<![CDATA[Robbe Smith]]>https://www.mtbsend.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1tT5!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F622a79ec-02b0-4161-9893-a73fcc312c39_500x500.pngRobbe Smithhttps://www.mtbsend.comSubstackFri, 17 Apr 2026 08:05:13 GMT<![CDATA[Revisiting the Bike Buying Guide(Part 2)]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/revisiting-the-bike-buying-guidepart-ac5https://www.mtbsend.com/p/revisiting-the-bike-buying-guidepart-ac5Wed, 02 Jul 2025 21:21:50 GMTSubscribe

Hi all, can you do me a quick favor? I’d love to get a better idea of you are and how I can better serve you. If you haven’t done so already, can you complete this multiple choice survey, it should take under a minute.

In today’s send I’m going to continue sharing how to pick the right bike for you. If you read last week’s issue you, know there is a lot…

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]]><![CDATA[Revisiting the bike buying guide(Part 1)]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/revisiting-the-bike-buying-guideparthttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/revisiting-the-bike-buying-guidepartThu, 26 Jun 2025 00:25:39 GMTSubscribe

Hi all, can you do me a quick favor? I’d love to get a better idea of you are and how I can better serve you. If you haven’t done so already, can you complete this multiple choice survey, it should take under a minute.

For this week and next I am going to revisit the bike buying guide I posted about a year ago. I think there is some real valuable info f…

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]]><![CDATA[Demystifying Carbon, and Is there a 1 bike solution?]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/demystifying-carbon-and-is-therehttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/demystifying-carbon-and-is-thereThu, 19 Jun 2025 00:12:09 GMTSubscribe

Hi all, can you do me a quick favor? I’d love to get a better idea of you are and how I can better serve you. Can you complete this multiple choice survey, it should take under a minute.

Carbon gets a bad rap sometimes even though it’s a superior material in most cases. It’s not something to be scared of, it should be embraced. Is there a 1 bike solutio…

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]]><![CDATA[Quick Favor + New Shimano Wireless Drivetrain + Why You Need Dropper Posts]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/quick-favor-new-shimano-wirelesshttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/quick-favor-new-shimano-wirelessWed, 11 Jun 2025 22:51:14 GMTSubscribe

Hi all, can you do me a quick favor? I’d love to get a better idea of you are and how I can better serve you. Can you complete this multiple choice survey, it should take under a minute.

Shimano announced a new wireless drivetrain and new brakes. I will give my impression, and discuss the hits and misses. I will also talk about dropper posts, and why yo…

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]]><![CDATA[Tools for your rides, and Tires: Tubes, tubeless, benefits of inserts.]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/tools-for-your-rides-and-tires-tubeshttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/tools-for-your-rides-and-tires-tubesThu, 05 Jun 2025 00:48:21 GMTSubscribe

I got some trail time on the new Specialized Levo 4, and it’s an impressive bike. I am also going to touch on the importance of proper hydration as the days are getting hotter.

What I carry on most rides and how I carry it.

Last week I wrote about he importance of water on your ride. Since I am carrying a pack anyway, I also use it as a way to keep eve…

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]]><![CDATA[E-bikes revisited, and proper hydration.]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/e-bikes-revisited-and-proper-hydrationhttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/e-bikes-revisited-and-proper-hydrationWed, 28 May 2025 23:12:37 GMTSubscribe

I got some trail time on the new Specialized Levo 4, and it’s an impressive bike. I am also going to touch on the importance of proper hydration as the days are getting hotter.

E-bikes revisited

A while back I wrote about e-bikes. You can check out the issue below.

Prior to writing this, I had only ridden ebikes on short test rides mostly not on the tr…

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]]><![CDATA[Is a mullet right for you? I am not talking about a fancy new haircut. Clip pedals or flats?]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/is-a-mullet-right-for-you-i-am-nothttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/is-a-mullet-right-for-you-i-am-notWed, 21 May 2025 23:33:59 GMTSubscribe

Unless you have been in a cave for the last few years, you have heard about mullet bikes. What are they, and what’s the advantage/disadvantage? I am also going to talk about clip in pedals vs. flat pedals.

MX, Mixed Wheel, Mullet?

MX, mixed wheel or mullet are all the same. The industry hasn’t settled on one name yet, and I don’t know if they ever wil…

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]]><![CDATA[Fresh Produce, New Products and My Impressions. A Guide Nutrition and Fitness for Mountain Bikers.]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/fresh-produce-new-products-and-myhttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/fresh-produce-new-products-and-myWed, 14 May 2025 22:59:24 GMTSubscribe

This time of year there are a dizzying array of new products released(or prototypes in the wild). I am highlight a few that I think are cool and/or interesting stuff.

Fresh Produce: SRAM Transmission Upgrade, and Specialized Demo

SRAM just announced an upgrade kit that will upgrade the Eagle 70 & 90 wired Transmission drivetrains to a wireless version.…

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]]><![CDATA[How to Carry Water and Tools Without a Pack + Choosing the Best Tire for Your Local Trails ]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/how-to-carry-water-and-tools-withouthttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/how-to-carry-water-and-tools-withoutWed, 07 May 2025 23:13:48 GMTSubscribe

The more I ride, the less I want to carry. I also don’t want to walk out of the woods. Today I’ll share how I do it. Also, picking the right tire for your trails can be confusing. Each manufacturer uses different words to say the same thing. I will help you decode them.

How to carry all the things you need without a big pack.

I used to carry a big Came…

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]]><![CDATA[Chain Waxing Follow-up + How Are and How Will Tariffs Impact the Bike Industry?]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/chain-waxing-follow-up-how-are-andhttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/chain-waxing-follow-up-how-are-andWed, 30 Apr 2025 23:36:05 GMTSubscribe

A few months ago I waxed chains on a few bikes. Now that I have had some time on them I want to follow up. Will tariffs have an impact on the bike industry, and what will the effect be. No knows for sure, but I will share my thoughts.

To wax or not? So far, my answer is yes!

A few months ago I wrote about using wax rather than lube for my chain for a num…

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]]><![CDATA[Why you should hit the local skills park. Should you buy a bike from a company that's closing? ]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/why-you-should-hit-the-local-skillshttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/why-you-should-hit-the-local-skillsThu, 24 Apr 2025 01:06:31 GMTSubscribe

You probably have a local skills park. They are a great way to build upon your riding skills. And, with recent announcements of various bike companies closing there are some great deals to be had, there are risks to consider too.

Hit your local skills park. It will help you be a better rider.

Ten years ago skills parks were few and far between. Most mun…

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]]><![CDATA[Why I'm Excited About Sea Otter, and revisiting the bike buying guide. ]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/why-im-excited-about-sea-otter-andhttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/why-im-excited-about-sea-otter-andThu, 17 Apr 2025 12:17:22 GMTSubscribe

I am going to go over the all the cool new products from Sea Otter Classic. I’m also going to talk about my bike buying guide.

As you may have noticed, I moved MTBSend to a new platform. One of my main reason for doing this is for you. You can now comment on my posts. I would love to hear your thoughts on anything I cover in that issue even if you disa…

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]]><![CDATA[Let's Talk About New Forks From Fox, and Dialing In The Fit On Your Bike. ]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/lets-talk-about-new-forks-from-foxhttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/lets-talk-about-new-forks-from-foxThu, 10 Apr 2025 00:42:26 GMTSubscribe

I am going to talk about the revamped fork line up from Fox. I’m also going to talk all about dialing in the fit on your bike. Sometime a small tweak can make a bit difference.

As you may have noticed, I moved MTBSend to a new platform. One of my main reason for doing this is for you. You can now comment on my posts. I would love to hear your thoughts o…

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]]><![CDATA[Let's Talk About New Products from SRAM, and Customizing Your Bike. ]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/lets-talk-about-new-products-fromhttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/lets-talk-about-new-products-fromThu, 03 Apr 2025 01:13:18 GMTSubscribe

I am also going to talk about the exciting new Eagle 70 and 90 drivetrains. I’m also going to talk all about how to customize your bike.

As you may have noticed, I moved MTBSend to a new platform. One of my main reason for doing this is for you. You can now comment on my posts. I would love to hear your thoughts on anything I cover in that issue even if…

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]]><![CDATA[Let's Talk About Shorts, and Pre-ride checklist. ]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/lets-talk-about-shorts-and-pre-ridehttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/lets-talk-about-shorts-and-pre-rideWed, 26 Mar 2025 23:11:32 GMTSubscribe

I’m going to talk all about bike shorts, which ones I like and which ones I don’t and why. I am also going to talk about my pre-ride checklist.

As you may have noticed, I moved MTBSend to a new platform. One of my main reason for doing this is for you. You can now comment on my posts. I would love to hear your thoughts on anything I cover in that issue…

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]]><![CDATA[Should you visit a downhill park this summer, and transitioning from road riding to MTB. ]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/should-you-visit-a-downhill-parkhttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/should-you-visit-a-downhill-parkWed, 19 Mar 2025 23:49:26 GMTSubscribe

I’m going to talk about downhill parks, and why you should visit one this summer. I am also going to talk about transitioning from road riding to mountain biking.

As you may have noticed, I moved MTBSend to a new platform. One of my main reason for doing this is for you. You can now comment on my posts. I would love to hear your thoughts on anything I c…

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]]><![CDATA[Is Single Speed for You, and Trail Building and Maintenance]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/is-single-speed-for-you-and-trail-building-and-maintenancehttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/is-single-speed-for-you-and-trail-building-and-maintenanceTue, 11 Mar 2025 00:51:03 GMTSubscribe

I’m going to talk about what single speed bike are, and why you may want to own one. I am also going to talk about trail building and maintenance, give back to your MTB community.

Is single speed for you?

Well, is it? Hopefully you can answer that once you are done reading this section. To answer this question, you will need to understand what a single sp…

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]]><![CDATA[How to Bed in Brake Pads + Listening to Tunes While You Ride]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/how-to-bed-in-brake-pads-listening-to-tunes-while-you-ridehttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/how-to-bed-in-brake-pads-listening-to-tunes-while-you-rideTue, 04 Mar 2025 01:47:16 GMT Read more

]]><![CDATA[Chain Waxing + Navigating the Shoulder Season ]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/to-wax-or-not-the-how-and-why-of-chain-waxing-are-the-trails-ok-to-ride-now-that-we-are-in-the-shoulhttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/to-wax-or-not-the-how-and-why-of-chain-waxing-are-the-trails-ok-to-ride-now-that-we-are-in-the-shoulTue, 25 Feb 2025 02:19:31 GMT Read more

]]><![CDATA[All Things Racing + Keeping Track of Rides with GPS]]>https://www.mtbsend.com/p/all-things-racing-keeping-track-of-rides-with-gpshttps://www.mtbsend.com/p/all-things-racing-keeping-track-of-rides-with-gpsWed, 19 Feb 2025 01:14:55 GMT Read more

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