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Mounting stand Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD
For many years, we thought that a product like the Pro-Elite mounting stand from Feedback Sports, nothing could be better. The Workstand accompanies the BIKE team to every test ride and has always impressed with its indestructible quality, outstanding handling and small pack size. However, when it comes to enduro bikes, which nowadays can easily weigh over 15 kilos, or when working on eMTBs, the lightweight is now reaching its stability limits. Feedback's engineers have recognised this and have launched the Pro Mechanic HD, a kind of heavy-duty version of the Pro Elite.
Massive aluminium legs and larger tube diameters are said to give the Pro Mechanic 145 percent more stiffness. We have not measured this, but the added stability is absolutely noticeable. The eight-kilo workstand stands between the rubberised clamping jaws like a rock in the surf, even with e-bikes, and effortlessly keeps even heavy bikes (max. 45.5 kg) in balance. The bikes can now be clamped even faster thanks to the practical one-hand lock with crank function. A blessing for previously strained biceps.
All couplings and fasteners have been made more stable. Thanks to the quick release, the clamping height can be varied between 106 and 172 centimetres in a flash. The practical release button is also back on board and releases the bike at the touch of a finger, without the hassle of cranking. With a pack size of just 13 x 20 x 115 centimetres, the Pro Mechanic HD is still absolutely transportable and will certainly accompany us on numerous test rides in the future. A detailed test of the bike stand can be found here.
- Weight: 8.1 kilos
- Price: 495 Euro >> available here
Conclusion on the bike mounting stand from Hans-Peter Ettenberger, BIKE Lab employee
Close to perfect. The new Pro Mechanic HD is lightweight yet extremely stable. The handling is unrivalled. The high price is doubly repaid with wrenching fun and durability.
Flat pedals Reverse Black One Jr.
Complex bearings and multiple seals - the Black One Jr.The aluminium pedals are probably one of the highest quality and most expensive pedals that you can screw under your biking offspring's feet. The 307 gram aluminium pedals are equipped with eight interchangeable pins on each side, which can be easily screwed in and out with a 3-pin Allen key - after all, during the learning phase, the odd contact with the ground cannot be ruled out and a pin can quickly become bent. The 100 x 83 millimetre cage offers enough space for children's feet up to size 39. The nine millimetre long pins also develop sufficient grip for moderate use in the bike park. If you are looking for even more grip on the pedals, you can find longer pins in the spare parts store on the Reverse website.
According to the manufacturer, the Black One Jr. can also be fully serviced - corresponding spare parts are also available in the online shop. Shortly before the first lift ride at the last bike park visit, there was some disillusionment - the youngsters even shed a few tears - the pedal cage slipped two centimetres outwards on the axle. A check in the workshop revealed that a bearing had shifted. The pedal was defective for the time being, but the day was saved by a smart hire bike.
- Weight: 307 grammes
- Price: 99,90 Euro >> available here
Scott MTB RC Ultimate cycling shoes
The price makes you swallow dry. 460 euros! For a pair of mountain bike shoes! Can that be? With the Scott MTB RC Ultimate Scott is entering a price range that is otherwise reserved for luxury fashion brands such as Prada and Louboutin. A glance at the details gives an idea that the exorbitant price cannot have been completely plucked out of the air. The development and production costs of the RC Ultimate undoubtedly exceed those of normal racing shoes. The Scott engineers went to great lengths to make the shoes comfortable, light and at the same time as stiff as possible for optimum power transmission.
Unlike the visually twin, but less than half the price of the Vertec model, which is available in the Test of our July issue the all-round tip, the sole of the RC Ultimate is not made of cheap carbon fibre composite material (CFRP), but of HMX high-end carbon. Scott claims the highest possible stiffness index, and our tests confirm this. Power transmission is maximised. Because comfort plays an equally important role when biking, every last detail has been optimised. Lightweight, stiff Carbitex fabric cradles the foot and gives it stability. Two smooth-running Boa-L systems ensure that the shoes sit pressure-free. The ergonomic, 3D pre-moulded insoles with interchangeable inlays can be adapted to the shape of the foot. No question: it couldn't be better. In practice, the pair is much more inconspicuous than on paper. The RC Ultimate are stiff, very well-fitting shoes with excellent workmanship. However, cheaper models, such as the aforementioned Vertex, also offer this. The RC Ultimate are for bikers who are looking for the last per cent. Or for the financially well-off who love the finer things in life.
- Weight: 798 grams (weight for shoe size 45 without cleats, measured in the BIKE test lab)
- Price: 460 Euro >> available here
Topeak Joeblow Mountain EX tyre pump
With the Mountain EX has Topeak has recently added an affordable pump especially for mountain bikers to its range. Despite its somewhat slimmed-down features, the Joeblow is designed to inflate fat tyres reliably and comfortably. The maximum pressure of 4 bar should be sufficient even for hard-boiled pumpers. The voluminous steel cylinder presses around 0.1 bar per stroke into the tyre on 2.4 inch wide 29ers. Accordingly, the tyre is quickly inflated to a rideable 1.6 bar. The 3.5 inch pressure gauge measures accurately to 0.1 bar and is easy to read. Thanks to the long hose, you can stand flexibly and at a comfortable distance from the bike. The practical TwinHead head serves both Presta and Schrader valves and can be easily fixed with a clamping lever. The rounded plastic handle may not look too high-quality, but it feels good in the hand. However, you have to push the air through the valve with a lot of force even at low pressure. Despite the large volume, we were unable to fit a tubeless tyre.
- Price: 44,95 Euro >> available here
