Holy crap, it’s already mid-December, where has the last year gone? With the silly season looming, Team Flow is all hands on deck to put a bow on 2022. While Santa is packing his sleigh and the reindeer are doing their stretches, the bike industry has kicked into hyperdrive.
In the last couple of weeks, Scott has lifted the veil on the Lumen e-MTB and a new Scale hardtail. Giant revamped the Reign, Orbea updated the Rise, and RockShox announced Flight Attendant upgrade kits.
In trail news, Tassie has added two more trail networks to the list, with Silver City near Zeehan, and George Town’s Tippogoree Hills opening to the public. We also took a deep dive into the new Glenrock MTB plan and what it means for Newcastle mountain bikers and explored the riding around Marysville for a Lake Mountain Weekender.
The crazy cats from Polygon released the final episode of Pinned with Polygon for 2022, where they faced the wrath of Tāwhirimātea at Crankworx Rotorua.
We also wrapped up our group test of Continental’s new range of gravity tyres and pressed play on an in-depth review of Norco’s new aluminium Fluid.
There is still plenty in the works, so stay tuned for more. But, in the meantime, grab a beverage and enjoy the healthy heaping of Fresh Produce.
2023 Merida One-Sixty 10K
Merida recently introduced its brand new One-Sixty and One-Forty lineup, which are built around a totally redesigned frame and suspension design. Along with big changes to the geometry and the addition of mixed wheelsize options, these bikes are a huge step forward for Merida.
To get some first-hand experience with the new platform, we’ve just received a Merida One-Sixty test bike to put through the grinder on our home trails. It’s the top-end 10K model, so it features a full carbon frame and the RockShox Flight Attendant suspension system, with a 170mm travel Zeb up front and a Super Deluxe shock delivering 171mm of rear wheel travel.
Both the One-Sixty and One-Forty frames are 29in and mullet compatible, with a two-position flip chip accommodating the change in BB height when changing the rear wheel size. With our test bike being the ‘Mid’ size, it comes standard as a mullet. It’s rolling on high-end Reynolds Black Label wheels with Industry Nine Hydra hubs, and it gets Maxxis DoubleDown tyres front and rear with a 3C MaxxGrip Assegai up front.
There’s a whole load more features to be found on this high-tech enduro bike, and riders with more modest budgets will be happy to know that the range kicks off at just $3,399 AUD. Check out our Merida One-Sixty & One-Forty article for everything you need to know.
- Price: $13,499 AUD
- From: Merida
Bluegrass Eagle Rogue Core MIPS Helmet
As the gravity-offshoot brand of MET Helmets, Bluegrass Eagle is best known for its full face helmets, gloves and body armour. Bluegrass Eagle also produces open-face trail helmets, and the Rogue Core MIPS shown here is the brand’s top-tier option for trail riders and enduro racers.
Roz has been digging the broad coverage of the Rogue Core MIPS helmet, which features a fully in-moulded polycarbonate shell that provides plenty of protection around the back and sides of the head. Inside is an EPS foam core and a MIPS-C2 liner that provides 10-15mm of movement to mitigate rotational forces, while the large coverage visor is designed to flex and deform in the event of a crash.
Despite the generous surface area, there’s a total of 19 vents, with the front two intake ports being very effective at bringing cool air over the rider’s forehead. There are vents built into the visor too, which can also stow sunglasses. Along with the fully adjustable harness, flexible straps and Fidlock magnetic buckle, we’ve found this to be a comfortable and high quality trail helmet.
- Price: $229 AUD
- From: MET Helmets
Ride Wrap Tailored Kit
Mountain bikes are subjected to a constant spray of dust, rocks, gravel and other gritty projectiles. Ride Wrap offers pre-cut, self-healing, clear film that offers nearly full coverage defence to keep your bike’s paintwork scratch and chip-free. The kits are available either as tailored protection which is cut to the specific dimensions and contours of your frame or as generic one size fits most kits.
According to RideWrap, the film was developed in-house specifically for the rigours of protecting bikes. The brand says its three-layer film has a self-healing, hydro/dirt-phobic top coat, TPU durability structure in the middle, and an acrylic adhesive layer.
RideWrap is best applied to new frames, but can also breathe new life into a bike that has some trail time on it, hiding small scratches and paint chips. With this in mind, we organised one for Colin’s much-loved Norco Optic, which is beginning to look a little tired after nearly three years of abuse.
Anyone can do the installation, but Colin enlisted his father-in-law, who is a signwriter and deals with vinyl on a daily basis, to help and provide some tips.
Prepare to be patient, it’s not a quick job, and it’s fiddly AF. Also make sure your workspace is clean, take your time, and do the installation in a very well-lit area. And when RideWrap says to read all the instructions before you start, heed this advice.
It’s a pretty involved process, but Colin’s Optic is looking shiny and almost new — despite a few rogue bubbles.
RideWrap provides everything you need for the job except a spray bottle, and we would definitely recommend having a heat gun or hairdryer on hand to deal with edges that just refuse to stick.
We’ll be putting together the tips and tricks we picked up from Col about installing RideWrap. Stay tuned for more.
- Price: $200.00 AUD
- From: RideWrap
Crank Brothers Stamp Street Fabio Shoes
Channel your inner street life with Fabio Wibmer by slipping on a pair of his signature shoes. Designed for street riding while retaining off-bike casual looks, the flat-sole shoes from Crank Brothers have attracted Wil’s attention. While they look as casual as regular shoes, the sole is built to grip and wrap around a flat pedal, and the neoprene bootie will add security and keep unwanted debris out.
There are four colours to choose from, ranging from the bright white ‘very Fabio’ style with gold lettering to grey, black and purple. We think we’ve just found Wil’s perfect shoe!
- Price: $224 AUD
- From: Lusty Industries
Endura Women’s Humvee Shorts & Singletrack Jersey
Roz was after some fresh riding kit for a trip over to the US, and so she got her hands on some new threads from Scottish brand Endura. Shown here is a colourful SingleTrack jersey, which uses a casual tech-tee style with a not-too-tight, not-too-baggy fit. While the technical fabric offers a breezy feel with sweat-wicking properties, it’s actually made from 95% recycled polyester, which is pretty rad!
Endura also makes a women’s specific version of its classic Humvee baggy shorts. These are built from nylon rip-stop fabric and feature a reinforced gusset and double-stitched seams in critical areas for maximum durability. This will be appreciated by folks who are hard on their gear, whether that’s from crashing or from riding in wet and muddy conditions.
The burly construction and thick waist band do make them quite stiff however, and Roz hasn’t been enamoured with the lack of flexibility or breathability. That’s not helped by the chunky fly zipper or the plethora of pockets, all of which seem to be just too small to securely fit a modern smartphone.
The overall fit is very secure though, thanks to the adjustable belt and multi-clasp closure. The Clickfast system is also a clever way to allow the outer baggy shorts to be connected to the padded liner within, which eliminates slippage while riding. Still, we reckon Aussie riders facing hot and sunny conditions will be better served by the Humvee Lite or SingleTrack Lite.
- Price: $69.95 AUD (SingleTrack Jersey) – $139.95 AUD (Humvee Shorts)
- From: Endura Sport
Endura Pakajak II Jacket
Another iconic product in the Endura clothing range is the Pakajak. A packable jacket (Pakajak, geddit?), this lightweight number stuffs down into an impossibly small stuff-sack that will easily fit into a jersey pocket or in a small compartment in your backpack or hip bag.
Made from nip-stop nylon, the Pakajak isn’t meant to be a hardcore waterproof jacket. Instead it’s designed to be a thin windproof outer shell that you can whip on and off at a moment’s notice when the weather turns on you unexpectedly.
It’s very much on the minimalist side, with no storage pockets or hood to be found. This is what gives it such a tiny form factor, so you can easily leave it in your regular riding pack (or the SWAT compartment on your frame, if you have one), ready to be called upon in times of need.
The Pakajak isn’t entirely frills-free. It gets a full-length zipper up front, a high collar to keep the wind off your neck, ventilation holes under the armpits, and elasticated cuffs for a snug fit. Along with the extended sleeves and whale-tail, this is a great jacket that has proven to be mighty useful during the ever-changeable conditions presented by La Niña. And for under a hundred dollarydoos, the Pakajak comes highly recommended.
- Price: $94.95 AUD
- From: Endura Sport
Fizik Terra Atlas Shoes
On the lookout for a clip-in cycling shoe that does it all? Designed as an all-terrain cycling shoe that covers everything from XC, trail and gravel riding, through to off-road bikepacking, the Fizik Terra Atlas fills a useful position in between super-racy carbon XC shoes and heavy-duty gravity clobbers.
To avoid bulk, the Terra Atlas features a lightweight and low-profile upper that’s secured by a single L6 BOA ratchet dial. This makes it easy to fine-tune the wire tension, with the asymmetric cut allowing the upper to wrap comfortably over your feet. While Roz is loving the fit, those with much wider feet will be better off looking at US brands like Specialized, or even an E-specific fit from Shimano. These sit slightly towards the narrower and lower-volume side of the fit spectrum, so be prepared to size up rather than down.
For usability off the bike, the X5 outsole uses rubber tread blocks to provide plenty of traction while pushing your bike uphill. This is a big upgrade over the plastic tread that used to come on many XC shoes, and it makes the Terra Atlas much easier to live with for trail and gravel riding.
They’re certainly not doughy however. The nylon plate hidden inside the midsole provides plenty of stiffness around the cleat area, so power transfer is direct and your feet don’t flex over the top of the pedal body. Along with the snug-fitting upper and discreet TPU armouring, these will suit sporty riders looking for a lightweight, but still practical set of trail shoes.
- Price: $249.95 AUD
- From: Fizik
2023 Specialized Crux Comp
Did someone say gravel?
Mick’s newest bike is this rather lovely Specialized Crux Comp, which he purchased as a replacement for his current drop bar road bike. Whatever your opinion is on the gravel genre, there’s no denying this is a far more versatile option compared to a traditional skinny tyre road bike. Disc brakes, official clearance for 47c tyres and more relaxed geometry all combine to provide all-terrain capability in a bike that wants to rack up the miles, whatever the surface, and do it comfortably. It’s the mountain biker’s road bike, if you will.
As far as gravel goes, the Specialized Crux is one of the lightest and possibly the sleekest option going. There are no funky pivots, no pseudo-suspension, and it’s certainly not designed to be a bikepacking mule. Instead the Crux employs elegant, small diameter straight tubes to provide a more traditional silhouette that offers low weight and a compliant ride.
Mick’s already got a number of adventure rides and events in mind, and he’ll also be using the Crux to test out some new components as Flow expands its gravel experience. Keen to know more about the bike? See Mick’s first look story here.
- Price: $6,200 AUD
- From: Specialized
Fox Speedframe MIPS Helmet
We’ve long been fans of the Fox Speedframe Pro helmet, which offers great coverage and a comfortable fit that seems to work well for a lot of different head shapes and sizes. Shown here is the cheaper Speedframe MIPS helmet, which employs the same shape and styling as its pricier counterpart, albeit with a couple of changes that help to lop $70 off the price tag.
Whereas the top-end Pro model uses a dual-density foam core, the regular Speedframe uses a single-density foam construction. It’s still wrapped with a fully in-moulded polycarbonate outer shell, and you’ll find the classic yellow MIPS liner inside for helping to manage rotational impact forces. There’s an adjustable 360° fit system, a simple nylon buckle, and a large 3-position visor.
- RRP: $199 AUD
- From: Fox Racing
Fox Ranger Jersey, Flexair Shorts & Gloves
We’ve also received some lightweight riding kit from Fox, including this long-sleeve Ranger jersey. Made from recycled materials, the TruDri fabric is light and silky to the touch. It’s designed to wick away sweat, making it a great option for hot summer rides when you want UV protection from the sun, but still want to wear something that’s breathable.
On the bottom we’ve got a pair of suitably lightweight Flexair shorts. These are made from a 4-way stretch fabric for maximum flexibility, and they get a heap of ventilation holes through the front of the thighs to keep cool air circulating. There are two zippered hand pockets for stowing valuables, and a nylon ratchet strap closure for the waistband.
Rounding out the set is the superlight Flexair gloves, which are about as minimalist as it gets. These use a simple elasticated cuff, a lightweight and breathable mesh upper, and a one-piece synthetic leather palm for maximum feel on the grips.
- RRP: $59.99 (Flexair Gloves) – $69.99 (Ranger Jersey) – $149.99 (Flexair Shorts)
- From: Fox Racing
2023 Canyon Spectral CF 8 K.I.S.
Canyon stirred up quite the hornet’s nest when it debuted the unique KIS steering stabiliser a few weeks ago. Produced in partnership with fellow German brand Liteville, the KIS system is designed to create a counter-force to wheel flop. It does this by placing two small springs that are anchored inside the top tube, and connect up to a specially designed cam that sits around the fork’s steerer tube. When you turn the handlebars the springs stretch, adding a notable force that wants to straighten the handlebars.
According to Canyon, the KIS system helps to improve stability on high-speed descents, reduce front wheel deflection through rock and root gardens, while also decreasing wandering on steep climbs. The end result is said to be more control and less fatigue for the rider. Sounds too good to be true right?
Because the KIS system requires specific mounts in the top tube, Canyon is only launching it on a single model to begin with. It’s the Spectral CF 8 KIS, which will sell for $7,399 AUD (plus shipping). That’s $700 more than the regular CF 8, and we endeavour to find out whether the premium is worth it, and if this unique steering stabiliser is as revolutionary as Canyon says it is.
Curious about the tech behind KIS? Check out our detailed first look article for everything you need to know, and stay tuned for our in-depth review coming soon!
- Price: $7,399 AUD (Plus Shipping)
- From: Canyon
Tubolight EVO HD
Weighing a feathery 90g (29in diameter), the Tubolight EVO HD is the latest bit of rim protection we’ve been dabbling with over the past few months.
Tubolight makes inserts for road, gravel, XC and trail/gravity riding, with the main difference being the shape of the foam. The EVO HD insert we have is designed to suit rims between 26mm and 46mm, and tyres from 2.35in to 2.80in. Tubolight makes claims about the level of protection offered by the profile of the insert, and performance gains that come thanks to the air channel on the underside. We have no way to test these claims, so they aren’t worth repeating here.
On the trail, the Tubolight insert damps a boatload of vibration. The foam is considerably softer than CushCore and makes for an almost wooden ride feel. On a full-suspension bike, you forget about it after the second ride, but we expect this will play a more significant factor on a hardtail. The insert also provides a surprising amount of sidewall support. Colin has been running 22psi in a 2.4in Goodyear Newton MTR Enduro rear tyre and was able to drop down to 18psi before things got squirrely. Even at such low pressures, both tyre and rim have come out unscathed.
With CushCore installation nightmares fresh in our memory, fitting the Tubolight was a dream. Honestly, we’ve had bigger battles trying to mount tight-fitting tyres, and the process didn’t even require a tyre lever. You don’t need insert specific valves — though Tubolight sells them — but we’d recommend adding sealant before fitting the second bead. If you inject it through the valve, it pools in the air channel and then explodes out the sides when you try to seat the tyre — learn from our mistake.
- Price: $79.99 AUD
- From: FE Sports