Fresh Goods Friday 510 – Where’d They Go? Where’d Who Go?

We’ll start you off with five points if you got the ‘Top Gun’ reference. We actually know one bike journalist who would begin every single ride with the first ten minutes of Top Gun on the big screen to fire them and their riding crew up before they hit the trails. You can bet that they never stopped for Haribo at the top of the hill. Or at all…

Now, Top Gun is finally getting its sequel after many years and we were wondering what other things of that era needed revisiting. 1986 was still the very, very early days of production mountain bikes, though a few were around – the Stumpjumper, the Muddy Fox, early Oranges (or were they still Tushinghams back then?) and a few handmade bikes like Overbury and Roberts. Mind you, it was the year that Queen played Wembley for the ‘Kind of Magic’ tour, so it wasn’t entirely lost in a sea of stonewash denim.

Sonder Signal ST

• Price: £1599 (NX)
• From: Alpkit.com

You may have seen the news we posted earlier this week and also the mahoosive site takeover ad that’s running right now, but what is better than actual news is an actual bike, and we’ve got one. This is the steel version of Sonder’s Signal Ti. It’s a bit cheaper and made of classic 4130 tubing. Mark has been giving it a test run or four over the last few days and he’s got a first look video in the works. head to our Youtube channel and subscribe – then tick the bell icon to be notified when it’s ready to roll.

Specialized XC Tyres

• Price: £40 each
• From: Specialized UK

It’s XC season, even if there aren’t any races on. And here are some Specialized treads for some groomed summer loam, regardless of whether you have a number on. All of these tyres are fast and light, tubeless compatible, £40 each and 2.3in. Simple!

Elite Sterzo Smart

• Price: £74.99
• From: Freewheel

As you might have seen from our story earlier, Zwift now lets your steer your own bike (though not, apparently into other riders – boo!) and that’s been helped by this gadget from Elite, the Sterzo Smart, which takes your steering input and translates it in the game to the smoothest lines or the sneakiest passing moves. It’s powered by AAA batteries that last hundreds of hours and works via Bluetooth or ANT+ with your trainer setup.

Giro Rincon Shoes

• Price: £139.99
• From: Giro.co.uk

In our attempt to seemingly sample every different model of Giro mountain bike shoe this year, this is the Rincon. It’s not as racy as the Sector but probably a bit more businesslike compared to the Ventana. It does feature a BOA dial like the Ventana but does so in a more ‘fast trail’ way that would translate well to the gravel world too. It uses Giro’s clever Synchwire construction with a carbon plate in the sole for pedalling stiffness. Comes in green and also in a light grey too.

Rene Herse Steilacoom TC 700c x38 Tyre

• Price: Around £87

• From: Sven Cycles. https://www.svencycles.com/products/?departmentID=1037

A charming tyre from the rather historical company Rene Herse who go all the way back to the 1930’s.

The idea here is that the knobs are low and wide to reduce squirm and offer a smooth transition when going from upright to cornering. They also claim to clear mud well, and equally happy in a cross race or on an adventure.  They are available in three toughness/weight options: Lightweight, standard, and endurance. But what gets Charlie’s somewhat easily pleased attention is that there are two shades of tanwall available soon, tan and dark tan. These are “tan”.

Charlie’s Delightful Merch Shop

Singletrack Slicy Enduro-DH Ultimate Mudguard

Price: £18.99 with discounts for members

Singletrack Slicy Enduro-DH Ultimate Mudguard

“There’s something funny about mud flaps. I know there are a load of puns to be made here, but my mind is blank, so you will have to make up your own gags. Meanwhile you need to know they fit real good, look great, and really help keep dog poo out of your face. No one signed up to this sport for the unmistakable taste of dog poo. Having said that, if you don’t buy one of these, we will have to assume that is the reason you ride. Compatible with all MTB wheel sizes, up to 3in wide.” – Charlie

Singletrack Issue 132

• Price: £7.50 or subscribe
• From: Singletrack

Yep, the new issue is out! We’ve heard tales of it plopping on to doorsteps and Premier Dealer countertops already, so the new issue should be around if you’re after it. The digital issue is already out too. Lots of fun stuff to read in the August issue.

And that’s it for the week. It’s been a short and sweet one as we’ve mostly been focussing on welcoming the next issue of the magazine into the shop and trying to see the world in between lockdowns and rain showers.

But hey, let’s leave you with a short few minutes of Kenny Loggins and Tom Cruise-powered inspiration! Turn and burn!

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