Hello. You’re through to Singletrack. The editorial office have all gone off on press trips and aren’t available right now. We’ve managed to round up a selection of fresh goods for this Friday but it’s probably not the enourmo-load you’re used to, sorry about that, it is high on quality though. If you’d like to leave a message after the beep we’ll get back to you. Thanks!
*BEEP*
Shimano’s high-end-and-then-a-bit-higher XC race shoe. We’ve been getting in race shoes for a future issue’s group test and we think these might be the most expensive we’ve seen so far. So what do you get for your money? An extremely stiff carbon sole. These really don’t flex at all! There’s also a little packet of pads in the box for customising the footbed under the arch of the foot and in that bit between your toes and the ball of your foot. The sole appears to be have a bit more tread to it than previous Shimano race shoes and so hopefully won’t be as sketchy on rocks or when clipping into pedals. Anti-slip heel lining prevents heel lift by using a knitted in metal fibre. The upper material (‘Rovenica’ anyone?) is noticeably thinnish and ‘just right’ supple.
Vaude Tracer 16 backpack
Price: £85.00
From: Vaude www.vaude.co.uk
– 150mm travel
– 5.5lbs frame weight (with shock and all mounting hardware – rear axle, downtube protector).
– 25.3lbs for XTR spec (with RockShox Reverb seatpost!)
BMC worked very closely with Fox on the suspension tune – their European HQ is based just down the road from BMC so the R&D boys have got a very good relationship with them.
BMC have steepened the headangle by 1° (to 67.5°) on the new carbon bikes (compared to the alloy version of 66.5°) to ultimately make it a more efficient climber. They already had a competent decender in the alloy version so the focus with the new carbon platform was to improve ascending capabilities – this is also the reason why they went for triple chainsets as opposed to doubles – when a bike weighs as little as this why not have the gear range for mega steep climbs? The alloy version will remain in the 2012 lineup with unchanged aggro/ripper 2011 geometry.”
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Alpinestars ‘A Line’ Glove
Price: £38.95
From: www.alpinestars.com
These lime-colour-livery beauties come straight off the MX inspired design board. Thankfully for our farmer-boy-sausage-fingers Jamie, they come in a rather nicely snug fitting XL and for everyone else, a range of five sizes (S-XXL) and four, not too garish colour-ways. Construction is polyamide (45%) cotton (6%) and ‘synthetic leather’ (49%) mix. The top panel is a breathable mesh, which makes them lightweight to touch and should help ventilation with the promise of plenty summer trail riding still on the horizon. On the palm, they carry a one-ply finish with added (and very minimal) microinjected silicone at the pressure points. This might assist with ‘bunching’ on the grips. The rubber-feel knuckle protection is very flexible which is also included in the cut away wrist flap with velcro wrist strap, which ensures secure closure. Sweet.
Shimano Race Tape
Price: Priceless to racers.
From: The side of the track
Things are coming together beautifully for the Singletrack Classic Weekender and this is just the cherry on the top. Not entered yet? Do it now to have the most fun you can have on two wheels and not get arrested.
Corney and Barrow Wines
We’re quite fond of the odd tipple here at Singletrack so when Piers from wine merchants Corney and Barrow offered to pop round and let us taste some of their wares we thought it’d be rude to turn him down. Piers is a mountain biker and thought the cultured palettes of Singletrack readers would appreciate some ideas of what vinos to try next.
This Panul Merlot comes from Chile and at £6.99 makes a good ‘everday’ wine that tastes as good as some much more expensive supermarket offerings.
With its fresh citrus and elderflower notes this Chardonnay had the Singletrack office nodding with approval. Perfect with chicken in a cream sauce we think. £12.99
The Eradus sauvignon blanc had a very distinctive taste, vegetal almost with a hint of asparagus. Best enjoyed with warm goats cheese on a hot day. £11.49
Like it’s red cousin this Chilean is a stunner for the money. £6.99 buys you a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc that is far too easy to drink for its, and our, good.
No, it’s not named after the French version of a game show hosted by Les Dawson. This sparkling white was dry without the cheek-pinching effect that some dry whites and Champagnes have. At £10.99 a bottle it is the obvious choice for podium celebrations.
We’re going to be working with Corney and Barrow to offer Premier members an exclusive deal on these and many other wines. More details soon.
Comments (17)
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Likey Trailfox.
The M315 shoes are also full custom fit with heat mouldable upper, heel and insole to shape the shoe to your foot.
Must be a hard life being a bike journo… All that free stuff, time off to go to exotic places and do fun stuff, free booze..
I feel sorry for you, I really do
I must tap Bert up for one of those BMC hats. I already have the t-shirt and would like to sport the matching combo.
met a chilean dher at the mega a few years back his wife was a wine importer and he had a great selection of wines in his camper anyway she asserted that chilean wines weed all over the more expensive european stuff
that is all
ps 7 grand! – even at 5 its a bit steep
7k is silly silly silly money. Silly!
Wine for the premiership? Sounding more and more like a cross between the Sunday Times and Readers Digest every week.
Can you spend Air-miles in the shop yet?
You can get about 3k for a kidney, so sell them and save the rest up. It’s got to be worth it.
Bet it goes really really fast – like the wind but quicker.
If anyone on here buys one, can I have a go, I’ll stump up £20 for the privilege?
Email in my profile.
And you’ll be a little bit lighter with the loss of the kidneys too.
Good to see plenty of mud clearance on that BMC!
how f**ckin much for some shoes?
Aaah, the age of austerity is truly with us
o dear
not much mud clearance on that frame…some high speed chunky mud action would surely file a carbon frame down to powder in no time, not that anyone who buys one would actually ride it in mud!
“available at a later date with build sitting somewhere between XTR and SLX” – XT then?!
I like wine but not Cilli