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.

Silca Chain Waxing System

Silca Chain Waxing System

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

Read my 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 my review β†’
Smith Pursuit ChromaPop Sunglasses

Smith Pursuit ChromaPop Sunglasses

Photochromic lenses adapt to light conditions for ultimate XC performance.

Read my 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 my review β†’
Topeak SmartGauge D2 Tire Pressure Gauge

Topeak SmartGauge D2 Tire Pressure Gauge

A pocket-sized digital gauge that nails MTB pressures with 1psi precision.

Read my 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 my review β†’
Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)

Kenda Rush Pro 2.4 SCT (120 TPI)

Fast-rolling XC tire with ample grip, superb handling, and SCT protection for rocky, technical terrain.

Read my review β†’
Lezyne Tubeless Pro Plug Kit

Lezyne Tubeless Pro Plug Kit

Permanent-style tubeless repair kit with mushroom plugs and rubber cement for fixing big punctures right β€” from the inside.

Read my review β†’
Pearl Izumi Summit Gloves

Pearl Izumi Summit Gloves

Minimalist, breathable MTB gloves with touchscreen-ready fingertips and all-day comfort.

Read my 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