This is a good time for thick grips. There are more options than ever for anyone seeking a little extra surface area. Travis is a bit of an expert on the subject, and never travels without a set of grips 33 mm or larger in case he needs to borrow a bike. So, he’s gathered a baker’s dozen and gave them a squeeze.
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Radar
Readers’ Rides: François’ Panorama Torngat Ti Fat Bike in Summer Mode
Inspired by Hailey’s review of the Panorama Cycles Torngat Ti in full-fat winter mode, François submitted a full-length Readers’ Rides review of his Torngat Ti in summer mode. Let’s check it out!
Radar
FAIR Bicycles DROP BEST UC Offset Saddle Clamp Review: Back and Forth
The FAIR Bicycle DROP BEST UC is more than just an excuse for Travis to talk about how much he really loves steep seat angles. It can add years of life to an outdated mountain bike by moving its saddle forward by more than an inch. Or, it’s a solution for people who really hate steep seat angles.
Radar
Ride Concepts Tallac Mid
Ride Concepts took everything it loves about the Tallac and beefed it up in a robust mid-top silhouette, resulting in the Tallac Mid shoe…
The Tallac Mid has tech, more protection, and more support. Designed for all day rides, hard MTB tours, trail work, and everything in between.
The PerformFit™ Wrap from the BOA® Fit System is designed to improve power transfer and efficiency while providing a micro-adjustable, precision fit you can adjust on the fly. A mid-height collar seamlessly integrates 3D-molded D3O® protection on the medial and lateral sides to provide extra support and keep your ankles safe from side-impacts.
There’s also an integrated D3O® padding for top-of-foot for impact protection. Featuring the same trusted reverse-hex outsole as the low-rise version—grip on and off the bike is second to none. The Cordura® upper with welded construction is abrasion-resistant and built to last, one epic ride after another.
Like its low-top predecessor, this shoe is designed for big days in big terrain. The Tallac Mid is an aggressive shoe with protection and stability at its core. Available in a flat pedal or clipless sole.
Features (Flat)
- PerformFit™ Wrap from the BOA® Fit System delivers dialed in performance with micro-adjustable precision fit
- Integrated D3O® pads for top-of-foot protection
- 3D-molded D3O® collar protects ankles from side impacts
- MaxGrip rubber outsole
- Hexagon outsole featuring reverse hex traction pattern on toe and heel for hike-able climbs and descents
- EVA midsole provides support and shock absorption
- Fully gusseted tongue prohibits intake of dirt and debris
- D3O® High Impact Zone Technology insole absorbs impact and reduces fatigue
- Lightweight bonded upper featuring Cordura® mesh for durability and breathability
- Anti-bacterial mesh lining controls odor
- TPU mud guard to protect against dirt, debris and rubbing
- TPU toe and heel protection with reinforced anti-abrasion film
- Heel pull tab for easy entry
- Weights: 440g (per shoe – size US9/EU42)
Features (Clipless)
- PerformFit™ Wrap from the BOA® Fit System delivers dialed in performance with micro-adjustable precision fit
- Integrated D3O® pads for top-of-foot protection
- 3D-molded D3O® collar protects ankles from side impacts
- ClipGrip rubber outsole
- Hexagon outsole featuring reverse hex traction pattern on toe and heel for hike-able climbs and descents
- EVA midsole provides support and shock absorption
- Fully gusseted tongue prohibits intake of dirt and debris
- D3O® High Impact Zone Technology insole absorbs impact and reduces fatigue
- Lightweight bonded upper featuring Cordura® mesh for durability and breathability
- Anti-bacterial mesh lining controls odor
- TPU mud guard to protect against dirt, debris and rubbing
- TPU toe and heel protection with reinforced anti-abrasion film
- Heel pull tab for easy entry
- Weights: 530g (per shoe – size US9/EU42)
See more at Ride Concepts.
Radar
Shimano Evolution Stories: Small Steps to Big Things
Although the luster of mountain biking has never dulled for Andy McKenna, it’s been several years since he’s ventured back to the foreboding mountains of Torridon where he once thrived as a mountain bike guide. The time has come to confront his foe.
Andy’s enlisted an inspiring ally to take on these Torridonian giants: In Episode 4 of the ‘Evolution Stories’ series, Small Steps to Big Things, Andy teams up with ultra-endurance adventurer Jenny Graham in one of their beloved bothies to plot rides and chat about the ingredients for living life and setting world records.
Radar
Spencer’s Crust Bikes Scapebot Wheel Swap Chainline Hack Video
With Crust Bikes’ Scapebot frame, you can swap from 29 x 2.4″ tires and wheels to a massive 26″ x 3.8″ setup… but it takes some tinkering and a clever hack. Shed tinker lord Spencer shows us how in this supplementary video to his Scapebot review.
Radar
Travis’s Summer 2024 Product Picks
Summer means something different for mountain bikers in Los Angeles. Unless you’re in Malibu, it’s not a great time of year to ride. Travis is not in Malibu, but he’s got ten products that will make the season more palatable.
Radar
Ibis Introduces 2025 Ripley Gen 5
Pairing with today’s launch of the third-generation Ripmo, Ibis is releasing the fifth iteration of the Ripley. In fact they’re more than just a pair…
Reportage
Ibis Ripmo V3 First-Ride Review
The Ibis Ripmo may be the perfect bike. And how could Ibis update the perfect bike? Well, Travis got a couple short weeks on the new 2025 Ibis Ripmo V3, and it turns out you can do a lot more than just straighten the top tube.
Radar
Roots Run Deep
After five years of service in the New Zealand Army, Robin Goomes was at a crossroads. She had to decide whether to continue her career as a heavy machinery operator or to make a massive bet on herself and pursue her dream of becoming a professional mountain biker. Robin had never competed outside of New Zealand, and it was rare for women to secure invites in a male-dominated sport. Despite these uncertainties and the ever-present risk of injury, she decided to roll the dice.
Radar
Crust Bikes Geared Wombat in Teal Sparkle
Crust Bike‘s Geared Wombat, the modern 27.5″ wheeled rigid MTB, got a new coat of paint for 2024…
Radar
Kona Updates the Process 134 and 153
As Kona exhaled a sigh of relief and regained its footing under the founders, the brand just announced the new Process 153 and Process 134 models. The Process lineup has been lauded as legit do-it-all machines for a decade and this third generation further solidifies their legacy. Read on for the updates…
Reportage
Norco Optic C1 Review: The Un-High Pivot
For our second-ever high-pivot bike review, Travis tests the third-generation Norco Optic. Turns out short travel and short chainstays pair pretty well with high pivots and high speed, both downhill and uphill.
Radar
Hannah Otto Sets New Kokopelli Trail FKT: Watch “Kokopelli Strong” Here
The Kokopelli trail runs 137 miles from Moab, UT to Loma, CO and the women’s time to beat is 13 hours and 7 minutes. For professional mountain bike racer Hannah Otto, failure is not a common occurrence. She’s constantly pushing the sport and finds herself toward the top of the podium during her race season on a regular basis.
Last year, Hannah had great success clocking the FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the ascent and descent of the Whole Enchilada trail. But this year, she had her sights set on a more challenging route. The Kokopelli trail is an unforgiving beast that most skilled riders would consider completely ludicrous to ride in one day.
Hannah’s hunt for the FKT drove her to extreme temperatures resulting in a frozen hydration pack, frostbitten fingers, hypothermia, and moments of failure—but that only added fuel to her internal fire.
After sleepless nights, early mornings scouting, and a failed attempt, Hannah Otto holds the fastest known time on the Kokopelli trail at 11 hours and 53 minutes.
Radar
Aeroe Spider Front Rack
Aeroe’s popular Spider Rear Rack just got a matching setup for the front of touring and commuter bikes. The Spider Front Rack ($120) works with suspension forks and acts as a pannier rack or a modular rack for Aeroe’s system bags. Let’s check it out below.
Radar
Mike Varley’s ‘Dropping In’ Article from 1991
We’ve got a story coming up tomorrow that references this Mountain and City Biking article written by Black Mountain Cycle‘s Mike Varley from 1991 about drop bars on mountain bikes. Also known as dirt drops, Mike discusses the benefits of the unique riding position offered by these off-road drop bars in the original article text below…
Radar
Knog Rebrands and Launches Blinder X Range MTB Lights
Knog began in 2002 with silicon wrap on blinky lights, and today, the Australian lighting company is announcing its evolution into new branding and just announced an all-new MTB lighting range, Blinder X, in both an 1800 and 2300 lumens offering. Let’s check out Blinder X below…
Radar
Vivo F3 Is a Custom MTB Shifter
When it comes to customizing your bike, you can choose from various wheel, crank, cockpit, brakes, contact point and other combinations, and now, you can customize your shifter. The Vivo F3 shifter ($255) literally puts customization and choice in the hands of the rider. Let’s check it out…