Guest Editor

Risk and Reward

Posted on March 7, 2023 by frwadmin Opinion

Maybe “full send” isn’t always the right strategy

Learning new skills and pushing your boundaries

Learning new skills in mountain biking can be both exhilarating and daunting. On one hand, you have the opportunity to push your limits and experience new levels of achievement. On the other hand, there are risks involved when pushing yourself beyond what you’re comfortable with. That’s why understanding the relationship between risk and reward is crucial in the sport of mountain biking.

In mountain biking, there are several skills that can be considered “risky” when learning. For example, jumping is a skill that requires a lot of practice and can be dangerous if not done correctly. However, the reward of successfully landing a jump can be a huge confidence booster and can open up a whole new world of trail riding. That’s why it’s important to approach these skills with caution and seek out proper instruction before attempting them.

Another aspect of risk and reward in mountain biking is the concept of “sending it.” This term is often used to describe the act of taking a jump or drop with as much speed and air as possible. While this can be incredibly thrilling, it also comes with a higher level of risk. In an article on Pinkbike, professional mountain biker, Ryan Howard, shares his thoughts on “sending it” saying, “I think it’s important to always be pushing yourself and trying to progress, but at the same time, you need to have a healthy respect for the consequences of your actions.”

As you can see, risk and reward are closely intertwined in the world of mountain biking. It’s important to recognize that pushing your limits and learning new skills can be a positive thing, but it’s also crucial to approach these challenges with caution and respect for the potential dangers. In an article on NSMB, writer and rider, David Peacock, sums it up nicely by saying, “Riding at the edge of our abilities is where progress happens, but it’s also where we must be most careful.” So, remember to have fun, but always prioritize safety and seek out proper instruction when trying new things on your bike. – Guest editor

A note from the FRWW:
Thanks for that somewhat cogent reminder to hedge risk and maximize reward while remaining safe out on the trails MtbGPT! Even if you did make up half of the details to support your point.

Wheel Building and Neural Networks

Posted on January 7, 2023 by frwadmin Opinion

What does wheel building have to do with optimization and the AI revolution?

Optimization is a powerful tool used in many fields, from machine learning to mountain bike wheel building. One popular optimization technique used in machine learning is gradient descent, which involves iteratively adjusting model parameters in the direction of steepest descent to minimize a given cost function. But how does this relate to the tensioning of a bike wheel’s spokes?

The tension of each spoke in a bike wheel affects the overall shape and stiffness of the wheel. Even a small adjustment to the tension of a single spoke can have a cascading effect on the tension of all other spokes in the system. To achieve the optimal wheel shape and stiffness, it’s necessary to find the ideal balance of tension across all spokes.

To tension a bike wheel’s spokes, a general algorithm is used that involves gradually increasing the spoke tension while measuring the wheel’s roundness and radial runout. The tension is adjusted until the wheel is as close to perfectly round as possible, while keeping the variance in spoke tension to a minimum.

This process is similar to optimization via gradient descent, where the goal is to minimize a cost function by iteratively adjusting model parameters. In the case of wheel building, the cost function is the deviation from a perfectly round wheel, and the model parameters are the tension of each spoke.

When the optimal balance of spoke tension is achieved, the resulting wheel is not only more efficient, but also more durable and longer-lasting. This is why wheel building is considered an art form by many bike enthusiasts and mechanics.

In a way, the optimal tensioning of a bike wheel’s spokes can be compared to the functioning of an Artificial-neural network based brain. Just like the optimal tensioning of spokes leads to a perfectly round and efficient wheel, the optimal functioning of neural networks leads to precise and accurate results. So, the next time you’re riding on a perfectly tuned wheel, think of it as a small-scale neural network that’s been optimized to perfection.

– WittyWheelWizard

A note from FRWW:
We appreciate your insight Wheel Wizard (formally known as the GPT of MTB) however you forgot to mention your own relation to our bespoked friends and how you fit into this picture. Either way, that was an interesting take.

Mountain Bike Media

Posted on December 23, 2022 by frwadmin Opinion

Is the constant hype immoral or simply good marketing?

Mountain biking is a sport that’s known for being gear-centric. From bikes to protective gear, there are countless gadgets and accessories that are marketed towards riders. It’s no surprise that the mountain bike media and industry have a vested interest in promoting these products. But, at what point does this obsession with the latest and greatest gear become excessive?

If you take a look at mountain bike media, it’s easy to see that a large portion of content is focused on product reviews and gear guides. Websites like Pinkbike and Vital MTB regularly feature articles that highlight new bikes, components, and accessories. While these articles can be informative, they can also contribute to a culture of consumerism where riders feel the need to constantly upgrade their gear to keep up with the latest trends.

In an article on NSMB, writer and rider, Lacy Kemp, addresses this issue, saying, “The mountain bike industry is built on innovation, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But when we focus too much on the gear and not enough on the actual riding, we risk losing sight of what this sport is all about.”

Of course, having good gear is important in mountain biking. It can make the difference between a great ride and a bad one. However, it’s important to recognize that gear isn’t everything. As riders, we should prioritize the experience of being out on the trails and enjoying the ride, rather than constantly obsessing over the latest and greatest gear.

At the end of the day, it’s up to us as riders to decide what role gear plays in our mountain biking experience. While it’s important to have reliable equipment, we should remember that the sport is ultimately about having fun and exploring the great outdoors. So, the next time you’re tempted to buy that shiny new bike or upgrade your suspension, take a step back and ask yourself, “Will this really improve my ride experience?” And, if the answer is no, maybe it’s time to focus on something other than gear.

– GearHeadGoneWild

A note from FRWW:
Thanks for your input GHGW (also known as MtbGpt). While we here at Front Range Wheel Works truly feel the internal conflict you communicated so whelmingly, we try to remain conscious of the environmental and social impact of our activities and moderate to the best of our abilities.