Strengths: High quality construction. Wind and waterproof yet light. Reflective piping and logos in places where they can easily be seen - useful for commuting.
Pit zips help to regulate temperature. Fleece collar is snug and means no rubbing on neck. Thumb loops keep the sleeves down even when stretched out.
Sizing is massive, certainly the best fitting jacket i tried for my long body. But the jacket folds away into it's own pocket - brilliant for stuffing into a camelbak.
Weaknesses: None so far. But make sure you buy one size smaller than you are used to.
Overall: This jacket meets and exceeds all expectations i had for such a well priced waterproof. In total i think it cost me £70 have it airmailed from New Zealand. And it arrived within a week of ordering - sometimes that isn't possible for UK based mail order !
I think i'll give up on my windproof, this jacket is harder wearing, more wind and rain resistant and packs down as small.
Strengths: A well made, multipurpose daysac/ hydration system that should suit most people.
Like going the distance - fill the pack with malt loaf and maps and go for it. Like playing in the woods - stick in your pads and pootle off.
Chest and waist straps keep even a completely full pack stable. I brought this after using a M.U.L.E. for years, and despite its extra weight, the Blowfish is much more un-noticeable. The compression zip helps reduce the packs bulk should you not want to fill the whole bag.
The bit valve with lockout is a useful feature when transporting the bag in the car and you want to make sure it doesn't leak everywhere.
Weaknesses: Perhaps i might be tempted to over fill it as the cargo capacity is massive.
Overall: I brought this pack as i wanted a bag that could contain 2 full water bladders for remote rides. I thought i'd be using my MULE for shorter rides and just dig this out for longer distances. Due to the comfort and additional stability that this pack offers with its chest and waist strap i have taken to just using this pack.
I can fit all the kit and more in to one place, no more stuffing pockets and strapping waterproofs on the outside of packs to get bounced off and lost.
Strengths: Variable travel which is easy to use. No tools needed to swap between 4/5/6 inches. Strong monoque frame. Very little flex, infact less than my hardtail. Loads and loads of mud clearance. One pivot for low maintenance and the shock is well out of the way of any mud thrown up by the wheels.
Weaknesses: Needs to have discs as standard - fortunately mine came with an upgrade. Judy xc sometimes a little out of its depth - i'm going to fit an adjustable Psylo to match the adjustable rear end. Bottle mounts are in useless places but aren't Camelbaks more useful anyway ?
Overall: A great ridng bike. I've done Trailquests and 50 mile randonnees using the 4 inch setting and 'freeriding' in the 6 inch mode and everything in between. If you can't decide what kind of bike you want why not buy something that fits every catergory ? XC, (light) DH, Freeride, All mountain - all labels but all apply to this bike.
I'm only giving 4 for performance because of the Judy's. Once these have gone it will definately be a 5.
Strengths: These came fitted as a free upgrade on my new bike so i haven't had the opportunity to test them against any other system, but they work far, far better than the v's on my old bike. Being able to stop in all conditions is a fantastic confidence inspiring way of speeding up your riding. If you know you can slow down quicker, you start riding quicker.
Weaknesses: They squeal horribly sometimes, but i believe this also happens to a lot of other disc systems aswell. Other reviewers have commented on the fragility of some of the components but they seem plenty strong enough for me. As they are an open system you can't change the lever bite point. Only a problem if you have smaller or larger hands than what constitutes 'normal'. I've learnt to adapt to it though.
Overall: If you have full suspension, discs seem to be more of a neccessity than a luxury. These represent good value, no nonsense stoppers.
Strengths: Work in most conditions, except when it's really really muddy and wet, but then isn't that what disc brakes were invented for ?
Weaknesses: None so far. The brakes have proved far superior to the Shimano ones they replaced
Overall: I've got through two sets in a year, which may seem a lot but the original Shimano ones they replaced lasted three rides ! So durability is beyond reproach. These offer superior braking, work well under all conditions and are reasonably priced. What more can you say ?
Strengths: Using teflon coated gear and brake cables gives a smoother cable pull through the cable outers. This means improved shifting and braking performance.
Weaknesses: The end caps for the cables do not fit the cable bosses on my bike especially well meaning the sealing is not as good as it could be.
Overall: When you can buy both brake and gear cables with outers for £20 and get a noticable improvement in the performance of your shifting and stopping then it would seem to be a good deal. Unfortunately these cables are let down by badly designed cable seals.
Strengths: These rims build into a strong light wheel suitable for racing and general xc trail riding. They are reasonably cheap and well made.
Weaknesses: The side walls just don't last if you use rim brakes in grotty conditions. I've had my set for just under a year and i'm already contemplating changing them for something with thicker rim sidewalls.
Overall: If you want a light, fast wheel set and you are prepared to change the rims fairly frequently then these will do fine. Yorkshire mud has a detrimental effect on most products, but these rims seem to have suffered worse than most. In the future i would go for something heavier and more durable, such as the F519's.
Strengths: These tyres are fast, with what feels like low rolling resistance, they hook up well in the conditions i've used them in (around Yorkshire, ie mud, grit, loose rock) and offer exceptionally predicable handling. Although i haven't tested the anti-snakebite chamfer, could be because its working (!), it is an interesting addition to the tyre. And you can get various colour sidewalls to colour co-ordinate your bike.
Weaknesses: Despite a claimed width of 2.1 they are no where near as wide as the Smoke and Dart they replaced, which for a big bloke like me (14.5 stone) means i have to keep them pumped up extremely hard to prevent rim damage.
Overall: A decent set of colourful tyres that can handle pretty much anything you throw at them. I only wish they were slightly wider.
Overall: I never thought i'd ever put a mud guard on my bike (crud catchers don't count) but after being tempted by the idea of a dry bum and back whilst riding in winter, i gave it a go. And now i am convinced this is one of the best pieces of kit you'll ever put on your bike. Forget shiney trinkets, if you value your mid winter rides you'll be wondering how you survived so long without one of these.
Strengths: Large sizes available (up to 50 which is what i use). Good looking 'fashionable' boot. You aren't going to get strange looks when you walk into the pub in these. Well made and durable.
Weaknesses: Not ideal winter boots, but then they were never designed to be. Soft sole does not provide full foot support.
Overall: A great looking and performing piece of kit that doesn't look too cycling specific. Get some water proof socks if you are going to use them in winter.
(Please remember that my review is prejudice as i think these are wonderful because i can get them in a size 14 !)
