Fresh Goods Friday 730: The Fingers In Ears Edition

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Nope. Not going to talk about it. Don’t know what you’re on about anyway. Everything is fine. Everything is fine. La-la-la!

As if to prove such, here is a particularly potent edition of Fresh Goods Friday for you.

Everything is fine.

Not feeling massively happy this week? You’re not alone.

Cotic Rocket

Following on from one comment-tastic ebike (the Amflow Carbon PL Pro review) to another one: the Cotic Rocket. Normally all the talk would be about the frame material (a steel framed ebike is pretty unique). But with this bike, all of the talk is about the battery. Not the size of it. But the fact that it’s externally mounted. This has really upset a lot of people. Basically they don’t like the look of it. Regardless of any aesthetic debate we may wish to have, the decision to ‘go external’ has three distinct positive attributes: lower overall weight, more battery (and charging) options and control over how stiff the front triangle is. This whopping C5 size bike comes in at 22kg as seen, inc. pedals. That is pretty good for a full power eMTB (the Amflow was 21.69kg btw). Anyhoo, Benji spent some time on this demo bike the other day and will present this preliminary findings next Wednesday.

Fresh Goods Friday 730: D’Movie

Turn that frown upside down. Or don’t.

Kenda Karma 2 Pro

  • Price: £57.60
  • From: Kenda

Sub-sixty quid for a tyre is rare these days. The Karma is perhaps something of a not-massively-UK-autumn-friendly choice but it does have plenty of cult fanatics in Europe and/or in drier times. It’s an interesting blend of spaced-out tread but shallow knobbles. Could be a good choice for a rear tyre once we get into springtime. The circa 800g weight appeals, if the SCT casing is up to the task.

Kenda Hellkat Pro

  • Price: £62.40
  • From: Kenda

This rubbery beaut may have eked over the sixty quid mark but it’s still coming in at a price significantly under the £80 SRPs we’re used to seeing in FGF. Similarly gappy tread layout as the Karma 2 Pro above but with bigger, blockier knobbles. The is the Advanced Enduro Casing (AEC) version and comes in around the 1,100g mark. We shall pop these (and the Karma 2 Pro) on the digi scales ASAP. Apologies for forgetting this week!

Tannus Fusion Insert

Two inserts in one package. The idea of the Fusion combo is to combine Tannus’ Pro and Lite inserts together to get a higher level of protection, “run flat” “capability and lateral support. “Specific for DH use and for days on the most extreme trails.” Made from 20% recycled material (which is possibly why they’re black rather than Tannus’ signature red). Claimed weight of 205g for this 29er flavour Fusion.

7Mesh Spruce Jacket

  • Price: £130.00
  • From: 7Mesh

Here’s a smartly tailored mid-layer from those Canadians at 7Mesh. This colour is ‘raisin’ apparently and the fit is ‘Mountain trim’ – somewhere between fitted and relaxed – and the fabric is WTV 200. We tested the original Chilco smock jacket that has WTV fabric (Wind Thermal Ventilation) and, while great, it’s way too hot for most activities, so 7Mesh has kept the idea, but trimmed down the insulation to suit its mid-to-top layer design. It’s a top that’ll work as an extra layer in the winter and on its own in spring/autumn. 

Shimano EX7G Shoes

Shimano says “Off-road touring shoes that deliver premium comfort and performance for exploring in adverse conditions”. There’s a similar pair of shoes in the EX7 for £50 less, but these EX7Gs are for ‘adverse conditions’. How so? They have a GoreTex lining, BOA closure, as well as a neoprene cuff to keep rocks out of your shoes when you’re doing endless hike-a-bikes or pushing your loaded bike up a trail while inhaling peanut M&Ms. The shoes (or are they boots?) feature Shimano’s new Ultread soles for good traction in wet or dry, with an EVA midsole for riding and walking comfort. The sole stiffness rates at a 5 out of 12. 

Madison Roam Primaloft Gilet

Our bald, jaunty model reappears… This wintry gilet from Madison Clothing packs up small, but has a thin layer of Primaloft covering the chest and shoulders to reinforce the warmth of the windproof fabric. There are elastic arm holes and a zip and that’s about all for features, but what more do you need?

Tailfin Flat Bar Bag System

Stable. Positionable. Quick removeable. Retains bar space and offers accessory mounting space (optional extras). CNC alloy handlebar mount system with multiple axes of adjustment for a perfect fit. The two-piece design keeps the bag away from the bars. No movement and no headtube rub when set in position. Narrow clamp width (11.6mm) takes up minimal space on the handlebar. 100% waterproof. 4kg weight limit recommendation for off-road.”

Coros Dura Solar GPS Bike Computer

  • Price: £249.00
  • From: Coros

Hannah has gone techno this week/winter. Wish her luck! Just wait until you see what else she has in (next week’s FGF). What does this GPS offer you ask? “120 hours of ride time on a single charge. Up to 2 extra hours of ride time per hour from solar charging. Fully customizable 2.7in MIP color screen with adaptive backlight. Responsive touchscreen. Digital dial and single-button for one-finger control with ease. Turn-by-turn and smart rerouting powered by Google Maps. Bluetooth and ANT+ support and third-party integrations.”

STW Merch MY2025

Our merch is back! We know many of you have missed it and we’ve even got a brand new massive mug! Where we have been able we’ve made sure everything ticks as many environmental boxes as possible as that’s important to us. So you can browse through a atypically wide range of organic t-shirts, hoodies, hats and mugs. All profits go back into the Singletrack pot to keep us as sustainable as the gear we sell.

If you are not yet a subscriber we have a killer offer to tempt you over into the light. Just check out the story below…

Featured Member Reward Of The Week

About Osprey: “Osprey was born in California 1974, with a head full of ideas and a desire to design & build innovative backpacks to the highest quality. Today, Osprey products continue that pioneering spirit, being used on the highest mountains to the remotest islands and everywhere in between. The Osprey Europe programme offers you the opportunity to promote an extensive range of innovative packs and accessories.”

If only…
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.

Singletrack Weekly Word

Sports Newsletter of the Year finalist at the Publisher Newsletter Awards 2024. Find out why our newsletter is different and give it a go.

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 730: The Fingers In Ears Edition

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)
  • Fresh Goods Friday 730: The Fingers In Ears Edition
  • 6
    sharkattack
    Full Member

    The Cotic is growing on me but at those prices my opinions are irrelevant anyway.

    3
    zerocool
    Full Member

    Same as @sharkattack, when I saw it on PB I thought it looked terrible and a bit cheap, but looking at the photo on her of it off angle, it doesn’t actually look that bad. Not the best look, but certainly better looking than many e-bikes.

    2
    ton
    Full Member

    another FGF for the upper middleclass…………….  ;o)

    didnthurt
    Full Member

    As lovely as the Tailfin bar bag is, I do think it’s a bit over-engineered, there must be a simpler design that hook over the bars and fixes on the underside of the stem.

    Same as others have already said, the Cotic actually is a grower, but too pricey for my meager budget. Hopefully they’ll make a cheaper Taiwan option at some point.

    Edit:- I wonder if I could make one out of cable basket ?

    Basket_60mm

    1
    noeffsgiven
    Free Member

    The cotic is more of a growler than a grower imho 🙂

    1
    Bruce
    Full Member

    Yawn, another ebike.

    johnnystorm
    Full Member

    Yeah, nothing but a flood of UK made steel ebikes week in and week out.

    Like didnthurt it’s growing on me but also sadly way more than I’ll ever spend on a bike.

    b33k34
    Full Member

    Shimano shoe looks interesting – the Volume Tour last is meant to be the most spacious they do (would be good to comment on that – all their other ‘wide’ shoes became too tight for me last time they adjusted the fit).  likely practical for all but high summer in the UK.

    Really disappointed they removed that style of sole from the SH-MW702  in favour of a more XC style.  looks like https://bike.shimano.com/products/apparel/pdp.P-SH-EX900.html is the option now

    1
    chipps
    Full Member

    @b33k34 I’ll do my best to turn round the review for you sharpish then! I would say, initially that the EX7G last doesn’t feel super roomy, perhaps because you need to jam your foot into that cuff in the first place… and they feel like a well laced up shoe. Snug but not crushing…
    I also have a set of EX9s that’ll appear in FGF next week (plus an older pair of MW702s to compare them with…) that I’ll be testing concurrently. My initial look reckons that the EX9s are a tad wider, but I don’t think you’ll be at MW7 levels of toe-wiggling…

    monkeyboyjc
    Full Member

    I also have a set of EX9s that’ll appear in FGF next week (plus an older pair of MW702s to compare them with…) that I’ll be testing concurrently.

    That’ll be interesting, I’ve been using some MW702s for 9 years or so and they’ll just about ready for replacement in another year or two. I’d been eyeing the EX9 since there release 18+ months ago? But they are extremely difficult to get hold of and also rather pricey.

    bruneep
    Full Member

    Oh I thought the title was about the current performance of this website.

    tall_martin
    Full Member

    Chipps- are you back in the UK? Those shoes look overkill for Spanish sun

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