Greg began mountain biking in 2005, and since then, the pursuit of singletrack has taken him around the world. While Greg first started adding trail reviews to Singletracks in 2008, his career in mountain bike media officially began in 2010. He started writing for Singletracks in 2011 while simultaneously finishing his formal secondary education in writing and publication. Greg has the distinction of being the first employee that Singletracks ever hired, and he went on to serve for seven years, including five years in the Editor in Chief role. After a six-year hiatus, Greg is back at Singletracks, serving in the Managing Editor role.
While Greg has reviewed innumerable mountain bikes and products over the years, his true passion lies in writing about mountain bike trails and destinations. Greg has ridden over 8,000 trails and visited 21 countries (and counting). He recently spent four years traveling full-time, including two spent living in a camper van with his wife, Christine. In between epic trips, he now resides in Durango, Colorado.
Author snapshot
MTB Background and expertise
- Riding experience: Primarily trail and enduro, with experience including endurance XC, bikepacking, downhill, and gravel riding.
- Mountain biking since: 2005
- Number of trails ridden: 8,000+
- Number of countries visited: 21+
- Current stable: Pivot Switchblade V3, Pivot Vault, Scott Big Jon
Education and writing experience
- Bachelors of Arts, English: Writing and Publication, University of North Georgia
- Other publications: Strava, FATMAP, Dirt Rag Magazine, MTB Project, Hiking Project, GearJunkie, Outside 365
Fat bikes have revolutionized mountain biking by transforming winter from off-season to riding season, fundamentally changing how we think about year-round trail access.
Greg Heil argues that bike brands should stop spec'ing flimsy XC tires and instead equip all stock bikes with durable, wider trail tires.
Danny MacAskill returns to mountain biking in "A Wee Day Out," shredding Scottish countryside with innovative tricks across rooftops, train tracks, and bridge railings.
What are some important factors to consider for that first bikepacking adventure?
The Hincapie Fission Bib Knicker simplifies cold-weather riding with fleece-lined warmth, 3/4 length legs, and versatility as a standalone layer or winter base.
The Hincapie Fission Long Sleeve Jersey offers incredibly soft fabric and quality construction, but lacks the insulation and wind-blocking properties expected at its $100 price point.
Getting to know the pros and cons of the Pinion internally geared mountain bike drivetrain.
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**Bikepacking bags are exploding in popularity and utility, with 30 new options from brands like Revelate, Ortlieb, and Oveja Negra now perfect for day rides.**
Norco expands its plus-bike lineup with three new 27.5+ models: the Torrent FS+, Fluid FS+, and Fluid HT+ hardtail for 2017.
The US Forest Service proposes a cultural shift from defaulting to "no" toward "yes," potentially opening more trails and opportunities for mountain bikers.
The Wilier Triestina Jaroon+ pairs polished chromoly craftsmanship with 29+ wheels and drop bars in an unlikely but stunning $2,849 package.
The Pivot Switchblade delivers trail bike agility with enduro capability, swapping between 27.5+ and 29" wheels while proving short chainstays and plus clearance aren't mutually exclusive.
Greg Heil reflects on how elite athletes inspire us to push our own limits and pursue personal greatness instead of settling for average.
The Yakima DrTray hitch rack features independently adjustable trays on two axes, preventing bike-on-bike contact and accommodating any tire size up to 5 inches.
Marin's new Hawk Hill delivers modern geometry, 120mm travel, and quality components like a 1x10 drivetrain for just $1,499.
Gore's ultralight Windstopper jacket packs small, blocks wind impressively, and includes a hood, but the half-zip design and water resistance limitations may frustrate some riders.
High-end rental mountain bikes should come with tubeless tires to prevent flats and maximize precious riding time on your expensive vacation.
Sea Otter announces its first European event in Girona, Spain for June 2017, featuring racing, expo, and access to incredible Pyrenees singletrack.
Over 2,200 readers voted on their favorite mountain bikes and gear, revealing the most popular products actually ridden in 2016.
Reynolds 27.5 Enduro Carbon wheels pair bombproof carbon rims with Industry Nine hubs for stiff, responsive performance at a slightly lower price than ENVE.
After a full year of daily abuse on the trails and off, the Garmin Fenix 3 GPS watch proves durable, stylish, and reliably tracks every ride.
Here are a few options in Singletracks' style:
**Option 1:** Five new dropper posts from Eurobike 2016, including first-time offerings from e*thirteen, Fox, and Shimano with features from mechanical to electronic.
**Option 2:** Eurobike 2016 showcased five fresh dropper posts, with Fox, Shimano, and e*thirteen entering the increasingly competitive adjustable seatpost market.
**Option 3:** The dropper post market heats up with five new models at Eurobike, including maiden offerings from Fox, Shimano, and e*thirteen.
Box Components enters the drivetrain market with an innovative single-lever shifter and backward-swinging derailleur technology, offering competitive pricing against SRAM and Shimano.
Living near world-class Colorado trails, Greg Heil now travels not to find better riding, but to discover different trails and unique cultural experiences.
We spotted eight mountain bikes with gearbox drivetrains at Eurobike in 2016.
Yeti debuts their first 27.5+ bike with the SB5+, featuring redesigned geometry, elevated chainstays, and new affordable Carbon frame options starting at $4,699.
RST's new inverted Rebel fork offers 80-140mm travel for XC and trail bikes, competing with RockShox RS-1 while accommodating 27.5+ tires.
The RST Renegade fat bike fork offers 80-120mm travel with straight or tapered steerer options, filling a gap left by RockShox Bluto.
Despite losing Boulder-White Clouds trails to Wilderness designation, Sun Valley still offers hundreds of miles of epic singletrack worth riding.
Maxxis expands their retro Skinwall tire lineup with the popular Ikon XC tire, now available in 27.5" and 29" models with 2.2" width.
Rocky Mountain's new Suzi Q fat bikes feature 27.5-inch wheels and race-oriented geometry designed to shatter the "slow, plodding fat bike" stereotype.
Mike Van Abel has resigned as IMBA Executive Director after 12 years, with Dan Brillon serving as interim director while the board searches for a replacement.
Sun Valley offers 700+ miles of fast, flowy XC singletrack—rare these days—with the epic Osberg's Ridgeline delivering 33 miles of high-altitude riding through stunning burn zones.
Sun Valley, Idaho offers endless cross-country singletrack and surprisingly accessible mountain biking experiences, whether you're camping on a shoestring or staying downtown.
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**BLM investigation reveals Colorado wire incident was an old electric fence on unofficial cattle trail, not intentional booby trap.**
Switzerland's Nino Schurter and Sweden's Jenny Rissveds claimed XC mountain bike gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, both riding Scott's new ultralight Spark.
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Writing your Congressmen about mountain bike access in Wilderness areas isn't as hard as you think—and it might just make a real difference.
Hazardous obstacles were found at two popular Colorado mountain bike trail systems.
Specialized's revamped 2017 Enduro boasts slacker geometry, shorter chainstays, Öhlins suspension, and innovative SWAT storage integrating tools throughout the frame.
Intense's new Recluse trail bike features 140mm rear travel, updated I-Box pivot, Boost spacing, and a lightweight SL frame option.
Trek pledges over $1 million to NICA over five years, donating $1 per Bontrager mountain bike tire sold to support high school cycling programs.
Scott's new Spark Plus delivers 130mm of plush plus-sized trail capability at just 25.5 pounds, climbing efficiently while descending with confidence beyond its travel numbers.
Vail Resorts acquires Whistler-Blackcomb for $1.1 billion, adding the legendary bike park to its growing portfolio of mountain resorts.
Test riding the new SRAM 1x12 mountain bike drivetrain.
Intentionally set traps were found at a park in Northern New Jersey with spikes to puncture tires and injure riders.
No matter what you call them, hazards intentionally placed on trails to injure mountain bikers are not OK.
Terrene Tires is a new startup aiming to fill gaps in the mountain bike tire market with simplified "Light" and "Tough" construction options.
A homemade spike strip targeting mountain bikers was discovered near Camp Tamarancho, one of Marin County's few bike-legal trails, raising serious safety concerns.
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