BTR trail tool

Fresh Goods Friday 640: Three Feet High Edition

by 14

This is the shintro… coming at you like a BMX shark bite pedal at your 1980s shins. Speaking of the 80s, this week’s FGF is dedicated to one of the creators of THE best album of 1989.

Ah… 1989. I [Benji] would have been not-quite-a-teenager. I probably still have the cassette of Three Feet High & Rising somewhere in my parents’ attic. I must pop up there and have a look next time I’m over that way. Pretty sure I also had a De La Soul T-shirt, that was approximately three sizes too big. Wore it until it faded and then fell apart. The T-shirt, not me. Although…

David Jolicoeur RIP

MuckyNutz MugGuard Rear

Made in the UK using 100% recycled plastic and comes with re-useable hook-and-loop straps. In short mode, it works as an all-year-round guard for your rear shock. During winter, whip out and attach the extension for more protection. Full sus or hardtail. 26 to 29in wheels diameters Tyres up to 3.0in. Using the side dials you can tweak the guard’s angle to achieve the desired clearance. Comes in a reusable bag (which is made from recycled plastic bottles and adorned with MuckyNutz’s favourite pub names).

Green Oil EcoSpray Lube

A PTFE-free alternative to the usual sprays. This stuff uses graphite molecules instead. Apparently, it say here, graphite can be absorbed by plants as a nutrient (AKA biodegradable). It’s also extremely slippery. Graphite production does not produce a carcinogen. The spray in general states that it has myriad of uses on a bicycle although we’d be wary of using it near brakes and as a suspension lube (it’s better to do a proper lower leg service than just do a temporary ‘sticking plaster’ style non-fix). Anyway. Kudos to Green Oil for keeping on keeping on.

Pembree D2A Flat Pedal

  • Price: £129 (Singletrack Members enjoy a 15% discount)
  • From: Pembree
Pembree pedals

Charlie says: “The new Pembree D2A pedal is available in 8 colours including this rather classy bronze, and also a Rob Warner model. It has been a while since Rob had a pro pedal – who remembers the shin consuming “Base Jump” pedals from the 90’s? Anyway, back to now… the Dimensions are nice and generous at 100x110x15mm.”

“There are however two extra neat things about Pembree: ecology and UK manufacturing. Phil the founder says: ‘Our goal is to become a global leader in ethical, transparent and ecologically sustainable manufacturing within the mountain bike industry. Our products are designed and manufactured in our own solar/wind powered factory in East Sussex, England using only recyclable materials.’

“They have also given Singletrack Members a nice 15% discount. Pop over to the Members Zone to see the code. And while you are there check out all the other Singletrack member discounts… there are quite a few.”

Aeropress Coffee Maker

Charlie says: “We are big fans of the Aeropress and its ability to quickly deliver a great brew just about anywhere. However, coffee is not the only thing it can do for you. Whilst preparing a Valentines Day dessert made from clotted cream mixed with crushed Custard Cream biscuits, I was looking for something round to form the creamy biscuity tower of love. And guess what? An Aeropress is just great for forming food towers! Well, now you know. Next time I might do it in layers of custard creams, cream, chocolate bourbons, cream, hobnobs, cream, Maryland cookies etc.”

Trail Rake Tool

BTR trail tool
Unseen footage from Happy Valley?

“Raking, chopping, digging, packing down…” It’s a tough tool. Built to last. 30mm diameter handle. Oh, and the hole is for locking it to a tree so you can leave it trailside for next time (and/or locking it up!). Zinc plated 190 x 250mm head. 1.4m long. Sharp edge for digging and chopping roots. Toothed edge for raking and breaking soil. Combined with a mattock and a decent folding saw, you’re all set.

Lowtide 0.5% Beer

Charlie says: “Hannah recently wrote about cycling and alcohol in a Singletrack Newsletter, and the forum thread that followed was rather interesting with many points of view. Anyway… Lowtide Brewing are offering Singletrack Members a cool 15% discount code, that you will find in the Members Zone. My previous experience of Lowtide beers has been great in several ways. They not only deliver great taste, with lots of variation, but also I am super fresh on a Sunday morning so the first few miles of riding are more grin than grind.”

Thread Of The Week

We’ve all been there. Fruitlessly arguing the (CORRECT) answer when all around you is a sea of bewildered faces wondering why you’ve gone incandescently purple with indignation. Kudos – and calm down – to zippykona for this week’s winning TOTW…

The winning TOTW in FGF gets a prize. And it’s the fabulous majestic Singletrack x Granite Designs RockBand Strap! Therefore, WORD UPto zippykona! Please email editorial@singletrackworld.com. Please include your postal address, as it really speeds up delivery logistics init.

Peace. Out.

Saturday tomorrow!

What is Fresh Goods Friday?

It’s Singletrack’s long running, weekly roundup of all of the new products that have been sent in to the magazine.

Where do all of the goods come from?

They’re sent in by bike companies and marketing agencies

What happens to all of the products?

They’re featured and then some are reviewed down the line in either Singletrack Magazine or in online reviews and photoshoots.

What happens to them when you’ve finished with them?

They’re usually sent back after review, or kept on long-term test bikes. But no one ever asks for shorts and shoes back. Trust us on that. Once we were asked to return some brake pads.

I’m a company making the next big thing. How much does it cost to feature in FGF?

Nothing. Nil. Zero. Diddlysquat. Sod all. Just send all ‘next big things’ to us at – Fresh Goods Friday, Singletrack Magazine, Lockside Mill, Dale Street, Todmorden. OL14 5PX. Please note that if you require the products back after they have featured then you are responsible for arranging collection at your cost. While it is our policy to feature everything we receive in FGF if we decide your product is not suitable for publication we won’t do it. Publication is at our discretion. Whether a product goes on for publication as a review is at editorial discretion. Beer, coffee & spirits will ALWAYS be tested.

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.

More posts from Ben

Home Forums Fresh Goods Friday 640: Three Feet High Edition

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
  • Fresh Goods Friday 640: Three Feet High Edition
  • footflaps
    Full Member

    Slim pickings this week.

    And that rake looks like some form of medieval weapon…

    honourablegeorge
    Full Member

    Looks ace, I’d really like one – FYI @Ben_Haworth -the link is broken

    eduardorocha
    Full Member

    Trail tool and Beers ordered! Let the good times ride 🙂

    glp1
    Free Member

    BTR’s web page is gone totally?

    1
    ThePinkster
    Full Member

    Ah… 1989. I [Benji] would have been not-quite-a-teenager.

    You really know how to make a significant proportion of your readership feel old, don’t you @Ben_Howarth 😉

    charliedontsurf
    Full Member

    BTR… they seem alive on facebook and social. you can get hold of them here… Keep ‘er Sideways (@btr_fabrications) • Instagram photos and videos

    chipps
    Full Member

    I bought mine a week ago from BTR and they had plenty of rakes left (that’s the rake, there’s a different trail tool)

    I’ve just let them know about their website issue too.

    roger_mellie
    Full Member

    Thanks for including the link to TOTW.

    Northwind
    Full Member

    The rake-like trail tool is good, as a second tool but it’s a bit big to really dig with, their chunkier macleod-ish trail tool is better for that and can still do the raking. Wish it didn’t have the cutouts but it really is the closest I’ve ever used to being a “one tool to build them all”.

    I’d recommend checking out the Escape Components trail tool too. https://escapecomponents.com/product/8-trail-hoe. These are made by a forum member and general Upstanding Mountain Bike Community Member and full disclosure, a friend of mine but they are very very good. Yes they’re “heavily inspired by” the Rogue Hoe, but you can’t easily get Rogue Hoes in the UK any more. It’s not quite as versatile as the BTR but it’s much better for digging. I can get so much more done with one of these than I can with a mattock or similar, the heft and size is just right.

    Northwind
    Full Member

    Oh yeah I think I need one fo those mudguards!

    dc2.0
    Full Member

    I like the Lowtide West Coast Hop Lock 0.5% IPA. Thanks for the 15% off! I’ve used the saving on trying some of their other options..

    reeksy
    Full Member

    The rake-like trail tool is good, as a second tool but it’s a bit big to really dig with, their chunkier macleod-ish trail tool is better for that and can still do the raking. Wish it didn’t have the cutouts but it really is the closest I’ve ever used to being a “one tool to build them all”.

    This style tool is standard issue in Aus/NZ. They’re used as fire rakes for clearing around trees when burning off, so you can get them at diy shops.

    willard
    Full Member

    In contrast to the title, three feet deep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq2bIIYUQ0Q

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.