Mountain Biking Reviews
We tested the top picks from Specialized, Yeti, Trek, Ibis, Santa Cruz, Canyon, Yakima and Giant.
The Tallboy has the ability to inspire confidence in riders and convince them to go faster.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
When you’re spending time out on the trail, having the right gear can be the difference between an epic ride or a miserable slog. Whether you’re searching for the best mountain bike, the accessories to complete your riding kit, or a top bike rack to get you to and from the trailhead, we’ve got the dirt. From safety gear like our favorite mountain bike helmets, full face helmets and the best biking knee pads, our unbiased reviews will help you find what you need to make your next ride a memorable one.
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Best Picks in Mountain Biking Reviews
Best Bike Gear of 2024
Whether you've just started riding and want to start with a fresh setup, or you have been on a bike for years and want...
Best Mountain Bike Shorts for Women of 2024
With so many women's mountain bike shorts on the market, how do you choose the right model? We purchased the best to...
10 Best Bike Helmets of 2024
We're always looking for the best bike helmets to fuel our rides. We tested hundreds of models this year and these are...
Best Mountain Bike Shorts of 2024
Sorting mountain bike apparel can be as technical as picking through a rock garden. Our mountain bike experts tested...
Best Dropper Posts of 2024
Are you interested in the best dropper seatpost for your mountain bike? We have researched virtually every model ever...
Best Gravel Bikes of 2024
On the hunt for a new gravel bike? After researching the top options on the market, we bought 9 models for this...
Best Trail Mountain Bikes
In the market for a new mountain bike for trail riding? We constantly search for new, compelling models to purchase...
10 Best Mountain Bikes
We're always searching for the best new mountain bikes. After researching the latest and greatest models on the...
10 Best Bike Shoes of 2024
We've spent years researching, buying, and testing the industry's top bike shoes from road cycling to mountain biking...
Best Budget Mountain Bikes of 2024
In search of a budget mountain bike? We're constantly testing new, intriguing models and looking out for outstanding...
Best Mountain Bike Helmets of 2024
Searching for a new mountain bike helmet? We researched and tested the top models on the market and here are 21 of our...
Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes For Women
Deciding on a new pair of women's mountain bike flat pedal shoes can be difficult, with so many choices available. Our...
Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads of 2024
Are you overwhelmed by the amount of mountain bike knee pads on the market? We purchased over twenty of the most...
Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes of 2024
There are lots of mountain bike flat shoes on the market. We bought 12 of the most intriguing options to put through...
Best Mountain Bike Wheels of 2024
On the hunt for the best mountain bike wheels to upgrade the performance of your mountain bike? We've done the...
Best Mountain Bike Shoes of 2024
In search of the best clipless mountain bike shoes? Our team of testers carefully evaluated nearly every shoe on the...
The Best Bike Racks of 2024
Are you in need of a new rack to transport your beloved bicycles? We spent years researching the most compelling bike...
Best Mountain Bike Pedals of 2024
We continually buy and test the latest mountain bike pedals side-by-side to help you find the best. This review...
Best Mountain Bike Tires of 2024
Mountain bike tires can make or break the most dialed bicycle. We researched nearly every tire on the market before...
Best Bike Phone Mounts of 2024
Our extensive testing of bike phone mounts turned up some expensive high performers (no surprise) but also (nice...
Best Hitch Bike Racks of 2024
We understand the importance of bringing your bike along on your adventures. That's why we've spent years researching...
Best Fat Bike of 2024
In the market for a fat bike and not sure which is the right model for you? We're here to help! We researched the best...
Best Flat Pedals for Mountain Biking of 2024
Searching for a new set of flat pedals for your mountain bike? We researched and purchased 22 of the top models on the...
Best Tailgate Pad of 2024
We researched the best tailgate pads on the market prior to purchasing six of the most intriguing options for testing...
Best Mountain Bike Gloves
Looking for a new pair of mountain bike gloves to meet your riding needs? After researching the top models on the...
Best Cycling Sunglasses of 2024
After researching over 50 of the best options on the market, we picked and purchased 18 of the best options on the...
Best Mountain Bike Handlebars
Upgrading your mountain bike handlebar can enhance your comfort and improve your bike's performance on the trail, so...
Best Mountain Bike Saddle of 2024
Are you looking for the best mountain bike saddle you can buy? We researched over 50 models before choosing a...
Best Full Face Bike Helmet
If you need a new full-face bike helmet, you have come to the right place. We have spent years testing over 30 of the...
Best Bike Travel Case
We spent countless hours researching the best bike travel cases on the market. After extensive research, we bought 4...
Best Mountain Bike Hip Pack
Are you searching for the best mountain bike hip pack? We tested ten of the most intriguing packs on the market...
Best Hardtail Mountain Bike
We conducted a mind-numbing amount of research to identify the most compelling hardtail mountain bikes available...
Best Bike Light Review
There's great debate on exactly which is the very best bike light. So who stacks up against who? We combined extensive...Mountain Biking Reviews Learning Center
How to Choose a Gravel Bike
In recent years, gravel biking has exploded in popularity and is one of the fastest-growing parts of the cycling...
How to Choose the Right Flat Pedals for Mountain Biking
Choosing the right mountain bike flat pedals can seem daunting with so many options available. From nylon to aluminum...
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Helmet
How do you choose a mountain biking helmet? There's a different type of helmet for every type of riding, with many...
How to Select the Right Mountain Bike
Every year we research hundreds of mountain bikes and ride thousands of miles to test dozens of them head-to-head...
Choosing the Right Bike Rack for Your Car
With loads of options available, selecting a bike rack can be a daunting task. We have done the work for you, by...
How To Choose a Fat Bike
Interested in purchasing a fat bike? There's a lot to consider when searching for a new ride and we hope this buying...Recent Gear Reviews in Mountain Biking Reviews
Top Pick
OneUp Components V3 Review
OneUp has a proven track record of providing quality, affordable, and reliable dropper posts. We have tested each...
Best Buy
Ride1Up CF Racer1 Review
Like the truck from Hyundai, some nuances of the CF Racer1 seem born out of inexperience in the market, but that might...
Editors' Choice
Revel Rascal XO Transmission Review
Revel is a passion project out of Carbondale, Colorado, building high-end bikes for discerning riders. While still...
Editors' Choice
Kuat Piston Pro Review
Kuat raised the bar when they released the Piston Pro X; they also raised the price point for a hitch rack. Starting...
Editors' Choice
Trek Farley 7 Review
The Trek Farley 7 is a burly, all-terrain trail bike with capabilities favoring winter. While primarily designed for...
Best Buy
Salsa Heyday Advent Review
Salsa has a long history of making great fat bikes and the Heyday! is the latest. The new Heyday! replaces the Mukluk...
Top Pick
Ride Concepts Wildcat - Women's Review
The Wildcat is built for gravity riding. It features a mid-top design and provides tons of protection but at the...
Editors' Choice
Santa Cruz Stigmata Carbon CC Apex Review
The Santa Cruz Stigmata nearly aced our tests and delivered in the important metrics, it's easily our top-rated gravel...
Top Pick
Fox Racing Launch Pro D3O Review
The Fox Launch D3O Pro are fantastic knee pads that earned a Top Pick as Best Downhill Knee Pads. These dialed pads...
Editors' Choice
BikeYoke Revive 2.0 Review
The Bike Yoke Revive dropper post is a long-running favorite here at GearLab. For years, we have appreciated clean and...
Top Pick
Yeti SB140 LR T2 TURQ Review
The Yeti SB140 LR isn't significantly different from the outgoing SB130, which is good. The retired model was one of...
Top Pick
North Shore NSR-6 Review
The North Shore NSR-6 is a vertically-oriented hitch-mount rack best suited for gravity mountain bikers who frequently...
Best Buy
Trek Roscoe 7 Review
The Trek Roscoe 7 is an adaptable and well-rounded hardtail mountain bike that is competent in most of situations...
Editors' Choice
Norco Fluid FS 4 Review
The Norco Fluid FS 4 is a ripping trail bike at an outstanding price point. This red singletrack slayer delivers a...
Top Pick
Yakima HighRoad Review
The Yakima HighRoad is an impressive roof-mounted rack that features a very easy installation/removal process and...
Best Buy
Specialized 2FO Roost Flat - Unisex Review
The Specialized 2FO Roost Flat is a flat pedal shoe that makes a big statement by balancing grip, comfort...
Top Pick
Smith Pursuit Review
With massive lens coverage and unique side shields, the Smith Optics Pursuit offers unparalleled protection in an...
Best Buy
Tifosi Sledge Review
We were pleasantly surprised by the Tifosi Sledge in our field test. Their low price and high-end performance make...
Editors' Choice
Wolf Tooth Waveform Review
The Wolf Tooth Waveform performs exceptionally across our test metrics. The dual concave platform provides an...
Best Buy
Race Face Chester Review
The Race Face Chester is for a rider who wants a durable, lightweight pedal with a compact look and budget-friendly...
Editors' Choice
Troy Lee Designs Skyline Review
The Troy Lee Skyline shorts are a great choice for riders who want the perfect balance of style, comfort, and...
Top Pick
Fox Union BOA Review
The Fox Union BOA earned a Top Pick for Best Downhill Shoe. Although this award is labeled as Best Downhill Shoe...
Top Pick
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit Review
The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit shoes are versatile, all-around mountain bike shoes that work well in a number of...
Best Buy
Leatt Gravity 2.0 Review
The Leatt Gravity 2.0 offers a great bang for the buck. This highly functional full face may not have the flashy looks...
Top Pick
Bell Super DH Spherical Review
The Bell Super DH Spherical is a high-end convertible helmet that offers excellent performance and superb comfort in...
Editors' Choice
HT Components T2 Review
An incredibly well-executed mid-cage clipless pedal from HT, the T-2 delivers on all of the metrics we care about and...
Top Pick
Troy Lee Ruckus Shell Review
The Troy Lee Designs Ruckus continues its reign as our Top Pick for Gravity Riders. These shorts have a relaxed baggy...
Editors' Choice
Giro Latch Review
The Giro Latch is an excellent new flat pedal shoe that challenges the standard set for the contact point of your feet...
Top Pick
Continental Kryptotal Front 2.4 Review
The Continental Kryptotal Fr is a great front tire for aggressive trail or downhill riders. The tread design's support...
Top Pick
Zipp 3Zero Moto Review
The Zipp 3Zero Moto is the latest mountain bike offering from cycling's oldest carbon wheel manufacturer. Designed...
Best Buy
Hunt Trail Wide MTB Review
The new Hunt Trail Wide wheels perform exactly as they should, they're not flashy but there are no real distractions...
Top Pick
Rapha Trail Knee Pads Review
The Rapha Trail Knee Pads are exceptionally comfortable and well-designed pads that are well-suited for everyday trail...
Top Pick
Shimano Saint SPD M820 Review
The Saint M820 push the limits of control while challenging our ideas about acceptable weight. Taking home the Top...
Top Pick
WTB Vigilante 2.5 & 2.6 Review
We previously tested the WTB Vigilante in the heavier Tough casing. This time, we got our hands on the TCS Light SG2...
Best Buy
Giro Radix MIPS Review
Giro's recently introduced Radix MIPS continues their fine tradition of high-quality, mid-range offerings. It doesn't...
Best Buy
Specialized Camber Review
The Specialized Camber lowers the price tag on high-end enduro styling while offering standard mid-range protective...
Top Pick
Marin Rift Zone 29 2 Review
The Marin Rift Zone 29 2 is an affordable short travel trail bike that would make an excellent daily driver. This...
Editors' Choice
Thule Outway Hanging 2 Review
Thule broke the trunk rack mold with the Outway Hanging 2, giving it a clever design that aims to solve some of the...
Top Pick
Commencal Meta HT AM Essential Review
The Commencal Meta HT AM Essential is one of the most fun hardtails we've ever tested. This bike handles whatever you...
Best Buy
Ride Concepts Livewire Review
The Ride Concepts Livewire is a quality shoe that delivers an outstanding price to performance ratio. Don't let the...
Best Buy
Spank Oozy 220 Review
The Spank Oozy 220 is a reasonably priced and impressively comfortable mountain bike saddle that is perfect for any...
Editors' Choice