This week we’ve got a kit to make your bike slacker if it has integrated headset cups, tyres that will set you up well whatever the weather and a new iteration of the Crank Brothers Highline dropper post. There’s also a pair of trousers from O’Neal which come in at a pocket-friendly price.

Crankbrothers Highline 7 150mm dropper post
£285

2021 Crankbrothers Highline dropper post
2021 Crankbrothers Highline dropper post (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Crank Brothers have two longer travel dropper posts in the range, the Highline 3 and the Highline 7, this is the 7 and the more expensive of the two. The Highline 7 is new to the range and features a self-contained IFP hydraulic cartridge rather than just a self-contained IFP hydraulic cartridge. The IFP part means this dropper has an internal floating piston which should prevent cavitation by keeping pressure on the oil to help push it back through the circuit. It should also help keep a smooth action. Aside from that, the only other difference is that you can’t get this one in a 34.9mm diameter or in the super short 80mm length. The remote is also not included for that price, that’s £55 on top. 

 

Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ tyre
£70

Maxxis Assegai EXo+ tyre
Maxxis Assegai EXo+ tyre (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Now, we know the Assegai isn’t new but it now comes in the EXO+ casing, that’s the middle weight of casing, sitting between EXO and DD in the range. Ours is a 29 x 2.5″ WT 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ (1,125g)  to give it its full name, the MaxxGrip denoting the grippiest compound available – safe to say we are looking forward to riding this one! 

Maxxis Shorty 3C MaxTerra EXO tyre
£65

Maxxis Shorty 29x2.5
Maxxis Shorty 29x2 (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

A winter wonder? We hope so, we’ve been impressed by the Shorty in the past. This test tyre has come in for Liam’s bike in a 29 x 2.5″ WT size with 3C MaxxTerra compound and EXO casing. It means it’s a slightly harder and faster rolling compound than the MaxxGrip and a lighter carcass than the EXO+ (965g).

 

​O’Neal Trailfinder Stealth Pants
£70

2020 oneil trailfinder trousers.jpg
2020 oneil trailfinder trousers (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

There are no airs and graces with the new O’Neal Trailfinder Stealth pants, just a simple pair of rather rugged looking winter trousers at a pocket-friendly price. Costing less than some pairs of mountain bike shorts, these trousers are light, flexible and stretchy with an adjustable ratchet closure. 

 

9point8 Slack-R
£99

9point8 Slack-R
9point8 Slack-R (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

If you have a bike that has integrated headset cups then until recently, you’d have been stuck with the head angle your bike has been given….. Step in the 9point8 Slack-R, a system that will essentially make your bike with an integrated headset 1.5degrees slacker. At the moment it’s only available for bikes with a S41/28.6 upper bearing and an IS52/40 lower bearings though. Luckily our Jim has a candidate bike, a Santa Cruz 5010. 

9point8 Slack-R
9point8 Slack-R (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

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