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Overall Review

T he Race Face Chester composite pedal was always good value, but the original version was held back by its design. A bit too small and lacking effective concavity due to the presence of a prominent bulge over the axle, it never really provided that locked-in feel that we cherish in a flat pedal. The all-new version being reviewed here today addresses these points with a ground-up redesign that has made the Chester a much better pedal. Keep reading to learn more! Strengths Weaknesses Affordable

Race Face Chester Flat Pedal

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iceman2058

20 hours ago

Hope Technology Carbon Crank

Overall Review

W e’ve been running Hope cranks since they first started making them in 2015 . The very first iteration sported a unique spindle interface which functioned as intended but was a bit faffy to work with, and Hope moved to a more traditional self-extracting bolt system for the release of the EVO version of the crank in 2019. We still have our first EVO test sample running on a bike in our fleet to this day, testament to the great reliability of the updated design. Fast-forward to 2024, and Hope has

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Hope Technology Carbon Crank

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iceman2058

11/20/2024 6:42am

Giro Insurgent Spherical Full Face Helmet

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The Good

Comfort and protection. This one is sturdy and confidence inspiring.

The Bad

Ventilation is ok for a fullface but don't imagine you will climb in it in temperature above zero ...

Overall Review

I use this helmet for enduro riding all the time. The only caveat is you need to take it off for a climb. Tried once climbing in it at 10 deg with pads removed and it was too hot, have no idea how EWS riders can climb in FFs. It is also not light. Anyway, this helmet has a great fir (for me), works great with goggles, has a d-buckle (which for me is a plus over fidlock). Sometimes you can hear a little squeaking, but very occasionally, it is generally quiet for a MIPS helmet. Crashed multiple

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Giro Insurgent Spherical Full Face Helmet

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lkubica

11/20/2024 2:10am

Turnon Components Bunker Seatpost

Overall Review

W e first started coming across Turnon Components at trade shows a couple of years ago, intrigued by their use of a submerged dropper post as part of their exhibit. The point of the display was to showcase their “water and dust proof” dropper post, aptly named the Bunker. What sets this post apart from others is the lack of any kind of venting holes at the bottom of the post, which essentially creates a second air chamber inside the post as the air compressed by lowering the post has nowhere to

Turnon Components Bunker Seatpost

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iceman2058

11/11/2024 7:35am

Continental Xynotal Tire

The Good

Quiet and easy to pedal. Grip is predictable. Sidewall graphics are cool.

The Bad

Objectively less grip than an ultra-sticky Maxxis with max-grip compound. Ride is harder so you should tune your suspension to be softer.

Overall Review

I bought a Devinci Spartan HP that came with a Maxxis Assegai and DHR with the heavy duty sidewall and maxx-grip compound. Pedaling that bike on flat ground was a workout. Where I live, we do not have the terrain that justify such a thick heavy-duty tire. I was finding myself unable to carry enough speed through many trails simply because the Maxxis tires are so dang sticky. Wanting to go faster, I researched about 30 different enduro tires and decided the Xynotal for the rear, and Kryptotal F

Continental Xynotal Tire

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brendanburke

11/8/2024 12:56pm

2025 Giant Faith 24 Bike

Overall Review

Parents of current and future mini mountain bikers are in a great place right now. The number of high-quality, youth-sized full-suspension mountain bikes is growing faster than the feet of the kids who pedal them. Earlier this year, Giant threw their hat into the ring with two Faith models equipped with either dual 24-inch wheels (tested) or a 27.5/26-inch mixed wheel configuration. Not only are the frame and wheel sizes fit for pint-sized punting, but suspension kinematics have been developed

2025 Giant Faith 24 Bike

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sspomer

11/5/2024 8:14am

Garbaruk Enduro Crank

Overall Review

G arbaruk has been around since the mid 2000s, when brothers Valerii and Yurii Garbaruk officially went into carbon manufacturing, making frames, handlebars, and seatposts out of a small garage in Ukraine. Valerii and Yurii were involved in all kinds of two-wheeled racing, whether MTB XC or in the Ukrainian motorcycle Superbike league, and they had a habit of making their own parts already, so that next step seemed logical. The company acquired its first CNC machine in 2014, and then moved all

Garbaruk Enduro Crank

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iceman2058

11/2/2024 9:53am

Continental Kryptotal F Tire

The Good

This is so much better than the DHR2 up front regarding grip and rolling speed. It feels every bit as grippy as the Assegai but with much better rolling speed. It is also very quiet on the trail and pavement.

The Bad

I had a very tough time getting this guy mounted. Once mounted, it would not seat with a blast pump. So I decided to do the tube trick where I seat the bead on one side and try to get the other side to seat using a blast pump. However, unseating the bead proved to be tougher than mounting. Long story short, the tube method worked.

Overall Review

Tough to mount and seat--and I am not going to deduct any stars because of it--but worth the effort.

Continental Kryptotal F Tire

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edwardyoon

10/30/2024 8:22am

Continental Kryptotal R Tire

The Good

Deep knobs ensure good traction. I moved it to the front on my trail bike and got good results. It seems to plow through softer sand (which somehow made its way on to my local trails) better than the DHR2 in the front. The 2.4 Kryptotal Re looks a little bit wider than the 2.4 WT DHR2. Next spring when I visit Big Bear, I may move it to the back wheel again and pair that with a Kryptotal front. For some reason, my particular Kryptotal was easier to mount and seat than the Xynotal, which was soul-crushing.

The Bad

I bought it for the rear wheel. It felt draggy compared to a well-worn DHR2 and a new Xynotal, which I found to be very fast rolling with good grip. It's also a bit heavier than a DHR2 in the EXO casing.

Overall Review

I found it to be a better front tire than rear. It could serve as a reminder that I need to get into better shape.

Continental Kryptotal R Tire

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edwardyoon

10/30/2024 7:53am

Continental Xynotal Tire

The Good

Rolls fast! I am a Maxxis guy. I have tried Specialized, Schwalbe, and Kenda tires, only to put a Maxxis Aggressor, DHR2, or Dissector back on the rear wheel. Not this time. The Xynotal rear tire rolls faster than the aforementioned Maxxis tires and grips better. The better traction may be as a result of the Xynotal being new, so time will tell.

The Bad

The Xynotal weighs about 100 to 150 grams more than the Maxxis tires I have used, but the Conty feels faster. Now for the really bad. I had a very hard time mounting the tire. Once mounted, I had a very tough time seating the tire. So I then attempted to use a tube, but unseating the Xynotal was even tougher than mounting. In the process of dislodging the bead, I wrecked the rim tape. So I had to re-tape the rim. Finally, using a tube, seating one side of the bead, and borrowing a neighbor's air compressor finally did the trick.

Overall Review

Until something better and possibly lighter comes along, the Xynotal is my favorite rear tire. After my Herculean effort to mount the Xynotal, it is not coming off any time soon.

Continental Xynotal Tire

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edwardyoon

10/30/2024 7:35am