FREERIDE - Parts in danger: Bikes, parts, and parts under constant fire! (Part 2)

In Part 1 of the autumn issue of Parts in Danger we have already dragged shocks, shoes, goggles and a bike carrying aid over the trails. In this second part

Experience log: Garmin Edge 840

Garmin's new bike computer is aimed at all training and number nerds. Every millimetre of the tour is recorded. Important for us enduro riders: How far did I jump? Did I get the KoM (King of Mountain)? The Edge reports at the start and end of the Strava segments. It also provides information about the much sought-after airtime. During the ride, the large display shows data such as speed, heart rate and cadence. The fall detection function works and automatically contacts the registered emergency contacts. Practical for discovery missions: Trailforks maps can be loaded onto the Edge. This simplifies trail searches without having to constantly look at your mobile phone. The in-house navigation function for bikers is less sophisticated. I constantly found myself pushing on overgrown back roads. If you ride with a heart rate belt, the Edge 840 recognises your training status and makes suggestions for your next workout. This works perfectly. Price: 500 euros >> available here at a reduced price (Tester: Tim Folchert)

Conclusion: Clever tech gimmick with great functions. The navigation function has weaknesses. Expensive!

Strengths:

• Battery runtime
• Training suggestions
• Trailforks maps

Weaknesses:

• Price

Shin scare: Race Face Atlas pedals

The Atlas pedal has been improved to be wider, thinner and more durable than before. It is a sleek machine that is aggressive and grippy. With a larger platform, it offers more comfort and easy maintenance thanks to longer and adjustable pins. For those who like it colourful: 9 different colours to choose from. Plus: lifetime guarantee. Price: 230 euros >> available here at a reduced price (Tester: Laurin Lehner)

Conclusion: Super grip - but don't touch the pedals with anything other than the sole of your shoe!

Strengths:

• Durability
• Guarantee
• Weight

Weaknesses:

• Price

A heavy legacy: Troy Lee Flowline SE

The luxury label from the USA presented the Flowline SE at the beginning of the year, which we have been using ever since. The helmet has a heavy legacy, as it replaces its predecessor, the A2, which received top marks in past practical and laboratory tests. Visually, the helmet looks sleek. And fast! Three out of four colleagues in the office find it more attractive than the A2. The visor of the helmet can be adjusted in three positions without tools. A Fidlock fastener is used for the chin strap, which has proven itself in practice. If you want to adjust the fit system to one of the three different heights, you have to fiddle around and change the fragile plastic button. The system can be tightened using the adjustment wheel at the back of the head. Unlike its predecessor, the A2, the Flow SE left a pressure point on my forehead - but colleagues who also ride the helmet don't have this problem. 14 ventilation holes are supposed to keep your head cool, and they do. The Flowline SE has a MIPS system. This thin, sliding shell inside the helmet has been proven to reduce rotational forces in the event of a fall. In our laboratory test, we simulated a fall scenario that would cause a medium concussion in a biker. The Flowline SE reduced the risk to 19 per cent - a very good value. With the predecessor A2, however, the probability was even lower (15 per cent). Weight: 385 grams (size M/L), sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL, price: 190 euros (tester: Laurin Lehner)

CONCLUSION: Stylish, functional and good impact values in the lab test. The Troy Lee Flowline SE is a success - the predecessor A2 with slightly better lab results remains a good alternative. It is still available and currently reduced to € 100.

Strengths:

• Solid wearing comfort
• Good impact values (laboratory)
• MIPS
• Fidlock fastener

Weaknesses:

• Impact values no better than the predecessor A2

Protective flap: Tannus Armour (Tire Insert)

For a long time, tyre inserts were regarded as the ultimate problem solver - especially for racers. The foam inserts protect the rims, provide more puncture protection and allow less air pressure (more traction!). On the occasion of the World Cup in Les Gets, the online platform Pinkbike asked 20 World Cup racers about their tyre set-up. Out of 20 racers, just three said they relied on a tyre insert (Loic Bruni was one of them). So is the trend over? We say: Bikers who frequently ride flat tyres definitely benefit from inserts. Most of them work with tubeless tyres. Tannus has developed an insert that can be ridden with a tube. Clever. Fitting it is a little fiddly, but once fitted there are noticeably fewer flats, even with a tube. We did not notice any negative riding characteristics. Weighs only 150 grams in the 27.5-inch version. Price: 50 euros >> available here at a reduced price (Tester: Tim Folchert).

Conclusion: Finally a tyre insert for tube fans. Good function, low weight and fair price. Good for disc kings.

Strengths:

• Price
• Fewer plates

Weaknesses:

• Assembly

Clever: Fox Union Flat

Finally there are shoes from Fox. There are three models to choose from: a click version (170 euros), a click version with the Boa quick lashing system (240 euros) and a flat version (170 euros). My choice: Flat. The Fox men know what they're doing: they've given the Union toe and heel protection and a grippy sole that provides plenty of grip on the pedals. Very good! The look is discreet: no giant logo, no wild colour combinations. Also striking: the smooth plastic upper material; dirt rolls off instead of sticking. I liked the fit with firm padding. You can walk well in the Union because the sole flexes more in the front third, while the centre section, where you stand on the pedals, is sufficiently stiff. This ensures comfort on long descents. Only the ventilation could be better. Available in black, red, grey and sand beige (photo). Weight: 836 grams (size 11.5 US). Price: 150 euros >> available here (Tester: Laurin Lehner)

Conclusion: A successful premiere! The Fox Union is highly detailed and our recommendation to buy.

Strengths:

• Grip
• Wearing comfort
• Look

Weaknesses:

• Ventilation

Noble lever: Oak Root-Lever Pro

Oak offers tuning brake levers. They are very stylish, have a superb grip and can be adjusted without tools. The factory lever of the Magura MT5 worked perfectly - but that's rarely the point of tuning. It's about having something special, exotic, extravagant. And the Oak achieves this brilliantly. The function is also excellent. Price: 139 euros >> available here (Tester: Dimitri Lehner).

Conclusion: Stylish tuning lever with first-class function. We say: chic upgrade.

Strengths:

• Ergonomics
• Optics
• Function

Weaknesses:

• Price

Expanding horizons: Sweet Protection Durden RIG

The Durden sunglasses have few frames and lots of lenses. The field of vision is nice and large and the glasses sit comfortably on the face. The RIG lens technology from Sweet creates a pleasant, contrast-enhanced look. The Topaz lenses darken the view considerably, not for the dark forest. The Durden with Bixbite lenses is the better choice. Price: 119 euros >> available here at a reduced price (Tester: Laurin Lehner).

Conclusion: Stylish, pleasant look, wide field of vision. The Topaz lens is very dark.

Strengths:

• Hardly fogs up
• Look
• Field of vision

Weaknesses:

• No transparent disc included in the scope of delivery
• Price

Sunlight: Sigma Buster 2000 HL

Long burn time (up to 20 hours), many modes, remote button, fat battery with good attachment, battery indicator. The light shower turns night into day. You might think that everything is fine, but there's one bummer: the rubber mounting of the light head for the handlebars. It is brittle and tears. Happened several times. Please ask the manufacturer to improve it, because it's annoying. Price: 220 euros >> available here at a reduced price (Tester: Dimitri Lehner).

Conclusion: Strong power light for trail rides at a good price/performance ratio. Only the rubber is weak.

Strengths:

• Luminosity
• Equipment

Weaknesses:

• Fastening rubber

Crumple zone: Abus Cliffhanger

The Abus Cliffhanger was launched at the end of last year and I've been using it ever since. First things first: I don't really have anything to criticise about it. There were nine colours to choose from, I opted for plain black. I particularly like the fit. The helmet fits comfortably and the adjustment system works perfectly. It can also be adjusted in height. The large visor can be adjusted in three stages and the Fidlock fastener is a blessing. Also good: the helmet is relatively light. The design is typical of enduro helmets with the material pulled down low at the back of the head - for more safety and style. I didn't try out features such as the goggle fit to secure the goggles. Nor did I try the fringe compatibility for women with braids, my hair is too short for that - but it should work. The Cliffhanger is also available with MIPS (190 euros). Weight: 316 grams, price: 169.95 euros >> available here at a reduced price.

Conclusion: Pleasant, stylish helmet: light, good fit, solid ventilation. Not quite cheap.

Strengths:

• Fidlock fastener
• Light
• Fit

Weaknesses:

• None