Randoms: Packs, Straps, Locks, Pedals, Armor, & Saddles - Across the Pond Beaver

Sep 10, 2020 at 17:51
by Daniel Sapp  
Across the Pond Beaver 2020


Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver
Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver
Across the Pond Beaver

Source Summit Backpack and Hipster Ultra Waist Pack

Source Outdoor launched two new packs, the Summit Backpack and Hipster Waist Pack. The Summit is a 15L bag that holds 3L of water with a comfortable fit and padded/ventilated EVA netting to keep riders cool. There are compression straps to keep the weight close to the rider and from moving around, and there's an internal pocket with a removable bag that's divided up to help neatly stash tools and other essentials. MSRP: $149 USD.

The Hipster Ultra is a 5L waist pack designed to give riders enough room for all-day riding. It holds 1.5L of water and has several compartments to organize gear. It sells for $109.90 USD.


Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver
Across the Pond Beaver

Hydro Flask 5L Down Shift

Hydro Flask's Down Shift hydration pack uses Hydro Flask's Cold Flow system, a network of insulating components that work together to keep 1.5L of water cold for over three hours. The sweat-proof reservoir and reflective neoprene internal sleeve keep water cold and a breathable back panel prevents body heat from transferring to the reservoir. The pack has puncture and tear-resistant ripstop bottle pockets that fit a standard water bottle or up to a 24 oz. wide mouth Hydro Flask bottle. There are adjustable compression straps to lash on gear and the interior storage pocket organizes essentials. There's also a soft lined media and sunglasses pocket to keep easily scratched belongings safe. $99.95 USD.


Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver
Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver

Giant Loop

Giant Loop make a number of products for moto adventurers but there's some crossover into mountain biking as well. Their Pronghorn straps are helpful in lashing any gear down, especially for bikepacking, and come in three sizes - 18", 25", and 32". The Tracker Packer holds either a SPOT Gen3 or a Garmin inReach Mini on your body or on a pack and sells for $39. The ZigZag Handlebar bag holds 1.5L of gear and can strap to handlebars of a bike, moto, a beltloop, or anywhere else for $55 USD.


Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver
Across the Pond Beaver

Tommy Penick Photo

HipLok Homie and Ankr

HipLok's Homie and Ankr are designed to help thwart bike thefts at home. The Homie chain lock has a 1.5m locking length with a 12mm hardened steel shackle and a 10mm hardened steel chain. It comes with a wall hook and three coded, replaceable keys along with a lifetime warranty. It sells for $144.99 USD.

The Ankr is made to use with HipLok's chains and D-locks. It is a hardened steel cylindrical outer case and rotating inner which cannot be removed when paired with a lock. It can be mounted inside and outside and has received a Maximum Gold Level Security award for both motorcycle and bicycle use. It sells for $89.99.


Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver
Across the Pond Beaver

Yoshimura Chilao Pedals

Best known for their high-end aftermarket motorcycle exhaust systems, Yoshimura have come into the MTB world with a great looking line of flat pedals. The Chilao pedals (the name comes from a Southern California riding spot) began as a passion project, as several of Yoshimura's employees ride both mountain bikes and motorcycles. Mike Kazimer and I have both been riding them and, they offer quite a bit of grip.

The pedals are machined from 6061 aluminum, and the platform spins on two cartridge bearings and a bushing that sit on a steel spindle. There are two platform sizes available, one that measures a fairly typical 110 x 105mm, and the other a pint-sized 100 x 95mm, which is aimed at riders with smaller feet. The overall height is quite thin – 14mm at the leading and trailing edges – to help reduce pedal strikes. There are 10 aluminum pins on each side of the large pedals, and they all thread in from the opposite side of the pedal with a 2.5mm hex head. The front three pins have a slight rearward angle to them, which Yoshimura says helps them deliver even more traction.

There are two sizes of the pedals, a large and small platform. The large pedals are $190 and the small, $180 USD.


Across the Pond Beaver

Across the Pond Beaver
Across the Pond Beaver

Chromag Lift Saddle

Chromag's new Lift saddle has a similar width to their wider Trailmaster saddle but is effectively longer front to back. It has a larger center relief channel to help disperse pressure and reduce contact. The lift is available in a number of colors and is manufactured using a new vacuum molded process which Chromag says gives a supple surface and clean edge finish. The saddle is unisex and sells for $90.


Tommy Penick Photo

Tommy Penick Photo
Tommy Penick Photo

Racer Motion Top 2

Racer's Motion Top 2 is their latest upper body armor. It has a new D3O BP4 back protector and LP1 pads and provides more protection and breathability than before. The chest protector now further covers the sternum and ribs. The armor uses three different mesh fabrics and lycra for comfort. There are three storage pockets and it allows riders to have plenty of protection while offering versatility with removable sleeves, and it's hydration bladder compatible. It offers level 1 CE certified protection.

There are adult sizes S to XL and kids sizes from 6-12 years old. The adult weighs around 950g and sells for $299.99 CAD / $229 USD while the kids is 750g and sells for $219.99 CAD / $169 USD.







Author Info:
danielsapp avatar

Member since Jan 18, 2007
476 articles
Must Read This Week
Pole Bicycles Has Filed for Bankruptcy
63336 views
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
63239 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
42843 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
41846 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
39775 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in TWO WEEKS!
37777 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
37399 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
37271 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

69 Comments
  • 170 1
 dude's pissed about that body armor
  • 26 0
 He feels violated
  • 23 0
 He's like "Don't, alright, just don't say anything"
  • 12 0
 Hides his moobs
  • 9 0
 he's off-gassing
  • 28 0
 Raceface
  • 9 1
 Covered up his tramp stamp.
  • 22 0
 What a poor Sapp
  • 4 0
 Looks exactly like the Leatt motocross Armour
  • 3 0
 Well done @NoahColorado:
  • 1 1
 Roady look... tight shi$ does that to you....
  • 11 0
 Looks like Daryl after he got his crossbow stolen.
  • 3 0
 www.rockymountainatvmc.com/riding-gear/leatt-3df-airfit-lite-body-protector-p?s=1271289

I’d say close to a match
  • 6 0
 “Just take the feckin photo, are we done, are we done yet?!”
  • 2 0
 @peleton7: Then he should be smiling. I know I would. PLUS, those shoulder inserts look like they might really do something, especially to protect that acromium. ; I saw a gal the other day who had a REALLY elevated proximal acromial joint and I couldn't help rudely staring. She noticed, and "mountain biking" was all she said. It was all she needed to say....
  • 1 0
 @dexterfawkes: Looks like he was violated!!
  • 3 0
 He looks hurt... even though he’s wearing armour...

It’s the same facial expression you made when your mom made you wear dorky knee & elbow pads to ride your bike around the cul De sac...
  • 5 0
 Looks like a jouster in between shows at the renaissance festival.
  • 2 0
 Straight RBF.
  • 8 0
 that body armor can't protect his feelings.
  • 2 11
flag trollhunter (Sep 12, 2020 at 8:37) (Below Threshold)
 Body armor definitely a sign of rape culture. You only wear post violations, knowing you are likely f***** again by a dirty trail. Protection helps, but it still hurts.
  • 1 3
 @trollhunter: Indeed!! Some nasty roots tossed me OTB 2 weeks ago and I'm still slightly concussed...
  • 1 0
 Poor sapp is thinking, "I bragged about my sick riding skills and now I'm gonna die off this gap that's way out of my league and all I've got is this flimsy body armor"
  • 1 0
 then this post ride pic shows up. Can't believe he pulled it off!
  • 28 0
 Oooooh.....mountain bikers (re)discovering Voile straps again. Most of the stuff we buy only comes from a handful of vendors, regardless of branding (like, we're almost all on Ideal, Giant, or Merida made frames, Velo made saddles etc.). But........the rebranding and hawking of the same straps.......THE SAME EFFING STRAPS!!!.....is the lowest,crappiest, and most cynical of marketing tactics.
  • 12 0
 Time to launch your very own MTB strap brand www.voile.com/custom-branded-straps.html
  • 3 0
 haha -tell this to all the bike brands spec'ing velo saddles this year! nothing available until May. gonna be some bikes with weirdo janky saddles next year as OE spec! and if you're selling your bike and like your saddle, you might wanna hang on to it.
  • 6 0
 Seems really weird coming from the ski world to see bikers "discovering" ski straps and claiming them as their own
  • 2 0
 @Jezza99: same with moto bros....and Jeepers.....and backpackers.
  • 1 6
flag Kramz (Sep 11, 2020 at 22:46) (Below Threshold)
 @YoshimuraCycling: "Looks good"; "oh it looks good!?"; "looks good"; "oh it looks good!?"; "Looks good"; "oh it looks good!?"; "looks good"; "oh it looks good!?"; "Looks good"; "oh it looks good!?"; "looks good"; "oh it looks good!?"; "Looks good"; "oh it looks good!?"; "looks good"; "oh it looks good!?"
TLDR: looks good

I don't see the cynicism, they're selling you cool stuff, for cool prices. What if they didn't sell it? Exactly. You couldn't strap your dick to your leg, and become the first bionicle human.
  • 17 0
 Who hurt you Daniel?
  • 11 0
 If someone would just make a padded suit with a nicely formed chest & abs, Id wear it and a tight shirt everywhere. Pedals look nice, but I wonder how that raised outer edge/bearing feel on foot?
  • 39 0
 Wayne enterprises has something like this. In the basement I believe.
  • 6 1
 We have sold 100's of them and the feedback has been great!
  • 9 0
 I want to see the Lock Picking Lawyer have at the Hiplok. My guess is picked in under 30 sec.
  • 7 0
 I can't buy a lock without his praise anymore
  • 2 0
 But it's really expensive so it must be really good. I'll take two. Just in case the first one fails.
  • 7 2
 Aluminum pins on those Yoshi pedals? I'll be replacing them every other ride.
  • 2 0
 Same thought here, can't really figure out why, except maybe for weight
  • 12 0
 @Arierep: Steel pins bend or they ruin the bore they are in. 7075 pins work way better than you would think. When they do go south, they break at the base and you pop another one in.
  • 5 0
 Aluminum pins are much better than steel - and yes they're lighter!!
I have a set and have hit multiple rocks as you would with ANY pedal. Alm pins will sheer/break off flush with the pedal. Then you just back em' right out to replace! Never an issue.
-steel pins weigh a bit more, they rust, more likely to seize (steel in aluminum) and will definitely damage your pedal body and pin threads in a bad situation...

Also! Look close at the picture you'll see the heads on the pins are pan head style, and they're hidden well from damage. Cool beans!
  • 2 0
 @YoshimuraCycling: Do the peals come with extra pins? If so how many?
  • 2 1
 @YoshimuraCycling: ok, I agree that steel pins increase the risk of damaging the pedal thread. I'd add that M4 steel pins/screws can take a proper beating before any of the failure modes you mention happen, so while the failure modes might be worse, I would expect them to happen less frequently. But thanks for your feedback, that's great from your part
  • 1 0
 @YoshimuraCycling: Can we get a pedal with a square platform like the TMACs/Tenet Occult with pins in the center?
  • 3 0
 Why are saddles so expensive? The most comfortable saddles I've ever had cost like $20. The expensive ones that I've tried feel like sitting on a rock.
  • 11 2
 Because expensive ones usually use carbon or ti rails to save weight. Steel rails are the flexiest. I know this is true because I heard it in a podcast
  • 1 0
 The saddle I want, "Azonic Love seat". The saddle I have, "Raceface Affect"; which looked really cool on the site, but in reality isn't very cool, and gets enveloped by my big bum.
  • 1 0
 I love my Chromag Trailmaster that I've had for years. I hope this new version they've fixed the rails from creaking, though. I have to lubricate where the rails insert into the fabric like once a week. Otherwise it's a creaky loud mess and sounds like my bike is falling apart.
  • 1 0
 My specialized saddle creeks too, any other ideas to stop the incessant noise?
  • 1 0
 @EckNZ: My knees.
  • 1 0
 @EckNZ: put some PTFE lube where the rails insert into the nylon saddle base. It will stop for a while. Then after the next time you wash your bike and it creaks again, toss it in the trash and get a different one lol.
  • 1 0
 @EckNZ: at one point I used seam sealer on my Specialized saddle. I think it helped with the creaks, but that has always been the fatal flaw with Spesh saddles for me. Too bad, because they fit me so well.
  • 3 0
 I am waiting for the day when I buy a bike lock and it shows up on "the lock picking lawyer" , only to find out how badly I chose my lock.
  • 1 0
 Do the more expensive hip packs do any better at staying in place than a cheap one? I have a ~$7 fanny pack that is just enough space for some tools, phone, wallet, etc, but on rougher sections of trail it tends to ride up above my pelvis and flop around. I like the idea of a hip pack since a regular pack is sort of overkill, but I don't see how people keep them in place.
  • 1 0
 I forget the brand name, but there is only one brand that doesn’t go flopsy mopsy. It looks like a fanny pack with overalls straps. But it’s pricey.

Other wise, they all flop. I have a dakine and a camelbak with a bottle holster. My only problem is I can’t lean back far enough for steep stuff. I get fanny rub.
  • 1 0
 @Happypanda1337: This thing?: m.pinkbike.com/news/henty-enduro-backpack-review.html
  • 3 0
 Sapp's expression... such consternation!
  • 6 0
 Constipation?
  • 3 0
 I'd rock a Yoshi exhaust on my mtb, even if it's non functional lol
  • 1 0
 Would that make the Brrrrrrp noises I make , more or less stupid???
  • 4 2
 I love seeing "Made in the U.S.A." They'll be my next pedals just for that reason.
  • 4 0
 You'll be glad you did! Smile
  • 3 0
 @YoshimuraCycling: You picked a great name for these pedals. Chilao literally is the intersection of Sport Bikes and Mountain Bikes. My next pedals, just for the name (and made in USA).
  • 1 0
 @solar-evolution: Thanks a ton!
  • 1 0
 the pedals have pin heads that were a good idea...but that much platform relief over the bearings were a problem for my feet till I figured things out for myself
  • 2 0
 Those Yoshi pedals look sick. I’d love to try some.
  • 1 0
 C’mon Dan, not so serious!
  • 2 1
 Sapp's moobs-finally concealed.
  • 1 0
 Me thinking "don't mess with D. Sapp"







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.034099
Mobile Version of Website