The Inside Line Podcast - Vital MTB

Vital MTB
  • 4.7 (290)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

A mountain biking podcast channel featuring in-depth interviews with world class riders and cycling industry professionals.

  1. What Vital Users Liked in 2025 | bikes: unaffiliated podcast EP. 4

    3D AGO

    What Vital Users Liked in 2025 | bikes: unaffiliated podcast EP. 4

    Happy New Year errybody! In this episode, we go through the components, places to ride, and habits Vital users listed as their favorites in 2025. We then touch on what we enjoyed in 2025 and what we are looking forward to in the year ahead. Shoutout to Vital user Ervan for starting the forum thread “2025: Things I loved this year” and giving us the idea for this week's podcast. Read the forum thread in discussion - https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/2... Chapters 00:00 New Year Reflections and Family Time 11:08 Retirement in Action Sports: A Bittersweet Transition 13:38 Women in Racing: Breaking Taboos 16:49 Health Reflections: The Impact of Illness 19:46 Excitement for Upcoming Events 24:03 Dak's New Journey with Dream Team 36:05 Community Engagement and User Feedback 53:25 Trends in Mountain Biking: E-bikes and Upgrades 01:13:50 Product Discussions and Industry Insights 01:26:23 Wheels and Brakes: Performance Insights 01:38:13 Starting a Business: Flowcraft and Community Engagement 01:47:32 Reflections on Racing and Industry Changes 01:52:30 Engaging the Community: The Podcast Forum

    1h 55m
  2. AARON GWIN Interview 2026

    JAN 9

    AARON GWIN Interview 2026

    The news of Aaron Gwin making a new home on Frameworks TRP yesterday left a lot of unanswered questions. Thankfully the man himself was down for a candid chat to discuss his new future. Cover photo by Callie Horwath Topics 0:00 - Intro and What About Crestline? 9:34 - History with Neko 12:26 - How Can Frameworks Afford Gwin? 15:38 - Does Gwin Have to Race Now? 19:14 - Dealing with So Many Product Changes 32:31 - Does the Frameworks Accomodate Gwin's Riding Style? 43:00 - Being on a Team with Asa Vermette, Battling the Kids 49:50 - Game Plan for 2026 Races 53:55 - Gwin's Training Regimen 1:00:35 - Involvement with Lake Placid World Cup and TN National in 2026? 1:06:30 - Racing Hardline Tasmania 1:11:32 - Aaron Gwin 2011 vs. Aaron Gwin 2026?

    1h 15m
  3. Aaron Gwin Joins Frameworks - Exclusive Test Camp Interviews

    JAN 8

    Aaron Gwin Joins Frameworks - Exclusive Test Camp Interviews

    0:00 - Aaron Gwin 8:16 - James McAllister 16:05 - Neko Mulally As the 2026 downhill mountain bike season dawns, Frameworks TRP Racing announces that #USDH superstar, Aaron Gwin will join the team. Aaron, multi-time World Cup-winning downhiller, ran his own team, Gwin Racing, aboard Crestline bikes in 2024 and 2025. The change to Frameworks means a focus on racing, rather than team management, as Gwin seeks to wrap up his competitive career giving it all he can. With a new team comes new equipment. Besides the Frameworks frame, Aaron returns to FOX suspension after Ohlins with Gwin Racing. He'll be on Burgtec bars, a departure from his long-time Renthal setup. Wheels change to ENVE from e.thirteen, and he'll be aboard Continental tires. Vital contributor, Jack Rice, catches up with Aaron, Neko and James McAllister, Aaron's mechanic during a testing session at Windrock Bike Park in December to discuss the changes and challenges.

    31 min
  4. Why Dakotah Norton Joined Scott DH Factory - B Practice Podcast

    JAN 7

    Why Dakotah Norton Joined Scott DH Factory - B Practice Podcast

    After an exciting two years with Mondraker Factory Racing, our guy Dak has moved to Scott DH Factory and signed a three-year deal. So naturally, we had to podcast about it. We wanted all the details on what prompted his departure from Mondraker, what attracted him to Scott, his goals and expectations for the upcoming season now that he's mostly recovered from his injury, and most importantly: will he still be running 75mm rise bars on his new Gambler? Per usual, Dak was transparent about what he’s seeking from a team at this point in his career, the reality of having to prove he’s still a podium contender post-injury, and his newfound appreciation for the opportunity he has to keep racing his bike. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

    1h 3m
  5. 7 Years Later - Colin Meagher, ALS and the Lifelong Friends He Brought Together

    12/23/2025

    7 Years Later - Colin Meagher, ALS and the Lifelong Friends He Brought Together

    We have a very special, and probably tear-and-laugh filled episode of The Inside Line as we catch back up with Colin Meagher, all-around nice guy, incredible, storied mountain bike photographer and man dealing with the late stages of ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Since Colin’s symptoms have progressed so strongly, he’s not really able to speak, so we have a gaggle of his best buds in Seattle to help do the talking for him. You can watch this interview on our YouTube Channel It was almost 7 years to the day that I first met with Colin in Hood River, Oregon, for an interview (found here). We talked about his career highlights and his diagnosis with ALS and what the future looked like for him. Well, we’re back to celebrate him and his life through some memories and some roasting by a group of friends that only know each other because of Colin. Since Colin can't speak, we go through a Q&A with Patrik Zuest reading the answers that Colin wrote and provided via email. Everyone at Vital hopes you get inspired by listening to the stories of how Colin impacted so many lives. Colin, we love you! Contents 0:00 - Intro and Colin's crew on how they met colin 8:26 - Colin answers questions about his ALS 35:35 - Colin gets roasted by his crew

    1h 19m
  6. The Future We Can't Escape and Other E-Bike Discussions - bikes unaffiliated Ep. 3

    12/19/2025

    The Future We Can't Escape and Other E-Bike Discussions - bikes unaffiliated Ep. 3

    Electric mountain bikes. Either you love ‘em, or think they’re wack. Granted, the latter opinion has been losing steam as more brands release good e-bikes, and more riders toss a leg over one. They’re the talk of our industry and are one of the few, if not the only, segments of bikes experiencing significant change year after year. In this show, Vital’s own Jason Schroeder and Shawn Spomer, along with industry veteran Lars Sternberg, and Founder/Operator of Crestline Bikes, Troydon Murison, sift through the current landscape of e-bikes and discuss what the future might hold. The conversation also kicks off with a rad (almost hour-long) dive into how Crestline Bikes became a thing and the challenges posed by making bikes overseas. Contents 00:00 "My Watch Said I Was Dead" - Lars Sternberg 08:54 What's In and What's Out: Weekly Highlights 21:17 The Founding of Crestline Bikes and how they were made 59:02 Transitioning to DJI Motors 01:35:08 Consumer Behavior and E-Bike Sales 01:53:20 Understanding Power and Performance in E-Bikes 02:10:13 The Balance Between Analog and E-Bikes 02:20:43 Regulations and Safety Concerns in E-Biking

    2h 24m
  7. "We Were Living Month to Month" - YT CEO, Sam Nicols

    12/16/2025

    "We Were Living Month to Month" - YT CEO, Sam Nicols

    In this special edition of the Inside Line podcast, Jeff Brines interviews Sam Nicols, the former CEO of YT Industries from 2021 to 2024, exploring his journey from a career at Amazon to leading a prominent bike company during tumultuous times.  He reflects on his experiences as CEO of YT Industries, discussing the challenges faced in the bike industry, particularly around demand fluctuations, inventory management, and the impact of cash flow on business decisions. 00:00 Introduction to Sam Nicols and YT Industries 01:49 Sam's Background and Career Path 09:28 Challenges of Stepping into YT During the Pandemic 11:35 Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Customer Care 16:01 The Private Equity Interest and Acquisition Process 23:45 Aligning Goals with Private Equity 30:15 Understanding the Risks of Private Equity 34:11 The Impact of Market Conditions on YT's Valuation 37:05 Transitioning to In-House Assembly 49:43 Demand Fluctuations and Market Realities 50:21 Navigating Demand Fluctuations 54:08 Strategic Decisions Amidst Overstocks 01:00:05 The Impact of Cash Flow on Business Decisions 01:03:43 Cost Management Challenges in the Bike Industry 01:10:08 Marketing Strategies: Balancing Brand and Performance 01:17:48 The Role of Data in Business Operations 01:25:12 Leadership Dynamics and Company Culture 01:30:12 Reflections on Competition and Industry Evolution

    1h 40m
  8. How Long Should Bikes Last? - Bikes: Unaffiliated Ep 2

    12/11/2025

    How Long Should Bikes Last? - Bikes: Unaffiliated Ep 2

    In episode 2 of Bikes: Unaffiliated, Jason Schroeder, Lars Sternberg and Shawn Spomer discuss the evolution of mountain bike technology, focusing on the durability of bikes and components. They explore the expectations riders have for bike longevity, and the importance of community feedback in shaping technology. The conversation also touches on maintenance practices and the balance between cost, weight, and durability in bike design. They delve into the evolution of mountain biking, focusing on suspension setups, the impact of e-bikes on component durability, and the importance of understanding rider skill levels. The crew discusses the challenges of navigating suspension adjustments, the significance of bearing technology, and the lifecycle of bike components. They also dissect where to spend money when building a durable bike. Chapters 00:00 Introduction, What's In/What's Out 14:10 The Evolution of Mountain Biking Gear 18:28 Tires and Tubeless Technology: A Game Changer 23:43 The Balance of Durability and Performance 29:00 Expectations on Bike Longevity 34:05 The Future of Mountain Bike Technology 45:20 Dynamic Forks and Rider Preferences 48:23 Sensitivity to Suspension Setup 51:27 Skill Levels and Equipment Accessibility 52:16 Understanding Compression and Adjustments 54:29 E-Bikes and Durability Challenges 58:17 Headset Issues and Innovations 01:03:36 Durability in High-End Bikes 01:12:14 E-Bike Technology and Future Considerations 01:17:38 Understanding Bike Longevity and Maintenance 01:19:41 Investing in Bike Parts for Durability 01:22:51 Building a Bike: Prioritizing Components 01:26:01 Injury and Its Impact on Riding 01:26:10 Choosing the Right Bike and Brand 01:29:40 The Lifecycle of Bike Parts and Consumer Expectations 01:36:49 Engaging with the Cycling Community

    1h 38m
See All (315)

4.7
out of 5
290 Ratings

About

A mountain biking podcast channel featuring in-depth interviews with world class riders and cycling industry professionals.

Information

You Might Also Like