Torque wrenches from M Part and Park Tool, Muc-Off's BAM and Kali's new Cascade
We've got 5 cool things and some of the best stories of the week
We're bringing the end of the week with another edition of Five Cool Things. This time round we've got even more sealant and torque wrenches to ensure the most thorough of group tests as well as a new helmet made of recycled ocean plastic and Muc-Off's instant puncture repair solution. That's not all, as we've got the best stories and reviews from the week, too.
- The best hip packs you can buy for MTB and gravel - tried, tested and reviewed
- The best mountain bikes you can buy for under £1,500 - full sus and hardtails
-
11 mountain bike things you think you need... But probably don't
The story that's got us really interested is Stu's Surly Ghost Grappler review. Why is it so exciting, I hear you ask? Well, it's a steel-framed gravel/adventure bike that's designed for comfort over long distances. Interestingly, it's been designed around the handlebar position. Scoring four stars, it's well worth a read.
Next up, Santa Cruz has shown off its latest Tallboy. This time, the Santa Cruz Tallboy 5 gets suspension upgrades and geometry tweaks, bringing it up to date with the rest of the range - and the women-specific version, Juliana Joplin has had the same updates.
Finally, Matt Page has reviewed the Voodoo Nakisi. It's a gravel bike offering a rather good spec with a price tag of just £650. While it has its niggles, it looks like a great budget friendly gravel bike.
Muc-Off B.A.M Instant Puncture Repair
£30 for 2
2022 muc off BAM 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Yet another product in Muc-Off's expanding tubeless range is B.A.M! It's basically a tubeless repair can with a nozzle that's compatible with both Schrader and Presta valves, and most tubeless sealants.
Pushing the B.A.M can onto your valve (after finding a puncture, of course), launches a spray of latex foam and air into your tyre or tube, promising to almost instantly repair punctures. Because it's also blasting air into your tyre, you'll also be able to roll away, claiming to fill a 29-inch tyre in under a minute.
Kali Protectives Cascade
£210
The Cascade is Kali Protective's freshest trail lid and it's a pretty exciting bit of kit. First off, it uses tech from RHEON Labs to provide extra protection against impacts by offering a soft layer that firms up progressively.
While Kali has focussed on protection as with all of the brand's products, the designers focused on the environmental impact of the helmet. As a result, Cascade is made using 50% recycled EPS foam and the padding is made of bamboo. Furthering the cause are the straps which are made from recycled water bottles and the visor is built from ocean plastic.
Park Tool PTD torque wrench
£50
2022 park tool p
Another entry into our big torque wrench test is Park Tool's PTD (or Preset Torque Driver). As its name suggests, it comes in three preset torque ratings from 4nm up to 6nm. Here we have the 5nm version on test and it comes with 3, 4, 5mm Allen bits as well as a T25 which are stored neatly in the tool's handle.
The tool's socket is magnetic so it'll hold onto the bits and it's made using an all-metal internal construction, so hopefully, it'll last a lifetime.
M Part Torque Wrench
£60
And yet another torque tool, but this time it's from M Part. This one's adjustable from 3nm up to 15nm which should see you through all of the bolts on most frames. It comes with 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10mm Allens and a T25. All of that comes in a smart box to keep it all well protected.
Finish Line FiberLink tyre sealant
£9 - £99
Last but not least is yet another addition to Matt's tyre sealant mega-test (we must have every sealant on the market by now so keep your eyes peeled for the group test and buyer's guide). This one is Finish Line's FiberLink and what makes it special is that it uses Kevlar fibres and natural latex to seal those holes. The latex is free flowing to help get to the puncture quickly and the brand says this one is ideal for race conditions.
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