WHY OUR TESTS ARE THE BEST!
Our technical-editor-in-chief, Rob Weaver, gets new products in as soon as they’re available and coordinates all the testing through our team of tech experts, who have unrivalled knowledge and experience.
Every test starts with a detailed product check in the workshop. Next, we hit the trails… hard! We test in real riding conditions, incorporating feedback from multiple riders, and don’t stop until we have the complete picture, no matter how long it takes.
Our testing is staunchly independent and not influenced by PR or advertisers (sometimes to their great discomfort). We’re never afraid to tell you the truth.
HOW WE RATE
We base our scores on value for money and performance
KALI INVADER 2.0 FULL-FACE HELMET
£169.99 www.oxfordproducts.com
This new trail full-face weighs just 647g and boasts 35 vents – enough to rival some collanders! A Fidlock magnetic chin-strap buckle and a simple retention system make putting on and removing the helmet a swift and comfortable process. The peak is flexible enough that it shouldn’t make things worse in the event of a crash, and can be raised out of the way if you want to store your goggles under it. Most importantly, while it isn’t fully DH-certified, the lid does pass motorcycle chin bar tests and also features Kali’s Low Density Layer, designed to damp lower-force impacts and reduce the risk of concussion. We found the Invader 2.0 light, predictably well-ventilated and unintrusive when riding. In fact, we didn’t bother taking it off when pedalling back up. The only real drawback is the lack of a channel for goggle straps, which means they block some of the rear exhaust ports, noticeably reducing airflow. Will P
ÖHLINS RXF34 M.2 FORK
£1,185 www.ohlins.com
HIGHS
Usable range of adjustments, which won’t leave you with a dangerous set-up if you get it wrong
Plenty of support without feeling harsh – impressive for a short-travel fork
LOWS
This kind of performance doesn’t come cheap
This 34mm-stanchion fork is aimed at the growing ‘downcountry’ market. Its chassis, damper and spring are all new, and designed with weight-saving as a top priority. Our 130mm-travel option (there’s a 120mm version, too) weighs 1.74kg, which is competitive.
The new spring has a more traditional positive chamber and self-equalising negative chamber, with volume spacers to increase progression, rather than the three-chamber design Öhlins are known for. It’s also simpler and uses a singletube design for compression and rebound damping, rather than a twintube system, to help minimise weight.
On the trail, we found the chassis was up to the task of letting us push the 130mm of travel to its limits. The steering felt precise, and we never entered a turn worried about flex or thinking the fork wouldn’t have our backs if our entry speed was wrong. We were able to hold lines across roots, rocks and cambers, and weren’t knocked offcourse more than we’d expect to be. The RFX34 m.2 doesn’t cause any more hand/arm fatigue than other similar lightweight trail forks, either.
For its short travel, it feels plush, with good sensitivity off the top. Don’t expect the ground-hugging performance of an enduro fork, but it certainly reduces a lot of the buzz and vibrations from high-frequency trail chatter. Support builds well through the mid-stroke and, even when riding with the low-speed compression fully open, there was never too much wallow when pumping through compressions and high-load turns. That helps with maintaining momentum and flow down the trail – particularly important on the types of bikes this fork will be bolted to.
Running the low-speed compression fully open was our preferred setting, although the range between fully open and closed is all usable, and there’s less of a difference between the two ends of the spectrum than on other brands’ forks.Progression builds smoothly throughout the RXF34 m.2’s stroke, with no harsh spiking. In fact, the travel is measured and controlled through its full range, usable when you need it and not wasted when you don’t, which is impressive.
We ran the two-position high-speed compression damping fully open, too. Again, both positions are usable, so you can toggle between them depending on what type of trail you’re on. The pedal mode doesn’t fully lock out the suspension, instead still allowing some movement through the initial travel, then firming up after the first 20mm or so.
Overall, the Öhlins RXF34 m.2 performs very well – as you’d hope, considering its high price tag. Luke
A great-performing short-travel fork that feels controlled and supple, but you’ll have to dig deep to afford it
DT SWISS E 1900 SPLINE WHEELSET
£399.98 www.freewheel.co.uk
HIGHS
Smooth and forgiving without feeling vague
Robust
Accessible price
LOWS
20-degree engagement won’t be quick enough for everyone’s liking
Not the lightest
With their new E 1900 wheels, DT Swiss have repackaged most of the tech from their EX 1700 and EXC 1501 hoops at a more affordable price point. The 370 hubs use the brand’s star-ratchet internals, rather than traditional pawls and springs, but in cheaper, heavier ‘Ratchet LN’ form, with 20-degree engagement. Similarly, the 30mm-wide (internal) E532 rim is sleeve-jointed, not welded, and laced with less costly DT Champion spokes.
We tested the 29in wheelset, with Boost axles and Center Lock disc mounts, which weighed 2,170g (1,028g front, 1,142g rear). The factory-fitted rim tape provided an airtight tubeless seal and required no patching or repairs. Inflation was an easy affair, with a high-volume track pump proving sufficient to seat most tyres. Over rough terrain – whether that was chundery rock gardens or root-infested off-cambers – the E 1900s provided impressive insulation from vibrations and harshness, feeling supple and forgiving enough to help the bike track its course, without being so flexy or under-tensioned that steering accuracy was compromised. Their balance of stiffness and smoothness impressed us.
If you’re focused on reducing your bike’s weight, the E 1900s won’t be for you, but otherwise, their low asking price, ratchet hub tech and forgiving ride quality make them a seriously appetising prospect. They offer the cash conscious top-level performance that, in our experience, exceeds that of their pricier, albeit lighter, stablemates. Alex
Faultless performance and a forgiving ride quality at an excellent price
SYNCROS BOUNDARY 1.0HS DIGITAL SHOCK PUMP
£67.99 www.syncros.com
Syncros’s latest digital shock pump is smaller and lighter than the previous model. It has a similar slanted display, now with a protective screen to keep it from getting damaged in a pack or toolbox –a smart touch. Other features include a 300psi/20-bar maximum pressure, 11cc stroke-volume and durable alloy shaft. The pump measures to an accuracy of 0.5 psi, so you can fine-tune your suspension settings, aided by the large air-release dial, which lets you reduce pressure with control. We found the handle comfortable, and the hose easy to attach and detach. It’s a small and accurate pump with userfriendly features that work well, as you’d expect for the price. Luke
FASTHOUSE SPEED STYLE LEGACY GLOVES
£29.99 https://fasthouse.co.uk
The perforated Clarino palm of these gloves is thin enough to provide plenty of grip feel, and Fasthouse have added reinforcement around the high-wear thumb area to boost durability. Thanks to their close fit and sturdy construction, they offer a good solid hold, so there’s no shifting about as you pull on the bar. A decent amount of give across the back of the hand only adds to the comfort, and the fabric is still plenty tough enough to ward off the odd scrape. The low-profile neoprene cuff and Velcro closure don’t restrict wrist movement or snag on jersey sleeves. Our only niggle is that you can feel the seams where the index finger and thumb touchscreen patches have been attached, although you can easily ignore these once riding. Rob
GIRO MERIT SPHERICAL HELMET
£189.99 www.giro.co.uk
HIGHS
Great fit and good ventilation makes it super-comfy
Additional safety tech gives peace of mind
LOWS
Not as breezy as the pricier Manifest
Expensive
Giro’s new Merit trail helmet, like its pricier counterpart the Manifest (and the Tyrant, which offers more head coverage), includes MIPS Spherical Technology, where the inner liner is able to rotate (just a small amount) within the outer shell, a little like a ball-and-socket joint. They’re attached to one another with small elastomers, and each is made from a different-density foam, in a bid to better absorb high-and low-speed impacts. The system is designed to protect the wearer from rotational impacts even better than the standard MIPS slip-plane layer.
On top of that, you get Giro’s superb Roc Loc Trail Air cradle, which is easy to adjust, thanks to a decent-sized, indexed dial. It offers a good, even tension around the head and a really secure fit without having to crank it up too tight, making the Merit one of the comfiest lids we’ve tried. There are also three vertical cradle positions to choose from, to help tailor the fit further. Unlike the more expensive Manifest, the Merit forgoes the AURA arch (a structural beam that runs across the width of the helmet), so its vents aren’t quite as big, but there are still 15 of them (and six exhaust ports), including brow ports plus some internal channelling. That means it’s impressively breezy across the top of your head, even at slower speeds.
Giro include an adjustable peak and a rubber gripper strip to help keep goggle straps in place. At 364g (medium), the weight is respectable for a trail lid, especially when you consider the amount of coverage on offer. Rob
It’s not cheap, but the Merit offers incredible comfort, a breezy feel and plenty of safety tech. We really like it
BAM 73 ZERO INSULATED GILET
£120 https://bambooclothing.co.uk
A synthetic-down gilet is a staple in our riding packs. We don’t often ride in one, because it rarely gets cold enough here at MBUK Towers down in the balmy South West, but they’re perfect for pulling on to keep off the chill when you stop for lunch or have a puncture to fix. This one isn’t as packable as some – it’ll fit in a bag just fine, and maybe a hip pack at a pinch, but it’s not one for stuffing in a pocket. However, it does have excellent eco credentials. It’s not made from bamboo fibre, as you might expect from BAM, but instead has a 170g fill of Thermore Ecodown, treated with a PFC-free Teflon EcoElite water-resistant coating. The whole thing – outer fabric, filling and lining – is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester, and is itself designed to be easily recycled (or rather, re-recycled) once you’re done with it. Falling between medium and large (40in chest), we were advised to size up. For wearing over thicker layers or general outdoors wear, we’d agree; over cycling kit, going smaller would provide a snugger, less baggy fit. It’s good and warm, and available in five sizes and two colours. We’d prefer a more ‘fitted’ and less boxy cut, with a slightly longer back, but other than that, there’s little to fault, other than the high price that inevitably accompanies ‘greener’ kit. JCW
Warm and eco-friendly outer layer, but pricey and more suited to being worn off the bike than on it
ODYSSEY ACTIVEWEAR TRIANGULATION LONG SLEEVE JERSEY
£44.99 https://odysseyactivewear.com
In a market dominated by lairy racewear and dull, earthy tones, the Triangulation jersey stands out with its colour-fade design, subtle triangle motif and low-key logo. There are no fancy features, beyond raglan sleeves for easier movement, but that helps keep the price very reasonable. The fabric looks like the standard shiny polyester of cheaper riding tops, but look closer and you’ll see thousands of tiny perforations – it’s actually a micro-mesh material called CoolPass. While not as luxurious as the likes of Fox’s Flexair fabric, it wicks well enough when moving. If you stop, it can feel a bit sweaty, but we think that’s acceptable at this price. The sleeves are a bit short for taller riders, but otherwise the cut is good. It comes in five sizes and three colours. JCW
RAPHA TRAIL PANTS
£130 www.rapha.cc
Rapha’s Trail Pants weigh 370g and come in six sizes and four colours. There’s a bit of extra fit adjustment at the waist, courtesy of a pair of lockable buckles and straps (although these are a little fiddly to use with gloves on). The waistband is raised at the rear to help ensure your lower back stays covered at all times. There are two hand pockets, which we found really useful off the bike, plus two rear-facing zipped pockets down the side of each thigh. These include internal dividers, which help to keep the contents from shifting around while pedalling. The 30in inseam of the small size worked well for our 172cm (5ft 8in) tester. There’s scope to make the lower legs a little closer-fitting, but otherwise we were impressed with the comfort on offer, both on and off the bike. A DWR coating helps to keep your legs dry when splashing through puddles. While the price is high, so is the quality. Rob