Race smarter. Ride faster.
XC race-driven tire picks, setups, and gear reviews.
RaceDaySetup tools
Built for XC & endurance racing Gear that performs and lasts Efficiency when it counts
Tire Picks by Race
Event-specific recommendations for XC & marathon courses.
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Gear Index
Everything tested and recommended — filter, search, compare.
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Guides
Bike setup, pressures, inserts, waxing, and race-day strategy.
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Checklists
Pre-race, travel, tools, and spares — so nothing gets missed.
Open checklistsFeatured Gear
Current standouts from recent testing and races.
Shimano XC903 S-PHYRE Review
A full-season review of the Shimano XC903 S-PHYRE XC race shoes — ultra-stiff, lightweight, shockingly comfortable, and brutally tested in alpine racing and hike-a-bikes.
Read the review →
Buy Now 
Air-Liner Light XC Tire Insert
Insert system for rim protection and lower pressure confidence.
Read the review →
Topeak Digital Torque Wrench
Accurate, reliable digital torque wrench for precise bike maintenance.
Read the review →
Kenda Booster Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)
XC race tire with aggressive knobs and SCT protection — a lighter, confident alternative to the Maxxis Ikon.
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Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro – Flight Attendant vs. Stock
Full breakdown of the Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro in both its stock 120/130mm configuration and a custom 120/120mm RockShox Flight Attendant setup.
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Buy Now 
Tacx Garmin Neo 2T Smart Trainer
A rock-solid direct-drive smart trainer that delivers natural feel, perfect power accuracy, and near-silent operation — without any fuss.
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Maxxis Rekon Race 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Review – fast rolling XC tire for dry trails. The Maxxis Rekon Race is my go-to front tire for dry, rough XC courses. See how it performs and why it’s in my rotation.
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Camelbak Podium Bottle
Big, insulated, and fast to drink from—this is the race bottle you’ll keep reaching for.
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Aerate Pro Air 3.0 Short-Sleeve Jersey
A race-cut jersey that disappears once you're riding. Tight, breathable, and built for big efforts in hot weather.
Read the review →About Me
I'm Ben — a full-time XC and endurance mountain bike racer with a deep obsession for optimizing race-day setups. Every recommendation you find here comes straight from real-world experience racing across some of the toughest XC courses in North America.
Follow more of the racing at BSracing.us .
Whether you're chasing your first finish or a new PR, my goal is to help riders choose gear that maximizes confidence on race day.
— Ben