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Öhlins TTX22M Rear Shock
The Good

Great small bump sensitivity, improved backend braking considerably

The Bad

Nothing really - After 2 years finally running a bit rough and sending back for Ohlins for a tune (this is to be expected)

Overall Review
I bought this as my first coil 2 years ago for my Spec Enduro 2017. I immediately felt much more confident on the bike as during braking the rear end felt glued to the ground. The only downside to coils is having to switch the actual coil if someone else is riding your bike like my 14 year old son or if you lose 20 pounds. No problems with the Ohlin coil to date. Doing first service now, shipped back to Ohlins in NC, USA.
Posted by BrionesBandit on 10/28/2020 9:09am
Kona Wah Wah 2 Plastic Flat Pedal
The Good

Weight Pins (grip) Comfort of platform shape Price Thinness

The Bad

None yet only owned a month

Overall Review
Really nice . First time I’ve gone plastic (weight and price). Replaced some twice price uncomfortable HT AE03 Alloy Pedals which felt horrible and the bearings/bushings didn’t hold up.
Posted by rEs on 9/27/2020 9:57pm
RockShox ZEB Ultimate 2021 Fork
Vital Review
Overall Review
Featuring 38mm stanchions and travel lengths up to 190mm, it's clear the all-new RockShox ZEB is ready for business. As enduro race bikes gain additional travel and courses get rowdier, demands on forks increase. The same is true in the rapidly evolving eMTB space. The ZEB looks to meet those needs head-on with a robust, chiseled-looking package and impressive performance traits. In this Tech Talk Q&A podcast, Vital MTB's Brandon Turman calls up RockShox Product Manager, Jon Cancellier, to discuss the ins and outs of the ZEB fork. The two cover everything from stiffness considerations to how...
Posted by bturman on 7/7/2020 5:38am
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
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
Zipp 3ZERO MOTO Wheelset
Overall Review
Earlier this year we had the opportunity to spend some time aboard Zipp’s 3ZERO MOTO wheelset. While our initial impressions were mostly positive, we knew that a more thorough test was required to offer an educated opinion on whether or not Zipp’s claims of compliance and traction were marketing jargon or legitimate improvements over traditional wheelsets. Since our initial piece, our 3ZERO MOTO wheels have been used and abused throughout the Sea to Sky corridor of British Columbia and made the trip to World Championships at Monte Sainte Anne. They have put in miles on a short-travel Norco...
Posted by hurricanejoel on 12/13/2019 10:28am
7iDP Sam Hill Knee Pad
The Good

Fit is outstanding, comfortable, solid protection

The Bad

They rip easy, firm when cold.

Overall Review
I have no issues going on a 4 hour ride with these on, provided it is not too hot. They stay in place and seem to provide a good level of protection for trail and enduro riding. I haven't put that claim to use yet though. They are also super easy to clean. I've had these for a year, and the two major complaints I have is that the rear mesh rips very easily and they are stiff when cold. My flat pedals grazed them a couple times on hike a bikes and they are all ripped in the rear now. It doesn't affect the fit or if they move though. Second, when it is cold forget putting these on, they are...
Posted by jasbushey on 12/10/2019 8:16am
7iDP Sam Hill Knee Pad
The Good

So Comfortable that I wear them on every ride, Stay put, Pedal friendly, Good coverage and protection for as light as they are. Have proven to be very durable.

The Bad

Can be stiff until they warm up in colder weather. Protection isn’t as good as beefier pads.

Overall Review
I’ve had these pads for over a year now. I have crashed many times with them. My new bike has given me loads of confidence which has lead to some brutal crashes. Tomahawking through rock gardens high speed slide outs dead mans you name it. These pads brushed off most hits without fault and still look new. For a light weight pad they do a great job. But I still got some pretty bad brush burns and even open wounds on higher impact crashes. But these would have been way worse without pads. Some of my hardest crashes where on fast flowy single tracks where I would normally be tempted to not wear...
Posted by TheRealist on 11/27/2019 8:22am
Kona Wah Wah 2 Plastic Flat Pedal
The Good

Wide platform, concave shape, light weight, great price

The Bad

Not alloy if you don't get along with composites

Overall Review
I first learned of the Wah Wah 2's when I was researching Catalyst pedals. I've been riding flats exclusively for over 15 years and wanted a wider platform for more power and support. As a lighter rider (145lbs, 150-155 kitted up) and somewhat of a weight weenie, I didn't want the weight penalty of a 500g pedal. Enter the Wah Wah 2. At 360 grams for the composite version, it had everything I was looking for - a large and wide concave platform, thin profile, light weight, a good amount of pins and half the cost of most alloy pedals in this class. The pedals are 120 x 118 x 13 mm thick. At the...
Posted by missinglink on 11/10/2019 11:28am
Nukeproof Horizon CS/CL Clipless Pedals
The Good

Durability, Adjustable, Lots of Colors, Lots of Support

The Bad

Difficult To Set Up, Paint Quality

Overall Review
For the past couple of years now I have been always a flat pedal rider. They better suited my riding styles as I spend most of my time hitting jumps. Over the past year, I have been spending more time racing and riding rougher trails and I started to look into the benefits of clipless pedals. Finally, after a bunch of research, I decided to purchase the Nukeproof Horizon CL Clipless Pedalss (the DH ones) for my enduro bike. These pedals would be my first introduction to the world of clipless pedals, so it was very important to me that I choose the correct pedals. I wanted my pedals to have a...
Posted by AlexTeo on 10/27/2019 10:52am
7iDP Sam Hill Knee Pad
The Good

Lightweight Comfortable to wear all day Never slides around Comfortable to pedal in

The Bad

Not as durable as a full blown downhill knee pad A bit pricey

Overall Review
I got these to wear on some of my local trail rides so that I had a little more protection and was able to push a bit harder. I’ve worn these all summer and even in Kentucky’s 90 degree weather plus humidity I was able to wear these all day comfortably. Even in the heat I forgot they were on and didn’t mind the uphill pedal in them to get to the downhills. They were so comfortable I almost wore them to my trip to whistler but they are a lighter pad and I was afraid they may not be sufficeint on more jagged rocks but for trail rides and even flow trails I think they are perfect. I own a bulkier...
Posted by jaturner1024 on 9/13/2019 6:34pm
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
e*thirteen TRS (2018) Tires
The Good

-Not the most expensive even at MSRP -Good rubber that seems to last -Good flat resistance

The Bad

-Rolling resistance vs grip ratio

Overall Review
Those who have read some of my reviews probably know that I am quite picky on everything, but tires are the part that keep me the busiest. I had originally purchased the new revisited 2018 E Thirteen TRS+ tires from JensonUSA, but after seeing pictures and reading reviews, the new squarer shape turned me off a bit. Before even mounting them on, I heard that they still had some of the “Classic” version in stock at E Thirteen. Shortly after, I saw that Jenson had them in stock for a closeout price, so I took advantage of their returns policy, returned my 2018 and bought 2 pairs of the older...
Posted by mntnmrtn on 8/31/2019 7:31pm