All Arround MTB

Scott’s house-brand dropper is a slightly crude but reliable and reasonably light option at a good price, but costs $20 more than the essentially identical Brand-X post. OK, some of the laser-etched markings are different and it’s got a slightly glossier finish, but mechanically the two posts and their remotes are identical. Even the boxes they come in are the same, apart from colour and printing. Obviously, that makes the Brand-X slightly better value, but the Syncros post is still a decent option compared to other droppers and a welcome sight on complete Scott bikes. The lever is rattly from new. There’s also a bit of saddle twist, but the twin-bolt clamp is secure and easy to use. The rattle doesn’t get any worse over time either, and reliability of this family of posts is better than that of most more expensive and complicated options.Weight is reasonable too, and it comes in the most popular stroke lengths and diameters. Weight 635g Stroke 120, 150mm Diameters 30.9, 31....

The Vernon 2.0 is one of the most well-thought-through pump designs we’ve seen, and the price is good too. The wide, three-pronged steel base gives good stability while you’re pumping and the hose is plenty long enough too. We’re big fans of the big, easy-to-read gauge that sits at the top of the pump’s barrel. Possibly the neatest feature, though, is the bleed button located at the base of the gauge. Its location makes it easy to keep tabs on your tyre pressure while you bleed air off. In action, the broad (255mm) handle is comfy enough (though the edge could be rounded off) and offers plenty of leverage for tackling tubeless tyres, which the Vernon will seat without too much fuss. The chuck will fit Presta or Schrader valves, though you do need to unscrew the end and flip the internals over to switch between the two. While we’ve had no issues with the chuck coming loose, it doesn’t connect to the valve as securely as on some pumps. As this is the high-volume model, it makes...

The almost flat, super-sleek Syncros XR1.0 SL has proven deceptively comfy on longer rides. Thanks to the shallow relief channel that runs along its centre, you don’t feel like you’re squishing your bits while pummelling the pedals during particularly long days in the saddle. There’s also enough give in the carbon base and the padding on top to prevent it feeling harsh when the trail gets bumpy. The microfabric cover doesn’t get overly slippery when wet but isn’t so tacky you’ll feel like you’re constantly catching your shorts either. Padding on the nose is sufficient rather than plentiful when you’re perched right forward on steep climbs but we were never there long enough for it to be an issue. Thanks to the lack of aggressive angles, we’ve had no short-snagging issues. At 167g it’s properly light but you’ll need to be a real weight weenie to stomach the price. Price $300

Many of us prefer to ride without a backpack, but that means having to ditch your tools or risk injury by stashing them in your pocket. Well, here’s a solution – a bottle cage that holds a pump, multi-tool and chain tool in a discreet box closed off from the elements. Despite its compact size, the multi-tool provides good leverage, with a moulded plastic handle and decentlength metal bits. It’s a shame there’s no 6mm Allen key though, which is one of the most commonly used sizes. The chain tool is a bit more awkward to use, with its tiny size not giving you much to hold onto when splitting stubborn links. We found the pump easy to operate, and the hidden flexible hose is a nice touch. While the high-volume version we tested does make punctures less painful, it’s 20cm long and looks a bit clunky on the bike. Syncros do other models of the cage with a smaller pump or no pump at all. The only real problem with the whole 335g package is that the toolbox raises the bottle up by 2cm...

UNUSUALLY, SYNCROS USE Torx T25 bolts throughout. These are less likely to round than conventional 4mm Allen bolts, but older/cheaper multi-tools sometimes lack the tool needed to adjust them. The recommended torque setting is a minimal 5Nm, which we found insufficient to stop the stem spinning on the steerer in our indoor tests.

Saddles are a vastly personal item, as shown by the wide array of shapes and sizes on offer. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Syncros have tackled this by offering two widths - a narrow 132mm version we've tested and a wider 143mm version.

In the trail riders’ checklist lies an important item, the multi-tool. Everyone who’s ridden the trails knows that there are but a few sets out there that are the perfect all in one multi tool. Syncros puts an end to your quest with the Match box 12.

THE MATCHBOX 12 from Syncros offers a dozen handy tools for trailside maintenance. There are 2-6mm Allen keys, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers. T10. T20 and T25Torx keys, and a snap-on 8mm Allen key bit. Its compact 60mm length still offers enough to grip on to when tackling tight bolts but will fit in small pockets in your pack without any fuss.

SO GOOD… The Syncros is one of the smaller pumps on test at 225mm long and it’s constructed from aluminium, which looks good and improves durability. The pump head has two exits, one for each valve type, which means no trailside fiddling if your riding buddy has different valves. Handily, the pump head retracts and clips into place to keep it out of the way.