MegaSack DRAW - 6pm Christmas Eve - LIVE on our YouTube Channel
it doesn't have to have been released this year, because I'm a bit of a late adopter and I'm sure many of you are too.
For me it's easily the Ochain R I fitted to my enduro bike a few months ago.
It gives an amazing performance benefit in calming the bike down over rough ground, and it's super-quick to switch between modes - so you can do back-to-back runs to feel exactly what it's doing.
MTB version of the Win Wing for me. Super quick to fit and remove, doesn't look as hideous as a Mudhugger, surprisingly effective from butt level upwards.
Similar product for me. Rimpact Chain Damper. Works exactly as advertised and reduces the drivetrain noise and feedback from an already calm and quiet bike. Would recommend. Plus, the boss of Rimpact might spot it and introduce himself and ask how you're getting on with it as happened to me in Wales. Nice bloke.
155mm cranks. Makes it easier to get over the top of the pedal stroke on the side with the knackered hip, massively reducing pain over a long day out. The problem is they make long cranks feel funny so now I need another two sets.
Also...e-bikes! I'm not here to argue but I got my first e-bike a few months ago and it's been a revelation. I'm riding once or twice a week and enjoying it when I was struggling to get out once or twice a month and usually suffering for it. I can't wait to take it further afield and go properly exploring on it.
Easy one that. Magic Mary radial, I was a bit sceptical but they are very good.
MTB version of the Win Wing for me. Super quick to fit and remove, doesn't look as hideous as a Mudhugger, surprisingly effective from butt level upwards.
I’ll vote for this too. We did a horrendously muddy ride last week and my back was clean as a whistle!
HR3 a close second- voodoo amounts of grip
My new Outbound Trail Evo light is also great but I’ve not been able to use it much due to the weather.
MTB version of the Win Wing for me. Super quick to fit and remove, doesn't look as hideous as a Mudhugger, surprisingly effective from butt level upwards.
Purchased!
I would say bib/dungaree trousers, picked up some Madison ones and they've been great at keeping my lower back covered, cos no one likes a dirt tramp stamp!
MTB version of the Win Wing for me
I reckon I'll be getting one for my new hardtail build, I was v impressed with the gravel version.
And I suppose you only need to buy one, as they're so easy to swap between bikes.
Similar product for me. Rimpact Chain Damper.
There's definitely something in these, eh. Telling that some DH bikes come with Ochains specced as standard now and I guess that will only increase now SRAM own them.
Outlier Pendulum pedals. After initial issues, they’ve been problem free, and work really well.
Similar product for me. Rimpact Chain Damper.
There's definitely something in these, eh. Telling that some DH bikes come with Ochains specced as standard now and I guess that will only increase now SRAM own them.
Yeah, for me I was curious and I had a discount code so I was willing to write it off as an experiment if it didn't work. In reality the difference is night and day.
The Rimpact isn't adjustable so I can't turn it off but I do have a friend with an otherwise identical bike (frame, fork, shock, tyres) so we've both had a chance to test it back to back. He said he was going to order one right away but I don't know if he has yet.
Easy one that. Magic Mary radial, I was a bit sceptical but they are very good.
I am totally prepared to believe the hype on these and will be getting a front radial at some point... when I've made more of a dent in my current tyre stockpile.
Winter boots, especially good most of the year given the weather.
I would say bib/dungaree trousers,
These look really promising. Will see if there's any going cheap in the summer 😀
Diaz Suspension Runt. It transformed a 21 Zeb ultimate that was an emergency purchase earlier this year. Now it's the best fork I've ever used.
Goggles. No... really. It's not an attempt to look rad, or retro, or whatever. In current weather, goggles up on helmet for the climb... and then down on face for the descent, with mud splattering everywhere and eye watering cold air. I'm sold. Mine are borrowed... I'm going to look for a pair of my own in January. Don't think they'll work for rolling trails though.
SRAM Rival E1 XPLR - I've always ridden Shimano and was a bit worried it would be clunky and just not work as well in general (especially as it's low/mid-range) but so far it's been faultless
Diaz Suspension Runt. It transformed a 21 Zeb ultimate that was an emergency purchase earlier this year. Now it's the best fork I've ever used.
This is like an externally adjustable bottomless token widget? Or does it do something else?
My product of last year was the TruTune widget for my Zeb, but I guess that makes the fork much better in a different way (creating magic extra air volume)?
Yes, it turns the airspring positive into a dual chamber, like Manitou & EXT have as stock. Adjustment is with air pressure in each chamber so infinitely adjustable.
Goggles. No... really. It's not an attempt to look rad, or retro, or whatever. In current weather, goggles up on helmet for the climb... and then down on face for the descent, with mud splattering everywhere and eye watering cold air. I'm sold. Mine are borrowed... I'm going to look for a pair of my own in January. Don't think they'll work for rolling trails though.
Create a line of holes at the edges of the lens with a 1 or 2 mm drill bit and you'll see a big reduction in foggyness. I never use them for trail riding though. DH days only.
MTB version of the Win Wing for me. Super quick to fit and remove, doesn't look as hideous as a Mudhugger, surprisingly effective from butt level upwards.
I’ll vote for this too. We did a horrendously muddy ride last week and my back was clean as a whistle!
Any tips on setting them up to minimise rattle n tyre rub? I'm having issues with mine contacting the tyre too often - enough to distract me when riding. I've tweaked the fit a couple of times but no found a happy setup yet. I followed the fitting guidance...
Apart from the noise I like them: very effective at keeping me clean (the bike, less so).
Diaz Suspension Runt. It transformed a 21 Zeb ultimate that was an emergency purchase earlier this year. Now it's the best fork I've ever used.
Argh. Didn't want to hear that. I've got a Zeb I'm never quite happy with, and also a Mezzer Pro on another bike that's brilliant... this could make my Zeb much more adjustable like the Mezzer is.
My product of the year (late to the party as always) is a Hillbilly Grid Trail T9 as a front tyre for winter. Better allrounder than previous Shorty, more confidence inspiring on roots, inexpensive.
Ochain/Rimpact Damper. I sold my 170 Hope cranks earlier this year with the intention of buying either one of those but haven't got around to it yet. I'd want to combine with 160 or 165 crank length too. Might be my product of 2026 😀
Park Tool chain cleaner. Why faff around with old toothbrushes and tshirt rags?
Hmmm.... Interesting ochain comments...
For me, probably pace rc529 frame. Incredibly versatile frame. This year I've run it singlespeed, geared, down the jump spot, local xc, local tech, or with a rigid fork in a bike packing adventure.
There's still configurations I haven't tried like a fully racked and mudguards tourer.
Workx hydroshot during hosepipe ban was also a game changer!
@tomhoward still following those pedals with interest. Have the seen much slop since being sorted?
For me, very late to the party, trail trousers. Always used tights in colder weather but found myself in trail trousers more and more, even when I might typically have worn shorts
Abus Bordo 6000k bike lock. peace of mind in 20 or so european cities this year.
32mm road tyres. I rode 25mm for a long time, then went 28mm to see what the wider tyre hype was all about. Then when I got a pair of DT Swiss ERC wheels I went for 32mm and it's made my commuting so much more enjoyable.
For me, very late to the party, trail trousers. Always used tights in colder weather but found myself in trail trousers more and more, even when I might typically have worn shorts
I was 100% shorts for years and years until I bought my first pair of good riding trousers. Now I've got about 5 pairs of long legged pants and haven't worn shorts in ages.
Somewhat late to the 29er, 1x 12 speed, tubeless party - Cotic Solaris with 29" Vittoria Mezcals (tubeless), 1x 12sp XT 😆 😍
I'm not new to trousers.
But having had various Enduras, and some fake Fox ones; I sprung for the proper Fox trousers this year and barring about 2 months in shorts in the mid summer I have worn them as often as laundry permits.
MaxxGrip tyres with heavier casings on the eeb, made a huge difference in more techy stuff.
Oh, and getting my suspension tuned and set up properly, some love from TF transformed how the bike handled and all for the better.
They're wizards I tell you
Clown horn. Revolutionised the canal towpath section of my work commute over the last 12 months.
Park Tool chain cleaner. Why faff around with old toothbrushes and tshirt rags?
My product of 1998 🙂
Albion burner for me:
https://www.albioncycling.com/collections/unisex-burners
It’s maybe not for everyone but I live at the top of a hill so I start every ride by getting a bit cold. Pop this on at home and then it comes off and into a pocket easily once I’ve warmed up.
Good shout for the Mtb Win Win , i used to try and make the gravel one work on the hardtail in the past. Simple and good.product.
My vote for a product would be the Shutt Velo aka Prendos Windtex winter jacket.
A game changer for me, bib tights, a string style vest under it and it can cope with a.huge range of temperatures ,breaths well and you do not get cold at a long stop either.
Temps range is minus windchill /0 to 12°C is the sweet spot . Worn to 15 degrees on a windy /damp day and not too bad really condsidering its great at lower temps as.well.
It creates a micro climate at skin and keep pretty constant.
Grear for mtb or road cycling.
If u wear too much under it ,it will feel.clammy cold as it will not breath as well and the layer your wearing will be wet/ sweaty. (I found).
Revultionised my weather cold cycling Scotland for shear comfort and not worrying about the cold.
I tried my previous goto layers and I wonder how chose them!
Its not a waterproof though! Showerproof or heavy showers.
(I am a fairly warm rider/ run hot and ride all round so used to cold weather).
Warning it breaths so well, anything in the rear pockets will be damp/wet.
Been a big fan of the XT Di2 upgrade this year.
Now to source a remote dropper!
Camelbak Skyline Lr 10 Low Rider Hydration Pack 3l Black
After avoiding larger hydration packs like the plague for years, this has been a revelation. Allows me to carry a full 3L bladder low and snug, like a hip-pack, but with much better stability. Mesh straps vastly improve ventilation on hot days. Pockets are capacious and sensibly arranged. Nice little touches, including a tool roll and helmet straps for long hike-a-bike sections.
I've not bought much this year so probably the High Roller 3 maxxgrip. Or the OneUp pump and multi tool, hideously expensive but I had a voucher to use. The pump feels high quality and works well, with a spare bottle mount I can swap them between bikes.
Not sure really but the Mobius X8 wrist brace I got second hand off eBay got me riding sooner and more confidently after my scaphoid break, so I'll say that.
Benji’s review of the Decathlon braces in issue 163 has proven to be a revelation.
A mere tenner and my Endura Humvee shorts no longer need to rely on Endura’s garbage belt.
So good I’m contemplating a fresh pair for my pub jeans. Belts are so 18th century.
Gah! Forgot to mention the One-Up V3 dropper, which is kind of an endorsement in itself: it's so good, I just don't think about it at all.
Brooks C17 carved. My first saddle with a hole. I wish I'd done it before my summer riding holiday and not when I came back. Mileage and enjoyment would have been much increased.
Side entry bottle cages. They just seem to be easier (especially on the FS that has limited bottle clearance).
Other than the obvious Atherton S.150 frame I bought... I bought a Hope dropper lever and it's soooo smooth to use. And I'm a sucker for their quality and aesthetics.
Maxxis Highroller 3 in maxxgrip for me.
I'll reserve judgement til the end of hte winter but so far it's been One Tyre To Rule Them All, first tyre I've ever felt happy to leave on a bike all year and that is a massive achievement Nothing clever, and yeah it's slow but it just always works and I'll trade the slowness for the sheer capability and confidence of it. Especially for those unexpectedly slippy/wet days in summer, that immediately paid off a lot of the extra sweat. I probably will still swap for something faster on at least one bike in full summer, and I think possibly once things get really sloppy I'll still end up with a shorty on the full suss. But it'll be because I want to, a nice to have.
In all honesty it's not that much of an upgrade over the Argotal in absolute terms but "almost good enough" is a long way from "actually good enough" it turns out.
(I hope Maxxis do rip off the schwalbe radial carcass, it looks like they have a proto out there. Or better, I hope Schwalbe put a tyre this good on their radial carcass. But for now, no amount of radial sorcery actually beats having a tread and rubber that just really works. This tyre on a radial will roll like a housebrick but it'd be cheat mode on the way down)
For me probably an AliExpress knock off of the Sram piston spreading tool (a tip from a thread on here) - it's made working on my brakes so much less of a faff. I've also bought a 2nd hand bike that came with a Hope Pro 5 rear hub which I just love, and in the summer I discovered Galiber Zephyr gloves which I really get on with as they're quite robust but not too sweaty.
In order of ROI
A sub to TrainerRoad has improved my fitness in ways I hadn't previously considered - endurance and durability being two words they talk about that i hadn't really thought about. Allowing me to score some PBs and almost PBs on some tough local climbs. To be doing that at 60 when previous PBs were 5 or 10 years ago is pretty special i think. And compared to Zwift it doesn't take forever to load, and it adjusts the masters program so i don't get burnt out every 2 weeks
Also got a £12 gilet from Decathlon with a windproof front and breathable back panel - means I don't boil in the bag on those previously mentioned climbs, but stay warm enough too
Have just bought some SQLabs innerbarends (should have put them under the tree probs) and hoping they'll make a difference for my arthritic thumbs - but only one ride in
For me, my stooge WTF 36er, just an absolutely mental bike that carries speed like nothing else and makes me laugh like a **** everytime I ride it.
For me… 7Mesh waterproof shorts. Got them cheap as they are stupid expensive, but they are the best I have tried. Also my Brompton G Line. For some reason I really enjoy riding it… much more than I thought I would.
Two upgrades for my old Levo - a 170mm Grip2 38, and a smaller narrower rear wheel (27.5 EX471 on a Pro 5) with a Grid Gravity Eliminator.
The 38 is so stiff and so damped that I feel like I can smash it into anything and it’ll hold up and go where I want, without spiking or diving. And the mullet set-up just flicks round bends so much easier.
The bike had its seventh bday last month and it’s riding better than ever - 170/157 travel 29/27.5 now, is meant to be 150/150 29/29!
This year has been year of the road for me - and the best (+ ultimately most expensive) thing for me was a bike fit.
Happy to hear the good feedback in the Highroller 3. I’ve just fitted one to my front wheel (and a new DHR2 rear) and looking forward to trying it out.
Not bought a lot of ‘new’ stuff this year but did buy a used Raaw Madonna v2 frame (ohlins coil) and love it.
This year has been year of the road for me - and the best (+ ultimately most expensive) thing for me was a bike fit.
That's a good shout and I did the same. Game changing for me.
This year has been year of the road for me - and the best (+ ultimately most expensive) thing for me was a bike fit.
I'm thinking I might have to begrudgingly do the same and pay up for a proper bike fit for my road bike. I just can't get comfortable on it no matter how much research I do to inform any adjustments I try. I don't even want to ride it at the minute as I'm so frustrated with how it feels! I've never had so many problems getting a bike to feel right as this one, have had a few road bikes over the years and always managed to get comfortable with a few quick adjustments.
As for product of the year, I didn't really buy anything other than the road bike which as you can tell I'm not really getting on with! I did finally go tubeless though which has been flawless so far.
MKS FD-7 wide folding pedal
• • • • • • •
It was a joy after years of folding Brompton ownership, accepting the quirks alongside its brilliance, that I discovered a folding pedal from Japan, that offers DMR Vault size and comfort whilst retaining the same functionality of the stock pedals
A few products have really impressed me that I've bought this year...
Most recently, the Madison DTE 4 season DWR Dungarees have impressed me a lot, as they are superb for riding in a mix of conditions, especially when it's not actually raining so you don't want to wear a jacket/onesie but the ground is wet and you want some significant coverage on your behind...
Been really impressed by the Fox 36 NA3 "Glidecore" air shaft too... I'll admit I was very sceptical, but a chance situation where I needed a shorter air shaft for my 2025 Fox 36's and I came across one in the right size, brand new removed from a 2026 fork that the owner had increased travel on, on ebay for less than the price of an NA2 air shaft, so decided to give it a go... It really makes the 36 a lot more capable fork as suddenly, it's removing just about all of the stiction related to chassis flex out of the equation when it comes to suspension performance.
But probably my best product of 2025 has been SRAM's Eagle 90... I've spent years bemoaning SRAM only applying all their new high end tech to their wireless groupsets only. For whatever reason, I just can't get on with the ergonomics or the haptics of any of the SRAM wireless shifters, and I've had terrible experiences with modern Shimano 12spd setups, but have been a huge fan of SRAM's higher end X01 and XX1 mechanical Eagle setups since their inception. So when Eagle 90 and 70 were announced, bringing all the benefits of T-Type but with a conventional style SRAM Eagle shifter, I was over the moon... Suffice to say, Eagle 90 is everything I hoped it to be and then some! The only downside is it doesn't shift quite as quick as old mechanical X01/XX1, but then T-Type doesn't anyway, but arguably the extra durability of the T-Type cassette and chain is the major upside here... As someone who's very much more concerned with the performance of the tyres, suspension and geometry of the bike, it does feel weird to be saying a groupset is my product of the year, but it really has impressed me that much and made my riding a lot more enjoyable on the whole as a result.
Diaz Suspension Runt. It transformed a 21 Zeb ultimate that was an emergency purchase earlier this year. Now it's the best fork I've ever used.
It's funny how long it can take some things to gain traction in the market... This was my product of the year in 2019! I've run one in every fork I've owned since... They are a game changer! I approached Diaz to see if they wanted a UK distributor, offering either my own services or to help them find one, but they were quite happy being a one man band supplying the market directly... I've spent hours waxing lyrical about them to anyone who will listen though, fantastic product!
This is like an externally adjustable bottomless token widget? Or does it do something else?
My product of last year was the TruTune widget for my Zeb, but I guess that makes the fork much better in a different way (creating magic extra air volume)?
It gives you all the benefits of the Manitou IRT (which really has been Manitou's USP for a while) on any fork that Diaz have designed one to fit... The TruTune is/was a nice idea for lighter riders that simply struggle to achieve full travel on modern Enduro forks, with such high compression ratios... A larger negative chamber might make the fork feel more supple off the top, but it's robbing the air spring of +ve volume which only makes the fork more progressive, and in many cases, even with zero volume tokens in, some long travel enduro forks are simply too progressive still. BUT... It's not dynamic, and it's not really tuneable.
The Diaz Runt is infinitely tuneable and it's absolutely dynamic... The best way to visualise it is that you get all the benefits of running say 5/6 volume tokens off the top (so you don't actually need a particularly large -ve chamber for the suppleness) as you're running a much lower starting pressure than you usually would, but then as the fork compresses the pressure in the now much smaller +ve chamber will rise more quickly until it equalises with the secondary +ve chamber thus dynamically effectively reducing the number of volume spacers part way through the travel...
The reality...? You get all of the benefits of soft off the top, supple feel from running lots of volume spacers (if not quite, but much closer to, a "coil like" feel), at the same time you get all of the benefits of running zero volume spacers in terms of being able to achieve full travel whilst running a sensible amount of sag, and at the same time you get a massively increased amount of adjustability and mid-stroke support to rival a coil spring... I've got a cheap £250 Fox 36 Performance that I picked up from Merlin a few months ago with a "paint defect", that I've put a lighter oil in the damper, thrown an NA3 Glidecore shaft in the air spring along with a Diaz Runt, and it's honestly the best mid travel fork I've ever ridden, bar none...
Pivot Switchblade frame for me. Finally got a FS bike I don’t mind pedalling.
E Road bike for me, really wasn't enjoying road cycling due to a medical issue, got myself an Orbea Gain and love it, ride a lot more as I'm not burnt out and not struggling those last miles to get home every ride.
A +1 for radial tyres. Need better options for the rear though as I'd like a gravity soft option other than the albert for winter.
Endura mt500 jacket and dungarees that I got from vinted have been brilliant. Vinted is an amazing source for bike gear.
A couple of tools that have been fantastic, Cushcore beadbro, despite the cringy name it really is so helpful when trying to fit stiff casing tyres that like to pop off the rim as you go round. Also the cheapo amazon internal cable routing kit that cost a tenner has been so good when fitting new brakes and replacing dropper outers.
Not a product as such but I really like The Radavist for it's mix of eclectic articles and some superb photography
Strangely, I haven't bought any cycling products this year, despite cycling more than usual. Unsure if this is down to cancelling my STW subscription back in January or not accessing the website/forum for most of 2025. Or maybe down to CRC fire sale and having plenty stocks of "maintenance" items.
The best way to visualise it is that you get all the benefits of running say 5/6 volume tokens off the top (so you don't actually need a particularly large -ve chamber for the suppleness) as you're running a much lower starting pressure than you usually would, but then as the fork compresses the pressure in the now much smaller +ve chamber will rise more quickly until it equalises with the secondary +ve chamber thus dynamically effectively reducing the number of volume spacers part way through the travel...
Gotcha, ta.
Definitely an option for the future. Do you guys find they take a lot of tinkering to get the right setup?
Maxxis Highroller 3 in maxxgrip for me.
This for me too as a front tyre.
Also Schwalbe Click Valves coupled with a cheap mini electric bike pump from Amazon - so easy to check / top up tyre pressures pre-ride. Literally 30 seconds & both tyres done.
Only significant item i purchased this year, and therefore by default is my product of the year, is a set of Trickstuff Maxima brakes for my Raaw Madonna. A purchase that I didnt think i would ever make, due to the cost, but they are utterly lovely and superb. Amazing quality, sensational feel, endless power. So very impressed.
I would also mention my Chisel FS, but it was purchased in december last year.... but what a bike. covers ground with such ease!
Cannondale Moterra SL. It's a full power ebike! (hmm, so maybe shouldn't be in the "bike product" thread?!), but lightweight! Few teething troubles as it was 2nd hand, creaking cranks, going full 29er to avoid pedal strikes and getting shot of the pointless AXS shifting electronic stuff, it's now an amazing thing to ride.
Surprised mboy is a fan of the T-Type mechanical derailleur tbh! Those things are the same monsterous size as the AXS, which just picked up grass and debris in the jockey wheels whenever it was ridden offroad. Old XO is so much better.
Not bought much this year but from what I have, the 7Mesh foundation boxers have been the stand out. Way more comfortable than my usual padded liners on rides up to 3hrs+, and cooler in the summer.
Nothing stands out for me this year. Sure Ive bought stuff but that has been more like for like replacements. Im interested to try one of the radial tyres but that will have to wait until Ive worn out the existing ones. I would also like to try XT DI2 but given how spendy it is thats not likely to find it’s way onto my bikes
For me, the Stanton Sedona frame I've just built up.
A lightish hardtail on fast rolling XC rubber is simply more fun for local rides out the door where I live than my other bikes. It was designed by Steve from HTP to "make easy trails fun" as he puts it and does live up to the claim. I've built mine up as an XC bike for someone who doesn't like conventional/racier geometry XC bikes, but you could just as easily build it burlier too - it's just a good all round hardtail.
(If someone could kindly point me in the direction of info on how to post images here in a post-Imgur world, I'll do a NBD post)
(If someone could kindly point me in the direction of info on how to post images here in a post-Imgur world, I'll do a NBD post)
The forum supports Instagram again embeds now, so I just paste an Insta post URL in if I want to share a bike pic.
E Road bike for me, really wasn't enjoying road cycling due to a medical issue, got myself an Orbea Gain and love it, ride a lot more as I'm not burnt out and not struggling those last miles to get home every ride.
Yep, my e-gravel commuter bike for me.
I've done nearly 3000 miles of basically "free" riding (at the beginning and end of the day), riding that I would not otherwise have done. It's mostly a very scenic ride with lots of options but the e-bike unlocked a load of riding I'd never have done on an unpowered bike plus it's just good fun to ride.
Those warm dry summer evenings coming back across the moorland, extending the ride just because I could. It's been amazing.
Shimano 105 R7120
Affordable (ish) and it just works. I'm about 2000miles in on it in 8 months and I've not touched any part of it once. The brakes are consistently great, there's a real-world 34-36 bottom gear, the shifting is light and instant.
The only thing that worries me (as a bigger cyclist) is the rotors have discoloured and there isn't a 6-bolt "freeza" option.
Not bought much this year but from what I have, the 7Mesh foundation boxers have been the stand out. Way more comfortable than my usual padded liners on rides up to 3hrs+, and cooler in the summer.
a discovery I made a few years ago
if its going to be hot or wet (so most of the year in the UK being one or the other) and on a mtb (so frequent standing up and position adjusting) then sports boxers are so much better than padded shorts under mtb shorts.
AXS
After many years facking with cables & shimano derailleurs made of cheese, it has been an absolute zero faff upgrade.
@tomhoward still following those pedals with interest. Have the seen much slop since being sorted?
Nothing thick and gloopy, just loose & wet. A bit of snow the other week, but still spinning nice.
AXS
After many years facking with cables & shimano derailleurs made of cheese, it has been an absolute zero faff upgrade.
Same. I had no intention of trying it but I ended up with two sets of AXS Transmission here. One X0 and one GX and they're both excellent.
I still have one bike with XT 12 speed and I'll have to continue slumming it on that one for a while.
The best way to visualise it is that you get all the benefits of running say 5/6 volume tokens off the top (so you don't actually need a particularly large -ve chamber for the suppleness) as you're running a much lower starting pressure than you usually would, but then as the fork compresses the pressure in the now much smaller +ve chamber will rise more quickly until it equalises with the secondary +ve chamber thus dynamically effectively reducing the number of volume spacers part way through the travel...
Gotcha, ta.
Definitely an option for the future. Do you guys find they take a lot of tinkering to get the right setup?
I went to a local spot where I can park at the bottom of the trails. One ride to get it pretty much spot on. A digital shock pump is advised as it's sensitive.
Hillbilly Grid Trail T9 - I think I fitted it in December last year but I haven't felt the need to change it all year even in the dry/dust.
Giro Latch shoes - comfy, durable and good flat pedal grip.
Aenomaly switchhgrade 2.0. I've thought it was a good idea for a long time, and now very affordable. Works brilliantly.
I'm pretty tall and fat, and have seat posts V high at max pedalling height on 240 droppers, so even with steep seat tubes and saddles rammed forward, the saddle position can still promote wheely action. I would compensate by having saddle at about -6degrees nose down, which was kinda not great for everything except mild climbs.
Now for steep climbs, I've got the hang of tilting the saddle nose down and I get to sit on a v comfy sofa on the way up, and the rest of the time have a lovely flat position.
Game changer!
Diaz Suspension Runt
That looks like clever sh1t. I thought adding a volume spacer was a bit out there.
I'd need to upgrade from my Reba first tho? For epicevo am I looking at a SID or something else? Or would the upgrade from a Reba be enough of a difference? Or should I go tru-tone instead (not that light me..... )
Fiveten goretex trailcross on a 50% off PSA from here.
Dry feet in the rain and puddles is a revelation!
I picked up a Tru Tune a couple weeks ago for 140mm RS Pike and it’s absolutely fantastic!
Straight away the fork felt much more supple on its initial stroke, had a beautifully controlled but active mid stroke.
I never really got on with the Pike, finding it just a bit too stiff in small chattery stuff. But the Tru Tune has transformed it.
Also loving the new Maxxis Forcaster, fantastic trail tyre, great in all kinds of conditions and rolls really well too. I’ve only recently found its grip limits now it’s really sloppy in my local woods. But it’s still hangs on for most things to the extent I’m too lazy to put a more suitable tyre and keep saying maybe next week….
Benji’s review of the Decathlon braces in issue 163 has proven to be a revelation.
A mere tenner and my Endura Humvee shorts no longer need to rely on Endura’s garbage belt.
So good I’m contemplating a fresh pair for my pub jeans. Belts are so 18th century.
Braces at 0:55
Most of my purchases have been service items or just replacements of worn kit. However, I did splash out on some VEL 50mm carbon road wheels and they've been a bit of a revelation. While I've noticed a minor tendency to catch side-winds, they are definitely providing an aero benefit when rolling and seem faster to get up to speed too.
