Hype This! – 9 MTB products that make the new season even better
We love this time of year! Yes, it may still be cold outside, but optimism fills the air. The days are growing longer and a dry, hot summer is on the horizon. Now is the perfect time to get ourselves ready with a tune-up – not just our bikes, but our bodies too. We have assembled a list of the hottest products and tools, and some extra essentials, to get us stoked on riding again and ready for a new season of shred! Rock on!
Adidas/Five Ten Ten Trailcross Mid Pro Shoe
There is no better feeling than new-shoe day. If you’re a trail rider with a penchant for a hike-a-bike, or you just like spending time chilling in riding shoes, then freshen up your wardrobe with these awesome Mid Pro two-in-one hike and ride shoes. The shoes represent a fusion of the experience of shoe giant Adidas, with the specialist mountain bike knowledge of Five Ten. The Mid Pro is fully waterproof and highly breathable and is the perfect choice for riders looking for an all-rounder. An integrated sock prevents gravel, mud and debris from getting into the shoe, while D30® inserts in the ankle cuff stiffen on impact if a rock jumps up and tries to get you. Saving the best until last, the Five Ten Stealth rubber sole continues to be unrivalled in grip.
Price: € 150
Weight 898 g (Size 42 )
Info: adidas.de
BTR Fabrications Trail Tool
Investing time in your bike and body is all well and good, but what about giving your local trails some love! This time of year is perfect for it, so if you’re serious about shaping trails and have permission to do so, one of the best tools you can have is a BTR Fabrications Trail Tool. The Trail Tool feature a heavy-duty 185 mm x 250 mm zinc plated head with a sharp edge for hacking out roots, a toothed edge for raking and breaking soil, as well as lock holes so you can secure the tool to a tree should you want to leave it in the woods. The tool is available with or without a 1.4 m x 30 mm handle (to save on international shipping) and each one is hand made by the lads at BTR.
Price: around € 90 depending on shipping
Info: btr-fabrications.com
Fidlock TWIST 590 bottle
Fans of Fidlock’s innovative TWIST bottle system – allowing you to run a bottle on your bike without an ugly bottle cage – will be stoked on their new rounded TWIST 590 bottle. The latest BPA free, dishwasher safe bottle still uses the TWIST magnetic quick connect system, though the connection between the bottle and the connector has been reinforced to make it more suitable for hardcore gravity riders. A new removable flip cap has been added to protect the high-flow drinking valve from mud and spray. Fidlock also offer a smaller TWIST 450 bottle targeted at kids or riders with very compact frames
Price: € 34.99
Info: fidlock-bike.com
Goal Zero Yeti Series
If you do decide to repair your local trails and get yourself a work party together, you could turn it into a real party with a Goal Zero Yeti. These amazing lithium power packs pack a mighty punch and can provide smart power for almost any application you can think off. The lightweight system can be configured with different sized batteries to further extend the capacity and has enough power to run up to 10 devices at once. The possibilities are endless, from midday eMTB recharges, #vanlife comfort, to an impromptu campsite party. You could pair the power pack with Goal Zero’s folding solar panel to charge the battery pack in even the remotest backcountry location. While it’s not cheap, the Goal Zero Yeti is the perfect accessory for the adventurous, power-hungry user.
Price from € 799 (400-Wh base station)
Info: goalzero.com
Granite Design STASH Tool System
Just when you thought we had run out of cool places to store tools on our bikes, Granite Designs have given us 2 more. So clever it hurts, the innovative Stash Tool System allows a range of tools to be stored inside the handlebar ends and inside the fork steerer tube. Handily, the multi-tool fits inside the steerer tube without having to cut a thread into your fork. Installation is quick and easy and the system is compatible with pretty much any suspension fork. The multitool includes six different Allen keys, a T25 Torx key, slotted screwdriver, a valve-core remover and three different spoke keys. Inside the handlebar, two special end caps hide a tubeless plug tool (including plugs), a chain tool and chain link. With everything you need for essential repairs, you can leave your backpack at home and ride free.
Price: € 86 (complete set)
Weight 127 g multitool including steering tube mechanism / 48 g chain tool / 42 g tire plug tool
Info: granite-design.com
Muc-Off Ultimate Tubeless Kit
Are you still running tubes in your tires? Yes, well it’s time to take them out and store them in the same cupboard as your old VHS cassettes and iPod. The future is here and it’s tubeless. To make things easier, Muc-Off now offers Ultimate Tubeless Kits containing everything you need to get your wheels rolling tube-free. Five kits are available in different widths from road to downhill. Iconically pink, Muc-Off is going green – well, greener. They have just launched their Project Green initiative, starting company-wide eco strategies. Measures include improving their ‘Refill & Recycle’ program to save over 90,000 plastic bottles from being produced each year and partnering with 1% for the Planet and the Marine Conservation Society.
Price: € 48.95
Info: muc-off.com
Park Tool THH-1 Sliding T-Handle Hex Wrench Set
Are you still running tubes in your tires? Yes, well it’s time to take them out and store them in the same cupboard as your old VHS cassettes and iPod. The future is here and it’s tubeless. To make things easier, Muc-Off now offers Ultimate Tubeless Kits containing everything you need to get your wheels rolling tube-free. Five kits are available in different widths from road to downhill. Iconically pink, Muc-Off is going green – well, greener. They have just launched their Project Green initiative, starting company-wide eco strategies. Measures include improving their ‘Refill & Recycle’ program to save over 90,000 plastic bottles from being produced each year and partnering with 1% for the Planet and the Marine Conservation Society.
Price: € 119.00
Info: parktool.com
PRAEP ProPilot und SlidePads
It may be hard to imagine when looking out of a frost-covered window, but spring is coming, Now is the perfect time to invest some hours tuning up your body. You have probably already seen the PRAEP handlebar trainer that allows you to supercharge your riding strength while in the gym, home or office. With PRAEP’s new SlidePads, you can now exercise your lower body too. Combined with the ProPilot bar trainer you can rep out some mountain climbers or reverse crunches and get your abs burning. Your body is always your best investment, so unlock your inner beast this summer.
Price: ProPilot options from € 79, SlidePads € 16.90
Info: praep.com
Unior 100th Anniversary 1600 Tool Set
Are you a dedicated tool nerd? Can you distinguish a 3 mm from a 4 mm hex wrench by smell alone? If so, you probably already have a kick-ass selection of tools. If not, or if you want something a little more special, you should check out Unior’s 100th anniversary bike tool set. The special edition tool set is limited to only 100 units and comes in a sexy black steel case with a 100th anniversary logo on the top. Each tool also has a limited edition black anodized aluminium handle. The 21 tool 1600 toolset comes complete with everything you need for most repairs and servicing. Reassuringly expensive, tools like these can be handed down to the next generation. Even more importantly, you will feel like a World up mechanic every time you gently prise a tool from the laser-cut foam tray.
Price: € 399
Info: uniortools.com