In this week’s Five Cool Things, we’ve got a proper mix of kit from a high-end shock pump from Silca, through to more of Pembree’s very latest componentry. There is also fresh rubber from a fledgling brand, Cast, an updated light from Exposure, and a newly designed bottom bracket from ceramic ball bearing aficionado, CeramicSpeed.
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At the very start of the week, our Steve caught up with none other than Nino Schurter. After departing from his stunning XCO career, he chatted with us about what’s next for the cross-country supremo, why his career ended when it did, and what advice he would give to his 16-year-old self. We then looked at the bike that helped Ty smash the brutal 300km RiftMTB race – his Cube Zero99. Then, Rebecca proved that the race and event season isn’t over yet as she collected the top winter off-road cycling events you need to do in 2025.
In news, things have been picking up some serious speed as Giant’s new Reign Advanced E+ aims to be “the best descending e-MTB”, and comes kitted with tyre pressure tracking tech. Wolf Tooth Components then expanded its pedal offering, stepping into clipless pedals for the first time, and US brand, Ari, unveiled the new Shafer 3.0, which seriously blurs the lines between MTB and gravel.
As for reviews, we took a look at Endura’s Singletrack knee pads, Madison’s Flux Waterproof Trail gloves, and Posedla’s Joyseat 3.0 Plus, a £300 custom 3D printed saddle.
Silca Ultimate Shock Pump
£125
Silca, a brand known for its high-end tools and lubricants, has finally added a shock pump to the market, claiming to fill a space that’s yet to be trodden – one for a shock pump with a super high-quality build. Although you’ll need to shell out for it, it claims to deliver serious accuracy and as yet unmatched durability.
Along with a lifetime warranty, the Ultimate Shock Pump is fully rebuildable, but it’s rammed full of features. Its barrel is made from CNC-machined aluminium, and there are no plastic parts, save for the screen on the gauge. Speaking of the gauge, it reads in five psi increments, and it can rotate 360 degrees. Pair that with an ambidextrous handle, and this pump looks to be one flexible bit of kit.
The Ultimate Shock Pump can inflate up to 300psi, whereas the braided steel hose is said to withstand 10,000psi, and of course, there’s a valve pin actuator nut that allows for pressure release.
Cast Antagonist and Protagonist tyres
£80
Although Cast is a relatively new kid on the block, it looks primed for world domination, especially as it’s got some serious names amongst its roster, like Greg Minnar, Gracey Hemstreet, Danny Hart, Fabio Wibmer, and Danny Macaskill. The brand first started making waves with its componentry but now, it’s joined forces with Pirelli to develop its own tyres.
The Antagonist and Protagonist are tyres that are designed by Cast but engineered by Pirelli, so you’ll see Pirelli’s DualWALL and HardWALL casing technologies throughout. The tyres also benefit from the brand’s Smart Evo DH rubber compound that’s inspired by Pirelli’s motorsport heritage, but moulded for MTB.
To start with the Antagonist, it’s built for cornering traction and fast rolling, so we expect it’ll make a great rear tyre. Its centre knobs are tightly packed with plenty of edges for braking grip. The side knobs are then said to provide support at a range of lean angles, so expect consistency here.
The Protagonist is shaped for grip in mixed weather conditions, so there’s tonnes of use for it through the UK’s winter. Like the Antagonist, it’s said to provide cornering confidence, but it uses a V-design tread pattern for “smooth directional changes”. This tyre’s tread is wider spaced, which should aid mud clearance. There’s also that Smart Evo DH rubber compound.
USE Exposure Zenith 4
£280
The Zenith has received a bit of an update for 2025. It’s a light that can be mounted to a helmet or handlebar that knocks out 2,360 lumens. While it gets many of the classic Exposure technologies, such as Tap Technology, which allows the user to change power modes simply by tapping the light, it’s now rechargeable via USB-C.
The move to USB-C charging means that the charge time has been improved by up to 66%, and the light can be charged from portable power banks, which is ideal if you’re planning big adventures away from a plug socket.
CeramicSpeed BB Alpha bottom bracket
£360
When testing CeramicSpeed’s BSA Bottom Bracket, I enjoyed the clear boost in efficiency and smoothness it brought, but it was a little heavier than the competition and light on sealing. Released earlier this week, the BB Alpha from CeramicSpeed looks to solve both of those quirks.
BB Alpha uses stainless-steel races and grade-3 Silicone Nitride ceramic balls with new seals engineered for this very bottom bracket, and fresh dust covers. The latter combination then promises 500% better protection against moisture ingress but without adding much in the way of stiction. CeramicSpeed also says that its simplified its spacer tube and built the cups to be a little lighter, stating that installation should be easier, and that the new BB has reduced its weight by 10%.
Pembree D3A Large pedals and GCS Stem
£160 and £130
Along with the new handlebar that we checked out in a previous Five Cool Things, we’ve also got Pembree’s all-new D3A pedals and GCS stem. Kicking things off with the pedals, the brand reckons it’s Pembree’s most advanced pedal yet, as it uses a double concave platform, and it’s available in two sizes to suit different sizes of feet. The traction pins are accessible from both sides of the pedals for easy repair, and the platform itself is made using CNC-machined recycled aluminium. It then spins on a forged chromoly axle and sealed bearings.
As for the stem, it boasts a wide clamping area for better grip against a handlebar, and it’s tested and approved by EFBE – TRI-TEST GR certification, so it’s more than up for freeride and downhill riding. It benefits from a slew of stainless steel screws, and it’s CNC-machined.
