Mountain Bike Online

A no-nonsense value version of Shimano’s XTR Trail pedals.

The price means you don’t get high end luxuries like a hollow chromoly axle, but rather a solid one, but you do get a crisp secure engagement and an alloy cage surrounding the pedal offering a slightly wider area either side of the cleat, but no real “platform”.  For an entry level pedal the weight at 446g is more than respectable and performance is great for the price.

Ultra-thin knee pads comprising lycra sleeve and a thin bright yellow Poron XRD padding that’s moulded in place.  The padding is soft and flexible while riding, but on impact it becomes solid to absorb the stresses.  Unrestricted knee movement is made possible by shallow gaps in the moulding.

The thin lycra sleeve is pretty breathable, and the pads are really comfy but the bright yellow is a bit in your face.  The price is good but they are currently only available from the US with a delivery charge to the UK at 20 dollars (about £12.50)

Untidy garage? Need more floor space?  Look no further than these wall mounted bike hooks with anti-scratch rubber covered bracket which stops your rims getting trashed.  They’re strong, wide, constructed from steel and available in White or Silver powder coat finish.

Take it with you on every ride.

As well as the usual assortment of scissors, knifes and screwdrivers there are spring loaded pliers and sturdy wire cutters.

Its sleek looking but just because it’s got nice lines, there’s no reason you can’t use it in some pretty ugly situations. In fact, we dare you….

Do you wince every time a rock hits your carbon down tube?  You can leave the wincing behind as Shelter Tape now offer multi-layer acrylic elastomeric patches in a kit to protect the areas that take the knocks.

In recent years KHS have built an enviable reputation on high value and for under £2000 this is a really great full suspension bike.

Lighter, tighter and with re-tuned shocks from its predecessor the popular 555.

To save weight KHS have added a tapered head tube and new tubeset, which also adds stiffness enabling you to drive through corners.  The four bar suspension set-up and rocker linkage are lighter, combining with laid back seat angle and relaxed geometry to give stability at speed.

SRAM transmission gives 30 gears for grinding up even the steepest climbs.  Low compression damping RockShox Monarch improves traction where it’s needed on more technical climbs, while the floodgate lever lets you stiffen for longer climbs – double whammy.  The rear shock has also been re-tuned for UK riders.

Dual Air 15mm Maxle bolt through axle Revelation fork is the best for your buck and the Avid Elixir brakes are potently powerful.

The overall weight of the bike at 13.1kg is low for the cost and the only downside is that the puncture prone WTB tyres need swapping for something tougher and grippier to let the bike achieve its full potential.

Really well specced for your money, versatile all-rounder.

KHS XCT 556 Specification:

Frame:

New custom formed 6061 alloy w/four bar horst link, 140 travel, tapered head, asymmetric stay

Fork:

Rockshox revelation RL dual air, 15mm maxle lite, 140 air, motion control, ext rebound and low speed compression to lock, 1.5 taper alloy steerer tube

Rear Shock:

Rockshox monarch RT3 solo air w/3 pos.flood gate switch, rebound adjust

Chainset:

Sram S1000 3.3, 10s alloy rings, 2PC, giga x pipe, 44/33/22

Chainrings:

-

Cassette:

Sram PG-1050 12-36, 10 Speed

Chain Device:

-

Bottom Bracket:

Truvativ GXP outboard cartridge bearing

Chain:

KMC DX/10SC w/quick link

Front Hub:

Alloy disc QR, cassette, 15mm through axle front

Rear Hub:

Alloy disc QR, cassette, 15mm through axle

Front Derailleur:

Sram X7

Rear Derailleur:

Sram X9, 10 Speed

Front Brake:

Avid Elixir 5 disc hydraulic, 7/185mm front

Rear Brake:

Avid Elixir 5 disc hydraulic, 6/160mm rear

Brake Levers:

-

Pedals:

Shimano PD-M505 SPD clipless

Handlebars:

Truvativ Stylo team 31.8 oversize, butted, 20mm rise x 680mm wide

Stem:

Q2 Team, alloy forged, 31.8, 4 Bolt

Headset:

FSA Orbit Threadless Zero Stack

Grips:

-

Saddle:

WTB Silverado

Seatpost:

Q2 Forged Light Alloy 2 Bolt Micro Adjust

Rims:

Mavic XM 317 disc double wall

Front Tyre:

WTB wolverine 26~2.2 folding 60 TPI

Rear Tyre:

WTB wolverine 26~2.2 folding 60 TPI

Inner Tubes:

-

Shifters:

Sram X7 trigger, 3~10

Extras:

Spokes: 14G Black 14~32

If you can’t stand the thought of being without your gadgets however far you are off the beaten track, this one is for you.  Transforming the sun’s rays into electricity it could power your iPhone for 18 hours as well as all your other portable electronics and comes with a range of adaptors.

Video mapping from the world’s smallest, wearable GPS video camera.

If you’re a fan of the Contour head camera, all your dreams just came true.  The ContourGPS captures vivid 1080p video. It uses a 135° wide-angled rotating lens to capture all the action.  Sounds great…..

Now add GPS to the story!  Now you can view your speed and change in elevation whilst reliving the descent in footage form.  And even better, the GPS track synchronizes with your footage to provide a second-by-second replay laid over Google Maps of your run.

Some of the places we play in are rough and dirty, which is why all Contour GPS cameras are made to withstand everything from caked and baked mud, kicked-up sand to raging rain storms. The strong aluminum body withstands shakes, rattles and rolls and a water resistant design sheds all types of moisture and spray.

A variety of sport specific mounts are available getting you set up in no time, with the camera in the sweetest spot to record your run.

If you have sensitive periphery the Gravics tight wrap round will keep out and prevent that glare very effectively, the nosepiece is rubber and quite small so ideal if your nose bridge is small, the arms are comfortable though have that plastic feeling.  At £45.99 they arrive with a soft case.

Rain, mud, and sweat can be a riders worst nightmare. Especially the day after you ride in the wet and want to hit the trails again but your shoes are wet. What can you do? Well THE has the answer to drying out shoes and boots over night

THE Dry Sock will help take care of your wet shoes and get you back on your bike in comfort. Removes moisture and mildew overnight in any shoe.  Keeps your shoes dry, soft, and odourless.

Simply place inside any type of shoe or boot and leave overnight. The Dry Sock pulls moisture from the shoe’s interior quickly and effectively. Removes odour and bacteria from shoe materials after extreme use and helps soften shoe materials for next use