Letter from the Editor: Pinkbike’s Next Chapter with Outside

Jul 14, 2021
by Brian Park  
photo
The legendary Photo #1 was uploaded by Radek Burkat many, many years ago.


This is the first photo ever uploaded to Pinkbike. The image of Rob Stevens dropping off a bank in Calgary, Alberta is the perfect representation of what this site has always stood for: riding bikes with your friends and sharing that with the community.

Pinkbike founder Radek Burkat had spent his twenties playing other sports, but it wasn’t until he connected with mountain biking that he found his passion. He knew he’d found a sport he really loved because he was still eager to do it solo, but he did want to share it. He cringes now at how cheesy it sounds, but he started Pinkbike in 1998 to help others connect with mountain biking in the same way he had.

Shaped by those glory days of early freeride, Pinkbike was built by a crew who wanted to share the ride with their friends through photos, videos, and stories—long before social media was a twinkle in Myspace Tom’s bionic eye.


Early PB pics
Radek's early days on the bike.
photo
Setting up Pinkbike’s first servers.





photo


A new chapter with Outside.

We’re excited to announce today that Pinkbike has been acquired by Outside, the world’s leading active lifestyle platform. Established in 1977, Outside Magazine was founded by Lawrence Burke, and the publication broke ground on the entire outdoor media industry. Its history is filled with iconic titles, with some of the world’s most talented writers and authentic storytelling.

The new Outside, founded in 2019 by Robin Thurston, acquired Outside Magazine and OutsideTV in February 2021. Headquartered in Boulder, CO, Outside has offices across the US, Canada, in Europe, and now Australia. They own Outside Magazine, OutsideTV, Peloton Magazine, Bicycle Retailer, Beta MTB, GaiaGPS, Roll Massif, BikeReg, Ski Magazine, Warren Miller Films, and many more titles and services. Robin’s vision of bringing all these brands together into one organization is to build a more personalized experience for all active people.


The crew


What does this mean for Pinkbike?

Pinkbike’s mission to be the pulse of mountain biking and to share the ride with the global mountain bike community doesn’t change, only now we have more resources and capabilities to take on even bigger and better projects.

Our head office remains in Squamish, BC, and we’re about to move into a brand new office space with way more room to grow. We’ll also have access to new equipment and improved test facilities for more scientific, objective product evaluations.

The entire Pinkbike editorial staff is now part of Outside. Karl and Radek are involved in senior leadership positions, I continue to oversee editorial, and Kaz, Levy, Sarah, Christina, Ben, James, Alicia, Jason, Tom, Other Tom, Henry, Seb, Max, Ed, Devan, Matt, Other Matt, Dan, and the rest of our team are all on board. The Outside team has been incredibly welcoming, and we’re fired up to get some of our new projects off the ground.


bigquotesI’m thrilled to announce that Outside has acquired three of the strongest brands in the cycling category: Pinkbike, CyclingTips, and Trailforks. Today’s additions to the Outside portfolio represent a giant step toward achieving our mission of becoming the world’s leading creator of active living content, experiences, travel, and services.

There’s obviously a lot of work ahead of us, so I’m excited to welcome Radek, Karl, and their teams to the Outside family. (read more over on Bicycle Retailer)
Robin Thurston, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Outside


photo


Pinkbike’s content and services have long been paid for with an advertising model, while our new parent company offers some features of their titles in a subscription called Outside+.

Subscribers get digital access to members-only content, exclusive shows, hundreds of virtual health, fitness, cooking, and outdoor classes, free books, personalized, ad-free experiences at Outside Online, a subscription to Gaia GPS, training plans, and discounts on everything from gear to race-entry fees to event photography.

In the coming months we’ll be digging into how Pinkbike can best support the Outside platform and make their offerings even more compelling. While our long term business model will evolve, a significant portion of our content will remain free. We’re thrilled about the ideas on the table already.


photo


A challenge to our new sister brand - Beta MTB.

We’re taking this opportunity to formally challenge our new sister publication Beta MTB to a very serious mountain bike competition. We’ll look at the calendar and figure out the best time and venue, but we’re going to have to throw down for ultimate bike dork supremacy. Hat tip to @johnski for the idea.

We’ll race the Grim Donut, we’ll do some early freeride video trivia, timed fork rebuilds, longest skid, World Cup quizzes, Impossible Climbs on a tandem, etc… I’ve got the Pinkbike crew training already so it’s time to start doing pushups Palmer!


Thank you to the community.

Radek set out 23 years ago to connect riders, and along the way the community here at Pinkbike has taken on a life of its own. All of us here want to say thank you for making this place what it is today. The changes on the horizon are exciting, and we hope you’ll bring your salty, irreverent, priceless selves along for the ride.


bigquotesWe founded Pinkbike to show the world how amazing mountain biking is, and to inspire others to get out and ride and fall in love with the sport like we had. Joining Outside gives our team an opportunity to tell stories to an even bigger audience and to collaborate with world-class journalists at the other brands and sports in our new family.

We’re also thrilled to bring our Trailforks technology and community into the ecosystem that Outside is building. In partnership with Gaia, we intend to map every trail in America, and eventually the world, so that Outside+ members can ride, hike, run, and ski with greater confidence and safety.
Radek Burkat, Pinkbike Founder





We’re honoured by the faith the Outside team is putting in us, and we’re eager to start Pinkbike’s next chapter.

Thank you,
Brian Park, Head of Editorial


PS. Full review tomorrow, looks like a Session, etc. etc.

Author Info:
brianpark avatar

Member since Dec 29, 2010
214 articles

1,666 Comments
  • 2973 26
 "While our long term business model will evolve, a significant portion of our content will remain free."

Welp, it's been a good run. Thanks for everything Pinkbike. I fear change and can only assume this is the end as we know it.
  • 359 2
 Press F
  • 392 2
 It is the beginning of the end
  • 637 2
 Bye bye Pinkbike!! It was a good run.Thanks for the good times. Let the watering down begin.
  • 635 16
 quick! eveyone bail to vital!
  • 353 857
flag brianpark FL Editor (Jul 14, 2021 at 6:23) (Below Threshold)
 A lot of us grew up with Pinkbike and it's a weirdly-large part of who I am, so I get being nervous about this change. I do think it's good to be skeptical as well, but I hope the community will come along for the ride and see how it goes. I firmly believe that this was the best possible way to take Pinkbike to the next level, and we're planning on working hard to prove it to you.
  • 625 29
 @adrennan: Vital is the new pinkbike! See you all there!
  • 522 4
 I go to Enduro MTB for the reviews, mtbr when I want to learn how to fix something, and I come here for the comments. Please do not put the comments behind a paywall. It’s 30% of my daily entertainment.
  • 627 2
 @brianpark: I will at least be interested to see for sure how it goes. but if Outside goes on a monetizing spree and the basic content people come here for starts costing money, don't expect people to stay. One of the great values of pinkbike is the comment section and that requires a critical mass of people to make it. look at comments on all the other sites, maybe a few comments on most articles? once in a while they will have one that really engages the people. pinkbike articles are almost always over 100 comments. if that dies, pinkbike as we know it dies.
  • 84 1
 @adrennan: we have had 1000 comments on the Gwin to Specialized article IIRC. I once saw seven on Dirt.
  • 131 57
 @adrennan: agreed! The comments section is a huge part of PB and it's not going anywhere.
  • 39 1
 Specialized and Gwin part ways. 1000+ comments. No wonder they want to monetise the site.
  • 47 206
flag jamessmurthwaite (Jul 14, 2021 at 6:33) (Below Threshold)
 @jaame: And they were all "bring back print" if I remember correctly!
  • 163 1
 @brianpark: from a purely non content related aspect so it may not fall in your wheelhouse. Keep the buysell free!
  • 49 4
 @brianpark: It will just be moderated for your safety.
  • 332 1
 Well, as a dedicated PB user for 20 years, this is truly disappointing. I can live with ad revenue, but not subscriptions. More NSMB in my future, I guess.
  • 515 5
 @brianpark: See, but maybe you’re the only one wanting to go to “the next level.” What does that even mean? This constant need to expand and grow maybe isn’t always necessary. Maybe just sit back and admire the cool thing you’ve built and go “yeah, let’s keep doing what we’re doing!”
  • 171 2
 I want to believe Brian. I really do. I do t blame the founders…everyone wants and needs the payout. But this is the beginning of the end. It’s been good.
  • 159 363
flag brianpark FL Editor (Jul 14, 2021 at 6:46) (Below Threshold)
 @kylar: agreed that growth isn't the only good in life. But honestly? I want to go racing. I was bitterly disappointed we couldn't get our plans to help privateers with a race team off the ground this year, and I'm hopeful that with Outside's support big projects like that will get easier to make happen.
  • 345 5
 @brianpark: but why did PB have to go to the "next level"?

Very seldom is this good in the long run.
  • 150 0
 @AverageAdventurer: Buysell would be the biggest thing I'm concerned about. So many of my bikes have been bought and made from the Pinkbike buysell section.
  • 43 0
 Is PunkBike.com for sale?
  • 170 0
 @brianpark: why does everything always have to go to "the next level"?
  • 251 1
 I avoid going to Beta because of the paywall, don’t bring the same infuriating BS here. I already pay for Trailforks and that’s about my limit.
  • 165 7
 @brianpark: sorry dude, the next level is DEAD.
  • 224 8
 Yeah, change will happen. But lets give the fine folks at PB the benefit of the doubt until we see otherwise. So far they have given us everything we wanted and more. They constantly add stuff based on fan input like Saturday Sends and are actively involved in the comments about video vs. pics for bike checks etc. If they sell out and do subscriptions and limit shitloads of access then we can bash them to hell and back but until that happens, they are our people! I will hope (possibly in vain) that they will be allowed to continue their excellent coverage and access and that the influx of funding will help to bring even more to the table. But I will join you all as the one of the first to bitch if the access is in fact greatly limited by untenable subscription models.
  • 92 1
 @wilsonians: bu...but i already got my pitchfork out. now what do I do with it if I can't riot today.
  • 119 0
 @brianpark: "I firmly believe that this was the best possible way to take Pinkbike to the next level" what exactly does this mean ? What level wasn't Pinkbike getting to in its current form ? I can only see this change as a negative for us users. I suppose the founders want to retire and we can't fault them for wanting to cash out...but I have a hard time spinning this into a positive.
  • 85 1
 @jamessmurthwaite: Freehub Magazine is pretty killer right now.
  • 109 0
 @brianpark: I’d be a lot less skeptical if pocket/outside wasn’t VC funded, www.crunchbase.com/organization/pocket-outdoor-media … outside investors add more pressure on companies to do weasely things, sadly, which can kill a community.
  • 124 472
flag brianpark FL Editor (Jul 14, 2021 at 7:09) (Below Threshold)
 @DGWW @pdxkid @JDFF Over the last 10+ years I've seen many of our friends at other media titles living with the constant turmoil of failing media companies, largely driven by a refusal to evolve their businesses. I'd never want that for our team, and I hate saying no to big projects.

I did love my 2004 Banshee Scream, but it's a 2021 Stumpjumper Evo world, so I'm excited for that 'next level.'
  • 284 16
 @brianpark: Are you saying that Pinkbike was sold because it was a failing business ? What you are talking about is adapting, and I think we'd all be OK with Pinkbike adapting. Selling out to a large company isn't adapting or evolving. Thats throwing in the towel , so your founders can retire.
  • 128 1
 "Outside", what a great name for paid content provider Smile I will definitely be "outside".
  • 16 4
 @brianpark: Good luck and stay strong. You know you've got something special here (I can only think of one other site with readers who can be consistently trusted not to quickly descend into internet trolldom) and you will have to be strong to keep it. New management will thank you in the long run, they bought what it is not a project (otherwise i'd be posting this on nsmb).
  • 395 4
 "You have used 8 out of your 10 free views to Pinkbike. Subscribe to our monthly plan for unlimited access!"
  • 66 1
 @brianpark: What if you had to pay $5 per month to unlock the suspension and use the dropper post? No thanks.
  • 102 25
 Been checking PB less and less over the last year or two. Mostly do to ebikes, and articles turning to videos. I don’t think I’m in PB’s future demographic of rich middle aged guy. Bye Pinkbike. Was a great run.
  • 33 0
 @adrennan: and NSMB
their articles are some of the best
  • 24 0
 Wonder what was your price?
  • 103 13
 @pdxkid: because capitalism



nothing is ever good enough. nothing.
  • 27 1
 @brianpark: It's not going anywhere but now you'll have to pay for it.
  • 7 0
 @brianpark: You mentioned a race team above. Would the new found resources and access to sponsors with bigger marketing budgets mean PB could possibly help bring back local racing or help local organizers connect with sponsors that could help?
  • 59 5
 Well, can't say I'm surprised. Over the last couple of years there has been an exponential growth in content that has next to nothing to do with mountain bikes, but with a heavy focus on sh*t topics that are guaranteed to generate a ton of user engagement. Something is always about to change when it suddenly becomes important to include every single thinkable and unthinkable potential user group. ..
  • 90 3
 @brianpark: noone wants pinkbikes to go to the "next level". Its already gotten out of control.
2 thumbs down.
  • 133 0
 @brianpark I really want to believe that Pinkbike can hold onto its character and values but the list of Outside's current titles is basically a list of magazines/sites I've stopped reading after their content and tone changed following an Outside acquisition. I hope Pinkbike can be the exception and we don't start seeing Outside style listicles on which trendy products are "essential" for post ride beers.
  • 3 0
 @mammal: dont dare to post your spy shots over there man!
  • 29 0
 @Chief2slo: They were only using Beta as a tester.
  • 61 0
 @brianpark: if you go down the road of beta where most reviews worth reading are behind the paywall, I'm out. Bikemag used to get equal traffic from me as pb and vital, now I just go there when I'm really bored while taking a shit.

I'm fine with ads but I won't be paying a monthly suscription, not even for Dan Roberts reviews.
  • 23 24
 @brianpark: if this means more Cathro content I’m in.
  • 99 16
 @brianpark: Got so excited to read the comments when I saw this article.

This is simple scalability and hope it works well for the Pinkbike staff with additional benefits, insurance, retirement, pay, ect. Unfortunately being "punk" doesn't have a retirement plan or cover 85%+ of a knee surgery. The staff will need to make more money to afford rising MTB costs. It's not like Sarah, Levy and Kaz are dentists.

Speaking of.... ever notice every dentist office has Outside Magazine in it ? Did Pinkbike just get purchased by a Dental conglomerate ?
  • 65 2
 So thats why we saw levy less and less
  • 77 4
 Please, PLEASE! Don't screw up TrailForks - it's managed to survive this long and become the leader in MTB maps. I, as I assume many do, pay the meager yearly fee not just for the added functionality, but mostly to support it.
  • 89 1
 @kylar: that’s my question too. Honestly, when I hear that phrase, “go to the next level “, I can’t help but think this is just about stakeholders going to the next income level.
  • 18 10
 @DGWW: I think at some point, these "independent" publications reach a point where advertising just don't cut it anymore. PB have a lot of people on staff and I'm sure their overhead bill is pretty high. I think its naïve to think that these guys can continue to grow on a free service model and without outside investment. Free is always a failing business model in a capitalist society.
  • 7 1
 @pdxkid: ‘Murrica! Oh wait.
  • 49 0
 @brianpark: Love the optimism. Out of curiosity, did you read any of the publications Outside now owns before?

Frankly, I can live without Pinkbike. It's Trailforks I'm really going to miss
  • 9 17
flag skierdud89 (Jul 14, 2021 at 7:45) (Below Threshold)
 @ne-spoked-b: If you're not here to take up pitchforks with the rest of the angry mob you will be escorted out.
People will only think of how this effects them personally in a yet to be unknown way instead of thinking of how it helps PB like you mentioned.
  • 17 13
 @JDFF: because if you aren't growing, you are dead in the modern economy. it's gross and unstustainable, but is what it is. You can't build a brand that just carries on making good money and employing people. you're either 10x-ing shit, or getting swallowed up by bigger fish. see also: this
  • 60 100
flag pistol2ne (Jul 14, 2021 at 7:48) (Below Threshold)
 @brianpark: hey, at least you can write your woke oppressor vs Opressed opinion articles on a larger outdoor platform.

Better finally make a vital account, womp womp.
  • 59 0
 @brianpark: You imply there is a next level. Frown Maybe Pinkbike was at the pinnacle, maybe what made Pinkbike what it was was the fact you didn't have the resources. Getting the resources also means you need to get the returns.

I wish you and the site the best of luck, but more money flowing into things like this rarely result in improvements. It almost always involves appealing to a wider audience.
  • 37 1
 @brianpark: I'd rather Pinkbike crowd fund a race team than pay for it with mandatory subscriptions. That way those who actually care can feel invested, and those who don't needn't worry about it.
  • 23 0
 @kylar: Exactly, Pinkbike made the Grim Doughnut! That to me was a signal that something perfect had been created. Outside is probably going to have it destroyed because it doesn't align with their insurance policy.
  • 37 1
 100% agreed, I can stomach paying for the Trailforks subscription but once parts of pinkbike go behind paywalls that will mean the end of the site for me @Chief2slo:
  • 99 121
flag brianpark FL Editor (Jul 14, 2021 at 7:58) (Below Threshold)
 @Rigidjunkie: if we have to cancel the Donut I'm out. Razz

(The Donut v2 starts fabrication next week)
  • 6 0
 @snowwcold55: that was already a thing; Plus membership. But as you can see very few in the comments are plus members.
  • 71 1
 @brianpark: that’s a good metaphor because the 2021 Stumpjumper Evo is notorious for systematically cannibalizing any shock that is mounted to it
  • 10 108
flag jimmythehat (Jul 14, 2021 at 8:10) (Below Threshold)
 @brianpark: would love to know why so many downvotes on that, comments section is frequented by so many sheep it’s embarrassing
  • 32 0
 @eblackwell: Good point. I’d pay for more content from Cathro, Dan Wolfe, and others. But if I’m Cathro why not just own and monetize my audience directly through YouTube, Patreon, and brand sponsors. I just hope Pinkbike doesn’t go to sh!t in pursuit of the ‘next level’ like Whistler has after being acquired by Vail Resorts.
  • 101 1
 @brianpark: I look forward to a race team. Gaining access to the purse strings of a massive corporation will be a big step towards realizing some of your bigger projects. But it doesn’t come without it’s own costs. You now have consumers, shareholders, and a board of directors to keep happy, and shareholders don’t care about pinkbike, they care about dividends, and the board doesn’t care about pinkbike, they care about shareholders. I’m sure there are intricacies to managing a site like pinkbike that most of us will never understand, but, without attempting to sound too dramatic you’ve made the proverbial “deal with the devil.” That’s not taking a shot at outside by calling them the devil, purely metaphorical. I guess the point I’m trying to make is the growth that you refer to does come at a cost. You will unfortunately be subject to people from beyond the mtb sphere making decisions about a website that you (pinkbike staff as a group) have previously had a huge amount of control over. I wish you all nothing but the best and I hope this venture goes far better than most commenters are predicting.
Congratulations.
  • 23 0
 @brianpark: Just let me keep shit posting and I'll be happy
  • 27 0
 Pay for pinkbike?? Lol......!!
  • 23 3
 @brianpark: I KNEW THERE WAS SOME CONNECTION TO VEGETARIAN TIMES!
  • 35 0
 @brianpark: haven't you heard "if it ain't broke don't fix it"??
  • 141 2
 @gmiller720: For the first time in my life I wish waki was here to say something
  • 75 1
 @theoskar57: As a government worker, I believe the correct quote is "If it ain't broke, fix it until it is"
  • 40 4
 @DaFreerider44: I know waki was a little whacky but I always thought he generally provided some great entertainment.
  • 41 1
 @brianpark: it doesn’t need to go to ‘the next level’.
BS corporate jargon like this is what is killing too many good things
  • 5 0
 @DaFreerider44: check his Instagram, not many words needed to sum up this bullshit
  • 127 0
 Its been a good run indeed. But it leaves me with a bitter taste nevertheless to open up the website today to see this after having listened to RC's podcast yesterday. In that he states his opinion about how the crowd made PB what it is today and how no editor should attempt to change it, because it would inevitably ruin the community. And now we've got this. My favourite and pretty much the last "pirate ship"-type sports publication selling out to corporate media. Great.
  • 12 1
 @JWadd: Trailforks saved my butt out in the woods one day, so that's one I definitely don't mind paying for
  • 17 0
 @brianpark: Please tell us you don't actually believe that. This just can not possibly be the best way forward for PB. For all of the corporate bs that it most likely implies for the future of PB, you know it couldn't possibly be true.
  • 40 0
 This has a whiff of what happened at Deadspin: Great, successful independent site with a fantastic user community, bought by a VC-backed company that wanted to monetize it and take it "to the next level." They totally ruined the site, though in that case editors and staff quit en mass and started a new site.

Sadly it seems like here the PB editors (@brianpark at least) are cheerleading for the takeover. Paywall and auto-play video ads in 3...2...1....
  • 44 0
 Is it me or is the Vital site really slow with all the new traffic?
  • 62 7
 OMG What if they monetize Friday Fails Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
  • 18 0
 @kcy4130: I really hope so. Ive been wishing for vital to step up their game for a while now.
  • 34 0
 Welp, we still have Vital
  • 3 23
flag ne-spoked-b (Jul 14, 2021 at 8:50) (Below Threshold)
 @skierdud89: Good point, this could ruin millions of peoples lives behind their computer screens. Hopefully it will helps Pocket Outdoor Media create deeper Omni channel marketing campaigns across many brands and lifestyles. What if some of these people with pitchforks work at some of those brands ? What if their revenue goes up and pay ?

Holy cow, this could be a real conundrum.
  • 9 1
 @yoimaninja: Eh, I probably won't bother with the PinkBike buy/sell anymore. I have still been replicating my facebook marketplace posts on here, but all my recent buyers have come through Facebook.
  • 39 34
 @mammal: ha! nsmb = washed up old men testing bikes lololol
  • 51 0
 Grew up with pink bike when I became mountain bike obsessed in 2010! Part of the reason for me (aside from the comments of course) is that the design hasn’t changed all that much and the ads arent obnoxious like the other revenue generating sites. The consistency and familiarity was reassuring in this online era where everyone’s vying for clicks. But it was only a matter of time before PB cashed out and it’s time to move on.
  • 23 0
 @brianpark: Why does PB need to take it to "the next level'? It is doing great just where it is.
  • 31 0
 @brianpark: "taking Pinkbike to the next level"

Depends on what you do understand by "next level" being owned by a big company means that profit comes above everything else.
I'm afraid that Pinkbike will become another platform for industry adds.

Becoming part of a big group means loosing part of what you are, you're not independent anymore.

Bad news.
  • 56 1
 @brianpark: the next level is BS corporate domination. Kinda like mapping every trail on the planet. Why would you guys want to kill adventure and discovery? Because you can turn it into $.
  • 16 0
 ARRRGGGGGHHH!!!

Who's going to create Pinkbike 2.0?
  • 12 0
 @brianpark: Comments are going behind a pay wall in 3....2....1....
  • 11 0
 Let's see how long it takes until the content is run down to PR bullshitting and "premium" behind a pay wall.

I have seen this on some sites - if an article generates enough clicks, the AI gives it the "premium" sticker, so you have to be on the site all your time to catch the interesting news and comments for free - or pay for it.
  • 122 0
 In hindsight, the paywall on Trailforks should have been a red flag, it seems obvious now this was PB proving to VCs that a subscription-based monetization model could work with their user base. The lack of pushback there allowed this to happen, frankly. Downvote away, but we allowed this.

Much as I have lived on without Trailforks, I suppose I’ll live on without PB. Bummer though.
  • 35 0
 @brianpark: to the next level of being lame as f*ck.

All Vital needs is a better buy, sell, trade and there’s no reason to miss Pinkbike—at least for most people
  • 10 1
 @thedirtyburritto: always being unsatisfied, wanting the next best thing... absurd.
Pinkbike won't be the same ever after this move.
  • 25 2
 @ThePlt: It has already begun - half of the articles these days lack substance and real thought. They have become click and bait.
  • 6 0
 @robotboy: I'm 41, I fit right in. I guess your holding off for their move into the reality TV game then?
  • 12 0
 @sngltrkmnd: that's exactly what it means.
Some rich guys making more money no matter what.
  • 10 0
 @brianpark: why did it need to go to the next level?
  • 16 0
 @skierdud89: Does it really help Pinkbike or the staff?
I don't think so, it will certainly benefit Outside for a while, until nobody comes here anymore because of paywalls and so.

I sincerely hope the best for the staff.
  • 18 0
 @brianpark: "2021 Stumpjumper Evo World" insert new business model "paid partnership with Specialized Bicycles"
  • 15 1
 @brianpark: You thought you could get a privateer race team together during the uncertainty of a global pandemic?
  • 12 0
 The end is not a point in time, it a progression, like climbing a mountain, but in the case of online forums it has been a gradual descent into a hole ... bring a flashlight and some beer, it won't get any brighter. Wanna see what can become of an on line forum that has had an even steeper descent, look at MTBR or TGR. At least Pinkbike has decent content and they created Trailforks which is worth the price if you ride trails in remote areas.
  • 39 0
 @brianpark: Why not just be honest and say it's all about $$?
  • 34 0
 @brianpark: Shoulda just brought back the Pinkbike Card for added revenue.
I hate being told its about "growth", or the "next level" when its really about money.
  • 75 0
 @brianpark: I think a lot of the PB community are rightly worried, but I can see it both ways.

I would really like to see assurances that PB content as it exists currently will remain the free version, and that any pay wall would only apply for new, additional content. In your article you mentioned training plans, health videos, books etc and that would be a brilliant addition that I would pay a subscription for as it offers new value that you and your competitors don't currently have.

Singletrack, in my opinion, are a great example of what you should NOT do - the only content not behind a pay wall is of far reduced quality to what they did have, and the amount of adverts and pop ups makes the site horrible to use. I've stopped using it completely.

PB is more than a website to many of us, it's a community, in a lot of ways it feels like a tribe or a family. The thought of that sense of togetherness disappearing behind a pay wall, or turning into the free version of Singletrack, feels like I'm being robbed of something which I feel I belong to, and therefore have shared ownership in, even if only emotionally. I hope decisions are made moving forwards which consider us, the readership, as I can see this being a make or break moment for PB and I don't think everyone will stick in it for the full journey.
  • 1 0
 @conoat: I would say that is only true if your product sucks.
  • 20 3
 @the-Dude: pure corny click bait


The podcast is a prime example of how dire the situation has become. Shows about nothing and reaching for words to fill up 90 minutes or less.


It makes sense, however. Gain revenue streams, boost revenue with click bait, sell platform, buy a Tesla. Literally straight out of the play book. The next chapter is where the product sucks because either staff or new owners self destruct the brand
  • 8 0
 @brianpark: it might still exist on the free content, but there will be less engagement on the subscription based stuff when you'll essentially paywall a significant number of users
Look at Singletrackworld for example. You have to pay your membership to access their original content. press release articles and their forum remains free but it feels much quieter then before they switched their model.
  • 3 0
 @jaame: your employer will appreciate that though...
  • 22 0
 @brianpark: it won’t go anywhere if the content remains free. It will be gone if it isn’t free and only 10% of the current users pay up, while the rest of us go elsewhere. PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THIS!
  • 1 1
 @iliasalberto: I was thinking that. While I do read PB from my company PC I have resisted the urge to log in, because I know my productivity will fall dramatically.
  • 26 1
 @kylar: Your comment needs more upvotes. And should be taught in schools or something. If the world could sometimes as you say "just sit back and admire the cool thing you’ve built and go “yeah, let’s keep doing what we’re doing!”" it would be a better place. But instead we got told endless growth in everything is needed and possible and we somehow believed it because f*ck laws of physics.
  • 3 0
 @kcy4130: I went over, created a login and said "Hi!" in the Norco Sight VLT comments section. I think we'll be welcomed. :-)
  • 92 2
 @brianpark: I've been on the site since 2001. Moderator for 10 years.

I honestly hope for the sake of what this site means to the bike community in general that they don't mess with it too much. But the cold reality is companies like this tell you they won't... then they do because they think it will make them more money. You start throwing in paywalls and changing things up too much you'll start to see a significant shift in where people are going.

But I think that is avoidable and not something that's going to happen immediately if it does happen.

Cheers to the old guard.
  • 1 0
 @jaame: And now you wonder? You / We are the reason why.
  • 1 0
 @Texicans: Yeah man....
  • 1 0
 *double-post, derp!*
  • 10 0
 @brianpark: like everything.

Problem is yours/pinkbike's/owner's next level may not be USER'S NEXT LEVEL.

Internet is huge, I've seen sites been born, get huge and die. It's life cycle.

So, let's check it out, what will happen
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: until articles are in "you mus pay, to ser basic"
  • 4 0
 @pdxkid: money...money...and more money
  • 31 0
 I remember when surfline.com put out a similar message. Now all the "significant amount of free content" is a brand supported video or article that is a long winded advertisement. Anything that sparks interest prompts you to a login. "Winter wetsuit buyers guide sponsored by Billabong" hard to make an informed decision when all the choices are from the same brand.
  • 20 1
 Goodbye pinkbike
  • 16 12
 Really glad the iteration of this comment that includes the phrase "I fear change" is the one being upvoted over all the others
  • 33 1
 If you're descending in an elevator the level below the one you are currently at is the next level. Just sayin'.
  • 6 1
 @brianpark @mikekazmier @mikelevy - hope you boys are getting a phat raise!
  • 4 0
 @onemanarmy: all they have to do is read through the comments and see the level of love and the recipe to keep this incredible community, for the most part, intact.
  • 25 0
 VTVolk's comment is likely to end up being the most upvoted in the site's history. Shame he won't get the plaudits at the end of the year when PB do an article on most popular comments and hide it behind a paywall.
  • 7 3
 @kylar: If they would have stuck to what they've built, then we would not have field trip, inside the tape, the privateer or any of other stuff that wasn't present when Radek first started pinkbike.
No, I'm not a fan of subscription content, but let's just wait and see which content will remain free. We can still switch to all the other websites once the content section ends up behind the pay wall...
  • 42 0
 Most upvoted comments of the year:
1. Redacted
  • 7 7
 @brianpark: Where's Levy? Why are u only responding? Maybe your part of this whole thing......imagine if Pinkbike had a Purge......
  • 14 0
 Sad. Goodbye Pinkbike & thank you for so many years of great & free content. Frown
  • 160 2
 Radek once stated that PB would never be a pay site, ever. I guess that lasted 2 decades.. not bad really.

Unpopular opinion I'm sure, but for me PB content has been slipping for the last year or so. Volume over quality, continuous fluffy/data-mining polls, standout articles becoming fewer and further between. In all honesty, the comment section has always been entertaining but has now become the single biggest reason to hit the PB link in my favourites. Becoming a pay-site, and the affiliation with Outside will probably make me un-favourite, un-click and unsubscribe.

Thanks PB for being my daily page for 20+ yrs... it's not you, it's me.

No wait. It's you.
  • 8 1
 @brianpark:
>> I firmly believe that this was the best possible way to take Pinkbike to the next level

I don't doubt this, but I think it's a valid question: Does PB needed to go to the next level? What do you want to do that you couldn't before?
  • 4 1
 @Mntneer: I love the podcast. It gets me through my runs to and from work. Maybe just don't listen?
  • 6 2
 @dualcrownscottspark: LOL!! I bet we won’t be seeing anymore of those articles anymore. How long before downvote disappears?
  • 8 35
flag twozerosix (Jul 14, 2021 at 10:58) (Below Threshold)
 @brianpark: congrats to all at PB; change can be scary and I don’t pretend to understand the media world but evolution and progress is good.
  • 2 1
 @blackthorne: hopefully never, but I give it a year.
  • 23 0
 @brianpark: Here's hoping any inevitable changes are for the better, and any added paywalls are small and allow users to cherry pick only Pinkbike content.

I clicked over to Ouside, and yep- they have moving banner ads across the bottom (and often side) of the screen. One of my favorite things about Pinkbike is the style of ad integration... they aren't jumping out at you and moving while you try to read the actual content on the site. I really hope this doesn't change- it's one of the many reasons I come here over other sites.

Also, Outside+ is $100/yr ... if they try putting the best content behind THAT wall, I think you'll see a large number of folks jump ship.
  • 22 1
 @brianpark: If you take away the PB comment section from me, I am moving to Florida, starting my own website that will have a patheticly small amount of traffic and be logo'd with a similar, but slightly different insignia to the PB logo.

You've been warned.
  • 15 0
 @brianpark: well, but what if no next level is necessary? what if the status quo is just a great balance of variety, professionalism, enthusiasm, avdertisments and product placement? What if maybe some stuff got a bit too professional and could do with a little water down back to enthusiast level or skipped at all (yeah im looking at you, academy…)
  • 35 19
 @brianpark: you corporate hack sellout
  • 22 1
 just erased everything from trailforks, ciao mofos!!
  • 28 0
 @brianpark: typical employee response...
Save the BS...
  • 5 1
 Most people won't have the patience to recover their VitalMTB accounts - their system is a looping nightmare if you have ever used the same email account there. I'm just going to read my hard copies of Litter Mag until Sean upgrades the UX and UI over there.
  • 2 0
 @ksilvey10: Trailforks saved us a ton of wasted time trying out new areas, wouldn't have even bothering with the road trips without it. You take a turn, go a bit, then wonder if it was a wrong turn. I'm probably OK going to Strava, but I came to Trailforks and paid for the MTB focus. REI has one that's fee based, but it's a mish-mash of hiking and biking and lacking maps in many areas. And I definitely don't want hiking trails tossed in the mix to begin with.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Next level=
  • 19 2
 @bananowy: Yeah, I took one of those low key subversive courses in college that pointed out that we are in a closed system and our currently most successful economic model only really rewards growth. We need to find a way to reward sustainability and no growth past a certain point. Someday we gonna run out!
  • 2 0
 @SvenPixa: that’s a good point, but I’d say that those are evolutions of their past race reporting and reviews. And mainly driven by smart hires who made those things possible in their current model. Selling the business to an entity that will try to monetize it to fund a race team is pretty far outside that. I am always optimistic though! And won’t abandon till it’s actually untenable.
  • 79 1
 It is very Squamish of them to sell out to foreign investors and price out locals
  • 21 0
 @e-tav: Yup NSMB is where I start my day. I've stopped reading all the other media channels that Outside controls due to the paywall on most articles. Adios Pink Bike. It was a good run.
  • 29 5
 @mnorris122:
I agree. Everything is for sale. Your life and everything you see is for sale. Really depressing.
f*ck capitalism.
  • 42 0
 Is it just me or does it sound like Brian just went to a training seminar on corporate pr?
  • 56 0
 Man, how mad are the people at outside vc firm going to be when they realized that 90% of the traffic on pb comes from 50 guys with boring office jobs clicking refresh 800 times a day! I mean, not that I'm one of those guys or anything....
  • 14 1
 @islandforlife: Facebook… the bane of the modern human experience.
  • 2 25
flag Baller7756 (Jul 14, 2021 at 12:28) (Below Threshold)
 @plyawn: He already mentioned many things that the deeper resources will enable. The one I’m looking forward to is more in depth product (bikes, components, gear) evaluations, and comparisons.

Right now PB is at the mercy of what the manufacturers want to loan them for evaluation… now they will be able to purchase their own components and bikes. How any times have we complained that they only evaluate $8000-$10000 bikes? Now they can buy the $4000-$6000 builds and when they’re done sell them on Buy/Sell.
  • 3 0
 @Baller7756: Like Rtings.com?
That'll only happen with a subscription based model.
  • 23 0
 @kylar: Patagonia's founder agrees with you, and I think you are on to something. What's wrong with remaining as is as a company, and just being excellent?
www.greenbiz.com/article/patagonia-founder-takes-aim-elephant-room-growth
  • 27 13
 @Noeserd: Nope, I was just taking some time away from the internet Smile
  • 16 11
 @Smokey79: Hi Smile
  • 36 1
 "Pinkbike since 1998"

not anymore...

Pinkbike 1998 - 2021

RIP ?
  • 4 1
 @SoPitted: So True. I tried using Surfline after that for about a week and then haven't used it since. That was a few years back.
  • 6 3
 @kylar: not to go too lefty on here, but our hyper-capitalist system doesn’t really allow for that
  • 7 0
 @jaame: the comments section will die anyway even if they aren't behind a paywall if many on here won't pay or subscribe and read the articles and comment
  • 45 27
 Looks like everyone poured out their Red Bull and drank equal parts pessimism and haterade on their way to the keyboard. Like with Facebook, "If you're not paying for it, then you're the product". I don't know about you, but I don't like being the product.

Most everyone talking about monetization is thinking that means paywall, but it doesn't necessarily. This site has been running ads and therefore "monetized" for a long while now. Paywall is just another revenue stream that may or may not make more $ for the owner and may or may not be implemented. Time will tell.

If the editorial team sticks with the same passion and mission, I'm all in. Keep the faith @brianpark @jamessmurthwaite @mikelevy @sarahmoore @mikekazimer
  • 3 1
 @robotboy: says the washed up old man...
  • 1 0
 @Adamrideshisbike: So very true.
  • 1 0
 @Gatoqueso1:
Tell that to Facebook
  • 10 0
 @Chief2slo: I was so happy to see BETA arrive, only to hit my face on the pay wall. Haven't really been there since
  • 5 0
 Nft this yesterday!
  • 14 0
 I just looked at this beta thing, Les gets WC photo recap behind a paywall. That's what you really want pinkbike?
  • 22 0
 WTF - It’s like the whole f@#king world is pressing a self-destruct button!
  • 25 0
 @danielstutt: Yep, pinkbike was great because of the comment section. Vital, nsmb, and others have just as good of content if not better. The comment section is a community. It's like having a bunch of bike nerd friends. A few years ago I moved to a small rural town that has no other bikers. It's hours away from anywhere with an mtb scene. Before that I'd read pb lots, but never commented much. Even before the move, I almost always rode alone, and sorta resented it when trails were busy. I didn't think I'd miss being around other bikers. But, I sorta do. It's nice to nerd out about bikes in the comments with others who enjoy it. I'll miss that. If any content goes behind a pay wall, pb is doomed. Paying to be part of a community is like paying people to be your friend, or paying someone to be your girlfriend: it's pathetic and defeats the purpose.
  • 4 0
 @g123: I agree, to an extent. Oh well, It's been good Pinkbike! But popular community websites around hobbies always change over time. Time to look for some others I guess.
  • 6 1
 @everythingscomingupmilhouse: Come on man, you don't really buy into that on line community crap, do you?

These people don't give a shite about you, it's all nonsense, don't fool yourself.
  • 23 51
flag mikelevy Mod (Jul 14, 2021 at 14:40) (Below Threshold)
 @garrettstories: Thanks for the kind words! We're all excited Smile
  • 8 1
 @garrettstories: I'm with you. I've had an account since June '01. While it's natural to be anxious about change, I am not going to cave to cynicism and outrage. Also,maybe the paywall will cut down on the bad spelling. (kidding/not kidding)
  • 5 0
 I would be fascinated to know the plan for monetization. Surely the Outside execs realize Pinkbike is trailforks and the comments. There are some nice articles, but at the end of the day the content is just the toast/pasta/grits/appropriate-analogy-for-your-country.
  • 23 1
 @dirtforbreakfast: Cathro content is ten times worse since aligning with Pinkbike than his old YouTube days IMO
  • 17 0
 @kcy4130: Not too sure about that. Vital is a great website, but the comment section just is not the same as PB. The PB comment section is what draws riders to PB. The wild, wild, west of talking, joking, and debating bikes among other things. Where everyone's comments are visible and dashboard notifications. Basically the online version of chopping it up with your buddies about bikes.
  • 12 0
 Remember when Dirt Magazine was bought?
  • 5 0
 @Gatoqueso1: perhaps they should curtail growth instead of sentencing PB to death...
  • 48 0
 @mikelevy: Are you actually being payed to scroll through the many hundreds of comments that express dismay with regards to this deal and respond positively to the ones who are happy about this?
  • 9 1
 @jaycubzz:

Welcome to Human Capital(ism) We are the most valuable asset here and we are somewhat disgruntled, apparently.
  • 6 0
 @kcy4130: The Outside corporate brass would have had a smooth and believable presentation.

Short version to Pinkbike: You'll get more pay and have more capital to expand the biz! Think of the new opportunities to review more bikes and different components, and to travel to new testing sites across the globe!

And maybe it will work out, but it's unlikely I'll pay to be part of it.
  • 5 0
 @kcy4130: Did Pinkbike recently poll user's age? That would been useful data ... there's a demographic that would be more willing to get an Outside+ subscription.
  • 2 0
 @bcamapgnolo: thats a great article....now back to work.
  • 35 1
 @njcbps: Outside is a VC funded series B holding company from the looks of it. Doubtful they're flying editors around the globe and buying up stuff to test and review, but that was probably part of the pitch.
My experience with tech acquisitions, which this feels very much like, is that the new investors/owners are likely going to roll PB and Beta into one, and then GAIA and TF into one, after some time. Wouldn't surprise me if Beta just gets rolled into the PB brand, since it's stronger with the "core" demographic, I'm not too familiar with GAIA, but I'd suspect that Outside is looking at this like "we don't need two mapping applications". Unless Outside is hoping to IPO one day, which I doubt, they're probably hoping to package and sell their portfolio to a bigger player like Conde Nast, Rodale, Bonnier, Time Inc., etc.
  • 7 0
 #boycottthecomments
  • 14 0
 @Zach22: Nailed it - used to read a number of sites that have been acquired by Outside/PocketMedia and sadly they're all just a beige serving of the same thing. Climbing/Rock&Ice used to be quality media providers with diversity of content on the same subject but now you can't even tell the difference when you go to the sites. Look up any of their content names and it's the same ugly WordPress site - it's just a VC looking to buy up media sources and monetize them. I'd really be curious how many people would sell to Outside now after seeing what's become of brands/companies they'd spent years establishing.
  • 18 0
 Can’t blame u for selling out. I hope the employees were taken care of with some kind of kicker if they weren’t owners. Sucks that it is private equity since they will no doubt sell PB’s soul. That is an absolute given.

Anyone know why they grouped PB and TF under “endurance” on the Outside trophy wall? Seems odd to group along with Running, Cycling, et al. Is this a harbinger for future missteps?
  • 10 0
 This is gonna hurt... Once you get past the paywall, January 2022, they are going to have this comment as the the most upvoted comment... and its absolutely dawggggin them lol
  • 11 2
 @mikelevy: when you say "we" do you mean those of you who have shares in the company ? or everyone who works for PB ? I have a really hard time believing that you folks really feel so positively about this.
  • 14 8
 @adrennan: Like what has happened to Bike Mag - is it better now that's it's Beta? Will Pinkbike become Lgbtq+bike?
  • 27 0
 @krka73: The next level is corporate speak for more revenue aka “pay wall”
  • 38 0
 @DGWW: as someone who's been working for fortune low number companies and having been involved in both the giving and receiving end of the long shaft of acquisition, the only positive people are those who don't know any better and leaders who are saying it for morale. Shit rolls only one way.

Hoping for the best, for the staff, and especially for the community that's the backbone of what we all hope doesn't get paywalled into oblivion. The comments rolling in today say it all - rest assured VC isn't looking. Oh yea, f*ck Outside.
  • 28 0
 Welcome to the "Wholefoods" of the outdoor world. PB has been my go to fro nearly 20 years. Like VeloNews, Pelton, Rock and Ice, and Climbing, I'll get on with out it...
  • 24 0
 @brianpark: nervous? Hesitant? Worried?

You should be!

And I'm not at all 100% against subscription services, as I'm actually a BetaMTB subscriber, but mocfrom a free platform to a paid one will always be wrong. It will always alienate your users, it will always feel like your users got cheated.

It's a sad day, and while I get that we all have to eat, this was a bad decision and I'm pretty disappointed.
  • 7 0
 @chacou: you are correct. It is definitely a VC backed company right now. For the short term that’s probably a good thing. The current VC model generally concerns itself more with growth than profits. They likely will invest here in order to grow the user base. And they with use that growth in clicks and subscribers to pump up the valuation of the company.

But ultimately VC funds are not indefinite. The goal is to invest, build a company, and cash in. So the people owning the company just by nature of the business have no interest in holding it long term. The entire goal will be to either sell the company to another larger media company or take it public.
  • 7 0
 @brianpark: it is if the articles are pay-walled and no one reads them!
  • 6 3
 @ccrida-pnw: Does anyone read them now?...............most people go straight to the comments to be first to say "looks like a..........." I pay for the plus to have enhanced classified ads.
  • 18 1
 @mikelevy: Odd thing to say…since your job is literally to produce content for said internet. The Evil Overlords beamed you up and forced their blue milk down your throat…

(You drank the Kool-Aid. Though not to the level of Brian)
  • 6 0
 @mikelevy: yay, Levy has not left the building! We missed you man!
  • 3 37
flag adamdigby (Jul 14, 2021 at 17:59) (Below Threshold)
 @CircusMaximus: You clearly don't understand how business works, don't come one here and complain that Pinkbike is seeking to make more money if you don't understand the basic premise of profit incentive. STAY IN YOUR LANE where the rest of the slow riders drive.
  • 7 0
 I called this a couple.weeks ago pahahah what do I win? I said they'll start charging for content like they did with trail forks. f*cking sellouts
  • 9 1
 @DGWW: it was sold out for money so another company could make more money. Business 101.
  • 16 0
 @Chief2slo: I totally agree paywalls are BS and I won't be shelling out every month for a subscription to see your content. I pay for trail forks but if you try to bundle that with some +Outside nonsense, see you later. This reminds me of the "next level" that MEC in Canada tried to attain. Guess what happened a couple years after their restructuring and hiring their overpriced CEO, bankruptcy! I'd be glad to be proven wrong, but this is a well worn path you're on.
  • 2 0
 @eblackwell: it will mean much much less. Except high turnover
  • 4 0
 Also end of Trailforks… big $ has to get their fingers in everything.
  • 4 0
 Time for BUSTED SPOKE to be resurrected!!!!
  • 1 0
 @ReformedRoadie: So long as some of the content is MTB-related, I will be there all the way, Mate!
  • 6 3
 @garrettstories: how dare they utilize our data to sell to the companies that cater to our very niche industry to allow them to create products that meet our wants and needs while also providing the worldwide mountain bike community with a place to congregate off the trails all at a cost of nothing to us. I believe @brianpark mentioned MySpace…. After Mark decided to cash out and the VC’s started asking for money from “premium users” at the same time Facebook(Vital/NSMB) are picking up steam the OG of social media has been relegated to a waste of a web address. I see the same happening here. It’ll be quick and relatively painless and the PB execs can get their retirement and children’s trust’s funded and we will just have a new favorite site in a few months. Time to Vital to upgrade its servers and get ready for some new traffic. They’ve been posting the same articles onus some for a while anyway.
  • 5 5
 @brianpark: I always try to embrace change and wait for the results to speak for themselves instead of judging before anything has actually changed. I’ll keep an open mind and only shun you if things go south. Smile
  • 9 32
flag gnarlysipes (Jul 14, 2021 at 18:58) (Below Threshold)
 @thedirtyburritto: You wouldn’t have the joy of riding your sweet bike or commenting on these forums without a free market economy. Why don’t you read something other than Vox and CNN? Not all companies are crony capitalists.
  • 8 42
flag gnarlysipes (Jul 14, 2021 at 19:00) (Below Threshold)
 @jimmythehat: I say good riddance to all the freeloading losers on Pinkbike. I stopped coming here daily because I got so sick of the vibe from the user base. They’re bipolar.
  • 14 0
 *me in computer class trying to talk to other people about bikes after all pinkbike commenters boycott*

Me: Dang, XT wireless finally released!
Anyone: What’s that?
Me: Opens mouth to talk, then sighs at the massive amount of explaining needed, just for the person to stop caring half way through it.

You guys can’t all leave or I’ll never be able to talk to someone who doesn’t say dirt ramp or daredevil stunt master without years of explanation.
  • 11 0
 It’s quite ironic how much people spend on bikes but they won’t pay a small fee for online content… I fall into that category.

It’s all about the value proposition and paying for online content is a low value in most people’s minds, that’s why most will use you tube and be quite happy to stomach their ads
  • 4 0
 @wilsonians: but nobody will hear you (or anybody else) bitch if the comments are locked behind a paywall. If a tree falls in the forest...

But seriously, this could backfire if the core audience is alienated and jumps ship. I think hardcore MTB fans are like American NHL hockey fans - the ones who love it really LOVE it, but for the rest of the punters it's a passing fancy. Not the type to wake and fire up the interweb for bike-related content.
  • 6 2
 I just checked, and the E-bike content on BETA looks to be free.

So I'd guess we can expect the same here in the future. So as long as they comments section remains free we'll STILL get to waste hours every day bitching about ebikes!

Actually, even the paywall articles on BETA leave the first paragraph free. So really most PB commenters will still have all the information they need to continue to make the high quality "informed" comments that we are known for!
  • 17 0
 My Pinkbike hat is less cool now...
  • 5 1
 While I agree 100% I think the next steps are to…

To read the remainder of this comment, join Outside+!
  • 1 0
 @kylar: “A whole nother level”
  • 5 1
 Is it April 1 already, global warming has got way out of control like there was no winter but I'm pretty frosty on this
  • 6 0
 Im burning my camo pinkbike hoody
  • 1 0
 @ecbp: Pinkbike has been VC owned for some time now.
  • 2 0
 @matadorCE: exactly . . . That's where everything is headed these days $$$$$ we're all just cash cows now
  • 1 0
 @JWadd: I second this!
  • 16 0
 The suits at Outside right now; “Well that didn’t go as planned.”

Serious trust issue right now between this community and that brand.
  • 1 0
 @Rigidjunkie: we probably won't see MES race coverage eny more.
  • 13 0
 Well, yup been here almost 20 years, been real good times. These things never last, and frankly they shouldn’t or we could never truly appreciate what we had. The fun thing about PB is that it’s always felt really genuine, opinionated, loose and raw. That we know is going to be polished out. Oh well, there are a dozen other sites review the same shit, and there are other social media outlets. Cheers to becoming actual corporate sell outs, I really hope it lines your pockets well.
  • 12 0
 While I’d like to be hopeful, this purchase somehow reads to me: we couldn’t figure out how to get people to subscribe to Beta when people get Pinkbike for free, so we bought Pinkbike.
  • 3 0
 @ybsurf: It's all downhill from here.
  • 9 2
 @mammal: Last 3 articles I saw on NSMB were about e-bikes so I wouldn't exactly hold them out as a paragon of virtue.
  • 10 0
 @brianpark: I guess it is a case of "so long, and thanks for all the fish". I can't recall a bike media buyout that didn't result in the brand basically dying, because the new owners were seeking to press that juicy profit out of their acquisition...
  • 5 1
 @MOBrules: you mean its all cross country and e-bike from here
  • 6 0
 @5afety3rd:

Absolutely the same for me. This just puts PB to bed for me. Good bye and thanks for all the fish!
  • 1 0
 @chacou: I've used free version of GAIA for 4X4 trail mapping...it's OK.
  • 4 0
 @BEERandSPOKES:

Me: Who remembers MUDSLUTS (which predated MTBR.com)?

Y'all: "No one, ya old git!"
  • 6 0
 Exactly what i was thinking when i read that ... hope they don't break something good. They bought Pinkbike for the community ... there is a community for a good reason ... changing the buisiness model will be very tricky if they don't want to lose a big part of what made PinkBike today ...
  • 1 0
 @mammal: welcome back home
  • 5 0
 @DrTibo: they don't care, they just want money. Outside knows the amount of traffic and the position of pinkbike and they just want to capitalise it, no matter what.
  • 6 0
 "This is the first photo ever uploaded to Pinkbike. The image of Rob Stevens dropping off a bank in Calgary, Alberta is the perfect representation of what this site has always stood for:"

going downhill without control, either you win or you crash painfully which is way more likely.
  • 17 0
 Did you, pb team, thought "what if we just asked if people would help us achieve all our glorious project by giving us money, money we could ask for." In France Vilbrequin (youtube car channel) raised tonnes (more than a million) of money to build a 1000hp fiat multipla. Just think a sec what could have been done with pb community. Sad it won't happen
  • 9 1
 @brianpark:
Pinkbike was developed in a great direction during the last years. It has become the number one media for mountainbikers in the whole world. So I am very confident in your decisions as they have proven to be good ones in the past.
However I do have the feeling that going down the paywall rout just because everybody is doing it and PB is now part of everybody is a huge risk and has the potential to ruin the whole thing.
The greater the opportunity the greater the risk.
  • 4 0
 Sorry Pinkbike, I am not going to pay!
  • 15 0
 And to think, RC was talking about pinkbike being a pirate ship firing cannons at bike manufacturers who don't do stuff like putting water bottles in frames.

I guess the pirate days are gone.

I'm gonna go ride my 26" hardcore hardtail now while I mourn for the future
  • 3 0
 @Toddaking: noticed the grouping as well. Not a good omen.
  • 11 0
 I honestly think if Pinkbike becomes Beta (or any other paywall site with no comments, no community and no Buy/Sell), it could have a significant impact on high end bike sales around the world.

I mean, PB gets me excited to buy new gear. The comments section helps inform me, and the Buy/Sell is usually how it happens. No other media outlet really fires that stoke.
  • 3 0
 @tacklingdummy: Yeah, vital interface certainly could be better. But we'll figure it out.
  • 3 0
 @Zach22: pinkbike already has so many branded posts
  • 25 0
 @njcbps: Even in the (very unlikely) scenario that nothing goes behind a paywall, it's still not the same. Prior, our clicks and comments contributed to pinkbike making ad revenue and ultimately made money for Radek, an old free rider who actually cared about mountain biking and bikers. Now our clicks and comments just enrich some douche bag venture capitalist whose only interest in mtb is making money.
  • 6 0
 I just really hope that pb didn't force non compete clauses on everyone. So cathro, for example would be able go back to doing his own youtube stuff without having outside's lawyers sue him for all he's worth.
  • 15 0
 @brianpark: As cool as it would be to see deserving privateers get support, pinkbike starting a race team would be a conflict of interest. As a media company your job is to provide the best possible race coverage, not get in the mix. If you want to do more for racing, why don't you look at purchasing rights to stream WC DH coverage on the site, or at least post some more comprehensive highlights? How about taking a run at the video coverage for ews to actually capture a good representation of each stage? Spectators bring money, and growing spectators has a lot more in common with your core business than starting a race team.
  • 7 5
 @pistol2ne: haha I agree dude, I don’t get why people have to be SJW especially on a mountain bike website
  • 3 1
 RC leaving was the real beginning of the end. This is just picking up speed down the slide.
  • 1 0
 @kookseverywhere: hahaha yes!
  • 2 2
 @dwbaillar: this is a very good point, I would not be against paying to watch races through pinkbike if PB purchased the rights to stream events.
  • 12 0
 I remember speaking with an employee of the initial company who first bought Pinkbike a couple years ago, and shortly afterwards they monetized Trailforks. I still bought it, it's good value for me.
But THEN he mentioned the volume of sales that goes through the Buy & Sell each day "and it's not even monetized yet!". So get ready for that too. He seemed like the scum of the earth type of human who ruins all good things in the name of profit. And not for the hardworking employees who make the actual product great. Was sad to hear and to listen to. To all the staff of PB, I hope you guys are treated well during this.
  • 12 15
 @Smokey79: Hi Smile
  • 6 1
 @kcy4130: that comment about office guys clicking refresh felt like a personal attack.
  • 1 0
 @manitunc: Very true, however, FB's appeal is so much more broad than any niche website like PB. FB also, as far as I know, doesn't really produce content? I'm sure FB cost of doing business is astronomical, but they are also one of the few places on the net that reaches almost anyone in the world, meaning they can charge top dollar for ad space, and other multi-billion dollar companies are willing to pay that. FB basically breaks down to be a data farming company who's soul purpose is to spy on as many people as possible so they can sell your soul to advertisers every time you log in.

Now, if you will allow me to set off my soap box.... haha
  • 3 0
 @fracasnoxteam: totally agree. There are multiple examples where the users are asked for contributions, and it seems to work quite well in most cases. I am sure the more affluent readers would have chipped in.
  • 4 0
 @fabwizard: I am sure they'll try. But ultimately 99% of what people come to PB for is user generated content, event press releases/results and industry puff pieces
None of which should be paid for. Riders only provide content because they site does not have a pay wall, we pay by answering surveys and tolerating bike company articles and adverts. It worked well. I can't see anybody paying for PB content, it just isn't at the level of Vital or Enduro-mtb not even close.
  • 5 0
 @mccarthyp: I somehow agree. I am riding since the early 90s and after a hiatus due to children and work, I started riding more again some 10 years ago and the community at PB was a great motivator. It made me buy new bikes, numerous upgrades and improve my riding, mainly due to the user generated content. If this would be behind a paywall, I would not have joined and maybe even stopped riding. Access to PB and Trailforks made me donate to my local trail society. If inclusion and attracting more riders to the sport, was the goal, this seems like a dangerous move. I sincerely hope that the comments here are not going to be dismissed lightly and the impact of PB on the sport appreciated and considered in their decisions.
  • 6 0
 @mccarthyp: 100%. Its easy to forget that PB originated entirely on user content way back when -- I had an account but mostly was on BustedSpoke as a teenager being on a different coast. Now living across the Trump belt, PB has been awesome to have, but even as its grown I'm still not here for the media stuff as many others aren't either.

There are three core audiences with a lot of overlap: articles, forums, and buysell. I can live without articles but if either of the latter two go, I go with them. Monetizing forums and classifieds does not work, its a well worn path that ends up nowhere, but I wouldn't put it past some MBA to try to squeeze blood from a stone at the expense of an established community that's already generating ad revenue.
  • 3 1
 @VtVolk how’s it feel having the most upvoted comment of all time on pinkbike?
  • 4 0
 @kylar: Amen to that, sometimes evolution leads to extinction, or worse lol. Unfortunately when us humans start building stuff, we rarely know when to stop. Big, bigger, more more more.
  • 1 1
 Perfectly said. @pistol2ne:
  • 11 0
 @scotttherider: Right now we're trying to just focus on the things that matter most, like how we're going to waste so much time at work once PB is gone/dead/worthless spam. It's a team effort, and we couldn't have done it with out all of you. We're taking comments one at a time, and hope to keep this train rolling for as long as we can
  • 5 0
 @brianpark: kudos for engaging in the comments on this, but I think we’re all rightly very worried that Banshee to Specialized will turn out to be a very apt metaphor for the change in culture and content that results from this acquisition.
  • 3 0
 @ecbp: this. VC money doesn't care about the MTB community and stoking us out nearly as much as they care about their pockets
  • 6 0
 @brianpark: wow that got more flak than a lancaster bomber over berlin
  • 1 0
 @scotttherider: @scotttherider: VtVolk is now part of the Outside family! New bigger projects ahead! THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
  • 1 1
 @JDFF: cuz “America”
  • 1 0
 @DannyJB:

Not so bad since they’ve been providing the whole bike for free for years.
  • 27 2
 YOU GET A SUBSCRIPTION! AND YOU GET A SUBSCRIPTION! AND YOU GET A SUBSCRIPTION! Let us count the ways... Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, TLC, AMC, HBO, MotoGP, PlayStation, Apple TV, Disney, Pandora, Soundcloud, XM Radio, Podcasts, Patreons, Peleton, Trailforks, Strava, Carfax, shaving, tea, clothes, man goods, candy, meat, wine, dog toys and treats, groceries, make-up, every software known to man or anything worth a damn. Coming soon, features on the car you bought for tens of thousands of dollars. Fuck every last one of these companies.
  • 6 0
 @Sweatypants: Haha you used to pay $90/mo for cable - now you pay $10x8/mo for all the steaming services you want. All these companies are really "revolutionary".
  • 5 0
 @z5Levi: 133% the enjoyment, 400% the annoyance!
  • 4 0
 @Sweatypants: death by 1000 cuts
  • 13 0
 @Dogl0rd: Amen. I'm gonna end up in a cabin in the woods reading books and admiring pine cones on hikes the way this is going.
  • 8 0
 Just joined vitalmtb. See you there!
Is there a way I can delete my Pinkbike-account?
  • 1 0
 @schlockinz: What kind of hardtail? spill?
  • 1 0
 @chacou: pretty accurate
  • 2 0
 @Sweatypants: Sounds like maybe you should start with Walden
  • 11 0
 @chacou: Nailed it. The presentation to PB staff likely went something along the lines of "We're really excited to bring your expertise aboard and with our resources, you'll be able to work on all of the things you haven't had the money to. You'll stay 100% autonomous and make your own business decisions". Then after laying off redundant staff (anyone in administration)... six months later they'll start dictating what the content should be. one year later, rebrand/roll into another brand.
  • 37 0
 Other have posted this but it should probably also be up here in the top comment. . .

www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/biking/outside-acquires-pinkbike-cyclingtips-and-trailforks

"The Pinkbike acquisition adds considerable readership and revenue in the cycling space, and thus adds momentum to the company’s Outside+ membership program. Outside+, introduced this year, offers enthusiasts various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other offerings for a $99 annual fee. The membership revenues complement Outside’s revenues from advertising, creating a business model for publishing that CEO Robin Thurston said is more sustainable than traditional media models in the long term. Adding Pinkbike, CyclingTips, and Trailforks gives Outside+ more critical mass, making membership purchases more desirable for enthusiasts and providing more readership for advertisers inside and outside the industry, Thurston said.
“This acquisition is a key moment in fulfilling our mission to build a vibrant home where active lifestyle participants will discover a wide range of content and tools to fuel their adventures. We’re very excited and honored to welcome the Burkats and their team to our family,” said Thurston. “As a lifelong cyclist, I’m a huge fan of these brands, which are perfect complements to our own cycling titles—VeloNews, Peloton, Beta, and Bicycle Retailer—and to our recent acquisition of Gaia GPS, the dominant mobile mapping app for hikers, backpackers, and overlanders. The marriage of these businesses creates a truly comprehensive resource for all types of cyclists and outdoor adventurers.”


The ironic truth is I (and I imagine others,) might have actually considered paying an annual subscription fee for Pinkbike and Trailforks AS IS, owned and run by the people that currently run it, rather than some other parent company that will likely alter it in ways I simply won’t like, and definitely won’t pay for. (Look no further than the current, apparently permanent ad on Outside that takes up the bottom section of the page that you can’t even click to go away, for example.)

Pinkbike and Trailforks, (again, as is), are worth at least a few bucks a month to me but it won’t be if it diminishes or morphs into anything like Outside. It’s hard to believe that won’t happen.
  • 18 0
 @jeremiahwas: I'd say majority of the people in the comments are with ya - had they put $5-10/mo fee between PB/TrailForks we would have been happy to pay to continue this quality content. But to give that money to Outdoor feels about as good as pissing into the wind. I think I'll save my $99/yr and spend that buying some beers/coffee during a ride and support some other non-corporate efforts.

The sentence "As a lifelong cyclist, I’m a huge fan of these brands..." just makes me gag. It's just a token gesture to try and say "hey people, us vulture capitalists totally have the same interests as you".
  • 4 0
 @z5Levi: totally, that was my point a few comments sooner and I read that more and more people think this way
  • 12 1
 @brianpark: you f*cked it. this so could be avoided by reading one book, Small Giants by Bo Burlingham - Companies That Choose To Be Great Instead Of Big.
Cheerio PB it’s been a blast and hello Vital.
  • 6 1
 @brianpark: how much did you sell out for? serious question.
  • 7 1
 @brianpark: What was your price for ‘next level’?
  • 6 1
 @brianpark: it’s going to Vital sweet cheeks
  • 1 1
 @mensch-mueller: probably not but you should maybe see a doctor to get the knee jerk reaction thing fixed
  • 14 1
 As a Trailforks admin/ambassador i'm always happy to see more cash pouring in. The dev team really need more resources and the pro version was a step in the right way.

Now, as a Pinkbike reader and TF contributor, i'm very worried about the future and i'm in the wait & see category.

What will happen with the existing user content (photos, videos, etc..)? Will it be also available for all the other Outside publications? Same with all the future content (TF included). To be honest i'm not sure i would post/share any media on Pinkbike until this question is answered.

The other elephant in the room is how independent Pinkbike will remain. I still remember when Outside Mag declared that snowboarding was dead (with the drama that ensued) and i'm really not looking forward to that kind of editorials.
  • 12 0
 @Sweatypants: seriously, I get an e-stack of bills every month for shit that did not even exist 20 years ago, and it isn't chump change.

And I want someone to name a single publication that improved after Outside took over... I'll wait.

It will be a slow death for PB at first. But dead it will be, at least to me when it goes the way of all the others.
  • 5 1
 @inversedotch: I'll probably keep TF, as long as they stick to that promise of fixed cost for life when I signed up during the promotional period. I really don't have a better/easier way to plan rides at new trails, new locations.
  • 3 0
 @krka73: I've been seriously avoiding it. BeIn used to have amazing motorbike coverage and I have it on my cable package. Then MotoAmerica went to FS2, I'll catch it sometimes if I catch it, and MotoGP went to NBCSN and now only replays the main race like 10 hours later... I'll watch it if I'm up and I remember even though I already checked the standings. I'll continue to keep the pirating spirit alive. Its not even the money at this point in my life, its the principle. We "borrow" Netflix and Hulu and rarely ever use them. All these subscriptions do is make me realize how much I CAN live without something, and I realize my tv being on is mostly just background noise. I think its the opposite effect that all these companies think it'll have. At least for me. Most of its crap, and I'd be happier with a milkshake than another subscription to something trying to fill the void. Or I'd be happier giving money directly to the person making something worthwhile than paying overhead and admin costs to see it just the same. I like reading Pinkbike daily for sure and the comments are funny, but I'll just go look at everyone's instagrams or another forum just the same to keep up with what's going on. Its a take it or leave it thing because of convenience, its not dire nor necessary. The interaction is what's meaningful, the content while enjoyable is not that unique, cept for a few. Edits and shorts will reach people somehow, new bike news will reach people somehow, bloggers will blog, reviews while informative, also happen a dozen other places. If they stifle the interaction, well then...
  • 6 0
 @brianpark: Yes. The comments section of PB IS a huge part of PB. And while it may not be going anywhere as you say, I would suggest that what WILL be going elsewhere is the mass majority of comment contributors and PB faithful.
  • 7 0
 @jeremiahwas:
"The ironic truth is I (and I imagine others,) might have actually considered paying an annual subscription fee for Pinkbike and Trailforks AS IS, owned and run by the people that currently run it, rather than some other parent company that will likely alter it in ways I simply won’t like, and definitely won’t pay for. (Look no further than the current, apparently permanent ad on Outside that takes up the bottom section of the page that you can’t even click to go away, for example.)"

This.
  • 1 0
 @Sweatypants: with a VR headset?
  • 1 1
 @gnarlysipes: yup, stopped being fun years ago, I’m not gonna pay for a bunch of negs.
  • 4 0
 @skierdud89: it was fine when it was $20 to get Plus perks. Now @ $50, not worth it. But this is still off-topic - Pinkbike only works because it is full content for free.
  • 5 0
 @mikelevy: Is that your most heavily downvoted comment? -42 so far. That's up there with some of mine. HA!
  • 2 0
 Just a thought, why didn't pinkbike offer the business to us pinkers?

We could have raised at least $10.00 Canadian.

just kidding but part serious.



.
  • 1 0
 @fabwizard: you mean go the patreon route like all podcast nowadays? Perhaps but we don't know why they really sold. If it was all about the money, or about something else.
  • 1 0
 @scary1: never ever... until they force me to have sex like Demolition Man.
  • 1 0
 @adrennan: spot on
  • 2 0
 @MikeyMT: agree, people seem to not be realizing the payout that’s likely involved here. Basic human nature/needs probably all this is, not some lofty goal of “the next level”
  • 1 0
 @scottshowen: lmao. “Next level”
  • 2 0
 @VtVolk: so much modesty in this comment. I’m just wondering when outside is going to step in and derail this comment train.
  • 5 1
 @jeremiahwas: @mikelevy: why not post a survey asking before simply selling out?
  • 1 0
 @rosemarywheel: NS surge circa 2008
  • 1 0
 @schlockinz: tup Do you have pictures? and the word 'spill' above was intended to have an exclamation, not a question mark.
  • 3 0
 If Outside/PB introduces a paywall, no matter how small...hello Vital, MBR, Enduro, Singletracks. Plenty of options.
  • 8 0
 @Cmcrow76: If I were Vital I would have an article welcoming Pinkers.
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: I see what you are saying mate, however I’m sure a similar thing was said when Dirt mag was ceasing print production…the alternative was to receive a shitty digital copy, granted this isn’t the same situation but what I’m trying to say is that not all change is for the better, especially money is involved.
  • 3 0
 @scotttherider: Because commenters don't make business decisions for a site that provides freely distributed/ad-driven content. I'm sure only a fraction of people saying they'd pay a sub for content would actually pay for content that has been relatively free for so many years. Any purchasing company (Outside) has the benefit of guaranteed money to shell out, plus the normal acquisition lies of increased budget, autonomy, dream projects, additional staff, etc.
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: rough when the algorithm os censoring you from your own article.

I hope this story goes the direction of the, infamous Summit Sport of Whistler - Coastal Culture Sports, tale.
  • 5 0
 @chorpie: "Because commenters don't make business decisions for a site that provides freely distributed/ad-driven content."

See, but they actually kind of do. Because without the traffic and comments and people, those ads are worth dick. They GET ad revenue BECAUSE the commenters and people are here and because what they're putting out is stuff people want to see. Soooo... you can freely push them away, but then ad revenue will drop when they can't justify the cost to reach ratio any more. If the content sucked, well then same difference. Better hope those subs make up the difference in income.
  • 7 0
 @Sweatypants: Yeah but at some point in the past PB made the decision to grow as much as possible and sell to someone for gobs of money. That means all of their choices up to this point (content, hiring, etc) have been a means to that end. To make them look as good as possible to any interested purchasers so they can get the most money for an acquisition.

I've been through enough company acquisitions to know the standard spiel that comes across, it sounds like sunshine and roses until the deal is done. The owners get rich, the workers get laid off or beat into submission, and everything goes downhill from there.

But what would posting a survey bring about, aside from hurt feelings?
  • 1 0
 @chorpie: Pretty standard move so not completely out of the question by any means.
  • 1 0
 @kinematix: The answer to your question is yes.
  • 2 7
flag PartridgeSkillz (Jul 19, 2021 at 18:12) (Below Threshold)
 @brianpark: Brian, some of us trust your vision. I originally bought a subscription to Beta last year because I have always supported what those folks did for the entire MTB community; much as I support what Pinkbike and Trailforks does for the global MTB community. I even appreciated when my Beta subscription became an Outside one, since they still have a lot of value to bring to the outdoor community as well. I also think it’s pretty badass that my Trailforks subscription also helps out riders and trail groups in places like Eastern Europe or Turkey, not just NA or BC. So, looking at this beyond my home trails, I hope people realize that this is a great opportunity to strengthen a platform that is reaches the community in a way that benefits everyone. Here’s hoping it turns out beyond your wildest hopeful expectations, and looking forward to seeing what this unleashes. But out of curiousity, since I’m already an Outside + member, am I automatically a Pinkbike subscriber too?
  • 1 2
 @Chief2slo: Do you work for free?
  • 5 0
 @Super7: I certainly don't give an F about ebike content, but NSMB is at least 90% conventional mtb content, local to my area, and they keep themselves accountable in their opinions and what they publish. Also, not owned by a large corporate entity or headed toward paywall business model.
  • 13 1
 @brianpark: Honestly Brian, either you are entirely able to deceive yourself or you are already in full corporate b.s. speak!
Just for kicks, look at Outside magazine: take one from the 90‘s and one of today. The old editions were about the outdoors with lots of awesome writers and stories.
Today it is first and foremost about expensive, snobby style crap for rich people that are never outdoors but play pretend.
Outside is, for me, the prime example for a complete and utter sell-out of values and vision for lots of greenbacks. That is the road PB is going down now and your team-sponsoring blahblah for me is nothing but a pipe dream.
Let’s see who of your crew will be employed by Outside three years from now…
Why am I writing this? Experience of several buyouts as an employee - it was never pretty and in the end I was holding the bag. And yes, I have heard your future dreams frim several middle-management types, deluding themselves.
  • 5 0
 @brianpark: what “level” are you trying to get to exactly? Pinkbike, by far, is the monopolizing content platform for cycling. Pinkbike literally is to the mountain bike world, worldwide, as Google is to search engines. How can you actually get any bigger or visible?? You’re at the top. Stop being ridiculous
  • 1 0
 @Ryanrobinson1984: quality comment
  • 1 5
flag NorthCoastZack (Jul 26, 2021 at 19:00) (Below Threshold)
 @DannyJB:
I’m wary of all of this too, but let’s be real.
Every one of us would not think twice about having to pay $5/month for the ability to use our suspension or droppers if it really came to it. I do enjoy ridged bikes, but not enough to render my squishy bikes useless. I’d happily have 1 less beer a month haha.
  • 3 0
 @NorthCoastZack: don't joke man that shit is coming
  • 1 0
 @sngltrkmnd: Exact fact
  • 1 0
 @kcy4130: the form
  • 2 1
 @kcy4130: the vitalmtb forum format is horrible! Maybe if they improve it, I might consider it. There is no way they could compete with Pinkbike unless the editors leave Pinkbike and join them to help improve their site. There are so many mergers and companies being bought out these days and we never even know it, e.g., Google has bought out many companies and these companies continue to thrive and oftentimes improve and grow. Since Pinkbike is ran so well and there is nothing on the web that compare other than MTBR I can't imagine that Outside would disrupt Pinkbike, but if they did then those behind the creation of the site can also start another website similar or even better.
  • 3 1
 @kmsafety: Pinkbike editors do not design websites and develop user interface. Any skilled web developer could improve vital. Hiring Pinkbike editors would prob fill the site with endless dumb shit
  • 459 17
 Outside is dogshit and I'm looking forward to finding a new favorite site as large oversight and monetization decisions ruin the site over the next 5-10 years.
  • 206 3
 vital and nsmb for the content. pinkbike for the comments. it has always been the way.
  • 84 3
 Outside isn't bad, but man, it's like super high end outdoor stuff. Directed toward people who make/willing to spend ALOT of money on outdoor equipement. I realize this is a weird comment coming from a mountain biker where the monetary barriers to entry are very high, but Outside is rich for even my blood.
  • 57 1
 @adrennan: I bet vital and nsmb’s comments section blow up as the mass exodus from pinkbike takes place!
  • 181 0
 I for one welcome our new corporate overlords. Nothing like a faceless mega-conglomeration to really make you feel like you're part of something big.
  • 177 2
 Outside is insufferable. I gave up on their podcast after getting tired of having political opinions shoved down my throat. And no, I'm not a troglodyte, I agree with the 98% of the opinions, I just don't think EVERYTHING has to be political and I enjoy a little separation in my personal life.
  • 11 0
 @FMHUM: I'm sure we can drag them down to our level!
  • 28 0
 Now to remember my nsmb password....
  • 11 0
 @Adamrideshisbike: Amen. You are on point for sure.
  • 46 1
 outside will invariably get sold to whatever conglomerate owns tupperware, then hollowed out and sold to the private equity firm that desecrated Deadspin. It's a fitting end really.
  • 5 0
 @adrennan: This is the way
  • 44 0
 @FMHUM: I cannot wait to read and hear more hard hitting reviews that Beta has become very good at. Things like how that $200 shirt is their favorite jersey. Or, how their favorite shorts are $150. Or how the $6500 version of that bike is the one to get. They used to be solid reviews. I bought my current bike straight off of their review. Now, I do not care anymore.
  • 25 1
 @shredddr: you forgot the part where the PE firm then breaks it all up again (so the parts can focus on their "Core Mission") after they have sucked every dollar of profit out
  • 162 1
 @Adamrideshisbike: I am starting two countdowns today:

1. how many days until the first paywall?
2. how many days until the first 'ten best MTB mountain towns to retire in that you have never heard of' article.
  • 21 5
 Enduro MTB are probably the best alternative for reviews
  • 43 0
 @thedirtyburritto: Uh #2 is scary accurate. Outside thrives on click bait articles.
  • 21 0
 I was an avid follower of cyclingnews.com until they were bought out years ago. Their site went from a grass roots, no fluff, info source to the homogenized, corporate thing it is now. I am fully expecting this to happen here with Outside lording over things.
  • 18 0
 @thedirtyburritto: the apocalypse will come in a listicle
  • 3 0
 @Afterschoolsports: I know right? Ha ha. Same with Vital for me... probably just going to try and start fresh.
  • 5 4
 @jmhills: I think for as long as I have been following PB, they have always reviewed expensive stuff. Heck, 95% of mountain biking products are above what most people deem affordable.
  • 8 0
 @thedirtyburritto: Willing to take bets? I say six months to the first paywall.
  • 8 0
 @BenTheSwabian: Anyone able to set up a pool when it will start? 5 bucks an entry?
  • 9 1
 @Goocha05: Some of their content over the last two years has been great and I like their variety, but I kinda dislike their decidedly "enduro bro" hipster attitude. Not my cup of tea at all.
  • 7 0
 Need to check and see if they purchased each of us as well. Expect a "You now belong to Outside Corporation" letter in the mail...
  • 3 0
 @Goocha05: does Enduro even have a comments section? I totes haven’t noticed one. I don’t even have an account. It would be easy for them to pick up a few thousand members about now.
  • 8 2
 @Adamrideshisbike: Like the political agenda bullsh*t hasn't already made it's way to Pinkbike? Makes perfect sense now though - it was to ease the transition and make the change of direction less obvious.
  • 6 0
 @Adamrideshisbike: this is exactly why I stopped visiting Outside
  • 3 0
 @fabwizard: Im in! put me down for a 5er at 2 months. Price is Right rules???
  • 16 0
 @Adamrideshisbike: x2 - Politicization leads to further polarization, bikes need to bring people together
  • 12 1
 @jmhills: so many reviews are just crap now. One recent release had two reviewers saying a bike was playful with two more saying the bike was point and shoot - gee, I wonder if setup and riding style matters. Anyway, I'm dying to see how the new Outside will balance Pinkbike's hatred of Evil with Beta/Bikemag's insatiable lust for Evil.
  • 6 35
flag jclnv (Jul 14, 2021 at 14:05) (Below Threshold)
 @Adamrideshisbike: That’s what a transphobic racist member of the patriarchy would say.
  • 2 0
 the irony...
  • 4 5
 @FMHUM: Barriers to entry? What are you talking about? Like anything… there is a range of products at all price points. Anyone can get into MTB for a few hundred bucks. Maybe make a hard choice on the latest iPhone vs a bike? Check Craigslist, PB Buy/Sell. Like anything… have a goal, make a plan… and go after what you want.
  • 6 0
 @adrennan: I just came out of my commenting retirement just to say I will now start commenting on Vital just to piss all over outside. Now where dafuk is Waki?
  • 12 1
 @jclnv: sarcasm doesn't go over well with this crowd
  • 4 1
 @hamncheez: Tell me about it! Bloody normies.
  • 4 0
 @jclnv: y’all it’s just a joke not a dick don’t take it so hard.....
  • 3 0
 @Bikedude666: sounds like mountain bike action lmao
  • 2 1
 @jclnv: It's not a JCL comment if it's not downvoted to oblivion.
  • 8 1
 @Adamrideshisbike: I agree with you. I hate Outside with the passion of 10,000 burning suns. I cannot stand that publications Insufferable is the perfect word… and of course it’s headquartered in Boulder. We have no choice but to be wait and see what will happen to Pinkbike, but I’m not exactly optimistic.
  • 15 0
 @nouseforaname: True. I have three shadow accounts that I use to downvote myself.
  • 2 0
 @shredddr: Yeah, tupperware is junk. You have to get the Nupont-fiber woven stuff.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-cXK0OaeB0
  • 4 0
 @Gatoqueso1: This is true but if you look at Beta reviews now, and anything out there in Outside, EVERYTHING is the titanium version. EVERYTHING is the blinged out version. There are alternatives that are suit to purpose that are not the expensive version. Just look at their gear reviews.
  • 11 5
 @Adamrideshisbike: I respect the way PB has been non political, but now that they’re corporate I’m sure that will soon change. There’s a reason big corporations go “woke” and it’s because they can get their money at cheaper rates. It’s all a BS system where they get ranked by how many woke messages they produce. It’s why it’s so rampant ATM when we all know how hypocritical these big companies are who do it. Expect it
  • 3 0
 @jclnv: When you have to supply your own oppression. Very modern.
  • 4 0
 @nouseforaname: We’re all victims.
  • 2 0
 @jclnv: are you and @hamncheez dueling to replace waki?
  • 3 1
 @scotttherider: I still have that +500 upvoted comment about the $700 Enve pressure gauge!
  • 3 0
 @hamncheez: you must have spent days creating that many fake accounts to upvote that many times!!! But the real question is....did those accounts win you any advent or win it Wednesday prizes?
  • 5 0
 @scotttherider: excuse me I used a distributed bot system
  • 6 0
 Screw Outside. This is a terrible move from PB.
  • 3 0
 @eastsideride: Over 2.5k comments and I think you put it best. Agree with you 100%
  • 1 0
 @jmhills: Your probably right, I had never even heard of Beta till yesterday when all this came out, so I can't really speak to it. I have been accused of being a very optimistic person, so hopefully things wont change too much. Time will tell a suppose.
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: oh I see! Knew there’s a trick to it! The real question now! Did you win any advent prizes!
  • 1 0
 @thedirtyburritto:

Outside: The Best Places to Mountain-Bike.
www.outsideonline.com/video/ely-nevada-the-new-mountain-bike-boomtown

Bam. Nailed it...
  • 2 0
 @mattr: brought to you by the local tourism board. I know everything is pay to play, but I'll be skeptical if Outside+ tells me Moose Jaw is the mountain bike capital of the world.
  • 1 0
 @shredddr: I was commenting more on the timing than the content; I didn't even take look when it popped up in my feed.
  • 417 7
 Just make all the e-bike content paid content. That's the only demographic that's going to pay for Outside+ anyways
  • 35 4
 underrated comment
  • 15 2
 Toplel, give that man a cookie.
  • 7 0
 And give cstich 10% of the profits, because he first thought up this brilliant idea!
  • 2 0
 Yes, keep real MTB on this side of the wall. WhtEwalkers
  • 7 0
 @freeriderayward: I don't want that dirty money
  • 4 0
 @cstich brilliant. prolly right. Im hardwired to not pay for these things, I just see "subscribe" and shut down the tab.. let see if we can make thisarticle the most commented ever.. engagement out of anger.. we are just numbers somebody think can be monetized somehow I g uess..
  • 378 8
 I don't think I'll continue my Trailforks subscription if the money is going into Outside's coffers. Outside is primarily "outrageously expensive item is absolutely necessary to enjoy the outdoors and also saves the planet" content. Occasionally they'll have a good longform article but they're few and far between.

It was annoying that Trailforks played on the community aspect to get the maps and trails built up in their system, and then pulled the rug out from under you. Now they're part of a giant media conglomerate. Why should we continue giving them money?
  • 126 5
 Without trail forks making money off the backs of trail organizations and trail builders PB wouldn't be remotely worth what it is to larger companies looking for new investments. Trail forks was a well thought out strategy and was already an early marker that PB had lost its interest in being for the people and was moving towards just being for the profit.
  • 85 1
 I’m more concerned about all the trail associations (including my local one) who have embraced TrailForks as their official mapping platform.

It’s hard to imagine that a large media conglomerate buying TrailForks won’t somehow mess that up.
  • 42 24
 @atourgates: trailforks already is the epitome of capitalism. They make money off the backs of hard working people. The whole trail karma donation thing is just a way to look less shitty about what they did.
  • 78 7
 Servers aren't free... and TFs is still a far better service than mtbproject
  • 8 4
 @TheBearDen: Anyone know of the best alternative to TrailForks?
  • 24 1
 @bman33: Gaia is good. But I did just learn they are owned by outside as well haha.
  • 7 2
 @bman33: I'd recommend checking out MTB Project, but these mapping platforms are very dependent on where you are. I've found Trailforks and MTB Project to be the two most reliable and easy to use.
  • 1 0
 @lopagross: Thanks. I live in Bentonville now (used to be in Denver). Trailforks works great. I know about MTB Project, but haven't ever used it.
  • 10 5
 @bman33: yeah, it's called Strava
  • 23 2
 Y'all know MTB Project is just an REI property, right?
  • 68 0
 "we intend to map every trail in America, and eventually the world, so that Outside+ members can ride, hike, run, and ski with greater confidence and safety."

Safety is a premium feature. Because of course.
  • 8 8
 @salespunk: I new the Strava comment was coming. Yes it works well ,but damn I just can't disconnect it from all the d-bag 'Stravaholes' / a*sholes I know and have seen using it. I know plenty of normal non d-bag folks use it as well....but, Crap....
  • 44 0
 Just wait until you don't have the option of subscribing just to trailforks. At some point the only option will be subscribing to Outside+, where you'll be paying for all the shit you don't want to get the one thing you do.
  • 8 0
 @teagues: not anymore, they're independent again
  • 24 3
 @teagues: except rei is an awesome company. Outside is just venture capitalists seeking a buck in their hobby land.
  • 3 0
 @teagues: I'm pretty sure they split up last year, and Adventure Project has yet to announce a new partner. It seemed like a mutually beneficial partnership, and really helped AP grow over the past few years without forcing consumers to really pay up.
  • 4 7
 Have you seen the prices of Mountain Bikes? Helmets? Gear? Shoes? Parts? I sold a vehicle to buy my bike, and it was low on the spectrum of what you can spend. I get how annoying the disconnect that these publications can have with what is actually "affordable" to the common people, but mountain bikers as a whole have long accepted the cost of things. In MTBing, everything is high end.
  • 6 0
 @bman33: there are far less strava dicks than people make it out to be. unfortunately for people who build secret/special trails, its a really great way to find those secret gems, and also make routes. trail forks was never good for any of that. just remember to turn your heat map off.
  • 4 5
 @newbermuda: Trailforks is amazing at making routes and ride plans. Find a ride log and load it into the app.
  • 28 1
 as a paid employee of a nonprofit who has targeted trailforks as a part of our regional tourism strategy, I am concerned. some one better be busy downloading all the free data we provided to trailforks over the years.
  • 2 1
 @Sharonb: agree to disagree.
  • 4 0
 @bman33: trailguide.net

Just needs users on the other side of the pond.
  • 13 0
 And I just bought a bunch of Trailforks swag for the 4th of July sale. Can I return a used bottle and hat for a refund?
  • 8 61
flag canadaka FL Mod (Jul 14, 2021 at 10:20) (Below Threshold)
 @JoeDick: The brands Outside owns operate pretty independent from what I understand. I don't see things changing much for Trailforks, besides some shared resources and subscriptions. The possibility to work with Gaia on some shared resources and features? Trailforks will be able to hire more staff. Trailforks was doing well before this change and all the people behind Trailforks aren't going anywhere.
  • 52 1
 @canadaka: never, in my career of working with/around PE/VC companies, has their ownership meant “hiring more people.” More often it’s making those already there work more/longer until they crack, squeezing every last dollar out until it’s dry. Expect turnover, and chaos.
  • 10 0
 @TheBearDen: I did not know this but it does not surprise me. Outside is probably run by elite Wall Street money launderers and they need all these places to hide their clients drug money.
  • 1 0
 @lopagross: adventure project was bought by OnX
  • 30 1
 I never was really into Trailforks. I never found it more useful than Mtbproject, komoot, Strava, and osmand. Using those depending on your needs provide more useful mapping and discovery tools. When Trailforks went to a pay model I stopped using it. I already pay a subscription to Strava and have a lifetime membership to Komoot. That is enough for me. I did however leave my auto upload enabled for Trailforks so the data could continue to build the tool for the community and those that did find it useful. Today I logged in to my Trailforks account and disabled the auto upload from Strava. If a mega corporation wants to profit off my back they need to pay me. I don't mind contributing to a community, but I'm out when it comes to helping the mega corporations squeeze every last dime out of my favorite outdoor activity. I encourage everyone to turn off their auto upload for Trailforks. I also look forward to our new corporate overlords censoring and blocking my account for saying this. It's been a fun 20 years Pinkbike, but I'll be surprised if your in my daily future for much longer.
  • 21 0
 @canadaka: the craziest thing about trailforks, is that it relies heavily local sourced information, all given by users…. And it started costing money to the users who kept the app running in the first place. That rubbed me wrong so I started giving Strava my money and using the heat maps.

Same thing is going to happen with PN
  • 3 0
 @justinroehlk: I don’t understand how to use strava as a trail map. All I see are segments scattered all over the place which make no sense.

Someone help m
  • 18 0
 @canadaka: We spend time and money on trailforks for the end user. It is a good platform but the fact that you took a user/club generated data base and started to charge a user fee for it with out any reasonable consultation with the clubs who have been populating the database is a red flag. This deal does not make me feel any better about it.

If organizations are going to continue to put effort into trailforks , the end user should not be paying trailforks with out some option for the trail organization to either spit the user fees or have a way bigger incentive for trail users to donate to clubs. currently we make about $30 a year though trailforks donations.

There were suggestions for having regions open to users via a local tourism boss fee. this was brushed off as too hard to implement. If you want to continue to have clubs spent time and money on the platform these concerns have to be addressed.
  • 6 0
 @Sharonb:
You cannot even map out a ride on the Trailforks app - only select uploaded ride logs or single sections of a trail. This should be a top 3 function, and is unacceptable in an app that is $40.
  • 3 0
 @SvenNorske: You can certainly map out rides on the website - which is where I would choose to do that kind of work, anyway.
  • 5 0
 @jayacheess: Like I said, ridiculous considering how many people don't even use a computer anymore, especially while traveling. I've been to many new trail networks, got some great suggestions on routes from locals, and then realized I can't even map it out. Many route changes and adjustments happen while traveling, at the trailhead, or while riding.
  • 3 0
 @mtallman2: Yes, the company I work for did just that. They call it 'Lean Manufacturing'.

Total BS.
  • 2 3
 @SvenNorske: Fair, yeah. It would definitely be a nice feature to have. Still, I'm surprised that people travel without a laptop or a tablet or some kind.
  • 1 0
 This kerfuffle reminded me to cancel my Early-Adopter $17.95 Pro TF account. I only wanted to help pay PB employees' salaries..... I really only installed it to access a new massive trail system (Mt Bachelor/Bend) because I had no experience there. Didn't need it or use it at all. There are lots of free maps.
  • 6 0
 Yep, I really feel for the people and especially organizations that invested a lot of time and effort into Trailforks. With this deal it definitely ranks as one of the bigger bait and switch maneuvers on an enthusiast community I am aware of.
  • 6 0
 @sspiff: I couldn't give two shits if servers cost more than lumber.
What they did was f*cking slimey.
  • 4 0
 @knutspeed: yes I find it much better to use round here in Europe than Trailforks Smile
  • 2 0
 @ESKato: I really like the lean & fast ui and that popular trails are named like they are known and not cut into 5 pieces so I can download them right into oruxmaps and don't have to deal with the sluggish and badly readable trailforks map
  • 286 5
 Looks like I am going to have to choose between a pinkbike subscription & my onlyfans subscription. This is not the type of pressure I needed mid week.
  • 291 1
 @cyclebean I'm using my OnlyFans to pay for my pinkbike subscription. Get comfortable selling feet pics, bro.
  • 9 6
 @snowwcold55: this is a gold comment man!!!

@cyclebean: I think you’re on the right page here. If I’m paying for content I want the option to see tits! Take not outside!
  • 14 1
 @snowwcold55: Feet? You don't know $$$$ until you let yourself free and really turn up the dial on ankles and elbows..... Big Grin
  • 19 0
 @snowwcold55: is there an athlete's foot fetish out there?
  • 7 0
 @snowwcold55: this comment hurt my ribs so much.
  • 9 0
 @giantwhip: I read an AMA from a ballerina that said she gets paid (significantly) more for feet pictures than from performing. Ballerinas’ feet are friggin gnarly, too.
  • 7 1
 @giantwhip: oh no - now I’m realizing you might not have meant foot pictures from athletes but instead meant fetishized pictures of fungal infections. I’m not sure which one would bring more money…
  • 4 0
 @sjma: ya I went full gnar there. Sorry about that
  • 5 0
 I got some nasty looking toe jam infested hairy Frodo feet, how much can I make?
Pinkbike is O.F. Vital is Pornhub. Long live the Hub!
  • 3 0
 @sjma: how bout we do it all - athletes’ athletes foot
  • 262 1
 Thanks Radek. I've spent countless hours on your site. Genius idea, great job. Now go make a purplebike so we can all move over.
  • 49 0
 I’d bet a large sum of money he has signed a non-compete agreement as part of signing this deal.
  • 5 0
 @scotttherider: Yep, you're probably right. Hopefully others, folks on here that are way more talented, and more technologically versed then me, with pockets of a certain size can put something together. This sale proves a site like this can be profitable.
  • 4 0
 @scotttherider: 3 years at best, give it time.
  • 26 0
 @Pinkishbike
  • 12 0
 #Blackbike \m/

This is a Varg killed Euronymous moment.
  • 11 0
 Vital for race coverage, Enduro for reviews, NSMB for nonsensical ramblings, literally all Pinkbike had that was special was comments, so hopefully the community settles somewhere else outside a paywall.
  • 5 0
 @L0rdTom: Comments will never be the same even if there will be no paywall
  • 1 0
 @scotttherider: yep. Savy users realize the thing to hope for is that outside takes long enough to screw it up so that all the noncompetes run out before we’re left with nothing.
  • 224 1
 Remains free: sponsored content. Behind a paywall: everything else.
  • 23 0
 This is so true.
  • 15 3
 Porn is still free. I'll take glory holes over paywalls every day of the week
  • 12 0
 @Boardlife69: I would be hesitant to use a free glory hole....just saying. Big Grin
  • 9 1
 @bman33: Just spectating from safe distance......unless you know where one might be,....for a friend of course.
  • 3 1
 @Boardlife69: of course Big Grin Big Grin
  • 221 2
 "In partnership with Gaia, we intend to map every trail in America, and eventually the world, so that Outside+ members can ride, hike, run, and ski with greater confidence and safety."

What a genuinely horrible and frightening idea.
  • 69 1
 Yeah f*ck that. There’s something to be said about going into the woods with no phone, no strava, just to (responsibly) get lost
  • 63 1
 Looking forward to finding dehydrated food bags, trampled foliage, and Insta "influencers" in their big hats and native pattern print on all the trails!!!
  • 76 1
 Nothing says unspoiled wilderness like thoroughly mapping every square centimeter of the planet's surface for your subscribers.
  • 29 0
 Even regardless of that being something intended for Outside+ members only, I still don't think that every trail should be publicly available... Some things are better off unknown to most people, y'know?
  • 10 0
 @Peally: @MtbRacer97: I was reminded of the Radiohead song Fitter Happier for some reason. Like a pig, in a cage, on antibiotics.
  • 16 5
 Right now Trailforks hides trails that the area managers keep hidden. I wonder if Outside+ members will be able to pay for the privilege of full access down the road?
  • 8 0
 @j-t-g: tf also hides trails they don’t want the land managers to see. I think if they were forced to show those trails, they’d disappear.
  • 17 39
flag canadaka FL Mod (Jul 14, 2021 at 8:45) (Below Threshold)
 @j-t-g: no way that will happen.
  • 14 0
 @jmhills: The nasty virus has pretty much caused this already where I live. A lot of people, who would have otherwise only hiked to the next coffeshop, are flooding the trails and forests. Most of the time without the first idea on how to behave themselves in nature.
  • 48 0
 I would love to see more access to outdoor spaces for everyone. I think a better relationship with outdoor spaces and healthy living could offer a lot to the world. However, I do not see any altruistic intentions in corporations like Outdoor. They are a business. I think the quote would better read: "In partnership with Gaia, we intend to map every trail in America, and eventually the world, so that we can make money from it. The financial model is simple- we own the maps that users generate for us and then sell it to people with little maintenance costs or upkeep. Everything can be sold- including access to natural spaces. We don't maintain trails, get our hands dirty, care about traffic in sensitive areas, whether or not people have the skills to manage themselves in those spaces... it just doesn't matter to us. Maps are commodities and we will sell the s$%t out of them. F$%^ you all. Daddy needs a new Tesla, Patagonia puff and craft Kombucha."
  • 9 0
 Seriously, something about that just sounds wrong and evil on so many levels. Wonder what they'll do when they exclusively hold all that data.
  • 20 0
 I just disabled my auto upload to Trailforks. If mega corps want my data they can pay me. I'll contribute to a community freely but not to our corporate overlords.
  • 2 0
 @georgiamtbiker: how exactly did you do that, like on strava or TF? Mine still auto logs and it's kind of annoying since I've got it super private on strava. Had it setup for that July 2019 ride everyday challenge and now I can't tell how to turn it off. Or do you have to be on a laptop? Thanks!
  • 5 0
 @DylanH93: If you log onto TF on a computer you can find the area to remove the auto upload from strava in the Ride Log section.
  • 1 0
 @georgiamtbiker: F**k yeah, smart move.
  • 3 4
 @BenTheSwabian: It's great that more people are outside. If it's getting too busy, try, whenever possible, going out in the early mornings or evenings, week days, cold days, etc. Try and not to judge who deserves or not to be there.
  • 4 0
 @person-named-john: Sometimes it's the adventure, right? Seems everybody wants certainty anymore. This is why fast food, Starf*cks and Outside+ reign supreme.
  • 1 0
 @georgiamtbiker: thank you!!
  • 193 1
 TLDR: "While our long term business model will evolve, a significant portion of our content will remain free"

That's all folks.
  • 13 1
 I'll bet commenting will require a subscription - which is why many of us come here in the first place
  • 9 1
 They'll make an App and it'll be for free BUT comments can only be accessed with a paid subscription. Now,... the question is:

How much is the PB Comment section worth to the users?!?
  • 8 25
flag mikelevy Mod (Jul 15, 2021 at 15:17) (Below Threshold)
 @SHREDWORX: all the jumping to conclusions.
  • 164 0
 Ain't that ironic after last weeks podcast with RC talking about how the value of Pinkbike is that it is "owned" by the users. All in all I think this will be the beginning of the end for Pinkbike being different than other websites in any appreciable way. All the actual interesting content will be hidden behind paywalls, and all that will be left is souless "tests" (aka ads).

really makes me almost wonder why I paid for trailforks, or bought merch from PB in the past year. and I will certainly be reevaluating that going forward. The fact that I knew my money was going towards supporting the editors and staff of a website/service I used frequently made me happy...now its just going to be a tiny contribution to the Outside coffers. I grew in Calgary, surrounded by the very people who made this website as idols, and have been a part of this website from the very early days. Looks like its back to scouring NSMB for actual content with some heart.

I'll try to be hopeful. but experience tells me otherwise.
  • 30 0
 Couldn't have said it better myself. Having ties in Calgary and BC, and starting mtb'ing right when they launched, I've felt I was a part of PB since the beginning. It's changed over the years, but the community vibe didn't leave, it wasn't owed by the "overseer", and that was obvious in most of the decisions made. That feeling is officially dead. And yeah, great point about PB merch... Who the F wants a corperate website Tshirt or hat?

I also don't buy the "we need to make sure our employees are taken care of" stuff. They were obviously doing just fine over the past few years, and I highly doubt this was a decision that most staff was pleased with.
  • 20 0
 @mammal: it really was what set them apart from the rest, there really isn't many websites that had the community like PB did. What they did for our local riding scenes was incredible, I think a LOT of BC and AB shops can thank them for getting so many kids stoked on the sport. I remember being a grom at the skatepark and downtown Calgary watching these crazy dudes trying to bunnyhop their 50lb bikes onto C-train platforms and being so excited. then being handed a pinkbike sticker from Radek himself...by that night I was a user on the forums (even though i was probably too young to be unsupervised on the internet). and Begged my parents to help me get a Specialized p2 to upgrade from my Bargain finder (god im dating myself) BMX

I'd be lying if this whole thing didn't hurt a bit. Over the years we were "promised" by PB they would not sell their soul to some conglomerate....and here we are. Its not that I don't understand why they chose the road they have, and good on Radek for essentially living the dream "make a company so big you get bought out" ....but just sad times.

Anyone know how to remove silk screening from t-shirts? I like some of my shirts images, but I am not about to advertise for Outside to make more money.
  • 8 0
 My thoughts exactly. Listened to that podcast just yesterday and opened up PB today to see this.
  • 13 2
 Makes Richard Cunningham look like a liar or a damn fool.
  • 60 1
 @suspended-flesh: I first learned about the sale of PB on this post as well. Still thinking it through...
  • 14 0
 @RichardCunningham: Then I respectfully retract my damn fool remark.
  • 9 0
 @RichardCunningham: ....and to clarify, I retract my OWN damn fool remark and am not calling you a liar. Cheers!
  • 10 0
 @RichardCunningham its not your fault your a MTB oracle! you made great points and the timing of it could not have been more fitting unfortunately. too bad Radek didn't listen to it before finalizing the sale...might ahve made him have second thoughts about it.
  • 167 0
 I want my survey answers back
  • 9 0
 From now on the poll option to just see the answers will be premium content.
  • 41 0
 I did wonder who was going to benefit from all that targeted consumer research. Now we know
  • 6 0
 hilarious
  • 14 0
 Lol I actually felt kind of cheated about that. I wasn’t answering that survey for Outside.
  • 2 0
 @johnnyboy11000: I'm not enthused to know that either, and like others wouldn't have offered my free information to them.
  • 130 2
 Fuck outside, literally one of the biggest factors in overcrowding as far as tourism industries are concerned
  • 78 2
 YES, THIS. I'm not a grumpy person, but I have a deep DEEP old-man-grumpiness toward Outside for all their "Top 10 Secret Trails You Should Go Ride Right Now" style articles.
  • 43 0
 "In partnership with Gaia, we intend to map every trail in America, and eventually the world, so that Outside+ members can ride, hike, run, and ski with greater confidence and safety." This certainly doesn't help.
  • 39 0
 Yeah if you have ever had the displeasure of reading a "best 20xx ski" review from outside, it's very clear how they work.

"Our testers have spent x days in [insert name of a huge mainstream resort, a smaller and lesser known very good resort and a popular touring zone] testing this ski.(Random midwidth ski) will allow beginners and experienced skiers to slay the slopes and the powder with confidence in and out of the resorts."

So now you will read something about the best bike of 2024 (specialized something) that was tested in whistler, and on a some rather secret trail in WA or CA and that performs very well for XC, trail and DH and that is perfectly suitable for beginners and experienced riders.
  • 26 0
 @person-named-john: This is terrible. I have a problem with a company that brands itself as an environmental leader yet pushes over-tourism for their own profit.
  • 6 0
 Their reviews are terrible. A list of where not to go.
  • 7 0
 @sarahallen: their cognitive dissonance is showing
  • 4 0
 @zede: deer lord this perfectly worded summary of Outside made me gag
  • 9 0
 @sarahallen: yup, their best “towns to live in” or best “towns to retire in” have fvcked cool towns for ages. It was always the mark of death for any place cool.
  • 6 0
 @ryd-or-die: I must know more of this "deer lord" lol
  • 4 0
 @Stoaks: with the new low price Outside+ subscription we offer you will know the deer lord intimately
  • 110 0
 Gross. There goes the cool vibe, now we go corporate and as a brand, Outside sucks.
  • 17 12
 PB lost its cool over a decade ago.
  • 21 0
 @atrokz: Levy is cool, Kaz seems alright. That's all I've got to say.
  • 99 0
 Self-centered concerns about my enjoyment of the site aside, it is important to really call out that ownership of PB is now in the hands of a US-based, venture capital-backed media house. While I'm sure there is no shortage of crappy employers in Canada it is hard to overstate to the PB crew how much a company like Outside IS NOT YOUR ALLY OR YOUR FRIEND. Your value to Outside will still be measured in page impressions, engagement, comments garnered, and word count, but the people doing the measuring are looking at the value with a more dispassionate eye than the current bosses. You've become significantly more expendable, but they still need your expertise to prop up the the authenticity they purchased. Please sell that expertise as dearly as possible. Be as ruthlessly corporate in your advocacy for yourself as they will be in justifying their own decisions. Finally, please, don't ever, ever let any of your current staff get demoted from employee to contract status. This is America, and you know damn well they're going to try it. Godspeed and good luck.
  • 15 0
 If they have any sense, they will be calling all of their industry contacts to look for a soft landing.
  • 20 0
 One has to wonder if the wave of recent hires, including ones from overseas, knew this was coming. Man, would I EVER be pissed if I moved to a different continent for a dream job and then the employer changed ownership within a month and now I get to be part of a huge conglomerate. Or maybe that level of potential compensation is what lured them? (I have no idea what I'm talking about, but it sure is juicy to speculate)
  • 8 0
 This should be at the top of the comment section for this article.
  • 11 0
 @87vr6: agree.

The point about the money being based on the USA is huge. The last thing these guys want is “controversial “ comments sections. Nice knowing y’all.
  • 4 1
 I think we also need to make the distinction here between a Venture Capital Company and a Private Equity company. I've seen some comments here that suggest people think they are the same thing. Truth is they operate on a very different model.

Private Equity or Buyout firms are the ones that often really run a company into the ground. These firms buy existing companies, usually struggling ones, and often bleed them dry. These are the ones where you see the extreme cost cutting, excess debt, etc.

Venture Capital on the other hand is growth oriented. These investors are looking to invest in something small and grow it. In this case its a media company that's growing by acquisitions. The general VC model would suggest that there will be alot of investment up front, and not much worry about actual profit for right now as they can just burn through the VC cash. They will almost be exclusively focused on increasing users and page views as that growth is what will drive the increase in company valuation (which is a VC's main focus).

So in the near term I don't see a total disaster in terms of layoffs, restructuring, etc. It will probably be just fine for the employees in the short terms. Its a few years down the road when it comes time for an exit strategy that may be the problem. VC's are not indefinite and they will look to either sell the company or take it public at some point. That's just the way it works. VC investment is temporary and there is always an exit plan, whether it be acquisition, IPO, or just straight pulling the plug if the business sucks.
  • 2 0
 @sino428: Sorry but I don't think you understand what PE is. PE owns the majority of business in the US... Hence the company isn't publicly owned/traded. PE takes on many shapes and sizes. Sometimes its a family business that owns a few restaurants or small businesses. Sometimes they own a portfolio of small and medium size businesses across a variety of sectors. Sometimes they make early stage investments (i.e. VC). Sometimes its a more of an LBO firm... It's all PE and they ALL use their capital to borrow money to buy/invest businesses they own. It's financially irresponsible not to with the current tax structure and interest rates, which is a whole other issue.

I get that people have bad experiences with some PE backed businesses. I have to. Ownership screws up and makes poor choices like all of us do from time to time. However, it's not reasonable to say that the dominate capital structure of US companies "really run a company into the ground." On the whole most shops do a good job for the business and provide them capital and expertise to grow which is why they are able to raise trillions of dollars to buy companies. The couldn't raise this amount of money consistently if they "bleed them dry" and generate modest returns... These investors want 4X/5X returns, at a minimum, and that simply doesn't happen if the company isn't successful by a broad number of metrics.
  • 7 0
 @dhx42: No I understand just fine. You are mixing everything and calling it private equity, which is technically correct, but it practical everyday use, the term PE generally means buyout/growth equity firms. People are not referring to VC firms when they say "Private Equity".

I have plenty of experience with both VC and tradition PE/LBO firms. 4-5x returns at a minimum? Not realistic. Looking at the last 25 years returns in the range of 2-2.5x would get a US PE firm into the top quartile (depending on vintage year). With fees & things like dividend recaps, many firms can easily suck a 2x return out of an investment while running it into the ground.
  • 96 0
 "Karl and Radek are involved in senior leadership positions"

This generally means as the owners they were given some cushy well paid job for the time being in exchange for some kind of non-compete clause for a few years. Their influence over Pinkbike will slowly fade over the course of a few years after which they will quietly move on.

And for the record I say good for them. If they were able to cash out and can now move on with some big money in the bank I say go for it and thanks for what you built. They don't owe us anything.
  • 39 0
 known as golden handcuffs in the tech world. it's 100% what happened here.

also, all the key people (Brian, Kaz, Levy, et. al.) also got a similar, yet smaller deal to stay for a certain amount of time. they tie it to stock grants and their vesting schedule.

good on all those that hit paydirt, but RIP what we know as PB.
  • 7 10
 Did you ever think Karl and Radek may want to move on and do something else? Or maybe they no longer want to manage the day to day operation.

This started as a passion project so I am sure they want the want to ensure the transition goes smoothly and PB to be successful longterm...

FWIW most sales are actually successful and work. Sure, we will see what happens here, but I bet it will be good for PB in the long-run.
  • 4 0
 @dhx42: I'm not sure I'd say most sales are succesful. There are plenty that fail and deals in the print/online media space have been especially prone to failure over the last few years. Also "successful" canh ave different meanings. This deal could be successful for Outside and add traffic to their site and make them money, but at the same time turn Pinkbike into something that its core readers no longer have any interest in.
  • 3 4
 @sino428: The deals that go wrong get the most press. There are a lot of transactions that occur that you never know about and the companies are very successful post change - know one really notices there was a change. I hear you on the "definition" of success but any good PE shop would tell you that success comes from ensuring your two key stakeholders - employees and costumers see increased value and scope. Without that the business doesn't really grow and benefit the last stakeholders - ownership... People citing other metrics as you mention are simply rationalizing a bad deal...

People wouldn't buy businesses if the process wasn't successful the majority of the time. Sometimes buyers get it wrong, hire the wrong people, make mistakes, etc. but, for the most part, they are able to steer things in the right direction that benefits the businesses customer base (otherwise the business wouldn't be successful). I am not saying Outside couldn't royally screw this up. Pinkbike is highly sensitive with a broad/influential userbase and multiple stakeholders where you need to balance both bike and internet culture... it's definitely higher degree of difficulty than most transactions.
  • 2 0
 Most reasonable comments I've ever read on PB. Well said.
  • 3 0
 They are just Roskopping. They earned it. It looks like Santa Cruz bikes survived, but they have a real product. Not optimistic for PB.
  • 3 0
 @suspended-flesh: Let's just hope Waystar Royco doesn't send in Tom Wambsgans to cut the fat.
  • 2 3
 Generally completely agree. But. Trailforks. They owe the people and organizations that invested the time and effort to make that platform something of any value. In a big way.
  • 2 0
 @sino428 Concur, well said.
  • 92 0
 And it begins:
"...a significant portion of our content will remain free."
  • 86 3
 Another Pay Site, cool.
  • 58 1
 Honestly if this post had just been Pinkbike saying they were going to start charging a subscription fee for some content I would not even care. The digital media/advertising landscape has changed alot and many sites have had to do this. I would understand and maybe even buy the subscription it it was reasonable.

The worry for me is the selling out to a big conglomerate. These type of things ever seem to end well. When some big brand tries to combine a bunch of unrelated shit under one "umbrella" it usually turns into a disaster. When I come to PB its for mountain bike content, thats it. I don't want "collaborations with other brands and sports" All you end up with is watered down garbage.
  • 2 1
 @sino428: you do realize there's always been a pay subscription option right? And at a very reasonable price.
  • 15 1
 If the product is free, you are the product.
  • 26 0
 @piratetrails: Now you can pay to be the product!!!
  • 1 0
 well they killed the PB

- List more than 20 buysell items at any time. Up to 500 items.
- Add more than 50 buysell items to wishlist. Up to 500 items.
- Become a beta tester and see features of pinkbike as they are developed.
- Additional Photo view features like up to 126 photos per page
Trailforks Pro membership $35.99 Details
Get Trailforks PRO membership for free as part of Outside+.
See full list of features Trailforks PRO membership
  • 66 0
 Really disappointing. Nothing against Outside, but these big media companies that own so many different publications is definitely bad for journalism as a whole. It can really stifle differing opinions, and it turns each publication into just another revenue stream. I think Pinkbike's independence is one of the things that has made it a major player in the MTB world. I really hope that pb doesnt lose that certain something that made it what it is. Also very disappointed about the subscription model. I understand that money needs to come in for the content to happen. However, i think equal access to information is hugely important in all aspects of society. I think that however you need to monetize it, ok i get it, but i think that whatever is posted should be available to everyone. Or perhaps it should be a private publication, and everyone should pay. In which case, the product will need to be worth the money.
  • 19 5
 Pinkbike has been eating all the shit the industry could feed it over the last few years though, try and find a divergent opinion on E bikes or carbon being published here, I dare you.
  • 3 1
 @TheMountainViking: At least they let us filter it out. I haven't heard a peep about E-bikes here other than from a couple well-known Electric Trolls....
  • 70 1
 This is far outside of what I was expecting.
  • 43 0
 And now for the Beta version of Pinkbike. Paywall!
  • 2 1
 Was thinking about a Peloton ride but may celebrate by going outside for a spin.
  • 68 1
 If anyone tells me how to get rock hard abs, I'm punching my computer
  • 24 0
 Every two weeks Jason Statham will be on the front page talking about his early life as an Olympic diver and just below that will be his 10 key steps to shoulders that rock.
  • 20 0
 FIVE ways to nail that road gap in time for summer Here's The One Thing That Made Bunnyhopping Easier Than Just Riding Along
  • 4 0
 FIVE ways to nail that road gap in time for Summer Here's The One Thing That Made Bunnyhopping Easier Than Just Riding Along
  • 5 1
 Pretty sure that's Men's Journal's area of expertise. I'm thankful to Outside for giving basically every member of Bike magazine's staff a position when AMI decided to use the Adventure Sports Network (the group of magazines that Bike was part of) as a tax write-off.

Also planks and v-sits are how you get those abs you're after. ;-)
  • 1 0
 Best comment right here.
  • 1 0
 @TheBearDen: Jason Statham was an Olympic diver???? No Way!!
  • 4 0
 @Gatoqueso1: sorry my bad. Only made it to the commonwealth games.... my information is sometimes good, sometimes shit. lol
  • 4 0
 @TheBearDen: I'm just going to continue believing that this Jason Statham trivia is actually true, and tell everyone that will listen. Not only was he an Olympic diver, he took a silver medal in the '88 Games in Seoul.
HA HA
  • 63 0
 ..... and then Disney buys the Outside group, imagine all the cool crossover potential:

"Singlespeederbike adventures in Endor"
"Spiderman vs Assegai: Which grips better?"
"The circle of life: 27.5 is back in fashion!"
"Moirnsters Inc"

See? Media homogenisation isn't so bad.
  • 5 0
 Brilliant.
  • 19 0
 Top 10 reasons why Bentonville is the MTB Disneyland
  • 64 4
 Thanks for a good run, Radek and Carl. Congrats on selling out, it’s literally the dream! I’m nervous what this means for Pinkbike—I remember conversations just a few years ago weighing heavily on how Pinkbike (and Trailforks, lol) would always be free to the end-user; how the goal of Pinkbike was to create new mountain bikers and fans of mountain biking in the most accessible way. It’s difficult to believe that this can continue to be Pinkbike’s goal under Outside—but I understand that things change, and I know there’s a lot of people at PB who are going to work really hard to keep the ship on track. I’m also excited to see what positive things come with deeper pockets- it’s a double edged sword, and it can’t be all bad.
  • 65 8
 Mixed feelings here. Outside saved Bike Mag in the form of Beta. I really enjoyed Bible of Bikes, and their very methodical testing and round table discussion. I feel Beta is still trying to find its speed, but is making good progress. I think all in all, Outside was good for Beta. I pay for Beta, Trailforks, and now Strava. It isn't much for me, but 10 years ago I may not have been able to afford that along with all of other life's bills. I am interested to see what becomes of Pinkbike, and hope it doesn't lose its charm. Pinkbike almost feels to me like Topgear. The bike stuff is awesome, but the shenanigan's and chemistry the staff have is what keeps bringing me back. Good luck PB team, I know this wont change your dynamic, and I am sure you will still keep pumping out the goods.
  • 63 120
flag brianpark FL Editor (Jul 14, 2021 at 6:40) (Below Threshold)
 Thank you! The whole Pinkbike editorial team is along for the ride and I plan on building on that chemistry. I know we'll still be talking smack in the podcast, being tech dorks, and having fun at Field Test. (we're up in Sun Peaks right now for summer Field Test)
  • 6 4
 @brianpark: That's awesome! The podcast is pretty amazing, and keeps getting better. I always love the field test's, and am excited to see what you have for the next one. Thanks for responding Smile
  • 11 0
 If I add up all subscriptions, for things like news, trails, music, movies, communication, it's slowly becoming a serious amount per month. For me personally I can afford it but I guess a lot of (young) people or people in poorer countries can not. Furthermore I like to read several reviews on a product. That's why a like(d) Pinkbike and the like. Luckily there's still a lot of free content...........for now.
  • 28 0
 @dennis72: Why I don't pay for services in general. 800 services all costing $2/month adds up and none of them add enough to my life where I wouldn't rather just have the $2.

I'm almost purely down to rent, internet, and basic mechanical utilities for monthly bills and it's amazingly convenient. If I get bored, I go outside and ride bikes instead of hopping on Netflix or whatever to rot my brain for $8.
  • 6 0
 Pocket Outdoor Media started the title Beta with the former Bike Mag staff... and then this February POM bought Outside Integrated Media and rebranded it all to the name Outside - highly confusing but I guess POM essentially saved Bike Mag and Outside haha. Hopefully they can all settle into their own and thrive under the new title, it's sad to see all these titles start to lose their soul.
  • 3 3
 @Peally: we'll talk after you buy a house (with cash) and type your PB comments using free wifi in the library.
  • 8 0
 I'm not so sure I'd say Beta is making good progress.... it's almost exactly like Bike Mag, but now they hide 50% of their content behind a paywall and don't have much of anything that's new other than tired product reviews. I paid for the subscription too, but only because it was 75% off. I don't think they'd make it if they weren't propped up by Outside's funding.
  • 8 0
 Way to ruin this tread with some positivity!
  • 15 13
 Everyone's complaining about paying for Trailforks and now this, but from a product standpoint Trailforks needs some improvement, and now they have the company behind them to invest in it. I know this will trigger a lot of you cool cats and boomers here, but Trailforks could literally be a trail/bike based social media platform. MTB seems like an afterthought to Strava so it's ripe for the taking. To the naysayers, I'd rather argue with you guys on PB/Trailforks comments than on FB comments any day of the week, ya filthy animals.
  • 10 1
 Damn bro. Kool Aid mustache is showing...
  • 8 0
 @Peally: $8 a month is waaaaayyy cheaper than meth. Or so I hear.
  • 12 0
 @brianpark: I hope you're still sponsored by Sierra Nevada, you'll be needing a few beers after this feedback.
Hope you pleasantly surprise us all...
  • 4 0
 There will be no Beta in 6 months. It shall be folded into Pinkbike, which is far more successful.
  • 6 0
 @brianpark: Field tests are among the first things to go behind a paywall, right?
  • 54 0
 Ehhh, I mean I'll keep reading/watching and see how it shakes out of course, but I liked the current set up and I'm generally skeptical of conglomerating all media under one umbrella. We've seen this many, many times before and it usually doesn't end well. Outside wasn't even Outside until they acquired Outside Mag earlier this year and re-branded into whatever buzzword type media conglomerate they are marketing themselves as now. I can see more and more stuff moving to their paid subscription model over the near term, then Outside selling their entire portfolio to some bigger capital firm, then in a few years, that capital firm will do what they always do which is not innovate and just strip all the parts of the portfolio and shut down half of the IP it now owns.
  • 10 0
 Unfortunately you aren't wrong. That's how it usually seems to go in these type of deals.
  • 56 0
 I cant really see how this would be a good thing
  • 26 0
 Does this mean you now have the money to fund Ben Cathro's downhill team? If not then I really cant see how this would be a good thing
  • 37 3
 @Bobadeebob: ☜(゚ヮ゚☜) ayyyyyyy
  • 21 66
flag brianpark FL Editor (Jul 14, 2021 at 7:33) (Below Threshold)
 @Bobadeebob: yep, taking on bigger projects like that is the goal!
  • 15 1
 @brianpark: ok fine theres ONE good thing. But I'm still in a right bad mood. If you send me icecream I might start to cheer up. But I'm not promising anything.
  • 2 0
 @Bobadeebob: I'd seriously rather just put $100 in a f*cking envelope and send it to Ben myself. But instead now he gets to have outside input to his content and 60 cents on the dollar to make it so somebody else can pad their portfolio.
  • 55 1
 Outside is yuppie bullshit for people who ride 10k ebikes in Patagonia vests. I predict a paywall to some site features within a year.
  • 11 1
 You've got more money/credit than you know what to do with! Consoom more outdoor gear! It's trendy!
  • 55 0
 This is the first time I've seen all of the PB commenters agree on something.
  • 25 0
 pick a corporate owner and be a dick about it
  • 51 0
 Going to cancel my trailforks subscription I think. I was okay with the idea of paying to help the app grow but I don’t want to pay to help out some venture capitalists not invest in the app they just bought for a bunch of money.

Good for you hradek. But I have no interest in paying for anything from outside.
  • 37 3
 Yeah, the trailforks thing kind of grinds my gears. Relied on community to pay and build it, then they sold it to a bunch of venture capitalists based on the work the community did to grow it...
  • 4 0
 For me it's because I'm already paying for Gaia. Why should I pay the same company twice for a mapping app?
  • 6 0
 ^This. I never paid for it, but I did leave mu auto upload turned on. Today I turned off my auto upload.
  • 3 4
 @georgiamtbiker: how many times are you going to post this?
  • 4 1
 @Themissinglink83: I believe three is the number. Does that bother you?
  • 50 1
 "It changes gradually, then all at once"

If you are still taking free product and promotion from the industry, don't put it behind a paywall. You can't have it both ways.

The baller move here: Tell the industry to stuff it. Buy everything at retail. Throw the shiytt stuff to the wolves and only praise the truly great products. Get your boosted ad revenue from tangential sources (ford, subaru, clif bar, beats, whatever).

I'd pay to see that.

It has to be either FREE or UNFILTERED. It can't be neither.
  • 7 0
 Sounds a bit like Blister Gear Review. They're happy to call shit out as shit.
  • 49 4
 Great...... I had to stop following Outside Mag on socials due to their never ending political and virtue signaling stories and articles. PINKBIKE PLEASE KEEP POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES OUT OF YOUR ARTICLES AND STORIES !!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 38 27
 go woke go broke
  • 14 3
 I second this
  • 27 4
 Fuck, you guys are scaring me. One of the biggest things I liked about pinkbike was the escape from politics and social justice shit. That stuff is already absolutely everywhere. Combining politics and sports is the worst idea ever.
  • 28 3
 So which pronoun is a Stumpjumper anyway?
  • 13 1
 It's coming and it will absolutely ruin Pinkbike. Levy will get fired within the first 6 months.
  • 7 0
 @Boardlife69: depends if it’s an Evo or not. Short Travel was canceled. Very insensitive descriptor.
  • 45 0
 The Pinkbike staff are drinking the Outside Coolaid thinking readers will keep reading. A year from now readership will be down 90% and 3/4 of the staff will be gone. Good luck!
  • 44 0
 As bad as this probably will be for the readers, it will probably be worse for the employees. Corporate acquisitions are almost never a net benefit to the employees of the acquired company (outside of the select few that get the sale money). Best of luck to everyone currently employed at PB.
  • 43 0
 "Don't worry, we didn't just buy a website, we bought the employees and our plan is to keep you all."

3 months later, "We could never have anticipated [XYZ]. We'll be consolidating offices into our main location. Good luck in your future endeavors."
  • 42 0
 Will outside "re-educate" the PB staff so they can no-so-subtly talk down to me while also being a shill for gucci gear that won't last a season?

Alternate take: No matter how hard I try to avoid the insufferable Wes Siler, he finds me.
  • 42 0
 "...bringing all these brands together into one organization is to build a more personalized experience..."

I'm calling bullshit on this one. Giant conglomerations have never made more personalized experiences.

But if I'm trying to stay optimistic, if Pinkbike becomes a crappy paid service this would open up the market for a lot more small, cool and independent bike websites to become successful. Right now I think they struggle a lot.
  • 12 0
 Yup, would have been accurate if they said a more personalized advertising experience. Or more personalized pitches to buy services from the rest of the conglomerate. Whoops I mean synergies.
  • 44 0
 What sprinter van,Fanny pack, and yeti combo, looks raddest driving up Boulder canyon article coming soon. Does Levy’s absence perhaps spell an orphan site…..crayolabike?
  • 14 10
 I'm not going anywhere, just took some time away from the internet Smile
  • 8 0
 Glad to hear it. A silver, err, grim lining @mikelevy
  • 44 0
 Vital MTB's membership will skyrocket!
  • 16 1
 OG's will be recognized by having pre 2021 join dates
  • 19 0
 @nskerb: can we buy cred by posting our early PB join date screenshots? Asking for 10,000 friends
  • 12 4
 I just went there their site is full of spam! Not even close to pb
  • 14 1
 NSMB is the one my dudes
  • 16 0
 @TheMountainViking: NSMB is too awesome to be fully mainstream. An article about mixed wheel size experimentation that takes a full 14 minutes to read? An article about a high pivot bike from 2007? It's pure gold, but the path to pageviews is actually How To Bike.
  • 5 0
 @AndrewHornor: The fact that it's too 'ardcore to really get huge is why I like it haha. Kind of forgot they had a forum till now, tally ho gentlemen, it has been emotional.
  • 6 0
 @Stinky-Dee: They run a lot of ads but their forums are solid, their local race coverage is there, and it is free...
  • 41 0
 Best Comment Ever. You need to read it.

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  • 36 0
 So long, Pinkbike. Thanks for the ride. If we are all wrong, which I sincerely hope, bravo. We’ve seen what outside does to media outlets- the top 5 SUP for beginner articles, ad after ad of bullsh*t products, and some of the worst reviews and articles in the publication world.

I can’t help but think of RC’s last podcast with Mike Levy, where he talked about taking a stand for not letting a brand in a product shoot out for not meeting a deadline, which he not only nearly lost his job from, but led to his pieces being edited.

Everyone wants a pay day, I get that. But, I can’t help to think that the end times are now. The glory days of PinkBike are in the past. The flash of money is always so appealing, until we realize how amazing the freedom of an independent publication/ business/ organization is. Who knows, maybe the end of pinkbike was coming anyway, it could of been uncle bezos instead.

I guess I’ll get my news and content from vital and tiktok now.

So long, friend. I’ll miss you.
  • 36 0
 This is indeed sad news.

We probably all should have seen the writing on the wall when trailforks did it, I have little doubt it will turn into standard media platform site, including pay wall.


I stopped using trailforks because of it, and I will end up off pinkbike if it does in fact happen.

The little guy always gets it in major buyout/ups.
  • 21 0
 ebikes and paywalls.

plug in, turn on, and consume media. who even wants to ride bikes anymore when you can pretend to do it by paying to read about it on the internet!?
  • 7 0
 @TerrapinBen: the future is looking more and more like WALL-E
  • 12 0
 @TerrapinBen: They should make the e-bike content premium content, problem solved.
  • 36 0
 Remember when 5-10's were good then Adidas bought them...
  • 4 0
 Exactly
  • 32 0
 I gradually abandoned Outside Magazine when the content focus shifted towards social issues and marketing high end clothing. I didn’t think that I had a problem with articles focusing on social issues within the context of outdoor recreation, and I did appreciate them at times, but I did grow weary of the content and moved on. I will give the new PinkBike a chance but I will move on if the content focus shifts and/or if the subscription model is implemented.
  • 22 4
 @JimmyC1212 Pinkbike's past attempts to tackle social issues were laughable and sad. I have no doubt they will continue though.
  • 21 7
 Similar thing happened with the Radavist content last year, shifted from cool bikes to pushing a social justice agenda. Comments became policed by virtue signallers and so dwindled to useless fluffy ‘I love this’ types of comments.
  • 15 4
 Please God I hope that's not the case. I come to pinkbike to escape all the modern day political bs. Last thing many would want is more of that junk pushed in our faces when it's literally everywhere these days. Sports and politics need to stay 100% separated.
  • 13 9
 @DylanH93: the way South Africa was isolated in the sporting world during apartheid was a major influence in ending it. Sports and politics are more deeply linked than you may think and the power sport and those who participate have shouldn't be unacknowledged.
  • 10 3
 This is one reason I left PB, and stopped watching all sports because of all the gawddamned social and political B.S that has NOTHING to do with said sport. Unless it actually had a direct impact, like trail access for example. Sport used to be a getaway, not anymore.
  • 3 1
 @JohanG: continue? No it will quadruple. This merger all but guarantees it.
  • 3 6
 @kingtut87: are you fishing for a job at Outside or somethin’?
  • 2 0
 @TheR: No, I'm a crap writer and a bike journo salary wont feed my gear habit.
  • 34 0
 I sure hope this isn't like Adidas buying 5.10 shoes......................we all know how that has worked out.
  • 6 0
 First thing that came to my mind also.
  • 34 0
 Looking forward to the new "Best Cologne for Enduro Riders" and "SPD Loafers" field tests
  • 32 34
 Levy's been keen to do those anyway.
  • 10 0
 @brianpark: like yes, this joke made me laugh, but I still hate it
  • 30 0
 Paywalls incoming:
"But the Pinkbike buy adds considerable readership and revenue in the cycling space, and thus adds momentum to the company's Outside+ membership program. Outside+ offers enthusiasts various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other offerings for an annual fee."

www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2021/07/13/outside-acquires-pinkbike-cycling-tips-and-trailforks
  • 32 0
 Like, I don't give a crap about anything else in the Outside portfolio they are touting.
  • 8 0
 This BRAIN article is written like straight industry news about two players in cycling media -- and BRAIN itself is owned by the same group! Disclosing a conflict is better than hiding it, but disclosing a conflict doesn't eliminate it. It just passes the onus of consuming the media and also trying to figure out the angles onto the user, which isn't a lot of fun
  • 4 0
 From the link:

"Pinkbike generates more than 700 million annual pageviews, making it by far the largest mountain bike website on the planet; it will be the second-largest traffic source for Outside behind only Outside Online."

Wow O.O I had no idea Pinkbike generated this much traffic ... now I see how lucrative it is to Outside.
  • 36 3
 Can’t tell if this is good or bad.
  • 77 2
 Bad if you enjoy free Pinkbike. Subscription seems likely.
  • 4 0
 @gravity354: I guess only a matter of time.
  • 28 0
 Bad if you like an open comment section. No chance they will allow users downvotes to moderate discussion.
  • 6 2
 @Adamrideshisbike: it’s not 100% open anyway. It could be better. It probably will get worse.
  • 17 0
 It's bad. Go read some reviews (advertorials) on outside, they don't actually give any useful information just tell you how great the products they're being paid to 'review' are.
  • 4 0
 If you've read a couple things from Outside you'd be able to tell.
  • 4 0
 It's bad. Sorry - that's just what it is.
  • 29 0
 Well at least they aren't merging PB and Beta like they did with Climbing/ Rock & Ice? Congrats to the PB team on the acquisition. Can't say I'm thrilled myself as this kind of thing is usually bad news for users in the long term (but I would love to be proved wrong!)
  • 9 0
 Not ine the short term at least...
Good question though how Pinkbike & Beta as well as Peloton & Cyclingtips co-exist.
  • 6 0
 I mean they are already touting some sort of race between the two, so I would expect further integration and mergers down the line....
  • 5 0
 @Mazador: agree, seriously this isn't rocket science, bike brands don't sell two different bikes with the exact same specs and different model names.
  • 2 0
 It’s coming. Beta doesn’t stand a chance.
  • 33 1
 'I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords"
  • 10 0
 I, for one, welcome out new corporate* overlords!
  • 4 0
 @TerrapinBen: Tomato Tamahto
  • 7 0
 @TerrapinBen: I can't spot the difference
  • 31 0
 Just like when the burger king folks bought up Tim Hortons... Everything will work out great? Right?
  • 44 4
 Please don't bring Tim's into this haha
  • 1 0
 Bk owns Tim's? I didn't know that.
A small part of just died. AGIAN
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: hey man. You guys started it. Lol
We were all over here minding our own business... Lol
  • 34 2
 Don't Fuck this up Outside! ....
  • 33 4
 They already did
  • 9 0
 I expect thier "Top 10 Secret Trails You Need To Ride NOW!" articles will actually close said trails.
  • 35 7
 y'all are gonna shit on me for this, but change happens. It sucks, but it happens. Want good content for free? There are probably a bunch of web developers on this site, hire them to build your own site. Go to vital or nsmb. Will this spell the end of pinkbike, the end of this pinkbike, there will be another one, it will be different and there will be a new generation of riders to grow up with that one, say it's the best and then get their chamois in a twist when the next larger conglomerate buys it.

Believe it or not, the world these days is almost entirely about making money, and Karl and Radek made it (at least I hope so!) Good for them, hope the rest of the staff gets a piece of the buyout. Wish I had the balls to build a good idea, but I don't I barely have the guts for a 3 ft drop, let alone pouring my heart, soul, and cash into a risky business venture. We can bitch and moan all we want, but most of us don't have $20mm to drop on a website (I hope they got at least that much), if we did, we could buy it and keep things exactly the way they are. (also, if anyone has $20mm, I have a great idea for a mountain bike website)
  • 9 1
 Those are good points, but the world hasn't changed that much in the last 20 years, and PB has obviously managed just fine without selling out up to this point.
  • 10 0
 @mammal: I sure bet you the world has changed for Radek and Karl in 20 years. When they started Pinkbike I'm assuming they were in their 30's? Now they're older, likely have families and saw a good opportunity to cash out and secure some financial freedom for themselves as they near retirement age. Can't blame them for that.
  • 9 3
 @mikets: It's understandable, but I wouldn't say "you can't blame them for that". It appears that this was a move solely motivated by financial gains for those two, with basically no regard to well being of the product they've grown.
  • 12 0
 @mammal: and no regard for the employees who will inevitably be juiced like oranges until the last drop before being cycled out. One more step towards abolishing the middle class and feeding even more cash to the "haves".
  • 1 0
 This actually made me feel a little bit better...
  • 31 0
 New articles be like "10 tips for managing the mental health of your trail doggo (BEST PUPPER TIPS!)"
  • 28 1
 My big concern is that Outside seems to be super North American same as Bike was and Beta seems to be. Never even heard of them over this side of the pond. The global feeling of Pinkbike has always been a selling point for me.

As for the paywall I don't mind paying a price per month to access reviews, features and the video content but I would expect more of it than the site currently dishes out each week. It also needs to be a reasonable price. $100 a year for Outside+ where most of the things offered do not apply outside the US is a joke.

PS: Just don't screw it up...
  • 3 1
 Agree.
  • 8 0
 Honestly the international aspect has been my favourite thing about PB.
  • 27 0
 This makes me so very sad. Outside is totally out of touch with people who actually use the outdoors and are really only about clickbait, selling gear and making money. I will no longer be visiting pinkbike and will be canceling my Trailforks subscription
  • 3 0
 This seems to have flown under the radar in the comments, but atheleteReg is now part of Outside, too. So escaping the I, Borg situation we find ourselves in seems impossible. Enter a race, support (be assimilated into) the Borg. Maybe they’ll buy IMBA next for the ultimate move. The only “plus” to that would be getting a free subscription to the one of the Outside tentacles of one’s choice, like when Dirt Rag was a free bonus for renewing your IMBA membership.
  • 52 21
 Congrats Radek and Karl, and the rest of the staff!
  • 18 15
 Same sentiment from me. Change is inevitable. Congratulations to Radek, to Karl and all with Pinkbike
  • 12 2
 Yeah, enjoy retirement!
  • 30 1
 Remember when Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May left Top Gear? Remember that Top Gear completely fell apart?

You know it's coming.
  • 6 46
flag connerkuhns (Jul 14, 2021 at 8:30) (Below Threshold)
 While Top Gear is not the same as it was, I'd take a Top Gear with Chris Harris at the helm over Clarkson any day.
  • 3 9
flag lewiscraik FL (Jul 14, 2021 at 13:28) (Below Threshold)
 Yes, it was crap for a few years. Now it is better than it was.
  • 7 0
 @lewiscraik: Are you saying Pinkbike will pull a Win Vista/ New Coke/ Win 8 on us? By purposefully tanking the quality over the next 2 years, the VC overlords will sell the name on back to original editing staff at a pittance, who can then resurrect the site back to its former glory to sell off again for another big pay-day?
  • 29 0
 "the rest of our team are all on board" - I'd say the same thing in their position as I polished up my resume and started looking for the exit
  • 8 0
 1 0 0 %
  • 30 0
 First climate change, then covid, now this?!? Ugh
  • 9 0
 Its Sad really, There are already desperate guys above setting up onlyfans to sell pics of their feet to pay for air conditioning and PB subscriptions.
  • 29 0
 @brianpark How about we get a live AMA with those responsible for the decision ?
  • 27 27
 Not a bad idea. I think we'll get through the next few days of onboarding and meetings first though. I was thinking we'll have Radek on the podcast to answer people's questions, etc.
  • 37 3
 @brianpark: which will coincidentally be the first piece of content hidden behind a paywall Smile
  • 16 1
 @brianpark: also how about a blood oath to never monetize buy/sell or the comments section.
  • 11 1
 @brianpark: welcome to the outdoor family. You now need to wear a patigonia vest, khaki hiking cargo pants, Merino wool socks, and merrells to work every day. Also, all snacks in the vending machines will be replaced with granola bars and various trail mixes.
  • 2 0
 @lance-19: I'd probably pay for the opportunity to heckle.
  • 19 1
 @brianpark: yeah do it on a podcast so you can conveniently only answer easy questions.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Oh, I want to spectate! I need to know when so I can buy enough popcorn.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: soooo your going to give me that madonna now right?
  • 30 0
 So long, and thanks for all the fish...
  • 30 0
 RIP Pinkbike - 7/14/21
  • 27 0
 The spirit will be lost when they muzzle the opinions of the editors. And the appeal of some of the editors (Levy) is that they don't conform well to large corporations.
  • 24 4
 Don't worry, I plan on still forcing my questionable opinions onto everyone haha Smile
  • 26 0
 You will be forcing your questionable opinions on everyone willing to pay $5.99/month for them.
  • 25 0
 So now we'll see the same 5 articles at the front of the page with a new title each week and a relentless sales pitch embed in the headline?

"top 5 race bikes and WHY YOU NEED ONE!"
"Why you need one these new bikes"
"Eat healthy or eat like Levy"
"Eat healthier, like Levy"
"Best places to travel and worst places to ride"
"Worst places to ride and places to travel"

Just when I thought print dying would help...
  • 27 0
 Now I can finally delete my last social media platform. I figured Pinkbike would be last but damn it hurts.
  • 5 0
 Dittos
  • 4 0
 I never had anything BUT PinkBike. It hurts so very much %100.
  • 25 0
 Wow, this really sucks. Been on PB for 20 years and I always loved its independence and availability. Subscription services are the literal worst. Always came here to escape that sort of thing. Later on PB.
  • 13 0
 I wouldnt even care if it was just pinkbike putting in some kind of small fee for the current pinkbike site. But what we will end up with is Pinkbike, package with a whole bunch of other "brands" under one overpriced subscription. We'll end up having to essentially pay for all the other brands we don't give a shit about if we want the Pinkbike content.
  • 25 0
 I think it was just yesterday I was watching a BETA bike review and they started plugging the truck that the bike was leaned against.... and I though, 'man, this is lamest thing'
  • 28 0
 Outside is trash .
  • 28 0
 Holy cow.
  • 6 0
 do not pass go, do not collect $200...
  • 25 2
 The mikes should bail and start a podcast. That I might pay for as I can listen while I do some training rides…. But outside is not where my money goes. Just hit cancel on Trailforks. That explains rc and mike doing a pinkbike recap
  • 29 0
 "The mikes" really are the faces/voices of PB to most readers now. Those guys should bail and start their own rival site.
(Then in 20 years time they can also sell to Outside, and retire in style).
  • 27 20
 @yabbaDABdo @Paco77 Bikes and gear are cool, but that stuff is really just a reason for you and me and everyone else to talk about bikes and include some dumb jokes - that isn't going to change. I've been working for PB for a long, long time and I can understand the hesitation I'm reading from everyone in the comments for that reason. I mean, this place is my home as well and everyone in this community is a friend, so I can understand why it's unsettling.

BUT, the future is interesting and we're going to be able to make some very cool content. Also, @mikekazimer and I aren't going anywhere Smile
  • 11 0
 Let's hope you are right Mike. I guess time will tell!
(bookmarking this page to come back and leave an "I told you so" comment at a later date...)
  • 3 0
 @Paco77:
See atheleteReg. Resistance is futile.

#Outside.Borg

Coming to a race near you
  • 1 0
 www.mikesbikes.com coming soon
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: ok but when is the Mike vs Mike race? Now you should have the budget to make it a video
  • 1 0
 I can't wait to watch Mike get crushed
  • 24 1
 "In partnership with Gaia, we intend to map every trail in America, and eventually the world, so that Outside+ members can ride, hike, run, and ski with greater confidence and safety."

Cool. More hikers and idiots to run into on my favorite trails. Awesome idea PB! Piss off.
  • 10 0
 Plus any secret locals-only trails will now be widely known and subsequently torn down. Fun!
  • 25 2
 goodbye PB comment section! I have enjoyed the crazy rantings of DCA and the like, along with a smattering of 5G nutcasery. can't wait for the heavy moderation and Vaccine disclaimers on every post!!!!11!1
  • 22 0
 I dont want to sound cynical about this but I am. I will give it a go but Im not paying...full stop.

In a world where content is freely available elsewhere this is a risky move to say the least. Assuming loyalty lasts with a paywall option will be a tough mountain to climb.

In the mtb world there are examples of the same situation where a successful website (and profit making mag) were bought out. The press release looked virtually identical. The mag was shut down (for no sensible business reason as it was making money) and the website is now a shadow of itself.

Outside the mtb world, there are endless examples with similar press releases where successful businesses are brought within a business group and asset stripped to feed profit and other brands.

If the paywall thing doesn't work and people don't visit the site, it will be highly likely that PB will get asset stripped for the wider group benefit.

The initial reaction here doesnt seem to be great and PB seem to have missed what people value which is original (not sponsored) content that is freely available. Without that, the free-to-play crowd will be headed to vital in a flash.

I cant blame the owners for wanting to cash in on years of hard work. But the future will play out in a rather predictable way from here in.

Sad day.
  • 26 0
 Ugh.
  • 23 0
 I like money too, it's ok. but don't lie to me and tell me that nothing will change and you're doing it to provide the best content possible.
  • 25 2
 congratulations! I just want to be sure you will keep posting the friday fails.
  • 24 0
 a significant portion of our content will remain free :/
  • 20 0
 Congratulations Radek Burkat and the Pink Bike team you have accomplished what every business owners dream; build a business and sell it reaping the rewards of your hard work. Unfortunately Pink Bike will never be the same. As the sport of cycling has grown and so has its media. Velo News is the example of what Pink Bike will be. Pay for access to mediocre content and so called “unbiased” endorsement of products in infomercial form…. Along with stories that leave you feeling empty, so you come back for more just to keep your device registering the clicks to build up the pay per click revenue.

Think of what has happened to all the forums out there gobbled up by big tech, freedom of expression and speech are all now on FB and now all things bicycle are on Outside. Who would have seen that coming?

Get ready folks to pay for content. You pay for Trail Forks the was build by volunteers and some hard working staff, now no more free stuff for you, we got money to make $$$$.

Cheers!
  • 4 0
 In theory paywalls allow you not to chase page views and let writers write longer articles since page view ad model means it's better to write 10 crap articles than 1 good one (seriously... we need a different online ad model) but somehow I have my doubts too. First Dirt Magazine was killed now I have fears Pinkbike will suffer and we will all get our news from youtube.
  • 23 0
 all you need to know is they categorized Pinkbike under "Endurance" along with Running.
  • 12 0
 At least they didn't put it in healthy living next to 'paleo magazine'...
  • 23 1
 I'd rather pay money than have my data bottled up and sold (yes I pay for Trailforks), just make sure the value is there.
  • 20 0
 what if now your data just includes the fact that you don't mind paying for things?
  • 20 0
 Dont be naive, your data is and will anyways be sold. That's the only way Bezos and all the others like him can fund their safe way to a new planet once this one is too polluted and fucked up to live in.
  • 24 1
 This is bad. Good luck keeping that Pinkbike community vibe we all love.
  • 23 2
 As a climber, I find Rock and Ice is not garbage and I did not even know it was an Outside brand, so I have hope for Pinkbike.
  • 5 0
 wish i could say the same
  • 18 0
 Here's a philosophical question: is (was) Pinkbike a product or a community? There is all this talk of producing a product and then selling it off, but is that was this site is at its core? For me Pinkbike is about a thriving online community via comments and the buy/sell section. The site serves as the meeting place for this community, and the content seeds discussion and engagement. I had to stop reading the above comments because there were just too many, and I barely noticed any partisan/political bullsh!t because regardless of where we stand on other issues we are united with our love of bikes and this community. Selling the site to Outside was like literally selling the town in which all of us lived (even if some of our neighbors hate one another), and now the new owners have a fiduciary responsibility to f*ck us with taxes. Was the town in financial distress? What was wrong with the ad model? If you wanted to fund a racing team, why didn't you just ask the users and start a crowdfunding campaign? And if you absolutely needed the cash you could've make a paywall model without corporate overlords who don't give a sh!t about the community, at least you would've kept more margins and retained creative control. ...I'm pissed and disappointed along with the rest of the community because we all feel some ownership and this decision seemed to have no regard for the special thing this website actually became. Fingers crossed the PB staff can walk the line between shareholders and the community, but if it all falls apart and some new grassroots "purplebike" or "punkbike" or whatever diaspora site pops up I hope that the new leadership builds it on a co-op model where the community members can hire/fire board members and ultimately vote on big decisions like selling off the town. I bet there could have been a better way...
  • 2 0
 both, it is possible to be both.
  • 22 0
 I gave up PhotoBucket... I can give up PinkBike if I need to.
  • 20 1
 The MTB industry is expensive enough, making Pinkbike a subscription site is only going to add to the problem. Kids aren't going to pay and PB will become a site used by wealthy, older people. Bad move PB.
  • 18 2
 University Student here, if we're barely managing to pay for Amazon Prime/Netflix, we ain't gonna pay for Pinkbike, website will fill with middle aged grumpy men, great!
  • 7 22
flag Baller7756 (Jul 14, 2021 at 12:39) (Below Threshold)
 Bad ol wealthy people, bad ol old people. The nerve of them… following societal rules and examples that lead to success.
  • 6 7
 a site without kids sounds great.
  • 4 1
 @Baller7756: no one has a problem with them per se but this limits the audience. The sport already seems to cater to people over 35 and I say this as someone who in a few months will be 35.
  • 2 2
 @spaced: I’m not sure I share the same observations about the average MTB age. If I had to guess, I would say mid-twenties… with a large portion extending into mid-thirties (maybe that means 30 is the average?). I think there are fewer “old” people than any age demographic.
  • 3 0
 @quesoquesoqueso: A site WITHOUT grumpy old folks does NOT sound great..
  • 21 2
 Bye bye Pinkbike and Trailforks. They suckered 1000's of communities to upload their trail data and support their cause. Their cause was clearly altruistic and is now so obvious.
  • 6 0
 Yup, I thought the same thing.
  • 19 0
 *realizes we all spend too much time on PB...goes and rides bike...life gets better...
  • 16 0
 Pinkbike has been beholden to industry heavy hitters for a long time (every website/publication is) but always maintained some measure of integrity. The editors rode bikes harder, and on harder terrain than the average reader and provided honest feedback.

Outside SUUUUUCKs. It’s a magazine that’s specifically targeted at outdoor brand product consumers, not core users of that outdoor gear. The writing is bland and trades in generalities, never doing more than scratching the surface of any given activity/culture.

I hope PB stays free and relevant, but I’m not holding my breath…..
  • 17 1
 As soon as I heard this I pictured Levy as Garth in that scene from Wayne's World. Covered from head to toe in Reebok gear saying "you know it's just really sad when people sell out to corporate sponsors"
  • 16 1
 With a lot of mixed feelings, I gotta congratulate Radek. I met him at an OSCON party back in 2012, and it was a fun conversation about the tech of Pinkbike, and how simple they'd kept it. It ain't easy to run a profitable website like Pinkbike, so I'm sure there have been struggles, and grateful for the years of stories the PB team has told and all the race coverage. I'm sure it made great financial sense to sell to Outside, and hard to fault him getting a sweet retirement(away from commenters).

That said, I'm bummed, and probably time to disable auto-renew on trailforks. I don't trust anything Outside produces. I hope PB gets to keep some autonomy, but doubt it will last Frown
  • 14 0
 "hard to fault him getting a sweet retirement(away from commenters)."

I heard he used his payout to hire Waki as his personal valet, LOL.
  • 5 0
 @Connerv6: Dammit....I think you are onto something! May he and Waki make the next grassroots website. haha
  • 16 0
 What happens to all of our locational data? Before the site was Canadian and subject to privacy laws. Now all of the user generated data is in the hands of a giant US corporation.
  • 15 0
 Read what the plan is here if you are curious:
www.adventure-journal.com/2021/02/pocket-outdoor-buys-outside-magazine-other-brands-in-huge-shakeup

"The plan is to allow subscribers to access all of Outside’s (again, the media group) titles with one sign-on process, and, potentially, subscription rate. In theory, for example, one could log-in to Outside’s web portal, then read articles in Backpacker, Beta, or Outside."
  • 29 0
 For those who didn't read it, Pocket Outdoor bought Outside mag earlier this year. Pocket Outdoor is a "media" company infused by about 150mil$ of silicon valley Venture Capital money. For anyone who doesn't think this doesn't means "paywall" you are ignorant (no offense tho). Its literally their plan...to sell you a subscription ASAP and absolutely why they got 150mil $ bucks. None of this will be good for PinkBike.
  • 8 1
 @Svinyard: I hate California so much.
  • 15 0
 Goddamn it! This just happened with Climbing and Rock and Ice. They were bought/combined under the Outside umbrella...terrible! Much of the previously available free content is protected by a paywall, email boxes are flooded with new advertising, logging into your "Outside online" or Outside +" account presents a dizzying array of difficult to navigate options and suggestions...I'm out. I'm canceling my Outside online subscription. Not worth the hassle. As others have said, why the need to constantly grow, grow, grow? Obviously, it's not sustainable, nor does it produce quality. If individuals wanted to sell their product to make a profit, fair enough, but let's not pretend the change will lead to "an improved user experience." Pinkbike was fun when it was a bunch of scrappy folks doing what they love and having fun. Now...it will just be mainstream media content. The only positive side is wondering what small, creative outlet will take it's place.
  • 14 0
 It don't really matter what any of you think or say, what's done is done. PB sold it's soul so it's originator can ride comfortably off into the sunset, while we get more corporate approved media shoved down our throats. The staff can spin it any way they want, but we all know how this goes. Outside will make you pay for any content that's worth a crap and PB will become the next MB Action. Of course the staff is happy ! Now they can get a reliable paycheck. Good for them of course, but bad for us, as yet another mostly " independent" form of media bites the dust.
  • 14 0
 "While our long term business model will evolve, a significant portion of our content will remain free"

RIP Pinkbike.
It's been a good run, even though for a long time it hasn't been the "pirate ship" from back in the day that RC described in the last podcast. Well, eventually all good things must come to an end I guess. Corporate commercialization - what a sad ending to the story of my favourite sports publication.
  • 8 14
flag owl-X (Jul 14, 2021 at 8:42) (Below Threshold)
 These guys have been blatant payola hacks for a solid five years at least, it’s mind blowing to read anyone claiming PB is worth “saving.”
  • 18 0
 Pinkbike : going the way of five ten freeriders
  • 5 0
 Brutal.
  • 6 0
 What? Kept dirty and smelly in the back of my van?
  • 6 1
 @chakaping: five ten were bought out by a corporate giant, and their quality and range were drastically downgraded
  • 2 0
 @short-but-sweet: Couple years ago I bought some 5.10's and they seem to be high quality. I didn't know Adidas bought them out. Maybe I got some older pre buy out ones. Soon one giant world Corp to own us all.
  • 1 1
 @Brazinsteel: yeah I think you have some OG ones. My 2016 freerider elements are barely hanging on, but have somehow held up. Reviews suggest the new adidas ones just don’t last
  • 2 0
 @short-but-sweet: On the clipless side I still use my almost 30 year old Answer mtb shoes for gravel and road. They're just not worn out yet. The older shit just seems to last longer imo.
  • 1 0
 @Brazinsteel: 30 years! Hats off!

I hear you- my shimano clipless shoes (one for summer, one pair for winter) show absolutely no signs of giving up. I bought those around 2006. I use these for gravel and road too, and only stopped using them for Mtb when I swapped back to flats in 2016
  • 2 0
 @short-but-sweet: Flats rule. I kinda made my gravel bike into a mtb for a race that's half gravel and road and was just checking it out on some trails. I'm so used to Flats I couldn't release fast enough and I'm still picking scabs off my knee. Plus I'm getting older. Sheesh. Oops I meant shit.
  • 13 0
 Very disappointing. The team is "excited" because they have to be, but it will be the death of original "free" content. I hope this opens the door for sites like NSMB to continue to grow.
I have no interest in paying to read/watch advertising - It has been fun PB.
  • 15 0
 The only problem I see with this is that most people on this site stay Indoors. Do I have to actually go outdoors now and ride my bike?
  • 3 0
 They get you both ways. They will buy Peloton next!
  • 18 0
 The beginning of the end
  • 16 0
 WOW..as you can see from the comments..."If it's not broke dont fix it"...Frown
  • 17 0
 Outside ruined Velonews. Goodbye Pinkbike, we'll miss you!
  • 16 0
 Question: when will PB reissue the “I love seven inches in the rear” t-shirts?
  • 13 0
 hilarious, only time will tell

I think of the usual Mantra when an acquisition happens will apply here

"everything will remain the same" , "nothing is going to change" = We're going to change everything! and sqeeze very cent we can out of this thing!
  • 13 0
 Step One: create cool free content
Step Two: create community around free content and free content off of community
Step Three: Monetize via marketing/ad dollars
Step Four: At peak value, sell to venture capital group as a "Strategic Buy" while they ruin it

Its unfortunately how things grow and die. Sad thing will be when the PB staff gets cut due to declining subscribers and then gets "centralized" etc etc.
  • 9 0
 STEP ONE: Core group of riders build trails with shovels, headlamps, and beers
STEP TWO: Availability of fun trails fosters vibrant riding community
STEP THREE: Local gov't sees tourism $ and gets grants to "develop" trails
STEP FOUR: Ebike sales and real estate prices skyrocket as trails are sanitized, graveled, and/or linked together with flow trail systems
  • 12 0
 If the paywall descends, I'll be headed elsewhere (Vital and NSMB) more frequently. With that said, it will be interesting watching the red pill / blue pill moment for the PB team. Guessing Vernon Felton's LinkedIn page will see a lot more traffic in the coming months?
  • 12 0
 Outside raised $150 million in venture capital in February and has been on a buying spree. The ‘next level’ don’t come cheap and brings with it loads of performance milestones from their VC partners. Not saying it’s good or bad, but that’s the game.

www.crunchbase.com/organization/pocket-outdoor-media/company_financials
  • 16 0
 Wednesday takeover
  • 11 0
 just like we were told vail would make whistler better!! Talk to almost anyone on this side of the border and they will not agree. American corporate values and the pinkbike that we know and love will not mesh. r.i.p. pinkbike it was great while it lasted.
  • 1 0
 I'm American and I agree
  • 15 0
 This article reads like Pinkbike writing its own obituary.
  • 16 0
 Yay for monopolies!
  • 16 1
 @Radek I hope you got paaaaiiiid. Good on you!
  • 13 0
 I hope he got paid too. But RIP Pinkbike. It's over Johnny....
  • 8 0
 @krka73: it's been beautiful 15 years on this platform, all good things must come to an end
  • 1 0
 Agred - Radek totlally deserves to do and get what he wants. Good for him! He is the Rob Roskopp of the Schittpost universe.
  • 14 0
 I think we all know what this means by now. Time to start a new site...redbike.com?
  • 11 0
 Purplebike....keeps the vibe Wink
  • 3 0
 @bman33: Makes sense
  • 3 0
 @bman33: pinkvelo
  • 16 2
 WAKIbike.com
  • 2 5
 I just wanted some final downvotes

#ridemoretrollless
  • 8 0
 @Rossonero89:
WAKIbike.com: All opinion pieces. Barely moderated, with a comment section fantasy league.

Award for most upvotes at the end of a year, -Pinkbike subscription and a signed picture of Levy’s feet.

Award for most downvotes, -Outside magazine print subscription and a signed picture of Levy’s feet without airbrushing.
  • 6 6
 @Stihlgoin: If anyone wants a signed picture of my feet, just let me know....?
  • 7 0
 @mikelevy: Will it come free with my 49.99 USD per year paid subscription?
  • 8 5
 @thedirtyburritto: No, it'll be an extra $50 sent to my OnlyFans account. Or a $50 Tim Hortons gift card. Your call.
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: I think it’s best kept a rarity. More collectible in the future.
  • 1 1
 @mikelevy: I would def pay 50$ for this. PM me. No homo
  • 11 0
 Did anyone else get a random email from Outside within the past week or two?
Bye Bye PB. It was good while it lasted. I'm not sticking around for watered down nonsense. So many other magazines have turned this way and for the worst. no thanks.
NSMB, Vital, etc. Here we come.
  • 7 52
flag karl-burkat FL (Jul 14, 2021 at 9:09) (Below Threshold)
 Content ain't changing, the entire Pinkbike team is still running the show.
  • 45 4
 @karl-burkat: you owe us more then a one lined response buried deep in the comments section... You've gone back on your word. You stand on our shoulders. Us the free PB user. We built what you have. You only provided the web space. We the community built this page. You owe us all more explanation.
  • 12 1
 To be honest, Pinkbike has been in decline for last few years. It was very visible that they were pumping out material at an increased rate and I just assumed it was to generate more clicks and increase and revenue. When user generated content and blatantly puff piece articles are ignored the content is modest enough. What really made Pinkbike good was the comments sections but due to a mixture of politics, Covid and generally irrational behaviour by some commentators, the comment section is often more disappointing than entertaining or informative. I have personally stared reading enduro Mtb and vitalmtb recently and find them to be better. I have tried to stay away from PB as it generally disappoints me now, so thanks Outside for helping me make a clean break. I wish everyone at PB all the best for the future, I realise my views are entirely my own and you may well have achieved your goal so well done to you. Goodbye and good luck.
  • 12 0
 Remember when Warren Miller Entertainment sued Warren Miller the man himself? Congrats on aligning yourself with that corporate moral compass...
  • 14 0
 The day the music died...
  • 10 0
 Really a shame. Outside is horrible. The bought some photo's from me a while back and it took a year to get paid. I also know several photographers who've worked for them and had a hard time getting paid as well. It will certainly ruin your grass root feel since they're so corporate and snooty! Sucks. Time to move on.
  • 13 0
 Thanks for the great years past pinkbike! Have fun trying to nickel and dime everyone with subscriptions!
  • 13 0
 Maybe we all readers can buy Pinkbike back ? 10 bucks each, not to mention all the dentists who can contribute !
  • 10 0
 Pinkbike and beta gonna be posting the same word for word articles now instead of just saying the same stuff about bikes in their own words. Goodbye semi-independent thought. Now you must perform for the corporate overlords that value ad revenue more than critical thought.

Media and marketing is all fake AF anyway. The goal is to manipulate the masses to buy the product, good or not. If it has flaws, the goal is to turn those around somehow into strengths. All review articles have always been ads. If you get a trip to a press camp, that's receiving a gift to say nice things about the gear/bike, or you might not get an invite back to the next press camp. Receiving test bikes is the same thing. You get the privilege of riding their top spec test bike in exchange for not saying bad things. Theoretically, it's less biased, but if you don't say enough positives, they'll lose sales, and you'll lose ad revenue from them, and you might not be first in line to receive the next shiny new bike to do a launch day review, which will lose you page views and in turn more as revenue as your page traffic drops.
  • 11 0
 Where were the “spotted” and “leaked” shots on this? Nobody saw Outside left in a parking lot in Vancouver or Squamish? Nobody snapped a quick pic of Outside in line at Whistler?
  • 18 3
 Fucking Sellouts.
  • 10 0
 Guess I'll be breaking out my f-Outside magazine bumper sticker the doods at Rome snowboards made when one of Outside magazine writer's trashed snowboarding...I get business models need to change but this is all just a roundabout way of saying we would like to make more money. Which is fine, capitalism is just grand but the community will probably suffer from the cash.
  • 12 0
 Adios. I'm expecting this to devolve into content about "10 Heli-Biking Trips To Do This Year!; "The Best Bikes Under $15,000!" and more stuff well "outside" my budget.
  • 10 0
 Pinkbike’s content and services have long been paid for with an advertising model, while our new parent company offers some features of their titles in a subscription called Outside+.

Subscribers get digital access to members-only content, exclusive shows, hundreds of virtual health, fitness, cooking, and outdoor classes, free books, personalized, ad-free experiences at Outside Online, a subscription to Gaia GPS, training plans, and discounts on everything from gear to race-entry fees to event photography.

Three words:

f*ck

That

Shit
  • 9 0
 FWIW I think pinkbike is foolish to lean into a publishing based model, rather than treat the site like a tech business. Would have been cooler to see Strava purchased pinkbike to expand Trail Forks and the social network side. Pinkbike always struck me as a successful example of a niche social network moreso than a mountain bike mag.
  • 14 1
 how long until they get rid of the comment section entirely?
  • 31 42
flag brianpark FL Editor (Jul 14, 2021 at 6:29) (Below Threshold)
 The comments section isn't going anywhere. Smile
  • 25 0
 it's already gone. this comment actually does not exist.
  • 17 1
 @brianpark: "..isnt going anywhere...." but will be locked behind a paywall so will die a slow and lonely death. Thanks for the reassurance
  • 13 0
 @brianpark: We better hope the folks at Outside have skin as thick as the PB staff...
  • 5 0
 it will be there, just it will not allow you to post when you say something "controversial", IE it will be like Instagram where people need to say "r4cism" or "su1c1de" to not get flagged, oh and it will be probably behind a paywall
  • 6 0
 @brianpark: yet...until its potential monetization value gets dropped into a slide deck for the VPs who now call the shots. You've handed over the keys to the castle- it isn't you fault- but Radek is obviously 100% checked out at this point.
  • 9 0
 @brianpark:

LOL it might be given the popularity of this announcement
  • 8 0
 @brianpark: oh the optimism, never lose that! the CEO's at outside probably never actually go outside unless it's from their private car to their private jet. they will monetize everything they possibly can.
  • 9 0
 read a few outside mag reviews, they always seemed like they were more about life style then about mountain bikes.
recently watched a few bike reviews from the "beta test" - sorry for dissing but they looked like a bunch of middle aged men wanking about mtb - (I have my friends and myself for that Smile
Pinkbike has or had a different flavor! hope some of it would out last the new ownership
  • 10 0
 Oh, god. Queue the endless truck ads. And a drift in subject matter. I remember when Outside actually wrote about the outside. Pretty soon pinkbike won't write about mtn biking. Yeesh.
  • 14 0
 Endless truck ads while they beat you over the head about global warming.
  • 1 0
 @Adamrideshisbike: They're not wrong. There won't be much of an outside with climate change. Well...there will be but you won't want to be there as it will be underwater or on fire (or both).
  • 9 0
 I used to read Velo News for road cycling race updates and other road-related content. After being aquired by Outside every article worth reading at Velo News is now behind a paywall. I haven't read an article there since. I really hope that PinkBike does not go down this path.
  • 10 0
 Outside is in the business of making money not friends. They have plan on how they can monetize pinkbike to recoup their investment. We are all now numbers and statistics for their investment portfolio.
  • 11 0
 I love being an unpaid data worker for someone else's investment portfolio.
  • 1 11
flag mikelevy Mod (Jul 15, 2021 at 15:11) (Below Threshold)
 Every business is in the business of making money. Hope you stick around long enough to realize that this will always be Pinkbike, no matter who owns it or what changes Smile
  • 10 1
 Interesting move. Listening to the Pt. 2 interview with RC, and commentary around how Pinkbike really is a product of, and kind of owned so to speak, by the community. That is the reason PB has the appeal it does. Let's hope Outdoors doesn't change that. Something tells me that's wishful thinking, but I will try not to make assumptions and ride out the wave. Hopefully they recognize the value in the current format and leverage that to their advantage, instead of crippling the experience for the community... or destroying the community all together.
  • 13 0
 It could be worse, they could have been bought by Vail.
  • 4 0
 True on so many levels.
  • 8 0
 RootsRated started this crap and now PinkBike is jumping in with Trailforks. These companies that profit off of knowledge from the community about public resources need to pay large amounts towards the public resources they exploit, or be broken apart. They are ruining our resources, are massively irresponsible, and mine a community for private gain. For a long time, the outdoor industry and specifically mountain biking was a bastion of cottage industry and small business. This is disappointing.
  • 11 0
 Wow didn't expect this. So do I get trailforks free now since I already pay for Gaia premium?
  • 28 0
 Aaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaa. Sorry let me catch my breath aaaahhaha....aahahahahahahahahahahahaha
  • 3 0
 Good question. Now figuring out what Gaia is…
  • 2 0
 @nrloewen: Popular outdoor GPS navigation software.
  • 11 0
 Sorry guys I'm an old cheap bastard. As soon as I have to pay I'm gone. .
  • 12 0
 Why didn't pinkbike buy Outside Magazine????
  • 8 0
 Damnit... this has the exact same effect as when one of my favorite craft breweries gets bought out by some piss beer conglomerate like AB-Inbev! Stoke has been quelled... so much for the independents... first it was Dirt Rag, now PinkBike... Ugh!
  • 3 0
 Apparently, Bike Mag got bought by Outside last year as well. They did the Bike Bible reviews. They are now a pay to view subscription...
  • 16 0
 Watching Dirt Rag slowly wither and die was sad, but they stayed true to their ethos until the bitter end.
  • 11 0
 It's going to be like the explosion of Reddit when Digg sold out. Vital MTB forums here we come!
  • 1 0
 PSA: there is a thread on vital for us, come and introduce yourself Smile
  • 2 0
 This feels exactly like Digg & Reddit circa 2007??? in so many ways.
  • 1 0
 Maybe more like 2010-2012ish.
  • 1 0
 @darkcanuck: yeah it was 2010. The launch of Digg v4
  • 8 0
 I have tried the Outside subscription during lockdown and haven’t prolonged it. There is hardly any valuable content in that magazine, really nothing to read. Not willing to support them in any way. Bummer, now they have taken over Pinkbike:/
  • 13 0
 Welcome to the pay wall.
  • 2 12
flag mikelevy Mod (Jul 15, 2021 at 12:27) (Below Threshold)
 Where is it?
  • 13 0
 @mikelevy:

You meant this link right?

m.pinkbike.com/photo/20960692
  • 11 0
 MUST WATCH: New Semenuk edit! *clicks on link and is plagued by "This video is only viewable with a paid membership" Frown
  • 8 0
 I read, and enjoyed Outside Magazine for many years, starting in the '90s. But I finally got fed up with the commercialization and the tone of some of the articles and canceled my subscription after more than 20 years of being a subscriber. Not too excited about this development at all but will delay final judgement until I see how it plays out. PB, I have really enjoyed you so I'll take a watch and see attitude but we might be breaking up....
  • 5 0
 I used to enjoy Outside back in the day - they still published actual long-form journalism then, and they were more than just a loose collection of lifestyle posturing and ads. But that sort of journalism is pretty hard to do these days. As much as I loathe Outside Mag (both the print and online channels) these days, in fairness, this new entity just acquired Outside very recently. They instantly renamed/rebranded the whole enterprise as "Outside" when they did, because hey, that's a long-standing brand and a nice evocative name. But that means the magazine isn't driving this venture, and the folks in charge of overall direction are not the people who made Outside Mag into the rather sorry shell of its former self that it is today.

I'm cautiously optimistic because of Beta - that was a brand new launch, and the team from the former Bike were given a platform to produce a pretty nice looking product. Yep, paywalls are a bit of a bummer, but if the writing and photography are worth it, I'd gladly pay a reasonable amount (full disclosure - we've got a Freehub subscription).
  • 9 0
 Another Canadian business scooped up... The poor Buy & Sell will never be as good (my bike builds will be harder to achieve), and trailforks won't get any new trails (but that started with the subscription).
  • 8 14
flag canadaka FL Mod (Jul 14, 2021 at 10:26) (Below Threshold)
 Actually, since Trailforks Pro subscription started the amount of new trails being added each of the following 5 months was the most trails added ever, increasing each month.
  • 4 0
 @canadaka: well!!... That proves me wrong in a hurry! You guys going to be ok under new management?
I hope they just leave the platform alone and give you guys raises and free-range to do whatever you want to do.
  • 7 0
 @dfbland: it may be that trails were added, but the question still remains whether those trails are legal/mtb worthy. I've seen various fireroads get uploaded as singletrack just so someone doesnt have to pay 17 bucks a year for TF. IMO, it's kind of disingenuous to say the most trails were added over a given period when there's a new incentive to upload to avoid paying for it.
  • 8 0
 Want to see who won the EWS series? There's a subscription for that! Want to see the editors race each other? There's a subscription for that! Want to know how many water bottle Levy has on his latest rig? There's a subscription for that!
  • 13 1
 17 bottles
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: I knew it!!!
  • 12 0
 Does Outside KNOW about the comment section??
  • 10 2
 I'm happy that Pinkbike has been able to cash out. You've created a great website. I'm dissappointed to see it fall into the hands of Outside. I hope you can keep Outside's political views from turning Pinkbike into WokeBike.
  • 8 0
 Man, why is it always like this with Canadian businesses? Canada is a smaller market, so it's hard to grow past a certain point. In swoops an American conglomerate that has been filling it's coffers because it has a built in population base 10 times bigger than Canada - regardless of how the business is actually run, it ends up more successful.

I can't blame owners for wanting a payday after their hard work in building a business - and not wanting to smash their heads against a wall indefinitely while trying to find a way to build it past some of the inherent limitations of it being Canadian owned.

But god damn is it ever depressing watching everything end up in the hands of Americans.
  • 9 0
 Not in the least bit stoked on this. Why can't business just stay small? Why does everything have to be taken to "the next level"? What's wrong with staying small and quirky? PB was doing just fine...
  • 2 0
 Because the exponential growth curve is the (North) American way.
  • 10 0
 As said R.E.M. a long time ago?!?

"It's the end of the world as we know it ... (and i DON´T feel fine !!!!!)"
  • 2 1
 Perfect comment. I grew up not far from where REM started in Athens, Ga
  • 7 0
 Outside??? Never heard of them. A crap logo and a portfolio that just has obviously been acquired with a lot of cash. This is the death of Pinkbike which has slowly been going down the pan lately. I feel for those guys that are employed by them as you are going to see a massive drop in readership once this new platform kicks in. Uncertain times for you for sure.
  • 18 6
 Gross.
  • 10 1
 This isn't going to go well. Sorry PB, should have thought this out more. I'm only on board in they update the whole UI for this page. It's not 2008 anymore.
  • 11 0
 dang, the one thing I didn't think would ever sell out, wrong again
  • 11 0
 Well, RIP Pinkbike and thanks for everything. Off to VitalMTB.
  • 8 0
 Be around long enough. It’s been fun nothing as raw or internet as pinkbike every survived this type of thing. In two years pinkbike will be a forum section of beta magazine
  • 7 0
 Money talks - even to the most devout and hardcore purist. I am actually very cool with people making the most money possible, but typically the consumers end up receiving less product for more cost. Consumers either accept less or find new "better" products. I will be here.... until the product starts sucking. Best of luck PinkBike!
  • 7 0
 Congratulations PB founders, staff, investors, etc. time to celebrate, and then work.

Not sure how I feel about this though, similar to reading a Vail Resorts acquisition announcement. It's probably good for the business that is being acquired, as they'll likely get an infusion of capitol. But also the change that come can be tough for the loyal customers that were fine with the way things are, and in many cases those loyal customers are right to be wary. I've been involved with a few M&A situations that were painted as rosy, and about 60 days into them there's re-orgs, layoffs, etc. and the reality of the deal sets in that it's a "catch and kill" acquisition after all.
  • 7 0
 After reading press from other sites on this they bought the pinkers hoping they would become revenue….. they bought the traffic not the content. Yeah this will be bad. None of the press releases name the people or content. Just the number of users.
  • 7 0
 Sell outs. I'm tired of companies selling out. It's all you see in the news, at our own places of work, and in our hobbies. Everyone just looking for that pay day. Sad to see so many original ideas get swallowed up by larger entities just in the name of making a buck. RIP.
  • 9 0
 Bye Pinkbike!! I'm not paying for anything more than trailforks. Though I assume the cost of that will now increase. Wait and see on that

P.S. Where the f#*$ is Levy!?
  • 14 5
 I'm here and not going anywhere Smile
  • 4 0
 @mikelevy: Great to hear!
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: Hopefully the move to Outdoor will give you some more scratch to keep modding that sick Mini Cooper of yours!
  • 3 4
 @dmackyaheard: All sorts of ill-advised plans for that thing Wink
  • 2 1
 @mikelevy: @karl-burkat: With the success of Dan Roberts' ' Behind The Numbers' I wonder if Mr. Thurston is looking for an experienced, yet cheeky and down to earth comptroller for the upcoming 'Behind the Paywall' series.
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: Twin Chargggggge it. Because a supercharger whine with a turbo blow off is harmony Smile
  • 1 2
 @dmackyaheard: Oh god no. I was originally going to turbo it, but there's zero need. It's a handful as is and I'm still alive, so no super chargers haha
  • 7 0
 honestly, don't give a single shit if Outside is the best "media conglomerate" there is, I f*cking hate the fact that this kind of shit happens now. that so many platforms, websites, forums whatever you want to call them, are all quietly owned by the same corporate entity. so disappointing.
  • 7 0
 Transworld snowboarding was bought by mens health and that was that, no more Transworld. Now we just have snowboarder with their lame ass editor who likes to politicize everything. And has also ripped on mt biking because its "lame". He's a douche.
  • 2 1
 Probably no bad thing. A magazine or website called transworld these days would have very different content Smile
  • 2 0
 Trust me Outside Mag is worse.
  • 10 0
 This does not strike me as a good thing
  • 6 0
 way to go pinkbike not only are you joining the list of promising Canadian company's selling out to an American firm (remember how that worked out for MEC), but you also completely undermined your original statement that "Pinkbike was built by a crew who wanted to share the ride with their friends through photos, videos, and stories", dont ya think selling the site to another corporation might put that into jeopardy?
  • 8 0
 Thanks for the good run Pinkbike! Not dealing with the crap Outside publishes or having them sell my info to the Sierra Club again. See you all on the trail.
  • 5 7
 This isn't the Outside website and our focus won't be changing Smile
  • 6 0
 Unsolicited feedback, bad user experience:

- I went to Beta MTB to check it out
- Tried to read an article about chainrings
- Article is member exclusive, asks me to join
- Yellow button in navigation says: JOIN FREE
- Clicks button and is taken to some generic Outside+ signup
- Sign up, after my account is taken I land on a Insert credit card> Only 99USD a year.
- I dont add my credit card and exit the page and go back to Beta MTB
- Im now logged in to Beta but I still cant read the article about chainrings


Reading the comments here people are already afraid of this paywall stuff, if you dont solve these essential signup/login/free account stuff you will loose alot of people that has been here for what 5, 10, 15 or more years?
  • 11 0
 Lame
  • 10 0
 Yeah...but do I also get a subscription to Yoga Times and Oxygen ?
  • 9 0
 RIP pinkbike - we had fun now I need to find outlet for freeride and anything mtb. Outdoor magazine, seriously why Funk????
  • 10 0
 Outside is the new Nestle
  • 11 0
 This sucks.
  • 14 6
 Too bad, Pink bike kept the politicizing of mountain biking to a minimum now that the SJW's have taken over we'll get preached at.
  • 3 1
 yup.. sad times
  • 6 0
 Good-bye Pinkbike as we know it Frown It was great fun while it lasted.

Someone out there is making the next great MTB portal. Must begin a new quest to find it.

Outside was great back in the late 70's and 80's. It was a bit edgy and thought provoking. It was about getting outside. Now it mostly about how to have the fanciest van or SUV to drive to one of the "secret" or best camping sites, with the fanciest camping mattress and the most expensive cooler for you craft beer and gourmet coffee.
  • 6 0
 "Robin’s vision of bringing all these brands together into one organization is to build a more personalized experience for all active people."

Because nothing screams "personalized experience" like things I'm not interested in getting globbed together with things I am interested in.
  • 7 0
 I hope PB still exists in 5 years and the employees of PB and Beta are still in the industry then too.

VC and "tech" executives have wreaked havoc on publishing and journalism for 20 years and counting.
  • 9 0
 "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."
  • 6 0
 This is a sad day for Pinkbike. Outside mag used to have a soul way back when. Now it’s a repository of useless think pieces and vapid collections of overpriced gear and apres-ski crap. They’ll do the same to Pinkbike. RIP. Case in point- Facebook just showed me an ad from Outside (sponsored by Avocado mattresses) encouraging new to spoil my trail dog by buying some shitty mattress. My dog prefers to sleep in the dirt thank you very much. Coming soon to Pinkbike- crappy sponsored product promotions and aspirational yet soul-less content selling a lifestyle without substance!
  • 9 0
 Congratulations for the deal!
Why haven't the founders written this article? It would have been a goodbye with style.
  • 8 0
 Good question! Too ashamed of themselves. They sent Brian out to get pelted with rotten fruit instead.
  • 6 0
 Ick! We’ve all seen this trainwreck of a film before. Pinkbike becomes a brand to Outdoor, merges with BetaMTB, we loose a community and get watered down content. What happens to the forums and the user generated content is the important question now.
  • 6 0
 To be honest, I am very sceptical about this next chapter. But I will give PB some credit an stay to see how it works out. It can be the beginning of the end of PB as we know and love it, but what if not? Will we then have to stop with the "this review is payed by the adds" comments?
At least we now know that @mikelevy is still around.
  • 5 5
 Exciting times! Stoked you're going to stick around - this is going to let us do some very cool things in the future! I'm not going anywhere Smile
  • 7 1
 Way too many comments here that the creators are greedy, etc. They created this and it's theirs to do with as they see fit. I can't fault them for selling. I'd like to retire some day too, and will almost certainly sell my business to fund it. Nevertheless, it's the end of an era. Later dudes.
  • 6 0
 After absorbing all this news for the last day or so, I wandered over to Outsideonline.com. Just wanted to see if the content was really as bad as people were saying, or if they were exaggerating.

It's much, much worse. The top two stories listed are "Why I sent myself to vegetarian boot camp" followed by "These 7 dog-training principles work for humans, too." Amazing.
  • 4 0
 "5 Tips for Adventuring With Your Dog"
"How to Nail Your Next Adventure"
"Why You Should Camp Like Nobody’s Watching"
"How to Be a Responsible RVer"
"The Case for Swearing Off YouTube Hiking Videos"
  • 7 0
 Grab your shovels time to start on a big grave for the site, make a PB shrine on our fav trail. Was fun but will probably be painful to watch as the fall starts.
  • 7 0
 Sorta gross. Interested to see the experience, went to beta mtb, hit the pay wall on an interesting article. Why not just a 'remove ads for a fee' option instead.
  • 8 0
 I noticed RC's name was conspicuously missing from the list of folks coming over... Is he still going to be around?
  • 16 4
 RC mostly-retired last year but is still (and will always be) part of the team. He'll be a podcast guest and pop up here and there Smile
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: I want to hear more stories and opinions from RC!
  • 8 0
 I really like what those guys over at MTBR are doing these days. Maybe they could use our business without abusing it.
  • 3 0
 Agree.
  • 9 0
 Take it from me, this stinks.
  • 8 0
 Username checks out.
  • 7 0
 Having recently rifled through an issue of Outside at my dentists office all I can say is Barrrffffffffff! Thanks for the years of service Pinbike.
  • 8 0
 Mods: Hey let's make it so comments with a lot of downvotes get hidden

- All the mod's comments get hidden...
  • 6 0
 What an absolute bummer. Have been a daily pinkbike user for about 16 years now. Always enjoyed the community, irreverent comments and grassroots vibes. Sucks to see it end
  • 5 0
 Except this won't help PB. It will kill it in the long run. Folks are only willing to pay extra for so much. Look at streaming. It was great when It was just Netflix, but now every media outlet has their own streaming service that they want you to pay for. Now we're doing the same thing with websites. We are oversaturated with this shit. It's easier to just move on. So sick of watching companies try and nickel and dime people to death. Folks paying a sub and still having to be subjected to advertisements out the ass. It's the cable TV model and it's horrible. Engagement dies and PB goes with it. It was a fun ride, now it's about the investors not the readers or riders.
  • 3 0
 This world is becoming a place built by the rich, for the rich.
  • 5 0
 Sad news. Loved Pinkbike, part of my routine.
Read all the comments, what hurts the most is you didn’t even ask us. I could see paying for a PB membership, but would never support the machine that is Outside. They don’t get my money by default.
Best of luck.
  • 6 0
 Hopefully this is good. But we’ve seen so many acquisitions and consolidations in the media end in failure the last few years that I’m not excited about this. Hopefully it doesn’t turn into a dumpster fire.
  • 9 0
 The king is dead, long live the king.
  • 10 0
 It's not April 1st.
  • 9 4
 That's some weak tea there. Outside is perpetually light on content, and Pinkbike is already notorious for shilling inferior product ala Mountain Bike Action. This won't work in favor of in-depth content or objective reviews in the future. And here I just thought they were collecting my clicks on polls to start a trendy bike brand...

I'm really just disappointed about what this will mean for Trailforks, as it's been a relatively public clearinghouse for trail info (all the way down to integration with my Garmin), which means I'm just echoing the above concerns. I can't see financially supporting any aspect that goes into a media conglomerate's pocket.
  • 9 0
 Whatever happens, just beat Palmer.
  • 22 12
 If Kaz doesn't beat Palmer he's going to become our special Eurobike and value hardtail test correspondent for the next year.
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: I don't think its Palmer you gotta worry about... I heard Travis Engel is pretty handy on a bike. That should be a damn good match up!!!!
  • 2 0
 @dmackyaheard: I worked with Travis at a bike shop long, long ago. His background is trials riding, so his skillset is super solid.
  • 11 1
 well fuck this.
  • 7 0
 this news fit with the bike industry trend, always bigger and more complex bikes!! unfortunately
this does not mean better bikes/content...
  • 5 35
flag karl-burkat FL (Jul 14, 2021 at 9:07) (Below Threshold)
 The content team is the same and will just get bigger.
  • 9 0
 Goodbye DCA, won't miss you in the least.
  • 7 2
 Pinkbike founders saw an opportunity to cash out and took it. All the "fluff" about other reasons is just simple marketing BS- it was a move for profit to pad out the retirement accounts of the guys on top. Just shows what they were about all along.
  • 4 0
 I sincerely doubt that in '98 anybody thought this small blog and forum would be worth real money 20+ years later.
  • 2 1
 You're supposed to wear the tinfoil on your head, not fucking eat it bro.
  • 7 2
 Welp....Pinkbike was getting pretty corney lately anyway with the BS content that doesn't even reflect the sport for most people. Welcome to the pay to use world I guess, I pay for trailforks and see a small value in that for finding my way around new places but it still hurts.
  • 6 0
 BREAKING NEWS: Big fish continues its unyielding consumption of little fish. Batten down the hatches on your spam filters for the deluge of advertising.Rejoice in the relentless march of rabid capitalism.
  • 5 0
 Lame lame lame!!.. boycotted outside mag 20 years ago cause of there bullshit ..they were the original influencer before social media telling everyone were to go and what do part of the reason u can't go anywhere these days with out a swarm of dweeby lemmings everywhere ..with there fukn snorkels give me a break
  • 9 0
 How many Ford Raptors does Radek need?
  • 5 0
 I'm musing here, but this was a HUGE advertising platform for bike and component companies. It's a disadvantage to them to have less users because of a paywall.

Maybe they let a good thing slip away by lack of $$$ to Pinkbike?
  • 6 0
 Does anyone remember when outside made Eric Greitens it's 2010 reader of the year? LOLOL


web.archive.org/web/20110507012215/outsideonline.com/outside/culture/200912/altruism-all-stars-eric-greitens.html
  • 5 0
 Boo, another monopoly. Pinkbike essentially killed print magazines who were then bought by media conglomerates as over-hyped investments and then driven to profit at all cost until death, and now Pinkbike just put the noose around its own neck. Would be interesting to see how this 'new' subscription model is working out for Beta, or umm how much Outside is losing on the shit idea. It's not like I'm still getting Men's Journal magazines in the mail when Bike magazine pulled the plug, and I'm still not a little bitter over the whole thing. I guess Outside really thinks I'm going to pay for that again, um no.
  • 5 0
 RC's thoughts on the recent podcast and mountain bike action rise to power and then what happened to them seem quite prophetic. I guess its just cycles and in a year or two when the corpo rot has set in there will be a new punk website stepping up to take the mantle.
  • 5 0
 I really want to believe this can bring good things in the future... But 'Outside' magazine strikes me as an advertising catalogue with some short articles thrown in the mix. Pinkbike is a MTB news platform with in-depth reporting, that has advertising thrown in to finance it. It's kind of the reverse approach, which I liked.
  • 3 0
 Yeah. Paying for subrscription in theory should allow for better writing since you don't have to chase page views but I have my doubts with outside.
  • 5 0
 "But the Pinkbike buy adds considerable readership and revenue in the cycling space, and thus adds momentum to the company's Outside+ membership program. Outside+ offers enthusiasts various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other offerings for an annual fee. The membership revenues complement Outside's revenues from advertising, creating a business model for publishing that CEO Robin Thurston said is sustainable."


AKA, very profitable, because that's all that matters in the end. RIP.
  • 5 0
 Outdoor magazine please back out of this deal there is still time. If you don’t I can guarantee you that at least half readership will jump to a different website. Bad investment, we ready for a new bike webzine should you remain in control…
  • 5 0
 Gross, my first reaction was to consider if they somehow had dropped an April Fools article in July. Good luck to all the current staff. Hope it all works out but really fearing this is going to become a mess of watered down content and paywalls.
  • 8 1
 Outside sucks. get ready for editorials with woke buzzfeed-esque rhetorical questions as titles for a dash of guilt with your discretionary reading.
  • 5 0
 Best of luck guys, but those of us that have been on this ride from the beginning came here to get off the corporate 'if you name your bike something off colour you can't advertise in our magazine" bullshit. I have enough streaming service payments and I can get as good or better MTB coverage elsewhere. Later dudes.
  • 5 0
 I think @brianpark and the guys upstairs at PB know the risks involved in selling out to Outside. Personally, I think they are scared right now and will be trying to save face in no time flat. Hopefully they realize their mistake before it's to late.
  • 6 1
 Maybe Waki could start a website called Wakibike or something. He and ex PB users and other users that post articles here could publish on Wakibike. Pretty sure the entire community would love over, regardless of opinions on Waki. I'd like the group to stay together and talk more sh1t. I'll be deleting my old pics and profile tonight so would be nice to have a new home to go to. Just a thought.
  • 5 0
 The paywall will cause Outside to realize this isn’t the gold mine the investors hoped for and slowly Pinkbike will become a shell of itself relegated to the same format and annoying publication look of all the other terrible Outside web pages. Corporate oversight, paywall, “political correctness,” watered down content, lame advertising, it’s such a bummer.
  • 5 0
 I'm sure it'll be fine.
It'll be a long time before any significant changes come into place and even if they do...

-----------------------------------------

Want to finish reading this comment?

Sign up for your Pinkbike+ account here.
  • 5 0
 @brianpark: here is what I would have loved Karl and Radek Burkat do: give us Pinkbike readers, viewers and staff an opportunity to own a substantial share of the business (paying them a super cushy retirement for generations to come) and provide Pinkbike with whatever budget is needed to get a team of privateers on the DH and EWS circuits....

Such business decision would have been meaningful and would have reinforced the community that came together around this website.

PINKBIKE YOU MISSED A BIG OPPORTUNITY TO STAND OUT. NOW YOU ARE JUST AN ASSET IN THE PORTFOLIO OF A PROFIT DRIVEN CAPITALIST MACHINE!


While I appreciate the benefits of a business model with limited dependency to advertising revenue (and the uncertainty it may create), let's all be clear that the shareholders who now own Pinkbike, including a greater share of VA firms than before want to see a nice return on investment.

If they can milk pinkbike reader/viewers, they will. Really, it is not a "if", it is a "when", cause it'll happen.

I am not sure what next level means to you in terms of personal and professional fulfillment, but to me and probably many others on the website, today's Pinkbike is already pretty next level, and I do not need or want hours of new content every week.

I understand the personal and business decision of the now previous Pinkbike owners to cash out after building such an amazing business and community and being ambitious about what they could do with someone else money. Nevertheless, it is very disappointed.

Ownership in a business is everything and the entities owning Pinkbike do not love mountain biking as much as you or Karl and Radek Burkat do, they love $$$ more.
  • 4 0
 The paywall business model on PB would need to be flipped. Behind the paywall is where the ads sit- for dentist equipment and blingy bike parts. They'll make plenty of money on subscriptions and clicks allowing the majority to enjoy PB as we've known it. Don't change.
  • 9 0
 RIP small business
  • 4 0
 Potentially RIP the pink bike we know and love, it has evolved from basically a social media platform / forum for bikers with comments and uploading images hoping to get a POD ! gaining friends and followers and selling things. through to more of a polished media outlet, but at least still with a strong following of the members that have been here for years. and now its presumably going to slowly shift to more of a magazine behind a paywall. and could loose some of the crazy forums and user generated content ... hopefully they don't delete all my images from the old days .. good to look back on what I thought was cool in 2008 hahaha sad day potentially
  • 7 0
 www.outsideonline.com I really hope PB articles (and the site in general) don't become more like this.
  • 7 0
 oh god, no. RIP pinkbike lol. this place is gonna be a fuckin tabloid before we know it
  • 5 0
 Well good to know what overarching vertical PB is in... Endurance. Seems Targeted & Core. As we all know every single thing done on a bike is endurance related. Cheers.
  • 9 0
 Dick Pound.
  • 4 0
 I'll hope for the best. But just a glance at the outside page scream highgloss on the "outside" and after a sub you realize its average on the inside.

I'd rather buy merch and trailforks, watch adds and swallow some shilling because a company bought some adspace.

This whole outside thing just doesnt fit getting tattoos on PB Trips, driving a clapped out modded mini and destroying Poles and Rockies.
  • 6 0
 Umbrella corporations, wonderful. Here come all the disconnect 'C' corporate level positions. PB is now subject to "my disconnect boss want's me to do/post this."
  • 8 0
 Ugh i already have to pay for trailforks... and now PB? off to Vital.
  • 7 0
 Friendship ended with vertical drop. Vertical integration is our new best friend.
  • 7 0
 I'm trying to think of a single example where an acquisition like this turned out to be a good thing.... and I can't Frown
  • 8 1
 pnkbike+ .....ya no thanks im good off supporting a mega corp like outside that juust buys thimgs and makes them lame
  • 4 0
 I’ve been following Pinkbike since the beginning. I’ve had a few user names along the way, but I will always remember seeing the PB crew at the outdoor shows in Edmonton and Calgary in the early years. I’ve still got some of the original t-shirts, “Ride it like it’s stolen”, “Support your local free rider”, and “Rider may fall without warning”. It’s cool to see It evolve and grow into what could be considered the face of mountain biking to the world. Change isn’t easy, but it’s part of life. You can choose to take part and help shape the future or you can sit on your metaphorical porch and swoon over days gone by.
  • 7 0
 Faq....looks like the Grim Donut experiment bankrupted PB so they had to sell out to "Big Media" :/
  • 6 0
 welp their gos pinkbike. it was a good long run but i guess everything has to end at some point. pinkbike you will survive in our memories foever( and youtube). bon voyage
  • 8 0
 Time for a tribes migration to other sites i guess
  • 5 0
 Pinkbike, don't loose your soul. Corporate consolidation, cost cutting, and loss of control is looming. You have a chance to pull this off, but it is gonna take a hard stance that holds true to your values.
  • 8 0
 You haven't learned that "If it ain't broke don't fix it" already?
  • 13 7
 Congratulations to everyone at Pinkbike, past and present! Thanks for being such a big part of the mountain biking experience. We look forward to this next chapter.
  • 9 1
 Damn, never thought Pinkbike would get removed from my favorites bar
  • 8 0
 suddenly mtbr just became sorta vaguely interesting
  • 5 0
 Check out VitalMTB or NSMB
  • 2 0
 Mtbr is local to me and a sentimental favorite, but, editorially, they have been mailing it in since *they* got bought. (Forums are still useful though.) I was glad to discover Pinkbike several years ago.
  • 7 0
 Guess I need to burn my sweet PB and Trailforks swag... Can't be seen wearing it now!
  • 8 0
 I bet the Vital guys are stoked
  • 6 0
 I used to read VeloNews and Pinkbike every day. Then VeloNews put most of their content behind a paywall. Now I don't bother anymore.
  • 4 0
 The Globalization of everything...5.10 to Adidas, SC bicycles, Pinkbike, there is more...good for the OG owners to make money but some things should stay more local with attention to the whisper of the industry instead of global statistical eye...
  • 4 0
 i guess it was offer he couldn't refuse.....sad!!!
corporatisam is taking over....one company owns to many sites/magazines
which means more censorship,more uniformity and no opposite opinion what so ever

if it picks up good for them if not again good for them because they will destroy/shut down one big community of people.....division is always welcome to powers that be
  • 4 0
 PB was soooo good for me. I guess soon other channels, sites and venues will be able to compensate this tragedy for us of PB becomig a corporative site all about big industry and big events now, sucking UCi di**ck and even worse things.
  • 5 7
 Eeeesh, jumping the gun, eh?
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: hope so
  • 4 0
 And purchased with stakeholders looking at #'s inflated engagement clicks produced by click-baity-all-the-things and neg/props (still counts as a click! wink.) They even bought Trail Forks for all that delicious user meta-data you're handing over to them too.

Well played PB, I guess that was always the goal, huh?

Good bye.
  • 32 27
 Sounds like you're just homophobic?
  • 21 18
 @GotchaJimmy: sounds like he doesn't care about boys beating girls, in girl sports!!!! you definitely don't have a daughter.
  • 9 7
 Totally agree! Used to be a great mag....then they went full on woke.
  • 12 10
 @G3V162F: Ive got a daughter and domt hate transgender people. Does my opinion count?
  • 8 0
 11 years of checking Pinkbike multiple times a day, sad day.
  • 4 0
 @brianpark: homie Brian probably got a promotion in the acquisition. Can’t blame him - I hustle too. If my company sold and I got a promotion, I would be happy for myself and not give a shit about my “clients”. Sad f*cking day though. An era come to an abrupt end. Like a mass extinction. Pinkbike opened up into a void in a community that was barely existing and helped build that community/engagement/creativity/connection. Once again that void is now open for some other non corporate profit-over-everything driven entity to fill the space. Might take a couple years to fully die out and the replacement to fill in, but it will be there by 2030. See you all then and there!
  • 5 0
 Paywall?! hahah! I've literally never seen anything that would be worth paying for on this site...race results, vanilla formulaic reviews, press releases, reposting content from other sources, etc., ad nauseam.
  • 6 2
 Pinkbike sh#t the bed on this one! Outside??? I unsubscribed to there mag 10 year's ago because of all the woke BS. Outside adventure stories and gear reviews got traded in for full on climate change narratives and bikini models. I can't imagine what it's like nowadays?
  • 4 0
 Exciting developments for the Pinkbike crew, but I am curious as to what will happen to Pinkbike as a bike loving community. I love PB for it's witty content and comments, the RC content and the room it has for small brands and builders, next to the big guys with their marketing budgets. Builders like myself but also Myth: www.pinkbike.com/news/colorado-based-myth-cycles-releases-the-zodiac-a-steel-single-pivot-full-suspension-bike.html Moorhuhn: www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-ralf-holleis-moorhuhn-129.html and many other builders and events that don't have the budget but gotten a platform here. www.pinkbike.com/news/eight-bikes-from-the-2019-handmade-bicycle-show-australia.html?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark
I had mailed @jamessmurthwaite my latest 90's inspired fully and never got a reply. Let's hope it just wasn't good enough, and not a sign of things to come. ;-)
  • 3 0
 Hey @suravida, can you resend that mail? I'd be really keen to take a look
  • 1 0
 @jamessmurthwaite: You've got Mail!
  • 4 0
 I have a stack of old Dirt Rag mags, MTB action, glad I saved them. I used to love Outside mag, but it is clearly an advertisement rag almost entirely now. Overall this is good, Ill ride more again, everything seems to be saying, "put the computer and phone down and go outside"
  • 7 0
 I wonder how many times Mike Kazimer has shrugged his shoulders and said "It's just bikes....." in the last 24 hours.
  • 2 1
 More than I can count.
  • 7 2
 As the guy in photo #1, I can assure you all that biking was fun the day before this picture was taken and will continue to be fun the day after this sale is finalized.
Less screens, more dirt.
  • 3 4
 Yes, agreed. Close the computers and go to the trails. Stoked that’s you in the first PB photo!
  • 7 0
 On to Pinkishbike now I guess.....
  • 7 0
 How much did Pinkbike sell for!?
  • 6 0
 I was wondering why Highland took down the Pinkbike sign on the drop formerly known as the Pinkbike drop...
  • 5 0
 Now it's going to be the Outdoor+ drop. Upper NE Style is going to be hidden behind a paywall.
(obviously joking but like...)
  • 5 0
 Well, there's some perks to this deal. PB will finally get to review Evil bikes.

Will Levy also become a Peloton instructor?
  • 1 0
 I would definitely sign up for his rides. Unfortunately that's Peloton Magazine, not Peloton Interactive. Something tells me that Outside wouldn't be able to afford to buy the Peloton bike company with its $35 Billion market cap.
  • 4 6
 Who wants to do a Zwift live stream with me?
  • 1 0
 @mikelevy: OMG OMG OMG THAT HAS TO HAPPEN. Full blown lycra sufferfest with you and Sarah taking on the Pinkers.

Until then, keep up the good work! This is quite the deluge of comments, but it just goes to show just how much people care about PB Smile
  • 2 1
 @Swordfished: I’m not against that idea, but it’ll probably wait until fall. It’s way too nice to ride inside right now!
  • 7 0
 ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.. SEE U ALL IN THE OTHER SIDE. WAS FUN PB.
  • 6 0
 If I delete my Pinkbike account will I lose access to my Trailforks account?
  • 1 7
flag Baller7756 (Jul 14, 2021 at 12:44) (Below Threshold)
 Go ahead and delete… we’ll be just fine.
  • 8 1
 who was asking for PB to go to another level?
  • 3 0
 When you've been working in corporate America so long that it only takes one glace to find the cryptic message ."Shaped by those glory days of early freeride". We got the same letter when they took away the water cooler for a vending machine .
  • 3 0
 Private equity is going to ruin everything isn't it?. I'm sorry PinkBike, but no matter how hard you are trying to sell this to us, the fact that you are talking about a pay wall is all I needed to hear to fear the worst. I hope you will prove us all (>90% of the comments?) wrong and actually the business will remain independent and the community survive this decision. I get it, you guys want to retire at some point. Thanks for the good run. It's been a part of my daily routine for the past 15 years to visit this site and have some fun reading the comments session. It was astonishing to see a small niche company grow and succeed in a increasingly harsh business world. I wish you had opted to remain an independent company and did not pursue the private equity way. It never brings anything good I'm afraid. Good luck anyway guys!
  • 4 0
 I've just been to outside and it's gone premium/paywall since last time I was there, I expect the same for pinkbike. Folks need to earn money I guess, but the fun vibe in the article above seems forced all of a sudden.
  • 4 1
 Although I'm happy for the Pinkbike staff on this, I'm not excited for the 'pay for content' model Outside+ demands of it's brands. I get the print version of VeloNews and had to pay a chunk of cash extra to read some stuff online. Then they bought Bike(now Beta) and I wanted to get the print version of that as well (as a long time Bike subscriber). But the only way to do that was with another $80 a year subscription on top of what I had to pay for VeloNews. Nope. I'm sure Pinkbike is going to get rolled into the subscription service as well and you'll have to be prepared to "pay to read".
  • 2 1
 The Pinkbike acquisition adds considerable readership and revenue in the cycling space, and thus adds momentum to the company’s Outside+ membership program. Outside+, introduced this year, offers enthusiasts various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other offerings for a $99 annual fee. The membership revenues complement Outside’s revenues from advertising, creating a business model for publishing that CEO Robin Thurston said is more sustainable than traditional media models in the long term. Adding Pinkbike, CyclingTips, and Trailforks gives Outside+ more critical mass, making membership purchases more desirable for enthusiasts and providing more readership for advertisers inside and outside the industry, Thurston said
  • 8 0
 MORE TANDEM's!!!
  • 3 0
 Beware that when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster.

Just joking, I think it'll be cool to see where this goes. I really hope that pinkbike doesn't go to a subscription model, I already have a subsription to Beta (for the print magazines).
  • 4 1
 Pinkbike should had evolve to a global democracy of riders, owned, organized and driven by riders. With such a big community and the way some action and projects where driven and with such big critical mass it would had been possible this WORLD BIKE UTOPIA. Today we confirmed the apocalypse.
  • 5 2
 The eventual decline or death of one platform innevitably will lead to the birth of another popular platform. Like MySpace in the olden days, Facebook later on and now Twitter. This just means more opportunity for other entrepreneurs to start another platform with a goal of making it "like pinkbike in the olden days"
  • 5 0
 Well, it was a good run... had to end sooner or later. Wouldn't have guessed the growth model was to sell out but hopefully the creators cashed in.
  • 7 0
 the beta bike reviews are terrible
  • 7 0
 Well, it's been real PinkBike. Death by corporate committee.
  • 7 0
 "outside" , where everybody will be after the paywalls go up lol
  • 3 0
 If Pinkbike asked me to pay for subscription $$$, I'd be somewhat amenable. But this:

"...while our new parent company offers some features of their titles in a subscription called Outside+."

Not interested to pay, after seeing the massive company portfolio belonging to them.
  • 5 2
 "While our long term business model will evolve, a significant portion of our content will remain free."

so long as its the XC, roadie and ebike stuff that costs. Forum is a bit shit with the comment sections the only reason I come here. Can get news and reviews other places
  • 8 0
 Wednesday Fail
  • 5 0
 Congrats to the previous ownership and probably employees. For the rest of us, we watch the inevitable slow march to corporate homogeneity. It is what it is.
  • 7 0
 how long before they start taking a % of what you sell on buy/sell
  • 3 0
 Likely that will be part of the paywall.
  • 5 1
 Well thats sad but we had a good run. A new generation of e-bikers and those happy to pay yet another subscription will be the new audience I guess. Off to new trails and tales of trails. Goodbye PB.
  • 4 0
 @brianpark coincidence that this acquisition happens at the same time @mikelevy and @mikekazimer are in contract negotiations? I THINK NOT. Gotta pay the talent! Now @mikelevy can afford to do more damage to his mini!
  • 3 0
 ok ladies and gents, heres the plan: actually all we need is the comment section. and if were hobest all of this content was way to detailed anyhow. so what were gonna do is have one guy subscribe to outside pinkbike and do a nice little summary of the content - really thats all we need.
we then just need some webdevs (there surely must be one or two among us) to scratch together a comment section - and voila there we go! good ole comment action for ever…
  • 3 0
 Anyone want to help me make a new website for reviews, news, etc. ?

Been thinking about it for awhile and would love for others input on the direction of it and all. All would be out of my pocket and not looking to do subscriptions or any of that bull crap. Just a true website that’s not afraid to hit on everything.

Always had ideas that none of the big names will ever touch on etc. such as doing reviews on suspension bits like smash pot, Avy hybrid, etc and comparing it directly to stock, doing unbiased reviews due to the bike being bought and not loaned out to review… and more. Toss me some ideas on here or in messages of what y’all would want to see that’s not being done or could be done better.

Willing to make the financial leap myself but open to any and all help on the development of the website as well as what you are after on it.
Thanks!
  • 3 0
 I dont even look at bike websites that have cookie pop ups. Just return to search. I was looking at another the other day and floating ads popped up for engagement rings (not linked to anything I have searched!!). I just leave. Pinkbike has always been different and you need to retain that. We are fickle people with way less loyalty than we think. When my shop stopped holding a particular motorbike mag I always read, that was it. Yes I could order it but thats not as easy as picking up a copy with some tinnies and a lotto ticket.
PB works because of what it is and its unique in that sense. Also don’t forget that I have zero interest in Trailforks (just a good way to disclose your trails, you get stuff on FB groups and its Americacentric anyway), zero interest in Cycling Tips, zero interest in all that other US based stuff so I don't want some ‘amazing bulk subscription’.
We all hate change, thats life. But I struggle to see how this will work given that this company will want some return and you dont need to advertise bike kit at the mo because it a)sells out anyway and b)no stock!
  • 3 0
 Congrats PB! I'm relatively new to the site (~2 yrs), and love it, regular part of my daily routine, plus listening to the podcast.

I guess I have a general concern about what happens when the 'little guy' is bought by the big guy, and I can get grumpy about paid content sometimes, but hey, you made it, you own it, you can do what you want with it! I'll remain optimistic that this will all work out just fine!
  • 5 0
 @mikekazmier @mikelevy want to know what you are really worth to pinkbike. Tell them you are leaving and watch how fast the cheque book opens!
  • 7 0
 It’s been a good run. I hope nothing changes but it willFrown
  • 7 0
 Punk rockers don't die, they just sell out.
  • 3 0
 I've had a few PB accounts since 2006 and it has changed a lot over the years-- much of it for the better... Buttttt, do I think becoming part of Outside is a bit of a sell out? yes. do I see why they did it? certainly.

That being said, it still gives me the same feeling as clicking on some totally core "must watch" "shreddit" only to watch 2 and a half minutes of some park rat blowing up a shitty duff berm in slow-mo 40 times over.

It has potential to make PB better, but I dont see myself paying for the current content.

I just dont care about how mountain biking makes you feel more "connected to nature", the same story is getting old and honestly, your turning skills look worse in slow-mo.

Give me more no handers, big gaps and death metal.

Vital, this is your chance. PB, dont screw this one up.
  • 3 0
 Dunno if anyone will ever read this comment buried 1125 deep, but with all the “see you at Vital” comments, I wonder if this will create a situation like with Powder Mag -> TGR where the posters on TGR still called themselves the maggots. Will Vital posters reclaim Pinkers? I’m joining—I hope Smile
  • 3 0
 I work in digital advertising. What keeps the internet "free" is ad revenue. Going to a subscription based model they will likely lose a lot of regular users. If they have done the number crunching they likely know what they're about to lose and what they're about to gain. They've made their decision.
  • 4 0
 Probably inevitable, given the current online media ecosystem, but it's very hard to see a happy ending to this story.

Best wishes and good luck to all of the Pinkbike staff.

Time to look out for #1, guys.
  • 3 0
 Ive been on pinkbike for 14 years. Good times and lots of nostalgia. I don't bike as much as I need or want to anymore but still check on the site every now and again. Thanks to the PB team and the users for community that has been here for so long. I work in tech, startups and know how the acquisition route goes. Good for the team and I hope everyone got equity and a fat paycheck. We know how private equity buy outs go- its to extra every cent from the user and compromise quality along the way. Sad to see PB sell out, but I get it.
  • 5 0
 This is almost as sad as when mongoose, schwinn, gt, klein, garyfisher, bontrager and I've missed a few, all sold out. Good for the creators, bad for the brands.
  • 3 0
 Pinkbike's value is entirely in the community, no disrespect to the staff but there is nothing unique here and, if truth be told, Enduro-Mtb, Vital, plus others, do it much better. Maybe the community can shift en masse to Vitalmtb. Maybe if we kickstart a higher volume of comments on Vitalmtb it can really take off.
  • 3 0
 +1300 comments.... over 2200 upvotes on one good comment!

Pinkbike servers never had so much traffic, and I do believe for the next weeks, it will be business as usual!

VitalMTB might have a life opportunity in here, until it is sold.

PS: it's funny how coorp. see the world/web/sites.
Pinkbike is a valuable site because of traffic/users
engagement.
Question: Why do previous owners think they own us? Really...

This is like the golden eggs chicken & Killing the chicken
  • 3 0
 This is (potentially) a huge bummer. I loved BIKE Mag and still love that crew of folks over at Beta, but the user experience with the paywall absolutely sucks. I hardly visit that site. Fingers crossed they don’t ruin PB as well. I hope the extra funding actually leads to a better user experience in this case…
  • 3 0
 From Outside

The Pinkbike acquisition adds considerable readership and revenue in the cycling space, and thus adds momentum to the company’s Outside+ membership program. Outside+, introduced this year, offers enthusiasts various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other offerings for a $99 annual fee. The membership revenues complement Outside’s revenues from advertising, creating a business model for publishing that CEO Robin Thurston said is more sustainable than traditional media models in the long term. Adding Pinkbike, CyclingTips, and Trailforks gives Outside+ more critical mass, making membership purchases more desirable for enthusiasts and providing more readership for advertisers inside and outside the industry, Thurston said
  • 5 0
 I saw this coming with the advent of that Pinkbike Academy garbage. Is that the bright new future that Outside money will bring?
  • 6 0
 Say hello to the paywall, say bye bye to Pinkbike!
  • 8 1
 byeeee PB.
  • 6 0
 God damn this is a shit way to start the day.
  • 2 0
 Does this have anything to do with Trailforks disappearing from Garmin gps devices? Mine was still working last time out but a few lads I know did a software update recently and apparently it doesn't show on the map/navigation screen afterwards
  • 7 13
flag canadaka FL Mod (Jul 14, 2021 at 9:26) (Below Threshold)
 nope, check for a new firmware update from Garmin, fixes a bunch of issues.
  • 2 0
 im not sure how I feel about this news, not too good I guess. I got the beta pass and am honestly totally let down by Beta magazine, it does not compare to Bike mag. the new mag comes less times per year, has way less pages and way less pictures, not even the same type of pictures that get me excited to go "outside", it comes off as being 70% ads for 50 bucks a year. I will not renew unfortunalty. I don't care about the online content or help tracking my diet. that puts a bad taste in my mouth for this merger. hold tight Pinkbike, hope you survive, can't do it aloneWink
  • 7 1
 WAKIdesigns you're our only hope
  • 4 0
 Nope. This is all about ¥£€$$$$ Nothing good comes from this. What’s this next level bullshit? Time to go elsewhere. Loam Wolf ? Wait, we still have. NSMB !!!
  • 2 0
 Well every company will peak and fall hopefully Pinkbikes best days are still ahead. One thing that is certain in life is change. I’ve thought about this change since I read the news in the morning, and feel like this, is like satellite radio great idea but nobody’s wants to pay for the service but a niche portion of the population. The YouTube model might work but to read an subjective opinion I can go to another website for free. Also Outside doesn’t cater to Canadians as you can’t even subscribe to Beta magazine and get a printed copy delivered. I feel with a paid wall I will pay attention else where, but time will tell. Pinkbike certainly is entering an uphill battle good luck!
  • 2 0
 Good thing I just sold my bike in the buy/sell before they start to charge a post it fee or take a commission. I hope you speak the truth Pinkbike about the user experience not changing. I have been a die hard member since 2006 and can not say that about any other site or magazine. Which speaks volume about your content.
  • 2 0
 I mean, as long as they still link out to Red Bull downhill links I'm generally fine. But it would be such a massive bummer to see reviews get set behind a pay-wall. Like, massive massive bummer. But there it goes. One domino falls at a time.
  • 3 0
 Farewell pinkbike. It will be cold turkey for me. It was my favorite site but I dont want to get be led on that nothing is changing only to be locked out slowly from evermore content.
  • 2 0
 Maybe this gives them the cash to launch the "Grim Donut" bike brand...

I was a long time subscriber to Bike and switched over to Beta, I'm still on the fence if it worth the money. It seems like paywalls (and the subscription model) is here to stay so let's hope Pinkbike will stay the same.
  • 2 0
 Feels just like when Vail bought Whistler/Blackcomb. Assurances that things will remain the same, and yet the commoditization of a jewel begins. Just wait for press releases about the great “learnings” that will be spread across the company. A sad day. RIP PB.
  • 7 0
 Huh...
  • 3 0
 I don't know what to think of this.
  • 5 0
 Can only assume the classified ads will either go away or be behind a paywall as well. Vital???
  • 4 0
 Good for Radek but likely bad for us and the staff. I expect to have to pay for a less core, more PC and watered-down version of PB in the future.
  • 5 0
 We might as well have a last cliché post section.

We can start with 'Norbs go robbed'....
  • 6 0
 The sauce is now L A M E ! ! !

wtf?!
  • 5 0
 good for all the PB staff...bad for the PB readers. today marks the beginning of the end imo
  • 5 0
 Subscription is not the way to move forward. Mass migration to vitalmtb.com in 3…2…1
  • 6 0
 Can't wait for "Sponsored" ads in the buysell section.... What a bummer.
  • 3 1
 Congrats Pinkbike and Pinkbike team. It's definitely a little worrying (especially the comment about most content remaining free), but I also get it from a business perspective.

Fingers crossed things don't veer too far off course or I'll have to find a new way to waste every morning at work.
  • 5 0
 I can't wait for articles about my favorite 4000 dollar camping tent for my extreme bike packing trip in Nepal
  • 2 0
 Bah, mixed emotions. I can't think of an acquisition thats been good. "Taking things to the next level" costs money... and the paywall at BETA has already turned me away from their content.

Hoping this truly means Pinkbike can expand content and maintain the current access levels, though I am doubtful that could happen. Outside will want/need a return on their investment.
  • 4 0
 "While our long term business model will evolve, a significant portion of our content will remai..."

"And Oh my god what's this!? It's Vital MTB with a folding chair!"
  • 2 0
 I wonder if they acquired Pinkbike just to get Trailforks? Would make sense that an app that's supported by free labor and charges for use makes some money. I imagine Pinkbike breaks even financially with ads.

As a consumer of this free content who doesn't contribute or buy things from the ads, I demand to know what kind of cool shit the two guys I had no idea existed that own this thing are buying with their dump truck loads of money!
  • 6 0
 I'm surprised that this announcement was not made via tick tock
  • 5 0
 Corporate behemoth profiteers are in. Congrats on cashing out. I would sell it too.
  • 5 0
 Rest In Peace PinkBike. It was a good run and a lot of fun, but I think we all know what's around the corner...........
  • 2 0
 First my best freind is heading off to College for four years and now PinkBike may never be the same. I can't take it!

If Outside changes too much shit and I am driven to self-destructive behaviors ending in death, I blame them.

...But I will die happy knowing my '03 Marz. Monster will survive the 100'+ drop! I love you, PinkBike Beer
  • 2 0
 Whoa! Be cool, brother. We're here to talk if you need us.
  • 2 0
 @Stoaks: Don't worry Mate, I was mostly kidding. Everything was just feeling very, very tragic when I read the above article.


..except about the Monster. It would survive anything tup

And Thank you.
  • 2 0
 *shrug* It was inevitable that our lads in Canada would be too nice to tell them to get bent. The old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" comes to mind, but who gives a spoke what I think. The "progress" will happen and the organic roots grown stuff will get replaced with the big box that is the major meta producer will "know better" what sells and all of us can get bent instead. I will toss back a few moose drools and miss what was and watch the "free" content get whittled down to nothing and slowly ever so slowly PB will disappear forever, it's how these things work ~ just look at Trek aka klein, gray fisher, lemond, bontrager and my 3rd nut..... Hey now kazimer will get a true dentist grade bike and levy can busa power his mini... I will miss you guys as you were and grimace as I watch this foregone conclusion happen.
  • 4 0
 later on , dudes ,dudettes and anybody in between...congrats to pinkbike on their retirement. thanks for ,"the finger" on the way out.
  • 2 0
 Pinkbike has long been one of if not THE #1 MTB news website because it was a "pure MTB culture" page and had a sense of "rawness" to it...this acquisition by Outside I can foresee being the beginning of a "overly polished" and "fluffy" MTB news page after which it will loose the sense of rawness, therefore we mtb'ers will just loose interest. I am legitimately disappointed by this news BUT I will still frequent the site as I always do until something new comes up resembling that "rawness" and "pure MTB Culture" we all love and missed.
  • 2 0
 Welp! I finally learned how to say “Tadayy Poegotcha”…

Should I just switch to road full time? Damn PB.

Outside, please do the opposite of what Vail Resorts does. PB prevails because it doesn’t prevail to the masses.
  • 2 0
 I probably would not have joined pinkbike when I was like 14 if it cost money to use. It expanded my mind on what freeride could be and showed me what was going on with jump building in the forums. I don't think the forums are what they used to be anymore. Biking has changed a lot. I don't know that it is going to be the sport that I grew into when I was young for the next generation.
  • 4 0
 So ironic given the last podcast with RC... What do you think happens with the community (best part of PB) when the site goes partially behind a pay wall?
  • 2 0
 I'm excited to see what's next. It seems like just yesterday @brianpark was just some kid from Oliver that had a guest spot on DropIn as the bus rolled through and I could stop by the warehouse in Chilliwack to check out new swag with @brule
  • 5 3
 Well done lads n lassies, its your website to do whatever you like with. The great thing is that everyone moaning about how you choose to benefit from your success can make their own website to challenge you. I look forward to seeing the results.
  • 2 0
 Change is hard, but inevitable I'm afraid. Maybe CyclingTips is a model for the future. There's an awful lot of content that's free – reviews, race reports, op ed, etc. If you choose to join their VeloClub, you get access to a Slack channel for direct chat to the editorial team and other members, a photo annual... and a clean conscience? I don't know if you get fewer ads on the site 'cos I already use a blocker... If that's what happens to Pinkbike, that'll fine... won't it?
  • 3 1
 Donno man, consolidated media with a personalized experience seems like a pretty bad call. Look at why Reddit has been so successful - each community is community driven, not algo driven. The algo's involved in Reddit are trying to figure out what communities you might be interested in, but at the end of the day each subreddit is community driven.

Now think about how many shitty magazines there are online that are purely driven on clickbait and algorithms trying to figure out how they can grab more eyes without having to actually produce compelling content.

Take a brief glance at outside's, and tell me there are some strong elements of that going on with them.

The mods are right - this is the next step in going further with pinkbike - the thing is, they probably don't have the same "further" in mind as the community does.

This is undoubtedly going to give them pay raises, a greater air of legitimacy in their own eyes, a feeling of "we made it to the big world! We got acquired!" It'll be a more professional environment. And honestly, I'm not hating on those goals. The Mountain bike industry has always felt like kind of a bummer career wise - there aren't a lot of high paying jobs and it's long been a "you do it cause you love it, man!" attitude. Which is a pretty manipulative way to get people to work for cheap. And there's a big pool of applicants because there are a ton of applicants who never really found their calling in life and just gravitated towards bikes because they liked them, had worked at bike shops in college, and never really moved on.

So to be able to leverage themselves as a media company and get acquired by a big media company is pretty dope from the jobs side of thing. We complain about how there aren't good jobs in the MTB industry, well, this seems like a pretty cool deal right here, and I'm stoked for the people who currently work at pinkbike. This is rad as f*ck for them career wise, and they made it as a media company. Ultimately, a move like this is going to spur a higher level of competition of MTB jobs on the media side of things, which will hopefully translate to some super rad content.

And you could argue that pinkbike has been corporate for quite some time. Which is probably pretty fair. Virtually every article is a paid press release on the industry side, and I have to expect probably on the race side too although I'm not as familiar with that. They've made this site work by embracing free content which is just a series of press releases and advertisements.

I guess the thing that concerns me is most people f*cking hate the very idea of paid content - it's like an idea that conjures up the devil for tons of people - and then simultaneously hate on shitty clickbait and sponsored content - something that every media company struggles to find balance with. And I haven't seen anything that's really impressed me about the way Outside handles it - nor have I been particularly engaged by their editorial direction.
  • 2 0
 Can’t say it hasn’t been coming. PB loading up on new media like the enduro series with Orbea and employing more staff, pumping up the value and outreach and viewership. Getting ready for a sale. Oh well, got to say like the rest, it sucks
  • 2 0
 I've been in this trail for 21 years now, same as @Radek the founder, I hope all these 1000+ content/comments essence stays the same, and people scepticism is just that. And yes change can be good or bad, sometimes inevitable, but keep it real otherwise pinkies paint the bike... @brianpark
  • 2 0
 That bring back some fun memories. I always wondered how many stickers they printed!
  • 5 0
 Outside Magazine???? Does this mean that we all have to dress fashionably but never actually go outside and get dirty?
  • 4 0
 Curious how joining a large conglomerate will increase "personalized" content. This sounds like corporate speak, and really is nonsense.
  • 6 0
 Where can I buy a red trucker hat saying "Make PinkBike Great Again"
  • 2 0
 What I really hope never changes is @brianpark and the editiors being right there in the weeds of the comment section when they need to. Very few publications, from what I've seen, will get right in there in the comments and discuss and defend. Makes this place feel more like friends showing cool bike shit to their other friends. I hope Outside doesn't change that, and keeps it hands off as much as possible. Pinkbike should grow and develop, because that will give the ability to do kick ass stuff in the future, but if Outsider starts trying to pull in Pinkbike into their norm, there won't be anymore weird alien stuff from @mikelevy or eccentric april fools jokes. That would be tragic.
  • 2 0
 The next April fools joke:
Free Outside+ lifetime memberships! -Today only!

Click HERE
  • 2 0
 Could PB not operate on an advertising business model? Did the community not provide the revenue or did you guys just not reinvent your own business model enough to be independent? Sounds like somebody wanted to retire and sold the staff and the legacy up shits creek. RIP PB
  • 2 0
 First, I was super bummed when trail forks became a subscription-based app/site. I referred so many good folks.

Second, I almost understand what it's like to sell out...almost. the attraction to money is a big thing and we should all be honest, money would fix a lot of our problems. However if I was a pink bike staffer for X amount of years, I would not want to see all of our hardworking (our baby) get traded off like this.

I'm going to be most bummed out I think when the photos of the year voting and similar go away. The pay wall will increase more and more and more over time until the brand dies. Bike parks, shops, trails will lose any amazing source of traffic and lose a major source of help.

If you are like me I usually check out videos or photos or reviews of trails or parks on PB and YouTube before I waste my time going. This will also cut back finances for local shops as well.

It sucks but no amount of anger from PB readers will change anything.

Also, pinkbike IT, I was the one that scanned your site a while ago using NMAP looking for open ports and vulnerabilities. I was doing it as a test and forgot to initiate my VPN and you blocked my IP lol I'm ethical and won't disclose anything (scanning is not illegal) but yall need some security work for sure.

Good luck.
  • 2 0
 Have you ever lost something and then 5 years later you find it and think, "well, life carried on without that and to be honest, I never really needed it!"? I feel like this will be much the same for folks that decide to step out. For the others that stay and pay, good for you. You're the user they paid for.

RIP Pinkbike.
  • 8 7
 Let me tell you all about a little publications that I grew up reading called Ride BMX. I cherished this magazine growing up.. and I know lots of other people did too. It too was bought up by multiple different companies, the last of which, American Media LLC. ( cue Darth Vader Music ) promptly bought up Ride and all the other Transworld publications and dumped them and fired all the people involved.

I think everyone should probably think a bit more about this and consider ourselves lucky that they were bought up by a company that actually cares about what they do and not some evil LLC that buys everything up they can and leaves a path of devastation in their wake. It’s telling that the whole staff is still there, and if they seem excited, I’m excited. I’m not stoked on the “most things will stay free” but that just means I’ll expect better content for my money. I’m sure they put a lot of energy into filling ad space, and now they won’t need to do that as much. I’ll just cancel a Netflix or a Hulu and pay for this.
  • 5 0
 I'm sure we can all find somewhere new to hangout.
  • 5 0
 Should have posted this news on April 1st
  • 6 0
 Looks like a Scission
  • 4 0
 and I was about to buy some "Pinkbike" brand merchandise, this looks like an mtb monopoly, goodbye freedom!
  • 1 0
 Do we know if Outside will honor previous Trailforks subscriptions? If I can buy a 3-year plan and get grandfathered in before they raise subscription prices or put everything behind a paywall that would be great. My local riding area isn't well represented on MTB Project, Strava is the best representation of trails next to TF but it's not ideal.
  • 5 0
 Make MTB affordable again :'(
  • 2 0
 As long as I can still read articles and access the forum and buy/sell I'll be okay honestly. Looks like their may be some extra jazz for a subscription, just hoping those 3 aren't subscription based
  • 2 0
 I understand this move, but it still makes me sad and disappointed for what I expect to happen in the near future. But time shall tell, and I wish PB and CT staff nothing but the best.
  • 2 0
 Opened PB this morning looking for “Win it Wednesday”, and found “THIS!!” which produced a result more effective then any laxative I have ever tried. I guess that’s the only type of win I will ever get from PB.
  • 5 0
 at least i'll be riding more.
  • 3 0
 Sellout. As everything does. Thanks for the inspiration along the years Pinkbike. Go charge your shifters and dropper posts you peasants. We’ll be in the woods
  • 1 0
 It’s the Butler effect in a way. Something can only grow to a certain size or be used so much before it becomes strained so much that it needs to change.
“Comment gold” doesn’t pay the bills and while people don’t want it to change, they also want more reviews, better race coverage, in depth opinion piece. You cannot have the cake and eat it too for free.
It was a great cake though. Let’s give the new bakery a chance.
  • 5 0
 Paywall the e-bike stuff - they can well afford it
  • 2 0
 Funny thing is I just dropped my subscription to outside mag after 15 years, because over the last year or so the content has become uninteresting. Hope that doesn't happen here
  • 2 0
 Outside can kiss my entire asshole. Not a quarter, not half, but the entire asshole. Why pay when there is better for free. Just look how horrible Beta is and now Pinkbike will be the same. Peace bitches.
  • 2 1
 Most of the people commenting here surely cannot remember the times before the internet when if you wanted to read an article, you had to buy a newspaper in your hard-earned money. Of course it isn’t strange that for those who are used to free stuff and a broad range of info found online, it is now hard to swallow that you (maybe) don’t get your favorite stuff for free. This is a tendency, in the long term no online or printed media would survive only by ads. Except if it is supported by a government.
However, I agree that in most of the cases it is not a good sign when a bigger company acquires a smaller one. We might expect some changes in the content, but let’s hope it is for the better.
  • 3 0
 Looks like Outside also bought bikereg.com which is althletereg.com. IMHO, to many eggs in one basket and that farmer isn’t going to share.
  • 1 0
 For shits and giggles, I navigated to backpacker.com. I then navigated to Multiday Packs First Look and the content was blocked. I was then prompted to create an account, FREE, $49./yr or $99/year. I never engage with such nonsense! Goodluck PB!
  • 1 0
 If they now have the funding from this massive company, with a partnership from Gaia, trailforks should go back to free. Sure its gotten me out of tricky situations, and I didn't mind paying for it when it was to support just pinkbike. Now I'm just giving funds to this large company and it probably won't even go towards trailforks.
  • 1 0
 That does not sound promising.


On the other hand, it's nice to see that pic of Rob 'Biff/Slick' Stevens again. A good friend and one of the founders of the 'SteepCreeps'. In fact, that spot at North Glenmore was a 'chute tuck' mecca for the adrenaline junkies since the mid-80s and birthed the name SteepCreeps. When it's steep you gotta creep.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Any idea on the future cost per comment? I'm pretty sure the legions of TubeFaceYouBook algo tweakers that steer the ship now realized long before any offer was floated, that the current reader base is incompatible with the Outside business model. 10K+ Mountain bikes on carriers attached to BMWs as the new corporate status symbol.

Advertisement driven ( as opposed to ridden) reviews will become the norm, as the filthy unwashed readers of today who would prefer to spend their $ on a new crank, as opposed to paying to read content they contributed. migrate elsewhere, before they are faced with articles promoting fractional ownership of MTBs.
  • 1 0
 I strongly recommend the services of Sniffingnose ( repairman) com on tor browser, they're a team of highly experienced cyber security professionals and ethical hackers, they helped me recover my account which was hacked for over a week, I'm positive they'll be able to help you out.
  • 5 3
 The Beta challenge will be the best. I'm a long fan of Beta (artist formerly know as Bike) and basically have read it and PB from their inceptions. Congratulations on the sale and La'Chaim! to more years to come.
  • 2 0
 Well, this happens in business. The only time it doesn't happen is when the original folks don't want to give up control of their passion. Money generally wins in the end. Time will tell what happens.
  • 4 0
 Maybe just funny to me that "GymClimber" is among the publications / brands owned by "Outside".
  • 7 6
 LOL

Wonder which site will step up as the dumping grounds for shameless mtb product managers peddling their shitty, cheesy, wares?

The only thing pinkbike has going for it, is sheer volume. If the mtb media dumping grounds migrate over to Vital or another competitor, the shithawks (PB users) will soon circle over there
  • 11 10
 I know this comment is semi ironic but with the exclusion of @BrianPark I count only 1 user in the comments as a plus member. Which means everyone else wants the site to remain free but not help in any way. I also notice most of the negative comments are from people that have been users for less than 10 years. They literally don't know how far the site has come and was accused of "selling out" every step of the way. I trust that Radek wouldn't just sign over his creation on a blank check with no say on how it will fit into Outside as a whole.
  • 11 0
 It’s free because of tons of ad revenue bro. Not subscribers.
  • 9 1
 Honestly though I think 90% of us would rather that Pinkbike was still kinda clunky and a bit slow but still had the community that it had 10 years ago.
  • 1 0
 @TheMountainViking: you joined in 2016, am I missing something?
  • 1 0
 @skierdud89: Been here since about 2009 my dude, it is possible to create a new account you know.
  • 5 0
 And the fate of the classifieds?
  • 10 4
 Lol I blame Sarah
  • 2 0
 I orchestrated the entire thing, it's true.
  • 1 0
 For me outside magazine was always kind close to enduro MTB, GQ, and the useless magazines with generic top level content, that brings nice stories that are relevant to dreams of the target audience, rather be hands on PB with top notch comment sections that drives industry standards
  • 2 1
 I will of course give the site a chance. I am actually an Outside+ member now, because it is the same price as a Todays Plan membership without all the other stuff.
My biggest issue is product reviews. The PB and Cyclingtips sites seemed to me to give the most well rounded reviews on the internet. They give both sides, they will call something ugly, they will call something awesome. They will say something is awesome, but kind of ugly. I liken it to DCrainmaker. Companies don't send them stuff to use it as an advertising engine, they send them stuff because if something does not have a review on one of those 2 sites, people might not buy it.
Velonews is not like that. Any bike review seems to read like a press release from the brand. "It is lighter/stiffer more integrated and better so go buy one!"
Also if you go to Velonews, there is a LOT of articles behind that paywall.
  • 3 0
 I come here for free entertainment and wisdom in comments, freedom vibes, and reviews with destroyed rims and cracked frames. Let's see how it goes.
  • 2 1
 Free easy access quality content is what has kept me around. I love killing time on a bike site, but have to admit, the moment I have to pay I won't be back. If PB hadn't had so many years offering free access I wouldn't question the new subscription model being discussed here. I just don't see a benefit to the user, but happy to be proven wrong. Also happy to kill time elsewhere, haha.
  • 1 0
 I'm glad that a significant amount of your content will remain free... Probably like you can read the first third of an article and the rest will be hidden behind a paywall?

I guess this whole thing will ruin Pinkbike for a whole lot of people.

On the other hand, things are expensive, the staff wants to be paid, servers aren't for free...

I'm torn and I really hope that PB is that much of an affair of the heart for you guys that you won't let it get ruined by a big media corporation.
  • 5 0
 The important thing is that everybody stays completely outraged. LOL
  • 4 0
 will the how to article on how to delete your account be hidden behind a paywall?
  • 1 0
 Damn, PB has been great since the start. Sucks that Trailforks needs a subscription for mobile apps, which I don't have BTW. Hope Outside doesn't ruin it by making you pay for subscriptions and other crap that pretty much kill viewership.
  • 4 0
 Velonews did the same thing, now you have to pay to read 70% of the content on the site.
  • 1 0
 I pay to use Trailforks, it's a good app and it's helped me route find/plan more than once, but paying to read content on the internet, nah, that's just not essential to my life or what I like to do.

MTBR instituted a similar pay to play gig, you can pay if you want to skip the advertising. I was "granted" a one year free subscription, but it's not going to be something I pay for when that year ends.

Honestly, most of us spend too much time on the internet, so if instituting a paywall is where PB goes, then maybe it's for the best.

I spent last week riding and traveling in Oregon, rarely had internet access, and it was not a problem, sorta felt liberating Smile
  • 2 1
 Change is great... as long as it isn't bad. I haven't heard of Outside before, but I'm very skeptical of this change. Seems very likely that Outside will extract as much money out of PinkBike as possible, even if it kills it, rather than support Pinkbike's ambitions to provide for the reader. The small change with the Trailforks subscription is already an indication of this direction.
  • 3 0
 Lame-O-Rama…laying it on pretty thick there. The Beta team gets a pass cause Bike Mag got canceled. This is a text book sell out. Better get to work.
  • 1 0
 I just hope you’re able to maintain the current staff. You’ve done so well with your hires, the personality of everyone really shines through and at the end of the day, our being able to relate to these (seemingly) good, wholesome writers is what keeps us clicking. I hope that dynamic remains and all the wonderful people currently employed by Pinkbike find the new arrangements to their liking.
  • 3 0
 Please don't lock things behind a paywall PB! Or else you can actually, so i don't feel the need to check this everyday. Maybe i can get other things done!
  • 4 0
 1000 comments already. Everyone paying their respects to Pinkbike. It's been a good few years.
  • 5 0
 I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords
  • 3 0
 Knew this was happening as soon as Trailforks got the paywall treatment. That was a trial run and everyone went along with it.
  • 3 0
 Never thought I'd see the day Pinkbike fucked over an entire community..... this site and those involved can go fuck themselves.
  • 10 6
 I’m sure there will be a bunch of haters, but If the content is great, I have no problem with subscription.
  • 6 2
 The only good that could possibly come from this is if all that Outside corporate cash gets @mikelevy a big a$$ raise.
  • 8 3
 But then I might have to do more work and that's the opposite of my plans Wink
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: Your new corporate overlord downvoted this lol
  • 4 0
 How long before we are being teased with sneek peaks at Laird Hamilton's bike?
  • 2 0
 Remember the days of the internet when information was free flowing? At current rate, there will zero free content to read on the net in a few years. It'll be nothing but walled off paid for content.
  • 3 0
 I'd be surprised if anyone from Outside cares about any of these comments. Like any large conglomerate, they prolly only care about profits.
  • 1 0
 Vail buying Stevens Mtn. Adidas buying 5/10. There's many other examples, but with a huge corporate conglomerate comes change. And that change is a feel in what you're use to. And the feeling lost could be construed as "community" when the bottom dollar line is more important than the person or people.
I understand them selling it. Who doesn't want to make a bunch of money after working hard and investing and building a brand. Sadly, that brand changes when board of directors are making decisions based on graphs, there's no way around it. It's been a fun ride Pinkbike. Really it has and I hope that I am wrong and nothing changes. Based on experience, it always does.
  • 2 0
 First thing comes to mind about outside website/magazine: BIASED! Full of "hidden" ads, industry influenced reviews and products hyped to the end.

Well that's all folks with Pinkbike !
  • 4 0
 "a significant portion of our content will remain free"

...yeah, like the adverts
  • 3 0
 Well, you could put all the ebike articles behind a paywall - majority wouldn't notice and the world would be saved. Just when I wanted to buy me some PB merch.. meh
  • 2 1
 Though I am jelly of all the dough that was obviously much kneaded to expand PB’s menu, I am filled with grim trepidation as I donut know what will befall this iconic site. Many of us are left Horton’ about now.

Had to be done
  • 1 0
 @alperson while I respect your insight and view, your use of VeloNews as some sort of positive example is off IMO. I am a hardcopy subscriber, and upon the incorporation of VN by Pocket I was put off by no free or discounted offer for their new, online content. This was further exacerbated by the content itself; the free content was light on substance beyond social/quasi-political, and the pay content was not "Superfan" or "deep dive", it was simply the content I signed up for initially, which of course is cycling. So, VN/Pocket alienated a current paying customer while trying to acquire paying customers. That's not the sign of someone who understands how best to build/expand a platform.

For me, my disposable income goes where I feel I get the most bang for my buck; in this regard Pocket has consistently come up short for me as their offering at the pay level has never met that threshold. No worries, I and others will find something else eventually. The shame of that is, of course, that the "amazing leaders" seem to miss that segment of their audience, and therefore, also miss opportunities to improve their product.
  • 1 0
 Grateful I got to enjoy the golden age of mountain bike online and print content. As recently as a few years ago we had Pinkbike under RC, a pretty good era of mtbr, vital, nsmb, enduromtb, Dirtrag, and Bike. Lots of smart, reader-oriented quality. Now we’re headed towards nsmb, enduromtb, vital, and Build Rock Hard Abs TODAY on Trek’s Awesome New $23,000 Ebike!
  • 2 0
 I've heard rumors that they've already partnered with Disney to make a mountain-bike-themed Air Bud movie to teach us the importance of believing in yourself and of unquestioning obedience to all IMBA and UCI guidelines.
  • 1 0
 They´ve sold their teenage click bait website about pushbikes to a proper company run by twats with suits. Good luck to them Big Grin

I am hoping the same people will be behind a new format similar to this soon, which is normally how selling out a successful idea to hedge fund companies turns out.
  • 1 0
 This was in the Gear Junkie article about the acquisition:

Outside Adds Pinkbike, TrailForks, CyclingTips: Why?
The Pinkbike buy considerably increases Outside’s readership and revenue in the cycling space. In turn, the brand hopes to add momentum to its Outside+ membership program.

Outside+ launched in May as part of a corporate strategy to reduce ad revenue dependency. The program offers various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other perks for an annual fee.
  • 3 2
 brian park, and the rest of the woke corporate loving editorial staff ruined pb, as well as the site getting taken over by affluent dentists that cant ride there $10000 stupjumpers on a blue square park trail without there gopros.
  • 1 0
 Good article on strategy

www.adweek.com/media/outside-media-bets-on-bundles-for-subscriber-retention-with-its-latest-acquisition

"Outside currently reaches about 200 million unique visitors a year, the publisher said, and it hopes to convert between a sizable 5%-10% of its readers into subscribers. It also hopes to shift its funding from about 70% ad-supported to 70% subscription-supported in the coming years."
  • 2 0
 I seriously don't think this strategy is going to work for them...
  • 2 0
 @Paco77: Well they could always charge for the Buy/Sell posting for a mild bump in revenue.

The 1st page of All Mountain alone is about $78K worth of bikes. If they can turn 20% of these every 30 days at a 2% commission it could be $3,800 annually X 300 pages of bikes is $1.14M+.

They could also charge $25 a post X current 40K items posted for a quick million. Turn this over every 90 days and it's $4M annually. Even if Buy/Sell postings cut in half it could be $2M annually which is enough to offset 40K subscriptions at $49.
  • 1 0
 The link/release from outside magazine:
www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/biking/lachlan-morton-tour-de-france-route-solo-alt-tour

"Read more: Outside has unveiled its new membership platform, a one-stop shop for active lifestyle participants

The Pinkbike acquisition adds considerable readership and revenue in the cycling space, and thus adds momentum to the company’s Outside+ membership program. Outside+, introduced this year, offers enthusiasts various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other offerings for a $99 annual fee."

Personally, not very impressed with Outside Magazine anymore. I essentially got a free 1 yr paper magazine subscription and honestly, don't even read it. Paying $99/yr, personally I'm passing.
  • 1 0
 The PB crew may very well end up in the crossfire of the acquisition’s changes to the site.
But in the meantime (which I hope is a long time) I’m very appreciative of (and committed to supporting) their daily efforts to inform and entertain.
  • 2 0
 I can't wait till we get all the must have items for the bike park, and 5 secrets to getting faster in a month-type content. Only worse company to buy PinkBike would be Rodale. It was good while it lasted!
  • 5 1
 I just wanna say we love you @brianpark @mikelevey @mikekazimer @sarahmoore and the rest of you.
  • 2 2
 Smile
  • 3 0
 www.pinkbike.com/news/Pinkbikecom-10000000-Photos-and-Counting-2013.html

Comment numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 under article. Please don't change, PB.
  • 3 0
 @rosemarywheel: awesome. Those comments make me want to cry. GUTTED.
  • 2 0
 @mtnbkrmike: I know. I am happy for the PB team but I also know this is probably the beggining of the end of one of the best things ever in my very short time here on earth. Unless they buy it back and let us Pinkbikers buy it instead...

Anyway, you never, ever sell out to a huge corporation and think things will stay the same. But to quote a line from that Marvel Movie... " *-----* is not a place, it's a people"

But who would have thought back then it would come to this? Glad to meet you anyway!

And p.s.? I did cry.
  • 2 0
 @rosemarywheel: I was with a firm that went from 50, to 750 overnight. After being there 24 years, I left. Just like I unfortunately am going to do here. But like I tried to say in a post way down at the bottom, I appreciate and am grateful for all that PB has done, to add to all my incredible biking memories over the decades. I feel so fortunate to have been part of this incredible ride. It’s been one helluva run, and at least I was part of it!
  • 3 0
 @mtnbkrmike: Exactly. Far in the future I will be able to tell my kids (who I am sure will be into bikes as much as I am) about PB and how chaotic, crazy and beautiful it was, and the people that made it so. It is such a great resource for knowledge and experiences. Time to start screenshoting my favorite articles...

...and I am sure there will be another gathering place not quite like it that will pop up that we will also love.

I won't leave right away though... not yet.

Good night! Beer
  • 2 1
 Grats to Radek, staff will recover in time. Stick around for your compulsory two years of golden handcuffs, take your cash, and possible options should that have been on the table during talks, and enjoy, you've truly earned it! Also, I'll stop sending you website bugs. : )

#radekrainingmoney
  • 1 0
 @brianpark @mikelevy @mikekazimer @sarahmoore
I picked up mountain biking a few years ago and fell in love with it. Pinkbike has played such a huge impact in those years, fanning the stoke and helping me understand bikes and the industry so much more than when I first started. As long as y'all are still in, I'm still in. Let the good times keep rolling!
  • 1 0
 Smile I'm in, I'm glad you're in! The good times will indeed keep rolling.
  • 1 0
 Well, I've only been on Pinkbike for about a year and a half, but it's literally become my safe haven whether I'm in class, at home, travelling, or literally anywhere. I know I can just come on here and jump right back into the world I love with the people who share their passion and all the World Cup winners in the comments. I have one thing to say about the impending paywall. Please, don't diminish Pinkbike. If you want to, create new content with all that outside money and make people pay for it. It's sad, but seems inevitable. But please, don't ruin the site and keep the version we know today intact, with its signature attributes and shows. It's a sad day.
  • 1 0
 The statement from outsides website.

"The Pinkbike acquisition adds considerable readership and revenue in the cycling space, and thus adds momentum to the company’s Outside+ membership program. Outside+, introduced this year, offers enthusiasts various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other offerings for a $99 annual fee. The membership revenues complement Outside’s revenues from advertising, creating a business model for publishing that CEO Robin Thurston said is more sustainable than traditional media models in the long term. Adding Pinkbike, CyclingTips, and Trailforks gives Outside+ more critical mass, making membership purchases more desirable for enthusiasts and providing more readership for advertisers inside and outside the industry, Thurston said."

tldr; Paywall and Advertising.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: I wonder how many corporate takeovers you've actually been through, the line on day 1 from the buying company is rarely where things end up. But personally you have no choice other than to repeat what they tell you. Good luck. I really hope this is for the best.
  • 1 0
 While I accept that you want to grow the business, how many PB'ers asked for a 'next level' and indicated they would pay for it? Sure if you want to grow the business, but this changes the offering to the community entirely - you may grow a business, but it's not the same business or product you currently run.

So much for my lifetime Trailforks early adopter membership that stated "we will NEVER ask you for more money". I'll eat my words if you honour that.

Best of luck PB, but I'm pretty disappointed.
  • 4 0
 I guess it's just a matter of time till Pinkbike goes subscription.
  • 5 0
 Please no paywall!
  • 4 1
 A lot complaints are addressed with “it’s free content!”. So much for that
  • 3 0
 RIP. It will be interesting to see if this creates a rapid loss in site traffic or just a slow burn
  • 2 0
 Sinkhole develops and its time to pull up hard and jump over it or risk getting sucked into the corporate sewage of Outside. Later tater, see you on the trail.
  • 5 0
 The end of an era!
  • 4 0
 It’s the 4th law of thermodynamics: everything gets suckier
  • 1 0
 I tried the beta pass subscription thing and cancelled instantly. All I wanted was a magazine and they don't ship em to Canada. Not really relevant but I'm not keen on this...
  • 5 0
 What everyone else said.
  • 1 0
 This thread still going? @jamessmurthwaite quick! calculate the number of comments over time since the announcement! I'd love to see that. Also, I'd love to see ratio of +1s to -1s over time!
  • 1 0
 Can you guys say how Trailforks is going to be affected if at all? It is the best trail app and i would be very upset if it goes away. I am a subscriber and use it all the time. Please dont let them mess it up.
  • 5 0
 Off to greenbike then?
  • 4 0
 Going to have to rely on Pinkishbike for news even more now.
  • 3 0
 dang, so consensus is probably going to be a paid subscription? lol back to craigslist buy and sell? that's going to suck
  • 5 0
 Cha-ching! RIP Pinkbike
  • 5 0
 The core is crushed
  • 3 0
 Do you remember when Pinkbike was the go to website to watch Drop In? Pepperidge Farm remembers.



RIP
  • 4 0
 Is this why Levy's stepped away?
  • 14 0
 They had to make a human sacrifice to obtain the Outside money.
  • 1 0
 For real?? It said in the article he's on board?
  • 11 0
 @Hardnacks: Yeah he was on board with being the human sacrifice.
  • 6 0
 @ct0413: Impaled by a grim donut top tube. I heard the tube was long enough to stick him & Kaz. They wanted to get Tina in there, but they'd have to weld two top tubes together...
  • 12 3
 I didn't step away, just took a little break from the internet. I'm not going anywhere, so you'll have to put up with me for a lot longer Smile
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: Respectable.
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: I had to ctrl F your name just to be sure...
  • 2 0
 @Hardnacks: three top tubes
  • 5 1
 That really sucks. So un-PB. So disappointing. I can't even...
  • 1 1
 Unmm guys you do know bikes will still be fun no matter what happens with pink bike???? That’s all that matters. Hopefully pinkbike will still be as good as it is now but if not your bike is still gonna make you smile. Change is inevitable, especially in the bike business.
  • 4 0
 Hopefully my stuff sells before this gets out of hand….
  • 4 0
 Deleting profile.........
  • 4 3
 Be well. We’ll see you back here someday.
  • 2 0
 How do you delete your profile and pictures and albums?
  • 5 1
 Do you think, they will sack Levy? ☹️
  • 10 1
 Thought they already did?
  • 11 2
 Not yet, but the day isn't over Smile
  • 4 0
 Don't worry guys we'll meet again on Vital MTB
  • 2 0
 Maybe Outside(TM) will do interpretive dance version of content! Now I am going Outside(TM) to ride my bike and have a little cry.
  • 2 0
 i hope that the content will remain the same as it was before. free and often. the moment i have to pay to see the latest bike release or first ride review, im out.
  • 2 0
 Funny that Outside was just bought out by Pocket Media in February of this year. Pocket Media then changed their name to Outside.
  • 3 0
 They said the same thing when Marzocchi was purchased by a Taiwanese company, back in 2012...
  • 2 0
 Dirt Magazine.... Never forget
  • 3 0
 I still miss those amazing Italian-made open bath/coil sprung forks.
  • 4 0
 Been on Pinkbike literally half my life. Sad it came to this.
  • 3 0
 Just registered at VitalMTB. Bye bye pinkbike, you won't be my most visited sit anymore
  • 5 0
 Where's DCA in all this?
  • 5 1
 Suspiciously quiet... Waki too... Makes me uncomfortable.
  • 2 0
 They'd both have to go in hard on the "loving new corporate overlords" angle. Some things are just too big to stomach maybe?
  • 3 0
 I don't see what the big deal is. I'm most excited to get that clicking finger exercise closing all the pop ups.
  • 4 0
 I'm just here to increase the comment count.
  • 4 0
 I don’t need Pinkbike to tell me how to cook.
  • 4 0
 PB’s just got F’d in the donut
  • 9 4
 #SELLOUT
  • 5 14
flag mikelevy Mod (Jul 15, 2021 at 12:19) (Below Threshold)
 You know nothing.
  • 4 0
 @Uncled: Regardless of any opinions on the matter, I see so much unnecessary hate and abuse towards the same people you came and read every day before the buyout. They are still humans doing a job that you enjoy and insulting them doesn't help anyone. Go and vent it in the trails and respect the good work they have been doing for years. Also I hope they will keep doing for many years without a paywall tho
  • 8 0
 @not-really: @not-really: Exactly. The internet is amazing sometimes, but these people make me want to leave and never come back. I can understand the concern - this is a huge community, after all, and it might seem like it's getting taken away - but I hope these people look back on their hateful comments with regret and embarrassment. Yes, it's uncertain times and we're not sure what the future of PB will look like, but that's just it: Nothing has changed yet and the eventual changes might not be as impactful as people are assuming. But no, instead people hide behind their fake names and spew hate while jumping to conclusions, including many industry "friends" that, at the very least, could have just not said anything. I can always turn this off, walk away, and have a great day, but it is so disheartening to see so much hate from people who were happy to come here only a few days ago.
  • 1 0
 @not-really: hmm I've never liked Brian Park actually.
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: it's not really unfounded reactions - many of us have pointed directly at publications we've enjoyed for years that were purchased in the past 6-12mo by Outside and what's happened to them. If those publications were the same quality as what drew us there in the first place then I'd agree with you - but having watched Climbing/Rock&Ice after Outside/Pocket purchased them I can't help but feel you're overly optimistic.

That all said I hope you are right and that PB improves and doesn't just become the beige Outside+ site that many outdoors media sources they purchased have become.
  • 3 0
 This week is difficult:

PB sold out

SC stopped being color blind. (new Tallboy and Hightower colors are hot)
  • 5 5
 Haven’t posted in a long time, as I’ve had many anti-ebike, anti-comments section and anti-social media rants etc.,

But if you think for a second a brand like Outside is going to tolerate the toxic bro culture of the comments section, you’ll find yourself mistaken. That’s the one silver lining to this, as the comments section contributes precisely ZERO to the culture of mountain biking.

You can’t knock a guy like Radek for wanting to cash out. He prob got a nice fat check. But you also can’t deny that crap like the gaslighting e-bike coverage, and giving the site a partial paywall, is just part and parcel to the decline of what USED TO BE a fairly independent source of reviews.

The integrity that some of the staff have is inevitably gonna be chipped away by the pursuit of profit.

I know Kazimer and Levy are either happy that their gonna paid what they’re worth, or sad that they’re gonna get muzzled by cow towing to brands. Or maybe both… again, you can’t knock it as a guy has to eat. That doesn’t change the fact that this sucks.

Will I continue to read pinkbike? Maybe, but I sure as hell ain’t gonna pay a penny for it. Not when the reviews will have lost their teeth, and the ebike garbage will propagate exponentially.

Question is… who’s the next guy who’s gonna launch the next Pinkbike?

Whoever that is, please give it a less odd name.
  • 3 0
 So how does someone go about deleting their photos and account on pinkbike? Asking for a friend.
  • 3 0
 The is news is horse shit! I didnt want big ownership.. I said it three times!!
  • 2 0
 This is getting out of hand. Well I guess it got OUTSIDE of PBs hands already...
This comment wall is over 1k deep! I love it! Is what everybody has been doing all day???
  • 2 0
 I guess 26 really is dead now. And I hope Rob Stevens gets a few beers bought for him with all this recent publicity for that sick old drop at Glenmore Reservoir.
  • 3 0
 Every mod comment getting ratioed hard here. PB users not happy... I can see why.
  • 3 0
 ahhhhhh.... Timing is everything. Queue up www.MisSpentSummers.com to fill the void.
  • 4 0
 Ouside will implement a proofreading policy. A terrible loss.
  • 4 0
 Boulder Colorado........ that says everything.....
  • 3 0
 Well shit, I guess I have to go back to using Craigslist to buy/sell bike parts now ‍♂️
  • 3 0
 "I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed, and ain't nothin' in this world for free"
  • 1 0
 This is why they've been churning out ragebait articles like the internal cable routing, to drive up interaction so the metrics look good. I'll see you guys again in 3 months. No more clicks from me til then.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark
I think Brian is earning the big bucks today from the amount of mentions. His notifications must be pinging enough to sound like a sonar.
Look after yourself after dealing with everyone’s vicarious trauma.
  • 2 0
 Mtbers are generally really tight fisted and fickle - a paywall of $1 would make 50% of people leave.
We'll see what plays out.
Going to miss the youtubes if they get walled.
  • 1 1
 Congrats Pinkbike! I'm very curious as to where the hateful and negative people will go to post their nonsense. Many people post just to be mean and treat people badly and use mtb as an excuse to do so. Your content is great. But how can you progress and expect peopke to pay when so many great discussions are drowned out by ignorance and rudeness?
  • 1 0
 How is BetaMTB doing? Have they had a ton of former Bike subscribers pay to become an "exclusive" member of the site?I'm sorry their price for subsrcibing was higher than the actual printed mag.
  • 3 0
 Cathro better be tall enough to see over that paywall! You can take my content but you will never take my Cathro!
  • 1 1
 While I understand the dislike of change, assuming that things are "good enough" and don't need to grow to survive is simply incorrect. Also, having ill will towards people wanting to sell their business and retire is simply selfish. They should work until their dead simply because you want to view free content forever? Why shouldn't they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor? I'm hoping this change is for the better. I'm sure there will be some growing pains, but that is to be expected.

The staff of PB obviously works very hard to put out excellent content, and I hope this change is a way for them to get some deserved recognition. Besides, even if they do go with some subscription based content they aren't going to force you to pay, just go somewhere else. It's just bikes
  • 2 0
 I decided to ask the AI Pinkbike commenter if it had any thoughts on this news: twitter.com/ExcitedPinkbike/status/1415655269028270080
  • 2 0
 Out of all the brands and business models to have embraced...who in the world was your sell side advisor? Were the owners that desperate for a liquidity event?
  • 3 0
 I'm not saying I'm excited about it, but who ELSE is looking for outdoor media brands to acquire? It's not like tons of investors are lining up to throw cash at bike news websites.

I think this change will probably be bad for users, but as the owner of several thousand shares in an internet media startup I was part of that has gone 10+ years without an exit, I don't really blame the PB folks for cashing in when they had a chance. That opportunity isn't guaranteed to come (and it usually doesn't).
  • 2 0
 sounds like when vail acquired whistler blackcomb. having been an employee at WB for nearly a decade let me tell you that has not gone well.
  • 1 0
 So when dealing with companies. Who will get the review bikes beta or pinkbike. Since they are the same company and most bike companies are corporate. I don’t see them sending outside two or more of everything.
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: how much did you hate writing this article? you knew the response would be "less than enthusiastic"
  • 1 0
 Now will you finally re-issue the “i love 7 inches in the rear” shirt? I didn’t but it back in the day because my stinky only had 6 inches and i didnt want to be a poser!
  • 1 0
 Fuck Outside Magazine for coming after Trail forks! We're downloading and printing everything out on water proof paper to give away for free you fucks. This website is shit now.
  • 4 0
 Press F for respects
  • 3 0
 Good luck Pink Bike, it's been fun
  • 3 1
 I have a subscription to Outside, BetaMTB, and Trailforks. Can I now cancel 2 of those?
  • 2 0
 Yeah or like when wire cutter was acquired by NYT! Pitchforks!!! Those guys are probably looking at Ferraris right now….
  • 2 3
 Well I thought the comments section was why I loved Pinkbike but after reading some of those it looks like that was the first thing to go. If it continues to look like this, RIP Pinkbike indeed. Meanwhile, Outside hasn't asked any of us for a dime...yet.
  • 4 0
 Where the hell have you been reading comments? These are tame
  • 3 0
 There goes the fun pinkbike.
  • 2 0
 Not going to lie, but I checked the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1rst....
  • 4 0
 Gross.
  • 2 0
 The prospect of loosing Pinkbike hurts more than my current shoulder surgery.
  • 3 1
 Follow the ig@boycott_pinkbike
we want to raise awareness about this atrocity
  • 5 0
 on instagram?
  • 3 0
 Here lays Pinkbike, always referenced and never forgotten. 1998-2021. RIP
  • 3 0
 First freeride, then 26, I'm not ready for pinkbike to die!
  • 1 0
 Interesting that once Outside took over Velonews, Canadians can't get a print subscription anymore. Maybe the PB folks can do something about that from the inside...
  • 3 0
 BIG FAIL !!!!! good bye.
  • 3 0
 I'm more surprised Pinkbike has been put in the endurance category....
  • 17 14
 Congrats Pinkbike! This is a big step!
  • 9 0
 A big step maybe, but not forwards. Probably more sideways.
  • 5 2
 Pinkbike is dead! Long live Pinkbike!
  • 11 0
 Nah, it's just dead-dead.
  • 4 0
 Sad
  • 3 0
 Just rename the site PinkLizard and call the day off.
  • 8 8
 GREED. Flat out. All the happy thoughts and ideas only amount to one thing, a few people get what they want, the rest... Mountain biking is not a prop or some damn thing to carry around like an accessory.
  • 4 2
 Congrats radek and team. Hoping this will be a successful venture and all of you can continue providing the stoke!
  • 4 0
 LOL
  • 3 0
 Well. Let’s see how this goes.
  • 4 0
 Outsidazon
  • 3 0
 What does this mean for Trailforks?
  • 12 1
 The price will go up by $2 a year until no one is on it anymore.
  • 1 0
 Exactly!
  • 3 0
 time to resurrect chainslayer?
  • 3 1
 Are 'local' trails now going to be posted on Trailforks to raise subscription rates amongst 'Outsiders'?
  • 7 18
flag canadaka FL Mod (Jul 14, 2021 at 9:27) (Below Threshold)
 No
  • 15 1
 @canadaka: not yet. Sorry, but PB and TF credibility is gone.
  • 5 0
 @canadaka: Yeah. OK. Like they're not going to monotize the living sh*t out of every corner possible. I get having your paycheck signers back, but get real.
  • 1 3
 @CircusMaximus: Up your reading skills, he clearly typed "no," yet you misread and say he stated 'not yet.' SMH my head
  • 1 2
 trail forks is already full of local trails that are now frequented by fat lads in pads getting things noticed shut down by land owners its a disaster of an app in that respect .. .
  • 2 0
 @canadaka: you actually have no ability to ensure this. You aren't some GP in the fund.
  • 3 1
 Chain Reaction Cycles has died in the UK and Europe once Wiggle has bought it.
  • 2 0
 Just wait for the top / bottom page Outside banners, that will be the day... hoping for the best, love the community here
  • 4 1
 It’s a sad week. First England lose the footy and now this.
  • 2 0
 Just received an email that Outside also acquired bikereg.com. Guess they are on a buying spree.
  • 3 0
 #Outside.Borg

It will be very difficult to not support Outside in some form.
  • 3 0
 I'll hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
  • 4 0
 RIP
  • 2 0
 Hello fellow Outers and welcome to the Pinkbike, brought to you by Outside TM, podcast
  • 1 0
 Great. Now Pinkbike is going to be the home of great outdoors content like Outside Magazine. If Wes Siler starts writing on Pinkbike....
  • 3 0
 I ain't paying for no MTB website. Ever.
  • 2 2
 Never once enjoyed anything Outside has been a part of. Obviously if I were staff here I’d be stoked. Make a bunch more money producing the same lackluster content as always.
  • 4 0
 That's the thing. They're not going to pay their staff more. But they're certainly going to be paying Outside's investors and CEO more Wink
  • 4 0
 Looks like a fail
  • 2 0
 I just saw an ad from Santa Cruz on Vital mtb. I quote: " New is not better. Better is better".
  • 2 0
 I don't use Trailforks anymore. I won't pay for it. I won't pay for social mountain bike commentary either.
  • 3 0
 Pay to play model…. Nice PB
  • 2 0
 Disney took over Lucasfilms. Do I need to say more?

How much have you paid for pinkbike?? I really would like to know.
  • 3 0
 So, how much did they sell PB for?
  • 4 0
 WAIT NO VIDEO???
  • 2 0
 I wonder if my early adopter half price lifetime trailforks paid subscription will be cancelled.
  • 1 0
 Good job pinkbike team. Y'all do great work. I'm want to see a in depth upspeak in the bike community podcast. I'm concerned.
  • 3 0
 Where do I go to collect my torch and pitchfork?
  • 2 0
 What does that mean for TRAILFORKS though? I mean, most of us are already paying for that app.
  • 2 0
 So you guys want me to pay for Trailfiorks and a website subscription. No
  • 2 0
 Well... as soon as I have to pay... It's off to vital. It's bad enough that trailforks "pro" is 30 bucks a year.....
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy this better be the subject of the next podcast.
  • 3 3
 I don't think we could NOT talk about it on the next podcast - over 1,300 comments! We're currently in the middle of filming the next Field Test up at Sun Peaks, so it may be late next week. Smile
  • 3 0
 Is it April 1? Maybe it’s April 1st and tomorrow this will be funny.
  • 2 0
 Does this mean if we don’t pay in, we will only be able to see the comments? Win:win!
  • 1 0
 Never heard of Outside or any of the other brands that they own, including the MTB one... I'm betting I will be hearing plenty about them soon...
  • 3 0
 Will the comments section still be free
  • 2 0
 Oof. Outside sucks. I was gifted a subscription once. Maybe read through one issue.
  • 1 0
 Love how this is right above the article “norco releases 3 new EMTBs with batteries sold separately” writings on the wall, was fun while it lasted
  • 1 0
 Im amazed with how much great content we've been able to get for free over the years. I look forward to seeing what a little extra revenue can do.
  • 1 0
 Outside+ makes money selling content to their paid members. Get ready to pay the membership to be able to access this comment section behind a member wall.
  • 1 0
 So many comments, I'm sure this has been said. I'm more worried about what they will do to Trailforks, been using that since back in the Skidmap days.
  • 9 7
 Hopefully less E-bike content!
  • 1 0
 Maybe they won't screw up the Friday Fails links anymore like they have been lately!!!
  • 2 1
 if i have to pay to watch Rampage i might quit mountain biking all together
  • 2 0
 Who's going to buy Punkbike.com because I want some shares.
  • 2 0
 archive.is

Use this for the future paywalls
  • 3 0
 See yall at vital!
  • 2 0
 Hahahaha fuck outside Vital is so stoked right now
  • 3 0
 C u guys at vital
  • 1 0
 I was hoping I would wake up today and all this was just a big joke. Waiting for the press release saying so.
  • 2 0
 Is it an early April fool’s?
  • 3 0
 The beginning of the end
  • 2 0
 hopefully they get rid of the heat map on trail forks.
  • 2 0
 It has been a good run, thanks for the memories
  • 1 0
 Im stocked to announce that next year I will be reading another web. thanks for the ride it was great!
  • 3 0
 Damn
  • 2 0
 New homepage for my browser
  • 3 0
 ooooooooof
  • 3 1
 Awesome! Hope everyone got a good payout, excited to see what comes next!
  • 4 1
 Au revoir Pinkbike...
  • 5 2
 So sad
  • 1 2
 I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords Smile

Exciting news & optimistic this will only make the content that much higher quality and create more opportunities for mountain biking! Good luck with the transition!!
  • 4 1
 Yikes
  • 3 0
 bummer
  • 2 0
 Trailforks is already so complacent
  • 2 0
 Can we get Jason back at least?
  • 1 0
 He didn't go anywhere Smile
  • 1 0
 Super-excited for the Oxygen content to be cross-posted. At my age and skill level they're more relevant to my riding!
  • 1 0
 I'll reserve my doubts and give you a chance! Fingers crossed, hoping for the best!
Congratulations @brianpark and Co.!
  • 3 1
 BALLER MOVE.


Can I get a free subscription?
  • 3 1
 First MEC now Pinkbike...
  • 7 5
 Ha Pinkbike just got a 29er front wheel
  • 3 0
 ….packing up
  • 1 0
 Cycling tips also???? Come'on!
I'm already a Pressreader user, I won't pay another dime
  • 3 0
 What a shame.
  • 2 0
 The only constant is change.
  • 1 0
 Yeh we will see. Def not paying for pinkbike. Would be the death if something great I'd that happens for sure.
  • 2 0
 Love Pinkbike. Will not pay for it. Sad day.
  • 1 0
 If we start an open source competitor called Greenbike will Pinkbike Compuglobal sick its lawyers on us ?
  • 2 0
 This mean Kazimer and Levy are moving to New Mexico?
  • 12 2
 Nope, we're both staying where we are. Even though I can picture Levy selling UFO-related paraphernalia out of a van in Los Alamos...
  • 2 0
 @mikekazimer: I swear I have already purchased a 'grey' T-shirt and flying saucer beer cozy from him a few years ago in Roswell. It was out of a rusted out VW, but the guy seemed REALLY familiar. Big Grin
  • 6 2
 I'd love to spend some time in NM - a lot of UFO activity!
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: Angel fire is pretty sick and they even get rain!
  • 2 0
 Goodbye Pinkbike. It's been a good run. I'll miss you Frown
  • 1 0
 "You say we all gotta make a livin, but you're here alone, there's noone to compete" f*ck
  • 2 0
 PS I like it Pink on the Inside
  • 1 0
 I guess my hope for Pinkbike to add comment emojis and let you edit your comments/thumbs up/down are gone now.
  • 1 0
 Lets hope this doesn't kill the site like the acquisition of Dirt Magazine killed it
  • 1 0
 I've said it before, I'll say it again: There's no sour grapes like PB comment section sour grapes
  • 2 1
 I never realized Outside owner Warren Miller. Explains why it’s all mount gay rum ads in place of skiing
  • 1 3
 It seems that everyone is counting the chickens before they hatch. Pinkbike has already put out a great article today about tire inserts after the news broke, so I'll play it by ear and hope they continue along with better and better content instead of moan about what might not happen.
  • 1 1
 Ooookay guys, why am I getting downvoted?!?! I think my take is rather level headed and worth considering.
  • 2 0
 COOL STORY another franchise becomes a daily feed of REI ads.
  • 3 0
 Poop
  • 2 0
 Won't anyone think of Dick Pound?
  • 3 0
 Money is cool.
  • 1 0
 Dont know how this will turn out. Myabe a opportunity for more content but if its a costly pay wall I am out
  • 1 0
 Trailforks cancelled my subscription and I don't know why. No more 30% discount
  • 2 2
 There was probably a billing error from Google. Contact TF support and they can help you get your discount back.
  • 2 1
 I deleted my pb bookmark and unfollowed on Instagram so I wouldn't br tempted to view content. So long pb
  • 2 0
 Clicked the Join for Free button, the link wants $99. f*ck it.
  • 1 0
 Does this mean comments will finally have a 'Delete' option? Exciting times.
  • 3 0
 So you've sold us
  • 3 0
 LOUD NOISES
  • 2 0
 no 'free content' in capitalism
  • 5 1
 Nah, in capitalism you use free (or heavily subsidized) services to drive all the small local players out of business. Then when you have a monopoly, you jack the prices up. I except PB will remain free for a while as they work on merging their bike brands, and gobbling up or crushing competitors like vitalmtb, enduro mag, etc. When the monopoly is complete, that's when the paywall goes up, and because what are you gonna do then? They own all the major alternatives.
  • 1 0
 Just…read…through…entire….comments….

No….puns….anywhere….

(Leaves to get a life)

#Outside.Borg
  • 3 0
 Full paywall tomorrow!
  • 2 0
 bwaa haa haa Pinkbike+ ....bye bye.
  • 5 3
 PB is going to get even more woke. Barf
  • 1 0
 I hope they keep the Podcast similar/the same. It's nice listening to their conversations in a very candid way WITHOUT ads.
  • 1 3
 Yup, it'll always be a casual conversation Smile
  • 1 0
 Woohoo!!! Now PinkBike will become the mountain bike website OF THE WORLD!?
  • 2 0
 somebody please revive DROPMACHINE
  • 1 3
 Growing up: $15 for Mountain Bike Magazine? Well... Zap’s a bit of a dick but Dondo and Koepell are awesome, the photos are sick. Sure, take this week’s paper run money…

Now: OMG! $15 for an annual subscription to read ALL the site content and videos?!?! WHAT A RIP!!!
  • 3 0
 bye bye
  • 1 0
 Paid content wont even be good, it will be clone content to appeal to the masses.
  • 1 0
 At least remove that photo at the top of the article. Don't use of in this way.
  • 1 0
 So long pinkbike this will be my last com... PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO READ MORE.
  • 1 0
 Robin is a great person. A true cyclist and someone that cares about the future of cycling. Pinkbike is in good hands.
  • 1 0
 i'm sure if this goes north we can use a different colour. maybe bluebike.com or pinkybike.com
  • 10 13
 I feel like the people that are getting all bent out of shape about this are also the ones who were so bent out of shape when 27.5" wheels became popular, and then again with 29" wheels. "CHANGE BAD!"

I also love how everyone is acting like the people behind PB owe them something. They provided free content to everyone since 1998 and now that they are changing stuff up, we all revolt? I click on PB every day because of the people who work there, and the content they provide, not because they were "Independent". If the staff is still there, then I'm still there.
  • 3 1
 I wasn’t gonna say anything about selling out but a strong correlation with wheel size seems to exist here.. They weren’t dreaming of selling out when they were hucking 26” hoops, were they? As wheels became larger and wagonwheels began to take over so did lame content, like yoga. Therefore, increasing wheelsize is obviously a slippery slope that only leads to selling out.
  • 2 0
 I don't think that analogy holds....if they swapped the look of PB, moved the comments section, restructured the website...that is sim to wheel size, it's still a MTB, still looks the same, minor updates..

This is more like moving from MTB to Moto (not even an Ebike), a structural change, different players, different setup and totally different riding areas....IMO

I don't think they OWE it to us....but it certainly co-existed well enough as it was and we 100% gave back to them...we provided &$(*#loads of feedback in all those polls (I assume you took part in those), they had ads we all clicked on, we read the articles paid for by the bike manuf, we bought all the stuff they told us was cool....they got paid for all that, it was a two way road, don't forget that...
  • 1 0
 Damn, first Ridemonkey died and now this!!
  • 1 0
 When did ridemonkey die? It's stale but alive
  • 3 0
 Dirt Magazine was a bigger loss
  • 3 1
 RIP in peace.
  • 6 0
 *This message is brought to you by the department of redundancy department.
  • 1 0
 how does a PB ruler compare to an Outside ruler?
  • 2 0
 RIP
  • 2 0
 Yes… 1000…result
  • 1 0
 Perhaps now you can develop the pinkbike app
  • 1 0
 time to move Outside of squamish
  • 1 0
 Pink Bike is dead! Long live Pink Bike!
  • 1 0
 It was fun while it lasted...let the CRT begin here as well.
  • 1 0
 The drama runs strong around here...
  • 1 0
 Is Outside owned by Dake Traphagen---AFAF
  • 1 0
 Cue the sale of your data.
  • 2 0
 *neither, not both.
  • 2 1
 R.I.P.B.P Rest in peace behind paywall
  • 5 4
 Palmer, I've got your back in the Grim Donut Challenge!
  • 4 4
 @lacykemp, I'm still gonna win. Smile
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: I’m rooting for you, the loser needs to buy the winner the most expensive donut they can find.
  • 17 1
 @mikekazimer: I guess time will tell but I suspect there will be few around who are going to know or care. I have been a long time fan of Lacy, Ryan, Travis and crew, and the entire PB posse. All I can say is that this is a horrible day for me. I won’t be paying to access this site and I expect that very few others among the current regulars will be as well. My daily routine will be no longer. I get that you guys are holding your heads high, but today marks the end of something I have grown to love (in Calgary). Good luck, but any success will be without me. Really shitty news for me and for the vast majority of the PB faithful.
  • 1 14
flag mikelevy Mod (Jul 15, 2021 at 12:18) (Below Threshold)
 @mtnbkrmike: Don't jump the gun, please. Nothing is changing right away, and you might like what you see down the road Smile
  • 7 0
 @mikelevy: when are things going to be changing? What if we like the way the things are now - why mess with a good thing, I honestly can't imagine improving upon what we have which has been built over 2 decades which lets be honest are the PEOPLE...anything that jeopardizes the people is in no way going to be a benefit. You may get new people or more people but you'll risk losing the people who made this is what it is.

I've been lurking since early 2000's but only been a member for last few years but have seen the slow growth of people.....there is a secret sauce here that adding another ingredient too won't make it better.
  • 1 0
 @mtnbkrmike: The Pinkbike acquisition adds considerable readership and revenue in the cycling space, and thus adds momentum to the company’s Outside+ membership program. Outside+, introduced this year, offers enthusiasts various bundles of content, services, discounts, and other offerings for a $99 annual fee. The membership revenues complement Outside’s revenues from advertising, creating a business model for publishing that CEO Robin Thurston said is more sustainable than traditional media models in the long term. Adding Pinkbike, CyclingTips, and Trailforks gives Outside+ more critical mass, making membership purchases more desirable for enthusiasts and providing more readership for advertisers inside and outside the industry, Thurston said
  • 3 0
 @Jcolis1904: no way I am paying even $1.....the amount of feedback we've provided through all the polls is worth big $$....we (at least I) see that as a way to give back to a free site....
  • 2 10
flag mikelevy Mod (Jul 15, 2021 at 15:08) (Below Threshold)
 @RadBartTaylor: oh yeah we totally sell all the poll results to “big bike”…. Or not. The results are public and interesting, which is why we do the polls. And the interaction. I don’t know what the future is going to look like right at this moment, but no need to jump to conclusions Smile
  • 4 0
 @mikelevy: that data makes PB worth something let's be honest, whether directly sold to big bike (I trust ya that its not) or indirectly...thousands of users providing input like that does not exist anywhere else...if PB went away, so does that data, big bike would support you guys to keep it going and pay the fees to keep you guys up and running....public data or not
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: Thank you for responding. I am totally gutted about this. I may be missing something here, but it seems to me that the value and attraction of this site is almost completely comprised of us - the members. And most of us will likely no longer be around for all that much longer. And those who will be around, will likely not represent what this site has always been about. On a positive note, it’s nothing short of awesome that you and I and everyone else were able to be a part of this in its hay day, and got to enjoy things as long as we did. PinkBike has been a blast, and a material part of all my treasured biking memories. I’m really grateful for all that. Thanks man. Super appreciated.
  • 2 0
 Hasta la vista!
  • 1 0
 Beta MTB = Pinkbike + ASMR
  • 1 0
 Proof will be in the pudding...
  • 2 0
 sellouts gotta eat
  • 1 0
 Blame the low ballers for this.
  • 2 0
 I'm gonna miss you boys
  • 1 0
 I am very late to the party but FOM.
  • 1 0
 My only connection to the MTB world is being corrupted by Outside!
  • 2 0
 Gmbn is still free
  • 1 0
 Y’all suck. Money is cool though.
  • 1 0
 As long as Friday Fails and the comments stay free we're cool.
  • 2 0
 L.....
  • 1 0
 Levy knew it and has left the building. Burkat is formaly retired now.
  • 3 1
 Still here and will be for a long, long time Smile
  • 2 0
 @mikelevy: Guuud! That's one good thing abouth that whole thing Smile
  • 3 0
 @mikelevy: You are very popular Mike and you have all the expertise and connections. Just saying, if you were to open an Mtb website with comments and buy&sell you'd get a lot of traffic real fast. Don't rule anything out, especially if you get a nice cheque in the inevitable restructure that follows an acquisition. They usually come shortly after corporate communications reassuring staff and management that nothing will change.
  • 2 0
 Lame as fuck!
  • 1 0
 It's not easy to turn a buck in media. Good luck guys -
  • 2 0
 Goodbye pinkbike
  • 2 0
 Pinkeye
  • 2 0
 Step 4: Bro Down
  • 1 0
 Seems acquisition by TMZ would have made more sense.
  • 1 0
 Congrats @radek ! Great work building the dream.
  • 5 0
 Definitely congrats @radek , but really its a sad day for probably everyone else.
  • 2 0
 LOUD NOISES!!!!
  • 2 0
 'im upset'
  • 1 0
 more subscription based bullshit
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer is the pod cast a gonner?
  • 4 0
 Definitely not - everyone was busy with Field Test this week, we'll be back at it next week.
  • 1 0
 where do I sign up for onlyBikes?
  • 2 0
 Looks like aquisession
  • 2 0
 GET PAID, BABY!
  • 1 1
 cntrl alt delete…
time to reboot
  • 1 0
 "Clean Eating"... gross
  • 1 0
 ‍♂️
  • 1 1
 Maybe they can buy GMBN too............
  • 1 0
 It's been a slice PB!
  • 1 2
 Would have bringing the Grim Donut to market financed the "growth" instead of this??? Frown
  • 1 1
 More sport climbing movies...stoked to troll the triggered again.
  • 1 0
 Neat
  • 1 0
 Ooops
  • 1 0
 Ah well
  • 1 0
 Boooo-urns
  • 1 2
 Cool
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