In this week’s Five Cool Things, we’ve got tyres from Maxxis, and we’d be surprised if they actually grip! Along with those, we’ve got Merida’s wallet-friendly hardtail platform, a convertible helmet from Leatt, fresh specs from Rudy Project, and Cinelli’s latest bar tape. Let’s dive in.
But before we dip into the much-needed cool waters, let’s take a look at what happened in the news over the last week. It’s been a good one, too, as it looks like we’re seeing a resurgence of versatile long-travel bikes designed to cover all things gravity while still being pedalable enough to get up a hill swiftly. The first to launch was Mondraker’s Anark, its first new non-e-mountain bike for a good while now. Canyon then stepped up to the plate with the latest iteration of its Torque. That’s not all, as Manitou had a hat to throw into the big travel ring as it unveiled the second iteration of its Mezzer suspension fork. Now available with one of two chassis, it’s built for long or longer travels.
In fact, it’s been an impressive week for bike launches because YT Industries expanded its Avinox-powered Decoy X range to include four new bikes with prices starting at a very agreeable £4.499. Then, Whyte showed up to the party and has built on its own Avinox-equipped Karve platform. Differing from the known Karve EVO, this regular Karve is a 160mm ‘hard country’ bike (alright, Whyte…). Not only did the British brand bring new e-MTBs to the market, but it has also shown that it’s still committed to regular MTBs, as it has brought the next evolution of its T-Series bikes in the form of the Sythe and Syphon. Better still, these bikes can cost as little as £2,199. Nice.
Gravel’s biggest event is happening as we speak, so we published a feature on everything you need to know about Unbound 2026, where we’re certain that we’re going to see some very interesting gravelly advancements. Then, I checked out what might be the most interesting bike I’ve ridden for as long as I can remember, the Auckland Cycle Works Marra, a bike that started life as a Lego model.
Wrapping up with reviews, we checked out Crankbrothers’ Synthesis Enduro Alloy 2.0 I9 wheels and Topeak’s Essential Toolshop.
Maxxis Aspen and Aspen ST tyres
£69.99
We know that cross-country rubber is pretty low profile, but Maxxis’s Aspen range takes low profile to a whole new level, especially with the Aspen ST. It’s said that the regular Aspen ‘pushes the limits of lightweight XC’ as it’s built for minimal rolling resistance, while packing the volume to provide comfort over rough terrain. Slated for hard, loose over hard and ‘medium’ conditions, the Aspen uses Maxxis’s latest MaxxSpeed compound that uses silica as a filler in the rubber that apparently reduces rolling resistance while improving traction in the wet. We’ve got this one with an EXO casing.
Then, the Aspen ST dials everything up (or down) a notch. This tyre’s tread is so short that it’s one of the tyres being favoured by gravel racers but in reality, it’s designed specifically for short track cross-country racing in nothing but dry conditions, as you might expect. It sacrifices all-out cornering control for some serious rolling efficiency and like the regular Aspen, it gets a MaxxSpeed rubber compound with its recent updates, and an EXO casing.
Better yet, as well as reviews, we’ve got something rather silly planned for these tyres, so watch this space.
Merida Big.Nine 400
Merida’s Big.Nine platform is perhaps better known for being a very racy and somewhat more expensive hardtail mountain bike. However, the brand has distilled its racy prowess into a more affordable mountain bike that looks like a great entry into performance MTB. Combined with a 120mm RockShox Judy fork, this bike uses Merida’s TFS frame, which helps bring the price down to a friendlier point, but it’s designed to still provide the capability required for proper trail riding.
As well as its Shimano CUES 1x drivetrain, hydraulic brakes and 29-inch wheels, that’s done through the Big.Nine’s geometry. On this large frame, there’s a 430mm reach, a 67-degree head tube angle and a 74-degree seat tube angle. The chainstay then measures at 460mm. Oh, and for the cash, it’s finished off with some proper tyres from Maxxis, in the form of a pair of Rekon Races, and there’s a dropper post thrown in for good measure.
Leatt MTB Enduro 2.0 helmet
£169.99
Convertible helmets bring one big advantage to the whole helmet game – they’re both a full face helmet, and a half-shell. That comes thanks to a removable chinguard that you can have in place for gnarlier descents, or leave in the van for big days out. Importantly, that means you don’t need to buy or carry about two whole helmets. The MTB Enduro 2.0 is one of Leatt’s many entries into the market, and it’s filled to the brim with useful features.
Along with the in-moulded impact foam is Leatt’s take on rotational impact reduction, 360 Turbine. These are little blue disc-looking things that allow for a touch of helmet rotation should you take a knock to the noggin. Elsewhere, there’s a secondary energy-absorbing material built into the turbines that’s said to soak up low-energy impacts. On top of all of that, there’s a Fidlock magnetic buckle, space for glasses storage and an adjustable visor that’s complete with a breakaway function.
Rudy Project Kelion sunglasses
€219.90
Rudy Project has some big claims behind these glasses, stating that they ‘represent the pinnacle of innovation and excellence’. Wow. In a bid to meet such lofty aims is a Rilsan construction. It’s an eco-friendly material that’s supposed to be strong but flexible, which Rudy says makes these specs comfortable, yet durable.
Along with quick lens-change tech, these glasses are available with mirrored or photochromic lenses, and they can accommodate RX inserts. The lens uses a Base 5.2 cylindrical lens for a wide field of view while minimising distortion, and there’s an adjustable nose piece.
Cinelli Gravel Travel Suede Bar Tape
£26 – 30
A fresh bar tape from Cinelli is the Gravel Travel. Available in Chubby and regular thicknesses, as you might expect, it’s crafted for gravel comfort, and it’s the first tape from Cinelli to do so. It’s thicker than the brand’s classic range and uses a high-density Super Gel to add a hint of vibration damping. It then uses a suede upper that’s said to remain comfortable ride after ride. Finally, there’s a gel backing, which means that the tape can be reused, and the tape is washable.
