Bikes & Big Ideas

Structure Cycleworks arguably makes the coolest bikes out there — or the ugliest bikes out there. So we talked to Structure Cycleworks founder, Loni Hull, about why he introduced a front-linkage suspension design; why rear-linkage designs are everywhere, while front-linkage designs are utterly uncommon; and the pros and cons of bringing such an unorthodox bike to market. So whether you are a true bike dork or you just appreciate outside-the-box thinking and design, consider this is a ‘Must-Listen.’

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT: blister.getspot.com

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Your background (8:42)
• When & why did you start Structure? (13:53)
• Learning curve? (27:32)
• First racers on the bike (31:05)
• Geometry & hard tails (31:58)
• Benefits of Structure’s design (38:38)
• Wheel sizing (45:22)
• Durability (46:57)
• Warranty (50:59)
• Trajectory of the bike industry (53:08)
• Market acceptance & adoption (55:45)
• Loni’s Big Idea (1:00:53)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Trek officially released an update of their enduro-focused Slash, so we offer our initial impressions of the new bike and ask what this big new release might be able to tell us about where we are in terms of the evolution of bike geometry. To this end, we also talk about a couple other examples, including the Pivot Switchblade and the Rocky Mountain Instinct BC.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• The new Trek Slash (1:34)
• Bike geometry (5:21)
• Pivot Switchblade (14:17)
• Rocky Mountain Instinct BC (19:11)
• Caveat for Gunnison Valley Riding & Testing (21:34)
• Closing Thoughts (23:27)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mountain bikers Eliot Jackson and Katie Holden just launched the Grow Cycling Foundation, so we caught up with Eliot to talk about Grow Cycling; their plan to get a Velosolutions Pumptrack built in downtown Los Angeles; how to create a more welcoming bike culture; his terrific podcast, Reggy Radio; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Night Owls vs. Early Birds (2:23)
• What is the Grow Cycling Foundation? (5:24)
• Putting a Velosolutions Pumptrack in LA (20:50)
• How to develop a more welcoming bike culture (28:59)
• How Eliot got started mtn biking (41:56)
• On being “the biggest nerd of all time” (47:42)
• On becoming entrepreneurial (51:38)
• On being a podcast host / Reggy Radio (57:28)
• Future plans for Grow Cycling (1:04:42)
• How to get involved with Grow Cycling (1:13:16)
• Eliot’s Big Idea / Bad Idea? (1:18:29)

ELIOT’S ARTICLE IN OUTSIDE MAGAZINE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Any One of Us, the film about Paul Basagoitia and spinal cord injuries, just won an Emmy! So we are reposting the conversation we had with Paul, who was the first back-to-back winner of Crankworx Slopestyle; participated in Red Bull Rampage numerous times; and was one of the top riders in the game. But one tiny mishap led to a crash that left him paralyzed, and Paul’s life was changed in an instant. But that’s not the end of the story — Paul is currently making an absolutely incredible comeback.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Paul’s film, Any One of Us (5:13)
• Winning Crankworx on Cam Zink’s bike (7:08)
• Competing at Rampage & managing fear (15:08)
• Paul’s crash (29:20)
• Are you scared watching friends drop in at Rampage? (36:08)
• Spinal injuries & stem cell research (37:08)
• Wings for Life (wingsforlife.com) (39:00)
• Paul’s recovery & current status (44:17)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anneke Beerten was on episode #34 of Bikes & Big Ideas, and we did not expect to have the 2 x world champion BMX rider, 3-time Four Cross world champion, and Queen of Crankworx (who hails from the Netherlands) back on the show under these circumstances. Anneke was in an accident and suffered a serious concussion, so we wanted to check in with about what happened; get a firsthand report of her recovery; and present a public service announcement that we all need to hear.

But we then shift gears and talk about her time at Travis Pastrana’s very own theme park, where she participated in the Pastranaland Pit Bike Championships. So this is both a serious and super fun conversation.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Anneke’s accident (2:44)
• Concussions (10:49)
• Anneke’s recovery progress (22:32)
• Advice for others (27:31)
• Pastranaland Pit Bike Championships (32:44)
• Project updates & the upcoming season (37:00)

RELATED LINKS

• Bikes & Big Ideas, ep. 34: Anneke Beerten on Racing, ‘Badass’ Books, & Big Ideas

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.