Pinkbike Product Picks
Kenda ExCavator 2.35" Stick-E
Kenda's Excavator is billed as an all around option with an aggressive, block style tread pattern that looks as if the design has been lifted from a motocross tire. The directional and relatively open layout makes use of tall, flat knobs with a paddle type block across the crown for braking power, combined with prominent 'H' shaped cornering lugs that provide more biting edges compared to a standard shaped knob. The tire uses a somewhat round profile that should add up to a predicable feel, unlike the on/off sensation that a square cross section can be known for. The Excavator is available in a number of different widths, including 1.95" (as light as 545 grams), 2.1", 2.35" and a DH friendly 2.5" option (1330 grams), with most sizes available in both wire or folding bead. Kenda also offers the tire in multiple compound options as well, ranging from the dual makeup DTC that aims for both long tread life and grip, the well known Stick-E rubber with its slow rebound, and the new mega soft RSR that uses a 42a durometer. Our folding 2.35" DTC Excavator weighed in at 790 grams and retails for $53 USD. www.kendausa.com
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Pinkbike's Take:
MRP G2 SL Carbon
MRP has a guide for nearly any use, but it's their trick G2 SL Carbon, spec'd on Trek's new Session 9.9 that we're currently testing, that piqued our interest. The G2 SL Carbon uses the same layout as the standard G2 SL, including the compact upper slider and sealed bearing lower roller that is protected by the guide's replaceable skid plate, but features a thick carbon fiber backplate instead of an alloy or steel piece. While the use of carbon does make for a light guide - it weighs 156 grams - the real benefit will likely come down to the resiliency of the carbon plate that should allow it to absorb impacts and return back to its original shape with less chance of permanent damage. Both upper and lower slider positioning is done with a 4mm hex key from the outer face of the guide, and the nuts are held captive within the backplate to keep them from falling out and rolling away. The G2 SL Carbon is currently offered in a single size to fit 36-40 tooth rings, and retails for $220 USD. www.mountainracingproducts.com
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Pinkbike's Take:
Dakine Nomad pack
The Nomad pack is a mid to large sized bag with 1100 cu. in (18L) of volume that can be used on everything from quick spins, to all day epics. Compression straps let you cinch down any extra material if you are packing light, but also allow you to expand the bag for longer rides. The bottom of the pack features hidden straps to hold your armour for the pedal up, and the quick release buckled panel can be used to hold either a XC or full face helmet. That same panel sports a nearly hidden zippered pocket that is perfect for your wallet or phone. Separate zippered mesh pockets within the bag keep things organized, and there is also a pump sleeve and an elastic compartment that can hold three tubes. Small side pockets at the base of the waist strap should allow access without having to take the bag off. A 100 oz (3L) Hydrapak bladder (now with baffle to make is sit flatter) sits within the molded and ventilated back panel. The Nomad bag retails for $120.00 USD. www.dakine.com
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Pinkbike's Take:
Kenda's Excavator is billed as an all around option with an aggressive, block style tread pattern that looks as if the design has been lifted from a motocross tire. The directional and relatively open layout makes use of tall, flat knobs with a paddle type block across the crown for braking power, combined with prominent 'H' shaped cornering lugs that provide more biting edges compared to a standard shaped knob. The tire uses a somewhat round profile that should add up to a predicable feel, unlike the on/off sensation that a square cross section can be known for. The Excavator is available in a number of different widths, including 1.95" (as light as 545 grams), 2.1", 2.35" and a DH friendly 2.5" option (1330 grams), with most sizes available in both wire or folding bead. Kenda also offers the tire in multiple compound options as well, ranging from the dual makeup DTC that aims for both long tread life and grip, the well known Stick-E rubber with its slow rebound, and the new mega soft RSR that uses a 42a durometer. Our folding 2.35" DTC Excavator weighed in at 790 grams and retails for $53 USD. www.kendausa.com
The 2.35" Excavator has quickly become our tire of choice for use on agressive trail and all-mountain bikes
Pinkbike's Take:
 | While not rolling as quickly as the Nevegal with its ramped center lugs, the Excavator carries speed surprisingly well considering how tall and blocky its center lugs are. Cornering grip was impressive, offering a sense of security that puts it well ahead of most other tires of similar size and intention. This was true for all trail conditions, from dusty and lose to fast and tacky. While certainly not a mud tire by any stretch of the imagination, the Excavator did well to clear itself quickly and find traction in nasty conditions. The Excavator's strongest point is its predictability, likely down to the tire's very round profile, that never left us surprised as to how it reacted. When it did break traction, be it on purpose or when riding on the limit, the slide felt very controllable and without surprise. While some tires feel as if they need to be within just a few PSI of their optimum pressure in order to perform at their best, often due to toilet paper thin sidewalls or overly flexible knobs, the Excavator has a wider pressure sweet spot that was easy to find and worked well in a number of different trail conditions. We found the reliability to be quite good as well, with no unusual failures or cut sidewalls to report. The tire's one drawback is its slightly heavier weight than some of its direct competition, but this is a fact that we're quite happy to overlook given its performance. Put simply, the Excavator is one of our top recommendations when it comes to trail and all-mountain rubber. - Mike Levy |
MRP G2 SL Carbon
MRP has a guide for nearly any use, but it's their trick G2 SL Carbon, spec'd on Trek's new Session 9.9 that we're currently testing, that piqued our interest. The G2 SL Carbon uses the same layout as the standard G2 SL, including the compact upper slider and sealed bearing lower roller that is protected by the guide's replaceable skid plate, but features a thick carbon fiber backplate instead of an alloy or steel piece. While the use of carbon does make for a light guide - it weighs 156 grams - the real benefit will likely come down to the resiliency of the carbon plate that should allow it to absorb impacts and return back to its original shape with less chance of permanent damage. Both upper and lower slider positioning is done with a 4mm hex key from the outer face of the guide, and the nuts are held captive within the backplate to keep them from falling out and rolling away. The G2 SL Carbon is currently offered in a single size to fit 36-40 tooth rings, and retails for $220 USD. www.mountainracingproducts.com
The G2 SL Carbon is lighter than the standard alloy version, but it's the guide's resiliency that won us over.
Pinkbike's Take:
| The 156 gram G2 SL Carbon is as simple as you could ever hope for, with all backing nuts being held captive and setup being quite straightforward - it only took a few minutes to have it running drag free. While carbon will always have its detractors, we're convinced that it makes sense to use it for the backplate of a chain guide. Why? Using carbon allows the back plate to flex upon impact and then return to its original postion, whereas an aluminum or steel piece would be more likely to bend and stay bent. We experienced this exact thing when using MRP's original all carbon guide that used the material for both the inner and outer sandwich plates, as well as the boomerang. Time and time again we buried the boomerang and plates into the ground only for them to come away without any damage, surviving impacts that would have rendered alloy parts unusable. The same can be said for MRP's new G2 SL Carbon - it was stiff enough to hold the chain in place, yet flexible enough to allow for some give when run into immoveable objects. Carbon will always have its haters, but this is one place where it undoubtedly makes sense, with a certain amount of flex trumping outright rigidity. The weight savings may represent a small number overall, but the real advantage with the G2 SL Carbon is improved reliability. The bottom line: the G2 SL Carbon is easy to adjust and we never once lost a chain. At $220 USD it is quite a bit more expensive than the standard G2 SL that goes for $150, but the added reliability may be worth the price for some riders. - Mike Levy |
Dakine Nomad pack
The Nomad pack is a mid to large sized bag with 1100 cu. in (18L) of volume that can be used on everything from quick spins, to all day epics. Compression straps let you cinch down any extra material if you are packing light, but also allow you to expand the bag for longer rides. The bottom of the pack features hidden straps to hold your armour for the pedal up, and the quick release buckled panel can be used to hold either a XC or full face helmet. That same panel sports a nearly hidden zippered pocket that is perfect for your wallet or phone. Separate zippered mesh pockets within the bag keep things organized, and there is also a pump sleeve and an elastic compartment that can hold three tubes. Small side pockets at the base of the waist strap should allow access without having to take the bag off. A 100 oz (3L) Hydrapak bladder (now with baffle to make is sit flatter) sits within the molded and ventilated back panel. The Nomad bag retails for $120.00 USD. www.dakine.com
The Nomad has the best internal layout of any bag, but suffers from a subpar bladder.
Pinkbike's Take:
| There is no shortage of backpacks to choose from these days, but the Nomad is one of our favorites thanks to its great internal layout. Similar to many other designs, it uses a smaller top pocket that is lined with a soft material and makes a great place for glasses, an iPod or phone. Internally, the two zippered mesh pockets are just the right size for a wallet, multi-tool, or many other things, and the larger mesh elastic compartment fits two or three tubes quite easily. We also managed to fit both a large mini pump and shock pump within the pump sleeve at the same time, keeping them from bouncing loose within the bag. The side pockets are a bit of a pain to reach without removing the pack, but make a great place for a camera or energy bars. Unfortunately, the Nomad's Hydrapak bladder doesn't equal the rest of the bag, with it giving our water a distinct plastic taste for far too long and using a bite valve that doesn't allow for nearly enough flow for our liking. We found that we had to suck far too hard to get the water through, something that can be hard to do when near the redline on a climb. - Mike Levy |
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Member since Oct 18, 2005
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"LOL , look he can't afford that lowly $300 carbon bashguard! what a goof!"
I can just see it as the next big thing that Australian mountain bikers compete over. Whos bag in more tick?
Best bladder = Camelbac Antidote
Best hydration pack = My Dakine Nomad with my new Camelbac Antidote
Love it.
It sounds like they've switched to cheaper bladders which kinda sucks but you can always put in a Camelbak.
The Excavator looks pretty good also. Maybe worth a try.
Doesn't drop a chain even with only 2 chainring/bash bolts (uber hard side hit on a rock)
And I don`t want to argue or anything Stevelol, but my friend weights about 110kg~220lb and has no significent problems with flats as long as he rides on max pressure.
That`s just my experience with those tires and i say YES!
Your statement "Carbon splinters and cracks catastrophicaly..." is a massive generalization. Carbon can (and usually does) splinter when broken, but that isn't even close to being even a small part of the story. There are quite obviously many more factors than just the failure mode but I'm going to go ahead and guess, mostly from your use of the word "douche" that you not only will never be convinced of carbon's viability for use on a guide, but also that you can't back up your opinions with anything past name calling.
content.26in.fr/photos/guidematos/2741/9089.jpg
1. the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.
2. ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.
Also, re·sil·ien·cy.
Origin:
1620–30; Latin resili ( ēns ), present participle of resilīre to spring back, rebound ( see resilient) + -ence Related forms
non·re·sil·i·ence, noun,non·re·sil·i·en·cy, noun
Anything else? Or maybe you just want to enjoy the free content?
"but it's the guide's resilience that won us over."
That's all, Not having a dig here mike, still a great article!