Words by: Liam Woods
You know the drill, we are back with a new list of trending products for the month of April 2021. While stock is still low and it’s hard to get many of the parts you might be waiting for, there are still lots of parts, upgrades, and service kits to help freshen up your bike. We have compiled a list of our most popular products for the month of April. While we do love all these parts, it's really the products who you, the consumers, are buying the most. We have here new parts like SRAM GX AXS, KETL MTN Apparel and OneUp Threadless EDC Carriers as well as parts from our friends at PNW, service parts from ParkTool, Rockshox and Fox, too. Check it out, you might (I really mean probably will) find something you like and must buy.
It's no secret we are huge fans of SRAM AXS components, and the newest version is made for everyone who rides all day. The SRAM GX Eagle AXS is the newest mountain bike AXS offering from SRAM and the cheapest yet. Coming in at only $600 for the upgrade kit, which includes the controller (shifter), rear derailleur, battery, charger, B-tension gap tool, and a sleek multi tool. Also available is the GX AXS rear derailleur and GX AXS controller a-la-carte. The GX AXS is a perfect drivetrain for all types of riders. The electronic shifting is so fast and precise while also taking a cable off the bike. Oh, and we have a video going over all the details and you might even laugh, too.
Also new, the OneUp Components EDC Threadless Carrier is their latest EDC storage option. It gives you the ability to store your EDC multi-tool and even a small storage container for zip-ties or tire plug strips. The cool new part about this threadless carrier is you do not have to thread your steerer tube or run the OneUp EDC stem. All you have to do is just punch out your star nut, or don’t install one on a new fork, and install this nifty little gadget. Check out our full article on the OneUp EDC Threadless Carrier to learn more about it.
Maybe one of the biggest new products drops ever! The new spring/summer 2021 KETL MTN Apparel line is here and for sale on KETLMTN.com. The crew has been hard at work on updating our clothing to make it exactly what we want to wear and nothing we don't. It's simple, yet packed with little tech features, and made out of soft fabric that stretches and fits well. In the line you will find two new jerseys, the Wayward Short Sleeve and the Long Sleeve. The Wayward features a classic fit and a small zipper on the left bottom seam that is big enough for an ID, a credit card, or a small key and on the inside of the pocket there is a microfiber patch sewn in to wipe down your glasses or phone mid-ride.
Next we have our Virtue Short with two different inseams at Virtue 9” and Virtue 10”. It has features like zippered pockets, a button pocket and an open pocket. There is also a full wrapped around adjustable waistband to prevent bunching.
We’re also launching the Nofry Sun Hoodie that is a lightweight hoodie to help keep the sun off your neck and head while hiking, fishing, or really anything where the sun might be beating down on you.
And last but actually the most, at least when it comes to amount of material, are the Tomfoolery Pants, a lightweight travel pant that is comfortable when doing really anything you want to do in them. Go to work, chill, wear after a ride, travel, hike, go on a date, chill again, fly, drive, boat, or more chillen. Check out the KETL MTN site for more info and to order some fresh new riding and casual clothing.
PNW Components is a rad, small company making great products, and their Loam grip is definitely one of the more popular products they make. The PNW Loam Grip also happens to be one of the most popular grips we sell. Coming in lots of colors and flavors, the Loam grips feature a multi-directional rib pattern and a tapered size to match that of your hand. They also happen to only be $19! We have a full video on the grips so make sure to check that out for the total grip on this grip.
More PNW parts please! The PNW Range Handlebar is an alloy handlebar that does much more than help steer your bike. Each sale of the handlebar gives 5% back to NICA to help more kids get into cycling. We are also huge fans of NICA and so we host programs that help give back to NICA. These bars are also awesome because of their unique shape and rise to better fit the natural ergonomics of our bodies. It’s available in lots of colors to match your PNW Loam grips or your bike.
Grease, grease, grease, but this grease doesn't feature John Travolta. The Park Tool High Performance Grease, or HPG-1, is made for high performance applications. You might use it on parts like fancy ceramic bearings for some extra spin while also having better water repellent, rust and corrosion resistance, and usability in extreme temperatures. If you like your bike and want to treat it nicely, as nice as John Travolta is to Olivia Newton-John in Grease, then maybe you want to pick up some Park Tool HPG-1 and spoil your bike.
Heading into the bike park and the summer season of riding, giving your suspension some upgrades is a great idea. The RockShox Charger2.1 RC2 Damper Upgrade Kit can take your older Lyrik or Yari and bring it to the next level. The Charger2.1 RC2 Damper features independent HSC and LSC adjustments and a single rebound adjustment. Packed with performance, getting a damper upgrade is a great way to give your fork an update without dropping the cash on an entire new fork.
Speaking of refreshing your suspension fork, the Fox 34mm Dust Wiper kit is a great way to get more performance from your current fork for a low cost. It's also recommended to change your seals and lower leg oil every 50-100 hours or about once a year. This will ensure your fork is clean and lubricated so it stays plush and smooth. It's also a pretty easy service to do at home with a few tools, which helps you save some money while getting your fork to feel fresh and smooth again. I think you should go for it!
This article was written / authored by Liam Woods. Liam has been in the bicycle industry for over 10 years as a racer, professional mechanic, service manager and as of late, media and content creator. Liam has ridden thousands of different bikes, ridden countless components, tested endless MTB apparel of all kinds and written reviews on it all. He's a key piece to the Worldwide Cyclery "All Things MTB" content creation puzzle. He also makes consistent appearances on the Worldwide Cyclery YouTube channel and Instagram.