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Today, we’re kicking off a new series for Bikes and Big Ideas: we’re setting out to identify the best bikes of the 21st century from over 30 brands. We’ve done a similar series over on our Gear:30 podcast for skis, but that was easy compared to doing the same for bikes.
Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll be hearing about our choices. We’re also including a survey, as we want to hear from you. Additionally, we’ll be sending the same survey to some bike industry luminaries, too.
Once we’ve reviewed an array of brands, we’ll discuss how our selections align with your answers.
And for our grand finale of this series, we’re going to offer our choices for the Very Best Bikes of the Century. It may seem like an impossible task, but we’re hoping we can agree on a top 10, maybe even a top 3, and if the stars align, one single bike. Or, we may never speak to each other again, but we’re willing to take that risk.
Joining me from our crack bike team for Part 1 are David Golay, Dylan Wood, and Xan Marshland.
Note: We Want to Hear From You!
Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on Bikes and Big Ideas. Email us at info@blisterreview.com to weigh in.
TOPICS & TIMES:
Yeti (1:58)
Klein (8:20)
GT (11:11)
Turner (13:57)
Titus (18:40)
Intense (22:05)
Ibis (23:41)
Rocky Mountain (28:05)
Kona (31:40)
Giant (36:14)
Santa Cruz (40:08)
Cannondale (49:48)
Specialized (54:28)
Gary Fisher (1:05:25)
Trek (1:08:36)
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS (click each to learn more):
Surprised not to hear a mention of the 2011 Rocky Slayer! That was one of the original enduro bikes and was ahead of the curve in some geometry aspects. I also felt like the 2022 Element deserved a shoutout. To me, the 2017 Slayer was a fine bike but generally milquetoast. Full 27.5” when long travel 29ers were just picking up steam, a fine bike but it felt pretty outdated within a couple years. The current instinct does seem pretty appealing to me in some ways but I can’t rid my memory of pinkbike shitting all over that one.
For part 2 we also need to shout out the best bike names of the century from each brand. Listening to part one had me getting all nostalgic – just think of all the great names we were graced with that have since been deemed “too unique/edgy/weird” by modern marketing managers. Rumblefish, El Guapo, Uzzi, Bow-Ti, Thunderbolt, the list goes on. At least Stache, Sugar and Stinky got shoutouts!
The first generation YT Capra (2014).
The Capra led the way for a new generation of very capable, pedable enduro bikes with the new longer, lower, slacker geometry. All other brands followed suit.
At the same time, YT was a pioneer of direct-to-consumer retail, and the Capra brought the brand to the attention of more customers and other companies.
At the time, the Capra was available with BOS suspension, Mavic wheels and the new 1×11 drivetrain from SRAM, which was also brand new, for only around 4000 Euros.
A 1st gen Capra would still ride well today and would not be completely outdated (you might want to size up though :-)
https://www.mtb-news.de/news/yt-industries-capra-der-paukenschlag-bei-den-carbon-enduros/
OK, first thing, it’s best Mountain bikes, not bikes. Best bikes is a whole other can of corn.
Next, since we’re going back to 2000, I hope you plan to bring in some industry vets who may know a thing or two about the history of mountain bikes. Folks over 60 who’ve done bikes for their whole lives, maybe contributed a few things, might have some opinions on what moved the needle this decade. If you’re not talking to Gary, Chuck Ibis, Cocalis, Conroy and the like, you’re not getting the full picture. Please leave Sinyard out tho.
From a 45 year bike biz veteran, bon chance!