Fresh Goods Friday 726: The Chain Damping Edition

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No, it’s not called dampening. You can dampen something. You can damp something. But dampening is not a thing.

Well, apart from a gerund or present participle verb. But it’s nowt to do with the restraining of vibratory motion.

That’s quite enough from Dictionary Corner for this week, on with the Freshest of Fresh Goods For Friday!

Disco Rigsby

Rimpact Chain Damper

There’s no real way of avoiding mentioning the O-Chain. The Rimpact Chain Damper er, chain damper is doing the same sort of thing. Which is what? Adding a controlled amount of damped float to the chainset. The O-Chain is essentially a crank spider (that accepts standard 4-bolt BCD chainrings). Rimpact’s design is a chainring that direct mounts to cranks. In this case, a SRAM type crank. Rimpact: “Clutch derailleurs offer some amount of control to the lower part of your chain but the top remains free to flail wildly. Here at Rimpact, we think the significant effect of this uncontrolled chain energy plays a bigger part in unwanted ride characteristics than other sources of negative drivetrain feedback.” We very much agree with this theory and are looking forward to slapping this on to a bike and heading out to find some rough stuff. Stay tuned.

Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500

Oof! Now THIS is a D-lock. Abus: “Great attention was paid to ensuring the best possible resistance to attacks with battery angle grinders as this method of breaking open bike locks is increasingly observed in large cities. Our special wolfram carbide material compound around the lock shackle and body is the answer to this phenomenon and makes it extra hard for thieves. With the ABUS XPlus cylinder, it offers additional protection against skilled lock breaking methods such as picking.”

Madison Roam Men’s DWR Cargo Bib Tights

In space, no one can hear you scream. On a mountain bike, no one can tell you’re wearing roadie tights. Well, that is assuming that you’re doing the right thing and covering them up with some riding trousers over the top of them yeah? These Roam tights are technically classed as gravelwear. We think this is because there’s storage pockets all over them. Cargo pocket on the thigh, five(!) pockets including a central one that can hold a bladder (there are also hose straps over both shoulders). Triple layer Italian Endurance chamois pad. Wide silicone hem grippers at the ankles. Cosy clobber!

Offsetbushings Offset Bushing

These days we don’t find ourselves using offset bushings very much. Certainly nowhere near as often as we used to them a few years ago. Mountain bike geometry has improved greatly. But sometimes you do just want to tweak/try something out. Just because. Here, we’re having an experiment at slightly slackening (0.5° ish) and lowering (a few mm) a long term test bike by installing just a single offset bushing in one eyelet of the rear shock.

Grangers Wash + Repel Clothing 2 In 1

It’s that time of year when you realise your waterproofs… aren’t. Not waterproof anymore, that is. A stopgap quasi-solution to this is to get hold of some reproofing agent. Such as this one. At twelve quid for a few garments’ worth of treatment, it’s certainly a heck of a lot cheaper than buying new apparel. But does this stuff actually work? In my [Benji] experience, yes and no. It certainly improves things like beading a bit, but it certainly does not make a garment function like new. I treat (ha!) such products as a way of just extending the usability of a garment long enough to make it to the January Sales.

Stans Exo-Core Tubeless Valves

Fifty quid for tubeless valves seems a lot. Because it is. But at least these new valves from the Daddy of Tubeless (Stan) do seem to pack in a heck of a lotta tech! Stan sez: “‘Twist And Pull’ cap. Large grip area with “Lefty Loosey/Righty Tighty” operation offers precision control of airflow (1/8 turn for micro-bleeding; one full turn to wide open). External sealing and an all-brass core eliminates clogs and ensures easy cleaning. Oversized bore diameter ensures maximum airflow and easy sealant refresh. Captured O-ring in the valve stem nut design stays secure and will not vibrate loose. Tapered elliptical stopper ensures airtight seal on all rim designs. Base design allows air to flow free with or without tyre inserts.”

DMR Blade Chainring 30T

We’re big fans of DMR drivetrain stuff. The Axe cranks are excellent. And so are the Blade chainrings. We’ve got a slightly smaller chainring in (30T) to replace a stock 32T jobber. Because easier gearing is better gearing. The DMR Blade chainring is 10, 11 and 12 speed compatible. Manufactured from 4mm wide 7075-T6 aluminium and sporting a narrow-wide teeth design that clings on to the chain with the best of ’em.

Specialized Method 2FO Shoes

I [Benji] love the Method 2F0 shoe but I have a terrible feeling that it’s about to be discontinued. So I’m stocking up on them now! In some ways, there’s nowt to them. Especially if you compare them feature-packed mega-bling shoes. But I suspect that’s why I like them; they’re simple and simply just work. The best feeling flat pedal shoes I’ve encountered. Just really… normal. I find myself still wearing them in Tesco many hours after I’ve finished that day’s riding. And the SlipNot rubber sole is, in my opinion, the best rubber out there currently.

New issue 157

New issue, new photographer for this issue’s cover! It’s Joe Wakefield who says:“This Photo was taken in the Valleycliffe area of Squamish, BC  (my hometown) the feature/trail was built by a local trailbuilder and rider Matt Bolton (@matt_boltz)

The dog is a sweet Samoyed called Maya and this was one of her last trips out as a trail dog with friends, she loved joining us on the trails biking but she’s getting a bit older now and enjoys smaller walks and treats. I wanted to get her one last great shot out on the trails and I knew this freeride area with interesting builds was a great location to showcase her as a grounded loyal companion watching her humans do crazy things.

Featured Member Reward Of The Week

About Garmin: “From Saturday group rides to solo long ones, improve every ride with the Edge 1050 premium bike computer and its incredible performance insights, in-ride competitions and free personalised coaching. We make products that are engineered on the inside for life on the outside. We do this so our customers can make the most of the time they spend pursuing their passions. Garmin brings GPS navigation and wearable technology to the automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor and fitness markets. We think every day is an opportunity to innovate — and a chance to beat yesterday”.

Instagram Readers Ride of the Week

  • Price: using #stwreadersrides hashtag
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Congratulations go to Sam Dexter for this week’s winning entry.

Whether you’ve got a special new bike or just a bike that’s special to you, this is how you get to tell everyone about it! You can either tag the bike pic with #stwreadersrides on Instagram or you can send us your submissions via this form.

Check out last Sunday’s Reader’s Ride: Brian E’s Kona Process 153 DL. Who will be our next pick? It could be you…

Hello Roger!
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.

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Home Forums Fresh Goods Friday 726: The Chain Damping Edition

Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total)
  • Fresh Goods Friday 726: The Chain Damping Edition
  • 3
    honourablegeorge
    Full Member

    I do like that Murmur.

    danieljohnreynolds
    Full Member

    <Chemical Engineer nerd warning>

    Wolfram = tungsten …?  Funny Abus would say”Our special wolfram carbide material” and leave the one word in the original German (tungsten in German is Wolfram like the old-skool use of the name) to make it sound exotic!!  Wolfram – Grrr!!!!

    johncoventry
    Full Member

    The big issue I see with the Abus lock is its size. It can only be looped around small diameter poles. Therefore it will be easier to cut the bike stand etc than the lock.

    3
    fathomer
    Full Member

    @honourablegeorge thanks, though it doesn’t look like that anymore, now much more purple!PXL_20240715_094625314

    1
    singlespeedstu
    Full Member

    A mate has bent his Rimpact chain damper already.

    Not sure if it was a pre production one or the finished product.

     

    mrauer
    Full Member

    Method of the bending might be relevant –

    bent with just his powerful legs, or by running into a rock at full blast?

    1
    singlespeedstu
    Full Member

    JRA obvs. ;o)

    It’s also his job to brake test stuff.

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    Does that chain damper have a way of ‘locking out’ when you pedal? Because otherwise it will feel weird when you go for a ‘stomp’ of legs and find it is like pedalling an elastic band, no?

    1
    wheelsonfire1
    Full Member

    Is the chain damper a (very) expensive solution to a problem most normal folk don’t have?

    1
    Gribs
    Full Member

    Is the chain damper a (very) expensive solution to a problem most normal folk don’t have?

    It obviously fixes the problems caused by (very) expensive fast engagement hubs on some suspension systems.

    chakaping
    Full Member

    Not sure if it was a pre production one

    It will be when he contacts them for a comment (winky face emoji)

    Keen to try one though, almost bought an Ochain but something else came up.

    1
    gazzab1955
    Full Member

    re Grangers Wash & Repel: spooky as I bought some on Monday from our proper “all things outdoors” shop (Great Western Camping in Dorchester). They recommended it for doing all my jackets. It hasn’t rained since, typical, so I haven’t been able to test the results yet. Very easy to use though.

    Re the magazine: I do like the smell of it since you started using the new printers. Not the same but its like opening a pack of coffee, luv the smell of singletrack in the morning when the postman has been. My wife is somewhat less enthusiastic though, apparently I shouldn’t be reading it at bedtime as it makes the bedroom smelly she says.

    Wally
    Full Member

    Rimpact Chain Damper pics show a lot of grease in a perfectly clean multiple cavity machined block positioned on a bike where it gets very wet and dirty. Look forward to review.

    desperatebicycle
    Full Member

    Chain Damper?  *checks date* hmm nowhere near April Fools… its real! hahahahaha!

    zerocool
    Full Member

    I’ve been using those offset bushings for years. They’re great to deal with and customer service has always been great. I still have a few in the toolbox spare even though I only have a hardtail at present.

    didnthurt
    Full Member

    Met a guy using one of them chain dampers yesterday at the Golfie, he said he was feeling the extra effort on the climbs, I’d never heard of one until I did a bit of a google. I used to get noticable kick back on my old Orange 5 on drops, so maybe it’s for people who like to do bigger drops and jumps.

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