Strengths: bombproof, amazing plushness, tracking, stiffness looks, ETA system on steep climbs.
Weaknesses: Maybe heavier than other 5 inch forks but what they do makes you instantly forget.
Overall: What amazed me about these forks straight away is how well they track at speed. The traction is amazing - you can roll round rough corners with real confidence. Takes out all the sting of the trail - plushest forks I've ever used.
Can give them any real marks yet for performance as I've not had em long enough - still - Marzocchhi's are usually sound.
Love the wee front fender you can add to the fork.
I got these forks for aorund £300 which in my book is great.
Strengths: Geometry, stiffness, acceleration, tyre clearance, bombproof, looks. Just great fun to ride - simple as that.
Weaknesses: It is very stiff and no give so you feel the trail bite your butt on longer rides. Use wider tyres and a comfy saddle to cure the bite. Costs too much.
Overall: If you want a hardtail that can do everything then this is it - that's cliche but it is true. Very light and great fun on singletrack and climbs great. Descends amazingly due to the geometry - very chuckable.
Never thought I'd ride a hardtail again but this changed it all.
Strengths: Cheapish and do the job for most things. Grips well but not as good as my Verti Pros.
Weaknesses: Not too hot in the mud. Tall tread with not that much space in between the knobbles so the mud sticks. Due to this I would rate it as a more fair weather tyre.
Overall: Haven't really given these tyres a proper good pounding but on my usual run found them a bit skittish. Maybe the tyre pressure wasn't right - still, I had them relatively soft. Don't match Verti pros on the corners and a couple of times the front slipped a bit but that's because it was wet and I was trying to keep up with two dafties on a Stinky and Bullet. However, I did find them to be better rollers on the flat. They are good tyres but not magic and I'd be more confident with the Vertis on the front.
Saying that - if you want a do it all tyre it is a real contender for top ratings. Muddy stuff is a problem though and the UK has lots of it!
Strengths: Very light, very breathable, looks stylish and keeps the rain out for a while.
Weaknesses: Would prefer the neck to be a bit smaller.
Overall: After riding hard climbs with an Altura Nevis jacket for the last year this was like chalk and cheese. For once I wasn't overheating and being left wet with condensation. Very minimalist which is what I like. Kept a good bit of rainfall out although this is not a waterproof jacket. Freestyle say it will keep a downpour out for about 40 mins or so. Stylish too.
Strengths: Strong and waterproof and windproof and vents are okay.
Weaknesses: Do any real climbs and you'll sweat, sweat and sweat and then you'll need to ring out the jacket!! Breathability is bad. Zips on the side vents are tricky at times and the main one has bust too.
Overall: Get what you pay for. I would only use this for really really freezing cold, wet windy days where the trails are mainly flattish. Very annoying how hot you get in this jacket. I would suggest you use this for commuting. It isn't a perfomrance jacket and at nearly £50 you can't really expect much more. Not bad for the cash but if you do alot of mountain biking go for something else.
