'VERY GOOD DRY WEATHER TYRES FOR MOST RIDING CONDITIONS.'
Strengths: They grip, have a nice round profile which leans over well into corners and they predictably break into a slide, without any obvious transition between the centre and side-tread of the tyre (as in something like a High Roller). Didn't appear to be more or less prone to punctures when compared to, say, a Conti Explorer, but punctures were never a major problem.
Weaknesses: They do wear pretty quickly, the sidewalls are pretty thin and they aren't the lightest.
Overall: I ran these on guide bikes for three summer seasons and rode them in Spain, Greece, Austria and Croatia. They are a great do-it-all tyre for those not willing to splash silly money on tyres (and, unless you're competing, with tyres like this who needs to?) which work very well in the dry, rooty and rocky conditions I rode in. The harder compound does last pretty well (2-3 months on the rear of a guide bike) but they aren't brilliant in the wet; but then again, short of riding a mud-specific tyre it was no worse than something like a Vertical would be, in my humble opinion.
The large air volume is comfortable and forgiving on an enduro susser and the round profile makes leaning into corners a breeze. They break predictably, making speedway-style cornerning fun. The square block pattern also rolls noticeably faster than some other tyres of a similar size over loose, fast trails and tarmac.
As a summer tyre for rockier rides I think they rock. No pun intended. ;-)
Strengths: I can ride all summer looking like the mack and my shoes don't slip when I can't clip.
Weaknesses: Not great when it gets a little muddy and they aren't the most robust of shoe - I've had friends guide in them and wear them out in half a season which isn't great compared to the more conventional cycle / hike boot. A little harder to clip into pedals aswell and a lace-saver would be ace.
Overall: These are great daddy-mack pimp-ass summer shoes that rock 'til the early dawn, should you want them to. They look fly in the cafe when you grab a mid-ride brew and are stiff enough to sweat it on an alpine climb, although (it goes without saying really) they don't vent as well as a race shoe. The classic waffle grips my Time Controls enough to stop major slippage when I can't clip in, but clipping in and releasing seems a little harder than a regular cycling shoe - possibly due to the Waffle gripping on the pedal. I could see them suffering in winter muck aswell.
Grabbed mine for something stupid from a Vans outlet store, which pleased me immensely.
Strengths: Descends like a demon due to the rear-weight bias of the frame, reasonable weight, confidence-inspiring ride when the going gets nastier / more fun.
Weaknesses: Due to weight set-up the front can wander on climbs, the high bb can take some getting used to if you're coming from an XC background.
Overall: Feels a bit like a susser to ride due to the high bb, stretched toptube and laid-back geometry, which makes it a great bike to descend on but not the best climber in the world - one to plug up the hills rather than sprint. For the riding it's designed for it's great - it's an adaptable trail-tool which seems to easily convert from some aggressive XC and 'shore'-type riding to racing 24hr events and enduros with aplomb. A comfortable 'trail' bike that's a lot of fun.
Strengths: Don't clog. Release and engagement is the same whatever the conditions. Consistant and provide great pedalling platform with loads of float, but a very positive clip-in and out.
Weaknesses: Platform could be more supportive when unclipped (like Shimano DXs). Slightly harder to clip into compared to SPDs.
Overall: I guided in these for two years after running Aliums for a while. I switched to Times after SPDs proved to be inconsistent and unreliable in different conditions and I actually found myself either accidentally unclipping or being unable to disengage. I bought the Freerides after having to stop halfway through a techy section to talk people through it (whilst guiding) and then having trouble clipping in when I had to start off again.
OK, the platform isn't the greatest, but it's there when you need it (which for me was more of an emergency measure to ride on until I could clip-in) and it adds a little support to shoes which you can also walk in and you have Time's fantastic cleat system, which is simply great - literally. No clogs, no jams, just simple, reliable performance. Bearings are smooth and well sealed and the platform itself is nice and solid.
In a nutshell? Fantastic - I own two pairs (aswell as a pair of Carbons and a pair of Aliums).
Strengths: Look cool, supple and plush, grease ports, British made, good customer service.
Weaknesses: Fiddly bolt heads, circlips, Pace can be a bit anally technical and fiddly. Carbon fibre can damage fairly easily.
Overall: Great forks. Very plush once broken in. Stiff with a very 'point and shoot' feel. Look rad, feel rad and ride rad.
I use mine for XC up and down the nation, jump a little and play on drops and the like in bombholes. they feel lovely with a plush, supple, controlled and progressive movement and rebound.
My real vice with these forks is the fiddly aspect. Why use 2.5mm allen bolts when 3mm would be better in the same postion? What's the point of the 'radiator grill' top, apart from adding potential stress points and more nooks to clean? Why circlips? They are a 'hardcore' product, and require looking after, but why make life hard on home-mechanics? It's a sure-fire way to lose potential future customers...
Pace appear to follow fashions a little (Evo3 air forks to directly compete with Sids etc...) when they really don't need to. They make sound products and don't need all the 'new stickers' and 'new features' b*llocks that they are currently spouting to sell kit every season. Subtle upgrades yes, but there's no need to follow Henry Ford and produce a new sticker kit every year.
These forks are great, without doubt, but I can't help wondering whether a fork without the machined rad. grill crown and all the other circlip cr*p would make a superior fork.
Strengths: They are a tough rim, without doubt. Heavier than a 517, but double eyeletted and a good trail rim.
Weaknesses: They are an absolute pig to get Conti tyres on and off. Tight? Like a duck's a*se. And that's watertight.
Overall: Overall they are a decent rim, as long as you don't use tighter fitting tyres (such as Contis). They are tough enough to withstand a little jumping and I've also raced several times on them with no problems (on a machine built, hand-tensioned wheelset. They've been trued once on the front and 3 or 4 times on the rear).
I'd rather have 618s, but they are a little pricier, but tyres certainly go on and come off a lot easier.
Strengths: Positive in/out movement whatever the conditions.
Laughs in the face of mud where SPDs cringe and die.
Confidence inspiring regular *release* point.
Weaknesses: They can be a little awkward to get into.
Small platform which makes riding unclipped very difficult.
Overall: Basically these pedals rock. And for £30? Total steal. I now have 2 pairs (carbons and Aliums) and haven't really found a major difference the justifies the price (the bearings are slightly smoother and possibly bigger in the Carbons and are only accesible by removing the pedal from the axle), apart from the smoother bearings and lack of plastic bearing cover. The actual function is identical - both perform brilliantly.
Coming to these pedals from Sh*tPDs was an absolute revalation - they didn't clog in mud and had a consistant release point, so I know when my foot was going to dis-engage. I have also never managed to pull my foot out of the pedal while honking or hopping, something that happened regularly with worn SPD cleats.
Overall a fantastic product. Can't wait for a caged version.
'GREAT *SOUL* PICTURES REMINDING YOU WHY YOU RIDE.'
Strengths: The photography is stunning. Most articles are amusing and inspire you to ride. Covers most of the world (with a US bias, but it is a yankee mag) No discipline bias - it's all mountain biking Did I mention the photography?
Weaknesses: The product reviews are questionable (normally only one reviewer, if there's a review at all). It can occasionally show the worst side of yankee culture (salute the flag, serve your country...) US bias with products and riding (but again - it is a US mag) It's a bugger to get hold of!
Overall: This is the only mag I buy on a regular basis. It reminds me why I ride instead of spouting on about the merits of the latest shifter or why you must wear Fox shorts to fit in. It doesn't *cover* any specific discipline, but talks to men and women who ride bikes, from Josh Bender to Juliana Furtado. It also runs feelgood stories about road-trips and the like, making me want to quit the 9-5, pack a bag and roll off into the sunset with the credits rolling.
Strengths: Well sealed, smooth bearings, good lifespan, pretty light and great value.
Weaknesses: Erm... It doesn't come in purple with fancy packaging and an American *trick* name?
Overall: The BB is the one component I *always* spend the cash on, after getting through LX BBs in very little time. It's almost 100g lighter that the LX (whoo-hoo!), far better sealed and smoother. All for an extra tenner or so.
If it had a titanium axle you could flog it as a trick Yankee import for lots of spondoolies.
No competition. Well proven, reliable and well priced.
Strengths: Steel, with associated ride. Feels great to ride. I would imagine (hope?) it's pretty solid. Ready to accept disks.
Weaknesses: Graphics aren't lacquered on. Ride position felt a bit 'rear heavy' to begin with, but rocks now.
Overall: I bought a second-hand small 17" (I'm 6') frame to build as a commuting bike, while I rode the Fisher (Paragon - Easton Alu frame) at the weekends. The Orange is now my number one steed and I'm selling the Fisher frame and Manitou forks.
The Orange felt strange to begin with - the seat angle seems pretty shallow - but now feels spot on. As a consequence, my weight felt pretty far back, but now feels good - riding seated through singletrack is great because the front wheel feels really light and flickable, and when I get out of the saddle, the extra weight forward makes picking the rear wheel up a doddle. The front is also really easy to lift and manual (maybe the slight weight shift has a fulcrum effect?), but it is a bit harder to bunnyhop than the Fisher.
It's built up to about a 25lb trail bike with RC36s, USE Alien, Flite, Times, Hope hubs, Contis, 618s and Deore LX. Minis are on the cards and should complement it.
Absolutely fallen in love with this machine - great all day trail ride and feels nice doing a spot of *freeriding* (sic) in the bombholes and through trails. The rigid version for £600 is an absolute steal. No major vices for the riding I do (mainly techy trails and bombholes), but I've heard they can get a little wobbly at high speed in a straight line - not something I've had a problem with on fireroads, but am aware of in case it happens.
