German fork and brake manufacturer Magura has launched a range of products of interest to those with a green fetish. Their HS33 rim brake, the Louise disc brake and the Asgard fork have just been released in a very fetching green. They're limited edition, so just 1000 HS33's, 800 Loiuse's and 400 Asgard's will be released.
Not happy with just making forks and disc brakes, they're also branching out into the clothing market. Their winter range includes a Windtex jacket with strikingly bold black and yellow Magura artwork. There's also similiarly fetching gillet, and more sublte fleece bodywarmer and some ¾ bib shorts. Visit the Magura website.
Co-inciding with the launch of the new skills loop at Hamsterley Forest, County Durham, the Beyond Hamsterley guide book details 23 graded routes in the local area. Each of the OS routes with full instructions is printed on sturdy card, all ring-binded together, so you don't have to take the whole lot with you, just the one you need for your particular ride. The book's available from the Beyond Hamsterley website and selected bike shops, book shops and tourist information centres for £12.95. Visit their webite to buy a copy.
For a custom finished frame, built by people with a passion for riding, check out the 2006 range of hard tails from Dekerf Cycles. Dekerf are preparing to launch their website in the UK which will feature their massive range of hand-built, custom frames.
Uniting two passions, building things by hand and riding bicycles, Dekerf say “We believe there is no substitute for gaining appreciation for what our customers want in a bike frame, than by passionately riding one ourselves.”
Each Dekerf frame is made in their Vancouver factory. Right from cutting the tubes, to applying the paint, and putting them in a shipping box, customers are promised an innovative product with great attention to detail. So if you're looking for that unique touch, keep an eye out for the new Dekerf website.
Bolt through axle's on forks are getting more popular, but some systems though are a faff: the Hartlett QR offers the security of a bolt-through with the genuine simplicity and speed of a traditional quick release axle. It's quite an ingenious design; the axle slides through the dropouts, rotates and fixes via a bayonet fixing and sliding engagement cap - no tools required.
The guys behind the design, Nick and Charlie have been testing it for the last 12 months and are now looking to begin manufacturing it. Interested? Give them a call on 07855 859572, email charlieandnick@hartlett.co.uk or visit their website www.hartlett.co.uk.