"Let's Ride!" MTB Magazine Issue 2/2015

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...and more!

TESTED: SOLID MAGIX, HOPE E4 BRAKES, BIKE BACKPACKS, SPD PEDALS & SHOES RACING: CANNONDALE ENDURO TOUR STORY: RIDING IN CRIMEA ...and much more!


04. GALLERY 12. FROM PUBLISHER 14. SHORT REVIEWS 20. SPD PEDALS 28. SPD SHOES 34. RIDING IN CRIMEA 44. CANNONDALE ENDURO TOUR 54. SOLID MAGIX 27.5 60. SUMMER CLOTHING SETS 80. BACKPACKS 92. RAIN & WIND JACKETS 106. HOPE E4 DISC BRAKES 112. LIFESTYLE ACCESSORIES COVER

RIDER: NICHOLI ROGATKIN PHOTOGRAPHER: ALE DI LULLO



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PHOTOGRAPHER: Andrey Shevtsov RIDER: Mikhail Kapustin LOCATION: Kislovodsk, Russia letsridemag.com | 5


PHOTOGRAPHER: Dmitriy Shindjakin RIDER: unknown LOCATION: Baikal Lake, Russia 6 | Let’s Ride! MTB Magazine | Issue 2 / 2015


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PHOTOGRAPHER: Hoshi Yoshida letsridemag.com | 9


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PHOTOGRAPHER: Dovbnya Anastasia RIDER: Vasily Sokolovsky - «FreeRate» Team LOCATION: Sevastopol, Russia letsridemag.com | 11


Dear friends! Summer is in full swing and to make the most of its long and warm days you need a proper gear, no doubt about that. We have tested few lightweight outfits, perfect for long days in the saddle, and in case of summer thunderstorm we checked which jackets will guarantee to keep you dry and warm.Those of you who are looking for a new wardrobe will surely find something interesting here. We have also reviewed some backpacks and a couple of interesting bike gadgets and components. Since we are big fans of quality and practical accessories of any kind, we decided to write not only about bike related products, but share with you also intriguing lifestyle toys, tools and gadgets which we find interesting. First such reviews you will already find and this issue. Please enjoy! ...and have a long and warm summer full of adventures! Alexej Fedorov

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reverse Pedal

Black one Pedal size 100*100mm, Pedal height 14,5 mm Pin height 4mm above platform, Alloy body with 20 alloy pins Optional available all colored pins (US Size) Weight: pair 309g (with 40 alloy pins) Price: 119,90 â‚Ź

GERM

AN

QUALITY PAssIon engIneerIng

Find us on facebook Distributors world wide:


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ALPINESTARS EVOLUTION The new Evolution jacket from the Italian Manufacturer Alpinestars IS A MUST-HAVE PIECE OF KIT FOR THOSE WHO RIDE ON THE LIMIT. IT OFFERS protection for chest, shoulders and SPINE. Two side pockets Along with a compartment for a hydration bladder makes IT suitable ALSO FOR ENDURO RACERS AND THOSE WHO LIKE TO FEEL WELL PROTECTED ON THEIR LONG TOURS. THE EVOLUTION VEST is quite light, OFFERS GOOD ventilation and is compatible with a neck brace. Price: 159,95â‚Ź www.alpinestars.com/cycling

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WTB HIGH TAIL CARBON SADDLE A new, expensive and almost too-light saddle FROM WTB. Of course, it IS A PERSONAL PREFERENCE, but we find that the saddle should be relatively hard. FINDING THE ONE THAT FITS OFTEN MEANS USING THE "TRIAL AND ERROR" METHOD. CARBON high tail HAS HOWEVER A COUPLE OF INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL FEATURES: ACCORDING TO WTB IT HAS BEEN OPTIMIZED FOR BIKES WITH BIGGER WHEELS, LONGER TRAVEL AND PLUSH SUSPENSION. THANKS TO ITS REAR CUT-OUT SHAPE YOU CAN BE SURE IT WILL NOT GET BUZZED DURING FULL COMPRESSION of the suspension. For those with a weight fetish and, it is a must-have. Size: 128 x 255 mm Weight: 161 gr Price: 209€ www.wtb.com

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CONTOUR +2 ACTION CAM The Contour + 2 camera not only looks good but also has useful features and technical details. Thanks to built-in GPS you can follow YOUR speed and RECORD THE route. Using a special program (INCLUDED), you can place SUCH data in the video. By default the camera mount is for a helmet, however you can buy additional MOUNTS for handlebars, goggles and so on. The holder is movable, allowing you to more easily find the correct angle. There is also a built-in laser beam which is helps TO LEVEL THE CAMERA. The Contour IS also supplied with a plastic case that protects it from water and dirt. There are connections for microphone, USB, HDMI and a thread for MOUNTING TO A standard tripod. With an app on your smartphone, you can connect with the camer via BLUETOOTH Video recording is done in MP4 format with H.264 codec and AAC audio. Price: $300 WeiGht: 156 gr - camERA / 128 gr – case www.contour.com

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FIBRAX Last year AT THE EUROBIKE, the British bicycle-brake specialist Fibrax showed something innovative and completely new - a silicone protection for the bike frame in the form of a spiral mounted on the brake and derailleur cables which ARE PRONE to rub the frame. Once put on, IT WILL protect YOUR frame FROM FRICTION and thus leave no scratches. Trivial and over the top perhaps, but nice, cheap and practical. it comes in different colours, SO it is a great opportunity to embellish your two-wheeled friend, OR AT LEAST NOT RUIN ITS AESTHETICS. www.fibrax.com

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pixel44.de // foto:Manfred Stromberg

THE SPIRIT OF ENDURO

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LATSCH 29.-31. MAI ST. ANDREASBERG / BRAUNLAGE 20.-21. JUNI BREITENBRUNN 11.-12. JULI KRONPLATZ 31. JULI - 2. AUGUST LENZERHEIDE / 11.-13. SEPTEMBER powered by

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CLIPLESS PEDALS

CLIP IN In the previous issue we tested 4 platform pedals. Now the time has come to present the most interesting clipless options. The benefits and downsides of both types could be endlessly discussed but the bottom line is, that the final choice is a matter of a personal preference and THE application type. The BIGGEST advantage of clipless pedals IS the grip and "CONNECTIOn" with the bike, which gives a much better control over it. CLIPLESS PEDALS IMPROVE also the pedalling efficiency, especially on the climbs. Let’s find out which “clicks” offer THE BEST PERFORMANCE!

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XPEDO Baldwin Weight: 332 gr Body/axle: alu 6061 / chromoly steel Bearings: 3 Cartridge Cleats: XPEDO XPT 6° Colors: blue, grey, black, purple, orange Size: 61.2 x 76 x 18.6 mm Price: 135 €t

APPEARANCE Compared to other pedals Baldwin looks really subtle, nearly like a kid’s shiny toy. But don’t be fooled by that. Their robust clipping system is firmly attached to the alloy body with 4 Torx bolts. The tension can be precisely adjusted and its level is shown by a clever indicator. their open design guarantees that the the mud and dirt will not clog them up. They come in a simple box together with cleats and manual booklet.

USE The first thing we noticed was that the axle spun suspiciously fast, what made clipping in quite tricky. It took a bit of trial and error to correct that small issue, but once it was done we quickly got used to them and could instinctively clip in and out. The only drawback is a small platform which doesn’t offer much support, especially in situations where you are not able to clip back in right away.

CONCLUSION In our opinion Baldwin are more suited for trail riding and touring, for harder usage their platform doesn’t offer enough support. Their advantages are a relatively low weight and attractive price. www.xpedo.com

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VP Adventure Race Weight: 460 gr Body/axle: alu / chromoly steel Bearings: ROLLER & 2x SEALED Cartridge Cleats: SPD Colors: black Size: 72 x 90 x 18 mm Price: 130 $

APPEARANCE They look robust and aggressive. Real men pedals, we would say. fairly large platform promise a good support. Clipping system is attached with two bolts to the body and the tension adjustment bolts are easy to access. They come wrapped in a THICK plastic and an unnecessarily large box, which in our humble opinion could be downsized. Inside you will find cleats and a small manual booklet.

USE Their wide forged alu platform proved to give a satisfactory additional support. Three months of hard use revelead no issues, however in the muddy condition they clogged up easily what had noticably negative impact on THE clipping-in PROCESS. THEIR CLIP-IN MECHANISM FEELS SIMILAR TO SHIMANO (THEY SHARE THE SAME CLEAT SYSTEM) WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

CONCLUSION Quality pedals for pretty much any type of riding. We tested them on long all mountain tours, as well as FEW Enduro races WHERE They worked flawlessly and proved to be very reliable. www.vp-usa.com

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HT Components X1 Weight: 470 gr Body/axle: alu / chromoly steel Bearings: TRI Sealed BearingS, DU BUSHING Cleats: H30 / X2 (HT patent) Colors: black, red, blue, green, gold Size: 83.5 x 92.5 x 16.7 mm Price: 169 $

APPEARANCE HT packaging already reveals that we are about to find a top quality product inside. Stylish cardboard box, apart from tidy packed pedals, contains one set of cleats and a manual. There are no extra pins included. The X1 have the biggest and thinnest platform out of all PEDALS WE tested. Clipping unit is attached with 4 Torx bolts to a “classic” CNC cut-OUT body which is larded with 5 pins on each side.

USE Their large platform offers as expected an enormous grip, support and security when going UP AND down through a rough terrain. during hard pedalling you can be sure that none of the power you put down is going to be wasted. We expected clipping in to be a bit easier, again - thanks to the large platform which should easily guide your cleats to their place. To our surprise we still struggle with that from time to time. IN THE FIRST WEEKS OF USE THEY TEND TO JAM FROM WHILE CLIPPING OUT, but once they've bedded in the problem was gone. WHEN clipped in, they give a very safe feeling, even with much lower spring tension than we are used to. Clipping out point is sharp and easy to feel, even when crashing we could always safely eject from the bike.

CONCLUSION Great pedals for any rider who is able to sacriface extra weight for fantastic grip and security. After a couple months of hard use their clipping system, as well as bearings showED no sign of wear and workED flawlessly. The only issue we need to mention are a couple of pins which went missing. It would be great if some spares would be included. www.ht-components.com

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SHOES

SPD SHOES FOR

TOUGH

CONDITIONS

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VAUDE Taron Mid AM All products of Vaude are of high quality. We have already tested clothing of THIS German manufacturer, but THESE ARE FIRST shoeS, we had a chance to TRY. The Taron Mid AM comes with the following useful attributes: a Vibram sole, water resistant technology Sympatex, plastic zip and Velcro. Taron excellently protects from moisture, keeping the feet dry, even in extremeLY MUCKY conditions. The high SHANK protects the ankle from injury AND KEEP THE WATER AND DIRT AWAY. Due to slightly higher sole the spikes are located deeper, which has a positive impact ON walking COMFORT. HAVING ALL THESE FEATURES COMES WITH A WEIGHT PENALTY - with 580 G THEY ARE QUITE HEAVY, BUT THAT'S THE UNAVOIDABLE PRICE OF SUCH LEVEL OF PROTECTION. Unfortunately AFTER A SHORT TIME one of the loops for laces GOT RIPPED OFF very eASILY, so we BECAME A BIT WORRIED ABOUT THE QUALITY AND RELIABILITY. Price: 200â‚Ź Weight: 580gr www.vaude.com

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5.10 Maltese Falcon The ulterior motive of 5.10 Shoes is worldwide popular among cyclists. They are known for excellent grip, durable material and a wide range OF OPTIONS to fit every taste. This model of Maltese Falcon, we wore for many months and they quickly became our favorites. THE fit IS PERFEcT, leaving enough room for thick socks. In addition to the laces, there are two Velcro STRAPS. THEY HAVE, like most models of 5.10, the Stealth S1 SOLE, which provides SUPERIOR grip while using the flat pedalS. THEY AREN'T ADVERTISED AS WATERPROOF, BUT WE were A BIT SURPRISED HOW FAST OUR FEET GOT WET IN RAINY CONDITIONS. Overall – the Maltese Falcon is a very WELL THOUGHT OUT and comfortable shoe that has almost no flaws. Weight: 475gr Price: 130€ www.fiveten.com

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Biking in

CRIMEA

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This year we finally managed to go to Crimea at the end of April. Although we were hoping for nice warm weather, we had to cope with rain and temperatures of minus 10 degrees. Nevertheless, within these 8 days, we had to give up biking just for one time and went for a hike and visited a cave. The will to go out biking was stronger than storms and cold. The mountains here are not as high as the Alps, the infrastructure is not as well developed, but nevertheless there is plenty fun to be had. In Alushta, where we stayed, lifts were missing so we had to be prepared to enjoy both up- and downhills. At the top there was still snow, so at first we were not that too happy and optimistic. Ay-Iory, Seruz, Mamut, Lenin and Lavanda – those were our first trails. Then one new Trail – Luchistyi – was on the schedule. All of them were different, versatile and therefore really exciting. Even in bad weather you they are fun to ride. Technical and blocked downhills were diluted with fast sections with berms and kickers.

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On a day when Alushta and its area was completely covered with clouds, we decided to go to Balaklava to ride another exciting trail which lays right at the coast. It was a very narrow and technical path with a spectacular view, which ended up at the sea level. Small, but cosy beach was a perfect place to relax and recharge our batteries. Unfortunately, we could not jump into the sea in such weather, but the smell of fresh breeze... Well! After we recovered, an epic climb was announced. Climbing back on foot was an extreme effort, not to mention pedalling up on the bike, but once you reach the top and look at the tender sea below, one understands how much freedom our bikes give us. You can go as far as your strength and courage will let you. Isn't that freedom?

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A day before leaving we wanted to take yet another epic tour. At the southern side of the mountain Jemerji there was still snow but it did not discourage us. It was an endless uphill but we we firmly pushed up, tempted by the prospect of an epic views and exciting ride back down. Only when we reached the top we understood how in fact exhausting it was, and that it was a bit of an overkill for us. We climbed, run, dragged the bike through the snow and fought the strong wind which tried to blow us off the mountain's face. But yet again, when we reached the peak we felt that our efforts were rewarded, and the "icing on a cake" - the descent - was yet ahead of us!

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This trail was one of the best during our trip. In the beginning there was a lot of snow, but quickly disappeared as the trail swung to the southern side of the mountain. Slightly damp ground had enormous grip and made us bravely push through each corner. It was a flow fest! This was one of those moments when you can't stop smiling to yourself, a moment of pure joy when all worries disappear - there is only you, bike and the trail. Such moments left us hungry for more and encouraged to never stop exploring in search for an elusive "perfect trail". Goodbye Crimea, we'll see you again for sure, even more determined!

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Vive La

FRANCE CANNONDALE ENDURO TOUR For several years now Jerome CLEMENTZ and HIS PARTNER Pauline DIEFFENTHALER organise WITH A GREAT SUCCEsS AN enduro race SERIES IN THEIR HOME REGION OF VOSGES, FRANCE. The fACT THAT start places are sold out within hours SHOWS HOW ATTRACTIVE THIS SERIES IS. This is not surprising - france is a home of enduro, the racing is blind, MANY trails are freshly built for the event and are ALWAYS super fun, THE organization and atmosphere are top, WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU WISH FOR. This also attracts PROFi'S LIKE NICO LAU OR REMY ABSALON, WHAT GIVES THE AMATEURS RARE CHANCE TO RACE 'HEAD TO HEAD' with ONE OF THE BEST RIDERS IN OUR SPORT.

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Round 1. DABO Date: 12th April Distance: 33 km Climb/DESCENT: 1100 m This race was our first competition in 2015. On the day before our good friend Martina from the german Dirt Magazine joined us. Full of excitement we raised our glasses and made a toast for a great season opener. On the next day of the event we got up early and hit the road. Luckily our hometown is only two hours away from most of the Vosges region, so we arrived pretty fresh and ready for a day full of action around the small town of Dabo. At the registration we learned that the organisational things are a little bit different in France. There are regulations which specify when open and when fullface helmet must be worn. If you like you can carry both helmets with you, like most participants did, however we opted just for a fullface one. Luckily in April temperatures were not high, so we didn't struggle much on the climbs. Race consisted of six stages packed with technical sections, slippery roots, rocks, steep steps and tight switchbacks, but it were the freshly cut, swirly turns that we enjoyed the most. The weather was excellent, not to warm, not to cold and the forest bed was still moist after the winter offering plenty of grip. Our fitness level in April was not yet there where we wished it would be, so we must admit - we struggled a bit, and the fact that it was a one day event meant that the whole day was pretty intense. We fought with ourselves, rather than the other competitors, but at the same time we absolutely enjoyed every moment of it and were already thinking of the next round in Belfort. The winner was the multiple Megavalanche champion Remy Absalon. Check out the video with highlights: www.vimeo.com/124968456

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Round 2. BELFORT date: 19th April Distance: 35 KM Climb/DESCENT: 1200 m When we arrived at the doorstep of the Belfort Fortress, the main attraction of Belfort town, we got excited to say the least. Start and finish lines were set up on a big parking lot just in front of the fort. From the newsletter we knew that one of the stages will actually go "through" this staggering building, what was hard to imagine, but when we spotted the tape stretched straight down the vertically looking wall, we suddenly felt that our hands got a bit sweaty from excitement. This looked absolutely spectactular and we could already imagine the crowds cheering for the riders charging down to the finish line! Our start was scheduled for 10 am. Yet again weather was very promising, so we gladly went off towards the other side of the town and the nearby hill where four of five stages were located. This relatively small hill is a home to numerous well-kept local trails. Some of them are man-made, with loose gravel, berms and small doubles or kickers, others are purely natural with technical segments littered with stones, off camber roots and treacherous switchbacks. Some parts we've raced twice, but that did not make racing any easier or less fun. From the top of the hill we had an amazing 360 degree panorama view. It was a perfect place to chill between the stages. Most memorable was the fourth stage, which consisted of endless twists and turns, which nearly made our head spin. For the fifth and the final stage we cruised back across the town and after a short climb we stood at the top of the Belfort Fortress. The view was again stunning and made waiting for the start much more entertaining. In the meantime the finish area filled up with excited spectators. "Three, two, one ... go!" - we rolled down the lawn, left, right, along the wall, and then we dropped to the basement inside the fortress! It was dark and narrow, we had to watch out for staircases and try not to clip any wall. This was one of its kind sensation! As we headed towards the exit we could hear the roaring crowds, there was one short pavement climb, tight right hand turn and and then the already mentioned spectactular steep drop down to the finish line! Oh, that was fun! Winner was Damien Otton with a margin of 29 seconds. Check out the video with highlights: www.vimeo.com/125584361

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Round 3. MOLLAU Date: 17th May Distance: 30 km Climb/DESCENT: 1500 m Third stop of the Cannondale Enduro Series took place in a small village of Mollau, located deeper in the Vosges. We were once again blessed with excellent weather, but the race itself turned out to be the most physically demanding out of all we've ridden so far. The trails were top notch, although some sections with their steepnes and technical difficulty pushed us brutally out of our comfort zones. But hey, at the end of the day it's what it's all about - pushing own limits and keep progressing! We are not reckless, but we had a lot of fun while taking more risks then we usually do. The action took place on five special stages with total length of 30 km and the cumulative elevation of ca. 1500m. Local forests looked fairly wild and were littered with diagonal roots, of camber sections and stone gardens. Some of the stages were "tailor made" for the race what meant they were loose and really fun to carve down. Every biker likes a good bit of roost! At the end of the first stage were exposed roots which brutally threw me of the bike and left with some cuts and bruises. Not the best way to start the day, but there were still 4 stages to go, so there was no time for wound licking. We've made the next two stages with no surprises and safely arrived to the feeding station with drinks, snacks and local specialities. Most climbs on the liaison stages were pretty easy, with just a few short sections where we had to push our bikes up. The third section was one of the longest and consisted of a sequence of quite tricky flat turns, whereas the fourth one was more rocky and technical, with tight bushy corners. The fifth one was a perfect ending - fast and open, going through the meadows with small jumps at the end. We've made it! This time the top spot was conequered by Nico Lau. It was a third flawlessly organised round of Cannondale Enduro Tour, which showed why it's not a coincidance that the best enduro riders come from France. We finished it with a feeling of accomplishment and were already excited for the next round in Guebwiller, which takes place on 6th of September. Check out the video with highlights: www.vimeo.com/128423469 FOLLOW CANNONDALE ENDURO TOUR: www.cannondale-endurotour.com 50 | Let’s Ride! MTB Magazine | Issue 2 / 2015


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. r e t s a F . e y l d i t R n e d fi n o C e Rid


www.trailmech.com


SOLID BIKES BASED IN BLACK FOREST IS ANOTHER GERMAN COMPANY OFFERING GREAT VALUE, THANKS TO THE DIRECT SALES MODEl. but COULD THEIR LATEST ENDURO BIKE, THE "MAGIX" KEEP UP WITH THE COMPETITION? FIND OUT IN OUR TEST! WORDS & PHOTOS: ALEXEJ FEDOROV

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The small town of Freudenstadt is located in a picturesque corner of the Black Forest in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Here in the hills with an infinite number of trails is where you'll find the HEADQUARTER OF SOLID BIKES. More than 10 years have passed since the company was founded by Peter Schmitt, and during this time it has firmly established itself ON the mountain bike market. This year SOLID is celebrating another milestone in its history a formation of THEIR FACTORY world cup downhill RACING team.

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First look The matte black frame looks very aggressive. With 175 mm travel and the Monarch RC3 shock with lock-out option it has the abitility to mutate from light freerider into a good climbing bike. But still the main task of Magix is the combination of both worlds - so called "enduro". The grips, saddle, clamp, wheels, stem, handlebar almost half the bicycle parts are produced by Solid's subsidiary, Reverse Components. That surely has positive impact on the price tag. It is a mid-range bike, but Reverse components proved to be robust enough and the high quality carbon handlebar, the RCC 750 is a nice, premium touch here. The Magix is equipped with SRAM 1x11 drivetrain, which will surely cover the needs of most riders. Slowing down

of your excitement is done by the new four-piston brakes from SRAM - Guide RS, which we could not wait to try out. Rock Shox Pike on the front is not a surprise and is a perfect choice for this class of bike. Here we have the Dual Position version, with 160mm travel which can be lowered down to 130mm, for the convenience of steep and long climbs. Another part from Rock Shox family is the Reverb Stealth hydraulic seatpost. The Magix is a well-equipped bike weighing just over 13 kg, what is a very good result. Time to hit the trail!

ON THE TRAIL Taking the bike out of the Solid office in Freudenstadt, I decided to explore the local area. From the first run on the bike I felt the confidence boost. Suspension

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was super plush, and worked flawlessly. Despite a rather long 438mm chainstay, the Magix easily pop up over obstacles. At the end of the 30km tour, I began to develop a really good connection with the bike. The first experience was very good and immediately afterwards I was looking forward to my first race on the Magix - the Cannondale Enduro Tour. However, it is worth mentioning that towards the end of my first ride I experienced quite considerable brake fade. This turned on my warning lights and made me concerned, especially with the race coming up soon. The brake levers were also quite uncomfortable, although some adjustment to the cockpit helped to rectify that. Another thing which I didn't like was the seat. It was uncomfortable for me, but it is a very personal opinion, so it might be actually fine for other riders. What I was very pleased with was the way the

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suspension worked. When flying downhill, both front and back soaked up all the bumps very smoothly and planted the bike on the ground. Also the 27.5 wheels despite all arguments really help carry speed and easily roll over obstacles. The choice of tyres was a little surprising. Schwalbe Hans Dampf with PaceStar compound are in my opinion not the ideal choice for a bike that is so inviting to get loose and ride hard. It has a very low rolling resistance, but not enough grip. Over the course of the test I couldn't build a full trust for them. TrailStar or VertStar rubber would be better option for this bike. I was however pleasantly surprised with the Reverse Components wheels. Despite numerous impacts "right to the rim", they remained true and suffered no damage at all. Very impressive. The steering angle of 65.5 degrees provides aggressive but stable position


on the bike. Only on very narrow snaking trails the Magix felt perhaps a little out of its comfort zone, but no doubt with more time on the bike it would be possible to get used to it.

Result The Solid Magix coped with all tasks with success. Despite some shortcomings in equipment like tires, brakes and the seat, it is a robust bike, suitable for a wide range of riding. Thanks to a 175mm of rear travel, unlike many bikes in its category. it is giving a bit more margin for error and inspire at the same time to charge harder. Having all that it still keeps a low weight. The price for what you get is very reasonable and allows Magix to easily compete with other manufacturers in its class. It is a bike that without further improvements will satisfy most riders; only small changes need to be made to suit personal preferences. CHEK OUT Short clips FROM THE test ride: www.vimeo.com/124108250 www.vimeo.com/131664582

Components CHECK: Frame: Magix Alloy 175 mm Shock: Rock Shox Monarch Plus RC3 HV Fork: Rock Shox Pike RC 2-Step 130-160 mm Stem: Reverse S- Trail 60 mm Handlebar: Reverse RCC 750 Carbon Grips: Reverse Lock-On Crank: SRAM Truvativ 1 400 X1 32 Drivetrain: SRAM X1 10-42 Brakes (F&R): SRAM Guide RS 180 mm Saddle: Reverse AM Seatpost: Rock Shox Reverb Stealth Wheels: Reverse 650B FR Tires: Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.3 Weight: 13.4 kg Price: 3260â‚Ź www.solidbikes.de

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CLOTHING KITS

WHERE

Style MEETS

FUNCTION CHEcK OUT 4 PREMIUM CLOTHING KITS FROM ALPINESTARS, SWEET PROTECTIOn, POC AND LOCAL OUTERWEAR, AND FIND OUT IF THEY PERFORM AS GOOD AS THEY LOOK! WORDS: ALEXEJ FEDOROV PHOTGRAPHY: DMITRY VAKULKA

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ALPINESTARS SHORTS DROP2 These shorts have two vents and two thigh pockets with zippers to keep items secure, and little tabs on each zipper to allow easy opening when wearing gloves. The two vents provide sufficient air circulation, also the material itself is fairly lightwaight making them really comfortable to wear. The Drop 2 shorts also come with a padded underwear that can be easily detached if not needed. In the area around the knees a different stretchy materials has been utilised, what comes handy when using bulky kneepads. The material and craftmanship look strong and high quality. After months of intense use they didn't show any faults; colour didn't fade and no logos have fallen off. The sizing seem to be a little larger than expected, so keep it in mind. + + + − −

HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS ROOMY POCKETS VERY COMFORTABLE VENTS zipperS TEND TO JAM PRICE

Price: 114,95 € Weight: 283 gr (size 32, without padding) Length: 59 cm 62 | Let’s Ride! MTB Magazine | Issue 2 / 2015


alpinestars

JERSEY DROP2 In comparison with other manufacturers, this jersey is thicker and tougher. This might be considered a negative, but the jersey performs well and have some clever featues. There are two very useful pockets with velcro, in which you can securely store small things like a mobile phone or some energy bars. There is also a very useful loop for headphones attachment. Possibly the nicest little surprise was an inner suede-like patch for cleaning the eyewear. On hot days the Drop2 jersey was great due to well-thought out placement of ventilation mesh around the underarms as well as chest and back. However, such design utilises a large number of stitches, which can be slightly irritating if you wearing it on a bare skin. In terms of sizing, it is well cut and comfortable, leaving enough space for the body protection and elbow pads. + PRACTICAL POCKETS + CLOTH FOR CLEANING EYEWEAR + GOOD VENTILATION Price: 54,95 â‚Ź Weight: 191 gr (M) Length: 69,5 cm

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F-LIGHT GLOVES F-Light - simply put, are one of the best gloves we've ever worn. They are inexpensive, extremely lightweight and fit perfectly. The inner side is made of mesh which provides great ventilation, even on very hot days. They are one of the few gloves which made us forget that we are actually wearing them. Three fingers of each glove have small rubber pads which ensure a good grip when using brakes and shifter paddles. The only downside we noticed, was the seam quality. In some areas they let go suspiciously quick. + + + −

SUPERB VENTILATION LIGHTWEIGHT PRICE WEAK SEAMS

Price: 24,95 € Weight: 39 g (L)

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CONCLUSION A good set for enduro racing. We were particularly impressed with the gloves – they are a perfect example of how to execute good ventilation AND COMFORT, while still offering ENOUGH protection. The shorts PROVED TO BE ROBUST AND VERY COMFORTABLE, although the price TAG IS A BIT STEEP. Thanks to its pockets AND CLEVER DETAILS LIKE HEADPHONES LOOP AND CLEANING PATCH the jersey is perfect for RIDING without a backpack. IT ALSO OFFERS GOOD VENTILATION AND HAS ENOUGH ROOM FOR PROTECTION VEST LIKE 'THE EVOLUTION' FROM ALPINESTARS. SET Weight: 513 g Price of the set: 195 € www.alpinestars.com

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SWEET PROTECTION HUNTER ENDURO SHORTS These very neatly stitched shorts have a distinguished style with a lot of attention to detail. On the inner side of leg they have 28 holes for ventilation which we did not immediately noticed, as they are pretty well hidden. They have two pockets on the belt, which are a bit narrow, and 2 on the hips. In the front there are two additional air vents with zippers. I liked the neat logos, buttons and the Velcro belt at the waist - all high quality little details. Hunter Enduro fits pretty well, although my regular M size was a bit too big in this case. Among all tested shorts, they are the longest, but thanks to a well cut form they don't restrict your movement, even when wearing kneepads. The material proved to be fairly robust and didn't tear after several falls. + + + − −

NICE MODEST STYLE ROBUST MATERIALS ATTENTION TO DETAIL NARROW POCKETS PRICE

Weight: 319 gr (M) Price: 119 € Length: 62 cm

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BREATHER JERSEY The Breather Jersey, like the POC, uses Polygiene fabric which has antibacterial properties and helps the garment to stay odor free. It very well absorbs the moisture, keeping it away from your skin. It dries quickly too. It feels very durable, but (luckily) I didn't have any crash test, which could reveal possible weakness of used material. The cut is is more like a T-Shirt what is unusual for bike clothing. It is comfortable and doesn't ristrict your movement, although the M size, which is my usual size, in this case was a bit too tight in the shoulders area. + CASUAL LOOK + ANTIBACTERIAL FABRIC Weight: 142 g (M) Price: 59 â‚Ź Length: 69,5 cm

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LA GRANGE GLOVES La Grange are heavier gloves, with a stretchy mesh-type material on the outside and robust suede on the inner side. There is also a small frottee material around the thumb, which of course is perfect for wiping sweat from your face. The inner side has numerous ventilation holes and rubber pads on the index finger. La Grange fit very well and despite lack of velcro they tightly wrap the wrist. We've been using them for over a year and apart from losing a bit of colour, they showed no faults whatsoever. Impressive quality! + VERY ROBUST + COMFORTABLE − A BIT TOO WARM IN SUMMER Weight: 50 gr (M) Price: 35 €

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CONCLUSION In one of the previous issues we ALREADY wrote about THIS Norwegian clothing manufacturer AND WERE IMPRESSED WITH THEIR PRODUCTS QUALITY. THIS TIME ROUND THEY PROVED IT WAS NOT A COINCIDENCE. SWEET PROTECTION OFFERS NOT ONLY Love for detail, BUT WELL THOUGHT OUT FUNCTIONALITY AND PREMIUM MATERIALS. THEIR MODEST STYLE AND COLOURS MAY BE ATTRACTIVE FOR RIDERS TIRED OF FLASHY BIKE CLOTHING. Weight set: 511 g Price set: 213 € www.sweetprotection.com

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POC FLOW SHORTS Flow has two open side pockets and one on the thigh. The shorts are made of two parts. In the front they have stretchable and lighter material, and on the back more robust which should protect from rain and mud. The second inner layer made of mesh improves ventilation. Size is adjustable with velcro straps and with belt loops at the waist. They fit perfectly and do not restrict the mobility. Despite the lack of vents they are sufficiently breathable. The only drawback - they are cut a bit too short in our opinion. + GOOD PROTECTION AGAINST DIRT + QUALITY MATERIALS − A LITTLE TOO SHORT Price: 100 € Weight: 410 gr (30) Length: 53,5 cm

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TRAIL LIGHT JERSEY No unnecessary frills and sophisticated designs here, a perfect example that "less is more". In the production of Trail Light jersey the Polygiene matrial has been used. Due to its antibacterial capabilities it eliminates unwanted odors. Very pleasant to touch, it fits perfectly and feels almost non-existent when worn. It was the only tested jersey with size S but it still fit very well, so bear this in mind when buying. Breathabitlity was on a satisfactory level, to say the least. During the test I didn't identify any obvious defects. Comfortable, well made piece of clothing, we couldn't ask for more. + HIGH-TECH MATERIAL + GOOD VENTILATION + PRICE Price: 50 â‚Ź Weight: 112 gr (S) Length: 70,5 cm

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INDEX AIR GLOVES Nope, the mismatching colours are not a coincidence! The guys from POC decided to break the conventions with their Air Index gloves. Whether you like it or not, at least you can be sure that there will be no confusion - the right glove is red, the left one is red. The craftmanship is impressive: neat seams, soft suede on the inner side with additional ventilation holes, rubber pads and the "smartphone compatible" thumb. They have a very comfortable and slim fit, what makes them one of those gloves which you don't really feel while riding, which is a big plus in our opinion. + NICE SIMPLE STYLE + VERY GOOD VENTILATION + SMARTPHONE COMPATIBLE Price: 45 € Weight: 45 g (M)

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CONCLUSION I felT in love with this KIT, especially the Jersey. THE WHOLE SET USES excellent quality fabricS, and THE CUTS NOT ONLY LOOK GOOD BUT OFFER A LOT OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY. The Shorts OFFER an excellent protection against dirt thanks to a different material used on the back, the gloves fit very comfortablY and with the jersey you don’t have to be afraid of hot days. Weight set: 567 gr Price set: 195 € WWW.pocsports.com

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LOCAL OUTERWEAR TRACK SHORTS These very light shorts are described by the manufacturer as freeride shorts, but they are proved to be capable of more, becoming a perfect companion for touring and and occasional enduro racing. The material is water-repellent, windproof, but still maintains decent breathability. On the front you find two open side pockets and a magnetic clasp on the hip. A separate cover for your phone is attached at the waist and hides in the pocket. You can find also two vents and another pocket on the back. They are good companion for hot weather and dry very quickly. The steel straps on waist made for size adjustment were a small disadvantage in our opinion. They are not very convenient, because they are too far to the back. The vents pass enough air, but when closed they were noticable and therefore slightly uncomfortable. The separate cover for the phone is a very good idea, but most of the phones are too heavy for such lightweight shorts. All in all, the Track shorts are high quality, lightweight and practical, but also the most expensive shorts in our test. + + + −

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ROOMY POCKETS LOW WEIGHT GOOD QUALITY MATERIAL HIGH PRICE

Price: 139,95 € Weight: 250 gr (M) Length: 56,5 cm


SOBER JERSEY Sober has matching colour scheme with Track shorts, what may not be attractive to everyone. This is a matter of taste, but in our opinion perhaps a bit more contrast would look better here. The jersey has a rather wide cut, which allows to wear additional protection without restriction the motion. The material is very lightweight and quick drying. Unfortunately, the price is too expensive for what it is, and like the shorts, it feels too large for size M. + LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIAL + ROOMY CUT − HIGH PRICE Price: 69,95 â‚Ź Weight: 151 gr (M) Length: 73,5 cm

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BEAR GLOVES Bear gloves follow the trend of skipping the velcro fastener on the wrist. While some manufacturers still use this system, in my opinion it is no longer relevant. Gloves should fit like a second skin, close, but not too tight. The inner side of Bear has additional patches in areas prone to higher wear, but we missed some ventilation holes. Rubberized logos on the index and middle fingers improve grip on the brake lever. The outer side of the glove is made of an elastic material, which makes the glove fit nice and tight. They well withstood a few rough falls showing no visible damage. + ROBUST + COMFORTABLE FIT − NO SUFFICIENT VENTILATION

Price: 49,95 € Weight: 40 g (M)

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CONCLUSION This kit is perfect for summer biking. It is lightweight and ROBUST AT THE SAME TIME. IT HAS GOOD FITTING CUT BUT YOU HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR SIZING. breathABILITY IS IS ON VERY GOOD LEVEL, EXCEPT FOR THE BEAR GLOVES, WHICH COULD BE BETTER VENTILATED. this is the most expensive set in the review, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOT FREE OF SMALL FLAWS. Weight set: 441 g Price set: about 260 € www.local-outerwear.de

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BACKPACKS

TIME TO WORDS: THORSTEN ILLHARDT PHOTGRAPHY: DMITRY VAKULKA

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If you are into mountainbiking, you will sooner or later find backpacks to be an essential accessory. THEY offer you the opportunity to Bring along everything you need on the trail. There are many models available on the market; they all differ in size, weight, stoRage, usability and comfort. Some of them come with a nice gimmick to satisfy the play instinct of technic addicted nerds. You can continue the list of differences to immeasurable size. We NARROWED OUR TEST TO four backpacks: the Boreas Larkin daypack, the Osprey Zealot, the Evoc Stage and the Compact EPX by Deuter.

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EVOC Stage 12l


Evoc is the old bull of freeride backpacks for mountainbiking. Each product is well thought and offers plenty of helpful features. The Evoc Stage is a quite new backpack in Evoc family. It is designed for Enduro riders who don´t need more stuff than a rain jacket, some food and water. The capacity is only 12l, which will decrease to 9 or 10l if a hydration system is also used. But nevertheless, it provides several additional and practical features, like an external carrier for an open, as well as fullface helmet. Also some fixture for armor and a rain cover is given. Each of those options can be hidden in proper velcro or zipper pockets, that means, in opposite to the Osprey Zealot it comes with a clean optic, if the gimmicks are not used. Additionally to the main storage, the Evoc has a small pocket for smaller items, as well as one with soft liner perfect for sunglasses. On its front, a huge combined zipp/velcro pocket with a loop for fast opening is attached. Inside of it, lots of space for spare tube, tools and maybe some map is given. Evoc’s Air Flow System allows a perfect disposition of the load to the riders back. In practice, when properly adjusted, the backpack is staying where it should and is not moving around. Huge ventilation channels will manage a maximum heat exchange and help avoid excessive sweating. Conclusion: The Evoc Stage is perfectly designed for riders who need some basic things instead of taking their complete household on the trail. Enduro racers will be absolutely satisfied with this not too little and not to massive backpack. It allows you to take on board all essenstials and skipping less usefull stuff. It will be also the perfect backpack for a short after work ride to the hometrail. The price of 130 EUR is not a special offer, but the price-performance ratio is good. Price: 130 € Weight: 900 gr Size: 28x58x9 cm www.evocsports.com

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BOREAS Larkin 18l


The Boreas Larkin daypack is an uncompromisingly lightweight product with some nice features. The weight is only 525 gr. This is half as much as the Deuter Compact EXP 12. However, in our opinion, the Boreas Larkin is more of a classic daypack suitable for hiking than a bike backpack due to the fact that it is so light and flexible. It contains a fairly big storage of 18 liters and a zipper for a large top cover. Both are easily accessible. Moreover two small toolpockets on left and right side are attached as well. The backside of this pack is very convenient due to its extremely soft foam ribs. These ribs are perforated for better breathability. The balance point of the Larkin is very high, that might not be a perfect situation for the comfort when wearing it. In my case, the helmet touched the backpack during descending several times. With its lightweight design, some useful gimmicks, e.g. a rain cover, fixtures for armor or a helmet carrier are missing. The backpack is compatible with hydration systems. This has to be stored in an extra pocket. Instead of plastic fixtures to clamp the hydration tube onto the wearing belts, an elastic loop is used. In my point of view, a plastic clip would do better.

Conclusion: As it was already mentioned, the Boreas Larkin is an excellent Daypack for hiking, especially under dry conditions. In order to use the Larkin as a perfect bike backpack, some crucial features are missing. The contained daisy chains are more made for some hiking equipment as for carrying a helmet or protection. Price: 90 â‚Ź Weight: 523 gr www.boreasgear.com

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OSPREY Zealot 15l


What the hell is this? This is what you think when taking a first glimpse at this backpack. Options over options, lots of clips and pockets! In the beginning I was wondering about so many gimmicks of this pack but in the end – they all turned out to be helpful and well thought out. Let’s start with the basics: the Zealot pack fits perfectly to the body. The padded wearing belts don't cut into your body but help to fix the pack so it stays where it should stay. Its vented back panel gives great comfort to the rider. The entry to the main storage resembles those of backpacks for ski tours: If the main zipper is opened, the back panel with the main belts can be pulled upwards and the complete storage is completely accessible. No more digging in the depth! Also the hydration system finds place in the back panel within a separate zipper pocket which I like very much. Lots of space for everything you need during a bike day is provided. Additionally to the main storage, a smaller pocket for your stuff like keys and mobile phone is attached on the outside. The Osprey Zealot also has a front pocket with four clips which can be used to carry your armor, elbow and knee protection or even a full-face helmet. For carrying a normal bicycle helmet, a thought-out helmet carrier is attached which consists of an elastic belt with a plastic buckle at the end. The buckle has to be pulled through the venting holes of the helmet and be fixed by tightening the belt. Quite simple! At the bottom of the Zealot, a huge pocket is attached. Additionally to the tool roll, there is plenty of space for spare parts as tubes, tire levers or derailleur cable. For quick supply of snacks or a mobile phone, the main belt has two large side pockets.

Conclusion: The Osprey Zealot is nearly the perfect bike pack for enduro daytrips. Plenty of space and several options for taking your stuff through the nature are given. The eye-catching red color will not fit to each rider’s jersey, but it is also available in black. I liked this bike pack, even though I was wondering about the count of gimmicks at the beginning. The price of 75 EUR seems to be an absolutely fair deal! Price: 75 € Weight: 830 gr Size: 34x22x24 cm

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DEUTER Compact EPX 12l


Deuter is a very traditional manufacturer of backpacks, tents and tons of different outdoor equipment. The company, which was founded in 1898 by Hans Deuter as “Mechanische Segeltuch- und Leinenweberei”, has a long history of success and are therefore quite experienced in technical outwear and backpacks. Over the last years, Deuter produced lots of modern colored products with many useful and well-designed features. This is also true for the Compact EXP12 Bikepack. It contains everything you don’t want to miss on the trail. It fits very well on your back because the pack comes with the typical airstripes back. This adapts well around the rider’s spine and is ventilated to prevent excessive sweating. Additionally to the helmet carrier, a rain cover, space for a hydration system and several pockets on the in- and outside, its main storage can be easily increased from 12 to 14 liters by use of a zipper. This is an amazing feature, because EXP12 can therefore be fitted to your current needs. It either fits for a short afterwork hometrail ride or even a weekend trip when you want to bring along a rain jacket and some food. 2 liters additional storage is not as much as other products offer, but still very useful if you like to have a slim backpack most of the time. Currently the Deuter Compact EPX is available in trendy steel (blue)/ papaya or a discreet black-granite.

Conclusion: Although this backpack has many advantages, there’s a small disadvantage which should also be mentioned: the high weight, which is not expectable on a pack that size. The Deuter Compact EPX was the heaviest backpack we tested but nevertheless I did not notice this on the trail. Price: 80 € Weight: 1070 gr Size: 45x22x20 cm www.deuter.com

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Stay

Dry & Keep Cool GOOD JACKET IS A "MUST HAVE" in ANY BIKER'S GARDEROBE. IT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF KIT FOR EVERY ADVENTURE, NO MATTER WHAT THE WILDERNESS THROWS AT YOU. WE TESTED 4 WARM AND 4 RAIN JACKETS TO FIND OUT WHICH OFFERS THE BEST PROTECTION. WORDS: ALEXEJ FEDOROV PHOTGRAPHY: DMITRY VAKULKA

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ION STRATO Appearance All ION products have extraordinary color combinations. Although the jacket "Strato" looks not very colorful and flashy, the color mixture made of green and gray is still somehow appealing. On the back side there is an imprint that looks like a dirt or stain brush. The Strato Jacket has rubber strips on its collar, waist and inside the hood, which guarantee that it will fit right there where it needs to. The hood when not used can be folded and easily hidden in a designated pocket. You can pack the jacket and fasten it with buttons. Then you get a role that is about the size of a 0.75 liter PET bottle. On the back there are two reflective elements in the shape of ION's logo. In size M, the sleeves seemed to be unproportionally roomy and loose. On the left sleeve there is small pocket hiding a cloth for cleaning your eyewear. The zippers were a little stiff.

Practice The Strato Jacket has features like a hood and eyewear wipe which are always welcome and useful. However, we found it to be too loose, and also the zippers gave us some troubles. On the trail it offered decent protection against wind and light rain. We found those characteristics to be well balanced with breathability. It packs into a small roll which would easily fit in any backpack. The quality and performance justify its price. Weight: 189 gr Price: 129 â‚Ź www.ion-products.com

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SWEET PROTECTION AIR JACKET Appearance Exciting color! Flashy orange can be seen very well, what will surely increase your safety when riding on the public roads towards your local trail. For those who don't want to stand out so much there is also more modest dark blue version. The Air Jacket is one of the lightest jackets in our test and has the following features: adjustable hem, large pocket on the back, stretchable material around collar and cuffs. Seams are clean and top quality, they are also glued to be more weatherproof. All zips have additional cords with the Sweet Protection plastic logo which make opening and closing easier when wearing gloves.

Practice The jacket can be easily stuffed into its own pocket. Once packed is just the right size to fit perfectly in any backpack. The collar tightly covers the entire neck, so as the stretchable cuffs, making sure that no chill wind gets in. There is unfortunately a small problem with it: tight sleeves make taking the jacket off a bit of a hassle, especially if you have big hands. No big deal, but it can be annoying, especially in wet and cold weather. The Air Jacket offers very good protection against wind, but at the same time it doesn't compromise water repellency and breathability. The craftmanship is top quality! Weight: 137 gr Price: 129 â‚Ź www.sweetprotection.com

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ODLO AIR MINIMAL Appearance This is the most modest and minimalistic jacket in our test, although it's semi transparent and shiny fabric does make it stand out. There are also other colours to choose from - red, blue and green. It is also the lightest jacket in our test, and it also gives a possibility to fold into a tiny pack. Cuffs, waist and hood have, similar to the other jackets from the test, have built-in rubber bands which ensure that the jacket fits tightly and stays in place. An additional loop on the zippers enables easy operation when wearing gloves.

Practice Odlo offers this jacket actually as a hiking jacket, but we found it be very good on the bike. It takes the least space in your backpack. It is so light that you can even squeeze it inside the pocket of your shorts, thus it has become our regular companion. Its thin material proved to be very robust, few small falls didn't do any damage to it. It protects well against wind and rain, and the breathability is sufficient. As we mentioned - it is more of a hiking jacket, therefore its cut isn't perfect for riding - when seated on the bike, sleeves were a bit too short. Nevertheless, feather weight, performance and quality justify the price, making the Air Minimal a very interesting option. Weight: 94 gr Price: 100 â‚Ź www.odlo.com

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PEDALED DISCOVERY Appearance This soft shell jacket is the Rolls-Royce of softshells, at least for the price. Italian quality has always been at the top and we really liked the entire collection of PedalEd, seen at last year EUROBIKE. The Discovery - at first glance is an ordinary black jacket, but let's have a closer look. Waterproof to 10,000mm; it provides excellent protection against wind and rain. It has a duplicated layer of softshell which covers the membrane. This makes it not only wind and rain proof but highly breathable too. There are two pockets at the waist, one on the chest and one in the back, all with rubberized zippers. An additional built-in cord can tighten the belt and hood. The hood is big enough to accommodate a helmet. With use of reflective elements, it is possible to use the Discovery in the city traffic, making it perfect for daily commuting. The softshell material is pleasant to touch and is well-sewed. Altogether it looks like an excellent, well-executed jacket. We also liked the fact that it's made in Italy. Think locally!

Practice We wore the jacket in a mix of weather conditions, ranging from clear and sunny, to rainy and muddy. It was used on mountainbike tours, as well as city rides and has withstood all what we threw at it. It is very comfortable to wear and its material really proved top be high quality giving great protection against wind, rain and cold. The only drawback the price. But as we have said, the quality and functionality cannot be questioned, and you can be sure that you are buying one of the best softshell jackets available. Weight: 601 g Price: 180 â‚Ź www.pedaled.com letsridemag.com | 101



ALPINESTARS ALLMOUNTAIN JACKET Appearance The new Alpinestars collection looks impressive. Here, the all-mountain jacket is no exception. The bright green color looks great and assure that you will be spotted. It is however also available in blue and black. The jacket is waterproof. Inside all seams are additionally glued and all zippers are rubberized. This means that no moisture enters the interior. Two air vents with zipper regulate ventilation. At the waist and inside the hood there are fixable bands and on the sleeves are Velcro fasteners attached. Two side pockets and one inside pocket offer enough space for keys, cell phone and other small items such as energy bars.

Practice The jacket we've been testing since early February, what means it has seen some snow. These were perfect conditions to check its water resistency and breathability. The main zipper is a little sluggish because of the waterproof rubber insert. It fits very well, it is not too spacious, but at the same time it doesn't ristrict the movements. It has survived few crashes without any visibile damage.On the the negative side, we found the vents to be not suficient for an optimal ventilation, but on the other hand its water resistency was top notch. Defying excellent build quality, the price / performance ratio could be better. Weight: 356 gr Price: 200 â‚Ź www.alpinestars.com/cycling

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TSG RIOT Appearance TSG is known for helmets and protectors. For two years now, they also bring some clothes on the market. Among them, the new softshell jacket called Riot, which can be used in almost any weather. The membrane is waterproof up to 3000 mm, and all zippers are rubberized. This promise that it will withstand some occasional rain showers. The hood has a Velcro and straps to fit to the size. The sleeves have elastic inserts, which you may know skiing clothing. They help to protect hands from moisture and dirt. On each sleeve there are small vents with zipper. The Riot jacket has two side pockets, one chest pocket and a small on the sleeve, which is intended for a bike park pass. All slides have extension cords with plastic logo, so you can use it with gloves without problems. Practice We tested our regular M size which seemed to be accurate. The jacket fits very well and there are no spots where it would unnecessarily obstruct the movement and comfort. As a disadvantage we see the somewhat narrow cuff and very small vents. Since it is not a rain jacket, it is water repellent only to a small extent, but its not afraid of short showers. On the other hand, its protection against wind is much better, but that's on the breathability cost, which is average. The materials that are used are very pleasant to the touch and feel robust. All in all TSG offers here a very good price / performance ratio. Weight: 461 gr Price: 105 â‚Ź www.ridetsg.com

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BRAKES

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HOPE TECHNOLOGY WAS THE FIRST COMPANY TO COMMERCIALLY OFFER BIKE DISC BRAKES BACK IN 1992. SINCE THEN, THEY WERE TIRELESSLY IMPROVING THEIR PRODUCTS, BUT DID THEY REACH PERFECTION WITH THEIR E4 MODEL AIMED AT ENDURO MARKET? FIND OUT IN OUR REVIEW! WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEXEJ FEDOROV

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HOPE Tech3 E4, 183mm rotors All Hope products are something special. They are all beautifully CNC-machined in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, England. Not many manufactures these days managed to keep their production locally. This fact already promises a lot when it comes to quality. The E4 brakes, just as other Hope components, are the kind of things you are eager to put your hands on. Their industrial design might not appeal to everybody, but it surely makes them very recognizable. The first positive impressions came up when mounting the brakes. They fitted so pricesly to the handlebars, as if they were made specifically for my bike. They are fixed with two bolts, which allow mounting without removing the grips.

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The brake lever has seven holes, as we believe, for improved ventilation and grip. The lever is reminiscent of Shimano - short and when properly adjusted offers optimal ergonomics when braking with one finger. The E4 offer two adjustments - bite point and reach. Both can be easily and precisely used, without need for any tools. The system is compatible with Shimano I-Spec, and all needed parts are included. Only the SRAM adapter had to be bought for about 30 â‚Ź. The caliper is CNC-machined from one piece of aluminium, what improves its stiffness and has a positive impact on stopping power. Inside are four 16mm pistons. This combo offers plenty of power. Dosing is impressively precise. No other brakes I ever used had so much, so easily controllable stopping force. After a year of hard use I honestly did not find any disadvantages. Even during long and steep descents in hot weather there was more than enough braking force available at my disposal. They didn't fade even once. This sort of reliability and consistency is what I was always looking for in brakes. Over the course of the test they've encountered hard ground and trees more than once, but have withstood that with only cosmetic scratches. Of course, the quality comes at a price. Hope Tech3 E4 cost almost twice as the popular Shimano XT, but they offer a quality and reliability which can hardly be matched by any other contender on disc brake market. There are of course options with more stopping force, but as the Pirelli slogan says: "Power is nothing without control" and with Hope E4 you can be sure that the needed stopping power will be right there, at the right amount, right when you need it, no matter what the trail throws at you. www.hopetech.com

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FITNESS

ROLLERBONE FIND THE BALANCE Roller Bone is not just for people who are surfing, skateboarding or snowboarding; it is very good option for everyone who want to improve their sense of balance. And what is most important while cycling? Maintaining balance! While training with Roller Bone you can do so much more, for xample, train the muscles by doing pushups, situps or even jumps. It may look easy, but trust us - in the beginning it is almost as exhausting as if you had spent 1.5 hours in the gym. After 2-3 weeks of regular exercise you really feel the difference. The strength it helps to build up will be noticeable especially when cornering on your bike, giving you more confidence and control. The unit takes up very little space and can be used almost anywhere. If you exercise regularly, you can achieve a lot and learn some cool tricks like in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xwhChSC290 Price: 120 â‚Ź www.rollerbone.com

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NUTRITION

ACÁO THE SMART DRINK It’s not an energy drink – it’s a smart drink. Why do the guys from Acáo call it smart? It is an organic, vegan drink mainly made out of few special fruits like quince, sallow thorn (known also as hippophae) and lemon. It has a pleasant sweet agave taste. It is very low in carbohydrates (17kcal / 100ml) and thanks to a fair amount of caffeine from guarana (28,5mg / 100ml) it has the power you need for a busy and action-packed day. Drink it straight from the can or use it as a mixer for tasty cocktails. It comes with EU certification proving its organic origin and it has no added sugar or other additives normally associated with this type of drinks. That's a smart alternative! Price: starting at 1,99€ www.acao.de

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INNOSNACK THE NEXT GENERATION SNACK Young german manufacturer Innosnack has won with their innovative snacks the ISPO Award 2015/16. They use only healthy and natural ingredients, which are vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free. The range consists of bars, cereals, beverages and sweets. The most interesting thing about them all is a new type of sugar they're based on - the isomaltulose. We have already tried several products and found them very good. They taste great and deliver enough energy for athletes. Moreover, they are also suitable for diabetics and children. We think it's a great idea! Prices: from 1,79 euro www.innosnack.de

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CLOTHING

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COOPH CLEVER CLOTHING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS "The cooperative of photography", short "COOPH" IS Photographers Association created by Ulrich Grill FROM Austria. But it is more THAN THAT. They ARE ORGANISED AROUND THEIR internet portal, they deal with the implementation of various photo projects all around the world and they also publish the Zooom magazine. now time has come for them to design and PRODUCE an awesome clothing collection, FULL OF CLEVER FEATURES FOR ACTIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS. Every single detail is well thought out and executed. The collection includes more than 20 HIGH QUALITY products WHICH ARE ALSO PERFECT FOR EVERY DAY USE. WE'VE REVIEWED A TSHIRT, HOODIE AND A BEANIE. READ ON TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL!

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Hoodie Very soft and warm hoodie that has very useful details: a big pocket for a lens, with an additional pocket for a handkerchief or lens cleaner, one in the hood for the whole camera and also two "normal" pockets, one on each side like in a typical hoodie. This clever hoodie gives you enough space to carry half of your photographic equipment! The most interesting is the hood compartment which is able to accomomodate the whole camera. When you turn it around and snap the buttons it hides your camera and gives it necessary protection, for example during transport. We loved it and it has become our constant companion, not only at shootings. Price: â‚Ź119 Material: 100% cotton

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T-shirt This fairly regular, lightweight t-shirt at first glance has nothing unusual, apart from cool graphic with photography theme. However, if you have a closer look you will spot a tiny little pocket on the right side, around hip height. It is intended to store the lens cap, and as most photographers know, lens cap do like to disappear suspiciously often. Slide it in there and save yourself a hassle of searching for it in all your pockets. Simple as that! Price: â‚Ź49 Material: 100% cotton

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BEANIE There are situations when you just want to have as little gear as possible. I often like to get out just with the camera, tno bag or backpack of any kind. It is convenient, but the downside is that your expensive gear is constantly exposed. There is however a perfect solution - a beanie which works as a camera bag! You just throw it in, tighten integrated strings and done - out of the harm's way! And when not in use, you have a cool, completely decent looking headwear! Price: â‚Ź29 www.cooph.com

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CLOTHING

LOCAL OUTERWEAR THE LOGGER SHIRT This casual flannel shirt "Logger" is clearly more suitable for every day use than biking. The embroidered front and back logos, as well as the label on the pocket, speak of love to detail and quality. In our opinion it can be a great gift for any biker. One remark – the pocket on the chest should be a little bigger, so that a smartphone could fit in it. Price: 79,95 € www.local-outerwear.de

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ACCESSORIES

DEEJO PERSONALIZED KNIFES Every single one of us is, in some way, an adventurer. And every adventurer needs a proper knife. What a pleasure when it is as compact and lightweight as this example produced by French company Deejo. They offer different lengths and full spectrum of personalisation options like different types of handle wood, various colours, patterns on the blade and even a possibility to have your own inscription. We ordered a knife with a handle made of Juniper wood, which has a very interesting smell. To make it one of its kind we asked for a "Let's Ride! mtb magazine" inscription. The knife comes with a practical buckle that allows you to hang it on a belt. It is stylish, original and would make a wonderful gift for your adventure loving friends. Weight: 15 - 37 grams Price: 25 - 50 â‚Ź www.my.deejo.fr/en

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DOWABO MIRACLE THERMO FLASK Without going into technical details, to me it looks like a small miracle. On the first sight it is a common metal bottle, but inside there is a mystery. The Dowabo thermos can be used for keeping drinks either hot or cold, no surprises here. According to the German manufacturer it will remain hot up to 12 hours, and cold up to 24 hours. But most importantly, the thermos can be filled with carbonated beverages, and even after shaking the gas remains inside and the drink does not go flat! I have no idea how it works, but I find it really cool! For me it was a real benefit, as I belong to stubborn fans of sparkling mineral water. Hot tea remained hot for more than 5 hours, and in fact was still warm after 9 hours. Sparkling water held more than 12 hours without losing its bubbly fizziness. Unfortunately, the bottle is not suitable for standard bicycle holders, but we are hoping to see such version in the future. Made of stainless steel Dowabo's bottle literally shines. It also has no aftertaste and is designed for use in a dishwasher. Colours: green, black, metallic, blue, red Price: 0.5L - 35 Euro, 0.7L - 40 Euro www.dowabo.de

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ACCESSORIES

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BLACK EYE FISH EYE LENSES FOR SMARTPHONES In an innovative world with smartphone cameras that become better and better all the time, it is important to be innovative. SAME GOES TO USERS - YOU HAVE TO BE CREATIVE. The idea behind the Black Eye lens system is pretty simple: make more out of the regular smartphone when taking pictures. With THEIR lens systems, the user has the possibility to take wide-angle and fisheye SHOTS at a high resolution. We tested some of theIR productS with a Samsung Galaxy SIII and an IPHONE 5.

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Clipper Wide-Angle Wide-angle lens allows you to take up a difference approach to photos you take and be more creative. With Clipper lens it couldn't be easier - simply clip it onto any smartphone, align with its camera eye and you're ready to go. The pictures are right there on your device and you can share them immediately with your friends. The materials seem to be high quality and the Clipper does not scratch the display. The lens and its housing are made of aluminium and the lens itself can be removed by screw top. The only problem we encountered is that the lens can easily slip off when moving the smartphone quickly. But apart from that, the Clipper WideAngle comes with our highest recommendation. Slightly expensive gadget, but great not only for Instagram addicts.

Price: 44,90 â‚Ź

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Combo Same as the Clipper Wide-Angle, the Combo seems to be made out of quality materials. Here, unlike with other models, a magnetic ring is used to attach the lens system to the smartphone – on both the forward-facing and rear cameras. The lenses available are a fisheye with an angle of 180°, and a wide-angle/macro lens. The quality of the photos is down to the user and the phone of course, but there is no loss of quality when using any of the Black Eye lens range. The magnetic system clamps well but the small lenses can easily disappear in the depths of pockets and backpacks. And when the lens is gone, you’ll have a lot of fun trying to find it.

Price: 39,90 €

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TWISTER Twister series is designed for all available iPhone models. It comes in a form of a regular plastic cover on which the Super Fisheye lens is screwed on. We found it to be a very practical solution. The flexible cover can be easily put on and taken off, allowing you to quickly switch between your normal camera and the fisheye extension. The only problem we had was the fitting of the cover. It seemed to be somehow smaller than the iPhone, what made impossible to fit it tight and secure. We hope however, that it was just a one-off issue.

Price: 44,90 â‚Ź www.blackeyemarket.com

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ACCESSORIES

POLAROID CUBE CAM “35mm and 124° of awesome“, they said. Simple enough for us to understand, and a good reason to have a look at Polaroid’s HD mini-action cam, the Cube. On first inspection it’s a pretty small thing, this Cube. It is indeed a cube with height, length and width all measuring 3.5cm. The typical Polaroid stripes and colours signify that groovy-looking camera. Choosing to take pictures or to do some video is done by pushing the big button on the top; very easy. The microSD-card slot is on the backside under a removable cover. However, to change the SD-card and access the micro-USB slot you need to have a coin or something similar to unscrew the cover (a little annoying I must admit). Given its small size, the Cube feels comfortable and robust with its rubber surface. One very cool feature: a magnetic part at the bottom. It allows you to mount it almost everywhere (metallic!) in almost every position. But on the flipside, there is no other way to mount it without any of the optional accessories.. We think the Polaroid Cube is a good little thing for people on a budget and starting out with action photography and filming, and not yet willing to spend bigger money on more serious (and capable) equipment. It’s an inexpensive and unintimidating introduction into the world of HD video. Price: 100$ www.polaroid.com

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SLOW WATCH TIME TO SLOW DOWN Days go by fast. Every second is important. Time is money. Be on time – always. Time can put you under pressure. Hell, time IS pressure. But here, we have a company saying it is time to slow down a little. The German-based founders of Slow Watches believe that slowing down is a right way to gain a better work-life-balance, and they have come up with a novel way of achieving this. They invited us to test their bestseller, the Swiss-made Slow Jo 38mm watch. A little reading will tell you that at the heart of this watch is the very reliable Ronda Caliber 505.24H Quartz movement, so it should have no trouble keeping precise time. The first thing that is obvious when you see the watch is the geometrical design of the bezel and the dial. But on closer inspection of the dial you quickly realise that, a) it has no second hand; b) it has no minute hand; and c) the dial is in fact for 24 hours! To assist with some form of accuracy the dial does have 15 minute increments, but the whole point of the Slow Jo is to help you relax, and to not be controlled by the ever-increasing demands our busy lives put on us. The geometrical design is a feast for the eyes. With a housing that is symmetrical from all angles and the raised up glass, the watch looks unique. Wearing the Slow watch feels very good. Being only a 38mm design it is quite light and comfortable on the wrist. In a world dominated more and more by technology, with smart phones and tablets, the humble wrist watch has become a little redundant. But this is EXACTLY where the Slow Jo comes into its own. It gives you the chance to look at it, guess the time is somewhere between a quarter-past and half-past, and have another sip of coffee. It's more than a watch, it's a new way of living, like in the old days, when you can take your time to simply live the moment. For €260, you get the 38mm Slow Jo tested here, but prices start at €230 for other examples in the Slow Watch range. They come with a removable band and if you desire some customisation you have a choice of various leather bands and steel bracelets. Specification: - brown vintage leather, black case, black dial - Swiss made GM -precision quartz movement - 24-hour dial - 100m waterproof - Italian calf leather watchstrap www.slow-watches.com

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SUPER YELLOW FINNISH BEANIES “Headwear from Scandinavia“ is the claim of Superyellow. They started in 2007 as a student project and now have fans all around the world. We tested both headband and beanie, and can say that it'is a really good job they do up there in Finland. The products are made with cutting-edge colours and shapes and also with a high degree of functionality. Finland do get FAIRLY cold in winter, so Finnish people surely know best how important it is to keep head warm and protected. Starting at about 30€ you get a good quality headwear. The beanie we tested can also be worn under a bike helmet. It keeps your head very warm and offers at the same time good breathability and comfort. Same is with the headband which we used as a scarf. It keeps you also very warm and is not itchy as many similar products. Perfect headwear for working out during cold months! Prices starting from 30 € www.superyellow.fi

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BOREAS ECHO PACKED WITH FEATURUES Boreas delivers a new canyon blue backpack with 25l volume that is also waterproof. They describe the Echo series as an ideal backpack for commuting, that keeps your stuff dry and clean being at the same time comfortable to wear. And it does exactly that. It’s an all weather dayback that looks sportive and fits very good and comfy. In the inside there is a waterproof inner bag that allows you to carry your notebook or tablet, snacks, jacket or whatever you need. You just roll it up inside the main compartment and close with a buckle clip. On the top there is a zipper that covers the waterproof bag and a small zip pocket for small things like wallet or headphones. On each side there is another zip pocket. Those zip pockets are for wet things and are connected to the drainage ot the bottom of this smart pack. On the front side there is another pocket, that allows you to carry some flat items. On each side there are also very handy strings perfect to attach things like helmet. The volume is at 25l with a measurement of 48cm

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height and an empty weight of 820gr. We tested this lifestyle backpack in urban areas and also on the bike. It did a great job carrying around a lot of stuff like notebook, water bottle, lunch and other typical items. In every day usage you probably won’t need the hip and chest belts. but they come very handy when riding bike or hiking. With all this perks, are there also some drawbacks? Actually there are some: the zip pocket on top is a bit tricky to open and offers not much space. Another detail that probably might cause disappointment is the roll waterproof skirt which is not easy to open quickly, but on the other hand it guarantees that your stuff is kept dry, so we think this little inconvenient is a small price to pay. With 139,99$ the Boreas Echo is reasonably priced and gives plenty of practical features, just don't forge: it’s a backpack, not a diver’s bag! www.boreasgear.com


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EAREBEL BEANIES COVERED WITH MUSIC Headphones or beanie? Earebel decided to combine both and designed an unique cap in cooperation with headphones manufacturer AKG. We got the chance to test out their brand new stuff and find out if such combination makes any sense at all. On the first sight it seems a little strange when you get a beanie that is also a headphone. But when you think about it, then it actually totally makes sense. Wearing a regular beanie and high quality on-ear headphones under or over it not only may look ridicolous, but is often uncomfortable. The guys from Earebel designed a beanie that combines both headphone and beanie without sacrificing the look and comfort of a typical headwear. When we tested the beanie we were very impressed with the quality of AKG headphones. The sound quality is very good, although the headphones might not fit properly on the ear. The headphone's wire had perfect length and didn't interfere during use. The beanie itself proved to keep our head really warm and comfy. The headphones are detachable, so washing this headwear is not an issue. The look might be a little strange for some but we think it's a great idea that might reach a huge audience. Another thing that we really liked about the Earebel beanies is that they are handmade in Germany and their pricing which starts at 75â‚Ź is very reasonable considering how good quality the AKG headphones are. www.earebel.com

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All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or copied without a written permission of the publisher.


BROUGHT TO YOU BY EDITORS Alexej Fedorov Phil Sauder Patricia P채tz Thorsten Illhardt Alex Burchell

LAYOUT Jakub Reichhart / Alexej Fedorov PHOTOGRAPHER Dmitriy Vakulka Alexej Fedorov ADVERTISING Phil Sauder marketing@letsridemag.com

SPECIAL THANKS

Ale Di Lullo - www.aledilullo.com, Andrey Shevtsov, Johannes Gauder - www.nacona.de, Evgeny Stazenko, Marcel Rick, Carsten Fuhrmann, Dmitry Shindyakin, Robert Lieske

www.letsridemag.com


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