Tested

Flat pedal shoes are tricky business. Not only do they need to deliver good grip on the pedals, but we also want them to look like shoes we’d wear on the town, not take on water, be stiff enough for pedaling but comfortable enough for walking around in all day. Needless to say, us flat pedal riders are a discerning bunch when it comes to our footwear, and it takes a solid shoe to impress us these days. That is just what Shimano has delivered with the new GR7 – read on to find out what else we think of it. Strengths Weaknesses Low weight Well ventilated Fast drying Ankle collar protects against...

How do you make a good bike better? That's the question Devinci asked when they set out to improve an already very capable ride. The solution involved the creation of an entirely new frame for 2018, and it's Devinci's first full-carbon bike. Over the course of three months, hundreds of miles, and dozens of park laps we got intimately familiar with this wild-looking ride, evaluating exactly how it compares to the original Spartan. Strengths Weaknesses That paint job Improved pedaling performance Coil compatible progressive suspension design Excellent bottom-out composure Ultra-stiff rear end...

If there is one model that defines Five Ten’s legacy in mountain biking, it’s the Impact. As the first ever shoe sold with the magical Stealth rubber derived from the world of rock climbing, for many years it was quite simply the go-to model for any serious flat pedal rider. Of course, that’s because it was almost the ONLY go-to model available during that time, if a shoe with actual grip was what you wanted. Now, for as much as people loved the grip, the overall quality of the Impact over the years often left riders with a bittersweet aftertaste, as the shoes would fall apart or take on...

Let's be honest, we are sick of narrow rims that ride like cooked spaghetti and hardly support a 2.3-inch tire. All of us are looking for some extra advantage to let us slap that corner harder or hit that off-camber line just a little bit left of that sketchy root – you know the one. Bikes are becoming more capable, and newer, wider wheels offer real benefits over the older, narrower wheel that might be on your ride. Race Face is trying to help you get into this decade by designing the Next R wheelset around a 31mm internal width carbon fiber rim and their fast-engagement Turbine hubs to keep...

There is no doubt that $3000 is a lot of money to spend on a carbon wheelset, especially for a mountain bike. First, because you can easily find a perfectly good ENTIRE BIKE for that kind of money, and second, because on a mountain bike you know the wheels are going to have a tough life. That hasn’t stopped ENVE from making such an expensive product, and it hasn’t stopped them from selling it either. For 2018 ENVE decided to go back to the drawing board and look for solutions to a couple of common complaints with the previous generation of M-series wheels: they were sometimes criticized for...

Following an excellent first experience at the 2014 Vital MTB Test Sessions, I've been riding a Norco Sight for nearly four years. Not a tester at the time, I played the role of house mom. Yes, I'm a woman, a darn good cook, and OCD enough to clean everyday (throwing horns). The 2014 Norco Sight was one of the only test bikes with low enough standover for my wee legs – a common issue for women. In the years since I've progressed a lot as a rider aboard the Sight, given it some upgrades, and gone on countless adventures with my bike. Needless to say, I'm rather attached. I call it The Unicorn...

When we stumbled on Thule’s new range of hydration packs at Eurobike 2017 we were a bit surprised to see them. Best known for their racks and other automotive carrying solutions, Thule also produces an impressive line of luggage and backpacks, but this is the first time the Swedish manufacturer has ventured into the hydration pack area. We wasted little time examining the new goods in detail, and what we saw made us want to put the packs to the test out on the trail. No sooner said than done - we’ve now racked up a full three months with the new packs in action, and we’re ready to let you know...

Aaron Gwin’s hotel-notepad-drawing-turned-tire is not revolutionary in its looks, function, or purpose, but why reinvent the wheel (tire)? The Aquila was hotly lauded by many as the next best piece of rubber to hit the dirt upon its inception, and it immediately delivered by winning the 2017 World Cup DH Elite Men's overall title under its creator. From the dry hard-pack terrain of Leogang to the loose and wild steeps of Andorra or the deluge of Mont-Sainte-Anne, Onza’s golden ticket tire proved to be versatile and reliable. When we were given a set for long-term testing after a press camp in...

The original Process 153 was highly regarded at the time of its release. The bike's progressive geometry, lively suspension, and unflappable reliability quickly built a following and also seemed to influence how other brands approached the geometry and sizing of their own products. The original Process 153 seemed to stand the test of time against carbon constructed, feature-laden super bikes, but nothing is perfect and many Process fans were speculating what changes could make such a good bike even better. Improvements in the weight and pedaling performance realms were at the forefront of...

The wheelset market is forever getting more and more competitive, especially around the $500-$600 mark. Quality wheels with strong rims and good hubs can be found complete or built at this price point, so anything less than very good will inevitably fail to make much of an impression here. Read on to find out how FSA's new Afterburner WideR hoops held up to our testing. Strengths Straightpull hubs give purposeful look Covers most current axle spacing standards Comes with tubeless rimstrip (not installed) Compliant ride without excess flex Fast rolling Weaknesses Graphics stickers seem a little...

There was a time when riding Kenda tires was a rite of passage in a mountain biker’s life. The Kenda Nevegal or Small Block 8 could be found at just about every trailhead. More recently, however, Kenda had fallen out of favor with riders as development seemed to stagnate while new tires and technologies from companies like Schwalbe, Maxxis, e*thirteen, and even in-house brands proved to be great options. Upon signing with with Polygon UR World Cup downhill team it was only a matter of time until Kenda produced a new aggressive tread. Their latest effort takes shape with the recent release of...

There was a time when riding Kenda tires was a rite of passage in a mountain biker’s life. The Kenda Nevegal or Small Block 8 could be found at just about every trailhead. More recently, however, Kenda had fallen out of favor with riders as development seemed to stagnate while new tires and technologies from companies like Schwalbe, Maxxis, e*thirteen, and even in-house brands proved to be great options. Upon signing with with Polygon UR World Cup downhill team it was only a matter of time until Kenda produced a new aggressive tread. Their latest effort takes shape with the recent release of...

The wheel size debate is a dead horse beaten into mushy glue by this point. The hatred forged by some toward 29ers is likely rooted in experiences from a time when the only options were Gary Fisher hardtails. The market has matured, and frame, wheel, suspension, and tire selection have come a long way. 27.5 and 29-inch bikes are different tools that excel in different ways. That being said, this tester has a hard time wrangling many 29ers. Remember how Danny Hart had a skid mark up his ass for the first half of the 2017 season? That skid mark is how some of us feel on big wheels. This past...

According to basic economic theory, competition in a marketplace is a good thing. As more of a certain type of product comes to market, performance should improve and/or pricing should fall. Does the latest version of the SR Suntour Durolux fit this mold by offering top rung performance at a lower price point? We spent the better part of a summer trying to answer this question. With roots dating clear back to 1912, SR Suntour is not a new company. From the invention of the slant-parallelogram derailleur in 1964 to today, they now hold a formidable post as a major suspension manufacturer and...

If you’re in the market for a new clipless shoe, we’d suggest you grab a beverage and read this little piece about an extensive redesign for the Five Ten Hellcat Pro. With the help of Greg Minnaar, Five Ten has taken an already popular shoe and addressed previous issues while increasing performance and comfort. Sound too good to be true? Keep reading and we’ll tell you how they did it. Strengths Weaknesses Lighter, more comfortable and more breathable than previous model Excellent performance in wet conditions with less mud build-up on sole Improved toe box protection Orthopedically-correct...

When you think of carbon wheelsets, you're usually talking about an exponential price jump to almost unobtainable prices for most riders' budgets. When does the madness stop? What if it didn’t have to be that painful? Bontrager set out on a mission to give you the benefits of high modulus hoops and precise engagement hubs with the Line Pro 30 wheels – all for hundreds less than the vast majority of the competition. We put the working man’s carbon wheelset to the test on both 27.5 and 29-inch bikes to see how they stack up after a long season on the trail. Highlights Available in 27.5 and 29...

Carbon wheels are a polarizing component in the mountain bike world. On one hand they offer promises of performance increases, weight reduction, and that unmistakable "wow" factor. Conversely, some have commented their durability, overly stiff nature, and price point leave a lot to be desired. Santa Cruz set out to build the best wheelset on the planet some three years ago, and finally released their Reserve Carbon creation this spring. Most notably, the wheels feature a true lifetime warranty – the first in the business to do so. Not a company that simply regurgitates what is already out...

Big wheels keep on turning, or at least that’s how the saying goes. Wagon-wheeled bikes have come into the limelight this year, and for good reason. When paired with capable suspension and well-thought-out geometry, they offer rock crushing roll-over and traction smaller-wheeled bikes simply can’t provide. We’ve spent the better part of three months on the new Santa Cruz Hightower LT sussing out the finer details of the bike. Who is it for? How did it hold up? Where did it perform best? We set out to answer all of these questions and more. From downhill bike worthy gravity laps to high alpine...

There is no shortage of options when it comes to hauling your precious rig to the trail: roof racks, cheap, strap-on trunk racks, hitch racks, and even those wild suction-cup racks. Each style of rack has its own advantage, whether it be ease of securing your bike, staying out of the way of your trunk/tailgate/hatch, or simply meeting your budget. Hitch racks are a common option. They are often secure and convenient, don’t destroy your gas mileage as much as a roof rack, you don’t run the risk of forgetting your bike is on the roof when pulling into the garage or low overhang, and in general...

Race Face has over the past couple of years been busy expanding their lineup of cranks to the point where they have an option available for any riding style and any budget. However, that is not to say that there isn’t room for something more – and for 2017, that something is the R family of components. In case you wonder what the R stands for, it’s rally. And rally, as we all know, translates to riding your bike. Slotting into the range in between the ultra-light Next and the DH-rated SixC product families, the Next R carbon cranks aim to combine the best of two worlds in a package that should...

For the last year some friends and I have been toying with the idea of riding the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass to Durango – a ride actually deserving of the word "epic." Three weeks ago we made the high-country adventure happen. We planned to tackle the beast over two days with a sag-wagon full of friends and post-ride libations to meet us in the middle. The day before we began everyone was busy ensuring their rides were ready for the challenge. "Did you swap out that 34-tooth ring?" "Damn straight, I'll take every advantage I can get!" replied my buddy, Nate Work, who, just days earlier...

How much effort do you give? This is a question 100% has been asking for years, but it’s only more recently that they’ve applied it to mountain biking. To be precise, their line of MTB-specific apparel was only launched in 2016, a few years after the iconic brand experienced a general revival that saw it begin to expand its product line beyond t-shirts and goggles. It’s an interesting story for a company that started out in 1982 with a cable guide for motocross and the need for a name that would stick, so we decided to check out the goods for ourselves to see how it would stack up. Read on to...

We have a love-hate relationship with dropper posts, because although things are looking up, we’ve yet to find the perfect solution to building a telescoping, remote-controlled tube that allows you to get your seat out of the way at the push of a lever and do so with absolute reliability. We are perhaps being unreasonable, as components that need no service and never break are not exactly commonplace, but we have many dropper post failures behind us that still leave a sour taste in the mouth and we want posts that do better. Coincidentally, so did the good people at 9point8 which is why the...

OneUp Components is a relatively young, Squamish-based company that started out making wide-range drivetrain add-ons, but their product range has expanded since then to include all kinds of clever bits and pieces, like the innovative steerer tube mounted EDC multitool for example. Working their way out from the drive train the good people at OneUp were always going to end up taking a look at pedals at some point, and that is just what they have done with the recent introduction of a pair of brand new, aluminum and composite pedals. We’ve put the former through three months of hard riding to...

As the banter increases around 29-inch wheels in downhill, we've decided to throw it back to 26-inch days and offer up a very long-term review of Light Bicycle's Heavy Duty Carbon rims designed for downhill and enduro use. With key players like ENVE, Industry Nine, e*thirteen, SRAM, Reynolds and others holding the majority of the carbon wheel market, Light Bicycle has been building steam over the years by creating a price point rim they claim performs like the big names at the fraction of the price. At just $181 per rim, we decided to purchase and abuse a set of rims to see how they would hold...

With each passing year, more and more riders are looking to extend their riding season as long as possible. This usually means that trails are more muddy, loose and wet – leaving a lot of compromises to be made when it comes to picking the right tire for the conditions. Maxxis stepped up to the plate to provide trail riders with a tire that bridges the gap between a mud spike and a tire meant for dry conditions. The Forekaster is a tire that allows riders to ride with confidence when trail conditions start to deteriorate. We tested a new 27.5 x 2.6-inch Wide Trail version. Strengths...

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...

Quality tools make all the difference when you’re working on your pride and joy, and that holds true out on the trail as well. Finding out that a vital tool is missing or that your old pump no longer works can be all that stands between a rad ride and a long walk of shame back to the carpark. Crankbrothers didn’t want to run the risk of your favorite MTB journalists getting stranded out in the woods, so they sent over a couple of their latest portable workshop goodies for us to test. The results are in! Crankbrothers Klic HV Handpump Highlights Crankbrothers F15 Mini Tool Highlights High...