Fresh Goods Friday 802: In The Upside Down Edition

Are we allowed to talk about next week yet? It’s a big week for product launches. One in particular. You ain’t seen me, right?

Even with the two consecutive four-day weeks (thanks Choco Jesus!) we have still found the time to prep the stories and compile a pretty decent FGF for today. You’re very welcome!

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*Discount is subject to T&C’s, which can be found at yellowjersey.co.uk/terms. Coverage is subject to T&C’s. Please refer to the policy wording for full details.

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Fox Podium Factory Grip X2

• Price: £2,199
• From: Silverfish UK

We’ve finally got our dirty paws on a Podium. The upside-down single-crown enduro fork that Fox launched to great fanfare last year. What’s good about being upside-down? As well as the oft trumpeted aspect of lubricating oil sitting at the wiper end of things (which is true), there are a couple of other more interesting aspects to it. Firstly, bushing overlap improves the further you get into the travel (the opposite is true with regular forks) so the fork shouldn’t be affected so much my binding. Secondly, torsional flex. Despite how much burl you throw at a single-crown upside-down fork, it will be flexier torsionally. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing, or something more complex? We shall see. Initial impressions: this fork is actually amazing.

Race Face Turbine 30mm Wheel

• Price: £349.00
• From: Silverfish UK

One thing I didn’t mention about the Fox Podium is that it uses a 20mm thru-axle. Eeh… 20mm thru-axle… Hello again old friend. Why did we ever ditch you? Anyways. ‘Going 20mm’ isn’t too much of an issue if your front wheel is adaptable. Like this Race Face Turbine 30 is. Pull out the 15mm end caps. Push in the new 20mm end caps. Don’t forget to apply a light coating of grease to them or you may drive yourself insane with a high-pitched mice-from-Bagbuss squealing noise for the first couple of rides (ahem).

Bahco Laplander 396-Lap Folding Saw

• Price: £29.95
• From: Bahco

I didn’t order this. I already have a Bahco Laplander. Two actually. Both of which are feeling a but blunt. So I ordered a replacement blade and the retailer sent a complete new saw. Ah well. Anyway, the appearance of a folding saw in Fresh Goods Friday is one of the true signs of spring. Primroses, daffodils, clocks changing, Bahco Laplanders. Classic. This does however also signify that certain trails are going to get overgrown with brambles et al any day now.

Showers Pass Porlite Refuge Jacket

• Price: £275.00
• Form: Showers Pass

This trawlerman-tastic jacket is apparently ‘Goldenrod’ in colour. It’s Showers Pass’ top end active jacket. Features: 3-layer Porlite waterproof-breathable hard-shell fabric, PFC-free DWR, extra long core vents, all zips are waterproof, removable,hood fits also stows in inside pocket, drop-down can be stowed up in place with freakin’ magnets, loadsa pockets. Also available in ‘Cayenne’ and ‘Alpine Blue’.

Madison Flux Ultra Light Level 1 Rheon Knee and Elbow Pad Sets

• Price: £49.99 (per pair)
• From: Freewheel

Waffer theen sleeves for your limb bending zones. These slinky jims are lightweight trail pads with a stretch fit cuff, designed to be worn all day. Featuring a “Level 1 RHEON” impact insert. What is RHEON? It’s an “advanced strain-rate sensitive polymer stays soft and flexible during normal riding but instantly stiffens on impact to provide protection to elbows and knees.” Yes, like D30. But bluer.

Tannus Tubeless Armour Fusion Tyre Inserts

• Price: £70.00
• From: I Cycle

These are Tannus’ 2-in-1 tyre insert combo. For those not familiar with Tannus’ range, they offer two types of individual insert: the £50 Armour Pro (kinda like a regular MTB insert but more arch-like in cross-section), and the £30 Armour Lite (a much smaller I-beam profile affair). Anyway, with this £70 Armour Fusion setup you get both. Use one, or use the other, or use both together.

Favero Assioma Pro MX-2 Power Meter Pedals

• Price: £TBC
• From: Favero

These were one of the standout products of last year for many folk. As well as being a bit cheaper than the bigger brand rival versions, they Actually Work. Shimano cleat friendly (cleats are also provided). Bluetooth and ANT+ comms. Integrated rechargeable batteries. Charging takes place via a magnetic system, so without battery compartments or power ports that can be opened and closed, water, mud, and dust shouldn’t easily enter.

Singletrack Padded Jacket

• Price: £82.50
• From: The Singletrack Shop

A seriously lightweight and totally snuggly padded jacket. This is premium gear and 100% recycled and sustainably produced. Tested by Singletrack staff and we wouldn’t put our logo on it if we didn’t love it. Colours: Anthracite, Stargazer, Red Brown, Red or Black.

Parc Beicau Coed y Cain Bike Park

• Price: N/A
• From: Llanfyllin (located in woodland behind Ysgol Llanfyllin)

The Parc Beicau Coed y Cain Bike Park was formally opened recently. The project provides a purpose-built space for riders of all abilities, from beginners taking their first ride to more experienced cyclists looking to develop their skills. Coed y Cain trails include beginner (CHICKEN), intermediate (LLANTHRILLIN) and advanced( LLWYNATIC) along with a skills area.

Forum Thread Of The Week

This week’s winner is Beagleboy for the Just been threatened by a rabbit! thread:

The winning FTOTW in FGF gets a prize. Thus, Beagleboy please email editorial@singletrackworld.com for a random prize. Don’t forget to include your postal address.

Stale Goods Friday – 2018 Swarf Cycles Contour

• Price: £2,150 frame & shock (or £2,840.94 in today’s money)
• From: Fresh Goods Friday 391

Not that long ago (does 2018 class as being ‘stale’?) we wrote: “It’s rare that one bike will drop so many jaws to the floor in the office, but this full suspension stunner from Swarf has done just that this week. Handmade in the UK using a TIG-welded steel mainframe and swingarm, this new model will be called the Contour, and it’s set to become the first production full susser from Adrian Bedford of Swarf Cycles. The bike we have is a pre-production frame, but it’s pretty close to the numbers that Bedford will be implementing for production frames.”

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