168: What Makes A Good Mountain Biker? | Dirt Shed Show 569

Fergus Ryan and Owen Coutts dive into the world of professional mountain bike trends to decide which ones are game-changers for everyday riders and which ones you should leave for the pros. We cover everything from the controversial 32-inch wheel movement to the pros and cons of "underbiking" and adding ballast to your frame. ⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - Pro Trends: What to Follow vs Avoid13:10 - News14:00 - Hacks and Bodges15:53 - Things We Liked This Week 19:06 - The Bike Vault🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.gmbn.eu/Subscribe 🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/gmbnshopSubmit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploaderSign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/newsletterThanks to our sponsors:Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/CanyonPropain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/PropainOrbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/OrbeaPark Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkToolCrankbrothers Pedals: http://gmbn.eu/crankbrosShimano Footwear: https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoesErgon: http://gmbn.eu/ergonVittoria Tires: https://gmbn.eu/VittoriaReynolds wheels: https://gmbn.eu/ReynoldsFSA: http://gmbn.eu/fsaTopeak: http://gmbn.eu/topeakGarmin: https://gmbn.eu/GarminCamelBak: https://gmbn.eu/CamelBakMet Helmets: https://gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets

This week on the Dirt Shed Show, James Pickering and Owen Coutts dive into the controversial question of whether enduro bikes have a future or if they are being squeezed out by ultra-capable trail bikes and lightweight e-MTBs. We also take a look at the bold new Mondraker XC kit, share some incredible bike builds in the Bike Vault, and announce our latest competition winners. ⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 0:00 - The Future of Enduro01:28 - E-Bikes vs. Enduro07:58 - Giveaway Winners08:19 - Hacks & Bodges08:52 - Things We Like11:08 - Double Backflips & Moguls12:28 - Caption Contest14:36 - The Bike Vault

Welcome back to the Dirt Shed Show! This week, we dive into the ultimate debate: which is truly scarier, the high-stakes 80ft gaps of Red Bull Hardline or the 1,300km brutal isolation of the Atlas Mountain Race? We also round up the latest results from the Snowbike World Champs.⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - What Is The Scariest MTB Event? 01:28 - Atlas Mountain Race vs. Red Bull Hardline 05:53 - News08:24 - Giveaway! 08:51 - Hacks & Bodges: Cable Sorcery & Blue Tack Fixes 12:24 - Things We Liked This Week14:25 - Caption Contest15:51 - The Bike Vault20:05 - Coming UpThe Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.gmbn.eu/Subscribe 🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/gmbnshopSubmit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploaderSign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/newsletterThanks to our sponsors:Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/CanyonPropain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/PropainOrbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/OrbeaPark Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkToolCrankbrothers Pedals: http://gmbn.eu/crankbrosShimano Footwear: https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoesErgon: http://gmbn.eu/ergonVittoria Tires: https://gmbn.eu/VittoriaReynolds wheels: https://gmbn.eu/ReynoldsFSA: http://gmbn.eu/fsaTopeak: http://gmbn.eu/topeakGarmin: https://gmbn.eu/GarminCamelBak: https://gmbn.eu/CamelBakMet Helmets: https://gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets

Rich and James dive deep into the ultimate debate: what exactly defines a perfect all-round mountain bike rider?  We break down whether you need to dominate multiple disciplines to be considered the best. Plus, we’ve got a legendary "Hacks and Bodges" segment and a look at some stunning custom builds in the Bike Vault!

This week on the Dirt Shed Show, James Pickering and Fergus Ryan ask if it’s time for mountain bike events to introduce tighter age restrictions after watching 11-year-old Wes Sends backflip a 60-foot double. We also dive into the tech of the brand-new Orbea Rallon RS, featuring the Fox Live Valve Neo wireless system. Plus, we’ve got your weekly dose of Hacks and Bodges and a 'Super Nice' session in the Bike Vault!Enter the FSA competition giveaway 👉 https://gmbn.eu/FSAHandlebarComp2026Q1 This competition is only open to those residing in: EU, UK, NZ, US, Canada and Alaska. Entries close 10:00GMT Friday 30th January 2026, and winners will be announced in a Dirt Shed Show from Tuesday 3rd February 2026.⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - Should There Be An Age Limit For Mountain Bike Events?08:52 - News10:04 - Giveaway10:21 - Hacks And Bodges 14:12 - Things We Liked This Week16:29 - Caption Contest23:04 - On The Channel The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.gmbn.eu/Subscribe 🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/gmbnshopSubmit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploaderSign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/newsletterThanks to our sponsors:Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/CanyonPropain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/PropainOrbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/OrbeaPark Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkToolCrankbrothers Pedals: http://gmbn.eu/crankbrosShimano Footwear: https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoesErgon: http://gmbn.eu/ergonVittoria Tires: https://gmbn.eu/VittoriaReynolds wheels: https://gmbn.eu/ReynoldsFSA: http://gmbn.eu/fsaTopeak: http://gmbn.eu/topeakGarmin: https://gmbn.eu/GarminCamelBak: https://gmbn.eu/CamelBakMet Helmets: https://gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets

Welcome to the first Dirt Shed Show of 2026! This week, Rich Payne and James Pickering dive into the massive team changes shaking up the pro circuit and the controversial rise of 32-inch wheels in World Cup XC. Plus, we look at the $100,000 prize purses up for grabs this season and showcase some of the gnarliest trail-side fixes in Hacks & Bodges.⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - Welcome to 2026! 00:54 - New Teams, New Kits & Pro Rumors 02:00 - The $100k Belt Drive Challenge 03:40 - 32-Inch Wheels 05:40 - Hard MTB League & Massive Prize Purses 08:28 - Support the Channel: GMBN Shop 09:12 - Hacks & Bodges12:55 - Things We Liked This Week15:13 - Caption Contest 17:18 - Bike VaultThe Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.gmbn.eu/Subscribe 🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/gmbnshopSubmit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploaderSign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/newsletterThanks to our sponsors:Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/CanyonPropain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/PropainOrbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/OrbeaPark Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkToolCrankbrothers Pedals: http://gmbn.eu/crankbrosShimano Footwear: https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoesErgon: http://gmbn.eu/ergonVittoria Tires: https://gmbn.eu/VittoriaReynolds wheels: https://gmbn.eu/ReynoldsFSA: http://gmbn.eu/fsaTopeak: http://gmbn.eu/topeakGarmin: https://gmbn.eu/GarminCamelBak: https://gmbn.eu/CamelBakMet Helmets: https://gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets

Happy New Year from everyone at GMBN HQ! Join Rich, Fergus, and James as they look back at a hectic year of riding, from summiting Europe’s highest peaks to surviving the adrenaline-fueled chaos of urban downhill. We’re also teasing our massive plans for 2026, including some brutal endurance races and a return to the downhill circuit.⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - Happy New Year from the Dirt Shed! 01:00 - Summiting Europe’s Highest Peak 02:10 - Riding Death Slabs with Remy Metallier 02:54 - XC Bike vs. World Cup Downhill Track 04:25 - Wholesome Bikepacking with Dad 05:25 - Surviving Genoa Urban Downhill 07:11 - Riding the Peak District 08:18 - Underground Mountain Biking in Caves 09:25 - Racing Ardrock Enduro 10:33 - Big Teasers for 2026! 13:50 - New Year's Hacks and BodgesThe Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.gmbn.eu/Subscribe 🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/gmbnshopSubmit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploaderSign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/newsletterThanks to our sponsors:Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/CanyonPropain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/PropainOrbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/OrbeaPark Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkToolCrankbrothers Pedals: http://gmbn.eu/crankbrosShimano Footwear: https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoesErgon: http://gmbn.eu/ergonVittoria Tires: https://gmbn.eu/VittoriaReynolds wheels: https://gmbn.eu/ReynoldsFSA: http://gmbn.eu/fsaTopeak: http://gmbn.eu/topeakGarmin: https://gmbn.eu/GarminCamelBak: https://gmbn.eu/CamelBakMet Helmets: https://gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets

Merry Christmas from the Dirt Shed! This week, Ferg and James dive into the ultimate festive dilemma: will a 6,000-calorie Christmas dinner actually ruin your riding fitness for next year? We also look back at our biggest fails and crashes from our first six months on the channel,⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - Merry Christmas from the Shed! 00:48 - Will Christmas Dinner Ruin Your Fitness? 02:12 - Our Christmas Riding Traditions 04:29 - Holiday Weight Gain Stats 05:29 - The Ultimate MTB Gift Guide 09:56 - Afterburner Wheel Winner 10:18 - Our Biggest Fails & Crashes of the Year 14:34 - Bike Vault20:21 - Caption Contest 22:06 - Coming Up This Week on GMBNThe Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.gmbn.eu/Subscribe 🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/gmbnshopSubmit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploaderSign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/newsletterThanks to our sponsors:Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/CanyonPropain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/PropainOrbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/OrbeaPark Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkToolCrankbrothers Pedals: http://gmbn.eu/crankbrosShimano Footwear: https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoesErgon: http://gmbn.eu/ergonVittoria Tires: https://gmbn.eu/VittoriaReynolds wheels: https://gmbn.eu/ReynoldsFSA: http://gmbn.eu/fsaTopeak: http://gmbn.eu/topeakGarmin: https://gmbn.eu/GarminCamelBak: https://gmbn.eu/CamelBakMet Helmets: https://gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets

In this week's GMBN Dirt Shed Show, Rich Payne is joined by Fergus Ryan, to ask the question, are drop-handlebar mountain bikes still mountain bikes? 🤔 What actually makes an MTB an 'MTB' and not a 'gravel bike'?Enter the FSA competition giveaway 👉 https://gmbn.eu/FSAHandlebarComp2026Q1 ⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - Intro00:22 - Are these mountain bikes?08:37 - News16:46 - FSA Handlebar Competition giveaway17:11 - Hacks And Bodges20:14 - Things We Liked21:48 - Caption Contest23:06 - Bike Vault27:51 - On The ChannelThe Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.gmbn.eu/Subscribe 🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/gmbnshopSubmit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploaderSign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/newsletterThanks to our sponsors:Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/CanyonPropain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/PropainOrbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/OrbeaPark Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkToolCrankbrothers Pedals: http://gmbn.eu/crankbrosShimano Footwear: https://gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoesErgon: http://gmbn.eu/ergonVittoria Tires: https://gmbn.eu/VittoriaReynolds wheels: https://gmbn.eu/ReynoldsFSA: http://gmbn.eu/fsaTopeak: http://gmbn.eu/topeakGarmin: https://gmbn.eu/GarminCamelBak: https://gmbn.eu/CamelBakMet Helmets: https://gmbn.eu/Met-Helmets

Martyn Ashton returns to the shed to discuss whether "Dream Bikes" are still relevant in an era where entry-level mountain bikes are better than ever. Martyn also announces the official launch of Rideable Now, his new platform dedicated to adaptive mountain biking, featuring an incredible £10,000 Hope HB916 giveaway. Plus, we check out your snowy bike shots in the Vault and crown a life-saving winner of Hacks & Bodges!Check out RideableNow 👉 https://gmbn.eu/RideableNow to help⏱ Timestamps ⏱ 00:00 - Welcome Back, Martyn Ashton! 01:12 - Are Dream Bikes Still Relevant?  09:28 - Introducing Rideable Now & prizes!14:05 - Hacks & Bodges17:27 - Things We Liked19:33 - Caption Contest22:45 - Bike VaultThe Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community – and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond. Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.gmbn.eu/Subscribe 🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/gmbnshopSubmit your Photo and Video to us 👉 https://www.gmbn.com/uploaderSign-up to our newsletter 👉 https://www.gmbn.eu/newsletterThanks to our sponsors:Canyon Bikes: http://gmbn.eu/CanyonPropain Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/PropainOrbea Bikes: https://gmbn.eu/OrbeaPark Tool: http://gmbn.eu/ParkTool