On the ground at the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival
The 2019 Sedona Mountain Bike Festival was a hub of all things fat tires.
Best way to shop for a new mountain bike? Head to a consumer demo event of course. It’s just common sense. If you want to know which new bike is the right one for you, trying before you buy is always the best answer. And events such as the fifth annual Sedona Mountain Bike Festival, March 1-3, present just such an opportunity.
There were hundreds of demo bikes on site, including the full suite of Pivot offerings.
This year’s exhibitor line-up included the likes of Ibis, Pivot, Yeti, Specialized, Salsa, Transition, Canyon, and many more. There were also numerous component and apparel brands showing off their latest designs and even offering special deals. And of course the Sedona area riding is pretty good, too. Though a freak snowstorm closed down some of the over 200 miles of spectacular singletrack, there was still plenty of delicious red dirt to shred, including the flow trails and pump track inside the city park that played host the event.
10 reasons why the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival belongs on your bucket list
Not a bad place to drink a post-ride beer and catch some music.
This year’s Sedona Mountain Bike Festival also featured an array of great food trucks to keep you nourished between rides. And when riding was done, there was a beer garden where they were pouring tasty adult beverages from the likes of Ska, Oak Creek, Wanderlust, and Dark Sky. There was also live entertainment all three days, featuring bands such as Decker and the Dead Country Gentlemen.
The delicious red dirt of Sedona.
Mtbr made the trip to Sedona to check out the scene, and while this editor is on the sidelines recovering from injury and couldn’t ride, we still got a good look at what has clearly become a seminal event on the mountain bike calendar.
Numerous brands chose the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival to launch new product, including Salsa, which unveiled three new bikes.
CushCore was in the house showing off its expanding array of flat protection inserts, which now includes plus, standard, XC and gravel.
The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival attracts lots of cycling luminaries, including enduro star and Yeti Factory Team rider Richie Rude.
Diamondback launched its new Release 29 in Arizona.
The scenery isn’t too bad here.
Can’t beat that deal.
Lazer was in Sedona showing off its new Coyote MTB helmet.
Everybody loves a party.
MRP was showing off its best suspension and chain retention goodies — and offering some sweet deals.
Bikes weren’t the only thing you could test.
Right next to the venue was a pump track and flow trail, perfect for getting in demo bike hot laps.
All the essentials in one easy to navigate place.
Gotta love that backdrop.
So many trails so little time.
Lunchtime at the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival.
Former gravity racing star Leigh Donovan was in the house leading ride clinics.
Floyd’s of Leadville had all your post-ride recovery needs covered.
Stan’s made the trip west to the desert.
Colorado’s Revel Bikes chose Sedona as launch site for a whole new bike brand. Can’t wait to test these bikes.
Meet the Flexx handlebars, which claim to deliver superb small bump compliance. Interesting idea.
The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival is the brainchild of the people at Over the Edge Sports, one of the best bike shops in town.
The beer selection was top notch.
The post On the ground at the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival appeared first on Mountain Bike Review.