It’s all hands on deck here at BikeRadar, as time gallops on its forward trajectory into the unknown.
Whether that unknown brings with it new product launches with exciting, revolutionary technology or just a re-hash of the same old hat is unquestionably a personal viewpoint.
One person’s treasure can be another’s tat.
Either way, we’re always excited when news of a new product drops into our inboxes, such as Fulcrum’s relaunch of its Red Zone Carbon MTB wheels. The brand’s latest wheels have dual asymmetrical, offset spokes with a wavy rim pattern to accommodate spoke placement. They certainly look unusual, but are they reinventing the wheel? It’s too early to tell.
In a slightly less glamorous but highly practical topic, we’ve drawn up a list of the seven best outdoor storage solutions to keep your bike safe. Read up, because these ideas could help reduce the chances of your bike getting stolen.
Next up, our Tom’s been a busy man reviewing high-speed cross-country bikes. He’s published reviews of the hidden-shock Scott Spark RC Team Issue AXS, super-speedy Intense Sniper XC Expert whippet and the razor-sharp KTM Scarp Master XC race thoroughbred.
!["Scott]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Scott-Spark-RC-climbing-e4d794f.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Scott")
What else? Well Rapha has launched a pair of lightweight trail riding knee pads, claimed to be the most protective pads in their class. Are they worth the £80 / $110 / AU$140 / €95 asking price? We’ve got a set to test, so will report back with our findings.
Do you like punishing yourself on the climbs? We’ve listed seven of the steepest road bike climbs in the UK. Get them on your hit list for 2022!
Meanwhile, in the northern hemisphere, it’s winter. That means gravel season is in full swing (when is it not in full swing?), so be sure to get the best gravel bike tyres for your rig. Then why not complete the winter look with the best cycling jacket money can buy?
Of course, there’s more, but for now we hope you enjoy this week’s selection of hot new and interesting products.
POC Women’s Mantle Thermal Hoodie
!["POC]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/POC-Womens-Mantle-Thermal-Jacket-1-ef60006.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"POC")
This stretchy softshell riding top from POC is made from recycled polyamide (a posh term for plastic) double-layer fabric. Its brushed, textured liner provides insulation, while its exterior is claimed to be durable, making it perfect for colder days out on the bike.
The exterior is coated with a PFC-free DWR treatment to help repel the elements, while the chin-high, quarter-length zip should keep you protected from wind and rain.
!["POC]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/POC-Womens-Mantle-Thermal-Jacket-6-e0e11cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"POC")
!["POC]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/POC-Womens-Mantle-Thermal-Jacket-5-d3641d7.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"POC")
!["POC]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/POC-Womens-Mantle-Thermal-Jacket-4-091d921.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"POC")
!["POC]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/POC-Womens-Mantle-Thermal-Jacket-3-b85a42b.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"POC")
!["POC]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/POC-Womens-Mantle-Thermal-Jacket-2-0ed9d59.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"POC")
Its stretchy hood can be worn under a helmet thanks to its tight fit, while its cuffs are made from Lycra for a tighter fit.
It has a single zipped pocket on the rear and loop on the breast for a pair of the best mountain bike sunglasses.
- £130 / $180
Latest deals
WTB Verdict and Vigilante mountain bike tyres
!["WTB]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/WTB-Verdict-and-Vigilante-mountain-bike-tyres-4-e44ba6f.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"WTB")
Updates to the popular and top-performing Verdict and Vigilante tyres from WTB are claimed to bring performance enhancements thanks to changes in knob shapes and updated siping.
These changes are said to improve cornering and braking performance, where the knobs flex less. The tyres’ profiles have also been updated in a bid to improve the transition from the centre to outer knobs while cornering, making them grip more predictably.
This was a key criticism of the previous models of the tyre, especially on hard-pack terrain, so it’s great to see WTB addressing the issue head on.
!["WTB]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/WTB-Verdict-and-Vigilante-mountain-bike-tyres-6-a955a2b.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"WTB")
!["WTB]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/WTB-Verdict-and-Vigilante-mountain-bike-tyres-5-21aa2f5.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"WTB")
!["WTB]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/WTB-Verdict-and-Vigilante-mountain-bike-tyres-3-ba583ec.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"WTB")
!["WTB]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/WTB-Verdict-and-Vigilante-mountain-bike-tyres-2-e0429d9.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"WTB")
!["WTB]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/WTB-Verdict-and-Vigilante-mountain-bike-tyres-1-18d6ef3.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"WTB")
Another advantage of the changes is improved traction on wet or rocky terrain. Clearly, WTB is positioning its long-running Verdict and Vigilante as do-it-all tyres for conditions ranging from summer dust to winter slop.
The Vigilante Light, High Grip 2.5x29in tyre weighs 1,152g, while the Verdict Light, High Grip 2.5x29in model tipped the scales at 1,159g.
I’ve got a pair of the new tyres from the brand to test out, so expect a review soon.
- WTB Verdict: £TBC
Latest deals
- WTB Vigilante: £59.99
Latest deals
DT Swiss E 1900 Spline mountain bike wheels
!["DT]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/DT-Swiss-E1900-enduro-mountain-bike-wheelset-2-f1d522e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"DT")
DT Swiss’s most affordable range of mountain bike wheels, the 1900 series, like the rest of the brand’s hoops, are available in cross-country (X 1900 Spline), all-mountain (M 1900 Spline) and enduro (E 1900 Spline) guises, with each version getting different sleeve-jointed rims built onto the newest Spline hub, the 370.
Sleeve-jointed rims aren’t welded, instead they have an aluminium insert that fits within the rim’s cavity to align both ends and keep them together. With “structural glue”, the rim’s ends are bonded together, in a process that DT Swiss claims is more cost-effective than welding, but just as strong with little weight penalty.
The new 370 hub gets DT’s Ratchet LN freehub design, where it uses two inter-locking ratchets rather than springs and pawls for hub engagement.
!["DT]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/DT-Swiss-E1900-enduro-mountain-bike-wheelset-5-f47152d.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"DT")
!["DT]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/DT-Swiss-E1900-enduro-mountain-bike-wheelset-6-450e38f.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"DT")
!["DT]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/DT-Swiss-E1900-enduro-mountain-bike-wheelset-7-62b0c5e.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"DT")
!["DT]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/DT-Swiss-E1900-enduro-mountain-bike-wheelset-4-da1c43f.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"DT")
!["DT]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/DT-Swiss-E1900-enduro-mountain-bike-wheelset-3-468a936.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"DT")
The LN version of DT’s Ratchet hub is identical to the brand’s other hubs in terms of how it functions, but has slightly different sealing so that compatible pawl hubs can be upgraded to the Ratchet LN system.
The 1900 series wheels are laced with DT Champion Spokes.
They’re available with SRAM’s XD Driver freehub or Shimano’s HG or Micro Spline systems.
The pair of E 1900 Spline wheels (29in, Boost axles front and rear, centre lock disc, Micro Spline) I have weigh 2,170g (1,028g (f), 1,142g (r)).
- £159.99 (front)
- £224.99 (Shimano HG), £229.99 (SRAM XD), £239.99 (Shimano Micro Spline)
Latest deals
Öhlins RXF39 m.2 forks
!["Ohlins]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Ohlins-RXF-38-m.2-mountain-bike-suspension-fork-1-ec4d21e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Ohlins")
Öhlins’ biggest-hitting single-crown fork runs on 38mm stanchions (like Fox’s 38), and is claimed to deliver dual-crown downhill performance in a lighter package. This has been done, Öhlins claims, by taking the dual-crown DH38 chassis and adapting it to the single-crown platform.
They use the Swedish brand’s adjustable three-chamber, twin-piston air spring to deliver fine-tuned performance. Its TTX18 damper has externally adjustable low- and high-speed compression and low-speed rebound, so there should be plenty of setup options for any type of rider or terrain.
!["Ohlins]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Ohlins-RXF-38-m.2-mountain-bike-suspension-fork-5-be7b49a.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"Ohlins")
!["Ohlins]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Ohlins-RXF-38-m.2-mountain-bike-suspension-fork-4-07aa248.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"Ohlins")
!["Ohlins]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Ohlins-RXF-38-m.2-mountain-bike-suspension-fork-3-74db8a7.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"Ohlins")
!["Ohlins]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Ohlins-RXF-38-m.2-mountain-bike-suspension-fork-2-b2f2db3.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208 "\"Ohlins")
It’s available for 29in wheels, with clearance for up to a 2.6in-wide tyre. Travel can be adjusted between 160mm, 170mm and 180mm, and it’s available in both 51mm and 44mm offsets.
My pair of test forks (29in, 160mm travel, 51mm offset) weighed 2,331g.
- £1,450
Latest deals
Fist Handwear Evel Knievel gloves and crew socks
!["Fist]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Fist-Evel-Knievel-gloves-and-socks-2-30284db.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Fist")
Evel Knievel is one of the most iconic names in daredevil and stuntman history.
Now, in a collaboration with Fist Handwear, Mr. Knievel’s estate has produced a range of gloves, socks and T-shirts styled to match Evel’s eye-catching red, white and blue stars and stripes inspired kit he was loved for.
!["Fist]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Fist-Evel-Knievel-gloves-and-socks-1-e3de7a9.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Fist")
The palm of Evel’s gloves is made from Clarino, a synthetic leather that’s claimed to be one of the most durable available. The palms have a tacky silicone print for extra grip, while the backs are breathable and flexible.
!["Fist]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2022/01/Fist-Evel-Knievel-gloves-and-socks-4-b80b579.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Fist")
As for the socks, they’re made from a super-soft cotton and match the gloves perfectly.
- Fist Handwear Evel Knievel gloves: £32.99
- Fist Handwear Evel Knievel crew socks: £16.99