Episode Summary

Today on the podcast, the guys discuss some interesting new products as well as Trevor's time wrenching for the Crestline Racing Team before jumping into a classic set of listener questions ranging from air vs. coil to new bikes for growing kids, MTB workout plans and everything in between. Tune in!

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If you are one strange human that would like to read a transcript of the podcast above, continue reading below!

n Episode 175, the "Three Amigos" (Jared, Liam, and Trevor) reunite to discuss the latest suspension tech from RockShox, a deep dive into bike maintenance, and the grueling reality of professional downhill wrenching.

📝 Cleaned Transcript Summary

Intro & Wisdom Jared, Liam, and Trevor open with "Zach’s Words of Wisdom" (Zwow): “A good life is one in which things do not go perfectly, but you find a way to have a good day regardless.” They discuss "Type 2 Fun"—the kind of rides that hurt while you're doing them (like climbing Ojai's Cesar Road) but become core positive memories later.

Gravel & Road Exploits

  • Trevor’s Gravel Debut: Trevor finally took his Pinarello off-road. He learned the hard way that "road bike gearing" (50/34 and 11-28) is brutal for steep Palisades climbs.

  • Fuego XL Prep: Jared is prepping for the Sea Otter Fuego XL. He’s targeting a sub-6-hour finish and a 10 mph average speed.

  • Legendary Rides: Jared recounts riding in Laguna Beach with mountain bike legends Hans Ray and Richie Schley, testing the Crestline e-bike on steep rock slabs.

Trevor Wrenching for Crestline Trevor details his 40-hour non-stop drive from California to Tennessee to support the Crestline downhill team at Windrock.

  • The "Buc-ee’s" Experience: A 3:00 a.m. brisket sandwich at a Texas Buc-ee's provided a "dystopian but delicious" highlight of the road trip.

  • Pro Pit Realities: Trevor managed five bikes, often rebuilding linkages and forks in the laundry room of an Airbnb. He notes that at the pro level, riders are pressure-washing bikes between runs because they are being fully rebuilt daily.

New RockShox "Butter Wagon" Launch The crew breaks down the new RockShox "Signature" suspension line:

  • The "Butter Wagon": Dimpled stanchions that help carry oil up to the seals on every cycle.

  • Linear XL Air Can: A new air spring design for the Lyric, Zeb, and Super Deluxe that provides a more "coil-like" linear feel through the mid-stroke.

  • Lyrik Updates: The Lyrik now goes up to 170mm, effectively bridging the gap between "Trail" and "Enduro" and making the 38mm Zeb less necessary for lighter riders.

🔑 Key Points & Discussion Topics

  • Saturn's Average Density: Daniel’s Fun Fact of the day is that Saturn is less dense than water and could float in a bathtub—if you had a tub 75,000 miles wide.

  • SRAM "S-Series" Consolidation: The guys discuss SRAM's move to simplify their legacy "budget" drivetrains into S100, S200, and S500 naming conventions, effectively retiring the NX and X01 mechanical labels for newer stock.

  • DT Swiss Wheel Refresh: A breakdown of the new 1700 (Alloy) and 1500 (Carbon) wheelsets, which now feature asymmetric rim designs and updated matte finishes.

🛠️ Listener Questions & Advice

1. The Best Hose Nozzle Setting

Question: Jet, Shower, Center, or Flat?

  • Jared’s Choice: Flat. It provides a wide sweep to knock off mud without the piercing pressure.

  • The Professional Tip: Avoid the Jet setting near any bearings (Bottom Brackets, Linkages, Hubs). If you must use high pressure for mud, use an air compressor afterward to blow water out of crevices before it can seep into the grease.

2. NICA Racing on a Budget

Question: What is a competitive bike for an 8th-grade girl for under $1,500?

  • The Verdict: Specialized Chisel. It is the industry gold standard for "Bang for your buck" XC racing.

  • Pro Tip: Look for a used Chisel from a graduating high school senior on Pinkbike Buy/Sell or Facebook Marketplace.

3. Bottom Bracket (BB) Habits

Question: Replace or Service? Cheap or Bougie?

  • The Consensus: For most riders, the SRAM DUB ($40) is a "disposable" workhorse that lasts a full season.

  • The "Bougie" Exception: If you want "forever" parts, go CeramicSpeed. They offer a lifetime warranty and spin with noticeably less friction, but they cost 10x more than a standard BB.

4. Air vs. Coil Forks

Question: Why aren't coil forks as popular as coil shocks?

  • The Verdict: Weight and Tuning.

  • Adjustability: An air fork can be tuned for a 150lb or 250lb rider in seconds with a shock pump. A coil fork requires a physical spring swap.

  • Performance: While coils offer unmatched "ground-hugging" traction, they can feel "dead" or "numb" on trails that require popping over obstacles. The new RockShox Linear XL aims to provide the supple coil feel with the "pop" of air.

🏁 TL;DR

Episode 175 features Trevor’s tales from the professional pits at Windrock and a deep dive into the new RockShox "Butter Wagon" technology. The crew advises NICA parents to stick with the Specialized Chisel, encourages riders to stop jet-washing their bearings, and explains why Air suspension still beats Coil for 90% of front-end applications due to its tuning versatility.