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

Did you know the first-ever MTB race was called “Repack” because riders had to repack their hub brakes with grease after every run due to overheating?

Next time you’re grumbling about a steep climb, just remember how spoiled we are these days.

On Today’s Descent:

⚙️ Gates Sponsors Four Elite DH Teams
💸 Anonymous Rider Donates $2.5M For Trail Network
🏁 Red Bull Backs Aaron Gwin’s U.S. DH Race

TOP STORIES

🤷‍♀️ So Orbea’s Not Making A DH Bike?

Orbea dropped some cryptic photos on Instagram teasing FMD’s race bike for 2025. While we assumed a new carbon DH bike was in the cards from Orbea, the images look like a modified e-bike. It could be similar to what Martin Maes rode at Fort William last year, but Tahnée Seagrave on an e-bike frame just doesn’t feel right…

✌️ MTB Brand Ghosts Customers

Founded in 1999, SixSixOne was one of the first companies to create protection equipment for mountain bikers. Angry and confused customers, who have not received orders, have heard nothing back from the company. Is this the newest bike industry casualty?

🐣 Young Blood Joins Trek Factory

Fresh meat joins the Trek Factory DH squad, with Lachlan Stevens-McNab, Matt Walker and Ollie Davis getting inked into the roster. The addition of two new development riders, Chris Hauser and Ella Svegby, leaves just Sacha Earnest as the only returning athlete from last year’s lineup. This team is remarkably young all around and will be sure to shake things up this season!

🏡 The Craziest MTB Airbnb

Before you rally the crew together for your next riding trip you’ve got to check out Berm Peak Ranger Station. This cozy crib that sleeps 6, comes equipped with a bike workshop, wash station, and it’s within riding distance from some of North Carolina’s top trails. The man behind it? Seth from Berm Peak, who has over 3M YT subs.

RACING

⚙️ These Teams Are Off The Chains

The biggest star ahead of this year’s race season isn’t Loic Bruni or Vali Höll.

It’s publicly traded transmission conglomerate: Gates. Today, it was announced that Gates is sponsoring four elite DH teams this season, all of which have now announced they’re sporting gearbox driven rigs.

Here’s a list of the teams that will be going chainless in 2025:

• Atherton

• Aon

• MS Racing

• Intense Factory Racing

Why is this happening? Like most things in life, the answer is money. Gates is offering $100K to any male or female mountain biker who can win a UCI World Cup using a gearbox driven by its belt. For context, this is 40x what a race winner takes home in prize money from a UCI event, so it’s undeniably attractive for teams to take a chance on the unproven technology.

This Gates prize is turning into what could be one of the best marketing campaigns in MTB history.

Simply by offering this flashy bounty, Gates is greatly accelerating the industry’s perception and adoption of gearbox technology. Success in racing always drives development at the consumer level, therefore opening up a world of sales for Gates if gearboxes become more mainstream in the multi-billion dollar MTB market.

🙋‍♂️ RECON’s Take

We said in a previous newsletter that it was unlikely anyone would walk away from a UCI race this year with the $100K check. But with four programs now chasing that cash, we think it’s more likely than not. It’ll be insanely exciting to watch these four teams this year, knowing a victory could be career changing for the winning rider. Shoutout Gates for upping the ante in a sport in need of more financial fuel.

COMPONENTS

👣 Finally Some Interesting Pedals?

The clip pedal market has been as dormant as a Planet Fitness in February.

But OneUp Components is shaking us out of apathy with a fresh take on the trusted SPD format. Their new Clip Pedals pair durability and refinement, offering a large, confidence-boosting platform with fine-tunable grip and cleat fit.

Lightweight, ultra-thin, and designed to challenge Shimano’s dominance, the new pedals coming in 8 bold colors are versatile as they are eye-catching.

What Makes These Pedals Special?

• World's Thinnest Clip Pedals: At just 26.8mm, enjoy a larger platform without the risk of pedal strikes.

• Large, Supportive Platform: Combines flat pedal confidence with clip efficiency, featuring 4 adjustable pins for a tailored grip.

• Custom Binding: SPD-compatible, with a tighter, play-free cleat fit for a locked-in feel.

• Adjustable Float & Cleat Fit: Fine-tune to perfection with a 5° float and 12° release angle.

• Price: Starting at $159.99 USD

🙋‍♂️ RECON’s Take

Positioned as a durable alternative to Shimano’s offerings—often criticized for wearing out quickly—OneUp’s design is a fresh contender brings much-needed competition to a category long in need of a worthy challenger.

RACING

Aaron Gwin’s Race: A Top US DH?

Tennessee is known for Elvis, whiskey, and hot chicken.

Could downhill mountain biking join the list?

From March 28-30, the iconic Windrock Bike Park is set to host the Red Bull Tennessee National. With UCI C1 status and the world’s biggest action sports sponsor behind it, this is more than just a race—it’s a power move for U.S. downhill racing.

Since 5x world champion Aaron Gwin bought Windrock in 2023, the park has become the epicenter of downhill in North America, becoming a hub and training ground for the country’s top talent.

With Red Bull’s backing, this race signals the arrival of a bold new chapter for the sport on U.S. soil, aligning with our 2025 prediction that U.S. DH would become more mainstream.

Could this be a direct challenge to the Monster Energy DH National Series? We’re here for the rivalry.

What to Expect

• Next-Level Track: The 2024 updates were just the beginning. Expect a course with bigger hits, gnarlier lines, and fresh twists that will test the world’s best.

• Star Power: With its UCI C1 designation, this is a key qualifier for the World Cup season, ensuring a stacked field of elite riders.

• Gwin’s Touch: “Red Bull has been an amazing partner, and we’re taking things to the next level this year,” says Gwin. “This race is for everyone—from rising talents to seasoned pros—and we’re making sure it delivers.”

🙋‍♂️ RECON’s Take

For over a decade, elite level downhill racing has been centered in Europe. American riders, who live in the world’s largest MTB market, are used to scrambling for a seat at the table. Red Bull’s entry is a bold statement that the future of the sport could be red, white, and blue.

TRAILS

Mystery Rider Donates $2.5M For Trails

Is investing in MTB the next great tax write-off?

With the way wealthy Americans are donating for to build singletrack, it very well could be (and we’re so here for it).

On Monday, it was announced that an anonymous donor is providing $2.5M to help create a world-class MTB trail system in Western Massachusetts.

The Shaker Ridge Trails promise 25-30 miles of singletrack with a more long-term vision of 60-100 planned in the future.

💸 How The Money Is Moving

The donor’s investment is divided into a $2 million land purchase and $500K in startup funds for operations. That initial push is already unlocking more funding, including a $250K grant from Massachusetts’ new Office of Outdoor Recreation.

👷‍♀️ Who Is Building The Trails

Deanna and Keenan Smith of Pinnacle Trail Design are the masterminds behind Shaker Ridge. With decades of experience building trails across the East Coast, the couple realized their hometown lacked a top-tier MTB network. Their solution? Build one.

Through their industry connects, the Smiths pitched their vision to a former client turned philanthropist, who backed them with the $2.5M. Phase 1, set on 570 acres, promises trails for everyone—from beginner loops to expert jumps, plus adaptive trails.

Trail construction starts spring 2025, with 10 miles expected to open by summer 2026. Full Phase 1 could take 3-4 years.

🙋‍♂️ RECON’s Take:

This ambitious project isn’t just about trails—it’s about leveraging private and public investment to grow the sport of mountain biking. While it would be difficult for a state or local government to put up millions for new MTB trails, a growing list of private donors kickstarting projects is driving trail network construction. The math is simple: if private MTB lovers can put up the lion’s share of capital, local and state governments can justify using taxpayer money to pitch in.

RIDING SCHOOL

How To Whip Like A Pro

This section of our newsletter is written by MTB education app Mastery, founded by Justin Rausch (@OneMTB) where we bring you the advice of pro riders to sharpen your skills out there.

Nothing screams style more than a whip—but they seem impossible to learn...

Whips are hands down the most fun trick on a mountain bike, but learning them can be daunting. However it doesn't have to be a struggle! What seems like wizardry can actually be easy when you break it down. So here are 3 easy tips to help you master whips!

Finding The Right Jump

• Table tops are the Ideal jumps to learn whips on, they’re low consequence and predictable.

• Wide lip and landings are a big "safety net” for learning how to whip, especially when you might be landing sideways 

2. The Take-off

• Carve the lip come in at an angle and straighten out as you approach the top of the lip. This action helps start the motion and kick the back wheel out.

• Pull up off of the lip to give yourself more airtime and space between you and the bike to get the bike sideways.

3. Getting Sideways

• Turn your wheel to the opposite side of your whip.

• Look forward as the bike kicks sideways, don't take your eyes off the landing or you'll land sideways

4. Bringing It Back

• Straighten your wheel to bring the rear wheel in.

• Straighten your body turn your hips and shoulders towards the landing and the bike will follow.

With Mastery, you can learn MTB skills from the pros. If you haven’t yet, be sure to join their waitlist—it's the perfect way to level up your riding

🎥 Video Of The Week

Reece Wilson Talks About His New DH Team, Aon

🎧 Podcast Of The Week

Meet Todd Barber, The Co-Founder of Red Bull Rampage

🌊 Wipeout Of The Week

This is why you yell “dropping in” before sending a feature

👇 More Content

Brett Tippie’s Wild Rise, Fall, And Rise Again

This Is The Gnarliest Bike Park In America

What Would An MTB Video Game Cover Look Like?

Why Reece Wilson’s New Team Venture Is Genius

This Drone Company Wants To Revolutionize Mountain Bikes

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