Ride Concepts Hellion Elite (2023) Flat Pedal Shoe
Great Shoe!
The Good
Super comfortable
Grippy
Protective
Lace garage
The Bad
A bit warm
color options (subjective)
Overall Review
Ihave been a fan of the Ride Concepts shoes for a while, however I found myself going back to Five Ten (Freerider Pro) for the grip and sole durability. Ride Concepts shoes were always very comfortable, and the shoes held up very well, it was the sole that I would shred prematurely. I will say that Ride Concepts would always warranty the shoe and send a fresh pair, and that it is amazing to stand behind your product like that!! Unfortunately, that would leave me without shoes for a week to 10
Ride Concepts Hellion Elite (2023) Flat Pedal Shoe
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2022 GT Force Carbon Pro LE Bike
Vital Review
Vital Review - GT Force Carbon Pro LE
Overall Review
GT's all-new high-pivot Force captured our attention long before getting to take it for a spin. The high-pivot suspension and overall aggressive, badass look the bike has screams a damn good time. It is a slack, long-travel 29er with a nice complement of quality parts. Sprinkle in an adjustable chainstay and geometry that leans toward descending, and we smelt a good time was on the way. Highlights Carbon front triangle, alloy rear 29-inch wheels 160mm (6.3-inches) of rear-wheel travel // 170mm
2022 GT Force Carbon Pro LE Bike
5
4
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Reserve 30 HD Wheelset
Vital Review
Vital Tested - Reserve 30|HD Wheels
Overall Review
Following the pattern of launching more specifically targeted wheels over the last year, Reserve Wheels is updating its lineup with the addition of the new 30|HD wheelset aimed at enduro and aggressive trail riding. These wheels will replace the existing 30|30 wheels and sit between the Reserve 31|DH wheels and Reserve 30|SL with ride characteristics as such. We found out how these new wheels stack up against other high-end carbon wheels and how they serve as an upgrade to an entry-level
Reserve 30 HD Wheelset
2
5
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POC Oseus VPD Knee Pad
Vital Review
Tested: POC Oseus VPD Knee Guard
Overall Review
The best protection is the one you’re willing to wear when you ride. Much of the work done by protection companies over the past few years seems centered around this concept, as the race is on to produce guards that can be pedaled around in all day yet offer enough protection to make a difference when you actually crash. POC’s Oseus knee guard falls straight into this category, with a level 2 certified pad housed in a comfortable and pedal friendly slip-on design. As part of our ongoing and
POC Oseus VPD Knee Pad
Vital Rating:
Specialized Fast Trak CONTROL T5 Tire
Vital Review
New Specialized XC Tires Tested
Overall Review
The last two years were marked by an abundance of new XC tech, driven by the evolution of cross country race tracks around the globe. Geometry is becoming more relaxed and suspension travel is increasing, while dropper posts are more and more commonplace too - last but not least, tires are evolving too. Specialized has been addressing their whole tire selection recently with updates to compounds and casings across the board, and based on the excellent results we’ve seen with the new enduro and
Specialized Fast Trak CONTROL T5 Tire
1
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Specialized Ground Control CONTROL T5 Tire
Vital Review
New Specialized XC Tires Tested
Overall Review
The last two years were marked by an abundance of new XC tech, driven by the evolution of cross country race tracks around the globe. Geometry is becoming more relaxed and suspension travel is increasing, while dropper posts are more and more commonplace too - last but not least, tires are evolving too. Specialized has been addressing their whole tire selection recently with updates to compounds and casings across the board, and based on the excellent results we’ve seen with the new enduro and
Specialized Ground Control CONTROL T5 Tire
4
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2023 Santa Cruz Heckler CC X01 AXS MX Reserve E-Bike
Overall Review
Previously, the Heckler was the top pick in our 2020 eMTB shootout as it was hands down the most confidence-inspiring, rowdy, and fun to ride when pointed downhill. Had you asked us what would we want in the next generation, the 2022 Heckler satisfies that checklist. It has increased brapability with its mixed wheels paired with a slightly more relaxed head angle, SRAM wireless AXS drivetrain, and increased range with a 720Wh battery powering the Shimano EP8 motor. We gave it our best effort to
2023 Santa Cruz Heckler CC X01 AXS MX Reserve E-Bike
23
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2021 Kona Remote 130 E-Bike
The Good
Rides really comfortably and better than the reduced travel would indicate. Lots of fun
The Bad
Very limited battery range, esp if you do a lot of climbing. Motor died after 470km, rear wheel imploded after 200km
Overall Review
Overall this rides and descends really well, looks awesome, and is generally specced OK. But the mileage is very poor despite all manner of tweaking, and while I do a lot of climbing (after all, e MTBS are all about enabling multiple downhill runs are they not?), I am reduced to doing everything in ECO mode to get in a ride of 2.5 hours with 1200m climbing. In saying this, the motor also completely died after 477km, so maybe that was what led to reduced range - I'll see once the replacement
2021 Kona Remote 130 E-Bike
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Race Face Atlas 35 Handlebar
The OG big bad bar
The Good
Perfect rise/sweep. Probably indestructible. Available in fun colors and a reasonable cost. They are wide at 820mm (I cut mine to 800mm), but it's easier to take away than it is to add. Lastly they are long proven by me and basically everyone.
The Bad
For me: nothing. Others may complain about weight and/or their overly stiff feel. I wish they did a polished chrome, but the Kash Money gold is plenty dope.
Overall Review
Ibegan riding Atlas bars not long after they first appeared in '08/'09. They were the widest burliest bars this side of chromoly bars you'd find on a motorcycle. I've had them in various rises/colors/widths on nearly every mountain bike I've owned since. As a heavier guy (210-220lbs with gear depending on treat consumption) that rides aggressively (I've broken enough components and frames over the years to stock a bike shop) they've never let me down. A common complaint with Atlas bars
Race Face Atlas 35 Handlebar
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PUSH ELEVENSIX Rear Shock
Overall Review
PUSH Industries have been churning out quality suspension tunes for customers for well over a decade. Five years ago, PUSH decided to take the matter into their own hands by engineering and manufacturing custom shocks domestically. That shock is the PUSH Elevensix. The Elevensix is a no holds barred shock, with a price to match. We’ve put the latest version of the Elevensix to a long-term test. Keep reading for our impressions as well as comparisons to other current offerings. Highlights One
PUSH ELEVENSIX Rear Shock
2
36
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