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Available Episodes

5 of 104

104 - Bike Shop Secrets: Disc Brake Squeal, Internal Routing Issues, Suspension Service (incl. Fork Stanchion Lube), & Pedal Cadence.
Send us a textIn this comprehensive bike maintenance episode, suspension expert Dane "Suspension Guru" Higgins tackles the most common disc brake problems plaguing mountain bikers. Learn why your hydraulic disc brakes keep squealing despite new rotors and pads, how brake pad contamination occurs, and the proper bedding process for noise-free performance. Dane explains caliper alignment techniques, the debate between OEM vs aftermarket brake pads, and why sanding contaminated pads often fails to solve squealing issues.The episode also covers essential suspension service knowledge including the difference between lower and full fork services, typical service intervals (50-100 hours), and why proper damper maintenance prevents costly blowouts. Plus, discover e-bike motor care secrets like optimal cadence settings to prevent overheating, dropper post storage tips to avoid expensive repairs, and professional cable routing solutions for internal systems. Whether you're dealing with squeaky brakes or planning suspension maintenance, this episode delivers actionable bike shop wisdom.Listen to Mountain Cog Apple PodcastsSpotifyOther Podcast Sites [email protected]
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103 - Deep Dive: New XTR M9200 Di2 Wireless Groupset with Nick Murdick (Shimano’s MTB Product Manager).
Send us a textIn this comprehensive deep dive, Shimano's Mountain Bike Product Manager Nick Murdick reveals a copious amount of details about their new XTR M9200 Di2 wireless groupset. Learn how Shimano engineered their first fully wireless mountain bike drivetrain with on-board derailleur batteries, customizable shifter paddles, and rock-impact protection designed from "the rock's perspective." Murdick explains the technical innovations behind the wedge-shaped derailleur design, dual-click shifting mechanism, and why Shimano chose derailleur hangers over direct-mount systems for maximum trail durability.Discover the complete XTR M9200 component lineup including new brake technology with updated hydraulic fluid, 160mm crank arm options, and both long-cage (10-51) and short-cage (9-45) cassette configurations. Nick shares insider development stories, addresses SRAM transmission comparisons, and explains backward compatibility with existing Shimano components. This episode covers everything from battery life expectations to trim mode functionality, making it essential listening for mountain bikers considering wireless drivetrain upgrades or mechanics working with the latest Shimano technology.Video: https://youtu.be/Ilx6ilqq6TQWeb: https://bike.shimano.com/stories/article/shimano-xtr-m9200-di2-mountain-bike-components.htmlUpdate! Nick Murdick got back to us after the recording with the answer to a question he wasn’t sure of at the time. Here’s the answer… It is indeed possible to convert a derailleur between short cage and long cage at the shop. If you connect to e-tube project through the PC you will see an option to change between GS and SGS. The derailleur uses a different shift pattern for each cassette. In some gears you may notice that it breaks the shift into two steps in order to use the shift ramps on the cassette more effectively. It's more noticeable when double shifting.Listen to Mountain Cog Apple PodcastsSpotifyOther Podcast Sites [email protected]
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1:17:52
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1:17:52
102 - Inside Park Tool: The World's Largest Bicycle Tool Company with Truman Purdy
Send us a textGo inside Park Tool, the world's largest bicycle tool company, with Technical Expert Truman Purdy in this deep-dive interview. Learn the fascinating origin story of how Art Engstrom and Howard Hawkins transformed from a small Schwinn repair shop in Minnesota to creating the iconic blue tools that define professional bike maintenance today. Discover why Park Tool switched from red Schwinn-branded tools to their trademark blue color, how they protect their brand identity, and the surprising business decisions that built their global dominance in bicycle tool manufacturing.Truman reveals exciting details about Park Tool's newest innovation: the PRS-30 manual lift bike stand that combines the convenience of electric lifting with the reliability of manual operation. With 500+ tools in their catalog and 75% manufactured in-house at their Minnesota facility, Park Tool continues to evolve bike maintenance technology for both professional bike shops and home mechanics. Get insider insights into tool development processes, pricing strategies, Amazon marketplace challenges, and why more than ~50% of Park Tool sales now go directly to home mechanics rather than bike shops.Website: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/parktoolcompanyListen to Mountain Cog Apple PodcastsSpotifyOther Podcast Sites [email protected]
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1:19:30
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101 - The Calirado Kid Speaks: Mountain Biking & Creating Relatable Content
Send us a textThis engaging episode features the Calirado Kid, whose authentic and humorous mountain biking videos have built him a substantial following with videos regularly reaching hundreds of thousands viewers. While he shares interesting glimpses into creating his popular videos, the conversation primarily delivers valuable insights from his extensive riding experiences across Arizona's technical terrain, Colorado's epic mountains, and Northern California's diverse trails. Mountain biking enthusiasts will appreciate his detailed analysis of what makes southwest trails distinctive with their challenging rocky features, technical climbs, and rewarding descents like Bug Springs which he describes as "just the shuttle downhill chunk – an exciting ride for sure."The episode offers practical mountain biking wisdom about gear choices, with the Calirado Kid making a compelling case that dropper posts might actually be more essential than suspension for versatile trail riding. Riders will benefit from specific trail recommendations including the legendary "Graham Cracker" with its impressive 6,300 feet of continuous descent and insights about night riding with quality lighting systems from Outbound Lights. The discussion concludes with valuable perspectives on mountain biking's mental health benefits, with the Calirado Kid explaining how riding helps process negative thoughts and discover creative solutions – providing listeners with both technical trail knowledge and inspiration to use mountain biking as a tool for improving overall wellbeing.Calirado Kid's links... Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@caliradokidInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/caliradokid/Listen to Mountain Cog Apple PodcastsSpotifyOther Podcast Sites [email protected]
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100 - Beyond Marketing: Vittoria’s Approach to Mountain Bike Tire Design & Manufacturing (Guest: Ken Avery, SVP Product Development)
Send us a textIn this in-depth episode of the MTNCOG Podcast, we dive into the science behind mountain bike tire design with Ken Avery, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Vittoria. Ken breaks down the complex process of tire manufacturing, from the initial casing construction using nylon or cotton materials to the vulcanization process where the tread is applied. He explains how Vittoria's innovative use of graphene technology creates tires that both roll faster and grip better than competitors, challenging common misconceptions about tire compounds and performance.The conversation explores Vittoria's progressive sipe technology for improved cornering grip, their very unique approach to TPI (threads per inch) in their award-winning XC race tires, and their comprehensive lineup of Airliner tire inserts. Ken shares insights on how different casings perform in various terrain types, from sharp volcanic rock to loose conditions, and offers his perspective on current industry trends. This episode provides mountain bikers of all disciplines with valuable knowledge about selecting the optimal tire setup for their specific riding style, terrain, and bike type.Web: https://vittoria.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vittoriatires/Listen to Mountain Cog Apple PodcastsSpotifyOther Podcast Sites [email protected]
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