Too Much Information. Can you ever have too much information? Almost certainly. In fact, TMI is pretty much The Modern World in a nutshell.
We’re afraid we’re just going to go right on ahead and add to your information overload with this week’s Fresh Goods Friday. Soz!
Billed as Ergon’s “MTB pack for day long adventures or the daily commute” so that’s what we’ll be using it for. Well, “daily commute” is stretching it but we’ll certainly be using at least once a week for shredding the gnar into the workplace and back. As with anything from the-clue’s-in-the-name Ergon, this pack is first aand foremost designed with ergonomic fit in mind. So as well as the shaped shoulder straps, waistband and back panel, the pack can be adjusted as to how far down from your neck it sits. A ‘Perfect Fit harness system’ essentially can be moved up or down depending on the length of your back. There also things like pivoting strap anchor buckles that allow a degree of movement during er, movement. Also: main compartment with fleeced lined inside pocket, internal pockets for pump and hydration bladder (not included), two front compartments with internal mesh pocket, a zipped pocket with hidden rain cover, two large easy-access elastic hip-belt pockets and a helmet carrier system. Capacity: 15L (expandable to 18L via zip-around).
Soon come (once we’ve de-mangled a corrupt file!)
The age of mullet is most definitely upon us. We’re getting more and more test bikes coming with mixed wheelsizes. And that’s fine. Except for the fact that our tyre stockpile is almost entirely 29er flavoured. So we got this tyre in from Pirelli. We’ve had good experience with the Scorpion Enduro Race M as a front tyre and this rear-specific Scorpion looks like it should be decent too. What do you want from a rear tyre? Well, personally I [Benji] want something that brakes well, won’t tear easily across rocks and ideally doesn’t have too much rolling resistance. The tread pattern of this Scorpion R looks pretty braking-focussed and the Hard Wall casing has a hard rubber insert right above the bead, which is a place I often seem to puncture/tear/damage tyres.
You either ‘do’ battery powered things, or you don’t. I don’t really mind batteries on bikes. I’m a fan of electronic mechs. And I like my pumps to be digital. Both shock pumps and track pumps like this one from Topeak. When you’re dealing in tyre pressures around the 20psi mark it’s relatively hopeless to rely on analogue needle displays. The JoeBlow is a name that’s been part of Topeak’s range for yonks and it typically means something reliably mid-range that can take some serious use over a number of years. This JoeBlow Sport Digital features a easy-to-read mid-mounted digital gauge, a bisexual ‘TwinHead DX5’ valve mouth, a decently long hose, a steel barrel, a large steel base and ergonomic padded handle.
Uhuh. Oh, nice. If you’ve done the whole enduro-strap thang and been left deflated – literally as well as metaphorically – by the faff and unreliability of velcro-strapping tools and spares to your bike and riding through filth that just wrecks the aforementioned tools and spares (and paintwork), then you may well be interested in something like this ‘roll-up’ from Topeak. Inside the PU leather (eh?) wrap there are: Allen bits – 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 mm, Torx bits – T10 / T15 / T25, #2 Phillips bit, ratchet tool, speed sleeve, bit holder (70mm), aluminium CO2 inflator, stainless steel 3.5mm plug insertion tool, four tyre repair plugs, and two silicone straps (for CO2 cartridge and tyre levers maybe). We can confirm that the dinky ratchet is very addictive to play with in a fidget spinner stylee (remember those?).
We’re always pleased to get short stems in. This one is as short as it gets (32mm) with the 35mm clamp diameter standard. “The stem features an innovative faceplate with a Stiff Upper Lip connecting piece, helping to locate the faceplate into the stem body and increase stiffness whilst keeping the open look of a modern stem. Machined from forged 6061 aluminium.” We’re generally big fans of Gusset stuff as it works well, looks good and isn’t a million quid. This stem is the first of a few things from them this week…
Mo’ shine. Replacement clamps for the Gusset S2 and Single File grips.
Speaking – or should be squeaking? – of Gusset S2 grips, here are a pair of pairs of ’em in brand new colourways. Pink and teal. Different size diamond knurling top and bottom. Eccentric core results in more padding on the topside,. Like the opposite of a Cadbury’d Boost, there’s a ribbed underside. There’s also a dedicated thumb grip area. 32mm diameter. 131mm length. “Extra Soft VEXK3” rubber compound.
Much like the TS stem above, we’ve had 31.8mm versions of these 800mm wide 7075 alloy bars before and really, really liked them. These are the 35mm diameter and they’re… SILVER! You asked, we delivered! The S2 bar features two-tone decals, easy-cut markings and a “custom swaging process” apparently. Available in 20, 30, 38 or 50mm rise. Sweeps? 5° up, 8° back.
I’ve pretty much shown everyone these bruises all week and I’m afraid you don’t get let off the ‘pleasure’ either. There’s also a bruise a bit higher up but apparently that is “TMI” according to various passers-by. I’ve also done the classic only-hurts-when-sneezing cracked rib. Crashing your bike can hurt folks! But hey, still gonna send it.
Whether you’ve got a special new bike or just a bike that’s special to you, this is how you get to tell us about it! You can either tag the pic with #stwreadersrides on Instagram or you can send us your submissions via this form. We will cast our judgemental expert lustful eyes over them and bring them to the world to ooh and ahh over. We’re picking the prettiest, the most curious, and the ones with a good story for you to appraise, praise, and maybe look wistfully at.
It’s Singletrack’s long running, weekly roundup of all of the new products that have been sent in to the magazine.
They’re sent in by bike companies and marketing agencies
They’re featured and then some are reviewed down the line in either Singletrack Magazine or in online reviews and photoshoots.
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.
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.
The post Fresh Goods Friday 714 – The TMI Edition appeared first on Singletrack World Magazine.