Buying Guide

When the Crux 5 launched in May, it was the bike everyone else had to answer. Five months later, most of them have. Canyon released a new Grail with even more clearance, Ridley’s Kanzo Fast 2.0 just won BikeRadar’s Bike of the Year, BMC reworked the Kaius, and X-Lab started selling a 55mm-clearance carbon gravel bike for about a quarter of the S-Works price. I ride the previous-generation Crux, so I have a horse in this race. I haven’t ridden every bike below. This is a read of the specs, prices and the reviews from people who have, with my own experience as a Crux owner where it applies. ...

Mizubikes may earn a commission from links in this post. Tire clearance is the spec that changed fastest this year. A frame that was “generous” at 45mm two years ago now looks conservative, and a few brands are quoting numbers that used to belong to cross-country hardtails. This chart collects the published maximums for the frames people ask me about most, plus a few others worth knowing. A warning before the table: these numbers are not measured the same way. Some brands quote a tire with 4mm of frame clearance, others use 6mm, and 3T avoids the whole question with its own measurement system. I’ll cover that below. Treat the table as a starting point for shopping, not a guarantee that a specific tire fits. ...

If you’ve been shopping for a gravel bike recently — new or used — you’ve probably run into the term UDH and wondered whether it matters for what you’re building. The short answer is: it depends on what groupset you want to run. The longer answer is that a lot of popular gravel frames have had their dropouts quietly updated mid-generation, which means two bikes with the same name and similar looks can have very different futures when it comes to drivetrain compatibility. ...

If you’re shopping for a gravel bike and want to run SRAM’s 13-speed XPLR ecosystem — or just want the future-proofing that UDH brings — the first question is whether the frame you’re considering actually has it. We’ve pulled every gravel bike currently listed on SRAM’s official Bike Finder with the UDH filter applied, as of May 2026. A note before you use this list: This is sourced directly from SRAM’s Bike Finder tool and reflects only the bikes SRAM has listed there. It is not an exhaustive list of every UDH-compatible frame on the market — there are likely other frames from brands not represented in the Bike Finder, particularly smaller builders and direct-to-consumer brands, that also use the UDH standard. Always verify directly with the frame manufacturer before purchasing, especially on the used market where model year matters. ...

intermediate bike tools Keeping a bicycle in top shape requires more than just basic know-how. Once past the beginner phase, investing in intermediate-level tools can make home repairs more efficient and help extend the life of any bike. The right intermediate bike tools allow cyclists to complete complex repairs, perform detailed adjustments, and maintain components that often require more finesse. Here’s a breakdown of the 10 most useful intermediate bike tools every cyclist should consider adding to their workshop. ...

Balance bike vs training wheels—it’s one of the first big decisions you’ll face when buying your toddler’s first bike. If your little one is around 2 years old and ready to ride, you’ve probably wondered which option will help them build confidence, balance, and coordination. As a parent going through this decision right now for my own daughter, I spent time researching both. Here’s what I found—and which style we’re going with. ...

2025 Specialized Turbo Levo 4. Image: Specialized Quick answer: All four Levo 4 models share the same carbon frame, 160mm travel and 840Wh battery. The S-Works gets the stronger motor (111Nm vs 101Nm). The Expert is the value pick: you get the same frame, the same battery and a FOX 38 for $4,000 less than the S-Works. The 2025 Specialized Turbo Levo 4: Power, Range, and Ride Quality The 2025 Specialized Turbo Levo 4 lineup represents the next evolution in full-power electric mountain bikes. With redesigned geometry, advanced electronics, and suspension tech like Genie shock across the board, every Levo 4 model is built to deliver high performance and confidence across all types of trail terrain. ...

If you’re shopping for a new mechanical mountain bike drivetrain, you’ve likely come across SRAM Eagle 70 and Eagle 90. They’re SRAM’s mechanical versions of its Transmission groupsets, and they bring that hangerless, frame-mounted shifting to a much more accessible price. But how do they compare to Shimano’s popular SLX, XT and XTR? In this post, I break down the major contenders by weight, MSRP and overall value: SRAM SX, GX, X01, Eagle 70 and Eagle 90, and Shimano SLX, XT and XTR. ...

Today I’m unboxing a frame I’ve been genuinely excited to try — the 2025 Specialized Stumpjumper 15 Alloy. The real kicker? It’s on sale right now, marked down from $2299 to $1499 for the frame and shock. At this price point, it’s easily one of the best values in the trail bike world today. To be honest, I’ve always had a hard time justifying alloy frames priced north of $2000, so this discount made the decision much easier. ...

If you’re debating whether to upgrade from Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 to Dura-Ace R9200 Di2, you’re probably wondering: Is the weight savings worth the extra cost? In this post, we break down the weight differences for each component, the cost per gram saved, and whether Dura-Ace delivers the best bang for your buck. Weight and Cost Comparison: Dura-Ace R9200 vs. Ultegra R8100 Shimano’s Dura-Ace groupset is its top-tier offering, boasting lighter materials, refined shifting, and marginal gains in performance. Meanwhile, Ultegra R8100 delivers similar performance but at a lower price point, making it an attractive choice for many riders. ...