We obsess over suspension travel, frame geometry, brake power, and drivetrain efficiency. And rightly so, these are incredible feats of engineering. But at the end of the day, all that technology, all that power, all that control funnels down to two small patches of rubber that are actually touching the dirt. Your tires are the ultimate interface between you, your bike, and the mountain. Today we'll dive into what makes the tires of your mountain bike an engineering masterpiece.

Today, we're diving into a force that's constantly at play, yet often goes unseen: the resistance of fluids as we move through them.

Think about it: a cyclist hunkered down in an aggressive aero tuck, seemingly battling an invisible wall. A swimmer, slicing through the water with effortless grace. Or a baseball pitcher, making a fastball dip and curve through the air with seemingly supernatural control. What's the invisible force constantly acting against these incredible athletes? It's the very air or water they're moving through.

In this episode, we’ll break down the crucial difference between acceleration – that initial burst off the line – and top-end velocity – your maximal sustained speed. Whether you're an aspiring Olympian, a weekend warrior trying to shave seconds off your personal best, or simply curious about the incredible capabilities of the human body, this episode is for you. So, lace up those theoretical laces, and let’s get moving!

In this mini-series, we are focusing on mountain biking. It's one of my favorite sports, and I decided to dedicate a few episodes to it. This first one is about the suspension on your mountain bike, specifically targeting one aspect called "sag."

We all know how to run, right? One foot in front of the other. But what's actually happening from a physics perspective every single time your foot hits the ground? It's far more complex and fascinating than it seems.

Welcome to my podcast. I'm Jarvis! Thanks for stopping by. If you like science, sports, or would like to learn something new, stop by and give Jarvis Sport Science a listen. Keep an eye out for my first episode on June 14th, 2025.