It’s no secret the the bike market is a buyers market. This has pros and cons for us as consumers. Some brands we love may not be long for this world. But, at the same time there are some amazing deals out there. Check out some of the best deals we found this week. The Marin Alpine Trail 7 – $1499.99 A wildly good deal at this price, the Marin Alpine Trail 7 I an extremely capable enduro bike that features a ride-able component spec right out of the box. Most importantly you’ll be getting good geo and kinematics if you want to upgrade any components in the future. The weak points of this buil ..read more

In the world of mountain biking, upgrading your suspension is often touted as one of the most effective ways to boost your bike’s performance. The allure of a smoother ride, enhanced control, and improved handling is hard to resist. But the lingering question for many riders is whether the performance gains justify the cost. This was the dilemma I faced with my Kona Process 134. Equipped with a RockShox Recon, it was a competent trail companion, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that its front-end performance was holding me back, especially as I ventured into more aggressive riding. The decisio ..read more

The TranzX EDP01 wireless dropper post is a new entry into the competitive market for electronic dropper posts. It offers a number of features that make it a compelling option for mountain bikers, including: The EDP01 is a wireless dropper post, which means there is no need to run a cable from the post to the remote lever. This makes for a simpler installation and less maintenance down the road. The EDP01 is available in travel lengths of 170 & 200mm and in diameters of 30.9 and 31.6mm. This does rule out a number of riders and frames that need a shorter post. It is powered by a rechargeab ..read more

CushCore has announced the launch of their new TRAIL tire insert model. The new insert is designed to offer a balance between the existing PRO and XC models. The company’s founder and inventor, Adam Krefting, stated that through testing and feedback from riders and racers worldwide, the company recognized the need to develop a new tire insert model with a performance-to-weight balance that could fit between the existing models. The TRAIL insert uses the same patented design and foam composition as the other CushCore inserts. However, the engineers have incorporated several new features into th ..read more

Maxxis has released the latest version of its race-specific compound, MaxxSpeed, to the public. The new MaxxSpeed compound uses a silica filler to enhance both speed and wet traction, They claim this can reduce rolling resistance by more than 25%. According to Maxxis Nino Schurter has already been racing on this new compound in multiple World Cup and World Championship wins. To cater to the various conditions and terrains encountered by XC riders, Maxxis is offering the new compound in a complete range of XC tread patterns, including Aspen, Rekon Race, Ikon, and Severe. The company’s proven 12 ..read more

One of the biggest advantages of carrying a water filter is that it allows you to travel much lighter when you know you have water sources available. You can leave behind large water storage and just refill the storage you have along the way. This is especially helpful when you are figuring out he logistics on a long ride. Today we’ll be looking at the $50 Katadyn BeFree water filter. Features The BeFree is very compact and can fit in a small hip pack, making it easy to carry around. The filter uses the flexible water bottle / bag as the method of driving water through the filter. Squeeze the ..read more

Strangely enough, bike prices in the Enduro catgory have actually come down in the last year. We were able to add more bikes to this list this year than last year. An “enduro” bike is a great option if you visit lift access bike parks, jump lines and like to go on 4-5 hour rides. Modern enduro bikes can do it all and thankfully the options for $3k or less are better than ever. Mullet Specialist – Specialized Status – $3000 Specialized bills the status as a do everything bike and for the money it really looks hard to beat. You get a 29×25.7 mullet configuration. This bike has smart specs inste ..read more

The new SRAM direct mount “Transmission” (Be warned clicking that link will expose you to some extremely hyperbolic marketing copy) has arrived. I won’t bore you with yet another overview of the features. As the headline says prices run anywhere from $1599 to $2699. It’s not only the cost though that has me less than jazzed about this new system though. Compatability First, the drivetrain is not backwards compatible with any current Eagle components. This means that if you already have an eagle drivetrain, you will need to replace all of your components in order to use the new direct mount sys ..read more

TRP has announced a new 12 speed drivetrain, the TRP EVO12. This new offering is and update and in some ways a completion of their existing derailleur and shifter offerings. Previously TRP’s twelve speed components needed to be paired with third party cranks and cassettes. No longer. The derailleur and shifter designs have been updated and refined and a new cassette and crank are now available as well. Having a complete drivetrain is not just a way to sell aftermarket parts. TRP already is a popular brake spec for discerning customers, and now that a competitive drivetrain is available as well ..read more

Specialized has some pretty sweet deals at the moment. We scoured through what they are offering to find you some of the best bang for your buck deals we could find. 1. Rockhopper Expert 29 Was: $1,400 Now: $999.99 Looking for an introductory hardtail? The Rockhopper Expert could fit the bill. It features a A1 Aluminum frame that is lightweight yet durable, with hydroformed top and downtubes, internal cable routing, and dropper-post compatibility. The Rockerhopper Expert is equipped with a respectable component spec. You’ll find SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes and a wide range SRAM SX Eagle ..read more