Five Cool Things from 7iDP, ODI, Apidura and Schwalbe

This week's coolest test kit and the best stories.

Liam Mercer

Jul 12 2024

Now that the Eurobike 2024 dust has settled, it's time we got back into the swing of things and fresh off the back of Europe's biggest bike show, we've got some new kit to look at. That comes from Schwalbe's new valves and another cleverly named tyre. We've also got Apidura's new race-focussed backpack, ODI's D3O-equipped grips and 7iDP's latest trail lid.

But as always, let's dive into the stories of the week – yet again, an awful lot's been going on. This week's been a big one for interviews as we caught up with Lachlan Morton, the winner of this year's Unbound Gravel and Cannondale Factory Racing's Charlie Aldridge, the UK's newest Olympic hope.

There has been plenty of news, too, with YT Industries launching its lightweight enduro e-MTB, the Decoy SN and Lapierre blending both high- and low-pivot mountain bikes in one with the new Spicy CF. Kona then proved that it's well and truly back in the game with the new Process 153 and Process 134 bikes, Orbea updated its Urrun e-hardtail and Trek's new Top Fuel received an adjustable leverage rate. Parcours also set the gravel scene alight with the world's first aero-optimised gravel wheelset – the FKT.

As for reviews, it's been a real mix of riding genres. First off, Matt delivered his verdict on Castelli's Unlimited Pro jersey that can carry a hydration reservoir and we also got his thoughts on the Maxxis Reaver gravel tyre. Finally, we checked out the Proxim Nembo saddle from Prologo's gravity and e-MTB off-shoot.

Schwalbe Clik valves

£5-ish

Schwalbe is trying to create a new valve standard with the new Clik valves. Whether or not the brand's bold ambitions will come to fruition is up for debate, as the valve space has been a surprisingly hot area with brands such as 76 Projects, Muc-Off and Reserve each having a go at improving the hundred-year-old design. However, Schwalbe's Clik valve is designed to make the whole task of inflating tyres easier.

This is done in a simple but clever method in that there's no unscrewing of small parts. All the user needs to do is push the pump's head onto the valve, inflate and remove it. It does require an adapter though but it's included in the conversion kit.

The conversion itself couldn't be easier, as all you need to do is replace the valve cores with the Clik ones and pop the pump adapter into your favourite pump. Better still, Schwalbe provides pump head replacements, so no adapter is needed. Then, full tubeless valves can be purchased and we can expect the Clik valves to be found on Schwalbe's inner tubes shortly.

We're not sure if Schwalbe will be successful with this new standard but it's always great to see a brand simplify complicated designs.

www.schwalbe.com

7iDP Project.21

£200

It's been quite a while since we've seen something new from 7iDP – in fact, it's been four years but last month the brand changed that with a new open-face helmet, the Project.21. Here, we've got the lid in its Holographic Limited Edition Series 1 version designed to provide a clean look but with advanced features.

Those advanced features come as Energy Reduction Technology (or ERT) which is a 4mm layer of a polymer that's designed to dissipate impact forces under both linear and rotational impacts. 7iDP then promises that ERT activates instantly, even under low-impact levels. The helmet comes with ConeHead tech which acts similarly to a crumple zone found in a car that dissipates energy laterally. There's a dual-material, dual-density foam to help reduce concussion.

Included in the box are two sets of pads with AGION Anti-Microbial technology to thwart odour. As for the closure, that's supplied by Fidlock.

7idp.co.uk

Schwalbe Tacky Chan

£75

We're giving you a double dose of Schwalbe this week with one of the brand's recently released models, the Tacky Chan. We'll reserve judgement on the name but it's the result of two years' worth of development on the World Cup DH scene, having taken Amaury Pierron to the top step of the podium.

The tread pattern is promised to utilise shoulder knobs that are 10 per cent more stable than the Magic Mary's so they should be able to cope better under heavy cornering loads and it's equipped with lengthy braking edges that should provide more traction under braking. The open design should help clear mud and Schwalbe says is eight per cent lighter than the Magic Mary. It's made using fair trade rubber.

The Tacky Chan is available in the brand's Super Downhill, Super Gravity, Super Ground and Super Trail carcasses and with Addix Soft or Addix Ultra Soft rubber. It can then be picked up in 650x2.4in and 29x2.4in sizes.

www.schwalbe.com

ODI Vanquish grips

£40

The Vanquish grips have come as part of a collaboration between ODI and D3O, the brand best known for its non-Newtonian inserts for protectives. However, the pair have combined forces to create an all-new material that's focussed on vibration damping named D3O GRIP.

The result is a multi-layered grip with an angled waffle pattern at the finger with raised ribs to match the finger's articulation points for ergonomics. At the top of the grip, the pattern is designed for traction and comfort.

As we saw on ODI's latest grips, the Vanquishes use the brand's 2.1 lock-on system and the ends are double-reinforced for durability thanks to a patch of D3O's existing material at the bottom.

www.odigrips.com

Apidura Racing Hydration Vest

£143

Built from a breathable 3D mesh, Apidura's new Racing Hydration Vest has been crafted for those rides where more water capacity than usual is imperative. So those will be long marathon rides or even gravel races. It has plenty of pockets to carry anything from gels, small spares, and a bit of sustenance with two pockets at the front for easy access and larger compartments in the bag's main body.

As well as the included two-litre bladder, we're told that the Racing Vest has an additional 1.5L capacity. It's then available in two sizes, there's a magnetic hose retention system and quick-release buckles.

www.apidura.com

Author block

Liam Mercer

Since beginning his mountain biking career while working as a resort photographer in Greece in 2014, Liam became a freelance contributor at off.road.cc in 2019. From there, he’s climbed the journalism job ladder from staff writer to deputy technical editor, now finding his place as technical editor.

Partial to the odd enduro race, heart rate-raising efforts on slim-tyred cross-country bikes, hell-for-leather e-MTB blasts or even casual gravel jaunts, there’s not a corner of off-road cycling where Liam fears to tread. With more than 40 bike reviews under his belt and hundreds more on MTB, e-MTB and gravel parts and accessories, Liam’s expertise continues to be cemented and respected by the industry.