It's the end of May 2023, and you already know that means a fresh episode of Trending MTB products! Warmer months are approaching and with that comes some seriously hot products. This time around you'll be treated to favorites from OneUp, SRAM, Fox, Schwalbe, Crankbrothers & more. Plus, a certain beautifully designed hat from KETL Mtn is back in stock by popular demand. Tune in!
These rotors from SRAM have been a welcome improvement over the previous Centerline rotors which worked but weren't very exciting. The HS2 rotors offer increased heat dissipation thanks to a new design, increased ventilation and a heat dissipating paint that's applied on the surface connecting the braking surface and mounting points. This helps maintain cooler temps during sustained descents and in turn, increases your braking power. They are also 2.0mm thick as opposed to the 1.8 on the centerlines. This helps create a nice, solid lever feel and also allows them to be used with other brands which utilize a 2mm thick rotor.
If you didn't know already, the OneUp carbon handlebar is one of the most unique carbon handlebars on the market. It's ovalized design offers a bit of vertical compliance while maintaining lateral stiffness. Basically, it helps mute some of the trail chatter while riding chunky trails and takes a little bit of the edge off those gnarly braking bumps at the bike park. They've managed to strike a balance that simply feels great on the trail.
The digital version of Fox's shock pump allows you to dial in your suspension to another degree of precision over the analog version. Not only do you get a precise measurement of the exact amount of pressure, you also get a measurement down to the decimal. That's the kind of precision that you normally get from someplace like NASA, now available in your toolbox.
Schwalbe has been making exceptional tires for over 50 years now, and their Nobby Nic is one of their most versatile and most popular models. It combines an excellent balance of grip and rolling resistance that can be tailored to your bike and your local trails, depending on the carcass and rubber compound you choose. Opt for a thick casing and tacky rubber for more gravity oriented disciplines, or go for the lighter casing and middle of the road compound for a more versatile tire that fits a wider range of applications. Pair it with a Magic Mary in the front for some serious grip and a faster rolling rear, or run them front and rear for a somewhat aggressive yet generally faster rolling package.
The RockShox Recon Silver RL is flat out one of the most popular suspension forks that we sell, and one of the best selling forks of all time for us. It's very common for entry level mountain bikes to come with a fork that's coil sprung, not very adjustable, and very heavy. This is where the Recon Silver comes in - being an air fork, its much lighter than a coil fork, and you can fully adjust the spring rate in addition to the compression and rebound settings. These adjustments really allow you to massively increase the performance of your bike and in turn, your confidence and comfort on the trail.
Ever since the inception of the Mallet E pedal, there has seemingly been a gap in the Crankbrothers pedal lineup which has now been filled by the Mallet Trail. This pedal is perfect for everything from gravel riding to XC, Trail and Enduro riding. The Mallet trail is roughly 80 grams lighter per pair over the Mallet Es, and just a smidgen heavier than the aluminum version of the Candy pedals, but with a larger, more supportive platform than the candy. All in all, it's a great looking pedal that has excellent functionality and durability, which makes it a great companion for a myriad of bikes and rides.
You may have seen myself wearing this particular KETL hat in several of our videos and podcasts, and we've been inundated with requests to bring it back in stock. Now is your chance to snag one before it's gone! Recreate and relax in style with this incredible fully adjustable 5 panel mesh hat.
Photos by Liam Woods & Patrick Lewey / Words by Jared Erickson