SRAM XO Rear DerailleurTen speed is here to stay and SRAM has a drivetrain to suit nearly every rider's budget, from those who want the no holds barred XX kit, all the way down to the newly updated X5 range. XO sits one level down from the top step, but is intended to be the go-to group for dedicated riders who are hard on their gear, no matter if that includes mounting the parts on everything from a downhill rig, to a cross-country race bike. Versatility is the key word with XO, including the group's ten speed specific rear derailleur that we test here. Available in three cage lengths: short for DH or single ring use, and medium or long for dual and triple ring compatibility, with all three cages consisting of a carbon outer element and aluminum inner, means that there is a model for all types of riding. SRAM's employs their Exact Actuation 1:1 cable pull ratio that is said to be more tolerant of cable stretch and contamination than what the competition uses, but keep in mind that this means that it must be paired up with one of SRAM's ten speed shifters, although it doesn't have to be the XO model. Sealed bearing pulley wheels come stock, a nice touch for those who ride year round in bad weather, and it is compatible with SRAM's wide range cassettes that are fitted with a large 36 tooth cog. The 203 gram XO rear derailleur retails for $234 USD.
www.sram.com  |
| SRAM's 203 gram XO rear derailleur is a proven winner in our books. |
 | Hanging down for the roots, rocks and sticks to do their best to ruin your ride, a bike's rear derailleur is arguably its most vulnerable component, but our XO units have shrugged it all off with only a few cosmetic wounds. And I'm not just talking about the XO Silver model pictured above, but every one of the four different derailleurs currently on our ever expanding test fleet of bikes - impressive considering that we are not known for being kind to any bike that we spend time on. SRAM's positive feeling shifting has been top notch, requiring only the rarest of cable adjustments, and the derailleur's limit screws haven't creeped out over time, holding their place after countless miles of hard use, including everything from Winter shuttle runs, to 70 kilometer cross-country races. While the XO's performance over the long haul impressed us, it's track record isn't 100% squeaky clean, with one unit suffering from a stiff main pivot that hampered shifting. Keeping in mind that this particular derailleur had been in rotation for nearly a full season of use, often getting the pressure washer spray down without any thought to how it would hold up (isn't this how all tests should be?), we're still satisfied with XO's longterm performance. Their $234 USD asking price isn't exactly pocket change, especially when you consider that the X9 model weighs roughly the same and also makes use of the carbon and aluminum cage. Choose wisely, but we're betting that you'll be happy with how both perform. - Mike Levy |
Thrones seatThrones is a relatively new seat company out of Australia that is producing some unique looking saddles that stand out from the more standard all black offerings out there. At this point they only offer a single seat shape, one that may look familiar to some out there, although it is available with seven different tops, including "The Old Boy" version tested here. While the graphics certainly have a road bike leaning to them, Thrones also offers a custom program that lets you design your own artwork. The catch? A minimum order of twenty, but we can see some teams and bike shops wanting a saddle all their own. All seven Thrones' seats use the same carbon injected Nylon base that measures 293mm long in total length and 130mm at its widest point. The seat's mid section - the place that bears most of your body weight - is 83mm wide. All this, including the saddle's hollow titanium rails, weighs in at a respectable 215 grams. Suggested retail price is $159.99 USD.
www.bikethrones.com  |
| While The Old Boy has a bit of road bike flavour to its graphics, most mountain bikers loved the look. More importantly, we found it to be quite comfortable. |
| I installed The Old Boy atop my Reverb dropper post and immediately headed out on a four hour cross-country ride in the rain, the very thing that you shouldn't do as a first ride with a new seat under you. While part of me was expecting some chaffing and forced out of the saddle riding during this initial getting to know each other suffer fest, I was pleasantly surprised by how invisible it seemed to be under me. A seat that you don't think about is a comfortable seat. I was also reasonably sure that the graphics, especially the white front section, would quickly look worn and tired after a few rides in the mud and rain, but that hasn't been the case, with The Old Boy still looking nearly new after a lot of use. If the road graphics have you worried that the seat won't be up to some abuse on the mountain bike, you needn't worry - the hollow titanium rails have stood their ground quite well, brushing off more abuse than they were likely intended to see. My only words of warning regarding the Throne seat would be its use of relatively thin and hard foam. Those who ride a lot will likely be fine with the solid feel, but riders with less seasoned behinds may want a more forgiving seat. Everyone is shaped a bit differently down there, and it's for this reason that you need to take all seat reviews with a grain of salt - if possible, always try before you buy. - Mike Levy |
Dakine Ventilator gloveDakine's reworked 2012 Ventilator glove has been designed, as you would guess by its name, to let as much air flow through as possible. Four way stretch mesh has been used on the top, along with a seamless and ventilated palm that is about as thin as you could ever hope for. Whereas most minimalistic gloves forgo incorporating any sort of palm padding, the new Ventilator makes use of 3mm thick gel cushions at the base and top of the palm. A small Velcro enclosure at the wrist facilitates pulling them on and off. Besides all of the usual glove tech, the Ventilator also features touch screen friendly tips on the middle and pointer fingers, allowing you to take a photo or change songs on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iWhatever without having to pull a glove off to do it. While bringing phones and iPods onto the trail is always a point of contention, the Ventilator's touch screen compatibility makes sense to us. They retail for $35 USD.
www.dakine.com |
| Super breathable, touch screen compatible and with nearly invisible palm protection, the Ventilators have become an office favorite. |
| While I feel naked when riding without gloves, I'm always looking for the thinnest and lightest duty ones that I can find. With the exception of the 3mm palm padding, the Ventilator is about as minimalist as you could hope for. Not only are both the top and bottom made from a single layer, the fingers also feature mesh sides to further enhance venting. As you'd expect, this all adds up to a glove that feels as if it isn't even there, but still provides much more protection than riding bare palmed. Speaking of protection, the Ventilator's 3mm padding, specifically placed at the heel and top of the palm to leave the center section open, feels invisible when gripping the bars. This came as a surprise considering how thick the padding actually is, but Dakine's careful placement means that it goes unnoticed until you really need it. They have been my go-to gloves for any riding that I've been doing, and while the top seems to stain easily, the seams and fabric have held up well to both washing and wear and tear. If you've ever tried to answer a call or take a photo with your touch screen phone while wearing gloves you'll know that it is nearly impossible, but the Ventilators work as advertised, allowing you to use your phone just like you aren't wearing gloves at all. Even without this last feature, the Ventilator glove is a winner in our books, but once you've used your phone without needing to remove your gloves you'll likely never go back. - Mike Levy |
GU Brew Electrolyte Drink tabletGU offers a number of different supplements depending on what you are looking for, but their Brew tablets are designed to replenish electrolytes (
potassium, sodium and chloride) that your body loses during exercise. Why are these electrolytes important? Because they carry electrical impulses responsible for muscle contractions, and after exercising for over an hour you'll need to both hydrate your body and replace the electrolytes in order for your muscles to work at their best. Simply drop the GU Brew tablet into your 16oz bottle and let it dissolve in the water, no stirring or shaking required. One tablet contains just ten calories, 320mg of sodium, a sigle gram of carbs and zero protein. GU Brew tablets are available in lemon lime, orange, blueberry pomegranate and raspberry, as well as in powder format. A box of 16 electrolyte tablets retails for $25.60 USD.
www.guenergy.com |
| GU Brew tabs are small enough to keep in your bag incase you are having a rough day on the trails. |
| I'm a big believer in anything that can help me pedal for longer or go faster, especially when it's as easy as dropping a tablet into my water bottle before I head out. I won't claim to have felt a "kick" or set new personal best times on my local loops, but I will say that I'm confident that the GU tablets work as advertised. Half of the battle is actually remembering to take a drink in the first place, and the lemon lime flavour of our Brew tabs added just enough taste to the water that I found myself actually wanting to take a sip more often - that can't be a bad thing. That taste wasn't universally liked though, with a few others complaining that it seemed a bit too bitter for their liking. Bottom line: we spend more money on gadgets that don't actually help us than what a few tabs of GU Brew costs, and while it didn't transform me into an elite athlete, I also didn't cramp once while drinking GU Brew infused water during a ride. No, it may not have the same effect as a well timed EPO program, but it sure is a hell of a lot cheaper - Mike Levy |
Have you used any of the products featured in Pinkbike's Picks? Share your impressions below.
