Contributions by Andrew Major

"Take a durable trail shoe, hollow it out enough for a winter weight sock and add a GoreTex membrane..."

Pitting the new lights from Serfas against other well-known brands in the dank of the Shore uncovers strengths and weaknesses...

New tires from e*thirteen for aggressive descending and DH - in multiple wheel sizes.

How many beers will it take? What are the crucial points where errors occur? What is slickoleum?

Where have all the unique suspension designs gone? Why are riders spending so much money on off the shelf bikes instead of going custom...? #bestof2017

The gear that caught Andrew's attention and continues to surpass expectations to this day, and some classic memories that haunt him on the trails still.

The Chester series doesn't put a big hole in your budget for grips, bars and stem - but is it worthy of your ride?

Whether you have big flippers or small tootsies, Crankbrothers' Stamp 3 pedals have you covered and they punch above their weight class...

Merino next to his skin and some bike designs that aren't recycled versions of last year's bikes are a couple of items on Andrew's list...

A surprise awaits inside Raceface's reasonably priced Aeffect Dropper post - and it turned out to be more than a one beer job...

Simplify your tubeless tire setup with this inflator from Shimano—loads of pressure and nothing to break...

Magura pairs a powerful four piston front caliper with a more modest two piston binder in the rear for braking that is balanced and quiet...

Shorts that will keep your chamois from feeling like a soiled diaper for less than some summer shorts?

The steel ring costs twice as much as most aluminum options but if it lasts more than twice as long....

"I remember smiling as he relegated these new fangled lock-on grips with the efficient ferocity of a cornered Luddite..."

The Guardian has a more generous cut than previous 7mesh jackets and is aimed squarely at soggy mountain bikers looking to dry out...

These wheels may scare others in the marketplace - and encourage riders to pick up a set just so they have emergency wheels...

Coil Forks are as hot as Gwin's brakes at the Val Di Sole finish - but are we chasing something that no longer meets our needs...

TRP's top of the line brake (Gwin spec?) gets ripped apart so we can see what slows Aaron down...

There was a time when you could pass extra sweet components on from bike to bike because standards didn't change...

If you are a big wheel rider who is hungry for traction and control - even in the slop and maybe even snow - there may be a solution for you that isn't fat...

Bontrager went deep on tech with magnets, Boa closures and MIPS - but it's the fit that impresses most in the end...

"Wow, that bike actually looks cool in person. I'm not throwing up in my mouth at all..."

A tool that strikes a balance that nails the difference between too cheap and too fancy and expensive...