Hotstuff: what we’re enthusiastic about this month

SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission

Again within the spring, SRAM XX Eagle AXS T-Kind transmission was launched. It eradicated the necessity for a mech hanger and bolted straight to the body, launched unparalleled energy and superior alignment, and shifted higher than anything on the market. It additionally value £1,800 for the groupset, so that you most likely didn’t race to the bike store to order one up. Likelihood is it’ll function on full bikes solely somewhat than being a go-to improve.

Inevitably there’s now a GX model, it’s two thirds the worth of the XX launch version however nonetheless carries the identical performance. Sure £1,180 for a groupset remains to be out of this world for many of us, however in order for you one of the best it’s a extra palatable worth. (Hey, that is known as Most Wished in any case, not Most Sensible!)

That performance then revolves (pun supposed) across the Common Derailleur Hanger, or extra precisely, the place the UDH normally sits. GX Transmission does away with this once-crucial a part of a motorcycle and bolts straight onto the body, sandwiching it like a clevis joint. SRAM says this implies it’s simpler to arrange, with no restrict screws to regulate, and proves far more sturdy if you happen to clonk it right into a rock. It’ll shift higher for longer then, is the declare, and certainly we discovered that to be true when testing the XX model.

You’ll be able to learn concerning the benefits to Transmission in our evaluation then, so we gained’t go into the small print right here. What’s fascinating is the distinction between GX and XX – not lots, in brief. The GX cassette isn’t as gentle as the highest finish XX or XO as a result of it doesn’t use the X-Dome design, basically a once-piece cassette milled from a single piece of steel (excepting the most important sprockets). As a substitute, with GX you get SRAM’s Pindome design for gears 1-8, and a single piece mini cluster for 9-12, all stamped and pinned collectively within the ordinary method. The mech is totally different too, crucially there’s no Magic Wheel discovered on the XX groupset, a function that lets the decrease pulley wheel rotate even when a stick pokes by means of the holes.

GX Transmission takes AXS one step additional ahead, it’s appropriate with the remainder of the T-type elements (XX and XO) so that you would possibly begin to see it cropping up on new bikes in a combination and match method. Any body with a UDH can run the brand new drivetrain too, and after 5 years of affected person work by SRAM there are many bikes on the market with the usual. It’s removed from a price range groupset although, so that you would possibly want a modest lottery win to improve.

Bosch Efficiency Line SX motor

It needed to occur ultimately – Bosch has lastly entered the ‘light-weight’ world with the brand new Efficiency Line SX system. The brand new motor appears acquainted to us, like a shrunken Efficiency CX unit with a magnesium casing and two-bolt mount. Weight is an affordable 2kg – not the lightest available on the market, however nonetheless aggressive with the 1.95kg Fazua and Specialised SL 1.2. It’s the output the place it actually shines although, pumping out a powerful 600w of peak energy, making it on par with most full fats choices and method forward of its light-weight rivals. At 55Nm, peak torque is extra in step with expectations, that means it gained’t be capable to crawl up close to vertical pitches like a full fats.

Offering that energy is a brand new 400Wh inner battery backed up by an elective 250Wh vary extender. This offers it the most important potential capability of all of the light-weight items. With a battery weight of 2kg, you’re a 4kg system – 3kg lighter than Efficiency CX – and full bike weights within the sub-20kg vary.

Working the acquainted modes – Eco, Tour+, eMTB, and Turbo – is the prevailing wi-fi mini-remote and prime tube mounted System Controller. The latter makes use of a sequence of colored LEDs displaying the present energy mode and remaining battery cost.

Friction inside the motor has been diminished by a claimed 50% over the Efficiency CX, and the Q-factor is 15mm narrower to advertise extra environment friendly pedalling. That’s an essential level as a result of the Efficiency SX provides probably the most help at excessive cadences.

Bosch hasn’t uncared for the small print too, it’s appropriate with the Good System and that lets you tune motor traits within the Bosch Circulation app, in addition to giving detailed info on battery standing, security measures and in-ride navigation.

A quick trip revealed a motor that’s highly effective sufficient to maintain up with full fats e-bikes and a technical climbing prowess that mirrors Bosch’s Efficiency CX, even all the way down to the prolonged overrun that permits you to ratchet up rocky pitches with out clipping pedals. The most important query mark remaining is vary, will all that energy burn by means of the 400Wh battery earlier than you’ve acquired sufficient driving in? We’ll let you understand as soon as we’ve had extra time on the system.

Nukeproof Blackline Ridewear

Nukeproof’s premium clothes vary known as the Blackline assortment, it’s made with technical materials, is lower for mountain bikes and it’s right here as Most Wished as a result of the jerseys, pants and shorts are available a riot of colors. Extra importantly, development is now Bluesign Authorized too, which implies it’s met strict environmental and security requirements: Meaning the entire provide chain is required to be made with minimal impression on the atmosphere, use much less water, emit fewer emissions and deal with employers decently.

Prime of the pile is the Blackline Path pants, it’s made out of 4-way stretch material and options laser lower air flow holes, a DWR coating to maintain the showers off, YKK zips, D-loops in your keys and a slim match with room in your kneepads.

The Blackline Quick Sleeve Jersey makes use of a lighter, warp-knit again panel to raised wick sweat and enhance airflow round your physique. Nukeproof has labored in a UV protecting coating, and an antibacterial end, so that you’ll neither burn nor stink.

Motul Chain Cleaner, Tire Sealant, Chain Lube, and Body Cleaner

Motul has moved into bikes, it now makes Chain Cleaner (degreaser), Tire Sealant, each dry and moist Chain Lube, dry and moist Body Cleaner, and Motul Bike Body Clear Dry.

The merchandise are all eco-friendly and are available recycled and recyclable packaging, Motul says. Our decide: Dry Clear, which leaves a water-repellent protecting layer.

100% Ridecamp

The 100% RideCamp Shorts now include a liner for £99.99, or with out for the ridiculously good sale worth of £42. Highlights embody a DWR coating, 2-way stretch material, mesh fly, velcro cargo pocket, zipper pocket, intelligent adjustable popper closure.

HUX Nootropics

HUX says its Nootropics dietary supplements enhance your focus, cognition, reminiscence temper and total mind well being, due to 500mg of Citicoline and 300mg of Lions Mane mushroom, which improve blood move. The jury’s nonetheless out over nootropics efficacy, however some small research do point out a profit.

DT Swiss FR1500 Traditional

The FR1500 Traditional is for gravity driving, DT Swiss says its reworked rim profile has higher impression resistance, 17% improved puncture safety than the outdated FR 1950 Traditional, and the wheelset weighs 7% much less too. 1928g, 30mm inner, 240 traditional 36T Ratchet EXP hub, 28(f)/32(r) spokes.

Suunto Vertical

With a ridiculous 60 days of battery life and photo voltaic charging to prime it up, Suunto’s new Vertical smartwatch ought to go longer between charging than another.

Options offline maps, route and POI navigation, dual-band GPS, and a number of sport modes (MTB too). Finnish made, utilizing renewable vitality.

Acid Husk 24

True to its title, the Acid Husk 24 has 24 instruments secreted inside its two alloy tubes, together with hex and torx bits, flat and phillips screwdrivers, a series device, spoke wrench and spare hyperlink. It’ll match inside your bar ends or to the bottle cage, by way of extra mounts.

Endura MT500 D3O Protector Vest

The Endura MT500 Protector Vest makes use of D3O’s flagship armour LP1 inserts on the chest and again, that means it’s light-weight, versatile, and claims higher breathability than the competitors.

Greatest mountain bike physique armour: tried and examined safety

The vest itself is made out of neoprene and mesh, makes use of a velcro waist closure, meets CE EN 1621/1 requirements, and is available in three sizes.

5 Ten Kestrel BOA

The title may be acquainted however the Kestrel BOA is all new from 5 Ten. It’s aimed squarely on the downcountry set, that means it’s firmly tilted in direction of XC by way of stiffness but in addition shields your toes inside a strengthened toebox for downhill safety.

Up prime you’ll discover a few velcro straps, but in addition a dial BOA Match System to make changes on the fly as straightforward as potential (and to try to mitigate the sky-high worth).

The artificial higher is made out of 50% recycled supplies and there’s a seamless overlay to minimise hotspots inside and add consolation and sturdiness.

One of the best bit is beneath although, the Kestrel BOA is after all clipless, nevertheless it’s nonetheless acquired 5 Ten’s well-known Stealth Marathon rubber happening, the thought being it’ll cease you skidding off the pedal if you happen to fail to clip in. The wundermaterial additionally pops up on the lugs, that are everywhere in the sole, half a dozen up entrance, on the rear and two huge sections to the left and proper. We’re a clipless shoe with all of the chunk of a soccer boot.