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Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Rocky Mountain Reaper Review

Let’s get off to a fast start. The full-suspension Rocky Mountain Reaper will fit kids with a standover height ranging from 22 inches all the way through 32 inches. How in the world is this done? It’s feasible because the Reaper comes in three frame sizes specifically designed for junior mountain bikers. You can jump to this comparison chart and view standover heights, wheel options, and price.

Website: www.bikes.com
Instagram: @rockymountainbicycles
Facebook: @rockymountainbicycles

The bike we’ll be reviewing is the middle sibling – the Rocky Mountain Reaper 26. Our test rider is 12 years old, 60 inches tall, with a 28 inch inseam. In addition to putting flat pedals on the bike, we added an external dropper post so he could max out his leg extension and put all of his stick man muscle on the cranks when we made him to ride uphill and go on longer rides.

Despite the 3 frame sizes available for the Rocky Mountain Reaper, be sure not to size up and have your kid grow into a bike. If you’re still between bike sizes, we suggest going with the smaller size so the bike can be controlled and stopped safely. When you have a proper fitting Reaper, it allows your child to use all of the components as intended and focus on the fun.

Specifications For The Rocky Mountain Reaper 26

Rocky Mountain Ride-9 adjustment system — Here is what dimensions/angles are adjustable with the RIDE-9 adjustment system.

Geometry Overview

As the name implies, the Reaper 26 comes with 26 inch wheels – but it’s also compatible with 24 inch wheels. That’s pretty darn clever. The spacing on the rear axle is 135mm so you can see if your kid’s old hubs are good to go.

The Reaper also boasts the RIDE-9^TM adjustment system. This allows subtle tweaks to the bike’s suspension and geometry with a couple of allen wrenches. Click here to view how the system works.

Rocky Mountain has designated the settings as: Slack, Neutral, and Steep. Click on the chart thumbnail to enlarge the graphic and see all the numbers. To be exact, the standover height of the Rocky Mountain Reaper 26 ranges from 28.62in to 28.74 inches. The head tube angle in the middle “Neutral” position is 64.6º and can vary (+) or (-) 0.7º when adjusted. The wheelbase of the bike in the neutral position is 21.53in.

Suspension Set Up

A RockShox Sektor RL 130mm fork smooths out the front end of the bike and a RockShox Monarch R shock helps keep bike’s rear end stable. Setting up the suspension was a cinch. Our rider weighs a mere 75 lbs with gear and we set the fork at just 60psi for technical riding. I don’t even think he ever locked out the fork when climbing.

There are 6 settings for controlling compression on the top of the fork. We set the rear shock at 155psi and although you can’t lock it out, there are 11 settings for rebound damping. Rebound damping is the speed at which a shock re-extends after it’s compressed.

Rocky Mountain Reaper, fork compression control knob

Rocky Mountain Reaper, RockShox Monarch R shock

The combination of settings for RIDE-9 adjustment system, fork, and rear shock will allow suspension geeks to dial in the Reaper just right. This is a great benefit if your kid is hucking big jumps in the bike parks, tearing up advanced technical trails, or just doing a bit of all-mountain riding.

During our time on the bike, we just set it for our kid’s weight and did not touch anything over the span of weeks and several rides over all types of terrain. Additionally, the frame’s linkage for the rear suspension is not over-designed and it functioned beautifully.

Cockpit And Saddle

Because the Reaper 26 does not have a front-derailleur, the cockpit of the bike is clean and neat. The bars are 28.7in wide and our rider was comfortable with the reach. He was able to control the bike very well. The bike’s cables are externally routed. Although some may think this is not optimal, we like this. It allows for easier DIY maintenance. The cables for the rear brake and derailleur run along the top of the down tube.

The saddle is sized down appropriately and there is a quick-release seat collar for the 30.9mm seat post. We cannot fathom why any kids’ bike does not have a quick-release seat collar, but there are still a few out there.

Brakes, Drivetrain, Wheels and Tires

Shimano MT 400 hydraulic disc brakes make the Reaper 26 slow down and stop. The drivetrain is made up of a Deore rear derailleur/shifter, Shimano HG-500 11-42T cassette, and a 165mm long Race Face crankset with 30T front chainring.

Shimano MT 400 hydraulic brakes on the Rocky Mountain Reaper

Maxxis Minion DHF tires on the Rocky Mountain Reaper

WTB SX19 rims are laced to Shimano hubs; a MT400 Boost 15mm in the front and a TX505 hub on the rear end. The spoke count is 32 if you want to rummage through your parts box and see if you can do upgrades. As per our research the SX19 rims are not tubeless compatible. However, we have had success with DIY tubeless set ups on similar rims.

The rear wheel has a quick release skewer. The front wheel has a thru-axel so to remove the front wheel, you will need a hex key. In addition, a set of Maxxis Minion DHF tires on our Reaper helped the wheels go round.

Rocky Mountain Reaper Comparison Chart

	Reaper 24	Reaper 26	Reaper 27.5
MSRP	$1,949.00 USD	$2,349.00 USD	$2,849.00 USD
Wheel Sizes (in) * factory set up	24*, 26	26*, 24	27.5*, 27.5+
Standover Height (in) RIDE-9 settings, l-r Slack, Neutral, Steep	27.24, 27.32, 27.36	28.62, 28.70, 28.74	31.18, 31.29, 31.37

Riding The Rocky Mountain Reaper

Our rider was very excited to put the Reaper through its paces because the bike is designed for the rough stuff.

On chunky rides we made sure the fork was set to full send and the bike behaved like a boss. The wheelbase and geometry of the Reaper allowed it to tackle steep rock gardens and technical rock rolls without making our rider lose focus. On a very steep roll from a flat entry, I thought he could bash the chainring – but the bike cleared it without issue.

Rocky Mountain Reaper review - in the desert

Our rider said, “The Reaper’s suspension and brakes let me ride the bike on tech without getting too tired.” Quality components make a difference.

Using the tried-and-true bathroom scale method. Our bike set up with pedals and a dropper weighed in at 29.3 lbs. On a few technical ascents, we sessioned them until our rider was able to make the climbs. The 42 tooth rear cog on the cassette makes a difference when climbing.

Steep rock roll with the Rocky Mountain Reaper

Our test rider was very impressed with how the bike fit him. He was able to shift his weight to back of the bike when the terrain became steep and bumpy. In corners, the bike’s frame size allowed our kid lean into the curves and let the tires do the work.

The Reaper 26 is best suited for technical trail rides, bike parks, shuttle runs and downhill/enduro races. The factory build on the Reaper provides for a wonderful riding experience.

Taking a corner on the Rocky Mountain Reaper

At the Snake Hollow Bike Park in St. George, Utah – our guy was able to smoke the jump lines and a few advanced features with ease. Where the bike’s weight could be a factor on longer pedals, it was a benefit in the jump park.

Step up with the Rocky Mountain Reaper 26

Desert rock roll on the Rocky Mountain Reaper

Rocky Mountain Reaper Wrap Up

The Rocky Mountain Reaper 26 is a purpose built mountain bike for kids who like to get rowdy. The Reaper boasts a proprietary RIDE9 frame system and RockShox suspension package. Obviously, advanced jumps and drops are the modus operandi. The Reaper is more than capable for getting everyone out together on technical rides. Thus, this full-suspension mountain bike may be just what your little ripper needs!

Do your research, look at the numbers, plan your rides. Are you more likely to be out on cruiser laps through the neighborhood and 20+ mile XC rides? Or, is a season pass for the bike park and enduro racing in your young one’s future? If your schedule is geared towards the latter, the Rocky Mountain Reaper is going to make your kid very happy.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Coast Gravity Park with Kids

Coast Gravity Park with Kids – Like many of you, we found out about Coast Gravity Park while watching the movie Arrival a few years ago. Coast Gravity Park is located near the town of Sechelt in British Colombia. Cliche warning: they say ‘getting there is half the fun’ and that is certainly true when it comes to CGP. At the very least make a weekend of it. Chances are you have to ferry in from Vancouver.

Helpful Information About Coast Gravity Park

Day Passes: $65 CAD at the park | $58.50 CAD if you buy at least 24 hours in advance online.

Website: www.coastgravitypark.ca | You will find a lot of additional travel information as well as where to stay on the CGP website.

Phone: 604-989-5431

Ferry Travel: It takes a total of about 2.25 hours to get from West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal to the Coast Gravity Park. If you are planning your trip from a less-common destination, please see the maps and schedules at www.bcferries.com

SECHELT WEATHER

This mountain bike park was the inception of The Coastal Crew. Coastal Crew was originally composed of Dylan Dunkerton, Kyle Norbraten, and Curtis Robinson. These 3 mountain bikers chose to create their own bike park experience. One which could be utilized and enjoyed 12 months out of the year. During the “slow season” from August 30th – May 15th, the park is only open on Saturdays and Sundays (weather permitting).

Need to plan the ultimate birthday party and solidify your position as the best parents ever? At the present time, you can reserve the entire park starting at $929.49 CAD a day. There are no lifts in the park – just shuttle vehicles. You are encouraged to buy your tickets online several days prior to your visit. This will ensure that the facility can have enough staff and vehicles on site to accommodate riders. Visitors who purchase passes at least 24 hours in advance also save 10%.

Canadian flag and shuttle at Coast Gravity Park

Coast Gravity Park Trail Map

About The Bike Park

There are 12 trails in the park. That was enough to keep our familia very happy. Everyone in our clan is at least a solid intermediate mountain biker. Consequently, we got to experience most of what the bike park had to offer. To get acclimated, cruise down the trail Mr. Green so you’ll get a sense of the slope and terrain. After this warm up run, you can ramp it up on the intermediate through the pro-line runs if you’ve got the skills.

Our kids really liked the trail Lift Off because of a table jump that would huck them for several feet. If you’re ready for a little hike-a-bike, you can push your bike above where the shuttle drops you off and ride the advanced trail Dynamite Panther. During our visits, all the trails we rode were in excellent condition.

If you choose not to pack a lunch and drinks, you can take a advantage of the outdoor Coast Gravity Grill. The food is very good and made fresh every day.

Cruising through the trees at Coast Gravity Park

The vibe at Coast Gravity Park is very family friendly and low key. We’ve had the opportunity to ride CGP a couple of times. On both occasions the other riders and all the staff were very helpful and courteous. Keep in mind that Coast Gravity Park is kind of rustic. That’s just our way of saying there are only portable restrooms on site. If you need to rent bikes, be aware that you will have to pick them up in Sechelt, Vancouver, or elsewhere.

We highly recommend visiting Coast Gravity Park with kids! Visit our MTB Destinations and Trails page find more kid and family friendly adventure recommendations.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Prevelo Bikes – Our Chat With Jacob Rheuban

Meet the Rheuban family and Prevelo Bikes

Mountain Biking With Kids had the opportunity to chat with Jacob Rheuban from Prevelo Bikes. Based in California, Prevelo is a somewhat recent entry into to the kids’ bikes marketplace and they have established a firm footing in the industry. They’ve done this by offering great looking quality bikes for kids which are also innovative and reasonably priced. You can see our reviews for the Prevelo Alpha Two and the Prevelo Zulu One to learn what we thought about them. Read on to learn about one of America’s best new kids’ bike companies and how 2018 went for Prevelo.

MTBK: As an entrepreneur, tell us why you chose to make kids’ bikes as opposed to choosing another venture.

The decision was driven a lot by my personal passions. I love bikes. I’m a dad and I love seeing my own kids on bikes. I’ve also always be attracted to product development. We like designing and building something tangible. I like the direct sales model – I like dealing directly with customers and I like eCommerce. We wanted a business that was wholesome and fun. I wanted something that my whole family could be involved in. I like traveling overseas and spending time at factories seeing everything get made. It’s fun working in a shop that smells like new tires and coffee. Prevelo really wraps up everything that I love and really wanted in one package.

Perhaps I should have focused more on good business judgement than following my passions. But it’s too late for that now.

MTBK: Can you describe what you’ve learned over the last 12 months. Throw in some highs and lows.

I’ve learned thousands of little things. I’m not sure where to start. We learned what an ISF filing is, how to align the heating element on a strapping machine, not to run untested code on a live site, and how to say “bottoms up” in Taiwanese.

In terms of larger business philosophy stuff – always stand behind your product and take excellent care of your customers. I want my customers to know that I have their back.

Beyond that, the experience has been humbling. I used to be a sort of armchair entrepreneur – I’d look at brands and think how I would do things better. Now that I’m in the thick of it, I have tremendous respect and admiration for the hard working founders of other brands.

Also, I should listen to Sarah (my wife and business partner) more. If I had we wouldn’t have run so short on inventory in 2018. Early this year I was focused on strategically feathering the throttle on our young family business and Sarah was like “Sell the house, make more bikes.” We ended up selling the house.

Sarah and Jacob Rheuban of Prevelo Bikes

MTBK: What do you want Prevelo to get better at?

I think there is a lot of work to be done in improving the direct to consumer bike purchasing experience. For example, since there is often no bike shop between Prevelo and our customer, we check and tune every bike prior to shipping it. But I think there is still work to be done to improve the entire experience – things like making unpacking and assembly easier and better website features to help people get a good fit on bikes that they can’t see in person.

MTBK: What are the ups and downs of running your own business in the bike industry?

Ups: Seeing a smiling kid riding a bike that we built. The look on a parent’s face when their kid first learns to pedal. Messages from parents saying they and their kids love our bikes. Posting goofy stuff on Instagram and Facebook and calling it “marketing”. The incredible community of supportive customers. The satisfaction of building something. Meeting so many great people.

Downs: I have to deal with international trade issues. Getting inventory right is always a challenge. Bookkeeping.

MTBK: What was your top selling model of 2018 and why do you believe that bike was so popular?

The Alpha Two is our top seller. I think it’s a size that doesn’t get a lot of attention from the mainstream brands. So there’s an opening in the market there that Prevelo and other kid’s bike specialty brands slot into.

MTBK: Are you going to tweak any of your bikes’ geometries for the next round of production?

We just finished a long year of product development with the Zulu Series. While we’re definitely not going to sit on our hands for very long, we’re going to take a breather before we dive back into product improvement. I might have a more satisfying response in a couple of months.

Prevelo Zulu Four - a 24 inch wheel kids' mountain bike

MTBK: Tell us about the new Zulu Four.

We’re very excited about the entire Zulu Series. When we first started Prevelo, the Zulu Series was sort of a passion project within a passion project. I built the Zulu Three because my oldest son was asking for a mountain bike and I wanted him to ride a Prevelo. But I didn’t expect it to be a huge seller. It ended up being the first bike that we sold out of. So we were like ”Wow, people like our mountain bikes” and there’s a market for mountain bikes with kid centric design. We decided to really dive into it and try to make the best mountain bike we could.

We redesigned the Zulu Three and Zulu Four with a new stronger and lighter frame and modern trail bike geometry (67 degree headtube angle and 74 degree seat tube angle) but we kept our low bottom bracket. I built in features that we feel are really kid appropriate. Kids lay their bikes down a lot more that adults, so we kept the rear caliper protected by using a flat mount caliper and nesting it between the rear stays. Additionally, we made custom direct mount cranks with short crank arms and narrow Q factors. And we made the bikes available with features like a custom built air fork with a carbon fiber lower and thru-axles.

MTBK: Tell us about the new Zulu One and Two

We’re also pretty excited about the new Zulu One and Zulu Two. We listened to feedback from dads that wanted true trail bikes for very young riders. There are some fantastic 14-inch and 16-inch bikes on the market, but they almost universally have BMX/dirt jump type geometries. We designed the Zulu One and Zulu Two to be legit trail bikes. They have long, low and slack geo and hydraulic disc brakes. They are ultra stable and forgiving rides, which I think is useful when you have a young rider being challenged by terrain. We also wanted to make the Zulu Two available with an air fork. Some people were building up 16-inch bikes with 20-inch air forks. But we wanted a real 16-inch fork to keep the geo correct and the bike manageable for small riders. So, we had 16-inch air forks custom made for the Zulu Two.

MTBK: You’re just like any other dad when it comes to watching your children grow and progress their bike skills. Are there any big accomplishments or benchmarks that have impressed you over the last year?

I’ve simply been impressed that my oldest (7 years old) can basically ride non-stop for 7 hours at the downhill park. My younger son (5 years old) melts my heart when he asks to join me on my rides.

But we get a pretty special bike family experience. My sons have had the uncommon life experience of being part of a family starting a kids’ bicycle company. It goes without saying that they were the inspiration for Prevelo (and are our primary prototype testers). But they have also become students of the bicycle industry.

Our business is simple enough for a child to understand (we make a product that children are familiar with and we sell it). Yet it touches on an incredibly diverse range of industrial topics: design, engineering, manufacturing, importing, warehousing, marketing, sales, fulfillment and customer service. These two boys observe a whole lot of it, are eager to be involved (as much as they can) and understand far more about how the bicycle business works than most kids their age. They have a sense of ownership in the company. They are proud of our product. I’m really proud of them.

MTBK: What are your plans and goals for 2019?

I’d like to ride more. I also want to try roasting my own coffee beans at home. I’ve heard the trick is to use a popcorn popper and pay close attention to the bean color.

Written by Traci SHARE TWEET

Th Best Chair for Mountain Bikers: Helinox

Best chair for mountain bikers = Helinox: Mountain biking with your family gives you lots of opportunities to sit outside. For example: pre and post-ride meals or drinks at the car, camping, and watching friends and family members participate in mountain biking events. For years, we used inexpensive camping chairs purchased from a big box store. However, we were constantly dealing with broken frames or torn fabric that made the chairs unusable. We felt terrible throwing away such large pieces of equipment.

Last Christmas, we decided to purchase some quality camping chairs as our family gift. Our two main criteria were durability and comfort.

After lots on online research we purchased Helinox Chair Two camp chairs for our family in the hopes that these chairs that would be durable and continue to be usable for years even as our kids grow.

We purchased 4 different colors (yellow, black, blue, orange) so everyone gets to take care of his/her own chair.

Some Of The Numbers

Weight: 2.6 lbs.
Size (set up): 21.5 in wide x 25.5 in deep x 33 in tall
Size (packed): cylinder; 18 in x 5 in
Seat height: 13.5 in
Weight capacity: 320 lbs
Manufacturer Warrantee: 5 years
Price: Click button below

BUY AT BACKCOUNTRY

Storage bag attached to back of Helinox camping chair

Best Chair for Mountain Bikers: Helinox Chairs Are Comfortable And Durable

Compared to the popular Helinox Chair One, Chair Two is slightly wider, deeper and adds a taller back that gives comfortable back support. The tall back rest also means the carry bag can be filled with padding (clothing or a towel) and attached to the chair back as a neck pillow.

Durability

We’ve been impressed with the quality and durability of these chairs. They have survived almost an entire year of camping including a summer of solid use and abuse by a group of wild 11-15-year old boys. The thick nylon mesh fabric is built to last. The fabric on the corners is the thickest and stiffest where you connect the chair to the frame.

Comfort

Everyone in our family agrees that the Helinox Chair Two is very comfortable. The back is supportive and allows you to sit comfortably while eating, sitting around a campfire or gazing at the stars. The storage bag can be used as a pillow if you put a t-shirt in it and use the Velcro to attach it to the head rest. These chairs are low to the ground, but they are not hard for us to get out of. We actually like being closer to the fire on cool camping evenings.

Lake day with the Helinox Two camping chairs

The Helinox Chair Two Camping Chairs Are Easy To Set Up And Take With You

Our Helinox Two chairs are compact and light taking up about half the space of our old heavy foldable camping chairs. This helps when we road trip in the minivan. Additionally, the size makes it possible to put them into a backpack for short hikes. The carry bag has two large loops and webbing ladder to attach to the outside of a pack if needed.

These chairs assemble easily. The single shock-corded design makes setup quick. Our kids can have their chairs built in less than a minute. They are also easy to roll back up and our kids fit their chairs back in the bags with no problems.

Helinox Chair Two chairs posing on the rocks

The Helinox Two Chair is compact and easy to travel with

The only factor that may influence your decision to buy the Helinox Two camping chair is the price. Don’t let this hold you back. Our old camping chairs were purchased from a big box store for about $20 each, so that makes these Helinox chairs more than 5x the cost. However, we have learned that the the durability of these chairs will pay off in the long run. We strongly recommend the Helinox Chair Two chairs for mountain biking families and kids. These chairs do an excellent job of balancing lasting comfort and ease of transportation.

If you’re looking for the best chair for mountain bikers and active families, we highly recommend the Helinox camping chair.

The Helinox Chair Two camping chairs are comfy

Check out our other favorite mountain bike gear and accessories on our Reviews page.

We’d love to see what MTB shenanigans your mountain biking kids and family are up to! Share your mountain bike adventures with MTBwithKids on Instagram or Facebook

Written by Traci SHARE TWEET

Zen Trail

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Sunday Funday V1

Danny MacAskill and Cut Media

If you can’t see the video on this page, please watch it here.

We’re introducing a new segment where we will share videos we hope your family finds interesting and fun. Maybe they’ll have bikes in them – maybe not. Perhaps you’ve seen these before – perhaps not.

To kick things off, this video is definitely one of our all time favorites. Of course part of that is due to Danny MacAskill. But the cinematography, location and music all work together to create a viewing experience you hum along with and get lost in.

There’s a nostalgia aspect to this, too. I remember seeing this for the first time with the family well over 5 years ago when our kids were just six and ten years old.

Video And Production Credit Go To Cut Media
Website: www.cutmedia.com
YouTube: Cut Media
Instagram: @cutmedia

Written by Traci SHARE TWEET

Trailside Mountain Bike Park

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

The Snake Hollow Bike Park in St. George, Utah

There’s an incredible new St. George mountain bike park in southern Utah. Just across from the street on the east side of Snow Canyon High School lies the Snake Hollow Bike Park. You and the kids can explore four separate zones where the whole fam can increase your mountain biking acumen and artistry.

Mom, dad and the womp rats are encouraged to ride in a beginner to advanced level dirt jump zone, pump tracks and skills loops, gravity and progressive drop features, and gravity jump trails. When you see this for the first time in person, you will be amazed at the breadth of terrain and features. What was once a vacant wash is now yet another slice of mountain biking paradise in the St. George area. The park is expansive. The total property size is 80 acres and the is just Phase One.

Snake Hollow Overview

The majority of the dirt jumps are tables and they have take-off ramps with welded steel foundations and wood ladder surfaces. The angles and transition of the jumps on the beginner and intermediate lines are very well crafted and they encourage you to hit them at speed in order to clear them.

A couple of bigger features in the park include an elevated table with a step-up step-down and a tall whale-tail.

In addition to the bike skills zones, there is a covered pavilion with picnic tables, drinking fountains, and restrooms.

How The Bike Park Was Funded

Financing was obtained from two resources in order to build the facility – the RAP (Recreation, Arts & Parks) tax from the city of St. George and transient room tax dollars from Washington County.

Why a bike park with this money? Marc Mortensen, the Assistant City Manager of St. George told us that the bike park was included in the original appeal to have the RAP tax approved so the tax would gain the support of the cycling community. Other types of activities that qualify for RAP funding include art, music, theater, dance, cultural arts, and natural history. Marc also said, “Our city council understands the importance of mountain biking and what it’s done here. We think mountain biking is in the top five reasons of why people come to St. George and we want to capitalize on that.”

Mountain biker at the Snake Hollow Bike Park in St. George, Utah

FlowRide Concepts from Boulder, Colorado was selected to build the bike park. They worked closely with City of St. George Park Planning Division and their existing park architects on staff to create the venue. The area’s local trail organization, DMBTA (Dixie Mountain Bike Trail Association) also played a role with the development of the area.

Advanced zone at the Snake Hollow Bike Park in St. George

How To Get To The Snake Hollow Bike Park

Get off I-15 at the St. George Blvd. exit and head west.
Turn right on Bluff Street
Turn left on Sunset Blvd.
Turn right on Lava Flow Drive (2400 West)
The Snake Hollow Bike Park will be on the right side of the road across the street from the Snow Canyon High School

NOTE: the label on the Google Map is incorrect. The bike park is there, though – we promise!

Phase Two Of The Bike Park And The NICA Influence

NICA stands for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. It’s the organization responsible for developing high school mountain biking leagues across the united states. Over the last few years, St. George has hosted Utah NICA races including this year’s state championship races.

Phase Two development of the the Snake Hollow Bike Park will include a brand new cross country loop suitable for NICA events. Marc Mortensen said, “Funding for a 5 to 5.5 mile long race course has already been approved through the previously mentioned tax funds. After we get the trail flagged, its construction will rely on a lot of volunteer hours from our local high school kids, the DMBTA, and others willing to help.” The new course will undulate through an environment accented with lava rocks, sage brush. Since there is a high school across the street, it offers ample paved parking.

The estimated completion time for the Phase Two race loop is during the late spring of 2019. Other improvements for the second phase of the bike park will include more shaded pavilions and additional parking.

St. George Is Excited To Have You Visit And There Is More To Come

As the only year-round bike park the state of Utah, Marc exclaims “This is going to be a very popular [bike] park and hopefully another reason for people to spend an extra day in St. George.”

St. George already has 300 miles of trails in the area, so this new venue is only going to help solidify the city’s commitment to drawing active families down to southern Utah. In order to keep the good times going, Washington County has established a trails committee to explore additional projects.

Above all, we strongly suggest you make the effort to spend some time at this place. Undeniably, there seriously is something for all to enjoy.

Map - Snake Hollow Bike Park in St. George, Utah

View a large version of the Snake Hollow Bike Park map.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Woom Bike Helmet Review

Woom kids' bike helmet review - featured image

Every single bike riding kid needs to have her/his head protected in case of a fall. This is where the Woom Kids Bike Helmet comes in. This helmet contains all of the safety features that your child needs, whether they are riding on some basic trails or on the sidewalks. It retails for $69.00 USD.

Buy the Woom Kids Bike Helmet

Safety Matters With This Kids’ Bike Helmet

Woom believes that kids need additional protection because they fall in different ways and their brains are still developing. This helmet was developed by Matthias Gurtner. Gurtner says “A helmet that’s truly safe for a child is not simply a smaller version of an adult helmet.” This means that the safety features on the Woom are quite different.

The Woom helmet extends protection to the back of the head, as well as the temples. Additionally, the interior of the helmet has padding that can be adjusted as necessary. Importantly, the visor bumper provides some extra padding in the forehead region, and the exterior of the helmet is made of polycarbonate plastic. The Woom logo on the helmet is reflective. And, similar to the line up of Woom bikes, the size of the Woom kids’ helmet is specifically designed for the physiology and head measurements of each age group.

Fastening the magnetic Fidlock magnetic clasp on the Woom bike helmet is a cinch - not a pinch

Detail view of the magnetic chin strap clasp on the Woom Kids Helmet

Extra bumper pads are included with the Woom Kids Bike Helmet

Additional Features Of The Woom Kids Bike Helmet

The Woom Kids Helmet is designed to cushion the head in case of a mountain bike accident, and it’s also incredibly comfortable. There are 24 different vents and four internal air channels built into the top to provide plenty of airflow. In addition, fly nets covering each vent. These allow air to flow through, but help keep pesky insects out. The side cords won’t twist up (in fact, they are untwistable!) and the helmet fastens securely to the head with a cleverly designed magnetic pinch-free buckle that fits under the chin.

You can see the fly netting in the vents of the Woom kid-sized bike helmet

Why doesn't this appear on more kids' products?

Colors and Sizes

The Woom Kids Helmet comes in five bright candy colors, including purple, blue, yellow, green, and red. Your child can choose his or her favorite! There are three sizes to choose from as well. Firstly, the small helmets are for heads that measure 18.9 to 20.9 inches in circumference. Secondly, the mediums will fit 20.5 to 22-inch heads.Finally, the largest is for kids with a head circumference of 21.7 to 23.6 inches. Each helmet comes with a size adjustment dial. However, for the best protection, you should measure your child’s head to see where it falls on the chart.

Final Thoughts On This Kid Lid

Your kids need a helmet that’s designed specifically for them. The Woom Kids Helmet proves this case, thanks to the additional coverage zones, bright colors, and extra features. Our test rider loves her helmet because she knows it helps keep her safe. She also thought the fit was comfortable and it looked cool. When you’re looking for your kid’s next helmet, know that this award winning design is not just a sized-down adult helmet – it has been crafted to fit children to provide the fit and protection parents want.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Five Big Deals On Mountain Bikes For Big Kids

Deals On Mountain Bikes: Earlier this week, we ran through 10 great mountain bike options for NICA racers. We heard from some of you that the bikes we highlighted might be a bit outside your current disposable income window. We decided to start researching some less expensive mountain bikes that would be good for pre-teen/teen NICA riders. In the process, we ran across some killer deals on some 2018 bikes. If you want to buy new, the fall is almost always your best bet because shops are generally looking to get rid of remaining inventory to make room for newer models. While not super-light, these five mountain bikes have good quality components and are available now – but not for long!

Ghost Asket 4.9 AL 29 Bike (2018) for high school mountain bikers

Ghost Asket 4.9 AL 29 Mountain Bike (2018) | ONLY Small Size Left!

Ghost Asket is a modern trail hardtail at an affordable price. The Asket geometry concept includes a low top tube, slack steering angle, short rear and low bottom bracket to makes the ASKET a playful and comfortable all-around trail bike. The hydroformed aluminum alloy frame is strong, stiff and lightweight (28 lbs 7 oz). The SRAM 1×11 drivetrain offers a wide gear range and the hydraulic disc brakes and progressive rotors provide reliable stopping power. Maxxis Minion tires and 29” DT Swiss rims and hubs keep you rolling over whatever the trail has to offer.

Buy the Ghost Asket 4.9 at REI

Niner Air 9 1 Star 27.5+ (2018)

Niner’s Air 9 stiff and light frame is made of hydroformed aluminum for optimal shock absorbsion and power transfer. The 2018 Air 9 features SRAM NX components giving it precise and reliable feel. The 1 x 11 drive train features an 11-42T cassette that to keep your rider pedaling through any grade. The Race Face cockpit is wide and low, offering optimal control. Niner’s 27.5 Alloy wheels have a low rotating weight and terrific integrity. Complete with a 120-millimeter Rockshox Judy fork up front, this bike is built to smooth out the trail. This 1-Star NX build completes the bike with 2.8-inch Maxxis Rekon+ tires that roll over loose rocks, bumpy roots, and other trail obstacles. The Niner Air 9 1 Star 27.5+ is available in sizes XS- L with a minimum stand-over height of 26.7 inches.

Buy the Niner Air 9 at Backcountry

Diamondback Overdrive Carbon Pro 29

The Diamondback Overdrive 29C 1 Carbon is a great lightweight race ready bike that’s surprisingly affordable. Overdrive 29C 1 Carbon components include RockShox’s Recon Gold RL fork with 100 mm of travel. The Shimano hydraulic disc brakes will help your racer effectively control speed and the simple and precise SRAM NX single-ring drivetrain will keep them moving. The big 29inch wheels will maintain their speed incredibly well and roll easily over rock gardens and roots. Bonus: they’re also tubeless compatible. Diamondback Overdrive 29C 1 Carbon is available in S-XL and should fit riders ranging from 5’4” to 6’4″ with a minimum stand-over height of 30.5”.

Buy the Diamondback Overdrive at Jenson USA

Co-op Cycles DRT 2.1 mountain bike for kids

Co-Op Cycles DRT 2.1 Bike | ONLY Medium Size Left!

The Co-op Cycles flagship DRT 2.1 hard tail mountain bike will have your rider tackling rugged trails with confidence. The 27.5” tubeless ready wheels and wide 2.8” tires provide extra traction for easier climbing and cornering. The Air-sprung X Fusion 27.5+ suspension fork provides 120mm of travel and a remote lockout. The DRT 2.1 includes a 1 x 11 Shimano SLX drivetrain. The aluminum frame includes internal cable routing for a dropper post upgrade. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes deliver reliable stopping power on the trail. The DRT 2.1 is available in sizes XS-L with a minimum stand-over height of 26.7inches. (Medium size stand-over height = 28.8 – should fit riders 5’6”-5’9”)

Buy the Co-Op Cycles DRT 2.1 from REI

Ghost Kato 7 27.5/29 Bike (2018)

The Ghost Kato 7 is a fast, agile aluminum hardtail with balanced geometry to climb efficiently and descend confidently. The RockShox FS 30 Silver TK shock provides 100mm travel to keep the ride feeling smooth. The Shimano SLX drivetrain is a 2×11 for 22 gears that are capable of tackling any trail; lets you shift quickly and precisely. The Alex MD 21 rims spin smoothly around Shimano hubs and with Continental X-King 27.5 or 29 in. x 2.2 in. tires for great traction. Small and Medium frame sizes have 27.5 in. wheels; Large and Extra-Large frames have 29 in. wheels. The Ghost Kato 7 is available in sizes S-XL with a minimum stand-over height of 26.4 inches.

Buy the Ghost Kato 7 27.5/29 from REI

Specifications For The Rocky Mountain Reaper 26

Geometry Overview

Suspension Set Up

Cockpit And Saddle

Brakes, Drivetrain, Wheels and Tires

Rocky Mountain Reaper Comparison Chart

Riding The Rocky Mountain Reaper

Rocky Mountain Reaper Wrap Up

Helpful Information About Coast Gravity Park

Coast Gravity Park Trail Map

About The Bike Park

MTBK: As an entrepreneur, tell us why you chose to make kids’ bikes as opposed to choosing another venture.

MTBK: Can you describe what you’ve learned over the last 12 months. Throw in some highs and lows.

MTBK: What do you want Prevelo to get better at?

MTBK: What are the ups and downs of running your own business in the bike industry?

MTBK: What was your top selling model of 2018 and why do you believe that bike was so popular?

MTBK: Are you going to tweak any of your bikes’ geometries for the next round of production?

MTBK: Tell us about the new Zulu Four.

MTBK: Tell us about the new Zulu One and Two

MTBK: You’re just like any other dad when it comes to watching your children grow and progress their bike skills. Are there any big accomplishments or benchmarks that have impressed you over the last year?

MTBK: What are your plans and goals for 2019?

Some Of The Numbers

Best Chair for Mountain Bikers: Helinox Chairs Are Comfortable And Durable

Durability

Comfort

The Helinox Chair Two Camping Chairs Are Easy To Set Up And Take With You

Danny MacAskill and Cut Media

Snake Hollow Overview

How The Bike Park Was Funded

How To Get To The Snake Hollow Bike Park

Phase Two Of The Bike Park And The NICA Influence

St. George Is Excited To Have You Visit And There Is More To Come

Safety Matters With This Kids’ Bike Helmet

Additional Features Of The Woom Kids Bike Helmet

Colors and Sizes

Final Thoughts On This Kid Lid

Ghost Asket 4.9 AL 29 Mountain Bike (2018) | ONLY Small Size Left!

Niner Air 9 1 Star 27.5+ (2018)

Diamondback Overdrive Carbon Pro 29

Co-Op Cycles DRT 2.1 Bike | ONLY Medium Size Left!

Ghost Kato 7 27.5/29 Bike (2018)

Kids Mountain Bikes And More

Your MTB Family Is Awesome

Helpful Links