Topeak goodies, Ergon's all-road saddle, scientific bike protection from Gtechniq and Granite Design tool bags
With this week's top stories
The cycling industry is back in full swing what with the recent running of local trade shows such as Core Bike and Ice Bike. Sea Otter and Eurobike are nearly upon us, too, so you can just imagine how busy things are getting for us at off.road.cc - but we're not complaining. This week's Five Cool Things covers a broad mix of gear ranging from bike cleaners and saddles to some very neat pumps, multi-tools and tool carriers. There's a lot to get through!
- Best MTB grips - option to improve your comfort and handling
- 27.5 vs. 29-inch wheels - understanding the differences
- Mountain biking on a budget - everything you need to know
As has become the tradition, we like to kick things off with some of the news highlights and feature recaps from the week. The biggest news story of the week has to be from Canyon and its 90s Grizl CF SL 7 Throwback - it gets all the latest tech but features nostalgic touches, such as the brushed aluminium DT Swiss wheels. Keeping with the gravel theme, Specialized unveiled the all-new S-Works Recon and Recon ADV shoes. Other news stories include YT Industries' update on the Capra Core 3's specification list and Liv and Giant's new electric mountain bike models.
On the buyer's guide and reviews front, we published the best MTB pumps and CO2 inflators, wrapped up our thoughts on the Endura MT500 Freezing Point trousers and took a deep dive into Lazer's new Coyote KinetiCore helmet.
Topeak Mountain Digital 2Stage hand pump
£95
2023 topeak mountain digital 2 stage 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
This handy pump from Topeak features an innovative two-stage pressure selector so guessing the right pressure is now a thing of the past. It doubles up as both a suspension fork/shock and mountain bike tyre inflator thanks to the high-pressure/high-volume selector switch.
The digital gauge is clear and easy to read and the pump can measure accurate readings of up to a whopping 300 psi (20.7bar). Furthermore, the 'Pressure-Rite connector makes it easy to switch between Schrader and Presta valves while the flexible hose is claimed to take unnecessary stress off valve stems during pumping.
Gtechniq Ultimate Bike Care Kit
£140
2023 gtechniq stuff 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The Gtechniq Ultimate Bike Care Kit comprises everything from bike washes, cleaners and degreasers to microfibre cloths, towels and even a detail cleaning brush - just like you'd find in a car detailing kit. Gtechniq's party trick here, however, is the ‘Bike Ceramic’ treatment.
According to the company, ceramic coatings help with hydrophobic properties - which essentially prevent water and dirt from sticking to the treated surface. Then, because hydrophobic surfaces encourage water to bead when you finally get around to giving your pride and glory a good spray down, the muck just washes off quickly and easily.
Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle
£130
2023 ergon sr all road saddle 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The Ergon SR All Road Core saddle comes in two widths: medium/large (152mm) and small/medium (139mm). The Comp version pictured here is not the fanciest model in the range but it's still fairly light as far as saddles go. In terms of the specifications, the saddle uses an orthopaedic AirCell seat foam with a microfibre cover which is fixed to a nylon composite shell with chromoly rails - according to Ergon it weighs 275g in this specific guise.
It can be used for both on- and off-road riding and the Core HD technology is said to alleviate numbness in the perineal area and supply ergonomic comfort not to mention ironing out road vibrations and gravel chatter. We'll be putting it to the test in the coming weeks and months to see whether or not it lives up to those claims.
Granite Design Quiver Tool Roll
£35
2023 granite design quiver tool roll 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Granite Design's Quiver Tool roll is a roll-up tool bag that represents an evolution of the humble saddle bag. As a result, the Quiver will accommodate extra tools, CO2 canisters, and even a spare tube. It comprises three separate storage pockets, allowing you to organise things neatly and intuitively.
The Quiver rolls up simply by way of a Boa-like ratchet dial. It positions neatly under the saddle and thanks to its splash-free fabric, it keeps the contents clean and won't abrasively wear away parts of your saddle. An added bonus is the fact that it's also dropper-post friendly.
Topeak Ninja Master+ Toolbox PT30
£65
2023 topeak pt30 ninja.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The Topeak PT30 is massively functional and locks away in the Ninja Master+ Toolbox, which provides myriad bike-mounting options. The full list of tools includes hex keys, Torx wrenches, a chain tool, tyre reamer, disc insertion spacer, and more. The housing is made from chrome vanadium steel and is durable and robust while the tool body material is a softer forged aluminium.
It weighs in at 169g (an extra 55g for the toolbox) so it will add some excess grams to your bike but when considering all it does and how it could potentially save you from the walk of shame, it's grammage worth adding.
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