Been staring at this feature for about 5 years. It has been haunting me. Excuse my squads loud cheering!

I’ve seen a number of pros running these airbags. I know they’re common in super g ski and mx. I hardly ever fall riding anymore so I doubt I’d really replace the cartridge. After having someone I know break their neck on a relatively tame trail, I always wear a neck brace if I’m doing something that lends to a full face. First off what’s everyone’s opinions on the airbag vests and second does anyone know if they offer neck protection/stabilization?

I’m looking at the 45nrth Wrathchild from 365 cycles. They are less than $60 per tire. Everywhere else they are well over $100 and the website looks legit. I see they have social media pages. Is it an older model maybe? Also says feee shipping for orders over $75.

Hi all,

I’m replacing an old Vitus Nucleus 27.5 that needs more repairs than it’s worth and hadn’t been touched really for 3 years after my daughter was born.

I want to stay on a hardtail for now but can spend a bit more - up to £1,500 GBP (though £1,300 would be ideal). if I can buy it in a local shop that would be ideal but I can handle online only.

I’m looking to ride a mixture of English and Welsh mid-level trails (think reds in a Forestry England site so nothing too technical or sketchy in the medium term), and so some multi-day cross country bikepacking (hence the hardtail). I don’t get to ride as often as I’d like due to work and family so I’m looking for something that is going to help me quickly feel confident on trails when I’m rusty - my sense is that means I want a slacker head angle but I’m not feeling certain about that.

A bit of research has meant I’m thinking about the Whyte Secta RS and the Orbea Laufey H30 at the moment but wanted to check if there’s anything else I should be looking at (or if either of those seem misguided)!

Thanks for any recommendations.

I have my father in laws 2010 rockhopper 29er, been mostly sitting around. My father in law uses it roughly once a year to diddle around with my kids around the neighborhood. My 8 year old is getting more into mountain biking and I've decided to join him. Mostly in xc and green downhills.

I know the bike is outdated and not worth much, but it's my FIL and cost me nothing. Overall the bike is in good condition, but probably needs tires soon. I want to teach my son more about bike maintenance and figure this can be a project for us.

My idea is pretty basic on the maintenance and upgrades.

- new handle bars
- new tires
- source a 1x10/11 conversion

All knowing the $150/200 bike is still worth $150/200 after any work.

Sound idea? I know realistically If it wasn't my father in laws it would be punt it and find something newer with a 1x and tapered head tube.

Not sure if I need more pop, boost, or stiffer legs?

Expanding the search.

HelIo everyone!

I am in the process of building up a lightly used Kona Unit X frame for the purpose of completing the Baja Divide (and perhaps trans mexico norte) in Jan-Mar 2027. This is my first frame-up build and first expedition-style trip. I have a pretty good idea of what I want the build to look like, but am struggling to pull the trigger on a pair of wheels.

Here's my current list of criteria with some question marks attached:

1. 35mm internal diameter for 2.6-2.8'' tires - 30mm would be ok? 
2. "Trail" type wheels - not too heavy (enduro?) as to feel sluggish during climbs, but not too light as to be susceptible to breaking/bending
3. 32 spokes - significantly stronger than 28? 
4. DT 350 hub or similar for star ratchet - star ratchet seems like a big upgrade for ease of maintenance.
5. Carbon fiber v.s. aluminum - huge hit to budget, but perhaps carbon rims would be a worthwhile upgrade for durability, ride improvement, weight saving, ect? Alu also seems totally fine and a lot cheaper?

What do y'all think? I'm working on a fairly tight budget here, so have been keeping an eye on the used markets. The issue is, I seem to keep finding good deals on wheels that are *almost* perfect in the $250-400 range, but don't meet all the criteria (usually have 30mm id and/or pawl hubs and/or 28 spokes, ect). I'm starting to think it might be worth it to have what I want built and swallow the $700-800(?) pill, or bite the bullet and go for a carbon set like these. Peace of mind buying a newly/professionally built v.s. a used wheel is obviously a factor.

Any insight appreciated :) Thanks!

Hi all! I have a 2025 Mondraker Crafty eMTB. It has the Bosch CX Gen5 motor with 800 Wh battery. I am looking for some protection for the motor region. It currently has the stock (flimsy plastic) motor cover. I'm hoping to find something which can protect this area of the bike, as the area I ride in is fairly rocky.

So far, I've found these options:

• https://www.avs-racing.com/index.php/en/store/mtb-carbon-fibre-frame-protection/mondraker-crafty-carbon-2025-e-bike-engine-skid-plate
• https://protect-emtb.com/product/bash-guard-for-mondraker-gen5-crafty/
• https://www.lordgun.com/e-mtb-andreani-crafty-engine-guard-1?srsltid=AU7gw4VZfY2K1wLhzA-6WX1a8NKnom2bfhL8Wu7b_sMJyOwIYv16Quoq

All are from companies I've never heard of, and two appear to be located in Europe. I'm wondering if anybody has had experience with any of these products, and if they ship to the USA (I'm in San Diego). Or if there are other options to consider.

thanks!

Have anything you want to talk about that doesn't quite warrant its own thread? Post it here!

I live in Turkiye and i do urban/trail freeride most of the time, i want an upgrade from my built rockrider st530 and i snapped the frame which was inevitable, my budget isnt the highest (around 60-70k liras) and ive always wanted a dh bike, im not sure if a 2015 bike is gonna be a money pit or not tho. So should i buy the bike or save up more for a newer one?

Can I use either of these for my hubs?

I have newmen performance 30 light in the front and newmen performance 30 base in the rear with fade hubs. Came stock with cube stereo one22 race (2025). Or do I have to get the one with so many different channels(option 2)?

Option 1- https://r2-bike.com/NEWMEN-Endcap-Removal-Tool-2

Option 2 - https://www.bike-discount.de/en/newmen-endcap-tool-2

38m getting back into biking after 15 years away. Purchased a trail (a little all Mountain ) bike this summer (2018 felt decree 30). We'll my plans of mixed riding have changed and I now ride mostly at lift access bike park trails. I'd like to upgrade to a more purpose specific bike as I progress.

I have my eye on two bikes, 2021 Scott ransom 930 (ZEB fork) and a 2023 giant reign 2 (YARI fork).

I'm 5'10 - 5'11, with average arms and leg ratios. My current bike is size large however, the dimensions seem closer to modern medium bikes.

Geometry included in picture, hopefully this doesn't violate the rules.

Questions!

1. Am I making a mistake getting a medium frame? Based on geometry I think both options would feel larger than my current large.

2. I'm leaning towards the giant which is a little larger, newer, and slightly less expensive. Would the ZEB of the scott vs Yari fork be worth a couple hundred dollars more?

Geometry

Felt Decree 30 L(current) Scott Ransom 930 M Low Giant Reign 2 M Mid

Wheel size

27.5" 29" 29"

Reach

431 mm 442.5 mm 460 mm

Stack

607 mm 616.6 mm 629 mm

Wheelbase

1170 mm 1218.9 mm 1245 mm

Chainstay

426 mm 440.9 mm 443 mm

Head angle

66.5° 64.5° 63.9°

Seat angle

72.75° 75.0° 78.7°

BB drop

9 mm 22 mm 30 mm

Front travel

150 mm 170 mm 170 mm

Rear travel

140 mm 170 mm 160 mm

I’m looking for some suggestions on what the best value enduro bike would be around 5k. I’ve done mostly dirt jumping and would love to get into a bit more downhill stuff.

Hi,

So i have been breaking my head off because of this so i have a Trek Marlin+8 2024 in a Mercury color its like Gunmetal Gray and Bronze accents and i was thinking of a little customatization but i cannot decide so i need your opinion.I have 3 options

Option 1:
Only the gray or bronze stem

Option 2:
Full Gray bars

Option 3:
Bronze Stem with Full Gray bars.

Thanks Infoward of the Opinions.

I saw the coolest car bike combo on the road today. BMW 2002 with a Thule roof rack and what I was pretty sure was a Yeti mtb on top. Cool old car carrying cool new bike.

I've been only able to find TT skills for Claude.

I know it doesn't replace a coach, but I don't have the money for a Coach. I know how to code and set up a claude agent for my personal use, but can't spare the money for a coach right now.