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This week we have mostly been casting our collective mind back to stuff we no longer have to do.
Hello and welcome to this week’s Fresh Goods Friday; by far the most entertaining round-up of off-road cycling products published on a Friday in the UK.
This week we have mostly been casting our collective mind back to stuff we no longer have to do. Specifically, what areas on a bike no longer seem to need the same level of attention as they did back in the ‘good’ old days.
Aside from the usual practice of having to stop On Every Rough Descent to repair at least one puncture, the amount of minutes spent (lost) doing trailside maintenance was really rather ridiculous. Brake cable tightening. Headset tightening. Brake pad replacement. Saddle lowering. Saddle raising. Slipping seatposts. Countless pauses to put a dropped chain back on the chainring. Spoke tensioning. Wheel trueing. Having a rest because you’re so tired from just clinging on to dear life halfway down a decent length descent.
Maybe we’ve just been on a lucky run, but all we’ve really had to lately is pump the tyres up to pressure and lube the chain before heading out on rides. Praise be to modern mountain bikes!
Speaking of which, here’s some New Stuff…
Hannah McHannahface wrote a Cannondale Scalpel 1 Lefty First Ride Review back in March when it was launched. But we’ve got the bike back in for a proper test period on our local terrain. 120mm travel at both ends. Hannah: “Cannondale’s perspective is that you win XC races on the climbs, capitalise on the flats, but you can lose on the descents, so the bike has been designed to be efficient to climb, but capable downhill.” Whilst the angles aren’t exactly trail bikey, the wheelbase is surprisingly healthy and the stem length looks manageable by mortals.
“Able to take on anything and do so at great speed. The results have been proof that adventure can be competitive, that performance doesn’t require a race number and that exploration is better with adrenaline and speed”. welcome to the world of Palta.” Can be set up 2x as well as 1x. Tyre clearance up to 700x 45mm. A ‘knock-block’ style system stops impact from the bars on the top tube and a taller headtube allows for fewer spacers (or a less neck-breaking slam-that-stem flush fit is desired). Hidden bolts cThere is a polymer shield for the downtube that can be fitted to protect the frame from very loose gravel or removed when on road. As with all Basso frames and forks, the Palta is handmade in Italy (check out the ‘hidden’ Italian flag on top of the fork crown – bellissimo!)
An ‘executive gift’ for Benji from the recently ex-Singletrackworld Amanda. Essentially a noise box of highly amusing and useful things: applause, laughter, moan, Family Fortunes-style ‘wrong answer’, explosion, shotgun, smash glass, cash register ker-ching, drumroll, fanfare, boing, had-an-idea lightbulb, whistle, scream, fart and belch. Everything you need (if you’re an 8 year old, which thankfully one of Benji’s spogs is).
Black and Blum make packed lunch and food carrying gear of the variety that will make your picnic both posh and practical. We’ve got the cutlery set, in an effort to step us up from commoners who eat with their hands to posh folks who use cutlery.
The ingredients list is just: Coconut water, Mango, cashews, maple syrup, basmati rice, and coconut cream. No E-anythings or preservatives. Designed to be easily tolerated during the kind of endurance exercise that makes your tummy go wobbly. Like Saturday nights at the Golden Lion, perhaps.
The mouse mat is made from 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic (PCR), while the mouse is made from 30% Post-Consumer Recycled reclaimed materials. Those plagued by Apple mouses may be interested to hear the the mouse has a claimed 1-year of life using a single battery.
This Deuter backpack was a goodie-bag gift containing many of the products you see this week, from The Outdoor Trade Show in Liverpool. This particular pack is from the Infiniti range, made from remnants left over during the manufacture of other Deuter products
Made from 50% plant based elastomer, this 250ml folding cup from Sweden has been ‘classified as a work of art by Svensk Form Copyright Panel.’ It weighs 25g and is only 3cm tall when folded. So now you never need to use the scary tea stained mug in the office kitchen.
A dinky speaker that is waterproof – for rainy camping trips or singing in the shower. Or maybe dangling off your pack on the trails. Are you in that camp?
Lip balms and moisturisers to keep your chops kissable. Or just not chapped and hurting. With no-sting options, SPF options, and a range of flavours, you can keep your lips soft and supple… Does not also work on knees.
Badly needed by Hannah’s shoes (apologies to those at the trade show who had shoes she tried on). This is a ‘Powerful deodorising cleaner designed to freshen and prevent odour build-up in all non-waterproof footwear, insoles, and sandals.’. Let’s hope it works against pre-existing odours too. Gip.
Not meant for dangling off cliffs, this is one for attaching your keys to your belt, or your cup to your saddle, that sort of thing. Made in Wales, by the only UK climbing gear manufacturer.
A fairly thickly cushioned merino sock from the Vermont based makers of very pretty socks. Actually made in Vermont, they say ‘Unconditionally Guaranteed for Life – if these aren’t the longest lasting socks you’ve ever owned, return them for another pair’. They have another design with a bear on, and lots of mountain options. Nice.
To stop your prescription sunglasses falling off your face and being lost to the sea (argh, still not over that one) you can attach this retainer to practically any frames. The bead slides up and down so you can hold them on as tight – or not – as you want. Definitely one for that ‘I’m a river rafting guide’ vibe.
This week’s TOTW winner is blokeuptheroad for this winning thread here:
The winning TOTW in FGF gets a prize. So @blokeuptheroad please email editorial@singletrackworld.com for your random prize. Don’t forget to include your postal address, as it really speeds up delivery logistics like. K thx bye!
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.