Sweet Protection, Thomson, NS Bikes - Eurobike 2014

Sweet Protection

Sweet Protection got their start producing helmets and accessories for whitewater kayaking and skiing, but over the past few years the Norwegian company has made a concerted effort to expand into the mountain bike world. Their flagship downhill helmet is the Fixer Fullface Carbon MIPS, a lightweight (850g) helmet that Tracy Moseley has been using on the Enduro World Series circuit this season. The helmet's shell is constructed from pre-preg carbon fiber, and was designed to have a less bulky profile than full face helmets traditionally have. Ventilation is handled by the Fixer's 31 vents, the majority of which are located around the top of the helmet in order to allow heat to rise and escape. The EPS liner has been reinforced at the front and the rear of the helmet with what Sweet Protection calls their 'Impact Shield Technology', which is designed to help dissipate the energy during a crash. A MIPS liner is also in place underneath the Coolmax lining to provide another level of energy reducing technology. Sweet Protection does not currently have a North American distributor, so prices are in pounds. MSRP: £399.


The Bushwacker helmet follows the extended rear coverage design trend that has become the norm for helmets intended for all-mountain riding, and in addition to the lower rear portion, the helmet uses a five piece shell with different wall thicknesses depending on how much protection is needed. There are three different versions of the helmet, with the highest end one getting carbon fiber reinforcement in certain areas along with a MIPS liner. For 2015 the rear retention system will be changed to a ratcheting dial to make adjusting the fit even easier. CE 1078 certified, the Bushwacker is available in S/M, M/L, and L/XL sizes. MSRP: Standard shell: £140, standard shell w/MIPS: £170, carbon reinforced shell w/MIPS: £200.

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Thomson

Thomson has a number of new products set to hit the market in the coming months, including a singlespeed crankset and rear sprocket. The aluminum crankset uses a 104mm BCD mounting pattern, but the possibility of a direct mount option as well as one designed to work with multi-speed drivetrains in the future isn't out of the question. The stainless steel rear cog mounts to a carrier ring using hex bolts, which means it will be possible to change cogs without using a chainwhip and a lockring tool. Thomson is planning on offering the cranks and cog set as a package deal, as well as individually.


We had a positive experience during our time on Thomson's dropper post, but the actuation lever was a little sharp for our liking, with a shape that looked like it was inspired by a flat head screwdriver. That's been changed, and the lever for the covert version of the post has a wider and rounder shape that should be much more appendage friendly. A version with 150mm of drop is in the works as well, and should be available sometime in March.

Changes in modern mountain bike geometry have increased the demand for shorter stems, and where 50mm was once the go-to length, 40mm seems to be the new favorite. Thomson has their answer on the way, and the 40mm version of their machined aluminum X4 stem is expected to be released in approximately two months.

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NS Bikes

For 2015, the majority of NS Bikes' line makes the jump to 27.5" wheels, including their Fuzz downhill bike. The 203mm bike has a 63.5° head angle, and uses a Horst link rear suspension design. There are two possible rear dropout positions, allowing riders to choose whether they want the quick turning, more playful feel of the 432mm position, or if they prefer the additional stability at speed that comes with a longer 447mm chain stay length. Despite being the second tier model in the line, the Fuzz 2 was attracting the most attention, and its well matched black and gold coloring will certainly appeal to riders who prefer their bikes to be stealthy. The Fuzz 2 (€2999) comes with Marzocchi's 888 CR fork, a RockShox Kage rear shock, SRAM's new DB5 brakes, and Maxxis Highroller II tires. Claimed weight is 40.5 pounds (the higher end build kit on the Fuzz 1 has the bike coming in at 38.14 pounds).


The Snabb E1 is NS Bikes' entry in to the burgeoning enduro race scene, and it looks like it will fit right in with 27.5" wheels, a 66° head angle and 430mm chain stays combined with a long front center that makes running a short stem mandatory. NS has spec'd a 150mm X-Fusion Strate dropper post, and RockShox's Monarch Debonair and Pike RC handle the bike's suspension needs. The bike also comes with a 1x10 wide range drivetrain that has a 42 tooth aftermarket ring already installed. Since the price of a 1x11 drivetrain is still rather expensive, and the two big drivetrain manufacturers haven't responded to the wide range 1x10 movement with an extended range cassette of their own, a number of companies have chosen to offer their bikes with cassettes that have alread been set up with a 42 tooth cog, saving customers the hassle of putting one together immediately after purchasing a bike. Claimed weight of the Snabb E1 is 28.8 pounds. MSRP: €3699


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