RECON MTB Podcast

Adam Miller joins the podcast live from the Sea Otter Classic to tell the full story of Revel Bikes — from scrappy startup to private equity exit, and back again. He breaks down what it really took to build Revel from the ground up: seven credit cards, employees living at his house, and sleeping in factory dorm rooms in Asia to save every dollar. What started as a passion for making bikes he actually wanted to ride eventually turned into one of the most respected names in full-suspension mountain biking.The conversation digs into what makes the CBF suspension platform so different, why Revel's bikes keep winning bike of the year, and how a geometry philosophy of "progressive, but not too progressive" is quietly outperforming flashier alternatives. Adam also gets into the decision to go mostly direct-to-consumer, how that unlocked a 25–35% price drop without sacrificing quality, and why their small team in Taichung hand-builds every order to spec.They also get into the harder lessons — what really happened after the private equity sale, how Adam bought the company back after it failed, and why rebuilding small and lean with the original crew might be the smartest thing he's ever done.

Kyle Strait opens up about the hidden challenges riders face at Red Bull Rampage. He shares how much riders actually invest just to compete, why builders are their lifeline, and how the financial side of Rampage doesn’t always add up. A rare, honest look behind the scenes of the biggest freeride event in the world.Full podcast is here: https://youtu.be/p_U6zxz5cyE

Nic Bean heads down to Strait Acres to sit down with legendary freerider Kyle Strait for a raw, honest conversation that you won’t hear anywhere else. They talk all things Red Bull Rampage, from the wildest behind-the-scenes moments to the scariest features he’s ever ridden, and why Kyle won’t be competing in Rampage 2025.This one goes deep. Kyle opens up about his career highs, brutal injuries, and what it’s really like to ride the gnarliest event in MTB. They get into the stuff you’d never know as a spectator, the unspoken rules, the pressure, the politics, and how the sport has changed over the years.Whether you’re a diehard fan or just want a peek behind the curtain of one of MTB’s biggest legends, this episode hits different.

Nic and Allan pull out the crystal ball and dive into what the bike industry really needs—both from the perspective of riders and as people with years of firsthand experience. With plenty of stories, insights, and unfiltered opinions, this episode takes a hard look at where the industry is headed, what’s holding it back, and how it can better serve the riders who keep it alive.

What happens when the wrong tool is brought to the biggest stage? Charlie Murray tells Nic the wild story of lining up at the Enduro World Cup on an "trail" bike, what it taught him about adaptability, and how much equipment really matters at the highest levelFull episode here: https://youtu.be/69CU_l4wupA

In this episode, Nic Bean sits down with Enduro World Cup standout Charlie Murray to dive into life as a professional mountain bike racer. From dialing in bike setup to navigating the highs and lows of a long season, Charlie shares the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that come with competing at the top of the sport. The conversation covers the grind of worldwide travel, the mental battles behind the races, and what it really takes to push through challenges and chase results on the global stage.

Adrian and Nic discuss Henry Quinney’s surprising departure from Pinkbike to launch Quarter HP, his new high-end bike review channel. They break down why this move matters—will independent reviews shake up the industry? Plus, they analyze his first videos, the "mystery rider" bit, and whether this could change how we judge bikes forever.Full episode link here: https://youtu.be/xGJ5M8NSVv4

Adrian and Nic break down the biggest moments from Red Bull Hardline 2025, including Asa Vermette’s insane run and Louise Ferguson’s historic finish. They also discuss Jackson Goldstone’s absence—was skipping Hardline the right call? Plus, Henry Quinney’s new bike review channel, the debate over MTB vs. road racing danger, and an inside look at Nic’s Theory Racing Enduro team.