About the 2010 Gary Fisher Rumblefish 29er

Built to compete with the other long-er travel full-suspension 29ers on the market, the new Rumblefish sports the typical suspension technology from the Trek/Fisher camp including ABP, G2 Geometry and the proprietary Fox RP23 shock with the descent-loving Dual Rate Control Valve (DRCV).

Some Rumblefish II Specs:

• Rear Travel: 110mm via Fox RP23 with DRCV
• Front Travel: 120mm via Fox F120 FIT RLC with 15QR and tapered steerer
• Wheels: Bontrager Rhythm Elite 29
• Drivetrain: Shimano XT/XTR mix
• Brakes: Avid Elixir R
• Full Spec: Visit FisherBikes.com
• MSRP: $3989

2010 Gary Fisher Rumblefish II 29er Quick Review

As the second bike of the day, I had fresh legs, cool temps and mostly uncrowded trails. So, off I went. I’m a big fan of the 29er platform. I can’t say that I subscribe to the philosophy that the 26er will be completely phased out, but lets just say I wouldn’t cry too hard if that ends up being the case.

The Rumblefish is appropriately named in oh so many ways. For one, it’s not the most pleasing on the eyes (just my opinion) and it’s really built to excel on the downhill. I’ll start there. The trails in Bootleg Canyon are rocky, and technical. When I say rocky, I mean a fall will be met with serious carnage. Heading downhill, the Rumblefish felt ultra-stable and smooth. The wheelbase felt a bit long-ish, so handling wasn’t racecar-esque. However, there are few obstacles the Rumblefish can’t rumble through.

The combination of the Fox DRCV with the APB suspension produces downhill fun–no doubt, but what about the uphill?

Glad you asked… well, the uphill is a bit less efficient than I’d like. Not that you’ll be laboring your way up the trail, but you’ll definitely not be the first to the top–lockouts will be your friend. But, that may have been a combination of both the geometry and the meaty tires–hard to tell for sure with only 45 minutes on the bike.

Full-suspension 29er designs have to be precisely executed in order to maintain a lower center-of-gravity. While not being super top-heavy, this bike does feel a bit tall. This “tallness” may raise its head on slow, technical ascents or descents were the propensity of tipping may come into play.

I did have fun on the Rumblefish, but it isn’t quite in the same league as the Santa Cruz Tallboy or the Niner RIP 9.

Good Rumblefish

• Very capable and fun on the downhill
• Will power through the rough stuff
• Proprietary Fox DRCV can be felt
• Love the Fox fork (15QR is a necessity in a 29er IMO)
• Solid and laterally stiff all-around
• Excellent parts spec

Bad Rumblefish

• A little sluggish on the up
• Aluminum frame can feel harsh (I’m a carbon junkie, what can I say?)

Bottom Line: 2010 Gary Fisher Rumblefish II 29er

With so many options in the 29er market these days, Gary Fisher is banking on a few downhill aficionados to jump on the Rumblefish and give it a go in the rough.

More Info: Visit FisherBikes.com

Along for the ride through training camps to the first World Cup event in Sölden, Austria is renowned filmmaker Brett Morgen–capturing the heart and soul of the athletes, competition, training and adventures leading up to the Olympics. I’m psyched to see it and anxious for our team’s performance at this year’s Olympics. The first air date will be January 30, 2010 at 8:00 EST on NBC, with other airings to follow.

Visit www.AudiUSA.com/TruthInMotion for details.

Truth in Motion: U.S. Ski Team’s Road to Vancouver – Trailer

More Info About the Film

Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team’s road to Vancouver is a film about what it takes to excel as a world class skier. Raw talent. Technical skill. The persistence to train hard, every day. The sheer will. The men and women on the U.S. Ski team have it, but do they have what it takes to make it to Vancouver in 2010?

Entrenched with the skiers during the crucial months leading up to the start of their competition season, the film is a rare look inside – intimate and candid, in a way rarely if ever seen in film about skiing.

From snow camp in Portillo, Chile and Saas Fee, Switzerland, to the final days leading up the start of the World Cup competition in Sölden, Austria, we’re there as they face the sub-zero dawn, as they review videotape of training runs with coaches, scrutinizing every turn and tuck. We’re in the basement with expert ski techs as they grind edges and apply wax, tweaking equipment for every conceivable condition, then tweaking further when their skier returns from a run.

Each racer emerges with something unique that drives them – trying to repeat an early success to prove their talent; returning from injury, or even making the cut for the team that will head to Vancouver in a competitive year.

In a sport where hundredths of a second determine the difference between a gold medal and no medal, their training season is about pushing the limits of their bodies and their technology. The filmmaking approach conveys this with progressive camera techniques, like ultra slow motion cameras that literally stop time, allowing us to see every millisecond of force and exertion as these skiers carve corners and push their bodies to breaking point.

Truth in Motion: The U.S. Ski Team’s road to Vancouver takes us into the day-to-day process and reveals what makes these racers tick and gives them their competitive edge. Ultimately, it’s a story about individuals, driven by personal motives, propelled by individual talents and challenged in ways that are uniquely human.

More Info: Visit www.AudiUSA.com/TruthinMotion

At hand is the new Swobo Merino 753 long-sleeve jersey. Definitely a keeper and definitely a great cool-weather MTB jersey to have on the shelf.

The new Merino 753 jersey uses a unique blend of polyester (77%) and Merino Wool (23%) for the perfect combination of soft comfort and moisture wicking capabilities. The fabric is hot off the press and Swobo is very stoked on it (read on to find out why you should be too).

Highlights of the Swobo Merino 753 long-sleeve jersey:

• 2-faced fabric: Merino next-to-skin, polyester outer (learn more)
• Waffle-style fabric for improved breathability
• Full zipper
• Three pockets in rear
• Extra length coverage
• Flat seams for stitch-free fit
• Color: Silver (tested) or Pewter
• MSRP: $110

Swobo Merino 753 Long-sleeve Jersey Review

Let me tell you… I’m really digging all the Merino Wool options in the market these days. With the transition from Fall to Winter becoming more and more of a reality, I’ve been longing for a solid long-sleeve jersey option. My current long-sleeve jerseys all lack rear pockets, so I’ll start there. The three pocket design on the 753 is excellent with the ability to securely carry a water bottle, mobile phone, extra tube and other small bits without worry. One-handed access to the pockets is easy and things just stay put very well… kudos there.

Overall comfort of the jersey is excellent… I just love the feel of Merino in cool weather. I found the jersey to work really well alone in temperatures in the 50’s. When it dipped into the 40’s, the jersey kept me warm when I was in the sun, but the shade was a tad too chilly. An ultralight windproof vest (like the Marmot DriClime Vest) on top would be ideal with this jersey as temps decline.

On the other side of the thermometer, the 753 is comfortable enough for temperatures in the 60’s and above with the full-zip ventilation and its excellent moisture management skills.

Just a couple of things to note. While the overall fit is just right, the midsection isn’t too good at hiding my non-6-pack abs. Not that I’m fat, but lets just say I’m a ways off from being in an Abercrombie ad. So it’s a snug-fitting jersey in the middle, but the arms and chest aren’t so snug, but just right. I suppose the reason why the midsection is tight is to keep the load-carrying pockets from swaying back and forth. So, I’ll take the unflattering look for a more stable sherpa, I suppose.

As far as odor control goes, the construction of the material is made to reduce stankyness. I purposely ran in it one day, then rode in it the next two days without washing. While it didn’t stay “Spring Fresh,” it wasn’t as stinky as most day-old jerseys can be, so that’s good news for commuters.

The subtle Swobo styling is always welcomed, but this top-notch jersey does come at a price. It’s highly-functional and versatile–no question about that. But $110 is still steep for many.

A note on fit: I’m 5′11 and 175 lbs. The Large was my size of choice and fit me just right for a comfortable fit.

Good 753

• Fabric blend is comfortable to the touch
• Trim fit keeps things streamlined
• Full zip for ventilation
• Rear pockets are well supported and can actually be used
• Not racy, but not baggy… a good fit for everyday riding
• Subdued styling
• Waffle fabric pattern dries quickly

Bad 753

• Price of entry is steep
• Form-fitting midsection isn’t hiding my non-6pack-edness
• Full front zipper = zippered chest hair (yeowch)

Bottom Line: Swobo Merino 753 Long-sleeve Jersey

The sheep would be proud… no question this is an excellent jersey for cool-weather riding. I really dig the functional back pockets and the comfy, functional fabric, but it does come at a price.

Buy Now: Visit Swobo.com

Run by the former Ski Boss at Berthoud Powder Guides, Jamie Wolter, Powder Addiction Snowcats will be serving up powder and smiles this season starting December 10. Here’s a bit more info:

When Mary Jane’s not enough…there’s Powder Addiction. New to the ‘09/10 Winter Season is Grand County’s only snowcat backcountry skiing and riding adventure. Offering guided backcountry skiing and riding with uphill transportation in a heavily modified snowcat, Powder Addiction is conveniently located less than an hours drive from Denver. With headquarters at the base of Winter Park Ski Resort, Powder Addiction operates in the Jones Pass area. With a bottom elevation of 10,500ft and topping out at an elevation of 12,000 to 12,500ft—that makes up to 2,000 vertical feet of pure virgin snow for your riding pleasure.

Open seven days a week, beginning December 10th, adventures include powder skis, safety equipment, lunch and transportation to and from the Village at Winter Park and the Jones Pass trail head.

The first run of the day is determined based on the current conditions. It could be a high alpine bowl or a run through the trees. As safety is a major priority, a guide will always ski first, setting boundaries and a meeting spot. Guests can expect six to eight powder runs throughout the day.

Skiers enjoy a sack lunch of homemade goodies including delicacies from the renowned Tabernash Tavern. During the first half of the tour, a photographer who will shoot still shots as well as video will accompany riders. The tour concludes back at headquarters, where guests are treated to a complimentary beer (21 and older, of course), while viewing the day’s photos on a big screen TV. Adventurers can post their personal videos and slide show on their own Facebook pages, or store on their iPhones for bragging rights.

Benefiting from storms that flow in from all directions, Powder Addiction offers riders the best chance for sweet skiing conditions. The high altitude combined with Northern exposure keeps the snow cold and light.

Low season rates (Dec. 10 – Dec. 21, March 21 – April 30) are $300/day and $3,000 for a private snowcat. High season rates are $350/day and $3,500 for private snowcat. For real powder addicts, Powder Addiction offers a “Hot Seat Program” where a one time payment of $100 allows access to an exclusive daily email specifying how many seats are available for the next one or two days. A quick call can grant access on the snowcat for half price.

Powder Addiction is located at 115 Parry Peak Way, #400 Winter Park, CO 80482. To book an adventure, learn more, or speak with a Powder Addiction representative, call us at 970.726.9247.

More Info: Visit PowderAddiction.com

About the Sierra Designs Kenosha Jacket

Built lightweight for athletic pursuits, the Kenosha Jacket is ready for windy and cool conditions year-round. The 100% polyester exterior with DWR keeps wind and water at bay while remaining breathable. Add on top of that a Cocona Lite wicking liner for moisture management and you’ve got more than a simple athletic jacket.

Features of the Kenosha Jacket

• 100% recyclable polyester exterior with DWR
• Cocona Lite liner for moisture management
• Three pockets: handwarmer and upper-chest
• Drawstring waistline
• Elastic sleeve cuffs
• Breathable stretchy inserts in underarm
• Colors: True Blue/Granite (tested), Paprika/Granite, Granite
• MSRP: $100

Sierra Designs Kenosha Jacket Review

Just in time for some cool weather, the Sierra Designs Kenosha Jacket has been on several trail runs and mountain bike rides in temperatures hovering around freezing. When venturing out in the cold, it’s always best to be a little chilly when starting because once your blood gets flowing, you heat up and will achieve the perfect comfort level.

I wore the Kenosha with both short-sleeve and long-sleeve base layers–depending on conditions. The Cocona Lite liner does a fantastic job of distributing the moisture for faster evaporation times. Never did I feel like the sweat was pooling in one area, but instead it spread across the entire back of the jacket. After exercising, I could wear the jacket without feeling like it was a wet sponge.

The only downside to the Cocona liner is when putting it on when the sleeve lining gets bunched up and pushed out the cuffs (see pic below). After getting it on, it takes a little bit of finagling to finally get in place comfortably. I’d suggest the sleeve lining being attached to the outer shell to avoid this. While I’m on the topic of the sleeves, the shoulders are a tad tight as well, so until you get the lining/sleeve combo situated properly, it may feel a little uncomfortable. Once up and going, it’s no big deal and feels great.

I really appreciated the lightweight and breathable nature of the polyester outer shell. It’s much quieter than nylon fabric and is also more environmentally-friendly.

The size Medium gives me both the perfect sleeve and hem length without being restrictive on my 5′11″ 175 lb frame. The extra sleeve length is great for pulling over your hands when running in colder weather and also maintains coverage on the mountain bike.

The lined collar is comfortable and maintains warmth when needed, but could be 1/4″ shorter for my tastes. The zipper isn’t of the one-handed variety either, so when ventilation is needed, it’s a two-handed affair–nothing that really detracts from the excellent function of this jacket.

Good Kenosha

• Inner lining wicks moisture well and provides a comfortable feel
• Very breathable outer fabric
• Lightweight
• Collar is just the right height and diameter for mid or outer layer
• Usable pockets
• Perfect sleeve length for extra coverage in a pinch
• Built-in underarm ventilation
• Just enough DWR to shed light rain (did not test in downpour, but light rain beaded up nicely)
• Sierra Designs always gives you good bang for the buck

Bad Kenosha

• Lining in sleeves tends to grab long sleeve under layers
• Fits a bit tight around shoulders
• Requires two hands to zip/unzip
• Front zipper is unbacked and allows some wind penetration
• A hole in the chest pocket already

Bottom Line: Sierra Designs Kenosha Jacket

Once you give the Kenosha some time to settle down after first putting it on, it is a sleek wind jacket capable of shedding light rain and maintaining proper moisture control.

Buy Now: Search for Sierra Designs Kenosha

While Inov-8 is still relatively unknown here in the States, they are making great strides on this side of the pond with unique trail running shoes and other footwear. The Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX caught my eye at the Gore-Tex booth while at Outdoor Retailer and now I’ve had the privilege of giving them the run-down on my local trails. the Roclite 312 GTX the beat-down and am enjoying them overall.

About the Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX Trail Runners

Lightweight, long-distance runners for rough conditions built with Gore-Tex for inclement weather, the Roclite 312’s are efficient and stylish players in the trail running market. Inov-8 builds their shoes with a bevy of proprietary fit and functional features that enhance the overall performance.

Feature highlights:

• Gore-Tex liner
• META Flex to mimic natural forefoot motion
• META Shank for forefoot protection
• Fascia Band to reduce fatigue
• Extra cushion for long distances
• Endurance last for comfortable fit
• Unisex fit
• MSRP: $135

Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX Review

When the 312’s first arrived, my wife commented, “Did you get some football cleats?” I just laughed, but I must admit, she was right–the black color-scheme with meaty treads did make them look somewhat football cleat-ish. Thankfully, a walk around the tile wasn’t met with disdain since these lugged kicks have soft, sticky rubber instead of turf-digging spikes.

What first caught my eye about these shoes was the styling. They don’t look much like other trail runners on the market. The full mesh uppers, a lightweight exo-skeleton for support, chunky treads and piping around the toebox really set these shoes apart. They were smart looking on the shelf and are smart looking on the trail (good thing too… I hear mountain lions stay away from sharp-dressers on the trail).

One of the first things that I noticed about wearing the Roclite 312’s was the natural stride and flex. I really like how the entire system works in concert to provide a smooth and consistent feel throughout the step. While some shoes suffer from a hinged feeling, these feel nothing of the sort.

The large, widely-spaced treads are great for maintaining traction on rough and wet trails. You can actually feel the treads as they bite into the dirt. The only caveat to this is in loose conditions where the toe-off push wasn’t always as solid as I’d like. This may likely be due to the squared-off nose.

As far as support goes, these shoes are pretty minimal. I was able to slip in a pair of Sole footbeds to support my pancake-flat feet, but the lateral support is pretty light. That, combined with the narrow heel profile, did exhibit some foot rolling tendencies, which aren’t typically common in trail shoes. That said, if you are confident and sure-footed, you may not have issues, but the technical terrain I’ve been tackling did present some occasional challenges.

As far as Gore-Tex shoes go, these are by far the most breathable I’ve worn. The full mesh uppers really lend themselves to allowing your feet to breathe. While I still wouldn’t recommend them in dry, warm climates, I was comfortable in temperatures around 60 and above. I intentionally stood in a running stream for 30 seconds and not a drop of water entered the shoe.

Good Roclite

• Very lightweight
• Solid overall traction
• Smooth and comfortable stride
• Ample cushioning
• Excellent foot protection and trail feel
• Waterproof, yet still very breathable for a GTX shoe (still comfortable above 60-degrees)
• Love the casual-esque styling accents

Bad Roclite

• Stability is lacking–especially with narrow heel
• Toe-off traction could be better
• Very high volume (bad for me… OK for high-volume feet)
• Mesh toebox captured dirt between mesh
• Grippy rubber outsole feels really slow on pavement

Bottom Line: Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX

Unique styling and good function really makes the Roclite 312 an appealing choice for the sure-footed trail runner looking for a lightweight, bad-weather trainer.

Buy Now: Visit Zappos.com to Buy the Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX

Reading the Black Diamond blog, I found a great article about this very topic. It goes through all the different rockered skis in the BD lineup and advises on fit–definitely something to consider as you purchase new rockered skis from Liberty, DPS,  Bluehouse, Surface, Black Diamond, Volkl, K2, Salomon or others.

Here’s a snippet from the full post:

Before choosing a rockered ski size, an understanding of how this technology works is key. Rocker basically creates a pre-bent ski. BD skis use this technology in the forebody of the ski, where it sets the ski into an ideal shape for soft-snow flotation. The resulting early-rise tip allows you to float easily over powder and crud, and drive the ski more aggressively in soft snow conditions—much like you would on-piste—without worrying about over-flexing the tip. Rocker makes turn initiation smooth and effortless in soft snow, and allows the ski to change direction far more quickly than traditional camber designs.

The beauty of rocker is that it also can help on firm snow. Due to the early rise tip, the ski has a shorter contact length because the longer tip is raised off the ground. This gives you both the mobility and quickness of a shorter ski on hard snow and the soft snow stability of a longer ski. For example, the 188 Megawatt has a true contact length of 127.7 cm on hardpack—compared to a more traditional 170 cm Verdict that has even more contact length at 132 cm! This is what makes the longer Megawatt totally skiable by someone around 160 lb who normally wouldn’t ski anything longer than 180 cm.

More Info: Visit the BD Blog

About the Montrail Mountain Masochist GTX Trail Running Shoes

A highly-supportive and protected trail runner, the Mountain Masochist GTX also shields your feet from rain and snow with its waterproof Gore-Tex liner. This is the foul-weather version of the award-winning Mountain Masochist.

Mountain Masochist GTX Features:

• Gryptonite™ outsole for great traction and exceptional durability
• Full foot Trail Shield™ for under foot protection from rocks and other trail debris
• Triple density Vapor Response™ EVA midsole provides a responsive ride with Trail Shield protection and mid-foot support
• Highly breathable hydrophobic mesh enhances the performance of the Gore-Tex® bootie construction
• Gusseted tongue construction keeps out dirt and moisture
• Color: Navy/Grey
• MSRP: $115

Montrail Mountain Masochist GTX Review

No other shoe I’ve tested has been built with as many bells and whistles as the Mountain Masochist GTX. Going down the list of proprietary construction, there’s little wonder why Montrail trail runners are so regarded in the market today. This shoe is built for all-weather training with enough all-around performance to excel in all terrain in cool weather conditions.

Giving them a visual rundown, they kind of appear a bit out of Mad Max with multiple materials stitched together for a half-mesh/half-suede combo and plenty of supportive bands to provide just the right all-terrain support.

Over the past few months, I’ve been able to test these shoes in a variety of conditions from hot and try to wet, snowy and muddy. Like all Gore-Tex runners, I don’t recommend them in weather over 60-degrees. The combination of the large volume (hence a thicker sock), burly materials and the Gore-Tex liner do limit breathability, but are a welcomed combo when the temperatures dip into the 40’s and below.

The uppers provide an excellent fit with the ability to fit a large-volume foot very well. With my narrow and flat feet, I found the toebox unable to cinch down as much as I’d like, but the extra wiggle-room ended up being pretty comfortable and stable with tons of protection from rocks, roots and debris. In fact, should you have sensitive toes or suffer from poor circulation, I’d highly recommend these shoes for their armor-like and market-leading toebox protection.

Continuing along the protection vein, the Full Foot Trail Shield plate provides superb forefoot protection from sharp rocks and trail stubble. Outsole traction is solid in a variety of conditions, but did tend to attract mud in some of the smaller crevices.

One more thing about the outsole… the island-like heel-strike area is built to isolate those forces and provide specialized cushioning. That’s great and all and works well at stride, but you can really feel the transition from heel-strike area to the midfoot when walking around. At speed, it disappears, but at walking pace, it’s kind of odd.

I’m really impressed with the overall stability and have found them to be extremely supportive and stable in technical and variable terrain. At the other end of the terrain spectrum, short distances on the road are acceptable with this shoe.

Good Mountain Masochist GTX

• Excellent cushioning
• Smooth stride on the trail
• Great trail grip on soft, tacky trails
• Great for cold weather running–keep feet warm and dry
• Shed mud pretty well
• Excellent trail protection and feel
• Superior toebox protection on uppers (great for sensitive toesies)
• Withstood 30-second creek submersion test
• Excellent price for a GTX runner

Bad Mountain Masochist GTX

• Stride is a little odd for walking around
• Exposed sockliner on inner cuff wears easily
• Larger volume requires thicker socks
• They turn into foot saunas north of 60-degrees
• Awkward patchwork styling
• You can feel the tongue gussets with thinner socks
• A little heavy on paper

Bottom Line: Montrail Mountain Masochist GTX

An excellent foul-weather trail running shoe for medium to large-volume feet, the Mountain Masochist GTX will provide superior trail and weather protection in a comfortable and highly-supportive package.

Buy Now: Search for Montrail Mountain Masochist

This tire is MEATY for sure. I recall seeing it at the WTB booth at Interbike–definitely DH-only! At 1400 grams each, this thing would be a pig to pedal uphill, but I’m sure it will crush the downhill!

Here’s a bit more info from Niner:

The much anticipated WTB Kodiak tire is now available for purchase exclusively from the Niner Bikes online store and from the Niner Bikes dealer network.

“This tire is the result of our desire to offer the longest travel, burliest production 29er mountain bike, and WTB’s help with the project has been invaluable.” said Niner co-founder Chris Sugai, “WTB knows that there are a ton of riders out there that want a 29er with freeride and downhill capability and their willingness to step up and be the first to make a wire bead, dual-ply 29er tire shows that their passion for the big revolution is genuine”.

WTB Kodiak Tire Details:

A 2.5′” monster, this Niner exclusive tire is the burliest rubber you can spec on your 29er bike. Made with WTB’s High Grip DNA™ rubber compound, the tread is specifically designed for fast, gnarly, technical descending. The WTB Inner Peace™ sidewall reinforcement has your back when it comes to pinch flat protection, sidewall stiffness and keeping tire damage to a minimum. Finally, the wire bead means less bead stretch and better rim retention when you do push the limits of your riding.

WTB Kodiak Specs: 29×2.5″, 1400 grams, 50 Durometer, 27 TPI, MSRP is $49.95 – buy now

More Info: Visit NinerBikes.com

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp Specs

• Bulb type: 1 1-watt LED and 3 high-power LED
• Beam type: Flood or spot
• Brightness (high setting): 47 lumens
• Weight (with alkaline batteries): 85g/3.0 oz
• Dimensions: 2.27” x 1.7” x 1.4”
• Maximum beam distance (spot mode, high setting): 70m
• Brightness levels: 6
• Strobe: yes
• Battery type: 3 AAA
• Battery life (high setting, at 70 degrees): 100 hours
• Retail price: $39.95

Black Diamond Spot Review

I’ve always been a fan of Black Diamond’s style, and the Spot is a perfect example why: simple black-and-silver color scheme, smoothly curved surfaces to minimize its overall dimensions, and the simplicity of an all-in-one control button on the top casing that’s big enough to use with gloved fingers.

A clean, stylish profile ... plus a disembodied shot of your reviewer

The Spot performs as well as it looks, whether using the super-penetrating (up to 70m) spot beam, or the more battery-efficient LED bulbs which function as a flood light.  Each lighting method has three different brightness settings and a strobe, giving you eight functional modes to select from based on necessity.  The beam is held with a ratcheting tilt mechanism that stays firm even with moderate bouncing.  Harsh weather isn’t a problem either, with IPX4 water resistance to keep out rain or sleet.

As the name might imply, the spot function of this lamp is more impressive than its flood mode; the 3 LEDs produce adequate light for fire roads or smooth trails, but their distribution of light is noticeably diminished in the periphery.   Like other compact lamps, the overall brightness (in spot or flood mode) is on the low end of adequacy for highly technical trails.

Front view: 3 super bright LEDs below, 1 1-watt bulb centered above

Another potential difficulty is that changing from spot to flood mode is impossible without turning the bulb off – so if you’re trying to switch on the fly, you may need to stop and make sure of your footing first.

Good Spot

• Compact size, rounded design for easy storage
• Long battery life
• Headband detaches from casing for easy cleaning
• Water resistant for stormy excursions
• Very competitive retail price

Bad Spot

• No red LED mode
• Flood setting slightly weak in peripheral vision
• Can’t switch from spot to flood mode without turning bulb off

Removable strap for easy cleaning

Bottom Line: Black Diamond Spot

You’d be hard pressed to find higher performance lamp for a lower price than the Black Diamond Spot.  It’s a very solid multi-purpose headlamp to help you tack on as many extra miles as you want before sunrise.

Buy Now: Search for the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp