Fresh Goods Friday 574 – Welsh Caves and French Punk

We’re going to assume you’re here for a little escapism and don’t want us to remind you of all the things in the news that might make you a teensy bit angry…and breathe…so let’s start with a whoop for WelshFarmer who helped create some good news this week by helping rescue a man from a cave. While a cave might seem like a more attractive prospect for being away from the news and the internet, they’re also quite terrifying. Apart from when they’re full of cheese. Though, perhaps eating the cheese and sleeping in the cave might be a scary combo. And some caves are quite damp and drippy, which would be bad for the crackers. Anyway. Thanks to WelshFarmer and all the other rescuers for going into the scary cheese-less cave and making for some good news this week.

Next up, take a moment to appreciate the surprised looking sausage dog we spotted on a photo shoot this week. Mmm… cheese, sausages… all we need now is pickles, mustard and slice of rye bread…

More good news – we’ve a bundle of new things for you to look at in this week’s Fresh Goods Friday.

Surly Krampus Custom Build

• Price: £2,099.99 to £2,699.99 (depending on spec)
• From: Ison

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This little cracker in red flecked black has made its way up to Sanny and is something of a special build. Starting with the 29+ Krampus frameset that kicked off the plus revolution, it features Surly’s own double butted Chromoly Natch tubing and has more boss mount points than you can ever possibly need. The geometry is designed to be playful while all day comfortable.

The drivetrain is based on SRAM’s 12 speed NX groupset while braking duties are handled by SRAM Level TLs. The wheels are HALO Vapour XC 35’s and have been spec’d over the standard spec HALO 50mm rims as Sanny was looking for something a little narrower and lighter. Tyres are 3 inch Dirt Wizards and have been set up tubeless. Bars, stem, saddle and seatpost are taken care of by ISON’s highly regarded Gusset brand and are coupled with a KS dropper post. The overall spec is a mix of the base and top model of complete build Krampus bikes so falls somewhere in between the fully rigid and front suspension versions of the bike.

MRP Raven 120mm 29er fork

• Price: £730
• From: Ison

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So new that Sanny hasn’t even taken the instructions off, these beauties are the latest offering from MRP for the discerning rider. The 35mm stanchions and Boost spacing coupled with independently adjustable positive and negative air chambers mean that you have a light but stiff fork that you can adjust  until the cows come home. The internal volume is also adjustable with MRP’s “Huck Puck” system. Low speed compression damping is handled by a handily placed dial on the top of the fork leg. The forward facing arch helps mitigate against mud build up.

Last Chance… Hackney GT Singletrack Collab Recycle Long Sleeve Jersey

• From: Singletrack Merch Store
• Price: £55

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Russ at Hackney GT will be making these in one batch, and the order book closes on Monday 15/11/21. So, get your order in now, and we should get the jersey to you just before Xmas. The jersey features some neat detailing on the cuffs, an air mesh front panel to keep you cool, plus a nice ‘n’ dirty rainbow.

And don’t forget, choosing Singletrack merch helps us to keep pumping out the quality magazine, online content, and the all the good biking vibes.

WTB Vigilante and Judge Tyres

• Price: WTB Judge – £64.99, Vigilante – £59.99
• From: Hotlines

Here we have a pair of no-nonsense trail tyres from WTB in 29.x 2.4 (Judge) and 2.5 (Vigilante). Both are meant for the chunky end of trail riding, with massive, square knobs and (in the cast of the Judge) tough casing too. This is what WTB reckons you need for a winter where you’re going to be staying outside, playing in the mud and sliding over the roots and rocks instead of hiding indoors on the turbo. In this case, the slightly chunky weight won’t put you off because you’ll be flying by springtime. Or that’s the idea. 

“Tumble-sharting” #TOTW Singletrack Thread Of the Week

• From: Singletrack Forum
• Price: Dignity and a tumble dryer

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Normally we have a few contenders in the running for #TOTW, a mixture of worthy causes, informative and helpful advice… but in TOTW top trumps nothing beats “explosive shartmaggedon”, or what is now know as “tumble-sharting”.

As a reward for sharing his parenting experience with the forum we will be sending Singletrack member “tomd” a new t-shirt, that he can wash, and then dry in his tumble dryer of compromised integrity.

What’s the worst bit of kiddy vandalism you have endured? Click here and read the replies… it’s bloody hilarious.

Singletrack Klean Kanteen Flask and Gaye Bykers On Acid.

• From: Singletrack Merch Store
• £31.99 (members get a discount)

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Charlie says… I took a couple of days off from Singletrack Towers and headed down to Brighton to attend a secret Gaye Bykers On Acid pre tour show. The seven hour drive seemed like the perfect opportunity to get scientific and test out the Singletrack Klean Kanteen Flask. After 300 miles will I have a hot coffee to pick my up before the gig?

I made some “recreational strength” Singletrack Deadline coffee and it started its journey at 82c at 11am. Watford Gap service was just about bang on halfway where it was still a steamy 67c. Whilst at the services I discovered that McDonalds serve their coffee at 71c. And off round the M25 we go and then down to the Electric Studios in Brighton, where my coffee was still hot at 56c, around 7 hours later. I did it, a damned good flask indeed.

The gig was awesome, and the Electric Studios has fine beers. Gaye Bykers On Acid are touring right now. Check out the tour poster for where and when.

Ion Met Traze Amp MIPS Helmet

• Price: £144.99
• From: Ion

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A collaboration between Ion and Met, this helmet is MIPS equipped and comes with an adjustable visor, room for goggles and glasses stowage, and a Fidlock fastener. The cradle inside is adjustable so you can make sure this helmet sits just as you want it.

Hi Flow No Clog Valves

• Price: £24.50 (Valves), £7.50 (screw pump adapter)
• From: 76 Projects

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Oh what a lot of fuss there’s been about valves of late! Here we have the UK entry into the battle of the valves. Promising four times as much airflow as a standard Presta valve, these are compatible with tyre inserts and won’t get full of tubeless gunk. If you’ve ever struggled to pump up a tyre trailside because you’ve discovered you’ve got a mini monster in your valve, you may appreciate this. If you’re still using tubes, you probably won’t.

Micro Piggy

• Price: £17.50
• From: 76 Projects

This is a dinky little frame strap that’s designed to mount to any bottle bosses on your bike, but in particular those under the top tube mounts we’ve seen on some full suspension bikes recently. Strap a tube or pump into the Micro Piggy and you’ll have the kit you need without any fear of a strap rubbing on your precious frame. Unlike pet micro pigs, this one will not grow to a huge size and poo in your living room.

Top Tube Bag

• Price: £59.50
• From: 76 Projects

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This top tube frame pack has a handy net pouch and elastic loop inside so you can stop things rattling around in there. It’s also bright pink on the inside, so you can see your items against the liner (unless they’re loose Percy Pigs, perhaps). The front bracket fits onto your fork, which the base slider can either be stuck onto your top tube, or used with top tube bosses as found on many gravel bikes these days. This should make for a firmly attached top tube bag that’s definitely not going to rub your frame.

Cable Bobbins

• Price: £9.50
• From: 76 Projects

Keep your cables neat, tidy and quiet with these bobbins, 3D printed here in the UK.

V12 Mag pedals

• Price: £80
• From: DMR

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Trying to embrace his inner flat pedal alter ego, Sanny aka The Sandshoe Cyclist, has settled on these rather fancy looking numbers from DMR. With 10% more surface area than the original shape, replaceable pins, a paltry 16mm depth and weighing in at just 350 grams, Sanny is hoping they last easily as long as his original pedals which could kindly be described as antique.

Seems like a good week for a touch of angry protest music. Also, France is quite good at cheese in caves. So to finish things in a neat and circuitous and tangental circle, this week needs French punk. It probably doesn’t matter if you don’t speak French, you’ll get the idea.

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