Xan Marshland
Age: 30 | Vitals: 5’10”, 160 lbs. | Years Riding: 20 | Current Residence: Salt Lake City, UT | Instagram: @xanmarshland
For as long as I can remember, I’ve
mountain bike
Banshee Titan V3
We recently reviewed Banshee’s short-travel Phantom, and we've also spent the past year+ on its longer-travel sibling, the Titan. It’s an impressive (and incredibly good looking) 29er, but who is it best suited for, and where does it most notably excel? Check out our full review to find out.
27.5” Trail Bikes — A Guide + Comparisons
“Trail Bikes” range from lightweight XC whips to burly enduro machines and it can be confusing to choose from all the options. So we’ve compared thirty-one 27.5” wheeled bikes and ordered them from most climbing-oriented to most downhill-oriented, with some new options for this year.
29er Trail Bikes — A Guide + Comparisons
There are now more 29ers available than ever before, from XC race bikes to full-blown DH rigs. So we’ve assembled a comparison of sixteen 29ers to help you sort it all out, and maybe introduce you to some bikes that weren’t on your list, but should be.
Mountain Bike Tires 101
While it might seem like they're pretty much all the same, the fact is that the right tire can make or break a bike. So what do you need to know about tires, and how do you figure out which ones will likely work best for you given how and where you ride? We've got some answers, recommendations, and a whole lot of information.
2017 Yeti SB5
If you’re looking for a mellow cruiser, the Yeti SB5 wouldn’t be our first recommendation. But if you want a versatile bike that can be rallied hard, it should be on your short list.
2017 Fox 36 RC2 Float Fork
The Fox 36 RC2 Float might be the stiffest 27.5" single crown fork we've ridden, but how does it stack up to forks like the RockShox Pike?
Fox Transfer Dropper Post
Fox's Transfer dropper post works well, and has some design features that should help it avoid the durability issues that plague many droppers.
2016 Devinci Django Carbon 29 GX
While there are better purpose-built bikes out there, for an all-around, one bike quiver, it’s pretty tough to top the Devinci Django 29.
2017 Trek Remedy 9 RSL
Trek made some serious changes to the Remedy line this year, and the performance of the new Remedy 9 RSL is seriously impressive.
Flylow Women’s Carter Shorts, Hawkins Shirt, and Susie Tank
Flylow's new women's Trail line includes some comfortable and attractive riding pieces
Flylow Men’s Maclean Jacket, Cash Short, and Nelson Shirt
Flylow’s new men's Trail line isn’t the most technical apparel around, but these are functional pieces with a clean, casual look.
2017 Pivot Switchblade 29
We spent time on Pivot's new Switchblade which works with both 29 and 27.5 Plus wheels.
2017 Yeti SB5 Beti
The Yeti SB5 Beti is a fast and efficient women’s trail bike that really excels on the up.
2017 YT Jeffsy 29
The YT Jeffsy 29 is more playful than you might expect from a semi-long-travel 29er. It’s also less expensive than you might expect, too.
Loaded Precision AmX 35 Carbon Bar and Stem
The Loaded Precision AmX 35 Carbon bar and stem are a great option for bigger riders looking for a wide — 840 mm — stiff bar.
2017-2018 Banshee Rune
The Banshee Rune is a 160 mm all-mountain bike best suited to going fast in big terrain, and it’s also available in several different wheelsize and spacing options. Check out our review.
Scott Spark Plus 700 Tuned
We’ve been quite skeptical of plus bikes in the past, but the Scott Spark 700 Plus Tuned basically changed all of that.
2017 Yeti SB4.5
The Yeti SB4.5 has a blend of efficiency and stability that’s unlike most bikes in its class.