´ˇĚýĚýof this article originally appeared onĚýPinkbike.Ěý

It’s easy to become part of an echo chamber. Pinkbike often gets lost in the finer points of mountain bike technology, from suspension platforms to frame flex. But what kind of questions are people asking about mountain biking outside the platform? For one, what are the best mountain bikes for beginners? Below, Pinkbike’s editors offer concise answers to the ten most common mountain bike-related questions on search engines, social media, and online forums.

1. What Is the Best Mountain Bike for Beginners?

One you can afford. Don’t let the average mountain biker’s obsession with technology make you think you need all the latest features to have fun.

If you’re new to the sport, getting advice and after-sales support from a local shop can be invaluable. On the other hand, if you’re happy to take more risk and willing to do your own research, second-hand or direct sales bikes offer less daunting prices.

You may hear that you simply have to start mountain biking on a hardtail because it teaches you better skills. The truth is it teaches different skills. Hardtails are the way to go for those on a tight budget (under around $1,500 if buying new) as the cheapest full-suspension bikes are usually too compromised to be worth recommending.

If you’ve got a bigger budget, a solid trail bike with 130-160 millimeters of suspension travel and modern geometry should help build confidence (and with it, skill) faster and more painlessly than the sketchy hardtails many of us learned to ride on. Get a bike that’s appropriate for the trails you want to ride most often, but has the potential to tackle more challenging terrain as your skills improve.

2. How Much Does a Good Mountain Bike Cost?

You certainly don’t need to splash out for a top-end bike to get something that performs just as well. For a bare-bones entry-level hardtail, budget around $1,500 for one that will allow you to get stuck into some serious riding. But if you want a full-suspension bike that’s going to satisfy a keen mountain biker, the best bang-for-buck is usually around $3,000 if buying new. The more you can afford up to that amount, the better the bike you can get, but above that, the benefits soon start to plateau.

The good news is that it’s a buyer’s market right now so there are lots of good deals if you shop around.

3. How Do I Maintain my Mountain Bike?

1. Wash it when it’s dirty.
2. Clean and lubricate the chain after every ride. After washing the bike, run it through a rag to wipe off dirt and water, then lubricate it with mountain-bike-specific chain lube.
3. Check the tire pressures before every ride (see question eight).
4. Regularly do an “M-check,” inspecting for loose bolts, play, or worn parts. Starting at the rear wheel, check the brake, tire, axle and derailleur, then move on to the saddle and seatpost, then the cranks, bottom bracket and pedals, then the cockpit and headset, and finally the front wheel and brake. These five locations make a capital “M” shape, which makes it easy to remember.
5. Have the suspension serviced and brakes bled at least once per year.

4. What Are the Benefits of Full Suspension Versus a Hardtail?

The obvious benefit to a full suspension bike is that it cushions the impacts on rough terrain, making it easier to ride fast without getting bounced off-line or having your teeth rattled loose. They also offer more grip because the wheels are more consistently pressed into the ground. Most serious riders and racers use full-suspension bikes for every discipline these days, from downhill to cross country. Even gravel bikes sometimes have suspension now.

On the other hand, hardtails are usually much less expensive—or offer better parts and frame quality for the same price—making them the go-to option for those on a tight budget. There’s less to go wrong and no pivots or rear shock to service, too. Apples-to-apples, hardtails are usually lighter and transmit slightly more of your pedal power to the ground, making them fractionally faster on smooth climbs (this is why hardtails still get used occasionally for smoother cross-country courses). Also, some (strange) people just prefer the challenge of riding without rear suspension.

5. How Do You Choose the Right Frame Size?

These days, most manufacturers provide a size guide on the geometry tab of their website; this is a reliable indicator for most people. There’s often a range of rider heights that overlap between two sizes. In this case, size down if you want more agile handling or size up if you want more stability for fast terrain.

For more on this, see our guide to modern bike sizing. If possible, try and arrange a test ride or talk to the manufacturer for a personalised recommendation.

6. What Are the Best Upgrades for My Mountain Bike?

It depends on what components your bike has, but common upgrades that make a big difference without costing the earth include comfy grips and a saddle that fit your body better; tubeless tires that are appropriate to the riding you usually do, and a dropper post if you don’t already have one. Better brakes can massively improve confidence too, but you don’t always have to spring for a whole set – bigger rotors (larger diameter or thicker) and fresh brake pads (sintered for wet weather) can boost power and consistency.

7. What’s the Difference Between Cross-Country, Trail, Enduro, and Downhill Bikes?

Cross country (XC) races are usually won or lost on the climbs, so XC bikes are designed to excel when going uphill, with minimum weight and efficient suspension. Modern examples have 100-120 millimeters of suspension travel and can weigh as little as 24 pounds. Descending is still important, especially in modern cross country, so XC bikes often have dropper posts and slack head angles, but the geometry is still less confidence-inspiring than trail bikes. Also, the handlebars are typically much lower. Almost all modern XC bikes have 29-inch wheels.

“Trail” isn’t a racing discipline, so trail bikes are designed to be fun. They should be light enough to enjoy rather than endure climbs but usually with a stronger emphasis on descending capability. They typically have 130-150 millimeters of suspension travel which makes them pretty capable when the trail gets hectic but not so much that they feel lethargic in flowy terrain. Most have 29-inch wheels, though recently many have a 27.5-inch wheel at the back or the option to run either.

Enduro bikes may look like trail bikes, but they’re designed with much more bias towards descending. In enduro racing, it’s only the descents that are timed, so climbing performance takes a back seat (although some enduro bikes climb surprisingly well). They have 160-180 millimeters of travel, tough tires, big brakes and burly components. Many enduro bikes weigh well over of 35 pounds. Some have 29-inch wheels front and rear and some have a 27.5-inch wheel at the back. Many can accept either rear wheel size.

Downhill bikes are not designed to be pedaled uphill at all. They have 200 millimeters of suspension travel or more, stiff dual-crown forks, and close-ratio gearing. Because they do not need a dropper post or wide-range cassette, they are often no heavier than enduro bikes. In recent years, most have moved to mixed wheels (29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear) though some can still accept 29-inch wheels at both ends.

Mountain bike disciplines are more of a spectrum than distinct categories; it’s perfectly possible to take your trail bike on a cross-country ride and visa-versa. There are also tongue-in-cheek sub-categories that seek to split the difference even further, such as “downcountry” (a compromise between trail and XC) or “all-mountain,” which fits in between trail and enduro.

8. What Tire Pressure Should I Run on My Mountain Bike?

This varies depending on rider weight, tire construction, terrain, and riding style. But a good place to start is to ignore the pressures printed on the tire sidewall—they’re usually a maximum rather than a recommendation. Most riders should start at pressures between 20 psi and 30 psi. Go towards the lower end of that range if you’re lighter, less confident, or riding slippy terrain. Go higher if you’re heavier, riding hard, or the trails are rocky. It’s usually a good idea to run about 3 psi more pressure in the back tire than the front, as it takes more weight.

Use a pressure gauge to measure tire pressures before each ride and experiment to find what works for you. It doesn’t have to be a fancy gauge, but ideally, it should be the same one every time. Usually, you’re looking for the lowest pressure you can get away with before the tire starts to collapse in corners or when you start to feel the tire hitting the rim when riding over rocks.

Tubeless repair plugs can be surprisingly effective. (Photo: Richard Cunningham)

9. How Do I Repair a Puncture on a Trail?

Option 1: If it’s a tubeless tire, find the hole and push a puncture repair plug into it. Afterwards, trim the excess. When you get home, you may want to stick a puncture repair patch to the inside of the tire. This will help long term, but just be sure to do so after cleaning the tire.

Option 2: If option 1 fails or the tire isn’t tubeless, insert an inner tube to get you home. When you get home you can patch the tire or the tube with a puncture repair kit.

Option 3: If you haven’t got a spare tube, remove the tube and locate the puncture. You can do this by inflating the tube with a pump. Fix the puncture with a patch kit.

Option 4: Borrow an inner tube from a friend in exchange for future beers.

Option 5: Give up. Cry. Walk home. Get back late. Cry more.

10. How Do I Improve My Technical Mountain-Biking Skills?

• Ride more.
• Book a coaching course.
• Regularly practice a short section of trail several times.
• Get your friends to film your riding so you can see where to improve.
• Watch Pinkbike’s .
• Ride more.

The post The Internet’s Most Common Mountain-Bike Tech Questions Answered appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

If you asked me to name the best bike brand, it would be impossible. Dozens of brands make top-shelf bikes that are an absolute pleasure to ride and full of creative technologies. However, naming the best bike rack brand is easy: 1UP. Several other brands make totally competent racks, but none are as unique, well made, thoroughly designed, or beautiful as what 1UP constantly pumps out.

Case in point is 1UP’s new Super Duty bike rack. I’ve been testing it for the past several months on the back of my 2024 Toyota Tundra and there is not one thing I can find wrong with the design.

1UP racks have long had a cult-like following because they’re the best rack out there for safely transporting your expensive bike. Their design uses two arms that secure your wheels by reaching over them and putting downward pressure on your tires to keep the bike locked in place on a metal tray. By locking on the tires, the arms never touch your frame and therefore won’t rub the paint or damage the bike, while still keeping it completely planted and safe.

This design also has the added benefit of a super clean aesthetic. The two arms sit nicely on the wheels, creating a symmetrical design, and everything is made from polished or simple black aluminum. When folded up and not in use, all the 1UP bike racks tuck against the back of your car more cleanly and efficiently than any other rack out there, almost blending into the car or the tailgate.

Testing the 1UP Super Duty

The version I tested is an upgrade over the standard 1UP rack in several important ways. The biggest talking point is that each tray can now hold up to 100 pounds (compared to 50 pounds per tray on their standard rack), and each tray and lock-down arm is wider so you can now safely carry the heaviest e-bikes or even a wide-tired electric dirt bike like those made by Super 73.

The electric dirt bike capability is a big deal because lots of overlanders are buying these adventure bikes as add-ons for their rigs. They’ll find a remote camping spot, set up their truck with all its accessories, and then jump on their Super 73 to explore, or even run back into town for groceries. Without something like the 1UP rack, overlanders have had to stuff their adventure bikes into vans and truck beds, or build custom racks.

Additionally, the Super Duty is compatible with what 1UP calls a wheel chock, a v-shaped device that slots into the tray and holds the front wheel of your bike as a third point of contact. I loved this because during my testing I carried expensive carbon bikes up a series of gnarly, off-grid roads that had my truck bouncing around to the point where my family threatened to get out and walk. The normal arms kept my bikes in place, but the wheel chock was a nice piece of insurance. I like knowing that no matter how much time I spend bouncing on a dirt road, it’s almost impossible for my bike to fall off.

Another smaller but important update is the one-handed arm adjustment feature. Other 1UP racks require two hands to open the arms on the tray, but the Super Duty allows you to open the arms one handed so you can keep your other hand on your bike.

Like all 1UP bike racks, the Super Duty was effortless to install. It slid into my two-inch hitch, I decided how far I wanted it to sit from my tailgate, and I tightened it down with a couple of twists of the included wrench. Over several thousand miles of driving, including several hundred miles of dirt roads, the hitch is still as secure as when I installed it and there isn’t a milliliter of wobble. I’ve tested many other bike racks from big-name brands, and all of them have eventually come loose, so it’s an absolute pleasure to not ever have to worry about the 1UP.

As you might guess, the Super Duty is not cheap. My double trays cost a hearty $900, and the single comes in at $600. But the saying “buy once, cry once” is as true as it comes here because this will be the last bike rack you’ll need for years, if not decades, and will only become obsolete if bikes change in some crazy way. Knowing how good the Super Duty is at protecting your bike also takes the pain away as you drive around confident that your $4,000—or $14,000—whip is totally locked down and safe.

The post 1UP’s Super Duty Bike Rack Is a Marvel of EngineeringĚý appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Golf gets a bad rap. The sport has a reputation for being too expensive and too resource-intensive, which are true in some cases. There are private clubs so expensive you need to be a billionaire to join, and courses where the landscape was bulldozed to make way for overwatered and overfertilized fairways.

But not every golf course is that way.

A movement is afoot to make golf more accessible and sustainable. How do I know? I’m an avid golfer. I play twice a week, mostly on public courses that are cheap and built over repurposed farmland. Affordable golf is actually easy to find, but better yet is the sustainability movement that’s creeping into destination courses.

“The golf industry has made tremendous strides in the area of sustainability over the past 20 to 30 years,” says Frank LaVardera, director of environmental programs in golf for , which operates America’s first and most comprehensive green-golf-course certification program. “Traditional courses use a significant amount of water and chemicals, but many courses are reducing their amount of managed turf”—the manicured lawns that require so much water and fertilizer—“and creating native areas that require less water, while enhancing wildlife habitat.”

What an Eco-Conscious Golf Course Means

Audubon International’s certification process can take years, and requires evaluation of a course’s impact on wildlife habitat, water quality and conservation, pest management, and energy efficiency. In turn, eco-minded course managers reduce the amount of turf, use recycled gray water to irrigate, emphasize walking over use of gas-powered carts, and create wildlife habitats with natural grasses and trees that attract birds, bees, and even the occasional bear. Since 2001, when the program was introduced, Audubon’s Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf has grown to include more than 2,000 certified courses in the U.S. and beyond.

The timing of this sustainability movement couldn’t be better, as America has rediscovered its love of golf. According to the (NGF), 3.4 million new people played golf in America last year. Each of the past 10 years saw more than 2 million beginners, with the past four topping 3 million.

Golf’s Changing Demographics

The that since the pandemic era, women and people of color have been flocking to the game; the biggest demographic jump has come from traditionally under-represented populations, with the number of Asian, Black and Hispanic golfers rising by 43 percent in the last five years. Of the 26 million people who play golf recreationally, 23 percent are people of color and 26 percent are women.

The demographic makeup of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) is still skewed (80 percent of pro golfers are white), but the game is changing from the ground up as recreational players trend toward being younger and more diverse. The most sought-after clothing brands in the sport, like Malbon and Eastside Golf, bring streetwear aesthetics to the golf industry, while many prolific and successful golfers on social media are women and people of color. If you’re not following on Instagram, you should be.

Part of the issue with diversifying the outdoors is access. There were 480 ski resorts in operation last year, with most of them located in remote, mountainous regions. Compare that to the 16,000+ golf courses scattered all over the country. I live in a southeastern mountain town that is not known for its golf, but I can play on any of 10 courses situated within half an hour of my home. There are three courses within three miles of downtown, and I play on two of them for under $20 a round. A program called enables members aged 18 and under to play any of its 2,133 enrolled courses across the U.S. for just $5 a round.

My 15-year-old son is a YOC member, and able to play half a dozen courses within 10 miles of our home. He and I can walk nine holes of golf for $20 combined, $35 if we want to play 18.

Why I Love Golf

As for the argument that golf shouldn’t be considered an outdoor sport because of its environmental impact, most things we do leave footprints. I’ve been a dedicated skier since age 12, and I don’t love the fact that the ski industry has gotten cartoonishly expensive and is resource-intensive, especially in water use. But I do love skiing. I have the same relationship with golf. It’s not perfect, but I love it.

This surprises people because I make a living writing about adventure sports, and I have the scars and expensive-gear habit to prove it. People assume golf and surfing or mountain biking are a world apart, but look closely in my garage and you’ll see a set of golf clubs tucked between my mountain bike and longboard.

When I play, I always walk, carry my bag, and try not to focus too much on my score. It’s a slow, meditative walk in the woods. I like the challenge of golf as well. I recently picked the sport up again after a 20-year-hiatus, and I’m consumed with the pursuit of getting better, but I also know that I’ll never master golf. No matter how good I get at hitting a little white ball in the air, there will always be room for improvement.

Golf is cerebral and thought-provoking in a way that the other fast-paced sports I love are not. The game is 99.99 percent mental, allowing me to see how my thoughts impact my actions. Golf is a chance to clear your head and be outside.

Fortunately, there are certain destinations where golf and adventure go hand in hand. Some of the most sustainable golf courses in America are located in places that could be on any adventure-traveler’s radar, so you can play 18 holes one afternoon and go mountain biking or surfing the next morning.

Here are nine of the wildest, most sustainable golf courses in the world, each paired with a local adventure to round out the perfect weekend.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

1. Bear Trace, Harrison, Tennessee

Fee: Starting at $41 for 18 holes

Even if you’re not a golfer, you know the name of Jack Nicklaus, one of the game’s most famous professionals. Not only was Nicklaus a legendary golfer, he was also a designer, creating courses all over the country, including this 18-hole masterpiece sits in the 1200-acre , 20 miles outside of Chattanooga. In the last two decades, managers have addressed every aspect of the course to minimize its impact, converting the greens from bentgrass to a less-thirsty Bermudagrass, removing 50 acres of turf to cede that area to natural grasses, and eliminating irrigation beyond the greens. The place has also purchased all-electric maintenance equipment, and installed mallard nesting tubes, wood duck boxes, and feeders for bluebirds and wild turkey.

As a result, as of 2008, Bear Trace is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, and restored the wildlife habitat to the point where the course was home to a pair of nesting bald eagles for a decade.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Paddling on in Harrison Bay State Park makes for a fun afternoon (paddle boards are $8 an hour through the park). If you’re looking for something more adventurous, , 45 miles west of the state park, offers trips (from $50 per person) on class III-IV whitewater full of play spots and wave trains that formed the 1996 Olympic whitewater course.

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2. Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Missouri

Fees: ĚýStarting from $80 for the 13-hole short course

OK, is a behemoth. The brainchild of Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, the 4,600-acre retreat features five distinct public golf courses, all set amid a dramatic Ozark Mountains backdrop, with routing that regularly nears ancient limestone cliffs. In recent years, Big Cedar Lodge has become one of the country’s top golf destinations, regarded as the best public golf in the Midwest.

Big Cedar Lodge was the first golf resort in the world to receive Audubon International’s highest certification, the Signature Sanctuary status, given for all five of its courses. Water conservation and improving wildlife habitat are priorities, with more than 75 percent organic fertilizer used, while chemical runoff and water use are addressed through a water-recycling program with reclamation ponds, as well as moisture meters embedded in the ground to help minimize watering in general.

One of Johnny Morris’ founding principles is the notion of connecting people and the outdoors. On several holes his courses put the golfer between towering limestone cliffs, and, extra cool, those who play Big Cedar Lodge’s Buffalo Ridge course can spy herds of bison that roam and feed on the natural-grass prairies surrounding the fairways.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: You could spend your entire weekend playing different courses at Big Cedar Lodge, but bring your mountain bike, too. The resort is on the edge of , which has 11 miles of cross-country trails in a stacked-loop system that hugs the shoreline of Table Rock Lake. Or you could hit the gravity-minded , which has 10 trails and a pump track and skills area. The place has something for everyone, from the kid who’s just learning how to brake, to the adult who thinks he’s a kid sending gaps (day passes start at $45).

3. Streamsong Golf Resort, Bowling Green, Florida

Fees: Starting at $249 for 18 holes

This massive golf retreat 60 miles east of Tampa wins my vote for best use of scarred land. built its courses on 16,000 acres of land that was previously used for a phosphate strip mine. After the mining ended, sand dunes took over, and course designers used all of that bumpy elevation to create a whimsical playground where fairways wind through grassy mounds and small ponds.

Course designers used compost in the soil before grassing to reduce the need for fertilization, and limited the acreage of maintained turf, opting instead for natural grasses and dunes beyond the fairways. The resort has a water-treatment facility that captures rainwater, and reuses it for irrigation. Streamsong features three 18-hole courses, and a short course, called The Chain, that has no set tee boxes or suggested pars. This short course is a “choose your own adventure” sort of experience.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: You can keep the reclaimed land theme rolling by driving 25 miles west to , 7,714 acres of surprisingly hilly terrain on a former phosphate mine, with more than 20 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails through a forest and alongside lakes and the banks of the Alafia River. Streamsong wasn’t impacted much by Hurricane Milton when it hit October 9, both because the courses were designed to manage water and the place had few trees for high winds to damage. But much of this area of Florida was devastated by the storm, so check with surrounding businesses and parks before exploring the area.

4. Chambers Bay, University Place, Washington

Fees: Starting at $85 for 18 holes

This 18-hole course is links-style, meaning that like Scotland’s St. Andrews, believed to be the oldest course in the world, it has little to no manipulation of the land, resulting in rugged terrain, with many dunes covered in tall grasses. Similarly set on a craggy shoreline of Washington, it might also be the pinnacle of sustainable design. was built on reclaimed mine land, turning a former gravel pit into a championship course that now enhances the landscape. Designers shaped the course with native plants and wildflowers like douglas iris, and sodded with drought-resistant fescue grass species.

The fairways are irrigated with recycled gray water and fertilized with treated bio-waste from the county’s wastewater plant. Chambers Bay doesn’t have golf carts; it’s a walking-only facility. (Some courses in the U.S. require golfers to use carts on weekends to maintain a quick pace of play.) Maybe the best part is that Chambers Bay is a municipal course, with affordable fees. It’s also located within a county park with trails adjacent to the links and coast, so you don’t have to play golf to enjoy the scenery.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Chambers Creek Regional Park, which is home to the golf course, is a 930-acre preserve with two miles of shoreline and more than five miles of paved trails with views of Puget Sound. You should also drive 50 miles east to Mount Rainier National Park, where you can hike the 5.5-mile loop on , bagging copious views of the eponymous 14,411-foot active volcano in all its glaciated glory.

5. Black Desert Resort, Ivins, Utah

Fees: Starting at $300 for 18 holes

A 19-hole course that opened in May 2023, was built from the ground up with the surrounding environment in mind. The entire property is only 600 acres, with just 75 acres of turf, all irrigated with non-potable gray water, and the fairways are made from a drought-tolerant bentgrass species that needs less maintenance and fertilizer than many other common turf grasses. Almost 70 percent of the grounds are dedicated as protected open space, and sustainability was a factor throughout the property’s design, from having a low-voltage power infrastructure for the resort to using an irrigation system in a grid, where each section can be adjusted individually.

The coolest aspect of the course is that it’s become a haven for endangered fish species. The property managers partnered with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to relocate 400 Virgin River Chub, a kind of rare minnow, to the lakes on the golf course, so they can live and breed in a stable environment. The course itself is gorgeous, running through fields of black lava rocks with views of the surrounding red cliffs.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Long-term plans for Black Desert include building several miles of hiking trails. Moreover, the resort sits nine miles north of St. George, just an hour (48 miles) west of Zion National Park. If it’s your first time to Zion, snag a ($3 plus a $6 registration fee) and hike , a 5.5-mile out-and-back that involves a bit of scrambling and ridgeline traversing and might just lead to one of the most iconic photo sites in our national-park system.

To dig deeper into the park, consider trekking through , a slot canyon where the walls of Zion Canyon rise 1,000 feet up while pinching to 30 feet wide at certain points. You’ll be hiking through the river, so be prepared to get wet. The shortest route is a 9.5-mile out and back from the Temple of Sinawava, a red-walled natural amphitheater, to Big Spring, which is as far as you can go without a permit, but hits some of the skinniest portions of the gorge. Just don’t attempt it when there’s rain in the as flash floods are common and fatalities have occurred. Save it for a stellar day.

6. The Mountain Course at Spruce Peak, Stowe, Vermont

Fees: Starting at $165 for 18, and you need to stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak to play (rooms start at $249).

Surrounded by 2,000 acres of preserved land, the rambles along the flank of the mountain it is named for, with views of the adjacent Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak, to boot. Spruce Peak, which sits at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort, was designed with the environment in mind, input from Audubon International, and a focus on preserving local black-bear populations by routing around their preferred habitat of beech trees. Designers also created buffers around streams and ponds to protect water quality, and planted a mix of native flowers and grasses, like milkweed and false sunflower, around tee boxes.

Peregrine Lake serves as a water feature for golfers to admire and avoid, but also a reservoir capturing rainwater that is used to feed snowmaking operations at Stowe Mountain Resort. Course management hosts an annual field trip to teach a local fifth-grade class about the elements of water quality.

The course fits into the greater ecosystem of the Spruce Peak community, a resort and residential property at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort that was built around eco-sensitive principles like a property-wide composting program and a renewable energy program that provides more than 50 percent of its power.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: You’re close to Stowe, a town renowned for its ski culture (and beer). Sadly, ski season and golf season don’t overlap. But don’t fret; during the warmer months, there is plenty of hiking, fly fishing, and climbing nearby. Do it on your own or if you want a guide, Spruce Peak Resort offers hiking and fly fishing adventures. If you’re into climbing, runs trips on the granite walls around the Stowe area, from top-roping routes suitable for beginners to multi-pitch cliffs that will please experienced trad climbers (from $250 per person).

7. Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Oregon

Fees: From $50 for the par 3 courses

has become one of the most coveted golf destinations in America, with seven public courses spread throughout the 2,525-acre coastal resort. All seven courses have earned Audubon International Sanctuary status, too, as the designers have kept Oregon’s coastal beauty and environmental harmony in mind throughout the process, from construction to management.

The course looks wild, thanks largely to the use of native plants and grasses, including the threatened silver phacelia, outside of the fairways, while for the turf on those mowed areas Bandon Dunes uses fescue, a type of grass that requires less fertilizer than others. And when fertilizer is applied, it’s organic and used sparingly. Roughly 85 percent of the resort’s energy is supplied by renewable resources, with more solar panels still to be installed throughout the property. The maintenance department has moved to electric-powered equipment.

Most of the resort’s landscape holds native plants that require no irrigation, but with six courses, roughly 600 acres that need to be watered. The resort’s own wastewater-management system supplies non-potable gray water for the job, recycling roughly 50,000 gallons of water daily.

One of the courses, Bandon Preserve, puts net proceeds directly to local conservation projects in Oregon’s southern coast through a , which has helped restore salmon fisheries and funded mountain bike trails. Bandon Dunes is working towards the lofty goal of becoming a completely carbon neutral resort.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Bandon Dunes sits on Oregon’s southern coast, which is a multi-sport adventurer’s dream, with miles of singletrack and wild beaches punctuated by dramatic sea stacks. Go for a trail run at , where several miles of trail wind through a pine forest and access five miles of hard-packed beach.

The surfing is good too, with beach breaks found throughout this part of the coast. Head north for 25 miles to Coos Bay, where the bluffs of Yoakam Head hang over the breaks, which have something for all levels of surfers. Beginners should head to Bastendorff Beach for a wide, sandy-bottom break with a cool backdrop of rocky headlands. The water temperature is cold year round, but winter brings the most consistent waves, so in that case pack a thick wetsuit.

8. The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Fees: Starting at $110 for 18 holes

The a resort five miles south of Colorado Springs, is home to two of the most respected golf courses in the U.S., designed by legends Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones and hosting marquee tournaments like multiple U.S. Amateurs, U.S. Women’s Opens, and U.S. Senior Opens. At 6,250 feet in elevation, the course was the highest in America when it first opened in 1918, and several holes feature views of Pikes Peak.

The place has become significantly more eco-friendly with age. Managers have replaced more than 50 acres of turf with native grasses and wildflowers, and use gray water to irrigate the fairways and greens. Mulching mowers return grass clippings back to the soil, and the property uses no pesticides Over the years the resort has added bird-nesting boxes and habitats for bees and butterflies. All of the carts are electric, and otherwise the place promotes walking and its caddy program. Resort chefs harvest honey from the property’s own hives, and source meat from the Wagyu beef raised on the ranch. Even the resort’s cooking grease is recycled into biodiesel.

The Broadmoor participates in one of the most heartwarming recycling programs I’ve ever heard of: all of their spent tennis balls are donated to local senior-citizen facilities to be used on the ends of walkers and canes.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Colorado Springs offers so much to do. The 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, with trailheads six miles from town, has to be the most accessible fourteener in the U.S.; you can drive your car or take a train to the summit, but I say earn it by hiking the ($20-$37 parking fee, depending on day of week), a 13-mile one way trek that gains more than 7,000 feet on its way to the top. Don’t worry, you can take the down from the summit ($30). Or go explore the iconic red sandstone fins that rise from the center of Garden of the Gods Park. operates half and full day trips for all abilities (starting at $221).

9. Rising Sun Golf Course, Emigrant, Montana

Fee: Greens fees are included in the cost of your stay (one week minimum, and you must contact the for pricing).

It’s hard to beat Rising Sun’s location. The 18-hole course sits on the 17,000-acre Mountain Sky Ranch, within the aptly named Paradise Valley and with near-constant views of the surrounding Absaroka and Gallatin Mountains. This is the biggest splurge on this list, and for most, a once-in-a-lifetime situation at best, but the rest of us can dream, right?

Rising Sun is not an easy course to play, thanks to its remote location and the fact that tee times go only to guests of the ranch, but you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting, and the Rising Sun was the first course in Montana to be designated an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary. The course was built on a hayfield with an emphasis on maintaining as much natural habitat as possible, converting dry pastures to prairie grass, and maintaining native plant buffers along bodies of water.

Course managers also installed bird-nest boxes to encourage multi-species nesting, and have put in bat houses. They regularly consult with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on issues concerning elk and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Aided by a dry, cold environment, course managers use no pesticides for the turf and greens, and they’ve limited water usage by keeping the irrigated acreage to only 52 acres, almost a third of the average 18 hole course in America. Maintenance crews regularly monitor the quality of water in the course ponds as well as Big Creek.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Mountain Sky Ranch is an adventure-minded “dude ranch” with a host of activities located on property. The resort also offers guided horseback tours in Yellowstone National Park, with an entrance just 30 miles south. But I say to pair a round of golf here with some fly fishing. If you’re new to the sport, Mountain Sky has a trout pond where pros can teach you the nuances of casting, but if you can hit the ground running, head to nearby Big Creek, which is loaded with cutthroat and rainbow trout. Or sign up for a of the iconic Yellowstone River, which offers opportunities for long, wide open casts that just might net a cutthroat or brown. (From $595)

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Mountain Sky Ranch is an adventure-minded “dude ranch” with a host of activities located on property. The resort also offers guided horseback tours in Yellowstone National Park, with an entrance just 30 miles south. But I say to pair a round of golf here with some fly fishing. If you’re new to the sport, Mountain Sky has a trout pond where pros can teach you the nuances of casting, but if you can hit the ground running, head to nearby Big Creek, which is loaded with cutthroat and rainbow trout. Or sign up for a of the iconic Yellowstone River, which offers opportunities for long, wide open casts that just might net a cutthroat or brown (from $595).

Graham Averill is şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř magazine’s national parks columnist and an avid golfer who is dying to play every course on this list. Follow his golf shenanigans on Instagram at @the_amateur_golf. Graham recently wrote “This Is What It’s Like to Live in Asheville After Hurricane Helene” and answered some questions about it while standing in line at FEMA offices. He has also recently written “9 Most Underrated National Parks for Incredible Fall Foliage,” “8 Surf Towns Where You Can Learn the Sport and the Culture,” and “The 9 Most Fun şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Lodges in North America.”

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When it comes to bike training, most triathletes are locked into a power zone on their indoor trainer Ěýor focused on getting to the top of the next hill as quickly as possible. Time-saving details tend to come in the form of gear, like the latest reduced-drag skin suits or . But even though building your aerobic base and finessing your position is always beneficial, you might be surprised just how much free speed – and time – you are leaving out on the course by not placing a bit more emphasis on those bike handling skills, particularly when it comes to descending.

One of the best examples of this is the Ironman World Championship course in Nice, France, with its 8,000 feet of elevation in the Maritime Alps. In 2019, we marveled at Rudy Von Berg railing it around the corners on familiar roads in the 70.3 worlds. Last year, we saw fellow Frenchman Sam Laidlow deliver similarly over the full distance as he became the youngest men’s winner ever. But perhaps the best example is that of British athlete Kat Matthews at the 2024 Ironman World Championship Nice, whose descending in the second part of the bike leg – much of it in the company of eventual winner Laura Philipp – meant that by the time the pair reached T2, they were seven minutes ahead of French local Marjolaine Pierre and the rest of the field had splintered in their wake.

To illustrate just how hard Matthews rode, she handily – and, thankfully, to give even more helpful context, so did many of the pro women she raced against. When we pore over the Strava data at different sections of the descent, we can can really show where the time gaps were created.

How Descending Shaped the Race at the 2024 Ironman World Championship Nice

As you can see from the graphic, the Ironman course in Nice is one loop climbing to a rolling plateau before dropping back to the coast.

We’ll look at each of the notable descents in turn and then put them into the bigger picture of the race.

Descent #1: Route de Grasse Toward Pont du Loup

Just over 20 miles into the ride, there is the first descent before the major climb to Col de L’Ecre. At 3.87 miles, the “Route de Grasse towards Pont du Loop” segment on Strava drops 618 feet at an average grade of 3%.

It’s not a particularly technical descent, but we can tell the women are racing it – and also benefiting from closed roads – because the top eight times on this segment are set during the race.

Matthews takes the QOM (“Queen of the Mountain” on Strava) and 13 seconds on Pierre. It’s worth noting that at this point, other than the descent, Pierre is on the charge, leading the race and putting time into everyone except Philipp (who is further back out of the water). That she loses even a few seconds here is a tell for what might come later.

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High-end bikes are staggeringly expensive, but those prices soar even higher when considering the custom paint jobs and high-performance components featured on the mountain bikes at the 2024 Olympics. Money is no object when it comes to a rider’s career, and a nation’s pride is on the line.

Unlike most other sports in the Olympics, cycling’s governing body, the UCI, requires that all bicycles used in competition must be commercially available to the public. This stipulation means that if you’ve got the money, you can buy or build, the exact bike ridden to gold, silver, or bronze. (Your results may vary, of course.) We’ve crunched the numbers and rounded up the details: Below are our price estimates of the fastest mountain bikes at the 2024 Paris Olympics and their production counterparts.

2024 Olympic-Podium Mountain Bike Quick Facts

• Winningest brand: Pinarello with two gold medals
• Winningest model: Specialized’s S-Works Epic World Cup with two silver medals
• Full suspension mountain bikes: 5
• Hardtails: 1
• Bikes with dropper seatposts: 6
• Bikes with Shimano mechanical drivetrains: 4
• Bikes with SRAM electronic drivetrains: 2
• Bikes with electronic suspension control systems: 2
• Bikes with Berd string spokes: 3

Women’s Olympics Podium Bikes

Gold: Pauline Ferrand-PrĂ©vot’s Dogma XC Hardtail ($12,500)

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot dominated the women’s cross-country race. The 12-time World Elite Champion attacked on the first lap, breaking away from the field and extending her lead each lap. When she crossed the line seven laps later, the French rider had built up a nearly three-minute lead over the best female riders in the world.

She was one of a handful of women who opted to race a hardtail at this year’s Olympics. Ferrand-Prévot, who races for INEOS Grenadiers and is sponsored by Pinarello, found success on her Dogma XC hardtail on the fast and relatively tame—by World Cup standards—Paris course.

Key features of Ferrand-Prévot’s Dogma XC hardtail include a Suntour Axon 34 Werx Boost EQ suspension fork and a Suntour Vertical helium dropper seatpost with 60 millimeters of travel. She sped away from the pack on a wheelset featuring Princeton Carbonworks P1 Race Tech rims laced with ’s ultralight polyethylene “string” spokes that weigh considerably less than traditional stainless steel spokes. Continental Race King tires rounded out her wheel set-up. While electronic drivetrains may be all the rage these days, many racers, including the recently crowned women’s Olympics XC champ, still prefer the lightweight and faster shifting of Shimano’s XTR drivetrain.

We estimate that, as built, her bike would cost buyers approximately $12,500. While you can’t buy Ferrand-Prévot’s gold medal build, you can get close with .

Silver: Haley Batten’s S-Works Epic World Cup LTD ($16,000)

Haley Batten’s second-place finish in Paris is a reason to celebrate for Team USA. Americans have struggled in cross-country racing at the Olympics despite inventing the sport. Susan DeMattei finished third in the inaugural mountain bike event at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, as did Georgia Gould in 2012 at the London Games.

Batten’s race for silver was hard-fought and represents the highest finish (woman or man) of any American in Olympic mountain biking. She caught the chase group attempting to reel in Ferrand-Prévot, but a cracked carbon wheel and flat tire set her back. Undeterred, the 25-year-old from Park City, Utah, was able to swap her rear wheel in the pit zone and rejoin the race.

Batten, who rides for Specialized, had three bikes to choose from: a hardtail, a full suspension, or a hybrid design that’s nearly as light as a hardtail with just enough rear suspension to improve traction. She opted for option #3, the Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup. This purebred race bike has a scant 75 millimeters of rear suspension that relies on flex in the carbon seatstays, instead of pivots, to save weight. Batten’s race bike was equipped with SRAM’s premier XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain as well as the component company’s electronic suspension control system, known as Flight Attendant. This smart suspension system automatically controls suspension damping to make the bike as efficient and fast as possible. It seems like it worked.

Batten’s build is around $16,000. It’s not available as a stock option from Specialized, but the is close at $14,000.

Bronze: Jenny Rissveds’s Ibis Exie ($12,500)

Sweden’s Jenny Rissveds took home gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She set her sights on a second gold medal in Paris, but Ferrand-Prévot’s lead was insurmountable, leaving Rissveds to battle Haley Batten for silver. Rissved actually helped Batten get back into the race, following her unfortunate mechanical, by shouting out to the American’s mechanics that Batten would be coming through the pit zone with a flat tire, thereby ensuring they’d be prepared a quick wheel change.

Rissved rode consistently throughout the race, ultimately crossing the line five seconds behind Batten. The Swedish racer finished aboard an Ibis Exie that was handbuilt in California, making it a rarity among carbon mountain bikes, most of which are manufactured in Asia.

Of the three women’s podium bikes, the Exie features the most suspension, with a 120-millimeter Fox Stepcast suspension fork paired with 100 millimeters of rear wheel travel. Standout components on Rissved’s Exie include prototype Ibis carbon wheels, an Inpeak power meter, Shimano’s XTR drivetrain, and a Fox Transfer SL dropper seatpost. While we’re on the subject of droppers, it’s notable that although each of these three riders opted for bikes with varying amounts of suspension travel, they were all willing to accept the weight penalty that comes with running a dropper seatpost. Dropper seatposts were a rarity in XC racing a few short years ago, but have become essential as many World Cup courses have become more technically demanding.

Rissved’s Ibis Exie would retail for approximately $12,500. currently offers includes a SRAM XX Eagle drivetrain, rather than Shimano’s XTR, and will set buyers back $12,200.

Men’s Olympics Podium Bikes

Gold: Tom Pidcock’s Dogma XC ($17,000)

Tom Pidcock is one of the world’s most versatile professional cyclists, having won World Cup championships in cyclocross as well as mountain biking and secured an impressive stage win at the 2022 Tour de France. The British racer, who had to abandon this year’s Tour de France after contracting COVID in mid-July, still had the fitness necessary to successfully defend his gold medal from the Tokyo Games.

While Pauline Ferrand-Prévot made her race-winning move during the first lap of the women’s race, Pidcock fought to regain the lead following a puncture on the fourth lap to trade blows with French racer Victor Koretzky.

Pidcock, who also races for INEOS Grenadiers during the regular season, had a Pinarello hardtail and full suspension to choose from. Despite criticizing the Paris course as “just gravel” and “bland” in a pre-race interview, Pidcock decided to race his Dogma XC full suspension. His race bike featured 100 millimeters of front suspension matched with 100 millimeters of rear travel. To maximize efficiency, the defending gold medalist relied on Suntour’s electronic , which, like SRAM’s Flight Attendant, automatically adjusts the firmness of the front and rear suspension to match the terrain.

The rest of Pidcock’s build closely resembled his INEOS Grenadier teammate Ferrand-Prévot, with a 60-millimeter Suntour Vertical helium dropper seatpost, mechanical Shimano XTR drivetrain, and those ultralight Princeton Carbonworks P1 Race Tech rims, Berd spokes, and Continental Race King tires.

With its electronic suspension control and boutique carbon wheels, Pidcock’s race bike costs nearly $17,000. will set buyers back a cool $14,000.

Silver: Victor Koretzky’s S-Works Epic World Cup LTD ($14,000)

French rider Victor Koretzky gave it his all during his battle with Great Britain’s Tom Pidcock and came away with a silver medal for his efforts. The three-time World Cup winner, who races for Specialized, had the same trio of bikes to choose from as fellow silver medalist Haley Batten. Koretzky and the majority of Specialized athletes felt the S-Works Epic World Cup was the right bike for course.

While Batten’s Epic World Cup boasted SRAM’s AI-controlled Flight Attendant suspension system, Koretzky kept things analog, with a cable-actuated lockout system to firm up the 110-millimeter RockShox SID fork and 75 millimeters of rear suspension during sprints and climbs. Specialized’s lightweight Roval Control SL 29 carbon wheelset wrapped in a fast-rolling combination of an S-Works Renegade front tire paired with an S-Works Captain rear tire helped the French hold off all but one competitor.

With the exception of a 100-millimeter RockShox Reverb AXS dropper seatpost, Koretzky’s build is nearly identical to the stock version of the LTD edition of the , which retails for $14,000.

Bronze: Alan Hatherly’s Cannondale Scalpel LAB71 Special Edition ($16,000)

This year’s Olympics was Alan Hatherly’s third time representing South Africa at the Olympic Games. The 28-year-old racer finished 28th in 2016, 8th in the 2020 Games, and finally secured a podium finish in Paris. Hatherly chased Victor Koretzky, attempting to match the Frenchman’s pace before ultimately settling back and holding on to third as Pidcock and Koretzky battled for gold.

Hatherly, sponsored by Cannondale, rode a special edition of the company’s full-suspension mountain bike, the Scalpel. Cannondale’s “LAB71” designation denotes limited-production models, constricted from premium materials and featuring premium components.

The eight-time South African mountain bike champion’s bike featured a custom paint scheme inspired by the nation’s flag. Build highlights included 120 millimeters of front and rear travel with Cannondale’s iconic single-sided Lefty Ocho fork at the helm. Shimano’s XTR group handled shifting and braking duties, while a 100-millimeter Fox Transfer SL dropper seatpost allowed the bronze medalist to descend the handful of technical descents confidently. Similarly to gold medalists Ferrand-Prévot and Pidcock, Hatherly employed Berd’s PolyLight spokes to save precious grams.

With all the custom touches included, Alan Hatherly’s Cannondale Scalpel LAB71 Special Edition likely comes in around $16,000. is slightly more palatable at $14,000.

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Rolling hills, scenic state parks, river views, and southern cooking. These are only some of the things that Tennessee has to offer cyclists. If you’ve never biked on Tennessee’s quiet back roads or through its historic small towns, you’re in for a treat. has created a collection of 52 road cycling routes with the help of Shannon Burke, cycling route developer and owner of Velo View Bike Tours in Chattanooga, to make finding the perfect ride easy. Each route was carefully designed to optimize the cycling experience for safety, fun, and scenery. To learn more, we heard from Burke and Jenni Veal, rural destination development manager at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Here’s what they had to say.

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: What makes Tennessee a premier cycling destination?Ěý

Shannon Burke: Tennessee has a wealth of low-traffic scenic back roads that are perfect for road cycling adventures. But more than the abundance of great cycling roads, the state has an incredible diversity of landscapes, from massive climbs to rolling hills to flat farm roads, making it an ideal destination for road cyclists of all levels. Tennessee’s mild climate also makes it possible to ride year-round.

How can cyclists get access to detailed navigation and route information?

Burke: Bike Tennessee makes it easy for cyclists to find safe and scenic road cycling routes across the state. Each route listed on the site connects to a route map and description, which can be downloaded to a bike computer or phone app. The Ride with GPS maps also include the option to print a paper cue sheet with turn-by-turn directions. In addition to the Ride with GPS features, the website includes short descriptions of each route, so you know what to expect on the ride, including distance, elevation, terrain, and points of interest.

As a professional cycling guide, why do you think these routes offer visitors the best Tennessee cycling experience?

Burke: I followed the same approach I use for my guided tours when designing these routes for Bike Tennessee. I made sure we were checking the following boxes for riders:

Is the traffic low enough to permit a safe and enjoyable ride?

Are the roads fun to ride?

Is the landscape scenic?

Are there scenic overlooks, historic markers, or points of interest along the way?

Does the route have amenities for travelers, such as restrooms and food options?

These are only some of the considerations we made while designing routes for Bike Tennessee to offer exceptional road cycling experiences.

What are some of the top attractions featured on the mapped routes?

Jenni Veal: All 52 Bike Tennessee routes travel the state’s most scenic areas. All together, the routes cross 53 counties, including 14 state parks. Each ride is mapped as a loop or out-and-back to highlight points of interest like quaint downtowns, historic sites, and some of the best food in the South. These are some of my favorite sites to explore:

• The and both utilize the beautiful Memphis River Parks system and cross “Ol’ Man River” along the Big River Crossing bridge into West Memphis, Arkansas, and include a trip through Mud Island and Harbor Town.
• The , near historic Greeneville in northeast Tennessee, starts at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, situated along the Nolichucky River. The state park offers river rentals, camping, and interpretive exhibits—and you can buy a Davy Crockett–style raccoon hat at the visitor center.
• The , near Mountain City in northeast Tennessee, follows a section of Watauga Lake and ends at two award-winning Tennessee wineries: Watauga Lake Winery and Villa Nove Vineyards.
• The challenge, in middle Tennessee, starts in historic downtown Lynchburg, best known as the home of Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Cyclists can end their ride with a distillery tour and a meal at any number of famous Lynchburg restaurants.
• The , at Pinson Mounds State Archeological Park in West Tennessee, preserves more than 15 Native American mounds. Some are more than 70 feet high and 2,000 years old.

How can visitors start planning the perfect cycling-inspired adventure in Tennessee?Ěý

Veal: The Bike Tennessee website makes it easy to search for routes on the map or by a nearby city. Once you know what region and route you’ll be exploring, recommendations for other things to do in the area populate at the bottom of the page, making planning a cycling vacation easier than ever. The Ride with GPS Ambassador pages also include photos and points of interest—places to eat, restrooms, and attractions—as well as website links for more localized tourism information. Additionally, you can find a variety of fun happening year-round across the state.

Tennessee offers visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty, and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit and follow @TNvacation on, , and for travel inspiration.

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Trying to pick a new bike helmet when there are hundreds of options can be a daunting task. And while all bike helmets—including road, gravel, and mountain biking—have to meet the same safety standards, that doesn’t mean all helmets are created equal. From fit to durability, weight, ventilation, and protection, there are multiple factors to consider to determine what your next purchase might look like.

Our testers donned 20 helmets for various road, gravel, and mountain biking adventures over the course of four months. After putting in thousands of collective miles, these are the bike helmets that won them over. And good news: many of our top picks are currently on sale, so you can score top-of-the-line protection for a sweet deal.

At a Glance

Mountain Bike Helmets

• Best All-Around:
• Best Value:
• Best Fit:
• Best Protection:
• Best for Large Heads:

Road/Gravel Helmets

• Best All-Around:
• Best Value:
• Lowest-Profile Aero Helmet:
• Most Luxurious:
• Best Gravel-Specific Option:
• Most Euro Road Helmet:
• Buying Advice
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Overall Mountain Bike Helmet

Giro Merit Spherical

Weight: 360 g
Size Range: S-L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable fit
⊕ Adjustable visor
⊗ Price

The Giro Merit Spherical is a pleasant visual throwback: it’s got all the tech of Giro’s Spherical design powered by MIPs technology to reduce rotational impacts, but without the particular sci-fi look of their top shelf Manifest helmet. Our top priorities in a helmet are high-end comfort and safety features, and the Merit is the ideal blend of both.

Testers found that the wind tunnel vents circulated plenty of fresh, cooling air on the steeper climbs. Additionally, the thoughtful gripper rubber bits helped us keep glasses and goggles securely in place. Last, the Roc Loc fit system keeps the Merit snug with an easy to use dial. “I really enjoyed how the Merit clung to my skull without any pressure points,” commented one tester.

Best Value Mountain Bike Helmet

Troy Lee Designs Flowline

Weight: 320 g
Size Range: Youth, XS/S-XL/2XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Comfortable fit with extended rear coverage
⊕ Wide range of color options
⊗ Middle-of-the-road ventilation
⊗ Big profile on small heads

The Flowline is a newer entry-point helmet from Troy Lee Designs that impressed us with its reasonable price and plethora of features. The helmet includes a MIPS B32 liner, an adjustable, three-position visor, a Fidlock magnetic buckle, and a Five star Virginia Tech Rating (including the e-bike standard).

The helmet has deep coverage and a cushy liner for maximum comfort with a retention dial that was easy to adjust on the fly. Airflow was not quite up to par with the Giro Merit or Fox Racing Speedframe helmets, but it was was sufficient enough for our testers on warm days.

While the A3 remains the top-tier Troy Lee Designs helmet, riders will find the price point and overall features of the Flowline more than satisfactory.“The Flowline carries on the tradition of comfort that the A1 kicked off when it debuted a decade ago. The price and weight are all reasonable, and the wide variety of color options makes it easy to find the ideal match for a rider’s tastes,” said Pinkbike managing tech editor Mike Kazimer.

Best Fitting Mountain Bike Helmet

Smith Engage MIPS

Weight: 350 g
Size Range: S-XL

Pros and Cons
⊕ Integrated glasses holder
⊕ Sleek design
⊗ Adjustable visor isn’t really that adjustable
⊗ Not as breathable as the top shelf Forefront 2

First things first: the Engage MIPS helmet is a steal. No, it’s not as well ventilated as some premium options, and the two-position visor is a bit simplistic. But testers found that the über-comfortable fit is next level. Plus, it stayed put no matter how rowdy the trail was thanks to an easy spin of Smith’s adjustment dial in the back.

No, the helmet doesn’t have technology throughout the entire structure, but it’s present where it matters most: the forehead and temples. That, combined with the extended coverage, kept us confident and focused no matter how aggressive the trail became.

Best Protection

POC Kortal Race MIPS

Weight: 390 g
Size Range: XS/S-XL/XXL

Pros and Cons
⊕ All the key safety features, plus more
⊕ E-bike rated safety certification
⊗ Expensive

The Kortal Race MIPS helmet is one of the most protective half-shell helmets on the market, and testers felt exceptionally safe while riding with it on. It meets the usual safety certifications along with the new e-bike standard certification as well. It has extended coverage on the back of the head and temples, plus high-end safety technology like Integra, RECCO, and an EPS liner.

Testers appreciated the excellent ventilation and an easily adjustable visor on sunny test rides in Hood River, Oregon last fall. If you like to wear goggles with your helmet, POC specifically designed the Kortal Race MIPS so that the strap won’t cover any ventilation holes.

Testers found that this helmet best fits an oval-shaped head and does not integrate well with other brands of riding glasses that aren’t POC. While the price tag is a little steep, you will be paying for the most up-to-date safety features and also look stylish out on the trails.

Best Mountain Bike Helmet for Large Heads

Fox Racing Speedframe Pro

Weight: 401 g
Size Range: S-L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Decent ventilation
⊕ Removable and adjustable visor with three positions
⊗ No storage for glasses
⊗ Does not integrate well with large frame riding glasses

Fox’s Speedframe Pro is another top-tier half-shell mountain bike helmet packed with market-leading safety features. This MIPs-equipped lid has a five star Virginia tech rating, a 3-position visor, a 360-degree Fit system, and offers exacting comfort optimized for a wide range of trail riders.

“It’s a light, well-ventilated helmet that offers excellent comfort, good visibility and tends to fit a larger head,” noted one tester. The helmet is also quite long from front to back and fit our testers with oval-shaped heads best. Fit aside, the Speedframe is slightly heavier than all the other options, but 20 grams wasn’t enough of a dealbreaker for our testers.

Best Overall Road Helmet

Lazer Z1 KinetiCore

Weight: 220 g
Size Range: S-L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Good ventilation
⊗ Inconsistent fit

An early adopter of protective headgear in cycling, Lazer has a proven track record of thoughtful designs. The latest update to their flagship Z1 helmet incorporates KinetiCore technology—strategically placed crumple zones made up of foam blocks that divert both direct and rotational energy away from a rider’s head in the event of a crash. While KinetiCore was initially released early in 2022, the latest update to the Z1 finally brings technology to a high-performance, 220-gram helmet.

We put in over 2,500 miles with the Z1, including a week-long block of riding around the rolling hills and gravel farm roads in Northern California; it soon became a go-to for warm-weather riding thanks to 31 strategically placed vents that make it feel particularly light and airy.

However, the retention system was hit or miss for our test riders, with some commenting they couldn’t achieve sufficient tightness, while others found the slightly oval mold of the helmet fit just right.

Best Value Road/Gravel Helmet

Giro Cielo MIPS

Weight: 305 g
Size Range: S-L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Solid cooling
⊕ Fair price for feature set
⊗ Lack of padding on retention claw

Giro has made a name for itself by pushing the limits of safety, comfort, and style since it released the first-ever EPS-foam helmet, the Prolite, in 1986. The Cielo is the latest helmet to join Giro’s storied catalog, and it does so with a superb mix of value and performance.

At just 305 grams, the Cielo offers a solid weight-to-cost ratio with its $200 price tag. Twenty-two vents provide ample cooling, and smart eyewear docking holds glasses steady. We knocked out just shy of 1,000 miles with the Cielo and were pleased with the ventilation performance on warm days.

Some of our testers complained about the lack of padding on the retention system, but the plastic surface didn’t bother most. Equipped with the MIPS Evolve Core rotation management system, the Cielo checks all the safety and function boxes we look for in a helmet.

Lowest Profile Aero Helmet

Abus Gamechanger 2.0

Weight: 295 g
Size Range: S-L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Low-profile
⊗ Poor eyewear docking

Aero helmets have come a long way over the last ten years, and the Abus Gamechanger 2.0 is an excellent example. While the success of its predecessor in the WorldTour and Unbound 200 gravel race speaks for itself, the Gamechanger 2.0 has been updated with a slew of improvements, including the new MIPS Air Node system, which is thinner and less noticeable than the original MIPS.

At 295 grams, it’s lighter than most other aero helmets and explains the $300 price tag. During long five-hour-plus days of road and gravel riding, we noted impressive airflow thanks to a newly added frontal vent. Abus describes the mold of the helmet as low-profile with a more oval than round shape, which we found to be true.

One ding: Our testers noted some trouble fitting sunglasses into the intended eyewear docks, though this is a common issue across the subcategory. Also available with MIPS for $330.

Most Luxurious Road/Gravel Helmet

Kask Elemento

Weight: 260 g
Size Range: S-M

Pros and Cons
⊕ Breathable design
⊕ Thick padding
⊗ Crazy expensive

The “Made in Italy” label is synonymous with quality craftsmanship and luxurious design, which is no better exemplified in the helmet world than by Kask. The Elemento impressed us with its premium feature set, including 3D-printed central padding and thick, airy forehead padding.

Worth noting: We found that the glue holding the 3D-printed padding in place lost its effectiveness after a few months of use, which was a letdown for a $400 helmet. However, the helmet’s superior performance had us taping the padding back into place and riding on.

At the Tour de Tucson, a four-hour day which saw a 30-degree temperature change between the start and the finish, the Elemento kept us cool with above-average airflow and a comfortable, lightweight fit. Kask’s retention system underwent a redesign to better accommodate riders with longer hair and got the thumbs up from our testers. The Elemento tips the scales at 260 grams, which is on the higher side of aero helmets, but not by much.

Best Gravel Helmet

Fox Crossframe Pro

Weight: 355 g
Size Range: S-L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Extra protection for off-road riding
⊗ Not well-vented

Fox might not be a familiar name in the drop-bar world since the California-based brand is best known for its visor-clad, full-face mountain bike offerings. But Fox is now entering the gravel world with the Crossframe Pro, its first visorless helmet directed toward gravel and cross-country riders.

While it may be better suited toward Fox’s loyal XC contingent, there are plenty of features that transfer over for more aggressive gravel riders: a magnetic Fidlock strap and an easy-to-adjust Boa system make dialing in the proper fit simple, and TPU eyewear docking offers grip to hold your glasses in place.

At 355 grams, the Crossframe is on the heavier side of the spectrum, but much of the weight comes from the added coverage of the rear shell. One complaint was that despite all of the vents, airflow was minimal, leaving much to be desired in terms of heat dissipation on warmer days. This is more of a problem on slow, steep gravel climbs, but the trade-off may be worth it for those looking for added protection.

Most Euro Road Helmet

Ekoi Aerodinamica

Weight: 320 g
Size Range: S-L

Pros and Cons
⊕ Deep channels to promote airflow
⊗ Bigger-profile

Since 2001, little-known Ekoi, a France-based direct-to-consumer brand, has gained traction for its competitive prices and performance. Using its multiple partners in the professional peloton along with Italian design house Pininfarina, Ekoi developed the Aerodinamica. The French- Italian collab is just so Euro, we couldn’t resist testing it.

Koroyd, a honeycomb structure, is used throughout the EPS shell to reduce impact forces to the rider’s head in a shearing manner similar to MIPS. On the scales, the Aerodinamica hit 320 grams, which makes it a bit heavier than other aero options, but not so heavy that it’s a deal-breaker. Three forward-facing vents are paired with internal channels that promote airflow in and out of the helmet for adequate cooling. This, in turn, raises the helmet, giving it a more bulbous profile.

During a long 80-mile day climbing and cruising through the canyons of California’s Santa Monica Mountains, we were impressed with the helmet’s overall ventilation even on slow, steep slogs. At $355, the helmet is on the pricier side, but Ekoi often runs sales, and we’ve seen it listed below $250.

Bike Helmet Buying Advice

Buy New

Rule number one when buying a new bike helmet? Don’t buy used, no matter how “lightly-used” the previous owner is claiming it to be. You just never know if one minor crash or hit to the pavement compromised the helmet to the point where it’s not safe to wear anymore.

Consider Use Case and Features

Consider the type of terrain you’ll be biking on to help you prioritize which features you need. Will you be doing a lot of uphill? Make sure your helmet of choice has enough ventilation; one trend we’re fans of is the use of internal channeling to promote airflow. Other premium features to look for: a compatible spot to hold your eyewear when not in use, and a magnetic buckle. If you’re planning to bomb laps at the bike park, you might want to opt for a full-face helmet. If you’re still not sure which type and fit is the best for you, head to your local bike shop and they’ll point you in the right direction.

Budget vs. Safety Considerations

How much is your head worth? At first glance, a two-hundred-dollar price tag might seem excessive, but once you’re riding regularly, you’ll realize a quality helmet is worth every penny.

Across all categories (road, gravel, and mountain biking), we primarily considered fully-featured helmets that come with industry-leading protection technology, such as Mips. Many modern helmets use a rotational impact reduction system like Mips to dissipate the forces applied to the rider’s head during a crash. We believe that helmets featuring Mips or comparable impact protection, while pricier, are a worthy investment because they tend to offer better protection in the event of a crash.

What Are Aerodynamic (Aka “Aero”) Helmets?

Modern cycling helmets come in two general categories: traditional multi-vent designs and more optimized aerodynamic options. Traditional shells provide many vents to promote heat dissipation and a low weight. Aero helmets emphasize aerodynamic properties, often with minimal ventilation. While the aero designs are becoming more mainstream, they still remain a subcategory to lightweight, breathable, high-performance lids.

Sizing and Fit

Consider your head shape when looking for a helmet and try before you buy. Most helmets are designed with either an oval or a round shell. Your local bike shop will have a selection available and a knowledgeable staff to help point you in the right direction.

How We Test

• Number of products tested: 20
• Number of Testers: 9
• Number of miles collectively ridden during testing: 11,000
• Biggest ride: 102 miles

Our group of testers put 20 of the year’s newest road, gravel, and mountain biking helmets to the test on various rides, races, and training schedules. Some testers assessed a helmet’s performance while preparing for marquee road and gravel events, while our mountain bikers pedaled Oregon’s infamous Hood River trails. We graded each helmet we tested on characteristics like ventilation, aesthetics, weight, comfort, and functionality. The helmets on this list impressed our crew in all departments.

Meet Our Lead Testers

David Kennedy has been riding road and gravel bikes for 15 years and has been writing about the latest tech in the sport since 2017. He’s toed the line at premier road and gravel events nationwide, like the Belgian Waffle Ride San Diego and the Unbound 200. When he’s not writing or riding, he’s pulling apart bikes at his local shop and connecting with the diverse cycling community around his hometown of Los Angeles, California.

Nikki Rohan has been mountain biking for close to 20 years, and testing mountain biking gear for Pinkbike for almost a decade. She resides in Hood River, Oregon with her husband, three kids, two dogs, and a grumpy cat. She spent a chunk of time competing in the pro women category in enduro races in the PNW, as well as events like Trans BC, Trans Provence, Downieville Classic, Grinduro and the occasional CX or gravel race. When she is not working, cooking, or parenting, you will find her on the local trails or exploring the endless forest roads.

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Known for its local wineries, creative culinary scene, quaint towns, and scenic landscapes, the makes for a delightful treat-yourself-style getaway. With a beautiful, rolling terrain, the landscape lends itself to biking. Whether you’re into light cycling before a day of vineyard tours and delicious eats or prefer to bikepack from one boutique hotel to the next, Hill Country has something for all types of cycling enthusiasts. şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř sent lifelong cyclist and his pal , a former pro cyclist, to Hill Country to uncover the best ways to explore the region by bike. Here’s what they found.

Find Your Texas State of Mind

Road Biking

With seemingly endless roads to ride, Hill Country is a cyclist’s paradise. At the heart of Hill Country, Fredericksburg is the hub for all things road biking, with scenic roads connecting the historic town to the best places to explore in the region. “On the route you have the opportunities to experience wonderful, culturally-rich towns, see beautiful wildflower blooms, and taste exceptional wines made locally in Texas,” says Thomas.

If it’s your first visit to the area, join an organized bike tour. Local guide services offer multi-day tours that range from traditional bikepacking- and camping-style to biking with a side of vineyard tours, fine dining, and boutique hotel stays. Or opt for a DIY experience so you can choose every stop and be on your own schedule throughout the trip. Either way, local bike shops can set you up with rentals for your trip.

Gravel and Mountain Biking

Want to add a little variety to your Hill Country biking experience? Take it up a notch at the . The 1,300-acre family-owned cattle ranch doubles as a bike park with 29 miles of enduro and downhill trails. Enjoy a mix of single and double track through the stunning terrain of Hill Country. “There are miles of gravel trails and Hill Country gives you the opportunity to experience a variety of landscapes on trails like Angel Tree and Dragon, ” says Thomas.

In typical Hill Country fashion, long hill climbs followed by flowy downhill sections are part of the package. Visiting in the fall? Don’t miss the chance to participate in the unique Texas-style enduro race, held at the park every October.

Unique Stays

After a day of pedaling and sightseeing, you’ll be ready to kick back and relax. Hang your helmet at the historic , one of many boutique hotel options in the region. The 15-room property was constructed in 1880. Although the property has changed hands many times over the last 220 years, many of the original details of South Texas architecture have been preserved, giving the hotel a distinctive charm. Unwind in a rocking chair on the wrap-around porch. Or enjoy homemade breakfast, served in the carriage house each morning. Then walk right out the front door to explore the historic town on foot or by bike.

For accommodations closer to Austin, book a room at . Tucked away on a secluded bend of the Colorado River just 40 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the resort is the perfect place to spend a few relaxing days at the end of an active bikepacking trip.

“In the Texas Hill Country, you can find accommodations that fit your lifestyle and how you want to reset,” says Thomas. “Lake Austin Spa Resort had cold plunge pools available for us to use after a long day exploring nature.”

Nearby Nature

Scenic views are all but guaranteed wherever you ride in Hill Country. But if you need a dose of nature—away from the roads—head to . Named for the distinct pink granite dome that rises above the surrounding landscape, this park is the perfect place to take a break from pedaling and immerse yourself in nature. Hike nearly eleven miles of trails through the park, and keep an eye out for vernal pools—weathered pits in the granite that fill with rainwater, creating unique microhabitats.

“Sunset at Enchanted Rock was remarkable,” says Thomas. “ We hiked up the rock as the sun was dipping down—the sky was on fire. It was the perfect place to experience the calm of nature with a good friend.”

Looking for a place where you can take a dip? Try for a post-pedal swim. Or hike to Devil’s Waterhole, a natural swimming hole hidden away in the rocky outcropping, just upstream of the lake.

Ěýis responsible for promoting Texas as a premier travel destination in domestic and international markets, generating travel to Texas destinations.

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They say good design is invisible. That’s especially true in the pared-down world of cycling. The best gear fades into the background because it’s only there to help the ride take center stage. That pure efficiency is harder to accomplish on a GPS device, whichĚý must provide complex information, but that’s often burdened by complex prompts. So, when Hammerhead designed , it took inspiration from a device that’s already solved that problem, one that’s likely lurking in your pocket right now: the ubiquitous smartphone.Ěý

And when a technology brand tries to pack that experience into a small, durable, bike-specific device, it raises some questions. Fortunately, has answers. The philosophy professor, adventure cyclist, and Karoo 2 user can simplify the cerebral to frame all that Hammerhead (a subsidiary of SRAM) has accomplished.

“When you interact with a touch device, any kind of lag plays an outsized role in your experience,” Cruz explains. “But the Karoo 2 is fast. It’s fast like your phone is fast—it makes a huge difference when, on this very bright color screen, you run your thumb over it and it moves like you’re pushing a physical object.” The Karoo 2’s functions can still be accessed with its physical buttons, but the touchscreen is designed to work even when wet. Bringing that familiar phone-like sensation to your handlebar helps get you in and out of your tasks while keeping you present.

You’ll also notice that speed and ease of use in customizing the sleek head unit’s screens. Of course, you can choose what metrics you want in your data fields, plus whether you’re gathering info from , power meter, your e-bike battery, or none of the above. But you can also have multiple profiles on one device, each with its own unique collection of features tailored to a particular bike or riding style. “I have a few of these,” Cruz explains. “Ones for training rides, bikepacking trips, or leisure rides. One just for bikes without power meters.”Ěý For example, the CLIMBER feature lays out every upcoming climb, giving you its distance, elevation, and gradient breakdown. You don’t even need to be on a preloaded route for it to work. But maybe you’re not in the mood for that, anyway. “When I go on a training ride, I have the CLIMBER feature on,” says Cruz. “But on a bikepacking ride? I don’t want to know.”

Whatever the bike or the goal, what you do want to know is where you’re going. So, the Karoo 2 ( for the limited-time Summer Sale price of $259) comes with free access to Hammerhead’s global maps, complete with points of interest like campsites, cafes, and public restrooms. Combined with its smartphone-like interface, that makes it uniquely easy to plan routes natively on the device. It opens the door to impromptu adventures when you don’t have to even reach into your pocket to set a course or modify a plan. “On a bikepacking trip in Japan, we popped out of the [bullet-train] station on our return to Tokyo,” remembers Cruz. “Our friend Shuntaro had recommended a noodle place that we had to visit. We put it into our Hammerheads (we had rented a pocket Wi-Fi device), and off we went. Perfect ending to a great trip.” Alternatively, Hammerhead integrates directly with mapping services like Ride With GPS, Komoot, and Strava. The companion app forwards phone notifications to the device, but it’s not a route-creation gatekeeper. Make a route with any major planner linked to your profile, and it’ll download to the device automatically over Wi-Fi.

A wireless connection is how the Karoo 2 gets its regular software updates. Like, very regular. “Hammerhead will workshop good ideas that come from their customers and if it’s persuasive, that thing will be on your head unit in a matter of weeks,” Cruz explains. “And it’s seamless; one day, I start up the machine, there’s an update available, I touch the button, and four minutes later, I have whatever new functionality they’ve built into it.”

That rapidly evolving software plus the advanced hardware are why the Karoo 2 is so intuitive. As Cruz puts it, “Good product design in this space gets out of the way when you want it to, but is a resource when you need the resource.” In other words, until you need it, it’s invisible.

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is a cycling technology company with a mission to inspire and empower all people to unlock their athletic potential through cycling.

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Just over an hour east of Quebec City lies Le Massif de Charlevoix—Quebec’s newest lift-accessed bike park. With 800 meters of elevation to play with, Le Massif de Charlevoix already has a strong baseline of trails to ride. Christina already had the pleasure of sampling some of the goods last fall, but this time brought Jason along to show him around. Follow the two as they make their way down Le Massif’s network blind.

Mountain biking with Christina Chappetta, and no shortage of views on the way up Bus Jaune.

Sometimes you just need to stop and soak it all in… before dropping in.

Histoire Sans Fin or The Never Ending Story is the best bang for your buck on the mountain. With endless corners, rollers, and flow this one is a must-hit.

Once you’re warmed up, Whipette is a great trail to get a bit more airtime with larger jumps and rollers.

Gros Boeuf is a double black tech trail that features steep rolls and tight switchbacks.

Basilic, which is essentially a downhill pumptrack, is an insanely fun way to end a lap. In the distance, you can see the under construction Club Med, but the resort is now fully open and welcoming guests.

Bonsoir, Le Massif.

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