In this week’s Five Cool Things, we’ve got Topeak’s take on the no-clog high-flow valve, as well as an all-new pump head from the brand. But there’s more, as there’s the Santa Cruz Vala Alloy, Ere Research’s aero gravel wheels, Leatt’s handlebar and grips combo, and Shimano’s latest XTR pedals. Of course, we’ll take a glance over the week’s news, features, and reviews as always.
- Is big travel necessary for UK trails?
- Five things that weren’t cool – until gravel happened
- Mountain bike frame protection – everything you need to know
We kicked off this week with an interview with none other than Sofiane Sehili. Having recently returned home after a stint in a Russian jail, he reveals all about how he got there, the jail’s conditions, and whether or not he’ll reattempt the trans-Eurasia record. We also caught up with some industry veterans to find out when you should replace your bicycle helmet. Then, in light of Adolf Silva’s incredible crash, Rebecca reckons that Red Bull needs to take more responsibility for its big freeride and downhill events.
It’s been a big one for bike releases this week as Giant has finally unveiled its Anthem cross-country bike. Yep, the one that Alan Hatherly has already won an XCO world title aboard. Atherton then stepped up to the plate with a mullet version of the A.150, and Moots showed off its latest gravel bike that dons a 100mm suspension fork. However, the biggest news is that Nukeproof is officially back and has unveiled its first new bike since being bought by Belgian Cycling Factory, the Reactor.
As for reviews, we’ve checked out kit from all corners of the off-road cycling world with PNW Components’ Loam Pedal Gen 2 receiving praise, as well as the all-new Vittoria Terreno T60 Pro tyre. We then took a look at DJI’s new Neo 2 camera drone and Garmin’s Edge MTB cycling computer.
Topeak TurboFlow Combo and TurboFlow Valves
£20 – £35
Last year, Schwalbe unveiled its Click Valve, which aimed to set a new standard for all tyre valves by simplifying the way in which a pump head attaches to the valve. While perhaps indirectly, Topeak looks like it’s set to challenge that idea with its TurboFlow range. To start, the new RapidHead is a replacement pump head that’ll work with any track pump that uses a 10mm hose. Like Clik, the RapidHead simply pushes onto a valve and pulls off with no locking lever. It’s said to boost airflow while minimising any loss of air when removing the head, too. This works on all Presta valves.
Things get very interesting when it comes to the new TurboFlow valves. These are available as full valves or as upgrade kits that replace regular Presta cores. They’re incredibly similar to the design of 76 Projects’ HIGH FLOW ‘no clog’ valves, which is certainly a good thing because we liked them quite a lot. These valves are claimed to deliver 300% more airflow, so they should make seating tubeless tyres a doddle, and thanks to their design, they shouldn’t clog after injecting sealant.
The TurboFlow valves are available in 45, 60, and 80mm lengths.
Santa Cruz Vala AL 70
£5,600
The Vala AL is built to bring the well-received performance of the carbon Vala down to a more accessible price point, thanks to a wise selection of componentry, and of course, an alloy frame. That carbon bike was the first Santa Cruz bike to drop the brand’s famous VPP linkage in favour of a four-bar linkage that delivers 150mm of RockShox Super Deluxe Base damped rear suspension, while a RockShox ZEB base handles 160mm up front.
The Vala AL 70’s whole ethos is to bring big performance at a lower price, so with that comes its all killer, no filler build. First up, it’s powered by Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor, fuelled by a 600Wh battery. There’s then SRAM’s Eagle 70 T-Type drivetrain and DB 8 brakes paired with sizey 220mm and 200mm rotors to bring the stopping power. As expected of a Santa Cruz machine, it’s kitted with Reserve’s 30HD AL wheels, which are sorted with Fillmore valves and wrapped with a Maxxis Assegai up front and a DHR II at the rear. This is a mixed wheel bike, too, with a 29in wheel up front and a 650b hoop at the back.
Ere Research GA40 Aero wheelset
£1,300
Aero and gravel are becoming a little like peanut butter and jelly; whether this is just the natural progression of gravel or due to the UCI’s influence on gravel racing, aerodynamic, gravel-specific componentry is here to stay. This is Ere Research’s approach to an aero gravel wheelset.
Claiming to be “the fastest wheels you’ll ever need for your gravel bike”, the GA40 wheelset is said to weigh a little over 1.5kg, and the brand has employed aero-specialist Paul Lew to help design these rims. In a bid to make them super slippery in the air, the rims are built with a 40mm depth and a 26mm internal width. There are then 24 spokes on each wheel.
Ere Research reckons that the GA40’s Iona-S hubs will run forever, as long as they’re looked after, thanks to their SKF sealed bearings. The freehub then uses a 36T star ratchet, which can be upgraded to 54T, and it’s available with Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM XDR freehub bodies.
Shimano XTR PD-M9220 pedals
£180
Earlier in the year, Shimano unveiled its latest XTR trail pedal, and a pair has finally landed in the office. But, it’s not just about an updated large platform clipless pedal, as with these, the brand has launched its redesigned cleat, which promises easier entry from a range of angles. Back to the pedals…
This iteration of the XTR pedal is built for enduro and trail riding thanks to its large integrated cage that’s shaped to provide plenty of contact between the pedal and the shoe to boost overall control. That platform boasts four pins for grip when not clipped in, and the forged alloy body uses a hollow chromoly spindle to balance weight savings with durability. The binding is then coated in Teflon, and the sealed cartridge axle promises reliability and low maintenance.
Leatt Handlebar Kit Launch Control 6.0
£105
Best known for its range of clothing and protectives, Leatt broke into the components game last year, and this is the brand’s handlebar and grips solution, and it’s not done things by halves. The Launch Control handlebar comes with the Grip Reaflex 6.0 grips as standard, which is a pretty cool touch in itself, but the bar is built to balance lightweight and strength through its 7050 aluminium construction, which has been tested to meet EFBE EPAC MTB-Gravity TRI-TEST CAT 5 standards. Additionally, it gets a 100mm clamping area to fit a wide range of stems and to boost torsional stiffness. The bar then measures 800mm in width with a nine-degree backsweep, and it’s available in two rises, 23mm and 38mm.
As for the included grips, they utilise Leatt’s non-Newtonian Reaflex technology as it’s built into the core and covered with a 25 shore A TPR rubber. The grips are held in place using a single lockring.
