Welcome back to the #1 MTB newsletter brought to you by RECON, mountain biking’s fastest growing media brand and online store.

On today's ride:

•  🏁 Val Di Sole World Cup Preview

•  🍟 Hot news from Shimano and Magura

•  🍎 Riding School From Mastery: Berms

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👇 Quick Picks

🏁 Great fit: Wyn Masters Joins FOCUS Bikes

After a decade of ripping for GT, Kiwi freerider and race advocate Wyn Masters is officially riding for FOCUS Bikes! Now based in the UK, Wyn’s reuniting with longtime friends Ben Deakin and Olly Wilkins—so expect wheelies, wild lines, and pure chaos on the trails. But Wyn’s not just a legend behind the bars. With an EWS win under his belt and his iconic WynTV interviews, he’s championed privateer riders and built a global fanbase of race diehards. Now with FOCUS, his mission to push the sport forward just got a fresh frame.

🐣 Commencal Releases New Meta Power SX 800

Ready to push your limits? The new Meta Power SX 800 is here for riders who go full send—longer rides, gnarlier lines, no excuses. With a massive 800Wh battery and the all-new Bosch CX Gen5 motor cranking 100 Nm of torque, this e-MTB means business. The best part? It delivers all that power quietly, with buttery climbs and dialed descents—no mode flipping necessary. Add in race-proven geometry, beefy components, and room for a range extender, and you’ve got one seriously capable steed.

🦸 Did Brembo Build the Ultimate MTB Brake?

The rumors are true—after months of whispers and pit-lane spy shots, Brembo is entering the MTB game. The legendary Italian brake brand has officially teamed up with Specialized Gravity to develop a downhill-specific brake setup, with bold red prototypes already catching eyes on the World Cup circuit.Previously spotted in raw copper and silver with no logos, these new race-tested stoppers are real—and rolling through 2025 with the Specialized Gravity squad. High-performance braking meets MTB tech? This collab could shake up the downhill scene.

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RACING

🐍 The Black Snake is Hungry - Val Di Sole Preview

If you know downhill, you know Val di Sole’s infamous “Black Snake.” It’s the track that chewed up Sam Hill in ‘08 and has terrorized riders ever since. In 2025, it’s back—and meaner than ever.

Unlike the first three World Cups this year, Val di Sole got a full makeover. The directive? Make it rougher, rawer, more natural. Mission accomplished.

From reshaped grass turns (soon to be dust pits) to fresh rock gardens and line-forcing pole shifts, this year’s course demands precision over speed. It’s slower than Leogang or Loudenvielle, but way more punishing—think forearm-thick roots, fridge-sized boulders, and zero forgiveness.

🔥 Who’s Hot: Team Canada is coming in 🔥. Jackson Goldstone and Gracey Hemstreet are both coming off wins and thriving on tech tracks. Amaury Pierron, last year’s king here, is back with a vengeance. Loïc Bruni’s lurking. Tahnée Seagrave wants to protect her leader’s jersey. And Vali Höll? She’s still hunting that elusive 2025 win.

☀️ Track Conditions: For once, Val di Sole might actually be... dry. Walk-throughs showed dust and grip—no rain in the forecast. Translation? This will be a full-send, zero-mistakes kind of weekend.

🐍 The Black Snake is coiled and ready. Who’ll strike first—and who’ll get bit?

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TECH

⚖️ Shimano Finally Goes Wireless: Deore Di2 & new XT!

You heard it right—Shimano just dropped the new XT and gave its beloved Deore lineup a serious glow-up. Say hello to Deore Di2, bringing electronic shifting to the mid-range market.

After rolling out Di2 for the top-tier XTR and XT groups, Shimano is finally democratizing the tech. You’ll get crisp, electronic shifts with the same rock-solid reliability—minus the premium price tag. It’s a win for weekend warriors and budget-conscious shredders alike.

🆕 What’s New with Deore Di2?

The Deore Di2 upgrade keeps things simple—and wallet-friendly. You’re just swapping two parts:

🔧 What’s Changed
• New electronic derailleur
• Wireless shifter

Everything else—chain, cassette, cranks—stays from the mechanical Deore, so you're not overhauling your whole setup.

⚡ Two Versions
• Wireless – for traditional MTBs
• Wired – for E-MTBs, powered by the bike’s main battery

Less wrenching, more riding. Clean upgrade, minimal hassle.

Big moves from Shimano: the new Deore Di2 is here, bringing electronic shifting to the masses. This is Shimano’s most affordable Di2 setup yet, but don’t let the price fool you—it’s still stacked with tech.

📦 Quick Specs
• 11-speed (E-MTB only) / 12-speed (MTB & E-MTB)
• Launch: Mid to late 2025
• Price: €425 (derailleur), €145 (shifter)

🧠 Smart Shifting for E-Rigs
On E-MTBs, Deore Di2 comes with two game-changers:
• Auto Shift – shifts based on speed and cadence
• Free Shift – shifts while coasting

It uses Shimano’s Shadow ES design for a sleek, low-profile derailleur with integrated battery. The shifter mimics the feel of a mechanical paddle, and mounts via clamp or I-Spec EV.

🔋 Bonus Drop: XT Di2 M8200
Shimano also launched the XT Di2 M8200, a tougher, trail-focused, fully wireless groupset. It pulls tech from the XTR but keeps things rugged and affordable.

Highlights:
• Wireless shifting (except E-MTB version)
• Shadow ES for impact resistance
• Auto recovery if hit
• Options for 10–51T or 9–45T cassettes
• Compatible with Hyperglide+ and Linkglide
• E-MTB model (RD-M8260) integrates with your bike’s battery

Less wires, more brains. Shimano’s making it easier than ever to ride smarter—not harder.

🧠 RECON’s Take: E-Shifting for Everyone

Shimano’s finally bringing Di2 to the people—and yeah, it took them a minute. But now that it’s here? It’s good. The new Deore Di2 is a legit upgrade for anyone eyeing smoother, smarter shifting without blowing their bike budget.

Whether you’re on analog or e-MTB, this setup delivers clean lines, auto intelligence, and that unmistakable Di2 snap—all at a mid-range price. Shimano might be late to the party, but they showed up with solid tech. And honestly? That’s what matters.

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TECH

🤝 Magura Louise Is Back – She’ll Stop You

Magura’s on a roll. After reviving the legendary Gustav, they’re now bringing back another icon: the Louise Elite. This new trail brake punches way above its price tag and is built for riders who want dependable stopping power without draining the wallet.

🛠️ Why It Hits
• Lightweight and durable
• Trail, enduro, and e-MTB ready
• Smart features, clean design
• Just €100

For riders who like to ride hard and brake late, the Louise Elite is proof you don’t need to spend big to get big performance. Clean, simple, and ready to rip.

🛠️ What’s the Deal?
• One-piece, forged 4-piston aluminum caliper
• Lightweight Carbotecture lever and clamp
• Textured lever, Torx key reach adjustment – no fancy tools needed
• Shift Mix compatibility for a clean cockpit with SRAM/Shimano gear
• Easy-Link hose system – tool-free, stress-free install

🚵 Trail-Ready Performance
• Bigger lever piston = crisp bite point, great modulation
• Not Gustav-powerful, but handles e-bikes + enduro heat with ease
• Bosch ABS-ready for modern e-rigs
• More oil = more thermal stability

📦 Louise Elite – Quick Specs
• Caliper: Forged 4-piston aluminum
• Lever/Clamp: Carbotecture
• Fluid: Mineral oil
• Pads: Magura MDP 9 Green
• Rotor Compatibility: 2.0 mm
• Weight: 250 g (with 100 cm hose)
• Extras: 5-year seal warranty, Easy-Link, Shift Mix
• Price: €100
• Availability: OEM in 2025, aftermarket in 2026

🌀 New Rotor Alert: MDR-S 2.0
Magura also dropped the MDR-S 2.0 rotor—designed to pair perfectly with Louise.
• 2.0 mm thick, noise-reducing ring design
• Built from tough, chromesteel
• Ideal for trail, e-MTB, and even urban abuse

Smart. Simple. Serious stopping power.

🧠 RECON’s Take

The Magura Louise Elite isn’t just another entry-level brake—it’s a perfect blend of smart tech, solid trail performance, and unbeatable value. From its tool-free features to its e-bike-ready muscle, this is a setup that punches way above its price tag.

Trail-ready, Bosch-approved, and built to last. At €100? What more do you need?

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🎥 Video Of The Week

He did it again - what a masterpiece with and by Tomomi Nishikubo. MUST WATCH!

🎧 Podcast Of The Week

A degree in psychology, worldcup wins and viral crash clips - Nina Hoffmann insides:

🚵‍♀️ Current Giveaway Bike

Our newest giveaway bike is a Forbidden Dreadnought 3 MX. Entries are now open on ReconMTB.com! Read more about the bike. USA customers only are eligible to win.

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This newsletter is written with ❤️ every week by Nic Bean, Michael Sikand, Justin Rausch, and Marc Brodesser