Strengths: Good forks, easy to fit and setup. Reasonably plush and responsive. ETA lockout a good feature.
Weaknesses: Well.. they broke, then were stolen. No external rebound Couldn't get full travel from them, wouldn't hit the last 15mm or more.
Overall: Compared to the RS Tora 318s I got to replace them I don't miss them one bit. I bought them for the claimed superior reliabilty only for an internal bit to bugger up after a month (which lead them on a tour of the country for the next month and a half). As long as the durability on RS forks stays at the good standard it is now, its hardly worth buying a less well featured 'zocchi is it?
Strengths: Nice and comfy, a little bit of protection but nothing bulky. Held out well to weekly washing in the machine. Okay value for the money.
Weaknesses: Poor sizing and durability of the palm.
Overall: Not bad while they lasted, the palm isn't durable at all though, worn though in two places on the left glove within the first couple of rides. Lost one on them a while back, not really missed them.
Strengths: Now 6 months old, just removed the cups from the frame to fit into the new one when it comes. Bearings are looking pretty tidy still. Smooth and feels pretty good. Easy enough to open up cartridges to grease bearings. Very good price, £25 @ crc etc. Easy enough to diy fit (with the aid of a massive g clamp :) )
Weaknesses: Looks as though the main seals aren't too good, rusty marks on the cartridges themselves.
Overall: Really the choice for headsets is either, one like this for sub £30, or a quality Chris King which will last forever. This will wear out maybe every year to two years, but it'll cost a fraction of the price of a ck, maybe more over the course of the 5 to 10 years a top of the range product would last. Easy to fit, pretty good quality. Not bad at all
Strengths: Grippy on almost everything. Reasuringly stable in corners and under braking. Wire version is top value. Look big tough and freeridey. Lasting well and no punctures so far (touch wood) Not bad weight really.
Weaknesses: They might stop making them one day :( Tread is slightly mismoulded on one side so they rub my frame due to its poor tire clearance.
Overall: Always one to jump on the bandwagon I gave these a go and was suprised with how good and how much more confidence they give. Never felt the need to get folding tires so these fit the bill really well. Riding XC theydo very well on most terrain, good and grippy on rocky/chalky descents. Very good allrounders, very impressed.
Strengths: Top value. Looks good. Great shifting, never had any troubles with it. Was easy enough to set up.
Weaknesses: Seized up and couldn't be saved, after 6 months of good service I do feel a little cheated.
Overall: Excellent mech for the money, maybe a little bit of a gamble as it could die like mine and others I've heard of. Still this is one of the more primative components on the bike so will always have some reliablity issues. Got LX one to replace, hopefully lasts better.
Strengths: Clean horrifically dirty chains without having to take them off so saves on snap off Shimano pins. Cheaper than Park as said below. Really does save a fair amount of time
Weaknesses: Citrus stuff that comes with is rubbish, Finish Line EcoTech instead in use. Takes a while to get the knack of using it without making it fall apart or the chain fall out of it. Might well conspire to break one day.
Overall: Has lasted a good long time. A bit of a time saver as even with a chain caked in crap, a few minutes of back pedaling will have to it good as new. For the time and effort it saves, well worth it.
Strengths: Very nice looking and feel well padded across knuckles. Good wrist closure with neoprene cuff. Decent fit without bagging around palm. Pretty breathable and never feel too hot, whilst being just warm enough for short outings on frosty mornings. Decent construction but...
Weaknesses: Weak palm material wears at the webbing of the thumb to the palm. Has only worn like this on one glove though (the left hand) Bit pricy considering durability.
Overall: Good gloves and look fantastic with a decent fit. Only lacking durability on the palm, otherwise excellent. Fit into the XC / All Mountain usage catagory with protection for knuckles but no huge rubber bumpers so still have a decent, precise feel about them.
Strengths: Could go and vandalise local bus stop with them, which I is understand a sport enjoyed by Chavs. Work for a bit.
Weaknesses: Uncontrolable rebound, a rigid fork would be more controlable. Decals look rubbish. Seals actually suck in moisture and crud. Siezed up and just basically broke. Suprised by how heavy they actually are when they're off the bike. Bushings, or whatever there are instead inside these, came loose and forks rocked back and forward.
Overall: These do suck a fair bit, not worth buying, simple as that.
Strengths: Cheap from CRC, £20 I think. Pretty well made and decent Titec finished look matches my other kit. Clamp is nice and tough, decent adjustability. Loadsa lighter than the rubbish that came with the bike.
Weaknesses: Hollow all the way from top of clamp to bottom, so muck gets right in from under the seat, which seems to be the most stupid place for a big hole as it does tend to get awful muddy there.
Overall: Slighty flawed design imo which leads to water travelling down the frame but otherwise decent, clamping feels durable, cheap and looks nice.
