The Topeak Hummer is a great trail tool. Instead of packing as many tools into a small space as possible, the Hummer is built more for ease of use.
Many chain splitters on multi-tools are notoriously difficult to use. Whilst the Hummer's chain splitter is still a little fiddly, it's great considering it's compact size. Also, other parts of the tool aid trailside chain splitting. The chain hook can be used to take the tension out of the chain before splitting. A clever touch is the small extra 4mm allen key found on the tyre lever; it can be used in the top of the chain tool and the tyre lever then becomes a handle for the chain tool.
The other tools are all top quality too; and the Torx driver will no doubt come in handy for those with disc brakes. The Hummer may not have all the tools you need, such as spanners, but Topeak have stuck to the essentials and not overloaded the tool. The benefits of this are that the Hummer is cheaper, lighter and easier to use than most other tools.
'GOOD VALUE, WELL MADE LIGHTS, REASONABLE RUNNING TIME'
Strengths: Relatively cheap; allthough 'smartlights' are usually cheaper. Well made and tough once fitted right. Bright for lights this cheap. Handlebar switch is nice touch.
Weaknesses: They only last 1hr max on full beam. Lead acid battery is very heavy and gets dimmer every time the lights are used(but you can't really expect a NiMH at this price). Not as bright as some lights - but then they're not as expensive either. Extremely fiddly and annoying quick release mounts.
Overall: The Cateye Daylites/Duals use a sealed lead acid battery with 2 10w halogen beams(wide/spot) and a handlebar mounted switch. The battery is a typically heavy 6V 4.2AH bottle shaped unit. Velcro straps are provided for securing it in the bottle holder(if you can find a holder big enough) or for securing it to other parts of the frame. I found that the battery is most secure when placed under the seat behind the seat post, however this is no good if you are using a rear light. So the only place left is under the top tube - it is difficult to get the battery fixed firmly here; it'll stay stuck to your frame but moves from side to side too easily(which also takes all the paint off your seat-tube unless you protect it with lots of tape). Cateye state the run time at approx 1hr on both lamps, 2hrs on 1. A night lap at the Red Bull mountain mayhem proved this to be true, but I found that once the lights start to dim you can get more light by just running the wide beam which was enough to help me finish the lap. A battery charger is supplied and re-charging takes 8hrs.
I found the lamp units themselves to be quite bright. They are not as powerful as other light systems, but then they're half the price. As I have allready mentioned, once the two start to dim you can get by perfectly well on just the wide beam lamp. They're pretty tough too, having had me land on them when taking a tumble.
The mounting brackets for the lamps are poor. I assumed that the whole point of being able to detach the lights from the brackets was that you could fit and set up the brackets ONCE and leave them on your handlebars when not using the lights. So why cateye have decided to make them quick release is beyond me. The quick release levers are flimsy and fiddly. The lever screws into a nut inside the bracket, this nut pops up frequently and needs to be pushed back into place with an allen key. The levers take up too much room and catch on cables etc when you're screwing them in. It is hard to get the right amount of tension: too tight and the lever won't close, too loose and your lights will move about.
The handlebar switch is a nice bonus and helps you to turn off the lights quickly and easily to preserve them. This is mounted using a normal allen bolt - so why couldn't the lights be as well?
Overall, these lights are more than bright enough through the singletrack, allthough an extra helmet light would certainly help you to see what's round the fast approaching tight bend. Most of the parts are well constucted and tough. The battery is very heavy and is hard to mount if it doesn't fit your bottle holder but for this price you can't expect super-light weight. The lights and switch do take up a lot of room on your bars, and are fiddly to set up right. But for this price(£59.99), that's just a small problem.
'GOOD VALUE, WELL MADE LIGHTS, REASONABLE RUNNING TIME'
Strengths: Relatively cheap; allthough 'smartlights' are usually cheaper. Well made and tough once fitted right. Bright for lights this cheap. Handlebar switch is nice touch.
Weaknesses: They only last 1hr max on full beam. Lead acid battery is very heavy and gets dimmer every time the lights are used(but you can't really expect a NiMH at this price). Not as bright as some lights - but then they're not as expensive either. Extremely fiddly and annoying quick release mounts.
Overall: The Cateye Daylites/Duals use a sealed lead acid battery with 2 10w halogen beams(wide/spot) and a handlebar mounted switch. The battery is a typically heavy 6V 4.2AH bottle shaped unit. Velcro straps are provided for securing it in the bottle holder(if you can find a holder big enough) or for securing it to other parts of the frame. I found that the battery is most secure when placed under the seat behind the seat post, however this is no good if you are using a rear light. So the only place left is under the top tube - it is difficult to get the battery fixed firmly here; it'll stay stuck to your frame but moves from side to side too easily(which also takes all the paint off your seat-tube unless you protect it with lots of tape). Cateye state the run time at approx 1hr on both lamps, 2hrs on 1. A night lap at the Red Bull mountain mayhem proved this to be true, but I found that once the lights start to dim you can get more light by just running the wide beam which was enough to help me finish the lap. A battery charger is supplied and re-charging takes 8hrs.
I found the lamp units themselves to be quite bright. They are not as powerful as other light systems, but then they're half the price. As I have allready mentioned, once the two start to dim you can get by perfectly well on just the wide beam lamp. They're pretty tough too, having had me land on them when taking a tumble.
The mounting brackets for the lamps are poor. I assumed that the whole point of being able to detach the lights from the brackets was that you could fit and set up the brackets ONCE and leave them on your handlebars when not using the lights. So why cateye have decided to make them quick release is beyond me. The quick release levers are flimsy and fiddly. The lever screws into a nut inside the bracket, this nut pops up frequently and needs to be pushed back into place with an allen key. The levers take up too much room and catch on cables etc when you're screwing them in. It is hard to get the right amount of tension: too tight and the lever won't close, too loose and your lights will move about.
The handlebar switch is a nice bonus and helps you to turn off the lights quickly and easily to preserve them. This is mounted using a normal allen bolt - so why couldn't the lights be as well?
Overall, these lights are more than bright enough through the singletrack, allthough an extra helmet light would certainly help you to see what's round the fast approaching tight bend. Most of the parts are well constucted and tough. The battery is very heavy and is hard to mount if it doesn't fit your bottle holder but for this price you can't expect super-light weight. The lights and switch do take up a lot of room on your bars, and are fiddly to set up right. But for this price(£59.99), that's just a small problem.
Strengths: Nice easy to use bib-bite valve is lovely. Well made, strong. Enough space for essentials, big enough for an all-day ride for me. Nice bit for your pump. Bungee cord is good for carrying additional layers.
Weaknesses: Lack of waist strap A bit pricey
Overall: Performance: This is a very very nice hydration backpack. The extra compartment as ample room for a cool-tool, some cash, a spare tube and some food. It also has a neat bit for storing a mini-pump. OK, so it's not got masses of space but it should be enough for a long ride and I'm sure I could fit enough in it for an all-day ride. Besides, this pack wasn't meant to be too big, you want more space you buy one of the bigger Camelbaks. Switching from a bottle to a Hydration pack is great, you'll wonder what you did without one. The ease of drinking is heightened by the 'Big-bite' valve, just the right amount of water and it's got a lock on it to stop it leaking as well. The straps are very comfortable, but the pack did move about a little bit on the singletrack. This is the only real problem: it's a shame the pack doesn't come with a waist strap for extra comfort and security.
Reliability: Well, it may be wrong of me to rate it after only just getting the pack, but the whole thing is very well constucted and very strong. Camelbak claim that the bladder is strong enough to be run over by a car; a claim I'm willing to believe. Also, my mate (see Chris above) has had his Lobo for ages and it doesn't look the slightest bit worn. There's also a warrenty with it which I don't think I shall be needing.
Value: The full price (£49.99) is a bit expensive, but I would be willing to pay it for this pack. However, you can obtain this pack for a lot less from many of the mail order shops that advertise in the magazines.
Overall: I bought this bag for someone else, but I've 'borrowed' it a few times and it's lovely. Just make sure you pack it right and, like with all rucksacks, make sure you set it up right. Very comfortable, and you can buy a bladder for it for £20 extra.
£40? Compared to the prices of other bags I've seen that's a bargain.
And soon, if said person doesn't start using it, it'll be mine all mine. Buwahahahaha!
Strengths: Work fine easy to use Don't clog up with mud too easily
Weaknesses: Once you get used to the SPD side, the flat side becomes redundant. After getting used to the SPDs, I also felt kinda vunerable with the flat sides - like my foot was going to slip off all the time.
Overall: Nice pedals for a first time SPD user like me - if anything looks a bit tricky I can just switch to flats. The flat side doesn't seem to be all that grippy, though this may be the shoes (M058) or because I've gotten used to the SPDs now. Heard of trouble with the bearings in the SPD3s. I've rode these on a couple of winter rides and no problems so far - if they continue performing as they are then I'd give them a 5 for reliability.
Strengths: Great all rounder. Strong and sure footed makes them confidence boosters. Handles pretty much everything. Quite good value because the tyre can be used on front or rear.
Weaknesses: As dick said, this tyre doesn't particularly excel at anything. (But is better than most tyres at everything!) The red sidewall doesn't go well with my Green Lavadome. :-(
Overall: Brilliant all round tyre. Unless you swap your tyres depending on the weather (Semi slick / mud tyres etc), then you can't go wrong with this tyre.
