Episode Summary

Today on the podcast, the guys discuss some epic recent rides including Trevor's savage experience racing the Trans Santa Ana before jumping into a classic set of listener questions ranging from the appropriate handlebar rise on your bike to the mountain bike innovation plateau and everything in between. Tune in!

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Intro & The "Matthew Fairbrother" Effect Jared, Liam, and Trevor open with Episode 173. They discuss "Zach’s Words of Wisdom" (Zwow): “Compare yourself to the person you were yesterday, not others.” This leads to a discussion on pro rider Matthew Fairbrother, who has already logged 3,000+ miles in 2026. The crew admits that while pro stats are inspirational, they can be the "thief of joy" if you compare them to a standard 40-hour work week.

The "Trans Santa Ana" Epic Trevor details his 58-mile, 8,000-ft vertical day in 90°F heat.

  • The "Pickle Incident": Trevor tried the "pickle juice" strategy for electrolytes (inspired by Fairbrother) but found the US version so salt-concentrated it almost made him "yak."

  • Blind Racing: The ride used Strava segments for timing on steep, loose SoCal terrain.

  • The "Maseogi": Trevor treats these "sufferfests" as a mental reset—proving to yourself you can handle the heat and the hurt.

Bike Checks & New Builds

  • Liam’s Revel Rover: A fresh gravel build in "Sin City" (black/white). He’s running a suspension fork for his injured wrist and Zipp 303 XPLR wheels (32mm internal width).

  • Trevor’s Forbidden Druid: High-pivot madness. He praises it for plowing through "baby head" rocks but admits it’s a "tractor" that hates jump lines compared to the poppy Revel Rascal.

  • Jared’s Recovery: Jared is slowly getting back on the mountain bike, running super soft suspension (5-10 PSI lower than usual) to ease back into trail riding.

🔑 Key Points & Discussion Topics

  • Analog vs. E-MTB: The crew discusses the "Runner's High." While E-bikes are fun, they don't offer the same chemical sense of accomplishment (the "gratification") that comes from a massive analog climb.

  • The "Plateau" of Frame Design: A major talking point is that bike frames have hit a peak. A bike from 3 years ago isn't "outdated" anymore. The real innovation is happening in components (Mavens, high-volume tires, and 1,000g wheelsets).

  • "Butter Wagon" Follow-up: The guys continue to laugh at RockShox's naming conventions while praising the actual performance of the new Maven B1 brakes for their consistency on long, hot descents.

🛠️ Listener Questions & Advice

1. The $1,000 Budget Upgrade

Question: How do I make a "pig" of a trail bike lighter for a 63-mile XC race without buying a new bike?

  • Verdict: Don't buy wheels. If you won't use them after the race, it's a waste. Spend the money on Tires (fast rolling/lightweight), a high-end Cassette (to drop rotational weight), and Carbon Cranks.

  • Bonus: Invest in high-end nutrition and a top-tier chammy for a 9,000-ft climbing day.

2. Dual Crown Enduro Forks

Question: Why don't we see more dual-crown forks on long-travel Enduro/E-bikes?

  • Verdict: Turning Radius. You can't clear a climbing switchback with a dual-crown fork. Unless you are only riding "shuttle-only" gnarly lines (like Rocky Peak in LA), the limitation on steering makes the bike impractical for 90% of trail riders.

3. Handlebar Rise Trends

Question: Am I making a "cruiser bike" by moving to a 35mm rise bar?

  • Verdict: No. Modern geometry (shorter stack heights) actually benefits from a higher rise bar to keep your body in a powerful "push-up" position.

  • Pro Tip: Focus more on Bar Width than rise. Many riders are still running 800mm bars, which can actually decrease stability and power compared to a trimmed 760mm or 780mm bar.

🏁 TL;DR

Episode 173 is about finding the balance between "Epic Sufferfests" and "Neighborhood Fun." Trevor survived a 90-degree "Trans Santa Ana" ride fueled by pickles and uncrustables, while Liam debuted a "deep and fat" Zipp-equipped gravel build. The technical consensus: Frames are nearly perfected, so focus your upgrade dollars on tires, brakes, and a proper bike fit to unlock the most speed.