Archive for category: Reviews

It’s important to be able to see where you’re going no matter where you are – but especially when you’re riding down a trail during dusk or at night. Not only do these lights help you see the path in front of you, but it also makes it easier for others to spot you – making the chances of a painful collision much less likely. The Bontrager ION Pro RT/Flare RT Light Set takes care of both of these issues.

Bontrager:  Website | Instagram | Facebook

Consisting of two different types of lights, the Ion Pro RT and the Flare RT, the set attaches to two different parts of the bike in order to keep you safe. The Ion Pro RT fits on the handlebars, where it illuminates the path in front of you with a wide enough light to cover the width of just about every path and trail. The Flare RT, designed to go on the back of the bike, fits below the seat and flashes behind you so that anyone coming up from the rear realizes that you’re there. However, both can be mounted on a helmet as well, giving you the flexibility to arrange them as needed. A lot of night riding mountain bikers swear by having a powerful light on their bars, and their helmets for an even greater/brighter night ride.

Both lights are easy to recharge, thanks to handy included USB cable. Just remove the lights from their mounts, and bring them inside. The mounting system is easy to use, and holds the lights in place no matter how many bumps you encounter on your ride, while at the same time, they slide out easily so that you can recharge them as necessary. The batteries are a sturdy, rechargeable 4800 Li-Ion that provide up to six hours of power when the lights are set to low. On high, they last for an hour and a half, while when set to flashing they last for 26 hours.

Follow MTB With Kids on Facebook and Instagram

When it comes to visibility, the Pro RT and the Flare RT contain LED bulbs that produce enough light to make them visible up to 2 kilometers during the daytime, and they can be set to flash in an array of patterns that you can set to provide the ultimate protection based on your exact circumstances. Their maximum light output is 1300 lumens, which is pretty powerful. You can control the lights, as well as monitor their battery life, with your Bontrager ANT+ or Garmin device. This makes it easy to switch their flash pattern while you’re in the middle of a ride, without having to get off of your bike.

We’ve used our Bontrager Ion Pro RT/Flare RT Light Set quite a few times and they’ve been great. Use them in the daylight as well for additional visibility. Be sure to keep them in your hydration pack or hip bag in case your ride goes longer than expected. We even used the Ion Pro when setting up camp when a traditional headlight has not been handy. When riding on trail behind our youngest, the red flashing tail light was so bright, it was distracting and we had to turn it off. This not only makes this light set great for mountain biking, but it’s also optimal for road biking and commuting. Your experience and age don’t matter when it comes to fun and safety. Be sure to include the Bontrager Ion Pro RT/Flare RT Light Set as one of your essentials.

Functional and stylish, the Rhythm Women’s Mountain Tech Tee includes many features that make it a must-have for any mountain biker. Not only does it come in an array of colors, including gravel and mulberry, pink and black, and even a tie-dyed looking light teal, but the fabric is designed with performance in mind.

Bontrager:  Website | Instagram | Facebook

The overall fabric is very lightweight and has built-in mesh inserts where you need them the most. The material also consists of a polygiene blend that controls odor, no matter how warm you get while riding. In addition to the fabric, there are a number of thoughtful features built into the shirt. There’s an added drop tail in the back for extra sun protection when hunched over the handlebars, as well as a sunglass wipe in the hem, preventing the need for an extra piece of fabric. That’s one less thing that you need to carry around. A back locker loop allows you to hang up the shirt when it’s not in use, making it easy to dry off after a particularly sweaty ride.

Designed to prevent chafing, the shirt has offset seams. This helps keep things comfortable, even when you have a hydration pack or gear bag riding along on your back. The semi-fitted seams provide plenty of room for movement of all sorts while staying close to your body to prevent snags.

Follow MTB With Kids on Facebook and Instagram

Thanks to the large range of sizes, going from extra small to three-x, it’s easy to find a Rhythm Women’s Mountain Tech Tee that fits you just right.

I have been wearing and using the Bontrager Rhythm jersey for months. It has held up very well through a bike season from Big Sky to southern Utah, to the Pacific Northwest. The colors have not faded and the collar has not stretched out. Best of all, it’s still comfortable and always finds its way into my mtb road trip wardrobe.

The Trek Fuel EX 8 is a mountain bike capable of handling all types terrain. To prove this point our kid was able to test the bike completely in many different locations. From hitting the jumps at the original Red Bull Rampage site in the desert to a junior devo NICA cross-country race in the alpine, the Fuel Ex 8 was up to the task.

Trek:  Website | Instagram | Facebook

Who Is Trek Fuel EX 8 For?

This mountain bike is designed to fit riders 4ft 6in tall (XS) all the way through 6ft 7in tall (XXL). That’s quite a range, isn’t it? A Fox suspension package means the bike is ready to go for trail rides and cross country loops, bike parks, technical terrain and dirt jumps. Novice riders through experts will enjoy riding the Trek Fuel EX 8. If you were to put a pin in the bike spectrum from light-weight cross country racer on the left to downhill freeride machine on the right, we’d place the mark a couple slots to the right of center. Tyge is just a touch over 5ft tall and he was paired with a Small frame with standover height of 27.79 inches.

Follow MTB With Kids on Facebook and Instagram

A Quick Overview Of The Trek Fuel EX 8

STANDOVER HEIGHT

Min ~27.55 inches

DRIVETRAIN

1 x 12

WHEEL SIZE

27.5in (xs, s), 29in (m and up)

WEIGHT

~30 lbs sans pedals

Frame Style And Tire Sizes Vary

Because the bike is available in seven different frame sizes, there are a couple of secondary features you should be aware of. The XS and Small sizes will have a curved top tube. This is a great because it will allow shorter riders to comfortably straddle the bike with both feet planted firmly on the ground. This also enables the rider to get a foot down quickly if bumpy or uneven terrain dictates a dab or quick stop. XS and Small frame sizes for the Fuel Ex 8 will also come with 27.5in wheels. This is also a plus in the design-and-fit column. We have seen other brands with XS and Small frames and 29in wheels where the length of the frame is too short and the rider’s foot makes contact with the front wheel of the bike.

About The Trek Knock Block

The Knock Block is a proprietary function of many Trek mountain bikes. This feature is designed into the stem of the bike and it prevents the handlebars from turning 90º. With the addition of the Knock Block, Trek is able to tinker with geometry and ergonomics that result in a bike where the suspension fork cannot strike the frame. Does it limit your turning radius? Technically it does. But not many people are capable of throwing down a 90º turn over a very small distance. Some have mentioned that the Knock Block negatively affects how a bike is stored/transported on a truck’s tailgate or inside a car. This video from Trek explains the Knock Block feature a lot better than we can.

Bontrager Parts

As you may know, Bontrager is Trek’s house brand for components. Some folks are not fans of this approach, but the trade off is a lower overall price for the bike with parts that function very well. Tyge did his best to beat this bike up and it would be reasonable to believe that at the very least – the Bontrager Line Dropper would surrender. But after several months of rough treatment and transport, the dropper works as well as it did when we built up the bike.

Frame Aesthetics

Overall the design of the frame is appealing. It’s no-nonsense linkage design is clean and unobtrusive. The front- and rear-wheels are attached to the bike with thru axles. Internal cable routing and an under-the-bar dropper remote keep additional lines on the bike pleasing. Because we have a small version of the frame, there’s not a lot of room to work with for a bottle cage on the down tube. The solution was obtaining a side load bottle cage. You may like the Bontrager Left Side Load Water Bottle Cage for your small frame.

Trek Fuel EX 8 Suspension

A Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv 3-position shock with 130mm of travel fills the space for the shock. The fork on the bike is a Fox Rhythm 34, Float EVOL w/air spring and 140mm of travel. Both the shock and fork have lock-out features. We easily added or removed air for the suspension depending on the day’s terrain. And, you can also adjust the rebound for the fork.

Measurements And Angles For The Trek Fuel EX 8 [small]

Trek Fuel EX 8 – Build Specs

Riding The Trek Fuel Ex 8

Tyge loved the suspension on the bike. He only weighs up to 95 lbs with gear and his flyweight build was a good match for the Fox squish.

We got the right size Fuel EX 8 and it made a difference. Your kids are growing and they’re not going to be on the same bike for more than a season or so. Know that your investment goes beyond the money spent. When you purchase a proper fitting mountain bike for your kids, you’re giving your children the opportunity to enjoy the sport with safety, progression, and fun in mind. Also be aware that a good bike is going to have a good resale value. Families all over are looking for good used bikes and you can usually receive over 70% of what you pay for a new bike.

Tyge loved the tires. He’s never been on 2.6in wide tires before and they immediately granted more control, stability and confidence. On loose surfaces, there was more tire in contact with the ground. On skinnies, there was a wider footprint which resulted in more support and security. Market year 2021 Trek bikes will ship without tubes and with valve stems and rim strips from carbon builds down to the 7-levels. This is good news – tubeless tires out-of-the-box!

The 1×12 Eagle drivetrain has a 50t ring on the cassette and 30t front ring. That provided plenty of pedal power for long, sustained climbs. If your child has not yet experienced a drivetrain with this set-up, they’re going to be pleasantly surprised at the additional climbing and pedaling capabilities the drivetrain provides. Shifting was smooth and simplified.

Riding with flat pedals or clipless pedals was determined by the task. For cross country, some trail riding, and a couple of NICA races, Tyge sported clipless pedals. At the bike park, dirt jumps, and technical terrain – flat pedals were the accessory of choice. We have learned to travel with both sets of foot platforms for extended outings and road trips.

On jumps and bumps, Tyge was able to control the bike very well. Be sure your kid uses the dropper to get that seat out of the way so your can get low on the bike when needed.

Racing the Fuel EX 8 on a couple of Utah’s NICA courses proved to be very fun. The 1x transmission and gear range was very beneficial. And, the dropper was used throughout races. We certainly tightened up the suspension and tires for more grip for one flowy, firm track. On another course with a lot of loose corners and and a layer of dust, the 2.6in wide tires were perfect with lower air pressure. If your kids are cross country speedsters, you can explore additional options in the company’s catalogue that are lighter and have features favored by world-class racers.

Being comfortable with a bike’s geometry allows the rider to progress on technical terrain and in the air. Blend this in with the will to succeed along with finding the right speed and you will get favorable results aboard the Fuel EX 8.

Cornering with the Knock Block technology was not prohibitive and it functioned as engineered by Trek’s design team.

140mm of suspension is plenty for a kid of Tyge’s stature and riding style on big jumps and technical terrain. He could only bottom out the fork and shock if we let out all the air. And, both components had enough range to allow us to tinker with the sag and find the best settings.

The bike really shined after the turns were earned. On open descents, the Fuel EX 8 was is in its element and an extension of the rider.

Braking power provided by Shimano was always reliable and easily controlled. When you get your Fuel EX 8, be sure to set up the cockpit so the levers are at the proper angles for safety and ergonomics. You can reduce finger cramping and arm pump by simply setting the levers up the right way.

Topping Off The Trek Fuel EX 8

Our child enjoyed this bike because he’s a good fit for it literally and figuratively. The size range of the Fuel EX line-up has him covered so we were able to choose the right size, right away. He also has access to a lot of different terrain due to the west’s never-ending mountain bike season. From the rough and please-don’t-tumble red rocks to the flowy NICA race courses, the Fuel EX 8 has what it takes to make its riders happy. The geometry and build are great for beginners through experts who would like to get better at bikes. And, the bike is a good choice for those who are ready to drop a proper amount of money for a machine that will enable kids to grow their love for the outdoors; on bikes – together.

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.

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.

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.

Follow MTB With Kids on Facebook and Instagram

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.