Latest Product Reviews

The Good:

Grip, Pedal Feel, Ankle Support/Protection

The Bad:

Wet weather performance, hiking performance, Durability is okay but could be improved

Riding flats with sticky rubberiskinda like putting alime in your corona: It's damn good even before you upgrade, but once you see the light you just can't go back. After wearing out my old pair of Freerider lows, I decided to try the high-top version of a shoe I already loved for its tenacious grip. Test Location: Squamish, BC (12 months) Durango, CO (4 months) Phillipsburg, MT (2 months) Riding Type: Enduro, dude. 75% pedal rides, 25% shuttle/park Pedals Used: Chromag Contact, Race Face Chester, Canfield Crampon (V1 and V2) The Freerider High is an excellent choice for any flat pedal rider who prefers a Read More »

The Good:

easy setup, cost, function

The Bad:

nothing after 2 years

As is the case with many things, sometimes the best products are the ones you think the least about. This is the case for One Up's chain-guide which has been on a couple of bikes over two years and hasn't drawn attention to itself in any kind of negative way. Remember those days when you had to remove your crank arm to get the chainguide on?Thankfully One Up has made a point to simplify the installation process with this product. Additionally, they have a shim system which helps you dial in the sweet spot for your chainring that is done at the top of the guide. Gone are the days of chasing multiple spacers and Read More »

When 100% first released the Aircraft helmet a couple of years ago, its striking looks and long list of features caught our eye. After testing it, we were happy enough with that first edition, but 100% has since released an updated version which addresses a key issue we had with the original, in addition to now featuring MIPS as well. We've put the latest version to the test, read on to find out how we got along. Strengths Weaknesses Comfortable Offers high levels of protection Stable in use Light weight Finish and quality Sharp looks Adjustment range of visor still slightly restricted No spare visor included 100% Read More »

The Good:

good protection, easy install

The Bad:

packaging, high cost, not enough material

There are many options for protecting your frame these days. I opted for the Lizard Skins kit as I have used this product in the past (in a smaller kit) and was satisfied with it. To protect a new frame, I opted for the full frame kit and wanted a clear protector to not draw attention to itself and let the frame's paint job shine through. Install was straight forward and easy. I'd recommend going fairly slow to work out bubbles and make sure that the edges are pushed down so dirt doesn't work its way up under the film. Durability is good and I think they have found a good balance of thickness so that it can Read More »

The Good:

comfortable
style

The Bad:

I guess it's a little pricey

TLD has created a great jersey with the 3/4 sleeve Ruckus. The fit is right on point, slightly baggy but not too loose. 3/4 sleeves avoids the frequent too-tight-wrist-cuff-thing and the collar is right sized as well. Also, having a dropped tail in the back is nice to fit the rider's position. What really sets this jersey apart for me is the selection of fabrics that work together. First of all, the fabric isn't too thin nor is it so thick that it gets too hot. They have put mesh fabric to help you vent your heat and the collar area is slightly stretchy so its comfy to get on and off. There's a Read More »

The Good:

Excellent blend of materials
Very smart waist adjustment system
Durable
Look good
Proper length
The best shorts I've used

The Bad:

I literally have nothing to report

With the exception of a functional pair of shoes, a good pair of riding shorts may well be the most important part to a rider's kit. Over the last decade I've tried every "trail" short from the major soft-goods companies with mixed results. All were functional, but every single pair has left something to be desired, be it lighter weight, better fit, better waist adjustment or more durability. Come summer time I find myself living in my bike stuff. My career allows me to work remotely, so my "business attire" usually sits in the closet "just in case I have time for a ride". This means my shorts are usually the first Read More »

The Good:

lightweight
breathable
compact

The Bad:

not for hauling lots of gear

Nothing beats riding without a pack but for the rides that are a little bit longer than you can stretch it, or if you're not the type to strap a tube and stick a shot block to your frame, you might have to use some sort of pack. Enter the Dakine session 8L pack which gives you enough room for some basic gear and almost 70 oz in the bladder. I've had this pack for a year now and it has held up to the general abuse of riding. A couple of cool features has helped it replace my old, larger backpack. First off, the breathable shoulder straps and a slick, raised foam pad that takes the pack off your back. This brings some Read More »

The mountain bike apparel catalog of 100% has been growing steadily over the past few years, and now features a good selection of items for anything from trail riding to DH. The Celium range is the company’s high-end all-mountain offering, positioned above the Airmatic line we tested last year. Made for all kinds of mountain biking activities in general, we’ve been putting Celium to the test over the past couple of months to see how it stacks up on the trail. Read on to find out. Strengths Weaknesses Fast drying Comfortable Light weight Breathes relatively well Wide range of sizes offered for the short Clingy when wet Waist Read More »

The Good:

Definitive cuts for those with exacting standards.

The Bad:

You don't get to use this beautiful tool very often.

Crudely cut cable housings and frayed cables are two ways to make your derailleur and shifter a PITA to install or work on. There are many ways to cut through cable and there are even a few common tools that do an ok job. Standard wire cutters are usually the closest on-hand tool. Their hardened steel jaws pinch wire like a bionic bird beak until it separates. This works good for solid core wires and soft metals like copper, but should not be used for multi strand steel cables and especially not for index housing. That same crushing force separates the strands of bike cables and misshapes cable Read More »

The Good:

Perfect little sealant shots for road trips or epic rides.

The Bad:

Wish they were 3 ounces instead of 2 ounces.

Tubeless tires with Stan's sealant makes life on two wheels better. Gone are the days of pinholes and pinch flatted tubes. This slimy latex glue is your new best friend. Rather than focusing on the fine performance of this product that is already widely embraced, I want to take a closer look at the smallest packaged size. The quart and pint sizes are great for the home workshop, but not a very reasonable solution to take with you in a car or on a bike. Their smallest packaging contains a compact two ounces. These svelte sealant shots can be easily stowed in your pack or gear bag without worrying Read More »