Monday · 1 hr 13 min
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
- VM
August 11 · 1 hr 12 minAre you a ‘core’ mountain biker?? - Vital’s Bikes: Unaffiliated Podcast - EP. 12
This week, Jason Schroeder, Lars Sternberg, and Shawn Spomer discuss two super serious topics: What does it mean to be a core mountain biker? Do riders care how much their mid- to long-travel bike weighs? Join the podcast discussion - Bikes: Unaffiliated Forum Discussion Digest more of our content - Instagram, YouTube, Facebook
- VMJuly 15 · 1 hr 31 min
A Sore Ankle, High Security & Inflatable Body Armor - La Thuile & Andorra Recap - B Practice Podcast
La Thuile and Andorra came and went, and the same names topped the podiums in each category except junior men, which is impressive considering how different the tracks were. The rest of the results sheet, especially in elites, has continued to be a mix up every round. And it shows in the overall standings—points gaps are tight when you get below the top three. It’s going to be an exciting back half to the season after the summer vacation. We get into who finished where the past two weeks, and chat about Dak’s current gear setup, his ankle injury from Andorra, Specialized team dynamics without Loic, the tight security after Andorra finals, if Jonty Williams has already won the overall, Vali going on a Rachel Atherton-esque streak, the rise of Bode Burke, the pressure of Max Commencal in the finishing corral at Andorra, and the need for everyone to be wearing the inflatable chest protector after witnessing Amaury’s crash. Enjoy!
- VM
July 10 · 2 hr 45 minThe Rise of DJI: From Drones to E-Bikes - B.S. Podcast
In this episode, Jeff Brines and Charlie Sponsel explore the fascinating history and rapid rise of DJI, the Chinese tech giant known for drones and now e-bikes under the Avinox name. They analyze the cultural, geopolitical, and industrial factors that have shaped DJI's success and its implications for the cycling industry. Jeff and Charlie explore the rapid advancements in e-bike technology, the strategic moves of industry giants like DJI, and the evolving regulatory landscape. They analyze how these changes could reshape the future of the bike industry over the next five years. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the BS Podcast and DJI 06:05 DJI's Early Struggles and Breakthroughs 11:50 The Rise of DJI and Market Dynamics 17:58 The Geopolitical Context of DJI's Growth 45:45 The Impact of Economic Policies on Subsistence Farming 51:32 Shenzhen as China's Silicon Valley 57:05 Perceptions of Chinese Manufacturing 01:02:44 The Importance of Urban Agglomeration 01:09:40 Collectivism vs Individualism in Chinese Society 01:17:42 Speculations on DJI's Corporate Structure and How Avinox Fits In 01:23:21 The Competitive Landscape of the E-Bike Market 01:29:10 The Future of Amflow: A Proof of Concept? 01:39:10 The Gearbox Revolution in E-Bikes 01:52:20 The Future of E-Bike Technology and Regulations 02:05:07 The Future of E-Bikes and Innovations 02:12:21 The Role of Major Players in E-Bike Technology 02:18:11 Navigating E-Bike Regulations and Trail Access 02:35:25 The Impact of DJI on the Bike Industry
- VM
June 25 · 1 hr 23 minBar Width, Mountain of Hell, Gearbox Motors - Vital’s Bikes: Unaffiliated Podcast
Tag along for another decompression conversation, where we chat about the Mountain of Hell mass-start race, Cannondale’s Bad Habit that Jason’s been reviewing, how heavy is too heavy for a trail bike, the subjectiveness of bike setup and what components are ‘good,’ bar width, bar ends, and auto-shifting e-bike gearbox motors. Enjoy!
- VM
June 24 · 1 hr 42 min2-Clicks of Rebound The Wrong Way!! - Lenzerheide Recap - B Practice Podcast
Four rounds into the 2026 World Cup season, and three B Practice podcasts have been recorded. What’s new? This episode, we get into what Dak’s been messing with, the struggles he had in Leogang, and the strides he made in Lenzerheide. We also spent way too long disputing what should change to make World Cups more engaging and growing. How many times can we talk about the same things? We also cover the usual talking points from the past two weeks of racing. Enjoy!
- VMJune 23 · 16 min
You Asked. They Answered - Specialized Demo 11 Q&A
Specialized’s new Demo 11 downhill bike is a certified rocket ship. You don’t need us to tell you that. Jordan Williams, Loic Bruni, and Finn Iles have proven the platform's abilities over the past three years of development and this year two World Cup DH wins have been nabbed aboard the production version. The problem may be that it's complex, heavy and priced much higher than other DH bikes. Specialized gave us the chance to ride the bike, and we took the opportunity to get all of your questions answered—no marketing BS. Vital editor, Jason Schroeder, chats with Nicco Deluca, Product Manager at Specialized. Enjoy! Watch the full 'First Ride' video - https://youtu.be/D6dVxVffoPA
- VM
June 8 · 1 hr 26 minFrom Loudenvielle to Leogang - B Practice Podcast Analysis
Loudenvielle came and went, and unfortunately our dude Dak didn't make it in the night show. That's racing. The good news is his setup is trending towards the bullseye. After a week off lapping in Schladming, it's time to get back on the horse and head to Leogang. We figured most people already got their fix of post-race highlights from Loudenvielle, so we focused most on Dak's thoughts on the track, the race to make finals, Luca's first victory and what it represents, why he's going stiffer and stiffer and what that means for his bar height, poles vs. course tape, and thoughts on Leogang this weekend. Enjoy!
- VM
June 3 · 1 hr 21 minYour Mid-Week MTB Decompression - Vital’s ‘bikes: unaffiliated’ Podcast
Join us on an unscripted, unaffiliated podcast journey where we discuss various hot takes from the Loudenvielle DH World Cup, risk vs. reward in DH racing, the Hot Laps event in Washington, how to hit berms better, why Enduro World Cups are dying a slow death and why that doesn’t actually matter for the sport of enduro, and a bunch of other MTB-related nonsense. Enjoy! Bikes' Unaffiliated forum conversation
- VM
May 29 · 6 minJORDI CORTES - 17 Questions
See more 17 Questions videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLiDwPfY-lhwLORXY7C8mhKi-BtWbmxXO Influencer, internet personality, FOX suspension guru, and Greg Minnaar’s #1 emotional support human, Jordie Cortes rips through a classic 17 Questions. (minus one)
- VM
May 26 · 1 hr 7 minDeveloping A Mountain Bike at 19 - Arid Cycles Founder Ethan Eggert | Vital's Bikes: Unaffiliated Podcast
This week, we had the pleasure of chatting with Ethan Eggert, the founder of Arid Cycles, to discuss how he’s managed to create his own mountain bike in only a few years without any financial help or a traditional background in bike development. It’s a really cool story that shows how no idea is too big with some ingenuity and persistence. What has transpired is the Spade model, a very intriguing enduro bike that’s highly modular, progressive, and features some first-of-its-kind design elements. Arid is currently producing its first batch of 50 frames with delivery slated for this Fall. To learn more about the Spade, check out aridcycles.com, or @aridcycles on Instagram and YouTube.
- VM
May 12 · 1 hr 58 min“Every Run Is a Race Run” | Vital's B Practice Podcast - South Korea
Days late, dollars short. That’s how the B Practice Podcast rolls. After a rough first race of the year, followed by some horrendous travel, it took us an extra week to nail down our guy Dak to podcast. We chatted a good bit about his race weekend in South Korea and how he’s feeling about his program going into the next big block of racing. We also discussed how he rushed to race the Monster Pro Downhill at Mountain Creek last weekend, and how he’s heading to Andorra next week to make his bike stiffer. Plus, all the usual race weekend coverage, including Asa winning his first try in Elites, Aletha having the fastest time of the day, track notes from a wild first-time venue, gripes with the broadcast, Amaury’s what could have been winning run, big names off the pace, new names in juniors, and a bunch of other nonsense. We hope you enjoy. Thanks for listening!
- VMApril 27 · 1 hr 41 min
Let's Get Mental - Bikes: Unaffiliated Ft. Dr. Jason Richardson
Dr. Jason Richardson joins the podcast to chat about his work as a sports psychologist in cycling and how the same tools that benefit professional athletes can benefit every rider, regardless of ability, on and off the bike. We loved this conversation and learned a lot ourselves. We hope you get something out of it, too! Summary Professional BMX rider and sports psychologist Dr. Jason Richardson shares insights on mental resilience, goal setting, and the psychology of winning. Discover practical strategies to overcome negative thoughts, embrace ownership of your performance, and unlock your full potential in sports and life. In this engaging interview, Jason Richardson shares insights on racing psychology, social media's impact on athletes, mental strategies for success, and the parallels between mountain biking and life. Discover practical tips for mental resilience, social media management, and achieving peak performance. Jason Richardson Instagram Bikes' Unaffiliated forum conversation
- VM
April 23 · 29 minWorld Cup DH Press Conference - Bruni, Goldstone, Shaw, Holl, Hemstreet, Seagrave
Virtual press conference recorded on April 21 to discuss the upcoming World Cup Downhill season with Loic Bruni, Jackson Goldstone, Luca Shaw, Vali Holl, Gracey Hemstreet and Tahnee Seagrave.
- VM
April 22 · 1 hr 30 minFreak Bikes Taking Over - Bikes Unaffiliated
Schroeder, Spomer and Lars get back together to discuss big wheels and weird bikes taking over. 00:00 Reflections on Sea Otter 2026 09:59 The Future of Wheel Sizes 13:09 What's In and What's Out 34:52 Innovations in Mountain Bike Technology 42:09 Health Scares and Personal Stories 44:00 - Neko Mulally and his Sea Otter Winner 32" 59:15 Exploring the 32-Inch Wheel Debate 01:19:56 World Cup Predictions and Insights 01:23:09 Logistics of Racing in New Venues 01:25:03 Vital DH Fantasy Poll This episode features an in-depth discussion on the latest trends and innovations in mountain biking, including the impact of 32-inch wheels, the evolution of bike technology, and insights from Sea Otter. The hosts share their experiences, analyze new bike models, and explore the future of mountain biking industry trends. This episode dives into the latest in downhill mountain biking, exploring innovative bike setups, track strategies, and predictions for upcoming World Cup races. Guests share insights on gear choices, track conditions, and the evolving technology shaping the sport. Key Topics Impact of 32-inch wheels on mountain biking Innovations in bike technology and design Industry trends and event insights from Sea Otter Bike setup innovations including wheel size and suspension Track strategies and course modifications for competitive advantage Predictions and insights for upcoming World Cup races
- VM
- VM
April 10 · 1 hr 40 minDak's Setup Is Getting Out There - Vital's B Practice Podcast
I's been a busy few months since the last podcast—Jason went to New Zealand and Italy, Tanner has been to nearly all 50 states working different shoots and projects, and Dakotah has bounced between Europe and Tennessee as he feverishly tests every setup under the sun. We covered a lot of this show, including Dak's crash at the Tennessee National, getting outside of the box with setup, Reece Wilson's crazy stem/bar combo, gym training vs. on-bike training, and goals at the first World Cup. But mostly, we caught up on life because we don't see each other enough these days, and the podcast is the perfect excuse to banter and hang out. We hope you enjoy!
- VM
April 9 · 1 hr 10 minMasters World Championships - Matt Thompson and Steve Wentz
Today we talk with Matt Thompson and Steve Wentz who just returned from Masters World Champs downhill in Chile. Matt took the rainbow stripes in the 50-55 Master C2 class and Steve landed a Top 10 in a stacked field of “younger” talent, most importantly beating Ben Deakin in the process. We dive into what Masters World Champs is, learn about their experiences with the event over the years and dig into the full story of this years’ race. As a bonus, they both came home in one piece.
- VMApril 8 · 11 min
More Linear? More Comfortable?? Tech Breakdown & Impressions of RockShox New Zeb Fork
RockShox Zeb fork is all-new for model year 2027. They’ve taken what they learned developing the latest Boxxer, and have applied many of the same technologies and tuning ideologies to their single-crown, gravity fork. Vital editor, Jason Schroeder, has spent the past few months testing the fork and runs you through everything that’s new, and how it’s performed so far. More info - https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/2027-rockshox-zeb-fork-tech-info-impressions-discussion 0:00 - Intro 0:25 - Chassis Updates 0:46 - New fenders 1:05 - New pressure relief valves 1:16 - Linear XL air spring details 1:42 - AirAnnex chamber 2:01 - new Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) feature 2:51 - New stanchions detail 3:08 - ButterWagon Tech - divots in the stanchion 3:31 - Charger 3.2 damper updates 3:38 - Oil, seals, grease updates 4:20 - Zeb Product Line 5:06 - Setting up the new Zeb 5:25 - Damper settings 6:10 - Air pressure settings 6:56 - Linear XL air spring positives 7:49 - Linear XL air spring negatives 8:34 - ABO impressions 10:05 - Zeb's versatility 10:46 - Bottom Line on the new Zeb
- VM
March 29 · 18 minPOST-RACE Pro Downhill Series Rock Creek Interviews - Unc Chats with Luca Cometti
Elite race day at the first event of the 2026 @prodownhillseries was a heater at Ride Rock Creek bike park in North Carolina as downhill mountain bikers put it all on the line for victory. Listen to the post-race interviews with Luca Cometti. Interviews 0:00 - Lucas Dedora 1:11 - Final Elite Men Finishes 2:07 - Luca Shaw, Elite Men's Winner 3:07 - Ryder Lawrence 3:43 - Aletha Ostgaard, Elite Women's Winner 5:37 - Eliot Jackson 7:05 - Kai Burleson 8:20 - Dante Silva 12:04 - Podium Shots 12:17 - Tilly Melton 13:11 - Ryan Pinkerton 14:06 - Mallen Bro 15:15 - Kailey Skelton 17:05 - Alden Pate 17:57 - Andrew Driscoll #USDH