Fresh Goods Friday 627: In It To Win It Init Edition

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This is the Zinntro… the intro inspired by the author of Zinn & The Art Of Mountain Bike Maintenance (the N-tastic Lennard Zinn).

What does FGF have instore for us today? Well, just keep scrolling down the page to find out. It’s not hard. Jeez. Kids today…

Ghostface Killah, are you listening?

Focus Jam2 SL 9.9

Another of those new fangled mid-power e-bikes. This one is from Focus and uses the Fazua Ride60 (60Nm) motor paired with a 430Wh battery. Which makes it roughly ‘one louder’ than some other mid-power e-bikes than have 50Nm motors and 340Wh batteries. This XL size test bike one weighs around 19kgs.

As you can see, it’s already seen a bit of riding (because Benji can’t control himself) and it’s also sporting a couple of non-spec parts. The grips, rear tyre, bottle and cage are ‘model’s own’, as they say (it came with a Nobby Nic rear tyre and some rather chunky RaceFace grips). Initial impressions? It’s “one of the best descending bikes I’ve ever ridden” apaz.

Light And Motion Seca 2500 Enduro

Lights season is well under way. And so is light testing season. This is Light And Motion’s latest version of their Seca range of proper MTB-worthy night ride setups. 2500 lumens, hence the name. The ‘Enduro’ suffix is actually referring to the larger-than-standard battery capacity as opposed to any enduro ride/race aspirations. Easy-on, easy-off light mounting and battery mounting. Helmet mount included too.

“Custom engineered reflector optimizes the light to provide a smooth, even beam pattern with a wide, far-reaching spread of light that focuses the light where you need it. Beam pattern was engineered to maximize riders’ depth perception with optics that eliminate the snowball effect, without wasting any light”.

Shimano D02S Disc Brake Pads

Some emergency brake pads hot-pigeoned up directly to Singletrack contributor James Vincent’s Lakeland abode. Turns out, it’s not a good idea to take a box fresh test bike (Pivot Firebird from FGF 624) out into the wilds without first bedding in the similarly box fresh brakes. Bed your brakes in properly people! All it takes is 5 to 10 minutes on a quiet bit of tarmac somewhere. It will save you money, and injury.

Boardman MTR 8.9

Another bike in for a £2k full suspension bike test. The Boardman MTR is not a brand new for 2023 model, it’s been around for a few years. But it’s still well worth getting in for such a head-to-head shootout.

X7 triple butted alloy. SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain. SRAM Guide T brakes with 180mm rotors. 150mm RockShox Gold 35 fork. Deluxe Select+ shock (140mm rear travel) in a custom tune. 780mm handlebar. 45mm stem. Maxxis Minion DHF and DHRII tyres. 30mm internal width Boardman rims. Satori Sorata Pro dropper post with 150mm (L).

Hope Union Clip Pedals and Cleats

  • Price: £150 pedals, £15 cleats
  • From: Hope Tech

Dual mechanism designed for easy pedal entry, secure cleat holding and positive, consistent release. Dual sided. Fully CNC Machined pedal bodies. Stainless steel clips and cleats. Large shoe/pedal contact area for maximum power transfer and stability. Replaceable pins for increased grip on Union TC (8 pins). Available colour options as well as this on-trend silver.

OneUp V2 Dropper Post V2 and V3 Remote

The short and long of it

OneUp droppers are well-prized for their industry-leading ‘shortness’. In other words, they pack a lot more drop travel into a shorter overall length compared to all other dropper post brands. This particular post is for Benji’s Stif Squatch build and is 30.9mm (so fill also fit 31.6mm or larger frames with a shim, should the need arise, which it will) and is 210mm dropper travel (which Benji will spacer down to 190mm, if* his maths is correct).

*it so rarely is

Exposure Zenith MK2

Big torch for your ATB hat. 2100 lumens, with a long reaching, wider beam, combined with TAP technology; “the rapid mode change technology, the rider can use the 2100 lumens when plummeting down a steep, fast descent or tackling a technical trail and then TAP to lower the lumens when on the flat or a climb to increase the run time.”

Exposure Six Pack MK12

A massive lumen cannon for your handlebars. Now with a wider beam pattern and an increase to 5,250 lumens. “REFLEX++ Technology ensures the right lumen output no matter the terrain, speed or ride, combined with OMS to give runtime flexibility of 2 – 36 hours. Perfect for Enduro or Endurance.”

Singletrack Camo Whamo Hoodie

Can you see it?

Vegan. Fairtrade. Organic. Tested for harmful chemicals (none). Damned cosy double layered hood. Round drawcords in matching body colour with metal tipping. Metal eyelets. Inside herringbone back neck tape. Ribbed sleeves and hem. Kangaroo pocket at front. 85% Organic ring-spun Combed Cotton, 15% Recycled Polyester.

Thread Of The Week

TOTW this time goes to tpbiker. Though it’s tempting to think we’ve chosen this for some sort of comedy value, we haven’t. We’ve chosen it because it’s always a good idea to talk about health concerns. Keeping quiet can lead to Bad Things.

Every week the winning TOTW in FGF gets a prize. And it’s now the fabulous majestic Singletrack x Granite Designs RockBand Strap that is to be awarded. So HELLO! to tprider! Please email editorial@singletrackworld.com. Please include your postal address, as it really speeds up delivery times.

Classifieds Ad Of The Week

“Hi, up for sale is my Orbea Alma M-LTD. great fast light bike top spec & great condition. with only about 1200 miles. looking for £5,000. currently on Orbea website for £8,499.”

NSFW (F-words and stuff)

Tavvauvutit!

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Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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Home Forums Fresh Goods Friday 627: In It To Win It Init Edition

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
  • Fresh Goods Friday 627: In It To Win It Init Edition
  • dangeourbrain
    Free Member

    I mentioned it in the black Friday thread but it seems sensible to do it here too what with the seatpost being up there…

    One up have 20% off currently https://uk.oneupcomponents.com/
    Code: WorkLessRideMore

    metalheart
    Free Member

    Yup, thanks dangeourbrain, ordered one this am (£202 inc remote AND clamp…).

    mashr
    Full Member

    Nothing says “we really thought this through” like an extra piece of plastic to stop the cables and stem attacking each other

    dangeourbrain
    Free Member

    Nothing says “we really thought this through” like an extra piece of plastic to stop the cables and stem attacking each other

    If I were to guess, I’d say that was a packing filler to stop the cables getting crimped in the box during transit.
    I might be wrong of course but nothing says “remove me” ” like an extra piece of plastic to stop the cables and stem attacking each other that’s in a non matching very cheap colour.

    If have had that off before the wheels went on. That said some people leave the film on their phone screens for ever too.

    voodoo-rich
    Full Member

    That integrated stem thing on the Focus… if you wanted a regular stem in its place, is there a way for the cables etc. to get to where they need to be? Other than stick-on cable/ hose guides?

    adrian_h
    Full Member

    Always loved the exposure lights but they have always been out of my price range! they ooze quality! No better time for a good light with the days so short!

    Ben_Haworth
    Full Member

    @voodoo-rich you can get a different headset upper cap (with hole in for cabling). We’ve got one on the way to us so we can try different stems on the bike. So yes you can ditch the thru-stem routing but no you can’t ditch thru-headtube routing.

    Del
    Full Member

    Always loved the exposure lights but they have always been out of my price range!

    if you ride a lot at night, twice a week in my case, man maths makes them very reasonable. i’ve had a 6 pack and a diabolo for about 6 years i think? still going strong. 2 quid a week. you’re welcome. 😉

    sheldon13
    Full Member

    at least the boardman has built in frame protection from rock strikes, even though its the brake cables?

    yetitony
    Free Member

    Had a Exposure MaxxD for well over 10 years now, they replaced the battery for £20 so well worth the investment. Fantastic performance and service.

    ratherbeintobago
    Full Member

    Has anyone tried Hope’s clipless pedals?

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

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