The word hectic doesn’t do your average week at BikeRadar justice.
With sharp minds and keen eyes, each of the site’s staff flits between reviewing and researching the latest technologies, hunting down the juiciest news and imparting the wisdom they’ve gleaned along the way to you, our lovely readers.
It goes without saying that this week was no less “average” with an avalanche of exciting stories on the ground.
Rewind to the depths of Monday, megalithically proportioned (at least in the context of the internet) four days ago when we broke the news of the first Coros cycle computer, with solar charging and a £250 price tag. Is this an alternative to the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar? We want to get a sample review to find out.
On Monday – and several other days this week – there was a rhythmic march of Bike of the Year ratings, this time from the trail bike category with Tom Marvin’s detailed look at Scott’s aluminum Genius 940.
We hit the front page on Tuesday with Katherine Moore’s look at the Langma Liv carbon race bike. Beautiful looking but also competent at speed, Katherine loved its ride and build, culminating in a score of 4.5 out of 5.
The deep dark underbelly of the week – otherwise known as Wednesday – brought with it some excellent content. Tom Law told us how he’s doing with his Transition Smuggler long-term test bike, and Jack Evans announced that Fizik will be making custom saddles with the perfect shape for your behind.
Happy Thursday (because it was almost the weekend) saw RockShox update its electronic magic; The Flight Attendant has been upgraded with Charger 3.1 shocks, just like the rest of the brand’s fork lineup.
And if that wasn’t enough, Pinarello has introduced its latest Dogma F, which is more aero and 108g lighter than its predecessor. Speed ​​demons rejoice and read Oscar’s first ride review to get a taste of how it works.
Finally, without further ado, read on to check out this week’s tantalizing products.
More and more brands are finding ingenious ways to hide and store tools, tubes and other essentials on their bikes.
They range from frame storage to storing things in studs, posts and secondary mounts.
Topeak’s BB Hide ‘N Tool runs with this theme by using one of the most underutilized spaces on the bike to store a dedicated tool; pedal crank axis or center console.
This cylindrical multi-tool comfortably fits 18.5 to 20mm ID BB spindles. The lineup comfortably covers the most popular pedal cranks, including SRAM’s DUB, Shimano’s Hollowtech II crank, and FSA crank, among others.
Locked in place with an expanding rubber gripper, the Hide ‘N Tool simply slides into the bottom bracket.
The tool itself is impressively functional.
Along with the 13-speed compatible special chain tool, there is also a chain hook and a separate multi-tool.
The multi-tool has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Allen keys, a Torx T25 bit and a flathead screwdriver.
All of this weighs just 91g and should be enough to get you out of most trail-side bindings.
7iPD Project.21 helmet
7iPD’s latest helmet, the Project.21 – which is named after its 21 vents – is claimed to combine massive amounts of airflow while offering plenty of protection for bikepark, enduro and all-mountain riding.
Energy Reduction Technology – ERT for short – increases the level of protection. This is a 4mm layer of force dissipating material which is claimed to reduce both the impact and rotational forces on the wearer in an impact.
There is also ConeHead technology. As silly as it sounds, it’s an important “deformation zone” made from dual-density, dual-material foam that’s claimed to reduce the likelihood of concussions. When deployed, the visor is designed to break on impact.
The strap closure is made by Fidlock and there is a dial on the back of the lid. Two sets of pads are included for further fine-tuning of its cut.
This limited edition holographic model combines under-the-radar style with a matte black finish with shiny silver reflective details. Decorative!
Dynaplug Micro Racer tubeless repair plug
As someone once said, good things come in small packages, and the Dynaplug Micro Racer may be one of those things.
Weighing just 15g, 73mm long and 13mm thick (at thickest), this tubeless repair tool is made from smooth aluminum and can be conveniently slipped into your pocket or backpack without consequence.
Made in the USA – from raw aluminum to machined – this tool boasts two pre-installed puncture repair plugs that combat flats on the trail.
But at $49.99, it’s not cheap, and neither are the replacement tubeless plugs to fix it.
Official Dynaplug cartridges retail for $14 for five. Yuck.
This beautifully crafted instrument is definitely a great buy.
Hope Dropper Lever
Aftermarket dropper post lever upgrades are a great way to upgrade your bike and potentially improve post performance.
The Hope Dropper Lever takes the brand’s high-quality experience in CNC machining and applies it directly to droppers.
The thumb-operated lever, which rotates on a bearing, moves smoothly without unwanted wobble.
It has an adjustable amount of leverage; lower the lever to increase how much the cable is pulled out compared to how much it moves through the surface, speeding up dropper control. Or you can dial it in to increase the travel of the lever and lighten the feel on the thumb.
In true Hope style, it is fully rebuildable, with every part of the lever available for purchase.
It is also available in many colors to suit your personal taste.
Weighing in at 39g, it’s also impressively light.