GMBN - Im Out

Yep mostly just noise. Watched one of those ‘should i upgrade stuff on my current bike or buy a new one’ videos from them last year. Guess what side they leant toward, reasoning being you get new school geometry and latest standards. No mention of the fact that if you do invest in a new bike in two years time it’s not worth much and itself starts getting obsolete. Preferred the dirt shed show days when Warner was still on it.

gmbn grouptest

Another one who liked a bit of GMBN nonsense for a while. It does seem to have gone downhill since Henry left the tech channel and Rich joined the main one. I'm not blaming either of them, could just be timings coinciding with other changes, but it does seem to be around that time they changed the direction of the channels.

I hope it's just an effect of them not being able to get out and do some of the overseas stuff they do well, plus their tie-in with the EWS means they have lots of time to fill at the moment. Normally I bump into them all filming as I ride at similar spots regularly so I know what they're like away from the camera (Blake is a bit more mellow, Don's very shy, Martin is just Martin and Doddy really is a bike geek!). Maybe the owners are pushing the brand partners side rather hard, try and monetise the MTB side so it keeps up with GCN with their GCN+. They could do with a female presenter too, Manon on GCN is a great addition to their team.

Dunno why but I find most MTB media really....... mehhhhh.

It's always a bit ........ look at this new exciting thing, followed by loads of guff about this year's incrementally shinier thing or niche.

Whereas GCN is quite watchable, even if 90% of it is just stating the obvious. Aero Vs comfort - yes there is a tradeoff, can you get fit in 7/8/10 weeks on our sponsor's turbo - yes, is 105 better than 10 year old dura ace - it depends, are new bikes stiffer and lighter - yes.

I enjoyed the random tandem, guess the seats aren’t 2m apart?

I know with lockdown that good content has probably been hard to come up with. But, why not do an article on how all old wheelsizes are great and bikes are universally cool etc, etc. Just look at the comments below. People pooing themselves because the overpriced bike they have stretched to buy might be obselete soon...poor show. They know exectly what they are doing. Whatever next...

Feels like MBUK for the YouTube generation. Not helped by having Andrew Dodd on board.

I guess it works for the 14-18yo demographic, I’ve just outgrown it.

since Henry left the tech channel

My finger isn’t on the pulse, I was surprised when he turned up on the latest Pinkbike podcast.

Looking at their groupco accounts yes I think you are right reluctant jumper - expect to see lots more ‘brand partnerships’ - also note the effective controlling stake now from Discovery. Singletrack it ain’t

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10605512/filing-history

Yep i liked the random tandem, i think Ashton is an ace guy, really adds value to the channel. But increasingly the whole channel just looks like a Chain Reaction/Nukeproof sales video. No drama but im unsubscribed and its gone into the "used to watch" filing cabinet..shame as ill miss Doddy telling me about the new 35" wheel size running 1.9 panaracers with a 74% head angle and super short reach for a poppy ride...and that all lls stuff is destined for the skip.

I quite like a lot of it - but they're audience is mostly kids and I do wish they would stop pushing the fact that you need a really expensive bike. As well as stupid things like a vide saying you can't use washing up liquid and need to spend 15 quid on muc off

I quite like Doddy, he's a nerd and I'm a nerd and he's usually pretty good at expressing nerd thoughts. But, his opinion on wheel size? A long long time ago, I went to a bikeradar demo day, rode my first 29er and as it happened he was there hosting and he also rode his first 29er, and is t was the same bike. It was shite- bad tyres, horrible geometry (toe overlap on the medium ffs!), heavy and it felt like 50% of all teh bike's weight was in the wheels... a proper "try and make it like a 26er and fail to reap any benefits" early shit 29er like a lot of companies made. Maybe a KHS, not entirely sure.

Anyway. That 40 minute test ride on that shit 29er was all that informed his completely negative opinion of 29ers for at least another couple of years. And that was one of the big influencing things that made MBUK and WMB so conservative on wheel sizes, since part of his job was to give editorial/policy direction.

In fairness, he did finally ride a good one, ate some humble pie in print. But then... along came 650b and he was one of the first on the bandwagon and went 100% the opposite way and enthused in print about how it was the future, the perfect balance, the "all the advantages and none of the advantages", before he'd ridden one.

So yeah, shut up about wheel sizes mate.

Stopped 12mths ago

Trying to hard I think at being edgy

Can't see much wrong with that piece about wheel size. Generally explains what is going on at the moment. It's just a 2 minute piece, not an in depth exposé. I'll still be watching, although do skip a few bits. Do miss Henry though. He was the best of the bunch, good sense of humour. Hope he does end up on pinkbike, they make some good videos too. GMBN do make a good team with a mix of attitudes. Some reasonable content especially over the last year in trying times

You don’t have to watch it all. The number of videos they put out across the multiple channels is quite staggering, and covers a broad range of interests and skill levels.
Yes there’s some (lots of) filler but 90% of the time when I’m stuck on some maintainence, it’s Doddy showing me how to do it.
When I’m bored and curious about a particular skill, I go to Blake, (or skills with Phil).
I really miss the vlogs from the big events too. Hopefully soon they will return.

Other stuff yeah, I realise I’m a few decades too old for that particular videos target market.

@nickjb beacause its irellevant and it's only objective is to causes unease regarding wheel size. Theres no article on the death of 27.2 seatposts is there? But buyers remorse regarding wheelsize involves a new frame/fork/wheels/tyres...keep those punters spending. The only other industry i can compare it to is clothing fashion...

Never subscribed to them. Can't be bothered with YT channels that are just adverts with some pointless content in between. I've noticed quite a few channels going that way recently

I also unfollowed it this week, funny enough.

Never really been a fan, but it does seem to have got even more patronising and formulaic in recent times.

Possibly a deliberate thing to target new riders, but more likely just lost some creative energy. The whole setup is a content sausage factory basically.

I do feel Martin Ashton is a bit wasted there. Such a funny, charismatic guy. Surprised he's not doing something on the BBC already.

I used to subscribe to both their channels, didn't last long as they just churn out too much stuff (full stop) and too much rehashing and filler. Now I visit them now and again for whatever videos pique my interest. Usually skip quite a lot within many videos (timestamps are great, when they include them - sickest thing of the week... no thanks). There's a lot of useful skills and tech advice delivered well by good presenters and I've learnt a lot, so they're free to try and abuse me with X amount of product placement as thanks for that.

I do feel Martin Ashton is a bit wasted there. Such a funny, charismatic guy. Surprised he’s not doing something on the BBC already.

That is a fair point, he really does prop up the dirt shed when it’s a bit lacking in content sometimes

I gave up a while ago. It’s just one long advert and product placement shot with about 40 seconds of content aimed at the under 12’s with their parents credit card

I use to like GMBN but got bored of it being all about jumping and enduro.

Just to add, they need to deliver content on other mtb disciplines other than jumping and enduro. They focus too much on the "send of the week" type stuff and nothing that I've seen about fitness, planning local routes, or climbing challenges etc.

Also agree Martyn is a bit wasted there. Its almost like he's babysitting.

They do a lot of adventure stuff in the summer, things like the SDW or IOW in a day have been done before and bikepacking gets done regularly. It's usually to coincide with one of the sponsors launching a new range of kit but when done as part of a longer 30 min or so video it works.

Agreed on Martyn is holding it all together currently though despite being stuck in his room! He should be signed up for the Paralympics as a minimum.

Like some of the others have said, it has its place.

We watch selected episodes as a family, and as a rule never watch the dirt shed show as it's primarily advertising... funny thing being that the one and only time we did watch it my youngest son appeared in the send or fail segment (sending a tabletop).

I coach kids MTB for a local club and some of the videos can be good to watch as reminders of what they learn in our sessions.

Aside from loving the random tandem segments and the game of bike episodes it's been quite good for teaching my kids how to spot veiled advertising (it's not just Nukeproof, there's a lot of Canyon in there too) and showing them what deciduous forests and moorland landscapes look like compared with the heavily vegetated landscapes where we ride in Queensland.

Meh. It's a bit of fluff about a subject I'm interested in. I watch some of it. Blake seems like a good lad and Doddy is a bike nerd like me. Martyn Ashton just comes across as a really sound guy.

It could definitely do with focussing more on general trail riding rather than all the park rat stuff though.

I’m still in.

I don’t watch or like all of it, but there’s plenty to keep me interested (as someone who still regularly rides a 26er).

It’s not all advertising, especially not Doddy’s retro stuff.

And to be fair, Neil did a video a while ago about cheap bike vs superbike using a Halford’s Voodoo something (less than a Bizango). He basically said you’d be fine on the cheap bike.

So I cut them some slack as it’s free, regular and informative in the round.

Feels like MBUK for the YouTube generation.

^^^^this^^^^^

Pretty unoffensive time killer. Not too deep. bit of new tech, bit of reader's sheds, but of retro bike. I'm sure they'll be gutted to know so many of the STW elite are poo-pooing them.

They struggle to find enough interesting content to fill the time they need to fill but don't appear to have the budget to put good stuff together. I guess they do OK given those constraints, but it does mean a lot of it is a bit samey and drivelly.

Can’t see much wrong with that piece about wheel size. Generally explains what is going on at the moment.

Agree. It is just commenting on what is happening. It is clear that the direction is towards only offering 29 on a lot of models and it makes sense to do so for the manufacturers.

I subscribe to GMBN and GCN and probably watch about 10-20% of the videos which is fine. I enjoy the ones I watch and I don't need to watch a video on how to fit a pedal so luckily you can just immediately hide those from the list.

They provide a load of useful information, especially for people new to the sport.

The Dirt Shed Show Christmas specials are usually good for a laugh as well. One with Rob Warner on the loose a couple of years ago springs to mind.

Inevitably, some content is repetitive but you pick and choose what to watch.

They are upfront about the commercial tie ins which don't really bother me. At the end of the day, it's subscription free and they've got to make a living like the rest of us...

If you're on STW, you aren't the target audience. Nobody ever asked GMBN to run a comparison on wood-burning stoves. It's not media for the reasonably wealthy mediocre middle aged middle-class. Try Gran Fondo or perhaps eMTB magazine.

"Feels like MBUK for the YouTube generation."

you know you sound old when you say that - seeing as youtube's been around for 15 odd years 🙂 what's the youtube generation you're talking about?

In't maaah daay........

“Feels like MBUK for the YouTube generation.”

you know you sound old when you say that – seeing as youtube’s been around for 15 odd years 🙂 what’s the youtube generation you’re talking about?

It's just a literal fact. Their primary revenue stream is YouTube.

Supported by product placement fees and merch.

OK, I'm guessing but it's quite an educated guess.

There's some good stuff on there but you've got to sift through the marketing fluff and the stuff that is put on for effect.

Like back when I used to subscribe to MBR. There were certain brands that if you saw they had a bike being reviewed it would never score above 7/10. Maybe they were brands pumping out not so good bikes, but a large advertising spend gives you the ability to influence reviews, no question.

"Hi guys, I've just signed off the ad invoice for last month. Incidentally, what score are you going to award our 'Shredinator v.4.2.1' in next month's mag?"

"Seven out of ten".

"I see.... it is an awfully big invoice I've just signed off, we might have to look at this before next time...."

"Eight?"

"Call it 'nine' and don't let any other bikes in the review get a ten".

"Nine it is then".

Just to add, they need to deliver content on other mtb disciplines other than jumping and enduro. They focus too much on the “send of the week” type stuff and nothing that I’ve seen about fitness, planning local routes, or climbing challenges etc.

Also agree Martyn is a bit wasted there. Its almost like he’s babysitting.

I don't watch a lot of GMBN but even the quickest browse at their channel I can see multiple videos on XC and fitness in the last month so seems like you just made that up?

what’s the youtube generation you’re talking about?

14-18 year olds in this case, as I said in my post. The ones that have grown up with it, and it’s ‘features’, as a main source of broadcast media.

I don’t watch a lot of GMBN but even the quickest browse at their channel I can see multiple videos on XC and fitness in the last month so seems like you just made that up?

TBF, he/she may have got that impression from following them on social rather than actively looking at their YT channel.

I would have assumed similar, as someone who mainly scrolled past their content on Insta and FB without fully engaging with it because it always seemed the bloody same.

I've never subscribed used to watch most of their videos back when it was just Neil and Mark, Mark left and Scotty joined which I enjoyed but then some of the recent additions I dont like, but the same happened on GCN, some of the OG's left and I didnt like the replacements. Changing of the guard is somewhat always inevitable, I like the Pinkbike videos with the two Mikes, not a fan of the female racer they just picked up.

The thing that bugs me most about the GMBN videos aside from them being adverts for new and expensive parts, is the videos seem to sometimes be "off", the same clip used several times in the same video or lacking of detail, its the opposite of less is more. For example, this week a video went up for who is the fastest presenter, great, always wonder who is quickest out of them, but they just showed a few clips from the runs and some pre race chat and that was it, no practise laps to check for lines, no talk of the track and the features on it, it was an episode they could have got multiple vids out of or more than 6 mins IMO but just rushed out.

Yep, quantity over quality every time.

They work to quite demanding schedules to "feed the beast" AFAIK, and it results in shallow, bland content.

Like anything watch what you like. I know that anythgin about upgrading and kit is always going to be pro new stuff (but they do do stuff where they say ride what you brung, hardtails are good etc) partially due to their job and partially due to their privileged position of being in the bike industry so their norm is sqewed (as is all of ours)

Can’t see much wrong with that piece about wheel size. Generally explains what is going on at the moment. It’s just a 2 minute piece, not an in depth exposé

I clicked on it, thinking maybe they'd got some news or industry comment, and sat slack jawed thinking 'do people really watch this shit'? 2 minutes might have just about been ok but looking at the timer it was actually over 3 1/2 minutes to say 'more bikes are switching to 29 throughout the range, mullet, or frame size linked to wheel size' (which actually seems to say 27.5 is here to stay in terms of parts availability).

They work to quite demanding schedules to “feed the beast” AFAIK, and it results in shallow, bland content.

This - tough job in the off season

Never really liked GMBN yet I enjoy GCN and GTN. As mentioned GMBN comes across as 90's MBUK whereas the others seem more aimed at a mature audience.

I followed them on Instagram for a while, mainly for fail of the day but the amount of utter rubbish that got posted led me to sack them off. Just articles for articles sake that held zero interest with me. Someone else has mentioned it but mainstream mountain bike media is all a bit blah, especially something like a 100% online presence which focuses mainly on videos where they have to keep the content coming, even though they must know themselves its utter crap.

I'm no roadie but I prefer GCN

I’m no roadie but I prefer GCN

I quite enjoyed the couple of videos of the presenters trying to beat Si on his aero bike.

Well I was quite under whelmed after reading all the comments here, then watching the video. It's hardly anti vaccine level or we are run by lizard people is it. It's just slightly contentious view of an industry trend. But to be honest I like opinions.

With noting that on the fastest presenter video 2 of three rode 27.5.

With GMBN I just watch the videos that catch my eye. I'm glad it's their. It's free and I don't have to watch it

It does feel a bit like quantity over quality, I have no idea what ad revenue is like on YouTube and what numbers they're hoping for/require as a business. People who do one video a week (like Berm Peak) seem to aim for quality and it shows but that's a couple of people Vs a whole team.

I think they produce decent content considering there's only so much they can cover. Neil and Blake are pretty spot on.

Feels like MBUK for the YouTube generation. Not helped by having Andrew Dodd on board.

Isn't it owned/run by an ex future publishing / MBUK editor?

It's cirtainly been worse content over the last year, no travel/racing/less Martyn....

I used to watch ever vid - now I may watch one a week.

Strangely I stopped watching The Dirt Shed Show when it moved from Friday to Wednesday. I also stopped watching the tecy stuff when Henry left.

I'd forgotten about the Dirt Shed Show moving days, Friday was good as it was chippy day so something to watch while eating that. I understand why they moved to Tuesday, race results and easier to do previews, but it did take a lot away from it's appeal.

They work to quite demanding schedules to “feed the beast” AFAIK, and it results in shallow, bland content.

Saw Neil and Blake at Windhill back in September/October time and they had already done a morning's filming at FOD before getting there at 2pm, they both filmed some stuff together then went on to film separately for another hour or so. Think I saw 4 different videos come out of all of that! Have also seen Blake spend a whole day at Windhill and stay on afterwards for some more (after a whole day and then an evening session so at least an 11 hour day), it was just after his son had been born too.

It's definitely not the fun and messing about a lot of people think it is despite the impression some of the other YouTubers give.

I agree with what a few have said about Ashton on there. It was great to see him get a platform following his injury - He's arguably just as much of a legend of the sport as the likes of Peaty and Warner and shoulders above the rest of the presenters on GBMB (no disrespect). I can see him making the leap from YouTube to Mainstream in the same way that Chris Harris did when he joined the beeb.

The format of GMBN really has become tiresome of late. Some of their features in the past were entertaining to watch and whilst EWS was on their tie-up with the series was good. Recently though it does just feel like every video is either an advertisement or some content that's been thrown together hastily off the back of the past week's industry press releases. I've not watch GCN for a while but their stuff always felt like genuine content to me.

and just who is toff? doing his fast show impression whilst talking gangsta about sick things.

MBUK editor?

It’s cirtainly been worse content over the last year, no travel/racing/less Martyn….

Can't think why that would be?

The format of GMBN really has become tiresome of late. [...] I’ve not watch GCN for a while but their stuff always felt like genuine content to me.

I agree, while I sort of understand that they've probably done their research and have data on the average age of viewers, GCN has always seems a bit more grown-up than GMBN. Which is a shame.

Aye Friday I used to crack a beer open n watch the show every week.

I just feel there is so much content it's a scatter gun approach to appealing to every one.

They're not very good at saying bye to presenters they just dont even acknowledge they left.

Rob Warner
Scotty
Jess
Henry

Only guy who got a mention was mark B

I stopped watching the Dirt Shed show when they introduced a regular slot after the news with some long haired muppet with verbal diarrhoea. Completely unwatchable.

Scotty Laughland has his own channel these days
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnKjwrrCTrvmdamH0dOLN2g

Henry definitely got a send off show:

They are caught in a strange no mans land where they've built up the subscriptions & followers on YT but now need to move on as they are dependent on the paid promotions and ads which eventually diminishes quality (quantity becomes the driving force).
GCN has overcome this by creating the app that has paywall subscription & access to the Pro Tour Calendar and have worked out some sort of deal with Eurosport.
GMBN is really stuck here as all the MTB content (correct me if I'm wrong) is accessible via Redbull and they certainly don't need GMBN to raise their profile or expand.
Until they can work out a way of building a paid subscription based platform with exclusive content then its more of the same.

I think it is hard without the trips. There is only so much you can do when you can't road trip for mtb. ITs not like road cycling where you can navel gaze as power output. You need to goto fresh locations, trips, adventures, events.

GMBN is really stuck here as all the MTB content (correct me if I’m wrong) is accessible via Redbull and they certainly don’t need GMBN to raise their profile or expand.

They were making an attempt at EWS before that pesky virus.

and have worked out some sort of deal with Eurosport.

Eurosport is part of the Discovery network, same as GxxN.

hopefully they can re launch that then and the YT channel like GNC becomes a platform for the paid more 'quality driven' content or just something you dip in & out of as you feel - sometimes its good sometimes its not so good 🤷‍♂️
FWIW - I don't mind paying for content - my most used apps are behind paywalls and I'd pay for GCN if I didn't already have Eurosport

Discovery own both Eurosport and GCN, so I guess they're in a pretty good position, especially given that much of the pro road racing has happened in the last year, even if events did get delayed.
GMBN is basically screwed, given that pretty much most of the events were cancelled and are being cancelled again. Plus not able to travel, so are limited to Windhill bike park and some hills around Bath.
Plus there are so many sub-genres that they can never satisfy all MTB demographics. I was going to say that it's all stunty jumpy stuff that is of no appeal to me, but in reality because they're covering such a mix only 20% might appeal and 80% not. And then there's some 14 yr old probably thinking that it's all boring XC and no cool stunty jumpy stuff. But looking back at the past few weeks both of us would have almost exactly the same number of vids that interest.

Plus not able to travel, so are limited to Windhill bike park and some hills around Bath.

They have been allowed to travel for most of the last year, as it's their work.

They probably just haven't because they don't have time or just don't want to.

They have done a few local-ish trips a little further afield. Blake and Rich went to Dyfi Bike Park a shot some quite good films for example.

I stopped watching GMBN videos a while ago (must have been as there are mentions of presenters I havent heard of in this thread, and didn't know The Dirt Shed show had moved days).

However, I still see the odd video pop up on my youtube suggestions, mainly the Blake Build ones and I will watch them. Quite enjoyed his bike cave video and could just about watch the Jeep bike rack video.

I do feel Martin Ashton is a bit wasted there. Such a funny, charismatic guy. Surprised he’s not doing something on the BBC already.

He does come across really well in front of the camera, but does he have any interest in presenting anything other than mountainbikes? I'd quite happily see him replace Claire Balding for the Track coverage, but that doesn't mean he wants to. He's not Paddy McGuinness, James May, Graham Norton, Greg Wallace etc who'll do well presenting show's about something other than what they were famous for.

He does come across really well in front of the camera, but does he have any interest in presenting anything other than mountainbikes?

Possibly not, as I think he'd be a shoo-in for something like Countryfile or a sports-related show, as you suggest.

If he wanted to leave GMBN, he'd probably be gone already.

Yep, definitely gone downhill recently. Blake is funny, Neil is fine, I kinda like Doddy as he's a definite tech nerd....Ashton just talks crap Im afraid. GCN has gone the same way - they're obviously under pressure to keep the content coming but its just soooo much pointless guff and endless sales pitches for overpriced branded clothing. The Tech shows are good as are the race shows if I've missed the racing, but the rest is terrible - the Dirt Shed is embarrassingly bad.

I find Ashton's "childrens tv presenter exaggerated mannerisms" rather grating. I thought he was ok way back, when he was matched up with presenters he didn't overpower, Warner, ND, SL and MB. But the current crop are just like nervous work experience kids.

I hate to admit it, but "I'm out" on Rob Warner's YT channel, despite being a huge fan at the start (I know it's merely weeks old). All the various Covid breaches make my right eye twitch, I don't mean the travel, I get it, it's work, but all maskless close contact and that makes me wince, and sadly he ran out of material really quickly... Kaprun, STI, look at the time, 90s spec shoutly ladness, "look at the time" etc.

For anyone who's in doubt about Ashton's media-friendly credentials, take a look at his TEDxBristol talk:

ETA - Ooooh, an Animal hoodie. That'll probably be worth something in a few years!

This is one of the reasons I keep an STW subscription. Most MTB journalism now is basically subsidised advertising in disguise with varying levels of quality. If content is free, it’s usually promoting something. Quality and impartiality needs to be paid for somehow.

I sometimes put GCN on when turboing, and Ashden is very likeable. Agree with above on GMBN being 90s MBUK in video form (although my mbuk days started in 04).

I still watch a few bits on GMBN - used to watch it loads.
Tech is a bit meh now that Henry has gone - he had some good insight into WC and EWS etc. and also liked his presenting style - in fact I re-watched his 'how to set up any Rockshox fork' earlier today.

I like ND and BS - not to sure about Rich though.
And who are Tom & Toff?? First time in ages I watched The DSS today and wondered what they were doing.

Ashton is a great presenter and really enthusiastic.

Hopefully once racing and travel resume the content will improve.

I think it's actually pretty hard to have a video channel on MTBing.

Back in 't day, you could do a magazine article on say "jumping technique" and because that mag only came out once a month and there were no easily searchable archives, do pretty much exactly the same article a year later and nobody would notice. But now, on you-tube, everything your do is right there, still staring you in the face 5 years later, and the "Insta" generation must have a new edit every week right, so soon, finding new stuff to do is really really hard.

Therefore "new product" becomes your savour, because it is new, and so by definition you haven't done it before!