Jonathan and Steven make sense of the MANY wheel, hub and axle standards, discuss the direct to consumer movement and demise of bike shops, how to setup a GOOD CX bike, and more!

Topics covered in this episode:

• Ibis and Pivot suspension kinematics

• Maxxis releases fatter 27.5 and tubeless DH tires: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/maxxis-unveils-tubeless-ready-dh-tires-more-26-options-2017.html

• Kurt Sorge to Fly Racing: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/kurt-sorge-joins-team-fly-racing-2017.html

• OneUp Switch Chainring System: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/oneup-switch-chainring-system-review-2017.html

•Ibis announces 7 year warranty: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/ibis-announces-7-year-warranty.html

•Vernon Felton interview Dave Weins: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/your-trails-future-may-depend-on-this-man-2.html

• Sedona MTB Festival

• Troy Lee A2 Helmet: http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Open-Face-Helmets,53/Troy-Lee-Designs/A2,18180#product-reviews/2643

• Hope 10-48 Cassette: http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Cassettes,26/Hope-Technology/11-spd-Cassette,17493#product-reviews/2431

• How much suspension travel is needed for a bike to fall into the "likes to party" category?

• Is standover height a good way to measure bike fit?

• How to fix a derailleur that just doesn't seem to shift right

• How to convert your CX bike to a 1x drivetrain

• Should you run a different stack height on a CX bike?

• What are the best tires to run for CX and gravel?

• Are bike shops doomed?

• Is direct to consumer a good thing for the bike industry?

• When will you be able to buy a bike direct from the manufacturer?

• What are the best mapping solutions for MTB?

• Carbon vs. aluminum rims

• Is 26" dead?

• The pros and cons of 27.5" and 29" rims

• What is the "internal width" of your rim and why does it matter?

• Brass vs. aluminum vs. internal nipples

• Are bladed spokes better than rounded?

• What are butted spokes?

• What is the best lacing pattern?

• What is hub spacing?

• What is Boost spacing?

• Is Boost spacing just a marketing ploy?

• Quick releases vs. thru axles

• Stan's Crest MK3 Wheels: https://www.notubes.com/crest-mk3-wheelset

• WTB Ci31 Carbon 29 Wheels: http://www.wtb.com/products/ci31-carbon-rims