We are still all about the winter hardtail here at off-road.cc, this week we have the new 2019 Nukeproof Scout in for test, alongside a budget full-susser from Vitus. There's also some gucci backpacking kit from Apidura, something to help you hike-a-bike and lightweight XC pedals from Look, dig in!

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Vitus Sommet 27

The Sommet is the 27.5” wheeled full suspension enduro bike in the Vitus range, it’s got 160mm of travel at the rear and 170mm up front. As you might know, here at off-road.cc we like to test bikes at the more budget end of the scale so have opted to test the base aluminium model in the Sommet range, a first look at the whole bike is here, or watch the video below. 

• www.vitusbikes.com

Nukeproof Scout 275 Sport

Another alloy hardtail is in for test, this time the Scout from Nukeproof. The 'Sport' model is a penny under a grand, fitted with a Rockshox Recon RL 140mm fork, Shimano Deore drivetrain and 2.6" Maxxis tyres. We are going to release a full first look of this bike tomorrow - stay tuned......

• www.nukeproof.com

Apidura Racing Series frame pack (2.4L) and seat pack (5L)

If you like your bikepacking to be light and fast (or just enjoy mega-distance riding), then Apidura's new lightweight Racing Series packs will be right up your street. They're made from Hexalon, which Apidura say was created especially for them and gives super low weight, durability and waterproofing and are designed to take the essentials with a minimum of weight, faff and drag.,

We've got the 2.4L frame pack which comes in at £90 and just 180g. Despite the low weight, the frame pack gets a hard former to ensure that it keeps its shape and it's also designed to allow easy access to your water bottle. There are two compartments to help organise stuff and both get proper waterproof zips with great big pull tabs for easy use in gloves.

The 5L seat pack is only 200g (but also £125) and as well as the usual lightweight buckles on the rail straps and rear closure plus a Velcro fastener to hold it around the post has loads of rear light attachment points on the back. The logos also get a reflective finish to increase visibility. Audaxing, here we come!

• www.apidura.com
   

Push Components Hookabike

Sometimes, there are places where riding alone can't get you, which is where the sweet, sweet joy of hike-a-bike comes in. Yup, in order to earn some rarified turns, you need to chuck the bike on your back and get stomping uphill, which can often get quite uncomfortable with all the stress positions your arms need to go in while being hit in the head with the pedals and bars and so on.

Happily, a (promised) saviour has arrived with this Hookabike (€ 49,99). You strap the backing plate onto the shoulder straps of your rucksack and also attach another strap with locating pin onto your bike's downtube, near the bottom bracket. Then all you need to do is hoik the bike so the tab catches in the receiver slot and then you can carry your bike on your back without needing any hands - and hopefully more comfortably too.  

• www.pushcomponents.com

Look X-Track Race Carbon pedals

While Look might be well known for their road pedals, these new pedals stuff all their technology into an SPD cleat compatible package for people who are already firm Shimano fans. Look claim that they've got the best 'power to weight ratio in the XC pedal category' on the market, which is defined, somewhat dubiously, as the weight to the pedal to shoe surface area. 

Still, the composite body and steel axle to add up to a weight of around 370g for the pair without cleats, which ain't bad for £95. They get adjustable release tension and Look's bearings are traditionally pretty solid too.

• www.lookcycle.com

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