About The Gear Stash

I’m Chaney — a lifelong cyclist and outdoor athlete based in the Vail Valley, Colorado.

I grew up racing BMX, spent my 20s on mountain bikes, and now compete in gravel races across the state. I’ve been riding and testing gear for over two decades — not as a paid reviewer, but as someone who actually depends on this stuff working when it counts.

I built The Gear Stash for one reason: most gear reviews are fluff. They’re written by people who held a product for an afternoon, or worse, copied a spec sheet. That’s not useful when you’re deciding where to spend $200 on tires or $400 on a helmet.

Everything here is based on real rides. Real terrain. Real conditions — hardpack, chunk, altitude, cold, mud, sun. If I write about it, I’ve used it.

What I Ride

• Gravel — long days on Colorado dirt roads and mixed terrain
• Mountain bike — trail and enduro, front range and high alpine
• e-MTB — when the legs need a break but the trails still call
• Skiing, hiking, trail running, backpacking — when I’m not on a bike

What This Site Is

The Gear Stash is an independent review site. I research, test, and write about the gear I actually use — bikes, tires, helmets, electronics, apparel, and accessories for cycling and outdoor life.

I use affiliate links to keep the lights on. If you buy through a link on this site, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That never influences what I recommend — I only write about gear I’d actually put my own money into.

Questions or Gear Talk?

I’m always happy to talk bikes and gear. Hit the contact page or drop a comment on any post.

— Chaney