The 'We're Clinging On' Edition | FGF 486

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Mark has been ill, Hannah has been broken, Chipps is on a road bike, Amanda had a nap in the office, Ross hasn’t broken anything, Andi has been going for walks, Tom has been making something exciting, Andy has been listening to Roy Orbison, Charlie has mostly behaved himself, and Zoe continues her reign as the only consistent member of the team. That concludes our weekly summary of the entire Singletrack team. Here’s what came through our door this week:

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Expert Carbon

An e-bike under 18kg?! We have an in-depth look at the bike over on YouTube, and more here.

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon

Yes… we got two of them. Which model would you go for? Check out Mark’s first ride review here.

Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar

There’s a whole heap of science that’s gone into these bars, but in short there are 31.8mm and 35mm options, carbon and alloy, 12mm 25mm and 38mm rise options, all with a 9° backsweep and 5° upsweep. Choices!

Nukeproof Chain Guides

Pirate hook?

Chain guides with machined 6061 aluminium black plates combine with a composite top guide and bash to secure and protect the drivetrain.

Nose picker

The composite top guide is co-moulded with a softer rubber on the inside to vastly reduce noise and increase longevity.

Nukeproof Horizon Tubeless Tyre Repair Kit

This neat little capsule houses 5 x 1.5mm plugs and 5 x 3.5mm ones, with enough extra space inside for storing a pair of powerlinks for your chain. The tool screws to the capsule to give you a great big handle.

Nukeproof Universal Presta Tubeless Valves

Is it just us, or does it look a bit like a tin soldier?

Designed to work with tubeless tyre inserts and featuring an integrated valve core remover, and available in six colours!

Nukeproof Horizon Headset

Titanium!

Available in six colours with titanium coated race bearings with stainless steel balls, designed to extend life and performance.

Maxxis Shorty 29 x 2.5

The ever popular Shorty

All trail versions of the Shorty feature Tubeless Ready casing and 3C MaxxTerra compound. EXO sidewall protection is available as an option for each size.

ION Shelter Softshell Jacket

  • Price: £124.95 
  • From: ION

A lightweight and breathable softshell in a bike specific cut, with a water repellant finish. The hood fits over a helmet, the cuffs can be adjusted and there’s a windproof flap over the zip to help keep the cold out.

ION Shelter Softshell Pants

  • Price: £134.95 
  • From: ION

With the same characteristics as the jacket, but for your legs! The four way stretch keeps you comfortable on the saddle, there’s an adjustable hem, zipped ventilation on the thighs and a pocket big enough for a mobile phone.

ION Haze Glove

  • Price: £54.95
  • From: ION
Spot the difference

The previous version of these has been reviewed by us before, and it was so glowing we got another pair. Featuring a digital touch forefinger and thumb, windproof upper material with a more durable synthetic palm with grippy print, and wind hater covers for all the fingers that shouldn’t be near the brake lever.

The Good Mountain Biking Guide

Many routes

This chunky 640 page book delivers a generous 500 routes, all around England and Wales. Charlie has taken a good look at it and says “I flicked to my old neighbourhood in Dorset to check they had featured the best trails, and yes the classic must do routes are in there, but also… I discovered some new routes in an area I lived in and explored for almost 30 years! I always travel with a bike, and now also with this book, every trip can now be a bike trip”

Singletrack Issue 129

The realistic air cover.

OH IT’S A GOOD ONE! We’ve been to Ukraine, Zermatt, Cornwall, Tweed Valley, Norway and more. We’ve spoken to Cedric Gracia and Chris Akrigg, and we’ve made the editorial team confess to which bikes they’re refusing to return.


That concludes Fresh Goods Friday for another week. Next week is Valentine’s Day, I’ve been told to mention that. Are you all prepared? Have you bought a glittery card and some tat for your loved one? (Can you guess which staff member hates Valentine’s Day?!). Don’t buy tat, follow our gifts guides – one for some great bikey gifts from us, and one that requires more effort than cash.

Author Profile Picture
Amanda Wishart

Art Director

Amanda is our resident pedaller, who loves the climbs as much as the descents. No genre of biking is turned down, though she is happiest when at the top of a mountain with a wild descent ahead of her. If you ever want a chat about concussion recovery, dealing with a Womb of Doom or how best to fuel an endurance XC race, she's the one to email.

More posts from Amanda

Comments (11)

    I always fancy the idea of riding trousers, but then you see the prices – £135? No doubt they’re good, but its’ a no from me…

    @martinkiely I’m still wearing the test pair I got at the end of 2016, and they still have plenty of life in and are new-looking enough for photoshoots. They were RRP £125.

    Love the humor the Singletrack gang sprinkle over these pieces. I’ve always wondered if it runs in the British blood or if it’s learned through years and years of exposure to it from your elders.

    It’s the best way to start the weekend, a chuckle with my morning coffee while I read FGF!!!

    “stwhannah February 7, 2020 at 11:14 am
    @martinkiely I’m still wearing the test pair I got at the end of 2016″

    Must be due a wash by now?

    I think the Nukeproof valve looks like Bertie Bassett imitating Monty Python’s Black Knight

    @slimshady I didn’t think Amanda was being particularly funny this week. Low joke quotient, frankly a poor effort 🙂 Glad you enjoy our silliness. Where in the world are you that weekend morning coffee happens at 11.43am on a Friday? We might need to move…

    I’m still wearing my Pearl Izumi softshell trousers (every day in the winter) – bought in Feb 2018 and show no signs of wear. They were £35. But the logo isn’t quite as nice as ION.

    @FB-ATB ‘I think the Nukeproof valve looks like Bertie Bassett imitating Monty Python’s Black Knight’ – Never again will I think the way I see the world is too obscure. (You’re absolutely right).

    I hope Hannah has not been to ‘Broken’ … ?

    @petercook80 I got lucky. The sound and sick feeling said break or dislocation. A&E said torn rotator cuff. I don’t think it’s especially bad as I can now move my arm. It’s just very weirdly tired and weak.

    Well hope it continues to improve well and isn’t as you say “especially bad”
    X

    @stwhannah I’m an Argentinian reader, so I’m 4 hours behind you guys up North. Which begs the question, are the members of the Singletracks staff more night inclined? Since I’m used to find new posts around your noon time (my morning time), rather than at your early morning!

    Anyway, I’ll cheer to your lunch beer with a latte and scrambled eggs, and to your pub beer with my well deserved Friday lunch ale!

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