Race smarter. Ride faster.
XC race-driven tire picks, setups, and gear reviews.
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.
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.
Read my review →
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Giro Aries Spherical Helmet
Lightweight, highly ventilated helmet with top-tier MIPS protection.
Read my review →
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Silca Chain Waxing System
Efficient wax heating pot for dipping chains in hot melt wax.
Read my review →
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Skratch Recovery Drink Mix
Go-to recovery shake after hard workouts and races. Carb + protein in the right ratio, mixes fast, and actually tastes good when you're cooked.
Read my review →
Topeak Digital Torque Wrench
Accurate, reliable digital torque wrench for precise bike maintenance.
Read my review →
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 my review → Dynaplug Racer Pro Review – Fast, Lightweight Tubeless Tire Plug Kit
Why I trust the Dynaplug Racer Pro to save races: lightweight, fast to deploy, and incredibly reliable. Full review + real race experience.
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Pearl Izumi Summit Gloves
Minimalist, breathable MTB gloves with touchscreen-ready fingertips and all-day comfort.
Read my review →
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.
Read my 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