Skip to main content

Nukeproof Horizon Race grips


Nukeproof’s Horizon grips come in two compounds. The Endurance versions are made from firmer, harder-wearing rubber, while the softer Race grips we tested offer that bit better damping but are likely to wear faster – though ours are still holding up well after a month of use. They’re made from 15-durometer rubber and use a multi-directional pattern that adds comfort over the rough stuff and gives plenty of purchase when pulling up on the bar. The tapered shape (31.5-33mm) won’t suit everyone though. Twin lock-on collars hold them in place and the integrated end caps do a good job of protecting you from the end of your bar. You’ll need to fiddle around when clamping them on though, to prevent the end caps from rattling. We’re big fans of the inner flange, which is cut away on the underside to ensure plenty of clearance for your controls.

Price $30

Popular posts from this blog

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.

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.

SKS Airbuster CO2 inflator

The alloy Airbuster has a large knob so you can regulate the flow of gas, a mechanical stop to prevent the cartridge being pierced in transit and a dust cap to keep the valve free of debris. While it works with Presta and Schrader valves, switching between them requires a fiddly change of the valve head. The thin rubber sleeve doesn’t provide much protection from cold spent canisters. You can’t insert much of the valve into the inflator head, so you have to be careful to avoid leaks. Price $33 w/16g cartridge

Merida Big Nine 100

Wit the bikes swapped over, we head out on the same loop again, this time on the 29in Big Nine 100. Whereas the Big Seven was snappy off the line, the 29er takes a couple more pedal strokes to get up to speed. That said, once it's up there, it's easy to keep the big wheels rolling, allowing us to cover ground with ease. The fire road is at times a little rough, and the bigger wheels roll over the imperfections so we barely notice them.

Anthony Messere’s Morpheus Vimana Slope

A flying chariot built with one thing in mind – slopestyle domination