Cool mountain bike kit for test this week comes from Specialized and Magura in the form of a SWAT tool and a new set of brakes. The gravellers amongst us will appreciate two new gravel wheelset and some rather nice Pas Normal Lycra. And for longer journeys there’s some neat ultralight camping gear from DD Hamocks.

Specialized Swat Conceal Carry MTB Tool

This Specialized Swat tool is now available to buy separately meaning if you don’t have a Spesh of it your bike didn’t come with is already installed, you can now be enduro friendly and stick your multitool in your steerer tube. The tool is also a chain breaker and fits a spare quick link in the bottom as well. 

Specialized Swat Conceal Carry MTB Tool
Specialized Swat Conceal Carry MTB Tool (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

 

Specialized Swat Conceal Carry MTB Tool
Specialized Swat Conceal Carry MTB Tool (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

Magura MT5 Disc Brakes

The MT5 disc brakes are the cheapest four pot option from Magura. We’ve heard these are super powerful and wanted to put that to the test too. It’s perfect timing as we have a range of other four pot brakes at off-road.cc HQ to test and we have high hopes for these and their trickle down tech from their big brothers the MT7’s. 

Magura MT5 brakes
Magura MT5 brakes (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

 

Magura MT5 brakes
Magura MT5 brakes (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

 

Magura MT5 brakes
Magura MT5 brakes (Image Credit: Rachael Gurney)

Boyd Jocassee 650b Gravel wheelset

We’ve also got a rather high end carbon wheelset in from Boyd Cycling in the US. The Jocassee 650b wheelset was basically made to be used with the WTB Horizon tyres, so that’s what we’re using it with at the moment (don’t worry we have other tyres planned too). Perhaps uniquely for the gravel world, these feature an aero 36mm deep rim profile and the internal width of 24mm is said to be optimised for 47mm tyres.

Our version is built up with Boyd’s own Quest hubs with 5-degree engagement, though there is the option to ugrade to White Industries hubs as well. We also have Boyd’s Tickled Pink tubeless sealant and the some neat tubeless valves which feature a nifty wingnut to make tightening and loosening in case of a puncture much easier.

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BLJP_Cool_Things-4 (Image Credit: Benedict Pfender)

 

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BLJP_Cool_Things-6 (Image Credit: Benedict Pfender)

 

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BLJP_Cool_Things-7 (Image Credit: Benedict Pfender)

 

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BLJP_Cool_Things-8 (Image Credit: Benedict Pfender)

 

Pas Normal Studios Essential kit

Pas Normal Studios makes premium cycling clothing with a focus on high performance as well as great aesthetics. The Essential kit features a more relaxed cut in comparison to the racier items in the rest of its collection. Whilst it definitely commands a premium, we think this kit looks amazing and the construction is impeccable. We’re looking forward to spending some long days gravel grinding to see how it performs.

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BLJP_Cool_Things-18 (Image Credit: Benedict Pfender)

 

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BLJP_Cool_Things-19 (Image Credit: Benedict Pfender)

 

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BLJP_Cool_Things-20 (Image Credit: Benedict Pfender)

DD Hammocks Frontline Hammock and Superlight Tarp

We all like to save weight, especially when we have to carry that weight around with us when bikepacking. Lots of you may have come across a tarp and bivy setup, but DD Hammocks goes a step further by offering ultralight hammocks that promise a comfortable nights sleep suspended in the trees plus the protection of a tarp set up above you. We are planning a trip soon so keep your eyes peeled for a review.

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BLJP_Cool_Things-15 (Image Credit: Benedict Pfender)

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