The latest kit to land on BikeRadar’s virtual desks
Even though only a few of BikeRadar’s staff members managed to jet set their way across the ocean to California’s Sea Otter trade show, we’re all still feeling elevated by the sunshine, warm temperatures and sensory bombardment the team beamed back to HQ.
But that means it’s been a particularly busy week on-site, so you might have missed some of the best stories we’ve published.
Leading the charge was Sea Otter content from editor-in-chief George Scott and a factor-50 slathered, translucent-skinned, Hunter S Thompson channelling, Jack Luke.
My personal highlights included a first look at Neko Mulally’s bonded downhill frame, Redshift’s Top Shelf gravel bar – reminiscent of X-Lite’s old-school DH bar – Maxxis’ Aspen ST short track-specific cross-country tyre (it looks so speedy!) and this beautiful Ritchey Montebello randonneur.
Of course, just because Sea Otter was going on, time didn’t stop elsewhere.
Last Friday saw the official release of the Pinarello Dogma XC bike – you know, the one Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Tom Pidcock ride – which got us all revved up. Our Rach went to Italy to ride it; check out her first impressions here.
Also released was Saracen’s all-new Myst downhill bike, as ridden by Brit racer Matt Walker. Keep tuned for a full review of this, because yours truly has been lucky enough to get his hands on one.
Canoyn debuted its first lightweight ebike, the Neuron:ONfly. Using Bosch’s SX motor and 140mm of travel, Canyon claims it weighs less than 20kg. Video presenter Tom Law swung a leg over; see what he thought of it here.
There you have it, and without further ado here are some of the hottest new products to fly over our virtual desks this week.
Kali Protectives Trinity Carbon
Kali’s newest Trinity Carbon full-face helmet boasts plenty of word- and feature-rich tech.
Headlining is Conehead Nano Fusion, a technology that’s claimed to help dissipate energy in high-load impacts. This is combined with an ERT Low Density Layer, said to help mitigate the consequences of low-speed linear and rotational impacts.
Its large vent-filled visor’s angle can be adjusted, and there are 17 vents in the helmet’s shell to aid with cooling.
It’s got a Fidlock buckle and comes with two sets of moisture-wicking Kool Draft pads to help tune fit.
Externally, the raw carbon version has a delightfully shiny and beautifully finished chequered finish.
Kali has a lifetime crash replacement scheme on all lids, including the Trinity; if you crash and damage the helmet, return it for replacement.
In return, Kali says it uses that data to develop and improve its safety credentials.
All-in, our size-large test sample weighs 1,006g.
- £349.99
Fox Union BOA flat pedal shoes
While the Union shoe isn’t new to Fox’s range, a Boa-equipped flat-pedal version is.
Boasting an Ultratac outsole, the brand claims grip is balanced with durability. Using a hex-shaped pattern, the treads ‘lugs’ are claimed to lock into flat pedals’ pins.
A twin Boa dial – that tightens the shoes in two spots – controls fit. The upper dial controls tension closest to the shoe’s opening, while the lower one adjusts it closer to the toes.
The dials have a ‘moulded cap design’ claimed to protect them from rock strikes.
Touted as lightweight – the EU42 size test samples weigh 773g – they’ve also got an EVA midsole, used to improve pedal grip and feel.
Using a ‘welded construction’ (glue in layman’s terms), they boast a weather-resistant finish.
Importantly, different amounts of user-changeable arch support is included with each pair to help tune fit.
Whether these new shoes from Fox can topple Five Ten’s superiority remains to be seen, so keep tuned for a full review soon.
- £209.99 / $224.95
G-Form MX Spike Chest and Back Shirt
G-Form’s chunky MX Spike Chest and Bike Shirt is an all-in-one torso protector.
The internal RE ZRO chest and back pads are claimed to be fully biodegradable, degrading completely in three to five years without leaving any microplastic waste.
Flexible and malleable, the protector panels harden on impact, offering CE1612-2 level two back protection and CE1612-3 level one chest protection.
A front-facing zip connects the front and back, making for easy fitting and removal, while two large elasticated side straps help tune fit.
The rest of the protector is made from a breathable, moisture-wicking mesh fabric, designed to be both durable and comfortable.
This size-large test sample tipped the scales at an incredible 1,178g.
- £219.99 / $219.99
RockShox Psylo Gold RC
We last saw the RockShox Psylo in the early to mid-2000s, boasting a then game-changing U-Turn travel-adjust system.
Fast forward to the mid-2020s and the name has been re-hashed into an aftermarket budget-beating 35mm-stanchion fork, retailing for £580 / $539 / €645.
Built from a similar chassis as the brand’s latest Pike and Lyrik forks, they use 35mm upper stanchions.
Also new, and adding to RockShox’s ever-growing collection of dampers is the new Isolator RC. This has a three-position compression adjuster (open, pedal and firm) and externally-adjustable low-speed rebound.
The Psylo Gold RC uses the brand’s DebonAirair spring instead of a coil, so riders can tune it for their preferences.
It’s compatible with either 27.5in or 29in wheels and can be run with 130mm, 140mm, 150mm or 160mm of travel.
Keep tuned for a full review soon.
- £580 / $539 / €645