Zipp ZM2 Rear Hub
Impressed
The Good
Great engagement, not *that* heavy
The Bad
32 spoke only, no micro-spline compatibility, no center-lock
Overall Review
Joined to add my experience with this hub. I've been riding the ZM2 hub for 2000+ miles. They came with my 3Zero Moto wheelset that I managed to get on sale in September 2021. I originally expected to replace this hub since it seemed to be relatively inexpensive. I was surprised at the engagement, durability, and its relative lack of weight. The hub was serviced roughly 1000 miles in when my drive-train needed replacing but otherwise they've been maintenance free. The wheelset is installed on a
Zipp ZM2 Rear Hub
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FSA Comet Modular 1x Crankset
The Good
Not much
The Bad
Heavy as wrought iron, doesn't come with necessary spindle spacers, threads strip easily, and the "shorter" crank arms look like they're actually just 175mm cranks with the hole drilled higher up, leaving a ton of extra material under the pedal spindle.
Overall Review
Heavy as wrought iron, doesn't come with necessary spindle spacers, threads strip easily, and the "shorter" crank arms look like they're actually just 175mm cranks with the hole drilled higher up, leaving a ton of extra material under the pedal spindle. I'm incredibly disappointed by this crankset. They are insanely heavy, mine weighed in around 900g for 170mm with 32t chainring. They don't come with the spindle spacers required, so you end up spending $30 for a pack of wave spacers and 1mm
FSA Comet Modular 1x Crankset
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ODI Vans V2.1 Lock-On Grip
The Good
Feels beefy and great holding onto them.
Not wearing out fast.
The Bad
What i dont like is that when i ride with them and my palms get little sweat they are slippery af, maybe problem is in me, i sweat alot but that slipping on them hella sucks
Overall Review
They look good and feel good in hand when palms are dry but when they get little bit wet it sucks.
ODI Vans V2.1 Lock-On Grip
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Race Face Era Crank
Overall Review
C arbon cranks have a bit of a spotty track record, at times setting the internet on fire with horror stories and pictures of snapped crankarms. When carbon cranks first appeared in mountain biking, they were by far the lightest options out there, and the early versions probably went too far with the weight savings without having properly validated the longevity and durability of the construction. Riders may also be at least partially to blame for those early durability issues, often seen
Race Face Era Crank
2
2
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FOX FLOAT Factory Rear Shock
Overall Review
E arlier this year, Fox revised their full line-up of air shocks. All-new for 2023 (technically a 2024 model), the new Float slots into the range between the super-light Float SL and the more elaborate Float X, taking aim squarely at the trail bike market with a stated goal of reducing the weight while maintaining the performance at Float X levels. We’ve had a couple of samples out on the trails for a couple of months now, and we’re here to report on how we’ve been getting along. Strengths
FOX FLOAT Factory Rear Shock
2
14
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Hayes Dominion T4 Hydraulic Disc Brake
Overall Review
Y our brakes are arguably one of the most important components on your bike; how they feel and perform can have a huge impact on your riding. The Hayes Dominion A4 has garnered a solid reputation mainly thanks to its power and feel, and with the introduction of the T4, Hayes sought to maintain that performance while dropping some weight. We’ve had a pair out on the trails for about 7 months now, and we’re here to report on how we’ve been getting along. Strengths Weaknesses Lots of power Great
Hayes Dominion T4 Hydraulic Disc Brake
1
7
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2022 Eminent Haste MT Comp Bike
Vital Review
REVIEW: Eminent Haste MT 2.0
Overall Review
I n December of 2021, Eminent Cycles launched its Drive eMTB while simultaneously debuting the high-pivot iteration of their Active Float System (AFS) suspension design. The new layout marked a significant departure from Eminent's inaugural AFS layout and, subjectively speaking, was a huge improvement aesthetically. We tested the Drive last Spring, and it checked all the boxes for a hard-charging, 160mm eMTB: bottom-less suspension feel with excellent support, stability at speed, and a plow
2022 Eminent Haste MT Comp Bike
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Race Face Turbine Wheelset
Overall Review
W heels are such a critical part of the bike that we are always excited when a new model drops. We’re also jaded enough to treat the marketing messages that typically accompany these releases with a pinch of salt, but the brochure for the new Race Face Turbine Wheel had enough meat on the bones to properly whet our appetite – especially once we realized that Race Face had actually dropped the price of the new wheelset compared to its predecessor, the Turbine R. Keep reading to learn more! Race
Race Face Turbine Wheelset
1
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2023 Alchemy Argos Au SRAM XX1 AXS Bike
Overall Review
H ardtail mountain bikes come in several flavors, from mile-crushing cross-country bikes to long and slack "hardcore hardtails." The most common frame materials are aluminum, carbon fiber, and steel. Aluminum frames are inexpensive and provide a great strength-to-weight ratio. When executed properly, aluminum frames offer excellent ride characteristics. Carbon fiber frames are light, stiff, and an industry favorite. Steel is the most exotic of the three materials and offers a damp, comfortable
BikeYoke Revive 272 Seatpost
Overall Review
W ith fewer and fewer mountain bikes featuring a 27.2 mm seat tube, BikeYoke had all but given up on making a 27.2 dropper – but then the gravel boom happened, and they finally got the push they needed to bring this project over the finish line. We don’t usually pay all that much attention to the gravel space here at Vital, but we know many of our readers DO, so consider this a PSA (you can always use it for your XC rig or why not for your kids’ bikes if you want to spoil them with one of the
BikeYoke Revive 272 Seatpost
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