WTB is comprised of individuals who are dedicated to improving the riding experience for all, while constantly supplementing the dedication with one long ride after the next. Individuals who love using the excuse of "product testing" to get in a few more laps during their lunch ride. Individuals who prefer the coffee shop across town because it means more skids on the office's cruiser bike. When it comes to creating a product, we design the products we want to ride in hopes that you'll want to ride them too. If they don't please us, we update them until they do. The WTB Employees Who Shred blog series is our opportunity to shed a bit of limelight on our rad coworkers and provide a bit of insight into the inspiration behind our products.
Shredabiity is credibility.
Name:
Evan Smith
Role at WTB:
Product Manager and Design Engineer
Why do you work for WTB?
Tour of Nevada City, Nevada City, CA
Notable passions, feats of accomplishment, interests, goals, phobias and unusual experiences:
I have a passion for engineering, math, woodworking, teaching, puns, and bikes! I have an aversion to mushrooms, eggplant, being cold, and ill-preparedness.
Notable accomplishments would be attaining the rank of Eagle Scout when I was 15 years old, getting a degree in mechanical engineering, marrying my amazing wife, Janina, and getting a job at WTB.
Favorite WTB products:
Well, we'll go with one product specifically and one product pair:
1. WTB Volt 142 - best saddle for my butt; not for everyone, but it certainly works for me.
2. Vigilante front and Trail Boss rear. It's hard to beat this combo for standard-sized tires (plus tires, I've discovered, are pretty darn fun).
Favorite Ride:
Early morning (pre-work) shuttle runs at Downieville or pre-work Grouse Ridge runs with Jon Pritchet. They are absolutely great ways to start your day.
Not your ordinary photo, this is Evan and his brother Josh (the one in the air) getting tangled up during a mountain bike race.
Not your ordinary photo, this is Evan and his brother Josh (the one in the air) getting tangled up during a mountain bike race.
Background, how’d you get into riding, what kept you going with it?
My good friend, Tyler Green, was the one who introduced me to real cycling. I'm sure you know what I mean by "real cycling," more than just being able to ride your bike around the block as a kid. Tyler was on our high school cycling team at Nevada Union and got my brother, Josh, and I to join. We started on the team with our Kmart full-suspension bikes and I was, by far, the slowest rider on the team. That didn't discourage me though; I stuck with it, endured the suffering, and eventually raced varsity for two years and was 9th overall in CA my senior year. I owe it all to Tyler. I raced some in college, but was really too busy with school work to keep up with it. After I graduated, I emailed one of my old coaches (and one of the kindest, most awesome dudes I've had the privilege of knowing), Jason Moeschler, asking him if he would write me a letter of recommendation to work at a bike company in the Bay Area. Jason said he would, but asked if I would like a job at WTB instead. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity and I'm still here today.
Tube or Tubeless, why?
Tubeless for sure! Tubeless allows for the ability to run lower pressures without having to worry about pinch flats and, as such, gives the rider more of a connection to the trails they're riding. No flats means more riding and less time spent on the side of the trail.
3 most important things to bring with you on a ride?
Water, tools and air, cell phone
Craziest thing you’ve seen or witnessed on a ride?
I went on a ride at Hole in the Ground a bit early in the year (March) with a buddy of mine. We hiked through quite a bit of snow and got a lost because we couldn't find the trail. While working our way along, we encountered a bear wandering around. We had to hide in the snow for about half an hour before the bear went away. Remember my previous mention of an aversion to being cold?
Most important lesson to teach the groms?
1: You'll never be as fast as you want to be if you aren't willing to suffer.
2: Stick with it. This year was my first year as head coach for our local high school team (Nevada Union). There were a few kids who quit within just a month or two; those who stuck with it (even if they felt like quitting) finished the season with a new sense of accomplishment and pride in their abilities. It's amazing to see how much someone can change in just 8 months in both ability and attitude.
3: Be prepared. The people you ride with don't want to have to take care of you or your bike every time something happens. Showing others that you're prepared makes them want to ride with you even if you have multiple mechanicals.
Left my wallet in… (fill it in):
Credit card...in the bar (Old Republic in Nevada City) with a tab hanging on it for about 4 days. For the life of me, I could not figure out what I had done with my card until someone was talking about us having been there.
Anything you’d like to plug, courtesy of WTB’s blog?
These awesome organizations:
www.nationalmtb.org
www.norcalmtb.org
www.sierratrails.org
www.ybonc.org
www.bonc.org
www.pivotcycles.com
www.bsa.org (no joke)
My parents, who supported me getting started in this sport in the first place. I seriously couldn't have asked for better parents.
My wife, who supports me and takes care of me when I break bones and bikes.
Chris Feucht, who is one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to bikes. He taught me most of what I know about the intricacies of bikes.
Jason Moeschler, who is one of the hardest working and nicest people I know; for being the guy who pushed me to be faster and work harder (on the bike and at work). I seriously can't thank this guy enough.