The Loam Wolf MTB Reviews & Features

What are your favorite flat pedals? Leave a comment! Hope released their new F22 flat pedals today, and they've instantly rocketed to the top of our list. Hit the website to read Robert's thoughts on these Uk-made platforms. #mtb #theloamwolf #loamwolf #hopetech #hope #flatpedals #flats #pedals #platformpedals #mtbpedals #bestmtbpedals #ukmade #madeinuk #mountainbike #mountainbiking #emtb #emountainbike #ebike #emountainbiking #enduromtb

Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com Do you want to know more about how brands work with suspension companies to tune shocks, adjust frame kinematics and achieve desired performance? Then watch this video where Tyle Cloward of Fezzari Bicycles walks us through a very shortened version of what goes into making a bike perform the way they want. #mountainbike #mountainbiking #mtb #fezzari #enduromtb #loamwolf #ebike ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf

Are you wondering what products to use when washing your bike? In this video, mud monster Robert explains what products are available in the Juice Lubes range to help you clean your bike, get it re-lubed, and ready to attack the trails again. You can read the full review and learn more about the Juice Lubes product range on our website here - https://theloamwolf.com/2022/12/07/juice-lubes-range-overview/ Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com #mountainbike #mountainbiking #enduromtb #bikewash #loamwolf #bikelife #enduromtb ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf

We've just received the Pole Voima, a 190mm travel eMTB with a machined aluminum frame. It's certainly unique and we're very excited to put it to the test. What do you want to know about this burly E Mountain Bike? Let us know in the comments and we'll be sure to find the answers. #polebicycles #polebikes #polevoima #emtb #ebike #emountainbike #boschebike #boschebikesystems #bosch #loamwolf #theloamwolf #loamwolfpack #shralpanddestroy

Who's interested in a flat pedal mountain bike shoe with a BOA fit system? We've just released our long term Ride Concepts Tallac BOA review on the site, and they turned out to be Robert's new favorite flat pedal shoe - high praise indeed! Check out the written review here - https://theloamwolf.com/2023/01/05/review-ride-concepts-tallac-boa-flat-pedal-shoes/ #mtb #theloamwolf #shorts #mountainbike #shoes #mountainbikeshoes #flatpedalshoes #flatpedals#rideconcepts #boa #tallac

Drew rips the Specialized Levo Comp round some leafy turns in Nashville, Tennessee, and almost pays the price. Drew is wearing the Loam Wolf Camo Redux L/S jersey, get yours at https://store.theloamwolf.com now. #mtb #turbolevo #emtb #ebike #specialized #emountainbike #specializedlevo #turbolevo #nashville #tennessee

Our first look into the Insta360 X3... the swiss army knife of action cameras? The Insta360 X3 is a dual-lens action camera, which means it can shoot 360° video. With an upgraded ½” sensor, 5.7k 30fps 360° dual-lens mode, 4k single-lens mode, 2.7k FOV+, single-lens mode and a 2.29” touchscreen, the X3 steps up the X2 in more ways than one. Insta360 has a bunch of new features in the X3 including: ME Mode, 8k Timelapse and 72mp 360° photos, it really is the swiss army knife of actions cameras. Insta360’s FlowState Stabilization shines with the new X3 and delivers very smooth riding footage. Starting at $449, its ~$100 cheaper then the competitors and it packs a punch not only with the camera itself but the Insta360 apps. As far as using the X3 goes, the 2.29” touchscreen is large, bright, and most importantly, easy to use. The Insta360 app makes connecting, editing and exporting video clips intuitive and easy to use. It has a 1800mAh battery that seems to last us all day and more when we’re out riding, and the files aren’t too big, so a 64gb microsd holds a lot of footage. The X3 is great for those looking to have all the options bundled into one package. We use the X3 in two primary modes: 5.7k 30fps 360° dual-lens mode, to just hit record and figure it out later, and the FOV+ 2.7k single-lens mode, for a super sharp, super wide POV angle. The FOV+ setting uses every inch of the FlowState Stabilization and allows you to choose 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1 ratio later in the app. Now, this barely touches the surface of everything this camera can do and we’re always having fun finding new angles. Try mounting the camera on your back and film your riding partners chasing you down the trail and let the AI tracking in the Insta360 app track them and keep them in the center of the frame as you charge down your favorite trails. You may not think you’re interested in a 360° camera, but when you start using one, you quickly see that capturing everything that's going on really does offer you so many more options when it comes to editing up a clip to share with friends and family. If you’re interested or already have an X3 our hot tip for great footage always starts with a clean lens (that goes for any camera). Use the highest resolution the X3 can do, which is: 5.7k dual-lens, 4k single-lens, or the 2.7k FOV+ single-lens. Leave the camera in Auto, with a Vivid color profile and the key to bringing it all together is: Isolated Exposure (in dual-lens mode) and, for us, we set the EV to -0.5 to keep things a touch darker riding in very exposed bright areas. Our long-term review and in-depth look into everything this little camera can do is in the works, leave a comment down below for what you would like to see in the deeper dive with the X3. Chapters: Intro - 0:00 Riding Intro - 1:07 Riding - 2:14 What's New - 3:11 Examples of 5.7k, 4k, 2.7k - 4:23 Using the App - 7:02 Final thoughts - 9:56 Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf #mtb #insta360x3 #360actioncamera #pov #actioncameras #insta360review #mountainbiking #mountainbike #camerareview

The #canyonbikes Shapeshifter tech adjusts the geometry and suspension of the Canyon Strive CFR with just the press of a button, and is so effective that it was Robert’s bike of 2022. What bike brand do you think will make his favorite bike of 2023? #mountainbike #mountainbiking #theloamwolf #enduromtb #canyon #canyonstrive #shapeshifter #mtbshorts #youtubeshorts

Robert hasn't been letting the freezing temperatures and snow and ice covered trails from spoiling the fun, sending some freeride hits in the North East of Scotland at the aptly named Yeti Trails. Robert is riding the #KavenzVHP16 here with #berdspokes, #industrynine Hydra hubs and #ohlins suspension, and wearing the #endura Singletrack One Piece suit and a #foxracing Proframe RS helmet. #mountainbike #mountainbiking #loamwolf #77designz #enduromtb #ride #mtbshorts #youtubeshorts

Here it is folks, after lots of time talking about it, The Loam Wolf Podcast is here. Welcome to Bikes and BS, where we sit down and talk with pro riders, engineers, bike industry employees, trail builders, company founders and regular Joes too! In today's episode, we invited Cody Kelley over to our HQ while he was visiting Bend, Oregon for some mountain bike riding up at Mt. Bachelor. We discuss his beginnings on two wheels, inspiration, riding bikes with his Dad and more. Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf #mountainbike #mountainbiking #specialized #iamspecialized #ews #enduromtb

Come along for a ride on one of Southern California's most famous trails as we chase Greg Minaar, Steve Peat, Laurie Greenland, Jackson Goldstone while riding a new Santa Cruz Hightower for the first time. This mountain bike trail has some amazing views, fun turns and lots of cool obstacles along the way. Be sure to visit https://theloamwolf.com/2022/12/20/first-ride-report-fox-union-mtb-shoes/ to see the full story on our trip to Fox Racing HQ to ride their new mountain bike shoes and more. Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf #mountainbike #mountainbiking #sanjuantrail #santacruzbikes #loamwolf #ride

Adding to an already massive catalog of mountain bike protection and riding gear, Fox Racing has teased the release of their new Union mountain bike shoe line. We were lucky enough to once again get the invite to visit Fox Racing HQ for a chance to learn about the shoes and ride with some members of the Santa Cruz Syndicate who’ve been testing and racing in the shoes already. The Fox Union shoes will be available in three different configurations for flat and clipless pedals and are set to hit shelves some time in February. UNION CLIPLESS SHOES Two versions of the Fox Union clipless shoes were shown to The Loam Wolf, a dual-BOA closure option and a lace/Velcro option. We opted for the lace and Velcro option as we like the looks and ease of use. Both clipless models feature a lightweight glass-filled nylon shank, which gives the shoe an efficiently stiff platform. Ultratack outsole is made with brotobutyl and is laid out in unique hex shapes that we tested on some steep hike a bike sections and snow-covered trails. The Union BOA will retail for $249.95 and the lace version will retail for $179.95. UNION FLAT SHOES A flat version of the Fox Union shoe will also be available for a more affordable $149.95 price point and features a slightly different tread pattern for optimal contact with flat pedals. Fox uses the same Ultratack outsole with brotobutyl to offer the desired blend of grip and durability. Like the clipless shoes, the Union flats will be available in four colors and broad range of sizes. CONSTRUCTION Fox’s Union mountain bike shoes feature molded heel counters and one-piece uppers for a precise-fitting, reliable shoe. Seeking to further increase the durability and features, the shoes are constructed with welded materials for a technical look and impressive protection from the elements. A molded toe cap and reinforced toe offer serious protection that we tested on our first ride down the San Juan Trail while chasing Laurie Greenland, Jackson Goldstone and Steve Peat. Of course, the most durable shoe isn’t worth much if it’s not comfortable, so Fox offers a custom-tuned EVA midsole that they worked very hard to develop over several years. After just a couple rides the shoes seem to be on the stiffer side without being abusive or tiring to wear. Fox will also be including Velcro inserts for arch support so riders can dial in the shoe volume and fit based on your arch. It’s a nice touch that should make the shoes more pleasant to wear for a wider range of riders. FIRST RIDE IMPRESSIONS Due to some less-than-ideal management by the folks at United Airlines, my arrival at Fox HQ was delayed to just moments before the group’s departure for an epic ride on the famed San Juan Trail. I had but a few minutes to try them on to ensure the correct size, install my cleats and get geared up. I liked Fox’s Power-Control sliding scale labeling on the cleat track. It’s likely not a big issue for clipless die-hards but it shows some forethought for newer clipless users who may not know where to slide their cleats in relation to the ball of their foot. Also appreciated was how much I could rotate the cleats in and out. Duck foot and pigeon-toed riders rejoice, the adjustability is impressive. Regarding the fit, I noticed the 44.5 was a bit larger than some and so I went with a 44 (10.5 according to Fox) and instantly felt better. I ran the OE-spec’d arch insert as they offered the best feel for my foot shape. Lacing up and closing the Velcro top was easy and I appreciated how easily the laces slid through their guide holes and cinched up. Some shoes require a lot more force to pull the laces, the Fox Unions are not those. My first time wearing the shoes, I spent about six hours in them doing everything from driving in the car for 45 minutes to walking in snow, splashing through huge puddles and hiking up near vertical rain ruts. Each time we stopped to smile and high five I’d look down at the shoes and see more and more mud, water and grit covering the once brand new looking kicks. I was a bit sad, but more surprised than anything. I was wearing thinner socks than usual and despite the cold snow and tons of water on the trail, I couldn’t believe my toes weren’t wet or cold. I suppose this could mean they’re going to be a bit warm in the summer, but we’ll have to wait until warmer temps arrive and our long term review goes live, but for now, I’m thankful and impressed at how well they handled the elements. What stands out most though when I think of the Fox Union shoes, is the protection and durability they offered on that first ride. From rock strikes, impacts and water splashes, the Fox Unions are likely to be some of my new favorite mountain bike shoes. Visit https://foxracing.com to get yours! #foxracing #santacruzbikes #mountainbike #enduromtb #mountainbiking

Fox Racing has some new stuff coming next Spring but we got the OK to share the news in a new first ride video and interview with Santa Cruz Syndicate riders. #mountainbike #mountainbiking #loamwolf #foxracing #enduromtb #ride @foxracing

Does your bike creak, rattle and clank? Does it feel loose or out of whack? Learn how to check for the most common issues that plague mountain bikes and why you should fix them asap! These simple tips from decades of experience aboard hundreds of bikes can save you time, money and possibly a serious injury. #mtb #mountainbike #moutainbiking #bikerepair #loamwolf #bike #rider #enduromtb Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf

Need a bike rack that is sturdy and reliable? Check out our review on the Rocky Mounts Guide Rail! Full written review: ------------ Many bike racks make contact with the fork, handlebars, or even sections of the frame, which can cause damage to your bike. The new RockyMounts GuideRail aims to change that, as a 2-bike system compatible with most bikes including eBikes, that only makes contact with the tires while transporting your bikes securely. We’ve been road tripping hard with our GuideRail rack loaded up, and it has us thoroughly impressed. THE DIRT The GuideRail works much like a 1Up rack, which has become the household name for this style of rack, but I found it to be more refined and user friendly. Road bikes, gravel bikes, and mountain bikes were all transported with ease over thousands of highway miles and countless shuttle roads. The GuideRail has never caused any issues, holding firmly onto the tow hitch regardless of the terrain faced. It has become a piece of my everyday life that I don’t have to think about. The bikes are held securely to the rack thanks to the load arms that cinch down tightly on the tires. To lower the load arms, you push in on the release levers relieving the tension. Once the tension is relieved the release levers click open to slide the load arm away from the bike tire. This system works flawlessly once you learn the trick to relieving the tension on the load arms. With the 1Up rack I felt like I sometimes needed three hands to unload a bike, but the GuideRail is a little more user-friendly. As mentioned above, bikes can be loaded asymmetrically to eliminate handlebar interference. When testing I did run into a combination of bikes that had handlebar and seat interference. This was quickly remedied by lowering the seat using our dropper seatposts. If lowering the seat didn’t solve the interference issue, I found that the bikes can easily be positioned slightly forward or back on the tray giving more room for handlebars. Overall, it does a good job at keeping the bikes separated and making life easy for mounting, but you would hope so when it only has two bikes to juggle. While there is not much to complain about with the GuideRail from RockyMounts the big and burly 10mm square link chain that comes with the rack could be an area of critique. The security this big chain offers is one of the great perks of this rack and the neat integration of the chain with the rack makes it even better. It is very beefy, heavy and secure, which alleviates some worries when running into the supermarket, but also make it a beast to move around. Bike thieves suck! Our first sample came with the older, shorter length chain and I found that it was not quite long enough to run through the frames of some two-bike combinations. Rocky Mounts informed us that they’ve lengthened the chain and this should no longer be a problem but with modern geometry and frame designs, it could be something to note. Mountain bikes like the new Santa Cruz lineup, where the shock is mounted very low in the front triangle, will take up extra length. Additionally, the chain is only long enough to go through the frame(s) and will not reach far enough to include the wheels. An additional, longer cable lock would be a wise purchase if you plan on leaving multiple bikes on the GuideRail for longer periods of time, to deter thieves from stealing your fancy hoops. The Wolf’s Last Word I love using the RockyMounts GuideRail rack. It’s simple, works well, looks good, and it does everything you want a rack to do. Unlike other racks on the market the GuideRail only makes contact with the tires of the bike, which alleviates any worries about wear on fork lowers or handlebars during transportation. The security that the 10mm link chain offers is tremendous, but I just wish it was a few links longer to secure a wider range of two bike combinations. Price: $849.95 Website: Rockymounts.com SHOP ROCKY MOUNTS @competitivecyclist | https://alnk.to/74qYDKG Disclosure: Our team selects all of the products we review and do so with honesty and objectivity in mind. Some of the products we receive come directly from Competitive Cyclist, who also value our readers and have offered them a 15% discount (exclusions apply) on their first purchase by using LOAMWOLF15. Through this program we may also receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support, TLW. Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf

We visited the Fox HQ for a new launch and got to spend a little time with the Syndicate crew. Stay tuned for the new product launch in the coming weeks/months.

“If you had to pick between the full power Trek Rail or the lighter Trek Fuel EXe, which would you choose?” “What’s the difference in battery range?” “How many miles can I go?” These questions, and many like them, are some of the most frequent inquiries in our YouTube comments section, DMs, and emails. Whether it is a question about the Specialized Levo vs Levo SL, Pivot’s Shuttle or Shuttle SL or even the Orbea Rise vs Orbea Wild, we figured this head-to-head test between the Trek Rail vs the Trek Fuel EXe would be at least a good starting point to helping present information and our thoughts on which bike we would prefer, and why. When it comes time to answering these questions, we often reply to the inquiry with questions of our own. Some of those questions are: Do you as a rider, want a bike that is lighter and more playful, but will not go as far, or would you sacrifice the light weight and playfulness for the ability to ride further, or ride the same distance as a lightweight eBike faster? Do you want to reach sections of trail you would never have been able to before or do you want to ride your usual loops just a bit quicker? Some folks prioritize self-shuttling themselves up the steepest climbs as fast as possible to maximize downhill laps, like Drew for example. Other riders, like Sean, would rather go slower on the climbs or shorter distances under power, but have a more lively and “mountain bike” experience that comes with a lighter eMTB. To test our theories and review which bike we would pick, we took our Trek Rail and Trek Fuel Exe to our local test loops to see what our differences in range would be and which bike we liked riding more. The goal with this experiment was to see how many laps we could finish before the battery dies and how much time it took to drain them and combined that with our downhill lap times and perceived “Feel” of how fun each bike was. We rode both bikes exclusively in Turbo/Boost mode, because we are about that #allboostallthetime life. THE DETAILS TREK RAIL 9.9 XX1 AXS Motor: Bosch Perf. CX Smart Torque: 85nm Battery Size: 750wh Bike Weight: 51.9 lbs Travel: 150/160mm Price: $13,799 TREK FUEL EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS Motor: TQ HPR50 Torque: 50nm Battery Size: 360wh Bike Weight: 41-lbs Travel: 140/160mm (upforked from 150mm) Price: $13,999 THE TRAIL Miles per lap: 2.3miles Elevation: 868ft per lap Climb Terrain Type: Steep Singletrack / Steep-Steeper Fire road | loose, rocky over hardpack Descent Terrain Type: Steep, loose over hard pack / shale stone THE RESULTS We have had both the Rail and Fuel EXe in our test fleet for a long time, so we will be using our personal experiences over a wide variety of terrain to speak to the feel of the bikes while also using this particular range test as the data for our takeaways from the test period we have had. Each lap on this test loop has a mix of flat, higher speed singletrack, some tighter, more technical singletrack as well as steep and ultra-steep fire road tech. Once at the top all routes down are very steep, loose, and chunky rock singletracks with plenty of obstacles and tight switchback turns. Keep Reading the write-up on the site here: https://theloamwolf.com/2022/12/11/video-whats-the-range-trek-rail-vs-trek-fuel-exe/ Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf #loamwolf #trekrail #trekfuelexe #boschebike #enduromtb #bestebike #ebike #mountainbike

You could win this Tilt Industries Balance Trainer that turns into a floor work stand, or wall mounted work station and storage solution. It's a 3 in 1 system that lets you practice manuals while also working out your core muscles or work on your bike. Subscribe to our channel and leave a comment down below with where you're from and how you'd use this unit. Winner will be randomly selected 12/31/2022. **DO NOT FALL FOR SCAMS - We will be the only people who reach out to you from our official account. NO What'sApp, Paypal or Venmo requests will be made by our team. To learn more visit https://tilttrainer.com/ #manual #mountainbike #mountainbiking #loamwolf #tiltindustries #enduromtb #ebike Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf

Freeride mountain bikers are some of the most extreme athletes on the planet, and new addition to the pro spotlight, Dylan Stark, is one of the most progressive riders out there. He sees the world as an endless playground and uses his bike as an extension of his athletic abilities and expression. This year has been a big one for Stark. He’s been working hard to prove that he’s got what it takes to be amongst the best while bringing his own flavor and new school style to the world stage. Last month, Dylan competed in the 16th edition of Red Bull Rampage and the event didn’t disappoint. This annual event in Utah is the pinnacle stop of the freeride world tour, and sees the best freeriders from around the globe compete against each other, in the gnarliest cliff riddled desert terrain. As Dylan rode through his line, his dig team pulled out a surprise feature, a grind rail that they hid next to one of his drops and placed just in time for Dylan to crank slide the rail to drop. This was the first grind in Rampage history, and it’s what makes Dylan so extraordinary, unique and fun to watch. To compete in Rampage requires insane courage, the nerve to battle the elements and still perform on queue with the world’s cameras on you. An incredible feat by any metric. Dylan’s focus on riding MTB only started a few years ago, but his roots in BMX street and park set him up to burst onto the MTB scene with a new style and the skills to prove he has what it takes to compete against the world’s best. He went from watching on the sidelines just a year ago, to getting the Rampage invite in 2023. Dylan is putting in the work to fulfill his dreams, and the fans are coming with him. Training for an event like this or any event, takes massive focus, dedication and practice. To get himself in top shape for Rampage, Dylan Stark relied heavily on his Ebike. Not only to ride, but to haul himself and his digging equipment to his local spot. Rampage is as much about building lines and being fit enough to dig as it is about riding. Dylan put his heart and soul and worked hard to prepare for his digs from morning till dusk daily, but breaks up the day by taking some runs and throw’n big moto whips to reconnect with what it’s all about. CHECK OUT EPISODE 2 HERE. What’s cool about Dylan is that he’s a two wheel guy, but sees bikes with an open mind and their ability, no matter 20”, 26”, Mullet, 29”, analogue or E. With the series “High Voltage” we’ve learned, (and can see) that Dylan views the Ebike without limitation, and through his riding experiences we can see how he uses his Ebike day to day, and to help further his career. In Episode 3 of High Voltage, Dylan puts e*thirteen’s Grappler and Zeppelin tires to the test.Dylan uses the 29” Grappler and the 27.5” Zeppelin in the rear. The Grappler is a 2.5” aggressive-terrain specific Enduro/Downhill tire for total control in roughest and most technical conditions. The Zeppelin e*spec tire is a purpose-built 27.5”x 2.7” rear tire for e-MTB. The demands of full power Ebikes require a tread design and casing construction that is specific to the need and the Zeppelin does exactly that. Dylan cracks open the possibilities on how people think of Ebikes. Watching Dylan you can see that he’s using his Ebike to maximize his training and for maximum fun. Visit ethirteen.com to learn more about the tires. Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf

The more brands we visit for our Behind the Brand series, the more we grow to appreciate the different chemistries, vibes and missions of companies in the bike industry. Fezzari Bicycles was one of our favorite stops so far, as they’ve got awesome local trails, a great story and family feel that made us outsiders feel like we’d enjoy punching the clock in Lindon, Utah. Founded by Chris Washburn back in 2005, Fezzari Bicycles is one of the youngest brands we’ve featured. To learn how Fezzari got its name; what led Chris to leave the automotive industry and start a bike company; and how he took his first order of 250 bikes and turned it into the rapidly growing company it is today was quite a story to hear. If you’ve not heard of Fezzari Bicycles, they’re a consumer-direct brand from Utah and have been growing in popularity thanks to their America-designed and engineered bikes, which happen to offer a competitive value. They also give some unique customization opportunities for buyers who want to tune the bike to their specifications, which is part of their larger 23-Point Custom Setup process. They even offer a “Love it or Return it” guarantee in case riders feel the bike isn’t quite the right fit for them. The points above are in line with Chris’ founding principles - to offer the best quality bikes in their class; provide personalized customer support and provide great value. These points are proudly hanging from huge banners in their fresh new HQ, which is built on family land. Check out our Behind the Brand video from Fezzari HQ where we show you around, meet the Fezzari team, and get immersed in the culture that shaped the company. To learn more about Fezzari Bicycles and explore their custom fit program and bike builder, visit https://fezzari.com/pages/bikes Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf

@GtechniqUK @gtechniqbike Ceramic Coating on our @CanyonBicycles Spectral. We taped this bike in half and applied ceramic coating and the difference is very visible in person. #mtb #ride #emtb #ebike #loamwolf #singletrack #mountainbike

@GtechniqUK @gtechniqbike Ceramic Coating on our @CanyonBicycles Spectral. We taped this bike in half and applied ceramic coating and the difference is very visible in person. #mtb #ride #emtb #ebike #loamwolf #singletrack #mountainbike

Ever wondered what is involved in the manufacture of a high quality aluminum mountain bike frame? It turns out they're very complex! In this video, we get the low-down from the main Scott Engineer involved in the design of their new Scott Genius Alloy frame, Étienne Chaloin. He gives us the run through of all the interesting and surprising stages that go into the manufacture of their frames. We think this is super interesting, and hope you do too! If you have any questions for the Scott engineering team, leave them below and we'll try to get an answer for you. Get your Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com #scottbikes #scottgenius #mountainbike #mountainbiking #enduromtb #ride #bikelife #engineering #howitsmade #enduromtb ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Website: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theloamwolf

One could easily argue that tires are the most important component on a bicycle. They are your only point of contact with the ground (hopefully); play a critical role in your suspension systems, and are the biggest factor in the rolling speed and feel of your bike. Given all that, it’s no wonder that people tend to choose their tire preference and rarely deviate from it, even though there might be more to life than the classic DHR/DHF combo. With a mixed history in the tire market, e*thirteen has long been an option that many people haven’t tried, but the engineers there are hard at work to change that. From my time on their brand new offering, the Grappler, I can confidently say that these tires deserve a place on more bikes. Maybe even yours. THE DIRT I started this test riding the MoPo DH Grappler as a front tire, in and around Bellingham and up in Squamish, BC. Immediately upon airing it up, I was pretty surprised by how stiff the casing is, even compared to other downhill tires I’ve run recently. This feeling didn’t really shake as I started riding the tire, as it has a really stiff, almost wooden feel on trail. That being said, this is a downhill tire, meant mostly for park riding and all-out abuse. On my regular trails, which can still offer plenty of speed and challenging terrain, it’s likely just overkill. This initial reaction was quickly dismissed when I switched over to the Enduro casing. The more supple casing instantly produced a night and day difference. Both the DH and the Enduro have excellent tread grip, but the Enduro has a much more pliable casing, which allows it to conform to the terrain better. Any hesitation and feedback I felt with the DH casing were calmed by its lighter brother, and I stuck with the Enduro for the rest of the test. One can pretty easily guess the tire that influenced the Grappler’s general design, as the tread pattern is distinctly Assegai, with its 3-2-3 center lugs and meaty outer edges. Where it differs is in those smaller 3-pack lugs, where the e*thirteen version has a much more substantial appearance and feel. This was noticeable on slab trails, like those up in Squamish, where the tire effectively has a larger contact patch than other equivalent designs – meaning more grip when cornering and braking. I also felt a difference on the greasy roots here in Bellingham; thanks to the super-grippy nature of the MoPo rubber, you can catch decent traction on slippery surfaces, but the solid base to the lugs don’t let them squirm as much, so the whole tire feels more stable. I don’t necessarily think the MoPo is a whole lot stickier than MaxxGrip or Schwalbe’s Super Soft, but all three offer best-in-class performance when it comes to wet weather riding. I had the Grapplers mounted up to 3 different wheelsets I’ve been riding, the Stan’s Flow MK4s, the Reynolds Trail 329s, and e*thirteen’s own LG1 Race Carbon wheels. The internal widths vary slightly on all three, from 30-32mm, and in every case the Grappler aired up nicely with a round profile: not as domed as some tires out there, but not as squared off as e*thirteen’s older offerings. Those older square tires were a bit notorious, for when you pushed beyond that outside corner, things could get hairy. According to the engineers at e*thirteen, they’ve done a lot to tweak that casing shape and get it to fit a more predictable and stable mold, and I think they’ve hit their mark. The 2.5” width is spot-on for the intended usage of the Grappler, looking and feeling appropriately aggressive without reaching the balloon-like vague levels of some bigger carcasses. Over the months I’ve been on the Grapplers, I’ve ridden some fast hardpack California trails, which are already getting dusty, and the cornering performance was just as impressive as it is here in the PNW loam. The big square lugs of the tire really dig in nicely, but you don’t have to commit to a fully tilted lean to get that bite. That feeling is part of what makes tires like the Assegai and Magic Mary so appealing, and e*thirteen has captured it well. Like any beefy knobby tire, braking performance is excellent, and the lack of ramping on the Grappler means it hooks up in damn near every direction. This of course does equate to lower rolling speed, but for my riding that matters a whole lot less than the grip you can get in the steeps. Tread wear is pretty slow here in Bellingham, but even after a few weeks of hot rocky riding in California the knobs are still in pretty good shape, with minimal undercut and no tearing or punctures to speak of. [Keep Reading on the site] Full Review: https://theloamwolf.com/2022/06/09/release-and-review-the-new-ethirteen-grappler-tire/ Prices: $60-$70 Weight: 29×2.5” Enduro MoPo: 1320g 29×2.5” Downhill MoPo: 1405g Website: www.ethirteen.com Get Loam Wolf gear here: https://store.theloamwolf.com ------------------------------------ FOLLOW US Site: https://www.theloamwolf.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/theloamwolf/