Contributions by Andrew Major

Race Face's budget-friendly Chester pedals meet Giro's 'daily driver' Jacket II shoe for a pairing that won't break the bank...

The 76mm rise ProTaper 3IN Riser is the perfect companion for riders looking to get their grips higher without a massive stack of reach-robbing headset spacers.

Mix things up on your mountain bike, for the price of a friction thumb shifter and become a better rider in the process.

Many months on WTB's excellent answer for riders sticking with aluminum rims for the price, ride quality, or application.

Andrew discovers the circumstances where a semi-slick is much too quick, for him, on the North Shore...

e*thirteen's new dropper remote goes toe-to-toe with some of the very best - and the post shows real promise as well...

A dimple is added and a spring is removed - and the result in performance and trail experience are impressive...

The first Bontrager saddle that has truly worked for me comes in four sizes, and three trim levels, that will hopefully work for most everyone.

Camelbak updates the "Hip-Pack-Killer" to combine the great stay-put-fit of the first edition with a CE Level 2 back protector.

An early ouchy left Andrew leary of the Elevate knee pads but he's come full circle...

The PNW Rainier delivers up to 200mm of travel, adjustable in 5mm increments, for a very reasonable price...

Night riding the North Shore on a budget with bright, well-priced, self-contained, lighting systems from Light & Motion and Blackburn.

Climbing singletrack and descending janky North Shore trails, at night, with the carbon version of the SEVENiDP Project 23 full-face helmet.

The BITS multi-tool system is Bontrager's steerer-tube storage solution that will help the pack-free rider handle most trailside adjustments & repairs.

Andrew Major can justify almost every part of his bikes, even the Gucci ones, according to the doctrine of min-maxing. Almost...

Andrew Major breaks down a range of his favourite options in an attempt to convert the uninitiated.

Could the Shimano Deore M6100 12spd be the only drivetrain that really matters?

No vaporware here - just currently existing or easy DIY collaborations that could improve your on-trail experience with wrenching, pedaling, and ergonomics.

The Wolf Tooth EnCase tool system is a nicely made tool system that has led to my first pack free rides in years...

Andrew gave up on better-than-nothing knee pads ages ago: "I decided it was hard-shells or nothing. Usually nothing."

There's a lot to unpack in Bontrager's new $900 carbon wheelset that claims to be the strongest in the industry.

A full look at use cases, ride benefits, and tuning the USA made 12° Fasst Flexx Enduro suspension handlebar

Hydra comes to the trail with lightning-quick engagement, quality construction, simple service, tuneable noise & volume, and very low drag right out of the box.

Weighing the trade-off between marinating in some you-stew and long days pedaling in the solid fit and mobility of Leatt's well-built gravity shorts...