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Ipicked this up from my LBS when I was planning on doing some up-grades to my drive train in the near future. I own other Park Tools and have never had a bad experience except from them being a bit expensive. This cassette lockring tool is no exception to that and I have been impressed with it. I have used it multiple times to remove cassettes on Shimano systems with no problem. I especially like the guide pin which just makes using it that a little bit more fool proof. The solid metal construction will also stand the test...

Hey everyone, got the chance to take out the 2018 Ibis Ripley LS. Quick impressions are this thing is a climbing rocket. If you like to put in the miles and vertical this is the perfect bike. The front wasn't near as stiff as the rear however so a stiffer fork and maybe a 140mm fork could serve this bike well. Hope you enjoy the video.

The Scout is an incredibly versatile, fun and surprisingly capable bike. It can be built into a potent weapon for XC to Enduro and everything in between. With some tough tyres and a taller fork I’ve ridden at DH venues alongside DH bikes and the Scout has proven itself extremely capable. The original stock builds came with a 140mm fork meaning the bottom bracket was pretty much on the floor. It’s easily remedied by using a taller fork and because the BB is so low you can happily run anything up to 160mm at the front which in turn will...

Where it shines: Singletrack slayer. Very, very fast. Proficient at popping and pumping. Corners like a bobsled. Solid as a bank vault. Good climber, not as good as a virtual-pivot bike or a DW-link, but very competent. All-around party machine. Where it lacks: It is a bit heavy feeling on steeper climbs, but honestly not bad. It has a tendency to make you forget you are on a 120mm trail bike and not on a destroyer-of-worlds war-chariot and that can get you into trouble, but that's more of a plus in my opinion. *Update* I got a lot more saddle...

Smith Optics introduced a relatively new technology called ChromaPop into a not so relatively new goggle, the Fuel V.2. With this new technology, smith claims ChromaPop enhances detail, clarity, and natural colors for those behind their lens. The real question is would it really make a difference in their goggle line and would that difference even be noticeable? I got my hand on a pair just to find out. Spending several months with these new goggles, here are my impressions: Detailed Specs: Medium Fit Sweat-X F.A.T. 3-Layer Face Foam Ergonomic Outrigger Positioning System Red Mirror Lens Roll/Tear Offs Compatible Lens...

POC Sports is no stranger to protecting serious athletes in the cycling industry. Almost every time you head out on your local trails, you’ll more than likely pass a fellow biker wearing one of their helmets. What may be slightly less common is coming across someone wearing their apparel. Having ridden POC products for multiple years, I can vouch that their apparel is on par with some of the best brand in the business. But what about the Resistance DH shorts specifically? Well, I got my hands on some and with 6 months of riding time, here are my impressions...

Ask who makes the best mountain bike shoes on any online forum and there will be a variety of brands as a response. Arguably, the most popular brand will be Five Ten. What makes their shoes so good? I got my hands on a pair of some of their best shoes to figure that out. With 5 months of ride time, here are my impressions: Detailed Specs Full S1 dotty outsole Synthetic, light-weight, weather-resistant upper Impact-resistant, 4-layer toe box with PORON impact-resistant foam Compression-molded EVA midsole Removable Ortholite molded sock liner Weight: 338g each (Size 9US) and 399.5g each (Size...

Bicycle grease, it’s what every home mechanic needs on their work bench. With so many companies making such a variety of grease related products, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Do you go for the cheapest option or most expensive? I decided to go with a relatively inexpensive grease, Maxima Waterproof Grease, a while back and with plenty of use from it, here are my impressions: Detailed Specs: Salt Water Resistant Low-Friction Protects against rust & corrosion Reduces wear Long lasting Resists heat & shock loads Wide operating temperature range Retails for $8.95 Out of The Box: The Maxima Waterproof Grease...

Let’s face it, grip is kind when it comes to aggressive riding. Grip is also a key ingredient for feeling confident on while on a bike. The more confident you feel, the better you will ride. Therefore, the better grip you have, the better you will ride. When it comes to grip, there’s one brand of shoe that is always brought up: Five Ten. They make a variety of shoes and they all offer excellent grip. Having worn through an old pair, I got my hands on a new pair of their most popular shoe, the Freerider. After a few...

The term “Fits like a glove” wasn’t derived out of thin air. It’s something that, when done right means perfection (figuratively yes, but also realistically.) In regards to mountain biking, there isn’t a better piece of protection that fits this term with more exactness than riding glove. There’s a ton to choose from, some with close out prices and some scratching the $100 price point. What makes a $50+ glove so much better than a basic one? I got my hands on the new POC Resistance Pro DH gloves in hope to find out just that. With several months of...

When it comes to increasing one’s confidence while riding there are a few components that have a huge impact on finding oneself riding on or fall off a trail. Through my own experience, suspension, brakes, and tires are some of the most critical ones to get right. In hopes to increase my confidence, I picked up a new set of endure specific Bontrager SE4 Team Issue TRL tires at the end of last season. With adequate miles on them, here are my impressions: Out of The Box: Unlike some previous models made by Bontrager, I found the SE5 tires to...

Ijust picked up a new Ibis HD4 and wanted shed some light on stock Ibis 3D stem that came on it. With a few rides on it’ here are my impressions: Out of The Box: This stem appeared to be an average stock stem that comes on pretty much every middle grade bike. This was, until you look at some of the finer details of it. The first thing I noticed was that, however “stock” this stem is, Ibis put some effort into giving the 3D some flavor. That flaver is a simple “Ibis” band around the center of...