Downtime - The Mountain Bike Podcast

I’m Chris Hall, this is the Downtime Podcast, and you’re tuned into your World Cup pre-race warm-up show with the one and only Chris Kilmurray.

Before we get into it, a quick one… if you enjoy these shows and want them to keep happening, we need your support.

This series is fully independent, we don’t have brand backing. Putting it together means paying Chris, Neko and Olly for their time, and getting to races where possible to bring you the best coverage we can. It’s a big commitment, and it only works because of you.

Last season, a few hundred of you stepped up and made it happen and we’d love to build on that this year.

So if you’re into World Cup downhill and want the best insight going, head to patreon.com/downtimepodcast and support from as little as £3 a month. It genuinely makes a difference.

We’ll also be bringing back things like our mid-season Patreon hangout with Chris, Neko and Olly, so you can get involved directly too.

Alright,the season’s finally here. New venues, fresh talent, and we’re kicking things off in South Korea. So sit back, hit play and listen to this South Korea pre-race show with Chris Kilmurray.

Podcast Stuff

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Daniel Bernard

The mountain bike industry is in a weird place right now. Sales have been slow, brands are making tough calls, and things like tariffs and e-bikes are changing the landscape fast.

So what does it actually look like from inside one of the most innovative component brands in the game?

This week, I’m joined by Dustin Adams, CEO of Industry Nine. We dive into the real state of the industry, why certain disciplines like enduro are losing support, and what’s coming next… including things like 32-inch wheels.

We also catch up on Industry Nine and hear about the big wins that Dustin and the team have found when combining I9s System spokes with We Are One’s rim technology.

But this one’s bigger than just products. This is about where mountain biking is heading and who’s shaping it. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Dustin Adams.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

You can follow Industry Nine on Instagram @industry_nine.

Podcast Stuff

Sponsoring Partners

Fox Racing

Fox have just launched a fully updated Flexair range of jerseys, pants, shorts and gloves. Their lightest and most breathable gear ever. You can check out the complete range over at foxracing.com.

Loam Pass

Picture this, over 70 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South America. Two free days at each, a third at half price, and no blackout dates. Just you, your bike, and an endless world of trails. Even better, there’s loads of new spots to explore this year, including Highland in New Hampshire and KRB in New Mexico.

Well that’s what you get with Loam Pass. For just $250, you unlock over 100 days of riding across top bike parks, shuttles, and trail systems. Whether you’re chasing park laps or finding hidden gems, it’s got you covered.

But don’t hang around, that early bird price ends May 1st 2026. Head to loampass.com, grab your pass, and start planning those road trips.

Industry Nine

This episode is a paid partnership with Industry Nine – check out all they have to offer, including their System spoke wheels over at industrynine.com.

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Industry Nine

2025 was a season that looked incredible on paper for Ella Conolly… but underneath, it was anything but straightforward.

Ella was dealing with fatigue through much of the year, including at World Champs, where despite that, she still managed to finish second in the world.

We sat down to talk through her 2025 season in full, including racing on an unreleased Cannondale bike, and adapting mid-season to new RockShox suspension ahead of its official launch.

We also get into the changing face of World Enduro, the rise of new talent, and where the sport feels like it’s heading.

This isn’t just a conversation about results, it’s about what sits behind them: the compromises, the performance, and what it takes to stay competitive when things aren’t perfect. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Ella Conolly.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

You can follow Ella on Instagram @ella_conolly.

Podcast Stuff

Sponsoring Partners

Fox Racing

Fox have just launched a fully updated Flexair range of jerseys, pants, shorts and gloves. Their lightest and most breathable gear ever. You can check out the complete range over at foxracing.com.

Loam Pass

Picture this, over 70 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South America. Two free days at each, a third at half price, and no blackout dates. Just you, your bike, and an endless world of trails. Even better, there’s loads of new spots to explore this year, including Highland in New Hampshire and KRB in New Mexico.

Well that’s what you get with Loam Pass. For just $250, you unlock over 100 days of riding across top bike parks, shuttles, and trail systems. Whether you’re chasing park laps or finding hidden gems, it’s got you covered.

But don’t hang around, that early bird price ends May 1st 2026. Head to loampass.com, grab your pass, and start planning those road trips.

Cannondale

This episode is a paid partnership with Cannondale – check out the Bad Habit over at cannondale.com.

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Cannondale

With the latest RockShox suspension launch, they’ve rethought everything and that goes further than just the technology that you get to ride. RockShox have even changed the development process itself, in order to bring us the biggest leap forward in suspension technology that they possibly can.

This week we’re joined by RockShox Chief Engineer, Tim Lynch, to find out what really went into developing the latest raft of gravity suspension. From ZEB to Lyrik, and Vivid Air to Super Deluxe, we’ve got you covered. This is an insight that goes beyond what you’ll have heard in the press releases, to really get under the skin of how this tech actually gets designed. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Tim Lynch.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

You can find out more about the new RockShox range here.

Podcast Stuff

Sponsoring Partners

Loam Pass

Picture this, over 70 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South America. Two free days at each, a third at half price, and no blackout dates. Just you, your bike, and an endless world of trails. Even better, there’s loads of new spots to explore this year, including Highland in New Hampshire and KRB in New Mexico.

Well that’s what you get with Loam Pass. For just $250, you unlock over 100 days of riding across top bike parks, shuttles, and trail systems. Whether you’re chasing park laps or finding hidden gems, it’s got you covered.

But don’t hang around, that early bird price ends May 1st 2026. Head to loampass.com, grab your pass, and start planning those road trips.

RockShox

This episode is a paid partnership with RockShox – check out the new suspension range over at sram.com.

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Downtime Podcast

The Santa Cruz Syndicate has a new manager and it’s not necessarily who you’d expect. Rob Copeland’s background isn’t racing or the MTB industry, it’s psychology and academia, yet now he leads one of the most exciting teams in the sport. With years spent at Sheffield Hallam University studying performance and human behaviour, could Rob be the man to shake up how MTB teams are run? In this episode we dive into what drew him to the Syndicate, how he made the transition from academia to elite sport, what he’s already started implementing, and how he plans to lead some of the best athletes on the planet into the future. This is a conversation about vision, strategy, and the future of a team that’s looking to redefine mountain bike racing. So sit back, hit play and check out this episode with Rob Copeland.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

Follow the Syndicate on Instagram @santacruzsyndicate and on YouTube here.

Podcast Stuff

Sponsoring Partners

Santa Cruz Bicycles

This episode is a paid partnership with Santa Cruz Bicycles who helped make this conversation possible. You can check out their entire range over at santacruzbicycles.com.

Loam Pass

Picture this, over 70 epic mountain bike destinations across North and South America. Two free days at each, a third at half price, and no blackout dates. Just you, your bike, and an endless world of trails. Even better, there’s loads of new spots to explore this year, including Highland in New Hampshire and KRB in New Mexico.

Well that’s what you get with Loam Pass. For just $250, you unlock over 100 days of riding across top bike parks, shuttles, and trail systems. Whether you’re chasing park laps or finding hidden gems, it’s got you covered.

But don’t hang around, that early bird price ends May 1st 2026. Head to loampass.com, grab your pass, and start planning those road trips.

PNW Components

This episode is sponsored by PNW Components. I’ve been riding their Loam Carbon Handlebar and have been impressed with the ride quality, maintaining a positive steering feel, while reducing the vibration you feel through the bar. Tested to the highest standards, shaped to give you all day comfort with modern bike geo and with a lifetime warranty. It’s no surprise that it’s fast become PNW’s best selling product. Check them out at pnwcomponents.com.

Patreon

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

Merch

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

Newsletter

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Follow Us

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Downtime Podcast