E-Bikes Beware – 2strokes are coming!
Reading time: 3 minutes
In a world of Newtonmeters, Watts, battery life, and carbon e-bikes, we might forget there is a contender. A true thread to what the bike industry is considering a good product. The cheap two-stroke build kit is coming, and Joel Anderson shows what it can do.
Joel is a ripper, and we need to give him some credit for his riding skills! Make sure you follow him on his YouTube and also watch this gem. Ripping it up on a BTR Pinner seven years ago.
You are looking for a more serious insights into the bike industry? Listen to our podcasts.
In this episode of the Test Pilot Podcast, Jens Staudt sits down with Pinkbike Editor-in-Chief Mike Kazimer to explore how mountain bike testing has evolved over the past 15 years. From the high-speed days of print journalism to modern group Field Tests, Kazimer shares insider perspectives on bike geometry plateaus, the rise of affordable alloy workhorses, and the fine line between helpful innovation and electronic over-complication. Tune in for a candid conversation on what really matters when choosing your next ride.
In this episode of the TESTPILOT.bike Podcast, host Jens Staudt sits down with Leo Kokkonen, founder and chief designer of Pole Bicycles. Following a tumultuous period in the bike industry, Kokkonen returns to detail the brand's pivot from high-volume manufacturing to ultra-exclusive, bespoke bike building.
The conversation focuses on the debut of the Pole Hiisi, a revolutionary e-MTB platform machined from solid billet 7075-T6 aluminum, featuring modular travel options (152mm–200mm), bridge-less swingarm compliance tuning, and the high-torque, silent Maxon BikeDrive Air S motor.
The mountain bike industry is obsessed with acronyms, and after decades of marketing buzzwords like "EVO," "Aggressive," "Downcountry," and the (now fading) Enduro-Race, it feels like we’ve finally reached peak confusion. We spent years defining our sport, only to throw the rulebook out the window the moment e-bikes hit the scene. But are these ever-shifting categories actually helping you find the right tool for the trail, or are they just a clever way to sell you the "N+1" bike you don't really need?
In this episode of the Testpilot podcast, Jens Staudt sat down with industry veteran Guy Kesteven to strip away the "Excel spreadsheet" side of mountain biking. From the 32-inch wheel debate and the evolution of VPP versus Horstlink suspension to the honest reality of whether geometry innovation has hit a plateau, we’re cutting through the marketing noise. Whether you're a bike nerd with a garage full of vintage frames or a rider wondering if your bike is "capable enough," this is the reality check you’ve been waiting for.
If you’ve ever found yourself deep in the weeds of suspension kinematics or obsessing over damping curves, you’re in good company. In the high-tech sanctuary of Push Industries in Colorado, founder and CEO Darren Murphy has spent two decades following his very own revolution in mountain bike suspension. This isn't just about making better parts; it's a technical philosophy—and perhaps a bit of stubbornness—required to build a manufacturing powerhouse that prioritizes elite performance above all else.
This episode sheds light on the history of the company and later takes a deep dive in how Push suspension works. It explains a lot about how suspension works and you will learn a lot directly from the mind behind the product.

