Bell Super DH Helmet
Overall Review
Just a few years ago we were all wrapped up in full body amor and burly helmets while racing our downhill bikes. Today's enduro-craze has us racing and riding the same trails at the same speeds on smaller bikes with less protection. Seems odd, doesn't it? Enter the convertible helmet – one where you can go from something suitable for trail riding and climbing to full-on downhill gnar with the flip of a few clasps – as a solution to keep us all protected. Riders who can only afford one helmet or
Bell Super DH Helmet
3
1
Vital Rating:
SR Suntour Auron 34 Forks
650B+ 35mm
The Good
strong quality build, nice fender and titanium axle
The Bad
not liquid butter smooth
Overall Review
im not an experienced mountain biker... wanted to pass this review along so others would have an idea about how and why this fork works for me. this fork is a huge improvement over stock raidon of my specialized fuse fattie, 35mm strength is there (needed for my 265lbs), i find this to be a quality focused bomb proof design for reliability first and suited to mid level riders on moderate ground. eg. if im running over tree roots, at a good clip, this fork eats it up where I am having trouble
SR Suntour Auron 34 Forks
1
Member Rating:
9point8 Fall Line Dropper Seatposts
Vital Review
Tested: 9point8 Fall Line Dropper Post
Overall Review
We have a love-hate relationship with dropper posts, because although things are looking up, we’ve yet to find the perfect solution to building a telescoping, remote-controlled tube that allows you to get your seat out of the way at the push of a lever and do so with absolute reliability. We are perhaps being unreasonable, as components that need no service and never break are not exactly commonplace, but we have many dropper post failures behind us that still leave a sour taste in the mouth and
9point8 Fall Line Dropper Seatposts
Vital Rating:
Sixth Element 27.5" Wheel
Overall Review
Sixth Element is a young company based in Manchester, England, and as anybody with basic recollection of the periodic table might deduce from the name, they specialize in carbon wheelsets for anything from trail to downhill riding. Offering “faster, lighter, stronger wheels” that are hand built in the UK, we were curious to see how Sixth Element would stack up in the ever growing carbon wheel market – and how they would fare on the trail. Read on to find out! Sixth Element 27.5” Carbon Wheelset
Sixth Element 27.5" Wheel
12
Vital Rating:
Birzman Maha Push & Twist MTB Floor Pump
Overall Review
Howdy Vital MTBers, let's take a look at Birzman's latest floor pump, the Maha Push and Twist MTB pump. The Maha features a screw-on wood handle, CNC'd aluminum chamber and sturdy aluminum three-legged base. As we expect from Birzman, the pump features clean, classy anodizing on the pump head and refined details like the wood-burned logo on the pump's handle. Now when we first set the pump down, we kept thinking there was something stuck beneath the pump as it sat visually crooked. Well, it is
OneUp Components Aluminum Flat Pedal
Overall Review
OneUp Components is a relatively young, Squamish-based company that started out making wide-range drivetrain add-ons, but their product range has expanded since then to include all kinds of clever bits and pieces, like the innovative steerer tube mounted EDC multitool for example. Working their way out from the drive train the good people at OneUp were always going to end up taking a look at pedals at some point, and that is just what they have done with the recent introduction of a pair of
OneUp Components Aluminum Flat Pedal
3
Vital Rating:
2017 Trek Remedy 8 Bike
The Good
Good spec for price
Versatile
Good geometry
The Bad
Dropper a tad short for my liking
Needs a chain guide
Bar needs more sweep
Should come with softer tires
Re:aktiv
Overall Review
I got this bike to get back to mountain biking. Next thing you know I'm racing enduro. The steed is too much for an xc loop and after having it for 2 months I find myself going slow on flats and uphills to save energy for the perfect downhill run! Only the roughest DH rock gardens have been too much to enjoy on the bike. It really feels much like a dh bike but the travel is not there. Although the Re:aktiv shock creates some stiction to the beginning of the compression and on some hits or berms
2017 Trek Remedy 8 Bike
Member Rating:
ODI Rogue V2.1 Lock-On Grip
The Good
Thick cushioned feel for those that prefer a larger diameter grip. Sticky rubber, but doesn't wear too fast.
The Bad
Can be too thick for some riders. A lot of texture for bare hands - too much, too deep?
Overall Review
I have used up at least six sets of these over the past decade.I prefer this grip for long trails rides. They wear very well and can be rotated when one side begins to get thin. I use them with gloves and I don't like the feel without gloves (prefer Ruffians for bare hands). I cracked one of them in a hard fall. A rock impact broke the hard internal plastic sleeve, but it probably saved the bar from getting kacked and the damage was my own fault.
ODI Rogue V2.1 Lock-On Grip
1
Member Rating:
Banshee Rune (2017) Frame
The Good
Excellent geometry, Stability at speed, Versatile (3 rear dropout positions for 2016), Durability, Well priced
The Bad
Powdercoat is not as tough as anodizing could be
Overall Review
Banshee has built a bike that fits perfectly with my needs. In the year I've owned it, it's been ridden nearly 750 miles in San Diego CA, Santa Cruz CA, and Park City UT. It handles the gamut between XC and light DH easily. I've not had an ounce of frame trouble. The Rune makes it possible to use one bike for nearly everything. It replaced two bikes: an Ibis Mojo HDR and a Santa Cruz VP Free. The Rune is actually more stable on fast, rough descents than the Free was. It's every bit as quick on
Banshee Rune (2017) Frame
1
Member Rating: