Matt lives in the Front Range of Colorado and started working at Singletracks as a staff writer in 2018. He served in the Marines and has a journalism degree from MSU-Denver. Since joining Singletracks, he’s covered every corner of mountain biking, from racing, to tech development, and trail building efforts in remote corners of Central and South America.
Though he writes about all aspects of mountain biking, he's used his journalism education to excel as a reporter covering trail access issues and the intersection with wildlife, and population growth, and competing recreational interests. Still, he loves writing about a $30 camp stove or must-have piece of gear that elevates the outdoor experience. Want to talk MTB news? Send him an email.
Author snapshot
MTB Background and expertise
- Riding experience: Primarily trail, with occasional dabbling in XC and enduro racing and bikepacking
- Mountain biking since: 2012
- Number of products reviewed: Too many count—I started reviewing MTB and outdoor products full time in 2018.
- Current stable: Canfield Lithium, Ibis Ripley AF, Obed Boundary
Education and writing experience
- Bachelors of Arts, Psychology, University of Colorado, Denver
- Bachelor Arts, Journalism, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Other publications: Colorado Community Newspapers, VeloNews, The News Station, 5280 Magazine, Eskapee, GearJunkie
Try before you buy. Tips for finding and testing a mountain bike at a demo event before purchase.
Saris enters the premium bike rack market with their Modular Tray Rack, a hitch rack that will be available in 2019.
Yeti is the latest to add a long-travel 29er to their lineup. The SB150 has 170/150mm of travel front/rear and a slack 64.5-degree head tube angle.
The Silver Mountain bike park in Kellogg, Idaho offers 3,600 vertical feet of descending and mountain bike trails rated for all skill levels.
Trail bike geometry is still shifting for both wheel sizes, more in some areas and less in others.
Nicholi Rogatkin was the final athlete to drop in for the Red Bull Joyride and ended up taking the top spot. Plus, he is the first to win the Crankworx Triple Crown of slopestyle.
The air DH race in Whistler takes place on the famous A-line trail and draws in a variety of pros.
Volume spacers can be used to tune and improve the feel and performance of your mountain bike suspension fork or shock.
The Devinci Wilson is the latest downhill bike to get a 29er option.
The new ENVE M7 line of carbon mountain bike handlebars and stems feature a 35mm diameter.
The Cannondale Jekyll enduro mountain bike is now available with 29-inch wheels.
A look at how two mountain bike brands, big and small, create their image and portray it to consumers.
The new GT Fury accepts both 29er and 27.5 wheel sizes, goes up to 200mm of travel.
Bottom line: Enduro racing is not scary; you're going to get passed; and you'll have fun, meet new friends, and will become a better mountain biker.
Lance Armstrong was injured in a mountain bike crash on the Tom Blake trail in Aspen, CO.
The Cannondale Scalpel SE is a burlier, trail-worthy version of the Scalpel Si. Climbs like a bull-whipped horse and descends with confidence.
The new Trance 29 is slacker, with less travel than last year's 27.5 model.
The new RaceFace Next R36 carbon mountain bike wheels are designed for wide tires, come with a 2-year no-fault warranty, and cost $1,499.
A mountain biker was nearly shot by a rifle while riding the Blown Away trail in the Mt. McIntyre area outside Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.
These are 10 of the worst mountain bike climbs in the USA, with thousands of feet of climbing and grades up to 42%.
North of Nightfall is the latest Red Bull freeride movie, but it's very different from previous films like Where the Trail Ends.
Ibis adjustable-width carbon MTB handlebars are 750mm wide and feature 25mm extensions to bring the total width to 800mm.
Safari Bike Africa puts tourists on mountain bikes to experience the flora and fauna of Tanzania up close.
A mountain biker was injured by a neck-heigh trip wire on a trail in South Africa.
The Giant Stance trail bike has been updated for 2019, yet it's still affordable at $1,700.
The Hell Cat from Horse Cycles is a 27.5+ hardtail designed to handle the toughest mountain bike trails the East Coast has to offer.
Recap of the 2018 World Cup XC and DH mountain bike season so far, and things to look for in the upcoming races.
What to look for when buying a new enduro bike, from geometry to suspension to components.
Juliana updates the Furtado trail bike and Rubion enduro bike with longer reach and in the case of the Roubion, a reconfigured rear shock.
WTB released a chunky new mountain bike tire, the Judge, and updated the Trail Boss & Vigilante tires. Updated KOM Light and KOM Tough rims are on tap too.
Santa Cruz has updated the Bronson and 5010 trail bike, with some big changes.
Commencal updates the Meta TR trail bike and goes from 27.5" wheels to 29er.
Nelson, BC is an epic mountain bike destination with a good mix of trails to explore.
Devinci has updated the 140mm-travel Troy trail bike with a slacker head tube angle. Aluminum builds start at $3,200.
The Canyon Lux XC mountain bike gets an update, with lighter weight and room for 2 water bottles.
E*Thirteen's TRS Plus kit converts SRAM 11-speed drivetrains to 12-speed with greater range than Eagle for $300, including all necessary tools.
A surprising interpretation of mountain biking is found in hidden, forested pockets around Atlanta, GA.
As IMBA celebrates 30 years, we take a short look back at the history of mountain bike advocacy.
Pivot updates the long-travel Firebird with 29er wheels. With 162mm of rear travel, the Pivot Firebird 29 is designed to enduro.
Ten more affordable mountain bike upgrades for under $100 including dropper post remotes, stash tools, tire inserts, and drivetrain updates.
The SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain offers 12 gears at an affordable pricepoint. The new cassette is compatible with standard, 8-, 9-, and 10-speed splined driver bodies.
Ben Weaver is bikepacking the 2,700-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike route with his instruments so he can play 15 concerts along the way.
The new Jamis Portal trail bike and Hardline enduro bike will utilize a unique mountain bike suspension platform known as 3VO.
Trek recently settled a lawsuit brought by the estate of comedian Chris Farley over the name of the Farley fat bike.
XC mountain bike race courses are becoming more technical in a bid to become more spectator-friendly and also to keep up with bike design and suspension technology.
Jefferson County, Colorado is testing mountain bike only trails within the popular park system.
The Prestacycle TorqRatchet is a compact, packable torque wrench for trailside mountain bike repairs.
Another mountain biker falls victim to a trail trip, this time barbed wire in Ontario, Canada.
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[caption id="attachment_205423" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bike_demo.jpg"><img class="wp-image-205423 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/bike_demo-1200x800.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></a> photo: Jeff Barber[/caption]
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There's no doubt about it: buying a mountain bike is a big financial decision. Bikes can cost a lot of money, and only <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/new-mountain-bikes-lose-about-45-of-their-value-after-year-one/">depreciate after purchase</a>, so it's important to be confident in your buying decision.
To find full confidence, it's best to test ride a mountain bike before you buy it. Even better: ride a lot of bikes before you settle on one.
[see_also id='233337']
If you haven't ridden any new bikes in a while, the first brand new one you demo may seem like the best bike in the world. The technology is going to be much newer compared to your old bike, and different brands have different suspension platforms, different components, and different personalities. Ride at least a few others before you tell yourself it's "the one."
Here are six ways to track down a demo on the mountain bike(s) you're interested in.
<h2>Outerbike</h2>
<a href="https://www.outerbike.com/">Outerbike</a> is set up just for this reason, and now there are a few different stops across the country including Moab, Utah; Bentonville, Arkansas; and Crested Butte, Colorado. Most major bike brands have plenty of demos available, and the events take place at some of the most iconic mountain bike destinations in the US.
<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_7463.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-186835" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_7463-1200x900.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="878" /></a>
The downside is that the event is not free. Admission for the Bentonville stop is $255 with fees. For this price bikers get access to all demos for three days, lunch every day, two nights worth of beer, and access to shuttles and trails.
[see_also id='58004']
Considering the cost of a new high-end mountain bike, spending a couple hundred bucks conducting "field research" in a fun way doesn't seem like a bad investment.
<h2>Mountain bike festivals</h2>
If you can't make Outerbike, there are quite a few bike festivals with a demo component. Unlike Outerbike, these events often include a competitive element in addition to offering demo bikes.
<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_0401.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-241821" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_0401-1170x878.jpg" alt="Sea Otter Europe Cannondale Demo Bike" width="1170" height="878" /></a>
[see_also id='241739']
Admission is usually much less expensive than Outerbike and still includes quite a few amenities. The events are almost always in a great mountain bike destination too. Here is just a short list of mountain bike festivals that offer mountain bike demos.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://fruitafattirefestival.com/">Fruita Fat Tire Festival. Fruita, Colorado</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hurricanemtbfestival.com/">Hurricane Mountain Bike Festival. Hurricane, Utah</a></li>
<li><a href="http://sedonamtbfestival.com/">Sedona Mountain Bike Festival. Sedona, Arizona</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.seaotterclassic.com/">Sea Otter Classic. Monterey, California</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.nembafest.com/">NEMBAfest. Kingdom Trails, Vermont</a></li>
<li><a href="https://tetonbikefest.org/">Teton Mountain Bike Fest. Alta, Wyoming</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.crankworx.com/festival/whistler/">Crankworx Whistler. Whistler, BC, Canada</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Brand demo by bike shop</h2>
Usually a few times during the summer, a brand that a local bike shop carries will partner with the bike shop to set up a demo at a local trailhead. These events are usually free, but are often limited to just one brand at a time. This isn't a problem if you know which bike you're interested in or are trying to check a particular bike off your list.
<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_0465.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-179175" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_0465-1200x952.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="928" /></a>
To demo bikes from a particular brand, check the brand's website or Facebook page for a list of demo event dates and locations. For example, <a href="http://www.pivotcycles.com/demo-schedule/">Pivot lists local shop demos</a> and festivals where demo bikes are available on their website.
Some shops will also pull a bunch of bikes from all the brands at their shop and set up a demo day at a nearby trailhead. It might still be tough to demo more than one bike, but at least there will be a bigger sample to choose from. Follow the shop's Facebook page, check the shop website, or give them a call and see if they have any upcoming events.
<h2>Demo the specific bike from a shop</h2>
If you're almost positive about which bike you want to buy, demo it from a local bike shop. It usually costs around $100 at most bike shops, and then a portion of that often goes toward the purchase of the bike.
Again, it's not the most economical way to demo a bike, and testing more than one is going to add up very quickly, but it's certainly better than buying a bike from the shop without trying it.
<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Brevard_Shops-12.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-194703" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Brevard_Shops-12-1200x803.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="783" /></a>
You can also incorporate this tip into your next mountain bike trip. Bike shops in Moab, Crested Butte, and other destinations offer rentals. Fly in without a bike, rent a bike for the stay, ride it on amazing trails, and then decide if it's the bike for you.
<h2>Check the brand's demo tour</h2>
Most big brands also have a demo van with lots of bikes in it. The van travels around the country during the summer months to let interested folks ride the latest bikes. The demo events are usually offered free-of-charge, and will often swing by your local trails or local bike park. Check your favorite brands' websites and look for their demo calendar. This is an easy one to swing.
<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/100_0726-resized.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-15018" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/100_0726-resized.jpg" alt="" width="540" height="302" /></a>
Brands with demo tours:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.yeticycles.com/demo">Yeti Cycles</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikes.com/en/dealers">Rocky Mountain</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/demo-opportunities">Santa Cruz/Juliana</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/events">Giant/Liv</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/trek_test_rides/">Trek</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>At the brand's headquarters</h2>
If you happen to live close to a mountain bike company, they'll often have a few demo bikes available as well. Sometimes bikes can be tested for a price, and sometimes it's free. Give the company a call, or check on their website to find out more information. At the very least, they'll help you find a way to demo the bike.
[caption id="attachment_179172" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_0458.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-179172" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_0458-1200x800.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></a> The Santa Cruz factory demo fleet. You can schedule a test ride of any bike in the Santa Cruz lineup right at the factory.[/caption]
There are many ways to get on a demo bike before swiping at the register. If you're dedicated to finding the right bike, it's easy to get on more than a few bikes before you buy. Keep your eyes peeled, stay in touch with what the mountain bike brands and shops are up to, and go ride some bikes!](https://images.singletracks.com/graphics/no_photo_750x500.png)