2014 Felt Virtue Nine 20
Overall Review
Reviewed by John Hauer and Jess Pedersen // Photos by Shawn Spomer and Lear Miller New for 2014, Felt ’s Virtue lineup sees the addition of bikes in the 29-inch variety. The Virtue Nine features 130mm of travel out back and 140mm up front, slotting it somewhere between the long-travel 29er crowd and pedal friendly trail rippers. Even so, Felt’s not shy when they state their claims about the ride, saying that it’s a defining bike for the Enduro and Super D racing crowd. Having previously tested
2014 Felt Virtue Nine 20
Vital Rating:
Bell Stoker Helmet
Vital Review
Tested: Bell Stoker Helmet
Overall Review
by Colt Maule // Projekt Roam Established in 1954, Bell Helmets exists to 'inspire and enable the next generation of boundary breakers'. The goggle-compatible Bell Stoker Helmet is a go-to, all-mountain helmet with just the right amount of substance and style. Featuring air channeling vents, an adjustable visor, a SpeedDial Fit System, and extended rear coverage, the Stoker keeps you cool and confident while riding any terrain. I brought this helmet along for a few months of road tripping and
Bell Stoker Helmet
2
1
6
Vital Rating:
Crankbrothers Iodine 2 Wheelset
Getting Better
The Good
Light Weight,
Strong Rim,
Easy Tubeless setup,
One off design
The Bad
Takes a proprietary spoke and nipple combo that will need to be sourced from a direct CB dealer or from CB themselves. On the plus side, they are all the same length so keeping extras is simple. Will true and tighten with universal spoke wrench (PT Black)
Overall Review
There is well known idea within the mountain biking community that Crank Brothers makes parts for looks and not function. The Iodine wheels certainly take stunning looks and design to a level that no other wheel manufacturer has but has been plagued with bad reviews about faulty hub construction. The 2013 batch that I am riding seems to have addressed those issues and according to Crank Brothers, the 2013 wheel sets are a step forward and construction and durability. With a handful of rides into
Crankbrothers Iodine 2 Wheelset
Member Rating:
RockShox BoXXer World Cup Fork with Charger Damper
Overall Review
Review by Sven Martin // Photos by Adrian Marcoux, Sven Martin, and SRAM When you saw the recent SRAM X01DH drivetrain feature , you might have wondered why SRAM would fly a bunch of journalists from all around the world to New Zealand just to sample a few less gears. As successful as that launch went, you’re right, it wasn’t just about gears and Queenstown beers… We also came to sample something else - something more than just refinement and product extension, something more like cheating
RockShox BoXXer World Cup Fork with Charger Damper
5
1
9
Vital Rating:
2014 Orbea Rallon X-LTD
Vital Review
2014 Test Sessions: Orbea Rallon X-LTD
Overall Review
Reviewed by Evan Turpen, John Hauer, and Brandon Turman // Photos by Shawn Spomer and Lear Miller Of all 25 bikes in the 2014 Vital MTB Test Sessions , none screamed “RIDE ME!” more loudly than the all-new Orbea Rallon. The combination of BOS suspension, super aggressive geometry, and fluorescent paint had us chomping at the bit. Many US-based readers may not recognize the Orbea brand, but know that they’ve been making bikes for a long time are just now entering the US market. Thanks to the new
2014 Orbea Rallon X-LTD
4
5
Vital Rating:
Royal 2015 Esquire Shorts
Vital Review
Tested: Royal Racing Esquire Short
Overall Review
Review by A.J. Barlas // Photography Jon Anthony & A.J. Barlas Riding apparel over the last number of years has changed. Gone are the long, baggy items, replaced with more form fitting clothing, a move that we feel is an entirely good thing! This isn't to say we should ride in skin tight clothing, in fact, I'm an advocate for the 'no lycra necessary' movement, but wearing gear so baggy that it would catch on your bars, seat, and tree branches as you whiz by is not only ridiculous, it's highly
Royal 2015 Esquire Shorts
1
Vital Rating:
Avid G2 CleanSweep Rotor
Avid Rotor
The Good
Simple trouble free rotor. Stays straight as well. I have had it on a dirt jump bike with Hope M4 brakes. have no trouble with this rotor at all. Rotor was used with Avid mechanical brakes before the Hope's. Thought I might need to get a new rotor for M4's but this one has worked great.
The Bad
No issues to speak of.
Overall Review
Nice simple rotor. Can also be a good low cost back-up rotor for travel.
Avid G2 CleanSweep Rotor
Member Rating:
Race Face Respond DH/AM Stem
Great Stiff Stem
The Good
Have had this on my dirt jump bike for 2 years. It's been great. Stiff and solid. Never have to mess with it. I have the white version and it has a durable finish. Black is probably even better. Nice looking stem too. Never worry about, it just works.
The Bad
Maybe a few more length options. nit-picking here, Can't think of a bad thing.
Overall Review
Great stem and would not hesitate to recommend it.
Race Face Respond DH/AM Stem
Member Rating:
DT Swiss Competition Spokes
Nice Spokes
The Good
Have had them for several years in 2 different wheel sets and have had no problems at all and they have seen a lot of use and some jumps and drops and rough terrain. mine have always been built with brass nipples. I had a third wheel set with straight gauge spokes and I had a bad case and broke several spokes. These seem much tougher.
The Bad
Nothing i can think.
Overall Review
Nice strong spokes i will continue to use and when I get new wheels I will use these spokes again.
DT Swiss Competition Spokes
Member Rating:
Avid BB5 Disc Brake
Average Brakes
The Good
Easy to set up. Once dialed in they work nicely. Lever feels pretty good. Rotor seems fairly strong.
The Bad
Mine would be all set up and work good but it only last a month or so and then they felt terrible. lever pulled to bar and no stopping power. After I would re-set them up they would be good again but only for a short while. Tired new pads but no difference. Might have been cable constantly stretching and maybe should have tried a new cable but ended up just getting something else.
Overall Review
OK basic brake for light use.
Avid BB5 Disc Brake
Member Rating: