We have a very special, and probably tear-and-laugh filled episode of The Inside Line as we catch back up with Colin Meagher, all-around nice guy, incredible, storied mountain bike photographer and man dealing with the late stages of ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Since Colin’s symptoms have progressed so strongly, he’s not really able to speak, so we have a gaggle of his best buds in Seattle to help do the talking for him.

You can watch this interview on our YouTube Channel

It was almost 7 years to the day that I first met with Colin in Hood River, Oregon, for an interview (found here). We talked about his career highlights and his diagnosis with ALS and what the future looked like for him. Well, we’re back to celebrate him and his life through some memories and some roasting by a group of friends that only know each other because of Colin.

Since Colin can't speak, we go through a Q&A with Patrik Zuest reading the answers that Colin wrote and provided via email.

Everyone at Vital hopes you get inspired by listening to the stories of how Colin impacted so many lives. Colin, we love you!

Contents

0:00 - Intro and Colin's crew on how they met colin

8:26 - Colin answers questions about his ALS

35:35 - Colin gets roasted by his crew

Electric mountain bikes. Either you love ‘em, or think they’re wack. Granted, the latter opinion has been losing steam as more brands release good e-bikes, and more riders toss a leg over one. They’re the talk of our industry and are one of the few, if not the only, segments of bikes experiencing significant change year after year.

In this show, Vital’s own Jason Schroeder and Shawn Spomer, along with industry veteran Lars Sternberg, and Founder/Operator of Crestline Bikes, Troydon Murison, sift through the current landscape of e-bikes and discuss what the future might hold. The conversation also kicks off with a rad (almost hour-long) dive into how Crestline Bikes became a thing and the challenges posed by making bikes overseas.

Contents

00:00 "My Watch Said I Was Dead" - Lars Sternberg
08:54 What's In and What's Out: Weekly Highlights
21:17 The Founding of Crestline Bikes and how they were made
59:02 Transitioning to DJI Motors
01:35:08 Consumer Behavior and E-Bike Sales
01:53:20 Understanding Power and Performance in E-Bikes
02:10:13 The Balance Between Analog and E-Bikes
02:20:43 Regulations and Safety Concerns in E-Biking

In this special edition of the Inside Line podcast, Jeff Brines interviews Sam Nicols, the former CEO of YT Industries from 2021 to 2024, exploring his journey from a career at Amazon to leading a prominent bike company during tumultuous times.

He reflects on his experiences as CEO of YT Industries, discussing the challenges faced in the bike industry, particularly around demand fluctuations, inventory management, and the impact of cash flow on business decisions.

00:00 Introduction to Sam Nicols and YT Industries
01:49 Sam's Background and Career Path
09:28 Challenges of Stepping into YT During the Pandemic
11:35 Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Customer Care
16:01 The Private Equity Interest and Acquisition Process
23:45 Aligning Goals with Private Equity
30:15 Understanding the Risks of Private Equity
34:11 The Impact of Market Conditions on YT's Valuation
37:05 Transitioning to In-House Assembly
49:43 Demand Fluctuations and Market Realities
50:21 Navigating Demand Fluctuations
54:08 Strategic Decisions Amidst Overstocks
01:00:05 The Impact of Cash Flow on Business Decisions
01:03:43 Cost Management Challenges in the Bike Industry
01:10:08 Marketing Strategies: Balancing Brand and Performance
01:17:48 The Role of Data in Business Operations
01:25:12 Leadership Dynamics and Company Culture
01:30:12 Reflections on Competition and Industry Evolution