Check Out: Digital Pressure Gauges, Jackets, Packs, Tires, & More
A lot of gear comes across our desks here at Pinkbike. Check Out is an occasional 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.
Topeak Smart Gauge D2X
Features
• Illuminated display, 5 - 260 psi (.1 psi resolution)
• 360-degree rotating head
• $54.95 USD
• 360-degree rotating head
• $54.95 USD
 | The Smart Gauge D2X is the latest addition Topeak's line of digital tire pressure gauges. It's light, compact, and does exactly what it's supposed to, measuring tire pressure up to 260 psi (18 bar). There's an easy-to-use lever at the top of the unit to switch between Presta and Schrader valves, the head rotates 360-degrees, and there's a pressure release valve to drop the air pressure to the desired pressure. I have found that the display can be a little hard to read if you're looking at it from an angle. When viewed straight on the numbers are bright and easy to see, but when the device is tipped slightly the screen has a bit of a glare that makes it less readable. The D2X also needs to be firmly pushed onto the valve, otherwise a tiny bit of air will escape - Topeak's Shuttle Gauge does a better job of sealing against a valve. Other than those two quibbles the D2X is a handy little device for those pre-ride pressure checks. |
Nukeproof Blackline 2.5L Jacket
Features
• DWR-coated 2.5 layer waterproof, breathable fabric
• Underarm vents
• Colors: red, grey, black, purple, orange
• Underarm vents
• Colors: red, grey, black, purple, orange
• Stashes in its own pocket
• 15,000mm waterproof / 30,000g/m2 breathability
• Price: $195 USD
• nukeproof.com
• 15,000mm waterproof / 30,000g/m2 breathability
• Price: $195 USD
• nukeproof.com
| The last couple of months have been some of the wettest on record here in the Pacific Northwest, so I've had plenty of opportunities to pit Nukeproof's Blackline jacket against the endless stream of atmospheric rivers. Its packability is one of the reason's I keep grabbing it – it can be stuffed into the chest pocket, where a tiny carabiner can be used to attach it to a hip pack or backpack. Once it's all folded up it's about the side of a big sandwich, or a softball, depending on your preferred unit of measurement. The DWR-coated fabric has a 15,000mm waterproof / 30,000g/m2 breathability rating, although on wet, humid days I did find that it got clammy pretty quickly – the underarm vents can only do so much to keep air flowing. Longer, zippered underarm vents could potentially help with this, or maybe vented chest pockets. Of course, those would add extra weight and complication. As it is, the Blackline jacket works well for those days where the weather can't make up its mind, when its raining one moment and sunny the next. Toss it on to keep off a passing rain shower, and stash it when the storm subsides. The fit is comfortable, and isn't so cycling-specific that you'll feel funny wearing it for non-bike-related adventures. The cut leaves room for wearing a few layers underneath, but it's still form-fitting enough to keep it from flapping wildly in the breeze. |
Specialized Eliminator Tire
Features
• Grid Trail and Grid Gravity casing options
• Sizes: 27.5 x 2.3” | 27.5 x 2.6” | 29 x 2.3” | 29 x 2.6”
• Sizes: 27.5 x 2.3” | 27.5 x 2.6” | 29 x 2.3” | 29 x 2.6”
| The Eliminator has been in Specialized's tire lineup for a few years, but I feel like it doesn't quite get the recognition it deserves. It's a great rear tire, suitable for everything from trail bikes to enduro or DH sleds, with a good mix of traction and rolling speed. There are two casings available – the Grid Trail version, which weighs around 900 grams and uses Specialized's T7 rubber (the higher the number the stickier the rubber), and the Grid Gravity version that weighs around 1290 grams and uses a T7/ T9 rubber combination. I've used both options on different bikes over that last year, and each time came away impressed with the predictability that the Eliminator delivers. Yes, in really wet, extra sloppy conditions it can start to get overwhelmed, but for all other conditions it holds its own. Tread wear has been even, and they haven't worn any faster than expected given the number of miles on them. I've been using the 2.3" versions, which actually measure closer to 2.4" when mounted on a 30mm internal width rim. That's a plus in my book, since all too often it's the other way around, where a tire manufacturer's 2.5” ends up only measuring 2.3”. |
100% Brisker Gloves
Features
• Insulated soft shell on top of hand
• Single layer palm
• Size: S - XL
• Single layer palm
• Size: S - XL
| I wear summer weight gloves almost all year round due to the fact that I can't stand how bulky and cumbersome most fall and winter gloves feel. However, once the temperature drops below a certain point that tactic doesn't really work as well – it turns out numb fingers don't function any better than ones that are encased in thick gloves. That's where the 100% Brisker comes in. A lightly insulated soft shell adds extra warmth, while a single layer Clarion palm helps maintain dexterity. Now, these aren't going to be suitable for riders trying to ride in Arctic conditions, but they're a great option when temperatures are hovering around freezing. They don't feel that much different from a regular glove, but the extra warmth that insulation provides is noticeable, and welcome on chilly days. There are a whole bunch of colors, everything from bright pink to camouflage, and the $34.50 price tag is pretty reasonable considering the comfort and functionality they provide. |
Evoc Hydro Pro 3 Hydration Pack
Features
• Includes 1.5 liter bladder
• Zippered chest pockets
• Elastic mesh pockets for quick access
• Zippered chest pockets
• Elastic mesh pockets for quick access
| I've been on the hip pack / stash as much on the bike as possible program for years now - lugging around a massive pack on every ride is a thing of the past. However, there are still times when it makes sense to wear a pack, usually to have more room for water, an extra layer or two, and the snacks that a big ride requires. For those instances, I'm a fan of the latest crop of vest-style packs that are hitting the market. Evoc's Hydro Pro 3 pack is the one I've been using lately. It's a lightweight, fairly minimalist option, with room for a 1.5-liter bladder, along with 3 liters of gear capacity. There's a double zippered pocket on the back of the pack, with another zippered pocket on the main flap. Each shoulder strap has an elastic mesh pouch and an additional zippered pocket for holding a phone, multi-tool, or other small accessories. I do wish that the main back compartment had a few more pockets or gear loops for keeping things organized, but otherwise the layout works well – I typically carry my phone in the left shoulder strap, a multitool in the right, and a tube, pump, and extra layer in the back compartment. This isn't the type of pack to load up until it's bursting at the seams, but as long as you keep your inner hoarder in check it holds everything well, and is free of any unwanted shifting from side to side or up and down no matter how rough the trail. |
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Member since Feb 1, 2009
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(mama means mother)
100%. Pun intended. If you are reading the palms of your gloves, how hard are you pushing?
100%?
edited for accuracy.
The regular briskers are a go-to for me every year when it gets cold.
You'll run into the same issues with every single jacket out there. The sleeves are too short/long, it doesn't fit fit great here or there. In other words Its not a perfect fit for your specific physique, which you will experience to some degree with every jacket on the market.
If these brands want to make money, they should focus more on making their products more affordable, then people might pick them up as an add on item at the LBS. That's designer clothes money for something that is going to get covered in mud and can potentially get ripped on the trails or in a crash.
195 USD for a rain shell, pfft, is what I say
nukeproof.com/products/blackline-2-5l-packable-jacket
www.uniqlo.com/us/en/men-lightweight-packable-hooded-jacket-163520.html
Super predictable and I've run them anywhere from laps at Trestle to just about every trail in Bentonville and they haven't flinched once. I even bought a backup set of the "Soil Searching" tan-wall's since they look fantastic.
I'd probably opt for the "Gravity" casing if I were doing more park days or racing enduro, but I've also run both of the Trail tires with CushCore Pro on particularly rocky DH days and had great luck as well.
I was thinking of running an Eliminator as a front tire paired with a Ground Control both T7 Grid casings on a bike such as the Spur, or Epic EVO until I noticed the Ground Control is technically bigger.
Should I stick with two Ground Controls?
Another few hundred miles of regular trail riding and no issues whatsoever.
The only side knobs I've had start to wear/peel are on my Butcher that now has ~600 miles and still going strong.
When it's properly cold out I give up some dexterity and recommend these:
www.galibier.cc/product/barrier-black
Roadie brand, bloody warm and pretty cheap. Either wear or chuck in my pack for when the Briskers can't cope.
And yes, you always need to use the same gauge for repeatable results.
* (still potentially not the absolute "correct" pressure, just what all my gauges happen to read and what I'm used to)
It's worked well at measuring the pressures I typically run, which are in the low 20s.
So yea, if you are generally always using the same gauge all that matter is that its consistent. Once you find what you like you know what to fill your tires to using your gauge.
In other words. the value of the PSI numbers shown on the gauge don't really matter: it's preferential; but getting the same actual PSI into the tire every time does matter.
Won't go on a ride without it, especially since every ride starts on the road to the trailhead around here
www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-18V-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-High-Pressure-Inflator-with-Digital-Gauge-Tool-Only-P737D/307627867
I understand why you need the gauge but I just think having this on you without a pump is useless. but to each their own!
FYI there are some pretty cool hand pumps with gauges that are easy to pack and incredibly useful!
That said this is all theoretical as I don't own a gauge!
But I do use my track pump all the time for this anyway.
If your gauge breaks, you now have a completely useless gauge that unless you fix, is going in the trash.
Idk man any way I chop this down it just doesn't make sense, you are carrying more, potentially creating more waste, and at no significant advantage in performance or practicality.
like even if we assume practicality is the same, yours is the less green option so you know.......be better.
"And on the environmental side of things, there's hardly any additional waste in the two tools I use, and both components were chosen for their known durability (less replacing)". First off, you are buying two products so that's more production emissions, more packaging, more parts to end up the land fill. You're being pretty disingenuous or naive about "hardly any additional waste". If everyone thinks like you do that's why our landfills are overflowing, bc of these choices compounding over time across the entire population.
here is a dirt cheap option that has had worked for me for going on 6 years. The switch mechanism broke once and Crank bros fixed it and sent it back. Ya I can't get .2 PSI differences but for 99.99% of riders who aren't on some weird micro measurement kick, that's a great option.
I've wasted enough time trying to convince you to shop smart so I'm tapped. good luck
www.sierra.com/crank-brothers-power-pump-pro-bike-pump~p~5370v
And I use Tannus inserts on my hard tail. I can 100% tell the difference between my rear tire at 18.5 (perfect), 18.3 (a bit too much roll in corners), and 18.7 (slightly more feedback in the rough). When riding my full suspension trail bike or DH bike, it's more like 0.5 psi before I can feel a difference, but you won't get that accuracy with your gauge either. It's great that the combo gauge works for you, but be aware there are more discerning riders out there than you.
And on the environmental side (which you only brought up yesterday)... In a sport where consumables fly out the window on a regular basis, it's hilarious that my additional digi tire gauge (very durable and accurate) is your hill to die on in your virtue crusade. I make many choices throughout my life to reduce environmental impact, to the point where I'm very aware that there are way more impactful areas to focus on aside from my adding a single durable component that allows the accuracy I need. Thanks for the laugh though, you must be a fun guy.
Cope. lol
And regarding your "Cope" comment. It's about ride quality and enjoyment, just like every bike-related decision we make. I assume you don't use a dropper post or suspension fork, because it's much easier to "Cope" than cause additional environmental disasters by choosing to buy those components.
Must have really upset you on the climate issue bc you really are trying to justify that every which way you can lol. maybe I touched on some personal doubts you already had about yourself? anyways this is boring now, if you don't want people to respond with insults maybe skip the petty "that gave me a good laugh" bs, it's not a good color on you boo.
I love debating most bike-related choices, I find it fascinating, but you've obviously got some issues to sort out beyond what the hell your tire pressure is doing. You brought up the climate/environmental topic, but clearly have nothing to say about my counterpoint that you ride with plenty of unnecessary products that harm the environment.