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Brakes are one of those things most riders don't think about until something goes wrong — and then it's all they can think about. This episode of Mountain Cog changes that. Josh and Dane dig into the Hayes versus Shimano debate with the kind of depth and honesty that's hard to find when every other review online is either sponsored content or a five-minute YouTube video that barely scratches the surface. The conversation starts with a simple real-world observation from the trail and quickly evolves into something genuinely eye-opening about how these two systems are fundamentally built to feel different — not better or worse, just different.

Dane has spent decades behind a bike shop bench working on both systems, and that experience comes through in every minute of this episode. He explains why Shimano's brakes have earned their legendary reputation for easy maintenance, why Hayes has quietly built a cult following among riders who prioritize feel and control on technical terrain, and what the actual tradeoffs are when you choose one over the other. DOT fluid versus mineral oil, modulation versus raw bite, easy bleeding versus superior feel — it's all covered here without an agenda. By the end you'll have a clear picture of which system fits your riding and your lifestyle.

Shimano: https://bike.shimano.com/stories/article/the-easy-to-understand-guide-to-brakes.html

Hayes: https://hayes.hayesbicycle.com/en-us/

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Sunglasses might be the most under-thought of piece of gear in mountain biking. Most riders either skip them entirely or default to whatever they already own, without knowing that the wrong tint, frame, or fit can actually make riding harder and riskier. Rob Tavakoli, CEO of SportRX and a guy who's been obsessed with eyewear since he was nine years old, joined the Mountain Cog crew in Tucson for a follow-up to his Episode 71 appearance — and this time he brought a bag full of frames to show and tell.

Rob and the guys cover the full landscape of mountain bike sunglasses: how shields differ from dual-lens frames and when each makes sense, why some frame designs work better for prescriptions, and how to tell at a glance whether a frame is actually going to fit your face. The lens conversation is equally thorough — rose and amber tints for contrast, photochromatic options for variable light, the case against polarization on the trail, and Oakley's Prism technology explained in a way that actually makes sense. Rob also addresses why no mountain bike frame should be made of metal or have glass lenses, shares the care habit that's kept his personal collection pristine over the years, and talks through how SportRX's in-house line makes prescription sport eyewear accessible starting at $99 with a full money-back guarantee.

Link: https://www.sportrx.com/

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When Josh Sprague couldn't find a hydration pack that stayed put, ran cool, and didn't feel like dead weight on his back, he built one himself. Fourteen years later, Orange Mud offers unique solutions to the endurance and mountain bike markets. Sprague joins Josh & Dane this week to explain what makes Orange Mud's Endurance Pack different from everything else on the market. The conversation covers pack geometry, upper-back placement, heat release through open side construction, and why he's convinced that waist packs — no matter how trendy — will never be the answer for serious trail riding.

What makes this episode stand out is the business conversation layered underneath the gear talk. Sprague is one of the more self-aware founders you'll meet — he's honest about the money he wasted early on, the challenges that have hammered small outdoor brands over the last few years, and the somewhat accidental creation of Seven Clay, his custom embroidery company that now runs bigger than his original business. He and the guys also get into retail strategy, the dangers of constant discounting, and the one metric — average order value relative to conversion cost — that Sprague says every entrepreneur needs to nail down before they go all in.

Orange Mud (Hydration): https://www.orangemud.com/

Seven Clay (Embroidery & more): https://sevenclay.com/

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Ever wonder why bike shops seem to come and go? The answer's in the math, and it's not pretty. Josh dives deep into industry data from the National Bicycle Dealer Association, trade publications, and financial modeling sites to paint a realistic picture of bike shop profitability. Spoiler alert: the average bike shop owner in America takes home less than $50k a year and works 50-60 hours a week. With 1,000's of bike shops operating nationwide and razor-thin margins on everything from components to complete bikes, staying in business is more about passion than profit.

Dane shares war stories from decades in the industry, including his days as "Discount Dane" before he understood the real costs behind every sale. We walk through actual profit margins on bikes, parts, accessories, and service labor. We then factor in the vast categories of operating costs like shipping, payroll, advertising, rent, utilities, shop equipment, and more. By the end, you'll understand why shop owners drive $3,000 cars but ride $10,000 bikes (that they'll sell later), and why the "markup myth" has been misleading customers for years. This is required listening for anyone who's ever said "I know what you guys make on this stuff."

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Does your mountain bike fork feel harsh over bumps? Is your suspension bottoming out on drops or packing down in rock gardens? In this comprehensive suspension setup guide, professional bike shop owner and suspension expert Dane Higgins and co-host Josh walks you through the exact process to dial in your MTB suspension settings. Starting with proper sag measurement (the foundation of all suspension tuning), you’ll learn how to use a shock pump, set the correct air pressure for your weight, and understand why sag percentages vary between 120mm XC forks and 180mm DH forks.

Beyond sag, this episode demystifies rebound damping and compression settings that most riders never adjust. Discover why rebound is the second most important adjustment (giving you 90% of optimal performance with just sag and rebound dialed), how to prevent the “pogo stick” feeling from rebound that’s too fast, and when to adjust low-speed versus high-speed compression. Dane shares bike shop secrets about volume spacers, explains why Fox Factory forks might not be right for every rider, and teaches the bracketing technique to systematically find your perfect suspension settings for any trail condition.

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New to mountain biking in 2026? This beginner-focused episode delivers expert guidance on every aspect of starting your mountain bike journey. Learn the key differences between entry-level hardtail bikes (under $1,000) and full suspension options (around $2,000), plus how to determine the right frame size based on your height. Discover why bike shop quality brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized, Norco, and Rocky Mountain offer better long-term value than department store alternatives, and get insider tips on buying used bikes safely, including why 2020 or newer models feature better geometry.

Safety and preparation are crucial for new mountain bikers, and this episode covers all the essentials. Find out which protective gear matters most (hint: never skip the helmet), what tools you need at home versus what to carry on the trail, and how hydration packs simplify your ride preparation. The hosts discuss mountain bike-specific shoes that prevent foot numbness, the ongoing debate about padded chamois shorts, and why flat pedals are best for learning. You'll also learn basic trail etiquette, how to find beginner-friendly trails using apps and local bike shops, and why investing in coaching or skills clinics will dramatically improve your riding faster than just winging it.

Bike brands with good entry level options...

Trek: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/

Norco: https://www.norco.com/

Rocky Mountain: https://bikes.com/

Specialized: https://www.specialized.com/us/en

Giant: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us

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Mountain bike enthusiasts get real-world product testing results in this Bike Shop Secrets episode featuring comprehensive reviews of the Norco Optic and Outbound bike lights. Dane provides an 8-month review of his Norco Optic, a unique 125mm travel bike with high pivot suspension design featuring a rearward axle path and idler pulley system. He explains how this unconventional setup delivers exceptional smoothness on technical, rocky terrain while maintaining pedaling efficiency. Josh shares his year-long experience with Outbound Lights' Trail Evo and Hangover models, discussing light quality, durability, mounting systems, and why the cutoff design matters for technical riding.

This episode also serves as your go-to guide for a few mountain bike maintenance and setup questions. Josh and Dane break down the critical importance of tire pressure calibration, revealing why you should always use the same pump and consider a digital gauge for consistency. They tackle suspension troubleshooting, explaining whether cold weather affects shock performance and how to identify normal air loss versus actual leaks. The conversation covers setback seatpost compatibility with modern frames, dropper post limitations, tire wear patterns specific to rocky terrain, and the growing importance of trail bells for hiker safety on multi-use trails.

Norco Optic: https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/trail/optic/

Outbound Lights: https://www.outboundlighting.com/

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Looking to upgrade your mountain bike's contact points without breaking the bank? This episode of the Mountain Cog Podcast explores two of the best grip solutions for combating arm pump and hand numbness: SQ Labs 70x 2.0 Pro Grips and Rev Grips. SQ Labs brings German precision engineering with ergonomic design focused on reducing peak loads and delaying forearm fatigue through advanced TPE compound technology. Josh details his experience running these $40 grips across multiple bikes and why he's convinced enough to replace every grip in his stable. Meanwhile, Rev Grips offers a unique suspension approach with machined aluminum end caps and elastomers that allow the grip to absorb impacts differently. Dane breaks down the pros and cons of each system, including sizing options (small, medium, large), installation nuances, and which riders benefit most from each design philosophy.

In the gear spotlight, Dane delivers a comprehensive Fox Podium inverted fork review that challenges conventional wisdom about this premium suspension component. At $2,000 and weighing a full pound more than the Fox 38 Factory, the Podium seems like a hard sell—until you hear about its game-changing performance on technical descents. Dane shares specific trail examples where the Podium's superior lateral stiffness and resistance to binding prevented crashes in notorious corners that regularly send riders over the bars. The discussion covers everything from seal leaking issues and bushing alignment concerns to why this fork excels at 160-170mm travel but might not suit weight-conscious riders or jumpers. Plus, critical bike shop secrets about steering tube extensions, CSU replacement costs, and why you should never cheap out on certain bike components.

SQ Labs: 70x 2.0 Pro Grips

Rev Grips: https://revgrips.com/

Fox Podium: https://ridefox.com/products/podium

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