The Ibex Asta Pro is a 26″ full suspension mountain bike with 100mm of travel front and back, and I have the opportunity to spend some quality time with one and see what it’s really made of!

Out of the Box

Ibex is a small direct-to-consumer company, and since every customer will receive their mountain bike by mail, Ibex wanted me to go through the entire un-boxing and building process to see what I thought.

The packaging was excellent and the bike was very well protected, and as a result the frame and all of the parts were in pristine condition.

The bike is finally uncovered!

And while that is good, it is to be expected. Where Ibex really impressed me is the attention to detail and all the little extras they throw in the box to make the life of the consumer easier.

Extras

For one thing, Ibex included a pair of Wellgo SPD clipless pedals complete with cleats. Most bike companies nowadays, whether in the shop or online, don’t bother with providing pedals. I think some of the reasoning is that with so many pedal options on the market, it is a very personal component and most people just stick with what they enjoy. Yeah, that’s what they try to tell us, but I think a bigger part of the equation is that these companies are trying to find a way to cut costs on their end. Ibex goes the extra mile and throws in a pair of pedals.

To attach the pedals to the bike, Ibex included a pedal wrench for plenty of torque.

As for all of the other wrenching that needs to be done when building a bike, I found an Ibex-branded multi-tool that was more than capable of handling everything for this basic build. Just in case you are new to the bike scene and don’t own any of the tools required to put this bike together, Ibex has you covered.

Finally, I found two bottles of touch-up paint, just in case the frame had been scratched, or in case you want to touch up any scuffs or scratches from normal use down the road.

These extras are all super thoughtful, and I wouldn’t have been bothered in any way if these things hadn’t been in the box. The fact that they were just highlights how serious Ibex is about going the extra mile.

After I removed all of the comprehensive packaging, the bike went together very easily. I adjusted the air pressure in the fork and checked the pressure in the shock, and I was ready to ride!

First Impressions

About 5 days ago I got out and thrashed the Asta on a 17-mile route that is sure to shake down any bike and expose any issues that need attention. I can honestly say that the Asta took all I threw at it and kept begging for more pain! The bike felt very stiff and precise as I shoved it in and out of corners.

The bike climbed superbly thanks to the low weight (27.66 lbs stock with pedals) and minimal suspension, but the 100mm of squish was ready and available when things got messy. The Asta definitely doesn’t have the forgiveness of a longer travel bike, but the suspension did its job and took the edge off of all kinds of roots and rocks.

These are still preliminary impressions, but the Asta is an amazing climber and a capable descender, and that is a very fun combination! I think this bike fits squarely in the category of “Trail Bike” that it is intended for. It just does really well at shredding singletrack.

Thoughts on the Component Spec

Shimano XT

I haven’t spent a significant amount of time on Shimano’s XT group before but so far I am enjoying my experience. The shifting has been super crisp and totally predictable! I am so thankful that the new Shimano shifters are set up to be shifted either like Shimano’s traditional shifters OR like SRAM’s shifters with just the thumb. After one or two rides, I gave up trying to use my index finger and just stuck with what I felt comfortable with: using my thumb.

Also, I think a full XT kit is a really nice spec at this pricepoint, as the complete bike only retails for $1899.99. It’s hard to find a full XT kit on a sub $3,000 bike, not to mention a sub $2,000 one!

WTB Wolverine 2.1″ Team

I’m normally a sucker for fat tires, 2.35″ being my width of choice unless I’m on a downhill bike, but the 2.1″ WTB Wolverines feel right at home on this style of mountain bike. In my opinion, they have been riding pretty dang well and have hooked up when I’ve needed it. I may move up to a 2.25″ tire for a little more grip in the corners… but just because that’s my personal taste.

FSA Carbon Handlebar

I thought the carbon handlebar was an interesting choice for a bike of this price range, but since all of the other components are so nice, it’s tough to say where I’d rather have had the money spent. Perhaps the grips? Bottom line, I think it’s a great touch, and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it!

I could keep writing about my thoughts and impressions so far, but the fact is I want to feel like I have really ridden this mountain bike before I write about it so that when I do write, I can do so authoritatively. My plan is to put the Asta Pro through an abusive treatment of at least 300 miles of singletrack. I’ve already been thrashing it in the mountains of North Georgia, and I have a road trip to Colorado planned for the beginning of August. Rest assured: this bike will be TESTED!

A big “thank you” to Ibex for providing this mountain bike for review!

My first real exposure to Hydrapak’s products was this year at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California. They had a unique booth set up with a game of bean bag toss, known to many as corn hole, with free gear as a prize for making it in the hole on your first shot. I didn’t make it in, but I still got a water bottle as a consolation prize.

Ok, maybe that’s not really all that unique, is it? Well, if it had just been a game of corn hole, maybe not, but the “bean bags” were actual 1 liter Hydrapak reservoirs filled with water. There were bags of water flying all across the field, bouncing off of the boards and the ground, and you know what?

None of them broke. None of them even leaked. That’s how good Hydrapak’s technology is.

Special Features

The Selva hydration pack that Hydrapak sent me to review has 250 cubic inches of storage and a 70 oz. / 2 L. reservoir.

It has several intuitive features, not the least of which is the magnetic mouth piece attachment. When I first noticed this, I thought it was one of the coolest things I had ever seen! With other packs, making sure that my mouth piece was in the right spot was always a challenge, and putting it back after taking a drink always seemed to be a hassle, especially if it’s all you can do to keep up with the wheel in front of you. This movable magnetic attachment makes it an absolute cinch!

But of course, as I mentioned above, it’s the technology of the reservoir itself that is truly remarkable.

For starters, we were able to use the reservoirs as bean bags because the hose can be completely detached from a full bladder without having it run everywhere, thanks to a unique valve system at the bottom. This makes it easy to drain the hose and keeps everything secure and leak free when it’s re-attached.

After the hose is detached, the reservoir can be turned completely inside-out for easy drying and cleaning. This feature is courtesy of the wide fold-top closure. To close the top, just push the two hard ends together, fold them over, and slide the locking mechanism on top.

Once the bladder is ready to go, it hangs from a hook in the main pouch to keep things evenly distributed inside the pack. On the trail, the bite valve rotates to allow full flow or you can lock it out to keep it from dripping.

Here’s a quick video clip from Hydrapak illustrating how easy it is to fill and clean the reservoir:

Real Life Performance

This is all well and good in theory, but how does the Selva perform out on the trail? The Answer: Even better!

Most of the time, it takes me a little while to get used to a new pack. With the Selva, I only had to loosen up the straps and adjust them to my liking and after the initial 30 seconds it took me to get set up, I’ve just been able to forget it! The Selva is easily one of the most comfortable packs I’ve worn.

With 250 cubic inches of storage, it has enough room to fit emergency tools, a pump, tube, and a few extras, but probably not any extra clothes. It’s a pretty low-weight, low-profile pack that is perfect if you want to forget that you’re carrying gear. It’s intended for serious mountain bike use, and rides so snugly that even in the rough stuff it stays in place and doesn’t distract by bouncing all over the place. Several packs I have used in the past would be fine on the climbs, but when it came to launching off of drops on the downhills, they would fly up and hit me in the back of the head. Thankfully, the Selva stays exactly where it’s supposed to be: in the middle of my back.

Obviously, at this size it isn’t intended for epic-length rides, but Hydrapak has several other offerings with more water and gear storage for when you want to put in those really long mile

As for the hose routing, I’d like to thank the commentators for pointing out the correct route. When I first got the pack, I felt around on the inside of the straps but couldn’t seem to find my way through. After looking at it again, when coming from the inside of the pack you just have to be careful to take the upper route so you end up on the outside instead of inside the strap. Or, thanks to Hydrapak’s ingenious valving technology, you could route the hose backwards through the gray flap and connect it to the reservoir once it’s on the inside. Again, thanks to the anonymous commentator for pointing that out!

Bottom Line

Looking for a hydration pack for your everyday mountain bike rides that is easy to clean, rides firmly on your back, and has a ton of small features that make it easy to use? Check out the Hydrapak Selva for $74.99!

Thank you to Hydrapak for creating such innovative products, and for providing one of them for review!

Sunglasses are an absolutely essential piece of mountain bike gear, but they are often overlooked, or at least misunderstood. With prices ranging from $15 at your local convenience store to well over $200 for a pair of name-brand shades, it can be difficult to decide what you really need in a pair of sunglasses.

I’ve found that with shades, as with most things, you get what you pay for… though it’s often difficult to identify the benefits of the most expensive products. If you’re operating on a budget, the best idea is usually to aim for a product somewhere in the middle that provides real performance at a real value, and Ryders Eyewear does just that.

Specs

The Seeker Black TR90 glasses I recently received come complete with  photocromatic polycarbonate grey lenses with 100% UV protection. They feature standard anti-slip nose pads as well as strips of rubber above the ears for comfort.

On the Trail

From the first moment I tried them on, I could tell that the Seekers were designed for use on the trail. Despite the beefy arms they are still lightweight, and those arms wrap around the sides of your head and hold on tight! In addition to performing well on the mountain bike, these would be perfect for trail running and other activities. I’ve even worn them for a long game of ultimate frisbee under slightly overcast skies: perfect!

The tint on these shades feels like it was purposely designed with deep-forest singletrack in mind. The tint is very light compared to many other sunglasses, and while they do cut the glare in direct sunlit mountain meadows, it doesn’t feel like quite enough protection in full sun. That’s OK though, because in the deep woods where I ride these glasses are truly in their element!

The tint is dark enough to cut down on glare from the sunlight filtering through the limbs while not being too dark in the deep shadows, even during early morning and late evening rides. Before the Seekers showed up on my doorstep, I was trying to get back into the habit of riding sans glasses, as my current pair were just too dark. However, riding with glasses does provide the general dust-blocking, spiderweb-breaking, whippy-branch-deflecting benefits over just rolling shade-less. But in order to do that in the deep woods, the tint has to be perfect.

One last thought on the tint: while this may just be personal preference, I’ve been enjoying the straight black tint without any change in color. For the past couple of years I’ve been riding with a pair of light brown shades that were an amazing pair of glasses, but every time I got on my bike it felt like I was entering an alternate dimension of dull brown and orange. The straight black tint of the Seekers makes all of the colors feel so real out on the trail, and it helps me enjoy the beauty of creation around me without having to squint my eyes all of the time.

Price

The model of the Seeker I tested had photopolar technology, which combines technology from several of their other glasses, and MSRPed at $89.99. Other models of the Seeker with less expensive lenses range in price all the way down to $39.99

If you are looking for a pair of shades to use while mountain biking under heavy tree cover that offer serious performance at a reasonable price, be sure to check out the Ryders Seeker!

Thanks to Ryders Eyewear for providing these glasses for review!

With the advent of the many affordable HD helmet camera options on the market (especially the GoPro), the number of point of view (POV) mountain bike videos on the internet has exploded! To be brutally honest, the vast majority of the POV videos uploaded every day aren’t worth the time that it takes to watch them.

There are 2 main reasons for this poor video quality, despite the access to excellent equipment:

1) The camera angle never changes, many shots are shaky, and/or the only perspective used is boring.

2) Poor editing.

In the first half of this two part series, I will analyze a number of popular camera mounting options for mountain biking. Hopefully this will help you add a little extra zest to your next trail video.

Helmet: Top, Facing Forward

Photo Credit: Contour.com

The default camera mounting option for most people seems to be on the top of the helmet, facing forward. This is expected, as these types of point of view cameras are commonly referred to collectively as “helmet cams.”

Unfortunately, this perspective can sometimes be the absolute worst choice for an interesting video. If you are riding solo, this shot tends to create a flag pole-type perspective with nothing in the frame to add depth to the picture. It’s almost impossible to tell how steep the trail actually is or how large the obstacles are as there is nothing else to compare them to. Also, the bike is not in the picture at all, so the viewer has no idea how exactly the rider is handling his bike.

However, if you are filming a chase scene with another rider in front of you, this angle does an excellent job of capturing what the other rider is doing on the trail. This is the only instance when I’d personally recommend this mount.

Helmet: Top, Facing Backward

Again, this angle is really only useful if you are shooting a chase scene. Obviously, it would capture the performance of the rider behind you.

Full Face Helmet:  Side Mount, Facing Forward

This is a pretty popular mount with gravity riders wearing full face helmets. The angle inevitably captures part of the helmet in the picture, and that little section of helmet is usually enough to lend a little bit of perspective to the image. Also, you can usually see the bike a little bit in the bottom of the frame, which is especially cool on jump lines.

Here’s an actual video to give you an idea of what this perspective looks like:

Handle Bars

Photo Credit: GoPro.com

After the forward helmet mount, this is probably the second most common mounting option… unfortunately. Because of the fact that the camera is mounted directly to the bars, it is constantly being jolted and shaken by the smallest bumps in the trail. When I watch videos shot from this perspective I can rarely make out what is going on, and most of the time my head starts hurting and I turn it off. It’s also impossible to see how the rider is working the bike.

The one thing that a bar mount does well is provide a good view of the trail surface, if it is relatively smooth.

Seat Post: Rear View

Photo Credit: GoPro.com

While at first glance you might think that the camera would suffer a lot of shaking mounted in this position, the truth is that this is actually a very stable mount, especially on a full suspension bike. This is a very unique perspective that I find is a lot of fun to watch. When you are riding a bike, you never get to see the trail disappearing behind your tires. But with your camera mounted like this, you can when you get home to your computer!

Also, the rear wheel provides a focal point for viewers to keep things interesting and to provide a little bit of depth to the picture. I also find it fun to watch how the suspension responds to changes in the terrain.

Chest Mount

When I’m riding solo, the chest mount is hands-down my favorite choice! Mounting the camera on your chest avoids the flag pole effect by providing close-up objects in the frame (arms and handlebars) that create perspective.

But the number one reason I enjoy this perspective so much is that the viewer can see exactly what the rider is doing, and how he manipulates the bike.  Everything from shifting to braking to steering is visible to the viewer, making for a much more interesting video, especially if there are no other riders present.

One word of caution: make sure that your camera is aimed high enough to catch the trail out in front, because we don’t want to be staring at the top tube of your bike the entire time!

Get Creative

From ground placements for ride-by shots to having a camera spin around your head, your creativity is really the only limit when it comes to creating a unique perspective for your next trail video!

Coming Up

In the next installment, I’ll cover a few tips to help you edit your videos so they don’t end up in the expansive vault of neglected YouTube videos.

Based on the videos that you’ve watched or created, what is your favorite video camera mounting option?

Trying to pick the 5 “best” mountain bike trails in Western North Carolina (WNC) is kind of like trying to pick the 5 best $5,000 mountain bikes. They’re all amazing, but they’re all just a little bit different. So while I’m picking these trails because I think they’re really great and may in fact be the best, I’m also choosing these specific trails in an effort to portray the incredible diversity of the mountain biking opportunities available in WNC.

5. Sugar Mountain

Photo Credit: Goo. Rider: Unknown.

If you are coming from the south in an effort to find lift-serviced downhill mountain biking, Sugar Mountain is the first spot that you’ll find. While the resort doesn’t offer an expansive trail network or a jump park, it does have one full top-to-bottom trail packed with more rocks, roots, drops, steeps, and more rocks than you can shake a broken derailleur at! During my first visit to Sugar Mountain, I rode the trails non-stop for the entire 5 or 6 hours that the lift ran. While the trails may be few, the ones they do have are seriously fun! If you live north of North Carolina, though, there are probably some much better options available within a reasonable distance. But for those of us in the South, Sugar Mountain is a great asset.

4. Bent Creek

Photo Credit: ositoking.

I have not yet ridden this trail, but based on all the information I’ve gleaned from guidebooks, the listing here on Singletracks, and friends of mine that live in Asheville just a stone’s throw from the trailhead, Bent Creek is worth a trip! Based on my conversations with locals, the trails are apparently much, much tamer than the trails in Pisgah proper, and are even less technical than those found in Dupont. However, that doesn’t detract from the beauty of this trail system as a whole. There are climbs and descents to be found all over the place, and by all accounts the trails are well-built and narrow.

Bent Creek is designed as a tightly wound “trail system” with concentric loops, making it easy to do anything from a short 5-mile ride to a pieced-together all-day epic. Either way, you’re rarely far from the trailhead. For some people, this could be a welcome relief from the epic-quality singletrack in the rest of Pisgah National Forest that seems to take you deep into the heart of nowhere, completely removed from the constraints of civilization… and the safety of it. Riding a trail system such as Bent Creek requires much less overall commitment. Add in the benefits of a lake and campground and you have a classic mountain biking destination fit for you and the buddies, or you and the family.

3. Tsali

Photo Credit: Goo.

Photo Credit: Goo.

According to mtbikewnc.com, “The popular Tsali Recreation Area has long been a top destination for mountain biking in Western North Carolina, and even the entire eastern US. Containing nearly 40 miles of trails in a system with four excellent loops, it has been rated as one of the top 10 places to ride in the USA.” Historically, Tsali has been one of the great mountain bike destinations of the Southeast. I have spoken with several Georgia locals who can remember back to a time when mountain biking in the state was sparse, and that if a rider wanted to find true singletrack they would have to make the pilgrimage up to Tsali. Thankfully that is no longer the case, but Tsali continues to be a classic destination for mountain bikers from all over the Southeast, and from all over the nation.

Tsali’s popularity is due to the incredible undulating flow of its smooth trails, and the breathtaking views that it provides of Fontana Lake from several different vantage points. In many ways, Tsali is the antithesis to almost all of the other trails in Western North Carolina. Pisgah, Dupont, and many other areas are renowned for the technical challenge found within their forested borders. Tsali’s trails are renowned for exactly the opposite!

2. Black Mountain

Photo Credit: Goo.

As Timm Muth, the author of the North Carolina Falcon guide book, says, “Simply put, this is one of the top three descents in (Pisgah National Forest). It should be on the “A” list for any rider who requires an enormous dose of heartbreak, challenge, and adrenaline.” I know Timm personally, and he has done every single ride in his guide book, so I’ll take his word for it!

Black Mountain is full of quintessential Pisgah singletrack: incredibly steep climbs filled with drops, roots, and rocks like you’d never believe, followed by descents that are just as steep and just as gnarly. Black Mountain is no exception to this rule, and it is an intense 10-mile ride! Starting at ground zero, the trail climbs up and over Hickory Knob, back down the other side a bit, and then rockets straight into the sky to the top of Black Mountain. At the top, turn around, drop your saddle, and bomb back down! Highlights include tons of drops, crazy gnar, jumps, and 8-foot tall berms.

If you’ve been looking at this list closely, you’ve noticed that Black Mountain is the only trail listed that resides in the Pisgah National Forest (barring the Bent Creek trail system). There are literally hundreds of miles of trail in Pisgah, and if you took almost any one of them and placed it in one of the nearby states, it would make a top 5 list such as this with ease. As you can imagine, picking out the “best trail” is difficult at best and arbitrary at worst; in any case I think Black Mountain does a good job of standing as a representative of the entire forest!

1. Dupont State Forest

Photo Credit: Goo.

Putting “Dupont State Forest” in first place is a little bit of a cheap shot, as there are over 80 miles of trails available in the forest. The various trails contain steep slickrock, flowy singletrack in the trees, scenic waterfalls, jumps, rocky technical sections, steep climbs, rhododendron tunnels, and more. I have not explored every single one of the trails yet, but so far the trail combination that includes the most slickrock is easily my favorite. In fact, it may be one of the best trails I’ve ever ridden… ever. This East Coast slickrock experience is not to be missed!

Have you ridden in WNC? What’s your favorite trail?

“What is this big brown thing in front of my door?  NO WAY! It’s a box full of gear from Singletracks to review!”

When I first tore into that box to see what I was going to be testing over the next few months, I knew that something looked vaguely familiar about the Kore Torsion handlebar. I walked outside to look at my bikes, and I realized why: a similar Kore Torsion had come stock on my Airborne Taka. That bar on my downhill rig, however, is quite different as it has a 35 mm rise and is flat black in color. So, I decided to throw the new Kore bar on my Zeppelin Elite and review them both!

Rounding out my new Kore Cockpit is a pair of Gripster bolt-on grips sporting a slight ergonomic flair.

Installation

Installation for both the handlebars and the grips was a cinch. The Torsion has lines marked on it to make centering the bar in the stem easier. The bar comes stock at 800mm wide but if that’s too much for your tastes there are lines marked down the ends that make precision cuts a cinch.

The grips were easy to install as well, only requiring a couple of hex keys. I simply lined them up to provide a comfortable angle while in the saddle, and tightened them down. Take care not to over-tighten – you could strip the bolts or even crush your bars.

On the Trail

These handlebars are made to perform in the rough! I could feel a distinct reduction of trail chatter and feedback on my Zeppelin after installing the Torsion. The massive width and beefy construction has true dampening power and really smooths out the trail! This helped me to focus on the big obstacles and gloss over the smaller bumps and roots.

The traditional benefits of a really wide bar were also apparent: everything seemed to slow down slightly, allowing me more time to react and fine-tune where I wanted my front wheel to go. I’ve also been enjoying the slight backwards sweep on both of the bars. It provides for a comfortable ride in a slightly more relaxed position.

Flat vs. Rise

I found it easier to loft the front end with the 35mm riser bar vs. the flat version mostly due to the difference in my posture on the bike. Of course I also have the riser installed on a short DH stem and the flat bar installed on a longer trail stem, so a shorter stem coupled with the flat bar could produce slightly better results in this category.

Personally, I like the shiny white finish on the flat bar much more than the flat black on the riser… and the white also happens to match my Zeppelin perfectly!

Grips

The Gripsters have been performing well in all my tests. Due to the bolt placement along the front of the grip, they tighten down well across the entire length of the grip, providing an absolutely rock-solid feel. The ergonomic flair is definitely present but isn’t as exaggerated as say Ergon grips. The Gripsters are definitely designed for aggressive riding but with a more comfortable shape for longer rides. As a result, the flair is just enough to be comfortable without reducing control and provide a secure grip in the rough.

Almost every brand new mountain bike drivetrain I’ve ridden has been great: quiet operation, smooth shifting, and shiny parts – heck, even the lube on a new drivetrain smells great. But over time things usually start to go south – derailleurs wilt, cassettes choke on grime, and bottom brackets start to creak; cranks lose their teeth and chains start to kink. Regular maintenance can certainly delay the decay but the real key is to start with high performance design and quality parts that are built to last and can stand up to trail abuse. The SRAM X0 series takes this idea and rides with it to a whole new level.

I’ve been testing the new SRAM X0 2×10 drivetrain on my 29er over the last 6 months, quickly taking things from “factory fresh” to “well worn” and I’ve learned a lot about X0 and 2×10 along the way. Just this month I finished riding 29 trails in 29 days in some of the worst mountain bike conditions imaginable – snow, mud, ice, and rain – which was great for testing (though not always great for riding). Here’s what I found.

SRAM XX Cassette

Yes, this is a review of the SRAM X0 drivetrain but at the time I received my parts the X0 cassette (XG 1080) was still in production so I got hooked up with the XG 1099 (score!). I know it’s been said before but the SRAM XX cassette is truly a work of art. According to SRAM, it takes 9 hours to cut the cassette out of a solid hunk of steel using fancy CNC machinery. The result is a one-piece design that’s been digitally optimized for maximum mud shedding, light weight, precision, and strength.

I opted for the 11-36 cassette (there’s also a more aggressive 11-32 version) which weighs 31 grams less than the already supermodel-thin X0 cassette. The final 11T ring is separate from the main cassette body as is the aluminum lock ring. Just like the X7, X9, and X0 cassettes, the XG 1099 features SRAM’s X-Glide technology which provides consistent shifting performance under a variety of conditions.

Installing and uninstalling the XX cassette has been a breeze. At this point I’ve used the cassette with 3 different wheel sets and I’ve cleaned/degreased it just as many times. It’s always a smooth fit and after a recent cleaning it still looked as good as new (the pic directly above is an “after” shot taken a few days ago; the pic at the top of the article was taken “before”).

It’s tough to talk about the performance of a single component in a mountain bike drivetrain, especially the cassette where the rear derailleur mostly runs the show. I can say my chain never slipped (not surprising) and that mud shedding is certainly above average. Leaves and various bits of crud did manage to find their way into the cassette voids over time but were easy enough to remove with running water and a toothpick.

GXP Team Bottom Bracket

The bottom bracket is sorta the unsung hero of any drivetrain but the GXP Team Bottom Bracket is hard to ignore. With sealed steel bearings and a tungsten finish, the GXP Bottom Bracket is built to keep water and crud out while maintaining a velvety smooth spin. Mine installed easily and I haven’t had to touch it since. Over the past six months I’ve been cranking the pedals pretty hard and the BB continues to whirl like new.

SRAM X0 Crankset

The X0 crankset is perhaps my favorite part of the whole drivetrain setup. With carbon crank arms and the simplicity of just two rings up front, the X0 really shines. I went with the 26-39 configuration but SRAM also offers a racy 28-42 2×10 option as well as a 3-ring 22-33-44 version (these options are also available in the X7 and X9 lines). Like the cassette, the crank rings are CNC-machined for sharp precision and a sexy look and feel.

Some riders may be wondering about the differences between X0 and X9 parts and the answer really depends on which component you’re talking about. The X0 crankset, for example, weighs in at 788 grams compared to the (aluminum) X9 at 881 grams (that’s almost 100 grams lighter for the math-challenged). It’s a pretty significant difference and in my opinion, worth the additional investment. If you do have to skimp somewhere, consider another area like the chain.

The biggest question most mountain bikers have about going 2×10 is whether they’ll miss the third chain ring. I personally love the simplicity of a 2-ring set-up and while some of the most extreme “granny gears” are missing, I found that I was quickly able to adapt. On the high end I only miss the additional gears when I’m riding flat stuff like fireroads or pavement (and I try to limit that as much as I can anyway!). A 2×10 drivetrain doesn’t quite offer the same range of gearing as a standard 3x system – but it gets close enough for any rider who appreciates things like simplicity and weight savings.

As with any long term relationship, mountain bikers tend to hurt the ones they love the most and unfortunately the X0 crankset has born the brunt of my trail abuse. During a nighttime time trial in Augusta one of my pedals worked itself loose and when I stepped on it coming out of a turn I stripped the last 2-3 pedal threads on the crank. The loose pedal had nothing to do with the crank itself – the pedal either wasn’t tightened properly or it seized in the cold temps – which made the damage all the more frustrating. Fortunately I was able to have the threads re-tapped and after a month of riding and hundreds of miles, everything is holding up well.

Coming off a 1×9 drivetrain, I also haven’t done a good job protecting my big ring from log hits. During a recent inspection I found one big ring tooth that was nearly completely gone and a few others that had been noticeably dulled. To be honest I haven’t noticed any performance issues associated with the loss but I’ll certainly be more careful and will do a better job removing grit from my chain after muddy rides to avoid further wear on the precision metal teeth.

SRAM PowerChain 1071

Some may be surprised to learn that standard 9spd chains won’t work well with a 2×10 drivetrain and it’s because the spacing on a 10spd cassette is slightly narrower. The PowerChain 1071 is actually part of the X7 group and the only difference between the 1071 and 1091R (the X0/XX chain) seems to be the “Lighting Holes” the 1091R features on outer links for additional weight savings. How much weight do the holes save? According to SRAM, about 2 grams (less than 1% of the total).

SRAM’s 10spd chains also feature the PowerLock connecting link that’s a little different from the PowerLink connection you’ll find on SRAM 9spd chains. PowerLock links can be installed without using a tool but unlike PowerLinks, they are not re-usable (the pins pop off when you use a standard chain removal tool). I haven’t had any issues with my chain over the past 500+ miles but I always carry a couple spare PowerLocks in my hydration pack just in case.

Despite the narrower chain gauge I haven’t noticed any unusual side-to-side flex during shifting nor have I experienced any sort of “chain stretch.” Keeping the chain clean and properly lubed seems to make all the difference in terms of quiet performance. The only thing I’ve noticed is that my rag catches slightly on the PowerLock link when I wipe off excess lube.

So that’s a lot to take in and I haven’t even talked about the shifters or derailleurs (coming up next). Look for part II of my review plus a review of SRAM’s sexy X0 hydraulic disc brakes.

Thanks to the folks at SRAM for providing these parts for testing and review.

One of the gripes we have with online forums and message boards is that it can be hard to search for relevant topics. Even with great moderators (like the ones here on singletracks!) topics can go unanswered or get buried as new discussions are posted. That’s one of the reasons we separate singletracks trail and gear reviews from the forums but the downside is that can limit the conversation. So we decided to combine the best of both worlds and link reviews with the forums!

Here’s how it works: Click the “Ask a question” link in the gear dashboard on any gear review page and post your forum topic. Once your topic has been posted to the forums, a link will appear on the gear review page. We’ve already gone through some recent posts and linked them up with gear review pages (like this one and the screen shot above) so you can get a idea of how this will work.

The new forum links aren’t just for questions either. You can use the “Ask a question” link to post gear news (recalls, etc.), product comparisons, and more. We’re also working on a way to submit “for sale” and “wanted” posts that are linked to product pages.

Over the winter we’ll roll forum links out to trail pages as well so folks can organize group rides, discuss trail maintenance/access issues, and more. We’re stoked to see where the conversation leads!

The mountain bike gear review pages on singletracks.com are crammed with great information but for newbs it can seem overwhelming at first. This article will explain how to get the most out of the mountain bike review pages on singletracks.

Gear Review Info Tab

On each gear review page you’ll see a series of tabs near the top of the page. The first “info” tab shows the product description, photo, reviews, average rating, MSRP (if available) and other summary data about the item.

Product recommendations below the product description are based on an algorithm that basically answers the question: What other items do members like if they like this item? Category recommendations are other items in the same category as the product (for example, other tires) while the “more” recommendations can include products from any category.

Members may update their own reviews using the “update” link next to the star rating. A note will appear after the update showing the date the changes were made.

Other Review Tabs

The Pro Reviews tab links to any articles about the item that have been posted to singletracks.com. Most articles include additional photos and more in-depth information about the product. The number in parenthesis in the tab title indicates the number of pro reviews available.

The Photos tab links to pics submitted by singletracks members. Photos could show the product in action, modifications, vintage models, etc. – you never know what you’ll find here!

Like the Photos tab, the Videos tab showcases member-submitted product videos from around the web.

The How-To tab showcases applicable how-to articles from the blog while the Customs tab links to dream bikes designed by singletracks members that include the product (more on that later).

Gear Review Dashboard

Singletracks is a user-generated website and the gear review dashboard gives everyone a chance to contribute!

Add a Review: Let us know what you like and dislike about the product and give it an overall rating. You don’t have to be a member to contribute a review but we do moderate anonymous posts.

Buy this item: For certain products we’ve placed links to our retail partners who sell the item and in most cases singletracks benefits financially from your purchase at no additional cost to you.

Add a Photo: Yep, this is where you can upload an unlimited number of photos of the item. Just make sure you have permission from the photographer!

Add a Video: Found a good video review of this item on YouTube? Send us the link! How-to videos and action vids are fun too. Video links are moderated before they are posted.

Ask a Question: Use this link to start a forum thread relating to the item. For more info about this feature, read this.

Tag this Gear: Help others find gear by tagging items using descriptive words. Tagging also allows us to break gear categories like pumps into useful sub-categories like floor pumps, mini pumps, and CO2 inflators. Good tags also include things like colors, sizes, capacities, and MTB disciplines (XC, AM, DH, etc.).

Correct/Update: See an error in the product information or have a beef with a review? Tell us about it using this link and we’ll take a look.

I own this item: Click this link to add the item to your “My Gear” list. Click the small ‘x’ icon to remove the item.

I want this item: Add the item to your wishlist and remove it by clicking the ‘x’ icon.

Watch this item: Want to be notified whenever this item gets a new review? Click the link. You can un-watch an item by clicking the ‘x’ icon.

Share This: Send a gear page link to your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, or via one of dozens of other social media outlets.

Customize bike: Use this tool to create a spec sheet for your dream bike. Start with a bike/frame, then add the components of your choice. We’ll estimate the price of your build and let others comment on your work!

The more data we collect on each item (reviews, wishlist adds, recommendations, etc.), the more useful each gear page will become. This data is also used to compile our annual “best of” list.

In mountain biking there are very few “classic” designs that haven’t been torn to shreds over the years as tech advances to produce bigger and better MTB components. Sometimes, though, designers and engineers hit upon a design so effective that it withstands the test of time with very few tweaks over the years. The Maxxis CrossMark mountain bike tire is proving itself to be one of those product designs.

On a recent group ride at Yellow River, 3 out of 7 of us were riding CrossMark tires which isn’t too surprising given the versatility of these skins. The CrossMark features a directional tire tread with ramped intermediate knobs that can be ridden front or rear (or both), depending on conditions. As a front tire the CrossMark is tough to beat but if you’re riding in loose to muddy conditions you may want a rear tire with a little more bite (the Maxxis Ardent is a good choice). On hardpack trails the CrossMark rolls fast and efficient thanks to tightly-spaced center knobs while the raised and slightly wider spaced side knobs bite well in corners.

At 605g each, the CrossMark 29 is a fairly light tire, thanks in part to the lightweight 60 TPI casing. For those who aren’t familiar, TPI stands for “threads per inch” where the threads are part of the cloth reinforcement embedded into the tire rubber. A higher TPI allows for thinner tire walls which makes the tire more supple and lighter but also weakens the sidewalls, making them more likely to be damaged by rocks and sticks on the trail. At 60 TPI the CrossMark 29 is a durable tire that will stand up to a lot of abuse. For weight weenies with 26″-wheel bikes, the CrossMark also comes in a 120 TPI version for a roughly 10% weight savings.

Many tires claim to be low rolling resistance and sadly there isn’t a widely used measurement of rolling resistance out there (though in theory a test should be easy enough to develop). For me the best test is taking a mountain bike tire out on the road and listening to it hum. A loud tire on the road signals a tire that’s sucking energy while a relatively quiet one signals good efficiency. The CrossMark 29 passed the road test with flying colors and felt smooth with very little noticeable vibration on smooth surfaces.

Mud clearing ability is important for any XC tire and even though the CrossMark 29 isn’t designed for muddy conditions, the tire does a decent job at shedding the big stuff thanks to the moderate-to-shallow tread depth. The tiny cross pattern in the center does make it tough to get the tire completely clean and in my tests even miles of pavement couldn’t loose some of the stickiest bits.

The CrossMark 29 is faithful big wheel extension of the venerated CrossMark design and is a versatile tire any XC rider can appreciate. Blending high rolling efficiency with decent cornering control, the CrossMark is a big-wheel-friendly tire that is a solid choice for a wide variety of conditions. Get the CrossMark and you’ll always be in good company when you’re out on the trail.

Thanks to the folks at Maxxis for providing these tires for review.

A little while back I did a review on the INK helmet from THE and absolutely fell in love. Well, Toby Henderson and the boys at THE Industries did it once again. The guys took all that was awesome about the very successful THE ONE helmet and managed to improve what was already a nearly-perfect product. The ONE still retains its great close-fitting shape but now sports an advanced silver anti-bacterial material embedded in a “Cool Dry” liner which is breathable, moisture wicking, and odor free (perfect for those who tend to neglect their equipment). All kidding aside, the liner is easily removable which makes for easy clean up.

The Picture above shows the Carbon Tiki on the left ($299 MSRP) and the Composite Celtic ($199 MSRP) on the right. Both helmets exceed CPSC and CE standards for safety and impact which, let’s face it, is easily the most important feature in any helmet.

Beyond improving the technical features of ONE helmets this year, THE has added several hot, new graphical styles for 2010. So many in fact, that I had a really hard time choosing two to write about. I finally decided on the Tiki for myself and The Celtic for Bob_the_Builder (BTB) to get his perspective.

Taking a look at the Tiki you can see the eye-popping Polynesian-inspired graphics that allow the carbon underlay to show through, giving the helmet an overall tribal pinstriping look like no other.

The venting layout provides great air flow to your face and channels the breeze around your head and out the back, doing a good job keeping your head cool for a full face helmet. They may be tough to spot but there are actually 15 external air vents on both helmets which direct flow to 4 internal channels. BTB felt like he needed just a bit more venting on his Celtic and found removing the foam filter on the front of the helmet just behind the steel mesh of the front opening improved ventilation.

THE ONE helmets boast impressively competitive weights. At 36 oz, the Carbon Tiki stands to be one of the lightest full face helmets out there. The Composite Celtic, at 41 oz, is a bit heavier but is still middle-of-the-pack as far as weight is concerned. As a comparison, most full face MTB helmets weigh between 36 oz and 50 oz+.

This year THE decided to change up the double-D chin strap rings slightly by having them treated in a black oxide treatment instead of last year’s chrome look. BTB and I both agree that we prefer like the new dark-out look. The double D ring also provides a positive no-slip solution that will not break or loosen during a bone-jarring runs.

Each THE ONE helmet comes with two visors which is something most helmet manufacturers don’t include. The last thing you want is to try to order up a new visor to match your helmet after you munch up your previous one with a face full of dirt. The front opening works well with goggles from Oakley, Spy, Fox, Giro, and Smith and your field of vision is really only limited by the style of goggles you choose. If  you decide to run without goggles (not that I recommend this for DH or FR, but let’s say you’re hitting jumps in a bike park), you’ll find the opening is not limited or obstructed by the sides or chin guard.

For most of our testing we took the helmets to Joyride 150 to get out of the bad Toronto weather where it’s been barely above zero degrees C (32° F). Both BTB and I received numerous  positive comments on the bold and unique look of the Tiki and Celtic helmets. Having been to Interbike and seeing the entire line up, all THE ONE helmets look great but I particularly love the look of these two units. The stunning red scroll work on the Celtic with its accented black and grey pin striping really sets the look apart. Likewise, the intricate blue print and highly detailed center stripe on the Tiki is really something to behold up close.

BTB on the progressive jumps doing what he does best.

Well folks, if you’re looking for a great fitting, safe and sturdy helmet, give THE ONE a try. I’m sure you too will enjoy these close, form fitting, light-as-a-feather helmets wrapped in rad graphics.  Stay tuned for other exciting products from THE!

Thanks to the folks at THE Industries for providing the Celtic and Tiki helmets for reviews and Joyride 150 for a place to ride and do our tests.

When I was a kid I had this idea for a clear bubble that enclosed my bike so I could ride in the rain and not get wet. Of course the idea wasn’t original and in fact enclosed bikes have been used to break bicycle speed records – but at the end of the day a bubble bike isn’t all that practical. Fortunately Gore has come up with a more fashionable, versatile solution for staying dry on the bike: the Alp-X Jacket.

The name Gore is now synonymous with waterproof breathability and with good reason. For more than 30 years the company has been researching and developing high performance fabrics like Gore-Tex with an eye toward serious athletes facing extreme conditions. The attention to detail in the Alp-X jacket is clearly visible from the expertly taped seams to the double-shielded enclosures.

Tightly taped seams inside the jacket.

Although this jacket is versatile enough to be worn on the trail or the road, it really works well for mountain biking for a number of reasons. First, it’s super lightweight and easy to cram into a Camelbak without taking up much space and the jacket can be stuffed into its own rear pocket. My size large jacket weighs just north of half a pound at less than 11 ounces – so light that I usually forget it’s stuffed in my pack (until it starts getting cold or raining).

Now I know what you might be thinking at this point: Aren’t we supposed to stay off the mountain bike trails when it’s raining? I’m definitely a firm believer in staying off wet trails but the fact is that sometimes mountain bikers get caught off guard, especially during epic rides that start in the morning and go until dusk. The Alp-X is the perfect emergency shell for avoiding hypothermia and keeps you mostly comfortable even when you’re pumping the pedals. Although this jacket is very breathable, if you’re like me you’ll probably still sweat a little once your heart rate gets up no matter what the outside conditions may be.

Aside from using the Alp-X to stay dry, I’m finding that the jacket is great for blocking the wind on the trail and on the road. In fact when the air is dry I feel like the Alp-X does an even better job regulating body moisture and smoothing out temperature variations due to climbing / descending / and resting. Even on the coldest days this winter I’ve worn the Alp-X over nothing more than a lightweight long sleeve jersey and have felt great.

Beyond its solid performance, the Alp-X is a seriously sporty looking jacket and I find myself making more and more excuses to wear it out. Gore claims this jacket has a “Euro fit” which apparently means it’s slim and the zipper pull is on the left. The cut is definitely athletic right down to the “pre-shaped elbows and 3D ergonomic fit.” On the trail this means the jacket doesn’t get in the way when you want to throw down sick moves. The Alp-X also includes velcro wrist closures, an elastic waist cord, and an expandable tail to help customize the fit to your body even further. The upshot? Air and water don’t have a chance of getting inside this jacket unless you want them to.

The Alp-X comes is a two high-vis colors but the black and gray version seemed a little more “mountain bike” to me. Before choosing this jacket one of the folks at Gore commented that the black jacket isn’t very visible on the road to which I scoffed – mountain bikers don’t need to be seen. Actually that’s not true (hunters, training rides on the road, etc.) but it turns out this black jacket is very visible at night thanks to its reflective piping and accents. On a recent night ride a friend remarked that the pattern looked like something out of the movie Tron which in my opinion, makes it freaking awesome.

Pac-lite durability and waterproof-ness come at a cost, both in terms of usability and finances. The jacket is crinkly – sorta like a heavy duty garbage bag – which means you won’t be sneaking up on anyone on the trail. Fortunately since this jacket is shaped and fitted, there aren’t too many areas of excess material to flap in the wind while you’re riding. And as you might expect from a rain jacket, the Alp-X isn’t exactly soft on the skin so be sure to don a comfy base layer to avoid direct contact during your ride.

In terms of monetary cost, at $269.99 MSRP this is a fairly expensive jacket. The good news is this is a piece of equipment that will last for years and is guaranteed to keep you dry – forever. So if, in 10 years, you start to notice leaking around the seams on your Alp-X, Gore will repair or replace the jacket at no charge. Considering lifetime costs, this jacket is actually a steal.

Care and maintenance is no big deal for the Alp-X; just toss into the washing machine on warm and let ‘er rip. Dry on medium heat and the jacket is as good as new. In fact, washing and drying the Alp-X actually helps maintain the water repellent finish on the outside so water will continue to bead as soon as it hits the surface.

The Alp-X is probably the closest thing you’ll find to a mountain bike bubble that won’t weigh you down or harsh your flow in the rain. If you’re serious about mountain biking year round, the Alp-X is a great investment that will ensure safe and comfortable rides for years to come.

Thanks to the folks at Gore for providing this jacket for review.