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.Contents00:00 &quot;My Watch Said I Was Dead&quot; - Lars Sternberg 08:54 What&apos;s In and What&apos;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

<description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Contents&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 &amp;quot;My Watch Said I Was Dead&amp;quot; - Lars Sternberg&lt;br/&gt;08:54 What&amp;apos;s In and What&amp;apos;s Out: Weekly Highlights&lt;br/&gt;21:17 The Founding of Crestline Bikes and how they were made&lt;br/&gt;59:02 Transitioning to DJI Motors&lt;br/&gt;01:35:08 Consumer Behavior and E-Bike Sales&lt;br/&gt;01:53:20 Understanding Power and Performance in E-Bikes&lt;br/&gt;02:10:13 The Balance Between Analog and E-Bikes&lt;br/&gt;02:20:43 Regulations and Safety Concerns in E-Biking&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

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, s...

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

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&apos;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&apos;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

<description>&lt;p&gt;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. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;00:00 Introduction to Sam Nicols and YT Industries&lt;br/&gt;01:49 Sam&amp;apos;s Background and Career Path&lt;br/&gt;09:28 Challenges of Stepping into YT During the Pandemic&lt;br/&gt;11:35 Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Customer Care&lt;br/&gt;16:01 The Private Equity Interest and Acquisition Process&lt;br/&gt;23:45 Aligning Goals with Private Equity&lt;br/&gt;30:15 Understanding the Risks of Private Equity&lt;br/&gt;34:11 The Impact of Market Conditions on YT&amp;apos;s Valuation&lt;br/&gt;37:05 Transitioning to In-House Assembly&lt;br/&gt;49:43 Demand Fluctuations and Market Realities&lt;br/&gt;50:21 Navigating Demand Fluctuations&lt;br/&gt;54:08 Strategic Decisions Amidst Overstocks&lt;br/&gt;01:00:05 The Impact of Cash Flow on Business Decisions&lt;br/&gt;01:03:43 Cost Management Challenges in the Bike Industry&lt;br/&gt;01:10:08 Marketing Strategies: Balancing Brand and Performance&lt;br/&gt;01:17:48 The Role of Data in Business Operations&lt;br/&gt;01:25:12 Leadership Dynamics and Company Culture&lt;br/&gt;01:30:12 Reflections on Competition and Industry Evolution&lt;/p&gt;</description>

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 ...

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

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&apos;s In/What&apos;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

<description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Chapters&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;00:00 Introduction, What&amp;apos;s In/What&amp;apos;s Out&lt;br/&gt;14:10 The Evolution of Mountain Biking Gear&lt;br/&gt;18:28 Tires and Tubeless Technology: A Game Changer&lt;br/&gt;23:43 The Balance of Durability and Performance&lt;br/&gt;29:00 Expectations on Bike Longevity&lt;br/&gt;34:05 The Future of Mountain Bike Technology&lt;br/&gt;45:20 Dynamic Forks and Rider Preferences&lt;br/&gt;48:23 Sensitivity to Suspension Setup&lt;br/&gt;51:27 Skill Levels and Equipment Accessibility&lt;br/&gt;52:16 Understanding Compression and Adjustments&lt;br/&gt;54:29 E-Bikes and Durability Challenges&lt;br/&gt;58:17 Headset Issues and Innovations&lt;br/&gt;01:03:36 Durability in High-End Bikes&lt;br/&gt;01:12:14 E-Bike Technology and Future Considerations&lt;br/&gt;01:17:38 Understanding Bike Longevity and Maintenance&lt;br/&gt;01:19:41 Investing in Bike Parts for Durability&lt;br/&gt;01:22:51 Building a Bike: Prioritizing Components&lt;br/&gt;01:26:01 Injury and Its Impact on Riding&lt;br/&gt;01:26:10 Choosing the Right Bike and Brand&lt;br/&gt;01:29:40 The Lifecycle of Bike Parts and Consumer Expectations&lt;br/&gt;01:36:49 Engaging with the Cycling Community&lt;/p&gt;</description>

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...

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

Join Vital&apos;s own Jason Schroeder and Shawn Spomer, along with industry veteran Lars Sternberg, as they discuss the gripping topic of launching new bikes and their embargoes. Why do we have embargoes? What goes on behind the scenes of a new product launch? Are embargoed launches still impactful? How do brands and media make a splash on embargo day to give riders something to get excited about? Vital MTB&apos;s new podcast show— bikes ≠ unaffiliated,  is our spot to chat about bike-related topics that aren&apos;t necessarily focused on current events, racing, or covering the latest-greatest tech. It&apos;s not a space for interviews, but rather for having a conversation about things we find interesting.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Join Vital&amp;apos;s own Jason Schroeder and Shawn Spomer, along with industry veteran Lars Sternberg, as they discuss the gripping topic of launching new bikes and their embargoes. Why do we have embargoes? What goes on behind the scenes of a new product launch? Are embargoed launches still impactful? How do brands and media make a splash on embargo day to give riders something to get excited about?&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Vital MTB&amp;apos;s new podcast show— bikes ≠ unaffiliated,  is our spot to chat about bike-related topics that aren&amp;apos;t necessarily focused on current events, racing, or covering the latest-greatest tech. It&amp;apos;s not a space for interviews, but rather for having a conversation about things we find interesting.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Join Vital's own Jason Schroeder and Shawn Spomer, along with industry veteran Lars Sternberg, as they discuss the gripping topic of launching new bikes and their embargoes. Why do we have embargoes? What goes on behind the scenes of a new product launch? Are embargoed launches still impactful? How do brands and media make a splash on embargo day to give riders something to get excited about?  Vital MTB's new podcast show— bikes ≠ unaffiliated,  is our spot to chat about bike-related top...

What's It Like to Release a New Bike Product? - Bikes: Unaffiliated Ep 1

Jeff Brines follows up our &quot;<a href='https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/we-discuss-yt'>We Discuss YT</a>&quot; podcast with his thoughts after listening to the <a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP0RE5yh3Xk'>Markus Flossmann interview on the Downtime podcas</a>t. Jeff also notes corrections made in our original show after learning information shared in the Downtime pod.<a href='https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/bikeconomics-megathread?page=123#comment-715411'>Discuss more with the Vital community</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Jeff Brines follows up our &amp;quot;&lt;a href='https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/we-discuss-yt'&gt;We Discuss YT&lt;/a&gt;&amp;quot; podcast with his thoughts after listening to the &lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP0RE5yh3Xk'&gt;Markus Flossmann interview on the Downtime podcas&lt;/a&gt;t. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jeff also notes corrections made in our original show after learning information shared in the Downtime pod.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/bikeconomics-megathread?page=123#comment-715411'&gt;Discuss more with the Vital community&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Jeff Brines follows up our "We Discuss YT" podcast with his thoughts after listening to the Markus Flossmann interview on the Downtime podcast.  Jeff also notes corrections made in our original show after learning information shared in the Downtime pod. Discuss more with the Vital community 

Follow-Up - Post-Downtime Markus Flossmann Interview

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