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The Search for the Perfect Noodle: An Elephant Bikes National Forest Explorer Review

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The Search for the Perfect Noodle: An Elephant Bikes National Forest Explorer Review

For Morgan Taylor, there’s a magical nexus that happens when a bike has a certain amount of frame flex and low-trail randonneuring geometry. In this long-term review of Elephant Bikes National Forest Explorer, Morgan recounts how past bikes have contributed to this preferred combination and then offers an in-depth look at why the NFE might just be the perfect noodle.

Easy Wins and Marginal Gains: Our Review Fairlight Secan Goes Ultra Distance

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Easy Wins and Marginal Gains: Our Review Fairlight Secan Goes Ultra Distance

While most review bikes go back into a company’s demo fleet pretty quickly, the Fairlight Secan that Morgan Taylor reviewed back in 2022 has gone on to live an illustrious life of ultra-distance riding, mostly of the randonneuring variety, with their friend Andrew. In this re-review, Morgan and Andrew consider the Secan’s updated build and speak to the easy wins and marginal gains of preparing both bike and rider for very long days in the saddle.

Too Good for Its Own Good: A 2023 Rocky Mountain Element C70 Review

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Too Good for Its Own Good: A 2023 Rocky Mountain Element C70 Review

Is it possible for a bike to be too good for its own good? Where it’s so capable that it pulls you into terrain and features beyond the category its predecessors lived in? That’s the question Morgan Taylor poses in this review of the 2023 Rocky Mountain Element. Read on to see if swapping out parts ruins this bike’s character, or if it transcends categorization while Morgan rediscovers backyard singletrack…

Growtac Equal Brakes: A 1000-Mile Long-Term Review

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Growtac Equal Brakes: A 1000-Mile Long-Term Review

There’s been a lot of buzz around Growtac’s Equal mechanical disc brake calipers since they came onto the market last year: they’re lightweight, available in interesting colors and feature a design unlike existing options. In this long-term review, Morgan Taylor uncovers the quirks of a Growtac setup and dives into a comparison with existing options like Klampers, BB7s, and Spyres, while addressing the question: do the Growtacs live up to the hype? 

San Util Mini and Light Weight Panniers Review

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San Util Mini and Light Weight Panniers Review

Modern ultralight/minimal panniers are worlds apart from what we were using 15 years ago. They’re simple, have no complicated hardware, require no tools for adjustment, and are completely rattle-free. John worked with Colorado bag maker San Util Design on designing these in-stock Mini Panniers ($125 each) for his Ritchey restoration project and has a full breakdown review comparing the Mini Panniers to the normal-sized custom-order Light Weight Panniers ($140 each) below. 

Eight Years Later: Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro Rebuild

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Eight Years Later: Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro Rebuild

Back in 2015, I bought one of the first  Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro pumps. These pumps are a modern take on the vintage classic SuperPista floor pump Silca made back when it was an Italian brand in the 70s and 80s. Now, Silca is a US brand and when it re-launched, they debuted a stunning Made in the USA version of the SuperPista pump. 

When I bought it, the pump was dubbed the Impero Ultimate Frame Pump and with a $400 price tag, I was hoping it’d last for decades, much like Silca’s legendary frame pumps that I use on my bikes. Well, eight years later my pump finally needed a rebuild, so I thought it’d be nice to walk through the rebuild process…

The Tale of the Humongous Rock Lobster

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The Tale of the Humongous Rock Lobster

This is the story of a perpetually unfinished project, but also of a really cool bike that’s taken me a lot of great places – and how it came to me is its own unlikely story. The fact that a custom Rock Lobster built for someone else has been the best fitting bike I’ve ever owned is pure coincidence, particularly as I would learn that it didn’t quite fit the original owner as they had hoped. Settle in for the Tale of the Humongous Rock Lobster.

Don’t Call it a Throwback: Framework Bicycles is Making Waves in Carbon and Aluminum

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Don’t Call it a Throwback: Framework Bicycles is Making Waves in Carbon and Aluminum

Framework Bicycles presents a clean modern aesthetic while evoking manufacturing techniques reminiscent of the first carbon bikes. This spring we set storytelling reviewer Morgan Taylor loose with Framework to design and review a custom bike to their specifications. In the first of a two-part series chronicling what they’ve come to call the “black rainbow” project, Morgan digs in to the beginnings of Framework and how they intend to shake things up in the custom bike world.

Ride. Reuse. Recycle: GREPP Gripper Bar Tape Review

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Ride. Reuse. Recycle: GREPP Gripper Bar Tape Review

Gripper Bar Tape, produced by the good folks at GREPP, is an adhesive-free, durable, and washable handlebar tape. Based in Sweden, GREPP founders Jan and Thomas initially set out to produce a milled cotton cloth tape (like many other classics in the market) but very quickly found that with the use of innovative new materials, they had an opportunity to produce a much more sustainable, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly product for the market.

Continue reading Sam and Bec‘s thorough long-term review of this innovative bar tape…

Sincerest Flattery: Reviewing Maxxis Assegai Imitiations from American Classic, Delium, and Bontrager

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Sincerest Flattery: Reviewing Maxxis Assegai Imitiations from American Classic, Delium, and Bontrager

The Maxxis Assegai is one of the most aggressive front tires on the market, but you don’t necessarily have to be aggressive to enjoy it. Its adaptability to multiple riding styles and multiple terrains has gained the Assegai quite the following, including from competing tire brands. American Classic, Delium, and Bontrager have launched lower-priced tires clearly inspired by the Assegai, and Travis Engel is here to tell us how how they stacked up against his favorite front rubber.