First Ride

Leatt DBX 3.0 Enduro Full Face Helmet (product)

2018 Giant Reign Advanced 0 Bike (product)

2018 Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 SL (product)

2018 Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon CC XX1 Reserve (product)

2018 Santa Cruz Hightower LT Carbon CC XX1 Reserve (product)

2019 Niner RIP 9 RDO 27.5 4-Star Bike (product)

Itis time to lift the curtain on the new Niner RIP 9 RDO. This bike has 140mm of rear travel, 150mm up front, and it comes with a frame specifically designed around each wheel size. That means the 27.5 version isn't just small wheels slapped into the same frame, but a purpose-built frame to suit...

Posted by bturman on 2/5/2019 4:30 AM

Bell Super DH Helmet (product)

e*thirteen Semi-Slick Tires (product)

Revolutionizing Carbon Bikes with Guerrilla Gravity - The Inside Line Podcast (feature story)

Posted by bturman on 1/30/2019 9:07 PM

Primarily made for use on the rear wheel, semi-slick tires have long been a favorite among mountain bikers in certain types of terrain. People often enjoy them for how quickly they roll, which is attributed to the countless miniaturized knobs running tight together down the center tread. For m...

Posted by bturman on 10/31/2018 3:17 PM

Within the industry, there have been countless products which have altered the way we perceive mountain biking. Well before Boost spacing, dropper posts, and even mountain bike specific 10-speed drivetrains, a motorcycle suspension company dabbling in mountain bikes pioneered suspension as we kn...

Posted by dirtworks911 on 10/14/2018 7:46 PM

Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Fork (product)

DEITY Knuckleduster Grip (product)

Ask anyone with lots of carbon wheel experience and they'll express a preference for stiffness or compliance. It's a surprisingly polarizing topic. What happens when you combine those two worlds into one wheelset, with a stiff rear and compliant front? Agreement across the board during bl...

Posted by bturman on 10/1/2018 10:18 AM

Crankbrothers Synthesis E 11 Wheelset (product)

2018 Scott Genius 700/900 Tuned Bike (product)

The Good:

Pretty comfortable (can easily be pedalled in all day, IMO).
Extra long for some shin protection.
Breathable aka not /too/ hot.
Stay in place quite well.
Sizing seems pretty spot on.

The Bad:

Warmer than a knee warmer.
Some bunching behind the knee.
RIDICULOUSLY expensive for what they are (but hey I'm the sucker who bought 'em).
Concerns about level of protection with EN level 1.

Overall Review: I took the plunge on these (a very spendy, especially for me, 90€ plunge) after trying a couple of contenders to start with; I started with a pair of Alpinestars Paragon knees as they were the cheapest. I really liked them as they were really breathable, as well as being pretty damn comfy. So ...

Posted by stepot on 9/13/2018 8:37 AM

2019 Yeti SB150 TURQ X01 Eagle Race (product)

FOX Live Valve Suspension: Robots, MTB and the Rise of the Machines (feature story)

Posted by dstucki on 8/28/2018 8:00 AM

SB150 Highlights 29-inch wheels High-modulus carbon fiber frame and swing arm with C-Series and TURQ material options 150mm (5.9-inches) rear travel // 170mm (6.7-inch) travel fork with shorter 44mm offset Switch Infinity suspension system with two-piece wishbone-style shock ext...

Posted by bturman on 8/27/2018 3:30 AM

The Good:

Fast, corner slayer, does not feel like a big bike at all

The Bad:

brand name

Overall Review: I had a chance to ride this bike in Crested Butte last weekend. The bike is amazing, corners like a bmx, I was laying this puppy side ways on the berms and the rear just railed. Very impressed by the new design, chatted with Tyler for a while. A very passionate and knowledgeable individual. Bike...

Posted by Alta_Racks on 8/26/2018 11:27 AM

2019 Fezzari La Sal Peak Pro (product)

There is something good going on in the Salt Lake and Park City region. It seems that when a bike company wants to have a good time, these sprawling mountains offer plenty of opportunity. Fezzari very recently invited us to the area to ride their latest bike, a big 150/160mm travel 29er. Free of...

Posted by B.Radly on 8/24/2018 4:03 PM

Kona Wah Wah 2 Plastic Flat Pedal (product)

2018 Canyon Torque CF 9.0 Pro (product)

Giant’s trail focused Trance platform has seen its fair share of changes over the years, adhering to both emerging standards and bouncing between wheel sizes. Yet for the 2019 Trance, Giant has potentially made its most significant leap forward to date. Taking cues from their enduro smashing ...

Posted by ollyforster on 8/6/2018 8:46 AM

2019 Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 0 (product)

The Good:

Fits well, looks good

The Bad:

Poor sweat management, goggles can't lift under visor

Overall Review: I have been using the A2 for a few months now. I find the fit very comfortable, and it doesn't move around much. However, I have had real issues with sweat. The thick forehead pads on the liner soak up lots of sweat and then dispense it down my face and into my eyes at inopportune times. If you ...

Posted by D(C) on 8/4/2018 8:54 AM

A Better XTR? Vital Rides the New Shimano M9100 Group in Crested Butte (feature story)

Posted by kafin8ed on 7/26/2018 7:31 AM