Fresh Goods Friday 653

That's right, The Mascara Snake, fast and bulbous. Bulbous also tapered? That's right. Certainly when it comes to carbon enduro bikes at least. Confused? You’re excused. But not before you’ve cried a tin teardrop over this week's rather large collection of Fresh Goods.

Will this fifth generation bike take you into the fifth dimension of mountain biking? Quite possibly. One thing's for sure, it sure is a handsome steed in this Teal livery and Cane Creek dampers ("dampers" is what we deluded bike journos have ended up calling a bike's bouncy bits. I know. Jesus Christ.). This bike was officially launched today at 7am but we’ve had one for the past week or so. 125mm rear travel, 130mm forked downcountry ‘n’ western superstar DJ. Or summink. Hey, go read our Cotic FlareMAX Gen 5 – First Looks ‘N’ Feels article if you want some actual sense.

Designed for "adventurous souls" and "perfected in the picturesque landscapes of West Sussex, UK". The E-Adventure Rambler Edition (free red socks with every purchase?) features the Fazua Ride 50 motor and battery system in an alloy gravel-centric frameset. Wide range 13-speed Campagnolo (there's a name you don't see often in FGF) Ekar drivetrain. Low-slung, suspension-ready frameset. Plenty of versatile rack mounts ready to be filled up for a day at the office (boo) or a weekend away backpacking (yay). For a limited time only, Cairn Cycles is offering Singletrack World subscribers an exclusive £300 discount on this lightweight adventure e-bike. Get yourself signed up to the weekly newsletter to find out the code. It's got all sorts of other good stuff in too, like drawings by Amanda, and words by Hannah, so you should sign up anyway.

This race season, Hannah wants/needs a full-bore enduro race bike. And what brand do you think of when you think of Enduro World Series? Why, Yeti of course. It's fair to say that Yeti has gone all-in on enduro racing. It doesn't really do much other types of pushbike racing in fact. Sure, it's probably going to launch Mr Rude into a round or two of the Downhill World Series this year, but it's enduro that seems to be Yeti racing raison d’etre. And with Bex Baraona and Richie Rude piloting their Yeti rigs to EWS podium after EWS podium, it's clear that the Yeti 160 sure has the capability.

Hannah says…erm… I fear pressure is being heaped upon me and expectation is weighing me down. I had some vague race season and summer road trip plans. And then my car died and I can't go anywhere. So I shall probably spend most of my time just riding local laps and trying to keep up with my much radder and faster than me new husband. But once/if I sort the vehicle wheels issue, look out world. Enduro Hannah is coming. Possibly. Maybe. If you wear all the gear but don't go fast, is it an enduropootle?

Charlie says: "Fed up with sketchy shifting from my NX mech, I overreacted, and replaced it with electronic shifting from SRAM. It turns out a slightly bent mech hanger was the issue. Installation was a breeze. However, downloading new firmware for a mech feels very odd. Performance is wonderous. Benji loves it too and wrote about it here.

"It's an impressive kit, partly because you get a coaster for your brew, and a neat multi tool. The solo shifter mount was very welcome as the shifter is a little bulky, and when mounted on the brake lever I had little room for my big hands."

Lightweight shell fabric. Pre-curved knees for excellent pedaling – or typing-at-desk – performance. 360° stretch fitDirt, water and stain resistant fabric coating. Ripstop 3-layer laminated seat panel. Hip, thigh and rear pocketsBack gripper to prevent seat drop. Multi-row reinforced stitching. In this rather fetching John Major grey.

4-way stretchy ‘HydraDri MAX’ fabric. Pre-curved riding fit. Space for knee pads. Ankle cinch adjustment. Dirt, water and stain resistant fabric coating. Multi-row reinforced stitching. Inner thigh vents. Hip pockets. Rear waist pocket. Thigh cargo pocket with silicone gripper (just call it a ‘phone pocket’ m’kay?) Just in time for the inevitable Half Holiday Weather Downturn.

I don't know if Leatt call this colour scheme ‘West Yorkshire Conurbation Camo’ but they should do. You can have that for nowt. Anyway… some features that look Actually Good: 30.000mm waterproof /30.000g/m² breathability, ClimbVent connector for pedaling with the jacket open, Chin fold design, three-point adjustable hood with stiffened peak fits over full-face helmets and – last but not least- a seat gripper to reduce ‘jacket rise’.

When is a T-shirt not a T-shirt? When it's got ‘2.0’ written at the end of it, that's when. This not-a-tee is made from something called TENCEL which is a "high-performance comfort material". Stretch fit for riding with body armor. Collar design for use with a neck brace. Microfiber eyewear wipe and pocket.

New compound sole. Improved tear, puncture and abrasion resistance. Revised WaffleGrip Pro sole pattern for improved grip with short pins. Compression laces for a tight riding fit that should not come loose when riding. Anti-compression midsole for comfort. Active Carbon insole moisture wicking, quick dry, anti-bacteria, anti-stink material for comfort and hygiene. Stealth heel protection and external molded TPU toe protection. Anti-heel lift grip design.

Dial-up ‘MOZ’ cable lacing fit system on top of the shoe. Same revised compound, sole tread and features as the shoe above. Synthetic leather-like shoe upper. Neoprene ankle collar. We’re always on the lookout for a flat pedal shoe that doesn't use laces… that is also an actually good riding shoe. We can't wait to give these a spin out.

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A lightweight trail shoe. The ATOP lace system. The RideGrip sole compound with a WaffleGrip pattern. This clipless shoe features a relatively long cleat channel (move the cleat forwards for "power orientated ride", or further back for "more aggressive gravity riding"). The breathable membrane is intended for Spring-to-Autumn riding conditions. The shoe is generally reinforced in key areas to improve protection and extended product life.

In case anyone in the office is looking for these beautiful gloves, I (Benji) have stolen them. And I don't even wear gloves. Well, I do sometimes. So I’m having ’em. They’re clearly too big for Hannah here anyway. I tried them on and they fit like… you know what. If anyone else with size Large hands wants them. Er. I’ve lost them?

Amanda went on holiday to Scotland and brought back this traditional souvenir of olives for Hannah's American partner. We are doing our best to keep him really confused about our odd European customs and traditions. On a related-ish note: if you haven't watched Ted Lasso, you should. It will make you laugh and you will feel warm and fuzzy and happy about the world.

While we all eagerly await the HebtroCo/TJagain makeover, here at ST Towers we have hardware from the trouser boys. This knife is made in Sheffield and is 6 inches long. You don't need to be a chef to use it. But it is sharp, so you do need to be careful. It comes with a first free sharpening from Community Cutlery knife sharpeners in Ilkley, so you should be able to keep slicing tomatoes nice an easily for the foreseeable future. The handle is made from yew, the blade is made from steel – apparently a fine grained steel originally designed for razor blades. Hannah likes cooking, and chopping. She hates washing up. You shouldn't put this knife in the dishwasher. Luckily, she is getting married. Her 12 year old is unimpressed that it comes from Sheffield. ‘What's so special about Sheffield?’ he says. But he is impressed with its slicing abilities.

Fire in the hole! Put sticks in the bottom section, fill the upper container with water, and wait for the fire to turn your cold water hot. The container is like a Kelly Kettle big donut kettle/chimney, with the fire – and smoke – actually going up the middle, so you’re heating your water all the way through rather than just from the bottom. Made of spun aluminium in the UK, it comes with a bag so you can carry it with you on your travels. Instructions (lifted straight from the HebTroCo site) are: Place vent hole towards the wind. Fire and hot water will burn. It will boil water in 6-8 minutes providing fuelling is good and a light breeze (you can also blow yourself or get a friend too).

Great protection for little rippers, this helmet has an EPS shell and extends both low down the back of the head, and forward onto the temple. It has a height adjustment system inside, padded lining on the forehead for comfort and a secure fit, and good breathability. Teddy is over the moon with it, after many deliberations about what it colour to get!

A removable chin bar and a detachable peak are just two great features on this kids helmet. It has 9 vents, an adjustable fit, removable and washable padding, fly nets and large reflectors for visibility. It is only available in one colour and size – black, 48-55cm.

Charlie says: "Anything goes when you are bikepacking. We are all familiar with how fruit and meat can be a great partnership: pork and apple, turkey and cranberry… that sort of thing. Now you can enjoy the pleasure of fruity meat out on the trail. Simply wrap a jelly baby in a slice of chorizo and you are there. I didn't really need to give you the recipe did I.

"This may sound very odd and appear to be a food perversion… but I can assure you it is really bloody nice. Also, don't forget, fat and sugar are the super foods of the bikepacking world."

Charlie says: "18 great multi-day mountain bike adventures. Each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, including points of interest along the route, swimming spots, food recommendations and accommodation options, in addition to stunning photography and overview mapping. Downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available, including optional routes and shortcuts. This book is full of practical tips and essential advice for both experienced bikepackers and those who want to try it out for the first time."

Phoning this one in from his Las Vegas tombstone, franksinatra proves he's one of life's winners even in death with this all-too-familiar call-to-inaction…

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It's a shame the boa on the clip version of the shoes is not on the top like the flat version as that looks like a really sensible place to put it

are the long zips on the front of the Leatt jack for ventilation? Or are they mahooooooosive pockets?! 😛

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Two things:

Thing one: Some mountain bikes! Excellent

Thing two: Please stop (underlined twice for effect) telling me how great AXS is OK, just stop. You’re not helping. At all.

AXS really is rather good though.

Thing two: Please stop (underlined twice for effect) telling me how great AXS is OK, just stop. You’re not helping. At all.

I find the "singlespeed versus dropper" thread refreshing when I start having such thoughts

That Cotic does indeed look purdy… This is the bike I would like to find £5k to buy. And then ride the heck out of it.

Leatt Shoe 6.0 Clip

Yes, I like this. A simple and understated trail shoe. But at £159….ouch.

Yorkshire conurbation camouflage

Needs more recognition.

Is that really a £175 knife ? fooooook me…

fooooook me…

Fillet you?

Is that really a £175 knife ? fooooook me…

Got to pay for them to take all the stuff they sell to the post office by ebike somehow :⁠-⁠)

I had a look at some of their jeans the other day. £165. Wtf!

That's more than I’ve spent on trousers in many a year!

Excellent nutrition updates this week.

Is that really a £175 knife ? fooooook me…

It's a bit special. (I mean, it’d better be eh?)https://hebtro.co/product/sheffield-chef-knife/

I had a look at some of their jeans the other day. £165. Wtf!

That's more than I’ve spent on trousers in many a year!

Must have been a while ago. We have some £225 ones now.

925 Regenagri Selvedge Denim Jeans / Indigo

Yes, I like this. A simple and understated trail shoe. But at £159….ouch

Agreed, the good news is if you give Leatt stuff 2 or 3 months it will be on sale and a reasonable price.

That said, I wouldn't buy another set of Leatt shoes, I had one of the older models and they were so rigid and uncomfortable that I binned them after a few months.

Great colour choice on the helmet Teddy. I’d wear that!

Yes, I like this. A simple and understated trail shoe. But at £159….ouch

£112 at Wiggle/CRC. And even at £159 they aren't particularly pricey for a BOA/BOA equivalent equipped shoe.

£175 knife and you stick into soil (lots of small bits of stone)!!

£175 knife and you stick into soil (lots of small bits of stone)!!

Looks like Gav will be needed sooner than we expected.https://www.communitycutlery.co.uk(great shop)

£175 knife and you stick into soil (lots of small bits of stone)!!

I came to the comments to find this post. Someone spent ages sharpening that knife, and then it's poked into soil😬😬😬😬

Should have gone to Aldi. 😁😁😁😁😁

I’m not sure I like that Yeti. The frame around the BB just looks far too complicated and weird. I mean, yeah, it tucks the shock out of the way, but UK mud gets everywhere.

Can I just say: it wasn't me!Also, I don't think it's done it any harm. It is still very sharp. It is currently being put to use in my house where almost everything is cooked from scratch, so there is a lot of chopping. And not onto a glass chopping board, I might add. I am not one of those people.

It's a shame the boa on the clip version of the shoes is not on the top like the flat version as that looks like a really sensible place to put it

Why does it look sensible?

I’m not sure it's less sensible than the side but it looks like once tightened it would bloody uncomfortable to me, like too big a knot in tight laces.

Because its much more out of the way and less likely to clip something. I don't think I’ve ever hit the top of my foot but I’ve certainly hit the sides.

£165. Wtf!

Economies of scale, and paying for a higher quality/independent brand's product. Not that I own any, but given those mtb trousers are 200 quid, I don't think they are ludicrously priced. I would imagine they age much, much, better than generic jeans.

I do regret not trying some on a few years back when I briefly met Brant in a bar in Hebden Bridge.

Hydradri 5.0 pants are the best lightweight waterproof pants I have ever worn, but the price quoted is ridiculous, I paid £141 at Wiggle.

weeksyFull Member

Is that really a £175 knife ? fooooook me…

You could buy an On One for that!

Because its much more out of the way and less likely to clip something. I don't think I’ve ever hit the top of my foot but I’ve certainly hit the sides.

Maybe I should rephrase – are you worried they’re delicate?

Having belted my foot whilst wearing boa shoes on plenty of occasions I can categorically say I’ve broken infinitely greater multiples of bones in my foot than boas attached to my shoes.I’ve read plenty of "oh but it might catch" but never once heard of anyone who has actually had the problem, even with the crappy northwave not-a-boa.I’d wager if anyone hit a shoe hard enough to break the boa they’re not riding off the hill regardless.

Is that really a £175 knife ? fooooook me…

That's kind of midrange when it comes to good knives

Fettle in your shed, restore that old car or sweep out your barn in the 925 Jeans. Or just wear them for their looks.

Yes, that's what I’d do with 225 quid jeans!

The jeans of choice for the discerning middle-class hipster socialist.

The jeans of choice for the discerning middle-class hipster socialist.

Love it. Better content generation than ChatGPT here.

Leatt nicey but pricey, look forward to the flatty shoes reviews. Cotic brake mount is a bit of an odd one.

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