Fresh Goods Friday 743: The Inessential Mix Edition

Fresh Goods

by and 3


The gravity race scene is almost back. Kind of. Not yer World Cup Downhills (remember those? sigh…) but today is Hardline Eve. Yep, it’s Ozzy Hardline tomorrow. Before the crack of dawn. Like, 3AM in the UK or something.

While we all sit patiently in front of our Smart TVs, let us get on with today’s main meal: Fresh Goods Friday!

Still the best Ess. Mix

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Wheels Manufacturing Fox Shock Adjuster Tool

Probably actual size

..

The amount of… shall we say ‘debate’ that this tool has caused in the STQ HQ is impressive. Look, you don’t have to buy this item. Even if you own a bike with a Fox X2 shock on it. It’s fine. Move on. BUT if you do own a bike with Fox X2 series shock and you are unwilling or unable to use a standard multitool for doing your damping twiddles, you may like to consider this little red thing from Wheels MFG. Yes, it is just a 3mm and a 6mm Allen key on a rectangle. It’s aluminium. And red. FWIW we coincidentally have a Fox X2-d bike on test at the mo (Orbea Wild) that is a bit awks to adjust the damping dials with a standard multi-tool. So there you go. It would be nice if this dinky tool fitted on a keyring maybe though….

Elastomer Pawl Springs

Not actual size

...

Pawl Springs. This is not the sequel to Twin Peaks (D. Lynch RIP), it’s an innovative elastomer designed to replace the usual metal pawl springs in your rear hub’s freehub. “Unlike traditonal metal pawl springs that are prone to rust, fatigue and breakage, PawlSprings offer a durable, lightweight, and maintenance-free alternative – delivering a smoother ride and extended hub lifespan”. They also claim “better engagement feel” and “customisable adjustment for sound”.

New Issue! Singletrack World 159

Covershot by Pete Scullion

....

Inside: Chipps encourages us to get (just a bit) fitter. Lee Craigie and the Adventure Syndicate attempt to bring progress to bike-packing by taking it back to a simpler, sillier, time. What is a press launch these days? Who benefits? Who gets shortchanged? Are they immoral? Are they ecologically indefensible? Is he overthinking it all? Benji gives you a peek behind the scenes on a press launch. Sanny ditches the traditional endless planning of a bikepacking trip, and jumps all in last minute. Benji opines on what is right and wrong with the world of mountain bike geometry right now. After a lifetime of thinking it could never happen for him, Neil Russell and friends set out to bag a Munro – on a handcycle. Could you leave all of your electronic gadgets behind on a ride? No GPS, no Strava, no phone. How about three rides in a row? Chipps takes on the challenge. A batch of products tested by Singletrack gang. Hannah reveals the careful behind-the-scenes work that brings the wild spectacle of Red Bull Rampage to the masses. Hannah’s nerves age a little as her husband chases youth.

Nixit

  • Price: £64.00 £57.00 starter bundle
  • From: Nixit

No, this is not a diaphragm. This is a menstrual cup, but unlike many others it doesn’t use suction to stay in place and is considered to be OK with IUDs (though they still advise you to check with your healthcare provider). You insert it (with the help of the supplied lube if needed) and tuck it behind your pubic bone. Then, leave it there for up to 12 hours to catch the blood. You can then remove it and clean it, then put it back again if needs be. For those of us still in search of a period solution for big days out on the bike, this looks interesting.

OneUp Components Clip Pedals

We finally got hold of some. These are apparently the thinnest mountain bike clip pedals in the world. Large platform, fully custom SPD-compatible binding mechanism, DH-rated, loadsa colours. Read the launch info here.

Sportful Flow Supergiara Jersey

So floaty light, in ‘Toast Peach Blossom’ colour, has Hannah closed her eyes to try and pretend she is under warm sunshine in an exotic location? Click her heels three times and maybe she’ll end up in Utah?

Castelli Quindici Soft Merino Women’s 15 Socks

Merino wool blend cycling socks. ‘Full-length’ (it says here) warmth and breathability. 15cm cuff. With arch support. Heel and toe reinforced with nylon. Cannondale Scalpel not included, just recommended.

Sportful Supergiara Women’s Jacket

Cosy and windproof – but not waterproof. Gore-tex Infinium is the brand’s more breathable and not-waterproof fabric range. Three trad pockets at the back, and a couple of unusual pockets on the front – for stuffing snack wrappers into, perhaps? FYI, Hannah is wearing the Large here, and it is already proving a nice addition to her wardrobe.

Castelli Tech 2 T-Shirt

A nice simple T-shirt style jersey in wicking technical fabric. Categorised as a Men’s garment but it looks fairly Unisex to us. Insert Italian shrug here.

Sportful Supergiara Women’s Bibshort

Bibshorts with a pocket on one leg, and reflective patches on both. A full mesh back runs into the two bib straps – these are trad bibs without any pee-on-the-go features. Note that Hannah is wearing the XL, and the straps run a little short in the body for her height (175cm).

Castelli Unlimited Cargo Women’s Bib Shorts

These bibs have extra stretchy straps placed so you can pee in them (with a bit of gymnastic effort). Two pockets for stuffing things in. Hannah is in the XL.

Sidi Asper Shoes

Gravel or mountain bike shoes designed with comfort in mind – so they’re not super stiff and offer a spot of flex and grip off the bike. Velcro fastening goes in opposite directions for a secure fit without hotspots.

Castelli Unlimited 2 Women’s Puffy Jacket

Disappointingly not called the Castelli 2 Unlimited. Super snuggly fuzzy inside for warmth, with windproof panels, but also stretchy panels for comfort and breathability. This is pretty floaty light considering how cosy it is. If it’s all too cosy, the double zip means you can vent heat without having to take the whole jacket off.

Forum Thread Of The Week

This week’s winner is some chancer called Mark Alker for this significant thread:

This week’s winning TOTW in FGF doesn’t get a prize. Sorry Mark Alker.

About Garmin: “10% off the Fenix 8. 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.“

Stale Goods Friday – 2013 Norco Sight 3 SE

What £1800 will buy you these days. As well as 360.7 jars of bacon salt, you coud have got this Norco Sight 3 SE. Slimer-green highlights, a 142mm back-end (remember thoise?), four bar linkage, tapered headtube and some rather fancy hydroforming. This is still one of my [Benji] favourite ever bikes. Fun on a Canadian stick.

Singletrack Magazine MTB Podcast Season ’25, Episode 5

[ SOON COME ]

More heated debate. This time about techno jackets.

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.

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Author Profile Picture
Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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