All

One important thing about the D3O diablo line is that it is significantly worse in impact tests vs "standard" LP1 D3O protection pads. In the CE impact test, the level 2 diablo pad is the exact same level of protection as the standard level 1 D3O "LP1" protector that comes in many other elbow/knee pads. D3O Diablo L1 is notably worse at absorbing impacts than the standard LP1 D30 pad. If you're interested, go take a look at the D3O data sheets. Thinning down on the D3O for a thinner pad comes at a significant protection cost, that would be...

I have and wear a TLD Rockfight CE Flex pretty regularly, it hides decently under a jersey and strikes a reasonable balance of breathability/protection. As for knee pads, the Akta Trail's are easily the best I have owned. The only complaint I could muster is they can be a bit warm but the protection is good and the comfort is great.

I'm a pretty big fan of my Akta knee pads. I'd say they are some of the comfiest, even while pedalling, while still having solid protection that I've had over the last 20 years of riding https://aktamtb.com/products/trail-mtb-knee-pads

"1) I think this YT segment of pods (and Brine's involvement) has been really good lately and I would love to see Vital do weekly pods (of any type) to stay on the pod-radar, even if its just 30-45 mins jabbering about bikes, gear, whatever. The DH season w/ Dak is great, and likewise, the details on bike biz that Jeff's been pitching in on - which I thought would be must-miss - were must-hear really, and w/ Charlie & Schroeder... this has been pretty damn interesting. I get that pods are more time consuming than the fan base thinks...

I tried to make this clear in my follow-up audio note, but I’m really not trying to throw shade at @Downtime Podcast or Chris. Two things can be true: Chris is one of the best hosts in the MTB world, and the Markus episode missed the mark for some of us. No podcast hits a home run every time. Every show I listen to has episodes where I think, “not for me” or “this one whiffed.” That’s normal. And the same is obviously true for my own content. In a way, Chris let Markus make his own bed. Anyone who...

Chris, lots of people sacrifice and do hard work. Usually to make profits for someone or lot’s of someone else. Lots of us here make huge sacrifices cause we love mtb at financial loss. Both in how it affects our careers and the money we spend. And I’m not talking on gear, but rather the millions if not billions of dollars people spend a year after year creating trails, races, etc out of pocket with zero profit or even for free. You start every podcast asking listeners for money to keep it going. Which is completely fine. I have zero...

Chris, That is precisely my definition of paid work. If you are unhappy with the amount you should have charged more. It’s not like Marcus wouldn’t have paid it. And taking a weekend away from family to sit down with Marcus and give him a softee interview to spin his bs sounds like the worst use of time. Generally enjoy your show. But personally I think this episode is highly regrettable. I agree that your general style is good when it comes to interviewing racers and folk with no agenda. But Marcus paid you because he has an agenda. Not...

On one hand, I shouldn’t give a F about what Markus says. I did my three years at YT, met amazing people, learnt a lot and got paid not too bad. On the other hand, given the number and kinds of situation where Markus showed zero accountability for his own actions and screwed up both customers and employees that I personally witnessed, I really wish for other people’s voices to be heard at least to the same extent as it was with the Downtine podcast. I am not the one to talk out loud since my role was not that...

Impressive. Very nice. Now let's see YTUSA's CEO tell-all podcast.

@jeff.brines recorded some thoughts after listening to the Downtime show. Listen below.

I'm trying. It kinda falls off my brain about halfway and I feel like we enter the full 'say what needs to be said' part. Which I was more okay with at the beginning... But as it got more and more 'woe is me' and 'things weren't fair enough for me' about halfway through the images of Porsches started to fade into view and dull my senses. Numb the brain. As was mentioned in the podcast, at no point did I get a sense of 'sorry' or 'that was my bad' or 'we messed up'. I understand German culture is...

what a chode lol

He "absolutely understands" the criticism, and continued to laugh and smile through the whole thing. The only time I felt he was being sincere was when discussing his disappointment with the race team management and how they "threw gas on the fire" instead of protecting the family. Apparently, one team rider came to him and said they understand, as did the freeriders. I think we can guess who that is, the only person to keep working for the new YT along with the freeriders who got their contracts renewed.

The knee pads are amazing. Would hate to have to ride in anything else. When the tariff stupidity was imminent, I went ahead ordered a second pair just in case.

I have lots of days in the Whistler bike park with the pants and jersey. They have been great. Although I do have trouble trying to decide whether to tuck or not tuck .

In case anyone wants to take my word for it, I've had/have Akta knee pads, shorts, jerseys and gloves and it's all top notch quality and (my) style stuff. They also do some really good sales but the MAGA 33% duties for the US is sucky.