Check Out: Steerer Tube Storage, Leather-Palmed Gloves, Waterproof Gear, & More

May 24, 2018
by Alex Evans  

MEC Tonquin jacket
CHECK OUT
May 2018


A lot of gear comes across our desks here at Pinkbike. Check Out is a monthly round-up of everything our tech editors have gotten their hands on. Sometimes it's products we're doing long-term tests on, other times it's stuff we're stoked on but don't have time to fully review. And, sometimes it's crazy shit someone sent us unsolicited and we're having a laugh.




ODI F-1 Series Vapor Grips

ODI F-1 Series Vapor Grips. 18.95. Photo Credit Alex Evans

ODI F-1 Series Vapor Grips. 18.95. Photo Credit Alex Evans
Finger cutouts are designed for more grip.
ODI F-1 Series Vapor Grips. 18.95. Photo Credit Alex Evans
Bar plugs are included.

Features

• 31.5mm diameter
• Harder inner layer
• Textured surface pattern
• Finger cutouts
• Made in USA
• 4 colour options
• $USD 18.95 / £17.99
• odigrips.com


bigquotesThe simplicity of these light and soft-feeling grips certainly caught my eye. The ODI Vapour grips feel like they would provide excellent grip with the added cushioning of not being locked onto the bar. Fitting them might be a bit trickier than lock-ons, but it could be worth it. Stay tuned.—Alex Evans




Elite Cycling Cannibal XC Cage and Fly Bottle

Elite Cannibal XC and Fly bottle

Elite Cannibal XC cage
The Cannibal cage works especially well with frames that have limited water bottle clearance.
Elite Fly water bottle
Elite claim this is the world's lightest water bottle.


Elite Cannibal XC Bottle Cage
• FIber reinforced plastic
• Flexible cage
• Side and front bottle insertion/removal
• Weight: 35 grams
• $21.99 USD
• elite-it.com
Elite Fly 750ml water bottle
• Odorless soft plastic, BPA free
• 74mm diameter
• 550 and 750ml options
• Weight: 58 grams
• $8.99 USD


bigquotesNot all water bottles and cages are created equal, and there's nothing worse than realizing that the fancy cage you bought won't work with your frame. Elite's Cannibal XC cage helps prevent that scenario by allowing you to pull out your bottle whatever way you want, whether that's from the side or the front.— Mike Kazimer




MEC Tonquin Gore Tex Jacket

MEC Tonquin jacket
Pinkbike alum Tyler Maine with some blue steel.

MEC Tonquin jacket
The pre-curved, helmet compatible hood is internally adjustable.
MEC Tonquin jacket
Gore-Tex Paclite is a good compromise between breathability and waterproofness.

Features

• Lightweight 2.5-layer Gore-Tex Paclite fabric is breathable and waterproof
• DWR finish, fully sealed seams, and water-resistant zippers
• Adjustable hood with pre-curved brim is helmet compatible
• Pit zips to exhaust heat when slogging uphill
• Handwarmer pockets and zippered internal chest pocket
• Drawcord-cinch hem and hook-and-loop cuff adjustments
• Weight: 345g (Medium)
• $259 CAD
• mec.ca


bigquotesGore-Tex and other membrane fabrics are great, but they can take a toll on the budget. Only available in Canada, MEC's Gore-tex Paclite jacket is a good bit cheaper than many comparable jackets from traditional outdoor brands—and way cheaper than some boutique bike brands. It's not a bike specific jacket, so the fit is a bit bulky, but the hood fits over a helmet and it has some nice details. For those who want wet-weather protection during shoulder season without paying a premium, it's worth a look.—Brian Park




Fabric Scoop Race Radius Saddle

Fabric Scoop Race Radius. 69.99. Photo Credit Alex Evans

Fabric Scoop Race Radius. 69.99. Photo Credit Alex Evans
The Scoop Radius' profile is shaped for your ass.
Fabric Scoop Race Radius. 69.99. Photo Credit Alex Evans
The Scoop is sleek-looking.

Features

• Three-part construction
• Available in 2 colours
• Titanium seat rails
• Flexible nylon base
• Microfibre seat cover
• 250g claimed weight
• Designed for an upright riding position
• Available in three profiles (Flat, Shallow, Radius)
• £69.99
• fabric.cc


bigquotesFabric's Scoop saddles certainly look sleek. They also come in an extensive range of fits depending on how you ride your bike. This Radius saddle is designed for more upright riding positions, like when you're pedalling your enduro bike to the top of a stage. If you're looking for a lighter version, there's the Scoop Ultimate that costs a cool £199.99!—Alex Evans




Miles Wide Industries Fork Cork

Fork Cork
Making use of open space, the Fork Cork adds steerer tube storage for small items.

Fork Cork
The simple design fits any tapered steerer tube.
Fork Cork

Features

• Watertight seal
• Holds cash, a C02, tire lever, etc
• Adds minimal weight
• No tools needed to install or remove
• Proprietary washer
• Made in Asheville, NC by Industry Nine for Miles Wide
• Available online or at bike shops
• $30 USD
• More Info.


bigquotesNot having what you need out on the trail sucks. The Fork Cork makes use of the empty space in your steerer tube by allowing you to store things that may be handy out on the trail in enhancing your ride experience and thus keeping your pockets empty and your shorts from sagging. CO2's, a fire starter, plug kit, spare currency... contraband? Your imagination and the size of your steerer tube is the limit.—Daniel Sapp




Fox Ascent Gloves

Fox Ascent Glove

Fox Ascent Glove
The thin lycra back is super-stretchy.
Fox Ascent Glove
The goat-leather palm feels luxurious.

Features

• 4-way stretch lycra
• Touch-screen compatible
• Goatskin leather palm
• Mid-length cuff
• 5 size options
• 3 colour options
• $USD 44.95 / £35
• foxracing.com


bigquotesI spotted a mate wearing a pair of these gloves recently and just needed to try them out for myself. The leather palm provides a great tactile feel through the bars on the trail. Fox has doubled down on a minimalist approach to performance with these gloves, and to top it off they look ultra sleek. They're super-thin, which helps them feel great, so hopefully they hold up!—Alex Evans



MENTIONS: @Fabric @Odigrips @mountainequipmentcoop @Fox-Head-Inc @LoneRider444


Posted In:
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88 Comments
  • 137 3
 Forkcork. Finally a place to keep my joints and a lighter that won't get crushed in a crash. Getting one. . .
  • 12 3
 I love baby rattles. Just add a few BB's and rock n roll on every bump.
  • 17 3
 @headshot:

That would be a good prank on your riding buddies. It would take them a good bit to figure out you put some B.B.s and a fork cork in place.
  • 14 1
 @whambat: seat tube is easier and getting the BBs out is harder.
  • 20 0
 @SpillWay: put a little grease on those BBs so it takes a week or two before they start rattling.
  • 32 0
 4 words : integrated steerer tube vaporizer.
  • 17 0
 @rellinger
Been using one to store my weed for a few months. You can wedge a bag way up in the top part of your steerer tube. It's also air tight so no suspicious smells. Ideal.
  • 3 0
 @heropictures: You evil genius you!! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @BenPea: damn right. Pull the top cap off and we’ll u know the rest.
  • 3 0
 goo.gl/images/8uN3iE
  • 42 1
 Buys a new water bottle becuse it's 8 grams lighter than the one he uses. Fills it with 750 grams of water.
  • 58 1
 Still, 8 grams though...
  • 42 0
 Can save 156 more grams by using pure alcohol...
  • 3 0
 Remove the mouthpiece seal for that extra gram
  • 13 2
 @NicoBoshoff: If you aren't circumcised I can think of a way to save some weight . . .
  • 3 3
 @taletotell: nooo drunk me definitely meant to up vote. not down vote Frown someone down vote me please
  • 3 0
 @friendlyfoe: lived up to your name though
  • 25 2
 I don't really get what's new about that water bottle/cage it looks just like any other combo...

and those fork cork: for what? I've been using a champagne cork for years..cut the upper, round part off and put a cable through so you can remove it easily... it works perfectly and cost me only 5$ and a headache the following day...
  • 6 0
 Buy real champagne and it will be more expensive Wink

I have the cork from Miles Wide. Not cheap but feels solid.
  • 1 0
 What is the diameter on that cork? Seems like it would be too narrow. If not would this work?
www.walmart.com/ip/Attwood-Brass-Snap-Handle-Drain-Plug-Without-Chain/16537189?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222016249625&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10363704202&wl4=pla-1103088190018&wl12=16537189_0&wl14=boat%20drain%20plug&veh=sem&msclkid=82f3ecfaea2518193af2b7fdba8832c4
  • 2 1
 @taletotell: nope I don't think so... I meant these ones: www.featurepics.com/FI/Thumb300/20070813/Champagne-Cork-411053.jpg
cut the upper part off and it should fit...
  • 1 0
 @Nicolai-ion-rider: Nice. Another excuse to go to the wine store.
  • 24 6
 Those grips look like something you would find in the bedroom drawer of a very bored housewife
  • 91 0
 you are implying that this housewife only has a set of ODI grips, and does not posses a bike to attach them to, and as a results she is very bored because she can't go mountain biking? And she keeps the grips in her bedroom draw to be tidy?
  • 7 0
 do tell us more
  • 13 0
 WE HAVE QUESTIONS
  • 41 1
 @Mojo348: EXACTLY, along with an electronic dropper
  • 3 0
 @Mojo348:

...go on...
  • 2 0
 She keeps them right next to the Fork Cork which she uses for [your answer here]
  • 1 0
 I have em, I like 'em. Wife likes em' too Wink
  • 16 2
 "Cash, CO2, tire lever"...Pfffft! Being made in Asheville it's primary design goal is devil's lettuce storage.
  • 8 0
 I heard you can hide left handed cigarettes with them too.
  • 3 1
 Satan's Salad? Mephistopheles' Mustard Greens?
  • 16 1
 They need to make the Steerer tube into a bong....
  • 12 2
 Fork cork was my idea. I've been bashing lumps of aluminium foil into the steerer tube for years. Royalties please.
  • 179 0
 Goat skin gloves was my idea. I've been sticking my hands in goats for years now. Royalties please.
  • 4 3
 @bluechair84: just your hands you say, hmm...
  • 3 0
 @bluechair84: Found the Welshman!
  • 11 0
 Always thought my water bottle was too heavy.
  • 30 0
 You just have to take it empty to save weight
  • 32 1
 I drill holes in mine.
  • 7 0
 Now I can stash my green in the steerer tube of my fork, sweet!
  • 5 0
 Goat skin- for HIS pleasure.
  • 3 0
 How do these ODI grips compare to ESI ? They seem similar except for the cutouts
  • 2 0
 They're a bit stickier
  • 1 0
 Esi are foam and odi is rubber, Esi has less bump absorption than the rubber odi imo and therefore the odi is more comfy
  • 1 0
 I have both, ESIs are cushier(thicker) but the ODIs are a bit damper and will probably be more durable.
  • 1 0
 Finally a contender!
  • 6 6
 At least sixty dollars CAD for "minimalist" gloves? No thanks. Watson "Wingman"- $13.99 Canadian pesos at Princess Auto.
www.watsongloves.com/wg-products/products-single-item/?cat=at-play&sub=high-performance&pid=740
Grippy, cool, they're black. A basic glove for those who don't like extra padding.
I guess this qualifies as a "long term review" for Pinkbike, as I have way more than 50 miles on them.
  • 6 0
 They're bland. I need a brand on the back of my hand.
  • 1 0
 @colincolin: If you check these Watson gloves you get the logo and you can color match your bike!

www.watsongloves.com/wg-products/products-single-item/?cat=at-play&sub=high-performance&pid=759
  • 2 0
 $40 from CRC and they're f*cking amazing. Best gloves I've ever tried, and I've tried a lot of gloves. That said they're still Fox and will fall apart after half a season
  • 1 0
 canadian pesos...very funny
  • 1 0
 @src248: until they get wet.
  • 3 0
 @mm732: Goat leather is amazing and thin but when wet is about the most disgusting thing you can have pressed up against your skin. f*ck I'm watching TV and naked Donald Trump is worse, but after that wet goat leather.
  • 1 0
 @friendlyfoe: It's wet dead skin. What did you expect?
  • 1 0
 Have the grips and love them , very comfy on my old beat up hands . Bottle and cage interest me as they are a matched design/pair.

and @brule looking good buddy , we have to do a lap or two one of these days.
  • 1 0
 That fork cork is a great idea. I just went online to purchase one and unfortunately shipping is almost the cost of the part to have it sent to Canada. That’s just way to much money considering the exchange rate too Frown
  • 1 0
 I don't like these new ELITE superlight bottles. Those thin walls deform the bottle when squeezing making the bottle leak. I will keep my Corsas, TYVM.
  • 7 4
 Foxs are goat killers, but now fox make goat killers?
  • 3 1
 I have the gloves, best pair I’ve had. Love the thin, sleek feeling.
They go weirdly stiff when cold, though.
  • 4 1
 Wash them a few times and see how the skin goes hard and splits. Had some Giro leather palm gloves a while back. They did not last long.
  • 3 0
 @headshot: damn, i have those. Never washing them again.
  • 1 0
 I Had those gloves. Low side crash and i ended up sliding on my palms. Tore straight through and left them useless. I did like them before they torn up. Just not durable enough for even minor crashes.
  • 1 0
 @BenPea: I washed mine once and they kind of wrinkled up a bit ,They don't look like they will survive many cycles through the washer machine , They are very comfy though
  • 3 0
 @headshot: The trick with leather is to apply conditioner/moisturiser. Keep the leather supple and it should last a lifetime.
  • 1 0
 Well - hand wash, luke warm water, very mild detergent, inside out. They've been fine. It's leather guys - who puts leather through the washing machine??
  • 4 0
 @m1dg3t: it puts the lotion on it's gloves or it gets the hose again
  • 1 1
 @upchuckyeager: Goat leather is thin but finniky. Kangaroo leather is the next step up. Not joking
  • 1 0
 That's because they are made of goat's scrotum skin. They also shrink when you do scary shit on your bike.
  • 1 0
 those ascent gloves are great until water gets inside. the backing to that nice leather palm is super slick. scariest thing ever.
  • 1 0
 Has anyone tried gear from showers pass? Their wet weather gear looks the business.
  • 1 0
 I have. It is.
  • 3 0
 LOUD NOISES
  • 2 0
 BAAAAAAAH!!!
  • 2 0
 The 80's called, they want their water bottle back.
  • 1 0
 I tried on those fox gloves at my lbs, they feel amazing but f*ck paying 65$ for a f*cking pair of gloves
  • 1 0
 $40 through CRC
  • 1 0
 Also got the gloves, got about 6 pairs. Always go back to the goat. Always feel best.
  • 1 0
 Proprietary bottle and cage, yeah nah.....
  • 2 0
 Ordered that jacket.
  • 5 0
 If you have money to order that jacket then you have money for two grab me the xl
  • 1 0
 I think I paid $130 for a Columbia jacket with all those features...
  • 2 0
 Really? MSRP? I think the Paclite fabric is a good balance for medium weight MTB jackets.

MEC also does have decent sales on once in a while.
  • 2 0
 Gore-tex? Really?
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Yeah, it's the Evapouration jacket I believe. Not Gore-tex but it's a version of Columbia's Omni-Tech that's very light, waterproof, and breathable so it's functionality similar. It's been great for windy/rainy/cool days on the bike, really happy with it. Doesn't have "hand warmer pockets" but hey, it's literally half the price
  • 1 0
 Tyler. So hot right now. Tyler.
  • 1 0
 Looking good @Brule







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