Vital’s Bikes: Unaffiliated Podcast - Community Conversation

8/13/2026 3:55pm

Everything I do is core and everything I don't isn't.  Casing jumps, Mid pack finishes at my local races, slightly creaky frame. Super core

7
8/13/2026 4:36pm

It's like a nickname, you can't give it to yourself, someone else has to.

As for myself, I'm like my favorite Poke bowl; albaCORE!

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LePigPen
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8/13/2026 6:44pm
Also I don't know if it's been broached yet but it is nearly impossible for an e biker that is not either paid to be riding...

Also I don't know if it's been broached yet but it is nearly impossible for an e biker that is not either paid to be riding it or hauling at least 40 lbs of tools to go dig to be core. I might even argue if you are not on the world tour of your discipline getting paid to ride one is not enough to make you core.

LePigPen wrote:
I had to chew on that sentence structure for a couple minutes. seems like 'ebike = not core' is the jistOne thing I will say, as...

I had to chew on that sentence structure for a couple minutes. seems like 'ebike = not core' is the jist

One thing I will say, as an anti e biker guy, is almost ALL the guys who put in the most work for trail maintenance now ride eebz. And they get a fcuk ton done. So yeah, not very core, not for me, but there are a ton of dudes using it as a tool to do the most core thing imaginable. Credit where its due.

There is a reason I added the caveats I did about digging and maintaining.

Screenshot %285825%29.jpeg?VersionId=.U4rUpSTX94yGMMV2o Rx9m6L7 NEBl
This may be as core as it ever gets... Classic Palmer
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Ride00
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8/13/2026 8:02pm

This has been a great read- I’ve been following along and watching the boxes of ‘me’ get ticked off.. almost a better understanding of the why I’m perceived the way I am. 

I definitely agree it’s a title you receive not one you give to yourself. 

I will add that I am thankful for mountain biking. It is and has been a ‘core’ and defining aspect of my life. Mental, physical, psychological, community- all of it.. 

Thanks for the ‘podcast’ fellas! 

1
8/14/2026 11:43am

It’s just something you gotta do. It runs deep in the bones and you don’t know why. It’s not just a past time it’s part of your identity. You make sacrifices to do it. 

3
8/14/2026 2:39pm
Outlawed wrote:

The core label is essentially schrodinger's cat.

Exactly


To me “Core” is what is a result, not a thing. 
Core to me is the fact that we ride bikes to feel good. I also enjoy riding bikes with others if they are enjoying themselves.  I may not be able to clear a big gap, but seeing one of my friends clear it makes me happy because it makes them happy.  I’m old enough that I can see the end of my riding off in the distance. Once that gets here the only thing I’ll have left is the memories. I’ll think back to my first MTB ride in 1986 and how cool I thought it was to be out in the woods on a bicycle. 
 That is the Core. 
Any gatekeeping whatsoever is anti-core. The remark about flats=core is that. Implies flats are more difficult so it’s more core. Following that logic dictates that a fully rigid single speed on 26” wheels is core, anything else is in no way core. 

Core is the vibes, the smiles, and the joy. 

8/15/2026 7:45am
Outlawed wrote:

The core label is essentially schrodinger's cat.

Outlawed would like to invite you to his Ted talk “The observer effect in quantum mechanics and core culture: how asking the question of what core means fundamentally alters the nature of core”

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LePigPen
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8/15/2026 10:28am
img 5812-0.jpg?VersionId=lbhUkpaYChJNZIXtyfuVd77MDDQF
"if its your first time at core club... you HAVE to dig" (tosses shovel)
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StudBeefpile
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18 hours ago

Im not core enough to comment on the core element of this.  But I gotta say I agree with Lars on the long travel bike thoughts.  I still love to go for big long pedals.  I want to rip downhill, but it needs to still let me climb a shit ton in a day. 

 

Although I do pedal with my knee pads around my ankles. D: 

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TEAMROBOT
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17 hours ago Edited Date/Time 17 hours ago
Im not core enough to comment on the core element of this.  But I gotta say I agree with Lars on the long travel bike thoughts...

Im not core enough to comment on the core element of this.  But I gotta say I agree with Lars on the long travel bike thoughts.  I still love to go for big long pedals.  I want to rip downhill, but it needs to still let me climb a shit ton in a day. 

 

Although I do pedal with my knee pads around my ankles. D: 

The unforgivable sin.

3
DServy
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Jackson, WY, USA
15 hours ago
Im not core enough to comment on the core element of this.  But I gotta say I agree with Lars on the long travel bike thoughts...

Im not core enough to comment on the core element of this.  But I gotta say I agree with Lars on the long travel bike thoughts.  I still love to go for big long pedals.  I want to rip downhill, but it needs to still let me climb a shit ton in a day. 

 

Although I do pedal with my knee pads around my ankles. D: 

TEAMROBOT wrote:

The unforgivable sin.

Kneepads at ankles is the way to go and I refuse any other opinion on the matter. I prefer my knees not constantly feeling like they are going to get some form of trenchfoot (trenchknee?)

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TEAMROBOT
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13 hours ago
Im not core enough to comment on the core element of this.  But I gotta say I agree with Lars on the long travel bike thoughts...

Im not core enough to comment on the core element of this.  But I gotta say I agree with Lars on the long travel bike thoughts.  I still love to go for big long pedals.  I want to rip downhill, but it needs to still let me climb a shit ton in a day. 

 

Although I do pedal with my knee pads around my ankles. D: 

TEAMROBOT wrote:

The unforgivable sin.

DServy wrote:
Kneepads at ankles is the way to go and I refuse any other opinion on the matter. I prefer my knees not constantly feeling like they...

Kneepads at ankles is the way to go and I refuse any other opinion on the matter. I prefer my knees not constantly feeling like they are going to get some form of trenchfoot (trenchknee?)

The knee trenchfoot is our badge of honor. Embrace your destiny.

2
12 hours ago
TEAMROBOT wrote:

The unforgivable sin.

DServy wrote:
Kneepads at ankles is the way to go and I refuse any other opinion on the matter. I prefer my knees not constantly feeling like they...

Kneepads at ankles is the way to go and I refuse any other opinion on the matter. I prefer my knees not constantly feeling like they are going to get some form of trenchfoot (trenchknee?)

TEAMROBOT wrote:

The knee trenchfoot is our badge of honor. Embrace your destiny.

Kneepads belong on your knees or in your bag, if anyone ever sees me with them around my ankles you have permission to shoot me

4
12 hours ago

I hit my knees on my top tube too much on technical sections to wear my kneepads around my ankles while climbing.

1
Primoz
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10 hours ago

Um... Do you guys really not take the kneepads off? 

A I the only one weird enough to only consider fully opening knee pads (RF Roam for example)? 

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