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BiB Creative Clever Original Quick Link Pliers
Overall Review
Sure, some of us are a bit more clumsy that others, but we still felt a bit miffed when somebody sent us a pair of sporks out of the blue. What’s next, shrink-wrap meal trays? Upon closer inspection however, it turned out that we were not looking at airline-grade cutlery but rather a clever new set of tire levers that double as a quick link pliers for your chain. Also included in the box was a nifty looking barrel tool of some kind, which of course ended up being a chain breaker. Meet the “Clever” series. Clever Original Quick Link Plier Highlights “Portable Quick Link Pliers” Weight: 60 grams...
Posted by iceman2058 on 10/1/2017 1:22am
2018 Nukeproof Mega 275 Carbon Factory Bike
Overall Review
Fun fact: The original Nukeproof Mega was developed in 2009 to tackle the truly demanding Megavalanche race, and every new version since has been proven on the same world-famous glacier starts while bashing bars alongside hundreds of riders for miles on end. Nukeproof kicked things up a notch with their new fourth generation design, the company's first carbon bike, when Sam Hill decided he was going to race the Enduro World Series. Considering Sam recently rode his new Mega Carbon to a 6th place finish at the UCI Downhill World Championship, crushed the entire EWS field by 17 seconds on the...
Posted by bturman on 9/20/2017 5:53am
Formula NERO R Fork
Overall Review
Heritage is a strong base to build on when it comes to releasing new technology. Formula was founded in 1971 as AEM, manufacturing aftermarket parts for motorcycles, and success quickly followed as they became known for their attention to detail and a fastidious approach to winning. Fast forward to 1993 when Formula came out with the first mountain bike-specific hydraulic disc brake, and, as they say, the rest is history. Greg Minnaar used Formula Oro brakes during his years on Honda, Brook MacDonald won Junior World’s in Canberra with Oros too, and both Loic Bruni and Finn Iles have been...
Posted by sideshow on 9/16/2017 6:54am
Bell Super DH Helmet
Vital Review
Overall Review
Just a few years ago we were all wrapped up in full body amor and burly helmets while racing our downhill bikes. Today's enduro-craze has us racing and riding the same trails at the same speeds on smaller bikes with less protection. Seems odd, doesn't it? Enter the convertible helmet – one where you can go from something suitable for trail riding and climbing to full-on downhill gnar with the flip of a few clasps – as a solution to keep us all protected. Riders who can only afford one helmet or those who want to climb without the airflow restrictions of a dedicated full face will be pleased...
Posted by bturman on 8/14/2017 10:54am
Transition TR11 (2018) Frame
Overall Review
For the past three years Transition has been tweaking and tuning their new downhill bike - the TR Eleven (TR11). First made public under Tahnee Seagrave, who skillfully piloted a prototype version to her first Elite World Cup downhill win at Leogang, this bike was born in carbon and the clean lines show it. The bike's suspension is a DH-tuned version of Transition's Giddy Up trail bike platform, and was designed to be easily tuneable to almost any rider’s preferences. It's characterized by "supreme grip, excellent mid-stroke support, and ample end-stroke ramp to prevent harsh bottom-outs when...
Posted by bturman on 8/1/2017 2:57pm
Specialized 2FO Flat 2.0 Shoes
Vital Review
Overall Review
Cracking into the flat pedal footwear game is no small task, as Five Ten, the longstanding champ, presents a very formidable opponent with proprietary rubber compounds derived from the rock climbing world. Specialized isn't one to shy away from a competition, however, and their new shoes will give the original ruler a run for their money. If you enjoy the foot out, flat out riding style, these casually-styled kicks are made from a variety of technical materials that add up to an impressive pair of mountain bike shoes. Highlights Two entirely new flat pedal shoes 2FO 1.0 is lighter and more...
Posted by bturman on 8/1/2017 2:42am
2018 Giant Reign Advanced 0 Bike
Vital Review
Overall Review
The Giant Reign is one of the world’s best selling enduro bikes, and it’s been around in one version or the other for almost 13 years by now. Whilst the basic design concepts behind the bike have not really changed over the years, of course everything else has. Materials, geo, suspension, standards, components…mountain biking never stands still! So in the name of keeping up, we headed over to Italy last week to discover the 6th generation of the Reign. Lower, longer, and slacker seems almost like a foregone conclusion here, but if you want to know everything else there is to know about what...
Posted by iceman2058 on 7/24/2017 12:00am
2017 Guerrilla Gravity The Smash Ride 1
Overall Review
What began as a friendship within Colorado's once thriving downhill racing scene has since turned into a full-time bike building endeavor, and the partners heading up the Denver-based Guerrilla Gravity bike brand continue to push ahead with interesting new designs. Month after month they keep exceeding projections, and we're certain a good portion of their continued organic growth is a result of listening to the people. Their latest creation, The Smash, is about as true to their roots as a trail bike can be. "Guerrilla" is a community driven effort to spark change, and "Gravity" is the funnest...
Posted by bturman on 7/17/2017 5:37pm
2018 Santa Cruz Hightower LT Carbon CC XX1 Reserve
Vital Review
Overall Review
Longer travel 29-inch wheeled bikes seem all the rage these days. Santa Cruz has thrown their proverbial hat in the ring with their updated Hightower model dubbed the "Hightower LT." A bike developed specifically by Santa Cruz's Enduro World Series team, the new big-wheeled bike features a bump in travel, a small tweak to the frame geometry, and more capable suspension. Santa Cruz Hightower LT Highlights Made for enduro racing and aggressive trail riding 150mm (5.9-inches) of front and rear wheel travel VPP suspension design 29-inch wheels only (no 27.5+) Available in CC and C carbon Double...
Posted by jeff.brines on 7/5/2017 9:27pm
e*thirteen TRS Race SL Carbon (2018) Wheelset
Overall Review
The arrangements were simple: "We've got some new prototypes to show you. Where do you want to meet?" "I'll be free March 30-31. Moab? Let's do this thing!" "Deal. Bring a trail bike." Just minutes before they were due for departure from their San Luis Obispo, California office, e*thirteen's Connor Bondlow and Scott Ender waited anxiously for samples to arrive from overseas. The carbon goodies we'd be riding were about as fresh from the oven as you can get. With the Albatross loaded, the two flew through an all day drive to get to Moab. Spring conditions meant hero dirt, loads of spring...
Posted by bturman on 7/5/2017 3:58pm