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4 PNW Range Grip Regular Main BlackoutBlack copy 0

Overall Review

PNW Components always puts a lot of through into the design of their products, and their Loam grip which was introduced in 2019 was testament to that, with an elaborate texture pattern made to combine comfort, tackiness, and support. The Loam was joined in the line-up by the Loam XL in 2022 – it is as its name implies a thicker version of that same grip. Today, PNW is introducing the all-new Range grip, intended to provide a more minimal and supple feel in the hands. We’ve had it out on the

PNW Components Range Grip

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iceman2058

9/15/2026 5:54am

2027 Scott Spark DC Factory Bike

Overall Review

Some rides last an hour. Some disappear into the mountains. Some become the stories you'll tell long after they're over. The all-new Spark DC is built for every one of them. Inspired by Scott's XC racing heritage and reimagined for today's trail rider, the Spark DC blends lightweight performance, confident trail handling and rider-focused integration into one incredibly versatile package. Rather than asking riders to choose between efficiency and capability, the Spark DC delivers both. Impressed

2027 Scott Spark DC Factory Bike

1

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iceman2058

9/10/2026 6:02am

Pembree D3A Flat Pedal

Overall Review

Pembree Components is a young brand from the UK, which started out making flat pedals some 7 years ago now. They’ve more recently introduced a range of other parts, including bars, stems, and grips, all still made in the UK with a focus on sustainable design and manufacturing. The D3A is their newest pedal, and after a few months on the trail, here’s what we think of it. Pembree D3A Highlights Platform material: custom extruded recycled aluminum Spindle: High-strength, forged chromoly steel

Pembree D3A Flat Pedal

2

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iceman2058

8/24/2026 6:43am

2026 Amflow PX Carbon Pro E-Bike

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Overall Review

With so many Avinox-equipped e-bikes in the market, why would you buy the Amflow PX Carbon when you could buy an Avinox bike from a more established brand? That is what we spent the past few months trying to find out. What Vital Liked The general silhouette has not drastically changed. It’s still crazy slim for being a full-size e-bike, with a nice Stumpjumper-esque look. Tons of adjustability baked into the frame to skew the geometry to be more aggressive or reserved depending on your needs

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2026 Amflow PX Carbon Pro E-Bike

3

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Jason_Schroeder

8/18/2026 9:44am

2026 Kona Remote 160 CR E-Bike

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Overall Review

In the current climate of all eMTB talk involving the "A" word, it's refreshing to hop on a rig powered by the "B" word. Combine that with a svelte drive system that emphasizes a mountain-bike-like trail experience, high-end RockShox Ultimate suspension and a sleek full-carbon frame and you have the 160mm travel Kona Remote 160 CR, which has been ridden by a few different Vital testers for the past few months. Highlights Frame Material: Carbon Fiber Travel: 160mm front and rear Wheel Size: 29"

2026 Kona Remote 160 CR E-Bike

1

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sspomer

8/12/2026 11:14am

Peaty's Monarch Saddle

Overall Review

Peaty’s is at it again, jumping into yet another new product category. This time they’re having a go at making a saddle, or as they like to call it, a throne. Yep, when your aim is to be fit for a king, you have to go all out, and that’s what Peaty’s did for this one. Peaty’s Monarch Saddle Highlights PU topper made from 24% recycled bottles, “Throne Foam” core, 3D-contoured glass-filled nylon base Flat nose and ramped tail Rail options: Ti-MX (silver) or 4130 CrMo (black) Serviceable and

Peaty's Monarch Saddle

3

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iceman2058

8/12/2026 8:21am

Praxis Brodium SL Flat Pedal

Overall Review

The Podium flat pedal has a long and storied history. It all started many years ago with the Point One Podium which introduced what was certainly a fairly radical pedal shape at the time. Gamut acquired Point One in 2014, and released their version of the Podium pedal in 2016. It was extremely thin, with a shape that still worked well for generating grip, although the small-ish platform and the large inboard bearing bulge were not to everyone’s liking. Gamut stopped making the Podium pedal

Praxis Brodium SL Flat Pedal

10

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iceman2058

8/3/2026 3:46am

2026 Amflow PR Carbon Pro E-Bike

Overall Review

Would Vital's thoughts of the $6,799 Amflow PR Carbon Pro line up with all the incredibly positive reviews out there? We spent a few months on this new eMTB in a variety of locations to find out. What Vital Liked The Avinox M2s drive unit has more power than any eMTBer will ever need, so regular riding leaves plenty in reserve. We only ever used the 150nm/1500w Boost function as a novelty and don't see a legitimate use case for so much power and speed short of escaping a mountain lion, bear or

2026 Amflow PR Carbon Pro E-Bike

8

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sspomer

7/29/2026 2:15pm

Propain Hugene 3 CF Frame

Overall Review

Many bike models tend to evolve by growing over time, whether it’s getting a bit more travel or burlier angles with each passing generation. It’s probably fair to say that this has been driven by the general evolution of bike geometry to some extent, so as our industry matures (and with it the collective understanding of what geometry could and should be), brands are taking a closer look at the positioning of each model in their range, and making changes accordingly. That’s exactly what

Propain Hugene 3 CF Frame

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iceman2058

7/22/2026 7:17am

Shimano Deore M6250 Di2 Upgrade Kit

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Overall Review

Shimano dropped its latest rendition of Di2 drivetrains last year. Available in Deore, XT , and XTR , each strikes a different budget range, with variations in features, materials, and bling factor. We have covered and ridden the XTR and XT tiers, both of which are competitive options in the world of wireless shifting. What remained was the bottom of the totem pole. You don’t have to splurge on an entire groupset to ride Di2. Shimano conveniently sells upgrade kits to convert to wireless. The

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Shimano Deore M6250 Di2 Upgrade Kit

8

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ride

7/8/2026 8:00am