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.

Air-Liner Light XC Tire Insert

Air-Liner Light XC Tire Insert

Insert system for rim protection and lower pressure confidence.

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†’
Orange Seal Endurance Sealant

Orange Seal Endurance Sealant

Top-rated tire sealant with long-lasting formula.

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†’
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†’
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†’
SRAM AXS XO Transmission

SRAM AXS XO Transmission

Cutting-edge wireless drivetrain for elite XC racing.

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†’
Aerate Pro Air 3.0 Short-Sleeve Jersey

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 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