Mountain Cog

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New to mountain biking in 2026? This beginner-focused episode delivers expert guidance on every aspect of starting your mountain bike journey. Learn the key differences between entry-level hardtail bikes (under $1,000) and full suspension options (around $2,000), plus how to determine the right frame size based on your height. Discover why bike shop quality brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized, Norco, and Rocky Mountain offer better long-term value than department store alternatives, and get insider tips on buying used bikes safely, including why 2020 or newer models feature better geometry.
Safety and preparation are crucial for new mountain bikers, and this episode covers all the essentials. Find out which protective gear matters most (hint: never skip the helmet), what tools you need at home versus what to carry on the trail, and how hydration packs simplify your ride preparation. The hosts discuss mountain bike-specific shoes that prevent foot numbness, the ongoing debate about padded chamois shorts, and why flat pedals are best for learning. You'll also learn basic trail etiquette, how to find beginner-friendly trails using apps and local bike shops, and why investing in coaching or skills clinics will dramatically improve your riding faster than just winging it.
Bike brands with good entry level options... 
Trek: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/
Norco: https://www.norco.com/
Rocky Mountain: https://bikes.com/
Specialized: https://www.specialized.com/us/en
Giant: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us
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Mountain bike enthusiasts get real-world product testing results in this Bike Shop Secrets episode featuring comprehensive reviews of the Norco Optic and Outbound bike lights. Dane provides an 8-month review of his Norco Optic, a unique 125mm travel bike with high pivot suspension design featuring a rearward axle path and idler pulley system. He explains how this unconventional setup delivers exceptional smoothness on technical, rocky terrain while maintaining pedaling efficiency. Josh shares his year-long experience with Outbound Lights' Trail Evo and Hangover models, discussing light quality, durability, mounting systems, and why the cutoff design matters for technical riding.
This episode also serves as your go-to guide for a few mountain bike maintenance and setup questions. Josh and Dane break down the critical importance of tire pressure calibration, revealing why you should always use the same pump and consider a digital gauge for consistency. They tackle suspension troubleshooting, explaining whether cold weather affects shock performance and how to identify normal air loss versus actual leaks. The conversation covers setback seatpost compatibility with modern frames, dropper post limitations, tire wear patterns specific to rocky terrain, and the growing importance of trail bells for hiker safety on multi-use trails.
Norco Optic: https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/trail/optic/
Outbound Lights: https://www.outboundlighting.com/
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Looking to upgrade your mountain bike's contact points without breaking the bank? This episode of the Mountain Cog Podcast explores two of the best grip solutions for combating arm pump and hand numbness: SQ Labs 70x 2.0 Pro Grips and Rev Grips. SQ Labs brings German precision engineering with ergonomic design focused on reducing peak loads and delaying forearm fatigue through advanced TPE compound technology. Josh details his experience running these $40 grips across multiple bikes and why he's convinced enough to replace every grip in his stable. Meanwhile, Rev Grips offers a unique suspension approach with machined aluminum end caps and elastomers that allow the grip to absorb impacts differently. Dane breaks down the pros and cons of each system, including sizing options (small, medium, large), installation nuances, and which riders benefit most from each design philosophy.
In the gear spotlight, Dane delivers a comprehensive Fox Podium inverted fork review that challenges conventional wisdom about this premium suspension component. At $2,000 and weighing a full pound more than the Fox 38 Factory, the Podium seems like a hard sell—until you hear about its game-changing performance on technical descents. Dane shares specific trail examples where the Podium's superior lateral stiffness and resistance to binding prevented crashes in notorious corners that regularly send riders over the bars. The discussion covers everything from seal leaking issues and bushing alignment concerns to why this fork excels at 160-170mm travel but might not suit weight-conscious riders or jumpers. Plus, critical bike shop secrets about steering tube extensions, CSU replacement costs, and why you should never cheap out on certain bike components.
SQ Labs: 70x 2.0 Pro Grips
Rev Grips: https://revgrips.com/
Fox Podium: https://ridefox.com/products/podium
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Starting a product company in the cycling industry isn't for the faint of heart—just ask Ryan Burney. After years of designing bikes at Cannondale and GT, Ryan quit his job with no safety net to launch Rim Saver and eventually Bare Innovation, his engineering consulting firm. In this episode, Ryan gets real about the economics of running a small cycling business, why he realized product companies need to "go big" to survive, and how he pivoted to consulting while still growing his tire insert brand. His story offers valuable lessons for anyone dreaming of turning their cycling passion into a business.
Ryan also shares the technical story behind Rim Saver, explaining how his dissatisfaction with foam tire inserts led him to engineer a plastic alternative that protects rims and prevents pinch flats without changing how your tire feels. From his early days interning at SRAM to designing the flex stay on the Cannondale Scalpel to building rally car wings for Subaru, Ryan's career path shows what's possible when engineering skill meets entrepreneurial drive.
Bare Innovation: https://www.bareinnovation.com/
Rim Saver: https://www.savetherims.com/
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What killed the direct-to-consumer bike boom? This episode combines financial data, industry research, and insider knowledge to explain the DTC mountain bike industry's spectacular rise and dramatic fall. Josh presents findings indicating that many of the DTC bike brands are financially struggling or insolvent. The podcast reveals how customer acquisition costs skyrocketed 200%+ over ~10 years as Meta and Google replaced traditional retailers as profit-extracting middlemen, while increased competition, privacy changes, and expensive venture capital made the DTC model financially unviable for most DTC companies.
Listeners get unprecedented insight into the financial health and product quality of brands like Ari/Fezzari (healthy), Canyon (distressed), YT (bankrupt), Commencal (stable), Guerilla Gravity (closed), Revel (restructured), Propain (healthy), and Polygon (strong). Bike shop owner Dane Higgins explains the tangible value independent bicycle dealers provide—from expert bike fitting and assembly to warranty support, community events, and local trail expertise that DTC brands cannot replicate. The episode concludes with Josh's five predictions about the future of bike retail, including a shift to omnichannel models with clear boundaries between what's sold direct versus through dealers.
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