Acadian's product showcase

Over the past few months I've been testing, or should I say 'enjoying', some fresh new products. Here are a few that I really like.
Over the years, while searching for the perfect set of pads, I’ve ended up using a few different set of knee/shin guards – such as 661, Dainese and older model Roach. After seeing the new 04 Troy Lee Designs Combat pads at Interbike, I decided to pick up a pair of these bad boys to try out. They are super comfortable and by far the best-fitting pads I’ve ever owned. The knee cup pad has great coverage, thus offering great protection – not only for the front of the kneecap, but also the sides. The double layer straps (neoprene and Velcro) system locks the pads in place without digging into the back of your legs. The neoprene also helps keep the pads in place. The Combat Pads look like they would be hot during those summer days, but they have great ventilation and breath surprisingly well. They are made out of this high-density, perforated poly mesh foam that not only offers protection, but also helps them breathe better.

I haven’t had a problem with them sliding down, but I should point out that I always wear knee warmers with my shin pads, which might help prevent slippage. I know many are have complained about Dainese pads sliding, but I never had a problem with mine when using knee warmers.

Check out the Troy Lee Design web site for more info. They are available in standard (seen in photo) or shorty lengths.


Just like pads, I’ve ridden a plethora or different brand/type of gloves. For the most part I’ve been happy with all of them, but after losing skin off my knuckles a few times, I decided to get a pair of these nifty Oakley Factory Pilot Gloves.

Many will question the use of carbon for knuckle protection saying that it’s not useful and overkill. Might not be useful in every situation, but when you’re knuckles come in contact with a rock, tree, hard ground or jaw (just joking), I’m sure you’ll appreciate the extra protection. I have this tendency to not let go of the handlebars when washing out in corners, which I tend to do a lot ;o), often causing my knuckles to drag on the ground. No big deal on soft ground, but the courses I ride on are either hard pack (DS/MTX) or infested with rock (DH).

There are two vital things I look for when shopping for new riding gloves: fit and comfort. I like my gloves to be snug, almost on the tight side. I can’t stand any extra material on either the finger tips or inside of the palm. If the inside of the palm is too loose, it tends to give me bad calluses, especially when the gloves get wet from riding all day. I like to feel the handlebar grips in the palm of my hand, therefore I like the palm section of my gloves to be thin – one downside to thin palms is that they either wear out quicker or tear easily in crashes, but that’s a compromise I’m willing to live with in favor of comfort.

I didn’t like the Oakley gloves at first – Since I ordered them directly from Oakley, I hadn’t had a chance to try them on before purchasing them. I liked the carbon knuckle protection and the thin palms – but for some reason didn’t like the fit much! After a few days of riding, they broke in nicely though and quickly started to “fit like a glove”.

I’ve been using these gloves for over a year and the carbon knuckle protection has done its job more than once. They are still by far one of my favorite gloves – 661 Nasty’s being my other. The only beef I have with these gloves is that the seams tear easily. I’ve had to stitched them up numerous time to keep getting the most out of them, and the first time was after my first day of riding – at the $$ these go for, I would expect them to have more durable stitching. But overall I love these gloves, and will probably get a new pair when these ones are done, which is about now! ;o)


My Turner DHR has a OnePointFive headtube, and since I use a 1 1/8” conventional fork, I had to get either some reducer cups or a conversion headset. I decided to opt for an E13 zero stack reducer cup at the top with high end Cane Creek bearing (solos) and Cane Creek Double Xc headset cup at the bottom. The Cane Creek Double Xc (conversion) headset allows a 1.5” designed frame to be used with a conventional 1 1/8” fork, while the E13 reducer cup gives you a zero stack height and is to be used with either Cane Creek or FSA Bearings.

In my opinion, with a 7” Boxxer on Turner DHR, this is the optimum setup. It keeps the ride height low (handlebars and top crown) while preserving a good head angle. You could always run both reducer cups; top & bottom and then run your lower crown higher, thus exposing more stanchions. But in my mind adds too much leverage on the fork. I rather have more space between my upper and lower crown than more exposed stanchion.

The Cane Creek Double Xc cup has a 20mm insertion depth, providing more strength. It also has cartridge bearings, custom T-seals and bearing cups with undercut – all in all, this is one well-designed conversion headset for OnePointFive frames.

Another good thing about Cane Creek components is that you can buy any small part(s) via their online store. So if you need to replace a race, bearing, seal, etc.. there is not need to buy a new headset assembly; you simply log on their web site and order direct. Their fantastic customer service is also always ready to lend a helping hand!


Have you ever broken a saddle? Bent rails? Well these are all problems of the past thanks to the new I-Beam Seat & Post System from SDG USA. All the I-Beam saddles are made from fiber composite material and use one single multi-adjust rail in the middle of the base. This means no more bent or broken rails!! This system is super light and mega durable – all adjustable in 15-seconds or less via one easily accessible bolt.

There are currently 6 flavors of I-Beam saddles to choose from – The I-Fly, I-Fly C, FRD, I- SKY, Bel Air SL and Bel Air FX - All in a plethora of color combos.

I’ve been using the I-Beam Post and I-Fly C system on my Turner DHR for the past 3 months and I’ve been more than happy thus far. I’ve had many crashed and hard lading on the saddle – and it’s held up to the abuse.

For more info you can visit SDG’s web site.

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