The highlight of the cycling industry calendar is almost upon us, the Design & Innovation Award 2015. Starting next week our team of 25 will be riding, testing and analyzing the most exciting products currently on the market on the incredible trails of South Tyrol. Our mission is to award the world’s most innovative products and technologies, and joining us will be a select jury of six of the most skilled, influential, and analytical minds from the cycling industry.

Joe Parkin, Legend, Ex-Pro Racer, Author
Joe Parkin, Legend, Ex-Pro Racer, Journalist, Author of two books

Our first Jury member is a genuine cycling legend, a 47 year old ex-pro bike racer currently residing in Chicago, who not only raced at elite level on some of the most testing road events such as the Paris-Roubaix, but also raced in the dirt from the very beginning of mountain biking history. He is renown as one of the US’s most influential editors and product guys, it is time to introduce Joe Parkin.

Joe racing in the very beginning of mountain biking history.
Joe racing in the very beginning of mountain biking history

Joe, born in Pontiac (Michigan, USA) has been riding since he was three years old, and has competed in more than 1,000 professional road, mountain bike and cyclocross races. He is the definition of a complete biker, racing, travelling, and exploring while learning invaluable life lessons along the way. Joe has a keen eye for detail and used to be a former long-range 600-1,000 yards rifle competitor. We sat down with Joe to find out what he brings to the jury.

Hi Joe, what do you think of the current status quo with design and innovation in the mountain bike world?

It is great, exciting — it feels like we are in a Renaissance period. It would be good, though, if we were able to trickle down more of the developments to lower price points.

How important do you think the role of a racer is when evaluating new products?

It’s a double-edged sword: By virtue of the massive amounts of time they spend riding, racers are incredibly in tune with the bikes underneath them, but since they often are using sponsor product that might not necessarily be the BEST product, they are ultra compensating, and will almost always ride a product to it’s strength while ignoring or overcoming any weaknesses.

Joe doesn't hesitate to try out new developments like Full-sus-Fatbikes.  Whether they make sense?
Joe doesn’t hesitate to try out new developments like Full-sus-Fatbikes. Whether they make sense or not? Photo: Adrian Marcoux.

Have you ever been involved in product development before?

I helped develop clothing products while at Castelli, worked on a couple of the Troy Lee Designs/Shock Doctor protective products while at Shock Doctor, where I was also the product manager for the Eject Helmet Removal system.

What makes you passionate about MTB products?

It’s that they seem to be limited only by the imagination of the designers and engineers, and that they make a real, tangible difference to the end user. Unlike road products, it’s really easy to understand and be inspired by what mountain-bike products will give me as a rider — how it will change the ride experience.

What do you think are the qualities of award winning products?

Universal appeal, ease of operation, reliability, solid design aesthetic

Joe is a real shredder and enjoys riding with bad-ass riders like Duncan Riffle as much as drinking a well-deserved post-ride draft beer.
Joe is a real shredder and enjoys riding with bad-ass riders like Duncan Riffle as much as drinking a well-deserved post-ride draft beer. Photo: Margus Riga.

What do you hope will be the next big thing in the development of new products?

I am hoping to see high-performance products that begin to align themselves with the common rider’s budget. Boring answer, I know.

What are your thoughts on E-Mountainbikes, how do you see their role emerging?

They have the potential to get more people on (or back on) bikes, alleviate the need for shuttle vehicles, and create a bunch more fun for a lot of riders. But they also need to come with a bit of education (for those without any common sense), so they don’t ultimately result in more trail closures.

Find out more info about the Design & Innovation Award 2015 and the other 5 members of the jury on our micro-site: dia2015.enduro-mtb.


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