The 50th anniversary of Specialized brings us the fifteenth Stumpy: here's our early verdict on the…
No time for a lengthy waffle intro this week. The sun is OUT and the trails are a-calling! Busy yourself with this week’s Fresh Goods and then get back to plotting your ride…
Arguably the Mummy of Midpower, the Orbea Rise is pretty much the benchmark that a whole swathe of folk judge any other not-full-power eMTBs by. Much like the biobike Orbea Occams that we featured recently, the Orbea Rise has been slpit into two model guises: LT and SL. The SL has less travel and generally less grrr parts. We have the LT version in. Because why wouldn’t you?
Hang on a mo. The Rise LT is no longer midpower. The new Gen 2 version of the Shimano EP801 RS can be set to kick out the full 85Nm (it doesn’t even seem to require Street Fighter II SNES style up-down-left-right-start-and-A combo moves to unlock it). So, I guess we can compare it to the Cannondale Moterra SL then.
All in good time. For now, let’s just hit up some stat facts: 160mm fork, 150mm rear travel, 64° head angle, 77° seat angle, 440mm chainstays, massive dropper, Shimano XT everything, a few battery options (420Wh or 630Wh in down tube, 210Wh range extender also).
An aluminium handlebar in 31.8mm diameter and 40mm rise. Nice. 800mm wide but feature a handy cutting guide. 5° up sweep,. 7° back sweep. Shot-peened to give a hard-wearing and slightly textured finish. They also come in 35mm clamp diameter and a few other rises. The first of a trio of TAG Metals cockpit components that are destined for Amanda’s (remember her?) new Atherton S170 build.
Not one of those rounded-off designs. This is classic edgey blackness. CNC machined from something called ‘2014 aircraft grade T6 alloy’. SAS (Speed Align System) allows quicker/consistent/accurate bar angle adjustment. The stem of choice for someone called ‘Nicolas Vouilloz’ apparently. This 31.8mm diameter model is a very pleasingly unique 33mm in length. Oh, 166g.
A little bit Deathgrip-py in the overall dual-diameter (29/31mm) design but different enough to be er, different. And they’re also called ‘Braap’, so that’s good. Braap grips have a SAS (Speed Align System) markings to help get them set up just-so,. 135mm ling. Seven colours available. are 135mm wide and are your in one of 7 colours to match your ride. TAG rubber compound based on their motocross grip appparently.
These is some big ass peggles. 115x120mm ot be exact. 2mm concavity. Intended for those with a foot size of 44+. 488g. Four bearings and two DU bushings per pair. Full body axle. 4mm pins. 6061 T6 aluminium. The pins have a fairly customisable layout; any/all of the holes you see on the platform can accept a pin.
Smear this around your nostrils and/or your cheekbone tops. HayMax is a balm that clais to trap allergens (eg. pollen) before it gets into your body. Drug-free (NB: not ‘free drugs’). Non-drowsy (unless you’re drowsy already). Feel free to use it in combination with any other anti-hayfever stylee medication.
Actually very tasty, high protein snack from Firepot – perhaps better known for their bikepacking foods. This snack range is coming to the line up next year.
A rechargeable colour changeable glowstick, for marking routes, finding your tent in the dark, or perhaps Saturday nights at the Golden Lion (or rave pubs are available).
From the makers of torches and head torches, we have a handy little keyring that has 2 white light brightnesses plus a red light. Plus a 4GB USB stick.
A leaving gift from Amanda. Yes, you read that correctly. From Amanda, not for. This whisky has been named as one of the 20 defining whiskies of the past 20 years by everyone’s favoruite advocate (Malt Advocate 20th Anniversary Issue 2011). Before: “Luscious citrus fruits”. During: “An initial rush of rich vanilla sweetness gives way to a touch of cinnamon which adds a spicy edge to the soft and sweet texture. The classic Arran citrus notes have rounded with age and reveal new depths of character against a background of sweet oak.” After: “Sweetness, Apple, Citrus, Cinnamon.” Benji can testify that it is palatable as a mid-morning snifter too.
This week’s winner is the beautiful Tom83 for this winning thread riiight… here:
The winning TOTW in FGF gets a prize. So @Tom83 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!
Cannondale’s Mitch Ropelato and American Supercross racer Justin Barcia take their Scalpels out for a wild ride with big tricks, even bigger gaps, and crazy shots. Cross Country? No. Downcountry? Nope. This is Supercross Country.
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.