Jason Van Horn

Long Term Review: Transition Sentinel Carbon

April 22, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

I’ve been running the Transition Sentinel Carbon as my primary trail bike for two years now. During this time, I’ve worn parts out, ridden a number of epic destinations, and a variety of setups were experimented with. What follows is an update with my experiences owning the bike in the form of a long term […]

Fiskar Pruning Shears: PNW trail maintenance tool

April 22, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

Fiskar Pruning Shears have become a foundation of my trail maintenance tool kit. Easy to tote in a pack or waist pack, and paired with a set of durable gloves and a compact folding saw, you can easily assist in keeping many of your favorite trails passable. Trails in the Pacific Northwest quickly can be […]

Portland by Bike Part II: Head East and Leave No Path Unexplored

April 14, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

Although much has been made of the almost non-existent mountain bike singletrack in Portland, Oregon, there are still opportunities to venture off the beaten path looking for adventure. You don’t need a car, just your bike, strong legs and a willingness to pedal from your front door. The bulk of the journey takes place on […]

Protect your camera: Osiris & Co Camera Body Armor Skin Case

April 11, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

When it comes to riding with a camera, unless I’m on a paid assignment, I just stuff a mirrorless camera into my waist pack. Easy access and convenience rules, but it does put a lot of wear and tear on camera equipment, so when the Osiris and Co Camera Body Armor popped up in a […]

Review: Leatherman Skeletool 7-in-1 Multitool

April 3, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

We’ve owned a number of Leatherman Tools in the past, but the Leatherman Skeletool 7-in-1 multitool may be the favorite of all the Leatherman Tools we’ve used. It’s also earned a spot on my MTB trail riding essentials packing list. Features & Functions 420HC Stainless Steel Weight: 5.0 oz | 142 g Functions: Blade Bottle […]

Review: Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Beanie

March 30, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

Portland apparel brand Showers Pass is best known for waterproof cycling apparel and lifestyle accessories. The Crosspoint Waterproof Beanie is the latest addition to the line-up, joining the likes of the successful Crosspoint Waterproof Socks and Knit Gloves. Like the waterproof socks, Showers Pass has managed to create a product that exceeds expectations, combining waterproofing […]

Ask Bermstyle: What Size Santa Cruz Jackal Dirt Jumper Do I Buy?

March 27, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

Question — Jon H. writes: Hi, stumbled across an old write up on the Jackal frame size. Have you been happy on your short? I am 5’10 and have been struggling on their sizing. I mostly ride the pump tracks and small/med lines with my son on an old Giant STP and have been looking […]

Feedback Sports Velo Hinge Bike Storage Rack

March 13, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

If you store your bikes vertically but hate getting them up and down, the Feedback Sports Velo Hinge might be a solution to your bike storage headaches. Case in point: storage in our garage is handled in the most budget-friendly style we could find: two 2×6 planks are bolted into studs with bike storage hooks […]

Hiplok ANKR Bike Storage Security Solution

March 11, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

Bikes are expensive and represent massive investments for us as riders, so keeping them secure should be a priority too right? We keep all our bikes indoors, but garages are often a target for thieves. Hiplok recognized a need for providing additional security for riders and developed a solution for raising that level with […]

Enve Rigid Carbon Mountain Fork Install: 29″ MTB to Gravel Conversion

March 8, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

After reviewing all the available options for rigid Carbon Fiber mountain bike forks, the Enve Mountain fork was at the top of the list for our 29″ MTB XC hardtail to Gravel Conversion project. It sits at or near the top of its class for light weight, features a proper axle to crown length, plenty […]

Scappoose, Oregon: the Rocky Point Trail System – A Work in Progress

March 6, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

As a mountain biker living in Portland, one of the most exciting developments in the last few seasons is centered on the trail building activity near Scappoose, Oregon. Now known in mountain biking circles as the Rocky Point Recreation area, this area is located on private timberland and made available for mountain biking through a […]

Bike Repair Log: how much maintenance do bikes actually need?

March 1, 2020 by Jason Van Horn

The cost of owning a mountain bike is more than the initial cash investment, especially if you want to consistently get top-level performance out of your favorite equipment. But how much maintenance is actually necessary to keep bikes running at their best? As a former bike industry mechanic, I perform all the labor on our […]