As integration and technology advances, bicycle computers have received their fair share of updates over the years. Live-tracking, navigation and emergency contact notification are a just few of the handy additions for mountain bikers. The Edge 1050 is no exception and receives heaps of updated features over the previous 1040 models released a couple of years ago which we’ll get into later.

At first glance, the Edge 1050 is quite a large device, which may be an instant deal breaker for a lot of mountain bikers. Measuring in at a whopping 118mm long and 60mm wide, this is a couple of millimetres longer and wider than its predecessor. With the inherent crash risk that comes with mountain biking, we feel like enduro and trail riders are likely to opt for something a little more compact like the Garmin 840 solar. If you’re on the gravel and cross-country end of the spectrum of offroad, then the large device size of the Garmin is likely less of a concern.

The upside of the whopping device size is the increased screen real estate of the display. The larger 3.5″ AMOLED display is handy for navigation and accessing different functions on the go. It’s worth noting that it may also be too large from some integrated computer mounts like the one on this Easton EA90SL stem. The Edge 1050 just bumped the stem bolts as it clicked into place, any bigger, and it mightn’t have fitted at all.

The 1050 comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating which means it can be submerged in water up to one metre for up to 30 minutes. This is likely more than enough for your average mountain bike adventure!

The computer can connect to the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo satellite constellations and sees Multi-band GNSS capabilities. This means it can use all three at once to better triangulate your position in environments where signals may be reflecting off trees, buildings, mountains, etc. There is also a host of built-in sensors like a Barrometirc altimeter, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometer for accurate compass readings.

In the box with the Edge 1050, you’ll find several mounting options; these include flat mounts that fasten with o-rings that are also supplied and an out-in-front mount that will fit both 35mm and 31.8mm handlebar dimensions. Also included is a USB-C charger cable, although you’ll need to source your own wall plug for this.

We popped it on the scales, and the 1050 weighed in at a measly 161g, a 34g increase over the 1040 for those of you counting grams. This excludes any mounts, as there are a number of ways the device can be mounted.

Device setup and WIFI integration

Upon launching the device, you’re greeted with step-by-step instructions to quickly get the basics set up. This includes connecting your Strava accounts, entering emergency contact information and connecting to the Garmin Connect app. Once these have been connected, your home view will present you with options for different activity profiles. This lets you record different ride types (gravel, MTB or road) and save them under their each individual profile.

Within each profile you can then customise the relevant data screens and the sensors the computer will look for with each profile. That way, you won’t have any dead fields on the screen as you ride, and the computer won’t waste battery life searching for a power meter or light that’s on your other bike.

This can all be done on the device, and as the screen is so large, it’s simple to edit them to your liking. Alternatively you can do this all through your phone on the Garmin Connect app.

Once you’re connected to your phone, you’ll receive notifications for incoming calls and messages on the Edge 1050 that your mobile is receiving. This isn’t limited to regular text messages either, notifications from other apps such as Slack, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp will also come through. These can be switched on and off through the notification settings.

When messages are received you can trigger quick replies from your Garmin also. These can be set up before your ride in settings, then once you’re on the go, you can fire off pre-formatted responses like “Yes” or “No” by tapping the screen.

The Garmin Connect app syncs with a number of third-party applications depending on your preferences. The most commonly used would be Strava, and with our mobile already logged in, connecting the Edge 1050 to our existing Strava account went off without a hitch.

The device found our location almost instantly and was ready to begin recording activities straight away.

After your ride is finished and you’ve saved your file, this will automatically be pushed to your third-party app, where it is uploaded. Garmin Connect also integrates with Zwift, Training Peaks, Ride With GPS, Komoot and MyFitnessPal if those are your apps of choice.

Much to our surprise, Trailforks wasn’t listed in the compatible apps for the Garmin Edge 1050. As this is one of the most popular apps for mountain bike navigation and features the most up-to-date information about trails around the world, we’re hopeful this will be added soon.

However, the base map still features detailed trail maps, which is one of the big selling points of these devices for mountain bikers.

New features and functions

Ding ding coming through! That’s right, the Garmin 1050 comes with a built-in bell. We weren’t quite sure if this was a gimmick or it’d actually come in handy, fortunately it was the latter. Simply tap on the screen during your ride, and a button for your bell will appear. The Edge 1040 was capable of making beep sounds but didn’t actually have a speaker built in. With the addition of this speaker opened up the opportunity to make proper bell tones.

The downside to having a bell on your Garmin is that it can be often out of reach, or not accessible in a hurry. Commonly, when reaching for a bell, you don’t have loads of time to take your hands off the bars and, more importantly, away from your brakes. It was easy enough to get to when approaching people on bike paths from a distance but if you’re in a hurry you may end up reverting to a good ol’ fashioned “Oi!”.

This is where a nifty bit of integration comes in with the bell to hopefully resolve this. With more and more riders being aboard electronic groupsets, these can be set up to integrate with the built-in bell. Both SRAM’s AXS and Shimano Di2 groupsets can program their blip/extra function buttons to speak to the device and trigger your bell. With the GRX/Red multi-function buttons or an open button on the Transmission Pod Shifters, this means you can keep your hands on the brakes and ding your bell — or shuffle through data screens hands-free. Pretty neat!

Much like you pay with your phone, you can now add your card details to GarminPay and pay with your Garmin. We don’t often leave our phones behind on rides, but we’re guessing it’ll come in handy at some point in the future.

Just as Google Maps gives users the ability to flag speed cameras, you can now mark road hazards, which can alert other riders of potholes, downed trees, or various obstacles as they approach. Without many people using this function just yet, we haven’t noticed too many alerts on our travels, mainly warnings in the maps system by default of tight corners approaching.

A feature that’s been carried over from the Edge 1040 that I’ve been misfortunate enough to put to use is the incident detection function. After entering some singletrack on my gravel bike at an overly ambitious speed, I took a trip over the handlebars. As I lay flat on my back, the Garmin started blaring an alarm sound. Once this sound starts, it means a crash has been detected, and you’ve got 30 seconds to stop the device before it sends a message to your emergency contacts. Luckily I could dust myself off, cancel the message send, and carry on my way.

This feature was initially introduced on the Garmin 820, and it was so sensitive you could set it off by braking too hard. This problem has persisted through a few generations of Garmin devices, but so far, I haven’t been able to trigger the incident detection when it hasn’t been called for.

Battery Life and Display Brightness

Both the battery life and display brightness of the Edge 1050 have been a standout. Garmin claims a 20 hour battery life and 60 hours in their battery saver mode. After an 8-hour day on the bike with the head unit in the regular power mode, the device still had 60% charge, which, with some back-of-the-bar napkin math, should put it pretty darn close to Garmin’s claims.

This test was with no sensors paired which it’s worth noting will speed up battery drain. Charging is done through the supplied USB-C to USB-C cable, and you’ll have to source your own wall plug for this. The 1050 has no solar re-charging built in, meaning it’ll run out of charge significantly quicker than the Edge 1040 solar, which can last for up to a claimed 100 hours.

If you’re planning bigger adventures and need a longer run time, the existing Garmin charge packs will work with the 1050. This battery pack adds up to 24 hours of run time and adds an extra 132g to the overall system weight.

With such excellent battery management, there were still no issues of a dim or poorly lit screen. Even with sunglasses on, the display can be clearly viewed and adjusts its brightness seamlessly with surrounding light conditions.

We’ve also been pleasantly surprised at just how quick and responsive the touch screen is, there’s no freezing or lagging which is handy when you might be swiping through screens on the move. The touch screen feels similarly responsive to most modern mobile phones.

Moisture doesn’t impact the functionality of the screen much at all, we were still able to swipe through modes and access the menus we needed. Gloves, however, continue to be an issue with touch screens. Unless your gloves have little touchscreen pads built into the fingertips, you’ll be whipping them off the functions you need.

Navigation and mapping

During our time so far with the Garmin Edge 1050 we’ve used maps created both in Garmin Connect and on Strava. Loading either option onto the device is straightforward. Once the course is saved into the routes of the respective apps, it’ll be synced to the device.

With the large LCD screen, you can create your own routes from scratch on the device. Although it’s not quite as simple as creating them on a computer, it’ll work in a pinch if you’re looking to pull something together. Nine times out of ten, though, we’ll still take the option of planning a route on the computer for the added detail and flexibility.

We went relatively remote into the bush on a few gravel rides to test out routes made on the device, such as Strava and the Garmin Connect App, and it seems like they all have similar shortcomings. Each provides options for the type of ride you’d like to do and allows you to drag and drop the course to your preference. Where this comes up short is on unknown smaller roads, which can occasionally lead to a dead end. The best way we’ve found to avoid this is to check out Strava heat maps first and plan your route based on this, more popular trails and roads will appear hotter and make for a better ride.

Once the map is loaded, it’s much like navigating on a phone in your car. You’ll receive the occasional beep when approaching a tight turn, or if you’ve reached the base of a climb or start of a segment.

The few times we have ran into routing issues, we’ll simply pedal an alternate way until the Garmin recognises we’re off course (usually within 30-50 metres) and you’ll receive a notification asking if you’d like to re-route. Once selected, re-routing takes anywhere from 5-15 seconds, and you’ve got your new course. If you do fire up a route before reaching it, the Edge 1050 quickly identifies this and asks if you’d like it to navigate to the beginning of the route.

Flow’s Take

So far, we’ve been pleased with the overall performance of the new Edge 1050. Despite the girthy size of the device, it’s worked brilliantly for navigation out on rides, and setup was straightforward with the intuitive user interface.

All of this functionality does come at a price, though, with the whopping price tag of $1,199, the Edge 1050 won’t be for everyone. That’s double the price of Wahoo’s ELEMNT Roam computer!

Riders spending lots of time mapping routes or navigating to remote areas for multi-day rides will get the most out of all the features jammed into the Edge 1050.

For riders who are lapping enduro runs and chasing downhill KOMs, there’s a good chance you’re better suited to a more compact device with a simpler feature list, like the Garmin Edge 840 or Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt.

If you’re doing big days in the saddle that require navigation, or you need maximum battery life for multiple days of riding in a row, then the 1050 is likely a good fit. For those extra large adventures, the added flexibility of adding a battery pack gives much greater range. This in combination with battery saver mode will bring you close to the 100 hour battery life of the 1040 Solar.

The post Fresh Produce | Garmin Edge 1050 appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Tru Tension has a unique back story, originally focusing on motorcycle products such as the Chain Monkey, aid to be the world’s first chain tensioning tool. The company’s founder, Chris Frappell, started the business in 2015, then in 2018, Chris appeared on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den show (kind of like our version of Shark Tank), where he secured £75,000 from retail guru Touker Suleyman.

Since its success on the Dragon’s Den, Tru Tension has expanded its product line in both the motorcycle and bicycle industries. We have previously looked at its  Tyre Monkey Tyre Lever and Tungsten All-Weather Lube.

Now we have some of the company’s tyre sealant in for testing. Other than smelling like bananas, the sealant also claims to seal holes up to 7mm, last for longer than six months, and not gum or ball up. These are some big claims, and we have only just started using the sealant, so the jury is out on whether it can back up these statements.

Tru Tension Sealant Features

Tru Tension’s formula is infused with carbon fibre strands and graphene and is designed to create a strong bridging surface for the sealant to adhere to. Once the sealant has adhered to the tyre walls, the strands are designed to weave into a robust puncture plug — a bit like a hairball in a shower drain.

Graphene is a bit of a wonder material that is used in everything from tyres to chain lube and even some carbon frames. The material itself is a single layer of carbon atoms, and if you could manufacture a one m² sheet, it would theoretically weigh 0.77mg and hold up to 4kg, according to the Nobel Prize-winning paper written about its discovery.

TrueTension says the addition of graphene to the mixture helps to create a more permanent fix, and the sealant is ammonia-free, non-toxic, non-corrosive, and CO2-compatible.

Tru Tension states the formula is suitable for both high-pressure applications such as gravel bikes and low-pressure setups found on mountain bikes. The sealant has an extensive temperature effectiveness range, with the brand claiming it can be used from -20° up to 50° Celsius.

Looking at the sealant, you can see the carbon strands mixed in amongst the liquid, and there appears to be a good ratio of strands to liquid. Only time will tell how effective these are in plugging holes.

We’ve currently set up the banana-scented orange sealant in a pair of mountain bikes that frequent Nerang’s infamous loam — AKA rocks — and a gravel bike. Once we’ve had enough time to test some of the brand’s claims, we’ll report back.

On paper Tru-Tension’s tyre sealant has quite the feature list for something designed to plug a hole in your tyre. It is priced well at $34.99 AUD for 500ml and comes with a surprisingly enticing banana smell. It is still early days in our testing, however we kind of hope not test our the brands claims to soon, we have just fitted new tyres.

The post Fresh Produce | Tru Tension Tubeless Tyre Sealant appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Related:

• Fresh Produce | Heatwave Vector & Future Tech Sunglasses
• Fresh Produce | Smith Rhythm Goggles
• Fresh Produce | 100% Aerocraft Sunnies

Overview & Details

Designed to be worn with traditional open-face helmets, the Fox Purevue increase ventilation and all-day comfort compared to traditional goggles. They feature triple-density foam on the upper and lower portions of the frame to wick sweat and ensure the perfect fit, along with an open design nearing the nose piece for unrestricted airflow.

Within the premium hard case, you’ll find two lenses, along with multiple nose pieces to dial in the fit. We received the clear and ‘woods’ lenses, which covers low-light and mixed-light conditions respectively. Fox also offers a darker mirror-style lens for full sun riding. Using the same Vivid technology licensed from Zeiss Optics you’ll find on Giro goggles (Vista Outdoor owns both companies), it’s claimed to enhance contrast by filtering specific wavelengths of coloured light to help your brain pick out details in the terrain. You’ll find similar colour-filtering-contrast-enhancing-tech in sunnies and goggles from Smith, 100%, Oakley, POC and others.

Key Details

• Price | $199.99 AUD
• Fit | Open-face or Half-shell helmet specific
• Lenses | Clear, Woods, or Mirror (Two included per set)
• Adjustment | Adjustable strap with non-slip gel
• In The Box | Harcase, Purevue frame and strap, 2 lenses & 3 nose pieces

Flow’s Initial Impressions

We can openly admit that we, too, were on board the trend 10 years ago of wearing open-face helmets and goggles, and if you dig back through the Flow archives, you will see some prime examples — thankfully cooler heads, and less sweaty eyeballs have since prevailed. There is no denying that we were sceptical upon receiving these ‘gloggles’, and we weren’t sure the Purveue was something the industry has been missing out on in recent years.

We will however happily be proven wrong and have our initial scepticism dispelled, which is exactly what occurred upon our first ride in the Purevue’s. On the trail, we could happily tap our way up extended climbs wearing them without overheating, which certainly can’t be said for a standard pair of goggles. Comfort-wise, the Purevue’s feel much lighter on the face compared to a full-size goggle, which aids with it’s breezy feeling, and the strap adjustability and various nose pieces allowed us to dial in the fit.

When it comes down to vision, there was no denying that the Purevue delivered a broader field of vision and clarity over a pair of glasses. We found the tint of the ‘woods’ lens excellent for the variable sunlight and dappled light.

Without surprise, Fox has developed the fit to be used with its own Speedframe and Dropframe helmets. While we didn’t have a Dropframe on hand, the fitment with the Speedframe was excellent and seamlessly followed the lines and contours of the helmet. The fit was secure over rough terrain and never shifted, the same can’t be said for glasses which can move around and require adjustment.

Performance aside, the aesthetic will be the most divisive aspect of the Purevue’s, as they certainly have a distinct look when paired with an open-face helmet. Will they resurrect the 2013 trend? Only time will tell, but we can hand-on-heart vouch for the performance they deliver despite the polarising looks.

The post Fresh Produce | Fox Purevue Trail Goggles appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Related:

• Review | Shimano GE7 & GE9 Shoes
• Fresh Produce | Northwave Rockit Plus Shoes
• Fresh Produce | Five Ten Freerider Pro

Northwave Overland Plus Details

The Overland Plus is Northwave’s Trail/All-Mountain shoe, targeted at those looking for comfortable, lightweight kicks for long days on the bike. It features a Vibram sole in the brand’s ‘Fort Augustus’ tread pattern for plenty of underfoot traction and an EVA midsole to reduce weight and improve vibration absorption. Retention of the upper arch is dealt with by a large velcro strap, and the mid-instep to ties is taken care of by Northwave’s own SLW3 rotor dial.

• Size Range | EU 40-47
• Retention Method | Velcro Strap Upper, SLW3 Dial Lower
• Sole Construction | Vibram Fort Augustus
• Colour Options | Black, Blue
• Price | $259.99 AUD
• Confirmed Weight | 515g per shoe, size 44

What is an SLW3 rotor dial, you say? Well, it’s the brand’s own take on the classic BOA system, using a ratchet dial to increase or release tension to the cable, though the system works a little differently. Adding tension is the same, turn the dial and it reels in the cable, but loosening the shoes uses the smaller lever at the top.

A single push releases a single click of tension, which is brilliant for on-the-bike adjustments. Pulling the lever upwards releases all of the tension quickly, making it easy to remove the shoe.

Flows Initial Impressions

Straight away the Overland’s were comfortable with no immediate pressure points or discomfort, and had plenty of adjustability to dial in the fit.

The Overland Plus isn’t noted as a wide shoe, but in the size 44 tested, it appeared wider than some of the shoes we’ve been riding in, like the Fox Union BOAs & Specialized 2FO Roost. For those with wide feet this eliminated extended periods of wearing the shoe’s in before feeling comfortable, however those with narrower feet may find these a little roomy. Nick typically wears a size 45 in most shoes, however the Overland Plus’ fit on the longer side for a given size, with a size 44 being the perfect fit for his flippers.

Northwave’s own SLW3 dial is an excellent twist on the traditional BOA system, with a nice tactile feel between each click and plenty of adjustability. The single-click tension release is a great addition making rolling adjustments a breeze. The single SLW3 dial and large velcro strap allowed plenty of adjustability, and while we would prefer two dials, it’s really not an issue.

We are always on the lookout for plenty of reinforcing around the toe-box following a few incidents of high-speed karate kicking rocks and tree’s. The Overland Plus score a green tick in this department, and the rubber moulding is nice and robust and will help deaden the blow from an impact. The remainder of the shoe features padding throughout yet remains minimalist to avoid adding bulk and looking like skate shoes from 2005.

The overall construction of the shoes appears plenty durable and we haven’t seen any premature wear or loose stitching. Something to note is the availability of spares for the SWL3 dial, is less common than the BOA system. Northwave does offer replacement parts, but you may not find these in a pinch.

Coming in at $90 AUD less than the Fox Union BOA’s with comparable adjustability and stiffness, these are well worth a look for those in the market for a lightweight trail/all-mountain shoe. The higher volume fit makes these particularly appealing for people with broad feet, however, it’s important to check the sizing carefully to avoid any issues with the extended fit.

The post Fresh Produce | Northwave Overland Plus Shoes appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

There are several different options for front-mounted seats, like the Kids Ride Shotgun and MacRide. However, those require your little shredder to have a bit of core and upper body strength to hold themselves up as you’re riding along — especially if you leave the bike path.

The Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini is a front mounted kids seat that would serve as the ideal stepping stone for a little one, that way you can get them out on the bike with you early.

Related:

• Fresh Produce | Kommit Bike Towing System
• First Ride | Kids Ride Shotgun Pro is a convenient front mounted seat for kids
• First Look | 2025 Giant Faith is reborn as a full suspension kids bike with a new Crest fork & shock

An overview of the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini

Using a foam cocoon with a five-point harness and a quick-release mounting bracket, the Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini is a front-mounted kids seat for children from one to three years old, weighing a maximum of 15kg. The key is that they can sit up and support themselves unaided for extended periods.

Inside the non-porous foam exterior, there is a bit of padding to prevent little bumps from being uncomfortable, and there is an integrated handlebar, which can also serve as a support should your passenger fall asleep on their chauffeured tours of the bike paths around town. The clipping mechanics for the straps is magnetic, and the release is difficulty for me to undue, much less tiny little wandering hands.

Everything is adjustable, from the straps to the foot harness, so the Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini can grow along with your mini shredder.

Installing the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini

The seat itself is assembled with a couple of turns of an Allen and Torx key—which are included if you don’t have the correct sizes in your toolbox.

The bracket which the seat clips into will need to be mounted onto your steerer tube. According to Thule the bracket is compatible with both threaded steerers and threadless (or a-head steerer as Thule says.)

You’ll need to remove your stem and a couple of spacers and attach the bracket directly to your steerer tube. The instructions in the box are for a threaded steerer, which is significantly smaller in diameter than the tapered one on your fork. With the inserts installed, the diameter does not sit nicely flush with the steerer. Given that you’re trusting your child’s health and wellbeing to this seat, we reached out to  Thule for clarification.

Apparently, this question is so common. Thule tells us it will be updating the included documentation and says, “The small half-moon parts need to be removed for this newer bracket to attach directly to the a-head steerer.”

The bracket itself clamps down onto the steerer with a pair of bolts that need to be tightened to 8Nm. However, before you do this, put the remaining spacers and stem back on to set the headset bearing preload. You’ll also need to ensure your stem is not touching the front end of the clamp, and you may need to move some spacers around.

With that, you’ll also need to consider the length of your steerer. On my Norco Optic, there is 70mm of steer that sticks out above the top bearing cap. With the bracket installed and requisite spacers under the stem, if my steerer was any shorter I would not be comfortable using this seat.

Once the bracket is mounted, it’s a matter of clipping the seat in, loading your shredder up and rolling out. While Thule only includes one bracket, extras can be purchased separately should you want to shuffle the seat between multiple bikes.

Riding with the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini

My son is two-years-old and he is a BIG two-year-old. For perspective, he weighs in at 14.8kg, and he’s been wearing toddler clothes sized for three-year-olds since his second birthday.

He fits comfortably in the seat, and there is plenty of room to adjust the stirrups. I have had him on the Kids Ride Shotgun for some time, so he is well-trained to grab my handlebars, and I could not get him to grab the bar on the Yepp seat. The big difference is that he wouldn’t need to hang on as he securely fastened to the seat. Even after weeks of ripping around in the Yepp, he still grabs onto my bars and will not even entertain the thought of using the integrated bar — welcome to the mind of a two-year-old.

For me, riding the bike, the Yepp seat positions kiddo in a more comfortable spot, forward and higher than the Kids Ride Shotgun Pro. With my son on the Kids Ride Shotgun, my knees graze his bum as I pedal.

With the seat itself mounted to your bars, it turns when you do, which limits your turning circle as the footrests hit your top tube. There is plenty of radius to get around corners on your local bike path or reserve track, but you’d hit the limit quickly on the first singletrack switchback.

Kids Ride Shotgun vs Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini

The question we were most often asked while mobbing around in the Yepp 2 Next Mini was how it compares to the Kids Ride Shotgun Pro.

Put simply, it’s a different experience for your child, and where they are developmentally will largely decide as to which seat is right for your family.

The Yepp seat places your child as more of a passenger, whereas the Kids Ride Shotgun makes them a part of the experience, and they can help you steer and lean into corners.

Frankly, I put my son on the Kids Ride Shotgun a little bit too early, and while he loved it from the start, there were times when I could tell he didn’t quite have the strength to hold on comfortably to counteract some of the humps and bumps we were riding over. Even still, from day one, it’s been damn near impossible to get him off the seat when the ride is over, as he always wants to keep going.

Looking back, the Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini would have been the ideal stepping stone to something like the Kids Ride Shotgun or MacRide, where they can experience how much fun it is to roll down a hill or explore the world around them on a bike, but be a bit less gripped trying to hang on.

When it comes to setup and living with the seat and mounting interface, I’d say the Thule system would be on par with the original Kids Ride Shotgun. The Thule Mounting bracket is something that could live on your bike permanently, but it’s pretty big and blocky, and I suspect most folks wouldn’t leave it on for their weekly group ride or a shuttle day.

It’s only a five-minute job, provided your mini-shredder doesn’t want to “help,” which, in my experience, adds about 15 minutes to the process.

Flow’s Verdict

Front-mounted kids’ seats are rad. They allow you to spend time with your child outside, having fun, and they don’t have to stare at your sweaty back. They are in among the action, watching the world go by just like you!

The Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini is a seat you can mount on your mountain bike — or beach cruiser, commuter, townie, etc. — to introduce your little one to riding early on. However, while you can mount it to your mountain bike, mountain biking with it would be a stretch.

While your child is supported by a cocoon of foam, the stirrups hitting your top tube when you turn the bars too far will be a major limiting factor, even on mellow bits of singletrack. With that, every bump you hit gets transmitted to the seat as they can’t stand up.

With that said, it’s more than sufficient to cut laps of your local bike path, ride to the shops and explore your neighbourhood.

You’ll need to tick a few boxes for the fitment, namely having enough length in the steerer tube. If you can check that box, I can’t think of many better options to introduce your children to bikes and enjoying the outdoors.

The post Review | Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini front mounted kids seat appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Speed racing is out, comfy, casual fun is in.

Vana Collective Short & Long Sleeve Tech Tee

• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Fit: runs true to size. Em wears a small and still feels like a casual fit (usually 8-10)

Comfy Casual

As someone who feels most confident riding graphic t-shirts or crop tops, Vana is as feel-good on the trails as the story behind the brand. Vana has the mix of casual fits sorted for women who ride, but aren’t about that skin-tight-downhill-racer-style.

Vana offers a range of kit, but fundamentally, this gear takes the cotton (or, in this case, predominately hemp) flappy T-shirt and elevates it with a female-focused cut and stretch. The product is high quality, Australian-made fabric and construction with thoughtful, simple colour block designs with fit and durability being the top design features.

Hemp as a fibre has high moisture-wicking properties, plenty of breathability, and a fair bit of inherent stretch. When you do sweat, it does well to thermoregulate, and the hemp, cotton and spandex blend used in these jerseys maintains its air permeability without feeling like it’s going to vaporise the first time it has a brush with the ground. Let’s just say, I would be more comfortable taking a hit in this hemp long sleeve than some racing jerseys, and I would probably feel more stylin’ whilst doing it.

I have tested these tees everywhere from bike park laps at Mystic to longer format gravel rides where you quickly go from overheated on a climb to wanting a bit more coverage on a chillier descent. The long-sleeved hemp tech tee offers ideal coverage and breathability for this kind of riding.

You do get a sweat on, but the fabric is quick drying and remains a comfortable temperature even when wet, given the hemp properties.

Fit & Style

Along with quality fabrics and the female form being top of mind in designing this product, there is also a women’s specific size range. This is unique in mountain biking, where so much kit suffers from the shrink and pink approach. Vana’s sizing runs from extra small to XXL and is more on the slightly slouchy fit side of technical tees.

Vana Collective Trail Pants

• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
• Style: Tall and Regular
• Fit: runs true to size or on the slightly larger size, so sizing down if you are on the fence might be the best option. Em wears an extra small and prefers a snug pant, (usually an 8-10)

Women’s riding pants are always a bit hit-and-miss across mountain bike brands. I have tried many and also had the opportunity to hear frank reviews from other girlfriends across different product ranges.

The Vana Trail Pants seem to offer a combination of what every woman on a mountain bike is looking for. First, there is a waistband that is snug and sits in just the right spot, with the faculty to adjust the waistline. The legs are cut so that you can comfortably wear knee pads and won’t experience uncomfortable bunching or compression on the knee and thighs.

The textile that Vana has chosen is water resistant but is still incredibly light, stretchy and breathable. It also has enough stretch and comfort to allow leg movement without adjusting the waistband as you are riding.

And OPTIONS! Options in size, options in length and knowing that the fit is tested meaningfully by women is a huge advantage when picking the right riding fit.

Location, depth, and abundance of pockets are an ongoing female struggle that has been carefully considered in these pants. There is room for your phone, keys, and snacks galore.

The only point of improvement on the pants could be utilising a sturdier waistband construction. Over hours of riding, the waistband certainly holds in place and is adjustable with the metal fastening, however, with a single stitch between the hook loops, this may be a point of failure when things wear out.

As someone who loves a bit of a minimalist look on the bike and enjoys a seamless transition from ride to coffee, this brand offers a quality and female focus in their product design that a lot of the larger scale operators don’t seem to deliver. Vana Collective has certainly passed the flappy t-shirt test for a fantastic product.

The post Fresh Produce | Vana Collective Premium MTB Jersey and Trail Pants appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

New from 100% are the Aerocraft sunnies. Designed in California, these blade-style speed dealers incorporate the brand’s 3D plane moulded lens technology. This futuristic shaping has featured in its MX and snow goggles since 2019, and the brand says it offers exceptional optical clarity and an uninterrupted field of view.

100% Aerocraft Key Features

Lenses

The Ultra HD lenses are manufactured from high-impact, shatter-resistant and lightweight polycarbonate. 100% say they offer 360° visibility for unobstructed views and optimal field of vision. We’re not quite sure how they help you see out of the back of your head, but in the field of view our eyes can see they are sharp and mostly distortion-free, save for where you can see the contoured shaping of the lens.

The lenses are interchangeable and offer full UV protection (UV400). We have found the lenses to be exceptionally clear and have so far survived many dusty rides and being thrown around inside our gear bag without any scratches or damage. 100% also applies a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating to help that sunscreen and dust infused sweat that drips out of the front of your helmet bead and run off the bottom of the lens rather than smearing and making a mess.

Thankfully we haven’t tested out the impact-resistant claims on any rides yet, however, they do have a sturdy feel to them, significantly more so than some other high-end, lightweight sunnies do.

The Aerocraft range features two different lens types, standard tinted and the HiPER version we have here.  This is a proprietary lens from 100% that is claimed to boost contrast and colours to enhance details on the trail. This works in a similar vein to Oakley’s Prizm or Smith’s Chromapop where the lens is tuned to filter specific wavelengths of coloured light to help your eyes pick up detail. On the trail, we have found these lenses to be crystal clear without any distortion or strange light reflections.

The non-HiPER lenses are made from the same shatter-resistant polycarbonate and see full UV protection. They just miss out on the contrast-enhancing colour filtering.

Frame

The frames feature adjustable temple tips to dial in your fit, along with ultra-grip rubber nose pads and arms to help keep the sunnies on your head even when you get sweaty.

We have been testing them with a couple of different helmets and they have fit in nicely with a Fox Spreedframe, Leatt Enduro 3.0 and Smith Forefront 2 setups.

They haven’t had any of that annoying rub between straps or the retention system and the sunglass arms, or any uncomfortable pressure points that some sunnies have after a few hours on your head.

The adjustable temple tips are surprisingly effective, and even when angled in to create a secure fit, they don’t dig in.

The front also sees a removable rubberised brow pad, which is something we are in two minds about. On the one hand, it prevents your eyebrows from smudging the inside of your lens, but on the other hand, it doesn’t let as much airflow through to demist the interior. Being winter we can’t speak to how this performs in the heat, but we’d speculate the browpad will be out once the mercury begins to rise.

Flow’s Verdict

The new Aerocraft sunnies from 100% are a premium product, they are lightweight, comfortable, and offer a crystal clear uninterrupted view through the high tech lenses.

We do like the HiPER lens and it does seem to offer some contrast improvement, helping our eyes to pick out details in varied light conditions. As one of 100%’s pricier options, we think it is the aesthetic that will be make or break for most folks.

The post Fresh Produce | 100% Aerocraft Sunnies appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

A quality pair of gloves can go a long way in ensuring your mitts are protected and comfortable on any ride. Muc-Off believes their D30 Rider Glove hit all these key indicators of a good set of gloves, whilst also offering touch screen compatible index and thumb tips — and yes they really do work!

Muc-Off D30 Rider Gloves

• Size: XS – XXL
• Price: $TBC

‘Muc Off’s D30 Rider gloves are for riders who put a premium on knuckle protection, arguably at the expense of ventilation. Whilst they aren’t quite winter gloves, they feature a 2-layer stretch softshell fabric with an abrasion-resistant outer layer, making them more suitable for those cooler mornings on the trails or your commute into work. A silicone gripper print on the palm plus a soft micro-fiber nose wipe on the thumb are nice bits of finishing. 

The extended neoprene cuff which runs up the wrist slightly makes for an ergonomic fit. This works in tandem with the gloves polyester inner and integrated knuckle protector making for a cosy fit that also provides protection against the elements and a stack. The D30 knuckle protector is unrestrictive, staying soft and flexible (incognito mode if you will) as you ride the non-newtonian material stiffens on impact — because no one wants a busted knuckle.

The touch-screen-compatible fingertips are a great asset so you can whip out your phone and snap those actions photos or videos with no delay in trying to rip a glove off!

The post Fresh Produce | Muc-Off D30 Rider Gloves appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Meanwhile, the Trans Alpine 24 backpack is tailored for big backcountry adventures, that’s plenty large enough to lug your water, snacks and a whole lot more.

Related:

• Fresh Produce | Deuter Cabezon Saddle and Frame Bags
• Fresh Produce | Albek Skytrail 51 Gear Bag

Deuter Aviant Duffel Pro Movo Black 90L

The Avian Duffel Pro Movo 90L is a beast of a bag designed to prevent your big riding holiday to Derby or Cape to Cape race week from being ruined by baggage handlers en route.

This 90-litre roller duffel boasts smooth-spinning wheels and a sturdy retractable handle for navigating airports, complete with its own zippered cover. This may seem like a minor thing, but we’ve just had a similar roller bag appear on a luggage carousel with a totally shattered handle, rendering it completely useless.

Deuter has also included storable shoulder straps for when you leave the tarmac.

The bag itself is made from 600D TPU-coated canvas. This water-resistant fabric is becoming increasingly common. Basically, every brand that sells bags offers a duffle made from it because it’s hard-wearing and will shed water when your bag is sitting on the back of a luggage cart being loaded or unloaded in the rain.

It’s also not particularly lightweight, and this bag weighs 3.8kg before you’ve put anything inside.

As its name suggests, the Avian Duffel Pro Movo 90L is based on a duffel design, allowing complete access to the main compartment. Three cinch straps ensure all your kit stays put, and Deuter has added reinforcements to the corners and high-wear areas.

Inside, there’s a large mesh pocket on the top and some smaller organiser pockets on the sides to prevent important bits from disappearing into the mid-trip brackish mix of clean and dirty clothes inside.

Deuter has also integrated an NFC chip into the bag, which allows you to electronically store your contact information should you and your bag become separated. Of course, the finder will need to know this ahead of time to scan it with their phone.

Deuter Trans Alpine 24

The Deuter Trans Alpine 24 is an MTB-specific backpack that Deuter says is designed for multi-day rides. At 24l, it’s quite a large riding pack, and you can fit a fair whack of gear inside in addition to a 3l water bladder — plenty for a night under the stars it would also make a great commuter backpack for pedalling to and from work.

Deuter says it’s made from recycled fabrics, the DWR treatment is PFAS-free and the materials are bluesign, ClimateParter, and Green Button certified.

The bag is based on Deuter’s Airstripes system, which sees air mesh used on the shoulder straps and hip belt and a pair of knobbly mesh hotdogs on the back panel to create space for air to flow through and minimise contact with your back. Deuter has also embedded aluminium stays in the foam to allow you to shape the bag to your body and create the structure needed to pull the back off your back.

Beyond the main compartment, there is a front pocket with organisers for small bits and a separate zippered compartment on the bottom for wet clothes or bulk items. On the sides, there’s also space for water bottles, and separate pump and smartphone stash compartments.

Last but definitely not least, the hip belt has snack pockets, the front has a stretch mesh pouch large enough to store a helmet, and there is an integrated rain cover.

The post Fresh Produce | Deuter Aviant Duffel and Trans Alpine Backpack appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

The Routewerks handlebar bag exemplifies user-centred design, with the team paying meticulous attention to detail, accounting for how out you’ll interact with the bag while riding, organising what fits inside, and the varying needs of different riders. The result is a polished bit of bar-mounted luggage, but that comes with a staggering price tag of $419.95 AUD.

Related:

• Fresh Produce | Deuter Mondego Bikepacking Bags
• Fresh Product | Albek H20 Haul Hydration Packs
• 2023 Santa Cruz Stigmata Review | A versatile gravel racer with a wild side

Bag Features

The Routewerks Handlebar bag is constructed from a 500d PU-coated Cordura fabric paired with a hard polymer lid, which feels sturdy and durable during use. While the bag is not 100% waterproof, it is somewhat resistant, preventing the contents from becoming wet during short showers.

The connection from bike-to-bag is where the design of the Routewerks bag truly stands out, starting with an extruded, machined and anodized aluminium fixture clamped to the handlebar using stainless steel bolts. These come with the bag in a 31.8mm diameter and are available aftermarket in 26mm and 25.4mm diameters to suit a variety of bikes.

When it comes time to attach the bag, it hooks over the top of the fixture and uses an aluminium quick-release latch and clamp to firmly secure everything in place. This results in an incredibly stable connection even when loaded with goodies for a day’s worth of riding over rough terrain. Speaking of loading it with goodies, it has a maximum carrying capacity of 4kg — that’s a lot of snacks for one ride!

The lid opens via a neat anodized aluminium tab which is easy to find one-handed, exposing the plethora of storage pockets inside. A lot of thought has been poured into the size and location of each pocket, with each featuring snap-lock closures and opening tabs. Fixed to the underside of the lid is a single zipper pocket for the essentials, which we found to be suitably sized for keys, coins, and other small items which often are lost at the bottom of a backpack.

Routewerks have included provisions for mounting common computers and lights via modular mounts, fixed to either the lid or side of the bag. Included with the bag is a BarFly mounting plate, which can be further adapted for use with various computer mounting pucks. Light mounts are located off the side of the bag but will need to be purchased separately.

Flows Take on the Routewerks Handlebar Bag

The Routewerks Handlebar Bag is a premium piece of kit that carries a hefty price tag. The design is extremely well thought out, the construction is tough and durable, and the fitment is solid and well suited to long rough days on the gravel bike. It wouldn’t be our go-to for bikepacking, there are other bags better suited to carrying larger loads such as the Deuter bags we recently reviewed. But for big days out on the gravel bike or the daily commute, the Routewerks Handlebar Bag is an excellent option for carrying snacks, spares, and even a refreshingly hoppy reward after that last big climb.

The post Fresh Produce | Routewerks Handlebar Bag appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Five Ten have been making shoes almost as long as mountain biking has existed. They started out in California making rock climbing shoes in the 1980’s, and quickly became known for their sticky “Stealth Rubber” soles.

Jump forward to the early 2000’s when mountain biking was really taking off, FiveTen dipped their toes in with the Impact Pro model. These downhill shoes quickly became the stuff of legend, and were the first flat pedal shoe worn to a World Championship victory by none other than Sam Hill. They haven’t put a foot wrong since, and continued to support the sport in its early years, with Australian riders Nathan Rennie and Chris Kovarik also having signature model shoes. Ah the glory days!

After being acquired by Adidas in 2020, FiveTen MTB shoes became more difficult to find, and we were a bit worried they would lose their legendary status. Thankfully they’ve stepped back into the limelight with a modern flat pedal shoe, the new Freerider Pro. We’ve got our hands (or feet?) on a pair, so let’s slip them on and see what they’re all about.

Tech Features

These sleek Five Tens are reasonably lightweight at 378g per shoe. Despite the name, the new Freerider Pros are probably best suited for the modern trail rider.

A key feature being the sturdy reinforced toe box, designed to keep your toes safe should you kick any foreign objects out on the trail. The outer sole of the shoe utilises FiveTen’s Stealth S1 rubber, which aims to provide the best combination of durability and grip. The upper part of the shoe is constructed with a recycled synthetic material that’s designed to protect your feet from the weather, while offering ample breathability.

The quality of the materials used are of a high standard, which is something we’ve come to expect from Five Ten. However for a shoe labeled “Pro” we were hoping to see a few more features like a pull tag at the heel, and a more refined pocket to tuck the laces into. It may sound like a minor detail, but there’s nothing worse than getting your shoelaces stuck in your chainring!

Comfort & Fit

The fit is immediately comfortable, there is no doubt Adidas know their way around a shoe! We’d say the sizing is on the roomy side, the spacious toe box exaggerates this feel. However the heel cup provided a snug and secure hold.

If you are between sizes, we’d recommend sizing down. This will not only improve the overall comfort but also help to get a more direct feel on the pedals. This reduces any float within the shoe. We’d love to see a lace-free version using a system similar to BOA. These securing systems can often help to dial in the fit that little bit better. They’re also neater and faster to tighten compared with regular laces.

The soles are quite stiff, which provides excellent power transfer to the pedals, but can make them slightly awkward to walk around in. This is only really an issue if you’re doing push runs or long hike-a-bikes.

Out on the Trail, Our Impressions

Now, time to get a grip! Pun very much intended, we had to get one in there! The S1 rubber impressed us during testing, it’s like having a MaxxGrip Assegai on the bottom of your shoe!

There’s plenty of grip, in fact, that we found ourselves having to lift up and reposition our foot if it did move out of place. For riders coming from SPD pedals, you’ll feel immediately at home as the reset motion is similar to clipping in. For flat pedal riders that usually run less gripping shoes, this may take some getting used to. They’ll just keep hanging on even if you’ve only got a few pins engaged with the shoe.

We expect this very sticky sole may come at the cost of some durability, so stay tuned for our long term test.

Flow’s Verdict

Our primary tester for this article has been riding SPD shoes for many years now. However he was pleasantly surprised at how easy the transition back to flats has been. This can be attributed to the sure-footedness of the Freerider Pros. They are confidence inspiring, which makes the idea of riding flats more appealing.

So who would we recommend these shoes to? If you want to hit jumps and throw down mean no-footers, these may not be the shoes for you. We’d say they’re more suited to flat pedal riders who are afraid of slipping a pedal and want maximum grip. Or potentially, SPD riders who like to run flats when trail conditions are slick.

Five Ten Freerider Pro Details

• S1 dotty rubber outsole
• Synthetic, weather resistant upper
• Reinforced toe box
• Sizes: US 7–13
• Colors: Grey or Black

The post Fresh Produce | Five Ten Freerider Pro appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

We just got our hands, or noggins rather, on a fresh new colour option for Lazer’s tried and tested, Jackal KinetiCore helmet. Designed as an alternative to MIPS, KinetiCore has been developed in-house by Lazer to offer integrated rotational impact protection, albeit with a couple of notable advantages.

The overall sizing remains much the same as the previous MIPS version. That means you’re getting the same multi-panel polycarbonate shell, a 3-position adjustable visor, a FidLock magnetic buckle, the TurnSys fit system, and goggle compatibility.

Safety Tech

Rather than use a plastic slip-liner, KinetiCore sees a suite of controlled crumple zones moulded into the EPS foam itself. On impact, these moulded blocks are designed to flex and crumple, providing both rotational and linear impact protection in one. Clever!

Because this moulding technique is essentially removing foam from the helmet’s EPS core and the slip liner, less plastic is used in its construction, and that results in a lighter helmet. The Jackal KinetiCore helmet we’ve been testing comes in at 356g for a size medium, which is significantly lighter than the previous Jackal MIPS helmet (412g).

Fit and Comfort

The moulded channels also have the side benefit of increasing ventilation, and that’s perhaps the biggest difference we’ve noticed between the Jackal KinetiCore and the previous MIPS version. With the elimination of the MIPS liner, this results in less wobble and the helmet has a more secure feel all-round. The removal of MIPS hasn’t impacted the coveted five-star rating determined by the Virginia Tech standards. This adds legitimacy to Lazer’s safety claims as Virginia Tech is an independent tester.

Accessory Compatibility

On the back of the helmet you may find what looks like fuzzy caterpillar weaving around the rear vent. Fear not, a caterpillar hasn’t made a home in your helmet, this furry-grippy strip is designed to keep your goggle strap in place.

Beside the helmet, in the box you’ll receive a soft helmet bag and a GoPro/light mount. The mount fits neatly in the top square vent of the helmet, with the two velcro straps sinching down on either side for a secure fit. After some initial testing with a GoPro we experienced no issues of any unwanted movement.

Flow’s Verdict

If you’re looking for a new half shell helmet the Lazer Jackal KinetiCore is a worthy contender. The price is competitive and the colourways certainly make a statement out on the trails. Most importantly though, the Jackal is packed with the latest safety tech which has been certified by independent testing agencies.

The post Fresh Produce | Lazer Jackal KinetiCore appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

The Heatwave MXG-250 is a goggle with a classic shape, a minimalist aesthetic and plenty of tech to ensure it performs well out on the trails. Heatwave has predominantly been focused on sunglasses until this point, but their MXG-250 is the brand’s first foray into goggles.

There are a variety of frame and lens options to choose from. Whether you’re after a subtle look or going for more of a ‘party person’ vibe, they’ve got you covered. At Flow, we’ve had the ‘Stealth Black’ version along with the ‘Icon White’ and ‘Hyrdocraft Aquatic’ colour variants strapped to our helmets to put them to the test. 

Key Features

Frame

The Heatwave MXG-250 has quite a classic look to it and it was instantly a feature we really liked. The sharp angles and stealthy asethetic were a crowd favourite at Flow HQ. The goggles feature a smart vent structure under the eyes, either side of the nose piece. This allowed for plenty of airflow and helped to keep the goggles fog-free during testing.

The nosepiece can be a contentious issue with goggles. We’ve ridden goggles before that squeeze your nose to the point that it sounds like you’ve been sucking on helium. Thankfully, that’s not the case with MXG-250s, they’re firm but by no means tight.

The frames are quite thick, compared to other mountain bike specific options out there. This adds to the overall the depth of the goggle but hasn’t caused any intrusion with fit or comfort.  The thicker padding makes for a comfortable fit, and we didn’t have any compatibility issues with this on our TLD D4 or Smith Mainline helmets. 

The added depth of the goggle can largely be attributed to the thick foam used. It’s extremely comfortable and absorbs sweat well. We’d say this is important in a moto goggle as you may often ride for an extended period of time. In comparison, most mountain bike trails are only a few minutes long and then you remove your goggles for the uplift back to the top. The size may be an issue of style for some, but there is no arguing about the comfort and sweat wicking performance. We should also add that we didn’t find the thicker foam to obstruct our field of vision at all.

Lenses

We were stoked to see two lenses included with MXG-250 goggles. There is a tinted and a clear option included, both with what they describe as “extreme-condition anti-fog coatings”. Certain colour offerings come with a reflective tinted lens as opposed to the standard tint, colour matched to the style of goggles. 

The tinted lens worked great in sunny conditions, but doesn’t have the same low light capabilities of lenses like Oakely’s Prizm or Smith’s Chromapop technology.

Available Colours

Flow’s Verdict

The MXG-250 is a goggle with a clean aesthetic as well as plenty of great tech features incorporated into both the frame and lenses. There are 8 colourways to choose from as well as multiple lens options. For Heatwave’s first ever goggle, MXG-250 is a strong contender and we’ve been thoroughly impressed with the fit and comfort.

The post Fresh Produce | Heatwave MXG-250 Goggle appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

The classic blade sunnies have been around for far longer than I’ve been riding bikes, and despite full coverage wrap-around sunnies only getting larger over the years, the idea is the same. Protect your eyeballs from the wind and flying debris without putting anything in your field of view.

Related:

• Fresh Produce | 100% Speedcraft SL Sunglasses
• Fresh Produce | 100% Hypercraft Sunglasses
• Fresh Produce | POC Devour Sunglasses
• Fresh Produce | Heatwave Vector and Future Tech Sunglasses

The Lenses | Big, bold and high-tech

These sunnies really are a lens, with some arms attached, and that lens is based around Smith’s ChromaPop colour filtering tech. According to Smith, the technology is tuned to filter specific wavelengths of coloured light — namely, where the green, red and blue wavelengths cross over to enhance contrast and to help your eyes pick out details across a broader range of light conditions. Oakley, 100%, POC, Shimano and others all have similar colour-filtering tech in their high-end sunnies, and while it reads like a marketing feature, there is definitely something there.

With Smith’s system in particular, it’s impressive how well you can see across changeable light and darker conditions despite these being a relatively dark 15% VTL lens.

Of the high-end riding sunnies I’ve used over the years, I firmly believe Smith has the best optical clarity of the bunch, and if there is any distortion out along the edge of the lens, it’s well beyond the limits of my peripheral vision — both on the tinted and clear lens. Extra points for also applying the hydrophobic coating to both the inside and outside of the lens.

Of course, one of the main features of these glasses is the easy lens swaps using the brand’s PivLock system. This system utilises a ball joint to help you get leverage over the arm and lens to snap everything into place, preventing that horrible I-feel-like-I’m-going-to-snap-this feeling you get with changing the lenses on a lot of other sunnies.

Previous iterations of this system saw the arm rotated directly on the lens, which often scratched some of the tint off. Smith has solved this by adding a frame of the same nylon used on the arms around the edge of the lens to create a buffer.

Of course, this does not solve the inherent problem with lens swap systems that rely on the ‘pop’ to secure everything in place. Over time, with repeated lens changes, they loosen up. In the six or so months I’ve been using the Vert PivLock, the pop is not quite as crisp as it was on day one. If you are a serial lens changer, Smith’s sunnies that use the MAG system solve this problem and it feels like quite a missed opportunity that it has not been employed on these glasses.

Fit and finish

Smith says the Vert PivLock has a medium to large fit. Side by side with a pair of Oakley Sutro Lite sunnies, the lens is a hair taller and more cylindrical. Even still, they aren’t bordering on goggle size like the Oakley Airbrake or 100% S3.

The arms are straight and seem to play nice with all of the retention systems and rear cradles of the helmets we have on hand. Smith has also put the right amount of tension on the arms to grip your head — in combination with the Megol rubber tips — without causing a headache.

The nose piece is made from the same rubber and sees a slight amount of adjustability — though I can’t say I could perceive any difference. Perhaps someone with a more petite schnoz may.

While the weight of sunglasses doesn’t really matter, the Vert PivLock are very light — 28g in fact — they really do disappear on your face. You have to strain your eyes to see the edge of the lens, and it wraps far enough to mostly combat dazzling light leaking in from the sides when the sun is low and light speckled.

Flow Verdict

Smith’s Vert PivLock are undoubtedly high-end sunglasses at $295 AUD, but they fall into the company of similar offerings from Oakley, 100%, Bollé, POC—you get the idea.

When it comes to fit, optical clarity, and the Chromapop lens, there really isn’t much to critique. It’s all very nice, well-finished, and high-performing. Smith also includes a spare clear lens, microfiber bag, and pretty schmick hard case.

However, the downfall of the Vert PivLock is the PivLock aspect. There is nothing wrong with this system, and in fact it’s one of the better options out there. Still, it’s not as good as Smith’s own MAG system, and why these aren’t Vert MAGs boggles my mind.

For those looking for high-end riding sunnies with the option to change the lenses — but are not serial lens changer — you won’t be disappointed with the Vert PivLock.

The post Fresh Produce | Smith Vert PivLock Sunglasses appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Related:

• Fresh Produce | Albek H20 Haul Hydration Packs
• Long Term Test | 10,000km With The Thule EPOS Platform Rack

Thule Rail 2L Hip Pack – $129

Shown here, the Thule Rail Hip Pack 2L is on the smaller side and weighs just 230g. However, it still manages to pack (*ahem*) in a load of high-quality features. There are dedicated holsters for carrying two water bottles, and these are wrapped with stretchy stuff pockets for packing food and gels that you can easily access without having to take the pack off.

Inside the main zippered compartment you’ll find segmented pouches for organising your tools and spares, and there’s a dedicated felt-lined phone pocket on the front for carrying your Nokia 3310 or perhaps even a BlackBerry (ooh fancy!).

The elasticated waistband offers surprisingly good stability, thanks to the addition of a nylon buckle and dual tension straps. Tightening the waist straps adds tension across the bottles, helping to minimise wiggling and jiggling. Also nice to see is the perforated foam padding, which is good for both comfort and ventilation.

Thule Rail 4L Hip Pack – $199

The Thule Rail Hip Pack 4L is the biggest bum bag option in the range, and comes with a 1.5L hydration bladder included. Manufactured by Hydrapak, the bladder uses a sliding closure system for ease of cleaning, and a soft bite valve for getting fluids into your cake hole. A clever trick brought over from the Thule Rail & Vital backpacks is the magnetic strip for the hose, which does a brilliant job of stopping it from flapping about all over the place. However, Southpaws should take note – the hose routing is biased for right handed use.

Like the Rail 2L, the Rail 4L gets a dedicated phone pouch on the front. A big looped cord for the zipper makes this quite easy to access while you’re riding, useful for mid-ride TikTok’ing, levelling up on Snake, or angrily commenting on Flow’s latest social media post. There’s also the same stretch pouches on each waist, a zippered main compartment with interior organiser pockets, and a front flap that’s just the right size for a lightweight wind jacket.

The post Fresh Produce | Thule Rail 2L & 4L Hip Packs appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Heatwave Vector & Future Tech Sunglasses key features: 

Lenses: 

The Vector and Future Tech glasses are available in a variety of lens options, which all include anti-fog and shatter-resistant technology, and are available in both fixed tint, photochromic and clear. 

When doing a side-by-side comparison with more expensive options, from popular brands like Smith, Oakley and 100%, there is a difference in visual optics. For example, technology like Smith’s ChromaPop is a filter that is tuned to block certain colour wavelengths, namely where the green, red and blue wavelengths cross over to help your eyes pick out details and create contrast. While it may sound like marketing mumbo jumbo, in our experience, you can ride these tinted lenses in surprisingly dark conditions before vision becomes poor — they also average about $300 AUD in price. Oakley’s Prizm and 100%’s HiPER are both versions of this type of colour filtering. 

The Heatwave Vector’s tinted lens doesn’t have this technology and will require you to reach for the clear lens a little sooner. On another note, the clear lens needs to be bought separately. We’d love to see this included, as we believe this would significantly add to their already decent value. 

Bright sunlight or moderate shade was where the tinted Vector performed really well. The contrast and clarity left nothing to be desired here. Another positive is that it’s easy to swap to a clear lens via their tool-free system if deep, dark woods are your jam.

The Photochromic lens we had fitted to the Future Tech glasses was a standout and is truly the jack-of-all-trades for lens tints. The lens varies its tint from 75% to 17% visual light transmission depending on the light intensity, which was excellent when transitioning from dark to lighter sections of the trail. They won’t adjust quite as dark as the brand’s traditional tinted lenses which have 9% visual light transmission, but we found them suitable on even the sunniest days. 

Heatwave Vector Frame Design

These are Heatwave’s lightest frames at 39g (with lens installed). Despite being their lightest, the Vector still feels robust and well-constructed. The low profile of the lens means that it fits close to your face. This is a benefit of any MTB eyewear, as it reduces the chance of debris slipping in behind the lens. The close profile also opens the peripheries and contributes to the overall range of view, which is something we were really pleased with during testing. We definitely didn’t feel any sort of tunnel vision. One of the ways these specs achieve such a close fit is through the Hytrel rubber nose piece, and a forward tilting frame that enables them to sit further back on the nose. We found the nose piece to be comfortable and provide the right amount of pressure to keep them snug but not digging in. 

Heatwave Future Tech Frame Design

Welcome to the future! The brand claims the Future Tech sunglasses are the future of high-speed performance, certainly a bold statement. Will they make you any faster on the bike? Probably not. Do they look fast? Hell yeah!

The Future Tech sunglasses adopt a more futuristic style, with a broad and square edge frame compared to the Vector. Along with the same frameless lower portion to the lens, which provides an excellent field of vision, they include integration side shields that prevent sun, wind or debris from inhibiting vision. Due to the squarer style, they sit slightly further from your face compared to the Vector, but we still found them to be very comfortable during longer rides. The arms of the glasses include a neat rubber moulding which was comfortable to wear and prevented any movement when wearing them, but also helped when storing the glasses on our helmet.

Flow’s Verdict:

For a mid-price product, the Heatwave Vector and Future Tech glasses are a great option. Particularly if you prefer running a clear lens when you ride. Whilst the tinted lenses didn’t perform as well as some of the more high end competitors, we feel this is fair considering the price difference, and the photochromic lenses were perfect for varied sunlight conditions. There are a variety of colourways in both the frames and lenses; so enjoy the freedom in dialling in your desired look!

The post Fresh Produce | Heatwave Vector & Future Tech Sunglasses appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Bontrager, Trek’s in-house components brand, has revamped its cross-country and trail tyre offerings for 2024, with updated tread patterns, sidewall casings, rubber compounds and graphics. Most notably, the alphanumeric naming convention of years past has been ditched, with the recently released tyres being named after the location that inspired them.

Related

• Specialized Tyre Review | Butcher, Eliminator & Purgatory T7/T9 Tyres
• Pirelli Scorpion Tyre Review | Scorpion XC, Enduro & Race Enduro tyres
• Continental Tyre Review | Argotal, Kryptotal & Xynotal Tyres

Bontrager Gunnison Trail Tyre

Bontrager’s Gunnison tyre, inspired after Gunnison, Colorado, USA, home of some classic barren rocky trails and high alpine descents — like the infamous 401 loop — is the brand new trail tyre aimed at balancing speed and grip in a wide variety of conditions.

Replacing the late Bontrager SE4, the Gunnison Pro XR is tubeless ready, features a dual compound rubber construction for reduced rolling resistance whilst maintaining cornering traction, a 60TPI casing with sidewall puncture protection and weighed in at a confirmed 890 grams per tyre. The tread pattern of the Gunnison appears not too dissimilar to its SE4 predecessor, featuring alternating 2x and 3x central lugs and alternating parallel and angled cornering knobs, with generous spacing throughout for shedding mud.

Bontrager is offering the Gunnison Pro XR in a 29×2.4in or 29×2.6in width, and a 27.5×2.6inch option is available. The cost of tyres seems to have skyrocketed as of late, but Bontrager has kept the Gunnison comparatively reasonable at $79.99 per tyre.

For those seeking a bit of extra sidewall protection or stickier rubber, Bontrager offers the Gunnison RSL XT, featuring the same tread pattern as the Pro XR with a 120PTI casing with apex puncture protection and triple compound rubber construction. The extra puncture protection and sticker rubber come with a weight and price penalty, with Bontrager claiming the RSL XT 29×2.4in variant weighing in at 950grams per tyre and costs an extra $40 per tyre.

Flow’s Initial Impressions

Fitment of the Gunnison’s wasn’t quite as easy as we were hoping, with the rear tyre fitting rather loose on the Santa Cruz Reserve rims on Nick’s Tallboy. Following multiple failed attempts with a tubeless specific floor pump, we had to bring out big guns (AKA the air compressor), and even then, we had to remove the valve core to obtain enough flow through the valve to seat the tyre.

On the trail, the identical front and rear tyres provide an excellent balance of speed and traction, exactly as claimed. They are sprightly enough to be well suited to shorter travel bikes, but provide predictable and dependable traction in loose and rocky terrain. It’s a little too early to conclude their long-term durability, but so far we have seen minimal wear and haven’t had any punctured or sidewall cuts.

Compared to the Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M/R combination Nick recently tested on his Tallboy, the Gunnison Pro XR’s feel a little less race-focused, being slightly slower to accelerate and requiring a little extra effort to keep them rolling. On the flip side, the traction was more predictable and was not as sensitive to rider inputs, especially when things got a little steeper and rougher.

What kind of bike does Bontrager’s new Gunnison Pro XR’s tyre suit? We think these will be best fitted Trail bikes ranging from 120mm to 140mm travel is the sweet spot. In saying that, smaller bikes could benefit from their predictable traction and bigger bikes from their sprightliness on the trail.

The post Fresh Produce | Bontrager Gunnison Tyres appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

UK-based Rimpact has been around since 2018, producing foam tyre inserts that live in the well of the rim and offer a degree of sidewall support. Rimpact have recently launched it’s V2 series of inserts, including the flagship Pro insert featuring dual-density closed cell foam designed specifically for Enduro and Downhill racing.

Rimpact Pro V2 Inserts

The V2 combines multiple rolling changes on the Original and Pro series inserts, including making them wider to better suit common 2.4in-2.6in tyres, and improving the design to reduce stretch over the life of the insert.

The Rimpact Pro V2 inserts are available individually or as a pair in either 29in or 27.5in, and includes the brand’s own tubeless valves that are cross drilled to avoid the insert smothering airflow. Weighing in at 162 grams per insert on the FlowMTB scales of truth, the inserts are impressively light compared to the Cushcore Trail which weighed in at 220 grams, or the Cushcore XC inserts at 148 grams per insert, but are still nearly double the 90g Tubolight.

Related

• Fresh Produce | Continental Kryptotal & Xynotal Enduro Tyres
• Fresh Produce | Maxima Tubeless Tyre Sealant
• 8 Upgrades to make your XC bike more capable

Installation & Ride Impressions

If anyone ever tells you installing rim inserts is easy, they are either lying, or have done it more times than they care to admit. While we were hoping the revised V2 inserts would be a piece of cake to install, we were maybe a little too optimistic, and pairing them with a DH Casing Maxxis DHR2 may not have helped the situation. Thankfully, Rimpact has some very handy installation instructions on its website, which in conjunction with a large serving of patience, resulted in a mostly painless install.

On the climbs, the increase in weight was noticeable, but never to the point where it felt inefficient. Quick sprints required a little extra effort, but when navigating technical terrain, the weight came in handy, and the lower pressures and increased momentum assisted with those tricky manoeuvres.

On the descents they effectively damp impacts, especially on rocky terrain, resulting in a smoother ride with reduced vibrations. Cornering felt more secure and predictable, thanks to the added sidewall support and reduced pressures. Despite the additional rotational mass, the ride quality remained lively and didn’t detract from the responsiveness of the bike. The most notable improvement was how the bike seemed to track straighter and more predictably the rough off-camber sections of trail, resisting being kicked off line or dropping down the camber.

While inserts are often marketed at heavier riders or for those who are hard on wheels, lighter riders or those who rarely damage wheels will too benefit from the characteristics the inserts provide. The ride qualities of the Rimpact Pro V2’s became evident right away, and we quickly became accustomed to the increase in damping and stability. They are impressively light given their gravity focussed intentions, and with the additional protection and performance benefits they pose, we feel the weight penalty is a more than reasonable tradeoff.

The post Fresh Produce | Rimpact Pro V2 Tyre Inserts appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

It’s amazing how often us mountain bikers overlook the importance of eyewear considering sight is the primary sense engaged when riding. Protection is key, but so is comfort and visual clarity. We’ve been testing the Smith Rhythm goggles to see how well they address all these factors.

Smith has been in the performance eyewear game for a long time now, creating their first ski goggle over 50 years ago. They made the logical transition into the worlds of mountain bike and moto, it’s evident in the amount of tech they pack into their products. It’s not just the clarity of the optics but also the ability to stop them from fogging too.

We’ve been impressed with the Rhythm goggles and they are quickly becoming our go to set when glasses don’t quite fit the brief.

Key Features

Ventilation

The first thing we noticed was the airflow on the Rhythm goggles. There are air vents around the entirety of the frame. The top of the goggles are completely open to allow for maximum anti fog capabilities. If you don’t particularly ride in weather that is prone to goggle- fogging, you can buy an additional micro-screen that covers the top vents to prevent dirt getting in. That being said, the goggles didn’t fog nor did we get any dirt in through the top, so we’d personally run it without the screen.

Lenses

Along with the optimised airflow design of the frame, the Rhythms also feature Cylindrical Carbonic-x anti-fog lenses for clarity and impact resistance. The Iago Garay model we tested came with both a clear lens (for dark conditions) and a versatile ChromaPop Contrast Rose Flash lens (for bright to moderately dark conditions). We found this rose lens to perform really well in dense forest as well as out in direct sunlight. The ChromaPop technology enhances contrast and natural color to make the details pop.

Comfort

The nose bridge on the Rhythms is comfortable and at no point dug in, even with the strap tight. The opening is quite wide and the foam is shaped so that it doesn’t squeeze on the nose. Our tester found that there was significantly less pressure compared to the Smith’s Squad goggles that have a tighter fit around the nose.

Field of View

Another notable point is the field of view. At no point did we feel as if the frame was obstructing our vision. To be honest, a few seconds after putting them on we usually forgot they were there. This says a lot about the high quality, comfort and performance of these goggs.

Flow’s Verdict

We’ve spent a lot of time recently in bike parks over summer so the Rhythm goggles got a good hit out with us. We were thoroughly impressed with both comfort, performance and compatibility with different helmets. We used these on Smith’s Mainline helmet as well as a Troy Lee Design’s D4; both with no issues and seamless integration. Although, Smith does claim that pairing their goggles and helmets best optimises the anti fog AirEvac ventilation system.

The Iago Garay model looks great, in our humble opinion. Additionally, there are at least 8 different colourways and designs to choose from.

A final bit of advice from us, protect your sight kids. Invest in good eyewear!

The post Fresh Produce | Smith Rhythm Goggles appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

OneUp V3 Dropper Post Price & Specs

• Travel Options | 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240mm
• Travel Adjustment | Up to 20mm travel reduction
• Diameter | 34.9, 31.6, 30.9 and 27.2mm (90mm and 120mm length only)
• Weight | 594g (180×34.9mm)
• RRP | $449.95 AUD (dropper only)

Related:

• Review | OneUp Handlebar and Stem
• Fresh Produce | Tranz X EDP01 Wireless Dropper Post
• Review | 2025 Fox Transfer Dropper Post 

OneUp has completely redesigned the internals within the V3, ditching the adjustable air spring in the V2 for a replaceable and recyclable gas cartridge. The new cartridge results in a claimed 75% reduction in actuation force and has a noticeably smoother actuation over the V2 we’ve used previously. In addition, the V3 features an updated seal from SKF to keep the mud out of the internals, and a new bushing design from IGUS to better manage the lateral forces and maintain smooth operation.

To reduce side-to-side slop, OneUp have doubled the number of guide pins within the post from three to six, and on posts longer than 180mm, have included a second bushing to improve the long-term durability. The V3 is claimed to be fully rebuildable (except for the cartridge, which is replaceable) at home with only a 14mm wrench, 5mm Hex and 2mm Hex, all within 10 minutes. Once the time comes, we will be dusting off Flow’s ‘Stopwatch of Truth’ to put these claims to the test!

Thanks to the new design and a gas cartridge, OneUp claims the V3 to be the lightest infinitely adjustable post on the market, and that’s without the Ti bolt upgrade kit saving an additional 10 grams. Weighing in at 594 grams for a 180mm x 34.9mm post, it is lighter than the claimed weight of the recently released 2025 Fox Transfer by an impressive 97 grams. What’s even more impressive? It achieves this feat while being more than $200 AUD cheaper.

Expanding upon the groundwork laid by OneUp V2 model, the V3 takes the OneUp dropper post to new heights (Hah, get it?!). With the shortest overall stack height and total length of any post on the market in each given drop length, the V3 allows riders to fit the longest drop seatpost possible for any size bike. The drop length has 20mm of adjustment in 10mm increments to allow riders to fine tune saddle height and drop length if required. OneUp has a sizing tool on its website that’s definitely worth checking out if you’re curious whether a longer post will fit your frame.

Flows Initial Impressions

We’ve had a OneUp V3 post fitted to a Specialized Levo SL Pro since it was first released back in January, and have paired it with a Hope Dropper Lever to handle the actuation side of things. During the initial testing we noticed a small amount of sag under weight when the post is deep into its stroke, without getting the verniers out, we’d guess around 2-3mm. Towards the top of the stroke and at full extension, the post is rock-solid, exactly how we expected it. We were curious as to if this was normal, so we reached out to the team at One-Up, in which Gavin from the QC/R&D team swiftly responded with a brilliant explanation.

“The squish you have noticed is normal and is just a byproduct of the new cartridge design. The explanation that I like best is that the oil in the cartridge behaves similarly to a brake-bleed syringe. If you close up the bleed syringe, and pull the plunger to apply negative pressure to the brake fluid, air bubbles will form momentarily. Once you release the plunger, the air disappears back into the oil, or a bubble gathers at the top.”

“With the V3 cartridge, the amount of squish will vary, depending on how much oil is available/past the valve. When the post is at full extension, there is almost no oil available to pull air out of, and so the post is damn-near fully rigid (You can get ~1-2mm of movement if you shock-load it with full bodyweight, off-the-top-ropes style). Whereas when it’s partially compressed, there is more oil available, and thus more air available to pull out of solution momentarily, as you’ve experienced! Since the cartridge is fully sealed, there’s never any additional air or moisture being added to the mix, so it won’t worsen as time goes on. If a bubble does manage to form, the cartridge is also self-bleeding, so the air is purged when the post is cycled.”

The observed sag at the deeper end of the stroke didn’t seem to detract from the post’s performance, and its stability at the top of the stroke assured us that it isn’t a detrimental aspect of the overall design. On the flip side, the most notable standout from our time so far with the v3 is the actuation – it’s remarkably smooth and quiet, a likely by-product of the cartridge design. The post is free from any binding or resistance with a consistent return speed and audible knock once returned to full height. It’s far too soon to determine the long-term durability of the V3 dropper post, but if the V2 is anything to go by, we are expecting plenty of miles before it needs any attention.

The post First Look | OneUp V3 Dropper Post appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Interestingly, the latticed Koroyd is also found in some children’s car seats, and Thule employs it as a back protector in some of its hydration packs, among other things.

When the platform first launched, the Smith Forefront mountain bike helmet was quite a contrast to most of the stack hats on the market with the lime green Koroyd insert forming a complete protective shell around the wearer’s melon.

In contrast to most helmets on the market at the time, it was also a bloody oven, as were the road helmets. While the thousands of little straws allow some heat to radiate out, air can only flow through if it’s blown head-on to the opening and only a small selection were at the right angle.

Koroyd only where you need it

With the Forefront 2 mountain bike helmet, Smith has made some adjustments, including splitting the Koroyd liner in two, leaving a substantial channel with three large vents up the middle. It is amazing how much a difference this has made to the climate control inside the shell and now the latest Forefront doesn’t create a cascade of sweat dripping into the top of your sunnies when you start to work hard.

It is by no means the breeziest helmet I’ve ever worn, but I’ve happily reached for it on SEQ summer days when it’s so hot and humid it feels like you can chew the air.

The Koroyd also seems to do a pretty good job of keeping bugs out, but as someone who suffers from a perpetually itchy head while riding, the honeycombed structure also does a fantastic job of stymieing a finger chasing said itch.

MIPS and other features

Our test lid is the MIPS version, and Smith says there’s also an internal skeleton moulded inside the foam so that it will stay together should you really get into trouble and experience a multi-impact cartwheeling crash.

With quite a round head form, Smith employs its VaporFit dial-based retention system, which wraps three-quarters of the way around your head. While on paper it’s not as spiffy as its counterparts that wrap the full way around your noggin, it works well and provides for a secure hold, that doesn’t allow the helmet to move while you ride, nor did it create any hot spots for me.

Inside, you’ll also find Ionic+ antimicrobial padding that’s claimed to have ‘sweat-activated odour control’. I’m not so sure about that last part, but Smith has used it sparingly to maximise heat transfer out of the helmet, and it does dry quickly.

The straps are made of lightweight webbing that is soft on the skin, however the adjustable ear splitters proved to be fiddly and annoying. I wish helmet manufacturers would just swap over to the fixed ones and be done with it because they are worlds better and more comfortable.

It does appear that Smith is making just that change with some colours on the Smith AU website featuring the fixed splitters, while the Matte White colour we have hasn’t quite received the update.

At the front, the visor has three positions that slot securely into place, and there is room for sunnies and goggles underneath. The peak is quite short but still provides a degree of sun protection and also doesn’t make you look like an awkward unicorn. Under the brow there is also vent openings to give the hot air behind the lens of your goggles or sunnies somewhere to go.

Eyewear integration

Speaking of sunnies, given Dr. Bob Smith first started making eyewear in 1965, it should not come as a surprise that the Forefront 2 is designed specifically to integrate with the brand’s glasses. The narrow channelling that runs the whole way around the shell is designed to serve as a sunglasses garage.

It takes some time to acquire the feel for getting the arms fully seated, especially if you’re moving but your sunnies are seriously locked in. It works best with Smith’s own sunnies, but I tested with a few pairs of Oakleys and some Shimano sunnies which all held securely. The caveat here is that it will only work with glasses that have straight arms,

Smith has nifty light and camera mounting that screws into a threaded port on top of the shell. Unfortunately, this accessory is sold separately.

Weighing in at 390g in a size medium by our scales it’s about on par with the Specialized Tactic (386g), and Fox Speedframe Pro MIPS (398g). It’s a well-finished helmet with the shell wrapping under the bottom edge to keep the foam free from gouges and dents. So far in our test period, with this lid serving as a daily driver and being dragged through airports locally and abroad, beyond a bit of mud splatter, it looks brand new.

Priced at $357 AUD the Forefront 2 is not a cheap helmet putting it in a similar bracket to the TLD A3 MIPS, and POC Kortal Race. With similar feature lists, the Koroyd does set the Smith apart and offers a claimed additional safety feature, but it also doesn’t breathe as well as either of these lids — though it’s not far behind.

The post Review | Smith Forefront 2 helmet appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

German outdoor bag giant Deuter are renowned for engineering quality adventure backpacks, and their Cabezon bikepacking bags are no different – stylish, robust, and functional.. Lightweight and waterproof, they certainly look like they’re built for adventure.

Deuter’s Gabezon series feels like a high-quality product in hand, with well thought out features living up to their engineered reputation. All the fancy fabrics and tech don’t come cheap and this is reflected in their premium price tag.

For the budget conscious, Deuter offers the Mondego bikepacking bags which are not waterproof.

Cabezon FB 4L Frame Bag

The Cabezon FB 4L is a straighforward frame bag offering modest 4-litre capacity. Designed to be as flexible and lightweight as possible, it has no internal pockets or dividers. Rated to IPX2 and nestled within the front triangle, it will keep your belonging dry in light drizzle.  The bag fits securely, and the supplied velcro straps are plenty long to accommodate fatter carbon tubes.

Cabezon SB 16L Saddle Bag

The Cabezon SB 16L  saddlebag is a two piece ensemble comprising a sturdy black cradle and a sleek yet capacious dry bag. Combined, they offer a IPX4 waterproof rating, protecting your cargo from light rain and splashes. The cradle is sturdy and offers four straps to minimise movement. Two wide heavy duty velcro straps secure around the seat post, and two buckle straps which go around the saddle rails.

It’s comforting to see evidence of durability and careful construction with the bag’s clean seams, hidden stitching, reinforcement in high stress areas, and sewn on strap managers. Additional bungee cords on top of the cradle for quick-access storage like your rain gear, and gear loops for some customisation.

The dry bag is completely removable, featuring a roll-top closure to adjust to your payload, and attaches to the cradle via four adjustable buckles. We’ve found this roll-top design particularly useful for growing and shrinking our bag storage depending on what we’re hauling. Everything cinches down to minimise any movement, critical for bikepacking.

The Cabezon range appears to have been designed with minimal material to save weight, while maintaining functionality and durability. We’re looking forward to putting the bags to use over a few upcoming gravel adventures.

The post Fresh Produce | Deuter Cabezon Saddle and Frame Bags appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

It is with some excitement then, that Deity is updating its pedal lineup for 2024 with two brand new options; the Supervillain and the Flat Trak. We’ve received a set each of the new pedals, which we’ll be putting through the wringer over the coming months to see if they match up to the lofty reputation carved out by their predecessors.

Deity Supervillain Flat Pedals

• Colours: Black, Silver, Bronze, Red, Blue, Purple & Orange
• Weight: 421g (pair)
• Price: $294.95 AUD

The new Deity Supervillain is a premium flat pedal that aims to elevate the performance bar over the popular TMAC.

Made from heat-treated 6061 T6 alloy, the Supervillain features a heavily chamfered platform that measures 113x105mm. It’s available in five anodised colours, along with black and silver. Laser-etched graphics and a satin finish complete the high quality aesthetic.

Like its predecessor, the Supervillain features a concave profile that encourages your shoes to sink into the middle of the platform for a highly secure and locked-in feel. The concavity is said to be a generous 2.5mm per side, though you can increase this further by removing some of the central pins. Each pedal comes with 14 pins installed per side, and spares are included in the box.

Deity carries over the same proven internals from the TMAC, with the chromoly spindle supported by three cartridge bearings and a split DU bushing. The Supervillains are designed to be user-serviceable with just an 8mm socket and a 5mm hex key, and rebuild kits are available separately should they need an overhaul.

Deity Flat Trak Pedals

• Colours: Black, Silver, Bronze, Red, Blue, Purple & Orange
• Weight: 429g (pair)
• Price: $294.95 AUD

If you’re less fussed about the concave profile and you simply want the thinnest pedals possible, then the new Deity Flat Trak could very well be the ticket.

The Flat Trak also utilises a 6061 T6 alloy body that comes in numerous anodised colour options. The platform shape is different to the Supervillain however, featuring a thinner profile that offers more ground clearance thanks to its 14mm thick trailing and leading edges. Deity still builds in a very slight amount of concavity thanks to its use of thinner central pins, while textured grooves through the pedal body aim to provide further grip for your shoes.

The Flat Trak otherwise shares many of the same features including the chromoly spindles, serviceable internals, and replaceable pins.

The post Fresh Produce | Brand New Deity Supervillain & Flat Trak Pedals appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Maxima Waterproof Grease

• Size: 454ml
• Price: $19.95 AUD

If you’re not familiar with the blue goo, Maxima Waterproof Grease is a multi-purpose grease that’s claimed to be suitable for everything from lubricating threads and axles, through to servicing hub and bottom bracket bearings.

It’s based around a Lithium complex grease and has a thick consistency with a high-strength film that helps to reduce wear between metal-on-metal components. It’s also very resistant to washout, which is ideal for a component like a threaded bottom bracket that’s subjected to muddy puddles and frequent washing. We’ve found that to be the case in the real world, with the blue grease often remaining in place even after a year of frequent riding.

You don’t need much either. A small dab on fork and frame thru-axles is ideal to keep them sliding smoothly in and out of your hubs, and you only need a smidge on pedal threads to prevent them from seizing up. Indeed it’ll probably be years before we finish the first tub!

The post Fresh Produce | Maxima Waterproof Grease appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Related:

• Fresh Produce | Aplinestarts Trail/Enduro Kit
• First Look | Fox Racing Launches 2024 Mountain Bike Helmet, Apparel & Shoe Range

A-Dura Dri Oscar Jersey – Short Sleeve | $99.95

Made from recycled drirelease fabric, the A-Dura short-sleeved jersey features a relaxed fit with a longer drop tail at the back. This particular jersey is only available in black with screen-printed reflective logos and it is offered in a long-sleeve version for those looking for some extra coverage. What impressed us the most was the texture and finish of the drirelease fabric, which looks and feels similar to a lightweight cotton, but with the breathability and wicking of polyester. 

A-Dura Liner Shorts | $129.95

The A-Dura shorts are the brand’s classic all-round shorts aimed at the trail/enduro crowd. Fashioned from durable 2-way stretch fabric, the material provides a comfortable degree of mobility, albeit slightly less than those made from 4-way stretch fabric. Featuring a dependable double snap closure, a side waist adjuster for a personalised fit, and two zippered mesh-lined pockets for snacks and personal items, we found the shorts did the basics well without the need for a whole lot more. The in-built liner is a brilliant addition, which is removable via snap-buttons for those who prefer to ride without. 

The fit was true-to-size with plenty of adjustment in the waist buckle adjuster for the perfect fit. We appreciated the slightly longer length to keep the knee-pad cuffs covered, along with the slightly slimmer fit around the thighs, however this will depend on your preference for style and fit. 

A-Dura Gloves | $64.95

The A-Dura Gloves proved to be a real standout, with a snug overall fit and thin profile. The suede palm provided an excellent feel of the grips, while an upper is a blend of polyester spandex offering flexibility and comfort, finished with a generous neoprene cuff. The large yet low-profile velcro strap on the A-Dura’s keep them snug without adding bulk to the gloves, proving as an compelling alternative to those who typically opt for strapless gloves. 

A-Motion Plasma Pro Knee Pads | $134.95

The A-Motion Plasma Pro knee pads are the brand’s lightweight knee protection offering, designed for all-day pedal missions without skimping on protection. The removable inserts are made from the brand’s proprietary bio-based Nucleon PLASMA material, which conforms to the contours of the knee and meets the EN 1621-1:2012 Level 2 protection rating.

We found the breathable stretch mesh to be incredibly comfortable during long pedal days on the bike, with no chafing or discomfort, and the elasticated silicone cuffs prevent any slippage when pedalling. For big-days on the bike when you are earning the vertical and comfort is a priority, the A-Motion Plasma Pro’s are up there as some of the best in our opinion. For those looking for a little more protection for shuttle days, Alpinestars offer their A-Impact Plasma Elite which forgoes the pedalling comfort for additional padding. 

The post Fresh Produce | Alpinestars A-Dura Kit appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

When it came time to source some fresh tyres for Wil’s mixed wheel Pivot Switchblade, we decided to get our hands on a pair of Continental Enduro tyres with a Kryptotal Fr on the front and a Xynotal for the rear.

Continental Kryptotal Fr Enduro Soft Tyre

• Size: 29×2.4in
• Weight: 1,209g (confirmed)
• Price: $154.99 AUD

A front-specific tyre that’s designed for mixed conditions, the Continental Kryptotal Fr has become a crowd favourite here at Flow over the past year.

It features tall shoulder blocks that aim to break through loose surfaces for dependable cornering bite, while the staggered central tread and rounded profile help ease the transition when leaning the bike over. The alternating 3-2-3 tread pattern is somewhat reminiscent of the Maxxis Assegai, though here you’ll find more ramping that reduces rolling resistance.

Indeed compared to the Assegai EXO 3C MaxxTerra tyre that Wil was using beforehand, the Kryptotal Fr rolls quicker. That’s despite it being a fairly meaty tyre at 1.2kg, plus it features Continental’s Soft rubber compound. This provides hella good traction on loose trails, and it also does a lot to dampen sharp rocky edges. It’s really only on wet and shiny roots where you’d want more grip. In that case we’d either recommend looking at the Argotal or stepping up to the heavier DH version with the Super Soft rubber compound.

For a trail bike like the Pivot Switchblade however, the Enduro version of the Kryptotal Fr is a great match. Stability from the 110tpi casing is excellent, allowing you to run quite low pressures. Wil’s got his front tyre aired up to just 19psi, which further improves compliance.

Continental Xynotal Enduro Soft Tyre

• Size: 27.5×2.4in
• Weight: 1,126g (confirmed)
• Price: $154.99 AUD

Out back we’ve gone for a faster-rolling Continental Xynotal tyre. Compared to the Kryptotal the tread pattern is notably shallower and tighter. This puts more rubber in contact with the ground on rocky and hardpack surfaces for consistent grip, while longer ramps to the centre tread blocks reduce rolling resistance.

The lower profile tread pattern helps to drop a bit of weight, but being the Enduro version the Xynotal is still a reasonably porky tyre at 1.1kg. It features the same 110tpi casing construction with three layers of fabric underneath the tread and two layers for the sidewalls. Continental then beefs things up with Apex protection around each bead, and another layer of cut-resistant material through the sidewalls to reduce the chance of slashes and punctures.

As with most Continental tyres we’ve tested, these two proved to be quite tight to install. Combined with a CushCore Trail tubeless insert in the rear wheel, the Xynotal ended up breaking several tyre levers and almost our spirit. We’ve found the best method is to install the tyre with a tube to begin with, and let it settle for a day or two before going tubeless.

Once fitted, the Xynotal Enduro tyre has also impressed with its sticky grip and stable casing. Wil’s running just 23psi inside the 27.5×2.4in rear tyre, and so far it’s shrugged off all the square-edge abuse his local rock-infested trails have been able to inflict.

The post Fresh Produce | Continental Kryptotal & Xynotal Enduro Tyres appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Upgrading rotors and pads is one of the easiest, most cost-effective, and performance-enhancing modifications that we can make to our beloved bikes, but it is often overlooked as we lust over electronic shifting and anodised aluminium bits and bobs.

Galfer, the Spanish giant that specialises in braking and friction components for the motorbike and cycling industries, offers a wide variety of rotors and pad combinations that can be tailored specifically for varied riding conditions. Here we dive into the details on some of Galfer’s offerings for those looking to boost braking performance over OEM options. 

Related:

• Review | SRAM introduces new Code Stealth & Level Stealth brakes
• Hope Tech 4 E4 Brake Review | Beautiful UK-made stoppers with maximum feel
• SRAM Maven Bronze Brake Review | Eye-popping power at a cheaper price

Galfer Shark Rotors | $159.95-$179.95

Developed alongside the Commencal Muc-Off team during the 2021 UCI World Cup Downhill season and launched in 2022, ​​the Galfer Shark rotors stand out for the distinctive inner fin, hence the name. These fins, coupled with the rotor’s small round perforations, are said to aid heat dissipation and lower the disc’s operating temperature. Furthermore, the exterior wave design of the rotor, along with its lateral openings, ensures a robust and uniform contact across the entire brake pad. Galfer claims a 25-40% increase in brake pad life, a 30% reduction in operating temperature, and a 5-10% increase in braking power under normal conditions. 

At first launch the Shark rotors were available in 180mm (claimed 127g), 203mm (claimed 174g) and 223mm (claimed 237g) sizes with either 6-bolt or centre-lock mounting, all of which are made of Galfer’s signature 2.0mm thick laser cut stainless steel. Since then, Galfer has launched the 160mm (claimed 104g) variant of the Shark rotors for the XC crowd seeking some extra bite out of their featherweight dual piston brakes. 

Galfer Wave Rotors | $69.95-$89.95

A staple in Galfer’s lineup, the Wave rotor is available from 160mm to 223mm in either 1.8mm or 2.0mm thickness and 6-bolt or centre-lock mounting. The rotors have a fairly distinct look, with the amplified wave design on the outer perimeter clearly inspiring its name. 

They feature large lateral openings that extend within the spider, which Galfer claims results in an aggressive bite point, improved mud-clearing capabilities, and overall brake feel in wet conditions. According to Galfer’s numbers, they weigh slightly heavier than the equivalent-sized Shark rotor, although we are talking about ten or fifteen grams per end. 

Galfer G1554 Pro Brake Pads| $54.95

The ‘Pro’ series of pads from Galfer is marketed as its highest-performing option. They feature a semi-metallic compound with increased power and resistance to fading compared to the brand’s other offerings. Due to the proprietary blend of braking materials, Galfer claims there is no ‘bed-in’ period required, with the pads delivering full power right from the get-go.

Galfer knows the boosted performance comes with sacrifice, claiming the increase in power and fade resistance results in an increased wear rate. On the trail, the Pro pads seemingly blend the characteristics of typical OEM ‘organic’ and ‘metallic’ pads with impressive raw power and flawless operation in a wide variety of temperatures. 

Flow’s Initial Impressions

To put Galfer’s claims to the test, we fitted the Shark rotors to Nick’s Santa Cruz Tallboy and the Wave rotors to Jono’s Norco Sight, both equipped with the ‘Pro’ series brake pads. Initial fitting and adjustment went as smoothly as expected, with the aftermarket pads fitting both the TRP DH-R EVO’s and Shimano XTR calipers without issue. Following the mandatory car park test, the overall power and feel of the brakes were close to full strength, proving Galfer’s claims true regarding the lack of required bedding in.

Out on the trail, the Shark rotors exhibited a softer initial bite with more modulation and control, with the power coming on strong under heavy braking, resulting in less arm fatigue during long descents. Fade resistance under heavy extended braking was excellent, representing a noticeable improvement compared to OEM rotors. While it’s challenging to verify the claimed 30% reduction in operating temperature, we certainly noticed the benefits of increased ventilation and thermal management, with the bit point remaining consistent and fade-free.

The post Fresh Produce | Galfer Shark & Wave Rotors appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

How many different ways can you make a grip for mountain biking? Well if you’re Ergon, it turns out a lot. Your hands and fingers are sensitive little things after all, so it’s worth keeping them happy by making sure they’re in control and as comfortable as possible. Balancing traction, feel and damping in a single grip isn’t necessarily a straightforward equation, but Ergon believes it has done just that with its new GDH Team.

Ergon GDH Team Grips

• Weight: 115g
• Price: $69.95 AUD

Designed primarily for gravity-based riding, the Ergon GDH Team grips were developed with input from World Cup downhill racers including Vali Holl and Troy Brosnan.

Upon first glance it would appear they take some inspiration from the ODI’s much-loved Elite Pro grips. Of course Ergon being Ergon, the Germans have taken this concept and turned the dial up to 11.

Featuring a CNC machined alloy inner clamp with a proper 3mm hex bolt to lock it in place, the GDH Team grips are manufactured in Germany using Ergon’s own GravityControl Rubber. This extra gooey soft compound helps to increase traction and damping, and it’s also claimed to be free of any toxic substances, which Ergon says is particularly important for those who prefer riding without gloves.

Three zones, one size

As pioneered by the ODI Elite Pro, the Ergon GDH Team grip is split up into three distinct zones; there’s a knurled base structure, a waffle pattern to support the palms of your hands, and ribbing on the underside for your fingers to wrap around. There’s also a raised outer edge and an asymmetric flange on the inside of the grip.

The result of all that meticulous tread profiling is a very secure and locked-in feel. At the same time, the waffle pattern provides some cushioning that improves comfort and helps to absorb vibrations for what is a fairly thin grip.

The Ergon GDH Team grips are only produced in a single size, which differs to the GDH and GE1 EVO that are available in standard and slim diameters. In use, the GDH Team feels like it sits right in the middle in terms of thickness.

Flow’s Take

If you’re after a mountain bike grip with a highly tactile tread pattern, the Ergon GDH Team grips are a great option. Their carefully designed profile employs all sorts of different shapes and textures, combining useful damping and traction in a grip that keeps your hands firmly in position.

They do take time to setup properly in terms of getting the angle right for your digits, and they’re not the most heavily padded option out there. We’d suggest that folks who prefer a squishier and more neutral-feeling grip will likely be better off looking towards the excellent GD1.

We have appreciated the overall traction and control when using the GDH Team grips on really rocky and loose terrain though, and we love the super soft rubber compound that makes them comfortable to wear without gloves. Combined with the high quality locking clamps and tough end caps, the GDH Team grips are very well executed.

The post Fresh Produce | Ergon GDH Team Grips appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Thule claims you can fit any wheelsize from 20-29in, and tyres up to 5in wide. It has a stated maximum load capacity of 55.5kg, so it’ll handle two hefty e-MTBs. If you need to carry more than two bikes, there’s an Add-On upgrade kit that’ll allow you to carry four bikes in total that sells for an additional $1049.

The Thule T2 Pro XTR is designed to fit a standard 2in hitch mount, so all we had to do was remove the towball and slide the new rack into place. Loading up bikes is straightforward and the whole thing feels very solid. A spring-loaded ‘HitchSwitch’ lever allows you to tilt the whole rack down, so you can access the car boot without having to remove the bikes.

However, it’s worth noting that the rack and bikes will obstruct the rear lights and number plate on some cars (like Wil’s), in which case you’ll need to add on a Thule Lightboard to ensure you’re street legal. Those Lightboards sell for an additional $199 AUD, making this a very premium option indeed.

The post Fresh Produce | Thule T2 Pro XTR Rack appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

While we’ve plenty of experience with other Maxima products including suspension oils, hydraulic brake fluid, chain lube and the iconic SC-1 silicone spray, this would be our first time checking out the brand’s bike-specific tubeless sealant.

Maxima Tubeless Sealant

• Size: 473ml
• Price: $39.95 AUD

Sold in a single 473ml bottle, Maxima Tubeless Sealant features a low viscosity that allows it to easily move around the inside of your tyre. As well as being easy to apply, we’ve found it to be easy to clean and remove when changing tyres or wheels. It also seems less likely to clog up valves compared to thicker sealants.

The eco-friendly liquid formula incorporates suspended rubber particles and fast-acting polymers that are said to help it seal punctures quickly and effectively. In fact, Maxima says the seal is as durable as the tyre itself – a bold claim indeed!

Maxima states that its sealant will seal punctures up to 6.3mm wide and will remain effective inside the tyre for up to six months. However, it’s recommended to still pop open a bead and check the sealant levels every 4-6 weeks.

We’ve been impressed with the sealant’s performance and ease of use so far, and in terms of price it’s comparable with equivalents from Stan’s NoTubes, OrangeSeal, Peaty’s and Champions Choice. That said, we would like to see a bigger bottle offered, as the current 437ml size will only seal about four mountain bike tyres. If you’re listening Maxima, a 1 litre bottle would be great!

The post Fresh Produce | Maxima Tubeless Tyre Sealant appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Meticulously machined from billet aluminium and incorporating a replaceable sealed cartridge bearing, the Hope Dropper Lever reaffirms this legacy of quality and craftsmanship, with some nifty features sprinkled on top. 

It bolts directly to the master cylinder of Hope’s own brakes via the direct shifter mount, and is compatiable with SRAM’s Matchmaker. For those with neither of the above, plenty of bar clamps are available from other manufacturers that are compatible with the Matchmaker mount.

The main lever body is available in either black or silver, with colour accent options of black, silver, bronze, purple, red, blue or orange. 

We have paired this stunning piece of jewellery with the recently launched OneUp v3 dropper on our Specialized Levo SL test bike, with the combination working flawlessly together as expected. The lever action is smooth and precise, and the precision machining on the thumb paddle provides a positive tactile actuation. 

The Hope Dropper Lever features independent lever reach & leverage adjustability, allowing both the position and feel to be modified. The leverage adjust results in a claimed 20% variance in lever actuation force. Increasing the leverage provides a light and responsive lever feel, and may be the antidote in overcoming the increase in cable friction on bikes with convoluted cable routing.

On the flip side, decreasing the leverage provided a quick responsive action with less lever travel. This is coupled with independent reach adjustment, allows for precise lever position to suit the largest and smallest of thumbs.  It’s not something that we can see riders constantly adjusting, but appreciate the level of detail Hope have put into the design and engineering to facilitate these adjustments.  

Offered in an array of vibrant colours with a replaceable bearing and a high level of adjustability, the Hope Dropper Lever is nothing short of engineering excellence. While it may seem elaborate to some, it’s a classy match for those who appreciate Hope’s commitment to precision machining and quality construction. 

The post Review | Hope Dropper Lever appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Updated Aesthetics for 2024

The launch GE range included some welcomed revisions to the aesthetics, shifting from the previous ‘RoboCop Star Wars Soccer Boot’ vibe and leaning more towards a laid-back casual style, similar to Crank Brothers Mallet‘s or Ride Concept shoes. The colour offerings have adopted earthy tones such as creams, greens and browns, which blend into the natural surroundings and don’t look out of place when covered in mud. Wearing the GE7’s and GE9’s feels more like wearing normal shoes and less like space-clogs, making those post-ride refreshments at the local watering hole a little more comfortable. 

Lace-up vs BOA

Differences in the restraint mechanism between the GE7’s and GE9’s is fairly obvious, with the GE7’s opting for a standard lace-up system, while the GE9’s cop BOA L6 dial. This one is up to personal preference, the speed and adjustability of BOA’s is a game-changer, but there is something brilliant about a simple and robust lace-up shoe. Both feature a velcro strap across the top to keep your heel planted in the back of the shoe. 

Underfoot Feel

The GE7’s and GE9’s are very similar when it comes to the sole, using the same Ultread GE rubber sole and only minor differences in the internal plate. The GE9’s use a carbon fiber Torbal 2.0 mid-sole, as opposed to a slightly flexier fiberglass Torbal 2.0 plate used on the GE7’s. On the trail, there is the slightest difference in stiffness between the two, with the GE9’s being slightly more responsive underfoot. On the flip side, with the GE7’s offering more flex that comes with a smidge more comfort whether you are riding, walking or just hanging out, striking a nice balance between on-bike performance and off-bike comfort. The GE7’s miss out on the stretchy ankle-gaiter, but do feature a high padded collar on the inside of the ankle for support and protection.

Once a size 42, Always a size 42?

Initially, Mick opted for his usual size 42, but found them a tad roomy above and around the toes, especially on demanding descents where he felt his feet shifting around. Downsizing to a 41 resolved this, offering a snugger fit and eliminating any need to clench toes for stability inside the shoe. Not a deal-breaker by any means, but a consideration if considering purchasing a pair without trying various sizes. 

Flows Summer Wrap-up

From the iconic ‘moon-boot’ DX shoes to the ever-popular XC9s and ME7s, we’ve spent countless hours riding in Shimano footwear over the years, and they remain favourites amongst the Flow team. The new GE7’s and GE9’s are no exception and have improved in almost every aspect of their predecessors, resulting in some of the finest footwear currently available. We recommend trying on a few sizes prior to committing due to what appears to be some revisions in the last, but once that’s sorted you’ll be sure to have happy feet for many trails to come.

Which shoe is better? That depends on the use, and the minor $60 price difference doesn’t delineate a clear winner either. Racers will appreciate the efficiency that comes with the stiffness of the GE9’s, with only minor sacrifices in comfort. For the rest of us, the GE7’s offers almost identical on-bike performance and are a more comfortable shoe for general riding and walking. 

The post Review | Shimano GE7 & GE9 Shoes appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Here we are in the “vest/chest style” era of mountain bike packs. This particular style of carrying system may be the hip-pack killer. Setups like these strike a nice balance between a full-blown backpack and much smaller hip packs. We’ve seen big players like Poc, with their Column pack, and Evoc, with the Hydro Pro, dominate the market. We’re excited to see Albek throw their hat in the ring by providing some great alternatives.  

Albek’s H2O Haul range has 3 pack sizes to choose from, the 3, 4 and 8-litre options (pack capacity, not hydration bladder size). We’ve tested the two smaller options and have enjoyed the comfort and practicality that comes with them (3L $129.95 and 4L $149.95). They give you just that little bit more capacity than a hip pack but are still light and compact. Most importantly, though, they are significantly more secure than hip packs. We’ve found, at times, fully loaded hip packs are prone to bouncing around when jumping or riding rough trails.

Key Features:

Ergonomics and Comfort:

All packs in the Albek H20 Haul range use the same chest strap-only securing system. Albek’s X brace harness works great at keeping the pack snug even in the roughest terrain. It also has a large buckle that can be undone easily with one hand.

The shoulder straps are vented to keep things cool and lightweight. They also have a neat adjusting system, which we are big fans of. The straps loop through a buckle back onto themselves with two sturdy velcro surfaces. This adjustment system is one of the best we’ve seen. You don’t need the strap to pass through a self-tightening buckle, which we see on most packs. Often, you have to fiddle with these to get the strap at the right length; thankfully, this is not the case on the Albek packs. 

The packs have an “Ergoflow” back panel, which promotes airflow as well as prevents the pack from sticking to you when you are sweaty. We found this to work well, although even the hint of a sweat patch is not totally avoidable on those scorching days. But is there any technology out there that can completely beat the Aussie heat?

Storage:

The 3L pack we tested has one main compartment where you will store the hydration bladder as well as your additional gear. This sizing option is a direct competitor to the hip pack market. It has just enough storage for snacks, spares and a 1.5L water bladder. You’d be hard-pressed to get a jacket in there. We found the 4L could take all the same accessories, a lightweight jacket, and a larger bladder capacity of 2L.

The 4L pack sees the addition of an extra pocket: a smaller external compartment on the front of the bag. Here is a two-pocket elastic mesh section to store all your spares for a flat and snacks. This means you can use the main larger pocket for the hydration bladder, jacket, or knee pads.

Both packs have an internal water/scratch-resistant pocket for your phone or GoPro. It’s a subtle but really useful feature.

Hydration Bladder:

Both the 3L and 4L packs come with a bladder, which is always pleasing to see. The 3L has a 1.5L bladder, and the 4L has a 2L bladder. The Albek bladders use a quick-release hose attachment, which makes refilling super easy. This means you don’t have to feed the hose out to get access. Albek has gone for a fold-and-slide securing system, which is simple but effective. It also means the opening for refilling spans the entire width of the bladder, which again makes things easy. 

Flow’s Verdict:

We are big fans of the chest/ vest style of the pack, so we’re stoked to see another option on the market. Albek has ticked a lot of boxes with multiple size options, a comfortable fit, and a super easy attachment system. A big selling point is the price. When you compare them to other options on the market, you’ll see the value for money is great.

The 3L and 4L options we tested are great alternatives to hip packs, and we expect to see more of them on the trails. 

The post Fresh Produce | Albek H20 Haul Hydration Packs appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Crofto offer a broad range of gear spanning from head to toe (or beanies to socks), all of which come in at competitive prices.

MTB Riding Shorts | $79.95

The mountain bike shorts feature a 4-way stretch, quick dry, fabric to boost comfort out on the trails and are available in sizes ranging from XXS to 3XL. The shorts feature two zip side pockets and a velcro rear pocket, rest assured there is enough storage to carry a small picnic for those long days in the saddle. With a zippered fly, rather than a snap button, the closer is a nifty little hooked system, and there is a bit of elastic in the waistband for a wide range of adjustability and comfort.

Jerseys & Shirts | $49.95 – $74.95

Crofto’s jersey range focuses on understated prints in both short and long-sleeve options and is made from 150g quick-dry polyester.

New for 2024 is their signature Check Tech collared riding shirt, ideal for those looking to head straight to the golf course or the office after a ride. The Check Tech shirt has a slimmer cut compared to the relaxed fit of their regular jerseys, and is crafted from polyester 4-way stretch fabric, designed to mimic the comfort of cotton.

MTB Padded Gloves | $29.95

The brand also offers protective gear ranging from knee pads, elbow pads and gloves.

The gloves feature gel padding on the palm, a tough velcro strap for durability, are touch screen compatible, and are available in sizes ranging from M up to XXL. Padded gloves can be a bit hit-and-miss on the mountain bike, for those looking for a bit of support these Crofto mitts offer cost effective hand protection. 

The post Fresh Produce | Crofto MTB Clothing appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Instead of relying on an internal plastic liner to provide rotational protection, KinetiCore incorporates a sophisticated matrix of EPS foam blocks and channels within the helmet’s internal framework. Upon impact, these crafted EPS foam blocks are engineered to flex and crumple, delivering both rotational and linear impact protection simultaneously. This helmet maintains its prestigious five-star rating from Virginia Tech. 

Flow has previously reviewed the Lazer Chase and Lazer Cage full-face helmets, both of which feature KinetiCore Technology. Our team was impressed with the level of comfort and ventilation at their respective price points. 

Z1 goes on a diet

With the removal of excess foam & engineered channels, the updated Lazer Z1 comes in at a claimed 230g in a size Medium, impressively light for a helmet this stacked with features. For context, the previous generation of the Z1 came in around 261g, the Giro Aries we recently got our hands on comes in at a claimed 250g, and the Fox Crossframe Pro we checked out last year weighed in at 350g, all of which feature a MIPS rotational liner. 

A feature since the Z1’s first release in 2014, its cleverly designed retention system is adjustable through a wire mechanism situated at the top of the helmet, as opposed to a dial or ratchet at the rear. This unique system makes dialling in the right fit an absolute breeze and increases airflow and comfort around the back of the head.

Flows Early Judgement

We’ve been thoroughly impressed by our experience with the Z1 so far and appreciate the sleek design with minimal colours and graphics. The Lazer Z1 with KinetiCore technology is featherweight, adjustable, and breezy. It is by no means a budget offering, but it is an excellent option for riders who prioritise advanced safety features in a sleek, unassuming package. 

The post Fresh Produce | Lazer Z1 KinetiCore appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

At the same time SRAM also introduced the new AXS Pod Controllers. These two-button pods feature a much smaller profile compared to the original AXS controllers, though not everyone has fallen in love with the ergonomics, us included.

To provide riders with an additional option, SRAM recently launched a new Rocker Paddle upgrade.

SRAM AXS Pod Controller Rocker Paddle

• Weight: 19g
• Price: $38 AUD (Rocker Paddle Upgrade) – $260 AUD (Pod Controller)

The new SRAM AXS Pod Controller Rocker Paddle is available either as a complete controller for $260 AUD, or as a separate upgrade that can be retrofitted to an existing Pod Controller. We’ve got the latter option, which sells for $38 AUD and is available in specific left and right-hand versions.

Using an all-plastic construction, the Rocker Paddle weighs 19g per side, compared to 11g for the stock two-button interface.

Fitment is super easy. After removing your existing Pod Controller from the mounting bracket with a T25 Torx key, you simply pry off the button panel by hand. The new Rocker Paddle interface will click into place, and then you can slide the Pod Controller back into its mounting bracket before snugging it up.

All of the adjustment parameters remain the same. The MMX adapter provides you with lateral and angular adjustability, and you can also tweak the rotation of the Pod Controller itself.

First Impressions

As you can tell in the photos, the Rocker Paddle is significantly bigger than the stock two-button interface. It also features a concave profile that helps the lower portion of the button stick out quite a bit further. This makes for a more obvious contact point that so far we’ve found easier to engage when hurtling down a descent.

The bulkier shape does require some adjustment to get it into the right spot – it isn’t simply a plug-n-play dealio. We’ve found it necessary to adjust the angle of the mounting bracket further up and closer to the brake lever, before dialling in the rotation of the Pod. Once in position, the Rocker Paddle provides a notably bigger surface area that feels a bit more comfortable on the thumb compared to the smaller buttons on the original Pod Controller.

We’ve only just gotten our hands on the new Rocker Paddle, but so far initial impressions have been positive. It’s great to see SRAM listening to rider feedback and offering up an alternative option, and we look forward to trying the new design out on a variety of different test bikes.

The post Fresh Produce | SRAM’s New AXS Pod Controller Rocker Paddle appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Beyond this, Animoz also claim that all products, although being made in China, meet an SA8000 welfare standard. While these numbers didn’t initially mean anything to us, after some quick Googling we discovered that SA8000 is the world’s leading social certification program, ensuring companies are dedicated to the fair treatment of their employees. We can’t argue with that!

There’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable out on the trail, and there’s certainly quite a difference between a well-made comfortable riding kit, and the swampy, cheapy kits from Alibaba that fall apart after a dozen rides.

When a package of Animoz riding clothing showed up at Flow HQ, the team began unpacking it to decide where this gear fell within that spectrum. The French brand had packaged the clothing nicely within recyclable cardboard satchels which was the first indication that this was a much more premium product. The use of multiple fabric types, sturdy zippers and flexible materials left a good initial impression. We sized up our photographer, Campbell, on the Animoz website.

Animoz Wild riding kit fit

First, let’s address the fit. As Campbell emerged wearing the Wild pants, a few eyebrows were raised as the gear was a bit tighter than expected. At 185cm and 85kg, the manufacturer’s sizing guide for the large-sized Animoz pants had led Campbell astray. In reality, these kits run quite snug, and those trail paints are painted on.

The absence of a fly on both the shorts and pants was an interesting omission, particularly for riders with larger hips or thighs. However, the inclusion of an adjustable tightening clasp on the shorts helped alleviate concerns, ensuring a secure fit that stayed put throughout testing.

Constructed with a blend of 92% polyester and 8% spandex, the kit felt a little warmer than we’d expected while standing around on the trail, but once we started moving, our concerns were alleviated.

Animoz Wild kit features

The Animoz short and long sleeve kits aren’t just your basic tech-tee and trail shorts. We were stoked to see (pun intended) the built-in glasses cleaning cloth in the zippered jersey pocket. The pants and shorts also boast ample zippered storage space, providing plenty of room for all your trail essentials and chonky mobile phones.

Given the tailored fit, we were thankful for the elasticity of the four-way stretch fabric used across the garments, as it allowed for plenty of body English on the bike and a few trailside karate kicks without any pinching, binding or reduced range of motion.

Although we’ve only had the riding kit on test for around a month, it’s hard to speak to the overall durability but all of the seams from the gloves to the jerseys are double-stitched.

While the gloves aren’t the most flexible mitts we’ve ever slipped on, for their weight they also haven’t disintegrated when faced with grabby trailside fauna or slide in the dirt.

One interesting feature of the kits is their Silverplus antibacterial finish, which is claimed to keep odours at bay, even after hours of riding. After a bunch of testing, we haven’t had any unwanted stinks or pongs arise from the clothing so we can only assume that the antibacterial finish is doing its thing.

As mentioned earlier, Animoz are all about sustainability and minimising its environmental impact. Animoz have now introduced its ‘Wild Warranty’ program which can be accessed around the world. Essentially Animoz will send out iron-on patches to repair small tears or return their clothing for repairs if needed in an effort to extend the life of these garments.

Animoz H20 Wild Rain Jacket

Animoz also sent out its H20 Wild Rain Jacket. At face value, it’s great looking and wouldn’t be out of place walking down Collins Street on a grim Melbourne day.

Using a three-layer laminate fabric, the jacket has a waterproof membrane with a 15k/10k waterproof/breathability rating. The polyester is 90% recycled, and the fabrics are also four-way stretch. The seams are fully taped, and the zippers are also waterproof to prevent any precipitation from sneaking through.

The oversized hood easily accommodates your helmet and there is a drop tail at the back for better coverage

The Animoz Wild Kits may have their quirks, but we think these are outweighed by the comfort and style. However, we would recommend sizing up if you are unsure about the fit.

Besides that, the thoughtful features, sustainable materials, ethical construction, and robust design make these kits a worthy contender if you’re seeking out fresh kit.

The post Fresh Produce | Animoz Wild Riding Kit appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

In recent years we’ve been impressed by the finish and performance of the Hope Tech 4 brakes, F22 flat pedals and Union clip pedals. So when Justin was on the lookout for a shorter set of cranks for his Trek Rail, our attention was soon drawn to this stunning E-Bike crankset.

Hope E-Bike Cranks

• Lengths: 155mm & 165mm
• Weight: 472g (claimed)
• Price: $419.95 AUD

Forged and CNC machined from 7150-series alloy in Hope’s Barnoldswick factory in the UK, the E-Bike crankset has been purpose built for a selection of the latest e-MTB and motors on the market.

Currently Hope produces them to suit Bosch, Specialized and Brose/Yamaha drive units, and each model is available in both 155mm and 165mm lengths. You can also get the Hope E-Bike cranks in a variety of anodised colours, as well as the shiny silver finish we have here.

To suit Justin’s Trek Rail, we went for the Bosch-compatible E-Bike crankset in a 155mm length. This is 10mm shorter than what previously came on the bike, which offers a significant improvement in ground clearance.

On the trail the benefits were immediately apparent, with far less pedal bashing on the technical climbs that the Rail thrives on. This has especially been the case since Justin mulleted his personal bike by fitting a 27.5in rear wheel. Even though the flip chip has been switched to the High setting, the BB height is still lower to the ground compared to the dual-29er setup. However, fitting the 155mm Hope cranks helped to neutralise the lower BB, resulting in fewer rock strikes.

The shorter crank arms meant Justin had to lift his saddle height by a corresponding 10mm, which then required some tweaks to the cockpit setup. Overall though, this has been a positive upgrade both functionally and aesthetically.

Hope E-Bike Chainring

• Size: 34T & 36T
• Price: $149.95 AUD

To go along with the Hope E-Bike crankset, Justin also got a new chainring to refresh his drivetrain.

Like the crankset, the E-Bike chainring is available in multiple colours. It comes in 34T and 36T sizes, and you can get them to suit Bosch, Shimano and Specialized e-MTB motors. The narrow-wide tooth profile is said to be compatible with all modern 12-speed drivetrains.

CNC machined from a single billet of 7075-series alloy, the Hope E-Bike chainrings are then heat treated and hard anodised to create a highly durable and wear-resistant finish. The result is a beautifully crafted component that looks fantastic alongside the matching crankset.

The post Fresh Produce | Hope E-Bike Crankset & Chainring appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Having pioneered the SPD clip-in pedal system back in 1990, Shimano has been expanding and refining its lineup of clip-in shoes over the last three decades. These days you’ll find options for everything from gravel and XC racing, through to enduro and downhill. Additionally, Shimano offers specific models in a ‘Wide’ variety, and it also produces a select range of women’s specific shoes too. Here we take a look at the snazziest option; the XC5.

Shimano XC5 Women’s MTB Shoes

• Sizes: 36-44 EU
• Weight: 290g (claimed)
• Price: $239 AUD

As the name implies, the Shimano XC5 Women’s shoes are predominantly designed for XC riding and racing. Of course they’re just as suitable for gravel riding, and thanks to the generous rubber outsole, we’ve found them to be great for everyday trail exploring too.

Compared to the cheaper XC1 and XC3 shoes, the XC5 incorporates a stiffer glass fibre reinforced midsole. This reduces flex between the shoe and pedal body, creating a more stable platform that helps with power transfer. It also makes the XC5 quite lightweight, coming in at a claimed 290g for a size 40 EU.

Shimano wraps almost the entire outsole with its Ultread rubber compound, which features aggressive triangular-shaped lugs to help dig into soil and mud for grip when hike-a-biking. There’s also a section of tread underneath the arch that provides a surprising amount of traction over roots and rocks, or when you need to rest your foot on the pedal body while unclipped.

We’ve also appreciated the elongated cleat channel that allows you to position the cleat quite far back. This helps to achieve a modern mid-foot pedal position that provides better descending stability with less strain on your achilles.

Being a women’s specific shoe, the XC5 gets a slimmer volume compared to the unisex version. Jo has found the snug profile to work well for her size 39 EU feet, and the single BOA dial and Velcro strap makes it easy to dial in the tension for a stable but comfortable fit. However, those with wider feet may want to look towards the unisex version for more volume. On that note, the unisex XC5 shoe shares all of the same features and an identical price, albeit in a broader 38-50 EU size range.

The post Fresh Produce | Shimano XC5 Women’s MTB Shoes appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

We paired this kit to the new BikeYoke Revive 3.0, but we reckon it’s a nifty upgrade for anyone who’s using an existing cable-actuated dropper post.

Jagwire Pro Dropper Kit

• Price: $43.99 AUD

The key point of difference between the Jagwire Pro Dropper Kit and any other old gear cable that’s used to activate a dropper post is the diameter of the outer and inner cables.

Whereas standard gear cable housing uses a 4mm outer diameter with a 1.1mm diameter inner wire, the Pro Dropper Kit utilises a special type of cable called Lex-SL. The housing features a thinner 3mm diameter, while the stainless steel inner wire uses a 0.8mm diameter.

The slimmer profile makes the Lex-SL cable much more flexible, which is advantageous on mountain bikes that feature cable routing with a lot of twists and turns. This is particularly applicable on modern bikes with headset cable routing, which can often cause quite a lot of friction to the dropper post cable.

Installation

The Jagwire Pro Dropper Kit comes with everything you need to set up a single dropper post. There’s a generous 1,700mm long segment of Lex-SL outer cable, a 2,000mm long inner cable, and all the various caps and fixings.

Installation is much the same as a standard gear cable, though the slimmer diameter of the outer cable does present some differences to consider. If your frame has ports for internal routing, they might be too large for the slimmer Lex-SL outer cable. This increases the chance of rattling, which nobody wants. Wrapping some electrical tape around this part of the outer cable is a simple way to build up the thickness to provide a snug fit with those frame ports.

Otherwise everything goes into place as normal, with the supplied cable end caps slotting in neatly into the base of the dropper post and up at the handlebar remote.

On the trail

Once fitted, the advantages of the Jagwire Pro Dropper Kit are immediately apparent. The lever feel is slicker and lighter, resulting in less force required to activate the remote.

There are a couple of reasons for this. The inner wire is made from woven strands of stainless steel that are polished to help smoothen the surface and reduce friction. Jagwire doesn’t coat the inner wire, which it claims provides better long-term performance since there’s no coating to wear off and choke things up. Furthermore, the Lex-SL cable housing incorporates a pre-lubricated internal liner to keep the cable sliding smoothly.

Aside from the thinner outer cable requiring some management where it’s clamped on your frame, we’re yet to encounter any downsides to the Jagwire Pro Dropper Kit. It’s not particularly cheap at $43.99 AUD, but it does offer a tangible improvement in performance and lever  ergonomics, making it an upgrade worth considering next time your bike is heading into the workshop.

The post Fresh Produce | Jagwire Pro Dropper Post Cable Kit appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

This is the first Dometic product to arrive at Flow HQ, our team have been getting to know the Swedish brand and its range of products. You may be familiar with the car fridge company Waeco, in 2017 Dometic and and Waeco merged under the banner of Dometic.

Since the merge, Dometic have developed a massive range of camping equipment accessories to accompany the popular fridge range.

Dometic Water Hydration Jug

For something as simple as a water tank, it’s got a bunch of features we’ve found really useful. The jug itself stores 11 litres of water, plenty to keep you and your crew covered for a weekend away.

On either side, there is a removable handle to make it much easier to carry, as well as a rubber pourer insert if you’re operating it without the tap. Having two openings gives you plenty of options for filling and pouring which has been useful depending on refill tap locations at home or on the road.

The jug itself is also BPA free, so water can stay in the jug for much longer without the worry of any harmful chemicals going into your water

Dometic Hydration Water Faucet

To accompany the jug, Dometic makes a removable, battery-powered faucet to pour your drinks. The faucet comes with two magnetic plates that have their own adhesive, providing heaps of options on how to fit it in with your existing camp setup.

It’s a nifty luxury to have, and the tap could easily be installed and removed when it wasn’t in use. The hose that connects the jug to the faucet is made from bendy rubber, meaning it’s not handcuffed directly to the jug while you’re filling your bottles.

The faucet itself is very quick and easy to remove via a quick-release button on the top of the jug, meaning it can be stored while travelling, and the jug can be packed in neatly.

To activate the faucet, you gently press the button on top and an LED light comes on to let you know that it’s running. We’re yet to drain the battery on the faucet after multiple trips and Dometic claims it can pour 150L of liquid between each charge.

After such a positive experience with the faucet, we’d love to see a similar-style fitting for the jug that could be used as a shower head for a post-ride scrub-up, or rinsing down bikes.

The post Fresh Produce | Dometic Hyrdration Jug and Faucet appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

An Overview of the Trek CarBack Radar

The CarBack combines the brand’s Flare RT tail light, which is claimed to be visible from up to 2km away in daylight, with a radar unit that claims to pick up approaching cars as far away as 240m.

Trek says the CarBack is supported by most cycling computers, GPS smartwatches, and smartphones. We paired it with a Garmin Edge 830 computer, an older Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt, and a Giant/Stages Dash L200 without issue.

At the time of writing, the Trek Accessory App had yet to go live in the Australian App Store, so we haven’t had the chance to play with that just yet. But Trek says it allows for dual-axis detection, showing not only a car approaching and at what speed, but also how close the driver will be when they pass.

Once paired, as a car approaches, a little icon lights up on the side of your head unit and gets closer as the car draws nearer. There is an audible tone, and a colour change depending on how quickly the car is driving.

It attaches to your seat post using a simple rubber band and can be removed via a sliding clip interface for charging — which uses a USB-C plug.

How does it compare to the Garmin Vaira?

The Garmin Varia is arguably the biggest competition to the CarBack and has been something I have used more or less since it was launched. On long gravel rides and commutes, it seems to pick up cars well before I can hear them, and their bright blinky lights are packaged into a well-finished unit.

The Trek does this as well, but in a smaller, more compact package. The mounting interface is a little different, with Garmin leveraging its trademark quarter-turn system. However, the simplicity of the rubber band on the Trek fits better non-round seat posts — like the D-shape post on our Canyon Grail test bike.

On the box, Trek claims the battery life to be 7 hours regardless of the brightness or flashing setting. We asked Trek AU about the run time, and it said radar is the most significant battery drain, and the team tested the CarBack at worst case, always-a-car-in-range, radar use. Trek predicts up to 10-12 hours on a single charge in more realistic conditions. The Garmin will go for up to 16 hours on Day Flash mode.

Regardless of the actual battery life, the CarBack sees a simple LED battery gauge, which the Garmin does not have.

The Trek also claims the light is visible from 400m further away, and the radar is sensitive to 100m further out. Priced at $299.99 AUD, it’s also $70 AUD cheaper. It’s difficult to test the visibility and radar claims—both lights create a super-focused beam you can see from well off, and the radar picks up cars before your ears do. While the Garmin well and truly wins the battery life competition, we think the price difference is likely enough to sway folks.

The post Fresh Produce | Trek CarBack Radar Light appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Alpinestars Trail/ Enduro Kit Key Features

A-Aria Polartec Switch jersey

The A-Aria Polartec Switch jersey comes in two colour options; black and dark gold. Straight up we like this, a more subtle option as well as something with a bit more flair, if you wish. We tested the dark gold version and appreciated the pop of brightness to the kit, but still in the form of those more subtle earthy tones we love. It’s certainly not the fluro yellow we saw in a lot of kits circa 2010!

The fit is relaxed without being baggy and the A-Aria Switch jersey has a slight drop tail to ensure it doesn’t ride up at the back. The stretch bonded collar cuff is a neat feature and this extra-soft section of the jersey prevents irritation around the neck.

The Polartec Power Dry fabric technology provides a lightweight but durable feel. It is also designed to bring moisture away from the skin through to the outer layers of the garment which is something we noticed — it’s an impressive bit of fabric tech.  

Alps 8 V2 shorts:

Everyone needs a pair of black riding shorts. It’s almost a prerequisite to calling yourself a mountain biker! The Alps 8 V2 shorts could be the very staple you’re needing to replace those current old faithfuls. They’re a “no fuss” piece of kit that serves the job they’re intended for. We need more of that in mountain biking!

We applaud the two large zip pockets that are positioned away from the hip to maximise comfort when pedalling. They’ve also incorporated a seamless crotch to prevent any annoying rub from your saddle. This also avoids the common, awkward seam split in the crotch that’s all to common in trail pants. 

In terms of sizing, we found these shorts to fit slightly large. However, this wasn’t an issue as they come with an adjustable waistband. This means that in the tightest setting the size 32 fit more like a size 30 around the waist. Compared to other shorts on the market, the Alps 8 V2 shorts have a baggier fit. This could be a positive or a negative depending on your preferences in style and fit. Latest trends have moved towards tighter fitting garments. If you’re a MTB purist (read: old school cool) and not interested in jumping on the budgie smuggling bandwagon, rock on and know these could be the shorts for you.

Flow’s Verdict:

Alpinestars have a rich history in the moto world. Here they are well respected for the quality of their products. We’re pleased to say we’ve seen that cross into their mountain bike kit. The A-Aria Polartec Switch jersey and Alps 8 V2 shorts have had a good workout in the last few months; a kit we’ve reached for multiple times with hesitation. The price is competitive and so is the quality and aesthetics.  

The post Fresh Produce | Alpinestars Trail/ Enduro Kit appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Steel is a much better choice for drivetrain wear items like chainrings and cassette sprockets, but of course it does add weight. Using Race Face as an example, its steel direct-mount chainring is more than double the weight of the alloy version (154g vs 68g), which is a significant penalty.

With this conundrum in mind, Race Face embarked on a project to create the ultimate chainring that could be both lightweight and durable. The result is the brand new Era, which might just be the most high-tech chainring we’ve seen up close.

Race Face Era Chainring

• Weight: 84g (32T)
• Price: $299 AUD

Joining the Era crankset, wheelset and handlebar, the snazzy new Era chainring is the newest component in the Era family. This product range is all about combining premium performance with maximum durability, and the Era chainring certainly subscribes to that philosophy.

Of course Race Face already produces chainrings, which are either made out of alloy or steel. The Era takes quite a different tactic however, combing alloy, stainless steel and carbon into a single structure.

The concept behind this is pretty straightforward. Alloy is used for the crank interface, carbon is employed for the central spider, and stainless steel forms the outer ring and chainring teeth. The way these materials come together is less straightforward, with Race Face drawing on the proprietary compression and co-moulding processes it developed for the Era crankset.

Bonding these three materials together isn’t easy, especially in such a high-load and high-wear application like a chainring. It appears those clever Canadians have cracked the code however, and the Era is the latest component to benefit from that engineering prowess.

A little heavier, but five times more durable

We’ve got our dirty paws on a 32T chainring, which weighs 84g on the workshop scales. That’s slightly heavier than the alloy equivalent (68g), but a lot lighter than the steel option (154g).

By utilising stainless steel teeth, the Race Face Era chainring is claimed to offer five times the lifespan of a comparable alloy chainring. That’s a massive improvement, and it goes a long way to justifying the difference in price between the Era ($299 AUD) and the current alloy direct-mount chainring from Race Face ($119 AUD).

In fact, by the time you replace five alloy chainrings (totalling $595 AUD), the Era works out to be half the price. Believe it or not, that actually makes it the cheaper option in the long run.

Race Face Era chainring options

While it all sounds positive, one of the main downsides of the Race Face Era chainring is the fact that it’s only produced in a Cinch-compatible design. That means it’s manufactured specifically to fit onto Race Face cranks such as the Turbine and Era, which will be a bit of a bummer for riders out there currently using SRAM or Shimano cranks who might want to upgrade to an Era chainring. We’ll have to wait and see whether Race Face will introduce other options in the future.

For those who do own a Race Face crankset, the Era chainring will be available in 30, 32 and 34T sizes. There’s a specific version for Shimano 12-speed chains and a narrow-wide version that’s “compatible with all other modern 10, 11 and 12S drivetrains”. You’ll also be able to get each option in a standard offset (Direct Mount) and a 3mm offset (Direct Mount Wide).

The post First Look | The new Race Face Era chainring combines carbon, alloy & steel appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Related:

• Garmin Rally Power Meter | A pedal based power meter compatible with any mountain bike
• Fresh Produce | Crank Brothers Mallet Enduro Pedals
• Review | The Crank Brothers Mallet Trail is a brand new clip-in pedal with a lightweight platform

Hope Union TC and the Union GC key features

Pedal Body and Axle:

Both the Union TC and Union GC have fully CNC machined bodies. When you’ve got these in your hand you can really see their craftsmanship and feel their quality. Running through the body is a high-strength Cr-Mo, heat treated and plated axle (Titanium axle upgrades are available). Building on that is a system that operates on three cartridge bearings and an IGUS bush which makes for a mega solid and smooth pedal. Throughout the testing period there has been absolutely no play, nor signs of any to come soon! Durability is something Hope prides itself on and it seems that the Union pedals fit the bill on that front.

If you did need to service these pedals, all the parts are easily accessible and replaceable by the consumer, with the exception of the clip mechanism itself, which is only serviced in-house by the Hope technicians. To be completely honest, you probably wouldn’t want to do this yourself anyway, and it’s something we see as unlikely or a ‘once in a blue moon’ necessity in any case. 

Cleat and Clip Mechanism: 

Hope uses its own mechanism in the Union pedals. Without any particular thought of foot placement, we were easily able to clip into them. In most cases, just stepping on the pedal will activate the mechanism. There is no need to nose in the cleat or enter at a certain angle. Once you’re in the pedals, there are a few adjustments that can be made to personalise how the pedal operates.

To manage the tension of the clip, there is an allen key adjustment on the mechanism. It’s similar to Shimano’s SPD system, however Hope’s are easier to reference position. With other systems, like Shimano’s, you have to count the clicks or allen key rotations to know where you are at. The Unions have clear markings showing how tight the system is. This is a small detail but it made setup and experimenting with settings an absolute breeze. 

You can also adjust the feel of the pedal by changing the cleat. Both pedals come with two sets of cleats. You can choose from 4°or 5° of  float and 12° or 13° release angle respectively. Both cleats also allow 2mm of lateral (side to side) float. The cleats are stainless steel so they are durable and should last a significant amount of time. 

Hope Union Platform and Support

Both pedals have a generous platform and provide a significant amount of contact with the shoe whilst clipped in. It’s a bit of a pet hate of ours when platform pedals don’t actually make contact with the shoe. You might be surprised how often this happens. Whether you want the larger surface area of the GC’s will come down to personal preference, but we found the lighter TC’s to provide more than enough support. The GC’s are definitely aimed at the DH scene where maximum support is beneficial, despite the slight weight penalty.

The Union TC and Union GC pedals both come with pins and spacing to again adjust for personal preference. The GC’s have a neat feature where you can run no pins, replaced by a traction pad that provides solid contact with the shoe but a little less bite than the pins. We (our shins) appreciated this feature, it’s a nice middle ground.  

Shoe Interface: 

To ensure these pedals work with all shoes, they come with a nifty cleat spacer guide. You place the guide into the cleat box of your shoe and it’ll suggest what size spacer to use. This guarantees the distance from the cleat, shoe and pedal are optimised. All the different spacer sizes are included too. Less time fiddling with settings and more time on the trails is always a yes from us! 

Flow’s Verdict

One comment we got a lot on the trails was about the price of these pedals. Yes, they are on the more exy end of the spectrum, but we see plenty of bang for your buck with Hope. Invest in some Unions and you’ll get a durable, fully serviceable, highly adjustable (all the “ables”) pedal with the performance to match. If you are particular about your setup or don’t want to service your pedals regularly we’d recommend the Unions. An all round great pedal. 

The post Review | Hope Union TC & GC Pedals appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

The Mainline is lightweight but still packs all the high-tech safety features for when things get hairy. You’ll find both Mips and Koroyd safety tech incorporated in this one. It’s reassuring to see Smith hasn’t left any stone unturned with the Mainline. Protecting your head is no joke!

It comes in at 770g which is right in the ballpark with its competitors like the Fox Profame (760g) and the Lazer Cage (920g). 

This is a helmet we’ve seen floating around the Enduro World Cup scene for quite a while now, and it’s been great to finally get our hands on one.

Smith Mainline key features

Safety Tech

The Mainline’s first line of defence is located in the shell of the helmet. Here you’ll find Koroyd’s honeycomb-like absorption lining. This high-performance core is made up of various micro-tubes linked together, which crumple under impact, absorbing as much force as possible, before it reaches your noggin.

The next layer of protection is found in the Mips lining. This technology has been a well-respected industry leader for quite a while now. It’s designed to rotate on impact, deflecting the force of the hit to the helmet.

We’re stoked to see both of these technologies utilised in a helmet that is drawn towards the gnarly side of mountain biking. 

Comfort and Fit:

With a full face helmet that is designed to be pedaled uphill, comfort is key. If it’s not, you’ll likely end up reaching for your open face lid. We are pleased to say that the Mainline is one of the more comfortable full face helmets we’ve tested. It comes with a variety of pad options, so dialing in the fit is easy and hassle free. An added bonus is that the lining employs Hybrid X-STATIC and Ionic+ fibers aimed to reduce the washing intervals.

Airflow isn’t an issue with the Mainline, as it has 21 vents and an open mouthpiece at the front of the chin bar. The opening on the chinbar is a dividing feature as it optimizes airflow but also increases the risk of getting dirt in your mouth. After riding this in the mud, we’d probably opt for slightly less airflow in exchange for a grate of some kind. 

We tested this helmet with Smith’s own Rhythm goggles and a pair of Heatwave MXG-250s. Both fit really well, and we had no fogging issues with either. However, Smith does claim that pairing the Mainline with their goggles best optimises the anti-fog AirEvac ventilation system.

Flow’s Verdict

The Mainline has become quite popular on the enduro scene and we now see why. Its good looks paired with sound safety makes for a reassuring and safe product.

If we knew we had a gnarly day of riding with quite a bit of pedaling, we’d be grabbing this one for sure. The comfort is there and, without doubt, so is the coverage for your cranium.

The post Fresh Produce | Smith Mainline Full Face Helmet appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Finish Line’s EcoTech Degreaser is strong on grit & grime without damaging rubber o-rings and seals, urethane elastomers and painted surfaces, and is made with soy extracts resulting in a product claimed to be 100% biodegradable. Following application, drivetrain components need to be washed down with water and dried with a clean cloth to remove any remaining residue before adding chain lube. 

Looking to get the maintenance done quickly & effectively and get out on the trails? The Speed Degreaser is Finish Lines solution for cleaning bicycle drivetrains quickly. Formulated with specialised solvents to break down grease, grime, dust & dirt, the Speed Degreaser quickly blasts away contaminants leaving the drivetrain spick and span. It dries quickly and leaves no residue, meaning drip-on lubricant can be applied straight away, and you are back on the trails as soon as possible.   

Squeaky brakes? The most likely cause is contaminated brake rotors and pads due to oil residue. To combat this, Finish Line have developed their Brake Cleaner to remove brake dust and contaminants from disc brake rotors and braking surfaces to improve performance. It’s Acetone free for safe use around paint, carbon fibre and plastics. Simply spray onto the affected components and let the specifically designed formula do the rest of the work. Finish Line says it will evaporate within a few minutes, leaving clean, contaminate-free braking components.

The post Fresh Produce | Finish Line Degreasers appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

These new neck braces are engineered to keep the rim of your helmet away from your body’s more fragile bones as well as distribute the force of a crash or impact through the brace and onto stronger muscles and bones, reducing the likelihood of a break. With a split rear which is designed to move with your body and break away before causing any damage to your back, the padding is ribbed to allow some airflow.  

Leatt claims that their neck braces can reduce critical cervical spine injuries by up to 89% and that collarbone injuries are up to 45% more likely without a neck brace. These stats are not just a marketing claim, they are backed by an independent study conducted by Action Sports EMS in 2019. At the same time, there are studies like this one in the International Journal of Crashworthieness where the findings were a bit more inconclusive, stating more study is needed — so take from that what you will.

I have been testing one of the Leatt 3.5-neck braces, which is the entry-level model that still packs a range of features into a sleek-looking package. It is comfortable to wear and after about 10mins of riding, I hardly noticed that it was there.

On big compressions and hits, there was a light knocking sound as the top of the brace hit the back of the Leatt Enduro 3.0 helmet that I was running, in its full-face configuration. This sound was a reminder of what the brace is designed to do, which is limit the movement of your neck in the event of a crash or large compression. While it limited my neck’s range of movement, the brace did not cause any issues when riding. I still had enough movement to safely and comfortably see the trail in a range of riding positions from steep technical tracks to the more pedal-orientated mellow trails on my way back to the car park.

The 3.5 brace comes in three different sizes, S/M, L/XL, and XXL. Each brace has several adjustment points to dial in your fit, including two different sizing slots for the back brace and optional side straps that can be tightened under your arms to help hold it securely in place.

While Leatt claims the 3.5 weighs 497g, my S/M test brace weighed in at 590g with the side straps fitted. This combined with its comfortable fit meant the brace was hardly noticeable when riding and will be a regular addition to my kit when tackling steeper, faster, and more technical tracks.

What is worth considering if you are looking to purchase a neck brace is what helmet you will pair it with. Often, many of the lighter-weight enduro-focused helmets and helmets with removable chin guards do not come down the back of your neck as far as a more traditional full-face helmet. This can reduce the contact points with a neck brace and result in a more than desirable amount of neck movement.

As is the case with most protective equipment it is always best to try it on first, so make sure you take the helmet you will pair it with when you check one out.

The post Fresh Produce | Leatt 3.5 Neck Brace appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

We always have high expectations when industry leaders Crankbrothers release a new shoe or pedal. And why not? This is their domain; they have quite a reputation to live up to! We anticipate their new Mallet Trail shoe will be no exception and a popular choice, as it lives up to the high standard of its predecessors.

We’ve put the Mallet Trail shoes through their paces, and we’re pleased to say they pair nicely with a variety of pedals, and not just Crankbrothers branded ones at that. We tested them on Crankbrothers, Shimano, and Hope pedals without any issues. 

The fit is excellent, they provide comfort both on and off the bike, and they look good too. Whilst shoe laces do a fantastic job, it’s always nice to see a lace-free tightening system. The weight (for the size 42 EU that we tested) was 410g per shoe, which we feel is pretty reasonable for a trail/enduro product.

Key Features:

Closure System:

The new Mallet Trail shoes have an elastic collar that stops unwelcome debris from getting into the shoe. We’ve tested a few shoes with a similar design, which we’ve come to appreciate.

This is then accompanied by a Boa closure system, with useful fine adjustments that ensure the perfect fit. The steps in the tightening system are well-spaced, so you won’t find yourself between settings at all. This is thanks to the Boa Li2 dual-direction micro-adjustment dial.

The final piece to securing the fit is the velcro strap across the upper foot. The Boa system stops near the top where the strap is. We would have loved to have seen the Boa system cover the upper bit of the foot. As we found, if we didn’t get the strap nice and tight, the fit didn’t feel quite right.

Cleat Box:

The value of a product is often found in the finer details. One of the first signs of quality we noticed was in setting up the shoe. As we installed the cleat we noticed that the position markings are actually indents. The cleat clicks into these indents as you move it up and down. This makes it easy to count the position so you can match both shoes. We also found that it holds the cleat in position and it won’t slide whilst you take your hand off to grab an allen key. We should also add that the cleat box has a wide range of placement options, so finding the ideal position should be possible for everyone.

Stiffness:

The stiffness of the shoe is well balanced in regards to performance and comfort. At no point when riding did we feel as if it lacked stability. When we were off the bike walking around they were comfortable and provided plenty of grip. We’ve spent quite a bit of time in these shoes running around taking photos at events. Thus we can confidently say, if faced with a decent hike-a-bike on a day out, your dogs won’t be barking at you by the end of it. We’ve all been there, not fun! 

Toe Protection:

We were very pleased to see toe protection included in the new Mallet Trail shoes. These shoes have a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) shell around the toe. Super strong but also light. This kind of protection is definitely becoming a must have feature for us.

Flow’s Verdict:

In our opinion, shoes should be a humble player in your overall kit; if they’re not overly noticed, they’re likely doing a pretty good job. The Mallets certainly fit that description. During testing, they were comfortable, performed well technically, and, with the black/ gum colourway, complimented a variety of kit colours. We were particularly happy to see that they worked well with an array of pedals from different brands.

Overall, these shoes earn themselves a double thumbs-up Flow rating. They come in at $364.95 AUD, which is on the higher end of pricing, however a definite investment in a quality product. If you’ve had average riding kicks before, you’ll know the investment is worth it!

The post Fresh Produce | Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Boa Shoes appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Here we take a look at the five new products in the Crank Brothers S.O.S range.

Crank Brothers S.O.S BC2 Bottle Cage+

• Weight: 73g
• Price: $69.95 AUD

A simple bottle cage right? Well, not quite. The Crank Brothers S.O.S BC2 features a sturdy central mount that’s designed to bolt onto your downtube in the usual spot. The side-entry cage is reversible, so you can set it up for right or left-hand access. Hidden in the middle of the mounting bracket is a big grey plastic lever, under which you’ll find a stealthy tubeless tyre plug. Two spare plugs are included, ready to fix a trailside puncture.

Crank Brothers S.O.S BC18 Bottle Cage Tool Kit

• Weight: 247g
• Price: $189.95 AUD

Stepping things up is the Crank Brothers S.O.S BC18 Bottle Cage Tool Kit. This guy adds on a whole bunch of functionality with two holsters that sit on either side of the reversible bottle cage. On one side there’s a rubber strap for carrying a CO2 cylinder or a mini pump. On the other side is an alloy barrel that contains a clever multi-tool and CO2 chuck. Unthread the main cap and the multi-tool pops out thanks to the spring-loaded base.

You’ve got all the most important tools including a variety of hex keys, Torx keys, screwdrivers, spoke wrenches and a chain breaker. It also includes spare tubeless plugs and there’s a spot for carrying chain links too. Pretty neat!

Crank Brothers S.O.S TT17 Twin Tube Tool Kit

• Weight: 247g
• Price: $209.95 AUD

Designed to fit onto the accessory mounts that are typically found underneath the top tube of modern trail and enduro bikes, the Crank Brothers S.O.S TT17 Twin Tube Tool Kit is a compact system that helps to position as many tools and spares on your bike so you don’t have to lug them around in a jersey pocket or riding pack.

The TT17 uses a central mounting bracket with three different anchor points that allows you to position the tool in the ideal position. Hinging from the bracket are two alloy barrels, one of which contains a comprehensive multi-tool with various hex keys, a T25 Torx key, flat screwdriver, chain breaker and CO2 chuck. The other barrel is designed to house a CO2 cylinder, and stows two spare tubeless plugs inside the end cap.

Crank Brothers S.O.S TS2 Tube Stash+

• Weight: 53g
• Price: $54.95 AUD

The simplest and cheapest tool in the range, the Crank Brothers S.O.S TS2 is a holster that’s designed to carry a spare tube without need to put a big strap around your top tube. Instead it features a dedicated mount that bolts directly to your frame, ensuring there’s no untoward rubbing of the paint or lacquer. As with all the other Crank Brothers S.O.S tools it integrates a nifty tyre lever and tubeless plug.

Crank Brothers S.O.S TS18 Tube Stash Tool Kit

• Weight: 229g
• Price: $169.95 AUD

Last but certainly not least is the Crank Brothers S.O.S TS18 Tube Stash Tool Kit. This takes the basic tube stash tool and amps it up with two holsters; one for carrying a CO2 cylinder or mini-pump, and the other for carrying the included multi-tool.

It’s the same multi-tool that comes on the BC18 tool kit, so you’re also getting a 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm hex keys, a T10 and T25 torx keys. There’s a flat-blade screwdriver, chain breaker, spoke wrenches, valve core tool and CO2 chuck. Of course you also get the same integrated tyre lever and tubeless plug tool, along with four spare plugs.

The post Fresh Produce | Crank Brothers Launches New S.O.S Tool Range appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

From humble beginnings back in 1988 with the launch of its Dry Lubricant infused with Teflon, Finish Line is one of the old guard in bike care. Since then, Finish Line has expanded its range to a full suite of bicycle maintenance products, including dry, wet, race, and even e-Bike chain lubes. 

The Ceramic Wet Lube is Finish Line’s most advanced chain lubricant, consisting of their patented boron nitride technology, which is said to build a ceramic coating on the chain, resulting in a smooth and quiet drivetrain. The brand claims it’s a durable lubricant and is fully waterproof, hence it’s well suited to wet conditions for the winter warriors amongst us. However, it is more prone to picking up dirt & grime compared to dry or wax-based lubricants. 

Finish Line Dry is the product that started it all, and is now its premium chain lubricant for dry conditions, featuring nano-ceramic boron nitride which cures to a wax-like film once applied. The brand claims the ceramic coating is non-stick, repels water, reduces friction and minimises the overall buildup of grit and grime on the chain & drivetrain components.  

Dry lubricants are typically best suited to — you guessed it — dry & dusty summer conditions, however Finish Line Dry also hangs on well on those days when the weather can’t seem to make its mind up. It has a lower viscosity compared to the Wet Ceramic Lube, and penetrates the rollers easier making application a breeze. 

Regardless of the season, routine maintenance is critical to a healthy and long-lasting drivetrain, and a little bit of care can save some serious wear & tear, resulting in costly repairs.

The post Fresh Produce | Finish Line Chain Lubricants appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

When it comes to flat pedals, we counted no fewer than eight different options in the current lineup. Here we take a look at the mid-level option; the Leatt 3.0 flat pedal shoes.

Leatt 3.0 Flat Pedal Shoes

• Sizes: US8 – US12
• Price: $219 AUD

The new 3.0 Flat sits somewhere in the middle of Leatt’s flat pedal shoe lineup. The models above this (ProFlat 2.0 and ProFlat 3.0) utilise a more complicated ratchet-based retention system. In comparison, the 3.0 sticks with a lace-up design. They aren’t any old laces though, using a compression fabric that help to minimise slippage so they don’t lose adjustment through the ride. The laces tuck into a elastic band to keep them from flapping around while riding, and there are bright orange pull loops at the back of the shoe to help you slip the shoes on.

There’s heaps of other neat features throughout including neoprene padded gaiters for keeping debris out of the inside of the shoes, reinforced caps for the toes and heel cups, and ventilation panels on each side of the synthetic leather upper.

Sticky rubber

Compared to previous flat pedal shoes from Leatt, the 3.0 gets an updated outsole. The RideGrip PRO rubber compound is new, offering a stickier and softer feel to maximise grip on flat pedals. Leatt says the rubber still offers excellent wear and tear resistance.

More obvious is the change in tread pattern. Leatt’s original flat pedal shoes used an inverted design with hollow pockets not dissimilar to a pair of Vans. The new 3.0 flat pedal shoes flip that around to a more conventional profile with externally protruding lugs that are designed to latch onto pedal pins in a slightly less locked-in manner.

The post Fresh Produce | Leatt 3.0 Flat Pedal Shoes appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

You may recall that we covered the Argotal, Kryptotal and Xynotal tyres in a detailed review where we tested five unique combinations on five different bikes. We were particularly impressed by the Enduro and DH options that use a softer rubber compound and sturdier casings that offer a sweet ride feel with claw-like grip and a nicely damped quality.

All of the tyres we’ve previously tested have been in a 2.4in size, though it’s worth noting that Continental has also released a number of options in a bigger 2.6in width. Here we take a look at two of those 2.6in tyres, which Wil has fitted to his Scott Voltage test bike.

If you’re looking for more grip and compliance out of your mountain bike or e-MTB, consider fitting a set of 2.6in tyres providing that your frame and fork will accommodate them.

Continental Argotal Enduro Tyre

• Size: 29×2.6in
• Weight: 1,310g (confirmed)
• Price: $159.99 AUD

On the front of the Scott Voltage we’ve got the Continental Argotal. This is the most aggressive tyre from the German brand, which is designed to excel in loose and challenging terrain.

Replacing the stock Maxxis Assegai EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra 2.6in front tyre, the Argotal Enduro is pretty comparable. Weight is almost exactly the same (1,310g vs 1,320g), and the similarly toothy tread pattern aims to dig through dusty and loose trail surfaces to provide dependable traction whether it’s wet or dry.

For tyres with the ‘Enduro’ label, Continental pairs them with its Soft rubber compound. In terms of tackiness, it feels somewhere in between the 3C MaxxTerra and 3C MaxxGrip compounds from Maxxis. Combined with its 110tpi casing and Apex reinforced beads, the Argotal Enduro has a well-damped ride quality with good stability at lower pressures. If you’re looking for more grip and compliance out of your mountain bike or e-MTB, consider fitting a set of 2.6in tyres providing that your frame and fork will accommodate them.

Continental Kryptotal Re Enduro Tyre

• Size: 29×2.6in
• Weight: 1,289g (confirmed)
• Price: $159.99 AUD

On the rear we’ve got the Continental Kryptotal Re tyre. This is the rear-specific option out of the two Kryptotal tyres, and as such it utilises more pronounced lateral edges to offer a stronger hold under heavy braking.

This replaced the stock Maxxis Dissector EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra 2.6in tyre, and again weight is very similar (1,289g for the Kryptotal vs 1,250g for the Dissector). The tread pattern is quite a bit more aggressive however, and shares more in common with the Maxxis Minion DHR II tyre.

We also went with the Enduro casing, which features three layers of 110tpi nylon fabric under the tread, and two layers along each sidewall. There’s an additional layer of cross-woven fabric built into the sidewall to boost cut-resistance, along with a thick plastic Apex around each bead to reduce the chances of pinch-flatting. It also helps to add stability at lower pressures, and currently Wil is running around 21-22psi in the rear tyre.

Installation

As we’ve experience with other Continental Enduro tyres, the fit can be quite tight on certain rims. Whereas the Maxxis EXO+ tyres were pretty easy to install and remove by hand, we needed the help of a tyre lever with the Continental Enduro tyres. Adding a CushCore insert into the rear wheel also proved to be a challenge, which would have been impossible without the help of the nifty Bead Bro tool.

Once in place however, both tyres have aired up easily on the Syncros Revelstoke carbon rims. We’ve got each tyre set up tubeless with a few glugs of Champions Choice sealant and so far they’re holding pressure well.

First Impressions

It’s early days with the 2.6in Continental Argotal and Kryptotal tyres, but as expected they provide a similar ride feel to their slightly narrower siblings. Compared to the stock Maxxis tyres, there is noticeably more damping and grip on tap, and we’re looking forward to being able to push the Voltage that bit harder on the descents. That traction doesn’t come for free however, with an equivalent increase in rolling resistance. We’ll be doing some range tests to see what the real-world effect is on efficiency.

If you’re keen to know more about the latest Argotal, Kryptotal and Xynotal tyres, check out our Continental tyre review for the full rundown.

The post Fresh Produce | Continental Argotal & Kryptotal Enduro 29×2.6in Tyres appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Thankfully there are a lot of great options out there. Modern knee pads are getting slimmer and more flexible, and they offer better breathability too. The end result is a set of protective armour that you’re less likely to think about while riding, up until the point that you need that protection to help shield your knees from an untimely impact with a tree or rock.

Here we take a look at one of the best knee pad options on the market; the Leatt AirFlex Pro.

Leatt AirFlex Pro Knee Pads

• Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large & XX-Large
• Price: $179 AUD

The Leatt AirFlex Pro is one of the more minimalist options out there when it comes to knee pads. They feature a lightweight tube-style construction that’s free of any external straps or Velcro. Instead, elasticated cuffs and silicone grippers help to keep them snug and secure. The fact that they come in five different sizes means it’s easier to get the right fit too.

The other key component is the AirFlex protection cap. Made from high-strength impact gel, it utilises a pre-curved profile that helps it to articulate around the knee joint so as to move with you while you’re pedalling. Additionally, it features a tessellated pattern that allows for a high degree of airflow, reducing sweat build up.

Leatt complements the AirFlex armour with several more panels of padding around each side of the knee and over the top of it. The result is a surprising amount of protection for what is quite a lightweight and flexible garment.

Aiding ventilation is a large cutout at the back of the knee. The entire back panel is made from an open eyelet mesh fabric called MoistureCool that helps to wick away any sweat buildup.

Leatt AirFlex Pro Elbow Pads

• Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large & XX-Large
• Price: $179 AUD

Leatt utilises exactly the same technology and materials for the AirFlex Pro elbow pads. These also use a tube-style construction, lightweight MoistureCool mesh fabrics and the excellent AirFlex impact gel protection plate.

Elbow pads are an item we find ourselves reaching for less often compared to knee pads, but the AirFlex Pro makes it such an unobtrusive experience that we’re more likely to don these before heading out the door. Combined with the AirFlex Pro knee pads, this is a seriously comfortable, flexible and breathable set up that is an excellent choice for trail riders and enduro racers who appreciate the added protection without the bulk.

The post Fresh Produce | Leatt AirFlex Pro Knee Pads & AirFlex Pro Elbow Guards appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

According to Bosch with its vast experience in the tool sector, it has the batteries and motors pretty well covered and the future of e-bikes is in digital solutions. Launched back in 2021, the Smart System aims to seamlessly integrate the controller, motor, and batteries with the Bosch Flow app for customisation and updates. The Bosch ConnectModule combines a touch of hardware and a bit of tech to provide a degree of anti-theft protection, well beyond an Airtag glued under the saddle. A small dongle that is mounted inside the motor cover it’s only compatible with Smart System-equipped eMTBs, and you’ll know you have one if your bike can connect to the app.

Related:

• 9 tuning tips to get the most out of your Bosch electric mountain bike | Bosch Smart System Review

At a glance, the Bosch ConnectModule with the Flow+ premium subscription offers:

• Integrated battery which will stay charged via the eBike battery
• Movement sensors to activate alarms and send alerts
• Two-stage acoustic alarm
• GPS tracker
• Mobile notifications
• Theft reporting

Tracking without a Bluetooth connection

The Flow+ subscription is required to access the acoustic alarm, motion sensors, mobile notifications, and location tracking. The free Flow app will only have access to the eBike lock feature, disabling the motor and battery. That’s because it doesn’t need to piggyback a mobile phone for GPS tracking and the like, instead it has a sim card that’s connected to a wireless network — so your subscription is covering that cost. That also means you don’t need to be within Bluetooth range to activate the alarm or lock.

If you have a Kiox 300 or Kiox 500 head unit, you can set that as the key. If you don’t have these and as long as you have a compatible Bosch motor, you will default back to using the Flow app as the key. Should your phone be out of action or the battery dies, it’s just a matter of logging in again on another device and connecting via Bluetooth.

Once the lock has been activated the system features a two-stage audio alarm. The first stage alarm beeps away when it detects motion to hopefully scare off a thief, whilst sending you a notification that your bike has moved. If it then detects the bike has moved away via GPS it will set off the second warning alarm, and begin tracking your bike. In the unfortunate event that your bike has been taken, the app can automatically generate a theft report with all relevant information about the incident and details of your bike.

Installation can only be conducted at a certified Bosch eBike service centre, which you can locate via the app, and took less than 15 minutes to install. Our Bosch ConnectModule was fitted to a 2022 CUBE Stereo Hybrid 160 HPC SL, which required an upgraded motor cover with a little more room for the unit. Not all bikes will need this, and most newer models will come with the upgraded cover from the factory. For bikes purchased in 2022, Bosch notes the BCM is only compatible with bikes with a 750Wh battery, for 2023 models it’ll play nice with all bikes that have a 500Wh battery or higher.

The small unit fits snuggly within the motor cover. It has a built-in battery, which will continually charge off your eMTB battery so it can stay operational even if the main battery is disconnected. In lock mode the software deactivates the motor and battery, providing another level of deterrence even if any component of the system is removed.

Customisable security settings:

The BCM is the only OEM offered aftermarket alarm and location tracker that we know of currently available in Australia, and it’s this integration with the other components that makes it stand out from third-party options like the Knog Scout. It is currently available from Bosch eBike service dealers for $224.95 and comes with 12 months free subscription to Flow+. The subscription is priced at $5.99 per month or $59.99 annually, and includes mobile service so that the unit can send notifications and access GPS services.

The post Fresh Produce | Bosch ConnectModule and Flow+ premium subscription appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

The Rockit Plus is an All-Mountain/Enduro shoe from Northwave. It’s brimming with tech, and packaged in a stylish but relaxed aesthetic. The Rockit Plus has a competitive price tag at $229.95 and weighs 725g (both shoes).

Tech Features:

The first thing we’ll comment on is the closure system. Northwave has gone lace-less, but with a twist (literally!). The X-Dial SLW3 is the Italian outfit’s version of a BOA dial. The indexed dial reels in a Dyneema cable — which is claimed to 15x stronger than steel, but light enough to float on water — pulling up on the little lever releases it one click, while pushing down lets it free spin to release all of the tension.

The steps in the dial felt well-spaced, allowing for easy, fast and secure tightening. They also have a single-step release option, which comes in handy if you rotate a little too far and get a little too snug. 

You’ll find a Wolftrax Vibram sole on the Rockit Plus. Made from 30% recycled rubber, we found the shape of the sole to be thoughtfully constructed. There were no issues with clipping in and out, and when locked in, the shoe still made contact with the pedal pins. Our feet were pleased to see that Northwave included a reinforced outer toe box. Let’s be honest, there is nothing worse than kicking a rock at 50km/h.

Fit and comfort:

We found these shoes to fit pretty true to size. If anything, width-wise, they may slightly favour the neutral to narrow end of the spectrum. The sole stiffness is spot on. Firm but still comfortable for hike-a-bike moments. The heel cup is deep and secure, making your foot feel confidently cradled and locked in. No issues with heel slip when riding or walking here! There is a generous amount of padding around the achilles too, which is always welcomed.

Aesthetics:

Mountain bike shoes have come a long way in terms of looks. The Rockit Plus have an understated but modern appearance. The outline is right on trend with other brands and models on the market. However, our only gripe is that the blue colourway is the only option in Australia. The blue looks great but it won’t be for everyone. You can get a black version of the laced Rockit but it is the model below the Plus version.

Final thoughts:

The Rockit Plus is a competitively priced shoe, reasonable in weight and full of up-to-date tech features. In our eyes, it’s a worthy consideration amongst the packed field All Mountain/Enduro shoes like Shimano’s GE9. 

The post Fresh Produce | Northwave Rockit Plus Shoes appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

We’ve had our grubby…err, um, sweaty… hands on the latest Flexair threads from the California based gear brand.

Flexiar SS Jersey

Flexair is the umbrella under which Fox’s lightest weight gear falls under, and made from Fox’s TruDri perforated fabric, this top is about as air permeable as fabric can get without becoming totally transparent. Fox claims the perforations are body mapped and laser cut, but techy claims aside, the fabric breathes and efficiently wicks moisture off your skin.

It’s soft to the touch, and there is enough stretch built into the fabric to prevent binding and pulling, especially when you’re schvitzing on a sun-exposed climb, and the dew point has crept above 24ºC.

With a drop tail, the fit is tailored and flattering, managing to mask the dad bod well. Colour fades are very much in at the moment, and this ‘Nova’ colourway is one of the better versions to our eyes.

There is a split collar design which sees the back a standard double stitched affair with the front seam welded. I can’t say a standard collar has ever caused discomfort before, but this one does sit nice and flat, and there is no seam to potentially irritate.

It’s clear this jersey was built with nothing but airflow in mind, and with that, it’s pretty bare of other features. Don’t expect a sunnies wipe or a zippered pocket, though I can’t say I missed them either.

Also, being so lightweight I was sure this top would vaporise as soon as it touched the ground, but to my pleasant surprise, after a trip over the handlebars it came out mostly unscathed. I say mostly because there is one small hole poked by a stick seemingly sharpened to a hypodermic point, as it also punched a hole in my shoulder.

Whenever I approach writing about a kit, I always subject it to the laundry test. The mark of a high-quality piece of kit is that it ends up in the wash frequently because I’m wearing it a lot, whereas something less refined will naturally migrate towards the bottom of the drawer. This Flexair Nova jersey has been in the wash at least once a week.

Flexair Shorts

I’ve also been riding in a pair of the latest Flexair shorts. Made from four-way stretch TruDri fabric, they move with you even when you’re extra sweaty from all the trail side popping and locking. There are also laser-cut vents on the inner quad, though I’ve never found these to do a whole lot — they also probably don’t hurt either.

The waist is wrangled by Fox’s Race-ratchet. While this allows each size of shorts to accommodate a range of hips, I’ve never been a big fan, as the fly always goes wonky. A double popper and a zipper fly is the way to go.

It seems that Fox has changed the cut of the Flexair shorts, as they’re a bit shorter and tailored a bit tighter than I remember. With a ~260mm/10in inseam, they come in right above my knee and do ride up a bit when you sit on the bike.

There’s two zippered pockets which are plenty large enough for a modern smartphone and keys or snacks, however it does place whatever you’ve got in there on top of your thigh.

The branding is minimal, and I appreciate the grey logos, which keep the look understated. Priced at $149.99 AUD, they are not cheap, but having already crash tested them, they’re hole and popped seam-free so far. These aren’t the type of shorts you’ll be throwing out after one season.

The post Fresh Produce | Fox Flexair Kit appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Related:

• New Tow Rope from Kids Ride Shotgun Extends the Play

The tow rope is conveniently tucked away under the saddle and offers straightforward mounting at both ends. The housing is designed for dropper posts and uses webbing to attach to the saddle rails.

Weighing just 138 grams, the Kommit Bike Towing System boasts impressive strength with its braided non-stretch line, which is said to support up to 120kg of tensile load — meaning the pulling force, not the weight of what’s being pulled. This means the towing capacity isn’t just limited to kids, and you can also drag your riding buddies if they have a mechanical or are feeling a bit lazy.

Featuring a self-retracting cable system and a reflective logo for a tiny bit of added visibility, attaching your trailer is as simple as looping the rubberised lasso over the passenger’s stem bolts, and you’re off. There is a sizable pull tab on the lasso to prevent pinched fingers and allow your passenger to hit the eject button when the climb has finished.

With 2m of cable stored in the housing, there is enough room between the tower and tow-ee, but it’s not a tonne of breathing room. Given the line is not dynamic, also be mindful when taking off not to give your passenger whiplash..

The post Fresh Produce | Kommit Bike Towing System appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

While there were a few hiccups involving headset parts, we finally had a complete bike to ride — thanks to some problem solving by the the workshop legends at Just Ride Nerang.

Related:

• 5 Reasons Why We’re Excited About The New Shimano GRX Gravel Groupset | First Ride Review
• Review | Testing Cushcore Tubeless Inserts on a Gravel Bike
• Maxxis Gravel Tyre Range | From the Chunkiest to the Slickest

The frame

We have scored an all singing, all dancing, Addict Gravel Tuned to serve as the canvas on which to set the new GRX 12-speed mechanical groupset. Whereas in our more recent reviews of the Avanti Gran Durance and the Focus Atlas, we’ve noted they’re more akin to a Subaru Forester than Brendan Semenuk’s WRX rally racer, the Addict Gravel is very much designed to be the latter.

The Tuned version of this frame is made from the Swiss outfit’s top-end HMX carbon, and is claimed to weigh 930g for the frame and 395g for the fork. Dressed in the GRX components, it tipped our scales at an impressive 7.95kg.

Borrowing a bit of design language from its roadie cousins that sport the same, Scott makes claims about aero optimising this and that, nearly every tube is a truncated airfoil. This is also the reason that Scott has opted to run the cables through the upper headset bearing. While wind tunnel data shows that cleaning up the cockpit does make a substantial improvement to the drag coefficient. The novelty of any watts saved disappeared when the sandpaper had to come out to open up the channel in the compression plug to stop it from squishing the gear cable.

While the dropped seat stays are all too familiar nowadays, the Addict Gravel fork’s drastic kink just below the crown is meant to provide vertical compliance without sacrificing lateral stiffness. Scott has also opted for a D-shaped seatpost to help take the edge off square hits. While this does mean you’re locked into the Syncros version that comes with the bike, we do appreciate that the Swiss brand has resisted the urge to use an internal wedge-based seat clamp.

Even with the competition focus of the addict gravel, there are still mounts for a third water bottle, a snack station top tube bag, and even full coverage fenders, which reduce the max tyre clearance from 45mm to 40mm.

While we have the bike set up in a 1x configuration, it can accept a front mech if that’s what floats your boat, and the Addict Gravel is even designed to accommodate 180mm rotors at the front and 160mm at the rear.

I am a big fan of the subtle logos and not-so-in-your-face branding Scott has employed for the Addict Gravel. However, it seems the paint they have opted for is quite fragile. The inside of the chainstay already has scratches from where the chain settled as I was measuring it to chop the extra links. Given that someone in the market for this bike is going to subject it to a constant stream of airborne grit and rocks, we think this would be a good candidate for something like Ride Wrap.

At the moment, the bike is finished with a set of non-flared Syncros Creston 1.5 alloy handlebars. While the clamp on the new GRX levers has been designed to suit an 18º flare this provides a proof of concept that you won’t have any ergonomic issues on a standard drop bar. Even still, we’ll be aiming to rectify this soon.

Scott Addict Gravel Geometry

Compared to its predecessor, Scott has followed the trend of adding a bit to the reach via a longer top tube, while pairing it with a shorter stem. But, everything is relative of course. While Scott has lopped 10mm off the stem, it’s still 100mm long on a size M.

This does create quite a long and low, aggressive riding position.

The head angled sits at 71º while the seat angle is 73.5º — both unchanged from its predecessor. The chainstays have grown by 3mm, and the BB drop has been increased by 4mm. That second one is quite a difference and should lead to the rider feeling like they are very much IN the bike, rather than on top of it. The fork rake sits at 50mm and creates a trail figure of 69mm, it should be stable at cruising speed but still pretty reactive when it comes time to navigate a tight bend. So far, I’ve only pedalled it around the block, so we’re still very much in the realm of assumptions.

The groupset | Shimano GRX 1×12-speed

I have been salivating at the pile of GRX boxes sitting on the end of my workbench for some time. Check out the story from the launch for a full rundown of what’s new and some first impressions.

Shimano sent out the 1×12 long cage groupset, which the brand has dubbed “Unstoppable.” To hit the 51T cog on the cassette, the GRX rear mech utilises a SGS long cage derailleur. The only difference between this version and the derailleur that’s labelled “Unstoppable”, which maxes out at 45T, is the derailleur cage. While the parallelogram accepts both the SG (medium) and SGS (long) derailleur cages, Shimano AU said it won’t be stocking them individually.

With that, we have the 10-51T cassette on the back, which is Deore XT Cassette, bolted onto a set of Shimano RX880 carbon wheels. With a 25mm internal width and depth, these hoops tipped our scales at 1,430g, and they are one of the few gravel wheels that accept the Microspine freehub needed to accommodate the 10T small cog.

We’ve finished them with a 160/140mm mix of Shimano’s new CL rotors. This new rotor design will eventually replace the MTB and drop bar discs across Shimano’s range.

The crank is unchanged from the previous GRX 810 groupset, and Shimano sent us the 42T chainring.

As a side note, in all of these parts that were delivered to Flow’s QLD HQ, there was not one piece of plastic in the packaging — well done, Shimano.

While everything was sitting on my workbench, I took the liberty of weighing each component.

• RX822 Rear (1x) Derailleur SGS cage ($189.00AUD) 295g
• RX8201 (1x) Crankset w/ 40T chainring ($370AUD)642g
• RX8202 Shifter RH / ($603.00 AUD price includes brake caliper) 298g
• RX8202 Shifter LH ($466 AUD price includes brake calliper) 232g
• RX 820 Brake calliper w/ hose, adaptor & finned brake pads 166g
• M8100 Cassette 10-51T ($240.AUD) 473g
• M8100 Chain ($75.00 AUD)
• RX880 Wheels ($2,199 AUD) 1,430g
• CL 800 Rotor 160mm ($109 AUD) 112g
• CL 800 Rotor 140mm ($109 AUD) 94g

Stay tuned for full reviews of both Shimano’s new GRX 12-speed groupset and the Scott Addict Gravel Tuned.

The post Fresh Produce | Colin’s GRX test steed the Scott Addict Gravel appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.

Pricing for our 150mm drop, 31.6mm post comes in at $863.59 AUD. It’s still not cheap, but it’s a hair over than half the cost of the equivalent Rockshox AXS post — which has an RRP of $1,480 AUD. The EDP01 is available in both 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameters, and three travel options, 150mm, 170mm, and 200mm.

Related:

• Fox Transfer SL Review | The lightest dropper post we’ve ever tested
• REVIEW | The BikeYoke Divine might just be our new favourite dropper post

The EDP01 has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that sits underneath the saddle, it fits into a neat little cradle. It has an automotive-grade IPX 66 water-resistant rating and is claimed to have the grunt for over 6,000 activations on a single charge. The remote, on the other hand, uses a common CR2032 coin cell battery.

The design of the dropper is simple and sleek; it’s a stealthy black affair with little writing or logos to distinguish itself from the brand’s sea of cable-operated droppers. For what it lacks in visual pizzaz, it more than makes up for with a few well-thought-out design features. The saddle clamp is a simple single-bolt design; you only need to adjust one side to secure the saddle rails for your fore and aft adjustment, while a separate bolt on the front alters the saddle angle.

The remote has a split clamp that can be installed without needing to remove your grips or brakes, and it has a comfortable ergonomic design. Fitting a wireless dropper is easily one of their biggest appeals, and the entire process takes only a couple of minutes since there’s nothing to hook up or run through your frame.

Pressing the remote generates an electronic buzz from the dropper and its action is smooth and responsive. While the whirr of the tiny servo motor is notably louder than a silent cable pull, you really only notice it in the workshop. The post makes a subtle and satisfying clunk when it reaches full extension.

Return speed can be adjusted by changing the air pressure via a shock pump; however, you will need a two-stage pump. We found out the hard way that a standard shock pump will lose too much air when disconnecting the hose, resulting in the post not returning at all. The recommended pressure range is 230-280psi.

We’ve been testing a 150mm drop version with a 31.6mm diameter, which tipped our scales at 757g, including the remote. We can’t comment on long-term durability just yet, but so far, it’s been totally reliable. Just like all good dropper posts, it is easily forgotten about as it simply does its job. There is no play or sag, however Tranz X does sell replacement cartridges should the one in your seatpost cark it.

There has been one little quirk that has popped up, as the actuator is remotely triggered there is a slight delay before it closes. The result being that if you apply weight to the post too soon after it has extended, it can sink a little into its travel. This isn’t play in the post, it can just take a little longer than a cable-operated post to close off the valve. Another tip for users is to remove the battery if the bike is going to be transported on a long trip, as movement wakes up the post and can drain the battery if it is left in.

Provided you remember to charge the battery, the Tranz X EDP01 has been totally hassle-free.

The post Fresh Produce | Tranz X EDP01 Wireless Dropper Post appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.