Shimano's GE7 shoes, Ergon's e-MTB saddle, AMS frame protection and more

This week's Five Cool Things and the best stories of the week.

Liam Mercer

May 31 2024

Another week means yet another Five Cool Things for your viewing pleasure. Today, we're going to look at Topeak's do-it-all floor pump and it's high-end ratchet multi-tool. On top of that, there are fresh kicks from Shimano, cool-looking frame protection from AMS and Ergon's e-MTB-specific saddle. As always, we'll take a glance back at the top stories to grace the site.

This week has been about wheels – specifically, aero wheels for gravel riding. DT Swiss kicked off proceedings with its GRC Dicut 1100 and 1400 carbon wheels, which have seen loads of real-world and lab testing before release. Easton then entered with its latest wheelset, the EC90 ALX which also gets the aero treatment. However, Easton has done things slightly differently by balancing aero gains with comfort and stability through a more reserved rim depth. The aero gravel space looks like it's growing rather quickly – perhaps that's a direct result of the UCI recognising the sport.

That's not all for gravel news as Coed y Brenin, one of the world's earliest trail centres has opened six gravel-specific cycle routes, embracing the genre and CamelBak has shifted its focus to bikepacking with its new M.U.L.E range of bikepacking bags.

As for mountain bike news, the Ineos Grenadiers mastered the mud in the UCI XCO Nové Mĕsto, with Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot finishing first in their respective categories. Mondraker then unveiled its NEAT e-MTB with a Gulf-inspired livery, and we reckon that it might be one of the prettiest bikes we've seen this year.

Finally, news of Kona's original owners buying back the brand was a move that pleased everyone, so our Steve took a dive into the brand's history and asked Corey Wallace and Tracey Moseley what they thought of the purchase. Check out Kona Bicycles - Back from beyond the cinder cone.

Topeak Urban EX floor pump

£37

Topeak's do-it-all track pump might have the word 'urban' in its name but it looks set to please those multidisciplinarians who might have a mountain bike, gravel bike, and maybe even a road bike in their fleet. It sits in the middle of the brand's EX range, with the Mountain EX delivering the most air volume per pump, ideal for fat rubber. The Roadie EX makes reaching higher pressures easier.

The Urban EX is claimed to blast 498cc of air into a tyre per stroke and it's built with a painted steel barrel and uses an engineering-grade polymer handle. Making the connection between the pump and valve is Topeak's SmartHead complete with an extra-long hose. This head accommodates Presta and Schrader valves without requiring any adjustment.

www.topeak.com

Ergon SM E-Mountain Pro Men's saddle

£110

We all love e-mountain bikes as they allow the rider to pack in more descents in a short time but with more descending comes more time in the saddle, which is where e-MTB-specific saddles start to make sense. Ergon's SM E-Mountain Pro Men's saddle is sculpted with an exaggerated flick at the rear to provide better support when climbing the steeper terrain that e-MTBs make accessible.

While not all saddles are gender-specific, the SM E-Mountain Pro comes with OrthoCell inlays to distribute pressure across the sit bone and the brand has cut relief channels where needed, rather than trying for a one-size-fits-all design. As for padding, it's minimal, says Ergon, and that's to provide trail feedback without sacrificing comfort.

The top of the saddle is then covered with an anti-friction material to help the rider shift and move around the saddle and it's sorted with a Topeak QuickClick saddle bag mount, providing a quick storage solution if that's your thing.

www.ergonbike.com

Shimano GE7 shoes

£180

The Shimano GE7 shoes were released alongside the GF8 Gore-Tex shoes. The GE7 benefits from a Torbal 2.0 torsional midsole that is more flexible towards the edge of the shoe. Shimano says it improves control over the bike when descending aggressively and in the corners.

At the sole, there's an incredibly long pedal channel that reaches almost from the toe to the heel, adding stability when unclipped, claims the brand. There's then an EVA midsole for impact absorption and the cleat track has been placed centrally for further improvements to stability and control.

Wrapping up the GE7's features, it uses a skate-style upper that employs a lace-up closure combined with a hook and loop strap, and the ankle collar is asymmetric, so the inner face is raised to add protection. Speaking of protection, there's a reinforced toe cap.

shimano.com

Topeak Ratchet'n Roll Pro multi-tool

£85

Topeak's Ratchet'n Roll Pro is the most comprehensive ratchet-based multi-tool out there. Coming complete with 17 functions, it's primed to save you from nearly all trailside mishaps and become a go-to for big bikepacking adventures.

Within a small wrap, there's a ratchet tool with a reverse gear and thumb wheel that doubles as a Co2 inflator. Alongside that, there's a small tube containing tubeless repair plugs. The roll holds 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm Allen bits, T10, T15, and T25 Torx bits and a #2 Phillips bit. There's also a chain tool compatible with up to 13-speed chains and a chain hook.

The whole wrap is secured with a strap making it more than able to be strapped to a bike for easy out-of-pocket storage. Oh, and there's a speed sleeve bit holder to help you reach those tough-to-reach spots.

www.topeak.com

All Mountain Style Frame Guard Extra

£36

We believe every new mountain and gravel bike should receive frame protection as soon as it's pulled from the box, so why not make it extra stylish while you're at it? All Mountain Style's (or AMS) Frame Guard Extra is poised to do just that.

This Extra model of the frame protective film is bigger to provide more coverage to larger tubed frames, like e-bikes. But what makes AMS's frame protection interesting is that it uses a honeycomb PVC structure to help guard the bike from scratches and damage under impact.

AMS says the pack of protective film weighs 28g and uses automotive-grade materials, so it shouldn't discolour after days in the sun. The pack contains 10 pieces with one for the down tube, and four arrow pieces to extend the downtube protector or to add to the top tube. There are four pieces for the chainstay and an extra rectangle for other uses.

The version we have here is AMS's Joyride design but there are loads of others, some of which celebrate Red Bull's Hardline and Rampage events whereas others just look super cool.

www.allmountainstyle.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.