Crankbrother mini floor pump, Smith helmet, Gore bibshorts, MRP chain guide and Giant's new helmet
Our collection of the coolest kit to have arrived, as well as the top stories
Yet again we've got another five cool things to share with you, some of which are brand-new releases. Included in this week's curation of some of the most exciting kit in the biz is MRP's gravel-specific chain guide, Giant's brand new Rail helmet, a mini floor pump from Crankbrothers plus Smith's top-of-the-range gravel hat and liner bib shorts for mountain biking. We'll also round up the coolest stories of the week for you.
- 9 tips to keep your suspension running sweeter for longer
- Mountain bike etiquette - the lowdown on trail-side manners
- Wait... How much is the new SRAM T-Type kit?
This week has been fairly strong for cool tidbits of news. Even though the toughest downhill race on the calendar was cancelled this year, we still got a real taste of what was to come as Gee Atherton previews the 2023 Red Bull Hardline track. To add another video to the mix, Gaspi conquers the wall of death but on an e-MTB.
We've had a number of reviews on cool kit too, including Ragley's 2023 Big Al frameset which we praised for its capable handling and stellar finish. Then for any budding bikepackers out there, Suvi has shared her thoughts on the Post Carry Co Mini Handlebar Bag. And that's just to name two of the reviews.
On top of all that, following the release of SRAM GX Transmission, we've dissected each of SRAM's 2023 MTB drivetrains to make buying your next set of gears easy. We've also taken a good look at cyclo-cross bikes in order to answer the question, what is a cyclo-cross bike?
MRP GCX chain guide - £80
2023 mrp gravel chain guide 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Kicking our collection off with some of the coolest kit is MRP's GCX, a gravel-specific chain guide - as if gravel bikes weren't mountain bikey enough already. Although, dropped chains are a burden for any off-road going bikes and with gravel racing quickly gaining traction, mid-race dropped chains could make or break.
With compatibility for 38 to 46T chainrings and 44 to 51mm chain lines, all modern road and gravel are covered. It's then mounted using a bike's braze-on mounts. Allowing for tool-free chain access is MRP's Pop-Up system that moves the outer of the guide up and out of the way.
Smith Optics Trace - £200 - £220
2023 Smith trace 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The Trace is Smith's range-topping road and gravel lid and it employs both Mips and Koroyd to reduce forces incurred under rotational impacts. To keep things cool, the Trace gets internal air channels to help guide airflow around the head and there are handy side channels that allow for eyewear stowage. Inside, there's an integrated skeletal structure that Smith says creates a roll cage to add strength.
Adding to the Traces rich feature list is Smith's AirEvac ventilation system that pairs with Smith eyewear to help keep glasses fog-free, and there's the VaporFit system that offers 270-degree fit adjustment.
Crankbrothers Klic HV Mini Floor Pump - £70
2023 crankbrothers klic hv floor pump.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Next up is Crankbrothers' latest addition to its range, the Klic HV Mini Floor Pump. Complete with a sleek finish, this pump has been designed for convenience. It packs up into a smaller size thanks to a detachable hidden hose that connects to the pump magnetically. There's also a Klic Stand for a foothold and a rubber base pad to keep it stable as you pump away.
It's claimed to weigh 171g and can inflate up to 119 psi.
Giant Rail - €170
2023 Giant Rail helmet 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Released earlier this week alongside the Roost helmet is Giant's new Rail. While it carries the same name as the previous lid, it gets a monster upgrade with a rounder head shape to offer a more universal fit and it gets Mips Air Node. Boosting the helmet's protective qualities is a three-layer system including in-moulded upper, sub and lower polycarbonate shells.
This helmet gets 21 vents and there's a four-position height adjustment as well as a Fidlock buckle.
Gore Fernflow Liner Bib Shorts+ - £120
2023 fernflow liner bib short 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
If you ride with bib shorts under baggies but want more breathability from the bibs, the Fernflow Liner Bib Shorts answer those prayers. Specifically designed to be worn under baggies, these have been crafted to prevent overheating while remaining comfortable. Gore has also thrown in a few storage options.
To live up to Gore's promises, the Fernflow Bib Shorts are built with mesh legs and straps for breathability and they use the brand's Advanced Brand Core Seat Pad that features a dual-density and dual-layered construction. There are then pockets at the sides with a larger one at the back.
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