podcast! The first-ever Monster Energy Pro Downhill Series race took place at Ride Rock Creek in North Carolina this weekend. Clay Harper, founder of the series, has a vision to bring back national-level downhill mountain bike race events and round 1 has proven to be a strong start. Jack Rice was at the event and caught up with Clay and others to get their thoughts on the weekend. Our show concludes with the Pro Women's and Men's press conference audio which can also be watched on our site.Contents0:00 - Clay Harper, Race Director9:39 - Sean Griz McClendon13:26 - Callie Howrath15:27 - Neko Mulally and Sean Leader17:51 - Cory Rimmer23:14 - John Hall27:23 - Pro Women's Press Conference37:51 - Pro Men's Press Conference

The Redcar Rocket, Danny Hart, handles the dreaded 17 without a flinch. Watch the video of this interviewWatch Danny's Vital RAWWatch Danny's Bike Check video

Thanks to  Maxxis Tires, FOX and Jenson USA    for supporting The Inside Line MTB podcast! The 2024 Tennessee National Downhill mountain bike race at Windrock Bike Park is in the books with Dakotah Norton and Frida Ronning taking Elite wins.  This was the first downhill event at Windrock since Aaron Gwin took over ownership of the park and racers and fans alike seemed stoked with the track and the way the event was run. Jack Rice checks in with racers and the people who make #USDH so great.Asa Vermette was on pace to challenge the time of Dakotah but washed out in a corner injuring his hip and resulting in a DNF. In the Junior classes, Dane Jewett posted a time that would have been 2nd in Elite Men and Aletha Oostgard's time would have been 2nd in Elite Women.  Dig into the results, G-Out Project Photos and more on VitalMTB.comInterviews0:00 - Dakotah Norton4:44 - Don Rogers6:11 - Asa Vermette (pre-race run)8:39 - Clay Harper13:56 - Luca Shaw15:51 - Angel Suarez17:46 - Neko Mulally21:31 - Ryan Griffith22:42 - Frida's Mechanic, Josh Thwaite24:42 - Jack Pederson26:08 - Kale Cushman28:21 - Lucas Dedora

Thanks to  Maxxis Tires, FOX and Jenson USA    for supporting The Inside Line MTB podcast! The first major race of the 2024 #USDH season is here with the Tennessee National at Windrock Bike Park. Jack Rice hits the ground and meets up with racers, managers and the great people who make the event happen in this weekend's Inside Line.0:00 - Aaron Gwin5:41 - Luca Shaw8:05 - Frida Ronning10:38 - Sean Leader14:52 - Alvaro Castillo19:28 - Rachel Kelleher26:51 - Seth Sherlock29:28 - Rachel Pageau33:34 - Jorge Gomes35:44 - Joey Palmer38:48 - Evan Warner45:21 - Doug Sharp

Thanks to  Maxxis Tires, FOX and Jenson USA    for supporting The Inside Line MTB podcast! With the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill season fast approaching, we talk with Aaron Gwin  about his move to Crestline Bikes,  how his 2023 injury is healing, why he has like 497 different jobs, including being the owner of  Windrock Bike Park , and how he thinks he'll handle racing this year.Interview Topics0:00 - Intro, Move to Crestline Bikes3:05 - Did Aaron Spend Personal Money for the New Team?4:27 - Why Did the News Take So Long?5:57 - How'd He Keep the Team Rumor Secret?9:10 - From Vee Tires to e.13 Tires - Is There Really a Difference?11:42 - The Day He Realized He We Would Be Off Intense16:17 - Did Aaron Try to Be a Part of Big Brand?21:36 - Does the Frame's Suspension Platform Matter Any More?24:55 - Gwin's Crestline DH Bike Weight26:56 - Does He Still Run Firm Suspension?32:32 - Dakotah Norton35:51 - Are There Enough Crestline Frames for the 2024 Season?41:39 - Windrock for World Cup DH Training and Making Trails Harder45:32 - What Goes on at a Red Bull Athlete Camp?53:39 - World Cup Snow DH, Cool or Lame?54:18 - Aaron Gwin's 2023 Injury in Detail1:07:02 - World Champs is Gwin's 2024 Goal and He Thinks He Can Win1:09:35 - Does a Winning DH Run Have to Be Out of Control?1:12:27 - Jackson Goldstone and How to Compete Against Him?1:17:43 - Gwin Racing at the World Cups1:20:17 - Why Aaron Gwin has Like 53 Different Jobs1:26:55 - The Future of Windrock Bike Park - Host a World Cup? Get a Chairlift?1:32:31 - Favorite Bike He's Ridden in the Past? YouTube Habits and Life Outside of California

Watch our video and see photos of the fork on Vital MTB and our YouTube channel.Thank you Maxxis Tires, FOX Suspension and Jenson USA for making The Inside Line possible.Vital first rode a prototype PUSH Nine.One inverted mountain bike fork a year ago in February of 2023. The same day, we recorded an interview with PUSH owner, Darren Murphy, getting all the details about the fork before its release. At the time, the scheduled release for the Nine.One was only a couple months away and PUSH eventually showed the fork at the Sea Otter Classic. A couple months turned into 4, then 7 then 8. Fast-forward 12 months later, and the fork is now available to the public.Discussion Topics0:00 - Intro (2024)1:00 - (Feb 2023 Start) Why Make a Fork at All?4:23 - Why Make an Inverted Fork?8:43 - PUSH Nine.One Fork Specs & Features10:21 - The "Grab the Bars Torsional Stiffness Twist Test" is Dumb15:54 - Modular, Updatable Axle Lugs for Wheel Size, Offset and Brake Mounts, Travel Adjust20:23 - Simple Fork Servicing Through Bleed Ports, Long-term Product Use25:47 - Why is it a $2,600 Mountain Bike Fork? Weight, Fabrication Details31:44 - Comparing Other Inverted Fork Designs, Why Not Carbon?34:22 - Spring, Damper and Internals38:20 - The Parking Lot Test41:45 - Jason's Ride Experience on the PUSH Fork44:57 - Purposefully Not as Torsionally Stiff as a Regular Fork47:14 - Availability48:47 - What About Stanchion Scratches / Guards?51:47 - WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG? (2024)1:00:44 - Did Anything About the Fork Change During the Year?1:02:30 - Fork Specs (Again : )1:05:14 - Four Years in the Making1:06:58 - FIXED BUSHINGS and Why1:09:51 - Would Darren Do It All Over Again?1:11:53 - The Twist Test is Still Pointless1:16:00 - What MTB Standard Would Darren Change?At $2,600 USD, the coil-sprung Nine.One is made in the USA at the PUSH factory in Colorado. It features 140-170mm of user-adjustable travel in 10mm increments and uses modular axle lugs that can run 27.5 or 29-inch wheels with built-in brake mounts for 180mm or 200mm rotors. The damping technology is that of the PUSH Elevensix shock and oil can be changed and serviced through bleed ports at the top of the fork.While most riders can't comprehend spending that much money on a fork, Darren and PUSH set out to make a highly refined piece of suspension that can last and be updated for years to come. We dive into why PUSH would make a fork, their philosophy on what makes good suspension, misconceptions of upside-down fork design, what took so long to finish production, and why someone may want such an expensive MTB fork.

Thank you Maxxis Tires, FOX Suspension and Jenson USA for making The Inside Line possible.Watch this interview on YouTubeJoe Bowman of The Union and Steel City Media gets on the mic to discuss sponsor and rider changes for the team in 2024. 2023 was an extremely successful year for the not-for-profit program with Chris Hauser grabbing a Junior World Cup DH win and team riders graduating to bigger factory teams. As a development team, The Union's goal is to help young and up-and-coming riders get experience at the World Cup level with hopes of building their future in the sport.Follow @join.the.union on Instagram

The #frecklegate conspiracy comes to fruition as Dakotah Norton officially joins the newly formed Mondraker Factory Racing Team. After two years of upward trajectory under Intense Factory Racing, Dak hopes to continue edging closer to that elusive first World Cup win while helping develop Mondraker's new DH bike alongside Ryan Pinkerton and Ronan Dunne.Dak is a staple of our B Practice Podcast, so we had to hop on last week to discuss how the switch to Mondraker came about, what he was looking for in a new team, and how he feels heading into the season. Enjoy!These awesome brands make The B Practice Podcast possible!Maxxis | Burgtec | Industry NineInterview Contents0:00 - Intro, Crew Catch Up6:29 - Norton Compound Update10:48 - Dak Joins Mondraker Factory Racing!11:30 - Why He Left Intense Factory Racing14:53 - How Riding For Mondraker Came Together 16:49 - What Was Dak Looking For in a New Team18:43 - Getting Paid Fairly23:48 - Difficulty Finding a Ride as a Top 10 Racer31:28 - Aaron Gwin's Impact on Dak's Program 36:33 - Things Learned from DH Racing39:39 - The Draw of Riding for Mondraker 42:45 - New Team, New Bike to Develop 45:17 - Intense M1 vs. Prototype Mondraker 49:46 - Offseason Plans to Prep for WC #153:02 - Having Ryan Pinkerton and Ronan Dunne as Teammates   57:46 - Thoughts on Frame Stiffness vs. Compliance 59:55 - How Much Stack We Rockin' on the Mondy?!1:04:42 - Team Sponsors1:08:25 - New Mechanic1:14:20 - Would Dak Wear A Onesie?1:16:08 - Will Dak Race in Shorts Next Year?1:20:27 - Team Rumors Talk1:25:42 - Dak Doing Hardline??

Thank you Maxxis Tires, FOX Suspension and Jenson USA for making The Inside Line possible.Watch this interview and see riding clips on YouTubeIn a sea of slashed budgets, folding teams and riders struggling to find a way to race downhill mountain bikes in 2024, Neko Mulally has expanded his Frameworks team with the addition of Spanish rider, Angel Suarez for 2024. In this Inside Line MTB podcast, we ask Neko how he was able to expand his team, increase budget and roll into the season with two podium contenders - Angel in Elites and first-year Junior, Asa Vermette. Neko candidly talks budget, bike development, the future of Frameworks and what the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup may look like.Interview Contents0:00 - Intro, Angel Suarez on Frameworks5:45 - UNNO to Frameworks, Already a FOX Rider9:39 - Sponsor Changes, Wheels and Tires13:09 - Neko, Asa and Angel are the Same Height - Intentional?18:20 - Increased Team Size, Not Budget Cuts. How?21:24 - Frameworks with a GEARBOX?!24:38 - Why Aren't Other Brands as Transparent as Frameworks?28:15 - Outside Industry Sponsors?29:34 - What is Frameworks Budget?34:15 - Aaron Gwin and Frameworks?35:39 - What's Frameworks' 5-Year Plan?39:42 - Did Neko Start Frameworks to Extend His Racing Career?43:45 - Success with Berm Peak Video on Frameworks47:36 - Why Are Frames Raw and Not Painted?49:09 - Biggest Single Surprise During Bike Development?51:07 - Anti-Rise Experiences and Setup54:52 - Any Insight into 2024 World Cup Race Format?

Downhill mountain bike racing legend, Greg Minnaar, announced that he joined Norco Bicycles after 16 years with the Santa Cruz Syndicate. Minnaar has more Mountain Bike World Cup Downhill victories than any other Elite male racer. While 2023 was supposed to be his farewell season after two-and-a-half decades of racing, a flat tire at World Championships in Fort William left Greg with a poor result and a hunger to end his competitive career on a high note. When Santa Cruz decided to let Greg go, he found a new home at Norco. In this interview we talk with Greg about that change, the possible challenges of working with a new bike and team, as well as his expectations for the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup DH race season.Video Contents0:00 - Intro /  Is He on FOX or RockShox?3:31 - Any Other Sponsor Changes?4:21 - Why Didn't He Retire in 2023?7:55 - Did He Try to Stay with Santa Cruz Syndicate?10:50 - Norco's Race Engineering Program13:09 - How Will He Adapt to the Norco Prototype DH Bike?16:17 - From VPP to High-Pivot to DH Bike20:20 - Does Suspension Platform Really Matter?22:30 - The Source - Norco Junior Development Team25:29 - What If He Doesn't Get Results or Gets an Injury?30:44 - 2024 Race Goals32:48 - Insight into 2024 World Cup DH Format36:06 - Would He Wear the Fox One-piece Suit like Christian Craig?36:58 - What Will He Miss Most about The Syndicate?Thanks to Maxxis Tires, FOX and Jenson USA  for supporting Vital MTB's The Inside Line podcast.#MTB #mountainbike #downhill

Thank you Jenson USA | Maxxis Tires  | FOX ShoxWelcome mountain bikers! We're stoked to take you for a ride along during a conversation we had at the end of October during Vital's budget mountain bike test in Reno, Nevada. It was a special time because every Vital editorial staffer was present with some of our favorite contributors too. The primary discussion revolves around the bikes we were testing and how great it is to be a mountain biker with so many quality bikes and components. Whether beginner or experienced, it's really hard to go wrong with a mountain bike purchase these days. Eventually, we twist and turn our way onto the topic of Red Bull Rampage, which was fresh in our minds at the time, and ultimately to our favorite subject, World Cup Downhill racing.Get to know the Vital staff a bit better, give a nod to budget-friendly mountain bikes and enjoy the show!Watch Vital's $2,500 Mountain Bike Comparison

Thank you Jenson USA | Maxxis Tires  | FOX ShoxJoin us as we get to know Dan Critchlow, one of the founders of Burgtec. Burgtec is a mountain bike component manufacturer that started with some friends wanting stronger flat pedals in the early 2000s. As time went on and riders craved their product, they expanded their efforts and have turned Burgtec into a successful, premium MTB component brand with pedals, bars, stems and more.Dan discusses his journey into mountain biking, racing downhill at the World Cup level, the formation and development of Burgtec, and even how he coached Josh Bryceland during the year Ratboy won the World Cup overall.Enjoy the show!

These awesome brands make The B Practice Podcast possible!Maxxis | Burgtec | Industry NineWe interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to tell you the story of how Dakotah, Tanner, and I met through downhill racing. Chatting about racing and bikes hardly gets old, but we figured changing things up and providing some context on how the heck we all ended up together spitting nonsense into your headphones could be entertaining. It's not the craziest story, but it sure was a fun period in our lives, traveling the world and attempting to race bikes at the highest level. Enjoy!

These awesome brands make The B Practice Podcast possible!Maxxis | Burgtec | Industry NineAs a mountain bike fan, November is pretty boring. Everyone is patiently waiting for the new year to roll around to announce new team and sponsorship deals, and until then, not much happens. To help fill the void, we are back with another podcast to cover some really hard-pressing topics. Dakotah’s journey to home ownership in Tennessee has become public knowledge, but building the house is only part of the project. We open this episode discussing his plans to build a moto track, pit bike track, and pump track over the next month. All part of his master plan to have the ultimate training playground; we then talk about why he rides with shorter cranks, the effects of lever angle and bar roll, one-piece handlebars, why Dakotah doesn’t race on tires that are more than three runs old, and pick components or gear that we think riders overlook their importance. Enjoy!

Thank you Jenson USA | Maxxis Tires  | FOX ShoxWe're honored to have Jack Rice on The Inside Line. You probably know Jack as a mountain bike race photographer with his work from the World Cups and #USDH races featured on Vital. He was also the team photographer for Transition Factory Racing this season. However, just a few years ago, Jack had no significant photography experience and very little time on a mountain bike. So how did he become a successful photographer in our scene in such a short time? Through grit, determination, and a desire to never go back to what he calls his old life. Today Jack shares his story which includes growing up in Brooklyn, experiencing friends lost in the 9/11 terror attacks, tackling severe drug and alcohol addiction, and the power of community and family. We also talk about what it was like breaking into the World Cup MTB photography community and dig into what the future looks like. There are heavy topics covered in this episode, so please be advised if there are sensitive or younger ears listening.Thank you, listeners, for making Vital MTB such an incredible community. Stories like Jack's make us proud to be a part of this incredible two-wheeled family.0:00 - Intro3:57 - How I Met Jack10:59 - First Vital Assignment14:23 - Life in Brooklyn, School Sports Success20:29 - Experiencing the 9/11 Attacks at Age 13 in New York27:41 - Moving on from 9/1131:50 - Introduction to Alcohol, Drugs and Dealing37:58 - Drug Addiction, Rehab and Jail49:06 - Going to Prison53:35 - Recovering from Addiction1:04:01 - Mountain Bikes Come Into Jack's Life1:08:04 - Becoming a Mountain Bike Photographer1:18:29 - Media Squids and Photography Etiquette1:26:40 - The Community Buys Jack a Camera1:37:22 - Being Transition Factory Racing Team Photographer1:44:10 - The New Guard of MTB Media1:46:04 - Valentia Roa Sanchez, World Cup Champ1:51:25 - 2024 Outlook2:09:13 - Questions from the Homies2:14:18 - Warhammer Miniature PaintingFollow Jack on Instagram - @jackiericecakes