Tested

UK-based HEL Performance started out making brake and clutch lines for motorcycles in 1999, and they have expanded their product offering many times over since then. Today they serve superbikes and performance cars with anything from entire brake systems to oil coolers - and all the hoses and hose fittings you can imagine. Earlier this year, after a focused development period led by a small in-house team of pedal bike enthusiasts, they launched their first MTB product, a complete brake system called “Advocate”. This is our review after several months on the trail. Strengths Weaknesses Smooth...

Aluminum wheels with lifetime warranties are so hot right now. A trend kicked off by Reserve that others have followed, it's a beautiful reality being able to hammer your wheels, and when they don't hold air, you can get a replacement. Tenet joined this conversation in May when they successfully ran a Kickstarter campaign for their new Coven alloy wheels. Before, they only made a stem, handlebar, flat pedals and grips. A truly rider-owned brand that doesn't waste time making components just for the sake of it, the Coven piqued a lot of riders' interest—32-spoke count, a strategically...

Hunt launched their Proven series of carbon wheelsets in 2022, with the range initially comprising the Race XC and Enduro H_Core models. Built around the same rim tech tuned for different applications, the Proven series also benefits from Hunt’s H_Care lifetime crash replacement coverage for the initial owner. Earlier this year, a dedicated trail model joined the line-up, appropriately named Proven Trail H_Core. Here’s what we think of this new wheelset after about 3.5 months of trail time. Hunt Proven Trail H_Core Carbon Wheelset Highlights Hookless, front 31mm rear 30mm internal rim width...

Vital has spent 7 months aboard what may be our favorite full-powered eMTB of 2025, the Norco Sight VLT CX. This full carbon, high pivot rig gets 150mm of rear travel with a 160mm fork up front, and despite the numbers, feels considerably longer travel than advertised. Powered by the tried-and-true Bosch CX system with long-lasting 800Wh battery, this Gen 4 Sight VLT continued to surprise us over and over again with its ability to handle big, nasty terrain, but also remain playful and nimble in tight-handling scenarios. We expected the high pivot suspension layout to gobble up bumps but were...

Roval, Specialized’s house brand in rolling stock, has been putting out quality wheels for some time now. The Traverse HD is a carbon wheel intended for “aggressive trail and enduro” riding, which in today’s world translates to “everything except a DH World Cup”, pretty much. We tested a pair of these rims/wheels last year , not long after their initial launch, and we were very impressed by their ride quality and dynamic handling characteristics on the trail. When Specialized announced a new version built with DT’s latest 240 DEG hub and Revolite spokes earlier this year, we thought it was a...

The Selva product line is Formula’s gift to enduro, all-mountain, or eMTB riders yearning for long-travel forks that aren't super stout. In a world of 38mm forks, Formula has stuck with 35mm stanchions. A choice that’s allowed them to shave weight and strike what they think is the ideal chassis feel. The Selva V is their latest single-air-chamber model, and its biggest updates include a stiffer chassis ( relative to its Selva familia ) and a new air spring designed to be ultra-low-friction. The Selva V slots between what FOX and RockShox offer for trail and enduro forks. They’ve drawn a line...

We’ve been big fans of the original PNW Components Loam dropper ever since it was first introduced in 2020. Adjustable, affordable, and reliable, it has always had a lot going for it. Five years down the line, and PNW figured they could do even better – meet the Loam Gen 2. We've had a test sample out on the trails for a couple of months now, here's what we think of it. PNW Components Loam Gen 2 Dropper Highlights PNW Dual-Chamber Sealed Cartridge Internal cable routing DIAMETERS: 30.9mm, 31.6mm. 34.9mm TRAVEL: 125mm, 150mm, 175mm, 200mm, 225mm STANCHION DIAMETER: 30.9mm & 31.6mm: 26mm, 34.9...

HUNT had a proper task at hand when they developed their latest Enduro V3 alloy wheels. How do you build on a tried-and-true wheel like the Enduro Wide V2? It’s actually pretty easy from the consumer perspective: make it even more durable while keeping it affordable. And that’s just what HUNT did. The Enduro V3 maintains a competitive $705 price tag and is HUNT’s strongest alloy wheelset to date—a claim that we took pleasure in substantiating over the past six months. Highlights G609 aluminum alloy rim with shot-peened finish Hand-built Sold as a set: 29”, 27.5”, MX Front & rear specific rim...

The SQlab saddle line-up has always been shaped by ergonomics and rider comfort, as this is very much a science-first company that puts a lot of research behind its products. One aspect that has almost defined an SQlab saddle design is the long nose, there to give you more room to move forward on the saddle during steep climbs. Many SQlab riders have apparently been asking for versions with a shorter nose however, better suited for more aggressive riding disciplines that demand more freedom of movement around the saddle area – and that is just what the company delivered earlier this year with...

When Hope dropped the Tech 4 brake some three and a half years ago now, we were impressed. So impressed, in fact, that we awarded it Product of the Year for 2022 . Since then, we’ve been running multiple pairs of these brakes on several different bikes, and we’ve remained impressed – this is clearly still one of the benchmark products in the MTB braking world. For 2025 however, Hope decided that an evolution was due, and in true Hope fashion, they racked their brains for a new name and came up with…EVO. For as underwhelming and generic as that name sounds, the changes made to the brakes are...

Orbea depicts Wild as the “yes” machine, an enduro eMTB without compromises. An acclaimed favorite in the full-power eMTB category since its reinvention in 2022, the Wild now receives updates that focus on refinement rather than reinvention: more rear suspension travel with mullet compatibility, Bosch’s updated CX Performance motor, and a larger-capacity battery option. We spent a full season of shredding on the new Wild to see if it still stacks up to the fanfare in a category evolving at race speed. Wild Highlights OMR Carbon frame with 29-inch wheels (mullet compatible) 170mm (6.7 inches)...

The trail bike category is probably where most people go shopping for a Goldilocks do-it-all bike, although the same could be said for the enduro category. With 150mm of travel and a generally light build, the Primer is Intense’s answer for those looking to cover some miles and enjoy themselves on the way down. The Primer was quietly updated for 2025, and we’ve had this new version out on the trails for about a month to help you figure out what it is and what it isn’t. 2025 Intense Primer 29 Highlights Full carbon fiber front and rear triangle utilizing a carbon layup optimized for the trail...

One of the most talked about recent developments in the e-MTB market has been the arrival of the Avinox motor and battery system. Created by a company that has its roots in using batteries and motors to make things fly, it shouldn’t have come as a big surprise when the performance of the newcomer turned out to be quite spectacular. Amflow is the bike brand launched in parallel to essentially showcase the new motor system, and the PL is their first model. Today, Amflow makes its highly anticipated debut in the North American market, so we thought this would be the appropriate time to tell you...

The latest generation of Pivot's Firebird enduro bike is a unique beast with an enticing set of skills. Despite its aggressive intent, it manages to balance big-hit capability with surprising efficiency on climbs. It's also got a lot of pep in its step for a 165mm bike. Marketed as the weapon of choice for Pivot's EDR racers, there is a lot more to unpack about the Firebird than just raw speed that makes it a compelling option for those wanting a long-travel bike. Highlights 165mm rear wheel travel // 170mm fork 29-inch or mixed wheel options (XS frame MX only) Full carbon frame DW-Link...

The newest eMTB in Pivot's lineup, the Shuttle SL/AM, is the latest offering to the emerging lightweight eMTB category. The "Slam," as it is affectionately referred to, is intended to be as agile as their trail-focused Shuttle SL, yet more capable than their all-mountain Shuttle AM. With 150mm of rear wheel travel, the Slam slots between Pivot's two full-power options—the 170mm Shuttle LT and 148mm Shuttle AM—in terms of suspension capability. But weighing between 8-11 pounds less depending on build, this 39.9-pound (size Medium without pedals) eMTB is aimed to be an all-mountain ripper that...

Rocky Mountain isn't a brand many riders would expect to develop its own cutting-edge e-bike technology. But back in 2009, they did just that, launching Propulsion Powercycle division under the same roof as their Quebec HQ. When they introduced their first model, the Altitude Powerplay, in 2017, the proprietary 108Nm Dyname 3.0 motor quietly took the top spot as the most powerful Class 1 e-bike motor. A title that was only recently relinquished to DJI's latest Avinox system. Seven years later, Rocky Mountain has once again pushed the limits of e-bikes with the 2025 Instinct Powerplay SL—their...

Early to the party of contemporary thick-stanchioned enduro forks, Manitou's Mezzer Pro has remained largely unchanged since its release nearly six years ago. A relatively low cost alongside end-user tunability and serviceability have earned it a cult-like following in that time. Despite such a following, unconventional aesthetics, rare OE spec and minimal representation under top racers have likely kept the Mezzer Pro from the list of must-have forks for most riders. To get to the bottom of all the fables and lore, I joined the cult of the Mezzer for a few months to find out if I'm a true...

Fox completely overhauled their flagship half-shell helmet range at the beginning of this year, with the all-new Speedframe RS and Speedframe Pro shooting straight to the very top of Virginia Tech’s well-regarded helmet safety rankings at the time. The POC Cularis has since replaced the Speedframe RS in the #1 spot, but the differences are marginal and both aforementioned Fox helmets are still in the top 4, which is not too shabby considering that there are currently 271 helmets on the list. Aside from the excellent safety ratings, we were also very impressed with the overall fit and function...

Yeti has entered the SL eMTB arena with its MTe model, a 145mm travel platform powered by TQ's sleek new HPR 60 drive unit—which promises to blend analog feel with e-powered efficiency. With two battery options and featherweight builds claimed to be as light as 38 pounds, can the legendary, premium trail bike brand's new offering stand out in an increasingly competitive eMTB environment? Let's find out. Highlights 145mm rear wheel travel // 160mm fork (compatible with up to 180mm forks) Carbon frame enhanced with Vectran plies 29-inch wheels with mullet compatibility via a flip chip Sixfinity...

Race Face has been making quality flat pedals for a while now, with the 2nd generation of their Atlas model holding down a respectable if not spectacular position in our flat pedal rankings . Those rankings are in for a shake-up now though, as Race Face has recently introduced an all-new pedal that boasts some seriously impressive numbers and delivers an incredibly locked-in performance out on the trails. This is the 2025 Turbine. Race Face Turbine Flat Pedal Highlights Chromoly steel axle Inboard bushing, outboard bearing 6061 aluminum body, steel pins Platform concavity: 3 mm Platform...

If you’re a flat pedal rider and you’ve been around the sport for a while, you’ve probably ridden a Five Ten shoe at some point - chances are pretty good you’ve stuck with them too. Long the ONLY option if ultimate grip was your number one requirement for a flat pedal shoe, the legendary Stealth S1 rubber still sets the bar today as far as stickiness and feel go. Competitors have arrived though, and there are now other options that perform as well, notably Specialized with the latest iteration of their SlipNot compound. Fox also gets close with their Ultratac rubber, and they were also the...

When Orbea launched the Rise five years ago, it defined the emerging category of lightweight eMTBs, offering just enough motor support while preserving the feel of a traditional mountain bike. Its blend of agility, efficiency, and subtle power delivery set a benchmark that took others years to match. Although it took years for the competition to catch up, the eMTB category has gained traction with lighter SL offerings and bigger, full-power bikes at reduced weights. As the eMTB landscape diversifies and expands quickly, where does the Rise stand in 2025? Rise LT Highlights OMR Carbon frame 29...

When Schwalbe released the Tacky Chan in June 2023, I wasn't super impressed. I racked up just enough rides to write it off for anything but firm, consistent conditions, and that was that. But after seeing plenty of fast riders ripping on TCs in deeper, steeper, sloppier conditions (and reading some mixed reviews in our tire forum), I began to question if I'd done my due diligence. I felt like I owed Mr. Chan a second chance and our audience further insight into when and where this tire rips and slips. So here's an attempt to foe into friend with Schwalbe's Tacky Chan. Highlights 2.4-inch...

In the spring of 2022, SRAM quietly released the DB8, their first-ever mineral oil brake, after decades of using DOT fluid exclusively. Initially sold as an OE-only product, the DB8 was featured on price-conscious builds as a cheaper alternative to their go-to gravity brake at the time, the DOT 5.1-powered Code. Three years later, SRAM's entire brake lineup has moved over to mineral oil, with the addition of Maven and the recently released Motive. The DB8 holds an odd space in SRAM's lineup. It takes over the middle-of-the-range spot from the outgoing Code and, according to SRAM, delivers...