Tech Briefing: Braided Carbon Spokes, Magnetic Pedals, Protective Gear Galore & More - March 2021

 Some of us can't ride because we're at work.

 @crazyXCsquirrel: or in math class

 @Supergirl56: Im in math class too. this lady wont stfu.

 @crazyXCsquirrel: and then it's curfew!

 @Supergirl56: math is important! You need it to calculate the leverage ratio, spring rate, calculating the sag etc. so better pay attention to that...

 Why aren’t you riding? (Other than it’s winter still in some areas.)

 @crazyXCsquirrel: That's a lie! Folks on here dont have jobs, it's why everyone complains about anything that cost more than $20.

 Do you know if the BrandX's any good? I was being a cheapskate and eyeing them up but saw a review that said they were pretty tight fitting?

 @arna86: I have a 58cm head and have used them with a Giro Switchblade, I haven't noticed any tightness but I will admit that the lens isn't the best and gets cloudy and requires cleaning often. I recently got a size L Bell Full-9 but haven't tried it with the goggles yet.

 @arna86: I have a few pairs of x-brands (Eks brand) and I can say they are some of the best out there, awesome foam and they work well. Priced well too.

 I don't appreciate copycat brands, but as long as you can justify the price I'm all for it.

 @Hayden2248MTB: I also don't like things unless I do. Like my dad always said "be a man of principle, until you dont feel like it"

 @arna86: love mine. got a pretty big noggin and a massive nose and they fit pretty dang well. there are already some blemishes on the lense after only a few weeks of ownership but they don't show up when you ride.

 I thought it was less about being better and more about making the suspension behave differently. Though you might be right!

 I can only speak of the Sentinel V2 Cascade link, but I've been impressed. I purchased the link a month or so back and have been riding it since in these perfect autumn riding conditions we have. I had the stock link on the bike for a few months prior and I admit that I was a bit skeptical about what the difference would be between the two, and if I'd even notice it. I can however confidently say that it's got a considerably different feel! With the stock link, the bike is really well rounded and tackled everything we have here, but for me, I thought it lacked a bit when things got really rough, you had to be a bit more careful with line choices. With the link on, the bike turned into a plow demon and line choice was less of a consideration. Sure, I could just be a better rider, or pick a bike that was a bit more downhill orientated to begin with, but now I can switch between the two links as conditions call for it as it feels like two quite different bikes. Although to be honest. I don't think I'll swap it out for a long time..

 Emissions is why there's a ton untapped power available in cars with just an ECU tune. Of course there's plenty of performance chips that did nothing, or just increased throttle sensitivity for the perception of power. As for the links, My understanding is they change the leverage curve for those that might want more mid travel support, want to add a coil shock, or fall outside the weight range the manufacturer designed the bike for.

 All bike designs are a compromise. This is justa a fact of life, nothing can be perfect for every situation. The Cascade links are just a different compromise, they give up performance in some places to increase it in others. If this compromise suits your riding style better, they are an upgrade, if it doesn't they are not.

 @squintyfox: Right on. That actually makes sense then based on what you’re saying. I would appreciate having the choice between the two different flavors of bike, if they are noticeably different. Thanks for the review/explanation!

 Yep, I think someone mentioned it was maybe a typo...

 Right! I had to go large A1 to fit my lumpy skull, which is unfortunate as it is otherwise HUGE on my head, so it doesn't fit particularly well. But I am comforted at least by how safe it is.

 You are the first person to use these pedals AND reccomend them.

 @NRZ $220 for a super lightweight full face? Seems spot on imo. better than the same price for an A3

 @TotalAmateur: the Maya is listed as $337 further down (its actually $150).

 @mtmc99: ahhhh, gotcha ya i didn't see that.........ya that's a joke.

 i believe that the tsg goggles are the same as brand-x ones. the brand-x ones are under £20.

 Rambo was wearing them in Rambo 3 during the stick fight.

 Deliverance?

 We’re talking about protecting your brain while enjoying the sport you love, not carrying groceries home. The consequences of it not doing it’s job correctly can be life altering.

 What if that $300 helmet meant you only had 4 concussions instead of 7? Brain injuries are serious business.

 @OJacobs7: I don't know the situation with bike helmets, but with motorcycle helmets there doesn't seem to be any correlation between price and protection (mainly fit and finish and comfort). Several impact tests showed both cheap and expensive helmets performing bad or exceptional.
I wouldn't bet on expensive MTB helmets automatically having better protection.

 For me, IDGAF anything other than keeping my head not fucked.

 @timtoldnes: bain ijures arnt so bad. i kin stil rid justt fin

 @OJacobs7: Getting groceries can still be super dangerous! Everything is dangerous, there is risk. People like to think they live in this little bubble where nothing bad will happen to them, but I have had way worse injuries just from everyday life than I have ever gotten participating in action sports.

 After a life changing head injury last year and post concussion syndrome whilst wearing a MIPS equipped TLD helmet that got cracked in the impact I will never skimp on helmets for me or my kids. I had several doctors tell me I would have been dead or in a much worse state if I wasn’t wearing a decent helmet. After 2 months off work and 3 months off the bike I’m able to ride again.
If you’re riding any bike, let alone a $3k+ mountain bike, spending $300+ on a helmet should be an absolute no brainer (pun intended).

 @Mac1987: a good point about comfort. Do consider the difference between MIPS vs non-MIPS helmets, carbon vs. non carbon etc... these technologies cost more to produce (licensing, production) and they directly result in reduced forces on your brain. I’m not a scientist, so don’t take my word for it, but I’d take my Carbon D4 over my old Bell Drop any day of the week

 OK but what’s the limit? A $1000 helmet? Brands have figured out how to combine and sell features in a way to command the $200-300 price point now - are they twice or three times as protective as a $100 helmet from ten years ago?

 @timtoldnes: Keep in mind buddy has 7 concussions. @rockandride6 if I were you I would be going after the bestest helmet in the market. This is one of those penny wise dollar dumb moments.

 @timtoldnes: I’d love to see a study showing the protective factor of helmets compared to their prices. I’m guessing price isn’t correlated with the protection factor above a certain level (e.g. $150).

 @rockandride6 ??? You literally just said you've had 7 concussions! You should be spending $1000 at this point, or you risk severe permanent brain injury. And I'm not kidding or being sarcastic!

 @twozerosix: I'd still say for example the Smith full face is no where near close to the safety of the average moto helmet, having worn and held both in hand.

 @mybaben: I spend $200+ on MIPS Bell Helmets without question after every crash. I don't see why I'd spend 150% that amount...I doubt it is 150% safer.

 @OJacobs7: I don't buy junk helmets, my last two helmets were MIPS Bell helmets. (if you include my moto helmets, my last 5 helmets were MIPS Bell helmets. $200 after every crash is very different from $330.

 @rockandride6: Actually in all seriousness, I would recommend chilling out a little. Even if you're a pro and getting paid, stop riding so hard! Traumatic brain injury is no joke. You need to stop crashing, I don't care what's on your head! Time to dial it back some!

 @rideitall-bmx-dh-road-unicycle: On the surface level I agree with you. I think the right nuanced answer is 'horses for courses' and the specific requirements of the sport and its possible impact styles dictating whether a helmet is 'safer'.

 @RonSauce: Wait, what?

 @gnarlysipes: im jokingly implying that he doesn't have the neck strength to keep his head from bouncing around like a basketball.

 @twozerosix: I’d say it’s a diminishing returns type scenario. A $20 helmet is much better than no helmet. A $100 helmet is better than a $20 helmet but not by as much

 @rideitall-bmx-dh-road-unicycle: a Moto helmet has to be stronger and stiffer because impacts can happen say much higher speeds. Realistically, in MTB, an impact is likely to be sub 20mph in most cases. So the shell doesn't need to protect so much from puncturing and the foam can be softer. This means that a lighter/softer MTB lid is likely to lead to better outcomes than a moto lid in most MTB crashes, as it's more cushioned (if you fell 6", a cushion would be nice on your head than a bike lid, for example)

 @mountainsofsussex: Yep, exactly why I run a moto because I'm crashing at 20mph+ in most DH/enduro/race settings.

 @rideitall-bmx-dh-road-unicycle: I'm scared to go back to my last race last year (actually, my only race last year, thanks covid) and see how low my maximum speed was. Probably would have been fine with a cushion wrapped round my head!!

 @rideitall-bmx-dh-road-unicycle: I was bored at work (!) so I looked at my Garmin stats and I rarely go over 22mph off road, as my riding trends to be narrow and technical. If you're riding big open fast park stuff I can see the attraction of a moto lid

 @RonSauce: Play rugby for 23 years and it'll happen, I assure you neck strength is not the issue.

 @mybaben: Rugby, not Mountain Biking.

 @mountainsofsussex: narrow and fast i raced moto enduro for years, which all 20+mph averages in single track, 70ish miles in a day.

 @MarkyB: Do you consider your helmet as one you skimped on? I ride the TLD A1 because 2 years ago when I bought it, it was the safest on V-Tech's list.

Shitty you went through that, BTW.