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.

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2

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

Read my review β†’
Maxxis Ikon 2.4 MaxxSpeed

Maxxis Ikon 2.4 MaxxSpeed

Lightweight XC tire with predictable grip and low rolling resistance.

Read my review β†’
RockShox Flight Attendant

RockShox Flight Attendant

Electronically adaptive suspension SID ULTIMATE - fork / SIDLuxe ULTIMATE shock.

Read my review β†’
Giro Aries Spherical Helmet

Giro Aries Spherical Helmet

Lightweight, highly ventilated helmet with top-tier MIPS protection.

Read my review β†’
Air-Liner Light XC Tire Insert

Air-Liner Light XC Tire Insert

Insert system for rim protection and lower pressure confidence.

Read my 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 my 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 my 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 my 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 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