MegaSack DRAW - 6pm Christmas Eve - LIVE on our YouTube Channel
Fiveten goretex trailcross on a 50% off PSA from here.
Dry feet in the rain and puddles is a revelation!
My three year old pair are suffering major delamination. Attempting repair with rubber glue. So if anyone sees them discounted again, let me know, as they have been brilliant for 2 and a bit autumn/winters.
I like the AXS on the two bikes I've added this year, but it hasn't been trouble free. Probably my fav.- rather niche - product has been Peatys Mushroom Grips. Recommended by Benji, and bought because my otherwise healed collarbone was sore at the shoulder joint after riding for over an hour. I've used Ergon GA3 (winged) grips for years and really rate them. But going to the softer, well engineered Peaty grip has made a decent sized difference to being able to ignore the shoulder for longer.
Probably my fav.- rather niche - product has been Peatys Mushroom Grips.
I got a pair of these as a treat on a new-to-me enduro bike, agree they are very good. My new fave.
I'd recommend an Ochain for your Giga as well if you want more comfort and improved performance.
@chakaping - interesting. I was reading about that earlier in the thread and it piqued my interest. Need to catch up on some week long trips next year after missing out in 2025, so potentially a worthwhile purchase. I need to pull the Giga apart anyway as it's lunched another set of main bearings... I'm also curious about putting a 297 rear end on it if ones comes up.
Oh some great product listed above, and I agree with quite a few, but for me this silly little piston spreading tool is the best thing going. I know there is a twin head version too but as it's only held by magnets, I can see that being a faff to use. I have Birzman Double-ended Piston Pusher tool and a Sram clone, and have used tyre levers/specific lever tools over the years but these so much better. Get one, they cost f** all and work really really well. ACRZ Hydraulic Brake Piston Press Tool - AliExpress 18 (there are UK shops selling them too)
@chakaping - interesting. I was reading about that earlier in the thread and it piqued my interest. Need to catch up on some week long trips next year after missing out in 2025, so potentially a worthwhile purchase. I need to pull the Giga apart anyway as it's lunched another set of main bearings... I'm also curious about putting a 297 rear end on it if ones comes up.
that's just what your Giga needs, more weight 😉 I will admit to being slightly interested in one for my SJ Evo, just not sure on doing all day pedallers on it.
not sure on doing all day pedallers on it.
You can fully lock it out in a few seconds on the R model, if that helps
that's just what your Giga needs, more weight
It's only 37lb with a coil on it. Basically a burly trail bike 🙂
The Rimpact one you can't turn off, they reckon it's not that noticeable once the spring compresses.
Sunshine and dry trails. Bought a couple this year and they were amazing. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Sadly I've run out of stock at the moment.
Echoing some other comments - Madison DTE dungarees, they are ace. And Trailcross GTX boots. And for really minging weather on the ebike. Leatt drysuit
Not new, but adopted by me over the past year. AXS - both gears and post. Probably moreso the post for the fact you can take it out without the faff of the attached cable. And tubeless - I finally did it with zero dramas, apart from a re-taping faff ending up losing my patience with rim tape and using insulation tape and gaffer tape
New products - indisputably, electric pumps. Brilliant little invention. Seats tubeless. Is convenient. Everyone having flats on rides has really appreciated it. Get one with a decent battery though - the Cycplus AS2 Pro Max might be a bit bulky, but it'll do numerous inflations
Orbea Rise eeb. So much fun getting up and out into the hills with Turbo Thursdays giving me another night of riding.
Shout outs:
SQLabs inner barends: So good I fitted multiple bikes with them.
Coros Dura GPS: Just works (pisser it doesn't talk to the eeb though).
MucOff electric bike pump has been fun too. Saved rides for several friends and when I showed it off in the local pub, the look I got from the lasses at the next table was magic.
Galibier Courchavel storm jacket followed by Vittoria 30mm road tyres, both are helping me to get back into cycling.
Cant think of anything I've bought this year beyond maintenance essentials. But in that, I've bought two new tools (Superstar pedal socket and a grip wrench) which have allowed servicing of pedals and seatpost to revive my ageing 2015 Canyon Spectral, along with replacement shock bushings. Combined with fitting a mud hugger, I'd still give my product of the year to either the Spectral or my Soul mk5 - I've been through the thought process of a new bike and come out asking "why?" because they both keep making me smile too much to want to replace them for bigger wheels / 1deg head angle / wider dropouts etc Maybe I'm missing out on something but doesn't feel like it.
Retirement bike - Enigma Edge gravel bike with scribe carbon wheels, some hope bits (purple) and Shimano Mechanical. Unfortunately it has rained incessantly since I bought it - planning a continental escapade via ferry from Hull in May 26. Want to get to the Black gate..
I’ve been loving my YT Decoy MX that I got in the spring sales. It’s rekindled my love for riding and I get out on it 3-5 days a week.
I almost forgot.
Definitely product of the year for me - Tyre Monkey
Pretty blown away at how good those DB8’s are for a £50 brakeset. I know that’s not the most interesting of posts but I tend not to rush out and buy the latest tech.
In no particular order
- Exposure Boost-R reakt rear light - so , so , good and braking function is just brilliant
- Apidura high vis vest - weighs nothing, doesn't flap around and will go over whatever you are wearing. Makes me feel much more seen at night.
- Spurcycle multitool - it's just purdy.
- Specialized Vado 2 SL - just about my perfect commuting bike. It handles well, and although I moaned about it being heavier than the V1, the larger battery is actually what I need.
BOOST-R 3 REAKT & PELOTON – Exposure Lights
https://www.apidura.com/shop/packable-visibility-vest
TPU tubes. Followed by my Thumpa nano pump. Then followed by my Ortlieb Quick rack. It's turned three bikes to commuting duties.
Now if Garmin would hurry up and update their Varia RTL to USB-C, it would be a shoe-in next year,
Reserve Fillmore valves.
Such a simple design and more reliable than normal presta valve cores.
