Five Cool things from Abus, OnGuard, Maxxis, Magicshine and Kids Ride Shotgun
This week’s roundup features a full face lid, a Zip Lock with a big difference, new XC race rubber + some well priced shades and a cool piece of rope (yes, really) AND the top stories to hit the site in the last seven days
This week's five cool things sees a host of kit come through the office stretching from all corners of the mountain biking spectrum. Here, we'll take a dive into what ABUS's latest HiDrop helmet is all about while showing off Kids Ride Shotgun's MTB Tow Rope before they head off for testing. Also present are Maxxis' Severe cross-country tyres, glasses from none other than Magicshine, and easily carryable locks from OnGuard. Of course, we'll highlight the top stories of the week too.
- Bike check: Nino Schurter's Scott Spark
- What is the spirit of gravel biking?
- Five ways to tell your shock needs a service
It feels like May has flown by but it's coming to a close with a bang as Shimano finally brought its electronic wireless shifting to gravel, announcing GRX Di2 2x. Not only does the drivetrain bring near wire-free gears to non-assisted off-road cycling but it does so with gravel-specific designed levers and a front mech that's designed to play ball with the demands of gravel. Boosting the list of new releases is YT Industries' Jeffsy Uncaged 13 which is the first special build for the MK3 Jeffsy it nods strongly to the 90s, and even gets a one-off silver Renthal cockpit. Industry Nine unveiled its Grade 300 gravity and e-MTB wheels and Hunt made a move towards sustainability with its Sustain Phase One range, with wheels made from 75% recycled aluminium.
In other news, Giant joined Specialized and Trek in offering huge discounts and Scott teamed up with Cut Media to create a documentary series that goes behind the scenes of Nino Schurter's 2024 season. In the first episode, Never Quit, the series follows the GOAT through the first round of the 2024 World Cup in Brazil.
As for features, we took the deepest of dives into everything Fox forks with our fox suspension fork range guide. In this, we uncover all of the secrets behind Fox's very latest technologies to help you make the most informed purchase when dropping the cash on a brand new Fox fork. Speaking of buying advice, we've rounded up the best clipless MTB pedals we've tested as well as given our tips on how to buy the best pedals for you. We also glance at the coolest new summer cycling clothing from Gobik.
Our selection of reviews has been strong too. We kicked off the week with Stu's take on the Marin DSX FS gravel bike that truly blends everything we like about gravel and mountain bikes. Then, things get trouser-flavoured as we take a look at POC's Ardour All-Weather pants and Endura's MT500 Waterproof trousers II. So it's safe to say, there's plenty to get stuck into.
Magicshine Windbreaker glasses
£40
2024 magicshine windbreaker 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Yep, the brand behind some of the brightest lights on the market also makes glasses designed to limit the amount of natural light going into your eyes... Funny that. Regardless, with a price tag of £40, Magicshine's Windbreaker glasses have definitely piqued our interest.
Magicshine isn't doing things by halves either as these are equipped with the commonly used TR90 plastic frame that provides lightweight and durability, while the wraparound lens is sorted with a REVO coating, which apparently keeps the colour consistent when looking through the glasses while boosting clarity and contrast. It also gets an OAR coating that's responsible for the Windbreaker's anti-glare properties.
Other features come in the form of vents cut into the lens to combat fog, anti-slip temple tips, and an adjustable nose piece. So already, it looks like Magicshine is bringing the heat to better established glasses such as the Madison Crypto.
Kids Ride Shotgun MTB Tow Rope
£33
2024 kids ride shot gun tow rope.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Kids Ride Shotgun says that a tow rope is essential for any mountain biking family and this is its entry into the market. Although there are cheaper alternatives, this tow rope is designed to provide a super gentle pull, so thanks to its elasticity, it shouldn't be harsh to the towee when pulling away or under sudden bursts of power by the tow-er.
This tow rope looks set to make things easy too, as there's a stem-loop included, that wraps around the stem of whatever bike is being towed, and there's a second loop that hooks around the main bike's saddle.
Even though it's built for kids, we reckon it might help us non-assist MTBers make proper use of our e-biking mates thanks to the 225kg load rating.
ABUS HiDrop full face helmet
£180
2024 abus hidrop 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Since the launch of the Cliffhanger and AirDrop, it's been fairly quiet from ABUS on the mountain biking front until now as the brand has brought its new enduro and downhill helmet to the fray. Meeting EN1078, ASTM F1952, ASTM F2032, CPSC, and AS/NZ certifications, the HiDrop has been through tonnes of testing and has been used on the EWS circuit as well as the Crankworx World Tour and DH World Cup. A breakaway visor further boosts the helmet's protective qualities.
As for its construction, it's built with an ABS shell with a combination of EPS and EPP foams, both of which address slow and high-speed impacts. On top of that, ABUS says that it gets breathable cheek inserts, there's a double D-ring buckle and the helmet's designed to work with glasses as well as goggles. 14 vents, excluding a small cluster at the chin, handle airflow and All of those vents also benefit from bug meshes apart from the two that run down the sides of the chin guard.
As a bonus cool thing to feature in this roundup, ABUS's Buteo goggle wraps the HiDrop in the picture above. In its near-fluro Ifra Red colour, this goggle is designed to integrate with the HiDrop, the AirDrop and Cliffhanger, and focus on providing comfort with its eye protection. In this colour and lens, the Buteo will set you back £60.
OnGuard Zip Locks
£22
2024 onguard zip locks 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
At first, a small lock like OnGuards Zip Lock might not be of much use but while out on the bike, a lock even as small as this can make all the difference when it comes to bike security. We all like a quick mid-ride stop at the shop to refuel or a post-ride pub visit but it's during these pit stops that bikes are pinched all to often.
That's where OnGuard's Zip Lock steps in acting as both a deterrent and a method of slowing down a more determined bike thief. Coming in a pack of two for £22 or singularly for £13 the Zip Lock is small enough to be carried about and deployed as and when.
Although it may look like it, these locks are more than just lockable plastic zip ties as the plastic covers a stainless-steel core that's equipped with a three-digit combination lock. Of course, they can be used by themselves or daisy chained to double its 56cm length.
Maxxis Severe tyres
£65
2024 maxxis severe 5ct.jpg, by Liam Mercer
With last year's update to the Forekaster that graced it with a more aggressive tread pattern to better suit the demands of downcountry, the Severe steps up to take over the mud-cutting duties for cross-country racing. Designed for severe weather (clever, Maxxis, clever), the brand admits that this tyre isn't for everyday use but for when the trail is properly wet and muddy with its open but spikey tread being crafted to cut through slop.
This tyre uses the latest formula of Maxxis' MaxxSpeed rubber compound that employs silica, seen on the brand's motorcycle and road tyres, as a filler in the rubber that the brand says creates a compound that improves performance compared to the outgoing 3C MaxxSpeed. Maxxis goes on to say that racers can now have their cake and eat it, benefitting from lower rolling resistance with a boost in grip when it's wet.
Of course, the rubber compound isn't without its monstrously bold claims as the brand reckons that MaxxSpeed saves riders up to a minute over the course of a 90-minute race. Then, as for the carcass, the Severe uses a 120 TPI casing.
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