Strengths: stable, easy clamp operation and feels very strong and durable
Weaknesses: lacking a tool tray if i was being very picky. £100 maybe a tad on the high side.
Overall: Only used this a handful of times in the garage but feels very stable with the three feet. The thick tubes and quick lock levers make it easy to adjust the height of the stand. The clamp works with my FSR Stumpjumper top tube too, I use a rag between the clamp and frame just to make sure there are no scratches although I doubt the clamp would do that anyway. Not sure how this would perform in a field but I doubt i'd take one anyway.
Weaknesses: Conix. Could never get it tight enough, always play in the steerer. Seals not too good on cartridges, let all the crap in.
Overall: I was disappointed with this headset. after several attempts at fitting and refitting I threw it away after a few months. It doesnt feel like a quality product. I bought a Cane Creek S3 instead and its been excellent and a total revelation comapred to the FSA.
Strengths: Thick grips for people with big hands. Very sticky and comfortable to use.
Weaknesses: none
Overall: I find a lot of grips are too narrow and this leaves me with sore palms even with gloves on. Good and Evil grips are exactly right for me and cheap at half the price.
Strengths: Easy suspension setup. Plush forks. Accurate stearing. Sticks like glue to the trail and is extremely fast on the trail.
Weaknesses: Grips. Cables on bottom of down tube.
Overall: Took it off road for the first time and was amazed at the way it holds the terrain to give a very fast comfortable ride. Good all round setup and spec make this a very good buy. The Talas forks are smooth as butter and just laughed at the things put in its way. The Adrenaline 2.0 tyres work very well with no heartstopping blips on a multitude of different surfaces. Minor niggles are the grips - I have large hands and found them too slim, causing me to have sore hands after. I'll be upgrading to Race Face Good and Evil before the next ride. The cables on the downtube mean that my Crud Catcher is now redundant. Small prices to pay for a bike with a big grin factor!
Strengths: its only out once a month..some of the reviews are fine i suppose.
Weaknesses: Too immature, too much BMX type riding, aimed at the younger end of the market and it shows. Schoolboy humour (riders who should know better with their arses hanging out in a field...)
Overall: Basically aimed at 16 year olds who like BMX and jumping stuff. Why not call it BMXUK and have done with it as theres very little in the way of mountainbiking actually in it. I like having a laugh but its too childish even for me, which shows how bad it is.
Strengths: Nice rides, some nice gear reviews. Good workshop tips.
Weaknesses: The bikes reviewed are generally too pricey for the average reader. The annual dirty dozen review doesnt really make up for this.
Overall: Nice and glossy, good pictures and ride guides. Too high-end for the average rider with regard to the average rider. Assumes you know as much as the reviewers when it comes to the technical stuff, which may put people off reading it.
Strengths: Good articles aimed the broader audience unlike some other publications which cater for high-end enthusiasts. Lots of gear tests and honest reviews of products. MTB's tested are not always topend £2500 plus rigs like some other mags. Good humour from the writers too.
Weaknesses: If I was being picky I'd say that there arent enough interesting rides in it unlike MBR.
Overall: Buy this mag if you like reading about mid priced bikes and seeing lots of gear reviews. Good for new riders as it explains everything quite well.
Strengths: Snug fitting, extremely comfortable helmet. Nice range of colours available. Good price.
Weaknesses: can be a bit warm and padding tends to hold sweat.
Overall: Very nice helmet, the heat aspect is a minor niggle compared to all the plus points. This is a very well put together helmet and so comfortable you actually forget you are wearing it. Chainreaction Cycles sell it for £80 !
Strengths: Easy to clip into because of resin cage. Feel comfortable and secure once clipped in. Easy to unclip from.
Weaknesses: I had the lessen the tension on mine to be able to clip in to begin with, they were very stiff. Used some lube tho and they were sweet.
Overall: My first attempt at SPD's and really confident in them (went off-road first time no probs). I recommend using multi-release cleats though just to be sure until you get the hang of them.
