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.

See all gear

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.

Lezyne Multi Chain Pliers

Lezyne Multi Chain Pliers

Compact, bombproof multi-tool with chain breaker, quick link storage, and more.

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†’
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†’
Topeak Digital Torque Wrench

Topeak Digital Torque Wrench

Accurate, reliable digital torque wrench for precise bike maintenance.

Read the review β†’
FR-C Pro Cargo Bib Short

FR-C Pro Cargo Bib Short

A game-changing bib for long days in the saddle β€” breathable, secure, and zero chafing.

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.

Read the review β†’
Silca Strip Chip

Silca Strip Chip

Drop it in your pot along with a new chain to rid it of factory grease during first wax.

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†’
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†’

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