About the book — and the person who wrote it
The book
"When I started learning to use DAQ there was no material available on the subject or how it related to performance. This book is what I wish had existed." — Nick Lester
Data Driven Descents is the first comprehensive book ever written on data acquisition in mountain biking. Not an introduction. Not a manufacturer's guide. A complete technical resource — 460 pages, 31 chapters — written by someone who has spent years using these tools at the highest level of the sport.
It covers the full picture: how DAQ systems work, how to choose and install them, how to read and interpret the data they produce, and how to use that data to make real, measurable improvements to bike setup and performance. From suspension kinematics and spring rate analysis through to frequency domain analysis, wavelet transforms, and rider feedback methodology.
The technical content draws on methods used in Formula 1 and motorsport engineering — applied to mountain biking for the first time in print. But it's written to be accessible: whether you're a mechanic setting up a race bike or an enthusiastic rider who wants to understand what your suspension is actually doing, the methodology translates.
Want to know more?
Nick Lester — founder of Downamics
Nick started Downamics in 2020 — the UK's first dedicated mountain bike data acquisition company. He spent 15 years working in a banknote production facility before going all-in on the thing he'd been obsessing over since listening to a Vital MTB podcast in 2017: using data to understand and improve mountain bike performance.
The path
That podcast featured Dave Garland — the developer of the Stendec system, the first data acquisition platform built specifically for mountain biking. Nick got a Stendec system, began learning everything he could, started working with customers, and built a following on Instagram that eventually led to a job offer from Commencal in Andorra.
From there: three World Cup seasons as a race mechanic and engineer. Working with the Commencal 100% team alongside Greg Williamson and Mille Johnset. Managing the Muc-Off Young Guns in 2023 and 2024, where Heather Wilson won three rounds and finished second overall in the Junior Women's category.
Dave Garland
Dave’s generosity with his knowledge — and his vision for what data could do for mountain biking — is the reason Downamics exists, and the reason this book was written. Data Driven Descents is dedicated to him.
Why this book
When Nick started using DAQ systems, there was nothing written about how to use them in mountain biking. The conversations, the community questions on Instagram, the Patreon sessions — all of it pointed to the same gap. So he spent three years writing the book that should have existed already.
Data Driven Descents is due to be released April 2026 - Join the conversation and be part of the Patreon community to learn more about using data and mountain bike performance.