All

LinkedIn posts and I worked at Trek HQ up until last week. I decided to leave on my own terms for a new opportunity. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an article on Bicycle Retailer soon.

Trek and QBP just had layoffs (again) today. This is the third time at Trek in the last 18 months and I believe at least the second time at QBP since COVID. I just exited the bike industry myself (started a new job this week!), it’s definitely rough out there!

I finally wrapped up my XT vs. XT brake test, here for your viewing pleasure - https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/comparing-shimano-xt-brake-performanc… The TLDR: - New brakes worked much more consistently. Never had any wandering bite point issues and the lever feel stayed solid in varying conditions. When I tested the new XTR brakes last year, I had a similar experience. I think the new oil/seals play a huge part in this, and the 'stiffer caliper' probably has some effect too. Don't @ me about - New reach adjust dial is a pain to turn IMO. I like the grip of the old one and...

The Fillmore valve is quite nice as you can take it apart pretty quickly to clean the gunk out. Tend to do it a couple of times a year.

“ChatGPT, show me a yeti crab” Edit:

Are you training (focused training time not just ride time) 8-11 hrs per week (5-6 sessions) with specific goals? If yes then do an 80/20 plan of polarization with that 80% being Z2 and the 20% being a combo of threshold and high intensity. Due to the total volume of training the body can't recover from higher amounts of high intensity, so it's Z2 working at a level that has adaptations but doesn't prevent recovery from those very key high intensity sessions. These athletes will also shift that 80/20 (70/30 or 60/40) to lower Z2 and more focused intensity in...

Choose your toy and be a dick about it.

Shimano's latest for their first 9 months compared to same period last year (Bicycle Division) *Sales up 5% *Operating income down 27% * Net profit (overall company) thus far is down 61% y/y. Commentary They are cautious on changes in trade policies around the world and "rising geopolitical risks" caused by prolonged international conflicts. They also cite a US economy that is showing signs of deceleration amid the "cooling sentiment due to rising prices stemming from tariff hikes and a slowdown in the labor market". With respect to bikes, specifically, they are noting "While the strong interest in bicycles continued...

would read again.

Strava has voluntarily dropped their lawsuit against Garmin. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/10/strava-drops-voluntarily-lawsuit-ag…

New Maxxis XC tyre out in the wild on other site

RLS is so effective, that in an independent study, RLS was found to reduce the risk of concussion by 4x on average compared with conventional helmets*** Yet the study linked is 1) Not peer reviewed 2) Not actually published yet 3) Is hugely biased. Quote from the study: "Competing interests: This work was funded by HEXR Ltd. All authors are employees of HEXR Ltd or Dropmatics Ltd, which may benefit from the findings." HEXR is the company behind RLS, so they directly benefit from a study about increased safety from RLS. Also, canyon supplied the helmets for the control group...

We should talk about chainstay length to celebrate

@grok is this real?

2026, Limited edition colors are so hot right now.

In addition to the DT Swiss hub rumours, I heard that E13 is releasing V2 of the sidekick hub sometime soon (October-ish). Will be lighter, more refined, and cheaper, from what I hear. Another rumour is that Santa Cruz will release a new Megatower and Nomad in spring 2026. No info on what changes are being made, but assuming similar to Bronson/Hightower.

pinkbike (did the vital break yet?)

p-tucky (eric porter) off diamondback after 15 years.