The latest and most interesting kit to fly across BikeRadar’s desks
The word hectic doesn’t do your average week at BikeRadar justice.
Each of the site’s razor-sharp minded and eagle-eyed staffers flit between reviewing and scrutinising the latest tech, hunting out the juiciest news stories and imparting the wisdom they’ve picked up on the way to you, our dear readers.
It goes without saying this week has been no less ‘average’, with an avalanche of exciting stories on site.
Rewind to the depths of Monday, a megalithically proportioned (at least in the context of the internet) four days ago, as we broke the news of Coros’ first bike computer, with solar charging and a £250 price tag. Is it an alternative to Garmin’s Edge 1040 Solar? We’re looking to get a review sample to find out.
Monday – and multiple other days this week – saw the rhythmic onward march of Bike of the Year reviews, this time from the trail bikes category with Tom Marvin’s in-depth take on Scott’s aluminium Genius 940.
On to Tuesday and we headlined with Katherine Moore’s take on Liv’s Langma carbon race bike. Beautiful-looking, but also competent at speed, Katherine loved its ride and build so much, culminating in a 4.5 out of 5 score.
The deep, dark belly of the week – otherwise known as Wednesday – brought with it some excellent content. Tom Law told us how he’s progressing with his Transition Smuggler long-term test bike and Jack Evans announced Fizik is going to custom print saddles perfectly shaped for your backside.
A jubilant Thursday (because it was nearly the weekend) saw RockShox update its electronic wizardry; Flight Attendant has been refreshed with Charger 3.1 dampers, like the rest of the brand’s fork range.
And if that wasn’t enough, Pinarello unveiled its latest Dogma F that’s more aero and 108g lighter than its predecessor. Speed demons rejoice and read Oscar’s first ride review to get a flavour of how it performs.
Finally, without further ado, keep reading to check out this week’s tantalising product tidbits.
Topeak BB Hide ‘N Tool
Increasingly, brands are finding genius ways to hide and store tools, tubes and other essentials on their bikes.
They range from frame storage through to stashing things in pivots, steerer tubes and on secondary mounts.
Topeak’s BB Hide ‘N Tool runs with this theme, by employing one of the most under-used spaces on a bike to store a dedicated tool; the pedal crank axle or bottom bracket.
This cylindrical multi-tool fits snugly in 18.5 to 20mm internal-diameter BB spindles. Conveniently, that range covers most popular pedal cranks, including SRAM’s DUB, Shimano’s Hollowtech II cranks and FSA’s cranks, among others.
Secured in place using an expanding rubber gripper, the Hide ‘N Tool just slides into the bottom bracket.
The tool itself is impressively functional.
Along with the 13-speed compatible dedicated chain tool, there’s also a chain hook and a separate multi-tool.
The multi-tool has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Allen keys, a T25 Torx bit and a flat-head screwdriver.
All this weighs only 91g and should be enough to get you out of most trail-side binds.
- £54.99
7iPD Project.21 helmet
7iPD’s latest helmet, the Project.21 – that’s named after its 21 vents – is claimed to combine a huge amount of airflow while still offering loads of protection for bike-park, enduro and all-mountain riding.
Upping the protection levels is the brand’s Energy Reduction Technology – dubbed ERT for short. This is a 4mm layer of force-dissipating material, claimed to reduce both impact and rotational forces from affecting the wearer in a crash.
Also present is ConeHead technology. While silly-sounding, this is an important ‘crumple zone’ made from a dual-density, dual-material foam that’s claimed to reduce the chances of a concussion. To boot, the visor is designed to break off in a crash.
The strap’s closure is made by Fidlock, and there’s a dial fit adjuster on the lid’s rear. Included are two sets of pads to further tune its fit.
This limited-edition Holographic model blends the under-the-radar styling of a matt black finish with shiny, silver reflective details. Fancy!
- £199.99 / $229.99
Dynaplug Micro Racer tubeless repair plug
As someone once said, good things come in small packages and Dynaplug’s Micro Racer is possibly one of those things.
At only 15g, 73mm long and 13mm thick (at its thickest), this tubeless repair tool is made from smooth aluminium and can be slipped comfortably into a pocket or pack without consequence.
This made-in-USA tool – from the raw aluminium to the machining – boasts two pre-installed puncture repair plugs to combat trail-side flats.
But, at $49.99, it’s not cheap and neither are replacement tubeless repair plugs.
Official Dynaplug refill plugs retail for $14 for five. Yikes.
This beautifully finished tool is certainly a heart-over-head purchase.
- $49.99
Hope Dropper Lever
Aftermarket dropper post lever upgrades are a great way to spruce up your bike and potentially improve your post’s performance.
The Hope Dropper Lever takes the brand’s high-quality CNC machining expertise and applies it directly to droppers.
Pivoting on a bearing, the thumb-actuated lever is claimed to move smoothly without an unwanted wobble.
It’s got an adjustable leverage rate; dial down the leverage to increase how much cable is pulled compared to how much the level is moved, speeding up the dropper’s actuation. Or you can dial it up to increase lever travel and make the feel at your thumb lighter.
In true Hope style, it’s fully rebuildable, with each part of the lever available to buy.
It’s also available in a host of colours to suit your personal tastes.
At 39g, it’s impressively light too.
- £60 / $75 / €75