As the Singletrack Mag’s extended family recovers from bidding adieu to Monsieur Frites earlier this week, it’s time to point our cameras and keyboards at all of the stuff that arrived with us this past seven days.
But before we delve into all that, I’d just like to point out that this time next week it’ll be rideable until 8pm. Cloud cover depending. Huzzah!
Fresh Goods Friday is sponsored by…
Most riders insure bikes through home insurance.
Pedal Cover builds home insurance specifically for cyclists
Fox 38 Factory Grip X2
- Price: £1,439.00
- From: Silverfish UK
From the outside not-looking-in the new Fox 38 doesn’t appear to be that different from the outgoing model. Yeah, the arch looks a bit different, the top cap of air side leg looks a bit different (I think) and there’s something called ‘Glide Core’ written on the side. Eagle-eyed people may notice that the brake mount is now 200mm. Anyways, it’s what’s inside that counts and the new 38 has less and more. No more tube-in-tube(-in-tube, well stanchion) design. The result should be reduced friction and reduced torsional stiffness (this is being explained as a good thign btw). Read more about it here. First ride(s) review will be on our socials next week.
100% Sling Gloves
- Price: £37.00
- From: Silverfish UK
Under me sling ting. Or something. Basically the Sling is for gloves for people who don’t like gloves. Coming over with heavy golf glove vibes (no bad thing) with 4-way stretch and mucho perforation the aesthetic is very much in keeping with the Angine de Poitrine hype. We like the rubbery dimpled pull tabs a lot. FWIW.
Ride Concepts Vice Mid
- Price: £99.95
- From: Silverfish UK
For riders who want flattie footwear that is a bit more compliant and less woodplank than the usual ‘performance’ shoes. That said, these Vice Mids have a bit more than just your usual skate sneakers: HighGrip rubber outsole, anti-bacterial mesh lining controls odour, internal TPU toe protection, cup outsole features 3mm EVA for shock absorption, D3O insoles and that hi-top offers a bit more ankle protection.
Paramo Velez Adventure Smock
- Price: £290.00
- From: Paramo
Pretty much everyone who has seen this garment has said “ah… Paramo. I’ve got one of their tops somewhere. I’ve had it years. Still wear it for walking in every now and then.” What does this new Velez smock offer the modern day mountain biker (apart from being a most excellent red colour)? Designed as Paramo’s “go-to waterproof layer for fast movers and all-weather adventurers”. Built with Nikwax Analogy Waterproof fabric which claims to “keep out wind and rain while actively moving perspiration away so you stay dry, inside and out, no matter how hard you’re working.” PFAS-free. Ethically made with Creaciones Miquelina. Two-way twin front zips double as ventilation while remaining backpack compatible (waist straps can be passed through so you can still vent). Helmet-compatible wired ‘halo’ hood (stowable) with multi-point adjustment. Unique upper arm vents. Adjustable cuff tabs with ‘bite tabs’. There’s a lot to like about this garment.
GripGrab Summer Seamless Sleeveless Base Layer
- Price: £45.00
- From: GripGrab
It’s summer on Sunday. Maybe. Well, the clocks go forward an hour anyway. This is a dinky base layer for such times. It’s also a very welcome layer for riders who don’t like to wear just one layer even when it’s hot outside (ie. me). Features: seamless body construction, “second-skin” fit, hydrophobic polypropylene with Polygiene anti-odour treatment.
GripGrab Spring-Autumn Seamless Short Sleeve Base Layer
- Price: £60.00
- From: GripGrab
This is probably the more relevant to more people base layer from GripGrab. Designed for cooler conditions (AKA 364 days a year). Features: seamless body construction, “second-skin” fit, thermal knit structure, “aero-striped” sleeves and Polygiene anti-odour treatment.
Camelbak MULE 5 Waist Pack (plus Podium Dirt Series Chill Bottle)
Camelbak were one of the first companies to come out with a performance bum bag. This is the latest incarnation of a classic. Features: 200D Nylon Ripstop, cargo compression, bungee overflow, Crux reservoir, integrated tool organisation, two bottle pockets, magnetic tube trap, Air Support back panel. More than a few colourways too.
Trickstuff Power Brake Pads
- Price: £31.00
- From: Saddleback
No, you’re not imagining it. We had Trickstuff pads in last week’s Fresh Goods Friday 800. Those were the Standard pads. These are the Power pads from Trickstuff. As well as being orange (yes!) they have steel back plates (not alloy) and basically off more… well, power. As we said last week, a lot of the improvements in modern brakes are arguably mainly down to the improvements in brake pads. Modern pads in ‘old’ brakes are almost on a par with modern brakes using old (or cheap) pads.
Forum Thread Of The Week
This week’s winner is v7fmp for the Hypothetically….. one bike to rule them all? thread:
The winning TOTW in FGF gets a prize. Sooo, v7fmp please email editorial@singletrackworld.com for a random prize. Don’t forget to include your postal address.
25th Anniversary Merch
- Price: £various
- From: The Singletrack Shop
We’re approaching the official date of Singletrack Magazine’s 25th birthday. Sometime around April Fool’s Day 2001, the magnificence of issue 1 was unleashed upon the world. Things were never the same again. Viddy well upon our celebratory wares!
Win Jackson Goldstone’s grips
- Price: Newsletter sign-up
- From: The Singletrack Newsletter
Sign-up to our wonderful weekly newsletter and win signed Jackson Goldstone OneUp grips. We’ve got a signed pair to give away. All you have to do is stick your email address into this box…
Stale Goods Friday – 2017 Evil The Following
- Price: £2,699 frame only (or £3,248.52 in today’s money)
- From: Fresh Goods Friday 342
Does this 2017 bike still look ‘modern’? Almost. That seat angle though… Anyway, nine years ago we wrote: “In for next issue’s bike test, we have the Evil Following. It has 120mm rear travel and takes a 120 or 130mm fork. With 29in wheels it promises to roll over all the rocks you can throw it at.bDepending on whether you want to go for ‘look at me I’m evil’ or the more traditional ‘stealth lurking in dark corners evil’, you can choose from this lime green or matt black.”
Au revoir Monsieur Frites!
- Price: €TBC
FromTo: Fuilla, France
This Singletrack team members past and present gathered for Chipps’ definitely-not-a-retirement party. After 25 years as editor, this month he passes the editorial torch to Benji. It’s also a big anniversary for Singletrack, and a good excuse to get everyone in one room to celebrate everything Chipps has helped build over the years. Sadly, despite all modern advances in cameras, phones, and basic human cooperation, we still couldn’t get one photo where everyone was looking in the same direction at the same time. So instead, here’s a reel of 66 awkard photos where nobody knows if the picture’s been taken yet. Pre-order issue 166 now to read his last editorial, and reminisce about the past 25 years of Singletrack.
Teewing Flux edit
The Teewing Flux has 180mm travel up front and up to 178mm on the rear through a high-pivot suspension design, plus there’s the option to run it as a mullet or full 29er. This is an early look at the Teewing Flux, the final release is scheduled for mid-April 2026.
Covered by the crew
Insurance handled by people who ride, wrench and understand mountain bikes.
When something goes wrong, your claim is handled by people who genuinely understand how mountain bikes are ridden, repaired and put back together after a bad day on the trails.
From blown suspension to cracked frames, decisions are made by cycling specialists – not general insurers.
We also keep key bike parts in-house and work directly with trusted bike workshops, helping reduce delays and get riders back on the trails sooner.
What this means for you
- Cyclist-first decisions focused on getting you back on the trails
- Claims handled by people who ride and work with bikes
- Experience with real mountain bike damage, including off-road riding
- Repair-first approach using specialist cycle workshops
Fresh Goods Friday is sponsored by Pedal Cover
£45 for a vest?
I’m just disappointed Benji didn’t model it, can of Stella in hand.
Ahem, “sleeveless seamless base layer". Brings real performance to sitting in a folding campchair drinking warm Stella
I have some Paramo clothing and I have just the slight suspicion that while that jacket will be wonderful in many ways it might be a little hot for lots of conditions.
When it’s very wet and windy Paramo are that dry but you seem to stay warm.
The 100% Sling gloves were my favourite until they died. But generally I think 100% gloves are the best ones out there.
Have fox learnt not to block the negative chamber bypass with excess grease? That will probably give a bigger performance improvement than this tinkering.
Also do they make 1.5mm spacers to those with Shimano rotors?
Those sling gloves will give an ‘interesting’ tan in the summer.
You mean washers?
Tata Chipps
Cheers! I’m still here in the forum/your head though… 🙂