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1) I think you're at the exact peak of the Dunning Kruger graph here. 2) That was a hint to get this discussion out of this thread.

I assume "chainstay length" is supposed to be the distance between the BB axis and the rear axle axis, while "rear centre length" is the minimal distance between those two points projected vertically? Gee I hope there are some tech rumours to talk about soon.

If Hans Rey and GT can part, Bulldog has no chance with redbull moving forward.

There's no prototype rule in MTB. There's no resetting of the clock, the teams are free to run whatever they like

If the UCI played hardball like that with the manufacturers, the OEMs would just pack up their stuff and go home. Downhill is mainly a marketing exercise for companies who participate. Very few companies are selling enough DH bikes to justify the money they spend in WC Downhill. They're hoping that their presence/results there will make you feel more confident in the performance of the rest of the bikes they produce and sell.

Brook has been through a lot with the recovery from his crash but it's hard to not see the sense of entitlement that he has. It was either in a Downtime or Ride Companion podcast where he was talking about how bad the Mondraker dh bike is (while still being sponsored by them), but he also said that he thinks that he will be a lifetime Redbull sponsored athlete just because he's been with them for 10 years. I'm sorry, but if Redbull can drop Daren Berrecloth, Andreu Lacondeguy, Kyle Strait (& others) to make room for new talent, then...

I look at those quotes and see someone who seems to be dealing with depression rather than entitlement. But to each their own.

No hate. Really want to see the guy do well again. The evidence is there so people can go and listen, then make up their own minds. I appreciate the honesty from him and other riders in the scene. The difference between Greg, Gwin (who have also been vocal at times re equipment issues) and Brook, to me, is not only what they said and how they said it, but the attitudes underpinning the comments.

He's undeniably a far better rider than I’ll ever be, and this isn’t a critique of his skill on the bike—that speaks for itself. That said, I have to disagree with what you’re saying. He’s consistently criticized almost every bike he’s ridden since the original Mondraker. More notably, he’s the only rider I’ve heard go on a podcast and openly tear into multiple former sponsors' equipment—sometimes even gear that’s still on the market. Most riders might, years later, say something like “that wasn’t the best race bike,” but he goes as far as to call bikes sketchy or unsafe. That...

suspension guy please draw the wheel action on this dual-shock puppy. Gimme one of those stick figure squish pics. Thanks in advance.

Thanks. Apologies to how badly that post needed an editor prior to posting. If you suffered through the reading of it, I appreciate it. I'll do better pausing before posting next go! Those asking about Intense, it'd be a worthwhile deep dive to try and detail their history. Honestly, that'd probalby require talking to employees and even Jeff himself. I have dreams of doing "Acquired" style podcasts about these companies, being there is a lot of cool history and story behind all of them. I think they still have a great shot but will have to buckle down. Their bikes...

Jeff, I really liked this write up and felt it had the right level of depth + data(we need more leaks from big bike companies btw). I like your short quips and added insight to this forum, but this write up really takes the cake for showing what you know vs the average mtb'er. Thanks for taking the time to do the write up and stay sassy.

Happy to see him poke fun at Bernard every chance he gets 🙂 After all isn't that what the spirit of Hardline is about

Except for Tech Talk itself which always descends into Chainstay length discussion

Just want to put fire to the flame here. I was the only one standing at a rather straight forward 90 degree turn at DH Nationals this year when a guy on a 2 week old Pivot had his frame "POP". I said "Did he just snap a swingarm?" A distinct pop in a hard turn. Rider didn't notice. Irony is he was in the turn before the 2 miserable flat drops Neko built to test his prototypes originally. Guy hits both drops then hucks down to the next turn and hear another snap. I posted the pic somewhere on...

New post up on the whole YT situation. Thanks to a sleuth-y VitalMTB member, financials were found (up until 2022). Huge shoutout...but I want to make sure he wants the shoutout first! Substack My Blog My Super Ugly Windows 98 Themed Blog (reader beware)

Not gonna up or downvote you because I don't think either is warranted. Ages ago, I worked a very end user and industry facing role. I was paid squat. And while part of me didn't mind, part of me was chafed as hell because the union pickpackers were making at minimum $5/hr more than I with considerably better benes. So, I was ranting to my pop about it and he told me one thing that has stuck with me and it was simply, "maybe if they're getting paid more than you for less responsibility the problem isn't theirs for being...

As others have said, this is a nice thread which has surprisingly little trolling/politics or conflict in general. @jeff.brines in case it comforts you somewhat, I have a good friend working in a hedge fund, he has pretty much been depressed since covid telling me none of the financial models apply anymore and the markets don't react with any reasonable logic. And it seems safe investments are more and more ignored to chase growth similar to big tech which seems completely unsustainable.

Sometimes having a safe place where you can fling poop at the wall, see what sticks and have other people admire the smell of said poop can be very beneficial. I for one enjoy the posts even if a lot of it goes over my head and even if you say you have delivery problems. It's a style, it's probably unique and that makes it cool. Keep going at it. If you'll see to be rambling here, maybe it will clear your train of though and make the delivery that much crisper where and when it really matters.

It’s interesting to go back and listen to the MTB Podcast interview with the, once again, CEO of Revel and use that as a point of contrast to how people perceive Flossman. It’s also interesting to listen to him and get a different perspective on why a founder might turn to PE funding. Also: I might have missed something, but I didn’t think Robot was devaluing Jeff’s knowledge and expertise. To me, it seemed like he was saying that regardless of how good of modeling, predicting, advising someone like Jeff might engage in with a client or employer, it’s up...