Syd has been riding and wrenching on mountain bikes since 1987 when he picked up his very first Rocky Mountain bike. He's an educator and mechanical expert who has written hundreds of MTB how-tos and product reviews.
THE Industries' new T2 full face helmet combines lightweight composite construction, luxe interior finishing, and aggressive styling with serious ventilation and protection.
The 25th annual Toronto bike show featured new 2011 mountain bikes from major brands, indoor competitions, and hints at Vitess's upcoming high-end 29er.
Easton's revamped Havoc line delivers lightweight, precision-machined stems and bars with innovative features like DST clamping and Taperbore technology for aggressive riders.
A custom-built Banshee Legend II downhill racer featuring premium components from Mavic, Rockshox, and SRAM, weighing in at just 37 pounds.
POC's Trabec Race helmet brings Swedish safety innovation to XC/AM riding with aramid fiber construction and premium protection at $175.
Indoor bike parks like Joyride 150 are drawing kids as young as three, offering a safe space to develop skills and host parties.
SRAM's 9-speed and 10-speed X0 drivetrains both deliver excellent shifting performance for freeride and downhill applications, though 10-speed setup requires more precision.
The Mavic Razor offers race-shoe performance with comfortable fit, aggressive grip, and smart design features at a wallet-friendly $130 price point.
RockShox's Vivid Air RC2 delivers coil-like performance with a massive 400-gram weight savings, making it a game-changer for gravity riders seeking pinned descents.
The CycleOps Joule 2.0 computer upgrades the PowerTap system with an intuitive interface, ANT+ compatibility, and comprehensive PowerAgent software for serious training analysis.
Avid's redesigned 2011 Code brakes shed weight and bulk while gaining improved modulation, making them ideal stoppers for gravity-focused riders.
Truvativ's Descendant crankset delivers DH-worthy strength at just 822 grams, undercutting competitors like Saint and Atlas FR while maintaining bomber stiffness.
Winter is the perfect time to wrench on your bike, and the Topeak D-Torq DX digital torque wrench makes proper maintenance easier than ever.
The 5.98lb RockShox BoXXer WC is likely the lightest 200mm DH fork available, featuring reduced friction, refined damping, and exceptional performance.
The Topeak JoeBlow Mountain floor pump's oversized barrel pumps high volume at lower pressures, making it ideal for seating tubeless mountain bike tires.
SRAM's X9 group delivers smooth, race-ready performance with versatile 2x10 or 3x10 options, matching graphics, and impressive Elixir CR brakes at mid-range pricing.
Motorex Bike Line products offer a complete maintenance system from grease to degreaser, designed to work together for optimal performance.
After months of anticipation and meticulous assembly, the Banshee Legend II project bike is finally complete and ready to shred downhill trails.
The Julbo Dirt sunglasses feature fast-acting photochromatic Zebra lenses and a burly frame designed to enhance contrast and withstand mountain biking abuse.
We tested FRS Healthy Energy products on the trail to see if quercetin-based supplements deliver sustained energy without the typical energy drink jitters.
The Xpedo Hurtle 12 pedals offer clipless-level security with their concave platform design, while the MXS shoes work best for dirt jumping.
THE Industries' Storm protective gear delivers solid crash protection at a reasonable price, proven through real-world impacts including a gnarly 10-foot step-down crash.
Light & Motion's redesigned Seca 1400 pumps out 1400 lumens with an improved beam pattern, low-profile mount, and smart charger for $699.
Five Ten Karver shoes deliver unmatched grip and protection for gravity riders, with reinforced toe box, ankle support, and Stealth rubber outsoles for $115.
After two years of hard riding, frame fatigue cracks signal it's time for a warranty replacement and a lesson in identifying wear.
Mavic upgrades their mid-level Crosstrail wheelset for 2011 and expands into cycling computers, shoes, and apparel with help from parent company Salomon.
Shimano's new XTR drivetrain with Dyna-Sys technology optimizes chainring ratios around the middle ring for better shifting performance and suspension efficiency.
SRAM showcases their 2011 mountain bike component lineup at Interbike, featuring lightweight XX groups, versatile X0 and X9 options, and improved CODE brakes.
THE Industries debuts the lightweight T2 Carbon helmet at Interbike with 17 vents, removable liner, and metallic hardware at just 1000 grams.
RaceFace unveils ultralight carbon SixC and Next SL cranks, colorful Deus handlebars, and stealthy components in their 2011 lineup at Interbike.
Saris showcases upgraded Powertap head units and the user-friendly BPH2 hitch rack with adjustable fittings at Interbike.
Canadian bike maker Banshee unveils their 2011 lineup of purpose-built mountain bikes, from DJ hardtails to 8-inch downhill race machines.
Fox previews 2011 suspension lineup at Interbike, featuring new Kashima coating, redesigned 180mm fork, improved TALAS options, and prototype telescoping seatpost.
Kore mountain bike components have been around since 1988, offering an extensive lineup including handbuilt wheels, wide bars, and innovative I-Beam saddles.
Hayes Group showcases new gear at Interbike including Manitou's Marvel fork, Prime brakes with adjustable poppet cam, and Sun Ringle's carbon XC-AM wheels.
The Hive collective showcased an impressive lineup at Interbike, featuring Chub's hollow carbon hubs, e*thirteen's streamlined chain retention devices, and innovative cranks.
Formula expands beyond their acclaimed brake systems for 2011, introducing two-piece rotors, lightweight wheels, and XC suspension forks with signature Italian styling.
POC expands its 2011 lineup with the versatile Trabec helmet, new sky blue colorways, sunglasses, apparel, and a Danny MacAskill signature lid.
European brand iXS brings over a century of experience to their 2011 mountain bike apparel and protective gear lineup for riders.
South African bike maker Morewood debuts a split-pivot trail bike prototype and updated Makulu DH rig with refined welding and integrated brake mounts.
Spank Industries debuts lighter, stronger components at Interbike including innovative Ooh-Bah rim profiles, ultra-wide 40mm rims, and low-profile Spike pedals at just 400 grams.
Giro's redesigned Roc-Loc 5 retention system makes the Athlon helmet lighter, more adjustable, and incredibly comfortable for all-day mountain biking adventures.
Candy Component Group brings colorful, performance-driven headsets, pedals, handlebars, and stems to mountain biking from an experienced industry veteran.
WTB debuts their complete TCS tubeless wheel system, featuring matching lightweight rims, spokes, hubs, and tires for customizable XC-Trail performance.
Gore's Countdown shorts feature removable Cytech padding and five pockets, while the Summer gloves offer multi-panel palms with strategic padding for XC-Trail riders.
The MagicShine GMG Special 900 PLUS delivers solid night riding performance at just $89, making high-powered LED lighting accessible to budget-conscious mountain bikers.
Formula's 2011 R1 brakes deliver exceptional modulation and lightweight performance for XC and all-mountain riders seeking premium stopping power without the weight penalty.
Fanatik Bike Co. offers custom mountain bike builds through an online form, allowing riders to specify every component for their perfect ride.