Veterans of the race scene, Jill Kintner and Bryn Atkinson have gone privateer for 2009. They have one bad ass Sprinter Van and all the sponsor support a team could ask for going into this season. One of their newest programs is with CrankBros and their new wheel sets. Both Jill and Bryn will be running and testing Crankbros. wheels through out the 2009 season.

Check out the wheels, new team bikes and the Sprinter Van inside:

Source: Tomac Bikes

Over three years in development, the Carbide SL is the ultimate in lightweight, stiffness and pedaling efficiency. At a scant 4.4 pound frame weight with DT Swiss carbon shock, it’s one of the lightest XC full suspension bikes on the market, and certainly the stiffest. The Carbide SL can be hammered through anything an XC rider or racer could throw at it.

Cannondale bikes is an industry leader in innovative technologies and their 3D forging adds to this list. About 4 years ago, they first did this on their Rush XC bike, where they incorporated the stem and internal headtube for the lefty fork. Today they are doing a lot more complex things with this technology. Team rider Chris Van Dine was also just pulling into the show and we were able to talk to him about his pre-season in South America and what all he's got planned for 2009.

Learn more about 3D forging and Chris Van Dine inside:

At the 2009 Sea Otter Classic, SRAM launched some of their 2010 components. A revamped shock, new forks, light brakes, colorful components and carbon bits. Under unusually hot temperatures, well unusual for Sea Otter - this is what SRAM showed us. If you've been thinking of personalizing you ride with performance parts, these are for you.

Winning race teams need great hubs to ensure that they get to the bottom the fastest, without worry of failure. Who does the Syndicate, Sam Hill, Team Yeti and other top racers rely on? DT Dwiss is the correct answer!

Kenny Roberts talks to us about the new line up for this season:

Carter Holland is the man behind some of the most popular hard tails currently available to the riding masses. Black Market Bikes makes hard tail, steel bikes that are purpose built to shred the DJs, Skate parks and any other urban or dirt environment you throw at them.

Have a look at a few of this year's models and enjoy the interview with Carter inside:

Tyler Morland is one of Canada's best known DH racers and is also known for building some of the wizziest bikes you'll see rolling the trails. Working for SRAM has its benefits for sure, as does being an athlete under the Troy Lee Designs umbrella. We ran into Tyler a few days ago when he was building up his all new Turner DW DHR race bike and posted a few pics for you to drool over. Now we were able to corner him and take a really close look at his bike and do an interview too.

Pics and interview video inside!

The clouds were thick, but no rain fell and the sun emerged to change the pigments of our skin from pasty white to bright red! Gotta love the Otter!

We have a lot on the go down here and you'll see it all over the next week. Right now you can enjoy a piece with Steve Smith and his new Evil Revolt, then take a sneak at Tyler Morland's new DW Turner (more on it to come soon). Enjoy!

Pics and videos inside!

So what makes a bike fast? The rider...? The suspension...? The tyres…?

We embarked on a bit of a test to find out how two of the best bikes currently available matched up against the British designed Empire AP-1.

Read on to find out more...

The Transition TR450 is designed as a dedicated downhill racing machine. Factory rider Lars Sternberg, along with other select riders, will be rallying the frame all season. Transition expects production models to be ready sometime early winter 2009 for the 2010 race season.

Read on for more pics and video on the new bike!

Looking for a waterproof/breathable/durable storm protection layer?

Helly Hansen may not have the largest showing in the mountain bike apparel industry, but for those in the know like sponsored pro rider Matt Hunter, the double H of Norway is banging out some killer rain wear built for biking in the so-called "off-season".

It's hard enough to make a living in the component market for cycling, however, trying to make a living on aftermarket component construction and sales is a whole 'nother ball game. The guys over at Twenty6 components are doing a pretty good job down in Montana, and we recently had a chance to test some of their famous Dualie levers.

Twenty6 recently finished constructing their Formula One brake levers, so read here for some more information on how they install, feel, and ride.

Nine is, without doubt, the most troublesome number in etymology. Phrases of uncertain parentage that include 'nine' are 'cloud nine' and the infamous 'whole nine yards'. To those we can add 'dressed to the nines'.

The Devil makes work for idle hands, therefore Fox have been busy at it, working their fingers to the bone to keep the devil off their back and these fine threads on yours. "Dressed to the nines" it is...

With my want to get out and ride around in the woods more and more these days and not just via shuttles, I felt it time to build up a proper All Mountain (AM) bike. Last season I did up a few “wolves in sheep’s clothing” AM type builds, but this year I wanted to do it right. To begin I had to find the right tool for the job. Enter Ibis and their Mojo.

Read on to see how the build shaped up.