Welcome back to RECON, the weekly email delivering your MTB news in 5 min.

Earlier this week, Junior US National DH Champion Cash Shaleen was critically injured in a hit and run in Glamis, California, suffering a spinal cord injury, broken back, and broken femur.

Riders have rallied around the GoFundMe set up by Shaleen’s friends and family, already raising roughly $75,000 of a $250,000 goal to support the long road of recovery ahead.

If you’ve got some spare change lying around, consider supporting a fellow rider. Stay safe out there everyone.

On Today’s Ride:

• 🚲 Bikes: Transition Drops Insane Line Of Kids Mountain Bikes

• ⑂ Components: Intend Launches Blackline Forks

• 🍎 Mastery Lesson: How To Better Maintain Speed

BIKES

🚴 Transition Bets On The Youngins

Parents around the world are about to grimace at their child’s Christmas list….

But Transition Bikes will be laughing all the way to the bank.

The Bellingham, WA manufacturer just dropped their 2025 youth lineup—featuring the Bandit, Ripcord, and Scout—is more than just kid-sized bikes; it’s a masterclass in designing capable, durable, and progression-friendly mountain bikes for young riders.

 🐥 Transition Bandit (Ages 5-8)

Perfect for kids aged 5-8 (3'6" - 4'6"), the Bandit is a 20-inch hardtail with 100mm front travel to soak up bumps and boost confidence. It’s a stable, fun-first ride that helps young shredders learn the basics—balance, pumping, cornering, and most importantly, having a blast on the trail!

🔥 Ripcord
For kids 8-12 (4' - 5' tall), the Ripcord is a 24-inch, full-suspension beast with 130mm travel front and rear. Built for young riders ready to send it, this bike is made for jumps, drops, and gnarly trails, delivering the perfect balance of fun and progression to take their skills to the next level.

🚀 Scout XT
For kids 12+ (5' and taller), the Scout XT is a true gateway to big-league riding. With 27.5-inch wheels and 150mm travel, it’s made for speed, stability, and big air—perfect for bike park sessions or sending bigger jumps. The updated Giddy Up suspension is responsive and tuned to keep up with their skills.

Why the big deal? Transition hasn’t just resized adult bikes; they’ve crafted models that match the needs, proportions, and ambitions of young riders. For those of us who grew up without access to bikes like these, the thought of starting out on one of these would have been a game-changer. These bikes allow kids to progress, build skills, and get a real taste of what mountain biking is all about—no shortcuts or compromises.

If this is what kids get to ride, can you imagine the steez the next generation will bring to our sport? Check out the bikes for yourself.

GEAR

⑃ What The Fork Is This?

Intend has done something bold with their Blackline inverted fork lineup, offering a unique mix of all-mountain, enduro, and freeride options that stand apart from the mainstream.

The Hero, Edge, and Flash forks aren’t just about aesthetics—they’re built with a specific purpose for riders who prioritize agility, control, and stability on rugged terrain.

So what makes them novel technology?

• Upside-down design inspired by motocross technology

• Reduced upsprung weight for a smoother, more responsibe feel

But here’s the opinion part: these forks are crazy.

There’s a reason the big names like RockShox and Fox don’t build forks like this—the inverted design demands unique maintenance and tech that’s not as widely supported.

However, if you’re after a truly premium feel and don’t mind a niche option, Intend’s forks are top dollar and deliver impressive performance. The self-bleeding closed cartridge damper and lightweight 35mm stanchions make for a responsive, stable experience, and if you’re all-in for boutique gear, you likely won’t be disappointed.

But performance always comes with a catch…servicing support can be limited.

Unlike mainstream brands, which can be serviced at nearly any bike shop, these forks may leave you relying on international shipping and a niche support network. If you’re not worried about occasionally ordering replacement parts from Intend’s German HQ, these forks could be worth it.

RACING

🏁 Red Bull Hardline Tasmania: Bigger, Bolder & Breaking New Ground

The 2025 Red Bull Hardline Tasmania lineup is out, and it’s clear this year’s event is bringing serious changes.

Here’s what you should know:

• More female riders than ever are joining the lineup this year, with 8 ladies this year compared to just 3 competing last year

• The lineup is diverse and star-studded bringing icons like Gee Atherton and Sam Hill as well as young guns like Jackson Goldstone and Erice Van Leuven

• 17-year-old Asa Vermette’s election to the lineup makes him the youngest rider ever invited to a Red Bull Hardline event

This new format feels like a step toward a bigger vision. You can sense that Red Bull is aiming to rival the UCI MTB World Series, mixing freestyle elements and high-stakes racing that push both riders and fans into the heart of the action.

Mark your calendars for February 7-8, 2025—this year’s Hardline promises to deliver all the thrills and then some. Will it be the start of a serious rival to traditional downhill racing?

RIDING SCHOOL PRESENTED BY MASTERY

💨 Go Faster Without Pedaling…

This section is sponsored by Mastery, a soon to be released app where you can learn MTB skills from pro riders.

Aaron Gwin once famously won a World Cup after his chain broke the second he pedaled out the gate.

While you may not be as skilled as America’s MTB hero, mastering the art of gaining and maintaining speed is crucial for any mountain biker.

We’ve all been there—you're following a friend down a trail, and they drop you without even taking a pedal stroke, how do they do it!? We've put together 4 essential tips to help you carry speed without having to work those pedals so hard.

Pumping the Terrain

• Use features like berms, rollers, and dips to "pump" your bike, which means using your body to push down on the bike at the bottom of dips and lifting up on the bike as you crest rises. This helps generate speed without pedaling.

Pick the Fastest Line

• Look ahead to identify the smoothest line through technical sections. Riding along the "sweet spot" of the trail (where it's less bumpy or more compact) will help maintain speed without needing to pedal.

Tire Pressure Matters

• Getting your tire pressure right can make a world of difference in your ride. Lower tire pressures (but not too low!) offer more grip and help absorb trail chatter, making it easier to maintain momentum on rough terrain.

• Aim for around 22-28 psi, depending on trail conditions, to keep rolling smoothly and efficiently..

Proper Braking

• Believe it or not, braking correctly can actually make you faster. When approaching a corner, always brake before entering the turn, not during it. By entering a berm with the right speed and braking at the proper moment, you set yourself up to "pump" through the corner and carry more speed on the exit.

Want to learn more riding tips from the best out there? Mastery is an app where you can learn MTB lessons from pros. If you haven’t already, get on their waitlist.

OUR PICKS

🎥 Video Of The Week:

Riding on the moon? Mars? Gee Atherton shreds the Kazakstan moonscape in his newest film, RIDGELINE VI.

💥 Weekly Wipeout

Did they even have control over this from the start?! Check out Arlie Connolly’s crash in Utah.

🎧 Ear Candy

Ton Isted shares insights to being a rampage rookie!

🌎 Headlines and Hitters

• How Tahnée Seagrave Became The Face Of Women’s MTB

• How Mark Mathew Became A Pro Mountain Biker at Age 30

• Loic Bruni Weighs In On UCI Rule Changes

• Drool with us: Dangerholm’s Wild Build, Partnering With Ceramic Speed

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