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Once again, we’ve got yet another Five Cool Things to show off. This week, we’re going to glance at Bell’s entry into the three-quarter helmet market, Exposure’s latest dynamo light, and a back protector from Bluegrass that’s designed to replace the need for a backpack. But that’s not all, as we’ve also got some affordable grips from Kranx and Giro’s newest trail clipless shoes.
As always, before jumping into the cool things, let’s take a look back at what happened on off.road.cc throughout the week. We kicked things off with an ode to Charlie Cunningham. Although he isn’t quite as well known as the likes of Tom Ritchey, Gary Fisher, and Charlie Kelly, we owe Cunningham a lot for the innovation that he brought to mountain biking and cycling in general. While Steve paid his respects, Ritchey, Fisher, and Kelly also brought a few words.
We also compiled a list of the 32″ wheeled kit we know that you can buy right now, if you’re interested in dipping your toe into the world of wagon wheels, and had a chat with Gracey Hemstreet, to learn more about her serious success at a young age.
It’s been a big week for news as Scott unveiled the latest iteration of its Spark RC cross-country bike, and Rimpact brought its tuned mass damper to gravel. Megamo then released its Avinox-powered Along gravel bike, and Specialized wrung more from its Levo platform with the bikepacking-ready Levo X.
As for reviews, we delivered our verdicts on the Tailfin HydroMount and Bombtrack Hook gravel bike.
Bell 3Qtr-Air Mips
£204.99
The three-quarter helmet space is heating up, and this is Bell’s entry into that very market. It takes a lot from the full-face, Full-Air Mips but removes the chin guard to keep it breathable for the climbs, but protective for the descents. Speaking of cooling, the 3Qtr-Air employs Dual Flow Ventilation technology as part of its dual-density EPS construction to engulf cool air and ditch warm air out the back of the helmet. That EPS is then wrapped with an In-Mold polycarbonate shell.
Inside, there’s a washable and removable anti-microbial liner as well as a sweat guide to keep sweat away from your eyes. Under the breakaway visor is space for eyewear, and the visor itself can become home to an action camera or a light. Closing the helmet is a Fidlock magnetic buckle and of course, there’s a Mips cradle in the form of its Evolve system.
Exposure Revo 5 dynamo light
£355
It may be a bit early to talk about night riding, but Exposure is jumping right on the subject with its new Revo 5 dynamo light. It’s a little more than just a dynamo light, too, as it aims to keep long-distance riders well prepared thanks to its ability to be pre-charged. Exposure says that the light provides its full brightness as soon as you start pedalling, and it’s equipped with a USB-C port, so you can charge your phone as you ride.
Boshing out up to 2000 lumens, its internal 1600mAh battery can blast its full power for half an hour on the battery alone, but when used with a dynamo hub, it can do so indefinitely at a speed of 32mph. It can also be paired with the brand’s RedEye rear light, powered by either that battery or a dynamo hub.
Bluegrass Venture Vest chest and back protector
£249.99
Although not regularly worn by the majority of riders, chest and back protectors are super important pieces of protective equipment. But it makes sense that they’re not often worn as they can take the place of a backpack, reducing storage potential. However, Bluegrass’s Venture Vest is designed to replace a backpack while offering Type B Level 2 back and Type B Level 1 chest protection.
As well as those protective inserts, this chest and back protector is loaded with pockets, and even space for a 1.5L hydration bladder, meaning that riders can carry all of the essentials while keeping themselves well protected. It’s fastened in place thanks to a pair of zips, and there looks to be plenty of fit-adjustment, too. This vest isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal, with three sizes on offer.
Kranx Bite Luxe grips
£19.99
We love an affordable pair of grips, and Kranx’s Bite Luxe lock-on grips may just be the ticket. To be honest, they’re fairly simple with a side-specific pattern built to balance traction and support and they’re built from a TPR compound that’s said to be soft and durable. These come sorted with alloy lockrings available in a range of colours.
Giro Chamber TR shoes
£184.99
Giro’s Chamber TR clipless shoes take the brand’s downhill technologies, but whittle them all down to better suit trail riding. With that, these kicks feature the same platform as the downhill-going Chamber but build it into a shoe that’s said to provide a lighter feel and plenty of ventilation. On the upper, there’s a Boa Li2 dial handling all of the fit adjustment, and its cable threads through injection-moulded lace guides. Similar to some wet-weather shoes, these benefit from a closed-knit cuff to keep debris out, and the microfibre upper gets mesh panels, to welcome cool air into the shoe.
Towards the outsole, there’s Giro’s Sensor rubber compound, and the cleat tracks feature 10mm more setback, so they’re a little more rearward than usual.
