Clothes & Gear Reviews Archives

Review: Giro Blaze winter mountain biking shoes

The Giro Blaze is a sleek, warm, weatherproof winter mountain bike shoe that’s comfy in a wide temperature range. Now, if only they made it…

Written by Tyler Benedict February 16, 2023

Unique Vents Give the New Bell Full 10 Spherical DH helmet Impressive Ventilation

I’ll never forget Bell’s print ads from the 90’s, cleverly asking “Is your kid wearing $100 shoes and a $10 helmet?” If you agree your…

Written by Steve Fisher February 16, 2023

First Look: Vaude TVL Sykkel Bike Shoes are Modern ATB Classics

A while back I was scrolling through my pal Erick Cadeno’s Instagram page – which is great inspiration to travel by bike more. While doing…

Written by Ron Frazelle January 25, 2023

First Rides: Apidura Cargo Cage Adapts Anything with 2- or 3-Bolt Expandable Mount

Another product out of their bikepacking Innovation Lab, the new modular Apidura Cargo Cage is a transformer, telescoping to mount to either 2-bolt or 3-bolt…

Written by Cory Benson December 12, 2022

Bikerumor Editor’s Choice 2022 – Cory’s Best Bike & Gear Awards

OK, another wild year in the books. 2022 started with remnants of two years of chaos, then gradually edged back towards ‘before-times’ normal. What that…

Written by Cory Benson December 09, 2022

AARN Uses NYLAARN Bio-Plastic to Create Premium Sports Sunglasses with Screw-less Hinge

A few weeks ago I was roaming the aisles of the Philly Bike Expo gawking and drooling over all of the beautiful bicycles and accessories. While…

Written by Ron Frazelle November 29, 2022

ABUS MoDrop QUIN Smart MTB Helmet Sends Crash Notifications & Tracks Ride Data | Review

This year I was able to try some high-tech cycling products, and one I was particularly stoked about was the ABUS MoDrop QUIN smart helmet.…

Written by Steve Fisher November 25, 2022

Cooking Downhill (with Butter!) in Specialized Gravity DH Gear | Review

This spring when Specialized released the Loic Bruni signature Butter Collection, they set me up with the whole Butter kit plus a bunch of other…

Written by Steve Fisher November 23, 2022

New Shimano RX8R Gravel Shoes Rally w/ Integrated Gaiter, Updated RX8 Gets Half Sizes!

Tired of getting bits of gravel and sand in your shoes when things get a bit loose? So was Shimano Soft-Goods Product Manager, Jessie Gascon.…

Written by Zach Overholt October 17, 2022

All-new Ass Savers Win Wing rear fender offers better, more versatile protection – Review

Ass Savers’ newest Win Wing is targeted squarely at protecting the butts of gravel riders from mud & rain, yet this new strap-on rear fender…

Written by Cory Benson October 14, 2022

First Impressions: Rapha Trail Gore-Tex Infinium Jacket for MTB

In timely fashion, Rapha has added the Trail Gore-Tex Infinium Jacket to its Performance Trailwear Collection for MTB. It is, first and foremost, a water-resistant…

Written by Jessie-May Morgan September 29, 2022

Review: Lazer Jackal KinetiCore Mountain Bike Helmet (Updated)

Editor’s Note: The original review described a flaw with the vertical adjustment of the retention system. This problem has now been resolved by Lazer, with…

Written by Jessie-May Morgan July 27, 2022

Review: The Bell XR Spherical Helmet is one of our new favorites for gravel & adventure rides

Where will it take you? That’s the tagline Bell is using for their new XR Spherical helmet, and for an adventure focused-helmet, it seems to…

Written by Zach Overholt July 19, 2022

Review: Leatt AirFlex Women’s Body, Chest & Back Protection for MTB

Extreme Sports protection specialists, Leatt, offer no fewer than 12 upper body protection garments for mountain biking, with variations that protect the rider’s chest, back,…

Written by Jessie-May Morgan July 01, 2022

Review: Five Ten Sleuth DLX Canvas MTB Shoes Flex for Grip

Since getting the Five Ten Sleuth DLX Canvas shoes in for testing, I’ve received a number of comments from my riding buddies including, “Did you…

Written by Jessie-May Morgan June 30, 2022

Review: Are Rapha Knee Pads comfortable, breathable and protective?

There’s a fair bit of trial and error required when it comes to finding the perfect set of knee pads for trail riding. They need…

Written by Jessie-May Morgan June 24, 2022

Review: Muc-Off Stealth Tubeless Puncture Plugs are silent and sufficient

Having a reliable tubeless puncture repair kit close to hand is important on any bike ride, as even my go-to Orange Seal won’t seal a…

Written by Jessie-May Morgan June 22, 2022

Review: Kinetic inRide H1 may be the lightest Heart Rate Monitor, and lighter IS better!

Indoor bike trainer maker Kinetic has a new inRide H1 chest strap heart rate monitor, calling it the lightest on the market. Reading that claim,…

Written by Cory Benson June 10, 2022

Review: Specialized S-Works Torch road shoes live up to the hype

Like a good saddle, shoes that disappear during the ride are the kind of thing that makes every ride better. No hot spots or numbness,…

Written by Tyler Benedict May 24, 2022

First Impressions: Rapha Trail Fast + Light Shorts and Lightweight Tank

Rapha has recently expanded its Performance Trailwear for Mountain Biking, adding the Fast + Light Collection dedicated to hotter, sunnier climes. The range covers men’s…

Written by Jessie-May Morgan May 17, 2022

Review: Cycorld’s MTB shorts and chamois lack top notch looks, but perform well for their price

Mountain biking is not a cheap sport, and it’s nice to see companies like Cycorld seeking to provide decent quality riding gear at lower price…

Written by Steve Fisher May 16, 2022

Review: The Road Runner Bags Anything Pack for almost… well, Anything

I am a huge fan of bike bags, sacks, and backpacks. Usually, when I buy these types of goods, I like shopping the small boutique…

Written by Ron Frazelle May 13, 2022

Apidura Racing Handlebar Pack straps on small easy-access bar bag for fast rides – First Look Review

Apidura has added one more bar bag to their bikepacking line-up with the small & simple Racing Handlebar Pack. Developed for faster-moving road, gravel &…

Written by Cory Benson May 12, 2022

Review: Ride Concepts Tallac Clip mountain bike shoe rocks in Nepal

Protection, efficiency, comfort, and good looks–I try to balance all three when shopping for new bike shoes. Ride Concept’s Tallac Clip checks all the boxes.…

Written by Berne Broudy May 10, 2022

Review: Trek’s RSL and Velocis cycling kits deliver eco-friendly performance, comfort

Launched in April, the new Trek Clothing takes their cycling kit efforts up a notch, with sustainable fabric selections, higher performance fits, and solid styling.…

Written by Jordan Villella May 10, 2022

QUOC Chelsea Boot slip-on clipless cycling shoes for city commuting, gravel & beyond

Quoc’s new slip-on Chelsea Boot is a flexible clipless cycling shoe for riders seeking a smooth transition on & off the bike, from commuting to…

Written by Cory Benson April 27, 2022

Quoc Gran Tourer II dials in upgraded all-rounder gravel shoes: How do they stack up against the originals?

Quoc is back with a new generation of Gran Tourer II gravel shoes, lighter and more refined, now featuring dial retention, an overhauled upper design,…

Written by Cory Benson April 13, 2022

KAV reprints massively improved 3D-Printed Portola Cycling Helmet

Will the future of cycling helmets materialize from a 3D printer? KAV Sports certainly thinks so. With a background in 3D-printed hockey helmets, KAV set…

Written by Zach Overholt April 12, 2022

Review: All-new Ortlieb Seat-Pack QR stabilizes core bikepacking saddle bag with easier setup

Ortlieb’s new Seat-Pack QR reimagines how bikepacking saddlebags can be attached, introducing new quick-release mounting that is both simple & surprisingly stable. The fully waterproof,…

Written by Cory Benson April 07, 2022