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I posted this about an hour before you commented! Currently trying Michelins Force AM2’s on my Ibis Ripley AF. I ride in the Midwest and was looking for a faster rolling but durable light trail bike tire. My terrain is pretty rocky and have cut the sidewall on multiple Maxxis tires but my terrain is relatively flat so it’s a difficult problem to solve. My best way to describe these tires would be a Maxxis Rekon in a double down casing. It rolls well, traction is good and the casing is pretty beefy. It does exactly what I need it...

Best pic I can find of the mythical DD Icon. Bring it back!!

Is anybody else dying for an xc style tread with a double down level casing or is that too niche? I have one bike with two wheel sets, one for bike park and rough trails and one for long days on the bike, but where I live in AZ the trails are really rough but rolling speed is crucial to survive being out there for 40-60 mile rides. So I'd love a fast rolling xc tire that is extra dependable in the back country. Like a Rekon Double Down or something.

I hate how much tires cost and will complain every time I have to buy new ones, BUT, the reality is, when we're paying $130-150(cad) per tire, it would be like buying Michelin Cup 2 R's or or BFG Baja T/A KR3. Those are super high performance tires that are $1000+ each and made for Porsche's, Ferrari's and trophy trucks. And let's be honest, in the world of bikes, most of us are riding Porsche's, Ferrari's and trophy trucks. I still hate that we have to spend $130+ on tires.

some of you wouldn’t be happy in heaven. each and every time I crest the top of a climb on my eeb I shake my head and laugh at how great it is. Playing with house money after my first day on an eMTB, they’re so sick! I’ve never expected a bike to last more than two years, so maybe that’s the issue, but my eebs have been right there with every other thing in this hobby. Unsure if Shimano are the worst, but certain they’re more fun than any pedal bike (DH bike + chairlift is the only thing...

Any other insight here? Will they be direct mount? Will they feature the battery-less shifter outlined in one of Shimanos patents? https://wheelbased.com/2021/12/16/operating-device-battery-less-wireles…

https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/tire-chat-nerds-only ffs

because they're the only Sram brakes that work

Anyone know what brake caliper that is in the background? Looks pretty awesome, like cybertruck design vibes except not super douchey

The issue with this "just get fitter" theory is, not every person complaining about hand pain is referring to the same issue, some of them can be fixed through strengthening/stretching etc, some cannot. Long term exposure to vibrations is very unhealthy and we are doing it for fun. Even if you are the lucky one who doesn't feel the hand pain after few days of bikepark riding, that doesn't mean you are not causing damage to the neurovascular structures that one day will start to hurt. Every MTB rider would benefit from making smart and informed decisions in this area...

2025 Geometron G1 is official. https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/2025-nicolai-geometron-g1

I kinda can't even watch that. That's headache inducing. This entire event is turning into an advertisement for GoPros as far as I'm concerned. Especially when they have to run an external microphone due to how poor the Insta audio cap is. No exaggeration kinda ruining the event coverage for me. They need a rep on site making sure people are using the best settings and ideally running an external mic when 'vlogging' or talking.

That was my take. It makes almost zero sense in a race format. Particularly one that was literally cancelled the year before due to wind (and presumably the 90s, which if they had proper go arounds maybe they could justify running in the wind?). Rebuilt correctly, on for a filming session. It's a GREAT free ride feature. Already produced photo of the year with Jim's bail flight from down low. But as a race feature it makes about zero sense. This should have all been figured out as a freeride feature a while ago, and once perfected, THEN considered for...

The best solution on the market atm for drivetrain durability seems like Shimano's 11spd linkglide system. A very robust cassette/chain/der solution. Know a few riders that had constant issues with 12spd dt's (either Sram or Shimano) on their ebikes and for a few months now no issues. In general it seems strange you see xx / xtr (and all 12 speed groups for that matter) on 22lbs xc race bikes and the same system on 50lbs e-enduro monsters...

It's nice that brands are starting to spec tires built for the bikes' category now.

Hello Shimano, anything? It's now 2024, SRAM called, says the lights in the SoCal MTB office have been off since 2018, nothing going on there.

I'll pre-empt the inevitable butthurt about the below by saying that all of these options are good. They are all powerful, all reasonably easy enough to work on, and all (mostly) consistent. I mainly say that because people adore Saints and I found them to be the weaker in almost every category compared to others, but still good. I'd also caveat that "power" is somewhat misunderstood IMO. Most people don't have the means to measure overall, total available power, rather they base it on how the brakes feel. A brake like the Maximas may have a ton of overall power...

My 2 cent about Magura, there should be only 2 levers, the HC3 and the Oak Pro, reason is simple, all other designs are flawed, HC, Bruni or HCW, 2 fingers, all rely on a stupid spring to keep the lever in place, when that one gives up ( of course un replaceable ) the lever is just flying around. HC3 stay in place without that stupid spring so they’re the only Magura lever that i would get ( I spent way too much on those other ones ) but if you don’t like the close reach, then Oak is...