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First Ride Review: PNW Components Loam Carbon Handlebar

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First Ride Review: PNW Components Loam Carbon Handlebar

With so many options for handlebars these days, it’s difficult to stand out in a crowded market. With their new Loam Carbon Handlebar, PNW Components claims they have achieved the optimal combination of compliance, comfort, strength, and value. Available today, the Loam Handlebar is offered in either 38mm or 25mm rise, trimmable 800mm width, and 35mm clamp diameter. Josh and Andrea recently installed the Loam bars on her Ibis Ripmo and, below, offer an overview and first ride impressions…

Eight Years Later: Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro Rebuild

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Eight Years Later: Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro Rebuild

Back in 2015, I bought one of the first  Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro pumps. These pumps are a modern take on the vintage classic SuperPista floor pump Silca made back when it was an Italian brand in the 70s and 80s. Now, Silca is a US brand and when it re-launched, they debuted a stunning Made in the USA version of the SuperPista pump. 

When I bought it, the pump was dubbed the Impero Ultimate Frame Pump and with a $400 price tag, I was hoping it’d last for decades, much like Silca’s legendary frame pumps that I use on my bikes. Well, eight years later my pump finally needed a rebuild, so I thought it’d be nice to walk through the rebuild process…

In Stock Now: Radavist and Cedaero Portage Bag – Black and Burgundy

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In Stock Now: Radavist and Cedaero Portage Bag – Black and Burgundy

When Josh posted up his Alumalith, with a custom Portage bag he collaborated on with Cedaero, it caused a rukkus! Karl from Cedaero got flooded with requests for these throwback MTB bags from the 1980s and 90s, so we decided to make a run for our readership!

We made two colors; waxed canvas burgundy ($134.95) like Josh specced and all-black cordura ($124.95). These bags are bike geometry/size specific and Karl made them to fit the Alumalith but they will fit any bike but you’ve gotta be mindful with the sizing! Read on below for more information on how to size this for your bike…

22.2 Ain’t Dead! A Look at the Paul Component Engineering 22.2 Boxcar 6-Bolt Face Stem

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22.2 Ain’t Dead! A Look at the Paul Component Engineering 22.2 Boxcar 6-Bolt Face Stem

⌀22.2mm or 7/8″ bars were all they had back during the genesis of the almighty MOUNTAINBIKE. Riders would take the entire cockpit off their dirtbikes and flat track racers: Magura L363.20 bars, Magura brake/clutch levers, and even Magura grips, mounting them to SR or Cinelli quill stems. A lot has changed since the late 1970s but one thing remains: people love these small-diameter clamp bars for their mountain cruisers, klunkers, hardtails, and rigid MTBs. You know, the bikes that get ridden super hard!

Paul Component Engineering offers their normal Boxcar stem in a ⌀22.2mm clamp, but today they announced a 6-bolt faceplate Boxcar Limited stem ($147.50 – $166.50).

John got his hands on one before the drop and has some photos and thoughts below…

Flexing Muscles, Not Stays: A Pivot Mach 4 SL Review

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Flexing Muscles, Not Stays: A Pivot Mach 4 SL Review

In the world of cross-country bikes, there’s a trend of pivots disappearing. Not the brand “Pivot,” but the actual pivots. Specialized heaved the Horst Link, Trek axed its ABP, and Santa Cruz vetoed the VPP. The idea is, at around 100-millimeters or so of travel, weight savings and stiffness take precedence over kinematics. But Pivot (the brand) stuck to their guns for the recently revamped Mach 4 SL cross-country bike. They tweaked their DW Link and refined their carbon layup, claiming better ride quality and a half-pound lighter frame. They sent their flagship build to Ryan LaBar in northern Michigan, and it seems he’s putting this bike on a pedestal, without even needing to put it on a podium.