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.
Giro Aries Spherical Helmet
Lightweight, highly ventilated helmet with top-tier MIPS protection.
Read my review →
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Maxxis Aspen ST 2.4 MaxxSpeed
Semi-slick version of the Aspen. Ideal for hardpack and short track.
Read my review →
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Camelbak Podium Bottle
Big, insulated, and fast to drink from—this is the race bottle you’ll keep reaching for.
Read my review →
Pearl Izumi Summit Gloves
Minimalist, breathable MTB gloves with touchscreen-ready fingertips and all-day comfort.
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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.
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Skratch Super High-Carb Mix
My main fueling source for training and racing. Delivers 100g carbs per bottle, no stomach issues, and pairs great with PH 1500 tablets.
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Silca Strip Chip
Drop it in your pot along with a new chain to rid it of factory grease during first wax.
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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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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 →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