Gear Shots for May 19, 2022
Gear Shots: Three Things From Andrew
A unique stow-able tool from Wolf Tooth, USA-Made foot blankets, and an almost indestructible pack gets resuscitated...
Beggars Would Ride
The Hills We Choose To Die On
"We get used to the way our tires slide, gathering the database of knowledge that transforms lack of traction from fear to playground...”
EDITORIAL
Do Dentists Actually Ride Mountain Bikes?
Andrew's search for a new dentist is thwarted by the revelation that not one supports the local trail association...
Beggars Would Ride
Radness Redacted
"It’s more encompassing than 'siiiiick', and more potent than dope or sweet..."
EDITORIAL | PART 4
Min-Max: Daniele's 2013 MDE Carve
MDE Bikes has been making frames in Italy since 2001 and Daniele is passionate about their last 26" bike; the 2013 Carve
EDITORIAL
We're Still Buying Rear Derailleurs Instead Of Mountain Bikes
A cheaper bike, even a much cheaper bike, with the exact same spec, isn't always a better value than a more expensive one.
EDITORIAL | TEARDOWN
Brakes Of Future Past
Brands like SRAM, Formula, Hope, and Hayes will sell you all the parts you need to fully refresh your brake system...
Beggars Would Ride
All The Smiling Faces
All the shiny new things aside, Sea Otter '22 was all about people. Come and get a hug!
Photo Epic
Deniz's Excellent Adventure to Sea Otter
The who is who and what is what. That's why we are here.
REVIEW | EDITORIAL
Everyday Bicycle Tools
Some tools for my bicycles that get used regularly to do other jobs around the house.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS | TEARDOWN
Crankbrothers Highline 11 Carbon Dropper Post
The new top-end Highline dropper uses Crankbrothers' proven internals and a carbon fiber shaft. Does it herald a future of carbon sliding surfaces?
EDITORIAL
Parked Projects: GeoShift -2° Vs. Budget Hardtails
Andrew's scheme to test a bunch of budget hardtails, in the 1-2K CAD range, both stock and with an angleset installed...
EDITORIAL | RE-REVIEW
Serendipity & Wolf Tooth's Axle Trainer-Adapters
I loathe riding any stationary bike but if I have to, I'll choose outside and on my own bike...
EDITORIAL | PART 3
Min-Max: Claire's 2009 Kona Stinky 6
Claire's 13-year-old Kona Stinky 6 gets the min-max treatment with a focus on smiles per dollar...
Beggars Would Ride
Vanity's Pricetag
"Internal cable routing has been the bane of bike mechanics’ collective existence ever since it was decided to hide the brake cables on road bikes..."
EDITORIAL
Thank You For Knowing Not To Drink Battery Acid
Press release copy triggers a response about living in a time when common sense isn't all that common.
EDITORIAL | PART 2
Min-Max: Dave's Banshee Spitfire V2
Dave's 8-year-old Spitfire V2 is already looking min-maxed but he has further upgrade plans - and Andrew has some thoughts about V2 Banshees and this bike as well.
Editorial
Humbled & Stumbled
It's not about what section of trail I am not riding this time.
UNCLE DAVE RESPONDS
The Death of Plus Tires, Take II
Before we go assigning blame for the death of 27+ tires, Uncle Dave wants to remind us that context is everything.
EDITORIAL
Three Tears For The Too-Fresh Retro Rigs
Some love for old mountain bicycles that have been well-cycled and a moment of sorrow for those that have stayed showroom sweet in stasis.
Beggars Would Ride
The Universal Cartridge Mountain Bike
"If you’re into chasing performance, in our accelerating world of perceived gains and rapid fire technological shifts, a five-year old bike is a dinosaur..."
Editorial
A Death Foretold
Looking Back At 27.5+'s Brief Day In The Sun...
EDITORIAL
Things Put Aside, For When I Can Ride (Part 1)
A fresh 7Mesh Guardian Weatherproof Vest, Kali's Invader 2.0 full-face trail helmet, and some baseline kicks for when he's back on the bike.
Uncle Dave
Bikes for the Mechanically Dis-inclined
"I could spend 5 minutes with nothing more than a mini tool and some imagination and make any full suspension bike ride like shit..."