All Arround MTB

Troy Lee Designs’ D3 helmet was once the preserve of pro riders and those with the fattest wallets, but the release of a new, more afordable version has brought that inimitable Californian styling and impressive protection within reach of the masses. Until this year,Troy Lee had retained their classic D2 as a budget alternative to the D3, but now that lid has gone in the cupboard and been replaced with the D3 Fiberlite. It’s got an identical shell shape to the topdrawer lid, so it doesn’t sacrifice any style, and it still meets the same safety standards too, but it pinches the pennies with a slightly heavier shell and no MIPS liner. At 1,158g (medium), it’s a mere 60g heavier than the equivalent size D3 Carbon despite being a full $300 cheaper – we reckon that’s pretty good value! Being a TLD product, there are several graphics options available. We’re big fans of this stealthy ‘Mono’ design, and less sure about some of the more in-yourface ‘Factory’ colourways. But hey, difere...

Troy Lee’s Skyline is one of those jerseys that you pull on and it feels instantly good. The slouchy fit isn’t baggy on the bike and there’s no weight or drag to it. For those who are interested in material provenance, the fabric is Bluesign certified. It’s lightweight and keeps you cool, and the open-mesh back panel allows heat to escape even faster. Taller riders will appreciate the extra-long body and sleeves – sleeves that also stay in place when pushed up (yes, it’s a small detail, but very annoying when it doesn’t work). There’s also a side pocket with lens wipe. The finish quality isn’t as high as on some jerseys here, suggesting that you’re paying a bit of a premium because TLD is a fashionable brand, but that doesn’t stop us from wanting to wear the Skyline very much. Price $90

These Troy Lee ‘elbow sleeves’ use a thin (4mm) section of flexible D3O padding to protect your elbow and most of your forearm from scuffs and scrapes. This is attached to a full-length sleeve, which stretches from your armpit to close to your wrist and has a breathable mesh panel at the back to stop things getting too clammy. In terms of comfort, there are few, if any, other pads that can touch the Speeds’ fit and feel. With no straps to worry about, security comes from the tight fit of the sleeve and the silicone gripper print on the inside of the upper opening. For the most part, this works. Only on particularly long, rough runs did we notice the top of the pads sliding down, though the sleeve kept the padding where it was needed. A good fit is critical with these pads, so try before buying – we ended up going a size smaller than usual. Price $75

When it comes to style, fit and feel, the Ruckus is a hard jersey to beat, though not everyone will be into the price. While we were a little dubious about the three-quarter-length sleeves initially, we like the fact that they can be rolled up and will actually stay put while riding. They’re also just about baggy enough to fit over low-profile elbow pads. There are two zipped pockets on the back, where you can stash a car key and some cash without issue. A phone will fit too, though the added weight made the jersey bounce around a bit too much for our liking. A decent-sized glasses wipe rounds things out nicely. Although the fabric is relatively thick, the Ruckus wicks sweat well enough for that not to be too much of an issue, though it does take a while to fully dry out. The plus side is that it’ll shrug off bramble snags without tearing to shreds. When it comes to understated good looks, it’s easily one of the nicest jerseys out there. Price $82

We loved the A1 when it came out, with most of our testers defaulting to it due to its unrivalled comfort and confidence-inspiring protection. Our one consistent gripe was its lack of ventilation. TLD have considerably improved this on the A2 by increasing the size of the vents by 25 per cent and reshaping the exhaust ports. They’ve also added EPP (for improved low-impact protection) to the dual-density EPS liner. This liner is noticeably thicker at locations where impacts are most likely to occur. Coverage is among the best in class, particularly around the temples, and TLD include MIPS in all A2 helmets as standard. The excellent fit of the A1 has almost been maintained, although there are fewer plush pads towards the sides of the helmet, which means there’s some lateral movement. Weight 350g Sizing XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL Price $210

Troy Lee’s first trail helmet, the A1, wasn’t only super-protective and comfy but rad looking too. Our only complaint was how sweaty it got on hotter days. The A2 boasts 25 per cent larger vents and improved internal channeling. But things don’t stop there – as well as having a brain-protecting MIPS layer, it uses a dual EPS (expanded polystyrene) and EPP (expanded polypropylene) liner that’s claimed to protect your head better from fast and slow-speed impacts. Some of the A1’s weight has been shed too, with our M/L lid weighing 375g . As you’d expect from TLD, it comes in a range of race-inspired finishes. Price $210

The fit, protection and styling of the A1 have made it a firm favourite in the MBUK office and now TLD have added the MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) to the helmet.

When summer rolls around, i invariably reach for TLD’s Ruckus shorts due to their light and comfortable feel. The two-way stretch shell is featherlight. While I haven’t torn or snagged the Ruckus yet, there are certainly more robust shells on the market. The cut on the Ruckus is damn near perfect. Some shorts feel right when you’re faffing about before the ride, but constrictive when you’re hunched up on the bike. The Ruckus is the opposite – these shorts are at their best when you’re pretzeled up on the saddle.

A good set of gloves go unnoticed – they grip well, don’t bunch up, and don’t restrict your movement. Plus – they keep your skin in place when they need to.

The popular sprint shorts from Troy Lee are designed with downhill racers in mind and in their latest guise offer a great mix of light weight (400g for the 34in pair tested) and durability thanks to their predominantly polyester based construction.

HELMET ARTIST AND GEAR GURU

SO GOOD The Sprints’ super-comfy upper provides a good balance of protection and venting, as well as looking great. The fit around the thumb and length in the fingers are spot-on too. The single-layer Clarino palm is comfy, hard wearing and thin enough to provide plenty of feedback from the handlebar. The conductive patch on the index finger doesn’t interfere with braking and makes using your phone less of a faff.

ONE OF THE most well received trail/enduro helmets to date, the Troy Lee Designs A1 was a lid many riders had been anxiously waiting for, for some time.

THE KNEE PADS that changed the way knee pads have looked for the past decade have had a redesign for 2014. While the originals were a step in the right direction 10 years ago, the new T-Bone IIs are even slimmer and more lightweight, making them ideal for wearing under race pants as well as with shorts.