Issue #038 - July 2, 2019

Hype This! 9 new Items of MTB Bling

Below you’ll find 9 of the finest MTB related products and bling to feast your eyes over! Continue on reading or head over to issue #038 to check out the original article.

100% Knee Guard

Remember those times when we used to strap on hard knee protectors before going into battle, about as flexible and comfortable as an ice hockey goalie. Those times have changed, now we have soft pads that slip on comfortably, are as fitted as a coat of paint and offer up good levels of protection, but in a crash, some of the lightest are nothing more than glorified knee warmers. 100% have now stepped into the arena with their FORTIS Knee Guard, their first slip-on design. Not only does the pad feature a comfortable perforated sleeve with a pre-curved design, elasticated flex joint and silicone elastic webbing to prevent slippage. But, there is also an injection moulded plastic shield that could help you slide rather than impact in a crash. CE EN 1621-1:2012 Level 1 impact protection adds reassurance to a nicely thought out product. Aimed more at the crash-and-burn downhill rider, we can also see these being a great choice for the safety conscious enduro racer.

Price: € 89.90
Info: ride100percent.com

Fox Racing Rampage Pro

If you’re going to name a helmet after the iconic Rampage event – where a crew of the world’s best riders compete to be the biggest lunatic – then it better be upto some abuse. For high speed air-to-ground battles, the new Fox Racing Rampage helmet is bristling with cutting edge technology. All the usual sexy sounding safety features are there, a Dual-density Varizorb liner, CAGE chin bar protection, MCT shell, tick, tick and tick. The 1230 g flagship helmet helmet also features not one, but two, rotational safety systems. The ‘Fluid Inside’ system is claimed to mimic your body’s natural cerebral spinal fluid, while a Magnetic Visor Release System (MVRS) allows the visor to spring free in the event of a crash. 19 large vents stop your brain from boiling on hot days, while the premium X-static liner helps wick away moisture. Acronyms aside, the helmet looks so good it must surely be illegal somewhere. Available in a Pro model or Comp model for those with shallow pockets, it looks great to us.

Price: € 500
Info: foxracing.de

Espressogrips

Are you suffering from arm pump in the office? Does the lunchtime coffee making leave your palms in tatters? If so you will love the new Espresso grip. Made of solid aluminium and with an M12 standard thread, the grip should fit 90% of machines on the market, and allows you to fit whatever grip is your favourite. If you want an ultra-tacky coffee making experience, now you can. Roadies who are desperate to show the world they are roadies can use their favourite brand of bar tape, the possibilities are endless. Espresso Grip supply a food-safe Ergon GE1 grip to get you going. If you love your coffee like we love our coffee, you will love the Espresso Grip, giving you a quick slap of riding feel, before delivering a massive uppercut of caffeine.

Price: € 29
Info: espressogrips.de

Leatt Velocity 6.5 Goggles

The average muzzle velocity of a .22 calibre bullet is 450 m/s, so even though the latest Leatt Velocity 6.5 Goggles meet a Military Ballistic Impact standard that demands the lenses can withstand a bullet fired at 170 m/s, we wouldn’t recommend riding across a firing range in them, but they are certainly up to fending off even the most kamikaze fly. If you don’t need to protect yourself from stray bullets, there’s still a lot to like about the latest Leatt Velocity 6.5 Goggles. The WideVision, 170-degree lens, has a permanent anti-fog function built into the inner lens polymer, with a self-draining design should it get wet. Outriggers with an anti-slip coated strap keep the goggles comfortable in a full face, and the lenses can be interchanged quickly. For riders who use glasses, the Leatt Velocity 6.5 goggles are designed to fit over comfortably and have a triple layer, dual density foam backing with an anti-sweat fleece lining.

Price: € 89.90
Info: leatt.com

Pole Stamina 140

When Pole first hit the scene, the innuendo meter blew its top. “Can I ride your Pole”, “that’s a long Pole”, trailside banter was never easier. With the release of the 140 / 140 mm 29” Pole Bushmaster, it’s clear that Pole wants to join in the fun too, but now they have changed the name to the Stamina 140. Names aside, Pole’s innovative construction process lets them build, develop and produce their bikes at an astounding rate. The Stamina 140 is the latest model from Pole, machined from 7075 T6 aluminium, short travel, but with the now iconic Pole geometry. Aimed at shredding technical but flat trails, the Stamina 140 has a long 1290 mm wheelbase, long 500 mm reach (size large), steep 78.6-degree seat tube and slack 64-degree head angle, and is anything but conventional. The design too has many interesting features, with clever bearing covers, space for three, yes three bottles, and huge tire clearance.

Price: starts at € 3,200 (pre-order)
Info: polebicycles.com

Revel Bikes

Every Revel bike ordered is delivered to the customer in an EVOC bike bag, how awesome is that! It’s clear that the Colorado-based bike company startup has some great ideas when it comes to customer satisfaction. Fresh on the scene as a brand, but with years of experience within their team. Revel bikes have just launched two exciting new twin-link suspension bikes, the 140/130 mm Revel Rascal, a 29” trail bike, and the 170/165 mm Revel Rail, a big-hit 27.5” wheeled charger. Both bikes carry a lifetime warranty on the frames and are available in three build kits. Showing their focus, customers can specify their seat height, and Revel will fit the longest matching dropper seat post. Pricing starts at $4,999, right up to $8,699 for the super-bling XX1 models with ENVE wheels. We have already had the chance to test the Revel Rascal and were super impressed with the ride and details.

Price: from $ 4,999 to $ 8,699
Info: revelbikes.com

Rimpact #Sendnoodz!

For years we tried to get the inner tube out of our wheels, now everyone is racing to put something back in. There is now a new player in the field, and in homage to the ‘pool noodle’ DIY models that fill the forums, they have named them the Rimpact #Sendnoodz. Made entirely in Bristol, UK, from high density, closed cell, cross-linked polyethylene foam, the inserts do the same as everyone else’s, protecting the rim against the biggest hits, and helping minimize snakebites. Rimpact can be used in operating temperatures between -70c and +105c, so if you are planning a trip to Mars you will be good. Weighing just 90 g for the 29er version, they won’t break the scales and at only £36.99 they will not cause a rift in your marriage either, you can probably even tell your partner what you ‘actually’ paid for them. Available in all wheel sizes, and for tyres up to 3”. #Sendnoodz.

Price: £36.99
Info: rimpactmtb.com

Stumpjumper Evo Pro Carbon

The Stumpjumper Evo surprised us all, why, because it’s batshit crazy. We don’t know what the designers were drinking when the original Evo was penned, but we want some. Just look at the numbers, a 63.5-degree head angle, a low-slung 328 mm bottom bracket and 490 mm reach (in size S3). The Evo is as different from the normal Stumpjumper as a rabid lion is to a pet tabby cat. We loved the alloy version, but it was a bit porky. Specialized, have now released the animal in carbon, using their FACT 11m carbon, there is just one model, the Evo Pro. Available with 27.5” or 29” wheels, and in two frame sizes, S2 and S3. It has 150 or 140 mm rear travel (for the 27.5” and 29” respectively) controlled by a FOX FLOAT DHX2 Performance Elite rear shock and SRAM CODE RSC brakes with 200/200 mm rotors have enough power to peel the skin from the earth. If you want a DH bike dressed up as a trail bike, this is it.

Price: $ 6,700 (available only in the US at the moment)
Info: specialized.com

SRAM AXS

The first wireless signal was transmitted over the transatlantic back in 1901, Guglielmo Marconi confirmed the receipt of a letter “S”. Surprisingly, it took over 118 years until we could get an MTB rear mech to communicate wirelessly to a shifter. With AXS, SRAM has finally brought wireless technology to MTB, available on the XX1 Eagle and X01 Eagle drivetrains and also on the Reverb dropper post. Steampunks will complain about the need to charge the batteries, but for most, the two-year shifter interval and 20-hour ride time of the rear derailleur will be ample, and spare batteries are very compact to stash. Push-button operation brings lightning fast shifts with total precision. To protect your significant investment, a second clutch in the AXS derailleur lets it swing in in response to an impact, before returning to the selected gear. New technology is always expensive, but we expect to see it trickle down quickly.

Prices: