DT Swiss XM 1550 Tricon WheelsTricon Wheels are hand built, high-quality and decidedly different in many ways when compared to existing tubeless XC/Trail wheels. The rims are welded and have no internal spoke holes, so tires can be mounted directly without special sealing rim tape or such. The bladed spokes are straight-pull with threaded ends on both sides. The rim-side of the spokes thread into special aluminum plugs that fit into oval holes in the inside surface. The hub-side spoke ends have plugs that thread into machined rim flanges. Tricon hubs use separate spoke flanges so that high spoke tension will not expand the hub and cause the bearings to loosen. To accomplish this small feat, the hub flanges are glued and seat screwed to the hub in a final operation during the building process. Tricon XM 1550 wheels weigh 1586 grams a pair in QR 135/10-rear and 15/QR front configuration and are also available in standard quick release, 142/12mm rear and with DT Swiss' 135/10mm QR through-axle rear hub like our test wheels. You can also choose from Centerlock or bolt-on brake rotor mounts. Price is about $1300 USD.
DT Swiss  |
| (clockwise) DT Swiss keeps the Tricon XM 1550 wheels looking fast with white-accent spokes and strong graphics - the Tricon hub flanges are screwed and glued in place and feature straight-pull spokes for maximum tension - Our wheelset had the Shimano Centerlock brake rotor option - A closeup look at the DT Swiss 10-millimeter through axle arrangement - Small oval plugs allow the spokes to be fed through the inside of the rim to make the Tricon wheel a sealed tubeless design - A look over the top of the welded rim reveals that it has no spoke holes. |
 | We have put some seriously tough miles on the Tricon wheels and they remain unphased by the punishment. Mounting them tubeless is a relatively easy seven out of ten (ten being an easy floor-pump inflation with almost any tubeless rated tire). Gobs of spoke tension gives the relatively narrow 20mm ID rim profile a very stiff feel in corners and technical situations that heap on lateral loads. We especially liked the 10-millimeter through-axle quick release that gave a normal rear-dropout bike a noticeable boost in stiffness and steering precision. DT Swiss hubs can be serviced without tools, which is a big plus because it encourages owners to check and lube the internals of the rear hub every once and a while. The downside is the price tag. $1300 is a lot for XC/trail wheels, but if you are searching for lightweight and strength in a 26-millimeter OD rim wheelset, the DT Swiss Tricon XM 1550 sets the standard. - RC |
Giro Feature HelmetMany helmet makers have attempted to blend the skate-inspired freestyle helmet with the comfort, protection and adjustable features of an XC type lid, but the Giro Feature comes closest. The Feature is intended for 'all-mountain, trail and Super-D' and it looks the part. Its visor is adjustable with a hidden thumbscrew and there is a roller head retention device in the rear. Plenty of vents are crafted into the molded poly-carbonate shell without giving the Feature the cruise ship look that XC helmets suffer from. Colors are red, charcoal, yellow and teal . Sizes run a little small, so order upwards if your melon is in between normal sizes (Sm, Med and Large). Price is $75 USD.
Giro |
| Giro's Feature helmet is refreshingly good looking from the front and the back. The roller retention adjustment in the rear ensures a good fit. |
| As helmets go. the Feature is one of the better looking we've seen. Its design is on the oval side, so if you have a round head, you may try one on to ensure a good fit. The single chin strap is functional, but after using bi-directional adjustment straps, I find that the Feature is a bit arbitrary. No worries, though, because the adjustable visor makes up for any angular change you may need to keep it functional on fast descents. Lids with non-adjustable visors must be set perfectly on the head to blend fit and function. Giro's Feature should make a lot of friends among the AM/trail crowd. - RC |
MRP Lopes SL ChainguideBrian Lopes' signature chainguide by MRP is about as basic as you can get. It fits ISCG-05 bottom bracket tabs and works with a single chainring. The boomerang is laser etched with graduations that allow users to set up the upper and lower guides for each available chainring size. This takes the guess work out of mounting up the system. Long and short bolts, and a number of washers are included so your guide will fit any bike and MRP's instructions are clear and concise. MRP's Lopes SL chainguide costs around $135 USD.
MRP |
| As simple as it gets, the MRP Lopes SL chainguide is easily assembled using guide references for various chainring sizes. The finished product is strong enough for hard driving downhills as long as you are willing to run without a bash ring to protect your sprocket. Lightweight and simple is what the Lopes SL guide is about. |
| If there was ever a no-worries single-ring chainguide, this is the one. The MRP Lopes guide does not have a bash guard, as it is intended for Super-D and aggressive trail applications where a rider may want the simplicity of a single chainring without the worry of derailing a chain. In this respect, the MRP guide does a wonderful job. Its lower guide employs a sprocket-type roller, which will make noise in the extreme right or left cassette gears, but it is acceptably quiet for XC/trail applications and doesn't feel draggy like many roller guides do. If you like simple and durable, MRP's single-ring Lopes chainguide will do just fine. - RC |
