Check Out: New Flannels, Gloves, Tire Inserts, Goggles, & More
A lot of gear comes across our desks here at Pinkbike. Check Out is an occasional round up of everything our tech editors have gotten their hands on. Sometimes it's products we're doing long-term tests on, other times it's stuff we're stoked on but don't have time to fully review. And, sometimes it's crazy shit someone sent us unsolicited and we're having a laugh.
Tannus Armour Tubeless Insert
Features
• Proprietary Aither 1.1 foam
• Weight: 150 grams (each)
• $50 USD per wheel
• Weight: 150 grams (each)
• $50 USD per wheel
 | Tannus first entered the mountain bike world with an insert that used a tube to help it keep its shape. That product had me scratching my head a bit, since I haven't used a tube for anything other than an emergency flat fix in nearly a decade. The new Tannus Armour Tubeless insert makes a lot more sense, and it joins the extensive array of options on the market designed to protect rims from damage and provide more sidewall support. Installation is simple, and can be performed without needing to take the tire entirely off the rim. I was able to get it installed in a matter of minutes without any cursing or broken tire levers. There's also no need for special valve stems, since there's a gap in between the insert and the valve, with holes in the insert to allow air to pass through. The insert is shaped with 'wings', which Tannus says helps add more stability in corners. It provides 20mm of foam impact protection, and weighs in at 150 grams. The amount of support the insert provides is noticeable, stiffening up the lower three-quarters of the tire's sidewall. That makes it possible to run lower air pressure without worrying about rolling the tire off the rim – I was able to drop down to 18psi in a Maxxis EXO casing tire. Inserts aren't an absolute necessity, especially if you're not regularly denting rims or pulling tires off the bead, but they are worth considering for racers or hard riders with a penchant for punishing equipment. |
Club Ride Shaka Flannel & Gold Rush Pants
Features
Shaka Flannel
• 97% polyester / 3% spandex
• Mesh underarm vents
• Brushed metal snaps
• Reflective accents
• $89.95 USD
• clubrideapparel.com
• 97% polyester / 3% spandex
• Mesh underarm vents
• Brushed metal snaps
• Reflective accents
• $89.95 USD
• clubrideapparel.com
Gold Rush Pants
• Mid-weight stretch polyester, reinforced knees and cuffs
• Treated for water & wind resistance
• Reflective accents
• Hook waist adjustment
• $99.95
• Mid-weight stretch polyester, reinforced knees and cuffs
• Treated for water & wind resistance
• Reflective accents
• Hook waist adjustment
• $99.95
| Club Ride's line of apparel is full of casual looking shirts, pants, and shorts that have performance-oriented details designed for cycling. Take the Shaka flannel – it's made of polyester rather than cotton, and has mesh underarm vents to keep air moving and prevent its wearer from overheating. I'd call it a mid-weight flannel, one that would work for chilly fall rides. Club Ride also make the Go Long Shirt, which feels more like a dress shirt that works on warmer days. The Gold Rush pants' fabric is heavier than what you'd typically find on a DH race pant, making them better suited for colder conditions, or maybe for a day of digging out on the trails. The fit at the waist does seem to run small – I'm a 32 / medium for most pants, and with these I had the built-in belt at the first notch, and even that was a little snug. |
Crankbrothers Cigar Tool
Features
• Aluminum storage case with threaded top cap to hold CO2
• Weight: 55 grams
• $29.99
• Weight: 55 grams
• $29.99
| Crankbrothers' Cigar Tool keeps a tire plug tool close at hand, and a CO2 cartridge threads into the top cap of the canister for use once the plugging is complete. It does require an extra step compared to something like the Dynaplug Air or Lezyne's Tubeless CO2 Blaster. Those two tools have a port that allows the CO2 to air up the tire before the tool is removed, while with the Cigar Tool you plug the tire, and then use the CO2 head that's stored in the canister to get it inflated again. I'm still a fan of bringing a mini-pump along rather than a CO2, but in a race situation something like this could certainly come in handy. It's also nice that it comes with a mounting bracket for easy access in case of a puncture. |
Shimano ME702 Shoes
Features
• Speed lace system and ratcheting buckle
• Neoprene ankle cuff
• Michelin rubber sole
• Neoprene ankle cuff
• Michelin rubber sole
| The latest version of Shimano's popular ME7 shoe has been updated with a slightly roomier toe box, and a new tread pattern and rubber compound from Michelin for the sole. Other highlights include a speed lace system for the front of the foot, and a ratcheting strap at the top. The shoes aren't waterproof, but the lace cover and small neoprene gaiter around the ankle do help to keep water and debris out. There's also a wide range of cleat mounting positions with raised indicators that make it easy to match the cleat location on one shoe to another. I'm only a few rides in, but so far I'm very pleased with the ME7's comfort level on and off the bike. They're stiff enough for long rides while also retaining a good level of hikeability - I recently spent some time scrambling up frozen roots and rocks while wearing the ME7's and found that there was plenty of traction to safely get to the top of the trail. |
100% Racecraft 2 Goggles
Features
• Triple layer face foam
• Increased field of view from version 1.0.
• MSRP: $65 USD
• Increased field of view from version 1.0.
• MSRP: $65 USD
| The second generation of the 100% Racecraft has a 17.5% greater vertical field of view and improved fit around the nose. Outriggers make sure the goggles play nicely with helmets, and a wide strap with a silicone strip in the middle helps keep them securely in place. There are six different frame colors and a variety of lens tints to choose from. The mirrored lens models come with an extra clear lens and a stack of tear-offs (please don't litter), plus a microfiber bag. |
Specialized Trail-Series Thermal Gloves
Features
• Wind-resistant 3-layer softshell upper
• Hydrophobic suede palm
• $40 USD
• Hydrophobic suede palm
• $40 USD
| Specialized's Trail-Series Thermal gloves are designed for those chilly rides where summer gloves are too cold, and big, bulky mitts are overkill. The fabric at the back of the hand helps keep the wind from cutting through, and the palm isn't overly thick, so you can still have a good grip on the bars. The cuff is a little longer, which helps protect that strip of wrist skin between your gloves and jacket that often ends up exposed. |
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10/10 recommend
But they've not adjusted their price structure to reflect the cheap labor force. Just chugging along at the same super expensive rate. I can't justify their prices. More expensive than Patagonia and maybe even Arcteryx.
I'm not saying it's right, and it sucks to leave people without their size, but there is a real reason for sizing being the way it is.
On our part, we're adding all 30, 32, and 34 inseams on all waist sizes for next year because we have hit the scale of production necessary to do it. But we'll still get flamed by people who need a 31x36 until we make that one too. I want to make all sizes, but we just can't yet. That's just the way it goes.
...Also, that roll-up tab with button and reflective strip looks awfully familiar to our pants.
@mikekazimer want to review some LIVSN britches?
I just got the new Leatt 4.0 pants on medium and they're fantastic. They're definitely a 32x32 sizing. Exactly the right length. I don't know if the inseam on the large pants is longer though.
My Fox pants in sz Medium (32) would be fine at the but the crotch is super tight, so I had to buy a sz Lg which fit well in that dept, but the waist and butt area is way too big. I have some other shorts like Dakine where the length and waist are fine, but the crotch again is too short. It’s make me split my sac so I look like I have Cameltoe, or Mooseknuckles. WTF?
I ended up buying various hiking gear because those brands often have separate tall sizes. Still looking for some waterproof riding pants though
Check all of those out haha! Never thought to look at scandi brands but it makes so much sense
Cries in 6’3
Plus, compared to branded bikewear, they were ridiculously cheap at Sierra Trading Post.
But I own hundreds if not thousands of dollars of coldweather outdoor gear and my favorite high output midlayer after hundreds of hours of wear and theoretically purchasing its replacement multiple times is a merino Banana Republic sweater that I bought at a thrift shop. So I might be an outlier on branding.
Go and work a bit more.
Norrona rules. Really.
I’m in 34waist and 34 leg and these are perfect. I’ve got pairs of these demo pants that are now 6 years only and faultless.
Would definitely recommend.
I'm taller and skinnier and have always bought 34x34 because that's all I can find. I would definitely buy a longer size if it was available, cool to hear your working on that
Most people are buying their clothing online these days, since that is often the only place that provides all of the options available for given product (brick and mortar store will have a limited selection to keep inventory low). When buying online brand perception becomes important, as does adequate marketing of capabilities backed by supporting customer reviews. When you can't touch a product, you've got to make a decision based on other factors, otherwise I absolutely agree with what you're saying. If two products look to be equivalent, in person, of course I'll buy the less expensive one unless I know something about the less expensive product's company that just doesn't sit well with the conscience.
As a counterexample, I thought Under Armour's self presentation was somewhat silly for many years, but I own and wear a number of things from them as I tried it out, was impressed with the product, and they make options with reasonably subtle branding.
Tons of support, almost additional suspension like feel, insane grip and added bonus of rim protection. but, way cheaper and way, way, way easier to install. When I installed, I only broke one bead and didn't even have to dump my sealant. Also wuch lighter!! I think once more people find out about these, CushCore is going to have to have a major redesign to keep up.
I use EXO+ on both ends and am running 18/21 PSI on 29" 2.5 front and 2.4 rear tires and I'm 175 lbs
The first pair were a snug fit, but the elastic fabric started tearing on the cuff, where you grab to pull them on, within a couple of rides.
I got a larger pair on warranty, not ideal sizing but hoped this would help avoid the issue. Well, they've had the same issue as the first, but also split seams on the side of a finger and the cuff, and holes in the ends of the thumbs.
Best get something with sturdier fabric and better stitching if you want them to last more than half a year.
• 97% polyester
• $89.95
yeah right.
Awww coming. You guys have a great looking annus
It's had more press than Clinton's Grand Reserve Gurkha!
m.pinkbike.com/photo/19685960
The look of the fit on their 5'11 175 lb in size M makes it look like more athletic/euro fit than typical, eh..american fit.
www.clubrideapparel.com/collections/mens-flannel-shirts/products/shaka-mens-flannel?variant=32502334586951
www.overland-store.com/collections/overland-store-tops
The shirts are flannel style but work like riding tops, they're two way stretch and wind/water resistant then have a couple of big pockets down the back like roadie riding tops. Well good for riding/looking stylish AF*
*this part subjective
Lay the bike over on the trail or parking lot and psssshhhhshhhshshhhhhhhhh.....
The Bracket with blow up before the C02 head threads snaps.....
You was also able to go at 2 miles per hours tops?
www.target.com/p/men-s-golf-pants-all-in-motion/-/A-77602745