Cycling Gear Guides: MTB, Gravel & e-MTB

Honest, research-based cycling gear guides for mountain biking, gravel and e-MTB riding: helmets, knee pads, flat pedals, gravel bikes and tires, e-MTB tires, bike computers, lights, tubeless sealant and hydration packs. Each guide names its picks, shows where prices and specs came from, and says how it was researched.

All gear guides

Browse the latest guides and reads below.

Rider's-eye view from a mountain bike on narrow dirt singletrack through an aspen grove near Aspen, Colorado, with mountains in the distance.

Illustrative photo

Gear guide

Colorado E-Bike Laws (2026): Classes, Labels and Where You Can Ride

Colorado e-bike classes, the 750-watt limit, label and seller rules, and where e-bikes can ride, from the statutes and land-manager policies.

Blue hydration pack with mesh shoulder straps, chest buckle and drinking hose.

Historical example

Gear guide

Hydration packs: water, storage and fit

Decide whether bottles, a hydration pack, or both suit your ride, then compare water capacity, storage and loaded fit before choosing a pack.

Close-up of a worn silver flat bicycle pedal with traction pins.

Illustrative photo

Gear guide

MTB flat pedals: platform and grip

Compare Crankbrothers Stamp 7, the current Race Face Chester and DMR Vault by platform dimensions, pin design and serviceability before choosing a pedal.

Pale sealant residue and clumps inside a removed tubeless bicycle tire beside its wheel.

Illustrative photo

Gear guide

Tubeless sealant for dry climates

Compare Orange Seal Endurance, Stan’s Race Day, Caffélatex and SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Tire Sealant by maintenance, installation and compatibility for dry-climate riding.

Green drop-bar gravel bicycle with disc brakes and wide tires standing on grass.

Illustrative photo

Gear guide

Gravel bikes under $3,000

Three manufacturer-verified gravel-bike builds below $3,000, with exact prices, component details and practical buying trade-offs.

Two mountain bikers ride a forest trail, with black knee pads visible on the leading rider.

Illustrative photo

Gear guide

MTB knee pads: protection and fit

Compare POC Joint VPD Air, Fox Launch Pro and POC Joint VPD 2.0 knee pads using manufacturer-listed protection standards, construction and fit checks.