2018 Best MTB Tires
Mountain biking is a diverse sport that ranges from full-out pedal fests to hard-charging gnarly descents. But, most riders find themselves riding somewhere in the middle; a mix of climbs, tech, descents, and fun jumps. As 2018 comes to a close, we compiled a list of MTB tires that fall in this range of riding and excel at what they do. We surveyed our employees and our customer reviews to determine each winner. Read on to find out which tires won and why?
How to Upgrade Your Mountain Bike: Our Favorite Affordable Upgrades
Whether you’ve just bought a new mountain bike or are looking to breathe new life into an old trusted steed, upgrading key areas of your bike setup can make your bike lighter, faster, more confidence inspiring, and more fun. But, upgrades to your bike don’t have to cost an arm and leg to get a hefty bump in performance. We’ve put together a quick guide of affordable upgrades with big results.
2018 Best Flat Pedals at Any Budget
There are numerous reasons to choose to put flat pedals on your bike(s). Platform pedals help you to build good skills and techniques while still providing that ability bail out quickly, if needed. Combined with a quality flat pedal shoe, these pedals provide heaps of grip and a huge platform to keep you riding longer and charging harder with confidence and comfort. We’ve put together this guide of best flat pedals at every budget to help you find the right platform pedals to put under your feet.
First Look: OneUp Components Dropper Post
The world of dropper post is a crowded one, and it takes something pretty special for us to sit up (pun intended) and take notice of a newcomer to the scene. OneUp Components has made us do just that. Knowing the quality of products and innovative ideas that OneUp Components has come to be recognized for, our curiosity was piqued when we got word that they were throwing their hat in the dropper post ring. But, we were left with questions of what would make them stand out from the competition. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long to get a chance to jump on a call with Jon Hadfield from One Up Components to pick his brain on the ins and outs of this new challenger. Here’s what we learned, and why this sub-$250 dropper post is going to make it onto our bike upgrade/add-on lists.
The Training Trifecta
When the rain (snow) and cold descend on the paths, roads, and trails that you love to ride, it can be hard to find suitable to conditions to crank out your daily miles. Fear not! Rollers can help you rack up the miles while perfect your form and fitness. They are also great for pre-race warm ups. Kreitler has helped us put together a quick tutorial on how and why to incorporate roller training into your cycling life.
Best Bib for Enduro Racers? Alpinestars Paragon Bib Review
The search for a that perfect solution of being comfortable on your bike while still packing all the necessary gear and water that you may need can feel like an elusive endeavor. Alpinestars is throwing their contender into the mix of "utility bibs" that integrate pockets, hydration and more within the bib to reduce riders' need for additional gear to carry what they need on a ride. But, Alpinestars has an Ace up their sleeve... they've incorporated spine and hip protection into their Paragon bib. Sam slips into this multi-functional lycra kit to see if it has what it takes to take top pick in his drawer full of other bibs.
OneUp Components EDC (Everyday Carry) Tool
Given the choice, we’d always prefer to ride without a backpack. But no one wants to be 'that guy' who needs to borrow tools, or be left walking home while your friends enjoy the rest of the ride. OneUp Components wanted a solution that would allow us to carry the tools that we need for every ride, without wearing a backpack. Check out the Everyday Carry tool system.
Ultimate Guide to Drivetrains: SRAM MTB
SRAM’s claim to fame is their commitment to technical performance, lightness and durability, tied together with a focus on customizing a drivetrain to the individual. SRAM has loads of cross-compatibility between their components, allowing the rider to truly tune their drivetrain to their specific needs and budget. This buyer’s guide introduces you to SRAM’s MTB product line.
Ultimate Guide to Drivetrains: SRAM Road
As you probably know, SRAM divides their products into different groups that cater to a specific price points, riding styles and disciplines, and performance levels, making the shopping process full of tough decisions. Check out our guide to SRAM’s Road product hierarchy, and their major differences to make your drivetrain selection a bit easier to navigate.
Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 Review
We finally got a chance to get our hands on a bike equipped with Shimano’s brand-new Dura-Ace R9100 road group. We were blown away. Oh yes, it’s that good.
