Strengths: Durability - have lasted five years of riding, including 2 seasons of DH racing! Rarely need touching. Reliable.
Weaknesses: Can't get a disk mount retrofitted. When I bought them, I had to fork out an extra 40 nicker for soft springs. But this isn't unique to Pace...
Overall: I've had these for 5 years, they are still going strong and have only been serviced about 3 times in total.
They had shite single lip seals at first but these were swapped for free by Pace - also I had new bushes in the first year for free. Can't fault the customer service.
A great fork, now sadly a bit outclassed by modern opposition, but a good second hand bargain for those who want to run V's.
Weaknesses: Sealing - haven't found any either! Went gritty half way through the first ride. Really high stack height too. Appalling VFM - headsets that go for a fiver last longer and are better sealed.
Overall: Bought from and fitted by Freeborn, who kept the Conix adjuster and the headset spacer which wasn't needed any more due to the massive stack height of this headset. So off to a bad start... Half way through the first ride on this headset I noticed that although still tight, the bearings were really gritty. Rang Freeborn, they accused me of jetwashing it - half way up Leith Hill?? Serviced the 'set myself, and there was actually muddy water all over the bottom bearings and the steerer. There are seals there but they just don't work. Top bearings were full of cack too, impressively. All this and I run a headset sock, so imagine how bad things would be without that! The races are already scored and I am going to replace this as soon as the Hope XC is available again. Really, honestly, do not buy this headset!
Strengths: Does the job with no complaints. Sealed well. Same length spokes on both sides makes life easier. User-serviceable freehub, not that I have had to...
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.
Overall: Love it! Great VFM compared to other high-end aftermarket hubs, looks smart, and more to the point it works...
Strengths: The full-length, full-zip "pocket" on the back holds everything you need for a day ride, yet costs less than a Camelbak which holds similar amounts of junk.
Weaknesses: The full length zip can let spray off the rear wheel through, if you don't run a mudguard. But we're not talking full-on floods inside the pocket, just dampness. The new-style foldover bladder is pants - mine dissolved when I put warm water in with a Milton tablet to disinfect it.
Overall: Holds water and loads of stuff, for not much wedge. But change the bladder for a Camelbak one...
Strengths: Cheaper and lighter than the 545 - the only difference is the cage (this one is plastic instead of metal, which means it's lighter, and the cage is only 2 quid to replace if you break it)
Weaknesses: The cage looks a bit err cheap. The plastic cage can be a bit slippery in the wet if you aren't clipped in. Cage can interfere with some shoe soles - stanley knife time!
Overall: I've used these for a couple of years and they have been reliable performers. Haven't had to service them at all. They have a nice platform for those can't clip in moments (or for riding down the shops). The cage looks feak and weeble but hasn't proved to be so. I like 'em.
Strengths: Well it's cheap. It's OK as a light lube in summer.
Weaknesses: As a water dispersant it doesn't seem to work - chain winds up rusty if you clean/degrease, spray with this and leave it. Whereas WD40 stops the rust.
Overall: I much prefer to use WD40 as a water dispersant and then a proper lube like Gozon/Makt or Finish Line.
Strengths: Excellent casual glove - warm, soft and comfy.
Weaknesses: Wouldn't use them for riding.
Overall: Lovely fluffy strokable casual winter glove. No use for riding though - wrist elastic is well baggy so they come off easy, and they don't have much in the way of grip. But that's not what they are marketed as (I don't think).
Strengths: Fits well, good range of sizes. Good cheek padding so it doesn't move in a crash. Does the biz - mine has taken some hard hits! Venting (compared to most DH lids)
Weaknesses: On my second one, the plastic popper on the back gave up in about five minutes, so it's a bit fiddly to get on. Peak is a bit too low.
Overall: Does the job - IMO best fitting DH lid. And it's cheap, but that's cos it's discontinued. Shame!
