Hope EVO Cranks // Comparing 155, 165, and 170mm Cranks for Mountain Biking

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Mar 04, 2024

Hope, as well as other manufacturers, have begun producing 155mm cranks, raising questions about the advantages of short cranks for mountain biking. Interested in determining the on-trail differences between 155, 165, and 170mm cranks, I have spent the past few seasons switching between all three sizes, riding any and all terrain accessible to my 150mm travel Stumpjumper Evo. There are perceivable differences between the three sizes on trail, with each providing a slightly different riding stance and riding characteristics. 

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The Best Dropper Post Gets Even Better // OneUp V3

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jan 16, 2024

The V3 has improved in every area, making it the lightest, longest, and smoothest functioning post. Suitable for every discipline, with sizes ranging from 90mm to 240mm, OneUp has built off feedback from their already successful V2. The V3 post is even lighter than other manufacturers’ “XC-specific posts” and is available in 30.9, 31.6, and 34.9mm diameters.

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Our Favorite Mountain Bike Helmets Reviewed // Staff Favorites

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jan 11, 2024

In the event of accidents or collisions, helmets provide a protective barrier, significantly reducing the risk of severe head trauma. Explore our extensive collection at Fanatik, where we offer a diverse range of helmets designed for optimal protection and comfort. Discover the perfect headgear for your next ride with recommendations from our staff and what they rely on to keep themselves safe on the trails.

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Perfect Gifts for a Mountain Biker // Holiday Gift Guide 2023

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Dec 05, 2023

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Top 5 Mountain Biking Tire Setups // Staff Favorites

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Nov 01, 2023

The quest for the ideal mountain bike tire isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Ultimately, it’s a blend of personal preference and terrain demands that culminate in the perfect tire selection, providing an on-trail feel that a rider can put their trust and cornering confidence into. 

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Crankbrothers vs. Shimano SPD // What is the Best Clip-In Pedal for Mountain Biking?

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Oct 13, 2023

Two prominent names dominate the clipless pedal landscape: Shimano and Crankbrothers. Each of these pedal systems offers unique features and benefits, catering to mountain bikers' varying needs and preferences.  

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The Best Mountain Biking Grips // 2023

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Oct 10, 2023

BK explores a selection of our grips and explains which one is right for you.

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Rocky Mountain Element Select Build // A True Do-it-All Mountain Bike

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Sep 22, 2023

The mountain biking industry has long been searching for the perfect balance between climbing efficiency and descending capability. While advances in bike geometry and componentry have narrowed the gap between cross-country and trail bikes more than ever before, they each come with their compromises.

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Wild Rye // Mountain Bike Apparel that Empowers Riders to Get Outdoors

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Sep 15, 2023

Wild Rye stands out as a beacon of inclusivity in an industry where apparel usually falls short of embracing the diversity of the human form. Their passion and commitment to ensuring every rider, regardless of background, age, size, or skill, feels comfortable and confident in riding attire is commendable. Their vision goes beyond selling clothes; it's about empowerment, allowing women+ riders to be themselves on and off their bikes unapologetically.

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The Best Hydration Packs for Mountain Biking // Staff Favorites

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jul 26, 2023

There are plenty of hydration storage solutions on the market, with styles varying from hydration vests, to hip packs, to Specialized’s SWAT systems. Along with the ability to carry more water, these pieces of kit provide ample storage space for essential gear, such as tools, first aid kits, snacks, extra clothing, and even small personal belongings, all conveniently within reach. I checked in with some of my co-workers to see how they prepare for big days out on the bike, which hydration systems they rely on to keep them going, and share my own setup as well. 

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Full-Suspension Mountain Bikes on Sale // Quality Bikes Under $4,000

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jul 25, 2023

It is rare to find three amazing mountain bikes such as the Stumpjumper Evo Comp, Stumpjumper Evo Alloy Comp, and Ibis Rimpo AF Deore available at such heavily discounted prices.

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Interview with Colton Peterson // Comparing the Ibis HD6 to the Ibis Ripmo

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jul 12, 2023

Ibis has released the all-new HD6, a mixed-wheel enduro bike sporting a 180mm up front and 160mm travel rear. For most riders, the HD6 will be a welcomed addition to the Ibis lineup as a long-travel bike capable of a big pedal or a day in the bike park. However, the HD6 is also a time-shaving race machine in the right hands. 

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Ibis Ripley V4S Bike Check // Compared to Stumpjumper EVO

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jul 12, 2023

The Ibis Ripley feels like a Ferrari with a little extra suspension. The bike really transfers power, and when you get on the pedals, it takes off. The shorter travel DW link platform also transfers pumping power to the trail very well, and you can carry speed on the bike. It is incredibly playful and poppy when descending, and you want to try to double the natural features on the trail.

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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.

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What to Wear Riding the Bike Park // Bike Park Essentials

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jun 19, 2023

Spring is quickly giving way to summer, bike park season is officially upon us. While getting a lift up the mountain and hooting and hollering your way down with friends is one of the best ways to spend time on two wheels, there's no denying that riding the bike park comes with an increased risk assumption. With higher average speeds and larger features than an average trail ride, crashes, and the associated injuries are significantly increased. Investing in the proper protection and gear for the bike park is well worth it.

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The Best Mountain Bike Pedals // Staff Favorites

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jun 02, 2023

While each component plays an integral role in creating a complete, rideable bike, one thing is for sure; it would be impossible to pedal a bike without the pedals. In a similar vein, a bad set of pedals can ruin a ride, leaving you riding with a fraction of your usual confidence. Below are five different pedals that our staff trust day in and day out. It’s worth noting that every product on this list can be found across several other employees’ bikes.

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Helmet Review // Fox Dropframe Pro and Speedframe Pro

Product Reviews  / BK Stancil / Mar 13, 2023

I recently tried the latest safety technology by testing Fox’s Dropframe Pro and Speedframe Pro helmets. These two models are Fox’s most advanced open-face helmets. I spent the past few months evaluating their safety features and how they fit, feel, and perform out in the woods. 

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Race Face ERA featuring All-New Internals

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jan 24, 2023

Race Face has just launched its latest carbon cranks, the ERA. Allegedly their most durable carbon cranks to date, we were intrigued by the updated construction. To get the juicy details, we cut them open to find out what's inside.

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Chromag RIZA / Pilot Product Guide

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jan 04, 2023

Chromag, a Whistler, B.C. based company has been creating beautifully crafted mountain biking components and frames for the past twenty years. The brand new RIZA stem and Pilot/Pilot BA clipless pedals are not just a continuation of the quality we have come to expect from Chromag but also a foray into a pedal type we've yet seen from them.

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Holiday Gift Guide for a Mountain Biker

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Dec 14, 2022

Holiday shopping is often stressful, especially if you are trying to find the perfect gift for a mountain biker. To help you navigate the confusion of mountain bike gift-giving, we've compiled a list of our top gifts.

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We Are One Arrival Giveaway Winner

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Nov 08, 2022

For the Arrival to be We Are One’s first venture into frame manufacturing, the final product is as refined as any other offering on the market. The culmination of many years of development and We Are One’s carbon craftsmanship, the Arrival is equal parts stunning and capable.

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Fanatik Rental Fleet Spotlight: Forbidden Druid

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Oct 06, 2022

My time on the Druid culminated in a day of pedaling the Garibaldi zone in Squamish, BC. Having ridden this area multiple times on my Transition Patrol, it provided an excellent baseline for comparing the Druid’s performance on rougher terrain. I rode all the same lines I typically would on my 160mm travel Patrol and quickly found myself up to my usual speeds. While the Druid isn’t a 160mm enduro bike, it certainly feels more similar to one than it does a short travel trail bike. 

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Ibis's First EBike: The Oso

Product Guides  / Dan Perl / Oct 04, 2022

Pedal-ability, playfulness, comfort, and confidence; these are traits that have made Ibis some of the most beloved mountain bikes in the game, characteristics that have shown through in their new ebike, the Oso.

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Competition for Fox's GRIP2 Damper? 2023 RockShox Forks and Shocks

Product Guides  / Dan Perl / May 26, 2022

Go on YouTube and search “How To Tune Your Bike Suspension,” and you’ll see a hundred different videos (including one of ours), because it’s pretty dang confusing. I think what really makes this update special is that RockShox has made it infinitely more intuitive and simple for the average person to change how their suspension feels.

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Revel Rail 29 // First Impressions

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Apr 26, 2022

Maintaining similar climbing characteristics to other bikes in their lineup, while allowing for more descending composure, the Rail29 delivers freshness to a category that is diluted by 63.5-degree headtube angles and an influx in high-pivot suspension.

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Wheels: The Unseen Component That Will Make or Break Your Ride

Product Guides  / Dan Perl / Apr 08, 2022

Wheels look simple but are astonishingly complex, and as the basis for your mountain bike, they are an incredibly important component.

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Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Alloy Comparison

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Mar 15, 2022

While the term “do it all bike” is overused in the cycling industry, the Specialized Stumpjumper Evo may be one of the most worthy bikes of that title.

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Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Alloy // Dream Build Bike Check

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Mar 07, 2022

We check in with Fanatik's General Manager, Joey, to see why he opted for an aluminum framed Stumpjumper EVO Alloy when he could have built any bike we carry.

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Forbidden Dreadnought // Dream Build Bike Check

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Jan 20, 2022

Since his first demo ride on a Druid, Rich was hooked by Forbidden’s high pivot witchcraft.

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Specialized Enduro // Dream Build Bike Check

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Dec 16, 2021

A 6’2” rider with a craving for bike park laps, our buyer Erik set out to create the ultimate long-travel machine for

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Revel Ranger // Dream Build Bike Check

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Nov 16, 2021

It only takes one glance at his one-of-a-kind custom Revel Ranger to realize that Bill Fritts knows bicycles. Having amassed 19 years in the cycling industry, with a lengthy background in road and XC racing, Bill set out to create his dream XC/trail machine.

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Transition's Mixed-Wheel Patrol // Long-Term Review

Product Guides  / BK Stancil / Oct 20, 2021

Since its initial release in 2015, Transition’s Patrol has established itself as the hard-charging, long-travel option in their line-up. While it has received incremental updates over the years, the 2021 model has been thoroughly revamped.

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More 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.

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SRAM Eagle AXS Wireless Drivetrains Compared: GX vs. XX1 and X01

Product Guides  / Dan Perl / Mar 30, 2021

We take a look at SRAM's new GX Eagle AXS drivetrain and compare it to its pricier XX1 and X01 counterparts in order to determine which one is right for you. In this review we look at build materials, weights, mechanical differences, and functional differences.

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Why 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.

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Transition: 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.

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"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.

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The lowdown on Shimano XTR M9100

Product Guides  / Jadyn W. / Feb 14, 2019

Shimano stepped up to the plate with a whopping 10-51T range on the M9100 “Wide Range” cassette. That’s a 510% gearing range, which slightly edges out SRAM Eagle by 10%.

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Who 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.

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Custom Industry Nine Wheels - All You Need to Know

Product Guides  / Jadyn W. / Nov 09, 2016

We take quite a lot of pride in our wheel building program here at Fanatik. We’ve recently partnered with Industry Nine as their exclusive USA wheel building pa...

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Ibis 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?

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