Ben racing in RaceDaySetup kit at altitude

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 β€” filter, search, compare.

See all gear

Guides

Bike setup, pressures, inserts, waxing, and race-day strategy.

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Checklists

Pre-race, travel, tools, and spares β€” so nothing gets missed.

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Featured Gear

Current standouts from recent testing and races.

Shimano XC903 S-PHYRE Review

Shimano XC903 S-PHYRE Review

A full-season review of the Shimano XC903 S-PHYRE XC race shoes β€” ultra-stiff, lightweight, shockingly comfortable, and brutally tested in alpine racing and hike-a-bikes.

Read the review β†’
Precision Hydration PH 1500 Tablets

Precision Hydration PH 1500 Tablets

A no-nonsense sodium boost that pairs perfectly with high-carb mixes. Easy to travel with, race-tested, and essential for hydration strategy.

Read the review β†’
Giro Aries Spherical Helmet

Giro Aries Spherical Helmet

Lightweight, highly ventilated helmet with top-tier MIPS protection.

Read the review β†’
Lezyne Multi Chain Pliers

Lezyne Multi Chain Pliers

Compact, bombproof multi-tool with chain breaker, quick link storage, and more.

Read the review β†’
Camelbak Podium Bottle

Camelbak Podium Bottle

Big, insulated, and fast to drink fromβ€”this is the race bottle you’ll keep reaching for.

Read the review β†’
Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4 MaxxSpeed

Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4 MaxxSpeed

Semi-slick version of the Aspen. Ideal for hardpack and short track.

Read the review β†’
Skratch Recovery Drink Mix

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 the review β†’
Topeak Digital Torque Wrench

Topeak Digital Torque Wrench

Accurate, reliable digital torque wrench for precise bike maintenance.

Read the review β†’
Smith Pursuit ChromaPop Sunglasses

Smith Pursuit ChromaPop Sunglasses

Photochromic lenses adapt to light conditions for ultimate XC performance.

Read the review β†’

About Me

Ben Steger

I'm Ben β€” 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.

β€” Ben