Strengths: Easy to set up, tool free secure attachement, pretty bright considering the price tag. Toggle through light settings. Handy red warning light when battery life is low.
Weaknesses: The 5w bulb is not really of much use on single track. Battery life seems to diminish with time.
Overall: Bought as a first set of lights to get me into night riding, they have generally been pretty good, can be mounted on the bike in a couple of minutes and generally light the trial reasonably well (enough to get around stuff which isn't too knarly). Only needed to replace the 5W bulb, which is not too bad considering they have been used a lot in the space of a year. The battery life seems to be dinishing too. The warning light system is good as I know when it starts showing red I have about 40 minutes to get back to civilisation.
Strengths: Powerful and well modulated, it has the same power as it's big brother the K24 without the bling silver look and the price tag.
Weaknesses: Levers do get floppy as the brake pads wear.
Overall: I was so impressed by the performance of these brakes on my full susser I actually bought them when speccing up my hardtail. They work well and are very easy to set up and change the pads. These are real alternatives to the other brands out there, if you want good stopping power for a reasonable price then these are the brakes for you.
Overall: The alloy is far too soft, The sharks teeth appeared after only 2/3 months resulting in terrible chain suck. It was promply replaced by a Deore one, which has functioned flawlessly.
Strengths: Easy adjustable travel, Stiff (no brake judder)
Weaknesses: There is a some stiction to overcome when working from cold. Poplock attachement is not exactly very strong (broke in a crash).
Overall: I've been running these now for about 9 months (including winter) and so far so good. They seem to hold up to the mud and crap so the durabillity seems good. Only complaint is the poplock design which is exposed and easily brocken during crashes. The value for money is excellent especially when compared to the likes of Fox.
Strengths: OK for forward and aft traction. Easy to remove from your rims when you've had enough of them.
Weaknesses: Doesn't clear mud well, side to side grip is poor to say the least.
Overall: Came with a bike I bought, after a number of rides in the mud they were ripped off and replaced with my old Schalbe Alberts which are much superior. The lateral grip was almost non existent and I found that the mud just coated the tyres and stayed there needing significant encouragement to detach itself.
Strengths: Easy to follow, especially if your just getting into riding. Tells you what to look for and how to sort out problems simply.
Weaknesses: With things like suspension etc it's a bit out of date.
Overall: If you don't have the basics and you need to know, get it. Shows you how to do all the simple stuff, if don't know how to adjust your gears and brakes or change the cables it's perfect. If you want to strip down your rear suspension could be problematic. Haynes need to keep this guide updated with current trends in cycling technology. Not really for the experienced bike mechanic, but we all need to start somewhere and here is as good as any to start.
Strengths: Great fun to ride, soaks up all but the very big bumps, very little suspension feedback when pedalling. Climbs well, great spec (Deore XT)
Weaknesses: Can't find any yet
Overall: Bought very recently, but since buying have increased my riding from just weekends to at least 3 times a week. Lots of fun to ride, quite fast and feels reassuringly solid. I will update when I've had a bit longer, but at the moment I'm still smiling.
