5 cool things from Amplifi, Cateye, Blackburn and Topeak
The nights are drawing in, the lights are coming out
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We've noticed the nights drawing closer here of Off-road.cc HQ so we've got an early start getting some lights in for testing. As you all probably know, that's not all because we've also got some pads from Amplifi, bars from Bontrager, and a tool from Topeak. Dive in, here's a glance at the cool kit that's come in this week.
- The best hip packs you can buy for MTB and gravel - tried, tested and reviewed
- Five reasons why you should have a hardtail
- Trail essentials - all the kit you need to take on a mountain bike ride
Amplifi Havok Knee Zip
£90
Amplifi's Havok Knee Zip knee guards combine a SAS-TEC Level 2 protection with an abrasion-resistant kevlar fabric. They're promised to be comfy thanks to flatlock steams and specially designed air circulation. There's also a super stretchy velcro strap and non-slip hems. Oh, of course, and there's a zip at the rear to make putting the pads on and off super easy, even with your shoes on.
- amplifisports.com
- The best knee pads you can buy for mountain biking - tried and tested protection for trail and enduro riding
Topeak Ninja Master+ Toolbox T11 and Ninja Master Cage SK+
£13 - £50
Riding without a pack is still gaining a lot of momentum and making the move even easier is Topeak with the Ninja Master+ and toolbox system. It allows multitools to be carried on your bike either by using frame mounds, or it can be attached to a range of Topeak's bottle cages.
To put this to the test, we've got the Toolbox Tubi 11 and Ninja Master Cage SK+. The former, as its name suggests, comes with 11 tools including everything you need to repair any punctures in your tubeless tyre. All of that is housed in a weatherproof box.
The Ninja Master Cage SK+ is a side-loading bottle cage that's made to keep your bottle safe even down the roughest terrain. It's also designed especially for full suspension bike frames that are short on space. If carrying a multitool isn't your thing, it's also capable of carrying Topeak's CO2 inflator kit or a spare innertube.
CatEye Ampp 1100 and Ampp 800 combo set
£160
The Ampp 1100 and Ampp 800 combo from CatEye sorts out all of your off-road lighting needs in one neat package. You've got the more powerful Ampp 1100 for your bars and the Ampp 800 to plonk on top of your helmet to pick out trail objects in your direct line of sight.
Both lights get CatEye's Opticube lens which spreads light wide across the trail, a large capacity, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a three-level battery indicator, a memory mode function, and five light modes.
They also promise an approximate three hour charge time from flat to full.
- cateyecycling.co.uk
- Everything you need to know about mountain bike and gravel night riding lights setup: head vs bars, battery life, lumen counts and more
Blackburn Countdown 1600 front light
£140
The Blackburn Countdown offers 1600 lumens of off-road power with an easy-to-read backlit display that tells you exactly how many minutes of light you've got left. In low mode, it's said that it can run for a full eight hours and it's rechargeable using a micro USB.
Bontrager GR Elite Adventure Fit Road handlebar
£60
We'll forgive you for thinking that this is a road handlebar. I mean it does have 'road' in the name but it's definitely a gravel bar through and through. That's because of its 13° flare and shorter, 75mm, reach which is supposed to offer more comfort and control especially when in the drops.
It also comes with a set of replaceable IsoZone EVA pads for an extra bit of comfort while maintaining the bar's original grip diameter. A final neat touch is laser etched brake lever position lines that'll help you get the perfect brake setup.
- trekbikes.com
- 7 of the widest gravel bike handlebars you can buy: broad bars for bikepackers and gravel grinders
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