Frame Brand/ Model and Size: Pivot Firebird - Size Large
What is your name?
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Ryan Fowler
How long have you been in the industry?
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Around 8 years! I started in sales, then service writing, then eventually wrenching as a senior mechanic for a few years. I had a brief stint at a marketing agency, then made my way to Race Face in 2022.
What do you do at Race Face?
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Brand and Product Marketing Manager. I’m responsible for bringing new products to market with messaging and campaigns that do our products (and our product development team) justice. I also weigh in on what we make next, get to test early samples, attend events, etc. The passion at Race Face is awesome, and we all yearn for that perfect day on a bike. I’m stoked to be a part of a brand that makes those days even better!
How often do you ride?
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Well, I’m freshly a new dad, so I try my best for 2-4 times per week – 2 lunch laps on trails by our office and a weekend ride on the shore. Currently biased to Fromme as it’s closest to my house (and the trails are mint right now).
What type of riding do you find yourself doing the most?
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Mostly All Mountain riding! Decent pedals up followed by a mixture of tech and flow on the down. This bike eats, so I try to let ‘er rip occasionally.
What is your favorite local lap?
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Fromme laps go crazy recently, but I gotta default to Seymour. Some off-map stuff with Ned’s Atomic Dustbin being the main attraction. That trail never fails to deliver, no matter the conditions.
Worst mechanical to happen mid-ride?
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True story… rotor clipped some woodwork and bent (broke) to a full 90 degrees. Wouldn’t even clear my fork. Ever hammered a rotor back into “shape” with a rock to get down the mountain? I have…
Favorite song right now?
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Easily the hardest question on here… so many genres. But right now, Butterfly by Crazy Town.
Solo ride or group ride?
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A quality group ride is peak, but a solo ride is good for the soul. Both? Both.
Do you actually stretch or just say you will?
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Haha… not enough.
What part of your bike is definitely not okay right now?
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Bottom bracket (miles-induced), but ignorance is bliss, right?
What’s the one bike trend you’ll never adopt?
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Headset Cable Routing (phase it out folks).
What made you pick/build this bike and the components one it? And Why? Any interesting setup/custom parts/things you are excited about?
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I built this bike frame-up to be my daily driver big bike. This generation of Firebird got rave reviews and I’ve really enjoyed Pivots in the past. Can verify the reviews are accurate—it rips. I got some tips from a friend at Pivot on geo, progression, and chain stay length setup ahead of a recent trip to Finale, and this bike blew me away. On the components themselves:
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Era wheels because they are the best wheels I’ve ridden. They make a noticeable improvement to trail chatter, and I’ve never broken one despite riding hard and dumb sometimes.
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New 38 – so stoked on this fork. Feels amazing and really supple off the top, super confidence inspiring.
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GX T-Type drivetrain because I scooped it on a deal and wanted to go wireless.
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TRP Evo Pros – been a big fan of these brakes for a couple years now. Great modulation, great power.
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Transfer Neo – such an underrated product.
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New Turbine stem – just a damn nice stem.
