Demystifying MTB: Recent Episodes
BrakeAce
Until now, MTB skills coaching has only been possible in-person. We want to change that. BrakeAce technology allows MTB skills coaches to help you identify your weaknesses and prescribe skills training sessiosn so you can get faster on any trail no matter where you live!In today's episode we talk with the first remote skills coaching athlete and his coach to understand how remote MTB skills coaching works and the suprising results in the rider's confidence and performance.This episode was super fun to record and we loved chatting about it! Check it out now!Learn more about the remote MTB skills coaching program https://newzealandmountainbiking.com/tour/remote-mountain-bike-coaching/here: https://newzealandmountainbiking.com/tour/remote-mountain-bike-coaching/Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shopUse the discount code 'coaching' when you order your sensors to get 3 months of Remote MTb Skills Coaching~~~~~~~~~Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster timeshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app -------This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app -https://brakeace.com/Presented by: Matt Miller (https://www.instagram.com/mtb_phd) and Rohan Martin (https://www.instagram.com/sweaty_techie/)
Everyone talks about ebikes being faster on downhills, but is it actually true? And how do you change the way you ride to go faster on an ebike than your normal bike? Friend of BrakeAce, Jamie Garrod of New Zealand Mountain Biking, recently completed multiple back to back tests and collected data to figure out which is faster and what he's doing differently. The results might surprise you!
Lik to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXd6I3eumzk
Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Does suspension setup even matter for MTB? Are you wasting your time turning knobs on your bike? We did real testing to find out!
Lik to the webinar and alllll the data: https://youtu.be/Ff04CPw0OSc
Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Which is faster on downhills - braking more or less? Today we're talking about what happens when you're braking, how it affects your braking zones and corner speed, and what you're really looking for when it comes to faster times out on the trail. MTB is a tricky sport, and it's all about doing all the fundamentals right. We dig into the data and give you plenty of things you can try on your next ride so you can ride smoother, faster and in more control - and of course have more fun!
Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Shorter cranks are all the rage right now in MTB - and for good reason! In this episode we dig into some of the reasons why you need shorter cranks and at the end do an absolute deepdive into the REAL reason you need shorter cranks on your mountain bike.
Here's the link to the Pinkbike article by Seb Stott that we mentioned https://www.pinkbike.com/news/why-shorter-cranks-are-better-according-to-science.html
Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
In today's episode we're talking with wheel engineer Jon Thronham from FLO Cycling. We discuess how he deiced to quit his day job to make the best carbon wheels possible in a time when people had their doubt about the future of the material. Also in this episode, we talk about where the future of MTB wheels may go! You won't want to miss this episode!
Learn more about FLo Cycling: https://flocycling.com
Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Join us today as we uncover the secrets of mastering braking zones in mountain biking with coach Rory Bingham of Onward MTB. From the ins and outs of of braking to timing, body position and terrain navigation, Rory shares game-changing insights to elevate your riding skills. Whether you're a downhill daredevil or a technical trail enthusiast, Rory's insights will take your MTB game to the next level. Tune in for expert tips and strategies that'll have you shredding trails with confidence! (Thanks ChatGPT)
Learn more about Rory: https://www.onwardmtb.com/
https://www.instagram.com/onward_mtb
Check out BrakeAce on the gram: https://www.instagram.com/brakeace/
Follow our blog: https://www.brakeace.com/blog
Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
On today's episode, we've got Jamie Garrod on board to talk about the ins and outs of using the front brake. We've seen riders with as little as 1% front brake, but a few simple confidence hacks have seen them grow to consistent 20/80 f/r splits.
We're spilling the beans on why so many riders are shy about hitting the front brake, and we've got Jamie Garrod on board to talk about the ins and outs of using the front brake. Jamie is a Kiwi mountain biking guru who does lessons and tours right here in Rotorua, NZ, and today he's dishing out his top three tips to get you buddy-buddy with that front brake.
This isn't your average "how to" – we're keeping it real and casual. Whether you're a trail rookie or a seasoned pro, Jamie's wisdom is about to level up your two-wheeled game.
Learn more about Jamie's lessons and NZ MTB tours here: https://newzealandmountainbiking.com/
Watch Jamie coahing using BrakeAce here: https://youtu.be/XqdoUL3hyHU?si=kPzrtvsGEbEmg4VN
Check us out on the gram: https://www.instagram.com/brakeace/
Follow our blog: https://www.brakeace.com/blog
Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
MTB skills coaches have worked out the 2-1-0 Method for braking into corners. You start by doing heavy confidence braking with both brakes followed by just the rear brake and finishing with no brakes. Today Rohan and Matt discuss what confidence braking and cornering means, where and why the 2-1-none Method can help you gain and maintain control, and where in the corner you should be braking to get the most exit speed. We compare this to what might happen if you brake too early or too late.
Read more about the 2-1-None method, including analysis and other cornering methods on our blog here: https://www.brakeace.com/post/braking-in-corners-the-2-1-none-method-for-steep-mtb-turns
Check us out on the gram: https://www.instagram.com/brakeace/
Follow our blog: https://www.brakeace.com/blog
Get your own BrakeAce (shipping NOW!): https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Today we're joined by professional MTB skills instructor, Hannah Richardson. We discuss how she got into being an MTB coach and what she brings to the table for riders at every level. It's interesting to consider that even the best riders in the world can benefit from getting back to the basics, and that coaches like Hannah are equipped with the tools to help you get there.
In the end it's about having a coach you trust and believe in - someone you will trust enough to follow into the batttle of MTB and through the war of becoming a better version of yourself. We briefly discuss how technology can help coaches, and some pitfalls to avoid based on what we've seen. While we all want to improve, the answer to our MTB rider woes is consistency, fun and trusting the process - but the benefit of feedback along the way cannot be ignored.
Learn more about Hannah here:
https://www.instagram.com/huck.it.coaching/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Huck-It-Coaching/100091643521936/
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
In this episode, we're delving into the world of mountain bike suspension with Dave from Dialled Telemetry. Dave brings a unique perspective to suspension tuning based on his scientific background and his now years of experience helping riders around the world use data acquisition to tune their suspension.
Discover how front and rear braking impact forks and shocks, including the intriguing concept of anti-rise in frame and suspension design. Learn practical tips for adjusting suspension dials effectively, demystifying the process for riders of all levels.
Explore Dialled Telemetry's journey from a personal experiment to a full-fledged service, offering personalized bike setups based on real-world data. Dave also shares his vision for the future of MTB suspension technology, and his visions for usspnesion in a perfect world.
Dave's history: https://theloamwolf.com/2021/07/06/suspension-tuning-for-the-average-joe/
Dialled Telemetry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialled.telemetry
Anti-rise blog: https://www.dialled-telemetry.com/post/unlocking-the-dance-the-harmonious-interplay-of-braking-and-suspension-in-mountain-biking-part
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app -------
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Today is all about getting the most out of your bike - with data to prove it! Following manufacturer's brake pad bedding protocol will allow you to get the most out of your brake, while bedding them in the wrong way can lead to AT LEAST FIVE potential issues with your brakes and/or safety. If you have noisy, weak, inconsistent or fading brakes, it could have to do with the simple 12-minute step you're skipping. We discuss the data associated with thermal decomposition and transfer layers duing pad bedding, tell you our pad bedding hacks, and also delve into the data from doing it the wrong way. If you want to ride faster and in more control on downhills, this is for you!
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Get our book Free Speed for FREE and try The BrakeAce Method to get faster on ANY trail https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app -------
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
As a self-proclaimed "suspension geek," Jono's passion for all things MTB tech shines through as he combines his love for math and physics with the intricacies of suspension systems. He started The Suspension Lab as a way to focus on helping riders get the most out of their suspension - from custom tunes on the dopest setups to simply getting your bike feeling good. From vibration analysis and fluid dynamics to friction, calculus, and material properties, Jono's expertise covers a wide range of disciplines that contribute to the performance of mountain bike suspension. We consider him the don of suspension, and by the end of this episode, you will too.
Jono is passionate about using data logging systems and accelerometers to compliment rider feelings. He was an early adopter of the Motion Instruments system, and regularly uses his dyno for advanced custom tunes. By quantifying the sensations of comfort and stability on the bike, he aims to push the boundaries of suspension performance even further. Additionally, he has been honing his skills in analysis techniques using the powerful Python programming language, demonstrating his commitment to innovative approaches and pushing the Suspension Lab to the cutting edge.
But don’t assume that only data nerds will benefit from this one - Jono strongly believes that rider feeling are the primary tool for suspension tuning, especially to get within the ballpark of your perfect setup.
The Suspension Lab: https://thesuspensionlab.nz/
On the gram: https://www.instagram.com/thesuspensionlab/
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Learn more about the BrakeAce Method on our site https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app -------
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Join us today with Jamie from New Zealand Mountain Biking as we unravel the power of confidence in enhancing your riding experience. Jamie is a MTB skills coach and leads MTB tours on some of the best trails on Earth. He has ridden with riders of every level, and has come up with a few simple techniques to help riders get the most from their riding experience, and knows a thing or two on how to read a trail and create new lines. From fearless descents to mastering cornering techniques, Jamie and Rohan share invaluable insights into tackling various trail conditions. Unleash your true potential as a rider and learn how confidence can make all the difference on the trail. Get ready for an engaging conversation packed with practical tips and expert advice that will leave you inspired to push your limits. Tune in now and unlock the key to a more fulfilling mountain biking journey.
- See Jamie's coaching in action using The BrakeAce Method: https://youtu.be/XqdoUL3hyHU
- Learn more about New Zealand MTB tours here: https://newzealandmountainbiking.com/
- Follow Jamie here: https://www.instagram.com/newzealandmountainbiking/
- Watch his endless trail previews here: https://www.youtube.com/@NewZealandMountainBiking/
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Learn more about the BrakeAce Method on our site https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
We all do it - we get stuck in a rut and plateau in our riding. Our skills, fitness and general riding ability suffers because we stopped learning and trying new things. All hope is not lost! Once you identify the rut you're in, it's time to make a simple training strategy to get out of it. We explore some of the ruts we've been stuck in, and how we can continuosly improve. We discuss things like different types of terrain, 10,000 hours in MTB, exploring new trails, enjoying being worse for a little, East Coast versus West Coast racing, always riding the same trails, and how improving in your Key Opportunities can help you unlock a new level on any trail.
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Learn more about the BrakeAce Method on our site https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Professional MTB skills coach, Matt Wilkins from Mountain Biking Coaching Australia joins us today to talk all about how to corner on a MTB. Cornering is a highly complex topic, but we break it down into some simple things you can think about to corner faster on your next ride. We talk about things like pressure, traction, turning or leaning the bike, bike-body separation, changing direction, where to brake in corners, riding off-camber, looking ahead and scanning the trail, what the pros do to ride so fast, and so much more! This was a super fun episode and Matt is an awesome and passionate MTBer himself, so we really think you'll enjoy this episode and benefit from the takeaways.
Learn more about Matt Wilkins here: https://www.mountainbikecoaching.com.au/
Or follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtbcoachingaus/
Link to pro racer Bryb Dickerson's braking data: https://youtu.be/8rbQSuHCt7g
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Learn more about the BrakeAce Method on our site https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some sample rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
We've found that we ride slower and brake more when the bike is fully locked than when we're riding properly tuned suspension. Like a lot more. Brake Time, FlowScore and Brake Checks were all up on the rigid bike. But do we all really need 6 inches of travel? Can you ride downhill on a trail bike? Is 140mm enough for Enduro? Well, if you listened to our tire testing episode, you'll remember that we were able to completely change the bike and how we brake simply by changing the tires - not increasing suspension. There are all kinds of suspension gizmos out there, but do lockouts on long travel bikes mean they will climb better at all? We don't think so! Have a lsisten in here as we explore the limits of bike travel and try to figure out if one bike will ever be enough.
Learn more about the BrakeAce Method on our site https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some smaple rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Preriding for enduro, XC and Downhill races can leave you tired and confused. But it doesn;t have to be that way! In today's episode, we go through a workout prescribed to MTB riders around the world, and dig in to how we can get the most from the trails on the day before our race. We discuss things like nutrition, cooldown, pacing, GoPro video, data overlay, Key Opportunities, how we race differently compared with how we preride, and how to make your race count.
Learn more about the BrakeAce Method on our site https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some smaple rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
BrakeAce measures your braking and shows you where and what you can improve. But it's not about braking less! If you've ever felt clumsy on a trail or like you were a passnger on the bike, then this episode is for you. Our friend Kim wasn't feeling good on the bike, so she put BrakeAce back onto her bike and identified her Key Opportunities. After using the BrakeAce Method, she was able to imrove the way she rode in her KOs, and overall feel like a better rider and more in control on the trail. And it was good timing! This counts as some practice for the next enduro race coming up, which will be her first ever enduro MTB race! Gooooo Kim!
Learn more about the BrakeAce Method on our site https://www.brakeace.com/
And download our app to check out some smaple rides to see how you can unlock your own Key Opportunities for smoother riding and faster times https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brakeace.app
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and ride analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Professional MTB coach Brian Larivere has been racing and coaching MTB for many years. He's a TrainingPeaks and USAC certified coach, and he knows a thing or two about getting the most out of his athletes. Brian joins us today to disucuss his top 3 tips for training for MTB racing at every level - whether you race XC, Enduro, or Downhill. Brian's top tips are: train your engine, improve your skills, and focus on going fast on trails. We open up these tips, dig into the science, and give you a number of takeaways that you can try right now! We talk about things like braking, pacing, workouts, cornering, descending and more! If you want to learn more about coach Brian Lariviere, check out his site here: http://www.bjlcoaching.com/----------------
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
podcast #listenable #mtbtraining #brakeace #demystifyingmtb #ownthemountain
Everyone wants to be able to hit jumps on their bike, but not everyone knows how to do it the right way. Some have said that it's a skill you either have or don't have. But can you learn how to jump? What skills do you need to be able to jump? And what's the easiest way to get started? Well, fortunately Rohan has a ton of experience teaching jumping clinics and he's here to tell you the skills you need to master jumps. Like anything in MTB, doing hard, tehcnical movements is all about doing lots of easy things the right way at the right time. We unlock the skills you need and some of the techniques you can practice to have more fun out on the trails and #ownthemountain
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain and unlock free speed with the world's first wireless brake sensor and powerful analysis app - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
We catch up with Taylor from Radic Performance, maker the Kaha - a New Zealand made hydraulic disc brake system. You may know Taylor from the world's first ever 3d printed MTB brake. Well now, he's created a whole new braking system from the ground up. Launched at Crankworx 2022, Taylor has been steadily building the best brakes possible - no limits! Listen in for more on the design of mtb brakes, what an engineer thinks about mtb rotor size, braided brake hoses, mineral oil versus DOT fluid, pads, heat and how much brake pressure we create! We've tested the Radic Kaha brakes on BrakeAce under pro rider Daniel Self at Crankworx, and he loved them so much that he's running them fulltime! We have the data from these brakes, and it looks great. We love Taylor's first-principles approach, and look forward to riding these brakes ourselves!
Learn more on https://www.radicperformance.com/kaha
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
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In the last episode, we talked about bigger rotors, and why you need them to manage heat and make your lever squeeze feel easier. Today we follow up with what to do when your brakes suck, and why your bad brakes and poor braking habits are making you slow. We also talk about bedding in brakes when you get new pads or rotors. Do you bed-in properly? It makes a huge difference, and can save your pads and make them perform better. Rohan mentions the time he had glazed over pads, and we also talk about our tips for cleaning brakes, using sandpaper, and using brake cleaner, and the right kind of rag to use on rotors and pads. We also touch on resin versus metallic pads and which option pros go for and why - this warrants further discussion!
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
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Now that we have learned more about braking with BrakeAce, there are a number of things we can do to improve the performance of our brakes.
One of the best things we can do to get better performance from our brakes is to have larger rotors.
The reason for this is that every time we use our brakes, we are removing energy from the combined kinetic energy of ourselves, our bike and our speed.
This energy is transformed mostly to heat, which builds up in our rotors and pads. Too much heat and we lose performance of our brakes, since beyond a certain point, the coefficient of friction between the pads and rotors will reduce. Beyond this, we get a boiling of the pad material or even brake fluid. These are obviously not ideal!
Larger rotors have a greater mass and allow for greater storage of heat. This is good because if there is a greater capacity for heat in the rotors, your brake pads and hose fluid can stay at operation temperatures. We have tested rotors from 180mm all the way up to 246mm and 2.3mm thick!
Furthermore, the larger rotors have a greater area, which means that heat can also dissipate more quickly.
Listen in now FIVE reasons to try larger diameter rotors.
Original Article: https://www.mtbphd.com/post/2019/08/18/3-reasons-why-you-should-have-bigger-rotors/
Video: https://youtu.be/kykuJIoavnU
Smart trainers and gaming apps are roadie paradise. You can quickly log on, draft your mates, track your FTP, and really go full gas at 100rpm.
It's the exact opposite of MTB.
[BTW SCROLL ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM IF YOU WANT 4X FREE ZWIFT WORKOUTS I USE WITH ALL MY ATHELTES]
But does that mean it's not going to make you a better MTB rider?
Over the years I've collected hundreds of hours on the trainer, including 10 wintery years training in snowy Pennsylvania and a dozen highly controlled, month-long research studies. Training inside always kinda sucked, but I kept coming back for more. It was a love/hath relationship.
Years ago I swore I'd never try Zwift. Zwift was too hard, too lame, and certainly not MTB!
But recently I broke my own rule.
And I love it!
As a mountain biker and MTB coach who is obsessed with science, power and training principles, I really do think there are a number of ways Zwift can help us ride MTB better.
Zwift has burst onto the scene over the last few years and has gained popularity as an exclusive training app and social platform for cyclists. Generally, this has been reserved for roadies, but I believe Zwift can help get you to the next level on the trails.
Below I've compiled 5 ways Zwift can help you be a faster MTB rider in group rides and on race tracks.
As you read through these, I'd be interested to know how Zwift has helped your MTB riding or racing.
Link to Zwift article and MTB workouts: https://www.mtbphd.com/post/is-zwift-good-for-mtb-racing
Link to Free Speed eBook: https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
We all know the feeling of heavy legs, but how does it affect your riding? If you have a power meter, you can easily see the difference - all roadies do it. But what about with how you actually ride - on downhills?! Well, I took BrakeAce out to analyze my braking and see how this fatigue affects my Strava times on my local MTB descent. I started out feeling great, but ended up braking way more when I was fatigued compared to when I was riding fresh. Thanks to BrakeAce, I now know that I need a little more rest. Once I'm feeling better, I'll head back with BrakeAce again to test my riding and see how to improve for the summer season
YouTube link to analysis: https://youtu.be/CnPkLVpQt-8
Link to Free Speed eBook: https://www.brakeace.com/shop
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This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
This is how Rohan got his PB on Strava. It was an awesome descending trail of about 1 min long, but he dropped 7 seconds from his initial time using this 4-step BrakeAce Method to get his fastest time. It's easy: ride the trail, find yours Key Opportunitiess, session your KOs, and ride the trail again. None of us have unlimited time, so we want to cut to the chase and get faster. The BrakeAce methods allows us to efficiently ride trail like we did when we were kids - find the trickiest bits, try them again, and PROVE with data that we've gotten faster. It is the 21st century, afterall! The FlowScore is like confirmation that it was Rohan's improvement that got the PB - not some tricky Strava glitch! And he can take the skills that he learned on this short session, and apply it to every trail in the woods for an overall safer and faster experience on his bike.
The Strava file: https://www.strava.com/activities/7999625187/overview
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This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Whether your next big ride is a holiday with the homies or a multi-day MTB stage race, there are 3 major aspects you need to consider to not only survive, but to thrive. It doesn't matter what level you're at - these 3 tips will help you. We mentioned before, that your biggest limiter is your engine. Well, these tips will help you improve your FTP and your endurance. We also know that the muscles use primarily glucose [sugars, carbohydrates] while riding MTB. So we have some top tips on how to time your carbohydrate intake during the ride to make it through without bonking, and after the ride to recover faster. Afterall, it's all about recovery! We also added some bonus tips on how to pace your intervals, your race day and race week. So whether you're riding the Cape to Cape, Whaka 100, Tran-Sylvania or EWS, tune in here to be the best you can on the day!
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This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
The way your body works with your mountain bike is highly complex. You want to ride faster, but sometimes you hit your limit and simply can't ride smooth on the descents. Riding a mountain bike is a lot like riding a jackhammer - vibrations everywhere. Our muscles need more oxygen to do more pedaling or damping, and it's the heart's job to increase its rate and send much needed oxygen to your muscles. And if you do it all right, you can go faster! Today we discuss all of this and more, and finish with some secret tips on how to ride smoother and faster on your own trails. Try it today!
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This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Wireless technology is all around us and is increasingly growing on bike components. You've heard of ANT+, SRAM AXS, Bluetooth and BLE, and of course, Wi-Fi. But what are these? And how do they work? It's like magic that lines of code affect your shifting or dropper post, and how a firmware update affects your battery life in your power meter. Well, we went to the horse's mouth for this one, and got the details from our own wireless expert, Rohan Martin. If your wireless device is yelling at you, or you ever wondered how they work, this one's for you!
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This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
We live in vastly different climates, but run similar tire setups -- at times! On some trails you can ride XC tires, but sometimes you need downhill casing. Which is best, and when should you use them? We did the tests and have data to show you.
Stan's NoTubes tire pressure calculator
Tire testing video - comparing XC to DH (with data)
Scientific article on tire volume, tire pressures and impact attenuation
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Bike companies have traditionally stocked smaller rear rotors and larger front rotors on bikes. But why? We've found that riders are using their rear brakes more, so shouldn't the rear rotor be larger? In the episode we talk about the efforts of using the front versus the rear brake, and go over some analysis of two riders on the same trail with vastly different Brake Balance.
Blog post: https://www.brakeace.com/post/to-rear-brake-or-not-to-rear-brake-that-is-the-question
No front brake analysis video: https://youtu.be/Z01bxOVou2Q
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most in-depth riding analysis platform and the only brake sensor - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Flat pedals can be great - if you know how to ride them. We did a small experiment and found that a clipless pedal riders can go faster downhill by using flat pedals, and we have the braking analysis to prove it. But sometimes flat pedals just feel...slow! In this episode we talk about 3 simple techniques you can use to ride flat pedals as well as you ride clips, and go over some simple mistakes you may be doing without even knowing.
Do flat pedals win medals? BrakeAce analysis: https://youtu.be/WxqLKlqcCdE
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most in-depth riding analysis platform and the only brake sensor - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
The BarkeAce method is 4 steps to your fastest ever downhills. On average, riders have saved 7 seconds per 2 minutes of trail using the BrakeAce Method on their mountain bikes. In this episode, we go over the 4 steps you can take to improving your FlowScore in your Key Opportunities. If you've ever wondered how you can ride smoother and beat your mates down hills, listen in for our secrets. Who know - you may even get yourself the KOM?!
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most in-depth riding analysis platform and the only brake sensor - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Right and left-handedness is nothing new, and it's akin to snowboarding/skating with the right or left foot forward. Similarly, we all have a preferred foot to lead with on the trails. This can create problems due to hip angles and bike-body separation, and is one of the reasons we have preferred turning directions. Our our hips and knees are the root of the problem, but being able to switch our lead foot on downhills can helps us be better prepared and for tacking descents. Listen in as Rohan explains his top tips for riding goofy.
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most in-depth riding analysis platform and the only brake sensor - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
MTB handlebar evolution has seen clamp sizes grow from 25.4 to 31.8 and now 35mm, while widths have gone crazy from 500 to 800mm. What gives? And what are the benefits? Does anyone know??? There might be an ideal size for you, but it isn't easy to know when you've nailed it.
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most in-depth riding analysis platform and the only brake sensor - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)
Does the perfect body position exist for mountain biking? How can you stay centered on the bike to ride faster and improve your MTB skill? Listen in with our very own Rohan Martin on the ins and outs of body position for cornering, traction, downhill, braking and more so you can have more fun on the bike.
This podcast is brought to you by BrakeAce: Own the Mountain with the world's most powerful ride improvement tool and advanced riding analysis platform - brakeace.com
Presented by: Matt Miller (MTB PhD) and Rohan Martin (Sweaty Techie)