The Mountainsmith Cycle Cube is a bike-specific duffel bag meant to manage lots of awkward and stinky bike gear.
Deborah Meghen and Niall Davie talk about the development of new mountain bike trails all over Ireland.
The Bluegrass Eagle Armour Lite D3O is a lightweight and simple vented spine protector.
A San Diego mountain biker finds a barbed wire trail trap and a rider in Colorado leaves the scene of another trap with several broken bones.
There's a lot of hype about the new WaveCel structure in new Bontrager helmets. Competitor responses came just as quickly, and it's hard to recognize who's right in the end.
We check out mountain bike multi-tools from top brands like Pro, SIlca, Pedro's, Topeak and Pro Bike Tool.
New 12-speed hub options, alongside a more affordable 4-piston brake and 203mm rotor option, show Shimano's dedication to entry-level riders.
Link your Singletracks and Wahoo accounts to get free mountain bike trail routes on your GPS.
It's easy to let negative externalities ruin mountain biking's moments. Here are a few tips and philosophies to focus on the now.
Pro mountain bikers like Katy Curd know how to adapt and learn a new game. Katy shares her tips for building skills and managing fear.
We test ride the new Revel Rascal trail bike in Moab.
The Clear Creek 10 is Mountainsmith's first hydration pack marketed for mountain bike. It's fairly simple and affordable.
This week we get news on who's dominating the EWS, new bikes from Diamondback and Bold, and another NICA expansion.
Check out the trails, bikes, skills, and good times from the 2019 Singletracks Ride-N-Rally.
The Leatt DBX 4.0 pants are tailored, tough, and ready for the trail.
A Georgia mountain biker takes on the Huracan bikepacking race for the third time, and find new challenges along the way.
Online retailer Moosejaw is now offering complete mountain bikes for sale from brands including Evil and Niner.
The Pisgah Stage Race is already well known for five days of riding the best mountain bike trails in Pisgah. Key changes for 2019 seek to make the 11th edition the best one yet.
The way a rider treats their mountain bike will affect its lifespan. Here are five things you can do to keep your bike healthy for the long haul.
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, I ask Jeff Kendall-Weed about his inspirations, favorite places to ride, skills progression, and how he makes time for riding.
Adding an eMTB category to the EWS has some riders calling it the EEWS.
This new product allows mountain bikers to ditch packs of any form and fit cargo directly on their lumbar.
Pick up trash during your mountain bike rides in April to join in the plogging phenomenon. Share photos of your haul on Instagram to win prizes from Singletracks. @singletracks #bikeplog
Life is busy, but often it's easier than not to ride with friends. Matt reflects on a trip years ago that formed lasting friendships.
Crankworx Rotorua and Absa Cape Epic results, Revelstoke gets a lift and new trails, plus new Teravail MTB tires and etnies shoes.
Geometry changes a lot from bike to bike, but a fit should always suit the rider. Gerow goes over a few fitting tips to help all the bikes in your stable feel comfortable and consistent.
The Dirtlej Dirtsuit is a wet-weather onesie for mountain biking.
Is it worth spending good money to enter a mountain bike race? Dillon says yes, and shares 5 reasons why you should sign up.
Rachel Walker sheds light on what Hopetech Women is and what the mountain bike brand is up to these days.
The Kuat Transfer is an entry-level rack that can be converted from a single to a double bike hitch rack. The Pivot get mountain bikes them out of the way to get to the trunk or truck bed.
Exploring beautiful singletrack mountain bike rides along the Basque coast of northern Spain.
World famous mountain biker Chris Akrigg shares his winning approach to challenging conditions, both on the bike and off. Want to know what it takes to build incredible bike-handling skills? Listen to find out!
Cities around the US are working to attract new workers with mountain bike trails. For some places, this gamble more important than ever.
The MET Roam MIPS mountain bike helmet balances comfort and protection.
Hannah Bergemann talks about racing with Kona, her ambitions in the sport, and why the most important mountain bike race of her year is the one she'll race with her dad.
Riding the enduro-worthy singletrack mountain bike trails in northern Spain. In Part 3, Lee and his group ride in Val de Tena near the towns of Biescas and Panticosa.
New mountain bike shoes from Rapha, a taste of the Pivot Phoenix 29 downhill bike, new Stans rims, and more in the MTB News Mix.
In this first Pro Skills article, we get advice on recovery from endurance mountain biker Payson McElveen.
Gerow talks with IMBA EU to find out how mountain bike advocacy is going in Europe.
Exploring the best trails in the Spanish Pyrenees by bike, Lee and his group ride Cotiella, Ainsa, and Zona Zero, including an EWS stage route.
Dillon shares his strategy for fueling before, during, and after the ride, and provides a sample template for varying mountain bike ride lengths.
Trek / Bontrager claims their new mountain bike helmets reduce the chance of concussion significantly.
The Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt A50 is an affordable and fun trail bike with price-minded performance.
Matt reviews the aluminum Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt trail bike and shows it in action!
The new Santa Cruz Megatower 29er is a long travel enduro mountain bike with 160mm of suspension front and rear.
Gerow checks out jerseys, shorts, and gloves from European mountain bike clothing brand Madison.
Everything you need to know about mountain bike racing, including what to eat, pack, and wear on race day.
What's the best way to store MTB tools while you ride? Put them on your bike. Gerow checks out several MTB tool storage options.
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3110.jpg"><img src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3110-750x500.jpg" alt=""/></a><figcaption>Photo: Hannah Morvay.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Nothing good comes of trying to pack up gear right before you walk out the door to head somewhere for a ride. Usually, I'll forget one thing or another, whether it's a pair of socks, gloves, or worse, a helmet. Packing the night before is always my routine of choice. There's less stress and anxiety about beating traffic. If everything makes it into one handy bag that can be set by the door, even better.</p>
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<p>Mountainsmith, a gear manufacturer out of Golden, Colorado, has made a bike-specific duffel bag called <a href="https://mountainsmith.com/cycle-cube.html">the Cycle Cube</a>, for years now. It is vented, organized, and made for all of our awkward-shaped gear like helmets, tools, and water bottles.</p>
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<h2>Features</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3112.jpg"><img src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3112-750x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-258858"/></a><figcaption>Photo by Hannah Morvay.</figcaption></figure>
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<ul><li>Three-panel load access separates gear</li><li>Ventilation holes</li><li>Shoe dividers</li><li>Multiple organization pockets</li><li>RipStop polyester outside, nylon liner</li><li>51L volume</li><li>30lb capacity</li><li>Weighs 2lb.</li><li>MSRP: $80 (available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mountainsmith-Cycle-Cube-Ice-Grey/dp/B079F7C114?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAIKZYP7P6PEFUM3UQ&tag=stracks-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B079F7C114">Amazon</a>)</li></ul>
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<h2>Using the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-reviews/Bags/Mountainsmith-Bike-Cube_14882">Cycle Cube</a></h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3140.jpg"><img src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3140-750x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-258864"/></a><figcaption>Photo by Hannah Morvay.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>The Cycle Cube has an impressive amount of space in it. There is room for a pair of shoes on both ends, tools, snacks, gear, or whatever you can imagine putting in its many little internal side pouches, and enough room to pack a few kits, and a helmet.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3134.jpg"><img src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3134-750x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-258862"/></a><figcaption>Don't forget the important stuff. Shoes, a MilkIt booster, and a shock pump in one end with room for more. Photo by Hannah Morvay.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Set up depends on... well, however you like to organize gear. There's one internal divider with velcro on the main pouch inside that can be moved to either side to slip a pair of shoes in, or maybe to stuff your used chamois in.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3123.jpg"><img src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3123-750x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-258859"/></a><figcaption>A removable divider on the inside left. A helmet and some other gear in the main pouch with room for more. Photo by Hannah Morvay.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Greg Heil <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/mountainsmith-bike-cube-gear-bag-review/">last reviewed a Cycle Cube</a> for us about a year-and-a-half ago. He wasn't impressed with the lack of organizational pockets and pouches in the previous version. This new generation of Cycle Cube seems to be an improvement and it would be hard not to stay organized with the number of pockets on this bag.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3130.jpg"><img src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3130-750x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-258860"/></a><figcaption>Another zippered pouch on the inside of one end. Photo by Hannah Morvay.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>All in all, the Cycle Cube is a pretty nifty little travel bag, perfect for a great weekend bike trip.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3135.jpg"><img src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3135-750x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-258863"/></a><figcaption>Room for more shoes on the other side, and lots of pouches. Photo by Hannah Morvay.</figcaption></figure>
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<h2>Recommendations</h2>
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<p>As far as the functionality of the bag is concerned, it's pretty great. You can fit a lot of awkward bike gear like tools, a helmet, shoes, snacks, and more inside. I do wish the colorway was a little more exciting though, or there was another option. Mountainsmith has some great colorway options on other gear, like its hiking lumbar packs, and I think it would be cool if another option made its way to the Cube. Also, it's great that the Cycle Cube comes with D-rings for a diagonal shoulder strap, but it's annoying that buyers will have to seek the strap out separately for an additional $15.</p>
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<h2>Final word</h2>
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<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3102.jpg"><img src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cyclecube-3102-750x500.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-258856"/></a><figcaption>The Cycle Cube in action. Photo by Hannah Morvay.</figcaption></figure>
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<p>A lot of us will happily stuff all of our gear into a duffel bag we already own, but for those who want the utmost organization or something that really works for bike travel that they can leave gear in for the next trip, the <a href="https://mountainsmith.com/cycle-cube.html">Cycle Cube</a> will work great.</p>
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<p><em>Thanks to Mountainsmith for providing the Cycle Cube for review.</em></p>
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