Chris Smith moving on from EMBN

[Expidia]

GCN, EMBN and GMBN are all owned by Discovery so essentially, they’re the same company. E-bikes are certainly the growth sector in cycling, particularly in Europe, where trail access seems to be less of an issue.

And . . Welcome

 

[Tubby G]

who do we think will replace Chris Smith then ? My money is on Tom Cardy

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

who do we think will replace Chris Smith then ? My money is on Tom Cardy

that was my first thought, lets hope not

 

[galaga187]

that was my first thought, lets hope not

Might be Rob from EMTB Forums or Paul The Punter or Rob Warner

 

[RustyMTB]

Paul's off playing golf these days, Warner got sacked off GMBN once before, not sure they'd have him back.

 

[Spin]

I think your being pretty unfare to those presenters
Just think if you were tuning in to the channels for the first time and not really knowing much about the modern cycling game
It sould be grest to see content you could relate too
Everyone has to start somewhere
If you think the content is no good anymore then switch off from it than just slagging them off

I don't think EMBNs content is a good source of education for those just getting into mountain biking , for reasons already discussed in this thread.
Yes , a lot of their content is aimed at beginners but a lot of their content is basically advertising for a brand or very poor comparison testing between selected brands.

I am still subscribed to the channel but I will pick and choose which videos might be worth a look , which isnt many these days.

 

[Monkey Dog]

I just don't watch youtube unless there's a certain topic I need to research.
I got sick of ALL the ads.
I also find there's a lot of videos about politics, migration & all the depressing sµ!t.
I'm happier in my life NOT knowing.

 

[Marksou]

who do we think will replace Chris Smith then ? My money is on Tom Cardy

As he’s just announced (on YouTube, naturally) new sponsors for 2023, I think we can count him out.

 

[Slymobi]

As he’s just announced (on YouTube, naturally) new sponsors for 2023, I think we can count him out.

Typical click bait...... Doesn't actually say who the sponsorship is and is just a recap of last year's rides.

 

[James_MTB]

Might be Rob from EMTB Forums or Paul The Punter or Rob Warner

Paul The Punter gave up mountain biking!

 

[galaga187]

Paul's off playing golf these days, Warner got sacked off GMBN once before, not sure they'd have him back.

I bet there’s a good story behind Rob W getting sacked though.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I bet there’s a good story behind Rob W getting sacked though.

all his videos are shitty... might have something to do with it

 

[RustyMTB]

I bet there’s a good story behind Rob W getting sacked though.

There is a GMBN podcast with Martyn Ashton where they discuss it, the gist being Warner fell asleep on the job, which is perfect Warner really.

 

[Mteam]

all his videos are shitty... might have something to do with it

I love a Rob warner video, he's miles better than most of the other "influencers"

That said , I generally don't watch much video MTB content, I'd rather read a well written article than watch some annoying person plug their latest "sponsor". Rob Warner is my exception,I like the way he presents things. Plus he can actually ride,unlike a lot of "influencers"

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I love a Rob warner video, he's miles better than most of the other "influencers"

That said , I generally don't watch much video MTB content, I'd rather read a well written article than watch some annoying person plug their latest "sponsor". Rob Warner is my exception,I like the way he presents things. Plus he can actually ride,unlike a lot of "influencers"

I can appreciate that.. some are better than others but..
usual vid is 15 minutes of ballbagging about and doing his best to assure us that he doesnt care about what hes about to do followed by ten minutes terrible content where he convinces us that he really didnt care about doing whatever it is he is doing..

 

[Expidia]

Youtube e-bike videos have mostly turned into channels that just hawk the crapo online chinese bikes where these companires have a worldwide place for free advertising. They do this by giving the channels "free" bikes. One channel was giving so many free bikes that he said "stop sending me free bikes as I don't have any more room in my garage", but then he even had one company send him "two" free bikes, one for his wife too . And then he demands the companies send him extra free batteries and they do it.

Just shows you what it really costs these online chinese companies to produce a throw away bike (when the break) and then sell them for $1,000 to $1,500 on average. Probably cost them $200 to $300 a bike to produce. No such thing as an unbiased e-bike reviews on Youtube anymore IMO especially when channels are getting compensation to tout products. EMBN, sadly has turned into just another product pusher. Smart for Chris to move on.

 

[galaga187]

I can appreciate that.. some are better than others but..
usual vid is 15 minutes of ballbagging about and doing his best to assure us that he doesnt care about what hes about to do followed by ten minutes terrible content where he convinces us that he really didnt care about doing whatever it is he is doing..

I’ve started turning them off or fast forwarding if rubbish eg the one at FOD recently but I do like his presenting style and enthusiasm.

 

[galaga187]

I think these guys do good MTB content. MTB ridge line

 

[steve_sordy]

I think these guys do good MTB content. MTB ridge line

OMG! The mad bastards!

 

[BadgerHun7er]

Problem I find is that there is no honest impartiality anymore. Every review watches like a paid advertisement and conclusions are always the same 'horse shit'. Can't remember the last time they actually put out a video with a properly negative feeling toward the product.. even when the rest of us know it deserved it. It takes away from their credibility and makes watching their content utterly pointless.

GCN are a joke, put simply.

I've said this before about Rob Rides and his reviews, all dogshit, positive with never any true negative feeling or bad final analysis, especially when its a brand that pays the wages.

 

[Privateerjon]

Interesting..

 

[Wodger63]

I've said this before about Rob Rides and his reviews, all dogshit, positive with never any true negative feeling or bad final analysis, especially when its a brand that pays the wages.

I think you need to accept that unless it's budget Chinese rubbish, there is no bad bikes out there.
All the major players build good bikes and it comes down to preference of components/geometry/application and brand loyalty that sways people on their next purchase.
Of course you're welcome to your opinion and free to start you're own social media and do honest reviews.

 

[cozzy]

Yes Paul Aston does honest reviews and nearly went bankrupt last year.
Glad he had turned it around as he has an interesting channel.

 

[Mikerb]

I think you need to accept that unless it's budget Chinese rubbish, there is no bad bikes out there.
All the major players build good bikes and it comes down to preference of components/geometry/application and brand loyalty that sways people on their next purchase.
Of course you're welcome to your opinion and free to start you're own social media and do honest reviews.

"bad bikes" is a bit broad but there are definitely examples of poor engineering and poor design that impact a number of bikes and it would be good to have some media focus on those to encourage bike designers to deal with them.

A number of bikes take too little regard to the protection of the electrical components for example. For me there is no excuse for designing a frame that allows the fork crown to hit the top tube...or pretend that can be prevented by a small piece of ally in a headset ( knock block). Routing cables through the headset without ensuring that by doing so the seal of the headset from water and dirt is not compromised and simple servicing of the headset is not turned into a much more complex operation, is similarly inexcuseable. Using a bonding process rather than a proper Tig weld in one of the most stressed areas of the bike suggests a complete lack of engineering knowledge and zero real world testing. In most of the those examples, it seems the pursuit of aesthetics outweighed any practical advantage or engineering integrity; yet the a bility of an EMTB to survive often brutal trail and weather conditions is a cornerstone of the sport .........these bikes are meant to be used not admired in a showroom window.......................FUNCTION OVER FORM!!
On a broader basis, the entire question of excessive pricing, poor warranties and quality of service should be challenged where deserved.
A format other than the current YT channels that rely on sponsorship etc is needed to achieve that.

 

[steve_sordy]

................................
A format other than the current YT channels that rely on sponsorship etc is needed to achieve that.

What about the reviews on this Forum by Rob and Knut? They do not strike me as biased, but I confess that I'm not looking for signs.

 

[RustyMTB]

The most honest reviewer I can think of is Hambini & I'd bet my mortgage the brands hate him for it.

 

[RebornRider]

I noticed that when Chris started at EMBN he was quite skinny still and 5 years after he starts riding ebikes, he puts on quite a bit of weight....
coincidence?
I think not

Nah ... kids and the onset of middle age!

 

[Mikerb]

What about the reviews on this Forum by Rob and Knut? They do not strike me as biased, but I confess that I'm not looking for signs.

Robs video are good to watch but inevitably he is mostly unable to uncover weaknesses of components or design over an extended period of ownership. He is informative and enthusiastic so you can at least learn a fair amount about the bikes he tests. He does include some comments that could be taken as criticisms such as his dislike for the trend towards shorter chain stays. It has to be remembered however he is a very tall rider invariably riding XL frame sizes. He is also clearly impressed by aesthetics.........clean cable routings/pearlescent spray paint finishes/ carbon frames.........and I find most of those aspects insignificant compared to engineering "fit for purpose"..................but I am entitled to my opinion and he his

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

Nah ... kids and the onset of middle age!

this is definitely part of the equation for the purchase of an EMTB

 

[Paul Mac]

I've said this before about Rob Rides and his reviews, all dogshit, positive with never any true negative feeling or bad final analysis, especially when its a brand that pays the wages.

Don't agree with this at all?
Robs channel is one of the only ones that does actually review bikes.
Of course he doesn't say a bike is shit, because I don't think there are any truly shit bikes out there anymore, but he makes it clear what he prefers.