Brad Hunter

To be one with your bike, you must learn to speak its language. A bike can emit several creaks, grinds and snaps to tell you when and where you need to pay more attention to it.

A little bit of help makes for fast and
fun rides on the trails

A speedy machine for your XC events

The classic trail bike gets a long list of changes

Find a tire for any occasion with our top 5 road cycling tire picks in our 2017 Buyer’s Guide.

On top of some of the finest roads you can find for cycling, the area has many other attractions

Much more than a cross country racer

This bike seemed to like the higher speeds. It definitely rewards a rider who will push it to the limit.

Designing the right fuel is more than picking flavours. But a tasty Clif Bar is a bonus

What you should know before you get into a whirlybird with your bike strapped to the side

The Scott Bikes 2016 product launch for North America took place recently at Deer Valley resort in Park City, Utah. […]

The Ghost Lector LC 6 is the German brand’s third model up in its cross country hardtail lineup. Within the Lector range, you find drivetrain and brake options from both Shimano and SraM, and with Fox or RockShox handling the suspension duties.

Instead of testing the Scott Genius LT 710 on my home trails in Ontario, I took the bike out on some faraway testing grounds: the legendary routes of Moab, Utah.

Trek has brought its seat tube-flexing IsoSpeed decoupler to its new hardtail, the Procaliber. The Wateroo, Wis.based company outfitted its XC race machine with technology that has worked on its road and cyclocross bikes.

For Canada, Raleigh offers six cyclocross models. In this range, you’ll find two built for women in either aluminum or carbon, both with rim brakes.

Garneau has expanded its cyclocross range to three bikes with a two new carbon fibre-frame models. The Shimano Ultegra-equipped Elite model ($3,500) and the Shimano 105 Performance version I tested ($2,900).

I think the Shimano XTR Di2 groupset is one of the greatest developments to happen to the mountain bike, so far. I first saw the electronic gruppo in July 2014 at the BC Bike Race.

The Lapierre Zesty Trail 829 e:i has been updated for 2015, its second year in the ultra-competitive trail category. The […]

Some new bikes are moving into the 29er hardtail market for 2015. Louis Garneau, which is based near Quebec City, is releasing its high end, off-road Rytm platform. The lineup will consist of three models that share an identical carbon-fibre frame in small, medium and large sizes. The price range will start at $1,799 for the Sport model with Shimano’s Alivio and Deore components. Next in line is Elite with Deore and SLX parts ($2,399), and then the premium Course with Shimano’s XTR CS-M9000 drivetrain ($4,999). The top- and second-tier models are available with Garneau’s cool DreamFactory custom colour program. Your frame can speak to your personal style or match your team race kit.

Trek has gone and stirred things up in the realm of cyclocross with its premium line of carbon-fibre frame ’cross bikes.The Boone 9 Disc is the main offender. On paper, it may lull racers into a thinking that ’cross racing is now going to be easy. Technological advancements – such as Ultegra electronic shifting, hydraulic disc brakes, a super light frame and Trek’s IsoSpeed decoupler – seem as if they would take the edge off of a ’cross race. But, once the gun goes off, your lungs and legs will still scream. But, this is a fabulous bike to race and train on, or to just ride around. Cyclocross legend Sven Nys says it’s perfect.

At this year’s Sea Otter Classic in April, Norco expanded its cyclocross offerings with a full redesign of the Threshold carbon line. I tested the base model of the series, which has a bright green and black graphics that drew looks wherever I rode.

The latest incarnation of the Felt Virtue Nine 3 has a nicely detailed carbon-fibre frame with very cleanly executed internal cables. The rear travel on the bike is 130 mm, which is more than enough for today’s 29er trail bikes. The travel may explain the slightly lofty ride height the bike seems to have. You can manage this lofty feeling on steeper descents with the KS eTen remote seatpost that comes already equipped. Lowering the saddle will help you to adjust your centre of gravity.

The 2014 BC Bike Race has come to a close. The last stage’s 22-km course was much improved due to […]

The riders at the sixth stage of the BC Bike Race in Squamish, B.C., could not have asked for better weather […]

Thursday’s stage of the 2014 BC Bike Race was only 40 km, but had more than 1,100 m of climbing. […]

The heat has started to take its toll on riders at the BC Bike Race. The medical tent was busy treating dehydration, which affected many riders. An extra feed zone was added for Day 4 to try to combat the intense need for extra fluids. The stage’s climbing was more than 1,400 m and mainly on exposed hydro corridors. I really like how the race uses these monstrous swaths of land in the race, as they are the only stretches where you have unimpeded views of riders minutes ahead and behind.

If you have been contemplating riding the BC Bike Race, Tuesday’s stage should tip the scales for you. The speeds are higher, the climbing not as epic, but the fun factor is off the charts. Base camp was campground beside the water, which added to the overall vibe here. The end of this stage brings the distance completed to 132 km with 172 km remaining, and the altitude gained 3,400 m with 5,300 m left to go.

Back here at the BC Bike Race, we are now a beautiful ferry ride away in scenic Cumberland B.C. I awoke far too early as has been the case since I arrived Friday. But I don’t mind catching the sunrise before I roll out to find the tasty coffee that is in plentiful supply here at base camp. After a quick breakfast, the riders were summoned to the start line on Cumberland’s charming and historic main street.

My first day of riding is complete.  The race started in waves using a self-seating system, which let riders estimate […]

While Lapierre’s XR platform has been out for a couple years, it has been rare in North America. The cross […]