Spa Cycle's Rove, Privateer's e-MTB and winter-ready kit from Altura

The coolest kit to come into our office this week

Liam Mercer

Sep 8 2023

Once again we've got another fresh Five Cool Things for your perusal, which comes in the form of a steel adventure bike from Spa Cycles, as well as Privateer's brand-new e-MTB. And there's more – a pair of pads from Alpinestars, Lifeline's tool kit and an insulated jacket from Altura, that come just in time for the fast-approaching winter period.

But first, let's take a look back at this week's news. It's been one exciting week with Trek bringing a high-pivot design and idler pulleys to its Slash enduro platform and Hunt unveiling its brand new E_All Mountain e-bike wheels.

As always, we've been cranking out the reviews as our Stu checked out the Specialized Diverge STR Expert, a gravel bike equipped with Future Shock suspension. We've also shared our thoughts on the Rotor 2Inpower SL power meter and the excellent DMR Vault Mag pedals.

This week, we also dived deeper into the 750d debate, asking whether or not this is gravel's own 29er moment not to mention highlighting the pros and cons of clipless pedals.

Spa Cycles Rove 725 2 x 10spd Hydraulic

£1,695

This is the Rove 725 2 x 10spd Hydraulic from Spa Cycles. For what looks to be a very reasonable asking price, you'll get a Reynolds 725 steel frame complete with a Shimano Deore 2 x 10 drivetrain. This test bike rolls on a set of Kinlin rims laced to Bitex hubs with Sapim race spokes. As for tyres, there's a pair of Terrvails.

Thanks to its big tyres and plethora of mounts, this Rove looks ripe for big bikepacking adventures, and even the odd bit of singletrack.

www.spacycles.co.uk

Lifeline 37 Piece Tool Kit

£70

There's nothing like a decent toolkit and what Lifeline offers for the cash with its 37-piece toolkit looks awesome. Primed for the budding home mechanic, this toolkit is packed with almost everything anyone would need to fix most bike-based woes.

I won't go too deep into what's in this box but highlights include a pedal wrench, chain tool, chain whip and a solid range of Allen keys. Other neat features are a number of sockets along with cone wenches and even a puncture repair kit.

www.chainreactioncycles.com

Privateer E161

£6,000

The latest addition to Privateer's lineup is designed to act as a training tool for the brand's athletes. As such, it takes heavy inspiration from its 161 enduro bike. In fact, its geometry is identical to its analogue sibling which should mean that its ride character should translate fairly well to a bike that's packed with a motor and battery,

The drive system comes from Shimano with the latest EP801 motor that's paired with a 630Wh battery. Other than that, the bike remains remarkably similar to the 161, including the one-piece rocker link. Unlike other models in the range, this one gets internal cable routing for a tidy aesthetic and there's a rugged-looking anodised bash guard.

www.privateerbikes.com

Alpinestars Vector knee guards

£80

The Vector knee guard from Alpinestars has been designed with a close anatomical and compression fit, and it utilises Nucleon Flex Plus tech for its protective qualities which certifies it to EN 1621-1:2012 Level 1.

Around the pad is a ripstop material as well as PE foam and poly-mesh for breathability. As a bonus, there's thermoformed padding to offer a bit of extra protection.

www.alpinestars.com

Altura Esker Dune Men's Insulated Jacket

£155

Last but not least is another new addition to Altura. The Esker Dune Insulated Jacket is said to be a hybrid MTB jacket that uses recycled materials to provide vital insulation in key areas. Those areas include the arms, front and flanks which benefit from a combination of Pertex and Quantum Eco windproof outer fabrics and post-consumer P.E.T insulation.

Inside, there's a brushed softshell fabric and the arms are articulated for easy movement on the bike. There's also a DWR coating to keep spray at bay.

www.altura.co.uk

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.