2020 - Page 3 of 6 - Mountain Biking With Kids

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Bontrager Quantum MIPS Mountain Bike Helmet Review

Bontrager Quantum helmet with MIPS review

Mountain bike helmets provide mandatory protection. They protect your head in case of a fall and are designed to absorb and dissipate as much of the impact as possible, doing their best to prevent traumatic brain injuries or worse. Not all helmets are created equally, and the Bontrager Quantum MIPS Bike Helmet is definitely one that you should be taking a second look at – in a good way.

Buy from Bontrager / Trek

Bontrager: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Not only does it come in nine different colors, including a cool teal and volt combination, black, white, and several shades of blue, among others, but it contains top-of-the-line protection. Plus, with three sizes to pick from, small, medium, and large – finding just the right fit is easy. After all, you don’t want a helmet that’s too large, because it could slip while you’re riding and not protect your head properly. Plus, the BOA fit system helps you quickly and easily fit the helmet to your head. The helmet features an adjustable clasp and the length of the chin straps can be adjusted.

BOA adjustment system on the Bontrager Quantum MTB helmet

The helmet will will fit heads ranging from 51-57cm (small), 54-60cm (medium), 58-63cm (large). And, it weighs 335g through 410g.

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Visor detail - Bontrager Quantum mtb helmet with MIPS

Rear view - Bontrager Quantum bike helmet with MIPS protection

Bontrager Quantum helmet with MIPS - trailside repair

When it comes to safety features, the designers at Bontrager have been thorough. The built-in MIPS protection system covers the head and prevents against angular impacts and multi-directional damage. There are lock-down dividers that help keep the helmet in place, as well as an in-mold composite skeleton making it strong and effective.

Style for miles with the Bontrager Quantum MIPS helmet

In addition to the safety features, the helmet contains recessed and internal channels that allow for airflow – which help keep your head cool as you ride. The washable helmet pads also wick away sweat mid-ride. There’s even a removable snap-on visor that keeps the sun out of your eyes but removes easily if you no longer need it.

Our kid has been using this helmet for a few months now and he still likes it. He hasn’t complained about it being uncomfortable or heavy. It’s well ventilated and good looking. The visor does its job and the BOA fit system provides a snug fit. We’ve affixed a GoPro compatible mount on the top of the helmet. This will let our kid sport an action camera, like a GoPro Hero 8 or the Bontrager Ion Pro RT light.

This helmet holds a GoPro, or Bontrager ION light with easse

The Bontrager Quantum MIPS helmet in our possession has survived a couple of minor crashes. It’s dirty, but structurally safe and sound. The helmet is great for trail rides with our NICA team. Mom and dad need new helmets soon, and based on our son’s experience with the Bontrager Quantum, we may end up with the same model.

Kid riding mountain bike with the Bontrager Quantum helmet

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Family Friendly Mountain Biking Trails In Park City, Utah

Family friendly mountain bike trails in Park City, Utah

Take heed! We’re only touching on a few of the great places to mountain bike with your family in Park City. Explore the embedded maps and you’ll see a lot more options. You would have to spend weeks in the area to ride everything. We’ve lived nearby for several years and we are learning more about Park City every summer. If you want to stop in one of the area’s great bike shops, they may point you to a trail not on this list depending on your preferences/abilities.

Before taking your kids out for a spin in Park City on advanced trails, we strongly suggest being keenly aware of your young ones’ skill levels or having an adult with at least intermediate skills pre-ride the trails we have shared in this post. This is so you ensure safety and fun.

Take note that a few of the trails we mention can be done as out-and-backs. There are a few trails that are directional, meaning climb-only or downhill-only mountain biking is allowed. Please abide by these rules because it’s part of your responsibility to keep the flow going and avoiding an earful from passers-by. Also, avoid riding muddy trails and keep an eye on the weather. With just more than a sprinkle of rain, the dirt in the Park City area can quickly turn to goopy cookie dough and stick to your tires and brakes.

PARK CITY, UT MTB WEATHER

Park City’s trail organization, Mountain Trails Foundation and Summit County’s Basin Recreation have done a phenomenal job with managing this area for decades. They have the leaders, the volunteers, the community interest, and the money to make things work year round for mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, equestrians, and cross-country skiers. It’s no wonder the Park City area is one of IMBA’s Gold-Level ride centers. We are grateful for all that these groups have done in order to make this a mountain biking mecca in our back yard. Enough of my blah-blah-blah. Here we go.

Bob’s Basin

For Parking/Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/pDRMqMgZcyQAJFt39
Who it’s for: Strong beginners through experts

This is easily one of our favorite areas because the climb trails are somewhat short and you can easily do laps on the four downhill only trails. Its south facing slopes at this elevation dry out earlier in the season, too. Park at the Bad Apple Trailhead as shown on the map. From there, ride up Bad Apple and Fink Again. When you top out on Fink Again, turn right. You could do the downhill trail Crazy 8 or continue on for about another mile until you can descend on Ant Farm, Team Cutthroat DH, or The Drop Out. All these trails require intermediate mountain bike skills due to corners, rollable features, and jumps. The Drop Out is the most popular way down because in 2019, all of the berms were rebuilt. On the last three trails past Crazy 8, there are a few optional rock kickers and doubles. Most everything is rollable, but be sure to look before you leap. This trail network is so good, that we often frequent it with our high school NICA team in order to get out of the valley.

Doing the climb in the Bob's Basin area - Park City, Utah family mountain biking trails

Kid riding the The Drop Our - Park City mtb trails for families and beginners

When returning to the car on Bad Apple, be aware that this area is popular and there may be hikers and other bikers heading up. Always follow proper trail etiquette and yield to uphill traffic. This is also a great place to use a bell if you have one. The Bad Apple trailhead is also a popular access point for Flying Dog.

The map below is labeled as ‘Drop Our’ but it shows the Bob’s Basin system very well.

MTB Helmets For Kids

Make sure your kids have proper, well-fitting head protection.

Mountain Bike Helmets For Kids

Knee Pads For Kids

Knee pads are another level of protection for young riders.

MTB Knee Pads for Kids

Hydration Packs For Kids

Is your kid big enough to carry their own water and supplies?

MTB Hydration Packs for Kids

Trailside Bike Park

This bike park is not lift-served. You gotta pedal, but that means it’s free to ride and you can easily spend at least a couple of hours here. It is very family-friendly and riders of all abilities will have a great time – even kids on balance bikes. There’s a small skate park immediately above the parking area as well. To get to Trailside from Salt Lake, take I-80 towards Park City, but drive past the Kimball Junction so you can turn right onto state road 40/189 towards Heber (exit 146). Then take exit 2 and turn right onto Silver Summit Parkway. Follow the speed limit and keep straight. You will end up at the Trailside parking area. There are soccer fields on your right. The skate park and bike park are up the hill to your left.

Pulling a wheelie at Park City's Trailside Mountain Bike Park

Trailside bike park - Park City family mountain biking

Trailside has two pump tracks, a skills area, a couple of jump lines, practice rock drops, and several trails. The easiest trails are Yabba Dabba Doo and The Great Gazoo. The advanced trails are Bamm Bamm and Mr. Muchrocks. You could access the Round Valley area from an intersection on the lower third of Mr. Muchrocks.

Explore this wonderful riding area to your heart’s content. Younger riders will love the lower pump track and just meandering about the lower section of the park. Beginner through expert riders will like the flow trails with jumps and wood features. There’s even an on-off whale tail on Bamm Bamm.

The map below is labeled as ‘Yabba Dabba Doo’ but it shows the Trailside Bike Park in its entirety and and the close by Round Valley trail system.

Family Mountain Biking At Deer Valley Resort

For Parking/Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/Y7AVb1ED1dsD2kEe6
Who it’s for: confident beginners through experts

Park at the bottom of the resort and take the Silver Lake Express lift to get access to the Sterling Express lift. At the top of Sterling Express, younger or beginner riders will want to start on the Holy Roller trail. Intermediate to advanced riders should get a warm up lap on Tidal Wave. After this, it’s up to you.

Grom sending a jump at Deer Valley Resort - Park City Mountain biking for families

The big flow trails at the Deer Valley Bike Park were designed by Gravity Logic. And even though they don’t have PNW dirt to work with, they’ve done an excellent job for creating trails that meander down the mountain and get your kids worn out. The Holy Roller trail is four freakin’ miles long. That’s right – four miles long! Back in the day, Deer Valley used to host the NORBA Cup races and until 2018, the Scott Enduro Cup. So there’s plenty of old school tech and danger for the rowdies. The rock garden known as Barney’s Rubble on NCS will challenge expert riders and the table jumps on Tsunami will have you flying through the air with both tires off the deck.

Flying Dog

For Parking/Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/pDRMqMgZcyQAJFt39
Who it’s for: intermediate skilled mountain bikers through experts

Ride this loop counter-clockwise. Why? Because if you ride it clock-wise: (A) You’ll miss out on one of the best descents in the west (B) You’ll earn the scorn of those enjoying the descent. The trail is not directional, but riding it counter-clockwise is by far the most popular route. Our youngest did this ride with us for the first time when he was 10 and we all lived through it rather well. We took the climbing very slow and made sure to keep him happy with snacks and ice in his water. Here is how we suggest you do this ride: Bad Apple, Fink Again, take a left when you get to 24-7, right on to Flying Dog (this is brief), then right on Preserve Connector. Look at the embedded map. This route takes you to the front toe of the dog. The climbing is pretty good, but this trail is where you truly earn your turns. Once you start the descent, and get to the butt of the dog, there are only a couple of small climbs when returning to the trailhead. The highlight of our descent is always the trees and the beaver ponds. If you do the ride in the evening you may see one of these amazing engineers of the forest moving about their lodge.

Riding the Flying Dog trail near Park City, Utah

Silver Spur to Armstrong to Mid Mountain to Spiro

For Parking/Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/F8csBoSXUoy4qDih7
Who it’s for: intermediates through experts

From our parking pin on the map, find your way to the Silver Spur trail. You can get on it if you head towards the First Time Lift and head southeast. This trail will get you to Armstrong. This loop is one of the best in all the land because the Armstrong trail is uphill only for mountain bikers. Hikers and trail runners can use it for both up and down travel. Remember, always yield to foot traffic. Our family gets crazy excited when this ride dries out in June because it tells us that summer has finally arrived.

Climbing the Armstrong trail in Park City, Utah

Family photo time - mountain biking in Park City, Utah

Climbing the Armstrong trail is beautiful. The singletrack meanders through trees and winds its way up through Park City Mountain Resort. If you want to make it a shorter ride, you can head down the HAM trail. At the top of Armstrong, get ready for a bit more climbing because in order to get to Spiro, you need to take a left (south) on the Mid-Mountain trail. Follow this stretch of Mid-Mountain for about 2 miles and you will reach Spiro.

At the base of Spiro, take Silver Spur back to the parking lot where you started.

Descending on the Spiro trail in Park City, Utah

The Spiro descent only has a couple of short climbs and that makes it a ton of fun. Near the bottom of the trail there will be signage to get you back to the Armstrong trail head. Be cautious in this area. Even though most of the trail traffic is mountain bikers, you are likely to encounter hikers on Spiro. Slow down and give a courteous greeting or ring of your bike bell to announce your presence and ask to pass if/when it’ safe.

Rail Trail

For Parking/Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/yi2oC1HwDJ6AWXQr7
Who it’s for: everyone!

When our kids where just getting started on pedal bikes, we used to take them on the paved Rail Trail behind White Pine Touring. Depending on the kids’ attitude for the day, this little ride could seem like a 1 mile Tour De France time trial or a 100 mile desert endurance event. When leaving the White Pine Touring lot, head to the east and make this ride as long as you like with the out-and-back method. There are ponds past Wyatt Earp Way as you pass the last of the neighborhoods that are worth a stop. This ride is great for bikes with trailers, trail-a-bike attachments, and balance bikes through pedal bikes. It’s popular for runners, walkers and road bikes. This means that you have to pay attention, be aware on oncoming traffic, and develop some trail etiquette while you’re working on your bike skills. Be careful when passing or being passed. Announce your presence to trail users you are going to overcome. Practice staying on your line and stay on the proper side of the trail.

Parking area for the Rail Trail in Park City

Looking east from where you can start on Park City's Rail Trail

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

PNW Components Range Stem With Accessory Mount Review

The PNW Components Range Stem with built-in GoPro compatible mount works with action cameras, lights, or other somewhat reasonable items you’d like to attach. What about a banana you ask? With a little ingenuity, we bet you could figure it out. The MSRP is $64.00 USD and you can buy it direct from PNW Components.

Buy from PNW Components

PNW Components: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Available in 40mm and 50mm lengths, the stem is made of a forged alloy that allows it to take a few licks and remain in place. The Range stem with GoPro mount fits on 31.8mm handlebars, and it’s compatible with a 1 1/8 inch steerer tube. Be sure your steerer tube and bars meet these specs.

We had to swap out the handlebars on our younger kid’s bike because the original bars were too fat. The four-bolt mounting system is just like most stems and that makes it easy to install with a 4mm hex key.

After installing the stem, be sure that it’s centered on the steerer tube, the bars are aligned properly along their proper x- and y-axes, and all of the bolts [including those for the brakes, levers, and grips] are tightened down to the proper specs.

Light attached to the PNW Components Range stem

To adjust the angle of the mount, there’s a small bolt in the center of it. Just loosen it with a 3mm hex key, slide the mount vertically in its desired position, and tighten the bolt.

The PNW Components Range Stem weighs in at 174 grams for the 40mm size and 210 grams for the 50mm version. The neutral black color of the stem blends in with most existing bars so your mountain bike will maintain its fashion and increase its functionality at the same time.

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GoPro on the PNW Components Range stem with accessory mount

Back of camera - PNW Components Range stem with accessory mount

When we paired the stem with a GoPro Hero 8, it worked just fine. Our oldest likes to keep his cables long on the bars so he can spin them doing jibs and thus the cables are visible in his clips. I bet we could have temporarily cleaned these up by either adding an extension to the mount or getting them out of the way with a zip tie or two.

POV from the PNW Components Range stem with accessory mount

Our oldest discovered the mount was pretty durable. While learning how to backflip, he took a couple hard crashes without anything in the mount and it didn’t break.

Durability testing with the PNW Components Range Stem

Using the PNW stem with a light is a no-brainer. Its clean and useful design allows you easily adjust angle of the light to the desired position so you can see the trail ahead of you.

POV of the PNW Components Range stem with accessory mount with light attached

Summing Up The PNW Components Range Stem

Overall, we think the PNW Components Range stem with accessory mount is a great idea and we’ll continue to use it. It cleans up the cockpit by allowing you to utilize a part of your bike that’s already there so you don’t have an additional camera mount or light mount on your bars. By design, the mount is centered on the bike so it provides a balanced point-of-view for a camera and brightly floods the trail ahead of you evenly when you use the stem with a compatible light.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Decal Giveaway

We’ve produced a sticker set comprised of six different MTB With Kids decals and we’d like to give 10 sets of them away. Only those in the continental USA over the age of 18 are eligible. If you’d like a chance to get a set, read on.

1. Go to our Facebook page at facebook.com/mtbwithkids

2. Like our page.

3. Find the Decal Giveaway post on our Facebook page and tag a friend in the comment section of that post before noon MST (Utah time) on Saturday, July 11th 2020.

Full Face MTB Helmets For Kids

Make sure your kids have proper, well-fitting head protection.

Full-Face MTB Helmets For Kids

Knee Pads For Kids

Knee pads are another level of protection for young riders.

MTB Knee Pads for Kids

Kids Bikes Available Now

We just updated our list of kids bikes for sale in July.

Kids Bikes For Sale – July 2020

Winners will receive: (1) 11.5in x 3in bumper sticker (1) 12in x 1in social media decal for glass w/transfer tape (1) 5in x 2in logo decal for glass w/transfer tape (1) 3in round hologram decal with black ink (1) 3in x 3in clear decal w/black ink (1) 3in round clear decal w/white ink.

If by the odd and unexpected chance that more than 10 people do this, we will randomly choose 10 winners to receive a decal set.

Winners will be notified via Facebook Messenger and we will ask for a mailing address. We will only mail decals to physical addresses (no PO boxes) in the continental USA.

Here are the official rules for the decal giveaway.

Written by Cassie SHARE TWEET

Bontrager Cycling Socks Review

Most of the time my kids wear loud socks covered in tacos, flying fish or pugs wearing party hats. But if they wanted to attack the whoo-de-doos with Euro-style, they’d tuck the tootsies into Bontrager’s black Race Crew Cycling Socks. They’re techno-socks: well made, thin and quick to wick away foot sweat.

Buy from Bontrager / Trek

Bontrager: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Of course, it’s not like any tween TikTok fiend is going to be caught doing the Renegade in black mid-calf socks, ever. Fortunately, Bontrager also has their Race Quarter Cycling Socks in 15 shades and patterns, with “Ride Bikes Have Fun Feel Good” on the inside the cuff for inspiration. The “pink frosting” color with white polka dots on a light pink background were deemed cute, and the “mulberry” version, which is a dark purple with lighter purple crosses on it, received a thumbs up.

Both versions of the socks have a fitted feel, with the Bontrager logo across the top and compression around the arches. Though soft, they have little stretch. My 14-year-old found the size large calf-height socks too tight for his men’s size 10/Eu 43 paddles, but they fit my women’s size 8/Eu 39 feet very well. Size small in the quarter socks was a perfect fit for my 11-year old, who usually wears a women’s size 7/Eu 38.

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Nice points are the solid fabrication and flat toe seams. The 5-inch tall crew socks are also available in 3-pair packs of black, bright yellow and white, but, laundry-chief MTB mom speaking here, there is a considerable benefit to stain-hiding shades. The 2.5-inch quarter socks are only available one pair at a time, so you might have to pick up a few sets to avoid the dreaded one-sock-has-gone-missing syndrome.

The socks are an easily-washed mix of 95 percent nylon and 4 percent spandex. Ideally, they’re supposed to be washed in cold water with no bleach and tumbled on low. For people who do laundry according to real-world busy parent standards, the socks have not frayed, shrunk, developed holes, or changed color despite being washed in hot water and run through the dryer. So far, the socks have not retained smelly foot stench, though they have yet to experience the Petri test of being peeled off after a muddy ride and stashed under a car seat for a few weeks.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Prevelo Zulu Four Heir Preview

Pre-Orders begin on Monday, June 29 at 11am PST.

Pre-Order from Prevelo

The Prevelo Zulu Four Heir is one of the best kids mountain bikes you can get.

Getting on the pedals when mountain biking on the Prevelo Zulu Four Heir

The Prevelo Zulu Four Heir works well inside.

This is Prevelo’s Zulu Four Heir. It has 24 inch wheels and a standover height of 25 inches. The bike was designed to fit kids ranging in age from 8-11 years old. Highlights of the build include an 80mm travel fork with carbon lowers and a 12-speed 1x Shimano drivetrain. This matte radical red machina weighs in at 25.39 lbs and it retails for $1,499.00 USD.

Stay tuned. We will drop our full review for this bike within a week.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Family Mountain Biking In Jackson, Wyoming

Mountain biking with kids in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Our first family mountain biking trip to Jackson was in 2018 and it was a lot of fun. We were only able to hang out around the Teton Pass area, but we were sure we’d return. In 2020 with a lot of racing either cancelled or postponed, we were able to get back up there on Father’s Day weekend with a bigger itinerary in mind.

Article QuickLinks: Snow King Mountain | Jackson Hole Bike Park | Teton Pass

As usual, our adventures are only scratching the surface of this family-friendly mtb paradise, but we hope to give you enough information to give it a try with your mountain biking kids.

It’s going to be in the best interest of safety and fun to make sure your kids have the skill level and attention span to ride in some of the areas we share – so be good and err on the side of caution. Do your research and plan your rides accordingly. It’s always going to be better than to finish early and have them wanting more as opposed to burning them out with miles to go.

JACKSON, WY MTB WEATHER

Our kids are pretty good riders and their ages are 13 and 16. Back in the day when we’d do long rides, we were always sure to overpack with food and water, take a ton of breaks, and be prepared with the proper clothing. My wife and I would also be sure to either pack additional layers for the kids or have space in our packs if the wahoos wanted to shed some layers.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at mountain biking in Jackson, Wyoming with kids.

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Snow King Mountain

We started at the Cache Creek Trailhead mid afternoon and we were ready to get in around 10 miles. The weather was perfect and we were so happy to be riding in the alpine again. Our previous outings were in southern Utah and we were definitely hankering for some woods. Ferrin’s was in superb condition and this was just a long, steady climb. There weren’t many stretches of trail that descended or flattened out. Every ascent on the trail for our group was feasible and every one of us enjoyed it. One of the best features of the climb was that it was not switchback after switchback. There was plenty of space for the trail builders to work with and that lets you take in the forest with all your senses.

Family mountain bike ride - climbing Ferrin's trail in Jackson, WY

Wild mossy tree on the Ferrin's Trail - Jackson, WY

At the top of Ferrin's - Family mountain biking in Jackson, Wyoming

After topping out on the climb, we took a short break to gobble some calories, drink water, rest our minds, and pull up the knee pads.

Our descent began on double-track which led to where the ski lift for the resort dropped off lift riders. Within sight of the lift we could see where the single track started and we headed down. There were a few embedded rocks to maneuver as we began the trip down but after the first couple hundred of yards the trail opened up just below a bare ridge line. At this point you’re headed west and incredible views of the Teton valley compete for your attention.

Tyge descending Josie's Ridge in Jackson, Wy

Honestly, the climb on our route was a lot more pleasant than the downhill. The descent was beautiful, but there were several people doing the out-and-back hike on Josie’s Ridge. Remember, you should always yields to hikers. There were a few hairpin switchbacks on the way down, but once we got back in the trees on Sink Or Swim, we were happy campers bikers again.

The route we took was composed of intermediate and advanced trails, but if you check out the embedded map, you’ll see that there are beginner trails on the north side of the Cache Creek Trailhead parking area. See? Fun for the whole family.

Mom looking great on Josie's Ridge - Wyoming mountain biking

Snow King Mountain Trail Map

MTB Helmets For Kids

Make sure your kids have proper, well-fitting head protection.

Mountain Bike Helmets For Kids

Knee Pads For Kids

Knee pads are another level of protection for young riders.

MTB Knee Pads for Kids

Hydration Packs For Kids

Is your kid big enough to carry their own water and supplies?

MTB Hydration Packs for Kids

Jackson Hole Mountain Bike Park

The next day we were off to the Jackson Hole Bike Park. On a map, the bike park doesn’t look very impressive. There is only one lift and less than 10 trails. Leave it to the good folks at Gravity Logic to dispel any reality of disappointment. Although the lift is quite short, the trails are extend across the terrain very well. They maintain flow and every drop of kinetic energy is optimized.

Jackson Hole Bike Park

Table jumps, wood features and berms characterize the personality of the park. The absence of technical rock gardens and rooty corridors don’t lessen the fun at all. It even makes it more suitable for younger kids or mountain bikers on the beginner to novice side of the spectrum. That’s not to say you’ll encounter a herd or two of bros at the bike park, you’re just going to be able to ride laps at a bike park that’s very suitable for families. The trail Lucky Charm is plenty of fun. We even encountered a 5 year old girl shredding the gnar on her full suspension 20-inch wheel bike with her family. It was downright charming.

Hitting a table jump at the Jackson Hole mountain bike park

Jackson Hole mountain bike park - ramp roll

The main exit berm at the base of the Jackson Hole Bike Park

Mom riding a beautiful bridge at the Jackson Hole Bike Park

Jackson Hole Bike Park Map

Mountain Biking With Kids At Teton Pass

For mountain biking families with intermediate to advanced riders, Teton Pass is where the action is. Teton Freedom Riders, the local mtb trail organization, has carved up a system of trails that many will consider second-to none. Yes. It’s really that good. The key to having a good time in this zone is shuttling. Look at the embedded map and find where you want to start. Unfortunately, we have only been on the trails on the south side of Hwy 22, so I suppose we have a reason to go back and explore the likes of Arrow and Phillip’s Canyon.

Teton Freedom Riders – The Local Trail Stewards

The people who spend their time developing trails with the Teton Freedom Riders are owed a very big thanks. The work they put into management, maintenance, and new trails is often overlooked by passers-by. After you explore the links below, please consider a contribution.

Teton Freedom Riders: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Mom takes on a technical section of the Teton Pass

Our very first experience in this area was on Lithium a couple of years ago in the early fall. The trail was technical and loose. There was plenty of hike a bike. We didn’t get on it this time around because there was still snow on the traverse.

On the way down from the Lithium mountain bike trail near Jackson Hole, WY

The kids are on the way up to session jumps at Teton Pass near Wilson, Wyoming

For this round we stuck to shuttle laps on Jimmy’s Mom, Candyland, and Parallel. There are gap jumps galore and some wonderful technical stretches on these trails. My wife and I can’t do the jumps on these things and there are ride-arounds for everything except the rocky and rooty sections. Again, kudos to Teton Freedom riders for these feature-rich mountain bike trails. When your family is ready to hit this area, take it slow and enjoy it. Get a lap or two under your belt and then ride your face off.

Wyatt sends the big gap jump on the Teton Pass trails in Wyoming

Teton Pass Trail Map

Teton Pass on Trailforks.com

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Father’s Day Bike Checks – 2020 Edition

Father’s Day 2020 is here and we were super stoked to invite a group of rad dads to show off their bikes and tell you why they love mountain biking. As you read on, you’ll see a variety of different bikes. They range from from an old-school 26er restored by a family friend, to a prototype dirt jumper being test flown by a former Crankworx athlete. No matter what type of mountain bike you have, simply going on a family bike ride can always be the foundation for creating memories and that sweet always-in-fashion #mtblifestyle. Here is our 2020 Mother’s Day bike checks post, too.

Kris Baughman And His Santa Cruz Bronson

I’m Kris Baughman. My friends call me Krispy. I fell in love with bicycles as a pre-teen as it offered the ultimate feeling of freedom and that just-right mix of simplicity and technology that no other machine can offer. The wheel is mankind’s greatest invention after all. For over 40 years I’ve been on 2 wheels and more than 100 bikes have come and gone from my garage. Each one has taught me something. I’ve since used the experience I gained and applied it to various roles in the bike industry for over 25 years.

I currently co-own RaceKraft Gravity Development which is a coaching business-race team and also manage a bike shop called Go-Ride along with product testing for a couple of brands. I still manage to get a few race runs in every summer.

Riding bikes started with family and continues today with my wife and son. In this world of virtual reality, we ground ourselves outside in nature by connecting hands to grips and tires to earth. Camping trips, races and after-work rides keep me in touch with what matters most in this world. My competitive spirit keeps me motivated to be healthy and fit, and I can’t help but share that feeling with everyone around me

Kris Baughman shreds his Santa Cruz Nomad

My current most-ridden bike is s Santa Cruz Nomad with an eclectic build. I’m drawn towards hi-tech suspension and unusual products, and this bike shows. I often go for a frame-up build but this is an off the shelf “S” kit with some customization. It just goes to show how good stock bikes are.

The most notable is the wild-looking Trust Performance Shout linkage fork. It has an amazing, but rather personal feel to it, and the company is based out of Utah. It has 178mm of rock-eating travel. Next up is the EXT Arma coil shock from Italy via Ext USA. it’s exotic, beautiful and expensive. And it’s worth every penny. It’s custom-tuned for my bike and it’s 350 lb spring.

Other highlights of my Nomad include: Deity Skywire bars. Deity Copperhead stem. Sram GX Eagle drivetrain. Sram Code brakes. Continental Kaiser tires. Cushcore XC tire inserts.

I’m super picky about nearly everything. I run my brakes really close to the grip and it freaks people out when they squeeze them! I use the biggest rotors and most grabby pads so they stop just fine, at the very last second. I find this helps reduce hand fatigue. I check my tire pressure every ride and run 17-19 front, 23-25 rear depending on conditions. My suspension settings are ever-evolving and also vary depending on the speed and traction of the terrain.

Santa Cruz Bikes

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Ben Bowen And His Scott Genius

My parents didn’t believe me when I said I was mail ordering a frame from Canada. I was 15 and had talked my Mother into buying me a subscription to Mountain Bike Action where Cove had a tear out mail order form. My bike arrived and I got a job at Canyon Bicycles in Draper, UT building showroom bikes in exchange for parts to build up my Cove. Now, more than 15 years later, I’m still obsessed with bikes although I’ve added an incredible partner and three kids that are now my main focus.

Bikes have always represented a way for me to escape from the day to day and also a great way to connect with people. Many of my best friends are people I have met because of bikes. In my professional career, lending my knowledge and mechanical abilities has benefited me countless times.

As a father, I have discovered that the ultimate joy in riding is being able to share the stoke with my oldest child, James. He and I ride my Scott Genius 900 Tuned with the best kids seat in the game from Mac Ride. I post on my Instagram account about most of our rides. He begs me to “go zoom” all the time. We have such a good time chatting on the climbs and laughing on the descents. My bike is pretty stock other than a few volume spacers in my Fox 36. I’ve always appreciated the incredible design and style from Crankbrothers and have been on the same pair of Candys for the last 7 years!

While I have a full time job, I also get to manage social media for dznuts high performance chamois cream and have some great relationships with manufacturers and shops because of that. I frequent Hangar 15 in South Jordan, UT where I wrenched for many years and spend more and more time lately at Contender Bicycles in Salt Lake City, UT where I picked up my Genius and the Contessa Genius 910 my wife rides. Families who ride together, abide together!

Scott Bikes

Instagram: @benbowen14

Devin Featherstone And His Cannondale Cujo

My name is Devin Featherstone I am a father, husband and outdoor enthusiast. I work as a fire fighter in Calgary, AB, Canada. I enjoy everything in the mountains like climbing, trail running, camping, hiking and most importantly mountain biking. I love riding with my family and with friends but one thing I truly love is biking with my son Kai who is 4 years old. I love watching him challenge himself and continuously get better after each ride. He encourages me to teach him and work with him on each ride where we get lots of laughs and a few wipe outs but at the end of the day we build a great father son bond. I love riding solo as well and always push the limits I truly love the grind climbing up a hard mountain or trail. Love the reward of a view and the down hill just like everyone else.

Devin Featherstone - a mountain biking dad

I ride a Cannondale Cujo 2 (2019). Old school hard tail but I won’t be shy on any trail. Black diamond, double blacks and even a few drops I will ride my beauty hard tail down anything.

Cannondale Bikes

Instagram: @dfeatherstone

Andreas “Dre” Hestler And His Rocky Mountain Slayer

I’ve been on a true mtb since 1986 when I had my old commuter stolen and it was replaced with a mountain bike. It was a fancy new thing at the time. From there I was hooked. Even considering the bike was equipped with 6 speeds, rigid forks, and toe clips. Yikes! Those were the days. As I dug deeper into the mountain bike world I started racing, found success and eventually represented the Canadian National Team for 13 years (won 5 titles), attended the 1996 Atlanta Olympics Games (debut of mountain biking) and to this day continue to love everything about mountain biking – including sharing it with my wife, kids and friends.

Mountain biking has given me courage, purpose and a whole whack of amazing friends. It’s taken me around the world a few times and to some very exciting and exotic locations. Could there be a better lifestyle? Not in my humble opinion. But sharing this lifestyle with my kids is something extra special and something I have approached with some deep rumination. While mountain biking is our family sport, I didn’t want it to be only coming from Mom and Dad – so I have included their involvement in other mtb activities like a club/sport. They do many lessons with coaches and spend after school sessions just like soccer or hockey. I want them to be surrounded by the sport and it to become part of their DNA. If they choose to race, that is up to them to decide. But for me so long as they love getting out into the woods with their friends on bikes – we’ve been successful.

Hestler son and his Rocky Mountain Reaper

My Bike is a Rocky Mountain Slayer 29er with Fox suspension, Shimano XT drive train (including pedals), and Race Face components – including the wheels. It has 170mm of front travel, a Fox X2 shock, and a Fox Transfer dropper. And, I’m run it with Maxxis tires. My son Owen rides a Rocky Mountain Reaper with 24-inch wheels and a modified build. His bike has a Shimano drive train with a 28t front chain ring and Shimano MT 200 brakes.

Rocky Mountain Bikes

Eric Porter And His Prototype Diamondback Dirt Jumper

I’ve been riding mountain bikes since I was 12 years old growing up in Louisville Kentucky, on a bike I got for my birthday from Kmart. Since then I never stopped riding, and love it now more than ever. I now have a family who also loves to ride, including my wife Megan and our two boys Milo (10) and Owen (8). I have been riding professionally for 18 years, starting out with 8 years as a Slopestyle and Freeride athlete competing in Crankworx and other contests around the world. Since then I’ve been traveling the world creating videos and magazine articles on the full range of bikes from trail to gravel and road bikes to dirt jumping. In the last few years I’ve ridden in Iraq, India, Morocco, Scotland, Iceland, New Zealand, and more. I’ve also been helping build my local riding scene, and am current President of Wasatch Trails Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit advocating for trails in Wasatch County, Utah.

I’ve lived in the Park City area of Utah since 2005, and have been building my dream backyard since we moved into our current house in 2011. Now I am able to let the kids help dig and build what they want to ride in the yard, and it’s been a blast! Mountain Biking is my favorite thing to do because of the freedom it gives you to explore the mountains, and it’s the best family activity I could think of, we all have an awesome time on our bikes.

Eric Porter flies high on his Diamondback DJ

This bike is my dirt jumper, it’s a 26” wheel hardtail built specifically for dirt jumps and pumptracks. This is a frame that Diamondback made custom for their athlete team as we are getting ready to make a production version next year. I’m running a 100mm travel Fox 36 831, Magura MT8 Brakes with HC3 lever blade, the wheels are Reynolds carbon rims with Industry 9 hubs, Kenda Slant 6 and K-Rad tires with tubes, SDG Apollo i-beam saddle and post, and Deity Bars, Stem, and Drivetrain. It’s about 25lbs and super durable. I would recommend anyone who wants to really learn how to jump and pump get a dirt jump bike, they are really fun, and will make you a better rider on the trail!

Diamondback Bikes

Instagram: @portermtb
YouTube: YouTube Channel | Bike Check Video | Video For Father’s Day
Mentions: Wasatch Trails Foundation

Bryan Redding And His Transition Sentinel

The Bug. Did you catch it? I did. It didn’t take long with available adventure. High stakes risks. Technical trail challenges to accomplish with friends. As addictive as crack and twice as expensive was a T shirt I saw in Whistler in 2006. DH laps are like intravenous adrenaline. Free of charge. That’s when my life as a Mountain biker took the plunge. Destination resort mountain biking was a thing. High level MTB coaching was a thing. People need this. I knew this, but to finally experience it first hand was the catalyst that pushed me ‘in deep’. Growing up in Colorado, I was introduced to what we called a Mountain Bike in 1989. What a journey we’ve both been on.

I had already been wrenching, but now I wanted to pursue this soon to be future of Destination Resort Mountain biking in Colorado. Why weren’t we doing this? In 2007 I decided to try racing in the Mountain States Cup DH series. Boom, another addiction! I needed a bike park. Winter Park Resort was going to launch a new bike park. Coaching at Trestle was rewarding for many years, but not even close to coaching my kids. My son Eli was hooked at age 3.5 like I was at age 37. Chairlifts and bike trails are dreamy.

This could be a novel, so much could be said. But this is about MTBwithkids and my bike check. Since 2016, I mtb with my son, or my family more than anyone else. What a reward. I’d rather ride with my kids or other kids. They fuel my happiness and stoke my shred vibes. Ask any coach about coaching kids.

My 2019 Transition Sentinel carbon XL is dad’s first new bike since 2013. You’re welcome kids. It’s an amazing bike. I built it frame up with the factory shock. Parts spec: Chris King headset and BB, SR Suntour Auron 44mm offset 29 fork, Nobl TR38 on DT350 boost wheels, Rotor Kapic Cranks w/ 32TQring, Pedaling Innovations Catalyst pedals, XTR 12 speed, XT brakes 203F 180R, Maxxis DHF 2.5WT EXO plus Front, Max 2.4 WT Dissector EXO Rear, Mynesweepers insert Rear, SDG Tellis 170mm dropper, Spank Oozy 280saddle, ANVL bar and stem, odi grips. Highlights I’m really stoked about are the Catalyst Pedals, Rotor Qring, SDG Tellis dropper, and the Oozy 280 saddle is most comfortable I’ve ever used.

Transition Bikes

Jacob Rheuben And His Intense Spider

My wife and I own Prevelo Bikes. I could try tell you how much we enjoy riding bikes with our kids – but I think the fact that we dropped everything in our life to start a kids bike company speaks more about our passion for riding bikes with kids than any words I could throw together. When we’re riding with our kids we’re outdoors, together as a family, doing something healthy and adventurous. There are always new things to try to keep the kids challenged. Starting from when the tires hit the trails, to when the day of riding is over, and we’re all dirty and exhausted, I’m in my happy place.

I ride an Intense Spider. It fits me perfectly and I like it’s versatility. It works great for everything from cranking out long rides to towing my boys up to the top of a hill at the local bike park. For the time being I can still keep up with them on the downhill, but I know my days are numbered.

My Intense Spider was pretty dialed straight from the factory, but I couldn’t stop myself from tweaking with it. It’s got a pre-Eagle 11-42T cassette and I got jealous of my wife’s ability to spin her Eagle equipped bike up hills while towing kids, so I swapped out the chainring for a 30T. I also upgraded the shifter to X01 and replaced the tires with Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR.

Intense Bikes

Brett Rosenbauer And His Ibis Ripmo

Brett Rosenbauer Father's Day Bike Check

I spent my childhood youth building dirt jumps in the forest, and tree houses in the oak trees. I was naturally drawn to raking, digging, and making super cool trails! In 1986 I bought my first mountain bike – a Schwinn High Plains and that bike pretty much secured my love for the sport of mountain biking. Fast forward a bunch of years, and we own a high end kids bike company (www.trailcraftcycles.com) so we are all in! I now spend most of my days chasing my kids who are pretty much faster than I am now!

My bike of choice is an Ibis Ripmo, Fox 36 fork, and modest XT level build with Stans Arch wheelset for the more trail style rides, and a Stans FLOW EX3 wheelset for the days riding the lifts up for the downhill miles where a more burly wheelset is needed. It’s a super fun bike that pedals uphill REALLY well. I’ve had this bike for a few years now and after building so many kids bikes with SRAM AXS wireless shifting, I wonder why I don’t have it on my Ripmo yet!

Ibis Bikes

Mentions: Trailcraft Cycles

Andrew Skeen And His Ibis Ripmo

I still remember the first mountain bike my dad got for me in middle school, a Kokanee fully rigid. Man, was I excited! So much has changed since then – bikes, trails, my age…but one thing hasn’t, and that’s the stoke when someone conquers a new feature. I’m almost 40 now and with the new trails here in the Seattle area, I’ve found new zeal in progressing my riding. Thank you Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and the community for giving us the amazing Duthie Hill Bike Park, Tiger Mountain and Raging River trails. Conquering a new feature or mastering a line is what gets me most excited about getting out consistently. It blows my mind how much a person can progress by consistently getting out and making small incremental progressions, that over time add up to huge accomplishments. The stress of home schooling and COVID-19 this year have really highlighted the power getting out on a bike and being active can have on one’s mental and physical health. I’ve noticed quite an influx of adults and kids out hitting the trails since COVID and homeschooling took us all by surprise, and I’m sooo glad to see it. It’s certainly needed and well deserved as we’re all just trying to stay positive and do the best we can.

My faithful black stallion is the 2018 Ibis Ripmo. It’s a 160/145mm enduro bike. I love how playful and poppy the Ripmo can be, while at the same time feeling really stable and efficient. It’s been an amazing all around bike. You can find me on all kinds of trails, from steep and chunky to fast and flowy, but recently 80% of the time you’ll find me doing jump line laps. Ripmo can jump! I just swapped out my SRAM GX drivetrain for the Shimano SLX 12-speed to see if it could handle my poorly planned shifting under load, I’ll just say both are GREAT, I’m happy with SLX, but it can’t do miracles :P. Truly still loving the bike. Of note, I REALLY like the bleed system on my BikeYoke dropper. It makes it effortless to get rid of the squish that can accumulate over time. I’m also super happy with my upgrade to a 203mm front rotor – stopping power galore.

Ibis Bikes

YouTube: YouTube Channel

Keith Stark And His Rocky Mountain Slayer

Hi my name is Keith Stark, father of three awesome girls. Bikes have been a huge part of my life since I was a little. 45 years later I’m still riding, finding new trails, and working in the industry. Not gonna lie, growing up in Deep Cove, BC was probably the reason for it all. The original mountain bike scene started there and definitely shaped the kind of rider (and dad!) I am today.

My bike of choice is a Rocky Mountain Slayer C90 kitted out with some RaceFace Next R wheels.

Rocky Mountain Bikes

Allen Sybrant And His Titus Racer X

Missing Link, Slippery Pig, Rocky Rabbit. Those names mean it’s NORBA cross country mountain bike race weekend in Arizona, 1999. Loading up my Gary Fisher BMX as my dad loads his chrome Titus Racer X with XTR and a Grateful Dead sticker to match. The bike was as tall as me. No way I could ever ride this bike, I thought.

Those thoughts run through my mind all the time. Last year, I decided to pull my Dads 1999 Titus Racer X out of the basement, it was time to bring the Titus a new life. I had been riding my chrome Transition PBJ, and always recalled where my first love of chrome came from. I took it to work at Hyland Cyclery in Salt Lake City, Utah. Whenever I got a free lunch I would spend my time fixing up the Titus. I wanted to give it the classic American look, with a touch of what’s new.

Red and blue housing to emphasize the American flag decals. Some more current components were added during the tune up; Deity Compound pedals, Sensus Meaty Paws grips, Bontrager G-Zero tires.

Giving this bike back to my Dad all swaggered out, tuned up, and shinning made me realize I could finally ride this bike. It wasn’t as tall as me anymore. I look forward to racing some cross country in the near future on the Titus. I’m so thankful to get to work on my craft and have my Dad by my side. The ultimate pit-crew, fan, mentor, teacher, coach, and father. Heres to you Big Dog, Happy Fathers Day.

Instagram: @jameson157
Mentions: @hpfifteen7 | Fifteen7 | Hyland Cyclery

Brett Thompson And His Intense Tracer

I’m a strong intermediate rider on my best days, but my love for this sport definitely ranks as pro. For our family, nothing beats loading up the van and taking off for a mtb road trip. Most of the time, I believe my wife and kids agree with this. We have been very fortunate to ride in many great places together and I can’t wait to see what this summer brings. If your kids are getting into the sport, do what you need to do to make sure they have a good time. If you ride with them, you’re going to create memories that last a lifetime. Be sure to take lots of pictures as you document your #mtblifestyle.

My 2016 Intense Tracer was purchased used and hopefully someday, I will figure out how to use it for what it was made for. It has a carbon frame, XT drivetrain, and RockShox suspension. And even though it’s almost five years old, the thing is solid – not a rattle on it. I have made the habit of cleaning the drive train before I ride to keep it pedaling smooth. This bike has been a decent fit for me because I can take it on XC rides with our NICA, lift-served bike park laps, and everything in-between.

Intense Bikes

Colin Zimmerman And His Commencal Furious

My name is Colin Zimmerman. I started mountain biking in 2004 when I met a friend in college who biked. Initially it was an opportunity to make friends on campus and hang out at the local bike shop. I started working at the LBS for the extra cash and employee discount. After graduation I moved to Denver with my girlfriend and now my wife and mother to two fantastic children. Moving to Colorado was the start of my downhill and freeride passion. Riding all of the iconic IMBA trails and riding every chairlift in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. Years flew by like days. I worked for Boulder County, CO and was able to ride at Valmont Bike Park 3-5 days a week on lunch. I had a garage that looked like a bike shop. My love for mountain bikes engulfed every vacation, every free moment, every purchase. The feeling of going fast, pushing into corners millimeters from edges of sidewalls. Flying sideways for seconds. White knuckles. The ability to remain calm and clear while screaming down singletrack. Equanimity. Then our family moved to Seattle and the most exciting days of mountain biking still lied ahead with two great kids about to learn how to explore their love for bikes. I can now teach my children all of the life skills that mountain biking has taught me through the same medium I have loved for years. After 18 years of blurry tree laden trails, gaps flying underneath, and multiple injuries – I now have the most heroine years ahead of me teaching and watching my kids pursue their love for wilderness, trail building, racing, and mountain biking.

I have chosen my Commencal Furious 27.5 downhill bike to share. I built this bike to ride at Whistler and the NorthWest Cup race series. Long travel at 200 mm in the rear with a Manitou Mara and 203 mm provided by Manitou’s inverted Dorado fork. Cockpit has Protaper direct mount stem and handlebars with half inch rise with Sensus Meaty Paw grips. Hayes Dominion a4 provide 203 mm of stopping power. Sun Ringle 27.5 Duroc tubeless wheelset with Super Bubba hubs are wrapped with Maxxis Minion treads. I chose Sram gx7 7 speed 11-25t drivetrain with Truvativ Descendant DH cranks guided by an MRP SXg and STFU chain damper. Pedals are Deity Bladerunners. Truvativ seatpost with a Sensus Kevlar saddle. Certified shred sled.

Commencal Bikes

Mentions: Manitou | Hayes | Sun Ringle | ProTaper | Sensus Grips

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Bontrager Flatline MTB Shoes Review

We’re taking a look at the Bontrager Flatline Mountain Bike shoe. Sure, we’ve been a fan of another over the last few years, but Trek’s house brand, Bontrager, has stepped up its game with in the apparel and accessory market over the last few years and we’re excited to try something new. The Flatline’s are available in sizes from 3.5 – 14.5 (US men). MSRP is $129.00 USD, but you can click the jolly red button below with our affiliate link to get the live price.

Buy from Bontrager / Trek

Bontrager: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Our 13 year old wears a size 6 and we’re always glad to find that when we order online correctly for fit, we can hit the trails right away. You want to make sure you get the fit just right so it’s firm around the sides and top of the foot, yet there’s a little wiggle room in the toe box for comfort and more than a couple weeks of growing.

New Vibram soles - Bontrager Flatline shoes

It’s important to note that these shoes need to be paired with specific pedals. Regular flat plastic pedals with textured surfaces or metal pedals commonly known as “rat-traps” just won’t do. You gotta pair these shoes with pedals that have metal pins extending from the platforms. Many brands make these types of pedals, but the Bontrager Line Elite MTB Pedal Set has been designed to be your Flatline’s BFF. The combination of rubber and pins prevents the shoe from easily slipping when pedaling or applying your full weight to the pedals. You’ll notice the difference when simply pedaling, too. The shoes have eyelets that allow you to lace them up across the very top of your foot to ensure a super secure fit if desired.

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Bontrager Flatline shoes review - Vibram soles

The Bontrager Flatline Mountain Bike Shoe has a Vibram rubber outsole that can best be described as “sticky” as it helps your feet adhere to the pedals. Vibram soled shoes have been around for decades and they’re the go-to for quality hiking and running shoes. They do very well when gripping flat pedals with pins and rocky surfaces. Speaking of the bottoms of the shoes, the uniform treads are designed to help your feet adhere as well, allowing you to maximize your power and give you a predictable interface between the outsole and the pedals.

In addition to those features, the toe and heel sections have directional treads that help you not only stay on the pedals but also deal with any off-bike terrain. The midsole is made of EVA, which absorbs a bit of the shock. In addition, the exterior consists of synthetic leather that’s extremely durable. There’s an extra lace holder that keeps your tied shoelace ends from flapping in the breeze or potentially getting tangled in the pedals. Even with this being said, the laces for these shoes are long and we always tie extra knots in them to make sure they don’t get caught in the drive train.

With a couple of colors to choose from, including black, red with black accents – and a combination of muted and bright in battleship blue and marigold, your dirt monkeys will look great while riding as well. Sizes to choose from include men’s 3.5 all of the way up to 14.5. Sorry, but now you don’t have an excuse for trying out a pair Bontrager Flatlines for yourself.

Worn in Bontrager Flatline shoes for kids

As far as durability goes, our kid has tried his best to beat these mountain biking shoes to bits and they have held up very well. All the stitching and glued pieces are as firm as the day we opened the box. The treads on the soles are in good shape. The shape of the shoe has remained in-tact and they’ve been worn-in so they fit our kid’s foot while maintaining stiffness of the sole.

Absorbing tricky terrain with Bontrager Flatline shoes

Descending with the Bontrager Flatline shoes

Feet on the pedals is important for pre-loading the jumps and making the landings.

MTB shoes for kids that grip - Bontrager Flatline shoes

Not slipping on the pedals is very important

Tyge hasn’t had any slipping issues on the pedals that result in taking pins to the shins. I guess this can be attributed to about 5% luck and the remaining 95% due to the fact that the Vibram soles maintain a firm grip on the pedals. He told us, “I like these shoes because they feel good and they stick to the pedals. The basic black and red just looks good, too.”

Bontrager Flatline shoes after quite a few rides

Bontrager Flatline shoes - worn sole detail

Over the years, we’ve learned that mountain biking shoes for kids are kind of like bikes. They’re not a long term commitment because they will only fit your growing kids for around a season. So why in the world would you spend your hard-earned money on a pair of Bontrager Flatline mountain bike shoes for your child when they’re only going to use them for less than a year? Because of the quality, comfort, fit and performance they provide. The contact points on your kids’ bikes matter – especially the area where most of a rider’s weight is supported and energy gets transferred to wheels. This is why if your kid is beyond recreational mountain biking it’s going to be good to pick up a pair of Bontrager Flatline shoes.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Das Optics Sunglasses Review

What’s better than a pair of sports glasses designed to protect your eyes and make it easier to see the trail while mountain biking? A pair made by a company owned by a 12-year-old rider and his dad, of course.

Buy from Das Optics

Das Optics: Website | Instagram

DAS Optics glasses (the name comes from the business’ mascot, their dog named Das) was founded by Grady Jensen and his dad, Chris. Grady wanted a pair of sunglasses similar to the ones that his friends wore on the trail, but rather than just buy him some, Chris decided to start a company that makes their own. The sunglasses retail for $40 USD and ten bucks from each sale of the glasses goes to the nonprofit of the buyer’s choice – making this a more than worthy endeavor.

The backstory isn’t the only boss angle in the DAS Optics story . The lenses and frames are slightly customizable thanks to an included sticker pack. Das Optics offers two models of sunglasses – the V2 and Sendees. We’re talking about the Sendees in our review.

Designed to be very lightweight, as well as protective, the lenses have UV protection and are large enough to fit comfortably while covering a good portion of the face. The shield-style design goes up over the eyebrows and down towards the cheekbones, providing plenty of coverage on the sides of the eyes as well. There are even small vents in the lenses to help prevent fogging and improve aerodynamics. Das Optics shades measure about 6 inches from temple-to-temple so they will fit adult-sized heads, too.

Das Optics sunglasses review - about 6 inches wide

The frames come in two different colors, black and white, ensuring that they’ll coordinate with the rest of your mountain biking gear. The white ones have lenses that have a bit of rainbow reflection to them, while the black ones have clear lenses. Don’t worry, both provide plenty of protection while out on the trail. And, although mountain biking is the first activity on the list, these sunglasses also handle other sports, such as Nordic skiing and downhill skiing. They are designed to work with different types of helmets and stay in place thanks to the solid earpieces.

Although the Das Optics Sendees were designed with kids in mind, these sunglasses will fit adult faces as well. The frames come undecorated, with a pack of stickers (and yes, even adults will enjoy putting them on their sunglasses) that contains pairs of small designs for the bottoms and sides of the frames. This ensures that you really can make them your own. The Das Optics sunglasses also come with a hard carrying case so your kids’ rad shades don’t get crushed when they’re not on the noggin’

Our dirt rat really got his 1980’s on when he paired the Das Optics sunglasses with a yellow and blue jersey, pink gloves, and half shell. He’s tried to wear the sunglasses with his Fly Racing full-face mtb helmet, but the padding in the helmet won’t allow the temples of the sunglasses to get in there comfortably. That’s not a bad thing. Only dads should wear sunglasses with full-face helmets, right?

Archive for year: 2020

Bob’s Basin

MTB Helmets For Kids

Knee Pads For Kids

Hydration Packs For Kids

Trailside Bike Park

Family Mountain Biking At Deer Valley Resort

Flying Dog

Silver Spur to Armstrong to Mid Mountain to Spiro

Rail Trail

Summing Up The PNW Components Range Stem

Full Face MTB Helmets For Kids

Knee Pads For Kids

Kids Bikes Available Now

Snow King Mountain

Snow King Mountain Trail Map

MTB Helmets For Kids

Knee Pads For Kids

Hydration Packs For Kids

Jackson Hole Mountain Bike Park

Jackson Hole Bike Park Map

Mountain Biking With Kids At Teton Pass

Teton Freedom Riders – The Local Trail Stewards

Teton Pass Trail Map

Kris Baughman And His Santa Cruz Bronson

Ben Bowen And His Scott Genius

Devin Featherstone And His Cannondale Cujo

Andreas “Dre” Hestler And His Rocky Mountain Slayer

Eric Porter And His Prototype Diamondback Dirt Jumper

Bryan Redding And His Transition Sentinel

Jacob Rheuben And His Intense Spider

Brett Rosenbauer And His Ibis Ripmo

Andrew Skeen And His Ibis Ripmo

Keith Stark And His Rocky Mountain Slayer

Allen Sybrant And His Titus Racer X

Brett Thompson And His Intense Tracer

Colin Zimmerman And His Commencal Furious

Kids Mountain Bikes And More

Your MTB Family Is Awesome

Helpful Links