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Overall Review

Santa Cruz is set to ruffle some feathers in the wheel world with the launch of their new Reserve lineup of wheelsets. The high performance, top dollar wheelset is aimed at leaving no compromises, complete with a lifetime warranty. Is it indeed a game changing product or mere marketing riffraff? Read on for our first look... Highlights Available in 27.5 and 29-inch diameters 29-inch wheels in three widths: 25, 27 and 30mm internal 27.5-inch wheels in two widths: 27 and 30mm internal 1.5:1 width

Santa Cruz Reserve Carbon Wheels

10

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jeff.brines

5/31/2017 5:42pm

2018 Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon CC XX1 Reserve

c120 2018 Santa Cruz Nomad XX1 with Reserve Wheels

Overall Review

Defining the new Nomad left me scratching my head for words. Most everything I wrote sounded like a cliché directly from the 2009 Handbook for Mountain Bike Journalists. "A trail bike that descends like a downhill bike." "A mini-DH bike that can pedal." Yeah, they've both been used ad-nauseam... The ultimate irony to my cliché-laden articulation strugglefest is that the new Nomad is anything but cliché. At a time when most companies seem to be chasing the perfect mid-travel trail bike or eeking

original 2018 Santa Cruz Nomad XX1 with Reserve Wheels

2018 Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon CC XX1 Reserve

30

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jeff.brines

5/31/2017 4:12pm

Chromag Squarewave Grip

squarewave-green 600x.png?VersionId=e.YIEkA3baBZHyEBMNv1

The Good

Solid lock-ons, Excellent dampening, Durable, and Unique ergonomic shape

The Bad

Outside squares started coming off after a year of riding (pretty much expected though).

Overall Review

In regard to bike performance, there are a few components that have a huge impact on how one’s bike handles. For instance, suspension has an enormous role on if you’re straying on the trail or if you’re getting bucked off the bike. Riding at your highest potential is greatly determined by components like suspension. On the other hand, there are minor, less significant components that influence our confidence while riding that are often overlooked. Grips are one of these components. Understanding

Chromag Squarewave Grip

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dirtworks911

5/27/2017 9:43am

Chromag BZA 35 Stem

The Good

Strong, burley, great looks, oversized M6 hardware, highest quality and craftsmanship,and made in north America.

The Bad

On the heavier side and is on the pricey side (but helps support north american workers).

Overall Review

When piecing together my dream endure bike, every component was hand-picked. I was looking for something strong, clean, showed off my SixC bar, and had to have a 35mm clamp diameter. Weight wasn’t my main focus but wanted something reasonable. After some massive comparisons, I landed on the Chromag BZA 35. With a few months of riding on it, here are my impressions: Out of the Box: The thing that really sets this stem apart (besides the pricetag) is the fact that it came directly from my friends

Chromag BZA 35 Stem

2

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dirtworks911

5/26/2017 8:41am

Banshee Spitfire V2 (2013) Frame

c120 2013 Banshee Spitfire Frame black.jpg?VersionId=NmcPReDuUfrlJuyJ

The Good

Geometry is pretty spot on. KS-Link lets you use its travel very effectively.

The Bad

Material distribution, front triangle is way to weak in comparison to the rear. It kept on eating through its 608 bearings and not of the cheap kind, which i relate to the front triangle being deflected a little to easily and therefore introducing lateral forces into the upper linkage. Reliabilty. Customer Service

Overall Review

As much as i hate to deliver this review i feel its only right to do so, would have loved to find any information of this kind before burning the amount of money on a bike as i did. I am one of the much cited shop rats who rather ride a reliable, heavy aluminum bike over any weight concious flimsy alternative on the market. Working on bikes for a living the last 6 years, this was my mindset when i dumped an enormous amount of money (for a bike mechanics salary anyway) on a frame. I was happy to

original 2013 Banshee Spitfire Frame black.jpeg?VersionId=gr0cBh66a2On4vMAP8r34dgX

Banshee Spitfire V2 (2013) Frame

3

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Krafkloot

5/22/2017 6:35am

Kali Protectives Shiva 2.0 Full Face Helmet

c120 Kali Shiva 2.0 Carbon helmet 18.jpg?VersionId=YAcnPUK7TY2

Overall Review

We all watched in horror as Nicoli Rogatkin fell down a 30-foot cliff during the 2015 Red Bull Rampage, which thankfully he was able to ride away from. Well, in that crash he happened to be wearing a prototype version of the Kali Protectives Shiva 2.0 full face helmet, which was only recently introduced. Available in both carbon and a less expensive Tri-Weave version, the new helmet meets a number of certifications including DOT, CPSC, EN 1078, just to name a few. Boasting improved protection

original Kali Shiva 2.0 Carbon helmet 18.jpg?VersionId=aVLdSAfiDkhn6VF8aDkBnWaMlI

Kali Protectives Shiva 2.0 Full Face Helmet

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FredLikesTrikes

5/19/2017 4:28pm

Race Face SixC 35 Handlebars

c120 2014 HBR35 SIXC RS 35.jpg?VersionId=Rn84EPeSjsJljcN Hz840DWDl

The Good

Light
Stiff enough
Less hand fatigue

The Bad

Pricey depending on how you look at it.

Overall Review

I purchased the SIXC 35 bars as an upgrade to the stock Bontrager bars that came on my Trek Remedy. The Bontrager bars did not fit well and caused my hands to hurt after only a few miles of riding. The bars on my previous bike had a similar shape to the Race Face and I was looking forward to the weight saving and damping characteristics of carbon. Specs Weight- 210 grams Rise- 20 mm Sweep-8° rearward, 5° upward Width- 800 mm Clamp- 35 mm Out of the Package I ordered the bars from Bicycles

Race Face SixC 35 Handlebars

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Jared Wilkinson

5/19/2017 10:14am

2017 Kona Operator DL

Overall Review

With their roots first sprouting in Vancouver, BC, and now hailing from Ferndale, WA, Kona has a reputation for building burly, durable bikes intended to be pushed hard over the often adverse conditions throughout the Pacific Northwest region. With a goal of redesigning the Operator to be both a bike park slayer as well as a capable World Cup race bike, Kona went back to the drawing board as the market shifted from 26-inch steeds to the modern 27.5 standards. Development began in 2014 with

2017 Kona Operator DL

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FredLikesTrikes

5/18/2017 1:36pm

2018 Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Team XTR 1x

c120 2017 MACH 55 CARBON 275 TEAM XTR 1X RED.jpg?VersionId=j 4

Overall Review

For those looking to go fast and take chances, increasingly capable components and frames mean mountain biking of all varieties is quickly becoming a more aggressive endeavor. For those simply looking to have a good time, those same improvements ensure added safety and fun on the trail. Today Pivot Cycles introduced an all-new bike that will carry them well into the future – the Mach 5.5 Carbon. Part enduro, part all-mountain, and part trail bike, the new Mach 5.5 brings an interesting mixture

original 2017 MACH 55 CARBON 275 TEAM XTR 1X RED

2018 Pivot Mach 5.5 Carbon Team XTR 1x

26

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bturman

5/17/2017 5:42pm

TRP Quadiem G-Spec Disc Brake

c120 TRP Quadiem G spec.jpg?VersionId=lv60uvAydpj5u3i.ZAMyqU

Overall Review

If TRP isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of brakes, you’re forgiven. Better known as Tektro, these brakes were historically sold on very low-end bikes, with nothing but a couple of rides and a one-way ticket to the parts bin to look forward to. No wonder that it took the world by surprise when in 2016 Aaron Gwin announced that he’d be asking TRP to supply him with brakes for his new World Cup downhill racing team, the YT Mob. Of course, Gwin wouldn’t consider such a move if

original TRP Quadiem G spec.jpg?VersionId=jE56

TRP Quadiem G-Spec Disc Brake

19

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iceman2058

5/17/2017 10:32am