Print and online reviews serve a valuable purpose for both the manufacturers and the consumers. For the manufacturers, they allow us to share our products with a wider audience than would be possible if we did not engage with media outlets at all. For the consumers, it allows them to learn more about a product from a third party source that can provide an unbiased review of a product so that person can make an educated purchasing decision for themselves.

To that extent, developing relationships with media outlets is important to continue getting your message out. Advertising is always helpful to keep a brand in front of a potential customer so that that the brand is always front and center in someone’s mind, but the review is what really cements the impression. Reviews are not paid for and while there is an expense involved with building the product, shipping the product, etc., no outside revenue is generated from the review. Where it helps the media outlet is the content that they generate to keep their audience engaged. Thus, it is good business to have products for review and for those products to be desirable to the end consumer. In the case of this particular bike, it was the perfect storm of events that enabled this bike to come together.

We sent off a Powerline bike sometime in February or March of 2024 to the fine folks at Mountain Bike Action for them to review. As this was Dave’s personal bike, we did ask that they be extremely careful with the bike as test bikes tend to get thrashed a little bit. Great care was taken with the bike and it was put through its paces. We were able to get the bike back in time for Sea Otter and the magazine would come out the following month with the review inside of it. Needless to say, the review was great (you can read it HERE if you like) and we could not be happier.

The print issue hits newstands around the middle of each month and subscribers get it a little earlier than that. On one particular morning in the middle of May, we got a phone call from a gentleman named Rick who said he got his issue of Mountain Bike Action in the mail the day before and that after reading the review of the Powerline, he had to have one for himself. The exact phrasing was “I didn’t know I needed another bike until I read this review”. WOW! We were blown away that a review could have that much power/ sway in a buying decision for someone to make a purchase so quickly. Of course we were quick to help and what happened over the next few months was a bike build that knocked all of our socks off.

Rick was kind enough to let use the bike at the MADE show here in Portland as it was the perfect place to showcase the bike prior to us shipping it to him. Additionally, when we told our friends at Mountain Bike Action about how their review directly influenced a purchase such as this, they asked if they could feature the bike in the magazine. We asked Rick first and he gave his blessing for this. Thus, we did a full photoshoot of the bike prior to shipping it off and the bike ended up being featured in the October 2024 issue of Mountain Bike Action.

We asked Rick for his own words regarding his experience with finding the bike and working through the process with us, as well as feedback from his first few rides. This is what he sent us:

“Titanium hardtails are my favorite bikes to ride – I just gravitate to the simple pleasure of a titanium frame, some squish up front and a big smile on my face.

Enter the Sage Titanium Powerline: an amazing ti hardtail that has become the bike I reach for when the trails call my name.  When the May 2024 issue of Mountain Bike Action showed up in my mailbox (yes, I read the print version) with an eye catching cover title that lead me to the Powerline review… after one read, I immediately emailed Sage Titanium to get in touch about a custom build. And that’s how I met David Rosen, owner of Sage.  Over the next few months, David and I would talk, exchange emails and then finally meet in person when he came to UT to showcase his bikes at the ENVE GRODEO builders show. I have other custom bikes – and while each customization was very involved and detailed, David spent a great deal of time with me getting this build just right …which, of course, meant some Sage designed components and an amazing custom graphics package! (Fun fact: just try and steal this bike from me and explain to the police how you came up with the paint scheme…).

My personal ti Powerline showed up and… WOW. Every box checked on my list: Sporty? Check.  Stable? Check. Incredibly detailed construction? Check. Super comfortable? Double Check (because IYKYK!!!). Every component choice we made was spot on. I’m a huge believer that you know if a bike is right for you the first time you get on it and ride – and this Powerline is 100% proof of that – its become my go to bike without question. My Powerline can handle long mountain climbs, rocky descents, rocky climbs and smooth descents – with speed, stability, control and… comfort. Can it podium in a race? Probably, but I’ll never know because I ride for me – for fun – for the zen – not to compete for a spot at the top of a race board – but this bike sure feels like it wants to do just that! In sum: mission accomplished and if you see me out riding – thanks to this amazing Powerline build, it will be with a big smile on my face and some extra “oomf” in my pedaling.”

Powerful words for a powerful bike and all thanks to a review.

• Build Spec:
  • Frame: Powerline with custom cerakote finish
  • Fork: Fox 34 Float 130mm Travel, 44m Rake
  • Headset/ BB: Chris King Inset 7/ T47 30X: 3D Violet
  • Cockpit: Enve Carbon Stem/ Sage Titanium 25mm Riser bar/ Rock Shox Reverb AXS Dropper Post/ Sage Beccus Saddle. Bar/ Stem with custom cerakote finish
  • Drivetrain: SRAM XX Eagle Transmission with Quarq power meter
  • Wheelset: WeAreOne Faction rims laced to Onyx Vesper hubs (ano purple), Schwalbe Nobby Nic and Wicked Will tires 29×2.4″