Welcome back to the #1 MTB newsletter.

The giveaway for the custom-built $10,000 Transition Sentinel V3 we’re giving away to one of our website’s shoppers is closing tonight at 11:59 PM PST.

Kind of crazy to think someone is going to win the bike just for buying that bike part or gear they needed anyway.

P.S. 15% off EVERYTHING on reconmtb.com but only for first time customers.

On today’s ride:

• ⚡️New Santa Cruz Bullit

• 🏁 DH Dubs From Tahnée Seagrave and Asa Vermette

• 🇿🇦 Darkfest Recap

👇 Quick Picks

👖 All Hail The Denim Destroyer

Johannes von Klebelsberg, AKA the “Denim Destroyer,” raced World Cups in jeans—all while running a restaurant. A privateer since 2012, he earned two Italian national titles and consistently earned top 40 World Cup finishes. In 2019, he peaked with 9th in qualifying and 13th overall. Proof you don’t need fancy kit to go absolutely shred.

⚖️ Leatt Launches MTB Component Lineup

Known for keeping riders protected, Leatt just dropped a full line of high-end MTB components. Enter CeraMAG—a magnesium alloy lineup of featherweight stems, pedals, and more. After a four-year R&D grind, these ceramic-coated beauties are durable, recyclable, and ridiculously techy.

🔮 Poll: Inverted Forks

We’ve sparked quite the discussion on Instagram. After we spotted the FOX prototype at Sea Otter, it feels like inverted forks are on everyone’s minds. With offerings from Intend, Cane Creek, Push, and now seemingly FOX, is it safe to say the tech is the next essential for the modern mountain bike?

BIKES

🧃Juiced: EMTB Season Continues

Santa Cruz just dropped the updated Bullit—an eMTB that now comes powered by Bosch’s Gen 5 CX motor.

With 170mm of rear travel, a mixed-wheel setup, and a tidy new frame silhouette, this bike should be a gravity rider’s dream. But zoom in, and you’ll notice the conversation isn’t just about the bike—it’s about Santa Cruz’s direction as a brand.

❌ VPP No More

Like the Vala before it, the Bullit ditches Santa Cruz’s signature VPP suspension for a more conventional Horst link layout.

It’s a big shift for a brand that’s long differentiated itself with its unique kinematics and ultra-premium vibe. Now, with a design language that mirrors several competitors—including Transition’s new Regulator CX—it’s fair to ask: is Santa Cruz blending in more than it’s standing out?

🔋 Battery or Blunder?

The Bullit runs a fixed 600Wh battery—plenty for quick hits or after-work laps, but not exactly the tool for big alpine missions. There’s no 800Wh option or easy hot-swap setup, which puts it behind some competitors in the range department. If you want more juice, you’ll need to grab the range extender—but that means losing your bottle cage. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely something to factor in if your riding style leans toward big days in big terrain.

⚙️ Bosch + SRAM = Firepower

The Bosch CX system is a reliable workhorse—plenty of torque, solid range. And Santa Cruz specced this bike well, including SRAM’s new mechanical Transmission on select builds. It’s not boutique-tier like some S-Works eMTBs, but it’s still undeniably premium. Fit and finish remain top-tier, as expected from Santa Cruz.

🎨 Form Meets Function-ish

It’s light—just under 50 lbs—and it climbs well. But the looks? Divisive. The new silhouette has riders comparing it to GT prototypes or off-the-shelf FSR rigs. “It’s like the Bullit dressed up as another brand for Halloween,” one commenter said.

⛓️ No Coil, No Frame-Only, No Problem?

Build kits range from $7,399 to $11,899, and while pricing isn’t outrageous in today’s eMTB world, it does feel a touch ambitious for some specs. The GX AXS build is pushing $10K and ships with Fox Performance Elite suspension—not Factory-level gear. And with no coil shock option or frame-only availability, it’s a little surprising for a bike that markets itself as a freeride-ready rig.

👀 The Real Question

From a ride perspective this bike is likely phenomenal. But the real story might be what it signals about Santa Cruz itself. As the brand modernizes and adapts to new e-platforms, is it slowly shedding what made it iconic? Or just evolving into something new?

We’ll get a long-form ride review soon. For now, consider this your first look at the future of SC—and maybe a fork in the trail for the brand.

EVENTS

☠️ Freeride’s Wildest Week

Darkfest 2025 just wrapped in Stellenbosch, South Africa—and if you weren’t glued to your feed last week, we’ve got questions.

Now in its 9th year, the Sam Reynolds + Clemens Kaudela-built mega line delivered the biggest freeride session on Earth—literally. When Bienvenido Aguado opened the 110-foot world record jump, the course officially went nuclear. And yep, BMXers and pitbikes tried the huge step-up too (because Darkfest).

But it wasn’t just airtime—it was style. Women’s progression stole the show, with top-to-bottom runs, trick variety, and raw confidence. Shoutout to Robin Goomes for that backflip can-can and Chelsea Kimball for earning Queen of Darkness honors.

The vibes? Untouchable. Matt Jones finally cleared the XXL jump, Matt Macduff stayed sketchy in the best way, and riders like Dylan Stark, Lukas Schäfer, and Vinny Armstrong went full send. Even the haircuts were wild.

As always, the week wrapped up with rider-voted awards, giving props to those who brought the heat:

• King & Queen of Darkness: Matt Macduff & Chelsea Kimball

• Filthiest Whip: Vinny Armstrong & Alessio Tonoli

• Best Moment: Lucy Vaneesteren, Finley Kirschenmann & Talus Turk

• Best Trick: Robin Goomes (backflip can-can) & Kaidan Ingersoll (360 downside whip)

• Best Run: Bienve Aguado & Vaea Verbeeck

• Most Creative: Jack Schliemann

Sam Reynolds summed it up best: “It’s insane to see how far Darkfest has come and where it’s going.” Wanna feel the hype? Hit up Sam’s YouTube.

RACING

↘️ We’re Headed Downhill

DH season hasn’t even officially started, and things are already heating up. Last weekend served up two bangers: the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey and a high-stakes test event on the legendary Fox Track in Lousã, Portugal.

🦦 Sea Otter Classic: Flowy & Fast

Jill Kintner reminded us she’s still a force, winning the Elite Women’s race (2:04.51), with Rachel Atherton and Kailey Skelton hot on her heels.

On the men’s side, 17-year-old phenom Asa Vermette smoked the field—and his boss—clocking 1:49.81. Neko Mulally landed second, lost the bet he had made with Asa, and now has a new tattoo.

🇵🇹 Lousã Test Event: Pure Tech

Across the Atlantic, teams descended on Lousã for a pre-season preview. Tahnée Seagrave edged out Vali Höll in a tight one, and Ryan Pinkerton made a name for himself by beating some big Euro guns. The steep, rooty terrain gave everyone a World Cup reminder.

RIDING SCHOOL

😵‍💫 How To 360

The 360 is a classic BMX move that transfers beautifully to the mountain bike. It’s stylish, versatile, and unlocks tons of combos once dialed.

Which Way to Spin?

While there are technically no rules, most riders follow a standard based on foot position:

• Right foot forward? Spin left (counterclockwise).

• Left foot forward? Spin right (clockwise).

This makes it easier to look over your shoulder in the spin and becomes especially helpful when you start combining tricks.

Build Up to It

Before sending a full 360, be confident with your 180s:

• Progress through 180°, then 270°, then 360°.

• Around 270°, your back wheel might start landing first. Use this to practice a 360 tail tap—land on the rear wheel and pivot the rest. It’s a stylish trick on its own and a solid stepping stone.

Carve the Takeoff

The spin doesn’t start in the air—it begins at the takeoff.

• Time your carve so that it begins just as you leave the lip, not too early.

• If you spin left, try approaching the jump at a slight angle to the right, then carve left as you pop. This helps keep you aligned with your landing instead of drifting off to the side.

• Every rider needs to find their own balance of carve and pop—start small and adjust as needed.

Getting the Bike Leveled Out

This is key for clean landings:

• Look where you want to go. Keep your eyes turning over your shoulder throughout the spin. A great tip: try to spot your back axle.

• Drop your shoulder in the direction of the spin to help bring the bike around.

• At around 180°, tuck the rear wheel by scooping your pedals, pulling your knees up, and pushing the bars slightly away. This flattens you out in the air.

• Stay compact and head-turned until you spot your landing.

Final Tips

• Start small. Focus on technique before sending big.

• More airtime = slower spin. Don’t over-rotate on bigger jumps.

• Commit. A half-hearted 360 is the fastest way to crash.

Have fun. Everyone’s 360 looks different—develop your own style and enjoy the ride.

With Mastery, you can learn MTB skills fast. It’s an app making it simple to learn MTB skills from top pros. The app is launching this month so join the waitlist to ensure you get first access.

🎥 Video Of The Week

Rob Warner shredding 30 years of Giant downhill bikes.

🎧 Podcast Of The Week

Mani Lettenbichler is also attacking downhill tracks.

🎁 Giveaway Bike

Every $1 you spend on bike products on ReconMTB.com is 2 entries to winning this $10,000 bike before entries close tonight at 11:59 PM PST. You must live in the USA to shop for bike products on our site though we ship merch internationally.

🌊 Wipeout Of The Week

Adolf Silva’s crash reel from Darkfest

This newsletter is written with ❤️ every week by Nic Bean, Michael Sikand, Justin Rausch, and Marc Brodesser