FREERIDE - Parts in danger: Bikes, parts & components under constant fire! (Part 1)

The FREERIDE testers are constantly in action and make the parts tremble during their missions. The question is always in the back of their minds: should you buy it or not? We tell you what's what. This time: The new Rockshox Vivid is back and wants to give steel spring shocks a run for their money. We check out the Flite XT enduro shoe from First Degree in Austria. They used to make snowboard boots, but now they also make bike shoes. Also today at Parts in Danger: self-tinting goggles, grips, a new endurance test enduro bike (Cube Stereo One55) and much more...

Plump can: Rockshox Vivid RC2T Ultimate

After an absence of several years, the new Vivid is back and wants to teach nothing less than steel spring shocks the meaning of fear. The new edition of the voluminous air shock has been specially designed for gravity use and is packed full of technical refinements. The abbreviation RC2T on the top Ultimate model we rode conceals four adjustment options alone to offer the rider the best possible damping control. To ensure that the air shock responds as smoothly as a steel spring counterpart and delivers constant damping even in tough downhill use, not only the air chamber but also the oil volume and oil flow have been increased. The so-called "touch-down" damping system works in three phases. The damping is low over the first ten per cent of the suspension travel, which means that the rear end is extremely sensitive over the first few millimetres when landing after a jump. We were definitely able to confirm this in the practical test. In the working range between 10-80 per cent, the usual controlled compression damping is available, which can be adjusted separately for high and low speed with five clicks each. The adjustment range of the five clicks is within an easily usable window. No setting made the Vivid unrideably hard. If you are looking for maximum counter-pressure and support, you have to close both compression damping adjusters very tightly. In the last twenty per cent, an adjustable hydraulic bottom out (HBO) also comes into play. The adjustment has less influence on the utilisation of the maximum suspension travel, but is merely intended to prevent hard bottoming out. The Vivid also manages this with flying colours, performing its work very smoothly and comfortably overall. Of course, the Vivid also offers an effective, switchable platform for pedalling uphill. (Tester Peter Nilges) Weight: 714 grams, price: 874 euros

Conclusion: Successful premiere: The new Vivid is a comfortable air shock with many adjustment options and a switchable platform. Unfortunately expensive!

Strengths:

• High comfort
• Adjustment range of the damping
• Linear steel spring feel
• Weight

Weaknesses:

• Price

Pen protection: Nock Handguard v2

Texi, Moir, Hill or Melamed - the racers are leading the way and screwing handguards onto their handlebars. After a few months of intensive testing, I realise why. When things get tight, the protectors act as an early warning system. Branches, undergrowth, rock edges ... they not only protect the little finger, but also the brake levers! Not pretty, but practical. Price: 75 euros >> available here (Tester: Tim Folchert)

Conclusion: Not beautiful, but functional. After a short familiarisation period: only advantages.

Strengths:

• Effective protection for hand and brake lever

Weaknesses:

• Unconventional look
• Price

Mayflies? First Degree Flite XT

The Austrians from First Degree are shoe experts. They used to make snowboard boots, but now they also make bike shoes. The Flite is available in two versions: with a softer sole and casual look and the Flite XT for tougher terrain from trail to enduro/race. In fact, the leather shoe is very comfortable to wear, the power transmission is good and the sole is stiff enough to carry your bike up the mountain for hours on end. Two points of criticism: 1. with a high instep and tight lacing, the tongue edge can pinch a little. 2. the dentist's whites won't stay dentist's whites for long if you don't clean and scrub them a bit. Weight: 874 grams (size 44). Price: 135 euros >> available here. (Tester: Dimitri Lehner)

Conclusion: Pleasant enduro shoe with a good fit and sensible details.

Strengths:

• Grip
• Fit
• Comfort

Weaknesses:

• Not pure white for long

2 in one? Julbo Edge Reactiv

The label from France has been producing eyewear since 1888. First protective goggles for stonemasons, later glacier goggles for climbers, today bike goggles. The Edge looks futuristic - with a number of lens options. I chose the Reactiv photochromic lens with sun protection category 0-3, which darkens depending on the UV radiation thanks to a chemical reaction on the surface of the lens. The glass is supposed to adjust in seconds when driving into the dark forest. Does that work? Almost! The lenses reach their limits when the light changes quickly through the forest of leaves. The sun protection category 0 for the Reactiv lenses is a minimal basic tint - which is only distracting when driving at night. Great: the warm, contrast-enhancing look of the lenses. Also great: thanks to the magnetic system, the lenses can be easily changed if necessary. (Replacement lens: €50) I liked the ventilation, shape and fit. Weight: 248 grams (light!). Price: from 240 euros >> available here. (Tester: Laurin Lehner)

Conclusion: Sophisticated, stylish glasses with lots of clever features. Lightweight, functional, but expensive.

Strengths:

• Optics
• Fit
• Contrast, warm colours of the lenses

Weaknesses:

• Price
• Category 0 has minimal basic shade

Ergon GDH Team handle bar

We are fans of the Ergon GE1 and GD1 Evo Slim grips because they are thin, firm and yet not too hard. In 2024, Ergon will launch the GDH Team, developed with World Cup downhillers. It is designed to provide more damping and prevent fatigue thanks to a thickening in the centre. The GDH actually dampens very well and grips securely thanks to its pistol grip and waffle structure. We like! Price 40 euros. (Tester: Dimitri Lehner)

Conclusion: Pleasant clamping grip with plenty of grip and cushioning thanks to Ergo-Shape and soft rubber.

Strengths:

• Damping
• Grip

Weaknesses:

• -

Energy booster Chimpanzee Energy Chews

When your legs get heavy and soft on a mountain tour, you need quick energy! We tried the new gummy drops from Chimpanzee: small, easily edible drops made from 97 per cent wild berries - according to the manufacturer. And without added sugar, vegan and gluten-free. At 108 Kcal, they don't have as much energy as energy bars, but they are easy to divide up. Price 2 euros. (Tester: Team)

Conclusion: delicious fruit drops, easy to dose. But nothing beats the banana (approx. 120 kcal).

Strengths:

• Easy to dose
• Flavour

Weaknesses:

• little content

Hands up! Hookabike

I do a lot of freeride tours in the mountains. You often can't ride up the mountains where the really cool trails go down. And since it's all about the descent, I just carry the bike up. I enjoy that. It has a meditative quality. So far I've shouldered the bike in the Vertrider grip. This makes it easy to carry the bike. Carrying plates such as those from Hookabike promise to make it even more comfortable. I tried that out. That's right, it's even more comfortable because the bike balances itself. Advantage: You have your hands free (good for tricky climbs) and the top tube doesn't put pressure on your neck. How does it work? You slide a plastic plate behind the shoulder straps of the rucksack, hook a pin onto the bike and off you go. Threading the pin into the plate requires some skill and practice. Weight: 140 grams (light!). Price: from 50 euros >> available here (Tester: Dimitri Lehner)

Conclusion: Sensible, functional carrying aid, especially if you need your hands for climbing. Should you buy it? I get along fine without it.

Strengths:

• Light
• Neck free
• Hands free

Weaknesses:

• Requires practice when hooking in

Permanent test update: Cube Stereo One55 C:62 SLX 29

New bike, new luck! Tim wanted to follow in the footsteps of the enduro racers and compete in enduro races on a trail enduro bike instead of a heavy enduro bike.

After the first few months of testing, it turns out that the term "Trailduro" fits the Stereo One55 perfectly. As playful as a trail bike with a low weight and yet smooth enough to master enduro races. Even if it reaches its limits in tough passages and in the bike park. But for an advertised all-mountain bike, it performs surprisingly well. The equipment leaves nothing to be desired. After I swapped the seatpost for one with more travel, it also ran downhill. At least as long as I didn't have to pedal. Despite repeated adjustments, the chain guide kept throwing the chain off the chainring. Annoying! Now I ride without a chain guide. The Stereo is a successful trail enduro bike for a fair price. (Tester: Tim Folchert)

• Suspension travel: 150 mm / 150 mm
• Frame size: Large
• Reach / Stack: 476 mm / 637 mm
• Weight: 14.5 kilos (without pedals)
• Price: 3999 Euro >> available here