SRAM’s GX Transmission is more refined than X0 and XX
Product Guides / Dan Perl / Jul 11, 2023
We smashed SRAM Transmission X0 with the equivalent of a hypersonic baseball, we tried to drown it underwater, and we sent it to outer space. It survived it all. Now, SRAM has released the GX version of this mountain bike drivetrain, so we're checking out what they've changed so you can decide if this $1,099 drivetrain is right for your ride.
Read MoreIbis HD6 Reviewed // An Enduro Bike for the Rest of Us
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Jun 27, 2023
The new Ibis HD6, with its more progressive DW-Link suspension system and mullet configuration, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of enduro racing. It checks all the boxes that Robin Wallner and the Ibis enduro team had set in place, and as of the time of publication of this article, has their team sitting in 6th overall, with Raphaela Richter sitting in 6th overall for women and Zakarias Johansen sitting in 15th overall for men. It excels not only on the descents but on the climbs as well, providing an exhilarating and confident ride on technical downhill sections and offering up a comfortable pedaling position and ample efficiency to help you up the hill with plenty left in the tank for another lap. With aesthetic and functional refinements to the frame, the HD6 is not only a sleek, sexy looking bike, but it’s one that is a pleasure to own and maintain.
Read MoreSRAM Transmission Reviewed | Everything You Need to Know
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Mar 21, 2023
I never liked SRAM AXS. It doesn’t shift better, it’s not much easier to set up, and it’s not more durable. It’s also way more expensive.
I've got to admit, at first I thought Transmission, SRAM's new electronic drivetrain, was just another meaningless update to get us to spend more money.
But then I realized that although it's still a derailleur, there are real performance improvements. After spending time on it, the fact of the matter is that SRAM Transmission is the best derailleur that I’ve ever used.
MTB Cockpit & Dropper Post Set-Up, and Why It’s Important
How To / Dan Perl / Sep 20, 2021
Ever wonder how the wide range of different height people fit into the small-XL bike sizing spectrum? A few key adjustments let you cater these four frame sizes to anyone, like changing the height of your stem.
Read MoreGX AXS Long-Term Review
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Sep 06, 2021
AXS is the cutting edge of bicycle technology, and if you're looking for the latest and greatest, then you should be on AXS. GX AXS is without any doubt the best value of the bunch, with no real downsides.
Read MoreThe Fanatik Enduro Team: Eric Olsen and Andrew Cavaye
Community / Dan Perl / Aug 16, 2021
Seeing Eric and Andrew, the Fanatik Enduro Team, push themselves on and off the track is inspiring, so we stopped to ask them a few questions about themselves, their bikes, and racing in general.
Read MoreMore Engagement: Not Always Better? DT Swiss 350 and 240 EXP Hubs
Product Guides / Dan Perl / Aug 02, 2021
We take a look at the Ratchet mechanism that makes the 350 such an amazing hub, as well as the newer Ratchet EXP design that the ultra-lightweight 240 hub runs. We also examine what has changed between the new and old versions, along with helping decide which is right for you.
Read MoreRace Report: 2021 North American Enduro Cup at Silver Mountain
Community / Dan Perl / Jun 16, 2021
At the 2021 North American Enduro Cup, our pro racers Eric Olsen and Andrew Cavaye threw down in a BIG way. Andrew pulled 10th place, only 1 min 23 seconds back from first (out of 40+ mins) and Eric was right behind him in 14th place.
Read MoreEvil Insurgent MX - Ridden and Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Jun 08, 2021
The Insurgent has always been Evil’s huckster, and has developed a cult following among folks who value the playfulness of 27.5” wheels, short chainstays, and a low center of gravity. Today, Evil launches their mulleted update, the Insurgent MX.
Read MoreMTB Wheels & Tubeless Tires | How are Wheels SO Light AND Strong?
How To / Dan Perl / May 17, 2021
Here we cover what could be the most interesting and is arguably the most important MTB component—wheels. Mountain bike wheels are special because they not only have to handle huge forces and stressors coming at them from every angle, but since you power them with your legs, they have to be very light. Many of the wheelsets we build weigh around 4 lbs.
Read MoreMTB Drivetrains | How Derailleurs, Chains, & Chainrings Work
How To / Dan Perl / May 04, 2021
In part 2 of Understanding Mountain Bikes, we’re looking into the component “system” that allows you to drive your bike forward. As a whole, this is called your drivetrain. Simply put, a bicycle drivetrain consists of a pedal-powered crank which turns the rear wheel using a chain and gears.
Read MoreMTB Frame Geo and Suspension | How They Work and Affect Your Ride
How To / Dan Perl / Apr 27, 2021
In Part 1 of Understanding Mountain Bikes, we’ll discuss the component system at the heart of a full-suspension mountain bike: The frame and suspension. These parts are the foundation for the rest of the build and determine how the bike will fit you and handle on the trail.
Read MoreReviewed: 2022 Fox 34 Step-Cast
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Apr 20, 2021
Dan reviews the all new Fox 34 Step-Cast, designed specifically for downcountry (i.e. aggressive XC) use, after spending some time with it mounted up on his Evil Following. Using technologies introduced last year in the 38, the 34 Step-Cast is stiffer, lighter, and more refined than ever.
Read MoreThe Ibis Ripley AF: The Best Bike for the Most People
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Jan 19, 2021
Every time I hop on the Ripley AF, other bikes seem to fade from my memory. This bike just fits. There’s no learning curve. The weight is distributed correctly, the suspension does what it’s supposed to do with no tinkering, the brakes are phenomenal… it all comes together in a crescendo of fun that, frankly, still astonishes me every time I ride it.
Read MoreEvil The Offering V2 Reviewed // Offering v. Wreckoning v. Following
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Dec 08, 2020
It's easy to find yourself looking at one of Evil's gorgeous new mountain bikes and asking yourself "do I want the light-weight Following, or maybe the welter-weight Offering? Or why not go all in and pick up the Rampage-ready Wreckoning?" In this comparison of Evil's three bikes, we find the answer to that very question.
Read MoreFinally, 200mm Drop! // The 2021 Fox Transfer Dropper Post, Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Nov 23, 2020
With its launch, the Transfer post bucked all the trends and gave us exactly what we wanted. Cable actuation. Internal routing. An incredibly smooth action, and internals that required very little maintenance. Now, for 2021, Fox has further refined the post and given us a model with 200mm of drop.
Read MoreIndustry Nine System Wheels: Explained & Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Aug 11, 2020
A Ferrari isn’t a Ferrari just because it’s fast. It has to look and sound the part, and when you mount a set of System Wheels up to your bike, that’s what you get -performance and aesthetics that a $600 wheelset simply can't match. Learn why in this review of Industry Nine's EN315 System wheels.
Read MoreRockShox ZEB - Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Jul 08, 2020
Bikes like the new Wreckoning are designed to be piloted down the roughest terrain without batting an eye, but that all starts with the fork. With the ZEB, RockShox introduces a purpose-built 38mm diameter single-crown fork to their line-up, created specifically to keep your front wheel tracking true no matter what you point yourself down.
Read MoreWhy Fox's 36 and 38 are so good, and Variable Valve Control (VVC) Explained
Product Guides / Dan Perl / Jul 07, 2020
2021 is the year that Fox Shocks opened the floodgates and let their engineers go wild. We see more changes in the product line-up than in any previous launch. Almost everything has been altered, from the X2 and DHX2 to the Transfer dropper, to the Fox 34, 36, 40, and a new enduro fork, the 38.
Read MoreTransition Spur / Revel Ranger - Reviewed and Compared
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Jun 30, 2020
These are bikes we think hit all the marks but that have slightly different heritage and sensibilities. We'll break down the differences and examine what might push you towards one or the other.
Read MoreTransition: 2020 Sentinel Rundown
Product Guides / Dan Perl / May 01, 2020
For 2020, Transition has refined the Sentinel into a weapon that is versatile and capable enough to be your sole bike. With sharp, fast lines, increased travel and progressivity, and a laundry-list of updated features, this bike should be high on your list of dream bikes.
Read More"Fusion Fiber" - A Stronger, Smoother Rolling Rim from Revel... And It's Recyclable
Product Guides / Dan Perl / Feb 27, 2020
Revel has launched their own line of rims, using a different kind of carbon thermoplastic that is not only stronger, lighter, and less brittle, but makes it the first rim whose life doesn't end in the landfill.
Read MoreTransition Patrol #OnCoil - Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Oct 29, 2019
This 160mm travel, long, slack, and low enduro sled using Speed Balanced Geometry, or SBG, which features reduced offset forks from Fox and Rockshox, long front centers, steep seat tube angles, and extremely short stems.
Read MoreRidden and Reviewed: Ibis Mojo HD5
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Sep 24, 2019
"I loved my HD4, but there were a few things that I wanted to be different; namely, I wanted a slightly longer reach without feeling more stretched out while pedaling, I wanted a slightly longer wheelbase, and I wanted a slacker head-tube angle. With the HD5 Ibis has addressed all those items, while making the bike a hair lighter and stiffer than before! I love it." - Dan at Fanatik
Read MoreIbis: Ripmo AF Review
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Sep 10, 2019
Introducing the Ripmo AF, Ibis's revised take on what a gnarly 29'er enduro bike could be. With a one-degree slacker head-tube than the carbon Ripmo, and the ability to run a coil-sprung shock, this bike is built to take on whatever abuse you can throw at it: days in the bike park, enduro races, or all day pedals.
Read MoreWho Is: Onyx Racing Products / Vesper Hub Update
Brand Highlights / Dan Perl / Jul 12, 2019
Sprag clutch equipped, & offered in every axle size and color combination imaginable, from Boost 148 to Super Boost.
Read MoreIbis Ripley 4 - Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Jun 15, 2019
Believe it or not, the Ripley has now entered its fourth generation. Once described by Ibis founder Scot Nicol as “the best bike for most people,” the Ripley is a 120mm rear travel 29’er, long beloved by riders and testers around the world.
Read MoreThe Relationship Between Fork Offset, Headtube Angle, and Wheel Size: Trail
How To / Dan Perl / May 16, 2019
Reduced offset forks - these have been the hot topic in the ever-changing world of mountain bikes this past year. First they showed up on Transition’s Speed Balanced Geometry bikes, then on the Ibis Ripmo, the Gen 4 Ripley, and slew of other bikes. Fork offset has always been a component of bike design, but until last year it was as un-glamourous as the length of your head-tube. This begs the question, why the sudden change in fork offsets, and why does everyone seem to care about it now? To understand that, let’s first take a look at what it is, and how it affects your bike.
Read MoreWho is: PUSH Industries & the ELEVENSIX
Brand Highlights / Dan Perl / Nov 16, 2018
If you are seeking pro-level suspension performance for your bike, the ELEVENSIX is the perfect piece of turnkey hardware- A no-fuss purpose built shock for your weight, your bike, and your riding style. Unmatched by any mass-produced suspension, if you want the best of the best, the ELEVENSIX is the first choice.
Read MoreBellingham YMCA Triobike Taxi
Community / Dan Perl / Sep 05, 2018
The Bellingham YMCA's Director of Healthy Living, approached us about helping source a Triobike passenger tricycle from the Danish company, we said "of course!"
Read MoreFreehub Magazine: Pillars of Bellingham
Community / Dan Perl / Sep 05, 2018
Freehub Magazine delves in to what makes these two self starters tick, and showcases their passion for the sport that brings us all together: mountain biking.
Read More2018 Juliana Ride Out
Community / Dan Perl / Aug 07, 2018
These gatherings bring together adventurous women for a day of learning, bonding, food, and of course, mountain biking!
Read More2018 Fanatik Dealer Demo Day - Recap
Community / Dan Perl / Jun 08, 2018
Every year Fanatik Bike Co. has a huge demo day for our customers, where we bring in all our bike brands and demo fleets to showcase the best of what they have to offer and let folks take the bikes out for some ride time.
Read MoreCane Creek Helm Fork - Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Jan 31, 2018
The Helm is designed to conquer aggressive trail, enduro racing, and anything in between. By isolating each damping and air spring adjustment, the Helm has the ability to be tuned for all typ...
Read MoreBell Super DH - Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Jan 17, 2018
The Super DH is the successor to Bell’s Super 3R. That helmet sought to capitalize on the “enduro” craze by offering a halfshell to which you could affix a chinbar.
Read MoreWho Is: ANVL Components
Brand Highlights / Dan Perl / Feb 22, 2017
ANVL is a maker of high quality mountain bike components, based right next door to us here in Bellingham, WA. From carbon and alloy handlebars to titanium railed saddles, they make everything you need to outfit your new enduro shred rig for your next adventure. Here we review their full line up, and talk with them about the future of MTB.
Read MoreFox Transfer Dropper - Midterm Review
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Dec 20, 2016
The Fox Transfer dropper seat post is the long-awaited update to their reliable but un-sightly D.O.S.S. post, and with it they have succeeded in creating a dropper that checks all the marks, from reliability and durability, to improved ergonomics and aesthetics. With internally and externally routed options, this reasonably priced post should definitely be on your short-list..
Read MoreMountain Bike Handlebar Setup
How To / Dan Perl / Nov 18, 2016
Setting up your mountain bike's handlebar and controls is crucial to making it feel comfortable and intuitive to ride. Get all the tips and tricks here.
Read MoreIbis Cycles: the Ripley LS and the Mojo 3 Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Sep 13, 2016
The Ibis Ripley LS 29'er and the Mojo 3 27.5+ mountain bikes are both strong contenders in today's trail bike market. Which is right for you?
Read MoreBicycle Theft and How to Avoid It
How To / Dan Perl / Aug 05, 2016
The first line of defense against bike theft is straight up common sense. The majority of these thefts are crimes of opportunity.
Read MoreBasic Mountain Bike Maintenance
How To / Dan Perl / Jul 13, 2016
With the tips that we'll run through in the following video clips, you can rest assured that your bike will run smoothly in between more in-depth maintenance intervals.
Read MoreWhat to do in case of a predatory animal encounter
How To / Dan Perl / Jul 12, 2016
Here in the Pacific Northwest we have had numerous recent reports of predatory animal sightings, from bears to mountain lions.
Read MoreEvil: The Insurgent and The Wreckoning Reviewed
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Mar 14, 2016
At this point you may be wondering: what does the Wreckoning do that the Insurgent doesn’t? Why might I want one versus the other?
Read MoreHow to Adjust the Geometry on your DELTA Suspension Evil
How To / Dan Perl / Mar 03, 2016
We are here today to discuss one of DELTA’s biggest strengths: adjustable geometry. Or in other words, the ability to transform your Evil from a playful, nimble...
Read MoreRaceface Love Handle Grip Review
Product Reviews / Dan Perl / Sep 15, 2015
It is a highly contoured grip, with the diameter tapering from 30mm in the middle of the grip to a thinner 28mm near the ends, before expanding to the love handles at the edges from which they derive their name.
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