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.

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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 β€” so nothing gets missed.

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Featured Gear

Current standouts from recent testing and races.

SRAM AXS XO Transmission

SRAM AXS XO Transmission

Cutting-edge wireless drivetrain for elite XC racing.

Read the review β†’
Continental Dubnital 2.4 Race Rapid

Continental Dubnital 2.4 Race Rapid

An extremely light and fast-rolling XC tire with outstanding grip for its category, but a very narrow use case in the ultra-light Race Rapid casing.

Read the review β†’
Orange Seal Endurance Sealant

Orange Seal Endurance Sealant

Top-rated tire sealant with long-lasting formula.

Read the review β†’
Silca Chain Waxing System

Silca Chain Waxing System

Efficient wax heating pot for dipping chains in hot melt wax.

Read the review β†’
Eflator Digital Tire Pump

Eflator Digital Tire Pump

Compact digital inflator that’s perfect for travel and daily pre-ride top-offs.

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Dynaplug Racer Pro Review – Fast, Lightweight Tubeless Tire Plug Kit

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.

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.

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Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro – Flight Attendant vs. Stock

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 the review β†’
Maxxis Ikon 2.4 MaxxSpeed

Maxxis Ikon 2.4 MaxxSpeed

Lightweight XC tire with predictable grip and low rolling resistance.

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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