Welcome back to RECON, the weekly email giving you top MTB news in 5 min.

Today, we’re pumped to be announcing our first sponsor: Mastery.

It’s an app where you can take courses created by MTB pros to become a better rider.

While Mastery is not yet available to the public, you can get a taste of it early with RECON. In each issue, we’re adding a section dedicated to a certain MTB skill and how you can conquer it.

We’ve also got several pro riders lined up to give you tips. Keep your eyes peeled!

On Today’s Docket:

• 🔋 Bikes: Deviate Drops High Pivot eMTB Kurgan

•  🇫🇷 Loic Bruni: The French Superstar & His Gear

• 🍎 Lesson : How To Hit A Whip

Top Picks

💰 Business: The Pro’s Closet Is Back?

Just one month after The Pro's Closet announced that they were shuttering their doors the Elshair Companies will be resuming operations ahead of the holiday season.

🍂 Events: Fall Fest Whip Off

Tennessee’s largest MTB event happened Nov 1-2. Watch massive whips and 9 yr olds doing backflip no-footers!

🤖 AI: This App Rigs Your Suspension

Bikes are complex. That’s why two passionate mountain bikers from Austria developed an app to help rig your MTB with the perfect settings.

📸 Snap: Killian Bron Gracing Moab, UT

BIKES

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Get Hype About This High Pivot eMTB

The Loch Ness monster used to be Scotland’s beast of record.

That changed when Deviate announced the Kurgan eMTB, which is set to hit garages in August 2025.

The new rig stays true to Deviate’s reputation with a high pivot suspension platform while thrusting the brand into the future with a Bosch CX motor and 800 Wh of juice.

You see new bike launches all the time, but you’re a busy person.

That’s why RECON’s resident pro Nic Bean will break down why you should you care about the Kurgan.

The Suspension

Deviate Cycles has crafted something special. Unlike many mainstream brands, the high-pivot suspension design immediately sets the Kurgan apart.

The high-pivot layout gives the bike a rearward axle path, meaning it handles rough terrain with impressive stability by allowing the rear wheel to move back and up, absorbing impacts more effectively. This design is especially beneficial for eMTBs, where added motor weight and higher speeds make stability and control even more critical.

The Motor

At the core of the Kurgan is the updated Bosch CX motor paired with a large-capacity 800 Wh battery. This system, in my view, is the best on the market right now and could be what drives your desire to upgrade. It offers a balanced blend of power and range with noticeable weight savings of 600g over the previous version. It’s on the lighter side for full-power eMTBs, which is notable given the bike’s tough build.

Other Goodies

Deviate’s attention to detail doesn’t stop there. The frame includes grease ports at each pivot, simplifying maintenance and extending the lifespan of the pivot bearings by making it easy to inject fresh grease. The bike’s mixed-wheel setup (29" front, 27.5" rear) keeps handling sharp and responsive, while the geometry, including a 63.5° head tube angle and a steep 78° seat tube angle, strikes a balance between stability on descents and efficiency on climbs. It also leaves room for a water bottle.

This bike checks all the boxes for serious riders seeking versatility and reliability. Deviate has loaded the Kurgan with essential features for those who demand performance across diverse terrains, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it holds up in real-world conditions.

Full Specs:

• Carbon frame
• 29" front, 27.5" rear
• Fork Travel: 180mm
• Rear Travel: 165mm
• Battery: 800 Wh
• Range Extender: 250 Wh
• Bosch CX Motor
• Claimed weight: 24 kg / 52.9 lb (M, as shown)
• Expected starting price: £7,999
• Available in the UK & Europe only (for now)
• Frame Warranty: Lifetime

PROFESSIONALS

🇫🇷 Loic Bruni’s Mind Of Steel

Hypothetical situation here.

If the world ever depended on someone to get from the top of a mountain to the bottom as fast as possible…

There would be only one logical choice: Loic Bruni.

Known as "SuperBruni" in the mountain biking world, Loic has been one of the most dominant forces in downhill racing for years, and he clinched his fourth overall World Cup title this year riding for Specialized Gravity.

The Rise

The roots of Loic's success trace back to his family. His father, a dedicated rider himself, put Loic on a bike at a young age. Loic quickly took to the sport, and by 2012, he claimed the title of Junior World Champion.

He joined the elite ranks the following year, where he initially struggled to secure wins. But in 2015, he captured his first World Championship, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career that has seen him win six World Championships to date.

Loic’s Greatest Asset?

While his top-tier bike, high-performance gear, and industry-leading sponsors play a role, Loic’s real secret weapon lies elsewhere: his mind.

Eight years ago, he made a pivotal decision to work with a sports psychologist, a choice that transformed his approach and performance. By harnessing mental strength alongside physical ability, Loic gained a competitive edge that set him apart. He understands better than his opponents that mental resilience is as crucial as physical skill in action sports.

What’s Next?

At age 30, Loic shows no signs of slowing down. He’s already carved out his legacy as one of the greatest action sports athletes of all time, and he’s far from finished. With a winning mindset as his greatest asset, Loic Bruni is set to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in mountain biking.

But the secret sauce does not end there.

If you want to understand what makes Loic Bruni the king of downhill racing, you can’t overlook his bike.

As we dug deeper into Bruni's setup, it became clear that his ride isn’t just any factory build; it’s a carefully engineered weapon in the hands of a master. Bruni’s Specialized prototype, fitted with a cutting-edge suspension and a rumored electronic system, is one of the biggest reasons he rides with such control, adapting flawlessly to every twist, turn, and terrain type he encounters.

This bike, developed by Specialized Gravity with Öhlins, goes beyond standard pro-level setups. Years of data collection and testing have allowed Bruni and his team to craft precise damper settings that adapt to various track conditions—speed, steepness, and roughness are all dialed into his ride. The result? Loic’s bike glides over bumps, digs deep into turns, and stays composed in ways that most riders can only dream about.

What’s especially interesting—and what might give Bruni an edge over rivals—is the mystery tech built into his bike. From the flashing light on his top cap to hidden components that Specialized keeps under wraps, Bruni’s setup is as secretive as it is effective. Some say it’s purely psychological warfare; others think Specialized has cracked the code to create a machine that’s always one step ahead. Either way, Loic’s rivals are left wondering if they’re fighting an uphill battle against both rider and machine.

When you add this level of technical mastery to Bruni’s unrivaled mindset and years of experience, his bike becomes more than just a tool—it’s a secret weapon in the truest sense, helping him maintain his edge and redefine what’s possible in downhill racing.

RIDING SCHOOL

🥶 Tips For Whips: Presented By Mastery

Whips are hands down one of the most stylish moves you can pull off on a mountain bike, but perfecting them is an art that takes time and practice.

We’ve all been there—you go to throw a whip, but you end up looking like a fish out of water. To help you avoid those awkward moments, we've put together 4 essential tips to make your whips look as dialed as possible.

Carve the lip

• Every good whip starts with carving the lip, approach the lip at an angle and straighten out as you you approach the top of the take off

Keep your head forward

• Make sure that your head is facing forward throughout the whip, this simple action makes it easier to bring the back wheel in so that you don't land sideways.

Don’t Just Pull the Bars

•  If you try to whip by yanking on the handlebars, you’ll lose control

• The handlebars should follow your body’s rotation, focusing on rotating your torso first. Your hands should follow through but don’t force the motion

Start small

• It’s better to do a small whip with the right techniques; than throwing yourself sideways and hoping for the best

• Whipping is an art, so it’s important to master the timing of the motions before focusing on the extension

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.

🎥 Video Of The Week:

Few weeks old but one of the best videos we’ve watched in a while. Dale Stone dives into Lewis brakes to see if they’re legit… extremely well researched.

💥 Wipeout Of The Week

Christian Arehart “cashroll 540” fail @ green river classic.

🌎 Headlines and Hitters

• Loic Bruni collabs with RECON on Instagram

• Top 10 Cities For Mountain Biking in North America

• Would you buy this steel top fuel Trek?

• Should there be a national holiday for mountain bikers

• Ridewrap drops wheel protection kits

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