100% Ridefit gloves

Out of the three pairs of gloves that 100% sent for our consideration, the Ridefit was easily my favorite. It wasn’t difficult to knock the iTrack model out of the running because the factory decided not to finish them prior to sending them out.

Not only did the claimed touchscreen capability not work, but one of the seams blew out while I was trying the gloves on at my desk. Too bad–they had such promise. The Simi model showed promise, too, but had a bit more protection than I need in an everyday glove. The Ridefit was just what I was looking for–the materials are a perfect blend of lightness, breathability and resilience. Based on the iTrack experience, I wasn’t expecting construction to be very good, but it was actually top notch. All the seams are bomber, and the touchscreen fingers work reliably. The Ridefit, as the name suggests, fit so well that they seemed to disappear on my hands. These and the Giro Rivets have a lot in common. Both are minimalistic, but I like that the Ridefit doesn’t use mesh between the fingers. Also, those who prefer a Velcro cuff closure should check this glove out.

PRICE 27.50$

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

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Nukeproof Vector AM Comp Cro-Mo saddle

The Vector AM is pretty race focused, with minimal padding. There’s a deep (if narrow) pressurerelief channel to keep the blood flowing where it’s meant to. Used with bib shorts, we found it pretty comfortable for shorter rides and suffered no pain or discomfort in the central region. On steep climbs the slightly downturned nose provides a reasonable forward perch, while the svelte profile and smooth edges make it particularly unobtrusive when moving about on the descents. It’s quite stiff though, and can feel harsh on long rides or bumpy ground. We definitely wouldn’t want to spend much time on it without a chamois. It’s heavier than we’d expect for such a lightly padded perch too. There’s a lighter Pro version with titanium rails for $105, but at 241g it’s only 10g lighter. Weight 251g Price $67

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GT Zaskar Evolution

While some bike models last just a couple of years, others change with the times to stay at the top of riders’ wishlists. In the second part of this series looking at the evolution of bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders, we turn to the GT Zaskar – a bike that was at the forefront of our sport for a long time and still has plenty of appeal today.

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Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

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CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

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All Arround MTB

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