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.

Browse picks

Gear Index

Everything tested and recommended β€” filter, search, compare.

See all gear

Guides

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

Read guides

Checklists

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

Open checklists

Featured Gear

Current standouts from recent testing and races.

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2

Open-ear bone conduction headphones that keep your awareness sharp and your rhythm rolling.

Read the review β†’
Skratch Super High-Carb Mix

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.

Read the review β†’
Tacx Garmin Neo 2T Smart Trainer

Tacx Garmin Neo 2T Smart Trainer

A rock-solid direct-drive smart trainer that delivers natural feel, perfect power accuracy, and near-silent operation β€” without any fuss.

Read the review β†’
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†’
Garmin Edge 1040 Review – Incredible Battery Life

Garmin Edge 1040 Review – Incredible Battery Life

Why I trust the Edge 1040 for every race and training ride. Full review here.

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†’
Silca Super Secret Wax Blend

Silca Super Secret Wax Blend

High-performance hot melt wax blend for chain durability and efficiency.

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†’
Maxxis Rekon Race 2.4 MaxxSpeed

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.

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