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Giro Manifest Spherical Open Face Helmet
Overall Review
Brand new halo products don't come around often, and when they do it's worth taking note. The Manifest Spherical represents countless hours of design and thorough vetting in the Dome – Giro and Bell's widely regarded test lab. It has a two-piece EPS liner with progressive layering to better manage high- and low-speed impacts. The two layers can rotate around one another like a ball and socket, something not often seen before. It also vents incredibly well, providing 7% better cooling than their proven Montaro MIPS lid. Join Zach Petersen in the video above for a look at what makes it stand out...
Posted by TrailPeek on 5/7/2020 12:11am
2020 Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana Race Bike
Vital Review
Overall Review
Just last year, Guerrilla Gravity launched a fresh line of bikes featuring an easy-to-convert frame platform and a new material technology called Revved Carbon. Today they're pleased to show the full range of what their system is capable of by introducing the fifth bike built around a shared front triangle, chainstays, and linkage. Hop onboard with Vital MTB in the video above for a closer look and ride impressions. It has a point-and-shoot attitude and could not care less about what's between points A and B. Strengths Weaknesses Potential for five bikes in one High-speed stability Robust...
Posted by bturman on 4/11/2020 5:39pm
Crankbrothers Synthesis E Alloy Wheels
Overall Review
Last year Crankbrothers introduced the Synthesis line of carbon wheels, and in doing so they really brought to light how some added compliance in a front wheel can be a very beneficial thing. Pair that with a stiffer rear wheel and you get a bike that simply rides better through most mountain bike terrain – something Crankbrothers has proven with lots of blind testing. Today they are excited to unveil the aluminum counterpart, and we're joined by MTB Savant in the video above for a first look and first ride. Compliant Front Stiff Rear Wider, lighter aluminum rim Fewer, lighter spokes Lower...
Posted by bturman on 2/11/2020 8:50am
TRP DH7 Rear Derailleur
Overall Review
Over the past four years, TRP has been researching, prepping, prototyping, and testing a new drivetrain. You've no doubt seen it in use at the World Cup level, beginning with fast man Aaron Gwin and his mechanic, John Hall, both of whom had considerable influence on the final design and features. Today the DH7 downhill derailleur and shifter move past the race-driven development phase and officially launch to the public. TRP DH7 Highlights 7-speed system on 11-speed spacing Designed for downhill bikes Hall Lock - Locks main pivot bolt to prevent derailleur from lifting, slapping, and making...
Posted by bturman on 9/3/2019 6:59pm
2020 Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon CC X01
Vital Review
Overall Review
Inits debut, the Santa Cruz Hightower developed a bit of a reputation for being a “dad bike.” It was a pretty good all-rounder that just seemed to lack a certain amount of excitement surrounding its geometry and capability. Fast forward to now… dad grows a beard, gets some neck tats and starts running drugs for the cartel. Santa Cruz made sure dad’s bike is getting all the high-speed rowdiness he needs for his fresh persona with the newly updated Hightower. Strengths Weaknesses Gets up on command and hangs tough in the rough Impressive climbing efficiency Planted and composed Added reach makes...
Posted by dstucki on 7/1/2019 5:08pm
2019 Santa Cruz Megatower CC X01 29 Reserve
Vital Review
Overall Review
The time has come to unveil the latest weapon in the Santa Cruz Bicycles arsenal. Meet the Megatower – a bike that is a big enough departure from its predecessor that it deserves its own name. From some perspectives, the Santa Cruz Hightower LT was a compromise, and the race-driven brand knew they could do better. The Megatower is their answer. Strengths Weaknesses Absolutely hauls in wide open bits Added shock compatibility Great tuning options for trail/rider demands Calm, quiet pedaling response that feels very efficient for a 160mm bike Uninterrupted pedal strokes over roots and rocks...
Posted by bturman on 3/15/2019 5:07am
Fly Racing WERX Full Face Helmets
Vital Review
Overall Review
The Werx helmet from Fly Racing has been out for a couple of seasons already, but for 2019 the company decided to overhaul the range and introduce the Imprint version. At just 950 grams it is one of the lightest carbon full face DH helmets on the market today. It features great ventilation and a precise fit, while safety features like MIPS and quick release cheek pads show that Fly has also taken your well-being equally seriously. Check out the highlights and our video review below to see the new lid in action and find out how we’ve been getting along with it. Strengths Weaknesses Very light...
Posted by iceman2058 on 2/25/2019 4:11am
2019 Niner RIP 9 RDO 27.5 4-Star Bike
Vital Review
Overall Review
Itis time to lift the curtain on the new Niner RIP 9 RDO. This bike has 140mm of rear travel, 150mm up front, and it comes with a frame specifically designed around each wheel size. That means the 27.5 version isn't just small wheels slapped into the same frame, but a purpose-built frame to suit the wheel size. This is the part where we let Kirt Voreis take over to introduce the new rides: "Why didn’t we just make a 29er that also fits 27.5-inch wheels? Because compromises. If we’re going to do something so big (or should we say, small?) and so contrary to our brand history, dammit, we’re...
Posted by bturman on 2/5/2019 4:30am
Fox Racing Attack Water Pants
Vital Review
Overall Review
There is no bad weather, only bad clothes. Fox Racing has really taken that mantra to heart over the last two years, introducing an impressive collection of riding apparel meant to keep you warm and dry when things take a nasty turn outside. A pair of full rain pants was still missing from the line-up however, so to address that particular shortcoming Fox launched the Attack Water pants for the 2018/2019 winter season. We’ve been getting them dirty in order to be able to tell you what we think of them, read on to find out! Fox Racing Attack Water Highlights TruSeal advanced weather protection...
Posted by iceman2058 on 12/12/2018 10:38am
Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Fork
Vital Review
Overall Review
Within the industry, there have been countless products which have altered the way we perceive mountain biking. Well before Boost spacing, dropper posts, and even mountain bike specific 10-speed drivetrains, a motorcycle suspension company dabbling in mountain bikes pioneered suspension as we know it. They replaced elastomers with coil springs and open bath dampers, 26-28mm diameter stanchions with 30mm, and nearly doubled the industry standard travel for single crowns. The weapon that housed these changes was called Z1. Fast-forward two decades and the Z1 has been reborn. The goal for the new...
Posted by dirtworks911 on 10/14/2018 7:46pm
Crankbrothers Synthesis E11 Carbon Wheelset
Vital Review
Overall Review
Ask anyone with lots of carbon wheel experience and they'll express a preference for stiffness or compliance. It's a surprisingly polarizing topic. What happens when you combine those two worlds into one wheelset, with a stiff rear and compliant front? Agreement across the board during blind testing. This revelation lead to the creation of the new Crankbrothers Synthesis wheels. Recognizing the potential to improve their wheelsets, Crankbrothers invested in two forward-thinking individuals from varying schools of thought. Jason Schiers, one of the co-founders of ENVE, long held the belief that...
Posted by bturman on 10/1/2018 10:18am