We left a very busy Corebike with a backpack filled to the zip with fresh and exciting bits and bobs, so in this week’s Five Cool Things, we’re going to check out SRAM’s latest brakes, Jackson Goldstone’s signature grips, and a neat tubeless accessory from Crankbrothers. On top of all that, Orbea’s newest gravel bike makes an entrance, as do Title’s clipless pedals. But it’s been a big old week in the news, so let’s glance over the week’s happenings.
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The weeks surrounding Corebike, the UK’s biggest cycling trade show, are always super busy with new releases, and 2026 has proven to be no different. The week kicked off with Teravail’s new gravel cockpit and finishing componentry, then swiftly moving onto SRAM’s update to its Maven brakes and the release of Specialized’s short travel, ‘electric rally’ bike, the Levo R. That’s not all as Race Face unveiled its e-MTB specific Era carbon wheelset and Giant brought refinements to its budget-friendly Stance E+, as well as Liv’s Embolden E+.
Things have been super exciting over in the features camp, too, as at Corebike we clapped eyes on Hope’s upcoming HB912, a short-travel, beautifully made trail bike. Our Steve caught up with Laurens ten Dam to learn about his transition from the Tour de France to ultra gravel racing, and I managed to get my first taste of 32-inch wheels on Starling’s Big Bird.
As for reviews, we delivered our verdict on Cilo’s Kyano HC1, a Shimano EP8-equipped enduro e-MTB, as well as WTB’s Solano SL saddle and Topeak’s Turboflow Valve Combo W/Rapidhead. We also reviewed Pembree’s very latest pedals, the D3A. Anyway, onto the cool things.
SRAM Maven B1 Silver brakes
£260
With two years under their belts and hung on the bars of many a downhill pro, SRAM’s Maven brakes have cemented themselves as some of the most powerful on the market. However, they’re not perfect, but with a fresh SwingLink and uniform pistons, SRAM is chasing perfection with its Maven B1 brakes. The combination of a new SwingLink and pistons have been shaped to achieve better modulation from the brake, so more control and less fatigue. I’ve also been told that there’s less deadband in the lever stroke, too.
There’s a little more at play here, too, as the Maven B1 Silver and Ultimate feature new lever blades, which shed a bit of weight, while looking pretty sweet, I reckon.
Orbea Terra Race M31ELTD 1X
£5,199
I won’t comment on that model name, but this is Orbea’s latest version of its Terra Race gravel bike. Built for gravel racing, it boasts Orbea’s OMX carbon, which is the brand’s lightest and stiffest layup, it claims. Orbea has also taken a lot of time to minimise the amount of overlap between each carbon sheet, the result of which saves around 300g without sacrificing strength, says Orbea.
As well as some aero shapes around the frame, this bike uses the slippery OC SH-RA10 Aero Cockpit that features full internal cable routing and plenty of stiffness to keep things efficient when sprinting. Though the Terra Race isn’t all about stiffness, as the rear triangle is built to damp vibrations. While there may be a hint of extra compliance here, Orbea reckons that it’ll mean more grip for more consistent power transfer when racing.
OneUp Components Goldstone Grips
£27.99
Child prodigy turned DH World Champion, 2022 Red Bull Hardline and 2025 Red Bull Hardline Tasmania winner, Jackson Goldstone needs absolutely no introduction. The incredibly successful athlete has been running OneUp Components’ kit for a little while now, and more recently has worked with the brand to create his signature grips – the Goldstone Grips and as you might expect from a DH pro, they’re pretty techy.
The bulk of the grip is made from a super tacky 20A rubber compound to provide shed-loads of traction, but the flared bar end uses a firmer durometer, 45A rubber to add a welcome level of durability. As usual, this grip uses a single locking collar, but that’s perhaps the most ‘normal’ thing on the grip, as well as the knurled grip body. There’s a super soft raised palm pad as well as very pronounced finger ramps. Rounding off the grip is a cutout in the core under the thumb for a boost in bar feel and comfort.
The Goldstone Grips are available in five colours. Oh, that is Jackson’s actual signature on the card… Ah, the perks of trudging through Corebikes many, many rooms.
Title Connect Clipless pedals
£149
Title is a brand that’s quickly becoming known for producing some rather pretty high-end components, and the Connect Clipless pedals certainly fit that theme. They’re shaped to provide tonnes of stability while being absolutely bomb proof. To do so, the pedals use an SPD compatible binding bolted to a 6061-T6 aluminium body, which are also home to five pins per side. They also come with a very wide 60mm q-factor (or rather, long spindles) to boost said stability.
These can be picked up in three colours, and are claimed to weigh 540g.
Crankbrothers Plug Mate Tyre Anchor Kit
£9.99
Brands are getting mighty creative with tubeless repair, and Crankbrother’s Plug Mate Kit may be one of the best solutions we’ve seen. Granted, we’ve seen very similar technology on WTB’s TCS Rocket Tyre Plug Kit, the Plug Mate Kit can be used with any existing tubeless repair kit, save for maybe Peaty’s. These little plastic anchors slip into the fork of a tubeless repair kit, the tubeless plug then gets threaded through the anchor and that all gets inserted into a puncture. The anchor then stops the tubeless plug from being pulled out during riding, making for a more permanent repair. But when it’s time to change tyres, the anchor can be removed and reused.
When parting ways with a tenner for the Plug Mate Kit, you’re not just getting six of those plastic anchors (two sizes, three of each). You’re also getting 15 tubeless plugs.
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