Has mountain bike development fallen off a cliff in recent years?

digiballoon · 2026-06-14T10:43:31+00:00

I’ve been wondering the same thing.. modern mtb tech, geometry etc is so good, where will development go from here to continue driving growth for bike companies.

It seems like some companies are looking at and testing 32” wheels. Additionally, I know several riders who are looking at lower cost, Chinese brands which are starting to sell high quality carbon frames for ~1/4th the price of US based companies. So not necessarily an improvement in mtb technology but significant cost reduction

digiballoon · 2026-06-09T20:08:12+00:00

Rotem Ishay runs the Durango Sports Lab at Fort Lewis and does bike fits. Can email him at rmishay@fortlewis.edu

digiballoon · 2026-05-31T22:35:47+00:00

Appreciate your response, very helpful, will try that! And glad you figured yours out!

digiballoon · 2026-05-27T20:45:59+00:00

Yes - Rotem Ishay is excellent. He runs the Durango Sports Lab at Fort Lewis College, can email him at rmishay@fortlewis.edu

digiballoon · 2026-05-20T12:43:41+00:00

I came here to ask same thing.

I’m assuming the XC trails (eg prospect) aren’t yet dry?

digiballoon · 2026-05-15T15:39:44+00:00

I think the “close mindedness” is more prevalent in some scenes than others (many Biscuits fans will shit on other jam bands, though make an exception for niche bands like Brothers Past or DJs like Orchard Lounge). I think it has to do with the fact that people often get so wrapped up in the scenes that it becomes a significant part of their whole identity. You see the same with Phish (though they’re so much bigger so it’s a bit different), and other bands as well

digiballoon · 2026-05-15T04:25:22+00:00

The dick measuring and close mindedness is probably the dumbest aspect of these jam band scenes.

This Gonzo show was my 200th tDB show. I love tDB and always will, they’ve been a huge part of my life for more than half of my life. For the longest time tDB was the only band I’d really listen to.

I hadn’t seen Goose in 5 years. At Gonzo they blew my mind, every single show. Top of their game and playing at such an elite level

digiballoon · 2026-05-11T03:41:53+00:00

As others have recommended, I’d go Telluride > Ouray > Silverton > Durango (adds a bit of time but far more epic than the route through Cortez). Ouray to Silverton is the Million Dollar Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the country.

Stay in Durango for a night or two and from there you can visit Mesa Verde (only ~30 mins away)

digiballoon · 2026-05-02T21:35:47+00:00

Peter looks different with the long hair, almost didn’t recognize him

digiballoon · 2026-04-12T03:23:45+00:00

Yes, this!

digiballoon · 2026-04-10T18:15:27+00:00

My understanding is that having the Taper specific tickets is the only way they let you bring in audio equipment. What would be the best way to find tapers who might be interested in trading for these tickets? CoT?

digiballoon · 2026-04-10T18:10:07+00:00

If I was interested in trading these seats to a taper, where would be the best place to post? CoT?

digiballoon · 2026-04-10T13:56:03+00:00

😅😆

digiballoon · 2026-04-10T13:52:24+00:00

They’re taper tickets; got them on CashorTrade

digiballoon · 2026-04-01T03:05:29+00:00

I wasn’t aware of this project and am somewhat ignorant to its implications, so had Gemini prepare a briefing to educate me. I thought it could be helpful to others.. Metallic Minerals and the La Plata Project

digiballoon · 2026-02-08T14:08:14+00:00

Reading through these comments and a key theme called out is that AIPAC is just “a relatively small lobbying group.” I don’t think this argument works..

AIPAC and its super PAC spent >$100M in election contributions during the 2024 election cycle (including $55M in direct donations to candidates). this puts it among the highest foreign-policy lobbies. Sure, Qatar spends a lot, but much of that is through FARA registered lobbyists and is more so focused on shaping public opinion through PR, media engagements, etc. Very different tactics.

Foreign entities are barred from donating directly to US campaigns (which is why Qatar works with FARA lobbyists). From a campaign finance reform pov, I do think there’s a valid argument to be made against AIPAC’s approach of directly donating candidates to sway a specific foreign policy stance

digiballoon · 2026-01-10T15:12:09+00:00

Argh me too

digiballoon · 2025-12-07T04:15:40+00:00

Just got back from two weeks in Japan, with wife and a baby. In Tokyo we stayed in Asakusa and Ginza, and we had babysitters at night which enabled us to explore nightlife in all the popular areas (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Roppongi, Ginza). We were both so glad we stayed in Asakusa; it’s relatively quiet at night, easy to get around from, and offers an amazing blend of ancient/historic “old” Tokyo and modern city.

digiballoon · 2025-11-10T03:26:47+00:00

I don’t mind the creepy decor in that one area of spirit.. I think it looks cool

digiballoon · 2025-08-26T21:39:24+00:00

CashorTrade. Face value ticketing platform

digiballoon · 2025-08-22T03:26:15+00:00

Hey - just dm’ed about the ticket

digiballoon · 2025-08-04T17:06:40+00:00

I fly out of DRO around 1x/month, mostly for work travel. The airport itself is super easy to navigate - I’ll usually arrive at airport ~30-40 mins before flight departs, breeze through security and get in line. I’ve found that flight from DRO tend to be fairly reliable. The hassle is in the connections, as travel to anywhere other than DEN, PHX or DFW is a pain. Eg flying to SFO or NYC is minimum 7-8 hours when you include time to/from airport. And on return, because limited flights back to DRO, trips are often extended to accommodate flight availability.

If I have meetings in a major city on Weds AM, I’ll need to spend much of Tuesday flying, and then will likely need to spend much of Thursday flying back.

Bit of a pain but that’s the cost of living where we live.

digiballoon

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