Bike Accessories That Spank Your Bank! | Dirt Shed Show 479

This week on the GMBN Dirt Shed Show, Martyn Ashton is joined by Owen Coutts AKA 'Owen The Bike Nerd' to talk about mountain bike accessories. Back in the 90's you could simply get a plastic mudguard and a chain device and people would be able to tell you were a 'real rider'! Martyn thinks that in 2024 you need to spend thousands on fancy tech! 😳
Plus MTB News, Sickest Thing, Hacks And Bodges, Caption Contest, and Hacks And Bodges, plus some Super Nice bikes locked away in the Bike Vault!⁠
🚨 [FREE ENTRY] Enter the CamelBak competition giveaway 👉 gmbn.eu/Camelbak2024
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 - Intro
00:25 - Look Like A Mountain Biker
10:18 - MTB News
12:25 - Sickest Thing Of The Week
13:18 - Back To The Shed
15:25 - Hacks And Bodges
18:44 - Giveaway
19:50 - Things We Liked This Week
22:08 - Caption Contest
23:48 - Bike Vault
Useful Links:
🛍 GMBN Merch Store 👉 gmbn.eu/gmbnshop
Racing Highlights & More On GMBN Racing 👉 gmbn.eu/GMBNracing
Watch Shorts on GMBN 👉 gmbn.eu/GMBNshorts
Submit your Photo and Video to us 👉 upload.gmbn.com/
Sign-up to our newsletter 👉 gmbn.eu/newsletter
How do you visually identify as a ‘mountain biker’, what unique parts have you put on your bike, or clothing that makes you really feel like a mountain biker? Or do you just run your bike fully stock?
Sickest Thing Shout Out:
📺 @forbiddenbikeco Myth | Big Bike Dream Tricks In BC | Dillon Butcher
🔗 gmbn.eu/Myth
Watch more on GMBN...
📹 How To Trackstand 👉 • How To Track Stand On ...
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 gmbn.eu/EditorsChoice
📹 Watch our weekly show, The Dirt Shed Show 👉 gmbn.eu/dirtshedplaylist
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound
Mezcal Negroni - Auxjack
The Pit of Doom - Sightless in Shadow
On Mine (Instrumental Version) - Nyck Caution
#DirtShedShow #GMBN #GlobalMountainBikeNetwork #MTB #MountainBiking
The Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) is the world’s largest and fastest-growing online mountain bike channel and community - and your destination for the best mountain bike content in the world.
GMBN is dedicated to inspiring and unlocking your riding potential. Our videos cater to fans of every mountain bike discipline: from mile-munching cross-country (XC) riders, through adrenaline-fuelled dirt jumpers, gravity-hungry downhillers or aspiring enduro racers, and beyond.
Our ex-pro presenting team are on hand to entertain and inspire you while also providing a uniquely qualified insight into the world of mountain biking. Every week we deliver original daily videos that include:
Adventurous and entertaining features
Mountain bike skills coaching
Technical advice and guidance
Mechanical know-how to keep you rolling
A place for the riding community with our weekly Dirt Shed Show
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon Bikes: gmbn.eu/Canyon
Propain Bikes: gmbn.eu/Propain
Orbea Bikes: gmbn.eu/Orbea
Park Tool: gmbn.eu/ParkTool
Smith Helmets & Eyewear: gmbn.eu/Smith
Crankbrothers Pedals: gmbn.eu/crankbros
Shimano Footwear: gmbn.eu/ShimanoShoes
Ergon: gmbn.eu/ergon
Vittoria Tires: gmbn.eu/Vittoria
Reynolds wheels: gmbn.eu/Reynolds
FSA: gmbn.eu/fsa
Topeak: gmbn.eu/topeak
Garmin: gmbn.eu/Garmin
Peaty's Products: gmbn.eu/Peatys
Worx Power Tools: gmbn.eu/Worx
CamelBak: gmbn.eu/CamelBak
Watch our sister channels:
GMBN Tech - / gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network - / embn
GMBN Racing - gmbn.eu/GMBNracing
Global Cycling Network - / gcn
GCN Tech - / gcntech
GCN Racing - / gcnracing
Global Triathlon Network - / gtn
GCN Italia - / gcnitalia
GCN en Espanol - / gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - / gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Francais - / gcnenfrancais
GCN Training - / gcntraining

[@gmbn]

How do you visually identify as a ‘mountain biker’, what unique parts have you put on your bike, or clothing that makes you really feel and look like a mountain biker? Or do you just run your bike fully stock?

[@andythomson3379]

No reason to overcomplicate things: If you measure your tyres in inches you're a mountain biker. Metric & you're either a roadie (with smooth rubber) or a graveleur (with knobbly rubber).

[@alistairbuckle3450]

Rainbow titanium spokey dokeys on the front and an obnoxiously loud rear hub.

[@andysmallman7843]

Hey guys, it's moved on a bit now. It's less the crud products of yesteryear and not really the high tech kit, is it not the merch and experience that counts now? Obscure stuff, distant shop merch and life experiences that show a been there, seen it, done it which surely counts for more these days. Or maybe I'm getting old and have started ticking off those bucket list items so think I am cool.

[@carlajarrett]

Shin scars, a tailgate pad and one quirky thing on your bike.

[@TheBikeRoom]

Tyres, front and rear specific set-up tubeless. Stock, plasticy tyres, OEM or cheap bargain-basement ones with tubes shows a lack of interest, the wheel rules.

[@chrisward63]

What makes you a Mountain Biker... putting on a good attitude and welcoming towards other riders regardless of what they are riding or their ability... we all had to start somewhere!

[@gmbn]

THIS! 🙌

[@kevinwebb9538]

Please remove the background music (noise), it ruins a great show.

[@shellieslater7465]

It's awful! We stopped playback twice, thinking there was an awful kids toy playing music somewhere in the room 🙉.

[@user-ek4zq1lt3x]

It's really annoying, almost a mash-up of a nursery toy and a slow dance track!

[@thompsy2k6]

I was looking around for whatever was making the noise lol :)

[@danielcobb8886]

Felt like I was dining at a Chinese restaurant. Bin the background din please!

[@chrisward63]

What makes a Mountain Biker... heading out with a good attitude and being welcoming towards other riders regardless of what they are riding or their ability... we all had to start somewhere!

[@tomas.novotny]

I don't think you need to identify yourself as mountain biker with something special, just go out, have fun and spend money for things that make you happy 🤷‍♂

[@Ferrari255GTO]

The whole point should be enjoyng the sport, that's what being a mountain biker is, doesn't matter what, how or where you ride it. I lack skill, but my love of engineering makes me gravitate towards DH bikes, i would probably die in the whistler bike park, but i have fun where and how i can, wich is almost everywhere with the bike i own, i simply love it.

[@JosephNeill-rt5ck]

I agree

[@Humtuk]

the scars on the shin of my lead leg identify me as a mountain biker lol.

[@martynashton3607]

That is the OG sign right there 🎉

[@JeffMTBinVA]

Do you have a bike that you ride on mountain bike trails? Congrats, you are a mountain biker. Welcome to the club. It should never be about what you ride, what you wear, or how well you ride. I have the shin scars, the bike pad on my truck and a few stickers on my back window. But that is for me and if another rider sees it that's cool, they will know there goes a fellow rider.

[@jamesstammers6696]

Does anyone else have strange music playing in the background??? 😮

[@N_Davido]

I thought I was going mad!

[@SandraPelleyTheSandini]

It’s yucky - the background music

[@jamesstammers6696]

It's horrendous 😬

[@InitialP_Photography]

Like you Martyn, I am 200 years old and it was the Crud catcher and DCD in my days, Rox T shirts, Animal watch or strap now I don't have a clue about anything 😅

[@matthewx360]

I've still got one of my ROX shirts.

[@stulpnerkarl6062]

'Super Nice' Show, thx Martyn and Owen! 💚 Think the only thing I need to identify as a real mountain biker is the grin in my face riding my bike! 😁 aaaand the brand stickers on my car... of course! 😅

[@chuckrodgers4780]

When I slip on my 510’s , my hip pack and my fox helmet I feel like a mountain biker . To be honest I ride for fun , I just enjoy hitting the trails and testing my limits ( my limits are low) . I don’t need any computers , gadgets or trendy stuff to have fun .

[@milbose]

In Canada, the biggest signal that you're a mountain biker..... Tailgate cover on your pickup truck. 😛

[@martynashton3607]

Yep - that is a great one.

[@tsw123456789]

Why does Owen Coutts remind me of Moss from the I.T. crowd

[@AFV85]

The DCD was absolutely amazing on my trail-jump bike! The Crud mud flap worked, but remember the mini front one that you got for the front of the fork? It was really cool. I had them on my Giant ATX One and a DCD with the banned Rob Warner Pedals! I've still got Rob's pedal spike marks on my shins today. 😂

[@KevinT3141]

Adding a dropper post to my 2012 hardtail made me feel like a mountain biker.

[@martynashton3607]

Legit.

[@gibbykirwan7788]

You don't need any of those gimmicks to signify that you're an MTB rider. Let your riding show that you're a rider

[@Its_me_scott]

I rode BMX for 15 years before MTB and it only a bike and the ability to send it to the best of your ability to be eather!

[@jwatson1920]

How a person rides is the indicator for me. Skills, speed, confidence, trail etiquette.

[@usernamefromhell]

Grips, pedals, and dropper post, are telltale signs of a "real" mountain biker. Even if it's a cheap hardtail, if I see it has some proper aftermarket grips and pedals, and also has a dropper post, I know they know what's up.

[@matthewx360]

DCD and a Crud Catcher, them were the days lol. Even remember MBUK giving a Crud Catcher away with a particular issue.

[@markhughes7956]

I think shoes and clothing for the right time of year.

[@bearzet2893]

Please turn off that terrible sushi restaurant background music

[@victoriaeldridge4967]

Honestly, when I see mountain biker, I look at the gear that they’re wearing. For the bike it’s just a simple as a fender. For the rider, anywhere between the helmet, kneepads and the choice of clothing..

[@iansingleton]

I can remember the shift from Hardtail to full Suss! That time at the trail centre when more and more guys started started turning up with full suspension bikes. The year previous 80% of guys were on Hardtails! All the chat was "do you really need a full Suss?" Nowadays they'd say they were "over biked". Now it's rare to see a Hardtail at the trail centre. Then came 27.5 then 29. It's progression! Do we need it? No! I had just as much fun on my Hardtail with 120mm forks and 26" wheels. But we still get sucked into the hype!

[@51im]

I'm still rocking my crud catcher complete with Mint Sauce stickers, along with my neoprene Race face chainstay and headset protector that came free with MBUK magazine. Both on a 91 Orange Gringo.

[@martynashton3607]

I forgot about the neoprene chainstay covers. That’s a banger right there.

[@zethjugos1250]

Grab mtb, go to the trail. Ride and put big smile on face...simple joys...😊

[@dannyk3718]

great show as ever guys thanks for your work ....please stop that horrible background noise the dirt shed show has great chat and banter no need to add to it.

[@NelsonSherry]

I don't need accessories. Just a bike and time on the trail. THAT is what makes a mountain biker! I've been out ridden by kids on entry-level bikes, and I often outride others with much more capable bikes.

[@expositovisuals2921]

As simple as not wearing Lycra, that's more than sufficient to feel as a real mountain biker

[@peteralexander6514]

I can still hear the noise that Dave's Chain Device made from time to time lol Those things were loud as hell and a real must have.

[@BassSwirls]

Buggered up the shifting too. 🤪

[@juanes1235]

Skills is something you can't buy and it's the best proof to show you are a "mountain biker"

[@jonathanlincoln4759]

What’s with the background music

[@joelankeny6277]

I have a shockwiz and it made a huge difference in setting up my rear shock and confirmed what I had setup on the front. It was steeply priced but I will probably resell it here soon or try to trade it for a Garmin 530 or 540. To me it’s the niche brands (or a brand you don’t often see in your home country), whether that be a riders rig or their clothing/accessories, that say “mountain biker”. Also - tires that are a brand other then the big players (I.e. Maxxis, Schwalbe, etc).

[@mapetvelwasyl]

Free stickers that are coming with new parts sticked to the back of my car 😂

[@keithwestwood4640]

Both my shins are scarred from pedal pins....a mountain biker❤

[@shaunneidlinger5318]

Practical things that actually help protect and make you "feel" more comfortable. Add ons: Bar end plugs, custom stem cap, contact points sich as pedals, grips, and saddle, bash guard. Gear: good shoes and anything that doesn't scream "XC Racer" I think the MTB community has gone too far with "keeping up with the Jones'" as well as kit and part manufacturers trying to sell everyday riders all the best and newest stuff tailored to racers and sponsors budgets. Overall, I think the price of things has also gotten so expensive that it has also created a stigma that makes you perceived as S(*t if you're not spending thousands of dollars for claimed "good stuff". There is plenty of good stuff out there that doesn't have to have a world renowned name brand or an exhorbitant price tag to qualify as "good" or "quality"

[@575ban]

A mountain biker kind of needs a mountain bike. That really does identify the dude, or dudet.

[@MatthewMabborang]

Interesting topic and looking forward to watch and learn something especially to save money on maintaining my mtb to commute and bikepacking-biketouring! 🔥🔥🔥

[@jamiehall5021]

Daves chain device DCD ran one on my GT LTS in 90's never a fan of crud catcher unless free with dirt mag..

[@DatPenguin97]

I guess you could say I sort of feel more like a "proper" mountain biker when I put my gloves on haha

[@EchoFoxtrott1]

#captioncompetition #captioncontest - When you're already in the dog house and wife catches you looking at more bike parts

[@deedontworry]

I love my Hope brakes and pedals! 😁

[@ianharding3044]

A bike with knobbly tyres 😂

[@jamesmcgeachy8934]

Bumper stickers on the Ute. Vertical bike rack😂

[@BenGodfrey-js4gg]

What makes a good mountain biker… Stickers

[@AndrewSavasoMusic]

I feel like a mountain biker because I ride a mountain bike on mountain bike trails.

[@thompsy2k6]

Lads, the Downhill was in a place called Szczyrk :) try saying that one! Bielsko Biała is pronounced / Be-el-sko Be-ya-wa / and is one of the best places in the country to ride bikes. The event was amazing from start to finish and I was lucky enough to get VIP tickets and met most of, if not all the riders and as a 43 year old child :) got most of their signatures :) Poland has done the UCI proud, I hope it decides to keep coming back!

[@enduro_studio102]

Having a gmbn shirt !❤

[@ltrtg13]

The thing I've bought that makes me look like mountain biker are. Wait for it. My GMBN race tops and Pinkeye. Yes Blakes old bike. Oeen I can confirm having tattoos doesn't make you fater downhill. Buying Pinkeye and having grippy tyres has made me "faster" downhill. My tattoos haven't. Unless I don't have enough tattoos.

[@gmbn]

That's a permanent experiement to determine otherwise! Unless... stick on tattoos would work? 🧐

[@WojtekDrives]

Nice try with the pronunciation of the Polish city 👌🏻 To be precise, the cup takes place in two spots: Bielsko-Biała and Szczyrk. Type in "Bielsko Baua and Schirc" into the Google Translator in English to hear the pronunciation close to the original.

[@gmbn]

Great tip! Thanks I'll do that next time :) Will try and get Lukasik nailed too 🤘 - Tom

[@diabolicalbigbob]

It's all about the Socks 🧦 🤘

[@ellmusec]

One thing that I notice on people that helps me categorise them as a mountain biker without seeing them actually ride is a good helmet. Two different people with a cheap old mountain bike, one has what looks like a £5 helmet with no branding that was bought 20 years ago, the other one is wearing a fox dropframe. You know which one's barely getting a few inches of air and which one's doing whips at the local table tops.

[@jamiehall5021]

Dissapointed i didnt get a shout from Owen I seen him sunday bristol harbourside gave him the MTB nod as i passed and a ✌ and get this he was walking !!! Thats recognition right there ...

[@alanbussell7894]

I still think that a crud catcher is/was a great add-on to any MTB. I'm sure they kept me cleaner than the fork mounted things.

[@Justkeepshredding]

Hooray dirt shed show time!!!

[@77rockcity]

GMBN merch ofc 😉

[@tomevans7584]

The main thing that identifies the mountain biker is the Van he arrives in.....

[@johnkirkpatrick6032]

What identities a mountain biker? ... on the bike...a smile and a decent peaked helmet, on/off GMBN t shirt and possibly scarred shins !

[@Rock-It21]

#CAPTIONCONTEST The Economist, Owen's favorite bedtime lullaby.

[@j.albertogratacos2076]

More bikes are stolen in the UK than in the US because your stolen bikes are being sent over here. So, we kindly ask you if could you start switching the brake levers to the correct sides so that we can stop going over the bars.

[@45graham45]

Tatoos were trendy in the 90's. Now 16 year olds & even middle aged parents have them - how can that be trendy? Lol.

[@AFV85]

Nukeproofs been bought buy fraiser group so should see them in Halfords and tesco soon😢 But Nigal paiges latest interview about Nukeproof he has a Mega plan to come back and backers are really interested so fingers crossed we see some good news in next interview when hes bringing on his new creation!

[@user-om3gd3yd2y]

In the USA I saw a raceface tailgate cover on an f150 yesterday without his bike ... i knew we were brothers

[@jeremymcbride8729]

I got TyreWiz with my new Scott Spark 900 Tuned and it’s so frustrating. Leaks, the battery caps don’t secure the batteries enough to get a connection, plus the battery life isn’t that great and they are so expensive. Flight attendant would be awesome though. What a great bit of kit, if one can afford it.

[@antdod1]

#captioncobtest Owen gets the part of Dougal in the remake of father Ted

[@BassSwirls]

Crud catcher ... DCD.... Then came Ringle skewers, Mavic headset ( lush) Pace sub 130 bars , 747 spds , control tech stem , XT sestpost , Ti nuts and bolts , anti suck things , flite saddle , RC35 forks ... we spent hundreds ... the DCD was pretty shite tbh.

[@BassSwirls]

Nob out or BLT lights were 200 quid back then!

[@somthinfishy9630]

To make myself feel like a mountain biker I put myself on my mountain bike at the head of a knarly trail and ride it to the best of my ability

[@trefordavies3670]

Oh ! I have the GMBN tops ! So it’s obvious that I am a legit MTB .. simples

[@flatpedalswinmedals7274]

Missin the old days

[@Grant3399]

#CAPTIONCONTEST Owen living on the edge when its late at night, he has to get up at the crack of dawn, but he's going to finish his mountain biking magazine anyway.

[@mattmitchell1646]

#CAPTIONCOMPETITION The look on Owens face pleaded 'Don't ask where the other hand is'

[@BinManSays]

The only thing I put on my bike to make me feel like a mountain biker is myself then I go and try to find something which makes me think twice, then I hit it and feel awesome

[@Justkeepshredding]

I can usual identify how serious a rider is by their pedals. Crap bike and crankbrothers decent rider, 5k giant e-bike with resin flats=dentist

[@dougnico2492]

Plastic DMRs are legit

[@Justkeepshredding]

@@dougnico2492 resin and composite pedals aren’t the same though

[@JeffMTBinVA]

#GMBN On the next dirt shed cover the state, or lack of, EDR coverage. Nigel Paige touched on it in a recent interview and putting out the idea of a Drive to Survive like show about the EDR. Frankly I'm surprised manufacturers aren't pushing the UCI for more EDR coverage since those are bikes the public are more likely to buy.

[@connordowns5128]

I don't think you near the the blingist items to be identified as a mountain biker I thinks it is on how you ride and your passion for it

[@oiuqreofnqoiruegnqerg]

very good pronunciation

[@ExplosiveNotes]

21:26 He's riding in Crocs = He couldn't care less how does he, or what he's doing, look.

[@Gonzomacabeo]

My cratered shins

[@Dudeisthatahardtail]

Martyn loses points for the DCD not being purple, and for the Crud Catcher not being the OG version, that was so square it was more like a cat litter box.

[@JussaSmiff]

#captioncontest Owen is not just a great mechanic, he’s also a very accomplished duvet tester.

[@homeworkredcard]

when your bike is worth more than your car/van 😅

[@rule3036]

You can get fit without spending money. You dont need GPS, telemetry, power meters, or Di2 to become more efficient to enjoy riding any kind of cycling. Mtb is going as nerdy as the roadies.

[@MrGourd]

I visually identify mountain bikers by their clothing. The best riders in my area always seem to be riding in a flannel top or Hawaiian shirt.

[@jeremyclutterbuck4665]

How this? I ride with a guy that has 9 bikes all are pretty high spec, one is a Cannondale Scalpel FS hi mod, one is a Norco Fluid carbon top spec. His bike rack Kuat NV2.0. The clincher is he drives a 2008 Pontiac Vibe. That’s the priorities of a true mountain biker.

[@elrictdb]

#captioncontest The disappointment was palpable after Owen promised the ladies they would see a tiger in the bedroom.

[@BlueKnows]

I can't stand adverts on youtube but fair play to the guys a YT industries, their ad that's doing the rounds is a stonker

[@iffy_too4289]

Whats the odds on Neil getting drunk and punches Ollie out at the EGCMBN Christmas party?

[@agg25gga]

No hounds n beagles? :-(

[@johnkirkpatrick6032]

What's with the ice cream can music in the background?

[@javiermontero3950]

What's with the background music, I kept thinking the ice cream truck was coming.

[@johnkirkpatrick6032]

#captioncontest I think you want Steve's room

[@ChrisRufus76]

Nothing is a waste of money, IF you use it enough to validate the purchase.

[@AFV85]

Lamppost hacks a bodged lawsuit waiting to happen 😂 be better and safer on your garden greeny pole!

[@davenann]

Get rid of the BGM!! Watch the show every week here in Japan. What’s the thought on this?

[@01FozzyS]

I don't have a caption for this week but do want to know what happened there,Owen!

[@IsaacHaupt]

Did you guys add some background music? Like piano or something?

[@rorysteward23]

5/10 shoes even when not riding that's the nod to a proper mountain biker

[@dougnico2492]

I feel singled out

[@randomradon]

Identifying as a mountain biker. Well, i have a mountain, a bike, and a helmet.

[@NoName-nf6kz]

@gmbn I won the caption contest from last week. What do I do now?

[@JasonTrew2018]

#Captioncontest: After beating Manon down the trail at Bikepark Wales, Owen had to take a required trip to the hospital for "severe injuries"