Gerow started as a freelance writer for Singletracks and was a full-time staff member from 2019 to 2022. His areas of expertise include component tech and tires, suspension setup, gravity riding, bikepacking, repair, and maintenance. A mountain biker since 1986, Gerow continues to contribute compelling and expert mountain bike and component reviews.
"If not riding then I'm writing, or quite possibly cooking something. I play bass with nine-and-a-half fingers, eat vegetables and fruit, and prefer movement as frequently as possible. I find discomforts and challenges more useful than most things, particularly what emerges from them. If I died and could return as anything I would choose a camp fire."
Author snapshot
- Instagram: @ribbonsinsticksmedia
- Location: Bellingham, Washington
- Previous location: Torino, Italy and Florence, Italy
MTB experience
- Mountain biking since 1986
- Current bike stable: Raaw Madonna (160mm) and a Kona Unit (rigid)
- Favorite place to ride: Jamniza, Slovenia
Writing experience and education
- Other publications: Craft MTN and various Italian blogs
- Masters of Sociology
- Firefighter 2 Certification, EMT, Hazmat Operations, Rope Rescue
If not riding then I'm writing, or quite possibly cooking something. I play bass with nine-and-a-half fingers, eat vegetables and fruit, and prefer movement as frequently as possible. I find discomforts and challenges more useful than most things, particularly what emerges from them. If I died and could return as anything I would choose a camp fire.
Singletracks sat down with Colorado-based mountain biker Brooke Goudy to get her perspective on what's changed in mountain biking and what still needs work.
We dig into the story of long lead times and bike shortages with Jason Moeschler from Evil.
The Bontrager G-Spike casing profile is someplace between rounded and square, and all those tall spikes dig deep for grip.
This multi-sport helmet is designed to be used for both biking and snow sports.
Freerider Brandon Semenuk's Subaru Crosstek and YXZ1000R offroad rally buggy are up for sale.
Whether you have acres of space, or just a small cupboard, getting your bike repair supplies and tools organized is key.
There are only a few items that mountain bikers need to bring along for every ride.
Brake expert Jude Monica explains how hydraulic disc brakes deal with expanding fluid and fills us in on rotor selection.
Given their precise build and lifetime replacement warranty, the Evil Loophole mountain bike wheels are a solid upgrade for any aggressive gravity rider.
"Steel is real," but what about plastic?
Our staff go-to gear stands the test of, well, all the tests.
Myles Morgan grew up racing bikes, and now the young athlete is making a name for himself on the enduro race scene.
We dug in to learn more about tubeless tire rim tape and how to make the best seal possible for mountain biking.
The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Launch Mid WRX flat pedal mountain bike shoe features good ankle protection and decent pedal grip.
These are the small parts and items we like to stock at home to make sure repairs and installs go quickly.
Ibis Cycles has partnered with Stan's No Tubes to create a new mountain bike rim profile that they claim will eliminate pinch flats.
How exactly do my MTB brake pads retract when i let off the lever, and how do they adjust to wear? We ask an expert.
The Bontrager Race Shop Limited (RSL) cockpit integrates stem and handlebar for a clean, futuristic look and boasts some unique features too.
The Cotic Cascade is a brand new drop bar adventure bike.
These new steel wall mounts hold a bike and secure it too with an optional, heavy-duty chain.
OneUp now offers 30.6mm diameter dropper posts in 240mm and 90mm travel lengths to fit more bike and more riders.
The Santa Cruz Heckler electric mountain bike gets a big wheel option, a larger shock tunnel, and updated geo.
Of course every mountain biker's ideal situation is to have a wide variety of trails right outside the door, and in many places that exists.
"Upside down" mountain bike forks promise some impressive advantages over their mainstream counterparts. Of course there are challenges as well, and Bright Racing Suspension is seeking to produce the optimal solution.
Three bikes with one frame? Yes please! A $60 lower shock mount swap takes this mountain bike from a 130mm 29er to a 160mm mixed wheel ripper.
We tested a pile of waterproof jackets that will make the next few months more bearable.
If you've ever raced XC or marathon you likely have an internalized sense of what Red Zone means, and those are precisely the disciplines these MTB wheels were designed for.
The apparel designers at Rapha aren't messing about with their new MTB apparel line and the latest piece of kit is a set of kneepads that retails for $110.
Here are some examples of bike tools that quickly pay for themselves, allowing you to save heaps of cash for more fun things.
For the price, the Fieldsheer heated gloves feel like a life hack that extends trails season deep into the coldest winter days.
A few basic checks before each ride is all new mountain bikers need for rolling down the trail.
Race Face says that their Atlas flat pedals have been fully redesigned for better serviceability and durability, and they now include a lifetime warranty.
PNW Components has a new alloy set of mountain bike pedals on offer called Loam, and we've enjoyed stamping on them for the past few weeks.
The Singletracks team tests a smattering of pre- and post-ride gear every season, and this is the stuff that keeps us warm while we get ready to ride, or chill afterward.
Luca is exploring the advantages of 36-inch mountain bike wheels through his bike brand, 36Pollici, while solving problems along the way.
A basic bike repair tool kit can be a good place to start, but most kits include parts you don't need, and also leave out some that you do.
The Paradox mountain bike suspension design seeks to move the bottom bracket to the rear triangle to increase pedal efficiency.
The Evil Insurgent MX is a 170/168mm enduro bike running mixed wheels and the brand's DELTA single pivot suspension platform.
Cross country mountain bike World Champ Evie Richards shares what it took to reach the top of multiple podiums in 2021.
The DH Junior World Cup Champ and overall winner joins the esteemed Santa Cruz Syndicate downhill mountain bike team.
The carbon 30|30 enduro mountain bike wheels from Reserve are made from the good stuff.
Tire pressure is one of the most important pieces of pre-ride bike setup, and it's worth playing around with different numbers to find what feels best for you.
The Fanttik X8 Apex digital electric pump inflates tires to a set pressure, and can even seat the bead on many tubeless tires without the need for a compressor.
The Fox DHX mountain bike coil shock is simply designed for trail riding.
When it comes to mountain bike shifting, even the basics can be a little confusing at first. This should get you sorted.
Whether for riders with shorter inseams or kids coming up in the sport, the Jeffsy Primus Junior 26" platform from YT Industries looks like a sweet step into mountain biking.
The PEET Advantage dries wet mountain bike shoes and gloves quickly without damaging them.
A new rider asks, "How do I know when to put my saddle down or up, and how much should I push it down?"