This week we’re continuing the mountain bike testing theme. I recently got invited to a ride with MBUK and BikeRadar Tech Editor, Rob Weaver, and owner and designer of Cotic Bikes, Cy Turner. Cy wanted to spend some time with Rob to get his thoughts on the review of their bike in the recent Bike of the Year test. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to sit down and find out if mountain bike designers and testers actually get on.

We chat about how the Bike of the Year test works. Then we find out what it’s like as a designer when your bike goes on test, and how Cy deals with the positive and negatives that come with it. This was a fascinating insight into the relationship between a bike brand and a journalist and I hope you enjoy listening. So sit back, hit play and give this episode with Rob Weaver and Cy Turner a listen.

You can check out Rob's work on bikeradar.com and in MBUK magazine here.

You can find Cotic at cotic.co.uk, on Instagram @coticbikes and on YouTube here.

Supporting Partners

CushCore

I’ve been riding CushCore for over two years now and I love the changes it makes to the way my bike rides. It’s more damped, carries momentum better through rough terrain as it doesn’t get held up so much on square edges, and it has more support in the turns. CushCore really does help you go bigger, corner harder and ride faster with total confidence! If you’re based in the UK then you can purchase them directly from Silverfish over at silverfish-uk.com. If you’re elsewhere in the world, then check out cushcore.com.

Nukeproof

Nukeproof have given their ridewear range a massive overhaul. As part of this, they’ve been really focussed on the environmental side of things, now using Bluesign approved fabrics and OEKO-TEX certification wherever possible. They are also committed to reduce wastage from previous seasons fabrics with their ‘dead-stock line’ which will use the offcuts and wastage to create limited runs of products in high-end premium fabrics.

There are 3 main ranges, the first of which is Outland, which is designed to work well on the bike, but to not look out of place off it, so it has subtle branding and is perfect for those post ride beers. Then there is the Blackline range, which is designed to perform all day long in the saddle. Finally there is Blackline Race which is what their team riders will be competing in, and is designed to be the ultimate gear for athletes performing at the highest level.

If you want to check it out for yourself, then head over to nukeproof.com to see the entire range.

Win Incredible Prizes - 2021 Listener Survey

Nukeproof and CushCore have put together an incredible prize bundle, and all you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is to help me out by completing my 2021 listener survey before the end of May. It will take a couple of minutes and you can do it now by heading to downtimepodcast.com/survey.

Podcast Stuff

2021 Spring/Summer merch is here, including our first ever recycled t-shirts. 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. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

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 subscribe. It’s free and means you’ll get every episode delivered to your device as soon as it’s available. You'll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/subscribe. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there. While you're there, why not join our newsletter, to get our Weekend Warm-Up email every Friday,