We've been razzing hardtails this week after receiving tow new Vitus Sentiers ahead of the launch. Jon has been preparing to do an audax on the Ribble CGR he's got on test and we've generally been geeking out on new Specialized tyres, a huge Scott race day bag and humorously named Crankalicious cleaning products - enjoy!

• First Look - Vitus Sentier VRS and VR 29
• Review - Halo Vortex 27.5" wheelset
   

Ribble CGR

Lancashire-based Ribble have sent us over this £1,299 CGR AL Shimano 105 CGR, which If you hadn't twigged, the name stands for Cross, Gravel and Road, as it's designed to be a bike which can happily turn it's hand to all three, plus being peppered in mounts for racks and so on if you want to do the other C, namely commuting. The full first look at the bike is here. 

• £1,299
• www.ribblecycles.co.uk
   

2019 Vitus Sentier VRS and VR 29

Vitus have just launched their range of 2019 bikes including spec updates for the Sentier line of bikes. We were lucky enough to get our hands on two of the new hardtails before the launch, the Sentier VR 29 and the Sentier VRS and took a first look at them here or check out the video below. 

Vitus Sentier VRS 

Vitus Sentier VR29 

• VRS - £1399.99
• VR29 - £999.99
• www.vitusbikes.co.uk
   

Specialized Eliminator Tyre

Dubbed as the tyre for dry and loose conditions, the Eliminator sits between the brands Butcher and Hillbilly tyres. Where the Butcher is a good allround tyre (Spesh say its forte is harder compacted ground) and the Hillbilly is for wet and muddy conditions there left a gap in the lineup. So steps in the Eliminator, a tyre said to work best when the ground is loose (wet or dry). The beefed up side knobs are supplemented by inner knobs for a more predictable transition and better control in turns and centre knobs designed, in conjunction with the Gripton compound to help the tyre roll. We've got some 27.5" and 29er tyres in for test in a variety of GRID and BLCK DMND casings - let the fun begin!

• GRID - £40 to £45
• BLCK DMND - £50 to £55
• www.specialized.com
   

Scott RC 60 Raceday Bag

In short, this is one bag for all your race needs. It's got pockets and compartments for everything from shoes to tools to your business cards! We challenge you not to loose anything inside it!

• £159.99
• www.scott-sports.com

Crankalicious MTB cleaning kit

Bike care kit from a team of people with a history in making car cleaning products, Crankalicious produce some interestingly named goods. Limon Velo is a degreaser, Pineapple Express is the bike cleaner and Gumchained Remedy is a chain cleaner to name but a few! This MTB kit holds £92's of products for £75, bargain. 

• £75
• www.crankalicious.com
   

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