Do the clocks change this weekend? It feels like they do round about now. Hang on a sec…
After a quick search on Altavista using Netscape, I can indeed confirm that the clocks will go back at 2am on 29th October.
What are we to do with this information? Just moan about it most likely. Something something about farmers. Possibly some sort of decimal clock campaign mutterings. Maybe it will cause people to miss their sunday ride meet time. Or will it make them an hour too early? Who knows? No one knows. That is the majesty of the Changing Clocks.
Anyhoo… on with Fresh Goods Friday!
Calibre Line T3 27.5
- Price: £1,200 (£999 to Go Outdoors cardholders)
- From: Go Outdoors
Well, will you look at that. A mountain bike that is possibly affordable in 2023. Because we, like you, are sometimes a cynical bunch of non-believers we immediately begin poring over the spec sheet and geometry chart to see where the weak links are. Mainly so we can continue to justify the existence of hugely more expensive pushbikes.
What are the weak links? One one hand, they are numerous. On the other hand, there aren’t any. It ‘only’ has a 125mm dropper. But… it has a dropper. It runs on 27.5in wheels when simple everyone dahling is on 29. But… 27.5 rides fine. The fork is only a – heaven forfend! – RockShox Recon. But… a Recon is great for the price and can its guts swapped out over time if youw want to improve it. We do have our concerns about 2.6in Rekon rubbers as we head into November though…
Geometry-wise, there’s even less to pick at. 64ish° head angle. 75° seat angle. 450mm reach on this Medium. 420mm seat tube length. 427mm chain stays.
Formula Selva C 29 170mm
- Price: £915.00
- From: Elro Distribution
The first item in a fresh delivery of bits and bobs from Formula. Destined to go on to my [Benji] Orange Switch 6, which feels fitting seeing as Orange and Formula have a degree of history between them as partners. Those unfortunate enough to have borne witness to several of my preaching suspension sermons will know that I like a coil. It might be my age but I really appreciate comfort and support in times of need. And that’s what coil spring suspension offers me.
This is a 170mm travel Selva C (coil) fork from Formula. I opted to go up to 170mm travel because Formula forks have shorter axle-to-crown lengths for their given travel compared to RockFox et al. So although I’m running 10mm more travel than the Switch 6 is designed for, the fork length is only about 2mm longer (and the ride height arguably even closer).
As you can see from the pic gallery above, I have an optional (Firm) spring if required (it comes with a Medium installed) and I have a little box of coloured jewels. This is the CTS Compression Pack comprising of seven alternative fundamental tunes. Plug ‘n’ play.
Formula MOD Shock
- Price: £699.99
- From: Elro Distribution
The rear shock to go with the fork. The spring is not purple, apparently. It is violet. So there you go. This particular MOD coil shock is 205 x 65mm trunnion.
Formula: “The Mod has an unconventional design that, thanks to the CTS (Compression Tuning System) technology, will allow every rider to fine-tune the rear suspension simply and effectively. The High Flow design of the damping allows for uncompromising reliability. Thanks to its large-volume bladder, the Mod manages to have very low friction and excellent small bump compliance.”
Again, Formula have supplied a few optional CTS doohickies to experiment with, including one that is specifically designed with single-pivot Oranges in mind.
Formula Cura Polished with TFRA/FCS Brake Lever
- Price: £TBC
- From: Elro Distribution
In last year’s 4-pot disc brake group test, the Formula Cura 4 came out on top overall. Pretty much the only niggle we had with it was that we didn’t particularly like the rounded lever blade profile. You’ll notice a couple of things about the pretty Formula Cura brakes in these pics: 1, they aren’t 4-pot and 2, that totally new lever blade. The lever is called TFRA/FCS…
Formula: “The Feeling Control System (FCS) enables the rider to fully customize the lever to suit their needs, resulting in optimal performance and comfort. Additionally, the rider can fine- tune the balance between the lever’s feel and braking power, which was previously impossible with stock levers. In conjunction with the Tool Free Reach Adjustment (TFRA), the rider can make adjustments to the lever without the need for any tools, in order to achieve the best possible feel.”
Formula Rotors
- Price: from £20.99 (£30.99 for 203mm)
- From: Elro Distribution
Formula have joined the 2mm tribe. In other words, these rotors are 2.0mm thick, where previously they were 1.8mm. Other than being thicker, the design remain the same. Which we’re fine with thanks.
Formula Brake Mineral Oil & Bleed Kit
- Price: £13.30 oil, £39.99 bleed kit
- From: Elro Distribution
Having a proper bleed kit – or ‘kit spurgo’ in Italian(?) – is a good idea. If you have the right tool for the job, not only will you actually do the job yourself, but you’ll do it more frequently and thus have consistently confident braking. We’ve not had much experience of bleeding Formula brakes since the Cura came out but rest assured, bleeding ease will be very much part of the eventual review. A great brake that is a pain/impossibility to bleed properly ain’t a great brake at all.
Madison DTE 3-Layer Waterproof Bib Trousers
- Price: £199.99
- From: Freewheel
Fully taped seams and a DWR coated waterproof fabric. “Designed to withstand strong winds” (more tea vicar etc). Constructed from a 4 way stretch fabric. Pre curved knees and a tailored cut. Strategically placed reflective inserts. Central chest pocket and a hip pocket, both get full closure zippers. Long side access zip, and stretchy quick release straps over the shoulders. Choose from the 3 leg lengths.
Madison DTE 4 Season DWR Gloves
- Price: £24.99
- From: Freewheel
DWR coating (albeit one described as “showerproof” rather than full-on waterproof). Unlined, with a pre-curved shape and tailored grip palm.Cuff adjuster. Low bulk palm. Silicone gripper on the index and middle fingers. Large soft snot, sorry… sweat wipe. Also available in Black as well as this Rust Orange.
Patagonia Dirt Roamer Bike Pack 20L
- Price: £140.00
- From: Patagonia
One of those vertically zipped main chamber packs. Made with 100% recycled nylon. Raised mono-mesh back panel for breathability and does not absorb water. Breathable Regulator airmesh through the hip belt and shoulder straps. 2 litre HydraPak bladder reservoir included accessed viai dedicated side-access sleeve. Top compression strap to help manage a load or carry a helmet. Weight: 676g.
Vee tyres
- Price: £various
- From: Vee Tire Co
Apparently this box of rubber arrived at Chipps’ gaff. That’s all we know for now. Keep watching the skies!
SRAM XO Eagle Transmission (Chipps)
- Price: £1,715.00 (not including the seatpost, nor the beer)
- From: SRAM
Chipps is going all Transmissiony for winter. You can read our first ride review of SRAM XO Eagle Transmission right now. And/or keep an eye out for a full review of the more affordable SRAM GX Eagle Transmission in an upcoming issue of Singletrack World Mountain Bike Magazine.
Speaking of which…
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Thread Of The Week
Congratulations this week to @kormoran for this hearteningly seedy forum thread…
The winning TOTW in FGF gets a prize. So @kormoran please email editorial@singletrackworld.com for your random prize. Don’t forget to include your postal address, as it really speeds up delivery logistics like. Ta!
It’s Singletrack’s long running, weekly roundup of all of the new products that have been sent in to the magazine.
They’re sent in by bike companies and marketing agencies
They’re featured and then some are reviewed down the line in either Singletrack Magazine or in online reviews and photoshoots.
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.
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.
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