John‘s taking his 2025 Summer Picks down different terrain this year, highlighting one of his bikes for an Old Bike Day segment. He’ll also share his outfit for dirt riding, several reading recommendations, a few favorite summertime experiences, and more! Let’s check it out…
Summer Picks: Old Bike Day – Starling Murmur V3
People get stoked for new bike day, but I want to celebrate old bike day. And this bike is by no means old; it’s just been through a lot since I first took ownership of it in 2023. This Murmur is the most ridden bike in my stable. A lot of that has to do with our local terrain here in Santa Fe being pretty technical, but there’s still a driver of it being a very fun platform that I can’t overlook here. It climbs very well and is a ripper on the descents.
Over the past year, I’ve had a few changes to it since the initial review that I think are worth a mention. Let’s check ’em out.
Longer Mega Murmur Swing Arm £795
Starling has a smart business model going with the Murmur. The frame is the same for the Mini Murmur, Murmur, and Mega Murmur, ranging from 120 mm to 170 mm of travel. The Murmur in size XL now comes equipped with a longer swingarm which is also used across the full size run of Mega Murmur models. It’s not dramatically longer – only 1 cm in fact – but it makes a difference in how the bike tracks at speed without sacrificing flickability. It’s also UDH compatible now, too.
Starling Clutch Steel Stem £145.83
Back in April, Starling announced its steel stems, painted to match its various model paint options, including the mint green of my Murmur V3. I snagged one mostly because it looked cool, but I had no immediate desire to swap out my BTCHN Ti Bullmoose yet. While visiting the boys in Bristol this spring, I picked it up in person. These are made in Taiwan but match Starling’s raw, lapped fillets quite nicely. The two starling birds on the face plate match the cutouts on the head tube gusset. Overall, this made the Murmur feel special and really adds to the look and vibe of the bike.
Doom Bars Lucky Riser Nickel Plated $195
Shortly after taking delivery of the Starling Clutch stem during my Shop Visit, I was visiting Los Angeles last month, Cari and I swung by to see Travis, who was recovering from some broken ribs from a nasty wreck. While there, I got to tour some of his bikes, noting that on two he had the Doom Bars Lucky Riser bars. I pedaled one around the block and quite liked how they felt. I’ve long lauded Doom Bars, but always the flat, no-rise models.
This prompted me to try out the Doom Lucky Riser bars. I’ve traditionally not been a fan of risers on full-suspension bikes. They tend to make it hard for me to “dig in” on techy climbs since it’s harder for me to get over the front wheel for traction. The Lucky Risers feature 2″ of rise and 6º of upsweep with 14º of backsweep. The backsweep makes it easier for me to shift my weight over the front of the bike on steep switchbacks, and the 2″ rise offers a good amount of flex when descending.
At first I left them uncut, but at 880 mm, they were just too wide, so I trimmed each side down 3 cm, and now they’re at 820 mm wide, which feels right for my broad shoulders. Overall, I’m very happy with the cockpit swap and stoked to support the homie Keaton down the hill in Albuquerque.
Hayes Dominion A4 Brakes $199 Each
After years of people requesting a review of the Hayes Dominion brakes, I can now say I see why! These brakes have been phenomenal. I have big hands and I love the lever feel. After the rear brake’s reservoir needed replacement – a warranty issue that has unfortunately plagued some of these brakes – they’ve been flawless.
They’re four-piston and weighed 320 grams each by my scale when they arrived, including the uncut hose. The levers and calipers can be run in either front or rear positioning. Everything about this product is done with a thoughtful intentionality. You can really tell the designers used this product extensively during the iterations. The lever adjustment is smart, with clearly printed adjustment tick marks.
In terms of power, there is an optimized Venn Diagram between braking power and modulation. Some brakes have incredible modulation and feel super smooth, but lack that ramping “bite” that you need in those “oh shit” moments. The Dominions are smack in the middle, offering incredible power and stiffness when you need that bite, while feathering and modulation remain constant and effortless.
Coming from my long-loved Magura brakes, I didn’t know what to expect, but the Dominions have impressed me beyond my expectations. Yes, I had a warranty issue, which another friend in town also experienced. However, Hayes quickly resolved it, and they’ve been very reliable ever since.
They’re not the lightest brakes on the market – including the rotors, they’re over 500 grams each – but for reliable and powerful braking, I’m willing to take on a few extra grams.
Ohlins TTX22M.2 Coil Rear Shock in 210 x 55mm $700
Speaking of additional weight being worth the riding experience… After trying three different rear shocks on the Murmur V3, the one that truly brought the bike to life was the Öhlins TTX22M.2. The initial setup was a bit finicky, especially with the plastic set screw that holds the compression ring in place, but once I dialed in the sag correctly, the bike transformed. It tracked noticeably better in tight, flat corners and significantly stiffened the rear for high-speed course corrections. The rear end just whalloped corners and high-speed lines.
There’s much less stiction in the initial stroke than on the previous air shock I was running. It’s silky smooth. And running a firmer spring rate keeps the bike balanced when climbing. I never switched the shock from the third position, and the LSC tuning was easier than expected.
Overall, Ohlins have done something special with this shock, and it made the Murmur climb and descend even better than before. Offering an immense amount of mid-stroke support means the bike behaves way more even-keeled in its temperament. While it is not the lightest shock, the increase in support has been worth it.
Let’s face it, while in the 135/160 configuration, the Murmur isn’t exactly light built up like this, but it’s become a veritable all-mountain machine. As you see it now feels like perfection for the platform.
Jemez ride photos by Ian Flannery
Dirt Outfit for Gravel and MTB Riding
Balancing comfort with staying cool and UV protection is always a challenge when you live at 7200 feet, and most of your riding is even higher in elevation. It’s taken me a few years to figure out what works for my riding, and that now includes the same exact kit for both gravel and mountain bike riding, save for two different helmets. And yes, I’m still wearing those same Ornot Mission Shorts, too! Let’s check out where I’ve landed this year…
Smith Forefront 3 Helmet for MTB $270
Helmets are super subjective. Some manufacturers’ offerings just do not fit my head, while others feel like I’m not wearing one at all. Smith is the latter. Over the past few years, I’ve really fallen for their helmets, and the Forefront 3 has upped the ante of comfort, weight, and style. Even though the outer shell of the helmet looks rather dirty, I’ve washed the Mips Air Node Safety System liner multiple times. The all-new Boa system makes fitment a cinch – just a turn of the dial – and the Koroyd honeycomb pattern adds to the light and airy feel of the helmet. Plus, they really nailed the earth tones this season.
Lazer Cerro Helmet for Gravel $99
Believe it or not, there aren’t many good “gravel” helmets. Sure, there are plenty of road helmets, and heaps of mountain bike helmets, but I have been looking for a helmet that’s somewhere in between. Then I saw what Lazer was doing with its Cerro gravel helmet. It has the features I want for everything from hardpack rides to chunky doubletrack. For starters, the integrated visor is a vibe. If you can get on board with the look, the functionality is great. While it’s not adjustable, it offers some sun shielding for your sunnies. And it won’t block your visibility when you’re gripped flying down through chunky terrain. There’s the ability to run integrated lights and even a cold-weather insert. Best of all is its price: dirt cheap compared to the high-tech Smith Forefront 3 at a mere $99!
NNormal Race Vest $145
The first game changer has been the NNormal Race Vest. I bought it from Sincere Cycles earlier this spring when our Sunday group ride was going up to Los Alamos to ride on a warm Saturday morning. I needed to carry 3 liters of water for the ride, and with no refills along the way, I reluctantly sought out a riding backpack. Hemming and hawing with Bailey, he recommended that I try a running vest. If anyone knows how to keep a 2-liter water bladder secure to one’s body, it’s trail runners. Unlike hydro packs and backpacks, these running vests are snug-fitting and feature a slip pocket for the water bladder.
After the first climb of the day, a brutal 2,500′ crawl in just five miles, I was hooked. The vest, combined with my merino ultralight hoodie, kept me cool and the weight didn’t slosh around at all. The best part about the vest is that it has zero movement from the 2 L bladder, no matter how much body language is used while climbing up tech features or plowing down descents. The adjustment is easy with three shock cord straps that reach across your chest. It doesn’t bunch up or cause any chaffing. There are multiple pockets to carry your sunnies or snacks, too.
It’s seriously the most comfortable water-carrying pack I’ve ever used. I will say, I sized down to a large here, whereas for most tops I wear an XL.
Luckily, most of our riding here in the Southern Rockies has lots of refill opportunities, but when I want to ride my full suspension and carry a lot of water for the day, I’ll be using this vest from here on out.
River ninja mode photo by Kyle Klain, riding photos by Cari Carmean
Ridge Merino Pursuit Ultralight Hoodie V2 $99
After trying a number of merino sun hoodies, I have discovered that Ridge Merino makes the best model for me. I love the scuba diver hood that hugs my face profile, unless I go full ninja mode by pulling it over a ball cap and a buff to virtually block out all sun exposure. The 18.5 M merino material is durable, with zero snags after over a year’s worth of use. It dries fast, partly due to our low-humidity environment, and is comfy even when wearing a PFD on rafting trips. I wear a black one or the V1 grey model from last year on every single ride.
The V2 features some fit refinements, including more hood space, and is now made from Axio, a patented Merino wool yarn spun to be lighter and stronger. This new fabric makes the Pursuit hoodie twice as durable as 100% Merino wool apparel, yet it maintains its stretchiness. If it gets wet, it also doesn’t droop at all… and the size XL weighs only 7.5 oz. I’m hooked!
Shimano GE900HS Shoes $275
Over the years, I’ve shied away from gravel road shoes for my gravel rides in favor of MTB shoes. I’ve been lamenting how the stiff, narrow, and race-oriented shoe models haven’t really hit the mark for all-day comfort for me. While I don’t have particularly wide feet, having them stuffed into a stiff shoe that’s been designed for gravel road racing just isn’t my vibe anymore.
The GE900HS shoes are marketed as a downhill or gravity “race-proven” shoe, but I’ve honestly found them to be one of the most comfortable all-around dirt shoes. They’re not as wide or as padded/protected as other models I’ve reviewed, like the Leatt shoes earlier this year, which have additional armor to protect your feet. Still, I’ve found them to be quite the ally for gravel rides like Lost and Found and have become my go-to for my daily mountain bike rides.
My size 47 shoes weigh in at 2 lbs, 3 oz including cleats. The shoes come in sizes 38 through 48, and I’d rate them a 7 out of 10 in terms of stiffness. Best of all, they’ve seemingly shown zero signs of wear and tear after several months of heavy use.
Radavist Roly-Poly Deserted Blend Instant Coffee $17
Rounding out my Summer Picks is our collaboration with Bozeman’s Roly-Poly Coffee. Our Deserted Instant coffee has been a hit ’round these parts.
“Wow, this actually has a really nice flavor.” It was perhaps the best thing I’ve heard from a close friend who took his first sip on a recent camping trip. We just re-upped our Radavist Roly-Poly instant coffee. It’s an African blend of Kenyan and Ethiopian beans that delivers plentiful notes of honey and fruit. All year, I’ve been loving taking it on camping trips and on travel days when I need a pick-me-up. Especially with the busy international travel schedule we’ve had over here!
Summer Picks: Revisiting Classic Books
With all the political energy being spent by dickheads like Mike Lee to sell off Public Lands this year, I picked up my old copy of The Monkey Wrench Gang and re-read it for the fifth time for some inspiration. While Ed Abbey’s writing certainly hasn’t aged well, his writings inspired many to protect the very deserts I love to recreate in. The Monkey Wrench Gang inspired the Earth First! movement and continues to call attention to these dry and arid lands. If Ed Abbey isn’t your cup of tea, Amy Irvine’s Desert Cabal is a worthwhile read as well.
Speaking of aridity, I’ve now read Marc Reisner’s Cadillac Desert three times, and each read unveils a new connection to current events. Curious who “Eaton” was (as in the Los Angeles Eaton fire)? Read this book. It discusses the water crisis in the West, exploring the reasons and methods behind Western expansion and farming. Perhaps the most maddening chapters reflect the dirty politics of Mulholland, Lippencott, and Eaton, three men who single-handedly shaped the water politics of the Western United States.
Craig Childs is my favorite Western author. His seminal classic, House of Rain, is always on my recommendation list. It’d been about a decade since I last read it, and a few recent trips into Canyon Country had me pining for his storytelling. Other classic Childs books are The Secret Knowledge of Water, Animal Dialogues, Virga and Bone, and Atlas of a Lost World.
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Flowers and Monsoon Skies $FREE$
We’ve had quite the summer this year in Santa Fe, with monsoon showers every other day, tamping the temps. Our yard is now in its fifth summer since we bought our house, and Cari’s green thumb is really showing. Countless blooms offered inspiration for photos while the skies above our house put on their own show. Every evening after dinner, we walk the yard, watching the hummingbird moths and smelling the new blooms.
It’s a special time of year here on the edge of the Colorado Plateau, and the rains have been a well-received blessing.
Favorite Summer Moments
Bighorn sheep carry a spiritual mystique for me. I’ve had so many encounters while on bike rides and rafting trips. Each interaction leaves me with an ever greater reverence for these animals. They’re incredibly inquisitive, not being spooked by your presence, even in very remote places. This male came down to the water to drink on a river trip this summer, and it just hung out, munching on willow sprouts and greens, keeping an eye on us and seemingly striking poses for my long telephoto lens…
Seeing a terrestrial snake like a Gopher snake on the river caused pause for our four-craft posse. These snakes are non-venomous – in fact, Colubrids eat venomous snakes like Western diamondbacks for lunch! – and are completely harmless to humans. Unlike water snakes and garter snakes, gophers don’t eat fish or frogs, so I was baffled as to why it decided to take a swim on a pleasant overcast day.
We had so many wonderful encounters with animals on that trip.
Paying it Forward
I sold my Annapurna on the Rad Bazaar, and the story of how it found its new owner was heart-warming! A potential buyer contacted me almost immediately, inquiring about buying it. Then he went radio silent. A few days later, this potential buyer’s employer contacted me, asking if he could buy it for his employee. But he wanted it to be a secret. He paid for the bike and gave me his employee’s address. I carefully boxed this big beauty up and shipped it out to him. A few days later, I got a message on Instagram with the bike built up. The ‘Purna’s new owner was stoked.
It’s these stories that make me love our readership and the Rad Bazaar so much. Thank you so much for the support. It means the world to me.
In a world that feels increasingly dreadful, I really hold onto these interactions for hope.
I hope you enjoyed these Summer Picks. It’s been a wild year so far, and there’s much more to come!
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