Pinkbike Product Picks
Bliss ARG 1.0 LD Top
Bliss' ARG top is their take on a lightweight armoured jersey. At its core is their ARG polymer technology, which is similar to D3O in that it is flexible, but hardens on impact to protect the wearer. On their website Bliss claim that their material is both more effective in a crash and lasts longer than another leading compound (that they seem to be inferring is D3O). The ARG top is a 3/4 sleeve vest with armour plates sewed onto the back, shoulders and elbows. It is by no means a full armour jacket, rather a lightweight protector for someone who doesn't feel the need for anything bulkier, or, dare we say it, someone racing enduro where you spend a lot of time on the bike, but where spine and elbow protection is mandatory in many races. The main body of the protector is a lycra top, which opens on the right hand side and stays in place through its body-hugging fit and large stretch cuffs on the forearm. MSRP: USD $219.00 www.blisscamp.com
![Bliss ARG 1.0 LD Top]()
Pinkbike's Take:
Lazer Solid State Glasses
Lazer's Solid State glasses are a no-nonsense set of riding glasses. One size fits all, from small to large. Their construction is a simple frame along the top of the lens and a separate nose piece that slots into the lens. They are literally a frame and lens, there is nothing excess here, which is reflected in the 34g weight. The lenses are made of shatter proof polycarbonate which Lazer says offers 100% UVA and UVB protection. They come in a nice little hard carrying case, with a separate cloth bag and three lens options included in the box: yellow, smoked red and clear. MSRP: USD $70.00 www.lazersport.com
![Lazer Solid State glasses]()
Pinkbike's Take:
Mudhugger Front Mudguard
Mudhugger is a small company, based in the West Midlands in the UK, which means they have plenty of experience riding in wet, shitty, muddy conditions. Their front mudguard is a tough plastic piece that mounts around the arch of the fork lower, using four, small velcro straps to secure it in place. It extends about ten inches behind the arch and a couple forwards to stop water and mud spraying up from the wheel at you. MSRP: £18.00 www.themudhugger.co.uk
![Mudhugger mudguard]()
Pinkbike's Take:
Bliss' ARG top is their take on a lightweight armoured jersey. At its core is their ARG polymer technology, which is similar to D3O in that it is flexible, but hardens on impact to protect the wearer. On their website Bliss claim that their material is both more effective in a crash and lasts longer than another leading compound (that they seem to be inferring is D3O). The ARG top is a 3/4 sleeve vest with armour plates sewed onto the back, shoulders and elbows. It is by no means a full armour jacket, rather a lightweight protector for someone who doesn't feel the need for anything bulkier, or, dare we say it, someone racing enduro where you spend a lot of time on the bike, but where spine and elbow protection is mandatory in many races. The main body of the protector is a lycra top, which opens on the right hand side and stays in place through its body-hugging fit and large stretch cuffs on the forearm. MSRP: USD $219.00 www.blisscamp.com
The Bliss ARG 1.0 LD top is, as you can probably see, rather tight fitting, and not particularly flattering for an out-of-shape journo... With the medium size jacket we tested, and a 5'9" tester, you can see clearly how limited the back and shoulder coverage is. However, the elbows are much better, with the dot of protective material placed on the joint to cover side impacts.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | There is no denying how impressively light the ARG 1.0 LD top is. Being mostly made of lycra it unsurprisingly feels a lot like wearing a lycra top, which in terms of comfort is no bad thing. Both the zip and the seams are very well finished, they don't rub or chafe at all and the cuffs on the forearm don't restrict bloodflow too much. On the trail it stays in place well. In terms of the protection, we have two areas for concern though. Firstly, on a 5'9" rider, the backplate leaves an uncomfortable amount of exposed spine on your lower back - we would like it to reach down another three or four inches ideally. We also feel that the pad would be less noticeable on the trail if it were split into sections, rather than the single, large plastic piece here as there is a lot moving around on your back as you ride. Then there are the shoulder pads. We're not sure what they will actually protect you from, other than if you find yourself flying, shoulder-first towards a tree or rock. They offer no coverage for the front or rear of the shoulder, leaving the collarbone completely exposed. We have heard tell that a couple of the top enduro racers who use this jacket unstitch the shoulder pads and remove them. This said, while it does have its faults, we reckon this is the best lightweight protection option on the market right now. Nothing else is this light and comfortable, and Bliss have understood that riders in the market for this kind of top are looking for something as minimal as possible. - Matt Wragg |
Lazer Solid State Glasses
Lazer's Solid State glasses are a no-nonsense set of riding glasses. One size fits all, from small to large. Their construction is a simple frame along the top of the lens and a separate nose piece that slots into the lens. They are literally a frame and lens, there is nothing excess here, which is reflected in the 34g weight. The lenses are made of shatter proof polycarbonate which Lazer says offers 100% UVA and UVB protection. They come in a nice little hard carrying case, with a separate cloth bag and three lens options included in the box: yellow, smoked red and clear. MSRP: USD $70.00 www.lazersport.com
The Lazer Solid State glasses are, as the name suggests, utterly simple, but are a decent set of riding glasses for the money.
Pinkbike's Take:
| It's hard to fault such a wonderfully simple product. We found the fit to be good, they stayed in place regardless of whether we were slogging up a long, road climb, or charging down a rough DH track. When we stopped they did fog up slightly, which is to be expected with any glasses you use, but they cleared quick enough when we got moving and the air started flowing through them. Lens changes were utterly simple and the way they lock into the lens is easy to figure out. While they may not have the refined feel of some of the high-end options, they certainly don't feel cheap and the arms are still as tight as the day they landed with us. - Matt Wragg |
Mudhugger Front Mudguard
Mudhugger is a small company, based in the West Midlands in the UK, which means they have plenty of experience riding in wet, shitty, muddy conditions. Their front mudguard is a tough plastic piece that mounts around the arch of the fork lower, using four, small velcro straps to secure it in place. It extends about ten inches behind the arch and a couple forwards to stop water and mud spraying up from the wheel at you. MSRP: £18.00 www.themudhugger.co.uk
Simple. Sturdy. Effective. There's little else we need to say about the Mudhugger.
Pinkbike's Take:
| The design for the Mudhugger is similar to several other options on the market, which are well-proven. Where the Mudhugger differs is that it uses tougher, more rigid plastic than its nearest competitors, which we like, and the extension forwards from the crown offers even more protection from spray. We have a preference for this style of light, low-key guard, rather than the overly complex moto-inspired options. The velcro mounting system was particularly good, it's reusable, so you don't have to throw away plastic zip ties every time you want to remount or reposition it. Out on the trail it did a great job of keeping everything out of our eyes and we experienced no problems with clogging either. - Matt Wragg |
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By the way "freeride" used to really be a TM of ... cannondale. I do love my claymore but it's clearly not a freeride. (even if it saved my life last week, my biggest crash ever)
Between my brother and I, own and have used all of the mentioned guards. And they all work to a good extent, and it depends on the conditions. Last year riding downhill filthy tracks, getting to the bottom, having to keep a roll of loo roll in the uplift van to clean my barely visible goggles lens, and that was with the Neoguard. The Dfender is in a different league, and you only get a few droplets. But, it comes at the expense of looks, like it or not, but we all care to some extent.
Like I said, the mughugger is a great compromise, and you barely notice it on the bike, I drilled a couple of additional holes in it, so it sits tighter at the rear for a more flush and even fit between tyre and guard. I had to so it would fit my 888's neat.
Dfender>Mudhugger>BenderFender>Neoguard IMO. Would not be without some form of mudguard in the winter, or any season!
There's a link to a mudhugger review too at the bottom.
It probably is the best, the others make it seem expensive, but there is much more to it in manufacture. Nearly everything MTB related is expensive. At least most of these mudguards are made in UK.
"taking the piss"
definition found online:
Taking the piss is a British term meaning to take liberties at the expense of others, or to be unreasonable. It is often used to mean taking the piss out of, which is an expression meaning to mock, tease, ridicule, or scoff. ...
A lot of the racers (Clementz e.g.) wear some kind of back and elbow protection, besides the odd knee pad.
I think we have seen every bicycle they ride in finest detail, but I´d be more interested in protection that enduro racers wear.
cheers
Tight fitting protector shirts are hot and restrict breathing. Roostguards protect much better and less than half the price of Enduro stuff.
www.extremesupply.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/600x600/foxracing/foxracing_protection/foxracing_2012_airframe_blackwhite_chestprotector.jpg
@snfo: This is an upgrade to a twenty year old minimal AXO MX-roostguard. And that saved me many times. Generally MX is better value and better protection than Dh specific. Enduro stuff is mostly overpriced placebo and conforming to a certain style.
I use these ~£6 Bolle's, and have to say they are pretty comfortable and as clear as glass! http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000VDWMYI/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1A7ASPLKOD0I6
I mostly ride with contact lenses with oakley jawbone (gift). I won't give up my oakleys even if some bollé safety will be fine also.
What they lack is durability (PC glass are very prone to scratch) and VR tint.
Lycra is itself quite abrasive in fact, so when it slip, it rips your skin in the process.
Learn it the hard way with (very) light raceface charge protection (which I mainly use against torns and bush).
Better use dedicated protection with good padding and good soft fabric on the inside.
I´m really sorry but we haven´t received any emails from you so far.
The Bliss ARG 1.0 LD Top Comp will be available in a couple weeks. (2014 product range)
For further questions feel free to contact our PR & Marketing Manager Andy.
He would be pleased to help you out!
Mail to: AN@BLISScamp.com
Sorry for the "unsatisfactory" service. We try our best to replay every customer e-mail as soon as possible.
Cheers
Query went in via the web form ages ago. No sweat however - LD looks awesome and I'll follow up with Andy (Just sent an email to Andy).
Cheers - Steve
I got these glasses different lenses just pop out to change had them for over a year and are awesome