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Space miracle: Deuter Transalpine backpack
This thing is a hit! We rarely get carried away with a statement like that, but we'll put our money where our mouth is for this classic bike pack. Because everything fits: comfort, pocket management, durability, details ... all great. Now the multi-day backpack has been improved once again. It's also available in a narrower women's version, for men and in a Pro model (photo). Five volumes (22-32 litres) and six colours are available. Great: Deuter has made some models climate-neutral from recycled material. | Price: from 140 euros >> available here.
Omnivore: Commencal Meta SX Race
The Andorran company is on a roll - the bikes from company founder and bike visionary Max Commencal have mostly won tests. The direct-to-consumer company's new aluminium enduro bike could be another such candidate. Commencal has fitted the Meta with VPP rear suspension kinematics called the Virtual Contact System. This has already proven itself in the Downhiller. There will be three models of the Meta SX: Essential, Race (photo) and Signature, all with ample suspension travel (170 mm front, 165 rear), mullet tyres and modern reach values: 460 in M, 480 in size L | Price: from 4500 euros .
Dragon's blood: Evoc Torso Protector
Siegfried had to go reptile hunting for extra safety - bathing in blood! We have it easier. Thanks to smart foam. The honeycomb armour is worn over the jersey like a motocross jersey, fulfils the strict protection level 2, weighs only 1055 grams and covers the entire back, even when leaves fall. | Price: 190 euros.
Head jewellery: Giro Insurgent Spherical MIPS full-face helmet
Freeride chief Kurt Sorge relies on the Insurgent when he digs out the hatchet at the Redbull Rampage. The bike label from California designed the helmet to be softer on the inside and harder on the outside for the best possible protection. MIPS helps to buffer rotational forces, and 20 air vents blow wind against the head. Weight: from 1040 grams. | Price: 390 euros >> available here.
Glass front: Uvex Pace Stage CV sunglasses
Water beads up, contrasts are enhanced, UV radiation has to stay outside, wind, dust and dirt even more so - the Pace glazes the view in grand style. The nose pads can be adjusted for thicker noses (like us) and the temples are designed to be so robust that nothing breaks so quickly. | Price: 140 euros >> available here.
Karate Kid: Schwalbe Tacky Chan downhill tyres
Thibaut Dapréla, Amaury Pierron and Miriam Nicole tested the new downhill tyre from Schwalbe, and their team mechanic tweaked the tread until Vmax was reached. The full-throttle tyre has achieved 17 World Cup victories so far - wow! Only then were the Frenchies satisfied and gave Schwalbe the green light for the production tyre. Its strength: cornering grip at high speed. Available in three carcass thicknesses, soft and ultra-soft rubber. From 1080 grams. | Price: from 68.90 euros.
Monument protection: Devinci Chainsaw GX DH
The bike label from Canada honours its DH champ Stevie Smith, who had an accident in 2016, with the Chainsaw big bike. Why Chainsaw? DH commentator Rob Warner gave Stevie this nickname when he heard that Stevie had asked for a chainsaw for his birthday. Devinci designed the Chainsaw with a high-pivot aluminium rear end, super-slack head angle (62.1°), stretched geo (reach in L: 486 mm) and generous suspension travel. Weight: 17.4 kg | Price: 5000 euros
Lead foot: Specialised 2FO Roost bike shoes
2FO stands for "Foot Out, Flat Out", in other words: lead foot, full throttle, drifting in Sam Hill style. That's what this flat pedal shoe is designed for - with a stiffened longitudinal arch, cushioning foam under the heel, a sole with a good mix of support and comfort and sufficient impact protection against flying debris. Available in four colours. Weight: 360 g | Price: 110 Euro >> available here.
Seat board: SQlab 612 Ergowave saddle
For some, the right saddle is the easiest thing in the world, because every saddle fits. For others: an almost impossible task. The fact is: there are platform saddles and dome saddles. The SQlab belongs to the former. Here, the saddle braces itself against the sit bones of the pelvis and ensures good load distribution. Important: The saddle width must match the pelvis - SQlab offers the 612 in many widths. The saddle has a high-quality finish, is ergonomically shaped and has been given a look by super designer Troy Lee in honour of motocross legend Jeff Ward. Very chic! | Price: 150 Euro >> available here.
Steam hammer: Marzocchi 58 White Edition suspension fork
Everything in freeriding started with the Bomber, back then under the Italo regime. Now big player Fox supplies the technology, and team rider Brage Vestavik shows what the air fork can take (from page 44). 200 mm travel, 40 mm dropper post, extremely simple operation and robust construction make the 58 the ideal gravity fork for freeride to downhill. | Price: 1049 Euro
Jetsetter: TSG Prevention bicycle helmet
The jet helmet look is hip. Freeriding like Graf Berghe von Trips. The enduro helmet from the Swiss label TSG offers a smart clip-on option: ear protection yes or no, as you wish - one helmet, two looks. The Swiss have also packed a lot of high-tech into their head protection, with MIPS if you like. Clever: the sunglasses clamp under the visor. | Price: from 175 euros
Roll bar: Bluegrass Vanguard full-face helmet
Bluegrass enlisted two big-hitters and rampage heroes, Vinny T and Louis Reboul, to develop the lightweight full-face Vanguard. The helmet is said to be far safer than the test standards require. It is certified according to the DH standard ASTM - astonishing considering the weight: only 690 grams (M) in the basic version. The core version is slightly heavier (725 g). 24 air vents take care of cooling, and a Fidlock magnet closes the chin strap in no time. | Price: from 270 euros
Mimikrying: Bell Sanction II DLX MIPS full-face helmet
Schumacher, Senna, Prost - many F1 heroes drove and still drive Bell. The Bell designers are veterans, in a good way! The helmet label from Illinois has been committed to safety in motorsport since 1923. The latest Bell offspring: Sanction II aims to protect in every form of biking, from BMX to downhill at an affordable price. It was designed in the style of the gravity flagship Full-10, equipped with MIPS to buffer rotational movements, a Fidlock magnetic fastener and an adjustable visor. Available in many colour styles. Weight: 1080 grams | Price: from 120 euros >> available here.
The icing on the cake: Oakley DRT6 Maven bike helmet
The Americans want to have given their trail helmet even more head coverage, better ventilation and an even more comfortable fit. Sounds good - the icing on the cake! Clever: the clamping system for the goggles - you insert them into the "Lens Landing Zone" at the back of the head. Weight: 370 grams. | Price: from 200 euros
Crampons: Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Flatpdeale
No, more accurately: climbing plastic, because the Stamp pedal is made of impact-resistant composite plastic. Ten interchangeable pins per surface prick into the shoe for grip and control. Available in two sizes and five colours. Weight: 348 grams (L) | Price: 60 euros >> available here.
Boob job: DVO Onyx 38 D1 SL suspension fork
The suspension freaks from California have given their Enduro fork (160 to 180 mm) a breast enlargement! From now on, the fork tubes have a cup size 38! True to the US motto: Bigger is better. The engineers also fiddled around with the negative air chamber; it has been made larger for a more sensitive response behaviour. | Price: 1149 euros
Freethinker: Nicolai G18 Hammer
Do you know Max Kruse? Max is the German version of Brage Vestavik, and Max is a Nicolai rider. For Max and his brute riding style, company CEO Kalle designed the Hammer, an indestructible aluminium bike with fat suspension travel (200/186 mm), short rear (420 mm) and so-called mini-mullet tyres, i.e. 27.5 inches at the front, 26 at the rear. Available as a frame kit (€ 2949) or complete. | Price: 8399 euros
Mister Casual: Troy Lee Design Ruckus Cargo Bike Shorts
"This stuff needs to be even more casual," demanded style icon Brandon Semenuk and encouraged designer Troy Lee to make his clothes more casual without losing functionality. The result was the Ruckus Casual. As trousers and as shorts. Colours: black, canvas, oxblood. | Price: 180 Euro >> available here.
Wasp eyes: Dynafit Sky sunglasses
Lightweight, contrast-enhancing, scratch-resistant, robust - the mountain sports experts know what sports goggles need to be able to do and, above all, what abuse they should be able to withstand in the mountains without cracking or breaking. We have already tested the self-tinting version together with other sunglasses. Available in different colours and styles. Weight: 41 grams | Price: from 120 euros >> available here.
