Component Reviews

Initial Review: One big month with Mavic’s 2012 Crossmax ST wheelset

With virtually all of New Mexico’s public lands in flames (or rightfully closed for the fear of them), early July was a perfect time to…

Written by Marc Basiliere August 02, 2011

Review: X-Fusion O2 RCX rear shock

Along with the Velvet suspension fork reviewed last month, X-Fusion (house brand of Taiwanese shock builder to the stars APro Tech) recently sent out a…

Written by Marc Basiliere July 28, 2011

Review: Avid Shorty Ultimate Cross Brake

It’s July, it’s hot, and yet I have already heard murmurs of the upcoming cross season which must mean Fall is just around the corner.…

Written by Zach Overholt July 26, 2011

Initial Reactions: Ritchey Design WCS Cockpit + Fork

Word of warning: When acquiring a retired club team racing bicycle, expect that it is going to require a lot of work. A lot. Of…

Written by Bikerumor Staff July 25, 2011

Review: Michelin Krylion Carbon tires

Ridden hard and put away dirty. I’m probably not alone in describing my road bike, which sees near-daily commuting use, in this way. With a…

Written by Marc Basiliere July 06, 2011

Review: 2012 Specialized Ground Control Mountain Bike Tires

When our surprise package showed up, we quickly weighed and photo’d Specialized’s new Ground Control mountain bike tires and mounted them up. I’ve run them…

Written by Tyler Benedict July 04, 2011

Project 24 Review: Fi’zi:k Aliante Versus saddle

See all of our Project 24 posts and reviews here! Nobody likes the dreaded sleepy pee-pee. Sure, it’s a nice sensation to stand and feel…

Written by Marc Basiliere July 01, 2011

Review: X-Fusion Velvet RL 130 suspension fork

130mm travel. 15mm thru axle. An actual weight of 3.8lb (with thru-axle). External Lockout. External rebound damping adjustment. Checks all the right boxes, doesn’t it?…

Written by Marc Basiliere June 29, 2011

First Look! 2012 Mavic Crossmax ST wheelset

Hot on the heels of Tyler’s introductory post comes a package from the good folks at Mavic containing a set of 2012 Crossmax ST wheels …

Written by Marc Basiliere June 23, 2011

First Impression: XTR Shadow Plus Rear Derailleur

While out at the Shimano XT press camp in Tahoe, I had the chance to ride a bike that was equipped with the new XTR…

Written by Zach Overholt June 20, 2011

2012 Shimano XT First Impressions

If you didn’t already know, Shimano’s venerable XT group has received a major overhaul for 2012. While the last generation saw the addition of…

Written by Zach Overholt June 19, 2011

Long Term Review: Easton Haven 26″ UST Wheelset

As one of the more prevalent wheelsets out there today for trail/AM bikes, the Havens didn’t get to that point by having a lack of…

Written by Zach Overholt June 09, 2011

Want Wide? Answer AM 720 Protaper Bars

When it comes right down to it, handlebars are probably one of the simplest, yet most often overlooked components on a mountain bike. If you…

Written by Zach Overholt June 06, 2011

More 2×10 Options…Little AND Big rings

They say that if you have a great idea for something new, it’s already been done and can be found on the internet or in…

Written by Bikerumor Staff May 26, 2011

Project 24 Review: Cane Creek 40-Series headset

Check out all of our Project 24 posts here! Frickin’ headset standards. With so many head tube interface options and tapered steerer tubes joining 1…

Written by Marc Basiliere May 25, 2011

Just In: Dirty Dog MTB Disc Rotors, New Web Rotor

Most mountain bikers by now are probably aware of Dirty Dog MTB disc rotors due to their eye catching laser cut designs. Hoping to branch…

Written by Zach Overholt May 24, 2011

Review: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Triple Star Evolution Tires

When it comes to tires, I’m lucky enough to have a lot of options along with an extra pair of wheels that allows me to…

Written by Zach Overholt May 24, 2011

Initial Review: Ritchey Classic seatpost and stem

With seatpost and stem reliability more or less nailed down at this point, isn’t it nice to be able to chose bike finishing kit on…

Written by Marc Basiliere May 19, 2011

Review: Ashima PCB Pistonless Hydraulic Disc Brakes

This review has been a long time coming. We’ve blown through two pre-production sets before receiving a third, production-level set of brakes, which we’ve tested…

Written by Tyler Benedict May 18, 2011

Initial Review: Hayes Prime Pro Disc Brakes

An amazing thing happened this week. It stopped raining. Now, it would be incredibly selfish of me to complain about the delay of the start…

Written by Zach Overholt May 13, 2011

Bikerumor Review – Industry Nine i30 Road Wheels

Industry Nine originally introduced their road wheels a couple years back as the Id and Ego, both of which used their proprietary aluminum spokes…but they…

Written by Tyler Benedict May 11, 2011

Fresh Goods: DT Swiss EXM 150

As one of the newest items to come across the BikeRumor work bench, this DT Swiss beauty is destined to be part of one of…

Written by Zach Overholt May 09, 2011

First Impression: Answer Rove AM Stems

As Bob Dylan would say, “times, they are a changin.” A saying which is equally at home today as it was back in the 60’s…

Written by Zach Overholt May 05, 2011

Answer Unleashes Ladie’s Pedal Gloves and Matching Bars

Originally unveiled just before Sea Otter, Answer’s new XC Trail Protaper bars look to be a strong and reliable way to add some color to…

Written by Zach Overholt May 02, 2011

Long Term with the Circus: Manitou Circus Expert Reviewed

The Circus: a right of passage from our youth. Go to the Circus, buy some peanuts and cotton candy, see the elephants, get freaked out…

Written by Zach Overholt April 28, 2011

Review: Rolf Prima P-Town Single Speed Wheelset

When I first saw the P-Town wheelset I was a bit confused. On one hand, they look sweet, and would be a nice weight-saving addition…

Written by Nick Burklow and Bikerumor Staff April 26, 2011

Project 24 Review: Crank Brothers Cobalt grips

Find all of our Project 24 reviews here! Why on earth would Crank Brothers decide to make a grip alongside their other components? After all,…

Written by Marc Basiliere April 26, 2011

BikeRumor Chain Challenge Episode #2: Rider Bios, Bike Checks, and Starting Measures

Parts are in, the bikes are prepped, and it’s raining. A lot. April showers right? While some dry trails might be a ways off, at…

Written by Zach Overholt April 13, 2011

Project 24 Review: Formula R1 disc brakes

Check out all of our Project 24 reviews here! What good are lightweight brakes if they compromise stopping ability? As any downhiller will attest, you…

Written by Marc Basiliere April 12, 2011