Fox Demo DH shorts

For shorts that bill themselves as downhill fare, the Fox Demo DHs feel surprisingly light and airy, but make no mistake – the 600-denier shell is tougher than it looks. Fox makes a big deal about the Demo’s ‘freedom of movement’ and there’s truth in advertising here–the shell has a light feel and a nice degree of stretch to it. Sure, you can wear these things at the bike park, but they’re just as ideal for allday pedals in the backcountry. The Demos sport a fairly long inseam (14 inches), so they completely cover kneepads and prevent the dreaded gorby gap.

When it comes to tweaking the fit, the Demo relies primarily on a front ratcheting closure, which, while very secure, doesn’t offer quite as much adjustment as some of the Velcro waist adjusters on other shorts. There are also no belt loops to take up extra slack. Consequently, you need to be a bit more precise with your choice of short size when shopping for these. Lastly, at this price it’s a bit odd that the Demos don’t come with a chamois.

Price 110$

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

READ MORE >>

DRC X-Monitor SP1 lap timer

While smartphone apps such as Strava can be a useful way to keep tabs on your mountain bike rides, sometimes you just can’t beat the simplicity and instant feedback that a good old-fashioned stopwatch style lap timer provides.

READ MORE >>

Scott Scale 950

The Scale 950 uses the now traditional-for-cross-country 29er wheels to excellent effect, with a fast but fun character that's happy racing or railing.

READ MORE >>

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.

READ MORE >>

Formula CR3 brakes

The CR3 features a cartridge-type master, which improves power and modulation, plus it is super simple to service: The self-enclosed unit threads directly into the lever body. I took apart our test set and had it back together and bled in 10 minutes with no special tools. Like Formula’s RO brakes, the caliper pistons are actually oval, making more surface area–and thus, more power–than round pistons, but simpler than a four-piston system. The CR3 is best suited for aggressive trail riding.

READ MORE >>

All Arround MTB

Search This Blog