Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
π΄ββοΈ Dive deep into the intricate world of downhill bike setup and data analysis with the latest episode of the Marginal Gains Podcast! Join us behind-the-scenes in the making of the podcast, as Josh and Hottie chat with Nick Lester, a true maestro in the dirt descent driven realms of cycling, in Episode #106.
ποΈ Background: Not your typical football fan, Nick's journey into the cycling world began when his dad nudged him towards golf. However, it was in a cycle club during his pre-teen years that Nick found his true calling. From getting thrashed in XC races to trying his hand at TT and Velodrome racing, Nick's passion for cycling was undeniable.
π Fast forward to spending 15 years at a paper mill, where he worked with bankroll currency machinery. The exposure to a monitoring system for the machinery sparked Nick's interest in data acquisition. Transitioning into downhill (DH) racing a decade ago, Nick delved into the nuances of bike setup, relying mostly on intuition. That changed when he discovered Dave Garland's Stendec system, a dynamic suspension analysis tool. After Dave's passing in 2020, Nick became one of the few experts globally to master the system.
π΅ββοΈ Founding his own venture, Downamics, in 2020, Nick aimed to assist fellow riders with optimal bike setup. His expertise caught the attention of Commencal in Andorra, where he joined the R&D team and ran team camps for DH teams. Nick's role expanded in 2021 with the Commencal 100 Percent team, focusing on product testing and development, and collaborating closely with athletes like Greg Williamson and Mille Johnset.
π From understanding hysteresis and Hopf bifurcation to delving into F1, remote islands, and the placebo effect, Nick Lester's journey is nothing short of fascinating. Join us as he takes us through the intricacies of G-Force to G-Out to Gyroscopic Data and shares his wisdom: "Bikes are complicated, and riders are more complicated, which means the whole lot needs to be viewed holistically in order to optimize the performance from both."
π¨βπ» Meet Nick Lester:
β’ Data Acquisition and Telemetry Specialist at Downamics (https://www.downamics.com)
β’ Mechanic and Data for Commencal 100 Percent Team
β’ Muc-Off Young Guns Team Manager
π§ Tune in for a captivating conversation that unveils the secrets behind the science of bike setup and data analysis. Don't miss out on the wealth of knowledge Nick Lester brings to Episode #106! π΅ββοΈπ‘
#MarginalGainsPodcast #MarginalGainsTV #CyclingTech #DataAcquisition #BehindTheScenes #NickLester #Downamics #datadrivendescents #silcapursuitofperfection
π΄ββοΈ Dive deep into the intricate world of downhill bike setup and data analysis with the latest episode of the Marginal Gains Podcast! Join us behind-the-scenes in the making of the podcast, as Josh and Hottie chat with Nick Lester, a true maestro in the dirt descent driven realms of cycling, in Episode #106.
ποΈ Background: Not your typical football fan, Nick's journey into the cycling world began when his dad nudged him towards golf. However, it was in a cycle club during his pre-teen years that Nick found his true calling. From getting thrashed in XC races to trying his hand at TT and Velodrome racing, Nick's passion for cycling was undeniable.
π Fast forward to spending 15 years at a paper mill, where he worked with bankroll currency machinery. The exposure to a monitoring system for the machinery sparked Nick's interest in data acquisition. Transitioning into downhill (DH) racing a decade ago, Nick delved into the nuances of bike setup, relying mostly on intuition. That changed when he discovered Dave Garland's Stendec system, a dynamic suspension analysis tool. After Dave's passing in 2020, Nick became one of the few experts globally to master the system.
π΅ββοΈ Founding his own venture, Downamics, in 2020, Nick aimed to assist fellow riders with optimal bike setup. His expertise caught the attention of Commencal in Andorra, where he joined the R&D team and ran team camps for DH teams. Nick's role expanded in 2021 with the Commencal 100 Percent team, focusing on product testing and development, and collaborating closely with athletes like Greg Williamson and Mille Johnset.
π From understanding hysteresis and Hopf bifurcation to delving into F1, remote islands, and the placebo effect, Nick Lester's journey is nothing short of fascinating. Join us as he takes us through the intricacies of G-Force to G-Out to Gyroscopic Data and shares his wisdom: "Bikes are complicated, and riders are more complicated, which means the whole lot needs to be viewed holistically in order to optimize the performance from both."
π¨βπ» Meet Nick Lester:
β’ Data Acquisition and Telemetry Specialist at Downamics (https://www.downamics.com)
β’ Mechanic and Data for Commencal 100 Percent Team
β’ Muc-Off Young Guns Team Manager
π§ Tune in for a captivating conversation that unveils the secrets behind the science of bike setup and data analysis. Don't miss out on the wealth of knowledge Nick Lester brings to Episode #106! π΅ββοΈπ‘
#MarginalGainsPodcast #MarginalGainsTV #CyclingTech #DataAcquisition #BehindTheScenes #NickLester #Downamics #datadrivendescents #silcapursuitofperfection
![Seasonal Bike Maintenance/Tune-Up: 4 Things Riders Miss
As winter fades and the spring riding season ramps up, there are a few easy bike maintenance steps riders often overlookβuntil something goes wrong.
In this video, SILCAβs Josh walks you through the top five mistakes cyclists make when transitioning from winter riding conditions into spring. These quick checks and updates will help prevent unnecessary wear, annoying creaks, and potential safety issues.
Whatβs covered in this video:
+ Why installing new bar tape is a safety check, not just an aesthetic upgrade
+ How a dirty drivetrain silently steals watts and causes excess wear
+ The damage aerosol sprays can do near disc brakes
+ Why your thru-axle or quick release might be the cause of strange noises
+ Simple habits to extend the life of your components this season
β¬β¬β¬β¬ Links & Resources β¬β¬β¬β¬
SILCA Bike Maintenance Product Collection: https://silca.cc/collections/bike-maintenance
Thanks to our promotional partners GCN and their Tech Channel - where there are great resources for riding, training and maintenance tech videos. They are entertaining as well. https://www.youtube.com/@gcntech
Also referenced is the independent testing lab - Zero Friction Cycling. Find them on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@zerofrictioncycling992
Other SILCA videos alluded to:
+ Winter weather cycling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUNYofzsWgM
+ Stop Chain Stretch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBFZetOnPPw
β¬β¬β¬β¬ Video Chapters β¬β¬β¬β¬
0:00 - Intro
03:22 - Safety Check under the tape
05:20 - Drivetrain marginal gain
07:27 - Its not my BB creaking?
10:28 - Cheat Sheet [graphic]
β¬β¬β¬β¬ Follow for more β¬β¬β¬β¬
Subscribe to the SILCA Velo YouTube Channel: / @silcavelo
SILCA website: https://silca.cc/
SILCA blog: https://silca.cc/blogs/silca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silca_velo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SILCAvelo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silca-velo/
β¬β¬β¬β¬ ABOUT SILCA β¬β¬β¬β¬
Founded in Milan in 1917 and now based in Indianapolis, SILCA is renowned for its passion for cycling. Led by cycling industry leader, Josh Poertner, the brand has expanded from the iconic SuperPista pump to a full range of high-end cycling tools and gear, collaborating with UCI World Tour teams to enhance cycling performance. SILCA combines tradition with innovation, inspiring cyclists to enjoy both riding and maintenance.
β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬ Credits β¬β¬β¬β¬β¬
Created by SILCA
Β© SILCA
Stock Videos by Vecteezy: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-videos/spring
#SILCA #cycling #marginalgains #DIY #Howto #bikemaintenancetips #savemoney #wintertospring
Do you have any questions, tips, or ideas about mistakes in bike maintenance and care? Let us know in the comments section below! Seasonal Bike Maintenance/Tune-Up: 4 Things Riders Miss](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sNnO0LvSykc/mqdefault.jpg)









